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 .

It's Time For Me To Remember

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.)


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 ?

Good Friday

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!

More Magic Moments

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.



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.



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



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.



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.

The Shack

A very good read !

Making Memories

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.



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

Anneka loves her little pets.





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


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


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!


The smile says it all.


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.

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.

Favorite Images

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 .













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



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.

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...

I Just Love This Song

Bill Gaither Roast, and so many familiar faces.

Heart Sounds

Last week I went to have a heart test called a Thallium Scan. This is to check and see if all the blood vessels in my heart are flowing freely and if there are any cold spots. It could be all those years of enjoying butter on just about everything is perhaps catching up with me. We will see :)

In the meantime, if I were to go through the check point at the airport the Geiger Counter would tell them that I was somewhat radioactive. That would be fun ! Maybe I glow in the dark like the Tender Heart Care Bear my sister bought for me.

Anyway, time will tell what has occurred , if anything in my physical heart.

On the home front I am in my new place and it is turning out to be quite an adjustment. I guess as with any new situation , leaving a comfort zone is not as easy sometimes as we would hope.

I also have another job. That makes three to juggle my schedule around. This one is Secretary / Receptionist for an Eye Physician and Surgeon, a very busy practice. All good experience for me. I am thankful for the small things, even though it may seem otherwise at times.

I will be glad when Spring arrives.

Song of Sol. 2:10-13.

Son 2:10 My Beloved spoke, and said to me, Rise up, My love, My beautiful one, and come away.
Son 2:11 For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone
Son 2:12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our land;
Son 2:13 the fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, My love, My beautiful one, and come away

You Won't Relent

True Love/David Ruis

I miss this kind of worship !!
To clarify; it is the heart behind the music and the truth in the lyrics that continues to move my heart each time I hear it.

As The Seasons Change

The thing I am so grateful for is the way that the Lord provided Ann and her home for Sam and I, well , mostly Sam . Ann has a tender and compassionate heart and was so very good to my Sam, and because of her loving nature, the last year of Sam's life was spent in a gentle and friendly environment. The most fun was his discovery and enjoyment of the squirrel population in the back yard .



So the season changed when I lost Sam . I tried to run from the pain of the memories by trying , to no avail , to find another place to live right after his passing.
The Lord knows best and I'm still learning to trust him day by weary day.
I miss my little buddy and the fact that life goes on does not make me feel any better. Still... what passes for living these days is not exactly Real Life either.

Tonight I sat with my client Min as he was distressing over his deteriorating mental state. 'I guess the only thing for me to do is to go to bed'.
He wasn't really tired but his brain is dying and he can't focus his mind so it gets him down. He is getting worse and we all see it.

Today he called it 'mind sickness'. Sometimes I wonder what it must be like from the inside though I pray I never find out. Once he called it 'black velvet'.
My heart broke for him tonight as I cried out for mercy to meet him .

I remember something a friend said to me once.

'I see Jesus walking with you in His distressing disguise.' It is a quote from Mother Teresa, but ever since , there are times when I am more aware of this than others and tonight was one of those times.

Eternity is very near in that home these days and I wonder where I will be when the Unseen becomes the Reality for all of us there. I wonder if it will be on my shift ? I am so selfish when it comes to trying to get my rest , I pray mercy will be with all of us when the moment comes.

well i am moved into my little space

this is how i feel

and like this .... making progress but with great effort



a big thank you to ann and john, without whose help i would be face down in a snow bank unable to get up again. i am getting way too old for all this physical torment.

next time i will have to hire someone..... next time ???

yes, next time, for this is still not my final resting place.... aaccckkk!!!! Lord have mercy i won't think about that right now.



anyway, thanks guys.

Surrender

Packing packing packing......

I also shut down my Facebook site since some spam was getting into my email in box and I find it distressing that you cannot delete your information, only deactivate...maybe I'm naive but that makes me uncomfortable.

Anyway, back to packing, packing, packing, working, groaning and packing.

Lord have mercy !!

Yay!

Ten days until I move to my new residence. It is in a private part of a house and kind of like a little bachelor suite . My very own kitchen sink !! A wee little frig , my very own bathroom.... etc.... and PRIVACY ! I will be going from Middleton Drive, to Center Street....obviously still not my final destination, but a definite improvement.

I am very grateful to the Lord, for He has heard my plea, and He has a very good sense of humor.

Sharing The Journey

The other day, I was encouraged by this post by Randy Bohlender an Intercessory Missionary at IHOP.

"Living a prophetic life messes with my conciliatory nature...because the intention of a prophetic word in regards to the kingdom of darkness is to invade, take over and set up government.

It's truth encountering a lie, really....and all the chaos that ensues when that happens. It's been likened to shining a light into a dark room, but it's never that simple.
There are people in that dark room, and some of them close to the prophetic word cast shadows behind them - pockets of darkness, even if only in shades of grey...yet light doesn't compromise. It shines.

Almost nothing about being a prayer missionary is easy. It's rewarding. It's pleasurable, even, but not easy. It's misunderstood and financially challenging. I sometimes feel at odds with everything from the economy to the law of gravity. Once in a while I tell myself that I'll figure this out eventually and it will get easier. I probably tell myself other lies too."

Once again the 'Light'went on and I am so grateful for those who share their journey . You can read the rest by following the link.

The fact is that wherever we find ourselves, whether in the House of Prayer or in the wilderness of the world, we need to encourage each other in the journey. John Paul Jackson is also talking about the struggle between light and darkness on his blog here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
YVONNE !

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY !

LOVE YOU!

Indescribable

And the Scoop is ..... I have started a permanent part time job one day a week in a Doctors office. This will give me a foot in the door and the experience needed to eventually obtain something full time.
In the meantime I will also continue the Caregiving for as long as it lasts. For some reason I don't think it will be that much longer . M. has been hearing someone call his name in the night and it's not one of us.

Today is also my good friend Bevy's birthday. Happy Birthday Bevy !

It was also 16 years ago today that my mom went to heaven. I wonder what 16 years in heaven feels like mom ?

Anyway,tomorrow back to the grind......Lord have mercy!

Revelation Song

What a great way to get re focused. Thank you Jason.

Family History

While scanning old family pictures into my computer, I found a funny similarity. This is my mother's family.


This is the mother/daughter comparison at 14.



Years later another family sits for a publicity photo. My dad was a well known radio personality in our home town and had made a record of poetry. I still remember having to sit for this .

I was do difficult! I believed they planned it all just to make me miserable. How selfish we are when we are young. The expression on my face says it all. Like mother like daughter....now that is scary! Amazing how pictures do not always tell the truth about the ones wearing the smiles.

The fun part of family pictures is much later, when we look at our children and can trace the resemblances .

Now I have a few days off to get a some much needed rest .