So Much to be Thankful For

Little pics of little things to be thankful for:

Gifts:

80. Fruit kabobs
81. Fresh coat of paint
82. Completing a devotional book
83. My old 1970s sewing machine that works like a charm. Inherited from my Oma, the sewing machine is encased in a wooden stand that is over 100 years old and made the trip from Holland.
84. Simple wooden toys that don't have bright lights or make noise
85. Going through old photo albums. I find it so much more enjoyable to look at real photographs in a day where they rarely get developed.
86. Watching Isaac play in his birthday present - a playhouse barn made for him by his momma. It's fun watching him crawl in and out and get all giddy.
87. Tools that make life easier - apple peeler
88. Maple cookies
89. When you use your child's nap time to have a nap of your own
90. When you use your child's nap time to be productive - so that you can spend more quality time with them when they wake up
91. My family together on Thanksgiving
92. Nature
93. Enjoying what nature has to offer by hiking at Bannockburn Trail
94. A bird's eye view of the farm and fields surrounding us. Tim climbed the silo for the last time before the silo's were demolished last week. Looking down on the farm the tractors and machinery look like toys from up above. It puts life into perspective.
95. Naked little jaybird. Isaac loves being free as a bird in his birthday suit after his baths. Unfortunately, he has a stubborn diaper rash. Airing it out by letting him run around in the buff after his bath helps and he is lovin it!
96. My beautiful centerpeice. A gorgeous arrangement given to me from a special lady. Thanks Rhonda! Thankfulness grows where thoughtfulness shows.

Blessings abound.
 In Him,
Sonya

The Hurried Life

Sometimes the slowest way is the fastest way to joy (from Ann Voskamp, aholyexperience.com)

Today, our neighbor’s clothesline is hung with a long row of clean wash flapping in the breeze. It must be bed sheet day because the line the length of the large lawn is lined with crisp white linens and I reflect on how a load of laundry can change from one phase of life to another. In days left behind, hers would have included her husband's clothing, work pants, shirts and socks. His presence on the clothesline is missing now as he has passed away. But life and laundry must go on. Our own clothesline has changed in the past year as well with the addition of baby items, diapers, onesies and PJs. The amount of laundry we do in this house now has increased exponentially.

I recall driving through the Mennonite countryside and admiring the long washlines that extend far beyond twice the size of ours. The clothing neatly pinned almost categorically. You can see the generations that must live life out in their home based on the clothes on their line. There is something quite idyllic about it. The homes are surrounded by rural trademarks, a well manicured vegetable garden, a sign that reads "Slow Down, Children at Play," the farmers working the land, the century cedar fencelines. The Mennonite lifestyle is something to be admired. There is immense wisdom in going through life in the slow lane.

It is believed that the typical  Mennonite farmer produces a greater harvest while consuming less energy than his non-Mennonite neighbours. The Mennonite lifestyle has been centered upon agriculture for centuries. Furthermore, life on the Mennonite farm coincides with faith and religious traditions. To the Mennonite, going at a slower pace, toiling with the soil, raising livestock, and growing their own food is seen as following God's will. Communing with nature is communing with God. To the Mennonite, farming is not merely a job but a sacred lifestyle dictated by the Scriptures. The rigours of farming has traditionally been seen as a way of ingraining these important values within the community.

If we stop living like life is an emergency and embrace the small gifts each day, we may find that time slows down. Nowhere in God's word does it say to live a hurried life. So many people today, myself included, get caught up in the desire to want more and not be content in the moment. For the moment, look at what you have and be thankful. Saying with assurance that you are happy with what you have here and now is a wise way to spend your time. Or, look at the grunge of everyday life and accept it for what it is: life. No life is perfect.

Yes, time flies. I find it does even more so now that I'm a mom. But, life is not about getting it all right. Life is messy, dizzy, burdensome, deadline-full, and can make you soul-weary. We are not fully equipped to handle what life brings us sometimes. Give in to it, receive it, and accept it with grace for the Joy of Christ you are. And, give in to Jesus, who offers peace. Peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

And, sometimes the slowest way is the fastest way to JOY (from Ann Voskamp, aholyexperience.com)

Love:
Sonya

Gifts

60. New socks

61. Well worn comfy jeans

62. Pumpkin pie latte (o how I've missed you)

63. Things that are cleverly and intentionally packaged. I was pleasantly surprised when I opened my extra large box of Orange Pekoe Tea, that the bags are wrapped in packages of 20 or so tea bags. Now, some of you may say this is wasteful. But, I think it is quite the happy medium. Wasteful would be individually packaged. Because, tea loses some of it's aroma and flavour when exposed to the air out there it must be kept sealed to stay fresh. If you are an avid tea drinker, you know this. It would not stay fresh if it was kept loose in the cardboard box. So, for this packaging, I am grateful.

64. Souvenirs. Snowglobes, rocks and shells from provinces away were just given to Isaac from his Grandma and Grandpa Cook.

65. Warm apple crisp with vanilla ice cream.

66. A new box of crayons. They're just nostalgic for me.

67. "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch. Reading it together with my husband for Isaac before bed, we both found ourselves welling up with tears.

68. Jesus told us “in this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. Jesus is our peace, hope, strength and rest from all that clamours in this world.

69. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

70. Waking up and realizing it's not Monday, but Sunday. Wow, I was disoriented on Sunday morning thinking it was Monday and I had to get ready for work. But, oh how thankful I was when I realized it was Sunday, and I could lay in bed just a little bit longer.

71. The smell of a wood burning fire.

72. A free concert - The Trews at Pumpkinfest in Port Elgin this past weekend.

73. Going to a pumpkin patch and each picking our own pumpkin.

74. Awesome = Apple picking. Awkward = Realizing that the Honey Crisp ones on sale that you wanted were not available for picking. 10 lbs were on sale for $19. So, I start filling up my reusable bag from the pre-picked bin. Then, I realize, I don't know how much will make 10 lbs. So, I ask if there are already filled 10 lb bags somewhere. They proceed to show me the pre-filled bags right in front of my nose. It gets better. So, I proceed to empty my reusable bag. And, the salesperson promptly yells at me "No no, let me do it for you, gently." Apparently apples are to be handled like eggs. Haha. Oh well, it makes for a funny story.

75. The smell of Fall.

76. Child free grocery shopping.

77. Tea parties with real loose leaf tea, real scones, real homemade jam, and real china.

78. Baked Alaska. White cake is topped with ice cream and meringue, then quickly baked in a hot oven for this delightful dessert. 

79. Getting a hair cut.

In the meantime, in between time, God bless and keep you!

In Him,
Sonya

Standing in the need of prayer

We use them all the time. Those three words - "How are you?"

But rarely are we asking how are you really feeling? How is your soul today?

How often do we get asked "How are you?" in one day?
And how often do we give the generic "I'm good. And you?" response? Because, if people only knew what was going on behind our words, maybe they would stop asking "How are you?"

I want to be honest here. Because, I want those who read this blog not to see me as a person with it all together. Trust me, I do not have it all together. I have a lot to figure out. I am a person who is wounded and broken, and not willing to wait on God's will most of the time, and I put on the apathetic smile all the time, and I am impatient, and I get out of sorts when there is not order, I say words that cut and blame it on hormones when I have only myself to blame, I compare myself to others, and my sin-bio is desperately long. And, I need God like I need bread because His grace is sufficient to heal these ailments.

So, I've started to really listen to people when I ask them "How are you?" I listen not just for their voice, but for God's voice underneath their voice. Even if they respond with the generic "Good. And you?" I want to be a soul friend and know the condition of their heart. And, I want you to do the same for me. So, when I ask "How are you?" I am listening to you with an ear towards you and with the other ear towards Heaven. And, if you really are doing good, I will know. But, if you need prayer, the Spirit will intercede and tell me what it is that needs prayed for. And, I will do my best to pray for your brokenness too. And, if you do tell me your struggles and challenges, that's the Spirit telling you that I will listen, that I will not interrupt, and I will not judge. That's the Spirit telling you that your words are safe with me. You can open up.

I will
just
listen.

You see, God never asks us to be strong. Which I love - but this culture does not. In this culture you have to look strong and not show emotion.

Actually, God says the opposite often. He says it is better to be meek and mild and show weakness. For, He says His power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore we should boast our weaknesses and not our strengths (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. ~ Isaiah 40:28-31

When we feel like we don't have it together, when we are tired of waiting. When we feel downtrodden and broken, and know we are not perfect, God wants to see our real face, not our apathetic face. He would rather us not worship Him at all than be apathetic in our worship. He would rather us be angry with Him than put on a facade. And, I'm glad God understands when we are angry with Him, or whomever. I'm glad that anger and worship are not distinct and separate things. If you are pretending to enjoy God or even love Him, he knows. You can't fool Him, you can't even try. He is someone you can be real with. He knows your prayers before you say them, He knows your prayers even when you do not. I am thankful that He is someone you can be real with. So, I'm praying that God will use me to be a soul friend and show me what you stand in need of so that I may intercede in prayer for you. And, I'm asking God to make me fully present when you answer that question: "How are you?" And, I pray you'll do so too.

Questions for reflection:

Why is it sometimes difficult to be 'real' in each of our daily interactions? 

How will God meet you in some of the people you interact with? How might others meet God in their interactions with you?

As the old hymn says: "Not my brother or my sister, but it's me O Lord. Standing in the need of prayer." Reflect on what you stand in need of. How might you bring these needs up when asked "How are you?"?

The One Thousand Gifts Dare - What's been making me terribly happy lately:

23. Hot oatmeal to stick to your ribs and warm your core on a howling-wind morning.
24. Celebrating four incredible years as husband and wife.
25. Making baby food. Isaac is starting on solids. So far I've made and frozen some pureed sweet potato, butternut squash, acorn squash, pear, avocado, and chicken mixed with sweet potato. And, so far he's tried the squash and nibbled (gummed) on some al dente finger carrots and apple. Apparently he will eat whatever we put in front of him. It is too funny to watch him explore new tastes and textures.
26. Big belly laughs from Isaac when he hears me say "ha ha ha CHOO." or "peek peek peek HABOO."
27. Tiny fingers that have the strongest hold. I will never get tired of the automatic grip reflex that babies have. Can I somehow teach him not to let his clinging fingers fade away?
28. Women of faith and studying 12 Women of The Bible, plus partaking in coffee with these women. Each woman in our Bible study offers insights and perspectives that feed my mind and spirit. Plus there is always goodies to feed the body too.
29. PB and J. I shared a children's message at church recently about how you can't make the sandwich without the bread. Just like we can't live without Jesus in our lives. And Jesus called Himself the Bread of Life. Now, whenever I make a PB and J sandwich in this time of lent, it reminds me that Jesus is the bread of life. His love is enough.
30. This cute recipe for Chocolate Egg Nest Cookies.
31. My Heavenly Father and His Son, my Saviour. Praise His name forever!
32. Old camp tunes. Back in the good ole days when I worked at summer camp we sang songs like "Little is Much (When He Lives in Your Heart)" and "I Want to Walk Like Jesus." I've been looking for new songs to sing with Isaac as the grown up in me grows tired of some of the same old tunes all the time. And, I've been reacquainted with some great ones from my camp days.
33. Back rolls, knee rolls, elbow rolls. My little guy, Isaac, has rolls on his rolls. I love his baby chub.
34. This picture makes me smile every time.

Just a wee bit Irish! (His shirt says "Little Shamrocker" ~ How cute is that?)

The Farmer's Hands and Morning Kisses

 The Farmer's Hands

Every hand tells a story
about our life and character.
Hands provide inward glimpses
and reveal who we really are.

Our hands cannot be hidden
they display the effects of time.
They show hard work and dedication
Through every wrinkle and line.








There are hands that hold
and hands that share,
Hands that break bread
and hands that fold in prayer.

God left his seal upon our hands
so we may come to know our purpose.
Our fingerprints are God's signet
as unique as our gifts and talents.

The artist creates beauty
with the work of their hands.
The farmer's hands tell a story
of working the land.










Though fingers are calloused
and rough they appear.
Those scars and soiled nails
are evidence of what's held dear.

Etched in the lifelines
the dirt and grime of every day.
With time scars heal
and grime is washed away.










My own hands are not as soft
as they once were.

The skin on the sides of my index fingers
never comes quite clean.
No matter how short I keep my nails
dirt still finds a way underneath.

While they are less outwardly beautiful
I am joyful.
They declare more effectively than I ever could
that they are useful. 








"I spread out my hands to You; my soul longs for You like a thirsty land." ~ Psalm 143:6

"Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are in My view continuously." ~Isaiah 49:16

Father, use my hands to bless others and glorify You. Strengthen my hands to be used for Your good work.

My husbands hands are calloused and rough. But that doesn't mean that his spirit is. He has a gentle and tender presence. And, he never lets a morning go by without making sure to give me a kiss - 'good morning' before he leaves for work. I recently read this little tidbit in a Faith Alive Christian resource, A Woman and Her World, from 1987.

"There is more to that morning peck than meets the eye. According to a recent survey by an insurance company, a husband who kisses his wife each morning before going off to work in the field, factory, or office, or wherever gains several advantages over the non-kisser. The study found that the husband who gives the morning kiss will probably live five years longer than the one who doesn`t. And what`s more, a kissing husband will have fewer auto accidents, will lose up to 50 percent less time from work as a result of illness, and will earn 20 to 30 percent more than the non-kissing husband."

 
- ♥ - Sonya