A Long Overdue Family Update

I am sitting here in front of the computer and I AM NOT MOVING until I finish this post! haha

All week long I've been trying to take half an hour to write a simple update. Then I think, "Well I'll just get [whatever] done first, and THEN I'll write". And of course I get side-tracked. It's happened all week, and today is the day that my hiney is not moving outta this chair until a post is complete!

Before I started the post, I read an article in our local newspaper about a dog that had wandered from its home here in The County and was outside for nine nights in frigid weather. The owners saw evidence of tracks leading to open ice where they assumed their dog had fell in. As the days and week passed, they had given up hope, until a neighbour happened to glance outside one day and saw what looked like the Great Dane in the field. He called the owner and they went out and the poor ol' six-year-old dog was just barely alive. They got him to the vet, and he is coming along fine, after losing a whopping 50 pounds. So naturally, my eyes were welled up with tears by the time I was done reading.

Then I turn to my blog site and get caught up on one of the blogs I follow about a little girl battling cancer. I don't know the family personally.... I just followed a link that I stumbled upon one day in 2009.... but I've been following their progress. They just found out two days ago that her MRI shows more signs of cancer, despite their battle thus far. The family is sickened and heartbroken. They had anticipated a good report after battling this disease for over 19 months now. They struggle with their emotions right now, knowing that the Lord has the power to instantly heal their little girl but wondering why He hasn't.

Honestly....

Why do I bother putting on make up in the mornings only to have it washed off with tears.

We just don't have the answers that we need sometimes to deal with life's situations. We question why we must endure the pain, the sadness, the frightful moments that we encounter.

But God continues to sustain. He promises to never leave us. In fact, He carries us through these times. Sometimes we're like a child who is being carried against their will, where we kick and hit and fuss and scream because we don't understand. But if we just can get to the place where we accept what's been dealt and continue to persevere and move forward, we can look back and see God's fingerprints and presence all over our situation. Those moments of reflection are good for the upcoming trials and tribulations of our lives.

Yes. That's right. There's more coming! More pain. More hurt. More sadness. We might as well accept that fact. BUT!.... [gotta love those "but" moments]... we can rest assured that God does not change, and He will be there to carry us once more.

As this little girl, Kate, and her family walk through this battle, please remember them in prayer. The button on the right side of the blog shows "Pray For Kate". Click on over to their site and support them in prayer.

We've been no stranger to battles ourselves over the last few years. Our household has been turned upside down a few times; but I want to just give some updates to you as to the life and times of The Found Family over the last while.

And it's all GOOD!!!!!

Let's start with Jon & Jake.
I'm grouping these two crazy characters together because they've been glued to the hip over the last number of months.

Jon and Jake have been travelling in portions of Canada and The States, and I think Jon is quite excited to have one of his "little" boys accompanying him. He enjoys having the company and the help. Jake has always had an interest in the truck and helping his Daddy. It was pretty much the only way he could get time to spend with his father, since Jon was away so much of the time when they were younger.

Jake has sat in the passenger seat many times, soaking in every movement Jon makes. He's watched Jon carefully to know when to shift, when to hit the clutch, when to signal, when to brake, how to turn the wheel when backing up, how much distance is needed when turning....... he's catalogued all these things in his head and is now sitting in the driver's seat. Although he was driving that big rig by the tender age of 14 [usually only across the flat prairies, thank the Lord!] and has sat on his Dad's knee since practically birth, helping to steer the truck, he has now become legal to drive the eighteen wheeler.

He got his medical done yesterday along with writing his driver's test for an AZ license. His appointment for the actual driving test is at the end of this month. The loving mother in me is extremely proud of his accomplishments. The worried mother in me wants him to fail that driver's test.

Know where I'm comin' from?

[sigh]

I don't think I'm ever gonna stop being concerned about my kids. Even when I die and I'm in Heaven, I can see myself walking with Jesus, looking down at the happenings on earth and watching my children and saying to Jesus, "Well are You just gonna stand there and let that happen???" He'll smile and wrap His arm around my shoulder, and in a most lovingly caring way, He'll say to me, "Shush up, woman. I've got it covered". haha.

I am glad that Jake and Jon have this time of bonding. It's funny to hear them gripe about one another, but they love each other and I think they'll be fine. They are currently working on ways to cut their road expenses. The purchase of a small refrigerator and 9-volt oven to use in the truck have already saved them money. It's cute to hear Jon get so excited about it. Says he should've done this twenty years ago. haha.

Health wise, they are doing great, although Jon should likely eat more salads. BHAHAhahaha. Sorry, Jonny. Couldn't resist. Jon looked at himself in the mirror the other day and came to the "sudden" realization that he had gained weight. I truly think that their new method of eating in the truck will help his situation.

As they come to your mind, please pray for them... for travelling mercies. It's hard not to worry about them; but I must keep in mind that God is still in control.

As for ME....
I could stand to lose a bit of weight myself. I've porked on the weight since Christmas. Not that my clothes feel any tighter, I just feel fatter. I think it's a lack of exercise. I borrowed my sister's treadmill, and I must say it works amazing.... when I actually USE it! Jared has been teasing me about using it, or rather the lack of using it. I just don't have the energy. And I know once I START using it, I WILL have the energy. It's just a matter of me developing a new routine.

I don't get 'inspired' often, but for some reason a few weeks ago, I was inspired to paint my bedroom. It has had white primer-painted walls for about 18 years now. I thought it was time for a change. hahhaaaa. I guess I just never felt the need to get it painted. There was always something else more important to do. And I'm only ever in there to sleep or fold some laundry. And when I'm sleeping, my eyes are closed and it's dark and I can't see the colour of the walls anyways.

But I decided it was time. So I went to the store when the paint was on sale and picked a colour I liked from the forty-ka-jillion colours to choose from. I chose a nice coloured green.... reminds me of string beans... Jake says it looks like vomit. I've seen a lot of vomit in my days with raising three boys; but I've never seen vomit the colour of string beans.... unless of course I'd just finished EATING them only to see them re-surface!

Well, I don't care what Jake says, I think it's a nice colour. The difficult part will now be to find a bedspread and curtains that will match. Should've got those first, I guess, and then chose the paint colour. Oh well. It's done. After 18 years. I like it. That settles it.

Danielle came over to help me tear wallpaper down in my kitchen. (I TOLD you I was feeling inspired! What is WRONG with me???!!!) She LOVES removing wallpaper. Can you believe that? She doesn't want to help me ever put paper ON the walls, nor does she want to help with painting; however she will be here in a heartbeat when the wallpaper needs to come down. I think she might have a psychological imbalance there somewhere. Jus' sayin'.

I also need to finish painting the trim in the living room. I bought the paint and got the hallway trim and doors painted (need to second coat some of it), but then for some reason I moved onto the bedroom. I start a project and then never finish it. Ugh.

Starting Monday, I need to get back into some paperwork again. I procrastinated over the Christmas holidays. Tsk-tsk. Need to get things caught up again in that area.

And other than running Jared around, that's pretty much what I've been doing, folks. Soooooo exciting...... not. haha.

And speaking of Jared....
This is one busy little character. I have been running non-stop with this fellow. He has been quite involved with highschool basketball, which includes an out-of-town tournament tomorrow and Saturday....

However.....

there is something ELSE taking up his time. Or rather I should say someONE!

Jarey has a girlfriend... Jarey has a girlfriend.

I am most pleased to announce that Jared has been "dating" a young lady named Karli. And she's divine. She is very much "mother-approved". What a lovely young lady. She's smart, polite, courteous, thoughtful and beautiful. AND her mother and I get along and can finish each other's sentences! hahahaha. Jon and I have both shared with Jared that he's got a good girl and if he messes this up, we'll be keeping HER and sending HIM on his way! haha.

It's been fun for me to hang out with Jared, while Jake is with Jon, and Blake is at university. I have always enjoyed watching the boys entertain with music and be involved in sports events, and Jared has certainly kept me hopping with the soccer and basketball and hockey games. He gives his all, and never ceases to entertain his Momma.

And finally, we have Blake.

I am sooooooo excited to report that Blake's health has been nothing short of amazing these past two months. Blake received his last dose of Remicade on December 13th, five days before flying to Brasil for four weeks. While in Brasil he experienced no pain with his Crohn's. His dear girlfriend, Anelyse, and her darling family spoiled Blake to great lengths and fed him foods that were obviously intestinal friendly! This week marks his eighth week since the Remicade dose and he feels fantastic. PRAISE THE LORD!

He said he has experienced no pain or other symptoms, and he will receive his next dose this coming Monday (Feb 7th). He has never made it a whole eight weeks without some type of pain, so we are greatly rejoicing!

He continues his studies in New Brunswick, and I will be quite excited to see him in March when we bring him home for his March Break. Not seeing him over the Christmas holidays has really made everyone here at home aching to see him.

And no, I was not upset about him being in Brasil over the holidays. My main concern was his health, and because he had a dose before departure, I was not concerned.... ok... maybe 1% concerned.... maybe 3%... but that's all. I was happy he could spend this Christmas with Anelyse and her family, since we got to have Anelyse here with us last year. And I was very relieved to know that his feet were on solid ground (upon arriving in Brasil and then again back in US and Canada).

He is experiencing an extremely heavy semester this term, so please pray for his mind and for his health during this stressful time. Stress can trigger Crohn's flare-ups, so he must pace himself accordingly. In the meantime, he is so thrilled that his health is presently good. And three cheers to the "higher ups" at his university who have authorized the kitchen staff to prepare healthier meals for their students.

Hip-Hip-Hooray!!!!
Hip-Hip-Hooray!!!!
Hip-Hip-Hooray!!!!

This will help Blake immensely, so he doesn't have to spend time preparing all of his own meals and can concentrate on his studies!

Oh, and might I do a bit of motherly bragging for a moment? Blake made the Dean's List last semester with a 3.56 GPA. We are very proud of him and know that the Lord is gonna use this boy..... man... [ok... but he's ALWAYS my little boy] in so many instrumental ways. The Lord actually already has used Blake for His glory during his whole illness! Expect to see that boy doing some amazing work for the Kingdom!

And on that note, I think I should close this post. You've had lots of reading, and I really have only given you a few hi-lights of what's been going on. But rest assured we are doing well at the moment. It is now our turn to lift up so many others that are in the midst of battle themselves. We were supported by so many during our afflictions, and we want to now pay it forward.

Until next time, God bless.

33 Chile Miners Praising God!

Were you like me yesterday? Glued to the screen? Watching one of the most amazing rescues of our times in Copiapo, Chile, South America?







Thirty-three gentlemen trapped in a mine approximately one kilometer in the bowels of the earth for 69 days. Over two months of wondering every moment whether or not you will soon meet your Maker.




The tomb served as their home, and their co-workers were now their family.

After a disaster in the mine, they were all able to reach the underground shelter where they were careful to ration what food they had. Over time the workers above were able to drill a hole to them the diameter of a grapefruit, where they sent down food and water for these survivors.

It appeared to be a rescue mission that would not be complete until Christmas time. (That's right.... CHRISTMAS TIME!!!... can you imagine???) Families camped out at the site for the 69 days, never giving up hope. In fact, that is what they called it.... Camp Hope. God moved in a mighty way; and through the hard work of officials and rescue workers, things started clicking.

In the evening of October 12, 2010, the rescue mission was about to begin. At midnight, just as the calendar turned to October 13th, the mission began where Phoenix 2, a large capsule which would one-by-one bring the men to safety, was lowered into the earth.

One man at a time was winched back up to the earth's surface by a large metal cable, provided by the country of Germany. What joy filled the hearts of millions of people around the world as each one stepped out of the capsule and onto solid ground, donning sun glasses to protect their eyes from the natural sunlight that they had not viewed for well over two months!

And as soon as he was unharnessed and cleared his way from the capsule, it's door was shut once more and lowered back to the bowels. (Kevin, just so you know, it's my blog so I don't need permission to use the word "bowels".... [wink, wink]. Sorry folks, just a little friendly joke between a handful of friends).

As I timed the rescue from Miner #12 to Miner #19, each one seemed to surface approximately every 40 minutes. As I had plans to attend my son's highschool soccer game that afternoon, I had to leave the screen. It was a very difficult thing to do. I wanted to watch this amazing rescue and see each family greet their beloved husband, father, son, uncle, brother, nephew.... But I knew I would be able to watch the rescue once I returned home.

Imagine my amazement that in just a matter of less than six hours, they had rescued eleven more men!! Wow. They must have cranked up the accelerator on the winch because I had no idea they would be that far along. Earlier reports suggested that they would not all be out of the shelter and back onto the earth's surface until some time around lunch on October 14th.

After the 33 miners were rescued, they returned the capsule six more times to the ground to retrieve six rescue workers who bravely stepped forward to travel down into the mine to assist the miners.

Can you imagine being the last man in that hole? All by yourself? Watching the second-last man go up the long dark tunnel, leaving you all alone? My heart ached for this dear lone man.

Communicators on the earth surface kept talking to him on the phone that was down there, and after what seemed a very long time to me, the capsule finally poked through the hole once again to bring the last man to safety. He turned to the camera and waved goodbye, stopping only to gather a few pieces of loose rock from the mine floor to keep as a momento.

The other men who climbed into the capsule always had someone else to shut and latch the door for them, but this man had to do it on his own. I kept thinking, "I sure hope that latch is accessible from the inside!". After giving a shout and flashing his light, which was the signal that he was ready, the capsule once again, for the last time, started upwards on it's long journey to millions of people watching and praying.

And then, at approximately 11:30pm (Eastern Standard Time), the capsule appeared and the last of the 33 miners and 6 rescuers was safe at last.

I don't think I've cried that much since 9-11 back in 2001.

But those tears had no sadness. They were all tears of joy for these dear brave men.

And just in case you're one of those folks that likes to play with numbers, check this out:

33 miners were saved on October 13, 2010. The date is written 10/13/10. If you add that together, look what you get: 10+13+10 = 33.

I thought that was very interesting. Much like the disaster in the United States of America on September 11th, 2001, which was the ninth month, eleventh day.... 9-11. (911 is, of course, our emergency number when dialling for help).

I was so happy that many of the men gave thanks to God... not just a "Oh-yah-thanks-God" attitude, but rather true heartfelt deep praise to our God who proved today that miracles still happen. One miner dropped to his knees in praise to our Father before they could even unharness him as he came out of the capsule. Another miner described it as meeting God down there as well as meeting the devil, but God won.

I can only imagine that each one has gotten his life into perspective over these last two months and how they have plans to make some changes. One miner sent a message to his girlfriend of 25 years saying that once he returned to earth, they would marry and have a church wedding. I'm willing to bet that wedding will be a televised event! haha.

The President of Chile, President Pinera, remained faithful at the site and greeted each miner as they returned. He also spoke with each rescuer who entered the capsule to descend into the hell-hole deep within the earth and was there to greet each rescuer upon their return. He took time to comfort family members.

When asked about the cost of the rescue operation, the President replied that the cost did not matter.... what mattered was saving the miners. When asked if it was in the millions of dollars, the President hesitantly replied (and I'm paraphrasing here), "Yes. It's in the millions. But it doesn't matter! What matters is that they're alive and safe."

Greetings and well wishes were being sent to Chile's President from officials all over the world. He promises to make changes to the mining industry to make things safer. Apparently this mine was closed down many years ago, but was re-opened by a small independent mining contractor. It's a hard enough job when conditions appear to be safe, but to have this happen in an already-previously-closed mine makes it difficult to swallow! I am hoping this Chilean President is true to his word.

Accidents like this don't usually result in a happy ending. In most mining accidents miners are dead before even reaching an underground shelter. In this case, to have 33 miners make it to a shelter, survive for 69 days, and then travel approximately half a mile through the earth's crust back to the surface with no problems, no glitches,.... well, it's amazing. It truly is a miracle.

I am thankful I was able to witness a miracle. I am thankful our Lord still sits on the throne. I am thankful of His promises that He never ever leaves us (Psalm 121).

And one more little miracle to note.... One miner's wife delivered their beautiful baby daughter while he was trapped some 700 metres below. He is the proud father of Esperanza, which is Spanish for Hope.

And after we just finished celebrating our Canadian Thanksgiving this past weekend, it's 33 more reasons for us to be thankful!

God bless you, Chile.

Stamp of Approval - Blake Health Update 2010/09/03

It is with great pleasure.....









for me to officially announce......










that Mr. Blake Found......









after approximately 11 months of numerous phone calls, paperwork, prayer, and even the odd time of some hair-pulling........









has received.......









word from his Specialist's secretary......









at 8:55am......










on September 3, 2010......










that funding for his miracle-drug Remicade......







is........








finally.........







[hold onto your seat....]
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We have been notified that, not only will Blake's cost of Remicade be covered but, he is also able to receive his medications when he is out-of-province while attending college in New Brunswick. This means we do not have to cart him back to Ontario every eight weeks for his infusions.

Today, I am one extremely happy Momma.

Just yesterday morning I had a conversation with the Specialist's secretary. She explained to me that I had been misinformed by a few people with regards to Blake's situation. For almost a year now, I seem to get a different story from absolutely everyone I talk to regarding Blake's situation.

I had been told that Blake could, once approved, receive his meds in New Brunswick as long as it was shipped from Ontario to New Brunswick. I spoke to TWO different gentlemen from the Trillium group on TWO different dates who both confirmed it was no problem. I also spoke with a special pharmacy who deals in dispensing Remicade, and they confirmed that it could be shipped in a special refrigerated package and that it must be used within three days.

Our Specialist's secretary said she called Trillium and the pharmacy and was told that it was illegal to ship the meds from Ontario to New Brunswick. She also said she was told that it could not be shipped because it needed to be refrigerated and that it needed to be used within 24 hours.

I don't understand why we are being told completely different stories.

Then the secretary said that Blake would likely have to change his province of residence to New Brunswick and then apply for health coverage there.

Huhhhh??????

Ummmm.... how about NO!

It all sounded very suspicious to me.

Anyways, she called this morning at 8:55am to announce that coverage for this medication will be provided to Blake and that he may receive his infusions while attending college in New Brunswick. They will call him with the date and time of his infusions.

She confirmed we are covered for one year, and at that time she will fill out paperwork to renew the Section 8 coverage and that I am to continue to renew the Trillium coverage.

Yes. I can do that!

Just yesterday, after my phone call with the secretary where we discussed all these contradictory statements given to me, I was frustrated because I had worked so hard on my phone calls and keeping good records of conversations, etc. I had spoken to so many people, including politicians offices who were, by the way, of no help to me. I felt like I had beaten my head against the wall. I had gone out later that day to cut the lawns and I could feel myself getting somewhat angry for all these delays and road blocks.

Then it was like a light bulb came on.

...."praise God anyways".

So I pushed out the negative thoughts and said, "Lord, I'm gonna praise you anyways. YOU know the situation and You have a plan. It's not going well here, but You have a reason why. I'm just gonna praise You anyways".

I continued to cut the lawns, row after row, and then the angry thoughts would creep their way back into my thinking. Then, I would hear, "praise God anyways".... and so I'd starting praising Him all over again. I kept pushing out the angry thoughts, allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work.

"Thank You, Lord. You're watching over us."

"Thank You, Father. Your Word says you'll never leave us nor forsake us."

"Thank You, Lord. You have a plan for this situation. You're in control."

"God, You are good. You are so good."

"I will praise Him, I will praise Him, praise the Lamb for sinners slain. Give Him glory all ye people, for His blood can wash away each stain."

And then, 18 hours later, I get the call.

And just how amazing is THAT!?

'

I've had my "God moment" for today.

'

So tomorrow we leave to take my little boy back to New Brunswick. He's gained almost thirty pounds back since June. He's feeling better, looking better, sounding better. Like The Six Million Dollar man, he's stronger... better... faster. Well, OK, I might be stretching it on the "faster" part, but you get my drift.

'

He has spent the day packing, running last-minute errands, and tonight is relaxing with his best bud Billy. They are downstairs now attacking the XBox360. It gives my heart happiness to hear them laughing and hollering at one another down there.

'

Please remember us in prayer as we travel all day Saturday. My brother-in-law, Brent, is able to go with me, and I'm very appreciative of that. The van is almost all loaded up and we strike out early morning.

'

Also remember in your prayers to thank our Lord for His many blessings. What a trial these last few years have been; but we come out victorious because we go through our battles in the name of the Lord.

'

There's not a battle we cannot win; we've already won the war! Hallelujah!

As a footnote, I'd like to include this video. It was posted on another blog that I follow. The lady with the hat in the video passed away this week to be with Jesus after a battle with cancer. I thought this was a beautiful song, sung in a "round"; it's message seems to fit what I was just writing about. Enjoy.

[Remember to pause my music at the bottom of this page.]



Hearts Uplifted

THE MORNING WATCH

I want to share with you an excerpt from a book I received as a wedding gift over 21 years ago from our minister and his wife, Rev. & Mrs. R. McCaw.

"My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord" (Psalm 5:3)

THE MORNING WATCH

Let your first act be to come to Him, your Father, just as you are. Get quieted, soothed, and comforted by thus "lying on His breast" and taking in a large draught of His presence. Take time for this.

Then, with His loving arms around you, and your soul at rest in him, tell Him how you love Him, what He is to you, and how you want to praise Him for all that He has been to you; and if any sin or failure is on your mind, confess it while thus close to Him.

Then, as you would roll off a great burden, resign yourself and all that concerns you into His keeping, and above all, to be emptied of self and filled with Him. Give the reins entirely into His hands --- the reins of your whole being and of all your affairs --- and take, so to speak, a long breath of relief.

Then, after a little season of quiet, restful waiting in His presence, to receive any communication or manifestation that He may have, rise, and with prayer, read carefully your chapter for the day, looking out for any message from Him that there may be in it for you, and hiding it in your heart.

Then, kneel once more, and talk to Him about those nearest and dearest to you, separately or collectively, and about any others who specially need your prayers.

And, lastly, close your hour of communion with Him, with a song of praise, or with words of thanksgiving repeated aloud, in entire reliance on your great High Priest to render them acceptable.

from the book

A Threefold Cord

Compiled by Helena Garratt

Page 243 - August 24th

Find Something To Praise God For

Find Something To Praise God For

"If there is anything praiseworthy --- meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8 NKJV

General Robbie Risner described the seven years he spent as a prisoner of war as "the essence of despair." He said, "If you could have squeezed the feeling out of the word despair, it would have come out lead-coloured, dingy and dirty." What's amazing is how he survived. He pried the cover off a floor drain in his cell and lowered his head into the opening. There he noticed a solitary blade of grass, the only smidgeon of colour in his colourless world. Calling it a blood transfusion for the soul, Risner began each day in prayer, lying on the floor of his cell with his head down the drain, focused on that single blade of grass.

Jesus said, "Your eye...provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness" (Matt 6:22-23 NLT). What are you looking at? Each day you get to decide where you'll focus. And you won't have to look hard to find things to complain about: war, gas prices, the economy, global warming, and crime. God gave Adam and Eve everything they needed in the Garden of Eden, but they chose to focus on the one thing they couldn't have. He divided the Red Sea, sent signs to guide the Israelites in the wilderness and provided food so they'd never go hungry. Initially, "They...sang his praise. But they soon forgot what he had done" (Ps 106:12-13 NIV). Don't be like that. The Bible says, "If there is anything praiseworthy --- meditate on these things." Surely you can find something to praise God for today!

(above taken from The Word For You Today
by Bob & Debby Gass - Sunday, July 5, 2009)


Consider starting your own Gratitude Journal. For good tips on how to start, click here.

To check out my own personal Gratitude Journal, click here.

Now go and praise God for something!

Psalm 8 - How Majestic!

Psalm 8



(New International Version)
A psalm of David.








O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.









From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.








When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,







what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?






You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.







You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:








all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field,









the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.








O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!






(all photos from Google Images)

What's Your Anthem?

I do not know what it is about hearing a country's Anthem, but I get so choked up.









It might be the fact that as you sing your Anthem, you are joined together with millions of other people who, despite differences in religion, politics, or anything else, stand united in support of their home country.









Saturday Night's "Hockey Night In Canada" always brings a tear to my eye before each game. Hearing the Canadian Anthem of "O Canada" just stirs my heart. I join in on the singing, belting out the lyrics from our family's rec room, and it is all I can do to finish the song without choking on that lump in my throat.

O Canada, our home and native land
True patriot love in all thy sons command.....









Then, if we are playing against the United States, I sing along with their Anthem, as I know every word. The melody to their Anthem is absolutely beautiful, and a small part of me wishes it was Canada's Anthem..... but don't tell anyone I said that.

Oh say can you see
By the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed
At the twilight's last gleaming....









Since our oldest son, Blake, has been hospitalized this week due to a severe Crohn's Disease flare-up, he and I have taken the opportunity of enjoying some of the soccer games in the 2010 South Africa Fifa World Cup on television. Of course, at the beginning of each game, the two competing teams' Anthems are played.









The camera zooms in on the faces of each of the players, some standing still and concentrating, others mouthing the words, all in support of their country. Some players display the vertical line of tears streaming down their face; and I can't help but think they've got that same lump in their throat.









The camera captures the supporting fans in the stands as they belt out their Anthem as loudly as they can, waving their country's flag, supporting their team, with painted faces and large coloured wigs and hats, huge flags draped around their shoulders.









What is it about a song that makes us stop what we're doing and reflect on it's meaning? And what exactly IS an Anthem anyways?









The Oxford Dictionary describes "anthem" as:




1 an uplifting song associated with a group or cause, especially a patriotic one adopted by a country as an expression of national identity.
2 a musical setting of a religious text to be sung by a choir during a church service.









So it got me to thinking......









What will be our Anthem in Heaven?









Of all the hymns or worship songs you know, which one do you think we will be singing? Which one will join our hearts as one?









I suppose the first song that comes to my mind would be the hymn that many Christians use as their doxology....









Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye Heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.









But then my mind pondered the word "Holy" and this song came to mind....









Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!









Revelation 4:8 says, Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."









Our "Anthem" in Heaven will be one of praise to our Lord. Our Anthem, the song that joins our hearts and binds us together as one "country" will be a continual song of praise.... non-stop.... day and night.









If it weren't for the fact that there will be no tears in Heaven, then I would say we would definitely have tears streaming down our face and big ol' lumps in our throat!









We'll be waving our palm-branch flags, and shouting words of praise and adoration, and singing full strength to our Lord.









Our hearts will be united in proclaiming that Our Lord Reigns.









And, rather than standing at attention and facing a flag with a hand over our heart, the difference will be that every knee will be bowed in reverence as we kneel before the Lord our God, our Maker.









Yup..... I feel that lump returning.

O Praise Him

I haven't posted a video in a long time, and I thought this would be a great one. I like the boldness and bravery of this young fellow. Oh that we could have a fraction of this courage!

And in keeping with the "praise" theme, ponder this thought:

"Praise is more spontaneous when things go right;
but it is more precious when things go wrong."

It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. Psalm 92:1-2 NIV




O Praise Him - David Crowder Band