Hello. I bet you are shocked that I am even back so early. I thought I would take time here and there to write when I can. Since my family is sick and this has forced me to slow down, I thought now may be a good time to continue...
We had spent a few lovely days exploring beautiful B.C. with the folks and then we decided to begin to make our way home. Since I am not feeling the best I am going to give you the Reader's Digest version of the story. Basically, we decided to leave a day earlier to a campground that would normally take 1.5 hrs to get too but we decided to go with the folks on a scenic tour instead that took us 4 hrs. It was worth it. We took two small ferries (free) on this route and saw many wonderful sights this way. We arrived at the camp and the parents helped us set up as best as possible. There happened to be a park across from our campsite and our little one made a friend there. The friend's Mom was doing some laundry as they were preparing to move on to another campground in the morning. We struck up a conversation and I really felt strongly that the Lord wanted me to ask her to stay another night so we could visit a place called "The Enchanted Forrest" together. I must say, selfishly that was the last thing I wanted to do...I wanted just my family together for the day but who am I to argue with God?? LOL! She agreed to come along with us. So the next morning we prepared to go to the Enchanted Forrest. It was a neat place! It was a forrest full of fairytale/storybook characters. We hiked the forrest, rowed boats through lily pad ponds and talked about all things! It was a good time. At the end of the day at the forrest, we parted ways as our new friends went for supper and we did too. We met back at the campground later in the evening to say our good night greetings.
The next morning we packed up and decided to move on. Our new friends actually decided to stay another day. As Mike was finishing packing the car, the other Mom and I took the girls to the playground to play. As we were sitting at the playground we talked more and more about God. Mike came and told me it was time to go and I really felt God prompting me to ask her THE question. So I said to her, "I just can't leave here without knowing where she was in her relationship with God." I proceeded to explain that religion and relationship with Jesus were two very different things and I told her that God was offering her freedom (she grew up in a religious home), I told her that God was offering her the gift of new life. Freedom in Jesus. My new friend began to shake and cry and right there in the parking lot of the campground we bowed in prayer together as she accepted this free gift of a new life in Christ. We hugged and we parted ways. I am in the process of finding her a good church home in her town. Please pray for our new sister in Christ. :)
The treasure here is that even though our plans had changed (spur of the moment decision to leave to a campground instead of staying with the parents for another day or two) God had a reason why...Another treasure is that God's timing is perfect. Had we stuck to OUR plans, we would have missed our friends as they would have already been gone to a different campground. Also, had I been selfish and not invited her along for the day as God had prompted, I would not have a new sister in Christ. So you see, when you leave the planning up to God and go with the flow as He leads, good things happen. :) Well that is all for now. Again, not editing... Take care and remember to let God lead and you will find treasures.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Holiday Treasure #5
WOW! It has been a long time. I am so glad I made no promises as to when you would get another post. :) I sure hope I can remember all the wonderful things I wanted to tell you about. I believe I left off with us leaving the beautiful island.
So that is what we did. We took the ferry back to the mainland and made our way to a special little vacation condo where we were to meet my hubbies parents. Remember they were coming back from NS where they did the funeral and burial of Mike's Grandma. Anyhow we showed up at the condo and made ourselves at home and the next day we decided to walk across a beautiful field where we found a beautiful little park and a perfect sized beach. My little gal had a blast playing at the park and when she was all warm from that she decided to take a dip in the lake. It was so nice and refreshing. I could have stayed at the beach all day building sand castles, splashing in the water and just enjoying my beautiful family and creation that God had given to me. Yet, my pregnant belly was getting hungry so we decided to pack up and head back to our vacation spot. We were so pleasantly surprised to find the parents unloading their vehicle from the long trip they had taken. This was a treasure in itself as we were not expecting them to arrive until the next day at least! Anyhow, as they settled in I rustled up some lunch for us and we just basked in the blessings of being together. WOW I am CHEESY! :) Really tho, if you know me at all...You will know that family is just THAT important to me.
It was so nice for our little girl to have her Papa and Gram with her and she was so excited that I am sure the Grandparents wished they had come the next day just to have that much needed rest! She did keep them on their toes. She couldn't wait for her Papa to play with her and take her for walks and to the park. I must say, Papa was a real trooper because he did all of those things and more. I could tell he was tired but I could also tell that he was just as glad to be with her as she was to be with him. It was a treasure indeed to see their relationship grow.
With the parents we travelled to a place called Peachland. Now in my head I pictured this to be a place where you pick luscious peaches from trees and eat them right there. Turns out it was not that. However, I was not disappointed. Peachland is such a neat little community where there are all kinds of little shops and boutiques to browse through as well as places to picnic along the shoreline. There were little places you could just park, get out set up a picnic area and go swimming at the same time. It was such a neat experience. During this trip to Peachland we took the opportunity to rent a family bike (4 seater) and we rode around town. It just so happens that it was my my Mom-in-laws first time on a bike ever!! It was so nice to experience that with her. The grin on her face was worth every peddle. Our little girl was a free loader!!! She got to sit up front with the best view AND when we rented the bike we were given a coupon for a free ice cream so guess who got to eat that?? Not the ones sweating up a storm as we peddled together...Noooo It was the little kid who's only job was to honk the bike horn and wave and smile at all those walking beside us! It was too cute. She took her job seriously.
During our time with the parents we also celebrated my daughter's 5th Birthday in style with a yummy homemade supper, ice cream cake and of course a few presents. It was so nice to celebrate together. I will never take for granted any time I get to share with my extended family. I keep thinking that there will be a day where either the miles or health or life will separate us. So as I have said before, family is so important to me. The closer I get to God the closer I get to my family. That is my daily prayer. "Lord may we grow closer to You and closer to each other." It really is about relationship isn't it?
Well this is getting pretty long so I guess I will stop for now and continue the story later. Again, I have no idea when...could be after this baby is born. By the way...on the baby front things are looking good. I feel great. I am in my last trimester I have gained a total of 4 lbs so that is great. A C-section has been tentatively scheduled for Jan. 3rd. I will know more for sure about that on December 6th. If I remember I will post an update. In the meantime, please pray for that whole situation. I am at peace with the fact of having to have a C-section now but I still covet your prayers.
Ok, please keep checking back because I have still have some wonderful stories to tell of our vacation. One is about our kiddo telling us she asked Jesus in her heart and how she came to do that all by herself as well as a story where at a divine appointment the Lord used me to lead a woman to the Lord...at a campground...It will be great.
Oh...I am not going back to edditt thiss sooo pleazse forgiive anny grammatiKal/speliling airrors. ;) Have a wonderful Advent Season!!
So that is what we did. We took the ferry back to the mainland and made our way to a special little vacation condo where we were to meet my hubbies parents. Remember they were coming back from NS where they did the funeral and burial of Mike's Grandma. Anyhow we showed up at the condo and made ourselves at home and the next day we decided to walk across a beautiful field where we found a beautiful little park and a perfect sized beach. My little gal had a blast playing at the park and when she was all warm from that she decided to take a dip in the lake. It was so nice and refreshing. I could have stayed at the beach all day building sand castles, splashing in the water and just enjoying my beautiful family and creation that God had given to me. Yet, my pregnant belly was getting hungry so we decided to pack up and head back to our vacation spot. We were so pleasantly surprised to find the parents unloading their vehicle from the long trip they had taken. This was a treasure in itself as we were not expecting them to arrive until the next day at least! Anyhow, as they settled in I rustled up some lunch for us and we just basked in the blessings of being together. WOW I am CHEESY! :) Really tho, if you know me at all...You will know that family is just THAT important to me.
It was so nice for our little girl to have her Papa and Gram with her and she was so excited that I am sure the Grandparents wished they had come the next day just to have that much needed rest! She did keep them on their toes. She couldn't wait for her Papa to play with her and take her for walks and to the park. I must say, Papa was a real trooper because he did all of those things and more. I could tell he was tired but I could also tell that he was just as glad to be with her as she was to be with him. It was a treasure indeed to see their relationship grow.
With the parents we travelled to a place called Peachland. Now in my head I pictured this to be a place where you pick luscious peaches from trees and eat them right there. Turns out it was not that. However, I was not disappointed. Peachland is such a neat little community where there are all kinds of little shops and boutiques to browse through as well as places to picnic along the shoreline. There were little places you could just park, get out set up a picnic area and go swimming at the same time. It was such a neat experience. During this trip to Peachland we took the opportunity to rent a family bike (4 seater) and we rode around town. It just so happens that it was my my Mom-in-laws first time on a bike ever!! It was so nice to experience that with her. The grin on her face was worth every peddle. Our little girl was a free loader!!! She got to sit up front with the best view AND when we rented the bike we were given a coupon for a free ice cream so guess who got to eat that?? Not the ones sweating up a storm as we peddled together...Noooo It was the little kid who's only job was to honk the bike horn and wave and smile at all those walking beside us! It was too cute. She took her job seriously.
During our time with the parents we also celebrated my daughter's 5th Birthday in style with a yummy homemade supper, ice cream cake and of course a few presents. It was so nice to celebrate together. I will never take for granted any time I get to share with my extended family. I keep thinking that there will be a day where either the miles or health or life will separate us. So as I have said before, family is so important to me. The closer I get to God the closer I get to my family. That is my daily prayer. "Lord may we grow closer to You and closer to each other." It really is about relationship isn't it?
Well this is getting pretty long so I guess I will stop for now and continue the story later. Again, I have no idea when...could be after this baby is born. By the way...on the baby front things are looking good. I feel great. I am in my last trimester I have gained a total of 4 lbs so that is great. A C-section has been tentatively scheduled for Jan. 3rd. I will know more for sure about that on December 6th. If I remember I will post an update. In the meantime, please pray for that whole situation. I am at peace with the fact of having to have a C-section now but I still covet your prayers.
Ok, please keep checking back because I have still have some wonderful stories to tell of our vacation. One is about our kiddo telling us she asked Jesus in her heart and how she came to do that all by herself as well as a story where at a divine appointment the Lord used me to lead a woman to the Lord...at a campground...It will be great.
Oh...I am not going back to edditt thiss sooo pleazse forgiive anny grammatiKal/speliling airrors. ;) Have a wonderful Advent Season!!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Holiday Treasure #4
Hello Again...
I am finding it tougher to find time to write. I was pondering just the other day about how fast my pregnancy has gone! I am already in my last trimester! Time has gone so fast...I am going to use that as my excuse for not being diligent at blogging. Instead I have been stocking my freezer with yummy foods and cleaning like crazy...Must be what they (whoever they are) call nesting. Anyhow...Onto my 4th treasure.
After we left Tofino, we stayed on the Island a few days longer as we camped at different campgrounds. We saw so much beautiful nature and we enjoyed one anothers company. I love my family.
While we were away, My hubby and I celebrated our 12th Wedding Anniversary. Or is it 13?? Hmmmm, wow. I think it is 12. Anyhow, we celebrated by camping out in the gorgeous creation God had given us. I made BBQ ribs, fried rice and garlic toast. There is just something so tasty about food cooked outdoors. We enjoyed our time together. The day after our anniversary, we celebrated our little gals 5th birthday in the same fashion. We set up camp in a different location in the wonderful outdoors. We gave the birthday girl a choice whether she wanted to go out and eat at a restaurant or cook at the campground and she said, "Mom all I want to do is buy a bun and make a sandwich at the camp for supper." A girl after my own heart. Not only did she want just a sandwich for her birthday supper, she wanted to make it herself. So that is what we did. We went into town and got her exactly what she wanted for her birthday supper and as her Dad and I set up camp, there she sat at the picnic table making her birthday sandwich! What a sweet kid we are blessed with! We also made sure to have marshmallows roasted on the fire and hot chocolate as well later. Nice and simple ways to celebrate! That was a treasure for sure. We also took our little girl mini golfing at a really beautiful place and for a first time golfer, she did so well! We went to a beach and a park that had a little water slide that she enjoyed a lot. It was so much fun just being together and playing together.
Another neat experience we had was eating on a floating restaurant. We took a little ferry to Protection Island (I believe that is what it is called) where the restaurant is. The ferry actually brings you right to the restaurant. The ferry comes and goes every hour on the hour. It is the coolest little place. It had a place for kids to bait fishing poles with kernels of corn and fish right at the restaurant. Our little girl really enjoyed doing that. It was fun to hear the excitement in her voice when the fish nibbled all the corn off her hook! The experience was so unique and I think I had a permanent grin on my face the whole time we were there from the experience itself. Seeing my family enjoy themselves was such a treasure in itself.
Alas, after spending time on the beautiful Island, it was time for us to take a ferry back to the mainland so to speak and finally meet up with my hubbies parents. I was excited to begin a new adventure with them of a different sort. The treasures just kept coming. You will hear more about that some time. I make no promises as to when. :)
I am finding it tougher to find time to write. I was pondering just the other day about how fast my pregnancy has gone! I am already in my last trimester! Time has gone so fast...I am going to use that as my excuse for not being diligent at blogging. Instead I have been stocking my freezer with yummy foods and cleaning like crazy...Must be what they (whoever they are) call nesting. Anyhow...Onto my 4th treasure.
After we left Tofino, we stayed on the Island a few days longer as we camped at different campgrounds. We saw so much beautiful nature and we enjoyed one anothers company. I love my family.
While we were away, My hubby and I celebrated our 12th Wedding Anniversary. Or is it 13?? Hmmmm, wow. I think it is 12. Anyhow, we celebrated by camping out in the gorgeous creation God had given us. I made BBQ ribs, fried rice and garlic toast. There is just something so tasty about food cooked outdoors. We enjoyed our time together. The day after our anniversary, we celebrated our little gals 5th birthday in the same fashion. We set up camp in a different location in the wonderful outdoors. We gave the birthday girl a choice whether she wanted to go out and eat at a restaurant or cook at the campground and she said, "Mom all I want to do is buy a bun and make a sandwich at the camp for supper." A girl after my own heart. Not only did she want just a sandwich for her birthday supper, she wanted to make it herself. So that is what we did. We went into town and got her exactly what she wanted for her birthday supper and as her Dad and I set up camp, there she sat at the picnic table making her birthday sandwich! What a sweet kid we are blessed with! We also made sure to have marshmallows roasted on the fire and hot chocolate as well later. Nice and simple ways to celebrate! That was a treasure for sure. We also took our little girl mini golfing at a really beautiful place and for a first time golfer, she did so well! We went to a beach and a park that had a little water slide that she enjoyed a lot. It was so much fun just being together and playing together.
Another neat experience we had was eating on a floating restaurant. We took a little ferry to Protection Island (I believe that is what it is called) where the restaurant is. The ferry actually brings you right to the restaurant. The ferry comes and goes every hour on the hour. It is the coolest little place. It had a place for kids to bait fishing poles with kernels of corn and fish right at the restaurant. Our little girl really enjoyed doing that. It was fun to hear the excitement in her voice when the fish nibbled all the corn off her hook! The experience was so unique and I think I had a permanent grin on my face the whole time we were there from the experience itself. Seeing my family enjoy themselves was such a treasure in itself.
Alas, after spending time on the beautiful Island, it was time for us to take a ferry back to the mainland so to speak and finally meet up with my hubbies parents. I was excited to begin a new adventure with them of a different sort. The treasures just kept coming. You will hear more about that some time. I make no promises as to when. :)
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Holiday Treasure #3
Ok, it has been a long time yet again. I am sorry it has taken so long. I know, I know, you have heard that before. :)
On to my holiday treasure #3...This is the odd one. My husband's Grandmother passed away at the beginning of our trip and this changed our plans. Originally the plan was for us to travel with his parents to BC to spend some time together. Well, obviously this didn't happen right away as his Dad and Mom flew to NS to do his Mom's funeral. The best part about this sad event was that we were all together as a family to love and support his Dad as he prepared to fly back to his home and do what I could only think would be one of the hardest things to do in life, bury a loved one.
Anyhow, it was decided that we would go on our way to the west coast without his parents and meet up with his parents later. With this new opportunity we decided to carry on to Vancouver Island where we had an awesome time in Tofino visiting some very close friends of ours. These wonderful friends moved to the Island a couple of years ago and bought a wonderful chocolate shop called "Chocolate Tofino". At this place magic happens! They home make their own chocolates AND gelato!! The whole experience there was refreshing! Tofino really has a hippee feel. Everything/everyone is so laid-back. It was here we hiked some rainforests, went to some pretty amazing beaches, ate ridiculously GREAT food (one place was comprised of a chef and a fisherman who are partners...one catches the seafood and the other cooks it fresh!) and of course you will never find any better quality chocolate AND gelato! Best of all, we were able to catch up with our good friends and see where they live now. What a life!
So maybe you can understand now why this odd turn of events (of his Grandma's death) ended up being a treasure. Mainly because we were able to be with his Dad when he got the news that his Mom had passed away. Then, when our plans changed we made the best of this change and this started a grand vacation that our family will cherish for a long time. It was a sad time yes. Do I always deal well with change? Nope. This time I had to and it worked out pretty great. Sometimes the treasure comes with not knowing exactly what life will hand to you.
On this trip to Tofino we had so much fun hanging out with our family and close friends. Seeing gorgeous sights and enjoying one another's company. A treasure in the unexpected. Beautiful.
On to my holiday treasure #3...This is the odd one. My husband's Grandmother passed away at the beginning of our trip and this changed our plans. Originally the plan was for us to travel with his parents to BC to spend some time together. Well, obviously this didn't happen right away as his Dad and Mom flew to NS to do his Mom's funeral. The best part about this sad event was that we were all together as a family to love and support his Dad as he prepared to fly back to his home and do what I could only think would be one of the hardest things to do in life, bury a loved one.
Anyhow, it was decided that we would go on our way to the west coast without his parents and meet up with his parents later. With this new opportunity we decided to carry on to Vancouver Island where we had an awesome time in Tofino visiting some very close friends of ours. These wonderful friends moved to the Island a couple of years ago and bought a wonderful chocolate shop called "Chocolate Tofino". At this place magic happens! They home make their own chocolates AND gelato!! The whole experience there was refreshing! Tofino really has a hippee feel. Everything/everyone is so laid-back. It was here we hiked some rainforests, went to some pretty amazing beaches, ate ridiculously GREAT food (one place was comprised of a chef and a fisherman who are partners...one catches the seafood and the other cooks it fresh!) and of course you will never find any better quality chocolate AND gelato! Best of all, we were able to catch up with our good friends and see where they live now. What a life!
So maybe you can understand now why this odd turn of events (of his Grandma's death) ended up being a treasure. Mainly because we were able to be with his Dad when he got the news that his Mom had passed away. Then, when our plans changed we made the best of this change and this started a grand vacation that our family will cherish for a long time. It was a sad time yes. Do I always deal well with change? Nope. This time I had to and it worked out pretty great. Sometimes the treasure comes with not knowing exactly what life will hand to you.
On this trip to Tofino we had so much fun hanging out with our family and close friends. Seeing gorgeous sights and enjoying one another's company. A treasure in the unexpected. Beautiful.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Holiday Treasure #2
I know, I know, it has been a while. Sorry.
So after we spent some time with my Grandmother and Aunts and Uncle we went to a gorgeous hotel where we are treated just like family. We LOVE going to this hotel. They know us by name and treat us just like family. It could be because the owner is a friend of the family (more friends of Mike's parents) none the less they treat us no different. Anyhow, the reason we were at this hotel was to plan for a treasure indeed. Both of Mike's brothers and their wives were coming to the hotel so we could prepare to celebrate their parents 40th wedding anniversary. We did a whole wedding and reception at the hotel. I do want to say how much the hotel did for us. I had a meeting with wonderful lady who did all I had asked or imagined for this special day. She took care of every little detail even to the point of asking the florist to spray paint some flowers to match a color I really wanted. The food was fantastic and my sister in law made an absolutely gorgeous gluten free wedding cake. It was her first and I must say it was GORGEOUS! It tasted great too! I know you are probably wanting to see pictures but I haven't had time to put them on the computer yet. One of my blogs will be just pictures of these things. I promise. Anyhow, Mike did the ceremony and I helped a little. His youngest brother walked his Mom down the aisle, his middle brother played a song he wrote as she walked down and the daughter in laws stood with our Mama. It was such a beautiful time! A really neat thing is that their actual anniversary fell on a Sunday and the vow renewal was not until the afternoon so before all the wedding activities, we all circled our cars in a parking lot of a liquor store and had a church service. Each of us were able to share a blessing, scripture and pick a song to sing. I like these times. They are intimate and we can always feel the presence of God so close during these times. That was a huge treasure. Getting together with family to worship God is something I will never take for granted. Our family is spread across different provinces so anytime we can get together to share the Word of God is fantastic.
There is more to this part of our journey as well but it will have to wait until the next time I am able to write. Please have patience with me as there is a lot on my plate at the moment. I will get to it tho. Don't worry. Treasure your family for as long as the Lord gives them to you. Bless you all.
So after we spent some time with my Grandmother and Aunts and Uncle we went to a gorgeous hotel where we are treated just like family. We LOVE going to this hotel. They know us by name and treat us just like family. It could be because the owner is a friend of the family (more friends of Mike's parents) none the less they treat us no different. Anyhow, the reason we were at this hotel was to plan for a treasure indeed. Both of Mike's brothers and their wives were coming to the hotel so we could prepare to celebrate their parents 40th wedding anniversary. We did a whole wedding and reception at the hotel. I do want to say how much the hotel did for us. I had a meeting with wonderful lady who did all I had asked or imagined for this special day. She took care of every little detail even to the point of asking the florist to spray paint some flowers to match a color I really wanted. The food was fantastic and my sister in law made an absolutely gorgeous gluten free wedding cake. It was her first and I must say it was GORGEOUS! It tasted great too! I know you are probably wanting to see pictures but I haven't had time to put them on the computer yet. One of my blogs will be just pictures of these things. I promise. Anyhow, Mike did the ceremony and I helped a little. His youngest brother walked his Mom down the aisle, his middle brother played a song he wrote as she walked down and the daughter in laws stood with our Mama. It was such a beautiful time! A really neat thing is that their actual anniversary fell on a Sunday and the vow renewal was not until the afternoon so before all the wedding activities, we all circled our cars in a parking lot of a liquor store and had a church service. Each of us were able to share a blessing, scripture and pick a song to sing. I like these times. They are intimate and we can always feel the presence of God so close during these times. That was a huge treasure. Getting together with family to worship God is something I will never take for granted. Our family is spread across different provinces so anytime we can get together to share the Word of God is fantastic.
There is more to this part of our journey as well but it will have to wait until the next time I am able to write. Please have patience with me as there is a lot on my plate at the moment. I will get to it tho. Don't worry. Treasure your family for as long as the Lord gives them to you. Bless you all.
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