Well, we are getting there. I am beginning to blog on my new site. You will find me from now on at linealanoie.com Over the next little while I guess everything will get moved over and set up so please excuse the mess while I'm in the process of moving.

Yesterday my sisters, who live in Cochrane, and I spent a day together. We headed up to the Banff and Canmore areas. We did some things none of our husbands would much appreciate doing - like visiting the show homes just east of Canmore. What magnificent homes! What expensive homes! Of course the one we liked the most was only 1.2 million.

Then in to Canmore for lunch and a visit to a fudge store. Up to Johnson Lake where we watched the helicopters coming in to fill up there buckets for firefighting. A constant turnaround as the fire was just east of there - quite close to the highway. Got some interesting pictures which I will post later. Then in towards Banff for a short hike. Thought we would visit Banff too for some ice cream but as we drove into the town we realized that they were having a power outage - due to the fire not the big black out in the east of Canada. So we revisited Canmore for the ice cream.

The smoke lies heavily over the city of Calgary this morning. The downtown area completely invisible from Sarcee trail where it rises overlooking the city.

Tomorrow we return home. It will be good to get back to my own computer.

Watch for a change over the next couple of weeks as I switch over to hosting by Prairie Fusion.

A Cloud Of Witnesses
One of the books I picked up recently is a little book by Esther De Waal called The Celtic Way Of Prayer. She speaks of our pilgrimage as we travel through life and of our connectedness to the world we live in and see as well as the mysterious unseen world around us. At the end of her introduction she states:
"...I am reminded that I travel in company with those who have made this peregrinatio (pilgrimage) before me, by the whole company of heaven, the saints and the angels, a 'cloud of witnesses', who surround me and who hold me up as I go."

This reminds me of my own experience when my mother died. We were in the Congo and had just arrived at the place we were to work about five days earlier. Our passports had been sent down to the capital to have permanent residence visas a couple of days before. When we got the radio message we were not able to travel - no documents. The news was so totally unexpected as was her sudden death. Within the shock of the news came the sense of her presence with me. Not a ghostly presence but as one now forever alive. I knew that although she was no longer living and able to give me the motherly advice I would have liked from her I had the closeness of her spirit still living and caring for me.

It became a little more clear to me why Catholics would pray to the saints - or rather to God via the saints. We protestants of the evangelical genre tend to avoid discussing these things - they are somehow looked on as irrational and not theologically sound. But we are told that we are surrounded by the saints who have gone before us. They do uphold us on the way - by example to be sure, but also in some mysterious way that is beyond our comprehension. Maybe it is somehow that their world is closely linked with ours since we too live with one foot in eternity when we acknowledge God in our lives.

Somehow, I have grown up with a sense of the supernatural being a real part of my life. It has helped me accept what I cannot understand. It gives me a sense of awe as I look at the wonders of the God's world around me from the most intricate details of a cell to the majesty of the mountains. It gives me hope for my future as I travel homeward, not alone but with all those who have gone before as well as those living in this time with me travelling the same path.

Here I am in Cochrane, Alberta, home of the world famous Cochrane ice cream. I haven't had any yet but will before I leave. I think you can only get it here and in Calgary(today I saw a place in Calgary selling it) and it is all made here in this pretty growing town.

I used to think that Cochrane was a strange place - all new houses in their neat little rows. No slums. No place that could be considered the bad part of town. Some places that could definitely be called the rich part of town though. (We're not there!) It actually lacks a lot of the character that a place like Prince Albert has. We have excitement and police action - check out Randall's blog. Saskatoon seems to have the same.

Yesterday, I traveled from Prince Albert to Pigeon Lake via Edmonton, then on down to Cochrane. Left at 8 am. And got here around 8 pm. Only a slight detour in Edmonton trying to find the #2 South. Last night I was exhausted. It felt so good to lie down. Then the alarm went off! I got two very sleepy dancers out of bed and off we went again. Rush hour traffic wasn't half bad. We got downtown in way under an hour - even had time to take them for breakfast before getting them registered.

Then as any good bibliophile does, I found a bookstore and passed a very quick hour there. I came away with a heavy bag and a lighter purse. I got some great books and a couple new CD's.

Calgary has done some very nice things as far as preserving green spaces in their city. I spent about three hours in a park down by the Eau Claire Centre. It was a beautiful day to spend in the park with some books.

I decided to try blogging from my sister's. I didn't remember how slow a dial-up connection was. It challenges my patience and takes so long that it makes it difficult to follow links and find some of my favorite blogs. I might try this again one more time before I leave.

I probably won't be blogging much over the next week. I'm off to Calgary via Edmonton and Pigeon Lake where Covenant Bay Bible Camp is located. Drop Sara off there and then go down to Calgary where Grace and her friend Nathalie will attend a dance workshop. I get to stay with my sisters and drive in to the downtown centre of Calgary every day for a week at rush hour and back out to Cochrane every day at rush hour too. When my kids are rich and famous they had better put me in a really nice nursing home! They owe me.

Now I just have to see if I can get onto my sister and brother-in-law's computer to check up on all of you while I am away. I'm hoping to convince my niece, who is entering the school of journalism at the U of Regina to start up a blog of her own.

I have just finished reading Brian McLaren’s book The Story We Find Ourselves In. I don’t think I have been so profoundly affected by a book in a long time. Let’s see if I can come close to explaining why.

First of all – it tells a story that describes my faith. It tells the story of God as I have gradually been coming to understand it over the years. What he says isn’t new to me but it confirms and validates a lot of what I have come to understand about my faith over the years.

Secondly – I learned a lot of new things. Some of the doctrines of the church are extremely hard to comprehend. So, usually, what I do with stuff I don’t understand is to place it in it’s own little closet and shut the door. I know what I should be believing, or what someone has told me I should be believing, but since it doesn’t make much sense to me, I just store it. Now I think I see and it is starting to make sense.

Thirdly – I have been frustrated by the lack of relevance of the church in my children’s lives. I see I am not alone. And this book has given me some hope that I might learn better how to communicate this story of God to them so that they see where they fit in too.

Fourthly – and this is sort of sad, I can see where some of those of you involved in church ministries can be so frustrated. We in the congregation have been sidetracked into following a path where no one else is going anymore except ourselves. Jesus is out there walking with the people in the world and we’re oblivious that we took the wrong turn back at the fork in the road. Put our songlasses on so the light wouldn't hurt our eyes so much or something! Now we hardly need them any more because the light is not so bright!

Fifthly - and this part is scary. The ending of the book is all too likely a possibility and I don’t want it to happen. But for it not to happen we – the congregations of churches - have got to make a major shift. And are we ready? I feel like I have very little control over the ending but maybe that is part of my role as a church leader – to make the ending for us turn out differently. At least I will be alert.

Somehow my archives have vanished from my home page - just become invisible.. They are still there on my posting site but they are sure not there on my home page. And I don't have a clue what I did to bring about this disappearance.

It may be all Randall's fault since he was here tonight helping me put a site meter on my page. And that is when the mysterious disappearance occurred - or shortly thereafter. But if I blame him then he might get insulted and not help me with maybe getting my stuff moved over to a different server so I can't do that. At least I don't have comments yet so he can't leave me a nasty reply!

While Randall was here we were talking about the book The Story We Find Ourselves In by Brian McLaren. I am not done yet but the way the author relates the story of the Good News is so simple yet so profound. It just makes so much sense to me since I do see things through scientific eyes to some extent.
As I'm reading it, there is the rather startling realization that he is telling the story that I am in and that I believe, and he is telling it as I have always wanted to tell it.

If you are of a similar (ie: scientific mindset) then you may want to visit the site of The Canadian Scientific And Christian Affiliation and read more about this organization.

Jordon Cooper talks about the use of Labyrinth as a tool in prayer and worship. He has gotten a lot of reaction - of course. I wasn't aware that only pagans owned the use of the word. We all have labyrinths in our heads you know - in our inner ears. In the dictionary a labyrinth is a complicated or confusing structure - a puzzle, a maze.

Anyway, I realize that is simplifying things - but reaction to the use of such a tool because of it being called a labyrinth seems like over reaction to me.

In my post from Wednesday, Aug. 6 I use a blessing which is called a rune in Madeleine L'Engle's book An Acceptable Time. Now if anything conjures up the image of pagan, it is probably the use of the term rune. Yet the word itself comes from the characters used in the ancient Germanic languages. Yes runes were words or incantations which had magical or mysterious meaning. A rune to a pagan would be a magic spell. To me, a Christian, the term as used by M. L'Engle, also a Christian, evokes images of inscriptions and words that have mysterious and sacred meanings. I think that I would place some of our blessings, Christian symbols, and benedictions into this category of language. And I believe we attach a certain Holy power to these. What we receive from these words goes way beyond the mere meaning of the words. Sometimes God's presence comes to us in very intense and special ways through them.

I hope that as Christians we don't try and eliminate everything from our lives that is mysterious beyond our understanding - that doesn't fit into some neat little theological box. Mystery is a big part of how I deal with the big concepts like creation, the incarnation, redemption and resurrection. My God is way too big for my finite little mind to understand and explain all of these. And the biggest mystery of all is his love for me - so intense that he died as a substitute for me long before I was even conceived of. So I use poetry, songs and music, liturgy(which is to me the repetition of a sacred act) and other means- like maybe a labyrinth or candles or whatever- to assist me in worshipping this mysteriously wonderful God. It is not how I worship but who that makes my worship true worship.

I believe that God created our sense of mystery, our sense of wonder and delight at all his creation for our and his enjoyment. I refuse to somehow hand over this part of who I am to the domain of the "occult", "new age" or any other label the evil one would like to use to frighten me away from experiencing this part of who God created me to be.

Thursday was kind of a blur.

It started off with a wonderful breakfast with a few friends at Lauralea's table. Wonderful scones and jam. I haven't had gooseberry jam for ages! And Lauralea's cherry jelly was - well it did make one want to eat too many scones! Thank you so much Lauralea. It was a treat.

Then I was off and running - quite literally driving - for the rest of the day. I had to be in Saskatoon before 12:30, pick up my son and his wife who were leaving for Washington D.C. for a wedding, drop them at the airport and then pick up the returning CHICers who were coming in at 1:00 on the same plane my other kids were leaving on. I was told later that not much sleeping was done by these three the night before. In fact maybe none - Don't they look alert! And here's another one that didn't get much sleep either along with the fatigued looking fearless leader.

We went directly back up to Prince Albert after a short stop (I had three guys in my car) at Mc D"s. Got home in time to rest my eyes for 30 minutes then headed off for Saskatoon again to get there in time for a soccer game - by 6:00. The Celtics recorded their first loss of the season. They were outplayed - I hate to admit it - by Saskatoon Hollandia and lost 2-1. Hopefully a loss will make them sharpen up their game. Not too good for one to go through life never losing!

Needless to say, when I got home at 11:00, I was exhausted and hit the hay!

From An Acceptable Time by Madeleine L'Engle. The words are hers, the pictures are from my trip.

"Hold me in peace while sleeping

Wake me with the sun's smiling

With pure water slake my thirst

Let me be merry in your love."

Reading fiction by authors like Madeleine L'Engle makes me more aware of the mysteries that exist in this world. I think she delves into some of the true mysteries of God and his universe - things that are way beyond our comprehension. I like the way she approaches science - as being a part of the mystery but not all of it. I know it is only fiction, but it speaks to the mystic in me and helps me to accept as unknowable by me, but true none the less, some of the great events and truths described in the Bible.

She talks about the power of words.
"Words -runes, for instance - were sometimes misused. They were meant to bless, but they were sometimes called on for curses...Yes runes were sometimes abused, but it was never forgotten that they had power...
"But Polly, interested, asked, 'You mean the old rhyme 'Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me' is wrong?"
"The bishop agreed. 'Totally.' "...
"The bishop continued, 'That little rhyme doesn't take into account that words have power, intrinsic power. I love you. What could be more powerful than that small trinity? On the other hand, malicious gossip can cause horrible damage."

And for an author whose medium of communication is words, words have incredible power. Through them we are taught all sorts of things, complex ideas are transmitted to us, and through them we can share thoughts and even a part of what makes us who we are. We should never underestimate their effect on others.

The introvert's paradise! I don't think I talked to more than a half dozen people in the last 48 hours. The guy when I checked in, the lady in the store below my room, a woman with a dog by the beach and a family playing some throwing game I had to dodge around at the beach. Oh yeah! And God. I had lots of time to talk to God over the past few days and not a single interruption. I was out of range for my cell phone. My family knew where I was and I figured the RCMP could always find me if there was a serious emergency.

I came back to Prince Albert on the back roads from Anglin Lake. The road was pretty rough but nice in a bumpy sort of way. I found a quiet spot right beside the National Park boundary that was perfect to sit and read in - right by the lake. I will post my pictures over the next few days.

I don't I've ever had the freedom to do such a retreat sort of couple of days all by myself before. Usually I have several children along and that does take the "no interruptions" part out of the picture altogether. We mothers willingly give up a good part of the privacy in our lives when we have children and it is just an inevitable part of the raising of children. Nothing we especially begrudge but when a chance comes to have some time to ourselves it is precious. Thanks Leo who tried to play housedad this last few days. At last count all children are alive and well!

Over the next few days I may find the words to share some of what God talked to me about along with my pictures. Read some good stuff in books too. Now I must do a little assignment for Sara - write a fantastic Bio for her surprise soccer player card.

Words. That's what we bloggers mostly deal in. Sometimes they flow out so effortlessly. Sometimes it is hard to say what your heart really feels. And there are times when we write or speak quickly without thought. Once spoken or posted it is hard to take them back.

Why don't we watch our words more closely? They may look pretty on the page or sound very knowledgeable and sophisticated but what ugly thoughts they can portray. We may think we are clever to use words that sting, are cynical, full of irony - cruel words. We try to make ourselves look so right, so in the know. But we are only trying to exalt ourselves at the expense of someone else.

Words can hurt. They can hurt more than "sticks and stones". The invisible wounds are not evident at first but sometimes the soul wounds never heal. They fester and the illness planted in us by them becomes a chronic disease that eats away at our self-confidence until we can't handle anything more and we begin to die. We don't dare to live anymore because criticism gets too hard to bear. The joy goes. The light goes out. Cruel words can kill - slowly.

I think that is why Jesus said what he did to the Pharisees of his day.
" A good person produces good words from a good heart, and an evil person
produces evil words from an evil heart. And I tell you this, that you must give an
account on judgment day of every idle word you speak. The words you say
now reflect your fate then; either you will be justified by them or you will be
condemned." Matthew 12: 35 to 37.

All of us who care about the Coopers are also hurt by some cruel words they were sent. I, like many others, are hoping that Jordon and Wendy will continue to blog because they are a blessing to lots of us out here in cyberspace and in real life too. God, Please bring healing as only you can.

We worshiped in the lower sanctum today. Around tables no less - except for some of the older folks who took over the sofa - my dad included. It was good. It was good to think about how to be salt and light to our city. Now we just have to actually put it into action - that is the hard part. To find how God wants to use us and then do something about it instead of just pondering over the idea - forever - and never get anything happening. (And no! We will not look for committee members to organize this! That would surely kill it!)

We shared in communion today as well. To me this is the highlight of every month as far as my liturgical experiences go. To share in an act of remembrance so significant - well it is just very special to me. It reminds me every time what a great sacrifice he made and how he gave up so freely all he ever had to save us. First in the incarnation - God giving us his son to live among us becoming every bit as human as we are. Then in his death - giving up his very life for us so that we do not have to be defeated by evil. And we have the hope of living forever with him so that whatever we encounter on this pretty scary earth is not all there is.

We were out of comfortable pews today and it was OK. No one complained that I know of.

After church we had more than the usual numbers helping to wash up too. That was a small blessing in itself. I sent Michelle, my daughter-in-law on ahead to our house to start getting lunch ready. We put it in the oven and headed out for a quick trip to a potters house and workshop.

Michelle always has the neatest ideas for gifts and the wedding they are attending is special so a special gift is needed. She told me of some of the ideas she had but passed on - she is an environmentalist with strong links to our Saskatchewan land. One idea was taking the body of a dead but undamaged(for the most part she said) toad of some sort and having it bronzed. But she thought that although she would love it she wasn't sure the friend's bride would be. Another was the hawk she found and had mounted but thought the bride might have the same reaction as with the toad.

The pottery is very special. It is the form of a bison. A beautiful rich brown hue with just the right amount of darker brown mottling. The artist who sculpts these incorporates the ground remains of prairie buffalo bones into the clay. So they are a bit real bison. What a beautiful gift - a work of art and a bit of Saskatchewan.

Today was another day with lots of gardening going on. I even got Sara to join me(with the promise of a little cold cash) in hacking down and pulling out a batch of weeds by the fence. Looks a bit better in the driveway. And I whacked down some weeds that were really wild in the old dog run we have in the back. They were beginning to cover up the clump of volunteer raspberries and so I was rewarded with a tasty treat. The old blossoms on the rose bushes all were deadheaded and everything got watered.

It is good to be physically working in the yard sometimes. I hope I get a bit tanned from it without getting burned of course. I'm always so pale. Comes from being the whitest one of the bunch maybe.

For lunch we(Sara and I) went out with Annette, Kieran and Annette's Auntie Coleen. Kieran was his usual quiet contented self until the end when he decided it was time we gave him something to eat too. Only one of us could do that so he broke up our party and went home with mom to eat.

I finished reading Leonard Sweet's Soul Cafe today too. There is too much stuff in there to retain at one reading. I'll probably put it down for awhile and then go back to it. It is a bit like being at a banquet table with all of the richest dishes in front of you. You'd like to eat it all but it is impossible so you have to keep taking just enough to get a taste and then go back and eat again and again. But you also have to push away from it all and do some digesting too. I think I need time to digest for awhile.

Last night got the news that an old friend had gone Home. He and his wife were, at one time, missionaries in the Congo. They had left the Congo before we arrived but came out for a short working visit during our time there. And he was a medical doctor so we spent a good deal of time together while they were there. They returned to Canada during their retirement and we visited a few times. Always lots of fun - reminiscing about Congo stuff, sharing jokes and stories. He had a very aggressive form of cancer so it has only been a short time since the diagnosis. A very short time. He chose not to do the chemotherapy. Letting go and going on. Now he is Home.

God,
Bring peace and comfort into Vangie's life right now. Bring her and her children the strength they need to get through the next few days - the numbing days of loss and funeral busyness. Continue to be there with them as the days go on and the loss becomes more real.

May the memory of Vern and his life continue to inspire all of us who knew him.

Amen

Today was another gardening day. Weeds seem to grow about twice as fast as the flowers. But the flowers I do have are probably at their best now. I have this one on my desktop.

One of the things I like best about my home is the yard. It is like a bit of wild park and in the summer with all the trees in full leaf it is very private. And if you don't look too closely you won't see the weeds.

I must confess that today was mostly spent being lazy. I guess you could say I was unwinding but I think most of it was just downright laziness. Oh well tomorrow I can always make up for it.