She's Mine!

"Now, this is what the LORD says... 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine'"

(Isaiah 43:1).

They colour together at the little table at the Ontario Early Years Center.  The mom asks how old she is, and then hesitantly (but kindly) asks, "Is she yours"?  My face beams with happiness and my heart explodes with joy as I respond with a huge smile, "Yes, she's mine!"

This is the first time that someone has asked me that specific question.  I was filled with honour and joy and as I proudly answered that she is mine.  It's my prayer that as God looks at me, His child, that He will be pleased and proudly say, "She is mine."

One Thousand Gifts (con't)

1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. 3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:7 all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field,8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

This was the Bible passage that was read last night at our special Friendship service. Our pastor reminded us how valuable we are in God's eyes and how loved we are. He made us "a little lower than the heavenly beings". We can be truly in awe of the amazing universe that God has made, but he loves us more than anything that He has made! That is something to be in awe of! I give thanks for ...
#2574-#2589
-their heartfelt smiles
-their childlike faith
-their sincere singing
-so valued and loved by my Heavenly Father
-going out together as a family
-shipping season beginning
-teachers as dinner guests (and children on their best behaviour!)
-our Christian school teachers
-fellowship and playing ball with my woman's volleyball team
-fellowship and long conversations after volleyball
-things coming to an end
-tea with a long time friend
-tea with a sister-in-law


-my goofy girl (s)

-tolerant pets (most of the time)


-traits from her father

One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me..." (Psalm 86:12-13)

We're not sick of concerts yet! This was our third one within three weekends! We had an amazing night of worship and praise this past weekend as we sang praises to our heavenly Father with the talented artists, Paul Baloche and Phil Wickham. It always feel like a foretaste of heaven when I am with hundreds of other Christians giving praises to our Lord and worshiping His name!

"Your Name" by Paul Baloche

As morning dawns and evening fades
You inspire songs of praise
That rise from earth to touch Your heart and glorify Your Name

CHORUS
Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
'Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your Name

Jesus, in Your Name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today
Lord, give us strength to live for You and glorify Your Name
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/p/paul_baloche/your_name.html ]
CHORUS
Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
'Cause nothing has the power to save but Your Name

INSTRUMENTAL

CHORUS
Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
(1st & 2nd endings)
'Cause nothing has the power to save but

(Repeat Chorus)
(3rd ending)
'Cause nothing has the power to save but Your Name
(Repeat)

Continuing to give thanks...
#2551- #2573
-Phil Wickham's gifts and talents with the guitar and leading worship

-praise and worship with Paul Boloche and Phil Wickham

-His name!
-that He is my refuge and a strong tower!
-lifting praises to our Lord with hundreds of other fellow believers
-having a date night with my hubby (my Valentine gift from 2 months ago)!
-GEMS Sunday the encouraging theme: seek wisdom- go beyond the goal!
-refreshing time of prayer
-hubby picking up the children from school
-Curtis looking for ways to make new inventions/creations
-carrying his clip board outside
-giving a tour of the greenhouse

-a very helpful brother
-finding the lid!

-celebrating his birthday

-adorable sisters
-fun fellowship at my niece's bridal shower
-upcoming weddings

-her dining location choices

-bouncing, bouncing and more bouncing

-having fun with balls


-buds on the trees- the leaves are coming!


-a gift of thanks from our girls' club

Happy 12th!

"Choose life, so that you and your children may live.... For the LORD is your life, and He will give you many years in the land He swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" (Deuteronomy #0:19-20).

He smiles shyly as his cousins and aunts and uncles sing the birthday song to him. He doesn't like being the center of attention. He is humble. He is kind. He is forgiving. He is friendly and polite. He has a good sense of humour. He loves sports and the outdoors. He is a GREAT big brother (most of the time)! He's our son, and we are thankful beyond words that God has entrusted him into our care for the last 12 years and we pray that we will be able to be parents to him for MANY many more years!

-his new hat -a gift from a surprise visit from an old friend!

-his choice of dining

-our birthday boy had a great day and hopes to have more fun with two of his friends this coming weekend!
Happy Birthday, Jess. We love you!

One Thousand Gifts (con't)

"He is not here; He has risen, just as He said"
(Matthew 28:6).

"Christ is risen!"
"He is risen indeed!"
This was the "Paschal" greeting that was custom among the Orthodox Christians. The word "Paschal" refers to the Passover- Jesus is the new Passover Lamb, who sacrificed His life to save us from sin and rose again to defeat death! (from Dive Year 1, Unit4 www.dwellcurriculum.org)

Continuing to give thanks...
#2535-#2550

-sin and death have been conquered
-Jesus won for us a new life
-we are guaranteed a glorious resurrection and life with Him
-celebrating Easter with extended family- a house full!
-celebrating new life in Christ as we witnessed the baptism and profession of faith of two brothers in our Lord Jesus
-family reading time
-Jesse's surprise visit from an old friend
-celebrating Jesse's 12th birthday together as a family
-celebrating 12 years of our son's life and the gift that he is to us

-our window of gratitude is growing

-brother and sisters singing so wonderfully together

-an uplifting and inspiring concert (www.thecollingsworthfamily.com)

-incredibly talented young musicians

-beautiful music
-a church packed with fellow believers and worshipers



-reliving Nicole's youth (feeding her toys) -Deborah's in love with walruses

One Thousand Gifts (con't)

"The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: He is good; His love endures forever"
(2 Chronicles 5:13).

The lights grow dimmer.
The audience begins to cheer... and three incredibly talented musicians enter the auditorium.
I clap and cheer.
The day has finally arrived!
I smile from ear to ear.
Praises to God fill the room. His presence is oh so evident.
Tears are shed.
Laughter is heard.
Joy fills the hearts.
We worship together and praise His holy name!
"He is good and His love endures forever"

Continuing to give thanks...
#2503-#2534

-over 500 people giving praises to our heavenly Father with the dove-award winning artists, Selah

-driving to Buffalo with Selah and making a "must stop" at Tim Horton's
-safe travels


-road manager's first time at Tim Horton's

-3 beautiful, wonderful Christian people that we had the honour of meeting

-sharing their testimonies as well has their musical talents

-all the technical things fell nicely into place
-the road manager providentially was called on his stand by flight to Buffalo

-an amazing, successful, inspirational, uplifting concert

-Christian music
-the privilege of listening to their music LIVE!

-our two errand runners for the day

-my brother- a great sport, being randomly chosen with two others to sing on stage with Selah

-ministering others with their stories and singing

-phenomenal piano player with a contagious smile and very friendly personality

-a passionate, talented singer
-his kindness and sincerity

-a powerful, amazing voice
-a beautiful woman, with an inspiring testimony
-her humour and honesty

-having lunch and dinner with Selah
-having personal conversations
-0ver 10 children sponsored through Compassion
-Jacob Moon's ministry and musical talent
-my sister completing last minute details for me
-lunch date with my sister, celebrating her birthday
-visits with friends and playmates for Deborah
-Deborah excitedly waiting for her guests to arrive
-a daughter who shares our passion for Christian music and concerts
-kind bus drivers
-visiting the elderly
-sharing a surprise Tim's treat with my hubby on the back deck