Saturday, January 29, 2011

life is beautiful

I've totally been counting my blessings lately - a good exercise - and I have waaay too many. If another complaint escapes my lips, you have permission to give me a stern talking to.
For the month of January, I've been working a few more dayshifts than usual because Carolyn, our adorable Filipino daytimer, has been studying to take her Canadian dental exam. So Colin and I have been getting a bit of quality time together at work. And we really enjoy working together. Aside from a few winks from behind the dough rack, it's mostly because we just get to chat about daily issues as we work, or come up with funny but potentially effective Gospel messages. I know most wives don't get to share that part of their husband's day, so I really count that as a blessing.
The other day Laurie was "hobbling" around with an empty wrapping paper roll, using it as a cane. She says, "I don't know how old people WALK with these things!"
There's a young guy we were working with in December whose wife is expecting their first baby in March. His priorities (from his lips) are, in this order: kid, car, wife. It made me doubly thankful for my cute, little blue Kia. - it's zippy, but couldn't possibly be considered ahead of me in a priority list :)
Last night, I gave the girls an evening nap (although Laurie's the only one who slept) so we could all go to the airport to meet Nana and Neechie. We are so excited to have Nana a part of our daily lives! I can't wait to hear all her Irish childhood stories. Anyway, her flight was a bit delayed, so while we waited we had a bit of an airport party with the rest of the family. There's just something about a midnight party that is extremely exciting when you're a kid (or a kid at heart). I love the little things that are really big things!
The girls and I headed out for a little fresh air this afternoon before I grab a quick nap (before going to work). We walked down to the duck pond and found it was frozen and people were skating on it. We took a few slides on our boots before turning for home and we plan to take the skates there tomorrow afternoon.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

my Life Hero

Ever watch a movie or read a book where the hero is just so amazing that no matter how bad the circumstances, you know he will save the day? In fact, the more terrible and impossible the circumstances, the more excited you are to see what he will do to make everything right again? I actually love those stories. And aren't we in one? I mean God is the Ultimate Hero, and He already Saved the Ultimate Day, but in my life story, He is also the hero, saving the day again and again. And that's really what I signed up for when I believed Him. I said, "Here's my lifestory - take it and make it really exciting, so that those who 'read' it will see living proof that You can and will be everything You've said You are!"
As long as I can remember, I've believed that God is Enough..... that, no matter how boring, deprived, or pathetic my circumstances, He is ALL I need. I've always believed this, but proving it is another story :) And I feel like maybe this is the aspect of Him that He's asking me to show with my life. And so, when I am completely overwhelmed with the lack of amazing, exciting, and fabulous things in my life, I can be sure that this grey backdrop is sure to show-up the brilliant rainbow of God's Love. (*disclaimer: although my job, house, lifestyle, clothes, etc may all lack "status" or other things considered desirable here in North America, you can be sure I am more than aware of the incredible blessings that have been poured over me in PEOPLE! I've always said that God has given me all my blessings in people and I wouldn't trade even one of the amazing people in my life for all of the material blessings in the world!)
So, stay tuned to the exciting story of my life to see my Hero save the day - every day! And remember: just when things feel and look their darkest and most impossible, that's when our Life Hero will do the impossible and bring good out of the most regrettable circumstances!