One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"Each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him" (1 Corinthians 7:17).

I forgot to put it on the calendar.
Do I drive to school, or not?

I was trying to find the blessings and gratitude in my morning dilemma as "we" (my daughter) completely forgot about her project that was due today. Good thing she had worked on it last week! I quickly printed off some pictures, gathered all her supplies and dropped it off at school. My frustrations turned into smiles, as my daughter blushed and said, "Thanks, Mom".


my list of gratitude continues...
#1353-#1371

-smiles and words of gratitude from my daughter
-quick tickles from Curtis to Deborah as I peeked in on him at school
-a shy and embarrassed 10 year old as I wave to him in class
-Jesse had another good guitar lesson even though he was worried about it
-a sister to remind me of the things that I forget to put on my calendar
-examples of those who have it altogether when I certainly do not!

-snow blowing the ice rink (my mom called from her granny suite next door, "You have to take a picture of this!!")

-sale on Source yogurt (Nicole's favourite)

-Deborah exploring (everything goes in the mouth- even pom poms)!

-all packed up to fly down south

-giddy with excitement to get away for a month

-husband who so willingly drives his mother-in-law and her friend to the airport

-words of comfort

-God, our comforter and deliverer

-Jesus, our mediator

-meeting with fellow adoptive Mommies

-the excitement of meeting (online) another Mom who's baby was born in the same little village as Deborah!

-a successful court date after 9 court dates later for a fellow adoptive Mommy (here's praying for more successful court dates- go Liesl and Drew)!!

-severe storm watch and winter storm alert!! Bring on the snow!!

Promoted to Glory

"How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!" (Psalm 84:1)

"Promoted to Glory" - those were the words that the minister used yesterday as he used God's Word to comfort a church full of people mourning the loss of a dear husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, uncle, honorary uncle, and dear friend. We get pretty excited over a job promotion, but imagine being promoted to GLORY! There will be no more tears, no more death or mourning or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4).

As the family sat around their loved one's bedside and sang verse four of "It is Well With my Soul"-"And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul" the Lord answered their prayer and the angels carried their loved one to his eternal home.

I pray for comfort for the entire family and his many close friends. It's difficult to lose a loved one. Praise God for His Word and for the comfort that comes only from our Heavenly Father who loves us so much that His plans are to prosper us and not to harm us and that He will listen to us when we call upon Him and come and pray to Him (Jeremiah 29:11-12).

Uncle Joe leaves behind a legacy of deep love for his family, a love for music, strong faith in his Saviour, and a hearty laugh that will be remembered by anyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

I know my Dad is rejoicing as another one if his close friends has joined him in glory! We can only imagine what his promotion to glory is like.

"I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When your face is before me
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Halelluja,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when that day comes
And I find myself standing in the Son
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory,
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Halelluja,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine, yeah, yeah, yeah

Surrounded by your glory,
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Halelluja,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, yeah

I can only imagine, yeah, yeah
I can only imagine, Yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine, Ohh yeah
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when all I will do
is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine."

One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4).

I couldn't ask for anything more- I have so much to be thankful for...
#1324-#1352

-a proud grandmother wanting a picture with her grand daughter so badly

-lots of smiles for her grandmother

-the love of imaginative and independent play time

-love for electronics


-new milestones-standing on her own for a longer period of time
-a love to look outside the window



-super affectionate (and sometimes crazy) cat

-participating in traditional Ethiopian ceremonies

-beautiful/sweet university students

-meeting so many wonderful people (and sitting with wonderful friends) at an adoption picnic

-eager cupcake decorators

-adventurous girl

-a time for firsts- Jesse driving his uncle's snowmobile

-goofy girl

-celebrating 5 family birthdays

-getting together with family

-my e-mail program is working again!!!

-my computer guru husband

-working hard on homework

-sitting by the fire and having reading time

-a giddy mother planning her trip to Florida

-my 4 lovely, keen French students

-my Sunday School students

-God is in control
-Curtis feeling better

-P.D. day today

-fun, family outing today

-fresh air and rosy cheeks

-more Compassion children being sponsored - thank-you, Lord!

Deborah's photo-shoot

"O LORD, you are God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago."

(Isaiah 25:1)

We are so thankful for God's faithfulness as we celebrated Deborah's first birthday yesterday. Here are SOME of the MANY pictures taken by her Aunt Trish. Thanks, Trish!!

One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness"

(Isaiah 61:10).

We give much thanks to God that today we could celebrate our baby girl's first birthday! What a blessing she has been to us and we are so thankful for God's faithfulness and that He has brought her into our lives. She is a delight, and I am so honoured and thankful to God to be her Mom!

with much gratitude to God...
#1306- #1323

-our baby girl turns one today

-the joy Deborah brings into our lives

-excited children to celebrate their sister's birthday first thing in the morning. "I think I heard Deborah" and everyone ran to her room!!

-loving grandparents

-celebrating Deborah's birthday

-patient children as we had to wait almost 2 hours (at Swiss Chalet on a Monday night-who would have thought??)

-more pond hockey (this is for my blog friend down south)!

-safety for all the children skating, and that Paul's injury was minor!

-opportunity to teach winter enrichments

-camera crazy sister-in-law

-loud crunchy snow

-Curtis loving his first swimming lesson

-Jesse excited about another guitar lesson

-Nicole excited about her backpack project

-sweet notes and stories about their little sister

-Jesse leading his class with devotions

-Paul's help around the house

-sledding!

One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:5b-7).

Another funeral.
Another testimony of faith.
Another child of God going Home to meet his Creator and Father.


The pastor preached so beautifully from Philippians 4:5b-7 this morning at my uncle's funeral. My uncle was not anxious while living his life despite his various trials in life. He prayed faithfully and he definitely felt God's peace!

I am thankful for the peace that my uncle felt before going to his eternal home.

My list continues with #1292-1305

-my beautiful second cousins who spoke and sang so nicely
-being together with extended family
-baby steps towards relational healing and restoration
-wonderful pastors in our local community
-peace
-beautiful hymns

-jogging strollers

-plastic stroller covers

-getting together with other adoptive families

-celebrating Ethiopian Christmas with friends

-staying active in the winter

-Curtis eager to do his homework

-Jesse's enthusiasm after his first guitar lesson

-Nicole playing so nicely with her siblings

Make the Most of the New Year

http://http//www.christianbook.com/make-the-most-of-new-year/9781602608320/pd/608324?item_code=WW&netp_id=790011&event=ESRCN&view=detailsAlthough I am staying away from the traditional New Year's resolutions, it is my constant desire and goal to draw nearer to my heavenly Father. However, I fall so short of doing that so often. I am hoping with a little help from this book, that I will be able to do that a bit better (I also started the daily Bible reading plan suggested by our Pastor).

Today's challenge is: "I will be bold and stand up for my faith." Joshua 1:9 says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Today I had the honour of attending a funeral of one of my mom's friends from our church. Her life was truly a testimony of her faith. She stood up for her faith and has left this legacy with her 34 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 6 children.

It is my prayer that God will give me guidance and strength to be more bold in my walk with Him.

One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"I will sing of the LORD"s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself" (Psalm 89:1-2).

A new year...
ringing in so many blessings already!
My list of thanks continues...
#1278-1291

-cozy, warm electric blanket

-skating under the lights

-pond hockey


-a love for the game


-a willing helper

-playing games on New Year's Eve

-some very artistic children

-individual creativity

-buddies

-desire to match with her little sister

-ringing in the new year with my sister

-brother in laws that get a long so well

-our brave boy who lost his first tooth (although a little creeped out when he saw all the blood)

-2010 -a year to remember forever!!! God has blessed us in SO many ways and He has constantly shown His unfailing faithfulness.

"When It's All Been Said and Done"

"Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has comanded you..." (Deuteronomy 5:33a)

No New Year's resolutions.
No promises that I'm going to break.

Just a reflection on the past and a question for myself...Did I live my life for you?
As Don Moen writes in his song, "When It's All Been Said and Done", the Lord looks beyond our weaknesses, which I am so grateful for. I have many weaknesses, and I thank the Lord that His mercy is so great that He looks beyond my weaknesses and failures. Thank-you, Father.

When It's All Been Said and Done
by Don Moen

When it's all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth?
Did I live my life for you?

When it's all been said and done
All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I have done
For love's rewards
Will stand the test of time

Lord, your mercy is so great
That you look beyond our weakness
That you found purest gold in miry clay
Turning sinners into saints

I will always sing your praise
Here on earth and in heaven after
For you've joined me at my true home
When it's all been said and done
You're my life when life is gone...


When It's All Been Said and Done - sung so beautifully by Robin Mark