An Eagle named Spirit

I was in Coledale Alberta yesterday at a bird sanctuary and was surprised to find they were keeping a stately Eagle latched to a pin in the ground with a leather tong around its ankle. The Golden Eagle, Spirit, just sat there turning his regal head from side to side as we all called out to him. My three grand kids were amused and the eight year old was busy taking photo's of Spirit. A volunteer bird keeper told us that Spirit was blind. It wasn't really noticeable until you studied the bird closely then you could see the right eye was a little glazed. Birds rely on their eyes, they do not have a sense of smell. In order to get Spirit to eat staff needed to press the food to his beak, right into his face. I pondered as to why they would keep that bird alive, force feeding a blind bird seemed a little confusing to me. At the end of the adventure we entered an exhibit hall with a slide show that displayed photo's of Spirit when he was brought in by a rescuer, dazed and wounded. He was sitting up, like any passenger would, in the back seat of the van his rescuers delivered him in. They thought he had been hit by a car as his head was so badly swollen. But the vet was shocked to discover that Spirit had two bullets in his chest and two in his head. One entered through his right eye and settled in his skull. That was what blinded the right eye, infection set in and took the vision from his left eye. I sat in awe looking at the x rays on display. How is it that this bird is alive? And who would shoot an eagle? The lasting impact Spirit had on me and all three grand kids will go on for years to come. Spirit is an ambassador. Now I have full comprehension as to why he must stay alive. People need to hear his story. Perhaps one by one we will see changes made in peoples behaviour because of this survivor.
Our God who see's each sparrow fall cares about this Eagle, and He cares about you and I. We can learn from nature. A deeply wounded and damaged individual is precious and most valuable. They too are the greatest ambassadors we have. Let us ponder this message, deeply.

You are Going to Hell!!

Have you ever had someone shout those words while shaking their finger in your face? That was my experience this past week. First time in my life (and hopefully the last)! I thought my response would have been anger, or perhaps a feeling of being crushed to the point of tears (that was me in the past) but it wasn't. What would your response have been? I was surprised to find I had a deep inner peace, a serenity. Like the psalmist said "draw water from the well of your salvation". I know in whom I have put my trust and so I answered my assailant with a calm reassuring voice. A soft answer turns away wrath, right? In this case it didn't seem to, I believe my response fell on deaf ears. However, following the incident God did speak to me in a sweet way through an unexpected source, I had an unopened letter tucked in my purse from a prisoner. When I read the only words printed with shaky hand writing on a recipe card inside it said "Satan is no match for our God". I was strengthen. I had just preached on temptation, how satan is the accuser and the different ways He accused Jesus. So this is my test, and it is the one that often breaks me, accusations, the enemies weapon in my life. Sound familiar? And so just as Jesus answered the accuser so did I ...saying "It is written..." I live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, and I believe and receive His love. His mercy is new every morning! Thanks be to God. I will get in my car now, and drive for many hours to my next destination, Edmonton. I be will singing on my journey, likely a song like "I am blessed..." God is good is... all the time. Did I mention that about 25-30 committed their lives to Jesus this week? And others felt God call them to full time service, and many others rededicated their lives. Yes I am blessed!

Its Time to Say Good Bye

My time here in Grande Prairie is nearing an end with only two more nights. I am believing that the best is yet to come! But this morning it was time to say Good Bye to my two grandkids and my daughter in law Kristi who have been such a huge support and blessing to me. Last night my heart over flowed with sweet joy as a group of children knelt and prayed to receive Jesus ...and with them was my 9 year old grandson Colton. His small step toward God made for a big celebration in heaven and in my heart! Smile.
Another gift from God, came yesterday morning as I ministered at a Day home type facility here for the severely disabled. Carla, one of the caregivers, came over to welcome me and shared with the group how she had been at the Alberta Beach camp as a little girl and met Butch and Suzi (and me) way back then. That blessed me. Then the clients warmed my heart with their unreserved laughter and spontaneous applause. Outwardly they were "differently abled" with every thing you can imagine, down syndrome, severe autism, etc but oh how they loved me and the puppets. They embraced Butch and Suzi, held the door for me coming and going and one lady came up at the end of the show almost in tears. She didn't get to hug Butch. I offered for her to hug me instead, reminding of how difficult it was to get Butch to go into his suitcase. So then she said "what about Suzi, could I hug her?". I added that I was sure Suzi would be sleeping and volunteered for her to hug me this time, and perhaps another day hug the puppets . She reluctantly agreed. Sigh. It was sooo precious. I pray the Lord will keep me child like and tender hearted, like those sweet new friends. And early this morning this verse was sent to me...

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 Big smile!

In the park at Grande Prairie Alberta

Last night it was so cold in the Park, I think about 8 degrees with a forty mile wind. I didn't expect anyone to show up but about 200 people came out! They sat and watched the show wrapped up in blankets, smile, quite a sight to see. My daughter in law Kristi and two grand kids were center front and cheering me on! At one point the wind nearly blew over speakers that were standing tall on poles ...but the audio technicians saw them sway and ran over and caught them and laid them on the ground. They may move the show indoors tonight. My hands were so cold after the show that I would welcome the move! But there are so many things to consider, like the people who show up at the park because of the advertisement, like the man named Rasco who was there the first night. He raised his hand along with more than a dozen others to receive Jesus. He came forward at the end and wept telling us that he was raised by his praying grandmother and was now living on the streets and his life was centered around drugs and alcohol. Please continue to pray that the good work that was started in him would be completed,that the miracle cleansing and changing power of our Saviour would rescue him from the prison he is in, may the chains of addiction be broken! There were many more decisions last night too. Gideons have provided us with Bibles, it is such a joy to hand them out to people who have never owned one... in fact some kids have never seen a Bible and are literally holding one for the first time in their life! Hard to believe isn't it?
Today I will minister at a home for people with special needs and then tonight another big rally. Please continue to pray for us. The People at the Grand Prairie Alliance church are working so hard to host this event and are a delight for me to work with with, a real blessing! One more thing...
My moms sister Rita, who is the same age as me (and we are very close), lost her husband on Sat to pneumonia, the funeral is Thursday in Burnaby, BC. I was going to cancel my last show here on Thursday night and go to the funeral but Rita has asked me to remain here and that "the show must go on" so I will do so. It is such a hard decision my heart is with her and our family who will gather. Please remember all of us in your prayers. Thanks. Maralee

Sparkle in my Day

I thank God because "Today is a gift and thats why we call it "the present", my grandma made a plaque for me with that on it. I love it. And each day I look for a present from my heavenly Father, I call it "sparkle in my day". Today it was like fire works! I received an e-mail from a stranger that saw our show and said it was like "Mr Rogers" and they loved it and wanted to encourage me. Smile. Then my two sisters and I had a 'girls day' totally unplanned but I was in town (for the funeral of my cousins husband) and they both had today off. We had one of our best visits ever! We shopped at Value Village and found shoes for my puppets and cowboy boots for me. I need them as tomorrow I head to Grand Prairie to do a week of Western Shows in the Park each night. My sister Val helped me coordinate and organize all the costumes for the puppets and me...more sparkle! And at the end of the day I had a visit with my niece Amber that was very sweet. And an e-mail from senior friends of mine who are in a home now but wanted to encourage me and tell me they are praying. Last but not least I was reminded that the enemy of our soul, and believers, have one thing in common, we both underestimate the power of prayer!! Yikes... I need to change that, and by the help of the Holy Spirit I will!

My car hydroplaned !!

Driving through the mountains, at the worst place, the Coquihaula, I saw a sign "When slippery do not use cruise control" and I was in Cruse so I turned it off and in a few minutes I hydroplaned and my heart nearly stopped. Then a short distance down the road another sign high critical accident zone slow down" and I was only driving 90 k and it was posted at 110 but I decided to go down to 80 and within a few minutes I had another pool and found the car hydroplane again! I was thanking God for the warning signs (that may have saved my life). And for the supporters you are praying for me every day and especially for this trip. Early in the Morn I prayed with WCM (Women in Christian Media) via conference call and was so blessed. I started to recall our time on the phone and began to sing "Sweet Hour of Prayer...In season of distress and grief my soul has often found relief..." My heart began to break for Yvonne and her three year old twins, the funeral was today.
Once again reminded of the brief time we spend on this side of eternity, and the painful farewells to those we love. There are many things we wrestle with down here and one day the answers will come first hand from our Father above. Until then I am reminded not to latch on to the "why" but the "what can I do now to bring honor to the Lord in this situation". Yvonne was strong, and the funeral was blessed with humor, found memories and a sweet fragrance of the Holy Spirit's presence. My devotions talked about "no way out of the hard and narrow place except at the tope" which means we must die to everything and empty our arms of all we cling to, whether relationships, theology or preconceived pat answers, and with our empty arms embrace Jesus and all that He has for us. He will take us farther and higher than we ever dreamed. My granddaughter, Erica, had a sleep over two days ago and she made me a necklace that says, "Dream Big". In the hard places, we have no strength to dream, none at all. However i can embrace the dreams of my Lord Jesus, to seek and saved the Lost. His dreams are mine. Today I choose to die to the old and embrace the new. I struggle, I wrestle, but the angel told Jacob..."for as a prince you have the power with God and with men...", It was a critical hour of change, transformation and new beginnings. Let this be true for me today too. And for Yvonne Benson and her girls. Who would have thought new beginnings would be so painful? Like giving birth...the rewards are yet to come, it takes time.

Another amazing week of camp!

Everything was unfamiliar and I didn't think I would know anyone at this new Camp ...Camp Fatherst Out on Cowcahan river, Vancouver island. I was in for so ,many surprises/ The first women I met, in the washroom of all places, knew me when I ministered 30 years ago in Courtney BC! And remembered the songs we sang! Then I was to meet three more people that knew Calvin and Claire Farnel very well and also my friends Eunice and Ken. In fact one of them sits on the school board with Ken for the Christian school in Courtney. Such a small world. Then two 12 year old boys in my group met each other both boys had the same first same and were being raised by their grandma's! I will call them Colin (not their real name). It was amazing to have such a small group of about 15 kids ages 4 through grade 7. Several of the older children were exceptionally gifted, musically and other wise. One was a virtuoso on the Violin. Another wrote songs and played the guitar, I gave two of them Vent lessons. Another grade 3 boy had a photo graphic memory! there was also a precious down syndrome girl who was a bright ray of sunshine to all of us. t was a stretch for me to gel the group and get them working together as a team. But they sure did and worked hard on memory work etc. i was proud of them and especially proud of how they could pray, we even built a temple and had a 'wailing wall' like in Israel. Many serious needs were posted. One colin had to leave the camp early without sayig good bye. We were all sad. We prayed. Then the report came back. The Aunt who had been raising him prior to his grandma, had been rushed to hospital
with hours left to live. Colin asked to be left alone with her and took his Bible and lead her in steps of salvation. She received Jesus into her life! The miracle was that the morning that he left I had jsut done a puppet show with my grandpa Character saying how important it is for kids to tell their grandparents that going to church and reading the Bible can't get them to heaven and to explain the one and only way to be sure you are saved. The miracle was that grandpa character was suppose to be Friday buy at the last minute I changed him to Thursday, this was God's plan...no doubt. My fried Kim came out to camp to help me and what a blessing she was. God granted us so much favor.
I am blessed!!
Prayer for saftey I leave Wed to drive to Edmt *my niece has suddenly lost her husband and is alone now with twin three year olds_ I will attend the funeral in Edmt and then drive the next day to Grand Prairie for the VBS for the entire family every night at a dwon town band shel!!! I am so blessed. God is so good and so faithful.
Blessings!
Maralee
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Another VBS and I am so blessed

I have just arrived back from Oliver, BC the wine capitol of the world ...so they say! It was a highlight for me to go with a vinedresser into the vineyards and learn more about the pruning process. I am the vine and you are the branches if you abide in me and I in you you will bear much fruit. That is whet I was feeling in my spirit. I need to be close to him abiding in Jesus is the only way.
I also visited in a home where they made the largest cherry pie in the guinness book of records. It was 20 feet in diameter, two feet deep and took 2,000 pounds of cherries (I think thats what he said). The pie plate was made by a welding and fabrication company and then they took it back after and reused the materials. I forgot to ask how they baked the pie crust? But perhaps it was as hot then as it was this week 38-40 degrees! I think it would cook fairly fast! What a blessing to be with this wonderful church and the people treated me like a queen. I was even taken to the exquisite gulf coarse for lunch! Peggy Graham my friend who is 104 had me stay in her home. It was a blessing to be there and to reminisce about the years she worked for Maralee Dawn Ministries and travelled with me too Especially the 6 month trip to Africa and 8 other countries. That was about 25 years ago and she was in her late 70's (and we thought that she was old then!) Smile. She loves to joke about that. I wanted to bless the church but I think in the end I was the one most blessed especially to see about 40-50 decisions. Big smile and thank you for your prayers!

We can Trust the Man who Died for us

My devotional streams in the dessert started with a quote from an unknown pastor who knelt and prayed those very words. And Romans 6:13 was the reference which urges us to surrender our lives to God as people "who have risen from the dead"
Wow that is where I want to start this first day of August. Oswald Chambers in my Uttmost says today, "as long as you will not obey you are in the way." He also says "when we are certain in the way God is going to work, that he will never work in that way...."
So here I am back to an issue of waiting on God with the right attitude, one of trust and obedience. This is where I begin my day. Bringing my requests before Him with thanks giving (now that is easy my friend Cheri has delivered identical twin girls yesterday, and I am so thankful for they are miracles on many levels). Its the stopping to listen what He wants me to do today, and then when I hear HIm the more difficult is to 'obey'. I fail so often because first the break down of 'trust', why do I hesitate to trust the one who died for me? If there is anyone I can ever trust it is Him! And second I get so distracted from what the Holy Spirit urges me to do. so, today, August first a new beginning in a year of new beginnings, I will pause, pray and obey. I will make the decision to trust today. And move forward one day at a time (like my son when he quit smoking cold turkey, he said he just put an x on the calendar and did it one day at a time). Smile. I can do this. And with a smile.