September

September has been so busy - so much so that I find myself sick today - hoping that I'll be good to go again tomorrow!  So I say, bring on October!  And then I think, how can it be October already?!?  The year has flown by and before we know it, we'll be ringing in 2011.

Nostalgic

I have been trying to figure out why I've been so nostalgic over the change of seasons from summer to fall.  Why is it that the colors of leaves seem more vivid this year; why it feels great to pull out a sweater to keep warm from the autumn breeze?  I have finally figured it out - I missed fall completely last year!  My perpetual summer changed into winter and snow overnight, and I missed out on the leaves and fall sweaters.

Compassion Sunday

I blogged before the weekend about my involvement in our church service this past Sunday.  Other than talking about Kids at Risk during the service, I also had a table set up with 50 Compassion profiles - kids around the world that need sponsorship.  I am SO excited to report that 2 kids were sponsored (the last time I did this, the number was 0)!!  Two does not sound like a lot, but consider that these 2 may be the future leaders of their communities.  They may go out and train to be a nurse or teacher or doctor because of their training through Compassion.  They may share the story of Jesus with their friends, family and community and those people may continue to share Jesus with others. . .  Are you getting the big picture?!?  Two is awesome, but that means that I still have 48 profiles waiting for sponsors.

Well, actually it's 47 - I've been humming and hawing myself and I have decided to sponsor a 2nd Compassion child.  Along with Evelyn from Ecuador, I am now sponsoring a little boy named Suraj from India.  And I again urge you, if you have been considering sponsorship at all, please let me know.  That ONE child may be able to make a huge difference in the world, but they first need your help.

Human Trafficking Count Laid

This article is from Friday's Winnipeg Free Press:  www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/human-trafficking-count-laid-103697094.html

Deliver Us From Evil - Prayer 4

Pray for people fighting sexual trafficking

Remember The Salvation Army, the Church, law enforcement, non-governmental organizations, all of us

Pray for:
» Wisdom and understanding
» Cooperation and unity
» Compassionate hearts
» Faithfulness in prayer
» Necessary resources
» Legislation and support from government
» Passion and patience

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory”—Matthew 12:20

Deliver Us From Evil - Prayer 3

Pray for traffickers and all those involved in the sex industry

Remember the traffickers, pimps, johns and men buying commercial sex as well as brothel, strip club and pornography site owners

Pray for:
» Repentance and change
» Justice and restoration
» Healthy relationships and marriages
» Redemption
» Closure of brothels, strip clubs, pornography shops and sites

“Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord”—Acts 3:19

Deliver Us From Evil - Prayer 2

Pray for sexually trafficked persons

Remember the people who are already living in sexual slavery in Canada and around the world; those who have been recruited, bought and sold for the purpose of sexual exploitation

“But this is a people plundered and looted, all of them trapped in pits or hidden away in prisons. They have become plunder, with no one to rescue them…”—Isaiah 42:22a

“Say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’”—Isaiah 49:9a

Pray for:
» Safety and miracles
» Rescue and freedom
» Restoration, hope and peace
» Access to adequate services (health, shelter, legal services, counseling, training/education)

Deliver Us From Evil - Prayer 1

The Salvation Army is calling us to a Weekend of Prayer for Victims of Sex Trafficking from September 24 - 26.  Please see Salvationist.ca/trafficking for more details.  I will be highlighting 4 specific prayers from their Prayer Guide over the next few days.


Pray for people who are vulnerable or at risk of being trafficked

Around the world, and in Canada, people (mainly women and girls) are at-risk of being exploited and treated like property rather than as human beings.

Pray for:
» Safety and protection
» Wisdom
» Economic alternatives and hope to see other choices
» International development
» Supportive families and churches

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”—John 10:10

Colors of Fall

I know I've talked about the summer leaving and it feeling more like fall.  I've also mentioned that the autumn is one of my favorite times of year (#38 on my "Did You Know. . ." list, which is rapidly nearing its end).  I actually said that it rated after spring, but now that it's back with a vengeance, it may be back to spot #1 and the reason is all the colors of fall.  I am hard pressed to convince non-prairie people (and many prairie people!) why I love living on the prairies.  But once you get out here and you SEE the sunset - I mean you SEE it ALL the way down to the horizon (not 1/2 way up the sky like in the mountains), you start to understand.  When you see the trees change color and the landscape is full of yellow, orange, red, green and brown leaves, you cannot help but feel that God enjoys decorating/painting when it comes to this season on the prairies.  We've had a lot of rain lately, but I'll try to head out and snap a picture for all of you to enjoy!

Letters to God

Sometimes I wonder. . .marvel. . .at the people God has brought into my life who have walked with me during my life journey.  I have a few people who have walked with me my entire life and then I have people who have profoundly changed my life after spending 1/2 an hour together - both are equally important.  One of my Costa Rican friends recommended the movie "Letters to God" and since we both share a love of real mail, I thought it would probably be a movie that I would enjoy.  Now, he forgot to give me a warning - KLEENEX BOX MUST BE CLOSE BY - because the story focuses on a little boy who is fighting cancer.  And how fitting, given that the Terry Fox Run is happening around the world to continue the fight against cancer.  A colleague of mine from Morden also just passed away, having fought a courageous battle with cancer.

"Letters to God" is really about prayer - talking to God.  And the best thing about it is that fact that it doesn't really matter what you write, as long as you do write.  God created us to be in relationship with Him and He longs for us to draw near to Him.

Dear God. . .

"You are a letter. . .written not with pen and ink

but with the Spirit of the Living God."

II Corinthians 3:3

. . .Vibe?!?

. . .feel the. . .

Can You. . .

Arena Sale

Please join me at the Arena Sale in Altona this weekend.  I will have a Jolica table set up from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday.  Look for the Christmas table and/or listen for the Christmas music, and you should find me!  Great deals to be had (discontinued items are all 50% off) so stop by!