A full day....

Folks came to buy goodies...
They came to have a great lunch and be served....

Husband came to barter with my friend.....
I wonder who's winning....
Our beautiful co-pastor, Stacia, viewed some of the crafts.....

Our beautiful granddaughter, Brittney, came to share

the day with Gram and Gramps...

Gateway youth worked hard to have a superb

fund raising table.....

Here are some of Gateway Women who made

the day successful....and possible.....

Bake Sale was followed by a "Volunteer Thank-you Supper"

for volunteers of the SOS ministry downtown...

John Mohan, director of Siloam Mission in Winnipeg

was guest speaker.

All in all, it was a full day.

We realize how important outreach ministry is in this city....from having a Fall Bazaar, where we offer home baking at a pretty reasonable price to many folks (senior citizens in particular) in the area, to serving at a downtown 'Soup on Saturday' mission. The importance of course, is the relationships we develop through these ministries and the needs that are met.

It is a privilege to be a part of such a community as Gateway Covenant Church. We are learning, together, the importance of service and being available to those in need.

May God continue to grow these things within me.

Bake Sale in the morning....

From hand-painted Christmas bags by Alecia....
To real bags making centre pieces....:-)

From home-made preserves.....

to Amish loaves....

and home-made cakes and pies.....

You shall find it all at this year's Gateway Women Ministries Fall Tea.Bazaar and Bake Sale TOMORROW from 10 am to 3 pm.....on the corner of 15th and 15th East.

We had fun tonight getting it all ready for you to show up and do some Christmas shopping.

The lunch, plus coffee and dessert will be $6.00

Really hope you can make it......you'll be glad you did.

I'll be there to greet you and say Hi!!!

Just another sunset...

We take things for granted sometimes, don't we? Well, I do anyway.

There were so many sunsets this summer that were stunning and with each one so different it was difficult to really take them for granted. I suppose if we lived on a lake and every night was this beautiful, it would become mundane...perhaps even expected. At some point I might even become so accustomed to the beauty that it becomes just another evening at a lakeside.

We can become like that too, with people. We appreciate one another certainly, but there comes a time when that familiarity and "same-ness" becomes a bit mundane. Sometimes it takes a bit of a second look to remember and appreciate the beauty before us day in and day out. It may just take something as simple as a word, a flower, or a little message of love in a card. It doesn't take much to re-evaluate what we have and to convey that to one another. I think it also happens when the one we love is no longer with us. We're forced into looking back at our memories of another and we see how beautiful and caring that person was...how devoted and loving.

Anyway, go and appreciate what you have this night. Mornings are never a given....but if you are given tomorrow morning....appreciate that too, as a gift.

I'll try and take my own advice!

Dependence and inadequacies....

A committee of the church, of which I'm called to chair, met this evening.

It's times like this that I realize how inadequate I am and totally dependent upon God who recognizes all my inabilities and works with me to improve in various areas of life.

He also recognizes my abilities, where I am adequate and what the desires are of my heart.

God knows I'd rather take pictures than lead people and delegate.

So, I guess I had better figure out my purpose of being head of this committee. I'm sure it isn't to take pictures of everyone gathered around a table!

May the Lord have mercy on me in my role as "ballot presenter"!!!!

The need of humanity....

All of us need healing whether we confess to be Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, or Hindu.

All of us have a desire within us to be well and content with life.

Here are a variety of prayers that help us as individuals, no matter what faith we profess.

Jewish Healing Prayer
God, hear my prayer, And let my cry come to You. Do not hide from me in the day of my distress. Turn to me and speedily answer my prayer.Eternal God, Source of healing,Out of my distress I call upon You. Help me sense Your presence at this difficult time.Grant me patience when the hours are heavy; In hurt or disappointment give me courage. Keep me trustful in Your love. Give me strength for today, and hope for tomorrow. To your loving hands I commit my spirit, when asleep and when awake. You are with me; I shall not fear.

A Christian Prayer by Thomas a Kempis
I offer up unto Thee my prayers and intercessions,for those especially who have in any matterhurt, grieved, or found fault with me,or who have done me any damage or displeasure.
For all those also whom, at any time,I may have vexed, troubled, burdened, and scandalized,by words or deeds, knowingly or in ignorance;that Thou wouldst grant us all equally pardon for our sinsand our offences against each other.
Take away from our hearts, O Lord,all suspiciousness, indignation, wrath, and contention,and whatsoever may hurt charity, and lessen brotherly love.
Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy on those that crave Thy mercy,give peace unto them that stand in need thereof,and make us such as that we may be worthy to enjoy Thy grace,and go forward to life eternal.
Amen.

A Sioux prayer
O our Father, the Sky, hear us and make us strong.
O our Mother, the Earth, hear us and give us support.
O Spirit of the East, send us your Wisdom.
O Spirit of the South, may we tread your path of life.
O Spirit of the West, may we always be ready for the long journey.
O Spirit of the North, purify us with your cleansing winds.

Traditional Buddhist Blessing and Healing Chant
Just as the soft rains fill the streams, pour into the rivers and join together in the oceans, so may the power of every moment of your goodness flow forth to awaken and heal all beings, Those here now, those gone before, those yet to come.
By the power of every moment of your goodness May your heart's wishes be soon fulfilled as completely shining as the bright full moon, as magically as by a wish-fulfilling gem.
By the power of every moment of your goodness May all dangers be averted and all disease be gone. May no obstacle come across your way. May you enjoy fulfillment and long life.
For all in whose heart dwells respect, who follow the wisdom and compassion of the Way, May your life prosper in the four blessings of old age, beauty, happiness and strength.


Yes, we all want healing....it is a common need of humanity. You can tell by these various petitions to a God who hears and in his wisdom....answers. May all of us be non-judgmental in the reading of these prayers........and may God find you healed this night...of all your diseases and distresses of this life.

Amen.

Sunday night....

Every Sunday night seven women meet to talk about a book.

We've been listening to DVD's of an interview with author, W. Paul Young who wrote "The Shack".

I've been learning a lot about this man's life as it parallels my own and I've also learned a great deal about "the church" as it is today. Kind of cool, as that is what our pastors Seth and Stacia have been talking about lately too...and will be for a few more Sundays..."What is The Church?"

There were only four of us gathered tonight though. One went to Winnipeg to see and welcome into their family "Reuben North Jensen" at 8 lbs and 9 ozs. on October 31st. Another one of our group was hospitalized this week so is continuing to recover. Another one was busy with other commitments. But even with the four of us tonight, we had good discussion and great fellowship. Another example of the church being the church.....it's all about people and the relationship that exists between people and God. It's not an exclusive group...so, if you want to come, just show up!! In the basement of Gateway Covenant church on Sunday at 7 p.m.

The wind is howling and the sounds and sights of winter are everywhere.

Get your woolies ready and mitts and scarves and extra socks.....and of course, to really get you warm, snuggle up beside the one you love.

'Nite.....

Boooooooo..

HAPPY ALL HALLOWED EVENING......errrr.....Happy Hallowe'en!

And what would Hallowe'en be.....without one of my favorite things.....

S N O W :-)

Don't ya just love it!!!!

Oh, and have a memorable All Saints Day tomorrow too. Think about those saints who have influenced you in some small or huge way.....may the Lord bless us as we remember.