Drinking in the Sunset

Is there anything more beautiful than a glorious sunset? I snapped this photo a few nights ago.

Water, Water Everywhere

I received this short message from Pastor Jonah in Kericho, Kenya. It really shows the power of what one person can do to help others. May it encourage you to step out in faith for what God would have you to do. Please see more of Pastor Jonah's daily life and service at www.jonahsmissions.blogspot.com

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Hi,

You will love this story of the Canadian who has invested alot in searching for water to help the people here in Africa
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/622290/-/item/0/-/9c49xtz/-/index.html

If the link doesn't work, you can also see the story here http://allafrica.com/stories/200907130414.html

God bless.

Jonah

My Breast Cancer "Scare"

[Caption: Artwork belongs to the BC Screening Mammography Program]

I wanted to share some good news. I went through a breast biopsy Thursday morning and the doctor thinks what they found is a water cyst, not cancer. She was a bit perplexed because the cysts are/were hard to find on the ultrasound and said something had shown up on the mammogram that needed an investigation. She did indeed locate the cyst on the ultrasound and took a couple of tissue samples. She said the results were disappointingly poor in terms of the amount of tissue extracted. When she tried to take more samples, the cyst disappeared & could no longer be found on the ultrasound. This biopsy was done on one small cyst. After the biopsy procedure the doctor requested another mammogram to see if the cyst was detectable and it was not. Thank God for this good news!

Now they also said there are two other areas that show some kind of mass. One is deep inside my left breast and they could not do a core biopsy on that area as the needle is not long enough for that. The other area is the lymph node in the left armpit. My sister died of non-Hodgkins lymphoma and when I expressed concern the doctor said it was unlikely that a familial history of lymphoma was cause for concern. She said the small cyst which she biopsied is (was) of greater concern (no longer of concern post-biopsy). I have to go for follow up mammogram and ultrasound in January, 2009.

I had no real discomfort at all through the biopsy process and I praise God for that. I am especially grateful for having all this observation and evaluation concluded in the space of less than 2 weeks. Originally, I was not scheduled for mammogram until July 31st. Instead, the Lord moved everything at lightening speed to conclude the evaluation well before July 31st. God is good. And, I am His grateful, Joyful Servant.

Much love xoxox

Please, if you are a woman between the ages of 40-79, do not forget to get your breast mammography. Early detection of breast cancer gives the best chance of survival.

Advantage of Regular Screening Mammograms

The Visit

I was watering my small garden the other day when these small birds paid a visit. I think they were attracted by the cool, misty water coming from my hose. I love birds and I didn't realize that I caught one in flight! The one I was trying to capture is perched just under the green railing. Can you see it?

Pillowey Clouds

Clouds,
Fluffy, grey, pillowey clouds
cover the sky.

They seem forboding
yet the pink on the horizon says not to worry.
Only a little dew is on the way to soothe the land.

Nonetheless, it's night now and I take refuge inside.
Sleep comes soon, another day is fully spent.

~ by Joyful Servant 13/07/09

Fluttering Leaves

Green leaves

you flutter so gently

in the peaceful breeze.

I want to lie under your bountiful shade

I want to rest on the green grass.

I want to savour the sounds of summer

and watch the sunlight dance through your branches.

~ by Joyful Servant, July 19, 2009

Mazaltov

This lovely path, led me in gentle curves

past a rippling brook and a quiet place to sit

before I was let out the beautiful gate.

On the other side I found the weekly Farmer's Market.



I didn't buy anything as I was on my way to other errands but I did listen to some nice music by this trio called Mazaltov Cocktail. (Mazaltov is Hebrew/Yiddish for "good luck". The phrase "Mazel Tov!" parallels the use of the phrase "Congratulations!" and coveys roughly that "I am pleased this good thing has happened to you!"). I pray some good things have happened to you this week so I can wish you Mazaltov!

A Wonderful Gift

Have you ever experienced a time or two when you felt that someone really, really listened to what you were saying? Wasn't it a wonderful feeling?

I saw this sign on one of my walks and I thought it was a great representation of a wonderful and free gift you could offer to a child, a senior, a friend, a loved one.

God bless xoxox

Enjoying Canada's Birthday

It is a week late but better late than never! I wanted to share a montage of pictures from the July 1st Canada Day celebration I went to in Kamloops, BC. We spent the better part of the day in the beautiful Riverside Park where attendance was one of the largest ever to turn out for the event.

There was music, ethnic foods, official presentations, cultural events and dance, arts and crafts, face painting and water games and people just generally lazing around in the park.

One of the newly elected federal politicians tattooed my niece's face with the Canadian flag after a late lunch of Chinese food and a cool down snack of ice cream. We then headed to the main band stand where we thoroughly enjoyed some Taiko drumming music (see the short video below).

My niece enjoyed some cotton candy before heading home. These kind of days remind me of when I was a child and I so looked forward to the annual carnival. When the carnival came to town we enjoyed rides and "exotic food" like corn on the cob, candy apples, popcorn, corn dogs & cotton candy. It gives me joy watching other children enjoy the same things.

Live Fully

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Isaiah 55:12


DANCE

REST

GET RETAIL THERAPY

SLEEP A LITTLE

KISS A LOT

RELAX IN NATURE

HAVE FUN

GIGGLE A LOT

SCREAM AT THE TOP OF YOUR VOICE

TAKE A BUBBLE BATH

AND BE HAPPY
DO YOU FEEL LIKE WORKING TODAY?

TOMORROW?

NEXT WEEK?

NEXT MONTH?

Me Neither!
I just want to party!

You have a great day!
Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly!
Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably
And never regret anything that made you smile.

Roots

Job 8:11-22

"11 Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh?
Can reeds thrive without water?

12 While still growing and uncut,
they wither more quickly than grass.

13 Such is the destiny of all who forget God;
so perishes the hope of the godless.

14 What he trusts in is fragile;
what he relies on is a spider's web.

15 He leans on his web, but it gives way;
he clings to it, but it does not hold.

16 He is like a well-watered plant in the sunshine,
spreading its shoots over the garden;

17 it entwines its roots around a pile of rocks
and looks for a place among the stones.

18 But when it is torn from its spot,
that place disowns it and says, 'I never saw you.'

19 Surely its life withers away,
and from the soil other plants grow.

20 "Surely God does not reject a blameless man
or strengthen the hands of evildoers.

21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter
and your lips with shouts of joy.

22 Your enemies will be clothed in shame,
and the tents of the wicked will be no more."