Spring Break 2013.

Spring Break. Finally. When time is unscheduled, and it seems like we have all the time in the world to do whatever we wish. In reality, not quite, but the Break means we have free time to...

BAKE SOME OLD COUNTRY EATS...

 

SPOIL YOUR CANADIAN NIECE...

 

ENJOY SOME LAUGHS WITH OLD FRIENDS...

HUG THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BRIDE OF THE YEAR...

and WATCH THE SUNSET AT WHITEROCK BEACH.

Now school is in again this week, so it's back to tempo pace. Bah.

Loving and Praying.

The deluge of busyness has gotten the better of me lately.

But today I blog.
And you never know, maybe I'll get right back on track with this whole bloggin' thing.

If you're like me, you'll have met people in your life who are hard to love. Maybe they just have an oppositional personality type... maybe they're plain old proud and obstinate. Maybe some have even publicly voiced their dislike for you, and have backed it up with hurtful actions. It's upsetting and awkward. And human nature screams for an intervention, an uprising, some sort of retaliation.

I'm no perfectionist when in a situation like this. I confess that I have struggled daily with the challenge in Luke 6, reminding me to, without excuse, love and pray for my enemies.

This morning I was supervising at Recess when I encountered a little guy sitting at his desk, quietly reading his Action Bible. He's the sweetest little person ever. Seriously. I hunkered down beside him, and gently asked him what he was reading about.

"Gideon," he replied. "And do you know what he's doing? He's trying to hide from his enemies!"

Enemies. Gulp. I think I may have accumulated a few of those in my lifetime.

So we talked about Gideon for a little bit, how he was just a farmer, but God chose him to be His leader and to do an amazing work for Him. Then my little friend said,

"Mrs W, do you know what's the hardest, hardest thing?"
"Um, no," I said. "What's that?"
"It's when the Bible tells you to love your enemies. That's the hardest thing."

Oh boy. Out of the mouths of babes. His words rocked me. To love my enemies is indeed a very difficult thing to do. But God demands it of me.

However a closer look at Luke 6 will show that there's more required than just loving them. I am also expected to "do good to those who hate you". Whoa. That means I can't get away with saying I love them. I have to actually show my love by being kind and doing good to them. Then... I must expect nothing in return. No thanks, no sorrys... no nothing. And then... if I think I've accomplished all of that, there is still one more thing. Pray for them.

Love.
Do good.
Expect nothing.
Pray.

My little Grade 3 friend thinks its the hardest thing to do. I have to agree.

The Lord loved those who hated Him.
He was kind to those who cursed Him.
He expected nothing because mankind had nothing to give.
He prayed for those who crucified Him.

So, I will humbly choose to love and pray for any who despise me. For His sake.

Fare Thee Well, Twenty Twelve.

Oh the excuses I have for neglecting to post for months. A mighty multitude of them. But it's still a fact that I've been a failure to all you faithful followers. Hence, with a stricken conscience, I will conclude 2012 with a final post, and a good old-fashioned resolution to be regular blogger in 2013. Yup.

So... since school began, way back in September, here's a condensed list of 10 family events:

1. In October, we entertained some very nice Irish folks. Ach, they're lovely now, aren't they. They were. Such a treat to host. Sure hope they will come and visit us again some time.

2. Had a delightful Fall season. Warm and sunny. Lots of after-school days frolicking in the leaf piles.

3. Miss Bella lives on. And is loved. Still.

4. Halloween was once again a costume party at our house. Mainly because, it seems, if you dress up like a hooligan and go public, you manage to acquire monstrous amounts of candy. Imagine.

5. A Pro-D day was devoted to manufacturing shoe cupcakes. Miss Lannie being the push behind that idea. Turned out to be an all-day bonding experience. And a very messy kitchen. But fun, nonetheless.

6. We seemed to march right through November with much ado about nothing. An old friend paid a visit, all the way from her coast to our coast. So great to see you, Cathie! But there is no digital documentation of that particular event, or any other during the thirty days that have November. Oops.

7. Second week of December, our Nicaraguan grandbaby, Annalise, made her debut on Canadian turf. What a beautiful, little, blue-eyed dollie she is! This Nana l.o.v.e.s her!

 

8. Our first snowfall of winter happened December 18th. Six inches of white stuff was plenty to build a backyard Frosty and forge out a street slide in the neighbourhood. And in Vancouver, it's also apparently enough to warrant a Snow Day from school. Girls were thrilled and spent the entire day outside. Inside was Three's Company - me, the coffee pot and the fireplace.

9. Christmas morning was an early one... the tired and weary parents being awoken abruptly by the loud and unruly children.

Stoked with some new toys. And also sheer disbelief at the fact of being gifted iPod Touches.

10. The day's festivities continued with the rest of the family. And the roasted fowl.

And a papparazzi session with the latest and greatest.

Never too young for a good old heart-to-heart with your bestie.

School's In.

We are back to classes in full force. Early mornings, bagged lunches, agendas and homework.



Here's the traditional annual school pose on the front lawn.

First week of school.

Hello Grade 5 and 6.

Seriously? I now have one in Middle School. And she's almost as tall as me.

Not quite as smart, yet though.

Even though she thinks she is.

And here's a similar pose... back in good, old days of Kindergarten and Grade 1.

Oh they were cute back then. Weren't they?

Looks like I even had the time to do their hair up in neat little braids and pony tails.

Actually, I still have the time.

Now they're just adamant about doing their own.

Growing concerns, they are.

 

WE in WA.

Spent the last three days in small town America. Annual Labour Day Bible Conference. Met some new friends. Reminisced with old ones.

And ate. Seemed a large part of the weekend was spent doing just that.

Besties. Growing up fast.

Friday was a good day for the great outdoors. So we hiked the trail to the Ice Caves.

Very cool. Literally.

Mountain waterfalls and warm winds hollow out holes in the avalanched snow to form the caves. We took care to heed the warning signs and refrained from venturing inside. It was freezing cold right at the mouth, so the idea of going beyond wasn't terribly enticing anyway.



 

The scenery was astounding... made me think of this song we often sing...

 

"Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy hands have made."

 

Back at our at our bed and breakfast facilities, there was plenty of noise due to the extended group of young people joining our ranks. Here are the youngest... and by far the cutest, hands down.

The group of seventeen... ranging in age from 3 to 15.

Oh the stories there will be to tell in a few years!

 A few of the dressed-up and attractive-looking conference crowd we bonded with during the breaks.

Now school is calling. School year 2012-13. Which means Grades 6 and 5 for us. Unbelievable. Still tryin' to get back into the routine of those early morning risings.

And honestly, not likin' it too much.

End of Summer.

They've recently been telling me they're bored. Sure sign that school needs to get back in session, so we can ban these flourishing doldrums.

My first response to their grumbling was to quickly engage them in a household chore. Aha. Goes without sayin' that they didn't much like that idea. So now they're decidedly avoiding any menial tasks by being a little more creative.

Still complainin' tho.

The dilapidated swing set has been converted to a gymnastics bar, of sorts. For the sole purpose of emulating the twists and turns of some recent Olympians. And practice those chin-ups.

When the bars are put to rest, Miss Bella is kidnapped and costumed in the Build-a-Bear outfits from a time long-ago. Not so sure that she's thrilled with the whole idea.

At least she should be thankful they're not making her wear those dorky wide-fitting shoes.

Then there's the neighbours. They are regulars. During the summer, it's either all been going on at their place, or ours.

Productions and routines are often accompanied by loud, blaring music. Not for the faint-hearted, but free of charge to anyone wishing to be entertained.

And even if you don't wish to be entertained, you are still mandated to attend all performances.

Thanks, neighbour, for your commitment to digitally capturing most of these childhood moments. I love that my girls can grow up with your lovely girls, being best friends together. Best friends, despite the odd conflict. Amusing for us, isn't it? And it builds character, it does. Builds character.

The novelty of Auntihood continues to amuse.

 

Baby Engelina is three weeks old already. Doesn't she look peaceful and calm? Apparently she has moments like these from time to time. Those proud Aunties must have the touch!

Volcano @VBS.

God's Amazing Power is our theme for VBS 2012.

This morning, Day Two, we introduced the Paricutin Volcano in Mexico, and in this natural wonder we spoke of God's power over nature.

Which was followed by the Bible lesson about Daniel in the lions' den. God demonstrating His power when He shut the mouths of the lions so that no harm came to Daniel.

How do you explain the stress within the earth's crust which induces the formation of magma and results in a volcanic eruption? Or have you ever known of anyone to spend a night with such fearsome beasts, yet escaped untouched?

So how can this be? The Bible leaves us in no doubt as to God's amazing power.

Jeremiah 51:15 - He hath made the earth by His power, He hath established the world by His wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by His understanding.

Lesson taught, we moved on to the activities. Where we served this little treat at the Snack Station.

Kids loved them. A cinch to make too. The old faithful Rice Krispie Squares recipe formed in a funnel, topped with a strawberry Twizzler.

And a little edible reminder of God's Amazing Power!