Four Women

 

One day, last week, four women had lunch on a patio . . . each woman sharing a unique walk
in life . . . yet  becoming more aware of how we all work together.
There is something about women sharing their life and  the things they are learning . . .
while enjoying a meal . . . that just does a heart good!

I had called Annette to see if Lovella and I could go for coffee with her to present a copy of our  cookbook to her (if she did not already have one)
and to check with her about the chance to pass one along to our Right Honorable Prime Minister.
(We do not pretend to have high aspirations at all!) I'm smiling, of course.

Annette is the wife of Ed Fast, the Honorable Member of Parliament for our riding
and serving as Minister of International Trade and the Asia-Pacific Gateway.
I felt comfortable calling her since our paths have crossed in numerous ways since high school.
She right aways said, that she'd love to meet with us, but that she would like to host the lunch.
To say the least, Lovella and I were thrilled and honored!
Marilyn, a neighbor and good friend of Annette with whom I also share some great memories . . .
(such as, that her father was my Youth Pastor and married my H and I)
also joined us - and so there were four!

Annette is a wonderful hostess.
She prepared a number of delicious salads that I'd love to get the recipes for!
She set them out on the kitchen island, where we filled our plates
 and then took them out to the patio.
I see in her the unique gifting for her role as a wife of a government official.
Being by his side, supporting him, travelling with him and
interacting with influential men and women from all over the world . . .
 this is not a position to take lightly . . . and she does it with such ease and grace.

Marilyn contributed in more ways than she realizes.
Besides the delicious fruit and coconut yogurt parfait dessert,
She shared a scripture of blessing from 1. Chronicles 12: 18
" Peace, peace to you and peace to your helpers. For your God helps you."
It was so sweet, how she had jotted down the verse and shared it with us.
She is in the process of writing their own story of
their son's battle with leukemia and subsequent restoration to health.

Lovella shared her personal story of
the stages that have led her to this day, beginning with
her life as the wife of a farmer, working alongside him in those earlier years
 to make something of a desperately dilapidated farmhouse and barn.
It is so good to look back and see how hardships and blessings have
intertwined in her life to make her stronger . . .
empathetic . . . and ever eager to take on new things!

As for myself, Anneliese, for the sake of the four pairs of shoes . . .
what do I say, but that I am so grateful to the Lord
for His sovereignty in each of our lives.
I would have never guessed that He could use my humble skill of homemaking
to be combined with other women - to be shared with women around the world.
I am learning that what we give to Him, as small as it may be,
comes back to us . . . spilling and bubbling over!

We are four ordinary women . . . I can say this, remembering the years gone by
and being aware of some of the individual  hurdles we each have had to contend with . . .
but this afternoon was a time of recognizing together that
God is able to work all things for good when we trust Him
and are willing to fit into His plans.

 

Reflection

I've been reminded this week of the memories made with the oldest

and repeated down the line to the youngest.

After ten years . . .

things such as the first swing under the tree,

smelling the flowers on the patio,

exploring the toybox or the kitchen pantry,

playing teasing games
or being comforted . . .

each moment repeated, is a gift all over again!

 

But the added joy now is to observe the maturing steps of the older ones -
their growth, not just in a physical sense,
but in a relational and thoughtful way. . .
revealed in their spiritual sensitivity and encouraging words.

 

Family consists of unique relationships
on different levels.

 We have today to celebrate . . .

and we do so with gratefulness!

Under Construction

Just a few random shots . . .



made to look like there was a plan.

As I scrolled through the photos . . . I cropped
 

 and smiled



and saw things in a more reflective way. 

I remembered the teasing . . .

 

the innocent awe . . .

and the words called down to me.






















I looked for each one within the rafters . . .

 saw the private contemplation 

and detail of moments we take for granted.
 

Sometimes one may miss something because of being focused on the lens in hand
but in other instances, time comes back in stored treasures because of it.
 

Together Again

This weekend we found ourselves gathered in the same backyard once more,
only this time there were a few more little bodies to add to the viewfinder . . .



Rollkuchen and watermellon were a spur of the moment Saturday lunch
 

 

as the girls caught up



and the guys . . . well they ate

 

and then continued measuring



and sawing

and nailing.

It was a happy, smiley day, for this Grammy!
A building project turned into all-out family time.

 

One Day at a Time

Looking through my journal I came upon a list of things on my mind . . . things to do or prepare for.
 Every now and then it seems like too much is going on at the same time . . .
 and if I focus on all of it at once, I get overwhelmed . .  . as I was when I made this particular list.
I felt the way my petunias looked when the rain came down, day after day . . . week after week.

Looking at the list in retrospect now helped me see, once again,
how the Lord gave me exactly what I needed for each item on my list.
It seems I keep having to be reminded  that God gives strength for the day.
He gives grace for the moment . . . even though I think I need it way in advance.
He gives us one day at a time and He gives us the means to do what that day holds for us.

Then  . . . one day . . . when I look at my old list, as I did now . . . I notice that it's done.
The things He asked me to do, He qualified me for as well.

So this is my prayer, that I may ask the Lord each morning that He guides me in what I do,
knowing that He will be there to make possible what He desires. He is able.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
 2 Corinthians 4:7

Canada Day Gone By

The first thing you will see my H haul out, or construct,
when he plans to build something . . . is a pair of sawhorses.
No other sawing can happen without these supports.
I guess the idea is like a counter in a kitchen.

He left for Shaun and Kristal's place earlier in the day to
begin building the outdoor playhouse.
When I got there for dinner the frame was in place and his tools had been set aside for the day.

Shaun was just finishing up some of the staining
 

and you can see how handy those sawhorses are.

It was a happy sight . . .
the kids were hanging from trees
or riding their bikes
and blowing those annoying whistles they got at the parade.



 By dinner time they looked like they had worked and played hard . . .

After dinner, while some of us chose to relax around the patio table
a hockey game started across the field . . .
kind of fitting on Canada Day . . . when there is no ice,
there is always a street or a concrete pad that works.



I still have to smile how hard Landon played.
The youngest and the oldest versus the middle and school aged.
Do you wonder who won?



Our ice cream girl enjoyed her view of the party . . .
 

The next ice cream girl obviously did not know ice cream was being served.

In the meantime, Koen found another way to keep cool.

 

And did anyone else try the fruit flan Lovella had up on the MGCC blog?
I was inspired to turn on my oven for the half hour or so it takes.
Cake with ice cream or whipped cream . . .
quick goodbyes to kids
and then a walk to the park with friends
. . . and fireworks!

Canada Day 2013 was celebrated.