Soul Care

A few scenes from 2 days of personal soul care and spiritual renewal spent at The Benmiller Inn with several other female pastors.

Gorgeous setting!

I feel surrounded by God most when I'm surrounded by the beauty of nature.









Very grateful for this time away.

Hoping to share some of my reflections in the next post.

For now, it's back to reality & some Saturday grocery shopping.

Easter Sunday

Good Friday Reminder

Source: weheartit.com via Tammy on Pinterest

White Flag

We recently attended a Chris Tomlin concert in Toronto.

Great time! Kids loved it. It was Blaise's first concert.

Both kids have quite a few of Chris Tomlin's songs on their iPods, so they sang right along. In fact, all the songs he sang had the lyrics projected onto the screen so we could all sing along.

We've introduced a few of his songs to our church congregation during Sunday worship and have a few more we'd like to try. Beautiful lyrics - all of them.

He performed a new song, which is available on iTunes today.

Here's the video, with the lyrics.

Be blessed!

Happy 2 b Home

Whew!

Busy/strange/crazy couple of weeks.

Previous post update:

My strep throat
turns into strep ear
turns into excrutiating pain
turns into perforated eardrum
equals 2 types of antibiotics
and the feeling that I'm holding a huge sea shell up to my right ear.

But enough about me.

Hubby then gets strep throat (yes, he thanked me daily)
including 104 temp, chills, sweats.
Never seen this man SO SICK before!
I know it impacted the kids.
Everyone eternally grateful for Grandma Sabourin who was visiting because
hubby and I were supposed to be at a conference.

Then...

Daughter diagnosed with strep throat.
This would be after a total of four trips to ER in a week.

(We still don't have a family doctor.)

Blaise remains the only one unscathed.

We eventually made it to the conference!
Got to hang out with our sessionmates from our CFOT/seminary days.
So great to see everyone again and catch-up, pray about ministry highs and lows, see how much their kids have grown (through pics) and just laugh together.
We are very much a family.
We share different opinions and experiences, but we also share a bond, a passion for learning (hence the many, many questions) and definitely a penchant for late night snacking.

Happy that...

Jason is well on the mend, as is Bria.
(I'll pop into ER in a few days just to make sure my ear is healing.)

Kids got to spend time with Grandma, Grandpa & Nanny.
(We missed the kids sooo much!)

Feeling blessed for ALL the learnings of the past 2 weeks,
be it suffering through sickness and being forced to be still
as well as the learnings from the seminars and discussions that took place
in the latter part of the week.

Mostly thankful for a God who works through anything, is ever-present and provides for our needs.

(Very happy to be home.)
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Image courtesy of Jenni Waterloo on www.flickr.com

Tubing

Last night our church took 27 youth tubing.

Here are a couple videos my hubby made (the pastor) along with our youth leader to show at church tomorrow.

Think they had fun???

Sunday

Source: godsgracefulness.com via Tammy on Pinterest

Conference Gleanings - Week 4 Part 2

I can't believe I haven't posted anything about Valentine's Day!

We made crafts. Baked treats for our kids' classmates. Had a romantic lunch, minus the kidlets. Wore red on the 14th. I did take a few photos, but haven't uploaded any.

No point now?

Thankfully, the following final reflection I have from the JustOne Conference for pastors wives and women in ministry leadership touches on something Valentine-related.

No, not cupid.

Rather, the heart.

(Most of my thoughts on this post are in brackets, which are quite lengthy in this post as it was a topic close to my...wait for it...heart.)

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Lisa Young spoke on the topic

"How to live with integrity/purpose/character."

Lisa shared a conversation she had with her daughter. She had asked her,

"What's it like being a pastor's kid?
Do you sometimes feel like you're living in a fishbowl?"

Her (very smart) daughter answered,

"Shouldn't all Christians live their life in a fishbowl?"


(Well, let me add that a fishbowl has its pluses and its minuses.)

(My personal thoughts below)

As a pastor's kid, I recall having a high expectation placed on me on numerous occasions. I want to clarify that I never experienced this from my parents. I was blessed with parents who would actually defend me! Unfortunately, a lot of my experiences with these high expectations came from within the church.

My parents had been newly appointed to a church in a new town. Shortly thereafter, I had a new friend alert me to the fact that her grandmother was negatively surprised to observe that I wore nail polish to church. I guess she didn't think pastor's kids did that sort of thing??? I remember immediately feeling a wave of hurt and sadness wash over me. To think that someone in my own Christian fellowship would be so unkind, especially to a person already struggling to fit into new surroundings, never mind the general growing pains of youth!

I can't honestly say that time has healed those feelings completely, but God's love hasn't allow me to remain in my hurt.

As Christians, we can either feel resentment about having others often judge us harshly or we can use it as a point of growth. I can remain in my bitterness or I can use the experience as character-building. Any grace that is within me - and it's only there because of God - enables me to turn my hurt into compassion. Who knows the strict upbringing that grandmother had endured?

I also find myself having a sensitivity for anyone who finds themselves sitting in our church service on a Sunday morning whose appearance or lifestyle looks "far from the expected." Hey, I can pretty much relate to anyone since I wore nailpolish to church. ;)

From my parents, I have learned the importance of coming to another's defense. The importance of guarding one another's heart.

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"Thank-you, Lord, for leading me to this conference at a time when my heart needed encouragement and to be reminded that our service to you is priceless. Help me to apply everything I've learned to better this world and grow Your Kingdom. AMEN."

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For previous "conference gleanings" please click here.

Photo "Heart Shaped Spill" courtesy of mrsdkrebs on flickr.com.

Conference Gleanings - Week 4 Part 1

The following thoughts are courtesy of part 4 of this week's final virtual JustOne Conference for pastors wives and women in ministry leadership.

I had missed part 3 due to being out of town, but thankfully the entire conference will be archived. I hope to go back and listen to the portion that I missed and blog my thoughts.

(Most of my thoughts on this post are in brackets.)

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Laryssa Toomer spoke on the topic of “Avoiding Distraction.”

She used the acronym TIME to help us avoid distractions in our walk with Christ:

T – TAKE INVENTORY
– Sit down & write out how you are actually spending your time, ie. internet, social media, cooking/cleaning, ministry, emails, etc.;
- It's very important to accurately gauge what has our attention (scarey!);
- Also write down how much time you’re devoting to unproductive thoughts - what’s going on on the inside determines our behaviour outside

I – INTENTIONALLY PRIORITIZE
- Matthew 6:33, "Seek the Kingdom of God first;"
- Don’t make God a box to check off on your to-do list, rather allow Him to be a part of your life all day/everyday (I'm finding this to be a learning theme for me)

M – MANAGE YOUR TIME WELL
– Utilize small pockets of time throughout the day to pray; (praise, petition)
- Set time limits in areas that tend to draw you away from life

E – EXAMINE YOURSELF
– Ask yourself the tough questions; (learn to be self-aware of distraction triggers)
- What is at the root of your distractions?

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Kerri Weems spoke about “Overcoming Discouragement & Handling Criticism.”

(I loved her segment, as she gave a lot of food for thought - each one ending with a power statement that makes her points easy to recall. She is definitely one of my favourite speakers from this conference.)

1. Don’t allow criticsm to “lead” you. Quit responding to it. Focus in on the Spirit of God and what He’s speaking to you. Ensure the main voice in your life/main person you aim to please is your Heavenly Father.

2. Criticism is a part of life/ministry. 1 Peter 4:12 “Don’t be surprised when trials come your way.” Get tough-minded but stay tender hearted.

3. Remember that any person who has done anything great has faced opposition, i.e. Mother Teresa. Stir up the will in you/the “rise-up” factor. The Holy Spirit is with you at all times. View life from a heavenly perspective.

4. “If God is for you, who can be against you?” Know these promises. We can retrain our minds to think according to the Word of God. Stay on the train of faith.

5. Get into the habit of practicing the presence of God. Way beyond your morning devotionals! Be tuned in to His voice all day long.

6. When going to church feels like going to work and you can’t feel God’s presence because of pressures/people needing you/so much to be done, find a place where you can experience the presence of God. Guard the fire of devotion in your heart.

(I loved point #6. That is me. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my "job" and the beauty of my employment. It's both rewarding and fulfilling. However, I find there are times when I need to separate my "job" from my time alone with the Lord. I need to separate "ministry" from my time alone with the Lord. It's easy to spiral into the needs of others, pastorally. I need to guard my own fire of devotion and tuck away with Christ on my own. I know God's presence never leaves me, but sometimes I'm caught up with all that surrounds me people-wise and place-wise. I need to re-focus and re-centre on my presence with Him.)
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I will post part 2 of this week's thoughts later in the week.

Thanks for sharing in my faith journey!

For previous "conference gleanings" please click here.

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Image courtesy of Quite Peculiar on Flickr Creative Commons.

Sunday

Source: spiritualinspiration.tumblr.com via Tammy on Pinterest

Conference Gleanings - Week 2 Part 2

Part 2 of this week's thoughts on the JustOne Conference for pastors wives and women in ministry leadership.

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3rd Focus Topic:

Be who God created you to be.

“Insecurity and doubt comes from looking around instead of looking up”

So often we find ourselves looking at others in ministry leadership and think, "I should look like that, or be that smart, or be that organized, or be that giving." This inevitably leaves us feeling fearful, intimidated, self-conscious, discouraged & even defeated. Instead, we should be getting our revelation and vision from God about who we are to be.

“God knew exactly what he was doing when he called you into ministry. Look to God for who you are meant to be.”

Embracing who you are meant to be in Christ is like wearing a pair of well-fitting, comfortable jeans: “Finally I was able to roll around in the freedom of who God intended me to be!”

To figure out who you are, what your purpose is, get to know your Creator. This doesn’t mean time with God as you prepare to teach and lead (although God can certainly work through this, the reality is we're more likely to have "others" on our mind as we prepare), but rather time alone to get to know your Creator and allow Him to reveal His vision for your life. (Looking forward to some time in my very near future when I can focus on this.)

It can be awesome encouragement to look around and be inspired by others, but ultimately go back to God for his vision for your life.

Embrace your identity.

Be confident in your calling. (Love this one!)

Thank-you Julie Richard.

(And as a side note, on the same day I heard this message being spoken I also found this article that is a great reminder of the purpose and necessity of a pastor's time alone with God.)

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4th Focus Topic:

Use the gifts God has given YOU.

Romans 12:6 – In his grace, God has given each of us different gifts for doing certain things well.

Are you content with the gifts that God has given you? Sometimes we don’t have gifts that are readily recognized (ie. organizational vs. singing). Does not make that gift any less valuable. Change the way you think about who you are and what you have to offer.

Our spiritual gifts are not for our own benefit, but to help those around us; to serve one another with them. Why use them within the body of Christ? It helps the other parts grow so that the whole body (the church) is healthy and growing and full of love. We literally have the ability to lead our churches to spiritual maturity. Lets use our gifts to add value to the body of Christ.

(I'm SO feeling a sermon from this topic. Gotta get to writing!)

Read Eph. 4:11-16

Homework Challenge:

1. Pinpoint 1 or 2 areas that you are good at, celebrate it.
2. The way we lead/steward affects how others view themselves. Inspire by leading.

Think outside the box when using your gifts and learn to be faithful to God's calling by using them.

Thank you Tricia Lovejoy.

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Image courtesy of gfpeck on Creative Commons/Flickr.com

Conference Gleanings - Week 2 Part 1

I'm continuing a weekly time of focusing on my personal faith journey by way of the JustOne Conference for pastors wives and women in ministry leadership.

I am recording my notes & thoughts here for three reasons: (1) it's a place I can come back to and reflect, reabsorb, relearn, etc., (2) I can share it with others in an effort to relate/encourage/be real/accountable, (3) It's my blog, and I can cry if I want to. *snicker*

Click here for last week's notes/thoughts.

This week's lessons/thoughts/revelations were quite lengthy, so I've broken it up into 2 separate posts - one today, one tomorrow - lest your eyes bug out of your head from all that reading.

(My personal thoughts are in brackets)

Here we go...

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1st Focus Topic:

How NOT to be outdone by pressures of ministry.

(Yes, there are pressures. You bet! Some are self-inflicted, others from our surroundings & situations. I'm thankful for the following reminders...)

Remember:

You have been wired by God.

Pressure "prunes" us; can make us better in the long-run if we allow it to bring out positive things in our lives. (What have I learned from ministry highs and lows and how can I apply these learnings in a positive way?)

You are in ministry not in spite of your brokenness/messyness,
but because of it. ("Wounded people serving a wounded Saviour in a wounded world" - Dr. Blenos Pedersen)

God trusts you. He has entrusted specific ministry to you. That is a gift! Now rest in that gift.

Through your ministry to others, God is revealing YOUR best self.

It is our choice to view ministry as a burden or a gift

Thank-you Makeda Pennycooke.

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2nd Focus Topic:

Avoiding the dangers of riding your husband's
spiritual coat-tails.

Although as a team in ministry (as is true in marraige) - meaning you are one and share one vision/purpose - your husband's relationship with God cannot replace yours.

(This is true in a parent/child situation, also.)

The gift of ministry was given to you whether it was in your plans or not. (Oh how I know that one! haha) God’s sovereignty has equipped you with everything that you need for where you are right now, as well as the future. (And I really needed to hear that today.)

God speaks/pours into us in a way that is unique to you – not the same as your husband, or your friends, or the groups that you lead. (So important and valuable.)

Don’t let your relationship with Christ simply fall into the “support of others.”

Live a life that breathes Jesus every second of the day; keep your faith dusted off and in use.

Thank-you Holly Furtick.

Check back tomorrow for Part 2.

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Image courtesy of Stu Wills on Creative Commons/Flickr.com

Conference Gleanings - Week 1

The hubster and I try to take Mondays as our day off.

(Oh yes I did just type "hubster.")

Sometimes we spend it together, sometimes we do our own thang.

This morning, I spent mine tuned into the online JustOne Conference for pastor's wives and women in ministry leadership.

This conference runs for four weeks, every Monday, and I will try my best to record here what I felt God has impressed on my heart from what has been shared.

Be prepared - I'm workin' stuff out and thinking out loud.

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1. The conference is centred around 1 Timothy 4:12-15. I love the translation by The Message via Bible Gateway:

v.11-14 - Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use.

v. 15-16 - Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don't be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.

Several things stick out to me from these verses.

(a) "Teach believers with your life." A toughie, since we're all riddled with imperfections. But we have God to guide us, which - personally - takes some of the pressure off my human insecurities. We do live in a "walk the talk" era. I loved Kay Warren's quote today, "It doesn't matter what you say you believe, it's how you act."

(b) "Stay at your post reading Scripture." I need to do this, literally. In my church building office? Out in my community? So often it's easier for me to tuck away at home to read the Bible, which - in all honesty - despite good intentions rarely ends up happening because I'm surrounded by the dishwasher beckoning me to empty it, cat fur on the carpet, streaks on the bathroom mirrors and baskets of laundry to be put away. Maybe some of the things that I label as distractions are actually opportunities? Continuing to sort through this one.

2. Don't substitute labour for love.

Good to remember in our "ministry of doing." Our denomination is known best for it's doing - and we get very busy doing it! Having just emerged out of the busiest of seasons for our church, this one hit home hard. Part of church revitalization is paring back what currently exists to re-evaluate our true purpose. Thankful for this phrase today. I feel like I've just allowed my heart to catch up to my hands.

3. Three tips from Michelle Meeks, who spoke to us via her laundry room with a 7-week old baby strapped to her front in a Baby Snuggie. (Gotta appreciate that kind of transparency!)

(a) Be yourself. God created you to be unique. So often we compare ourselves to others and feel unworthy or ill-equipped. (So guilty of this one). We need to celebrate the unique traits, qualities, gifts - even quirks - that God created us to specifically have. I want to be better at encouraging others in this regard, too.

(b) Pray & read your Bible. Lead by what you read. I get better at a recipe the more I use it. I can't help but think that applies to faith, too.

(c) Spend time with people who help build you up in Christ. I've always longed for lots of friends. Real friends. Not necessarily the number Facebook indicates! But after spending some time reflecting on this today, I realize that I'm actually pretty choosey when it comes to real-life friendships. (I think I'm rather fragile in the friendship department.) I'm very thankful for the close relationships that I have and I'm happy to report they are the people who truly build me up in Christ in many ways. (And isn't it funny that they are not all necessarily self-professed Christians???)

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Thanks for reading my verbal swirls. ;)

The conference repeats this evening at 9pm EST if you'd like to join in.

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Image courtesy of Chiot's Run on Flickr (Creative Commons).

Sunday

Fruits of The Spirit

Image & purchasing possibility found at Romantica Home on www.Etsy.ca

The JustONE Conference

Ministry as a profession is an incredible & rewarding privilege.

But, it can seem very lonely at times.

This is one of the reasons why I'm looking forward to hearing from other women in ministry leadership

"all while sitting comfortably on my couch with latte in hand."

I like that I can choose which streams to view.

The issues that I can relate to best.

With insight from different denominations and areas of North America.

Have you registered yet?

It's free!

(As in "fweeee!")

The JustONE Conference

My Happy Place

Life has been a whirlwind lately.

We found out we're moving.

I was away at a conference for a week.

The kids were sick while I was away. Both of them.

Jason received a call to assist in Slave Lake for 5 days.

One kid was sick again just before he left.

We had a significant and symbolic Sunday Service while Jason was away.

We're still packing, packing and more packing.

And preparing for a garage sale.

The interior of our house is "in slings" as my Mom would say.

Boxes. Paper. Piles of stuff.

What to keep, to sell, to throw out.

Wondering if our new home has air conditioning as temps there hit 30 degrees today.

Trying to do all those "one last time" events that can only be experienced here in Alberta.

Book hotels for a 5 day journey through 4 provinces. By car. With 2 kids.
And 2 cats who haven't travelled since they were brought home as kittens.

The kids are asking lots of questions about our move. Mostly out of excitement, but there are a few anxious moments as well. Trying to make them a priority out of everything else that's going on.

Redirect mail. Cancel phone/cable/internet.

Process relocation paperwork. (And there's a lot of it!)

Arrange for carpets/furniture/ducts to be cleaned.

Battle allergies.

Goodbye breakfasts to attend. And lunches. And dinners.

(People have been so kind!)

Scheduling time for the kidlets to spend with their friends.

Inform the current school. Inform the new school.

Tie up loose ends. Personally. Professionally.

So I go to my happy place.


Well, not literally.

Not as in a location, but in the comfort and security that our family's trailer brings.

Because one day in the future, we will all be gathered at this trailer.

Amid the trees and sun and sand and lake.

Sandcastles, beach floaties, nature walks, BBQ suppers with pie irons for dessert.

Kids tucked into their sleeping bags each night, giggling while watching "The Little Rascals" (they're favourite camping series) until they drift off to sleep.

And Jason & I will be just outside by the romantic glow/scent of a campfire and citronella candles, sipping out of our ginormous camping mugs filled with tea or flavoured coffee.

Maybe then we can debrief about these past months of craziness.

About where we've been and where we're going.

Planning for the future. Praying.

Or maybe we'll just sit in silence and listen to the sweet sounds of nature at night.

But for now...

Back to today and its to-do's and the memories that they will once be.

Sunday Back to Basics

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More inspiration art by heathbrandt.

Paper Purses of Thanks

I made these little cuties as token gifts for the ladies who've attended our Women in the Word Bible Study during our 4 years of leadership.


They're filled with 2 types of candy, representing some key elements of what The Bible offers:

Hugs and Life Savers

I made them using my Cricut and the following:

Black cardstock, Don Juan Cart, Thanks @ 3/4"
White cardstock, Don Juan Cart, Thanks, Shadow @ 3/4"
Aqua cardstock, Forever Young Cart, Flower8, Purse @ 5 1/2"


I will truly miss this weekly time of sharing with these ladies once we move, but I'm so happy to have had the opportunity to grow together in our friendships and individual faith journey.

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Linked to: Made By You Monday, Making the World Cuter, Market Yourself Monday, Tip Me Tuesday, Show & Tell, We Are That Family, The Girl Creative, The Trendy Treehouse, Seven Thirty-Three, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, Hoo's Got Talent, Topsy Turvy Tuesdays, Lil Luna, Tatertots & Jello, Serenity Now, A Glimpse Inside, Women Who Do It All, A Vision to Remember, Be Different, Act Normal, A Crafty Soiree, What Allie's Making, Creation Corner, Wednesday Blog Hop, The CSI Project.

Lifelong Learning

Back from a week of intense learning and happy to call these wonderful peeps pictured above as my dear friends.

(Btw - I'm in the middle towards the back wearing sunglasses on my face.)

(I'm so cool. Not.)

Some "re-learnings" (as our fabulous leader called them) that I've come away with include:

* British Columbia is very beautiful

* people in leadership with The Salvation Army are among the hardest-working that I have ever witnessed

* you might say I'm biased since I work in the organization, but I type this from my heart having listened to the amazing stories and experiences so honestly and transparently shared

* a school bus filled with 26 adults really isn't a whole lot different than one filled with 26 children

* consensus is not easily attained, nor is it necessary to move forward

* trust takes time and good listening skills

* West Jet no longer accepts cash on their flights which means my $3.50 headphones went on credit

* change in and of itself isn't what is usually feared, it is rather the sense of loss that may come from change, that brings fear

* it is possible for me to get up at 6:15 am and not be a miserable cuss

* leadership coaching isn't for everybody, but it has helped me a great deal

* I've seen Molly's Reach from The Beachcombers with my own eyes

* Passion + enthusiasm unites people of a common goal

Again, so thankful for the opportunity to have taken part in this learning experience.

Now to put it all into practice.

Yikes.
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And thanks to those who are still following this slightly-neglected blog!

A Rainbow of Thoughts

Monday's ramblings amid all the beautiful colours of the rainbow.

I wonder if when we get to Heaven, we will see colours that we've never seen before?

That was rambling #1.

Read on, if you're intrigued.


This week is a "gearing-up" kinda week.

I have an assignment to complete for LDI part deux, which I will be attending next week near Vancouver, BC.

Excited about going (never been to Van before), but not too thrilled with flying on my own.

The last (and only) time I've ever flown on my own was when Dad was moved into the hospital.

Happy this flight will, at least, be more positive in overall general circumstance.

Also, I get to attend the Divisional Jr. Youth Together this weekend with Bria and 5 other girls. This is likely to mean very little sleep the day before I fly to BC. I know the girls are very excited, so maybe I can run on their adrenaline.

I used to be so good at staying up late!

A real night owl.

*Hoot*

I went to bed at 8pm last week.


We've been told someone should be contacting us about dropping off boxes for our move sometime this week.

Jas & I were pondering the fact that this next house will be our 6th house to live in since we got married, including a short stint of living with my parents just prior to our move to Winnipeg for CFOT.

Anyone else immediately think of Mary whenever they hear/use the word ponder?

"And Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart."
- Luke 2:19


My dieting has gone to pot lately.

One would think with the nicer weather we've been (finally) having, I'd be spending more time outdoors walking/running/leaping.

No such dice. I need to make this a priority for all of us.

I have a lot of priorities right now.

Not good when you're a natural born procrastinator.


Today our goal is to (somewhat) sort through the two disaster areas of our home.

1. The garage.

(Where does all the STUFF come from?!?!?)

2. My craft room, which in recent months has ended up being more of a catch-all than a place of creativity.

I must get to those teacher appreciation gifts and other tokens of thanks that I have floating around in my head!

My greatest ideas of inspiration come to me in the middle of night when everyone else is asleep.

Why IS that?

I need to keep a pad of paper and a pen on my bedside table and record these random creative thoughts immediately.

For future pondering.


Speaking of weather (a few ramblings back), I was recently chatting with another Albertan Mom about how difficult it is to dress kids for school during this time of year.

The day can start out at 0 degrees and end up close to +20.

Last week when I picked the kids up from school, I literally saw a boy dressed in shorts, a sleeveless shirt and sandals being chased by a kid wearing a parka.

I can empathize with and relate to both of their Moms.

Signing off to tend to several of the priorities that I've procrastinated about.

*giggle*

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Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.