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Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Monday, 19 December 2011
The weekend
We went to Bristol on Friday night to babysit our grandchildren. Stories and plays and apples dipped in caramel and toffee bits. They are so cute and I had a grand time. Home at 1 in the morning. Doug and I love driving late at night. How many of you love doing that? The moon was half there, the night was clear, my husband was dear. I feel like writing a song or two.
Saturday was quiet -- I'm not really getting much done, but hey, I'm in a period of rest. I did manage to shop a bit in the morning and lay all the treasures out in the living room. It's Monday morning and they are still in the same place. Perhaps I'll wrap a few presents today. Christmas is a-comin.'
Had a long conversation with Natalie this morning. I so miss her and the little ones here at the house. She's preparing for a big party on Christmas Eve at her house. Wish we could be there, too. Last week I had this vision of us arriving by surprise at their house on Christmas Eve. If only we had the money to do this; I'd fly out in a minute.
Sunday was filled with people and places. Such a wonderful day of church cafe, lunch, Fredericton Ladies' Choir at St. Paul's Cathedral (sang along with the choir at the end when the whole place stood as The Hallelujah Chorus was played). Granny so wanted to be in the choir, but alas, she had a roaring cold, so we watched from the balcony. In the evening, Doug and I went to Ann's house where she made us prime rib with all the fixin's, and we had conversation around the table about our purpose in life.
What is the purpose of life, anyway? This morning I was listening to R.C. Sproul's teaching "Dust to Glory," on this topic. Fantastic teaching series. You can listen on line at ligonier.org.
Gen. 1:26 says, "Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life -- the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the livestock, wild animals, and small animals."
Who am I?
Why am I?
Why a world?
Why people?
Why history?
We are the pinnacle of God's work of creation.
"If there is no God, there is no purpose. If there is no purpose, there is no God."
Thoughts today....should I now wrap presents?
Saturday was quiet -- I'm not really getting much done, but hey, I'm in a period of rest. I did manage to shop a bit in the morning and lay all the treasures out in the living room. It's Monday morning and they are still in the same place. Perhaps I'll wrap a few presents today. Christmas is a-comin.'
Had a long conversation with Natalie this morning. I so miss her and the little ones here at the house. She's preparing for a big party on Christmas Eve at her house. Wish we could be there, too. Last week I had this vision of us arriving by surprise at their house on Christmas Eve. If only we had the money to do this; I'd fly out in a minute.
Sunday was filled with people and places. Such a wonderful day of church cafe, lunch, Fredericton Ladies' Choir at St. Paul's Cathedral (sang along with the choir at the end when the whole place stood as The Hallelujah Chorus was played). Granny so wanted to be in the choir, but alas, she had a roaring cold, so we watched from the balcony. In the evening, Doug and I went to Ann's house where she made us prime rib with all the fixin's, and we had conversation around the table about our purpose in life.
What is the purpose of life, anyway? This morning I was listening to R.C. Sproul's teaching "Dust to Glory," on this topic. Fantastic teaching series. You can listen on line at ligonier.org.
Gen. 1:26 says, "Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life -- the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the livestock, wild animals, and small animals."
Who am I?
Why am I?
Why a world?
Why people?
Why history?
We are the pinnacle of God's work of creation.
"If there is no God, there is no purpose. If there is no purpose, there is no God."
Thoughts today....should I now wrap presents?
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Rest?
You know what I have found? It is rather difficult to rest. I'm trying. Put the fire on in the office in the morning, sit there, get out my journal, Bible, etc. Then the phone rings. You know how it is. Or I need to deal with something. Like go buy a present for someone. It is the season to be jolly and buy presents, and am I running out of time? Yes. Bit by bit I'll eat the gift-buying elephant.
I have discovered this, though -- that we can rest doing all sorts of activities -- it's really our state of mind, isn't it?
Doug and I have been enjoying the time together the past couple of evenings. We watch a video and talk about it. Take a walk, a ride, watch a Christmas movie. And he has been sending me a daily email of a powerpoint presentation he has been making for me, called "The Twelve Days Before Christmas,", a love letter of sorts - one slide per day. Very unique and very touching to me. My beloved husband.
I just came home to make the supper meal and there he was at the stove, making the meal. Where did my husband go? Is this the new and improved model? I like it, whatever is going on...
Tis the season to have a new husband....
I have discovered this, though -- that we can rest doing all sorts of activities -- it's really our state of mind, isn't it?
Doug and I have been enjoying the time together the past couple of evenings. We watch a video and talk about it. Take a walk, a ride, watch a Christmas movie. And he has been sending me a daily email of a powerpoint presentation he has been making for me, called "The Twelve Days Before Christmas,", a love letter of sorts - one slide per day. Very unique and very touching to me. My beloved husband.
I just came home to make the supper meal and there he was at the stove, making the meal. Where did my husband go? Is this the new and improved model? I like it, whatever is going on...
Tis the season to have a new husband....
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
A Season of Rest
I'm in a season of rest. Yes, believe it or not. I have deemed December a season of rest. Seasons greetings to me -- take a rest, Deb. You might be a bit weary. Yes, thank you, I believe I am a bit weary. Going like the wind since Labour Day and now I need to rest from all that labour.
I don't like to admit that I'm tired, but I guess it's OK every once in awhile. That way, one can accept it and get 'involved' in that rest, step into it so to speak and enjoy it. I give myself permission to rest.
After Natalie and the kids left, I realized this to be true. After you slow down a bit, you understand you might be tired. Know what I mean? Enjoying life, however -- just doing whatever....and seeking God in the midst of it -- reading, praying, meditating, enjoying the SEASON of Advent. Enjoying this beautiful city we live in. Enjoying my tree that has been up for two weeks, thanks to Natalie. Enjoying the fact that my shopping is almost done. Enjoying the fact that I can just BE. What a place to BE.
I know! I will just "BE...in this place." LOL
deb
I don't like to admit that I'm tired, but I guess it's OK every once in awhile. That way, one can accept it and get 'involved' in that rest, step into it so to speak and enjoy it. I give myself permission to rest.
After Natalie and the kids left, I realized this to be true. After you slow down a bit, you understand you might be tired. Know what I mean? Enjoying life, however -- just doing whatever....and seeking God in the midst of it -- reading, praying, meditating, enjoying the SEASON of Advent. Enjoying this beautiful city we live in. Enjoying my tree that has been up for two weeks, thanks to Natalie. Enjoying the fact that my shopping is almost done. Enjoying the fact that I can just BE. What a place to BE.
I know! I will just "BE...in this place." LOL
deb
Thursday, 8 December 2011
Natalie called me at 6 pm New Brunswick time. RCMP husband Josh met her at the Winnipeg airport with two dozen roses. She said that Aiden and Sarah did great on the air flights. They had another seven hours north by car, to The Pas. She has a couple of stories to tell me but that will have to wait til tomorrow. Or should I say today, since I can't sleep?
You know, the airport is one of a few places where a grown woman can stand at a plate glass window and cry, and no one comes to her aid or asks her what is wrong.
Thanks for praying. It really does work.
You know, the airport is one of a few places where a grown woman can stand at a plate glass window and cry, and no one comes to her aid or asks her what is wrong.
Thanks for praying. It really does work.
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
Leaving on a Jet Plane
Once again, Natalie, Aiden and Sarah are leaving on a jet plane -- back to Manitoba. Where did the time go? They've been here since November 5th, and time does fly when you're having fun.
Would appreciate your prayers as she travels to Toronto, changes planes and then on to Winnipeg, where RCMP husband Josh will meet his dear family and take them home another seven hours to The Pas, Manitoba. Thank you, Josh, for lending us your wife and children. We've so totally enjoyed having them here.
I'm sad. It's a normal thing when they leave -- Nat and I are both sad -- we hate to leave each other. And the babies...Oh, what could I say? I feel like I've been raising them, too...Baby Sarah stood today -- I told her when she came that she had to stand before she went home. She is 10 months old. Good job, Baby Giant (that's what we call her). She is so cute. Aiden, too....He has absolutely loved interacting with all my music students this month and has even learned half of "Jingle Bells" from Gram Deb.
I wish Canada was the size of Luxembourg sometimes -- or a small European country. Would make it so much easier to see your family, wouldn't it? Oh well, God has granted us this time together, and He will grant us another time. He always does.
Thanks for praying for our beautiful daughter and children tomorrow....
Would appreciate your prayers as she travels to Toronto, changes planes and then on to Winnipeg, where RCMP husband Josh will meet his dear family and take them home another seven hours to The Pas, Manitoba. Thank you, Josh, for lending us your wife and children. We've so totally enjoyed having them here.
I'm sad. It's a normal thing when they leave -- Nat and I are both sad -- we hate to leave each other. And the babies...Oh, what could I say? I feel like I've been raising them, too...Baby Sarah stood today -- I told her when she came that she had to stand before she went home. She is 10 months old. Good job, Baby Giant (that's what we call her). She is so cute. Aiden, too....He has absolutely loved interacting with all my music students this month and has even learned half of "Jingle Bells" from Gram Deb.
I wish Canada was the size of Luxembourg sometimes -- or a small European country. Would make it so much easier to see your family, wouldn't it? Oh well, God has granted us this time together, and He will grant us another time. He always does.
Thanks for praying for our beautiful daughter and children tomorrow....
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Charge it we did, Angie. Thanks for the advice. Friday we hit the stores again whilst Granny babysat. Time sure does fly when you''re shopping. More charge it going on. I need to get another job, or less grandchildren. Hey, but i'm not complaining. Just mortgage the house. Thanks granny, you did a good job -- do you have experience or something?
Saturday found us undecorating the house and redecorating with a myriad of lights and various snowman apparatuses. Or should I say apparati? After having arisen at 6:30 am, due to two young children not wanting to stay in the ol woman in the shoe's comfortable beds, we began what we thought would be a fruitful Christmas prep day. By 11:30 AM, We were ready to pull out our hair, so we piled the kids into the CRV, drove up the road and convinced Mr. Grasse to let us continue our yearly tradition of cutting down one of his trees, although he is no longer in business. Guess he likes us.
Doug cut it with his one good hand, while Aiden ran through the forest and Sarah flailed about
In her snowsuit.
To make a long story short, it is now Sunday night and all that adorns the tree is a cornucopia of colored lights. We'll work on it this week between feedings, bum changes, games, radio shows, meal prep, teaching and so on.
The Proverbs 31 women with good intentions
Saturday found us undecorating the house and redecorating with a myriad of lights and various snowman apparatuses. Or should I say apparati? After having arisen at 6:30 am, due to two young children not wanting to stay in the ol woman in the shoe's comfortable beds, we began what we thought would be a fruitful Christmas prep day. By 11:30 AM, We were ready to pull out our hair, so we piled the kids into the CRV, drove up the road and convinced Mr. Grasse to let us continue our yearly tradition of cutting down one of his trees, although he is no longer in business. Guess he likes us.
Doug cut it with his one good hand, while Aiden ran through the forest and Sarah flailed about
In her snowsuit.
To make a long story short, it is now Sunday night and all that adorns the tree is a cornucopia of colored lights. We'll work on it this week between feedings, bum changes, games, radio shows, meal prep, teaching and so on.
The Proverbs 31 women with good intentions
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Shopping and GPS
Natalie and I ventured out of the house this morning around 11 am. Very difficult to get going ANYWHERE with two children. Before we left the driveway, we prayed for the day and that we would have a good day of shopping. Where did we go? To Chapters for a couple of hours, where we were able to buy many gifts. I spent quite a bit of time in their toy department and a very helpful manager helped me find quality educational toys for five of our six grandchildren. It was so unusual in this day and age of help-yourself consumerism, to actually have someone take an interest in my 'ol' woman in a shoe' life. I could have pulled out my hair trying to find gifts for six kids under six. Kudos to the staff at Chapters Toys in Fredericton!
Natalie and I left Chapters much poorer, but richer for the shopping experience. So we headed down the hill to my beloved downtown, and ate lunch at the new Cedar Lunch on Queen Street, where we 'fared' on lentil soup, salad and falafels, and green tea in a beautiful glass carafe type container. Then home to relieve Aunt Becky of her duties. Thanks, B., for being a grandmother aunt today.
Tomorrow afternoon, Granny comes to be great-grandmother to Sarah and Aiden, so we can hit the Black Friday sales again. Look out Freddybeach -- Wilma and Betty are loose again!
Natalie and I left Chapters much poorer, but richer for the shopping experience. So we headed down the hill to my beloved downtown, and ate lunch at the new Cedar Lunch on Queen Street, where we 'fared' on lentil soup, salad and falafels, and green tea in a beautiful glass carafe type container. Then home to relieve Aunt Becky of her duties. Thanks, B., for being a grandmother aunt today.
Tomorrow afternoon, Granny comes to be great-grandmother to Sarah and Aiden, so we can hit the Black Friday sales again. Look out Freddybeach -- Wilma and Betty are loose again!
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Monday, 21 November 2011
Monday Morning Thot
"...being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil 1:6)
"What a sobering thought, Lord--the primary reason for me to remain on this earth is to aid in the spiritual progress of others. You created me for 'good works,' and You desire that I bear much fruit while I am yet on earth. So work through me, Lord!"
"What a sobering thought, Lord--the primary reason for me to remain on this earth is to aid in the spiritual progress of others. You created me for 'good works,' and You desire that I bear much fruit while I am yet on earth. So work through me, Lord!"
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Page Views
I was fiddling around on my blog and decided to check out the stats page -- you know, how many people are looking at what you have to say, etc. I was surprised to find out that since I started this blog in November 2008, I have had 23,295 page views. Thank you -- I am very encouraged that anyone would want to hear what I have to say. Thank you again -- I guess I'll keep writing.
We are called to make a difference. Tonight at the gathering here at our house, we discussed ways we could bless different groups of people around town -- social workers, cashiers, service station attendants, police officers, new mothers, firemen, etc. Brainstorming different things we could do for them. Any ideas?
Monday, 14 November 2011
A Synopsis
Natalie, Aiden and Sarah have been here for a week and a couple of days. It truly has been a whirlwind of events and people. Where would I start to explain all that has gone on here at this wee li'l house? So, I'll just 'synopsize' this past weekend.
Thursday night was a hullabaloo with music lessons, then people gathering for the gathering, and Jon & Alicia and four kids arrived - it seemed all at once. Six children in a three bedroom house (one of which is an office), and 5 adults. What to do? Well, this house became a hostel for the next few days -- mattresses on the floor, couch, playpens...Afton sleeping in my king size bed with me for a couple of nights, a playpen at the end of my bed with baby boy Croy. A couple of nights I crawled across the bed to get to my 'position', because I couldn't get past the playpen. Plus I have all my office stuff stuffed in my bedroom! We have never had so many people sleeping in this house to date. Children everywhere. Reminds me of a nursery rhyme somehow. And the house looks like a toy factory, and I'm thinking of developing a floor wax made of spittle and Cheerios.
We even ventured into the rock wall basement for more play space. All three levels had a child on it at any point in time. I love it! But I can't imagine living this way EVERY day, as some people in the world do, I'm sure...
Friday afternoon was a family meal at Granny & Jed's with the clan and the Southshore Sister and my youngest sister. Saturday was the market (that was an historic event in itself, trying to manuever six kids through that fray. Then McDonald's Playland, and THEN....Costco on a Saturday afternoon. Oh my...
On Saturday night, more friends of our children came over for a meal with yet another baby, making seven. The logistics of serving a meal to that many children is unexplainable. Mass confusion. And my small kitchen exploding with tables, food flying, babies crawling. Well, you can just imagine. You can hardly move around without bumping into someone -- and all the mothers trying to serve food. I finally just slumped down in the corner by the fridge. When all else fails, go into a corner somewhere. After supper and all the kids were bedded down, with visiting baby Ruby in the laundry room (yes, the laundry room), the young adults and the middle-aged folk played Balderdash and 'pictures,' and laughed a lot til midnight. We love having people in our home. I just wonder why we didn't buy a bigger one. (of course, we had NO grandchildren when we bought this house seven years ago. You never know what life may bring -- maybe a bunch of babies!)
Sunday morning was like the Amazing Race, trying to get Jon's family out the door at 0800 so they could make it to their church in Florenceville on time. I was out in the yard with housecoat and slippers on, piling the kids into their van, passing them food and bristol board for their on-board crafts. Good thing I live in the city-country here in The Pines.
Well, that's just a brief synopsis of a people-filled weekend here at the li'l ol' house in The Pines.
Thursday night was a hullabaloo with music lessons, then people gathering for the gathering, and Jon & Alicia and four kids arrived - it seemed all at once. Six children in a three bedroom house (one of which is an office), and 5 adults. What to do? Well, this house became a hostel for the next few days -- mattresses on the floor, couch, playpens...Afton sleeping in my king size bed with me for a couple of nights, a playpen at the end of my bed with baby boy Croy. A couple of nights I crawled across the bed to get to my 'position', because I couldn't get past the playpen. Plus I have all my office stuff stuffed in my bedroom! We have never had so many people sleeping in this house to date. Children everywhere. Reminds me of a nursery rhyme somehow. And the house looks like a toy factory, and I'm thinking of developing a floor wax made of spittle and Cheerios.
We even ventured into the rock wall basement for more play space. All three levels had a child on it at any point in time. I love it! But I can't imagine living this way EVERY day, as some people in the world do, I'm sure...
Friday afternoon was a family meal at Granny & Jed's with the clan and the Southshore Sister and my youngest sister. Saturday was the market (that was an historic event in itself, trying to manuever six kids through that fray. Then McDonald's Playland, and THEN....Costco on a Saturday afternoon. Oh my...
On Saturday night, more friends of our children came over for a meal with yet another baby, making seven. The logistics of serving a meal to that many children is unexplainable. Mass confusion. And my small kitchen exploding with tables, food flying, babies crawling. Well, you can just imagine. You can hardly move around without bumping into someone -- and all the mothers trying to serve food. I finally just slumped down in the corner by the fridge. When all else fails, go into a corner somewhere. After supper and all the kids were bedded down, with visiting baby Ruby in the laundry room (yes, the laundry room), the young adults and the middle-aged folk played Balderdash and 'pictures,' and laughed a lot til midnight. We love having people in our home. I just wonder why we didn't buy a bigger one. (of course, we had NO grandchildren when we bought this house seven years ago. You never know what life may bring -- maybe a bunch of babies!)
Sunday morning was like the Amazing Race, trying to get Jon's family out the door at 0800 so they could make it to their church in Florenceville on time. I was out in the yard with housecoat and slippers on, piling the kids into their van, passing them food and bristol board for their on-board crafts. Good thing I live in the city-country here in The Pines.
Well, that's just a brief synopsis of a people-filled weekend here at the li'l ol' house in The Pines.
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Life at 83
Life at 83
(Written by an 83-year-old woman to her friend.)
I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working.
Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.
I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event...such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amaryllis blossom.
I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries.
I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank.
"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary.
If there is something that is worth seeing, or hearing, or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.
I'm not sure what others would've done had they known that they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, or for whatever their favorite food was. I'm guessing; I'll never know.
It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love them.
I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath...truly is a gift from God.
(Written by an 83-year-old woman to her friend.)
I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working.
Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.
I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event...such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amaryllis blossom.
I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries.
I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank.
"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary.
If there is something that is worth seeing, or hearing, or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.
I'm not sure what others would've done had they known that they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, or for whatever their favorite food was. I'm guessing; I'll never know.
It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love them.
I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath...truly is a gift from God.
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Friday, 4 November 2011
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Natalie et al on the way home!
I request special prayer for TODAY (Thursday) and Tomorrow (Friday) for Natalie. She is currently in Winnipeg with Aiden and Baby Sarah. Aiden has a doctor's appointment, so would appreciate prayer for that, and then...
Tomorrow (Friday, Nov. 4), Natalie will be taking two flights home to Fredericton with these two kids (by herself) -- a 3 year old and a 10 month old baby. You know how airports are. Pray that she can do this with supernatural strength, peace, calm, and that all will be calm during the flights and getting to the gates, etc. That she will be AMAZED at how easy it is to fly with two children, getting them through all the hoops at the airports.
She arrives tomorrow night in Fredericton at 5:45. Appreciate it! We are so excited...
Tomorrow (Friday, Nov. 4), Natalie will be taking two flights home to Fredericton with these two kids (by herself) -- a 3 year old and a 10 month old baby. You know how airports are. Pray that she can do this with supernatural strength, peace, calm, and that all will be calm during the flights and getting to the gates, etc. That she will be AMAZED at how easy it is to fly with two children, getting them through all the hoops at the airports.
She arrives tomorrow night in Fredericton at 5:45. Appreciate it! We are so excited...
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
I'm Not Shrinking!
Another good report -- I'm not shrinking!
Went to Dr. T yesterday to get my flu shot. He gave me the results of the bone densitometry test, which I have to have every year, now that I'm in 'menopause,' AND on the drug Arimidex. He said that not only is my bone density NORMAL, but that it has INCREASED!
Rejoice with me once again. Now we are in November, the month three years ago that I was diagnosed and had surgery, the beginning of my cancer journey. But I declare that NOW November is a healing month, a month of beauty!
Went to Dr. T yesterday to get my flu shot. He gave me the results of the bone densitometry test, which I have to have every year, now that I'm in 'menopause,' AND on the drug Arimidex. He said that not only is my bone density NORMAL, but that it has INCREASED!
Rejoice with me once again. Now we are in November, the month three years ago that I was diagnosed and had surgery, the beginning of my cancer journey. But I declare that NOW November is a healing month, a month of beauty!
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