Marlene's Slice of Life

We're Back!

2009-05-05T07:51:00.000-07:00

Here it is Tuesday already! We had a very nice trip to Alberta, albeit very short! It was nice to see some family members and have a short get away!

Randy and I had a great time together, the best we have had in a long time! Lots of laughs and just a renewed feeling of closeness!

You know after 34 years of marriage, I have sometimes forgotten the giddiness of new love... sigh! But the flip side of that is that our love is deep, and rich in the fullness of the knowledge that you can weather the storms of life and dance even when it's "raining"!

That is all for now, I have mega work to do today! And while I would love to get lost in my thoughts for the day that nagging responsibility is calling me!
LOL!

Give someone a hug today and tell them that you love them!

Reflections

2009-04-25T13:45:00.000-07:00

On Thursday April 23 Randy's uncle passed away. He wasn't a christian when we last spoke, but I believe we have until our last breath that inward desire to know God, so who knows we may see him again one day.

When Randy and I were getting to know one another many years ago, I found out that his uncle and my uncles exwife had married each other. What a hoot that was... can you imagine! My uncles wife had left him many years before with someone that they used to "party" with, and to find out that my used to be Aunt was now my once again Aunt gave me a big chuckle!

We have visited once in a while over the years, the distance between us in miles and lifestyles made it a little more difficult to get together. So I must say we did not know one another very well. But we always had lots of laughs when we did get together!

Randy and I have been married over 30 years and one of the regrets I have is that we were so isolated from our families! No one ever wanted to make the "long trip" here and when our kids were young we would usually go see my Mom or Randy's Mom and Dad. After our parents passed away, it seemed that our tie to the other family members was broken and we just didn't seem to have that same connection.

I think that some family members took the opinion that I was the one who led Randy down a garden path to a road of religiousty, and they were very upset about that! He has one Aunt who was the family favorite, including mine, who won't even speak to me anymore because she felt I was taking all his time from the family! Hmm family dynamics, aren't they interesting.

Oh well, if I could do it over again, I would try to keep the ties of communication open more with family. Once they leave this world behind we never have another chance to reconcile our differences and misunderstandings! The heritage of our past is lost to those we leave behind.

Take a moment today, call a family member you haven't talked to in a while and let them know that they are important in your life! You may not get another chance!

A Day in the Life...

2009-04-18T16:24:00.000-07:00

Here it is, Saturday again and I'm wondering where the week has gone. All my resolves for the week have been overtaken by the shadows!

Everyday I wake up and hope that this will be the day of new beginnings....a day to start my weight loss. But again this week is over and no lost lbs. Sigh!

I need a "GIFT" of self control! God you delivered me out of the murky depths of sin, delivered me from smoking.... please come now and deliver me from this!

Oops, I forgot this is not my prayer closet but a place where I can journal and release this creative side of me. A place where I can let the skinny me out to play for a while. Oh look would that be my alter ego?

Ummm, I bet your wondering what the skinny me is all about...LOOK! Shapely and voluptuous, all the bumps in the absolute right places! Everything that has fallen down has gotten up again!Beautiful, shinny dark brown locks that hang down the middle of my back. A smile with all me own teeth gleeming white! Uh no... I woke up and it's still the real me! Oh well God knew what he was doing and I am not going to doubt that... He dosen't make mistakes!

But, I sure can make mistakes! And I am forever thankful that He is patient with me!

So tomorrow is another new day, of a new week and I will once again start my resolve.
And I will praise my God because I am fearfully and wonderfully created and His Mercys are new Every Morning!

Good Friday...... Lest we forget

2009-04-10T22:54:00.000-07:00

What more can I say? Have we forgotten? Why is today like another day to so many people?

We remember our soldiers who go to battle for us on Remembrance Day with parades, and we all as good citizens, take time to reflect on the sacrifices made so we could have freedom in this land we call home.

But one day we will be going to our HOME that He has prepared for us. We have been set free from sin and death! Victory is ours! The ultimate Sacrifice was made!

And where was I today? Did I reflect on the Price paid for my freedom?

I was in shopping at Safeway, thinking of a dinner with my family tomorrow. Oh I knew it was Good Friday, but I found out the stores were open today so I wanted to beat the rush on Saturday.

As I drove from Safeway, I turned west and headed towards City Hall. When I got close to City Hall I noticed a small group of people gathering there. I wondered what they were doing and as I got closer I noticed there was someone holding a large cross in the midst of them.

I came home and now just before I go to bed I believe the Lord has brought this to my remembrance to make me aware and to remember what He has done for me! My prayer in the last little while is for the Lord to give me a new boldness for the Gospel. Maybe next year I will walk the way of the Cross with those people and not worry so much about beating the crowds to shop........ Busyness.... Busyness... Busyness

Another way the enemy would take our minds off of the important things in life!

Time Has A Way of Slipping Away

2009-04-06T09:09:00.000-07:00

I did not realize that it has been so long since I did a post!

Busyness, Busyness, Business! What can I say? At times I can fill my time with utterly futile things and rob myself of the most important things in my life?

This last few months has been a time of coming to grips with a number of different things in my life some good, some bad. It has been a time of reflection and reevaluation of:

my strengths and weaknesses

needs and wants

the past the present and future

family and friends

THE BIGGEST ONE IS MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD!

I have come to the realization that a lot of what I have held important in my life is not as important as I thought! On the opposite side of my thinking; the things I have taken for granted or thought of the least should be on my priority list!

I retired at the end of August. I felt that God was saying to me it was time to get out of the rush, rush rush of life and make some important valuable time to build my relationship with Him. My heart is yearning for that intimacy and closeness and getting to know the Lover of my soul. For too many years I have put Him on the backburner of my life!

Oh but again I became complacent and content where I was at. I took on work at home that soon had me busy and stressed. Once again the lure of money to finish our house came a long, when a local building supply was looking for an Office Manager. Busy, Busy Busy.

And Then......... A friend sent me this link and it gave me a wake up call!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgJ-w5GSaYo

I was 3 weeks into my job and realized that it was robbing me of the One I should be setting my affections on! I was once again ( or should I say still) setting my mind on the things that should matter the least to me!

I did resign that position with in 3 weeks and I know that God has had a hand it that decision! I know that He wants the only "renovation project" that He wants me to focus on is my Relationship with Him!

Please pray for me! Lord, let today be the turning point! Show me and help me to cast out all the things that would rob me of spending time with You! Help me to be firm in my resolve!

Please watch!

2008-06-19T08:15:00.000-07:00

I watched this this am, it is pretty powerful! Place your self as the weak man and Jesus as the One who carries us!
http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513

Hello, Is anyone out there?

2008-06-18T15:09:00.000-07:00

I have come to the conclusion, that this blogger is becomming adicted!

Well, okay maybe not to the writting I do admit I love to write. What I am thinking of is the continual checking I do to see if anyone is checking out my blog! And the dissappointment that there is not many comments left so I really don't know if any one "out there" is astounded with my writting genious! LOL

I guess I will have to be content knowing that I do enjoy writting and that when when I do get a comment that will be a blessing!

Hey, fellow bloggers! I have another addiction, and this one I need HELP with! Snacking, Snacking, Snacking! Is there any hope out there, sigh? I get up with good intentions, but by the afternoon, the jelly bean machine is calling "Marlene, we're over here! Eat Me! Eat Me! Eat Me!

In the evening, what can I say.... I hear that familar refrain and not just for the Jelly Beans! LOL

Arrgh! What's a girl to do? I know! I need a personal chef, one that can "lay it out before me" LOL What a dream!

Any ideas out there?

Short and Sweet

2008-06-11T05:59:00.000-07:00

Well after yesterdays post, this is good news to some.... I am going to keep it short today!

I was excited last night because Christy showed me how to add links to my blog, awesome!

There is a very good possiblity that Randy and I will be going on another trip in November, will update when confirmed.

Received some very sad news.. an old friend passed away:( "Birdie Num Nums" Dierdre!

13 more working days till I retire!

Cavel and Kathy came over last night for supper, it was so good to laugh with an old friend! Ummm me nerves! LOL

Going for wings tonight at the West Coast Grill, my favorite. We call cheap wing night, only .35 each. See all my wing dingy friends there!

Planning a family picnic this weekend, haven't spent time with my sister for a while.

Psalm 62:5 -7

I find rest in God; only he gives me hope.

He is my rock and my salvation.

He is my defender; I will not be defeated.

My honor and salvation com from God.

He is my mighty rock and my protection!

"Who's Shoes are You Wearing?"

2008-06-10T08:07:00.000-07:00

Odd start to a post isn't it?

When I was just about to fall asleep last night, just drifting off into lala land, I rolled over and grabbed Randy and told him that the Lord had just given me an object lesson of shoes. He said "What?" I of course in my dazed state, rattled off something to him. My dear sweetie said, " That's nice." He rolled over and fell asleep as did I, but the Lord continued to fill my mind with shoes.

I was very blessed so I hope I can share what He showed me in a way that You will be blessed!

Have you ever really looked at a little baby's feet? Aren't they just the cutest little "things?" So perfect and pink. So untouched and soft. Take a closer look... look at the intricacy. Five little toes with tiny little toenails. On the bottom of this little foot there are all the little lines that are "footprints" that can identify us for the rest of our lives. Just like a fingerprint.

I have my "footprints" from when I was born. Back in the 50's, footprints were taken on all babies born at the University Hospital where I was born. It makes me feel very emotional when I look at those footprints. How can I explain it? I love being in historical places and looking at my footprints, it is like looking back at my history I guess.

I wonder if my parents looked at those little footprints and wondered where those little prints would lead me in in this adventure we call life? How my little "print" could be changed by stubbing my toes, or cutting the pad of my foot? Or did they ever wonder what size my shoe would be? Would I like to wear loafers or sandals? Would I look after my feet? After all they carry the whole weight of my body... what a job my little feet would have! Do you think they ever wondered?

I know Someone who never wondered, He knew BEFORE I was born, where those little feet would lead me. He took so much care when He created me that even the bottom of my feet were a masterpiece to Him. Amazing, isn't it! He thinks of the littlest details!

Here I am in my 50's and my feet definately do not look like those cute little baby feet anymore!

They have walked many miles, though mud, over rocks, hot pavement, soft grass, sand and cold cold snow! Needless to say, my feet have had bruises, cuts, callouses and have definately always smelled sweet! LOL

Of course I have tried to cram my feet into all kinds of footwear, although I would always prefer to be barefoot! The only reason I wear shoes is because we have to!

I believe what the Lord was trying to show me is that my feet kind of reflect my spirit.

As I have walked though life, my spirit as had times where it has been bruised, cut and calloused. But more importantly my spiritual life has not always been a sweet saviour to The One who created me!

But, He loves me and will never leave me or reject me! And He knows where the little feet He so fearfully and wonderfuly created were meant to go! All I need to do is Believe, Lean on and Rely on Him. He will direct the path that I am meant to be on!

Now back to the shoes..... I have often tried to put my spititual feet into shoes that didn't fit me!

"Oh look at those shoes! I want shoes like that!" Ouch, there too tight! Awe there too big! They don't have the right color!

I have to admit in my closet there are shoes right now that I have bought but can never wear because of those same reasons!

But wait, just take a peak inside my spiritual closet.... Can it be? Is there spiritual shoes in there that I have tried to put on that don't fit me? Maybe the wrong color?

God wants me to have "Beautiful Feet." The Bible says "How lovely are the feet of those, who bring Good News." How can I have "Beautiful Feet" if I am always wanting the same "shoes" as others?

God created me and my feet with a plan and a purpose and my spiritual shoes will be completely different than anyone elses. No one else can fill my shoes, and I cannot fill some one elses! The many miles that I put on will take me to different places and purposes, than anyone else will travel.

The variety of styles and colors of my shoes in my spiritual closet are a symbol of the gifts and talents that He has given me to "PUT ON" to enable me to share the "GOOD NEWS."

Oh it feel so good when I am wearing the right shoes!

There is an old saying that says "Walk a mile in my shoes." Don't listen!

God has created us all with a plan and a purpose and He knows where that path will take our little feet. The callouses, blisters cuts and bruises are only there because we have chosen to wear other peoples shoes.

So today I want to encourage anyone who reads this to...

Wear the shoes God has given your "Little Feet"!

God is so good to me!

2008-06-09T06:57:00.000-07:00

It's a new day! And I am so thankful to our great big wonderful God , the author and finisher of my faith! He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul and He makes ALL things beautiful in His Time!

I must confess that sometimes I don't understand His timing, but I do know this one thing... His timing is perfect!

I have been a Christian for a long time and I must admit that I have been a very timid Christian. I was afraid of what people might say and I never wanted to feel rejection. Even in serving in the Church, I wanted to be accepted so I did what I thought was required of me ..WRONG thing to do.

I just wanted to be liked by everyone, but in doing that I spiraled downward, because God created each and everyone of us including me for a special purpose. God can only let us go our own ways for so long until He allows us to come to the end of ourselves where we realized that everything we "thought" was important is not important at all!

For a long while now I have felt God moving in me towards something different. I want to be one of those "wierd" people, one of those people who are so on fire for God that they can't contain themselves. I do not want to be the same fearful person any longer!

I want to have a hunger for God that is an all consuming fire that burns within the deepest recesses of my being! My prayer is that He will draw me closer to Himself and in that I will draw others to Him!

Isn't God Good! In spite of the messes we make, trying to work things out our own way, He can make those things the turning points in our lives!

My prayer for today is "Thank you God for another day! May You rule and reign in me and make me a vessal that can be used to touch someone today! AMEN

"Who's the Leader of The Club That's Made For You and Me?"

2008-06-05T05:30:00.001-07:00

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

For those of us who are old ( or young at heart) enough, you will remider that little jingle. It was the opening song of the Mickey Mouse Club on TV. That was a little song that has stayed with me over the years. You know, no matter what age you are you always have a kid in the heart of your being!

Well as you all probably know, we have all returned from our "secret" trip. It was awesome! I will always treasure the time we spent with our girls in "The Happiest Place on Earth"!

From the time we left the Terrace it was a whirlwind of activity and adventure. It all started with us visiting so much and not realizing that there was more to "checking in" when you are leaving with passports. We almost missed our flight. The lady checking us in was very nice but a little frazzeled that we had taken so much time taking pictures and visiting, she was worried our bags would not go on the plane and they would end up taking us off the plane. But, whew we made it!

From the moment we landed in LA, we were busy. We had the girls up every morning by 6:30 at the latest to get ready, go have brekky and off to play by 8:00 AM. Some mornings they would say "Oh I'm tired" but we would just remind them that it was off to Disneyland, or Sea World or Universal Studios and they were totally great with that!

We had a blast! We went on all the rides, some of them very scary but it was so much fun! I took lots of pics and will download them at a different date, I have to get Christy to show me how to put them on the blog.

On our last night in LA we went to Medievil Times. It was a fantastic way to wind up our trip. The girls thought the knights in shinning armour were "cool" It was funny that's all we heard out side of the cheering was cool ..oh that's cool! I would hhighly recommend that anyone who has a chance to go to dinner at Medievil Times to go! It was great!

I must say that it was awesome to get home to Terrace! The minute we stepped off the plane and breathed in the "sweet" air we were very thankful to live in Terrace. I sure missed that smell! The smell of sap, mountain air and the faces of the people we love to meet us there could not be told in words! Joy unspeakable more closely defines it!

We got back on Sunday evening and I went back to work on Thursday. Randy does not go back till next Monday so he had a nice little break. Now it is back to reality, sigh.

Well I only have 17 more working days until I retire! I guess I should say semi retire, because I will be doing some stuff at home. But it will be so nice to be home!

Christy and I have signed up for Aquasize together, I am really looking forward to doing that with my beautiful, awesome, talented and loving daughter! Umm does that sound like I am buttering her up? Maybe I am LOL. I have ordered a set of letters from her and I'm excited to get them from her!

2008-06-05T05:29:00.001-07:00

Spring Really is Comming!

2008-04-23T06:42:00.000-07:00

It has been such beutiful weather the last few days, wish we had our bikes. But as we all know "good things come to those that wait" LOL We will have them for this weekend! Oh by the way... thanks to everyone who has encouraged me in this! Hopefully a few pounds will be shed as well as having some fun!

We had visitors on the weekend, so we were not able to get to church unfortunately. I have been told that Christy and some others shared on the various aspects of adoption. I am so proud of Christy, she has never been anything other than "our" daughter.

When I had Craig, he was so precious to me and the same was true of Christy. The minute they layed her in my arms she was mine! No different than the feelings I had for Craig. God just does a miracle!

I gave Christy a poem once that reflected just how I felt about my having her. I can't remember the exact line but my paraphrasing is this: I carried Craig under my heart and I carried Christy in my heart!

Both of them just "belong" and there is a perfect fit for each one of them in our family! Once again, God has done a miracle and created the perfect puzzle pieces ( please see previous post) that fit! What a wonder and a joy!

Now they both have thier families.... umm time does fly! My puzzle is almost complete! I don't know if any more chicklets will come but I can say I am a very blessed woman!

23 More Sleeps! Whoo Hoo!

To anyone who reads this May the Lord bless you and keep you today!

26 MORE SLEEPS....

2008-04-20T07:42:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning and when I woke up this am the sky was clear, looks like a weather change is comming!

What woke me up was those pesky crows, "Squak, Squak, Squak" They were completely oblivious and unthoughtful to the wonderful dream I was having, even though now I can't remember what it was.

Does anyone know how to make them fly south in the summer..LOL. I know there must be a reason God created them and if someone knows what it is please let me know.

Christy and the little chicklets came over last night, what a hoot! Olivia entertained herself sitting on my coffee table with the doily on her head. Every once and a while she would get down and run to the little room we have off the kitchen to grab a different toy and run back to the coffee table. She sure is getting "busy". Tristan had us in stiches most of the time. At one point I told him not to play with Nana's phone and he said "OK Nana your the boss around here" He put the phone down and came running over to me and said "I'll be there for you" Well we cracked up!! Where does this little guy get this stuff? Too funny!

Randy and I bought bikes yesterday! I'm so excited! So don't be surprised if you see us out and about in the next little while. We are picking them up this week sometime, Randy's is not here yet and we want fenders put on... somehow I just can't wrap my mind around the picture of my big behind having a big wet strip down the middle LOL.

Today is another day that the Lord has made and after church we are having some young girls to our house to do a makeup, personal hygiene time as well as a make your own pizza lunch. I am really looking forward to it. The idea came to me because Madison is at the age where she is starting to think of makeup, so I talked to Christy and Tamara about it and Tamara told me she would love to show the girls how to correctly apply make up. So I jumped at the chance, Tamara is such an awesome young women of God and it is awesome that she can share her gift with us! I'm sure it will be more than just makeup, it will be on how to look after your skin too.
I'll let you all know how it goes.

Well time to get Randy up, the crows didn't bother him.

2008-04-18T07:43:00.000-07:00

Oh Dear Lord Please Let Spring Arrive!
Oh Dear Lord Please Let Spring Arrive! Well here it is April 18 and on the weather this morning they are calling for Artic Airflow warnigs in the interior, and some sun and a little milder here. The weather patterns are certainly changing, didn't they say "Global Warming" Where is that exactly?

Well, here it is the weekend again, and I am counting the days for our trip! 28 more sleeps! I am so excited.. I don't want to say too much because there may be a couple of eyes that might see that I don't want to see LOL But for those of you who know YIPPEE........LOL

Well I got the message that my T-Shirt from Gwen is in... I am now officially a Nana to some kids out there that I haven't officially met yet, I am so blessed! They say that there is no greater love than the love a Mother has for her children, but I must wonder have they ever loved grandchildren?

I have four grandchildren Madison, Danika Tristan and Olivia and my heart bursts with unspeakable joy and wonder each time I see them! Each one of them is etched in my heart in a very special way and yet each child is so different!

You know a thought just came to me... It is truely amazing to me that God's Word talks about how He has our name etched in the palm of His Hand....How great His love must be for us! Just as the Love I have for my Children and Grandchildren is so great and yet so differnent for each one of them, so is His love Love for us!

Just think about it, He fearfully and wonderfully created you to be you and me to be me just the way we are. And yet he also made it so that we are not complete without one another. We are all like big puzzle pieces, different sizes, shapes, colors all with our own little stories. When we all come together, each piece in that perfect place that God has intended to be, we complete that beautiful picture to the world of God's love for us.

One more thought... If God has us etched into the palm of His hand... there must be a special spot for our Puzzle Piece that is left empty until we accept Him as our Lord.. How He must weep for us to realize that only you or I can fit that special spot! Ummmm just a thought that started last night and it came to me again and thought I would share it.

Well it is time for me to run that race again today.... May the Lord bless you all in work and play today!

New Beginnigs

2008-04-17T07:33:00.000-07:00

Well here goes.... I have never done this before, but it seems I need to catch up with the times!

My life seems to be on the verge of a new adventure so I might as well use this opportunity to begin to journal my thoughts!

I have decided to semi retire.... whew that sounds really weird! After all these years of working, I have decided it is time to stay home!

I am going to do some bookkeeping and payroll at home, so I will not become completely a couch potato, and I can work and PLAY on my own time.

I was contemplating a new business name and I decided on "Simply Solutions for Small Business" I did not know if they would register it because of the term Simply ( Simply Accounting) but to my amazement they did!

I have already done business cards and letter heads, and have been approached by some people to possible work for their business.

I believe that God is at the head of this, it is time for me to be home! But, I know me and if I just quite it wont be long before I go looking for a job again,,,, so I will do a few at home, fill those sleepless nights productively LOL.

My boss was hoping I would stay 3 more years and retire when he does, but my hert is not there, I am tired of the race and I have another race to run! I want to do what the Lord leads me to and not what others tell me to!
So those of you who are out there please pray for me!

Well it is time for me to go join the rat race today, so Bless you all today in whatever you are doing!