Had a great weekend at Greenhill Lake Camp, speaking to the Christian Reformed Ladies of the Maritimes. Spoke on encouragement, and they truly encouraged me. They love to sing, and they love to laugh. I was blessed by being among them. Came home this afternoon, took the mothers out to supper at Frank's Finer Diner, then came home to prepare a Mother's Day Sermon, "Vignette of a Mother," for when I speak at Morning Gate Church in the morning. Also lead music there. Then, it's up river again, to see Jon & Alicia, Afton, Jack, Ivy and Croy. My baby therapy -- on Mother's Day -- what could be better? Wish I had the other two grandkids to hold -- counting down the days, Natalie!

Do you have a hard time saying, 'NO,' like I do? Watch this...

Do you

Prayer for Almira

Almira is in need of your prayers -- for healing and for stem cell donor. Here is an excerpt from an email today: Hi everyone, I am home from the hospital. Resting in His Presence but really tired and achy all over but trusting God for my healing  and the plans He has for my life. Please share this and please keep me in prayer that I not get discouraged – honestly it is really hard some days. It has been over two years of waking up and feeling sick and it is hard but My God has been faithful and so have you in your prayers, cards, etc.   I have 3 appts on Friday and a petscan on May 17 to see if the cancer is gone in preparation for a stem cell donor. This is exactly 2 years to the date of my admission in the  hospital in 2010. I am praying for a another miracle.   Love you all and thank you!   See below       Almira Hi Almira, I hope you are feeling a bit better today. I wanted to share with you the poster that is encouraging people to make a blood donation in your honour either the week of May 22nd in Saint John or Moncton or June 19th in Sussex. Also, we will be issuing a press release to the media about these events as well as the event that is being held in your honour in Toronto on May 26th. As soon as I have that press release I will share it with you as well as your doctors at SJRH as the media may call upon them to do an interview. I will keep you posted on all fronts. Please pass this poster on to all of your contacts in New Brunswick. Rest up and take care. Sincerely, Jillian Jillian Adler Patient  & Transplant Liaison Specialist Canadian Blood Services OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network tel. 902-474-8295 cell: 902-222-9707 fax: 902-474-8206 Toll Free: 1-877-442-5663 Ext. 8295 Register to become a stem cell donor at www.onematch.ca You could be the one match that could save a life.

Bridge Movie - The Father Heart of God Chinese Subs

Cece Winans-Always Sisters

Heartland George Strait

Amazing Beats with Pens (Shane Bang)

Jared, one of my long-time piano students, showed me this video tonight...take a watch -- amazing! Music and rhythm is amazing! Thanks, Jared!

Another amazing weekend. Played guitar and music at St Margaret's Church here in Fredericton with a bunch of friends. Had Nurse Cherry and new Mallory here for the weekend as well. Had a great time eating, laughing and sharing together. They made food for me and Jack (Doug). My new name is 'Lou,' because I'm a bit of an administrator like Lou on Heartland. I'm a bit tired, but not too bad -- we went to bed at 3 AM last night. Why do I do that? Oh well, had a little nap today and it fixed me right up. We love having people here at Heartland Fredericton. I know a lot of people don't understand why we enjoy having so many people in our home, but we just do. So, if you need a place to stay, a cup of tea or just sit on the porch and look at the big ol' pines, come along. Sit and stay awhile.

Yes, Krista, I do believe I am way too busy. But I am never bored, that is for sure. We seem to have so much happening in our lives right now, what with the stuff we do, selling Mom and Dad's house (and preparing it for sale), helping Jon & Alicia move to a new home this past weekend, and working. And today, we decided to tear off the old sundeck from Mom and Dad's house and build a new one. Brenda, the Southshore Sister, is up from NS, and she and Doug (and Jed) tore it off today. The next few days will see the old house with a new deck. We pray it sells soon. It's only been on the market for two weeks, and is in a great location. Had a great time with the grandkids on the weekend, and am glad they are now in a larger home. And the chickens in the backyard, in their chicken house are no doubt a bit confused, but I'm sure they will adjust. (Jon & Alicia's chickens, not mine). Not sure if they are allowing chickens here in the city or not. What DID they decide? I should have asked Mayor Brad Woodside last Wednesday when I was at the mayor's breakfast singing a song or two. Now it is Wednesday again -- where does the week go? This weekend I am getting ready to do a music/worship event at St. Margaret's Anglican Church here in Fredericton. Jack and Anne Marie Sheffield from Texas will be speaking. Should be a wonderful time. Aiden is in the hospital in The Pas for severe dehydration caused by the flu. Poor little thing. Hope he gets out tomorrow. I sent out the word for prayer earlier today. If you think of my sweet little grandson, please pray -- and that my sweet little granddaughter, Sarah, doesn't get it, either. Or Josh and Nat. These are times that Natalie wishes she had her mom near. I wish that, too, Nat. Love you and yours....Mom

This morning started early again: 5:45 AM. To the Ramada for the mayor's prayer breakfast. I sang at 7:15 AM. Never sang that early before, but I was able to pull it off (with a little help from my Friend). Sat at the mayor's table as well, and we joined together in praying for the mayor of this great city of Fredericton. It was an honor and privilege for me to sing today. What a long day, though. A walk by the river between 9 and 10, another breakfast at 10:30 (since I didn't have time to eat this morning at the prayer breakfast, since I was singing....LOL) and teaching from 11:30 til 6:00. I think I am tired again. Tomorrow is another full day. I think they are all full days -- our strength will equal our days, the Bible says. That is so true.

I went to bed early last night, so it was an early start to the day -- 6:30 a.m. Well, by the time 0800 rolled around, I was at the gym working out on the bike and treadmill. Home at 0900 and on with the second part of the morning. I wasn't sure what to do with myself with that extra time in the morning. And two breakfasts! By the time my teaching workday started, I was ready for a nap. I'm singing at the Ramada Inn tomorrow morning for a Mayor's Prayer Breakfast -- praying for the mayor and the city. I've been practicing whenever I can throughout the day and for the past while, and my brain is inundated with this song right now ("God of this City"). I have a new appreciation for American Idol contestants. Just picked out my clothes. Never did this before. Just got over my cold -- now, God it's up to you -- take me where my voice has never been before? And sell Granny's house -- perhaps tomorrow? Two showings of the extreme makeover house. Never realized there was so much to do. Where did the simple life go to?

Hey Granny -- are you tired? You should be -- you are a workhorse!

Extreme Makeover

Well, we did it. The 'Extreme Makeover' of Granny & Jed's home. Started on Tuesday, finished on Saturday about 3 o'clock. Had a 5 o'clock showing. The house is 'spic and span.' We all contributed (except Jed, who was a bit confused and slept on the couch). It was fun, but very tiring. Had some help from our friend, Doris, too. Thanks, D. The basement looks like it's never been lived in -- a brand new paint job on the floor, no furniture (Stephen came and rescued the couch. It will live on at GreenHill Lake Camp). The hall newly painted, bookshelves painted white, I cleaned out Jed's workshop and raked a few leaves to boot. Bins and bins of stuff are now stored at our house, awaiting their move to their new pad this coming August. Now, house at 106 Bird Avenue -- SELL!

Prov 31: 17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

This was a verse I read this morning, and it worked in my life today. Actually this week... At Mom's working on getting their house ready for sale. Painting woodwork, walls, washing walls, moving bins and stuff up and out of the basement, rearranging furniture. Taking deer heads and antlers down (actually, Doug did that)... Stay tuned for a picture of Jed's deer in Cousin C's swingset.

D. helped me this afternoon, peeling wallpaper like a wallpaper warrior. Mom made a fantastic supper for the work crew. Tomorrow after morning Bible study group we will hit the house again and get it in top ship shape (or something like that; I'm rather tired at this point, after having a bunch of random people in the house all evening throwing all sorts of ideas around).

We have fun, anyway. Night Mallory (who is still in the other room talking cell phones with Karen). You guys need to go to bed!

Random Monday

What do these things have in common?

Esther
Income taxes
Excavation contractors
Raking the lawn
Real estate agents
House showings
Granny & Jed hanging out at the house
Music students
Fighting with huge ants
Chicken Alfredo
Real estate agent
Walking the block
Sitting on the verandah late at night trying to get thoughts together

These things all happened this random Monday (or should I say 'Manic Monday?')

Praise Report

I received this praise report from Heather McNeill, daughter of Laurel & Anne McNeill -- wanted to pass on to you....

Dad update: Dec 2011-liver biopsy results indicated malignant melanoma. Jan 2012-PET scan showed issue isolated to the liver. Feb 2012-major liver surgery in Halifax. Today-pathology report results: the tumour is not cancerous! (What?!) Dad is cancer free! (For us praying folks--healing miracle...thank you, God!) The value of family and friends is so evident at times like these. To all of you who have been so kind and generous with your love, prayers, and best wishes--my family sends a million+ thank yous! XO!
Feel free to forward the good news! (In case I missed people!)
:)
Heather

I have my fifth cold of the season today. Someone told me this morning it's because I am building my immune system. Has anyone heard of such a thing? That every few years, if you get a bunch of colds, it's because your immune system is rebuilding itself. Weird. Made me feel better somewhat.

Don't feel like it's rebuilding at the present moment, but maybe tomorrow will be a better-feelin' day.!

Had a great Easter weekend -- The sugar bush on Good Friday, lots of time with the four grandkids (wish the two western babies had been there, too), and Jon & Alicia. I so miss Natalie and Josh -- they'll be home this summer for a time. Becky is getting married!

It takes me a whole week to recover from a long weekend, and then we're usually off on a weekend adventure again! Love it, but perhaps I need to stay home this weekend. We'll see what is in store.

Facebook

I'm not sure if I like Facebook. Especially when things get posted on your page that you have nothing to do with. Like today -- a picture posted on my page. I finally figured out how to take it off. And all those weird little apps that appear. Took them off, too (I think).

Also got a weird email from somewhere in Singapore, pretending it was PayPal, and that I ordered an Android! Found out it is a scam.

And earlier today, I had several discussions with Rogers cell phone service...some problems that they hopefully will iron out. Why Is everything so complicated? Did Alexander Graham Bell foresee that people would be so frustrated with phone companies?

What happened to the simple life of communication? Old fashioned telephones, letters and envelopes, face to face? Is it possible to rebel against all this communication? I'm communicating right now.

A dear friend visited us tonight -- haven't seen her for 12 years. It felt like we just spoke yesterday. Caught up on 12 years' worth of living in two hours. This 'freind' (sic) of ours has been a friend since the 70's. Shared a lot of history together. Makes me want to keep in touch with her more. It's interesting how that works - you realize how much you do miss them after reconnecting with them. Old friends never 'die' -- they just move away. However, that's no excuse for not being in touch -- we have so much technology to keep us connected -- why don't we do it more?

Thinking of old friends -- I haven't spoken with my maid of honor for almost eight years -- where are you, Kim? Remember the days when? I must go look her up on facebook and see if she's there.

Speaking of friends -- my new friend that is a bit older than me is making her way from her winter hiatus in Florida. Where are you now? I should put an APB out on her.

Friends are everywhere