Sunset in Vancouver patiently waiting for our flight to Honolulu which as of right now is delayed 6 1/2 hours. Hopefully it won't be delayed anymore.
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Friday, 19 August 2011
Waiting
Sunset in Vancouver patiently waiting for our flight to Honolulu which as of right now is delayed 6 1/2 hours. Hopefully it won't be delayed anymore.
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On my way...
I'm on my way to Hawaii with my two best buds!! Yeah!!
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, 25 July 2011
Missing in Action
Hello my friends I know it has been some time since I've posted anything so here I am to tell you what's been going on in the past several months. Since my last post I contacted a realtor, went house shopping, placed an offer, got a mortgage, have taken possession of, and moved into a house. What a process it has been. For two days after I signed the offer I was nauseated as if my body was telling me, "Do you realize how much money that is? Do you know we don't have that much money?" However despite intermittent gastric upset it was a good decision. It was a good time to buy before property value goes up and a very good time to lock in a mortgage rate since the rates increased only a few weeks after mine was guaranteed. The house I bought is as old as I am in a mature part of the city which means less active construction more mature trees and mostly established neighbors. It's a quiet complex which suits me fine and thus far my neighbors seem friendly.
My house was decorated with wainscoting and chair rails in mostly subdued colours (other than the Pepto-bismol pink room) and seems to have been well looked after. I'm looking forward to learning everything about home ownership both the good and the bad.
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My house was decorated with wainscoting and chair rails in mostly subdued colours (other than the Pepto-bismol pink room) and seems to have been well looked after. I'm looking forward to learning everything about home ownership both the good and the bad.
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Monday, 2 May 2011
Do not repay evil with evil
My sister posted this quote on Facebook today,
"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that" -- Martin Luther King Jr
It strikes me that as awful as Osama bin Laden was this should be our attitude, because we should never hate someone, or rejoice in their demise, simply because they are evil or did evil things. Ultimately it is God's responsibility to punish those who do evil (although He has provided us with a judicial system that helps in some punishment on earth).
In Romans 12, Paul says
"18If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
19Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.
20"BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD."
21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Wouldn't it be a wonderful world to live in if this was the attitude of all people?
"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that" -- Martin Luther King Jr
It strikes me that as awful as Osama bin Laden was this should be our attitude, because we should never hate someone, or rejoice in their demise, simply because they are evil or did evil things. Ultimately it is God's responsibility to punish those who do evil (although He has provided us with a judicial system that helps in some punishment on earth).
In Romans 12, Paul says
"18If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
19Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.
20"BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD."
21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Wouldn't it be a wonderful world to live in if this was the attitude of all people?
I Will Choose...
My current favorite Steven Curtis Chapman song "Faithful" has a line in it that I think exemplifies Christianity. "I am choosing to believe You are faithful..." Everything about what we believe is based on us making a conscious choice to believe what God tells us; that He is who He says He is. God goes as far as showing us everything we need to know and then stops. He says to us, "There it is, that's who I am, that's what I want you to believe. What will you choose?" He then leaves it to us to decide whether or not we will take Him at face value. He's never claimed to be other than what He is, the God of the universe; Perfect and Holy. He's never asked more than we are willing to give Him but what He wants is our whole lives. He wants us to choose to give Him everything, our whole lives; heart, mind and soul. We need to make a choice to believe what He tells us and accept what He offers or NOT; but choosing to not believe and accept will cost us everything. So do we choose to believe and give God everything OR do we choose to NOT believe and lose everything?
Of course, in giving God everything, we gain so much more than we give up.
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This post was written by hand, shortly before the sermon Sunday morning attached to this post, its a nice connector.
Sunday, 24 April 2011
Giving in to My Inner 6 Year Old
All too often, I give in to my inner 6 year old. Something happens that doesn't go quite the way I want it, and instead of acting like an adult, as I know I should, my inner 6 year old shows up with her fists at her side, yelling as loud as she can "No, I don't like this!" of like a kid with ADD on a sugar rush, I bounce up and down yelling "Look at me, look at me!"
Of course none of this is out loud, instead its all in my head and outwardly I seem angry, uninterested or just plain rude. I feel immediately ashamed of myself, because I should know better. I should be more Christlike; graceful, generous, and completely selfless; instead, I am graceless, selfish and petulant.
My acquaintances seem to be very forgiving but how long can that go on, before they give up on me, before they are tire of my poor behavior and poor attitude?
I try so hard to behave better, to try harder, to be an adult, but often not long after I run into that 6 year old girl again, fists at her side, yelling "No!"
How can I pretend to be happy when she is seemingly in control, that little girl, angry at the world, because she's not getting her way, desperate for acknowledgement and acceptance? How can I pretend that things are fine and going the way I expect them too?
The truth is I can't, it upsets me and frustrates me when life is not perfect. God promised an abundant life, not perfection at least not on this side of Heaven. "In this world you will have trouble, but I have overcome the world." That is such a promise. Christ guarantees that life won't be easy or always go my way but He has done everything needed to forgive my petulant childishness.
Thank God for such a promise. If it weren't for promises such as these, I'd have no hope at all and that sad little 6 year old girl would be in control all of the time instead of only occasionally when she proves stronger than my adult self.
Of course none of this is out loud, instead its all in my head and outwardly I seem angry, uninterested or just plain rude. I feel immediately ashamed of myself, because I should know better. I should be more Christlike; graceful, generous, and completely selfless; instead, I am graceless, selfish and petulant.
My acquaintances seem to be very forgiving but how long can that go on, before they give up on me, before they are tire of my poor behavior and poor attitude?
I try so hard to behave better, to try harder, to be an adult, but often not long after I run into that 6 year old girl again, fists at her side, yelling "No!"
How can I pretend to be happy when she is seemingly in control, that little girl, angry at the world, because she's not getting her way, desperate for acknowledgement and acceptance? How can I pretend that things are fine and going the way I expect them too?
The truth is I can't, it upsets me and frustrates me when life is not perfect. God promised an abundant life, not perfection at least not on this side of Heaven. "In this world you will have trouble, but I have overcome the world." That is such a promise. Christ guarantees that life won't be easy or always go my way but He has done everything needed to forgive my petulant childishness.
Thank God for such a promise. If it weren't for promises such as these, I'd have no hope at all and that sad little 6 year old girl would be in control all of the time instead of only occasionally when she proves stronger than my adult self.
Saturday, 23 April 2011
A New Day
Hello everyone, I'm back.
Today was a new day, I decided that I need to remove all the books from my house that are not healthy for my spirit. This move has been a long time coming, I've felt God telling me for a long while that romance novels are not good for me. They cause me to fill a hole in my heart with unhealthy illusions of love. I'm extremely desirous of a spouse and I know I should wait patiently for God's timing but I often try to advance His timing before He wants me too. So instead of patiently waiting I try to fill the void that is there for my husband with thoughts that are not appropriate.
I know some of you are aware that I have done this before, I'm asking for your prayers and support in this, I do not want to return to this addiction but without accountability I may not be able to withstand the temptation.
Today was a new day, I decided that I need to remove all the books from my house that are not healthy for my spirit. This move has been a long time coming, I've felt God telling me for a long while that romance novels are not good for me. They cause me to fill a hole in my heart with unhealthy illusions of love. I'm extremely desirous of a spouse and I know I should wait patiently for God's timing but I often try to advance His timing before He wants me too. So instead of patiently waiting I try to fill the void that is there for my husband with thoughts that are not appropriate.
I know some of you are aware that I have done this before, I'm asking for your prayers and support in this, I do not want to return to this addiction but without accountability I may not be able to withstand the temptation.
Friday, 22 April 2011
I haven't disappeared
Just wanted to let you know I haven't disappeared, I've just taken a well deserved rest after 2 very long weeks. Off to Good Friday service soon.
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Thursday, 14 April 2011
Snowy Days
Woke up to a snowfall. Brushed 1/2 a foot of snow off my car. Ate breakfast at work. Enough said.
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Why I wear a daffodil....
I'm sure many Canadians remember that song from the Canadian Cancer Society ads, That's What Daffodil's Do...well now the Canadian Cancer Society has brought us daffodil pins to wear to show support to cancer survivors and their families. I got mine this morning because I am the daughter of a cancer survivor and the grand-daughter of several people who succumbed to their battles with various forms of the disease.
I am an ultrasound technologist and I come in contact with cancer survivors and those who are still fighting, sometimes on a daily basis and so when this disease touches my own family, my mind immediately goes to the possibilities good and bad of a diagnosis.
Unfortunately not everyone survives and we need to be aware so that we can find a cure, not only for the 'infamous' forms of cancer such as breast or colon cancer but also the forms that are not well known. Let's help everyone say that they are survivors.
I am an ultrasound technologist and I come in contact with cancer survivors and those who are still fighting, sometimes on a daily basis and so when this disease touches my own family, my mind immediately goes to the possibilities good and bad of a diagnosis.
Unfortunately not everyone survives and we need to be aware so that we can find a cure, not only for the 'infamous' forms of cancer such as breast or colon cancer but also the forms that are not well known. Let's help everyone say that they are survivors.
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Monday, 11 April 2011
2 Corinthians 12:9 - Passage Lookup - New International Version, ©2011 - BibleGateway.com
"2 Corinthians 12:9 (New International Version, ©2011)
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
So true, can't get better than this. This is part of my story, I'm not perfect, just forgiven!
Sunday, 10 April 2011
PeggyLovesVintage Blog: A Memory Book and a Free Vintage Image
PeggyLovesVintage Blog: A Memory Book and a Free Vintage Image
Check this out and see a beautiful memory book made by Peggy Love Vintage. A book with memories from home for someone who'll be far away for awhile.
What's your story?
Everyone has a story to tell, the question is how will you tell it? For the past few years, I've been choosing to tell mine, and to help other people tell theirs through memory books. The first memory book I made, was what is known as a traditional scrapbook and was in memory of my grandmother. My grandmother was not always an easy woman to deal with, but I loved her. She spent the last 3 years of her life fighting colon cancer, and it was difficult for me. Because of my education and career in healthcare, I know quite a bit about diseases in general and colon cancer in particular. I knew from the time of her diagnosis, based on how far the disease had spread that she would die, I was expecting it, I knew it was just a matter of time. Even so, when she passed away, it was a surprise. As a method of healing, I took pictures of my Gran, right from the time she was born and put them together into a scrapbook, nothing special, very few words and no "journaling" at all, just a book to remember her by. I later took the same pictures and created a digital memory book for my family as well.
That was my first story, since then I have created many books, mostly as gifts for family and friends. I have so many stories in my head, memories that I want to put down so that I don't forget them. Its just a matter of finding the time to do it :).
What are your stories? How would you like to tell them?
That was my first story, since then I have created many books, mostly as gifts for family and friends. I have so many stories in my head, memories that I want to put down so that I don't forget them. Its just a matter of finding the time to do it :).
What are your stories? How would you like to tell them?
Friday, 8 April 2011
Messiah Part 2
The choir is still working hard on our next concert, which is the second half of Messiah. It's been a long process but we sound pretty good. It just dawned on me however that Palm Sunday (the day of the concert) is only a week and a half away! Yikes!!!!!!
I'm sure, I hope, it will be great.
I'm sure, I hope, it will be great.
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Holidays in Hawaii
Well I got the holiday time I requested and so Jenn and I and hopefully Amy will be jetting off to Hawaii in August. I am so looking forward to it, I haven't been on a big vacation outside of the country in a long time, so long that I can't even remember it and so this is a big deal for me. The weather in Hawaii is temperate year round and the water is always warm.
Jenn and I are also well on our way to losing lots of weight before the trip. I'm down about 12 pounds and here's to 30 more before August! We're following the "Sonoma Diet" which is based on foods available in the Sonoma Valley of California, and very similar to a Mediterranean style of eating, lots of whole grains, lean meats, and fruits and vegetables.
Jenn and I are also well on our way to losing lots of weight before the trip. I'm down about 12 pounds and here's to 30 more before August! We're following the "Sonoma Diet" which is based on foods available in the Sonoma Valley of California, and very similar to a Mediterranean style of eating, lots of whole grains, lean meats, and fruits and vegetables.
Day One
This is my first entry for this blog. Just to satisfy those who will inevitably comment on this, my life is not always amazing, its not even sometimes amazing. But my brain is always turning, thinking of things I want to write down. Sometimes there are stories, sometimes a song, sometimes just things that I wonder. I hope you will enjoy this.
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