Good Intentions

I feel almost dizzy with my own stupidity.

Ramifications teeter precariously...

Apologies abound.

The "aged wisdom" meter is running near empty and I am weary from trying

To do what is beyond my ability.

So I stumble and fall

At the shepherd's feet.

Needing grace.

Needing mercy and a fresh start.

Wondering if I will ever figure out how to wait.

As long as it takes. To move and speak slowly

And much more thoughtfully.

To go for counsel when I have the slightest signal that it would be good to do so.

Oh bruised head and heart.

Body weary from a near sleepless night

These spasms relentless, the thoughts needing submission.

So grateful for the scriptures that have been planted

To give comfort and eventually wisdom...

Heavy quivering sigh.

All will be most well.

Because He paid the price for it to be so

and He promises to bring good out of all things.

Even this mess.

Shades of Winter

We've crawled out of the deep freeze!

This past week had temperatures around minus 20

Colder with the wind chill.

And for this little valley that's cold!

I know other Canadians would mock me for calling this a deep freeze,

but I'm a little spoiled.

And the funny thing was our heater stopped working as the temperatures dipped lower and lower. So I'm just super grateful for a gas fireplace, a well insulated home and a microwave for my little heat bags.

We're also under a blanket of clouds again.

Creating so many shades of grey and white...

Very beautiful against the backdrop of dark pines and hills.

But...

There are still so many weeks of winter left.

Sigh.

So

I went to a fun book club meeting

I drove to the lake and took pictures

And I roasted a turkey for the Saturday night gathering

I went to my art class!

I visited the library and took out loads of audio books.

I sat in the cozy car with the heater going, On a supremely cold and white wintery day.

Drinking a Vanilla Latte and visiting with a dear friend.

I shoveled snow!

I spent an afternoon sewing with my sweet daughter in law.

And, of course, I looked up tropical holiday spots on the internet.

God's goodness doesn't freeze up in the winter.

He continues to "daily load me with benefits"!

still winter days

Wintery days.

Long and cold

Thin rays of sun

Coloring clouds

Cool purple, quiet yellow, soft orange...

I've been remarkably joyful.

A gift of grace.

Yet I am strangely silent here

Don't know where the words have gone

But all is well.

On this cold morning,

A warm Butterfly Brunch with three of us

Sweet fellowship, delicious fare

Prayer in the car ascending to highest heaven

We part as the snow flurries begin

Knowing that a power has been unleashed

Miracles of reconciliation will unfold

Friendships and families will be healed.

There is a great presence and a monumental purpose

within and behind our humble lives.

Fresh & New

Such nice numbers in this new year.

2012

It feels crisp and fresh.

And it looks nice.

2011 was just a little skinny at the end with those two ones standing there together.

It was a pretty great year though...

Teaching amazing kids.

Two family weddings adding two beautiful people to our already wonderful family.

A house filled with young ladies to create life and community around me.

Great friends and so many opportunities to meet with them.

A trip to Ottawa to expand my horizons as I keep learning to keep teaching better and better.

Many wonderful hours spent enjoying the doggies, indoors and outdoors.

My girl at home for another season which is a bonus.

Trips to Vancouver with her to pursue health and balance.

Outings with Oma and Tante Hilda and some with my sister.

Treasures of such great worth and value.

Heaven speaks to me and breathes on me through these overcomers and lovers of Jesus.

Finding a new church to fellowship in and feeling so much more settled.

We rounded the corner from 2011 last night with such a fun party.

Ate a delicious meal of baked ham, salad and scalloped potatoes,

played telephone pictionary, visited, had a taste of iced wine

(one skinny bottle split between 10 or 11 people was about right)

And finished with a rousing round of Bingo with some great laughs and fun prizes.

The new year was brought in with all of us clinking our glasses of sparkling apple juice and pulling our poppers so that we could put on our crowns.

What a very fun bunch of friends, and even my beautiful daughter was home with us rather than out at the other parties she was invited to.

And my momma and dear sister came for lots of the evening too which was lovely.

I'm grateful.

Trusting God for new beginnings.