It's Christmas time... in the City.

The first sure sign that the Christmas season is here... Starbucks Peppermint Mocha.

Remembrance Day. And Freedom.

On Friday at school we had Remembrance Day Chapel. Time to reflect on those who fought, and those who fell, and those who still fight for our freedom. Freedom to live in this vast continent of ours, where peace for the most part reigns. Where we understand nothing of the daily hardship and survival that is war.

I have read stories of many who have endured the horrors of war, both at home and on the battlefront. Heroes, who risked their lives to rescue the oppressed. Heroes who returned, emotionally and physically scarred. And heroes, who became the fallen comrades.

I have met a mere few who served and survived. These are our Veterans, and we revere them for their courage and contribution to our freedom.

Until seven years ago, I had never personally known any who had fought and fallen. Now there is always one face that comes to mind every Remembrance Day.

Scott J Procopio.

I first knew him as a youngster, vacationing with his family in Florida. He was a cute little guy back then, with an impish grin and sparkling brown eyes that usually meant he was up to no good. That grin became a broad smile when, just as I was least expecting it, he'd gone and pushed me into the deep end of the pool. And then I couldn't bring myself to scold him when he smirked at me with those dreamy eyes of his. Oh he was a charmer.

I remember receiving the news of the tragedy that took him in Iraq. Roadside bomb. He was 20 years old. Shock. Disbelief. Tears. A soldier, with whom I had a personal connection, had fallen.

Death, when it hits so close to home, has a stark solemnity about it. I am truly humbled and grateful for those who have served and sacrificed for my earthly freedom. Today, the eleventh day of the eleventh month, at the eleventh hour... I paused for a minute of silence.

And I also thanked God for the One who sacrificed His life for my eternal freedom. The Lord Jesus, the Son of God, became a man and died on a cross for me, so that I could have freedom from the bondage of sin. He is my Saviour. Is He yours?

Halloween Madness.

Halloween has crept around again. There's been much ado from two girlies in our house about what to wear, and how to wear it. They've been planning, and putting on, and posing for weeks now. 

The final consensus deemed Number One would dress up like a Nerd. Left-over get-up recycled from an evening at Camp this summer. Nice to see she's being frugal, for a change. Number Two decided she'd go dressed as a Clown. An apt fit with her B-type personality.

Unfortunately we had to make a last-minute costume change. The Clown, suddenly stricken with a nasty stomach flu, was forced to become the Patient.

So she had to miss out on trick 'r treating this year, and instead sat with her puke bucket by the front door, watching all the costume-clad youngsters coming for their treats. She's such a good Patient, though.

The Nerd excitedly joined her neighbourhood friends for some local trick 'r treating.

 

She returned with a stash, and happily divied it all up to share with her fallen comrade.

 

I loved seeing the all the costume creativity this year. There definitely seemed to be more deviation from the ghastly and ghoulish to the cute and creative. Some of the variety showed at my own door, and some I viewed on Facebook. But I have to say that I think this one was by far the most entertaining for me this year.

It, let's just say... dethroned them all!

His costume was one I saw on Facebook. I think if he'd showed at my door, it definitely would have been the first time I'd be challenged to throw chocolate down the toilet!

Fall Days.

The days of Fall are flying by, but I've managed to snap a few mini-moments.

Raking up the leaves and rolling around in them still provides plenty of fun for these two pre-teens.

Girlies loved having the "Big Sister" come from PEI for a visit. For five days she showered them with undivided attention and endless patience. And gifts galore.

Now they're going through withdrawal.

Got to see lots of this little darling over the Thanksgiving weekend. She's growing up fast.

Love her... and her lively little personality!

Been cooking up lots of soups... the comfort food that is Fall. Stole this one from the Pioneer Woman... stole her photo too. Cauliflower soup. Go on her site and make a pot.

You'll thank me for sharing.

Miss Her.

Too many miles separate us. So does the time difference and her bed schedule.

Oh how I wish you lived closer, Miss Beautiful Blue Eyes.

Candy Pizza.

When you live in our house, having a sweet tooth is a part of the DNA, so candy pizza should really come as no surprise.

Miss Lannie had fun preparing (and eating) this lovely concoction.

Busy little fingers adding some "green peppers" and "pepperoni".

Chocolate chip "olives" complete the deal.

Very proud of her handiwork. Eh... me too. Proud.

The Tree of Life.

Been reading about the "overcomers" in Revelation. Translated the "ones who conquer", in the ESV. In the first letter, to Ephesus, the promise to the overcomer, "... I will give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God."

Genesis 2:9 has the first mention of the tree of life. It was centrally located in the garden of Eden, and would likely have been one of the trees from which Adam and Eve freely took and ate. Its fruit may even have been part of their daily diet, as we know from Genesis 3:22 that it gave them a special quality of life (... they take of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever). Revelation 22 tells us that this tree also has the ability to bear 12 different kinds of fruit, with a fresh bounty very month! Could you imagine? Daily food from the tree of life, daily communion with the Creator... life for man in the Garden of Eden was perfection.

Then sin came. One act of disobedience by Adam brought immediate separation between God and mankind. That tree of life, once so accessible, was now out of reach. Protected by heavenly beings. Guarded with a flaming sword.

So how, then, can this tree of life be promised again in Revelation?

It is reserved for the overcomers. For those who have obeyed the word of God. Turned from their sin and trusted the One who died for them. And, against all evil, have committed to live for Christ. In total devotion to Him.

This tree of life is located in heaven, in the centre of God's paradise. Laden with a dozen types of fruit, ripe and ready for those who are faithful to Him.

I want to be that overcomer.

You're Invited!

We all like to receive invitations, don't we... to a baby shower, a wedding, a birthday party. All of those invitations, however, mandate the purchase and contribution of a gift. Or sometimes cash.

Here is a personal invitation you won't want to miss! Come hear a message about a Saviour who can change your life! Nothing to pay, nothing to bring... eternal life is the free gift of God for you!

School's Back.

Summer livin' was sure good this year, and I loved havin' my kiddies home with me. But today this shouts out my sentiments, exactly.

 

My Thoughts. My Life.

Do you ever surf on Pinterest? Definitely a place where you can unknowingly waste endless hours of time. Uh-huh. And um, yeah... I admit to spending a little more than my fair share of summer vacation, eh... pinteresting.

Wanted to share this, though. Browsing the latest pins last week, I came across...

A modern-day phrase, with a catching choice of words, obviously written with the intention of inspiring you to assume the power of positive thinking.

Scrolling on, a few pages later, I came across a direct quote from the Bible (NCV).

Interestingly enough, the two immediately drew an amazing parallel. I paused briefly when I read the initial pin, then casually passed over it. But the challenge from Proverbs 4:23 stopped me in my tracks. One, the words of a mere man. The other, the inspired word of God.

Only a fool will choose to ignore what God has to say.

My thoughts. How've they been? Hmm. Have I been careful and guarded with my thinking? In those quiet moments are my thoughts clean and pure? Or do I harbour bitterness? Anger? Because God says all this will affect my behaviour.

The wicked man thinks with pride in his heart, and has absolutely no room in his thoughts for God (Psalm 10:4) But the devoted christian will mirror Philippians 4:8, "...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report... think on these things."