Bad movies and good fights ...

What ?! Well ... let me explain ...

A last minute invite saw us impulsively heading out to the movies with some friends. I was so thankful for an invitation to have an evening out with my hubby and close friends. I was also very thankful for another close friend who said 'yes' at the last minute to babysitting ...

We saw "The Assination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford". A 'critically acclaimed' movie ... hmmmm ... My intellectual nature could see the why's and wherefore's of this artistic and 'not what you would expect a western to be' kind of movie. (The last western that was described in similar fashion was 'Unforgiven' with Clint Eastwood - and I REALLY enjoyed that one). Brad Pitt was a darling, as usual - and I loved his acting (as usual). However ... yikes ... Ok - I get it - it was artistic and it was deep (kind of ) and it was definately different (Ben Affleck's brother will always be the creepy stalker in my mind now!) 3 hours later, my cynical nature was rearing it's none-to-attractive head and I was rolling my eyes so often that I started counting ceiling tiles in the theatre!! :0) The bright side was that I was out with some of my favourite people and I got to eat lots of yummy popcorn and chocolate. Sometimes bad movies can make good conversation ("that was an awful movie" ... "what? you didn't like it?" ... "what? you did?" LOL!)

Sometimes people disagree on their taste in movies - and sometimes it's a whole lot more than that. But I like the fact that the people who are sincere in relationships can agree to disagree. I believe this is one of the most important factors in the longevity of a marriage. I've heard alot of people in the news, etc. throwing around a word ... TOLERANCE ... and sometimes I wonder what that really means ? By the way, there was ZERO tolerance for much of anything in the characters from the movie last night! However, there was alot of violence, fear, self-preservation, some lust and a little jealousy thrown in for good measure.

I wonder about tolerance. I wonder if there is tolerance for the fact that I question the reality of evolution (and choose to understand it in terms of a 'theory'), that I believe in Jesus Christ as my Saviour (as I believe He is for EVERYONE :0) and sometimes even choose to speak the truth in love, as I perceive it to be, even though it may offend, insult or cause pain to those who are on the receiving end of it. And then I wonder how much tolerance I have ? How much of someone else's 'truth' can I tolerate? When do I draw my line at intolerable and why ? Do forgiveness and tolerance go hand in hand?

The issues that used to cause me to get greatly emotional and passionate don't seem to stir in me quite the same reactions as they used to. Perhaps it can be partly attributed to age ... maybe I just don't have the energy to get so worked up anymore! LOL! But, I hope it also has to do with the fact that maybe I've learned a little more about where to better put my energies into ... as much as I like to win (... that old competitive nature is still alive and kicking! :0), I don't find I feel the need to be RIGHT like I used to. My RIGHT is just that - MINE ... and maybe people just need to come to their own conclusions ... I'm so thankful for the ability to experience an increased grace to trust God with the future, the past, the present and all the emotions, thoughts, circumstances and relationships they hold. I woke up to Proverbs 20:3 this morning: "It is to a man's honour to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel" ... hmmmm ... I chuckle at how utterly 'quarrelsome' I used to be with Tony - I hope he would too :0)

Bad movies, good fights and life lessons ... there's always something to learn about ourselves and the way we respond to God in it all ... and when in doubt, learn to laugh at yourself ...

Relationship and Faith ...

I just finished reading the article below, as my thoughtful and caring husband brought me a lovely glass of red wine (my favourite) while supper is just finishing up (of which HE willingly prepared for our family ... ) Tony and I haved been attending a "Protestant" based church for almost 8 years now. Rarely have we fit into the 'typical' male/female roles as dictated by many Christian denominations. Often, in group situations, we found ourselves in opposite company - Tony discussing the baking of banana bread with the ladies, and me discussing politics or current affairs with the gentlemen. Our personalities are what they are - and we both appreciate each other's strengths and hope to offer grace and mercy for each other in our weaknesses. We have struggles, as any couple does: failing in our intimacy when we lack forgiveness and growing when we return to the Lord in our brokeness.

Upon reading this article, my heart ached for this young woman - I have friends raised in similar, "legalistic" churches ... (pertaining to "religious laws"). I listen to their struggles and pain as they relay to me the oppressive rules they were forced to endure under the guise of "Biblical Teaching". I have wondered and prayed to my Lord about this fear-filled teaching and pride-filled understanding of Himself. At times, I have even strayed into this very line of thinking with my parenting style - hoping that if my children followed all the rules and obeyed me without question, I could somehow save them from the "growing pains" that so many of us endure as children. Well ... to quote a favourite movie ... " ... if he never has to go through anything - then he'll never GO THROUGH anything " (Dori - from 'Finding Nemo').

Do I still pray for and hope to teach my children? Absolutely ... but now my focus is on showing grace and mercy to my children as the seek to find their way on this journey through life - and I hope that I can share my Best Friend with them - Jesus. I hope they choose Him and His ways every moment of every day - will they? Well ... if they do - it is by His grace alone. Do I choose Him and His ways every moment of every day ? No ... I'm sorry to say it ... but no - and if I do ... it is by His grace alone. Yet, I KNOW THAT I KNOW THAT I KNOW He has saved my and will NEVER forsake me and NEVER leave me. I hope this young lady knows it too ...

"When does submission go too far?" by Andrea Bianchi
September 24, 2007

“They have dogs for that,” I whispered to my mother as I leaned across the pew. She laughed, then told me to be quiet and listen to the sermon. But I was listening—had been for the past 15 years my family had attended legalistic churches. And as a new college student, hearing this message on submission that suggested wives simply nod and silently agree to their husband’s decisions—no matter how unwise or ill advised—I knew I’d listened for the last time.
My pastor warned me I’d leave the independent fundamental churches of my childhood when I chose to attend a “liberal” Christian college. But changing congregations wasn’t the only “backsliding” he foresaw. He feared if I were to begin thinking for myself—especially about Scripture—I’d abandon the entire list of extra-biblical rules these churches enforced.
Although fiercely independent of any higher denomination’s authority, my childhood churches expected their congregants’ complete submission. They dictated what to wear (I endured countless kids’ jeers for sporting awkward, baggy culottes in place of forbidden pants), where to go (I entered a movie theater for the first time when I was 21), what to listen to (I attended more than one church conference denouncing the evils of “Contemporary Christian Music” or any other melody with a rock beat), what Bible version to read (I felt a pang of guilt any time I opened a translation other than the King James), what to watch (I enjoyed a television in my home for the first time in college), what ministries to pursue (I could never aspire to pastor or deacon or any teacher of men in the congregation), what to eat (I’ve yet to overcome the stigma of drinking to take my first sip of alcohol), whom to marry (I cried through two conferences that demanded a pledge to forgo dating and instead submit to parent-controlled courtship), even what college to attend (I always thought I’d have to follow the rest of the church’s young people to one of three approved schools where dress codes were enforced, inter-gender interactions were severely restricted, off-campus excursions were carefully monitored, and classes were conservatively biased).
And I planned to make one of those campuses my home—until I began the application process, signing statements of faith, agreeing to codes of conduct. Reading lists of rules and giving my word on paper were quite different from listening to Sunday sermons and passively obeying. Suddenly I realized choosing to attend a particular school meant daily deciding to live under its authority. And that choice would require my time, my prayer, and, above all, my mind.
I didn’t want to submit to an organization that asked me to forgo independent thinking. Instead, I needed to search the Scriptures before following one pastor’s standards on women’s dress. Read historians’ and archeologists’ findings before embracing an exclusive Bible version. Review theologians’ interpretations of passages before espousing a complementarian or egalitarian structure in marriage. Seek direction from God before taking college choice advice solely from my pastor.
I know pastors are mature, educated leaders, the ones responsible before God for my soul (Hebrews 13:7), biblically named “shepherds” (1 Peter 5:2). And I, therefore, as a member of their flock (Acts 20:28), bear comparison to an animal, a sheep (John 10:14). But I’m to be a trained sheep, proficient in recognizing my Master’s voice. And in order to learn his cadences and inflections—as well as echoes of them in earthly shepherds’ calls—I’m responsible for spending time with the Shepherd. I must listen to, meditate upon, and memorize his Words so I can distinguish them from the cries of any thief or robber seeking to lead me astray (John 10:4-5; Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1).
I learned to recognize the robber’s voice when I joined in chapel gatherings at the Christian college I chose, and I caught myself doubting God could hear my worship through a chorus accompanied by a drum. Now, years removed from the fundamentalism of my childhood, I notice the false cries when I’m about to share in Communion at the far-from-legalistic church I attend, and I find myself wondering if I’d be sinning to partake wearing the slacks I sport to service each Sunday morning. And lately, I discern the thief’s voice when I hope for a marriage of equality, and I notice myself worrying God will refuse me the gift of a husband because I won’t smile and nod and listen to him dumbly while he makes a questionable decision.
Instead, I’ll be listening for echoes of the Lord’s wisdom and love speaking through earthly leaders and companions. And I hope when I hear those, I’ll gladly submit, as an obedient animal to its Master’s call." - taken from the newsletter "Today's Christian Woman"

Back to School !!!

Click to play Make your own Smilebox

Another year has begun ... we are looking forward to an exciting time of learning, friendships and fun !!!

A little something for you to enjoy :0)

This video is titled:

"500 Years of Women in Art"

(Music by J.S. Bach, 'Sarabande' ... performed by Yo Yo Ma)

Pulling Weeds ...

My two cyberspace worlds have finally collided! As I have entered into the world of facebook, I 'fed' my blog into the notes portion of my profile page ... well - now, the opposite is happening! After creating a post for a group called "Messy Spirituality", I am copying my post onto my blog ... what a strange world we live in! :0) Here were my thoughts (in response to a topic regarding the Exodus story: how we would prefer the "Red Sea" experience ... or easier ... than what the Israelites went through during the rest of the journey).

"The Exodus story has really been on my mind lately (approximately, the last year or so). I have felt that my family and I have been on a sort of 'Exodus' journey of our own. It is one that I am learning to put complete trust in the Lord to provide for me and my family - and to learn to be thankful for my daily blessings.

During this time in my walk, I have also found that I yearn for 'a refreshing spring of water' in the midst of the desert and am I ever thankful for the precious assurance that the Lord provides!! :0) ... I must admit, there have been more than a few times that I have blamed my hubby for taking us out into the desert in the first place (I wonder how many wives did that when the Israelites left Egypt ??? Oh .... to be a fly on the 'tent' wall back then :0)

Through it all, even though circumstances can be relationally hard, circumstantially confusing and even physically uncomfortable ... I know that I've never felt closer to the Lord than I do now! I know my need for Him, more than I ever have ... and in that, I also know His provision in a deeper way than I ever have.

Believe me - I sway way more to the hedonistic lifestyle than narcissitic behaviour ... I definately do not seek out 'hard times' to feed some need to FEEL spiritual :0) But, I am learning that hard does NOT equal bad ... it's just hard! And that at the core of my faith is the reality that circumstances do NOT equal blessing! My blessing IS my relationship with the Lord, so that is where my focus will remain (by His grace).

"But blessed is the man who TRUSTS in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never failes to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)"

After re-reading my entry, it brought me back to my thoughts from the other day on "weeding my Spiritual Garden". Our family is SLOWLY becoming settled into our new home and I have spent some time outside in the flower gardens yanking out pesky thorns, weeds and probably a few 'unsuspecting' flowers (oops!) ... not to get distracted, but there's a whole other topic around Matthew 13:24-30 there ... another time ... LOL ....

Anyway, on a recent occasion, I chose to take myself outside and WEED rather than get into a critical-based argument with my hubby. And as I did, I realized that there was some weeding I needed to tend to in my own heart. What a revelation!! :0)

So, as I read Jeremiah 17:7-8, I began to think about MY responsibility in this "tree" situation. A Sunday school class that Pastor Doug gave comes to mind. He said that a peach tree doesn't TRY to grow peaches. It just digs its roots down deep to receive nourishment - and God does the rest! The tree was CREATED to produce peaches ... God created it AND provides for it!

To take that a little further ... who's responsibility is it to weed my garden? to take care of my little tree? I think that as I merely open the Garden Gate of my heart to the Lord, He will reveal to me the 'weeds' in my heart that I may confess them to Him ... and as I am open to His direction, His ways, His thoughts, His love, mercy and forgiveness ... then He will 'weed' out those issues that would cause me to become thirsty or dehydrated. And the longer you keep the Garden Gate to your soul closed, the more weeding The Gardener will need to do for you :0)

In that then, I pray that my heart, and the hearts of ALL believers, would be GOOD SOIL, having strong and deep roots ... and that in the faith that God has provided, we would awaken to the presence of the Lord and swing wide the Garden Gates of our hearts as He tends to the precious garden of our souls. And, to God's glory, the fruit and flowers and beauty of our gardens would be the worship and praise we offer Him, in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Mike Yaconelli Tribute

I met this man at Breakforth (in Edmonton) some years ago. He is the most powerful speaker I've ever heard ... and it's only because he shares his passion for God - he was blessed and became a blessing.

This video made me cry ... we need more Christians like him ...

God bless me indeed that I may be a blessing to others .... in Jesus' Name ....

A Great Video!

I really enjoyed this ... it's a depiction of Creation, the Fall and Salvation through Christ ... wonderful !

My long neglected blog ...

I just read, 'last published ... June 20th!!!!' Yikes! What a couple of weeks we've had ... Our move is over and there are only a few little details to attend with at the 'old' place. Of course, there is the massive job of unpacking and getting settled - but I'm not against letting that have its own timeframe as we get to it ... hopefully, I'll get my camera working soon and be able to upload some photos of the new place !

Where to begin? It seems more difficult to re-enter my 'journalling' habit after being away from it for so long. Isn't it like that with many things in life? Chores ... relationships ... daily prayer and devotionals ...

I am amazed at the MANY times over the last few weeks that God has gently prompted me to see my circumstances through His Sovereign eyes ... I could have (and almost did) get quite overwhelmed by the moving process and all the details - yet there were many lessons to learn and I'm thankful to have grown in faith through it all. I've had the support and prayers of good friends and family and the Lord has blessed me greatly through their love and kindness ...

Tony is back at work, Louis is off on a well-deserved (and greatly desired) holiday with his Nona and Poppa ... and the girls and I are having a lovely, quiet day in our new home.

Only the Lord knows what this day will bring ... but whatever may come (this day - or all the rest), my heart is thankful and my soul is free ... thanks be to God :0)

Maria's Graduation

Last night was Maria's Kindergarten Graduation. It was such an amazing time. We really felt so blessed to see our baby reach a milestone in her life. They sang and danced and it was a wonderful evening (and there was LOTS of tears! :0) Here are some photos:

Thinking about music ...

On the way home from dropping the kids at school this morning, I was listening to the CBC (as I usually do). There was a wonderful array of musical offerings - Beethoven ("not 'grumpy' Beethoven", the announcer said, "but Uncle Lood-vig"). There was also Schubert and Vivaldi. I was trying to think of a way to express how the music made me feel. The sense of satisfaction I get from fully emmersing myself into the metaphysical world of sound represented in tones, rhythm and dynamics ... all I could think of was "it's like tasting a wonderful dish - really savouring the flavour of a good meal." It brought to mind one of my favourite performers - ANDRE RIEU ... listening to him is a sweet moment of musical bliss - WATCHING him draw his audience into a place of sheer enjoyment with his music reminds us of what the gift of music is really for.

Last night, I had the privilege of attending one of my student's Finale Concert (for her junior high band). It was held at the University in a beautiful facility. The school even set out some wonderful works of art created by the students. It was a cultural affair and I enjoyed it thoroughly! I wonder if they know how they blessed their audience with such fine musical and artistic talent? Even more, I wonder if they know how they really sounded?

There were a few minor flaws in notation, rhythm, dynamics and tempo. Yet, as I listened AND watched, I began to notice that their concentrated gazes, tapping toes and swaying bodies reflected an intimacy with their music that, without doubt, reached out to their audience and touched our hearts, minds AND ears in a way that was beyond the sounds they were creating. These fine young people shared their passion with us and in effect created a bond among our little group of anxious spectators that drew us into a place of oneness in the most joy-filled way. And all this in junior high!

Life can reflect this same shared passion. I could have chosen to merely sit and observe the concert last night (as some of the parents did ... even to the point of nodding off occassionally :0) But, that is not why I wanted to be there. I don't want to be an "observer" ... I want to consistently choose to PARTICIPATE in the processes, trials and elations of life - and not just my own! Last night, I allowed myself to receive the gifts that were being offered to me, with thankfulness - music, enthusiasm, hopefulness, anticipation, excitement, sentiment, expression and sincerity. As I sat in my cramped little chair among the rows and rows of people, tapping my toes, patting my knee and nodding my head in response to what I was receiving, I began to understand that the best part of all was the SHARED EXPERIENCE among a group of idealistic people (in the BEST way :0). These budding musicians were making the most of a great opportunity and ENJOYING IT!!! Hard work AND fun! What a concept!

And at the head of these smiling faces, waving his baton with gusto, was a man who's obvious love for music and pedagogy flowed out of him and into the precious lives of the children with exuberant, yet confident flair - the kind of confidence that can only come when you know that you are exactly where you want to be, doing exactly what you want to be doing, with all your heart - and the students RESPONDED to his encouragement and enthusiasm with a like-minded, passionate creativity.

If I had gone to this performance hoping to hear all the right notes and receive an authentic performance of Pachelbel, Bach, or some other musicologist's view of traditional interpretation, I might have been a little disappointed. And I would have missed the point completely ...

Life's like that too.

"Even as a child, I was fascinated by the world of music. My father was a conductor, and I remember the huge orchestra and the wonderful sound it made, all those bows moving together – I thought it was fantastic. But even then I can remember being surprised at the sombre atmosphere during the concerts. Everybody looked so serious, you weren't supposed to cough or laugh, even though the music seemed to me to radiate so much joy!

You know that solemn atmosphere you find in the concert hall with classical music, and how it intimidates most people and keeps them away? With us, it is simply not there. My orchestra consists of young, enthusiastic musicians, who put their heart and soul into the music every evening when they play in our concerts. At one of our concerts you'll see me and the orchestra, and the audience too, all having a lot of fun together. Swaying with the music, humming along, clapping, jumping up and down - it all happens! Every evening is a wonderful experience, and in my view there couldn't be a greater pleasure for a musician.

When I was studying the violin at the music academy, somebody asked me to play in a salon orchestra. It was there that I played the waltz 'Gold und Silber' by Frantz Léhàr for the first time. What a revelation it was! I was immediately spellbound by that beat which, years later, has almost become the rhythm of my life: three-four time, the rhythm of the waltz. But with my own orchestra, I play a lot more than waltzes these days.

My dream is to make the whole of classical music accessible for everyone. To achieve that, I've had my own recording studio built, and we're working hard to make new recordings of the classical repertoire.

I hope I may be given many more years to make people happy with my music!" Andre Rieu

A Healing Touch ... Just For You, Mom

The other evening, I spoke to my mom on the phone. She was 'talkig like this - because she hab a code' ... she sounded terrible and my heart went out to her. I, myself am getting over bronchitis and an infection in my nose (the swelling has gone down - thank the Lord - I didn't need to draw MORE attention to my already ample blessing of a nose, thank you ...) It is definately no fun being sick ... :0)

I spoke to my father afterward and suggested he give my mom a foot rub ... I know it's what I would like to do for her, if I were there ... My mom spends alot of time caring for others. I hope she'll forgive me for sharing her personal ministry with everyone - but I'm so proud of my mother's loving example that I guess I'll risk the tongue-lashing :0) My mother has spent years reaching out to people who are chronically ill and their loved ones. After losing her father, mother and brother - she has been left as the lone representative of her immediate family. She has taken that loss and turned it into a wonderful blessing for others experiencing their own grief through her volunteer work with Palliative Care. She continues to amaze me with her faith and the strength that God provides her to walk with those who are grieving after she has experienced so much of her own. It is this kind of 'active' faith that the Lord teaches us and it lives in my mother's heart.

This morning I listened to a wonderful sermon online from Pastor Bob Benson (from the Focus on the Family website) ... Until our move, our family has been 'on wait' for a new church and I have been seeking the Lord's wisdom and guidance through my favourite Christian leaders here and there. His message was filled with the Lord's promises of hope, healing and comfort. I was truly humbled and moved to pray. I will try to figure out how to share it online ... the sermon is about 30 years old and Pastor Benson was quite ill when he gave it (he died shortly thereafter). So, his message of healing, comfort and love is especially sympathetic and special. Until I can figure it out, here is a link to listen: http://listen.family.org/daily/A000000477.cfm


While I was listening, I reached over, picked up Regina's beautiful PINK Bible :0) and just flipped it open ... wouldn't you know it? It opened to the introductory page of the Book of Mark in the New Testament. Here is what it said:

"Jesus was no ordinary religious teacher. His miracles showed He was truly the Son of God. But Jesus' miracles showed more than His power. By healing so many sick and needy people, Jesus showed how much God cares about people. Some, like the diseased man in Mark 1:40-45, were people no one would even touch! Jesus did more than feel sorry for such people. Jesus reached out and touched them to let them know he cared. We may not be able to do miracles like Jesus did. But like Jesus, we can show that we care. We can pray for the sick. We can comfort the lonely or hurting. By reaching out to others, we show what Jesus is like.

Children Are Important - Adults sometimes treat children as if they don't matter. Mark 10:13-16 tells about a time when some people brought their little children to see Jesus. The disciples tried to send the children away. They thought Jesus was too busy and too important to be bothered with little kids. But to Jesus, children are just as important as anybody else. He called the children back and blessed them one by one. When you feel that no one pays attention to you, try praying to Jesus. He always has time for you."

What an amazing message of love, hope and mercy that my daughter can find in her little, pink Bible. It touched me too!!! That's the wonderful thing about God's love - He is always reaching out to us ... sometimes it's a foot rub, or a hug from a friend or maybe some kind words ... but, no matter what we're facing, He's always there to strengthen us, comfort us and tell us we're important to Him!

My prayer today:

"Thank You, Lord - I thank You for Your loving ways. It's easy to look around this fallen world and see sickness, pain, heartache and lonliness ... but I thank You for eyes to see and ears to hear. May we all know just how important we are to You. Lord, may You continue to bless us with Your peace, understanding and forgiveness so that we may, in turn, become a blessing to ALL those around us - even those we would consider 'untouchable'. Thank You for Your healing touch - even if it's just on the inside, in our hearts and in our souls ... Lord, we ask that those people who need physical healing today would receive Your healing touch in a miraculous way, to Your glory alone - I pray, by grace through faith in Your Name, Jesus - my Saviour, my Christ. Amen"

Mountains ...

I made this little video about mountains using some of the photos I've taken ... I really love the mountains (and obviously, playing on my computer :0)

Enjoy!

Sing praise!

This morning at 7:59 (eastern time) our newest nephew was welcomed into the world on our nephew, Brandon's birthday!!! What a great birthday present ...

His name is JUDAH JAMES ... Judah means "praise" and we are praising God with Naomi, Jaime, Brandon, Hannah and Jonathan today! Naomi and Jaime knew they were having a boy (and they never had an ultrasound :0) ... they also knew his name was to be Judah - and here he is!

Congratulations!

"con - with ... gratu - thankfulness/praise"

It is with praise that we rejoice with you!

To be known ...

What is a friend? I think it is someone who really KNOWS you (and still talks to you anyway ... :0) Seriously, though ... I have been guilty on many occasions of being a less than desirable friend - and yet, I know some amazingly forgiving and gracious people who continue to bless me with their honesty, sincerity and trust. It makes me want to be a better friend ... A true friend is someone who is a witness to your life (maybe at different moments but over the long haul - they're still there ...) and you, in turn, are witness to theirs ...

A friend is someone you can share laughter, tears and all the rest of life's ups and downs with ... a friend means travelling life's paths TOGETHER (and sometimes together means just carrying that person's memory with you and acknowledging their presence in your heart ... knowing that they do the same :0)

A friend can be a family member; a mother, father, sister, brother, cousing, uncle, aunt, grandma, grandpa ... A friend can be someone that shares circumstances or geography ... a friend can be a boy or a girl ... or your dog or cat :0) A friend can be the best reason to keep a BLOG!!!

Friends come in all shapes and sizes, affinities and histories ... we have only to take a look around and we'll see them ... When we open ourselves up to friendship, we open ourselves up to grace and forgiveness (the offering and receiving of ...)

So ... here's to you all - my good friends that have spanned a lifetime! May you all be blessed to know that you have been a blessing to me :0)

A Little Break From Exam Stuff ...

I have been cramming for an upcoming piano 'pedagogy' exam (that's a big teacher word :0) ... So, for a little break - Tony took the kids and I (his idea !!) to the Provincial Park near our NEW HOME!!! We finally found a place and we will be moving at the end of next month - Praise God!!! The last month has been an emotional roller coaster for me as we put our house up for sale, sold it (in ONE week!), said "Arrivederci" to my mom and dad as they left for Italy, travelled ALL over the countryside to find a new home, celebrated our 10th anniversary (for better or for worse!!! we're still hanging in there!!!), FOUND a home, tried to focus on my rather indepth, upcoming exam, welcomed my parents home from Italy and between it all, I am recovering from a MAJOR head cold (two people actually thought I was a GUY on the phone ... lovely :0). Phew! Anyway ... the break was a welcome distraction today.

I thought I would share a funny story with you. After the kids went to bed last night, Tony and I watched a movie (well - I watched the movie, Tony snored on the other couch ... just a typical Saturday evening in our home ... and, I know, not unlike MOST homes of couples who have been together for awhile ... :0) After the movie was finished, we prepared to go to bed ... Tony let the dog out, I turned off the lights, etc. When he came inside, he said to me, "You should see the amazing moon out there tonight - and all the stars! It's a beautiful sky!" So ... I made my way to our back deck and stood there staring at the sky for quite some time ... it really was beautiful.

Now ... I don't know about you ... but I assumed that Tony would be on his way back outside to share this beautiful view together (seeing as he had made a point of wanting to share his reaction to this beautiful creation in the first place, yes?) ... you know ... 'a moment' ... Well .... I stood there for awhile and eventually thought, "I'm getting kind of chilly out here ... " So - I eventually made my way back inside ... As I approached Tony (he was feeding the dog and clearing the kitchen cupboard), I said, "Were you going to join me out there?" And as his eyes met mine, we began to laugh hysterically at what had just happened ...

We hugged and laughed and hugged and laughed some more ... You see - for us - this was 'a moment' ... it was one of those 'typical' moments where I expected one thing while he was completely oblivious to my expectation and so I stood on the deck alone while he finished the jobs he had on his mind. The best part is that because we are learning to know ourselves (and each other), we can laugh at the situation which helps solidify our marriage and our love - we can laugh at ourselves and accept each other "AS IS" ... it really was pretty funny :0)

(BTW - 10 years ago ... I probably would have stood out there freezing until he finally showed up and then had a tantrum that he had left me standing there for so long ... he still would have been oblivious to why I was upset and felt like he'd messed up and therefore he would have put up his defensive wall, got all silent on me and it would have taken 6 hours of arguing to clear it up before going to bed exhausted and upset ...) I wouldn't go back to being a newlywed FOR ANTYHING!!!!

Anyway ... here are some photos of our hike today ... I hope you enjoy them! We had a lot of fun ...

With the passage of time ...

Today is my mom's birthday! So as I thoughtfully reflect on my mom and as Mother's Day has recently past (and all the wonderful hand-made cards have been given along with the heartfelt and carefully crafted goodies from my three blessings), I thought I would compile a list of some of my favourite "mommy" moments. Here goes:



From my childhood and beyond .... :

* Mom always oooed and aaahed over my frequently made MUD PIES as though they were the greatest creations ever! (and they were actually pretty amazing :0)



* Mom bought me a hotwheels race track, He-Man action figures and Barbies ... she was so cool! (Never did get a Ken doll though ... :0)



* Mom thought playing "slappsies" was fun ... especially if I won ...



* Mom always screamed really loud when I hid rubber snakes in her bed (even if she wasn't that scared ... )



* Mom let me go to my neighbour, Tod P's 6th birthday party even though I was the only girl invited ... she even let me change out of my pink, frilly dress and into my dirty ol' jeans to go play in the park ...



* Mom came to EVERY piano lesson I ever had ... for 11 years!!! And bought me a new outfit for every song I played in every music festival ...



* Mom let us listen to Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, Louis Armstrong, Elvis, ABBA and Dr. Hook ... she even tolerated my Bon Jovi/Guns n' Roses/Poison phase ...



* Mom always waited up for me ... even when I was 22 and visiting for the weekend :0)



* Mom held my hand when I announced (rather loudly, between sobs) that Tony and I were having our first child ... :0) And she stayed for a week after all three were born to help out ...



* Mom still makes the best homecooked meals EVER ... and it doesn't really matter what she makes ...



From my motherhood (so far):

* The Classic "Sharing M & M's With Louis" story ... you've all heard it ... never stick your baby's finger in your mouth when you think he's sharing chocolate with you ... trust me ...



* Regina and Louis having a "baby-powder fight" from across the room, in their cribs ... and having to shut the door while we (not too successfully) tried to stifle our laughter.



* Forgetting Maria when she was 6 months old in the van when taking Louis and Regina for swimming lessons ... then remembering half way into the pool and having to run back to the parkade ... she didn't miss us :0)



* Potty training three kids ... and growing the conga-line to the big potty with each new accomplished "Pottier" and singing, "pee pee in the potty ... pee pee in the potty, yah!" ... enough said ...



* Although I wasn't personally there - it's still one of my favourite stories - the time Regina pulled the fire alarm at the bank and ALL the firetrucks/police cars showed up ...



* Learning that when Maria says, "Don't tickle me - I'm gonna pee!" that she really means it :0)



* Maria peeing on Jenn while she was trying to position our family for our Christmas photo



* Returning the dog bone and teething ring to their rightful owners (i.e. Louis and Rosie) after Lou had decided to 'share' ...



* Watching Regina and Maria wipe out an entire adult ski-school class on the bunny hill after they adamently assured us they KNEW how to stop!



* Learning that Lou had asked our neighbour's little girl if she knew Jesus ...

Jonathan's Daring Plan ...

The story below, from the Old Testament (1 Samuel), is one of my favourites. Tony and I were having a conversation the other evening with my cousins about this and how learning to trust the Lord with our decisions is a huge part of growing in our faith. This story gives me such comfort because we may not always know completely what the 'right' path to take is, but when we trust in the Lord, we know He is the one who is directing our paths. We can say, 'let's try this and if THIS happens, we know God is giving us the go ahead ...' And we just keep taking one step at a time - one day at a time ... we can get so easily bogged down with the vision for the entire journey that we don't even want to take the first step!

When I was a teenager, my father would take me mountain climbing ... I would whine and whine and whine for the first 2/3rds of the journey - it was too overwhelming, I was too tired and I didn't want to continue anymore. I would say, "Just leave me here on the trail and pick me up on your way back ... I can't go on!!" (Oh, the drama! :0) But, my patient and wise father would say, "Just count your steps - just take 10 steps - just 10 ... then we'll stop and rest for 10 seconds ... then we'll take 10 more." That made it SO much easier ... because I knew that I could take a little rest after just 10 steps - I could do that!!

I think that was an awesome lesson for life ... if I start getting overwhelmed about our kids, our finances, our future - it's because I'm taking it all in at once! I start looking too far ahead. But, if I just give the Lord back the day He has blessed me with and say, "Ok, Lord - just this day ... let's just get through this day together. I give to you all my hopes, dreams, fears and plans and ask that you would bless my choices, just this day ..." Then pretty soon - I can look back and see how I've travelled A VERY LONG WAY from where I started and it really wasn't so bad at all! 'To God be the glory, great things He hath done!'

So, here's the story - may it bless you and may God reveal His truth to you for this day, in the Name of Jesus Christ, our only Saviour and Lord, amen. :0)

"One day Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, 'Come on, let's go over to where the Philistines have their outpost.' But Jonathan did not tell his father what he was doing. Meanwhile, Saul and his six hundred men were camped on the outskirts of Gibeah, around the pomegranate tree at Migron ... No one realized that Jonathan had left the Israelite camp. To reach the Philistine outpost, Jonathan had to go down between two rocky cliffs ...

'Let's go across to see those pagans,' Jonathan said to his armor bearer. 'Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!' 'Do what you think is best,' the youth replied. 'I'm with you compeltely, whatever you decide.' 'All right then,' Jonathan told him. 'We will cross over and let them see us. If they say to us, 'Stay where you are or we'll kill you,' then we will stop and not go up to them. But if they say, 'Come on up and fight,' then we will go up. That will be the Lord's sign that he will help us defeat them.'

When the Philistines saw them coming, they shouted, 'Look! The Hebrews are crawling out of their holes!' Then they shouted to Jonathan, 'Come on up here, and we'll teach you a lesson!' 'Come on, climb right behind me,' Jonathan said to his armor bearer, 'for the Lord will help us defeat them!'

So they climbed up using both hands and feet, and the Philistines fell back as Jonathan and his armor bearer killed them right and left ... Suddenly, panic broke out in the Philistine army, both in the camp and in the field, including even the outposts and raiding parties. And just then an earthquake struck, and everyone was terrified." 1 Samuel 14:1-15

Happy Mother's Day!

As my nice hot bath is filling up, I thought I would post a quick blog to send out a

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

I awoke this morning to Maria's tapping my forehead and whispering, "Happy Mother's Day, Mom ... here's your present ... " What wonderful way to wake up in the morning :0)

I think the best thing about Mother's Day is that as a Mom you get to remember how great it is to have these little people around you that are sincerely thrilled to call me, "mom" ... what a great feeling - we have great kids!!!

I'm missing my own Mom right now - she's thousands of miles away in Italy having a wonderful time ... can't wait until they get back and we can hear about all the places they visited and the people they met ...

It also made me think about my Mom's mom .... my Baba .... I'm sure my Mom is thinking about her today while she is in the country of her family, as well. It's an amazing cycle ...

7 Random Things ...

Ok - you got me, Jenn :0) I'm tagged ... so here goes ... (BTW - thank you for our Friday girls' time-out ... your ears must be a little 'sore' today - but I sure appreciate them! love ya'!)

7 Random Things About Me - that, mostly, maybe you didn't know ... :0) ... (ooooo-scandalous):

7 ... I am a 'cat' person (I love our dog ... Rosie-Wosie-Posie ... ) but the cats and I seem to 'connect' ... it's the independent streak ...

6 ... I have driven my car (my first car - a Hyundai Scoupe ... loved that car) INTO A BUS TRAP! (They didn't have bus traps where I grew up - there were NO BUSES! How did I know? ... aside from the giant billboard with a giant STOP sign ? :0)

5 ... I secretly wish I was a 'minimalist' (no hope there - clutterbug is in my genes ... )

4 ... I LOVE the outdoors and spending time outside - but mostly I'm a bit of a couch potato :0)

3 ... I often get complete strangers telling me intimate details of their lives (grocery store line-ups, bank line-ups, shopping, whatever/wherever .... once when I was trying to find out information for a bus tour around Los Angeles I spent 15 minutes listening to the lady tell me about her issues with men :0)

2 ... I'm secretly afraid of Q-Tips (I think I poked myself in the ear with one when I was a kid and it HURT)

1 ... my index finger on my left hand is shorter than the one on the right hand - I cut the end of it off playing around with an exercise bike when I was a kid ... thankfully the nail grew back - but it still looks a little weird if you look closely ...

Well, there it is - 7 things all out there for the world to read! I tag my cuzn' Jenn, my cuzn'-in-law Kimberley and Dawn!!!

SOLD! And BOUGHT at a great price :0)

"Under the system of Jewish laws, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, but the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp. So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates in order to make his people holy by shedding his own blood. So let us go out to him outside the camp and bear the disgrace he bore. For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to out city in heaven, which is yet to come." Hebrews 13:11-14

Well - we are now officially 'homeless' :0) Our house has sold and we are on our way to finding a new home - outside the city gates :0) God has been - as always - so gracious and merciful to us. He is constantly revealing His loving ways ... We are very thankful for a real estate agent who prays with us over our decisions and asks for the Lord's guidance in all that we are doing. We are also thankful for the Lord continually reminding us that He is a Good Shepherd, a Loving Father, a Faithful Friend and a Perfect Planner ...

One of my favourite children's stories is by Max Lucado. It's called "You Are Special". It's about a little wooden puppet name Puncinello who isn't particularily perfect in any way - he's just a less than average little guy who tries hard but seems to struggle more than most. Where he lives, all the little 'wemmicks' (that's what the little people are called there) hand out stickers for the things they do. If you're great and do wonderful things - you get STARS! Bright, shiny, gold stars .... But if you mess up, you get a grey dot. Puncinello has ALOT of grey dots.




Then one day he meets Lucia ... and she has NO STICKERS AT ALL! They won't stick to her - no matter how hard people try to stick them on - star or dot, they just fall off! ... Puncinello is amazed by this and asks Lucia how this can be. She says that the stickers only stick if they matter to to you. Then she tells little Puncinello about Eli - the Wood Carver and Creator of all wemmicks. She said that if Puncinello would go and see him, then he would feel much better.




Puncinello was terrified of the huge place where Eli lived - but after meeting him, he DID feel much better. Puncinello explained that he tried so hard to get gold stars, but he just kept messing up! Eli said, "It doesn't matter what they think, only what I think - because I made you! And I don't make mistakes ..." Eli invited Puncinello to come and visit with him often - to let him remind Puncinello of how much he cares.



His parting words to Puncinello are, "Remember ... you are special because I made you. And I don't make mistakes."



When Puncinello left Eli's that day, he started to believe him and what do you know? A grey dot fell off ...

"Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,

'I will never fail you.

I will never forsake you.'

That is why we can say with confidence,

'The Lord is my helper,

so I will not be afraid.

What can mere mortals do to me?' "

Hebrews 13:5-6