Students to Love

As much as I have been apprehensive about starting work at the school again and getting into that routine, I'm happy to be over the hump. The first one, anyways!

I have met my new students. Five fantastic masterpieces... full of promise and potential. And I am privileged to work with them.

One on one.
Twice a week.
My opportunity to make a difference.

To speak life into one who calls himself an idiot. He comes across with such bravado, but underneath he needs to know he's so valuable and precious. I feel like we broke through and that I made a friend. Ah sweet victory... may Jesus bless those moments we spend together to learn far more than how to decode words.

To encourage the young man who is so out of his element in the school atmosphere, but so brilliant with his hands and machinery. He literally glows when he talks about his home business and he so proudly handed me his card.

To help the little ones held back another year to make sense of the letters and words that keep appearing before them. Those bright eager eyes, those humble hearts, so trusting and so beautiful.

And one I have taught before. Now we get to move into new territory. Bigger words and advancement. The 21 lessons stretch out before him and he is so willing to work. Familiar and comfortable. The journey has begun.

Father I present to you this year of teaching and these precious lives. You, dear Holy Spirit are the counsellor and teacher. I call on you to please be present every single time I meet with my students. That you would teach me and you would teach them. Enable us to discover the high calling that Jesus has on each one of our lives.

Help me never to forget what's most important.
To love these ones you've entrusted into my care for these hours every week.

Thank you for this privilege. Let the fruit be eternal.

Transition

I am incredibly unsettled. This is the first year that I don't have a child heading back to school and not having that structured world around me anymore is harder than I ever thought it would be. I actually didn't think about it much because it was far far away in the ever so distant future for most of my life. Why oh why did I not have several more children all spaced out so that the next fifteen or twenty years would still be figured out for me and I wouldn't have to ask God every day what on earth I should be doing? Ha, caught in the act I am!! Wanting the familiar life back and the easier route. How did that Keith Green song go? "So you wanna go back to Egypt, where it's warm and secure....". Not that raising kids was Egypt. It was warm and secure for sure.

But my future is here. Big long empty days full of not a whole lot. My kids are both out there somewhere making a life for themselves. Thankfully they still come home at the end of the day and I get to bask in their presence and still take part in their lives to some degree. But they are moving on. They are beautiful, healthy, independent adults. Just like it was supposed to turn out.

Thankfully I have my volunteer teaching position coming up at my daughter's old school. At least I hope the position will still be there for me. And I've applied for a "continuing studies" course at the local college. I just phoned to see whatever happened to my application and to find out why I haven't heard anything. It doesn't sound so good right now, but I need to phone back. I told God, of course, that it was in His Hands but I do that assuming His hands are doing what I want them to do. Sigh.

Need to keep trusting. Trusting. Trusting.

And I'm hoping to structure my life more carefully this fall so I don't have quite so many free evenings to lay here by myself. The TESL course was supposed to take care of some of that but now that has become a little uncertain and I am feeling a little panicky. Thinking about having a Bible Study night and maybe a regular girls movie night in my bedroom to help the long dark winter to pass in a more cheerful and rapid manner.

So dear Lord. You know my life. Please help me to let go of the steering wheel and trust you to fill in my days. Use me to be a blessing to those you want me to touch. To not be afraid of the new silence that has settled over my life. To believe that you have a future and a hope for me. To use my many spare minutes to call forth blessing and a future in the lives of those that you call to mind.

Thank you for giving me time to pray and to join with you in the job of intercession. A job that is truly a delight with eternal rewards. And thank you for the sweet puppies that are here with me keeping me company. Rather quiet company.

I have a dinner here to host tonight and so will continue my fall and winter. God will fill my days with good things.

Gathering in Ottawa

It's unfortunate that I don't visit here more often. Significant events occur and it's difficult to capture the magnitude of the occasion adequately in hindsight. But better late than never...

In the midst of this smoky, hot summer I boarded a plane and flew to cooler climes in our nation's capital to attend a gathering of the saints. A gathering to honor God in our country and to witness the alignment of this beloved nation with the purposes of God.

Through reconciliation, first with the Jews and then within our borders.
Honoring the First Nations, walking in humility and blessing those who were here first.
Recognizing the significance of protocol, reaching back to heal the future.
Seeking ever greater levels of unity between the English and the French.
Two flags knotted together, two languages mingling, laughter, acceptance, deference.

Unity in the midst of diversity.
The mosaic shining with ever increasing brilliance.
And the rocks of remembrance, brought from all corners of this great land witnessing the acts of obedience, acts of blessing as many peoples chose to honor others above themselves. A cup hewn from the knot of a tree gifted from the first nations to the members of parliament. A drink shared.
Water poured out.
New beginnings.
A shared future.


The rocks have listened and witnessed a new level of unity, and the favor of God is realized.

"The time is fulfilled
The Kingdom of God is at hand"

Get ready Canada!
Through a faithful remnant.
Through many tears and trials.
Through acts of obedience and honor.
The healing has begun.

For the sake of His Kingdom. For the healing of the nations.

loving summer

oh it's just been so lovely... sleeping in, friends visiting for a month at a time, breakfast on the patio, colorful flowers spilling out of planters, fruit ripening before our very eyes, the lake so blue, roads winding through rich green growth and warmth.


so much warmth
and light!
long, lazy, beautiful summer days.

and the doggies just adding so much fun to every day!
oh the delight of those eager morning greetings,
the moose ready to play catch the moment he steps outside
and his little lady leaping like a calf from her stall.

this day so full of summer goodness.
time at the lake with my boy and my mom,
the doggies and one very sweet friend.

a picnic and laughter
swimming dogs chasing sticks.

great big trees
shading us from the bright yellow sun.

supper on a restaurant patio
with all of my kids (i love how God
adds arrows to my little quiver
so it doesn't feel quite so skinny)
good food
more laughter
the pleasure runs deep.

a thankyou kiss from the boy,
now a man who graces us with his time-
home from camp for such a little while.

the girl so tired from a day of work.
so grown up, so beautiful,
adjusting to adulthood.

my cup runneth over.

June

Ah, the sweet fullness of summer emerges! So much activity this month has contained. Guestrooms full and celebrations beckon. Wedding showers, family gatherings, father's day, birthdays, exams, the joy of the doggies coloring each day, a graduate.

A graduate!!
The day arrived amidst so much preparation.
Gathering family, sitting with friends,
Shouting with joy as names were read
The certificates received and caps tossed high.
Pictures, laughter, hugs, and more pictures!
A sigh of relief.



Swishing gowns, limousines, corsages and suits.
The smiles are huge, the banquet enjoyed.
Beauty and brilliance.
Parties and dancing.
Beautiful, magnificent potential.
The Father smiles.

A journey finished, another begun.

My house so full of God's kindness. I am overwhelmed with thankfulness. Surrounded on all sides with His great goodness. Young ladies gracing my home, filling it with laughter and fun. Food abounds, meals on the patio enjoyed as the warm evenings and sunsets on the mountains provide a magnificent dining room.

So my dear daughter was the crowning glory of a most amazing month. I present her to the King, His lovely daughter and pray that in her moments and days and future her life would be a vessel where His kingdom will reside in ever increasing measure. She has chosen the best.

She has chosen Jesus and He will lead her in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake.
Amen.

Naming the Trees

Green leafy branches
sway in the breeze
loving my trees
Reminders of a fun spring day,
a visit to the tree auction.
Bravely waving my number
again and again,
big grin on my face...
Visions of my barren yard
being transformed
into a lush paradise.

From thin wisps these trees have grown
Tall, beautiful and strong.
The years have seen them stretch
taller than the house.
Now from down the road
they welcome me
Heralding home.


Oakley; beautiful, shapely, tall and strong
Silverado in all his shimmering loveliness
The three amigos; my cheerful poplars,
towering masses of quivering leaves
so wonderfully big, shooting for the skies!
Curly willows, artistic beauties
unique, tenacious!
Guardian; his green gorgeousness,
framed by my bedroom window

Sharing the seasons
Colouring my world
Reaching for the sky
Giving shade
Clapping their hands with joy
Bringing glory to their Creator
And joy to His Beloved

I'm so grateful for the green growth
For new hope and a new season.

Mother's Day

I am so gloriously blessed!
So Rich in everything that matters!
Grateful to my Father for His tender mercies and unending love.

Had a wonderful Mother's Day.
Woke up to sunshine and the smell of fresh bread.
Flowers on the counter with cards and notes from my precious kids...even from beautiful Nicole!
I am completely undeserving yet overwhelmed with gratitude.
Cheerful doggies greet me, happy to bound outside to celebrate life.
They have been an immense blessing to our family and create so much laughter and joy!
I recognize the kindness of God in gifting them to us.

Visited Mom's church to surprise and bless her.
Of course the blessing rebounded and we were treated to a spectacular morning of worship and body life.
Child dedications, communion, worship and laughter, stories of love and how love wins...
Given seed packets as gifts - for all the women!! The inclusion was so healing.
A mother's day text from Crystal and a sweet call from another Nicole.
God has enlarged the place of my dwelling and added to my quiver!!

Home to a delicious lunch on the patio prepared by Patrice.
Flower pots attended to with Daniel, geraniums planted and watered.
Walking to Mission Creek with the kids and doggies...the glory of Spring extravagantly arrayed.
Nap time in my sunny bedroom with Daniel reading beside.
Every minute a gift. Treasures poured out in an endless display.

Patrice's help with setting the table. Red cloth, colorful napkins, preparing for celebration.
We sat on the back patio as the family arrived - delighting in the warmth and sunshine.
Roses for all from beautiful Elsie, always a miracle.
All ages - from the yet unborn to the revered grandparents.
Sparking jewels, each shimmering with the beauty of His image.
Just happy to be together. To laugh at the doggies and the antics of the children,
To glory in the moments shared and the beauty surrounding us.

Singing around the table and a feast enjoyed by all.
Simple conversations, the weaving of our lives.
God looks on and smiles.
And we smile back with gratefulness.