Words of Strength and Hope

Morning Devotion
Wednesday, December 22, 2010

"I will strengthen thee." {#Isa 41:10}

God has a strong reserve with which to discharge this engagement; for he is able to do all things. Believer, till thou canst drain dry the ocean of omnipotence, till thou canst break into pieces the towering mountains of almighty strength, thou never needest to fear. Think not that the strength of man shall ever be able to overcome the power of God. Whilst the earth’s huge pillars stand, thou hast enough reason to abide firm in thy faith. The same God who directs the earth in its orbit, who feeds the burning furnace of the sun, and trims the lamps of heaven, has promised to supply thee with daily strength. While he is able to uphold the universe, dream not that he will prove unable to fulfil his own promises. Remember what he did in the days of old, in the former generations. Remember how he spake and it was done; how he commanded, and it stood fast. Shall he that created the world grow weary? He hangeth the world upon nothing; shall he who doth this be unable to support his children? Shall he be unfaithful to his word for want of power? Who is it that restrains the tempest? Doth not he ride upon the wings of the wind, and make the clouds his chariots, and hold the ocean in the hollow of his hand? How can he fail thee? When he has put such a faithful promise as this on record, wilt thou for a moment indulge the thought that he has outpromised himself, and gone beyond his power to fulfil? Ah, no! Thou canst doubt no longer.

O thou who art my God and my strength, I can believe that this promise shall be fulfilled, for the boundless reservoir of thy grace can never be exhausted, and the overflowing storehouse of thy strength can never be emptied by thy friends or rifled by thine enemies.

Now let the feeble all be strong,
And make Jehovah’s arm their song.

Addition and Subtraction

Subtract snowfall,      Add snow.

Subtract sunlight,      Add lamplight.

Subtract temperature,     Add windchill.

Subtract noise,     Add serenity.

Happy Thanksgiving

Proclamation Establishing Thanksgiving Day
October 3, 1863


The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.


In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.


Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.


A. Lincoln

Madman or Angry Moose?

These were my choices.

To my left was an icy road with little traffic, but enough open space to pedal fast and allow a wide girth to dodge any angry moose. However, there was a madman who sped up as he passed me, cranked his steering wheel and did a complete cookie right in front of me.....on purpose, no less, and then headed back my direction.

To my right was an even more ice laden sidewalk, hedged in by a wall of plowed snow on the road side and delicious tasting trees and brush for moose to hide in and feast upon to the other side

On this particular night, I chose the zamboni slicked sidewalk without the ability to escape moose. My logic was that GOD could reason with the moose to keep them away from me, naturally. A madman on the other hand, well, it appears that he willingly relinquished that Divine Voice of reason!

Favourite Moments From Today

• Waking to a ten degree, clear blue sky morning.
• Hearing birds outside enjoying the golden arctic sun.
• Seeing the slant of sunshine cast very long wands of light across the snow-scaped earth.
• Observing little critters footprints in the snow.
• Feeling the sun, wind and bracing air on my face.
• Having GOD capture all my tears and record from whence they came!!!

Psalm 56:8
Put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

Gripping Action

After weighing my options and weathering two weeks of snow and ice, I have finally purchased studded bike tires to replace my nearly bald tires! The fellows at the tire store seemed a bit amused at my cream stockings, grey wool breeches (knickers), how I stayed clean and perhaps that I was the only lady in the shop.

 (As a side note, after a heavy snow fall my co-worker and I arrived simultaneously at work, he, commenting on the difficult commute, adding that it separates the boys from the men, but since I managed the ride as well, he couldn't say that! I will take that as a compliment!)

After selecting Nokian studs with temperature adjusting rubber, and having them mounted for me, I was off and running, or rather riding, or rather, sliding. It was no easy task, however, due to the rigidness of the ride and the independent stearing action between the front and rear wheel. I had to completely slow the whole process down until I could get a feel for the new ride. It felt like I was riding one of those extra long fire trucks with the driving rear end. It also felt like I was a woodpecker hammering the ground; I felt positively jarred by the end of my day!

These new tires are definitely going to take some getting used to, but hopefully with the deeper tread and the little ice picks I will maintain good safety this winter.

In addition to the tire safety, I also purchased head and taillights, and my favourite....TireFlys!!! Isn't that a sweet name? They are valve stem covers that are action activated lights, highlighting the wheel movement. When I have seen a few others with them, they stand out more than the head/taillight combo due to the motion and uniqueness of the lights which is quite helpful in a winter climate. Truth be told, I bought them especially for their name!

Covenant Promises

Yesterday, I arrived home five minutes prior to my land lady. She informed me that she had seen two moose on the drive on to the property and was wanting me to be careful. I smiled in my heart, knowing that this was proof of GOD's Providential Hand of keeping me safe. He was honouring my prayer to not even see a moose on my biking excursions. How blessed I am to have such a Father who faileth not, despite my own faithlessness.

Just like the the rainbow covenant, where GOD placed the bow into the sky that whenever we see it we may be reminded of His promise not to destroy the earth by flood again, so is this near encounter with a mother and young moose pair.

Timely Words

The last few days have been challenging, soul-searching and even painful at times. It can be difficult to live amongst people who are not thoughtful, insensitive, unkind, and dare I say, mean. With GOD's help, I live without reciprocating or perpetuating unkindness, but I also look for wisdom, patience and forgiveness to bear the hurt and give kindness instead. Although I do fail, although I do not understand the motivation behind people's actions, although I do hurt, I have One Who infinitely loves and cares for me, even when this grumbling heart of mine cannot bear up under the weight. How tender and merciful He has been to me. Tonight, this is what my evening devotion had to say.....

MORNING & EVENING
A Devotional Series by Charles H. Spurgeon


Evening Devotion

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

"It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master." {#Mt 10:25}

No one will dispute this statement, for it would be unseemly for the servant to be exalted above his master. When our Lord was on earth, what was the treatment he received? Were his claims acknowledged, his instructions followed, his perfections worshipped, by those whom he came to bless? No; "He was despised and rejected of men." Outside the camp was his place: cross bearing was his occupation. Did the world yield him solace and rest? "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." This inhospitable country afforded him no shelter: it cast him out and crucified him. Such—if you are a follower of Jesus, and maintain a consistent, Christ like walk and conversation—you must expect to be the lot of that part of your spiritual life which, in its outward development, comes under the observation of men. They will treat it as they treated the Saviour—they will despise it. Dream not that worldlings will admire you, or that the more holy and the more Christ like you are, the more peaceably people will act towards you. They prized not the polished gem, how should they value the jewel in the rough? "If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?" If we were more like Christ, we should be more hated by his enemies. It were a sad dishonour to a child of God to be the world’s favourite. It is a very ill omen to hear a wicked world clap its hands and shout "Well done" to the Christian man. He may begin to look to his character, and wonder whether he has not been doing wrong, when the unrighteous give him their approbation. Let us be true to our Master, and have no friendship with a blind and base world which scorns and rejects him. Far be it from us to seek a crown of honour where our Lord found a coronet of thorn.

Arctic BMXing

Anatomy of my shadow

This past week, I have taken up a new hobby!

ARCTIC BMXing!

Actually, it was necessity that invented the need for my new sport since I need transportaion to get me about town. None-the-less I have embraced this new activity with the enthusiasm and sore muscles that accompany such daring exertion. I dare say that even my ear muscles are strained to aide in the upward/forward mobility necessary to propel oneself on, through and around ice, ice chunks and snow. The laws of physics have taken on a whole new meaning when coupled with the elements of surprise, darkness and the unknown. Balancing high, low, to the side, counter-balancing...all have become my companions in the effort of staying on task! In the process, my thighs resemble a speed skater, my clothes are soaked in sweat, my cheeks are flaming red and my heart is at maximum exhertion, sometimes feeling like it may just pop out of its calcium fortified cage.

One day this past week as the temperatures tottered around freezing, I pedaled along presumably on the frozen five foot sidewalk when my bike dropped down through an inch of ice and further down through three inches of water, subsequently coming to a sudden six inch halt. With all the acrobatic grace I could muster, my foot flew to the side for solid dry ground, the rest of me flew over the bike and the bike was snatched up beside me before I even had time to think or allow a drop of water to settle. There was just no way that I was going down or getting wet! 

On the bright side, it really is beautiful and exhilerating to experience the sights, sounds and smell of snow. Even though it is very hard work and exhausting besides, it is very healthy in so many aspects; bones and muscles, heart and lungs all are improved with intense physical exhertion. Sickness is kept at bay from the fresh air. Mental clarity.....well, that is debateable!

Groomed trail at work

Praying to See Nothing

It is past midnight. I just completed my first work shift of the week and pedaled home in darkness with a midnight blue sky backlighting the mountain range to the east. It was beautiful!

My winter clothes finally made it out of summer hibernation at a friend's house and made a huge difference in warmth; in fact, two clothing layers were rather damp from perspiration. All in all it was a comfortable and beautiful ride despite the late hour and work fatigue.

The only thing that diminishes my ability to relax and enjoy the ride is the fear of moose and mentally/physically impaired drivers. I have prayed to GOD, asking him to keep the moose as far from my vicinity as possible; I do not even want to see them at all for fear of being stomped to death. Praying through scriptural promises is wonderful to keep my mind focused as I whiz past forested or dark brushy areas. Even so, I must have sounded amusing to GOD's ears one evening as I cried out "Please GOD, no moose, please GOD, no moose, please GOD, no moose" or when my fears capture my emotions simultaneously during a mental search for a new verse to remind GOD of yet another promise to me.

Surely, as my flawless Heavenly Father, He knows my fears and concerns, sees my needs, hears my cry, and delights to make His presence known to both me and the stomping moose. He Who calmed seas and brought dead to life can surely distract a protective mother moose. He Who delivered Daniel from the lions den, Noah from the flood, and the children of Israel from a pursuing Egyptian army can certainly keep my needs met. Surely He is trustworthy and faithful to keep promises.

Even so, I like to put my hand in His and test His strength. It is no match for the things of this world. The question isn't GOD's promise and ability, but my faithfulness and trust in Him.

Just so you know....I have not seen one moose, except driving with a friend. Needless to say, I felt pretty safe, but if a car can provide that reassurance, certainly I can have Blessed Assurance with GOD!

Wise Beyond Her Years

I must share this! It is too precious!

Children have such great capacity for knowledge and goodness!

Let's give them everything we have!

Under the Veiled Moonlight

During my midnight bike ride home last night, the moon was veiled behind a gauzey mist of clouds which turned the otherwise black sky into a glorious true midnight blue. Despite the 'negatives' that accompany a night time bike ride, once I get my rhythm in stride I love the fresh frozen air, the variegated sky, the alone time of sweet communion with GOD and all that He teaches me in that commute.

This autumn has been so clear and crisp that the stars are great giants; I have called them 'pinholes in the floorboards of Heaven'! Those moments of concealed darkness reveal GOD's presence and face turned upon me. Safety, adoration, goodness, blessings and withholdings and much more come tumbling from the fountain of my heart. GOD has been good to me.

The few times it has rained, it has done so during the night, or during my work shift and subsequetly dried before my bike ride which has kept me dry in the absence of rain gear.

Winter is so beautiful and I am looking forward to it with eager anticipation. However, snow is late in its arrival again this year while I make arrangements to coordinate the retrieval of my winter woolens.

While I love to see moose, I have specifically asked GOD to withhold them while I bike. Not one has crossed my path. There is a forested area along my route that is a favourite for moose and one which my most fervent prayers and petitions are never ceasing. So far to date GOD has sent at least one motor vehicle, in what I have called my 'mechanical angels' to prepare the way before me! I thank GOD every day for these, and smile in amusement that He has given me a tangible view of His protecting hand.

This week, while beginning evening shift, He brought the moon on its way to its full figure, to light the night and make it more cheerful.

There are so many ways that GOD has been good to me; these are but a few of my night time blessings!

Autumns' Tunic

It is that time of year! The landscape has put her leafy wardrobe away in exchange for her woolen frost cloak. For a few weeks past, flashes of colour emblazened the branches and fell to the ground, soon to be covered in the deep slumber of winter. Farewell to the warm sun....see you on the flip side!

I LOVE OUR FLAG!!!

Hugging Thirty-two Degrees

This morning, I had the privilege of riding to work on two wheels instead of walking the Google-calculated two hours (They lied! I am an Olympic walker and it took forty-five minutes for just under a third of the way). As I breezed along with slightly less effort than the hurried trot walk from previous days, my fingers lost consciousness, and shortly thereafter, my toes followed suit. Due to the darkness, I was unaware until later in the dawn's light journey that the ground was covered in frost; thus my frozen state from embracing thirty-two degrees of cold air with every pedal stroke!

Eventually, that means preferrably sooner than later, I will be able to procure the neccessary accoutrements for rain, snow, sleet, dark, danger, rear view, and some sort of weather proof carrying container in case I should need to stop off at the store for much desired ice-cream without having it melt on the way home. Wait a minute.....Scratch that!.......Guess there is no need to worry about the melting aspect when you are neighbor's with St. Nicholaus!

The ride home this evening was three minutes shorter than the ride to work. I was stopped at a railroad crossing and discovered that the rail cars were covered in Sherwin Williams paint, blue something or other code number and black something or other code number. I also was educated that they have 2 inch HF disc something or others (apparantly, my retention isn't that great when I am feeling hungry, cold and over-worked). Just a little beyond the train tracks, I passed a man who commented on my nice donkey. I assume he meant the men's Cannondale bike upon which I was riding, albeit slightly to large for me, and seeing clearly that there was no Poitou donkey in my vicinity.

I don't know.....Do you see a resemblance?

A Perfect Word at the Perfect Moment

Morning and Evening: A Devotional Series by Charles H. Spurgeon


Evening Devotion

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

"When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I." {#Ps 61:2}

Most of us know what it is to be overwhelmed in heart; emptied as when a man wipeth a dish and turneth it upside down; submerged and thrown on our beam ends like a vessel mastered by the storm. Discoveries of inward corruption will do this, if the Lord permits the great deep of our depravity to become troubled and cast up mire and dirt. Disappointments and heart breaks will do this when billow after billow rolls over us, and we are like a broken shell hurled to and fro by the surf. Blessed be God, at such seasons we are not without an all sufficient solace, our God is the harbour of weather beaten sails, the hospice of forlorn pilgrims. Higher than we are is he, his mercy higher than our sins, his love higher than our thoughts. It is pitiful to see men putting their trust in something lower than themselves; but our confidence is fixed upon an exceeding high and glorious Lord. A Rock he is since he changes not, and a high Rock, because the tempests which overwhelm us roll far beneath at his feet; he is not disturbed by them, but rules them at his will. If we get under the shelter of this lofty Rock we may defy the hurricane; all is calm under the lee of that towering cliff. Alas! such is the confusion in which the troubled mind is often cast, that we need piloting to this divine shelter. Hence the prayer of the text. O Lord, our God, by thy Holy Spirit, teach us the way of faith, lead us into thy rest. The wind blows us out to sea, the helm answers not to our puny hand; thou, thou alone canst steer us over the bar between yon sunken rocks, safe into the fair haven. How dependent we are upon thee—we need thee to bring us to thee. To be wisely directed and steered into safety and peace is thy gift, and thine alone. This night be pleased to deal well with thy servants.

Living Requirements

Micah 6:8

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Shared Musings

HOPE is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.

That sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.

And sweetest in the gale is heard and sore must be the storm

That could abash the little bird that kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land and on the strangest sea

Yet, never, in extremity, it asked a crumb of me!

 

 

(My friend passed this poem along, written by her granddaughter whose heart is from a bygone era.)

Empty Vessels

"Empty vessels, fit and prepared for the Master's use..."

While washing clay flower pots, cleaning up from this summer and readying for the next, I was reminded of the importance of this.

We can only be useful to our Master when we are devoid of anything that would detract from His ultimate purpose.

We can only be useful when we are ready and waiting...yielded and still.

As another reminder, I am reminded of this lovely hymn:

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!

Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.

Saying Farewell to Summer

The colour of Sunshine

Sapphire...growing up and sweet as chocolate pudding! 

The essence of summer

Childhood remembrances of great summer fragrance

The epitome of summer's farewell

Hydrangea rivaling the Sugar Maples

Did Sunshine ever smell more exquisit

Olivia the Spider..Who loves Hexagons and Octagons!!

Going Toe to Toe

Immovable. Resolute. Unbending. Fixed. Determined. Unyielding. Belligerent. Dogged. Unwavering. Adamant. Obdurate.

Good Words. Excellent Description.



I couldn't help myself; there was no yielding of ground. I knew I had rights and wished the other smaller and younger person to defer. I looked around for an opening, measured my rights carefully and stood firmly fixed on the line. Hoping against all odds that she would give up, yield to my FULL rights. Fatigue had set in as firmly as its fellow soldier-at-war 'Stuborn'.

In one final effort, I called a truce and allowed myself to meet her as equals at the line....I must admit, however, that my half of the padded airport bench felt considerably small, even after I folded myself up into a muffin. With both of our toes carefully curled into the half-way crack, we rested weary bodies during an unexpected midnight layover.

Morning arrived an hour later when the first of the morning travellers arrived en masse to catch the early flight out. ( Although the clock said an hour had lapsed, I do declare that daylight savings took effect and swallowed the hour. ) Who knew that there was so little time between closing down an airport, and readying it for the next day!

As one group of Aussie travelers poured through the frigid sliding doors, a gentleman smiled at me and said "Deed yuh slipe the noight he-uh?" I nodded and smiled in amusement as he responded "Oh! Bugguh!"

Fezzik the Giant

I LOVE SPIDERS (in there proper element of course). HOWEVER..............There is something essentially creepy to me about having the spider facing toward me from the inside of its web. I rearranged garden pots, cleaning them and preparing them for next season when I ran across many spiders from every tongue and nation One minute I was speaking with an oriental flare, trying to shoosh the creature away, while the next minute I was speaking with gutteral clicks and clacks, encouraging the arachnid to find a more suitable home. This photo is of Fezzik (the giant in Princess Bride), facing toward me from behind a veil of guaze and stanchly determined to stand his ground. I tried to coax him off, introduced myself in as many languages as I knew. All he did was tear a hole with his front two legs and dangle them outside his protective sheath like a newly wakened child standing at the side of his crib. I wasn't sure if he was going to hop out, fly out or slither snake-like up my arm. I decided that he was not my favourite; therefore I jogged his memory by snapping the pot top on the ground to shake him off. He slithered out, all right, but clung to the side of the pot. As determined as he was to keep his home, I handed him my business card that stated simply "World Wide Web Relocation Services" with a picture of me holding up a shoe. He decided to relocate himself. Atta Boy!!

I would hate for him to die embarrassed!

From the Mouth of Babes

My youngest niece left this note on her desk.

I love the short hand for upstairs bathroom and the single letter denoting to whom the chore was assigned!

What a pretty powerful reminder of GOD's Word!!

• Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus , giving thanks through Him to GOD the Father."
• Ephesians 5:20 "Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to GOD, even the Father"
• II Thessalonians 5:18 "In everything give thanks, for this is GOD's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Sweaty Feet/Feat

Yesterday, I discovered that feet have fear sensors; in fact, I believe that every square millimeter of the foot's surface is able to function as its own fear determining center of operations.

While removing corner boards on my parent's home with the aide of a ladder, I discovered my feet were rather damp, but thought that I was working up a bit of heat from crow bar leverage and ladder clinging. After removing all the corner boards that were accessible from the ground level, I had to use the ladder to hoist my overalled figure up to a small overhang in order to remove corner boards from six corners on the upper story. Who designs these houses, anyway? My tennis shoes, while being perfect for ground work, were quite slick against the roofing shingles. After gingerly removing my shoes, all the while clinging tenatively to the side of the house, I tested my stocking feet and bare feet. Bare feet were no good since my feet were so sweaty, so I went with the grabbing ability of the stockings. I managed to remove the corner boards, albeit a hilarious process for the neighbors to observe, to be sure!

Through all this process, my feet should have cooled down outside the confines of the shoes. The opposite occured, however. My socks were soaked, and my bare feet did not cool down or stop sweating for a good twenty minutes afterward.

Who knew feet had brains?!!

I left one dangling board that was wedged up top into the barge board, but for the life of me I could not bring myself to yank it down without having anything for myself to hang on to. I told my Dad that I had left a dangling participle for him, that I had gone as far as I could and was now playing my 'woman' card!

A Bountiful Summer

The month of August has been very full of all things intrinsically summer. Here is a sample list of those blue sky days:

• raising fluffy, sleepy chicks into fine feathered and alert pullets.

• chopping down disintegrating Japanese plum trees, chopping and stacking the wood, and collecting the remnant plums to preserve as juice and jelly.

• removing overgrown brush and hauling multiple trailer loads of debris. Didn't think you needed a picture of this!
• pruning limbs (the size of small trees) up to allow light into the yard. Who knew you could fit over thirty mature trees on a city plot! Just imagine the helicopters, seed pods, bark bits, twigs, moss, leaves, cones, pitch, sap and pollen that were infiltrating. Even a forest has less variety to contend with!

• planting colourful perennials for present and future beauty.

• leaving a few tidbits on the back fence for the hilarious backyard squirrels.
• sharing a fresh peach waffle cone sundae with Mom at a roadside produce stand.

• making art projects with my nieces, some edible, others more for artistic value!

• Bar-B-Que! Mmmm! Fresh roasted corn on the cob and Boeuf - my favourite! Sorry, I ate the evidence, alas, no photo.
• Going for walks and drives to see all the varietal beauty, including three deer and ten eagles!

• blowing insulation into the attic to ward off winter's chill.

• selecting and purchasing paint colours for the house.....now the prep work begins!
• Excellent messages at church, particularly  the Wrath of God series. What feasting! What Divine Goodness!

There are many more things that I could include, to be sure, but these definitely top the list of priority.

You Should Have Been There...

......it was a perfect moment!

Remembering Jack

Last night, while reposing at the close of my day, I sang "Man of Sorrows" to Him Who is intimately acquainted with grief. Suddenly I recalled a very dear moment from a few years back when I attended an old Presbyterian church. One of the older members is a well known baker in the community who was on this particular Sunday giving a financial and progress report on various church outreach projects. He was stoic but cheerful as he read through the various ministries and when he was finished, he folded his glasses and tucked them neatly away. Quiet, but overcome with emotion, he sweetly said, "I feel like shouting 'HALLELUJAH! What a Saviour!', but I am Swiss, and we don't do things like that!"

That made me smile!

It is said that the word “Hal­le­lu­jah” is the same in all lan­guag­es. It seems as though God had pre­pared it for the great ju­bi­lee of hea­ven, when all his child­ren shall have been ga­thered home to sing “Hal­le­lu­jah to the Lamb!”

Man of Sorrows! what a name

For the Son of God, who came

Ruined sinners to reclaim.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,

In my place condemned He stood;

Sealed my pardon with His blood.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;

Spotless Lamb of God was He;

“Full atonement!” can it be?

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die;

“It is finished!” was His cry;

Now in Heav’n exalted high.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,

All His ransomed home to bring,

Then anew His song we’ll sing:

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

O Love, O Light, O Joy, O Cross

1.O Love, that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

2.O Light, that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to Thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in Thy sunshine's blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

3.O Joy, that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be.

4.O Cross, that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from Thee;
I lay in dust life's glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.

Poultry Pantaloons

Three of my favourite summer things, eating zucchini bread out of my hand. Today was so windy, deliciously so, and their petticoats were swishing about them like, well, feathers in the wind! What a beautiful way to spend time!

An Auntie by Any Other Name

This morning, I sent off a lovey greeting to my nieces, and in response, received one of my own.

They called me Poppy Petal Pie.

Isn't that lovely!

The name fits like a glove!

World Wide Web of Spiders

Every year, I befriend a garden spider, or two, name them, and relegate them to the role of shepherd/shepherdess of my pesky garden bugs. Pictured above in his carefully folded rose leaf home, is King Henry VIII, a large beauty who did ample service during the summer of 2008.

The following summer I had Haddasah, a real beauty of pure white with a slight raspberry pink stripe on each side of her abdomen. She was gorgeous, dainty and was as elegant as a spider could possibly be.

 

Joining her a few weeks later was a black hopping spider named Zipporah, a swarthy dark lady with a rather furry complexion, and one who fiercely guarded her babies. She was too savvy to be captured by a shutter.

This summer, I found another mammoth garden orb spider who was eating her weight daily in unwanted bugs, perhaps even a rodent or two, judging by her size. Her name is Esmerelda. She is lovely, just as long as she stays in her neck of the woods (translation: eaves!)! 

Prayerful Conversation with GOD

“Tell God all that is in your heart, as one unloads one's heart, it's pleasures, and it's pains, to a dear friend.


Tell him your troubles, that he may comfort you; tell him your joys, that he may sober them; tell him your longings, that he may purify them; tell him your dislikes, that he may help you conquer them; talk to him of your temptations, that he may shield you from them; show him the wounds of your heart, that he may heal them; lay bare your indifference to good, your depraved tastes for evil, your instability. Tell him how self-love makes you unjust to others, how vanity tempts you to be insincere, how pride disguises you to yourself and others.

If you thus pour out your weaknesses, needs, troubles, there will be no lack of what to say. You will never exhaust the subject. It is continually being renewed. People who have no secrets from each other never want for subject of conversation. They do not weigh their words, for there is nothing to be held back, neither do they seek for something to say. They talk out of the abundance of their heart, without consideration they say just what they think. Blessed are they who attain to such familiar, unreserved intercourse with God.”

~Francois Fenelon~

Artists of Distinction

There are few pleasures more enjoyable to me than to spend time with my nieces, watching them express themselves verbally, artistically, mentally and above all, virtuously.

We just completed a paper project, each of us choosing our own colour and style schemes. Each one turned out so uniquely and positively gorgeous, at least I was stunned by them.

 What was even more perfect was the laughter and memories that are cut and glued into the project.

Thank you little LadyBugs for a perfect day!

Presence and Privilege

"Waiting on GOD--presence and service--is not the means to an end, not a trade off for a special commission. To be present for Christ and responsive to His requests, however large or small, must be privilege enough." David Timms

Ode to Joyous Nature

This morning was pure delight as I sat in the midst of three 9 week old pullets enjoying their ritual of search and peck followed by a dust bath. The little satisfying chirps, trills and clucks performed a symphony easily rivaling Beethoven's 9th.

Dust Baths

After a few moments, the orchestra was enhanced by a fledgling white crowned sparrow who edged closer and closer, uncapped feathers sticking out here and there like porcupine quills!

Shortly thereafter, a hummingbird hovered overhead and then lighted on an overhead branch. He joined into the music with his marbled throat clicking together.

I was stunned by the beauty of the moment, surrounded by five uniquely beautiful birds who were performing music composed by the unseen Maestro.

Cutting Culinary Teeth on a Michelin 4 Star's Whisk!

I just had a delightful date with my two nieces. With towels slung over shoulders and muscled determination, they emerged fourteen egg whites and ten egg yolks later as 5 Star Pastry Chefs in my book!

Chocolate meringues

Poached Vanilla Meringues

The dessert called for three separate receipts; the base layer as a rich chocolate meringue, the middle layer as a poached vanilla meringue and a creamy poured vanilla custard bathing the entire presentation. Each step took intense preparation and pleasure as I watched them try to master perfect egg cracking, and as they saw the physical properties of the egg whites or egg yolks change into a different form. After the first two stages were complete and while waiting for step three to commence, I told them how proud I was of them and the products they had created and ended by remarking that most Moms and Aunties start out by teaching pancakes or something equally simple, but "No"! I was giving them one of the most difficult receipts to master according to french pastry chefs.

Dust Baths

From little fuzzy golf balls...

to feathered bones!