Aah Jack....

Man vs Wild, or in this case boy vs stream and any living creatures in it! There is a show out there about a crazy man that sends himself to remote areas with a video camera and attempts survival on what he finds out there. He is crazy!  It is called Man vs Wild. Jack may not depend on the living creatures for his daily sustenance, but much of who he is revolves around the outdoors and searching for whatever he can find that crawls, spins, swims, wiggles, hops and slimy to the touch. 

If I could send a hidden video to capture all the 'things' that Jack has found we would have many hours of video to record his many accomplishments and wonderful discoveries. He has fallen in the stream, walked up and down with many friends and cousins and broken many nets along the way! He longs to discover what is out there and beyond our home. I love this spirit in him. Reminds me of the book by John Eldgridge, Wild at Heart. This spirit in him is truly a gift that God has given him and I desire to allow this to grow in ways that Jack will truly see the goodness of God's amazing creation.

When we are reading indoors about the outdoors and the weather is so beautiful I often think, put the book down and go and find something! However, reading allows him to dig deeper and gain unique knowledge and insight that makes him more aware of details!

When I look at this photo, I do think, Aaah Jack, the boy who loves to discover, Never give that up my son! Love you!

Silence

Our morning began with a somewhat regular routine, but ended up with wonderfully surprising conversation from the heart of my children. I encourage each one (yes, even Sara) to journal first thing and we follow a very simple and small devotional book based on Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, called Jesus Wants All Of Me. I found it at Ontario Christian Books and thought what a simple and meaningful way to introduce Christ every day! So, today was about silence and this is what the entry said today," I prayed. And God heard me. But how do I know? He didn't say anything back. But God knows that I love him. He knows He can trust me. I can trust Him, too. My heart is quiet. The answer will come."

The passage highlighted was from John 11:6. Lazarus was sick and they were calling on Jesus to heal him.  Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." Jesus loved Mary and Martha, yet when He heard the news he stayed where He was.

I am sure this was confusing, there was silence and they wondered where Jesus was? When He did arrive Lazarus had been dead four days and He assured Martha that her brother will rise again. She thought Chris was referring to resurrection day. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

We also read that Jesus wept (vs 35) and was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. Later in the passage what moves me so is this, " Father (Christ prayed) I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me..."

That is really what today was all about. I asked the question have we trusted God in hard situations? They each came up with a hard time.

"Losing a championship game"

"Changing churches"

"When an insect dies"

"Trusting God"

All of these were the starting point for our day. It made me think all day about my level of trust when I sense a silence. Mary and Martha loved Jesus and knew that He loved Lazarus. The answer did not come how they thought was best, Christ knew because of His intimate relationship with his Father. I know that I need to fully trust and I so desire for my kids to learn trust in Christ early! Sometimes there is silence, but to me He speaks in ways that are indescribable...

Wild Turkeys in and out!

Here, captured by Christopher is one of the wild turkeys we see roaming in the early morning. Apparently not early enough for Duncan to see. He thinks he is getting the raw end of the deal because he has not actually seen one yet. So, honey, here is the proof. No we will not be eating this one for dinner (we have conservation status here no guns!! Thankfully!!) But they are huge fun to watch.

These are my indoor turkeys! The leaves continue to pile up and the fun goes on. They love this part of fall, so do I. School is in session, just a recess break to enjoy this beauty!

When I look at our stream I can't help but think of  Psalm 23 : 1-3

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul.

Psalm 50

The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun

to its setting,

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. 

Our God comes; he does not keep silence, before him is a devouring fire,

around him the mighty tempest.

He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people:

"Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!"

The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge!

Today, I stood in awe as I looked over the deck and into the rising sun. The sun was just peeking over the tops of the towering maples. The leaves slowly and silenty landed on the dew soaked earth. The stream played a quite song as if to call me toward it and wade toward adventure. Before I had more than a minute and a sip of coffee the little voice behind me beckoned, "Mom, I am cold I need a sweater!" The reality of moments in time to be treasured slipped away, but alas a need was waiting for me to meet, simple yet for her profound. I let her back in the house almost laughing to myself that she at the tender age of three would see what I see and sense what I sense. She felt the chill and I was surrounded by warmth! How vastly unique we all view moments. I am today grateful that I had that time. I love capturing permanently with photographs. So thankful.... 

I love my friends!

This is a day I will not forget, thank you my dear friends for living, laughing and loving with all of your hearts. Remember the book I gave you years ago called Bravehearts, well you all have one and demonstrate that daily. I love you all. More to blog later. This was a window of time....

Dear friends celebrating Fall

Celebrating the beauty of Fall is a gift, relationships are a treasure! love you my friend H!! Your kids are grand!!

O lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty...Psalm 104

Last Summer Dress

One evening after a bath (first one in the house since our bathroom was just finished!) I dried them off, put some pretty smelling goodies in their hair (weakness of mine, I love a pretty scent!!) sent them up to get in their jammies. I know Samantha takes such good care of Sara and wondered what she would dress her in tonight. Well, no jammies, a favourite summer dress. What saddenes me is that this will be the last time they can wear them together. Sara can barely get it over her head now. They came down with hair done, smelling so yummy and truly on top of the world because they looked like princesses. They came out and it filled me with joy! So, out came the camera and off they went to dance and pose. I think they are quite used to being photogpahed.

If they could wear the summer wardrobe all year long they would most certainly. Reality is with our winters they must hibernate for a season and when the weather turns and the warm breezes arrive and soflty remind us of God's gift of change, the bin comes out, we hold our breath and try things on. Most goes on to cousins or friends. The odd dress can remain.

Here it is, the last summer dress. They loved every minute!