THE UNKNOWN

ONE PICTURE

Many pictures were taken but I like this one with Sandra and her children and grandchild! I have many pictures of the happy times we had with everyone with plenty of food and barrels of laughter. I was sure ready to come home and collapse into bed.

Rick, our son, is still staying with us and fortunately was able to do some work here in Vancouver and in Chilliwack.

Today we are going to have lunch with Jane and Geff and then Jane and I will carry on and visit Shirley. She will have been to the doctor yesterday and the decision about her returning home will be addressed.

Our health is so very important and yes we need to do all the tests that the doctors recommend. I had just recently had two colonoscopys and I would lose more weight which I am suppose to be trying to gain.

I count my blessings when I see my happy healthy family.
One of our grandchildren seems to be having a rough time but hopefully he will feel loved in this world that can seem so unloveable.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES

What a difference a day makes.

Monday was pouring with rain and Tuesday dawned bright and sunny. The children are all heading back to school and all of a sudden the sidewalks are full of excited and happy children.

One day we were looking forward to our son and grandchildren coming for a awesome family celebration and then all of a sudden they are leaving and last night we had a good-bye supper at Sandra and Randy's with roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Too bad Rick missed it. So by today they will all have left and life returns to a slower pace; not that I did much but just be present.

One day last June I was told that I may have cancer growing in my colon and that I needed a colonosocpy. No Way. I was able to talk myself and the doctor out of that as he agreed with me it probably was a mistake. Two months later I get the news that all is fine and I am free of cancer. I have thought over this time about how I would deal with it if the news was bad but I firmly believe we are given the strength and courage we need by asking and praying.

So life is full of happiness and sadness, worry and relief and I am learning to cope with each day as it comes. There are many things in our lives we cannot control. There are the family health problems that get past on generation after generation. It is good to know what health problems your parents have had. We have new ways of dealing and treating illness so that is good.

We cannot control the weather and climate change is a big concern. Nature is a powerful force and I can certainly understand the fear that when the heavens thundered people believed it was god expressing his anger.

I have been blessed with hearing the whisper of love that has drawn me into the greatest mystery of all. I am thankful for the words of Jesus and the promises of comfort and strength the Holy Bible gives to me. It would sadden me if I did not have these words to read.

I feel extremely strongly that we should not destroy what others call sacred and holy.

But we need to confront faith that stirs up hatred and mistrust and fear. Reading the Infidel has allowed me to see into the world of Muslim religion. It saddens me to see the life of this young girl poisoned by violence and hatred and male domination.

She fights to keep her spirit alive and leaves her country to discover another world.
I search the scripture to find out how to live each day with love and acceptance.

A SEASON

Leah and Craig.
"To everything there is a season"
This has meant for Leah having to spend time working at recovery from two car accidents that let her in great pain. She is gradually getting better but hopes of getting back into a nursing career are dimming.

Leah will be continuing her education and hopefully a better future awaits her.
She is a joy to be with and we appreciatte Craig's support of her. We had a fun time celebrating her birthday with her and her mom and dad and brother.

Hopefully this will be a season of healing and new beginnings for her.

HABITS

Carol and Panteli have moved from their home in Tsawwassen to an apartment. It is across from the place where this picture is taken. These places are unique because they are built right on the edge of the water. I actually like their place better because it is up on the third floor among the trees. You are close to nature and also have a view of the park.

A first we had to brake the habit of going to their old house and make the first turn off not the second.

Habits are a part of all our lives, more than we realize. That is why it is good to have good habits that enrich your life and the lives of others. We all have our own opinions that we probably feel strongly about. It takes an effort not to always feel that I have to express what I believe and to just ask
"What do you believe?"
"Why do you believe this or that?"
"Is their room for questions or has what you believe just become a habit?"
"Are you interested in what others believe and how they look at scripture?"

Prayer has become a habit in my life because I have discovered that I need to express what I feel and what I believe. But it is only in the silence that I sense God speaking to me. He challenges me to see new possibilities in my self and in others.

I have fallen into the habit of seeing scripture through the old ways of expression; but now I know that saying to someone that they are sinners and need salvation just does not mean anything to them. Yet to say that we all are very human and we make mistakes but there is a way of transcending our humanity by being open to a voice that can guide us towards what is a better way.

To be fully alive and to be fully human!

AN OBSERVER

Soon the summer hats will be replace by warmer ones. I am observing more signs of fall in the air. September is one of my favorite months.

I am finding more and more that I have become more of an observer and the one who gets waited on in our family get to-gathers. Which I am okay about.

The birthday party was a big success and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Our roles in life are always changing and I am thankful to be where I am today.

Now I will go watch dad make breakfast.

THE ROSE

I was walking along thinking of all the things I had to do this morning when I looked up and saw this beautiful rose.

I am praying that it will not rain today as this is the day we have the party for Leah and Sandra and they have such a beautiful yard it will be nice if we can be outside.

I did not get to church but I have made my cake and will do my casseroles next. I listened to the Hour of Power on T.V. and the music was so uplifting it did my heart good.

The glory of the Lord is shining upon us all
The music of the heavens fills the earth.
If something feels like it is impossible give it to God.
We all carry too many burdens that is impossible for our souls to find rest.
In resting we find healing.
Believe in the love that will never let you go! !