Simplicity

A busy life can be an empty life. Full schedules demand our attention day in and day out. The calendar is packed with commitments and we scarcely have room to breathe.

Our homes are equipped with the latest modern conveniences and yet life can still become a fury of hamster wheel activity .... if we let it. That is key! If we let it....

To accept that we don't need the latest electronic gadget, clothing style, vehicle, vacation takes courage in the midst of a world gone mad pursuing material stuff and drowning in debt. It takes one small step at a time to make a change. Why do we crave material goods when so many in the world live in abject poverty? Satan has a way to distract us from thankfulness and on to greed.

Living mindfully...becoming in tune with our wants and needs. And then an amazing transformation takes place. You find out that you really need very little and you experience freedom because less becomes more. The Christian focus on giving and asking God to help us live more meaningfully becomes priority.

I guess a good question to ask, when we think back to our childhood, "Do we remember the latest gadgets or the time spent with those you loved...experiences." Purposely living with less gives more time and freedom to spend on what is truly important.

Another Christmas season has come and gone. People can get caught up in Christmas decorations, meals, gifts and forget what Christmas is all about - the gift of Christ to a lost world. We desperately need to follow Jesus teachings and not what the world teaches, realizing that there has to be a better way to live rather than stockpile possessions here on earth.

I just pray that God gives us the courage to live for Him, to find more joy in living with less, resulting in a more meaningful and abundant life.

Locked out

Wow, it sure is handy having a son studying Autobody Collision and Repair. Our van's driver door was jammed shut since Christmas break and, without the proper tools, we had to live with the problem for a bit.  Couldn't get in or out through that door, so I've been getting some strange looks while jumping in and out through the slider door on the other side.

This morning K took the van to school and his teacher and students figured out what the problem was. Apparently this was a 'first' for the teacher too.  It's wonderful when ones vehicle can be used as a teaching tool and getting fixed in the process without costing anything :-) I may have to bake some muffins for the UFV crew that solved the problem!

Prayer for the New Year

Just One Request

Dear Master for this coming year

Just one request I bring:

I do not pray for happiness,

Or any earthly thing—

I do not ask to understand

The way Thou leadest me,

But this I ask: Teach me to do

The thing that pleaseth Thee.

I want to know Thy guiding voice,

To walk with Thee each day.

Dear Master make me swift to hear

And ready to obey.

And thus the year I now begin

A happy year will be—

If I am seeking just to do

The thing that pleaseth Thee.

(author unknown)

And yet another MRI

Well, I knew it was coming....a phone call to book me for another follow up MRI to check the surgical area where a brain tumor was removed exactly twelve years ago this month. My heart skipped a beat when the person on the end of the line indicated she was from VGH's MRI department. It is always a little nerve wrecking, especially waiting for results after the scan.  And then I was told there was a long wait - appointment October 2014....so I can relax for a bit :-)

These tumors have a nasty habit of recurring and I probably wouldn't have any symptoms to know if it is growing again until it would be life threatening, as this type of tumor will eventually displace the brain stem if it grows too large.  That is why the neurology folks keep checking. If my hearing and balance nerves on the left side were intact I would have warning signs. As it is, my hearing is gone on the one side and my balance as well, although my brain has retrained so I receive balance only from the right side now.

It is amazing really...the first few months after surgery I felt like one of those little kids on a playground merry-go-round. Dizzy would be an understatement and focusing was out of the question. After two weeks in hospital, I graduated to my parent's home for another six weeks while I learned to stay on my feet and walk a few stairs before finally heading home. And so I slowly continued to relearn balance. I can actually walk a pretty straight line now....just don't ask me to walk in the dark and it's all good.

For months I was part of an internet support group - all people who knew the agonizing slow recovery, the headaches, the tiredness, the frustration and just the fact that people made me realize that I had to adjust to a 'new' normal. The 'normal' I previously knew was gone but that was ok.  What a blessing from God that the internet can serve such an encouraging purpose.

And so I just had to write how incredibly thankful I am for each new day. We carry on in God's strength. I have learned so much from this experience, especially the incredible generosity and support of my family and church family. God is good!

"Ma, you're getting old...."

Yes, my dear sons say these kinds of things - boys are brutally honest and any sensitive bone in my body has been desensitized over the years :-) so I'm quite used to it by now.

Today, though, I came face to face with the reality of aging me thinks. I was making a purchase in a store and couldn't quite figure out why the price rang in cheaper than what I thought it would be. "Must be a sale today," I reasoned, but then decided to check the receipt once I was home. GULP...double GULP....I received a 'Senior's Discount'. Oh boy...maybe it's time to color the grey... But on second thought, I do love receiving discounts :-)

Charities

Ever wonder how much of your donations are going to administration, advertising, salaries? Here is a link with a wealth of information so you can make an informed decision before donating to any charity:

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/lstngs/menu-eng.html

One of the very well known charities, World Vision, does a lot of advertising to get people to donate. We were absolutely shocked at the salaries of those in management with this organization. We're thankful that detailed information is made available - all one has to do is a little searching via that website.

Shopping Carts

I'm looking for advice/suggestions. Because we are likely relocating to an area that is within walking distance to a grocery store, I would love to walk instead of using the vehicle. So I've been searching for shopping carts to wheel groceries home.

My boys would probably disown me if I pulled one of these aluminum two wheeled shopping carts - not that I really care myself but I would rather our two remaining sons live at home for a while yet lol...

I came across the name 'Rolser' on amazon and was impressed....until I saw the price.... I'm wondering if there are other products similar to Rolser out there. Does anyone know?

http://www.amazon.ca/ROLSER-ROTATING-SOLID-BLU-included/dp/B009U2883A/ref=aag_m_pw_dp?ie=UTF8&m=ASYVY7AXXMCPW