A New Season

My youngest with her husband and two toddlers moved in with us on Monday. It is a transition as they save money to purchase their own home to leave the rental market behind them. It’s a tough housing market with Cochrane and Calgary considered to be the fastest growing cities in Canada right now. They have big dreams to get a home with a big yard for their kids and their dog. They hope to be in their new home by the end of August, but in the meantime we are helping them save rent etc. by staying with us over the next few months.

I LOVE having the family here. My son-in-love works fifteen days up north in the oil patch, and home six days, so my daughter has her hands full when he’s away with two very active toddlers under three years old. Her thirteen month old boy, is just about ready to take his first steps. With his pixie grin, and little tongue sticking out when he concentrates, he boasts a few bruises from tumbles. It doesn’t detour him from getting back up and toddling about some more. He’s so proud of himself, whenever he accomplishes anything new!

His big sister is a chatterbox, learning new words daily. She loves her stuffies, filling her crib with a rotation of stuffed animals for naps and nighttime. Her favourite phrase is “I NEEEEEED…” with emphasis on the word “need”. It’s imperative she gets what she wants and her mom is trying to train her to be patient. I have to admit when she says, “Grandma, I NEEEEED…”, she has me trained to get what she wants right away.

My bad.

I thought having a big dog in the house again would be more of an adjustment than it is. In fact, Mila has settled in nicely, living her best life running around our acreage and getting way more “puppy treats” from Grandma than she normally gets at home.

My bad…again.

This morning I woke up to the sound of my granddaughter’s voice, “NEEEEEEDing” something and my daughter’s soft voice telling her to be patient. I ventured past what is now the toddler’s bedroom, and my grandson was standing quietly in his crib rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Seeing me, he reached up his arms to me and my heart melted.

I know this is a short-term arrangement, but having babies in the house again, just fills me with gratitude and joy. Seeing my daughter and son-in-love with their two children is like stepping back in time when my husband and I were raising our sweet babies. The constant activity, the endless “NEEEEEEDs”, the bumps, the tears, the smiles, the ups and downs, and…yes…the exhaustion at times made for long days. But, little arms reaching up to hug, to cuddle, to have one more story read, one more snack, one more game to play, or a song to sing, made the years go by all too quickly then. I want to cherish each precious moment with my grandchildren now.

It’s a busy household here. Quiet times during the day are found when the babies nap. Running prayers are the norm, as I chase after them trying to keep up with my grandson’s toddling steps and my granddaughter’s quick dashes.

I may not have as much time to write, but that’s okay. I just NEEEEEED to soak in this season of life and count my blessings!

Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged. Proverbs 17:6
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Do I Believe It?

Lord,
Today, with all my worldly cares spread before
Your Throne of Mercy
Do I believe in You?

Do I believe You can do
Everything I ask of You?

Do I believe it?

Do I believe You will heal my hurts,
Mend my broken heart,
Help me forgive
When betrayal and anguish has me
Wreathing in pain?

Do I believe You hear my prayers
Unvoiced
But loud and clear
As tears fall unchecked on the pages
Of my Bible?

Do I believe it?

Do I believe in Your Mercy?
Your Grace?
Your Strength?
Your Provision?
Your Power?
Your Wisdom?
Your Forgiveness?

Do I Believe it?

When world’s collide in my little universe,
Do I believe You are in control?
Do I believe in Your Faithfulness,
Your Truth…

Your Love?

Do I believe it?

The question is not if You are able,
The question is if I am able!

Do I believe it?

Lord, help me in my unbelief!

Amen.

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Dear Mr. President,

I usually don’t write about political matters on my blog. I try to remain relatively “neutral”, believing that our almighty God puts people in government at different times in history to fulfill His Sovereign purposes. My responsibility is to pray for all those in leadership, and pray they will put aside egos, and personal agendas; to allow the Holy Spirit to speak into their lives and follow His direction.

Mr. President, I am a proud Canadian. My parents immigrated to Canada from Denmark before I was born. I have family in Denmark, in Europe, and in Canada. My father and my father-in-law were WW2 veterans, and both my husband and I served in the Canadian Armed Forces. We honour those who have served and still serve to protect the rights and freedoms of democratic nations. We have dear friends on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border, and we enjoy a friendly, good-natured rivalry when our nations meet in sporting events. We share common interests, appreciate our heritage, and pray for our nations to excel and thrive. We have friendships without borders.

I respect the role of Presidency that you now hold. Canada and the U.S. have a close camaraderie that I pray will remain jovial and respectful long after your term in office. That said, you seem to want to drive a wedge between our two nations now that seems inexplicable and inexcusable to me.

Threatening your closest neighbour and ally by placing unfair tariffs on our goods, services and resources is a bullying tactic not worthy of the President of the United States. In the end, both nations will suffer.

Mr. President, I don’t always agree with those parliamentarians in our nation’s capital or representatives in government at the provincial or municipal levels about policies and decisions they have made, but I respect the roles and positions they hold and am thankful for their service.

Calling our Prime Minister “Governor of Canada” is disrespecting the title and office. I may not be a great fan of the current PM, but it is not funny to Canadians for you to belittle the office of Prime Minister.

You may think it a “good idea” for Canada to become the 51st State, but I assure you that most Canadians do not! We are a proud, unique Nation, with a rich history. We may be the “nicest nation” on earth, but we are also the most determined, and courageous people you would do well not to provoke to anger.

You seem to think that you have unlimited power and authority to say and do whatever you want. If you believe you can intimidate and bully to get your way, think again. You have succeeded in your own misguided way to reawaken Canada’s nationalistic furor from coast to coast to coast. We are unified in our resolve to be a nation “strong and free” and completely autonomous.

Mr. President, I want you to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Canada is NOT FOR SALE!

Respectfully Yours…

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