Ray of Sunshine

There is a word out there that not many people know what to do with – Grief. Actually people know the word, they do not know how to do the process of grief. We hear it bounced back and forth as something we should and need to do – but what exactly is “grief”. There was a time I got an excruciating pain in the top of my one leg that filtered right into my abdomen and down my leg in a way that sent me to the hospital. The pain was fierce, a shock wave of terror letting loose in

I think the title of this blog is fitting because I am sure some of us are ready to say "Oh ya, I have not heard much about Fort Mac....." but lest we forget that they are our Albertan and Canadian family members - we dare NOT forget. One day it could be you or I in need of our Albertan and/or Canadian family. When I went to the Southern USA in 2007, I drove through four states and one of them was Mississippi. I got to drive through cities that had been ravaged by Hurrica

Fireweed. God had placed a burst of color amid the land of the dead and it was then that I got this analogy for my life. I have suffered tragedy. While the details are not all that important what is important was that it destroyed my life as it was. It came through my life with such intenseness and heat that I feared I would not survive it, and often I prayed I would not to as the pain got too intense to bear. I felt like I was alone, I felt no one would or could unders

You know life has a way of creeping up on you when you least expect it. You are going along thinking all is well and then WHAM! Out of the blue comes the unexpected. Whether it is a sickness, a death, a job loss, children or the loss of, breakdown or break up of a marriage or relationship, or even teenagers, these things comes without warning and after you endure their ravages to yourself and your family, you are never, ever, the same. Sometimes it is quick, sometimes it

We have a routine at our house if we are going out. Get the two dogs a treat of some kind, put up the baby gate to bar the living room for "off limits" and turn on the radio to cover any “weird” sounds that will start a barking frenzy and disturb the renters downstairs. Well this week I also had Jax my grand puppy and he was in his kennel locked into a bedroom. Friday night I got home just before ten at night, I came in and let my two golden retrievers out and went to get J

First Wednesday of the month - Charity Feature It is Official - Rising Above is having a New Addition! The old Young Offenders Center is now going to be the Rising Above Park Campus. Located at - 11007 106th Street (just south of Centre 2000) Grande Prairie, AB To Bring Awareness of the new Campus and to Rising Above - Dan Rigler and Grande Prairie's own Super Volunteer, Doug Edey will be camping on the roof of the Park Campus from Friday to Sunday. Come support them in t

As I wind up the finishing steps in our latest wood working project it has become an analogy to the term finishing well. We have another kitchen island almost completed and I am spending my time sanding, staining, more sanding, varnishing, waiting, more sanding and more varnishing. The result is astounding - taking a raw piece of wood that has given me a few good splinters, to a finished smooth and amazing piece of functional kitchen furniture. For me that is the truly fun p

It became apparent when we were talking with someone recently that bringing light to a dark world is not just a Ray of Sunshine Ministry thing. There are some amazing people and groups that are bright lights in their own way. Once a month we will shed some light on these fine folks and introduce them to you. A couple weeks ago I heard a report about todays youth and suicide - the numbers were dismal. When the person being interviewed was asked what the biggest issue facing t