New Kitchen Dreams

In the Fall I got together with a lovely design lady to draw up our kitchen.
It was good to get her suggestions and input in developing my dream.

For the most part I knew exactly what I wanted ... my age has earned it ...
and so her job was to clearly put in on paper.

The cabinet maker came to the house earlier this year and checked all of the measurements.

He went to the appliance place to check out specs. 

It's amazing, all of the things he has to consider in fitting cabinets around specific appliances,

sinks and plumbing.  

And then he got busy in his shop.
I can imagine him bending over in his apron, reading glasses perched on his nose
and a pencil tucked over his ear.
He's a craftsman.

At the end of March I came to the house and there was a big puzzle to put together! 

It was so much fun to see it take shape!

Every detail just right ... down to bins for trash and recycling. 

This week it was a highlight to be there when the countertops arrived.

Whoever was at the house was gathered to help carry in the island counter,
a short suspension, so to say, in social distancing.

Such a large space ...
almost intimidating to think of how much food

will have to go on there to even be noticed. =) 

I keep trying to imagine it finished,

with appliances in place and family and friends to share it with.

Today I popped in and the backsplash tile setters were busy at work. 

I just wanted to stand there and dream ...

They are not used to their boss's wife watching them

but they just have no idea how special of a space this will be,

my happy place.

The Year that we Were Together for Easter

Easter Sunday morning dawned into a bright and beautiful day.

As siblings we exchanged text greetings 

and shared favorite songs and memories.

Our screens have been, so to say, our lifeline 

to all who matter, our friends, family and church.

Everyone in their homes, yet somehow connected ...

connected to all that we have celebrated on this special day,

the sure hope we have, because Jesus conquered death

to win forgiveness and eternal life.

I prepared Easter dinner for the family.

Ham, potato salad, apple salad, roasted vegetables and Paska.

We packed up three separate picnics and drove to each home,

a progressive party of sorts.

 

In their back yards, we hid some treats.

and then we watched them as they looked for them.

As much as we wanted to,

we didn't go close like grandparents normally would.

I hope they never remember that part. 

This family was out while we snuck around

and it was fun to surprise the kids.

 

We watched them play with their toys

and then, off we were to the third place.

 This family hardly remembers an Easter together,

and they loved running in the wide open space. 

They are good at virtual hugs,

maybe we've practiced them enough. 

 After finding their treats in the most odd places,

we had dinner by the fire pit.

And then they came with their previously delivered Paskas ...

one family and then another ... and for a short time, we truly were all together ...

welcome home greetings shared in other ways than usual.

With a fire pit between us and beauty all around.

we sat in family units.

It was the very best of what we could do,

the littles snuggled into their parents' laps,

the bigger ones somehow accepting the circumstances,

as we laughed and shared stories.

And I can't help but say,

what a gift it is to be a family

through every circumstance -
supporting each other in any way we can.
For those who have health issues and
those who have health care workers in the family,
even this strange gathering would not be possible.
There are many sacrifices we do not know about,
and my thanks and prayers go out for them,
trusting ultimately in our heavenly Father.

May His love and grace hold us up in faith.

💛💜💙

The Drive By Birthday Party

 It was possibly the shortest Birthday party ever,

but the laughter and tears this surprise drive by parade brought

will be remembered long after we all recuperate from our isolation.

 

 

When friends and family take a given moment

to celebrate a special day and a special girl,

it's the thought that we're all in this together that counts.

I have never seen a happier street full of people and cars! 

Love finds a way!

♥️♥️♥️

A time to Refrain from Embracing

I read the note Kristal left in the vehicle for our Indonesia family ...

it included instructions about what mandatory isolation would mean for them ...

and for all of us.

Her note ended with, "this is crazy I'm writing this. 

I would never have imagined we would be welcoming you home ...

to greet you with a letter and telling you to stay away from everyone!!"

 In the meantime, we have all lived isolated from each other and

last weekend, when I could not stand it any longer  (to not have everyone see each other)

our kids set us up for a zoom meeting.

 It was so good to see everyone on one page,

even if not in the same room.

 This family has been not only isolated,

but uprooted and surprised by how life has changed here. 

We live with so much unknown 

yet we can know that God has a reason for allowing this.

During this time to not embrace,

I find myself embracing with my eyes,

loving the smiles that mean more than ever.

It's a time to realize that nothing can 

stop us from showing love

and that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

I'll end with this winning smile ...

my mom, still finding a reason to do just so. 

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.