10 ways to love

I am borrowing this list from Proverbs 31 Ministries. I came across it the other morning and thought it was just too beautiful not to share.
I also think it is a perfect way to start a new year.


10 Ways to Love
Listen without interrupting. Proverbs 18
Speak without accusing. James 1:9
Give without sparing. Proverbs 21:26
Pray without ceasing. Col. 1:8
Answer without arguing. Proverbs 17:1
Share without pretending. Eph. 4:15
Enjoy without complaint. Phil 2:14
Trust without wavering. Cor. 3:13
Forgive without punishing. Col. 3:13
Promise without forgetting. Proverbs 13:12


This is my prayer for this new year.

Welcome 2012!

it's a new day

"It's a new day and it's going to be a great one"

I tend to be a worrier.  I almost always wake up with a to-do list that just keeps growing before my feet even hit the floor.
Sometimes this makes me grumpy and uptight before the day has even begun.
Sometimes it makes me rush past my 7 year old who's eagerly waiting for his good morning hug.
Sometimes it makes me impatient with my 5 year old while she's choosing her outfit for the day.
Sometimes it makes me inattentive to my 12 year old's thoughts.
Sometimes it makes me insensitive to my 10 year old's needs.
Many mornings I wish I could hit the rewind button and start again.  Better.
I was reading an article last night that suggested us A-personality types start our day with positive thoughts, not a to-do list.
So, I decided to give it a try.
Before I had time to organize my thoughts this morning I said a silent prayer, thanking and praising God for this new day.
I'm going to try it again tomorrow.
Because this morning it worked.

23rd and 24th

Advent tonight is assorted, unique cookies.
A reminder of how God made each of us unique.
My question for my kids tonight is; what is the best, most unique thing about the way God made you.
Can't wait to hear their answers...

Tomorrow night, we're going to have a little fun!  "Hoofprints" icecream for advent.  Maybe we'll hear some on the roof later that night!

Chocolate truffles...

...it's what's on the inside that matters most.

Christmas Fruit

Swedish berries Fruit of the spirit. A reminder that we should strive to have peace, love, joy, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control.

december 20

brown sugar fudge

reminder of Jesus' sweet love

and how His presence in our lives

make them so much sweeter

promises

rainbow sprinkle cookies are on the agenda for advent today.

i hope the rainbow colours remind my children of God's many promises to us and how we can always trust in Him.

birth of a king

Gold.
Precious.
Priceless.

A gift fit for a King.

cereal?
for advent?
am I getting desperate for ideas?
well...not exactly!
I admit that my "advent stock" was running low this morning so when I was trying to decide what to do, I came across a box of Cheerios and realized- they were circular in shape (eternal), good for you (like Jesus), a great way to start your day (like spending time with Jesus) ......
So, our advent today is Cheerios- the kids are going to LOVE it!

the Star

appearing the in the sky

announcing our Saviour's birth

december 15

Snowmen.

Created.
Like we are.
Fragile.
Like we are.

White, pure.
Like Jesus is.

Washing away our sins.

Loving us always
Inspite of ourselves.

advent

Christmas tree cookies.

Green for eternal life.
Point upward to focus our hearts on Jesus.

The Proof is in the Pudding

Today's advent is Christmas Pudding.  Not the real thing because I don't think my kids would eat it but vanilla pudding topped with holiday sprinkles.  But as we're eating this tonight, I am going to share with my kids the symbolism behind this traditional holiday dessert. 
Did you know that Christmas Pudding is made with 13 ingredients to represent Jesus and His twelve disciples.  When making it, historically, women stirred from east to west to represent the direction in which the Magi followed the star and travelled to meet the baby Jesus.
And here I always thoughts that Christmas Pudding was just fancy fruit cake!

december 12

Advent today is chocolate Christmas balls.

Their circular shape reminds us of the never ending, never failing love of God.

December 10

Carys asked Jesus to be her best friend this morning.
My heart is overflowing.
Beautiful Christmas.
Thank you Lord for your birth.


Advent- gingerbread men. Made. Like God made us.
Wonderfully blessed.

December 9
Candy canes.
A symbol of shepherds.
Jesus is our Shepherd.
They were the first to hear about Jesus' birth.
Humility.
Jesus is.

JOY

J
    O
        Y

Jesus
Others
Yourself

Sweet Jesus, please help my family live this.  Always.  But Especially this Christmas.

december 7

Red and green Santa candy.
The red reminds us of Jesus sacrifice for us.
The green reminds us of the gift of eternal life we have through Him.
Santa serves as a reminder of the true spirit of Christmas; generosity, giving to others.

december 6

Hershey's kisses.
A delicious reminder of God's sweet love for us.

december 5

Shortbread Cookies with red and green gum drops.

Jesus is the bread of life. 

Red reminds us of his death.

Green represents the gift of eternal life that we receive through Him.

december 4

Mmmmmmm

Heart shaped sugar cookies reminding us of

God's sweetness and love.

Blue sprinkles on frozen yogurt

Blue sprinkles???? My kids weren't sure what that had to do with Christmas.
Blue is often incorporated into Christmas' colours since it is a symbol of celestial truth and love. A reminder of God's creation.

why an orange?

I have always wondered why the orange is a symbol of Christmas.  Why do we use it to decorate?  Why do the grocery stores seem to overflow with them at this time of year?
I did a little research and it turns out that many years ago, oranges were given as special gifts to children.  They were a rare commodity and sometimes the orange a child received Christmas morning was the only orange they ate all year!!!!

Is there anything we can only afford once a year?
Something to think about.

meaningful gifts

Matthew 2:11  After coming into the place where the Christ child lay, they fell on their knees and worshipped Him with their gifts. 

December 1st's advent was the three wise men.  I chose 3 different coloured recess pieces to "represent" these men and their precious gifts- gold, frankincense and myrrh.  The wise men travelled far and brought their best treasured gifts.  Gold:  a precious metal and associated with the power of kings.  Frankincense: a resin from a rare and sacred tree and used as incense.  Myrrh: a resin from a shrub and used in making perfume.

 My kids guessed pretty quickly. 

And we enjoyed an interesting discussion about these men, their gifts and the significance of them.

My kids were so excited that advent had finally begun!







Almost December

I can't believe it's almost December!  In just a few short days, the countdown until Christmas in our house will officially begin.  I've been busy putting together some items for our traditional Advent celebration which as I mentioned in the previous post involves me putting a treat or item at each place setting every night and then sitting back to allowing the ensuing discussion about how the item relates to Christmas to unfold.  There are no right or wrong answers.  And rarely is there a night when I am not humbled by the amazing perspective of my children and touched by the pure sweetness of their faith.  I have loved doing this for my family over the years.  It has definitely become one of our favourite Christmas traditions. 

Let the countdown begin!!

white christmas

It's already feeling like Christmas.  The house is decorated. Yay!  The kids are practically vibrating with excitement and my to do list grows longer everyday.
This morning I'm off to get ready for advent.  Every year, I purchase small edible items that have something to do with Christmas (colour, shape, etc.)  Starting December 1st, I place one of these items at each person's place setting and a wonderful conversation ensues.  The kids love trying to figure out what the meaning is behind the treat I've chosen and how it relates to Christmas.  We've had a lot of fun doing this over the years and it has really made the Christmas season come alive in our home.
Along with anticipating Christmas, there is another theme I'd like to carry out over the advent season.  The theme of White Christmas.
It's our churches theme for our Christmas Eve Services this year and as I was looking at the invite cards yesterday I spent some time reflecting on what the words White Christmas mean. 
The colour white stands for purity and innocence.  Words that conjure up images of a new born saviour.  Perfect in every way. 
White also stands for surrender.  And this got me thinking about the colour in a different way.
What if this year, my family and I surrendered are whole hearts to Jesus. Relinquishing our agendas, our hurts, our selfishness.  Focusing only on the miracle of His birth.  With hands uplifted, receiving fully His hope, peace and love.  And then extending this precious gift to others. As snow gently covers the earth, allowing God's grace to fully cover all of us.
A White Christmas.
A measureless gift for myself, for my family, for this world.

Sweet Jesus, please bless my family with a White Christmas this year.

cobwebs and clutter

I come from a long line of jealous women.  I'm not blaming them (or my mother- been there done that!)  I'm simply stating a fact. 
I came to realize this a few years ago when I was doing a devotional on jealousy and felt God urging me to look closely at the contents of my heart.  All of the sudden I understood a lot more about the women in my family.  The tension, the whispered comments, the raised eyebrows and looks, the lack of communication amongst some families member I used to assume was due to the circumstances of life, but now I saw that they were all really caused by the bitter root of jealousy.  Masking it by anger or judgement, by voiced critiscm or by silent condemnation doesn't change what it is.  It is still a powerful and destructive emotion.  Much like unforgiveness, jealousy rots the soul of it's keeper.
Through prayer and vigilance, a few years back, I worked at ridding myself of jealousy.  It was tough work and a daily battle that involved both my thoughts and my heart.  My perserverance paid off though and for a while I felt much more peaceful and full of joy. 
It's funny how things can creep back into our lives though without us even realizing, isn't it?
Lately, I've been feeling restless, discontent and at times just down right critical.  If someone told me about another mom's success, my first thought wasn't- oh good for her, rather I'd find myself passing judgement on another area in her life. 
The other night my husband received a phone call from someone who was in distress and needed to talk.  After he got off the phone, my husband briefly explained what the issue was.  My response;  well, he's crazy anyway.  My husband just looked at me and said "  yes, he might be."
His words stayed with me and I kept thinking about this individual.  I realized that the state of his mental health wasn't the issue, it was his obvious hurt and need.
Praying for this man, was a first step for me in addressing my own enormous need.  The need for God to clean out the contents of my heart that were harbouring these feelings of jealousy and judgement. 
The Lord and I are still sorting through the clutter and cobwebs but we are making progress.  My heart already feels lighter and there is a peace in my soul that I haven't had for a while.

Thank you Jesus for your never failing mercy and grace.
Thank you Jesus for my wise and patient husband.
Thank you Jesus for wrapping your arms of love around us in our times of need.
Help me always be those arms to others.

Worry Pas

Today I hope the phone doesn't ring.

Most days I love it, especially now that all the kids are in school and especially when it's my BFF whom I share everything with and get so much encouragement from.

But today I hope I don't get the call.  The call from my son.  In tears.  Wanting me to come pick him up from school.

This all started a few weeks ago without really any warning.  Zachary tried calling me about an item he wanted from the book fair that was going on at his school.  He tried at home and couldn't reach me.  I was out walking our dog "Summer".  So he tried my cell phone which I was already talking on and not talented enough to know how to answer another call when I'm already on the phone.
This sent him into a panic and when he finally got a hold of me, he was so worked up, that I had to go get him and bring him home.
There have been several of these phone calls since.
Being only 10, it's difficult for him to articulate what makes him feel the way he does.  He has told us vague concerns about something happening to one of us but nothing concrete.
It's so hard to see your child in pain.  Especially when you feel helpless to know what to do.
His Dad and I prayed with him last night.  We've tucked bible verses into his school agenda and this morning I found a mini teddy bear for him to take with him.  We've also arranged to take him out of school for lunch every day until he feels better.
He didn't want to go this morning and it was so hard to send him off.  I told him he could call me whenever he needed to and that I'd see him soon.  I reminded him that Jesus was with him and repeated his verse.  I gave him a super hug and as lightly as I could told him to "worry pas!"  Now if only I could do the same.

"I prayed to the Lord and He answered me

and freed me from all my fears."  Psalm 34:4

The most beautiful stones

have been tossed by the wind

and washed by the water and

polished to brilliance

by life's strongest storms.

trying out

It's try-out season and I am a bundle of nerves.  No question about it, my kids are handling the process much better than I.
I couldn't sleep last night and I kept asking myself why?
What is it that I am afraid of?
That they will fail?  That they will be disappointed?
I don't think so, since I am actually a huge believer in acclimatizing kids early to the realities of life.
Is it my own pride?
Ugh.
Probably.
OK, yes.
It's hard as parents sometimes not to want to live vicariously through our children; especially when you are a type-A competitive person and especially when your children are experiencing success.
As difficult as this time of year always is for me, I know and trust that my heavenly Father has a perfect plan for each of my children.  A plan to prosper them and not harm them.  A perfect plan for their success. 
I also know that the best thing I can do for my children is to take my eyes off of the here and now and focus instead on Jesus who sees all that I can't and who understands completely the purpose behind everything my children experience and go through.

Jesus, I thank you for the gift of each of my children; for the wonderful, beautiful and miraculous blessings they are in my life.
I pray that you would bless and reward their efforts over the next few weeks.
Help me to keep my eyes on you.

As for God, his ways are perfect. 

All the Lord's promises prove true.  God arms us with strength, he has made the way safe. 

He makes us surefooted as the deer and prepares us for battle.

You have given us the shield of your salvation. 

Your right hand supports us and your gentleness makes us great.

You give great victories and

show your unfailing love to your anointed.

(Psalm 18)

I am so thankful for the truth of these words and for the hope and encouragement it brought to my heart this morning.

“…our children can still be taught by the Lord today and for the rest of their lives. They can learn the things we didn’t teach them – or didn’t teach them as well as we should have – and they can unlearn the things we taught them that were not so good…Whatever wasn’t perfect about the way we taught our children, God can redeem all that and teach them what they need to know now. But we need to pray for that to happen.”

- Stormie Omartian in The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children

No Mom Is An Island

I am so blessed to be a mom to four great kids.  Sometimes though I can't believe they all came from the same gene pool!  They are all so different and unique. 
My second oldest son has always been very emotional and sensitive.  He also has had stomach issues over the years and after a flare up again this summer, I started to think that maybe there was a food allergy behind it.  In fact, one Sunday morning while I was praying for my kids, I felt prompted to take Zachary off gluten.  Since it was the week before back to school and I had a zillion things to do, I tucked that thought aside and figured I get to it later once the kids were settled into school.  Well, getting settled has been harder than I anticipated.  Carys has been having a hard time adjusting to Kindergarten, my youngest son's class is already getting a new teacher and while Zachary hasn't been complaining about his stomach, he has been on an emotional roller coaster; with tears one minute and anger the next. 
Yesterday, I was feeling overwhelmed with worry for him.  What is wrong?  How can I help?  Does life just really make him this sad?

My heart heavy with these thoughts, I went to answer the door.  A friend had decided to stop by for a visit.
Thankful for the distraction, I poured some tea for us and we settled down to catch up.
Not five minutes into the conversation, my heart began to lighten up as I listened to my friend tell me how her daughter had been having such a hard time emotionally that it finally got to the point where she and her husband took their doctor's advice and decided to try taking her off gluten to see if it helped.  Less than three weeks later, her daughter was back to the happy, joy filled kid she was before!
I couldn't believe it!  I excitedly asked as many questions as I could and then eagerly told my friend about my son's situation.
She agreed that taking Zach off gluten was definitely something I should try and it would seem God had been nudging me to do for a while now!
So, after many hours spent on line last night, I am off to the store this morning armed with my list of gluten free foods for Zachary to try. 

Thank you Jesus that you are always there for me.  Thank you that you love my kids even more than I do.  Thank you that you brought my friend to see me at exactly the right time.  Thank you that I don't ever have to do this mom thing alone.

the best

Always

Think the best.

Speak the best.

Expect the best.

Wonderful parenting advice

I was blessed to receive today.

remembering

My kids love to hear stories about when they were just babies.  They giggle when I tell them the things I remember craving when I was pregnant with each of them that I could never eat again (think cans and cans of pork and beans!)  They laugh when I demonstrate how each of them kicked and moved inside of me; using my insides as practise for all of their future sports endeavours.  And they hang on every word when I describe to them the awesome wonder and anticipation I felt while they grew inside me those nine months.  Their eyes grow huge when I tell them I remember loving them the minute I found out I was going to be their mom.
As a family, we like to remember a lot of things.  The good times, the bad times, the funny times.  Supper at our table is never dull while the kids remember their day at school and recount all of their learnings and adventures.
Yesterday, we spent time as a family remembering what happened 10 years ago on September 11, 2001.  I told the kids as much as I could recall about that day since only my oldest two were born and they were so very young.  We watched some of the beautiful memorial service in New York and then later in Washington.  And I think each of them in their own way understood that while something really bad had happened ten years ago, goodness, beauty and love had multiplied out of it.
I loved President Obama words when he said "that the United States did not and will not ever declare war on another religion."
Hatred would too easily follow.
I loved the scripture verse he used; "weeping will last for a night, but joy will come in the morning." 
Ten years ago, the US had one of it's darkest nights.
Because we live in a fallen world, dark nights happen to all of us.
But joy will come. 
What a promise.
No matter what life throws at us.  No matter how hopeless our situations can seem. 
Whether in this world or when we see the sweet the face of Jesus in the next.
"Joy will come in the morning".

This is good to remember.

what a week

What a week this has been.  Back to school is exhilarating and exhausting!  Carys has been a bundle of emotions.  And last night after tucking her into bed, I couldn't wait to go to sleep myself.  Once I got the older boys to bed, I practically raced to my bed and leaped in- so delighted to be finally able to rest.
About an hour later however, my seven year old called out.  He was having a nightmare and needed me.  Thus ended my night of sleep.  It wasn't until sometime close to 3 am that I was able to crawl back into my bed and even then sleep evaded me, my brain was overtired, overstressed and overwhelmed.
Morning came, and with it all the rush and stress of the routine to get the kids out the door.  Jonah came out of his room a little after the others were off.  Still sleepy from his rough night, he smiled at me, put his arms up and wrapped them tight around my waist.  Then he looked at me and said "Thanks for watching over me last night Mommy."
I couldn't respond.  The lump in my throat was so big.  At times, this being a mom thing, on call 24/7 is just so hard.  But then there are these precious times where our children bless us with their heart and words.  This was one of those times.
I hugged him tighter and whispered a prayer of blessing over him.
Then thanked my heavenly Father for always watching over me and giving me the grace and strength to make it through the days He has given me.

The Best Start

Back to school.
Today all four of my children are there.
Grade 7.
Grade 5.
Grade 2.
And......Kindergarten!
I keep checking the clock and thinking about them. 
How are the doing?  Are they settling back into the learning routine?  Did they enjoy recess?  It's almost lunch time (thank goodness, right "Toast"!)

I was dreading this week but it's actually been ok.

My kids seem really happy and that makes me so thankful!

I also know that even though I am not with them, Jesus is.  And they know that too.

I've had very early mornings this week.  Summer and I have been out the door for our morning walk well before 6.  I've used those 30 minutes to talk to Jesus about my kids; my hopes for them, my fears.  And then returned home full of peace, knowing that I've just given my kids the absolute best start to their day.

September 6, 2011

Day by Day

I can't believe the summer is over and all four of my kiddies are off to school.  Everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) seems to be asking me "what am I going to do"!? 
"More of the same" has always been my response.
Be there for my kids.
Volunteer where I can at their school.
Help others out in my community.
As a stay at home mom though, sometimes this just doesn't seem enough.
I can't help but look all around me and see so many woman doing "more". 
I know Jesus doesn't want me to compare myself with others. 
For now, I know that this is the place God has called me to.  This is the assignment He has given me. 
To live. To love. To serve.  Day by day.
Thank you Jesus.

summer

laughter
squeals
sleepy heads
jammie days
campfires
biking trails
water
sand
salt
open air
flip flops
towels
beach
walking
rustling leaves
crickets
outdoors all day everyday
reading
giggles
beyblades
soccer
swimming
sunshine
rain boots
ice cream
pier jumping
hugs and kisses

summer

Summer

S splendid

U unveiled

M moments

M magical

E  easy

R refreshment

Words that describe the blessing this summer has been to us.

Miracles of Peace

At the start of our camping season, it was easy to feel disappointed.  Our neighbours' complete lack of respect or regard for anyone but themselves was shocking.  After a particularly frustrating series of events, my husband and I realized something had to be done.  For as much as we try to live at peace with everyone, our campsite was anything but peaceful.
Mark put a call into the camp owner to discuss our concerns and see if there was a possible solution.  While waiting to hear from Mark, I fought to keep my thoughts in check.  I kept thinking how unfair all this was.  We are decent people who really try to live a life that pleases and honours God.  We were so looking forward to camping this year and having a place of peace and rest for our family.  God knew how much we needed this so why didn't he do something to protect us?  As my thoughts swirled, anger filled my heart and my disappointment with our camping situation quickly turned to disappointment with God. 
Maybe it was because the beauty of his creation was all around me, or maybe it was because I chose to allow the Holy Spirit to soften my heart, but thankfully I recognized the direction my thoughts were taking me and I quickly turned them around.  I even found myself starting to thank Jesus for providing Mark and I with an opportunity to help our kids navigate their way through conflict and opposition.
It's amazing how quickly changing my thoughts, changed my perspective and I found myself praying for our neighbours; for their heart, souls and lives.
I even found myself considering the possibility that we were placed beside them for a reason; to be a witness and an example of the kind of true love and peace in any circumstance that can only come from Jesus Christ.
A day after Mark spoke to him, the owner called to say that there was a spot available in another area of the campground.  We decided to take it and so 3 days later we made the move.
We now have a very peaceful site, backing onto the woods, with quiet neighbours on both sides.
I still think about our old neighbours and pray for them daily.  Miracles don't always happen over night but they do happen.  Time will tell.  God only knows where their life journey will take them.  But I am thankful He opened my heart to their needs and I am confident He will use our brief interactions for something good.....maybe even a miracle!

Satisfy me in the morning O Lord with your love. 

May my children see miracles again. 

Let them see your glory God at work.  Psalm 90:14,16

Last day of School

How can time go by so quickly?
It seems like just yesterday, not 10 months ago, that I was labelling supplies and organizing backpacks for a new school year.
Tomorrow is the last day of that school year.
The last day of grade 6, grade 4 and grade 1 for my three boys.
It's hard not to feel melancholy.
For me the end of school marks the passing of time.
How can my boys be already so grown up?

I also feel thankful.
Thankful for good teachers, a safe school, new opportunities, solid friendships, freedom to learn and play.  All the blessings big and small that have enriched my boys' lives this year.
Most of all I am so grateful for a God who watches over them and covers them with grace, mercy and love, when I can not be there. 

I am so thankful.

Tomorrow summer break begins.

But tonight I am counting my blessings and trusting in God for whatever next September brings.

For it is by faith that I bless my children.  I have confidence in what God will do in their future.  Hebrews 11:20

Tennis anyone?

Show me the right path o Lord, point out the road for me to follow.  Psalm 25:4-5

School ends in two days.  Soccer starts up tonight, followed by biking, followed by another night of soccer, followed by badminton camps, running programs, 3 on 3, and hockey camps later in the season.  Believe it or not but I have tried to keep my kids summer schedule to a minimum.  Oh- I forgot that my 10 year old wants to learn tennis too!  I believe that down time for them is vital for their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.  Carving out this time is proving difficult.  Did I mention they all want to get a puppy? I love the fact that they are happy and active and always up for adventure, but I also know that sometimes they need space to just "be".

I am praying the above verse daily.

And seeking the Lord's direction.

What should my children's summer season look like?  What activities would be best for them to be involved in, not just physically but spiritually too?

I want this summer to be a time of fun and excitement but also a time of spiritual refreshment too. 

Show me the right path for my children to follow this summer Lord, help me know best how to parent them during this precious season.

Let us keep on "biking"....

"Let us keep on running the race marked out for us."  Hebrews 12:1

It's going to be a summer of perseverance!

My older two sons have decided to keep a bike log and record the number of kilometres they bike this summer so that at the end of August they can check on a map and see how far across Canada they could have gone.

So far, they've biked 26 kms.  10 of them with me (who knew my daily workouts at the Y would come in so handy!!)

I love this idea.

Not only does it keep them active and provide them with an opportunity to press on towards a goal, it also completely ties in with their memory verse for this month.

I am so excited to see the many tangible ways my boys will "live out" this verse this summer.  I am also anticipating wonderful opportunity for spiritual and life conversations.  Stayed tuned.  I'll keep you posted!

The Race

My son won a bike race last night.

It was amazing to see.

Not only did he place first in his age group but he passed most of the other boys in the age group ahead of him too.

I was really proud of him.  He worked super hard all the way through.

What was most of impressive to me though was the way he finished.

Zachary barrelled across the finish line with more speed and strength than he had started with.  Leaving his father and I somewhat stunned (we are not exactly super athletic!) but also with gigantic smiles on our faces! 

I am presently helping my daughter learn her memory verse for this month:

"Let us keep on running the race that is marked out for us."  Hebrews 12:1

She and I have been talking about the "race of life" and how God wants us to always keep on living for Him:

No matter what challenges we face.

No matter how many times we fail.

No matter how tired we become.

No matter how much we think we can't.

Zachary won his race last night with a fierce determination; the kind that filled my mother's heart with joy, as if it announced to the world that my son is not a quitter.

How much more does it please our heavenly Father to see us live out our faith that way every day?

Help me Jesus run a remarkable race in this live,

fueled by a determined faith and with my heart, soul and mind solely focused on you.

Live every moment

Laugh every day

Love beyond words

Heart Check

Two of my children are participating in the Heart and Stroke's Jump Rope for Heart campaign.  In addition to the thrill of missing school and seeing how long they can skip they are also quite motivated to win several "awesome" prizes (walkies talkies and a silver soccer ball no less!)

It has been really heart warming for me to see them practise their skipping as well as unabashedly solicit family members for monetary support.  When the campaign is over, I am confident that they will have achieved their goals.

Their enthusiastic attitude has inspired me to do a little heart check of my own.  Not the physical kind.  The emotional one.

As Proverbs 23:7 says "As a man thinks within himself, so he is."

Yikes.

What are my thoughts?  About myself?  About others?  About daily life?

In Philippians 4:8, Paul tells us to "Fix our thoughts on what is true and honourable and right, pure, lovely and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and praiseworthy."

To help me do this, I came up with an acronym and I've stuck a heart to my cell phone so that I can remember to live each day with

Humility
Empathy
Altruism
Respect and
Tenderness towards others.

Help me Jesus be a breath of fresh air to those around me

and may my heart, thoughts and actions, always be pleasing and honouring to you.

An Afternoon of Fun

Friday afternoon was so much fun.
It was the annual Fun Fair at my children's school.  All four kids and I helped to set up for it and then spent a few hours enjoying all the activities.  My hubby even went after work and helped us win two amazing gardening baskets which I can't wait to put to use!
One of the highlights for us was the cake walk.  Having never heard of a cake walk before, I was intrigued to learn that it was like musical chairs only the prize was the cake of your choice if your number was chosen.  We won not one but two delicious cakes!

Family fun and community spirit.


Things I want my children to always value and support.

The Path

I love how music speaks to the heart.  As I mentioned a few posts ago, I've been listening to a beautiful CD by musician Cherri Keaggy a lot lately.  I shouldn't be, but I'm always amazed by how God knows exactly what I need to hear at exactly the time I need to hear it!
This song has been ministering to me over the last few weeks and I wanted to share it with you this morning.

Stay to the Middle of the Path

Stay to the middle of the path.
Look not to the right or to the left.
Fear will show its face to steal your rest.
You can find deliverance up ahead
If you stay to the middle of the path.

Fear creeps in to keep you frozen
Faith says pray and move ahead
Fear says you'll always be broken
Faith knows that broken things can mend

For my God is is so much more than able to give you quiet strength
Courage  might say push and then say pull
Or it might just say wait
But I know its hard to wait

You might say the road is winding
Certain of dangers up ahead
All these fears can be so binding
Faith gives way to trust instead

If my God is with me
Who can be against me?
Who can even stand?
No amount of trying can convince me that I'm not in His hands

Through the dry and desert lands

life is not a resort

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

I'm reading a book right now on parenting adolescents (hard to believe it but my hubby and I are almost there!)  One of the first things the author wrote that really resonated with me is that most of us go through life wanting it to be a resort.  It's not.  It's a war.
Well I might not go as far as to say that life is a war, I will admit that it is tough.  There are certain "issues" in my life that just won't go away.  And there seem to be new "issues" for me to face every day.
My life sometimes feels hard.
And I know that I am not the only one that feels this way.  Looking around me yesterday, at the gym, at WalMart, at the school, at the dentist's office, I saw lots of people who looked worn out, tired, wounded even. 
I wanted to go up to them and say "I know how you feel".
But that just might be seen as crazy.
So, I did what I felt the Lord wanted me to do.  I prayed for them.
Every person who had that "look" about them, I prayed for. 
Yesterday started out as a challenging one; it was Monday, it has been raining for weeks and I was not really feeling up for the battle. 
But by the afternoon, all that had change.  Not on the outside of course; it was still Monday, it was still raining and the problems I had woken up to yesterday morning were very much still present.  No, what had changed was me.  After praying for others all day, my heart overflowed with the love, peace and hope of Jesus; knowing that life is hard, challenges are guaranteed but we are not alone.  Our sweet Jesus is with us every step of the way.

Thank you Jesus for the life changing power of prayer.

Mother's Day

Her children rise up and call her blessed.....

From Winnie the Pooh to My Heart

 Sitting in the clinic's waiting room with my little girl after getting her preschool booster, she asked me to read her a story.  How could I say no?  She had just been so brave!  I pulled her up onto my lap and settled her against me to read the story that had caught her eye.  Winnie the Pooh's Brave Adventure.  Perfect title for such a day as this.  As I read her the story, I came across a most perfect line.  So perfect in fact that I stopped reading, grabbed my notebook and wrote the words down.

"Then Christopher Robin told Pooh,

No matter what, you must always remember this; 

you are braver than you know,

stronger than you seem and smarter than you think."

I then looked my daughter in the eye and told her the very same thing. 

She looked back at me quizzically (a little concerned maybe that her mama was losing it?!) and politely asked me to keep reading.

I did, but I thought about those words all morning and can just picture Jesus saying them to us, his children.  Every day.  Jesus, our best friend, saviour, teacher and greatest cheerleader, wants us to never forget how special and amazing we are to Him.  Always.  No matter what.  Especially when we don't believe it ourselves.

It never ceases to amaze me the wonderful ways God uses to speak to my heart.

Jesus, thank you for using this story to speak to me this morning about your incredible love for us.  May we never forget how brave you have called us to be, how strong you have made us and how special you know we are.  And may we always know and trust in your perfect love for us.

Because He First Loved Us

We had a beautiful Easter, complete with a scavenger hunt, lots of treats and smiles.  The kids were so excited.

A wonderful worship service provided opportunity for me to reflect on the essence of Easter and the unbelievable, sacrificial love of Jesus.  I always do a pretty good job on special days of focusing on putting my faith into action.  Easter was no exception; I spent the day loving those around me just a little bit more.  But even after knowing Jesus for more than thirty years, I benefit from daily reminders of how He desires me to be His hands, feet and heart to this broken world.

This morning I was listening to a beautiful CD by a wonderful Christian artist named Cheri Keaggy.  All the songs are amazing, but it was the title track that really spoke to me. 

Why did Jesus die for me? 

What does his death really mean?

What difference should it make in my life?

The answers I believe can be found in the simple words below.

Because He First Loved Us

We will stop and help when someone's in a bind.  If we see a need, we'll try to make the time.

And while others think of reasons not to love.  We love because He first loved us.

We are quick to say I'm sorry when we're wrong.  And instead of holding grudges we move on.

For we know the Father's grace will be enough. We love because He first loved us.

We don't seek revenge instead we seek peace.  When life strikes a blow, we turn the other cheek.

We will perservere when others would give up.  We love because He first loved us.

Teach us to love when we don't get it right.  So when the world looks at us they will see the light,  Teach us to love and to lay down our lives.  So they'll praise our Father in heaven.

Instant Beauty

There is not much on Sunday morning television.
I only know this because a desperate attempt for distraction on the treadmill this morning determined the show called Instant Beauty Queen was my best choice.
If you've seen it you know, IBQ is a reality type show where unsuspecting, ordinary women are ambushed at local malls around the country and invited to take part in an instant beauty pageant right then and there.
I had my doubts at first but partway through the episode I was hooked; cheering for each contestant and admiring their courage.  Seriously, walking a catwalk in heels and barely anything else in front of complete strangers with no previous experience, deserves some amount of praise!
At the end of the show, after the winner was announced, each woman reflected on how taking part in this experience had impacted her. Without exception, all shared how through it they found a strength they never knew they had and conquered insecurities that had plagued them most of their life.  The women said they now felt renewed, stronger and even invincible. 
It was that word invincible that got me thinking about my children.
All four of my kids are in a tremendous season of invincibility right now.  Weekly, if not daily, it seems one or all of them announce a new team they have signed up to try out for, a club they have joined, or a skill they want to learn.  Their unbridled enthusiasm and joie de vie just makes me smile.
They are all of 11,10, 7 and 4 years old, but they are convinced, if given the chance, they can conquer the world.
What an inspiration.
What a blessing.
Several years ago, when our third son was born, my hubby and I set down on paper a list of the qualities we wanted our children to own.  We felt it was important to prayerfully and intentionally find ways to nurture and press these values deep into our children's hearts, souls and minds.
I keep this list with me at all times and it is also posted on our fridge:

• Altruism: putting the well being of others ahead of yourself.

                   "May my children be rich in good works and give generously to those in need."  1Tim 6:8

• Courage: courage and strength in character to do what is right and what they believe in.

                  "Don't be afraid, take courage, I am here."  Mark 6:50

• Empathy: ability to enter into another person's feelings.

                  "May my children be clothed in tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and  patience."  Col 3:12

• Integrity: truth, honesty

                  "May integrity and honesty protect them" Ps 25:21

• Tenacity: never give up, perseverance and determination

                   "Let them run the race with endurance that Christ has set before them" Heb 12:1

It has been so encouraging lately for me to see God answering our prayers and growing our kids in these ways.  Because unlike, reality television, the truth is, that real beauty; the kind that is inside a person, never happens in an instant.

I pray that God would continue to help us parent our precious kids according to His perfect plan for their lives.

May my children always feel invincible when they place their trust and hope in Jesus and may they live every day confident in the knowledge of their incomparable beauty and worth to Him.