It was so worth going to church yesterday and I am pondering some verses from a powerful sermon. And God's word is just...so...living and active!! So I'm going to meditate and let the WORD do it's living and active stuff inside of me. And I'm going to pray that I will be able to combine the good news with faith and get loads of mercy in my time of need.
For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:2 & 15, 16
Monday, May 24, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Black Bean Birthday Cake
The tendency is to isolate which I have, thankfully pretty much avoided so far.
Had a big birthday party for a little man who turned 5 on Saturday night.
Balloons and presents and guests galore!
I believe I counted up to 22 at some point and was happy that the food stretched so far! Sirloin pork steaks, roast potatoes, caesar salad, nachos, potato salad, watermelon and iced tea. Just thinking about that spread makes me want to enjoy the whole meal again! Unfortunately the weather was COOL so only a few of us braved the outdoors during supper and eagerly brought our frozen bodies indoors to thaw for dessert. This has been a crazy, cool spring!
Dessert was truly an adventure as a cake was brought by the birthday mother and it was announced that it contained no flour, no sugar, but was full of black beans! FOR REAL!! It was ugly too, with waxed paper covering most of it but we were able to perk it up by releasing it from the pan and sprinkling it with icing sugar. I found it extremely amusing that such a cake would be created for a child's celebration, but hey, it's a very healthy family. And thankfully my dear little auntie also brought most of a delicious rum cake she had at her house from the previous day so there was plenty of cake and ice cream to go around.
The black bean cake ended up being a real hit. Delicious, chocolaty and very light!! Amazing!! So everyone was asking for the recipe and my mocking laughter was silenced.
Once again there was a lovely combination of old friends, new friends, family and international students to round out our numbers.
Sunday I finally made it to church an hour late. I had listened to so many sermons on my computer and lounged a little too long before rising to shower. I am listening to a series on Romans and am loving the whole justification by faith thing again.
Of course I came home from church alone, which is happening too often as I am not intentionally pursuing people but it makes the days so long and lonely. So I thought about a family that I love to visit with but rarely see and before I knew it we had combined ingredients and were enjoying a stirfry together and laughing uproariously around their kitchen table.
This family has suffered much and they continue to pull together, trust God and laugh a lot despite the setbacks. My life feels pretty normal alongside theirs. In fact, they almost have me beat when it comes to strange life circumstances.
When I drove up my driveway in the dark of the night I realized that the sprinkler on my half dead lawn really needed to be moved. This may sound simple but it requires some risky acrobatics for me to actually reach the faucet by popping down a curb, wheeling through bark mulch, jumping over a large flat stone and stretching to reach the handle. Then I must reverse the process without tipping over and balance my body while jumping back up the little curb without flipping over backwards. Dragging the sprinkler and heavy hose across the barren wastelands in a wheelchair has got to count for a lot of burned calories so that is a distinct bonus as well. The thought of seeing my lawn turn even the palest shade of green is a thrill as it has been a frightful, almost neon yellow due to irrigation problems. The prospect of green pushes me to test my limits. Today was the first time in the many years that I've lived here that I ever reached that elusive faucet. I am proud and now I know that it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks. And you can also lead a horse to water and get him to turn on the tap.
Another bonus of the evening was the owl hooting at me from the top of our telephone pole. I sat below him and hooted back wishing I could see him more clearly. Of course I pulled out my little camera to try and capture his majestic awesomeness, but the flash just couldn't impact the dark night and height of the hooter. These kind of nights are just so amazing. The starlight and moonlight and clouds lit up combined with the wonderful orchestra of croaking frogs and hooting owls is just magical. The dogs were so happy to be released to play and race around the yard and I was loving the adventure. It's about as far into the camping scene as I go and then I'm happy to enter my little palace where I am now settled comfortably in my beautiful new king size bed with ladybug. The window is open allowing breezes and night sounds in so it really is very close to actual camping! Ladybug is stretched out on the other half of the bed as if she owns the place.
Royalty abounds in this palace.
The black bean cake ended up being a real hit. Delicious, chocolaty and very light!! Amazing!! So everyone was asking for the recipe and my mocking laughter was silenced.
Once again there was a lovely combination of old friends, new friends, family and international students to round out our numbers.
Sunday I finally made it to church an hour late. I had listened to so many sermons on my computer and lounged a little too long before rising to shower. I am listening to a series on Romans and am loving the whole justification by faith thing again.
Of course I came home from church alone, which is happening too often as I am not intentionally pursuing people but it makes the days so long and lonely. So I thought about a family that I love to visit with but rarely see and before I knew it we had combined ingredients and were enjoying a stirfry together and laughing uproariously around their kitchen table.
This family has suffered much and they continue to pull together, trust God and laugh a lot despite the setbacks. My life feels pretty normal alongside theirs. In fact, they almost have me beat when it comes to strange life circumstances.
When I drove up my driveway in the dark of the night I realized that the sprinkler on my half dead lawn really needed to be moved. This may sound simple but it requires some risky acrobatics for me to actually reach the faucet by popping down a curb, wheeling through bark mulch, jumping over a large flat stone and stretching to reach the handle. Then I must reverse the process without tipping over and balance my body while jumping back up the little curb without flipping over backwards. Dragging the sprinkler and heavy hose across the barren wastelands in a wheelchair has got to count for a lot of burned calories so that is a distinct bonus as well. The thought of seeing my lawn turn even the palest shade of green is a thrill as it has been a frightful, almost neon yellow due to irrigation problems. The prospect of green pushes me to test my limits. Today was the first time in the many years that I've lived here that I ever reached that elusive faucet. I am proud and now I know that it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks. And you can also lead a horse to water and get him to turn on the tap.
Another bonus of the evening was the owl hooting at me from the top of our telephone pole. I sat below him and hooted back wishing I could see him more clearly. Of course I pulled out my little camera to try and capture his majestic awesomeness, but the flash just couldn't impact the dark night and height of the hooter. These kind of nights are just so amazing. The starlight and moonlight and clouds lit up combined with the wonderful orchestra of croaking frogs and hooting owls is just magical. The dogs were so happy to be released to play and race around the yard and I was loving the adventure. It's about as far into the camping scene as I go and then I'm happy to enter my little palace where I am now settled comfortably in my beautiful new king size bed with ladybug. The window is open allowing breezes and night sounds in so it really is very close to actual camping! Ladybug is stretched out on the other half of the bed as if she owns the place.
Royalty abounds in this palace.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Satisfied
Fresh, wild, wonderful Spring!
The day was quite lovely really.
School in the morning with my sweet students. They learn eagerly and are very cooperative, making the whole process an absolute joy. I feel privileged to spend that one on one time with these amazing kids. Jelly bellies are interspersed with sentences and writing. Tiny bursts of flavor and color to give courage and add zest to the lessons! I can't believe how much I've grown to love those little treats right along with the students. Comparing flavours and trying to decide what we're enjoying.
A lunch with some favorite friends to honor a young mother and her fourth little babe. Oh what a precious little bundle she is! I eagerly asked and received and held her close to me, absorbing all things good from that wee little body pressed against mine.
I couldn't believe how healing that felt and I longed for the opportunity to do more of that. I mourn the loss of my ability to run into the houses of friends and others where I could lend a helping hand, babysit or sometimes even just visit. It all seems like a ridiculously big effort to have someone haul me up the stairs and then to be unable to move about easily so I miss out on more that I probably should. Oh well, God has arranged for me to have such a wonderful home where I am free to entertain and provide hospitality in an environment that is perfect for me. Including my lavish bedroom of rest. Ahhhh. So I will count my blessings and not look at places of loss. It hurts too much and I have far too much good to stay there!
Tonight was full of those very good things that I love, in fact! My kids, the girlfriend, and extended family. So fun to prepare a salmon dinner, empty the fridge of leftovers and sit around the table with so many favorite people, big and little. The celebration of living and breathing, laughing and sharing, growing and BEING!!
The evening was pure bliss. Badminton between the son and little nephew with Moose in the middle trying to catch the birdie!
Artists inside drawing masterpieces which now adorn my fridge.
My niece admiring my garden and rejoicing in the very things that bring me delight. Sharing the joys of planting and growth and colors and smells and the good things yet to come. My daughter giving the garden tour and rejoicing in her rows of green emerging and showing great promise.
The warmth of the evening sun highlighting the orchards and hills. Laughter, dogs, children, family.
Oh I am rich, oh so rich and I always want to have the eyes to see that which is good.
Tonight it was as easy as can be and my heart swelled with pleasure and delight.
I am satisfied with the richest of fare.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Bloomin Beautiful!
Sweet aromas drift around the house!
I'm loving the lilac bush that's grown big and beautiful and is loaded with blossoms. It hangs over the sidewalk and brushes me with wondrous scent as I wheel by doing my gardening. My daphne plant in the front exudes a heady delicious smell and it's lovely pink blossoms are a delight.
The orchard is in full bloom and the delicate pink and white blossoms against the blue sky take my breath away!
AHHHHH!! Sweet Spring...a foreshadow of all things new.
I'm loving the lilac bush that's grown big and beautiful and is loaded with blossoms. It hangs over the sidewalk and brushes me with wondrous scent as I wheel by doing my gardening. My daphne plant in the front exudes a heady delicious smell and it's lovely pink blossoms are a delight.
The orchard is in full bloom and the delicate pink and white blossoms against the blue sky take my breath away!
AHHHHH!! Sweet Spring...a foreshadow of all things new.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Loving the Warmth
Ah, the rollercoaster of life...
The ups, the downs, the inbetween coasting.
Rolling by faith and not by sight.
It's not getting easier, strangely enough.
But there is a rope that ties me to God
Anchoring me in the midst of uncertainty.
I'm grateful for this faith - gifted to me.
Faith first seen in my mother
and then in countless others
I have journeyed alongside.
A God that is bigger than... you name it!!
Bigger than. BIG BIG BIG AND BEAUTIFUL!
Able - more than able!!
A GOD who is LOVE.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
The great and awesome mystery.
So...He knows firsthand what we must endure down here.
In this strange land where faith has not yet been made sight.
And we bring Him pleasure by clinging close
Smiling in the storm
Believing for a good ending!
Speaking out that which we do not yet see.
Mother's Day was full of good things!
Full of God gifts.
My children - treasures beyond compare.
Words will never express my love for their uniqueness
and my gratitude for their presence in this world.
They are somehow for this brief time attached to my heart -
whether nearby or far off.
I am amazed at the wonder of the relationship.
The joy of raising these precious ones from little wisps carrying the breath of God
Held in my belly and then in my arms
To beautiful, majestic, full grown adults able to live and search out that God on their own.
And to my absolute joy they are both pursuing Him.
My prayer will continue while I have breath that they will love Him more than anyone or anything else.
My mother, such a God gift to me and countless others.
That rock solid faith
The unconditional love that never stops
That laugh that bursts out and stirs up joy
Those humble beautiful faithful prayers that have changed the landscape of many lives for good.
I am forever grateful to Papa God for providing this sweet humble woman to shape my childhood
To give me deep roots into Jesus, the wellspring of life
And wings to fly by faith.
My family, such a delight
Father, Auntie, sister, kids...
Laughing and eating and sharing our lives.
Sharing the Big God who knit us together
In this particular pattern
For some particular reasons
For His good pleasure and our good growth.
To be conformed into the image of His Son
Becoming that pure spotless bride
Ready for the wedding feast,
To be presented and to celebrate the unity
He has longed for, prayed for, died for and lives for.
Every day brings us closer...
It's going to be marvelous!!!
So I lay here cuddled in with ladybug tonight.
Feeling her soft little breath on my arm.
Grateful for this God gift as well.
The ups, the downs, the inbetween coasting.
Rolling by faith and not by sight.
It's not getting easier, strangely enough.
But there is a rope that ties me to God
Anchoring me in the midst of uncertainty.
I'm grateful for this faith - gifted to me.
Faith first seen in my mother
and then in countless others
I have journeyed alongside.
A God that is bigger than... you name it!!
Bigger than. BIG BIG BIG AND BEAUTIFUL!
Able - more than able!!
A GOD who is LOVE.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
The great and awesome mystery.
So...He knows firsthand what we must endure down here.
In this strange land where faith has not yet been made sight.
And we bring Him pleasure by clinging close
Smiling in the storm
Believing for a good ending!
Speaking out that which we do not yet see.
Mother's Day was full of good things!
Full of God gifts.
My children - treasures beyond compare.
Words will never express my love for their uniqueness
and my gratitude for their presence in this world.
They are somehow for this brief time attached to my heart -
whether nearby or far off.
I am amazed at the wonder of the relationship.
The joy of raising these precious ones from little wisps carrying the breath of God
Held in my belly and then in my arms
To beautiful, majestic, full grown adults able to live and search out that God on their own.
And to my absolute joy they are both pursuing Him.
My prayer will continue while I have breath that they will love Him more than anyone or anything else.
My mother, such a God gift to me and countless others.
That rock solid faith
The unconditional love that never stops
That laugh that bursts out and stirs up joy
Those humble beautiful faithful prayers that have changed the landscape of many lives for good.
I am forever grateful to Papa God for providing this sweet humble woman to shape my childhood
To give me deep roots into Jesus, the wellspring of life
And wings to fly by faith.
My family, such a delight
Father, Auntie, sister, kids...
Laughing and eating and sharing our lives.
Sharing the Big God who knit us together
In this particular pattern
For some particular reasons
For His good pleasure and our good growth.
To be conformed into the image of His Son
Becoming that pure spotless bride
Ready for the wedding feast,
To be presented and to celebrate the unity
He has longed for, prayed for, died for and lives for.
Every day brings us closer...
It's going to be marvelous!!!
So I lay here cuddled in with ladybug tonight.
Feeling her soft little breath on my arm.
Grateful for this God gift as well.
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