An obituary on the passing of a family member and an faithful friend - She was one of the 16 puppies born to two female dogs in a country home in Ontario. She was the tinniest and quietest one of the batch. We hardly notice her at all among her furry and active siblings who scurried around our feet when Jo, Jar and I were standing inside their living quarter. But when we finally did, we fell in love with her right away. She had a lovely coat of tan and grey on her head and back. Her legs and underside was white. When we put her in the box to drive her home, she was all nervous and cried all the way. Where as her brother/cousin was just too curious and rumbunscious to worry about anything. We named her Lady because of her temperment and lovely feature.





Jo and Jared was about 9 and 7 years old, just the right time to have the puppies that spring. They were like two furry cannon balls. There were a lot of running and chasing around in our acre yard. Good thing the previous owner built a dog fence next to the shack so we could keep them in safely. We finally figured out how to get the two little bullets to come back to us by putting food inside the dog run.





The two seemed to take no time to grow to full sizes. By then we couldn't even let them both come out of the run at the same time because they would take off. But if only one of them was out, they would hang around the house. But boy, what a struggle to let just one dog to pass through the gate and then we had to listen to the wailing of the other.





Once the two escaped and went on the road in deep winter. I went looking for them. A farmer told me he saw two dogs going over the hill of the farm across from us. I drove around the area, no sight of them. I expected that they will be picked up by some people and brought to SPCA. Anyway, I don't remember if I was driving into town to pick up the kids from school or for something else that afternoon. I saw the two tire waggerborns trugging along the road. Ha, after hopping in deep snow for many hours, the two learned their much needed lesson. They were trying to find their way home.





The severe winter of Ontario came. Thanks to the neighbor who helped to build our dog house.
The two were able to huddle together even though they didn't really like to share their living quarter. Beetothan was too dominant but thanks to his thick fur coat which was helpful to keep Lady warmer.





The following February, John went to Vancouver. I sure glad to have the two dogs with me and the kids. I felt it was through divine providence that we had them. There were hunters firing at the geese in the swamp behind us. The dogs set off exciting bark that lasted for hours. I was worried and felt so helpless for the poor geese and sorry for the disturbed dogs. When Lady was out around the yard, she did a good job petrolling. No one could pass the road infront of our house without her raising objection. That gave the lonely housewife who loves to work in her yard a lot of comfort.





In October that year, we finally had to pull up our roots to move to Vancouver. Fortunately, the new owner asked for the dogs .We decided to leave Beetothan with them and take Lady with us because he was too big to be happy in a city lot.




Lady adjust to her new environment without incident. Now she is free to room around and came up to the deck to check on us. Kids were probably glad they brought along a piece of Ontario with them. She was also an added joy to the children I cared for in my daycare. We took her to the park to play 'fetch-the -ball' often. It was such fun to watch her run and always came back with a happy face to ask for more. The only thing we complained about her was, she was not a good walker. She had never gone through any training, so she usually walked us by pulling on her leash and she would go all directions according to her fancy, so sometimes we our legs were tied around by her leash.









After we moved to our present house, Lady got used to the routine of waiting outside the glassdoor of the workroom for the children to come out to play. That was the highlight of her days. And then Jo's attention that lavished on her whenever she had time. She also enjoyed her walk in the neighborhood. As soon as she saw the leash, she would be all over us jumping with joy. Occasionally we took her to go hiking with us in the mountain trails. She was basically happy wherever we took her even though she had to keep her legs and tail all in one spot during the car ride. The only thing she didn't like were other dogs.


As the years went, children grew up. They were more away than at home. Lady slowly adjust to living more and more on her own. We put her house outside our front window on the deck. So she could look into the room for us and had the comfort of company. I felt so sorry that I could not invite her in because she sheded so much. The occasional time, Jo got special permission to bring her into the kitchen or work shop. She was so good, she would just sit on the mat for a long long time. Another thing that she didn't like was fire cracker on Halloween night. She would bark so much we had to put her in the hallway closet downstairs to calm her down.

Lady and I also like to fight over the territories in our yard. Being a gardener, I like to have my say where to put my plant. Being a bone burier, Lady liked to bury her bone wherever she wanted. So I dug out bones in my flower beds from time to time and also had to refill a lot of holes that she worked on after the fun of bone hunting. When I told her she was a 'bad dog' she put on a sad look and ducked her head. I felt sorry for her, afterall, she was just being a dog.

She lived to 16 1/2 years old which equals to 115 human years. During her last two years, even though it was hard for her to climb the stairs, she still tried her best with no complain. Some day, she stood at the bottom of the stair and hesitated. I knew it was asking her a lot.



John found her collapsed in the yard Thursday in the wee hour and carried her to the deck. She laid there from then on. I wished she could be put to rest right away since she was suffering,but it was not the best time for everybody especially Jo who had to work Friday evening. I fed her dog food which had been soaked in water. She took it coperatively. I covered her with towels and tried to keep her comfortable. She only called when she needed food.



On Saturday, Jo and Sarah fussed over her and fed her lamb. She took it happily. It was a gorgeous day. The sun was shinning, the sky was blue and the leaves were bright red and yellow,my favourite time of the year. A good day to say good-bye. She had been such a good dog. I miss her a lot. The white dalias are blooming on the deck, in memory of Lady.




She was posed in many of our family photos. She will be well remembered and loved for the rest of our lives.

It was nice to have the kids home for Thanksgiving. I am so thankful that I can see them grown up and find their interests in life. I am more thankful that God is their ultimate parent and he will continue to guide and direct them. It was fun to do plant talk with Jo and look at her designings too. It amaze me she knows so many name of plants without a garden of her own.

Well, it is two more days before election in Canada and two more weeks for the one south of the border. We sure have our plates full for Thanksgiving. Except this time it is not so much of the 'goodies in life'. With the world's economy taking a nose dive, many will be left without their jobs.

Has God not spoken loud enough to the western world since 911? Ever since the second world war, people want to do away with God. Hollywood becomes our God, then television, then sex, then computer and it goes on and on. Much of our life style is to indulge in our senses. As long as anything gives us a moment of pleasure, there is no more 'right' or 'wrong'.

America is obsessive with immorality and shipping it along with their commodities as much as it can to every corner of the world, so much so that it has lost its own identity in some nations eyes. The Arab world is pushing it away farther and farther because they keep very strict moral laws through their belief, even though their laws have more to do with the outward appearance instead of the heart condition that Jesus is refering to.

So who do we put our trust on? A man who can temporily give us prosperity and protect us from terrorists? A man who can turn the country around and bring back the good times? In our reading at the Thanksgiving table. It says in Psalm 147:10 - 'His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.' - Too abstract for the 'sensuals' but it is the real life line.

Last Sunday, we decided to go to visit Brad Jersek's church in Abbotsford. It was a perfect timing as I had wanted to do such in the summer and was never able to. Since we would already be half way to the Minter Garden, we would go there after church to make good use of our seasonal pass and save some gasoline.



Brad church is very small. Held in a small gym in a local high school. It's name is Fresh Wind Community Church. Brad and his wife are authors of a number of books and Brad travels around the country to give workshop on 'Listening Prayer' which I greatly benefit from. He taught us that God can speak to us through anything if we have the ears to hear him. He does not discount anyone, not even children nor the mentally challenged. That is why his church is full of them.
He believe those individuals are closer to god than us because their love for him is purer.


The service started with singing and praise worship. It lasted for a whole hour. (It is good to focus on praising god, the least we can do for him). They have a lively band. They even sang some verses from my favourite Psalm 84 . It is also the same Psalm I quoteded on my card to the Hastings.

There was a mentally challenged lady standing on the left side with the band. She was well mannered and wore a lovely smile. Whenever the song ended, she would earge them onto the next one. Clearly she was enjoying her participation and contribution. On the right side of the band was a mentally challenged man with a guitar. He was strumming on it (quietly) though not necessary following the real beat, he was totally happy to be part of the crew.



They laid a long stretch of paper on the floor with color markers so the children can do their drawing when they are restless. They walked freely or skip everywhere they like during the service, no one restrained them. The band also played a song to the request of a pair of little twin girls who danced to the music. People can sit or stand or dance to the praise songs as they wished during the whole time. The whole atmosphere was, no one feel that they are there out of obligation except they 'are happy' to be there.



Brad happened to be away that day. So another person filled in for the sermon. He was talking about how to deal with sin in our life. He called a lady out and asked her to act like a happy Christian, reading the Bible, praying and praising God. Then another person came out dressed in long black gown, black scarf and dark sun glasses representing Satan. She tormented the Christian who was ready to fight her away. After that, the Christian returned to her Christian activities. But Satan showed up again bringing with her 7 more other evil spirits. This time the Christian was totally defeated. The sermon began by showing us that is what usually happen when we try to fight the spiritual battles by ourselves. The third time Satan showed up, the Christian called out for Jesus while holding Satan to her side. Jesus showed up and Satan fled. This is a truth which most of the Christians missed. But well illustrated. Even children and the intellectual mules can understand. I am so glad we were there.

The faces of the Hastings have been lingering in my thoughts and dreams since the beginning of summer, when I learned that Sharon's cancer had returned. I want to write them a card, take them a meal. But I always hesistate, thinking that my wording or my cooking are not good enough.

We had listened to Ross's sermons for more than two years at Peace Portal. After he 's been away for two years, they still strike a cord in my heart. I guess it is more than what he says. It is his action and manner that impress me so much. He has two Phds in his title (one in chemistry, another in theology). Yet he never let them to be a barrier between him and his people. We all call him Ross, not doctor so and so as in some other churches. His team staff always had fun with him and teased him like a big brother as they show the funny pictures or movies on the screen on Sunday. Yet his sermons are as deep as the deep blue sea. They go way beyond the surface interpretation. A seeker or searcher walks out the church knowing full well that God has spoken through this man. When we talks to him in person, we know that he listens very carefully to every word and does not make haste to judge. He is compassionate to those who are struggling.


I never saw much of his wife Sharon except that she would sit with him in special occasions. I always wondered what role she played besides supporting her husband. Until one day when I took a friend to the divirce care program, I saw her there. She wasn't saying anything. Someone else was doing the teaching. Later on, I learned that she played a big part in starting the program.


Two years ago, Ross started teaching part time in Regent College and planning to work his way out of Peace Portal. Indeed, his gift in teaching is too big to be confined to a congregation. There should be more people like him ministering to the body of Christ. Then Sharon was diagnoised with ovarian cancer, and was in stage four. Ross had to resign immediately from Peace Portal inorder to have more time at home with her. Sharon went through surgery and chemo. When she was able again, she showed up at church with bald head, not a bit embaressed. Even when they invited her on stage to give the couple an official good-bye, she was full of wit. One lady gave a testimony of how Sharon cared for her like a mother after she broke up in her marriage. Deep in her heart, I suspect Sharon must feel torn from the ministry and the people she cared for so much.


Finally in September, I had no more excuse. I picked up my pen and wrote a card to the Hastings. The following Sunday, we heard the dire news that Sharon cancer was advancing quickly. The following Tuesday, she passed into the Lord's presence.


We went to her memorial service. I was so glad Yuka wanted to go too. Being a busy mother and works outside the home, she could have excuse not to. The church was filled. Before she passed away, Sharon had requested the people from the divorce care group to sit in the front rows after her own family. Clearly she was thinking very much of them even at the end of her earthly life. The testimonies from her own family and friends reveals the protrait of an upbeat, loving, hardworking and selfless woman who is comfortable to live in her own skin. She didn't even let the comforting words of her phd husband misguide her when she was in a semi conscious state, when he whispered to her that she would be in God's presence soon. Her reply was, "I already am." Yuka and I commented that a lot of churches would counsel married couples to stay together under even very unfavorable circumstances. But Sharon said to them, 'Get out of any abusive marriage'. I guess she had worked long enough as a nurse in emergency unit and saw too many battered women. A lot of them even denied the act of their husbands.


Ross and Sharon have always stood in the gap between the poor and the defenseless. Ross started a second Peace Portal church in Urganda, Africa (the continent where he grew up) among the widows and orphans of HIV positives. Now they have a thriving community there of a few hundreds. I look forward to meeting Sharon in heaven where we can do gardening together.


Why would god let her died, such an instrument of his love? (She was only 51, the same age as I when I had cancer) Yet let me live? The only thing I can think of is that she is already perfect in his eyes, a bride fit for the King.