Today

Scattered thoughts--

The single idea is elusive--

Time to recover from the crazy weekend--

Visit from our daughter and son

Visit with Dad and family

Then went to church by myself

(the new reality with Andrew as pastor elsewhere)

Before lunch out with Andrew to meet the people he'll work with

A full weekend

Now is the time for quiet

--And a long walk

Settle my thoughts

To write my story

My story--what brought me to this point?

Why has my heart drawn me to work with the Karen community?

Dad

Long walks down by the lake

Soccor teams coached

Scouts helped while Carl was there

Busy at church

--Or busy away from church

Overtime at GM

Books and more books

Concern for your family of four

Fifty years (almost 51) with Mom

Long walks at the Oshawa Centre

Golf

Politics and the NDP

Hard drinks and opinions

Plans for your next trip

Chipmunks in the backyard

Goldfish in the rainbarrow

Long walks at the Ability Centre

Well Dad--it's been a full 80 years

Happy birthday!

Writer

There once was a girl in Whitby

Who wanted to express her heart on paper

But got discouraged by the grades

In English class

There now is a woman in London

Who is putting that behind her

By letting her words find their way to paper 

Every day

iPad

Device designed to help

Do my work

Plans for teaching, writing, editing

Word upon word strung together

Ready to go

Crickets

The cheep

Breaks the morning silence

In an ongoing song

Evidence of wildness

In town

Thriving

Language barriers

Create walls between people

But there must be a way through

For those new to the country

Their children often pierce the walls quickly

But thriving needs to be an option

For the parents as well

Would a hands-on Bible study

Be more effective

Than a conversation circle?

With Bible training and

Heart engagement

English fluency would seem secondary

To the task at hand

And yet would still result

Pinterest

Avoided as a timewaster

And yet

When the pain laid me on my back for

Hours on end

It provided encouragement

. . . for good health

. . . to follow dreams

. . . to write

Dragonfly

A buzz

Gentle touchdown

Colour and transparency

Hovering a moment

And it's off faster than my eyes

Can follow

My Study

Desk in the centre

Surrounded by books

Gazing out the window

That looks out at the green of a maple tree

A daybed for a reading corner

It's an amazing space

Into the world of ideas

And words

A soothing retreat behind a closed door

Study

A desk

For new writing

Surrounded by my books

--Friends of a lifetime gathered here

With me

African Violets

Colour

In a small pot

Mem'ries of Aunt Irene

Settled on my own window sill

--Joy spot

Rearrange

A work space is shaping up

As we arrange and rearrange the furniture

A little house

Being maximized for two

Music room and t.v. room for him

Study with a window and a swing on the back deck for her

Once its all been moved around

Many shelves of books to sort and simplify

And african violets to pot for the window sill

We can settle to work routines

And living routines

That allow individual work space

And togetherness

All under one roof

Writing

Learning to write is an interesting approach to life

Putting thoughts on paper where others can view them

Is scary on some level

After a lifetime of keeping them hidden inside

Is this where I will meet other minds

As we struggle to understand

The life You have given us to live?

But through it all is the call to love

--May these words contribute to moving fences

And tearing down walls

So that all people can find Your love, Lord

Trust

Trust You

Ev'ry moment--

With our reality

Because knowing comes in hindsight--

For peace

Prophecy

Prophecy is an interesting

Element of life--

Easy to ignore

And yet how often do You speak

Through us before the reality?

We walked into a church

With him saying "It needs to close"

And it did.

And now I'm walking toward ordination and a Bible study

Saying "There needs to be a school for thriving"

Only when we look back will we know

If they are words from You

Together

Well Andrew, my dearest Andrew,

Today's the day--

35 years married (to each other!)

And still facing the future together

It has been a fascinating time

To follow the Lord together--

Pastor and wife

New places: Arnstein, Brockville, London

Raising a beloved daughter

Studying God's Word

Walking--always being drawn back to walking

A bicycle built for two

Many elements to a life together

Apartments and houses

Anywhere can be home

Now on the verge of a new adventure

Pastor and missionary

Still working in the Lord's field

Even as we begin to work at different churches

We are still one family--together

with lots and lots of love,

Susan

Hope Bible Institute

A freedom that is new is filling me

Bringing joy

That will move me forward

Into the dream of twenty years--

A school

That initiates thriving

By bringing minds and hearts deep into Your Word

And tongues fluently into English

The plan is simple

The speed is slow

The guide is the Holy Spirit

Through the Word

Let's go!

About To Begin

Pieces

Arranged by You

Work, ordination, school--

Moving forward by Your guidance

Thank You

Pastor

(English speaking)

At the Chinese church here

Fin'lly to work with You only

Not me

I move

Toward new things

As a missionary--

Teaching, writing, ordination

Through You

ABCs Moving In

ABC books have long been favourites--

Before I ever wrote ABC poems

Catching a structure that helps form my thoughts

Demanding more than just a few syllables

Excavating my memories

For gold . . . or coal

Going longer than Haiku or Cinquain

Homing in on the underpinnings

Inside

Just searching for You, Lord

Knowing You

Live inside

Makes my world secure

New excavations daily lead to new discoveries of You

Open my heart, open my eyes--open my mind

Personal

Quiet

Retreat from the chaos outside into the 

Security of You

Tangled emotions can rest

Under the reality of 

Vindication through repentance 

Wherever I am

eXtreme living water wells up

Yielding life everlasting--the

Zenith

Walk

Four feet moving while we talk

As we go for a long country walk

The sounds in the bush cause us to balk

Is a coyote or bear also out for a walk?

The sight of the soaring hawk

High above the steps of our walk

The silence suddenly rent with a squawk

As we see the flit of blue jays above the walk

Walk

The long distance--slow

With room for thoughts to soar high

Above the footsteps

Walk

Long walks

Into silence

Give room for thoughts to grow

To explore my internal depths

To rest

Early Morning

An early morning with paper and pencil

Before me

Considering what to write about

Doing the brain clearing

Exercise of writing of everything and nothing

For twenty minutes before

Getting ready to tackle a topic or two.

Home is a relaxing place to write each day

In the atmosphere of my office

Just arranged for me

Knowing the door is closed

Leaving me free to concentrate.

My thoughts

Needed for consideration

Open to words that are

Perhaps--shaped

Quite

Ruthlessly (or gently)

Seeking a kernel of

Truth to express onto the page

Under my window that 

Views the tree providing shelter and . . .

Whenever it

eXtends its reach into my thoughts

Yielding inspiration Ay to

Zed.

Birds

A flurry of wings off in the

Bushes as we walk by--

Chickadees

Darting through the greenery

Ever searching

For food.

Great egrets wading in the river before flying

High into the trees--stark white against more green.

Into the sounds of mourning doves and blue jays

Just walking along the paved path

Knowing we are surrounded by wild birds

Looking for food and shelter.

Mother and father sparrow feeding their young

Now and throughout the summer

Out of reach of the neighbourhood cat

Perched on the roof of our car

Quietly watching the busy birds.

Robins on the ground

Searching for worms

Turning heads sharply to hear the movement

Underground

Value in the calmness of 

Watching the birds

eXactly where they live--even the

Yellow goldfinch

Zeroing in on a feast of thistle seeds.

Carl (Happy Birthday)

A baby brother entered the scene

Back in the days when life was simpler

Carl was his name

Danger was his game--

Even with signed permission in a letter

For dirt bike rides through the  fields.

Getting out with friends

He avoided three older sisters

Intent on the world as he saw it

Just following his path.

Karl and Carl hung out when  they were young, but

Life always included friends

Motorcycles grew until

Now a Harley Davidson

On the road gets him around.

Past days in the fields

Questing adventure

Readied him for

Solo trips to work and group

Trips with Monique

Until life is simply an adventure

Veering toward the sunset

With Monique at his side

eXalting just as much in the freedom of the road

Yes--she has her own motorcycle--

Zooming down the highway together.

Flying Solo

A fear of flying solo

Brings a person down to nothing

Certain she needs more communication--

Decisions are impossible without a permanent team

Ever needing reassurance 

Finds her lost and alone and in the end unable to work

Going alone is part of life

Helplessness is rejected

In pursuit of the dream in the heart

Just fly solo

Knowing that others will eventually join the team

Live now and

Move toward the goal enjoying life

Now truly is key

Operate in the moment--even when that includes flying solo

Possibilities explode when

Questions don't demand

Results different from reality

Seek the goal

Then enjoy the path that is actually 

Underway

Viewing the results

With love and

eXcitement

Yet allowing others to add

Zest when they are ready

Priming the Pump

Written

In haste to clear

Clutter filled to edges

Space now left to focus my thoughts

With ink

Priming the Pump

Clear thoughts by writing

To focus thoughts on details

Words both splashed and planned

Priming the Pump

Priming the pump

To experience water in a gush

Feed the pump water

Priming the pump

Clearing the writer's mind to focus

To experience the words in a rush

Priming the pump

To experience water in a gush

Stepping Forward

Confidence grows

As You settle the path

Before me

Ordination to seek

School to open

All part of movement

Toward newcomers thriving in Canada

By thriving in You

Deer

Doe--alert

on country

road

"Is

all

clear?"

Doe--graceful

steps forward

crosses--

soon followed

by

fawn prancing

behind

Work?

Still holding back

With no decision in sight

He decides

Then he hasn't decided

Back and forth it goes

It's never been a difficult decision before

Why is it this time?

Footsteps

The floorboards squeak

As he walks above me--

Writing behind a closed door

Leaves me open to sounds

The tock of the clock

The squeak of the floor

The chirp of the crickets

Singing outside the window

Waking and writing

As the neighbourhood

Begins to move

Greg and Kelly (Happy 25th Anniversary)

Together in love

Bound by a link of marriage

With Katie and James

Ministry focused

Yet following the Lord where

He leads--step by step

Home filled with laughter

Yet striving to reach out with 

The love of Jesus

Twenty-five years since

They said "I do"--lots of time

To show it's for real

Preacher

A man on fire--preaching Your word, Lord

Before a small group of people

Coming to this small town just

Days after the funeral of a friend

Entering again the world of presenting You

For others to hear

Going into Your word

Holding forth that truth

In Your name

Just as Your Spirit

Keeps

Leading him:

Ministry 

Now renewing as it

Opens in a new location to 

Present You to a new group of people seeking

Quality from Your word as we

Seek Your kingdom now

Through life today so that we

Understand truth balanced with love: the gospel

Vindicates all

Who will believe the

eXistence of God in human flesh as Saviour

Yes--

Zero in on the essential gospel truth

My Story

A young woman at Hope Baptist Church

Began a Precept Upon Precept Bible study

Calling for those wishing to grow

Deep in God's word

Even as she 

Focused on this one church

God showed her the world coming to the city

Hope for a source of thriving

In this new land

Just flooded her heart

Knowing from family history the

Lack of thriving language barriers

Make--the dream deepened into a

New hope

On the way through a school: Hope Bible Institute

Pointedly aimed at thriving

Questing to grow Lordship and language

Resting in an ongoing routine of study with a

Simple study method even as it

Takes people deep

Understanding words and ideas

Viewed through the Bible

Wanting to see

eXcitement in eyes as abundance--

Yes--abundance thrives in a growing

Zest for life

Cat

Purr throttles

higher

as

she

climbs onto

my

lap demanding

cuddles

Life

Born to die--something that each of us faces

Whether we flare for a brief moment 

Or simmer a long steady time

We are--born to die

And yet You, Lord

Offer us eternity if we will grab Your hand

To run with You

To dance with You

To walk with You

My life spills out onto the earth

Where it will simply be soaked into nothingness

But You provide an escape, Lord

And with that escape comes life

--eternal, abundant, free

Welling up and spilling over always

Moving Forward

A little girl from Brockville

Became a young woman in Windsor

Creating a home

Designed for two

Everything just right

For life together

Going to work and enjoying

Home

In the walkup

Just a few minute stroll from the river

Knowing

Life is

Moving forward for them.

Now is the time for training

Opening doors to careers

Perceiving this will be

Quite a life as family

Running a home

Seeking the future

Together as a 

Unit of two

Voicing plans

Who, what, where, when--why?

eXcitement of 

Youth expressed in a 

Zest for life as one in God

August

Month of family celebrations--

three birthdays together

and

the founding anniversary

--only memory

now;

heat falters momentarily

then returns intensity

but summer 

is beginning

to 

wane into

an ending

school becomes

new focus

even

for 

me:

will

I 

be studying

for ordination

and 

for 

Hope Bible Institute?

Suddenly

Suddenly

He's reading this blog

The one who seemed not to know it existed

Is now aware

And his anger is surfacing

Just as it did years ago when I'd write cards to encourage him

And I'd get hit with a wall of anger

I write

He gets angry

Why?

It hurts as it rips into my soul

Questions

Questions

We look for answers--

But often they hang in the air a long time

Tantalizing

Flirting

Playing peek-a-boo around dreadful possibilities

Language

Language acquisition for a new home country

Provides a challenge for refugees

It often comes down to work versus language

Since the jobs to be found with poor english

Aren't jobs that increase language fluency

How can we tackle this inequality?

The first generation here . . . isn't to be lost

Thriving is possible

Thriving is doable

Thriving may simply need a little help

Something to study

On an ongoing basis

That uses the language

But is focused on ideas

Through the difficult language

--Then language growth is unmeasured

Full Free Lives

In a country at war with its own people

How do people live full free lives?

A war that is buried out of the headlines

Because the war has been destroying 

Country and people for more than sixty years

Free full lives

The goal of an aid agency

Will it ever become the goal

Of the ruling class?

Writing a Novel

An adventure in writing

Began with the scribbling of a novel filled with a 

Cast of characters

Developed to tell a story that was

Entered into a writing contest

For Canadians

Growing to be writers

Hoping to publish their work

Indeed

Joy

Knowing someone is

Looking at

My work to evaluate it--

Not a winner this time but

On to the next step: editing

Processing the thoughts

Quizzing the choice of words

Reflecting the picture in the mind

So that the 

Tale is easy to 

Understand

Visualize it in my thoughts

When reading does it generate

eXcitement?

Yes, do the characters live with 

Zest?

Two and Yet One

Two different paths

Yet side by side as family

Walking in unity

Pastor and teacher in this city

Lord, it begins this month

So that by September it will be established

And yet many pieces remain to organize

To begin a school for new Canadians

To grow deep into their walk with You