Fun At Work

I had fun at work today. If you're reading my blog for the first time, I work in an office at a high school.

We have a student phone that sits on a ledge beside my desk.

Today, while looking through some storage cupboards I discovered another telephone.

Not a new phone. A black dial phone. Like this one...
I decided it might be fun to see the reactions of the students. I replaced their push-button phone with this lovely retro dial set.

The students that came in throughout the day to make their calls each stopped and questioned why the new set. We informed them that this was a new phone that we had just purchased and it was the latest in retro designs. They all bought it!

It was too funny watching them try to figure it out. They would just look at it in confusion. They had no idea what they were to do. We had to explain it to most of them.

We decided that we were empowering them by furthering their education in the field of communication. Ha!

If I'd been able to secretly film them today, I'm certain I could have won top prize.

Having fun while at work is the only way to go!

Happy Mother's Day

I've had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend.

Friday after work I came home to a spotless house and groceries that I didn't have to go shopping for. (Actually, I don't usually go grocery shopping at all.)

Mark's parents arrived Friday evening and stayed over for the night. Mark barbecued a wonderful steak supper and I baked a lemon pie for dessert.

Saturday morning Mark made us a yummy breakfast of eggs, bacon and pancakes. After breakfast, Brittany, Sarah and I said our goodbyes to Mark's parents and then headed off to K-town for the day.

Sarah needed to practice her highway driving - so what better way to do that than to take a shopping trip. While I spent the day shopping with my daughters, Mark was home keeping very busy. My husband cut the grass, bought flowers and planted them in our flower beds He bought hanging baskets and put them out in front of our home. He even prepared supper and picked up a dessert too. The dinner that he was preparing was so that we could have my parents over.

The girls and I arrived home with about a half hour left before my parents would be arriving. Mark barbecued chicken and we enjoyed a wonderful supper.

This morning we were at church, where I was blessed to have an opportunity to share during the morning service, along with some other ladies.

After church, Mark took us out for lunch. He had been very organized and made reservations at our next-door-neighbour's restaurant. They were serving a wonderful brunch buffet and we saw a few other church families there too.

At home, my family blessed me with some fabulous gifts. I received the new Hillsong United cd, Gloria Copeland's newest book and a gift certificate for a pedicure & manicure.

I have truly felt very spoiled this weekend and very honoured. I have been blessed to have my family acknowledge me so lavishly.

I adore my family and I love being a mother. It is my proudest accomplishment. I am very thankful for the gift of motherhood.

Please don't feel as though this day is not meant for you if you do not have physical children. We are called to nurture. God has gifted all of us, as women, to mother the next generation.

Happy Mother's Day!

Sarah/Mommy Time

My daughter Sarah is leaving in two weeks and will be gone for the summer. You can read about it here.

The two of us have always spent a lot of time together. This will be our longest period of time apart since she was born. And soon her far-away-location will be a reality.

Don't get me wrong. I am very excited for her. I know that she will be in a great place and having opportunity-of-a-lifetime experiences. But, I will still miss her.

My darling daughter showed up at my work yesterday with a special treat for me. A Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade.
My daughter is very thoughtful and sweet. The very same day, when I got home, she had a bouquet of flowers waiting for me along with a card.



Today she picked me up at work so that we could do lunch together. I appreciate my daughter and the young woman that she is. She is one of my favourite people to be with.

Whenever Sarah is feeling that we have not been spending enough time together, she always lets me know that we need more Sarah/Mommy time.

Conference Time

We had a conference at our church this past weekend. We've hosted many conferences over the years.

These conferences can be life-changing. However, if we think small, then next year we will all show up once again just to listen and hear and go away nice and alone again.

We need to remember that we can do whatever God has placed in our hearts.

As I was contemplating these thoughts this weekend, one word from David Bowie's song was playing in my head...

Ch ch ch changes

CHANGE. Am I willing to change?? Will I allow myself to be so completely dissatisfied that the only option is Change?

I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Phillipians 4:13

We all have a sphere of influence to steward and each year that sphere should be bigger.

We can't empower others to do what we haven't done ourselves.

We need to be stretched to live what we have learned.

Brittany's Esthetics

Our youngest daughter is in grade seven. The age where you are smack-dab in the middle of puberty!

Brittany has a close group of friends at school. And they have been experiencing some of these changes together.

The friends in her group have noticed that one of them has developed some extra facial hair.

This girl did not get teased by the friends. She was rescued. By my daughter.

Brittany went to school with tools in hand. She took tweezers, scissors, anti-bacterial lotion and...SCOTCH TAPE!

My daughter used tape in place of hot wax to remove the extra hairs in the middle of the girl's brow. And Brittany took scissors to trim the longer hairs.

Her friend was very pleased. And the mom was quite happy too.

My little Fashionista is helping in any way she can!

Retreat to Chatham

We retreated this weekend. The kids all had Friday off, so we left Thursday night right after work/school and headed to Mark's parents for the weekend.

Mark's parents love it when we visit and dote on us the whole time we are there. It was so restful and relaxing.

Friday was a beautiful day. Mark took Sarah out on his father's motorbike for a tour around the area. Then when they got back, Mark, Sarah, Jonathan and I went for a ride in their convertible mustang and out for lunch. Meanwhile Mark's dad took Brittany on the motorbike.

That afternoon, Mark and our three kids played a game of football in their backyard. Mark commented on how much fun he had just playing with our kids.

Mark's mom made us a wonderful turkey dinner. She enjoyed cooking for us, as she doesn't normally get a chance to have any family for holiday meals.

Friday evening we went to the Wheels Inn and Wild Zone. It's a great hotel in their town that has bowling, go-karts, indoor/outdoor pool, indoor mini-golf, laser tag, huge arcade centre and indoor amusement rides.

Saturday we got up early and took the ferry across to the USA and drove to Auburn Hills, Michigan and went shopping for the day at Great Lakes Crossing shopping mall. Mark's parents took us for lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. Our first time there. What a treat!

We got back early in the evening. Turkey leftovers were for supper. And Mark along with his dad picked us up some Dairy Queen treats. We settled in and watched a movie. I discovered that Mark's mom had the whole Janette Oake series that I had stumbled upon (by watching the last movie first - read this post.)

We came home on Sunday feeling very blessed and refreshed!

Me and my girls.

Sarah sitting in the mustang.

He's Still Got It!

Our 'second' vehicle died a while back. Leaving us to manage life with just one set of wheels.

When the need to be two-places-at-once occurs, we grab our daughter's car. (Which we actually own.)

It's a cute little blue 'puddle-jumper' with a nice pink stripe. Sarah loves her little car. It's her independence. And she loves the pink stripe.

A little while back, one of those need-to-be-two-places-at-once situations came up. I was driving our family take-us-all-where-we need-to-go white mini-van. My husband took Sarah's car.

This was not the first time he had driven her car. He's driven it lots. BUT, this time he needed to get gas. Mark enjoys surprising our daughter with gas in her car. College daughter is on a tight budget and any 'bonus' gas that just-shows-up in her car is worthy of excitement, and an 'I love you Daddy'.

This particular trip to the gas station included a friendlier than wanted
encounter.

A vehicle was at an adjacent gas-pump being fueled by another male
patron. This other male patron was driving a car with a rainbow bumper sticker. He happened to notice my 'manly' guy. And the fact that my 'manly' guy was driving a pink-striped car. A pink-striped car that might also be worthy of a rainbow bumper sticker. Except when driven by our daughter.


Plain and simple; there was some flirting going on at the gas-pump.
Flirting that was not being received very well. My husband wasn't
looking to star in the next SNL parody.

I don't know if I should feel reassured that my guy's still got it or think that this might be just the chance I need to get a new second vehicle.

Hmmm.

7 Random Facts About ME!

Kelley from Aroma of Joy tagged me! I am to write 7 Random Facts about myself and then tag 7 more people. I'm not going to tag you, in case you've already done it. But, feel free to tag yourself and join in!

Okay, here we go. Whether you wanted to know or not...

1. My dad comes from a family of 11 children and my mom from a family of 6 children. This meant LOTS of cousins for me. I loved having sleep-overs and one of my cousins in particular that would sleep-over at my house and I at hers, was Cheryl. I remember one time, she and I were in her bathroom standing on the edge of the tub. Singing with hair-brush microphones into the mirror. She grew up and became a worship-leader. I did not.

2. I love red licorice. I could eat it everyday! It's quite unusual for me to not have any in stock.
I eat at home. I eat it in the car. I eat it at the movies. I eat it at work. I could eat it anywhere!

3. My husband and I went to Jamaica in 1990. I came 2nd runner-up in a beauty pageant. We won a dinner at a fine restaurant that was not included in the all-inclusive dining. And I got to keep the bathing suit that I modeled.

4. I loved giving birth to my babies. (Didn't so much love being pregnant though- very sick with my first one.) I fell in love with the experience of giving birth after our first daughter, that I would find any excuse to go to the maternity floor. If I slightly knew you and you had just given birth, I might just have come in for a visit.
The doctor, after delivering my first-born, commented that I was 'made to have babies'. My grandfather (father of eleven children) proudly told me that I must be 'just like my grandmother'. Yikes!

5. I am older than my husband. Yes, I am admitting it on the world-wide-web. 18 months to be exact. But two calendar years, which meant two grades apart in high school. We attended different secondary schools, so I would quite often avoid the pressing question from my friends at school of..."How old is your boyfriend?" or "What grade is he in?" So, not cool when you're in grade eleven to say that your boyfriend is in grade nine!! Of course, quite the opposite scenario for him. He would quite proudly tell his buddies that he had an older girlfriend, and one with a driver's license!

6. I am the oldest of three. I have a sister, 5 years younger than me and a brother, seven years younger than me. Since I was the oldest, I tended to be quite bossy (which of course, equates to having leadership skills..right?). Now, the we are all grown. I am now however, the shortest. My sister and brother are both taller. I am 5'2". I quite like to wear heels. It's nice to get the same view as most of my friends. :)

7. My mom tells the story of my birth, that I was a miracle baby. Apparently when I was born the umbilical cord was wrapped twice around my neck and it was amazing that I lived. I weighed in at 5 lbs 13 oz. I like to remind my husband how fortunate he is. :)


For anyone else that would like to play along... here are the rules:

1) Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog
2) Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3) Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4) Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

I Won!

I received an email this morning from Melody from Slurping Life letting me know that I won the giveaway that I entered on her blog.

I won this book...


Thank you Melody!!! I feel very blessed.

I copied this from Melody's site:

Tricia Goyer is the author of twelve books including From Dust and Ashes, My Life UnScripted, and the children's book, 10 Minutes to Showtime. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like Today's Christian Woman and Focus on the Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in the mountains of Montana.

Generation NeXt Marriage is written about real marriage in a real manner. I love that Tricia uses songs of the 80's as well as books and movies to bring home her points. In doing so she brings back a ton of almost forgotten memories. Tricia has written a creative, Biblically-based book on the challenges of marriage which offers realistic help while sharing her own tribulations and joys. She reminds me of the intimate bond that God intends my marriage to be.

After I opened my email this morning, I went to my husband and told him that "I won a book".
He mistook the word 'won' and thought I said 'want', and answered with "What else is new!"
I guess you could say that it's a good fit for me to win a book! I'm looking forward to getting the mail!

Photograph

I got my picture taken yesterday.

By a professional photographer.

But, it's...


Not a picture for a frame.


Not a picture to give to a friend.


Not a picture to sit on my husband's desk.


Not a picture to go in a wallet.


Not a picture to stick on the fridge.


Not a picture to post on a blog.


Or Facebook.


Not a picture to show Anyone!!




It's for my passport.


And if it is supposed to be the least flattering

likeness of me that I have ever seen,

then it's a great picture!

It reminds me of a mug-shot!

Dry Gulch USA

My husband and I visited Dry Gulch USA in Oklahoma several years ago. Our church blessed us with a training week there along with other Children and Youth Pastors from around North America. My husband uses the Willie George curriculum from Kids On The Move.

We were so impressed with the church and the camp, that we both felt that if any of our children could have an opportunity to go there we would make sure that it could happen.

The end of January, 2008. Our living room. My husband was on his laptop looking at the Dry Gulch USA website. He was looking at different events that they have available. Our daughter Sarah and I sat beside him and noticing what he was looking at, casually took over the computer.

I was showing Sarah the camp when she noticed that they had posted job opportunities. She wondered if we would consider letting her go there for the summer. Mark & I both thought that it would be a wonderful experience for her.

Our daughter is in college taking a Child & Youth Counselor course. She wants to work with children. She is really great with kids. She also has a heart for ministry.

Sarah completed the camp counselor application process, which was fairly extensive. And then we waited.

I was so torn with whether or not I wanted her to be accepted. Great opportunity, beautiful place, wonderful Christian values vs missing my daughter and not having the summer with her. I prayed to God that she would only be accepted if it was His will for her. I had to hand it over to Him. She is getting older and I only have so many summers left with her at home.

Three days ago the letter arrived in the mail. She has been accepted to fulfill a Head Counselor position!

I didn't know if I was going to cry or get excited for her. Sarah is staying at home while she attends college and I have not had to go through the experience of having a child move away.

This is a dream-come-true for Sarah. Dry Gulch USA is probably the best camp in North America. The entire camp is set in the 1880's. Along with horses (my daughter LOVES horses), go-karts, bumper cars, pool with waterslide, indoor basketball court, boats, canoes, tubing and really great food. And she gets paid!

If I hadn't been to Dry Gulch myself I probably wouldn't be able to consider having her go so far away. The Lord has given us peace about her decision. I just have to not be selfish and know that she is a princess of the Almighty King and she belongs to Him.

God anointed, appointed and commissioned Mark & I to protect our daughter and to provide for her physically, emotionally and spiritually. We have authority over her that is given by the Lord. Through that authority and through praying for her, the Lord will give us peace when helping her make decisions like this.

It's A Matter Of Choice

It's your Choice. Really.

A lot of our circumstances and our life situations are a direct result of our own Choices.

Wouldn't it be better to be excited about getting to live with your choice rather than unfortunately having to live with your choice!

I understand that some of our circumstances are most definitely not a result of our own choosing. Sometimes we are living in a situation that was handed to us. A 'non-returnable'/'non-exchangeable' life-situation gift. Our choice, then, is how we respond. What we choose to do with that 'life-situation' gift.

How many times do we tell our children...'You have to live with your choices!'

So true. And this applies to us too.

We daily make choices that affect the rest of our lives. Sometimes the result is wonderful and other times it can be a burden to have to live with a choice.

Our most important choice is to Choose God daily.

We must surrender our lives to God everyday. If we do not choose God, we automatically choose Satan. Ouch!

It's the process of dying to ourselves daily.

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13(NLT)

When we choose to surrender our lives to God; we are admitting that we cannot do it on our own. We cannot live life without Him.

God has given us the ability to be protected daily. Through his Word we can choose to daily put on the Armor of God.

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Ephesians 6:10-18

I want to have to live with my choice. I want my choice to be to Choose God Daily.

"I hold fast to God's Word daily. My life depends on it, and yours does too."
-- Dodie Osteen

Shout To The Lord on American Idol

I was visiting Linda's blog at 2nd cup of coffee and discovered this. I missed watching the episode on television but was 'wowed' when I saw this video. A blatant-worship, let's-praise-God-and-give-Him-all-the-glory song was sung!!

I don't think it was commercialization. I think God was given the Glory!! Just think, with all of the millions of viewers, how many hearts were joined together in lifting up praise for Him. Wow!

A show with a message about Giving exalted the Giver, our Lord Jesus Christ!!

I still love this song even though we don't sing it much anymore. It's getting to be one of the oldies. The words are still very powerful.

I pray that all of the listeners were impacted by the words in this song. Isn't it amazing what avenues God will use to get His message across!

Chicago Bound

My 16 year old son heads off on his first trip tomorrow, without any family. Jonathan is in the Jazz Band at school and he is participating in a music trip to Chicago!

He is quite excited. They have an awesome itinerary. And to top it off, he is traveling with one of his best friends!

Tonight we had his favourite food for his going-away supper; Mac and Cheese. Favourite food to know he is loved. What better way to a man's heart!

I took a picture of him in his new clothes. They are going to a live jazz concert and are required to dress up a bit.

It's always hard to let your kids go away on their own, but I've been through this before. So, once again, Sarah has paved the way for her younger brother.

A Mother's Heart Ladies Group

Week one of the ladies group that I am hosting went very well. Thank you Ladies!

We gathered around tea and chocolate cake and then relaxed in our den to view Lisa Bevere on dvd.

We had some wonderful discussion afterwards that lasted longer than most of us realized. Isn't it great to all be sharing and not realize the time that has passed?

I've posted a general synopsis on my group discussion blog, A Mother's Heart Ladies Group, for those who are unable to attend.

I appreciated all of the ladies that gathered in my home and am looking forward to next Monday evening for Week Two.

Bless you girls!

Dinner Party??

Derek and Jonathan

Brandon, Chippy and Derek

Jonathan is my son.

Derek is Shari's son from A Matter of Perspective.
Brandon is Cathy's son from Cathy's Corner.
Chippy (another Jonathan) is Jen's son from Beauty from Ashes.

Mark & I love it when our kids have their friends over. We want their friends to always feel welcome in our home.

Our son, Jonathan, is enjoying spending more and more time with his buddies. He has become quite the social event planner. We encourage it. We have come to love our kids' friends.

Our new home is very close to the mall and cinema, which makes it a great central location for them to hang out. Along with the pool and hottub; the kids are all set. Jonathan has taken over the basement with the big screen, XBox 360 and Wii. (The game systems were purchased by him.)

This evening Mark cooked a wonderful prime rib dinner for the family and our guests. The boys were certainly spoiled.

We count it a privilege to have our kids' friends in our home and to invest in their lives. Our kids have such great friends and we know that our kids are treated just as well in their friends' homes.

Another Student Driver

I am a driving instructor again! My 16 year old son has his learner's permit and I took him out driving for the first time yesterday.

I've only had one prior student. My 18 year old daughter. Unfortunately she had to be taught by an inexperienced teacher. (Of course, the Driver's Ed course is where she got her basic skills.)
I, however, got to be in the passenger seat for practice driving.

This rite of passage is as much for the parent as it is for the child. The experience enables us to obtain more gray hairs and allows us to enhance our reflex skills. No relaxing in the car for this passenger.

I always tease my daughter that we practice our parenting skills on her, since she is the first-born. My son, once again, benefited. I was far more relaxed and patient with him. I knew what to expect and it was quite enjoyable.

Most of his friends are getting their licenses and/or learning how to drive now too. Before long we'll have another licensed driver in the house. Mark & I shouldn't have to do any errands at all. We should just be able to drive for sheer enjoyment. Do you think??

Ladies Group

I will be hosting a ladies group in my home on
Monday evenings (beginning Monday April 7.)
We will be studying the Fight Like a Girl dvd curriculum by Lisa Bevere.

I have created a new blog to update weekly so if anyone is unable to join,
you can still participate through the blog.

I have set it up at:

A Mother's Heart Ladies Group

This curriculum is described on Lisa's site as follows:

In Fight Like a Girl, Lisa Bevere implores us to embrace the differences between the sexes instead of trying to eradicate them. She challenges women to accept and celebrate themselves as God created them. Femininity is actually their greatest strength. Women need to pick up the power God ordained for them and make their unique and much-needed mark on society, the world, and the church. In Fight Like a Girl, you will discover how to fully embrace and express the femininity God designed, and so highly values, in you.

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.
Matthew 7:1-2 (NLT)

Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
Luke 6:31 (NLT)

Psalm 27

This post is dedicated to my friend and to anyone else who needs to know that they need not fear. You are not alone!

Psalm 27 (NIV)

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh, [a]
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.

3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.

4 One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.

5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.

7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.

8 My heart says of you, "Seek his [b] face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.

9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior.

10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.

11 Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.

12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.

13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

Who Are You Influencing??

Who are you influencing?? No, I'm not trying to encourage you to take some time out of your busy life and mentor someone.

Whether you are intentional about mentoring or not; you are doing it anyway.

You are being watched.

The younger girls and ladies in your life are watching you.

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:3-5 (NIV)

Everything you do is being watched. The way you parent your children; the way you speak to your husband. The way you treat your friends. The way that you dress and style your hair. Everything!

Don't let this responsibility overwhelm you!

More often than not, they are not looking for you to fail. They want someone to emulate. Someone that will succeed!

Your successes are the promise of hope to the ladies younger than you. Your potential to influence for good is incredible. Everyday you get to make the choice of being a good example!

Working Full Time

I am writing this after reading Jenny's post of Working Full Time and Shame.

Many bloggers are SAHM's; Stay At Home Moms. Jenny mentioned feeling shame due to the fact that she worked full-time. She didn't want to tell other bloggers that she didn't stay at home too.

Here is a woman who felt shame because she worked full-time. And... how many full-time stay-at-home moms have felt shame & guilt because of their choice. It's awful how the enemy causes us to feel shame and not be proud of our position in life.

I have worked full-time almost consistently since before I was married.

I was working for a large telecommunications company when my husband and I married in 1988. A year later we had our first child. Throughout my pregnancy the plan was to have our baby go to a daycare once I returned to work. No big deal! Right? But, I had no way of knowing how difficult that would prove to be. The day my daughter was born I was instantly in love with this new little person. Taking her to a daycare was the last thing I wanted to do.

Over the years we've had different caregivers. There was only one that was not a good fit for us. It wasn't long before we found a better solution.

Working full time was not my passion nor my desire after I became a mother. I wanted to be home with my children.

I was good at my job and worked hard. I chose to enjoy my time there and be successful at my position. God gave me favour in my workplace.

I worked for this large company for 17 years. There were times when I could not get any time off of work while my children were off from school. No Christmas vacation, no March break and no summer holidays. I had to work some Saturdays and most holiday Mondays. That was the toughest time for me.

I left this position with an incentive package. After leaving the telecommunications company, in December 2004, I was home for 1 1/2 years.

There have been many instances over the years, while I was working full-time, when I would feel envious of women who were able to stay home full-time with their children. I would pick up offenses when women would talk about getting together during the day. I would judge women who were not working but talked about tight finances. This was my problem. I was wrong to allow myself to feel this way.

We have women feeling shame for staying home and we have women feeling shame for working!!

The devil likes to have us to be discontent.

I still had lots of time with my children. They had not been deprived of their mother.

I had to learn to focus on what I had and not what I didn't have.

I am now working in an office position at the high school that my son attends.

God has blessed me with a job that I enjoy. I am around teenagers; which I like. I work 8-3 which is great hours for me. And I can have lots of time off during the exact time that I couldn't get off before. I can have two weeks off at Christmas. I can be off during March break. I don't work Saturdays or any holidays. I can have 4 weeks off during the summer. Thank you God!!

Some of us are required to be at home. Some of us are required to be in the workplace.

Not better. Just different.

Make sure your choice is right for You and the plan that God has for your life.

Be where God needs you to be and it will be the right fit.

Honey, She's on the phone!!

"Honey, she's on the phone!!!"

My husband was on his way out the door to pick up our son from work. The van was running and he was getting ready to hop in. I knew he wouldn't want to miss her call.

Our youngest daughter, our baby of the family, is away from home!!! Brittany is on a French trip to Quebec City for four days and three nights with her class from school. She is taking French Immersion; which means that she only speaks French while at school. Being in French Immersion instead of regular classes was her own idea. She wanted to learn a second language.

A trip to Quebec City is an anticipated adventure that is only available to the senior classes. We weren't expecting the trip to be offered to her until eighth grade (next year), however, it was offered this year. Next year will be something different.

I was unable to get the time off of work to volunteer as a parent chaperone. Mark & I have been leading Junior High and Youth at our church since our oldest started Junior High. Most events that our children have attended away from home have included Us. Or, at the very least we have known the leaders Very Well. Sending our daughter on a school trip (her school is not a Christian school) that did not include any chaperones, that we know, was a little challenging for us. And for Brittany.

Brittany identified some concerns yesterday as she was preparing for her departure this morning. She knew that their itinerary included seeing a movie (in French of course.) She didn't want to have to see something that perhaps we would not approve of. (Our daughter likes to be protected from viewing anything inappropriate for her; she's told us so.)

Her teacher informed her that he would be making the decision as to what movie would be appropriate for them to see. And he promised the students that it wouldn't be anything 'childish'. Unfortunately, knowing her teacher, this did not reassure my daughter. So, I gave my daughter some 'coping skills'. And we PRAYED!

Tonight while talking to our daughter she informed us that they had been taken to see Horton Hears a Who!!! She was thrilled. Most of the kids hadn't seen it before and she was able to translate for them as she had only just seen it a week ago.

Our daughter is not alone on her trip. Even though we cannot be with her, her Heavenly Father can look after her better than we could.

Meaningful Connections

We were never meant to do life alone. God designed us to be relational.

The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Genesis 2:18 (NIV)

There is no reason for anyone to remain isolated and alone.

For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Matthew 12:50 (NIV)

I have felt a connection through reading a book. God spoke to me through the words of an author and provided me with the understanding that I needed at that time. I felt such a strong connection that I could have claimed we were friends; besides the fact that she knew nothing of me and we had never met.

I have experienced God-breathed connections when I was beginning my walk with God. I felt drawn to women who 'mothered' me and provided me with the patience and love that I needed. They nurtured me, equipped me and empowered me.

I have felt a spirit-to-spirit connection that completely overwhelmed me. It was a one-time mother-daugher/sister-sister connection. My spirit was drawn to hers and hers to mine. We had a very intimate bond. There were tears and our hearts were linked.

You cannot force these types of relationships. God relates people.

These connections happen because we are all meant to be apart of each other's lives.

I have recently made a heart-to-heart connection with a long distance blogger that I have never met. We have discovered similar life experiences that have linked us. It may last for only an initial moment, a season, or a lifetime. Only God knows.

We need to rise and recognize each other, and begin to connect for strength and purpose.

Life is ultimately about Relationships.

HE REIGNS!!!!!!

He Reigns performed by the Newsboys. This is one of my most favourites.

HAPPY EASTER!

Dessert

We've been invited to my Mom & Dad's for Easter dinner after church on Sunday. I am bringing dessert. I've baked a lemon pie (pictured above) and a coconut cream pie. Also, a carrot cake with cream cheese icing

I used 6 egg whites for the meringue on the lemon pie to make it extra big and fluffy.

I prefer to bake from scratch, however, my favourite lemon pie
is the Shirriff brand lemon pie filling.

What are your favourite desserts to have at Easter??

In Christ Alone

The song In Christ Alone</