Yesterday it was 20C in Edmonton. Yes on October 19th! And the strawberries are still growing and red. Now, I don’t for a minute think that this will last – the cold temperatures are on the horizon. By next week the forecast is calling for minus numbers overnight.

This seems all so peaceful and lovely, and yet on the other side of the world is chaos and killing and cruelty. On both sides – the Israelis and in Gaza people are dying, kids are dying. There is no redeeming value in what is happening. Perhaps we should cease calling this the Holy Land. There is nothing holy here. Only hatred and despair.

We need to pray with greater emphasis – “your Kingdom come”.

I debated putting this picture up. Part of me doesn’t want this publicized and the other part of me thinks it is important to comment on extreme and incorrect positions. Whether this man is suffering from mental health issues or has simply been convinced by some misinformation, the accusation contained here only fuels the flames of division and hatred.

The cupboards are gone – the dishwasher from 2005 is still here and available for “take it away” and yes it works but who would want it? I can hardly wait to show you the “after pictures”!! We’ve been looking forward to getting to this point and it is coming together quickly.

I had the most lovely conversation with our friend Roger today. Carolyn was in the background and we heard from her a bit too. I called from the van on my way back from the store. Roger and Carolyn live in Hamilton and interestingly my Dad did their wedding! They are both well and I enjoyed working with them SO much in the Ontario South division that I have stayed in touch all these years.

Today marks 21 years since my Dad was promoted to glory – The Salvation Army term for dying. It speaks of the hope we have in the Salvation of God and the belief that when Jesus promised the thief, dying on the cross, that he (the thief) would be with him in paradise that same day. Whatever Jesus meant, one thing is clear, death on this earth is not the end. There is more. And so we know that Dad is with Jesus and enjoying the promised “reward”.

I miss my Dad every day.