Joys Of Life

Joys of Life

If there ever was a joy in life, that would be children.

They bring such happiness and joy.

When you are down in the dumps and just sit back and watch them you obtain a smile that just won't stop.

Laughing, Giggling, Jumping, Playing these are all of the wonderful things of being a child.

Hope, Dreams, Imagination things that make a child unique.

As an adult we must remember the wonderful things that our children can bring to our lives.

Just sit back enjoy and laugh, giggle, jump, play, hope, dream and run into their imagination right along with them.

If we all would do that wouldn't the world be a much wonderful place to live?

© Tammy R. Eledge

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.
Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.

Psalm 127:3-5a

All of these children are orphans in Kericho, Kenya. I invite you to learn more about them by clicking here

Chocolaterie

A great new shop has opened in the neighbourhood ~ a chocolaterie. I stopped by there in its second week of opening and bought some hand made truffles with chocolate grown in the Caribbean. The truffles were divine.

Don't you just love the hand painted murals on the wall too? Such whimsical beauty brings joy to my days.

Unfortunately, I was met with a "Closed" sign on my second attempt to drop by the shop. I took a photo of the shops hours so I shouldn't have this problem again *smile.

More Images @ the Fair

I wanted to share more photos I took at the annual fair on Wednesday. Some of them did not turn out so well and I realized I didn't take photos of the rides. The photos I did take I've put into a collage.

Can you see the pink motorbike? It is being raffled off for Breast Cancer Awareness. I've entered the draw. I think it would be cool to scoot around town in a pink bike. What do you think ladies?



Here is a close up of the scooter.

Super Dogs

I went to the Annual Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) on Wednesday and one of the delightful things I did was watch the Super Dog Show. This show proves to be a hugely popular event, year after year and Wednesday was no exception.

Here are some photos of some of the lovely dogs that we were able to see in action. Most of the breeds below are new to me so I won't even pretend to get the breed names right. Hopefully you will know what they are if I haven't correctly identified them.

[An Australian Cross...I think a shepard cross]

[A pug]

[I'm thinking this one is a young Sloughis]

[A Sheltie]

Whenever I see these dogs at the PNE I want to bring one home. This year the little Sheltie really stole my heart and his owner kindly agreed to pose with her beloved pet.

I close with a short movie clip of a special dog from Brazil, doing a dance with his owner. How precious!

PROVERBS 12:10

A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal.

Messages

MESSAGES

So now come sit down
Will you talk with me now
Let me see through your eyes
Where there is so much light
We are biding our time
For these myths to unwind
For these changes we will confront

So please beware
With every place that you had
Look to your soul
For the things that you know
For the trees that we see
Can not forever breathe
With the changes they will confront

CHORUS:
You know some people they just won't understand
No I just won't understand
These things
Thank you for your message but I don't understand
No I just won't understand
These things

For this sacred land
It has seen many hands
It has wealth and gold
Yet it is fragile and old
And all the greedy souls
Just don't care to know
Of the changes it will confront

So speak out loud
Of the things you are proud
And if you love this coast
Then keep it clean as it hopes
'Cause the way that it shines
May just dwindle with time
With the changes it will confront

CHORUS:
You know some people they just won't understand
No I just won't understand
These things
Thank you for your message but I don't understand
No I just won't understand
These things

So hold nice and close
I want to get to your soul
So that when it is cold
You won't feel so alone
'Cause the roads that you take
May just crack and break
With the changes you will confront

With each gift that you share
You may heal and repair
With each choice you make
You may help someone's day
Well I know you are strong
May your journey be long
And now I wish you the best of luck
Well I know you are strong
May your journey be long
And now I wish you the best of luck.

CHORUS:
You know some people they just won't understand
No I just won't understand
These things
Thank you for your message but I don't understand
No I just won't understand
These things

What do I See?

What do I see when I look at you?
Beauty

What do I feel when I look at you?

Wonder

What do I know when I look at you?
Power & Majesty

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Psalms 19:1

Through Me

Through me

let there be kind words, a warm smile, and a caring heart.

Through me

let there be a willingness to listen and a readiness to understand.

Through me

let there be dependability, steadfastness, trust and loyalty.

Through me

let there be compassion, forgiveness, mercy and love.

Through me

let there be every quality I find, O Lord, in Thee.

~ Unknown

[Caption: Evangelizing the Pokot Tribe of Northern Kenya]

I Meant To Do My Work Today

by Richard Le Gallienne

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I meant to do my work today,

But a brown bird sang in the apple tree

And a butterfly flitted across the field,

And all the leaves were calling me.

And the wind went sighing over the land,

Tossing the grasses to and fro,

And a rainbow held out its shining hand--
So what could I do but laugh and go?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I found a similar poem recited by Elton John

Listen here http://www.amazon.com/Meant-Work-Today-Day-Country/dp/B000WU0TLI

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Canada Line

Hey folks, I am so excited. Many of you know that the Winter 2010 Olympics are being held in Vancouver/Whistler. As part of the preparations, a new subway link has FINALLY been built which links the city core to the Airport.

You may find it hard to believe but the discussions about whether to build this line or something like it has been hotly debated for decades and several different routes proposed over that time. There was always the NIMBY (not in my back yard) argument.

Politicians being what they are and successful Olympic bids being what they are, the 2010 Olympics finally presented the government with the impetus and much needed rationale for pushing through with the long awaited subway expansion.

I am over the moon about this expansion. Not simply because it is needed for the Olympics. I supported the expansion well before that. I think it is good for the environment. It cuts down substantially on car traffic on this much travelled route. It will also help tourists and residents alike with getting to and from the airport without the hassles & expense of finding a taxi or a car park. Now you will pay a few dollars for a one way trip on the Canada Line, compared to a $30. or more taxi ride to the city centre.

I live relatively close to the Broadway-City Hall station and am excited about taking my first ride to the airport, lol. The new line will open ahead of schedule on August 17, 2009. Read more here

In thinking about this story I was reminded of how man's plans can get so caught up in endless debates and fruitless discussions that lead to nothing. It is difficult to get men/women to agree on any one course of action unless there is some kind of rallying point. Even with the Olympics coming, there are many who are unhappy with the decisions to host the Olympics and with all the building that has had to be done to accommodate them. Man's plans can be made and often go awry, perhaps even more than they go forward, but God's plans and His Word, never fails.

The Lord of hosts has sworn:
“As I have planned,
so shall it be,
and as I have purposed,
so shall it stand,

Isaiah 14:24

Scarlet Things

I love the colour red and all deep shades of it. I found these things tonight in tones of red I especially like.

A cookbook


A box of cheese plates. Too pretty to use so I hang them as kitchen art.


"Baby" Babushka. She has a quartet of sisters.


The new wall colour in the kitchen. It's called "brick". You can see the camera's flash (light) reflecting off the wall.

A kitchen magnet.


Another thing that is scarlet is the shed blood of Jesus. This meaningful scripture came to mind as I was thinking how beautiful are the shades of scarlet.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18

Unpacking

Front entry area

Dining area

Well I`ve been back into my condo since July 31st, 2009 and promptly went out of town for a 5 day visit with mom. Now I`ve been back trying to rest and get up the motivation to unpack. It just simply wasn`t happening!

Living room

Finally, yesterday morning I asked for prayer from MC family for the energy. Then I promptly took a very long nap, lol. But later in the evening I did indeed start the unpacking. Today I was up early and I haven`t taken more than a brief rest since this morning. To see my place right now you wouldn`t think I have done much of anything but trust me, I have conquered more than half of the boxes! Yesterday, I laundered a lot of bedding and linens and sanitized the china & crystal from my small cabinet.

Today I grouped boxes with ``like contents into different corners of the apartment, reorganized the coat closet, re-organized 3 out of 5 dresser drawers, completely re-stocked my bedroom closets, filled 3 give-away boxes of clothes and sundry items, did some dusting and started an inventory of things improperly packed and damaged by the movers. At last I feel like I am making progress.

Entry to the galley kitchen

Finally, yesterday morning I asked for prayer for the energy and then I promptly took a very long nap, lol. But later in the evening I did indeed start the unpacking. Today I was up early and I haven`t taken more than a brief rest since this morning. To see my place right now you wouldn`t think I have done much of anything. Trust me. Yesterday, I conquered more than half of the boxes, laundered a lot of bedding and linen and sanitized the china & crystal from my small cabinet. Today I`ve grouped boxes with like contents`` into different corners of the apartment, reorganized the coat closet, re-organized 3 out of 5 dresser drawers, completely re-stocked my bedroom closets, filled 3 give-away boxes of clothes and sundry items, did some dusting and started an inventory of things improperly packed and damaged by the movers. At last I feel like I am making progress.

One of the bedrooms

Prayer really works!
I hope to make more progress tomorrow and over the weekend as next week I have a number of appointments. I have a LOT of WORK left to do. Not just unpacking but a major overhaul to one of the bathrooms and some small changes to the kitchen area. Once the work is finished I will post some after pictures as I know the (late) before pictures are a bit frightening *smile.

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

1 John 5: 14-15

CAT Scan Journey

Back in July I had breast cancer screening which led to breast cancer diagnostics. Read more about it here.

One lump was found to be benign. Two other lumps were not tested due to their depth and I was told to return in January 2010 for further evaluation. I was pleased of course with the outcome but a little concerned about the two lumps not tested.

I was going to ask my family doctor about it but while she was on holiday her locum called to say that the cancer specialist suggested I get a CAT scan (also called CT Scan ) on my breast so that they could better evaluate the two lumps they were not able to view in the mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. The doctor stressed that this was out of an abundance of caution and that they don't really feel there is anything to be concerned about. They simply want to make extra sure.

I am pleased to report that I had the CAT scan was scheduled in record time and completed last Friday at the small hospital shown in the snap shot above. The procedure took a little longer than I anticipated and I was told by the doctor there that their instructions were to examine the lymph node area of the left armpit only. I am thinking there was a miscommunication somewhere, but am glad to at least get one more lump observation out of the way. I should have the results in about a week or so.

As I left the hospital and took these snap shots, I was encouraged to see the cross on the hospital exterior. Somehow it gave me comfort and I felt that God was looking down on me. His Son Jesus died on the cross that I might LIVE and have life more abundant. That is such an awesome love I can never repay.

Update: August 11, 2009 ~I have great news. My test results were back so fast. My family doctor called me and left a message saying that there is nothing to worry about with the lymph node. There is no cancer. I am over the moon!

Is this a Magnolia Tree?

Hi friends, since I read about Mr. Magnolia on a blogger friend's post (click here) I've been wondering if these snap shots I took last Spring are of a Magnolia tree. Can anyone let me know?

If you like these snap shots you might also like my very first blog post, "The Beauty of Nature" (click here).

You Are So Valuable

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Matthew 10: 29-31

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12: 6-7

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:32

Eileen Miller sings "His Eye is on the Sparrow"

Mombasa Sunset

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

Genesis 1:14

I stayed right on the beach in Mombasa. Though the weather was very hot there, the hotel air conditioning worked very well and it was cool to sit out on the beach with the gentle breezes.

I love sunsets everywhere and Mombasa was no exception! The sunset views on the beach were fantastic!

One Corner of Main Street

Main Street in Vancouver is an interesting street.

It is the dividing line between west and east parts of the city proper. It is also home to Chinatown, Punjabi Market, the city's antique row, the train and bus station, a fast track to the international airport and to drive north on the highway, a route into the downtown east side & to one of the country's poorest neighbourhoods.

I love walking down Main Street as it has some of the broadest side walks in the city and the neighbourhoods are gaining more and more foot traffic as the entire area becomes a newly developed part of town for new families and upwardly mobile professionals.

Here is what I found at one corner of Main Street today. The corner of 11th Avenue and Main.

You can see that this Chinese take out restaurant is soon to be redeveloped into retail and residential units.

My guess is that this very popular boutique for trendy women will also be affected by the redevelopment that is to occur at this corner.

The building below is one I often stop and admire. It has some dedicated residents who have put in their own stained glass windows on the top floor. I think they might also be the ones responsible for hanging cds from their roof tops. I thought it made a cool photo as these cds weren't on display the last time I walked this neighbourhood.

I will share more of this vibrant street in the days to come. For now I hope you enjoy these snap shots!