SOLITUDE

I did not go to church on Good Friday as I usually do but used the quiet time in the morning to read the scriptures.
I was amazed at seeing in  John's  gospel the quote by Jesus about what would happen in the future. 

"A time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God."

This is a day to remember the suffering of others.  We know we live in a world of pain and grief especially when we hear about the attack on a  University in Kenya where both Muslims and Christians attend but only the Christians were shot.

Good Friday now and back in the days of the cruel arrest and death of Jesus was a day of grieving and disappointment.  "facing up to loss and death is the central theme of Easter but the good news is that as a Christian death is not the final curtain."  We try to live each day with love and compassion and creativity know that one day each of us will face a time of dying in solitude.

Process theology says we are all held in the memory of God (even as human beings we also remember our loved ones).  All of creation and every moment where we make daily choices is known and remembered with love by a Divine Being.

My day progress with a short walk and a visit with my neighbor Mary, who is coping well with the sudden death of her husband.  We had a nice long visit.

Then Kim suggested we go out as she was turning up her music to sing along with as she vacuums and cleans.  Dad and I leave her and have a light lunch and do a bit of shopping.  What a treat to come home to a clean house!

TIMING

Sometimes It is all about the timing.  When I was driving Joyce home from our meeting we were stopped by about six police cars and heard more on the way.   Found out later there had been a drive by shouting.  No one was hurt and no one was caught.

Just had time for a quietand quick  morning  prayer for a close friend and her family going through a time of great distress.  It is just one thing after another.

No time for a walk as dad had taken a message yesterday about some test I am to take at Jim Patterson on the third floor at 7 this morning.  I have to have clean hair that is all I know.  He does not know the name of it.  I am glad we both make mistakes.

Dad is happy we will go out for breakfast after,  his favorite meal to have out.  Yes we went to the White Spot!

I cannot believe it is Easter this week-end time has just flown by.  Of course Morgan can hardly wait.  I forgot to send cards I think!  No family plans yet.

Off visiting Jim and the ladies.  Feeling a little stressed after my E. C. on my head.  Just had to lie still but I am easily stressed and I am trying to over come that.

Time is drawing nearer for baby Sebastian to arrive.   A Easter blessing!

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PRODUCTIVE

Dad had a very productive day yesterday.  He cleaned up around the little running stream in the back yard and put some new little rocks around.  He is lifting weights and even wearing weights on his feet to get stronger.

We tackled putting pictures on face book together.

Then I continued trying to remove the virus which he had started to do.  I believe prayer and patience helped, plus the fact I do not want to spend a lot of money either having it done or buying a new computer.

He also started our income tax.  He finished it on Tues.



I am working on meditation and relaxation which is hard work to.  It has been recently demonstrated that just fourteen days of mental and physical exercise and stress reduction and a healthy diet improves cognition and brain function.  This was for people between 35 - 69. 

I believe the next generation will conquer Alzheimer's using these methods.  If you improve the dendrites on the end of the neurons in your brain your mental health and memory can improve.

Wed.
Dad had now fixed the computer this morning.  Spent a lot of time yesterday on it.

I picked up Joyce from the Senior's home and took her to our U.C.W. meeting.  She used to be a part of it and was so pleased to see old friends again.  It was a sunny day so that was good.

Dad has an eye appointment in the afternoon.

Yesterday we dropped a little parcel off for him.

UP AND DOWN

The ups and downs of life with Morgan.
Full of energy and so happy t0 visit with Gramma Carol and Panteli
She phones to see if she can arrange a visit with them and then works things out with her mom and dad.
The plan was for her to sleep over Sat. and Sun. night and then spend the day with dad and I on Monday and then on Tuesday she would meet up with her parents in Langley at the soccer practice for Ben.

She is so happy and excited when dad and I come over to Carol's to have supper with her and Pentali.  She is very helpful and also takes our order just like Auntie Kim does at the restaurant.  She takes me up stairs to show me where she sleeps in a cute little room.  Then she races downstairs ahead of me on her bum.  I pause to take pictures on the landing which she also points out of her and Ben.  I get vertigo trying to lean back and take a picture.

Sometime during the day she phones her mom feeling a little homesick, which is very unusual.  She has had a wonderful exciting day at the art gallery where they had special notes under the pictures for children to express what they liked about the pictures.  She was right into doing just that.


Anyway the plans that she would come and stay at our house on the Monday were settled and she arrived early when I am not even fully awake. She again phoned her mom feeling sad so her mom Theresa drove in to pick her up.

She had enjoyed taking Haiti for a walk and going to the dollar store with dad (great grandpa).

When her mom arrived Theresa made some sandwiches and we ate on the table out in the back yard. 

Then she got busy colouring pictures to enter into a contest put on by the store.  Kim had picked up the pictures and will drop them in to-morrow.

Kim was in and out.  Home from school and then out to play soccer.

I lay down after everyone leaves.

Theresa is taking a course called Human Geography and wants to become a full teacher not just a helper.  It is a very taxing and demanding job especially with one child with serious diabetes who needs very close watching.

Well I am off downstairs to join dad watching the hockey which sounds very exciting.  Waiting for news!

TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY.

New birth is a birth of love and promise.

The birth of spring is the amazing sign of new life that has perservered over the long winter months.
The unseen becomes seen in all it's beauty and glory.  This is the story of Easter as once again we journey on the road to the cross with Jesus, as he rides in humility and with a spirit of peace for us to follow.-chi

I am reading "How God Changes Your Brain".

In the chapter on prayer and meditation the effect of both these practices, along with yoga and chi stimulate pre-frontal area of the brain, areas essential for keeping one's mind focused on a task.

There is also benefit to the basal ganglia, lying deep in the center of the brain.

The brain will respond because of it's plasticity the key was to meditate and practice for at least 12 minutes.

The practice recommended is called Kirtan Kriya which can be done by the religious or non-religious.

Begin by focusing on your breathing which in itself can reduce stress and anxiety.

Secondly is the repetition of sound like sa, ta, na, ma which can be said aloud or sung.

Third is movement of touching the fingers with the thumb while repeating the sounds.

Repetition of movement or sound is found in Buddhism, Islam as well as Christian.

Sometimes it is the simple things that can affect change.

It  is pouring rain like a bucket of water is being dumped over us from above.  Get ready for the earthquake we are advised but maybe we should be building an Ark.

Loved seeing the pictures of Gramma Sandra making cookies with Simone.  Was Mary walking laps around the place to get her labour in motion again.  Lit a candle said a prayer for Mary for a safe delivery and a healthy baby and knew the church supported me in my prayer.  Our church service seemed to have renewed energy today which is good!

Dad and I have been invited to Carol and Panteli's so it will be good to be out of the house and enjoy their company.

BEN’S GAME

Ready for action!

Not clear because I had to high focus it.


This was a heart stopper as where many of the saves he made. 


Ben played an excellent game and his team scored three goals and he allowed only one in.  A very fast exciting game as Ben has moved up into a higher league.   Ben had been at an all night birthday party the night before playing paint ball and chase the flag.  How could he do so well when he must have been tired.  
A bit cold for spectators but worth every moment.

Morgan was thrilled to be spending a week-end with Grama Carol and Panteli.
She is hold a present she received because of her good marks in school.

Grandpa Chuck with Mikie and Theresa

Theresa watches for us to arrive.

She will be giving up some of her dreams of attending school because of the time that has to put into travelling to soccer games.



Two very happy young ladies both very young at heart!

TIES THAT BIND

You two are very fortunate to have each other. 

We learn a lot of the lessons in life by being a part of a family.
You learn that people do not always agree and there are times when one or both have to say I am sorry.

I had an older brother who would teas me until I raced around the house after him I was so very mad.  I do not know what I would have done if I caught him!

You are very fortunate to have a mom and dad who love you a big bunch and a loving family of grand parents and uncles and aunts and cousins that surround you with love!

Enjoy these years when you have fun doing things together like swimming of watch D.V.D.'s or playing games or riding your bikes.

Be activate by taking part in sports.

Be generous because others do not have all that you have.  There are people who are very poor.
Be a doer.

Be thankful for everything.  Keep as healthy as you can as their are many children who cannot run and play because they are very sick.

Be helpful.  At home and at school.

Be a listener.  Keep reading and learning. 

Be forgiving of yourself when you make mistakes
Be forgiving when others hurt you.

Keep an open mind and heart that sees the goodness in the power that is greater than anyone of us.  A creator and a friend that who is on your side and is cheering you on.

Learn to be peaceful, take time to pray and to meditate on the beauty and mystery of life.

You are Loved and you have the gift of loving others.