With Christmas only two days away, I am reminded as to why we really celebrate this incredible season.
I am reminded that because I haven't finished my 'baking', it really does not make a difference.
I am reminded that all of the things that I felt that I needed to accomplish to make this Christmas special are insignificant, it will be special because of the baby born in the lowly manger so many years ago.
I am reminded that our gingerbread house making expereince and the fact that it completely collapsed and broke into bits and pieces, will not put a damper on the true reason we celebrate. Besides it tasted really good and I got some great picutres before it collapsed! :o)
I am reminded that the imperfections on this year's Christmas cards and the fact that they are not the quality that I would have hoped, are not going to matter to the friends and family that we love and send them too (and if they do, I do not want to hear about it--lol).
I am reminded by a certain 4 year old, who is anxioulsy awaiting our Saviour's birthday and has been practicing singing 'Happy Birthday to Jesus' for the whole month of December.....yes this is the true reason we celebrate.
I am reminded by an 18 month old, who is trying so hard to keep up with her brother and sing the words that he is singing and shares in all of the excitement that he has, although she probably does not quite understand why yet, she will in the seasons to come and I look forward to teaching her the true meaning of CHRISTmas.
I am reminded by the amazing generosity of some anonymous Santas ( in Calgary) that we are so incredibly blessed, that God really does look after us and provide for us and that God has blessed us with some incredible brothers and sisters that love us, support us and pray for us, encourage us and bless us. We were brought to tears.
I am reminded that even though this Christmas will be financially tight for us, we are so incredibly blessed in comparison to the rest of the world. This site puts things into perspective and makes me realize that I do need to continue give and that we are so blessed in comparison. Check it out and see how 'rich' you are in comparison to the rest of the world. http://www.globalrichlist.com/
I am reminded as packages come in from our loved ones, that even though we are far away and will be not spending the holidays with them, we are still thought of and so are they.
I am reminded that I have an amazing husband who loves me, knows me, encourages me, prays for me and puts up with me (even when i am feeling extremely stressed, grumpy and tired). Love you honey! Not to mention all of the hard work he has done to get us moved, prepare the house for company and look after the kids.
Most importantly I am reminded that "God loves the world so much that he gave his only Son" - John 3:16
And when I watch this video I AM REMINDED about the incredible gift Jesus is and how much he really loves me, us, the whole world!
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=GD6PNNNX
I hope you too are reminded of the incredible, magical, true meaning of this season.
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Thursday, 9 December 2010
And the Winner is.....
Thanks for the comments ladies. I actually put both of your names in a hat and still drew the old fashioned way (no picture this time though).
The Winner is...... HEATHER!!!
Congrats and I have your contact information, so I will take care of everything.
I am SUPER excited for next months Giveaway. I have been trying to get them for a few months now and I finally just got confirmation from the company on Wednesday that they are in the mail and being shipped out as we speak. YAY!! So check back on January 5th, for the next Wonderful Wednesday Giveaway.
The Winner is...... HEATHER!!!
Congrats and I have your contact information, so I will take care of everything.
I am SUPER excited for next months Giveaway. I have been trying to get them for a few months now and I finally just got confirmation from the company on Wednesday that they are in the mail and being shipped out as we speak. YAY!! So check back on January 5th, for the next Wonderful Wednesday Giveaway.
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
GrEightful
I can't believe it is December already! I have always loved Christmas, but have been finding it really hard this year to do all of the things that I want to do. Most importantly I want it to be memorable, exciting and Christ centered for the kids. I don't have the time or energy like I had last year and I am feeling like I am letting the kids down. We are trying to do some fun things and baking, and most importantly we are really trying to ensure that we focus on the incredible gift of His birth. So with that I will focus on all of the things I do have to be grateful for!
1. Safe travels on the roads.
2. A wonderful group in Calgary that we can Skype in with, that loves us, that puts up with us, that knows us and most importantly prays for us, encourages us and uplifts us! We love these guys!
3. Memorizing Bible Verses. They are so awesome at it!
4. Singing Christmas carols with my little ones. Hearing their voices trying to sing along makes my heart sing!
5. My wonderful, amazing husband whom I love and cherish more than words could ever say!
6. An amazing weekend with visits from some friends of ours that we have not seen for 6 years. We met them in Korea and they just moved 3 hours north of us. We had such a great weekend with them and it was like we just picked up right where we left off.
7. Our first time leaving the kids with a babysitter. Even though we were very close, it was so nice to get out and enjoy some alone time, and adult talk that was un-interrupted!
8. A new beef stew recipe that was a big hit!
1. Safe travels on the roads.
2. A wonderful group in Calgary that we can Skype in with, that loves us, that puts up with us, that knows us and most importantly prays for us, encourages us and uplifts us! We love these guys!
3. Memorizing Bible Verses. They are so awesome at it!
4. Singing Christmas carols with my little ones. Hearing their voices trying to sing along makes my heart sing!
5. My wonderful, amazing husband whom I love and cherish more than words could ever say!
6. An amazing weekend with visits from some friends of ours that we have not seen for 6 years. We met them in Korea and they just moved 3 hours north of us. We had such a great weekend with them and it was like we just picked up right where we left off.
7. Our first time leaving the kids with a babysitter. Even though we were very close, it was so nice to get out and enjoy some alone time, and adult talk that was un-interrupted!
8. A new beef stew recipe that was a big hit!
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Wonderful Wednesday
It is time for another Wonderful Wednesday giveaway!!!! YAY!
First, I just want to congratulate Melanie (my dear sis) on winning the first giveaway. She actually matched the gift, so thank you Mel!!
Second, the original plan I had for this giveaway kind of fell through. I have been trying to get it completed for a couple of months now, but they are having problems with their international orders. Hopefully this will be resolved soon. I was pretty excited about it and have been eagerly awaiting for them to arrive. So we will wait.....
This month's giveaway is very special and dear to our hearts none the less. It is an organization that I first got involved with when I was single, freshly out of University and trying to make ends meet. I am surprised that I even considered it, as I was pretty shallow, and self centered during that time and couldn't really see beyond myself. It has been a true blessing in my life even at that time and continues to be a blessing in our lives as a family.
So this Month's giveaway is from Compassion Canada. My first Sponsor child is a little boy named Narongsak, from Thailand. I have been sponsoring him for over 6 years now. It is amazing to see how much he has grown and developed and the difference that sponsorship has made in his life. After we were married, John and I sponsored a couple more kids. We have Yari from the Dominican and Anthony from Guatemala. I even try and write my letters to them in Spanish. They know that they are my teachers right now! :o)
Now that Zech is older we really try and ensure that he is involved and that we show him their pictures and we pray for them every single night. I love what it is teaching him. I know that this is something that is going to be a part of our family for years to come. I won't lie though, it has been a bit of a struggle writing our compassion kids. We have tried to have compassion nights once a month, where we sit down as a family and write letters, draw pictures, etc. That hasn't worked so well lately, but I will keep trying and hopefully we can get some sort of scheduled writing and communication going. One great thing about Compassion is that you can now write them online and even upload pictures. They also have special paper gifts (paper activities that they can do) you can send your sponsor kids free.
If you haven't heard about Sponsorship, or have thought about it, but have never really known where or how, check out Compassion Canada. It is a $41 dollar a month commitment and it really does make such a huge difference to the life of a child and their family in developing nations. My cousin Heidi shared about how she sponsors a child and what an awesome experience it has been for her and her family. I know of a lot of people who are sponsoring a child and have talked about the blessing it has brought to their lives, not to mention the impact that it is having on the child's life.
So for this month, Compassion also has a gift catalogue. I have picked out a few gifts that I would love to give one of you. So please pick one gift from the list and leave me a comment telling me which gift you would choose and why. Also let me know if you are involved in Sponsoring and what the experience has been like for you.
1. Education Supplies - $30
Around the world, 104 million primary school-aged children don’t go to school. This gift can help provide children with the school fees, uniforms, books and other resources they need to get an education.
2. Kits for New Mums - $40
Babies need healthy moms to thrive. This gift can help provide a new mother with the resources she needs to raise a healthy baby, including health check-ups before and after the birth, vaccinations for her newborn, and education to prevent the transmission of HIV.
3. Baking Supplies - 2@$20.00 each
Giving kids the training, resources and facilities they need to become employed or entrepreneurial adults is a recipe for success! This gift can help older children learn vocational training skills like making pastries and baked goods to generate income once they leave school.
The comments will be open until next Wednesday, December 8th. I will announce the winner on Thursday, December 9th.
Thanks!
First, I just want to congratulate Melanie (my dear sis) on winning the first giveaway. She actually matched the gift, so thank you Mel!!
Second, the original plan I had for this giveaway kind of fell through. I have been trying to get it completed for a couple of months now, but they are having problems with their international orders. Hopefully this will be resolved soon. I was pretty excited about it and have been eagerly awaiting for them to arrive. So we will wait.....
This month's giveaway is very special and dear to our hearts none the less. It is an organization that I first got involved with when I was single, freshly out of University and trying to make ends meet. I am surprised that I even considered it, as I was pretty shallow, and self centered during that time and couldn't really see beyond myself. It has been a true blessing in my life even at that time and continues to be a blessing in our lives as a family.
So this Month's giveaway is from Compassion Canada. My first Sponsor child is a little boy named Narongsak, from Thailand. I have been sponsoring him for over 6 years now. It is amazing to see how much he has grown and developed and the difference that sponsorship has made in his life. After we were married, John and I sponsored a couple more kids. We have Yari from the Dominican and Anthony from Guatemala. I even try and write my letters to them in Spanish. They know that they are my teachers right now! :o)
Now that Zech is older we really try and ensure that he is involved and that we show him their pictures and we pray for them every single night. I love what it is teaching him. I know that this is something that is going to be a part of our family for years to come. I won't lie though, it has been a bit of a struggle writing our compassion kids. We have tried to have compassion nights once a month, where we sit down as a family and write letters, draw pictures, etc. That hasn't worked so well lately, but I will keep trying and hopefully we can get some sort of scheduled writing and communication going. One great thing about Compassion is that you can now write them online and even upload pictures. They also have special paper gifts (paper activities that they can do) you can send your sponsor kids free.
If you haven't heard about Sponsorship, or have thought about it, but have never really known where or how, check out Compassion Canada. It is a $41 dollar a month commitment and it really does make such a huge difference to the life of a child and their family in developing nations. My cousin Heidi shared about how she sponsors a child and what an awesome experience it has been for her and her family. I know of a lot of people who are sponsoring a child and have talked about the blessing it has brought to their lives, not to mention the impact that it is having on the child's life.
So for this month, Compassion also has a gift catalogue. I have picked out a few gifts that I would love to give one of you. So please pick one gift from the list and leave me a comment telling me which gift you would choose and why. Also let me know if you are involved in Sponsoring and what the experience has been like for you.
1. Education Supplies - $30
Around the world, 104 million primary school-aged children don’t go to school. This gift can help provide children with the school fees, uniforms, books and other resources they need to get an education.2. Kits for New Mums - $40
Babies need healthy moms to thrive. This gift can help provide a new mother with the resources she needs to raise a healthy baby, including health check-ups before and after the birth, vaccinations for her newborn, and education to prevent the transmission of HIV.3. Baking Supplies - 2@$20.00 each
Giving kids the training, resources and facilities they need to become employed or entrepreneurial adults is a recipe for success! This gift can help older children learn vocational training skills like making pastries and baked goods to generate income once they leave school.The comments will be open until next Wednesday, December 8th. I will announce the winner on Thursday, December 9th.
Thanks!
Monday, 29 November 2010
GrEightful
Wow, another week just flew by and there is so much to be grateful for!
This week I am grateful for:
1. A job that I am really enjoying and am super excited about!
2. Safety on the roads. This past week was my first week back at work and the 2 1/2 hour drive each day has been really hard. The weather has been a little rough, and there have been a few close encounters! Some nights I have been in bed before 9:00!
3. Night time cuddles with my two beauties. A little one who is learning so many new words each day (tonight was 'purple') and conversations that go a little like this:
Zech: Mom, do you know the kids that have nothing?
Me: Yes.....
Zech: I will give them my bed.
Me: Oh that is so kind and compassionate of you!
Zech: And I will wash them too and take care of them.
Me: (heart melting) That is exactly what Jesus wants us to do and tells us to do, isn't?
Zech: Yeah, I just so love them, I just so love everyone, just like Jesus.
Oh the lessons I learn from this little one!
4. A new character house to live in!
5. Visits with friends.
6. My husband who knows me, loves me, understands me, but most importantly prays for me.
7. Packages from the North Pole. The magic and miraculous signs of Christmas are definitely present. So much so, that it had both of us choking back tears, and two little ones thanking Jesus! Still in shock and extremely blessed!!
8. The magical, wonderful, joyful, blessed and true gift of Christmas--Jesus Christ!
Make sure you check in on Wednesday for my second 'wonderful Wednesday' giveaway!
Just thought I would leave you with this video that John showed me the other night! So cool!!
This week I am grateful for:
1. A job that I am really enjoying and am super excited about!
2. Safety on the roads. This past week was my first week back at work and the 2 1/2 hour drive each day has been really hard. The weather has been a little rough, and there have been a few close encounters! Some nights I have been in bed before 9:00!
3. Night time cuddles with my two beauties. A little one who is learning so many new words each day (tonight was 'purple') and conversations that go a little like this:
Zech: Mom, do you know the kids that have nothing?
Me: Yes.....
Zech: I will give them my bed.
Me: Oh that is so kind and compassionate of you!
Zech: And I will wash them too and take care of them.
Me: (heart melting) That is exactly what Jesus wants us to do and tells us to do, isn't?
Zech: Yeah, I just so love them, I just so love everyone, just like Jesus.
Oh the lessons I learn from this little one!
4. A new character house to live in!
5. Visits with friends.
6. My husband who knows me, loves me, understands me, but most importantly prays for me.
7. Packages from the North Pole. The magic and miraculous signs of Christmas are definitely present. So much so, that it had both of us choking back tears, and two little ones thanking Jesus! Still in shock and extremely blessed!!
8. The magical, wonderful, joyful, blessed and true gift of Christmas--Jesus Christ!
Make sure you check in on Wednesday for my second 'wonderful Wednesday' giveaway!
Just thought I would leave you with this video that John showed me the other night! So cool!!
Thursday, 25 November 2010
What would your sign(s) say?
My wonderful friend Heather had this amazing post on her blog. One thing that really draws me to Heather is that she is so open, honest and real. She does not pretend, she is not fake, she does not try and put on a 'show', make herself look good by putting others down. She has a wonderful heart, she is loving, she is humble, she is not perfect and she is not afraid to admit it. She is REAL. I like REAL people, I am drawn to REAL people (that is one of the reasons I also fell in love with my wonderful Hubby, because he is real, truthful, honest and vulnerable).
You have to check out this post that Heather linked to. I couldn't stop crying and it has really bothered me, affected me for a few days now. I couldn't even post a comment on Heather's blog for a few days after reading it, as it really choked me up. I guess it is something that the Lord has been kind of talking to me about lately and I have been struggling with listening and really hearing the message. Too many hurts, too many pains, too many people that I can't trust, that don't want to know who we really are, that can't see my signs, and when I do try and share those signs, they either look past them, or blame me for them, or don't even care about them.
You see I am not perfect, I am sinful, I have so many faults that need to be 'tweaked'. I am human though and I am loved by Jesus who made the ultimate sacrifice for all of my sins, my faults and my brokenness. I need JESUS because I can not live my life pretending to be someone I am not, pretending to be perfect, to have it all under control. Pretending that I have not been hurt by false accusations, assumptions and lies about myself and my family. Pretending and just sweeping these things away like it is no big deal. I am human, I have emotions and I have struggles.
I wear many signs lately, but I wear them on my heart. I can not wear them openly because I can not trust those that I should be able to trust and confide in and am blamed for the signs that I do try and 'wear'. Sometimes we go through struggles, pain, hardship and it is not because of anything we have done. However, having people tell you that 'you have had too much bad luck' (which translates into we want nothing to do with you, you're an embarrassment and we therefore we will never help you out), 'you blame everyone else for your problems' (thanks for listening and really taking the time to HEAR me), 'it's your fault you are in the position that you are in' (now that is compassion and understanding), well that makes me want to hide my signs forever and lock them away so that no body can hurt me or truly understand me and know me (signs and all).
A few weeks ago we heard a sermon at church about the importance of community, fellowship, of being vulnerable and real with one another. That sometimes we go through struggles so that we can help others that are going through something similar, or so we can have that compassion and understanding towards those that are enduring hardships. There is this 'trust' issue that I truly struggle with. I don't trust people enough to be open and vulnerable with them, and in part it affects my relationship with the Lord. I know that I can trust the Lord to help me, encourage me, and to just take the pain, hardship and struggles from me, but I struggle even doing that. I struggle believing that I am worth that (even though I know that I am). I struggle with allowing the Lord to take my burdens and to just hand them all over to Him and trust (there is that word again) Him to take care of me. I believe those lies, those false assumptions, those wrong accusations when I know that I shouldn't and don't have too.
I Peter 5:7 says, "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 11:29
I read His words, yet I still struggle. I will continue to wear my signs on my heart and will try to hand them over to Him. Perhaps one day I may even be able to wear my signs openly, however until that time, I desire to be more open, understanding, compassionate and discerning so that I don't miss others' signs.
So what would your sign(s) say and would you wear it/them openly?
You have to check out this post that Heather linked to. I couldn't stop crying and it has really bothered me, affected me for a few days now. I couldn't even post a comment on Heather's blog for a few days after reading it, as it really choked me up. I guess it is something that the Lord has been kind of talking to me about lately and I have been struggling with listening and really hearing the message. Too many hurts, too many pains, too many people that I can't trust, that don't want to know who we really are, that can't see my signs, and when I do try and share those signs, they either look past them, or blame me for them, or don't even care about them.
You see I am not perfect, I am sinful, I have so many faults that need to be 'tweaked'. I am human though and I am loved by Jesus who made the ultimate sacrifice for all of my sins, my faults and my brokenness. I need JESUS because I can not live my life pretending to be someone I am not, pretending to be perfect, to have it all under control. Pretending that I have not been hurt by false accusations, assumptions and lies about myself and my family. Pretending and just sweeping these things away like it is no big deal. I am human, I have emotions and I have struggles.
I wear many signs lately, but I wear them on my heart. I can not wear them openly because I can not trust those that I should be able to trust and confide in and am blamed for the signs that I do try and 'wear'. Sometimes we go through struggles, pain, hardship and it is not because of anything we have done. However, having people tell you that 'you have had too much bad luck' (which translates into we want nothing to do with you, you're an embarrassment and we therefore we will never help you out), 'you blame everyone else for your problems' (thanks for listening and really taking the time to HEAR me), 'it's your fault you are in the position that you are in' (now that is compassion and understanding), well that makes me want to hide my signs forever and lock them away so that no body can hurt me or truly understand me and know me (signs and all).
A few weeks ago we heard a sermon at church about the importance of community, fellowship, of being vulnerable and real with one another. That sometimes we go through struggles so that we can help others that are going through something similar, or so we can have that compassion and understanding towards those that are enduring hardships. There is this 'trust' issue that I truly struggle with. I don't trust people enough to be open and vulnerable with them, and in part it affects my relationship with the Lord. I know that I can trust the Lord to help me, encourage me, and to just take the pain, hardship and struggles from me, but I struggle even doing that. I struggle believing that I am worth that (even though I know that I am). I struggle with allowing the Lord to take my burdens and to just hand them all over to Him and trust (there is that word again) Him to take care of me. I believe those lies, those false assumptions, those wrong accusations when I know that I shouldn't and don't have too.
I Peter 5:7 says, "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 11:29
I read His words, yet I still struggle. I will continue to wear my signs on my heart and will try to hand them over to Him. Perhaps one day I may even be able to wear my signs openly, however until that time, I desire to be more open, understanding, compassionate and discerning so that I don't miss others' signs.
So what would your sign(s) say and would you wear it/them openly?
Sunday, 21 November 2010
GrEightful
Oh so much to be grateful for.....even if it is the little, simple things in my life, it is still good to reflect on those.
This week I am grateful for:
1. My awesome husband and our wonderful marriage. We had a challenging (well I thought it was) message today in church about marriage. I am still processing everything and need to get some time alone with the Lord on this too!
2. The life that the Lord has blessed me with. We never know when our time is up and I am so blessed for the years that I have had thus far.
3. My two beauties and their crazy antics and things they say! I love those two to bits and pieces!
4. A great day home that the kids seem to enjoy. Plus she is super flexible and accommodating!
5. Great conversations with co-workers about the Lord.
6. Online Christmas card orders. How convenient!
7. Supper with friends and a chance to get to know one another better. Lots of laughs and good times.
8. New jobs. Yes I said jobs and I will have to explain this in another post. I am amazed at how God provides and knows what He is doing. I start the first one on Tuesday and am super excited about it. It truly is a 'dream' job and one that I thought I would never get (one that I also applied for way back in May--before we even moved to SK).
This week I am grateful for:
1. My awesome husband and our wonderful marriage. We had a challenging (well I thought it was) message today in church about marriage. I am still processing everything and need to get some time alone with the Lord on this too!
2. The life that the Lord has blessed me with. We never know when our time is up and I am so blessed for the years that I have had thus far.
3. My two beauties and their crazy antics and things they say! I love those two to bits and pieces!
4. A great day home that the kids seem to enjoy. Plus she is super flexible and accommodating!
5. Great conversations with co-workers about the Lord.
6. Online Christmas card orders. How convenient!
7. Supper with friends and a chance to get to know one another better. Lots of laughs and good times.
8. New jobs. Yes I said jobs and I will have to explain this in another post. I am amazed at how God provides and knows what He is doing. I start the first one on Tuesday and am super excited about it. It truly is a 'dream' job and one that I thought I would never get (one that I also applied for way back in May--before we even moved to SK).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)