Sunday, January 26, 2014

Dear Piano, thankful you came into our home!

 
It's is the way she sits and with poise and grace begins to play. Does she always love learning a new song? No, it is a challenge but that is what makes her so great. She rises to the occasion and plows through. I don't set practice times because she just simply plays.





They all play, excluding Chris now. He is on to drums. Sadly, piano has been given then gentle boot is how I will phrase it! He excelled but not in his heart. Perhaps one day he will come back to it with joy? For now we listen to three play and watch Katie copy her older sibs. I treasure the moments when they master a piece and proudly play for Daddio when he comes home. We have such a fantastic teacher and count it such a blessing to have her inspire and love our kids as she does so well.

Dear Piano, don't ever leave this home! May we always create beautiful music....

Friday, January 17, 2014

My baby is three...no more baby!


Singing, celebrating and cake is a beautiful way of blessing our precious ones!

She is three, where did the time go?

Having loving family around and friends celebrating with you is wonderful!



 
I asked Katie tonight as I read her books before bedtime, "Are you a little girl now? Yes, she is!
 
December 28, 2010 was a precious day to welcome you into this world. What a gift and blessing you are Katie! Happy Birthday to  you!

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Project 52











Ready?
 
 
 
Let's GO!
 

 What is project 52? Well, thanks to my neighbor and friend I have known since grade nine, I found an article in a magazine called Life:Beautiful that she passed on to me knowing I would love it. The article by Wanda Ventling52 bible verses that every kid should know, caught my attention.
Inspired by the authors simple yet profound words I took on the challenge and we are on it. They each received a new journal for Christmas. I can't describe the feeling of a fresh page and new journal ready to be inked!
So in this journal they write out the verse and move on to the next one once memorized. No pressure, no competition just determination. The verses are short yet full of the message of the gospel. These verses are essential for me too! We are on verse two!
Also, with these journals there will be a form of communication unique to what we have done before. My sis Charm gave her five kids journals with a twist and a new idea for me! Each child would use this to write a note to the parents and in turn the kids would as well. Back and forth this journal will go between parent and child.
So, we have taken that amazing idea into our home and plan on digging deeper into the heart of our kids.




 
 

Sometimes new beginnings are a bit blurred. I want
clarity...
 
 




Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Turning...





 
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in
the shadow of the almighty.
(Psalm 91:1)
 
 
 


 
Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
(Psalm 30:5)
 
 

                                            Be still and know that I am God...
                                                            (Psalm 46:10)


He will turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents.... Malachi 4:6
 
 
 
 
When a child is injured and activity comes to a stand still there is much time for turning to many different things. My prayer is that in the time my son will look to the one who created him, that loves him even more than me (and his dad!) and listen and turn his heart toward Him. These are trying days but God has him in His mighty hand. Broken ankles will heal, during this new normal our prayer is that the inner man will be strengthened too.
We love you Chris and pray healing.... you are in His hands....
 

Monday, January 6, 2014

Reviewing Books....

My hubby would say that books are plentiful in our home. I look at them as simply artwork!


Here are my currents books that I am reading and plan to review so that you either add them to your kindle, Kobo or bookshelf! I love reading and to just put great books back on the shelf and not say anything to anyone is well, just not right with me!
 This is a part of my blog I want to be consistent with....Lord willing I will!

Lead Me, Holy Spirit
by Stormie Omartian
 
Currently on chapter 4
 
Women Living Well
by Courtney Joseph
 
Currently on chapter 13
 
A Place of Quiet Rest
by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
 
Currently chapter 4
 
The Great Escape -40 Faith Building Lessons from History
By Christine Farenhorst
 
Almost done (reading out loud to kids)
 
Ten Gifts of Widsom
What Every Child Must Know Before They Leave Home
By Sally Clarkson
 
Almost done
 
 
 
 
Where I do sit when I can steal some moments in the summer. Considering it is so cold out I needed some warmth!


Frozen

 

 Sometimes we are frozen in our own landscape. Like this leaf, encased in our trials.

Are we frozen? Whether it be through homeschooling planning, parenting moments, marital bliss or not so, financial stress or family issues that appear beyond repair, inner anger and bitterness, prevailing sadness and the list goes on and on. These are a reality, trials.


We can remain an icicle, frozen in time or allow the cold layers to slowly melt with the touch of a loving heavenly father.

The recent ice storm destroyed many aspects of lives, temporary or perhaps more long term. I took many reflective walks and took note of the path of destruction. All of which can be cleaned up over time, but the landscape will be forever changed. Similar to our own lives when trials come (not IF because they do come...) Perhaps to the majority around, your current state remains a mystery and they can't see how you are truly frozen. The only way, our only hope is bringing our requests before our creator. Resting in his sovereign will.

As my sister blogged recently about God nudging us...I often am reminded as she is, multiple times through the same message. Whether it be reading the bible, through other people or sermons. The same theme is repeatedly placed in front of me! God wants to reach us and get our attention. Lately for me it has been the book of James.

 
Our message at church today was on just that (no surprise!) Here our visiting missionary from India was told to preach on well, pretty much anything. That in itself is a big job! He chose James 1:1-12. I almost knew going into church today that somehow God would confirm this with a message he wanted me to hear. Oh, yes God is a personal God. He spoke to me through our visiting missionary. Evidence that I am His daughter, He loves me and He cares enough about little old me that He would speak to me to confirm His great love for me. What struck me this morning was the reminder that the future rests in His hands, God is in control.

 
All these 'blue' pictures are the wee hours of the morning when the house was still, all but Toby Mac!
 
 
Here are some of my quick notes from this morning based on James 1:1-12
First, here is James 1:1-12
"...count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kids, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives  generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like the wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is  a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass, he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So, also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life."
 
Notes from today:
What is testing my faith right now?
- trials are ongoing, a reality
- God is in control - the future rests in His hands
- these trials produce robustness, stamina in the Christian life
- we are being strengthened in faith
- we have His grace
- trials expose character flaws, our weakness
- ask God and be humble
- live a godly life
 
A lot spoken, much to receive and think on....
 











 
 


 
 Drawing on the wisdom that James writes for us is a challenge. I think the hardest part for me is truly engaging in joy when we meet trials of various kinds. But... I still would rather experience a trial with Christ as my Lord than all the world could offer.
 
 

Frozen Landscape turned into snowy landscape:






 


 
The inner joy I have as a Christian comes from my hope in Christ.
 
Here is one of the hymns that closed our service today. I can't help but be changed as I reflect on Sunday morning...
 
God Moves in a Mysterious Way
 
God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm.
 
Deep in unfathomable mines of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs and works His sovereign will.
 
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; the clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head.
 
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.
 
His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.
 
Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain.
 
Words: William Cowper, in Twenty-six Letters on Religious Subjects, by John Newton, 1774. Music: Belmont C.M. (Gardiner), William.
 
 Amen