GOOD ENERGY

This was taken last week when we went to Sharkies for lunch.  It was a perfect day to sit outside.

I wanted to go there to try the glutin free salmon which was excellent.

Ladner is a quaint little town to walk around and the old book store is still there, Rick

I am just filling in time before we go to Chuck's house to pick up Ben and Morgan.  Then we are off to a picnic in the Water Shed.  After we pick up pizza's we drive to Sandra's for their sleep over.  Randy is not home now but will be there in the morning,

Should be fun! ! !

STRESS

Stress can be both good and bad.

I am looking forward to having Morgan and Ben come to stay and spend time with us.

I liked being asked.

I do not like the feeling that others feel that it is too much for me.  I appreciate the concern that Theresa has in asking me and the concerns of dad and Sandra that my energy is not the greatest.  I am glad both of them will be helping and I realize it is important for me to understand the problems. 

I wish I had read this book on stress many years ago and it may have been able to help me understand myself better and also recognize what my own emotional needs are.  I have known that we are often attracted to people who are opposite to ourselves.  Dad had a great sense of adventure and liked taking risks while I like to feel safe and close to those around me.

My mom was a wonderful woman who was very strong in her own way and also very kind and loving.  She instilled in me the fear that you cannot trust a person that has been drinking because of the unhappiness her sister experienced with her husband's drinking.

My Aunt Edith was always very cheerful and I enjoyed her sense of humor and great spirit.

We  learn to cope with difficult circumstances and it is important that we learn to realize that the greatest source of stress in our lives is adjusting to others; while remaining true to your own sense of worth and uniqueness.

We are born into this world of stress with our imperfect parents that are learning to cope with life themselves.  Thus begins our journey to find our own happiness.  Looking back I can see the stages talked about, the need for acceptance, the awareness of my personality, the freedom to express emotions of anger and sadness that help me become automatous.  Finding healthy attachments where I can be assertive and affirmed.

Hopefully I can keep a sense of humor. 

Today I will be visiting a very old friend who is in the last stages of her life and I am aware that this could be my last visit with her.  I think that I have a gift when it comes to visiting the sick and although this too can be draining I find joy in being able to comfort others.

I think I will be happy if no one reads this but I am still processing life and hopefully learning.

I find strength in the spiritual practice of prayer and silence and scripture.

SPIRITUAL ENERGY

This is the first day of fall and the leaves are really starting to cover the ground.  I woke up to a lovely fresh cool breeze blowing in our window and felt good.  I hope it is not raining on our walk today but we will be going anyway.  I cannot find my rain pants which is very annoying.

The message I gave at the church was basically about finding spiritual energy to overcome stress and worry in our lives.  Some people with very difficult childhoods carry within them hidden stress.  This I have been reading about in the book "When the Body Says No"  by Gabor Mate, M.D.

Children evidently absorb the stress of their parents without being aware of this.

In childhood I learned how to cope with life by trying to be a "good" little girl.  My dad was very strict and I am sensitive to harshness in voices even today.  Intellectually I can see how I need to change and be transformed but learning to live out new beliefs takes practice. 

What do I value in life?  Having a pure heart and a loving spirit are not something we are born with, or if we are life has the power to destroy this, but I need to find ways to bring back what was taken from me.  Some things come naturally in life but others have to be attained and worked for.  This is a goal.

For me the powerful stories and words of scripture  have always spoken to me.  There is healing for the spiritually broken as I learn to return to words of hope and healing.  Psalm 91 says "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High God shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 

There is a spiritual place that calls to me to rest and trust in the Love that has been provided for me from the beginning of creation.  Words of wisdom spoken and written ages ago still have the power and energy to help me accept my limitations but trusting in prayer find new strength.

Early in scripture it says God will provide and at times when life gives us more than we can feel we can bear it is good to remember that not only is there spiritual energy in scripture but in the love of family and friends.  Certain things are beyond our control and if we are not willing to make an effort to use what we have and reach out to others in need we can find the place where we are stuck painful.

I am happy to be apart of a faith community where the love of God is expressed in words and in action.
The older I become the more aware I become of the need to feel loved in spite of not being able to do what I used to be able to do. 

The seasons change and I miss the sunny warm mornings but I find joy in feeling the rain on my face and the breeze blowing in my window.  Many in this world are facing difficult challenges and I pray that they will find strength in faith to help them through,

"Love bears all things,  believes all things,
hopes all things,  endures all things"

THE UNKNOWN

I am in a place where I am finding it hard to write.

I thoroughly enjoyed our drive through the mountains which gave me a carefree feeling of enjoying the beauty and feeling free of everyday stress. Today I will be back walking in the rain which I actually do not mind. 

It seemed we had barely caught our breath on arriving home when we were asked to host our study group.  This meant cleaning the house which had been gathering dust and dirty all summer.  It meant moving furniture so that the 11 of us could see the D.V.D. on Buddhism.  I had certain impressions about this religion, which they say is not a religion, although they have monks and rituals and teachings.
Buddha was a great spiritual man who I understand had faith in human nature being transformed from power seeking to one of peace and inner happiness.

There is wisdom in his teachings but also many strange stories that are suppose to help us see into his life and teachings.  Buddha sat under a tree, as we all know, after seeing human suffering and deciding to leave his rich easy life as a prince behind.  He would eventually choose a middle path that did not require him to give up all the comforts of life.  This path required freedom from possessions and from power and yet one was to desire to become like Buddha and thus reach this state of happiness.  This would I understand if one attain this high achievement free you from the unknown of coming back into another life to complete your spiritual growth,

Yesterday, I was asked to give a little devotional talk at our U.C.W. meeting and I found reading and writing about scripture that gives me the courage and hope for this life more meaningful.  I also included  some inspirational  stories from the life of a very handicapped man born with no arms and no legs.  He struggled with why God had let this happen but as he was able to find purpose and meaning in his life he has used that to inspire many others to find meaning in difficult circumstances.

Yes, life can be interesting and fulfilling especially when we come together with old friends and share laughter even when we are feeling the aches and tiredness of getting older. 

I woke up feeling no inspiration,  my mind empty, legs aching, feeling that writing was an effort I that  had to talk myself into doing.  I will start back doing my visiting today which like most things you stop doing, it is hard to start again. 

Yes there will be other brave souls enjoying the rain and the fresh air.   

HOMEWARD BOUND

We drove home all in one day.  Just before Blue River we caught up with a group of old cars.  They also stopped at the same restaurant that we did.  A new place to us that served great fish and chips.
We had another nice day so we made very good time and even passed a few cars.


The last part of our drive was right into the sun.

CLOSE UPS

Rick and daughter Leah laughing together.  We are so happy Leah is finally starting to improve.  It has been a long time for her recovering from her car accidents.

Sandra and daughter Mary.  Mary's hair is growing in after having it all cut off to give to the cancer wig program.  What a great gift to give some one. 

Mary and Michael John are moving back east where he will work and continue his studies.  Mary will be working with children which she loves to do.

It was good fun to get to know Tyler better and we all were so happy he made the long journey from Brisbane to Delta then to Chiliwack and Vancouver and finally to Edmonton.  He is enjoying his job making sure things are being handled correctly as they come into the country.  Imports and exports.
He worked all day and night to catch the morning plane to fly to Cananda.  Good on you mate!

Happiness is having all the hard work and plans working out so well.  Time for some fun!

Shawna looking very beautiful with her curly hair.  She gave us an amazing calender with family pictures to help us remember birthdays.  I sure need that now.  Excellent job Shawna.  You and Sandra did great in planning a fun time for all.  It was great that everyone had a special place to rest their heads.

Randy is happy the down stairs bathroom is working and so is Stephen!

Stephen was all smiles and made us all feel welcome.

Theresa provided the transportation and did most of the driving; getting everyone there safely.

Kim actually got a movie of a elk running accros the road.  Her energy livens up our parties.

Craig is a good sport and adds his sense of humor to our gatherings.  Leah and Craig also gave Tyler a good time in Vancouver showing him the town.

Mary you are very special!

Two happy brothers

A very bright sunny day but Leah is still smiling

Dad enjoying it all

TRUE LOVE

The morning finally arrives when the young couple, surrounded by family and friends declare their love for one another.

No sign of cold feet only a shy and happy groom.

Shandel was ecstatic and beautiful as her dream was coming true.

This young couple had a lot of stress taken out of the planning by the extraordinary hard work that Shawna and Sandra had put into fixing up the basement for the cousins from B.C. to stay there.

Stephen was a wonderful host and helped finishing the bathroom and he greeted us all with a beaming smile.  I was certainly impressed with all the "true" love that had gone into these preparations.  I cannot imagine the panic that would be felt if the gang from B.C., Brisbane and the Grand Caymans had cahanged their plans at the last minute.  Human nature can make us vulnerable to making wrong decisions; reminding us all of how imperfect we all at are.

The ceremony was short and the setting very peaceful as they said their vows of commitment.

I was extremely proud of both my grandsons.  They both looked so very happy.

Rick was determined to come by himself or with his son Christopher.  I was proud to see him there!

I wonder what they are thinking. 

Craig and Leah were very good sports and both helpful and joyous!

Stephen and Shawna your love was a gift to us all.  Thank you for sharing your home and having such a great party to start the week-end off in a festive note!  I have never seen Stepnen smile so much!

Yes there were lots of pictures taken and we left with many happy memories.

Now they had signed their marriage agreement so it is all legal. 

The most beautiful thing any heart can feel is loved.  This does not mean that there will not be good and not so good times in the years ahead as they mature and grow closer during the tough times.  It was a lovely wedding and dad and I are very happy for them both!

I am tired as I write this morning after having our group over last night.  Everyone enjoyed the squares and cookies baked so lovingly by Sandra.  Over the years I have tried to show my family my love for them as I baked and cleaned and took part in watching many of their activities!