Exercise! Often when we hear that word, we cringe, knowing it is hard work. In the physical realm, I have determined to get into shape and lose weight a few times over the years. Getting started is the hardest … Read more

Some fifty years ago, I met a young man who would one day become my husband. He had just begun a new job and was sent out west for a short time, a time which to me seemed endless. There … Read more

Days after our visit to a friend's new home, I kept remembering the ways the couple had made us feel welcome. When we arrived, besides the hugs and warm greetings, we noted, cooling on the counter, freshly baked bread, which … Read more

The new restaurant had a buffet line larger than my entire house. Did I want family food? Italian? Sushi? Chinese? Desserts — chocolate covered, cream filled, and extra-size? I wanted all of it. My knees actually weakened when I … Read more

A while back, I was struggling in many areas of my life. Everywhere I turned, I was faced with another hurdle to climb over. Then one day, I read our verse for today. The bride was leaning upon her beloved. … Read more

As I was on my way for my walk at the lake that morning, going through my mind and thoughts was all that had to be accomplished that day. As I rounded the corner and looked up across the way, … Read more

Not long after the congregation which I formerly served had paved its parking lot, I happened to arrive at the church building on a bright, sunny spring day in the middle of the week, to discover that some of the … Read more

Already having a healthy girl, we assumed that when I became pregnant again eighteen months later, all would be plain sailing. We should never assume, though. God could have different plans — and in our case, He did. After another … Read more

Years ago, we had a budgie bird in our home. It was so tame. When out of its cage, it would follow us and sit on our shoulders. It would even land on the arm of our glasses and view … Read more

The day started off badly. My hair simply wouldn't lie flat in certain places. My breakfast toast burned. It was raining, so I couldn't work in the garden. I had to go to a meeting that I dreaded. My sinus … Read more

For a few months now, I have been struggling with sleep. Each morning from 4:00 a.m. onward, I am wide awake and ready to start my day. I recently attended a workshop where we were given some passages from the … Read more

Years ago, I owned a pair of shoes that lasted for years and years. The day finally came when I had to do something with them. I hated to do it, too — they were so comfortable. My feet never … Read more

My father had two books which guided his life: the Bible and the Grier's Almanac. The Grier's was a yearly publication similar to Poor Richard's Almanac and The Farmer's Almanac. It is a southern version printed in Georgia which has … Read more

Recently, I had surgery to remove a whopping seven-pound mass from around my right ovary. According to a friend who was in the operating room viewing the surgery, the mass had the looks of a seven-pound ham with a variety … Read more

In Alberta, we have a saying, "If you don't like the weather, just wait for five minutes." It is true. Our international students are amazed at how quickly our weather changes. It can be bright and sunny one minute, and … Read more

Being a belt and braces (suspenders) man, I have always carried both a chain and a cable on my bicycle to deter any casual miscreant. However, all this security comes at a cost. The galvanized chain is a quarter-inch-thick chain-link, … Read more

When I was ready to pray during my devotion this morning, I felt God speaking to my heart and mind, urging me to clear my mind of all the clutter: things like a family emergency, or having to go to … Read more

Saskatoon season is approaching soon. Saskatoons are small purple berries that grow in clusters on bushes. Because they grow in the wild, we have to go scouting around to find them. Many years, we have tramped through trees and undergrowth … Read more

In May 2005, over 4,000 members of the Georgia 48th Brigade were deployed to Iraq. It was the largest combat unit of the Georgia National Guard to deploy overseas since World War II. As they packed to leave, the soldiers … Read more

During the summer, we have ferocious thunderstorms. Often, these storms are in the middle of the night. The thunder wakes me up, and I lie awake until the storm passes. My dad, on the other hand, would sleep his best … Read more

One day while I was sitting in front of the fireplace, enjoying the flickering of its flames, I noticed the china dog that sat on the hearth, a gift of many years ago. At that time, we had just moved … Read more

When I work in my yard, ants inevitably sting me. No matter how hard I try to avoid the little pests, they seem to know when I'm near the flowerbeds. Despite long sleeves, gloves, high socks, and other forms of … Read more

A couple of weeks ago, we had some downpours and a bit of hail a few days in a row. My poor petunias looked pretty sick. The beautiful blossoms were all beaten off by the rain and hail. It almost … Read more

Some years ago, I invited a very talented Sunday School worker to come and present a lesson during the Vacation Bible School week. I was surprised when she arrived without any visual aids. She had been a very beautiful woman, … Read more

The other night, I was watching a documentary called "Battle for Souls" on the Discovery channel. It was all about the growth of Christianity in Africa, especially Nigeria. The program focused on some of the tensions between Christian and Islamic … Read more

I'm sure we have all had times with family or friends when we need to reason things out with them. I remember a few years ago when I was trying to reason some difficult things out with some friends. None … Read more

I have now reached an age when I can no longer read the small print — any small print — without a set of glasses, or alternatively, a long arm extension and a magnifying glass! As a result, I have … Read more

Recently, I was watching a television program in which Madonna, the pop singer, was being interviewed by a British journalist. He was asking her about Kaballah, an ancient Jewish mysticism that she, and a number of pop celebrities, have begun … Read more

About five years ago, I was struggling in my job with patients with Alzheimer's disease, and the shift work was getting harder the older I got. So I chose to quit my job. It was a loss. Close to the … Read more

One recent Saturday night, a month after my hip replacement, I was filled with praise to God, even after going to bed. For two hours, I couldn't sleep as I thought about all the good things God had done for … Read more

When I was little, a favourite game of my older brother and sisters for me to play was "Who can be the quietest?" The quietest would receive some kind of prize — a piece of bubble gum, or a special … Read more