Emmanuel's Seniors Journal

  Years ago, when we purchased our home, I had no idea how to create or care for a garden that produced vegetables and flowers.   I remember asking a friend where do I begin? She replied by saying, "Each year, you will learn, and the garden will always be changing." I remember thinking, "Really, that is all of the advice you are going to give me?" Now that I look back, my friend's words have become real for my experience as a gardener.   Yes, some of the flowers and the arrangements are the same, but the way the plants grow, and variations are always different.   I will remember this year, 2020, for the wildflowers, pansies, nasturtiums, calla lilies', sweet peas, morning glories, lots of swiss chard and lettuce, cucumbers, red and purplish tomatoes, and beans. The morning glories and sweet peas are new to my garden. The morning glories did not bloom, but there are still a few more weeks of warm weather, so maybe they will surprise me. The sweet peas...

Hi Friends, I have been enjoying sending out a weekly devotional every Monday.   It is my hope you are enjoying the warm days over this August weekend.   Murray, Alex, Hailey, and I ventured out at 5:30 am today to try and catch a few fish for supper.   The fish were not biting at all however, I do enjoy early summer mornings sitting in the boat enjoying the sun.   The devotional today is from Kari Elliot.  

I am so glad I can connect with you through email and the Emmanuel Blog.   I am missing worship together on Sunday mornings, but coming together does not only happen on Sunday.   I also appreciate the new ways I have found to connect.   Last week, I had pleasant visits in backyards, the church parking lot, over a bowl of soup, on long walks in the park, sitting on a park bench, and of course, through zoom groups, texts, and emails. The conversations have been delightful and encouraging.   I have also enjoyed hearing the different ways people are abiding in Christ. Very inspiring. We are continuing to connect through listening to one another’s thoughts on what it means to be part of the vine, as we walk through our daily lives, walking with Jesus and one another.   Today, I listened to the morning service sitting in the sun, at 9:30 am imagining others were also worshipping at the same time. A few weeks ago, I talked about taking time to pause, and last wee...

As I write, my vacation days are coming to an end. The last two weeks have been very restful, and I have enjoyed my backyard during these warmer days.   As I mentioned last week, the staff have so graciously stepped forward to help write, to encourage those who read the senior's blog.   Today we have devotional from Rob: some thoughts on neighbours…   One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”   Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”   The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’”   “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”                           ...