Yesterday, Today, Forever-

Thanks Evi for a great photo  Just like a New Year - we've turned the corner, have left the past behind with no idea what lies ahead! Don't know where we'll stop have no idea who we'll meet. We're on the right train and we're trusting our Conductor. Enjoy the journey! May you go into the New Year 2011 trusting that HE will always hold your hand! Hope you enjoy a golden oldie! And God said,  “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky  to separate the day from the night,  and let them serve as signs  to mark sacred time s, and days and years, Genesis 1:14

Menacing storm approaches!  Summer 2010 The sands of time, The storms of life, The winds of change, Have chiseled away The things that cling And hide the real me. Grain by grain, Drop by drop, Blast by blast Does its work to reveal More of Him who lives within; Removing more of me As I die to SELF In the moment, In the hours, Days, and years. For to fully live His life, To shine forth His Presence, To radiate His Love, The sands of time, The storms of life, The winds of change Must steadfastly do their work To finally bring forth the ‘me’ that fully radiates HIM bringing glory to God. Karin Ristau ©

Path to Rainbow  Valley Ski Hill, Edmonton Serve God with your whole heart, in joy and contentment. Be strong and courageous. Be not afraid. You’re never alone in your journey of life. God will not fail you! Be not dismayed. Do not look back! Keep your eye on the goal! Only what’s done for Christ will last! Don’t rest on your laurels or deny your mistakes! The future looks brighter than any day past. Karin Ristau

CRAB CUPS -  recipe here Sometimes I add a pinch of curry powder to the crab mixture!  Yum! I also use these cups for my  MUSHROOM APPETIZERS Saute: 1/4 c. butter with 1/2 c. finely chopped green onion and 1/2 pound finely chopped fresh mushrooms. Sprinkle the sauteed mushroom mix with  2 tablespoons of flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 tablespoon chopped parsley and stir well. Add: 1 cup cereal (half & half) cream. Cook until bubbling. Great made a day ahead! Can be frozen. Fill the cups generously, put on a baking sheet and bake at 350 for 10 minutes. I've also just made the mushroom mixture piping hot by itself and filled the cups just prior to serving! Or serve the hot mushroom mix in a dish and let folks help themselves! Nice on Melba Toast too! Works all ways! People are so worried about what they eat  between Christmas and the New Year,  but they really should be worried about  what...

Sending my warmest wishes  to every one of you - Blessed Christmas! For God so loved the world that he gave  his one and only Son,  that whoever believes in him  shall not perish  but have eternal life.  John 3:16

You can buy these here Often at Christmas I’d receive a beautiful jar of my favorite fragrance. The pleasantness of the subtle fragrance is a delight and can be long-lasting. I’d have quite a collection of exquisite jars if I had kept them over the years! The choices of fragrances are impossible to count! Chanel, Blue Grass, Tosca, Oscar, Royal Secret, Giorgio, Alfred Sung and so on and so on! I know, I’m dating myself but these are some pleasing perfumes I have enjoyed over the years. However, nowadays, many people have allergies and some public places are declared scent free, including my place of work. Just as “perfume and incense  bring joy to the heart,  the pleasantness of one’s friend  springs from his earnest counsel. “  Prov. 27:9.  Now that’s a fragrance no one is allergic to!  I’m sure that as you read this,  very special people come to mind!  Your heart is warmed as you remember their presence in your life. There are friend...

A huge THANK YOU   to my faraway friend Betty from Paraguay.  If you're wondering why,  just check out her blog post of November 22, 2010.   http://glimpseintomidlife.blogspot.com/2010/11/and-winners-are.html I WON!!!!! What a wonderful surprise to find a special envelope when I got home from work today.  What was inside you want to know?   OK, I won't keep you in suspense any longer.... A beautiful doily - Betty explains all about it here: http://glimpseintomidlife.blogspot.com/2010/11/4-years-and-giveaway.html Just look at the exquisite handicraft by the artists who do this kind of intricate work! What a lovely color - I love it! A close-up! I'm just so thrilled and honored to have such wonderful blog friends! God bless you and yours! Betty, hubby loved the stamps and cut them off the envelope right away! The stunningly beautiful  2011 Calendar  will go on my wall in my office! I'll be thinking of you  and keeping y...

196. Our son and family are home safe and sound! It was a long and difficult move back to Canada from PA. His is an interesting story of God’s leading – but it is his story to tell, not mine. We are thrilled to have the family just 15 km. from us!  Can you tell I'm excited?? 197. Looking forward to having all our immediate family with us for Christmas/New Year celebrations. Full of gratitude here! 198. Two weeks of vacation days to get personal things done. Will have to remember to keep vacation days for this time of year again next year, Lord willing. Worked out very well. 199. For Christmas peace and joy and love that lasts throughout the whole year! 200. Wishing every last one of you the joy of Christ our Savior! Blessings to you all!  But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit....

JESUS He's King of Kings. He's Lord of Lord. He is the Everlasting Father. He's Prince of Peace, Our Counselor He is Almighty God. He's Bread of Life. He is the Vine. He is the pure and living Water. He is our Shepherd. He's our Shield. He's Everlasting Light. He is our Refuge. He is our Strength. He is the wonderful Physician. He is the Door, The Truth, the Life, He is our Loving God. And yet, He chose the place for hay On which His infant head to lay. He chose to live as mortal man, In love fulfill salvation’s plan. He chose a tiny little town Not one of pomp and great renown. He chose to break this joyful news First - to some plain folks - herding ewes. It was to them, despised by peers, The angel said, “Oh, do not fear!” Shepherds believed and they obeyed The best news they had ever heard. They hurried to the House of Bread To see the Child in manger laid Just as they had been told! They worshiped and adore...

One sweet little corner! 181. My own teeth! I’m not kidding! Think about it! It’s a good thing that dentures are available and that the dentures of seniors who move into our long-term care center receive identification upon admission. We’ve found dentures left on dining room tables, carefully wrapped in Kleenex and thrown into the garbage, down the toilet, into the laundry, amongst the potted plants and a variety of surprising locations! 182. My eyesight! Met a lady on the elevator in our building who has macular degeneration in one eye and a cataract in the other. She just came back from her ophthalmologist who gave her a good post surgery report. She was happy. She strongly stated that she would just as soon die than go blind. I believe that one can still have good quality of life being blind. Something to think on! 183. My health – with all its challenges of arthritis, etc.. Two more friends have received the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Am going to make some appointmen...

The arrival of a brand-new baby is such a source of JOY! This little one is now 2 years old! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee, Op’ning to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day! All Thy works with joy surround Thee, Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays, Stars and angels sing around Thee, Center of unbroken praise. Field and forest, vale and mountain, Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea, Singing bird and flowing fountain Call us to rejoice in Thee. Thou art giving and forgiving, Ever blessing, ever blest, Wellspring of the joy of living, Ocean depth of happy rest! Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, All who live in love are Thine; Teach us how to love each other, Lift us to the joy divine. Mortals, join the happy chorus, Which the morning stars began; Father love is reig...

  with thanks from here This has been making the rounds through e-mail.  Thought you might enjoy it! A member of a church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The pastor made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and...

Some straw would look pretty,  but this way it's always there  for the grandangels to play with -  without the mess! And yes, the Wise Men are much further away as they come to visit the Christ Child later when He lives in a house! 166. Christmas memories – actually all life’s memories – good, bad, sad, fun etc.! Working with seniors with various degrees and varieties of dementia has given me a heightened sense of appreciation and gratitude for the memories of my life. I hope you cherish your memories and always look forward to creating new ones! 167. Advent Calendars – the countdown to Christmas for me always begins with the 1.Advent. I fondly recall the beautiful calendar my parents pulled out each year. Here is the story that goes with that.    168. Gerda – a lady I met last week at the German Grocery store, which I visit once a year to buy some specialty food items, especially for Christmas. She was ahead of me going through the check out counte...

"And he will go on before the Lord,  in the spirit and power of Elijah,  to turn the hearts of the parents  to their children  and the disobedient  to the wisdom of the righteous— to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”  Luke 1:17

A real cool family has come to stay with us at the facility, but only for the Christmas Season.  The weather outside was frightful and they sought shelter; sort of just drifted in and decked the halls. Since they had no place to go, they found our front lobby to be very comfortable.  Every time the door opens, winter winds sneak through, reminding them that there’s no place like home for the holidays. While the moon her watch is keeping all through the night, the Snowmans are steadfast in keeping watch at the front entrance over the 'flock' at Shepherd's Care. Christmas time is here; joyful memories there; snowflakes in the air; carols everywhere; olden times and ancient rhymes of love and dreams to share.  This particular family is very friendly and has never given anyone the cold shoulder. They love singing, "What a beautiful sight! We’re happy tonight, walking in a winter wonderland!" or that ancient hymn, "Though our sins be as scarlet, they shall ...