MOVIE TEASER "RUST" VIDEO TO VIEW

We want to share an address with anyone interested in a new movie coming out this fall. It is being filmed this week as I write. Our daughter and her husband and their four children will all be in it as well as a lot of the people from the town of Kipling Sask. I will include the website address for you to go and view the TEASER of THE MOVIE : "RUST"

OUR GRANDDAUGHTER IS IN THE MOVIE AND SHE HAS WRITTEN SONGS THAT WILL BE PRESENTED AS WELL AS SOME MUSIC BY OUR DAUGHTER

HOPE YOU ENJOY!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rust/77274123107

It has been awhile but I am still here. We had a incident this winter when the weather went to 40 degrees below an our water pipes froze and burst. We suddenly had a new indoor pool 4 feet deep. It was quite a mess and we have spent the last month or two clearing out everything to either throw away or try to dry out and save. Everything has to be washed with bleach - the walls, shelves, and anything washable. I am now putting wallpaper on the rusty clean shelves. Some time in the future I will try to get them painted but for now the wallpaper will do the trick. All canning jars and lids and plastic containers and whatever I find down there will have to be washed and put back on the shelves. My husband Gary dug out all the dirt that fell away from the back wall and carried out over 50 pails. I had him pile it to make me a raised flower bed. I dug up a spot and laid out newspapers in think layers and covered that with cardboard and spread out some of the pails to cover it. Then we emptied out the compost bin and put a layer of that and then another layer of dirt. The worms should be very happy now as they have all that new dirt to work on for the summer. I may try to plant a few things there but it probably won't be ready until next spring. Praise the Lord that now my basement is about 3 feet longer and maybe we will yet dig out more dirt. The basement has dried up quite well since we removed the basement window and replaced it with a screen so the wind can blow through and air it out. Well, another experience in our life to learn by. But in all that mess the Lord protected our computer which was stored there. What a surprise when we glanced into the little glass partition in the side of the computer and saw DUST not MUD. Hallelujah what a Saviour!

KYLES UPDATE Jan 7, 2008

As you know our 4 year old grandson Kyle underwent surgery to remove a growth on Dec 12 which took 7 1/2 hours. They had to take his shoulder apart and open up his back to remove 4 ribs and a growth the size of the four ribs as well as part of his lung.

Our daughter Stelena shared with me how amazing it was to have no fear during this time of waiting and how awesome it was how the Lord gave her total peace.

The doctors told her that a certain amount of time had to pass before they could test the tumor because it had to do something beforehand.

On Jan 7 when she had to take him for his blood count she also met with the doctors. They were excited at his progress and how well he was doing.

The tumor was 90% dead !!!!!!! Praise the Lord!
The doctor said that 80% is good, 85% is excellent and 90% is above excellent. They smiled as they gave her these results.

He will have to have radiation treatments starting Jan 21 every day from Monday to Friday for 4 to 6 weeks because of how aggressive Ewing Sarcoma is and they don't want any invisible cells to be undetected.

They planned for him to have physio therapy to regain the use of his arm after surgery but it is not necessary as it is working perfectly and he has good posture. The stitches were done so well that there will be very little scaring.

When they asked her how he was doing with pain medications she told them he isn't taking anything and has no pain.

They are excited at how well he is healing and doing. They gave her pictures of the ribs, tumor and lung on a CD which she is thankful for their consideration.

I asked about the expandable material used to fill in the space where the ribs were removed and she told me that it will slowly dissolve over the next 6 months and the body will fix itself and fill with fluids. When he turns 18 years old he will have to have reconstructive surgery. This allows for him to have his full growth so they can build a ribcage for him at that time to fill in the cavity.

Stelena said that you wouldn't believe 2 weeks ago he underwent a major surgery such as this.

We want to thank you all for your prayers and appreciate your continued prayers for the outcome to be in God's hands. Gary & Linda Smith

Results are finally in for Kyle

PRAYER REQUEST FOR GRANDSON

Here are the requests and updates I have been coping and pasting to send out to friends for prayer.
September 2007
We are so thankful the Lord is in control. Stelena is wholly trusting in His protection and is shining for Him.
It is in God's hands and we pray for wisdom for the doctors. He has been on chemo for the past few months but the growth has not lessened in size and now it is their decision to operate Dec 12. The growth is attached to his rib bone behind his lung which caused his lung to fill 2/3 full of blood and this had to be drained with tubes. The Lord has been good through this time upholding Stelena and giving her unusual strength to do what needs to be done. She told me that she cannot believe that she is driving on Toronto freeways almost every day. Also she has learned how to give Kyle his shots necessary after each round of chemo which is absolutely an act from God. She is surprised at herself and knows it is of the Lord.
We have not been at the computer much of late as we just returned from a unexpected trip to Ontario. We had news that our 4 year old grandson was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma which is a rare bone cancer. Gary and I would appreciate all prayer chains to join us for God's protection for Kyle. He is such a cheerful and tough little guy. Shortly after learning of this and him being admitted to Sick Kids our daughter gave birth to a daughter Teija.
Gary and Linda Smith

Kyle is our 4 yr old nephew and weighs 40 lbs. He has been diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma. This is an agressive and rare type of cancer found in 1/3,000,000 people between the ages of 5-15 yrs old. They are not sure how it forms. It is a bone eating cancer that eats into the bone. Kyle has tennis ball size tumour on his 3rd and 4th back rib. We don't know how long it's been there. They discovered it in mid-September.
He did have another tumour form on his lung (which meant it had metastesized), but it disappeared. There is a rim left to show that it DID exist!! Isn't God good!! The doctor said, "it was real, it was there, and now it's gone". Praise the Lord!!
We have been praising God through this awesome incredible miracle. Kyle's chances of survival were very slim at that time. They had already hooked him up to receive bone marrow as a last resort. They gave him a 10% chance of survival. God chose to change that rating around to 75% or more. We're claiming in faith 100% healing!!
Kyle has undergone 6 chemo treatments since that time. He is being given the most toxic dosages. He has had a blood transfusion and has lost his hair (these are all pretty routine symptons of treatment). He also gets Heparin put into his catheter tubes daily between treatments. The tumour has not SHRUNK at all!! So they will need to take it out. This cancer grows agressively and the bigger it is the faster it grows. Ewing does not have stages. It is a stage.
On December 12th Kyle will go into the hospital at 6am (Ontario time) and start surgery at 8am(Ontario time). The doctors say that the surgery will be for 7 1/2 hours. They will be opening up his chest and going past the heart and lungs to operate. They will put him in ICU for 24 hours minimum after that to monitor the heart and lungs. He will have tubes sticking out all over him to drain the fluids that will build in his body during surgery.
They recovery time is 7-10 days if he is doing well. We claim it in Jesus' name!
The tumour is stiill partially alive. We want it D-E-A-D and suffocated of any life. If it is 75%-90% dead they will only have to continue chemo treatment. If it is still alive they will have to do radiation every day for 4-6 weeks. This is not a GREAT option.
My sister Stelena is a strong believer in God. She prays faithfully over Kyle, and because of that has not had to take him in for any fevers. It has just gone away after she prayed. She plays healing cd's all the time in his room, even if it is turned down low.
She is married to Keith and has 3 children Nathan (11), Benjamin (6) and Teija 2 1/2 mths old. This has been a very trying time for their whole family. They've had to stay with other people during this time. God has provided for them and is taking care of their needs. They will have to stay in Toronto until May.
Thank you for all who have been praying already. We are just sending out a petition for others to join in prayer. The more that pray the more powerful the warring angels can raise up and fight for wholeness and healing. Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the time to read through this lengthy email. We are BELEIVING!!! We are DREAMING!! We have FAITH!
Please pray for:
1. Kyle's immune system
2. Kyl'es heart and lungs to be healthy and strong
3. Precision for the surgeon
4. Wisdom for the doctors and nurses
5. Strength and hope for Stelena and Keith
6 Support for them emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually
7. The tumour to be DEAD
8. Whatever God leads you to pray
If you have any thoughts or prayers that I can send on to Stelena please send them on. She would be so encouraged.
Stacey
Dec 12, 2007
Hi Mom,
I'm just talking to Stelena. Kyle's out of surgery and they got the whole tumour out. Praise the Lord!!! They took out 4 ribs. They're putting expandable material in its place. He is still resting, but it's looking great!!! The doctor said that he did awesome in the procedure, no bleeding. They only had to take a touch of the lung and stapled it back. We're waiting to hear the percentage of what's left alive in the tumour and the tumour was smaller than they thought it was originally from the tests!! Things are looking good. Stelena will know more tomorrow. He's in ICU for 24 hours minimum. I will talk to her tomorrow and send you a line.
love you,
Stacey
Dec 13, 2007
Hi Mom,Stelena is in ICU with Kyle. As far as I know all is well. I talked to her at noon today. I will try and call her now.
Dec. 14, 2007
Hi mom,I did send you something last week. I don't know which email, but I know I did. He is at home now and is doing great. He had a lot of pain for the first few days.
They are letting her know today about the radiation. We are praying he won't have to have it.Stacey
Dec 20, 2007
He is at home now and is doing great. He had a lot of pain for the first few days. She should be online now that she's back home. They are letting her know today about the radiation. We are praying he won't have to have it.

I have included a couple pictures: One of Kyle and his mom Stelena and the new baby Teija. Linda

Born Sept 20, 2007 weighing 8 lb. 10 oz. Teija

I Got a New Plant for Indoors

We will be heading home as tomorrow is the last day of Stampede and my garden awaits my tender loving care. I miss being able to go outside first thing each morning and finding things that need doing. My husband has been watering all plants in pots for me and I am afraid he will get attached and take over my job I love. LOL This is the guy who would not let me have a plant in the house because it was dirt. Now he is digging up spots and asking me to plant more and he amazes me when he brings home plants that have been discarded and says, " Can you do anything to help this survive?" This was when I started to realize how addictive gardening can become. Today I transplanted an umbrella plant into a nicer pot for my daughter. I told her it deserved special treatment because she has had it for a number of years and hasn't managed to kill it yet. I asked her if I could have a piece from it because I had to have a plant that could survive so much neglect. It is a lovely plant and it is getting new leaves all over it even though the ground was like dry concrete. There was absolutely no moisture in the soil. It looks so much nicer in the lovely stoneware pot instead of those black plastic throw away ones you bring your plants home in from the nursery. I did manage to get a piece and put it into that black pot to take it home and transplant. This is one plant I have never had and I look forward to seeing it grow into a lovely plant like hers.

Foxglove Seedlings

I am anxious to see the garden and also to finish transplanting a bunch of itty bitty, tiny tiny, foxglove seedlings which I started from seed. It is so hard to believe that these tiny plants will next year be 6 feet tall and so absolutely astounding. I did actually purchase 3 plants to put in so I will have flowers this year and they will probably go to seed and replant themselves but you know me, I had to try them from seed for myself. LOL It will be interesting to have them multiply quickly. With my delphiniums, hollyhocks and now the foxgloves it should be qiite a spectacular site. Since in the front of the bed the larkspurs have already filled in one spot and the Sweet Williams are quite filled in and the many, many colors are wonderful to behold. There are dianthus and a number of other plants as well and it is exciting to awaken to the new blossoms each day. I do hope to add some photos soon.

This display should cover the ugly site of the leaves from the bulbs I planted last fall when these are done flowering.

RESULTS AT LAST

It is exciting today to hear from my husband how quickly the plants are growing. He said you can almost watch them grow. LOL With all the hot weather we have been having this past week there is such a change in the garden. Even my husband and son have been commenting with a "WOW!!" statement.

I was beginning to worry that the soil needed refurbishing with compost or fertilizer, since this is the fourth year to have planted without adding anything to the soil. My compost has been in progress but working very,very slowly. I hope to be able to side dress the rows now that the plants have gotten taller. I did put peat moss between all the rows and then watered it well (both the night before and first thing in the morning again) when I knew the hot weather would be coming for a week as I had to go away to take our daughter to sing at the Stampede Talent Show.

A few weeks ago we were finally able to go and pick up the compost (which contained chicken manure) that we had started when we moved last year to a farm so I am hoping that this will help to activate the compost and get it working. We plan to put it on the top of the garden and work it in in the fall to improve conditions for the plants for next year.

But to my amazement the veggies are shooting up and looking wonderful. I can hardly wait to get home to see the garden and also to enjoy our first meal.

We have been having salads since April thanks to plants coming back on their own and the first planting of lettuce we have been enjoying for the past couple of weeks.

My new flower garden is thriving and lush with blossoms. I got a little out of control and it is about 40 feet long and about 10 feet wide. It covers almost the entire side yard. Even so I am thoroughly enjoying going out each morning at dawn to see the spectacular show. I can't help but "Praise the Lord" for His goodness in these little things. It is like receiving a bouquet of flowers every day and sometimes more than once a day. What joy it brings to see these new plants bringing forth this colorful array just for me.

I just had to cut our hedges to the 4 foot fence so that I can share this beauty with passers by and bring joy to their day. The hedges were about 10 feet tall and completely enclosed our front yard. It is nice to meet neighbors from blocks away who are now walking further to see the changes each day. They stop to comment on how wonderful it is looking and strange but no one ever stopped to tell me how much the grass had improved. LOL

REMEMBERING

I was just thinking back to what got me started with a flower garden. It all started when we moved into a house and we noticed that the house on the corner had hollyhocks all along their fence. It was amazing to see all the wonderful colors displayed. While walking past I noticed that many little plants were coming up in the grass on the boulevard so I knocked on their door to ask permission to take a few. When I was told it was city property and they just mowed the plants down I dug out a half dozen plants and went home to dig up a small spot at the front of our new home. Well, I have never looked back to the days when we had no flowers in our yard. Before long I had dug up the entire front yard and filled it with every kind of flower I could find. I put up an arch over the front pathway and it began to resemble an English garden.

With raising ten children I had my hands full at times and the flower garden has been a gift from God to relax me and help me to face the next problem. While working in the beds I found time to be alone with the Lord and His presence gave me the peace to go on. My friends wondered at my sanity when I told them weeding was my favorite job next to doing dishes but have you ever noticed that when you do these jobs everyone seems to suddenly disappear and you find yourself all alone. Gary wrote a poem called Quiet Time many years ago which expresses so completely how difficult it is to find time alone to be with the Lord. I will include it

QUIET TIME

A quiet time alone each day
Is what one needs, a time to pray.
Too oft, the world goes rushing by,
Heeding not their souls heart cry.
And burdens seem to greater grow
If seeds of prayer we do not sow.
Seems to be such a simple task,
Just to pray and only ask
Our God above to lend an ear
To all the problems pressing near;
But just you try a prayer or two,
And see what work it is to do!
So may the best-planned project of your day
Be that quiet time you take to pray.

© Copyright Gary James Smith 1995
garyjamessmith2005@yahoo.ca