Marriage and Highlights

Today I was discussing marriage, life and family with the lady that highlights my hair. It always amazes me the conversations one can have while doing relatively simple things. I had another unique converstion with a lady at the check-out at Metro. What do you think we spoke about? Marriage! Call it coincidence? No, I know that there was a divine reason. Both situations allowed for wonderful interaction. The first chat had a brief interruption from someone saying hello to, well I will call her my highlighter!! See, she was recently married and only just returned 2 weeks ago. She is young, happily married, taking her husbands name, thrilled to be living together in the same place etc. This interruption went like this, "Oh you are back! Wow, how was the wedding?" quizzed friendly person. "It was just perfect!!" highlighter beamed. "Are you divorced yet? inquired friendly person.

Stunned she said her goodbye and continued with my hair. After she was out of ear shot she turned to me and said, "I bet that you are cursing under your breath!" Actually I wasn't! Although she knows me well enought that I would see that as an unfortunate comment considering the recent marrige! I said to her I was saddened by the friendly lady and her harsh expectations. Highlighter said that she gets that all the time (okay they have been marriend two weeks thank you!!) Our converstation  continued to shed light on how quickly divorce comes about and how unlikely it is for people to say together, despite the odds we seem to face. Highligher also was frustrated from the lack of support for decisions she made, one being the name change. She wants to be one family, one name and love the idea. She does not feel support. She commented that her friends expect support when they make decisions why does she seem to be lacking here!! Wow, talk about highlighting marriage today!!!!

It was great to talk to both of these women and lift up the beauty of marriage. God created and and it is good!!

The roses above are from my man. He cherishes me and reminds me in tangible ways, like a rose (well more than one!) I am thankful that he makes our marriage amazing!

Lifting Our Eyes

I know I have written out this verse before, but how fitting that she lifts her eyes...to the Lord. I just love this verse. It has always been a key life verse.

Psalm 121:1-4
"I lift my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord the Maker of heaven and earty. He will not let your foot slip-he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep."

She is smirking and I love that about her! She knows the goodness of God!!!!!

Be her Lord and God. Teach her what is best for her, and direct her in the way she should go. Isaiah 48:17

"Your life story is written in the lives of those you love. What will your story be?"
My mom gave my this quote from a recent Focus on the Family magazine. She loved it so much she had to share it. I think that is truly where my desire to journal, blog or pick up the phone and talk comes from, my mom! She is always sharing insights and wisdom with me and living out Titus 2.
Mom thanks!

"your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you...have refreshed the hearts of the saints." philemon 1:7

The picture above is of some family. My mom's younger brother (one of) and her sister. Paula and I have a beautiful opportunity to bring our kids to her seniors home and play piano for the masses! The crowd loves it and I love watching our kids play and bring a smile to so many faces. They always get cake and icecream too.
I think of this picture above and fond memories of my childhood come to mind. That is part of my story!

What is your story?

Never stop praying and meeting together

She loves to pray. She clasps her wee hands and bows her head. She reminds me (and the others!) to come before our God with a ready heart!

To have a church that comes together in corperate prayer is more than a blessing, it is a gift. Not just a gift for me to selfishly open and indulge in, it is more than that! It is something I have to share with others. If you are not in a place where you can pray for one another, our communities locally and globally, you have a gift somewhere waiting to be opened. Find that place! Go and pray about it and find it. I have been blessed my whole life to be involved with churches that pray.
That is what makes a difference. It is not the building, the size of the parking lot or how many programs are successful. Simply, it is God calling us to be in fellowship with one another. I  know I am here today doing what I am doing because of praying parents and countless others. Through my life I have had the blessing of parents reminding me I am prayed for (even to this very day!) not only by them, but grandparents and relatives and friends.
I know the impact, and our children are starting to realize that too. They love that the adults during our time of prayer upstairs at church on Wednesday nights means they are prayed for while the kids are involved in a class downstairs with other children (games and bible time). Bless those leaders that impart God's love weekly!! They love hearing they were prayed for. Thank you Grace for teaching me so much in such a short amount of time.

If you don't have a church community, start with your family and a bible. Simple and profound. God will lead you when you open your heart to Him. I love the memories of my dad opening the bible to teach us and to pray with us. I am grateful for a husband that is doing the same for our children.

Never stop praying and meeting together.

"We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers."
I Thessalonians 1:2

I find myself in a place of gratitude for prayer tonight and trust you find that too!

Sleeping Children Around The World

Well the map is odd you say? To those that know my father in law it is not odd once a year! He goes away for a few weeks a year with an organization called Sleeping Children Around the World http://www.scaw.org/ and provides a bedkit to thousands of needy children. If you have a moment to check out the site you will see more information. It started over 30 yrs ago by Murry Dryden. He was on a trip and noticed (as he tripped over a child) that so many were just sleeping in the street and he determined to help change that. He has and so have countless others. Those that go and distribute the kits and those that provide the funds to make the kits. The kit include a matt, mosquito net, shoes, bag, outfit and a few other essentials. They connect with rotary clubs that help put the kits together and distribute.

So today, I want to honour my father in law that has become a hero to our kids and countless others around the world. He gives his time and is showing us how to live out James 1:27 - help the widows and orphans, poor and needy. Thank you and we will continue to pray for your safe return.

memories of early hockey years

So I look at this and wonder how he grew so quickly. He is taller and  weighs more than his older brother! Just a fun memory of early hockey!! Wonder what the future holds? Thankfully God knows!!

morning read...

One thing about early risers, they use time well (I guess you hope so!) Our oldest does just that! He reads and reads. I remember reading when I was young, but he is devouring up every book we have and more.  What a breath of fresh air! Yes, he likes to defeat us a Wii bowling, but the true learning is through literature for sure. I am so thankful I can search for great books and sift through the ones that simply are a waste of time! History has come alive in our home in ways that are hard to describe. When I don't read out loud a current historical hero or missionary story I hear about it! The only time I hear that we missed math (doesn't really happen, but funny example) is through the cheers! Unlike the comments of horror we missed reading! But, secretly I love that! I have been intentional about introducing the past into our home in creative and meaningful ways. I can see more now than ever that it is sinking in!! Love it.

So, to my sweet boy that wakes early to read with his warm, dimly lit lamp I love you and think you are so amazing. Thanks for teaching me about what you are reading! I love learning through you!!!!

I am made whole

My desire is to know your name

Bless you Lord

Bless you Lord

Create in my life

Grace unified

Open my eyes

To you Lord

I am justified

I am justified

Blessed and loved

Called by name

I rejoice in this love

I rejoice

I rejoice

Blessed and loved

Called by name

I believe in this grace

because of this

I seek your face

sgm 2005

Because of the Lord's great love

we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Flying for Orphans

That is what my sister and brother-in- law are doing as I speak. Flying to Africa to pick up their two children. Who would have thought even two years ago that their family would grow from five to seven. Mary and Peter, we can't wait to meet you, hold you, love you and introduce you to a God that has His mighty hand in your lives.
Psalm 139:15
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.


What a beautiful and gracious promise to us. All of Peter and Mary's days were written. God knew that this week they would have a new home, new parents, new siblings and even a cat and dog! Wow, God is so loving and in control of our lives. Today, pray for them as they embark on the biggest journey taken. I am so thankful I have family that inspires and motivates me to be a more godly wife, mother, sister, friend. Lord, guide them and protect them. Send your angels to carry them...

In honour of my grandma and grandpa Germaine that gave their lives to His service in Africa.

Love and Home

"Love begins at home and it is not how much we do, but how much love we put in that action"

Mother Teresa

We soaked in the life of Mother Teresa last year and her gift of service to humanity. I could hardly make it through the book without a kleenex. She served and served and made a difference. In some way that is the simple and complicated call on my life. To serve and serve and make a difference. When I wake, my thoughts are immediately on me...hmmm why does that happen so easily? I have to daily put into practice thinking of others and their needs. I have four little people that look to me to walk beside them every day. I can make a difference, just let me have my coffee first!! he he !! Seriously, I see it in my friends and my beautiful sisters - service to others and willingly. They are my inspirations too!! Thank you....

Daddio teaching C to serve our neighbour