Spring has sprung, and with it, my thoughts stray to gardening. As we will be living in a new home this spring, one without an established garden, I wonder what the soil will be like. I am hoping that it will be good soil, but I really … Read more

Little children are just amazing. I've always loved being around them. I've watched them learn to walk, and I've seen the joy and delight in their faces as they play and learn. I've seen how they live in the moment and experience new … Read more

Listening to the evening news is enough to make anyone mad at sin. Consider these reports: A police officer intentionally shooting and killing a man. A man shooting his parents and then going to a local business to kill his … Read more

I have started to learn French. I use an app that has a competitive edge to it. I have been doing it for over a month now, and already, I am up in the Emerald League and fifth from the top of the leader board. Unwittingly, I seem to have … Read more

In our fast-paced, ambitious society, we are tempted by the latest thing, the newest product to test drive, and the exclusive access "by invitation only". At times, I feel that my life is static and that I'm really missing out on something … Read more

"You need the right documentation," I was told after my healthcare request was denied. That episode last year reminded me of similar episodes where I didn't have the "right documentation", even though I had sufficient evidence to qualify. … Read more

"Can you come over? The sewing machine that you loaned me isn't working right." My neighbour was frustrated. It was a new machine that had been used only a few times. What could go wrong? My first attempt to fix it didn't work. I tried … Read more

When I was very young, I would feel threatened when meeting new people or being in a new situation, so I would resort to an escape technique. Elbow up, I would put my whole arm in front of my face. Under the cover of my arm, I could hide; … Read more

One hot summer day, I watched our Blue Healer, Rocky, saunter across the field and walk into the neighbour's pond. With the sun behind him, he looked rather handsome as he emerged from the refreshing water and walked through the tall … Read more

Quite recently, I visited my leader from the church who was quite sick. You must know that I wasn't aware that the sickness was something severe until I saw him looking quite wasted. I also didn't know that he would die the next day. I … Read more

It has been more than a year since the start of the war in Ukraine, and I'm sure that thousands of people, if not millions, pray every day that it will soon be over. The complete devastation of infrastructure, the loss of thousands of … Read more

In early May, we will be relocating to a lovely acreage in the Tawatinaw Valley, Alberta, Canada. As I think upon all that such a move will entail, I become more and more aware of what will need to be packed and what will need to find a … Read more

The five senses are great, but it's beautiful when we use the sixth sense. I enjoy all of my senses. I remember when my eye doctor told me that I was a candidate for glaucoma. Fortunately, the cornea specialist said that it wasn't as bad … Read more

Recently, I purchased a book with a title that included Bible verses to "know by heart". That phrase, to "know by heart" jumped out at me. I wondered what important things I actually do know by heart. I have many hidden helps in my head … Read more

Recently, I had to bring my mother-in-law, Dora, to our home from 150 miles up the motorways of England. Due to strikes, the trains were presently unpredictable so car transport was the only possible way. At the start, to be on the safe … Read more

Our fingers can be very useful parts of our body. Winston Churchill, and many others since, displayed two fingers shaped like a "V" to indicate victory. It is common to show our fingers across our chest or forehead as a salute. Sometimes, … Read more

In the 1980s, my friends and I enjoyed the music of Canadian singer and songwriter Bruce Cockburn. One of my favourite hits of 1985 was People See Through You, perhaps because I thought that one day, justice would be satisfied over cruel … Read more

The phone rang; it was the chairman of our annual quilt show. "Sharon, we have to cancel tomorrow's show." This was a really big deal! The quilt club at my recreational vehicle park has been having these shows for many years. We have over … Read more

When we are children, some of the first words that we are taught are "please" and "thank you", in some families even simplified as "ta-ta". Our children listen to our words and watch our actions, repeating what they see and hear as we … Read more

When coming out from the church one day, I met a man who was both deaf and mute. We had never had any personal interaction before, and I don't know how to communicate in sign language. But he smiled at me. I smiled back and he smiled … Read more

My neighbour recently dropped by for a visit. She had never been over to our place, even though we lived across the street from one another. As she and her little boy walked up our driveway, she was astounded at the amount of light that … Read more

It was to be a very special Easter morning. We had already been to the ocean to greet the rising sun and were back in time for the early morning service followed by a congregational breakfast — a full day to be sure. But now came the … Read more

One day in March, I got a phone call from one of our grandsons. He told me that he was in deep trouble, and that he had a bad cold and intestinal problems. He asked me not to tell anybody, but he was being held by the police. A friend of … Read more

Good Friday is the most sombre day of the Christian year. Jesus died on the cross. It is a day when we can sing, "O come and mourn with me awhile". It was my first time leading a Good Friday service. The centrepiece in the sanctuary was … Read more

A couple of years ago when our family was together, my daughter Christa decided that we should have a mani/pedi party. That is an occasion when we all give each other a manicure and a pedicure. She came in with all the equipment that she … Read more

I've been thinking about Peter's experience that night in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was betrayed. Suddenly, a crowd of well-armed military and religious authorities appears. Who wouldn't be intimidated by that formidable display … Read more

Joe slumped to the floor, the life choked out of him, a victim of a terrible game young people play called the Choking Game or Blackout Challenge. The act of intentionally cutting off the source of oxygen to the brain to induce a temporary … Read more

When it comes to my memory, on more than one occasion, I have been accused of being able to hide my own Easter eggs. Most of the time this indictment is not a good thing, but on occasion, it is quite helpful, since I am able to read books … Read more

Many years ago, when finances were always tight, I was perusing the Sears catalogue and came across an absolutely perfect bathing suit in a stunning orange. I really needed a new suit, and this was my colour. It was also priced … Read more

My son loves waffles. He enjoys them each day as an after-school snack. However, this year during the Lenten season, he decided to forgo this treat. One afternoon, as we drove home from school, we discussed the meaning of the season, … Read more