Good News

Just wanted to say that Sam suffered no structural damage to his heart, and that means he is not in heart failure. (I did not sleep a wink all night) So we can deal with the pneumonia and breathe a sigh of relief. Yay! Thank You Jesus!

Dog Tired

Today Sam and I took a long awaited trip to Trenton to visit our dear friend Lillian.

On the way we made a necessary stop at the Quinte Animal Hospital. Sam has been sick now for a few days. Since Saturday actually when he had a little 'fainting spell' I call it, but really it was a kind of heart problem.

He has congestive heart failure, edema in his one lung and pneumonia.
A sick little guy. Never the less , he still is able to get churned up when near my sister's cats, so we didn't stay too long.

I have started him on his medication, and we get the results of his EKG on Friday. The rest is in the Hands of Jesus, who does all things well. I have had a 'feeling' for a while now ......

It was really an excellent visit with Lillian, and I will have more to share on that story there later.

In the meantime I will treasure every moment I can with my buddy Sam, who has been on this crazy adventure called my life for eleven years now.

Bumpy Landing

My history is one of crash landings. That's me underneath the insructor and the parachute, with the video guy capturing the event. I wish I would remember this before I go forward gung-ho into transition, flying high and naive, looking for the perfect landing. Jesus, always right there taking movies and going Home to brag on His kid...me.

My friend Bevy reminded me that my landing in Kansas was not very smooth either. Even in the early days, I wanted to flee from the very thing I had dreamed about for years.

Recently, when visiting there again, I was talking with a friend, who was telling me how the Lord brought to fruition the dream of her heart. A dream she told no one about, ever, just Jesus, and He was the One who brought it all to pass.

What an encouragement that was to me. We laughed together as we both realized that it was He who had planted His Dream in her heart, and He Alone was the One able to bring it to pass.

Tonight I am reminded that He has given me a dream as well. A couple actually, and I know they are His Dreams for me as well. So why do I always forget that, and second guess Him ? Huh!

How hard can it be to walk on water right ? Ha ! Immersed in the prayer room atmosphere, all things seem possible, and then in the face of the actual getting out of the boat, or climbing willingly onto the cross with Christ, I seem to prefer to run screaming from the room or the cross.

Yet I have discovered that the Cross is actually the safest place to run to, but still can forget that at times of intense testing and stress. God's Word still stands firm in spite of my fears, thank God!

Today, I took Sam on a tour of my home town. I went back to the river, a favorite place of mine. We sat on the damp grass, He sniffing madly all the nooks and cranny's of the twisted tree trunk we were leaning upon, and me, just looking at all the changes the years have brought to the surrounding river front.

At one point a warm breeze caused a lovely sight. The"seed keys" of the maple trees, were hanging thickly upon the branches, and as the wind blew through, these twirling, whirling, seeds flew almost joyfully through the air, all competing to see who could get farthest out into the river.
Once there, they would float downstream. Only some would eventually find the perfect place to'die', to later become a huge beautiful Maple tree profuse with exploding color in the fall many years later.

Even now, I hear the songs of the prayer room reminding me that Wisdom cries out to go to the mountain of myhrr. So easy to say yes from that place of worship. The actual 'event' of death to all that hinders Love is not so poetic, but I think I detect the hint of a smile on the Face of Jesus as He strengthens me in the journey He has already walked before me.

Today, at the place where once I could imagine Jesus coming to rescue me in His little rowboat, something different occured. I sensed Him coming toward me across the water, walking.

The Invitation is there. I'm so tired and scared Lord, how can I come out there and join myself to You ? He extended His hand to me, and I know that He also includes the strength, faith, and ablility to trust Him in this next season of going low, even though my flesh complains loudly to Him all the way. So I come Lord.

Sarah's Wedding

A beautiful day for a wedding. My niece Sarah married her true love today. A lovely celebration of young love beginning the journey of life together.

The most touching moments for me. As Sarah and her father walked down the asile toward the waiting groom, Sarah became overwhelmed with emotion the closer she came to Mike. I was just as choked up as she was, well maybe not as much as Sarah, but she was trying to hold back her tears. What a lovely sight and heart felt emotion.

The next and best was as she was speaking her vows to Mike, she wept as she pledged her love to him. I watched as he held her hands, and encouraged her with little tender brushings of his fingers on her trembling hands.

Signals constantly passed between them and I wondered if they would even remember what the minister was saying, as their unspoken language seemed to me louder and more real than the actual words they were speaking.

I wish you joy beyond words Sarah and Mike. Your love blessed my life today.

Calm Down My Soul

The hour is late here, but I am winding down from the spin out I have been on since I arrived yesterday.
I am grateful to whoever is praying for me.Thank you so much.

Today, (Thursay) I had my job interview and it went very well. I start on the 9th. of June.
In the meantime, I am trying to solve my dog sitting dilema, during this latest transition period. Sam is a good dog, but has had many changes to cope with these days, and I don't feel comfortable leaving him here alone yet.

I have decided to calm my soul a bit, and try to get a grip on my emotions which are fragile with fatigue and stress . The lady who is renting this room to me, is nice, and we talked things over today. I have decided to stay here for a while, to get my job going, and see how that goes for a few weeks.

My room still needs a lot of work, but I asked her to just leave it for now. There are no blinds /curtains on the windows. I have a bed , but that's about all for now.

What do mercy and grace look like ? Trying to think the way Jesus would in these circumstances, and remembering that He is Faithful, and that all this was no surprise to Him, only to me.

So, at the end of the day, I will trust Him, and try to let Him work His Image and Likeness more into my character through these testings. I feel better tonight, and the grip of fear has lifted. Thank You Lord.I Love You.

What now ?

So .... are Sam and I homeless ? We shall see. This certainly is turning into an adventure right from the start. Doesn't the Lord know I'm too old for all this insecurity.
Prayers gratefully accepted.

safe arrival

we are here safely after a 15 hour drive today.
the room i have rented was not ready, nothing on the windows, not painted, yukky !
i may look upon it differently tomorrow, but i may also be looking for another place very soon. so...a test so soon.....on the other hand at least it has a bed, and internet....small mercies. Thank you Jesus.

Marathon

North of Lake Superior



This is the place where Sam and I are crashing for the night.
Way too expensive, but since it's right off the highway, worth it for the rest stop.

The best thing is they have wireless internet..... And ....I can have the prayer room with me again. Yay !

Gas this far north is going for 1.16/9 per litre.

There is a restaurant next to the hotel . Such memories came rushing back as I was waiting for my sandwich. Our family made this drive east several times when the kids were small.
I remember a certain youngest son who is now 31 years old, who when he was 3 threw up on the carpet of that same restaurant, and it still looks like the same carpet, but likely has been changed since then.(but you never know for sure.)

I drove 13 hours today, won a free apple crisp at a Nipigon truck stop, and finally felt like I was making progress when driving the Thunder Bay by pass.

I am trying to let God's nature that rises in majestic splendor all around work it's magic on my soul. This had to be a conscious decision, sadly. I hate that stress can get me so focused inward.

I did see one little red fox walking merrily down the shoulder of the road, and later, two moose ! This is really the north country.

I stopped at a little place called 'The Beaver', a tourist place that sells native crafts, moccassins etc. There was music playing. "Oh the Glory of Your Presence". So that was a cool little 'God encounter' with the lady who was running the place. I think God is trying to tell me to relax.....ack ! I don't know how !

Anyway, all in all an o.k. day, once I got past the inital early morning fatigue . Tomorrow.....coffee!!!! even if I have to go into the bush later...

Palm of His Hand

I guess I'm gonna be alright, Lord. This is a safe place to be.

This art work is by a friend in the U.K. Richard Lyall, better known as Pilgrim's Progress. I love this man's creativiy, and would love to learn how it is done someday.

I will rest well tonight for sure ! Thanks Lord, and thank you to Richard as well.Bless you.

Last Day.

My car is packed nearly to the roof, but I am ready to depart early in the morning. Yvonne, Anneka and I spent a lovely afternoon at a carnival.

I rode the ferris wheel with Anneka, and Yvonne was brave enough to embark on the Pirate Ship, where she nearly volunteered to walk the plank.(She was a funny shade of green when she disembarked.)

Meanwhile Anneka smiled broadly through every single ride. It was so fun to watch this child be so fearless, where I would be throwing up .

A lovely kiss from the Lord to be with family on my last day in the city. Tonight I am cosy with Julie and the boys, and in a few hours , hopefully after a good nights rest, I will be on the road.

Prayers gratefully recieved for the next few days.

Amazing Moving Day

It seems to me that the Lord is very busy these days, shifting His people into strategic positions, as the Winds of His Spirit,move across the planet.

I just liked this picture, and I have a friend who is named Nancy as well, who can relate to the joke. I met this lovely friend last year in the Simeon Company. Our stories are very similar, and how we have been travelling across the land , surrendered to the Holy Spirit, while feeling like we were living out of our cars.

Hey there Nancy, I hope you are well my friend.I am thinking of you tonight.

Anyway....today I finished up my 'time' in my apartment. Jason and Yvonne and the girls dropped by to pick up some furniure. While helping Jay, I bumped my face, and popped a rib. (ouch)It slipped back in but ,man, that was a strange feeling.

Later another friend dropped by , and was kind enough to help me finish up. I had to bring some stuff to Julie's , where I will be staying until Tuesday, when I leave.
She is away, and had left me a key. I opened the door, no problem. Dropped some things on the table as well as my car keys, and went out for another load.

Oops! the door locked behind me, and we were locked out. I had no last names, no phone contacts, and no phone anyway.
What did this 'mature'grandmother do? Well, I broke in. Yep! Climbed up on a chair, with help from my friend/accomplice, and shinied through a kitchen window, over the sink, and climbed down from the cupboard, waiting to see if the sirens were coming.

I don't know if it was really break and enter since I did have the key, just not on me. Anyway...nothin! No one even seemed to notice, and it was broad daylight.
I commented to my friend, that was way too easy.
It should not be that easy to break into a house. I will have to talk to my daughter about getting her windows made more secure. On the other hand , 'this one time' I am glad I was able to get in.

Now, Sam is trying to prove to the two cats here, that 'he's the man', and that they should respect that. Ha! No way. So I referee again. Oh well, I am too tired to care much tonight.
It was a good day, satisfying in the awareness that Jesus is so Near, whispering His encouragement and blessing in the preparations for our departure. I am not looking forward to the two day drive east, but once I get going , it seems to be o.k.



'Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit. I will miss my family here, especially the grandbabies, as Bevy calls them with affection. I will miss Sanctuary House of Prayer. There is always a dying , but this kind leads to Life Himself. So I am content, and looking forward to Fresh Beginnings.

Oil Change and Ecstatic Wonder

The other day, I took my car in for an oil change, after my return from K.C. and to prepare for the long drive east next week.I decided to sit and wait, since I had my buddy Sam with me.
While in the office, the reading material in a garage being either car stuff, or Cosmo...go figure....I noticed a little newspaper on the counter. It was the Ukrainian Catholic News......much better, thank you Lord.

I found an article in English, that blessed me , so I am going to quote a bit of it. It is written by Very Reverend John Breck. The title ?

Ecstatic Wonder: The Myrrhbearing Women. Now you know why it grabbed my attention.

"Myrrhbearing Women, having beheld the empty shroud and heard the angelic testimony, were filled with trembling and astonishment - tromos kai ekstasis, more precisely rendered 'ecstatic wonder'.

It was this intense emotional response that led them to flee the tomb and , for a while to say nothing to anyone, 'for they were afraid'.

These women had followed Jesus faithfully throughout the time of His earthly ministry, caring for His needs, providing food and lodging for Him and His disciples.

They remained faithful to Him throughout His passion, and they assisted in His burial. After the Sabbath, they returned to the tomb to complete the burial ritual.

Very early on the first day of the week, the women gathered aromatic spices and walked to the tomb. Finding the stone rolled away, they entered with trepidation.

There they beheld a young man and angelic figure, seated where the body of Jesus had been laid, where now there was only an empty shroud.Then filled with trembling and astonishment, with 'ecstatic wonder', they fled from the tomb, struck dumb by the vision that had just been granted to them.

This fear that came upon them was the experience of awe so deep and intense that they became 'beside themselves', removed from the usual sphere of human experience,and granted the degree of self-transcending wonder that the apostle Paul knew when He was 'caught up into the third heaven', into Paradise.

Such is the emotion that accompanies the experience of a theophany, a revelation of Divine Power and Majesty.This is the emotion that seized the women at the empty tomb.
They saw, they were amazed, and they left the tomb in a spirit of wonder and awe filled silence."

What struck me about this story is this. I have read the gospel accounts for many years, and never thought much about these women, except perhaps the one account where Jesus appeared to Mary, as the Gardener. These women were given a supernatural experience that left them in awe, wonder, and trembling with holy fear.

I can be so familiar with Jesus, as He meets me humbly in my every day life. I need to be reminded just Who He really is sometimes, this Mighty King of Glory full of Power and Majesty, who loves me and meets me in a garage while getting my Oil changed.

I want my emotions to respond to the Truth of Jesus, even in the little things. I desire a heart overflowing with worship and thanksgiving at the Nearness He grants to me every day. Thank You Lord , I love You so much!

Moving On

Sitting here tonight remembering last Friday. I was physically present in the Prayer Room , fully engaged with the Lord. Wonderful!

At this moment I am somewhat farther away physically, but my heart is moved as I agree with the heart songs ascending before the Throne. The bowls are singing, and the bowls above, are filling at the same time, as I listen to the Prayer Room live.

God is so Amazingly Loving and Tender tonight. I need Him so much, and I am thankful for the hunger in my heart that reaches beyond my world and nurtures His longing for me .

I hear Him singing over me . How amazing is that ! It is good to lean this way. His Gaze kindles a fire in my heart that will never be snuffed out.

Finally I am recovering from the long drive home, and have tried to get motivated to pack for the next mile in my incredible adventure with God.

It seems that no matter how often I try to downsize my 'stuff', I still have way too much.

While I was in K.C. my job was secured, even before the interview. Another 'kiss' from the Lord. He is so Great and Full of surprises. I am very thankful and very blessed.

The picture above is by Oliver
I love his work. Very powerful visuals that speak to my heart .

One More Day

One day left . I have been enjoying my time here so very much, just marinating in the Presence of the Lord. It has been wonderful to see so many familiar faces, and engage with the Lord in many fun encounters and conversations.

Lots of good friends, good food, really good 'fruffy store' shopping, and such a great God to share the experience with as well.

I will depart early Wednesday, and pick up Sam late that evening. I wonder how late the duty free shop is open at the border?

It's not fun to leave, but necessary, with the promise of returning another day.
He is Faithful to accomplish that which He has promised .The adventure continues!

Love 's Treasure

He goes out of His way for the out of the way ones.

Seven Years

Today we are celebrating the seven year anniversary of the first prayer meeting that began here in a little trailer down the street. The beginning of day and night, praise, worship, intercession, and I am here. That is very cool God !

Son Light

,
Let the Light of YOUR FACE Shine on my heart......AND LET ME FEEL IT!

Sometimes I need to let Jesus clear away the clutter, that He may get in to those places hidden deep in the shadows of my heart.

He is way better at 'house keeping' than I could ever be. Thank You Jesus.

Sonshine Today

The Kansas city weather did not disappoint today. It was around 80 degrees, sunshine, flowers, green everywhere. It's called Life , if I remember correctly. The green is lush and rich looking and shouts welcome home.

Well, actually, the funny thing is , it feels like I never left here at all, unless I look at my battle wounds, but I won't.

Today I was able to spend nearly eight hours in the prayer room, and Misty's set tonight was an amazing taste of musical genius. I am sure the Lord was playing every guitar, and drum on stage. At least it sounded like it. Such excellence, and Holy Spirit deposits in abundance. What a sweet kiss of heaven.

I noticed a lot of familiar faces and many more new ones, with the latest group of interns finishing up. They kind of take over the eight to ten intercession set, and the increase in the Presence was noticable as they were all focused on the same thing at the same time.

Sometimes during the days and evenings the students are doing their assignments etc, so the corporate focus is not the same .
During the intercession times though it is different as I think they are required to participate, but I am not sure on that one.
Whatever the case the time was excellent, and I am sure the Lord was smiling today again as His kids were giving Him joy.

My friend Gerry and I watched a video called Obsession, on radical Islam. I am sure if we Christians prayed with the fervor and passion that these souls do, things on this planet would change. All the same, a scarey documentary, and worth watching for the education I received.

Time to rest now ...good night and God bless and keep us safe tonight.

Safe in the House

Well it took me fifteen and a half hours to get here on Saturday, but I made it safely in spite of being so tired that I had to make frequent stops because of drowsiness.

It rained most of the way down, and was torrential as I drove the 435 in the dark. This was exactly what I had wanted to avoid, since I don't see that well driving at night. But I lived , with another fear biting the dust, and my courage and faith strengthened a bit even as I asked the Lord the point of doing it this way.

Yesterday was spent right here, in my favorite spot. Safe in the arms of Love. It feels so good to be back in such a safe place.

Life in the Spirit is so rich here, and many friends were happy to see me. Something extremely rare for me in the 'Peg.

Mostly though, I am experiencing so much peace, like I have never known before. It is so easy to let the Lord sweep me up in His embrace, and just rest there. Just to BE with Him. No striving, so heavy oppression to fight through now, just rest.

I have to admit the journey down was one where I felt resistance all the way to the border of Iowa. That's through the two states of North and South Dakota. It just reminded me that the last few months have been a great struggle, and some of those things did not want to release me from their grip.

Breakthrough met me , and the heavens opened once again.
I will try to get as much prayer room time as I am able, to let the refreshing Life of Jesus fill ever part.