Thursday, January 2, 2014

Just One

A snow day today gave me opportunity to be productive at home.

I am known for note-taking. Jotting notes during a service keeps me focused and my Bible is packed with note papers. These eventually find their way scattered through my home. I will come across random papers and take a moment to read through them. I keep those with greater impact on the re-read.

So, today, I found a box with a small stack of these notes. In reading through, I found some gems that I will share over the next few weeks.

This I found fitting after choosing one word for 2014:

The Challenge - Just One*

*KNOW
-study 1 whole book of the Bible
 -memorize one chapter, book or passage
 
*PRAY
- for one country all year
 
*GIVE
-sacrifice for one specific cause
 
*GO
-spend time in one ministry new to you
 
*ASK
-for one soul
 
 
How hard is just one?


*notes from the 2013 Ladies' Missionary Conference, Oakwood Bible Chapel, Windsor, ON.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Another Year, Another Word

For a number of years I have chosen a "word for my year". Initially inspired by Ali Edwards in her "One Little Word" campaign, and encouraged by Ann Voskamp as she names her years, I began my journey in 2010 with Intentional. I have been told that I am very intentional but quite honestly see others that are significantly better at being intentional with their time, their work and their words. I don't think I succeeded that year and may need to revisit Intentional in the future.

2011 was the year of Follow. Little did I know that year was going to test me in my willingness to follow, as we, early on, discovered that I was pregnant for number 5. After a six year gap and having thinned the baby stuff to the bare minimum, God blessed us with another. My planned "home-birth party" was replaced with an urgent five-week early trip to the hospital where after a couple of hours we welcomed a beautiful little boy into our family but not our arms or our home. Being in our arms would have to wait for a number of days while he fought to keep breathing. Being in our home would be postponed for four weeks as he gained strength and weight. I learned to appreciate the ease in which I birthed and nursed my first four and understood the difficulty of the battle when things don't go as planned. I also found strength in the hard times as the faith I had lived out in the easy times held me firm through the tough days.

2012. The year of Abide. This was the first year I chose to wear my word around my neck as a daily reminder to abide, to rest, to dwell, to remain. 

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself,
   where she may have her young— a place near your altar,
   O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.
Psalm 84:3-4
 


Pursue....my husband....my children.....my God. 2013. A very direct call. Clear and concise. I am so thankful for beautiful jewellery  that expresses my thoughts. This was a year of battling my selfishness and focussing on my primary relationships. I may not have always chose well, in how to spend my time and energy but I was very aware of the priority that needed to be given.


So we come to 2014. I knew my word for 2014 earlier last year when I had the following conversation:

"Though being able to be home with my kids is my goal, it isn’t feasible for that to happen in the next year..... Provided we have no more financial hiccups, that will hopefully work for our family...... Every time I feel we gain ground, something happens. In the year I was off we had to replace the computer, fridge, stove and microwave! The bathroom was seriously falling apart so we needed to do that renovation. Both the car and the van needed major repairs and then the furnace. They messed up my EI so was without income for about 4 months while they got that resolved.  Now both my washer and dryer are acting up. I’m telling you, it is almost laughable – I can’t stress and cry anymore, I just shake my head when the next thing falls. It can be so discouraging because I had a good plan laid out and started but once the baby came early and spent the time in the hospital – added unexpected expenses. Though, we have pretty well replaced everything so I am not sure what else could break down - :-D"

"I know what you mean about finances: our roof needs replacing, our geothermal furnace is on fumes  - we just spent 2000 on our Ford 500 and now the air conditioning is shot and the taillights are flashing. Our dryer hasn't worked for months....on it goes.

It is laugh or cry. I choose to laugh. :)"



"I am with you on that – I have turned to laughing.
 
Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
 
My goal  - rather than wallow in what the enemy would drag me into, I will seek wisdom and truth. Walking with Christ in strength and dignity therefore I can laugh at whatever the enemy sends my way knowing that my God has it all under control.
 
I know you know this but I think today I needed to “say” it out loud. Put it in writing cements it on my heart and in my mind.
 
Thanks for listening! ♥"
 
"Laughing with you"
 
And so I begin 2014, [Learning to] Laugh
 
 




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About Me

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I am the very blessed wife of my best friend. The humble mother of five precious children. Walking a life-road that is more amazing than I could ever imagine.