Faith & Friends May/June 2024

Faith On Air

A Matter of TRUST

With millions of people around the world scaling cliffs every year, rock climbing is more popular than ever. It even made its debut at the last summer Olympics.

Yet, there’s a reason rock climbing has been called an extreme sport. The only things separating a climber from a terrifying fall are a rope and a few pieces of metal. They have to put complete trust in their equipment, so even if they fall, they’ll be safe from harm.

Where we put our trust matters. When life doesn’t go the way we hope—falls will happen. As Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble.” But He adds: “Take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

When we put our trust in God, He fills our hearts with joy and peace (see Romans 15:13). No matter what we face, He will catch us if we fall.

To learn more about trusting in Jesus, visit our website at faithandfriends.ca or contact us at: The Salvation Army Editorial Department, 2 Overlea

GOD IN MY LIFE

5 An INSPIRE-ing Encounter

Forty-six years later, a man reunites with the Salvation Army chaplain who helped save his life. THE BOTTOM LINE 8 Marketing for Good Ellen Graf-Martin’s legacy of hope, generosity and justice.

SOMEONE CARES

12 Leonard’s Last Chance Salvation Army helps retiree get sober and find purpose again.

coaster. 14 The Hope of Spring Diana Landazuli found a beacon of support in an unexpected place. 16 Faith On Air TV show host Meisha Watson encourages young Christians and creatives.

Mrs. Peanut and the Monocle Diane Stark had to learn to focus on what God is doing around her, not on her own problems.

Here’s a fun and simple way to refresh a

Planting Seeds

When Just for Kids editor and staff writer Abbigail Oliver approached her interview with TV and podcast host Meisha Watson, little did she know that it would inform her work on The Salvation Army’s children’s worksheet.

“When I’m writing Just for Kids, I don’t always see how important the Bible stories are,” she explains. “I try to connect them to things kids like so that, hopefully, they’ll be interested in reading them. Sometimes it’s hard to be relatable because it’s been a while since I was that young, even though I remember working on the mazes in Sunday school—now, I’m making them!”

But Meisha made her realize that, while it’s important to be relatable, the most important thing is to introduce kids to the words of God.

“All we need to do is open that door for them,” Abbigail continues. “Meisha approaches her productions with the idea that, as communicators, we can help plant that seed for kids at such a foundational time in their development.

“If I recall doing the word searches when I was six, I’m sure today’s kids will remember the stories I’m telling them now. Then it’s in God’s hands.”

Read Abbigail’s interview with Meisha on page 16.

Elsewhere in this month’s Faith & Friends, you’ll see our take on the new IF movie, read how one woman is making a difference as a Salvation Army volunteer, and discover how a small piece of pottery reminds Ellen Graf-Martin of her own career path as a force for good in the marketing world.

Ken Ramstead

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An INSPIRE-ing Encounter

Forty-six years later, a man reunites with the Salvation Army chaplain who helped save his life.

by Ken Ramstead

Major Helen Hastie was excited. A long-time Salvation Army pastor currently serving in retirement as chaplain at the Army’s New Directions Halfway House in Kitchener, Ont., she was volunteering at INSPIRE , the weeklong Salvation Army conference and congress gathering that occurred in Toronto last year. The highlight of her week was attending Skeleton Army, a play about the early days of The Salvation Army in England. That day, Helen received a text

A Long-Awaited Meeting

Gerry Robert and Major Helen Hastie finally meet at INSPIRE, where she was volunteering at the weeklong Salvation Army conference and congress held in Toronto last year

When He Was Young Gerry, taken around the time of his incarceration

message from Neil Leduke, the territorial director of marketing and communication for The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda, who had been friends with her since they had both participated in a mission trip to Cuba.

“Do you remember a Gerry Robert? ” Neil asked her.

Gerry Robert. That was a name she had not heard in 46 years, though she had often wondered what had happened to the young man she had last met in 1977.

Photos: Courtesy of Gerry Robert and Major Helen Hastie

Busted

Though Gerry is now a successful author, entrepreneur and the happily married father of three children, he had been a troubled young man growing up in Hull, Que.

“I was addicted to alcohol, and I did a lot of stupid things back then,” he says now.

The “highlight” was in the spring of 1977 when Gerry stole a beer truck, drove it to his apartment and proceeded to carry eight cases of beer inside.

Not content with this heist, he then ordered dinner for six from a Chinese restaurant, waited outside and took both food and money from the unsuspecting delivery person, then fled—around the corner and up to his apartment by the back stairs.

There was only one problem with this perfect crime: Gerry lived directly across the street from a detachment of the Quebec Provincial Police.

“I was not a smart criminal,” he laughs.

The delivery person phoned 911, and the local police congregated around the scene of the crime.

“Let me tell you something,” says Gerry. “When 20 police officers are in your house and they’re all pointing guns at you, it can really mess up your weekend.

“My life was completely out of control,” he reflects. “I’ve got hundreds of those types of crazy stories

of things that I’ve done. It just shows you the insanity of alcohol.”

“Old Ladies, Bingos and Bazaars” Arrested, the 18-year-old was sentenced to a nine-month term for armed robbery.

“It was the most negative event that ever happened to me,” he says. “But it was also the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Part of his sentence was served at a Christian rehabilitation facility, and it was there that he had an encounter with God.

“I was a mean dude back then, but I experienced love for the first time,” Gerry says. “The man who ran the facility, Norm Sharkey, introduced me to Jesus in a deep, personal way. Even after all these years, I still chat with Norm every week.”

At that time, Helen was a Salvation Army pastor in Ottawa and, as part of her duties, she served as a chaplain to the halfway house around the corner.

“I would go and meet and minister to the people there, and we’d have prayer meetings,” she says. “And then they’d come to our Salvation Army church and share their testimonies.”

Gerry was one of them.

“He was hungry for purpose,” Helen continues. “Gerry had to do some time, and I visited him in jail, and when he was released, I connected with him on and off.”

“Up to that point, I thought Christianity was old ladies, bingos and bazaars, and I wanted nothing to do with that,” Gerry says. “But people like Helen showed me that God is real, and I just ate it up.

“She mentored me and discipled me while I was in prison, where she visited me once a week and unpacked the Bible.

As They Are Now Gerry (left) is now a successful author, entrepreneur and the happily married father of three. Major Helen is currently serving in retirement as chaplain at the Army’s New Directions Halfway House in Kitchener, Ont.

be possible to locate Helen. Neil took it upon himself to make the connection.

“Thanks to Helen, I knew that God was real. I knew that Jesus died for me, and I knew that I was a new creation—and that I would never go back to being the man I was before.

“There were many people who brought God into my life, including my wife, Anne, and her family, Norm and Helen. I wouldn’t be here today without her.”

Worth It

With Neil’s help, Helen met Gerry, Anne and his son, Corey, at an evening performance of Skeleton Army. As a digital marketing and project manager, Corey works with Neil, and Gerry had asked his son if it might

“It was a great place to meet Helen after all these years,” Gerry relates. “The whole message of the play is that reprobates can get turned around, in this case with the help of a devoted Salvation Army officer. It gives me goosebumps even thinking about it, that at the play, I reconnected with somebody who was still in ministry doing the same thing, helping people who needed help.”

“I spent most of the play watching it in tears, thinking about that,” agrees Helen. “You know, the ministry and the effect it has on you. You have no idea the impact you can make on someone, and for Gerry to remember me after so many years was kind of special.”

“Helen needed to know that, for at least one guy whom she opened the Bible to, his life was turned around,” Gerry concludes, “and the seeds she helped plant fell on fertile ground. All that she did was worth it.”

It Runs in

the Family

Ellen Graf-Martin's entrepreneurial mission is to use wise communications strategies to strengthen organizations committed to hope, generosity and justice

Photo: Courtesy of Ellen Graf-Martin

Marketing for Good

Ellen Graf-Martin’s legacy of hope, generosity and justice.

by Ellen Graf-Martin

Since 2008, Graf-Martin Communications, based in Elmira, Ont., has become a symbol of positive change in the marketing world. Founded by Ellen Graf-Martin, it has established itself as a leading integrated marketing and communications agency for more than 175 organizations seeking to do more good in Canada and around the world.

In the following article, Ellen shares an incredible story that highlights how God doesn’t forget anything and uses everything. It illustrates how God weaves our accomplishments, experiences and stories together with others to fulfil His plan, and showcases the importance of building something bigger than yourself.

In my dining room, a small blue dish sits on a glass shelf, reminding me of Josiah Wedgwood, an 18th-century potter from England. His innovative spirit made him the father of modern marketing and his commitment to justice changed the course of history—and shaped my own career path.

Culture Creator

Josiah, a fifth-generation potter, faced a challenge early in life when smallpox left him unable to use a potter’s wheel. Undaunted, he delved into the

business of pottery, revolutionizing the industry with inventive products and game-changing marketing strategies.

In a time when pottery was inexpensive, primarily glazed in black to hide dirt and stains, Josiah dared to experiment, testing thousands of new glazes in white, cream and the iconic “Wedgwood blue.” His determination turned disability into opportunity, leveraging smart creativity and a drive for perfection, earning him the title “the Steve Jobs of pottery.”

Josiah’s innovations didn’t stop at pottery. He established the first modern ceramics factory and pottery community of artisans in Stokeon-Trent, England, an Industrial Revolution-era Silicon Valley, transforming ordinary stoneware into extraordinary opportunity.

The Father of Marketing

In 1765, Josiah caught the eye of royal tastemaker, social influencer and style-setter Queen Charlotte (who has re-emerged in popularity thanks to Netflix), changing the trajectory of Josiah’s career path.

An invitation was issued to potters across England to create and submit a “complete set of tea things” for Queen Charlotte’s use, leading to Josiah’s appointment as “Her Majesty’s Potter.” This launched Josiah’s Queensware, pioneering the concept of luxury for the masses and

garnering him a strong following, including Russia’s Catherine the Great. Through creating new sales tools, such as catalogues, advertisements, money-back guarantees and door-to-door sales, he launched what we now know as modern marketing.

I’m certain that Josiah wasn’t an easy person to work with, moving quickly, full of ideas and drive and ambition, but he paved the way for generations of entrepreneurs and marketers to come. He also became extraordinarily successful and wealthy.

Well done, Josiah!

Campaigning for Justice

Beyond entrepreneurial success, Josiah used his influence, wealth and keen marketing mind for greater purpose. Josiah’s friendship with abolitionists Thomas Clarkson and William Wilberforce fuelled a deep commitment to using his wealth, along with his marketing and pottery skills, to advance the cause of the abolition of slavery.

The Wedgwood Anti-Slavery medallion, featuring the phrase “Am I not a man and a brother?” was produced and distributed by the thousands, free of charge—a revealingly generous decision for such a savvy entrepreneur.

“Wedgwood Blue” Ellen holds her family's dish

Photo: Courtesy of Ellen Graf-Martin

Little did I know in 2008, that I was entering the family business: marketing for good. ELLEN GRAF-MARTIN

Although he didn’t live to witness the British Empire’s abolition of the slave trade or of the emancipation of enslaved people, Josiah’s family, especially his daughter, Sarah, took up this campaign of justice.

Legacy

In 1910, Josiah’s great-greatgrand-nephew, Nathan Wedgwood Medd, immigrated to Canada. In keeping with his family’s abolitionist roots, he married a Canadian Quaker and had nine children.

Nathan wasn’t a potter, but a talented musician, singer and a powerful force. While, like Josiah, he was difficult in his own ways, he also leveraged natural communications talent and became a justice advocate, driving thousands of kilometres across the country, campaigning for the rights of senior citizens and pensioners. Through friendship with the mother of the renowned politician and social reformer Tommy Douglas, Nathan’s advocacy helped secure Old Age Pension benefits for all Canadians.

Nathan was my great-grandfather. Little did I know in 2008, that I was

entering the family business: marketing for good. My entrepreneurial mission to use wise communications strategies to strengthen organizations committed to hope, generosity and justice wasn’t new to my gene pool, just forgotten.

While none of Josiah’s wealth had trickled down the family tree to us, we’d eaten off Wedgwood plates and seen photos of visits to the Wedgwood family museum, but no one spoke of the deeper mission behind the name.

My faith tells me that God had not forgotten. When I started my own entrepreneurial journey, I was led to specific words found in the Bible, in Isaiah 61. This chapter outlines God’s desire to use His people to communicate hope, to live generously and to pursue justice on behalf of those who experience injustice. And these words have kept me in this work, especially when it has been difficult.

Rooted in hope. Pursuing justice. Choosing generosity. And using marketing, pioneered by Josiah so many years ago, for good. This has been the legacy handed down to me.

Leonard’s Last Chance

Salvation Army helps retiree get sober and find purpose again.

by Juan Romero

Before retiring, Leonard Ord had a very active life. He loved his role at a large company, which allowed him to interact with people and travel for business regularly.

Despite his love for the job, Leonard looked forward to retiring early. Unfortunately, the drastic lifestyle change took a toll on him.

“I couldn’t cope with retirement,” Leonard says. “I had so much on the go and then when I lost all that excitement, I got bored.”

Every day that passed since retiring

felt challenging for Leonard. He turned to alcohol to make his days go by faster. Over the years, his drinking affected his health, and Leonard would find himself visiting his doctor weekly. He was told that his liver was shutting down, and that if he kept going on this path, he wouldn’t have long to live.

Up the Stairs

Soon after, Leonard had a serious fall, which forced his son and daughter to intervene. They initially

Shoulder to Lean On Leonard Ord credits The Salvation Army's Anchorage Recovery Program’s staff, such as program supervisor Christina Pyrek, with helping him and keeping him accountable during his recovery

Helping Out Leonard takes on the role of Shieldy, The Salvation Army’s mascot, for an event

Photos: Major Jennifer Hale

took him to a hospital to sober up. However, he was discharged after a few days. That’s when his family decided to contact The Salvation Army in Halifax’s Anchorage Recovery Program, a six-month residential rehabilitation program for men.

“They got hold of a nice lady who worked in the Anchorage program,” Leonard remembers. “And she said, ‘Well, if you can get him down here by four o’clock on Friday, we’ll get him in.’ ”

When they arrived, Leonard could barely get up the stairs. However, knowing how invested his family was in his recovery gave him the drive to go on.

“When my son and I arrived, we looked up at the Salvation Army logo and read the words ‘Giving Hope Today.’ We stared at these words for a moment, knowing this would be my last chance. I was feeling scared and weak, and my son helped me up the stairs and into the building.”

“I Have My Life Back”

Once he got involved in the program,

Leonard slowly regained his strength. As time went on, he felt uplifted by the staff, made friends and was physically active daily. He even got more involved with the Army, taking on the role of Shieldy, The Salvation Army’s mascot, for an event.

He credits the recovery program he took part in with helping him get sober for good.

“The programming here is unreal,” Leonard shares. “It’s just what I needed. They keep you engaged. You know, not just once a day, it’s all day that keeps you accountable.”

It has now been a year since he first arrived at the Anchorage program and graduated from it; he has not had any relapses since. He thanks his counsellors at The Salvation Army for keeping him accountable and being there for him when he was down. Leonard says he will always remember the day his family made the call to The Salvation Army.

“I’ll remember that for the rest of my life because I have my life back,” he says. “I’m almost back to 100 percent to where I was when I was in the working world.”

(left) Juan Romero is the staff writer/news media relations specialist at The Salvation Army’s territorial headquarters in Toronto.

Escaping Winter's Grip Diana Landazuli and her family are grateful to The Salvation Army for the help they received

Th of Spring e Hope

DIANA LANDAZULI FOUND A BEACON OF SUPPORT IN AN UNEXPECTED PLACE.

by Jonathan Gagné

As the winter approached, bringing with it a chill that seemed to seep into the bones, Diana Landazuli and her six children faced the kind of cold that goes beyond physical discomfort. It was a cold that threatened hope itself, making each day a battle for warmth and light. Yet, it was in this moment of profound darkness that Diana found a beacon of hope in an unexpected place: The Salvation Army.

The Power of Compassion

“When winter knocked on our door, colder and harder than ever, my six children and I struggled each day to find a bit of warmth, a bit of light,” Diana recalls.

The challenges of providing for a family are immense, and the winter months only intensified these struggles. However, Diana’s story is not just one of hardship but of finding warmth in the coldest of times.

Upon crossing the threshold of

Photo: Aida Munoz-Perez

“Today, I stand as a volunteer among those who reach out.”

DIANA LANDAZULI

The Salvation Army’s Light of Hope Family Church (Lumiere D'espoir) in Brossard, Que., Diana found a community ready to embrace her and her family with open arms, offering not only material support but emotional sustenance as well.

“There, I found much more than the hot meal I sought; I found hope, compassion, unwavering support,” she shares.

Transforming Lives

What makes Diana’s story truly remarkable is her transformation from someone seeking help to being a source of help for others.

Moved by the kindness she received, Diana decided to give back, volunteering her time and energy to help those who find themselves in situations like hers.

“Today, I stand as a volunteer among those who reach out,” she proudly states. This transition from recipient to giver is a power-

ful reminder of the impact kindness can have on an individual’s life.

Diana’s gratitude extends beyond her personal experience, recognizing the broader significance of the support she received.

“In response to their food and moral support, I want to share my gratitude on behalf of all the families in need, highlighting how a little more help can transform lives,” she reflects.

Through her journey, Diana has learned a valuable lesson that she now shares with others: “The Salvation Army has taught me that even in the coldest winter nights, there is always the hope of spring.”

For Diana and her family, The Salvation Army was more than a shelter from the cold; it was a place where they were seen, heard and helped without judgment. Diana’s story is a reminder that hope can flourish even in the harshest of winters.

special projects/ marketing manager with The Salvation Army in Montreal. With a passion for storytelling and social impact, he is committed to shedding light on the pivotal role of community support and compassion in transforming lives.

(left) Jonathan Gagné is the

Podcaster Extraordinaire

“We’re in a renaissance of creation—of music and art, and of sharing the gospel in new ways,” says Meisha Watson. "God blesses us with these gifts, and so we should use them"

Faith On Air

TV SHOW HOST MEISHA WATSON ENCOURAGES YOUNG CHRISTIANS AND CREATIVES.

“Every time I speak to young people and they can relate to what I say, it reminds me that I am doing exactly what God has called me to do,” says Meisha Watson, host and executive producer at Crossroads Christian Media, and creative mind behind the Hey, Meisha! TV show and My Single Story podcast. “I was one of those young people once.”

Meisha, who recently partnered with The Salvation Army to host the 2024 Brave events for the empowerment of girls, spoke to staff writer Abbigail Oliver about being a Black Christian woman in the media industry and the value of mentorship in her own life.

Can you tell me about your background and your faith journey?

I was born and raised in London, England, and moved to Canada when I was a teenager. I went to church when I was younger, but I moved to the city to try and become an actress when I was 17. I started auditioning and performing , and stopped going to church. Nothing was really keeping me there at the time.

Then, I met a friend who invited me to church with them. When I went back, I said to myself, “Whatever this feeling is, I want to keep experiencing it.” My career and my faith took off together, along the same trajectory. Onward and upward.

How has your faith and career brought you to where you are today?

I didn’t plan to be in ministry. My goal was always to just create art. But, as my faith developed, it was hard to make content that didn’t put Jesus at the forefront. I spent three wonderful years working at YTV and I loved my time there, but I couldn’t talk about my faith on air, and that was hard.

One day, I had the chance to visit Crossroads Christian Communications, a media company in Burlington, Ont., where I met the CEO. She asked me to pitch a show— so I pitched three!

The first show chosen was called Hey, Meisha! And I am still doing that show four years later.

Can you tell me about the productions you work on?

Hey, Meisha! is a Christian show for kids ages six to 10. The goal is to get the words of God into the minds and hearts of children as early as possible, and then allow the Holy Spirit to transform them throughout their life.

As a young person, my youth pastor, Kevin White from Cornerstone Christian Community Church, was an amazing mentor to me. He made the Bible relatable and accessible. And now I get to do the same thing for young people that Kevin did for me, planting that seed that makes the Bible relatable and memorable, while being a good leader to them. I also produce and host a podcast called My Single Story. Within my own life as a single woman of God, I felt that there was a gap in ministry for singles. So, in this podcast we have honest conversations around creating a single-friendly church community and how we can equip single women to be able to live fulfilling lives where they aren’t just

thinking about the next step of marriage, but rather what God has planned for them in this time. It’s not just about the good part of singleness, either. We want to hear about all of it because God is present in all of it.

In your time working in the media industry, have you faced any challenges or drawbacks? How did this impact you? Before I got into ministry, my biggest drawbacks in my career and my life were because of my race. Working in television, I once had a bad experience with a makeup artist. She didn’t know what to do with my hair and she would colour my skin differently than my actual skin tone. I was often treated poorly.

As I’ve grown in my career, I’ve had more leadership opportunities and learned to speak up for myself. At my current network, I was able to ask for a specific makeup artist that knew how to do my hair. I feel really cherished and taken care of here.

Photo: Jaymie Harris

“I want creatives to know that God is a creative God. Whatever God has put on your heart to create, go and do that.”

MEISHA WATSON

I remember when I first came on to the set for the first time, I didn’t recognize any of the products that were on the table, and I was nervous. I thought, What are they going to do to my hair? What are they going to put on my face? But now, one of the kids on Hey, Meisha! came into the makeup room at the studio and he saw all these hair products that he recognized. To see this kid come in with a big, beautiful afro and skin, and he feels confident and excited—I’m grateful to be part of that change.

Can you offer any advice to young people who are looking to make a difference through their own work? I want creatives to know that God is a creative God. Whatever God has put on your heart to create, go and do that. We’re in a renaissance of creation—of music and art, and of sharing the gospel in new ways. God blesses us with these gifts, and so we should use them.

My other very important advice is to pray. For too long, I felt like I had to pray in a certain kind of way, like everybody else. But we’re all different. We all have our own personal relationships with God. So, pray in a way that makes you feel most connected to Him. Sometimes He’s just looking for a down-to-earth conversation with you.

What If?

IN FAITH AS IN IMAGINARY FRIENDS, BELIEVING IS SEEING.

by Diane Stark

In theaters this May, IF is a live action/animated fantasy comedy that was written, directed and co-produced by John Krasinski (The Office, A Quiet Place).

While going through a difficult time, a young girl named Bea (Cailey Fleming, The Walking Dead, Loki) develops a unique coping mechanism. She is suddenly able to see everyone else’s imaginary friends, or IFs, for short. A giant fuzzy purple IF named Blue (voiced by Steve Carrell, The Office) explains that the IFs need Bea’s help.

The children who created them have all grown up and stopped believing in them. The IFs have been abandoned, and they want Bea to help

them find new kids to love, who will believe in them again.

Bea doesn’t know what to do, until she discovers that her neighbour, known only as The Man Upstairs (Ryan Reynolds, Free Guy, Spirited ), shares Bea’s remarkable ability. The two form an unlikely friendship and hatch a plan to help the IFs.

Can Bea and The Man Upstairs help the IFs find new kids to believe in them? Will helping their imaginary friends show Bea and The Man Upstairs that it’s OK to believe that there’s still good in the world?

Grown Up, “Grown Out”

Many of us had imaginary friends during childhood. We might’ve

To the Rescue

The Man Upstairs (Ryan Reynolds) and Bea (Cailey Fleming) hatch a plan to help their Imaginary Friends

We can’t see God with our eyes, but we feel His presence in our hearts and in our lives.

DIANE STARK

created them because we were lonely or bored or just because we had active imaginations.

But as we grew up, reality took over and our imaginary friends went by the wayside. We stopped believing in them because we accepted that they weren’t real.

For some of us, faith in God feels like an IF, something we believed in as a child but, as we grew up, we decided it wasn’t real and we left it behind.

Some of us might’ve stopped believing because we think faith in God is illogical. It’s a fairy tale that no longer makes sense to us. We might feel that “The Man Upstairs” has somehow let us down and we give up on our faith because of pain or disappointment.

Sadly, some of us “grow out” of believing in God when we become adults.

Better Than We Can Imagine

The movie IF poses an important question: What if everything we believed as a kid was real?

Kids believe their imaginary friends exist in real life, despite never

having seen them with their eyes. They believe in them because they see them in their minds. They might even feel them in their hearts.

Having faith in God can feel a bit like believing in an imaginary friend. We can’t see God with our eyes, but we feel His presence in our hearts and in our lives. We look for evidence that He exists, and we find it in our answered prayers, in the miracles we’ve witnessed and in the beautiful world that only He could’ve created. We don’t see God, but we feel Him when we’re paying attention.

It’s normal to have occasional doubts about our faith. We can talk to God about them—after all, He already knows. Our doubts don’t rattle Him or make Him angry at us. God is patient, and He will help us work through these feelings if we ask Him to. But the best news is that, even if we’ve left behind our faith at some point, God will always welcome us back with open arms. It’s never too late to come to faith for the first time or to return to a faith we once abandoned.

And there’s no IFs, ands or buts about that!

Iunloaded my cart onto the conveyer belt and glanced around for my 14-year-old son, Nathan. He was in the next aisle, holding a huge bag of candy. I knew what was coming next. He brought the bag to me and asked if we could buy it for his upcoming sleepover with his friends. I squinted at the price tag— $3.99. It seemed like a good deal so

Mrs. Peanut and the Monocle

I had to learn to focus on what God is doing around me, not on my own problems.

Diane Stark

“Mom,

Is That a Monocle?”

Stark had to admit the awful truth

I tossed the bag in with our other purchases.

But when we got in the car, I looked over the receipt.

“Nathan, they charged us $8.99 for that candy,” I said. “Let’s go back inside and get the error fixed.”

“What error?” Nathan said. “The price tag said $8.99.”

“No, it didn’t. It said $3.99.”

Diane

“Mom, I hate to tell you this, but the store didn’t make a mistake. Your eyeballs did.”

I sighed. It was time I admitted the awful truth.

I needed reading glasses.

Problem Solved?

I purchased a pair of purple-tinted readers at my local drug store. I hoped the pretty hue would soften the blow to my ego. It didn’t work.

For the first few months, I wore the glasses when I worked on the computer, but if anyone came into the room, I ripped them off my face with lightning speed.

wearing my reading glasses in public. But this posed another problem. My glasses didn’t fit in my purse. I like small purses—always have—and I didn’t want to buy a larger purse. Instead, I bought a small folding magnifying glass to help me read menus and price tags.

Problem solved.

Monocle-Mania

Except it wasn’t. The week after I got my magnifying glass, our family went out for dinner. Quietly, I pulled the magnifier from my purse so I could read the menu, hoping no one would notice. I wasn’t that lucky.

“Mom, from now on, I’m going to call you Mrs. Peanut!” NATHAN STARK

“Honey, you don’t need to be embarrassed,” my husband, Eric, chuckled. “A lot of people need readers when they get to a certain age.”

While I wasn’t thrilled to be a woman of “a certain age,” it wasn’t long before I could no longer afford the luxury of vanity. Because I refused to wear my glasses in public, I ended up overpaying for a few more items. In restaurants, I’d accidentally ordered food I don’t like.

My vanity was costing me. It was time to swallow my pride and start

“Mom, is that a monocle?” my adult son, Jordan, practically shouted.

“It’s not a monocle,” I said at a 10th of his decibel level. “It’s a magnifying glass.”

But it was too late. We’d attracted the attention of the whole table. Jordan took the magnifying glass from my hand and held it up for everyone to see. Looking at his siblings, he said, “We need to make a pact right now to never let Mom use this in public. I would much rather just read the menu to her. Who agrees?”

“My eyes might not work as well as they used to,” says Diane, “but I see clearly that my family is my greatest blessing”

All five of my children raised their hands, agreeing that using a monocle—I mean, a magnifying glass—in public was a completely embarrassing thing to do.

For the next 10 minutes, the kids passed my visual aid around the table, experimenting with it and laughing at how positively ancient I now was.

“Your monocle reminds me of something,” my college-aged daughter, Julia, said. “Doesn’t the guy on the Planters peanuts jar use a monocle?”

“He does,” Nathan said. “His name is Mr. Peanut!” He started laughing. “Mom, from now on, I’m going to call you Mrs. Peanut!”

Of course, the name caught on, and everyone but Eric started calling me that.

Tiny Message

So now, I was a woman of a certain age with reading glasses, a monocle and a ridiculous nickname. I wished I’d just bought a bigger purse.

A few days later, I was making dinner and I couldn’t read the recipe. My reading glasses were upstairs, so I grabbed my monocle—I mean, my magnifying glass—from my purse. Nathan walked into the room, saw it and said, “Do you need help, Mrs. Peanut?”

For the next 30 minutes, Nathan helped me prepare dinner. As he chopped the veggies, he asked if we could purchase a Bible for his friend, who’d recently started coming to church with us.

“I’ll pay for it with my allowance,” he said.

I stopped what I was doing and stared at my son. “You are a great kid, and I’m so proud of you. I don’t think I tell you that enough.”

He shrugged and kept working. Compliments embarrassed him.

As I was cleaning up after dinner, Nathan handed me a piece of paper with teeny-tiny handwriting on it.

“Why did you write so small?” I asked.

He grinned. “So you’d have to use your monocle.”

“Another opportunity to make fun of me, huh?”

He shook his head. “No. I wanted to help you focus on what you need to see.” He smiled and left the room.

I held the magnifier over his note. “Mrs. Peanut,” I read, “you might be old, but you’re still a great mom, and I thank God for you. I don’t think I

tell you that enough.”

I swallowed past a lump in my throat. Looking at my monocle problems might feel easier because it’s—literally—right in front of my eyes. Focusing on what God is doing behind the scenes takes more effort.

Nathan’s (mostly) sweet note reminded me to focus on the important things. A close-knit family who feels comfortable enough to tease one another. A supportive and loving husband. And a teenaged son who helps in the kitchen, writes thoughtful notes, invites his friends to church and makes sure they have a Bible.

My eyes might not work as well as they used to, but I see clearly that my family is my greatest blessing. I’m thankful for them, and I want to tell them—and God—as often as I can.

Recipe photos: Erin Stanley

Eating Healthy With Erin

WATERMELON

FETA SALAD

TIME 10 min MAKES 4 servings SERVE WITH grilled meat or burgers

Salad Recipe

1 L (4 cups) watermelon, cubed

1 L (4 cups) spring mix or arugula salad

125 ml (½ cup) cherry tomatoes, halved

1 avocado, cubed

75 ml (1/3 cup) red onion

75 ml (1/3 cup) fresh mint, torn

75 ml (1/3 cup) feta cheese, crumbled

Dressing Recipe

30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil

30 ml (2 tbsp) honey

45 ml (3 tbsp) lime juice

1 ml (¼ tsp) salt

pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

1. Assemble all salad ingredients in bowl with feta cheese crumbled on top and set aside.

2. In another small bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients.

3. Add dressing to salad and enjoy!

PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM BURGERS

TIME 10 min MAKES 2 servings SERVE WITH salad

2 portobello mushroom caps

45 ml (3 tbsp) olive oil

30 ml (2 tbsp) balsamic vinegar

10 ml (2 tsp) soy sauce

black pepper to taste

15 ml (1 tbsp) butter

2 Swiss cheese slices

2 hamburger buns

30 ml (2 tbsp) mayonnaise

60 ml (¼ cup) red onion

60 ml (¼ cup) sliced tomato or to taste

60 ml (¼ cup) lettuce

1. Remove mushroom stem and gills from portobello mushrooms. Wipe clean with a damp paper towel.

2. In small bowl, mix olive oil, balsamic vinegar and soy sauce together. Brush on both sides of the mushroom and sprinkle black pepper. Put in fridge to marinate for 1 hour.

3. Heat a pan over medium-low heat with butter. Place mushrooms in and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4 minutes.

4. Flip again and add cheese. Place lid back on until cheese is melted.

5. Assemble burger with mayonnaise, tomato, lettuce, mushroom and onion toppings.

in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 × 3 box contains

QUICK QUIZ

1. What type of number can only be divided by 1 or by itself?

2. An octogenarian is a person who is how many years old?

3. Who is the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I basketball?

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by Kevin Frank

Word Perfect

Here’s a fun and simple way to refresh a thrifted coaster.

The power of words! You can easily customize this delightful DIY project for birthdays, holidays or other special occasions.

Supplies Needed: Thrifted coaster or corkboard, Scrabble letters, Krazy Glue, Gorilla Glue or other super-glue adhesive.

Step 1 The base for your DIY coasters could be a set of second-hand coasters from your local Salvation Army thrift store, or you can use scrap pieces from previous upcycling projects, such as corkboard or wood. Next, you’ll want to find Scrabble letters to add to the thrifted coasters.

Step 2 Clean the top of your coasters and set up the Scrabble letters in the order you want them to be on the coasters.

Step 3 Use super glue to adhere your Scrabble letters to the coaster. You can add the glue to your Scrabble piece or onto your coaster.

Step 4 After your first row, add the next four rows a row at a time. Be careful not to glue yourself—super glue works fast! Allow to dry.

And that’s it! Your only limit to this upcycling project is the letters you have on hand—and your imagination.

(left) Denise Corcoran (aka Thrifty By Design) is an author, upcycler, community builder and workshop facilitator based in North Vancouver. She shares her enthusiasm for crafting and upcycling by facilitating “Crafternoons” throughout Vancouver. She is also a creative expert for The Salvation Army’s thrift stores. Find a thrift store near you at thriftstore.ca.