The Five and Under Club

This past week we've had the privilege to have all of our pre-schoolers over at one time or another, while our Saskatoon family came for the celebration of life service of their Oma (Great Grandmother  to Lacey and Teddy) on their mom's side. While the family took time to plan, reminisce and say their farewell, we were able to help care for two little girls who will have to get a little older to understand the amazing life story of their Super Oma.

Landon and Koen arrived one morning before their two cousins were even up.
 They often have a snack first thing when they come in.



Later, while us girls lingered over the end of our lunch,
the boys and Lacey found their spot on the couch

and, by the looks of it, the show was good!

Makenna came the next morning and was happy to be a big helper to Teddy . . .

who loved the idea of a lawnmower to help her feel like she could walk.
She's just about there!

 

One of the highlights was that the swings got hung . . . 

Makenna

and Teddy spent some time swinging and dreaming under the maple tree.

Inside, we noticed that someone had tried their best at stacking the rings

and soon Papa was busy giving free lessons.



Lacey tried hard to smile for the camera

 

especially because Papa promised to take her to Tim Hortons.

These are precious times . . .
early morning cuddles in bed, eating cereal at the counter,
folding little shirts and leggings, playing hide and seek, reading stories,
bath times and sweet tuck-ins . . .
for a season to seize right now.
 

Macrina Bakery

A surprise awaited me on the Sunday morning after the concert.

 

My H had made a breakfast appointment with a business friend and, kind of reluctantly, I went along. It was, after all, a bakery that we were meeting at!

The interior, boasting a high ceiling with painted murals, was quite impressive!

As were the shelves behind the counter, laden with freshly baked breads!

But what put the icing on the cake for me . . . was this huge window view into the kitchen.

Our friend, who had chosen the venue, had no idea how this would intrigue me! While I was gawking at the fun in that kitchen, he asked me what side of the table we'd want to sit at in reference to one he had picked a bit farther away. Smiling, I said, I want to sit right here in front of this window!

This kitchen is equipped with several machines that shape the buns.

On one side of the large table, large amounts of yeast dough get weighed out and shaped into,
what look like, large thick pizza shells.

On the other side of the table someone puts the tray into the machine.
It closes and jiggles for a few seconds

and the tray of buns are quickly removed.

It was amazing to see how this could be done! Having shaped buns by hand almost all my life =)
I've wondered how a machine would do it. The tray went back to the table, where another cook spread them out on large baking sheets, to rise and bake.

And back to what we came for . . . the coffee was great!

 

As was the French toast! 

Driving away we talked about how we'd be coming back one day!

An Angel in Seattle

So, like I mentioned in the previous post, we took a town car to the arena, thinking that it would be no problem to catch a ride back. We could always walk, since it was not that far.
When got out of the concert, I was so enthralled with the look of the space needle right nearby . . .

I kept walking in that direction to get some good views and shots of the needle all lit up in the dark, with just a hint of fog surrounding it at the top.

It was a beautiful sight!

As it turned out we missed going down the street that we should have gone down
and by the time we realized it, it was too late. We ended up on the wrong side of a street,
walking further and further away from where we knew the hotel was,
because there was no place to cross.
It was misting, I was getting cold and was wearing cloth shoes . . .
I was not about to dodge traffic and jump over a barrier in the dark.
Finally, I convinced him to take cover in a warm, dry place . . . a small delivery pizza joint,
 which seemed to be the only sign of life on a long stretch of road.
We'd need to call a cab or get an idea of where this road had  a place to cross.
The pizza delivery guys tried explaining, but it sounded like a long cowpath home.
Suddenly one of them, as he had taken us outside to explain, pointed at his little pizza delivery car and said, "Why don't you just come with me, I'll take you."
He opened the passenger door, throwing a bunch of blankets and stuff in the loaded back seat
and the two of us piled into the bucket seat next to him.
With my head crushed sideways against the ceiling, he drove, dodging in and out of traffic and construction zones. We chatted with him. He was from Mexico.
When he dropped us off my H put a bill down for him and
he looked so hurt that we would pay him, we simply had to take it back.
He said something like, "I may be the one needing help tomorrow, so I am happy to help you."
Hector was our good Samaritan that night . . .
an angel in disguise.

Saturday Night at the Key Arena

This Christmas gift for my H sat tucked away in an envelope, waiting for this weekend.
We drove down to Seattle on Saturday, checked into a hotel for the one night,
had a bite and took a town car to the Chris Tomlin, Kari Jobe and Louie Giglio Concert.
It was our first time at the Key Arena and there was not a single disappointing thing about it.
The music was loud . . . but the words were louder.
I always listen to the words.



Kari Jobe started us off with an old hymn, Praise God from Whom all Blessing Flow, and I was set.  Some of you will understand the significance of that alone.

Her passion and sincerity in the songs she sings,
cannot help but make you feel like you are faced with what really matters. 

One of these, a Hillsong United song, is called Hosanna
I love the bridge . . .

Heal my heart and make it clean

Open up my eyes to the things unseen

Show me how to love like you have loved me
 

Break my heart for what is yours

Everything I am for your kingdom's cause

As I walk from earth into eternity

Imagine being there...

Chris Tomlin walked out on the catwalk . . .

his songs were a combination of the old familiar as well as a number from his newest recording.
My old favorite is His Grace is Enough. That song carried me through much more than I need to share right now. My new favorite is called Sovereign

Sovereign in the mountain air
Sovereign on the ocean floor
With me in the calm
With me in the storm



Sovereign in my greatest joy
Sovereign in my deepest cry
With me in the dark
With me at the dawn

In your everlasting arms
All the pieces of my life
From beginning to the end
I can trust you



In your never failing love
You work everything for good
God whatever comes my way
I will trust you 

 

God whatever comes my way
I will trust you

All my hopes
All I need
Held in your hands . . .



But the words that stayed with me long after the concert was over
came from a song called Whom Shall I fear.

 

Such a blessing to hang onto . . .
the God of angel armies is always by my side.
Pastor Louie Giglio gave a message . . . yes, a preacher at a concert!
 

It was, after all more like a church service, numbering 10,000 choir members.
Louie told the story of the prodigal son . . .
and what I came away with is that the gospel, the good news,
is not that we are bad and Christ came to make us good.
The fact is, were are dead and Christ came to give us life!

For this son of mine was dead and is alive again!
Luke 15:24

Music, singing and celebrating continued and I know there were many who
truly found their way home on Saturday night.

Evening Light

In the midst of whatever happens in our day . . . it is so good to remember that Jesus offers peace.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27

A successful day is one in which we have been able to see His hand and know His peace.

Rosalynn's Shower

 

As the celebrations continue in our family,  

the beautiful bride-to-be is clearly counting the days!

There was happy chatter as aunts and cousins gathered with food

around the island in Carrie's kitchen

 

The Menu:

 

punch

cran and apple cinnamon cheeseball

artichoke dip with crackers

glazed meatballs

Mexican spirals

veggies

fruit

angel food cake

lemon poppyseed cupcakes

coffee and tea

 

 

 

 

 

Family included mostly her side . . . but



we also got to meet the mother and sister of the groom.

I should point out my sister - mother of the bride

 

We played a game in which my sister-in-law, Carrie
read a story she had written about the bride and groom.
A few random gifts placed in different hands within the circle
 were tossed left and right as the story used those words at every turn.

Then the bride's nieces got busy handing her the gifts.

As our in-house artist, when she saw this unique serving tray
she was all smiles!

Rosalynn, may the paint strokes on the canvas of your life
show forth  the uniqueness and beauty of you -
and point others to the One who makes all things beautiful
as we allow Him to take the brush.