WOMAN OF WORTH

Thankful to God also for those countless women who, despite being abused - physically, emotionally or sexually -  neglected, bullied, rejected, disowned, abandoned, criticized, by their own mother, have grown to be mature, wise and godly women - who courageously break that evil, vicious cycle, forgive, love, encourage their own children and model for them the life of a true 

Woman of Worth!

You’re a woman of worth

Loved perfectly by the Lord!

Be a woman of wisdom,

Your life fully based on His Word,

Be a woman of wealth,

As you store up eternal treasure!

Be a woman of warmth

Giving and loving

In bountiful measure.

In valleys, as a woman of weeping,

Discover His wellspring of joy;

With praises and singing and prayer

The works of the devil destroy.

Be a woman of wonder -

How God is working

In and through you!

Let your wisdom and wealth,

Bring glory to Him in all that you do.

Be a woman of worship,

He alone is worthy of praise!

In everything, giving thanks always,

Your voice of true freedom raise.

Let your sweet, winning smile,

Your warm, welcome heart

Show others what life’s all about!

Don’t be a woman of worries,

Or fears, frustrations and doubt.

It is through Christ

You CAN do all things,

His strength is yours

Each new day on this earth!

Let no one persuade you

To think otherwise!

You are a woman of worth!

 Karin Ristau ©

“While [Jesus] was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, ‘Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.’ But He answered and said to the one who told Him, ‘Who is My mother and who are My brothers?’ And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother’” 
(Matthew 12:46-50 NKJV).


“One of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to [Jesus], ‘Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.’ But He said, ‘On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it’
(Luke 11:27,28 NASB).

MANY PATHWAYS

On our life’s journey – there are many pathways.
Each different pathway has it’s own goal.
But our life’s journey does not go on forever
“What’s after this life?”, asks many a soul.

God offers you a place,
where sorrows He’ll erase
where tears will never flow
like they did below.
Look to the ends of earth,
past the moon and each star
There is His Dwelling place
which by Faith is never far!

In our life’s journey – on those many pathways -
we’re given choices each brand new day.
The Cross of Calv’ry is the path of Salvation;
Oh, chose to follow – The Light and The Way.

God sent from heaven’s throne
His Son, His very own
to give eternal life
to all who believe;
sealed in the Book of Life
by the blood of the Lamb;
to live in Paradise
with our God, the Great I AM!

After life’s journey – we will rest from labor
and worship Jesus, His Majesty
The great Redeemer, King of Kings, our Creator,
We’ll live with Him in Eter-nity!

Beyond the highest stars
from pain and sorrows far
will be our dwelling place
a new earth and heav'n!
Amazing Grace and Love!
Won’t you come and receive?
He gives the gift of Faith
to each one who will believe!

Karin Ristau ©

With a few minor changes to accommodate the English words, 
this poem can be sung to the melody in the video.

FORGIVE LORD

A must see vimeo - 

(didn't know how to import it here - sorry!)

http://www.wimp.com/whatis/

..........our lack of patience with others - whether their cognition is all there or not

..........our desire to keep doing 'our thing' when someone asks us a question

..........our sense of frustration when someone repeats things over and over

..........our lack of empathy for the losses another may feel

..........our simply doing our 'duty visit' rather than being fully engaged with the person

..........our hardened hearts

..........our discomfort with those 

             who are different from us

..........and everywhere there is the word 'our' it truly is 'MY'!

..........can you think of more?????

Father, forgive!

GETTING SETTLED

After 50 days in hospital 
my hubby was assessed 

to require much more care 
than he would be able to have at home.

The Social Worker completed the assessment 

on January 16th, 2013

 and on January 18th, 2013 

he was transferred to the Care Centre 
right next door 

to the Manor where we had lived together. 

We had moved to this Manor November 2011,

and in December 2011
 hubby required homecare already.

Isn't God's timing amazing! 

From December 23rd, 2012 
until January 16th, 2013

this center was on Outbreak Protocol

and couldn't admit any new patients

although there were 7 beds to fill.

Once again, 
can you see God's awesome timing for us?

Shepherd's Care has all levels of care 
in several different buildings

but on one campus

which are all connected by walkways. 

If you are interested 
you can check out the website

www.shepherdscare.org

This is where I have worked in a variety of 

positions for the past 26 years!

Hubby is adjusting well to his new home. 

He enjoyed his dinner tonight - left the peas,

the mashed potatoes with gravy - ate the meat, 

the salad and the dessert and then 

mumbled under his breath

"How is one supposed to lose weight

if it tastes so good!"

Oh, it's not like 'home',

and we miss lots of familiar goodies,

but we are determined to be content

in whatsoever state we are!

I've posted photos of his room

and we think it's comfy and cozy. 

He's not going to spend that much time in there

there are activities on the main floor

visits to what is now 'my' place

walks around the buildings

strolls through the garden -

ok, we'll have to wait until spring for that,

and hopefully even out-trips with the 

Recreation Bus to the mall

or special events!

God supplies all our needs! 

 Years ago, this cross stitch masterpiece 
was done by Peter's favorite aunt. 

She had taken care of him

when his mom died when he was 13.

 Before his aunt died

she wanted him to have it 
as he always loved it so much. 

 Right now Peter is still in a wheelchair and 

this is where I put my feet up when I visit him.

Nearly fell asleep in it the other day!

 Still need to bring some more stuff 
for the shelves,

but it's a start. 

  Drop-off zone when one enters the room.

Just had to put his racquet on the wall! 
Still want something

like a family photo collage on that blank space. 

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers 

for him especially and both of us. 

So, if I'm hardly ever on here - 

you'll know where I'm hanging out!

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2013

Sorry, it's a little blurry - done on my iPhone

Wow, how fast the year 2012 marched along - waiting for no one. A year full of great challenges - too long to list them all - maybe a few - our move, diagnoses, surgeries, treatments, adjustments, infections, more treatments, quite a few ambulance rides, appointments and add to that daily life as the seasons came and went. 

Yet, in all and through it all we've felt that even though we might have wanted to let go and give up, the Lord has kept us safe in His Almighty Hand! We could trust Him to never let us go, to never leave us or forsake us, to show us our total dependence on Him, and to keep us in perfect peace even in these great storms of life. 

With hubby now in the hospital since November 30 and waiting for an assessment as to what level of care he will require, we are in a holding pattern - the waiting game - designed to teach us patience! Tears amid the joys - Light amid the darkness - Peace amid the threatening turmoil! And what a peace it is - one that passess all human understanding!

We are so thankful that we could spend Christmas together with our whole family - except for our sweet Miccah who was sick with the flu and his dear mom who stayed home with him. Hubby was out on a day pass and found that one day was strenuous enough and we wouldn't do it on the second day as we had originally planned. Instead we visited him every day and spent time with him at the hospital. It was great to have our middle daughter and her family visit and even stay at my place overnight. Very special but as always - far to short!!

Sometimes all the outward celebrations of Christmas simply fade and lose the splendour they had in our younger years. More importantly we draw joy, peace, hope, faith and love from our relationships with one another as we worship the Lord with Scripture, Song and Prayer together. Deeply meaningful memories celebrating His first coming and talking about the anticipation of the Second Coming! 

As we were in 'outbreak' at the place I work and live, I didn't dare take any of the germs to the acute care hospital on Christmas Day.  Talking to hubby on the phone had to be enough for us. Our oldest daughter went for a visit though and they had a great time. Yesterday our son and his kids brought Opa Christmas Dinner and more presents! 

God is good - all the time!

Thanks so much to all of you 

for your thoughts and prayers!  

So much appreciated 

that they've carried us 

to the Throne of Grace!

I said to the man

who stood at the gate of the year

“Give me a light that I may tread safely

into the unknown.”

And he replied:” Go out into the darkness

and put your hand into the hand of God.

That shall be better than light

and safer than a known way!”

So I went forth and finding the Hand of God

trod gladly into the night.

M. Louise Haskins (1875-1957)

Jesus Christ,

is the same yesterday,

today,

and forever!

Hebrew 13:8

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!

Time of worship!  I cried.....

Hope you can make the time 

to watch the whole video series 
(there's many more on youtube)

and be blessed!

SATURDAY SILLY

FROM AN E-MAIL sent to me: 

I've been in many  places, 

but I've never been in Cahoots. 

Apparently, you can't  go alone. 

You have to be in Cahoots 

with  someone.

I've also never been in  Cognito. 

I hear no one recognizes you there .   

I have, however,  been in Sane. 

They don't have an airport; 

you have to be  driven there.

 I have made several trips there,

 thanks to my  friends, 

family and work. 

I would like to go to  Conclusions, 

but you have to jump, 

and I'm not too much on  

physical activity anymore. 

I have also been in Doubt.  

That is a sad place to go, 

and I try not to visit there too  often. 

I've been in Flexible, 

but only when it was very  

important to stand firm. 

Sometimes I'm in Capable, 

and  I go there more often 

as I'm getting older. 

One of my  favorite places to be 

is in Suspense!

 It really gets the  adrenalin flowing 

and pumps up the old heart! 

At my age 

I  need all the stimuli I can get! 

I may have been in  Continent, 

and I don't remember 

what country I was in. 

It's an  age thing. 

 I hope everyone 

is happy in your head - 

we're  all doing pretty good in mine! 

Remembering your  age.....

I have sent this in large print.