December Days...

These December days have been full and fun.

Whenever Vic is in town there is a need to work on apartment related details so a downtown banking rendezvous was arranged on a rather frosty day which led to a bonus visit with Daniel.

He had just finished the last exam of his most gruelling semester so far and was able to meet us for a quick lunch celebration.

Every moment I get to spend with him feels like a bonus so I was so grateful to have this time to catch up with him and family. 

We also found the sweetest little used - bookstore downtown which provided the perfect photo op for my dear sister-in-law and I. 

We both LOVE books, even though I seem to be in a season where there is not a lot of actual "book" reading going on.  The ease of reading on my lap top (on which I can make the words as BIG and BRIGHT as I want) and listening to messages or stories has taken over my actual book reading obsession. 

I love that Marcia is game for pretty much anything; pictures, outings, games, parties etc. 

It makes me long for a body that could fully take advantage of the possibilities that present themselves with such an eager adventurer, but most of these adventures will have to wait for heaven by the looks of it.  For now I will content myself with what I am able to do, which is quite a lot when I think of it.

My extroverted self just has an inflated idea of what all could and should happen, but my body balks and I submit.

With gratitude. 

Because even the resting and home time is precious.  

And necessary.

Because, for instance, my ankle.  

I attended the birthday of a dear friend this month and after successfully navigating the stairs out of his home with help, I thought I was home free to get to my car. Someone was helping to push me and we failed to see the last step at the end of the sidewalk under the black winter night's sky and kaboom - I fell out of my chair and crumpled forward onto the cement somehow injuring my ankles, or foot or legs.  It's all so mysterious when one's sensation is missing.

Convenient at times.  But mostly not.  

I did enjoy the brief opportunity to kneel on the ground as I never get into that position anymore. 

It was sort of exciting to be under the stars, breathing in the frosty air and kneeling before my Maker, so I took the time to say a quick prayer before my friend returned with another strong man to get me back into my wheelchair.  

However, my body obviously didn't enjoy that position and my ankles both swelled to a great size by the next evening.  Eventually I finally got myself to the hospital to get an X-ray.  Praise God the ankle was intact so I am hoping that the knee and other body parts are also ok as I wait for things to return to their normal size.  

Thankfully my injury didn't prevent me from doing some special Christmas baking. I found a great recipe for Pfeffernusse that made about 14 pans worth of the crunchy little delights! 

Moose and Ladybug were eager to eat any of the raw ones that fell on the floor or the over baked ones. They are big fans of Pfeffernusse now.

I also had the opportunity to meet my sweet friend Gayle for a short visit at Patrice's coffee shop where we exchanged a gift and a few stories before rushing off to complete our pre-Christmas lists. 

There's also been a lot of feasting going on with Vic and Marcia in town.  Here is a meal of ribs she made for all of us to enjoy. What a gift to have family.

Family that loves to be together and is at peace.

I am so very thankful for this tremendous gift and am grateful for a mom that encouraged and exemplified peace.

Advent Event

As you can see the four candles are lit on the Advent Wreath!  Christmas is almost here. I am not the best at moving through this Glorious season with enough intention to meditate daily during this season of waiting and longing, but there is an awareness and a gratitude for the light that we can focus on and celebrate during this dark cold month. 

We are all waiting and longing for something.

For SomeOne to show up and bring the promised emancipation we are longing for.

I am always happy to set aside at least one Advent Evening to specifically calling together family to feast together, sing and light the candles that mark the Advent of our King's Birth.

And God has seen fit to allow these precious elders of our tribe to still be sitting in our midst. Through trial and pain and faith and courage they remain, calling on the name of Jesus and being strengthened daily through His power.

So precious are their lives and we are grateful to be able to celebrate together.

We are so fortunate to have the freedom to gather and worship together.

To have family that loves to be together.

To have a King who is coming again to answer the groaning and longing of our spirits and bodies. 

Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel...

A Night on the Town

Having Marcia in the family mix has been such a joy and has provided impetus for me to try to do some "newish" things with the family.

I know she LOVES music and outings so when I heard that there was some live theatre in town with a family themed show I jumped on it and soon there were 7 of us in a row waiting for the curtains to open.

The show did not disappoint and we thoroughly enjoyed the acting and the music.

I'm so grateful for family and for the ability to get out and celebrate life together.

We don't do a lot together - the whole bunch of us, so I'm praying for more opportunities.

Very special evening indeed. 

Already Ninety

Much to my father's chagrin, he turned ninety today.

It's truly an impressive number and despite his best intentions to be gone by 65 or so, he has outlived all of his hopes and expectations. 

But, as he well knows, we still have great hopes and expectations for his one very precious and rather lengthy life. 

God is merciful and has given him an incredibly wonderful wife, three kids who really love him, 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

His story is incredible and as much as his life could have been taken several times over when he was younger, he is still here and is very well loved. 

His legacy lives on through us...

Just look at this crazy bunch!

He is such a trooper and he played along with anything and everything we had planned for this evening of celebration.

He's the little monkey in the middle...

trying to hide from the party that he never wanted to have to live long enough to celebrate! 

He even joined in with playing the "pie face game" and was the first to get smacked in the face with whipped cream! 

It's a sobering business to put your face in the hole, in the direct line of fire of a little hand holding a pile of whipped cream. 

He took his turn without complaint...

The general craziness and laughter increased with each succeeding victim and the smile on my dear daddy's face was priceless.  

Tension builds with each click...

some are spared - and others are not!!

All of us direct descendants took one for the team. 

I had an oil slick on my eye for the next 24 hours or so, but it was worth it!

The party was over the top fun and my Dad was happier than I have seen him in a very long time.

With her limited energy and sore back, Mom still managed to make her famous Napolean Torte, a family favourite.

These dear, aging hands have prepared so many meals and birthday cakes over the years with so very much love. 

We enjoyed it after polishing off a table full of delicious Chinese Food.

This day of partying was preceded by a week of prayer and fasting by some of us in the immediate family circle . We long to see Dad live out his remaining days and even more importantly, eternity, knowing the Savior and Lover of His soul.

The only One who can give him peace and hope.

Beyond his wildest dreams and expectations...

We're still waiting with hope and expectancy!

Gal's Having Too Much Fun

This Season is has just been full of so much fun.  Venturing out on the dark snowy nights (this one was below 0 cold!!) to gather in warm homes with other warm hearts to eat, drink, pray and be merry!! 

My very dear friend Marie, whom I met through the SWAT group (Single Women at Therapy), has recently moved into a condo she completely renovated.  It's gorgeous, white and full of light. 

She was SO EXCITED that I would be able to enter her abode as it is fully wheelchair accessible so we decided to celebrate with a party there.  

As you can see we're a bit of a silly bunch, having a tough time taking a proper selfie, but it only added to the general hilarity of the evening. 

These women are just the BOMB.  

We finally ended up with a picture that was fairly centered and the smiles were completely genuine.  

A card game was attempted which highlighted certain personality strengths and weaknesses and poor Marie felt as though she was herding cats or trying to teach old horses to tap dance as she tried to teach us the rules.  

Turns out we were all winners, simply by being in the same place at the same time with our KING.

He loves all of us so intensely and we are so free together, free to pray and laugh and love and enjoy each other. 

Whether we know how to play card games or not...

Oldies but Goodies

Pulled together this wonderful group of people at a moment's notice for a nostalgic little Christmas reunion again.  

We were part of the same "mini-church" about 24 years ago and we still love to stay connected.  

We pray for each other throughout the year - sharing good times and bad times, sometimes only on short phone calls or quick visits but it's family.

The family of God is a powerful thing. 

Distance and trouble and sickness can't stop it...

We choose to stay in each other's lives and choose to keep lifting each other up before our Heavenly Father.

This year saw some hard times in this group, the death of a young husband and father, cancer, declining health, too much work...

In fact, sadly,  2 of the group couldn't make it as they were sick.

There were also good times this year for all of us too - where the faithfulness and provision of God has been enjoyed and appreciated.   

YET, these are some of the bravest people I know. 

They keep clinging to Jesus and spreading His goodness around. 

The circle of love keeps growing, but these "old friends" are so very precious.

We know each other's stories and love each other anyway =) 

 God's Glory and Grace evident in His beloved Body. . 

This little darling decorated my tree for me which was such a gift as nobody in the house was into it this year.  How sweet to have a child do the honours.

And a little child shall lead them...

Delightful December!

Well look who chased me down the grocery aisle to give me a candy cane?! 

This was one of those evenings that just feels magical...

The store was almost completely empty when I entered, but there was Santa Clause next to a group of singers who filled that space with the loveliest carols sung accapella in all sorts of glorious harmonies.

One of the nicest shopping experiences I've had! 

Previous to this I had just attended the school Christmas concert which was over the top amazing. 

My dear friend Sherri directed the singers and it was definitely worth heading out to listen on a cold winter's night.  

Plus I've taught many of these kids and it was fun to see them dressed to the nines and singing their hearts out.

The excitement around Christmas when there are kids around is just palpable and it's such a delight to be able to enter into it.

Moose was given a fabulous haircut by Patrice, but since it's a little chilly these days we have found it necessary to find him something cozy to put on for the nights so he doesn't lay there shivering.  

Obviously the sleeves were an issue and did not stay rolled up so we had to do some alterations...

We shortened the sleeves and tucked him in with some blankets to boot.

He was trying to figure out why it was so difficult to move.

And here below is a home that I was invited up to for a potluck dinner.  I drove up, up, up into the hills where it was very snowy, thinking perhaps I was lost when I came upon this massive chalet.  

The family that lives here has 10 kids, one of which I taught Sunday School to many years ago.  A very dear girl who is turning into a lovely young woman.  I also threw a marshmallow into the eye of one of their children (a young man) this summer at a campfire at our house, so obviously they have forgiven me and are willing to maintain contact despite my dangerous tendencies.

Thankfully there were strong men on hand to help me up the steps where I could hang out with beautiful people and lots of kids.  

Since it's the Season of Advent it was only right that I made some pfeffernusse and Moose and Ladybug were very excited to clean up any small pieces that made their way onto the floor.  

They are a big hit and the recipe made about 14 pans worth of cookies, so they have been shared around.  I still like to make Advent goodies to deliver to the kids and to Patrice's stocking and these are a well loved, familiar treat.

I can't resist this guy.  Matthew dressed up as Santa and we got to sit together at church and sing carols.  

Over the top amazing.  

It's been super beautiful.  Gentle snow falls creating a backdrop for the loveliest season of gatherings and fun.