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!

the land of snow and ice

We have finally had our winter these last two weeks...

what a beautiful world!

Ruth and I both ventured down to the nearby river

for a photo opportunity.

We saw this!

Quite picturesque!

Virginia storms still amaze me...truly snowed in. =)

Home is the little blue house on the hill...

I've decided an eastern storm can be messy. You might be out of electricity for ten hours, miss nearly five days of school in two weeks' time, need to park a quarter mile from your house because of the icy hill. =) But this one was a picture not to be missed!

quote for '10

"When there is a deep restlessness for which we find no explanation, it may be due to the greed of being what our loving Father never meant us to be. Peace lies in the trusting acceptance of His design, His gifts, His appointments of place, position, and capacity."
--Elisabeth Elliot