Can't You Feel It? The Feeling is Everywhere!

Those are some of the words to David Foster's theme song of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta. We were there and we felt it from our vantage point at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies where our daughter was a member of the Coca Cola World Chorus. What a time we all had!

Actually that paragraph was a sweet memory as the words of that song flooded my mind yesterday when I was choosing a "Fall" colored outfit to wear to church. The heavy rains last week literally brought Fall to us -- the cooler temperatures and going into Bath and Body Works with their Fall scented candles made me remember why I love the Fall season so much. I feel it. The feeling is everywhere.

But, my conscience is disturbed with all this feel-good feeling while people's lives have been disrupted by the West's raging fires, the East's Hurricane Isaias and this North, South, East and West pandemic! Lord, have mercy! King Solomon provides us some comfort with the words he penned in Ecclesiastes 3. "For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven; a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to keep and a time to throw away; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace." Those words are especially poignant as I think about my friend's father passing on and three weeks later her grandson was born. The cycle of seasons and of life.

King Solomon experienced the seasons and so do we. Best "seasonal" news is God is right there with us in all of our seasons. And, in all those seasons, He is working out His plans and purposes for our good. All of the seasons are necessary for us to learn, grow, and be resilient and determined to press through “the seasons”. The seasons are by God's design to cause us to trust Him more -- no matter the season.

Maybe you're not "feeling" the feel-good feelings about the season that you're in -- maybe your missing your child that's gone away to college. Maybe you're home schooling your kids again. Maybe you're still looking for a job. Maybe you're enduring the pain of a loved one in their final hours. Maybe hope doesn't seem to be on the horizon for you today. The journey from here to there may seem like a dark and endless tunnel, but I assure you, one day, you'll see the light and you'll realize the gifts you received during these "seasons". If we remember that there is a gift in every crisis or challenge -- in every transition of life -- we will purpose to "feel it". That feeling is the presence of God in the ups and downs of every season. As we discover the gift of His presence in every season, we will learn to trust God's loving, divine purpose in it.

If we purpose to respond to each each season from the “eye” of God's presence within, where perfect peace and wisdom dwell, we will emerge even stronger, wiser, and freer than before. We may even morph into a beautiful, free butterfly for the first time because of the inner workings of God in our lives during these "seasons". Can't you feel it? The feeling is everywhere!

My Two Countries Celebrate Their Independence

Today is Canada Day. I join our Canadian family and friends in singing their national anthem! “O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.” We sang those words many times when we lived there. I am so pleased to wish all my Canadian family and friends: “A very Happy Canada Day!”

Both of our two North American countries are celebrating their national holidays this week. Canada Day is July 1st and, of course, our U.S. Independence Day is Thursday, July 4th. Sorry, Britain, you’re not invited to these parties. In Canada, July 1st commemorates the 1867 formation of the Dominion of Canada, when the British colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Canada united and became a “kingdom in its own right.” This was an important step toward the eventual passing of the 1982 Constitution Act, making Canada a fully-fledged nation independent from Britain.

Our U.S. holiday was a large step toward independence from Britain. Pretty decisive, in fact. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress at the Pennsylvania State House in the midst of the Revolutionary War. In1783 the colonies won true independence from Britain, and it took until the end of the War of 1812 before the two countries could be allies.

Canada and the U.S. celebrate similarly with fireworks and barbeques. I celebrate both of these days because they really are beloved countries to me. U.S. gave me ME! And, Canada gave me my sweetheart! I'll admit I'm a little nostalgic today -- thus these photos of special times in Canada.

I am so grateful that I married a Canadian who stayed Canadian with great pride and honor for his native land. His family became my family and his country became my country. I sincerely meant it when I said in my wedding vows, from Ruth 1:16-17 “Wherever you go, I will go, Wherever you dwell, I will dwell; Your people will be my people, And your God will be my God.”

And, go with Him, I did. I was proud to live there, serve and work for an incredible university, The University of Manitoba, to be a member of many organizations: President of Women's Aglow, member of the German/American Club, Canadian Real Estate Board, and see our girl become Miss Winnipeg and go on to the Miss Canada Pageant and to be Canada's representative in the Coca Cola World Chorus at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. She's on the top row by David Foster. Our son’s entrepreneurial spirit and talents were etched in stone there where he got his official kick-start in business. We still have life-long friends and beloved family members there.

So, today, I’m singing "Oh Canada" which became as precious to me as my own "Star Spangled Banner". I'm grateful that my children have dual citizenships with the U.S. and Canada. Canada opened its doors to our family in so many ways and I just want to say, "Thank you, Canada, for your friendship, your patriotism, your pride of country and your willingness to partner with the U.S. in so many strategic efforts. God bless you....from sea to shining sea. God keep your land, glorious and free. Oh Canada we stand on guard for thee!"

Life-Changing Experiences When Trusting the Master and His Plan

That's me -- Director of Telecommunications and Mail Services at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada -- 22 years ago.  This was the cover of MTS' (Manitoba Telephone Service), magazine.

What a blessing to have worked at the U of M for the 7 years that we lived in Winnipeg.  Of course, Winnipeg was home for my husband -- he was borne and bred, Canadian -- and always remained a loyal patriot and lover of his Canadian roots.  And, what a blessing for our entire family to have had such remarkable and life-changing experiences there.  Our son, Ryan, at only 19 years old was ranked in the Top 10 Winnipeg Realtors. Our daughter, Staci, became Miss Winnipeg and went on to compete in the Miss Canada Pageant and won overall talent, with a hefty $$ reward.  She also was selected to represent Canada in David Foster's Coca Cola World Chorus at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

And, I, having the most wonderful experiences at the U of M.  Originally hired in the President's Grant's Office, eventually moved to the Communications Offices, and though the position for Director of Telecommunications was advertised for someone with a Master's Degree in Communications, this little Southern gal, with only a high school education, but who burned with passion and desire and strong work ethics, loyalty, determination, drive, and willingness to learn WHATEVER -- was hired to that position. I received several awards for some of the innovations I brought to the university -- one of which was "Voice Mail".  (Who would have thought that those days in telecommunications would pave the way for my "telecommunications" business in Solavei today and getting to a make a huge difference in people's lives with FREE mobile service and also residual income? )

Why do I share this story?  Because I want everyone to know -- God has plans for our lives -- we went to Canada on a faith venture -- didn't know what our future would hold, but we KNEW that we KNEW God had great things in store for us there.  It was a faith journey that led to life-change because we BELIEVED.   Often, folks wait for the "just perfect circumstances" to make a life-change, to start a family, to take a risk on an opportunity that comes their way.  And, often, folks aren't willing to take ANY job to help make ends meet.  First, I proved myself in the UM's President's Office as a "Temporary" Office Assistant, was eventually hired to a salaried position and became an Administrative Assistant in Communications until I was promoted to Director of Telecommunications. What in the world would cause us to leave Canada and me, to EVER leave that position?  Our first-born grandson in Oklahoma.  The rest is history.

How awesome it is to be hooked up to the MASTER, Who has the MASTER PLAN for our lives.  When we trust Him with all our hearts -- risk taking, living on the edge,  and venturing out into the unknown becomes a WAY OF LIFE -- and oh, WHAT A LIFE IT IS!  Try it!  "For I know the plans I have for you -- plans to prosper and not harm you -- to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11