BOOKS

Dad comments about the amount of books
I am taking from the library and he has to
carry two bags full.

"Do you think you have enough books?"

"No I laugh and think in my head next time I will take a shopping cart!"  Look at all I have left behind.

I am doing some light reading now.  Is that called summer reading.

My first book I am going to read is about an older couple opening a small book store of used books with cozy chairs and coffee and friendly people.  The first task is going through all their books to decide which ones to put up for sale.  They agree to be ruthless but secretly hide from each other the ones they have decided to keep.  I have to go through books to give to the church sale and that is not easy.

They have little money but have built a lot of shelf's and even though they thought they had lots of books it all looks pretty bare.  Yes, no cozy chairs yet but a sign out front saying opening soon.

I have had great joy sharing books with my friends.

Dad has an eye appointment today and I will take a book along.

Had a cherry phone call from Sandra enjoying the liquid sunshine down in Kingston.

Happy Birthday to Randy.  No fooling on April Fools Day!

"Let me live in a house by the side of the road
  Where the race of men go by
Men who are good and men who are bad
  As good and as bad as I."
--Sam Foss

So I will enjoy reading and being apart of the lives of others.

RESURRECTION.

We are so blessed
to have such amazing  weather
and to be surrounded with
so much beauty
and the scent of spring.

It makes you want to get working
on all the things you have been
putting off.

We were going to give this old bench
away but after sanding and painting
it has come to life again.

Yes dad did find the camera.  It stayed on the roof of the car for two days while we were driving around.  It slid underneath the roof rack.  That was pretty amazing. 

My computer is now telling me I am not authorized to look at my pictures.  What does that silly thing know?

I am now finishing up my serious reading.

The resurrection is important to me and must be even more important to Pakistan's Christian minority.  A suicide bomber wounded more than 200 in a park in Lahore killing 72 others.  A Easter gathering of picnicking Christians.  Also killing Muslims and the saddest thing is the 29 children who died.  This ruthless attack was reported to be the Pakistani Taliban.

Christianity there has become a resilient force.  Their faith being the foundation of all they do and believe.  Armed  guards are on the buses that take girls to the convent school.

What does the resurrection mean to me?

We do not need to look for crosses as life gives them to you.  Sin may be the cause of some of our suffering but most of it is not because of it.

We are invivted by God as Jesus was to accept our cross.  Suffering is a part of everyone's life, a human reality.  It is real not an illusion as some Buddists teach.   Some days I complain but I try not to be bitter.

We are encouraged to die to self which encompasses selfishness and greed and pride and a critical spirit.  We meet God at the cross  to give us strength and forgiveness,

The Resurrection is an invitation to New life.

ADJUSTMENTS

I am terribly frustrated with my computer.

It will not put a picture on and has been going off all day.

I lost it my temper I mean.

Dad had a good but tiring day painting the garden bench.

He overdid it and his feet are very, very painful.

Yes I have a picture but. . .

I feel like I need a soul adjustment.

It would seem that also religion is in need of adjustments too

It is sad when Christians are seen as intolerant and judgemental.

The church too needs adjusting.

All I know is that I need to find some answers.

  My computer is now working I do not know why?

"The rock has been rolled away
the light of the world shines as we see
every person, every situation,
in it's soft reflection."

_Michael Coren

GOD SMILES

Easter means many different things to different people.

For most it is the Easter bunny and  chocolate Easter eggs and a big Eastern dinner.
For many it is just a holiday.
For some a time to spend with family.
For some a time to travel,
to the beach , or to visit family or to visit Holy sites.
For the Pope it is time to visit the prisoners in jails.
For others to suffer the lose of a loved one or tragic accidents.
For many others life continues to be a struggle.


A time to acknowledge the sufferings of Jesus and the suffering of others.

For gardening or dreaming of gardening!

For Jesus it was a time for his message to be lived out in suffering and sorrow.
For his followers a time of despair and grief.
A time of overwhelming emotions.
For angels to reach out to bring the dead to life.

For women to lead the way to the tomb and rush to tell others the news.
Jesus is alive and there is spiritual life available for us all.

I felt that God was smiling on me as the receptions at the dentist told me I could come right in as there had been a cancelation. 

I can now smile again.

For many a time of spiritual rebirth that transforms our pains and brings comfort and peace.

BEACH TIME

An old back up camera.

It was amazing how many people were at the beach but we had the best picnic!

Are you having fun yet?  Rick?

The hard workers

The fire pit

The happy couple expecting a new little one in Sept.

Morgan soon has her jacket off and is running around looking for Easter eggs!  Yes she and Kate did find some.

  Kate is her cousin.

Carol has the perfect jacket!

The girls!

Yes Haiti was there too.

Chuck and Penteli

Ben would leave early to play goalie for a team that was missing a goalie. 

A long walk to the washroom!

Carol, cousin Kate and her mom Michelle

Theresa giving Chuck a helping hand.

Dad and I head for home by the duck pond.  Warmed by laughter as well as the fire!

HAPPY EASTER SUNDAY

Woke up to sound of rain on the window,  Did not sound too good for  a lunch at the beach.

Put on my straw beach hat to wear along with my best blouse.  The music at church was the usual happy and joyful Easter hymns.  There were about twelve children from teen ager to just babies.
It was so good seeing dad's caring for little ones.  The children were a big part of the service.  They marched in
from the back carrying a basket of butterfly decorations to be hung on a barren tree.
. 
  One little tot had a hard time putting it on but did not want her dad to help her.  Another three year old danced in and around everybody

I took pictures but dad put the camera on top of the car to open the door and we drove off and it is lost somewhere between here and the church.

The first message we got when we got hoe was we were meeting at the house. then the sun came out and we were back at the beach.  Yes it was fun being with the young people in our family making me feel young at heart!  Lots of good stories and laughs and good food.

It was a hoot!

Came home and my second front tooth has fallen out and I feel depressed.  The dentist will not be open to-morrow.  It will be a big expense that I dread.  It is also painful.

These things are suppose to make us stronger but . . . .  
I am thankful it happened at the end of this day not on Sat. night or I would have missed everything.

Just happy to be home!

Easter brings the hope of renewed life and the hope for a meaningful relationship with the One who continues to live within us all!
Hallelujah!   Hallelujah!  Jesus was risen and is risen and will come again!

THREATENED

Sat. was a good day to get things done outside like cleaning off the outdoor furniture and cutting the last bit of lawn. 

I hope it is not threatening to rain on Easter Sunday.  The plan is for a beach party.

I am caught up in the Easter story with all it's passion and drama.

Jesus a man who faces the future with a sorrowful heart takes three of his friends with him as he prays with deep emotion. 

If I was facing a life threatening situation I would want to share it with those who are close to my heart.

He did not want to die.  He reveals his humanity and his divinity as he throws himself down to pray weighed down will intense emotion and honesty.
A man like one of us threatened by the religious authorities continues to bring truth into the light.
A truth about religion that sets people free instead of ensnaring them with dogma and doctrine.

There is a Heavenly Father who longs to be the father to the fatherless.  Jesus fully reveals the loving heart of His Heavenly Father.

This is important because our earthly fathers can be a barrier to having a relationship with God.

They are the first to teach us about obedience and authority, provision and security, and belonging and caring unconditional love!

Jesus taught me that religion at it's best can be a great adventure even in a world where there be cruelty and violence.  Sickness and death. 

Even Jesus cried out to God with great emotion feeling that God had forsaken him on the cross of
unbearable pain after having to carry this cross bruised and beaten until he stumbled.

He was willing to die for his beliefs.

Happy Easter!  Off to church after I find my Easter Bonnet!  then off to the Beach!