Showing the House

Nov.19, 2009

Outside my window...darkness and city lights. Such a nice view facing southwest from the lounge at work.
I am thinking...that I'm happy to hear that my friend, Kathy, who I travel to Oncology Nursing conferences with, is engaged. She chose a good guy and I'm sure they'll be happy.
I am thankful for...our house being on the market, finally. It's clean, tidy, and looks totally un-lived in. I guess with marketing, you have to remove personal effects so people can picture themselves living there. It's no longer our home, but an item on the market.
I am wearing...my uniform. I'm at work.
From the kitchen...lasagna, salad, and bread.
I am reading...The Swiss Courier by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey, a spy thriller set during WW2.
I am hoping...that my eldest daughter discovers the source of her allergies. Her eyes are swollen and red, the worst they've ever been. She's been to the doctor and now has a referral to see an allergist.
I am hearing...an announcement for Code Blue on another unit. Three a.m. Not likely to be a good outcome. They may have been dead at least an hour since last rounds. Also, I've heard that 3 a.m. is the "most popular time" to die.
Around the house...a steady parade of people interested in our house. Most are South Asian, okay, all are. They really want to buy in this neighbourhood; some to get out of the apartments, others to buy homes for extended family. I hope our next-door-neighbour puts in the best offer. They seem the most eager and have their financing pre-approved. Our real estate agent says the house shows well and he is expecting multiple offers on Monday evening when we open the bidding. He even has plans for an Open House on Saturday to accommodate all the inquiries.
One of my favourite things...having relatives who live across the street. I slept there today while our house was being shown. Now they've decided to move, as well, and bought a house in Ajax, too. They move in March. They won't be across the street, but close enough.
Some plans for the week...no sleep tomorrow morning, since we have to be in Burlington in the afternoon for the SGF Annual Assembly and Banquet. I'm looking forward to seeing friends. The usual Sunday, with church, but we need to be prepared to vacate the premises if the house is to be shown. People need to be free to comment without worrying if we hear what they're saying. We take offers Monday and make a decision by Tuesday morning. Then we can start packing. Work four nights.

Agnostics

"To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation."

Yann Martel
Life of Pi

Augustine quotes

A thing is not necessarily true because badly uttered, nor false because spoken magnificently.

Beauty is indeed a good gift of God; but that the good may not think it a great good, God dispenses it even to the wicked.

Charity is no substitute for justice withheld.

Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.

Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation.

Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.

Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.

Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others.

Forgiveness is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again.

God had one son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering.

God judged it better to bring good out of evil than to suffer no evil to exist.

God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.

Grant what thou commandest and then command what thou wilt.

He that is jealous is not in love.

He that is kind is free, though he is a slave; he that is evil is a slave, though he be a king.

Hear the other side.

Moving on Up to the East Side

Nov. 13, 2009
Outside my window... an exceptionally mild fall day.
I am thinking...Wow, what's the matter with me? I haven't written on my blog for weeks. So much has happened. My husband didn't end up going fishing after all due to freezing rain, so we went house hunting. We found a house the first day. It's in Ajax. We move at the end of January. It's a beautiful,four bedroom, two story house near Westney Road. It's four years old. It's the last house on the end of the street and there's a cul-de-sac so there are no neighbours on one side, and a field behind. It has four bedrooms, hardwood floors, a hot tub on the deck, his and her walk-in closets in the master bedroom, three washrooms, stainless steel appliances, and a family room with a fireplace. My mom will be coming with us. She'll have one of the bedrooms until we build her a living space downstairs. We're planning to build a sauna first, in the unfinished basement. We are Finns, after all. We are sooooo excited to move. We've spent the last few weeks prepping this house for sale. We cleaned out closets and purged so much junk that we've accumulated over the years. We had the house painted this past week and signed the papers to list it next Wednesday.
I am thankful for...our new home. If I felt like a princess before...well....
From the kitchen...roast chicken, corn on the cob.
I am wearing...jeans and a burgundy sweater.
I am reading...Life of Pi by Yann Martel.
I am hoping...that I can sleep at my brother-in-law's place across the street this week when they're showing the house.
I am hearing...Flashpoint on t.v.
Around the house...we have to live like no one lives here for a week: nothing on the counters, spotless house. I think we can do it. Also our youngest daughter just got her interim report card and had a 91 average. She got 98 in Law, which is what she wants to study in university. So proud. My eldest was home sick this week.
One of my favourite things...hearing that my niece will be baptized in January.
Some plans for the week...more prep work, Ladies' meeting at church tomorrow, church on Sunday, visitation for the tragic death of our friend's 23 year old daughter, Anna. She just had a baby four days before, and then she developed a headache, and was air-lifted to the Western, but died within a few minutes, probably of an aneurysm. We knew her since she was a toddler. They don't know what's going to happen with the baby since the dad didn't want to be involved. Anna had made a profession of faith and was baptized but hasn't been living as a Christian. I have to hope that she called out to God when she first got these symptoms. The alternative is too horrible to contemplate. Her funeral is on Monday morning. I'm working three nights this week and heading to Burlington for the Sovereign Grace Annual Assembly on the weekend. We plan to start accepting offers on Monday evening. Our next door neighbour is very determined to buy it, but we'll market it and see what the best offer is. If he really wants it, he'll have to "show us the money".

Gone Fishin'

Oct. 21, 2009

Outside my window...darkness. It's one a.m.
I am thinking...I wonder if my husband will go on his yearly fishing trip this weekend or if he'll back out and go house hunting instead. I wouldn't begrudge him this trip, but it's a long drive all by himself, and I'll miss him when he's gone.
I am thankful for...my new laptop computer. Don't ask about the details. I only know it's a DELL, it's fast, and it's eggplant purple.
From the kitchen...chicken breasts, carrots and beans.
I am wearing...my uniform. I'm at work.
I am reading...The Last Song, by Nicholas Sparks.
I am hoping... that we can get house hunting some time soon. The house I liked the most has been snatched up. You snooze, you lose, I guess.
I am hearing...my co-worker tell her stories from the "old country", Czechoslovakia in the early days of communism.
Around the house...we had a man come and patch some cracks on our walls and remove the wallpaper in the bathroom to prepare for painting most of the rooms. Gotta get a MOVE on! On Sunday, we attended our neighbour's wedding. They are Indian Muslims. It was interesting and the food was good. We were especially honoured that they had us sit with them at the family table.
One of my favourite things...when things go smoothly. I spoke at our Ladies' Meeting on Saturday morning, on Radical Hospitality. I wasn't as nervous as I thought I'd be. There were 15 ladies present. Good feedback and discussion. I'll edit my notes and post them here. I'm kind of hooked on it now and have already thought of another topic. I've written most of it, but have some more study to do, yet.
A few plans for the week...work my third and fourth night shift, take my daughter to youth group, host her friends for a sleepover and then Medieval Times, clean closets and miss my husband. I'm such a baby.

Not So Meek and Mild

The Jesus You Can't Ignore:
What You Must Learn From the Bold Confrontations of Christ
By John MacArthur Jr.

In an age of political correctness and "dialogue" between people of differing religious views, John MacArthur demonstrates from Scripture that Jesus' dealings with false teachers and hypocrites was anything but meek and mild. His first appearance in public after His baptism is the clearing of the Temple. He bursts onto the scene with authority. His teaching is unique. Although He is gentle with individuals, He doesn't tolerate those who would lead others astray. MacArthur demonstrates that if Jesus were preaching today, it would probably be the religious leaders, again, who would be plotting for a way to get rid of Him. Christ speaks the Truth, not feel-good messages that keep people in a stupor as they continue on to Hell.
Jesus Christ is someone you can't ignore. If you read through the gospels, you'll get a truer picture of the real Christ than you'll get with Christmas images of a helpless baby or a dead man on a crucifix. We serve a Risen Saviour and He continues to challenge the world with His words.

Give Thanks

Oct. 11, 2009.

Outside my window...another cool, crisp, but sunny fall day.
I am thinking...that this week, my favourite patient, whom I've nursed for six years, ended up in the I.C.U. He's 87, and I knew this would happen eventually, but it was still hard to see him there, intubated and unresponsive. In 23 years of nursing, he is the only patient I would call my favourite. He was a sailor during WW2 and his ship was torpedoed and he spent the night out on the Atlantic in a lifeboat. He has great stories to tell. We also read a lot of the same books, and after he reads them, he gives them to me. I stopped by to see him in the hospital across the street from ours. I talked to him and said my goodbyes, just in case he doesn't recover. I left a note for his daughter, but haven't heard any updates. I know that some nurses go to funerals of patients, but I never have. I tend to keep my distance emotionally, I guess, to protect myself from this kind of sorrow.
I am thankful for...my salvation, my marriage, my children (saved, smart, healthy, and sweet), my extended family, my job, my health, my home, my friends, my country, and my library. Oh, and I found not one, but two, beautiful party dresses. I'll wear one to the wedding next weekend, and the other to a dinner party I'm going to host at the end of the month.
From the kitchen...turkey,ham,curried goat, jerked king fish, rice and peas, veggies, salad, stuffing, gravy, apple pie, pumpkin pie and carrot cake.
I am wearing...a navy skirt and grey wool sweater.
I am reading...A Time to Surrender, by Sally John and Gary Smalley.
I am hoping...that we'll know when to begin house hunting. We met with the bank and pre-approved terms for a mortgage, and found out how much we can afford when we start looking. Now it's about timing. It was a good thing we went when we did, as the interest rates increased the following day.
I am hearing...the evening news. There was apparently a fire in the Ontario Legislature building at Queen's Park. That's across the street from where I work.
Around the house...my Mom is in Phoenix, Arizona, with my sister, who is on a business trip. I would've loved to go, but it's Thanksgiving weekend, and I am out of vacation days.
One of my favourite things...the display at church turned out okay, even though I had been searching for a cornucopia, to make it more Thanksgiving-ish. Here's a picture.
A few plans for the week...We're driving our daughter back to Hamilton tomorrow, and then beginning to prep our house for sale by cleaning out one closet at a time. Then I work three nights, and bake for the Ladies' Meeting at church on Saturday morning. I'll be speaking on Radical Hospitality. I thought I was done, but now I may tweak it a bit and fill it out some more. I'm getting a little nervous about the public speaking.

Support The Troops

Recently, the group, Thank A soldier, had been contacted by an individual who wanted to organize their child's school to write letters to deployed troops in Afghanistan. The parents' committee refused because they said supporting the troops would make it seem like they were supporting war. Here is one comment in response to that.

Robin Legere, PROUD wife of a deployed soldier Says:

October 6, 2009
Saying you cannot “Support The Troops” because it is supporting the war is the same as saying I cannot support the police because they are supporting criminals. It is the same as same as saying I cannot support firefighters because fire kills too many people. It is the same as saying I cannot support someone wearing a pink ribbon because breast cancer kills too many people.
SUPPORT THE TROOPS is just that.

The Soldier

The Soldier
By Charles M. Province

It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
If you can read this message thank a teacher,
If you are reading it in English of your own free will THANK A SOLDIER!
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves under the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.
To all the brave men and women who have dedicated or given their lives
to protecting this country and it's freedoms:
Thank you.

Random Acts of Kindness

Oct. 7, 2009.

Outside my window...darkness. It's a cool, autumn night.
I am thinking...that this book I'm reading has an interesting concept. To help her recover from a violent event that resulted in panic attacks, depression and agoraphobia, the character in the book, Stepping into Sunlight, decided to try to get her focus off herself and onto others, by searching out ways to show kindness to at least one person each day. She wasn't doing it for merit, but to break free of being self-absorbed. She would record it in a book and she slowly saw progress. I don't suffer from those things, but I know I can be self-centred. This book led to the development of the blog pennysproject.blogspot.com which has ideas of kind things to do for people. Since this weekend, I started recording the small things I did, i.e. writing a letter of encouragement to a soldier in Iraq, or having guests over who needed some ministering to, because of a wayward daughter. I found that I got back more than I gave. Funny how that is, eh?
I am thankful for...my Mom's apparent conviction of sin. She is close to the Kingdom, but still on the outside. Please pray for her if you think of it. Her name is Leena.
From the kitchen...chicken thighs and cauliflower. Nothing too exciting. Orchard fresh apples lovingly picked by my daughter last weekend. She also baked her first apple pie.
I am wearing...my uniform. I'm at work, after all.
I am reading...Stepping into Sunlight by Sharon Hinck.
I am hoping...that more survivors can be found after all the earthquakes, tsunamis and typhoons this week in the Pacific.
I am hearing...the sounds of a quiet night at work. Such a change from last night!
Around the house...we met with the Realtor and it looks like we'll go ahead and sell the house next Spring. We're meeting with the bank this week to establish our price range. Getting very excited!
One of my favourite things...having deep theological and philosophical discussions with my daughters. My youngest is taking a philosophy course and has to articulate her positions on the big issues of life.
Some plans for the week...finish work week, bank on Friday, clean on Saturday, Doctor's appointment and shopping for a dress for our neighbour's wedding, and then church and Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday at my Mother-in-Law's. I only have to bring dessert.

Does Iran Not Have Oil?

What the heck is the President of Iran thinking? Talking about wiping Israel off the map, test firing long range missiles and developing nuclear capability? They obviously don't need nuclear "power", for peaceful purposes, as he says. Does Iran not have oil?
Regimes like that are not threatened by sanctions or stern words. He needs to tread carefully, or he may receive a secret visit from some special forces from the U.S., the U.K., or Israel, to put his nuclear plants out of commission.
I fear that while the U.N. sends strongly worded letters, he will continue to work on his nuclear capability and one day, the world will wake up to a nasty surprise, and be outraged; all too late.

Moving On

Sept. 26, 2009

Outside my window...grey, cool, overcast. Looks like rain today. We're on the QEW from Toronto to Hamilton.
I am thinking...I feel sad for my mom. One of her brothers died this week. He was 62. He was a chain smoker since he was a child and had his first heart attack when he was 47, and now this fatal one 15 years later. I think my mom's thinking about her mortality and the fact that she's had cardiac issues this year, with chest pain and angioplasties. She deals with things by not dealing with them. Whenever she starts to get sad, she finds something to distract herself. An irony was that yesterday, she received a postcard from the brother who just died. He had been in Turkey the week before he died. It was kind of weird for her to see his handwriting.
I am thankful for...my family. I love them, I like them, and I appreciate them. Our eldest daughter was home from university for just one night, so we went shopping for fall clothes last night, and then for a manicure/pedicure and lunch this morning. Now we're driving her back to Hamilton because we bought her and her roommates a toaster oven and it's too bulky for the GO-bus.
From the kitchen...meatballs, okra, salad.
I am wearing...white Capri pants, a white camisole and a mauve cable knit sweater.
I am reading...The Jesus You Can't Ignore, by John MacArthur, about the bold confrontations of Christ.
I am hoping...that Oleksandr, our goldfish, will be okay in his home in Hamilton. Our daughter took him to live with her.
I am hearing...the radio, on our way home to Toronto.
Around the house...we've talked with my mom, who lives in our basement apartment, and have decided to sell our house next Spring/Summer. We have a Realtor coming over next Friday. He's the same one we used when we bought this house 17 years ago.
One of my favourite things...being able to buy my girls everything they need. It's such a contrast to most of my life. Such a blessing.
Some plans for the week...clean the church when we get back to Toronto, clean our house, watch soccer, go to church tomorrow, work three nights next week.

Celebrating Life

Sept. 22, 2009.

Outside my window…First day of autumn, but hot and humid. Rain yesterday, the first time all September. It’s been a pleasant month.
I am thinking…that life is good. I am very content. I’m also surprised that I’m so content. I am very blessed in all areas of my life.
I am thankful for…having to buy new clothes because I’m losing weight. I bought new dress pants and three pairs of jeans, as well as a faux leather tan coloured jacket that makes me look like a young chick.
From the kitchen…dinner out at Memories of Japan. My free meal of the week. Miso soup, salad, fried rice, sushi, stir-fried vegetables, cod, shrimp and filet mignon, wine and ice cream. My favourite place to eat out. We were celebrating our friend Leah’s new job as a full time College English Professor. It was eight years in coming.
I am wearing…black dress pants, a black and white top.
I am reading…Pirate Hunter by Tom Morrisey.
I am hoping…that I won’t regret that I offered to lead the next Ladies’ Meeting devotional. I’m a little shy, but I’m excited about my topic: Radical Hospitality.
I am hearing…a soccer game between Chelsea and Tottenham. I’m going for Chelsea.
One of my favourite things…a night off mid-week.
Around the house…We are planning to decide this week whether or not we’ll sell our house in the spring. As I said, I’m content and would be happy to stay, but we also know it’s now or never if we want to upgrade to a more modern house. I’m sure once we move, I’ll wonder why we waited so long. I’m especially looking forward to having a house big enough to build a sauna in.
Some plans for the week…work Wednesday and Thursday night. Go shopping with my eldest daughter. Go for a manicure and pedicure with her on Saturday, clean the church. Church on Sunday, of course.

Unexpected Depth

The Yada Yada Prayer Group
By Neta Jackson

This was my first time reading Christian chick-lit. I wasn't sure what to expect, and I wouldn't have even bought it, except for the recommendations of friends.
At first, it didn't seem to be 'about' anything, just a bunch of seemingly mismatched women, who are thrown together at a Christian woman's conference. So I expected it to be about the characters; an ex-con, a former drug addict, a real estate broker, a college student, a married mom of two, and several others. But it was also about the group growing together as a prayer group, in spite of their differences, to become close friends. The problems in their lives were real, but they all learned what it meant to be "just a sinner, saved by grace."
I found the race issues to be very typically an American thing, though, with worshipping in either "white churches" or "black churches" and never having anyone from another race into your home. I couldn't relate to that. The author brings those issues up in the discussion questions at the end of the book, as well.
This book blind-sided me with a depth of emotion I didn't expect from the whimsical cover and title. It was a great introduction to a series that I didn't think I would be interested in, until now.

The Love Dare

Fireproof
By Eric Wilson

I've heard of screenplays based on novels, but this is the novelization of a screenplay by Alex and Stephen Kendrick. I had heard about this movie being shown in churches, but hadn't yet had the opportunity to see it. It stars Kirk Cameron.
The story came highly recommended as an encouragement for married couples to hang on through the tough times and work to improve their marriage.
It's about a firefighter who, at work, lives by the adage, "Never leave your partner," but at home, as he and his wife make plans to divorce, he does what he wants. Unfortunately, people assume that if you have problems in a marriage, (and who doesn't?) that you have only two options: stay in an intolerable situation, or leave. There is a third option; make it better.
His father challenges him to "the love dare" a forty day experiment.
The story was realistic, heart-breaking, funny and heart-warming at the same time. It made me cry a few times.
The idea of a marriage being fireproof is not that it won't experience fires, but that when the fires come, they'll be ready for them.
It doesn't just assume that a few gifts or romantic gestures will improve a marriage, but that big sacrifices and small kindnesses every day, with God at the centre of a marriage, are the true secrets to a happy and lasting marriage.

He Chose the Nails--What God Did to Win Your Heart

By Max Lucado

I bought this book from the bookstore in Max Lucado's church in San Antonio, Texas when I was there recently. (I would have liked if it was autographed, but I digress). I had never read his books before. He is an engaging communicator and I found this to be very devotional and touching. It's the type of book that has so many fresh insights that you just have to share.
He takes you to the Crucifixion of Christ and draws your attention to things you may overlook--the soldiers' spit, the crown of thorns, the nails, the sign over Jesus' head, the two crosses on either side, the path, the garment, the torn flesh, the wine-soaked sponge, the blood and water, the cross itself, the burial clothing, and the empty tomb--and looks at them in a new way. I thought I had seen the Cross from most angles, but I was blown away by the beauty and depth I found in this book. It shows the depths God went to win your heart. To win my heart.
A study guide follows the book. The only chapter I didn't agree with was called, "I will let you choose". But then, I'm a Calvinist, and he's a confused Calvinist, I mean, an Arminian. :)