Heart Overhaul by special request

I don't particularly like the number nine and am quite happy to see this year end and have the new crisp number ten emerge as the New Year! It hasn't been a bad year, by any means. It's actually been full of so much goodness.

2009 recapped (I'm terrible at "recapping" but here goes...)

*both kids at home = happy mama
*a house guest = friend for me to help long winter months along
*trip to Calgary = the bean turned 18!
*found free doggies in the paper!! A double portion from Jesus.
*a graduate, houseguests, summer fun
*a budding romance between the son and the houseguest!
*two fun weddings in two weeks, the son in both of them, (but not as the groom!)
*outings to the lake with the doggies and oma & others, so much fun
*oma slowly gets healthier and stronger, very slowly
*new life for my sister, she is alive and getting healthier,
*she's even doing art by the end of the year! her house is redone, painted and tiled
*the bean is painting = hard work in the summer sun
*big fires on the Westside
*an amazing trip to Ottawa to witness God's blessing on our nation
*fun at Parliament etc. with dear friend
*little Luca arrives to bring delight to all
*dear niece here to learn midwifery
*back to college in the fall for TESL
*so much stress but fun with new classmates
*back to HCS to teach reading - more comfortable with this
*love the kids
*difficult to be teaching SS again - stepped in again too soon = lots of stress
*doggie overdoses - she lives!
*papa turns 84 = fun family times with 4 generations together
*sweet Christmas season
*reconciliation at church, it's a beginning

So I look forward. To 2010.
Praying for lots of grace. Asking for wisdom.
Lord I believe = help my unbelief.
Asking for love. The heart of Jesus to beat in my breast.
The eyes of Jesus to teach me to see
What's important to Him.
A heart overhaul, really is what I need.

Ask and you shall receive. (said by someone really reliable)

It's A Wonderful Life

Truly, it's been a most lovely Christmas. The house is cozy with so many little lights and the Christmas tree full of homey memorable decorations. God provided Joey to help Patrice with the tree and it was so fun to laugh over the assortment of decorations, trying to remember who made what. Even lots of baking was done - shortbread, crackle top molasses cookies, peanut butter chocolate chip... Snow came for a bit in the middle of December and then left.

You can see that the dogs discovered chocolate in Patrice's stocking...

We attended the Christmas Eve service at Oma's church and all sat together in one happy bunch. Lots of familiar faces, all of us growing wiser and more beautiful in that wrinkly sort of way.
The joy of singing the carols - familiar words with a wonderful, spell-binding, unbelievably good, earth shattering message!! We've heard it so often but I pray it will only grow more amazing and more revelatory to me the older I get.
What God did should just take our breath away.
For us. For relationship. Oh my goodness, it is truly very very good news!!

Then off to Oma's for an evening meal, laughter around the table and exchanging of gifts. God sent us extra blessings to round out our numbers making the evening even more joyful. I love it when He sends the extras!! And to have my kids both with me made my heart sing.

Christmas morning, sunny and crisp. Lounging in my bed where the kids came and we visited, laughing, enjoying the dogs and sharing stories. More gifts and preparations done for the day ahead. And pictures, with the dogs, and the kids. They cooperated, probably as a Christmas gift. It ended up being so funny. Like trying to pose with small children that won't look at the camera, or sit still.

A surprise visit from my new college friend and her big poodle rounded out the morning. She came bearing a lovely gift and her smile and the doggie play time outside in the cold was a delight. God sends the most beautiful people my way!

Then off to the Gagnon's for brunch and love and games and relaxation. A sudoku race, walk to the park and a prayer of blessing over Daniel as he made his way to his newfound love. I am learning to share. It hurts, but it's a good hurt. Healthy and right.

 And the grande finale was turkey dinner at my sister's, followed by PAVLOVA (YUM!!) and a rousing round of carols accompanied by myself on the piano (surprised even me) and my sister on the flute. Just like the old days!

Thanks Jesus for putting on the best birthday party - you are so worth celebrating!!

Birthdays and Funerals

I ought to be doing homework, but I'm not.
It will get done.
On time.
It always does, somehow or other!

Instead of doing homework today I had the privilege of attending two marvelous events.
A birthday followed immediately by a funeral!

A very dear friend of mine is turning 50 on Christmas Day so we put on an "almost surprise party" for her early. (Her daughters, knowing she hates surprises let her know in general terms that something was up!) It was a wonderful, wonderful party. Laughter, tears, honor, good food and gifts flowed together around that long table overlooking the winter landscape at the lakeside. Beauty, inside and out.



Friends and daughters, bound together by a common faith and years of life experiences.
Such a rich blend of personalities and ages.

Love a deep river we swim in together.

I'm honored to be in this circle of friendship and family.
It all blends together in such a comforting way after all these years.
The honored one in the center.
She who loves so well, so deeply.
Nurturing, giving, full of wise counsel, humble, laughing easily.
Rooted and grounded in love. Abounding in love,
Just like the One she has sought after and imitated all these years.





We sat long and enjoyed each other. Aware of the gift of life.
Every year a treasure.


It didn't seem so wrong at all to go straight to a celebration of a life well lived
following this joyous birthday luncheon.
The celebration was for a Godly woman, 91 who left behind a legacy of prayers answered,
a multitude of children and grandchildren and a challenge to those who knew her.
One whose faith was rock solid.
Her life one of humble service.
Welcomed home at last,
Finished her race.
Finished it very well.
She must be enjoying the welcome party on the other side.
Enjoying her new body and gazing on her Savior's face.

It's all gonna be worth it!