In Honor of My Mama on Her Birthday

I'm sharing a song today in honor of my Mama's birthday.

Once upon a time I learned this song on guitar and she'd always ask me to play it because she liked it so much.

My Mom loves all the old hymns.

I always found it so strange.

Now I have an appreciation and love for these ageless songs, too.

And a deeply ingrained memory of Mom singing through her busy days at home.

Song after song committed to memory.

Whether she was cleaning, cooking, sewing or tidying up the endless messes, she was belting out a song.

I think I probably got annoyed with her for this during some irritable teenage years.

But I get it now.

Singing a song brings joy to the heart.

In the face of the monotony of homemaking or the struggles of life or the worries of motherhood, songs are uplifting.

The words are reminders and equip one with strength and fortitude.

I cherish the memory of my Mom's daily singing and all the work that accompanied those songs.

I cherish her.

Happy birthday, Mom!

I love you!

Farther Along {A Response}

I came across this song at A Holy Experience blog.
It's been on replay in my head all week.
I've been feeling like it was so unfair that the last years of my grandfather's life were full of confusion, jumbled memories and an inability to truly communicate with us.
I have been missing him for a long time and it felt like that time had been stolen from us.
But I also believe in a God who is sovereign and in control of everything.
Even the things that leave us asking "Why?".
I learned a while ago to not fall victim to my feelings or emotions.
It's O.K. to feel them but not to let them dictate how I will respond.
I have a firm foundation, one which I am overwhelmingly thankful for during the storms of life.
Here's what I know:
All things work together for good to those who love God.
Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God.
God knows the plans He has for us.

There is a reason, an answer to my why.
I will respond with faith, trusting my God who I know to be good.
And I sing -

Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
So cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine
We'll understand this, all by and by

 

The Journey of the Jesse Tree

The Jesse Tree is becoming a beloved Christmas tradition for my little family.

We haven't been doing it for many years so it is yearly changing in one way or another as I attempt to find the best elements to include in this daily activity.

Anyhow, I thought I'd fill you in on what we're doing different this year.

It's helpful to me to be able to look back and see what we did and what worked or didn't work too!

Last year, we had our Jesse Tree in the kitchen.

We read the readings as a family and added a corresponding picture to the tree.

Our Jesse tree came into being last year too - simply painted on brown packing paper with relevant verses and quotes added around the branches.

This year we are using the same tree but it is posted in the living room at the kids' level.

We did the readings as a part of our school time for the month of December as opposed to at supper time.

(We simply found it difficult to stay consistent with it at the end of the day. I knew if it became a part of our school routine there would be a far greater likelihood of it happening!)

For our readings, we are using The Jesse Tree by Geraldine McCaughrean.

And instead of simply posting pictures, the girls colored a picture while I read.

They loved this and enjoyed getting to post their picture on the tree every day.

Although they don't quite understand the importance of the lineage of Christ at this point, I think it is important to establish this tradition now.

They love hearing all the different Bible stories and at this stage I simply focus on the fact that God keeps His promises.

In particular His promise of a Rescuer.

The journey of the Jesse Tree shouts this loud and clear!

For next year, I'm not positive I'll use the same book.

It was good but not great.

I'm half debating using The Jesus Storybook Bible since each story points out how "every story whispers His name".

The whole Bible points to Jesus.

It's amazing really - to see God's plan unfold.

I also came across the following song that I think would be really fun to teach the kids in connection to the Jesse Tree.

It makes me happy that someone could take what can appear to be a very dull portion of scripture and turn it into a catchy tune!

Advent: God With Us

Slowly, we are easing into the Christmas season around here.

I am so enjoying the preparation.

The girls are bubbling with excitement.

We are doing a little of this and a little of that to decorate.

And, amazingly, our days are slowing down.

With a baby in the midst of some pretty intense teething, I wouldn't say its peaceful but it is joyful and happy in our home.

We do Advent with the kids .

We are going to start our Advent on Dec. 1st.

It's probably my favorite thing about Christmas.

Taking time to focus on what this whole season is about.

To share the wonder of it all with our children.
To stop and be amazed and filled with gratitude once again.

Matt found an awesome band whose music we've been playing quite consistently lately -

Folk Angel.

Better yet - you can listen to all their music free online!
It's all Christmas music.

And it's good.

Really, really good.

Anyhow, there is a poem by Isaac Wimberly on one of their albums.

It is fantastic.

This is what Christmas is all about.

This is why that baby in the manger is worth remembering year after year.

This is why we magnify Jesus and not contrived substitutes.

This is what we celebrate!

GOD WITH US

Poem by Isaac Wimberley

The people had read of this rescue that was coming through the bloodline of Abraham

They had seen where Micah proclaimed about a ruler to be born in Bethlehem

Daniel prophesy about the restoration of Jerusalem

Isaiah’s cry about the Son of God coming to them

So for them—it was anticipation

This groaning was growing, generation after generation

Knowing He was holy, no matter what the situation

But they longed for Him

They yearned for Him

They waited for Him on the edge of their seat

On the edge of where excitement and containment meet

They waited

Like a child watches out the window for their father to return from work—they waited

Like a groom stares at the double doors at the back of the church—they waited

And in their waiting, they had hope

Hope that was fully pledged to a God they had not seen

To a God who had promised a King

A King who would reign over the enemy

Over Satan’s tyranny

They waited

So it was

Centuries of expectations, with various combinations of differing schools of thought

Some people expecting a political king who would rise to the throne through the wars that he fought

While others expecting a priest who would restore peace through the penetration of the Pharisee’s façade

Yet a baby—100% human, 100% God

So the Word became flesh and was here to dwell among us

In His fullness, grace upon grace, Jesus

Through Him and for Him, all things were created

And in Him all things are sustained

God had made Himself known for the glory of His name

And this child would one day rise as King

But it would not be by the sword or an insurgent regime

It would be by His life

A life that would revolutionize everything the world knew

He would endure temptation and persecution, all while staying true

Humbly healing the broken, the sick and hurting too

Ministering reconciliation, turning the old to new

A life that would be the very definition of what life really costs

Saying—if you desire life, then your current one must be lost

And He would portray that with His own life as His Father would pour out and exhaust

And Jesus would be obedient to the point of death, even death upon the cross

So just 33 years after the day that He laid swaddled in the hay

He hung on a tree suffocating, dying in our place

Absorbing wrath that is rightly ours, but we could never bear the weight

So He took that punishment and he put it in the grave

And He died

And when I say that He died, what I mean is that He died

No breath, noheartbeat, no sign of life

God is a God of justice, and the penalty for our sin equals death

That’s what Christ did on that cross

Then… On the third day, in accordance with scriptures, He was raised from the grave

And when I say that He was raised, what I mean is that He was raised

Lungs breathing, heart pumping, blood pulsing through His veins

The things that He promised were true

He is the risen Son of God, offering life to me and you

Turning our mourning into dancing

Our weeping into laughing

Our sadness into joy

By His mercy, we are called His own

By His grace, we will never be left alone

By His love, He is preparing our home

By His blood, we can sing before His throne

Jesus paid it all

All to Him I owe

Sin had left a crimson stain

He washed it white as snow

So now we, as His bride, are the ones waiting

Like the saints that came before, we’re anticipating

He has shown us that this world is fading

And He has caused our desire to be for Him

So church, stay ready

Keep your heart focused and your eyes steady

Worship Him freely, never forgetting

His great love for you

Immanuel, God with us

"Oh, Your Love"

I love Christa Wells' music.

I especially love this song.

So when given a chance to submit our picture to be used in the video, I was more than happy to!

You'll find me and the girls hanging out around the 2:05 mark in the video!

Oh, Your Love

I know that you knew

You raised us to leave you

Raised us to run with a torch in our hands

I know that you knew 

What your love would do

Sent us out sailors with the wind at our backs

I know that you gave

Without keeping record

Except to be certain you had nothing left

I know that you gave

Til it hurt though you never

Admitted anything but the joy and gladness

Ooh, your love always carried us

I know that you followed us

Late in the darkness

Pulled up the blankets, covered us in prayer

I know that you followed

Our paths to independence

With a great deal of patience and a little bit of fear

But ooh, your love always carried us

I know that you see us 

The way we were back then

You can't let go, you can't really let us go

But I hope that you see how

You took those little children

To the light that leads us all to our true home

And ooh, your love always carries us

Ooh, your love will always carry us

I know that you knew what your love would do

Like what you hear?

Consider backing Christa's new album!

For more information, go here!

Time To Sing

This song was posted on my Facebook the other day.

I love it.

So I'm sharing it!

Enjoy!

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)

Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name

Who's Gonna Stay?

I've had Sarah Groves' Cd Invisible Empires on repeat in the van as of late.
My girls listen intently to all the music I play.
Occasionally, I put on children's music for them but unless its Seeds, I get annoyed by it rather quickly.
So they've simply gotten used to listening to Mama's music.
They even enjoy it.
It's normal for requests like, "Can you turn it up, please?" to make their way up from the back of the van.
As well as requests that it be turned down for a moment so that they can ask a question about what a certain line means.
This has led to some very interesting conversations during our travels together!

Anyhow, I love when they start singing a song on their own.
I always find it interesting to hear which one remains in their minds as they sing it out while playing or coloring.
Piper was singing this one today.
She kept repeating the line "Who's gonna stay and think about it?".

Here's Sarah Groves explaining what the song is about:




It got me thinking.
I hope that I raise my girls to stay and think about it.
To be biblical and intelligent.
To take the time to consider the repercussions and consequences of things happening in our world.
To discuss and observe and form an opinion.
To be unafraid to tackle the challenges their generation will face from a Christian perspective.
I hope I raise women who are relevant and aware within their culture and who are faithful to our God.

Over And Over Again

He is faithful.
He is for me.
In Him, we are more than conquerors.

Over and over I repeat these things in my head.
It's one of the reasons I love to fill my day with music that reminds me of these things.
A life can look so perfect from the outside looking in.
But even the happiest have struggles and trials and mountains to climb.
We are all the same.
Only facing trials of varying intensity and flavour.

Reminders.
Over and over again.

Hope casts out all fear.
It is finished.
He has overcome.
He never fails.

And as I whisper into the ear of a babe so sweet
I love you.
I will always love you.
I just can't stop.
There's nothing you can do to make me stop loving you...
I think of Him.
In whose image I am made.
Who's child I am.
My mother love is but a drop of what His is.
As strongly and fiercely as I love,
It is imperfect and flawed in a million ways.

But His...

It is strong
Reliable
Forever
Unending

Take comfort, believer
For you are His
Over and over again
Take comfort

*Thoughts inspired by this song:

The Accomplishments of a 30 Year Old {From A Wife's Point of View}

To my Man...

You have rocked the double chin look

(Tehe!),

And passed it on!

You can make a mean pony,

And you're always up for a game of hairdresser.

You are unafraid of meal-making marathons.

Nor are you scared of little pirate attacks!

You are a teacher by trade but more importantly, at heart.

And you are always ready to have a whirling, twirling fun time!

You put up with your wife's taste in music (except when driving, understandably!),

You have the best birthday cake requests...hello, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Devil's Food Cake Cheesecake!

(although I have a sneaking suspicion that you choose such things because you know I like the challenge),

And you love me!

You really, really do!

(P.S. I really, really love you, too!)

So HAPPY 30th, Matt!

I'm so proud of all you've accomplished in a mere 30 years and so glad to be able to say I'm YOUR wife!

(Yes, this post is a day late. Yesterday was a I'm-too-tired-to-even-type-straight kinda day. But aren't you so glad I shared all this belated birthday joy anyways??)

When I'm With You

Last weekend, the girls and I went on a road trip with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law to visit some beloved Aunties.

This is always a wonderful getaway for me as there are so many others around who are more than willing to jump in and help, providing me with a chance to unwind and relax a bit!

I generally unplug, too.

Very little computer time, no camera.

I do splurge a bit and enjoy the luxury of cable while I'm away...:D

But overall it's nice to take a break from everything!

I may have enjoyed it all a little too much because the rest of the week since getting back has been super lax.

We pretty much mosied through each day - visiting the library, the park, Walmart (yes, around here we get excited about trips to Walmart!).

It's been wonderful!

It wasn't totally unproductive as I did do some major decluttering in preparation for a yard sale but even that was delightful since I LOVE organizing our space!

Next week is going to be much different.

Back to school for the girls, back to an exercise regimen for me.

Blah to exercise.

But Jillian beckons and at 3 months post partum, it is time.

Hubby has already been forewarned of the grumpies that will likely ensue.

Anyhow, that's still 2 sleeps away so let's not dwell on it, OK??

Instead, here is a song I just love and pics taken by Aunties last weekend!

(Plus one of Tait from the science fair that just melts me!)

Enjoy!

When I hold you in my arms, Love
Something changes
It's the strangest feeling
The things that used to matter
They don't matter to me

When I see you
And you're smiling
How my heart aches
So full it is about to break
You make me believe in love

I could never count all the ways
That you change me, Baby
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue
When I'm with you

 

When I hear you, and you're crying
It resonates, Dear
In a place I didn't know was there
You make me believe in love

 

I could never count all the ways
That you change me, Baby
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue
When I'm with you

Beautiful baby
You're sweeter than strawberry pie
Just like the morning
Your smile brings the sunshine

 

I could never count all the ways
That you change me, Baby
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue
When I'm with you

I could never count all the ways
That you change me, Baby
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue
When I'm with you

Messy Made Beautiful

My week was perfectly planned out Sunday night
All written out and posted on the fridge
Very prim and proper like
Mental pat on the back
Congratulations on my ability to orchestrate a picturesque week
At least in blue ink and white computer paper
But what's written on a piece of paper on the fridge is never how things turn out
No, it always ends up far messier
It all comes crashing down in a whirlwind of pukey sheets, cold water baths, a broke down car and a forgotten banana
Frustrations and impatience abound
Bad attitudes and grumpy faces take up residence in my well scheduled place
Reminding that real life doesn't ever go as planned
Bringing to light how imperfect I am
Showing me that as much as I might want to be
I am not in control
Face to face with the decietfulness of self sufficiency
I have a decision to make
And hand in hand, I show them how to choose dependance
On One who is greater and stronger, perfect and in control
Asking for help
For a change of heart in the midst of lifes challenges and disappointments
We go on to read about Joseph
"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good."
Why do we grumble and complain when things don't go our way?
Later, a girl hobbles by
Precariously balanced in her dress-up high heels
Grinning from ear to ear
A radical change from a mere hour ago
"I'm happy now, Momma. God heard our prayer!"
And the baby coos and gurgles in her new found smiley way
The messiness of life
He takes it
And makes it beautiful

Embrace the joy





Will your grace run out
If I let you down
‘Cause all I know
Is how to run

‘Cause I am a sinner
If its not one thing its another
Caught up in words
Tangled in lies
You are the Savior
And you take brokenness aside
And make it beautiful
Beautiful

Will you call me child
When I tell you lies
Cause all I know
Is how to cry

I am a sinner
If its not one thing its another
Caught up in words
Tangled in lies
You are the Savior
And you take brokenness aside
And make it beautiful
Beautiful

Bridge:
You make it beautiful
You make it beautiful

Hymn Love

Matt and I are planning to start singing favorite traditional hymns to the girls at bedtime.

There is something really calming about "Amazing Grace" and such songs.

So we've been considering which songs we'd like to begin with.

As a result, "Come, Thou Fount" has been stuck in my head for the past couple days.

Not a bad thing.

It's definitely one of my favs.

Then Matt came across a version by Mumford and Sons.

I'm in love.

So far our list of songs includes:

Amazing Grace

Come Thou Fount

Be Thou My Vision

It Is Well With My Soul

In Christ Alone

Be Still My Soul

Trust and Obey

What is your favorite hymn or traditional church song?



Little Drummer Boy, Canadian Style!

Check out this version of Little Drummer Boy by Sean Quigley, a 16 year old from Winnipeg!
Love it!
You can read more about him here.

It Makes You Dream of Jubilee (Eyes On the Prize)

One of my most favorite artists, Sara Groves, has a new album out - Invisible Empires!
This just might be near the top of my Christmas wishlist!
But first I entered the giveaway at Molly Piper's blog!
Here's a song from her new album...
Let's just say I've already played it a million times!

When you see a family free
It makes you dream of Jubilee
Keep your eyes on the prize
Hold on

A Thanksgiving Song

A Thanksgiving song.
Because we have Someone to be grateful to.
And the greatest gift to be forever thankful for!

Jesus, We Are Grateful

 

Jesus who rescues us from the wrath to come

You are the ark of God who saves us from the flood

You are right to judge my sinful heart

But Your glory is Your mercy

For You condescend to make a friend

Of an enemy like me

Jesus who says come forth and calls the dead to rise

You are the Word of God whose breath sustains our lives

I was dead in all my guilt and shame

'Til you spoke my resurrection

Now you hide my life inside your own

Where you whisper me your love

Thank you, thank you

Jesus, we are grateful

Thank you, thank you

Jesus, we are Yours

Jesus who gathers us like children in His arms

You are the Lamb of God who shepherds us from harm

We will follow into family

And be seated at Your table

Where matchless grace of an orphan makes

A child of God in full

Enter the Worship Circle

Today I was reading a post by Annalea Hart about her favorite things.
(LOVE her blog!)
She mentioned Enter the Worship Circle albums as being some of her fav.

So, of course, I had to truck er' over to their site and check it out!

 I quickly saw why she enjoyed the music so much!

One album in particular caught my attention: Chair and Microphone, Vol.3.

Its been added to my Amazon.ca wishlist.

(Did you know you can add items from any site to your wishlist now?!)

Along with these lovelies!

Without further ado, here's a song for you to listen to!

:D

Singing Sisters!

My girls love to sing! We spend our days singing and breaking out in spontaneous dance! It makes for a very cheerful day! They get it honest enough - I grew up to my Mom singing as she went about her household duties and more often than not I catch myself doing the same! Its only natural that my girls should pick up this joyful habit!

So here they are, singing their little hearts out!

If you're on my Facebook, you've seen this one before. It makes me laugh every single time I listen to it! The song is one Piper came up with on her own and that is sung pretty much on a daily basis around here!

Taitum, singing her favorite song: "I Love You". She often sings "Old MacDonald", too. Melts my heart every time I hear her sing-songy little voice!

I don't sing because I'm happy; I'm happy because I sing.  ~William James

Oh Happy Day!

Last night the girls and I made resurrection rolls since I knew we'd have no time for it today. These were so simple to make and turned out perfectly! Here's what we did:

First, they each took turns dipping a marshmallow in butter then rolling it in sugar and cinnamon.

Next, they placed it on a piece of Pilsbury crescent roll dough and wrapped the dough all around.

We popped them in the oven for 15 minutes.

When they were done and cooled off enough, we broke them up and 'ta-da'! They were hollow! The whole time we were making them we talked about what happened to Jesus after He died - did He stay dead? What did the disciples find when they went to His tomb? What does Jesus rising from the dead mean for us? Then when we broke open the hollow resurrection rolls, we cheered - "The tomb is empty! Jesus is alive! Whoo hooo!". This was a 'sweet' object lesson that we will certainly be doing again in years to come! Did any of you try out the Resurrection cookies? How did they turn out?

Sunday morning we did an egg hunt with the kids after they opened their Easter baskets.

They're getting REALLY good at this egg hunting buisness!

Once they were all found, they took turns opening them. I had them all numbered so they would be opened in the right order. These were Resurrection Eggs that I had put together the night before. As each egg was opened we told the part of the story that each item pertained to. Piper listened very intently and loved the surprise of what was inside each egg. The best part though was when she opened the last one and there was nothing in it! She gasped and looked at me like I had made a mistake. Then when I asked her what was in Jesus' tomb when the disciples went to look on Sunday morning, understanding dawned on her - "Nothing, Mama!" That's right, baby girl, Jesus is alive!

(I think it is so important to make sure my kids understand exactly what Easter is all about. That doesn't mean that we can't have fun or eat chocolate. In fact, I think teaching the importance of this holiday should be wrapped in sweet memories and kid oriented activities. This should be an exciting day for us as Christians, full of joy and celebration!)

The greatest day in history, death is beaten
You have rescued me
Sing it out, Jesus is alive
The empty cross, the empty grave
Life eternal, You have won the day
Shout it all, Jesus is alive
He´s alive!!!

Then we got all dressed up and went to church to celebrate! Daddy graciously took a picture of us 3 girls all prettied up but he looked very handsome himself! ;) Just sayin'.

So in case you haven't heard,

Jesus is alive!

Oh happy day!

Choosing To See A Thousand Things

I finished the first book on my Spring Reading Thing list: Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope by Mary Beth Chapman.

Although it was truly a heart wrenching book to read, it was also so beautiful. Interesting combination, don't you think? Let me explain...

Mary Beth is completely honest about the awfulness of losing her little girl, about the pain and the doubt, the suffering and the trials. But through it all, hope triumphs. It was a book that despite making me cry through many of its pages still caused gratitude and joyfulness in my heart for the hope we have in Jesus! Mary Beth makes no qualms about the struggles she continues to face, living life without little Maria but constantly points back to God - that He is in control, that He has a plan even if its hard to understand this side of heaven and that through the work Jesus accomplished in His death and resurrection, they can be certain of the fact that they will see Maria again.

Just listen to this quote:

"It might on certain days be buried deep down in my heart and have a hard time computing to my brain, but here is what I know and what I choose to believe, over and over again. I know God loves me and my family. I know God is sovereign and He knows what is best for us. I know He has our days numbered and makes no mistakes. I know that He will bring beauty from ashes ... that is what I cling to in order to make it through another twenty-four hours."

-Mary Beth Chapman, "Choosing To See"

I am humbled, blown away by this whole story. There were moments where I laughed, many more where I cried. These people are human not some super spiritual family. But the God we serve is faithful. And so, despite how tragic this story is, it still has led my heart to praise my God! If you know Him, you can be certain of the fact that the suffering and pain you face in this life is not without meaning and purpose! There is HOPE! 

Upon finishing this book, I came across a new singer/songwriter who I instantly fell in love with: Christa Wells. One song in particular grabbed my attention, A Thousand Things. "Choosing To See" was still fresh in my mind so of course I related the truth of this song instantly to the Chapmans. But really, it is a wonderfull reminder to all of us who face trials and suffering of any kind. Be encouraged : A thousand things are happening in this one thing.

A Thousand Things

You’re gonna cry yourself to sleep

Your’re gonna soak the pillow

for many weeks

You’re gonna cry

Why?

Why me?

But in spite of the ache

that doesn’t go away

You’ll be sharing your story

one rainy day

And at the next table somebody catches your words

He hear’s a truth that he’s never heard

He takes it back to the marriage he’d given up on

Hands it down to his daughter

who writes it into song

You didn’t know

A thousand things are happening in this one thing

Like a thousand fields nourished by a single drop of rain

So honey, wrap yourself in promise

while you wait the morning light

A thousand things are happening tonight

You’re gonna cry yourself to sleep

‘cause for the moment all that you can see

Is what you’ve lost , lost

Why me?

But in the midst of the most exquisite pain

you’re drawn into a peace that You cannot explain

and the praises you sing of a sovereign God

reach the girl whose last hope is gone

she never thought there was purpose in anything here

now the seed has been planted and it’s taking root there

You didn’t know

Chorus

A thousand things are happening tonight

You’re gonna cry yourself to sleep

A thousand miracles you’ll have to wait and see