-To be honest, I was seriously considering not writing any
more blogs simply because I feel that I have written about everything that I
could possibly write about. But the thought came to me, "Write about
yourself". I have already shared more about myself than I really wanted to.
So my thought was, "Now what?". I felt to share about my childhood. So I
will.
I was born in Medicine Hat, eons ago, the youngest of four girls. My only
brother passed away before I was born. However, I grew up on a small ranch
fifty miles south of Medicine Hat, not too far from the US border. Although
no bigger than a farm, I call it a ranch because our primary source of
income was cattle. It is too dry there for Dad to grow crops, except a
little oats for the horses and wheat for the chickens.
It was not an easy life, that is for sure. My father was always busy doing
what ranchers have to do. Look after cattle, mend fences, haying, etc. We
girls had to work too. My two oldest sisters had to things like to help
round up cattle or to help to stack bales of hay. My one sister and I were
too young to do things like that but we had our chores as well. I sometimes
think how hard my mother must have worked. We didn't have electricity so she
made all our meals on a woodstove. Plus she baked our bread and churned our
butter. Plus she did a lot of canning. Plus she looked after a good-sized
garden. Plus she, by hand, milked our milk cow and fed the chickens. But,
despite being so busy, she still found time to make treats for us girls.
Many times, I remember coming home from school to find the table covered
with molasses cookies or homemade doughnuts. We seldom got bought candy but
Mom made fudge for us-both chocolate and brown sugar.
I believe my love of hockey developed way back then. Not having electricity,
we couldn't watch it on tv but we did have a radio. Every Saturday night, we
as a family would gather around the radio and listen to Hockey Night in
Canada.
One of the the things that I remember was the sense of community. When it
was time to brand calves or thresh grain, the men all got together and went
from place to place until the job was done for everybody. Even recreation
was community. There were dances at the school and everybody, from the
oldest to the youngest went. That sense of community was even in the school.
I remember a picture of me standing beside my sister on a big, white horse.
When I was about 5, I was scared of horses. But I had to get over that fast
as I had to ride horseback to a one room, later two room, school. Most of
the kids did ride on the bus but we lived so far from where the bus stopped
that it was faster to take the horses and cut through the fields to school.
The sense of community in the school was that, because there were so few
kids in each grade, we did everything together. If we played softball, we
all played. Of course, we young ones were picked last!
God was not a big part of our lives but there were always Bibles in the
house and Mom used to play gospel music on the organ. I do know that my
mother had been to Bible school. It was too far to go to church in Medicine
Hat but the Alliance church in Medicine Hat used to have Sunday school at
Elkwater Lake which is not far from where we used to live. My parents took
us girls every Sunday. At least, I grew up knowing there is a God, not like
a lot of kids these days.
I admit that I had fun writing this. It brought back a lot of memories. But,
when I was 11, my life changed drastically. I will deal with that another
time.
Me
At the beloved/hated writing vessel
Tuesday, 30 September 2014
Tuesday, 23 September 2014
Time
-When I was idly wondering what I would write for my next blog, the
word "time" popped into my mind. I had absolutely no idea what I could write
about time. I am still not certain so I am going to just throw out a few random
thoughts.
I have learned that God's timing is not the same as ours. We live in a world
where we want things not now but right now. God doesn't work like that.True,
there are times when God will perform an instantaneous miracle but we can't
count on them. The norm seems to be more like this: God gives us a promise
and we are excited about it. But then we have to wait for the fulfillment of
that promise. Sometimes even for years. During the waiting, we often have to
fight the temptation to give up. I suspect, though, that God is more
interested in developing our character the way HE wants than fulfilling the
promises when we want. I know that, when I first received the promises of healing, I
thought I would be "zapped" and be back to the way I was. However, after all
these years and still not healed, I realize that it won't happen that way.
But I also realize that I am not the same person that I was back then.
Very few people seem to be content with the amount of time that they have. I
am constantly hearing people complain that they don't have enough time. I
wouldn't know what it is like to not have enough time but, I am guessing,
what they need most is to prioritize their time. God first, of course. On
the other hand, there are those of us who have too much time on our hands.
Still, though, I have it a lot better than most people in this place because
I do have my computer to keep me occupied. Plus I do get out. I can't even
imagine what life must be like for people in a place like this 24/7 and who
are in their right mind but have nothing to do all day. Except maybe watch
tv.
Having so much time is both a curse and a blessing for me. It is a curse
because it is a challenge to find things to occupy my mind. Especially when
I am in bed and can't use my computer. Another way so much time is a curse
is that, when people have too much time, they tend to think too much about
themselves whereas, if they are busy, not so much. But, I also know that so
much time is very much a blessing. I have lots of time to spend with God,
reading the Bible, talking to God and praising Him etc. Another blessing is
being able to hear from God. It a lot easier with time to just focus on God.
I suspect some people don't hear the voice of God simply because they are
too busy rushing around.
A quick comment about a couple of sayings in regard to time. We say that
something has stood "the test of time". When God makes us wait so long, I
wonder if He wants to make sure our faith can stand "the test of time" ?
Quite often, somebody will say that they will "make time" for somebody or
something. Obviously, God is the only one who can actually make time. What
they are really saying is probably more like this: I will make this person
or thing a priority over other things I spend time on.
These are a few random thoughts about "time". I am still not too sure why I
wrote about "time" but I don't need to know why. Just to obey.
word "time" popped into my mind. I had absolutely no idea what I could write
about time. I am still not certain so I am going to just throw out a few random
thoughts.
I have learned that God's timing is not the same as ours. We live in a world
where we want things not now but right now. God doesn't work like that.True,
there are times when God will perform an instantaneous miracle but we can't
count on them. The norm seems to be more like this: God gives us a promise
and we are excited about it. But then we have to wait for the fulfillment of
that promise. Sometimes even for years. During the waiting, we often have to
fight the temptation to give up. I suspect, though, that God is more
interested in developing our character the way HE wants than fulfilling the
promises when we want. I know that, when I first received the promises of healing, I
thought I would be "zapped" and be back to the way I was. However, after all
these years and still not healed, I realize that it won't happen that way.
But I also realize that I am not the same person that I was back then.
Very few people seem to be content with the amount of time that they have. I
am constantly hearing people complain that they don't have enough time. I
wouldn't know what it is like to not have enough time but, I am guessing,
what they need most is to prioritize their time. God first, of course. On
the other hand, there are those of us who have too much time on our hands.
Still, though, I have it a lot better than most people in this place because
I do have my computer to keep me occupied. Plus I do get out. I can't even
imagine what life must be like for people in a place like this 24/7 and who
are in their right mind but have nothing to do all day. Except maybe watch
tv.
Having so much time is both a curse and a blessing for me. It is a curse
because it is a challenge to find things to occupy my mind. Especially when
I am in bed and can't use my computer. Another way so much time is a curse
is that, when people have too much time, they tend to think too much about
themselves whereas, if they are busy, not so much. But, I also know that so
much time is very much a blessing. I have lots of time to spend with God,
reading the Bible, talking to God and praising Him etc. Another blessing is
being able to hear from God. It a lot easier with time to just focus on God.
I suspect some people don't hear the voice of God simply because they are
too busy rushing around.
A quick comment about a couple of sayings in regard to time. We say that
something has stood "the test of time". When God makes us wait so long, I
wonder if He wants to make sure our faith can stand "the test of time" ?
Quite often, somebody will say that they will "make time" for somebody or
something. Obviously, God is the only one who can actually make time. What
they are really saying is probably more like this: I will make this person
or thing a priority over other things I spend time on.
These are a few random thoughts about "time". I am still not too sure why I
wrote about "time" but I don't need to know why. Just to obey.
Tuesday, 16 September 2014
Praise
-Praising, or singing to God, both in Long Term Care and at church,
is important to me. Because I can't talk, of course my praising has to be
somewhat different from other people. But, to God, praise is praise. As long
as it comes from a sincere heart. There are several reasons why praise is so
important to me.
Probably the most important reason for praising is simply that He deserves
it. When I think that God sent Jesus to die on the cross so I wouldn't have
to go to hell, how can I not praise? In addition, there all the benefits
that come with being a Christian. Healing, for one. And, then, there is the
hope of Heaven. If nothing else, that is definitely something to look
forward to!
Another reason that praising is so important to me is that it helps to keep
my focus on God where it should be. It is pretty easy to keep my focus on
God at church but not so easy the rest of the time. That is why I have
music, almost entirely Christian, playing most of the time. Especially in
afternoon, when I have to rest in bed, I like to "sing" along to the music.
It is pretty hard not to keep my focus on God when I am praising Him. Most
of my music is Christian but I do have a bit of classical. For some reason,
classical music always makes me want to praise God.
My life is tedious so I am always looking for something to help me pass the
time. Praising God does that. It is amazing how much faster the time goes by
when I am praising God rather than thinking about myself.
Praising God at church makes me me feel more like I belong. There are so
many church activities that I can't be part of that I often feel like I am
on the outside looking in. But, when everybody starts to praise and worship
God, that is one thing I can do along with everybody else. Even if my form
of praising is not quite the same.
Finally, praising is an anti-depressant for me, just like reading the Bible
is. When I am feeling frustrated and depressed, if I have the sense to MAKE
myself start to praise God, it is usually not too long before I start to
feel better. The operative word, though, is "make". When I am feeling down
like that, the last thing I want to do is praise, God or anything else. At
church, it is usually not such a struggle to praise. I admit, though, that
there are times that all I can do is praise though the tears. But, if I keep
at it, I soon feel better.
So, then, even though I praise God because He deserve it, there are also
plenty of benefits for me.
is important to me. Because I can't talk, of course my praising has to be
somewhat different from other people. But, to God, praise is praise. As long
as it comes from a sincere heart. There are several reasons why praise is so
important to me.
Probably the most important reason for praising is simply that He deserves
it. When I think that God sent Jesus to die on the cross so I wouldn't have
to go to hell, how can I not praise? In addition, there all the benefits
that come with being a Christian. Healing, for one. And, then, there is the
hope of Heaven. If nothing else, that is definitely something to look
forward to!
Another reason that praising is so important to me is that it helps to keep
my focus on God where it should be. It is pretty easy to keep my focus on
God at church but not so easy the rest of the time. That is why I have
music, almost entirely Christian, playing most of the time. Especially in
afternoon, when I have to rest in bed, I like to "sing" along to the music.
It is pretty hard not to keep my focus on God when I am praising Him. Most
of my music is Christian but I do have a bit of classical. For some reason,
classical music always makes me want to praise God.
My life is tedious so I am always looking for something to help me pass the
time. Praising God does that. It is amazing how much faster the time goes by
when I am praising God rather than thinking about myself.
Praising God at church makes me me feel more like I belong. There are so
many church activities that I can't be part of that I often feel like I am
on the outside looking in. But, when everybody starts to praise and worship
God, that is one thing I can do along with everybody else. Even if my form
of praising is not quite the same.
Finally, praising is an anti-depressant for me, just like reading the Bible
is. When I am feeling frustrated and depressed, if I have the sense to MAKE
myself start to praise God, it is usually not too long before I start to
feel better. The operative word, though, is "make". When I am feeling down
like that, the last thing I want to do is praise, God or anything else. At
church, it is usually not such a struggle to praise. I admit, though, that
there are times that all I can do is praise though the tears. But, if I keep
at it, I soon feel better.
So, then, even though I praise God because He deserve it, there are also
plenty of benefits for me.
Tuesday, 9 September 2014
Things I Have Learned, Part 2
-Awhile ago, I wrote about some life
lessons that I have learned over the years. This time, I believe I will just
add to that list.
L have learned that, if you care about somebody, you do something to show
it. Even the Bible mentions not loving in just talk but also in deed. And
then, of course, there is the old saying, "Actions speak louder than words".
I know that, in the past, I have been guilty of it myself. Sometimes, it was
simply not knowing what to do so I would do nothing. Even now that I am a
Christian, it is sometimes easier to think "I will pray" and leave it at
that. I usually do pray but, after a few times, it often slips my mind.
Another problem that I have is that I got so wrapped up in my own misery
that I don't pay attention the hurts of others. That is is so wrong. True, I
am pretty limited in what I can do to show people I care but I can do
something.
Even if it is just to smile at somebody when I don't feel like smiling. My
point in all this is this. After so many years in hospital, I have learned
the importance of having people show that they care.
I have learned that there are two sides to every story. Over the years, I
have heard a lot of stories, usually about a spouse or some other person. I
have
learned just to listen, and sometimes pray in my mind, and not, usually, to
try to give advice. I have come to understand that the other person has
their side of story and it may be quite different.
Kind of similar is that I have learned that my perspective on what I am
going through is probably quite different from the perspective other people
have of my situation. But what really matters is not my perspective or the
perspective of other people. What matters is God's perspective of my
situation and things will turn out according to His perspective.
I have learned over we never know what another person is going through until
we have gone through the same or very similar circumstances. For example, I
have never had to deal with marriage problems so I have no idea what people
in that situation are going through. I can pray but I really can't give
advice as I can't relate.
I have learned that we really don't know what we would do in somebody
else's situation. We may think we do but it is not until we are in the same
situation that we find out for sure. I will use finances as an example. I am
far from rich but I have plenty for my needs. When I hear of somebody with
financial problems, I may , in my head, know the Biblical principles that
they should employ but, unless I am actually having financial problems, how
do I know
if I would even use them?
I have learned that it is ok to vent once in awhile. Most people need to
"let of steam" on occasion. The main thing, though, is that, once the vent
is over, is to get back on track and "keep on keeping on". Because I can't
talk, venting is not quite so easy for me. But, between speech board and
e-mail, I manage quite well. For me, it is important who I vent to. When I
am already feeling sorry for myself, the last thing I need is somebody to
give me a lot of sympathy. On the other hand, a lot of "pat" answers will
probably just upset me more. One friend will say something stupid and make
me laugh.
These life lessons sound good but I wonder if I will remember them when I
really need them?
lessons that I have learned over the years. This time, I believe I will just
add to that list.
L have learned that, if you care about somebody, you do something to show
it. Even the Bible mentions not loving in just talk but also in deed. And
then, of course, there is the old saying, "Actions speak louder than words".
I know that, in the past, I have been guilty of it myself. Sometimes, it was
simply not knowing what to do so I would do nothing. Even now that I am a
Christian, it is sometimes easier to think "I will pray" and leave it at
that. I usually do pray but, after a few times, it often slips my mind.
Another problem that I have is that I got so wrapped up in my own misery
that I don't pay attention the hurts of others. That is is so wrong. True, I
am pretty limited in what I can do to show people I care but I can do
something.
Even if it is just to smile at somebody when I don't feel like smiling. My
point in all this is this. After so many years in hospital, I have learned
the importance of having people show that they care.
I have learned that there are two sides to every story. Over the years, I
have heard a lot of stories, usually about a spouse or some other person. I
have
learned just to listen, and sometimes pray in my mind, and not, usually, to
try to give advice. I have come to understand that the other person has
their side of story and it may be quite different.
Kind of similar is that I have learned that my perspective on what I am
going through is probably quite different from the perspective other people
have of my situation. But what really matters is not my perspective or the
perspective of other people. What matters is God's perspective of my
situation and things will turn out according to His perspective.
I have learned over we never know what another person is going through until
we have gone through the same or very similar circumstances. For example, I
have never had to deal with marriage problems so I have no idea what people
in that situation are going through. I can pray but I really can't give
advice as I can't relate.
I have learned that we really don't know what we would do in somebody
else's situation. We may think we do but it is not until we are in the same
situation that we find out for sure. I will use finances as an example. I am
far from rich but I have plenty for my needs. When I hear of somebody with
financial problems, I may , in my head, know the Biblical principles that
they should employ but, unless I am actually having financial problems, how
do I know
if I would even use them?
I have learned that it is ok to vent once in awhile. Most people need to
"let of steam" on occasion. The main thing, though, is that, once the vent
is over, is to get back on track and "keep on keeping on". Because I can't
talk, venting is not quite so easy for me. But, between speech board and
e-mail, I manage quite well. For me, it is important who I vent to. When I
am already feeling sorry for myself, the last thing I need is somebody to
give me a lot of sympathy. On the other hand, a lot of "pat" answers will
probably just upset me more. One friend will say something stupid and make
me laugh.
These life lessons sound good but I wonder if I will remember them when I
really need them?
Tuesday, 2 September 2014
Favorites
-This time, I am going to do something totally different and list some of my "favorites". I have absolutely no idea why I am doing such a thing! I just know that, one afternoon, out of the blue, the thought came to me to share some of my favorites. I am not sure if it was the Holy Spirit or not, but I figure, why risk disobeying Him by not doing it? So here goes:
My favorite color has always been green. I don't wear a lot of green but I like to see it on other people. Anyway, I figure that God must like green as He put so much of it in nature!
My favorite pastime is reading. I have always been a voracious reader. Even now, I do a lot of reading on my computer. I read the Bible a lot but other things as well, including a lot of classic English literature. Before the stroke, one of my favorite pastimes was curling but, of course, I can't do it now.
My favorite type of food is Ukrainian. I first learned to love it by visiting my mother-in-law. She made the best Ukranian food. Good thing, though, that I don't get it too often or I would be 600 pounds! Another thing I like, probably too much, is chocolate.
My favorite season is winter. Especially if there is lots of snow but not too cold. I used to cross-country ski and it can't be too cold for that.
My favorite holiday is Christmas. Not only is it in my favorite season, I like that there is more of a focus on Jesus at that time. Plus, I love Christmas music, decorations, exchanging cards and gifts, eating Christmas baking, etc. There seems to be an atmosphere at Christmas that isn't there the rest of the year.
My favorite tv show is hockey. I mostly watch tv to help pass time but do limit it to evenings when I am too tired to do much else. Once in awhile, I do watch a documentary or a movie (if I can find a decent one) but I mostly watch sports. When it is not hockey season, I watch other sports but hockey is my favorite.
That is just a few of my favorites. I still don't know why I wrote this but I did.
My favorite color has always been green. I don't wear a lot of green but I like to see it on other people. Anyway, I figure that God must like green as He put so much of it in nature!
My favorite pastime is reading. I have always been a voracious reader. Even now, I do a lot of reading on my computer. I read the Bible a lot but other things as well, including a lot of classic English literature. Before the stroke, one of my favorite pastimes was curling but, of course, I can't do it now.
My favorite type of food is Ukrainian. I first learned to love it by visiting my mother-in-law. She made the best Ukranian food. Good thing, though, that I don't get it too often or I would be 600 pounds! Another thing I like, probably too much, is chocolate.
My favorite season is winter. Especially if there is lots of snow but not too cold. I used to cross-country ski and it can't be too cold for that.
My favorite holiday is Christmas. Not only is it in my favorite season, I like that there is more of a focus on Jesus at that time. Plus, I love Christmas music, decorations, exchanging cards and gifts, eating Christmas baking, etc. There seems to be an atmosphere at Christmas that isn't there the rest of the year.
My favorite tv show is hockey. I mostly watch tv to help pass time but do limit it to evenings when I am too tired to do much else. Once in awhile, I do watch a documentary or a movie (if I can find a decent one) but I mostly watch sports. When it is not hockey season, I watch other sports but hockey is my favorite.
That is just a few of my favorites. I still don't know why I wrote this but I did.
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