Blasphemy!

There used to be a house in Calgary that had a similar display on their front lawn. All I can say is BLASPHEMY! It truly disgusts me to see this.

On the other hand... the Bible says that every knee will bow and worship Him!

An e-mail I received from my niece...

"hi anty! am at school! in music but i'm saposto do rock'en rool sanata until the christmas consert.So my music teacher let me on his laptop... som people wonder whyi'm here and not there and I tell them that I dont belive in santa and I dont sing rock'en rool.... "

God Bless our children who will stand up for what they believe and not be ashamed. I really do have to talk to her about her spelling though... lol

Love you guys!

My Psalm of Remembrance...

Bless the Lord, for His mercies endureth forever.
You are Great, and greatly to be praised.
You, oh Lord, have showm me love,
You have healed my body,
You have comforted my soul.
Yea, though my enemies confront me,
I will find strength in You.
You fight my battles,
Your mercy is everlasting.
I will love you and keep your ways forever.
I will remember my victories and put my trust in You.
I will worship You forevermore.
I will praise you oh Lord, with song and dance,
For You are Great and greatly to be praised.

Suffer the little children...

I don't know about you, but I've been noticing a real difference in children lately. Not all of these differences are good but I dare say that the ones I see struggling are well equipped with the truth and the weapons to fight. They seem to be choosing not to use them and to sit back and allow the devil to make advances or to allow someone else to fight for them.

But... that is not what I want to post about.

I want to give credit to those children who are pressing forward and worshipping and praising like I've never seen before. BRAVO!!! There are a few children in particular that are putting some of us adults to shame in their praise and worship. I see them leaping for joy... running the aisles... shouting to the Lord... singing like there is noone listening and dancing like noone is watching. Kind of a cliche but still true in these instances.

They are showing boldness when it comes to praying with their friends at the altar. They are rejoicing in victory. AND they are pressing through in their own battles and walk with God.

I have to tell you... I LOVE to watch Jadon during worship service! If I have trouble breaking through... all I have to do is look across the aisle. He is ALWAYS worshipping like there is no tomorrow. I watched him and a few other boys praying for one on Sunday night... It brought tears to my eyes.

I absolutely adore listening to little Timothy on Monday night prayer. Shame on us adults for not being so bold and child-like!

It warms my heart to see Logan and Hanna run the aisles like their little tails are on fire.

Oh... don't even try to tell me that they are just kids and they don't have struggles weighing them down. Let's not go there! We all have struggles. But the Bible says that God will not put on us more than we can bear. Do these kids have struggles of their own? YOU BETCHA! Just ask their parents!

But... they are pressing through and worshipping like they were taught by their parents. Thank God for parents who set examples for their children. Do not tire in that fight. Keep fighting and never give up! You never know what affect it will have in a year... or ten... or twenty! Teach them while they are young and I will guarantee that they will not forget. I was taught from the age of 2 how to worship and praise God. Even though I was backslidden teenager and stayed away from the church for over 20 years... I never forgot what I needed to be doing. There was no confusion there... I just needed to humble myself and throw myself on the Throne of Grace and ask for forgiveness. I didn't even have to beg... God met me there and took it all away. I thank God for my parents who read their Bible and prayed in the house on a regular basis.

So... before I get off topic... Never stop your kids from worshipping and praising God. Even if it's not helping them (which I can't see being the truth)... it's helping me!

Love you all... God Bless!

Way past time...

Ok... I know... I know... my blog is sorely neglected.

With going back to work full-time and losing our computer in the last lightning storm... I just haven't had a chance to update everyone on our lives.

Big things have happened and are still happening. That said... the devil is fighting harder than ever on destroying our family so if you could keep us in your prayers... just know that I'm doing the same for all of you.

Ok... blessings, blessings, blessings! As some of you know by now and by the previous post, you will know about Dad's bypass surgery. What I didn't take the time to tell you is how it all unfolded and how God had His hand in it the whole time.

Dad had serious health issues and has been in and out of the hospital since Oct '08. When he went into the hospital in Oct '08, he was there for just shy of a month. His whole body was infected and they discovered he had gall stones. They determined at that time that he was not strong enough for surgery. Both his heart and lungs were very weak and the doctors were refusing to even put him under to do the necessary surgery. He was medicated to clear the infection, sent home and told to lose weight and try to strengthen his lungs... exercise and eat properly etc. If he had another attack, he was to go to the hospital immediately and they would assesss from there. Long story short... he lost 48 lbs and was in and out of the hospital every few weeks for a bit until they finally decided they could wait no longer and had to operate. He came through that surgery extremely well and amazed the medical staff with how quickly he recovered. They also reassured him after his exit from ICU that his heart was fine and his lungs were recovering nicely.

Now... fast forward a bit. Dad was having "attacks" and pains in his right chest area. They reassured him that it was normal and they would go away. They didn't. They ran some more tests and discovered that he had a stray gall stone that had to come out. They sent him to the University Hospital in Edm and performed what should have been a 2 hour outpatient surgery. Dad was in the hospital for over 2 weeks. He was crashing and there were things happening with him that they could not explain. They tested and tested and finally discovered a huge blockage in his heart. The blockage was at the bottom ventricle where it splits into 3. This was in August '09. The doctors again felt that he was not strong enough for being put under and wanted him to strengthen his heart and lungs before they performed such a major surgery. They scheduled him to be re-examined in November giving him time to lose more weight and put him on meds to try to lessen the blockage.

When he got out of the hospital he went home and went back to work. He was feeling great and his doctor told him that the meds were working and the blockage had possibly cleared. We rejoiced but were still cautious until we were shown proof in the upcoming Angioplasty scheduled for November. He came to our house for a bit a few weeks later. We took him to church and the Spirit was MOVING!!! Dad sat between Neil and I and worshipped like I'd never seen before. He danced, he sang, he waved his arms... he remained on his feet through the whole worship service. I kept watching him and praying, "Please God... don't let him have a heart attack!" Shortly thereafter, he went home and his health started deteriorating. He woke up at 2 a.m. on the morning of their wedding anniversary. He was having trouble breathing. He took his puffers and it helped a tiny bit and he was able to fall back asleep. He woke again at 4 a.m. and this time he was worse. He could barely breathe and he could feel it getting worse every second that passed. He called to my Mom to help him set up his nebulizer but was unable to even put the mask on his face. My brother called 911 while Mom and Colin kept watch over him. The paramedics took their time getting out of the house but they had given him oxygen in the meantime and was able to breathe. They admitted him into the hospital once again and decided that even though it wasn't a heart attack, the risk was too high and date for heart surgery would be moved up if he was inpatient... so once again, he lay in a hospital bed. After a week or so, they came to him with the news that they were flying him to Edm for his surgery. Family was notified... surgery was scheduled for next morning at 6 a.m. We all travelled to Edm and waited... and waited. Surgery was to take 4 to 4 1/2 hours so giving an hour or so for prep etc, we calculated that he would be done by 11 - 11:30. Twelve o'clock rolled around... 12:30... 1 o'clock. The waiting room on the recovery floor is filled with family all doing the same thing... praying and waiting. Finally... at about 1:20, the doctor came out to update us. My brother and I were at the bus depot picking up Mom so we weren't there but we got the text message within minutes that said "EVERYTHING WENT FINE!!!" THANK YOU JESUS!!!

Now the real worry and prayer begins.

We were allowed to see him... a couple of us at a time... for a few minutes at a time. If anyone ever has to go through this, I sympathize with you from this moment on. I walked into his room and found my Dad lying in that bed with tubes coming from every part of his body... heavily sedated... blankets wrapped around him including across his forehead and bandages across his chest and up his leg. Machines beeped and pumped air and cycled medication and did things that amazed me. How can they keep all of this straight? Bags and bags of medication hung on poles attached to lines that fed into his body and into each other. I tried to count how many lines were running into him and I lost count after 23 because I couldn't find where one started and another one ended.

The nurses reassured us that this was normal and they were expecting to having his breathing tubes out by supper time and by midnight, he'd be sitting on the edge of his bed eating Jello. Didn't happen!

All of that day and night and into the next morning, the machines kept him breathing and sedated. The nurse woke him up a couple times late Friday afternoon but he didn't stay awake very long. We would talk to him and sometimes he'd open his eyes or nod but it was millimeters at a time. He started tearing at his tubes and gown... we'd quickly try to keep him calm and find out what was wrong. He couldn't talk and he eventually tried to write but he'd get one letter on the paper and either fall back asleep or his hand would shake so bad he couldn't hold the pen any longer. He was frustrated with not being able to communicate and in turn, it was upsetting us too.

Dad was staying awake for what seemed like a few seconds at a time by this time. He was still on life support and was still filled with tubes and machines. His kidneys were starting to fail and they had been trying all evening to put him on dialysis but either the machine or my Dad was not cooperating... not sure which. It was kinda funny because the dialysis machine they were using had a sticker across the top. They had nicknamed the machine "Big Daddy"... how appropriate. Apparently it was named after one of the male nurses that was over 6 feet tall... but it was a sign that OUR Big Daddy was looking after MY Big Daddy.

Late Friday night as we sat in the family quiet room, my sisters and Mom came out of Dad's room. One sister was crying and everyone was visibly upset. My heart stopped. I have to admit, I thought the worst. I could hardly utter the words, "What's wrong, what happened?"

My sister proceeded to tell me... She had been standing by Dad's bedside and he opened his eyes and looked up at her. With all of the tubes etc. still in him he mouthed the words "I want to go home." Kim said she understood him as plain as day even though he'd been trying to talk up to that point and we weren't getting it. She said, "I know Dad... it'll only be a little while longer." He shook his head 'no' and pointed to the ceiling... He wanted to go HOME! My sister said to him, "Oh no Dad! You can't go yet... we don't want you to!" He just smiled up at her and nodded yes. They were too upset to visit much longer so they said goodnight and as they were leaving his room, he blew kisses goodbye with both hands, smiled and waved to them.

Even as I type this, I cry.

We prayed hard that night. It was well after midnight when we left the hospital. We had called everyone we dared wake up at that hour to pray with us. Those that we didn't call, we sent text messages. I twittered as quickly as I could to get as many prayers going as we could. He wasn't recovering as quickly as they'd hoped and now it seemed like he may be giving up. We prayed... and prayed... and trusted God.

The next morning, three of us went in to see him. My sister from BC, Megan and I. His eyes fluttered open for a second to acknowledge that he knew we were there but that was all the response we were getting. All of a sudden, my sister started looking in the bags that held Dad's stuff when they transferred him to ICU. One bag contained his breathing equipment and the other one was in the closet. I asked her what she was looking for and told her that she might find it in his other bag in the closet. She didn't answer me but went over to the other bag and came back to his bedside with his Bible. She opened it and laid her hand on Dad's arm and said, "Dad, I'm just going to read something to you from your Bible." She flipped a few pages and then she began to read Psalms 108:1-6. It goes like this...

1. O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.
2. Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
3. I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
4. For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.
5. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;
6. That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me.

She could hardly get through the reading because we were all crying... but God was speaking directly to us. We knew He was right there with us in that hospital room.

All day Saturday, there was little change in Dad except for late in the afternoon he started asking where Mom was. Mom sat with him most of the evening and hardly left his side. A few men from the surrounding churches came and prayed with him and we just kept doing the same thing we had been doing. Praying, pacing, praying, encouraging each other, praying and visiting with Dad. I knew I had to be back to work on Monday morning and I wanted to be back in time for service in Calgary for Sunday morning. But, I didn't want to leave before I knew Dad was ok.

Still... we prayed.

Sunday morning... Megan and I got up early and went straight to ICU. We were staying in the residence beside the hospital set up for families of patients. We checked out of our room with confidence that things were going to be different when we got to Dad's room. We buzzed in and went around the corner to find him still sedated and breathing tubes in... machines buzzing and beeping... "Big Daddy" still filtering blood. I asked his nurse how he was doing and she said sarcastically, "The same!". I prayed that his next nurse would be a little more compassionate. But... he was still doing the same. No tubes removed... no sitting up eating Jello... no talking... very little change. The nurse let me know that he had been very nauseated all morning so she had put him in a sitting position. How horrible for him to be sick with all those tubes down his throat. I just held his hand and prayed... I felt SO helpless. On a high note though, the dialysis seemed to be working. He had very little swelling in his legs after the surgery but by the time they had hooked him up, fluid was just starting to build. We could see the difference it was making. We were just praying that it was actually kick-starting his kidneys which was the immediate need. We visited with him for awhile. He tried to communicate and was semi-awake for part of the time. Any time we'd ask him a question, he'd nod a little or open his eyes to try to see us if we were talking to each other. Mom came in at about 10 a.m. and he tried to communicate a little more. We were teasing him about his skinny feet. For the first time ever in my memory, my Dad didn't have puffy, swollen feet. Mom asked him what kind of shoes they were going to get to fit those new feet. I joked and said "dancing shoes". He smiled around his breathing tubes. The respiratory therapist was in and I asked her when she thought he'd be off the tubes. She didn't have much hope that it would be that day at all and possibly Monday morning. She did adjust him back to 'assisted' breathing and let him know that the machine was only going to help as much as he needed.... again, he nodded just a little.

The grumpy nurse came in shortly after and told us that we would have to leave for about an hour because she had work to do. We left and went across the street to have breakfast at Timmy's. My brother found us there and we updated him on Dad's minute progress or lack thereof. We sat for about an hour and a half and then my brother and I decided that we would go back in to see him one more time and then head out on the highway as we were both working Monday. We all went back to the hospital together and we buzzed in for our visit. Mom, Megan and my sister waited in the family room. They allowed us in and as we rounded the corner to his room, my brother was in front of me. He went to Dad's immediate side of the bed and I started around to the other side when my brother said, "How are you feeling today Dad?" Not looking up and it not registering in my mind as I had just left him helpless about an hour and a half ago, I was shocked to hear this whisper, "Oh, not too bad." Then it struck me... I looked at my Dad sitting up in bed, glasses on and teeth in... and BREATHING TUBES OUT!!!!! Thank You Jesus!! I said to him, "What happened? I just left here less than two hours ago and they didn't think you'd be on your own until tomorrow!" He just smiled... he knew that it was only God.


We visited with him for a bit and then I had to go out and let Mom and my sister know the good news. As far as they knew at that time, he was still in the same position as before breakfast. I let them visit for a bit and then went back in to say goodbye. He was sitting on the side of his bed, leaning on his table with a smile on his face. He told me that up until that morning when I had went in to visit, he didn't know where he was, why he was there and couldn't even remember WHO he was! At one point, he'd thought that he was driving his dump truck but as hard as he tried, he could not remember what his name was. He knew there were doctors and nurses around him but couldn't figure out why he was there. He was so relieved to know what was going on.

Now... fast forward just over a month. Dad is steadily getting better physically. He notices physical improvement every day. I talked to him three nights ago and he explained that the struggle now is depression. Apparently, it's normal for people who have gone through such extensive heart surgery. So... please keep him in your prayers. He is frustrated with the anger he feels but it not sure how to deal with it. Mom is struggling to keep up with it all. The doctor is suggesting that they put him on anti-depressants but Dad's not sure if he wants to go that way. I assured him that he'd be ok either way and that we'd pray. He doesn't like to be alone and panics very easily.

But... while I'm talking to him the other night, he explained to me what a miracle all of this is. This goes right along with Pastor King's message last night. Dad's doctor sits and listens to him complain about this or that and not once tried to stop him. When Dad apologized for complaining, his doctor assured him that it was ok and he would listen to him complain any day because just to have him sitting in front of him is a miracle.

The miracle? The blocked artery in Dad's heart is the one that carries 2/3 of the blood to the heart. The blockage? 93%!!!!! It truly is a miracle that my Dad is alive. God has a purpose for his life and I'm so glad he's living it!!!

Thank you all again for your prayers. Keep praying for Mom & Dad for what they're going through right now and for getting them moved to Calgary. The devil is fighting them all the way but I know that if we perservere, we'll have the VICTORY!!!

God Bless! Love you all!

Our hope...

You know... after spending the past 4 days walking the halls of the University Hospital while Dad underwent a triple bypass... I realized just how much hope we truly have in Jesus.

There are fountains throughout the hospital and they are full of coins that people have tossed in while making wishes. Each and every time I looked in at the coins laying in the bottom of the water... I said a little prayer to thank God for being there when we need Him.

I didn't need to toss any coins into a fountain... I prayed. I had friends and family that prayed and everything turned out better than anyone ever expected!

Our God is SO AWESOME!!! Thank you Jesus for this HUGE miracle! My hope is in YOU!!!

Being an example...

I in no means want to take any credit for this... because ALL glory belongs to God. Last week, I was covering for one of the girls while she was on vacation so I was working in the shop foreman's office at a second desk. He was working at his desk one afternoon and trying to catch up on some paperwork. To pass the time, he turned on his music but quickly scrolled thru his music saying, "Oh, that's not Lisa music... and that's definitely not Lisa music." He wasn't saying it sarcastically, it was out of respect. Now, having said that, he has no idea what kind of music I listen to as I have no means of playing gospel music at work... he just knew that what he was listening to would in now way be my kind of music.

To God be the GLORY!!!

Shine Thru Me!

Ok.... I'm going to try to give quick updates daily... because God is touching my life at work... DAILY!!!

I'll give you today's and try to give you the past few weeks in a summary at a later date.

Alison: "Lisa, did you notice that there has been a lot less swearing around here in the past few weeks?"

Lisa: "What do you mean?"

Alison: "Don't you notice that there is less swearing in this office since about a week after you were hired?"

Lisa: (laughs) "Yes... definitely! That's all the fasting and trevailing I've been doing for you guys."

Doug: "What? What are you two saying now?"

Alison: "We've just noticed that there is a lot less swearing since the Christian has joined our office a few weeks ago."

Doug: mumbles... "Yeah... well, we'll get her to come to the dark side eventually."

Lisa: "Sorry Doug... been there, done that! Not going back there!"

Thank you Jesus! Let Your light shine thru me!!!

Nothing short of a miracle...

Ok... before you read this post, make sure you read the previous post about my new job.

Just for a quick review... I applied for a receptionist position that I didn't really want but needed to get back to work so we could catch up financially. During my second interview for this unwanted position on a Monday morning, the manager told me that the receptionist that had finished on Friday had called that morning and had changed her mind about moving out of the province and wanted her job back. He in turn did not feel that I was suited for the receptionist position anyway with my skill and background so he 'created' a position for me.

Now... fast forward a month and a half...

I'm standing at the reception desk talking to this returned receptionist. Our 'right out of the blue' conversation went something like this...

Receptionist: "What religion are you?"

Me: "I am an Apostolic Pentecostal."

Receptionist: (With a funny look on her face) "What church do you go to?"

Me: "Truth Church on Northmount Drive"

Receptionist: "GET OUT!!! I KNEW IT!! I KNEW IT!!! I knew there was something different about you!!! I KNEW IT!!! Do you know M.G. ?"

Me: "I know of her... I don't know her personally."

Receptionist: "SHE'S MY AUNT!!!"

Me: "No Way!!! She moved away didn't she? How's she doing?"

Receptionist: "She's doing ok... struggling somewhat. She moved to Saskatchewan. Do you know B. & J. M.?"

Me: "Yes"

Receptionist: "That's my uncle and aunt!"

Me: "Oh my word! I love your aunt! Her and I have had some great conversations!"

Receptionist: "Do you also know C? I grew up with her. We were best friends in grade 4."

Me: "Oh my goodness! I do know her. She's now married to T.D. I think her mother-in-law is good friends with your aunt."

Receptionist: "I used to work at a Honda dealership. Do you know N. too?"

Me: "Yes! Of course!"

Receptionist: "Yeah, I've been to that church a couple times. My Mom used to go there for awhile. She was filled with... what do you call it when you speak in another language?"

Me: "The Holy Ghost"

Receptionist: "Yeah, that! Oh my word! Maybe someone is trying to tell me something?" (laughs)

So... the rest of the conversation was about how her and her Mom have been to Truth Church a few times in the past. Her Mom was filled with the Holy Ghost. She feels that she has a greater purpose in life and is 'searching' for what that is. She didn't really want to apply for the receptionist position but something drew her to it. She was working at a retail position and had 2 days off. She'd told her Mom that before those 2 days were up, she was going to have a new job. A psychic told her about a year ago that within a year or so, she would be furthering her studies and that she could see a 'birth' but she didn't see her with a baby. I'm staring at her as she is saying this and I said to her, "Maybe your studying is the Bible and the birth without a baby is you being reborn!" The look on her face was priceless!

Don't get me wrong, I don't believe in psychics etc... but I do feel that God will draw people in many different ways.

So... this conversation happened on Tuesday. On Wednesday night, Sis. L.L. asked me how my job was going. I started telling her about the receptionist and Sis. L. said, "Tell her I said 'Hi'. I met her Mom at my work a couple years ago. I know them too!" So, on Thursday morning, I simply said to the receptionist, "L. said to say 'hi' to you." I could tell by her face that it was one more thing that God was using to draw her in.

On Friday, she says to me as soon as she sees me, "I think I need to come to church. Something is telling me that there are way too many things to ignore and all of these people have been put in my life for a reason. I can't believe how many connections I've come across with Truth Church. Everywhere I turn, I meet another one. I want to come, but I'm scared to come." I gave her my cell # so if she needed a ride, she could call me. I also told her that it was healthy to be scared and that the Bible says that we should fear God. One of our co-workers was walking by at the time and she agreed with me. this other co-worker goes to a Lutheran church... but that's another story for another post!... Along with the story about our Harley ridin' glass guy who does a Bible study with his family on Wednesday nights.

So... the receptionist told me that she thinks her and her Mom will come. In Jesus' name, it'll be soon!

The Lord's Baseball Game...

Freddy and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord's team was playing Satan's team.

The Lord's team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs. They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate named 'Love.'

Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because 'Love never fails.'

The next batter’s was named Faith, who also got a single, because ‘Faith works with Love’.

The next batter up was named Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch.

Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass: Ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked because he never swings at what Satan throws.

The bases were now loaded. The Lord then turned to Freddy and told him He was now going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped Grace. Freddy said, 'He sure doesn't look like much!'

Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch.

To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen! But Satan was not worried; his center fielder let very few get by.

He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the ground.

The roaring crowds went wild as the ball continued over the fence... For a home run!

The Lord's team won!

The Lord then asked Freddy if he knew why Love, Faith and Godly Wisdom could get on base but couldn't win the game. Freddy answered that he didn't know why.

The Lord explained, 'If your love, faith and wisdom had won the game, you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, Faith and Wisdom will get you on base but only My Grace can get you Home:

'For by Grace are you saved, it is a gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.' Ephesians 2:8-9

Psalms 84:11, 'For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.'

Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father.'

I love God! He is my source of existence and Savior. He keeps me functioning each and every day. Without Him, I am nothing, but with him, I can do all things.

'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'
Phil 4:13

Update on Blessings...

Ok... if you don't already know this, or if you're having a hard time seeing it...

WE SERVE AN AWESOME GOD!!!

Condensed version...

My new job is awesome!!!... the people are great... the stress doesn't exist at this point... and I get paid for it!

Secondly... God is answering a work-related prayer that Neil has had for a long time (actually... years). The Bakers and my parents helped us pray in our living room back in the late winter... and anyone who's read my last post was also asked to join in on that prayer request.

Well... I am extremely happy to report that our prayers are being answered and he starts his new job on August 1! This is an awesome opportunity and will provide the groundwork for Neil to get his own company started if God sees fit. First and foremost, we want to be in God's will and He has been faithful to allow our dreams to come true.

So... thank you all again for your prayers and thoughts. It feels so good to have such a great family that help hold you up in prayer... it's working and it's being felt. We love you guys!

God Bless!

To God be the Glory!!!

This is the second time I've tried typing this post and something happens that I lose it, so I'm giving you the condensed version...

I've been looking for a job for the past month or so in order to help out with household finances...

I was offered a retail position a few weeks ago but turned it down due to the hours (7 days a week, anywhere between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.). I had told them I could NOT work Sundays and Wednesday evenings due to church and the manager said "I could have chosen to have a scheduled day off too but I chose not to so that my availability gave me the maximum hours". A check in my spirit over that one comment was the deciding factor in turning down the position. Besides... the hourly rate was 60% lower than what I had been making previously. I mean... I know I may have to start at the bottom... but I wasn't willing to start at ROCK bottom!... lol After all, my Father has all the riches in Glory so was this where He wanted me to be? I felt... no!

So... a few more weeks of sending out resumes... no responses... the devil even started working on my mind and telling me that maybe I was to call the retail store back and see if they would still take me. Then I got a call last Thursday to go for an interview later that afternoon for a receptionist position... Mon-Fri... 9-6. Let me just say this... I never wanted a job answering phones and working with the public and 9-6??? Yuck! It would be after 7 p.m. every night before I would get home. But I was not getting much response from my resume and something told me that this job would be less stress than my previous... I could leave my work AT work and not wake up in the middle of the night thinking about all the things I had to get done the next day or how many things I hadn't completed the day before. Why?, you may ask, would I even apply for a job that I didn't really want? Two answers... I had previous GM experience so it was familiar and I was not getting any response otherwise so something was better than nothing!

During the interview, the manager stressed that he felt that I was not well suited for this position and he felt that if I took it, I'd be bored. He knew my previous salaries and was afraid that after making "these kinds of wages", that what he was offering was not very attractive. I assured him that I would be ok with it. And I really would be because the 'stress-free' job would be an acceptable alternative. As stated in a previous post, it's not all about the money!

Anyway... I left there with a promise that he would call me for a second interview if he felt the need as he had 4 or 5 others to get to. Either way, he'd call me. I received a call late Friday afternoon to let me know that I was in the top 2 or 3 and he would call me early in the week to schedule that 2nd interview.

In the meantime, I received a call from a building supply company in the SE industrial for an accounts payable/payroll position. Perfect!!! Just the job for me! I have been saying for years, that I'd like to get back into bookkeeping and payables/payroll would be my ultimate choice. I met the general manager and controller on Monday afternoon... interview was a breeze... I've got all the qualifications they're looking for... stable company. I left there walking on air!

I stopped by Mom & Dad's house and Dad asked me about the interviews. I explained the companies. After I told him about the receptionist position, he just looked @ me and said "I think that's the company you should be working for". I said "Really? But it's 9-6 (I'd rather work 7-4), answering phones, helping public and it's for a GM dealer... where's GM going to be in a few months?". He just looked at me and said, "Well, I just feel what I feel."

So... here I am, leaving my accts payable/payroll interview. I was not even out of the industrial park when I received a call for my 2nd interview for the receptionist position. I agreed to meet them the next morning (yesterday morning) at 10:30. I arrived 15 minutes early and the manager was busy. He finally straightened everything away and came to get me. He had the controller sit in on the interview. I never thought twice about it. So... he started out by telling me that he had thought about it all weekend and he just didn't feel that I was suited for the receptionist position and was I sure that I would not be bored after 3 days. I assured him I would be ok and that once I took a job, I would stick with it. They asked me what my ultimate position would be and I honestly told them that I would love to be doing payroll/accts payable and that accounting was always my passion. I also told them that previous bosses had told me I was not agressive enough for accts receivable and that I was too soft-hearted... lol

Sorry... I'm supposed to be making this a short story... They told me that the reason the controller was sitting in on the interview was due to my extensive bookkeeping experience, she was looking at possibly hiring me instead of the other department. (I didn't even know she was hiring.) But, she only had a position in accounts receivable at the time.

Then they assured me that after looking at my resume, they didn't want to lose out on hiring me. The manager then suggested that he was thinking of creating a new position in his department that he felt I would be suited for (of course I would be, he was creating it with me in mind... lol) and that he felt the receptionist position was not for me. Besides, the receptionist that they were replacing because she had worked her last day on Friday and was supposed to be moving to BC with her Mom, had called him on Monday morning and asked if she could have her job back because she had changed her mind about moving.

God is SO good. Anyway... they thanked me for coming in and they wanted to 'discuss' things and they would get back to me with 'something'... either the created position or an accounting position. I received a call within an hour and a half with an offer for the 'created' position... Mon-Fri... make my own hours as long as it's at least 7.5 hours per day... I can start and finish whenever I want... and the salary is more than 20% higher than the receptionist position... even higher than the accts receivable position! He told me that if I would accept his offer, he would call me later to let me know when to start. I didn't even have to think about it. I could feel that God was ALL over it and Dad's reassurance was correct. (Not that I doubted it... well, ok... maybe a little... lol)

So... as I'm typing this post, I received the call. I start tomorrow morning and they are SO excited to have me come on board.

GOD... YOU ARE SOOOOOO AWESOME! THANK YOU JESUS!!!

Soooo... I am now ending my long story that was supposed to be condensed to a short story... lol I just wanted to thank you all for your prayers and help along the way. We're not out of the woods yet... but I can see sunlight from here!!!

p.s. Hubby is now looking at an offer that may mean changing jobs once again... but it could turn into a blessing for us as well as some others in the church. Please keep this in prayer that God will guide him in what direction to take and that if this is the right thing for all involved, that the transition would be flawless. Only God!!!

God Bless! Love you guys!

For all of you out there that think you have the greatest Mom ever... I beg to differ.

Happy Birthday Mom... I love you!

An awesome ministry

They're exhausted...

My angels are lookin' a little raggedy this week. They've been fighting some truly awesome battles but I am happy to report that they are on the winning side.

There are still many opposing forces coming at them but they're holding their own and calling in reinforcements where necessary. Their Commander-In-Chief is Almighty and Powerful and I have confidence that I can put complete trust in their abilities.

So... If you're not using your angels right now... mine could use a little help. Their arms are getting tired and their faces are a little dirty but they're standing strong and have not faltered. Their knees have not bent and they have not fallen.

I stand by helplessly and watch... and pray. All I can do is trust... believe... and have confidence that if I give them full control, they will come through with flying colors. As long as I can send my worship ahead of them... the spoil to be collected will be great!

Thank you all for your prayers... and the lend of your angels... and the reminders along the way to keep on worshipping and putting one foot in front of the other. Together... we'll make it!

The alternative is not an option! (hmmm... I should have that printed on a t-shirt!)


Love you... God Bless

Hello God...

Hello God,
I called tonight
To talk a little while
I need a friend who'll listen
To my anxiety and trial.
You see, I can't quite make it
Through a day just on my own...
I need your love to guide me,
So I'll never feel alone.
I want to ask you please to keep
My family safe and sound.
Come and fill their lives with confidence
For whatever fate they're bound.
Give me faith, dear God, to face
Each hour throughout the day,
And not to worry over things
I can't change in any way.
I thank you God for being home
And listening to my call,
For giving me such good advice
When I stumble and fall.
Your number, God, is the only one
That answers every time.
I never get a busy signal,
Never had to pay a dime.
So thank you, God, for listening
To my troubles and my sorrow.
Good night, God, I love You too,
And I'll call again tomorrow!

Just a bit of fun...

Feel free to copy and paste in your own blog or in comments and I'll post your answers... the only rule is the answer has to be one word only

Where is your mobile phone? desk
Where is your significant other? working
Your hair colour? brown
Your mother? loving
Your father? sentimental
Your favourite thing? giving
Your dream last night? forgotten
Your dream goal? heaven
The room you're in? peaceful
Your hobby? creating
Your fear? lost
Where do you want to be in 6 years? saved
Where were you last night? home
What you're not? confident
One of your wish-list items? love
Where you grew up? Alberta
The last thing you did? sifted
What are you wearing? skirt
Your TV? gone
Your pets? working :)
Your computer? slow
Your mood? worried
Missing someone? Sharon
Your car? minivan
Something you're not wearing? shoes
Favourite shop? thriftstore
Your summer? promising
Love someone? definitely
Your favourite colour? one???
When is the last time you laughed? yesterday
When is the last time you cried? Sunday

More thought provoking church sign messages...

Be Fishers of Men.... You catch 'em; He'll clean 'em

A lot of bowing your head will help keep your thoughts humble

Don't put a question mark where Jesus puts a period

Exercise daily. Walk with Jesus!

Forbidden fruits create many jams

Give God what's right, not what's left!

Give satan an inch and he'll become a ruler

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called

God loves everyone, but prefers "fruits of the spirit" over religious "nuts!"

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage

Having truth decay? Brush up wih your Bible!

He who angers you, controls you!

He who is good at making excuses is seldom good for anything else

He who kneels before God can stand before any man!

Kindness is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back, usually with friends

Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory capacity

Nothing ruins the truth like stretching it

Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark

"Pray" is a four-letter word that you can say anywhere

In prayer, don't give Jesus instructions - just report for duty!

The Will of God will never take you to where God will not protect you!

Watch your step carefully! Jesus does…

We don't change the "Word of God", the word of God changes us

Wisdom has two parts: 1) Having a lot to say. 2) Not saying it

Worry is the darkroom in which "negatives" are developed

There are some questions that can't be answered by Google




Smile... and have a blessed day!!!

Step In... And Be Blessed!

Five Finger Prayer

It is obvious that our church is entering into the greatest revival it has ever experienced and in order for that to happen, we are going to experience opposition. I can tell you that our household alone is facing some of the greatest struggles we have gone through. As our Pastor has so aptly put it, we have targets painted on us and we're under fire!

We must stay vigilant... the victory that will follow this battle will be worth hanging in for! The only fire I want to be under is the FIRE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST!!!

I received this in an e-mail from my sister a long time ago. I needed this reminder today... boy! did I EVER need this today.

Five Finger Prayer...
1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C.S. Lewis once said, a 'sweet duty'.

2. The next finder is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes ministers, missionaries, teachers and doctors. They need support and wisdon in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the prime minister/president, police chief, leaders in business & industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our 'ring' finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says 'The least shall be the greatest among you.' Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

So friends... let's take time today and every day to pray for those around us. You never know what struggles someone else is experiencing. But God knows! And He is waiting for us to turn to Him... cast our cares upon Him... and give Him our pennies. He will turn things around for us as long as we give them up!

"Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is!"

God Bless... keeping you in prayer...

Your flowers have been delivered...

Some of us are lucky enough to have beautiful gardens... some have thoughtful husbands who surprise us with lovely bouquets... there are others that have friends that think of them often and may send them flowers.

But... we truly need to thank God for sending us flowers.

Every spring, without fail, God sends us flowers. He also does this at other times in the year, but spring is officially the time of year that God awes us with flowers.



Have you ever looked closely at a rose?


The delicate petals... the intricate details... the pure beauty...












Or perhaps, you prefer something simpler... like a daisy


Not half the detail of a rose... but equal in beauty.

I've taken those 'online' surveys that ask you what your favorite flower is in an attempt to determine your personality type etc. Well, I have such a hard time picking just one! I enjoy roses, and daisies, and tulips, and sunflowers, and lilies... oh! don't even get me started! God did such a wonderful job of creating beautiful flowers!!!

Even if you're not a big fan of flowers or you happen to be an unfortunate recipient of allergies... take a look at the veins in a leaf. Gods beauty and touch can be seen in all things.



So.. to all my friends... here is a bouquet of beautiful flowers. Enjoy them today because that is God's purpose for them.

And to my wonder Savior and Creator... I only have this to say...

You are so thoughtful. Thank you for the flowers... they're BEAUTIFUL!

God sees both sides...

Whew! It's been a long time since I've posted on here.

Our household has been on a roller coaster ride for the past few weeks. Things have been crazy and stressful and uplifting and joyous and upset. We've cried, prayed, rejoiced, danced and worried.

I have my online radio station on and the song that's playing right now goes like this:

God can see both sides of this valley you're in
He was there when it started
He'll be there at the end
He'll never leave you nor forsake you, my friend
God can see both sides of this valley you're in



We are in a valley right now. It's very intimidating but I know in my heart that it won't last forever. When I turn around, I can see mountains in my past that are seperated by huge, cavernous valleys. I know I've been through valleys before and I know that there will be mountaintops in my future.

But, facing forward, I cannot see the mountains. The valley I am standing in, is also filled with storm. My view of the sunshine and mountaintop is clouded. I have been keeping my eyes closed... my arms across my eyes... to shield me from the storm. I'm sure if I could just find strength to open my eyes and if I looked hard enough, I'm sure I could see the other side of this valley.




But... but God!!! God said! As I am typing this and reading to check for spelling mistakes, I am already feeling the comfort of our loving Savior. Another song has started on the radio which says:

The Word of the Lord will come
God will speak... with a voice of love
A neverending peace
The Word of the Lord will come
God will bring... strengh and hope
Healing in his wings

We truly do serve an awesome God! He has been giving us so much hope. I have faith, I just have to learn to 'trust'.

He will bring us through this... in His time... in His way. We will have learned once again, to cast our cares upon Him... because he cares for us!

Please keep us in your prayers. This too shall pass. I am hereby claiming this victory in the sweet, wonderful name of Jesus!

God Bless... and thank you.

Further update... too long overdue!

Ok... First, let me apologize for not updating everyone sooner than this concerning my Dad.

When Mom talked to the surgeon on Saturday after Dad's operation, Dr. Zuk asked Mom if Dad been in a lot of pain in the days prior to his surgery. Mom answered that he had only had a bit of "discomfort" but not really pain. Dr. Zuk just shook his head and stated, "I don't know how that man was even walking. He was so full of infection in the gall bladder and around his liver that he should have been doubled over in pain. It was so built up and hardened around his organs that I almost had to chisel it out of his body. I am a good surgeon and have done hundreds of these operations. What should have taken me 45 minutes took me over 3 and a half hours. That man is lucky to be alive."

I went up to Fort McMurray on Wednesday, March 11. I arrived late that evening and was able to visit with my Dad in ICU for a few minutes. He was breathing on his own by then and was feeling pretty good considering what he'd been through. He was hooked up to 6 or 8 different IV bags and had lines running through him all over the place. They had put lines directly into his juggler vein in his neck due to the number of times they were taking bloodwork and administering additional meds.

If any of you have ever had a gall bladder attack or subsequently had their gall bladder removed, you will be able to relate to the pain caused by either of these things. Dad will now tell you that he had none of either of those pains... not of the prior attack, or with the surgery.

We went back in on Thursday morning to find that they had gotten Dad up and he was sitting in the chair beside his bed. He wasn't able to go any further due to his difficulty in breathing and his "lines" that were keeping him on a short tether. He was pretty swollen and they had a special apparatus on his legs that was keeping his circulation moving. It was pretty difficult to see my Dad in this position but he was in great spirits and was not having too many diffuculties all things considered. He had been having severe hallucinations with the pain medication that he had been on so he had requested on Tuesday morning to be removed from all pain meds. He assured his nurses that if he was having any pain, he would let them know and they promised that they would give him a different kind to eliminate the "monsters" that he was seeing. I have to tell you that he had one dose of pain meds since then... and has not taken so much as a Tylenol since that day.

My sister and I went in again on Friday night to find Dad in pain and having great difficulty breathing. He was extremely swollen and to be completely honest, he didn't look like he'd make it through the night. Of course, he kept trying to tell us that he was ok but we knew he wasn't. We prayed with him before we left.

Mom and I went back in the next morning to find him again, sitting on the chair beside his bed. He had gotten a good sleep thanks to the one shot of pain meds the night before and the fluid retention was noticably reduced.

From that night after we prayed over him, his recovery has been in leaps and bounds. He was moved from ICU on the following Monday and could probably have been moved on Saturday (one week after surgery) but they generally don't move patients on weekends due to reduced staff.

Monday, he was transferred to the surgical recovery unit on the 2nd floor. Every time Dr. Zuk would come in, he'd say to Dad, "I don't know why they're not putting you on the meds floor. You don't need me anymore. You're recovering extremely well and we'll look at tranferring you." Finally, on Wednesday, they transferred him to meds on 3rd floor. He was put back in the same room (same bed) he had occupied in October when his diagnosis was so grim. This time though, things were miraculously better.

Something you have to know about my Dad is that he LOVES the Lord! He witnessed to everyone he came in contact with while in the hospital. By the time he was done, he knew their story and he shared his testimony with anyone who would listen (and a few that didn't really want to... lol). When he went into the room on the 3rd floor, he started witnessing to the gentleman in the next bed. It turns out that the man was a backslider from down home (same area that Dad, Bro. Mullins and Bro. Long grew up in). He had been filled with the Holy Ghost many years ago and had been baptized in Jesus' name. He had just made a statement 2 days before Dad arrived that "God has given up on me and He no longer cares about me". He just kept telling Dad, "God sent you here. I know now that what I said two days ago is wrong". My sister had her 4 yr. old son and 5 yr. old granddaughter with her and before they left that room, both kids recited Psalms 23 from start to finish for that man lying in that bed. What an awesome Spirit of God was felt in that hospital room.

Anyway, to make a long story short (not really, but to tie things together from here... lol), Dad was released from the hospital on the 2nd Saturday following his surgery. Like I said, after being removed from the painkillers on the Tuesday following his surgery, he was given one dose on the Friday night to help him sleep. He has not taken one pain killer since then... He has had no pain whatsoever... He has lost a total of 53 lbs since October... Being a diabetic, cuts etc. heal much slower than with anyone else, but Dad's 10 inch scar across his belly is almost completely healed and looks like the surgery was done 2 or 3 years ago. There is no redness, no swelling, no bruising, no nothing!

When I was up there this past Wednesday, Dad had been out earlier that afternoon shovelling snow and restacking the woodpile. I gave him a talking to about taking it easy etc etc (actually, I freaked out with him) but I might have had better luck giving the speech to their little dog. He just laughed it off and kept telling me, "I feel good! I have no pain whatsoever!"

So... TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! Thank you Jesus for keeping your hand on Dad and bringing him so far, so fast!

God is SO GOOD!

God Bless and thank you all for your prayers. Mom and Dad also thank you. I'm sure they'll deliver that in person when they finally get moved down to their new house in Calgary... In Jesus' name, it won't take too long!

Love you all! God bless!

Update on Dad...

I talked to Mom this evening and I needed to update everyone on God's goodness.

They took Dad off the breathing machine yesterday for an hour but felt that he wasn't ready to come off permanently. He wasn't able to talk but was writing notes. His first "words" were "Everything is going to be ok" as quiet tears rolled down his cheeks. If you don't know my Dad, he's very sensitive and has a soft heart.

So, at 9 a.m. this morning, they shut the breathing machine off and were able to remove his breathing tube at 3 p.m. He went through the procedure with no effort whatsoever.

The doctor is encouraging him to get up and walk around and he's very anxious to do so. The nurse had to tell him to sit tight for a couple more hours until she was ready... lol

So... I will be leaving sometime tomorrow to go visit him. If anyone has any messages for him, leave them with me and I'll deliver them for ya!

God Bless and thank you Jesus!

Giving God the Glory!

Some of you know that my Dad has been very ill. I know you've been praying for him and I thank you for that. I just have to tell you of the latest blessing from God.

Dad went into the hospital in October with a gall bladder infection. While in the hospital, he had an allergic reaction to the meds and ended up with open sores from the neck down. He's a diabetic so healing is extremely slow. When he was here on the Feb 20 weekend, the sores on his feet were still not completely healed so you can imagine what his suffering has been like for the past few months.

To get back to the gall bladder. It was extremely infected but they didn't feel that Dad was strong enough to do the surgery. Dad is a diabetic and overweight. He is on meds for high blood pressure, cholesterol and gout along with a number of other things. He smoked most of his life until God took it from him about 7 years ago. As a result of all of this along with an unhealthy diet, Dad is extremely sick. He has a weak heart and extremely weak lungs. He was examined by numerous doctors in Ft McMurray. They fly doctors in from Edmonton for a few days at a time and then switch them out because they can't find any that will practice up there on a permanent basis. They have a hard time getting family doctors up there and those that are there, are so busy that they can't take time to do hospital visits... hence the Edmonton doctors. So... as many doctors as he had seen in October, he ended up with the same number of diagnosises. Every doctor had their own opinion and the only thing they agreed on was that he was unhealthy... too unhealthy to do surgery to remove the infected gall bladder.

There was one doctor that was willing to do the surgery (Dr. Zuk) but they couldn't find an anesthesiast that was willing to put him under. His heart and lungs were just too unstable. They almost guaranteed that they would lose him if they put him under. Dr. Zuk said his hands were tied as the medical board would not allow him to do the surgery.

Dad went to Edmonton University Hospital for a consultation and was scheduled to meet with their top surgeon, heart specialist and anesthesiast in April. He was to have an ultrasound and they were all going to get together in one room to discuss what they could do. No one was willing to take the chance on operating. They discussed that maybe they would do the surgery with an epidural so that he could be awake and breathing on his own during the whole deal. That was quickly ruled out as an epidural would contract his muscles and they needed him relaxed in order to perform the removal of the gall bladder. They believed that if and when he had the surgery, he should be in Edmonton at the University Hospital as the after care would be better and he would be in safer hands. He would be in ICU for days afterwards and would have breathing tubes etc due to the lung damage from years of smoking. One of the doctors stated that if he was the one getting the operation, he would want it done in Edmonton and he was happy that Dad was doing the same thing. Things are so bad in Ft. McMurray that they run a skeleton staff on weekends. Things didn't look good at all.

But we have a Master Physician that is more skilled than anyone else! Dad had been feeling "off" last week. When he left the hospital in October he was told that if he had another gall bladder attack, he was to come back into the hospital right away. He wasn't feeling like it was an attack but he just wasn't feeling good. Mom finally convinced him to allow her to take him to the hospital on Wednesday. They admitted him immediately and decided that they had no choice but to remove the gall bladder. No going to Edmonton, no consultations with the best of the best, no waiting any longer! Going against everything every expert, surgeon (except Dr. Zuk), nurse, anesthesiast, heart specialist, lung specialist, therapist etc etc, they scheduled his surgery for Saturday morning. (In a hospital that no one recommended and that runs on skeleton staff on weekends!) Dr. Zuk was going to be the one doing the surgery.

On Saturday, I talked to Mom and she said they had taken him into surgery just after 9 a.m. I talked to her about noon and she had heard nothing. She promised to call when she knew anything. I called her again about 2:30 and he was out of surgery but had not been transferred to ICU yet. Finally, about 5 p.m., she called to say that he was out of surgery, in ICU with a breathing tube and they were working on putting in an IV line as his blood pressure was up. He was heavily sedated and could not respond. Mom sat with for a bit and decided she would go home as she had forgotten to take her meds and was hungry as the cafeteria was closed on weekends.

On her way out of the hospital, she met Dr. Zuk who had performed the surgery. She stopped to talk to him and he explained what had happened. He has performed numerous gall bladder surgeries laporoscopically (with lazers and minor incisions)including mine about 16 years ago. When he started Dad's operation in this manner, he was unable to do so due to the amount of infection. He had to open Dad's body and take out the infected gall bladder. He was astonished at the amount of "mess" he found. He said that some of the infection had hardened and he almost had to "chisel it out of him". He asked Mom how much pain Dad had been in and when Mom said, "None, just some discomfort", Dr. Zuk just shook his head. He couldn't believe that Dad wasn't doubled over in pain all the time. He said that everything with the surgery had went well, considering. All we had to do now was worry about helping Dad recover.

In October, the diagnosis was that Dad would be in ICU for at least a week and on breathing tubes etc. That was if they were able to do the surgery through laporoscopy. Now things looked a little different. We just prayed and left it in God's hands. Mom called me yesterday morning before going to church and told me that Dad was coming out of the sedation and was able to respond to the nurses with a nod or shake of his head. I talked to Mom again just before leaving for church last evening. She had been in to see him and he was awake and writing notes to her and my brother. He's unable to speak because of the breathing tubes. His nurses are all amazed at his speedy recovery.

The bad news? There is none! The good news? They expect to remove his breathing tube today (Monday, two days after surgery) and move him out of ICU to a regular room!!!!! God is SO GOOD!!!

So again, thank you for your prayers. Please continue to hold Mom & Dad up before God. I will be going up to see Dad as soon as the roads are safer. If anyone wants to send a card etc, let me know and I'll get you the details.

God Bless and THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!!!!!

God Bless Bro. Sargent!!!

You have to check this out. Click here!
Bro. Sargent preached a youth conference for us a few years ago and our kids are still talking about it. I can't imagine how many lives he had touched in the past but I know for sure that God is certainly using him in a different capacity to touch even more now!

God Bless you and your family Bro. Sargent!

The Baptist Dog

This Baptist couple felt it important to own a equal Baptist pet so they went shopping. At the kennel specializing in this particular breed, they found a dog they liked quite a lot. When they asked the dog to fetch the Bible, he did it in a flash. When they instructed him to look up Psalm 23, he complied equally fast, using his paws with dexterity. They were impressed, purchased the animal, and went home.

That night they had friends over. They were so proud of their new Baptist dog and his major skills, they called the dog and showed him off a little.

The friends were impressed, and asked whether the dog was able to do any of the usual dog tricks as well. This stopped the couple cold, as they hadn't thought about normal tricks. “Well“, they said, “Let's try it out.”

Once more they called the dog, and they clearly pronounced the command, “Heel!”

As quick as a wink, the dog jumped up, put his paw on the man's forehead, closed his eyes in concentration, and bowed his head.

They had been deceived ! He was Pentecostal !

Never discount your efforts...

Pastor Morton struck home with me last night in regards to witnessing and bringing people to God.

I believe that most people think like I do and it prevents us from telling people about the greatest thing that has every happened to us. I fear that they'll ask something that I won't know the answer to. You know, as I'm typing this post, I've thought back to all of the people I've talked to about God and I don't remember one question that I wasn't able to answer... so much for my own fear!

Anyway... that's not where I was going when I started this post. I wanted to tell you about something that happened last summer. My sister, who lives in Kelowna, along with her two children, took almost 6 weeks and went to New Brunswick on a holiday with my parents. They travelled all over the area where we grew up and while there, they attended the church that we had attended back in the '70s before we moved to Alberta. While at the church in Chatham, Sharon was becoming re-acquainted with some of our friends and family that still attend that church. Thank you Jesus for keeping many of our youth in church through to adulthood! While Sharon was talking to our cousin and Sis. Wanda (both were our best friends growing up), Sis. Wanda pointed across the church to another sister that was standing there. She asked Sharon if she recognized her but after 29 years, it was a little difficult. Sis. Wanda was all excited as she told Sharon, "That's Allison!". Sharon was overwhelmed. We had been 11 & 12 years old the last time we had seen Allison and I believe she was a year or two younger than I was. Allison was a little girl that we would invite to Sunday school with us. I don't even remember how we came to know her. She lived too far from our house to ride our bikes over to play very often and I don't remember going to school with her. Anyway, if we happened to be walking by her house on the way to church, we'd stop and pick her up. I don't remember how many times Allison attended church with us but I know it wasn't a lot. Allison's family lived in low-income housing and she's the only one in her family that I remember coming to church with us but I could be mistaken. After we left New Brunswick in '79, we lost contact with her and she stopped going to church.

Fast forward 25 years... Allison is now grown and as she told my sister, she was in one bad relationship after another. One of her boyfriends even went so far as holding a loaded gun to her head and threatened to kill her on the spot. She was telling Sharon, when she hit rock bottom and her life was in shambles, she knew just where to turn. She knew in her heart that God was the only one that could help her and she knew exactly what church to go to in order to find Him.

By this time in her testimony, they're all crying and rejoicing and Allison turns to my sister and she just kept saying, "I never forgot the altar calls. I always remembered the altar calls." Sis. Allison has now been in the church for a few years, she is married to one of the ushers and has 2 beautiful daughters that she is raising to believe in God. All because 2 little girls invited her to Sunday school on occasion and allowed God to use them to witness.

So... we need to be as children and lose our inhibitions and start telling people about Jesus. We don't know what effect it will have or when God will use it to draw them closer. We tend to get discouraged when we invite someone and they may come once or twice. They may even pray through to the Holy Ghost and get baptized in Jesus' name... and then they stop coming. I was backslidden myself for 22 years... but I never forgot the message and I always knew where I needed to be. I thank God for his mercy and grace that allowed me to come home!

As Bro. Morton preached last night... right now, there is someone in our city that needs Jesus and they know it. They may not recognize that it's Jesus they're looking for, but they know they're empty and they're searching for 'something'. They just don't know which direction to turn in order to find Him. That's where our light comes in. We need to be the beacon that leads them home. There are souls that are seeking for what we have and we have an abundance to share! We don't have to worry about losing our portion of God if we share Him with others. The more we share, the more we will get back. I personally would love more and more! With God's power and strength, I pray that we help find the lost before it's too late!

God Bless!

God's confirmation...

Some of you may or may not have noticed that I was not here for services on Sunday. I was in Kelowna with the Baker family visiting my sister. We attended service together in the Kelowna church on Sunday morning. Bro. Anthony Ens was their special speaker as their Pastor is away on holidays. Bro. Ens preached an awesome, powerful message. When were returning home on Monday, we were talking about the message and Bro. Baker said we should ask God for confirmation of the message and to let us know what He wanted us to do with it. We travelled together in to the church Monday evening for prayer service. On the way home, we were discussing our respective church services and Neil was giving us a very descriptive update of the powerful move of God that Truth Church experienced while we were away. We in turn, were telling him of all that had happened in Kelowna. For those of you who do not know, the Kelowna church has had an explosion of Jamaican people come to their church in the past few months. I had never been to their church before but the Bakers reassured me that their congregation has probably doubled. Praise God for revival!!! God was moving on Sunday morning and being felt in a great way. Anyway, we had just turned on to the dirt road toward home when Sis. Corrine mentioned that Bro. Ens had preached on Ezekiel 37:1-10, the Valley of Dry Bones. Neil stopped short and we were all looking for the deer that we almost missed. He said, "Pastor King preached that same exact message!!!" We had received our confirmation! We all sat together Tuesday evening to listen to Pastor King's message online. Even though they used the same text, Pastor King and Bro. Ens took it in slightly different directions but many points that they made were similar. The breath of God makes all the difference!!! Together, with God putting us back together and breathing into us, we are a STRONG ARMY!!!

God is AWESOME. I am asking that we keep the Kelowna church in our prayers. In this unexpected revival, they have many babies who need a lot of care. Many of them have still not received the Holy Ghost and the church being small to begin with, they are working hard to keep up. They're certainly not complaining and things are improving but they still need our prayers.

So... I thank God for His confirmation. I am now praying that He guides me in what He wants me personally to do with this message.

God Bless!

Get Excited About Heaven!!!

This is SOOO AWESOME!!! If you're not touched by watching this... you may need the mortician!

God Bless!

Blessings are on their way...

I know that big blessings come after big opposition... but I would just like to request that everyone please add my family to their prayer list. I know we're all fighting right now and I'm sure there are bigger fights than ours... but I'm just asking that you pray that God will keep His hand on us in this time of opposition. I will post the testimony of blessings in the weeks to come because I know that He is faithful to answer our needs!

May God richly bless each and every one of you! I love you ALL!!!

Church signs...

The above pictures were created on www.churchsigngenerator.com

Some of my favorite church sign sayings that I've found...

Prayer... it really is that simple

When I'm swept up by the rapture... you can have my stuff

Be an organ donor... give your heart to Jesus!

Look directly at the Son

No pain, no reign

World's pleasures never last, God's pleasures never end

Jesus... killed in the line of duty

If you hate anyone, you're not a Christian

Always do what's right. It will gratify some and astonish the rest

Setbacks pave the way for comebacks

To be almost saved is to be totally lost

Two great truths: 1. There is a God 2. You're not HIM!

To prevent burns.. use SONSCREEN

God Bless!

You're my inspiration...

I wish to say to all of the ladies in my life... thank you for your inspiration!

So many of you have touched my life in ways that you may never know... and I never seem to find the words to tell you. "Words of Affirmation" is NOT on of my love languages. I do not speak it... and I prefer not to hear it. Sorry... that's just me. I'm working on changing that... but it's a slow, painful process... lol

There are a few I would like to mention but I will not name you specifically... only to protect your privacy in the "internet" world. I will use descriptions or initials. This is by no means every one that has touched me... and I apologize for leaving anyone out but here goes...

So... first to my Mom.
You are my best friend. I love the time we spend together and I am proud of who you are. Many people misunderstand you... they may find you bold or sarcastic but those are the people that have never taken the time to truly get to know you. You are the most generous, loving person in all of our family and my prayer for you is that you will be appreciated for the awesome woman that you are.

To my sister in BC,
When are you moving here? We are too close in heart to be this far apart! I love you!... It's that simple!

To my Pastor's wife,
Oh, that I could one day be half the woman you are... my parents would rejoice!... lol You truly are the epitome of what I strive to be in my life. I've got a long way to go, but with your example, there is hope! I admire your humble, loving spirit and I pray that God would give me the strength to one day be an example as you are.

To Sis. S.L.,
The laughs we have enjoyed across your table or mine mean the world to me. You understand me (and that's no easy feat!) and you accept me exactly the way I am. I love you and I am proud to call you my friend.

To Sis. L.S.,
Words fail me when it comes to describing what you mean to me. I will never forget the day we returned to the church after being gone for a year. You literally ran to me and wrapped your arms around me to welcome me home. I cry as I type this because your love from that moment is still felt to this day. Thank you and your family for loving us so unconditionally and so completely.

To Sis. C.B.,
I admire your sensitivity to God's voice. Your support and wisdom has lifted me up more times than I can count. Whether it be gardening together or just sitting with our feet up... there is a comfort being in your presence. (except for those times when you made me to the "five miles" with you... lol Just kidding!) I love you and your family more than I could ever tell you. You have become our family and for that I thank you.

To Sis. C.J.,
You are one of the quietest women in our church but you never fail to smile and greet me when we pass. You have a beautiful voice and we miss hearing you sing. You and I have never really gotten to know each other but I want you to know that you have touched my life on more than one occasion. There have been times when your beautiful smile has brought light into darkness for me and I wanted to tell you... Thank You!

To Sis. T.H.,
A couple weeks ago, I felt someone wrap their arm around my shoulders and pray for me. I did not know it was you until later. I want to thank you for doing that. I have always admired you from afar. I'm not sure what held me back from getting to know you but whatever it was... I pray that it "was" and no longer "is". Keeping your family in prayer...

To Sis. T.W. and Sis. C.S.,
What can I say? You two were the ones that held my hand when I returned to the church after 20+ years of being a backslider. I can still see Sis. C. coming back the aisle holding out her hand to take mine and lead me to an altar of repentance and refilling of the Holy Ghost. You both have suffered tremendously in the past few months and I wanted you to know that you are both in my prayers. As with our Pastor's wife, I strive to be a woman of God that you have been such an example of.

To Sis. E. (E.M.),
We miss you... when are you coming home? As quiet and seemingly shy as you are... your heart is bigger than all of outdoors. You were so easy to love and you are SOOO missed. We look forward to having you home.

To Sis. M.J.,
We have had many conversations about the goodness and mercy of God. You show a strength that you may not even recognize in yourself but it shines from you. I admire your spirit and love for God. He pulled us from the muck and set our feet on stone. You stand so tall and proud for Jesus and I wanted to tell you that it shows!

To Sis. S.K.,
Your Mom did a wonderful job raising you and your siblings. You have an absolutely beautiful spirit. I have watched you mentor many of our youth and I know that it's not just the position of being a Pastor's wife that makes you do it. You do it because of the Love for them that God has given you. Stay strong... we're behind you 100%.

To Sis. B.L.,
Through your trials including your daughter turning away from God, you have never faltered in giving me a hug and asking how I'm doing. You have prayed with me and for me more times than I can count. You have kept my brother in your prayers and that truly means the world to me. I know that one day, God will take control and everything will be ok... because that's what He has promised.

To. Sis. M.G.,
You are a beautiful person with an electrifying smile and a humble heart. I love that we have been put together in our work for God. You always know the right words to say to lift my spirits! p.s. I'm sorry I ditched you two Sundays in a row!... I'm sure you'll find occasion to pay me back. lol

To. Sis. V.L.,
Our songbird... I have to tell you that you and your Mom are so precious! I love you both. I love your sense of humor (and that scares me a little... lol) and your spiritual energy. Your strength in God shows even when you think it's not there!

To Sis. J.Bear,
A few years ago, I would never have expected to be a Mom to teenagers... let alone 4 of them!... lol You, now being my oldest "daughter" have been there with more support and love than I could have ever expected. Thank you for loving our family so completely!

To Sis. D.R.,
Thank you for your sweet spirit. Your love for God shows in your love for people. You are beautiful and I love you!

To Sis. A.R.,
I love you because you make it so easy. Your smile and your prayers radiate through the church and they are both a welcome port in life's storms. I am sorry to see you move but I also know how much your family loves having you near. If and when you go, you will be missed.

To Sis. J.H.,
I've seen you rise from a public rebuking to being a strength in God. Don't ever lose that sweet, loving spirit. (I'm sure Bro. J. will appreciate it in his wife... lol) Keeping you in prayer...

To Sis. C.R.,
We have rarely spent time together in all of my years at the church but I wanted to tell you that I truly admire you. You and your husband were the first people that had us over for fellowship in your home. Your humble spirit is an inspiration to me and I wanted to tell you how much you mean to me.

I know that there are more of you out there that I have missed and the order in which I typed this is no reflection of significance. I just want to tell the women in my life... thank you for being an inspiration! The things that you may feel are nothing... are really something! I love you all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON!!!

I know this is a few days late... but !
Happy 18th Birthday (on the 17th) Christopher
Your Dad and I are very proud of the young man you are becoming. This past year has been difficult for your Dad... you graduated, got your license, turned 18.

You'll have to slow down a bit or you'll give your Dad heart failure... lol

Can't wait to see you! Love you lots and lots... Mom

God is worth the effort...

My sister once made a comment that has stuck with me for a few years now. She said, "If I could take two hours to do my hair for a Christmas party or going to the bar when I lived in the world, why can't I put just as much effort into my hair before going to church. Isn't God worth more?"

I have to admit. I do not spend a lot of time on my hair. I am ashamed of myself for that. Most times, it gets the tangles combed out and it's pulled back into a clip and away I go!

I have read many blog posts over the past few days regarding New Years resolutions. I have thought a lot about which direction I am going to take in 2009 and my list goes something like this...

1. Draw closer to God and do more work for His Kingdom.
2. Be a better wife... more understanding and more supportive.
3. Read my Bible through.
4. Become physically healthier... lose weight, eat right, exercise more.
5. Make more effort regarding my appearance... not just for church but every day.
6. Spend more time in fellowship.
7. Finish at least one quilt... and not just a wall hanging... lol
8. Be a mentor

Like many I've read, this is an incomplete list but I'm working on it. Just like Pastor King said on Sunday, we need to continually adjust and make new resolutions. It's time for me to create higher expectations so that I can strive to be a better child of God.

God Bless you all. I pray that 2009 sets the bar for years to come!

Do We Limit Our God?

I was sitting in church last night when the thought struck me that we limit our God. How many times have we had a worship service or heard preaching that we go home and we discuss it for days because it was an "awesome" service? We have had worship services that never allow time for preaching because God moves in and takes control and the worship and prayer just goes on and on. People are touched in ways that they have not been touched in a long time.

But what if those "awesome" services became the norm? What if we worshipped like that every time? What if the preaching touched each and every one of us like that every time? What would God do to get our attention then?

We totally limit our God!

If "awesome" happened so often that it became "normal", can you imagine what God would do then?

I think we limit ourselves in our blessings by not striving for "awesome" to become "normal". We do it in our church services and we do it in our personal lives. We pray for God to help us pay our bills and put food on our tables and put a roof over our heads. He meets those needs because we have asked but are we limiting ourselves? Do we believe that He can provide everything we ask for and more?

I believe that in order for Him to do so, we have to make the first step. When has He ever failed to meet us when we've called on Him? I'll admit, there are church services that I don't feel Him. They are getting fewer and farther between but they still exist. When I am not feeling Him, I have often prayed "God, I need to feel you!". There has not been one time that He did not wash over me and bless me with His presence.

"Ask and ye shall receive"... pretty simple. "Seek and ye shall find"... not rocket science. "Ask and it shall be given unto you"... "Knock and the door shall be opened"...

God is not complicated. I believe that we get our output according to our input. The more we put in, the more we get out. The more we give, the more we get. The more we strive, the higher we soar. The more we use our blessings toward the Kingdom, the more blessings are bestowed upon us.

So... as both Pastors preached yesterday, now is the time to reach for more. Pray harder, read our Bibles more, love one another like we've never done before, strive for more... by doing and giving more of ourselves. I'm sure God will meet us and bless us like we've never been blessed before!

Let's not limit God in 2009. Let us challenge Him by challenging ourselves.

Let's make last years "awesome" into this year's "normal" and see what "awesome" really looks like!

God Bless!