in pieces

Here's a little video of the boys' swimming lessons.   I was amazed at how easy it was to use the i Movie program on my iPhone!

I can't believe that I've made it through! 40 days of fasting and prayer. In some ways it seems like it's been a long time, in others, it seems like it's gone quickly. I am encouraged, enriched, amazed and awed of God's power through these past few months. For starters, I never thought I'd be able to come up with 40 different things to blog about. Maybe that just shows that I have a lot to say! Ha ha! I'd often be struggling all day about what I should post,and it wasn't until I was standing in front of the computer every night and writing "Day -whatever-" that it would come to me. I call it divine writing! This process has actually been good in "reawakening the creative spirit" in me. The discipline of writing has actually unleashed some inner passion, and I've been blown away by what God has done through my writing - what journeys He's taken me on - what lessons He's taught me - and how it has impacted others. W...

Passover... what does it mean? Many Christians don't know the story. Here's a simplified version of the Bible story to help you understand better. Moses was a Hebrew man. He was adopted and brought up by an Egyptian princess under the rule of Pharaoh. He became close with Pharaoh over the years. However many Hebrews were slaves to the Egyptians and one day when Moses saw a Hebrew slave being beaten, he became so angry he killed the Egyptian. He then fled to Midian and became a shepherd. One day while tending his flock, he came across a burning bush. He realised that God was in that bush telling him he'd chosen him to help free the Hebrew people from slavery. Moses' brother Aaron would help him be his spokesperson. So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and told him that God had sent them to tell him to let the Hebrew people go. Pharaoh refused, and on two occasions Moses performed two miracles to try and convince him of God's power. He threw his staff onto t...

When I lived in Vancouver, I absolutely loved it! But when I left the city I could always feel myself relax, which is why I always assumed I was a farm girl through and through. However, the more and more I visit Melbourne the more and more I fall in love. It is one of the most amazing cities with such a cool vibe. Today I decided to tackle an adventure to the city with my 2 boys. I took my friend Krystle and we met up with our 2 friends Mel and Anthea for lunch on Brunswick street. We were blessed with some pretty sweet parking, which is always a plus and also had the pleasure of a +25C day! The day was starting out great! Unfortunately I have become aware that I'm not quite the "hip-urban-mom" I thought I maybe was. I never wanted to believe the fact that twin boys might be a handful to take to the city. I didn't want kids to ever stand in the way of "doing" things either. But as I'll report here, I soon learned that even though I longed n...

In the book our small group is reading - Crazy Love by Francis Chan - he explains that God isnt' interested in our lukewarm attempts at following Him. He's not interested in our pitiful sacrifices. Francis states, "He measures our lives by how we love." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is a good yardstick to measure yourself by: 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. One way to re-read this age-old scripture in a new refreshing light is to put your own name or the word "I" in place of the word "love". " 4 I am patient and kind; I do not envy or boast; (I am) not arrogant 5 or rude. I do not insist on my own way; I am not irritable or resentful; 6 I do not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejo...

Today I was playing with Kai and Levi and trying to teach them new tricks. I was able to get Kai to poke his tongue out at me. Levi was just too interested in eating the phone to do any tricks at all today! He loves to eat...that's his trick! But it got me thinking of a verse in 1 Timothy 4:12 which says, " Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." Hmmmm....set an example. That is a strong and difficult encouragement. I specifically love this verse as it states the importance of setting your example now - while you are young - not when you are old and have "lived and experienced everything". Not when you have gone to Bible school and received your degree or diploma. Not when you have become a pastor of a church, or a youth group leader. Not after you have had a family, or even developed your career. In todays' world we place high valu...

Today my husband brought me a gift - A wii and 13 games. He got it second hand and all the parts for a really great deal! I was surprised and chuffed! It was a gift for my "Adoption Day"! 35 years ago, on April 1 (I was 3 months old) I was fortunate enough to be adopted into a loving family in Saskatchewan Canada. Tomorrow marks the day. My parents always told me I was adopted, and always made it a special anniversary. Every year, we'd celebrate my adoption day almost like a birthday. I say "almost" because I never really got presents, but mom would cook whatever I wanted for supper, and would also bake me a cake. I often got cards, and was always doted upon by my parents and my brothers. I don't think adoption was a super common thing in 1977. (I don't really know) But I was always impressed that my parents chose to do it, especially knowing all the hoops you needed to jump through to make it happen. I mean I got to grow up in a great fami...

It's funny I could detect strong characteristics of personality in our boys right from birth. Kai has always been outgoing like his mother. Quick to smile and spend time with people. Most happy when he's in the middle of the commotion. Laughing easily. Please don't put him to bed when people are visiting! It's so hard for him to be away from the action! Levi is very similar to his father. He loves to spend time with 1-2 people that he's very close to. If there are crowds of people around, he's happiest if you put a blanket over his head - literally. He even prefers if you put him in his bed when people are visiting so he doesn't have to connect with them. He often makes strange and is content to play on his own. Kai has always been relational and emotional and Levi, analytical and observant. As an example, when I'd show them a toy, Kai would excitedly wave his arms, and grin and love that I was interacting with him, whereas Levi would furrow ...

Today I was having a chat with my sister, and was contemplating how God sometimes works. It's like we have a plan set for ourselves, and wish and hope and pray it comes to be, only to find out that there are a dozen roadblocks in the way. Then you have to decide whether you have to spend the energy and time to work through those roadblocks, or choose another path. Sometimes it's right to spend the effort on fighting for your plan, and sometimes it's right to let it go and find that there was even something better out there for you. I guess the hardest part is knowing which one to do. Sometimes both options are good options. And sometimes when I'm asking God about it, I don't hear either way. In these cases I wonder if He may be giving me the option to decide, so that I have the responsibility of the outcome. For example if I chose one way, and something went wrong, I couldn't blame Him for the outcome as I had made the decision to do it myself. This rea...

It has been another long day - and I can't wait to fall into bed. I didn't sleep that well last night and I seem to be having some sinus issues again, which makes me tire easily. I've found, I'm still building up strength. I can't believe how long it is taking me to get back on my feet after 5 months of bed-rest. There is this little voice in my head that keeps saying, "you should be better by now!", although the amount of muscle I've lost in my legs is incredible. To go for a 45 minute walk is a huge undertaking, and it means that my body aches all night long. I am now able to squat and tend to the kids on the floor for a few minutes at a time, but 4 months ago I couldn't even squat. I had no muscle mass left to do that. I'm not complaining, just amazed at how long the road back has been, and the sacrifices that have had to be made. How easy it is to take the simple task of "walking around" or "squatting" for grante...

Tonight my husband and I were fortunate enough to attend the Crave Young Adults Meeting at our church. It was so great! We left the kids at home with Nan - and just enjoyed a night out. As the night unfolded, I kept thinking this was the best kind of church. We were together worshiping God, sharing God stories, and praying for and supporting one another. It was easy going and genuine. It was particularly encouraging to hear Meg share her stories from her recent trip to Canada, Malaysia and Thailand...and actually hear that God is moving TODAY! Amazing stories of God directing the team to specific people/places, and God using them to speak healing into people's lives! So inspiring. Dean shared about his next venture in joining the police force - and we were able to gather around and pray for him too. As well as hear Bec's plans to "give everything up", to serve Him in Africa. Rachael and the team, did an amazing job of leading worship as well, and as I sat ba...

There are very few things more important that family! And I love mine! We are so blessed on both sides with great family. I am so thankful that Leigh and I have both been raised by amazing parents. People that love us so much, and that we love too. Parents that taught us about God. That showed us they wanted the best for us. Who celebrated with us in our achievements and grieved with us in our losses. Family is there in thick and thin. They will love you in spite of your weaknesses, and encourage you in your strengths. I think one of my favourite things from this past weekend with family, was just laughing together. It felt so good to laugh. About silly things. And enjoy each others' company. I love my family. And I thank God every day for them.

I know that tomorrow is actually the "FEAST" day in lent, but today is a real celebration for our family. Today we were able to celebrate a wedding! Leigh's brother Mark married his beautiful bride Lauren. It was so sweet as they asked the boys to be in the wedding as well. They got to travel down the aisle in a cute little red wagon. it was very sweet that we got to be a part of their day. The boys did so well!!! Mark and Lauren, we pray that you will have a blessed marriage - full of laughs and surprises, and joys and adventures! We look forward to being on the journey with you as you "grow old together". Happy Wedding Day! And have fun on that epic honeymoon! Today is also Leigh's dads birthday! Happy birthday Ross! We're so happy to have you in our lives and so blessed that our little boys get to know you! We hope this year continues to bring you more joy and happiness! We all love you deeply! And lastly - our boys are 5 months today! Wh...

I have come across people in the world who like to turn a dark day into a sunshiny one. These are the kind of people that are nice to surround yourself with. They are the glass half-full kind of people, the positive thinkers, the people who look on the bright side of life. Do you think these kind of people have bad days? Of course they do! In a world with a lot of hardship and hate, I don't think anyone escapes that! I think it's beneficial not only to others but to yourself to try and be a positive uplifting person. This doesn't mean you can't be true to yourself, or that you have to have fake emotions. But sometimes I wonder if we waste too much of our time being frustrated or angry rather than embracing what life is throwing at you. So many people have SO MUCH baggage - present company included! We have all been hurt before. It is awful and it will probably happen again. But what can we do to look past it? What can we do to overcome? How can we make eve...

Matthew 6:27 " Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"... ... 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." This is a good reminder. I often forget that worrying doesn't do any good at all. Jesus is specific here in saying he would provide your "needs", not necessarily your wants or wish lists. But as far as just plain ol' worrying - I am good at it. I love to plan and be prepared. When I am not able to do this, it stresses me out. There was a time in my life where worry and anxiety took over my life. It was partially out of my control but I learn...

Okay, I'm a winner at this one! When it comes to keeping my mouth shut, it's not easy for sure! I've worked on this area before, many times. Like many, many times!! And I'm still learning!!! STILL!!! I wonder why it's so hard for me to learn this lesson? I think partially because we are social creatures and especially as a female, relationships are so yummy to talk about. The harm comes when we begin to say nasty things about another human being. I used to think it wasn't that BIG of a deal until God called me on it. It's not just the really nasty things, it's the juicy things or the "I'm-better-than-them" comments that we might say. Research shows that most people do this because there is some sort of failing or underlying self worth issue that we're wrestling with. We try to make ourselves feel better by cutting others down. Think about it. Isn't there some sort of pleasure in unloading about someone else to another fr...

What was your favourite book as a kid? A favourite book/story can tell a lot about a person. Today, unfortunately, reading is becoming less "popular". Especially nowadays with computers, and TV's and smart phones taking up so much of our time! I know we do some reading on these screens, but there's something special about curling up in a corner with a book that takes you on a journey to someplace amazing. One of my favourite books as a child was "What's For Lunch Charley" by Margaret Hodges. There was nothing fanciful about the book, but I remember I loved reading it. I was really drawn in by the style of writing and read it over and over in my bedroom. It's about a little boy who goes to school and has the same plain and boring lunch every day. There is a girl he goes to school with named Rosabelle who has a very fancy lunch every day, that he admires. One day Charley forgets his lunch and Rosabelle won't share her extravagant lunch -...

Our small-group is studying Frances Chan's book "Crazy Love". I love it. I love what he has to say, and I love how he says it. He writes confronting lines like: "I think it's far too easy to blame the American church without acknowledging that we are each part of the church and therefore responsible" (pg 19) "We need to stop giving people excuses not to believe in God. You've probably heard the expression, 'I believe in God, just not organized religion.' I don't think people would say that if the church truly lived like we are called to live." (pg 21-22) "As much as we want God to explain Himself to us, His creation, we are in no place to demand that He give an account to us." "I sometimes struggle with how to properly respond to God's magnitude in a world bent on ignoring or merely tolerating Him. But know this: God will not be tolerated. He instructs us to worship and fear Him". (Pg 28) "How is ...

I think one of the traits I learned from my mom was not to hang onto "stuff". We definitely have sentimental items that we keep as heirlooms, and photos for memories, etc. but as far as clothing and trinkets, and do-dads and what-cha-ma-call-its, I learned the value of decluttering from mom at an early age, and I actually enjoy doing it. I often look around my house and think - "Wow! where did all this stuff come from?" And I almost feel anxiety rising up in me the moment it starts to get out of hand. There are a lot of books out there that can help you on your way if you don't know how to get started. For me, I tend to attack it in this order. CLEANING 1-2-3 1 - Almost every night before bed, I walk around the house first getting rid of garbage and recycling that take up extra space. These are items like opened envelopes, empty beer cans, opened packets, tissues, etc. that have piled up throughout the day. Since it's daily it doesn't take too l...