Root canal anyone?

It has been an interesting day so far, not at all what I had anticipated.

As today got closer I became more anxious. My root canal was scheduled for this morning at 11:30. To say I was nervous would be a slight exaggeration. I tried to be calm; I took a 400 mg Advil caplet suggested for the jaw pain I get during dental appointments; I prayed to be calm. Then I remembered the herbal remedy I occasionally used years ago when I was singing in a group. My jangled nerves would mess me up so my voice teacher recommended Rescue Remedy. It worked amazingly well, so a quick dash to the healthfood store and I had a new little 10 ml bottle of it. A few drops on my tongue, and before I arrived at the dental office I felt much more relaxed.



I had been experiencing tooth pain for a few weeks, but waited it out since I had a scheduled cleaning and checkup of my teeth anyway. When that appointment came around in late March, it was determined that a root canal may be needed. My dentist sent me on to the specialist who does only root canals, and - I'm told - is very good at it, won't do anything that is not required, and is very gentle and careful. Okay, that sounded acceptable, so I went along to him a week later. After x-rays and checking my teeth he set up an appointment for me to have a root canal three weeks later, April 23. And because of my usual jaw pain he could do it in two sessions if it gets too difficult for me during the 1.5 hours it takes to be completely done.

This morning when the doctor talked to me about the situation that had brought me to him in the first place, and then checked my teeth again ... he found no reason to do the root canal! He said somehow everything had settled down and he would suggest we wait to see if it flares up again. Imagine that! 

I m a g i n e  that.

I'm thanking the Lord for this turn of events. If I do end up having to go through the procedure later then THAT will be the right time for it. Today was not to be the day.





God answered prayer in a way I certainly didn't expect. He knows my heart and concerns, He knows just what I need, and He chose to answer this way this time.

The funny thing is -- when I spoke with a pharmacist this morning she said, "Have a good day." When I, an hour later, make the quick stop at the healthfood store the lady on cash said, "Have a good day." Then when I was about to leave the specialist's office an hour after that, the receptionist said, "Have a good day."  That time I said, "YES! Thank you! THIS is a good day."  :)

It is a good day because I didn't have to face today something that distressed me. But even if I did, it would still be a good day because the Lord is with me. My circumstances may not be quite what I would like, but the Lord is with me. Even when things go all wrong, my true Rescuer - whose love does not change - NEVER leaves me. Now THAT makes a good day. 



Thanks for reading, and ... Blessings on your day! :)

security

Just a quick note: 
Today increased security has been set up on my website so that anyone wishing to place orders online can feel safe about it.  Security is an important issue, and Starfield makes it their business to provide that security.

There may possibly be small glitches to work out yet on my website, but if they do exist those will be discovered and handled as we go along.  That is the normal for when starting out.  There are around 100 products loaded onto the site so far, and that number plus many more have yet to be listed. 

I hope you take a few minutes and check it out.  (Address in the right column.)

Thinking of security .. some of my family were experiencing stressful situations this month and for one member in particular security was found almost immediately in and through prayer.  It is always encouraging and reinforcing to be reminded that God hears and acts on behalf of those who love Him.  PTL!

Thanks for reading, and ... Blessings on your day.  :)

prayers, pilots & pets

May passed far too quickly, don't you agree? To me it brought a mix of events and emotions.

Are you keeping well? A few weeks ago I was exposed to H1N1, otherwise known as 'swine flu'. One Sunday I felt really blah so stayed home from fellowship just in case, but fortunately I did not come down with the virus.

Our son-in-law got home from Alberta for about three weeks in May, which was wonderful. He keeps busy while home and I do not have our grandson to babysit when his daddy is around.

My web site is not progressing quickly yet - admittedly my fault as I have not been working on it because of other things ... and work on Valley Sunshine took priority because my readers subscribe to it. This issue just sent out on Friday is on Prayer - a very important part of our relationship with God. It is - simply put - conversation with God and touches on all areas of our lives.

2009 marks 100 years of powered flight in Canada. There was a related contest held for school age children, and I am pleased to say that my 12 yr. old nephew (my sister and brother-in-law's son) won in the intermediate photography category. On May 20 we attended the impressive demonstrations, air show and activities at Greenwood Base. During the awards ceremony my nephew received a certificate and other things, which he was very happy about. Following that was the air show and if you have never seen the Snowbirds in action you have got to add that to your "things to do" list! Those pilots are AMAZING! It was exciting, loud, breathtaking, heart stopping and so worth seeing as they demonstrated their skill and teamwork. I loved it! - prayed a lot, too!

After the air show my nephew got the pilots to sign his certificate. He and the other young winners stayed overnight on the Base on May 22nd for a fun time, from which he came away with a bag stuffed full of neat gifts. My husband picked him up at the Base the next morning and we had the pleasure of his company that day because his parents were attending a conference. Not having sons, only daughters, I always find it interesting how boys' interests differ from girls', although now video games and such make it fairly neutral ground.

Our daughter who lives and works in Alberta arrived home last night for a visit of a few weeks with us. SO happy to have her home!

Now for the very sad news -- Late one night last week our beloved, healthy, nine year old dog, Shasta, started having seizures. We took her to the Animal Hospital and even though they did all they could for her, she passed away in the wee hours of May 29. It is a puzzle as to what happened to her. It seemed like poisoning but we cannot find anything that would have harmed her. The veterinarians have not been able to figure it out, except it may have been fungal infection which is usually devastating to dogs. Whatever it was hit her hard and took her quickly.

I am surprised at how much losing her has upset me; it is a great sorrow and tremendous loss to us. Shasta was such a good dog, the offspring of a purebred German Shepherd (her mother), and a husky/wolf (her father), so had personality plus. She was protective, funny, smart, loyal, playful, affectionate, and enjoyed her family (us) so much. She was excellent with our little grandson and motherly with our daughter's miniature breed dog. The two dogs played ball together, and if Sammy would get too rambunctious, Shasta would walk over and put her foot on him until he calmed down. Sammy has been confused by her absence.

Gone are the days of hearing her howl (so much like a wolf), and my being playfully pushed over when I squat down to tie my shoes, and being informed when anyone comes onto or near the property, and seeing her sit for hours patiently waiting for a scolding squirrel to attempt its descent from a tree. Pets play such a huge role in our lives, don't they?

Tonight we bring our beautiful Shasta home from the Animal Hospital where they are keeping her for us and then we will bury her beside the flower garden she liked to snuffle through (and sometimes dig in). My heart is heavy, but I have lots of good memories. She was a happy dog.
Hmmm ... I just realized, my husband will have gooseberries to eat this Summer; Shasta won't be here to pluck them off those thorny bushes before he gets to them.

Do you have any stories to share about what interests you, or anecdotes about your pets? I'd love to read them.

Thanks for reading, and ... blessings on your day. :)

under construction -- God's timing

I can hardly believe it has already been two weeks since my last posting! During that time Spring has finally taken hold here; although we got more snow it is fast melting away now. Gotta love that! It's quite funny that many people think that all of Canada is covered in snow and ice most of the year, but that is not the case. We may not get a very long summer, but it is beautiful and hot when it comes. But right now I am looking forward with great anticipation to Spring's fragrance of new grass, flowers, sweet warm breezes, and more birds' songs.

If you recall, in past postings I was bemoaning my website woes. Well .. I had been praying for weeks about this, but last week I gave up and in desperation told God I can't figure it out or find anyone to help me, and I don't know what to do. I asked Him to "Please Help me! I need direction!" On Sunday things started falling into place, although I still couldn't see it yet. A friend told me that God had impressed upon him the word 'direction' for me! wow! He prayed for me right there and I knew God was doing something; I experienced His peace. On Wednesday the next step was taken - at housegroup that evening another friend contacted a friend who builds websites. Well!... on Thursday I met with that person and oh my! We are on the way to great new things! I am excited! The original website is gone as I refused to pay the other people another cent when my year of hosting was over yesterday - since they would not fix the errors nor give any help at all. My new design team is on the ball and has it in hand. SO, right now if anyone goes to my site they will see an Under Construction sign, but that doesn't worry me since it will not be there longer than it needs to be. What I will have when it is completed will be far better than what I had. PTL!

I have learned a lot over the past months regarding websites, business ethics, and giving God time. It is that last point that I will explain a little. I had been asking God for help, but always I kept looking for the right person or company to come to my aid. What I needed to do was keep waiting, and through each contact God showed me something more to learn. It has been a rough ride, but it was when I gave up that the Lord put the final pieces into place. As an extra blessing there will be much more 'direction' and guidance for me as this company is very goal oriented. That is so good for me.

God knows just what we need and when, we cannot rush Him. Waiting could be the hardest thing we do but He can see the whole picture whereas we can see only the moment we are in. It is an exciting walk if we allow Him His place in it. :)

Do you have a similar story to relate? I truly would really love to hear it!

Thanks for reading ... and blessings on your day. :)

Remembrance Day

It has been two weeks since I last wrote! Where does the time go so quickly?
I have been going to my sister and brother-in-law's each Wednesday for five weeks now, and I plan to go tomorrow. Last week the kinship group surprised my nephew and me with a birthday cake and a card for each of us signed by the group. Both of us have a birthday this month.

The past few days I have been busily working on Valley Sunshine, the Christian publication I publish quarterly. (I don't have a website for it, but if you want to ask about it you can write to me.) I have to get this issue completed, put together and into the mail before the end of this month to keep up with subscription dates.

Today has been a somewhat sobering day. Remembrance Day - or Veteran's Day in the US - always does this to me. My dad is a WWII Veteran and I am so proud of him. On this date each year we gather with hundreds of other people for a long but meaningful service at Acadia University. The service is conducted by the local branch of the Legion of which Dad is a member, and Dad is in charge of the many memorial wreaths that are laid by family members and other representatives. He has a lot to keep track of, but does it so well, keeping things moving along.

The service consisted of singing by the Annapolis Valley Honour choir, music by Acadia University symphonic band, Scripture readings, prayers, reading of the Honour Rolls which contain the names of our local soldiers lost to World War I, World War II, Korean War/Conflict - and then comes the laying of wreaths. This is a long process but so good to do as part of the remembering.

Of course the two minutes of silence near the beginning of all this sets the mood. For me it is a time of contemplation, prayer, thankfulness, and some emotion welling up. War is horrible! How wonderful instead to be at peace and not lose anyone to such travesties, but unfortunately our part as a nation is sometimes necessary. For that reason it is not sensible or beneficial to condemn anyone sent on deployment. I have, in fact, been thinking today about some way I may personally support a deployed Canadian soldier so far from home and loved ones. I will have to look into that. Many will not get home for Christmas and I am sure they can use some cheering up.

Following today's memorial service, certain friends and family members of the Veterans who belong to the Royal Canadian Legion met at our local Legion hall, the Dr. C. B. Lumsden MM Branch No. 74 in Wolfville. There we were served a tasty meal and our Vets were awarded medals and certificates. And, did I say? - I am so proud of my dad. :)

Please feel free to be in touch. I would love to hear from you.
** If you know of any organization that sends care packages to deployed Canadian soldiers I would be very interested in knowing about it. **

Thanks for reading and ... Blessings on your day! :)

how I got here

Since I have made a step into this Blogging world, perhaps I should share a little of what brought me here - just in case someone is interested in knowing.

I enjoy crafting, sewing, learning some quilting -- not that there is any one thing I feel particularly accomplished in, but I like to try my hand at making nice things. A friend I met online built a very pretty and well constructed site for me a few years ago so that I could sell the ring bearer pillows my daughter made. I was very pleased with it, but although I had some visitors, sadly I got no business that way. Several months ago I did some research and found a few things I could do differently, so then I hired a local little business to build me a more involved web site. I needed to branch out.

Have you ever built a website or had someone do it for you? If it has gone smoothly I would like to know how that happened! :) It has been five months since signing up with them and there have been a few snags that have had to be ironed out (not unusual); one is still an issue which my web site designer tells me they do not deal with ... but I am hoping and praying that the problem will be resolved soon.

Even though I have not had any sales as yet, I do have another nice web site! :) I have much more to load on there but stopped in frustration until an important feature was worked out, so now I will start adding to it again. If you want to take a peek: http://www.novascotiaflavour.com

The fun thing is that my web site is not just for me. Although the plan is to sell my own items - and there is quite a variety - I also have clients here in Nova Scotia for whom I hope to sell their art and crafts. It is a great way to introduce their 'work' to the world. I will be excited when sales start happening!

Because I am getting into online business, someone said that I should also become known on Facebook. That does not really interest me at this point, but then a friend suggested 'blogging.' I decided to look into that and after viewing a few choices I selected Blogger.com. Maybe it will add a new good dimension to my life. :)

Thanks for reading .. and Blessings on your day!