The Weather Outside is Frightful...

Our little yellow house is still peeping out from it's deep blanket of snow.

We just keep getting more and more snow and it's not even January yet.

But even though "the weather out here is frightful" it doesn't stop us from partying!

We had the neighbours over for an evening of warm fellowship and fun.

So wonderful to keep up the tradition of a yearly gathering so we can stay connected beyond the waves and hellos we give each other when we are passing on the road.

There are also hot drinks happening on a regular basis.

I got a new favourite mug along with a gorgeous butter dish from my two girls.

These will be sweet reminders of them keeping my heart warm even after they head back to the coast.

If you look carefully you can see that the birds are having a little moment of love as well up on their roof.

Meanwhile, Moose has been giving us grief.

He's been having digestive issues for the past long while, but gradually he stopped eating and we decided it was time for an emergency visit to the vet.

He was just a bag of bones and was very lethargic and turning his nose away from the snacks that he normally loved.

I figured he was on the way out so there were tears and grieving but somehow he keeps rallying.

I even set up Anita on FaceTime with him since I figured a farewell was imminent.

But he is still with us.

And his appetite is returning.

Wow. 

This is hard on my nerves, but I'm happy to still have him around.

On Boxing Day we were all invited over to the Zeitner's for some delicious snacks and an evening of fun.

These friends are like family and I'm so glad we keep making the effort to gather even though schedules are full and lives are busy.

I headed out on an extremely snowy day to catch up with these lovely ladies.

We spent a couple of hours sharing our hearts and praying for one another.

Rich fellowship indeed.

Thankfully I had people help me in the parking lot since the snow was piled up everywhere.

No picnics happening in the back yard these days! 

Instead we gather around warmly lit tables for meals and games.

I'm glad I get to join the younger crowd when they come up for visits with Patrice.

The year ended well.

Patrice and I enjoyed a beautiful service at the Anglican Church followed by lunch and a movie with her friend from A Rocha and her mom.

New Year's Eve was quiet - too snowy to join in with parties so I had a sweet time on my bed, journaling and praying while the 16 year old downstairs had a bunch of friends over for a raucous evening of teenager fun.

Who needs parties when you've got this kind of sweet company? 

Lakeside Reunion

A spontaneous text led to this lovely little reunion at the lakeside.

The weather has been VERY cold with VERY MUCH SNOW but I decided to be brave and make the effort to see these precious souls.

Plus I had Patrice to push me through the areas that were harder to navigate.

Mom's and daughters.

Friends for about 10 years now.

Erin is home from Ottawa and Patrice from Surrey so we met over some drinks and appies.

Oh to look into these friendly eyes; to share hopes and dreams and hear about stories that are unfolding.  

The appetizers were pretty amazing too.

I wonder what will unfold in the next ten years?!

Grateful that we can commit our paths to the Lord and watch where He leads us.

His faithfulness is beyond amazing and His goodness knows no limits.

And... it's CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Eve looked a little different this year as we all squeezed into Mom and Dad's little suite but it was cozy and delightful.

Elsie brought along the advent candle centrepiece and there were lots of goodies to be enjoyed.

Opa loved visiting with the grandkids and they each took some time to sit with him and engage in a setting that is easier for him to understand them.

It was a quiet evening that ended with some ukulele playing and we left with happy hearts.

Christmas morning was sweet.
I've got the kids all staying at my place which is a first, I believe.

Seems I get more time with them now that they've moved away!

Little Bluebird was enjoying watching Nicole eat her breakfast.

We headed over to the Gagnon's for their traditional Christmas brunch and Daniel and Nicole popped in before driving back to Vancouver to have some time with her family.

Here is Daniel and his lifelong best friend Ryan enjoying some goodies together.

I don't know how Sue pulls it off every year, but I'm sure glad she does!

Sometimes I'm able to join in and it's amazing to see the clan getting bigger and the once small kids are now adults with spouses and even a couple of grandkids are part of the mix.

Such a happy, noisy, bustling reunion...

Crowded with life and love.

Old memories and new colliding. 

Because I was only in charge of half of our Christmas supper at home I was able to come home and lay down for awhile before the next celebration began at our house.

There was a delicious spread once again and a new assortment of loved ones laughing and visiting around the extended table.

More music and merry making ensued and the house was filled with happy hearts and gratefulness.

Because He came we celebrate.

Jesus, the centre of it all.

The author of life and love and family and home. 

Tucked Away In Winter

I’m tucked away in a winter lodge with my three children for two days of cozy, snowy, togetherness.  It feels like a dream come true and my  heart sings a happy song as I listen to the kids chatting in the kitchen as they prepare meals.

They are so kind to each other and this moves me deeply.  To hear their gentle laughter and to observe the consideration they show each other.  I wish I wasn’t such a burden in the sense of needing so much  physical help when I am out of my home element that serves me so well.  

But there is something about getting away into a different environment that allows us to interact intentionally, to enjoy a gentle rhythm together and to reconnect. So I make the effort to search out a place that will work for the wheelchair and I happily pay for this privilege. 

Merry Christmas to me! 

 I have missed Daniel, in particular, this fall as he has  really been swallowed up into graduate school and has had very little energy left to pursue anything but that. 

Out here we have time to rest, relax, read, play games, visit and just be.  Such a gift.  

There is also time to enjoy the great outdoors despite frightfully cold weather and a deep blanket of snow. The kids went out snowshoeing and trekked out onto the lake and into the woods.    

I, on the other hand remain cozily tucked into the lodge looking out through big windows onto the picturesque landscape...

Drinking hot drinks and thanking God for His mercies.   

There is also a games room next door where we had a fun afternoon playing pool and air hockey.  

This little family of mine is far from perfect, but there is so much good despite the onslaught of difficulties we have endured…paralysis, broken marriage, depression, daunting diagnosis and anxiety. But this is life on earth.   We all face struggles; some are mountains that look and feel impossibly high and steep, and so they have been.  But there has been the beautiful loving hand of God – DIVINE INTERVENTION – that breaks in time and time again to rescue us from  succumbing to despair. 

He doesn’t pull us out of the hard things in most cases, but He anoints us with strength, courage, wisdom and the occasional miracle that allows us to breathe steadily again and have hope. 

To carry on in our journey and to laugh along the way. 

I’m so glad that I know my journey is leading somewhere very beautiful.  Outrageously so.  So I pray that He will strengthen me daily to fix my eyes on Him and to “run with endurance” this race that He has set before me. 

To quote a favorite scripture/song I've been listening to up here:  “Although we are weeping, 
Lord help us keep sowing, the seeds of your Kingdom…. 
Your sheaves we will carry, Lord please do not tarry…
All those who sow weeping will go out with songs of joy…”