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.

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

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

New Years Kids Printable

Found this cute printable online to add to the kidlets' scrapbooks.

Love seeing 2011 reflections in their own words.



Interesting to see the worst thing about this year for our daughter was leaving her BFF behind when we moved, but that what she loved most was meeting new friends.

(One is silver, the other gold. Good balance, I'd say.)



Blaise loves "pootyn" (poutine), was happy to "see family" and his biggest goal for 2012 is to learn to fly his remote-control helicopter better.

(Important goal when you're a 7 year old boy.)

Cheers to memories and new experiences!

Free printable found at Thirty Handmade Days.

This Week's Goal

Image courtesy of TheCarbonCrusader on www.etsy.ca

Pinterest

"A place to catalogue the things you love." - Pinterest

Creating my own favourite boards online has become my newest
stress-reliever/inspiration-builder.

(In between packing.)

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Image source.

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!

You-nique

"A wonderful realization will be the day you realize that you are unique in all the world. The world is an incredible unfulfilled tapestry, and only you can fulfill that tiny space that is yours."

- Leo Buscaglia

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Image source.

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.

Nightly Patience

A warm bath followed by fuzzy pj's, a sweet bedtime story, quiet chats about the day's events, snuggles and cuddles, prayers, and then the silence that follows as they drift merrily to SleepyLand.

I cherish this bedtime routine.

It calms me.

I, then, get to sit with my hubby and sip hot milky tea while we chat about our day's events, usually in the living room with only 1 lamp on for ambiance.

So peaceful.

So comforting.

But then there are most nights.

Multiple calls to get the children into their pj's.

"Brush your teeth!" for the 100th time.

Finally getting them settled into bed - sometimes a whole hour after after the initial bedtime call.

"I forgot to get a drink!"

"I forgot to get you to sign _____ for school!"

"I can't find Gravy!" (Gravy is a stuffed Lion. Don't ask.)

The bedtime story is rushed, if read at all due to time.

One child is caught playing with their Leapster, which they sneakily hid under their pillow.

The I love you's aren't said as tenderly as they should be.

After all, it's now almost 2 hours past their bedtime.

These are the evenings when I flop down on the couch once the silence of slumber has finally won the battle of the "I can't sleep" war and I feel I have earned the Worst Mommy of the Year award for not having more patience.

But I know my kidlets.

And I know that they don't do well outside of a solid sleep routine.

They're cranky and irritable. (Aren't we all when we lack sleep?)

So - a message to my children, in years to come when (hopefully) they'll be able to read the many, many words that their Mother has rambled in this blog:

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My Little Darlings,

Putting you to bed at the end of an energetic day (and they all are at this stage), is completely for your own good.

As your parents, we are trying to give you the best head start on the next day by ensuring you are well-rested.

You may not recall bedtime always being a peachy event in our household.

But the moments of the 1st scenerio in this post - that do occur from time to time - I am learning to savour as some of the best in my life.

And even when bedtime doesn't go so smoothly, I'm learning to take heart.

Because, eventually, I pop back into your rooms to check in on you both - and you are fast asleep.

With your angelic faces and long eyelashes and bare little toes and quiet breaths.

And I kiss your cheek or forehead (each one of you, every single night!) and thank God for giving wonderful you to Daddy and I.

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Praying for patience.

Image source.

Easter Sunday

I Will Rise

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

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"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that whosoever believes in Him should not die, but have everlasting life."

- John 3:16

Sunday

The Wise Woman's Stone

A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.

"I've been thinking," he said, "I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone."

Author Unknown

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Story source and image source.

Ordinary Adventure

"And while it takes courage to achieve greatness, it takes more courage to find fulfillment in being ordinary. For the joys that last have little relationship to achievement, to standing one step higher on the victory platform. What is the adventure in being ordinary? It is daring to love just for the pleasure of giving it away. It is venturing to give new life and to nurture it to maturity. It is working hard for the pure joy of being tired at the end of the day. It is caring and sharing and giving and loving…"

Marilyn Thomsen

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Image source.

Soul Surfer

I bought and finished this book in the same day.

This was due in part to its easy-to-read format, coupled with a courageous and inspiring true story.

Bethany Hamilton's aspirations of becoming a professional surfer are, seemingly, shattered one day when a shark attack leaves her with only one arm. However, her faith and determination fuels her resistence to abandon a sport she loves. Her zest for life despite a major life-altering accident is absolutely amazing.

Here is a quote by Bethany that I really appreciated:

"I don't pretend to have all the answers to why bad things happen to good people. But I do know that God knows all those answers, and sometimes He lets you know in this life, and sometimes He asks you to wait so that you can have a face-to-face talk about it."

The movie, based on the true story, is due in theatres this month. I recall the trailer preceeding Justin Bieber's "Never Say Never" movie. While she has another actress portraying her for the most part, apparently she does all her own surfing stunts - even with only one arm.



I'm hoping to make this movie a "girls night out" event with friends.

Let me know what you think of it if/when you see it.

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Book photo/link courtesy of Amazon.