Learning to Lean:)

Christmas Day is over - just like that (snap your fingers for effect there). It always amazes me. Personally I had two days in which I did pretty much nothing except eat chocolate & nachos in my jammies, and throw the turkey in an oven bag, where, voila! it turns out perfect every time. Wow, I am not sure how healthy it is to cook your food in a plastic bag but hey. It worked. I will do that again.

Speaking of health, for those of you who are unaware that I fell down the icy back stairs at church last Sunday, the good news is - I can almost sit now! Yes. It's true. Just not for long.
I was actually under the impression that it was safer to use the stairs than walk all the way around the building on the icy parking lot, but once again I proved myself wrong. The next day at work the girls prayed for me, that I'd be healed, but also that I would have 'discerning feet' and know where to walk, not just in the physical but in the spirit as well. For myself, I was already beating myself up for being so dumb as to use the snowy stairs, but the I did get a God thought out of it:) Even though I approached the stairs cautiously, seeing the snow I had no idea just how treacherous they were.
In this upcoming season, our own logic will not do, and there will be no shortcuts. I am praying that the Lord will give me discerning feet so that I will only walk where He is asking me to, that I will not rely on my own understanding but actually learn to fully lean on Him. Right now, I'm just plain leaning because it hurts to sit straight! But He is aligning me:)

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Gal 5:25

My, My Pumpkin Pie

I really love my children! They are all uniquely special to me, and even with my three new children, also known as daughters-in-law and my son-in-law, I'm learning new things about them all the time and coming to love and appreciate them all the more as time goes on. This is such a cool thing that just keeps getting better!

Grandchildren aren't better than children, they're more like the icing on the cake. I love the blessing of enjoying them and then the freedom to hand them back to their parents and go home for a lovely full night's sleep:) I love the title Grandma and all the perks that go with it. I love the smile in Martina's voice when she says my name:) And it's so funny, when I look at her and Linden, I don't just see Patrick's gentle ways and warm grin, I see Carmen's twinkly eyes and determination, and Ray's logical thinking and goofy sense of humour, and Tamara's creativity and joyful heart. I see Jeremiah in the way both of the children love to give attention to detail, even Linden at his young age. I see Jesse's flair for style and all things princess.


Grandchildren...everyone should have them!

Our little Pumpkins:)

Linden and his adorable little cousin Kambel

Bird's Eye View

Martina and her favoritest Aunty Carmen in the world

Like Father, Like Son

Linden obviously watching a Canucks re-run or something...

Miss Martina Hannah Montana Emma Elizabeth Dawn Ziemer

Gosh, He's Cute!!

Our Little Princess

Grandchildren are a GREAT blessing.

There's just nothing like 'em:)

Ahh...it's my day off:)

Yep, it's my day off and I plan to do nothing! Well, not 'nothing', but nothing I don't want to do for sure. It feels good to be off the hamster wheel for a day. I love my job, and it's a busy time of year so we're all working a little more than usual, and Peter and I have been travelling a bit as well, so it's good to have a breather.

So in amongst the to-ing and fro-ing, one highlight for us was having Christmas with Ray & Jesse this week. I love going to their house, because it feels like I belong there, like it's my own home. Jesse had the house all prettied up for the occasion, and the table was set for the feast. Ray made the most amazing roast, I'm not kidding you. It was so flavorful and tender. He says it's the thermometer, I think it's all in the wrist. Either way, I'm goin' back! I heard a rumour about stone dinner...

Some changes coming up for us as a fellowship - we will be out of the building we're in by April 2009. This means we have to find a place! In preparation for this, the Lord released a prophetic word last April, giving us some direction for the future as well as indicating that He was asking for 'fastings'. Individuals have been fasting on their own over the last few months, but now we are called to fast together as a church group for the week. I am not a great faster (is anyone?), but I am feeling such a joy this time to participate with the Father in this. God initiates, God accomplishes, and still He invites us to be a part of it. By our obedience, we please His heart, and then He goes ahead and does so much more than we can even imagine. It's like when I feel honoured by my kids, I already loved them, but something wells up in me that makes me want to give them their heart's desire and more. (The difference is that God really can do this for us, we're limited as parents.) So we position ourselves before the Lord, available...ok, even on my 'day off' ...

A good friend sent an encouraging email this morning including the following verse:
'He cares enough to respond to those who seek Him'
(the Message).

I love that:)
Speak Lord, your servants are listening.

My Mother

Today is December 3 - my mother's birthday. She's been in Heaven for 10 years already, but still never far from my thoughts.
She was an amazing woman. Her secret weapon was a joyful heart. She said it's how she survived many things - when things were difficult on the outside, my mother learned to reach down inside and pull up a joy moment to get her through. She gave willingly, laughed easily, served constantly.

I am thankful for the verse in Psalms 139 that says 'You knit me together in my mother's womb' because it means the Lord chose her to be my mommy. I love that fact, and I love that it means He chose me to be my kids' mom. (They have been the source of many of my own joy moments, but more about that in a different post).

Today I am celebrating this beautiful lady. I know she's resting in the presence of the Lord, but just in case there's the occasional blog access....Happy birthday, Mother:)

It's Time

Ok, it's my first try at this public display of my thoughts, feelings and the mundane complexities of life. I'm sitting here on Carmen's couch, typing with one hand while she holds the other, as I create my first blog:) At her gentle insistence and my secret longing to share a little of myself with you, here I am - held at gunpoint in the nicest way.
In this house it's Christmas Day. We are getting the chance to celebrate with Carmen and Jeremiah and I'm getting more excited as the afternoon goes on.
Mmm! I can smell the turkey cooking:) Merry Christmas! xoxo