SNAP THAT

by Emily Dickinson Nobody knows this little Rose -- It might a pilgrim be Did I not take it from the ways And lift it up to thee. Only a Bee will miss it -- Only a Butterfly, Hastening from far journey -- On its breast to lie -- Only a Bird will wonder -- Only a Breeze will sigh -- Ah Little Rose -- how easy For such as thee to die!

blue, blue, blue. any shade will do. out of all the colours in the wheel, it seems i like this one more, for real {Joyful Servant, 27-06-09} in my walk in the brilliant sunshine yesterday, i happened across this lovely old building, with beautiful, blue, exterior walls and crisp, white trim. it reminded me very much of fairy tales, my trip to prague and wedgewood china . the lovely metal gate in black, is also perfectly framed by the lovely blue wall. the side of the building is in the shade giving the exterior walls a much fuller body. as i was snapping these pictures, i was reminded of seeing the writer, frank kafka's house, in prague, czech republic. the particular house i'm recalling is small and located near the royal palace. some day i would love to get back and see more of prague! the city is so alive with coloured buildings, blues, yellows, russets..... lovely ♥♥♥ [caption: frank kafka's house number 22, credit: prague.net]

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18

My friend, Pastor Jonah in Kenya visited a camp for internally displaced persons recently. Here is his story. ***************************************************************************** Our visit to the Internally Displaced Persons IDPs Center was quite devastating. The IDPs have experienced so much loss to their lives and personal dignity. We were without words as we visited this place. I have uploaded a lot of pictures here of all the parts of the Center that we visited so that you can see what it is really like. I am now trying to implement what I learned at the Amahoro Gathering I attended the week before last in Hekspoort, South Africa; teachings about community building and reconciliation. We Christians are called to be peace makers. God bless. Jonah Missions of Hope

Red is a strong color Red is a Strawberry A very juicy red fruit Red is an apple Another delicious fruit Red is a fruit those small little cherries Red is a light The light that means stop when you get to it Red is a firetruck The truck that fire people use when theres a fire Red, Red, Red What a color by Favie Erase [Caption: Red fire hydrant in nearby park. I love the 'pop' of colour]

The camera makes everyone a tourist in other people's reality, and eventually in one's own. Susan Sontag On a jaunt the other day, I saw things that made me want to be a tourist in my own city. A Carnival cruise ship was docked for the day in the city's harbour. Cruise ships anchor just a few accessible steps from our city's historic Gastown with it's many tourist attractions and old town feel. While snapping the cruise ship, I saw tourists riding by on the city's only trolley. The trolley is an enclosed trolley, not like the ones in San Francisco which are open on the sides. Moreover, it's sole function is to take tourists to all the main tourist attractions in the city. You can embark and disembark, as you desire, all along the trolley's route. In the bus below, you have a choice between being in the open air or being fully covered. This comes in handy if you are not able to sit in the direct sunlight, or if it happens to be raining and you don

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint . Isaiah 40:31 After my busier day than usual yesterday, I am feeling a little tired today. I woke up very early after going to sleep late, but managed to chat briefly with two Kenyan brothers before their electrical power went down. After that, I went back to sleep to try to rest and woke up late to prepare this brunch. First I sauteed a handful of baby crimini mushrooms and 4 little half strips of bacon. Next I roughly chopped a small tomato,white cheese and mint And folded them into two scrambled eggs. I found the mint gave the eggs an interesting and nice refreshing flavour and I'll try it again some time as there is only so much tea I can have with mint *smile. I am spending some time reading, studying and making phone calls. Tomorrow, I get to meet with the carpet contractor and view

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 Oh it has been a busy day today. First, I awoke a bit late so I didn't go to church this morning. I decided to go to the apartment tonight and take in an evening service instead. I was chatting with a young brother in Kenya and he told me the story of how God miraculously provided money to his father so that his college tuition could be paid. Some of my friends and I have been praying for this young brother, so his testimony was greatly encouraging to me. Needless to say, he was also ecstatic over God's provision for him. As we were chatting, I received word that my nephew had made an unannounced day trip to Vancouver where I live. It is a 5 hour journey each way by car. He had come down with friends to try and see the Cold Play concert even though he had no ticket and the concert was sold out. I set about readying the hotel suite for guests and getting a parking pass organized for

...the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10 What do peonies and cheese have to do with each other, you might ask? Well probably not a lot unless you've been to the Farmer's Market. In one of my walks a few weeks ago, I was pleasantly surprised to find this sign. I made a mental note to return and today was the day to do so. Am I ever glad I did. Not only did I find some fabulously good food, but I also found a quaint and colourful "secret" path off the main streets. I'm going to blog about it another day when I have my camera ready. Join me for lunch now with the market finds of the morning. We are having crunchy green salad, cranberry artisan bread and some locally made cheese, called "Tilly Jilly". I don't know what's in it but it sure was good. I also brought these lovely peonies home to enjoy. I've enjoyed another day in God's beautiful world. I hope you did too.

[Caption: Palm tree & sand in front of local restaurant] Summer Poem Summer brings us nice warm sun For swimming, fishing, and lots of fun For finding seashells in the sand For sunbathing to get a tan To do all these things and more At the beach and seashore Author unknown I was surprised to go out yesterday and see these scenes of palm trees, sand and Muskoka chairs set out on the street. It is a clear sign that spring is almost gone and summer is just around the corner. It has been rather hot here already with little rain so far in the month of June and record breaking temperatures. With temperatures this high one doesn't have to go and seek heat elsewhere. I'm so glad to have air conditioning, and patio windows in my hotel suite. I can get fresh air or cool air and enjoy putting my feet up while I look out over the evening sunsets. [Caption: Put your feet up and relax] The sunsets are spectacular every evening. ~ I am blessed ~

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27 [Caption: Mother & her children receive seeds, Credit: Pst. Jonah] Ever since I was a little child I've dreamt of being involved in African missions. Given I was only a child when I had this thought, I was never really sure if it was simply a flight of fancy or a real desire. Over time, I put these thoughts aside as life got busy and very involved. A few years ago though things seemed to open up to new possibilities and it was as if God was "paving the way" for me to get involved in missions in Africa. My church has made a strategic 10 year investment in Cambodia, so I am basically on my own to try and help these missions. I do what I can as an individual to help missions in Africa, specifically in Kenya since I don't have the backing of a large non-governmental organization (N

[Caption: Bornest is laid to rest. The orphans lay flowers at her grave.] He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. (Revelation 21:4 NLT) Bornest, a young orphan woman in the community of Kericho, Kenya was my friend. She died over the weekend and was laid to rest yesterday. In her short life on earth, Bornest touched many and I've learned that her life was mirrored in the words the people shared at her funeral. Though the rain fell heavily on that day, many people showed up to say goodbye and to pay their last respects. Bornest loved life and people and it was evident in her touching send off. Pastor Jonah shared these photos of her going home celebration. The photos capture the order of their funerals which is: - removing the body from the funeral home - taking the body home - talks & speeches - preaching - final farewell. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. M

A word is not the same with one writer as with another. One tears it from his guts. The other pulls it out of his overcoat pocket. ~Charles Peguy ~ I love notebooks. I love them because they come in all shapes and sizes. I love them because they remind me of possibilities. Possibilities of keeping track of things, possibilities of recording things, possibilities of writing. I buy a lot of them. I generally browse the dollar stores and buy a couple at a time for a dollar each. I think this is a great use of a dollar! What else can you buy for a dollar these days that has as much value? The notebook in my photo is one of my newer purchases. I like it's light green colour and I adore the little sketches on its cover. The stone with word "Believe" reminds me to record things, even if only mentally, but hopefully on paper. Thoughts that help me believe in positive possibilities keep me mindful of gratitude for everything I have. The stones are also reminders of the possi

I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Phillipians 4: 11 I am thankful for.... 1. Nurses attending at my mother's home to cleanse her leg wound and the scheduling of a doctor appointment to evaluate the nature of the wound. The nurses suspect it is now cancerous. My friends and I are praying that it is not. Her doctor appointment is on June 22, 2009. 2. Pastor Jonah's safe journey to and from Hekspoort, South Africa to attend the Amahoro Gathering. Read more here about his journey. 3. My student friend and little brother Enock, in Kericho, Kenya. He was to leave Bible college to the village to find more money for his tuition. But praise God, he received a phone call and his father is sending him funds. He won't have to travel back to the village after all. God is looking after his schooling needs. 4. My friend Bornest, in Kericho, Kenya died a few days ago. I am thankful that arrangements are well underway for her funeral and going home party w

And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. Genesis 1:29 I live in a condominium complex in a large city and I am so grateful to have a very large patio and small garden for enjoying nature. God was good to me in providing this as nature is one of the things that gives me great joy in life and makes me feel connected to God. I am not, however a very good gardener. I so long to have beautiful flowers and after 10 years of trying I have only once come close to it. I can make a lot of excuses and one of them is lack of knowledge. But truthfully there have been many ups and downs in the condo life, things like total exterior restoration due to rain damage. That and health issues, lack of knowledge and income and family health challenges, have all contributed to little time and enthusiasm to really do much with my small garden. From th