Halloween

When I encountered Halloween some 36 years ago, I sensed in my spirit something was not right about it. The bags of candies developed some greedy kids (our's, as at first we let them go trick or treating) they did not even want to share their loot with us! That alone did not sit right with me!
Finally I read up about it in an encyclopedia as nobody was able too tell me what it meant. Even our Christian friends found it harmless. But we decided this was not for us and discussed it with the boys.

What to do, we asked them, Ron and Paul, then 7 and 4, what they thought would be fun to do instead. Wouldn't you know, they picked bowling, I HATE BOWLING, but bowling it was. To make it more interesting, we would first go to McDonald.

To imagine how exiting that was for them, you have to realize that we never had the money for things like that. On top of all that excitement they each got to pick out the biggest chocolate bar they could find.
We would also pick up some candy the following day as everything would be half price.

Fondue

Our family's tradition is having a cheese fondue on Christmas eve.
After that we open the presents, this of course became more exited as our grandchildren came into the picture.
Our family and extended family has grown so much we are wondering how we can all sit around the table. We have already three fondue pots. It has become one of the hi-lights of the whole season.
When I left Holland as a 20 year old to get married. I missed my family and traditions. Ted and I decided to create our own.
Since then we have added some meat to the menu as well.

So, what are your traditions?

Just reporting

Last night we took a trip to Raleigh. Jennifer had made reservations at "The Melting Pot", for your information, this is a really nice (fancy) Fondue Place. They have taken us there before a few years ago. So we kind of knew what to expect.

The minute you sit down the waiter turns on the hotplate build into the table.
You can have any fondue you want (as long as you are willing to pay for it!)
We started off with a Swiss Fondue, then a salad, for me a salad lover, it was excellent!
Then the meat fondue, all kinds of meat, even duck. Lots of veggies, potatoes, broccoli, a variety of mushrooms (my favorite). Paul and Jennifer had lobster, yuck, not for me and Ted.
The nice part about this is that you feel stuffed but actually you have not eaten all that much.
I am not a meat eater, I have too much vivid imagination about the animals grazing and eating and that turns my stomach. That's just me, I feel that way about germs as well, just ask Yvonne when we go to Wal-Mart. I carry all kinds of wipes with me.

Anyways, back to the dinner, it was great, I loved the veggies cooked in this very tasty bouillon.
We did make some memories last night and some pictures were taken. Since Ted forgot the thingy to transfer the pictures to the computer, the pictures will have to wait until we get home.

Thank you Paul and Jennifer for a wonderful evening. I am afraid to ask how much it cost them. Whatever the cost (I feel bad about that), it was really worth the trip!

Trudy and Ted in North Carolina

News from North Carolina

Well we are still here, having a great time.
Last week we had real great weather, actually I was glad to have taken some sleeveless tops. But today I needed to wear a sweater. The temp was only 60F, so almost the same as back home. Than again we did not really come here for the weather but to see our kids.

We are having a wonderful time with our granddaughter. This afternoon we took her to the store to give Jennifer some rest, (she is expecting). We walked into a store with toys. "Oh Oma", she said, "I really need that sooo much, please can I have that?" Few feet down the isle, "Oma, please, I just can't live without that!" That went on for a while.
I gave her what she thought she could not possibly live without, (she probably thought, hey this is paradise!) But of course she did not know she would have to make a choice. I asked her, "ok Sammie, how long will you be playing with that, or with that." Until she had made her choice. Hey, what are Oma's for?

She decided on a puzzle, an educational coloring book and foam ABC's and number cut-outs for the bath. She can stick them to the wall; she can play with them for many baths to come. I thought she made a good choice for a four year old!

Time for tea, got to go!

Nice Pic

This is Yvonne with my favorite Son in law!

North Carolina

I have not written for awhile. Ted and I arrived here last Tuesday the 18th. It was nice to see Paul and Jennifer. Of course our Granddaughter Samantha was happy to see her Opa and Oma. She had not seen Opa for over a year and that is a long time for a four year old. I was here in August for her 4th Birthday.

The weather is great here. I had brought some long sleeved tops, which I have not been able to wear yet.
It has been wonderful even here for the time of the year.
Yesterday I took Samantha to the big M so that she could play on the playstructure there. Today I took her with her little friend. That is what Oma's are for right?

Yvonne has already mentioned in her blog that she and I booked a flight to Holland and the family there are very exited about it. When was sick with cancer and also during my recovery, I just had this desire to see my family at least one more time. Since I received good reports from my oncologist, it is now actually going to happen. I have not seen them for over 10 years. It will be fun to go with my Yvonne. And.......to celebrate our Birthdays there as well.

Hello, this is Jesus speaking!

I was just reading the devotional "Our Daily Bread". The scripture passage for today's devotional was the following, (I usually read it in several translations). But this one is "The Message"translation. It may not be totally correct (I know my son Paul might make some remarks). But I thought it was really neat.
I just wanted to share this with you.

Pray with Simplicity Mathew 6:5-15

Hello, this is Jesus speaking!

5 "And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?

6 Here's what I want you to do:
Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

7 The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God.

8 Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need.
9 With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:

Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best--
as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and by forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.

14 In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others.

15 If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.

16 When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don't make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won't make you a saint.

17 If you go into training' inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face.
18 God doesn't require attention-getting devices. He won't overlook what you are doing; he'll reward you well."

What a harvest!

With a harvest like this

who needs the farmers

yes they came out of my own backyard!

(that's all I found!)

Good news!

Well, we went to the cancer clinic this afternoon. We had to wait for 45min. Okay, okay, let me in already I was thinking.
Everything is fine, bloodwork, the CTScan and other tests all were perfect. Dr. Harris told me she wants to see me in six months. I mentioned to her that Yvonne and I plan to go to Holland early spring. She found that an excellent plan. "Would you like to see me before you go?", she asked. Of course I said, "yes". She responded: "I figured you would want that."

So I will have the same series of tests done in January and a colonoscopy as well. I like that better than waiting for six months.

So, I'll be around for a while in good health, for which we are very thankful to God. To tell you the truth, I was really not that positive this time. May be because of me being tired, not feeling like doing yard work, having some pains, all that combined, well, I was wrong!!

For you who have been concerned and for you who prayed, thank you. A little love goes a long way with me.

Love Trudy

Thanksgiving ?

Happy Thanksgiving

What does it mean?

and

What does it mean to you?

Coping with fear

The following I read as my devotion in: "Our Daily Bread", this morning. This has got to be my favourite Bible verse!
Please read my commends following it.

Read: Psalm 31:14-24
As for me, I trust in You, O Lord. Psalm 31:14

Many people are afraid of flying. The thought of being airborne fills them with anxiety. For that reason the American Phobic Society recommends these techniques for coping with the fear of flying:

*Avoid sugar and caffeine before and during a flight.
*Lean back at takeoff; let your muscles go limp.
*Rate your anxiety on a scale from 1 to 10.
*Think positive thoughts; note how much your fear decreases.
*Breathe deeply; close your eyes; stretch your arms.
*Wear a rubber band on your wrist and snap it to break unpleasant thoughts.

These are five good suggestions. But I have a sixth that works with all kinds of fear. In fact, it's the most important of all: Put your trust in God.

That's what David did in Psalm 31. A conspiracy had arisen against him. His friends had abandoned him. His reign appeared to be over. Death seemed certain. But he made a choice and declared, "As for me, I trust in You, O Lord" (v.14).

When you're afraid, it may help to breathe deeply or snap rubber bands. But don't leave out the best way to cope with the fear of flying or any other fear. Follow David's example and put your trust in God. Dave Egner

Lord, I believe, but gloomy fears
Sometimes will cloud my sight;
I look to You with prayers and tears,
And cry for strength and light. Wreford

It has been three months since I stopped taking chemo. I have not mentioned that I am going for my tests. Last week I had bloodwork done, which includes the CEA (cancer)marker. Tuesday October the 11th I will have a CTScan done. I have to start by taking the contrast the night before, and in the morning before I go to the hospital. So I get to drink some delicious stuff three times. I'll be glowing in the dark!!!

Next Thursday the 13th we will be going to the oncologist, Dr Harris, for results. I have been very honest with people since I was diagnosed with cancer. I do not believe in complaining, have been very positive. But......I have to admit that I needed to read this devotion today! Hey, I am only human. I really do not want to hear bad news. Then again, knowing myself, I would except it with grace!!

So, since my blog is "callforprayer", this is exactly what I am doing right now. I have been plagued with negative thoughts by the enemy, and have been feeling tired as well (could be the reason!)

Please remember me, and my family in prayer. I really do not want to solve this with "rubber bands", haha.

I will keep you updated, love Trudy

Surprise!

Remember this picture taken in June, well............

Look what we woke up to this morning!!

This is sunny Manitoba,

Got to love it!

Funny

When a cowboy applied for an insurance policy, the agent asked,
"Have you ever had any accidents?"
After a moment's reflection, the applicant responded,
"Nope, but a bronc did kick in two of my ribs last summer,
and a couple of years ago a rattlesnake bit me on the ankle."

"Wouldn't you call those accidents?"
replied the puzzled agent.
"Naw," the cowboy said, "they did it on purpose!"

Hint

Go to Revelation 1:1

Fact Finder

OK all you smarties out there
Give me your answer!

What is the origin of the Book of Revelation?
(a) from John to us
(b) from Jesus Christ to John to us
(c) from God to Jesus Christ to John to us