What I'm thinking about tonight 2

I've sort of been looking forward to seeing Avatar.. I think we all wanted to see what James Cameron has been working on since Titanic, and getting enough teasers about the 3D cinematography to whet our appetites.. after all the buildup I can't believe I'm considering NOT going. Now that I found out a main subplot/theme is our obscene wastage of resources that puts us in the desperate situation of having to wipe out an alien population to save ourselves..
I guess in a way it's a brilliant reversal of War of the Worlds type mentality where we're defending ourselves against THEM.. but I'm surprised at the green premise... if I do go see it I'll let you know if I'm any less or more impressed than I am at this moment..

been reading a book on the development of cities during the Victorian era.. social causes, industrial progress, population shifts.. we take cities so much for granted, odd to think of a world without them.. what I love is the photoblogs that focus on abandoned areas.. or just unusual aspects of the city..

Post Christmas

Well, I'm feeling a LOT of relief that 99% of the holiday bustle is over for another year. It's honestly the kind of stuff I get dragged into kicking and screaming.. seriously. I don't exactly get it, and I doubt I ever will. I mean, I'm an absolutely 100% dedicated follower of the Lord Jesus, but this social whirlwind that happens is so superficial.. but hey, maybe I'm just anti-social..
what amazes me is the amount of work some women put into this.. I just can't get that energetic and/or organized with my time and money..
I'm a social causes type person, which is why the case of Rifqa Bary is pretty big on my radar screen these last few weeks.. there's been a lot of media mis-information and if you wonder what I base that on, it's the fact that one of Rifqa's associates has been a close friend on Facebook for almost 2 years. I'm not hearing info from some random source that I don't have a read on, this is someone I have an understanding of. So when they validate Rifqa's concerns, I take it seriously.

Here in my house, we're enjoying the break from school work and routine, we saw the kids granparents on the weekend.. my mother in law had a 90th birthday party!!! festivities, food, and family, what more can you ask, AND we connected with a cousin that has recently come to the LORD, got baptized and is so excited to have found peace with God!!

well.. not much else I can think of.. take care peeps!!

Cold here.. & other thoughts

Boy, it's the coldest here it's been for about 5 years.. ha I thought northern Alberta would never again experience a real cold snap!!! Living through extreme cold weather somehow makes you feel tougher a little than other people.. listening presently to Rich Mullens "My Deliver is Coming".. absolutely amazing song.. presently, it's listing the temp here has -42C including the wind chill... pretty col all right.. good evening for doing all the stuff that's keeps you warm, a hearty hot supper, a warm fire, warm socks.. I've got the dryer going .. all the stuff that helps..
anybody else following the story of Rifqa Bary??

My Sheep Hear His Voice

Wow, I'm sure you all realize that there's something going on on a level that's unprecedented in human history. We are living in days that no-one has ever been involved in before. I don't think any of you can say that life is the same as it's always been, that there isn't something significant taking place under the surface of ordinary, everyday global life. You've noticed it, even though you all try to ignore the implications, and what it all will mean to you personally in the future. I don't pretend to be some weird seer that knows more than you do because I'm special.. all I am is someone who has dedicated my life to looking at things differently than most people.
I underwent some life-changing experiences in my teens, I am a witness to what occurred simply because I was there!!
It's funny how I watch things occur, and I think, Wow.. that's so amazing.. and I file it according to the pattern I've been constructing inside myself, and then I watch the "news" and they have a total different take on what occurred.. I guess I'm telling you to step back, find a new way to get information, BE JUST a LITTLE MORE SKEPTICAL about what you're hearing through the normal media channels!!!
I keep thinking it can't be that hard to find the path I'm on.. I'm only a normal average person of limited finances.. but I meet very few who have been on my journey.. are you going to end your life without ever having stepped off the treadmill?? I'm talking about a place where sometimes it seems like you've risked everything for nothing.. and in some ways, even the prospect of losing everything doesn't really matter .. I LOVE LIFE don't get me wrong, I'm not a nihilist or a defeatist, or some existentialist!! but I think my definition of what LIFE is would differ from most people's!!
God has a purpose and a plan for you!! never doubt it.. never doubt His LOVE for you.. and the greatest evidence of it is Jesus!!!! take care peeps//

Grey Cup 2009, and other happenings

Well, as I sit here tonight, I am still trying to absorb the blow incurred by my beloved Saskatchewan Roughrider's loss of the Grey Cup 2009, to the Montreal Alouettes. It was in the bag, seemingly, the fans were already celebrating, and wham!! defeat descended from above with the swiftness of a lightning bolt!! gee, I must have suffered at some level, I can even wax poetic about the darn thing!!
I've been to Edmonton this week, in regards to my daughter's broken leg, showed up for a follow up visit and a conference with the surgeon who put her screw and plate in.. looks like we won't be going back to the Stollery, just local to get a cast removed and some physio to help her hitting the ground running.. all puns intended I guess :P lol..
I'm seeing God doing amazing things on a personal level.. seems like even in the midst of the storms I hear His Still Small Voice saying, you go, girl!!! not only called, but chosen.. dangerous place to be, but also a very BLESSED place as well!!!
looking forward to our own private family observance of Hanukkah, in all these feasts and observances of Judaism, there's all kinds of impact levels, world, community, local body of believers, family and most importantly possibly, personal.. what He does, He does not only to all, but to each individual.. and the one is as important to Him as the other..
well... on my way out the door to do some private tutoring tonight.. be blessed, peeps!!!

Weekend!

Weekends.. Gotta love them! I have been trying to observe Shabbat in my own small way(no, I'm not Jewish).. I find there's a rhythm to doing this.. at first you can't believe you can spare a day to just basically do nothing that seems productive.. but I'm finding that I put a little more effort now into weekday stuff, and I just think, if I do this effectively enough, Shabbat can be quiet time, with a sense of completion.. I know there's things we can't avoid being committed to.. but hey, Jesus did say if the donkey fell into the hole, GO GET IT OUT, SILLY!! haha.. that's my version of that!

yesterday was tough, I guess this is the end of ignoring some problems, and the beginning of stepping in as a seasoned adult.. I hope! my oldest son is struggling with addictions.. well, he phoned me yesterday and we had an emotional phone call.. I tried to not get emotional but how do you not?? I hope I didn't scare him off, I think he got a lot of comfort out of it..

I've been really blessed to have a homeschooling group, it's been amazing, but I think a lot of the families are starting to transition their life for various reasons, bottom line.. I may not have a group next year possibly.. at least I will have to find other ways to do this.. in some ways it may be a blessing in disguise.. I have always been the only adult who can teach high school sciences and maths, and while this ensured that there would be a group there because the other parents needed my teaching help-- the drawback was always that it took more time than teaching my own would have.. at least it seems that way...

What I'm thinking about tonight..

I'm a little weary.. first of all, we might be facing bankruptcy--- at best, we've put forth a proposal to pay 25% of the debt load we carry.. our biggest creditor is a personal line of credit mostly.. oh my goodness, the day we were in filing our paperwork.. I stupidly scratched the door of the car next to us.. just opening my door.. I didn't fling it or get violent.. I still am shocked that I scratched the paint job!!! How does that happen???!? have to go to the city again in less than a week.. this time driving myself and my two daughters.. a 2:00pm appt.. that may take most of the day as it's a long drive.. part of something God is doing to make me step out could be.. but don't we hate those times when HE does that??
I find fear gets a hold of me quickly sometimes.. I think I'm facing some health issues that could severely limit how much I can physically care for my family.. it's a daunting prospect .. we're not very financially stable as it is.. it will take much of God's Power to take us through.. problem with fear is how it paralyzes you and takes your energy away.. and you feel powerless to get rid of it..
I made a connection with a small community based group that meets twice a month for fellowship on a Saturday night.. I am believing it will be a source of encouragement and a place I can share my faith and my journey..
December promises to be busy even though I am not a holiday type person AT ALL.. still there are obligations you can't ignore..
so all that to say.. I'm in the trenches for sure.. as are most of my readers.. and I still have a hope and faith and joy that is there even in the darkest of places.. take care peeps..