It's not about US...

“It’s not about you. The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will not make sense.”
— Rick Warren

Great news...

...well at least I think it is... A dear friend told me that the Church is going ahead with plans for a mid-week (Wednesday night) worship service starting in October, AND that the new children's ministry leader is planning an AWANA-type program for the children at the same time! I've been longing for more worship (and teaching), so this is indeed good news, AND even better, I've been looking for an AWANA-type program for Amanda ever since she finished VBS this summer because she loved it so much. It would be awesome if this all worked out because often there are activities I'd like to attend or volunteer with at the Church, but I can't do it because of childcare needs or because it gets too late for Amanda (school-days are back soon and that means 8:00 bedtimes). I'm going to wrap this one in my prayers...first with thanksgiving, of course!
http://www.awana.org

Another personality type test was pointed out to me this morning. I'm a sucker for these things. I think there's alot to some of them (like MBTI). I think the greatest value that these sort of things provide for me is in understanding other people. I don't know how accurate this one is, but here's what I came out as... (If you take the test, let me know your results too.)


free enneagram test

"Dear Lord, grant me the grace of wonder. Suprise me, amaze me, awe me in every crevice of your universe. Delight me to see how your Christ plays in ten thousand places, lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his, to the Father through the features of men's faces. Each day enrapture me with your marvelous things without number. I do not ask to see the reason for it all; I ask only to share the wonder of it all."
Joshua Abraham Heschel

Les finally had a day off yesterday, and what did he do with his first day to himself in a long time(?)...he spent much of it being thoughtful and romantic toward me(!)... And when I got home from work, I was greeted with this amazing card ("sometimes I don't think you realize how deeply you are loved...") and a treasure box to open. Inside was a Debbie Mumm teacup (did you know she made teacups?!)...with a scripture on it (Ps 57:4 "May your glory be over all the earth." ...from the 'all things grow in love collection')!

This was definitely a jewel from God. You know, sometimes you wonder if you really are making as much of a difference as you want to. I love Les sooooo much, and I just want to be the best wife to him (and the best mom to Amanda)... The words in Les' card affirmed and encouraged me about the difference I make...and if I am the things he put in the card, then that is all because of The Father, so I lift that up to Him.

I'm so blessed to have Les in my life! I waited and looked for him for a long time (or so I thought), but he is ALL I waited for!
"I found THE ONE my heart loves!" (Song of Songs 3:4).

I love having people over....

Last night we had our dear friends Arilee and Aurora over for supper. I love having people over! We had supper, we visited, we had tea. I wished it didn't have to end, but girlies have bed-times... Arilee (auntie-extraordinaire!) is taking Aurora and Amanda to the parade today, so Amanda headed home with them for a sleepover last night so that they could get a good start on the morning.

Good morning! I'm just eating my breakfast (a mixed-berry scone) and scanning the news, then it's off to work for me. I just learned that there may be a new series starring Valerie Bertinelli this fall...I think it's called 'Sorry Charlie'. Last night as I was folding laundry, I caught the last five minutes of a program she was in, so I checked to see if that was perhaps the pilot for a new series...it wasn't...in fact, what I saw was the tail end of a movie she made in 2000. But in any case, it looks like she's set to star in a sitcom on FOX (a channel that I don't get) this fall...might be interesting. I grew up with shows like 'One Day at a Time', 'Sydney', and 'Cafe American', so I'm kind of interested in what the new series might be like.

I've been reading more of 'The Ragamuffin Gospel'...good stuff on grace. Last night I was struck by how much grace there is around us in the oridinary things of life:)

Yes, we've been watching Canadian Idol around our place. Our favourites are: Kalen Porter, Jacob Hoggart and of course, Saskatoon's own, Theresa Sokyrka...in no particular order. I am really impressed with the talent of these folks...although I can't help but be a bit biased for Theresa since we're both Saskatoon-girls. Last night might not have been her best performance (Joplin was a hard choice to sell), but she's got the pipes, and I just hope that no matter what happens that she will gain enough exposure from this experience to take her career to the next level. I pray this for each of these three...what phenomenal talents! ...makes me proud to be Canadian:)

http://mlb.csnnow.com/images/stararticle.JPG

Random thoughts and a Quote for the Day

For once the date and time stamp on this post is right...I made sure, which is something I barely ever do! I've been up since before 6 this morning, and since I am not a morning person, well I want it duly noted. I've already done my workout and had my shower. I'm just eating breakfast now and then will carry on getting ready for work.

In other news, my teapot has finally arrived! OK, I know it is 'just a teapot', but I can be a little thankful that it's finally here, don't you think.

Lastly, I'll leave you with this quote from Nicole Johnson that I stumbled upon. I think it makes some good points:

"Whenever I'm traveling by air I'm always amazed by the number of people who need to be the first ones to get on the plane. These are people who need to be first at everything. You run into them in the grocery store as they hurry to get into the express line ahead of you. You see them racing toward the elevator to beat other people on. It means so much to them, and I'm not exactly sure why. Like they think someone is going to hand out hundred dollar bills to the three people who get there first. There is, in fact, great freedom in not having to be first—not in being late or in being left, but in being free, in waiting, and trusting. There is freedom when you are not afraid to be wronged, not afraid to be misunderstood, not afraid to be forgotten for the moment. When you can trust that being last doesn't mean you are a bad person or unloved. That is true liberty and peace. Then you don't have to prove your point, be first on the plane, constantly defend your actions, or demand your rights. You are free to quietly trust, and that will change our hearts."

Princess-heart

Princess-heart is something that Les started calling me when we were first dating. He has several names for me that just make me melt:) As we were browsing through books at Blessings this weekend, one title really caught my eye..."Keeping a Princess Heart: In a Not so Fairy Tale World". Blessings had the companion guide to the book, but not the book, so I looked it up at www.christianbook.com today on my coffee break. Here is the description given:

"Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty. Every little girl grew up hearing the stories of "happily ever after" but is that the world in which she exists today? Keeping a Princess Heart is a deeply thoughtful exploration into the tension of the two worlds in which a woman lives - her dream world and the real one. Discover how to apply scriptural truths to help reconcile the ideal life with reality. You will be encouraged to laugh at yourself as you take a deep trusting dive into the wonderful world of fairy tale to find the hope to reclaim your hidden treasure: a princess heart."

That sounded interesting, so I went on to read the reviews. Here is an excerpt:

"Gifted author and actress Nicole Johnson explains that the secret to Keeping A Princess Heart is for women to put their faith in Christ, who knows and bestows the deepest desires of their heart:
(1) Recognition (the desire to be recognized)
(2) Adoration (the desire to be loved)
(3) Consolation (the desire to know that all will be well)

Understanding and addressing these wishes will help women discover their Princess Heart. Validating these desires will help the men in their lives help restore the girlish innocence needed to approach the throne of grace. When a woman puts her trust in Christ she will be able to transcend the world’s shallow aspirations of life and discover her untainted heart of wonder, joy, and love. Keeping A Princess Heart grants every woman her fairy tale ending by accepting the hand of her own Prince...of Peace."

I hope that doesn't sound too hoakey to you. It actually sounds a bit refreshing to me... with all the pressures in this world and (as I posted a few days ago) my heart really wanting to be at home... You see, my personality is somewhat of an idealist (enfj)...so I tend to see the world the way it should be rather than the way it is, and reconciling the two can be very discouraging to me. Thankfully, God's love is relentless and tender, and he has given me a husband who is the fulfillment of so many of my dreams. Still, life can sometimes be...well...not quite a 'fairy-tale'...some days the world's realities try to crush my heart, but they will not win. I don't know whether I will get this book or not, I want to finish reading my "Ragamuffin Gospel" first, but I felt encouraged today just reading the review.

What We Hope For
words and music by Carolyn Arends and Connie Harrington

I remember waiting up till it got dark
Searching till I found the brightest star
Making my wish with all my heart
But we grow up and so do all our dreams
Somehow without us even noticing
We set our sights on lesser things
Oh, to go back when we still believed

That what we hope for
Is not too much to ask for
And what we pray for
Isn’t nearly big enough
‘Cause what we dream of
Cannot compare to God’s love
And what He wants for us is so much more
More than what we hope for

We start out so innocent and wise
Before we cut the world down to our size
We still have that wonder in our eyes
So maybe that’s why Jesus said to come
With the faith we had when we were young
Trusting in a world beyond this one
Letting our imaginations run

‘Cause what we hope for
Is not too much to ask for
And what we pray for
Isn’t nearly big enough
What we dream of
Cannot compare to God’s love
And what He wants for us is so much more
More than what we hope for
More than what we hope for

Good news...Jackie is back to the world of blogging! ...and the first thing that I learned when she returned is that I've been spelling her last name wrong (should be Reimche)...sorry. Welcome back!

I have the best husband, have I mentioned that?! Last night he took me for a walk by the river. It was so beautiful! I love walking and holding his hand. We don't get down by the river as often as we did when we were dating, so this was a treat! I love it when we get to spend time together...just 'be'ing:) Every day I fall more and more in love with the man God gave me! I'm so thankful for his strength, his compassion, his character, his love:)

Well tomorrow is back to work for me. I've had the last week off. I haven't really 'done' anything...well I've done things, but normal, routine things...yard work, housework, groceries, cooking, baking...mostly spending time with/taking care of Amanda. Les worked evenings pretty much the whole week. That's actually why I picked this particular week to be off...because if I'm working days and he's working evenings all week, we don't see each other. At least this meant we got to see each other each day. I'm trying to enjoy my last day...not rush it. So far I've done my workout and a bunch of laundry...exciting, I know!

Yesterday, after picking up some groceries, we went for a drive and saw some new houses. All that did (and all that ever does, for me) is make me love our home more. They say that 'home is where the heart is'...my heart is so at home, it's hard to think about going back to work again. I know all will be well though, just am praying that I don't get swept away by pressures right away.

One sweet little jewel God gave me this week came on Saturday. I had asked Les if we could leave early for Church on Saturday and stop by Blessings. It had been so long since I'd had a chance to take a look there. I used to be in bookstores and buying books or music quite regularly...now, it's a very special treat to go and look, and God had an extra jewel for me there on Saturday. I've been wanting Brennan Manning's 'Ragamuffin Gospel' for quite some time, and I found it in the used books along with a daily devotional, also by Manning. The combined price of the two books was less than either one of them would have been new. I haven't had much time to read yet, but I have cracked the spines and am enjoying what I see. God is so good to us:)

This is one of my favourite love songs to God:)

There You Are
written by Carolyn Arends

I was hoping you would write to me a message in the stars
As if the stars themselves were not enough
And I awaited your arrival here from some place very far
As if I couldn't feel your constant touch
Why did I think that you'd send thunder
To wake me from my slumber
When anytime I open up my eyes

Chorus:
There you are - loving me like crazy
There you are - though I am unaware
There you are - when my heart is doubting
Even there you are

I was waiting for a miracle and hoping for a sign
As if each breath I take is not a gift
And I was acting just as if the way you gave your life for mine
Didn't have my foolish heart convinced
What did I think could cause this hunger
Did I ever stop to wonder
Why every time I open my eyes

Repeat chorus

I was hoping you would write to me a message in the stars
As if the stars themselves were not enough

A Tea-Party Week
 

 
This seems to be the week for tea-parties.  I hosted a tea party lunch for Amanda and her friend, Brianna, earlier this week, complete with sandwiches without the crusts (cucumber and tomato and dainties for dessert).  The girlies really seemed to enjoy themselves.  They had played so good that morning that I had time to unpack the teacups and luncheon plates my mom brought over to me.  She has a small collection of Amercian Beauty (by Royal Albert) that she doesn't ever use, and I was touched that she chose to pass it on to me since I love everything about tea, so I couldn't resist serving the girlies with Nana's collection. 
 
My own collection of formal tea-ware is really a collection of mixed cups and saucers from dear friends and relatives over the years.  I also have a precious old silver teapot that belonged to my friend Marsha's grandmother.  That teapot is full of wonderful memories of tea and small group meetings at Marsha's place before she moved away.
 
I've also been working on my brewing of tea this week...well iced-tea.  I think I've just about got the recipe  down to the way my handsome hubby enjoys it best.
 
Tomorrow will be another tea-party, and Amanda is quite excited.  You see, we're doing "Mom and Me, Having Tea".  It's a time for just us two.  I've been baking today for it.  I made teapot shaped cookies, with tea in them (wildberry tea that is), ginger snaps and blueberry scones.  It will be high tea, late in the afternoon, and we will do a devotion together.   Afterall, I think God enjoys a good tea-party too!

Falling Short
 
I have been grappling with something that I did which is wrong.  I have confessed and prayed and am trying to make things right.  I know that God has forgiven me, His word tells me so, but I am having such a time letting it go.  And what is more, I find it hard to pray for Him to help me as I step through this because I feel that I don't deserve it because I was wrong.  My dear friend Alana, redressed me about that saying, "so you can only ask for God's help if you're perfect?!'  Her words, of course, made me see how ridiculous my feelings were, but they are nevertheless my feelings.  She and my husband have been so supportive and encouraging through this, and I have a hard time receiving that because I know I was wrong.  I could go into more details here about what I did, but I won't because I don't want to get into justifying it.  Instead, I want to share about what I am learning from this all (all-be-it slowly).
 
The last few nights I've felt pulled to pick up a Brennan Manning book that I read a couple of months ago.  This is what has struck me:
 
"The sorrow of God lies in our fear of Him, our fear of life, and our fear of ourselves...God's sorrow lies in our refusal to approach Him when we have sinned and failed...
 
It is one thing to feel loved by God when our life is together and all our support systems are in place.  Then self acceptance is relatively easy.  We may even claim that we are coming to like ourselves...But what happens when life falls through the cracks?  What happens when we sin and fail...What happens when we come face-to-face with the human condition?...Do (we) have a strong sense of self worth? Do (we) still feel like the beloved child?  Or does God love (us) only in (our) "goodness" and not in (our) proverty and brokenness as well?  Nicholas Harnan wrote,

'This (brokenness) is what needs to be accepted.  Unfortunately, this is what we tend to reject.  Here the seeds of corrosive self-hatred take root.  This painful vulnerability is the characteristic feature of our humanity that most needs to be embraced in order to restore our human condition to the healed state.'

The fourteenth century mystic Julian of Norwich said, "Our courteous Lord does not want his servants to despair because they fall often and grievously; for our falling does not hinder him in loving us."  Our skepticism and timidity keep us from belief and acceptance, however, we don't hate God, but we hate ourselves.  Yet the spirtual life begins with the acceptance of our wounded self....
 
God calls us to stop hiding and come openly to Him.  God is the father who ran to His prodigal son when he came limping home.  God weeps over us when shame and self-hatred immobilize us.  Yet as soon as we lose our nerve about ourselves, we take cover...But God loves who we really are -- whether we like it or not.  God calls us, as He did Adam, to come out of hiding.  No amount of spiritual makeup can render us more presentable to Him...
 
"Come to me now," Jesus says.  "Acknowledge and accept who I want to be for you:  a Savior of boundless compassion, infinite patience, unbearable forgiveness, and love that keeps no score of wrongs.  Quit projecting onto Me your own feelings about yourself.  At this moment your life is a bruised reed and I will not crush it, a smoldering wick and I will not quench it.  You are in a safe place."
 
These words are still sinking in for me.  This morning, God's word to me was from Isaiah 43:
 
"Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.  When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior, I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.  Since you are precious and honored in my sight and because I love you."
 
I'm trying to stay in the present right now and not keep replaying the past nor projecting the future.  God's grace is truly amazing.  He has answered so many prayers for me today, and I just praise Him and give Him glory.

I'm having tea...

I should be working out, and I will get to that in a bit, but I'm enjoying the sunshine and my tea this morning. It seems like forever since I had the house to myself for a morning. Don't get me wrong, I love having my husband and daughter around, but it is nice to have a few moments to myself this morning. I just finished having breakfast...toast and peanut butter with jam...a guilty pleasure, I must say. It, too, is a treat, you see, a long time ago Les issued an edict that there shall be no peanut butter and jam in the house at the same time ('the kiss of death,' he says!) So we have just stocked peanut butter as Amanda loves it, but last week in a romantic gesture, Les insisted that I pick up some triple fruit strawberry jam because he knew I was craving it. (Thank you, honey:)

In other news...in case you were wondering about my teapot...well, I didn't get that one afterall...the supplier didn't receive her shipment when she thought, but in developing news...

...this one (the 'oh so breit' tea blossoms teapot by Mary Engelbreit) should be en-route to me! Happy belated birthday to me...thanks to my in-laws!  (I won the auction for it at an amazing price...birthday money well spent, I think:)

One of my dear-dear-dearest friends (one of my heart's sisters) is going through a time of uncertainty and I wish it weren't so...she's faced this twice before and is one of the bravest and most caring people I know.  I pray she doesn't have to face it again.  I pray that it is a false alarm.  I pray that God will fill her doubts with His peace.  I pray that should she ever find her faith shaken that I can have faith for her, that I may hold up her arms.  I pray God's Spirit over her and in her and that nothing can touch her.  Please pray with me...in Jesus name, Amen.
 
Father, Thy Will Be Done  
by Carolyn Arends

When I cannot ask for more - Father, thy will be done
When I rail at heaven's door - Father, thy will be done
When my faith in you is strong - Father, thy will be done
When my strength is almost gone - Father, thy will be done

Chorus:
Father, thy will be done
Father, thy will be done
I want to see your kingdom come
Thy will be done

When I cry to you in prayer - Father, thy will be done
When I don't believe you're there - Father, thy will be done
When I feel your gentle hand - Father, thy will be done
When I just don't understand - Father, thy will be done

Repeat chorus

When I'm walking in the light - Father, thy will be done
When my heart is black as night - Father, thy will be done
When you give what I desire - Father, thy will be done
When you take me through the fire - Father, thy will be done

Repeat chorus
(C) 1997 Sunday Shoes Music (ASCAP)

She's a Gramma!

Sweet news today!...Brooke and Kelly Graham have become parents to a precious little girl...Molly Elizabeth Graham has arrived!!  I am just tickled for them, and tickled for the new Gramma! :)

I guess I'm not "sparkling" today?!
 
...that's what one of my staff said this morning...he said, "you're not your sparkling self today..."  I don't mean not to be...and I certainly didn't think that anyone else could tell how I was feeling...  I've been going through some parenting 'challenges' that I don't think are best to share here.  But despite my efforts, I'm feeling discouraged.  Maybe it's just me and those big feelings...maybe if I was more of a 'thinker' all would be well...afterall, from a logical point of view it is, but that doesn't make my heart 'feel' any differently.
 
Oh well, I'm reminded of the words of Mark Lowry.  He says that his favourite Bible verse comes from the New Testament where Mary and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem for the census.  The verse begins, "It came to pass..."  It didn't come to stay, "it came to pass."

Today's verse

Much too much going on today. I just took a quick break for lunch. Work is very busy today, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by all that needs to be done. But as I paused, today's VBS verse came to mind:

"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
Heb 10:24

(I'm not really sure how to accomplish that at work today...but I am looking forward to being at home tonight:)

Lake Girl!

Here's a picture of our living-dolly at "the lake" on the weekend (after she washed the dishes even!)

Les & I were talking last night about what a great place Saskatoon is to live. You read so many things these days about how much more there is to do in larger centres, but we really feel blessed to call Saskatoon our home...and really, if you are creative, there is no shortage of things to do here.

Certainly, for Amanda, living in Saskatoon means there are more things she CAN do. If Les & I had chosen to make our home in Vancouver, there are many opportunities that Amanda would not have. We live in a nice house in a good neighbourhood that is affordable...in B.C. the words affordable and housing do not go together. And by virtue of where we live, Amanda is in walking distance of a good school where she's made wonderful friends that she can play with outside of school. She can also play down the block, go out and ride her bike around our crescent, and the little girl down the street (Miss Britney) is always knocking on the door to see if Amanda can come out and play. This is quite a contrast to Vancouver where you can't let you child walk to school and the teacher releases the children each day directly to their parents only. In grade one in Surrey, Amanda was in a class where she was the only caucasian girl, and the other parents wouldn't let their children play with her outside of school because of that. In Vancouver, there is no chance that you can let your 9 year old out to ride a bike around the crescent or to walk three doors down the block to play on a neighbour's front lawn.

I see how Amanda is flourishing here, and I feel very blessed indeed. She came here as a very shy girl to the outside world, and I have seen her open up so much. I see her get to try new things and imagine and play to her heart's content. When she grows up she wants to be a teacher, and I really think that growing up in Saskatchewan will be a great advantage for her in that because of all the carefree experiences she will have. She's not as shy as she used to be, and I just think that growing up in this environment will provide her with even more in terms of experiences that will mean alot for her as a teacher (perhaps even more than a university education can provide).

Growing up here, I had those experiences. I never knew anything different, so I guess I took them for granted.

This week Amanda is off at Vacation Bible School (VBS) in the mornings (Son Games)...together with her bossom-buddy from school, Brianna, and they are loving it! God sure knows what He's doing! Right from the moment Amanda moved here, He has placed such wonderful girls around her to be her friends. I couldn't ask for better friends for her! Brianna is actually older than Amanda, but they connected because Amanda ended up in a gr.3/4 split this year. VBS is at Brianna's church, and Brianna's mom is helping me out this week by having Amanda over to their house after VBS each morning. She's a wonderful woman who is always so encouraging to me...which is yet another way that God is blessing us these days!

"Know that the Lord is GOD. It is He who made us, and we are His. We are His people."
Ps 100:3 (Today's VBS memory verse:)

"The Lake"

We went to "the lake" yesterday. Amanda had gone out the day before with Arilee & Aurora, and so we headed out yesterday to enjoy the day and pick her up. It was a good day, although it would have been nice to spread the day out a bit (driving two hours each way makes for a full day!) The Herman's have a marvelous campsite, and we were spoiled to get to be with such wonderful friends for the day!

It's interesting the different things that being at "the lake" brings out in different people. For instance, at home, Amanda generally tries to avoid chores (like all normal 9 year olds), but at "the lake" she has no problem helping to get water or even doing the dishes! At home, Amanda is quite squirmish about things like bugs, but at "the lake" she went fishing for perch with Auntie using minows for bait...she was even quite proud to bring the fish back to her water bucket in her own net! It was quite something to see!

On the drive back home, Les and I talked about our views of "the lake." I don't think either of us are big campers, and while it would be nice to get away to "the lake" once in a while, our schedules just never seem to work such that we both have 2-3 days off in a row.

As we drove, we talked about our views on tents, campers, motor-homes and cabins. I'm afraid we leaned to the more expensive choices, and when you divide that over how infrequently we would use it, well, that pretty much makes it non-viable from a financial perspective. (Too bad we don't have friends with a cabin or motor home that we could rent once a year!:) ...we had to scratch camper from the list because we don't have a vehicle that could pull it.)

Before Les & I got married, I used to go to Family Camp each summer at Arlington Beach (this year's camp is happening right now). That was "the lake" to me. I went for about five years in a row, camping a different way each year. The first year I stayed in the lodge with a friend (shared bathrooms and showers on the floors; cafeteria type food). The next year, some friends and I rented a cabin together (no shower, but running water). The next year I stayed at the lodge alone, but ate and hung out with friends in the campground. The next year, I tented. And the last year, I rented a cabin that is lived-in year round (hence it had a shower etc.) I'd have to say that this last experience was the best to me. It was a beautiful location (lakefront), and I could watch the sunset over the water each night!

Every so often I get teased by die-hard campers that 'that is not camping at all'! I know they are teasing, but they seem to imply that if I would prefer to be able to blow-dry my hair in the morning when I'm camping rather than just putting on a ball-cap that there is some kind of moral problem with me. Maybe there is? I like to feel fresh in the morning and have a shower. I enjoy fussing a bit. I often dress casually, but I still like things to match and be free of holes. I like to make things nice. Even the year that I tented, I had a welcome matt for my borrowed tent and a flower pot just outside of the door. I guess this is part of how I relax. I'm just a girly-girl.

As we continued driving home last night, God painted the most amazing sunset for us, and Les and I both agreed how much we like home, and how we'd just like to find a way to be able to press pause more often and have some of those 'lake'-type moments at home.

Maybe I will still get it after all!



In my last post, I talked about the 'teapot that got away'. Well, in developing news... I emailed the seller after the auction ended to ask whether she had another one of these teapots. I explained how I narrowly missed the end of the auction and offerred her $2 more than the ending price on that auction should she have another 'Oh-so-Breit' teapot. I received a reply yesterday. She is expecting to receive a new shipment on Friday which will include another one of these teapots AND she indicated that she would sell it to me for the price I offered! I know it is only a teapot, but I'm tickled:)

I was sooo close to having my very own Mary Engelbreit teapot...the 'Oh-So-Breit' teapot! I had been tracking it on ebay, and it was going for well below its retail value (Mary prices it at $45US, and on ebay it was below $20US). So, I discussed the teapot with my delightful husband who encouraged me to get it. I had received some money from my inlaws and my parents for my birthday that I still haven't spent. So I was all excited to actually get something that I've wanted for so long (and never really thought I would get). The auction was to expire last night. When I left to take my daughter's friend home, my bid was winning, but then when I dropped Brianna off, I got chatting with her folks and didn't want to be rude and rush out of there (especially for something that isn't nearly as important as another person). Anyway, we got home at 9:13. The Auction ended at 9:11. And, yes, someone swooped in and stole my bid:( I know it is only a teapot, but I have to admit to being disappointed. There is another one up for bid, but with a starting price of $29.99US...I'm not interested in that because I almost had this one for much less. (sigh) I hope the high bidder enjoys my teapot. I hope they have friends over for tea and, in turn, bless them....

"...I will bless you; ...and you will be a blessing."
Gen 12:2

I enjoy Margaret Wente's columns in the Globe. I don't always agree with her, but I find she has good insight, and I enjoy the way she writes. Here's a link to Saturday's column. Last Thursday she also had an interesting one on Iraq.

Oh the theology of a song!! It is truly amazing how God can touch me with a lyric and how I can find myself right there in someone else's words. I've met Carolyn Arends, and she truly is a kindred spirit:)

Dance Like No One's Watching
Carolyn Arends

I want to sing just like the sparrow 'cause the sparrow knows
That your eye will be upon her everywhere that she goes
I want to shout out like the mountains 'cause they say those rocks
Love to lift up their praises and they never stop
I want to chase you like King David till it's all that I can do
To sing and shout and laugh about the way you made me new

I want to dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Nobody but you

I want to grow just like the lilies dressed up in your best
'Cause they stretch toward the sun and trust in you for the rest
I want to climb up like a daughter on her daddy's knee
Who is laughing 'cause she knows that she is loved abundantly
You said that I should come to you just like a little kid
And maybe even kick my heels the way that David did

I'm gonna dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Nobody but you

Well heaven knows I worry and those worries tend to keep me
Bottled up so tightly in my soul
So spill me like the perfume that was poured upon your feet
And then fill me till at last I overflow

That's when I'll dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Nobody but you

I want to chase you like King David till at last you capture me
And then I’ll sing and shout and laugh about the way you set me free

I want to dance like no one’s watching
Dance like no one’s watching
Dance like no one’s watching
Nobody but you

Happy Belated Canada Day!

Looks like I've been remiss in my postings! It's not as if I've been too busy really. I guess I just haven't felt inspired to write anything the last few days. It's been a quiet long weekend at the Brophy house. Les is working evenings all weekend. Amanda and I have gone on a few outings. Last night we rented Little Women and watched it together...one of my favourites! Tonight she is playing outside with a friend.

I had my appointment with the Specialist for my ear on Friday. It went very well...even Les commented this morning that my ear mustn't be as plugged as he heard me singing and singing...all sorts of songs! To sing again...that is good:) What struck me most about Dr. Stafford's office was that there was no waiting area and no wait. I've become very accustomed to waiting at the Doctor's office, so this was a pleasant surprise!

It seems like everyone is about to head off on some exciting holiday within the next little while. I have friends who are already on their way, and some who will leave very soon (I miss them already!) We have no plans to get away this summer as Les has to work...and that's ok with me. I don't always long to go somewhere...I love home, but I do long for special things to look forward to while I'm here. It always helps me to know when my next date will be our when our family can have a day to go to the lake or something.

Amanda will have many adventures this summer. Next week, she's going to visit with Grandma & Grandpa for a few days, and they are taking a trip to Regina where she'll meet a Great Aunt & Uncle and a cousin (who is around her age) that she's never met before. Then the following week, she has Son Games (Vacation Bible School). She's really excited about going to that with her great friend, Brianna! Oh to be a child again...schools days were great, especially those summers off!

I have to admit that I'm pining a bit for that. It's hard for me to have to work when Amanda is off, and often Les' days off are during the week when I'm at the office. It's hard to not always do what your heart wants...but nevertheless I know that God is good and has blessed us in so many ways.

Get out there and VOTE!

Well, it's Election Day in Canada, and this one should prove to be exciting. I think it will be quite late in the evening before we know the final result. More than in other years, I think that the Western Canadian vote will make a big difference in the result...so go cast your vote! (If you don't vote today, you can't complain about the result!...j/k)

It's looking like there will be change...but just what shape that will take is still up in the air. Most authorities are predicting a minority government. Apparently though, even if the Liberals win fewer seats than the Conservatives, in the case of a minority government, the Governor General will go to the current PM first to form government first? Bizarre!

One thing that concerns me though is Quebec. It's looking like the Bloc might take 60 seats! ...and this is not because separatist momentum is growing there, but rather because they want change and a vote for the Bloc is a vote against the Liberals. It will be quite interesting to see what happens tonight.

After work, Les and I are going to walk over to the school to cast our votes late this afternoon. Amanda will be with us (as she was for the provincial election). I think in such a close election, each and every vote seems to mean more. We are fortunate to live in this country and have the right to vote, so what are you waiting for, GO VOTE:)

:( ...I had a great post yesterday that blogger seems to have lost?! Oh well, it will have to remain a mystery....

It's amazing how Carolyn Arend's lyrics speak my heart. This song captures my heart today. I re-wrote the second verse though based on my experience:)

Surprised By Joy
words and music by Carolyn Arends

Every once in a while on a summer night
The sunset glows and I see the light
And when the stars come out it dawns on me
There is holy ground underneath my feet

Surprised by joy
Awash in love
Just one taste of grace
And I'm overcome
You've got a way
Of breaking through
'Til I'm surprised by joy
I'm amazed by you

Just the other day when I kissed my 'hun
I was blown away by what you've done
'Cause when he smiles at me with his foolish grin
All at once I see your face in him

Surprised by joy
Awash in love
Just one taste of grace
And I'm overcome
You've got a way
Of breaking through
'Til I'm surprised by joy
I'm amazed by you

And when I least expect it
You surround me
You astound me with your love

Surprised by joy
Awash in love
Just one taste of grace
And I'm overcome
You've got a way
Of breaking through
'Til I'm surprised by joy
I'm amazed by you

My reading from Nouwen was wonderful today!

Flesh Become Word
The word must become flesh, but the flesh also must become word. It is not enough for us, as human beings, just to live. We also must give words to what we are living. If we do not speak what we are living, our lives lose their vitality and creativity. When we see a beautiful view, we search for words to express what we are seeing. When we meet a caring person, we want to speak about that meeting. When we are sorrowful or in great pain, we need to talk about it. When we are surprised by joy, we want to announce it!
Through the word, we appropriate and internalize what we are living. The word makes our experience truly human.

I want to sing again!

Although I am feeling much better than last week, my ear is still plugged and as a result, alot in the world seems fuzzy to me. I just got back from a follow-up appointment with my Doctor. The decrease in pain is 'a good sign' she says but my ear is not better yet....meaning..more drops and I'll have to see a specialist. I'm sure all will be well soon. This whole thing is probably so stubborn because it took so long to diagnose (twice mis-diagnosed by other doctors). I'm grateful that it is less painful now and will do as the Doctor ordered, but I want to sing again! As I was driving back to the office from seeing the Doctor, I was playing my latest Amy Grant cd. I always croon when I'm driving alone...usually quite loudly, but with my ear plugged, I can barely sing - not that I was Whitney before?! ...but still, I want to sing again!!

Here's what I was crooning out today:

Simple Things
by Amy Grant

Wake up baby look around
Birds sing, ooooh that sound
Reminds me of a line
From Unchained Melody

Feel like I'm a little girl
Best thing in the whole wide world
Is I can see the makings of a memory
I remember how it used to be
Well I'm still dreaming...

Cuz I dream of simple things
I can believe in
Like the feeling this day brings
True love and the miracle of forgiving
I believe in simple things

Ain't nothing like a sunny day
Chit-chat at a street cafe
Just paint the picture, baby
Where you wanna be

Take a walk, take a ride
So far, you and I
Don't need a plan
But we can share
This revelry

I remember how I used to want it all
Funny now the big things seem so small

I dream of simple things
I can believe in
Like the feeling this day brings
True love and the miracle of forgiving
I believe in simple things
Through all the days
The blues, the greys
A ray of light keeps shining...

Don't know how accurate this quiz is...it didn't ask me very many questions, but came up with this acronym for my name:

S	Shiny
H	Haunting
E	Exquisite
R	Responsible
R	Radiant
I	Influential

Name / Username:

Name Acronym Generator
From Go-Quiz.com

Today is a special anniversary:)

Two years ago today Les kissed me for the first time! We were married on November 7th of that same year...it was quite a kiss! :)

Great news!

My awesome friend, Arilee, called this morning with this annoucement....Vince Gill and Amy Grant will be in concert at SaskPlace on Thursday September 30th!!

Arilee called insisting that Les and I go to the concert AND insisting that Amanda spend that evening with Aurora and her. What an amazing friend! ...to know what delights the hearts of others and then to help make a way for them to share in it! I have never seen either of these artists in concert, but have wanted to for a long time.

Amy Grant's music was a big part of growing my faith in my high school years, and a very tangible expression of my faith leading up to 1991 when my relationship with Jesus became more personal. I know alot of Christians have ceased to follow her because of areas where she has fallen in her own life, but I don't believe mine is to judge. I believe that she has learned much about grace and mercy in the process and that these truths are painted all over her most recent albumn (Simple Things).

Vince Gill is an amazing musician, and my husband, an amazing musician himself, is excited about seeing him play live! Actually, Les is just as excited about the whole thing as I am...isn't he wonderful?! I feel truly blessed that we can share in something like this! Bless you, Arilee, for blessing us in so many ways today and everyday!

Triumphant return!
I'm sorry if it seemed like I dropped off the planet. Tis a longgg story, but I haven't been well (tonsilitis, outer ear infection, fever, dizziness...you get the picture!) I saw several doctors and was mis-diagnosed a couple of times before I finally was able to see my own GP...then I was on the mend. It took a bit though...as things got worse before they got better, but I am happy to report that I'm almost myself again!

These are the words to the song that spontaneously started playing this morning as I logged into my computer at work... (someone, probably one of my staff, infaltrated my desktop...good job, I'd say!:)

Dance your cares away,
Worry's for another day.
Let the music play,
Down at Fraggle Rock.

Work you cares away,
Dancing's for another day.
Let the Fraggles play,
We're Gobo, Mokey, Wembley, Boober, Red.

Dance your cares away,
Worry's for another day.
Let the music play,
Down at Fraggle Rock.
Down at Fraggle Rock.
Down at Fraggle Rock

Les is More!

My handsome and talented husband is an amazing guitar player! (Have I ever told you that?) He can play electric, accoustic, bass....(He's pretty modest about it all and about how he writes music when he has time.) His favourite guitar is his Gibson Les Paul...and I love this logo for it!

I agree -- my Les is MORE! He is so much more that I ever hoped, dreamed or prayed for! You'd have to get to know him, of course, to fully understand... He is smart and funny and caring and sensitive and silly and creative and strong and affectionate... He's such a good father, and the most amazing husband! I feel so loved!! He makes me feel so beautiful! I love him more today than yesterday and yesterday more than any day before that!! I learn so much about God's love through Les' love and through our relationship. In his arms I feel safe, protected, treasured and happy:)

Lightning Claim First Stanley Cup!

Well, for the second year in a row, I watched the Stanley Cup Final with my loving-hubby:) I would have to say that this year's final wasn't as emotional as last year's. I did not cry (as I did last year when Giggy got the Conn Smythe), but there were tears... Watching these men revel in what they'd accomplished, I saw these little boys in them who had dreamed their whole lives of winning The Stanley Cup. As I watched them pass the Cup from one to the other, each would kiss the Cup and lift it high overhead...their little boy dreams came true...and that brought tears to my eyes.

Les and I had kind of been cheering for Calgary.. (I still can't believe that?!...We don't really like Calgary, but they seemed like our great Canadian hope, and they were such a dedicated and hard-working team!) As we watched last night's game though, we got to the point where we just wanted the better team to win. Tampa was out-playing Calgary most of the game, and when Calgary woke up with 10 minutes left, it was too little too late. All through the game, CBC was following the gathering in Brad Richard's (Tampa player) hometown in PEI. And after the game, Bettman presented the Conn Smythe Trophy for the Most Valuable Player in the playoffs to none-other-than...Brad Richards! I guess Canada did win afterall!

In fact, after the game, CBC had a little feature highlighting each Tampa player and where they were from and who their hockey hero was growing up. It seemed to me that the Tampa Bay team was largely made up of Canadian boys. Maybe Canada did win afterall!

I know there's alot of debate about the expansion in the league that has resulted in more teams in the States. Somehow it sounds odd to think that a team that resides in Florida just won the cup, but I bet you the boys on the team don't think of it that way...they're just grateful that team exists so they can play. Perhaps this very expansion that has watered down much of the talent in the NHL is the very thing that has made more Canadian boys' dreams come true as they found places to play the game they loved. Look at Martin St. Louis...he had an amazing season, but just a few year's ago he was an underachiever and actually found himself being traded away from the Calgary Flames. Perhaps if the league hadn't expanded, he might not have gotten this chance...perhaps...and oh yeah, he's a Canadian boy too...

Canada DID win, afterall!!

A daily dose of Nouwen...

The Power of the Spirit
In and through Jesus we come to know God as a powerless God, who becomes dependent on us. But it is precisely in this powerlessness that God's power reveals itself. This is not the power that controls, dictates, and commands. It is the power that heals, reconciles, and unites. It is the power of the Spirit. When Jesus appeared people wanted to be close to him and touch him because "power came out of him" (Luke 6:19).
It is this power of the divine Spirit that Jesus wants to give us. The Spirit indeed empowers us and allows us to be healing presences. When we are filled with that Spirit, we cannot be other than healers.

Bar-be-que!

Last weekend we purchased our first ever bar-be-que...and we've BBQ'd almost every night since then (with the exception of Monday...what was with that wind?!) We're really enjoying trying things out! Last night we BBQ'd steak, and I found this great recipe for a teriyaki marinade the night before, so the sirloin had marinaded in it over night...very yummy! Friends have also been offering suggestions that have been great. Last night we tried grilled asparagus thanks to Brenda's comments, and we also did some potatoes (a different way) on the bar-b-y thanks to Alana. Her great tip was to bake them some in the microwave first...then cut them up with your ecoutrements in foil...yum! They were so good that Amanda asked what they were. To which I said, "potatoes". Amanda said, "I know THAT, Mom, but what kind?" We decided that they were 'Brophy-special-grilled-potatoes-and-cheese' (with a few more secret ingredients to boot!) This week I'm going to look for the basket that Brenda mentioned that makes grilling veggies a breeze... I'm liking this!

God likes me! He really likes me!

That may not seem like a revelation to you, but over and over again I am struck by it...the fact that God likes me (even when I'm not that likeable). Yes it is amazing how He loves us, far beyond what I can fathom, but He HAS to love...by His very nature God IS love. (Well He doesn't HAVE to...He is God and He can do whatever He wants...but God is love). Never-the-less, the thought that He LIKES me really makes me feel cherished...especially when I think of how undeserving I am...I think about all the things that I don't do as well as I should and all the things that I fail at...the mistakes I've made, the sins I've committed...and His grace washes over me, His love amazes me...and the fact that He likes me makes me smile:)

Brennan Manning says it this way...

Being Cherished

Several years ago, Edward Farrell, a priest from Detroit, went on a two-week summer vacation to Ireland to visit relatives. His one living uncle was about to celebrate his eightieth birthday. On the great day, Ed and his uncle got up early. It was before dawn. They took a walk along the shores of Lake Killarney and stopped to watch the sunrise. The stood side by side for a full twenty minutes and then resumed walking. Ed glanced at his uncle and saw that his face had broken into a broad smile. Ed said, "Uncle Seamus, you look very happy." "I am." Ed asked, "How come?" And his uncle replied, "The Father of Jesus is very fond of me."

If the question were put to you, "Do you honestly believe that God LIKES you?" -- not loves you because theologically He must -- how would you answer? God loves by necessity of His nature; without the eternal, interior generation of love, He would cease to be God. But if you could answer, "The Father is very fond of me" there would come a relaxedness, a sernity, a compassionate attitude toward yourself that is a reflection of God's own tenderness. In Isaiah 49:15, God says: "Does a woman forget her baby at the breast, or fail to cherish the son of her womb? Yet even if these forget, I will never forget you."

"No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." Joshua 1:5

Today is the MAD Hatter's Tea Party...

...at our church, that is:) The AWOL (A Woman's Outlook on Life) committee says the MAD part stands for Marvelous And Delightful...or Music And Drama as there will be that there too!

I'm really looking forward to this. I love tea and tea parties! I'm heading over to the Church to help set up the room as soon as I'm done work...so is my sister-like and almost-too-dear friend, Alana. It will be wonderful to get to do this with her! Also my gregarious and full-of-fun friend, Brenda will be there, so I'm sure there will be lots of laughter and a bit of the unexpected!


My mother-in-law is going to be my guest for the evening. As she and my father-in-law only moved here last fall, I'm hoping that she will get the chance to meet more ladies in the Church.

MAD Hatter's Tea Party...hmmm, I guess I'll have to wear a HAT!

What a busy weekend!

First off, it was my Dad's birthday, and it wasn't looking like any of the times that we had available to get together would work...but something ended up working out on Saturday evening after Church, so that was very happy:) We gave Dad a pedometer and a shirt...and I think he really liked it. The idea of the pedometer came to us because he walks so much and is always telling us how many laps he did that day at the field house. There'll be no stopping him now - he can now measure how many steps, miles and calories he's done each day! My Dad made me feel very special at the end of our visit when he hugged me as he always does. I do remember a time when I was always the first to reach for the hug and where they weren't so freely returned (just cause hugging wasn't a comfortable thing from my family's point of view). How wonderful it feels to have him reach for me! ...and even more, he had some words that encouraged me and made me feel lovely:)

We also did alot of house-work and yard-work this weekend. My tomatoes are now planted! And actually, everything I've planted is looking so good (so far)! Amanda had a sleepover at Grandma's this weekend, so I even found some time for some crafting. I haven't done that since before I was married. I made a wreath for our front door and prettied up our mailbox with an ivy finish. It felt so good to do that, and I think it all looks a little warmer:)

Had a date night with my handsome husband this weekend:) He took me out for dinner at Tony Romas (had some great santa fe chicken...mmmm), and then we went to a movie (Raising Helen...it was very good!) I love date nights! I love spending time with my Les! I love him! :)

My sister-like and oh-so-dear friend, Alana, sent me an email this morning with an attachment from The Fly-Lady. It was so encouraging! Somedays I become discouraged when I don't see the outer changes I desire happening very quickly, despite all my trying...trying to eat right, trying to exercise. I spend alot of effort trying, and the truth is with a husband and daughter it is hard to always try and find the time for more trying. I think reading this helped my perspective:) Here is an excerpt:

> "Moving in May isn't about parking a little further out at Wal-Mart
> and logging on a few extra steps on your pedometer. Nor is it just
> about stepping up your nutrition and eating better. These are
> components to Moving in May, but it's bigger than that.
>
> There is an enormous underlying principle at work here and that is
> the fact that each person reading this Food for Thought right now is
> worthy of being loved and merits exquisite care. Each and every
> woman is worthy of being comfortable in her own skin, worthy of
> giving herself tender loving care and worthy of treating her own
> body like the treasure it is.
>
> We love to complain about our stretch marks, zits, spider veins and
> other imperfections that seem to relentlessly grace our bodies. The
> older we get, the more plentiful the imperfections. I am guilty of
> reciting my long list of complaints, too. However, I am starting to
> realize with every step and every breath I take, that my life is a
> gift and that my body is my "transportation" for my life here on
> earth. This body is what houses my soul. In the bible, the body is
> referred to as a temple for the Holy Spirit.
>
> It is worth everything I have to give the best care to the only body
> I will ever have. I'm not talking plastic surgery and masseuses and
> that kind of thing. I'm talking about the basics: reducing stress,
> living a life of gratitude, eating well, moving. I am worth more
> than nutritionally negative food, a sluggish, sedentary life, and
> holding on to resentment, anger and grudges that result in a cold,
> bitter heart. I am worthy of loving self care and so are you."

Well tonight is the American Idol Finale...Amanda is so excited! Her pick is Diana DeGarmo...go Diana go! I'm not really into the show, but each week, I try to watch it with Amanda (usually while I'm on the gazelle), and last night was I ever glad I was there...some of those commercials just shouldn't be on at 7 p.m. (there was even one for STD's?!!)...

Speaking of Amanda...she is doing wonderful on her bike! She can now ride, unassisted from mailbox station to mailbox station around our crescent...she just needs help pushing off when she starts out, so that is what we'll be working on tonight. I'm so proud of her! She's worked hard and she's making some new friends as she learns to ride her bike! Les has been such an awesome teacher!! Once Amanda masters this last skill, Les will be installing her new fancy bell/compass that Auntie Arilee gave her this weekend (twinsies with Aurora)...and then our girlies should never get lost!

The last few days have been busy with yardwork and home-stuff. Last Friday we put in our hedge (peking cotoneaster), and it's looking good. On the weekend we did some shopping for a bbq as we do not have one and are hoping to buy one this week...I think we have our choices narrowed down now. Les painted the deck yestereday, so it's all ready for us to pick up the bbq later this week!

We also weeded the flower beds and planted the front bed. I have a few more things to plant, but will hold off until after the tulips are done blooming. I lost my rose bush this year, so that is very sad...don't know what I did wrong:( ...and also, I don't see many of the perenniels I planted last year coming up:( All in all though, the front bed and pots are coming together. I've picked up some things to make a new summer wreath for our front door, so now I need to find time to do that... I'm meeting more of our neighbours as we putter around, so that is nice. It's a wonderful time of the year...nice weather (finally!) and no mosquitos...yet:)

On being child-like...


This is Henri Nouwen...one of my favourite authors, now deceased, on a skateboard:)

Brennan Manning wrote:

"The true self is able to preserve childlike innocence through unflagging awareness of the core identity and by steadfast refusal to be intimidated and contaminated by peers 'whose lives are spent not in living but in courting applause and admiration; not in blissfully being themselves but in neurotically comparing and competing, striving for those empty things called success and fame..."

Frederick Buechner wrote:

"We are children, perhaps, at the very moment when we know that it is as children that God loves us -- not because we have deserved his love and not in spite of undeserving; not because we try and not because we recognize the futility of our trying; but simply because he has chosen to love us. We are children because he is our father; and all our efforts, fruitful and fruitless, to do good, to speak truth, to understand, are the efforts of children who, for all their precocity, are children still in that before we loved him, he loved us, as children, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Buried in me is this little girl who never quite felt understood, who never quite felt her family really knew her heart..and couldn't understand why not. A couple of weeks ago, this little girl surfaced when I was chatting with some friends at Church about the MAD-hatter tea party coming up there. My mom overheard me being asked to bring any teacups/teapots that I had and commented that I was never really into that kind of stuff...pardon?...was she talking about me? I love everything about tea...teapots, teacups, saucers, fancy tables...I always have! ..I think I started drinking tea when I was Amanda's age.

This week, some more of those feelings resurfaced in the face of something she wanted me to have that was far from who I was. It's a long story, and I don't want to hurt any feelings. I know down deep my family loves me...but, somedays that's the problem...do they love ME or who they believe that I am or who they want me to be. It's a very sad feeling inside to think that the family who has known you all of your life doesn't KNOW you. My husband affirmed who he sees that I am this week and commented on how different I am from my family in many ways. It reminded me of when I was a teenager and actually wondered if I was adopted. I know I wasn't, and my eyebrows alone prove that I was born a Breit-child...but how is it that this huggy-feely child came out of that home? (And how is it that they don't know that is how I am?...huggy-feely!) Les believes that God raised me that way. He went on to explain what he meant by that in such a way that the tears rolled down my face. I was so overwhelmed with tears that I can't string together words here to explain it.

I love my parents and siblings, I do...and I tonight pray for greater understanding...

Les isn't a 'west-coaster' anymore...

...or so he proclaimed last night when I came home! He had spent the day doing yard work. He started out fertilizing the back lawn in the morning and then headed to the Co-op Home Centre (hanging out with the farmers) to purchase a wheel barrel. He then proceeded to put together his wheel barrel and use it for as many things around the yard as he could yesterday. He says his was the only camaro in the Co-op parking lot...and that some of the farmers were watching him intently as he loaded his wheel barrel into the camaro (he-he).

Who'd a thunk it?! ...Les moved here from 'la-la-land' (as he affectionately calls it) a little over a year and a half ago and now is a card-carrying member of the CO-OP with a wheel barrel! (and it looks good on him!...as all things do! :)

These are the lyrics to a song that really affected me this weekend...Marilyn Jacobson did a beautiful job of performing it. It's from a Nichole Nordeman cd. Her lyrics are always so rich.

This Mystery

Say goodnight to the light of the setting sun
One more day, one more way
Of keeping track of all I've done

I run this race, keep this pace
I'm doing fine
And I won't stop until each box
Gets checked a second time

And life becomes the round and round
Revolving door that won't slow down
It won't slow down

Do You wish, do You want us to breathe again?
Say goodbye to the lines that we've coloured in
Brown and grey from day to day
Do You cry, do You hope for all things made new?
Try and try to invoke us to live in You
That we might be the hands and feet of this mystery

This routine is nice and clean from dawn to dusk
I rise and rest, I do my best
When will it ever be enough?

And life becomes the bigger noise
Drowning out Your little voice
Your little voice, Jesus

Do You wish, do You want us to breathe again?
Say goodbye to the lines that we've coloured in
Brown and grey from day to day
Do You cry, do You hope for all things made new?
Try and try to invoke us to live in You
That we might be the hands and feet of this mystery

We take stock, and we punch the clock
And we make sure all those zeros have balanced in the end

Do You wish, do You want us to breathe again?
Say goodbye to the lines that we've coloured in
Brown and grey from day to day
Do You cry, do You hope for all things made new?
Try and try to invoke us to live in You
That we might be the hands and feet of this mystery

This is Amanda and two of her closest girlie-friends! I am so thankful to God for the wonderful girlies that He has brought into Amanda's life! It is not by chance that they are in each other's lives, and I am in awe of the God who weaves together every detail. When I think about Amanda moving to Saskatoon a year and half ago, starting out in a new school, new home, new church, I am overwhelmed to see what God has done!

Brianna is one of Amanda's best buds at school. She's a year older than Amanda, but God orchestrated that they would be in the same class this year when He put her in a grade 3/4 split. The girlies have so much in common. Brianna is a bubbly girl who always has a great big smile on her face. I've had a soft spot for her ever since the first time I saw her. She has a warm heart and is full of enthusiasm! She comes from a wonderful Christian home too, and I am enjoying getting to know her parents, her two baby brothers, two dogs and a cat named KT (King Trouble)! (I'm not so sure though about the guinea pig named Evan?!) Today is Brianna's birthday and yesterday was the party. Amanda had so much fun...she came home missing her friend already:)

After Amanda's birthday back in February, I posted about Miss Aurora, Amanda's kindred spirit and bestest friend outside of school. She is such a sweet girlie and amazing hugger! The two have them have been attached to one another since they first met at Power Hour around when Amanda first moved to Saskatoon. Amanda has so much fun with Aurora that it is extremely hard to part the two of them afterward. With Miss Aurora under-the-weather lately though, we haven't had a play date recently (that needs to be rectified soon...) Play dates with Aurora doubly bless me sometimes because occasionally it means that I get to play with Aurora's mommy too!

I am so thankful for the friends that God has given my dolly, and am lifting them up to Him in prayer again today... that the fullness of His love and blessing may be on each of them! I thank the Lord too that they are each His...how precious it is to see their love for Him:)

Spring is in the air, and I'm enjoying the sunshine streaming through my windows as I tend to our home. I'm also starting to think about planting flowers and tomatoes. I love growing flowers, but I'm not too committed to a vegetable garden just yet, although last year, I tried my hand at growing tomatoes (Early Girl), and they grew abundantly...so I'll definitely try that again! I'd also like to grow some rasberries...only I'm not sure where to plant them because people keep warning me about how they spread. See that's half the problem, I'm not sure where to put a vegetable/fruit garden if I plant one...and I'm not sure if I want a conventional garden or a box garden...decisions, decisions....

The tulip bulbs that I planted last fall in my front flower bed have sprung up, but the blooms haven't quite opened yet...it's been a 'late' spring, I think, and I haven't seen much in the way of 'signs of life' in my rose bush that I planted last spring...I sure hope it comes back (it was so beautiful last year)! Also, I have only seen green popping up from one of the perenniels I planted last year...perhaps more will come. I'm starting to think about if there is a low flowering small bush that I could plant in my front bed that would return each year...I don't know much about these. What I do know about is colours and flowers that make me smile...and I've started to collect some of these (annuals) that I will plant in a week or two.

Recently, Les & I decided that we would like a hedge in our front yard, so on Friday, we visited a couple of nurseries again and finally settled on something...a Peking Cotoneaster. It has these rich shiny green leaves, berries for the birds in the fall and changes colour to an orange/red in the fall as well. What's more, it should provide some resistence to the north winds that blew such high drifts of snow into our yard and driveway this past winter.

If you have any suggestions, let me know:)

Donna has a wonderful post on her site today about being 'fully received' by God...

I wish I could have the full wisdom, grace and bredth of love of God to pass on to others on days like today. I haven't been writing about it, and I won't ever share the details on here, but someone very dear to me is going through a separation. This person called this morning needing a friend, someone to listen and encourage them and to remind them of God's love. I did that the best I could, but never feel that it's enough. I mean, really, what do you say?! There seem to be no 'right' words in this situation. Many tell this person that 'God hates divorce.' ...and He does, but he also hates lies and deception and abuse... What do you say to someone who seems to have tried everything lots of times and who feels so hopeless and doesn't feel like they can go through that again? I say I love them no matter what. I listen and I pray, and I don't really know what to pray, so I ask God what to pray...I ask Him to pour His love on this person and their spouse...I ask for His wisdom for them...for a full understanding of grace...and even for a miracle if that is His will. What do you do? ...as I think and pray about this, I see Jesus in so many situations...I see Him with the woman at the well...I see Him not judging or turning her away, but knowing her and receiving her and loving her where she is....I see Jesus with the woman caught in the act and I see Him not condemn her...I see Him with so many people who were cast away and branded as sinners, and in each case I see Him love them...especially in the broken places.

I'm feeling YOUNG tonight:) Les, Amanda & I did a Costco run, and as is customary, that meant hotdogs at Costco for supper before we began our shopping (yeahhhh...a break from making supper & doing dishes!) As we were leaving our table when we finished, this friendly woman at the next table called out to me, "Sherri, isn't it?" "Yes," I smiled...trying to figure out who I was speaking to. She went on to explain that we had gone to University together...her name was Lisa...she was a marketing major (me, accounting). It was nice to see her, even if I didn't know her that well (she was in a different year and major than me). Anyway, now she's married to a friendly fella and has two adorable little girls (one is a newborn)! They mentioned that Costco was their BIG family outing (only half joking)...and I can relate! As we walked away to begin our shopping, Les said to me, "See there, you still look the same as when you were in University...you're very youthful!" Thank you, dear! :) (For the record, I don't look just the same...hair-styles, for one are different...and depending what year you saw me in University, I was likely heavier than today...but I guess, I'm still recognizable, and I'll take that:)

Well, our girlie is making some progress on the bike. Two nights ago, Les got tough...and I suppose, that is what she needed. He's doing such an amazing job with her...I just sort of back off when the tears flow, but Les can tell which tears for for effect and which ones are for real. It was a tough night, but by the end of it, she could ride her bike on her own for a distance of about two houses. Now we have to work on steering...you see, she could ride further, except for the fact that she starts to curve one way after about a house or two and has to stop to avoid hitting something. Last night she practiced again and she can now ride for about 3 houses...and the best part is that she's really starting to enjoy herself! I'm so proud of her! Just two things left to learn...steering...and pushing yourself off when you start out...we'll work on that tonight.

Speaking of Amanda...this is the second morning in a row that I've had one of her songs playing in my head. Amanda is a big Hillary Duff fan (Lizzie McGuire) and has her cd. Yesterday morning as we were getting ready for school she was singing Hillary's song, 'The Math', and now I can't get it out of my head. The chorus goes:

If you can't do the math
Then get out of the equation
I am calling you back
This is * 69

Is it a minus or a plus
Does enough equal enough
If you can't do the math
Then nothing adds up
Tell me why I'm here

It is just priceless to hear Amanda croon out those words!

Well, it's my second ever Mother's Day being a Mom...(tears). Amanda actually calls it 'Mommie's Day', in honour of her favourite word for me...I like that:) ...and here I am all alone...Les is off at work and Amanda had a birthday party and sleepover last night - which meant I could sleep-in, myself, this morning, which is a treat! I'll pick her up in a few hours, and Les says that he and she will be making supper tonight...another treat! I've got a bit of preparation to do for work tomorrow and then I think I'll take a little cruize on my bike, have a shower and head over to pick up my daughter.

Last night before we went to sleep, Les gave me his gift and this wonderful card for Mother's Day...."To my beautiful wife...." I'd like to quote one of the verses from the card:

"Into a precious vessel
God pours tenderness and love,
an understanding heart,
and all the joy a child dreams of...
He gives her His compassion and
a kindness like no other,
then wraps her in His quiet strength
and gently calls her Mother."

Thank you, Les, for making me a mother...and thank you, God, for having the idea in the first place and ultimately creating it all! Thank you for your grace and mercy which I need everyday.

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there! This picture reminds me of my own Mom for some reason...

Hope you all have a ROYAL day!

A Bicycle Built for Me...

Can you believe it...I got a Bicycle yesterday?!! I haven't had a bike since I was a teenager...so I was a little worried whether I could still ride one...3 cruizes later, nothing to worry about:) I was the only one in our family without a bike, so Les kept encouraging me to get one. I told him that I planned to win the Retro-Schwinn at Timmer's in the Roll up the Rim contest. Alas...the contest is over, and I did not win:( In the meantime, Les found the same bike at Canadian Tire...and better yet...the LADIES version! And if things could get any better, we got an amazing deal (more than $100 off)! It's actually pretty amazing that we got the deal as we missed out on the sale...God is so good! So we used some of my income tax refund...and voila...I now have my very own Ladies Schwinn Classic Cruiser!

It is a beautiful bike! Biking the way I like it...comfortable and not hunched over. I'm not going to be winning any races, I'm sure, but I'm looking forward to cruizin' a bit this summer. I had a really hard time spending the money...not that it was too much...nor that it couldn't be afforded...but it's very hard for me to spend on something that big for myself, especially when in my mind a bike was more a want than a need. In Les' mind, it was a need...he and Amanda both have bikes, so I needed a bike. I like his mind:) I think I'm going cruizin' again this morning:)

Whew! I just finished reading Pastor Dean's message from this weekend. Because Les & I were away, we missed it. But so many people have been saying good things about it, I had to go and read it, and it was GOOD! He was talking about marriage, and he started out by using Deut. 6 to explain that God's main plan to pass on His love, hope and grace to the world is through families. The thing that Dean said that really spoke to my heart the most though was this:

"Now folks, I want to be the 1st to tell you that, if you're married, the very best way you can help shine God's light on this earth, . . . is to have a strong marriage . . . the way to honor God the very most with your life, and the way you can get the most work done for God is this . . . by simply giving yourself fully to strengthening and developing your marriage over a lifetime because if your married . . . strengthening your marriage and family is what God has called you to do you don't even need to spend time looking for something else to do for God . . . until your marriage is strong and your family is growing spiritually . . . that's the work God has called you to do, and it is a huge responsibility and high calling . . . it is the centre piece for his strategy of saving the world!!

Got that - your marriage is not something that can take a back seat to anything - it must always be of the highest priority . . . because working on your marriage is working on something for God . . . and that is a really big deal . . . "

Dean's words were very affirming to me! You see, since I've been married I haven't been able to be involved in 'formal ministry' at the Church as much as I used to. There were times before when I would be at the Church or doing something for the Church almost every evening, but that is not possible now with a husband and daughter. Sometimes I feel inadequate because I can't do all the things I've done before, but I know that God has called me to make my husband a priority and our family. I know without a doubt that God created me to be Les' wife, and so the primary ministry God has called me to is Les and our children, and it is so encouraging to hear that affirmed by my Pastor:)

You can read/listen to the whole message here.

Reflection for the Day - from Henri Nouwen

God's Generosity
God is a god of abundance, not a god of scarcity. Jesus reveals to us God's abundance when he offers so much bread to the people that there are twelve large baskets with leftover scraps (see John 6:5-15), and when he makes his disciples catch so many fish that their boat nearly sinks (Luke 5:1-7). God doesn't give us just enough. God gives us more than enough: more bread and fish than we can eat, more love than we dared to ask for.

God is a generous giver, but we can only see and enjoy God's generosity when we love God with all of our hearts, minds, and strength. As long as we say, "I will love you, God, but first show me your generosity," we will remain distant from God and unable to experience what God truly wants to give us, which is life and life in abundance.

LOVE

Les and I brought back a momento of our weekend together. It's a suncatcher embellished with fruit and a checkerboard edging...encircled with these words:

LOVE
always protects
always trusts
always hopes
always persevers
never fails

Simple but profound words from 1 Corinthians, and a wonderful reminder of what God has given us! It's hanging in front of the window in our dining area. As the light shines through it, it comes to life, the colours are rich and full. Once it is dark out though, it doesn't shine the same, but the same truth is told by it, and its beauty can still be seen when we take the time to look. What a fitting metaphor for our lives and our love. When we each let God's love shine through us, it sparkles, but even when we're having a difficult day, the truth is still there to be seen when you look for it...and it'll still shine, if you let it:)

This momento is a precious reminder of the amazing, loving man God has given me who I love even more than I ever thought I could love (and the romantic weekend we just had).... and also a precious reminder of our glorious God who is LOVE and teaches us how to love!

Last night Les & I got back from our romantic get-a-way to Edmonton. It was the first time that the two of us ever went anywhere together! (Amanda had a mini get-a-way of her own at Grandma's this weekend.) Thanks to some Aeroplan points, Les & I stayed at a Best Western Inn near West Ed Mall for three nights in a jacuzzi suite! It was awesome!! I had never soaked in a jacuzzi before... I felt like a princess! 3 whole days and 3 whole nights where I didn't cook or clean or do laundry...wow! The best part was just being with Les!! :) Les was totally won over by the hotel before we even checked in because there turned out to be a Porsche dealership across the street. Every night we'd look in to tuck the Porsche's in for the night. Les now even has his own personal sales contact...and I made sure that we both got a chance to sit inside this gorgeous red 98 Boxster convertible. We did a bit of shopping too...IKEA, of couse, was a highlight along with Edmonton's Long & McQuade...saw some beautiful accoustics (it's interesting, you would think the Gibson Hummingbird or Dove, which are higher priced than the Songbird, would sound better than it, but they don't)...got to hear the differences between a Martin, Taylor, Ovation and Gibson... We also shopped at some outlet malls and, of course, hit the big mall - West Ed. West Ed wasn't as much of an attraction as the others. We had several yummy meals out...we found Edmonton's White Spot, which was just as good as B.C.'s...we had a wonderful meal at the Olive Garden one night too! One evening we went to the IMAX and saw the NASCAR experience (in 3D even!)...pretty neat! We had a nice drive there and back, great weather, great tunes and even got to see my sister for a bit on our way through Lloydminister on the way home. It was a great time away, and hard for me to come back...I just wanted it to last... But it is good to be home too...our home is warm and filled with much love and many memories already...anywhere that I am with Les is where I want to be! AND our Amanda just got home from school a bit ago, so I've been hugging on her lots... Les is already off to work this afternoon, and I'm back at it tomorrow, but it sure was wonderful to press pause on that for just a few days! :)