Joyful Noise Books and Gifts "Make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness"

Thank you Maillardville!

Posted: May 17th, 2010

Thank you for welcoming us and for all the little miracles we experienced together. And, thank you for sharing your thoughts here.

Little Miracles

Posted: September 23rd, 2009

Miracle #1 – MONDAY - Patrick and I have been chatting about the work he wants to do in the store come November, like fix some of the track lighting. We’ve been putting it off because this track lighting is old. It was donated by Fr. Hawkswell almost 5 years ago. Two fixtures are not working and the thought of having to replace all of the lighting in the store so the look remains consistent was a little bit of a concern. However, needs to be done. Earlier this week a man sauntered in, looking around. “Can I help you” I asked. He told me he was just in the neighbourhood and popped in on a whim. “You know if you ever wanted to change the lighting in the store I would be glad to help.” “Pardon me?” I asked. He was a lighting consultant!! TRUE STORY! In fact, he said if all I needed was to replace the fixtures that were clearly not working he was sure he had some in his warehouse even though they did not make them anymore. WHAAT? He promised to return next week with three for us. Really…a travelling light salesman?

Miracle #2 – TUESDAY - A church in the Fraser Valley needed a box of books by Wednesday. I made arrangements with a friend who is a courier for a Tuesday delivery. I received a call from our friend in the morning, his dispatch redirected him and he unfortunately would not be able to help us. YIKES! About half an hour after this phone conversation we received a delivery of boxes from one of our regular freight companies. I asked J. if his route took him into the Fraser Valley by chance. He replied that it did not but asked why. After I explained my dilemna he said “I don’t deliver there but I live close by there, I’ll do it on the way home”!!! TRUE STORY! I offered to pay him, he told me not to be ridiculous. The church got their box before 5PM that day and all was well for the program that started the next day.

Miracle #3 – WEDNESDAY - I received a phone call a few weeks ago from a Ms. S. who was directed to phone us by a friend who is Catholic. She needed to purchase a particular item that she heard would help to sell her house. When she called us she was ecstatic to find out we a) carried this item and b) were literally just down the street from her, she didn’t know anything about us, we’d never met before. She came right down. THIS WEEK she popped in saying “I had to come and see you to give you the update. It had to be today”. As she turned in the store, she saw the wife of the friend that recommended our store to her. She hadn’t seen them all this time, they had just returned from a two week holiday overseas. TRUE STORY! Of all the times for both of these ladies to “decide” to pop in…at the exact same time. Now she was able to share how the advice was leading to a happy ending.

So, I do see these as little miracles. But then, I come to work expecting them because I think that’s why we’re here, and that’s only in one week!

Ryan’s funeral was today. What a privilege to be there at this most intimate of gatherings with family and friends. Ryan’s parents Guenther and Sheryl are the most amazing, loving people. Even (and especially) in the midst of this. I watched as they were the ones to console their son’s friends and co-workers, people overcome by their grief for a young man that obviously left a strong impression.

When I finally had a moment to hug each of them and share a few words, everything that I felt in my heart and heard in my head seemed to escape me. Because really, none of that mattered. As I embraced Guenther and Sheryl I thought about how many times Ryan might have hugged them just like this. The mom and dad that hugged him as a baby, a child, a boy and as a man. I didn’t know Ryan well but, I felt very close to him at that moment.

Fr. Scott shared wonderful heart-felt words and gave us all things to think about. Ryan did not live a tragic life, he lived a good life. He was loved and was loving in return. And, when one day the family is reunited in heaven, wouldn’t it be wonderful if God would appoint Ryan to greet them. Fr. reminds us that we are separated only by time and space and we will see each other again.

The sun was shining brightly on this warm fall day. Almost like time had stood still since September 5th. It still felt like summer, the trees lush and green, the flowers in bloom. It was a beautiful day for a child to go home.

In Honor of Ryan

Posted: September 9th, 2009

Our latest email campaign will not tell you about any fantastic specials at Joyful Noise Books & Gifts. In fact, this email is not about the store at all only that it serves as a vehicle to honor Ryan, his life and his death and because Jesus tells us we are to be His eyes, His ears, His voice here on earth;

This September long weekend was beautiful. We spent it busy with errands, church, friends, meals out, laundry, chores and some relaxation. Almost a perfect weekend.

Late Monday afternoon our phone rang. The voice on the other end was a familiar one, but I was caught off guard by the strain in his normally relaxed, jovial tone. I called my husband over, the phone was for him. Having lived through one or two of these life altering moments I had an uncomfortable, almost nauseous feeling in the pit of my stomach. As I listened to one end of the conversation I knew it was bad. Patrick grew more and more quiet and in shock. He learned in that phone call, that a young fellow that he hired and worked with everyday would not be returning to work on Tuesday. He was killed in a car crash on Saturday night.

This amiable, hard-working, 26 year old who’s future was as bright as he was, was gone. Just like that. I knew Patrick liked and respected him alot by the way he spoke of Ryan. Now, he is the son that will never come home, the brother that will never again drive his siblings wherever they needed to be, he died because somebody decided to drink and drive. Because someone did NOT value life. Not their own life, nor anyone else’s.

Instead, yesterday (Tuesday) Patrick gathered up Ryan’s personal belongings, placed them in a box, and handed them over to Ryan’s father who came by to see the place where his son spent so much time. Both wanting and needing to take in the atmosphere that Ryan enjoyed the last few years of his young life. Patrick assured his father that Ryan was well liked and valued by all there. Something a father deserves to know.

So, how do we show value for life?

I suppose regardless of what we profess, our choices and actions will always show the world just how we value our life and the life of another. Or not, as in the case of drinking and driving.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to read this for Ryan and all those who left us at far too young an age. And Ryan…thank you for the person you were. I am living with someone who did value you and whose life was affected by having you in it. May you rest in God’s eternal peace.

God Bless,

Peggy Maas

I surrender all

Posted: May 28th, 2009

Having surgery at the beginning of this year has really caused me to sit up and take note of my health, or should I say “lack of”.

My condition began several years ago and deteriorated to the degree that surgery was necessary earlier this year. It started as a minor issue as often is the case. A friend who has the same condition (and I pray they find resolve for her) and I constantly exchanged stories about our inability to do the simplest things. Sometimes even taking a shower required lying down and resting immediately after.

As I regain my health, which I am SO thankful for, I pray that God helps me to maintain this fervor. I know that I can do it because He is the ultimate Healer.

Jesus showed me how it is that my failing health can serve to teach me about sin.

Fr. Scott always says “no one wakes up one day and decides to fall into grave sin. It is a slow and insidious process”. It begins much the same way my deteriorating health began….one little health crisis at a time. One “small” sin at a time. The first one doesn’t feel so horrible, the next one can be easily justified, and before you know it you are drowning in it.

There is no magic pill or special diet for me that will erase what I have allowed in my life. There is only changing course and perseverance as old habits do their best to take over and I have to come to Him again and again. But our Wonderful Counselor and Healer is there, and knows exactly what I need. Spiritual and physical fitness, like everything else in life, relies on our abilities to SURRENDER it to Jesus and allow Him to help. I’m working on it one day at a time, everyday.

In trouble

Posted: May 5th, 2009

Oh oh, I’m in trouble with our webmaster…I’ve been away for abit and haven’t blogged in ages!!! He’s not a happy camper.

Alright, so, it’s spring already. The first few months of the year flew by. It’s taken me abit to get back into the swing of things.

I had almost taken for granted the little miracle I experience in the store all the time. Today was a good reminder.

My good friend M. who is the secretary at a local parish phoned and asked for a card for the anniversary of ordination of their parish priest which was today. She was thrilled to know we have one that is perfectly appropriate but, how to get it out there. One of the very few things I know in life is that God really does orchestrate all. I got off the phone and became attentive to the customer in the store. She was looking for a Confirmation gift…the Confirmation was to be held at the parish my friend just phoned from!! TRUE STORY. What are the chances that this woman would come into the store at the very moment I was having that telephone conversation. Only God can arrange things so precisely. Don’t you think?? I just laughed.

It’s so good to be back in my own little piece of heaven where I have a front seat to little miracles everyday.

Interview with Marie Luttrell

Posted: November 19th, 2008

Marie Luttrell has recently published a new book called “At The Back Door”. It is a compilation of her articles for the B.C. Catholic over the course of 10 years. Her regular article was one of the most popular features of the paper.

We’ll be having a book signing with her at our store this Saturday, November 22^nd from 1:00 to 3:00. We thought it would be great to do a little exclusive interview with Marie in preparation for the event.

We hope that you will come in for the book signing and pick up a copy of Marie’s book. It’s a great opportunity for those of you who knew and loved her column to rediscover what you loved and maybe read some of the ones that you missed. For those of you who don’t know the column, what a great opportunity to discover it!

Interview

How long have you been a resident of this area of B.C.? Why did you / your family move here (if you did)? What do you like best about living here?

We moved to BC from the Eastern United States in 1970. My husband got a teaching job here, and we loved the thought of the adventure. I love the natural beauty – and the sense of community in our parish and neighborhood.

How did you start writing for the B.C. Catholic?

I started writing in 1983 when challenged by the B C Council for Families to submit something to our local papers to celebrate Family Month in May. Fr. Vincent Hawkswell, then the editor, liked the pieces and asked if I would continue on a weekly basis.

“So much of the spiritual life is listening, because God enters our lives through our senses, especially through our ears. I think that because of writing, my prayer life changed and deepened.”

What was it like to write a regular column for the paper for so many years?

There’e two sides to this. It was a discipline that I loved. It was a discipline I sometimes resented too. I was grateful for the deadline. Sometimes things flowed, and sometimes I had to push the pencil – as it were. Overall, it helped me to write regularly to deepen my spiritual life, and my honesty, and to improve my writing.

What was the inspiration that started you writing articles about discovering God in everyday life?

The very first thing I had published was a piece about walking with my father, who had died many years before. He was a lawyer – a good writer, a clear thinker, and a generous man. I think he has had a hand in all this.

Did you see a development in your writing style and spiritual maturity over the course of your writing these articles? What was the most important area that you grew in?

Absolutely. The first years of the column were strictly family, but after a time, I was able to include other spiritual topics as well. Writing made me pull books off the library shelves I might never have seen, and listen more carefully to what people told me. So much of the spiritual life is listening, because God enters our lives through our senses, especially through our ears. I think that because of writing, my prayer life changed and deepened.

Do you have a favorite story about how someone’s life has been affected positively by your articles?

I think the one column I received the most feedback for was the announcement of a pregnancy ten years after my last child. I really wondered what God had in mind that time! It didn’t take long though, to see this new baby as a gift for our whole family. Over the years, people have still asked about my child of my “old age”, who is now in Grade 12. Many of them were able to see their own live experiences or those of close family and friends and the column did some good.

What effect do you hope your book will have on people?

I hope that they will be able to find common threads with the stories in the book, and find gratitude. More and more, I am convinced that God is found in all things, good circumstances, difficult circumstances, people who are easy to love, and people who challenge us. But finding God there is the gift, and when we can be grateful, we grow.

About the book

The following is an excerpt from the introduction to the book:

“This book represents columns from about the last ten years of that space in the paper. I have gathered them loosely under headings: HOME, HEALTH, HANDS, HOLY, HOPE – five facets of the great gift of life that God shares so abundantly. My hope is that as you read these pages, you might find yourself here and there, stop, reflect, and thank God for his incredible love for us. It’s all right here before us, every day. He’s right there at the back door.”

Fall at the Store - inspiring

Posted: September 15th, 2008

I love this time of year. I think I’ve already mentioned in another blog how much it feels like the beginning of a new year. School begins again, new grades, teachers and classes for most. Church programs start over for children and adults, for study groups, RCIA and so many.

It always excites me to meet the new RCIA candidates, new Catechism teachers and students new to their schools, who come through the store. I can tell they’re excited about the prospect of the new adventure. We really are “pilgrim” people. What this means to me is there are many beginnings and endings on our journey but, the journey is continuous, and as it continues we should always be learning and growing in our faith.

If the truth be known, I guess selfishly, I love what the fall stirs in me. The desire to be drawn closer to Him, through all of you who come into the store. I have always said that I believe “the store and all who come through it are here to help me get to heaven.” I really believe that.

Should I retract?

Posted: August 11th, 2008

I had so many interesting comments and phone calls after my last blog in July “Quality not quantity” that I almost felt like I should send a retraction. By some of the comments I gleaned that many people thought I was lamenting the quiet times in the store…in fact, completely the opposite. As God has grown our business I sometimes don’t feel I have the time I would like to just visiting with people. I learn so much about God, about myself and about them in these visits. And, some of my most powerful lessons have been learned from people who do not worship in the traditional sense of the word. They are not so familiar with the ways of our faith, they are not even regular church goers, but they do have a profound sense of God in their everyday lives and have lived through tremendous adversity. They remain convinced that God is in control of their lives never lamenting His ways.

So yes, in the quiet times, I have more time to spend with some of these local regulars and I am grateful. Would I be equally as grateful to be busy…of course! But, I pray I never get so busy that I miss what God is trying to teach me. We have become so good at filling ALL of our time with “stuff” that there is a great danger that we forget that He says “be still and know that I am your God”. So don’t feel badly for me because I still have the best job in the world!!

Quality Not Quantity

Posted: July 15th, 2008

Ah, the summer is here. We, who live in Vancouver, probably appreciate this hot dry weather more than most. It’s been a l o n g dreary winter and spring. So, everyone is out and about as they should be. And that means it’s quiet in the store. I mean q u i e t.

Some days it’s just me and the locals who fall into the store for a cold drink or a respite from the hot sun. The last couple of days have been just that. There is Ms. B, who you know from previous stories, she’s been in quite abit and really seems to be more at peace with her life…my young friend Miss. S. lives in a group home around the corner, she is far away from her family in the Northwest Territories. She lives on cigarettes and coca-cola (which she sometimes asks if she can have for free and mostly purchases) and I know she misses her family so much. I have no doubt she is where God needs her to be but she sure misses her family. She talks about them alot. I’ve learned quite abit about the north. And Mr. V., came in today. I haven’t seen him since he last stopped in to let me know how unhappy he was because he was relegated to a bread and water diet because of a heart condition. He still walks everyday from the Foyer Mallairdville as do so many of the residents there. He looks good but he still has some health challenges. I learned that one of their residents who used to stop in quite abit passed away last month. Makes me very sad. She was a dear sweet lady. Never married and very lonely she and I shared many wonderful visits. I will miss her.

So, these are my summer days. Interspersed with customers looking for wedding or baptism gifts, parents looking for things to entertain children on the drive to the vacation spot, or people looking for that good book to relax with, I get to sit in my little store and listen to people. Somebody told me that people just don’t listen anymore, too busy talking, talking, talking and not listening. There might not be as much traffic in the store right now but, it is about quality not quantity after all, right? I just keep telling myself that and it makes every day such an adventure.

Thank you Emmanuel

Posted: July 2nd, 2008

This month marks a very sad occasion for our little store ministry. We know that God has sent you all into our lives for His purpose. When we first began to look seriously for property to lease for the store we had a wish list. On this wish list were things like, “wouldn’t if be nice if it was in an old house” (yes, no kidding), “wouldn’t it be nice if our landlord was at least Christian so he could share in the journey”....enter, Mr. Emmanuel Lim. This property is owned by him, until this month when there will be a change of ownerships.

Emmanuel is not only our landlord, he is our brother-in-Christ and long time parishioner of St. Joseph parish in Port Moody, he has become our friend, a great advocate of change in this area of Mallairdville, and a one man public relations crew for Joyful Noise Books & GIfts Ltd. wherever he can.

So, we say “Thank You Emmanuel” for everything. We ask God to continue to bless you and your family wherever you go. We ask Him to allow you safe travels and fruitful evangelization in whatever environment He places you. We will miss you.

God Bless.

Sharing the Load

Posted: June 27th, 2008

As early as the beginning of the month of June my health was in jeapordy but, I did not realize it. Then, on June 10th my mother-in-law was taken to hospital where she still is today, in ICU. She is on the mend s l o w l y. That week was busy as family traveled in from all over Canada fearing the worst. Patrick is one of 8 siblings, between them all there are over 30 grown children most of whom have families of their own. As a result of a combination of these things I fell very ill shortly thereafter but am recuperating slowly.

I was back at church this past Sunday when I was reminded by a good friend that I need to be better at asking for prayers. She asked me if I believed in the power of prayer. Well, what a question – of course I do…I had been asking prayers for my mother-in-law almost obsessively since she was admitted. “So”, my friend said, “what about you”???

And, so, I am asking. Please pray for my health and the health of my mother-in-law Liz and the acceptance of all that God has planned and all that is to come.

God has really blessed our store ministry with generous staff and volunteers. Thanks especially to Janice and Debbie, I could not have gotten through the last few weeks without you.

Time to move the furniture

Posted: June 1st, 2008

Wow, this is our 3rd season of Easter, First Communion and Confirmations and it is busy, busy, busy thank you God!! All of the experts told us it would be 3-5 years to become “somewhat” established, this seems to be true.

We’ve revamped the store to accomodate the new steady traffic flow and I love it! The layout makes much more sense to me with the seating and children’s area tucked cozily in the back area making more room for books and merchandise in the front room. Feedback has been really good. And, Patrick is happy that I do this at the store because (he thinks) it might not happen at home as much…haha, good luck (gee, I hope he’s not reading this)!

The singing mailman

Posted: May 15th, 2008

I love this neighbourhood.

Today, like most days, our mailman comes in singing. He moved over to our route about the same time that we opened our store. And so, he comes in everyday singing a different song. He loves life and you can tell. We talk about the neighbourhood and it’s rich history which he knows quite abit about. We talk about our families, his motorcycle, we talk about what he and his son will do this weekend and much more. It’s amazing how much you can learn about a person, about “life”, and about yourself taking the time to share 2 minutes a day in conversation with someone. He is part of the fabric of my day.

I love this neighbourhood.

A Community in Mourning

Posted: April 30th, 2008

Today is a very sad day. Most who are coming in to the store are mourning the loss of Joshua who died this morning in his mother’s arms at Children’s Hospital after a lengthy illness from which he could not recover. His father Arnel was a guitar teacher here for a short while before taking a sabbatical these last few months to concentrate on school. He was to return this month, that did not happen.

Our lives were intertwined for a few short months and I do not know Arnel and Brenda well but, I know them well enough to know they are people of tremendous faith. This is the faith that will get them through this most difficult time. This is our faith. The faith that will draw our community together. I am so honoured to be here in our little store watching as God unveils each day, the good and the bad. And I am humbled to watch you, my brothers and sisters, rise to the challenges that God presents because we know and love Him, and because we know that He is bigger than the worst things that can happen to us in our lifetime.

Something that really helped me was a piece called “A Child Loaned”. You can find it as the Newsletter for the month of May. For Joshua and for all children who have gone home before us.