Light Gives Vision

The commands of the Lord are radiant,
    giving light to the eyes.

Psalm 19:8b

For with you is the fountain of life,
in your light we see light.

Psalm 36:9

As my thoughts focus on the impact of light in our lives, I can't help but note that, just as in the physical realm light enters the eye for sight, the light of God's Word enters our mind for spiritual insight. And what is insight?  Insight is about discernment and understanding or wisdom on how to live. When we think about it, so many of our moral laws are rooted and based on what God's Word already tells us. Without the light shed by His commands we would be walking in spiritual darkness or blindness.

It should, therefore, not be surprising to hear an expression such as  "enlighten me," and know that the person is waiting for an explanation or clarification. When someone "sheds some light" on a given situation we come to understand it better. Light exposes and  removes confusion. This is how God's Word is. It gives light to our inner being, sometimes so much so, that it hurts because we don't wish our hearts to be exposed. And yet, there is healing in coming clean before the God who knows us,  loves us, and has given us His light to guide us.

Lunchtime

Have you had this?

It was a photo that inspired me to try it.

A slice of whole wheat bread, toasted

avocado, mashed with fork

fried egg, easy over - or however you like it

salt and pepper

It's become a favorite quick lunch around here!

Gathering up my Treasures

A gift I wish to remember this year is

the uniqueness of being able to celebrate Easter with our family . . .

even while strewn about in three different countries.

Before we left on vacation, we had an Easter bag hunt in our back yard 

with the "near-by" kids.

Lately, even though I see them often, I'm still surprised to see how they are growing!

At the same time we had dinner and Paska cupcakes with candles

celebrating Natalie's ninth Birthday! 

Next, we skyped with our Indonesia family on Saturday night, 

which was their Sunday afternoon.

It meant a lot to me that the parcel I had carefully packed to its ideal weight

and sent in February, finally arrived on the Thursday before Good Friday!

Imagining a parcel arriving there is always a way of feeling like we are visiting.

It's hard to put that connection into words.

Another way of visiting these days was in sharing their  excitement

at the arrival of their crate. 

For several days, we were getting pictures of the

rooms acquiring their own unique character and beauty 

with framed pictures, shelves and rugs. 

Now it looks like their home!

And last, but not least, we got to see our Prairie kids

while in California!

Of course, the basket hunt was on, even here!

The setting is minimal, in comparison to the joy of seeing their faces light up

as they examine the contents right then and there.

And a very special basket to treasure was our youngest sweetie . . .

sleeping in a suitcase in the closet, for such a time as this.

It's in these separate experiences that I've delighted in 

knowing that what really matters is something 

that distance and time can't take away.

My heart is filled with thanks! 

Home

While we were away, 

our back yard erupted in green foliage and flowering bushes, a welcome sight! 

It's Monday, early evening.

I just took the laundry off the clothes line and the lawnmower is humming as I type. 

The steaks are marinating and I cannot help but give thanks 

for the beauty, the sounds and the scents that include the privileges 

of where we live and how we live! 

Ben and Kari flew down from Saskatoon two days before we had to leave

so we could spend some time together yet.

It was so good to see the girls, not having seen them for over 2 months,

and taking note of how they keep growing!

There was a whole lot more activity at the pool now . . .

I'm quite sure even baby Jade loved it!

After the pool, we fit in a mini golf, dinner and ice cream date . . .

then put them to bed before mom and dad got back from their date with Jade.

Sweet time!

It did not take long for Ben to figure out their own way to pick those lemons

and today I got a call asking how to make that lemonade!

It's fun to envision their days before they head back home.

Andreas Canyon

Andreas Canyon is one of about fifteen beautiful hiking trails hidden within the Indian Canyon.

One morning we decided to walk this short trail that took us through scenic rock formations

and groves of skirted palms.

The  stream flowing through this canyon, almost gives one a feeling 

of walking through a lush jungle

its gurgling sound seeming out of place, yet very welcome.

The path leads uphill through a bit of underbrush

and you want to keep an eye out for crawly things on the ground

while looking up at the rock formations.

The upper view is not so lush, but so beautiful in its own way.

I could tell that another season would have shown off some desert flowers.

Again, we were startled when a strange sound warned  us to back off.

We did  . . . giving the rattler the right of way as she crossed the path.

It was just a quick little hike, with a beauty all it's own . . .
and unlike anything we'd find at home.

Simple Joy

The window scene here calls for the obvious . . .

After finding a juicer in the cupboards, I can't say how many lemons we've enjoyed

in the form of freshly squeezed lemonade!

1 cup lemon juice

3/4 - 1 cup sugar

4 cups water

2 cups crushed ice

Stir sugar and juice well,

add water and ice.

So refreshing!

Come Away with Me

We were sitting on this patio when a very young couple walked by

and we commented to each other about how they looked like kids.

Could we have looked like that when we first came upon this place 

on a road trip almost four decades ago?

We have gotten to the age where we can't help but reminisce about the changes 

we have seen - in this our beloved little oasis in the desert -

not only in this growing city, but also in our circumstances . . .

from young vagabonds in frayed cut offs . . . 

to carting toddlers with us into a small motel room . . .

to school-aged kids packed tight in the backseat of the car, overjoyed about spring break . . .

to a quick flight to be away while grieving the death of a parent . . .

to teenagers bringing friends along . . .

to young adults fitting in a few days between college or work . . .

to overlapping time with our young families . . .

and, for now, back to the two of us!
Precious scenes run through my mind for every season.

Had we known so many years ago . . .

we may have found a permanent address here . . .

But as it is, we have enjoyed the mystery of a different place

and leaving all the care of it to the owners once we leave.

The unique thing about this desert is that it feeds from an underground aquifer

enabling some of the most beautiful flowering plants and trees to flourish.
I never tire of the landscaped medians with the cardboard-cut-out looking mountains as a backdrop.

Some would miss the beach . . .
and we love that too . . .

but the beauty of the desert with nary a drop of rain
has surely become a definition of rest for us.

Good News!!

Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. 
Proverbs 25:25

It was one year ago that the crate going to Indonesia was packed and sealed
to be sent across the ocean . . . as soon as they got their visas.
Well . . . the anticipated day did not come until December
and the crate, sent in January, arrived this week!!

I so wanted to be a fly on the wall when this day came along

anticipating the joy of unpacking a little bit of what was special in Canada.

But the photos, along with Grammy's imagination, are going to have to be good enough.

 Kenna got to hug her long-awaited-for babies
and generally . . .
everything from a garlic press to a trampoline was never so appreciated!

As hand-me-down and borrowed items will be returned or help someone else in need . . .
these days I imagine a home being set up with new dishes, pots and pans,
kitchen appliances and room decor . . . 
every piece thought about long and hard as to the importance of packing it
and many a piece a reminder of someone who loves them back home.

Reflecting the Light

There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 

He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.

 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

John 1: 6-8

Julie Ackerman, writer for Daily Bread, recently wrote a short devotional about the significance of light shining on people living in darkness. As she wrote about a certain town, I decided to look into it some more. 

Deep down in the narrow Vestfjord valley, in the mountain of Norway, lies the town of Rjukan, built in the early 1900s, to house the factory workers of a mighty power plant. It turns out that for six months of the year the 3400 inhabitants have lived in the shadow of the mountains, until just about a year and a half ago, when an artist's dream of putting sun mirrors on top of the mountain came to reality. Three 17 square meter glass mirrors now stand on the mountain top, reflecting the sun down into the market square where residents go to enjoy a little bit of sun on their faces. It has been said that, "it touches something absolutely fundamental in this town".

In a similar way, Ackerman relates that people - living in circumstances where mountains of troubles keep them in the dark -  need to see and feel  the light of God's love reflected by His children. As I meet with God, to seek direction and wisdom from Him, may I allow Him to strategically place me where I can reflect His light to those who need it. This little light of mine.

Good Friday

                                                                                                            art by Tehya, age 9  (2012)

I remember, as an eight or nine year old, laying on my bed and going through the German hymnbook - page by page - singing every hymn I recognized as having heard or sung in church. Did anyone else do that?  One of my favorites was An dem Kreuz, An dem Kreuz for which later I learned the translated version, At the Cross, At the Cross. 

Since I have not heard this hymn in German for many years, I called my mom to confirm with her that I was not just making this up and she promptly began to sing it for me. Would you believe, unbeknownst to my mom, my tears rolled as those German words, hidden in my heart so many years ago, came back! 

Alas! And did my Savior bleed

And did my Sovereign die?

Would he devote that sacred head

For sinners such as I?

Refrain:

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,

and the burden of my heart rolled away,

It was there by faith I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day!*

Was it for crimes that I had done

He groaned upon the tree?

Amazing pity! Grace unknown!

And love beyond degree!

Well might the sin in darkness hide

And shut His glories in,

When Christ, the mighty Maker died,

For man the creature's sin.

Isaac Watts, 1707

*One night, after the phone experience, the German refrain was going through my mind reinforcing something hidden in the English translation on the last line on the chorus. Over and over it went through my mind until I had translated it to my own satisfaction (from the German, "Hoseanna! Nun ist der Friede mein!" to, "Praise the Lord, blessed peace is mine to stay!") 

The message of Good Friday, wrapped in a few chorus phrases, is a message of the greatest love ever given. If one thinks about it too much, it's unbelievable, yet, given childlike faith, simple and profound. A faith that puts our hearts at rest.