An Unforgettable, not so Ordinary Day

He stilled the storms to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven.  Psalms 107 :29&30

                                                         

                                                                            image source

Who knew that calm and serene start to a day
could ever possibly turn out this way?

The phone rings shortly after my kids depart
Mom says my youngest,"my tummy  hurts."

"Okay, I answer "I will come for you"..
quickly brushing my teeth and hair too.

I head for the door, then something makes me turn back
My phone here on the beds' what I lack.

It's a four minute drive from my house to our school.
A drive made several times a day as a rule....

As my daughter and I pull out of the school drive
The winds start blustering, and I can't believe my eyes.

The sun disappeared and the whole world turned white
I knew I could not give in to fright.

So hearing my husband's voice in my head
about not stopping in snow I kept moving like lead.

When suddenly as I crested the hill
A car in the road had stopped  dead still.

I stopped and waited, not sure what to do
and the truck behind me did too.

Suddenly bang I was pushed from behind
My daughter beside me started to cry.

I reached out to touch her said "call Jesus name
He stilled the waters, He'll do the same.

Just trust Him my child, He is right here with you"
As I pulled to the side not sure what to do

We are okay e'n though we can't see a thing
I wonder why now.. but I said " lets  sing?"

Eventually I realised I must escape
My van was now becoming opaque.

So seeing a truck up a head a wee way
I asked if my daughter and I could stay

Up high in his cab safe here and warm,
While we waited for cops and an end to the storm.

The truck driver seemed an uncanny angel of sorts
As we chatted and bantered, time became short

Until  the police was ready to help us get home,
We were ever so thankful to be out of the storm.

As I ponder and reflect on the events of the day
And what I thought would transpire a certain way.

I realise again how wrong I can be
How beautiful the ordinary things that I see.

Though winds batter and bluster and all feels unsure
God's faithfulness and love will always endure.

In the midst of this harrowing storm...my brother was bringing my Dad home from the hospital after recovering for a week from a bypass surgery. So there is much to praise the Lord for tonight!

Breaking Up Isn't That Hard To Do

I am having a little fun this morning because you know laughter is the best medicine.....
I know if my kids read this they'd roll their eyes ..."oh Mom and her corny sense of humour..." but they don't read this blog to my knowledge so I don't need to worry:)
I hope it makes you smile just a little.....

Dear Winter,
I hate to do this to you but I must be honest and end  my relationship with you.
It was always rather seasonal anyhow.

Things between us have been cold for a while now and I cannot ward off your chills anymore.
Please know I have not always felt this way.

                                                

Those  days  you romanced me with finery;sequined snowflakes and  glittering sunshine were glorious.

                                                                 

              But glittering is just that and seems rather profuse and vain.

I opt for that stable and secure knowing. That to me is hot. 
Up and down and all over the place makes me dizzy. Now I want comfortable. 
I want bare feet and  green grass. 

The elegance of white is over rated.

 A golden field of dandelions would melt your icy veneer and I would not be sad.

Because yes dear winter we had fun. You gave and I took. Now my fling with you is over.
  It's time to bow out graciously. I will remember you even though you have over stayed your welcome.

 Apple trees want to bloom.

        these photos ( in collage)I treasure were ones taken by daughter Katrina, not living here at present and missed:)



May your week be sunny and bright, whatever the weather.

There's Something About Tulips

I am partial to tulips. This is why I took the liberty and purchased myself a bouquet for Valentines' Day. I bought them the day after...because they're cheaper. I like that I have now reached that point in marriage where I don't fret over him not bringing me flowers.
(he gave me a card. Put it right there on the van seat so I'd see it when I hop in. He is thoughtful and unconventional like that.) 

I bought the tulips. They have almost withered, but I think they are lovely in their fadingness. 

     
                don't they evoke elegance?

 
               don't tulips seem to say that true beauty is embracing yourself! wonderful YOU!

                           
                         that when this happens your inner soul opens up

             leaving a sweet fragrance for others to enjoy.



                      How have these February days been passing for you?
                                 I must say " I AM READY FOR SPRING!"
                                                   but winter rages on out there tonight....

time for;
  pj's, tea, book, Olympics in the back ground ...


                    Sharing with Feather My Nest Friday...                       

  

Clothesline Clarity

today there was bright sunshine that if you really used your imagination you could detect a hint of spring! Perfect for quilts on clotheslines and somehow these thoughts...


The day began in a slight mist. The trees were embellished as though they understood that words are  pithy at times.

                                                   

       She kept staring at the horizon that was slowly becoming more transparent.

She hung out the girls quilts. She knew the sun would eventually shine it's brilliance, releasing it's super, stain removing power.

                                                                  

 She loved the way the quilts clung to the line, flapping regally, close to the sky.

The pale, pastel colours on the quilts seemed to dazzle the stark, white and blue world.
                                                                

She lingered a while; admiring their simplicity, the billowing in the sunshine, the fresh scent she anticipated.

Somehow the lucid way the quilts moved  bolstered her faith and courage.
 Somehow all that waving and holding on was something she understood. 

The day began in a slight mist. She kept her eyes on the horizon, waiting for clarity, and the certain  illumination.

                     Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 
                                                   - I Corinthians 13:12

How To Beat Winter

It is the time of  year where many of us may be suffering a little from the winter blahs...

here is a few simple ideas to help you cope with winter and cabin fever...
organize your jewellery... (  somehow the long ago photo of my sweet cherubs belongs with my jewellery)

write a letter and mail it..
 I have a good excuse to do this as second daughter is living away from home right now. Last week I had the joy of getting one from her. I'm glad she values traditional letter writing.
  

sing...I love to sing..I love to belt out tunes when alone in the house (or not) or driving.
also when cleaning up after supper with my girls...

encourage...we all need kindness and encouragement. We are all capable of giving this. 
it will bless both giver and receiver.

Forgive...old resentments can rear their ugly head if we are not careful.
   Forgiving is the only way to peace.

Read.. This was the best novel I have read in a very, very long time!! I could not put this book down!!  A stunning read!
                                                   

Visit a senior... these people likely appreciate a smile and chat (or a listen:) more than we can ever imagine. my mother in law lives next door.  I enjoy picking up her mail every day and chatting for a little.

                            Create vignettes...I love to fiddle and fuss in my home...

                                                                

                                                                           

Spend time in a favorite room...lie right down on the floor in that warm, sun drenched spot. Stay there for a while. this is my bathroom..aka.or my girls..love the heated tile floor in the winter...

                                                                                 

Play with your food... sorry but just eat well and have fun.

Exercise...cross country skiing is a great way to rejuvenate mind and body.

Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can 
         cure the senses but the soul.  -Oscar Wilde-

Love's Essence

 Happy Weekend Friends,
I have been considering life's greatest blessing. LOVE. Doesn't it make a drab day brighter?  A sweet song cheerier? And a long winter shorter?
Well, maybe not:) 
But I really can not imagine not loving.
Not that it is always easy. No. but because of that crazy thing called grace is it ever possible to truely LOVE. 

Listen to this great song by one of my favorite artists...

and KEEP LOVING ...

                                                                 
                                                             

                     Love is patient, 
                                           Love is kind, 
              Love is not self seeking.... (I Corinthians 13)



Love is its own reward. Love is the greatest  discipline.

Love cannot be measured until it has been poured out...

                                

I had a tea party with my girls and two of their friends the other day...

I took this picture after they had scurried off to play.
I was still in a tropical mood so we had pina colada tea. which was interesting I'll say:)
The memory is what will last though not whether the tea was perfect, flowers fresh and crumpets crumbly. Sometimes love says " this moment is unlike any other, so it is good."


( while I put this together I was listening to my daughter reading to her younger sister.
expression was utilized and sister was in rapt attention. LOVE! I almost missed it!)

Dominican Recollections

                                              

Hello Friends,
I have returned from my escape to the sunny tropics...  I want to thank you for all of the kind wishes on the post I wrote before we left...

There were no major catastrophes with the kids while we were away. (Thank you Lord.)
other than not knowing if pizza required preheating....things were quite calm while clutter reigned:)

 I love how leaving for a little makes staying so much more appealing.

I thought I would share a few pics of our time in the Dominican Republic...not only was it a good to lie in the sun and listen to the waves...

                                                        or dive in..

                                                         

it was good to see another way of life.

 inside a house....

this little boy was entertaining us...

A life brimming with so little by my standards but full to the brim by theirs.
"Happy, happy, happy" was common to hear as you passed somebody..

         the market along the public beach... fun but draining...

 lovers...:)

back at our beautiful resort...
                                            

           
                                        ready for dinner...                           

                    

                                                                

                                            

So after all the souvenirs have been purchased, after the credit card has been paid, after the tan has faded.  I will recall these faces, this land,this time away from what is normal  and will tuck it securely  into my memory archives.


back at home sweet home...