family picnic

Cousins on the boat ride to a Minnesota island

Erika, Caitlin, and Chelsea

Myself and Grandma

Us girls-the cousins-and Grandma

Dad and Mom

Thankful Thursday

Today I thank God for...

...Health and strength for a new day

...His presence wherever I am

...The gift of music

...Waking up to a powerful thunderstorm

...Egg salad

...Friends who are only a phone call, email or text away!

...Memories to treasure

...A Christian heritage

...Pencils and notebook paper, hands down my favorite writing material

...Smell of fresh paint

...Little people

sunday's hymn

In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear;

And safe in such confiding, for nothing changes here.

The storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid,

But God is round about me, and can I be dismayed?

Wherever He may guide me, no want shall turn me back.

My Shepherd is beside me, and nothing can I lack.

His wisdom ever waking, His sight is never dim,

He knows the way He's taking, and I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me, which yet I have not seen.

Bright skies will soon be o'er me where darkest clouds have been.

My hope I cannot measure, my path to life is free,

My Saviour has my treasure, and He will walk with me.

-Anna Waring

And a beautiful recording of such heartening words.

dryden trip

At long last...some pictures of our family's time in Dryden, Ontario. As a family getaway and a chance to help the NYP mission, we spent four days in Canada doing work projects. The pictures tell more succinctly. As a credit, many of these are not my own, but my sister's snapshots.

A reminder of God's promises...in particular, His presence and purpose

for this wayfarer in her transitioning.

Caitlin with Connor and Erika on the dock. What beautiful scenery we saw as we walked, or boated on the lake, or experienced in the view from the kitchen window!

A fun game of...hmmm...Swing the Triangle?

Instructions for Fun Use: 5 people hanging from triangles, 5 pushers to give extra momentum, and a strong grip as you swing and fly!

We were introduced to Indian bannock via our friends. Delicious in a blanket around a hot dog. I hear it is also great fried in oil. Thanks to Letha we have the recipe, and we'll give it a try.

Caitlin, Chelsea, Cameron, Brooke and Megan waiting for the next assignment.

We cleaned apartments, shampooed carpets, stained playground equipment, washed windows, and many other things. It was good to work as a family again.

An evening treat at McD's. Letha, Jen, Kendra, and Morgan.

This picture shimmers with evening glow. Three of my siblings surely enjoyed their rides in Norm's two-seater. What a thrill!

Sunset at the point was just as much of a treat to me.

So, a good trip with many memories.

I'd do it again in a jiffy! =)

tuesday tidbits

Want to see heaven through the eyes of a five-year-old little boy?

I took Connor with me to McDonalds today. We got into a discussion on heaven. "In heaven," he said, quite enthusiastically, "when your big brothers bother you, you won't even be sad!"

Poor little guy. =)

But, really...I like this definition. The trials we face in our own little worlds will vanish. Petty annoyance, weakness, or painful experience, in heaven nothing will hurt or make us afraid. The One who understands all things stands ready to wipe each sorrow away.

And even big brothers will cease to bother.

true evangelical faith

True Evangelical Faith

"True evangelical faith cannot lie dormant

It clothes the naked.

It feeds the hungry.

It comforts the sorrowful.

It shelters the destitute.

It serves those who harm it.

It binds up that which is wounded.

It has become all things to all people."

-Menno Simons

learning lately how faith is an active thing. it cannot grow unless it is practiced, stretched, and lived out...

comes down to the little questions, little duties, daily opportunities for faithfulness.

i hear the call to deeper faith all around and everyday.

in the plaintive wish of a stranger that God would come through for her and soon.

in the need for serving in the home duties.

in the loneliness of a friend.

in the willingness to hear the struggles of another.

Lord, please grow my faith and deepen my surrender of self.

wonders of a cave

Our class went on our half-day field trip to Grand Caverns two weeks ago...it was so exciting! We saw all of the formations we had learned about in our Science book, plus a few more. The wonders of God's creation are truly amazing!