A Role Reversal

On Monday, around two AM in the morning we were sitting at the hospital, waiting with mom for her test results and wondering if we would be taking her home or leaving her there. She was in pain and discomfort from a nasty fall, and she was concerned . . . concerned about us staying up at all hours of the night with her. A nurse came around and simply said, “Something tells me that a few decades ago you were the one staying up at night with someone here. . . so maybe it’s just their turn.” Mom smiled. Of course she would not have thought of that.

It’s amazing how quickly things can change. One day she is going through her Christmas to do lists and the next day she cannot drive to do those things. She cannot write her cards, she cannot bake cookies . . . she has to rest in the fact that Christmas will be without finishing her list. It is obvious that it's the things she cannot do for others, that she is concerned about. Her first thoughts are not about the fact that she cannot even dress herself.

In the meantime, I am learning to care for her in a similar fashion that she cared for my needs as a very little girl. The one who bathed me and showed me how to bathe my babies, now has to sit as I wash her feet. It’s a humbling experience for her . . . but at the same time it gives me the chance to give back. I see I have big shoes to fill.

When a Son Becomes a Father

It's his turn . . . and I'm smiling.

How Can I Believe?

Photo scanned from Dec. 2008 issue of the Focus on the Family Canada magazine

So, if faith is so important, the question that comes up is, “How do I get it?”

First of all, I can ask.
In the time of Jesus, a father came to Him and asked Him to take pity on his son. This father’s contrasting sentiments echo how I have often felt.
“I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)

A second way to acquire or increase my faith is to listen.
Romans 10 :17 says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” This verse answers a question a few verses earlier where it says, "How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?”
It is by word of mouth and by reading God’s word that we come to believe.

Thirdly, and the one that resonates most with me, is to feed on God’s faithfulness. This involves remembering what God has done in the past. A heart that stores up memories of what God has already done, has more to draw on when our belief is tested. Remembering increases our faith.

Dear Lord, sometimes it's just hard to know what to believe. I have faith that you can do the impossible, but then I wonder if it's your will. So I ask that you gjive me the faith to ask boldly or show me how to pray according to your will and give me peace in that. Your peace in a difficult situation is a miracle too . . . I want to trust that you see things from an eternal perspective . . . and one day I will understand fully . . . just as I am fully understood by you now.

Window Washing and Window Shopping

We began our day in the city with breakfast. He had a ham omelet and I had raisin brioche French toast with mandarin/orange syrup.

Outside . . . dangling from another high rise . . . two window washers were busy at work in the cool morning. He saw them just before we sat down to eat, and chuckled, “how would you like that, me and you washing windows on a Saturday morning?”

After breakfast we milled about the display of Christmas trees, at the Four Seasons and the Pacific Center Mall. The trees are put up by individuals and corporate sponsors to raise money for the BC Children’s Hospital. Some are beautiful, some are interesting and unique, while others bring smiles, as they showcase the interests of the sponsor involved. The mermaid with the loot was sponsored by a Law Firm.

For a while we joined the shoppers in the underground mall, getting out our lists and checking them twice even as late ones were coming in on his blackberry. We had a quick lunch in the food court and then emerged onto the street above where we huddled close under our umbrella, as we ducked in and out of the shops.

We’ve done this two years in a row now. Maybe it’s becoming a tradition? Such an enjoyable way to spend the day together and find that special something on each list. Yes . . . the kids are grown . . . but continue to bind us together as we build upon the years and continue to make choices on how to bless them in this stage of their lives.

We came home in time to heat left-overs for dinner. The next afternoon, I was standing by the sink and preparing a meal for company, while he was on the ladder, in the cold, quickly washing our back windows. I must say this man knows where he is needed.

Happy 30th Anniversary!

It was November 29, 1980 when my sister, Monika, got married to Bob a, then yet mysterious to us, new fella' to BC having moved out from Manitoba on his own. I was pregnant when he gave her the ring and, because I did not want to walk down the isle as a matron on honor, being 8 months pregnant, they postponed their wedding by two months. In those days it was not considered cute to be at that stage.

Thirty years have gone by and I can't help but reminisce about life back then and all that has happened. Monika and Bob had two boys and then two girls. The two boys are married and one is a daddy already. One daughter, Larissa, is engaged to be married to a boy from Victoria . . . and then they will be left with just one daughter at home.

Bob and Monika . . . I have loved watching the miracle of your relationship. A relationship built on matter-of-fact openness and total trust. It's not sappy or fake. You both have been open to changes in your life and grown through difficulties. Bob, I remember how, even as a very young man, you regularly picked up a man in a wheelchair and took him to church. Both of you have used your gifts behind the scenes in many ways, making sure there is food for everyone and that everyone has a seat, whether it be at church, at the lake or in your home. Your children have cause to rise up and bless you for the example you have been to them.

Wishing you a Happy Anniversary and many more blessings along the way!

Snow, Cookies and Jam

Have you ever noticed how quiet the world sounds when it’s snowing? Yesterday I got up and stood amazed as I watched the snow coming down. I cancelled my trip to Surrey and enjoyed a day just being home.

Do you make sugar cookies for Christmas? I mixed up a batch and put the pastry in the fridge for a few hours. I did laundry and played on my blog with pictures.

Later I baked …

I also took frozen plums out the freezer

and cooked some jam.

These may come in handy in the days to come.

While the lights were twinkling in our back yard, I sat here and figured out how to print invitations on blank cards . . . and got them done. And then it was just about time for coffee with my H.

I love snow days.