Merry Merry Christmas

   O Come All Ye Faithful by rocacruz
vocals:Donita Sabater
guitars: Filbert Wong

O come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of angels

O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ, the Lord

O sing, choirs of angels
Sing in exultation
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above
Glory to God
Glory in the highest

O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ, the Lord

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee
Born this happy morning
Jesus, to Thee be all glory given
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing

Need to hear God's guidance?

"The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring." Isaiah 58:11

Though the Bible never uses the word guidance, it does speak of a Guide. We may seek guidance, but God provides something better--himself.

Many of us struggle to understand and discern God's guidance for our lives. We ask questions like: Should I marry or not? Should I marry this person or that person? Should I have another child? Should I join this church or that one? Which profession should I follow? What job should I take? Is my present line of work the one to stay in? Herein lies the major distortion of knowing and doing God's will. Does God lead and direct in these areas? Yes. Does he come out and overtly tell us what to do? Rarely.

So how does God guide us? Consider these principles:

God's guidance concerns itself more with our steps than our overall journey.

God's guidance is more preoccupied with the present than with the future.

God's guidance has less to do with geography and more to do with morality.

God's guidance is more interested in our character than our comfort.

God's guidance is not insider information.

God's guidance is that we pursue the Guide more than guidance.

In seeking God, his plan will be revealed. His way will lead back through his Word. If the step is more critical than the journey, and the present is of greater consequence than the future, and the Guide more essential than the guidance, what is needed? We need to know the right step to take. We need to know what we must do in the present. We need to know the Guide. God does not guide us magically; he guides us relationally. Therefore, the Bible must be studied so we may become acquainted with the ways and thoughts of God. God's aim is that we become his companions who walk with him. He already knows us. Now he wants us to understand and know him. The more we understand him, the more real our relationship will be with him and the more likely we are to keep in step with him in the direction he is taking us.

By:Laverne Riley

Mill Bay to Vancouver to Banff

Mill Bay British Columbia - Vancouver British Columbia
Trip length - 3 hours Greyhound  ( 30 day discovery pass)


    Met up with an old friend who I haven’t seen in years. I met her daughters and mother in law. Vancouver is one of my favorite cities!!!

 Vancouver British Columbia - Banff Alberta
Trip length - 20 hours Greyhound  ( 30 day discovery pass)

    I liked Banff but it really felt very touristy. I did some hiking, Gondola ride and walked around the  town. The town was filled with tourist like me LOL. I enjoyed my Bisson Burger  and riding the gondola. I stayed in Hi-Hostel Banff, I recommend getting a Hi-Hostel card

Canmore Alberta to Victoria British Columbia

Canmore Alberta - Victoria and Mill Bay Vancouver Island British Columbia
Trip length - 1 day Greyhound  ( 30 day discovery pass)
I enjoyed the scenic view from Canmore to Victoria. The mountain ranges are majestic. I also saw some animals like deers, bear and woodland caribou on the road.

    When I got to Vancouver to take the ferry to Victoria, I learned that the Greyhound bus lines do not  ride the ferry anymore and i would have to pay for another bus company to reach Victoria from Vancouver. I did not want to pay so  I asked around and i found out that I can take the Greyhound bus to Nanaimo, there is a Greyhound bus that will meet you as you crossed the island. That bus can take you to Victoria. (I hope i was clear.)

    I was housed by beautiful people who were so hospitable and loving..

Toronto Ontario to Canmore Alberta

Toronto Ontario - Canmore Alberta via Greyhound Bus ( 30 day discovery pass)
Trip length - 2 days and 9 hours

First experience in traveling by bus in North America. I read allot of tips in the internet about traveling by bus, I have taken note of it and used it but these tips I have are from my own experience.

1. Make your itinerary clear and take note of the bus transfers and length of lay-overs.
2. Bring food most of the stops are fast food chains. My food suggestions are Trail Mix, veggie snacks, sandwiches, water, and fruits.
3. Pack very light and you don’t have to bring a sleeping bag. If you are hosteling most hostels do not allow sleeping bags (fear of bugs) they provide sheets, towels and blanket already. For my 45 day journey i brought just 5 shirts, 2 under shirts, swimsuit, 4 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of underwear, 2 trousers, 1 long sleeve shirt and a jacket. Laundry service are available in most areas.
4. Avoid drinking coffee. Its a diuretic and will make you “pee” all the time. There is a toilet inside the bus; however, its so difficult to use it while the bus is moving.
5. The bus can be cold so be prepared. Neck support is good, small blanket for the bus. I used my long sleeve shirt as blanket.
6. Use the stops to stretch arms, back, legs and neck. The bus stops 3-4 hours.

    Canmore is a great place! Lots of hiking! http://www.tourismcanmore.com/activities/ I recommend Georgetown Inn http://www.georgetowninn.ca/ great food!! and The Hostel Bear http://www.thehostelbear.com/ its walking distance from the Bus Terminal and is in the heart of the town.

Emabarking a new journey part 3

One week to go!!! My semi-final itinerary ...
Destination:
Canmore, Alberta
Vancouver, British Columbia
Victoria Island, British Columbia
Banff, Alberta
Japer, Alberta
Yellowknife, New Territories
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Thunder Bay, Ontatio
Montreal, Quebec
Quebec City
Sainte-Anne-des-Monts
Gaspe, Quebec
30-45 days journey!

Bottled Water or Tap Water

Is bottled safe? Not really.. Tap water is monitored every 3 mins
Does bottled water taste better? NO taste test FAILED when compared to TAP water
Is it cheap? NO .. its 2,000 x more expensive
Bottled water fills our land fills!! Trashing our environment.
Its a Manufactured Demand .. Scaring us, misleading us and seducing us to believe that bottled water is safer
Please help redeem our planet .. our mandate.

Embarking on a Journey Part 2

Backpack Travel Preparation - Pack and weight training

I have made my skeleton itinerary and my plan has widen. I now plan to travel from Toronto-Vancouver Island, Canadian Rockies, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick then back to Toronto in a month and a half.

I packed my backpack with the following items:

sleeping bag
5 t-shirts
bathing suit
one pair of trousers
1 shorts
quick dry towel
2 tank tops
wet ones
toiletries (toothbrush, tooth paste, soap for clothes, coconut oil and baking soda)
a month supply of vitamins
5 pairs of socks
underwear
tights and gloves
pajama
slippers
5 finger vibrams!

The sack itself and the sleeping bag are the heaviest.. but everything in total is under  15 pounds. I packed early so I can start walking with the backpack for a month as weight and endurance training. My goal is to walk every night around with my backpack! Sounds crazy but I’m no spring chicken anymore. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Backpacking and Hiking

Preparation is a key. Preparation is fun and I love the process. Im starting to understand   and enjoy every part of every plan. Its not only a natural or physical preparation but also a spiritual one.

I pray that God gives me the key to every city and town I visit. That I will be a blessing every where.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Gal 2:20

Embarking on a Journey Part 1

Planning a trip from Toronto to Vancouver and back to Toronto on August 2011 via Greyhound discovery pass. Budget tips for greyhound women riders

Preparation Stage 2 months:

• Set-up a prayer shield to cover me in my travels.
• Haircut, from my mid-long hair to super short hair. Its such a hassle to have long hair and travel. So will have to chop off my hair, and turn it into a wash and wear hairstyle. Hair idea the 2nd to the last picture
• Make an itinerary
• Make reservations in hostels
• Check out friends if they are willing to house me.. il be like an “angel” in disguise
• Work-out ! There will be allot of carrying uggh!! and walking (love walking! not carrying)
• Packing list .. super pack light! (2 trousers, 4 t-shirts, 2 tank top, 1 jacket, sleeping bag, pajamas, 2 long sleeves polo, toothbrush, comb, hat, scarf, gloves, flashlight, underwear, baking soda, flip flops, bathing suit, extra glasses, 1 walking shorts) guide to packing

Tentative Itinerary:
1. Toronto to Canmore Alberta  (2 days and 16 hrs)
2. Canmore to Vancouver (13 hrs)
3. Vancouver to Vancouver Island
4. Vancouver to Banff (13 hrs) Moon Canadian Rockies: Including Banff & Jasper National Parks (Moon Handbooks)
5. Banff to Jasper (whole day traveling the Icefields) dream destination banff
6. Jasper to Edmonton (5hrs) 

7. Edmonton to Saskatoon (7 hrs)
8. Saskatoon to Winnipeg  (13 hrs)
9. Winnipeg to Thunder Bay (9.15hrs)
10. Thunder Bay to Toronto (20.5hrs) hostel in thunder bay

No-Soap Challenge

No-Soap Challenge

I started the “No-Poo” challenge last April 28 and at the same time i started the “No-Soap” challenge. Its been great! It is only a challenge during the first 2 weeks, but as time passes it becomes a way of life.

The Disadvantages of Soap http://www.soapalternatives.com/benefits.php
Soap is the simplest type of surface-active agent - surfactant - and works by making fat and oil water-soluble and easily removed by wiping or washing. Made from fatty acid salts, soaps clean by reducing the surface tension of your skin with anionic agents such as carboxylate, sulfonate and sulfate ions which are potential irritants.
At one time, it was thought soaps caused irritation by removing only fat from the outermost layer of the skin, but research indicates that soaps damage affects both the fat and protein structures of this top layer. This can cause unpleasant skin reactions and lead to a rougher skin texture. More bad news: the soap salts that emulsify dirt and oil are by nature alkaline and will raise the skin’s acidic pH as well as provoke swelling of the skin surface. Some studies have shown long-term use of a neutral or alkaline surfactant, such as soap, can increase the amount of bacteria on the skin, while swelling can lead to cellular damage or even breakage. Soap salts can also remove natural moisturizing factors and disrupt the skin’s protective barrier. The fatty acids in soap can have harmful effects too, by plugging follicles (pores) and causing acne.
No-Soap Advantage
-hair and skin softer than ever before
-hair less greasy than before
-saving money

I use Baking Soda for my hair and body and i feel very clean.My hair and skin is very soft. I used to get allergies from an unknown source and now its gone. For almost a month now i have not had an allergy attack.

Oh after i take a shower i use Virgin Coconut Oil as a moisturizer. I stopped using lotions.

Taking the "No-Poo" challenge

No-Poo means No Shampoo..

I'm now trying to get into a more simple way of consuming products that are 1st healthy to my own body and eventually contributing my lifestyle to a healthier environment for everyone. After all, aren't we called to be part of God's redemption?

This is a challenge to simply  not wash your hair with the toxic, chemical-laden, store-bought shampoo that damages the hair and strips it of natural oils and leads to all kinds of diseases in the long run, like cancer.

Suggested "new" way of washing hair:

Dump one to two tablespoons of baking soda in a container (those they use for coloring)
Add to it a cup or so of hot water.
Shake until the baking soda is dissolved.
Pour it in small amounts over my scalp, thoroughly massaging the portion of the scalp that the baking-soda-water hits, until it feels slippery (at first it will feel gritty).
Continue the pouring and massaging until my whole head feels slippery.

Rinse thoroughly. It should feel squeaky clean now.

To condition the Hair:
U can use Lemon Juice
or Apple Cider Vinegar (this can have vinegar smell)
or White Vinegar (no smell) a small dab of coconut oil

Rinse thoroughly. It should feel silky soft now.