Nothing left except the trunk and the mulch!

Just a portion of the trunk and a pile of branches left.

more branches gone

missing a few branches, butstill standing strong!

This tree has been standing here growing bigger and stronger for approximately 46 years and within a few short hours it was totally gone. All that is left is a few stumps that will be burned for firewood and some mulch wich can be used for some good in a garden. This got me to thinking about Reputation. We can work all of our life to build a good reputation,, one of character, and in a moment of temptation or anger or whatever, it can be stripped away and we are left with just a few stumps and some mulch. We are ground down to nothing! Gaurd your reputation. It is worth everything! You worked too hard and long to let it be stripped away from you in a moment. Your reputations defines who you are. It dictates where you are going and where you will end up! It is the very essence of 'you"!

Some have had their reputations smirched by the lies of others. Just like the tree, through no fault of it's own, but by my will it was destroyed. ( I do feel bad about it, but in my mind it stood in the way of progress. Hmmm that could be a blog in itself) In this case, you just need to keep doing right and God will pick you up again and make you flourish.

If you have ruined your reputation by some bad decisions, you too can learn a lesson from this tree's demise. Remember that the firewood is still there and that can bring some comfort to someone, but also the mulch can be used to bring new life if used properly. Pick up your broken pieces and bring them to the master gardener who knows how to make them beautiful and useful in his garden. Also keep in mind that the cut and broken tree puts forth a sweet, refreshing odor. Let your life bring forth a sweetness, fight against the bitterness.

Wether you are standing strong, or if you have been cut and broken through your own actions, or through the actions and words of others, take what you have and use it to grow and be beautiful.

If you are standing strong: Gaurd your reputation! Gaurd your doctrine! (the trunk that makes you strong)Gaurd your spirit( the beauty in your branches)

If you have been cut and wounded by others: Keep standing for what's right. Stay focused! It will come out right. You will stand strong again. Gaurd your spirit!! Keep your branches from wilting!

If you have been obliterated by bad choices: Pick up the pieces and start over. It is never to late to make good!

I thought this tree lesson was just going to be about reputation, but there are so many lessons to be learned just from a tree that got cut down! That is amazing, how the natural can so closely be correlated to the spiritual.
The other thing I am thinkng as I write this is that the tree seemed ugly to me. It was dispensable, but now that it is gone, so is the privacy it provided me, the shelter from the wind it provided is gone. I have lost some things in cutting it out of my life.
Be careful what and who you cut out of your life. They may just provide you with the protection you need. They may be the things you needed to stay on course. You may be cutting out a shoulder that would have been strong or an ear that would have listened when you need it. Don't discount anyone and think them dispensable. It could very well be your life line that you are cutting off.
Okay I'd better go, because my mind is going on and on all because of a tree!!!!! Love you all!

I read this article on Sis. Buxton's blog and thought it was so beautiful. She recieved the story from her husband. What a reminder of true love. I especially liked the line about " a child saw a soul and a mother saw a suit of clothes."



“We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, Hi.” He pounded his fat baby hands on the highchair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.
I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map. We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists.
‘Hi there, Baby. Hi there, Big Boy. I see ya, Buster,’ the man said to Erik.
My husband and I exchanged looks. What do we do?
Erik continued to laugh and answer, ‘Hi.’
Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, ‘Do ya pattycake? Do you know peek-a-boo?’
‘Hey, look, he knows peek-a-boo.’
Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments.
We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. ‘Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,’ I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing.
As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby’s pick-me-up position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man’s.
Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love and kinship. Erik in an act of total trust, love and submission laid his tiny head upon the man’s raged shoulder. The man’s eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain and hard labor, cradled my baby’s bottom and stroked his back.
No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time. I stood awestruck.
The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms, and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, ‘You take care of this baby.’
Somehow I managed, ‘I will,’ from a throat that contained a stone. He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though he were in pain.
I received my baby, and the man said, ‘God bless you, Ma’am. You’ve given me my Christmas gift.’
I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. (In the car) my husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, ‘My God, my God, forgive me.’
I had just witnessed Christ’s love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, ‘Are you willing to share your son for a moment?’ He shared His for all eternity.
The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me that to enter the Kingdom of God we must become as little children.’
Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.”
______________

New listing in Abbeydale! $304,900

"A WORD FITLY SPOKEN IS LIKE APPLES OF GOLD IN PICTURES OF SILVER"


These apples were from the tree in Kenny's yard. Aren't they huge? Thanks Kenny, for thinking of me and taking the time to pick them and bring them to me! I appreciate it and I love you!

Grampa's visit

Grampa drove an 18 wheeler out here to Calgary with a load of Ganongs chocolates. He is 77 years old! He has been here for a week and a half waiting for a load to take back. We are not anxious for him to find one. Nanny couldn't come with him this trip, because her sister is not well.

Below are a few pics of his visit.

The fence is coming down. (finally the backyard is started!)

Dad enjoying the after dinner chocolate fountain

David and Gramps showing off their skill at chinese checkers

Deidre and Lexy just had enough

This is the scripture that came to me this morning so I'll share it with you.

Luke 12:32Fear not, little flock; For it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.