How?

How do I stay content in what God has chosen for me? How do I have peace in where He has placed me? Sometimes, it takes proactive measures. Sometimes, you have to be a little ferocious.

           

So, I listen to more songs about God, and less ones about “True Love.”

           

            I do the dishes and make brownies, to keep my head and hands busy – and to let this house in which I live become my home, again.

            I pick the best flowers the ditch has to offer and I give them to myself.

            I sit in the sun and visit with old friends, for the sun may not be out tomorrow.

            And, I am thankful for today; for who knows what may happen tomorrow, and who or what might be gone from me, forever.

- Millie

Good Bye

They are leaving this country for another, today: our pastor of almost 19 years, and his wife.

It’s one of the few goodbyes I’ve had to say, and the hardest. Because ties in Christ run deep.

This is the man who married Abigail and Aimee to their grooms. He baptized Millie as an infant and Grammy – water on her gray hairs. He has prayed words of covenant blessing on babies, from the oldest nephew, to the youngest niece, and asked us all, the questions that bound us to the local body.

She is the one who served Millie and I tea nearly every week, over the past few months  - our tradition that held us dearer even as we knew they were going. It’s a lot like all relationships should be, I suppose…holding people close, even though you know it will hurt more to lose them.

And truly –the loss is softened by fond memories…how much better it is, than regret. We’ve had our days, been given the blessing, and received the exact number of gifts meant for this season.

There is always this beautiful truth under all sorrow: in everything, we have much to be thankful for. To think it is only, like he prayed, the tip of the ice-berg, and someday we will be together, perfect in Christ. All this that we cherish, without the scent of this world. A thousand fold better.

So we surrender our tears to the King of all things, bitter or sweet.

At the end of his final service - as the last words of a final benediction break off husky with great love – we stand stunned. But the words hang there…and peace be with you. Someone takes heart and says – amen. Our hearts echo. So be it.

And peace indeed, there will be.

~Olivia

Gone Fishin'

We spent an afternoon fishing this weekend, and ever since, I’ve been trying to come up with something blog-worthy about it. You know, the pseudo-spiritual analogy that ties in and around some sort of anecdote.

I feel it should be easy. Fishing is so gentle and reflective, surely there is something pithy to be said about it.

Like…

 Life is like fishing: No matter how patiently you wait, sometimes you’re just waiting for the wrong thing, something that just ain’t never gonna bite.

Too depressing? How about -

Life is like fishing: The people who stick with you through the tangles, and snags and caught trees, are the people who make it worth living.

Or!

Life is like fishing. It’s not about what you accomplish...

but who you accomplish it with.

Perhaps all of the above? =)

~Olivia

June.

May was the month of busy - the month where we played city mouse, country mouse.

Like this:


There....

and back again...

But May is gone, and now we're six days into June. And it's time to jump into summer with both feet, because three months are short, and life is for living, this very day.  



~Olivia



Never more clearly...

Never more clearly have I seen how words wound than when they are fired at me by a young child, angry, defiant.

Never more sure have I seen the heartaches of motherhood than in the eyes of a whining child.

Never has it been harder to forgive when there has been no "I'm sorry" hug.

Never have I felt so helpless than when staring at an unrepentant child.

Never have I realized how I may have caused pain until that pain reaches my own heart.

Never have I been so awed by God's grace than when I have had to extend grace to a rebellious child.

God's grace is amazing, indeed. And if it can save me, it can save the souls of the children whom I love. That is my prayer for them, always. I can't change them, but God can. When I am weak, He is strong.

- Millie

A little update...

It's quiet, thank goodness for naptime! What a day...


First I should introduce Trinity Brianna. Born April 21st at 7lbs 1oz. At three weeks she is a healthy 9lbs 4oz!

As much as I love reading/hearing long, detailed birth stories I'm not so much into writing them. So if you aren't the type that is relieved to hear that then I'm sorry to disappoint. It was labour...probably the "best" one I've had but still labour. I'm not a believer in "calm, peaceful" labours, whoever believes in those has either never had a baby or is in the minority of women who get away with "easy" birthing! =) It may be "natural" but it has also been cursed. Don't get me wrong, I am a calm, peaceful labourer. At least I keep the nurses fooled, but that doesn't mean I'm not in ALOT of pain thinking "I don't ever want to do this again!". But it becomes a faded memory and we do it all again, don't we.

So life with three is, well, behind most days it seems. How on earth does one cook, clean, do laundry, personal and business bookwork, garden, etc,etc and be a mother to three under four?! Here is what Number Two looked like this morning (and this is already the second change of clothes).

Shortly after playing in the firepit she decided to eat some dogfood! I promise I was "right there" the whole time but I was putting clothes on the line and therefore had my back turn at intervals.

In the midst of  this whirlwind of life we are doing well. Loving these little ones is more important than a magazine clean house, right? But I do like order and neat and tidy so I'd better go get a little more done before it's time to think about supper...

~  Aimee

P.S. A special congratulation to Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bond! I was sentimentally thinking of you Friday evening Megs, wish I could have been there. *hugs*

Here's to...

first things from the garden...

ugly-beautiful thrift store finds...

comfort in the kitchen...

little people all over the house....

and coming home.

Have a beautiful Tuesday and joyful first day of May!

~Liv