ONE THING

This time in Kansas City at the One Thing Conference was truly orchestrated by God. I began to wonder when I would see my young friend struggling with the pain of his divorce, having such trouble focusing. I felt like the four days of sitting under so much teaching would be too much, especially with my friend feeling so tormented.

But God

Broke through.

We have been so impacted by the teaching and worship.

By the call to be a real Christian - one who does what the scriptures teach. To fast, to pray, to spend our lives pursuing Jesus and doing acts of mercy and justice.

To give generously and spend time, much time discovering the pleasures and beauty of Jesus and His passionate love for us.

The worship has been unbelievable - so many voices joined in one accord, lifting up the Name of Jesus together. Thousands upon thousands.

Literally.

Apparently 27,000 people have registered for this conference and the facility is massive.

My dear friend from YWAM who lives 5 hours from here drove down to spend about a 28 hour chunk of time with me. We delighted in each other's company, praying and laughing and sharing together. So good to reconnect and love Jesus together. It was so lovely.

When I was buying some books one of the cashier volunteers recognized me from Christmas letters I send their family every year. They were visitors in our home about 15 years ago when she was around 5! What an amazing connection. Now she is pouring her life out for Jesus in prayer and service. So beautiful. The rewards will be eternal.

So there is one thing, ONE THING worth wasting my entire life on.

The pursuit of Jesus.

I want to learn to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.

I am committing to do this in a far more intentional way.

This is a good way to close out this year.

Knowing the best is truly yet to come and there is so much HOPE.

I will be going home with fresh vision, with resources and with courage.

His wind is at my back.

(and it has certainly been windy here in Kansas!)

The tornado of Jesus' love will sweep me up and take me to higher ground.

I'm in Kansas!

The rest of Christmas was wonderful, wonderful!

Brunch at our dear friend's home with our three families mingling and loving on each other big time. The food, the laughter, the gifts, the games, the hugs and happy smiles.

So much good. Friendship and God and the hope that brings.

Little foretastes of glory divine.

Our family celebrated over turkey on Boxing Day and my favorite part was watching the hilarity of the dogs chasing frantically after a crowing stuffed chicken. Their nails clawing cartoon fashion on the floor trying desperately to get a grip on the slippery surface so they could be the first to grab that chicken and run. I've never seen them fight over anything like this chicken - it drives Ladybug right over the edge. She sits quivering and crying, then begins leaping and barking as I hold the google eyed bird over her head. The family laughed so hard and it was good.

It was so good. Being together. Family.

And the next morning I rose early to pick up my young friend and we began about a 17 hour journey to Kansas City. A beautiful drive through the snow covered mountains, two plane rides, a delay in Denver and a shuttle bus brought us to our hotel here in downtown KC at about 2:00 a.m.

Now we are off to see the city before our conference begins.

Sweet Christmas

It's been a lovely relaxing week. Spending time with the dear daughter, wrapping gifts, enjoying my new housemate and having family time. One evening even found my brother, sister and myself all in a row at the movie theatre munching on popcorn and watching The Voyage of the Dawntreader together. Such a powerful message in that film and my sister in particular was hugely impacted by it.

She is coming alive!

Glory to God in the Highest! It's why He came.

To set captives free, to make blind eyes see and deaf ears hear!

I'm incredibly grateful to see the sparkle in her eyes again and to see her responding to the sweet love and wooing of Jesus.

It's been such a battle for her life and God has touched her.

Meanwhile we continue to cry out for the others in the family and around us that need deliverance and light and the truth to break their chains.

Last night we attended Oma's church and we heard the Christmas message preached from on top of a ladder so that thankfully caught my attention and reminded me in a fresh way of the good news - that God came down to us because we are completely unable to ascend to Him, try as we may with all our rule keeping, good deeds and religion.

Oh it is good news and I truly want to be awoken to it and responding to the One who came down to redeem me. I feel so sluggish and out of touch these days when I try to connect to Him, but I know that I know that I know that I am completely loved and accepted by Him and that I can't make myself any more worthy than He has already done. So that is that.

We had Nachos at Oma's following church and after Opa went to bed we spent some time around the table praying and asking for more miracles to fall out of heaven, particularly on DAD! How beautiful to be able to do that with my favorite people. To hear Oma's steady requests that have been prayed for so many years and have reaped so much fruit. To hear dear Tante Hilda imploring the Lord in German for mercy and salvations and to have Elsie and I joining in.

Later the kids and I drove to my place where a few gifts were opened and then we sat together, just the three of us in the soft glow of the Christmas tree lights sharing stories and contemplating Patrice's recent friendship with a young man from California and Daniel's upcoming marriage. Advice was given and prayers once again were prayed.

I could barely be happier than to know that my children walk with the Lord and turn to Him for wisdom and direction and help.

Best Christmas present right there, next to Jesus...

It Just Keeps Getting Better!

Seriously, as if it hasn't been enough fun in this one week to have my son get engaged, to have my daughter come home for the holidays, and to have another stupendously amazing gal move into my home, tonight's events brought on even more merry making!

My dear father turned 85 on Wednesday and tonight we all gathered in the condo restaurant to have a party. We eagerly rushed in out of the cold frosty night, reveling in the warmth and joy of togetherness. My brother had flown into town this morning from Calgary and we were all just so happy to be together again. Again, the richness of all the ages is a treasure to enjoy and I am basking in all the goodness, knowing it's a gift of grace.

After a delicious meal we presented Dad with a card designed on a scroll that measured about 6 or 7 feet long. On it were written all the things we love about him and my wonderful tall son held it up as we loudly read out the many fine points of this special husband, father, grandfather and greatgrandfather! (and unique pet owner...)

He seemed pleased and sat beside his beloved wife of 60 years drinking in the love and admiration. We then presented him with a mechanical monkey that rolled on the table laughing uproariously causing us to laugh along. (Those of us that find things like that amusing anyways... me being one of them). I figured that since he doesn't appreciate gifts anyways I may as well give something at least the little kids and I would enjoy!

Then... my brother got up beside his daughter and said he had an announcement to make. He had gotten engaged the night before!

OH. MY. GOODNESS!!!! I was completely surprised as was most of the crowd. He bashfully related the details of his last evening with his girlfriend, now fiance, and finished by giving us the wedding date set for next June! Wow - way to scoop the attention and create yet another stir!

We were completely delighted and he had to weather a barrage of questions for us curious ones in the crowd who wanted DETAILS!

That was a lot to digest and my father rose to make his departure, claiming the need to rest, probably needing some time to mull over this new turn of events. On his way out he surprised us by asking our forgiveness for all the ways he had hurt us over the years.

???

Where did that come from? Something is surely going on in that man's spirit and I'm praying that it's the Holy Spirit drawing him closer to Jesus. As a result the light is getting brighter and the need for confession is growing. We kind of shrugged it off saying he was a good father etc. etc. but later came to the conclusion that we needed to acknowledge his request and speak out forgiveness. So some of us did that before saying farewell.

A little prayer meeting was held in the kitchen upstairs where several of us again agreed for Ephesians 1;17, 18 to come to pass in his life. I'm feeling the intensity over this battle and I want to do my part to see His Kingdom Come in the patriarch of our family.

And in the midst of all of this watching my precious kids enjoying each other's company.

It doesn't get better than this.

Quite the night indeed.

Home for the Holidays

She's home.

My beautiful daughter.

My heart is full and happy.

A more complete version of this precious gift the Lord has granted to me, richer in wisdom and in the knowledge of God.

I'm thrilled that she has chosen Jesus and continues to choose Him.

Actively pursuing life and truth as she is understanding it and adding to the most important parts of herself, character, goodness, the fruit of the Spirit.

I'm so proud of her.

And we are learning new boundaries and ways of interacting as this mother daughter relationship matures and grows.

I want to stay soft and receptive to her and am grateful for her patience with me.

It's not easy to be an adult living with a parent and trying to figure out exactly how that looks as times change.

But we're up to it. It's a healthy normal good challenge.

And I'm excited to have her here.

Excited to hear her heart and to see her interact with friends and to pray for His continued leading and guiding for her future.

It's going to be amazing because that's what our God is all about.

Conforming us into His image and sparkling out of our personalities with His great goodness as we submit and yield.

It was a sweet evening of reconnecting & rejoicing over so much good in our little family.

Sweet Farewell

Yesterday I bid my new friend farewell after two most wonderful months.

She was such a surprise and blessing - not coming to visit me at all but ending up staying here and becoming a very dear friend and soulmate.

Despite the fact that she is half my age.

Strange how age doesn't matter at all sometimes.

We spent wonderful times together doing life. She didn't mind flowing in and out of my schedule and she was just happy to go wherever I took her, meeting my friends, shopping with me and helping me to run errands. At home she was an amazing help to me as well - so willing to do whatever needed to be done with a very sweet demeanor.

It was like having an angel here ministering to me - for real.

Who knows, maybe I entertained an angel unawares?!

Sure felt like it...

But the best times spent were here in my bedroom, on my bed sharing Jesus.

We loved to talk about Him and His mysterious wonderful ways. We loved to pray, with increasing frequency and she was absolutely open and hungry for anything I passed her way. Teachings, readings, and prayers. She spent hours in her refuge downstairs resting, soaking in God and seeking Him very diligently regarding things in her life that needed healing and restoration. And of course He was more than faithful to meet her.

She left here full of hope and courage that He would walk her through whatever was ahead.

We had so much fun watching my favorite movies which were rapidly becoming hers as well. We laughed so much and that in itself was incredibly healing for both of us.

And the dogs of course were a wonderful source of entertainment and delight for both of us. She often took them out for long walks and spent lots of time in the backyard with them throwing the ball.

Our last morning was spent cleaning and getting ready for her departure but then we sat down at the table for our own little Christmas celebration over crepes, fruit and yoghurt. We lit the advent wreath, we exchanged gifts and we had communion.

Our time ended with a sweet time of prayer and away she went with my other dear housemate to Vancouver where the next leg of her journey begins.

So it was a gift.

And now I have a new friend.

A delightful surprise from the Father of Heavenly lights...

And now I await the return of my beloved daughter who is to arrive home sometime today. My heart is full.

And expectant...

A Tumble of Emotions

Feelings are jumbling around inside of me, so many thoughts of a day that seemed just too full, too confusing and too wonderful all at once.

I felt like I was behind all day. Trying to get it together to prepare for the Saturday night gathering, trying to bake and giving up on running errands because I just kept getting phone calls which were interrupting my kitchen time. The phone calls cause me to sit still in my wheelchair which makes my back go crazy and there were three of them today. All of them long.

My two housemates were both preparing to leave tomorrow so they were scurrying about and getting things done as well. And in the midst of all of this, my dear son and his precious girlfriend came home from their run in the mountains with the dogs. With an announcement!!!!

Full of emotion and tears and excitement that seemed to border on sweet hysteria my son's girl showed me her engagement ring and gave me the biggest hug. My son seemed pretty pleased with himself and the story spilled out in bursts as the ring was admired and I freaked out with excitement myself. Finally this girl whom I love like my own will truly become my daughter in love.

My heart is bursting with joy.

More screams from the basement as one friend was told. Phone calls were made and the story was told again and again while the tears kept resurfacing. This girl wears her heart on her sleeve and our family will be so much richer with her becoming part of us. I'm grateful to our kind Father for giving my precious son such a treasure. His first girlfriend. How sweet. How wonderful how she completes him.

We celebrated by going out to the neighbors, down the long snowy driveway with the big red bows adorning the trees to pick out a Christmas tree. The big fire was roaring in the yard and hot chocolate was passed about as we announced to complete strangers and friends the delightful news. A huge wreath was given to the couple in honor of the occasion. So much joy, everyone enters in.

The tree was set up, company began to arrive for the Saturday gathering and more tears and excitement ensued. So good to share the occasion with these ones who are like family to us.

My heart is full and happy. The hard parts of the day, which seemed to be many, pale in comparison and I will rejoice in the kindness of God.

Second Advent

Every year I try to celebrate at least one Advent evening with the family.

Last night was so special. I realize the preciousness of having the family together and the fact that my parents and auntie are still able to join in the festivities.

So the table is set and crowded with an abundance of food and we squeeze around it - 15 of us singing "Praise God from whom all blessings flow".

Truer words could not be sung!

The blessings flow and keep on flowing.

Plates are filled and conversations flow intermingled with happy noises from the kids.

I couldn't be more thrilled that God sent my sweet niece and her family here to be with us for this season of life. And my dear cousin joined us with her husband and little boy so it added to the excitement.

Two Advent candles were lit and carols were sung accompanied by flute and guitar.

A story "Little Star" was read to the young and the old and the focus was back on the miracle of Advent. We are preparing for the birthday of a King.

A Birthday that is celebrated all month long!

And the grande finale was a treasure hunt that sent the kids running excitedly through the house and outdoors reading clues and finding their gifts.

Such excitement and laughter generated through simple fun.

Haven't seen my Dad smile that hard in a long time.

He's struggling to stay out of the Kingdom but my sister and auntie and I prayed that God would send in the BIG GUNS to do some work on His behalf. We are literally calling on God to send Michael and Gabriel to help Dad along since he is not getting any younger!

Praying this will be the year that He sees the King.

With childlike faith at 85...

Such a Winner!

Just a few interesting tidbits regarding life as of late up on the hill.

I shaved ladybug's face so as to better see her beady black eyes in the midst of her furry black head and I accidently took her long eyelashes off one eye. As a result I have created a strange twitch that occurs when she sits and stares at me. And the poor little eye kind of half closes - probably due to lack of protection. She sits and stares at me a lot, taking her every cue from my movements. I want to be like that with God. (but with both eyes fully open and not twitching)

Yesterday I went to a Christmas Craft Fair and purchased tickets to try to win one of the amazing gift baskets that were available. As I passed by one of the baskets I noted that it was all about golfing so I told God and my friend that I would put one ticket in for the former husband. Just one of course. That way I would know if I was to bless him in that way. The other baskets were way more fun.

Guess which basket I won? Haha - God has a good sense of humor and is so kind. After they called me about that basket I got two more phone calls informing me that I had won two other ones as well! Hair cuts, meals out, a month at a ladies exercise place - haha!! So I have lots of gifts to share and am asking God to show me how I can bless others.

I have already blessed Moose with a red t-shirt from one of the baskets. My housemate dressed him up last night and we laughed uproariously at his big white body snugged into the bright red shirt. Of course we had to add the antlers I bought him for Christmas. (Being a Moose and all) He adjusted quickly to the shirt but he'd like to eat the antlers.

And last night at our Saturday gathering, my little great nephew who is at a very unpredictable adventurous age was roaming through my house looking for what he could dismantle. Before I knew it he had removed my IPOD from it's dock in the living room and had deposited it into the dog's water dish by the back door.

What are the chances? I couldn't help but be amused, but was grateful that someone had walked by the door just then to pull the device out. It is presently sitting in a container of rice trying to pull it's act together. We shall see.

I've been having such lovely times with my houseguest. She has just been the most amazing company for me and we love to pray together, watch movies, run errands, make healthy juices, play games and we just laugh a lot. It has felt like respite for both of us somehow. Just this gift of time, like a holiday, that dropped out of heaven. There seems to be no age difference and it has revived me. Apparently it's been really good for her too.

She leaves in one week so I will soak up the goodness of a new friendship for these last days and continue to trust God to bring these times of refreshing when He sees fit. I will miss her gentle ways, her sweet laugh and her unbelievably kind servant's heart.

Advent

Advent. I've never been too good at faithfully celebrating the candles and the doing meditations in any consistent way, but I'm glad for this season and making attempts at focusing on the EVENT of advent.

Jesus, help me to still myself before You and to drink in Your sweet life and presence.

To search my heart and find some frankincense and myrrh to lay before You...

Treasures of time and stillness.

This week in my home there was an Advent Retreat. I only had to open my doors and the ladies came bearing food, candles, a wreath and meditations to share in honor of our King.

Sweet words to help us to quiet our hearts, a candle lit and silent meditation.

The sonlight reflecting off the snow, pouring in through the windows and warming our hearts. He came to visit, happy that we had set aside these hours to meet with Him.

In His honor.

Needy and hungry we came.

Stilled and filled we left.

Sweet fellowship with His Body.

Profound and beautiful.

Simple and sweet.

Gazing on Him through the eyes and faces of these lovers of His.

And the night before was a sweet retreat of another sort. Sitting in an old stone church with my mother and friend where the loveliest of melodies and voices filled the cathedral - notes soaring high and swirling around us.

Glorious worship on a cold winter's night.

And I fasted facebook for this past week as a sort of first advent gift for Jesus. It feels strange to visit that place again although I love the feeling of connection and the interesting little tidbits and funny things my friends post. It's a very worthwhile thing to give up if it will help me connect better with Him though.

I wonder what this coming week will bring... how can I focus on my King and enthrone Him in this season.

Poor Moose

It's been a rough spring, summer and fall for our dear Moose.

All started in April when someone took him to the lake and forgot to clean his ears.

That led to a wicked ear infection that went on and on and on.

For months.

I tried the "natural methods" to heal his affliction, to no avail.

I don't think I was consistent enough and it turned into a monster.

Even taking him to the vet and the resulting ear drops were not successful.

Poor dear Moose.

Ear drops, head shaking, ear cleaning, crying, more head shaking.

My father thought we should put him out of his misery.

As in permanently.

Back to the vet we went. Again.

By this time it was fall and the vet put Moose under to get a good look at the area and to flush it out just in case there was a piece of weed or grass in there.

But nope. Just a raging infection.

So after a dose of strong oral antibiotics along with some new drops the infection, gloriously cleared. We were so happy and Moose was most likely hugely relieved after months of misery.

Anywas, the dear big thing is once again head shaking and crying so he's back on another round of antibiotics and ear drops.

He is one pathetic sight with his drooping shoulders and huge soulful eyes gazing out mournfully at the world as he deals with dizziness, pain and probably all kinds of other noises in his head.

He looks at us with his sad eyes and tilted head and we pray for his healing.

The amount of money I have spent on this beloved animal is staggering to me.

I'm always thinking about hungry children in other countries and find it hard to justify spending so much on a pet.

But I certainly can't stand to see him suffer and I think God loves it when we are kind to our animals. More than that I cannot comprehend.

There is however, hope on the horizon. One of my students told me today of a diet their dog is on that cured it of ear infections.

So, fresh and raw may soon be on Mr. Moose's menu.

I am hopeful for this poor dear pathetic lovely animal.