Thank You, I REMEMBER

No matter what you may believe about war, today is a day to think on 1 Corinthians 13:1 which states “What if I could speak all languages of humans and of angels?  If I did not love others I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” 

To put this plainly, for the purpose of my post today I will ask you to think about this -

someone died for your freedom. 

Today is the day to think about this.  Even if you feel strongly that there should not be wars - our history is founded on the fact there were. People you don’t even know gave their lives hoping that that you would experience freedom through their sacrifice.  So today I hope you feel love for these (sometimes unknown and unrecognised) people gave their lives for you.  Out of love. 

Surely if it were your friend, today, who saved your life by doing whatever it took if they thought you were threatened, you would experience a love unlike any other.  A love that is made up of awe (that they would so willingly trade their lives for yours) respect and a bond (we stand together)  No choice ever comes without having to give something up.  Its difficult, its messy its sometimes easier to stand on the line than take a choice. 

I have the privilege of living in a country where we have such freedom.  Because of this freedom and freedom of speech and being blasted with news on every device we own it would be easy to watch the news and condemn others for entering into wars.  But because my own life has never been touched in this way how can I possibly judge others?  There have always been wars, I’m afraid there always will be. 

I believe I’m to simply LOVE - to honor those who stepped right into their convictions (and some did not even have a choice!) and gave up everything, for our Country, for you, for me. Today is a day for us to remember. 

As a Christian I know that Jesus gave His life for me  so that I can live a life of freedom and choice.

John 3:16 (CEV) “for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son so that everyone who has faith in Him will have eternal life and will never really die 

I too surrender all to HIM in this sacrifice, and pray for a heart of love that I may always appreciate and live in this gift every moment. 

Today, I thank God for every person who stands on the freedom I have today.  I pray for them, their families and for the world today. I pray for those “out there” fighting at this very moment while standing on the hope of world peace.   Perhaps today to a degree we may think peace is a new kind of war in itself, for we are taught that love conquers all but we need to also keep our eyes and ears open and be willing to understand how it is all to unfold around us with an open mind.  And we need to be thankful that those before us took their choice - for us. 

I will leave you with this link from The Star newspaper which has a terrific article about Veteran’s Day and an interactive map where you can learn about a FREE ipad App called “The Fallen” where you can find the stories behind 118,000 fallen soldiers around the world. 

Technorati Tags: Veterans Day,Veterans Day Canada,Remember,Rememberance Day,Poppy

I hope you will take a minute of silence today to ponder.

Osoyoos Lake looks like a big slice of Swiss cheese, with the black 'holes' of ice showing through the snow. And it occurred to me, it now looks similar to another local lake, Spotted lake. Spotted lake gets its appearance from the mineral pockets though. Our lake changes every day - as does the weather.

Spotted Lake

This all makes me think of a poem I just found, about the ever changing weather, though the poem was made about the weather in England.

I wake to a day that is cloudy and grey,

So I put on my hat and my mac.

I walk down the street with my boots on my feet,

and the crafty old sun's creeping back.

I run to the house as fast as a mouse,

And quickly change into a dress,

But before I can go I hear thunder and so,

I'm getting confused I confess.

I creep out the door and slip on the floor

When I find there is snow on the ground.

I walk into a tree, its not easy to see

When the fog is so thick all around.

It just seems to me, and I'm sure you'll agree,

Tha our crazy old weather's unique.

Where else would you find, snow, rain, sun and wind -

Not yearly, but all in one week.

Jean Forrest

What's your weather like?

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Mr. Miles and I drove up to Kelowna, a city 2 hours (usually 2 hours) north of here, only right now its a three hour trip due to a highway closure about 2/3 of the way up from here on highway 97. In a spot undergoing road upgrading a whole section of mountain has developed a fissure and is threatening to collapse. Glad they are taking care of it.

I'm sure not used to the city. I can't seem to focus in all the busy-ness. At any rate, we had some wonderful visit time with our daughter. We had breakfast together and then afterward shopped at a store next door. When we were leaving, something caught my eye ...

An Old Friend!

If you follow my blog you would know that we have a new van - my 50th birthday present. Our old van was sold to a lady in a small community north of us. Actually, its located on THIS side of the highway repairs, so to see our old van in Kelowna was quite a surprise! What are the chances too, of in a city of 109, 000 we would be RIGHT there to see it? I'm still laughing!

We had a bit of excitement on the way home. One block from home, our headlights failed! The switch was stuck on! Praise the Lord it was so close to home - I'd have hated to spend an unplanned night in Westbridge or Rock Creek... or out in the middle of nowhere!

My man is not mechanically inspired, but he stepped up to the plate and got it sorted. We've ordered a new switch and will have to be tricky with getting around the next few days.

*****

BIG NEWS!

The Sophia Sarducci Shop, where I sell my digital scrapbooking kits, is closing its doors. Ah, don't weep for me, Suzanna, it has been SUCH a wonderful place to be. I can't say enough positive about my bosses and co workers. Sophia was the first ever shop I've sold at, and I believe I was directed there through my blog, through the Lord. I'd not went looking, and had prayed to find the perfect place, and Sophia was perfect for me. My boss Saxon was so hugely encouraging to me every step of the way - I hope you will all visit her when you can as she is selling at Scrapbook Elements (click HERE)- I wish her every success!

Now, the GOOD NEWS -

from now to November 15th
EVERYTHING
in the Sophia Sarducci Store
is 50% OFF

EVERYTHING
including COMMERCIAL USE...

so, treat yourself to some early Christmas shopping
by clicking HERE!

Thank you all my faithful customers for your support over this last year. It's been amazing!

Me? I'm thinking on perhaps joining a shop (or two) in January - will keep you posted. In the meantime I'm a bit digi-burned-out and need to regroup. This will be a welcome break for me!

*****

An Award - For Me? Awwwwwwwwww!

Poor Betty, this I send you a big MUAH and a super big BEAR HUG for this award, but gurl, I'm going to be honest with you - the award stops here. Ha ha! I have a very busy week ahead of me so I'm going to (blushingly) accept this award but not forward it at this time, simply don't have time. But I thank you from the very bottom of my heart! It means a lot, specially coming from you - I find your blog a wonderful, informative window into your part of the world.

I've only been visiting Betty for a month or so, but I've learned so much about Paraguay through her good blog posts! The reason I'm so interested is because I have a good friend who comes from, and does missions to, Argentina, which is next door to Paraguay. Though my friend tells me about some things, Betty takes the time to write extensively, answer my MANY questions and even includes photos! Yes, I pester her almost daily!

And today is Betty's two year blog birthday. And like all us strange blog people, we seem to GIVE things away on our birthdays, rather than the opposite! So, if you have a moment and would like to learn something new about a new place, why not stop in and say CONGRATS and hello and even...

WIN ME - at Betty's blog!

Ah, what is it you ask? Well, you will have to go over to Betty's and pester her like I do - she's got an explaination and a CONTEST to win these items on her blog.

Thanks so much Betty - I'll eagerly await to see who wins. To visit Betty's blog just click HERE!

*****

its SOMEBODY'S birthday tomorrow...
check back here tomorrow to find out WHO
(and there may even be a digi download in celebration!)

I M CANADIAN 12 X 12 INCH MINI KIT
download

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

What does being Canadian mean to me? I feel blessed to live in such a beautiful country, rich in resources and culture. I am proud our country is multi-cultural and considered to be tolerant, but I fear we are TOO liberal, we tolerate TOO much. I’m scared we will ‘get lost’ that we will lose vision of what being a Canadian REALLY is. If you’re Canadian and reading this, what do YOU think? This is just my personal opinion.

I like the fact my country is so large and diverse, from living here in Canada’s only pocket desert, in the heart of orchard country; I’m only a smidgen of this place I call home. My country stretches from seas to seas, and includes some vast areas of the frozen north. Why, I’ve barely explored a fraction this majestic land.

At some time in the future, I’ll share some family history, about my Great, Great, Great Grandmother who came across Canada in a Red River Cart. What a story, what a legacy.

Mostly, what I enjoy about being Canadian, is that I am FREE to WORSHIP. The following song lyrics are by the Canadian group HIS SEASON, from the album SEE A CHANGE. This song sends shivers up and down my spine. You can visit their site by just clicking HERE.

WORSHIPERS AGREE

by HIS SEASON

Let our nation sing to the King of Kings

Let our people pray to the Lord today

May the anthem of my country be pleasing God to Thee

From sea to shining sea let the worshipers agree

That the Lord of the Heavens is the Lord who reigns in me

From sea to shining sea let the worshipers agree

O Canada let the worshipers agree

O Canada living God reign in me

O Canada we stand on guard for Thee

O Canada

Let our nation sing to the King of Kings

Let our people pray to the Lord today

May the citizens and leaders ever stand on guard for Thee

From sea to shining sea let the worshipers agree

May we trust in the living God to keep us glorious and free

From sea to shining sea let the worshipers agree

O Canada let the worshipers agree

O Canada living God reign in me

O Canada we stand on guard for Thee

O Canada

Let our nation sing to the King of Kings

Let our people pray to the Lord today