TO-MORROW

Well, I sailed through today; starting with a good walk every early.  Then off to the doctor and it was decided another scope was needed.  Just to make sure that all is well and because of my blood tests looking good we, the doc and I figure it probably is okay.  He was surprised I had never seen a nutritionist.  I made it back in time to join the Jetlag group and that is always a fun gathering.  Also learn a lot about life and where we are all at.  We connect the stories we are reading with the happenings that go into making up our story.  We share so many experiences, the same disappointments and the same joys.  Weaving the spiritual into the ordinary and keeping it real can be a challenge.

To-morrow I go with dad to take our young friend to get her meds. and then off to see Morgan do her dancing.  It will be a busy time but we are looking forward to it  A good time to make a few Valentine deliveries!.

Theresa Rose Photography Chilliwack: Baby Kylie Rose has Arrived

Theresa Rose Photography Chilliwack: Baby Kylie Rose has Arrived: "Less than a week old and this beautiful baby girl is already exceptionally stylish. She has so much color and her skin is so unbelievab..."

EVENING SKY

We discover who we are 

in the story that is unfolding around us and within us.

I am off to see the specialist to-morrow and I did not expect to get an appointment for months.  My main concern is the nausea and tiredness that I have been experiencing which I wonder if I am becoming more gluten sensitive.  On good days I do very well but so often I find myself having more bad days.  Anyway I do not expect any answers but one can only do their best.  I had a lung test at the Pharmacy today and they said I had the lungs of a 99 year old.  I know I have trouble blowing out and seem to be getting short of breath more quickly.  Maybe that is good for the heart!

  I know I am very grateful and I enjoy my life.  I enjoy gardening, walking, reading, visiting the elderly, taking pictures, going to my church group, my book study group, taking pictures and especially all my family and friends.

So my life is good and I am happy. 

I am reading about our own story is like a spiritual quest that starts when we are willing to be true to who we are.  I want to keep a sense of humor and a sense of imagination which allows the soul to express itself.  I believe that serving and caring for others gives our lives meaning and I want to have the energy to be able to continue in some small way to do that.

FRUSTRATED

The colorful fish tank at Shirley's residence.  The entrance is very warm and the dining room looks like the tea's that we put on at Colebrook.

I was feeling good yesterday when I went to the doctor but tried to explain mow miserable I had been over the last four days.  He said well your blood work looks fine except you are a little low on iron.  He was probably dealing with some really sick people as he was running 45 minutes behind schedule.  He agreed I could cut out mild which may cause gas, I could try bionics and sure I could go back to the specialist that had done the testing before.

Last night I had a horrible night throwing up and a lot of pain in my stomach.  I feel like staying in my pj's all day which is not like me.  What  a waste of time going to the doctor. I will keep a record of my good and bad days and when I see improvement I will cancel my appointment with the specialist.  I know that I am getting weaker and it frustrated me.  But I know I could be worse off but I wanted to be sure that there is nothing I should do to improve and also I wanted to know if something else is going wrong.

The rest of the day was good.  We had our very favorite waitress at Milestones.  We had both gotten very hungry by then.  We had some laughs with her and she is now enjoying married life after being married 7 months.

Dad is taking our friend's daughter to get some medication at the drugstore while they are away on holidays.
They are from our homegroup.  She is about 20 and trying to get off drugs. 

So Sandra why are you reading about Happy Valley for old folks, is there a nurder?

We are so very happy that Ken and Melina have found each other and found happiness with their newest little family

.Children are a lot of work and leave one exhausted that is for sure, but now I am glad I can just enjoy a visit and spending time with them.

OUR FRIEND SHIRLEY

Larry walking into Shirley's new home

Shirley has moved into a much smaller place

FAITH

What does it really mean to have faith to believe?

Every gospel writer expresses their belief in who Jesus was in a different way.  Some thought that a virgin birth was important and that Jesus's  coming was foretold in Hebrew scripture.  It almost appears to be that the gentiles had an easier time having faith in Jesus.

Actually the word that is translated as faith, 'pisteuo', means trust, loyalty, engagement, commitment.  So belief originally meant to prize, to value, to hold dear.  Now we have the intellectual view that the word belief meant an intellectual assent to what may seem hypothetical or dubious. 

I like the translation of the word credo to "I give my heart" not I hold an opinion that others must agree with.
Jesus did not perform miracles to prove his divinity but to take authority over superstition and false fears.

Looking back on his life believers would want to prove that Jesus was more than a man and that the power of God did work miracles through his words, his touch and his love. I think today we struggle with what makes a person a Christian.  Again I think it is the words we say, the things we do, the love we express in many different ways.  I find it disgusting to see ministers building big empires with great riches calling themselves "Christians".  Some things done in the name of Christ make me sick.

I think it is important that we use our common sense and our own reasoning especially as we read the Old Testament.  If you had a group of Jewish teachers discussing scripture they would have different opinions.
The gift of faith is available to us all and I agree with the Jewish saying that God looks upon us and is happy when we think for ourselves.

There also is a story of Moses coming and sitting in on the discussion of the Torah revealed at Mount  Sinai and he could not understand anything they were explaining.  We need to put humor back into our faith.

I am glad we were able to visit Shirley, although I felt foolish running back and forth to the bathroom.  I never know when I will bloat up with gas.  She was delighted to see us and I will put pictures up later.  Going to the doctor but I have decided as long as the blood tests show I am absorbing the goodness  from my food that I will just continue to live with the times of stomach upsets.

So as we reflect on scripture we see a vision of history and a tradition that captures the mind and the heart