Significant to me are the milestones in my life that were either turning points or celebrations or decisions. Some of the turning points were simply changes in direction of thought or action; simple things like: from this day forward, I will________. I have marked many of the “I will’s” in my Bible or on stones in our garden or in journals I’ve kept over the years. Sometimes I didn’t realize that specific decisions would have such strong or lasting implications—nor, did I realize that God would use decisions as springboards for others. But I do now. Only looking back do…
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There have been times when I imagined that one day I’d be sitting in a circle waiting for my turn to introduce myself and then when the person beside me finished their introduction and small talk, they’d glance at me, signaling my turn, and then I’d say: I don’t know why I’m here or how I got to this point, but here I am. So, hello, I’m pamela and I’m an internet junkie. I used to say (and laugh about it) that one day there’s going to be a branch of medicine dedicated to the emotional problems, effects and disorders…
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One of our greatest treasures and lasting blessings is our meal table. It’s a real challenge to maintain mealtimes when the family begins to grow and scatter in different directions each day. But we endeavor to have at least one meal, if not all of them, together each day. It’s difficult to persevere with this one sometimes — especially when it’s easier to just “grab ‘n go” when schedules are hectic or when schedules are so different for older family members. Still, I desire to hold fast to this treasure — this family tradition — this mainstay: the family meal…
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So, yes… another homeschooling year has begun. We’ve already had the usual variety of commitments — planned and unplanned, absences and extra-curricular activities: some sick, some tardy, some cutting class (uh, that would be two of the teachers :-O ), etc., etc. Three days into the new school year: We’ve already had to revise our expectations — both raising and lowering them regarding courses of study and assignments for different students. We’ve had to do this many times through 22 years of homeschooling. We seem to forget this every year! Three days into the new school year: We’ve discovered we…
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My husband’s birthday was on Tuesday — we began the day’s celebration with aebelskivers for breakfast for him! I make aebelskivers for special breakfasts — but sometimes, when it seems it’s been ‘awhile’ since I made them, someone will ask for them for breakfast (or dinner!). We serve them with powdered sugar (as you see here) and raspberry or blackberry jam or maple syrup. I’ve been making these for many years — and though at first they are a bit tricky to make, after some practice, they’re a very, very easy and fun breakfast tradition. I have some more photos…
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In case it seems I’ve lost the lighthearted side… I haven’t. Here’s my lighthearted side. Jump! Jump! Jump! The local farmers do three cuttings a year… and through the years, the youngest of our children have the greatest time jumping from bale to bale all over the land! I don’t usually get pictures of this fun event, but my neighbor graciously gave me these! It’s always a sad day when the tractor loads the bales of hay onto the truck and drives them away.
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In all my life, my greatest gift has been faith and salvation in Jesus Christ the Lord. And in our marriage, in our family – parenting – life work… we are humbled at the mercy of God… the greatest gift — the greatest joy — is walking with Him and knowing our children walk in Truth. That they, too learn to walk in faith is answer to prayers — many prayers for each of them from birth. Answered prayer, each having received the gift of salvation in the Lord Jesus. The baptisms pictured below are of four of our…
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Birthdays! Birthdays! Birthdays! These were favourite things from my fiftieth year. I’m not sure just which birthday stood out the most over this past year. But one birthday I was *so* extraordinarily happy to celebrate was my husband’s birthday. As I look back I marvel at the goodness and mercy of the LORD and truly, I was/am so thankful the LORD gave him another birthday and I pray for many more. Wes’s birthday was one day shy of one year since he had a heart attack. I recall thinking in the ICCU surgery waiting room: Lord, will he have any…
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Another thing among thirty favourite things from my fiftieth year: Facebook! I love Facebook! And, this, from someone who was/is so adamantely opposed to MySpace. Adamantly opposed. As for Facebook “safeguards” — I have opted for the “no ads” on the sidebar and I don’t add many “applications” and don’t add people I don’t know — but it’s totally not an “anonymous” atmosphere. There’s no real anonymity on Facebook. A “safeguard” I have to personally adhere to is: I’ve got to be *very* careful to watch the clock and not spend too much time browsing Facebook! Warning: It.…
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The will of God will never take you… Where the grace of God cannot keep you, Where the arms of God cannot support you Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs, Where the power of God cannot endow you. The will of God will never take you, Where the Spirit of God cannot work through you, Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you, Where the army of God cannot protect you, Where the hands of God cannot mold you. The will of God will never take you, Where the love of God cannot enfold you, Where the…