Happy Anniversary Chris and Julene

Would you not have loved to have seen this eleven years ago? The picture does not look too different than what you were only dreaming of at the time. Having said that, reality has not always been easy, but you have been faithful. May your love for each other and for others continue to grow and blossom.
I did not send a card ... slow mail ... so our wishes for a wonderful day are sent via blog.
Happy Anniversary!
Love and prayers, Mom and Dad

He Talked About Amputating

 

Our pastor had a very sobering message last Sunday. What I appreciate is that he is not afraid to preach what the Bible says. If he is doing a verse by verse teaching, he does not skip a section because it is jut too controversial … but he helps us understand by expositing on the culture, the original meaning of the script and how it applies to us today.

Mark 9 :42- 50

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.  And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where“the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’Everyone will be salted with fire. “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

The sermon was delivered in two parts:

1) Beware of injuring the faith of others – this is what is meant where it talks about causing one of these little ones to stumble. He explained “little ones” as those in their formative time in their faith. I am challenged to be careful of how those who may be younger in their faith or not quite sure about things, see what I do. My life is not just about me. Jesus loves “the little ones” the way that I would stick up for my little ones being taken advantage of or bullied in any way.

2) Beware of injuring your own faith – this is reflected in the verses where it talks about cutting off your hand if it causes you to sin. I find it interesting that Jesus taught with such exaggeration, but He was definitely making a strong point about hating sin. We are to make no provision for sin, so much so that we remove any opportunities where we know we may cave.

We are encouraged to grow in our love for Jesus. With His love permeating our very being, we will be salt that adds flavor, heals and preserves.

A Good Memory of a Bad Game

Yesterday I got an email casually asking if we wanted to come and enjoy appys while watching the game in the tent.



Obviously an offer we could not refuse! And when I think of it some more it was probably a once in a lifetime chance of watching one of the final games toward, what we hope will be, the Stanley Cup for the Canucks.



The game started early .. so the tent was a perfect spot shielding us from the late afternoon sun ... and the farm flies.



Terry and Lovella are such great hosts ...



We sat down in our comfy seats and I must say I was more thrilled with the beautiful table scape and setting with good friends, than the actual game going on. What kind of a fan is that?

Nachos with fresh salsa and guacamole were served with high hopes of a desired ending . . .

but as we dug into the sombrero pizza from the grill, we began to wonder.

By the time dessert was on the table, we just rolled our eyes . . .  barely noticing what was going on any more.

The heater in the tent came on and we concentrated more on plans for the future. The joy of just sharing time around the table really turned out to be about What Matters Most!

The Natural Look

Recently an article in Canadian Living, called  She's a Natural caught my attention.  I read with a smile about the number of products it takes to get that natural look. So ... I wonder what you'd call that "first thing in the morning" look?  What is natural?  According to the article, depending on your skin type, you need about eight or nine products to create a flawless "no-makeup" look.

The products include moisturizer - possibly tinted - or a sheer liquid foundation, translucent powder and a hint of blush, a neutral eye shadow, a shadow eye pencil, mascara and lip balm and/or gloss.

I looked through the list and thought about what someone told me a very long time ago in response to  my grandmother's comment that people who wear make-up won't go to heaven. I realize that, today, that would be  strong statement to make... but aside from that . . . the advice given to me was that she does not have to know you are wearing makeup.

Funny . . . how this article reminded me of that. It is kind of humorous that I wear seven or eight products for the right look.  Not so my grandmother does not know . . . but to feel . . . what would you call it . . . natural?

Baked Oatmeal

Someone once told me that handwritten recipes are the best! Sometimes this is true ... so today you can choose between a handwritten recipe given to me and the way I mostly give out recipes now. If you have not just come from there, check out mennonitegirlscancook for the modern version.

Simple Pleasures

Natalie came over with a movie, a balloon and some artwork in hand . . .wanting to make me feel better.

Meanwhile, I had purchased some polish and . . . a magazine, just because.

We painted nails and she checked out my magazine while they dried. It was very hard to wait.

The smile says it all.

 

And the part that brought her the most pleasure was that it matched Rapunzels dress!!!

At the end of the day ... we both felt better.