Curl Up With a Good Book
 

Heaven is for Real 

I stumbled upon this book on accident really. It was in 'Recommendations for You' on Amazon - and I desperately needed something to read on my Kindle.  Within pages though I was hooked and by the end I had tears rolling down my cheeks. It is touching, and moving, funny & exciting and frankly... it has some pretty adorable parts!!
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I think that anyone can read this book - obviously though it is written by a Christian, and it is about God & Heaven... but it may be the book that makes a believer out of you!!!

What gets me most about the book is that the Dad doesn't seem to be a quack.  I've since watched plenty of interviews, done more reading about the Burpos, and became a fan on facebook.  They seem like down to earth people who aren't in this for the "fame & fortune" of it.  

Maybe the other thing I loved about it is that after you read it, it's hard NOT to believe in Heaven - and not only that there IS a Heaven, but that it is as great as we've always imagined it to be!!! I find comfort in the people & animals that Colton talks about being there.  I guess it gave me a sense of peace - and it seems like it gave me the permission to let go of that chunk of grief that we tend to hold on to - the fear of the unknown.  

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The book kind of makes you feel like you've just been told that everything you "hoped" was true - for the sake of those you have lost, and for yourself - really is.  It's the book that makes you feel like rainbows & kittens inside!

I've been asked if I believe it's possible that it is all made up - or that the child just has a vivid imagination and can make realistic pictures of things he heard in church.  Yes, it is COMPLETELY possible... but my feelings about it are similar to that of placebo pills.  It doesn't matter if it is just in my HEAD that they are making me better, what is important is that it is making me better.  Similarly, it doesn't matter if Heaven isn't REAL (because ultimately, by the time you find out, you'll be dead!).  If it gives us peace of mind, in times of grief & sorrow, and it makes us optimistic about "life after death" so we go through life living happier, and not fearful of the future - then it doesn't really matter if it turns out that it really is just another book.

 I think if God was going to reveal the truth to Heaven about anyone - it would be a child.  Heaven IS for real.....

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When you live in Canmore - Heaven seems just that much closer!
 

Holidays - A Cruise in Review!!!

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I have been on Spring Break for 2 weeks. Yes, 2 - - I can sum up teaching in Canmore with 2 short phrases: Jean-day-every-day. And. 2 weeks of Spring Break.

Week 1 we went on a cruise! It was FABULOUS!!! We were firs time cruisers - we had NO idea what to expect, and in order not to be dissapointed I set my sights low. I imagined a dingy, small boat, little light, crowded, line ups, and smaller than possible rooms!!! I was thankfully wrong about all of those things!!!

The boat was beautiful. It had tons of windows to see out to the Ocean, and it rarely felt crowded.  The food was AMAZING - I couldn't believe how much food there was!! We had a beautiful room with a gigantic king sized bed, and those white sheets that you just die to crawl into at night.  For some reason "white sheets" seems soothing to a sunburn!!!

I really enjoyed the "activities" side of things and we wandered from Trivia games, to shows, to karaoke, to .... well .... more trivia because we REALLY liked the Trivia challenges!! We even joined in on Bingo on half price day!!!!

Drinks were definately expensive - I would say that was the downer - but neither Mel or I are big drinkers, so it was just the boys we had to worry about - and in that much sun, and with reminders about budgets - they didn't do too bad!!


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Cabo was a neat place to visit.  I don't think it compares to the beautiful, lush, green land, white beaches and turquoise waters of the other side, but it is a pretty cool desert to tour around!! We did a "Rhino tour" and it was.... intense to say the least! Aside from fearing for my life as both Kyle & Melissa drove racecar style around curves and over sand dunes, I had fun!!!


Kyle got the highlight of his life when he held the baby tiger ---> see exhibit A! It was apparently some rescuse organization that was helping to save endangered species. I did not take down their name, nor will I google them, becacause if it wasn't legit - I'd rather not know - and I'd rather let Kyle happily remember this moment!! He was in awe!!! Thankfully the viscious little creature slept while Kyle held him. You can catch Kyle on the new animal network channel as "The Cat Whisperer".

Would I reccommend a cruise? For sure! Would I go again? In a heartbeat! Carnival Cruise lines was great - they were easy to deal with, and the whole process was mostly hassle free!!! If you are going cruising - get in touch and let me tell you about a few vital things to pack!!!!

Week 2 of my holidays was spent at Mom & Dad's - R&R and TONS of visiting with friends, and babies, and family!! It seemed like an action packed week - but at least 2 days I spent in bed until late in the afternoon - and  loved it!!!

To top it off - we bought a brand new mini-van.  But that is for another post.... coming up: Books Reviews from Spring Break Reading!!!