A weekend of celebrations

     Last weekend was one of celebrations! I so enjoyed my visit with family in Kamloops. 

     

     My son Dave’s, mother-in-law, Marian, having reached that wonderful age — all of 90 years, was honoured with a beautiful celebration tastefully put together by her family and the aid of some faithful friends. 

     Nearly 300 people attended, with four local choirs joyfully performing at the Sunday afternoon event.

     

     Having her two sisters and brother attend, all the way from Ontario, and the huge response of friends from the community, I’m sure caused Marian to feel very honoured and blessed. 

     

     As it was son, Roger’s birthday that weekend also, his brother, Dave, gave us, a family of ten, a time to also celebrate his life. 

     

     The delicious roast beef dinner with all the fixings, served to us as we gathered around his large, dining table, made for a happy, interchange of fun and conversation. 

      I have felt blessed of late, as I have been able to reach out in tangible ways of encouragement, helping my elderly neighbour. 

     Lending a hand along the way — taking her to hospital when needed, to the doctor, for blood work, or helping with her grocery shopping. Unfortunately, she has no family member living within the city, all being at a great distance. 

     I’m also learning that one of the best ways to love others, is to pray for them. 

     Another neighbour has needed my prayers as well, because of recurring heart problems. I think wherever we find ourselves, we need to be ready to give a hand and keep pulling together every day. 

     Not knowing when it might be “our turn” to need help. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us — “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, …let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  

     Today, I had the privilege of attending a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at our local church, sponsored by a ladies’ Bible study group. 

     Based on the theme, Alice in Wonderland, fun was had discussing the Mad Hatter’s world — a world of sense but often nonsense. In many ways so typical of our own mad world we find ourselves in. The theme carried out in their unique decorations, the unusual hats many of the ladies wore, freshly-baked scones accompanied with cream cheese, jam, fruit and of course, tea served in china cups and saucers — all evident of much thought, creativeness and hard work. 

     The speaker, Lorraine Richmond, from Habitat for Humanity, spoke on the theme, Defining Who I Am.  

     

     We may sometimes say, “I knew who I was this morning, but I’ve changed a few times since then.” Richmond says, “Our quality of life depends on the story I tell myself of who I am.” 


     How am I choosing to live? We can find ourselves in a fear-based place instead of moving forward with high trust. We need to remember…“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will.”   

— Romans 12:2

— beulah