We received an unexpected cheque today - it'll take a chunk out of the cost of Pippi's surgery. God is so good. The cheque is from Reid's work for expenses and we had forgotten all about it!

I am so thankful.

Well, our lovely dog Pippi is going to have surgery next Wednesday. Her knee ligaments are broken and they will replace them. The good news is that she should make a full recovery and be with us for many years to come. The bad news is of course the cost. $1500 at the most - $1000 at the least. That is a great deal of money. But of course she is priceless to us - and if we can enjoy this wonderful dog for ten plus more years -

.... a pretty good deal for $150 per year.

What is the saying? ...when it rains - it pours....

Today it seems to be pouring. We were out at our usual Monday night potluck -which by the way was listed as the number 0ne thing to do to beat boredom on a tight budget - and when we returned were met with 3 fairly serious prayer requests. I hate that.

.....my brothers mother-in-law is having triple bypass surgery. Well, actually with the time change I guess surgery is wrapping up. She was 80 to 90% blocked in some arteries. Her recovery will need a great deal of prayer too.
.....the father of one of my oldest and dearest friends is in serious pain with kidney stones. In fact his left kidney is FULL of them. Some of them huge. He can't do the simplest things without a great deal of pain. And to top this one off - they have found a spot on his lung. We are praying it is just pneumonia.
....we have friends that have spent the entire summer driving missions teams back and forth from BC to Mexico. They have a 6 year old son that travels with them and he has wound up in the hospital in Mexico. At this point, we don't know what is wrong.

It is overwhelming to bring such huge things before the Lord. And yet I also have complete peace and confidence that the One in whose lap I place my requests, is more than able to deal with them.

Well, there's good news and bad news.

Let's start with the bad..... our dog does indeed need surgery. But on her knees and not her hips. I'm not sure if it's just one knee or both - we'll find out on Wed. It is probably going to be fairly costly. *sigh* Her hips have arthritis. We're all very sad. But we're still hopeful - and we'll find out details Wednesday morning.

Now the good news.... I had a great time this weekend. and nobody is more surprised than me - believe me! I didn't know a good many people there. Lots of 2nd and 3rd cousins and possibly more distant than that. But on the other hand, most of my immediate cousins, aunts and uncles, my cousins kids, their kids - were all there. And that was worth it. I actually really like them. Yup, there was a lot of beer - many started around 10 a.m. and finally called it a day around 2 or 3 a.m. Lots of cussin' and smoking - but there was also a kinship. A sense that even though we barely know each other, even though we lead radically different lives - we are family. We were at a place called Pillar Lake. No beach but we were able to take out these pontoon boats across the lake and the kids could jump off a cool rope swing. We talked, had scavenger hunts, played "bush golf" which was hilarious. We ate great food, and took a bazillion or so pictures.

So I guess I eat my words....... it was a great way to spend our final weekend of Summer.

All the 20 - somethings that I know use the word "random" as in "that's so random..." Well, I am having 'random' thoughts today. They are all over the map.

We have to take our 5 year old lab/husky to the vet today for x-rays. Something is wrong with her back left hip. I am so scared they are going to tell me that the fix is costly. Then what? We LOVE this dog. She is a part of our family. But what does that mean? We honestly can't justify spending the wad on her care. Actually forget justification - we can't afford it period. I've been up for the last couple nights thinking about the what if's in this situation. I am praying that we won't actually have to consider them.

We're heading off tonight for a family reunion. There will possibly be relatives there I haven't seen in many many years. I can honestly say I am not really looking forward to it. I'm a big believer in family. Really. But when you are grabbing the distant relatives and throwing them all together for a weekend - I'm just not sure this is how I want to spend the last weekend of my summer vacation!

We've watched a couple videos in the last week - 'thinking' documentaries. I'd recommend them both. The first we watched was about Wal-Mart. Now for many years we have, as a family, made a point not to shop at Wal-Mart. This documentary just backed up our original reasons and added a few more. It's a difficult thing to consider boycotting a store as large as this one. I mean, let's be honest, the piddly change I spend there certainly isn't going to get anyones attention. But for our own family convictions - this is something easy we can do. Like buying our fair-trade coffee. (Available at MCC in Chilliwack) But so we don't shop at Wal-Mart - what about Costco or Superstore - or eek, Dollar stores! Odds are much of their product was purchased from factories overseas - factories that probably wouldn't last long here in North America - if you know what I mean! So how willing am I REALLY to live by my convictions. Shop local. Grow my own food. Pay extra for the inconvenience. **sigh**
The second video we've seen before but our friends Kelly & Lynn hadn't so we rented it again. It's called "The Yes Men". It is a great documentary about a couple guys who take on the World Trade Organization in a very creative and gutsy way. It's a very eye opening movie. Go rent it.

Well I'm off to the vet. Yes, I'm scared and nervous.

Pray.

I had such a good day today. Felt really domestic. Got tons of errands done, hit the library on a day when they had a special musician come in and play instruments from around the world, baked a pie, caught up the laundry and even managed to play some gamecube with the girls. Okay, so they gave me a whompin' but I still had fun.

But guess what came today???? The Sears Wish Book. Yes the Christmas catalogue is here. What would we do without it to look at for the rest of the Summer??

How ridiculous.

I've been thinking lately about purity. As our eldest turns 12 and heads toward the teen years we see many changes on the horizon. Purity is something that will be an issue for us and many of our friends. How do we demonstrate, teach, encourage purity?

I have been reading the blog of an author named Lisa Samson for quite some time. She's on my list of people I'd like to meet and have coffee (fairtrade of course) with. She's smart, she's funny, she's articulate, she's wise (which is not to be confused with smart). She has just had a book published called "Apples of Gold" which is a parable about purity. It is the next book I want to find and read. She also has a blog specifically for this book and on it is a true story of her own purity. It's a great story - it even made me cry. I've managed to post a link to it - enjoy.

http://lisasamson.typepad.com/apples/2006/08/the_day_the_off.html

Home again. We had a wonderful couple days away - it really felt like we were away even though we were so close to home.

My day of silence was very interesting. I spent the day praying, reading and painting. All my thoughts became prayers. I had initially thought this would be an opportunity for God to speak to me - that I'd receive some great divine inspiration. I can't say I heard any clear ideas from the Lord. But what did happen was just as meaningful for me. I ended up doing two specific things: repenting - I never realized I had so much to confess to the Lord. And it felt good. I also spent time laying concern items at His feet. The two really are intertwined. I felt like I ended yesterday with God's lap just chock full of my worries and stresses.

I'll just have to keep praying I can leave them there.

Tonight Reid & I are heading off for a two night escape. Well, he still has to work tomorrow - but it should be good just to get out of our own house & enjoy someone else's brand spankin' new place! With hot tub! Even better.

Tomorrow while Reid is gone I am going to paint and be silent. I have never done a day of silence. I'm not sure what I'm expecting but I am looking forward to it none-the-less. I've got some readings, some prayers and all my art supplies. I desire so much to hear from God - but even if I don't - I am looking forward to the discipline of the day.

Maybe it'll be the start of a new habit.

Yesterday found me sitting in my livingroom, staring out the window and smiling. At what? Well, I had 6 little girls at the end of my driveway, sharing 4 deck chairs and 4 TV trays, with homemade posters and piles & piles of homemade cookies (courtesy of my best baking friend extraordinaire Lisa). They sold them by donation with the money going toward suffering people in Lebanon. Specifically to help some Sri Lankan women who arrived in Lebanon illegally to earn money to send home to their families. These women worked for families who have long fled in the midst of the war and now they are stuck - no money, no passport, no way to get out. We have friends who have opened a bank account and are collecting donations. I love that the girls are so keen to help out in a practical way. So far they've raised almost $100.00.

let the little children lead us..................

My girlfriend turns 40 today. Happy Birthday LaVern! We took her out last night for dinner and conversation. It was so much fun.

I don't do friends very well. I'm comfortable in solitude and while I enjoy people, I am easily exhausted if I'm with people for too long. Now, that said, I had a great evening. Six girlfriends laughing, crying and talking. There is something very wonderful in that. I don't do it enough.

So today, I am thankful for the wonderful friends that God has gifted me with. Friends that have stuck with me even though I am not so good at that friendship thang.

Thanks to the gals and thanks to You Lord.

I just spent about a half hour writing a post all about how life is full of good and bad and how grateful we should be to experience sorrow and pain because it makes the joy and happiness all the richer. Really wise musings on life and emotions and how God has it all under control blah blah blah....

Before I could officially post it I had to walk my youngest daughter to a kids club at one of the local Churches. On my way home I walked with a woman who made me realize what trite drivel I had written. She made me see that I hadn't really lived long enough or experienced enough to say such grand things. Just a few monthes ago her husband passed away. They are young - in their 60's, they were a vibrant and active couple. I posted on her husband Vic a while back.

So as I walked with her, I asked her how she was. And she said "sad. sad and lonely." What do you say to that? I was thankful for my sunglasses that could hide the tears. She is living with daily grief, sadness beyond my imagination. She is in a place of sorrow and pain that I cannot imagine. It is beyond me. Thankfully.

She did say that God gave her something every single day. That He was all that she was clinging to at the moment. She also shared that if she had known that Vic's days on earth were so few, she would have treasured them more. She would have made every moment count. and then she said that she is feeling like she needs to treasure her moments here on earth with the Lord. She needs to value and cherish her relationship with God every moment of every day.

Wise reminders from a wise lady who has walked through more in recent days than I hope I ever have to.

I've been mulling over a bunch of thoughts these last few days. Thoughts that center around the Church and politics. Do they mix? Should they mix? I don't really have an answer....on one hand I don't think that I as a follower of Jesus should remain silent and not make my voice heard. I do vote, I discuss politics, I have even written letters and joined protests. On the other hand, I don't necessarily feel that it is governments responsibility to pass laws and legislation that reflect my own particular beliefs.

And here is where my thoughts get muddled. I can say for sure I dislike the government of the US that has blurred the lines of separation of Church and State. I could add a whole lot more there - but I won't go down that road today. I just can't see God supporting a political system. God, fortunately for us all, is much much bigger than a political agenda. He moves in democratic, theocratic, dictatorship and communist countries alike. His business is about transforming and changing lives - not bringing about a so-called free and democratic society.

He decided long ago to use individuals to carry out His work.

This morning we received some emails from our friends who have family that have fled Lebanon. They have been in touch with friends there - specifically a Pastor who could have fled to Switzerland but chose to stay because the Church is so needed right now. Here are some of HIS words.

All the official schools around us here are full of refugees, most of them are Sheiit Muslims, God is blessing us so much with them, 8 of them came to the church yesterday (Sunday) and gave their lives to Jesus. They even had the communion with us.

It was a real blessing to us and to them. The presence of God filled the place.

Our Church formed five teams, we are visiting refugees in schools around us in Mansourieh, Bekfaya, Beit Merry and Naba area.

We are using the mission center (my office) as the operation center.

We have distributed so far clothing for children, adults, babies, underwear, nappies (diapers), women hygiene stuff, food, milk, towels, soap, tooth brushes and paste, shampoo, detergents, as well as children coloring books, pencils, new testaments and other spiritual books.

We are holding a 2 hour children's program up to three times a week in each school, while our church ladies are taking time with women, and youth spending time with youth.
...........................................
Other groups are taking care of some basic life needs such as mattresses, blankets and food. We are concentrating on materials useful to distract the children from the atmosphere of war and violence, providing them with also some spiritual assistance and joy that only the Lord Jesus-Christ can provide. We remember that our Lord Loved and took special care of the children while his disciples didn’t seem to understand the importance of their pure heart, and their capacity to enter the Kingdom of God.

Our Goal in summary is:
Spending time on the ground we are using 3 teams of volunteers from our church. They will take time with the children and occupy them in kid’s activities.
Distribute materials that will keep their minds and hands busy, such as Bible stories for children, Christian coloring books and pencils,
Give them some milk to drink as well as some fruit juices and other healthy sweets.
When needed we will try to provide mattresses and basic food, as well as tooth brushes and paste; Underwear and other needed clothes.
.............................................

Our house at Ain Saade' was full on the first week. On the third floor, two families came, Andre' gave them his house to stay at the time being. When they arrive at first, while having dinner with us, Eva, called her husband telling him that she arrived safely with her 2 years old daughter and her brother and his family! She told him that they are safe. Because it took them a long time to leave Tyre and this was very dangerous. For many reasons, her husband couldn't leave with them. After half an hour, she received a phone call from her husband's best friend telling her that her husband was killed while helping refugees together with 18 people and his brother. We saw him after 5 minutes on the breaking news!

What to tell her, how to comfort her? Cecile spent hours next to Eva, trying to wake her up, crying with her and praying in her heart. They have called me many times to comfort her and pray with her, I thought I can do the job, but when I reached the room, I have discovered that nothing I can say. Silence came to me and I couldn't;t find words of comfort for the first time in my Life. Eva and her family are Muslims. They feel peace only when we read the Bible for them.

The 2 years old daughter is missing her father 25! What to tell her? She is a blond little girl, full of life and energy! blue eyes, like a little angel, the world stopped for minutes when I hold her in my hands, why she has to live without a loving father?

I don't know what to say, every day we face children and babies that are losing their parents on the roads. Those are trying to go and try to do something and get food! That's one of the reasons God moved my heart to focus on the children's needs to food and to the loving Father!

Again, sorry for this long email, it will be good if you can put our church in touch with many Churches there, and it will be better if you can be our coordinator there since you have this ministry on your heart. I need help at all levels.

We also need help at the church level, we are inviting people to the church services, we are holding evangelistic meetings and refugees children programs without electricity - sometimes it gets 40 degrees inside, it is boiling! We need to buy a generator that works on diesel as soon as possible to continue the ministry - This is an urgent need at the time being. We still have a stock of diesel in Lebanon, praise the lord for that.