The name on the address of this blog is obsolete in many ways and thus a new address is in order so please update your links as from now on my blogging will be found on http://rantinchick.blogspot.com/ I will try and move over all the material to the new one eventually. See you all on the other site.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Sunday, October 29, 2006
starting the financial future
Do you remember the first time you opened your own bank account, and the emotions you felt? Well today Anisten had that priviledge as we signed up for both a savings and a checking account. Seems you can't take out the money unless you transfer it into the checking first.
For a while now we have used canning jars to hold our money into different categories and since her savings jar added up to over $15, I decided it was time to let the bank pay her to have the priviledge of holding it. I am looking forward to seeing her expression the first time she receives the wopping 2-3 cents of interest, at least I am hoping it will be that much.
Experiencing new things for the first time can be pretty exciting and she did not disappoint, while holding and caressing the brand new bank card she exclaimed
"I am now complete!"
to which I replied "oh really?"
"Oh mom... it is only an expression of how this makes me feel at the moment, nothing else"
Something about looking at the world through the eyes of a child!
Thank you Anisten for making me smile, today will forever be ingrained in my memory.
You are indeed Gods greatest gift to me. And I thank God that he has spared my life so I may share in these experiences with you. I love you Boo!
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Its really me!
Someone asked me how come there are few pictures of me on the blog so I decided to add one.
I changed my profile picture to an edit of this picture, and yes it is really me as a little girl, taken in Argentina. When my mom showed Anisten this picture she was perplexed and asked "is this me?"
I changed my profile picture to an edit of this picture, and yes it is really me as a little girl, taken in Argentina. When my mom showed Anisten this picture she was perplexed and asked "is this me?"
Monday, October 23, 2006
Results of study on world-wide Pentecostals/Charismatics
Pew Conducts a 10-country Survey of Pentecostals
Mark D. Tooley
Weekly Standard
NOW NUMBERING OVER 500 million, and probably the fastest growing religious movement in the world, Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians are transforming the global religious demographic, especially in Latin America and Africa. They comprise nearly half of Brazil's population, and 25 percent of the United States is Pentecostal or Charismatic.
Are these religious, social conservatives replicating in the Global South political trends that are present among Republican-oriented evangelicals in the United States? A new study from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life tries to answer just this question.
Pew estimated that Pentecostals and Charismatics account for about one fourth of the world's 2 billion Christians. According to the World Christian Encyclopedia, published in 2001, there are about 66 million Pentecostals and 470 million Charismatics.
Both Pentecostals and Charismatics have effusive worship styles, emphasize divine healings and other gifts of the Holy Spirit, and believe that evangelism is imperative. Pentecostals belong to specifically Pentecostal denominations, such as the Assemblies of God, which date to the early 20th century. Charismatics are found across evangelical and Protestant churches, but also within Roman Catholicism. According to the World Christian Encyclopedia, there are about 120 million Catholic Charismatics, or over one fifth of the Pentecostal/Charismatic total.
Pew measured opinion among Pentecostals/Charismatics where they are thought to be strongest: the United States, Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, the Philippines, South Korea, and India. Though there are also millions in China, government restrictions on religion there likely would have made polling problematic.
Not surprisingly, Pew found that Pentecostals/Charismatics in every country are more socially conservative than the general population, disapproving of homosexuality, abortion, euthanasia, suicide, and divorce. In Africa and Asia, they were more strongly opposed to the practice of homosexuality than they were in Latin America and the United States. Africans and Asians, both the general population and Pentecostals/Charismatics, are also the most hostile to divorce and pre-marital sex. Brazilians and Chileans were the least disapproving.
About 60 percent of Pentecostals/Charismatics in the United States think abortion is always wrong, compared to 45 percent of the general population. But Latins, Africans, and Asians were all much more opposed to abortion. Americans were the most accepting of euthanasia. Only 50 percent of Pentecostals here insist it is never justified, though that is still higher than 37 percent of the general population.
Pentecostals/Charismatics everywhere attend worship services more frequently than other Christians, are more adamant about their doctrines, and have more literal understandings of the Bible. Politically, outside the United States, they are a little harder to measure beyond key social issues.
In most countries, Pentecostals/Charismatics are more pro-Israel than the general population. They also tend to support the free market, but not much more than the general population. This is a little surprising, as Pentecostals, especially in Latin America, are heavily influenced by U.S. parachurch groups and are commonly portrayed, especially by their critics, as extensions of American-style capitalism.
Pentecostals/Charismatics in the United States strongly support the war on terror, but in most of the other polled countries, they are ambivalent or negative. The exceptions are Nigeria, Kenya, India, and the Philippines, all of which have struggled against Islamic terrorism and, in the case of Nigeria, Islamist repression of Christian populations. Americans, religious and not, are the most likely to trust their own nation's military. Religious Filipinos and Kenyans also trust their national militaries. The other national populations do not trust theirs.
In all of the measured countries except for the United States, South Korea, and South Africa, Pentecostals/Charismatics comprise the majority of Protestant Christians, and in Latin America overwhelmingly so. But in Brazil and Guatemala, Charismatics also comprise a majority of Roman Catholics. Pentecostals/Charismatics are a majority of the total populations of Guatemala and Kenya. And they are nearly half of Brazil and the Philippines. One quarter of Americans are Pentecostal/Charismatic.
Although the West, excluding the United States, is getting more secular, the Global South is getting more religious, or at least switching from traditional religion to more charismatic Christianity. Nigeria is a prime example. Pew reports that over the last 50 years Nigeria has gone from 45 percent Muslim to 50 percent, and from 21 percent Christian to 48 percent, a majority of which is Pentecostal/Charismatic. Traditional religion has declined from one third of the population to just less than 2 percent.
Similarly, South Korea is becoming more Christian and more Buddhist, with a quarter of the population now belonging to each, up from 20 percent each 20 years ago, with no religious affiliation slipping from 58 percent to less than half of the population over the same period. South Africa has gone from 68 percent to 80 percent Christian over the last 50 years. The Latin American countries and the Philippines have growing evangelical Protestant minorities, with Guatemala now 30 percent evangelical. But this evangelical resurgence has been accompanied by a growing Charismatic Catholicism in all these countries. Evangelical resurgence seems to stimulate a corresponding resurgence of Catholic faith.
Somewhat disturbingly, the Gospel of Health and Wealth has thoroughly penetrated much of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement, especially in the Global South. Over 40 percent of Pentecostals/Charismatics in the United States believe that God grants good health to the faithful, compared to a quarter of the general population. But strong majorities of Pentecostals/Charismatics in Latin America and Africa believe in the promise of good health. Interestingly, the figures in Africa are not that different from the general population, among whom there seems to be a consensus that God will reward good living with good health.
Contrary to some stereotypes about the hyper nationalism of American evangelicals, an overwhelming majority of Pentecostals/Charismatics in this country said that their religion is more important than their nationality. This was true in every other country in Pew's study. Pentecostals/Charismatics did not differ very much from the general population on gender roles in most countries, although they were more inclined to support female clergy than were the general populations in Asian countries. There is a strong tradition of female lay preaching among Pentecostals, and some Pentecostal churches ordain women.
Americans, religious and not, were the most adamant about religious freedom among all the nations surveyed. But overwhelming majorities in each, religious and not, affirm the importance of multi-party democracy, free elections, freedom of speech, and independent courts. Pentecostals/Charismatics were only slightly more likely than others to affirm their importance.
Pentecostals cannot always be neatly lumped together with Charismatics. For example, 60 percent of American Pentecostals sympathize with Israel, compared to 7 percent with Palestinians. But only 37 percent of American Charismatics favor Israel, compared to 10 percent for the Palestinians. Pentecostals tend to have strong views about God's ongoing covenant with the Jewish people. Charismatics among mainline Protestants and Roman Catholics are less inclined to this view. This same difference was found elsewhere except in South Korea and Kenya.
In Latin America, Pentecostals/Charismatics were less inclined than the general population to support the American war on terrorism, but they were more supportive in Africa and Asia. When asked to place themselves on the ideological spectrum, Pentecostals/Charismatics everywhere overwhelmingly picked the middle, though they were slightly more tilted right everywhere except in Kenya and South Africa.
The World Christian Encyclopedia estimates that Pentecostals/Charismatics will number over 800 million in 20 years, comprising 10 percent of the world's population and nearly one third of all Christians. In 1970, they numbered fewer than 80 million, or two percent of the global population. They are now the majority in several nations, and likely will become the majority in many more within the next decade. Their growth has helped make evangelicals the largest religious group in the United States, with enormous political repercussions. Those repercussions have now become global.
Mark D. Tooley directs the United Methodist committee at the Institute on Religion and Democracy.
Mark D. Tooley
Weekly Standard
NOW NUMBERING OVER 500 million, and probably the fastest growing religious movement in the world, Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians are transforming the global religious demographic, especially in Latin America and Africa. They comprise nearly half of Brazil's population, and 25 percent of the United States is Pentecostal or Charismatic.
Are these religious, social conservatives replicating in the Global South political trends that are present among Republican-oriented evangelicals in the United States? A new study from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life tries to answer just this question.
Pew estimated that Pentecostals and Charismatics account for about one fourth of the world's 2 billion Christians. According to the World Christian Encyclopedia, published in 2001, there are about 66 million Pentecostals and 470 million Charismatics.
Both Pentecostals and Charismatics have effusive worship styles, emphasize divine healings and other gifts of the Holy Spirit, and believe that evangelism is imperative. Pentecostals belong to specifically Pentecostal denominations, such as the Assemblies of God, which date to the early 20th century. Charismatics are found across evangelical and Protestant churches, but also within Roman Catholicism. According to the World Christian Encyclopedia, there are about 120 million Catholic Charismatics, or over one fifth of the Pentecostal/Charismatic total.
Pew measured opinion among Pentecostals/Charismatics where they are thought to be strongest: the United States, Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, the Philippines, South Korea, and India. Though there are also millions in China, government restrictions on religion there likely would have made polling problematic.
Not surprisingly, Pew found that Pentecostals/Charismatics in every country are more socially conservative than the general population, disapproving of homosexuality, abortion, euthanasia, suicide, and divorce. In Africa and Asia, they were more strongly opposed to the practice of homosexuality than they were in Latin America and the United States. Africans and Asians, both the general population and Pentecostals/Charismatics, are also the most hostile to divorce and pre-marital sex. Brazilians and Chileans were the least disapproving.
About 60 percent of Pentecostals/Charismatics in the United States think abortion is always wrong, compared to 45 percent of the general population. But Latins, Africans, and Asians were all much more opposed to abortion. Americans were the most accepting of euthanasia. Only 50 percent of Pentecostals here insist it is never justified, though that is still higher than 37 percent of the general population.
Pentecostals/Charismatics everywhere attend worship services more frequently than other Christians, are more adamant about their doctrines, and have more literal understandings of the Bible. Politically, outside the United States, they are a little harder to measure beyond key social issues.
In most countries, Pentecostals/Charismatics are more pro-Israel than the general population. They also tend to support the free market, but not much more than the general population. This is a little surprising, as Pentecostals, especially in Latin America, are heavily influenced by U.S. parachurch groups and are commonly portrayed, especially by their critics, as extensions of American-style capitalism.
Pentecostals/Charismatics in the United States strongly support the war on terror, but in most of the other polled countries, they are ambivalent or negative. The exceptions are Nigeria, Kenya, India, and the Philippines, all of which have struggled against Islamic terrorism and, in the case of Nigeria, Islamist repression of Christian populations. Americans, religious and not, are the most likely to trust their own nation's military. Religious Filipinos and Kenyans also trust their national militaries. The other national populations do not trust theirs.
In all of the measured countries except for the United States, South Korea, and South Africa, Pentecostals/Charismatics comprise the majority of Protestant Christians, and in Latin America overwhelmingly so. But in Brazil and Guatemala, Charismatics also comprise a majority of Roman Catholics. Pentecostals/Charismatics are a majority of the total populations of Guatemala and Kenya. And they are nearly half of Brazil and the Philippines. One quarter of Americans are Pentecostal/Charismatic.
Although the West, excluding the United States, is getting more secular, the Global South is getting more religious, or at least switching from traditional religion to more charismatic Christianity. Nigeria is a prime example. Pew reports that over the last 50 years Nigeria has gone from 45 percent Muslim to 50 percent, and from 21 percent Christian to 48 percent, a majority of which is Pentecostal/Charismatic. Traditional religion has declined from one third of the population to just less than 2 percent.
Similarly, South Korea is becoming more Christian and more Buddhist, with a quarter of the population now belonging to each, up from 20 percent each 20 years ago, with no religious affiliation slipping from 58 percent to less than half of the population over the same period. South Africa has gone from 68 percent to 80 percent Christian over the last 50 years. The Latin American countries and the Philippines have growing evangelical Protestant minorities, with Guatemala now 30 percent evangelical. But this evangelical resurgence has been accompanied by a growing Charismatic Catholicism in all these countries. Evangelical resurgence seems to stimulate a corresponding resurgence of Catholic faith.
Somewhat disturbingly, the Gospel of Health and Wealth has thoroughly penetrated much of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement, especially in the Global South. Over 40 percent of Pentecostals/Charismatics in the United States believe that God grants good health to the faithful, compared to a quarter of the general population. But strong majorities of Pentecostals/Charismatics in Latin America and Africa believe in the promise of good health. Interestingly, the figures in Africa are not that different from the general population, among whom there seems to be a consensus that God will reward good living with good health.
Contrary to some stereotypes about the hyper nationalism of American evangelicals, an overwhelming majority of Pentecostals/Charismatics in this country said that their religion is more important than their nationality. This was true in every other country in Pew's study. Pentecostals/Charismatics did not differ very much from the general population on gender roles in most countries, although they were more inclined to support female clergy than were the general populations in Asian countries. There is a strong tradition of female lay preaching among Pentecostals, and some Pentecostal churches ordain women.
Americans, religious and not, were the most adamant about religious freedom among all the nations surveyed. But overwhelming majorities in each, religious and not, affirm the importance of multi-party democracy, free elections, freedom of speech, and independent courts. Pentecostals/Charismatics were only slightly more likely than others to affirm their importance.
Pentecostals cannot always be neatly lumped together with Charismatics. For example, 60 percent of American Pentecostals sympathize with Israel, compared to 7 percent with Palestinians. But only 37 percent of American Charismatics favor Israel, compared to 10 percent for the Palestinians. Pentecostals tend to have strong views about God's ongoing covenant with the Jewish people. Charismatics among mainline Protestants and Roman Catholics are less inclined to this view. This same difference was found elsewhere except in South Korea and Kenya.
In Latin America, Pentecostals/Charismatics were less inclined than the general population to support the American war on terrorism, but they were more supportive in Africa and Asia. When asked to place themselves on the ideological spectrum, Pentecostals/Charismatics everywhere overwhelmingly picked the middle, though they were slightly more tilted right everywhere except in Kenya and South Africa.
The World Christian Encyclopedia estimates that Pentecostals/Charismatics will number over 800 million in 20 years, comprising 10 percent of the world's population and nearly one third of all Christians. In 1970, they numbered fewer than 80 million, or two percent of the global population. They are now the majority in several nations, and likely will become the majority in many more within the next decade. Their growth has helped make evangelicals the largest religious group in the United States, with enormous political repercussions. Those repercussions have now become global.
Mark D. Tooley directs the United Methodist committee at the Institute on Religion and Democracy.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
A Different Road
This Saturday I spent most of my day in a workshop/seminar called a Different Road- for divorced and separated people. The day started great with breakfast and mingling to get to know the seminar participants. There is something so comforting about being in a room with people who share the same pain with you. As we settled into the room in where the teaching would occur it became evident very quickly how some where in such dispair and it broke my heart as well as others with the full knowledge of knowing what that pain feels like. The best part was seeing that at the conclusion we shared many laughs over dinner at Montanas restaurant. The majority of the paricipants in the seminar are not regular church attenders but we were all able to receive wisdom in dealing with the pain and hear how we are spiritual beings who need spiritual balance that was found in Jesus as the group leader shared. The workshop may of been for a day but the participants have the option to join a support group on Tuesday nights to dig deeper into the curriculum. As I currently attend "Just Me and the Kids" on Tuesdays I will have to wait till the new year to join them, and I am really looking forward to that. The people responsible for setting this up are prior participants and they shared how the group has become a family to them and I could sense how that is possible even through the different personalities, age, race or gender.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Meet Jason Illian.
Jason was a contestant on "The Bachelorette" and was introduced as a 29 year old motivational speaker who is also a Virgin. Yes Jason is a born again Christian and his writtings will make you say uhmm. Check out his myspace blog for plenty of reading and contemplating, never boring I promise. http://www.myspace.com/jasonillian
The picture is of his book cover that was just released on October 16th. You can read the first chapter right on his blog. I promise it will make you think and ponder irregardless of your marital status.
I specially like his quote "Somebody slap Paris Hilton for me!" Read on to find out why. Make sure you listen to the song that plays on the page.
Monday, October 09, 2006
First week of work
So I have completed my first week of work and I hope I don't get fired on Tuesday for forgetting to forward the phones to the Montreal office before I left on Friday! I did return as I remembered blocks away from home but since you need a special security key to get in(which I don't have) it was all in vain since everyone was gone.The job is as a receptionist at Innotech-Execaire http://www.innotech-execaire.com/ and it is really quiet most of the time. On thursday the internet was turned on to the computer I was using and I was able to do some research work on "chemicals and their "material safety data sheets" ooh sounds interesting right? Well it is amazing how you can have many many forms of a "grease 27".
I did get to see the interior of one of the jets on Friday and the inside though very lavish was alot smaller than I imagined or seen on the brochures. I can tell you one thing and that is that my car has never been as shiny or as clean as one of those. Maybe I will get to see the helicopters another day, looking forward to that.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Wear your Friday red
If you are not aware of it yet, wearing red on Fridays is a way to show our Canadian troops that we support the sacrifice they make to advance the cause of freedom for all wether it would be in Afghanistan or elsewhere.If you have received a phony mushy email story about an American soldiers body being brought home on an American commercial flight, disregard the spam and know that this is truly a Canadian show of support since red is the dominat colour in our flag!
When is the last time you heard of a soldiers body being brought home on a commercial flight? (The email sets the story from the vantage point of a passenger on a plane). NOT! They are brought home in full fanfare to honour the ultimate sacrifice that was paid and rightly so.
Stand up, be Canadian and wear your red on Fridays.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Anti anxiety drugs
FOR DIETRICH! ONE OF OUR CATS. Yes Dietrich today was prescribed anti anxiety drugs. I made a long overdue apt. with the vet. because Dietrich who has been on antibiotics 3 times now and a diet change goes back within 2-3 days of finishing the prescription to having pain and how does he show me? by peeing and doing number 2 outside of the box. Yah, really pretty and great to smell! NOT!
As you know veterenary bills are not on my budget right now and though it pained me to tears to the point of still feeling the sting in my eyes, I came to the decision that maybe it was time to put him down. Through the tears I tell the vet the decision, this is when she decides in her professional honest opinion that he is just an anxious cat and causing himself so much stress that he is literally making himself sick. So yes off course I once more get a prescription filled for an antibiotic (30 days worth) and the anti anxiety drug(60 days worth). So if this fails she agrees he wouldn't have more options(short of thousands of dollars of work).
Right now I pray that I have a crazy cat. I don't want to go through another day(though I am sure more will come) when I have to tell Anisten who is 9 how we have to let a member of the family go. I was so proud of her in how she handled herself through it all, mind you though she loves Dietrich immensly it does not compare to her love for Shadie(oh how I dread that day when it is her turn).
I called from the vets office to tell Anisten the good news and I hear "I just knew it, I just knew it that he would come back home as I prayed and prayed. I just knew it Mommy!" Her enthusiasm was also evident as they both (Anisten and Shadie) welcomed Dietrich home and Anisten announced it was officially "Dietrich Day"
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
On the Job Front
I am happy to announce that I have a job! Well for 2 months anyways, it's a temp. position that I was given right after I was tested at Randstad Employment agency. The job is at the Airport doing secretarial work for an airplane charter/sales and service company.
So, yes I am already nervous but I am sure everything will work out, I start this Monday. I won't be getting rich anytime soon but I need more experience to fill up my resume with. Off to work I go!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Cory Trepanier Artist
Cory Trepanier is an old friend of my brother Andrew. He is quite the talented accomplished artist. This summer Cory and his wife along with their 2 daughters did a trip to Canadas artic which had them stop in to visit Andrew and his family in Devon AB. You may of actually seen some of his commercial work on the Scotties tissue Christmas box, a blue winter christmas scene. It has been out for a few years so keep a look out since Christmas themes are already infiltrating the stores.http://intothearctic.com/
Monday, September 25, 2006
A mathematical equation
What Equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 101%? What equals 100% in life?Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these
Questions:If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.
Then:
H-A-R-D-W-O- R- K =8+1+18+4+23+ 15+18+11 = 98%
and
K-N-O-W-L-E- D-G-E =11+14+15+23+ 12+5+4+7+ 5 = 96%
But,
A-T-T-I-T-U- D-E =1+20+20+9+20+ 21+4+5 = 100%
AND, look how far the love of God will take you
L- O- V- E-O-F-G-O-D =12+15+22+5+15+ 6+7+15+4 = 101%
Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Love of God that will put you over the top!
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Monday, September 18, 2006
Energy spent
Well life takes us places we never thought we would go. Here I am now stating "I am a single mom!" I must apologize because I always used to equate that word with alot of negative thoughts and now I find myself being taught of the Lord how his Grace is sufficient to get anyone through this and even grow one through it. Don't get me wrong, marriage breakdown is a result of sin in this world and this road sucks!!!!!
Bill and I are working the specifics out in little bits and I am so glad that today we are on fairly good terms with each other. Did you catch the "today" we are on good terms because it changes as we face different stages.
Tomorrow night Anisten and I will be going to a "Just me and the kids" program at a nearby church. The program is designed to teach parents how to help their kids through this time and they also have a separate time for the kids to learn and share their feelings. The night starts out with diner, Bonus!
I had a friend give me a word that this will be a time of growth and learning to spread my wings. I agree that If I am open to learning and changing that this is what will happen, and if I am not then I will become a bitter and stunted old woman.
Life is too short to waste energy on being bitter,
spend the energy wisely and it will light your way to a bright future!
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Monday, September 04, 2006
Old Friends, Good Times
Well We are back in Mississauga and the great memories of Edmonton are ever in out thoughts. Below is the picture of our dinner with Stuart Sabatier who Vanessa and I had been friends with over 15 years ago so the dinner was full of old memories and catching up on the new. The picture is of Myself and Vanessa at the forefront of the picture with Stuart at the head and Terri at Stuarts left who is his girlfriend.
Then upon getting home Deborah Matichuk sent me some photos and an email and we haven't seen each other close to the same 15+ years. And I was so excited to hear she is planning for her marriage to a pretty good looking guy from Florida. Way to go Deb! By the way Deborah and Stuart are cousins.
Then upon getting home Deborah Matichuk sent me some photos and an email and we haven't seen each other close to the same 15+ years. And I was so excited to hear she is planning for her marriage to a pretty good looking guy from Florida. Way to go Deb! By the way Deborah and Stuart are cousins.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
West Edmonton Mall
Well no trip to Edmonton is complete unless you visit West Edmonton Mall. Trish my brother Andrews wife and his children Joshiah, Jennie, Emma and Erin took us for a visit.
Christmas in August?
I made it to the Sim household to find a turkey thawing out in the sink. Well the Sims and Dunsmores along with the Shellembergs(Vanessas parents) did 5 Christmases together while the Sims lived in Ontario, so what a great opportunity to relive some good memories and cooking a full turkey dinner. Mike, Vanessas boyfriend is seen here carving the turkey. We had a great time, the turkey though turned out "spongy?" according to some meaning being an old bird.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Anisten is so excited!
Wow, I am so excited to be writting this down. Due to a miraculous situation, Anisten and I will be going to Edmonton to visit family and friends. God is Good and he planned every detail and we will be going from Wednesday August 16 to Sunday August 27.
I asked Anisten what she thought about going on a plane ride and she just SHRIEKED so my next question was "Where would you like the plane to take us?" "EDMONTON" was the reply, no surprise there.
My 2 brothers live there with their families and off course "Madison" her best long time friend. Edmonton was my home town when I first came to Canada in 1980.
So my mom will have to take care of Shadie, Dietrich and Spotty as we enjoy visiting the City of Champions. I of course will take the digital camera and may do some postings. Oh the wonders of modern technology from the internet to digital cameras and Airplanes!
Thursday, August 10, 2006
something that makes you say uhm...
"Good judgement comes from experience.
And experience, well that comes from having bad judgement."
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
I am here!
My own winter sown flowers on the left.I have not posted much over the last bit and everyone is probably thinking I am too depressed to do so. Well God is good and my days are good(with the occasional little blip).
I am home this week and done with the kitchen job at Kiddies Kollege. Even though being in the kitchen is not my first choice working with Leslie ensured a good time.
Now I am looking for the next way to bring the money into the bank. The jobs available at the middle school(public school board) that I have done a work placement for have been put on the permanent job board and if no one applies then I will get a chance to apply once it goes to the casual side. I have been told that people don't apply for jobs here in the Malton area of Mississauga as it has a high multicultural population and therefor its challenges so I have a higher chance in securing a job right here in my own back yard (so to speak). So I would greatly appreciate your prayers as getting a job is very much a need.
I am trying to cut down costs so I have ordered a new VOIP service so I won't have to pay for my regular phone service and that has been a quick learning curve in technology. So if you call and my phone has been disconnected don't worry it will be only temporary as the changes are taking effect and the number will remain the same with the new service. I am going to have to find someone to help me wire the system so all the phones I plug into the jacks will work. This will save me about a third and it comes with many more calling features included even my most hated of all phone services call waiting. And the big bonus will be the airmiles. Maybe one day I will get enough to do...
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Bill has left the building
I am saddened to let you all know that Bill has moved out. This was not a choice of mine.
My love for Bill is unconditional, though my feelings vary sometimes by the minute.
This is a time that our sovereign God has allowed in our lives
My love for Bill is unconditional, though my feelings vary sometimes by the minute.
This is a time that our sovereign God has allowed in our lives
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans: 8:28
So I look to these new days in anticipation of the good that is ours to have if we are obedient and yet knowing that these will not be easy times.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Anisten is doing well and she has a real Peace about this. I asked her the other day how she felt about her daddy moving out and she responded "sometimes I feel sad and other times I feel nothing" and she has also told me "don't worry mommy we will be okay, God will take care of us!"
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Back to Kiddies Kollege
I am currently working once again at K.R.T. Kiddies Kollege daycare center in the Kitchen as a cook but only for one month. For the third time now I have been called in when they are in desperate need and since I also need the money desperatly I sayd yes. So the blog may be a little quiet for a while as my body gets used to the early wake ups and believe it or not all the physical labour(pretty pathetic). I am already counting the days, 16 more days to go! I really don't like doing this but it was Gods answer to prayers from both sides so off to work I go.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Monday, July 03, 2006
Sleepovers
With Summer here the sleepovers have began and last night was one of them. As you parents know how it all goes, they go to bed to just be noisier, gigle and you also hear the occasional thump that makes your heart skip a few beats and then makes up a million beats as you go to investigate. Well I was a little irate yesterday nothing to do with the kids and my chasticement sessions let them have it. Finally after the third time they finally cooled it and eventually went to bed.Well even though they deserved the scolding I couldn't help but feel the need to apologize this morning. So I call them into my room this morning and apologized. I let them know that they should use their brains and just have fun in quiet as that would not disturb anyone else trying to sleep. I reminded them that I was once a kid and I understand having fun and that is when Anisten pipes up "Mom you are the fun" (my outbursts) yah.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Friends from wee times
Anisten is excited at having her friend Madison visit from Edmonton this summer. Anisten and Madi or "Madisten" as we would call them when they were together and both would come. We remember so fondly how they used to love to take baths for very longggggggggggggggg times and coming out as the water became too cold and their skin looking like shrivelled up white raisins(if there was such a thing). Madi we can't wait to see you!
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Red Thick Chimichurri recipe
This is my mothers recipe and the kind of Chimichurri I have always eaten when I lived in Argentina. This recipe calls for lemon juice instead of vinegar making for a much more milder flavour. As my Mom makes this and never measures the ingredients the amounts are aproximate. My web searches did not find this recipe so I thought I would share this for everyone to enjoy. If you have never tasted Chimichurri, I will tell you that I have never met anyone who hasn't liked it.
Red Thick Chimichurri
picture coming soon!
picture coming soon!
1/2 Cup Oil
1/4 - 1/3 cup lemon juice
1 bunch flat leaf/Italian parsley chopped finely
4 - 6 cloves garlic; finely minced
½ red bell pepper; seeded and finely diced
1 tbsp + tomato paste (to thicken to desired consistancy)
Salt and Pepper to taste
optional
1 tomato; peeled, seeded, finely chopped
1/4 tsp oregano
pinch hot chili flakes
Mix all ingredients together chill to allow flavours to mix.
pinch hot chili flakes
Mix all ingredients together chill to allow flavours to mix.
Serve beside any meat dish specially BBQ.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Friends from Edmonton
Ain't technology wonderful? Thought I would post some pictures of my friends and their families. The last one is of Wanda and I contacted her from information I found on www.Classmates.com
Janelle and her family
Denise and her family
Vanessa and Family
Wanda and her family + one more comingMy Brother Andrews family
Since I have friends and family reading this blog I thought I would also post some pictures of family and other friends whom some would really like to get updated pictures to see what time has done... he, he.
Andrew, Trish, Josiah, Jenny, Emma and Erin.
Now if Paul would ever answer an email then I could display his family.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Big Brother All Stars
Its time for BIG BROTHER again!
We have watched this program since the very first year, 5 or 6 years ago. The show is about people being confined in the BB house and one gets voted off every week. I love to see the interpersonal interaction that takes place between people of such different backgrounds and personalities. Also interesting to see how the viewer can absolutely hate someone the first few weeks and by the end of the show they become the overall favorite. Also interesting to see the Houseguests speculate on who the viewers would like and as in the last season were blown away when a prize/reward gets awarded by the viewers to the one they least though would be liked.
This year it's ALL STARS and the viewers pick some of the ones they would like in.
Wednesday June 21 on CBS 8 p.m.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Sunday, June 11, 2006
I cheer for Argentina!
My Argentinian roots are coming out! Have fun listening to the Spanish commentators and the Gollllllllllllllllllllllll!
Friday, June 09, 2006
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Blogthings!
I am new to blogging but today I actually found out you can get "Blogthings" which is what is below, a blogthing asking the question of How scary are you and turns out I am not scary at all( I knew that, but some may disagree). Vanessa enjoy! Find more blogthings by clicking on "How scary are you?"
| You Are Not Scary |
 Everyone loves you. Isn't that sweet? |
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Leave it to fox news
I was curious to see if the American Media took notice of the Foiled terrorrist plot right here in the GTA. Sure enough Fox is right on the story and have a special video taken outside the Brampton courthouse as the proceedings were about to begin on Tuesday June 6, 2006. First they kept showing pictures of broken glass and not giving the explanation that it was a possible retaliation attack on a Muslim Mosque. The clincher comes near the end of the footage as they are supposely taking footage of Muslims going to their mosque, but in reality they are taking footage of Siks going to their Siks temple. I couldn't resist and had to write Fox News an email:
"I just finished watching your video shot outside of the Brampton courthouse regarding the foiled terrorrist plot. Your footage shows what are supposed to be Muslims walking to their car and towards a temple. The people are not Muslims but rather sikhs from India and the temple is also a Sikh temple. I happen to live in the area and believe me your camera people need a lesson on their religions".
Worms and their offsprings
This one is specially posted for Madison Sim(9 year old) who is all excited to visit Ontario so Mrs. Dunsmore can teach her all there is to know about vermicomposting so she can start her own bin back home in Edmonton. I can't wait Madi, maybe Anisten will start getting really excited too!.
On the right you can see their cocoons at various stages, some fresh in light colour and the darker ones ready to birth worms and some coming outThis is them making babies! On the left.
Monday, June 05, 2006
What have you heard?
A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, day after day.
For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might.Each night the man returned to his cabin sore, and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain. Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, the Adversary decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man's weary mind: "You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it." Thus giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure, these thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man."Why kill myself over this?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum effort and that will be good enough." And that is what he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord.
"Lord" he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"
The Lord responded compassionately, "My child, when I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to me, with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinew and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock.
But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. This you have done. I, my friend, will now move the rock".
At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is just simple obedience and faith in Him. By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves the mountains.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes... Romans 1:16
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Worms.......
I spent time today harvesting one of my worm bins. Yes you have heard correctly I have worms, many worms, thousands of worms. For those of you that have never heard of vermicomposting it is a way to process kitchen scraps.
I first learned about vermicomposting many years ago while watching a daytime soap(who says there is nothing educational on Soap operas?) I decided to start my own worm bin over 2 years ago. Composting red worms cost $40 per pound Canadian, I was able to buy at a great discount from an American company that was going out of business.
No the bins don't stink! if they do then there is a problem. A proper working system will smell just like it does after a good rainshower in the spring; earthy, crisp and clean.
For some reason my worms are really therapeaudic to me. I guess I can't help but be amazed at how God thought of everything when creating the Earth and worms are our natural waste digesters. Worm castings(their poop) is many times more efficient and enriching than compost or manure, And any gardener will tell you how important they are.
Worms will turn any decaying organic material and make it a usable, necessary and potent aid to healthy plant growth. Worms also aerate the soil causing water and air to infiltrate the soil to where plant roots can readibly utilize it. Show me a soil full of worms and I will show you how it will also support much plant life.
While going through treatment for Breast cancer I struggled deeply with depression and Bill would find me many a times just looking or messing with the worm bin. It usually would only take a short time and I would feel like I had a chance in this world and also had Very Dirty Hands!
I do relate with the worm in that seemingly insignificant, God in his wisdom created it with such a humble necessary position, how much more then will he do through me?
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Hazy, sticky,smog ridden days.
Well we are already on the second smog day here in the Greater Toronto area and it feels like 41 with the humidity. For those of you who live in Alberta or other non Humid areas this type of heat is the kind that hiding under a shade does nothing! ziltch, nada! Inside our place is partialy below ground and since we have kept everything closed off since the start of the hot weather we were fine without the air conditioner until tonight then on it went. Anistens pool is up and running and no doubt will see much action this summer. I forgot to take a picture of Anisten and her friends playing in the pool, will have to remember tomorrow. The forecast for Tuesday is for slightly cooler weather, if you can call 30 cool + the humidex if we are lucky maybe it wont go over 35.
Census 2006
I have just started a 7 week Enumerator job with Statistics Canada following up on those who have not submited their complete census form. Anyone living in Canada must fill out a form by mail/intenet/phone by May 16, 2006 so if you haven't here is your reminder filing late is better than not at all. The penalty for not filing your information is $500 and/or 3 months in jail!
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Carolyn Lisak
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Revelation 21:4
Carolyn Lisak passed away on Friday May 26, 2006 at at the age of 21 from the ravages of cancer. My heart is heavy, but it cannot even come anywhere close to what her parents and 2 brothers must feel and others who were close to her. The Heaven to come for us, is Carolyns glorious reality today. She no longer hurts or wonders about her future but rather she is basking in our dear Saviours arms and enjoying all the benefits in the ultimate future.
Carolyn Lisak passed away on Friday May 26, 2006 at at the age of 21 from the ravages of cancer. My heart is heavy, but it cannot even come anywhere close to what her parents and 2 brothers must feel and others who were close to her. The Heaven to come for us, is Carolyns glorious reality today. She no longer hurts or wonders about her future but rather she is basking in our dear Saviours arms and enjoying all the benefits in the ultimate future.
Have a Blast Carolyn!
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11
Friday, May 26, 2006
Update: Rose situation
Well I think I was dreaming last night of the rose and delphinium and today I decided that if there was no change I would lift up and just see what was happening underneath, since the problem started after much rain. Sure enough it was a bog beneath so I lifted and added dry peat moss with extra compost and replanted much higher up. The moisture doesn't seem to affect the other plants, figure that! I also moved the rose closer to the front in able to allow it more sun and upon removing the Lamium and cutting back the Dianthus it left me some room for this years annuals which will add the colour. I added drawf Darwin Dahlias so far and I will fill out the other spot soon maybe with a pink Lavatera.
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