To All My Friends and Visitors

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A day to celebrate the gift that can never be matched. A day to reflect on what parts of our lives still need to be given to Him. A day to remind us what we should remember every day of the year.

P.S. Every year I wish I had put together a Christmas letter to send out (like the Parunak's, thank you) - ah, well, maybe next year!

Year End Summary

As Mary posted on last week's Show and Tell, testimonies should be easy to pull together when we are asked to do so. Generally, every Sunday evening our church has a personal testimony by someone - this past Sunday was my turn. I thought I would share the Top Ten list here:


Things I have learned (or am learning)...


#10. ...that my little blonde shadow (the Duck) recycles what she sees in me and sometimes it is really ugly! When I look at Matthew 19: 13 & 14, when Jesus is scolding the disciples for keeping the children away from him, I can't help but recognize that some of my sin can be passed onto my daughter and keep her from following Jesus freely. When I see my sarcasm or my bitter voice or my scowling look come from Duck - it breaks my heart to know that I put it there and I pray for my own self control for these areas;


#9. ...how much damage the feminist philosophy has done in my life. I continue to learn that there is so much more contentment in God's way, James 3: 17 & 18;


#8. ...that I am never going to run out of things my life that need change, Ephesians 4:28 (let her that nagged, nag no more - let her that criticized, criticize no more - let her that manipulated, manipulate no more - etc.)


#7. ...that the more I seek to change my life in ways that are made obvious to me in scripture, the more some people will disdain me, John 15: 18 & 19. There is another nurse that I work with who takes every opportunity to express her opinion of SAHMs whenever I am within ear shot. Specifically, "anyone who is employed should make themselves available to work at all times - to h*#! with your families". Yes, you read that right.


#6. ...that everywhere I go, I am being watched. The other end of the spectrum when I work outside the home is that some staff members are genuinely curious about the choices I have made for life. One woman (non-Christian), who is my partner at work 80% of the time will shoot odd questions at me, at odd times. One day out of the blue, she asked me "do you ever swear?" (nurses are worse than sailors). Another day, she started a conversation with, "so, I've started reading the Bible...", and has had several questions about the scriptures since that time. Thankfully, I have been able to answer her questions about scripture or with scripture, 1 Peter 3:15.


#5. ...that chocolate is not the answer to everything...a very sad revelation. When I read 1 Corinthians 10:31, I cannot honestly say that I eat for His glory. In fact, most of the time, I eat strictly for my own pleasure. Because of that choice, I wear my sin in the form of too much weight.


#4. ...that making my grocery list during Sunday morning sermon is probably not the best use of time. I have been examining how I spend my time each day and looking for areas for improvement, i.e. do I need to use the computer everyday?, what time do I need to start my day?, is Duck getting my full attention during school?, etc. Ephesians 5:16


#3. ...to talk less and listen more, EVEN WHEN I KNOW I'M RIGHT! That challenge is the strongest when applied to conversations with my husband - but I believe the Lord has held my tongue for me many times. Ephesian 4:29; Proverbs 10:19 - which leads into the next one.


#2. ...to let my husband make his own decisions. He may have things to learn, too, but he doesn't need me as his teacher. Proverbs 31 talks about a man who can "safely trust" in his wife. That means he can tell her his thoughts and plans and decisions without fear of criticism or complaints - I want my husband to have this security in me.
If we look at the qualifications of bishops and deacons in 1 Timothy 3, it can't be ignored that the wife's behaviour is also noted - why? Because if a man is going to be strong leader, his wife has to stay out of the way.


1. ...that I can open my bubble, even though I will be disappointed or hurt by those I let into my world. What brings me to this conclusion? John 14:27 and Psalms 62:5.

And how was your year?

The Eyes of Nine

This is very late, but it is posted with much love...

There's beauty in the eyes of nine,

The way they have a lovely shine.

But not just in how they appear,

With their blue/green sparkle so very clear.

The beauty comes from what they see,

It can be so different from you and me.

The interpretation of the world around,

Can be far better than those who surround.

Eyes of nine are still amazed,

With God's creation found these days.

They aren't blinded by the bitterness that comes with years,

Or distracted from the glory that is so clear.

The eyes of nine laugh without sound,

With a heart full of love for those around.

Such a blessing the gift of sight, this time

Looking through the eyes of nine.

Happy birthday to my little Duck, December 2, 1999

My wish for you - Psalm 27:14. Look it up!

Definately Winter

I realize Canada is known for the snow...but do we really have to live up to that reputation? These are shots around house from Wednesday's storm.

What do homeschool kids do for snow days? Get started on the annual snow fort, of course. Why should public school kids be the only ones to get the day off?

It may look like it took awhile to find the car, but that's all part of the fun!

This is the view looking down the hill from our driveway. You will notice their aren't too many people who attempt to drive in this weather even after the plow has been by the street. The stop sign before the green house is the challenge for the season. And how is your weather?

For more Show and Tell, go see Mary.

What Was I Thinking?

When I was making the transition from full time, oustide-the-home employment to being full time in the home, I had some strange thinking patterns.

a) I used to think it would be great to sleep in whenever I wanted. Now when I do choose to sleep past 8:30 a.m., I pay for it all day long playing catch up,

b) I used to think, "what will I do with all my time?". Now I look at the clock at 3 p.m. and wonder where the time went,

c) I used to think my husband would never be able to handle all the responsibilities afforded to him as the head of the house. Now I praise him for his accomplishment and give thanks that he is willing and capable to do it,

d) I used to think that boredom would be a problem for me as a SAHM. Now I covet moments where I can 'do nothing', even for a few minutes.

e) I used to think I would appreciate still having a part time job outside of the home to get away. Now I find any amount of time spent working outside of my home is inconvenient and interfers with the routine and organization of my home,

f) I used to think that my executive experience would lead me to be efficient, organized and on top of all my home and school plans. Now I know I can't treat my husband and daughter like my employees and I need to be more flexible with my plans,

g) I used to think that 'housewives' must have limited intelligence. Now I struggle with fixing kitchen appliances, grade 4 math, and cooking a turkey safely - never mind remembering to get the garbage out to the curb on time,

h) I used to think I had everything figured out to be a success as a SAHM. Now I know I will never know it all, there will always be something more to learn and improve on within myself.

i) I used to think that if being a SAHM became unbearable, I always had a career to fall back on. Now I know my life as a SAHM will be what I make out of it - and I take that challenge to build my home very seriously.

For those who are just coming home full time, or those who have been there for awhile, I hope you share in the desire to persevere, to learn and to grow as wives, moms and women.

So teach us to number our days that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.

Proverbs 90:12