Imagine....once again. She envisions herself standing on a street peering into a store front window in the busy streets of New York City. She sees herself, the young woman who had stars dancing in her eyes with a big enchanting smile embracing her young pretty face as her long silky hair flying freely in the wind. She's laughing and having a blast with her friends. She is the fun girl - the life of the party. She has little fear and nothing holds back her wildly free spirit. She turns around and in the next store window a mature not so excited woman is standing back watching the young woman dancing with enthusiasm as she bounces from window to window with her friends in the midst of bright flashing lights that makes NYC so alive. They admire the store front dressings in this incredible city with such exhilaration.

From the next store window is a quiet well dressed woman who is enchanted by the group of young ladies, especially the fiery blonde. She is noticeably subdued, reserved and it is evident she is reminiscing about the incredibly vibrant young woman she once was. She faintly smiles as she remembers her sparkling personality left long behind. When did she disappear? How did she vanish? Did she get lost in the crowds? Didn't anyone miss that special person she once was?

She realizes that somewhere along the journey something broke her spirit, she lost her natural self-esteem and allowed life to water down her free spirit. A romantic heart broken only too many times, faded belief in herself, self-doubt and disappointed feelings linger in her thoughts.

The journey through life dampened her spirit, tired her and smothered the burning fire in her heart. One day or an accumulation of many, something happened and she crashed into a wall. Dangling alongside of the wall, she managed to push out from the wall and reach for a new path. She walks fearful of the bumps and bruises, but in search for that path to re-building the vibrant spirit that once carried her everywhere. She's scared to grab it and run, but she's even more scared not to. She's tossing the bundle to the side of the dusty road and letting her tired worn legs carry her on a new journey. With hands held out blocking the sun that warms her yet blinds her, she waits in anticipation of the wind to once again catch her hair and toss it until it's tangled and messy......

Imagine...... As I sit at my desk with the window open, I am listening to the soft sounds of crickets in the midst of the city. I guess we can't really call Oakville a city, but it certainly isn't cottage country. It is so relaxing to hear those reassuring sounds, reminders that nature surrounds us even in a town of black asphalt, cement buildings, shopping malls, fast food stores and racing cars. How often do you sit and actually pay attention to the sounds around you? Do you hear the airplanes soaring above late at night and wonder where the people are headed? Do you hear racing cars at midnight and wonder why those people are not at home cuddled up to a loved one? Do you hear birds flying in flocks over head and wonder what their flight plan is? Do you hear the distant sound of barking dogs and wonder where their masters are? What about complete silence? Do you find complete stillness, even momentarily, strange in the midst of a busy city? Do you ever wonder how many people live in the town you reside in? How many children are being born, or how often do you think about the pain of families who have lost a loved one? What about the joy of young couples getting married? Do your thoughts ever go to the elderly people who are lonely with no family to visit them? How often are your thoughts consumed only by the little world immediately around you with little focus outside of your own circle? There is so much life going on around us that we can't begin to even imagine. Imagine! What a powerful word, what an adventure that word can bring us . Imagine you can stop what you are doing, sit back and take a glimpse into the lives of people in Japan, Holland, Georga, Florida, downtown Toronto or the jungles in the world. Can you just imagine what life elsewhere would look like? Yes, I am once again pondering how beautiful it is to fold my arms, lay my head down as I take in the sun's rays and people watch. See you in Japan, maybe....

I had a friend share with a few of us the following inspiration. I share it today with you.

I’M HAPPY !
I’M FABULOUS !
I’VE GOT IT !
I’M BEAUTIFUL !

Ladies.... You’ve got it...because you ARE fabulous and beautiful. Be happy !

If you forgot this like I have the past many years -I am here to remind you!

YOU HAVE GOT IT ALL!!

AND DON'T LET YOURSELF EVER FORGET IT ! !

NIGHT....

And then there is SHEIRA! Yippeee! What a chick, what a daughter. She's a riot. She's like a rock for me - my friend. What a personality - she's just like me, or at least how I used to be... on fire and passionate for whatever cause she believes in. Look out if you do or say something that offends her. She's a fiercefully loyal friend. She's funny, friendly and never ceases to put a smile on my face. She has often ticked me off so badly that I could scream and yell at her until my throat is sore. She can turn around after the screaming match, reach out to hug me and say sorry. Love DOES mean having to say "you're sorry."

I have enjoyed spending the past few days in the grace of her company. We went mall browsing looking for bargains we couldn't even afford, and had fun doing it; sat together for lunches and dinners. She must be bored by now! This chickie talks to everyone in the retail stores...clerks and customers. She talks to them with such flair and intensity that you'd think she was truly interested in every single aspect of their lives. I can't begin to count how many people she has initiated conversations with these past few days. I am sure she has left an impression on every single one of them.

Hurrrrraaaayyy Sheira....! You're a blessing to me this week...THANKS.. I LOVE YA... Mom

Sandy...my beautiful eldest child. I call her beautiful not just because she is physically beautiful, but because her heart is more beautiful than the most stunning actress. She has a passion for the elderly and when she speaks about the client she works with, she truly beams with love. I am so blessed to have her as my child and I know that I don’t often tell her this. We so often get caught up with the day to day activities of life and so unfortunately don’t stop to tell those very special people just how beautiful and outstanding they are. Sandy you are a shining star and I love you so much.

I was thinking about her as I was ironing my clothes tonight. I pulled out a pair of white and blue capris pants and immediately my thoughts and memories jumped to the day I was shopping with her last summer when she convinced me to buy these pants. I argued with her explaining that I couldn’t possibly buy and wear these pants as first of all I wasn’t sure if I even liked capris pants and second of all...these were WILD. No way was I venturing to buy these. Well, I did buy them, in fact I even wore them...over and over. I shocked a few of my friends as I am sure they didn’t really like them...but I grew to love them so I didn’t care what they thought. Shortly after, I was in a little boutique at a village near my cottage and I spied an outlandish pair of black capris that had red apple prints all over them. I wanted these pants so badly, but they were very expensive so my friend steered me out of the store telling me over and over that I was loosing it as these pants were UGLY. Anyway, we made our usual stops through this tourist town and finally headed back to the cottage. Upon arriving, Linda handed me a bag and asked me to hold it for her as she asked me to open up the bag and get something out for her. To my surprise as I dug in the bag, I found the "ugly" pants. Her fashion sense got the better of her and she treated me to the pants.

This entire venture into what I call the "wild" side of weird clothes started when Sandy bought me a pair of hip hugger "flair" jeans for my birthday two years ago. I remember opening the box and my heart sank as I looked at these jeans that I knew she spent way too much money on. How was I possibly going to tell her that I couldn’t wear them? BELL BOTTOMS - I didn’t like that one bit. I felt silly even thinking about waking around with them on. With age, I had graduated to straight leg pants, afterall we wore these "bell bottoms" in the 70's. However, after being convinced by Sandy that it was time for me to get "with it", I stepped out of my comfort zone and wore them.. To my amazement I actually looked pretty good in them and even had a few eyes turn when I wore them...it just took me some time to stop attempting to pull them up from my hips to my waist.

Thanks Sandy for showing me that I don’t have to "age"without fashion, but more importantly I can mature and continue to step out of my comfort zone! I LOVE YA! MOM.....

Back to normal...YES! Whatever bug that was swimming my system as taken a dive and I am feeling almost back to normal. As I sit at my desk with the window open, I am listening to the soft sounds of crickets in the midst of the city. I guess we can't really call Oakville a city, but it certainly isn't cottage country. It is so relaxing to hear those reassuring sounds, reminders that nature surrounds us even in a town of black asphalt, cement buildings, shopping malls, fast food stores and racing cars. How often do you sit and actually pay attention to the sounds around you? Do you hear the air planes soaring above late at night and wonder where the people are headed? Do you hear racing cars at midnight and wonder why those people are not at home cuddled up to a loved one? Do you hear birds flying in flocks over head and wonder what their flight plan is? Do you hear the distant sound of barking dogs and wonder where their masters are? What about complete silence? Do you find complete stillness, even momentarily, strange in the midst of a busy city? Do you ever wonder how many people live in the town you reside in? How many children are being born, or how often do you think about the pain of families who have lost a loved one? What about the joy of young couples getting married? Do your thoughts ever go to the elderly people who are lonely with no family to visit them? How often are your thoughts consumed only by the little world immediately around you with little focus outside of your own circle?

There is so much life going on around us that we can't begin to even imagine. Imagine! What a powerful word, what an adventure that word can bring us to.Imagine you can stop what you are doing, sit back and take a glimpse into the lives of people in Japan, Holland, Georga, Florida, downtown Toronto or dare if you can to imagine the jungles in the world. Can you just imagine what life elsewhere in the world might look like? Yes, I am pondering how beautiful it is to fold my arms, lay my head down as I take in the sun's rays and people watch. See you in Japan or maybe Greece on this adventure. Night....

Weather...I am under it these days....having major ulcer problems or something... just tought I'd say HI. I shall dig my way out into the sunshine quickly. I have to muster some energy and good health to teach tomorrow...help.....! lol.... I shall be back to my usual self tomorrow. NIGHT!

The Dog barks...and barks and barks... I laid half asleep last night struggling desperately to zonk out and find restful sleep. I tossed and turned, flipped over and back again.... for what seemed like ages. I couldn't get to sleep again, a routine that has been happening frequently these days. Anyway, as I struggled to find sleep I heard my son's dog muffling out a few grumbling barks. After the second or third bark I shouted down at him to "ssssshhhhhhh up".... he ignored me and proceeded to yelp a little more. It was then that I wondered what he wanted. Did he want water, food, company or a walk? At this point I didn't really care what he wanted as I wasn't about to get up and do anything about his needs. I did however concentrate on trying to figure out why dogs were not created with a vocabulary that we can understand. Like, why not speak in English? What was the point of creating a dog (or any animal for that matter) who can't speak the same language...or at least one we can learn to REALLY understand clearly. I hope he doesn't do his bark routine again tonight!
NIGHT ONCE AGAIN ..........

Why some kid believes in God..... I was cleaning out my house this week and I found some articles that I had printed and saved, which is something I often do when I read something that very significant. As I reviewed some of these articles, one in particular caught my attention to which I am going to share parts of with you tonight. As this article appears to be written by a child, I asked my son if he wrote it, to which he replied "never saw it before". Where did this come from? I have no idea, but I am going to share some of the writing as it really touched my heart. The article was called "EXPLAIN GOD".

"One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grown ups, just babies"

"God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times besides bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this."

"Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren't any who come to our church."

"His Dad (God) appreciated everything that He had done and all His hard work on earth so He told Him He didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So He did. And now He helps His dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important to God to take care of and which ones He can take care of Himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important." (I loved that one).

"If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids."

"But... you shouldn't always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and He can take me back anytime He pleases. And... that's why I believe in God."

From the adult reading this article...I share why I believe in God....

"When I walk the journey of life and I stumble on the stones and rocks thrown in my path, even though my feet are tired, cut, sore, and bleeding He will always reach out to pick me up, dust me off and put that cushion under my feet until they heal enough to walk the rest of the journey."

And that ladies and gentlemen is just the beginning of why I believe in God !
What's yours! Night.......

Exercising the human brain...my brain! I decided a week or two ago that it was time I started to pump up the brain cells and study something that may boost my brain power such as some educational intelligent reading. My good friend gave me some suggestions all to which I have ignored, justifying my actions as being either too lazy or busy to embark on such a strenuous adventure. Finally I concluded it wasn't either excuse that stopped me from the new adventure, it was just that I am truly an emotional heart person not likely too busy or lazy. I have never really been know to be lazy (although I have had times of exhaustion forcing me to hibernate). Anyway, I truly did think about switching my avenue of reading material and much thought I decided to stick to the heart stuff. I think that the hearts of many people as well as myself, need to be pumped up, encouraged and fed. The brain can wait as I have discovered when the heart is in good shape, healthy, happy, beating well and pumping oxygen to the brain then the natural progression of pumped up brain cells will re-produce. So I am back to reading the heart books, the ones that re-vitalise the emotions and thoughts as I was designed to be an encourager. YEA.... that is so much more fun! I'm hitting the books again, starting tonight.

Let the sunshine beam down into the window of each of your hearts. Night.........

Dateless in Oakville... Well..that's not exactly what I intended on writing about, however I had to find a catchy line. Recently, I was reading a Christian Single's newsletter I get e-mailed to me. The editor had been writing on how it has become a general male opinion that today's women are too independent. Apparently today's woman does not want a man to take out the garbage, help pay the mortgage, ask for help, open the door, get too close - and the list goes on and on. Well, let me tell you, this lady would be thrilled if someone was around to take out the garbage, pay the mortgage and hug me !! I think these guys are looking in the wrong places!Anyway, there have been articles written back and forth from men on this subject with the greater percentage of men still sticking to that opinion of "today's" woman.

In a discussion with my daughter and another friend wherein I stated that it's been hard to find a nice guy (or even get a date to figure out if they are nice). To my surprise, they shared that maybe I intimidate men. Afterall, in THEIR opinion I am independent, strong minded and willed, aggressive, very friendly and confident and drive a nice car. Hmmm... really I thought - is that what I really look like from the outside? Then today someone shared as they looked my way, that their "partner" is intimidated by TALL woman. That comment really took me back because first of all this particular person they were talking about has always seemed to me to be one who would not be intimidated by much, let alone a tall woman. Apparently I am "TALL". Looks like I am batting to strike out on all counts. Someone please make me short, helpless, weak, timid and driving a car that actually belongs to me, which would be more in line with what I could afford....like a Pinto or something - then maybe the great date would ask me out !
lol...
Night...as I drift off to Mexico basking in the sun....

I sat at my window earlier in awe as I watched the rain turn into flakes of thick white snow. The flakes danced through the air quickly hitting the ground and piling up. Before I knew it the neighbourhood children were running out their front doors and stooping to make snowballs. I truly couldn't believe my eyes, snow in August. I had the bedroom window open and it didn't take me long to jump off my chair to shut it as the wind was howling and snow was quickly drifting in from the accumulation on the window sill. It was truly bizarre - even the weather reports didn't predict this sudden change in precipitation. Did I get off on the wrong stop - somewhere to Alaska?! One minute I was sitting with the spindly rays of sun bouncing off my face to frost bite from the razor sharp edges of the snow flakes. When I touched the steel part of the window my fingers froze to the edges. I had to press hard hoping that some warmth from my finger tips would free this instant sticking. Yuck... snow and ice so soon being pelted upon us. Where did the summer go?

I was very glad to open my eyes and realize that I was only dreaming and that the sun is truly still shining - although faintly. Chin up all... stop complaining about this "cold" weather...... it could be worse!

NIGHT!

The Toe.... A story of Godly healing!!
Well, we are all safely home from our retreat in Illinois. We shared an incredible experience bringing the TULIP retreat to the U.S. This is our first international retreat and it was successful and we were blessed with meeting so many new friends and shared many fun experiences. However, in the midst of this fun time, I had a mishap. On my way way out out of the bathroom into the bedroom at the home we were staying in, I caught my foot on the door frame, pulling my baby toe completely away from the rest of my toes - four toes pointing north and the baby toe heading east! In pain I hobbled to the bed, sat with my foot up in agony waiting for what I actually thought was a "charlie horse" to subside. The sharp pain in my foot slowly started to subside however the easterly direction my baby toe had taken, still had not changed course. I called Michelle into the room in exasperation realizing my toe was broken, with possible chances it would drop off my foot. What an ugly site, Michelle smiled with concern but her eyes showed disbelief. Long story, we were blessed that the Pastor of the church we were visiting managed to contact one of their members (who happened to be a husband /wife team of chiropractors) who immediately invited us to their office to complete x-rays. Done - with bad news that I would have to visit the hospital immediately to have a "soft" cast put on the badly broken toe, at an approximate cost of $1000-$1500 U.S. Dollars - just like me to forget an important job of getting medical insurance!! So, we hobbled back to Pastor Johnathan's house where the group of about 15 or so adults and children gathered around to peer at the gimpy toe. I decided to not venture the hospital route for expensive unaffordable medical help. The group decided that we would all pray for healing of this messy toe. With little 3 year old Mika joining in, we had group prayer ending with the girls providing medical assistance wherein they taped my toe back into place (ouch, ouch, ouch !).

I spent the next two days being whipped around in the wheel chair, (thanks Garry and Jay) and gracefully guided from conference centre to the dinner hall (thanks to the graceful Anita, Kim, Michelle, Louise and Karen!!), carried on piggy back rides (thanks Lance!) and just beautifully taken care of. Upon our return very late last night, Louise zipped me into the local hospital for medical assistance and more x-rays (where OHIP would now cover the expense). Results - the technician said that "we" did an incredible job of putting the toe back into place - and when she saw the original x-rays taken in the U.S. , she was totally shocked at the healing that had taken place. With big smiles and not so much surprise, we had shared the story of the answers to prayers for healing. I am hoping this story will stay with her for a long time as it's a beautiful example of God's healing and love!!

Tim - a picture of the toe will be on it's way in a couple of days!

Night from hobbie the knob who didn't get insurance!

Off to Illinois ! Colombia that is. We will be stopping at Chicago for an overnight stay. This is a ministry event that we are combining with a family vacation - so it's going to be a smashing time.! Not much to say today other than the brain has been absent from the body these days. I went over to the mall to pick-up my pants (which were having a zipper fixed) that I needed to take with me and I did everything but pick the pants up - and ended up at home at 6:15 remembering. So...just one more dilema. As I have much to do I bid my farewells and shall chat when we get back.

Cheri