Is it here yet?

We've had a few sunshiny days around here and it SO makes me want spring to be sprung!  I know it will be short lived and the rain and blustery clouds will form again.....but in the mean time....my word for this year is.....

MORE:  in greater quantity, amount, measure, degree or number; in or to a greater extent or degree


More of Him
Less of me
Christ in me

I desire to seek Him more intently, look for and find Him more often in the everyday things of life.  I want to practice being less and work at having Him be more.  I want His grace to be seen, not my ungracious, self-serving attitude.  I want His mercy to shine through, just as He pours out mercy on me.  May I have the grace to show mercy regardless of how unmerited it is.  For I have oh, so much grace and mercy shown to me by Him.

I want to shift my time spent....more of Him; less of me.
I want my days to count more for him; less for me.
I want to find my worth in Him; not in me.

I don't really know what MORE will look like by the time 2011 is done, but I know that it has already pushed me towards a stronger pursuit of God and His purpose in my life. 

 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  II Cor 12:9 


Be blessed, dear ones, and I pray that you may be encouraged to find MORE of Him in your day.

A call to prayer

A young blogger friend Crystal has sent out a call to prayer today at 12:30 pm. I am in Osoyoos and will be joining in.....there is much to pray for and our God is a God who loves us and answers prayer.

Join with us if you can and let's see what God will do.

Be blessed, my friends as we unite together for God to move in our lives.

For all the SAHM's out there

A Mother's Work
TGIF Today God Is First
Volume 2, by Os Hillman 05-01-2009

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother - which is the first commandment with a promise - that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth" (Eph 6:1-3).

One of the great tragedies of society today is the minimizing of the work performed daily by stay-at-home moms. Women who decide to stay home to raise their kids are a rare breed indeed. They must overcome the stigma of comparison to others who pursue careers outside the home. They fail to get the feelings of accomplishment that can come from a career. They are the unseen missionaries of our day. There will be a special reward for these selfless servants.
Without the commitment of our stay-at-home moms we would not have some of our greatest leaders. "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother," said Abraham Lincoln.

Though poor, Ida Stover was determined to go to college. She scraped together enough money to attend Lane College in Lecompton, Kan., where she met fellow student David Eisenhower. She was known as a firm but gentle disciplinarian and was deeply religious. It is said she once won a prize for memorizing 1,365 Bible verses. As a pacifist, she was not in favor of her son attending West Point but decided to let him go. She was the mother of Dwight David Eisenhower, one of the greatest U.S. presidents.

Mary Litogot grew up on a farm, and met her future husband, William Ford, when he came to work on their farm. She was 12 and he was 26. They married nine years later. Mary was self-sufficient and a diligent worker. Henry later attributed his clean factories to her belief in cleanliness. She encouraged his interest in machines early on. He later said, "I have tried to live my life as my mother would have wished. I believe I have done, as far as I could, just what she hoped for me." She was the mother of Henry Ford.*

Has God called you to be a stay-at-home mom? Know that your obedience and sacrifice will be recognized by the Lord.

May your day be filled with joy....especially those who have chosen to stay home and accept the task of doing things that are never seen or often overlooked....

May God grant you quiet fulfillment in your heart today and a harvest of countless benefits in your children's lives tomorrow.

The Symbol of the Cross

The symbol of the cross bears such deep significance...thank you, dear Jesus for dying for me.

I am so thankful for God's plan of salvation

My heart is full this Easter,

Full of thanksgiving for a life given,

That I may live a life filled with joy,

Abundant joy,

And know my sins are forgiven me,

What a gift was given me, Praise be to God!

My heart is full.

I pray that you will find joy this Easter.

Please pray

While I get myself organized and get some posts written.....please pray for wee baby Stellan who is in need of God's healing hand. You can follow his progress and encourage his Mama at http://www.mycharmingkids.net/

The prayers of a righteous man (woman) availeth much.

With a thankful heart

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. Psalms 28:7

What a wonderful time Thanksgiving is......a day dedicated to be thankful. I have so much in my heart, I can hardly put it into words. Thank you Lord for redemption, healing, provision, loving family and friends.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. I Chronicles 16:34

There are so many aspects of life that I am thankful for and find joy in....sunny afternoons, a walk on the beach, the faces of my g-kidlets, the laughter of friends, the secure embrace of my hubby. There's more...a job complete, watching our children grow and mature in Christ, lending a helping hand, working hard and seeing the results, palm trees, blue skies, oh, and of course fresh flowers.

Let them gives thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalms 107:8-9

We are having a large family gathering this Sunday afternoon. There will be over 40 of us in all....what a true blessing to have family so close.....and to have relationship with each one of them. Great food, good company, and even a sunny day to enjoy....God is so good to us!

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strenthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

Count your blessings, name them one by one

Count your blessings see what God has done

Count your blessings

Name them one by one

Count your many blessings see what God has done

I pray that your heart will sing with thankfulness this weekend....be blessed my dear friends.

Grammie's Garden

Jacob is fascinated with our swale garden....he seems to know that it is a special place just for him.

Don't you just love watching a child at play?! The innocence and beauty of it...puts me in mind of Jesus' words in the scripture....

Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Simple and deep all at the same time....just something to stop and think about.

Enjoy your day, my friends.....walk in the truth....you are a Child of the King!

Fresh flowers

I have always said that if I ever became independently wealthy I would have fresh flowers in the house. Well, this week I had fresh flowers delivered to my home twice in one day!

First, a gorgeous bouquet was delivered from my dear friend Joan in Ottawa, and then Shawna gave me a beautiful bunch of home grown peonies....one of God's most spectacular floral creations, in my humble estimation.

That got me thinking about my previous thoughts...and I realized that I am not independently wealthy and probably never will be.
But instead I am dependently wealthy - dependent first and foremost on my God's provisions for me....for out of His abundance I live, and secondly dependent on my family and friends...I am blessed beyond measure, I am rich in the things that count most,
I am truly dependently wealthy!

Enjoy the weekend!...we are done with home renos until next week...we plan to spend our time relaxing in the sunshine as much as possible....yippee!

Masterpiece

I was reminded of an old song by Sandi Patti (thanks, Susan, for the pleasant reminder...those were fun times, yes?)

Being a Grammie, the song means more now than ever. I think back to the miracle of my own children, and add to that the miracle of grandbabies....my cup is full and running over.

Dear friends, stop for a few moments and listen to the words...rejoice with me at God's miracles....His masterpieces left in our care.

http://www.imeem.com/people/oLob2y/music/w5CkeLfj/sandy_patti_masterpiece/

Dedicated to Jacob-bean, Cole the wee chief, and wee McPeach

Have a wonderful day.....kiss the cheek of a masterpiece

Listen, trust and obey

As we were travelling through the Alberta countryside, we happened upon a herd of cattle. Now, those who know Bob well will know that he has a mean cow-moo. He couldn't resist....and the following shots are what ensued.

As I reviewed them, a saw a lesson in it about me, the crowd, and my God......

There are times when I feel fenced in....somehow locked into a life that is not very much different than the rest of the crowd or herd.

Then I hear a voice calling to me to come closer, to follow...

others start to run away...fearful, untrusting

But most are afraid to step out and away from the others....they run together
to hide, to stay within their comfort zone

But, Lord, have me be the one....the one to stop and listen,

to move closer to you even when the others don't.

Give me courage to stand alone, trusting in you.

I pray that I will listen when you call, and then obey.

I pray that my life would have purpose larger than me, that my deeds would have meaning deeper than the work, and that my light would so shine for you.

Be a beacon for Him today; be a blessing, my friends.

Oh, m'gosh

It's rainy and dull again today, so I just had to find a bright photo to post....you just can't look at it without smiling, right?!

I'm quite annoyed with the weather, so enjoy a look at some of God's handywork with me.

I'm off to dodge puddles and run errands....the Six-Pak is getting together tonight at my house to celebrate yet another grandbaby.....yippee!

Be blessed my friends.

For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.
Psalms 92:4

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff'ring and shame;
And I love that old cross, where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
.
Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
.
In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died
To pardon and sanctify me.
.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He'll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I'll share

Thank you, Lord, for Friday....for your suffering on the cross for my sins

Rejoice with me, my friends, at what God has done for us.

Enjoy the day...be blessed

Oceanside walk

A week ago last Thursday, after taking Bob's Mom back to her home, we went for a walk at Crescent Beach.

Signs of spring are popping up all over. So many reminders of God's plan of renewal and rebirth. His mercies are new every morning.

God sees....is that enough?

I was blog surfing and found this article.....I do remember seeing it before, but it is worth repeating.....We all wonder at times if our life is worthwhile, if we are contributing anything that will last.

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Be encouraged to know that everything you do as unto Him is part of the mosaic of God's purposes and is important to Him who is the master builder!! I Corinthians 10:31

I'm Invisible.
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.

I'm invisible.
The invisible Mom.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.' I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a hair clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it.

I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this. ' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.' In the days ahead I would read - no, devour – the book.


And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:
1. No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.
2.These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.
3.They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.
4.The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'


At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.

The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime, because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree. When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.' As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

This struck a cord within my mother's heart....I hope it strikes a cord within you. I pray for God to give all the special Moms (young and old, family and friends) in my life His richest blessings today, on this day of love.

A Study in Tulips

Shawna bought these gorgeous blooms to cheer up our sickhouse....thanks, Hon

How does He do it? If I were to make something, and just leave it white....it would be boring, unimaginative, plain. When God's hand designs it.....it is spectacular!!

Enjoy God's handiwork, my friends...have a great day!!

Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow

Each season, if we take the time to notice, there are reminders of God's mercy towards us. The snow is so pure and white....hard to grasp the truth of God's word....that we, too, are washed as white as snow by Christ's blood. God is good.....enjoy God's grace today, my friends.

A Legacy

Yesterday Bob and I took my Mom to visit Bob's Mom for 'Hawaiian Day' at the home. We also took Jacob along to give S&P a chance to catch-up on household chores....any time spent with the grand babies is a good time.

On the way home we were talking about my Dad....reminiscing with my Mom. We were saying how much he would have enjoyed seeing our kids having kids, buying houses, remodelling, getting on with life. Dad was an entrepreneur extraordinaire....but he never even saw Cranberry Creek. ..he would have loved it. My thoughts wandered to what other character attribute I have inherited from him....and what gifts or legacies he has left for us.

The greatest legacy was his decision to accept Christ as his personal savior. I can only imagine how different my life would have been if he had not. I was four years old when my Mom and Dad began to take us faithfully to church; it was shortly after when God revealed himself to that little girl and I, too accepted Jesus into my heart.

Because of my Dad's decision, I was introduced to Jesus; surrounded by Godly people who nurtured and encouraged my walk with the Lord; found a Godly man who became my wonderful husband. We have tried to live our lives and establish our home on God's principles; our children accepted Christ at an early age, and have now begun to establish their homes with Christ as the corner stone....all because of my Dad's decision. I can't think of one decision with greater ripple effects than the decision to serve the Lord. Thanks, Dad, for making a great decision. Thanks, Mom for following Dad's lead, and thanks, too, to Mom and Dad Mac for their commitment to Christ and their example to us. (They, too have a story I'll share another time)

Thank you Father God for loving us so much that you gave your son, thank you Jesus for saving us from our sin and thank you Holy Spirit for drawing us unto yourself.

::Family

::Heritage

::Legacy

::Blessings made still richer when God is the center of our lives::

Lord, may I create a legacy for my children with ripple effects into generations to come.