Happy Birthday

Saturday my friend Marilyn gave me a copy of the BBC series "Long Way Down". It was her birthday but she gave me a gift. "Long Way Down" is the chronicle of Ewan McGregor's journey from the top of Scotland to the cape of South Africa by motorbike.

Today would have been John's 57th birthday. And that was essentially his journey too.

He lived and worked in South Africa and Saudi Arabia before coming to Canada from Scotland. So this documentary vividly showed me elements of his life before I knew him. The winding roads of Northern Scotland and the wicked humour of the Brits. The dust and heat of the desert. The lush terrain and beaches of South Africa. What a great way to remember him today. Thanks Marilyn. I watched all 6 hours. Twice.

The 23^rd Psalm was John’s favorite verse, the one I found on prayer cards in his lunchbox, his pockets, his truck and by his bed after he left this world so suddenly.

The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.

In green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me;

You restore my strength. You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name.

Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage.

You set a table before me as my enemies watch; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Only goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.

~New American Bible version

Giving Education

From Shaun Groves' blog:

...today I started sending Moses to medical school.

...I’ve never told this story here before, but when I was 19 all my friends went off to college and I stayed behind because I didn’t have the money to go to college or the grades to get a scholarship. Then an anonymous gift was made. I was given a college education by someone in my church. It changed my life. Now it’s my turn to pass on that gift.

Click here to read the full story.

Lent

Simple instructions for Lent:

PRAY. FAST. GIVE. REPEAT.

Have Compassion

(up to the 1:20 minute mark is Carlos on the bus being silly...after that....inspiring...it's in their eyes, their words...drag the round button to minute 1:20 to skip the bouncing bus)



Click here for this story of one woman meeting one child.

I've used up all my kleenex this week.

In Uganda...a blog is born.

While the bloggers I follow were in Africa, they inspired someone to start a blog: Dennis Godwin Tumusiime, a native Ugandan. He is on the staff of Compassion International. I learned about his blog here and then went to visit "Making a Difference!".
Dennis' blog is articulate, informative, inspiring and filled with hope and faith.

All that in 3 posts. I am humbled. He is 22 years old.

"People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily."

And in South Africa...

The soup kitchen is open...

Bloggers on a Mission

I saw this little girl today as we were walking to another child’s home. Her feet were bare. Her blanket was a newspaper. Her mother was nowhere in sight.

A group of bloggers from different parts of the United States are in Uganda. They are sharing and showing what they see on their blogs. Take a few moments to visit. And help if you can.

Here is a list of the 16 participating bloggers that are traveling through Compassion International.

Several things inspired me this week and this picture was one.

And these words:

The maker of wheat says...I am the Bread of Life.
The maker of grapes says...This is My Blood.
The maker of water says...I will give you water and you will never thirst again.
The maker of light says...I am the Light of the World.
It is incarnational theology and it will rock your world.~Robert Evans

I heard the words in a different way.

I will be posting less for Lent.**

See you Holy Week.

I'm going into the desert.

**EDIT** I will be posting less of my own writing and more of what inspires me for Lent.

7 Random Facts about Me.

I have been tagged by Ginger Carter Miller Ph.D. (haven't said it for a while but...I love her name!!)

1. I lived over an IGA grocery store as a child. When I wanted to see mom, I went to the cash register. When I wanted to see Dad, I went to the meat counter. When I wanted penny candy I grabbed a bag (those little paper sack type) and picked out jujubes, black balls, mojos. There was a coke cooler holding real glass bottles and a bottle opener on the side. Even today when I drink a coke (about twice a year now...) I am instantly taken back to these early memories.

2. I have a baby toe that is 3 colours...tan, white and pink. I think it is some kind of birth mark. It reminds me of neopolitan ice cream.

3. In high school I volunteered for the local Children's Aid Society for a summer as a recreation leader. I always wanted to be a social worker. That volunteer job led to a paid position as a Life Skills Coordinator (case aid). I realized I didn't have what it takes to do child protection.

4. I made most of my own clothes from age 13 to age 18. I haven't sewed in years.

5. Inspired by the book Diet for a Small Planet, I was a vegetarian for several years. I wish I had stayed on that diet. I would be much healthier today.

6. My favorite subjects in school were history and english.

7. These are random facts...small pieces of my life...but the biggest piece is my faith. It is what keeps me going everyday. My life is not really about me. I am just a servant. And I am loving this journey.

So who to tag, who to tag???
Do you want to play??
Barren Wheat Field, Living Out Loud, Reluctant Homeschooler, Kristiapplesauce, Don Mills Diva???
Post and link back.
Thanks Ginger!

Buddies

Gracey Lou.

Paddy and Nancy.

Never a Jejune Moment

Wednesday, within just a few hours, we had rain, freezing rain and sticky snow. The freezing rain portion of this forcast fell smack dab at rush hour. The roads became an ice rink. I arrived at work just as it was starting. I did a little sliding on the turns but I missed the pile ups, the cars in ditches and the expressway closing which clogged every major road in town.

The drive home after my afternoon shift was quiet and lovely. No cars on the road but me. I passed the ones that were abandoned in ditches and on the roadside.

Thursday I awoke and had not yet contemplated the issue of snow removal. There was a knock at the door and I was faced with someone I can only describe as "skiier dude", this twentyish young man wearing a parka and ski goggles, holding a shovel. He asked if I wanted my driveway shovelled. I asked how much?

He held up his gloved hand showing all five fingers which is the universal sign for "5 bucks". I held up my index finger which is the universal sign for "just a minute I have to see if I have 5 bucks".

He and his ski dude friend did the job quickly and efficiently and I was grateful.

I guess a dude's gotta have money for the slopes.

Florida Friday

This weeks theme has been the importance of taking care of yourself.It is really hard for me to say these words. I am a professional caregiver. And for most of my life I was last on my list. My life has come to the point where I really can do it now. And I must do it now if I am to live the rest of my life in health. But sometimes I feel guilty about it. Bear with me as I work through this.

Fridays are a very good day. I have my favorite treatment at The Chiropractor after my rehab work out on my favorite equipment. Last Friday I had a chance to chat with Tracy, one of the angels (and they ARE angels) who work there. We sat for a few moments in the amazing sunny window and I pretended I was in a very warm place...Florida (which isn't always warm in January...but I'm in Canada so I imagine it must be warmer there than here). And I said Fridays are like a trip to Florida for me. It's Florida Friday! And at the very same moment we both thought that sounded like a blog post.

I showed her my cashmere socks. They are the most luxurious and soft socks in the world. It is amazing what only 5% cashmere can do to socks. Now this is where I must say that they were under $5 and were purchased at the grocery superstore because I don't want to sound self indulgent. I make a distinction between pampering self-indulgence and taking care of yourself.

Saturday I met M.E. (not to be confused with M.E. C.) at The Bakery and immediately we were regaled by The Baker's tale of an injury which I will not describe here because it gives me the shivers. He continued working (going to the hospital later in the day) and suffice to say THAT pain is deflecting the pain in his back. My motives for him taking care of himself are purely selfish because he takes care of my ability to have freshly baked gluten free goodies. I am glad he is taking care of himself by visiting the chiropractor and going to the hospital and the clinic.

Cashmere socks, chiropractic, medical attention, hormone replacement therapy, exercise, swimming, healthy eating. These were some of the topics of conversation this week.

Remember to take care of yourself, OK?!