22. It is a good thing that the my husband woke up without the alarm because I had reset the clock for pm not am
21. It was a working day and even though I had laundry to do, I was glad that I had one pair of underwear left in my drawer (after all my mom always used to say "always wear clean underwear in case you are ever in an accident!)
20. I went through the drive-thru at McDonalds and got a fresh medium cup of black coffee. It lasted me right through to my coffee break. ummmm.... good
19. I love work and can't thank God enough for the job at Canadian Blood Services. I am able to take note of people as they come through the line and God often puts some on my heart to pray for.
18. The women I work with make me smile! There is usually a good conversation and often a hug or two.
17. My shift was over at noon today and I still had half a day left!
16. Sunshine and some blue sky!! What more can I say. Hot days ahead on the weekend.
15. Noticing that the leaves are slowly changing. I guess yesterday was the first day of fall right?
14. This morning we noticed alot of geese flying south. They were still trying to get into formation, and there were many V's within the big formation. Geese are so interesting.
13. I had banana bread left over from last night, and I took if for coffee break. I love banana bread!
12. This afternoon I met two good friends at Mountain Bean for a cup of coffee and couple hours of conversation.
11. Exercising at curves ~ it felt good.
10. Jumped into my car which was full of dirty laundry (neatly arranged in baskets in the back seat) You know what happens with a warm car and laundry ... I was so glad I didn't smell funky when I came out of the car too!
9. Picked up my man at the firehall and he was waiting for me outside. I love that guy.
8. Ate supper with Leah and Everett. He has some new woods like pizza (which he ate two pieces of) and geese, and moose and happy ... and many other words.
7. Got to read to Everett, and sing with him, and hug him, and he gave me a big kiss good-nite as I put him into bed with his blankie and elmo and lovey (his favorite night time stuffy)
6. Got to see 3 of my 4 kids today and hug them!!
5. ate ice-cream (a once in a while treat)
4. felt the coolness of frost on my window in the morning (reminder of what is to come)
3. did 4 loads of wash ~ nothing better than the freshness of clean clothes. I am thankful that I have this luxury ... some people don't
2. heard bluejays cawing
1. hopped into bed at the end of the day, with my sweetheart - kissed good - nite and prayed myself to sleep.
THIS WAS STARTED YESTERDAY AND FINISHED TODAY!
God has me on a journey - and as I travel it, this blog reflects the thoughts and musings (and the odd butterfly) from the heart of a senior woman, who is learning how to love with all my being, live fully and with no regrets, embrace life with my husband,kids and grandkids, and to let God lead in the dance of life that He has me learning!
Friday, September 23
Sunday, September 18
the cookies!
Today I have laughed again
as I watched my little grandson Everett and his Daddy
"play" with the cookies that Everett was given to eat.
You will hear Josh giving voices to the cookies,
asking Everett "Do you want to eat me"
as he makes the little teddy shaped cookie come closer and closer to its end!
Everett loves this.
He squeals with anticipation!
It made us all laugh!
Enjoy!
oh, to be young again
and to eat cookies with such delight and anticipation!
Thursday, September 15
I have just been thinking ...
These last few days I have not blogged. I have worked a few shifts, including an out of town one. On top of that I have been battling a big-time cold which has made me consume far too many cold meds!
The weather has been much colder this week - a rather rude awakening to those of us who have been basking in above normal temps all summer (here in Manitoba). It feels like I have been in thinking mode lately or perhaps God has just raised my level of awareness many more notches. I should journal all this down but instead I will journal it in my blog. Perhaps you have wondered about some of this too.
I watched an older man pushing his shopping cart across Logan Avenue. He was heading into the wind, and his body was leaning into the cart as he pushed it. The thing that struck me was that he was not dressed for the change of weather. He had short sleeves on. I wished that I hadn't cleaned stuff out of the trunk - because I would have grabbed a jacket of Alvin's and given it to him. My heart hurt. I have close friends/family who have spent more than one night on the street. I just can not imagine!
I watched the news with Alvin the other day - and saw starving children. Their big eyes looking out. Their extended tummies and anorexic bodies. They are literally starving to death. Starving. I look at the mothers and can not imagine their thoughts. Every parent wants to provide for their child. We can. In fact, we often could be found guilty of spoiling our kids. I watched but inside, I felt sick. They need our help. The government is multiplying the money given toward this need. And here I am, trying to lose weight because in my lifetime, I have over-indulged. To have children starving and dying in your arms ~ to have them look up in my face and not be able to give them what they desperately need to live ... I can not imagine. O Lord, have mercy.
I talked with someone - a young adult in their late teens - who had recently taken an Aids test. My heart broke. When I verbalized this, the response to me from a peer was "well Joy, that is the reality of high-schoolers ~ they are having sex." Yes, I know that this is a reality. But my heart still broke at the fact that this young man, with so much ahead of him, has already had to face the possibility of aids. O Lord, protect my grandchildren, and help them to keep pure until marriage. Personally I know that is hard, but I also know it is absolutely possible.
I watched a dad and his son the other day. Both dressed in orange t-shirts. The little guy was about 3. I watched their interaction. A couple days later I laughed at the antics of our little grandson Ev. I watched as he danced, as he wrestled with his dad, as he hugged his mommy ... as he blew us all kisses as his mom and dad took him for his bedtime routine. Watching three year olds laugh and play, make me realize how our grandson Jay would have played with his younger brother Everett. While other little three year olds make me smile ... it also makes me miss our little one so much. We will always miss him. The same day we visited with our grandson, I was also aware that there was another mom and dad not too far away that were missing their little guy who is also in heaven. There are times when I still ask God "why?"
I sat with a good friend today and chatted over coffee (actually here in the same place as I am now sitting and writing.) We talk about some of the things in life that are just plain hard. We talk about family. We talk about jobs. We talk about depression. Lord, Life is so hard sometimes - and emotionally we are often very weak. But you are strong. O Lord, give us strength and healing.
I watched many of the 9-11 stories on Sunday. I remembered where I was the day that I first heard the news. We all remember. I watched people weep as they listened. I watched people as they did pencil rubbing over their loved ones names. I marvelled at the bravery of the firefighters (this is especially close to my heart with my husband and son both in the same career of firefighting). I wondered what people thought as they ran with the huge cloud of debris and dust following them. And I realized that watching all of this made me feel like it had just happened again, even though it hadn't. I listened to the man who was then the mayor, as he addressed the people in the service and read Scripture. The same scripture that I have heard before. The same Scripture that is often read at funerals. The same scripture that we can likely all recite, and that a song is even written after. You know it ... "to everything there is a time ..."
I will end my thoughts, my ramblings with this scripture, the one Rudy Galiano read, the one subtitled "A Time for Everything" Ecclesiastes 3:1-15, New Living Translation
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
what does the worker gain from his toil?
i have seen the burden God has laid on men.
He has made everything beautiful in its time.
he has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil - this is the gift of God.
I know that everything God does will endure forever, nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
Whatever is has already been,
and what will be has been before;
and God will call the past to account.
The weather has been much colder this week - a rather rude awakening to those of us who have been basking in above normal temps all summer (here in Manitoba). It feels like I have been in thinking mode lately or perhaps God has just raised my level of awareness many more notches. I should journal all this down but instead I will journal it in my blog. Perhaps you have wondered about some of this too.
I watched an older man pushing his shopping cart across Logan Avenue. He was heading into the wind, and his body was leaning into the cart as he pushed it. The thing that struck me was that he was not dressed for the change of weather. He had short sleeves on. I wished that I hadn't cleaned stuff out of the trunk - because I would have grabbed a jacket of Alvin's and given it to him. My heart hurt. I have close friends/family who have spent more than one night on the street. I just can not imagine!
I watched the news with Alvin the other day - and saw starving children. Their big eyes looking out. Their extended tummies and anorexic bodies. They are literally starving to death. Starving. I look at the mothers and can not imagine their thoughts. Every parent wants to provide for their child. We can. In fact, we often could be found guilty of spoiling our kids. I watched but inside, I felt sick. They need our help. The government is multiplying the money given toward this need. And here I am, trying to lose weight because in my lifetime, I have over-indulged. To have children starving and dying in your arms ~ to have them look up in my face and not be able to give them what they desperately need to live ... I can not imagine. O Lord, have mercy.
I talked with someone - a young adult in their late teens - who had recently taken an Aids test. My heart broke. When I verbalized this, the response to me from a peer was "well Joy, that is the reality of high-schoolers ~ they are having sex." Yes, I know that this is a reality. But my heart still broke at the fact that this young man, with so much ahead of him, has already had to face the possibility of aids. O Lord, protect my grandchildren, and help them to keep pure until marriage. Personally I know that is hard, but I also know it is absolutely possible.
I watched a dad and his son the other day. Both dressed in orange t-shirts. The little guy was about 3. I watched their interaction. A couple days later I laughed at the antics of our little grandson Ev. I watched as he danced, as he wrestled with his dad, as he hugged his mommy ... as he blew us all kisses as his mom and dad took him for his bedtime routine. Watching three year olds laugh and play, make me realize how our grandson Jay would have played with his younger brother Everett. While other little three year olds make me smile ... it also makes me miss our little one so much. We will always miss him. The same day we visited with our grandson, I was also aware that there was another mom and dad not too far away that were missing their little guy who is also in heaven. There are times when I still ask God "why?"
I sat with a good friend today and chatted over coffee (actually here in the same place as I am now sitting and writing.) We talk about some of the things in life that are just plain hard. We talk about family. We talk about jobs. We talk about depression. Lord, Life is so hard sometimes - and emotionally we are often very weak. But you are strong. O Lord, give us strength and healing.
I watched many of the 9-11 stories on Sunday. I remembered where I was the day that I first heard the news. We all remember. I watched people weep as they listened. I watched people as they did pencil rubbing over their loved ones names. I marvelled at the bravery of the firefighters (this is especially close to my heart with my husband and son both in the same career of firefighting). I wondered what people thought as they ran with the huge cloud of debris and dust following them. And I realized that watching all of this made me feel like it had just happened again, even though it hadn't. I listened to the man who was then the mayor, as he addressed the people in the service and read Scripture. The same scripture that I have heard before. The same Scripture that is often read at funerals. The same scripture that we can likely all recite, and that a song is even written after. You know it ... "to everything there is a time ..."
I will end my thoughts, my ramblings with this scripture, the one Rudy Galiano read, the one subtitled "A Time for Everything" Ecclesiastes 3:1-15, New Living Translation
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
what does the worker gain from his toil?
i have seen the burden God has laid on men.
He has made everything beautiful in its time.
he has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil - this is the gift of God.
I know that everything God does will endure forever, nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
Whatever is has already been,
and what will be has been before;
and God will call the past to account.
Wednesday, September 7
creation speaks without saying a word
 |
| behind every cloud there IS a silver lining! |
 |
| coming home from Selkirk one night, we caught these pics of the sun setting. |
 |
| the sun's reflection was on the silo ~ although my little camera didn't capture that real well but it was beautiful to see the reflection as the sun set |
 |
| one of the storms that came and went quickly through the city this was captured from the balcony of the condo |
 |
| daisies are such beautiful flowers |
 |
| these pics are all taken at the cottage (this one and the next ones) |
 |
| the extreme dry weather has made everything look like fall already! leaves are drying up and dying prematurely although fall is right around the corner! |
 |
| Creation speaks through its beauty It reflects the glory of the Creator! Our God is an Awesome God! |
Tuesday, September 6
drawn to this psalm
This morning I sat in my newly selected Quiet Time Space ... I have put a chair in a corner, close to where the sun streams in in the morning. It is an old chair, but feels good. It is covered. Nothing special about it other than it "works" for now. I have a little table beside me to hold my coffee and my journal/bible etc.
I went there this morning and randomly opened my Bible. I didn't do the "open and point" thing that some people use to find their Scripture reading for the day. But it just seemed to open at this place. And Psalm 145 caught my eye. SO, I read it ~ OUT LOUD! And, it blessed my soul. Before I read it, I asked the Lord to write the truths indelibly on my heart - (I remember when my mom had indelible ink pens ~ or at least that is what they were called then ~ and if something is indelible it means it does not come out! EVER. ) O Lord, please write YOUR truths on my heart!
Psalm 145 - originally written by David - you know him, Shepherd, King and a very very human being and yet was known by God as a man "with a heart after God's own". In this Psalm I read it and wrote what I saw about "I" , about GOD, about the LORD, about "THEY" .... and realize that we are all in it together!! We have responsibility to praise GOD. THEY means "everything that God has created" ...
just sit outside for a while - you will hear and see Creation praising God!
Read this Psalm through and let it bless you too this morning!
Psalm 145 from The Message
David's Praise
1 I lift you high in praise, my God, O my King! and I'll bless your name into eternity.2 I'll bless you every day,
and keep it up from now to eternity.
3 God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough.
There are no boundaries to his greatness.
4 Generation after generation stands in awe of your work;
each one tells stories of your mighty acts.
5 Your beauty and splendor have everyone talking;
I compose songs on your wonders.
6 Your marvelous doings are headline news;
I could write a book full of the details of your greatness.
7 The fame of your goodness spreads across the country;
your righteousness is on everyone's lips.
8 God is all mercy and grace—
not quick to anger, is rich in love.
9 God is good to one and all;
everything he does is suffused with grace.
10-11 Creation and creatures applaud you, God;
your holy people bless you.
They talk about the glories of your rule,
they exclaim over your splendor,
12 Letting the world know of your power for good,
the lavish splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal;
you never get voted out of office.
they exclaim over your splendor,
12 Letting the world know of your power for good,
the lavish splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal;
you never get voted out of office.
God always does what he says,
and is gracious in everything he does.
14 God gives a hand to those down on their luck,
gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.
15 All eyes are on you, expectant;
you give them their meals on time.
16 Generous to a fault,
you lavish your favor on all creatures.
17 Everything God does is right—
the trademark on all his works is love.
18 God's there, listening for all who pray,
for all who pray and mean it.
19 He does what's best for those who fear him—
hears them call out, and saves them.
20 God sticks by all who love him,
but it's all over for those who don't.
21 My mouth is filled with God's praise.
Let everything living bless him,
bless his holy name from now to eternity!
and is gracious in everything he does.
14 God gives a hand to those down on their luck,
gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.
15 All eyes are on you, expectant;
you give them their meals on time.
16 Generous to a fault,
you lavish your favor on all creatures.
17 Everything God does is right—
the trademark on all his works is love.
18 God's there, listening for all who pray,
for all who pray and mean it.
19 He does what's best for those who fear him—
hears them call out, and saves them.
20 God sticks by all who love him,
but it's all over for those who don't.
21 My mouth is filled with God's praise.
Let everything living bless him,
bless his holy name from now to eternity!
Monday, September 5
nothing but the sound of the fan and the sunbeams through the window
it is absolutely quiet right now
except for the sound of the ceiling fan
whirling around
it is good
the quietness
today began with the sound of the birds
the distinct caw of the bluejays
the rascals
but they are a gift to me
and their sound
and their beauty takes my breath away
there is alot to do
rug to vacuum
dust to sweep out of corners long neglected
but there is no rush
because it will just begin to collect again
as soon as the mop is put away
i love the quietness
it is a balm for my being
like the sun that shines on me
the quietness shines into my soul
and it is in this time
that i can think
that i can listen
that i can commune with my Lord
that i can pray
that i can just BE.
this day has been a day of blessing
a day that has felt like days gone past
like some of the days when i was in my old home
or the days i lived in the loft near my kids
this day feels reminiscent of those ones
and as i putter around this place
putting away
sorting
cleaning
sitting
i am thankful that it feels good
in the midst of this day
i have sat with a good cup of coffee
i have chatted with some of my kids
i have sat and conversed over lunch
i have hugged my boys
and prayed with my son
and i am thankful
that God has given me this day as a gift
and all that has been a part of it
so as the fan whirls
and the sun shines
as the bluejay caws
and the wind blows through the trees
i. am. thankful.
very very thankful.
thank you Lord
if you are interested, I have also posted today on www.womenrefreshed.wordpress.com
Thursday, September 1
those that wait upon the Lord ~ (oh Lord, please help me)
I will admit - I have had a hard day today. It has been full of physical pain (another fibromyalgia flare up) and I find the pain makes me even more emotional than I usually am! Last night, about 8 pm, we concluded another chapter in our lives, and a new one began. Last night's sleep was hard (due to the pain and stiffness) and when the alarm went this morning and I needed to get dressed for work - I felt like the "tin man" again. (guess I would be the tin woman!)
On the way to work - I stopped at a McDonald's ... and before I got my Golden Bran muffin and black coffee, I used the washroom. Now, THAT was quite the experience. I walked in, and immediately noticed a yucky smell (checked to see if there was pee on the floor somewhere) and there was toilet paper scraps on the floor (some used, so that was equally gross!) I did the "squat" thing (which I got down pat during my trip to Thailand a couple years ago) and then went to wash my hands. GROSS again ... water all over the messy sinks. I was never so glad to get out of a bathroom (using something to cover the handle so that my hand didn't get contaminated on the way out!) BUT THEN ... as I was leaving, I notice that (um-hum...) I was in the MEN'S BATHROOM. So now, I was REALLY grossed out!! (and may I add that when I got into the car, I pulled the hand sanitizer from my purse and used it!)
As I drove, I wondered how I made this mistake? Was I just tired? Ya, I figured that was a good answer! Honestly I just really did not like this start to my day!
But here, at the other end of the day, I can say I have been reflecting back onto the day, and actually onto the other days in this terribly full week, and I realize a couple things. The most blatantly obvious is that my "busy-ness" has occupied my day - and has crowded out the Quiet Time with my Lord. I have not spent the time I have wanted with Him. I have not bowed low daily, giving Jesus all my cares, and "laying them down at the cross" so to speak. And I realize that this neglect in itself, has set me up for some hard times lately.
You see - I know enough through my 53 years, that life IS hard at times. That life is EXCRUCIATING at some times. That life can also feel "easy" at times. I also know that often when life does get hard - it is much easier to walk through my days when I have come before the throne in time with my Jesus! So it made sense that today, amidst the physical pain, that I just felt totally out of energy - out of emotions - out of strength. MINE was depleted over and over and over - years ago ... and because of my lack of QT this week - I was not being enriched and strengthened the way I know I can be when I include HIM in my walk.
(okay, now I feel like I am babbling)
Anyhow - the tears have flowed today - for many reasons. Today we marked the first few paragraphs in the next chapter of our lives. One day - over coffee I can fill you in more. But for now - I know I want to get back into the practice of coming "face down" before Him daily - waiting on HIM - listening - praying - because I know that Scripture says - that those who wait on the Lord - will renew their strength. And right about now - I need that. Thank you Lord for your promise! O Lord, help me to wait - help me to worship - help me to love you fully with all my being. O Lord, hear my prayer!
or as it is in the New Living Translation, same chapter in Isaiah says it like this:
On the way to work - I stopped at a McDonald's ... and before I got my Golden Bran muffin and black coffee, I used the washroom. Now, THAT was quite the experience. I walked in, and immediately noticed a yucky smell (checked to see if there was pee on the floor somewhere) and there was toilet paper scraps on the floor (some used, so that was equally gross!) I did the "squat" thing (which I got down pat during my trip to Thailand a couple years ago) and then went to wash my hands. GROSS again ... water all over the messy sinks. I was never so glad to get out of a bathroom (using something to cover the handle so that my hand didn't get contaminated on the way out!) BUT THEN ... as I was leaving, I notice that (um-hum...) I was in the MEN'S BATHROOM. So now, I was REALLY grossed out!! (and may I add that when I got into the car, I pulled the hand sanitizer from my purse and used it!)
As I drove, I wondered how I made this mistake? Was I just tired? Ya, I figured that was a good answer! Honestly I just really did not like this start to my day!
But here, at the other end of the day, I can say I have been reflecting back onto the day, and actually onto the other days in this terribly full week, and I realize a couple things. The most blatantly obvious is that my "busy-ness" has occupied my day - and has crowded out the Quiet Time with my Lord. I have not spent the time I have wanted with Him. I have not bowed low daily, giving Jesus all my cares, and "laying them down at the cross" so to speak. And I realize that this neglect in itself, has set me up for some hard times lately.
You see - I know enough through my 53 years, that life IS hard at times. That life is EXCRUCIATING at some times. That life can also feel "easy" at times. I also know that often when life does get hard - it is much easier to walk through my days when I have come before the throne in time with my Jesus! So it made sense that today, amidst the physical pain, that I just felt totally out of energy - out of emotions - out of strength. MINE was depleted over and over and over - years ago ... and because of my lack of QT this week - I was not being enriched and strengthened the way I know I can be when I include HIM in my walk.
(okay, now I feel like I am babbling)
Anyhow - the tears have flowed today - for many reasons. Today we marked the first few paragraphs in the next chapter of our lives. One day - over coffee I can fill you in more. But for now - I know I want to get back into the practice of coming "face down" before Him daily - waiting on HIM - listening - praying - because I know that Scripture says - that those who wait on the Lord - will renew their strength. And right about now - I need that. Thank you Lord for your promise! O Lord, help me to wait - help me to worship - help me to love you fully with all my being. O Lord, hear my prayer!
Isaiah 40 verse 27 to the end of the chapter, in The Message puts it this way:
Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or, whine, Israel, saying,
"God has lost track of me.
He doesn't care what happens to me"?
Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?
God doesn't come and go. God lasts.
He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind.
28 Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
29 He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
30 Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
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