Blue Skies, Sunshine & Snow

The last day of the year looked like this.

Blue skies, sunshine & snow.

Mom had a fun time partying at her Senior's Club and she came home wearing a crown!

She is truly a queen of a woman.

I feel so blessed to have her here living with me.

We had the most peace-filled and beautiful New Year's Eve together.

As she sat listening to music and resting I was working on a puzzle while I enjoyed a live video feed of the One Thing Conference being held in Kansas.

A beautiful thing is happening, where many of the streams that I have been a part of over the past many years are converging.

YWAM, Watchmen for the Nations and the International House of Prayer were all together for a night of worship and intercession.

They were having communion as a powerful end of the year wrap up so I joined in with Mom and we even got Elsie on the phone to share the bread & wine as we prayed together.

It was one of the sweetest and most powerful New Year's Eve celebrations I have ever had.

I felt God's beautiful all encompassing presence and I was able to be a part of the bigger Body of Christ in a very tangible and incredibly meaningful way. 

God knows how to meet us exactly where we are.

I'm not missing out on ANYTHING.

I'm exactly where I am supposed to be in the centre of His beautiful will.

Totally in love with Jesus.

Friends & Food

We managed to get the Gagenzeit crowd together for a visit around a big bowl of ham and pea soup and yummy buns.

The richness of deep abiding friendships that have shared joys and weathered storms together is such a special gift!

Patrice had some kind hands helping her unravel wool for yet another project she is working on.  These days she has been knitting the cutest little sweaters for her friends who are having babies.

This legacy of friendship goes on through our kids and hopefully on to future generations...

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Zee, Christine and myself managed to get in what is becoming a yearly "after Christmas tea".

It's a rich and beautiful friendship and we end our visit with prayers of faith and words of encouragement.

Zee is moving to New Zealand in the New Year so new adventures await.

We all had an extra surprise visit at the Anglican Church which was such a treat, especially since some of our kids were there as well.

The snow that eluded us at Christmas fell on the 29th and it was spectacular!

Patrice managed to get us all situated at Grandma's house for a year end visit and delicious chicken dinner complete with "bobbat", a Mennonite dish I have missed.

It was delicious! 

Continual Christmas

Christmas Eve morning.

The coziness and cuteness continues!

Stockings were opened before Daniel & Nicole left to celebrate with her side of the family at the coast.

In the evening we got together to sing some carols and to share a meal.

Holidays are so valuable to keep us connected.

I'm glad they happen and I'm glad for a home that is big enough to host these gatherings!

Because we celebrated early, Christmas Day was wide open for other fun outings.

After a leisurly breakfast, Mom went to Tante Hilda's for the day and Patrice and I popped in at the Gagnon's for the annual Christmas brunch

I love my big assorted family!

This was what my drive home looked like.

No snow, but so much beauty!

Patrice and I had a relaxing afternoon watching the movie Paddington and in the evening Anita popped over with her niece and we had fun with together. 

So much silliness...

I discovered things on my phone that I didn't know about before!

Cozy Christmas Times

We had a fun little family outing to a new bakery in town that produces delicious sour dough and other assorted breads and goodies.

Daniel and Patrice are so both skilled sour dough bakers and connoisseurs so we thought we'd go and check out the local goods.

And sip coffee, of course. 

Sweet Becca has joined us for our early Christmas so it was a delight to have her along AND to run into Bethany! 

Ahhh, these incredible grown up versions of the littles I have been blessed to know for a very long time now!

******JOY!******

The kitchen was a hub of activity as we prepared for our early Christmas celebration.

All these happy helpers... a mother's absolute delight!

 Leo enjoyed watching the festivities from his comfy couch.

Another circle of love, gathering around the long kitchen table that has seen such an assortment of celebrations over the years.

God's goodness right here.

Right now.

And the cozy hours following the feast where quiet conversations hum and happy contented activities occur as lights twinkle and gifts are shared.

God is in the midst of us.

Emmanuel...

A million thank you's would never suffice but we will worship you forever for coming 

and changing everything. 

December Sunshine

This is the kind of December we have been enjoying!

So mild and even sunshine...

The picture above was taken on the 15th - what would have been Dad's 93rd birthday.

We are all so grateful that he is celebrating in heaven this year. 

I'm sure that no one is happier than he is about that!

I spent that morning wrapping gifts so they would be tucked into their stockings by the time the kids arrived.

I managed to get a little remnant of my old 1980's "mini church" together for a Christmas party.

Such precious friends.

Seeing how their kids are growing is a real time marker.

Sandra was a babysitter for Daniel when he was about 3 and here is her sweet daughter having fun with a Gingerbread house. 

Mom tends to get a little bit disoriented when I have company over.  I think it's hard for her to follow the conversations and she's not always completely sure about who is sitting at the table, probably due to her diminished eyesight.

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It's always a big thrill when Daniel and Nicole arrive for the holidays.

Leo was introduced to Oma but he was feeling a little shy.

He was a lot more excited about the budgies! 

Kind of like a live TV program running at all times...

We decided it was a good idea to keep the cage door closed during Leo's stay.

It's such a cozy season and there are so many sweet reunions that happen as we all gather for Christmas.

It was so fun to see Daniel and Jeremy catching up on news. 

Nicole helped me to get the gift bags put together for the tenants at our apartment.

It's fun to imagine them bringing joy to someone who is possibly having a lonely Christmas.

There was a games night with a few good friends.

Becca came to spend an early Christmas with us which was really special too.

And lots of other cozy Christmas scenes.

Warmth and light in the darkness!