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?!