It has been an interesting though tiring few days.

Last weekend I worked a lot of shifts, filling in for some as well as doing my own.
By Monday morning I was toast!


I was moaning to God how 'I can't do this any more'.....

My clients are lovely. One suffers from Alzheimer's Disease, and the other has Dementia. I was with them many many hours. It really is living in a different world. Not only meeting their needs physically and naturally, but existing in their 'world' or 'environment.'

Their main activity during most of my shifts is watching television after their day, and before bed time. The problem is they are both hearing impared , and at this stage of their diseases, they cannot comprehend a lot of what t.v. land has to offer.

Therefore, the t.v. volume is up to the max. and they keep changing the channel every few minutes looking for the news.

I do try to help them find the nine and ten o'clock news before bed time, and anything that will keep their interest like funniest home video's. I just discovered they like baseball as well.

While all this is happening I sit nearby at the dining room table close at hand . Sometimes I read.

This weekend I was attempting to study. I was reminded of the scene in the old Robin Hood movie , when he was trying to find the target with his arrow, and Maid Marion whispers in his ear, 'can you do it amidst distraction?

'Ack!! No whispering happening here ! Distraction ?....definitely !

All this to say, I was 'done' by the end of my shifts. I had been mentioning to the Lord that I would like a 'real job', so I could sleep regularly, and have a constant income.

On Monday morning, My Lady is telling a story at the breakfast table.
( I actually think she had dreamed this)

"I went for a walk, and met this neighbor who we used to live beside in Oakville. He was very rich, then, (here they try to remember how he got rich in the first place, but they could not remember, though they did know his name.)

He was buying a paper, and didn't have enough money on him, so he asked me if I could help him with a little change to buy a paper. So I gave it to him.
IT FELT SO WONDERFUL! I JUST HELPED THE RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD!"

My Lady's face was bright with a huge smile as she recalled this feeling, and I was pierced through by the Word of the Lord.

Yes, He IS the richest man in the world, and chose to remind me that he needed me here for a season, though it is just small change to me, He is in need... and I would rather be at His feet somewhere else. Hmmmm.....

Anyway, a good lesson for me, and I felt much better once I got some sleep.

I now have my official student card I.D. and have begun my Computer Upgrading classes, which I am enjoying a lot. Tonight I had my first test on Medical Abbreviations. Yes, I did memorize them and will know my mark next week.

Thursday, Sam and I are heading to Trenton to see our friend Lillian. I have been reading her 'The Old Curiosity Shop' by Charles Dickens. Lillian has macular degeneration and is legally blind, so she enjoys these times when our imagination can see into another time . I don't think Dickens knew or cared much for a lot of punctuation, I seem to be finding, at least in this book.

Small Change eh ? Hmmmmmm........

Toronto

Today my sister JoAnne and I took a little trip to Toronto. Jo had to see a doctor, so I accompanied her for moral and prayer support.

We travelled by Greyhound Bus. This is a much easier mode of transportation when going to the heart of the city. The bus depot is about a two minute walk from Eaton Center, where, of course we walked our small town legs off. Oh...and we did a bit of shopping and a lot of browsing.

Later we walked north on Yonge St. in search of a certain little specialty shop. It is a strange experience to walk on Yonge Street. The day was lovely.

Saw this.....for real.


I whispered a prayer, and wondered if that was Jesus in disguise.

Of course this person is only one of many , but today in the midst of this busy city, I was only aware of the lost. It seemed to me to be a multitude , and I wondered what it would take to bring True Salvation and if there would be any who would say yes .

Sometimes the Mystery is overwhelming.

There's Gonna Be A Wedding!

Jack and Gracie are getting married this week! I am so excited at the thought of my 'baby'(now 31) getting married to the 'Lovely Lady' he has searched for since he was a young man so eager for 'true' love.

I have found a beautiful dress and shoes that I need to practice wearing so I will walk like a lady should.

Family is in town ! My daugther Julie and the boys arrived last night, Jason, the best man, and Yvonne, are arriving soon as well. My sister Joanne and Julie and I are driving to Toronto on Thursday. I will be driving around Toronto ! Another fear will bite the dust I pray ! Help God ! Get me to the church on time!

For a few days I will step into another 'world' and bless and celebrate the happiness of my children. A welcome change and as valid a reality as the other world of my work.

Yay God ! There's gonna be a wedding !!!!!

Farm Friends

Meet Tom, the main man and most friendly of the farm managerie. I really know nothing else about him other than he is a donkey. A very nice donkey.


This is Tom's buddy White donkey....I don't even know his name, but he is white and kind of cute.

I do not know the name of this next species but they get fat and large by sucking the algae from the sides of the glass of the aquarium. The only reason I took these shots was because he looked as if he was in an amazing position of worship. Who knows for sure, right ? Otherwise it is gross. I know, I know, leave it to me to think of the worship thing.








This fellow above is a White African Frog. He is very wierd looking, and seems to be smiling as he waits for his food. The rest of the time he looks quite dead, except when he uses his little fins to shovel the food into his mouth.

Here is my Sam having a (gggggrrrrr) conversation with white froggie.



The rest of the animals are not blog worthy really , and the smells made me sneeze . A lot ! Will I do this again sometime ? Most definitely . Thanks to Rob and Judy for a very fun and different few days.

On the Farm

Who would have thought it possible ? Certainly not me !

I am currently sitting here in the country, minding the farm . My brother Rob and sister in law Judy's little farm just outside Peterborough. It is lovely and peaceful here .

I spent the morning sitting on the deck having my coffee, basking in the sunshine. Around 10 am. I did my 'chores'.

The non human occupants of this place include 2 horses, 2 donkeys, 4 dogs, 5 cats, 3 ginnea pigs, 1 tree frog, 1 white african frog, 1 tetra fighting fish, and to my great dismay, many little flying gnats/fruit flies, and various other species of bugs.(ackkkkkk!!!!)

The 4 dogs are boarded out, as are 2 of the diabetic cats. In their place there is Sam, who is a city dog, loving the many wild and exotic scents of country life.

As I am writing this he has been sitting beside me growling softly at the white african frog, since the 2 remaining cats have wisely chosen to make themselves scarce.

My chores..... feed the horses, and donkeys the hay left by the fence, and make sure the water barrel is full. Feed and water the rest of the menagerie, (I will not feed live crickets to mr. tree frog thank you very much !) I actually enjoyed this little routine, and thought hey! I can do this Lord .....ha ha! !

I have to wonder at the imagination of God in His planning of these days of my life. Did I mention that 'my' idea of His plan for my life is very different than what I am actually living ? No matter! I am learning to 'think outside of the box'.

I would love to sit out on the deck in the night and gaze up at the brilliant star studded sky thinking wondrous thoughts of God . But...... God also created ravenous mosquitoes hungry for my blood . (At least I am told it was God, though I have my own theory on that topic.) So here I sit blogging instead.

All in all, I am enjoying this little respite from the ordinary topsey turvey instability of my life in the city. God bless us everyone ! Pictures to follow later.

So True!

Gettin' Old Ain't for Sissies!
Sam and I spent a very enjoyable weekend in Trenton with our good friend Lillian. This comment, 'getting old ain't for sissies' came up in our conversation, and struck a cord deep within me.

When we are young, we strutt about in our own strength and arrogance, human pride basking in it's own glory and self sufficiency .
We push God away, either by denying His existence completely, or telling Him, 'later God, I am so very busy right now . Besides, I'm a good person, right ?'

Now, I realize this may sound a bit exteme, but I guess I am being more and more affected by the people I am becoming involved with in my journey.
I am witness to dear souls in deep need of love and companionship in their later years, not to mention their very intimate personal needs .

Will this be the place of my end Lord ? Will I be in need of someone helping me use the bathroom ? Pulling up my underwear ? Giving me a bath ? Cleaning my teeth and combing my hair ? Helping me into my bed ? Staying with me through the long lonely nights ? Keeping fear far from me ?

Will I have Someone to read to me when my sight is gone ? Will there be a Friend to walk with me, when I can no longer walk myself, and to walk the path towards eternity with me ? Will I have a Friend to bless me and pray with me when I have forgotten You Jesus ? Will anyone care about me then Lord ?

So true.....gettin' old ain't for sissies Jesus.

Friday

Today, Sam and I are off to Trenton to visit and care for Lillian for the long weekend.
I am looking forward to major prayer encounters with Jesus in this place.
more later....

401 Mercies Lord Please

Tomorrow, Sam and I are off to Toronto for visiting fun with Carol-Ann and family, and some long over due time with my other son and his beautiful lady.

It has been a year since I drove the 401 to Toronto, and I am downloading courage even at this moment. Lord have mercy! I think it's worse than all my trips put together, but I have a feeling I'd better get used to it.

So off we go......