The name, Benjamin means Son of Encouragement. Actually, it's the 'Ben' bit of this name that means son, so, strictly speaking, the title of this page should read "jamin's children". The encouragement includes God's name, or the letter that indicates it. So it seems that to be an encourager is a Godly gift. Besides all this, Sanctuary's Award was given by Ben and Josie, so the title seemed to fit somehow.  Especially as it was Loadstar who first introduced me to 'Home and Hearth'. Seems, when we're given friends, we're given them with extra relish, connections between one and another, that we're not even aware of at the time.            So I thought I would set up this page. It is a gift to those who have encouraged the Life of the Sanctuary. There have been plenty of times when whitelady could easily have slammed the door well and truly shut.  In a way this is an awards page. On it you will find awards that have truly encouraged me, and you will find my own personal awards, given to those who have 'lifted me up'. All children of encouragement to more than just me.

DEEP IS HER LOVING KINDNESS     LOADSTAR Has been described as speaking from the hip.  She has always been supportive and open minded- but it still took me a long time to show her Sanctuary.  After all her own site is an award winning, hard hitting, home away from home for people who love to laugh, who 'rant' about taboo subjects and who love and respect all living creatures. Her opinions on religion were well known.  Recently she wrote some wonderful things about me: after I had got over the shock and the tears, I read them again. I could have said the same things of her, with a little more thrown in, only she thought of it first. It isn't just the technical advice, words of wisdom and experience. Her gift is also one of encouragement and support. She has a sixth sense for when I'm worried or ill, and practical solutions, often, for things in the 'real' world which are troubling or threatening. I really believe I could tell Loadstar anything, and receive loving acceptance. And I don't think I'm the only one for whom she does this - not by a long shot. I think that any one of her friends would find her at their door not long after they called her for help. Even when it is not to her personal comfort or well being.  I wish I had an award to give you, my friend !

GREAT IS HER FAITHFULNESS HEATHER In the beginning, Sanctuary was a purely personal thing. A journey into much that was important to me that I seemed, one way and another, to be losing or rejecting. Into parts of my way of thinking that - it is not too much to say - were part of me. It was Heather who opened my eyes to the fact that I was not alone in needing this excursion into our Spiritual resources.  She encouraged me every step of the way. Picked me up when I was down, opened my eyes and my heart to what I was doing.  When Heather 'joined the Sanctuary' that was the beginning of the two or three together, it was perhaps the greatest gift any human soul could give another.  Her minstry goes far beyond me, and always has. She has always used her own 'darkest nights' to pray for and love others her spiritual journey travels the world, from person to person, in loving converse with Her Lord.  You don't get deeper friendships than this.  This is my award to Her.

BEN AND JOSIE HOME AND HEARTH This was the letter I received from Ben and Josie:             "I was very impressed by all the hard work you have put into the site and have to congratulate you on a wonderful achievement in web site design, both in appearance and content.     May the Lord bless you and keep you as you serve Him and follow Him and for all that you do which brings glory to Him in your ministry and via your internet site.  I have enclosed our The Light Award for your site." To God be the Glory, Ben Ben's site is called "Home and Hearth".  Loadstar sent me the Url because she visited often and was struck by the similarity between 'A quiet place off the Internet' and 'This site is dedicated to those who want or need a few moments to themselves. Everybody deserves their own quiet time.' I found myself returning again and again. There are lots of lovely places to explore in "Home and Hearth", and beautiful , generous, things to share.  Home & Hearth ALLT.hope - Animals Lovers Linking Together Sylvia's Journey of New Hope They were later to write to me: Dearest Whitelady,     Two short years ago, when I first went on-line, I was befuddled and begaggled by what one can find and do on the internet. To this day, I'm still amazed at the friendship and love and care that people, virtually strangers show to one another.      They work hard and diligently offering a helping hand, with no reward in sight other than the knowledge that they have and hopefully will continue to make a difference in the life or lives of one of God's children.      Your site is a testimonial to your love for God's gifts to us and your Oratory for All Things Bright and Beautiful is truly a beautiful gift to the on-line community. We thank you and commend you for making a difference.     May you continue to be blessed by our Lord and Josie and I again THANK YOU for your support of our Pet'escue site and our small effort to make this world a better place for our furry friends. God Bless you and yours, Ben & Josie

GREAT IS HIS INSIGHT,  GREAT IS HIS STRENGTH   WILL Will is my son. More than that, he is my respected friend. He has always been willing to tell me the truth. He's been brave enough to tell me when these pages have looked or been unprofessional. He's talked with me at depth about everything from Jesus, and what happened and what it means, to how Jesus and New music look deeply into human nature and our sick society. I owe him for a lot of insights and a lot of  honesty.  This is my award to him. He is a young man. I know his loyalty and his generosity. I have watched him spend hours with people he met only a short time before, listening to their troubles, supporting them through sometimes terrible crises. I know he has courage, and I've seen him take action to protect others or to get them out of scrapes. His website shows a lot of talent, and a lot of insight into what our world looks like to a sensitive, thoughtful person who tests everything, trusts nothing and is willing to understand what other people are saying. I would like and respect you Will even if we weren't related.                   VICKIE Vickie is one of the most selfless, longsuffering, dedicated people I know. Even when things are not going right for her she sticks doggedly to the task at hand. When her own life is crowded, by nursing others, ferrying them to and fro, and by personal pain, she still turns with a smile to others, whether they're in need of practical help, technical help or a listening ear.  She mans channel Sanctuary even in her sleep, so if you wonder that she's not replying it may be that she has simply dropped off, exhausted. Or she may be helping someone in private. She does that more and more often now, and we've a channel set aside for such conversations, so that privacy can be maintained.  She is also an IRC Operator now, and was asked by two Admins on the same night. She's joining the Star Chat teaching team even as I write this.  Besides all this, she writes, researches for other people, and is willing to do mundane chores.  Let her who would be great among you serve.  This lovely lady has the heart of a wise child. It is a privilege to know her.

RAVEN    Of Raven's Dreaming.       This page wouldn't be complete without a mention of someone who, from the very beginning, bugged me. 'You aren't putting this up so no one can go to it !' Raven was the first to visit, first to sign the guest book, first to put up a link to the Sanctuary.  He put up a link from his opening splash page directly to the Oratory "All things Bright and Beautiful" (Webmasters will know how generous an act that is). He provided software, encouragement, and kindness at every turn. He asked Vickie to help me when I didn't quite like to, and it was he who made me see that Sanctuary had something to offer outside the tradition in which it finds  its own sources. He was quick to offer help in setting up Channel Sanctuary, and gave us the use of his 'Bot' so that the channel itself could stay open through all hours of the day and night. He too is an IRC operator on Star Chat, known for his helpfulness, and listening ability. A likeable, generous and spiritual man he too lays aside his own troubles and responsabilites to give to others. He too deserves an award ! (grin) But his site has many already, for it explores ancient longings and dreams of the human soul. He shows us that connection with our living mother earth, and legends of our past fill our daily lives with magic and wonder. He teaches understanding of each other's ways, and aspects our own - partially obscured - sacred traditions.

FRANCISCANS Custodians of Malta and the Holy Land. For their encouragement, warmth and generosity.

thanks for your note and above all the good work you are doing. Our aims are those of sharing the Christian Wealth which the Shrines in the Holy Land put forth. So do feel free to use the pictures at our site. We suggest to use the link system to get the people delve more into the "Mysteries" (by the way I moved around your site and I like the simple straightfowrard setup - keep it up).  Peace and May God Bless your efforts. Happy Easter Fr. John Abela ofm Their site was one of the first I visited when I 'got' the net. The beautiful work they do, the exquisite photography, and above all their generosity in sharing the Holy Land with all of us makes me wish I could offer them - more than an award. Even without their permission to use photographs of the great shrines, they deserve our love and prayers for the gift of solace and insight their own work offers.

what a friend said of Tiger Territory This web site I love, and the webmistress adores tigers. Some of the sad things I've learnt about how  they are hunted and badly treated I was amazed by. I've read and reread this site and it's wonderful.

Special Appreciation to WENDY AND BILL KOHLOFF who have dedicated a portion of their own site to celebrating the good and the encouraging and the moving stories of human life. They don't do this for a link to their site. They really do make a difference. They enable others to make a difference too, and to encourage others.

Whitelady      what Loadstar said:   This lady has quietly spent most of her life selflessly helping others, supporting those in need, and not   judging those who have made  mistakes. She's special in that way.    When it comes to her own life problems and issues she always  puts others first.  Now she has built The Sanctuary. It is a place of peace, an area on the  Internet to go for contact, time for contemplation, and love.    I'm proud to know this lady, I want her to know how wonderful what she has built is, not only for the  believers of this world, but also for the non-believers who just desire to escape for a time.    I really love this special lady. (Soft smile)

DRAGON AND SNAKEY  of Nexus  My last 'award' is for two people who have never even heard of Sanctuary. They have provided a marvellous, online community. A rough tongued honest forum for people who have something to say and who say it well. Nexus is an InterNet BBS, for which Dragon has written marvellous message bases. It is also a host for poets, in two ways - a show case in 'Prose' and a review in 'Scribble'. Christian sites need not apply for their web ring (grin) which is why, it may be, that they'll never know all this from me. They may never know how much their support and encouragement means to more people than I could count, or even than I am aware of. They are inspirers, and comforters, and they have produced a work of art not only on the Web, but in their lives. They're wonderful, generous, open people. They're healers too. Drop in and take a look.  Prepare to be hassled. Prepare to open your mouth and your mind, and prepare to speak up for yourself. It's a good place to be.

SANCTUARY IS A PROUD MEMBER OF