The start of a new year and in this case a new decade - so much hope, promise and expectations. When we look back on what the last decade brought us - all the changes, heartbreak, joy - I wonder what will happen to me, my family, friends, church in
this decade. Through it all the Lord has shone His faithfulness to me, his child. Oh, I had plenty of moments when I doubted that He knew best. But it's during those times of dark, difficult moments (some longer than others) that His glory is made perfect in my weakness. This is what I
long for - to bring him glory in whatever circumstances I am faced with. I know I can't do it alone - I need His help desperately. Too often I have failed to do this - I've thrown Him under the bus instead. By His grace alone He forgives me and strengthens me. And this is my inspiration to make 2010 - my year to LISTEN. I can't hear Him if I'm busy running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I can't hear Him if I've always got my radio/Ipod/Itunes on. I can't hear Him with the TV blaring in the background. I can't hear Him if
I'm busy talking! I need to stop, turn the things around me off (do kids have an off button?) and listen to Him speak to me in His Word. My faith is doomed if I don't shut up long enough for Him to strengthen me and grow my faith through time spent reading what He inspired humble human beings to write down for me. The picture of Zanna at the top is of her gazing up at Daddy as he installs a new window blind. She adores him! It inspires me to feel that way about my heavenly Father and He really can do anything!
The start of a decade - that's a whole other can of worms. As I think back on the dawn of the last decade, I was pregnant with Will. The world was in a panic of Y2K and I just wanted to have my baby! We were just starting our family. The last decade was focused on growing our family - and what a ride that turned out to be! By the end of this decade, Will will be 19 going on 20 - probably in university. Zanna will be a teenager possibly preparing to go to Prep. By the end of this decade, my children will not be under my influence as much or in Will's case even under my roof. Wow! This is it! This is our time to be with our kids. To teach them, love them, enjoy them - LISTEN to them! Last decade flew by as this one probably will too. But if I've learned anything from the last one - you only get one chance. I want to be more purposeful of this one. Realizing that the time we have is
now - I'm excited for the memories we'll make as a family, the places we'll go, the people we'll meet - and yes, the challenges we'll face.
Well, onto our updates! Will most recently earned his purple belt in karate. He's also teaching the lower belts and has earned the name "Sempai Will". We're so proud of him - he's worked very hard for his accomplishments! He and Wayne have also hit the slopes for some downhill skiing this month. They got a season pass that allows them to go on weekdays and nights which is perfect for our schedule.
Hosanna has her own share of accomplishments! She recently started to color in the lines and use her scissors to cut along the lines too. She passed her swimming level and is ready to attack the next. She continues to enjoy gymnastics and can't wait for Opa and Oma to come next month and watch her in action. She soaks up the time I take with her to teach her the sounds of the letters and read our Before Five in a Row books that we make coordinating lapbooks to some of them.
We celebrated our 3rd Forever Family Day this month. She enjoyed looking at the pictures from our trip to China and we went out for some Asian food. We also had our China travel group families that live in the area over to our house for a reunion and potluck. All the girls are doing great and growing into such lovely young ladies! How blessed we are!!
Flowers picked from our front yard - brought in the house to enjoy!
This is the year for my lilac bush! I planted it several years ago and have been patiently waiting for those purple flowers. Nothing says spring like lilacs!!
Lent is the time in the church year from Ash Wednesday to Easter - 40 days, not including Sundays - where we reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Special Lenten services on Wednesday evenings are offered at church that are more somber in mood and content that the joyfulness we experience on Sundays. We prepare our hearts for the ultimate joyfulness of Easter Sunday when we rejoice knowing our sins are forgiven through faith in Jesus!
This year the kids and I planted our first "Lenten Garden". In it we find a pool of shells reminding us of our baptism when we were adopted into God's family and received saving faith in Jesus while we were still infants - what a miracle! The pool is shaded by a "prayer plant" (that's the name - I found it at Home Depot!). On a hill we have the cross made from sticks the kids found on our nature walk. A path of rocks lead from the cross to a tomb Will and friend made from modeling clay complete with the rock to be rolled away on Easter morning.
Three candles (the Trinity) cover the perimeter of the garden that will be extinguished on Good Friday. On Easter Sunday the rock will be rolled away and replaced with a beautiful butterfly symbolizing new hope in Christ!
The month of March brings a much needed break from the routine, aptly named March Break. As I write this on our last day of March Break still in my bathrobe, I'll reflect on the events of the last week.
The week could only go up from there, right? And it did! We went for a lovely nature walk with some friends and fed the birds. On another day we went 5 pin bowling.
We also had some visitors - friends we know who attend my parent's church and were in town visiting a relative. We met them at the Museum of Civilization where I walked them through the history of Canada display (just don't ask me dates) and we hung out at the Children's museum inside the same building. We had them over to our house afterward for taco night
Let the fun begin! On Feb 21st, Hosanna turned 4. I can hardly believe it. She had her first friend party on Saturday with 4 little girls all dressed as princesses. They were adorable! Mom and Dad, once again, helped me pull this off with dear husband as the picture taker who roams in and out of the room attempting to get some work done in between (what can I say, he works a lot on the weekends!). The next day was her actual birthday and so we had church in the morning. After service, the congregation sung happy birthday to her and another girl who shared the day. Quite funny, she was on a chair in the back of the church at the time on a time out. She didn't know how to react to being sung to! That afternoon, godparents Skip and Karen came over for cake and Chinese takeout. It was a special day for a special girl!!
We had a short but nice visit with my parents. The kids especially enjoyed time with their Oma and Opa!
After living here for almost 8 years, the boys finally got to see a Senators hockey game. Someone from church had tickets he couldn't use and passed them to Wayne. They had a great time and Will was thrilled to stay up later than Mom!
The start of a new year and in this case a new decade - so much hope, promise and expectations. When we look back on what the last decade brought us - all the changes, heartbreak, joy - I wonder what will happen to me, my family, friends, church in this decade. Through it all the Lord has shone His faithfulness to me, his child. Oh, I had plenty of moments when I doubted that He knew best. But it's during those times of dark, difficult moments (some longer than others) that His glory is made perfect in my weakness. This is what I long for - to bring him glory in whatever circumstances I am faced with. I know I can't do it alone - I need His help desperately. Too often I have failed to do this - I've thrown Him under the bus instead. By His grace alone He forgives me and strengthens me. And this is my inspiration to make 2010 - my year to LISTEN. I can't hear Him if I'm busy running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I can't hear Him if I've always got my radio/Ipod/Itunes on. I can't hear Him with the TV blaring in the background. I can't hear Him if I'm busy talking! I need to stop, turn the things around me off (do kids have an off button?) and listen to Him speak to me in His Word. My faith is doomed if I don't shut up long enough for Him to strengthen me and grow my faith through time spent reading what He inspired humble human beings to write down for me. The picture of Zanna at the top is of her gazing up at Daddy as he installs a new window blind. She adores him! It inspires me to feel that way about my heavenly Father and He really can do anything! 
Well, onto our updates! Will most recently earned his purple belt in karate. He's also teaching the lower belts and has earned the name "Sempai Will". We're so proud of him - he's worked very hard for his accomplishments! He and Wayne have also hit the slopes for some downhill skiing this month. They got a season pass that allows them to go on weekdays and nights which is perfect for our schedule.
Hosanna has her own share of accomplishments! She recently started to color in the lines and use her scissors to cut along the lines too. She passed her swimming level and is ready to attack the next. She continues to enjoy gymnastics and can't wait for Opa and Oma to come next month and watch her in action. She soaks up the time I take with her to teach her the sounds of the letters and read our Before Five in a Row books that we make coordinating lapbooks to some of them. 
