Lord, might I be but as a saw,
A plane, a chisel in thy hand.
No, Lord, I take it back in awe;
Such prayer for me is far too grand.
I pray thee, rather let me lie
As on thy bench the favored wood;
Thy saw, thy plane, thy chisel ply
And work me into something good.

…George Macdonald

Thursday

This morning I received a call from Dawn Marie Allaby, telling me that her father passed away yesterday. Our prayers are with you, Dawn. She asked me to play at his funeral in St. Martins on Saturday, and of course, I said "Yes."

Then I had a call this afternoon from my mother telling me that Laura Smith died this morning. Laura was a pillar in the church I grew up in. So I guess I will be participating in a couple of funerals this weekend, no doubt.

Tonight at George Street Middle School is a benefit concert for Haiti. I will be playing in the 'rock band' again, as we perform four songs. We have a name now: "Funktional Independence." If you're available, come out and hear us. 7 pm... I'll let you know how it goes.

Update

Haven't written for awhile for various reasons. One is that I couldn't get on the blogspot, so had to have one of my 'secretaries,' Carolyn, find out why and of course, she did. Carolyn is the webmaster and says she can understand my brain so to speak. Carolyn is wonderful.

The weekend was so full of people and things to do that it's hard to describe. We had company Friday night and Saturday night, church music, meetings, band practice for another 'rock' band appearance this coming Thursday night for a Haiti fundraiser, and attendance at Max's 'Come as You Are' event for women. I was Dawn Marie Allaby's 'understudy' and sang a song until she got there. She was the 'real singer' I said (tongue in cheek, as I do sing all the time, but it was fun to pretend I was an understudy).

Today was the radio show, teaching the BEADY Bunch piano, a hair cut by a new hairdresser (where I basically heard her lifestory, and that of her boyfriend's), groceries, prayer and teaching music again til after 10 tonight.

Found out today that we will be going to the Bahamas in April where I will be the opening speaker at a conference. So Doug booked the tickets and accomodations tonight for a week in Freeport. This will be my fourth trip to Bahamas in 11 years. Hard to believe. Now, what will I speak about? Pray for me! I'm sure it will come; always does.

Really enjoying life...

They made it to The Pas!

Natalie called last evening around 9:30. After many humorous 'incidents,' which would be normal flying such a long way with a baby (including being 'searched and patted down' by security; and having Aiden drool all over Nat's face while they were sleeping), they made it! And I could relax.

She said she could feel everyone's prayers and thanks to all of you.

It's lonely here in the house, I gotta tell you... need to find a new routine now. Will no doubt take awhile for me to get in a 'groove' of some sort. I miss them already.

Oh, well, like I always say, "Thank God for Alexander Graham Bell."

Check out the website page for a new opening 'song.' Those of you who attended the retreat a couple of weekends ago will appreciate it (and maybe some others will, too).

debmacministries.com

Have a great Son-filled day. "Face it with a grin..."

!Deb

Jet Plane

Natalie and Aiden are leaving on jet plane at 5:30 AM out of Fredericton airport. They will have a VERY long day, with a seven hour lay-over in Winnipeg, before boarding 'Calm Air,' for the flight to Flin Flon and finally The Pas, Manitoba. She is anxious to get home to see RCMP man husband Josh, but sad to leave us. I put Aiden to bed tonight and cried while lovin' on him. I kept asking him over and over, "Do you love Gram Deb?" "Yah," he responded, nodding his head and smiling at me with a smile that would melt the coldest heart (mine has completely melted). I finally had to put him in his crib before I broke down completely. I watched Natalie pack and generally wandered around the house wondering what to do. After she was packed, we prayed together as we always do the night before we part, and cried again. It never gets any easier.

We will get up in the middle of the night to get to the airport in time. I don't plan on going; it's too hard, although I may change my mind in the morning. Please pray for journeying mercies for them -- that Aiden will not be cranky, get lots of sleep and be a joy to be around. That Natalie would be calm, cool and collected. Pray for our emotions as well, and that God will give us another opportunity to be together again. Doug and I have absolutely loved having them here again (during good circumstances this time. We are truly blessed. Night.

Happy Valentines Day

This weekend has been about love. Saturday morning found Nat and I at a valentine brunch organized by Doris at Smythe St Church. I told a love story about a man named Dan whom I fell in love with in 1976 (he later became my husband, Doug. I thought his name was Dan when I met him). Then I sang three love songs. Saturday afternoon found us in a van with Randy and Sandra, on our way to Nurse Cherry's house in Saint John, to join Cherry and Allan, and Shelly & David. They put on a Valentine spread for us. We were stuffed and almost rolled home. We had an old fashioned sing song in the living room. Gaither style.

This morning found us at church, where we were in love with God and each other. A wonderful sense of love permeated the place. This afternoon found us at home again with our family and all our children and grandchildren (except RCMP man, Josh). The kids wreaked havoc all over the house, and once again, I loved it and loved on them. After ordering Greco pizza, and spinach salad with goat cheese, I let the children play with bowls, measuring cups, whisks, measuring spoons, and they 'cooked' up a storm. I called it "Baby Iron Chef." The water was flying everywhere, and the floor was soaked, but we used many towels to soak up the water, and they had a blast. Creative water play on Gram Deb's floor. I needed to wash my kitchen floor, just didn't know I was going to use 'baby play' to do same.

Well, congratulations goes to Pierre of Canada, who just won a gold medal in men's mogul skiing! The first gold medal in Canada by a Canadian! GO CANADA GO!

Two more days til Natalie & Aiden lift off for Manitoba. Pray for our heart strings...

Recipes

Hey! Check out the Recipe section of the blog for Angie's recipes for chicken. Bloggers -- feel free to post your fav recipes there for us all to enjoy....

Still doing the radio show...must go!

Willie Wonka

I'm talking about Willie Wonka again. But this time, this year, it's about the Leo Hayes High School musical production, which I saw tonight at The Playhouse. Went with Margie, whose son, Ryan was playing the piano for the whole musical. He was one of my piano students for years (He isn't now; he was too smart for me, and I had to send him on to another teacher). I also had other students and former students in the play: Leah Thompson, Lianne Burrell, Bridget Pyke, Charlotte Pyke, Shae McCarthy, Katie Cunningham, Victoria Ross (I'm sure there's more, I just can't think straight).

Anyway, it was great to be watching Willie Wonka instead of walking around it last year (for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about: I called Willie O'Ree Place -- 'Willie Wonka' last year, which has a walking track. It was very therapeutic during my chemotherapy months).

I would much rather watch the Willie Wonka play any day than go through chemo. Bless the Lord.

Quotes for Your Day

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." ~ Walt Disney

"Thinking will not overcome fear, but action will." ~W. Clement Stone

'NEVER GIVE IN, NEVER GIVE UP'

SURVIVAL STRATEGIES

 

#1    In the storm and in the calm, EAT THE WORD! Use the Sword of God to your advantage.

#2    Stop steering your life. Destroy all steering devices! Let go and Let God.

#3    Run aground! Let go of the sails and let God sail your vessel to safe ground. Take your     hands OFF     your ship (life) – it is no longer your     property! He is the pilot AND the owner and makes all the     decisions. Be part of the run aground on a deserted island crowd!

#4    Search for food when you get to the island (The Word of God)

• Psalms, Proverbs, Wisdom food, Theology, History, Gospels, Letters, Poetry, Prophecy, Good news about Jesus food, instruction for life food
  
• NOT 'SIMPLY FOR LIFE' but SIMPLY Word FOR LIFE
  

#5    Make relationships with the island people – love them, minister to them – let THEM take care of you     (depending on your personality, this may     be difficult, but do it anyway!)

#6    Bless people and let them bless you

#7    Get refueled, refreshed, refurbished, reorganized, re-established, reasonable, reminded, reputed,     reguarded, recycled, RENEWED on the     island

#8    Vote yourself OFF the game Survivor: Life – let God produce your 'show'

#9    Recognize the treasure you have (2 Cor 4:7; Col 2:9,10; 2 Cor 4:11)

#10    Recognize that you have the SAME spirit of faith as Paul and of David (Ps 116:8-10; Ps 118:10-14)

#11    Recognize that you CAN and SHOULD call on the Lord

#12    Recognize the results that will be achieved because of trials (2 Cor 1:8-11)

#13    Recognize God's power (2 Cor 4:14; 2 Cor 1:8-11)

#14    Recognize that you are living in eternity – the kingdom of God HAS BEEN inaugurated! (2 Cor 4:18)

#15    Recognize that it all goes back in the box (2 Cor 4:16-18)

#16    Recognize that troubles are necessary to achieve eternal glory (2 Cor 4:17; James 1:2-4)

#17    Recognize that trials make you strong and vigorous, just like Moses who lived to be 120 years old!

#18    Look at trials and troubles in a new way (Rom 8:18,19)

#19    In all things we overwhelmingly conquer (or survive) through Him who loved us! (Rom 8:37)

#20    Survive through Silence & Rest (Psalm 23; Jer 6:16)

#21    Survive through Praise & Worship (Psalm 100)

#22    Survive through recognizing who God is. Meditate on Him. He is the GREAT I AM!

#23    Survive through Prayer (Phil. 4; 1 Pet 5:7). Get down on your knees!

#24    Survive through Reading & Believing the WORD

#25    Do not worry about tomorrow – stay in your DAY box (Mt 6:33)

#26    Learn to be content in all circumstances as you survive this life here on earth (Phil 4:13)

#27    'Practice' trusting God (Is 43:2; Psalm 23; Phil 1:6). 'Emmanuel' – God with us… HOPE IN GOD

#28    Don't be afraid to cry out to God (Eccl 3:4; Jer 3:13; Psalm 126)

#29    Recognize that God is sovereign and IN CONTROL of your life. He knows EVERYTHING. Repeat     after me…"GOD IS IN CONTROL" "GOD IS IN     CONTROL" "GOD IS IN CONTROL"

#30    Learn from your trials and MOVE ON! Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and START ALL OVER     AGAIN!

#31    Let others take care of you – learn how to RECEIVE.

#32    God KNOWS what you are going through and He CARES . Release your cares to Him (1 Pet 5:7)

#33    God provides – financially, emotionally, spiritually. (Gen 22)

#34    Stay in the game and RUN THE RACE – GO FOR THE GOLD! (1 Cor 9:24)

#35    Keep things in perspective – think with an eternity mindset (2 Cor 4:16-18/2 Cor 5)

#36    Forget what is in the past and look forward to what is ahead (Phil 3:13-14)\

#37    Realize that you are more than a survivor, more than a conqueror! (Rom 8:37)

#38    "NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE IN; NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, GIVE UP!" (Churchill)

#39    "Everything will work out in the end. If it's not working out, it's not the end" (Max Lucado)

#40    "Be joyful always; pray continually; GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus!" (1 Thess 5:16-17)

#41    Believe that God has it ALL worked out and it WILL work out for GOOD (Rom 8:28)

#42    SMILE & Laugh Lots – You can find Joy in even the hardest circumstances. LIVE LOVE LAUGH

#43    Live Each Day – Seize it! Forgive Everything Love With Abandon

#44    Have HOPE! – He Offers Purpose/Promise Everyday

#45    Reach for the Top – Reach for God!

#46    You are victorious through Christ!

#47    Praise God through whom ALL blessings flow – even in the midst of trials

#48    Live in 'Whoville' – Read Romans 8:31-35! WHO is your God?

#49    God never lets go of you! His hand is on your life

#50    Perfect LOVE casts out FEAR… FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real

#51    HAVE FAITH IN GOD

#52    YOU ARE MORE THAN A CONQUEROR!

 

This Day in History

THIS afternoon I announced on my radio show that on THIS day in AD 60, Paul the Apostle was shipwrecked on an island off the island of Malta. Isn't that cool?

Coincidental that I was preaching on Acts 27 & 28 and the Island of Malta on the weekend? I think not..

Now to continue cooking corn/blueberry muffins. Nat and Aiden are in bed having naps, and I have a break in teaching, so why not bake?

Are you still surviving? I am. Still recovering from the fabulous weekend at Greenhill Lake Camp. I'm sure ALL the women are! It was a fantastic time, wasn't it?
I had to have a nap this afternoon as the weekend caught up to me.

In case you're wondering why "I Will Survive" is on the website as background music, it was the theme song I picked for the weekend. Considering my topic was More Than a Survivor, More Than A Conqueror, it seemed to fit. Hope you enjoy it. If you don't, just turn down the volume on your computer (smile).

Brenda and Mom came over for lunch today and we had a veritable feast. Tonight I went to Ladies' Choir, but found it hard to sing as I am so tired. So why am I still up at 11:40ish writing on a blog you may ask? Because I just finished working on my radio show for tomorrow, so thought I would post something before bedtime.

I spoke to Jalene from Campobello on the phone tonight. She has asked us to pray for her baby, Hope, who will be born in early May. She wants us to pray that Hope's ascending aorta will grow (Hope has left hypoplastic heart). So, let's all agree to pray to this end -- that Baby Hope's aorta will grow to the proper size and that she will come through surgery with flying colours. This is a VERY stressful time for this family, so please uphold Jalene and Stefan and Baby Hope in prayer. HONK HONK for them.... (if you haven't seen the video on the geese, check out the website sidebar and click 'Videos.' That way, you will know what I mean about HONK HONK being an encouraging thing).

Never, never, never give in -- Never, never, never give up.
All is well

!Deb

Two Poems from My Friend, Megan Flower

YOU ARE THERE

Like a hot air balloon
That doesn’t know where it will land
I’ve come to a place in my life
Where I do not know my future plans
It doesn’t feel fair
And most of all
I feel that no one cares
No one understands
Why have you left me alone?
Why have you left me?
So shattered and unsure
A struggling hand of cards
In this life I have been dealt
Causing me and my emotions
To be insecure and melt
The future is unclear
But I know God’s hand will steer
Jesus takes the wheel
And helps me with the things I feel
Every emotion is truly heartfelt
Sometimes I keep it together
Sometimes I cannot
But I couldn’t do this without you
Without your love to see me through
You know the plans you have for me
They are written in your book
Please help it be to you that
I continuously look
Be the lighthouse
In this world of sin
And help me know
Just where to begin
The one thing I cannot do
Is make it through without you
I am truly glad to know
I do not have to for
I remember the footprints
‘Though I think I am alone
You are carrying me


You are there
January 31, 2010
Megan Flower

Humpty Dumpty

Humpty Dumpty fell off the wall
How to put him together again
None of the Kingsmen knew
He didn’t have you to see him through
All of life’s ups and downs
Like a carousel - round and round

Just like this famous fairy tale
Life comes with no guarantees
Still we know you are there
Just like the wind is through the trees
Your warmth shines
Like golden rays of sun
And I am thankful to call you mine

If we listen to our heart
We can feel you there
Amongst the dark
Like a lighthouse in the distance
To go on living you give us persistence

You promise to catch us
Whenever we happen to fall
There is no obstacle to big or to small
Everything lies within your hands
Even when we do not understand

You are the maker of my mold
And my hand you will continuously hold
This I now realize for myself
It is much more then simply being told

We are the jigsaw puzzle
You see the bigger picture
Things will not always make sense
And figuring it out, though I try
Results in feeling trapped,
Captivated am I
So I begin to cry
But you are always there
To dry my eyes

If we look ahead
The road soon comes to a bend
Avoiding glancing only
In the rearview mirror
Things become much clearer
And with a new perspective
To figure things out
We joyously begin
To sing, dance and shout

Your word you
Continue to reveal
I can feel you here
And know that you are real
I pray you would live
Within my heart
Be the light in the darkness

And as I continue to get to know
Your love, your all in all, your will
Portray your love through me
Let me be a candle to the rest of the world
Always shining bright
With little to no feelings of fright
For trusting you is something
I am convinced I CAN do
I Love You!

Real Life Fairytale
By: Megan Flower
September 20, 2009

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to our granddaughter, Afton Natalie MacDonald, who turned 5 on February 8th! She is in Disney World in Florida on her birthday with Mommy, Jack and Ivy. Daddy Jonathan stayed home, but he talked to her the night before her birthday, and she was SO excited to go to Disney! Wish we were there with you, Aftie! Have fun!

Gram Deb & Papa
x0

New Additions to Website

Check out the new video on GEESE on the sidebar of my website (debmacministries.com), about geese flying in formation! It's awesome!

And listen to the new music that comes up automatically when you load up the website. It was our theme song for the retreat this past weekend....Thank you, Carolyn (our webmaster) for all you do on this website!

deb

Baby HOPE and Survivor Weekend

Hi -- just got back from an AMAZING weekend at Greenhill Lake Camp, where I spoke on being "More than a Survivor, More Than a Conqueror." Love, laughter and living filled the weekend -- it was like being on the Survivor Show. I called it "Survivor:Life." We laughed, cried, participated in many challenges, sang our hearts out, and encouraged each other. We had a blast! You really had to be there. If I described it to you, you would think I was a bit out of my mind! Sleepless and hungry for most of the weekend, I poured my heart into the assignment God gave me to do there this weekend -- teach the women how to survive life, and what I have learned over these almost 32 years of marriage, and all the things we as a couple have survived. I thank all of you who attended and made the commitment to come -- I pray that you were blessed above and beyond!. And those of you who helped in ANY way -- thank you. You will get your reward, and probably already have! I even took my football with me and made a few touchdowns. The women also learned how geese fly in formation and their unusual way of communicating with each other. Those of you who were there know what I mean. How could we ever describe it for our readers?

The Superbowl is now on, and I am laying back in the Lazy Boy with a bowl of popcorn. It's going to be an awesome game, for sure but not at all as exciting as what the weekend was. I love football, as you know -- TOUCHDOWN!

Please remember Jaylene and Stefan from Campobello, as they go to the doctor tomorrow. Pray for Baby Hope, yet unborn -- that ALL IS WELL with her. Pray for peace for this family, and that they receive the answers they're hoping for. HOPE for HOPE.

I will post some things from the weekend on the blog when I get my head on right. It's a bit tired, but I'm sure I'll be revived after watching the Superbowl!

ALL IS WELL
I'M STILL STANDIN'
THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE
THIS TOO SHALL PASS

Have fun tonight, everyone!

National Carrot Cake Day

This week has been busy, for sure. Just finished a long day -- radio show, a workout at the gym (I worked out on the stationary bike while reviewing my notes for the weekend; Nat had a major workout). Taught children music at the house til 6, while watching a carrot cake and corn muffins bake. Today is National Carrot Cake Day, so decided to make Doug a carrot cake (Canadianliving.com -- the best carrot cake in Canada, supposedly). Nat put the majority of it together, as I had to teach all my wonderful students. The house was filled with chillun' and cookin' today. All I did was grate the carrots and whipped up the cream cheese icing. Nat & Doug and Aiden said it tastes great. I think Doug is going to make a carrot cake delivery in the morning to my radio host colleague, Rick Green, who also loves carrot cake. A drive-by carrot cake drop-off before he goes to work, I think. I can't eat it, of course, but what else is new? Sometimes I get tired of not being able to eat what everyone else can eat, but I guess there are worse things in life, right? Sometimes it's a blessing in disguise not to eat what others eat, but it sure would be nice once in awhile.

Aiden is SO cute and we are really enjoying their stay. The house is full of toys and I'm always running into and tripping over toys, but I love it. Nat misses Josh, of course. We miss Josh, too. Wish they lived closer. She's here two more weeks, and we will miss them once again. I wish Canada was smaller.

We watched a good movie tonight -- ""Love Happens," -- about love and grief. Would recommend it. Thought I was going to review my notes for the weekend, but that will take care of itself. I have spoken on being a survivor in life many times, and have so much material, it's hard to know what will come out of my mouth. God knows. I think I could write a book on the stuff I have gone through and written down. I compiled a list of 50 Survival Tactics which will be a handout. Perhaps I could type it on the blog. If you're interested, let me know.

Well, I must go and mix up some grapefruit juice and tonic water. It's actually very refreshing. Just discovered it tonight.

My wrists and hands are driving me crazy, but I'm still typing.

February 1st

I had an appointment with Dr. Bryden, my surgeon this afternoon. Natalie and Doug went with me. A check-up of my mastectomy site, lymph nodes, etc. And a major discussion on whether to have another mastectomy on the other side. She felt that with all I've been through last year, that having this surgery would not be medically necessary at this time. In part due to the fact that I have carpal tunnel in both arms (plus tenosynovitis in my left wrist), which may require surgery. That I need my hands more at this time, and the breast can wait. That the surgery, chemo and radiation have been done to take care of the cancer and hopefully it will not return, and that the medication I'm on (Arimidex) will take care of me producing estrogen, thus protecting the other breast. That they would be more concerned about the cancer returning in the mastectomy side than the other side. Doctors always lay the bare facts out there for you, and you have to face it again. The size of the tumour (3.5) and that 7 of 9 lymph nodes were involved. She told me a story that did encourage me, however. About a woman she's been seeing for 10 years who had 12 out of 14 lymph nodes involved and is doing great and doesn't need to see her anymore. That will be me, right! I won't have to have any more surgery, chemo or radiation. I declare it! And you agree, right?

She told me I was doing great and that I am a one year survivor, almost two (November). To come see her in November, after my next mammogram (which she is booking now for October). That the first two years are critical and that if you can get through these two years....Please continue to pray for me. And that I would be at peace and know that GOD is my strength, as He has always been.

It's very interesting that I am speaking this weekend at Greenhill Lake Camp. Topic: "MORE THAN A SURVIVOR: MORE THAN A CONQUEROR."