Happy 30th Anniversary!

It was November 29, 1980 when my sister, Monika, got married to Bob a, then yet mysterious to us, new fella' to BC having moved out from Manitoba on his own. I was pregnant when he gave her the ring and, because I did not want to walk down the isle as a matron on honor, being 8 months pregnant, they postponed their wedding by two months. In those days it was not considered cute to be at that stage.

Thirty years have gone by and I can't help but reminisce about life back then and all that has happened. Monika and Bob had two boys and then two girls. The two boys are married and one is a daddy already. One daughter, Larissa, is engaged to be married to a boy from Victoria . . . and then they will be left with just one daughter at home.

Bob and Monika . . . I have loved watching the miracle of your relationship. A relationship built on matter-of-fact openness and total trust. It's not sappy or fake. You both have been open to changes in your life and grown through difficulties. Bob, I remember how, even as a very young man, you regularly picked up a man in a wheelchair and took him to church. Both of you have used your gifts behind the scenes in many ways, making sure there is food for everyone and that everyone has a seat, whether it be at church, at the lake or in your home. Your children have cause to rise up and bless you for the example you have been to them.

Wishing you a Happy Anniversary and many more blessings along the way!

Snow, Cookies and Jam

Have you ever noticed how quiet the world sounds when it’s snowing? Yesterday I got up and stood amazed as I watched the snow coming down. I cancelled my trip to Surrey and enjoyed a day just being home.

Do you make sugar cookies for Christmas? I mixed up a batch and put the pastry in the fridge for a few hours. I did laundry and played on my blog with pictures.

Later I baked …

I also took frozen plums out the freezer

and cooked some jam.

These may come in handy in the days to come.

While the lights were twinkling in our back yard, I sat here and figured out how to print invitations on blank cards . . . and got them done. And then it was just about time for coffee with my H.

I love snow days.

Getting Crowned

It was early afternoon when I was escorted into a room with a chair that looked deceivingly comfortable. The fact was that, if I’d been left alone, I could have had a nap but it was not to be. A paper bib was promptly clipped onto my shirt and then a needle inserted into my gums, to begin the process.

I hear from others that it’s the drilling that gets to them, but for me it’s the curvy trays with the goopy stuff that you sink your teeth into. I don’t know why, but I’d almost forgotten that this was what I was in for on this day. . . maybe it’s called selective memory. Several trays were done, while I was trying to tell myself to keep breathing. A sigh of relief escaped once the impressions were set and the inside of my mouth did not come out along with them. I thought of asking them to save the impressions for future work, but maturely decided against it.

Once my lip and jaw were nice and numb, the young dentist slid into his seat on my right again . . . looking rather much like a miner with his headgear. When did they start this? Another bright light from above was also directed onto my face. While he drilled and the pretty assistant looked on with her little suction hose, I had time to wonder about things not really befitting of a queen to be. Things such as, if my nose was clean or if my brows needed tweezing. And then suddenly . . . you guessed it, more impressions . . . this time for the temporary crown. I didn’t quite get this, but kept my mouth open as told.

So now my temporary crown is on, looking quite nice for being temporary, and I’m awaiting my real crown. What I'm happy about is that, at the next appointment, there will be no more trays.

Faith Equals Grace

Our homework was to read Acts 4. It talks about Abraham being our father – the father of all who believe in God. Why would this be so? Because it was Abraham's belief, apart from works, that God counted as making him righteous.

“Without weakening in his faith, he (Abraham) faced the fact that his body was as good as dead . . . yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God (that he would have a son) . . . being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He had promised.” (Acts 4: 19-21)

Beth shares her story:
She grew up believing that a person’s goodness is what pleases God most. By the time she was in early adulthood, she figured she already had so many acts of unrighteousness credited to her account that it would take the rest of her life of living a perfect life to tip the scale towards God’s approval. She compares our life like a team coming out on the basketball court to begin a new game and the scoreboard beginning with our previous losing score, 0-45.

This is how many of us live, feeling defeated before we begin, but the good news is that faith today still overrides all the good works we aspire to do.

"The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness – for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” (vs. 23 -24)

This is it in a nutshell. Upon further study we find that true faith leads to works, but works alone can leave us feeling mostly defeated or proud - should we think that we can earn our way. Right standing comes by the grace of God, by believing, as Abraham did.

Hope for the Destitute

We volunteered to serve at a fundraiser for the Cyrus Center. This is a home where street kids can go for a meal, a bed for the night and guidance in making decisions for their future.

The speaker for the evening was a representative from our local food bank. He gave some shocking and uncomfortable statistics about poverty in the world, kids trafficked into slavery and pandemic diseases. Diseases millions die from because they don’t have access to a simple vaccination! He mentioned a stat, I had also recently read about, that as little as two percent of the world’s grain would be enough to solve the problems of hunger. The point he focused on was that it’s not a problem with supply but, distribution.

We hear these things and wonder, “what can we really do about it? It’s obviously in the hands of bigger people.” But this evening was quite a timely setting for us. In the last short while I've noted how a fellow blogger auctioned off a necklace to raise money for an orphanage in Haiti. Other friends packed Samaritan’s Purse boxes for children living in poverty. Another friend's daughter recently left for Haiti to give practical aid. We also have a friend involved with well drilling crews in Africa. Many of you sponsor children. There really are a lot of opportunities.

At this fundraiser we saw how people are making a difference right where we live. It ended with an auction where the ticket auctioned off was a lunch with the mayor. The final offer by a local businessman was closed at three thousand dollars. And to make matters even better, the second highest offer and the final one volunteered to combine their dollars to both have lunch with the mayor. Fifty-five hundred dollars were donated to the shelter in a matter of minutes.

We went to bless, but we were blessed by the generosity that permeated the evening. All of this to say, no matter who we are, if we each give according to what we have, we can make a difference in someone's life.

From a Distant Land

Like cold water to a weary soul,

is good news from a distant land.

Proverbs 25: 25

We waited a long five weeks for them to get connected before seeing these photos . . . a glimpse into their new surroundings. I can tell this is going to be a favorite destination on their walks

and can just imagine the joy of choosing the treat . . .

Will it be a freshly blended fruit drink . . .

or cucumbers, eggs and noodles . . . why, it's practically a store. . . oh it is! And everything is behind glass. A step up from the warungs in their previous neighborhood.

It looks like they made a decision! I think it's a sweet pastry of some kind . . . and water.


For those who have been there, the pink walls and green counter might just help set the right ambiance. They cause me to remember . . . the humidity . . . motorbikes scooting by . . . roosters crowing and a faint musty scent in the air . . . all part of the daily adventure that they are hardly even aware of any more. I love the smiles . . . bright enough to practically shine right across the ocean!

Movie Date

“Do you give the horse his strength

or clothe his neck with a flowing mane?

Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror

with his proud snorting? He paws fiercely,

rejoicing in his strength, and charges into the fray.

He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing;

he does not shy away from the sword.”

Job 39:19

The movie begins with a narration from the book of Job, introducing us to the realm of the breath taking power given to a horse. It is the story about Secretariat, the greatest race horse of all time, setting records in the early 70's, that still stand today.

Now, I’m not into horse racing, but this is just an amazing story about perseverance. It is about believing in a dream and taking ownership of it in order to accomplish what no one thought possible.

Interesting family dynamics, gorgeous ranch scenes and races filmed so close to the horse that you can feel it's strong, rhythmic breathing, all combine to make it real before your eyes. Personally, I love the never ending array of the cute outfits worn by the Mrs. Chenery (Diane Lane). One of my favorite characters is the groom, (Eddie Sweat) who listens to uplifting gospel music while tending to the horse and comes up with some great lines to make you laugh.

The story, like any true story, is not without its hard decisions and consequences, but it ends with a victory that I can only describe as majestic. It gives us just a glimpse into the celebration awaiting us one day, when we finish our race, to hear the words, “Well done!”

Pleasure and Reward

“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

Have you seen this before? Beth pointed this out. God rewards those who seek Him! Not only has God promised that when we seek Him, we will find Him, but . . . a reward?
May our decision to seek God and to believe Him on a continual basis, bring about rewards that will encourage more faith. Be ready to share! Some of the rewards I have experienced are answered prayer, faith boosted, strength, joy and peace.

Isaiah 54:10
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, God, who has compassion on you.”

Thank you to those who shared what they are believing God for at this time. As I read your comments last week, I could not help but add my prayers for you. In Hebrews 11: 13 it talks about people who died before seeing the things promised to them . . . it says they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. Yes, we can cling to the promise that one day He will wipe every tear.

Continuation on a Healthy Lifestyle

photo credit: Kellogg's advertisement

Well, I got myself into this and now, to be honest, I've been tossing thoughts around and wondering . . . who am I to say anything significant about diets or exercise? The only thing I can do is repeat things we all think are true, things I may have read somewhere and things that seem to work for me. But I’m not everyone else and have no idea how hard some have worked to get into shape . . . I take my hat off to you. To those who have tried everything . . . all I can say is . . . you are a winner if you can 'maintain' and I believe that the first point can be a significant help in that.


1. Keep making small changes. Choose one and add another when it becomes a lifestyle. Someday you will look back and realize you've made choices all along the way and feel good about them. Some suggestions: Eat breakfast. Walk the kids to school or go for a quick 20 minute walk at lunch. If you have to snack, eat fruit, a few nuts or a small piece of cheese. Avoid putting potato chips in your grocery cart. Choose the stairs over the escalator. Choose family/date activities such a bike riding, bowling or hiking. Take sodas drinks out of your diet.

2. Eat out as little as possible. Help those around you eat healthy by planning and preparing tasty homemade foods for mealtimes, so that everyone is satisfied and mealtimes are a time everyone looks forward to. Shop for cereals that have fiber and reduce the sweetness gradually. Use eggs, cheese, fish or peanut butter on sandwiches more often than processed meats. Use a variety of lean cut meats, chicken and fish, as well as several vegetable options to fill the plate. Let your kids see that you enjoy all kinds of vegetables. You may not have liked the yam casserole your aunt made, but maybe you’d like them roasted with Italian seasonings. Try different options to learn how to enjoy good food.

3. Exercise. You knew I’d say it. I’m not a gym person either. For some of us exercise is especially difficult to stick to when we try to do it alone. So ask a friend to go with you and choose an activity that works for you. I can’t believe I have a friend who has walked with me for over 20 years now. I wake up on a cold, windy, rainy day and know that if it were not for the fact that she is waiting for me I would not get up but, in the end, I’m always glad I did. Some options are: speed walking, swimming laps after the kids are in bed, going for a 20 minute run, meeting a friend at curves for half an hour or running a Pilates video workout in your own family room. It’s interesting that the notion to exercise makes us feel tired at first, but in the end it gives us more energy.

4. Whatever your weakness, be it desserts, sweet breads, candy, chocolate or ice cream – enjoy it, but in moderation. It would drive me crazy if someone told me I could never have dessert, but just knowing I ‘can’ have some on a somewhat regular basis, helps me not to crave it. Sometimes it’s as easy as having half a serving, one scoop of ice cream rather than two or making my favorite drink a tall-skinny-half-sweet

5. Get rid of over-sized clothes. Don’t keep them as a back door and don’t wear them around the house on a lazy day.

6. Give thanks to God for food and nature to enjoy.

Thoughts on Diets and Healthy Lifestyle Choices

I’ve probably thought more about weight this year than ever before. It would seem that several aspects of working on a cookbook have played a major role in this mind game. Maybe that's all it is, a mind game, but I have become more aware of a certain bulge as I sit here and key in the recipes. Eating waffles with vanilla custard for breakfast and then again for lunch, because the first pictures did not turn out to my satisfaction, was just one of those things you do for the cause.

In reality it's not just the cookbook, but a number of things that have kept me from serious dieting. When I think about it, there just never is a good time to diet and there will always be an excuse to be gaining weight. Just when the freshman 20 are gone, the babies start coming every few years. Some busy active years in-between may help, but soon you’re where I am now . . . where they say, “Well, you’re at that age.”

I have observed the obsession on diets to the point where girls do not know when to stop. I just look on with sadness and my heart breaks for them. Fashion magazines display undernourished models and almost every magazine at the grocery check stand screams out some form of diet. And now, even I am writing about it! This is because I often don’t see good results in any of this.

So I’ve thrown dieting out the window. I’ve never really said it, but I think dieting is a trap that, for most of us, only gives temporary results and much frustration. Believing this, I have to practice what I preach and share what may be a long-term alternative.

Now I want to be careful. I do not want to be flippant, nor assume that this is easy for everyone. I’m talking very generally, because I don’t want to take other health concerns or genetics for granted. However, in general, I think we can all agree that healthy eating and exercise are the best way to get into shape and keep in shape. It’s kind of freeing.

Being in shape is different for everyone. It’s about knowing your body, learning to enjoy the right foods and routines for you – and being content. It is better to maintain a happy medium than to continually go up and down. I have seen that two people of the same height can be 20 lbs apart and both be at their ideal weight.

So what could healthy eating and exercise look like? I perused through an article a while back that had some thoughts that made me say, “Yes, that works.” So, before this gets too long, I think in my next post I will share some practical ideas on this subject.

Roses in November

On Monday I had to avoid the water on the path, stepping on brightly fallen leaves as I walked in the rain.

On Tuesday there were rose buds to greet me on the bush by the back door as I headed out.

It was a glorious day, seeing the morning sun sparkle through the leaves still on the trees.
When I came back from my walk I got out my camera and later, when I saw how many buds were still waiting to open on another bush, my shears as well.

I decided these rose buds had to be enjoyed inside.

First by me - for a bit – even if just for a photo to share with you . . .

and then to pass the bundle on to my mom, to enjoy for real.

Caught in the Act of Believing

What is the tie between faith and belief? The Bible tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. Sometimes I’ve thought of faith as accepting something for which we have no proof. Yet, in the original language of the Bible, faith is the same as assurance. Therefore the title of this study (referring to Beth Moore's Believing God) refers to having faith or assurance in God.

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) I love how Beth talks about the kind of faith that can turn a noun into an action verb. That is what the original written text does, it makes a distinction that the English language does not make, between two kinds of belief . . . the belief that God exists, leading to salvation if confessed and secondly a belief that shows itself as a continuation, or an ongoing verb. In other words, the faith or the belief referred to in the title of this study is not only the faith that causes me to become a believer, but the belief that continues and continually believes God. It is not about the past, but rather about now and tomorrow.

In Ephesians 1: 18-20 the apostle Paul prays that believers may know the incomparable power for those who keep on believing, a power that is likened to that which raised Christ from the dead. This is the kind of power that “God willingly interjects into lives caught in the act of believing”. I repeat Beth’s question here, “Can you think of any need you might have that would require more strength than God exercised to raise the dead?”

Thanks be to God for whom nothing is too difficult if we believe. I want to ask Him to help me believe for more than I can imagine, seeing that He has the power to breathe new life.