Words To Live By: Ephesians 3:20 (MSG)

Came across this truth nugget in my readings today.
Wrote it down to stick on the fridge.
Thought I'd share it here too....

God can do anything, you know—
far more than you could ever 
imagine 
     or guess 
          or request 
in your wildest dreams! 


He does it 
not by pushing us around 
but 
by working within us, 
his Spirit deeply 
and gently 
within us.


~ Ephesians 3:20


Amen.

Bumper sticker moments

It's the oddest things, sometimes, that will have me burst out laughing.
Out loud.
By myself :).

Like the other day, when I was scurrying around our living area, trying to balance supper prep, the last round of diaper changes until bedtime, tidying a few toys up so that there was space to walk, letting the dog out, and then back in, and then possibly out and back in again ;). Little M was likely asking me to look at something, quite possibly a dance routine because we're really sorta into that thing around here these days. Sweet K was likely chasing Wee One around and around and Wee One was likely lookin' for the next climbing adventure. Because that's what she likes to do. A lot. Nothing is off limits.

Anyway. I probably also had the radio going, because I am a sucker for lots of noise, and hoping for some heartfelt inspiration to get through until the end of the day. Jon was going to walk in the door any minute.

It was life in its chaotic loveliness and I just couldn't help but LAUGH as I thought of a bumper sticker my mom said her college friend used to have on the back of her little car....

Or, in that year after Sweet K was born, and there were so many doctor appointments. Packing up two small kids, heading down town, on winter roads, was a bit of a challenge, particularly when all I wanted was to be at home, where things felt safe and secure. There were a lot of tears and much anxiety.

I was off to one of those appointments. Hadn't given myself time to spare (of course!) and then ---- serious traffic issues. Like C'MON people! Don't ya'll have JOBS during this time of the morning!? We can't ALL be rushing off to the same hospital at the same time!!

Anxiety, by this point, was ringing some serious alarm bells.
Breathing was an issue (do not hyperventilate do not hyperventilate do not....) and I began talking to myself.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see this bumper sticker....

In spite of myself, I burst out laughing.
Sort of. In a tense sorta kinda way.
"AHHHH. Jesus wouldn't have left 10 minutes late!!!" I said out loud :).

May you find much laughter today, smack in the midst of life, with all its mayhem and surprise!

Stay ... stay ... stay... stay.... stayin' alive!!

If you were to ask me how teaching-at-home is going, I'd give you rave reviews!!
I think we're into a rhythm that is working well for us.
Ohhhh, we have our moments, but all in all I think it's going well.
What a gift to embark on such an adventure at this time.

HOWEVER.
Yes. There is a BUT.
Balancing schooling.... homework.... housework.... an occasional visit.... and personal refreshment is a challenge!
PHEW!
Until just recently, I felt myself simply shutting out many things that I've found enjoyable over the years.
Reading. Too much thinking at the end of a long day.
Writing. Mind is too mushy at the end of a day.
Crocheting. Focus is required and that is lacking at the end of a day ;)
Scrapbooking. That would mean that I would have to clear off the desk in the "Black Room" (a post for another day) and that is too much work at the end of a day
Blogging. Hmmm. That too requires thinking. And reading. And possibly writing. Issues all around at the end of a day!!!

I'd add exercise to the list, but **sigh** can't say I've added that to the "list of enjoyable activities" for quite some time ;). Maybe some day :)???

Admittedly, it has taken  me a while to find that transitional footing once again.
Creating room for things that bring a creative zest to life.
And I'm finding that some of what was once energizing has now changed.
An intriguing journey.
Finding balance at any stage of life is a challenge to be sure.
Yet it is coming and I find hope in the learning and letting go.
And in the mean time, finding ways to Stay Alive!!


If you need a chuckle, check out these fellows from the '70s. YIKES!!

The RIDE!

The Ride. Saturday, October 2.

It was a gorgeous, sunny morning.

The wind, a fierce competitor :).

However, our motley group assembled at the designated meeting space at a crisp 8am; personally I did have a cup of coffee in hand :).

We were excited and ready to get going!

In total, our team raised $5,205.00, 60% of which will go directly to CPC for doppler equipment and ultrasounds through Baby Moon. $3,123 can go a long long way (and save a lot of lives, too!).

The Winnipeg Ride itself brought in over $62,000!! 

While I pedaled my humble little bicycle, borrowed helmet and all, I thought about a few things...

1. How goodgoodgoodgood it felt to be out first thing in the morning (yes, brisk wind and all!), with the sun shining and the blood pumping. When working at camp one summer, I discovered the beauty of the early morning. I've been hooked ever since! I was thankful to be able to enjoy it outside :). I drove through as many crunchy leaf piles as I could. Sheer delight!! Once a kid, always a kid!!

2. Lately, Jon & I have been hedging around the topic of finding a different home --- not a different community, but a different home. Not any time soon, though before our Wee One needs a bedroom (right now she camps out in the living room in her play pen!!!). I'm thinking --- nope --- love it right where I am. I'm sure there are accommodations we could make. But such talk has gotten me thinking about how dreadful, how utterly awful, it would be to be displaced. Wandering. Invaded. Exiled. Shunned. Some of the money raised in this ride will go to help people who live and breathe that reality.

3. As much as I love my little family (and I thoroughly adore each and every one of them), I thought about how good it felt to have a wee break. And then I thought of the moms, particularly the single moms, who do not have that luxury. Who slug through the ups and downs of parenting, day in, day out. Alone. A lot of money we raised will go to help support moms who desperately need a kind word, a shoulder to lean on, a place to have their voice heard. 

A place to tell their story. 

A place to begin a new one.

On the iPod that morning....

Let God Arise, Chris Tomlin

Here Is Our King, David Crowder Band

Everlasting God, Chris Tomlin

O Praise Him, David Crowder Band

Bubbly, Colbie Caillat

Smile, Uncle Kracker

Our Team Troopers!! 6-year-olds with a heart to make a difference!!

The end of the ride came way to soon, a mere 35 minutes later. 

Next year, I'd love to try the 25km. 

Just to see what happens :).

However, the ending was really only the beginning. 

Awareness is one thing; what you do with it altogether another.

** Special thanks to my sweet friend Ruth and her husband Brian for the pics :). They are both fabulous shutterbugs!!!

On the iPod: Let God Arise, Chris Tomlin

I bought this song off of iTunes the other day.
I cannot listen to it and NOT do something!
The other day, no kidding, I went for a walk and ended up RUNNING from our home to the other end of town!!
And I am in. no. way. a runner.
Never have been.
Never will be.
But, somehow, this song just calls for a response!!



Hear the holy roar of God resound
Watch the waters part before us now
Come and see what He has done for us
Tell the world of His great love
---
His enemies will run for sure
The church will stand, she will endure
He holds the keys of life, our Lord
Death has no sting, no final word
Let God ARISE!!

Hello friends!

Only FIFTEEN more sleeps until I get the privilege of participating in the Ride for Refuge :).

In case you're wondering.... 

1. 40% of the funds raised will go towards Ride for Refuge.

What does that mean?

It means the money will from this portion will go to fund projects that deal specifically with:

Relief & Aid: Direct aid for catastrophe, war and oppression

Development & Reconstruction: Direct or third-party NGO support for development and reconstruction initiatives including microfinance and sustainable funding

Food & Water: Programs supporting nutrition, food banks, missions and accessible water

Shelter & Housing: Any shelter whether temporary, permanent, or expansion

Medial & Dental: Treatment, follow-up care including HIV, pediatrics, pain management and all necessary supplies

Education & Tuition: Job skills, trades, ESL, career, tuition support and Biblical curriculum and training

Settlement & Acclimation: New arrival support, training and financial aid

Counsel & Legal: Spiritual counseling, development, discipleship, care for post-traumatic stress syndrome, and immigration and refugee claim legal counsel

for the specifics on how the money is distributed, please check out the website at: http://www.rideforrefuge.org/canada

2. 60% of the funds raised will go towards the Winnipeg Crisis Pregnancy Centre.

Juergen Severloh, the executive director at WCPC, has (with hearty hope and enthusiasm!!) indicated that any money we raise from this cyclothon will go to purchasing doplar machine (or two or three!!).

What does a doplar do? 

Think first stages of pregnancy.

Listening for that first magical heartbeat.

For some, this is the first real connection that they have with understanding that their baby is a real live being.

It may be the only bond they create with their unborn child.

It may save the life of a newborn baby.

It may also save the life of a mother who will not have to live with the life-long ramifications of abortion.

Any extra money not used to purchase doplar equipment will go to funding ultrasounds through Baby Moon.

In order to split the raised money between RFR and CPC, we need a minimum of $2000 for our team.

Check out  my team page for more details, to see where we're at, or to donate a little to a GREAT cause!!

A story to tell...

Once upon a time there were three little girls....

Who LOVED to play dress up!!

For the past several weeks, Sweet K has been walking around declaring I DA KING!! 
She often has a blanket tied around her little shoulders :).

The oldest gal was looking forward to taking dancing lessons with her pretty new dancing dress.

The middle gal wanted one too .... only it took her mama a long long while to find out what her precious little heart desired.

Many different articles of clothing were offered, but none of them were perfect --- what she wanted in her heart of hearts was a dancing dress of her very OWN.

The first day of ballet class arrived. The oldest gal got all dolled up.

Finally FINALLY it dawned on mama to pull out a smaller costume, smaller slippers --- and there was instant bliss.

And suddenly, TWO ballerinas!!

Now, only the oldest daughter is ready for formal lessons, but the middle daughter watches in awe --- yes, still wearing her adorable costume, SHOES AND ALL --- (running back to mama every so often for hugs and gentle reassurances) and maybe some day will be ready for her own turn.

Until then, we'll all work on those lady-like skills ;).

Oh yes. This story had THREE girls.

Here is the third sweetness herself.

Never to be outdone.

She could run circles around us all!!!

PS - we got quite a few smiles as I took my ballerinas to Bigway to buy milk after dance class!!