Where it all Began

It was a Friday after school on the May long weekend, 1973. My girlfriend had invited me to come camping with her church youth group. The bare essentials were packed - a sleeping bag, jeans, frayed cut-offs, t-shirts, flip flops - and my dad dropped me off at the church. He hung around a bit, to see which youths would be driving and who was in charge. I sensed his care about things I had no idea about as a fifteen-year-old. Today I wish I had a photo, but I'm thankful for images that become part of us in one way or another.

Little did I know the direction my life would take because of this weekend. Leaders packed tents, plastic tarps and the food while we were organized into vehicles and headed out to Hicks Lake. I'm not sure when it began to rain, but it had a big part in how the weekend played itself out. We set up tents and the guys actually dug trenches around them to keep the water from coming inside. A makeshift outhouse was built, because there were no facilities. In the center of the grouping of tents, a fire was kept alive to cook and keep us warm; but I remember it being so cool in the tent that I got a big cramp in my leg and there was nothing I could do as I did not want to wake the other girls packed around me like sardines. If anyone wanted to wash their hair, the lake was the best option. It's not the kind of camping I've ever fallen for again.

However, inconveniences became minor issues when I began to notice that someone was paying special attention to me.  Sitting around the camp fire, he made sure I got the fluffiest, perfectly toasted, marshmallows anyone had ever made. When the rains died down and we all went for a hike or a game of kick the can, I'd find orange peels stuck in my back pockets. He even offered to take my wind breaker,when I took it off, and tied it around his waist. I may have looked innocent, but I knew this was more than just making the new girl feel welcome. A flame was sparked.

I don't know how, but on Monday, when it was time to pack up and head home, some shifting of car passengers, landed me right beside the driver who I've now been driving with for forty years! Yes, I can drive myself, but the ride is still always more fun together. 

It was a rainy weekend in May that convinced him to convince me in whatever way and time it took.
A blend of spoiling, silliness and looking out for each other worked then and still does.

Put in it's Place

Little girls drawing rainbows is not a new concept in this house . . .
but what was unusual to me was how my name looked . . .



Before I could ask, she explained that the G was too far away so she added the arrow.
You can't help but love how a five-year-old mind works.

 

Spring Beauty

While I was away last week, my H brought out the lounge chairs and patio table,


 

and I came home to a spring garden in it's prime. 

A season of promise

a season of beauty

a season of needs supplied.

Lily of the Valley bouquets have graced our home with their
beauty and heavenly scent these days
and reminded me of how God, who cares for the lilies of the field,
has shown His care for me.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day 1983 - thirty years ago
Photo taken after church.
I know this because the girls are wearing
pink carnations to celebrate that they have a mom.
Things I love about this photo . . .
sisters holding hands,
 Julene's big sister smile and Kristal's best grin.
The upside down flower.
My baby boy relaxed in my arms . . .
and the smiling photographer (not shown)



"Being a mother is not about what you gave up to have a child,
but what you gained from having one."

~Unknown

 

Highlights of the Week

The view from our gate on Monday morning was awe inspiring!
We flew over the snow capped Rockies . . . then the prairies . . .
and the province flecked with icy lakes  . . . and finally over the
great lakes, landing in Toronto, a city sprouting forth in lush green and spring flowers.
The sun seemed to be shining across the country that day.

Tuesday morning at CTV was an experience we can giggle about now.
Rushing about preparing pie fillings in a warehouse on a roll away kitchen island
then rolling it into the studio and getting it camera ready.
Getting whisked away within the last few minutes to get make up touch ups . . .
there was no time to get nervous.
Now we laugh at what we said or did not say . . . but all in all . . .
we are grateful for the opportunity that was given to us.

Book signings at a couple of Ten Thousand Village stores were times to relax ant just enjoy
meeting people! I decided not to show photos because I did not take photos of everyone
that was special to me. We met some who feel like good friends through blogging, we met those
who are too shy to comment and also those who suddenly found out we are almost related.
I met two sisters, Esther and Sigrid, who were born in Uruguay and attended the same Sunday School I did as a little girl. I met  a lady who knew my uncle in Brazil. Boy, it's a small world!
A long time friend took an hour to drive out, only to find that the store had sold out of books . . .
but we were able to have a little visit.
 She will go back to pick up the book next week.

It was so much fun to see the goodies the staff at both places had made for their guests!
I have to say this is one of my greatest pleasures - to see the recipes at work.
Another pleasure is to know that each book will be providing clean water and better hygiene for children in Kenya.

It was almost ten in the evening, when we we got back to our room. We had not even had a chance to eat dinner but were given the liberty to just order to our room and enjoy going over the day's events.

Early the next morning we were taken to the Crossroads Communication Building where
100 Huntley Street gets taped.

Lovella was first to get her make-up done.

We were taken to the set where we were miked and able to watch the segment that came just before ours, which will be aired this morning.
 here is the link You may need to click on full screen mode to see it.

Meanwhile, let me add some words from Psalm 145: 1 - 7 which reflect our hopes and dreams
for the promotional work done for this book.

¹ I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
² Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

³ Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
⁴ One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
⁵ They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.^[b]
6 They tell of the power of your awesome works—
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
⁷ They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

 

It was a Great Day!

Paola, our publicist, (does that not sound strange?) drove us through security at CTV at about 7:30 AM.
We took note of Lisa Laflamme's parking stall.

http://canadaam.ctvnews.ca/recipes/mennonite-girls-can-cook-turn-mason-jars-into-a-whip-cream-and-fruit-haven-1.1270396

I'd love to say more about the background scences... but this is a late night posting. Maybe another time.

After the CTV clip Paola, representing Graff Martin,, took us to meet Ellen Graff.
They took us for a nice lunch at a local Mennonite restaurant. We had such a great time chatting that we were slmost late for a book signing in Waterloo.

After Waterloo, we were taken to Ten Thousand Villages on Niagara on the Lake . . .

A beautiful heritage town!

We entered the store, close to the clock tower, being met by unkown friends,
and unbelievable connections that I will share about another time!

It was getting dark by the time we left . . . our hearts full and our tummies ready
to settle and have some dinner. It was a long, full day
and I am filled with thanksgiving for the prayers and support
sent in so many ways.

For more details and photos of wonderful people we met
don't forget to visit
http://www.lovella.ca/
who obviously had more to give left after all was said and done.