Yesterday, Today, Forever-

The desire to acquire and the stresses of successes Can be makings of a heart attack. The affliction of addiction, and the slaving after craving Show us what it is we truly lack. All bad stresses and life’s messes, all your hurries and your worries Leave down at the cross each day. Yield your will! Come, heart be still! In each test you can find rest, If you’ll listen and obey. True confessions of obsessions, facing fears and veils of tears On to freedom; letting go! Daily living with forgiving, in attitude of gratitude, Helps us to mature and grow. There’s no gain without some pain; there’s no life without some strife. Always God sends what is best! Turn your face towards His grace; He’s the One, God’s only Son. He’s the Rest for all the stressed. Close your eyes and realize, a breath of prayer and He is there! His loving Hand will guide you through! What joy and peace! Awesome release! A steadfast mind! Yes, you will ...

Oh, yes, I know the intent  of these interesting sayings,  but I simply don't want to let them go  without a comment or two all in good fun.  Just found this on Facebook..... No way I'm going to hold my head up  when I've got to watch where I walk!  It's also ok to hang my head when I'm sad! So thankful I don't have to  take an unplanned road trip  - to anyone's funeral -  or onto roads that are unfamiliar -  which means planning  is a wiser choice! Try everything once?   Not a chance - if it's illegal, illogical,  toxic, immoral, or I'm allergic to it! Color outside the lines?  Why? Who says I have to? Fall in love?   Falling is easy -  it's the staying power  of love that's more important. Embrace change?   Depends on what change  I should embrace.  Change for improvement may be great,  I'll have to assess...

I’ve seen a shepherd’s compassion  for one of his little sheep. As he listened, once more,  with much patience and care Hunched down beside her;  looked into her eyes, Then touched her arm gently  and offered a prayer. I‘ve seen a shepherd’s tenderness  for one of his little sheep. As he sang hymns of comfort  - of God’s amazing grace - To one at heaven’s gate  eager to leave this world behind. Reverently, softly, just one more time,  he touched this dying face. I’ve seen a shepherd’s protection  for one of his little sheep. As he spoke words of kindness,  encouragement, hope To one confused,  downcast and wounded. He gave that heart refuge  and taught it to cope. I’ve seen a shepherd’s passion  for all of his precious sheep. As he led them and fed them  at lush pastures ~ so green! Served up Living Water  to all who were thirsty! He worked hard without breaks ~ behind th...

PERCEPTION The gorgeous roses, the lilies standing tall, The lovely canopy of trees The playful daisies dancing in the breeze but all she noticed were some weeds. The peonies had bowed their heavy heads, The fountain water jets were spraying The garden beds such bounty were displaying, But all she noticed were some weeds. I heard the sweet birds cheerful songs I watched a squirrel scampering at play, It was a gorgeous, sunny, summer day, But all she noticed were some weeds. My heart rejoiced at God’s Creation! This garden was a joyful, peaceful place Spruce trees stood tall, swayed full of grace, But all she saw were weeds!  It’s pretty hard to change perception of those who dwell on negative, for they have chosen thus to live! Oh, God, You give what that soul needs! Thanks for your patience with each bitter heart! Though none deserve your Light and Love, Be praised for blessings from above!  Let kindness d...

All the trees are dusted Sugared, crisp and white. Fence posts look like snow cones; Candy lane delight! Dazzling ‘sicles dangle! Every child’s temptation! Who of us has never tried Wonderland’s creations? Crystal roses on the windows Sparkling, gleaming, purest joy! One warm breath; they disappear! Enchanting every girl and boy! Forts of snow with ammunition! How the memories remain! Lying down to make snow-angels. Could I live it once again? Oh, that chisel of the north wind Carves artistic frozen snow scapes Razor sharp its curved edges Cut across the silent lakes. Cold and hard like diamonds; Glistening in the brilliant sun! Winter days! Impressive! Splendid! But this cold is NO fun. Karin Ristau

Far as the straining eye could hope to see Poppies!! Such delicate and filmy blooms! A sea of red - just as the pulsing blood That coursed the veins of soldiers, now in tombs. They died heroically  to keep our rights and freedoms; The right to life, to liberty, security. Their valiant deaths must never be in vain, Though flawed and blemished our democracy. Pay tribute to the ranks of soldiers brave Whose acts, courageous, daring, bold, Snuffed out their very breath! Gone was their chance to love, grow old. Their sacrifice none must forget -  From seasoned saint to hopeful youth. We still proclaim what's right, what's wrong. We must not fear to speak God's truth. For if we're silenced, then will God our Judge  Call forth the stones to shout out loud. Lord, for Your Kingdom too, May we be willing to endure And suffer taunts and jeers among the crowd. Let us stand firm in faith and fortitude. A sea of red ...

Texting with my daughter who lives way up north - a ten hour drive - too far away just to pop in - I was asking her some goofy questions,  "What was my favourite country song year's ago?"  Dumb question when I couldn't remember any of the lyrics or even the artist's name. Among other things we texted back and forth, I told her that I was trying to distract myself on this Halloween night, as I was missing my hubby so much and needing - wanting a hug!   "You should go trick or treating...hand out candy door to door -for a hug," she says!  "Great idea! Up and down all the floors of the Manor - that would be the equivalent of 76 houses!"  "And if you don't have candy you could give them something else!"   Just thinking here - what????"  "Maybe something from your pantry, you know - toilet paper, Keurig pods. You could put stuff in a hamper and let them pick!"  "Running low on TP, but what a great i...

Thanks to friend Marlis Lemke Semler for putting this greeting card together! 

In loving Memory of my dear sister-in-law ALMA PENNO RISTAU Eulogy as presented at the funeral by her oldest son, David Ristau Alma always liked talking about her history and she asked to me to talk about her life, even on the last day she was conscious and staring intently at the ceiling listening to Tante Gertie and me talking about their life in the old country. That was my last memory of my Mother. Alma’s life was one of hardship but she also enjoyed many blessings that The Lord had provided for her. Alma was born on October 20, 1937 in Tcherepaschnik, a German village in the province of Volinia (Volhynia), Poland to her parents Gottlieb and Julianne Penno. The Forefathers of the Pennos had already lived in Volinia for several generations when Alma was born. Alma’s great-grandparents were originally from Germany and they were promised land in Volinia. Land was hard to come by in Germany, as much of it belonged to the various Barons and was tended by the ser...

Haven't had a desire to blog at all - and that's ok. Don't know what it would take to motivate me again. My life is full and busy.  With many of you I'm connected on facebook and you bless me.   Here's a video I shared today that I just love. May the Christ - whose birth we  celebrate at Christmas - be with you  every day of the  New Year 2014! BLESSINGS!

In the early evening hours,  a leisurely stroll through our beautiful courtyard,  is a special time of meditation,  prayer and spiritual refreshment!   Here are just a few shots I took with my iPhone  - thankfully last night -  because today  we had 'monsoon-like' rain for half the day  that bent the flowers out of shape! Hope they recuperate after that beating! The barn got a new roof a while back!   I could have taken a few more pics  of the sitting area in front of the barn where we gather some evenings for conversation.  Open to all! Such beautiful raised garden beds -  so handy for our residents.  All the delphiniums and daisies are offspring of perennials from my own garden.   I donated them  when I first started working there  27 years ago! Volunteers keep this garden a real show piece! And HE walks with m...

My Love! Hans Peter Ristau  November 24, 1939 - May 21, 2013 EULOGY presented by his son Dr. Kenneth Andrew Ristau  Hans Peter Ristau was born to Karl and Martha Ristau on November 24th, 1939, in Berlin, Germany, only two and half months after the start of the War. Peter’s mother had five children from a previous marriage; with Karl she had Klaus, Peter and Renate. Klaus, Renate and Peter at their last visit So glad Renate was able to visit for a few weeks before Peter died.  Karl immigrated to Canada in 1950, settling in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Martha and the children followed later. Tragically, Peter's mother, Martha, died of cancer shortly afterwards. After spending a year in the care of his Tante Emma, he was reunited with his father, who had remarried. His step-mother Anna’s deep personal faith led the family into the community at the German Mission Baptist Church, where the entire family was baptized on November 6, 1955. Foreshadowing God’s ...

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...