EASTER

Yes April showers bring out the flowers daily and progressively so there is lots to be done in the yard. It is a little bit every day when it is not raining.

Nice to have a visit from Sandra she is very busy getting ready for the gang at Easter.  Itis goodevery body helps by bringing salads and deserts etc.

Theresa and Mickie asked us out for supper which would have been wonderful but dad is not up to the drive especially if we have to drive home late in the evening.  We will be seeing them at the soccer and at Sandra's home.

I did get over to the nursing home fora visit and dad drove me there.  He had lunch in the car and read the news paper while he was waiting.

My thoughts about Easter and the spiritual meaning.

Our suffering can be transformed when we use our imaginations to see that there is healing that flows from the cross and from the life of Jesus.  The resurrection is the joyous gift of new life.

Spiritual energy helps me to deal with everyday problems especially with getting older.

I find the most compassionate people are the ones who have known suffering and disappointment.

You may not believe in God but keep on searching.  Life is full of wonder and awe.  Today I saw the first robin and I was so happy.

God sent Jesus to be the helping hand that lifts us up when we feel down. All he asks is that we reach out to help others.

Happy Easter!  God is good!  Jesus is alive!  Spring is here!

UNSTEADY APRIL 15

After the grass is cut and I do my visiting it will be  time to relax and enjoy our little home.

I woke up feeling very negative without a creative thought in my head.  I am thinking about Peter, the apostle so full of courage and strength and yet he denies his relationship with Jesus when he is accused of being his follower.

What happened to all that courage and determination?

Scripture has the power to reveal the naked truth about our humanity.  Failure makes me feel weak and sometimes ashamed.  I am thankful for helping hands but also I wish I could be the one being helpful.  Walking in a crowd of people makes me aware of my slowness and  unsteadiness. 

Scripture is not just something that is read on Sunday mornings but is a part of my daily life and also a part of my blog.  I was feeling ashamed of this because no one likes some one who is too religious and is not fun to be around.  I can only hope I do not lose my sense of humor which I feel is a very important part of spirituality.  

I have a pile of library books on the table downstairs and feel the urge to pick up the one "Choosing Real".  Yes, I read "Keep writing.  Your voice and perspective matter."  Yes i was thinking that I would stop my blogging.  

I will love myself as I try to love others.  I will be faithful because I may reach someone who needs to be encouraged even when life seems difficult and our walk unsteady.

Just by being me and just by being you we make this world a better place!

ACTION APRIL 14

Ben in goal in action

Ben played the first half of the game and no goals were scored on him.  A great job Ben!

This was a massive tournament with teams from across Canada.

Fortunately Theresa came to pick us up after dropping off Ben.  The parking lot was over flowing with car after car.  Dad and I manged to get a seat with his team supporters.  The sun coming out was a real blessing.  The wind was cool and got even cooler as we were leaving.  Panteli met us there and then drove us home.

Dad saw some fans with some excellent fish and chips but we never found out where they got them.

It probably was just as well as they do not always agree with his tummy.

I hope the rain does not start until I can cut the grass.  I was too tired when I got home but it had been a very enjoyable morning!

I

GOOD FRIDAY APRIL 14

Out of tragedy and even death life carries on.
Our hearts beat and we find comfort in the love of family and friends and God!

Dad and I have often attended church on this sober day of reflection.

Aware of our own brokenness.

Aware that even in the darkest days light will prevail.

I am thankful to be able to keep in touch with Jane.  Today the family is meeting to make plans to support each other in this difficult time.  Pray for wisdom and strength.

Leah and Craig are driving to Kamloops to visit his aging grandmother so she will see Ophelia. 

Pray for a safe journey and the energy to visit.

Dad and I are looking forward to attending Ben's soccer game and seeing Theresa and Morgan and maybe Mikie.  It has been a long time and we have missed them.  We have just learnt that Carol had a car accident weeks ago when a man old or young ran a red light and totaled her car but neither was hurt.  Very thankful.

The game is at two as a team is traveling from St. Albert, Alberta I think.  The game will be at 

My thoughts.

We remember the anguish that Jesus experienced in his final act of sacrifice.  He had walked and taught in Galilee and Judea suffering all the human emotions that we suffer in our lives.  He experienced exhaustion, disappointment with family and friends, sadness and grief over facing the death of a friend, compassion for the sick, the poor and the feeble unable to help themselves, and fear and trembling know he was facing the agony of a painful death.  

At the last meal with his disciples he shares the bread and wine and asks them to remember this as the way he will nourish future believers.

"This is my body (my energy, emotion and strength) given for you.)"

The cross the way of divine life-giving and unconditional love.

The cross the way of forgiveness and mercy.

PEACE APRIL 13

                                          A peaceful moment at the end of the day.

The morning began with the nerve wracking news of a bomb being dropped in the caves of Afghanistan.  What next?

Dad and I carry on our day as usual.  I have a walk then drive to a doctor's appointment in Langley.
All is fine and I continue on with the same routine.

We arrived home and Leah was here with Ophelia and the doggies.  We enjoyed a fun visit.  Later Kim dropped by with Haiti so we could spend some time with her.  I did take her for a short walk to the park, just like old times.

Panteli dropped by and we heard the latest news about Carol and the computer being re-programed.

Ken gave us a call on his way to work and he has a nasty cold too.  Hobey had a short visit with him on the way to London and on to see his girl friend.

It was so inspiring to see Malala receiving an honorary Canadian citizenship.  A young girl who was shot when fighting for the education of girls and now takes her message of the importance of education where ever she travels.

She has won the Noble Peace Prize and her courage and strength of her convictions is amazing.

Our hope for peace seems to be in our young people and I only hope the message of Easter will remind us   Jesus, a man of humble beginnings and peaceful ways, died in trying to bring a message of peace.

SKEPTIC APRIL 12

Another very rainy morning.  Good to have a picture of the sunny days.
Lots of hockey over the next few days and weeks!

Missing Nancy Lou and wondering how she is?

Our study was about skeptics.  I should know better than to leave something to the lastminute because then I wake up at 4 remembering I have not looked at the lesson.  Not good if you are the leader.  I think I was feeling a little skeptical about the study but once we do it together in a group it all works together and we discover what the important message really was.  Yes religion can be a very real time of testing of your faith.  A time to know what I really believe.  I am thankful for the religious freedom we have in this country and I think all religions are based on a desire to do good.
and improve mankind.  On the other hand evil must be confronted before it does damage to our minds and our souls.

Religion that is built on compassion and kindness and good works as well as inspiring messages has the power to change even the mind of the skeptic sometimes.

The words that are swirling around Jesus in this final week are Son of David which is calling him the Messiah.  Pilate is also getting worried because he fears a revolution  stirred up by this pheasant who is charismatic and able to perform miracles of healing and also deliverance.

Judas does not like the way Jesus is doing things and being skeptical he will try to make things happen his way even though he will now betray Jesus.  His motives I am not sure about but it seems to be all apart of the plan.  Did Jesus know when He picked him that he would be the one who would betrayed him?

Things will start to move quickly.  First Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane fervently with deep sorrow and an anguished soul that causes sweat to fall from his brow and drops of blood falling to the ground.

The message of the cross is that humanity can triumph over evil if we are willing to die for the good of all.

Jesus absorbing the cruelty and violence and sin of a hurting wounded world.

NEWS

The good news is that dad had a bike ride and I had a walk.  We both cut a little bit of the grass but at the very front it is so wet and so high it is a real chore.  I hope we can have one more nice day to dry things out a bit.

The doctors office phone to say the bone x-ray was fine but that he wants me to have a cat scan which will take months I think.  He gave me another exercise   to do, but I am not that good at doing these things but I will try.

I had a book over due at the library but when I got there she did not even charge me.

I am leading the Bible study to-morrow so I better go and work through the questions.

I have been following the news that Jesus created with his arrival in Jerusalem and he has upset the Jewish leader of the Sanhedrin who lives in fear of upsetting the Romans under whose rule they are existing.  Jesus is still attracting crowds so that is disturbing for Caiaphas who sends out spies to keep him informed of all the news.

I am amazed to see new flowers blooming every day and it reminds me to look for beauty where ever I am.