more of the journey...

Prayer continues to be a puzzle to me....

It would seem as though prayer has always been a part of life.  I remember the list of names my Dad prayed for each morning, the Bauchs, Fawleys, Malsburys, Carlsons, Friesens all faceless names in unknown countries as far as I was concerned.  That was followed by all of us as a family reciting the "Lord's Prayer" together.  Then there were my own petitions as I knelt beside my bed in that icy upstairs bedroom.  Mostly I remember trying to recall all the bad things I needed to confess.  I had no concept of God's total forgiveness of sin because of Jesus' death.

In the last few years I recall a friend asking if there was power in prayer.  "Of course," I thought, that is what I had heard all my life.   "No," replied Murray.  "The God we pray to has power but our words don't have power."  That set me back to thinking!

I have been told there are certain words I should not use when I pray, that I should pray a 'certain' way. I have been left feeling fearful and guilty about prayer more than once by people who have formulas and patterns that 'work'.  These 'formulas' are encouraged to bring great miracles for all to see.  Truthfully, some of the greatest 'miracles' that I have seen personally are the ones that have happened inside when I pray "help" or "I can't do this. Please do it through me".

So what do I believe now, today....

I believe I have a lot to learn.

There is much talk these days of 'relationship' with God.  It would seem to me that 'relationship' does not follow a 'formula', that each 'relationship' we have with those around us is different.  So I learn to talk to God, learn to listen to God in a way that is unique for 'us'.  I am not saying we can't learn from each other but I am also different from everyone else so I can not relate to God like everyone else.

I have read in the Bible about having faith like a grain of mustard, about telling mulberry bush to be moved into the sea.  I have also been left feeling guilt, not even having faith as tiny as a mustard seed, I mean, come on Karin!!!  Recently when I read that I was honest enough to say (quietly :) ), "that is so ridiculous. Why would I tell a tree to be moved into a sea".  What I 'heard' in my mind was: "Exactly!"  And then a flood of thoughts.... it only takes a tiny bit of faith in a great God to believe in the things that others might think are ridiculous, to act on a belief that I am convinced that God has given me whether others agree or not. (note: I am not saying I should 'do' anything that is illegal or immoral!  Those are not the kinds of 'things' I am talking about and those are not the kinds of things God would ask of me).

And so, I continue to learn to believe that God wants me to tell Him what I want, to believe that He knows what is best and good, to trust Him to sort through what I say, to understand my thoughts.  I continue to pray, though sometimes it is just a jumble of thoughts.  I think that is what a 'relationship' is all about.

I am most happy to be challenged about this, to hear what others have to say.  I think we all learn as we talk and respect each others 'learning'.

Facebook

A number of years ago I was encouraged to be Facebook member.  Although my 'skills' were (and still are) very limited computer-wise, I was in!  For about a month!  I did not know what all the terminology meant.  I did not know what was 'etiquette'. (is there such?).  I started hearing horror stories regarding privacy invasion.  So, I just quit!

I resisted the encouragements, the scorn of those well-versed in all the ins and outs of Facebook.  I admit to developing a snobbery of my own. "No, I am not on Facebook"probably was said with some satisfaction and weird pride!

Then it dawned on me that I was actually missing out on some local happenings and sometimes events. Good friends recognized my archaic attitudes and would usually phone me but that is hardly fair of me to expect.  I 'lurked' on a family members account but that did not keep me in touch with my community.  I 'heard' of the great photos posted and sometimes would have them forward by friends.

But a couple of weeks ago I relented and tried to set up an account only to find my 'old' account sitting in 'inactive'.  So, there I was, here I am.  On FaceBook......

I am still cautious.  I don't do much posting.  I have become brave enough to add a few comments once in awhile.  But I have discovered some amazing photography, learned of new babies, the health problems of a friend.  I also discovered that I can waste, yes, waste a whole lot of time!  But hopefully I will get a grip, gain some balance, let go of fears and just enjoy the 'good' that is there.

It has taken me goodness knows how many years to become comfortable in the blogging world!  I suspect Facebook will be a way off life for me about the time it becomes obsolete!  

Treasure...

 Our grandchildren are basically 'city / small- town' kids so there are wonders of country life that are not experienced on a regular basis.

On the last morning of the recent family get-together we did one last Gator exploration of the pasture.  Lo and behold!  A treasure!  A picked-over-by-coyotes carcass of a yearling steer!  It could have been a gold-mine as far as these young'uns were concerned as they loaded the back of the Gators with stinking bones!

All well and good until it came time for the departure for their civilized homes! "You are not taking those with you!"  "But Grandma said I could!"  oops!

The parents relented as a very dry white one was chosen and enclosed in a large garbage bag......

The next young lady's choice was not nearly as dry and the odour was not quite as pleasant!  But the Papa agreed to allow the 'treasure' to travel to the city with the agreement that these would be 'outside toys'.  These were encased in more than one 'odour guard' garbage bag!              

of pixies, fairies, leprechauns...

At one time, long ago(!), my most favorist  thing to do was read.  In the midst of all the stories to be read there were some of great imagination.  I don't think I ever truly believed in fairies, pixies or leprechauns but oh, it was such fun to imagine!  I know I imagined and imagined!.  While cutting grass the other morning I came across this toadstool of all toadstools.  A perfect place for pixies, fairies and leprechauns to sing, dance and share the bit of sunshine together............

water,water everywhere....

It seems long ago since we lived on that farm in the middle of this picture.  I don't recall ever seeing water like this!  There was a down-pour ( I think that is putting it mildly) the other night.  The JD Salesman took a  flight over the countryside yesterday and with his phone, took a few pictures.     

 South of Youngstown is a reservoir, a recreational area, which is over flowing its banks.  I know of one family who was evacuated for fear the dam would not hold.

     

A tea party (coffee too!)

 pretty cool box for tea!  handmade by the 'man of the home'

yes, there was tea but also coffee...

and food, all kinds of fine food!



dainty sandwiches

plenty of sweets

delicious scones













Thank you, Friend, for the party!

"Gifted"

The JD Salesman was "gifted" with a relic John Deere bicycle in the back of his pickup sometime last winter. (yes, it does say John Deere in obscure printing!).  It sat in our shop, waiting for someone to rescue it, make something useful.  This is what has transpired!  Now the question is will the plants survive the wind and will I remember to water !  Ask me later........