Wednesday, June 29, 2016

OUR WEDDING STORY- Almost There... Part #4

Now, The Rest Of Our Story...
...(Continued from part ONE, Part TWO, and Part THREE (Click each number to go to it's corresponding part in out story)

Sharing our wedding story is quite an enjoyable thing to do. Wanting to share this story in a more personal way, I decided to make a video telling this part of the story.
It is never a bad thing to reflect and remember wonderful events in our lives. And for me, all events, good and not so good, are all a blessing. Without all the aspects of our lives, we wouldn't have lessons learned and our lives changed, changed forever...forever, for the good.
Telling the ongoing story of the incredible life God has blessed me...us with, is also an opportunity to give honour to Whom honour is due. Who is that you may ask?  If it wasn't for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and His saving, life giving work in our lives, we wouldn't be here. Not only would there not be a wedding story to share, there wouldn't be any "us" to speak of.

My Grandpa E, My Sister and Me...even this young,
my heart was to be married one day!
Before I continue on with the last segment of our "New Beginnings" together, it is important to me to share the state of heart God brought us to, in order to prepare us for marriage. You see I had spent my entire life believing that being loved and having someone to love would fill my heart to over flowing. That I would be so happy, I wouldn't be able to contain myself. Over and over, mistake after mistake....well click the video below to hear what I am trying to say....










Below is the link to a Video article to the Next Part of Our Wedding Story 
(Click the image to watch it). 


May the our lives be a testimony to all that our dear Lord God has done and is always doing in my life and I know Craig's too.

Subscribe to find out when the final PART FIVE is posted!
Thanks for stopping by, like and share :o)
My dear sister in Christ Jan, who is in Heaven....


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Wednesday, June 22, 2016

It's The Worst Thing In The World?!...

The Worst Thing In The World...
When I first started out as a young woman, about the age of fourteen, I knew that because of my Neuromuscular Disorder, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, that I would never be able to have children. It was at this time, that a very inappropriate incident happened while I was an inpatient,on the paediatric floor of our local hospital. Thank the Lord, He spared me from what could have resulted in a life altering decision, that I would have made out of sheer ignorance. 

It sounds unbelievable but it happened, while I was admitted for back related surgery. I don't want to share all the sordid details, because they have no purpose. But, the story in general is part of a life changing lesson....  I came home believing I might be pregnant! Sharing my fears and the details  with my closest cousin/friend. We kept it to ourselves during Christmas break. I didn't know what to do, except talk with her thankfully.  It was far too scary to tell my parents. Filled with shame and the fear of the worst rejection, my mouth stayed shut. By the end of my two week Christmas vacation, my nerves let go and began shivering and quaking my insides. It was during their  New Year's eve house party, as I was tucked up in bed, that I summoned my mom in tears.  I had to say something. After all, I might be pregnant (or so I feared). As the tears rolled down my cheeks, she entered my bedroom and asked what was wrong....the words didn't come. All I could say over and over was, "It's the worst thing the world, it is the worst thing in the world..." Oddly enough, my Mom guessed immediately, what I was trying to say. The bottom line was, she said I would have to have an abortion if I was pregnant. I just agreed, it was all I knew to do. She didn't yell or anything like that, it was all so matter of fact. She said I had to tell my Dad! Terrified of making him hate me, I laid there shivering some more. He entered my room and she exited. And again, all I could say between sobs, was..."it's the worst thing in the world.... over and over" He didn't say it out loud, but it was clear to me that he also knew what I was talking about. Something tells me, they had discussed this before. He gently affirmed what my Mom said about what I would have to do, if I was with child. He left the room and both went back to their party. I must make sure that it is clear, that my parents do NOT approve of abortion at all. Back then, the belief was that pregnancy could kill me.
Phew!
Well, after Christmas break, I was brought back to my second home. It was a residential institution for children with disabilities where we could get physic and occupational therapy. And in my case, I could attend an accessible school. For some reasons I shared what happened with one of the Registered nurses at the time. Not because I was scared, but because back then, I was a desperate young lady, wanting to be loved and to love. For some reason, sharing something like this (even though the boy should have been arrested), with others, in my twisted mind was my way of letting people know that someone "loved" me. 
Well, this boy did not love me one bit. It was wrong and should not have happened. 
Another person was eavesdropping and called in my Mom, recommending that I be put on the birth control pill. My mom later told me that she said, "no, I think Anita, has learned her lesson." Dear Mom....thank you for your vote of confidence.
Thankfully, I wasn't pregnant and what I thought happened, didn't. However, my neediness, still meant I was going to make bad choices. It is clear to me, that that summer when I was fifteen, I got my first full time summer job as a Recreational Assistant at the Nipigon Hospital. One day while I
was in the huge library there, lying on the huge board room style table was a single book. Maybe it was beside there, not so sure...all I know is it was the only book I remember seeing. Can't remember the title, but it was loaded with photographs and testimonies all about what abortion was. You see, up until that moment, even though I had agreed, I never knew what it meant to have an abortion. I just knew it meant I wouldn't be pregnant anymore. Not for one second, did I consider, how that pregnancy would end. Nor did I even consider that it would actually be murder....a choice, I would not have been able to undo. If you don't really know what happens in an abortion, I beg you please research the subject. If I didn't find out, the Lord only knows what would have happened to me. Once I knew it was wrong, I wouldn't of had one, even if it wold have killed me to be pregnant.
God Opens My Eyes
I wasn't following the Lord at this point in my life, but I definitely now believe, He orchestrated that event. So I could work there (thanks to my Mom's help), and just "stumble" upon this powerful book! Needless to say, my fear of ever getting pregnant, kept me from making anymore wrong decisions that might result in pregnancy. In no way, did I ever want to risk that happening. So much so, I didn't even trust the birth control pill. That one or two percent chance, for me, was still too high.
Unfortunately, I did make a huge, foolish decision a year or so later to have a tubal ligation. It was for all the wrong reasons and sadly, I wish I would have learned much sooner what real love was. But, all things happen for a reason and I know nothing is in vain. 
Here I am, alive and able to share what God did for me and does ever single moment. 
Abortion Survivor?!
This woman I want to share below, also has an even more incredible story to share...Did you know there are those who have survived an abortion attempt on their lives? Gianna Jessen, is one of the most  amazing ladies I have ever discovered on the internet. Until "meeting" Gianna, I never knew that there were adults in our world who actually survived a murder attempt on their life, in their mom's womb. Gianna's Mom went to an abortion clinic. The Doctor did the horrifying act of  believing he was killing Gianna. Her wee teeny body was left on a shelf or some cold place like that and then miracles of miracles happened...God caused a nurse to intercept this tiny baby's life, struggling to survive. It has been a few years or more since we first watched her testimony, so I don't have all the exact details. But I remember the nurse brought her to a hospital to get medical care and Gianna survived! It was a true act of God as she blesses the lives of others, through being adopted and sharing her story and her passion for supporting the protection of ALL human life.
Worth Watching....
Meet Gianna

What If?
If you have had an abortion, please know that if you confess your sins and repent, turning toward Jeus Christ, we all can find forgiveness. I could never be good enough. Jesus loves you. Without Him, I would not be here.

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Wednesday, June 15, 2016

OUR WEDDING STORY- A Cat Or A Man?- Part #3

Love my wee sister! God only knows, if it wasn't for her, I might not have reconnected with Craig :o)
Now, On with the Show... this is it......
....(Click HERE to read Part  ONE and Click HERE for Part TWO )
Well, I wouldn't admit it at the time, but, I was thankful that my sister persuaded me to hop on that bus, fears and all. I made it back without missing any accessible connections.
However, nothing changed that day about and feelings for Craig. For sure, he may have looked a lot different than I last remembered him. In fact, I had to keep saying to myself for the next while, he's the same Craig from before. The same guy you me, at that time, about ten years earlier. As for potential romance, nope. Aside from my brother-in-law's chiding, nothing, Nada. I didn't let any thoughts beyond friendship/acquaintance fill my mind. Well, that was until...
I Need A Cat, NOT A Man!?
My family's cat, Leon - sadly he isn't on the earth anymore.
About a week or so later, my sister asked me to meet her at Walmart. Off I went. I use to "walk" every where I wanted to go, when possible, using my power chair. It is hilarious to me, that over the course of my life, when I mention anything about going for a "walk," there actually are a rare few, who declare, "You can't walk!" Sarcasm at that moment, is soooooo tempting...."Really?! I can't walk!? No way?!..." See, tempting :o)
Anyhow, when I arrived there, my attention was captured immediately, by a young lady giving away kittens.  Impulsively (story of my life), I suddenly considered a companion for my kooky cat Maggie, she was a spontaneous, random biter! Not fun. Her cute pink nose, was deceptive. All cute and cuddly, reach out in trust to pet her, and suddenly your hand meets her opening jaw, that suddenly snaps shut with pointy teeth and all. She even would attack visitor's feet, when the mood struck! So ya, maybe a new friend would help her stop trying to eat the humans.

As we wandered on through to the wallpaper and paint section, suddenly I heard a familiar voice!
Wish I could say Leon was my cat, but nope, 
he was my dear nephew's and his parent's! He wanted my cone.
Guess who?
(Reminder: Craig is certain the Walmart encounter happened before our visit to his home in Part 2
Yup!  There's Craig again! I'm not a gambler, but what are the odds that we would connect three times in less than a few weeks?! - and yet,  zero contact in four years!?
He was shopping for wallpaper, redecorating his bathroom with a friend. My thoughts were divided, pay attention to him, or go find a new kitty for Maggie???
So I introduced or re-introduced - depends which came first -  him to my sister. (Maybe he's right, maybe that was the first introduction - argh! Must find my journal!) 
A Man, Not A Cat?
Definitely, I was feeling uncomforatble as he spoke, makes sense, after all, we were in public! Shaking my head, trying to dismiss his his flattery, I told him that I needed to go find the girl giving away kittens.
One of my own favourite cats named "Bob," - because he had no tail. This is about 25 years ago.
Because my sister is good at interior decorating, I told him that she could give him a hand selecting wall paper. As I tried to leave, to go get that new kitten, he responded with bold statements, words that I had never heard him say before... 
"You don't need a cat in your life, you need a man!" 
He definitely, caught my attention. Huh? Does he mean himself? Not wanting to take him too seriously, again I tried to be indifferent, and attempted to dismiss what he was saying. But then something even more puzzling, flew out of his lips...
"You could of had me, but you kicked me out!" 
Stupefied, I asked what he was talking about! Since, not once had we ever even dated or anything like that. Not once, had he even shown anything more than just "one of the guys, plus a few compliments, type stuff toward me. Remember, I contemplated more, but gave up on him.
Embarrassment aside, I wondered what on earth he meant. Here we were, four years later and here was Craig, making public declarations like a town crier!...   "You could of had me, but you kicked me out!" 
We were never in any kind of relationship, worthy of being kicked out of! He never reciprocated any of my subtle or not so subtle  attempts at letting him know, I was "interested." Remember the stalking? -( click here if you want to know)  So why on earth would he be talking like that? 
Four years,  NOTHING! Assuming, he had no clue that I ever "liked" him that way, I just tried to flee! So off I flew, to get that darn kitten.
Needless to say, his words whetted my curiosity, tempting me to wonder if there was some potential there that I never knew about. None of it made sense, in light of his usual behaviour toward me. And now this...what if...maybe?....just maybe.....?
I would be lying if I said his declarations didn't affect me at all. What kept coming to my mind was, he never talked like that to me before! Why now? What does he mean? I didn't think he really knew I even really existed beyond, the casual "bump into you moments. So confusing....so tempting....
Where's the Man?
Hmmmm...marry Anita???? Or not to Marry Anita?
Well, when I got home with the new fluffy little kitty, Maggie, my temperamental cat hissed and literally got her back up ,at the sight of a competitor for her affections. Concerned, yet, overly obsessed with mind, reeling with the possibilities of what Craig declared in Walmart. In front of witnesses, including my only sister! Don't worry, I didn't let my distracted thoughts ignore the endangered new kitten. 
It seemed clear that I needed to make a move, just incase he meant something more.
I admit, I wasn't disappointed at Maggie's crazy attitude, I now had an excuse to phone Craig and call
Oh, at the gym where I used to stalk him!! So handsome.
him on his words. Words that kept playing, over and over again in my spinning brain. Anxiously, I called my Mom and Dad, I told them about the new pet and that Maggie might devour him, if I kept him one moment longer.
Now this was certainly all meant to be, because many times, I had cats that seriously misbehaved, and my parents would never consider adopting them from me. Wonder why? After all, what's wrong when your cat, leaps and swings off of your macrame plant holders, like Tarzan the cat man?!!  No, that wasn't Maggie....you don't want to know that one's name. It isn't politically correct. 
The fact that my parents taking any of my kooky cats off my hands, was something that normally, would never happen, was a HUGE sign. For some reason, this time, of all times, they agreed to adopt their new little buddy. He became, Charlie number 3, living a great life in the country with my great parents.
Not waiting in moment, as soon as I hung up with 
my folks, I dialled Craig's number.

I can't remember what he said, I was nervous and unsure of what the results of my brazen boldness would be. It was a risk, but then what he said was equally out there too. What did I have to lose?
"Hello." Craig answered (I assume).
"Hi Craig, I got rid of the cat, now where's the man?"
The long and the short of it is within a few months, obviously, we got married!
But I do want to share the stories leading up to that day, especially our seven day courtship....well, you will have to wait for part four, if you want to know the rest :o) In fact, you might want to know that there was a condition about crazy Maggie. You'll have to come back to find out what it was :o)

Thank You God For my Mom and Dad and that they adopted the kitty that day!


Side Note...
By the way, normally ladies, I wouldn't recommend being that overt with any man.  Maybe it can be likened in a small way to the book of Ruth in the Bible? Okay, maybe not. In quick summary, Ruth was to show her "interest" for lack of a better word, to this man Boaz, her kinsmen redeemer. She laid herself down at his feet as a communication of her intentions, as directed by her former mother in law, Naomi. (Ruth was widowed) Boaz responded and they were married and their offspring, were the the ancestors of Jesus Christ. Regardless, a great historical event worth reading about.

[Ruth 3:4-10, 14 KJV] And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. 5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do. 6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her. 7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. 8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. 9 And he said, Who [art] thou? And she answered, I [am] Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou [art] a near kinsman. 10 And he said, Blessed [be] thou of the LORD, my daughter: [for] thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. ... 14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Hope it made you smile just a little.

To Be Continued..

My dear Dad, getting me to the church on time....




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Thursday, June 9, 2016

OUR WEDDING STORY...Almost There: - Part #2

Yup, that's me, Anita! Not quite ready for marriage then.
(For part one of the Beginning of our Wedding Story, just click HERE)
Ever since I was about two or three, I wanted to find that special someone and get married. Just ask my Mom, she said I bluntly asked a boy when I was about 2 or 3...
"Are you gonna marry me or not?!"
Silence Broken
Back to our story...Yup, we didn't talk for about four years, maybe a bit more. Then one day, out of the blue,  the phone rang, it was Craig's familiar voice! He just decided to call to say hi. It was the end of June or beginning of July, 2001.  I was happy to hear from him, but I didn't let it go to my head
I am ready for marriage then!
or anything, I just said to myself that I should remember to try harder, to keep in better contact with him as a friend, that his call didn't mean anything more than that. (Ya, right!)
Actually, I felt kind of bad because I hadn't thought of him at all during the "silent" years. Maybe once, I may have pondered the question,  I wonder what happened to Craig B...?
Boyfriend?
A week or so after his call, my sister literally, talked me into hopping on the City's weekend only,  wheelchair accessible Bus to a local Park. Terrified of going so far on my own, worried about being able to return alright, I fought her all the way. But as often would happen, my sister was able to convince me to meet her and her family out there. Nervous? Yes! But, I made the correct bus connections and before I knew it, I made it out there before them!
As I waited for them to show up, I suddenly was struck with the remembrance that Craig B lived out here! Using my mobile phone, I called him to let him know what was happening and asked if it was okay if we walked over to see him. I had never been to his house/camp before. When my family got there I told them about this fellow Craig and how we were going to his home. Off we went. I hadn't actually seen him in about four years and boy, did he look different than I last remembered. His hair was much greyer and he had just changed some how. I had to actually focus on reminding myself that this is the
He's a handsome bloke~
same Craig B that you once knew. We didn't stay long, but after we exited, my alway funny brother-in-law said quietly to me, "Nice to meet your boyfriend!" My response was a shocked, "N, way! He's not my boyfriend!" Oh, little did I know just how quickly I would discover my dear brother in law was right, as if he knew something we didn't.

To Be Continued...


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JONI'S STATEMENT ON THE GLAMORIZATION OF PHYSICAN - ASSISTED SUICIDE IN THE NEW FILM "Me Before You."

You Before Me Film Is A Propaganda Film...Don't Believe the lies they are promoting....
Assisted Suicide is suicide non-the-less. Murder. It will always be murder, be it murder of your self or of someone else because they were assisted, it is still taking a life that is not your's or our's to take. God is the ONLY One in charge of life.
At first when I watched the movie trailer for "You Before Me, initially I was lured into the over all cuteness and the fact that I saw the main character was a person who used a wheelchair. There was an apparent romance (however unethical with the person's nurse, but I would have to confirm that), who doesn't like that in  a movie...Well, then a friend send me notices about what this movie was really promoting. And then another dear friend sent me the link to the below article yesterday. And article written by one of my hero's, Joni Eareckson Tada.
Even if they say please do it! It isn't right to do. Read this great short article about the newest propaganda film to promote these lies called "You Before Me." Click HERE to read her article.
Joni Eareckson Tada herself experienced the
temptation to want to escape the consequences of her tragic diving accident back in 1967. She was seventeen years old and was facing the fact that her spinal cord was broken which meant she would face life using a wheelchair full time, due to paralysis from about her chest down. But praise God, He didn't let her friend give into her  request for assistance. This can be read about in the autobiography Joni penned, called "Joni." As well as by watching Joni play her self in the bio pic called "JONI." It is excellent.
It is mind numbing to hear those who actually believe the lie that due to physical disability or injury or whatever it is, quality of life doesn't exist.

To learn more about the value of all life, watch a plethora of great videos of the lives who inspire Joni from Joni And Friends. There are great documentaries about Joni as well.

CLICK HERE TO Check out the list.

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