HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY CANADA

Thanksgiving 

Thoughts






SIMPLIFIED GRATITUDE

Sometimes I'm hungry
         I thank God I have food to eat every day
Sometimes I'm sick
         I thank God that I'm usually not
Sometimes I'm cold
         I thank God for a roof over my head
Sometimes I'm in pain
         I thank God it's not every day
Sometimes I'm lonely
         I thank God for all my friends
Sometimes I'm tired
         I thank God for a cozy bed each night
Sometimes I don't want to work
         I thank God for my job
Sometimes I'm sad
         I thank God it is only sometimes
Sometimes......

Every day, each of us are reminded to be grateful - it is that simple!


Give Thanks!


P.S.  This is my 50th and final post on this blog.   Thanks for reading!






  

INTERNATIONAL WORLD PEACE DAY IS TODAY!

Does the world feel like a peaceful, secure and safe place to you?

Is the United Nations getting any closer to their mandate of world peace
since their conception in 1941?

Is World Peace even a possibility?

Right now the Middle East is full of horrific war activity.  Israel and Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.  Not only war but also needless violent deaths of innocent women and children.  Foreign journalists beheaded and the atrocity televised for the world to see.

Russia is at war with Ukraine.  Ugly long civil wars continue in Somalia and many other countries.

In West Africa we have an E-Bola epidemic that has put the nation of Sierre Leone in quarantine.

Not only are there more wars and bloodshed but there is also more earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and famines creating more turmoil and suffering for many.

What does all this mean?  We long for peace.  Many pray for peace.  Government leaders negotiate for peace.  Yet armies still fight for peace.  So peace seems to be elusive.

The desire for world peace appears to be more of a naive notion.

According to the Bible we should not be surprised by any of this.


       "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for
       this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation,
       and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in
       various places." (Matthew 24:6-7)

As a Christian, I don't believe there will be Peace on Earth until Jesus restores it, on His return.  Scripture teaches that wars and famines and earthquakes will increase.  And when they do it means His time of return is getting closer. Until then, many can only know peace in their hearts if they live to please God and worship God.

If a historical study was performed to determine which countries have known the most peace as apposed to wars, the likely result would reveal that it is nations that love Jesus and live for Jesus.

      "When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at
       peace with him." (Proverbs 16:7)

But God's love and peace is for everyone of all nations and ethnic groups.  God handpicked the Israelites to be His children and then Jesus opened up the love of God to everyone when He died on the cross.

So someday, everyone who chooses to love Jesus and accept His salvation, will know peace when Christ's new Kingdom is established.  

In heaven there will be no war, no tears, no pain, no famine, no sickness.  Heaven will be beyond our human comprehension.  It will be utter perfection.  

We will be in the presence of a loving, good God forever.  The physical beauty of heaven will surpass the awesome views of even the Grand Canyon and go beyond what our finite minds can comprehend.  

But the best part of heaven is the endless presence of God.  And in His presence is peace!

I don't believe we will ever achieve world peace until God establishes it in heaven.  

I am thankful that I am blessed to live in a peaceful country and I have the assurance of a peaceful eternity in heaven with a loving God.

Give Thanks!

CAMPING ON HORNBY ISLAND

I LOVE HORNBY ISLAND!

The name is rather unusual but oh well, it is still one of my favorite nearby places to escape to each summer.

Tribune Bay Provincial Park is picturesque!  The beach is known as the Hawaii of Canada.  The aquamarine color and the warm temperature of the water in the summer makes it a popular destination for those who know about this special little place.

Lots of soft, white, sandy beach.  Nearly a mile to be precise.  Shallow water perfect for skimboarding and safe for children.  Sandstone formations that are fun to explore.

Only about a 1000 people live on this little island year round.  Many of them are said to be Vietnam draft dodgers that never left.  The island is full of artists and hippies who enjoy the beauty of nature the island provides.

Hornby Island is an outdoor enthusiast's dream location.  Hiking trails, mountain biking, swimming, boating, kayaking and so much more.  Campgrounds are available to allow ample time to explore all this Island has to offer.  Check out Tribune Bay Campground just a short walk from the beach.

I can't imagine a nicer way to spend a warm sunny day then at a gorgeous beach hide-away on Hornby Island.  That is why I go back every year and Give Thanks!

OKANAGAN SUNSHINE

The Okanagan Valley in the southern interior of British Columbia is a popular summer destination!  I was blessed to have lived there for 5 years so I know personally how much the Okanagan has to offer for summer adventure.  The outdoor beauty alone will have you saying, "WOW!".

Seldom is the summer weather anything but perfect in the Okanagan.  And there is so much to explore and do while there.

Okanagan Lake is 135 km long and 4 to 5 km wide.  The highway drive beside most of the lake has breathtaking views.  But there are many other beautiful lakes in the valley as well, such as Kalamalka, Skaha, Osoyoos and more.  All of these lakes have fabulous swimming at sandy beaches and various water sports to enjoy.

For accommodation there are many campgrounds either private or provincial.  Most are located either on a lake or very near.  Of course there are also many motels, hotels and even high end resorts to choose from as well.

Restaurants abound.  Whatever your palate is yearning for can be found in the Okanagan.  My favorite is a Greek restaurant in Penticton called Theo's.  Their Moussaka and Mediterranean Ribs are like none other.

Lots of exciting activities await you in the Okanagan Valley.  Fun in the sun is on most people's itinerary while there.  For young children, a free water park is in Summerland at the beach.  In Penticton, many like to take a leisurely float down the canal from Okanagan Lake to Skaha Lake on inner tubes or air mattresses.  Tubes can be rented at the starting point in the north west end of Penticton.  Also at the Penticton Lakeside Resort you can parasail and have a birds eye view of the Valley.

There are countless trails to hike or bike.  One of my favorites is easy for either of these activities and offers glorious views of Okanagan Lake.  It is the KVR Trail between Penticton and Naramata.  The trail head is located in north east Penticton at the end of a cul-de-dac on Vancouver Place.  I also enjoy the hike up Giant's Head Mountain in Summerland when I need a good work out.  More fabulous views await you at the top.

Let's not forget the famous wine tours in the Southern Okanagan Valley.  Most of British Columbia's wine is found in this region and many are award winning.  Fine wineries are located in Naramata, Summerland and between Oliver and Osoyoos.  Popular Wine Tours are available in the Fall Season but stop in for wine tasting any time of year.

If you are driving through Okanagan Falls, don't miss stopping at Tickleberry's for their fabulous Ice Cream Cones and Fudge.

In Summerland, a visit to Summerland Sweets is a popular stop for their specialty syrups and jams, unique fruit wines and delicious ice cream.  Summerland is also the location of my favorite beach on Okanagan Lake called Sun-Oka Beach.  There is even a great dog beach in one isolated section for furry family members to cool down.  Also in Summerland is a great restaurant called Local Lounge.  It is on Lakeshore Drive and has a great outdoor patio to enjoy the great views while feasting on fabulous food.  There are boat and jet ski rentals available here for more adventure.

You will run out of vacation time before you run out of things to see and do in the Okanagan Valley.  It is an extremely popular vacation destination for good reasons.  If you have not yet visited, then start planning now.  The "WOW Factor" is unending!

I just finished a one week vacation in the Okanagan and wonder why I ever moved away.  But I am blessed to be able to return every summer for a visit to this incredible destination!

Give Thanks!

ROBIN WILLIAMS DEPRESSED AND DEAD FROM SUICIDE

The man that made us all laugh suffered from depression.  How ironic.  How sad.

But do we all realize that depression is much more than sadness?

Never equate having a "feeling blue" day as being depressed.  It simply does not compare.  Feeling blue does not even begin to encompass all that real depression involves.  You can't just snap out of depression and choose to cheer yourself up.

Tell me, when you last felt sad or blue, did you also wish you were dead?  Not likely but severely depressed people do.

Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a deep pit that was cold and dark and lonely?  The emotional pain was impossible to bear and there was no way out?  You just wanted the pain to go away so suicide seemed like a viable option?  If so, then you do know what depression is.  And I am so sorry you had to experience it.

Many today are still so naive about depression.  Only if you have been severely depressed or know someone close to you who has can you grasp the enormity of the emotion.  It does not matter how smart you are, how rich you are or how many friends you have, depression can still come down on you like a ton of bricks.

I loved watching Robin Williams entertain me from the very beginning with the TV show "Mork and Mindy".  And what about "Good Morning Vietnam" or "Mrs. Doubtfire"?  However, perhaps my favorite movies were not comedies but rather dramas called "Good Will Hunting" and "Dead Poet's Society".

"Dead Poet's Society" is a movie about young students at an elite prep school with Williams portraying their English teacher.  It is a drama full of emotions and even the ugly reality of suicide. 
In "Good Will Hunting" Williams played a psychiatrist helping a young troubled and brilliant mind.  So since he played the role of a psychiatrist, don't you think he knew all about getting help?  Of course he did.  Unfortunately psychiatrists and medications do not successfully help everyone with severe depression. 

There is a chemical imbalance in the brain that causes depression.  The anti-depressant medications attempt to balance that imbalance although they often fall short.  25% of people worldwide have suffered from depression.  That is one in four so you likely know someone who has experienced severe depression at one time.  It is very common yet usually suffered in silence and shame because it is so misunderstood.

Famous people have gone public about their experience with depression to increase awareness and diminish the stigma.  Olympian Clara Hughes has been a recent spokesperson.  Household names have suffered from clinical depression such as Billy Joel, Princess Diana, Jim Carrey and many more.

I would rather have a physical illness then depression.  At least physical ailments are visible and tangible to those around us and easy to understand.  People with depression are afraid to admit their pain for fear of being judged and ostracized for being "crazy".

I know because I have suffered from severe depression.  So I get it.  

I can only hope that many of us will seek to understand it better.

The stigma needs to be torn down.  Those suffering need to feel free to come out of hiding and seek help and love and compassion from those around them.  

Hopefully it will not take a huge spike in suicides to achieve this.

No one is immune to suffering from depression.  Situational depression can happen to any of us.

Today I am grateful that my experience with depression is in the past.

Someone you know has been depressed or is depressed right now.  Find out who it is and seek to understand them and love them.

Give Thanks!

BOREDOM. WHAT IS IT?

I remember when I was a kid I would get bored sometimes.  Even in the summer, having 2 months off was great at the beginning but near the end of the summer it was tough finding exciting things to do every day.  Not that I wanted to get back to school yet, mind you.

As an adult, I don't even know what boredom is.  Like really!  My days are so full of activity there is no time to get bored.  As I cross things off of my "to do" list, I am constantly adding new things to it. 

I am blessed with busyness.  And it is a blessing because I really hate being bored.

So I have to remind myself not to complain when I have too many things to do and not enough time to do them in.  Because it really beats being bored hands down.

For some people (besides children) it is difficult to avoid boredom.  I'm thinking of people sick in hospitals or at home who are unable to do many things because of their poor health, so boredom is inevitable.  After all you can only read books for so long before that even gets boring.

Many seniors get bored even if their health is still good.  For some the solution is frequent napping that they don't need, but what else is there to do since "Wheel of Fortune" is only on once a day.

I think of people I have met in Sudan, Africa that have little to do but sit for long hours every day trying to sell the craft or spices they have so they can then buy some food to eat.  They look incredibly bored and who wouldn't be?

I live in a country of boundless opportunities to be active, to be involved, to be fulfilled.

I am blessed with health and prosperity that gives me the physical and financial ability to do and enjoy most anything I want. 

So today I am grateful that my days are full of people and pets and hobbies and activities that keep me from being bored.  

Life is good!  So get out there and enjoy it!  While you are at, help someone else enjoy it too!

Give Thanks!

NO WORRIES! IT'S ALL GOOD!

One member of my family is frequently heard saying, "No worries.  It's all good."

Then there are other members of my family who worry far too much.

We really are all wired differently.  Some of us have personalities that are just so prone to worry in so many different situations and circumstances.  While others are so layed back. that nothing fazes them. 

I think I tend to sit relatively in the middle of that spectrum.

Did you know that research has shown that 90% of what we worry about never comes to pass.

Worry accomplishes nothing except more worry.  If we don't turn it off, it will grow and become debilitating.   People who worry are more prone to illness and have a poorer prognosis overcoming illnesses.

Worry has been compared to holding a glass of water so long that you eventually must put it down due to fatigue.  Same with worry, the more we worry the more burdensome our fears become weighing us down.

If we have a brain that tends to gravitate towards worry, it takes a lot of reconditioning to change.  But help is out there.  Programs exist to help retrain our brain and how it responds to stressful events in our lives.

One program I know of is "Attacking Anxiety & Depression" from the MidWest Center in Oak Harbor, Ohio.  The program was founded by Lucinda Bassett who had to conquer her own panic attacks, agoraphobia and depression.  Lucinda is now a motivational speaker and has appeared on numerous TV shows such as Oprah, The View and Robert Schuller's Hour of Power.  Her life-changing techniques have been utilized in major companies such as AT&T and McDonalds.

Her steps to emotional wellness have been featured in magazines such as Health, Family Circle and the Journal of Clinical Psychology.  She has also authored several books such as "The Solution", "From Panic to Power", "Life Without Limits" and "Truth Be Told: A Memoir of Success, Suicide and Survival".

I personally have not used this program but I know of someone who has and with very good results.  There are many who credit this program as revolutionary.  Of course, like any self help program, one has to enter it with an open mind and recognize that any improved changes that occur are ultimately a result of the individual effort put into the program.  Our brains can be retrained but it takes repeated, consistent work.  We will never be without some level of anxiety and that is normal.  But debilitating anxiety that affects our day to day living and creates a continuous inner tension is not normal.

Anxiety is worry and it is like a rocking chair, constantly going back and forth but going nowhere.

Corrie Ten Boom (Holocost survivor) said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; but empties today of its strengths.”

For myself, when I start to worry too much, I remind myself that God is in control.  He is all powerful, all knowing, and all loving so there is no point in worrying.  In fact, if I am worrying then my faith in Him is obviously too small.  

I am grateful that as a child of an awesome God, I have no need to worry!

Give Thanks!

CHURCH? FOR OLD FOGIES OR HAS IT CHANGED?

"Church?  Isn't that just for old people, half of which fall asleep?"  This is what a coworker said to me once when I mentioned that I went to church.

Well I'm not old, I don't fall asleep and I really enjoy going to church.

Church has changed over the years.  Today the music is more modern and lively instead of the old fashioned hymns.  Many churches have a full band playing with guitars, keyboard and drums.  People of all ages attend and participate fully in the worshipful music.  Most preachers engage the audience rather then standing still behind a pulpit and speaking with a monotone voice.   Suits and dresses are no longer expected either.  Come in jeans, shorts or whatever is comfortable.

Many churches are very involved in their local community as well.   Various church programs are actively serving the needs of those around them such as Soup Kitchens, Puppet Shows for Children, After School Programs, Divorce Recovery Groups and so much more.

Recently a team of about 100 young people visited our community for one week in a program called SERVE.  The team was divided into groups of about 6 and assigned a different home to visit each day where they would serve the home owners by doing various yard work for them.  The program is designed to lighten the load of the elderly, single parents or anyone else who needs the assistance.  It is a means of serving others while displaying the love of Jesus.  The kids genuinely enjoy the opportunity to help others and the recipients of their volunteer work are blessed.

I think it is sad that so many have never been to church.  There are so many churches to choose from, all of which are happy to have visitors.  Once in the door you should receive a hardy welcome and if you take the initiative to learn about opportunities to get involved, you will soon find a second family.

If you are afraid of people in churches having a "bible thumping" mentality, don't worry I get it.  I have even witnessed it and it turns my stomach.  Don't get me wrong, I believe the Bible, but nobody needs it shoved down their throat. 

So perhaps you have been to church and didn't like it or were somehow offended.  Then try another church.  I honestly believe there is a church out there for everyone that can be a home away from home.  If you do not receive a warm welcome and witness love in action, then look elsewhere.

Perhaps you just don't like Christians.  Many find Christians to be hypocritical, judgemental and unkind.  If you have been wounded by a so-called Christian, I am so sorry!  Even as a Christian myself, I have dropped my jaw in utter shock to hear some appalling stories of encounters that non-Christians have had with Christians.  Although we are far from perfect, we should be known for our love and compassion above all else.

Having a Christian faith gives meaning and purpose to my life.  My Christian friends are my closest friends.  Actively participating in Christian service gives me inner joy.  Church is where my faith, friends and ministry are found.  It's not a once-a-week activity.  It's  a daily existence with God in charge.

My weekly church attendance is a source of rejuvenation.  Life is hard sometimes.  Church helps me get through. 

So what is keeping you from going to church?  Reach out and find a whole new life waiting for you.  Church is not boring.  Check it out for yourself and see.

Give Thanks!

TIME FLIES BY BUT GRATITUDE REMAINS

Oh dear, I see it has been awhile since I wrote a post for my blog. 

I guess I've had too much of my time occupied with all the details of our recent move.

How time flies.  We have been in our new home for over a  month already.

It has been a very busy month.  So, unfortunately, blogging has been neglected.

But this blog is about gratitude and I have not neglected to have a grateful heart in this past month despite all the activity.  I am grateful for our new home, the abundant sunshine we have had, great family times we have enjoyed and so much more.

I express my gratitude to God every day even amidst the busyness.  I find time alone with Him to chat, sense His presence and focus on His goodness to me.

It is a habit I have nurtured for many years and will continue to do so.  It keeps me close to God which keeps balance and peace in my life.

Life gets busy and then time flies by.  But we each need to nurture the practice of gratitude and times of restful solitude to replenish ourselves. 

Don't lose balance in your life by being so busy that even the essentials to peace and happiness are put on the back burner. 

Daily we need to spend time alone pondering the goodness of life with a grateful heart.  This will help us to achieve peace in the storm, contentment in adversity and an inner joy each and every day.

Give Thanks!

SHOPPING SPREES

Yesterday I did something I have never done before.  I spent over 3 hours in one store and came out with 5 new dresses, 5 new shirts, a pair of shorts and jeans, a jacket and 7 pairs of shoes.

Guess what?  I spent only $400 for all of that with about 75% savings.  Now that's what I call a shopping spree!

It helps that I am in Oregon where there is no tax and that I am visiting my brother and his wife who is the queen of bargain shopping.  She can even find designer hand bags for $5.

I really am not a fan of shopping but eventually it is a necessity.  After all, when you are still wearing some clothes that you wore 20 years ago, it really is time for a change.  Yup, that's how much I hate shopping.

I have never before found in one day (never mind one store) so many clothes I liked enough to buy.  I am a pretty picky shopper and I usually run out of patience looking. But it sure helps to have a wise, experienced shopper with you to give advice and help you with the search.

And for me shopping is actually fun when I find great deals!

I was raised to never pay full price.  My parents never had enough money to pay full price and why should we when there are always bargains to be found by looking.

I was taught to be wise in my spending.  Money needs to be respected.  Wasting money is like spitting in the hand that gives it.  God, as the head of our universe, is ultimately the Giver of everything good.  Everything we have is actually His that He has graciously given to us.  Money included.

There are too many people in dire need in our world today.  When those of us with money, spend frivolously, it should disturb our conscience.  It should evoke our sense of right and wrong.

And if we spend our money wisely, it should leave us money to give to those in need.  The Bible teaches that is more blessed to give then to receive and I have always found that to be true.

If you have never yet experienced the incredible joy of meeting someone's genuine need by giving, then you should seek the opportunity to do so.  There really is nothing else like it!

Give Thanks!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Something is lacking in child rearing these days that certainly was not lacking when I was a child.  As a result, many children today seem to be poorly behaved.

My generation was raised to be quiet unless spoken to and to be obedient and respectful.  Right and wrong was clearly established.  Despite this, there was still ample time for childhood play, creativity and fun. 

Now many children are taught to make their own decisions and question authority from a very young age.  They seem to be encouraged to speak up (and interrupt) and let their voice and opinion (with 3 years of wisdom) be heard.

I can understand the desire to challenge our children to think, and to nurture independence but I believe some parents are trying to do this at an age when children still need guidance, structure, boundaries and a good role model.

Child development has been called "development" for a reason.   A young child's mind has not yet developed enough to make decisions and offer reasonable opinions.  They still need to learn by observing (while silent?) the examples set for them by adults.

I also believe that part of the "be silent until spoken to" philosophy is so that kids can learn respect for their elders.  Even as adults we have to practice respect for our bosses, leaders, dignitaries, senior citizens, war veterans etc.  If we don't learn this as children we likely will have trouble mastering it as adults.

Popular parenting styles and philosophies do change over the years.  Only time will tell whether they are positive changes.  I think for many, reading varied authoritative books on effective parenting is a must before starting a family.

After all, parenting really is the toughest, most complex and important job we have!


We want our children to grow up self-confident, respectful, productive, law abiding, happy and fulfilled.  That is a tall glass to fill.  So we need all the help we can get.

Today is Father's Day and I am grateful to have a Christian father who instilled Christian values into our home both by example and teaching.  We learned right from wrong, a strong work ethic through chores, respect and love for others.  We also learned to give to those in need and we learned to give thanks to God in all things!

I am more grateful for my father with each passing year.  Hindsight is 20/20 they say.  I was a challenging child to raise who needed a lot of discipline to learn the principles and values my father desired for me.  But with time he succeeded and I love him for it. 

I am proud to say that today I am in many ways just like my Dad!

Billy Graham (Christian Evangelist) says this about fathers:
     "A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of
     the most valuable assets in our society."

Clarence Budington Kelland (U.S. Writer) says this:
     "My father didn't tell me how to live, he lived, and let me watch him do it."

Happy Father's Day to all the great Dad's out there!

And to all the loved children, Give Thanks!

SOULMATES

I just spent a weekend with family and witnessed the beauty of young love.  You know what I am talking about.  When your heart skips a beat every time the one you love enters the room.  When no matter how bad they look first thing in the morning, in your eyes they are always beautiful.  When you cannot stand to be apart for any significant length of time.   It really is sappy but most of us have experienced it in the early days of a new romance.

I know all about it.  I used to sing love songs to my husband and he used to buy me flowers so often my friends got jealous.  We are older now but still very much in love.  Nonetheless,  I sing to him less often and he brings me flowers less frequently.  And that's OK!

So what has changed?  Nothing really.  Our relationship has merely matured.  The frills have lessened but the depth of our relationship has increased.  So the love songs and flowers are no longer required in abundance to prove our love for each other.   Our love has already passed the test of time.  

We have always been soulmates but it is deeper now and as a result the romance will never end.  

My husband can still melt my heart but the best thing of all is that he gets me.  He understands me. He knows how I tick.  And I do him.  We can without fear or awkwardness share our innermost feelings.  That makes us soulmates.  That makes our love so much stronger.

Today and every day, I am grateful for my husband.  His humor and wit keep me entertained.  His integrity and loyalty make me proud.  His desire for godliness keeps me humble.  And his love and commitment to me, in spite of myself, never cease to amaze me.  

He is more then I deserve and more then I could have ever dreamed of and I get to call him mine.  He often knows my thoughts before I speak and he understands my heart no matter what emotion it is feeling.  

Sounds sappy right?  Well I love the sap of having a soulmate! 

Give Thanks!

THE KING OF BLOG HAS GOOD ADVICE

Anyone who follows blogging at all, knows that Seth Godin is at the pinnacle of Bloggerdom.

Seth is a best selling author, entrepreneur, public speaker and great blogger.  He started his blog called "Seth's Blog" in 2009.

This past week he shared a couple of short blog posts that I really enjoyed.  So I thought I would share them with you.

The first one talks about the immeasurable value of good advice:

                "Good advice...

                 is priceless.  Not what you want to hear, but what you need to hear.
                 Not imaginary, but practical.  Not based on fear, but on possibility.
                 Not designed to make you feel better, designed to make you better.
                 Seek it out and embrace the true friends that care enough to risk sharing it.
                 I'm not sure what takes more guts - giving it or getting it." (Seth Godin)

The second post from Seth's Blog that I really enjoyed was a piece of good advice:

              "No is essential...

                 If you believe that you must keep your promises, overdeliver and
                 treat every commitment as though it's an opportunity for a transformation,
                 the only way you can do this is to turn down most opportunities.
                 No I can't meet with you, no I can't sell it to you at this price,
                 no I can't do this job justice, no I can't come to your party,
                 no I can't help you.  I'm sorry, but no, I can't.
                 Not if I want to do the very things that people value my work for.
                 No is the foundation that we can build our yes on." (Seth Godin)


Let's not only heed the good advice that we are given but receive it with gratitude.

Give Thanks!

MOVING DAY #20

Some people feel sorry for me when they hear how many times I have moved!

I just laugh and conclude that since I moved so much as a kid, I never got it out of my system.  I attended 8 different schools before graduating in Grade 12.  And it wasn't due to being expelled for bad behavior.  We just plain moved a lot.

Well, next month I move into my 20th home!  And like several previous homes, I anticipate living there awhile but only time will tell.

To some this sounds so horrible.....8 schools and 20 homes.

But I believe there have been many benefits from the frequent moving.  For starters, I am much more adaptable then most.  I can adjust to change rather easily and I don't tend to be afraid of new experiences.  I also have a tendency to be shy by  nature but the frequent moving has forced me to come out of my shell.

I actually get bored rather easily if my life just keeps following the same pattern.  I don't like to feel stuck in a rut, so moving actually is a good thing in my mind.  It means a fresh start with exciting new challenges.

Besides it really isn't even very hard.  I  have the whole process mastered with all my experience.  I could probably write a "How To" manual on moving and post it online.

However, there are some drawbacks to the whole concept as well.  I am a person who likes to have close, intimate friendships and that is difficult to achieve when you move a lot.  If you stay in the same city, or at least vicinity, it's OK but I have lived in 3 different provinces of Canada, 2 different states of the U.S., plus overseas.  Not many people are good at keeping in touch when the distance is far, even today with the internet.

I also, obviously, lack roots.  I know Canada is home but I don't have a city or even a province that is called home in my mind.

So what does this all have to do with gratitude?

Well I think we all need to be grateful for our life experiences that make us the unique individuals that we are.

I am grateful for how frequent moving has molded me into the person that I am today.

I am also grateful for my oldest friend, Peg, who has not let the miles between us hinder our friendship.

Give Thanks!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

I can't have a blog on Gratitude 

and neglect to express thanks for my Mom 

on Mother's Day.

I was blessed to be raised in a Christian home with a loving Mother.

My mother was an only child and had always wished she had siblings.  So when she married at the age of 18 she soon started having babies and had 6 of them in 7 years.   In my mind, that alone makes her a "Super Mom". 

My Mom is a natural at the art of motherhood.  I believe the key to this is having an enormous heart of selfless love for children.  Without it, how could one possibly have the patience required to raise six kids.

My Mom set a godly example for each of us and continues to do so today.  She has a servant's heart, prays faithfully and believes family is second only to God.

Billy Graham said, "Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children."

And my Mother like many Moms lives up to the saying that " A mother holds her child's hand for just a short time, but holds their heart forever".

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there!

And to all children - Give Thanks!

EVIL SURROUNDS US

My thoughts lately have been on the more then 200 girls recently kidnapped by Muslim extremists from a boarding school in Nigeria.

Why does there have to be so much evil in our world?

Yes, Nigeria is half way around the globe but we have evil here as well.  We have not forgotten about Charles Manson, Paul Bernardo or Robert Pickton.

We even have TV shows like "Criminal Minds" to regularly remind us of how sick our world really is.  To be honest, I find it hard to believe that people find these shows entertaining and willingly support such media.

But this blog is about gratitude not social issues.

So I am grateful to have been protected from the evil that surrounds us!

I remember as a teenager, the day a stranger tried to coax me into his car to help him read a map.  It was raining and dark outside.  I had just received news of the sudden death of a girl I knew.  My mind was distant so I could have been very susceptible to poor judgement.  I believe God and His angels were watching over me that night.

But the girls in Nigeria are still missing, still scared and still suffering abuse at the hands of pure evil.

Many of us have been blessed with safety and security throughout our lives while others have been much less fortunate.

Give Thanks.

HONESTY, SELDOM EVER HEARD

Today, I've been thinking about Billy Joel's song, "Honesty", that he recorded in 1978.

Why you ask?  Well I'm just so disappointed that people find it so difficult to be honest.

Why do people prefer to lie?  Why do people need to embellish, smooth talk, whitewash and even blatantly lie?

Do they really think that the average person cannot see through their deception?  And do they really expect to be trusted ever again once they have been caught with their pants down lying?

Perhaps I'm unusual but lying is simply such a foreign concept to me.  If anything I am honest to a fault hurting those around me by my blunt truthfulness at times.  I have to think before I speak to prevent myself from inadvertently stating hurtful truths. 

I don't know about you, but once I have caught someone lying to me, I have difficulty trusting them afterwards.  This proves to be very trying if I rub shoulders with the individual on a regular basis.  I wonder how these people manage to develop any meaningful relationships if they find it so easy to lie.  After all trust is a crucial foundation of any close relationship.  I venture to say, I think it is as important as love.

Billy Joel was obviously hurt by relationships built on facades when he wrote these words:

                           Honesty is such a lonely word
                           Everyone is so untrue
                           Honesty, seldom ever heard
                           And mostly what I need from you

I am grateful that I am surrounded by family and friends who I can trust to tell me the truth.

Give Thanks!

A HUSBAND WHO COOKS

Is there any wife out there, that doesn't love coming home to a fabulous dinner prepared by a loving husband?

I don't mind cooking but I don't love it either.  It is the end result that I love....homemade food!  At our house, I do most of the cooking but my husband will use his basic skills from time to time and totally impress me!  Eating in is always better when I'm not cooking.

His talents are limited though, to barbequing and meat and potato meals.   Nonetheless, I love it when he cooks and tonight is one of those nights.  Barbeque season is now upon us so later we will both be biting into one of his famous homemade burgers.  He has been making them for longer then I have known him and he has passed his secret recipe on to his son.   His burgers are huge (what man doesn't love that), juicy and loaded with toppings.   

I will have to load up the freezer this week with barbequing food.  My mouth is watering already for hubby's equally famous ribs that have hot spices cooked right into the meat and a smoked barbeque sauce basted on the crispy, grilled outside.  The meat is so tender it practically falls off the bone.  It's a favorite all summer long for us and our guests.

So, calling all husbands out there.  Warm up the BBQ and surprise the wife with a fabulous home grilled meal done hubby style!

Give Thanks!

THE ANSWER IS EASTER

Easter is not about bunny rabbits and egg hunts.  It is about Jesus and yesterday I watched Rick Warren, author of "The Purpose Driven Life" and pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California, preach his Easter weekend sermon.  It was entitled "The Answer is Easter".  Today, I am sharing my synopsis of his sermon and encourage you to listen to it online at www.saddleback.com.

Rick Warren is our modern day Billy Graham, only he is a pastor rather than an evangelist.  Five days after Easter last year, his son Matthew took his own life after suffering from mental illness since childhood.  Rick shared that it was the worst day of his life and that this past year has been the most difficult as he has struggled through the pain and grief.

His Easter sermon tells us how he made it through this past year by following the example Jesus left.  Rick followed the last 3 days of the life of Jesus.  He said that they were 3 days that all of us will experience again and again in our lives.

First, there was  Friday, a day of enormous pain, suffering and agony for Jesus as He was beaten, tortured and then crucified.  He also felt humiliation, shame, betrayal.  And He had to bear the weight of the sins of the entire world, past, present and future.  So if anyone knows what physical, emotional and spiritual pain is, it is Jesus.

Rick encouraged us to face our personal "Fridays" like Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane just before his death.  First, reach out to friends (Matt. 26:36-39).  Resist the tendency to want to be alone and be openly honest about your pain to your friends.  Second, reach out to God (Mark 14:35-36).  When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane He was heavily burdened with pain because He knew exactly what was about to happen.   But the prayer of Jesus in the Garden, did 3 things.  It affirmed God's power, expressed his personal desire and offered his trust when he prayed "I Want Your Will Father".  Rick encouraged us to pray this prayer whenever we are in pain.

Next was Saturday, a day of doubt, confusion and grief for the followers of Jesus.  Jesus was dead in the grave and his disciples were asking "Now What Do We Do?" and "What If?"  They felt guilt and even fear for their own lives.   They had seen all the miracles Jesus had performed while he walked the earth and knew that He could have saved Himself from the cross.  So they could not understand why He didn't.  They later realized that Jesus chose to stay on the cross out of love for us to fulfill God's plan.
 
Rick shared that when we face days of confusion we need to remember the promises of God.  There are over 7000 promises from God to us in the Bible.  Rick warned that, "Worry is the symptom when we don't know the promises of God".   He said we should "never doubt in the dark what God has told us in the light".  Learn God's promises such as "I will never leave you or forsake you"(Hebrews 13:5) and keep believing them in days of confusion.

Finally Sunday came, a day of joy, victory and celebration.  Rick said that we cannot resurrect ourselves from the pain of Fridays and the confusion of Saturdays so we need the power of Jesus as our Saviour to get us to the Sunday of Joy and Victory.

Once the disciples saw Jesus resurrected they knew His Resurrection Power and became utterly fearless and confident.  They were full of joy and began preaching the good news of Jesus to everyone.

That same power is available to us so that we can live victoriously (Ephesians 1:19-20).

But to get to the Joy of Sunday, we must rely on the power of Jesus.  And to get through the Saturday of Confusion we must remember the countless promises of Jesus.  And to survive the pain of Friday we must reach out for the presence of Jesus.  

Months after the death of his son, Rick was asked if he ever doubted that there was a loving God.  He replied that he could never doubt a loving God that he knew personally.  But what he did doubt during his pain, was the wisdom of God.  He questioned, like David did again and again in the Psalms,  if God really knew what He was doing.  God does not mind hearing our questions and He understands the pain that proceeds the questions.  And He loves.  He Always Loves!

Rick says that when we each go through our Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, we need to remember that The Answer is Easter.  The Answer is Jesus.  The Answer is Always Jesus!

Give Thanks!

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SIGN OF SPRING

Recently in Mexico, while I gazed at the numerous Palm Trees, I concluded that the palm tree is my favorite tree.  It probably helps that I am a sunshine and sandy beach fanatic.

When I returned from my Mexican vacation to Western Canada, I noticed the Cherry Blossom Trees were blooming, and quickly decided that my second favorite tree is the Cherry Blossom.

Each year the Cherry Blossom trees are a welcoming sign of the beginning of Spring.  Their glorious array of colorful blooms line many streets in our communities.

The Cherry Blossom tree is native to Japan where there are over 100 varieties.  Most have flowers that are light pink or white in color but dark pink, yellow and even green blossoms exist.  Most of the flowers bloom in either early or late Spring.  However, some extreme varieties bloom in autumn or even winter.  Most are 5 petaled species but some have more, and it is those with more that tend to bloom later.

Cherry Blossom trees have been given to several Canadian communities as a gift from the Japanese.    In Victoria B.C. in 1937, 1000 trees were given to mark the 75th Anniversary of the city.  A Cherry Blossom Festival is celebrated each year in Vancouver, B.C. where 50,000 Cherry Blossom trees bloom each Spring. (www.vcbf.ca)

This has been a very hard winter for many, so any sign of Spring is beautiful.  Start looking around and you will begin to see many reasons to..........

Give Thanks. 

A GIVING GOD!

As I read my Bible this morning, Psalm 29:11 stood out to me:

       "God makes His people strong.  God gives His people peace." (The Message)

I believe God is the Giver of all good gifts to me.  James 1:17 says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father.....".   When someone thinks of this verse, their first thought would typically be towards the tangible gifts God gives us.

But God gives us so much more!

The biggest and most amazing gift of all is salvation which demonstrates the enormity of His love for us.  Romans 5:8 says, "But God shows His love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us".

God gives us our faith.  Hebrews 12:2 refers to, "Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith".  Romans 12:3 says, "God has allotted to each a measure of faith".  So clearly, even our faith is not something we attain but rather something God gives us.

Well this morning, I was reminded once again of how God gives me the strength I need to climb each mountain and the peace I need to calm each storm.

Many years ago, I wrote a little musical chorus and the words were:

                     Lord give me hope in my hopelessness
                     Lord give me peace in my restlessness
                     Lord give me strength in my weariness
                     Lord give me more of You.

                     You are my Hope
                     You are my Peace
                     You are my Strength
                     Come fill me now

Life is a journey full of many strenuous mountains with glorious views, and many heart breaking valleys with sickening pain.  I am thankful that I have a loving God with me through the good and bad.  He promises to never leave me or forsake me.  (Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:6)  And until I meet Him at the end of this road, He will provide for all my needs because He is my Father.  He has even prepared for me a mansion in the heavens where I will some day meet Him face to face. (John 14:2)

This is the Giving God I love and adore.  He provides both tangible and intangible gifts for me each day.  I am forever grateful!

Give Thanks!

COCONUT SHRIMP ANYONE?

Did you know that Mazatlan, Mexico is famous for their shrimp?

My husband is pictured above enjoying Coconut Shrimp on our first night here, at a restaurant across the street from our hotel.  It has been difficult to stop eating shrimp after that first bite.

And after spending only a few days here, I have concluded that all the shrimp I have ever eaten before eating shrimp in Mazatlan, was really not shrimp at all.  After all, how can it possibly compare?

The size of the shrimp alone is like nothing I have ever seen.  Then there is the incredible, fresh, juicy flavor.  Then there's the vast variety of ways that they prepare the shrimp here.  You can eat a different kind of shrimp every night of the week while in Mazatlan and never feel like you are eating the same thing.  You can even buy fresh shrimp on the beach every day and cook it up just the way you like it.

My favorite is the Coconut Shrimp.  It helps that I love coconut too.  Coconut shrimp seems to be on most menus here but served with different dipping sauces.   I have had Coconut Shrimp back home in Canada but it simply cannot match what Mazatlan has to offer.

Last night, I ate Shrimp at a famous restaurant in Mazatlan called Poncho's, located right on the beach.  (www.restoranpanchos.com)  I had Poncho's Special Shrimp which was bacon wrapped and tasted like it had just come off the grill.  I don't know what the secret marinade was but the flavor tantalized my taste buds.  It was mouth watering!

At Poncho 's we were serenaded by some local fine musicians while we watched the sun set over the ocean.  Then we took a leisurely stroll back to our hotel enjoying the fresh evening air.  It was truly a lovely evening in a wonderful country that I love.

Before this trip, shrimp in my mind was just OK.  Now, shrimp to me is a must if it tastes like shrimp in Mazatlan, Mexico.

YUMMY!!

Give Thanks!

A SENSE OF SECURITY IS FLEETING FOR SOME

I am blessed!

I have been a nurse for 25 years and have never had to worry about employment.

I have been married for nearly 17 years and have never had to worry about being alone.

Many are not so fortunate.

I cannot imagine having a career in an industry that lacks the certainty of a job from day to day.

I cannot imagine being in a relationship that lacks the certainty of 'till death do us part'.

I am blessed!

I not only have a nursing job that is secure but I also have a thriving home business.  I not only have a loving, supportive husband but I also have loving and supportive friends.

So why am I so blessed, when others live many days of uncertainty in both employment and  relationships?

I really don't know.  But I am very grateful!

Perhaps it is because I don't do stress well.

So perhaps my 'security' is more an outcome of what I lack...... an inner strength that survives a storm.

I believe we are only given burdens that we are each able to bear.  So maybe I am not strong enough to be employed in an industry of instability.  And perhaps I lack the personal strength needed to cope with the pain of broken or strained relationships.

So if you are one of those people who lives with the uncertainty of employment from day to day or who rides a roller coaster of relationships.........And if you are able to do this while keeping your chin up and persevering.......

Then "Kudos to you"!  You are strong!  And you inspire me!

Give Thanks!

BIRTHDAYS - TO BE REMEMBERED OR FORGOTTEN?

I have a twin brother and a sister who's birthday is 2 days after mine.  For me, birthdays were always a 3 way celebration.  So I never really learned to enjoy being the center of attention and I never really thought much of birthdays.  I can take them or leave them.

Some birthdays are obviously more special to most of us then others, such as 13 or 21 or 25.  After that they usually become less important.  Then when 40 comes or even worse 50, we would just assume stay under the covers and wait for the day to end and hope nobody is the wiser.

But when you think about it, birthdays really are quite special.  Chances are nobody you know shares the same birthday as you.  And we all could benefit from feeling special for one day of the year, where friends and family wish us well, through simple gestures of cards and phone calls.  For those of us who don't mind being the center of attention, a party never hurts either.

It is nice to know that people around us care enough to think about us on our special day each year!

But somehow that does not always happen.  How is it that our lives have become so busy that we cannot remember to practice simple gestures for those we love?

As a small business owner, I make an effort to give a card to each of my employees on their birthday.  It is a gesture of kindness and appreciation for the work they do for me and a means of honoring them on their special day.

On the other hand, some of us receive birthday cards from our business associates but not necessarily from our close friends or even family.  Seems rather ironic to me and also very sad.

Receiving a simple, kind gesture makes anyone's day brighter.  Even more so, if it is for no special occasion and a total surprise.  It is an opportunity to show someone you care.

I am as guilty as anyone of being caught up in my own busy world and forgetting to show those close to me how loved they are.  Birthdays are one obvious opportunity and we all have calendars and even smart phones that can remind us of important dates and events.  So we are sadly without excuse.

It really does not take much effort to show simple thoughtfulness, when you think about it.  But the results in the heart of the recipient can be enormous!

Note to self....Program my new iPhone with reminders of special dates to practice thoughtfulness.

What am I thankful for?

1) Being born in the best season (summer) so that my birthday is usually hot and sunny and fun to celebrate.  (Fun is very important as we celebrate 'older' birthdays.)

2) And for those who faithfully remember my birthday with good wishes and kind gestures each year!

Give Thanks!

A NEEDED LUXURY FROM TIME TO TIME

Sleeping In......What could be sweeter then staying in bed on a morning when it is wet and cold outside?

Having nothing to get out of bed for, the luxury of catching some extra sleep and keeping warm a little longer on a weekend morning is sublime.

However, for many of us something usually gets us out of bed sooner then we would like.  Employment is an obvious one but what about the other 'alarm clocks' that can sometimes be seven days a week and 52 weeks a year?  Like children or puppies or snoring spouses?  Then there is the seasonal stuff like the city snow plow or the lawnmower next door.  Or how about the good old garbage truck or telephone?  UGH!

There's nothing worse then finally getting a morning to sleep in and then someone, somehow spoils it for you!

Of course there are the truly blessed people who can sleep through anything and sleep in, any old time.  Oh how I envy them!  

Then there are people like me who have an internal clock that tells their body to wake up whenever the sun wakes up (or sooner) on just about every day of the year.

I confess that I fortunately do not need as much sleep as some people but I sure wish I could sleep in at least once a month and wake up feeling completely refreshed.

After all, our bodies need adequate sleep.  The description 'beauty rest' has some definite truth to it.  Adequate sleep does keep us looking and feeling younger and healthier.

Lots of studies have been done on sleep that indicate we concentrate better, have a better memory and a better mood if we get adequate sleep.   We also live longer, look better (because we don't look sleep deprived) and are healthier because of a stronger immune system.  Studies even show that chronic poor sleep increases our risk of cardiovascular disease.

So obviously we need to make adequate sleep a priority.  But this is easier said then done for some of us.  Even though there are lots of tips and advice out there, telling us how to improve our sleep such as  avoiding caffeine at night,  regular exercise, a healthy diet and keeping a regular sleep routine.  The fact still remains, when you can't sleep, you just can't sleep and nothing much is going to change that.  And I guess that's why some of us live healthier and longer lives then others.

But, nonetheless, I will keep trying to get that extra long sleep from time to time and when I do, I most certainly......

Give Thanks!

DINNER OUT ANYONE?

What's Not To Love About Eating Out?

•  I love trying new food
•  I love having my favorites again   

•  I love trying new restaurants                     
•  I love not having to cook

•  I love not having to clean up
•  I love going out with friends and family 

Well lately, I've been loving all of the above! 

My husband and I recently checked out 2 restaurants that were new to us in Langford, B.C.  The first was the Sabhai Thai Restaurant (www.sabhai.ca) with great prices, fabulous service and mouth watering food. I had the Drunken Noodles and the flavor was amazing.  My husband had the Hot and Sour Soup which he loves and does not get at home.  It actually met his desire for 'firey hot' which most restaurants are unable to attain, plus it was loaded with fresh cilantro.  With it he chose Pork Bites with a delectable pineapple dipping sauce.  I had to try some of these, of course, and they were a very tasty combination.  The atmosphere of the restaurant was wonderful and the place was crowded which says only one thing.....great food!

Our second new experience was the Log House Pub (www.loghousepub.ca) where we enjoyed good old fashioned, homemade, gourmet burgers.  My husband loves to eat a great burger on a regular basis but he doesn't love to cook on a regular basis; and since he is the burger cook at our house, we are always excited to find a restaurant that can make a tasty, juicy, loaded homemade burger.  The service was great, the prices as expected and the serving sizes were huge.  The usual pub atmosphere was present with large flat screen TV's for live sports, but not too loud and wild to interfere with eating and socializing.

My favorite restaurant, however, is not on Vancouver Island and believe it or not, it is a chain restaurant.  So periodically we take a ferry trip to the mainland and in the middle of Metropolitan Vancouver (in Langley, B.C.) is the only Olive Garden. (www.olivegarden.com)  We meet up with family, but my husband and I both order our favorites every time.   All entrees come with endless garlic bread sticks and a choice of either repeated helpings of their fresh house salad served with hot peppers, olives and their famous house dressing; or repeated servings of several homemade fresh soups.  My husband always chooses the salad with hot peppers and I always order the creamy, Zuppa Tuscano Soup with sausage, potatoe, kale and a hint of bacon.  I love it so much, I found the recipe on their website and make it at home sometimes.

We then both order our favorite entree which is the Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo.  It is tender, grilled beef medallions (medium rare is best) with a balsamic glaze, served with fettuccini and spinach, and smothered in a creamy Gorgonzola alfredo sauce.  After we each have 2 of our appys, we usually cannot finish the main course, so we take it home and reheat it later and it is just as incredible.  Wow, I'm getting hungry just typing about it!  The only sad thing about the Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo is that it is one of the few Olive Garden Recipes that cannot be found on their website.

So, who's hungry now?  Time to plan a visit to your favorite restaurant.  Don't forget to say grace and.......

Give Thanks!

DISILLUSIONED

Sometimes life does not make sense!

You think you have something figured out, a logical plan in place, a great idea to pursue and then it all falls apart.  So you reevaluate the situation and maybe make some changes but it still falls apart.

Then you start asking yourself if it was ever a good idea or plan to begin with.  Were you crazy to think of the idea in the first place?  Everything looked and seemed good.

Others would benefit from the plan and you would be happy to follow through with the plan.  So why couldn't the pieces all fit together so the plan could be fulfilled?  After all it wasn't outrageous or far fetched.

Second guessing is a natural outcome when circumstances in our lives don't turn out according to our well intentioned plans.  Disillusionment, confusion, frustration are all the typical emotions to follow.

So where do we go from nowhere?  Do we ditch the plan all together even though logic and even common sense dictates that the plan is not only a good one but perhaps even a crucial one for your situation.

Don't you wish life had a clearly marked road so that we could never get lost, feel lost and ultimately be lost by all the confusing signs and signals?

I like to be on the right road that is going to get me to the destination that is best for my well being and those who travel with me.  But that road gets very blurry sometimes.

There is nothing more frustrating to me then not knowing for sure that the paths I choose are the right paths - the paths God wants me to be on - the paths that, though not always rosy,  at least inevitably are the best for me and part of God's ultimate plan.

But how do we know for sure?  God does not always make it clear to us.

I fumble around in the dark even though I am walking in His light!

Until I get to heaven and can ask Him face to face, I will often be perplexed trying to understand what God's will is as I journey the confusing road before me.

There are those who believe 'pat answers' to the confusion are the truth.   But I believe 'pat answers' are part of the confusion.

I have concluded, once again, that I simply have to accept the perplexing situations and call this acceptance faith.   I have to hold on to the truths that God is good, God is sovereign and God is wise.

Hebrews 11:1 says that "Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see". (NIV)

Faith is a gift from God, as is the Hope I hold on to when life does not make sense.

When we are disillusioned, we must still.....

Give Thanks!