Flickers of Christmas

The flickering glow of the fireplace

dances around the room

and the wind whispers frosty carols 

flitting through bare, dark branches

furry slippers keep me warm

and safe

and so cozy

I wiggle my toes, close my eyes

and just let the Christmas air absorb, like the cold

into my bones

my nose

my smiling heart

Perfect blend of gingersnaps, broken pine needles

and vanilla 

the shock of fresh peeled orange

tickles my nose 

I sneeze into the softness of my creamy scarf

and I snuggle deeper into its caress

after tugging my woolly toque 

over my ears 

Amy, Michael and Kenny harmonize

saturating the air with nostalgic joy

the tea kettle whistles 

chocolate swirls and dissolves

rich and sweet

topped with melting whip

like the snow, so anticipated

I lift the curtain one time more

despite disappointment, smile

Mom's voice, soft like wax dripping

in smooth red trails down, down, down

flames testifying to Messiah's advent

glowing, one two three four

hope. peace. joy. love.

flickering together

Guest posting!!! Whaaaaat??

I know... I haven't blogged in forever. As usual... I'm disappointed in myself. You have no idea all the potential posts that have flitted through my mind and all the attempts I have even started. Buuuuut, it just hasn't happened.

HOWEVER

I am guest posting today over at Insight for Living's blog "LifeTrac"! I interned at Insight Canada and wrote a few posts for them, the first of which is up today. Head on over there and read it if you are interested; perhaps read a few more and explore their website.

Insight for Living Canada is an awesome ministry of Chuck Swindoll. The staff are an amazing group of people set on reaching people through the truth of God's Word. I encourage you to check them out. They have an American ministry as well for all my friends in the USA.

In the air

I have missed being here during the fall season. Truly. The colours, crunchy leaves, and rain - you just don't get those in Wyoming where I have been for the past two autumns. I finally got some time today to go out and enjoy one of these rare sunny November days we've been having.

It was just cold enough to drive my hands into my pockets and the wind made me shiver once or twice as I walked through the park in my sweater. I'm looking forward to toque, scarf, and mitten weather. And I think it's coming soon my friends! The snappy cold air lingered all day even as the sun tried to generate some warmth. There is nothing quite like that smell of winter eh? 

And winter IS coming. The world outside is getting duller by the day as the leaves lose their bright lustrous colours. I was glad to catch those that are still lingering. 

Red is in this year and I'm loving it. 

Change is in the air. 

Ready. Set. 

Go. 

Carving out time

So. Halloween is tomorrow.  

Costumes. 

Candy. 

Ghosts.

Leaves.

Darkness.

Fireworks.

Pumpkins. 

Did you say pumpkins? I love pumpkins. I like their cheery orange colour; I like their different shapes and sizes; I like their prickly stems and their earthy pumpkin smell. 

I like carving pumpkins. There is nothing quite like the orange, squishy, seed-filled guts of a good pumpkin. This year Janelle and I carved a rather delightful image of Wall-E into our chosen specimen, with the help of our little nephew.

What a joy it is to embrace the little traditions of fall. To spend time scraping out the inside of a fruit or telling a 2-year old a story about a robot. Time. What a gift. Autumn is one of the seasons that really shows me how fast time goes. 

Change is so visible in this season. Leaves change colours. The wind strips them from the trees. The clouds become constant companions. The sun comes up later and sets sooner. It's around this time of year we start saying, "I can't believe it's almost Christmas! Where did the time go!"

And yet, as time flies by us, we are still blessed with little moments whether it be pumpkin carving, crunching through leaves on a walk, watching fireworks or starting up the first fire of the season. 

"Life Means so Much" as Chris Rice puts it. Are we missing out on the gift?

The Genius of Ancient Man is here!

Hey all! You will recall, if you have been a long time reader of my blog, that I was in Wyoming for 6 months working on a book with Pastor Don and a team from JHBC. (read posts about the project here, here, here, and here) Well...after over 2 years of research and another year of writing and editing, the book is done! If you would like to see the finished product, look it up at Amazon.com or check out this link from Answers in Genesis! There is a short promo video on the right hand side that is pretty fun.

So blown away by what God is already doing with this book and excited to see it for myself! Thank you for your prayers and support!

Too blessed

A week ago I told you all of my upcoming adventure: my fears, my prayers, my confidence in God. I thought I would update you on how He has truly blessed me this week.

I am thoroughly enjoying my course! I am learning so much, far more than I really thought I would in just a few days. Truly these professors know how to pack loads of information in just a short period of time.

I get up each day around 6 and I am headed out by 6:40 to the train. My journey continues to the busy Waterfront station. The masses of people the disembark from the transit move like a never-ending, unstoppable force. One little face in the crowd; I feel small and yet part of something bigger. Footsteps from shiny heels, scuffed sneakers, and polished leather soles join together in the muffled cacophony of noise, nearly overwhelmed by the train whistles, cellphone talkers, car engines and horns of the great city.

Up the block to the university I go and then up the escalator to my class where I am met with the smiles and greetings of now familiar faces. I know that God hand-picked my classmates. Each one of them with a unique story. I am intrigued by the truly different people He has brought together. Of course, none of my classmates would give God the credit for our new found acquaintance with one another but I know without a doubt that He has a purpose for each of us in this class together. I don't know what it is but I pray for courage each day to be His light in that place.

Six hours of class and an hour lunch break later I am back on the train and headed home. Exhausted and ready to relax, I instead work on assignments. My excitement to experiment with new knowledge and tools keeps weariness at bay until I can fall into bed.

I've watched with exasperation and yet a smile as my room slowly becomes more and more cluttered with news articles and brochures in addition to the general untidiness that I don't have time to combat. College life I suppose. I'm not too worried about it. How bad can it get in 5 weeks???

Suffice to say, my first week has been a delight - exhausting, stressful at times, but truly an exciting and enjoyable time. I am so very thankful that God lead me here and I cannot wait to see how He continues to work and teach me during this time. He truly has taken care of all the details.

As part of my course I am require to participate quite heavily in multiple social media platforms leaving me very little free time for this blog. I hope to keep it up, posting at least once a week. If you would like to follow my new blog, supposedly "professional," feel free. I'd love to have you stop by there or my new Facebook page. Personally, this blog will probably always be my favourite place to write. For here, I am truly myself.

Thanks for reading and spending a little time with me! Hope your week is filled with God's blessing as well.

Tomorrow...

Well I had grand intentions of writing a few more detailed blog posts about my trip this summer but time, it would appear, has gotten away from me. Perhaps I will yet come back to the topic but for now, I am about to embark on a whole new adventure.

A train.
A big city.
A fast paced intensive course.

New people.
New places.
New challenges.

I've been waiting anxiously for this day to arrive and now it is only hours away. I am taking my first big step towards a career in journalism... I am tempted to dissolve into tears of anxiety; to drown in the dread of the unknown. But...

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

I believe in God's promises. I can not thank Him enough for His provision and His peace and His protection. I am blessed beyond imagining. He has promised to guard my heart and mind in Christ and I believe He does and will continue to.

I know that He has lead me here. I know taking this course is my next step. Now I know I need to give God the little things that have me worrying. Because He is sovereign over them too!

I remember, on our trip this summer, being fascinated by the little things; the tiny details God has designed in creation. I marvel over the work of little caterpillars.

I stare in awe at the intricacy of a flower.

I study the tiny designs in the leaves.

God's glorious fingerprints are everywhere; the evidence of His care and precision and attention is all around me in the inanimate world. How much more will He give His care to the details of my life? Small things like getting a good sleep tonight, arriving at the train on time, finding parking, where I sit in class, who will sit beside me, who my professors are, and what they shall teach me...all this is in His hands and will follow according to His sovereign plan.

And so. Tomorrow is coming. No sense in worrying. I rest in Him. May His will be done, for His glory alone.

Would appreciate your prayers as I embark on this journey.

the spaces between

"I have an idea! Let's go to Disneyland this summer! We could go just before we drop Danae off at school in Wyoming! And oh! Let's throw in a trip to the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park and maybe Bryce Canyon too! About three weeks on the road sound good to everyone?"

Big ideas. It's kinda my thing. But even more than that...planning out the big ideas! 

Big enthusiasm. Also my thing...sometimes a little too much but these plans needed all they could get. 

Big places. Some new, some old. All full of happy memories.

Bryce Canyon

Disneyland, the "Happiest Place on Earth" was probably the ultimate highlight. Followed closely by the Grand Canyon and of course my beloved Wyoming. These delightful places, close to my heart, make me smile to think of them.

Grand Canyon National Park

Zion National Park

But I can't help but expound on the spaces in between. The little things that filled all the long hours. Things like singing in the car, starting each day with a rousing rendition of "Little GTO". Things like looking for natural gas stations, oh the places you'll go... or being always on the lookout for Starbucks, or gagging at the thought of eating even one more chicken wrap! Things like stepping out into the oven-like temperature of the Mojave desert and feeling your eyeballs shrivel or finding one hundred and one ways to get comfortable in the back seat of the truck with two other people. I've said it before, I'll say it again and again: it's the little things. Hours and hours of driving (big thanks to my dad who did the vast majority!!) were passed (mostly) pleasantly by our engaging discussions, silly antics, the occasional game (for Danae), dance sessions, audio books, chocolate, and much music. Oh how I love my family. How I am blessed by them every hour. How I thank God for them. Throw me in an RV with them for 3 weeks anytime.

For years we will wonder what ever convinced us this trip was a good idea. But for forever we will cherish the memories and be SO glad that whatever it was, it did it's job. 

I think I have really discovered through this trip that the "Happiest place on Earth" is wherever you want it to be. It's wherever you are, if you find joy in God's sovereign control over your life. Embrace the challenges, enjoy the joyous moments, wait on Him and trust in His will. That is a truly happy place.

a happy place

Summer Memories: August 8-11

The excitement began under sapphire blue skies and the brightest sunshine I've ever seen. How does one describe in mere words the magic of "the Happiest Place on Earth"? From the pavement beneath your dancing feet, to the flag topped spires of the castle, with all the music, rides and shows encompassed between, Disneyland embodies the childlike, limitless fascination of imagination. Every detail is perfectly designed to draw you into the world of make-believe; every song tugs at the heartstrings of your memory, stirring up clips from favourite childhood movies; even the smells are cheery: sugary churros, roasting turkey legs, fresh coffee...

I can remember walking in with my family that first day, all of us like giddy little children. We were ready to be amazed, looking for the magic, embracing the colours, the sounds, the laughter and smiles of everyone around us. Every corner led us to something brand new and exciting. Each ride brought a thrill of discovery and exploration. Each beloved character elicited squeals of joyous exclamation. 

Disneyland is oddly...perfect. I mean, until you put all us humans in it. It's so spic and span, seriously you could probably eat off of the ground. You could get lost in that world of imagination, the unrealistic fantasy of storyland...if not for the occasional baby screeching or the overpowering heat or the growing impatience that comes from waiting in too many lines. 

a patriotic place too...

Kind of puts things into perspective don't it? The supposed "Happiest Place on Earth" is a far cry from true happiness and joy. Without a doubt, it IS a happy place but I think it also highlights how inept we really are at creating our own joy. 

You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever (Psalm 16:11) 

Truly God blesses us with innumerable moments of joy here on earth. Imagine though, the "fullness of joy"; everlasting joy in His presence. One day we will be there forever, constantly praising and rejoicing in Him.

Disney magic all night long

Summer?

September first already! I can scarcely believe summer is coming to a close. I'm sure for many of you, it's practically over. This Labour Day weekend is your perhaps your chance for one last hoorah. I have a few weeks still until I enter the world of lectures, studying and exams so I'm enjoying freedom for a little while yet.

I feel like summer took forever to really begin this year! Like I was waiting and waiting and now the end is looming and I don't know what happened! I've been neglecting this blog as well, as you may or may not have noticed, depending on your loyalty as a follower...

Well I want to take the next couple weeks to try to catch up and share some of my summer memories with you all because, despite the speed of it, I had some pretty spectacular experiences this summer! I have been blessed with a treasure trove of memories from the warm days just past and I will always remember the summer of 2012 with much fondness.

So stay tuned if you are interested!

My best girl

Saying goodbye once again. This time to a beloved friend and four-legged member of our family. We were blessed with twelve years of furry companionship with our dear Java, and yesterday we had to say goodbye.

I hardly remember life without Java. I was only eight when Jordan brought her home, an adorable bundle of big eyes and soft paws. Ever since, her expressive sweet face has drawn friends and strangers alike to adore our beautiful girl. She was Jordan's best bud out there on the farm and running all over the mountain. She was always ready and eager for a swim in the lake, a dirt bike chase or a cuddle by the campfire. She became my best girl as we spent early mornings walking, watching the sunrise, and afternoons delivering papers together. She kept us warm in tent on camping trips, cleared the beach of rocks for us, ate up all our leftover lettuce heads, and cuddled with our kittens. Ever loyal, ever true. There is hardly one childhood memory that doesn't include her smiling face. How thankful I am for the years we had with her.

Of course she had her animal moments: tearing off after an illusive rabbit or barking throughout the night, keeping everyone up. She couldn't stand wind or thunderstorms or fireworks, poor delicate pup. Then there was the ever frustrating disappearances when she decided to wander off only to return in her own good time. But she always did return, every time. Her big brown eyes staring up adoringly even as her tail drooped in apology. It's hard knowing she won't be coming back this time.

She was our perfect dog. Loved by all the whole family and she loved us in her doggy way. Even Mom and her had an understanding I think. They loved each other in their own way, respected each other and protected each other. No other pet has really fit out family like Java and I'm sure none will.

As we continue to find little pieces of her throughout the house and yard, the constant reminder of her missing presence is surreal. The shock of saying goodbye so fast isn't easy but the years of memories are a balm to our hearts. She was truly a gift, a blessing, and a special friend.

We'll miss you Javapup.