afterglow

back to work today 

my four day weekends make me feel like I'm often on holiday

and three day work weeks?

well, i'm just spoiled and that's all there is to it!

i think i'm enjoying the day after my birthday much more than the day of...

basking in the afterglow

eating leftover crepes from the lovely breakfast sara made for me yesterday

looking at my row of cards and feeling the love,

admiring the flowers brought by friends 

the day was just lovely

warm and sunny and the blossoms are radiant

i have a daphne plant that blooms in spring and the fragrance is absolutely intoxicating

as i sat outside inhaling the sweet smell i thought about how i want my life and worship to create a fragrance like that for God  

another birthday

hey i'm still alive!
53 years of alive, to be exact, as of today
and I'm grateful to God for so very much.

there are mixed emotions
joy, peace, hope, and some profound sadness tangled in there
but nothing that God and I can't tackle together.
He's got me on the peace train and He's helping me to figure how to stay on there

again the beauty of the season on this "special to me" day overwhelmed me:
fields of blossoms

dandelions cheerfully dotting the green rows between the fruit trees
bouquets of wild brown eyed susans in great abundance on the hills
lilacs taking centre stage with their royal colours and sweet fragrance
some clouds, some blue sky and lovely sunshine

family, friends, messages, cards, flowers, and phone calls
oma and opa singing happy birthday to me together over the phone...
the sweetness was almost unbearable
the blessings are as abundant as the blossoms covering the hills
so i say GLORY to my Maker as He is the originator of all this kindness
i literally deserve nothing but...
He is the giver of every good and perfect gift and my life is full of them

Glory to my King.
I carry in this humble body His Image, His divine presence and it is very good.
He surrounds me with lovingkindness and songs of deliverance

He surrounds me with amazing people, His way of touching my life with "skin on".

He is my shield and my very great reward.
happy birthday to me

here are some of the events of the day

this fun picture with a birthday message from sweet friends in Thailand

this kind friend brought TWO DOZEN beautiful roses, actually the day before my birthday ( i had cancelled a little party but she showed up anyways)

**************************

here below is my dear Patrice in her new workplace where we went for a birthday coffee

how cute are we?

Greek food in great abundance with my lovely kids

we are the only ones in the theatre watching the monkey kingdom movie.  i'm the one with the popcorn of course. 

An Unfinished List

Fifty three fun facts about me at fifty three

1.     I rarely finish books that I start

2.     I rarely read books anymore

3.     I read the Bible online now

4.     I spend money much more easily now

5.     I like special drinks immensely

6.     Cinnamon dolce latte and chai are my favorites,

7.     Also mocha and earl grey tea.  Oh yum

8.     I’m enjoying baking once again

9.     I’m shocked at how much pain my hands are in already

10. I absolutely love working with kids at school

11. I prefer working as a volunteer this year again

12. I’m not strapped for cash and that’s probably why

13. I still love classical music on cbc while I drive

14. I also love to use my driving time for prayer

15. I love entertaining

16. But it’s awkward due to my hands

17. I listen to the same stoires over and over to fall asleep

18. Pride and prejudice and Anne of green gables are my favorites

19. I’m enjoying Derek Prince teaching very much once again

20. I’m blogging more than ever

21. I keep my personal prayer journal online

22. My siblings and I get along really, really well

23. I wake up often at night.

I I  I didn't manage to finish the list but it's a little peek into this season.  I don't know what happened to the numbers - I copied and pasted and the numbers didn't want to come along for the ride. 

Sometimes Sickness

I think I've not been taking as good care of myself as I should be.
Too many special drinks perhaps?  I just love my big mugs full of chai latte's and picking up coffee mocha's when I am out driving around.
This is my confession.
I like my special drinks far too much.

And perhaps as a result I have succumbed to some sort of sickness that's taken the wind out of my sails so I'm feeling weak, headachy, and generally yucky.

It started on Tuesday night with an awful migraine.  Really awful.  I got sick 3 times that night after drinking a large smoothie made from blueberries and a beet etc.  As you can imagine it looked pretty much like I was dying.

However, the problem is I am not very good at vomiting due to the paralysis and I aspirated once or twice as a result.
That's really not good.  In my situation it can lead to pneumonia...
So it kind of feels like that was the beginning of the trouble.
Then factor in some sick students and my nights which often have sporadic sleep patterns and the result is this ongoing sinus-something-sickness that is giving me even more migraines.

But in this time of limitation I am just incredibly grateful for my peaceful cozy home. (And MEDICATION!!!) I've been here alone pretty much all day as both girls have been out and they're at a birthday party this evening, but I feel such peace.  (when I'm not in pain)

And the puppies feel like kisses from Jesus.

I just know they are one of His double portion blessings to me.  It's been six years now, almost to the day, since we adopted them.
My Jesus sees my little sufferings and cares.

These pups make me smile so much and give me a great reason to regularly go outside where I get to experience this paradise that is home.  Sometimes early in the morning I let them out and I get to hear the birds in the forest having their morning glory party, sometimes late at night when the air is crisp and the stars are singing in the dark sky.  And this afternoon I got to go out and admire the apple trees and lilacs which are just bursting into blossom and the fragrance wafts over me.

I have been trying to fast FB and news as much as possible this week before my birthday, just to give my brain a breather and hopefully a re-set. I'm on the internet way too much.  But today I gave in and started reading down the feed and found out about the horrific earthquake in Nepal.  Over a thousand dead and people homeless and broken...

I wonder about my little tiny pain and these enormous birth pangs of misery that are covering the earth.  Christians being martyred, natural disasters, gluttony, starvation, perversion... and I am reminded that each one of us, the carriers of Jesus in this dark world make a mark and leave ripples wherever we are.

Through prayer I can release angels in Nepal.
Through giving I can assist those who are able to be there to distribute help in real time.
Through love and kindness I can touch lives around me.
So I just need to stay deeply rooted in the vine.
And not think thoughts too lofty, or take in such huge amounts of information that my head hurts and my heart cannot handle it.

He is the light of my world, my healer.
He is the light of The World and he said He is making all things new.

All creation groans and waits...

Today I was An Anglican

Since our little Vineyard Church only meets every second Sunday, I have the opportunity to join in with other gatherings in the city if I get my act together early enough on my "off Sundays".  I must confess that I often succumb to the easier route of attending "Church on the King Sized Bed" but today I managed to get to a 10:00 service at a little Anglican Church where quite a few friends of mine attend.

It was just perfect.  

I love the liturgy and the singing and the simplicity of following a program that just reaffirms all that I believe in a very meaningful and predictable manner.
There was so much truth and glory in the tiny sanctuary.
Such a sweet collection of vessels containing that very glory of God and sharing it with each other.  And together we shared the Eucharist.  The miracle of Christ in us, the hope of glory...

And it just so happened that I was there on this priest's very last Sunday so I managed to get in on a very delicious potluck celebration lunch while visiting with some beautiful people that I just don't get to see often enough.

********************

This evening I hosted the family up here for supper.  We have Uncle Henry and my cousin Andrew here in town and it was such a privilege to sit together with them and to hear about their journey through the valley of losing their son/brother Daniel only two months ago.  They are such beautiful people and our time together was very precious.  Felt like God showed up for supper.  Andrew shared a very humorous story about a job he never got hired for but worked at for several weeks and got paid for.  He is an absolutely wonderful human being and so very interesting!
And dear Uncle Henry was full of stories as well.
He is such an overcomer.  A valiant man.

It's just wildly wonderful to me that we can be out on the patio for meals again and that Springtime is putting on such a magnificent display.  Look at that sunshine reflecting off the yellow walls.  And these three sporting their assortment of hats.  

So glad these two have each other to lean on.  Apparently they get together once a week to have a cooking party and they'll prepare enough food for a week's worth of dinners.  Smart guys. 

Even a campfire and a guitar made their appearance. 

Super awesome to be able to sit outside and enjoy the big sky and fresh air.  

The birds loved joining their songs with ours.  

Mom was a trooper adding layers of blankets and even a silly hat to try to stay warm.  

And a good time was had by all. 

One of our Own

I attended a Book Launch this evening.
One of our very own members of our "book-ish" club has written a beautiful book called "Daughter of the Father" and has had it published.
For real!
Just look at this beauty...

So I have a copy which I purchased tonight and Bev will be signing it at our club this coming Thursday.

The evening was a smashing success and Bev, in her typical humble style, used the evening to showcase a whole lot of young amazing talent before she even came forward to speak about her own journey within the art of writing.

I felt privileged to be in the midst of this amazing group of people, who honour and celebrate others well.
The excitement was palpable and it was beautiful to see the hand of God, the wellspring of all life and creation, moving so creatively and diversely through His children.

Paintings were displayed and our very own Dylan was painting a beautiful work of art displaying a Father holding a young child upon his shoulders.  Once again, his work was highlighting and underscoring Bev's written work of art.

Honour.

There was music.  A lovely young woman I taught Sunday School to many years ago has honed her talent of singing, playing violin AND songwriting, delighting us listeners with three pieces of music.  She shared that when she was just beginning to play as a very young girl her mother stressed the value of sharing God's gifts with others, so this is what she does.  Honouring God for the gift and honouring others in the sharing.

There was other art displayed, the spoken word was shared and readings from Bev's book from two different, both very talented young adults was presented.  A young woman who is making her way into the world of acting and film did a passionate performance, a monologue from a movie she obviously loves.

And of course there was food.
SO MUCH FOOD.
I just love parties and people and connecting.
I am an extrovert.

So I pulled up to the table and ate with gusto and had a great time with so many of God's masterpieces.
We are His crowning, precious works of art.

And we are honoured to carry within us His Spirit, the very source of creativity and beauty.

On being an Adult

I saw a picture on fb today of a chubby little dog laying on it's tummy, exhausted with it's legs pressed down at awkward angles beside it with the caption saying something like "I can't adult today".

Ah, this is how I've felt today.
Wishing somebody would do the hard parts for me...

Pressures of the apartment, finding yet another renter, feeling the anxiety of my dear sister who is having to be the front lines warrior holding things together over there. Fighting off a migraine and feeling exhausted from a rough night and too many medications, spasms tensing up my back and shaking me around.

But I do remember the importance of my reactions, everyday, to all of these small and big things.
I'm in school down here.
It matters how I respond to the little tests that are sent my way.

By a very kind and incredibly loving Father.
Who is absolutely and completely FOR ME!

He does discipline us and allow tests of all sorts into our lives to prepare us for the graduation and what will follow.
And oh how I want to pass.
Not only pass, but do so with excellence.

To me, excellence would look like love.  Doing the right things with a whole lot of love and kindness.

Therefore I throw up lots of little prayers for mercy and for assistance.
He is God after all and the trust and faith thing is of utmost importance.
And since I'm not supposed to worry about ANYTHING, I may as well just take that to heart and keep casting all of these burdens onto Him.

So I guess I'll just have to "adult" today with God moving in and through and around me, no matter how I feel. He promises to NEVER leave me.
Not such a bad deal.

Plus I feel pretty spoiled with my life.
I love my God.
I love my job,
I love my friends,
I love where I live,
I love my family.
I love chai tea.
I love to laugh.
I love my pets.
I love Spring.
The list is endless.

As is His goodness to me.

Holiday Monday

On the spur of the moment I organized a little backyard bonfire.

My friend Matthew had called me asking if we could get together and do something fun.  This is really an irresistible request if you know Matthew.  He is one of my biggest heroes, as he suffers stuff few young men his age could even imagine and yet he faces life with a smile and encourages and cheers all those he comes in contact with.  He genuinely loves people and is interested in them.

Because I am in a wheelchair and Matthew is in a wheelchair it's pretty much impossible for me to take him out for a good time so I just invited him and about 20 other people over to enjoy the holiday Monday evening.

We had a wiener roast, the kids had an egg hunt in the orchard, the teens and dad's
played some soccer and the rest of us ate and froze around the fire as the evening grew colder.  There were lots of dogs too.

I've been wanting to create a bit of space up here for gatherings with people from church so this was a start.  It felt so good to be outside and I hope to do more of this kind of thing this year.

People bring food, and since it's outside there is less work involved and there are many hands helping out.  Here are all the men doing the hard work of roasting the wieners...

Sweet Abi took her brother Matthew on the egg hunt so they could find the treat with his name on it!  

Ladybug obviously felt somewhat nervous as she jumped right up on Patrice's lap.  She's a little big for a lap dog, but more manageable than Moose. 

Micah was posing with his pocket full of goodies but he was photobombed by his sister holding up a much bigger bag of loot. 

Here are the guys in the back field keeping warm by playing soccer.  

Many marshmallows were torched throughout the evening.  

So great to sit and visit in the dark with the bright stars shining overhead and the warm coals pulling us all in closer.  

Easter Trumps All

I hardly know what to say about this day and everything it signifies.

Very appropriately it's sunny, bright and beautiful.
There are explosions of blossoms everywhere on trees - just like fireworks going off all over the city.
This day is worth celebrating with fireworks!

God knew that all along what was going to happen.  Because the Bible says that "Christ was slain from the foundation of the earth".   That right there is pretty mind blowing, but that's why I think He planned this resurrection day to be in the Spring.  So that all of creation could celebrate the amazing thing that happened over 2000 years ago. God's power resurrected Jesus from the dead.

And this is what Jesus said about that in Revelation 1:18...

"DO NOT BE AFRAID;  I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and BEHOLD
I am alive forevermore,
And I have the keys of death and of Hades"

Oh man that's just the best.
So even though we have to struggle along down here, being accosted by lies and suffering the various and sundry difficulties that come along with having weak little bodies and constantly putting to death our flesh that feels so ridiculously alive so that Christ's amazing life can pour through us..

Even though that is so hard and it feels long, even though it's only very temporary...
Jesus reminds us not to be afraid.

So Easter is just the absolute BEST.
It's a celebration of good news that is often forgotten or ignored because once you've heard it you have to decide what you're going to do with it.

And for me it's a no brainer because I trade in my stupid selfishness for His completeness and glory and life and goodness and hope and joy....
As I was saying...it's a no brainer.

So I've been busy preparing little Easter surprises and treats to celebrate this momentous occasion in my own little tiny way.

I even stopped in at Daniel's to deliver His Easter treats and have a little visit with him.  Cause I miss my boy and love to hear what's going on in his life.

I'm getting ready to go celebrate with family and friends.
Friends that invite me to their big celebration so I don't have to make a huge dinner at a time when my hands are doing their weak and frail thing.
As I said though, it's just temporary so I'm not going to sweat it.

As much as I would love to open my home and invite in some lonely people for this occasion, this time I am invited somewhere else and I'm allowed to bring my tribe with me.

How awesome is that?  I've got the best friends.

And the best family. 

A Good Friday Seder

Twas a fitting day to celebrate Good Friday,
Cool and cloudy.
But signs of Spring and new life were everywhere as we drove through town.
We sang hymns and had communion at a lovely service at Mom's church this morning.

Here's Elsie and I heading into Mom's.  Kind of a fun reflection picture with the beautiful blossoms all around us.

We shared a lunch of Borscht, bread and cheese and of course the traditional Paska with sweet creamed cheese spread.
I can't believe Mom still pulls all of this off.
At 87, despite the fact that she is moving very slowly and is often in pain, she is still baking the Paska and putting on this lovely lunch on her fancy dinner plates in the dining room.  Thankfully Dad is a huge help now and today Elsie and Patrice helped too.  I feel overwhelmed sometimes that I am not helping her more, but then I remember that I am paralyzed.
And all that, but still...

So we gather and share a meal on this hugely significant day of remembrance.
I'm so grateful for this day, for all that it signifies and how it changed ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING.

Out of sorrow sprang joy, out of death sprang life.
Out of despair springs a hope eternal.
It's a really, really, big wonderful deal.


Interestingly, Anita found a Jewish Passover for us to attend this evening.
This evening when Easter and Passover and a blood moon all converge...

The program looked something like this, only we had about 21 pages of material to cover.

We sat together with our Jewish brothers and sisters and listened to the telling of the story of the exodus...
We ate the bitter herbs and matzah bread and sang songs in Hebrew.
We drank the wine - there was opportunity to polish off four glasses during the entire ceremony if one so desired.

We ate this beautiful significant meal.  The very same one that Jesus would have eaten with his disciples on that fateful night.  And because of what He did after eating that meal, we have already crossed over from death to life.

There were extra Yarmulke's so Ollie put one on and ended up looking like the Pope.  But these guys below were the real deal. 

It was a pretty fancy schmanzy meal and this was the dessert! 

They opened the door to welcome Elijah and I welcomed the Messiah.  Asking for revelation to come to these dear brothers and sisters, who opened the door so that we could share their Seder meal with them.  

The final perfect passover lamb, the Son of God, has been sacrificed for once and for all.  For ALL.

Hallelujah!