robin's journey

Belonging to a community of people--it seems over the years some disappear and no one knows where they went to or why they left.  Days, weeks, and months will go by without anyone asking how they are or how their souls are being nurtured.  It seems no one cares. Maybe I do not care enough? This is totally against what Jesus taught when he said, “Love your neighbour.”  Who is your neighbour if you do not even miss them when they are gone? I have been wrestling with the whole concept of loving one another and how is loving one another really suppose to look like in the context of church community.  How do we reach out when someone has left for a long period of time? Or reach out to those who are hurting? Or those who are lonely? Tonight when I arrived home from a long day of doing what I love to do, there was a message on my phone.  It was a delight to listen to the voice message from the leader of a small intercessory group which I belong.  She phoned to...

It is late, and as usual this is my favorite time to write. Last week I shared with you a video of my husband catching his first fish of the season. We have been trying to spend time with each other throughout our week. I enjoy joining him in what he likes to do, even if I do not fish! I usually read or write or sleep, last week I took a video. I simply like being in his presence. Yesterday, Murray surprised me by doing something I enjoy. Near our city, close to the South Saskatchewan river is a barn that has been turned into an eatery, with green houses, and a Saskatoon berry orchard. The Berry Barn has a unique menu, which includes the famous Saskatoon berry pie. Murray had never been there, we both had a simple supper, which was mushroom soup in a bread bowl. Followed with a berry dessert: My choice was cheesecake with Saskatoon berries, his was a berry surprise crumble. It is great when we can choose to be part of what another enjoys without complaining. Last week during ...

It is time to take a week off the internet completely (maybe two), which means no posting on this blog, or reading and commenting on other blogs. Life has been very full and does not seem to be very forgiving or granting an opportunity for me to catch up. Without complaining or whining, my spirit knows it time to get serious about the papers that are due in three weeks. I am blessed to have an office at home and at the church to escape to during my hiatus. I am still going to listen to the Daily Audio Bible DAB during the break from the internet. If you are lead to pray for me, please pray the young adults in my home will pick up some of the workload like cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming, and preparing meals. If they do not we are going to go hungry and live in a mess! I posted a month ago about a young mom and her two children who moved into my home. They are still with us and life has been full. They will be moving out April 9th. Please pray the mom can retrieve her belongings (...

Lately my days have not been going as planned. It seems most days are completely out of control. I believe this is the way it is when you have a house full of people living with you. Last week had been exhausting but fulfilling at the same time, and I would not want it any other way. Having family near is one of the most important things in my life. After having Haliey all to myself yesterday, I was tempted to stay home from church to catch up on my studies. However…my heart convicted me. I needed to attend, community is important. Church is where I can reflect, worship, be with others who are seeking and loving God, and to let the message go deep into my soul. Also, Haliey loves attending kids church. I am thankful I attended. I had an opportunity to speak with a woman who I have never met. She is on my list, must connect with , but I have not been able to connect for various reasons. By being obedient and attending church today, a contact was made that otherwise would not ...

What a week! Learning patience perhaps, but love is what motivated this grandma of choice, to open her home and heart. My journey with Sasha (mom), and her two daughters, Haliey (5) and Teela (18 month's), has been an interesting adventure. I have written about them in past posts. Sasha came into our life five and a half years ago when Haliey was three months old. Mom was a struggling single eighteen year old who was trying to raise a child on her own. Haliey entered our life and we have never let go. My husband and I intentionally choose to become grandparents of choice. On the ongoing drama-journey with Sasha, Sunday night March 8th, brought forth a new dimension to the plot. Please know as you read this story of life, it is love (Jesus) that guides my husband and I. All glory belongs to God; he is the one who has given us the resources and compassion to open our life to a widow and two orphans. I have decided life (God) likes to throw humor my way. On Saturday night c...

An old friend dropped by and left a comment on old eyes, she has an amazing blog worth checking out (Prairie Prologue.) We both live on the Prairies in Canada. Today the wind was blowing up havoc and the temperature dropped to -27c. Prairie Chicks pictures from summer in Saskatchewan are breath-taking and causing me to long even more for the spring sun to melt all the snow away. Yesterday, the sky was no longer icy blue it was more of a hopeful warm blue that reminded me that spring is near.

On Sunday February 8, I will be speaking to the Seniors at Caleb about community and what does community mean for them and for our world. Over the last ten years I have wrestled with this question. What does community look like for the world we live in today. I am still working on my message. I found a few interesting thoughts to checkout, the edge , Brian Hardin's thoughts from Feb 3, story from the Hudson , and Psalm 133 . I pray the message will be encouraging for the seniors as they live together in an interesting community.

Check out the top sixty church blogs. My favorite blog/website is Desiring God by John Piper, it is number 13 on the list. Let me know if you have a favorite from the list or one that is not on the list. Later, Robin