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!