Monday, March 31, 2008

Working , working , working, working, too tired to blog except to say that I have discovered the teachings of Bill Johnson from Bethel Church in Redding California. It seems that the Truth he shares is finally getting through the fog in my brain and the clutter in my heart.

There are free downloads of his sermons every week.

Check out his site here .

Saturday, March 22, 2008

It's Time For Me To Remember

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Hab. 2: 2-3 Then the Lord replied, Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.
For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

Psalm 105:19 Until the time that his word came to pass , the word of the Lord tested him.

Esther 6:1 That night the king could not sleep , so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign to be brought in and read to him.

So... last evening I opened some of my old journals that I have been keeping for the last few years. It was necessary for me to look back at my journey and the promises and encouragement I believe was from the Lord.

Funny , it was just like plugging in my cell phone to charge it up. So encouraging and in many ways still alive with hope and comfort.

Anyway, I was doing this while at my job in Lakefield . My seniors were sitting holding hands on their couch and were watching the figure skating championships on TV.

Ah the sweetness of confusion...... Min came over to sit at the table with me as I was reading and reflecting in my journals.

He thought I was studying and I suppose I was in a way. This sweet man sat down and seriously offered to help me with further training. Whatever he could do financially or in any other way, to help me 'get more ice time'.

(Sorry I just couldn't resist adding this old picture.)

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I told him that I was ok, but I really appreciated his concern for me. Then in the next breath he told me that he didn't know what he was talking about...... (he is sometimes aware that his thinking is in bad shape)
.....then again continued to offer me assistance in my training regarding 'ice time' because he knew it was costly. Then he went back to B. and discussed it with her.

It's all about the heart of the man, sweet and generous, and he was so serious that it moved my heart.

The reality is his brain gets 'stuck' on things sometimes , and attempting to change the subject doesn't always work. He was convinced they were interested in my 'skill' and offered much encouragement to further my training.

Sweet and funny and kind of sad.

I switched the TV to the news and that worked really well to distract them both for the rest of the evening.

Then I got back to reviewing the faithfulness of the Lord in my life . I guess I really am in training for something or other . I wonder if I will ever really figure it all out ?

Friday, March 21, 2008

Good Friday

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CRUSHED


This is a bit of a gruesome picture, but I want to remember the significance of the battle that rages around us , and the ultimate Truth of the Victory.

In a previous post by John Paul Jackson, the point that the Lord brought home to me was the statement that, ''they have not come against you, they have come against Me. I will deal with it.'' And He did.

I am thankful for the reminder that it is not always me (though sometimes it is) who has messed up, or missed God.
There are other unseen forces always working trying to cause us to stumble trying to cause us to doubt the Word of God Himself and to accuse Him of all manner of things.

Having difficulty seeing the path and even remembering the promise in the first place .
Fear hinders my steps accusing God of His ability to provide and myself to hear and obey .

The Truth is He never leaves me and it is only the voice of my own pain that sometimes deafens me to His Voice .

I wonder at the mystery how sometimes God seems silent but really He is shouting in our ears .

Amazing!

Monday, March 17, 2008

More Magic Moments

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As the days go by, the girls are settling in to having Gramma around instead of Mom and Dad. Aila was eager to demonstrate her piano lesson as was Anneka.

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It was insightful to observe Aila's response to music. One day, she wanted a cd on so she could dance,and as we listened to an instrumental called Imagine she commented on parts of the music.
" That part is a monster in the woods, and another was someone tip toeing along." I was impressed by the way she could 'hear'. I love the wonder of the child's imagination and perhaps a clue into her gifting.

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Showing off her Senators Sweater. I wanted both the girls but Anneka was busy on her computer.

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One of the rewards of Gramma sitting. Letting Anneka tell some stories at bedtime , all the while knowing she is really stalling the inevidable lights out.

It was so fun to help her a bit with her homework, and I am amazed at how seven short years can grow a child so much. I remember how my heart literally leapt the first time I held her as a new born.
Now, when she gets going on some idea...usually to obtain an illegal snack or perhaps coming up with some plan to go shopping, I see myself in her, especially when I was eight years old.... very funny ...well scary actually.

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Some of my favorite times with Aila have been the bedtime prayer times. So precious. I am very blessed to have this time with my girls.

Mommy and Daddy are back tomorrow night and I will be heading home on Wednesday. One of the funny things I must comment on is that taking care of my seniors is way easier than looking after a seven and four year old.

I keep reminding myself that I have raised four of my own and actually had five for a couple of years, and I survived. That was a long time ago now, and I am a lot older and way more tired . It has been fun and a delight to have this time with my loving granddaughters . Thank you Lord.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Making Memories

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The snowbanks here are amazing and remind me of early years in Winnipeg. The street is like a back lane that needs plowing. The neighbors are very patient and courteous when trying to manouver through the white trail.

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Aila loves cars, and very proudly displayed her treasures to Grammma.

Anneka loves her little pets.


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One of the traditions is McDonalds of course ! Yesterday we chose the one in Walmart. Another long time favorite outing.

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Taking time to play is important to the girls.
(Mommy is always telling us to hurry .)


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Anneka chose 'Baby Alive' a little doll that can drink and pee (Sorry Yvonne!) Then during the day I had to come up with new ideas to diaper the doll once the original 2 were quickly used up.

Aila chose ....... MORE CARS !!!

The next stop was 'DOLLARAMMA !!!'I told the girls they could choose 5 things each.

Well...... who knew ?? We came away with whoopie cushions, and a bright pink substance that also makes unseemly sounds, that I have now 'put away'.

I thought to myself 'this Gramma sure needs an education some days since I have forgotten so much from my parenting days ' all the while cleaning up spilled paint and broken pieces of farm machinery.

I had promised to make cookies with the girls and Anneka wanted to do all the things we had talked about in the first day.

So we baked ... cookie mix of course!


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The smile says it all.

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Aila had her turn as well , and I learned she actually likes the batter better than the finished product. Reminding me ....
As a young teen, I used to bake a chocolate cake mix especially at a certain time of the month. One time, so much of the batter disappeared that my mother was amazed that the cake was so thin, and when she accused me of eating the batter, I am afraid I denied it. (She was a smart mom). Anyway, all that to say, that Aila is carrying on the fun.

By supper time there was one more thing required of me. Anneka loves those Pillsbury crescent rolls, so we had bought some while shopping. I told her I was not too good at this kind of cooking.(My domestic hormone bit the dust many years ago)

But.... at the end of the day Anneka tells me they taste just like Oma's , a high compliment indeed.

These children know how to wrap Gramma around their little finger. I know it and allowed it ... for the first day anyway.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

On My Way

In the morning I will be heading east to Ottawa for a week to care for Anneka and Aila while mom and dad go to K.C..... I am so jealous.... but my reward is lots of love and fun with the girls. Naturally that means a trip to IKEA since it is right on my way.

More later.... I hope this Gramma can remember how to play.

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Favorite Images

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I am sure we all have a 'storm story' to relate this winter. This last one found me snowed in with my seniors in Lakefield . These are some of my favorite images I was surrounded with over the weekend .

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This little fellow sang his greeting to me as if spring were already here. Chickadee dee dee !

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The majesty of these few trees planted long ago by M. at the back of the yard was one of the blessings of storm gazing. I love to watch as they are abundantly mantled in white .

By this morning I was happy to see the sun, and the plow guy removing a foot of snow from the lane so I could get out . Just in time to prepare for my work day Monday at the doc's office.

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

This Old House



Tonight I am thinking of the truth we will all face sooner than later, and I wonder what it will really feel like when we know our time is near.

My mother in law, an amazing lady in her 100th. year (June 2) is peacefully aware that her journey will soon see her standing before her Savior.

I know she will hear those joyful words, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord."

Makes me wish I could go with her somehow. Going Home...

Sunday, March 02, 2008