I have begun collecting calm hobbies. Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the high energy ones too, had a blast at my ladies floor hockey night just this past Thursday. I could happily skate on the neighbourhood rink for hours with my big kids, and if I could go to the dog park and run around with Riddick every day I would… but, while exerciser is good for high blood pressure, I also am feeling the need to get more ‘slow myself down hobbies’ that are as deliciously mellow as reading. Enter, or rather, re-emerge puzzling!
All posts in People In My Heart
Church Kitchens and Community
Church kitchens are so much larger then the average at home kitchen. I couldn’t figure out where most things were and I had this awful feeling that I would be of no use to them. THEY were ladies from my church, part of the Women’s Ministry Team, who had obviously been in this kitchen many times before, working together. Their cheerful and contagious banter soon eased my nerves. Belly laughs and warm smiles were everywhere around me as they busied themselves with the brunch preparations. I adored being welcomed in to their group, such servants hearts and such amazing ladies!
Labour
Four times I had been to this part of the hospital. Four times, and yet it wasn’t all that familiar. My memories where blurred with the nervous energy of a mother in pain; a mother in labour. This time I took in it all, all but the pain. My memories of this birth will forever be sharper then the birth of my very own babies.
The Island
Wild horses couldn’t tear me away. This thought lingered in my heart as I drove away from my childhood home once again. A summer visit of great significance, things were different this vacation. I witnessed the knitting of the north to my eldest two’s souls; and realized with their connection made, I was even more bound to this land, in as much as is possible while on this temporal earth.
Jewelry Box
The other day a friend was chatting about how her girl friend had had all her jewelry taken in a home invasion. None of it was of great value, except to her, and she was so upset since it wouldn’t add up to much for them anyhow. She had expressed how each piece had memories for her, and there in was her sorrow.
My jewelry box is full, but all items hold little ‘cash value’. I really like hand made or wooden pieces. Colorful stones or beads win over diamonds or jewels every time for me.
I was able to understand her feelings as I have stories attached to each piece. When I put on the earrings Grandma Smith used to wear I remember her. The pieces my husband picked out carry fuzzy feelings with them as I wear them.. The necklace in the above photo is worthy of a photograph BECAUSE my sister made it for me.
The end of the tale told was advice to HIDE even your cheep jewelry and I decided that just didn’t connect with me. As much as I enjoy my accessories they aren’t something I need to fear and fret for…
While you can’t replace even the cheapest of jewelry, if it holds memories, you can have and make more memories with the people that have left their mark on your earrings or necklaces. More cheep jewelry can be given and receive by the people you love, reflecting the new memories made. The only thing of real value in this world, that absolutely can not be replaced in any acceptable way is YOUR PEOPLE.
I am thankful for the lingering effect that my Grandmother has had on me, the continuing growth my husband builds onto my soul and the eternal change Christ’s love has given my spirit.
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| (My sister also made this shell & bead jewelry set, for me!) |
TTFN
‘Scrub’ Sports
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| (Photo’s from summer past, a rough version of soccer on Papa and Nanny’s lawn.) |
Had my first game of ‘scrub baseball’ with the kids. Riddick, the family dog, was tied to a tree so he would stop breaking up the game. He has a nutty streak that just wants to destroy every ball he sees.
My youngest, being only three, spent most of his time bursting in and out of the game… apparently he was a little confused as to which game we where playing. I would be just about to pitch the ball to the child at bat when someone would yell, ‘Baby boy, playing through!’, on cue a boy and his yellow soccer ball would madly run in and out of our way.
The older two figured the game out in no time. Hit the ball with bat, put bat down, run to big tree and back to home before being tagged. We had the expected attempts to nail the runner by throwing the ball AT them as hard as possible, the occasional stomping of feet when one didn’t make it back to home before being tagged, and one person got hit with the ball… that was Mom, of course. I knew no good could come from being the first person to teach my oldest boy to pitch… he got me in the back and then I taught him, with excellent patience and grace I might add, to aim over the plate and not AT the batter.
My five year old daughter did a great job at running to the little person’s base and back (had a shorter run for the shorter kids) but forgot to put the bat down and that sure slowed her down… considering it’s almost as big as her.
The older two really liked getting Mom out and thought it was fun to try to block me on my way back to home base. The required, but rare, scrub baseball tackle entered the game at this point. “Mama will knock you down”, I grinned between wheezing for breath, as I picked my 8 year old up off the ground. Dusted him off and we both laughed about it. Of course he pulled it again in hopes of another wrestling match with Mom… ah boys…
So we didn’t completely stick to baseball, but it was a good first lesson!
My parents introduced us to pretty much every game under the sun, the ‘scrub’ version that is… less rules, rotating teams, no counting score and just fun… I will always cherish the times my Grandma Smith got involved and wowed all us grand-kids. She was such a sportsman! I hope to encourage my children to JUST ENJOY it like she did. I figure, like my parents must have, introduce the kids to enough sports in your own back yard and you help encourage them toward an active lifestyle. We learned quickly it was about fun and activity. That it didn’t matter much how amazing we where if we where hearty of spirit and ready to play!
TTFN
She Makes 12
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| Babies are such a nice way to start people. ~Don Herrold |
My eldest brother’s family just added one more to the mix. His amazing wife had her second daughter in the middle of the night. This niece was in a hurry to be crowned newest grandchild, in line at number 12 for my parents.
After starting on organizing baby clothing, well after midnight, my sister soon realised she had to get to the hospital. Her daughter arrived only 10 minutes after getting into the delivery room, they all JUST made it.
A super busy night at the hospital meant they could go home only hours after my niece arrived to the world. Healthy and happy and snuggled in at home, I got to hold her that night, still only hours old. Beautiful and soft, she, like all the blessed newborns our earth receives, she is amazing.
I was there when her sister got to meet her for the first time; joy and wonder filling big sisters face. My three year old niece was able to clearly express her greeting and her joy at finally having her sister with in hands reach. She stared, touched and glowed; glowing as both her mother and father did too.
Congrats to Aaron and Karla’s family! We love her already and are thankful you brought her into our lives.
The arrival of new life NEVER never gets old. Thank the Lord Jesus Christ for another little member of our clan!
Ecclesiastes 11:5
Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.
Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.
TTFN
Most Know What Kony2012 Is
Are enough of us aware that there are also people with other options that we can support, who have been working for these children for years? There are places we can get involved that put forgiveness and reconciliation on the table as active peaceful tools to fight with.
YEARS AGO I heard about Kony through a missionary group that was reaching out to his child soldiers and seeing results with the offer of forgiveness. I therefore feel compelled to share this link my husband found through a Christian brother’s page. There is always a peaceful option.
How is it that we are HURT so badly?
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| (Myself and my Dad Spring2011) |
On the edge of tears, as though listening to a most excellent melody.. I think of the many folks that are near and so very dear to me.. My kin.. friends .. brothers and sisters in Christ.. because I feel so Very Very Blessed to have known each one of you and just now I am catching a glimpse of just how much my Lord Jesus Christ loves you… Good Lord how He loves you!!
I see the bravery needed to love because when we decide to love another person; we, to some extent, put ourselves at their mercy…. We become vulnerable.. When the enemy hurts us we are not surprised… but then when we are betrayed by a brother it cuts us sharply, to the depths of our soul.
But to harden ourselves brings the loss of being able to experience love. Therefore it is the wisdom of the Living Word that He was to say… Father … Forgive them… they just don’t understand.
I need, absolutely need, forgiveness and SO DO YOU!
Therefore: brethren be gracious to one another forgiving one another as God, in Christ, has FORGIVEN YOU! ABSOLUTELY and without reservation or caveat!!!
by Allan Munro on Monday, March 5, 2012 at 11:12am
