Mona's World

Bitter Sweet Moment

2009-12-16T12:34:00.000-05:00

Tis the season we think of family.

This morning I was thinking about my mom and dad and how much I miss them.

I miss mom constantly singing the Hallelujah Chorus

with my father following her lead and in a low deep voice

singing King of Kings and Lord of Lords

This is my favourite piece of music as I have heard it since I was just a little one.

My heart began to sink knowing mom never knew here on earth that she had a 3rd great grandchild and my father knowing but never being able to meet him

knowing I won't be tasting moms mince meat pies this Christmas

laughing over Christmas dinner as we wore the silly paper crowns and over tea afterwards, putting together the little toys from the Christmas crackers.

but as always

God prevails when a heart is in pain.

and he does it (with me) with Great Humour

after a good cry and talk with God I went to the computer intending to write

such lovely thankful heart wrenching words about my parents

a tribute of sorts

and an email popped up

My mother was an absolutely witty funny creative woman and my father, well his humour very dry.

He was her wingman.

God really knows how to turn my Sorrow into Joy

J O Y

yes I am doing the actions :-)

What an amazing King of Kings and Lord of Lords

I Had A Charlie Brown Moment Today

2009-12-14T23:22:00.001-05:00

I had a Charlie Brown moment today

and my inner voice came out

not loudly but enough for someone to hear

The hustle and the bustle can create impatience and the occasional angry outburst.

eg. "What do you mean you don't have anymore of this or that it's Christmas"

Humph stomp out of the store

I was thinking Hello Christmas is less than 2 weeks away and it's not like you didn't know it was coming for the past year

but what came out

was

Isn't there anyone who knows what Chrsitmas is about.

Now the person that heard came over and said

"And Lo an Angel of the Lord came upon them"

I immediately knew the line and where it came from

we giggled

and all was well with the world once again

Now Those Are Christmas Lights

2009-12-10T13:29:00.001-05:00

Tis The Season

2009-12-09T07:34:00.000-05:00

Macro Moments In The Snow

2009-12-07T16:46:00.000-05:00

Guess Who's Coming to Toronto

2009-12-06T23:19:00.000-05:00

I am sure by now you have all heard

Joyce is coming to Toronto.

Now this would make for a wonderful girls few nights out.

She will be in Toronto August 5th-7th

Check out her website for all the details.

What do you think Ladies?

http://www.joycemeyer.org/

A Gilbey Christmas

2009-12-03T15:33:00.011-05:00

We are a strange family

and adapt to all moods

Steve doesn't like Christmas anymore

"Too Stressful,It's for the kids and we're not kids anymore"

Bahhh Humbug

Funny considering he loves Christmas music.

Dave is getting older(21) and has embraced the families quirky ways adding a touch of his own humour

He asked for a pony and nothing else

and I

Well I like Christmas

and with bearing all this in mind

I got my tree and humourously indulged my husbands mood

and Dave will discover perhaps a Pink or Blue

My Little Pony come Christmas Morn

to top this all off we have decided to

BBQ T-bone steaks this year

as we relax and enjoy

the simplicity that Christmas brings the Gilbey Family

Music

Laughter

and

Togetherness

on this Blessed day

Feel free to laugh cause we are having a hoot

I just love our Family humour

Yes the tree is Black

Leviticus 19:18

2009-11-27T12:36:00.001-05:00

Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community,but love your neighbour as yourself;I am the Lord.

Isn't this a hard lesson to apply on crummy days.

When friends are scorned

When lies are spread

or in my case

When somebody smokes my car in the parking lot and doesn't leave a note or report it to mall security.

Imagine my surprise yesterday when I finished a long day at work and walked through the rain and discovered this.

God knew what was coming next

Then He knew I would ask for forgiveness for my cursed words against another.

He also extended His grace for several hours (this morning) until I came to the place in my heart that said let it go.

It's hard to take revenge against another human being who has not only damaged your possesion but also put you in a financial situation where you feel there is no good outcome

But I am hear to say you can take revenge

The revenge is in your heart and through your words of cursing this person to have a lousy day or wish the same would happen to them.

But

In the end the curse is upon yourself for disrespecting your Father and His commands.The curse is anger in your heart that opens the gate for Satan and his little imps to wreak havoc on the playground.

As I spewed cruels words and wishes, my heart began to ache ,my throat closed up and became like razor blades,my head exploded into a migraine and sleep was not my friend.

I have allowed myself to be vunerable to attack.

I am home today when I shouldn't be

I am sick

when I was perfectly fine yesterday up until I noticed my car and began to speak "ill" will against another.

Coincidence?

I think not.......

Why you ask

because I rarely get sick and of late I have been sick twice within two months

the common denominator was

both times I was well and after speaking unkind words and allowing my heart to be extremely offended, standing on what I deemed as my right to be this unforgiving. When I dwelled in my anger, not wanting to ask for forgiveness

I became sick.

I am not saying God made me sick to show me the way

I am saying I allowed myself to be open to the fleshly ways of man and showed the world the chink in my armour that left me vulnerable to sickness

Of Body

Of Mind

Of Heart

It is God that has allowed me to be open to His voice that says

Trust in Me

I will take care of you

and heal you of all your needs.

Physically

Spiritually

Financially

I love it when God gently reminds us of lessons we know but then shows us not only the general principle of the lesson but the deeper meaning within.

Placed in My Heart

2009-11-23T22:49:00.002-05:00

My heart aches
I know not why
The Spirit speaks
I hear His cry
Souls lost
My Children scorned
His voice cries out for those yet born

I Love you
I Love you
I Love you child
Follow me and never die

His heart aches
For His lost
My heart aches for our loss

Fear not my child
what:'s lost is found
beneath the glory
of My crown

King of Kings
and Lord of Lords
I Am here within the thorns

Blessed be you chosen ones
Spread My word
for the time will come
When Heaven and Earth
will become but one

Grace and Mercy
I give my flock
Lay down your sins
upon My cross

For soon will come
The day you await
and I will meet you at
My gate

My arms are open
for those who are weary
death is gone
and life becomes living

Toys For Tots

2009-11-09T22:44:00.002-05:00

Once again we are having a Gala at work for a cause that is close to our hearts.

Toys for Tots

Approximately 1100 children in Belleville go without a Christmas.

All proceeds from ticket sales go to the Belleville Firefighters

Plus Shoppers Drug Mart will donate an additional $5.00 per ticket sold.

Help us Bless the children of our community

wether you purchase a ticket or stop in to drop off a toy.

The main need every year is

Girls ages 9-12

Thanks to All

for helping us support this worthy cause

A Very Proud Family Moment

2009-11-07T20:08:00.004-05:00

Ordination

to the

Permanent Diaconate

Today my big brother Jeremy and 9 others were ordained as Catholic Deacons

Jeremy has been dedicated to his studies for 5 years

and today was a day of pride for our family.

We wished our parents could have been there to see this day

but

as Jeremy so eloquently put as he delivered the graduation speech

"For those who could not be here with us today

they have the best seat in the house."

Preach it brother

Praise God

So here are some pictures of our God filled family day.

Jeremy and his family

His sons

Andrew and Graeme

His wife Claire

Jeremy

and his daughter Emily

Me and my Big Brother

My brother and sister Pat

The 3 of us
Last but not least

My Big husband Steve and my Big brother Jeremy

2009-11-05T12:39:00.001-05:00

True Colours

2009-10-28T22:46:00.003-04:00

I love it when incidents of the day become a blessing.

Leaving work I ran into an employee of the mall and we had a typical end of the day chit chat
(mall talk)

"Must be nice to go home and relax I have to work till close"
It was then I told her I wasn't done my day but was heading to Junior High

"You Go to church? You teach the kids?

What do you teach them?

Hahahaha

They let you?

Wow I am seeing a different side to you

Your true colours who knew?"

Hahahaha

Now you know! I replied

Kinda bothered me a bit

but then

Tonight at JH and Youth we were together we watched a video called Pure

about Jesus and the Samaritan Woman

Well I have never been married 5 times and then lived with #6

but I was far from being pure as well.

Be it of the heart or physically or emotionally

but that was my past and Jesus knew my heart as He knows yours.

Yes we have free will but He is a patient God and His timing is always impeccable.

So even when we don't see our potential in life

others don't see it

God sees it

just as Jesus saw the Samaritans woman's need for self worth and acceptance.

He took the time to go to her and let her know that there is a much greater love in this world than relying on mans

He did this because.......

As I was thinking about this day and the events that happened on my way home

once again

God showed me through music

Isn't He the Best!

A Morning with God

2009-10-23T13:35:00.002-04:00

It was a little brisk walking the dog this morning

but

It wasn't the crispness of the morning air that took my breath away

it was

Being still and seeing

the beauty

through

Gods eyes

THEY walk among us

2009-10-20T16:38:00.008-04:00

Are you one of

THEM?

Main Entry: 1them
Pronunciation: \(th)əm, ˈthem, after p, b, v, f, also əm\
Function: pronoun
Date: bef 12th century objective case of they
1 : they 1 —used as object of a verb or preposition 2 : those —used especially as antecedent to a relative pronoun —used as the subject of a verb chiefly in nonstandard speech and for humorous effect (them is fighting words)

Well Ladies It 's a fact I think very strange things and this is one of them there times.

A Lady is walking through cosmetics and says to me

"I just posted a letter to England and it cost me $1.69. In 1969 when I moved here it didn't cost that much. Can you believe that? What is this world coming to?

To which I replied I think it's kind of amazing that you can communicate with another person half way across the world for only $1.69

Wrong answer Maureen

with a disgusted look on her face she said this

"Oh you are one of THEM"

which got me thinking

What Does That Mean?

Is there a group somewhere I haven't heard of?

How many thems make up a They?

eg: You know what "they" say?

No! No I don't. Who are they? better yet who decided that "They" were right?

Where are these people?

What do "They" look like?

Do "they" lurk among us disguised as regular folk?

All I know is I am now apparently one of "Them"

And initiation consisted of an observation

I am now a part of a secret society!

Do "they" have meetings?

Will I ever be privy to the secret handshake?

This is different from the other thems

because we all know the

The Group thems

As they are recognizable by their cause

and you know this because people call them "Those"

Oh you're one of those

Tree Huggers

those Jesus freaks (heard that more than once)

those Right for Lifers

It's the other thems that have me baffled

so to be safe

I best not think about this anymore

because you know what "THEY" say

"If you think to much your head will explode"

Oh How He Delights In Giving Us Gifts

2009-10-12T22:07:00.011-04:00

Well I have been having some struggles of late but this weekend the Lord with all His glory has really shown me grace and through His grace He has given me wisdom that will be cherished always.

The wisdom was

Hey Mo if you are going to talk the talk you best learn to walk the walk.

I have walked in many shoes,some too big and others way too small.

The one thing that was the same is that blisters were always a given.
Time for me to walk comfortably in the shoes that are meant for me and only me.

Well I have had some issues at work. Management on days can be less than desireable.
The tension is incredible and to have to listen to some real cruels words can be unbearable.
Lord get me through them.
It has been so bad that I wear a security device (which we all wear) ,however I chose pager 91 and the girls know this is mine to wear and they give it to me when I come in.
Why 91?
Psalm 91: The Protection of the Most High
It was spoken over me just over a year now.
The past few weeks I decided to take a situation into my own hands,feeling that I was right in every sense of the way.
Humanly I believed I was
Spiritually Ya not so much.
Went to the wrong authority first The owner.
Then to other management but not to my direct manager after all she was part of the issue.
Well guess what 12 days ago I was called into the office and reprimanded by my manager.
While being spoken to I was praying not to try and justify my actions and definitely not to open my big mouth unless there was kind words waiting to escape.
"Lord blunt my tongue now more than ever"
He Did
I learned responsibility the hard way about the chain of command.
What was really interesting the week prior we learned about this in ISOM.
I decided to pray for my boss to not be afraid to show the inner beauty of her heart instead of
Lord get me out of this place.

Last week we learned about patience in ISOM
I am not always patient with the desires of my heart.
With that being said, now that my kitchen is done I now have the desire
(ladies this is a first for me) to have cute little nicknack's in the kitchen. Just something to make it perfect.
Well I saw it and stared at it for a week.
This perfect decoration had one motive for me and one only.
An in your face daily reminder for my family as my main desire is to have my husband and children come to know the Lord.
Kevin advised me not to preach but to walk in the word and they will notice a change.
Anyhow
I called Steve and he said no it's $32.00 and we don't have the money this week maybe next week.
I wanted it now and was very disappointed cause Mo just couldn't wait,which lead to some anger within I prayed Saturday night as I felt guilty for wanting such a monetary thing when bills needed to be paid.
I told the Lord I didn't need this little thing as my true desire was my family believing in Him.
Sunday I went to work the mood was awesome and it has been since the chat in the office.
My boss and I worked together side by side and everything was calm serene and enjoyable.
As the day ended for her she picked up a few things and was headed out for her Thanksgiving dinner but she had one last stop.

A Stop to my counter to give me the desire of my heart.

The tears flowed and the Praise and thankfulness began

He gave me the desire of my heart through the most unlikely person.

My Manager

He showed me the goodness in her heart and he taught me that I need to go to Him first

for answeres.

He showed me the Chain of Command

He showed me Praying for others in authority, for their job isn't as easy as we think it should be.

First of all,I urge that petitions,prayers,intercessions,and thanksgivings be made for everyone,for kings and all those who are in authority,so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

1Tim 2:1-2

but most of all

He showed me the shoes that I need to be walking in, are the shoes He purposely and with love picked out for me.

The shoes of Faith and Trust.

When in those shoes no matter how wobbly I am He will never let me fall

3 Trust in the LORD and do what is good;dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.5 Commit your way to the LORD;trust in Him and He will do this:6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.Psalm 37: 3-6

Red High Heels

Is The Way I feel

Got The Sways and Reels

But I know I am Going Home

What Are You Thankful For?

2009-10-09T17:39:00.003-04:00

Well it's Thanksgiving weekend

and I have to work

Needless to say this morning I woke up very irritable

My poor Husband

My poor dog he didn't get to share mommies breakfast with her like he does every morning

Grrrrrrrr

That was from me not the dog.

As I got into the shower I was thinking about why I was so miserable.

It hit me hard

Today is the 4th anniversary of my mothers passing.

I knew this because I spoke about it all week as I couldn't believe it has been that long

but

it hit me hard

a wake up call of sorts.

I cried like I had Thanksgiving Day 2005 the day she passed.

Needless to say my irritability was carried to my work place.

I felt angry and jealous listening to customers well wishes for the weekend and their family plans.

Long story short

God is sooo great!

He gently reminded me that

many children grow up without mothers or fathers

I was blessed.

So I am thankful to God for

choosing my mother for me

for giving her patience through the teen years

for speaking to my heart

for loving me when I am miserable

for gently correcting my attitude

for forgiving me of my selfishness

for giving me courage to share my heart with you

for my beautiful family

for placing people in my path to lead me back to Him

for all my new found friends

for forgiving me of my past

for teaching me there is a better life

for allowing me to speak into the lives of others

for allowing me to be a mother or grandmother to the children of our church

for the Pastors of Desert Stream

and their wives

for their love grace and patience with me during my walk

and boy have they been patient!

for loving me for who I am in Him

but most of all for giving His only Son

so that I may live

There is so much to be thankful for

Almost Finished

2009-10-08T21:14:00.004-04:00

Well we are almost done.

The flooring came today

The hallway, staircase and door was finished last night.

Now it's just the little things

trim on the walls

new light fixtures

some 1/4 round along the floor

and of course

a new coffee maker and toaster and tea towels and cannisters and perhaps a special kitchen decoration

to match of course.

I know you ladies understand that.

So how many years do you think I'll have to wait to do my back-livingroom?

I know I know One Blessing at a time.

2 In 150 A Mother Daughter Moment

2009-09-30T16:56:00.004-04:00

So what do you get a daughter for her 30th Birthday?

Well a decision was made

A girls day

Spa Nope

Hair Nope

Shopping Nope

Something unique and different

of course this isn't for everyone and truthfully I didn't think it would be for me either.

But

It was something close to our hearts

we took a deep breath

swallowed our fears

clasped hands like Thelma and Louise

and went for it

1 in every 150 children born are diagnosed with Autism

We have 2 in our family

and what blessings they are

This is for them

and

This is a day Liane and I will never forget

Mini Preview for Vickie

2009-09-26T12:17:00.003-04:00

Cupboards are up and painted
still have to paint the wall board and put up trim
and finish the hallway
Oh did I mention I told Steve you can't have a new look to a kitchen if the hallway connecting it doesn't match.
Our new flooring is being installed Oct 8th woohoo!
I will post more pics after all is completed

Quotes Worth Remembering

2009-09-15T22:40:00.007-04:00

"A Person that cannot forgive

is a person

that has forgotten

what they have been

forgiven of "

"Jesus forgave us

before we ever said

I'm sorry"

The Kitchen Timer

2009-09-11T18:04:00.006-04:00

Have you ever prayed for something and gave up after what you would consider too long of a wait?

On May 19th 2005

my husband tore apart our kitchen, then decided fixing the outside of the house to be more important.

He didn't do that either.

I prayed for patience with his skills

for his stubborn pride

and for

Strength not to hurt him.

I am sure he prayed for me to stop whining

May 19th 2008

the phone rings a message left

"Hi Steve it's me the kitchen just wanted to wish you a Happy 3rd Anniversary"

(My daughter has the best humour)

Steve did not agree

June 2008

It Hit me

and hit me hard

I have

cupboard doors

BUT

I have food

My impatience and whining for 3 years completely

STOPPED
and

I started to Praise God for what I did have

a well intentioned man

who does all the grocery shopping

and

fills my doorless cupboards

with food

Yes my kitchen is ugly

and

torn apart

but I am content

and now am blessed

Tomorrow

September 12 2009

My husband is taking me kitchen renovation shopping

Woohoo

Out with the old and in with the new

Praise God, for His timing is always perfect

I know what I have learned during this past 4 years

and that is much more valuable than

any old kitchen or new for that matter

Looking forward to sharing the finished product with you

Grandma's Little Blessings

2009-09-09T22:00:00.001-04:00

Owen age 3
Mackenzie 11
Myer 5

Out Of Our Heads

2009-09-07T22:19:00.004-04:00

It may just be me but I have noticed of late alot of
negativity
rudeness
and just plain cruelty of words not only in the enviroment I work in but I hear how parents speak to their children,children to their parents and how strangers react to each other.
The news is full of horrific doings and death
I see more shows on television about the occult and ghosts and "The Unexplained"

I am not sure if I have just started to notice as my heart gets closer to God and to what is right or if I have ignored the world and have finally just had enough.
I am not sure why I really felt the need to share this with you either but the one thing I know of late is that my heart aches for this world.
My eyes have been opened and there are days I just want to scream.
I cannot and will not allow the world to dictate who I am or what I am supposed to be.
I allow Christ to dictate and show me who I am in Him and Him alone.
He has shown me and I pray that He will show others wether through the the body of Christ or directly by His hand that it's time we all got Out of our Heads and into our Hearts
for that is where He lives.
My prayers are not only for this city but to be shouted out to every corner of the world.

My appologies if the first part of this video offends anyone but it's the world we live in.

God's Tapestry

2009-08-24T23:58:00.011-04:00

The Finest Tapestry takes paitence

and the ability to wait for each thread to support the bigger picture and the larger purpose

And in the fearless reckless pursuit of intimate love

It is not the destination

It's the journey

Once again through music I ponder.

Concentrating on the lyrics above.

I imagine the tapestry of my life.

I imagine God sewing into me day by day His Glory and unconditional Love

Making me into His perfect Tapestry

(The first two lines)

His Love and patience unimaginable

Then I picture the next two lines and how we as humans have searched for the perfect intimate Love.

Fearlessly and recklessly

This is when we focussed strictly on the "destination" in our lives getting lost along the way and never knowing the greater purpose for our lives.

Imagine not having God in your life to mend the hurts the pain the love or the lack there of. What would our tapestries would look like?

I couldn't sew a stitch or mend a rip on my own,but with guidance and patience from The Great Teacher I imagine all the possibilies

Now Imagine those who deny or who need physical proof there is a God.

We try to sew into their lives and sometimes we manage a stitch or two,other times we drop a stitch or two and it can be so frustrating.

Have you given up sewing because of this?

Perhaps sometimes

What does God see when we do that?

What happens to their tapestry?

Better yet what happens to our tapestry?

I take comfort in knowing that God will mend the dropped stitch with His Grace and teach us once again how to sew with patience but we must try to focus solely on our teacher.

For we are His threads that support the bigger picture.