....across the room to share a Johnny Cash song....

....called REDEMPTION. I listened to this song a number of times on my travels this month and thought about Johnny Cash and his personal journey of faith. The blood that was shed and the body and life that was given on that awful cross was necessary for our redemption and freedom. Johnny Cash experienced that redemption and knew what it meant to be free from the chains of sin. Thank you God for giving your only Son. Thank you Jesus for dying for us so that we may live forever!

From the hands it came down

from the side it came down

from the feet it came down

and ran to the ground.

Between heaven and hell

a teardrop fell

in the deep crimson dew

the tree of life grew.

And the blood gave life

to the branches of the tree

and the blood was the price

that set the captives free.

And the numbers that came

through the fire and the flood

clung to the tree

and were redeemed by the blood.

From the tree streamed a light

that started the fight

round the tree grew a vine

on whose fruit I could dine.

My old friend Lucifer came

fought to keep me in chains

but I saw through the tricks

of six sixty-six.

And the blood gave life

to the branches of the tree

and the blood was the price

that set the captives free.

And the numbers that came

through the fire and the flood

Clung to the tree

and were redeemed by the blood.

From His hands it came down

From his side it came down

from the feet it came down

and ran to the ground.

And the small inner voice

said you do have a choice

the vine engrafted me

and I clung to the tree.

And the blood gave life

to the branches of the tree

and the blood was the price

that set the captives free.

And the numbers that came

through the fire and the flood

I clung to the tree

and was redeemed by the blood.

From His hands it came down

from His side it came down

from the feet it came down

and ran to the ground.

...across the room to share R.J. and T.J. with you.....

Time for another post although I have to admit I am more tired tonight than I was last time I made an entry. Babies really do rule homes. They dictate if and when you eat, brush your teeth, sleep, shower, answer the phone, dress, respond to the doorbell, and go to the bathroom. They come first and that is how it is. So how is it we put up with these little dictators? Because they are just so unbelievably adorable, sweet, helpless, dependent and fun to watch! Every twitch of the face and movement of the body is different from any other baby and the three adults in this home could sit and watch this five day old newcomer for hours.

However there is a seven year old (R.J.) and a five year old (T.J.) in this home as well and I have to say they are equally precious and entertaining. Like yesterday when I was trying to explain something to T.J. and she admonished me with "Nana, can you be more pis-tif-ick (specific)?" And today when she hid from me in the park as we were waiting for the school bus I stood behind a tree to play the game with her not knowing that she thought I had left and she was alone in the park. We talked about it; I listened as she scolded me for hiding behind the tree and then I explained that I knew she was trying to hide from me but she needed to stick close to Nana while waiting for the school bus and not run off like that. I asked her what she was doing behind the statue and she said "I was praying" after which she said "Amen! Because I did not say amen yet!" Tonight I helped her say her bedtime prayer and she prayed "Please help Nana not to hide from me again and I'm sorry for doing it in the first place! AMEN!" T.J. and I perform concerts for each other by playing her toy guitar. We make up our own songs, words and melodies. My favourite song of hers is a "God Song" and goes something like this: "I know that You are here, I know that You love me, thank you for my health and thank you for myself; You are always faithful and hell is not!"

Big brother R.J. is the perfect little man! So considerate and full of life! On the way to the bus today I asked him what his favourite thing about school is. He named off a ream of specifics followed by "Oh, I guess I like EVERYTHING about school!" The temps this morning were lower than I thought they would be. He observed that I was somewhat chilly as I walked beside him with my hands in my jacket pockets. We hadn't walked far when he held out his hand for mine and as we walked hand in hand he asked "There, are you a little warmer now, Nana?" I had only spent one night here when he wanted to know whether the mattress I was sleeping on was comfortable enough, "Because if it is not I want to offer my bed to you" he said.

They've turned my heart into a puddle and I'm sure I would do anything for these interesting and precious little people in my life! I feel so fortunate that my kids would have me in their home for an entire month; that I am in a position to be able to do this kind of thing and that my husband supports my desire to be with our daughter and her family right now even though it means he is left to do all the things I usually do at home. Children (and grandchildren) truly are a very precious gift from God and I feel BLESSED beyond words!

...across the room for introductions....

Hello friends. Tonight I would like to introduce to you a new addition to our family. This is my new grandson, Sawyer John. One minute my daughter was bent over backwards carrying him around inside of her through the malls and stores and everywhere else I managed to drag her and the next minute we were holding this little guy in our arms. Well, alright, it was a few hours!

To me, the birth of a baby is the most incredible miracle. I find myself staring at my little grandchildren in awe some days as I look at their fine delicate features and realize they are complete human beings in size small!

It's been a long day and I will post this for now and return here when I can keep my eyes open!

....across the room to share Mexico with you....

A few weeks ago I did something I have never done before. Most of my vacationing has been on my motorbike, touring across the countryside, relaxing in a different hotel every night and covering a lot of territory in the span of two to four weeks at a time. This year I decided to join my sister-in-law on a tropical get away to PV, Mexico. Since we had never travelled together and since I had never been to Mexico or any resort, I decided one week would be long enough for me. My husband suggested I book this trip through AMA because if anything happened to me (like the aircraft disappearing into the ocean!) he would get a good amount of insurance! Always the jokester! Everybody won because I hooked up with the BEST travel agent ever. She seemed to understand what I was after and found the perfect package for me. The perfect package was a 5 Star Riu all inclusive resort. Nothing to worry about...everything done for you! I should add here that I have never gone on vacation alone...at least not something like this. I have travelled alone extensively but not to a vacation spot. I've always vacationed with my husband who looks after all the details! That's a loaded sentence, really! I've been so spoiled by having my doors opened for me, meals paid, packages carried, elevator buttons pushed, and the list goes on. In other words, I am married to a real gentleman!

I used the park 'n fly to store my car for the week and got a ride to the airport hotel attached to the airport where we had booked a room for a few hours. We had to be at the airport by 3:30 AM! The next morning as we were getting ready to go through security I realized that I was on my way to Mexico without my prescription sunglasses which I had left in my car. A great start to my holiday! I knew I'ld be shopping for a hat almost immediately!

I am so embarrassed about those poor bell boys! Once they took charge of my bags I forgot all about them. They carried all that extra poundage we had to pay a total of $130 to even be allowed on the plane and I forgot all about the tip! Shame on me! My mind was completely occupied and focused on hanging on to my passport, tickets, carry on bag and purse and not lose my traveling companion.

My husband says it doesn't matter what building we are in, when we walk out the door or get out of the elevator I turn left! For me LEFT is RIGHT! With no one to guide me I cannot tell you how many times I had the two of us taking the long way around to where we really wanted to be! We were given strange looks in the elevator when neither of us selected the floor we wanted to go to. My most embarrassing moment had to be trying to get used to Mexican currency. I insulted a waiter by leaving a miniscule tip, realizing what I did, handing him another bill that only added insult to injury, all the while thinking I was being really generous! SO EMBARRASSING!

If you've been to Mexico you will know that many of their buildings are built without any windows and as few walls as possible. This includes restaurants. Those of you who know me well know of my debilitating bird phobia and my embarrassing habit of ducking and sometimes yelling as a bird flies by me a bit too close for my comfort. You can only imagine my discomfort at the dining room table with birds circling around above me on the fans, sitting on the backs of chairs, eyeing my food, probably wondering when I'ld ever leave and whether I would leave something on my plate for them! Shudder! As I was para sailing two pelicans were circling around me causing me a little anxiety as well! Those birds are bigger than birds need be!

Out of necessity I did learn where every bathroom on the resort was without taking the long way around! Let me just say I was thankful for a good memory!

What a learning experience for me! I must ago again so I can prove to myself that I can learn to be a generous, independent, responsible tourist! It won't be an all inclusive next time. I think I'm just too adventurous for that type of vacation though I probably need the protection and security!!

Muchas Gracias for a great learning experience and a few hours of sun Mexico!

...across the room for contemplation & revelation!

Thanks to an amazing quality cold I brought with me on my Christmas travels I have been worming my way into the New Year inch by inch rather than the usual frantic

start! It seems time has stood still for me. The clock has almost stopped in my achey little world. Since it would not be kind to spread this around I choose to keep my pluggy drippy puffy nose and face in the shelter of my own four walls for the duration. It's not all bad though. For the few minutes every day that my head feels clear there is time for introspection, review and reading. I've even taken time to complete yet another 'get to know you better' form that some friends send occasionally. The questions are rather mindless, requiring little or no thought at all, and so it was with this most recent form.

HOWEVER (you knew this was coming, didn't you?!). After I sent the form back to my friend I thought about my answers and realized something rather interesting about myself. Considering the Type A, rather opinionated, passionate person I am, I found my answers to be quite passive. Not what I would have expected of me! It made me wonder what's happened to me!

OK, I do have a bad cold and the only thing I feel really passionate about is getting rid of it. I have little energy or ambition these days. Still, I don't think I would change any of my answers next week or in a month.

I don't have a favourite brand of clothing and I have no place in particular I can think of to retire to when we retire. There is no day on the calendar I am looking forward to more than today and I don't like one season more than the next....I like all four. I can't choose between chocolate and vanilla; hugs or kisses; salty or sweet because I like both and I don't have a favourite day of the week. Out of the sixty questions I just didn't seem to have a lot of favourites or must have's of any one thing. My first thought was "what is wrong with me!" But as I reviewed the questions in my mind I came to the conclusion that I have finally evolved into a more content person than I used to be! And extremely blessed! This year I honestly could not come up with a single idea to help my husband with his Christmas shopping. I don't need anything. It's not that I have everything. Last year I made a conscious effort to curb my spending and I wonder if that constant reminder that I don't need to buy everything I like each time I went shopping is finally making a difference. (Coughing intermission!) All year I came across things I could use but did not have to have and therefore did not need to buy. It was a great exercise for me and I love the outcome!

There are other aspects to contentment and I may just need to do another segment next time.

...across the room to talk about legacy's....

This morning I read a short article by Ron and Gilbert Beers on leaving your legacy. I thought about the wonderful people in my life who are spending Christmas in heaven and how they affected my life ... past, present and future. This article made me think about the legacy that I want to leave. They quote the book of Psalms in the Bible where it says this: "But as for me, I will sing about your power. I will shout with joy each morning because of your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety in the day of distress. O My Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love." To me there is just nothing more important to pass along to my family than God's mercy, His unfailing love, and that refuge and place of safety He has been in my life. I want my family to see God as the One who created them and therefore knows them better than they know themselves; loves them more than they could ever love and to see Him as a Father like no other. The article stated: " Many people think of God as being angry and judgmental, pointing his disapproving finger at our sins and failures. In reality, God is both holy and merciful. In his holiness, he calls us to moral and virtuous living; in his mercy he is willing to forgive us, and he loves us even when we fail. The psalmist is rejoicing that he can rely upon God's mercy, which becomes a protection against the destructive forces of evil." I think it is important to think about the kind of legacy we want to pass on to our children, their children, etc. Depending on how we were raised, we might pass along all the disappointments, hurts, frustrations, attitudes and pain of our own up bringing or we can break the destructive cycles of our pasts and give our children a legacy that will help them be whole and equipped human beings. I saw a lot of little children at the front of the church participating in a Christmas production this morning. They were so cute, uninhibited, adorable and talented. I couldn't help but wonder who their mommies and daddies were and what kind of legacy they are preparing to leave their children. Every day, every decision, every reaction, every word and gesture will comprise the legacy that we leave for our family. It's worth a little contemplation, I think.

....across the room to say THANK YOU....

CHRISTMAS! What a celebration! Everybody wants to be in on the festivities and many who don't even believe in the real reason for this celebration get completely absorbed in the giving and receiving of this special season. Personally I am amazed at the way the people of our city get involved to make sure everyone has a special Christmas by donating food and gifts to be distributed by various organizations.

Most of my gifts have been sent by now and I have been the recipient of a few gifts myself by now. That brings me to the reason for this post. Some months ago we sent a wedding gift because we had not been able to attend the wedding. It was a gift of money. A month or so later I realized we had not heard from these people by way of a telephone call or a thank you note. Since we had just received a call from a charitable organization we had donated to six months ago to inform us they received the cheque just that day I began to wonder if our gift had been received by this couple. I contacted them to find out that they did not receive it. A few days later a very tired looking envelope ended up in our mail box. It looked like someone had used it as a coaster for their coffee cup! In fact it looked so bad I had to buy a new card to send the gift again. That is one reason we need to send thank you notes but not the main reason. I don't know how many gifts I have sent by now and never received a thank you of any kind. I'm left to wonder whether the gift was ever received and I can't help but wonder if it was even appreciated. The gift I received yesterday was a good reminder of how much time a friend will invest in finding something really special, wrapping it in pretty paper and sending it to my house. A gift of money is someone saying "I want to give you something you would really like, so here is some money so that you can choose it for yourself". Whether it is a gift of money or a gift chosen by someone I think it deserves to be acknowledged. There is no substitute for a hand written note (everyone loves mail!) but a telephone call is a great way of thanking your family and friends as well!

May you enjoy the gift of giving and receiving and let's all remember to say "THANKS"!