A Life Well Lived

This is one of the many posts that are waiting to be written and posted! What can I say? I always think that I will blog after work, or on the weekend, but I never do! Ha! I don't know what happens to my days....nearly every day after work, I was busy (and I can't even remember what or why!), and we are going to my parents' on Saturday (tomorrow).

On March 9, 2019, my grandpa (my mom's dad) went to be with Jesus. He was 93 years old, and he had lived a wonderful life. I loved my grandpa, and it pained me to see him the last few times, as I will always remember him being is full of energy (and sometimes, a force to to be reckoned with!)! He was always talking, doing, or baking/cooking! He was an artist (leather, painting), a repair/handyman, a preacher, a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband and friend. His pancakes and bread were legendary (he had pretty much everything in them, which would sometimes make them very dense!); he taught my grandma to make a pie crust. He was usually always the first up; he would make the coffee (oh, how he loved his coffee!), and be singing (LOUDLY!) when we would wake up. He loved and lived Jesus with his whole heart and mind. He wasn't perfect, as no one is...but he was such a wonderful force of energy and love, with a hint of spice! He loved a good argument/debate (especially if it was about Christianity...he and my dad's mom, got into some real interesting talks, I have been told!), and he and grandma were always bickering in a friendly way. He loved playing card games (which was hilarious, since Mom said that they weren't allowed to have cards in their house while they were growing up!), and he loved checkers, and wrestling or chasing we kids. He loved his grand and great grandkids! He always had treats (or something!) for us. I loved spending time with him. He always ended our time with a prayer, and usually some Bible reading! He and Grandma prayed for each of their kids, grandkids, and grandkids (usually by name), every night. He and Grandma were always kissing and holding hands....his eyes would light up when Marji (as he would call her!) come to see him. He and Grandma served in the ministry (a pastor/preacher, and a camp manager) Western Canada for 50 years together. They were together for nearly 62 years! He was a father to 4, and a grandfather to 15, and a great grandpa to 17 (including two on the way!).

He had been suffering from dementia for the last couple of years, but other than, prior to an infection, he really hadn't been that sick. He had been in the nursing home the last couple of years, and Grandma had moved to the complex (on the other side of the nursing home) a few months after he had moved there. He started going downhill about 3 years ago, after he had sustained a fall in the backyard of their house, and since then, he started showing signs of dementia, as well as being very unsteady. and not walking as well (walking with a walker). He actually had had a fall a couple of years before that, while on their way to BC to visit their girls, and their families. Instead, he spent half of it at/in the hospital in town. To me, that is when he started going downhill, but it got worse after the fall 3 years ago. I had seen him last Spring Break, and and last summer, and I actually got to talk to him the day he died. I couldn't bring myself to say goodbye; I only told him that I loved him.

I didn't cry when I found out that he was going to die (from the day they told us he was very, very ill, to the day he died was a week), or when he died, but I was very sad. He always said that he was ready, and wanting to go to Heaven, since he was in in 50's. He never feared death.

I was blessed that I was able to go to his funeral in the middle of March. I ended up having/taking my Spring Break early, due to my going out to Calgary. Mom, Dad, Isaac, and H (nephew) and I all piled in the Yukon, and drove to Calgary. The trip itself was great. Mom worked on the eulogy, so we talked a lot of about Grandpa, which was fun. H was an amazing traveller! He had NO SCREEN TIME at all! He doesn't even own an iPad, phone, or laptop. We did bring a DVD player, but it didn't work. He didn't complain at all! We had a lunch and snacks on the way, and other than a hold up for avalanche control in Field, BC (a real plane, look it up!), all went well, and the roads were great.

Luke and Amanda and girls came, and Adam flew in for the day. I think out of all 15 grandkids, 10 of us were there! It was great to see everyone, and we in all honesty had a party! The funeral was lovely, and all we kids said something. I was the only girl (V and I are their only granddaughters, which we always find hilarious.....I was the only/"favourite" granddaughter for nearly 16 years!), and the shortest....yes, very sad. The church even lived streamed it, which was fun. Anker got to watch, which I thought was very sweet. After the funeral, we had a reception, and then we family had a dinner at the church. We stayed until 9, and all came home tired, but happy that it was over. We visited, and relaxed until we went to bed. We ended up staying an extra day, so we were able to have some time to spend with family. Grandpa's brother, Joe, and his wife and family came for a few hours, which was nice. We had a nice lunch together, with lots of discussion with and between others. I went to supper with my cousin, and then came home around 7:30, and played on my phone for a few hours, until it was time to go to bed. A friend offered us her house, while she was away, which was perfect! It was nice a have a house to ourselves, where we could entertain and relax. We left at around 9 on Saturday morning. The trip back was lovely, and I napped, and we had exciting conversations (as we alway do in the car...no screen time for us!). I was thankful that my work allowed me to get away (my job is awesome like that..for real!), and thankful that I was able to spend time with family. I took a ton of pics, and so if you want to see them, go to my IG or FB :)

 I think the above photo was taking last Spring. We are SO GLAD that we were able to spend time with him. His words were weak, and he was failing, but he enjoyed seeing us; he loved the grand/great grandchildren so, so much! There was always a smile on his face when one of us would come and visit!

 Aren't these pictures a riot??? The top is when they lived in Vernon (love the couch, and yes, my parents got it when my g-rents moved!...It was so lovely..NOT!), and I was probably around 2 or 3 here. The bottom is me at around the same age (maybe a bit younger?) at our house.

I love you, Grandpa. Thank you for your service...to your family, to the Lord, and to our country (he was in the Navy....he didn't see any combat, as he was stationed in Esquimalt, but he was in the Navy all the same). You will never be forgotten. Thank you for your legacy that you left on this earth, through your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.Well done, Good and Faithful Servant. Your life was well-lived. See on the other side in Glory!

The Only Safe Place Is in the Arms of Jesus

I have a few posts that need to get written and published, as I have had for awhile now, but I wanted to talk about something that happened on Sunday. I am even hesitant to do this, as it "highlights" the evil, but I wanted to talk about it, b/c that his on how I (sometimes) process things, but also to remind us all that NO ONE and NO PLACE is immune to violence.

We think of homes, churches (places of worship), and schools as safe places. We go to work, drop off our kids at school, go to our places of worship, and live out our lives in the comfort of our homes. We often take everyday life for granted.

Last Sunday, in a town a couple of hours East of here, a lone gunman walked into a church where my Sister-in-law's dad was preaching (I found this part out later in the day), and shot and killed one person, and injured another. For more on the story, you can read it here. This hit too close to home for a couple of reasons; first it in our backyard (not literally), second, it was in a small church, 3, my extended family/friends were involved, and 4thly, the man who died was a friend of my coworker. I know that church shootings are nothing new (sadly), and I am sure that this has happened in Canada before, but to have it happen so close it home makes it more "real". I won't say more about it b/c I don't really think it matters (again, if you want to read more about it, go to the like above), and I don't even want to give the shooter the time in the spotlight.

To say that we were all shocked is a bit of an understatement. It just reminds me that the end is near, and the world is crumbling all around us. It actually terrifies me, and makes me sad. I cannot wait to get to Heaven, and to leave this weary world. I was talking to my friend (wife of the pastor who was preaching), and she said what I felt was very simple, but profound..."Nowhere is safe, except in the arms of Jesus". I am so thankful that there is a heaven, and I am so thankful for Jesus. He is the only good, faithful and constant "thing" (or "force) in this world.

My friend also said this the other day, and I wanted to share it with you, as her words are so profound, and she said it so well (but first a back story): she, along with everyone else, fled the scene, and her shoe fell off as she was running to/for safety.

Here is what she said about the shoe, and about her thoughts on what happened (and yes, she said I could share it on/in my blog). 

This shoe will forever serve as a visual reminder of fleeing the church for safety. I ended up losing one in the process of running, and it is now part of the crime scene. So as I look at this remaining shoe, many thoughts race in my mind. I remember the awful moments, but I cling to and dwell on the beautiful ones. The people in my church are strong. So strong. The people in my church are loving and forgiving. They are beautiful Christian people. Everyone worked together and helped each other out. Selfless, brave, and full of love. The world wants to focus on the evil. I want to focus on the good. The goodness of those who survived, those who helped the wounded, those who prayed for the broken hearted, those who have encouraged and listened to the retelling of the day many times over. I have been comforted by many. It will take time to heal, grieve, and work through this tragedy. It will be hard, but I'm so thankful that I have friends and family that love and support me. Thank you all for your prayers. We need them. I will look at this shoe and be grateful that it wasn't worse, that many people were spared, and that I get to walk in this shoe today.

I am thankful for Jesus, and thankful that He spared my friends (my SILs parents!).

Spring Break Wk 2

Happy Saturday, Friends!!! I am still alive, but this week kicked my butt, and I even took some time off from IG stories. I am so thankful that it is the weekend. Can I get an Amen?

I had wanted to post about my second week of Spring Break, but I completely forgot! So, now, here I am, 2 weeks later, and I really have no clue what I did! Thankfully,  I have IG and my calendar to help!

If you want to read about the first week, you can go here to catch up. This was the week of March 24-31 (the last day of Spring Break).

Sunday: I went to church, and then I have no clue what I did! I think I sat outside and read, or I watched TV, and I think I hung out with my friend in the evening. We went for dinner at McDs (I think?), and we went for a drive, and sat in the park and visited. I came home and watched TV :)

Monday: I slept in, and relaxed in the morning. In all honesty, I don't remember what I did and I don't have a pic on IG to help me remember! I even checked my FB, in hopes that I would have posted something, but alas, I did not! I probably went to the library, and did who-knows-what.

Tuesday: I relaxed in the morning, and was going to meet up with a friend for coffee, but it didn't work out, so I ended up going alone. I went to Red Beard again, as they have the BEST cruellers there! I read, relaxed, and enjoyed the ambiance. I went to a couple of stores; Harmonie Antiques and Collectables was one that I had wanted to go to for years, and Amazing Inspirationsis a brand new upcycle-type store. I think I went to the library after, and then home. According to FB, I watched two movies, and I stayed up late and played on my phone.

Wednesday: I think I slept in a bit, and relaxed for awhile, and then Anker and I went to Adam and Krystle's to help her do up her office, and I took J (H was back in school) to Tim Horton's, where I got us all coffee and donuts. J fell asleep on the way home, so I didn't dare move hime, so I just sat on the step outside (it was gorgeous!), and played on my phone for a bit. After he woke up, I took him inside, and he had a snack, and I tried to put him down, but he wouldn't settle. Anyway, we left at about 2 or so, and I think I sat outside and read. I went for a drive with a friend, and we went to Starbucks, and I came home and watched TV and went to bed, and played on my phone.

Thursday: I spent a good majority of the day cleaning, as my brother and Sister-in-law and their little one were coming to stay overnight. I also picked up my teacher friend from the airport. I read in between cleaning. Anker had a doctor's appointment, so I spent time outside reading. S and N met us at a restaurant for supper. We spent the evening, just hanging out.

Friday: I woke up early, as S was coming in from work (he works graveyards at a mill not far from here), and we hung out while they got ready to go. I think I pretty much just relaxed for most of the day. I know I spent time outside reading. I can't remember if I read books or magazines, or both. I probably went to the library, and maybe even to Starbucks...I can't remember. Ha!

Saturday: I slept in, and then met a friend for coffee, at, where else, but Starbucks! I went with another friend for lunch and then we went shopping. She paid for my lunch, as I was driving us around :) We had a lovely lunch at Reubin's Diner, where I had never eaten before (I think it has been around for 5 years), and it was really good!!! We went shopping at VV, where I got some new sandals, and a few other things, and then I dropped her off at home, and I went home for a few minutes. I met my friends for our annual Greek dinner at Dorian's, and as usual, it did not disappoint! I was SO good!! Funny story, a lot of other people from my church were also there, as their friend (I don't know him super well) was having a birthday party there!! So funny! I came home and probably just relaxed, and went to bed.

Sunday: I honestly don't remember what I did. I think I went to church, and then I don't remember. Ha! S and N came back to our house on their way back, and they got back at around 10, so they pretty much just came in and went to bed. I have no clue really what I/we did all day. I think I probably went to Starbucks (I honestly cannot remember!), and I might have done a bit of shopping. I also probably watched TV. Or, I might have read...who knows?

So, there you have my/our EPIC second week of SB :) I am THANKFUL that I have two weeks off!! Of course, it is less $, but I do love the fact that I have two weeks off...I need the first week just to recover!!! What did you do during your spring break? Do you get one or two weeks? Are they fiscal or calendar weeks?

Five on Friday

Happy Saturday, Friends!!! I have had a week! Can I get an AMEN that it is the weekend??

I haven't done an FoF in awhile, so I thought I would start off my blogging drought with that, as it is usually pretty easy post to write :)

Here are some fives from the week:

1) Holy Week (And some short weeks!)

For we Christians, this Sunday is Palm Sunday, and this week is called Holy Week; the week before Jesus died and rose again! I am thankful that I serve a RISEN Saviour, and that He loved us SO MUCH, that He died for us!! We are looking forward to going to my parents' house next wknd (last year, Easter was over our Spring Break, so we didn't get an extra wknd off), to hang out with them, and do all the Easter things...which isn't much (our family celebrates it, but it usually falls in my family's busiest month on the ranch, so we didn't grow up with the Easter Stuff, plus I think that Easter eggs and bunnies are kind of lame), but we will have fun :) Also, we were back for one week, and then we had a 4 day week last week (this one just past), and this week is going to be a four day week, and so is next week :) I am not sad about it.

2) New Car

Anker and I got a new (to us) car last Saturday.  I might tell of the story on how we got it (it is kind of a cool story, actually), and after a week of driving it, I actually can say that I love it!!! It is a 2010 Chevy Malibu, and we just rolled onto 110K on it.

3) New Laptop

Our brother-in-law keeps us supplied in new to us computers, as work he works in a computer shop. My last computer is fine, but the battery needed to be replaced, and since he/we couldn't find a new battery, he sent us a new computer. Now, I have to figure out on how to get all of my information, photos, etc from the old one, to this one. Or, I might not even worry about it and just do everything manually. I don't have any documents that need to be saved, and most of my photos are all on FB, too, anyway.

4) Free Swag

I went with a friend to her Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Monday, and I made off with some free swag, so I call that a WIN! Everyone got a Saje Wellness gift bag, and a few other places donated their goods, which was totally awesome. Their door prizes where phenomenal! I bet there was about $3,000 worth of prizes...no joke! The dinner was so good, too! I had the best roast beef that I had had in ages!!!

5) Tax Return (and a funny story!)

Anker and I did our taxes last month, and we are going to be getting some money back. But, we have a funny (and annoying!) story to tell you! We had filed online through Turbo Tax, and we are POSITIVE that we saw that it had been sent, but I had kept checking on it, and it said that it hadn't been processed. I decided to check on it, by talking to a real live person, and they said that they hadn't received it yet. So, sure enough, Anker checked on it, and it hadn't been sent. That was super lovely! At least he didn't have to redo the entire return again! Anyway, we are hoping to get the refund soon!

That is all for this post. I have been at Starbucks for nearly two hours, and I have only did this one post. Grr!!