Christmas 2022 Recap of another blessed but quiet year

“Rise up in splendor and be radiant, for your light has dawned and Yahweh’s glory now streams from you! Look carefully!  Darkness blankets the earth and thick gloom covers the nations, but 

Yahweh arises upon you and the brightness of His glory appears over you!” Isaiah 60:1,2 TPT 

Christmas Greetings Beloved Ones!                                          December  29, 2022

 

I’m gratefully tucked into my cozy home looking out at a wintery landscape.  Another year has passed, and this one has been a tougher one, mostly due to a shoulder injury that has significantly impacted my life.  Some years are “written in minor keys” and despite pain and greater limitation there is still so much beauty in the melody as I look to Jesus for perspective and strength. It’s not a bad thing to be reminded of how much I need Him and how His plans are perfect and good even when I don’t understand the working out of them.  

 

My kids are both still working at the coast.  Daniel loves working as an Occupational Therapist at a neuro unit, and he has found himself a lovely girlfriend named Michelle who also works as an OT with kids.   Patrice is still doing admin work for the Christian environmental organization, A Rocha – Brooksdale.  I wish the kids lived closer, but despite the distance I have seen them often in this past year.  My sweet dog Winnie keeps me company and I have a fabulous housemate, Hannah, who is working, studying, and helping me out. I have also started an online course on Spiritual Direction (thru Sustainable Faith), which provides my life with some much-needed structure and focus.  Plus, the reading material is very life-giving and fascinating! 

 

Mom (95) is being well cared for in a home, but we miss the interaction we had with her when she lived with us.  Tante Hilda is thriving at 91 and still living on her own.  Elsie is doing well, and we continue to have our Sunday evening meals together, sometimes including other friends.  Vic and Marcia were just here for a week, and it was lovely to be together and Vic makes sure to spend lots of time with Mom and helps Elsie and I out with lots of practical things.   

 

May you experience the truth of the Isaiah passage above in 2023!  Although we are experiencing much darkness the light of His glory is always more powerful! 

I will also leave you with a beautiful prayer I read in a Christmas devotional.  It echoes my heart’s desire and I pray you will experience the joy of being “enfolded in His arms” no matter what your circumstances!  

 

Much love from Karen, 

(of the little yellow house on the orchard)   

 

“I am coming, my Jesus. I am coming with my face upward and my hands open, for You have called me. And like a little child who trusts his father, who believes his mother, I am restless until I am enfolded in your arms. I need you in this dark world that shuns the light and rejects You at every step. And I thank you for the music, for the lights in dark places, and for the silence of your smile and your tender but firm grasp of my mind, my body, my soul. There is room in my heart for You, now and always. Amen.”  (Dr. Longinow)

Turkey Time & Christmas

I just LOVR roasting a turkey and I'm so glad the kids are adults now and I don't have to heave the who fellow into the oven on my own anymore.

Although sometimes I'm alone in the house and I fling him in with all my might...

The simplicity of smothering it with onions and butter, salt and pepper and having the house slowly fill with the most awesome aroma just never gets old.

These two beloved of mine.

My cup overflows when I see them interacting and showing so much kindness, love and patience with one another.  

I had prayed OFTEN when they were young that they would be kind to each other as there were definitely personality differences and opportunities for friction but by the grace of God I am able to witness this love and answer to prayer.

I truly could not have asked for better kids.

They astound me and once again evidence of God's kindness and faithfulness. 

Lots of holiday sweetness...and these pictures completely out of order, but sometimes holidays feel like that...a menagerie of rest, fun, food and fellowship.

Puppies doing their thing.

Delicious food.

Necessary haircut to tidy Oma up! 

Love, Love and more Love...

Family interactions

and TRADITION!

And cuteness overload,

Grateful to God for endless blessings and delights all surrounding the greatest celebration - fireworks of love bursting in the sky as we remember and delight in the humble night when the King of Kings took his place in the humble cradle.  

But THANKS be to God who sent HIs precious Son to redeem and save us

Gagnon CHRISTMAS BRUNCH - YUMMMM!

AHHH, the warmth of familiar welcome and the hellos and hugs as we finally meet again at the Gagnon's for their outrageously delicious Christmas Brunch Spread.  

Sue and Henry always outdo themselves but none of us are complaining as we happily circle the table nibble on quich and shortbread, sausages and poppy seed loaf with THE BEST icing!! 

Little Pip dressed in his winter gear is hoping for a few snacks that might fall and it is a slightly safer spot with so many people invading his space.

These good life-long buds doing what they love to do.  Hang together, laugh and challenge each other to tricky games or in better weather, high mountain passes! 

Not all the family is represented but everyone there so precious and loved.

These friends that have turned into family,

Oh My Heart.

The goodness of God hits me around every corner,

He kisses me with beauty and kindness endlessly if only I have eyes to see and recognize each and every good gift that comes down from heaven from MY FATHER of HEAVENLY LIGHTS!!

The smiles are golden.

The love so palpable. 

And of course always the canine representation, this one being a rather fine specimen! 

THE ASHWORTHS!!!

 

This happy unexpected invasion of Ashworth (three out of five) brought many happy laughs and good visits into my home.

Dear Lorna entered my life when Daniel was 2 as a baby-sitter but she quickly weaselled her way into all of our hearts ad because a family friend for life.

I was heartbroken when she took off for missions in Jamaica, but it turns out it was a very good move as she found herself a super-star husband who is now a vicar and she is a full fledged theological something and they have moved here from England for a year or two to do some work at an Anglican Church in Vancouver.

It's been bliss and pure delight to get to see them interact as a family after all these years, but we have shared a rich and long friendship, and now I have fallen in love with her whole family.

They live a life of service to many generations and are lovers and seekers of truth. 

It wasn't along visit but such a gift.

They needed to get back to Vancouver to lead Christmas services.

And in the midst of the fun and games Winnie turned three and of course had to celebrate this milestone with a poop on on carpet .

But how can I not love her to BITS?! 

Blessed Indeed

I hosted a little luncheon for this sweet group of ladies who have invited me into their prayer circle. 

We share our stories,  pray and just generally get really excited about God together. It's such an honour to spend time with them and we have some good laughs as well.

Leanne provided the "Blessed" Napkins which pretty much say it all!

Corie brought a beautiful leather bound Charles Spurgeon "Morning & Evening" devotional for each of us with the following written in the front of each one:

"Shielded together for His glory,

Linked together for His purposes, 

Marching together for His love."

We feasted, drank coffee and shared as the rain began to drizzle down, revelling in the powerful presence of God that descended over us.

Blessed indeed,

Hidden under the shadow of His Wings,

Trusting.

Surrounded by loving friends. 

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

I also had stellar evening with my hobbit friends, watching another short instalment of the Rings Trilogy.

This time Patrice came along and enjoyed the delicious meal
and laughed with us as we brandished swords along with our heroes on the screen. 

Such a gift to have these sweet and delightful nights together, each of us having our own epic journey of highs and lows as we are led by the King of Kings.

Spring Visits

                             

Vic and Marcia came for a visit and we were all thrilled to be able to be on the back patio enjoying all the blossoms and blooms! 

Mom's birthday, my birthday and Mother's Day all land pretty close together (very unfortunate as I see it, as I prefer to space things out) so there are lots of occasions and reasons to celebrate and love on each other. 

The kids took me out to a new ribs place on the Westside for my 60th.

What was supposed to be a fun weekend away with the two of them didn't end up happening due to all sorts of life circumstances, but I was blessed to spend time with them and to be treated to a most amazing meal.

A feast fit for kings and queens! 

Daniel's work life is quite a mystery to me, apart from the bits I get through conversation with him, but he did send this picture that he took of him in his "viral-protection" gear. He's been working in New Westminster, the place where he did his first practicum. He does work with stroke patients and other neurological type cases and finds it fascinating. 

Here is one of my latest health ventures - and it's producing faster than I can keep up with.

Sprouties galore! 

The beauty and gift of daily rhythms with our sweet animals.

Patrice and I were outside thrilling to the beauty of double rainbows on a very green and glorious evening. 

I'll take the promise for her, for better days and a sound, peaceful mind. 

We also had the opportunity to take in a fabulous trio making marvellous music at metro. (look at me with all this amazing alteration) It was a cool rainy evening, but worth the extra effort to hear such stellar sounds. 

Lorna's daughter Teya surprised me by calling and saying she was going to drive up for a couple of days.  

She's such a brave young lady.

Moved from England and her rugby life and stayed in her parent's new "summer rental" on Kootenay Lake alone while working at Ainsworth Hot Springs. 

So I guess a few days with some friends was a welcome diversion and we were so happy to have her join us.  

She feels like family. 

She's very lovely and easy to be with and it gave Patrice and I an excuse to head downtown to show her around and eat some goodies.. 

Two lovely tall gals! 

She's a girl after our own hearts - loves good food, relaxing, reading...

and games, of course!!