Happy Valentines Day!

Last week I posted the recipe for these heart shaped cinnamon biscuits.

If you are still looking for a quick surprise treat for someone, here it is!

 

. . . and the best recipe for love we find in 1.Corinthians 13:4-7

 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Cross references:

1. 1 Corinthians 13:4 : 1Th 5:14
2. 1 Corinthians 13:4 : 1Co 5:2
3. 1 Corinthians 13:5 : S 1Co 10:24
4. 1 Corinthians 13:5 : S Mt 5:22
5. 1 Corinthians 13:5 : Job 14:16, 17; Pr 10:12; 17:9; 1Pe 4:8
6. 1 Corinthians 13:6 : 2Th 2:12
7. 1 Corinthians 13:6 : 2Jn 4; 3Jn 3, 4
8. 1 Corinthians 13:7 : ver 8, 13

 

Know that you are loved!

Celebrations

Yesterday was the kind of day we all look forward to as friends!

An invitation to tour Mathew's House turned into a little party at Lovella's first.

You can't just do a tour without enjoying some food.

As I stepped into Lovella's bungalow with my pot of soup, I noticed her beautiful table waiting.

 It was like a foretaste of spring with her sweet violets china and yellow daffodils.

 

Ellen was next at the door.

When a gal drives out for lunch from Seattle,

you know you've found a faithful friend.

 

The rest of the girls came from Chilliwack.

We missed Bev, away with her hubby

as well as our friendly Manitoba contingent.

These times together usually bring out some gift givers.
You come away feeling spoiled.

It's nice when no one minds one more smile for the camera.

After our roasted pepper soup, Lovella served a yummy quiche and salad,

soon to be on the blog,

 

and Judy helped us finish off lunch with her pretty pies in a jar.

 

She even brought sparklers for our February birthday girls.

In two carpools, we headed to Matthew's House.

It was an honor and pleasure to see the finished work of a project we've heard much about

as we volunteered our cooking classes for Lepp Farm Market and they, in turn,

donated the proceeds to equip the kitchen for this home.

Matthew's House is a home away from home dedicated to caring for children

who live with complex healthcare needs.

 It is a place where children can be left in the hands of experienced caregivers
and all of the medical equipment necessary to provide a safe place,
so parents can get some much needed rest.

 

This is a dream come true for Doug and Andrea Froese, who themselves experienced the day to day challenges families face as they cared for a child with physical needs.

We celebrate with them and know that many families will be blessed by the legacy left by a boy who brought great joy to his family and touched many hearts, despite his many challenges.

 

Morning Sunshine on a Winter Day

 

 

I love the way the morning sun filters through the blinds these days

and the lighting it casts in the room as we greet the day.

Both beauty and dirt are exposed to its rays

allowing us to see what we may not otherwise see.

Something like the Word of God,

giving us a new chance every morning.

 

Have you ever listened

to the words of the hymn written by Eleanor Farjeon

(made popular by Cat Stephens in the early 1970's)

I really like them . . .

 

Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world

 

Sweet the rains new fall, sunlit from Heaven
Like the first dewfall on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass

 

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day

 

Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world.

 

Add song meaning

 

If I Never had a Problem

 

Many years ago I picked up a little Bible Study workbook by Fran Sciacca, called To Run and Not Grow Tired. These studies tell of Bible characters going through times of trauma, hurt or depression and how they handled a specific difficult circumstance. For each of them it was a circumstance that could have spread its menacing shadow over every aspect of their lives. Instead, they showed us how we can surrender our hardship to the Great Physician of our soul for healing and growth.

I may capture the essence of some of these studies in the next while, but I wish to begin with the one that had a memorable impact on me during those years. It was based on the story of Hannah. Aside from her pain of infertility, she had a rival by the name of Peninnah who provoked her endlessly in order to irritate her.  This went on for years, leaving Hannah crushed and in great anguish. The Bible says that in bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord, gaining strength only in His presence. She sought God out as all knowing, her rock, her guardian and her deliverer,

In the discussion time of our study, I came to realize that any one of us can have a "Peninnah" in our life and it is how we respond and whom we take this to that makes all the difference. My greatest temptation in my relationship to the “Peninnah” in my life was to talk about my hurt to others, which I did. Many times I felt so insulted and became very angry. One day, in the midst of washing my floors, a song hit me with a truth not to be forgotten . . .

 

“If I never had a problem, I wouldn’t know that God could solve it,

I wouldn't know what faith in God could do.

Through it all, through it all I’ve learned to trust in Jesus,

I’ve learned to trust in God.”

The words of that song kept encouraging me and allowed me to realize that it is only through difficulties that we see what God can do - while growing us in character. It also helped me to understand how I might be a "Penninah" in some one's life. It took many years but, by the grace of God, today she is a different person. I know that God has worked in both of us, but I still see it as a miracle, to feel the difference in our relationship.

My experience taught me that God is able to change a judgmental heart, as well a heart of bitterness for feeling hurt. It could just be that I have learned just as much from the people who have hurt me than from the ones who have always been kind.

 

For the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.” 1. Samuel 2:3b

What I like About February

What I like about February is that I can put tulips on the table

without feeling like I'm rushing Spring.

They were the first item I looked for while getting groceries this week.

 

 

 

Turning Two

 

She wakes, a baby, soother in her mouth

standing, wadded blanket hugged against her chest

a ray of awareness settling in

Little legs run down the hall

checking to see who's ready for the fun

of a brand new day barely begun!

 

She knows what she wants

milk in a cup raised with watchful eyes

a spoon held tight to feed herself

She can do what big girls do

moments mixed with I can't and I can!

She knows how to change a plan.

 

She's a tease, tossing curls

giggles when tickled, begging for more

Chubby hands fitting puzzle pieces

eyes gazing in wonder as stories unfold

She's a tired mommy dragging her doll

Goes back to bed, a baby, suddenly not so small.

 

The days go by and you don't know when

it happened you spoke and she understood

A little mind grasping, communicating

laughing, responding, fully engaged

Growing from baby to little girl

is sadness and sweetness wrapped up in a whirl.

 

Happy Birthday to our sweetie! Sending hugs and kisses over the mountains, Papa and Mimi