Happy Thanksgiving

Proclamation Establishing Thanksgiving Day
October 3, 1863


The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.


In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.


Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.


A. Lincoln

Madman or Angry Moose?

These were my choices.

To my left was an icy road with little traffic, but enough open space to pedal fast and allow a wide girth to dodge any angry moose. However, there was a madman who sped up as he passed me, cranked his steering wheel and did a complete cookie right in front of me.....on purpose, no less, and then headed back my direction.

To my right was an even more ice laden sidewalk, hedged in by a wall of plowed snow on the road side and delicious tasting trees and brush for moose to hide in and feast upon to the other side

On this particular night, I chose the zamboni slicked sidewalk without the ability to escape moose. My logic was that GOD could reason with the moose to keep them away from me, naturally. A madman on the other hand, well, it appears that he willingly relinquished that Divine Voice of reason!

Favourite Moments From Today

• Waking to a ten degree, clear blue sky morning.
• Hearing birds outside enjoying the golden arctic sun.
• Seeing the slant of sunshine cast very long wands of light across the snow-scaped earth.
• Observing little critters footprints in the snow.
• Feeling the sun, wind and bracing air on my face.
• Having GOD capture all my tears and record from whence they came!!!

Psalm 56:8
Put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

Gripping Action

After weighing my options and weathering two weeks of snow and ice, I have finally purchased studded bike tires to replace my nearly bald tires! The fellows at the tire store seemed a bit amused at my cream stockings, grey wool breeches (knickers), how I stayed clean and perhaps that I was the only lady in the shop.

 (As a side note, after a heavy snow fall my co-worker and I arrived simultaneously at work, he, commenting on the difficult commute, adding that it separates the boys from the men, but since I managed the ride as well, he couldn't say that! I will take that as a compliment!)

After selecting Nokian studs with temperature adjusting rubber, and having them mounted for me, I was off and running, or rather riding, or rather, sliding. It was no easy task, however, due to the rigidness of the ride and the independent stearing action between the front and rear wheel. I had to completely slow the whole process down until I could get a feel for the new ride. It felt like I was riding one of those extra long fire trucks with the driving rear end. It also felt like I was a woodpecker hammering the ground; I felt positively jarred by the end of my day!

These new tires are definitely going to take some getting used to, but hopefully with the deeper tread and the little ice picks I will maintain good safety this winter.

In addition to the tire safety, I also purchased head and taillights, and my favourite....TireFlys!!! Isn't that a sweet name? They are valve stem covers that are action activated lights, highlighting the wheel movement. When I have seen a few others with them, they stand out more than the head/taillight combo due to the motion and uniqueness of the lights which is quite helpful in a winter climate. Truth be told, I bought them especially for their name!

Covenant Promises

Yesterday, I arrived home five minutes prior to my land lady. She informed me that she had seen two moose on the drive on to the property and was wanting me to be careful. I smiled in my heart, knowing that this was proof of GOD's Providential Hand of keeping me safe. He was honouring my prayer to not even see a moose on my biking excursions. How blessed I am to have such a Father who faileth not, despite my own faithlessness.

Just like the the rainbow covenant, where GOD placed the bow into the sky that whenever we see it we may be reminded of His promise not to destroy the earth by flood again, so is this near encounter with a mother and young moose pair.

Timely Words

The last few days have been challenging, soul-searching and even painful at times. It can be difficult to live amongst people who are not thoughtful, insensitive, unkind, and dare I say, mean. With GOD's help, I live without reciprocating or perpetuating unkindness, but I also look for wisdom, patience and forgiveness to bear the hurt and give kindness instead. Although I do fail, although I do not understand the motivation behind people's actions, although I do hurt, I have One Who infinitely loves and cares for me, even when this grumbling heart of mine cannot bear up under the weight. How tender and merciful He has been to me. Tonight, this is what my evening devotion had to say.....

MORNING & EVENING
A Devotional Series by Charles H. Spurgeon


Evening Devotion

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

"It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master." {#Mt 10:25}

No one will dispute this statement, for it would be unseemly for the servant to be exalted above his master. When our Lord was on earth, what was the treatment he received? Were his claims acknowledged, his instructions followed, his perfections worshipped, by those whom he came to bless? No; "He was despised and rejected of men." Outside the camp was his place: cross bearing was his occupation. Did the world yield him solace and rest? "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." This inhospitable country afforded him no shelter: it cast him out and crucified him. Such—if you are a follower of Jesus, and maintain a consistent, Christ like walk and conversation—you must expect to be the lot of that part of your spiritual life which, in its outward development, comes under the observation of men. They will treat it as they treated the Saviour—they will despise it. Dream not that worldlings will admire you, or that the more holy and the more Christ like you are, the more peaceably people will act towards you. They prized not the polished gem, how should they value the jewel in the rough? "If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?" If we were more like Christ, we should be more hated by his enemies. It were a sad dishonour to a child of God to be the world’s favourite. It is a very ill omen to hear a wicked world clap its hands and shout "Well done" to the Christian man. He may begin to look to his character, and wonder whether he has not been doing wrong, when the unrighteous give him their approbation. Let us be true to our Master, and have no friendship with a blind and base world which scorns and rejects him. Far be it from us to seek a crown of honour where our Lord found a coronet of thorn.

Arctic BMXing

Anatomy of my shadow

This past week, I have taken up a new hobby!

ARCTIC BMXing!

Actually, it was necessity that invented the need for my new sport since I need transportaion to get me about town. None-the-less I have embraced this new activity with the enthusiasm and sore muscles that accompany such daring exertion. I dare say that even my ear muscles are strained to aide in the upward/forward mobility necessary to propel oneself on, through and around ice, ice chunks and snow. The laws of physics have taken on a whole new meaning when coupled with the elements of surprise, darkness and the unknown. Balancing high, low, to the side, counter-balancing...all have become my companions in the effort of staying on task! In the process, my thighs resemble a speed skater, my clothes are soaked in sweat, my cheeks are flaming red and my heart is at maximum exhertion, sometimes feeling like it may just pop out of its calcium fortified cage.

One day this past week as the temperatures tottered around freezing, I pedaled along presumably on the frozen five foot sidewalk when my bike dropped down through an inch of ice and further down through three inches of water, subsequently coming to a sudden six inch halt. With all the acrobatic grace I could muster, my foot flew to the side for solid dry ground, the rest of me flew over the bike and the bike was snatched up beside me before I even had time to think or allow a drop of water to settle. There was just no way that I was going down or getting wet! 

On the bright side, it really is beautiful and exhilerating to experience the sights, sounds and smell of snow. Even though it is very hard work and exhausting besides, it is very healthy in so many aspects; bones and muscles, heart and lungs all are improved with intense physical exhertion. Sickness is kept at bay from the fresh air. Mental clarity.....well, that is debateable!

Groomed trail at work