His Grace

It’s been a rough couple of days... 

Weeks...

Who am I kidding?

It’s been a rough couple of months.

I try to do enough to keep things from sinking. But I wonder… am I doing anything well?

I wonder ~ if I keep pushing myself to accomplish everything on my to-do list; surely that would fix everything.

Except 

that I know it wouldn’t.

I feel like I’m not doing anything well, but that doesn’t necessarily make it true. The fact that I have weaknesses doesn’t make everything about me weak. I have plenty of strengths.  One minute I’m determined to trust God. In the next, I feel myself slipping. The “why” questions tumble in so hard. 

Ever been there?

I'm trying to accept the fact that God has wired me in a specific way, and that “His grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 {New International Version {NIV}}

He knows the desires of my heart. His plans are good and perfect, and He has filled me with everything I’ll truly need.

So here's the thing I'm learning, despite the circumstances, and even the midst of it all, I'll continue to give Him thanks for all the good things, the bad things and the hope of things to come.

Take Care

Just a moment

It's been a couple of weeks since the new school year began, and while new beginnings can be fun.  They're also exciting. Wonderful. Overwhelming.  And a little bittersweet…

I find that it's at this time of year that I discipline myself to get my household back into more of a routine, with dinner time schedules, regular cleaning and everyday typical things...

Did you know that each day is filled with new opportunities, new interactions, and new decisions?  

Many things in our day to day life are completely out of our control, and the only thing we can actually control is our attitude. 

It’s not easy and often I get it wrong, but I know that it's my attitude that makes all the difference.  

I need this simple reminder often.

Whether you’re starting something new and exciting, or doing the same old thing you did yesterday, and the day before that, take a moment, and let’s choose to make this a great day, regardless of the circumstances.

It’ll be exciting, wonderful, overwhelming, and perhaps even a little bittersweet… 

Did you know that every single day is a day of new beginnings?

Take Care

Autumn

Today marks the official first day of autumn…. and as I surf around the internet, there is either an expression of great enthusiasm and excitement, or one of dread as we head into a new season...

Now, we all know where I lie on the 'Autumn O Meter'. I have loved this time of year ever since before I can remember.

Autumn has always been my favourite time of year. I love the crunching leaves, the warm days and cooler nights. I love comfy pants and warm sweaters.  I love crock-pot cooking, flannel blankets and woollen socks.  There's even something better about the air. 

But lately I’ve come to love autumn for an entirely different reason. Maybe it’s because I can get out less, or maybe it’s because I have such a hard time getting any real sleep. For whatever reason, I am recognizing autumn as an invitation to slow down.

Autumn... 

it's calling me to rest.  

Perhaps you need this invitation too? 

Take Care

Hold on...

In my devotions today, I read:

I hurt 

Have you ever noticed how exhausting physical pain is? Not only are your nerves all jangled and fried after a day of constant pain, but you have no energy. Steady pain drains you, and so does steady emotional pain. You don’t sleep well, if at all, and that leaves you in a semi-zombie state. 

When part of you hurts all the time, all of you hurts: “My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart. All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes” (Psalm 38:7-10). 

One of God’s goals for your life is to discourage you from falling in love with life on earth. This is not our final destination. We’re not home here--the Bible calls us pilgrims and wanderers. From God’s point of view, our pain is not disastrous if it relaxes our grip on our money and our stuff (which we’ll have to leave behind anyway). 

Pain also lifts our faces up to heaven to call to our greatest physician. When he comes with deliverance, we will then know who helped us--we won’t just shrug or call it coincidence or luck. 

Pain is so much more bearable when you’re not alone. How wonderful of God to send us people to help bear the load. Do any pain sufferers need you today?

My week has been tough. I've been in alot of pain, and have felt completely exhausted on most days.  Let's just say I'm not getting much of anything accomplished.

How great is it that when I find myself at the end of my ropes,  God ever so gently reminds me of His great love for me.

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains ~ where does my help come from?  

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”  

Psalm 121:1 {New International Version {NIV}}

Take Care

#salsa

Spent the day yesterday, with my girl, her friend and possibly the two cutest wee “helpers” ever, and made our famous salsa.

8 hours, 12 batches, 52 jars… no wonder I’m tired!

Our recipe:
8 cups peeled, chopped tomatoes (scald in boiling water for 10 seconds, put in cold water and peel)
1 cup each of green and yellow pepper
6 jalapeño peppers, no seeds
2 jalapeño peppers with seeds (Remember that if you use habanera peppers, you will not need as many hot peppers) 
2 cups chopped cooking onion
3 – 4 cloves of minced garlic
Mix together and add
¾ cup vinegar
2 tbsps salt 
2 tbsps basil 
¾ tsp pepper
¾ tbsp sugar (optional)
1 tsp parsley
Combine and cook uncovered for 1 – 1 ½ hours until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 2 small tins of tomato paste. Pour in jars and seal.

So looking forward to enjoying this deliciousness all winter long.

Take Care

Books, books and more books

I'm not one to wander anywhere without a book in my hand or stashed in my purse. I’ve even taken books along to places I knew would provide little to no opportunity for reading them, out of sheer hope maybe, or perhaps because it just feels wrong to leave the house without one ~ like forgetting my cell phone or my wallet.

I’ve read through a stack of good reads this summer, and have a stack still in my office. 

Every time I start a new book, I tell myself I will commit to reading just one book at a time, but really, what on earth kind of crazy-talk is that? There is no way I can read just one book at a time. No. Way. And so this summer I found myself sitting on my front porch almost daily… gorged on the stories and words of others. 

Autumn is also a good time for reading, reading and more reading, all the live-long day, and into the night when necessary. At no time have I suffered regret for having stayed up to read *just one more page*.

We are so fortunate to have a public library in town it's one of my fav go to spots. And the best part?  It's connected to other local libraries which of course means lots and lots of books! If the branch in town doesn’t have what I’m looking for, I can simply request it from another one. And even better is I can do that requesting online.

How awesome is that?!?

Ours library has oodles of programs too ~ for kids, teens, adults and families. From storytime and puppet shows to meet the author.  The library offers so many free, quality programs for the community.

As soon as I walk in the front door I feel right at home.  Each time I enter, I'm welcomed by name and we spend time chatting about all the new books, and each time I leave I look forward to going again. 

I love the library!

Take Care

Random Tuesday

It was Tuesday that the hubs and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. Not only was it a Tuesday it was also the first day back to bus for him.  So we decided to postpone our dinner celebration until the weekend.  

But then, Wayne invited our one son to come to dinner because our other son was working days, this is a good time for the boys to hang out and catch up.  We've been trying every couple weeks to have dinner with these boys of ours.  Throughout the day my conversation with my girl revealed that we were making similar suppers and perhaps only one of us should do the actual cooking. So I invited their family to join us.  

As we sat down for dinner, I was overwhelmed with emotions… I was so thankful that it worked out to have everyone home. 

Sometimes it's better when it's random.  I think we appreciate the times we are together much more. 

{ps. we're planning a family photo session soon}

It's time like this when I am reminded of the many blessings in my life.

Take Care

To us

September 6, 1986...

is a day that will live in infamy. Well, at least in the hearts and minds of a couple of people.

We’ve only lived in 2 houses, have had too many vehicles to count, gone on numerous caribbean holiday vacations, put many kilometers on his motorcycle, gone camping a couple times, shared a gazillion desserts, engaged in a few episodes of intense fellowship {aka, heated discussions that might have included a few tears and raised voices}, laughed a lot, are called mom and dad by three plus one and are Gigi and Pops to the most handsomest grandson there is. 

Life is good!

Has it always been good? Uh, no, it hasn’t. There were some hard days. Some moments were incredible. Others, incredibly difficult.  If anyone tells you that marriage is easy, let me tell you, they are lying.  Marriage is hard work. It requires perseverance and forgiveness and love. Lots of love! 

Married life is so different than I thought it would be. 

After we got married, we bought the family farm, and stepped into life thinking we had it all figured out. But it’s nothing like I expected. We didn’t have a clue about what was coming ~ three kids in four years, losing our dairy barn in a fire, and having significant health issues that would alter our lives. 

As I sit here reflecting on how different married life is from what I expected, I feel grateful I married a man who is committed to growing together. Together we are learning to be more vulnerable and to love each other better in the midst of the difficulties. Sometimes it’s painful and exhausting. Sometimes it’s peaceful and safe. We’ve hurt each other and have had to work on mending those wounds. We are learning to love each other more and to forgive much quicker. 

And here we are 30 years later… 

continuing to work at loving each other. Some days we do it well, some days not so well. We continue to date, and try to be a blessing to one another. 

"I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine." 

Song of Songs 6:3a {New International Version {NIV}} 

I am so glad to have him by my side. 

Take Care 

New Journals

Now that the lazy days of summer are over, I find myself ready to get back into a routine.  Throughout July and August, I felt a little lost and out of sorts. Partly, yes, because we worked our way through three weeks of church daycamp and then the farm was busy with wheat coming off, straw being baled and of course the land that needed to be cultivated and disced to get it ready for the next crop. 

But the main reason I’ve been so disorganized is that it’s been too long since I made a good solid to-do list.

With my type “A”, über-organized, slightly OCD personality, I really cannot function without a to-do list ~ or about half a dozen other lists I have going at any given time. And I like to keep all my precious lists in a spiral-bound journal.

I love me a new journal.  

Whether it's leather bound, or a simple one from the dollar store, the point is to have at least one.  Me?  I actually like to have 4 or 5 hanging around. Because you never know when you're going to need a new journal. I use journals for my to-do lists, but also for brainstorming and planning everything from family menus to holiday shopping to party details to blog posts. I also like to use them for gifts pretty frequently. 

What about you?  Do you keep a journal?  

For me, it's one of the greatest gifts I can give myself. I can look back through old journals and see just how much has changed and where God has led me.  It's a place to record the good, the bad and even the ugly, and it's a gentle reminder that
Take Care

Squinch duty

I look over my calendar at the events planned and while there is not a lot on each day unfortunately because of my health there is one event that occurs regularly and each time I see it I smile.

Squinch duty. 

That wonderful day of each week, where I get to spend precious time caring for our grandson.

We spend our day going for walks, playing with toys, eating snacks, having naps, enjoying a 45 minute lunch, more napping, visiting mama, reading stories, and overall having the best day of my life.

It is an absolute joy getting to spend time with this little boy!

Take Care

Him

Wishing our son a very Happy Birthday!
Take Care