Psalm 27:4 The Happy Palace Homestead

Teachable moments

......they come often.  We must recognize them as they are fleeting....there lies three children birthed from the heart, stretched across a king size bed with books, paper and pencils in hand...questions that flood their minds. Clothes  being pressed for husband., they listen intently as we talk about everything, their curiosity about life peaked. Stories from the past...their muscles do not move...they want answers to life's questions...or do they?  Just time to spend with mom...spring break almost over and this time to never be again...so we talk and laugh discuss spring...dreams...world peace...politics...well, maybe not politics, but the joys of family.

Time skating with relatives...laughter...mom's feet and ankles ache but we persevere...hand in hand we skate...making memories forever.  The drive home is quiet...too tired and hungry to speak....banana cake and apples await us..and then our annual Friday Pizza night...the feelings of dough on our hands and children working along side to prepare this fun evening. Does it get better than that? 

Each day we think, does it get better than this?  No, because each day is a gift...to be alive even though the trials come.  Our home is thankful.  As age begins to creep upon oneself, life now becomes more important.  Those things we took for granted, now precious.  What happens...what changes lifes perspective? Answer isn't important, it's importance is that it did and does...morning dawns and we whisper prayers of thanksgiving to our heavenly Father....we rejoice because we breathe yet another day...day for memories...and yes, days of Lent Boxes...but gifts no less important...life lessons make way for the maturity and sorts.

We breathe, we are grateful.  The day closes and we are blessed.  The quietness as little ones sleep...the reflection once again of a day filled with trials, learning, laughter, joy and peace. 

The day brings fourth

The sun rises over the mountains as the house lay still with sleeping angels....quietness...stillness.... God can be heard...one must listen and speak little.

The day brings fourth goodness and mercy...family participates in a day of swimming while mom's visit.... all the while watching from the sidelines...making sure pool rules are followed...the eyes are never far from their little ones...heart beats faster and continues until they are safely returned to the homestead.  Chlorine so thick the head pounds and in the end requires synthetic medicine.

Food on our table is plenty...gifts from above.  We are so very thankful for provision given. Dessert recipe given by one of you...must try as now added to the list of ever growing recipes because of you my bloggy friends....they are favourites...I am blessed.

Tired now, and synthetic not working...time for quietness of bath...candles all around.  Reflection of a day of grace....tomorrow may the grace extended to me by my loving heavenly father, be the stick of measure  given to those in my path....the learning and growing never ends...and for that I am grateful.

Whispers cont'...

....to the ear of the only one who truly knows and understands...he who sits on the throne and is God alone...he knows...he cares about the hurts that pervade the soul.  He listens as the whispers continue to flow from the heart of family now far away.

The snow falls so softly...something these eyes have not seen of late...it's peaceful.  A perfect time for quietness of home and spirit. The home "still" with respite provided by a caregiver who blesses family with time away from one whose DNA is Sotos and who's character is wrought with Autism...how blessed for caregivers...how blessed for a few hours of quiet...reflection...peace and inner sanctuary...so needed right now.

Time to listen for the still voice of my Father who knows all...who paid the ultimate price so I could be surrounded by his love, his peace and mercy.  He never fails...so resting in the arms of a Saviour who never abandons the ones he died to set free.

Sisters who are blessed to communicate via lines that stretch across the oceans...but whose hearts are not far away.  Older sister, love poured out to the one who is far away but reassures her love.  This mama's heart is full, knowing that all the years of training...failing and boxes of Lent that should have been  all year round...full with notes of confession for days of failed parenting....they remain at times ever present...but now the armour is damaged and the heart of an older sibling struggling to convey her sadness and sorrow but ever wanting to "punch" the dude with moves she has performed many a time during her evenings of kick-boxing.... knowing that even a young woman herself, she can fight with the best of them...I smile because she truly loves the younger who also carries her DNA...and this time apart tells her, she misses the younger one....there is love..there is compassion and God continues to answer the prayers of her parents...may our family always be drawn together, no matter what...may sorry be quick on our lips and forgiveness in our hearts...may our lives always be together...that  no miles can separate. God answers....though armour is damaged, God reveals our blessings...family together, the love is strong!  He works to repair...as armour is worn another day!

As fingers type, phone rings...display reveals husband.  We talk...his voice quivers...his phone rang earlier and display revealed Australia.  I took deep breath and  listened with intense curiosity...the "DUDE" called...no excuses, just apologies for words spoken...hurts he caused.  Husband grateful for time to talk...realizing we all fail...tongues lash especially when tired and satan works overtime.  Apologies accepted and now words to his daughter....later this will be.  No, not words of condemnation to a daughter he loves, but perhaps her heart could search and see where fault could also lie...it takes two. 

Life, training our children, making sure that responsibility is taken no matter the circumstance...no matter the armour damaged....could she have done differently...yes, perhaps she could have.  Not perhaps, we know for sure...but heart bleeds when your offspring suffers...but thankful for DUDE to call and give no excuses just sorry...and needing our forgiveness...and forgiveness given without waiver....we are mended..his voice of maturity and sincerity grateful. 

Now mending of a heart far away which also needs to seek forgiveness...and I know it will.  She is afterall her father's daughter and her mother's daughter...the apple falls not far from the tree.  Her genetic make-up could be blamed as a Lent Box should be around all year...proves the heart of her parents at times...but forgiveness comes easy and "I'm sorry" comes easy..and with maturity, daughter will grow as well.  I pray this experience proves to be a stepping stone to growth of the heart....afterall, we are no different...the tongue is unleashed many a day...and we have age..what is our excuse...there is none, but we are human...

So as evening reveals itself...the journal out.... recaps of the daylight hours ...it brings  the radiance of a gracious life we live here on our homestead....whispers that are answered.  The sleep will be sweet tonight...so we whisper....with faith!

Peace be to each of you this evening.

Possibilities and heart first

Warm sunshine awakens a new day and the possibilities seem endless. Feet touch the carpet, and thoughts of what  the day will bring run through the cobwebs of the mind.  It begins as any other...hot coffee brewing, washing machine humming, bread makers churning out sweet dough. 

Then a spontaneous  trip to the library with kids in toe.... a quick visit with daughter while on her lunch break...we meet for but a moment....a quick embrace and she heads back to work and us back to the homestead...new books to review...excitement of learning how to draw through books.  The possibilities are endless.

The success of bread and lots of time on the clock, leads to a recipe for homemade pretzels. Son and I share bonding time and laughter as we try to turn out a perfect pretzel....flour everywhere makes the bonding special and forever etched in our minds...journal worthy tonight.

Work of art baking in the oven.... then comes the text message we wait for daily...daughter is on Skype. Hubby still enroute to home, sends this mom into frantic mode as she uses the little knowledge she has to try quickly and log on as not to miss the opportunity....the video comes through....the picture of daughter distorted, but not because of lines so far away in Australia but tears that have stained her cheeks...eyes sunken and red...this mother knows of only one reason for such a look...I quickly cry out to God....please let everything be okay...what is wrong I ask???  The sobs continue as I fear the worst...is the love of her life okay...has someone hurt my baby....I continue to question, my heart is racing...she cannot speak...she heaves but the mouth will not speak...finally, her heart spills and I sigh and pray, "thank you Lord"....for this can be fixed...fixed by words of encouragement....words of affirmation to repair the damage done to her heart because of flaming arrows of the tongue....condemnation brought upon her by others who are human and can be used by the evil one to destroy the work God is calling them to do.

Her armour is damaged...armour she must put on and wear every day... damaged in a way  that only God can repair. I speak words of love and gentleness..and then a smile as I hear the familiar sound of husband arriving home.  Quickly he heads in knowing something is wrong...and the sight of her father and his words..."what's wrong sweetie", sends her back to sobs and tears that say they might never end.  He speaks his words to her, words she needs to hear...and before his eyes, she is no longer this young woman  but his little girl, his little girl who desperately needs her daddy's love, hugs and a lap that was always available..until now.  How can she go on...his eyes fill with the same...will it stop. How can he go on without being able to fulfill his promises of always being there..oh he is but not in the way she needs right now....they pray.  Then her ride arrives and she must say good-bye...hanging up, it's not possible...you go first....we promise to pray...  It seems forever, but we must. It ends. 

The possibilities...they came to be...but now seem insignificant...the heart aches...whispers to God for our girl...our petition before him stay for the evening...continually on our lips.  The sky darkens and bids good-night.  But sleep will come slowly so it seems...the whispers continue.  But then.....

the smell...that smell it permeates our home...it should be good but it isn't...oh well, the boys have wide uses...they will be hockey pucks for now...and later, the compost will be their home.  The possibility of fresh pretzels saved for another day...we sigh.  Had no one noticed?  It didn't matter...we cared for heart first! 

Peace be with each of you!

Days

Thank you for all your birthday wishes.  We had a wonderful day yesterday.  My niece and daughters spent the day with us and then went along to watch the boys last hockey game.

We had butter chicken and roti's for dinner....delicious.

Today is going to be a day of baking and doing laundry...but that's about it.  Children are still on spring break so we will just hang out around home.

I pray each of you have a wonderful day filled with the presence of the Lord.

Flowers...forgiveness and anonymous comments...all part of life

I thought this beautiful bouquet was perfect to start this email.

Thank you everyone for so many emails regarding my previous post that is now deleted.  My inbox was filled to 100%.

I will just briefly say why I deleted it.  Yes, it was because of the LONG comment left by one of you (and yes, my sitemeter told me who)...which is okay. I know that people will say more cruel and unkind things when it's anonymous then when they log onto their account.

But as to not give this anonymous person too much credit, I also deleted it  because my dh read it and thought that I could have been a bit more soft in my written approach.  I realized that I allowed my emotions to really come out against the authors of a book that a family was using as a form of discipline for their daughter who was killed at their hands. 

While I have read their book years ago...I disagreed with their forms of discipline in all areas of their book.  They might have had good points, but my mind only recalls the bad stuff...the stuff our family totally disagreed with.  I witnessed personally the discipline tactics of one family years ago who actually gave me the book.  I cannot condone "switching" a child under the age of one. 

My grief for this little girl who died and her sister who also almost died hit close to home...because two of my children are from Liberia.  I cannot imagine the feelings of the birth families who had no choice but to give up their children and send them to America, to then find out their adoptive parents did this horrible thing...it is beyond understanding for me....and therefore, my anger came out harshly on my previous post.

I know I have no right to judge...and I am trying not too. I know the courts and judicial system in the US will do their jobs and God will judge....and so also for that reason, I deleted the post.  I thank my hubby for always having the insight and showing me how my passion and sometimes anger can spill over in a way that might not be helpful.

So, forgive me for showing anger that was not right as a Christian.  I am to be an example of Christ, not the opposite....and I blew it.  And so, you can guess who added one more paper to her "Lent Box"???  (see other post on Lent).

But please, if you want to comment something negative or a different belief  contrary to what I have posted, have the courage to say who you are...especially since the person who wrote the comment claims to be a christian as well. Because we are public blogs (most of us), anonymous and negative words don't help.  We all make mistakes in posting sometimes, and it can be beneficial to be able to reply to someone who has commented...even say we agree and will change our post or that  we are sorry.  But hiding behind anonymous comments leaves a bad "taste" for everyone.

Again thank you to EVERYONE who supported my post and understood my heart....you guys are the BEST!!!!  Anyway, moving on and never to again revisit this topic...

....today is my dh birthday. We celebrated it on Saturday with Audrey and her family....and also celebrated her dh's new job.

Happy Birthday Schatzi....I am so blessed and honoured to be your wife....and that you are the father of my children.  I Pray that God continues to pour his love and blessings upon you.  I thank him for his faithfulness in protecting you another year and that we can celebrate this day with you.

Our boys, have their last day of hockey...so the whole family will go and cheer!!! 

The sun is shining bright today...but the weather channel says the possibilities of snow for tonight.  Interesting because we have had no snow this winter...actually, maybe a light dusting in Nov or Dec...can't remember now...But we will take whatever comes.

Blessings to peace to each of you my bloggy friends. 

Is Spring in the air?

It sure feels like it around here....the crocus is in full bloom.  Tulips beginning to bud and daffodils are already being picked in our fields.

I found this little "spring tree" at a thrift store and thought it would make a cute addition to my spring decorations.

Last year I got rid of most of my Easter decorations as there were too many Easter Bunnies.  I just kept the special ones received from Audrey and Grace.  I found that my home showed too much of the "bunny" and less of  the most important part  of the year.....for without it where would we all be?? 

Now having said that, we still hide easter eggs for the kids...and make it a fun time.  But we focus our hearts more (at least we try) on The Crucifixion and Ressurection.  My children know there is no such thing as the easter bunny...the same as they know about "santa"....and yes, the tooth fairy.  I didn't want them to some day wonder if we lied about "Jesus" as well.  But as not to take away fun for them (and mom & dad), we still enjoy the fun things of each season but make sure the "truth"  is taught in our home.

So when I saw this little tree it was about Spring and not Easter.  And it can stay up way past Easter. 

Second week of Lent

Dependence

Genesis 12:1-9

Psalm 121

Philippians 3:12-4:1

Mark 8:31-38

First Week of Lent--Ash Wednesday

Identifying Discontent

Genesis 2:15-17;3:1-7

Psalm 51

1 Peter 3:13-22

Matthew 4:1-11

LENT

After a very deep and heavy post  yesterday, I knew that on the heels of that post should come a post on forgiveness.  And so with forgiveness comes LENT.  I know we are starting the third week of Lent, but it's never too late to begin something new or re-visit the season of Lent. 

I realize that even though I struggle in all the areas of my life as posted yesterday, I have a BIG God who forgives.  But forgiveness requires us to come before him and share our sins with him and seek his forgiveness in true repentance.

So I thought I would share what we are doing for Lent.

First off, Lent is the season when Christians have historically prepared their hearts for Easter.  This means reflection, repentance and prayer.  Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and goes for forty days, leading up to Good Friday and Holy Saturday.,,,and then Easter Sunday.  Some Christians choose to fast throughout Lent but the focus is not so much on depriving themselves of something as it is on dvoting themselves to God and his purposes in the world. (excerpt taken from the devotional).

This devotional is an excellent way for your family to prepare our hearts for the up and coming Easter season. 

I decided to make this box...which is just cardboard covered in brown paper.   The purpose for this box is a place where each of us throughout this Lent season  can write down every thing that we would like to seek forgiveness for and no one else knows except God...then on Good Friday we will burn this box as a representation of our sins being taken away.

I wanted a tangible way for my children to see and comprehend Lent to a degree that children can understand.  I wanted them to be able to participate in a real way....writing down  sins they might have in their life on a daily basis. 

...."The season of Lent walks us through the grief of Jesus' last days before his crucifixion. As we read Jesus personal conversation with his disciples in the upper room, we imagine the joy of friendship coupled with the sadness of a friend's imminent betrayal.  As we enter into the darkness of Jesus' arrest, trial and beating, we weep with those first Christians, and in our efforts to save Jesus from ourselves we grieve in our Peter-like betrayals.

The tradition of Lent - a forty-day sacrifice is one way of mourning the death that sin has caused in our lives.  As we see Jesus perfectly withstand satan's temptation in the wilderness, we admit our own shortcomings, our own inadequate sacrifices.  This period of "giving up" has a profound way of recalling our desperate need for Jesus Christ....."  Taken from Devotions for Lent.

Good Friday is the most powerful day of the year  for me as it remindes me of the fact that God sent his son to die and pay for sins he never committed...to die for ME and YOU...and by burning this box, my children can  watch and visualize Jesus forgiving their sins...and then to never be remembered again.

How amazing to have a God who forgives and then forgets.  What an amazing God we serve. 

Today being the beginning of the Third week of Lent....here is the suggested scripture reading to prepare. 

God's Holiness and Grace

Exodus 17:1-7 Pslam 95

Romans 5:1-21

John 4:5-42

BTW: If you scroll down my blog, I added the previous two weeks scripture reading  for you to go through if you are interested.