Finding My Song

Book Review - Too Close to Home by Lynette Eason

2010-04-06T09:58:00.000-07:00

I'd like to recommend a book I read over the Easter weekend. It was called Too Close to Home by Lynette Eason. It is book one of a series called Women of Justice.

The book has a good story; teenage girls go missing and the bodies of some have been found. The FBI and detectives work together to find out who did it before more girls wind up dead or go missing.

I enjoyed the characters in the book - detective Connor Wolfe and his daughter Jenna, Special Agent Samantha Cash and her sister Jamie who has a story all her own. The book held my attention. At first I didn't think it was a book that would hold my attention because I thought that I had discovered the plot of the story in the first two chapters. That was not the case, the story continued to unfold and the epilogue leaves you with a cliff hanger that makes me want to read book two of this series. I liked the fact that even though the book did not use blood and gore to describe the story - there was still a sense of suspense and that kept me reading to the end. Along with the suspense and mystery, there was a struggling family relationship story and a romanic story line that was not over done!

A very enjoyable read and I will look for this author in the future!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

The Second Coming of Jesus

2010-03-22T16:37:00.000-07:00

By the title of my post you might think that I am going to write something theological and deep but no....read on!
I went to Hampden tonight for youth groups - Junior and Senior. They are to be commended for continuing to invest in their young people! A small community with very little for young people to do - no mall, no movie theatre, no sports facility, etc. There is a youth group every week between TSA and the Pentecost.
For the Junior group, I did the Easter story as a devotional. I had four eggs; one had a cross in it, another 3 nails, another a stone and the last one nothing. The kids were very attentive and answered my questions throughout the story. Following the devotion, one child said that God has promised us that there would never be a flood again. There were some blank looks from some children so I had to tell the Noah's Ark story in a nutshell. After that, another little boy piped up and said in his best Newfie accent - "my Pop told me 'dat one day Jesus is coming back to pick us up!" And He is! I thought it was the cutest thing I have ever heard! I can't get that thought out of my mind! Whether or not that's what his pop actually said or that was his paraphrase I don't know!
My encouragement to you is: Get ready to be picked up!!

Creative Days!

2010-03-18T15:14:00.000-07:00

I love being creative! Since moving in July I have had more time to be creative. Both in my present ministry through creative worship and other programming plus in my own personal time! I started a card making class and these cards were for the beginner February class.

A couple of years ago I took a course. In that course we were asked to describe our ideal day. I said that my ideal day would be working at a Michael's Arts and Crafts Store. The facilitator asked if I was able to be creative in my work or in my personal time. At that time, my job was very administrative and I didn't have a lot of personal time. She encouraged me to find an outlet for my creative side. When being creative is a part of who you are - there is something missing if you don't have that outlet. Now that I have it - I realize how much I missed being creative!

Card #1 - You're so kind stamp by Stampin Up

Card #2 - Happiness Always stamp by Stampin Up

Card #3 - Happy Birthday stamp by Stampin Up and Car Stamp by Stampin Bella

Card #4 - You're never more than a thought away stamp by Stampin Up.

My Niece - the Skier!

2010-03-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

My niece has just turned 12! My brother has had her on skis since she was 18 months old! It's certainly paying off! She joined the racing team this year and has been winning lots of medals! She won 3 silver and 2 bronze recently! And....she has been selected to ski in the Whistler Cup in April! She told me that the Alpine Ski team wasn't very good in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics so her goal is to ski in the 2018 Winter Olympics (I'll have to check out where it is going to be)! At this rate - she may very well achieve that goal! I will have to start saving now - I wonder if Petro Canada will still help family members to get to the games!!! All I can say is Go Chiara Go! Reach for the sky!

H1N1 & Remembering

2009-11-11T15:04:00.000-08:00

Finally after two weeks, I am feeling better! At 44, I can say that the past two weeks have been the worst sickness I have ever experienced! No energy, sleeping lots, no appetite, a terrible cough, anxiety when nighttime came because I knew I would not be able to sleep and so on.....

When I think of what today stands for - I have so much to be thankful for! Freedom and peace! H1N1 is really small compared to what soldiers from our country are doing in Afghanistan and what others sacrificed in years past! We will remember them!

Fresh Eyes

2009-10-16T16:38:00.001-07:00

Today it was beautiful in the Humber Valley! Sunny and crisp! I took a few minutes to take some pictures of the beautiful scenery that surrounds me. It seems I am looking at it with fresh eyes this year! I have been away for four years and even though I lived in northern Ontario for two years the falls colours there do not compare! Maybe I am a little bias! These pics were taken within five minutes of where I live! I am blessed!

Top Ten Reasons for Being Thankful!

2009-10-09T16:53:00.000-07:00

On the eve of this Thanksgiving weekend I thought I would post my top ten reasons to be thankful! I have many more......

I am thankful for:

1. The fact that I am a child of God.
2. My parents and other extended family.
3. The way God has directed my life.
4. The opportunities I have had in ministry through The Salvation Army.
5. where I am living!!! Woo Hoo!!!
6. So many friends and those who will talk on the phone for an hour or two or more at times! It's a support network across the miles in most cases!
7. People who have been a great influence on me.
8. Creativity in leisure and in ministry.
9. Authors who write great books that I love to read.
10. The drive between Corner Brook and Pasadena in the fall - the Humber Valley is just alive with colour!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

The Noticer

2009-09-23T15:30:00.001-07:00

While I was packing to move recently, I read a great book called The Noticer by Andy Andrews. It was a good book for me to read at the time because I needed perspective and that's what this book is all about really - looking at a situation through a different lens than you had previously. It is written as a story but it is much more!

Jones was a man who had the gift of perspective. Throughout the book we find Jones meeting up with various people in a variety of circumstances. He is able to listen to their situation and give them a different perspective than they presently had. Jones persective changed people's lives - he was an influencer. Andy's story begins the book - he found himself homeless through a series of tragic events - Andy's story has a successful ending as a result of his encounter with Jones and there are more stories like that throughout the book.

There were several class lines in this book that challenged me:
1. "Worry...fear....is just a misuse of the creative imagination that has been placed in each one of us." Page 52
2. "No matter your age, physical condition, financial situation, color, gender, emotional state or belief.....everything you do, every move you make matters to all of us--and forever." pg. 91

Jones planted seeds of perspective in the lives of those he met and we are encouraged to do the same! Who are the five most influential people in your life? I know who mine are and I hope my name is on someone's list! I had an opportunity to plant a seed of perspective in a young life this week and I want to continue doing that as long as I am able!

The Crown of the Valley

2009-09-23T15:07:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I have blogged and I decided that tonight was the night for me to begin again! Since July I have been living in Pasadena, NL which has been dubbed The Crown of the Valley meaning the Humber Valley! It's a great place - not too far from all the necessities but a place that has almost everything you need! When I go for a walk, I feel like I am walking in a park. The people are friendly, its a very ecumenical community and it's also a place where I meet people who I have history with. This is due to the fact that I grew up in Corner Brook just 15 minutes away.

The settling in has been good! I like the house I am living in and after the baseboards go down tomorrow I will be able to settle into my home office where I work from! It's great not having to go out to work - much more relaxing.

The part I love about being a Corps Officer in The Salvation Army is that everyday is different - there is no routine! I am starting a couple of programs soon - Baby Song and Card Making. Plus I am working to make our little thrift store more profitable and its starting to work! For a results oriented person that is very important! I enjoy leading worship and preaching every Sunday morning in Pasadena! And...three times a month I drive to a little place about an hour from here to do the service in the evening! On the week I don't do a service - I go there to visit people. I will have to be very careful driving back from there because it is a high traffic MOOSE area! And of course when the winter arrives I will have to contend with snow as well!

The best part of being in Pasadena is closeness to family! Being able to go to Mom and Dad's for supper or to drop in on family or friends is great! My family has been grieving my aunt's death in the last number of months and so to be around to talk to cousins about how they are feeling and hopefully being a support is also great! It makes me realize the importance of maintaining the family connection with cousins because in the future we will need each other more than we realize now perhaps!

All in all - this has been a great transition and I am praying for the best here in Pasadena and hoping that I can stay a long long time! A shopping trip to the mainland or US at least once a year would be great too!

I am looking forward to the fall colours of this area which I haven't seen in four years! Everyday now the drive to Corner Brook looks different or looking at the mountains around Pasadena look different! The area is definitely alive with colour!

First Sunday

2009-07-12T18:53:00.000-07:00

Well, I have completed my first Sunday on the Pasadena/Hampden circuit. It was good to lead worship and preach again! Same sermon twice! I spoke on Philippians 3:12-16. I used the idea for my intro that when I arrived in PAB and then in Corner Brook - I felt like I had arrived! However in the Christian life we have NOT arrived - not until Jesus comes or we go to be with Him. I anticipate some re-organizing and some communication with people over the next little while in both places!

It is good to be here!! I should have used that song today! There is a sense of security in being home. There has been some family home this week so its good to see them and for my niece to meet her cousins! It's lots of fun trying to keep an 11 year old occupied!

Tomorrow is a meeting about business and unpacking! Some work needs to happen at the house - buy bookcases, maybe some new flooring, a de-humidifier, painting the bathroom - bright lime green just does not go with my decor! Especially since I bought ocean/beach stuff in PEI to put in my bathroom! It needs to be blue!

Have a good week!

In Limbo

2009-07-02T16:54:00.000-07:00

I am kind of in limbo right now! It's actually a nice place to be and wonder how long I could stay in limbo before someone noticed! I left Pine Lake Camp on Monday, had a wonderful steak and salmon dinner at the Langer's before they drove me to the hotel. Then on Tuesday I flew to Halifax where my brother and niece greeted me at the airport. My parents arrived on Wednesday, then my niece and I spent the night at a hotel with my good friend Louise. Time to debrief from our DYS appointments and camp! Today was just some shopping and tomorrow will be more of the same. On Sunday, my parents, niece and I are going to PEI for two nights and then on to NL on Wednesday. Once in NL, there will be family to visit with and re-connect. Then Sunday comes when I have to come out of limbo and then on Monday the unpacking begins!

In limbo is a nice place to be - however I am thinking of what I have left behind and hoping all is well there! I am looking forward to starting something new in a few days and even though I have just left camp - I am going to camp again on July 17th!! Music Camp at Twin Ponds! Looking forward to re-connecting with people there!

I wonder if I would ever get bored of being in limbo....

Moving On!

2009-06-18T18:59:00.000-07:00

I have less than two weeks left in this present appointment I have as a Salvation Army Officer. This is really a time of transition and as I prepare to move on I think of the things I will miss! The work that has been done at Pine Lake Camp in this last year has been extensive and the camp is really poised to move into the future! The building project has been an excellent experience. Even though I initiated this move and definitely feel it was the right thing to do - I do feel I am leaving prematurely. Especially in terms of the camp staff - this would have been a good summer - me knowing what to expect from them and vice versa. Spending time with camp staff and other young people is definitely a priviledge. I will continue with that because I will only be home in Pasadena one week and then its off to Music Camp at Twin Ponds in NL. Just can't stay away!!! It will be a great time to re-connect with people!

I am waiting for the deck on one of the new buildings to finish - there is a gorgeous view of the lake and I have this vision of me sitting there reading a book and sipping on a pepsi! I have to do that before I leave!

Some things I will miss:
1. The worship and Band/Songsters at Edmonton Temple
2. Being less than 10 minutes from Costco and Ikea
3. The peaceful setting at Pine Lake Camp
4. Driving to Beaver Creek across the open prarie and being able to see so much sky
5. Seeing the Rockies on occasion
6. My e-mails - I love getting e-mails and answering them - I probably get 30-40 a day now - that will be my monthly quota as I move.
7. And more.....

Things I am looking forward to:
1. Being close to my parents and other family and friends
2. Being on the Rock! I talked to one of the construction guys who is a Newfoundlander here at Pine Lake today who told me I was lucky to be going back! More blessed!
3. Preaching and leading worship
4. Being able to see my niece more often
5. Strawberry farms all around me in August!
6. The gorgeous drive through the Humber Valley between Corner Brook and Pasadena - especially in the fall!
7. Setting up a new house!
8. And lots more!!!!

Over this last little while a verse of Scripture keeps coming back to me - I think I may have mentioned it before in my blog but it bears repeating here again - It's one of the verses the camp staff will teach the children this summer - Isaiah 41:13 - "For I hold you by your right hand- I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you."

Networking Opportunities

2009-06-11T20:12:00.000-07:00

All of my worldly possessions left today in a United Van Lines truck! Since I am flying to Halifax I don't have much stuff left around now. I am moving out to Pine Lake Camp tomorrow for the next 2.5 weeks. It will be peaceful there and a time to re-group a little. Although the program team all arrive on Sunday so peaceful may not be the word!

I've had three opportunites over the past 24 hours to network with people around Camp, what the Salvation Army is doing at the Olympics and introduce two of the officers with someone from a group called Fusion Canada. I've had more opportunity of this kind of stuff in the last month than in the rest of the time I have been here in Edmonton. And I think why? I find it very fulfilling to be out there engaged with people face to face versus sitting behind a desk. The reality is some of the connections I have made will move forward into the future as I move to Pasadena, NL. The lessons I have learned will carry me into the future. I think God is letting me know that while I am leaving something behind - there's lots more ahead. I look forward to re-connecting with lots of people and making new connections - all for the purpose of building the Kingdom of God.

I have read this verse over the past couple of months several times and I know that it is true - Isaiah 41:13 - "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you." Another version - the NLT says, "I am holding you by your right hand! Now that's comforting!!

Odds and Ends

2009-06-08T13:55:00.000-07:00

Well, this is the week the movers come! Thursday is the day! Thanks to my cousins wife Traci - the hardest part - the kitchen was all packed up last week. Now I only have the odds and ends left to pack. I am finding that these are the hardest. It seems like you have nothing left and all of a sudden there are quite a few more boxes! I am grateful that when I get to the other end I will have help unpacking! I am looking forward to a more settled life in the next few months - very little travel and time spent connecting with family and friends!

After my stuff goes on Thursday I am moving out to Pine Lake Camp for a more relaxed two weeks before I fly to Halifax on June 30th!!

The Long Road Home!

2009-05-31T21:04:00.000-07:00

I went to Beaver Creek Camp near Saskatoon, SK for Women's Camp this weekend. It was a long drive there on Friday and a long road home today! As Sandy and I drove today I commented on how straight the road is once you leave Saskatoon all the way to Edmonton. There are very few twists and turns in the road. There are a few turns near The Battlefords - other than that - its pretty straight and pretty flat. It was nice to have someone to talk to on this trip. Many of my trips to SK over the past two years have been just me, myself and I.

Since I have been home, I started thinking about the road home to heaven. It is not always as straight and easy as the road was today. There are often troubles that face us - ruts in the road of our lives - or twists and turns!

James says in James 1:12 - "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

I hope I can stand the test - be faithful to what God has called me! I wonder when the trials are going to stop! Maybe never because if life were easy - how would we grow and mature into the person God wants us to be? I want the crown of life!

Meetings, meetings and more meetings!

2009-05-26T16:23:00.000-07:00

One of the fun (or maybe not so fun) things about being at Divisional Headquarters is meetings! We have had a review over the past two days and although I basically sat there for two days I feel tired! I am looking forward to not having to sit in meetings on a regular basis come the end of June! I will have maybe one or two a month versus one or two a week!

I am going to Calgary tomorrow for the opening of new Public relations offices and a farewell reception. The brightest part of this day will be lunch with Sue and her sweet little one Adelaide! Sue is from Corner Brook and its always nice to re-connect with someone from "home"! Then it will be off to Pine Lake for yet another meeting on Thursday morning. Friday morning will be a drive to Beaver Creek Camp for the weekend which will have sessions instead of meetings!

I Love Ikea!!

2009-05-23T18:56:00.001-07:00

Ikea is the greatest store! I went there about 5:30 today, shopped around, had supper and shopped around somemore! There are a couple of things I would like to buy - bigger ticket items before I move back to NL.

For just under $20 - I bought a pack of napkins, 4 clear glass plates, bag clips, two toilet bowl brushes and their stands, a brush for cleaning dishes, the cutest little pink vase, a napkin holder and two cutlery trays!!! For those of us who like to shop its nice to get that much for so little money! I think I will go back and get two more pink vases of a different shape - a nice trio effect!

Even though there is no Ikea in NL - in the past I have taken lamps back to NL with me on the plane! I will return to Ikea before I leave and perhaps on the way as I travel! I want to buy a TV stand, maybe a book case that you can put baskets in and a glass cabinet they have there for only $69. When I get where I am going - my Dad will be there to put it all together for me!!

A friend of mine wrote on her facebook recently - who knew that going to Ikea could bring so much joy? I would agree with her! This brings me to a point - thinking about some of the other things I do - do they bring me as much joy as going to Ikea? Like going to church or work?? Hmmmm - I have been reading a book today which I will post a review on tomorrow - maybe! In this book - its all about a matter of perspective! So as I go to church tomorrow - I will go with an attitude of gratefulness and joy. As I go to work on Monday - I will do the same!

How Would Your Life Change?

2009-05-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

I had an opportunity to participate in a Bible Study last week. We were given a passage of Scripture and we read it in four different translations. Then we had to paraphrase the passage in our own words. Following that we were asked to write down how our lives would change if we truly lived out the passage or particular verse of Scripture. It was an excellent way of looking at Scripture and applying Scripture in a more personal way.

"Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want you all to share that joy." Philippians 2:14-17 (NLT)

How would your life change if you lived out this verse?

For me:

1. I would read Scripture more!
2. I wouldn't worry about how much money I make!
3. I would look for the positive in people and pray that they will be who God has created them to be!

My First Blog Post

2009-05-18T18:16:00.000-07:00

I have decided to start blogging! I have wanted to do this for a while but for some reason never took the time!

I've just spend a great week at a Foundations Course by Fusion International. There were people there from Australia, England, Jamaica, the US and from Ontario west in Canada. It was a great time getting to know new people and learning new things. Our week ended with a community festival on Saturday. It was great to practice what we had been learning! I thought I was going to a seminar on community festivals and it was that but it was so much more than just that! I was really encouraged throughout the week although if I had known how intensive the week was going to be I may not have registered! That was probably a good thing because my life is richer as a result!

I chose to name my blog - Finding my Song - because during the week we were encouraged to find our song! Did you know that most people never really find their song? They go through life and do not reach all the potential that God has given them. I want to find my song and I want to sing it out loud! For the most part I have tried to do that!

I leave you with a question that challenged me last week - What is worth spending your life on? I know the answer to that question for me! I want to help other people answer the question and in doing so they will find their song!