The Next Step

In Everything

2009-04-29T07:37:00.002-05:00

I’m back. Sorry for the long periods between posts. No excuses or reasons, other than a busy life and feeling like I had nothing worthwhile to say!

Anyway, I’m nearing the end of another read thru of the Mitford series by Jan Karon. A friend of mine introduced me to the books a few years ago and ever since I’ve been an avid fan. Many times, as I’ve stayed up way too late reading, I’ve asked myself what could be possibly be so riveting about a 60+ priest living alone in a little town that I would have difficulty putting my book down and getting some much needed sleep. But it continues to draw me in and close friends of mine are familiar already with my references to Father Tim and my disclaimer right after that I do indeed know that he is not real. Really. I do know that.

One of the things I appreciate about Karon’s writing is that she so beautifully weaves in the Truth and teaches and inspires the reader without being “preachy”. I have learned a lot from her gentle teaching. This last week I have been encouraged again to be thankful in a new way, after reading a message Father Tim preached in the book “In This Mountain”:

…..in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thes. 5:18

“Our obedience to this (1 Thes. 5:18) will say “Father, I don’t know why You’re causing or allowing, this hard thing to happen, but I’m going to give thanks in it because You ask me to. I’m going to trust You to have a purpose for it that I can’t know and may never know. Bottom line-You’re God– and that’s good enough for me.”

In everything. So I’ve been trying it. I keep a journal now in which I record the things I am thankful for each day, including the things I am having trouble understanding and appreciating. Even the things that keep me awake at night, struggling with worry. Anyone reading my journal might scratch their head at some of my entries, but I know why they're there.

There is a submission in the writing and an acknowledgment that I may not understand, but He is faithful and He is worthy of my trust. I may understand some day, or I may not, but as Father Tim said, “You’re God, and that’s good enough for me.”

Father Tim may not be real, but the Truth is.

He is Risen!

2009-04-11T21:51:00.000-05:00

Trust

2009-03-25T13:04:00.002-05:00

I just had to share this with you. Emilie emailed her Daddy this morning as she dealt with the news that school and therefore a much awaited field trip were cancelled due to a snow storm. I think she expressed the thoughts and feelings we all experience when something goes wrong in our life. I'm following that with her daddy's reply and advice to her and then her sweet, trusting response. What a beautiful reminder of how submitting to God and trusting His work in our lives brings peace in the midst of pain. I am humbled and encouraged by her example today.

daddy today isn't any school and that really sucks because are field trip was today and another tomorrow i feel like pulling my hair out argggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh !!!!!!!!!! i am so mad i am going to cry why why why did it have to snow today why not yesterday or or or saturday cause these next three days of the week were supposed to be perfect cause on friday we were having a party arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh if its no school tomorrow i wont have any hair left and my eyes will be swollen from crrryyyyyyyyyying

I knew you would not be happy. I am so sorry honey. If I could I would come home and play with you just because I knew you would be sad. But I cant come home early either. I am sorry honey. I am praying for you to have a good day anyway.

Love you baby.

Dad

thanks daddy its just hard to know i am missing a field trip but if i keep praising god and thanking him that tomorrow is the big field trip he might make it work tomorrow and on friday. i am going to make the easter crafts mom got for me but then i will play zelda . like mom said, make out what's best of it. i just wish it didn't snow today but i will have to be brave and face what might be ahead of me and trust god to do the best because maybe school was canceled today because someone could have got hurt at the srss for our electricity field trip . ok bye

All I Need

2009-03-20T07:49:00.004-05:00

Contrary to the look on Ivan's face, my children really did enjoy blessing me yesterday on my birthday. It was great resting in my room and hearing the sounds of Bob and the kids working together to prepare a very nice dinner. Of course, there were varying levels of participation, but it was great to just stay home together and enjoy a special occasion.

Their ultimate gift to me was this picture, though, since my kids HATE posing for pictures (especially Ivan). They did cooperate, though, and I have this treasure to remember the day by.

It’s really that simple, isn’t it? No gift would have outweighed the blessing of having my children nearby and happy. I’m so thankful I was able to have that yesterday.

Birthday Blessings

2009-03-19T06:27:00.003-05:00

It's my birthday! I love birthdays and this one is no exception.

So, I am celebrating by:
       1) eating chocolate for breakfast (some received as a gift from a friend)
       2) having lunch at a cute little tea house with a dear friend
       3) enjoying a special dinner planned and prepared by my 3 kids (and their Dad)
       4) counting my blessings
       5) wondering who cut my bangs when I was 4

The Music Moves Me

2009-03-13T07:37:00.000-05:00

So, Bob and I had our first dance lesson yesterday. And we survived. And so did the teachers and the onlookers.

Boy, was it intimidating. We walked in while the intermediate class was finishing their lesson. Most of them wait around and talk while we beginners have our lesson, because after that there is a time of just plain dancing and practice time. They turn down the lights and everything. This Menno girl has come a looooong way!

Anyway, knowing the intermediate class is watching is scary, especially since the teachers just launch right into the lesson and in the first lesson we learned how to dance the rumba complete with a TURN! Have mercy. Do they have any idea who they are working with? I was hoping for baby steps, but we got launched into the world of dance from a cannon. OK, not quite that bad, but it was scary. And so much fun. If it wasn't for my feet hurting from too pointy shoes, I would have danced longer. Gotta get me some better shoes. Still need to practice the turn though. I keep getting it wrong.

When we got home Bob and I showed Emilie what we had learned and she clapped and everything. We must be good.

Finding Home Part 6

2009-02-28T09:15:00.002-06:00

Bob left and his sister arrived, and we entered what we thought was the final stretch of our stay. At this point we had been in Romania for 7 weeks. Two weeks later S arrived one evening to tell me more “bad news”. By now we had proceeded far enough with the adoption that we had entered the waiting period- a part of every adoption. It is a buffer of time in which the birth parent has the right to change their mind. A difficult time, but necessary. I had a chart marked with the days of the waiting period and cheerfully marked the days off each night as I went to bed (whatever works to keep you going!). S’s news that day was that he had discovered my lawyer had neglected to file the papers until just then, and therefore the waiting period was only starting now. I’ll never forget that moment. All my hope for going home soon collapsed, and I was devastated. How many more delays could there be?

But, after a difficult night, we determined to go on, and made the necessary arrangements to lengthen our stay. By this time many Canadians had come and gone with their new children, leaving us behind. We were now proficient at changing our departure dates on our airline tickets and extending our visas. Because Bob’s sister needed to go home before I would be able to go, we asked our sister in law if she was interested in coming to be with me for the last short stretch. She was thrilled to come and made the arrangements. By this time it was May and we had been in Romania for 9 weeks. We had arrived in winter and were now experiencing spring.

Katy continued to grow and to claim my heart. She was the bright spot in all of the waiting and I treasure the time I had with her to spend only caring for her and getting to know her-something I may not have had in the regular busyness of life at home. I also treasure the time I had to become more than a tourist in her home country. Once you are living alongside the local people for that length of time, shopping with them in their markets, using their transportation (by this time taxis were a luxury seldom possible with our stretched farther than we could ever imagine budget), you gain a new perspective and I am thankful.

S became incredibly dear to me and took care of me in that time as a father cares for his daughter. These blessings would not have been possible if we had been able to leave Bucharest as quickly as we had wanted to, so I am thankful. I have much more perspective to offer Katy regarding her country because of the length of our stay.

Anyway, the waiting period finally ended and we were able to have our final court date and gain Katy’s passport and visa and any other paperwork we needed to bring her out of the country. We were cautiously confident we were actually nearing the end and marking off the days on my chart every evening became more and more exciting.

Preparing to leave actually became heart wrenching. Leaving S and M behind was difficult. Enduring something as painful and joyful as we had, bonds you with someone, and the thought of possibly not seeing them again was very difficult. I struggled to convey to them how thankful we were for them and how sure we were they were God’s direct and purposeful gift to us. (We have met them again since, and I am so thankful).

But we did leave. My SIL had been in Bucharest for 3 1/2 weeks by now-2 1/2 weeks longer than we had expected, but we were going home!

The entire length of our stay in Romania was 12 1/2 weeks-a full 1/2 week longer than the “record holders” up to that point. A distinction I would rather not have, but we have it nonetheless.

The day before we left, S came to our house to settle last minute things. I remember him coming to me, holding my hands, and telling me that he could now confess that he had had his fears regarding our adoption. Apparently the media had been full of stories that foreign adoption was being shut down in Romania, and he was very fearful this would happen before our adoption was final. His fears were valid– Katy and I left Romania on May 29. Adoptions in Romania were ended May 30.

Is there any doubt Katy was intended for our family? Is there any doubt God was working? Is there any doubt God had a plan? None. I am humbled and amazed at His faithfulness and can hardly wait to ask Him in heaven to show me all of the unseen protection and intervention on our behalf during the whole process.

In all of this writing I have only scratched the surface of the story. Much had been left unsaid and I am sure you have questions about aspects I have left out. Feel free to leave a question in the comments and I will gladly answer.

I fully acknowledge that this has not been written perfectly. These posts always been written in snatches of time stolen at work or at home, so I have been unable to edit like I might normally. But at the same time I know God has been a part of the writing and I trust that He will work through my humble attempt's at telling this story and to glorify Him. I still dream that at some point I will be able to write the whole story, perhaps in a book.

Katy is 18 today. Eighteen years have passed since she was born and almost that many since we landed in Winnipeg airport and were greeted by her Daddy, family, and friends. God’s faithfulness has continued, and praise the Lord, will continue. I praise Him for what He did in our life and for what He will do in the future.

He has a plan. He will be working.

Finding Home Part 5

2009-02-28T09:12:00.002-06:00

The following weeks were spent having documents translated, court dates, long line ups and our first real experience with bureaucracy. Court appointments for adoptions in the district of Ploiesti were only available on every 2nd Friday, and if that Friday happened to be some sort of holiday (there were many), you had to wait another two weeks. For every day we felt we were getting somewhere in the adoption, we had many in which we were merely waiting. We hears stories of parents who were in and out of Romania within 3 weeks, going home with their new son or daughter. For a while we had hopes that we would be among those, seeing as how we had a child to adopt the moment we landed. We were wrong.

At about 4 weeks into our stay S determined that it would be best after all to have Katy come and stay with us. The adoption was taking longer than he had anticipated and he wasn’t able to pull strings anymore to keep Katy in the hospital. We were thrilled, but he was scared. S, our “father away from home” was not at all sure that these young Canadians could possibly know how to care for a baby. He was right of course, but really-what parent does at the beginning? S arranged for a nurse to arrive every evening to show us how to bathe Katy and to care for her. A week into the visits I thought I had successfully communicated to her through gestures and a few words that we no longer needed her services. Her arrival the next evening at the regular time proved I was wrong. We had to communicate the fact through S, who did it hesitatingly.

I will never forget the day we brought Katy home from the hospital. S went in with gifts for the nurses as thank yous for their care of Katy and came out with this huge bundle of blankets. I remember that it felt like my arms couldn't even reach around it all, but I held on tight. We got into S’s car and I dared to peak into the bundle, seeing those gorgeous brown eyes blinking up at me from her little cocoon. Our girl was coming home and we were so happy!

The following days were spent in learning to care for our daughter and getting to know who she was. It was stressful and wonderful at the same time, just like it is with the arrival of any baby. Our longing at this point was to take her home to Canada. We wanted so badly to be done with the uncertainty and feeling of displacement and the hidden, but very real fear that things would continue to go slowly and badly.

At about 5 weeks into our time in Bucharest, S and M dropped by with what he called “bad news”. He informed us that evening that the adoption was going to take much longer than he had anticipated and that we would need to stay longer. He did not know how long, but we should be prepared. Bob and I had both taken 6 week leaves from our jobs, so this was an issue. We needed those jobs! Bob arranged for an additional week and we asked his sister if she would be willing to fly out to be with me once he went home. His sister took a 3 week leave from her job and excitedly made plans to join me half way around the world.

Letting Bob go home was incredibly difficult. I can’t explain how far from home we felt in a country in which only one short year before had undergone a revolution to overthrow communism. The country was still reeling, and even though democracy is desirable, the transition for a country is very difficult and we were in the middle o f this. Markets selling only potatoes and onions were the norm when we arrived. Empty stores and long lineups for eggs or milk were normal.

There was no such thing as hopping into my car if I needed groceries or something for my baby. We used taxis (something we don’t use much here in the country) subways (even less), and did a lot of walking. We learned to make do with what we could find and relied heavily on the instant chicken noodle soup we had been advised to bring along from home. I still can not cheerfully eat that kind of soup, since we ate it daily for many, many weeks. As spring arrived in Romania the choice of produce in the markets greatly improved and we began to eat better.

Anyway, because of all of this, being alone in a strange country was overwhelming. I cannot begin to put into words both how much I struggled with my faith in God nor how faithful He was to meet me in that struggle. I remember times sitting on our front step, battling moment by moment to trust Him in a situation that felt so out of control. Would we ever go home with our daughter? Leaving without her was not an option. How long could this all possibly take? Could I handle another set back or delay with the adoption? Would things get worse before they got better? Would I be safe without Bob to protect me? Had we been naïve to think we could do this? Were the prayers people were praying for us actually making a difference? And the biggest question of all-why? Why was He not moving faster? Why did we have to suffer?

Finding Home Part 4

2009-02-27T15:25:00.000-06:00

Our first night in Bucharest included being shown to our beautiful, very old, home. We would be sharing it with other adoptive parents from Manitoba, but each couple would only pay $25 a night to stay. A significant saving over the $100+ charged at any of the hotels and a much better place (cockroach free, I might add) than many of the other options for rent. A blessing we didn’t understand until we saw some of the living conditions other Canadians were in while staying in Bucharest.

We also met our interpreter and his wife that evening-lovely people who became very dear to us over the course of the adoption and our stay in Romania. In fact, Katy’s middle name is the name of our interpreter’s wife. The story behind this is that when she made the trip in to the maternity hospital in Ploiesti (the city in which Katy was born, about ¾ of an hour from Bucharest), the birth mother indicated that she did not want to name the baby and that our interpreter’s wife should. So our wonderful, spunky friend named Katy after herself! I love that. We would have likely named her that anyway, but I think it delightful that she made sure it happened! M, our interpreter’s wife (initial to maintain privacy) had been told about a baby born to a young, single girl who didn’t want her baby to go to an orphanage, and had asked the nurse if they knew of anyone who might adopt her. One of the nurses knew that M had helped with foreign adoption in the past, so contacted M to see if she knew of someone. M answered that, yes, she had a couple from Canada coming in just a few days. She took a day off of work to go to the hospital and make arrangements with the birth mother and grandmother and convince the hospital staff to not let our baby go to anyone else (a real possibility). So that’s how we came to hear about our baby girl as soon as we arrived in Bucharest.

It is important for me to note here that just shortly before Bob and I arrived in Romania, the Romanian Government made it impossible to adopt from orphanages, due to an outcry from the Romanian public. Apparently many stories were floating around that the Americans were adopting babies and taking them back to America for scientific experiments, and the people in Romania understandably reacted to that news, true or not.
So the miracle of having a child to adopt so soon was huge, sicne many other couples coming from Canada had to spend much time searching for children “up for adoption” that were not in the orphanages yet. Many, many sad stories of children sold are the result of this situation. Bob and I are so thankful that we did not have to consider the moral implications of these situations.

I should also note here that given the situation with the orphanages, Bob and I chose not to pursue adoption of any other children at this point.

Our next day in Bucharest was spent checking in at the Canadian Embassy. We spent much time in line, and while there overheard a couple talking about their experiences while adopting. They went on and on about all of the frustrations they were encountering because they were adopting from a certain district, in which, they assured all those listening, “every jerk in the world” lived. I remember thinking I was glad we weren’t adopting a child from that district, until I heard the district they were referring to and with a sinking, even queasy feeling, realized they were using the name “Ploiesti”, which sounded just a little too familiar. More on this to come as I continue with our story.
The following days were partly spent going to Ploiesti with our interpreter to meet the birth mom and grandmother (the mom was a minor so therefore needed a parent to sign for her) and to begin the legal process of adoption. Very interesting meeting your child’s birth mom but not being able to communicate other than through gestures, eye contact, and through an interpreter. It was a moving and humbling experience to pick her up at the maternity hospital at which she had given birth and to know that she was leaving it without her baby. I am so thankful we had the opportunity meet the both of them and hopefully show them that her baby’s new parents were honest, loving people.

Katy stayed in the hospital and through some connections of our interpreter (S), was transferred to a pediatric hospital in Bucharest. S felt it was best she stay there while we worked on the adoption, so we were free to do what we needed. This was at the point where we all still believed that the adoption would be processed at a reasonable rate, so the decision made some sense at the time. Looking back, I would give anything to have brought Katy home with us right away. It would have been best, from this perspective anyway, but I have to trust that there are things I didn’t see or know, or that God’s grace will cover this as well.

Our first meeting with Katy took place a couple of days after we arrived in Bucharest. I remember walking into her room and seeing this absolutely gorgeous baby girl with a MOP of black hair and amazing dark eyes blinking up at us. Was this going to be our daughter? More grace and blessing than I could ever have imagined. How incredible. I also remember holding her and promptly being peed on, but we just laughed out of the sheer joy of meeting our girl. What an experience.

Come back tomorrow for more of the story!

Finding Home Part 3

2009-02-26T16:03:00.001-06:00

Yesterday I promised you a story of an amazing answer to prayer, so let me begin with that. I mentioned as well that we had been planning on adopting two 3-5 year old children who had been in an orphanage and had thereby suffered a life without love and affection. We knew there would be challenges, but were willing to take those on.

Sometime before we were to leave for Romania, a close friend called me one day and asked what exactly I was hoping to adopt, meaning boy, girl, age, etc. I found myself hesitating to answer, because in my heart of hearts I knew exactly what I was hoping for, but was afraid to say it out loud. She challenged me to share it anyway, but I continued to struggle inwardly “to put it out there”. I knew I was afraid to trust God and afraid to end up being disappointed when I didn’t get what I had asked for. I finally did tell her, though, that what I was really hoping for was a newborn baby girl. I immediately added a disclaimer and acknowledgement that babies were next to impossible to adopt and that I didn’t really expect to be able to bring home a baby girl. My friend reminded me of the verse Matthew 18:19: "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.” and promptly asked if I was in agreement with her to ask for a baby girl. I swallowed hard and told her, hesitatingly, that yes, I was. She pounced on it and told me that she would be checking up on me and asking if I was actually praying together with her for it. (For the record-she did).

Back to preparations. We continued to gather information and were put in contact with a woman in our province who had come back from Romania after adopting a young girl and who was now helping others prepare to go. When she found out how we were planning on landing in Bucharest with no one to meet us and how we thought we would magically find an interpreter somewhere, her response was (to Bob), “Oh, you poor, naïve man!” Turns out she was right and turns out she was an incredible gift from God to us. She made sure that someone would be waiting at the airport for us when we landed, that we would have a place to rent while we stayed in Bucharest, and that we would have an interpreter to help us find children available for adoption.

So, as I mentioned yesterday, just 2 short months after Bob and I decided to go to Romania, we were on a plane headed for Bucharest (the capital city). Somewhere between Frankfurt and Bucharest I remember Bob and I turning to each other and wondering, with panic in our eyes, what exactly we thought we were doing! It really hit home at that point that we were somewhat out of control at this point and that there was no turning back.

We landed in Bucharest, immediately dealing with culture shock as we walked from the plane, passing armed guards and into an airport with broken down doors and intermittent lighting. Once we were through customs and had claimed our baggage (including several boxes of donated medical supplies) off of the baggage claim (which looked like it would break down at any moment), we moved on to meet our contact. She was holding a sign with our names, just like in the movies. Except there was no limousine waiting for us.

As we walked with her outside to our car, she turned to us and told us that she had good news for us. She told us then, casually, that our God loves us beyond measure and that He was pleased to answer our prayers, hesitant as they were on my part. She didn’t tell us in those words of course, but rather by saying, “If you want, you can adopt a new born baby girl. Your interpreter has been in contact with a new mother and has begun to make arrangements.” IF WE WANT? Oh yes, we want! I can still not tell this story, even type it here, without weeping at the goodness of our Lord. We did not deserve this gift, but we gladly accepted it.

Without a doubt, God had a plan for this newborn baby girl and without a doubt, He was working to bring her home.

From that very moment, Katy (named after the friend who asked me to pray with her) was our daughter. We never looked back. I remember lying in our bed that night, naming her, together with Bob, and marveling at the love in my heart for a baby I had never seen, or even heard of until that day.

More to follow tomorrow.

Finding Home Part 2

2009-02-25T09:48:00.001-06:00

The waited for information came in the mail and we began the process of getting the government requirements together.

We needed a Home Study (HS), and an OK from the Immigration Office. We were told that the collection of these requirements would likely take 6-8 months, since getting a HS and an appointment at the Immigration Office in a shorter time frame was difficult. We were discouraged by that news but began the process as quickly as possible.

In those days you could have a HS done by a private source, so when we were quickly connected with a Counselor who was qualified to do HS for the government, we were very excited. We began this process within a week or two and had the study completed in a very short time. First hurdle jumped.

The appointment at the Immigration Office came quickly too and before we knew it, we had the papers in hand that showed we had the government’s support in bringing our new children to Canada. (I should note here that at this point we were expecting to adopt 2 children, ages 3-5 or so, since there were by far more of those in the orphanages than any other ages. We understood that these children would have developmental issues because of the lack of love and affection in their early years, but were prepared to deal with those when the time came.)

There were many other requirements, more than I can remember now, including passports and Visas and other papers, but somehow we were able to acquire them all in a short time. Miraculously short.

The other issue at hand, of course, was money. Always money. We were a young couple, not at all prepared to tackle a project of this size. We did a lot of praying and through those prayers and the prayers of others, were able to refinance our mortgage and borrow money along with it. Many people from our church and families contributed as well, and though there were many moments of struggling to trust God to provide what we needed, we came to the point where we felt we had enough money to go.

So, time frame for all of this so far? Remember the prediction that all of this would take 6-8 months? We decided to pursue adoption on December 24 and were on a flight for Romania on March 3-just over two months of preparation. Nothing short of a miracle.

God was working and God had a plan.

There were many times of discouragement in those 2 months. Many moments of fear and doubt. Many well meaning people asking us if we were crazy or just naïve. But through it all was the assurance that we were within God’s will. So much was happening in this process that we could not possibly have done on our own. His Hand was working and His Spirit was guiding and encouraging. So we kept on.

Drop by tomorrow to read about another incredible answer to prayer and about our first days in Bucharest.

Finding Home

2009-02-24T16:01:00.001-06:00

I think it’s time to tell the story.

18 years later I am taking the time to sit down and write out how God came to bring a baby girl across an ocean and to the home and family she was intended for. It’s a long story, so it will be posted in installments here. My goal is to have it completed by the 28th of this month, as that’s the day that baby girl turns 18!

It was December 24, 1990. Bob and I both had the day off and had the glorious privilege of sleeping in. As I woke up I reached over to turn on the radio to hear the morning news and catch up on what was happening locally. The announcer was talking about some little children who would be celebrating their first real Christmas ever, having just arrived in Canada with their new adoptive parents. He went on to say that thousands of children in Romania were still in orphanages, due to the poverty in the country and due to the upheaval there after Romania’s recent deliverance from a communist government.

In that moment, I turned to Bob and simply said, “We should do that.” Naive and impulsive words, but somehow it seemed so clear that Bob and I were in a place to offer a home to children who needed one. We had been hoping for children, having been married for almost 6 years, but hadn’t had any yet. We were not to the point of fertility testing, but were beginning to be impatient. Being in a place where we felt we were ready for children, but not having any yet, put us in a place of readiness for this situation.

Amazingly, only a short time before this particular day, Bob had heard about the plight of the Romanian orphans and had felt God calling us to adopt. Bob’s answer to that was “It’s fine with me, but you’ll have to convince Iris”, with the feeling that God certainly had His work cut out for Him! Imagine his excitement and awe, when I turned to him in bed that morning, totally ready and willing to do that very thing.

God was working and God had a plan. We have no doubt.

It was an excruciatingly long Christmas holiday for us, as we were anxious to get information about how to proceed. We really had no idea where to start, but started with Mennonite Central Committee as soon as we thought somebody might be back in the office after the holiday season. (We had been praying over that time of waiting and still felt that God was leading us to pursue this.) They couldn’t help us, but directed us to Samaritans’ Purse, which paid off, as they were able to connect us with an organization that helped out people wanting to adopt in Romania. It was a good start, after only a couple of phone calls. Bear in mind that this was before the day of the internet and Google and all the riches of information that would now be at our finger tips!

We waited anxiously for the information to arrive in the mail and begin to cautiously tell our family and close friends of our decision to pursue foreign adoption.

Come back tomorrow for the next part of the story-preparations to go.

Just a little about me

2009-02-17T05:46:00.003-06:00

I've resisted filling in one of these emails so often, but for some reason today I felt like adding my information and posting it here rather than emailing it to my friends. Feel free to comment with your answers. It's amazing what we find out about each other!

3s About Me

Three Names I have been called :
Ars
Dolly (as in Parton)
Irish

Three Jobs I have had in my life :

1. sales clerk at Zellers (draperies and cashier)
2. child care worker in a Day Care
3. sales clerk at Marks Work Wearhouse

Places I have Lived :
1.Calgary Alberta
2 Steinbach Manitoba
3.Kleefeld Manitoba

Three TV Shows that I watch:
Corner Gas
American Idol
Dancing with the Stars

Three Places I have been:
1.Germany
2.Romania
3.Bahamas

People that e-mail me regularly:
1. Bob
2. Theresa
3. Merle

Three of my favorite foods:
1. Chocolate with almonds
2. Mashed Potatoes
3. Lays Ripple potato chips

Three things I am looking forward to:
1. building our new house
2. spring
3. Fargo in August

No condemnation

2009-02-11T12:23:00.002-06:00

"The world will bring its condemnation. They may even put their sword behind it. But we know that the highest court has already ruled in our favor. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). No one successfully.
If they reject us, he accepts us. If they hate us, he loves us. If they imprison us, he sets our spirits free. If they afflict us, he refines us by the fire. If they kill us, he makes it a passage to paradise. They cannot defeat us.
Christ has died. Christ is risen. We are alive in him. And in him there is no condemnation.
We are forgiven and we are righteous.
"And the righteous are bold as a lion." (Proverbs 28:11)

John Piper, "The Passion of Jesus Christ"

A Simple Question

2009-02-10T07:50:00.002-06:00

I've been mulling over this ever since someone asked Bob and me a seemingly simple question not long ago.

"How can I pray for you?"

Simple, yet it's impact has stayed with me and I have been moved to think of the incredible privilege we have to stand by each other in prayer, as well as the care demonstrated by these simple words.

Being asked those words tells me that the person is asking for more than the usual “How are you? I’m fine” conversation. They want to know what’s weighing heavily on my heart, what is causing me to lie awake at night, or where the enemy is making headway in his attempt to discourage me. Simple words that, somehow, open the door for me to be honest.

The impact of the care and love shown by the question has moved me to consider asking my friends the same question. What unspoken desires and pain are around me every day? What can I take to our Father on my friend’s behalf?

May I have the strength and love to ask the question and to be faithful in my intercession.

Valentines

2009-02-09T15:09:00.007-06:00

School was cancelled today due to extremely icy conditions as a result of rain we received over night. Turns out February is a bit early for rain here in Manitoba.
We needed something to do, so this morning was the perfect time to spend preparing the fun Valentines I had planned to make for some family and friends. I got the idea from Martha Stewart's website.
Here's some pics:

This is a shot of the gorgeous two sided paper I used, with some of the creases already folded into it:

Here's the project after some strategic folding:

Tuck in a packet of herbal tea, fold it up, write on a Valentine greeting,

and this is the end result.

A little something to (hopefully) brighten someones day and let them know I am thankful for them!

Faithful

2009-02-05T15:40:00.002-06:00

I just delivered a message to someone attending a meeting of our Ladies Sewing Circle here at the church and in the process received a healthy dose of encouragement for myself.

Five beautiful women, many whom I've known since I was a little girl, gathered around a table for a time of reading Scripture. They were taking turns today, reading verse after verse, with voices that have gotten shaky over the years. I don't think there's a woman under 85 gathered there this afternoon.

As I listened to them read I realized what was touching me was that these women, in their many years, have experienced God's grace over and over, and therefore have a deeper understanding and knowledge of the promises they are reading. True faith developed in tough circumstances-some more difficult than I can imagine. Some have buried children, some have buried husbands, some have children who still are not believers. But they know their Lord and they take comfort from His Word and trust Him to take them through whatever lies ahead.

May my faith grow and become more beautiful, as theirs has, and may others be blessed as they see my trust in the One who is worthy.

Say Cheese

2009-01-16T12:56:00.003-06:00

I just came back from buying $35 worth of the best cheese around-Bothwell mild cheddar. In 20 minutes I can drive to the small town of New Bothwell, choose my fresh-as-can-be cheese, and get home. Not bad. It's way less money to buy larger quantities and straight from the factory and easily worth the trip. Our family eats a lot of cheese, so we really benefit from the savings. I won't tell you how long (or short) a time the cheese lasts in our house. Let's just say "Not long enough".

Around here, cheese is rated by how much it "squeaks" when you bite into it. If it doesn't squeak, it's not fresh enough. Not that we're picky.

I encourage you to visit the Bothwell site. They ship all over the world so it may be worth your while. I can't guarantee it will squeak when it gets to you though!

Time for Montgomery!

2009-01-09T14:46:00.002-06:00

I was excited to come across a blog that featured a link to an LM Montgomery reading challenge for the month of January. If you know me, you know I have been greatly impacted by all of her works, especially the Anne books, (to the point of naming my daughter after her and the Emily of the Emily series) and that I've read them countless times. Just a day or two before I found the challenge I had been thinking that I needed to get lost in that world again, so the timing was right!

Follow the link on my sidebar to check it and maybe even join us. There's always room for a kindred spirit!

Oh, I'll be reading the Emily of New Moon Series. I've read that it in many ways resembles Lucy's life, so I find it fascinating just for that alone.

Happy Birthday

2009-01-06T07:15:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday to my "makes my heart melt, amazingly funny, spitting image of my brother, shy and wonderful" son. Ivan is 14 today and I marvel at how much he has grown and how much his Dad and I love and appreciate him. He makes us laugh 20 times a day, makes us want to hang on to these days with him at home, while looking forward to seeing him as a man, and just plain makes our home a fun place to be. He is gentle and shy, yet determined and committed to truth. We love seeing him think through things and be willing to stand up for what he believes, even when he is a lone voice.
We love you Ivan and wish you the happiest of birthdays and a wonderful year of being 14.

Our Year in Review

2009-01-01T20:52:00.005-06:00

Since all the news shows are doing it, so will I. Here are just a few highlights of our year. I'm not the best at taking pictures, so there are definitely some highlights not documented here, but I thought it would be fun to look back and marvel again at God's grace in our lives!

Holiday Funk

2008-12-31T11:48:00.002-06:00

Anyone else out there in a holiday funk?

That's what I call the laziness/lack of motivation that comes after waaaay too much rich food, disrupted schedules, and the delightful permission to relax once the busyness of Christmas is over.

I love this time of year-no other time has fewer pressures than the week after the celebrations-but it amazes me how sluggish I can become. Ideas of projects I could tackle with the extra time, closets I could organize, etc, flit in and out of my mind, but never really manage to settle for long enough for me to muster up the energy to actually start them. I long for something to do in my boredom, but just can't seem to get down to doing anything worthwhile.

Thank goodness the holiday schedule ends next week! As much as I love the break, I know I am happiest when I have deadlines and responsibilities. So, for now I will enjoy the rest and look forward to the motivation that will come next week.

Not promising anything with the closets though.....

Blessed Christmas!

2008-12-24T09:21:00.002-06:00

I just want to take a moment to stop by here to wish all of you a very blessed, beautiful Christmas. May you have many moments of real joy as you reflect on what an incredible gift we've been given. The Son of God to save us. What love!

I pray that time with family and friends will be refreshing and full of love, and that overall, you will look back at this special time with fond memories.

Enjoy.

Treasures of the Snow

2008-12-14T14:41:00.005-06:00

No, this post is not about the value of snow. With -30 something windchill factors these days and blizzard warnings, I'm not thinking I'll find many treasures out there!

This post is rather about a beautiful story of forgiveness and it's power in our lives that impacted me greatly when I was a young girl.

Many years ago my Aunt gave me the book Treasures in the Snow by Patricia St. John. I was an avid reader, so I was excited about the gift (not a given for gifts from aunts, but this aunt had a knack for knowing what I would like). Of course, I dove right in, and unknowingly began the journey that would end in my salvation. My parents brought my to Sunday School fairly regularly at this point in my life, but that was the extent of any teaching about faith, so while the seeds had been planted by SS teachers and watered through the prayers of extended family, it was through the reading of this book that for the first time I grasped the offer of forgiveness and salvation. I don’t remember the exact moment or day of my decision, I just remember that it was through the story that I received Jesus into my life and heart.

I have read the book countless times in my youth and even adulthood, and I’ve read it through once to my children. I plan on reading it again this Christmas season to my youngest daughter, since she was very little when I read it to them the first time. It’s a simple story, but full of beautiful relationships and truth, so I look forward to visiting the mountains of Switzerland through it once more.

I am humbled by the impact of a simple gift. My aunt probably has no idea of the influence she had in my life (I must tell her soon), but I am challenged to consider who in my life could use the simple but timeless Truth told to them. I am prompted to consider the value of sharing the Truth with others, not worrying over much about whether or not they will agree or value it right away. I am also prompted to plant seeds and water them through prayer, just like others in my life have done for me.

The story of forgiveness and redemption is ageless. Let’s continue to share it.

What Else

2008-12-13T08:43:00.003-06:00

You know what else I love about Christmas? The secrets.

How can I not love a celebration that causes my 60 something parents to giggle and tease and sneak presents into the house? I grin from ear to ear when I see them do it-and they do it every year.

How can I not love a season in which my "too cool to care" teenagers can be found under the tree shaking presents with a twinkle of expectation in their eyes. They'll go to amazing lengths to try and get a clue or a slip up of the truth out of me, loving the whole game.

One of those same teenagers, who's never been able to sleep on Christmas eve, will still not be able to sleep this Christmas eve. He just can’t, because he’s so excited.

And so am I. This year will be no different than the others, and my heart will be full as I watch it all again.

Sappy, I know, but real, and in the midst of recession and hate and heartache, let’s embrace a season of loving secrets and surprises.

2008-12-04T10:42:00.003-06:00

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.

Hamilton Wright Mabie

I love Christmas! I love a season, like the quote above mentions, in which even the most jaded or cynical of people look for ways of expressing or receiving love. It's OK for us to buy or make little expressions of our love and appreciation at this time of year, like it is in no other. It's still OK in many places to be singing about Jesus and His love in public places. We light up our houses, string lights and tinsel on anything that stands still, and feast. We make the time and effort to see or connect with people we seldom see the rest of the year.

All of it to celebrate the greatest of all gifts-Jesus.

I freely admit that all of this also leads to ridiculous levels of stress, expectations, and expense, but still, how beautiful that most of the world (even those who don't believe it) marks this special remembrance with celebration. Let us freely celebrate and honor God's gift and presence to and in our world. May our hearts and deeds reflect our acknowledgment of His love and sacrifice and the change in us because of them.

That's something to celebrate!

Healing

2008-12-03T09:50:00.003-06:00

OK. I'm back after a long hiatus. Not a planned one. Just one that happened.
Bob had a planned surgery at the end of October that ended up being more involved than we had anticipated, which translates to a longer recovery than we had anticipated, schedules that are thrown off, and energy spent in different ways than usual.
He is doing well now, but in the last 4 1/2 weeks I've had time to consider healing and was interested to find that spiritual and physical healing have many similarities. Whether the healing is the result of loss, wounds inflicted by others, or even the fallout of decisions you yourself have made, healing takes time and work. Here are some thoughts:

1) The process of healing involves significant pain.
2) There are moments, especially at the beginning of the journey, where you wonder and doubt you will ever feel well again. The road seems endless and the memories of previous wholeness fade quickly. You can't imagine ever feeling well again. It's tough to keep going at this point.
3) The love of friends and family is incredibly encouraging, motivating you to continue the work of healing. You are often unable to express this appreciation as they come alongside you to encourage you, but the truth remains. Their understanding and support save you from despair.
4) The friends and family of someone struggling to heal feel helpless and find it difficult to stand by and watch someone they love, hurt.
5) As the healing progresses, glimmers of wellness emerge, and you begin to hope again for the day you will be well.
6) For every glimmer of wellness, there is a set back, and the discouragement at those times is very real.
7) Moving ahead too quickly results in set backs as well. Slowly allowing the healing that is often unseen takes discipline and patience, not to mention trust in the Healer. Running ahead of His plan and timing often hurts more than helps.
8) Healing does come. Not nearly as quickly as we would like, but it comes. And not usually because of something we've actually done, but because of resting and trusting in the Hand of the Healer.
9) And then the day comes when we are whole and well again. The memory of the pain does not go away, but the realization of how far we've come humbles and moves us to thankfulness. The scars remain, pointing to where we've been, but also testifying to how far we've come.

I praise our Healer, Who loves us enough to allow us to go through the pain with Him in order to heal and grow. His patience and grace humble and move me as I consider how He draws us through these times.

A Fortress

2008-11-05T07:03:00.004-06:00

"There will always be a million nagging tugs on our time and
attention, and somewhere in the middle of all the tugging it is
essential we build a fortress wherein only God, His words,
and our heart exist together for a time.
It rarely happens accidentally."
(Kelly Minter, "No Other Gods")

I read this today in preparation for a study I'm leading tomorrow and the truth in it really hit me. There's been much conversation around me lately about why we aren't reading the Word, and why our relationships with Jesus aren't growing. We ask ourselves and each other why it's not a priority and what we have to do to have time to read our Bibles and be with God.

I think this statement answers the question and offers the solution. I love the image of "building a fortress", since a fortress doesn't happen by accident, nor does it rise up over night. It is intentional, protecting, and solid. May my time alone with Jesus be the same.

I welcome your thoughts and further comments on this topic. I’ve only scratched the surface here-what can you add?

Giving Thanks

2008-10-12T07:54:00.003-05:00

It's Thanksgiving here in Canada so I am taking a moment to list some things I don't want to take for granted. Of course, this could never be an exhaustive list, but here goes anyway:

-a beautiful corner of the world to live in
-breathtaking fall colours on the trees that lasted way longer than usual this year
-my friends and family living near by
-a great job with perfect hours and flexibility when I need it
--Bob having his dream job-so clearly a gift from God
-safety in worship and in everyday life
--friendships that you thought had faded away but have now been renewed
-new “blogger” friends that encourage me, teach me, and make me laugh
-strength that could never be your own to do the tasks you've been given
-a cozy, full of personality cat named Dennis curled up beside me
-people who know the real you-but love you anyway
-a husband who so faithfully models Christ's love and sacrifice on a daily basis
-having children with such great senses of humor that you regularly roll with laughter
-seeing growth in those same children as they face life's challenges and pain
-seeing growth in myself (never as much as there should be-but growth all the same)
-the promise that some day soon we will be with Jesus and in a place where there will be no more tears and no more sorrow. I long for that day.

So, with a thankful heart I wish you and yours a very special Thanksgiving .

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakeable, let us be thankful
and please God by worshipping him with holy fear and awe.
Hebrews 12:28

Hold on to Your Kids

2008-10-03T13:49:00.002-05:00

I went to a seminar last night that was taught by a Dr. Gordon Neufeld. I have a friend who had read one of his books (I believe by the same name-Hold on to Your Kids) and really liked it, so I thought I would make the time to attend this free offering. The seminar really was good-it clarified so many things and gave hope.
Dr. Neufeld's focus is on relationship. He says that children in good relationship with their parents are easy to teach and parent. They trust you and move to the place in their relationship with you in which they desire to please and emulate you. He had some very good points, which I won't begin to try and write here, but the focus was on "Do you have your child's heart?" He reminded us that even with a multi billion dollar industry in parenting help, we are losing our kids at a record rate. It's not a "how-to" issue, it's a heart issue.
So, I want to hold onto my kids and I certainly want their hearts. I want to delight in them and enjoy them and meet them where they are, so that they in turn know that my love for them is solid-it will never change. I want them to know that no matter what, they have parents who will do their job of parenting. In a world that offers fleeting pleasure and empty promises, I want our home to be stable and safe. A sanctuary filled with love. Sounds easy, but it's so easy to lose sight of!
Here's a link to his sight, if you're interested. I encourage you to check it out. He'll say it much better than I ever could! http://www.gordonneufeld.com/

Peace

2008-09-25T10:00:00.002-05:00

God's been faithfully teaching me about peace lately, and I'm thankful.

Peace is one of those fruits of the Spirit that we can so easily take for granted or even diminish in importance, I think. We talk about World Peace and sing about it, especially at Christmas, but do we embrace and explore its potential on a daily, nitty gritty basis? I know it's something I've glossed over all too often and I'm thankful for God's gentle insistence that I pay attention.

Bob and I are in the midst of being challenged by God to follow Him in obedience in a certain area of our life. There are certainly moments in which I would dearly love to keep things the way they are-comfortable-and not follow Him where He is leading. But every time I begin thinking that way, any peace I have gets up and leaves. So what it comes down to is: obedience=peace. Even when the obedience costs me comfort and ease (two of my favorite things) the peace I experience is worth anything I may have to give up or do.

Is there anything in this world worth more than His peace in my life? I can't think of it, if there is. I would rather have His peace in the midst of heartache, turmoil, and uncertainty, than anything this world or my disobedience can offer.

I was blown away today by the realization that His peace rules in the midst of evil and destruction, too, and that when I am discouraged and disheartened by what goes on around me, I can claim and cling to that peace. I praise Him.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
John 16:33

Another Try

2008-09-24T17:26:00.002-05:00

I made another pot of soup. Ivan said, "This soup tastes funny."

What have I done??????
(see 2nd last post)

Courage

2008-09-22T08:58:00.002-05:00

Ivan had a football game yesterday and beginning early in the day I prayed very specifically for certain things for him and his team. I asked for protection-both physically and emotionally for Ivan and his team mates. I really didn't want to see my boy hurt. I asked for a real courage for Ivan, as he tends to hold back a bit in the play because of his tendency to be shy. Funny that he loves football so much! But I asked God to fill him with courage so that he would experience the satisfaction that comes from taking a risk. And then I boldly asked God, if it was within His will, to give Ivan's team a win. Selfish, I know, but I thought it was OK to humbly ask.

Long story short-as I was driving around a city I don’t live in, looking for the nearest hospital so that Ivan’s wrist could be x-rayed, I had to ask God why he hadn’t answered my prayers. It wasn’t long before God graciously pointed out that He had. Ivan was showing an incredible courage in the face of much pain and in the possibility of his football season coming to an early end. He was protected in the fact that we found an emergency room that was not crowded, and with a doctor who was gentle and caring and thorough. Not what I asked for at all, and yet so much more!

I love my God. I love His faithfulness and provision. I love that I can trust Him to do what is best, even when I ask for and want “easy”.

I have to say though, that it is hard being a Mom of a 13 year old boy! When he was in pain, I wanted nothing more than to hold him on my lap and comfort him, but we are in a stage where we show our love in different ways other than touch (and this with a boy that used to be my constant shadow and “cling-on”). I am totally OK with this stage and with allowing him to grow up and become a man, but oh, how many times I reached out to touch him yesterday, only to stop my hand before I made him feel awkward. I suppose part of letting him grow up and exhibit that very courage I asked for, is to let him deal with his pain in his own way. I know deep inside he was glad I was there and that he needed me, but it’s the outward display of his need that I miss. Maybe Ivan isn’t the only one who needs courage.

As for the other prayer I prayed: Ivan’s team lost. Badly. But I am trusting God in that as well. How could I not?

What Have I Done?

2008-09-19T13:46:00.003-05:00

I am sitting here and wondering if I've made a terrible mistake, one that will haunt me for the rest of my years. One that impacts my family and their well being.

You see, I sold Bob's grandmother's soup pot. I know you're thinking, "That's it? THAT's the big confession? So what?" Or maybe you're thinking, "You did what? How could you?" Either way, I understand.

For the first years of our marriage, I tried valiantly to fulfill my Mennonite woman role as a homemaker, which of course, involves the making of delicious soup-without a recipe! I failed though, until the fateful day I inherited the soup pot of Bob's dear grandmother, who raised 17 (yes-17) children and, I'm thinking, made a lot of soup! What was interesting to note was that right after I inherited the pot, I began to make very good soup. We always jokingly said that the ability came with the soup pot. At least I thought it was a joke.

Bob and I are in the process of weeding things out of our life and home that bog us down and hold us back. Over the last few weeks we have emptied many closets and cupboards of things we've held on to over the years (truly amazing. I recommend it) and which we really don't need any longer. When I got to the cupboard with my pots I realized that I never use The Soup Pot any more, since I have 3 very nice, new large pots that I use in its stead. So I made the difficult decision to let it go.

I SOLD IT FOR 50 CENTS! To a gentleman who was going to use it for the aluminum. Again, Bob and I joked that there went my soup making ability. At least I thought it was a joke.

The other night I made a pot of chicken soup, my daughter's favorite. Except she doesn't like this batch. She says "It stinks". I didn't think anything of it until today, when I mentioned it to Bob, he replied "YOU SOLD THE POT!" (A statement that taken out of context, would be disturbing.)

Anyway, that leads me here, to a place of seller's remorse and dismay. Will I ever make good soup again?

I want my Soup Pot back......

New Look

2008-08-15T17:10:00.002-05:00

Isn't this new look to my blog just too cute? Oh wait-that's the name of the site that I got the template from. Good name!

Anyway, it's a sign of progress if someone like me can actually pull off changing her blog page by herself. Not my gift, but I did it anyway!

If anyone still reads this blog, you may have noticed that it's been quiet here for at least a week. It seems that my head only has room for so and so much, and these days that room is full of plans for our church's VBS. A friend and I are co-directing it and while it's a lot of fun, it is a lot of mental work. So, no mental energy to take the time to sit down and write. VBS is over in 2 weeks, so stay tuned. I have a few ideas rattling around in my brain-things I'd like to write out and share.

Until then-enjoy some of these last beautiful weeks of summer!

Listening

2008-07-31T08:50:00.002-05:00

I have a new pet peeve.

Or maybe it's not new, I've just run into it so many times in the last week or two that I have to vent about it. Whatever the case, you get to hear about it now.

I am frustrated with people who act like they are listening to you , but really aren't. Worse, they ask you a question and then never really listen to your answer. Why did you ask me, if you didn't care about the answer?

Plus, I have run into people who act like they are listening to me when I am voicing a concern or frustration, and then jump in when I am done and basically tell me that I shouldn't let it bother me. I know very well that I can't let small frustrations take over and get me down, and try not to do that, but sometimes, when you think it's safe, you want to share a bit of what you are dealing with. I guess it's not always safe.

Sometimes, you don't need an answer, you need a listening ear and understanding.

And then, after I vent this, I have to ask myself how often I have done these very things. And I have to face that I have probably done it, especially to my children, more times than I want to admit to. So, let it be known here that I will try to LISTEN to my kids (and friends) and let them voice their fears, concerns, frustrations, etc. without offering a quick answer.

Listening can be hard! Jumping in and fixing things or trying to make the problem go away is so tempting. May I learn to be patient and allow my loved ones the freedom and space to work through things on their own and a safe place to do that. And, to value them enough to give them my full attention when they are telling me what's on their mind.

Look what the wind blew in....

2008-07-29T14:26:00.001-05:00

Bob and I had such fun last night, surprising Emilie with something she's wanted for a long time. She's assured us many times over the last couple of years that if only she had a trampoline, she would spend ALL her time outside. The budget didn't allow this incentive to spend time in the great outdoors, though, until this week when friends offered theirs to us at a price we couldn't pass up. So Bob arranged that they would drop it off secretly last night to a spot on the yard that Emilie couldn't see from inside, and later, when Emilie was getting ready for bed, he set it up in the back yard.
What fun to wait for her to find it this morning! A thunderstorm rolled through during the night and I think for just a split second this morning I had her convinced that the wind had blown it onto our yard.
Anyway, just had to share a great moment for us. I love it when we can do something unexpected for the kids.
(I'd have a picture, but our camera is on holiday in Yellowknife at the moment).

Diary of a 42 year old Jogger

2008-07-28T08:47:00.003-05:00

6 am: The alarm is going off already????? It's too early! Hit the snooze button!
6:30 am: Well, I guess I should get up and get out there for my run. Maybe in a few more minutes...
6:40 am: OK OK , I'm going. If I don't go soon it will be too warm.
6:50 am: If bending over to put my shoes on is this hard, what will a run be like?
6:52 am: Hmm, beautiful morning. Glad I'm out here.
6:53 am: Good start to my run, I'm feeling not too bad.
1/2 mile: Yikes-those leg muscles are complaining already? I've only just started! How will I keep going further than even a mile? Maybe I'll keep it short today. Take it easy on myself.
3/4 mile: This is hard! How did I do 3 1/2 miles two days ago? I must be crazy to think I could do this again!
1 mile: Well, I made it at least a mile. I've got to hit that "groove" soon, right? It'll get easier, right?
1 1/4 miles: A short run wouldn't be too bad-after all, I'm only disappointing myself. My loss. (Or not, in the case of weight. I guess I'll keep going!)
1 1/2 miles: Is fitness really all it's cracked up to be? I mean really-is something this hard really that good for us? I could be at home enjoying the morning on my deck with a cup of coffee-no pain involved.
2 miles: I made 2! Not too bad. I guess I'll go for 3.
2 1/4 miles: It's getting a bit easier. Maybe I'll go for 3 1/2 and at least match my last run.
2 1/2 miles: A mother deer and her fawn! How absolutely gorgeous! Thank You Lord, for encouragement when I needed it! I think I can keep going.
3 miles: Well, I made it this far. I think I can do another 1/2 mile...
3 1/2 miles: You know what-I'm going for all 4! I haven't run 4 for years, but I think I can do it today!
3 3/4 miles: Is that the Rocky theme song I hear??
4 miles: I did it! I did it! Whew-that was hard, but so worth it!

And there you have it-a small peak into my mind as I struggle down the road. Every single morning that I'm out there I am reminded of the parallel between running and my spiritual life. This "diary" could easily be my thoughts as I go through my spiritual walk. Stepping out of safety and comfort to be challenged and to gain strength is difficult. I do it, but I generally hit that "wall" of pain and discouragement, not too mention weariness. There are moments of wondering if I wouldn't be better off back in my comfort zone. There are moments of rationalizing going back and quitting. And then, come moments of satisfaction and even of direct encouragement from God. They couldn't be from anyone else, so I keep going. And before I know it, I have gone farther than I've ever gone before. The joy in that moment is exhilarating and though it doesn't erase the pain and struggle that were a part of the journey, it makes it all worth while.

"And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith." Hebrews 12:1b-2a.

Intended for Good

2008-07-25T11:13:00.002-05:00

I am moved today by the incredible blessing of the internet. In just the last couple of weeks I have been connected through it with several Godly women who write about their lives, their walk with God, and most importantly, about Him. I have been encouraged, made to laugh, moved to tears, and so incredibly blessed by words that reflect God's love and provision for us. What a gift in this world of busy lives that make relationship difficult! I have to confess to feelings of loneliness of late, but also have to confess to God's goodness as He has provided connection for me through something I have access to most of the time-the World Wide Web. How like our God to bring so much good out of something that also has the potential to harm. Today I praise Him for His sovereignty and for Godly women who serve Him with their words.

Rude awakening

2008-07-24T08:44:00.002-05:00

I am soooo tired.
Bob and I were quite tired last night and were both very happy to have the opportunity to go to bed at a decent time-something's that hard to do on most nights. I fell asleep promptly and was as fast asleep as it is possible to be without the help of medication when the neighbour's dog frantically barked right outside our bedroom window. At 2:15 am. Talk about being jolted awake!
Our mama cat has 5 very cute kittens right now (want one?) and they have been spending their time on our deck. This particular dog, who happens to have a taste for kittens, has discovered this and stops by every now and then to visit. Each time he's come he has been chased away, injured (body and pride), by the mama, but for some strange reason he keeps coming back for more.
So last night at 2:15 AM he was loudly escorted off the premises, thereby interupting our blissful sleep. And you know how it is when you get woken up so quickly-you can't sleep again for a while. In our case-not until 3:30. And the alarm goes off at 6. Coffee anyone?
I do have to say though that I respect mama cat for her faithful protection of her babies. Neighbour dog is BIG - part Rotweiler and part German Shepherd. She's one tough cookie to fight him off. She's my hero today.
Now for some coffee.....

Pretty

2008-07-21T10:36:00.002-05:00

A short while ago Bob and I and our kids were at the cabin with my parents. The morning schedule was such that I didn’t feel the need to do the usual hair and makeup routine, which is one of the best things of being out at the lake.
No one to impress or at the very least no one that would think any less of me for not trying to look my best. What struck me though as the day went on and I became a little self conscious was that in the eyes of my Dad and
husband, I was beautiful. They probably hadn’t even noticed that anything was different! For that moment I saw myself the way they see me and I was moved and humbled. They hadn’t said anything and to this day have no idea I even had these thoughts, but right then, I KNEW that they love me simply because of who I am and because I am their daughter or wife. They’ve told me that countless times, but on that day, I actually got it and believed it. I am moved by such a pure love and humbled as I address my insecurities and vanity in light of such love and acceptance.

Now, I know that despite my daily attempts at looking my best, I will never be model material or even head turning. I know that and I’m OK with that. What this has revealed to me is how much value I have been putting on my image and appearance. I wanted people to see me at my best at all times so that they would think (I knew the real truth) that I had it together and was worthy of their admiration. Boy, that’s ugly when I write it down, but as I study “No Other Gods” by Kelly Minter, God is revealing these areas of my life in which I have been putting way too much value and I think this is one of them. The very cool thing is that as He revealed this one to me that day, He did it through the very real love of the two most important men in my life. What grace and gentleness!

The other incredible thing this has revealed to me is that now that I’ve gotten a glimpse of that truth, I am motivated in a different way to be beautiful for them. Funny how the freedom to not worry about how I looked on the outside has motivated me to be my best for them. I want them to be proud of me and to take delight in me. So I do what I can to look fresh and pretty, but now with complete freedom . The difference is significant because it comes from a feeling of acceptance, not a need to impress others. If I am honest with myself , my attempts at beauty before this were not for them, but for the people out there that I wanted to have a good impression of me. It was a cover.

The real beauty that comes from real love and acceptance is worth a thousand times more than any admiration someone could give you for what’s on the surface.

I love that this revelation also addresses my relationship with Jesus. He sees me as beautiful too. Not because I have it together, but because I am His daughter and because He values who I am in Him. The freedom that comes from that moves me and humbles me as well, and in that I am drawn to Him in a new way. Nothing I do on the outside will affect His love, yet somehow, knowing that causes me to want to obey Him and stay near Him. Such purity and freedom! It can only be found in Him and I am thankful.

Lies

2008-07-15T18:41:00.000-05:00

I am feeling the sting of rejection, and it hurts. And like the sting of an insect, the pain doesn’t go quickly, it lingers and aches even after the initial shock is over.

I feel like I am shouting words of love that simply aren’t heard. How could things go so wrong when we started out with such hope and promise?

How can my love not be enough?

Someone I love more than my own life can’t see that I do. Somewhere along the way lies have been spoken into her ears and she has accepted them as truth. I am reminded of something I read earlier this week- “Satan will tell us what’s true, but he never tells us the truth.” (Michael Wells) Some of what this person is clinging to is true, but it is not the truth. What destruction comes from this!

And then I am challenged to remember that once again, God knows exactly how I feel. How often does He shout words of love into my life that I simply don’t hear? How often do I buy the lies when the truth is right in front of me? His heart must ache as He waits for me to see His Truth.

So I will wait too. Wait for her eyes to be opened and for her heart to be ready to accept what is here for her. Not perfection, but true nonetheless.

May that day come quickly.

I'm baaaack...

2008-05-30T14:55:00.002-05:00

If I still have anyone out there who occasionally drops by to see if I've written any words here- thank you and sorry for the dry spell.

It's not a coincidence that I ran out of energy and things to say exactly when I started home schooling my girls. While we so clearly felt God's guidance and leading as we made the decision of whether or not to bring the girls home to finish their school year, and while it's been an amazing experience, it has taken up any residual brain energy I may have had.

I am so thankful for this opportunity and enjoy having the girls at home, but it is a lot of work. I typically spend 1-2 hours an evening preparing work for Emilie, which basically equals any "down time" I used to have. My mornings also include some last minute prep, which takes at least 15-30 minutes more.

I am really enjoying the prep and studying I have to do and Emilie soaks up everything I send her way, which makes the prep a lot of fun, too. I wish so much that I wasn't working as well as schooling the girls, because what fun we would have if we had whole days together to explore!

Katy has struggled some with remaining focused and driven, but the change in her and the loss of the stress that came from being in the High School environment has been remarkable and so worth while. My girl was suffering and again, I am thankful that she could come home to heal and to grow. It hasn't been easy, not by a long shot, but it has been and continues to be worthwhile.

So, all that to explain why even though God has been faithfully teaching me and drawing me closer, I've had nothing to write down here. I do feel the stirrings again and I'm so grateful. I think there was a part of me that was worried that the "spilling over" that happened on this blog had dried up. I loved having a place to spill out what God was teaching me-because when He teaches-there's more truth and love than I can hold! It has to go somewhere!

Anyway, if anyone does read this, consider these rambling thoughts as my commitment and stated desire to keep going here and to keep telling of His faithfulness in my life. I love to hear from you-take a moment and tell me if you dropped by.

Discouraged?

2008-03-13T14:15:00.003-05:00

I just have to take a few minutes here at work and say out loud (in writing anyway) that I am choosing to trust God in the face of discouragement. Church life has it's ups and downs, good and bad, just like every other part of life, and somedays that just gets to a person. That is, if I don't go to my knees in submission and petition before God.

I know for me, before Him is where things change and my perspective gains balance again. Before Him, the problems don't seem so big. Before Him, I am reminded that He is ultimately Lord, and even if things are not going the way I think they should, He is still there and is still working it together for good. Oh how I love that I can trust His faithfulness!

I'm so thankful that today, on a day that has brought some unexpected discouragement, I also received some unexpected encouragement through some very real answers to a long prayed prayer for someone I love very much. I am reminded again that He is bigger than I give Him credit for and that His timing is best, by a long shot.

So what am I saying? Good question. I'm writing on the fly here with thoughts going in several directions, one of those thoughts being that I should be working on something else, but I just have to say again that going to Jesus with everything is the key to real peace. If I bring Him my dashed hopes, my frustration, my weakness, disappointment in others, and all those other discouraging things, I see them in a different light and gain fresh hope and fresh eyes to see all that is good and all that He is doing. Isn't that cool? I will gladly bow before Him for that!

Thanks for listening. I feel better now....

Happy Birthday

2008-03-04T09:29:00.002-06:00

My brother Ken would have turned 40 today.

One night, 3 1/2 years ago, in the blink of an eye, he was gone from us, leaving a gaping hole in our family that we will never be able to fill.

There's been healing, definitely, but sometimes the pain is still so acute I could physically double over. It's only by God's glorious, boundless grace that my parents, Bob and I and our kids, and most of all Ken's wife and girls, have been able to go on without his laugh, crazy sense of humour and tender love.

How I would love to still have him here, so I could make a big deal about his 40th birthday! I'd call him and tease him and somehow let him know I was proud of him and that I love my little brother.

But instead of doing that, I will remember him in a special way today and treasure the memories of so much love and laughter. I will treasure this day with my family and friends, knowing there are no guarantees of more time. I will thank my God for giving me a brother like Ken to love and remember and then praise Him for being our Comforter and Strength. He is good.

Happy Birthday, Ken.

To such as these....

2008-02-26T13:05:00.002-06:00

I call this photo...FAITH.

My little girl Emilie seems to have a lot of it!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

2008-02-20T17:43:00.003-06:00

OK, before I slip down into a pit of cold despair as a result of this seemingly endless winter, I want to think of reasons to be thankful for cold weather (-35 Celsius for how long now?) and snow.

1) No yard work.
2) My children have hope every night that school will be canceled the next morning because of extreme windchills. It's good for kids to have hope.
3) The walk to the bus every morning makes them stronger and gives them stories to tell their children. "When I was your age...."
4) A quick trip to put out the garbage gives your face a rosy glow that would take a couple of hours at the beach in summer. It's a real time saver!
5) A sunny day isn't taken for granted. Sun dogs are pretty.
6) My kids are stuck at home more, so they have no where to go when I start telling stories. "When I was your age...."
7) The snow conceals the fact that I should not be quite so optimistic about my gardening abilities. No one sees my failure in winter. (Right?)
8) No yard work.

That's all I can think of right now. My mind is numb. From the cold. Have I mentioned it's cold?

I'm really not that down about it, but I do long for the break to this cold spell. How about you? My warmer climate friends may not be able to relate, but you do get to gloat, so I hope you enjoy this anyway!

Friends, add to my list. Let's think of things we can like about this extreme cold!

To end, here's a favorite verse from the Song of Solomon

"Look, the winter is past,
and the rains (snow) are over and gone.
The flowers are springing up,
the season of singing birds has come,
and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air.

The fig trees are forming young fruit,
and the fragrant grapevines are blossoming.
Rise up my darling!
Come away with me , my fair one!"

Longing for that day,
Iris

Sunday's a'comin!

2008-02-15T14:20:00.002-06:00

I've been thinking about my church family this week. It started last Sunday in the ladies SS class I attend, while we were talking about worship and the people we worship with.

Sometimes I like to look at my church through different eyes than normal, and pretend that I'm reading a book about this community and it's people. I love seeing people I've known my whole life this way because their quirks and personalities tend to be endearing rather than annoying. God in His grace has given us an incredible gift when he gave us communities to worship and grow in. I love it that he planned it this way, rather than leaving me to go it alone.

And in turn gives me the chance, as I sit in the service and look around, to pray for people I love who are fighting cancer, the effects of old age, the pain of losing someone dear, discouragement in their families or jobs... And then there's the hidden pain sitting in those pews. Unseen battles being fought.

What a privilege to be a part of the support and strength for what could be described as a motley crew, but because of God is a beautiful body of believers!

This Sunday I was also moved to be thankful for another gracious gift-the privilege of worshiping my Savior beside these people and to enjoy the bond that comes from being one in purpose and focus. To sing together to our God and to know in that moment that anything that may threaten to draw us apart or divide cannot prevail if we are in unity and in Him. It's a beautful thing, and I don't want to take it for granted. I love that it is just the tiniest taste of what is coming in Glory.

So, these are my decidely rambling thoughts. As you can tell, I can't quite put it into words, but I wanted to try. I wanted to enjoy and savor it and to say thank you to Jesus for loving us enough to call us to unity. And for making a much less than perfect collection of sinful believers into something beautiful that reflects His glory.

See you on Sunday!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T18:26:00.002-06:00

Here’s Emilie this morning, with her requested (gluten free) heart shaped pancakes. They're a little tradition here at our house for her, and she loves it. So do I.

And sometimes you just have to take a picture to remind yourself in the down times that every now and then you do go the extra mile to make memories for your kids!

Happy Valentine’s Day to my dear family and friends.

May you experience His immeasurable love today.

GNO!

2008-02-12T15:00:00.000-06:00

Going on a Girls Night Out tonight!
I have much to weigh me down these days, but tonight I am choosing to entrust those things to my Savior, and to enjoy the company of friends and a chick flick (27 Dresses).
Today I am thankful for friends, for my Best Friend, and for the privilege of trusting Him.

Hope you are finding strength in Him today too!

The Path of Danger

2008-02-07T09:46:00.000-06:00

I was reminded this week of an incident I witnessed when I was young, in my early twenties, while vacationing in a little resort town here in Manitoba. Bob and I and our friends were outside our cottage when we saw a young couple and their toddler walking by. Without warning the little girl dashed between two parked cars and toward the street, while a car was travelling in her direction. The parents, of course, were there in an instant, grabbing her back to safety. What disturbed me at the time was how they reacted-they yelled at her to never do that again, and kind of shook her to make their point clear. I thought they were way over the top and honestly, I chalked them up as bad, almost abusive, parents. I mean really. Why would you yell at your child for such an innocent thing?

What puzzled me later in the same week, was that when I observed them interacting as a family at the pool and around town, they seemed a normal, loving family. Why, if this was the case, had they reacted in such an "angry" way when their girl toddled into the path of danger? Shouldn't they have just reacted in love and relief?

Now that I am a parent, I totally get their reaction. There is something so raw and uninhibited in the fear of a parent as they see their child run into the path of danger. I know now that anger is a natural reaction, and that it is the fear talking at those moments. Fear born out of immeasurable love. So the parents I was observing reacted the same way most of us would have in the same situation, and probably have.

Why is this on my mind? Because I have been asking myself lately why I react in certain ways when my teenage children make decisions or say things that "scare" me. I read the books. I determine in my heart to react calmly, to let them express themselves, to listen without judgement. But when faced with situations in their lives out of my control I do exactly what I don't want to do. I show my fear by raising my voice, by putting my foot down way too soon, by wanting to "fix things" my way.

And now I know why. I'm afraid. Afraid they will run even farther into the path of danger and destruction. That out of my reach, they will get hurt. And I react in a raw and natural manner.

I'm not saying it is the right reaction. In fact, I think this realization is another step closer to learning how to be the parent I want to be, which means making some changes. Which means learning to be quiet and loving when every part of me screams "No!" and "What were you thinking?".

Once again, I have to thank my Lord, for letting me witness that event in that family's life, and for letting me remember it all these years. And then for using it to gently guide me in the right direction. I pray that it is not in vain.

Outside

2008-01-27T08:00:00.000-06:00

I'm back from my walk.
I try to go every morning, first thing, straight out of bed, sometimes while I'm still asleep. But today I made the mistake of staying in bed after I woke up, thinking and praying, which gave me time as well to consider whether I reaaally wanted to get dressed and go out in the cold, where I'd have to put enough effort to walk 2 miles. I finally got dressed and went out, wondering at first why I thought this was better than being snug and warm in my bed, with time when I got up for a cup of tea and some quiet.

But something cool happens every single time I go out there. The blood starts flowing, I "wake up" and see the beauty around me, and I can't help but be in conversation with God on a very different level than I can in the busyness and distraction of the rest of the day. I'm energized, at peace, and full of praise. Why would I ever be tempted to miss this time?

But I am. Every morning I fight through the decision of whether or not to go. Every morning I choose whether I will do what takes effort or do what is comfortable.

I was almost home this morning when it hit me. I know there are many times I feel God drawing me to "come outside" with Him. To leave behind the comfortable and the easy, and make the decision to fight through the initial discomfort to see what He has for me. I also know from experience that when He has called me to step out of comfort, He has done exactly what happens on my walks. I am energized, woken up, filled with the peace that comes from having a fresh connection with Him. And, like every morning I take a walk, I am so glad I went. I wouldn't ever trade the benefits of having stepped out for the ease of having stayed comfortable.

So, the next time I hear Him calling me to "come outside" I want to go! I want to put aside my natural desire to stay comfortable (where things are easy, where I don't have to be "uncomfortable", where I don't have to make a big effort) and see where He will take me. Is it a new relationship? A challenge in my parenting? Making myself vulnerable in a blog?

Is God calling you to come outside? Let's talk about this here and explore it together.

Iris

Team Player

2008-01-18T11:02:00.001-06:00

I love football! Who would've thought that I would develop this new interest at this stage of the game (word play intended)? Until Ivan started to play last summer, I had a very vague perception of what the aim of the game was and what the rules might be, but that's changed, and I love it! At first I thought it was only a natural interest in my son's world, but his season is over and I still love to watch a game, or even, a movie that's about the game.
What do I love? I so enjoy the whole team aspect-how each player is so important and that everyone has to do their job in order for the play to work. I love that heart and commitment and effort are as important as skill or ability. I love that just because you're losing in one quarter, it doesn't mean the game is over or decided. I love the thrill of seeing a player catch a pass and weave and dodge his way through the other team's line and run for a touchdown, or the thrill of someone intercepting a throw and changing the whole play in a split second. What fun!

While watching a game on Sunday I felt myself wishing I could be a part of a team like that. I wanted to have my hard work and effort make a difference to the success of a team and contribute to a win. What would that be like?

Then I realized that I am on a team. Not football of course (have you seen me run or throw?), but on the more significant team of the body of Christ. And in a smaller focus, the body of my church family. Can I apply the team and game angle here? In my church family, does it make a difference if I do my job (serve in my giftedness)? Does my heart and commitment and effort make a difference to the body? Can I stand in the way of the enemy as he tries to take out my teammate? Can I be a part of deflecting an attempt of the enemy to defeat and watch as Jesus turns it into a victory? Can I encourage my team to keep going, even when it looks like we might be losing? Can I make sure my attitude is one of support to my teammates, even though they fall and maybe miss an opportunity? These are just a few thoughts. Think about it and see if you can add to the list (and post it here).

I'm so excited to be a part of the "team". We should get jerseys! (Trust me to bring clothes into the mix.) But seriously, I'm inspired by the thought that my commitment makes a difference to more than just my little world. That I can "block" for my brother or sister in Jesus. That the victory is sure, even though at times it doesn't look like it is.

I love Jesus and how He loves us enough to allow us to participate, growing and learning and building our "muscle" as we do so. That every effort builds on the last and makes us stronger.
He is so good!

" 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. " Hebrews 12:1-3

Let me know what you think!
Iris

Sunday

2008-01-13T08:30:00.000-06:00

It's Sunday and my first thoughts were that I didn't want to go to church. Without even trying, I could think of all the reasons that I wouldn't want to be there. I hate that. I know that it was an attempt by the enemy to distract and discourage me, but I have to ask myself why I was vulnerable to that attack. I'm used to my first thoughts of the day being about Jesus and full of joy and expectation. That's why this threw me and makes me ask myself if I've made myself vulnerable. Not beating myself up, just asking myself some honest questions. But be assured, I will go to Worship this morning. I will bring my sacrifice of praise and will expectantly wait to hear from Him. He is worthy of all my praise (and so much more) and I will gladly serve Him. There. I feel better already.
"Put on a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness....."

Thanks for listening,
Iris

Jewels

2008-01-12T08:23:00.000-06:00

I've just had the most amazing thing happen. My sister and mother-in-law left last week for a trip to Thailand, in which they would be joining a missionary friend in ministering to women trapped in prostitution. They work with an organization that offers women an alternative for making a living,
since so many of these women have no
choice in their vocation, since it's the only thing available to them.
Anyway, they were in touch by e-mail last night and filled us in on their night spent
meeting some of these women. They spent some time in a bar they felt God leading them to and spent time talking to a beautiful, friendly young woman. They were blown away by her beauty and honest smile
and sweetness. They called her a "jewel".

The day that Mom and my sister left, while having my quiet time, I got the idea to buy them
some tangible reminder of our prayers. The idea of an angel pin came to mind. Now, I often think those can be a bit, how do I say it, "tacky", but on this day they just seemd like the right thing. I wanted them to see it and have it on all the time and remember that we were praying. The fact that the idea came while I was praying seemed significant to me, since I've been known to get caught up in "hairbrained" ideas before that just got me more tired and into trouble, so I'm learning to discern when the idea is His. Anyway, I planned to go later in the day to buy the pins, but as days have a way of doing, this one got away on me. And the doubts started coming-
maybe I was wrong about it being His idea, maybe I was just creating more bother for myself and spending money needlesly, maybe they would wonder why I
bothered. So I ran the idea past Bob, thinking that as a man, he would give me the advice to just drop it. It's jewelry for goodness sake! But he didn't. He encouraged me to and so off I went. It took me a while to make up my mind as to what to buy, and for a while I had talked myself into something else, but I felt God pull me back to the pins. So I bought them and delivered them and was confident that I had at least not wasted my time and money. Mom and my sister-in-law were blessed by them and I thought that all was accomplished.

Guess again! Our God is bigger than that! My sister had mentioned while travelling that if God prompted her to give the pin to someone, she would. You guessed it-that "Jewel" is now the owner of that reminder of my prayers! They offered it to her and she wanted it pinned on right away, so when it was her turn to dance, there it was, on her skimpy "bikini", flashing and reflecting light.

What if I hadn't obeyed the prompting? I was so close to talking myself out of it. What if I hadn't been before Him that morning for time alone with Him? I would have missed the quiet in which
to hear Him.

The significance of light in that setting blows me away. Jesus is there-He loves these women and is there. He IS light and He is there.

So, now I am praying for a lovely woman on the other side of the world. I have to- I said I would pray for the person who had the pin! What a privilege to have this connection and opportunity to intercede for a special person so far away.

One of my favorite things about God is how He weaves our lives and experiences together in ways that bring such amazing blessing to us.

I'm still processing what happened-I'm wanting to soak up every ounce of Truth and revelation from this. I have a feeling it will change my perspective and draw me to my quiet time more
expectantly.

In the meantime, I will bask in one more reflection of His glory!

That's it for me today. Take care.

A journey of a thousand miles

2008-01-09T15:30:00.000-06:00

...begins with a single step.

So this is where I begin my journey into blogging and into a new world.
I'm excited to begin and truly hope that this blog will grow and evolve into something that will encourage my friends, give me a place to pour out the overflow of what God is doing in my life, and bring Him glory.

I welcome your feedback and insight and invite you along on the journey!

Walking with Him,
Iris