I become a grand aunt (in Chinese tradition). My niece Valerie had a baby girl on Dec.27. She planned to have a baby before she turns 30 on her wedding day. (People can plan but it is God who carries out).

It was the nicest wedding I ever attended. Not just two people promised their lives to each other but honoring God and proclaiming his goodness among friends and relatives on the most important day of their lives.

Can't help to marvel at how Ligia, being a devoted Catholic and beloved daughter of her parents would answer to the call of God to turn her back to her church, allowed a rift to come between herself and her parents (yet doing the duty of a daughter 2 or 3 times more than any one) and to trust God to change her parents hearts one day. Uncle Harry accepted the Lord personally before he passed away. Aunt Loretta knows now Christ did not take her daughter away but adds to it. It is a picture of a family so blessed after years of hard work as new immigrants. They got the best of what Canada could offer-Christianity.

On the contrary. Alice and Mary, loving sisters and daughters of a very devoted Catholic widowed mom (who had long passed away). Both had very successful careers, made lots of money. Trotted around the globe many times. For a time, life seems wonderful, going where it should. Yet, underneath it was plaqued by unrest, pressure from within and without, strifes within their own families, diseases, marital infidelity, accident. They are still dedicated to their church (the human one) though their hearts have been touched by God. Now Andrew is in hospice, only can glimpse at his daughter's wedding. Oh, if only they know the difference of being loyal to Christ and loyal to man! There is definitely blessing on earth by walking with the saints who are close to Him.

The miraculous nuptual. She was an university graduate, with South American background, young and beautiful, with a very kind heart, not lacking in romance. Twice she brought her admirers to her home church. Non transpired. Her mom did not think she should go to a different church to get better chance of acquainting with other young suitors. So she stayed, in that stale environment, serving faithfully.

Meanwhile, God sent another young man from that church to mission field in Gutamala. He came back excited to try out the Spainish he learned in the field. Who, but she and her kins he found kindred spirit. Both families are exceptions in that church as far as spiritual status goes.
Though his parents have seek better place to worship prior to that.

Does God look out for the interest of his children who trust him in the face of bleakness? Absolutly.

Dear Laura from next door. A good person, life time of success, married a doctor; bought and sold many parcels of land; runs her care home for elderlies; raised a heart surgeon son and a daughter. At 80 years old, lived with a houseful of achieves and presumably collectables (like the 3 legged bath tub that still sits in her yard) . Her shingles covered with thick layers of green moss threatened to cave in or rot out, paint chipping off from her house, front door step rotted, yard full of weed. Yet Laura is very proud of her childrens' accomplishment and that's all she talked about in her conversation.

Thanks to Barbara's tireless care. Spent days on the ladder to clean up her roof, shuffling 10 cubic yards of top soil to resod her lawn.

A year or so ago, Laura decided to retire and hand over the care home and the whole business to her daughter and her husband. Then Laura chose the most sensible thing to do to hire someone to repaint her house last year when we did ours. Then she wanted to build a new deck on the back of her house. She passed couple of good quotes. Ended up hiring the divorced brother of her daughter in law and paid him $30 an hour. He took weeks instead of week because he is an amature. Built the most radiculous set of steps which is dangerours to use. She, no doubt ended up paying him three times she needed to. Then her son-in-law who was a very handy person for building and renovation work advised her the steps were no good. So she hired someone else to rebuild the steps a year later.

We tho Laura could enjoy her back yard now. But instead we saw her old picnic table pushed right against her French door opening to her deck. Barb found out from her that she is afraid roaming cougars in the lower mainland might find their way into her house. Her children decided to take their mom to visit her ancestors' homeland- Iceland, in June . Barbara predicted travelling at that age will do her in, may be they think she is spending too much money lately and want to put a stop to it. I said may be that is her final wish. Well, amubulanace has been coming and going at her place since September. She was suffering a bad heart valve. Where is the son? Monitoring mom progress through long distance, I suppose.

In to see Laura in the hospital several times. Surrey Memorial is so filthy these days, I feel like walking into a butcher warehouse. Do they ever clean the wall and the floor anymore? Wonder why they even boarder to put a Christmas tree in the midst of it. The last time I visited her, the doctore decided that she is strong enough to be moved to the care home in Sunshine Hills the same afternoon. She couldn't reach her daughter, so I helped to pack her belongings.
There was not even an overnight bag. Her scanty clothes were in grocery bags.

Barbara and I went to see her at the Hillcrest Home. What a day and night difference. The place is clean and smell fresh, decors are attractive. Beautiful Christmas decorations. Nice and quiet atmosphere, patients seems to be well cared of. She even has her own room and couple pieces of furniture. They said she may be well enough to go home on Dec. 24. Laura seemed to like the idea of spending Christmas there. We encourage her to do so. At least she would be cared for.
Barb bought her an overnight bag for her toilettries. I manged to find her a top, a jacket and a pair of pants from Zellas. Hope she will wear them instead of the vest and sweater that has been on her back for the last 30 years. Where are the evidences or reward of her life long hard work and accomplishment..........?

Count my presents this year, they are numerous. New beautiful kitchen floor with very little care. No more scrubbing every week. A fresh bathroom of sand and pale green color than the pink, yellow and mewdew covered one I used to know. Even my ensuit has off white walls to match the yellow fixtures, which is way better............ But some how, I still have the blue wall and yellow fixture eched in my mind. So it makes me very happy whenever I enters into my ensuit because my senses tell me that what I got in my head is not true. Then, a nice house with newly painted front and railings, a shed with new paint and shingles, thanks partly to John and his hard work. Just when I dropped and broke my camera, I thought I had to wait another two years to get a new one, the idea of checking the air mile came into my mind. So now we are catching up with the trend. (Andrea's dad must be wondering all these time what I did with the school fees I pocket each month that I couldn't even afford a decent camera).
Well, the truth is, though I wanted one, it was not my priority. It is more fun to own one when I don't have to dig into my wallet. Then comes the printer from Jared on Christmas day. God has been spoiling us! And new clothes from Jo to wear. Can't ask for more!

Reflection of this past year. It has been quite a year. Less distractions. Certainly not a recycling year as previously pushed along by the demand of life. It is amazing when Jesus said, 'you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free'. He does not mean,' do what other Christians tell you to do and you will be free'. For years, I had thought my spiritual state was inferior to others, I was not doing God's will if I don't follow. Little did I know I traded Jesus in for others.
But this year when I just pursue Jesus, he reveals to me the ways to real freedom. A freedom from obligations and duties. A love to serve him and look at things the way he sees it. Though I am no where close to perfect, I am less trapped by my own guilt. It is good that God does not stop working on areas I thought I have overcome by his power. He pulls out the bad stuff which are hidden way down, over and over, again and again. Circumstances and people are just his surgical tools. He is a good surgeon, he is restoring the health of my soul.

This is the kind of Christmas I want. Quietness. All the socializing had been done and enjoyed prior to Christmas. Now I can sit back, reflect and cozy up with Jesus. I am so glad most of the people enjoy celebrating Christmas (even the Muslims and Hindus) and not only just 'winter holiday', except the politicians who have alterior motives. We should send them to Siberia or North Pole so they can experience the real winter there and have a merrier holiday. Christmas is the one and only celebration characterize by 'love'. The supreme, unexplainable love of God, who forsoke his glory in heaven to dwell with us to share our sufferings. Muslim believe in total submission to God, Jesus is the best example. God loves all mankind and Christ died for all mankind, not just the Jews or Christians. All human beings bears the image of God, no matter what religion. Christians are no more superior to have the knowledge but are just God's hands and feets to serve the rest, God does not have favorites. We are all loved.

This past week went by like a whirlwind. School concert on Thursday. A wonderful time celebrating Christmas with parents and kids. Even most of the east Indian families participated. I must add Dawali celebration to our calender next fall to be fair to them.

Had fun hostessing the church banquet on Friday. Then Jared and Shalene came with us to the banquet on saturday. Tho they did not stay for the concert, I am glad that they came as far as they wanted.

The concert was awsome, young and old all participated. An out pouring of love for God and glorifying him in the midst of this year's tragidies which no one understand. Yes, our God wants us to trust him in the midst of uncertainty.

Jon preached a powerful sermon to-day. He just returned from Rwanda after celebrating with this young church that Peace Portal supports to the opening of their humble new church building. He talked about the plight of the people in that village, an eight hours long preaching and teaching ceremony with no coffee or tea break in between (just like Jesus said, men should not live by bread alone, but by every word that come out of the mouth of God. These people were feasting on the words of God, no wonder they didn't feel the hunger. And how they still asked not to be deprived of giving to the church. Jon concluded the sermon with one of the song they sang.....' let God have his way.... ' makes me think even though I have given what I want to give, it is no where close to what these people are giving, and I must be open if God wants me to give more. Also, lately, I've been thinking, God does not need to give to a non-giving person or a person who holds tight his purse string, calculating every penny spent, he will for sure have barely enough because of his good calculation.

Two nights out proved a bit much for me. I felt hazy and the sign of catching any germs around me indiscritingly. Luckily, to-day was a short school day for me. I hit the the pillow as soon as the kids left. Woke up 2 hours later and thought it was the next morning.
Foundation's Christmas Tea evening is one of the big events for the ladies at church. This year, I was not hosting a table. Kim and I are just going to enjoy it. Then I was called to be an usher. It was fine.
The place was decorated so beautifully, the church gym was transformed into a hotel ball room. Harpist playing soft music at the foyer, waiters (husbands) in black and white were opening doors, captain walked around serving cocktail from the bar (I believe that was the only choice of drink). Ladies were flowing in with great anticipation. Lately, I had so much fun greeting people at the door. The centre stage was dressed with giant window panes, lovely drapes, snow flakes, fire place, Christmas tree, an armchair surrounded by stuffed animals and dolls (Clare and Linda put a lot of thos and effort in it). A warm and cozy feeling.
Then I was asked at the spot to help Susan to host her table. That was fine too. She had enough running up and down the stage ( in her lovely dusty rose gown from her 50th wedding anniversary to give speech). Good thing Kim sat next to the guest couple who sang for us and she was so interested in their performance and singing engagement that I could concentrate serving. When Kim dressed up for these events, she looks dazzling. She had such fine taste of clothes and color schemes. I should ask her to come with me if I shop for clothes again.
The fashion show was nice. Very elegant and tastful. Expensive no doubt. The most endearing parts were the children. Every body drooled over them. One mother had her toddler daughter dressed in white sash tootoo with a pair of wings, tiny ringlets on her fuzzy little head, bare feet and just masters the art of walking. Then there were these two snowy white furry ball poodles dressed in tux, hat and evening outfit.
To-night's speaker is Marcela Benda, a familiar face in the church lobby. Never really met her personally. Boy, there are so many successful business women hidden in the boby. An immigrant from Chezcoslavia, grew up in Monsquitoland (Manitoba), studied fashion business at Ryerson and somehow applying her trade in architech and building houses?
It was my first time to stay behind to help clean up. To my surprise, the main speaker and some of the models was working along side with me with smile on their faces. I thought what kind of evening gala would do that to their people. Then the thought came to me, this was not an ordinary gala, it was and extraordinary gala. The Lord was our guest of honor, the Christians were servants. To-night, Susan phoned me that 18 people signed their cards to accept the Lord into their hearts at the end of the event. What wonderful news.
Last night, as we sat around the table for supper in the gym. Linda, Clare, Muriel and Dick never said one word how hard they had worked the night before, except that it was a wonderful evening. Every one was onto new business already, Linda is going to stuff new pillows and blankets into garbage bags this weekend as people from the church bring them in for the hurrican victims.
Her husband's truck company will wisk them to Waveland, Mississippi. Wonder how many pillows will take to stuff an 80 ft. truck? It shouldn't be very hard for God.