The Past Few Days

This has already been quite a week, and it is only Tuesday.  It started on Saturday, where Doug and I worked at Camp Shiktehawk in Bristol.  Doug worked in the maintenance shed all day, and I cooked and baked my little heart out in the camp kitchen (and washed pots and pans galore).   From 6:30 a.m. to 7 pm.  Were we wiped?   You bet.   And then had to drive home that night, as I had to sing and preach the next morning at Morning Gate.  By the grace of God I was able to preach and sing, I'll tell you.  About undergoing trials and tests, and asking God for wisdom.

We hoped to have some much needed rest in our deck chairs, but alas, it started again.  The sewer pipes backed up and we called the City, who told us to not use the water or the toilets -- in both houses.   This was a bit difficult, as Dad, who has Alzheimer's, was a bit confused, to say the least.   Doug got the RV ready, and it became our 'outhouse' for the next 24 hours.    The test began for us.  Could we manage 24 hours without water and toilet facilities?

Monday morning, the City of Fredericton arrived -- with backhoe, dump truck, coiled things, and many men (of course).  They deliberated for a long time -- 'have to take the pine tree down;' 'you'll have to pay for this;' etc.  I told them, 'No I wouldn't,' and that I was praying about it.   And put out the word to Mom and Doris, too.

After a long day of digging, power outages, and the pine tree roots being cut off, they solved the problem and fixed three breaks in the line.  The pine tree did NOT come down, and we get to gaze upon its beauty for another 100 years, and we were not served with a bill from the City, as it was on the city property line.  Praise be to God, who granted them wisdom and heard our prayers.

This day, Tuesday, found me at the church once again for a funeral, playing the piano at length for Muriel Ashfield's funeral.  She was 93+, and a longtime member of our congregation.  And a great woman of God.  She is now with Jesus, probably whipping up a batch of cookies or brown bread, or quilting.  God bless you, Muriel.  Loved your smile....

I'm a bit tired.. Don't know why

Firsts

I've had many 'firsts' in my life -- first love, first marriage, first baby, first diagnosis of cancer, first other things, but this past Monday, I experienced a new 'first.'  I 'officiated' at my first funeral service -- of Gary Richard McMullen, age only 65, who died suddenly of a heart attack.  I never thought as I walked down the aisle and sat on the platform, that I would find myself helping to conduct a funeral service for our friend, Gary.  I have sung many times at funerals (which I did on Monday as well), but never preached at a funeral before.  God was with me -- He filled my mouth with the Good News about Jesus.  Many times in my life I have given the gospel message, but never like this.  I didn't think I would be able to do it, but I lived what the Bible says:  "With God, all things are possible."

Doug had a 'first' as well.  He gave a short eulogy, and his cell phone went off in the middle of it.  It was very funny, and appreciated by all, as he was talking about always being able to get Gary on the cell phone.  Then the phone rings.  Perhaps Gary was trying to get Doug on the phone.   And Gary did work for NBTel for many years.

Rest in peace with Jesus, Gary....May God's love be with your beloved wife, Jeannie, and your beautiful family.  Til we see you again...

When you can't sleep at night, get up.   Stop lying in bed, tossing and turning, convincing yourself that you are almost asleep.  Why waste your time doing this?  Go to the kitchen, toast an English muffin, eat some cheese and peanut butter, a couple of Calcium and Vitamin D tabs, and a small glass of tonic water for the legs on your body that just will NOT settle down with the rest of your limbs.   Play Scrabble with Ann or Don P. out west who is in a different time zone than you are.  Start working on the book you've been planning to write your whole life.  Why, you should be able to have it completed by morning!  Look around the room.  What else could you do?  Rearrange cupboards?  clean out drawers?  Bake a cake?  Endless possibilities.

Sleep, where are you?  Come to Mama!

Some days, I have the most interesting of experiences.  It started Friday morning, where a wild and wonderful group of women showed up at the house.  We dissected Genesis 10.  Yes, Genesis 10.  A genealogy of sorts.  To get excited about a genealogy, like I do, is a rare thing, I think.  I don't really think they shared my passion, and told me that their heads were swimming.  Sort of like when you try to explain that your brother's second cousin once removed on your maternal aunt's side, or something like that.

After this strange study, I hopped in the XTerra (since Doug stole my Honda for his daily trips to Woodstock), and met Carolyn (a.k.a. Jackie Kennedy Onassis) down in Lower St. Mary's.  I followed her car to Maquapit Lake, where we encountered another bunch of women in spring hats (although one woman donned a bunny hat).  Jackie Kennedy Onassis appeared for a few minutes and had several accents while speaking.  I touted the health benefits of tea, and the various types of tea, going on and on like Forest Gump and his discourse on shrimp.  After some tea type games, prizes, a tea sniffing competition to see if these hat-clod women could guess what was in the tea, I made tea with Alberta, the hostess.   Coconut Calypso white tea, Toffee Crunch rooibos (my fav), Earl Grey de la Creme (Nat's fav), Mint Julep, and Hot Yoga (a wellness tea, another fav of mine).  The women brought their tea cups and sampled the teas, deciding which was their favorite. After some snacks and Carolyn making tea sales, the party was over. A great time was had by all.  Yes, sometimes I am in the tea business -- me and Carolyn, a.k.a. Jackie.

I headed home to meet Doug -- we had planned a dinner date. But alas, due to the national ringette championship in town, we could find no place to rest ourselves other than at the old standard restaurant, Frank's Finer Diner.  Only to come home at night planning to watch The Bible, and fall asleep in the chair early.  To bed only to get up and write a sermon until 1:30.  What a day.

Today we head for Saint John to celebrate with Cheryl -- she is 50.  Let all the bells ring out.  My life is certainly full.  Love life, enjoy life, enjoy others.  Celebrate!

What a day -- I taught music from 11:30 AM to 6:30 PM.  It's hard to keep your momentum and excitement for all the students, but I think I managed to do so.  Then we went to Morning Gate, where I taught another 1 1/2 hours in Bible study.

And you would think one so tired might go to bed, but this one loves to watch these singing shows (Doug does, too), so she stays up late.

Another long day tomorrow.  I have a sore throat now, and for the past couple of days something strange has been happening with my lip.  I never get coldsores, but perhaps I have one.  Oh well, that's nothing, considering what I have gone through.  Thank you, Lord, for health!