point of view

I want a table that says Tell me your story I want to make meals You're not self-conscious to eat To cook for restricted, or slow, or messy eaters And a baby to cheer your view. Food is a gift! So is a good coffee Let us make you a treat or scrounge something quick. We want to give blessing we've also received We want you to to know: You're cared for You're heard We're glad you are here. Image source

Today, I thank You for A home that was always open How many birthdays I heard the story of my birth again, how she became a mom for the first time, how she saw her own face when she looked at mine The pushing, prying, once in a while tears because she wanted to know how I was doing Pizza and ice cream in the freezer and the knowledge that we could invite first and inform her second For the big dreams and enthusiasm for our futures That she prays for us. For the tea, always tea The orchids in the window, pansies in the garden peace that was always at Oma's place Always the listening and the special treatment like she was so honored that you were there. The recurrent gathering again, how she is a magnet in the drawing together of our family All the hearts that have been under that roof The foster kids who still send a note every now and then For the niece who is mine in a small way For those who let me hold their babies and rejoice with them For all the kids who...

This year I missed Canadian Thanksgiving but celebrated American thanksgiving with friends today.  I don't know if that means I'm acclimatizing or what.  Actually, I was just told by one of my Canadian cousins that I'm developing an accent =) This was a bit of perspective that helped me today.   As I give thanks for God's admonitions that are for my good  because He loves me, I thought it would be a good idea to reflect on some of the things I have had to be thankful for recently. 3898.  "The Old Rugged Cross" and the unique way singing harmony allows you to simultaneously listen and agree. 3902.  Bubbles over the street 3938.  Apologies 3952.  Roommate laughter 3968.  Instagram squeals from the niece 3975.  Waking to the sound of rain 3979.  Irrepressible birdsong 4076.  Another free trial version of Photoshop 4086.  Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow 4095.  Stocking pigs and a...

I've been that girl beating my wings against the bars of grace desperately restless I've been that girl running, running cold hiding away inside myself I've been that girl but it's one step after the other and it's a wrestling gasping mercy drowning in love and it burns white hot because I've always been pursued I've always been hedged in and even when it hurts,  I am held and here I struggle and today, I am so content but even when I find myself wearing through my shoes again on the road, wandering again always I am home. With You.

do you know how unexpected it was that you wanted to hear my story? did you know I was surprised because my stomach hurt from laughing? it took me so off guard when what you offered, gave me answers see, I've gotten used to waiting. did you guess that I'd be close to tears because you said "that makes sense"? did you know you threw me for a loop when you saw that I was down? for some reason it's hard to accept comfort. I guess I'm scared of getting used to it afraid to let myself hope what if I lose it again? ah, but pain is only tangibility the currency of value proof of richness. it'll come even if it's taken yet again it always comes.

This has been a gratitude-filled fall if Thanksgiving dinners are any indication - I've had three =)  One Canadian celebration with family, since I was home for the wedding on the same weekend, one a few weeks later with fellow Canadians in the area (and some additions), and one American thanksgiving with other homeless students.  All of them were lovely, although of course being home with family and having family from the states made the first one very very special.  In the spirit of the most recent one I thought I would share a few more "gifts" from my Ann-Voskamp-inspired gift list. I'm going back to the wedding but there are so many I can only share a few or you'll be here all day!  3034.  The moment I saw Dad walking towards me on the street in TO, new beard and all (I love my Daddy, I can't even express how wonderful a moment like that is)  3036. Heidi surrounded by wedding things 3037.  A peaceful and lovely lunch with Heidi, aunts and Oma...

  I am here!   Last Monday I left Canada and headed to the States to begin a new season of life.  =)  I'm studying at CCEF for at least a year, and Heidi drove down with me to help me settle in.  It was nice to have almost a week of sister-time before she gets married...  The week felt like a bit of a whirlwind though.  We arrived just in time for supper at our friends' house, spent the next day shopping, Wednesday went to the ocean and then another family had us over for dinner on our way back, Thursday spent the morning with wedding preparations and then the afternoon visiting, and I had my first class that evening.  (!!!)  Friday we stopped by Heidi's former landlady's place for lunch, hit the thrift store and spent some time exploring on foot before driving downtown for Heidi to take the bus back home that night.  Oh, and there were things to do for the wedding inbetween most of the cracks =)  Saturday I mourned the ...

(this list could go on for a very long time, actually.) everyone needs to stop and just stare at the blue sky sometimes. ask questions. make the people in your life feel like celebrities when you greet them. fresh air and exercise helps to keep you from going crazy. rainbows are the coolest things ever. never be afraid to ask for help. pray for ants. it's ok to cry.  loudly.  and then sit for a while - but only as long as you need.  then get up and do the next thing. always be extra kind to people who've been crying. mud is good. real men like flowers.  and killing bad guys, no matter how many zillions of times they're told fighting is not allowed at school. everyone should appreciate jellyfish. food is a big deal. singing louder is always better. and God is the answer to everything.

The  best recipe :  Indian Tomato Chicken  - a family favorite. And great to make a huge batch of, it seems to improve with reheating. The  best book (s), John Ploughman’s Talks by C.H. Spurgeon and Speaking The Truth in Love by David Powlison. The  best song  that you just couldn't get out of your head?  The Invasion (Hero) The  jeans  that fit best? A random pair given to me by a cousin =) The  best week  of 2012: The  CCEF National Conference . Make a resolution in 2013. Go to  this  one. Even if you are not a counselor. Best habit ? I made a goal to make sure I read, wrote, sang, exercised, invested in a friendship and created something at least once every week. Best holiday ? I think Good Friday. Just because it’s always my favorite. So stripped down, so simple, the heartbeat and climax of History. Best risk  taken - to reach into more of the lives around me.  Goodness, I ...