Buds

From my kitchen sink window I've been keeping my eyes on the budding lenten rose. 

Not long ago it lay frozen and flat like all life was sucked out of it . . .
a good picture of what January feels like in general,

but these days it's looking full of promise.

This weekend we'll be letting these buds deal with the rain 

as we head over to where there is a real winter to brag about.

I'm packing warm clothes and

looking forward to some warm and cuddly time with our prairie buds.

A Memory of my Grandmother

It still catches me by surprise . . . this season I'm in . . . I'm the Grammy! 

Ten times over and it's still new! 

One morning I made my breakfast and I thought I'd switch it up a bit. 

I never put butter and honey on my toast, but I remembered how my Omi tried to convince me 

that butter and honey together were just the best! 

She'd spread it ever so carefully, making sure it came to the edges . . . 

but for some reason she could not convince me,  

On this particular morning, as I tried it again . . . I loved it.  

The taste reminded me of sitting at the table with her.

Does it not make one wonder what kind of things will outlive us? 

I know there are more important things than how I spread my toast, 

but may I never underestimate the smallness of what can make a memory

~~~

. . . sent from heaven with love.
(I noticed the reflection when I uploaded the photo.)

A Baby Sister!

Early this morning the long expected call finally came

and photos followed promptly as her first adoring visitors arrived!

Jade Mikah was born in Saskatoon at 2:49 am

weighing in at 7 lbs, 9 oz

I could appreciate the other Nana taking care of the girls and taking them in to see 

their new sister. I feel like I've just had that honor over here recently and

so I am happy and thankful for her.

As I wait for our upcoming visit, I treasure these

glimpses . . . these smiles

and sister kisses!

Ben and Kari,

We are so happy for you!

May God bless your inheritance, may He be their Shepherd

and carry them forever. 

(Paraphrased from Psalm 28:9)

With love, 

Mom and Dad (Papa and Mimi)

In the Secret Place

Reading on in Psalm 139 about God seeing everything, I read the verses about God creating my inmost being and knitting me together in my mother's womb. My frame was not hidden from Him when I was made in the secret place and  all my days ordained for me were written in His book before any of them came to be. How amazing is that? 

I think it was these verses that led me to write down the following thoughts just prior to the birth of one of our grandchildren and I will share them here again as we wait for the call.

Life held unseen in the Creator’s hands,

Suspended, waiting in the dark of the secret place.

Sight untested, aware of a rhythmic pulse,

The murmur of voices obscure, a fleeting caress.

We do not yet know the shape of your nose,

The color of your eyes, the size of your toes,

Whether your hair lies fine or maybe it has a curl -

Not even whether you are a boy or a girl.

But, this we know, our hearts hold you dear.

When your lungs inhale sweet breaths of air

Your cry will ring music to our ear -

New life, another miracle delivered to our care.

The Light that Darkness Cannot Hide

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, If I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there Your hand will guide me, 

Your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me

and the light become night around me,

even the darkness will not be darkness to You:

the night will shine like the day,

for darkness is as light to You.

I remember flying over these mountains in the dark, with no sign of what was below. But as the light of the sun began to brighten the horizon, we saw the rows and rows of mountain peaks! By not seeing them we could have  assumed that they were not there, but as the sun rose, it cast a light that could not hide what was below us. 

So, even, as night cannot hide from the light, it is encouraging to know that evil cannot hide from the light God shines through His word. Many have tried to deny it, ban it  and burn it . . .  but His Word will continue to light the way for us as we seek the truth. For this I am thankful. 

Cousin Love

Landon was riding in the back seat, telling me about his day at school and the names of kids who sit beside him. A girl named Makenna was one he mentioned and I said, "Makenna, just like your cousin!" A little quietly, in a very serious voice he replied,

"Yes, but it's not HER  . . . that would be awesome if it was!"

Meanwhile, the real Makenna is making new friends in a school way across the vast Pacific Ocean. I thought I'd add this photo because it really looks like such a fun class to be in! I wonder what the boy's name is sitting beside her?
It's strange to think that when the cousins here get up to go to school, the ones over there are in the middle of their next night. And when the cousins over there come home from school, the ones here are fast asleep.
Koen . . . out of the blue, anytime, will just announce that it's night time in Indonesia right now.
Natalie . . . when I tell her that Makenna is missing her, says, "Don't even tell me about it!" . . . body language telling me, "I so understand!"

Cousin Love. So precious to hear their honesty.