Come Away with Me...

We are still the frozen South of the great white North...

And it has been a very snowy white winter. 

Beautiful but cold.

Perfect weather for sitting indoors with frothy hot drinks and catching up on important things.

                      A friend of Anita's came to stay with me for a few days.  She was "on assignment" from the Lord and felt that she was to bring this scarf to me and to spend time praying with me.  

The Lord said she was to visit the prophet, the intercessor and the worshiper.  So in her words, she came to "the paralyzed intercessor".  I was the second assignment. This picture doesn't accurately represent the colours and vibrancy of the scarf, but here on the card you can see it clearly and read the beautiful words that the artist wrote about it.

When I saw the scarf I was reminded of the song that the Lord dropped into my spirit and fingers back in 1996.  

"I will set your feet a dancing, dancing 

Oh my Love, we will run upon the hills.."

So many things in the picture resonate with me - the dancing bride, the Canada flag, the colourful flowers and even the beloved Moose.

And these words below are pure gold.

Truly, I am my Beloved's and He is Mine...

The scarf was a sacrificial gift,  given in obedience and I want to receive it with the respect and honour that such a gift deserves.

It speaks to me of that time when I was so passionately pursuing Jesus and I am receiving it from Him, the invitation that He is always extending, to all of us.

"Make yourself ready, fill your lamps with oil..."

Yes, yes, Lord. 

Kisa wanted to know more of my story and when she heard that my 35th anniversary since the accident was coming up she was immediately impressed to share Isaiah 35 with me which I have already quoted in my January 1st blog.  

There were all sorts of significant details (to her prophetic mind) in regards to times and dates and what was to come.

We spent time in worship and prayer and waiting...

She spoke often of us being "laid down lovers" and it reminded me of days gone by when my heart was truly smitten by the love of God and I was so much more intimate with Him, sensing His nearness and companionship in very tangible ways. 

I want to have Him come again like that.

To be a laid down lover, seeking Him above all else...

So I was encouraged that the Lord had indeed not forgotten me or any of the promises He made to me, or to any of us for that matter.

I began to dig up old journals and found things that He had spoken to me and my family that I had forgotten! 

"Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory!
    May streams of your refreshing flow over us
    until our dry hearts are drenched again.
 Those who sow their tears as seeds
    will reap a harvest with joyful shouts of glee.
 They may weep as they go out carrying their seed to sow,
    but they will return with joyful laughter and shouting with gladness
    as they bring back armloads of blessing and a harvest overflowing!"

Psalm 126

This is my cry and my prayer and His promise to those who long for His coming.

So I've been challenged to stir up my faith.

To call forth again "that which is not yet as if it already were..." Romans 4:17 KJV 

There are so many of us that have put things on the back shelf, and have been not been pressing in for the promises as we once did.

Hope deferred has led to discouragement and perhaps doubt.

Thank God for sending someone to stir up the coals and fan the flames.

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

Our Sunday evening gatherings have continued and Anita joined us with her new little side-kick "Rosie" whom she adopted on Christmas Eve.

She had a feeling that her Dad wouldn't be around that much longer and she knew she needed a little somebody to love on and fill her time in that eventuality.

That day came on the 29th of this month.

She was trying to call me as he was passing,  but I was on the phone wishing Vic a happy birthday.

Strange how these things happen.

So dear sweet Ollie is finally free from his suffering and Anita is processing what life without him looks like.  

We were happy to have Anita and Rosie spend the evening with us.

It's good to have friends that feel like family and to have safe spaces to go as we adjust to our new normals.

I also had a fun visit that could possibly be unto something in the future.

Mark and Tiffany came by with their newest little addition, baby Alba.

Little Henry was moving so fast it seems I didn't get a picture of him!

They are interested in some sort of "community living" and I could potentially be a part of that.

More praying and consideration needed there, but it's nice to know I could be a part of something with such stellar folks!

There is always hope on the horizon and a silver lining on every cloud.

Beauty abounds in this amazing world of mine. 

Hobbits In the Man-Cave!

I happen to know so many of the most amazing people AND now their amazing kids and sometimes I get invited into their more personal, sacred spaces which is always an honour.  

I feel God's goodness in countless ways, reaching out and encircling me and I am filled with gratitude.

Over and over again.  

So these two beauties (and Joshua) invited me into their winter of "Hobbit" nights.

Dinner and a movie at a time when we are locked out of theatres and most restaurants- ha!!

Because their "theatre room" is upstairs, we head out to the "man-cave" complete with monkey's hanging from the ceiling and 3 different screens on which to watch our chosen show.

We end up opting for one corner of the huge screen that is right in front of our table.

Seriously, how much fun is that?

It beats going to the theatre any day!

Not to mention the exquisite cuisine that Celia serves - all organic and super delicious.

RIGHT?!?

But the best part is that we are all of the same tribe - we talk DURING the movie and no one minds!!  

Huston, I have found my people! 

Well, actually, the best, BEST part is that after we watch one of the episodes we do a de-briefing, thanks to Jasmine (who has been to theatre school, written screen-plays and has done some professional acting.)

The Hobbit story itself is so rich and deep and the movie is just over the top amazing lending itself to many profound insights and life-lessons.

That way you get a four way benefit - not only do you leave impacted by whatever your own mind was able to apprehend, but you get insights from the others.

It's vulnerable and beautiful - watching these ones interact and getting to be a part of this intimate family time.

They've all been through a lot and are honouring each other as they discover new ways of being together.

Somehow I've been invited in to this sweet place.

So I'm nourished in body and spirit and I leave this place covered in love. 

Truly, His mercy and goodness follow me ALL the days of my life and after this it gets even better, so ultimately I'm a prize winner extraordinare, not by any merit of my own! 

As I just read the other day...

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place."

2 Corinthians 2:4

Yes, YES and AMEN!

A New Year is Born...

In the midst of marvellous and chilling beauty a New Year is born.

For our mild little valley, hitting lows of minus 29 for an extended period of time has been a surprise, but it's just the coziest thing to have a warm house from which one can watch the frozen landscape.

I have marvelled at the ability of the sweet tiny birds to survive and thrive as they flit about finding food and singing their brave little songs. 

The indoor wildlife is also happy to look out while languidly enjoying the warmth and bounty of a happy warm home with a full bowl of kibbles at ready supply.  

Winnie and Willow have gotten back to some of their playful puppy antics, bringing us much joy and laughter. 

Dear Becca came by for a visit and these two beautiful ones took a walk together in the winter wonderland.

These holidays have had plenty of time for playing games, and our current favourite was left with us by Daniel. 

More puppy fun was enjoyed when Anita and Kisa came up with little Rosie, the latest addition to our canine tribe. 

So many sparkles in the midst of this winter season.

My Truth for 2022

Isaiah 35

The wilderness and dry land will be joyously glad!

The desert will blossom lie a rose and rejoice! 

Every dry and barren place will burst forth with abundant blossoms,

dancing and spinning with delight!

Lebanon's lush splendour covers it,

The magnificent beauty of Carmel and Sharon.

My people will see the awesome glory of Yahweh,

the beautiful grandeur of our God. 

Strengthen those who are discouraged.

Energize those who feel defeated.

Say to the anxious and fearful,

"Be strong and never afraid.

Look, here comes your God! 

He is breaking through to give you victory!

He comes to avenge your enemies.

With divine retribution he comes to save you!"

Then blind eyes will open and deaf ears will hear.

Then the lame will leap like playful deer

and the tongue -tied will sing songs of triumph.

Gushing water will spring up in the wilderness

and streams will flow through the desert.

The burning sand will become a refreshing oasis

the parched ground bubbling springs,

the dragon' lair a meadow 

with grass, reeds and papyrus.

There will be a highway of holiness called the Sacred Way.

The impure will not be permitted on this road,

but it will be accessible to God's people.

And not even fools will lose their way.

The lion will not be found there;

no wild beast will travel on it -

they will not be found there.

But the redeemed will find a pathway on it.

Yahweh's ransomed ones will return with glee to Zion.

They will enter with songs of rejoicing

and be crowned with everlasting joy.

Ecstatic joy will overwhelm them;

weariness and grief will disappear!