My Story

My story today is partly inspired by questions that were asked when  Lovela and I were interviewed for a Pulse video done for Northview Community Church, where the two of us attend. The filming was done by Cassiar Mediaworks at Lepp Farm Market where MGCC periodically hosts cooking classes. Judy, Bev and Kathy were also a part of this particular teaching session but not involved in the interview.

The winter of 2005 was a difficult one for me as both of my daughters had now moved out of the country. I kept myself busy with family research while compiling a five generation genealogy account, along with photos.  With two wee grandchildren growing up overseas and possibly some in southern CA in the near future, I had this urge to get our family stories written for grandchildren whom I may not get to see much. In the meantime, my daughters both began blogs. My first thoughts about blogging centered on questions of why anyone would want to keep a journal for the world to see. But, although I did not understand, I read their blogs because it was a way to be a part of their world.

Upon reading Kristal’s blog, I came across comments by Lovella and clicked on her name to check up on her. I thought it was kind of her to be interested in my daughter’s life. Lovella and I go back to when we were young couples at another church. We had each other over, attended the same baby showers and, together with our husbands, were involved in hospitality and care giving. Over the years life took us in different directions and we lost touch with each other, so I enjoyed catching up with her through her blog, What Matters Most.

Every once in a while Lovella would post a favourite recipe, finding that readers were attracted to them, especially the Mennonite heritage recipes. In the summer of 2007, she put out an invitation for readers to send her a recipe that she would make and then post. I thought this would be kind of fun and sent her the recipe for my blueberry scones. Time went on and obviously her wheels began to turn about how she could get together with some of her blogging friends who loved to cook. In 2008 she again put out an invitation, this time expressing her desire to begin a Mennonite recipe blog and asking those interested to sign up.

I emailed a bit with her on it, thinking that I could just send her my recipes, but she declared those of us who were interested fully capable to do our own posting. We all got access to a joint blog, and our story began. I don’t know if I will ever forget the feeling of publishing my first recipe. At the time there were a few more than just ten of us but, as we settled into the daily posting, ten stayed on. Ten women who became like sisters, as we shared a google email address in which we could share our excitement about a comment, a prayer request, advice, or just simply try to solve the world's problems and feel better for getting renewed perspective. It has been evident that it is the Lord who brought us together, as our lives have been enriched by our shared faith expressed in love for family as well as for strangers.

It is in looking back over these past few years that I see God’s leading to this day, a chain of events that began in my forties, by taking some English courses at TWU, while teaching English as a second language. This was the first time in my life that I had English teachers who inspired me, not to mention that taking the classes forced me to learn to become more computer literate. Then I remember a time when one of my daughters asked me what I would like to do with my life now that I had more time and, with some fear of sounding slightly over-ambitious, I expressed a desire to put together a devotional book as well as a recipe book. I guess it kind of followed on the heels of writing our family history. I had no idea how God would put that dream to reality, for it was when I realized the joy of sharing recipes, that I began my personal blog, a space that has become my book to share life and what God is teaching me. Today I am in awe of how my heart’s desire has come about in such an unexpected way. That is why I enjoy what I’m doing and give thanks to God who orchestrated events in such a way that I can now say, He has been in all of it, all along.

PULSE: Episode 9, The Gift of Hospitality from Northview Church on Vimeo.