In Times Like These

I am really not sure how this week flew by so quickly,

especially with so much that changed from day to day.

On Monday afternoon we got a message from our Indonesia family

that the Canadian Embassy was strongly encouraging Canadians to go home.

Within a matter of hours, tickets were booked for the next day.

Although I cannot imagine packing up in such a short time, 

I know that packing was not the hardest thing they faced.

Having to say goodbye to friends, neighbors and a place called home,

not knowing when they will see each other again,

was realistically harder. 

 Meanwhile, we followed them on flight apps ...

the first leg from Papua to Jakarta.

and then from Jakarta to Tokyo. 

When they booked, they did not know that they would be one of the last flights out of the country.

 From Tokyo to Seattle and then home to Vancouver today (Thursday). 

The hardest thing was that there was no point in all of us meeting them at the aiport.

Kristal and Shaun drove out with two vehicles, leaving one for them. 

They watched them being greeted by Global News, instead of family. 

Such are the times. 

A couple of hours later we met them on the lakehouse driveway,

welcoming them with a place prepared, to hide away. 

It was so good to see their smiling faces. 

Oh how we love them all and thank God for being their Keeper. 

 Among other changes this past week ...

it was a joy to see how our families did church.

One family going the whole route of playing greeters, 

having a coffee and coloring table,

and worship band. 

 The other family snuggled on their couch in their pjs. 

Even though we can't physically be together, 

there is a feeling of being united in spirit. 

Mom's care home is closed to visitors but we can set up an appointment via facetime.

The health care workers in this home and all over are going the extra mile

and we appreciate them very much. 

Praying for them.

As I do for you now, who visit here,

that you may have peace in the midst of uncertainties,

asking the Lord to help you and finding Him near. 

♡♡♡

COVID 19

We all watched the numbers of affected people rise,

never thinking it could eventually impact our perfect day to day life. 

Who could have imagined

family trips cancelled, for many just hours before leaving,

indefinite closures of schools, libraries and public spaces,

graduations and weddings on hold,

restaurants with chairs on tables,

churches going digital,

bare grocery shelves,

people working from home,

no more traffic on the streets.

And yet ...

not even a smidge of a taste of every day life for many.

Those who have no place to call home. 

those who could never even dream of a trip,

who have no access to schooling, let alone a library.

Those whose government regulates what kind of church can be had.

Those who do not know where their next meal will come from.

As it's easy to fear what the future holds,

imagining this virus spreading in secret places,

let us remember our many blessings

and how we can spread kindness ...

kindness in small actions that can grow into sheltering trees.

During this time of unknowns, I've been blessed by 

extra smiles and encouraging words,

kind fellow shoppers, 

thoughtful business owners,

an eagerness to make things work,

a church that reaches into our living rooms,

a feeling that we're all in this together ...

and mostly knowing that Jesus is too,

and when He speaks,

the winds and waves obey. 

There is no need to fear.

Just a Few

 Every trip to the house is filled with eager expectation,

this time more-so as we were away last week. 

We walked in through the garage, 

into the laundry room and I just sighed with happiness

to see the work the finish carpenter had done.

From the laundry we head into the kitchen and open area. 

where the fireplace is coming along nicely.

 Off the open area is a dining room,

which I can hardly wait to see the full extent of when the beams go up.

Down the short hall, past the powder room and office

which have nothing noteworth yet, is our master bedroom. 

This is the ensuite wall with the walk in closet behind it.

It's been a long time that I've envisioned black and while floral paper

behind a free standing tub ... by the time the search was on

there was nothing to be found that looked exactly as I had pictured.

but this one has grown on me.

In this day and age, there is so much to inspire us,

and when it becomes reality, it is quite surreal. 

Special Delivery on February 29th!

The thing that gave me great joy today was 

that the parcel I sent across the ocean about 5 weeks ago

arrived exactly on the morning of her birthday.

Delivered by the mailcarrier on a motorbike, no less.

Dear Makenna, 

This Birthday is just too important to pass up on ...

but since we can't celebrate with you 

  

I thought I'd go back to a cousin cake decorating time we had last summer.

Precious time together, seizing the moments we had.

Wishing you a very Happy twelfth birthday ...

there today, here tomorrow ...
and a beautiful year ahead.

Sweet girl ... we love so much!

Papa and Grammy

💗💗💗

Precious Normal Life

In the busyness of constantly being on the lookout  for the next thing to happen

I want to remind myself to cherish "life" as it is right now. 

While we were shopping in Vancouver for house things, 

looking for parking, 

my H dropped me off real quick at one of my favorite stores

(nothing to do with house plans)

... and it was just such a moment ...

appreciating a husband who knows me so well

and doesn't mind. 

 One day when Jade and Jack got dropped off early,

and the sun was finally out ...

they were good enough to join me on my walk.

The long hill was a bit tough ... but we huffed and puffed our way up. 

So thankful we can do this.

Another day we made a quick plan to pick up one family of kids each

and meet at A&W for burgers and fries.

When we got there, there was a perfect long, high table waiting for us!

I'm so glad we decided to take all of them.

Jack felt so big and he had a good time hamming it up. 

Sometimes spur of the moment plans are the best.

They were all on their best behavior and it was a lot of fun.

A quick middle of the week date.

And last, but not least ...

I'm cherishing these last few months before Evy will be in school full time.

She's been coming one day a week for four years now ...

such an easy going girl and so sweet. 

I love how she knows my routine and goes with the flow ...

helps me make the bed and puts the cushions on just right,

grabs the big bowl when the bun dough is mixed,

or the eggs, when it's time to make pancakes.

She comes with me to the hairdresser, 

to the grocery store or to visit Oma ...

never complains. 

This week I noticed that she was reading some words,

and when I commented on it, 

she proceeded to write out all the words she knew.

It brings tears to my eyes 

to realize how quickly these days go by and how

so much about this post will change in no time.

It's a good time to appreciate what's normal today.

 ♥️♥️♥️

Busy Week at the House

 I can't believe how things are speeding along these days.

On Saturday, just over a week ago, we met with a designer

to help us choose and coordinate paint colors. 

It was time well spent and gave me such a sense of relief.

The following Monday the  painter took us from room to room to test out

small samples of paint. They were all good.

 All of our main areas will be a neutral color called white sand.

The bedrooms will have some variations, such as this one,

with some kind of feature wall.

During the week we made final decisions on tiles and backsplash.

It's such a good feeling to narrow down choices.

Since tiles and wood are what my H works with all the time,

he had special input in that.

This combination is for the laundry room.

 The finish carpenter started today.

He put up the feature wall in the master,

which will get painted white. 

He also did the ceiling shiplap in the main area.  

And today we started wallpapering as well.

I'm not sure what is up with our timing in building ...

In the years when it was popular,

we papered our own three houses

plus numerous requests within the family.

It's safe to say, maybe 500 rolls of paper?

My H mentioned it's probably 1000 rolls.

And we are still married!

To think that we actually took photos points to our photo crazed world.

 Not a lot has happened outside over the winter.

Walls are being prepared for stucco.

The garage doors came this week and the stone facing began. 

I look forward to every trip to the house

checking on what's new.

It's a mess and I try not to think of all that's to come. 

We are enjoying this time because it's so much to be grateful for!