The unique sights and sounds of Victoria, British Columbia

                                                            photo by Jann ~ Aug 2007

   Sea anemone or dahlia??

      ph                                  photo by Jann ~ Aug  2007

Dahlia at Butchart Gardens

                                photo by Jann ~ Aug 2007

Dahlia at Butchart Gardens
Victoria 

This was my absolute favorite flower/photo I was able to take at Butchart Gardens!!  We don’t recall seeing a name for it, but we think it could be called ’Sunburst’ or ‘Fireworks’. What do you think? Either of these names, or another?

Exciting days in the Assemblies of God 

As a 57 year old, AG lay person I have been intently praying and following interesting blogs before General Council; praying more and following General Council as much as possible while we were in Victoria. Well, that is when we were at the motel at night and could access my laptop. With the 3 hour time difference that meant watching sessions live was not an option. I got most of my news Thursday night from the Springfield newspaper. After we got home Friday night the SGF newspaper and blogger Rich Tatum’s August 10 post (including the comments section) gave me the details I desired.

General Superintendent: George O. Wood
Assistant General Superintendent: L. Alton Garrison
General Secretary: John Palmer
AG World Missions Director: L. John Bueno (reelected)
AG US Missions Director: Zollie L. Smith, Jr.

I have a variety of thoughts on this. Briefly I will comment that I think the Assemblies of God has made a lot of progress in this General Council. I was very glad to see George Wood and Alton Garrison elected. There is open dialogue about a variety of things. There is tremendous progress in Zollie Smith, Jr, the first black man being voted to a national AG position …. as AG US Missions director. Also, there were great strides made for credentialed women, and younger male pastors (40 and under).  Dr. Beth Grant was in the top three receiving votes for assistant superintendent. The resolutions regarding ‘female/younger pastor’ being elected to the Executive Presbytery had mixed progress… one passed and the other did not. I care very much about these measures and I feel significant progress was made. I pray for those who may have felt it was not enough progress in the overall voting, etc. May they be blessed with divine patience and tenacity as they serve the Kingdom wherever they are called to minister. 

PROGRESS!!!  In my perspective, it is exciting days in the Assemblies of God fellowship of churches.

“The Council Today” coverage at www.ag.org gives the overall report of the elections and business sessions. I am not sure this direct link will work… giving it a try.

Edit: Saturday afternoon update

Oh, wow!!!  I have mentioned before the Future AG blog site.  I just saw that the response our General Superintendent-elect, George O. Wood, made at Future AG Friday afternoon (which I had not seen earlier) was reposted as an entry today. Look for the Saturday, August 11 post. I was deeply touched by this and the 5 comments thus far. The dialoguers see this blog exchange as groundbreaking and a ‘defining moment’ in our Assemblies of God history!!! Wahoo! for using 21st century technology to advance the work of the Kingdom of God!!!!!.

          
                        Jann by The Empress Hotel 
                   Victoria, British Columbia, Canada 

Glen and I had a great trip to Victoria with our church’s PrimeTimers group and several younger guests.

Spoon theory

I am having an episode of pain in my thighs and hips.  It is amazing how much I think I understand about my health and then something else raises its head.  I wonder if this is a variation of fibromyalgia, or is it something else like low potassium level?  Three weeks ago I had this flare for the first time.  After a week I bit the bullet, called Kaiser and was able to get my muscle relaxant prescription refilled.  Between taking several doses of that and a visit to the chiropractor for electrostim and heat, I was able to pull out of it.  How quickly I can forget.  But then that same situation can rise again.

I’m adjusting some commitments today.  Am hoping to be able to be prepared, and able to go on our 4 day trip with the PrimeTimers from our church to Victoria.  Need to be at the church at 7:45 Tuesday morning.  Have done a load of clothes so far so that is good.

Looking online to see some possibilities for the leg pain, I wandered past this article called Spoon Theory.  It is from a gal who has lupus.  When I attended the Arthritis Foundation support group for fibromylgia in Denver, the analogy was a bowl of marbles.  You only have so much energy in one day.  This article really describes her day to day life.  I am thankful my life is not complicated every single day.

Photo albums being moved automatically…

I have had my photo albums at Yahoo in the past. As of Sept 20 they no longer will host photo albums. They are now offering info on the various places that host albums.  I have gotten interested in the varied capabilities of www.shutterfly.com and their Shutterfly Studio. It looks like I will be able to do a variety of things all in one place. Now I can have my photo albums transferred automatically. And they will even give me a free 8×8 photobook. Sweet!

I imagine I could take advantage of what Xanga offers more. But I like the albums I already have being taken care of without effort on my part.  They will email me when the process is over.  How painless is that!??

Meanwhile, I have become inspired to sort through STUFF. Yeah! I had looked at Craigslist Monday morning to see if someone would like my canning jars – pint size. Later that afternoon I learned my girlfriend’s son is having a garage sale to raise money for going to School of Ministry with YWAM. Super! I appreciate the extra nudge to sort through my pantries … inside and in the garage… plus more household areas. It feels so good to sort and clean.  Well… sort, toss or give away, and clean.  Actually, I am really getting motivated with my paper clutter to just toss….forget the sort!!! … (as much as possible)

My neighbor lady, Jane, and I went to lunch today at a Thai restaurant not far from our homes. There was a picture on the wall that reminded me of this photo of mine.  I had given Jane a copy one time and she felt it was alot alike too. This was taken at a nursery south of Hilo, on the Big Island, Hawaii. So much beauty, and so many opportunities to savor this beauty.

Edit= Check out niina’s post for the locations of great Thai food she is findng locally.  Since she knows the real stuff, I think her recommendation means alot.