A Prayer for New Year's

There is a time to be born and a time to die.
And this is a time to be born.
So we turn to you, God of our life,
….….….….….….…...God of all our years,
…….….….….….…....God of our beginning.
….Our times are in your hand.

Hear us as we pray:
….For those of us too much into obedience,
….….birth us to the freedom of the gospel.
….For those of us too much into self-indulgence,
….….birth us to discipleship in your ministry.
….For those too much into cynicism,
….….birth us to the innocence of the Christ child.
….For those of us too much into cowardice,
….….birth us to the courage to stand before
….….….principalities and powers.
….For those of us too much into guilt,
….….birth us into forgiveness worked in your generosity.
….For those of us too much into despair,
….….birth us into the promises you make to your people.
….For those of us too much into control,
….….birth us into the vulnerability of the cross.
….For those of us too much into victimization,
….….birth us into the power of Easter.
….For those of us too much into fatigue,
….….birth us into the energy of Pentecost.

We dare pray that you will do for us and among us and through us what is needful for newness.
Give us the power to be receptive,
..…...to take the newness you give,
..…...to move from womb warmth to real life.
We make this prayer not only for ourselves, but
….….for our community at the brink of birth,
….….for the church at the edge of life,
….….for our nation waiting for newness,
….….for your whole creation, with which we yearn in eager longing.

There is a time to be born, and it is now.
….We sense the pangs and groans of your newness.
….….Come here now in the name of Jesus. Amen.

From the book, Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth: Prayers by Walter Brueggemann

It Won't Be Long...........

Tragic News from the North

In Preparation for the 2010 Olympics

Now that Vancouver is to host the 2010 Winter Olympics these are some questions people the world over are asking! Believe it or not these questions about Canada were posted on an International Tourism Website. Obviously the answers are jokes, and the questions are hilarious; but sadly the questions were really asked. Ohhhhhhhh, Canada !!!

Q: I have never seen it warm on Canadian TV, so how do the plants grow? (UK)
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around and watch them die.


Q: Will I be able to see Polar Bears in the street? (USA)
A: Depends on how much you've been drinking.


Q: I want to walk from Vancouver to Toronto-can I follow the Railroad tracks? (Sweden)
A: Sure, it 's only Four thousand miles, take lots of water.


Q: Is it safe to run around in the bushes in Canada? (Sweden)
A: So it's true what they say about Swedes.


Q: It is imperative that I find the names and addresses of places to contact for a stuffed Beaver. (Italy)
A: Let's not touch this one.


Q: Are there any ATM's(cash machines) in Canada? Can you send me a list of them in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton and Halifax? (UK)
A: What did your last slave die of?


Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Canada? (USA)
A: A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe. Ca-na-da is that big country to your North...oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is ev ery Tuesday night in Calgary. Come naked.


Q: Which direction is North in Canada?(USA)
A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.


Q: Can I bring cutlery into Canada? (UK)
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.

Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)
A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is...oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Vancouver and in Calgary, straight after the hi ppo races. Come naked.

Q: Do you have perfume in Canada? (Germany)
A: No, WE don't stink.

Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you sell it in Canada?(USA)
A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.


Q: Can you tell me the regions in British Columbia where the female population is smaller than the male population? (Italy)
A: Yes, gay nightclubs.


Q: Do you celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada? (USA)
A: Only at Thanksgiving.

Q: Are there supermarkets inToronto and is milk available all year round? (Germany)
A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of Vegans. Milk is illegal.

Q: I have a question about a famous animal in Canada, but I forget its name. It's a kind of big horse with horns. (USA)
A: It's called a Moose. They are tall and very violent, eating the brains of anyone walking close to them. You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.

Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? (USA)
A: Yes, but you will have to learn it first.


Send this on to other true Canadians AND let the games begin !!!

It's Official

we're going on vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




i see palm trees!!!!!!









i see sunshine!!!!!!!!!!!

You're It!

I've been tagged. Go to your Pictures and to your 5th folder. Then click onto your 5th photo. Here's mine. This was taken in Hawaii 2 years ago at the Oahu Golf & Country Club with my dear Hawaiian Mama Mrs. A. I have always called her Mrs. A and she has always called me Miss Van. She was the Receptionist at my college and her and her husband (Mr A) were my Hawaiian Mom and Dad. They've lived on the island for more than 40 years. Mr A passed away 2 years ago. Great people. Great memories.

Weeweechu

It's a romantic full moon, when Pedro said, 'Hey, mamacita, let's do Weeweechu.'

Oh no, not now, let's look at the moon!' said Rosita.

Oh, c'mon baby, let's you and I do Weeweechu. I love you and it's the perfect time,' Pedro begged.

'But I wanna just hold your hand and watch the moon.' replied Rosita.

Please, corazoncito, just once, do Weeweechu with me.'

Rosita looked at Pedro and said, 'OK, one time, we'll do Weeweechu.'

Pedro grabbed his guitar and they both sang.....

'Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.'

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Merry Christmas 2008!!!

Another year is quickly coming to an end and once again I am amazed at just how fast time flies. It’s hard to imagine that 2008 is almost over and we’re quickly approaching 2009. With all of its joys and sorrows, challenges and defeats, life marches on, sometimes at a quicker pace than we want.


News and Reviews:


In January my step-father Paul moved to Victoria to an Extended Care facility there to be closer to his family who are better able to care for him having him close by. It was getting more and more challenging for my mom to look after him and although it was a hard decision for her to make it’s proven to be the right one. We go over to the island to visit him every 6 weeks or so and his face still lights up when my mom walks into the room.




We celebrated milestone birthdays around our house this year with Chris turning 40 and me turning 50 (how did THAT happen!)
We flew to San Diego, had a fabulous time there, although far too short, and then cruised home. The trip was a lot of fun and a great way to celebrate.




I was able to buy my very first brand new car this year which was very exciting for me! I don’t change cars very often – this is only my 5th car in 30+ years of driving.




My mom celebrated her 82nd birthday in July and we had a fabulous brunch with John’s kids who always are delightful to be around. The darling Alaia will soon be 5 and continues to be the sweetheart of the family.






This summer I was able to spend a week in Hawaii by myself and spent most of my week just hanging out on the roof top lanai and swimming pool, visiting good friends and remembering why I love Hawaii.



The 4 legged kids around here are as lively as ever and keep us entertained and loved on a daily basis.






I didn’t get to spend too much time up at the cottage this year but did manage to go up on the tree-cutting weekend and help clean up all the logs and debris. Because of the pine beetle most of our trees have to come down which has been a sad reality for us and it has really changed the look of the place.




I’m enjoying my job as a Handy DART driver and find it quite rewarding. There are new challenges ahead in the new year with new management and union contracts but I look forward to continuing as a driver for people with disabilities and seniors.


Last year I made a renewed commitment to find a church closer to home and a year later am quite happy to have made the change. It’s not the church of my childhood but it is a warm and accepting church and for that I’m thankful.


Friends are always important to me both in real life and blog land. Thank you for your friendship. May God bless each and every one of you with good health, and a whole lot of happiness!

Carol Ship Cruise 2008

As is our custom we enjoyed another carol ship cruise in Vancouver harbour. (That's harbor for you 'mericans)







The food was fabulous, service divine, carollers on key to help with the rest of us,









and the best company in town, family and friends.

In Memory

In memory of my Dad. Dec 12 marks the 19th Anniversary of his homegoing. I still miss him. I see myself so much in him, the good and the bad. Hard to imagine it's been this long since I've heard his voice or seen his smile. Every girl should have a dad like mine.


In memory of my brother John. Dec 15 marks the 4th Anniversary of John going to meet Jesus, the One he loved so much. John lived his life passionately and never gave up on his commitments to his Lord, his family, or his friends.

Christmas Quotes

Instead of being a time of unusual behavior, Christmas is perhaps the only time in the year when people can obey their natural impulses and express their true sentiments without feeling self-conscious and, perhaps, foolish. Christmas, in short, is about the only chance a man has to be himself. ~Francis C. Farley




It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air. ~W.T. Ellis








For centuries men have kept an appointment with Christmas. Christmas means fellowship, feasting, giving and receiving, a time of good cheer, home. ~W.J. Ronald Tucker






Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home! ~Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, 1836




There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries. ~W.J. Cameron

Family

Remember, She's the Smart One

Remember when I told you Chris was going back to school (part-time) to work on her Master's Degree in Theology? She's just completed her first course on the Synoptic Gospels. After much gnashing of teeth, tossing and turning in the night, migraine head aches all around, she turned in the Term Paper of all Term Papers! All 17 pages!

Her professor had previously told the class that just about 40% of his first time students fail the class because of their Term Paper. He doesn't compliment students easily but grades them fairly and objectively - according to him.

Guess what he said to Chris after reading hers through for the first time?

"Excellent piece of work Chris" "Well done!"

Toldja, she's the smart one!

I'm very very proud.

My dear friends,

Christmas is tight this year. I will be making bedroom slippers for you all as gifts. Please let me know your sizes. You'll most likely agree that it's a splendid idea, and should you wish to do the same, I've included the instructions below.

How to make bedroom slippers out of maxi pads:

You need four maxi pads to make a pair.
Two of them get laid out flat, for the foot part.
The other two wrap around the toe area to form the top.
Tape or glue each side of the top pieces to the bottom of the foot part.
Decorate the tops with whatever you desire, silk flowers
(this is most aesthetically appealing), etc.

These slippers are:
* Soft and Hygienic
* Non-slip grip strips on the soles
* Built in deodorant feature keeps feet smelling fresh
* No more bending over to mop up spills
* Disposable and biodegradable
* Environmentally safe
* Three convenient sizes:
(1.) Regular,
(2.) Light and
(3.) Get out the Sand Bags.

I've attached a photo of the first pair I made so that you can see
the nifty slippers for yourself....
Awaiting your response.
It's crucial that I get the right size for each one of you.

This is Something My Brothers Would've Done...

A 6 year old and a 4 year old are upstairs in their bedroom.
'You know what?' says the 6 year old. 'I think it's about time we started cussing.

The 4 year old nods his head in approval.

The 6 year old continues, 'When we go downstairs for breakfast, I'm gonna say something with hell and you say something with ass..'

The 4 year old agrees with enthusiasm.

When the mother walks into the kitchen and asks the 6 year old what he wants for breakfast, he replies, 'Aw, hell, Mom, I guess I'll have some Cheerios.'

WHACK! He flies out of his chair, tumbles across the kitchen floor, gets up, and runs upstairs crying his eyes out, with his mother in hot pursuit, slapping his rear with every step. His mom locks him in his room and shouts, 'You can stay there until I let you out!'

She then comes back downstairs, looks at the 4 year old and asks with a stern voice, 'And what do YOU want for breakfast, young man?'

'I don't know,' he blubbers, 'but you can bet your fat ass it won't be Cheerios!'

Family

This is How Mothers Get Grey Hair

Weekend at The Cottage

Last weekend we headed up to our place in the Cariboo for the weekend. Maggie was beyond thrilled as we stopped at her favorite park along the way so she could chase a hundred balls in the mud before climbing back in the truck.

We had been up earlier in the year and taken down a fair amount of trees. Because of the pine beetle most of our trees will have to come down changing the whole look of the place.

Instead of a cottage nestled in the woods with trees lining the perimeter it's now starting to look like a naked piece of land. Hard to imagine what those little critters have done to devastate our land.

I walked around the back of the property and took pics of the outbuildings. Rustic, you think? They will all come down probably next year.

We got a lot of work done, Maggie had a wonderful time chasing balls and getting her back scratched by Grandma. We woke up with sore backs and looked outside to see snow falling. Yikes!