Sunday, March 30, 2025

Excited!


I am excited about new courses starting at my church, my mom and her husband coming for a visit, a weekend away, waffles with whipped cream, school restarting, sunshine in the forecast, choir practise tomorrow, my new patio umbrella, my new striped sweatshirt, daffodils, a new playlist on Spotify, my choir concerts, seeing my students, finally decluttering upstairs, donating two bags of clothes, my best grandma ever mug, and spring. 

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Prayer

Having friends who wish you well, have your best interests at heart, and who love you, are wonderful. They can support you and share your burdens. Do you know what they can't do though? They can't fix your anxiety. All the positive thoughts in the world aren't going to calm your anxious heart. Friends who promise to pray for you, on the other hand, are another matter entirely. They can go to the sovereign ruler of the universe on your behalf. Through prayer, they can move mountains.

Recently I had really bad anxiety for several reasons. I mean based on the frightening, chaotic state of the world, who doesn't have anxiety?? But I had personal reasons too. I told my best friend. She prayed for me. I shared with my community group and they prayed. I went to church and I asked for prayer from the prayer team. A friend saw my teary face afterward and put her arm around me and promised to pray for me. The thing is, people often say "thoughts and prayers", but they really only mean good thoughts. I'm glad to have people thinking good thoughts, but that doesn't actually change anything. What I am very blessed to have is friends and a church community who says that they will pray for me and then do so. Really. It reminds me of a song that we sing in choir: "long as I live, and troubles rise, I'll hasten to His throne". What a privilege that I can hasten to His throne, but how amazing that there are people who are willing to go there on my behalf as well.

So, anyway, back to the anxiety. After all those prayers my anxiety was replaced by inexplicable peace. Not a single thing in my circumstances changed. But my worries and anxieties were brought before God, the one for whom nothing is impossible. He answered the prayers for peace and a calm heart. I am well aware that He does not always magically remove all anxiety. But in this case, because of all my praying friends, I had peace. And as a result I had the most wonderful time with the thing I had been most anxious about.

Sunday, February 16, 2025

Granny Annie

In January, I became a grandmother and a few weeks later, we were able to fly out to Alberta to see our new granddaughter, Marina. She is perfect and beautiful and cuddly and I could go on and on. I love babies, I always have. But to hold my own granddaughter was something quite unique and wonderful. Looks like I will be making vacation trips to Alberta....







Monday, January 13, 2025

Resolutions

I did not make any resolutions this year. At least not in the usual sweeping way that I normally do. Instead, I am going with moderation, more of some things and less of others. I am doing (way) less shopping, less (no) wine, less junk food, less sharing of my opinions, less social media. And I am doing more exercise, more water, more reading, more prayer, more trying new things. This seems to be more manageable and is working so far. Today I went to the gym for the first time in five years!! No, I did not enjoy it before, during or after. But I went. Last night I went for sauna and swimming. Perhaps there's a chance I can actually keep this going. Well, except the not sharing my opinions part, we all know that's a lost cause, lol.






Friday, January 3, 2025

2024

2024 had some bitter disappointments, death, unexpected drama and conflicts. But, it also had answered prayers, new friendships, new family and travel. Overall, I am grateful. The hard stuff hopefully changed me for the better and besides, I can trust that it came from the sovereign hand of God.

Some of the highlights from my travels with family and different friends are in the collage. Naturally, we went to Hope multiple times. But, I was also able to go to Powell River, Washington, Orlando, Victoria, Whistler, Rock Ridge Canyon, San Francisco and Lumby. Washington was full of museums and walking. Powell River was chilling by the ocean. Lumby, which we visited twice as a family, was relaxing with extended family. Rock Ridge was spiritually enriching connecting with ladies from church. Victoria was educational and fun and turned into a weekend of food and shopping. Orlando was a spiritual retreat among the palm trees. Whistler was a perfect weekend away. San Francisco was pure fun and adventure. Every single one of these trips was a highlight of the year in a slightly different way. But now on to 2025! And before I can even think of travelling, I need to declutter my house...

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Merry Christmas friends!

 


I have loved many things this Christmas... Being in the choir and getting to practise Christmas songs all fall. Hosting the staff party. Having dinner with my siblings and their families and playing games and laughing and staying too late. Going to Christmas concerts. Giving gifts. Shopping. Various Christmas parties. Admiring all the lights everywhere. Candles.
But tonight, I went to the candlelight service at my church. It was quiet and lovely. We sang with just a piano and a guitar. The tone was rather hushed and reverent even. And I loved it most of all because it was the perfect way to usher in the quiet of Christmas. It's past midnight now, so its the early hours of Christmas day. We'll spend a quiet day at home with just the four of us. The rush is over. Merry Christmas friends!!

Monday, December 23, 2024

Second Chance

My mother got remarried at 73 years old and I think it is nothing but great! Make no mistake-my father was the great love of my mother's life. They were together for 47 years. They were happy and in love. She mourned him for 4 solid years. She told anyone who would listen about her loss, and how blessed she'd been. But after 4 years, she met someone new. Or not new exactly- she reconnected with an old aquaintance. And that meeting of a widow and a widower, who both loved God and music and family, turned into a second chance at love. How great is that?

It has been very interesting to see people's reactions though. A lot of people can't seem to let go of the past. I loved my father fiercely and would do anything to get him back. But, that love does not in any way affect my feelings toward this new relationship. My father is not coming back. Happiness in this world is fleeting. If my mother has a second chance for happiness with a man who clearly loves her, how can that be anything but a blessing?