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14 May 2008
Subject: YIKES, back to school at 46!
Time: 17:22:40 o'clock BST
Author: abicequeen
Mood: Anxious
Morning Dear Friends,
I will start this blog this am although my heart is somewhat anxious as today I go to see the Ongologist for my check-up. WHY when I know my life is in God's hands do I do this to myself. Fear is NOT of the Lord, but from the pit of hell..
God literally spared me from death's door by 10 minutes and not to live the rest of my life in such trepidation and fear...I need so much prayer here.
Written by abicequeen
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10 May 2008
Subject: Beautiful Rocky Mountains....BANFF, AB.
Time: 16:15:25 o'clock BST
Author: abicequeen
Mood: Chillin'
Hello Dear Friends, As we continued to live at the motel that God had provided for us to run, our youngest daughter had got involved with ski racing and would go to a neaby hill to practise. One time she went with the Banff team to Mt. Hood in the summer for a clinic and was told by the coach that should she really desire to attain her goal of the 88 Olympics she MUST come to the mountains.....WELL there was NO way that I was going to send this 14 yr. old off alone and I said to hubby you know there really is nothing keeping us here per se as the one daughter was off to University and the son was on his own so away I go at the end of summertime with my girl to find us a place to live, a job for me and to get her set up in school for her last 2 grades.
Now I am sure any of you who read this are familiar with BANFF, AB as one of the most beautiful spots in my Province of Alberta.
We arrive and having already worked at the motel felt I would easily score a job but that month owners are letting staff go as it is a bit of a breather till the winter ski crowd comes.
I had connected with a family who I knew the mother in Stettler and for you hockey fans it was RYAN SMYTH formerl #94 of the Edmonton Oilers grandmother. His mom and dad were so gracious to my daughter and I and introduced us to their church family.
I finally got a job at KFC (you know the Colonel's place) and although it might not have been my choice I was grateful and we lived in "staff accommodations" upstairs. In Banff employers must provide a place for their staff to live.
Well it of course was interesting but you know God gave me much insight into the lives of the young people who came to that church and lived in their own residences....because you have to understand these Christian kids are exposed to lifestyles beyond their realm.
My boss at the KFC was VERY efficient and at times I thought a pain in the ......but later learned when we bought our own place that this was a training ground God had provided for me.
My youngest girl just LOVED Banff as there you could just be "yourself" and unlike the small-town attitude fancy hairdos, makeup and all that were not needed...She could finally be au natural...
The only thing was the "new girl on the block" was very cute and of course no matter where you live other girls do NOT like a competitor...One of the gals that really gave her the toughest time went to the same church and EVENTUALLY they became great friends.
The boys of course liked her but were amased how great she was at sports.....because in Banff other than girls skiing that was about it.
Our Banff Park Church was a great family and we quickly grew to love these new brothers and sisters in the Lord....and for me I found that I could minister to the young kids undestanding what it meant to live in this tourist town.
Our daughter accomplished much in her skiing and her main discipline was downhill and one day in Lake Louise as we watched the events we awaited her to come to the bottom...well she did but on a stretcher....she had momentarily lost her concentration and fell. You must understand these skiiers are going around 100 mph....She had been selected that day for the Alberta team...
Our girl recovered and went back to skiing but the edge had been lost and she was not sure that she wanted to dedicate the next 10 years of her life to this sport....as by then the 88 Olympics were not possible.
Her Dad and I said whatever she choose we would back her decision.
Our business was two restaurants, one called Banff Pizza which was located between the hockey and curling rinks. The other was in the basement of a motel that catered to the Japanese tourists..
This arena would be utilised by NHL teams that were coming to Calgary to place the Flames...so just to tell you a few stories...we had a couple of video machines outside the kitchen door and this cute fellow was playing them and I inquired if he had anything to do with the hockey team? (LA was there) He replied, "well sometimes they let me play goal." It was Kelly Rudie..(sp) Another time a nice looking fellow came and asked Chuck if he could come in the kitchen and phone his wife Janet as the press were literally following him into the shower. You might remembe #99....anyway Chuck would often ask the players how he could pray for them....We also noticed that the best of the players were the most modest.
Also while there a little guy called Ryan Smyth would go on the empty ice for hours and hours till the rink rats would say you have to get off. I thought I would never see anyone who loved hockey more than my son but this young Ryan sure had dreams...and I never doubted that one day he would accomplish them. Of course his career started in Edmonton with the Oilers and recently with the Colorado Rockies.
After my KFC experience a fellow from our church gave me a job in one of his motels...A family owned three of them and so I started as a housekeeper....YIKES that is why to this day I strip beds, empty garbage and generally clean up for the maids when I stay in a motel or hotel...(hubby just laughs at me)
My time at the "Red Carpet Inn" was short lived as I actually got fired by the gal who had run it for Arlin for years. My problem is I take on to much responsibility at a job and so one night when a family showed up and there was no room and I was accused (falsely) that it was MY screwup I called hubby and said change the sheets I am sending over a couple and their son to stay. The next day I was let go, but Arlin just moved me over to the next motel.
Eventually another lady from our church told me to come and apply at the Banff School of Fine Arts where she was in charge at the Front Office so away I went and just LOVED LOVED this job.
I met some of the world's most famous people as they had to check in where I worked. This was considered a stepping stone job but it was ideally suited to me.
I will continue again....life in Banff was great....but hubby wanted to seriously persue cooking and get proper training....should he go alone on an apprentice program, or should we both go.....????????
Written by abicequeen
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Subject: Sorry these retirees are sooooooooo busy...
Time: 03:40:51 o'clock BST
Author: abicequeen
Mood: Happy
Music: Paul Potts
Hello friends,
Will get back to my journal next week. It seems since retiring we are busier than ever.
Blessings,
Lori
Written by abicequeen
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23 April 2008
Subject: Pleeeeeeeeese Lord do I have to??
Time: 17:51:50 o'clock BST
Author: abicequeen
Mood: Quiet
Music: depressing news
Morning Friends,
Well another day with lots of snow so I will just stay put in my cozy home.. PTL for having one...
As we went day to day managing the motel it was not a difficult job but you were on-call 24 hours a day. Although we locked up the front door at midnight people could ring a bell. Sometimes I felt like Pavlov's dog and would JUMP out of bed...for sometime after finishing here I would hear a bell and feel an immediate response.
Loretta, was an excellent housekeeper and like I mentioned I did try to witness to my staff. WELL one day I do not even remember what I said but her response to me was, "You people are not supposed to talk like that!" Of course the reference I would assume was to Christians. In the wake of whatever she quit her job and left.
No sooner than that happened God strongly told me I HAD to go to her to apologize for what I said and ask her forgiveness...OH NO, not that Lord...but again when the Holy Spirit gets on your case you better respond.
So one day I drove over to her house, and she did let me in and I genuinely expressed my apologies and she all but spit in my face...OUCH Lord but you have given me the grace here.
Over time I would see Loretta and wave to her because I do believe (although not always doing) that the verse in scripture that talks about this situation is true.
I never gave up and would wave or say hello if I saw her but always she would ignore me or whatever....BUT then one day she waved back....and then one day she called me to see if there would still be a position to work at the motel as she would like to come back and work with us...PTL for your goodness and thank-you for your prompting in this matter.
Loretta and her family needed desperately to have the Lord in their lives and when she came back I continued to witness to her as was suitable.
Years later when we came back to visit this community I specifically went to another motel where she now worked to say hello.
PRIDE is a horrible thing and so often I believe God's kids let that get in the way of seeking forgiveness for those we have wronged...and many other situations.
I have a newer friend here and when she wonders how can I even be civil to my step-mother I respond, "Wendy it is ONLY because of the grace that the Lord gives me each and every time that I can do this"
I even have been encouraging her in a situation in her family involving her step-kids that maybe SHE might have to make the first move although very hurtful and mean things were said to her, her children and her husband.
We stayed working at the motel for just over 2 years and slowly started to get back on our feet. Our youngest daughter had become quite involved in ski racing and was told, "in order to attain your goal of the 88 Olympics, you will have to move to the mountains...well Lord what do you think??
To be continued next blog
Written by abicequeen
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22 April 2008
Subject: The enemy is always there to try and cause you to fall...
Time: 15:23:32 o'clock BST
Author: abicequeen
Mood: Chillin'
Music: Just my bod telling me how sore it is today...
Morning Dear Friends,
Well to continue the story with Randy.....In the time he would stay with us at the motel I started to share the gospel according to the scriptures and not how the world sees it. No, unfortunately not everyone will go to heaven....There is very specific instructions from God how we can spend eternity with him.
Randy was on the road a lot and so I had found small NKJV pocket Bibles that I would give to people and so I did that with Randy and as he left I told him that I would be praying for him and his family.
The next time he came we had a visit and then I had to leave to go shopping and when I walked back into the motel there was a brightness shining in our living room (which was just off the office)
I walked in to find my hubby and Randy there, and my hubby was leading him in a prayer for salvation....SO what do I do instead of immediately rejoicing...I think "that is not fair I I I I was the one who talked with him...see how easy the devil wants to sneak in and cause your pride to surface. After I received a chastisement from the Lord I hugged Randy (and he was one big man) and rejoiced with him.
It was interesting to find out later that men he had been working with Randy were believers and they to had planted the seeds along the way as well.
I have come to the place in my life where I know we all are a part of a plan for people's lives and ministering to them and bringing them into the fold...but we MUST listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit...even if in our flesh we feel we would look foolish...
I know personally that I am hopeful that while I am still alive to see some fruit but I also know that this may not happen in my family until I am gone.
God IS good and He DOES hear the prayer of the faithful...
In running the motel we had several staff and I really tried to be a faithful servant and speak truth and be a good PR rep. for the Almighty but BOY did Iblow it with Loretta my head housekeeper...
to be continued on the next blog...
Love and blessings to you all today..
Written by abicequeen
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21 April 2008
Subject: Being blessed and blessing others...
Time: 17:47:38 o'clock BST
Author: abicequeen
Mood: Hopeful
Music: Rod Stewart....old old 30-40 songs
Morning Dear Journaling Friends,
As I look outside at so much snow and want to gripe I realise how fortunate I am to be able to stay warm inside...I think of the times when hubby and I were atttending Culinary Arts at SAIT in Calgary we would help with the Mustard Seed outreach and at that time there were so many that were homeless and had little to eat....Lord may I NEVER take for granted how you have blessed me in so many ways...
So.................here we are running a 50 unit motel...really the only difficulty was when you had wedding parties....YIKES>>>those folks could be a challenge...
One day this fellow checked in and then shortly after returned with his key to inform me he was going out jogging and oh by the way while I was up in the room God spoke to me and this customer versed a scripture etc. etc. and said I am not sure if this means anything to you but by your tears I will assume yes...Being a skeptic and not familiar with this verse when he left I looked it up and basically what it meant was all that had been lost God would restore unto us...Now you must remember this Baptist was certainly not familiar with words of knowledge, and many things that scripture talks about....
One day Randy came to check in and he became a regular visitor. He would come back to the office and visit but the FIRST time he walked through that door I heard the voice of the Lord say, "Lori, I want you to tell this man about me." YIKES there we go again with things that were rather unfamiliar to me but IF you have ever had God tell you something specific you KNOW you better do it or He will persist....
Anyway believe it or not, I am reserved and in this case not exactly sure how I would approach the subject but one day he started to tell me the story of his child that had died and how much he looked forward to seeing her one day....Me, being an A personality took this advantage to ask, "Randy, may I ask just how you are sure you will see your daughter?" The conversation progressed from there and I will continue on my next blog...
I share the saddness of the passing of Perianne....we become very close to those on these sites we only meet by internet...May the Lord bestow His grace upon the family at the difficult time..
Written by abicequeen
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20 April 2008
Subject: "Please do not make stipulations on my provision for you child"
Time: 22:31:52 o'clock BST
Author: abicequeen
Mood: Quiet
Dear Journal Friends,
This is my youngest grandchild....for now that is as he is going to have a baby sister in July...much to his and brother chagrin...they want their mommie to find a family that wants a girl and they will take a "brudder" Oh Lord you bless my heart so much with these little ones in our life
 I will try to remember what I said before my entry going into cyberspace although hubby would probably say, "Lori you are NEVER at a loss for words"
Todd finished with all of his treatments and I praise the Lord that this sickness was to "the glory of God" as both his father and I continued to acknowledge that the Mighty Physician has touched not only our boys sick body but our decaying ones and brought us back to life to begin to learn how to live that life He intended.
I had always told hubby I did not want to have the Sheriff end up at our door one day to evict us so I started to look around for a place for us to live...Of course when there is virtually no money it is hard.
In all our married life we had lived in all types of accomodations so I guess I was selfish in saying that an "apartment" would NOT be a choice!! As my title of this says....no stipulations.
One day I get a call from a local realtor saying, "Lori I understand that you and your family have to move?" Yes, but it is not easy to find something due to our circumstances which I am sure you are aware of.
This man said to me, well Lori how does FREE sound....my heart lept and of course I could not believe the words. The good Lord had provided a place to live where we had to pay NO rent...guess what it was??? An apartment so our duties were to keep halls clean and collect rent in lieu of our rent. My hubby and I had a few chuckles on that one...
We have moved many times over our life to that point but going into a small apartment forced us to unpack all boxes as there was little storage and for the first time in years I set up house "completely. (even this place we are in now for the past 10 years has boxes in the basement)
We lived there quite confortably, our business was closed down, we had to deal with the bankruptcy issues and most of all swallow our pride although you know what somehow that was not hard as our dear Lord bestowed SO much grace upon us.
The Lord showed himself in so many miracles and one before we left the house, we owned a very unique 57 T bird that had been made in England. Prior to leaving our house, I saw it being towed away and that was fine as it was part of assets we had.....Only a short time later my husband got a call from a gentlemen inquiring if he had previously owned this T bird and would he like to buy it back as it really was not suitable for his boy??? Chuck said he would talk with TJ and see what he said, but inquired "how much do you want for it?" I only want back what I paid which was $200.00. NOW you must understand the value of this car at the time was 10X so once more I marvelled at this miracle.
One day I had left the apartment to visit a sick friend and while at the hospital, I told him that I sensed something was going to happen....not that I was fearful but I just knew. Of course it was great to have a place to live but we were still not able to bring in sufficient $$$ to live very well.
Then one evening we get a call from a person who wants to inquire if we would be interested in managing a motel in Stettler which we had driven by everyday for a LONG time.
Long story short (if you can believe that) we met the owners up in Edmonton and in 15 minutes they gave us the job which gave us a 3 bedroom attached property to the 50 unit motel plus wages.
PTL PTL PTL....for He is so good.
It was different in this job but again neat things happened there as well. Also Mom Kellough (I called her) had been faithfully giving us a cheque to help with groceries and one day I just said, "Mom we can never thank you enough but I know the Lord will bless you so much and now it is time to find another family you can help as we are starting to get on our feet." This couple from our church did things like this very quietly with NO one knowing.
Journal friends my neck is getting sore so I am going to close off for now.....but will tell you about how we were ministered to and we were able to minister to others while managing this new job God had placed us in.
Ljj
Written by abicequeen
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Subject: phooey.................
Time: 04:47:36 o'clock BST
Author: abicequeen
Mood: Frustrated
I just finished writing a mega entry and then it got zapped somewhere....I will attempt again tomorrow. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaarghhhhhhhhhhhhhh This is son Tj who is now 43 and his only child who will be 14 this summertime...I will finish "the rest of the story" as far as I see although I know there is things I can not see that God has planned for this man....
Blessings,
Lori
Written by abicequeen
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16 April 2008
Subject: "I carried you my child"
Time: 03:19:54 o'clock BST
Author: abicequeen
Mood: Hopeful
Hello Dear Friends,
Well obviously I was delusional that I could write while tending the little grandsons ha ha...What a blessing to be with them and Nana does run a tight ship so we got along fine when remembered that Nana is not as easily swayed as Mommie.
I hope that I do not repeat myself with this continuation of my story..
I remember one day sitting out in the lobby at the hockey rink when a little old lady (probably the age I am now) came up and said, "Lori, I thought your boy was sick.?" I said yes, Gertie he is and she said, "how is he able to continue to play hockey then?" I think TJ used this as a release but before the team hit the ice he would hang back and ask his father to tie up his laces as he was so weak. To this day I marvel at this young man who probably did not know from whenst his help came....but in the "International Tournament" he was picked the MVP of all members from many countries.
Todd continued with chemotherapy treatments for about 6 months and your world continues on....but somedays you know it was the Lord who carried you through each step of the way.
There was a short break for TJ before he started his radiation and for that we drove up everyday (2 hours)for about a time of 5 minutes for his treatment. I know for me(radiation treatments) they tattoed me permantly but for that time 1981 they must have used some time of indelible pen.....so although TJ was told to be very careful in bathing and NOT to shower he comes out from showing one night with a pencil marker and says "Mom, can you remark those dots they put on me at the Cancer Clinic?" Well what do you do...you almost freak out, no sense getting mad you just pray Lord help me to be sure that I am marking the dots right.
The results of the radiation caused TJ not to be able to eat as the first go round was higher up and affected his throat. One of his buddies at school commented, "hey Tj don't you ever wash your neck as he looked like a real toasted marshmallow.
It was interesting that the school chums were really not aware of the gravity of TJ's situation and I guess that was all right. He would never talk with us about anything although we kept an open dialogue so he would know he could ask us anything.
I remember finding the cost of travelling so horrendous that I was not sure how we could pay the gas bills...when our Pastor said "you could probably get some help from social assistance." THAT whole experience although very grateful for the help was NOT a fun one. The lady who was my social worker was not meant to be in that profession.
As the warm weather approached ball season was coming and I was concerned as I knew that TJ could not really be exposed to sunlight but when I talked with the radiologist she just said to have him wear a turtleneck and if it meant he had to go behind the dugout to be sick let him be as this was obviously a way he could deal with what was happening in his life.
In April I helped with the daffodil sales for Cancer research and I asked permission to put my son's football picture up. I wanted to tell folks that the slogan "Cancer can be beaten" was often true and here was a young man living proof.
Our life continued to change spiritually as a person can often go "overboard" and I became keenly aware that we were spending to much time at "church things" and neglecting our kids.
Of course there was confusion by the two eldest who wondered why now we prayed before meals, why there was a Bible visible on the table and why mom and dad were going to prayer meetings and church....
By now we had left our house and had to find a place to live....hard when you have no money...
To be continued....
Written by abicequeen
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11 April 2008
Subject: You tell me Lord you will not give me more than I can handle, but are you sure about this??
Time: 18:05:40 o'clock BST
Author: abicequeen
Mood: Quiet
Music: "Cavatina" by Paul Potts
For a moment journal friends I want to set the stage as we are walking this valley....the bank had called our notes and because we had "personal guarantees" it meant anything and everything we had would be taken. One day not long before all was set in motion, the Lord showed himself again as I was trying to figure out how I could pay the rent on our shop one more time, and a man came into look at one of the last little motorcycles we had left and he said" I will put a deposit on it to hold it," (and in my heart I said oh if you would only pay it all now it would help) and then he said oh I will pay for it all and come back later in the week.
My friends the amount he paid was EXACTLY what I needed to add to what I had for that rent. PTL once more for seeping into my consciousness that HE WAS WITH ME each step of the way.
(PS we are babysitting in Calgary so will write this off and on all day)
Due to little money coming in hubby was off travelling the country selling tools to help put food on the table. Our meeting with the gentleman that was in charge of our bankruptcy (my mind is blank what he is called) and as he talked and went over things he looked at me and said" Mrs. J you have such a strange look on your face?" You see I had a friend who also went through personal and business bankruptcy and had a mental breakdown......so when this fellow seemed almost kind it puzzled me. I said (not that it would be easy) but we had struggled SO hard for a couple of years trying NOT to go this route and he replied, "that is because you and your husband are those type of people" who would not at the drop of the hat file bankruptcy.
I mentioned to him that the only thing I personally would feel bad about losing was my piano as mom and dad gave it to me when I was younger.....and it had helped over the years as I taught piano while the kids were little. His response was "Lori how many students do you have now?" and I said well none and he said "oh yes you do...find at LEAST one and I will not take the piano as it will be considered a means of income..
Chuck also commented about his tools to which the man said "No Chuck you can use those to make income."
I had recently bought a littlecar on my own and you were only able to have a vehicle of about $2000.00 and so I said that was hard because I knew I was going to be driving everyday up to Edmonton. He then said, "Lori if you can convince Chrysler Credit you can make payments you keep your car as you do not have enough money in it for me to take it back.
Now you must remember we live in a very small town so everyone knows your business but that is all right sometime as I went down and talked with the young man and explained the situation and he called the head office. Now you know head office would not give a care about these folks in Stettler but I know our salesman would have given us a good report SO once more God provided a vehicle that was reliable...
So here we are each day my hubby is off early in the am and I am off to the Cancer Clinic 2 hours away each day as my son did not want to stay up there in one of the homes and I understood that.
People would come into Chuck's Sports who I had NEVER seen before and tell me they were praying for us...
Now back to our recent return to church, yes many rejoiced in this and for me I wondered why the change in heart, our youngest was so happy as somewhere in our selfishness of life this little girl was not able she thought to tell her parents the MOST important news ever that she had accepted Jesus at DVBS (daily vacation Bible School) I still cry in my heart to think about this....WHY would she as mom and dad never went to church anymore and their life was wrapped up in work and sports for their kids.
As soon as 48 hours had passed when they put TJ on very strong chemo. pills he said "mom I can breathe better." During this time our son continued to play hockey despite coming home from the clinic to sit on the lu and hold his head over the sink for hours till their was nothing left. I do not understand but I guess we did not use the anti-nausea drugs then like they did with me.
One day as friends were over visiting I heard the story of what happened that morning out on the serene and glistening whiteness of the snow covered parking lot. Chuck told them as he looked over there was Christ himself telling my hubby , "Chuck your boy will be all right." Hubby thenexplained that it was as if a plug in the bottom of his foot was removed and his whole being was drained out of everything...and at that moment I now know that the Spirit of the Lord FILLED my hubby to the top...
I queried "why did you not tell me this before Hon" and he said well I was surprised as you had always been the "religious one."...and then I said well you DO know why it happened to you right? Our house was OUT OF ORDER and you as the Father and Husband had to step into the role that God had always wanted for you...
Friends....the tears are flowing as I remember this so I will stop for now...
Written by abicequeen
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