Yesterday, Today, Forever-

 Linda looking great - as always!  The Recreation Auditorium turned to banquet hall! My friend Linda is a one-of-a-kind treasure! She has a heart as big as Canada - although she hails from Germany originally. She's been back several times - especially to visit her eldest who lives there with his family. For the past 24 years we have worked together in the same organization.  She has an amazing love for seniors and constantly brings joy into their lives.  You need something? She'll drop what she is doing in order to help you. She oozes energy from every pore. She takes her knitting EVERYWHERE - except to church services - I think! She sews and sells what she sews  at craft  tables all over the city and even some places in our province.  She crafts ceramics, porcelain dolls, makes jams and jellies, bakes, drives the bus for senior's shopping trips and outings and looks after a dear old neighbor who lives in another nursing home.   She le...

 Banff, Alberta, Canada 46. Sharing the worship service with our seniors - what a joy to help those who can no longer help themselves. 47. Daughter back safely from her retreat in the mountains with her dear sister from southern Alberta. Can't wait to hear all about it - or at least as much as they are willing to share, lol! 48. Brother and sister-in-law's 39. Anniversary - wish we could have been together. Too bad they live a whole province west! 49. Oldest daughter's and son-in-law's 18. Anniversary.  Where have the years gone? 50. Working on a book review - yes, that means I finally read a book again, lol! 51. Beautiful fall days - the green and gold trees as far as the eye can see - are stunning.  52. Enjoying the delicious fall fruits and making yummy plum jam. No pectin needed. 53. Decorating the apartment with a few touches of fall - one of my 3 favorite seasons of the year. 54. Listening to old time hymns - What a friend we have in Jesus. 55. Know...

Where mom lived so many years and one of two buildings I managed before I retired! Almost 10 years ago the organization where I work received a grant from the government and this new facade as well as a dining room/lounge for each floor was built to enhance the center of the building! TO THE MINISTER OF SENIORS The Honorable Stan Woloshyn on the dedication of the  renovations - new dining rooms! ********************** None of us is getting younger As each new day awakes at dawn. But just because we are now seniors Does not mean joy of life is gone! For those who are still independent, And healthy, well-to-do and wise, Retirement spells, “Great adventures!” But seldom do we realize, That health and wealth can disappear. No more can they get all things done. They come to live at Shepherd’s Care The best of care in Edmonton! Oh yes, we have a heart for Seniors! We plan for everything they need. And you Sir, Minister of Seniors Have h...

31. The change of seasons with the beautiful, warm, muted fall colors 32. The glorious, brilliant sunrise that hubby and I enjoyed together this morning 33. A great night’s sleep in a cool room with the window open for fresh air 34. A soft pillow and comfy bed 35. A hot cup of coffee and breakfast served by a loving husband 36. My cheerful violets who are blooming their heart out right now 37. Our guest speaker’s excellent sermon yesterday on generosity not greed 38. For loving, caring daughters and sons and how beautifully they raise their families, despite the unique challenges each family faces. 39. My faith journey and the people who influence and bless it tremendously 40. For my friend’s successful ‘liberation surgery’ for MS! She has no more headaches, numbness in her fingers and hands, and can now hold a conversation without pain. Praise the Lord! 41. For the youngest grandson who is learning to talk on the phone. He is autistic, lost his vocabulary suddenly at o...

For beautiful photos of sunsets visit Ginny's blog, at Let Your Light Shine ! Beyond the Sunset Words by Virgil P. Brock Music by Blanche Kerr Brock © Word Music, Inc  Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning,  When with our Savior heav'n is begun;  Earth's toiling ended, O glorious dawning,  Beyond the sunset when day is done.  Beyond the sunset, no clouds will gather,  No storms will threaten, no fears annoy;  O day of gladness, O day unending,  Beyond the sunset eternal joy!  Beyond the sunset, a hand will guide me  To God the Father whom I adore;  His glorious presence, His words of welcome,  Will be my portion on that fair shore.  Beyond the sunset, O glad reunion,  With our dear loved ones who've gone before;  In that fair homeland we'll know no parting,  Beyond the sunset forever more!

Love intently Give generously Receive graciously Smile naturally Encourage eagerly Forgive immediately Pray unceasingly Help diligently Prepare thoughtfully Laugh joyfully Trust implicitly  Bless continually Wait patiently Serve gladly Live peaceably Choose wisely Act authentically Hope expectantly Speak kindly Nurture lovingly Disciple devotedly Fellowship faithfully Lead effectively Listen compassionately Counsel sensibly Work willingly Tell truthfully Plan prudently Preach passionately Rest reasonably Teach intelligently Drive defensively Sing melodiously Play happily Age gracefully Karin Ristau

SUMMERTIME IS ALMOST OVER EVERYTHING TURNS AUTUMN GOLD PRETTY SOON THE SNOW WILL FLY TURNING NATURE BLEAK AND COLD. EVEN THOUGH WINTER IS FREEZING MY HEART’S ATTITUDE STAYS WARM   SUCH BEAUTY MAKES MY SPIRIT SING! EVERY DAY OF CRISP COLD WINTER RETURNS ME TO THE JOY OF SPRING! He changes times and seasons;  he sets up kings and deposes them.  He gives wisdom to the wise  and knowledge to the discerning.   Daniel 2:21 (thanks to my Evi and Melissa for the photos!)

STILL BLOOMING! Count your many blessings, name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done! 16. A date with grandson who has a birthday on 9-11 17. Brother-in-law’s birthday and a lovely chat on the phone 18. A generous friend who is treating me to a special event 19. Jobs for the two sons-in-law – whose teaching positions for the upcoming year were not assured at first 20. Loving phone conversations with other family members 21. A vehicle that works well and had its fall check-up 22. A drive into the beautiful countryside then down to the cemetery 23. The joy of the Lord is my strength 24. That He loves me just as I am – and still keeps working on me 25. Contentment – though not everything is as hoped for 26. A hot cup of milk before bedtime 27. Changing of the seasons -  though we didn't have much of a summer 28. A song that keeps going round and round  How Great Thou Art! 29. My family and friends - the world needs more wonderfu...

  Loving on great-grandmother - Oma-Oma Will they know it by our music, stunning churches that we build? Will they know it by the numbers of the padded pews, all filled? Will they know it by the teaching or the reading of God's Word? Will they know it by long prayers or deep conversations heard? Will they know it by the preacher and his speech proficiency, or by widespread modern methods that impress both you and me? Will they know it by our actions, as we always do 'what's right', or by fierce defending of our views as we stand for our faith and fight? Will they know it by the programs, or the outreach that we do? NO NO NO ~ they will only know for certain if they're watching me and you. YES ~ they will know that we are Christians by the LOVE we show each other as we let Christ live within us as I honor friend and brother! They will see that God's anointing changes lives before their eyes. When they see Christ's love in action they'll believe and re...

Count your many blessings, name them one by one! And it will surprise you what the Lord has done! 6. Beautiful eye-candy everywhere in the flowers that bloom 7. A long week-end -  Thanking God for the joys of work 8. Grandson Sam's birthday celebration at Montana's 9. A book to read -  'The Art of Caregiving' 10. Nephew John Ristau, Seismologist, safe in NZ 11. Couple devotions right after delicious breaky 12. A glorious sunshine filled morning 13. Coffee and conversation with eldest daughter last week 14. Memories of friends who are no longer with us but have made a difference in our lives 15. Memories of my first day at school All our beloved grandchildren - except the 3 year old - are back in school. I spent some time this week looking through many old albums and came upon this photo of my first day at school. Every parent bought one of these giant cones filled with school and fun supplies for this special occasion! Must have been almost 6 yrs. ol...

  Hurt people, hurt people.  Depressed people, depress people.  Bored people, bore people.  "Be joyful always; pray continually;  give thanks in all circumstances,  for this is GOD'S WILL for you."  Let's infect others with a  joyful, prayerful, grateful heart!!   I had the above thoughts on my facebook status. ****************************** Here are thoughts our son, Ken, added: People who are hurt and depressed are afflicted. Our afflictions are from God and we are not always joyful and thankful. Fortunately, the Hebrew Bible provides a voice for those times, voices of lamentation, grieving, anger, and consolation ... . How has one verse done so much to obliterate this testimony, creating communities that demand false joy, happy faces, and who ignore the biblical ministry of lament, grief, anger, and consolation? I see no perpetually happy prophets and often hear the voices of conflicted, oppressed, and ...

Bye-bye Benny!   You are invited  to Evi's blog  over at Caught up -  to read her story about Benny.  He was very fearful of people  when he was adopted by our daughter Evi and her family. On one of our visits   we were thrilled when he warmed up to hubby -  all because he loved the popcorn hubby was sneaking to him! We will certainly miss him when we visit!  The whole family, especially the responsible caring of our grandson Josh, gave him the best years of his life and in return Benny taught us all more compassion, sympathy, empathy, love and respect for another one  of God's beautiful creations. We will remember him well!

Found this at Betty's - A glimpse into midlife and decided to answer the questions too - even though Wednesday is almost over, lol!!  Thanks Betty! 1. What insect are you most afraid of? Feel free to post a picture. Wasps/hornets/yellow jackets  - I move very slowly AWAY to allow them their space!  No need to overreact and make it worse! 2. What is the greenest/most organic thing about you or that you do? Hubby and I come from the ‘old country’ where after the war we lived ‘green’ before it became fashionable! We still turn off the lights when we leave a room. We re-purpose and re-use whatever we can.  We don't waste water -  take showers – short ones. We eat red meat probably once in two weeks. We buy mostly local produce.  We donate to MCC Thrift stores. We buy machine washable clothes – only a few that need dry cleaning, especially since hubby retired and doesn’t wear fancy suits anymore on a daily basis! We de-clutter regularly.  We’ve down...