For Di

a life well lived

a life blessed

to know him

to be found in him

and known by him

a life so full

of stories to tell

where the journey meandered

through peaks of joy and love

and valleys of sadness and pain

yet he was there

you could not see him

he walked alongside you

calling gently then more audibly

until the hidden journey appeared

like a royal banquet

he has given you a hope for the future

he has revealed his plans for you

and so you stand secure

with eyes wide open

and mind set on new and glorious realities

each breath from the very first

one that drew in the air

and shouted live, live, live

to that final one you share with us

as you pass from life to life

and oh much more

so look back and frown no more

shed not a tear

rather look forward with joy, with hope

to colourful, extravagant celebration

where you will be seated with him

here we share in the celebration

of a life lived to the full

having passed seventy years

journeying here and there

upon the earth

with thankful hearts we share

and celebrate with you

standing hand in hand

we have come to say well done

we love you

you are precious to us

don't give up the race

because you are nearly at the finish line

nearly, nearly home.

On a Lighter Note

3 Dogs; rabbits;fish, a bird, a cat and a pair of hamsters and 2 rats. These are the creatures we call Pets!!
We are learning a great deal about looking after animals. I have learned that children can only manage to care for animals with any measure of success, if an adult is involved and encouraging.

That job has fallen into my lap and I am actually ok with it. My childhood was filled with animals of all kinds but especially dogs , cats and horses and so in reality , having lots of animals around is second nature to me. Doug grew up loving birds and fish and he was really very involved with building tanks and cages and looking after them. His love and interest of fish he has carried with him into adult life.




And so having and enjoying animals is part of who Doug and I are and so it flows down into the lives of our boys.

We are learning how much hard work it takes to care for animals well. They need daily care. The boys are responsible for feeding and giving water to the rabbits, hamsters and bird. I am around to fill in the gaps too. The cleaning of the cages is a task not to be taken lightly, especially as far as the rabbits are concerned. Yuck!! is all I can say. That task has fallen predominantly to me with the help of smaller hands too. The rich rabbit poo has set my mind in motion and we are thinking of developing rabbit compost.

We have learned that baby rabbits come along with alarming frequency. They are born blind and naked and the mothers are not very good at caring for them. And so we have experienced death and sadness. Some litters have been lost to the cold.

We have learned that we can sell the babies to our local pet shop and so we are experiencing the rules of demand and supply.

We are learning how much fun it is to have an animal for company and fun. We have learned that noisy animals annoy some people and we are in the process of managing our very lovable, chatty and noisy dog Luke.

Questions that need answers like " do rabbits go to heaven?" or " how did that mommy have more babies without the daddy?".
We have learned that we can not just go on holiday and lock the animals up but have to ask friends to care for a rat or a bird. We have learned to share our animals with others who do not have pets. We have learned that baby rabbits can have a bath in the birds water and survive and that hamsters do not survive when caught in the wooden garage lift. Other things like a rabbit likes to watch TV with you but might wee on your lap or a baby bunny can survive the day behind a cushion where it was hidden and our little dog will bite a guinea pig left on a bench. We found out the sad way that potato is poisonous for rabbits and Guinea pigs and that rats can get fat.
We decided that having a snake is something for the future when the task of cleaning does not land on moms lap. At the snake I draw a line!

We have marveled at God's creatures and thank him for the joy of learning something about life from them.

The Scream

The Scream by Edvard Munch.

Scream

It would feel great to scream,
to just let rip and let it all come out
in one loud, blood curdling scream.
Like the person in the painting
just not so quite insane.
I am not insane you see
but , at times there rises up in me this urge to
shout out really loud
and tell it ;like it is.
Be done with all this nicely, nicely stuff
and to say it like it is.
But, that is not how it is
or aught to be
so I bite my lip
and shout inwardly
oh so so loudly
the mountains nearby could hear
and the heavens would feel
The Scream from within

Walk like an Egyptian.

The Grade 5 Egyptian display was great!!

Here are some friends all dressed up and roaring to go!!

Pharaoh and his vizier below looking great!!

We were invited to enjoy the Egyptian exhibition of sorts at Sweet Valley Primary School.
James and his class mates have worked very hard on many aspects of this theme. The study of Egypt as an African ancient civilization falls under the bigger theme of Ancient Civilizations around the world.
Doug and I enjoyed seeing all the children dressed up as well as sharing their other work. They have learned a great deal about this interesting cicilization as well as getting to grips with group work and sharing ideas.
Well done!!

Grade 3 celebrate spring 2001 -Thomas' year

Here are the beautiful flowers that the grade 3 children took to the Old Age Home last week. Today, at school, the parents were treated to the little show. Well done to all the children.

A struggle with Assurance

'For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39

I have found these words in scripture to be of enormous encouragement over these last few days. For a while now I have been struggling with what I call Spiritual Depression. I have found myself through my circumstances and struggles , disconnected from the living God. The scriptures have become dry and dusty; mere words without comfort or challenge. I could no longer hear the voice of God as I read his word or sat in church. I felt depressed and without hope. My emotions completely underwhelmed me and all I know of our Great God simply slipped away. However hard I tried I just could not feel him , see him or hear his voice. I felt totally alone and very, very miserable.

However, when God is real and involved in a life he never ever lets them go. He is faithful and kind and living and at the right time he gently drew me back again. I had shared with my husband who was so encouraging prayed for me regularly ; I shared with my prayer friends who were equally loving and reassuring and I had shared with a friend my state. While they prayed and talked and reminded me of the truth that is and I seemed to sink deeper into despair , God was at work.

One day last week I had some time to read while waiting for children. I read Psalm 100 - God reminded me that I am to shout for joy and worship God with gladness because he is God and I am his child. The psalm goes on to say that we may enter his gates with thanksgiving and praise. It was with these very words that I was reminded that I am forgiven and that I may enter his presence . I may go into The Living God's very presence because of Jesus and I may be thankful. Wow! I was struck again of the simple truth of who God is and what he has done for me. I was restored and forgiven and he has removed my sin. I was back in the fold.

Then God in his grace gave me two reminders. Firstly he reminded me of who I am and how much he loves me through some good friends who share their lives with us and then through his word on Sunday which was from Romans 8:37. We were reminded with the beautiful truth that nothing , absolutely nothing will or can separate us from God's love that is found in Jesus.

And so once again I can stand and sing with my heart and my head -" you have promised you will lead us to your throne. We
here we will worship you and you alone". and "For one day we will stand before you Lord. Our all together beautiful reward. And we will give you glory, give you honour . King above all Kings. You deserve our everything. we will lift our voices with your praises. Jesus you are our King." tree 63 King.

I am so grateful that my being and staying faithful to God does not depend on my ability to love Jesus or serve him or obey him but rather is placed in his hands and so I know with certainty that I will stand before him one day. What a joy and comfort that is. I am so grateful for Christian friends who faithfully help us as we help them when we stumble and fall. We serve a mighty and most wonderful God and I can not wait to meet him face to face one day.

On Being Made Vulnerable

On being made Vulnerable.

Being made vulnerable was forced on me

Like a strong armed man beating his opponent to the ground

Or a wrench clasping and turning that bolt

Opening up the object held shut beneath it.

And so a real, deep sharing happened.

It was not that long ago

When the newness of life uncurled itself

And breathed it’s very, very first and precious breath.

How very deeply personal and precious

being made to be vulnerable is.

It is like handing the most delicate thing

Into the hands of another.

Will they receive the gift with the care it needs?

Will they trample on vulnerability itself

And laugh as they leave?

Being vulnerable hovers and hangs.

It hovers in that place between secret and known;

Between darkness and light

And it pushes and prods to rush out and scream

“I am here”

And so it was that deep things were shared

in that giving of myself all other parts changed.

I changed.

But this I know;

He was there then.

He is here now.

Shirt sleeves pushed up

As he carves and shifts,

As He carefully, thoroughly

Weaves His perfect pattern.

Yet, the struggle continues

It can not seem to find a resting place.

my thoughts are restless

my soul cries out to Him.

Oh how he washes his love and presence

It flows like a never ending river

Bringing life and hope

Because the cost for Him was complete

And He gave everything he had

The world? Oh much more.

He gave his all and I lost some too.

Yet he understands that, even that.

Thank you.

Being made to be vulnerable

Brought deep love

It revealed His hand and plan, in part.

Yet sadness and sorrow rested there too.

For haughty eyes and proud hearts

Gathered to peck at the remains.

When life runs smooth and kind

And struggles seem few

Beware, beware, beware!

For you know not the depth and toil

That another might have.

Rather let gratitude and love rest

You know not when time will call you

As it gathers the wind to blow and thrash

Upon the shores of your life.

Calling you to be made vulnerable.