Week 16

     I had hoped that by the middle of April, I would be posting some spring flower photos, but we are having a late spring in Southwestern Ontario.  The following are photos from the ice storm that we had last week on Thursday, April 11th and Friday, April 12th.  The ice coating everything was pretty at first, but when branches started breaking and some areas started to lose hydro, then the fun started to wear off!  Fortunately the temperature went up enough in the afternoon that the build up of ice stopped before any more damage was done.  In fact, within an hour of the temperature just going up one degree, all the ice had dropped off of the trees.

                                                                          Looking across to our neighbours backyard and beyond - April 12, 2013

"And who do you think is the father of rain and dew, the mother of ice and frost? 

You don't for a minute imagine these marvels of weather just happen, do you?"

Job 38:  28 & 29 The Message

                                                                Weeping Mulberry Bush looking like it is literally "weeping" - April 12,  2013

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning"

Psalm 30: 5(b) NKJV

                                                                                                   every twig covered in ice - April 12, 2013

"...He crowns you with love and mercy -- a paradise crown.

He wraps you in goodness -- beauty eternal..."

from Psalm 103: 4 & 5 The Message

                                                             The little berries covered with ice looked like jewels - April 12, 2013

"Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel."

Proverbs 20:15 NIV

                                    Looking through the ice-covered patio door to a tree in our backyard - April 12, 201

     "We don't yet see things clearly.  We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. [in this case, ice]  But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright!  We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he know us!
     But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation:  Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly.  And the best of the three is love." 

I Corinthians 13: 12 & 13  The Message

Week 15

                                                                                                                               Big decisions for a 17 year old!  Spring 2013

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge"  Proverbs 1:7a 

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding;

in all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." 

Proverbs 3: 5 & 6 KJV 

     Our youngest son is heading to university in the fall. This will be tough for me.  Our oldest stayed at home during university (we have two universities in Kitchener/Waterloo) and our middle child hung around home long enough that by the time he started university, I was quite ready for him to go, and, he is only 1 hour away from us!

     Tim is my baby and he won't even be 18 until next December.  He only applied to Waterloo because I suggested that he keep his options open.  I think he has already thrown that acceptance letter out as I couldn't find it for this photo!  Tim's first choices are McGill in Montreal and U. of T. in Toronto.  He likes big cities; he certainly does not take after his mother!!  I am hoping he chooses Toronto because it would be an easier adjustment - same province and language - and so much closer to home.  What if he gets sick at McGill?  Who will help him? 

      I think I am "leaning on my own understanding!"

Week 14

                                                              View of Lake Huron just west of Forest, Ontario - March 30, 2013

"He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed."

Psalm 107:29 NIV

                                 Exploring on the ice near the shore on Lake Huron - photo by Mike  - March 30, 2013

"When people's steps follow the Lord, God is pleased with their ways.  If they stumble they will not fall, because the Lord holds their hand."

Psalm 37: 23 & 24 New Century Version

                                                                                                                                          Sunset photo by Dave - March 30, 2013 

"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.

The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens."

Psalm 113: 3 & 4 NIV

The Saturday of Easter weekend was the warmest, calmest and sunniest day so far this spring in Southwestern Ontario.   Our family was fortunate to have scheduled that day to visit my brother and sister-in-law at their cottage, along with my sister's family.  As we were driving the 2 hour trip to their place we were debating among ourselves as to whether we thought there would still be ice on the lake or not.  We were all surprised to see how much ice there still was.   It was so beautiful looking out over the lake with the various colours of blue and white.  

Normally on a very calm day there is still some noise from the lapping of the water at the shore, but when there is ice on the lake it is very silent - the "waves are hushed" as the verse I quoted  says.  The open water is so far out that you can not hear the waves at all.

There are 88 steps down the hill to the beach at my brother's cottage, and because I am having "knee" troubles right now, I had to send my camera down in the capable hands of other family members.  Those who went to the beach had fun beach-combing, throwing a football around, and walking in the sand after a long winter.  Both my niece and nephew, who were  navigating  around on the ice near the shore, predictably ended up with wet shoes and socks!

After the fun outside, we enjoyed a delicious roast beef dinner together and then watched a beautiful sunset before heading back home.  What a great prelude to celebrating our Lord's resurrection the next morning!

Week 13

                                                                                         "New life" colours & accessories - Easter  2013

"He (Jesus our Lord) was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.  Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."

Romans 4:25 - Romans 5:2 NIV

      May you enjoy remembering and celebrating the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and what that means to us.  We are looking forward to having all three of our sons home over Easter weekend and also seeing some extending family.  Happy Easter everyone!

Week 12

                            A male and female cardinal in Jim & Diane's backyard in Cambridge, Ontario - March 16, 2013

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, 

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  

Are you not much more valuable than they?"

Matthew 6:26 NIV  

My friends, Jim and Diane, have a couple of bird feeders attached to their deck in their backyard and enjoy watching a great variety of birds come to eat on a daily basis.  This past Saturday afternoon, it was a real highlight for me to pull up a chair in front of their patio door and watch these birds for an hour.   Sometimes there were 6 or 8 cardinals sitting in this bush waiting for their turn at the bird feeder.  We also saw chickadees, goldfinches, juncos, downy woodpecker, nuthatches,  and more.  I have never seen so many birds for such extended periods of time, while sitting in one place.  It was the easiest and most enjoyable bird watching I have ever done and Diane even provided a snack for me! 

Week 11

                                                                                                                                          5 month old Hikaru - March 9, 2013

"People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them.  When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.  But Jesus called the children to him and said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'"

Luke 18: 15-17 NIV

My heart is overflowing with love for my little grandson.  My daughter-in-law and the baby  are leaving tomorrow on the long trip to Japan.  While I am going to miss them, I am happy to share Hikaru with his grandparents in Japan for the next 2 1/2 months.    He will meet Naoko's grandmother for the first time and other friends and relatives.    My son will be joining them in Japan once his university exams are over in April.  Hikaru is so precious to his parents and grandparents but even more precious to his Heavenly Father and I know that God will watch over him wherever he is in this world!

Week 10

                                                                                            Lighthouse and harbour in Kincardine, Ontario - March 2, 2013

"You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

                                                                                 Station Beach on Lake Huron in Kincardine, Ontario - March 2, 2013

"It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter."

Psalm 74:17

     Dave and I spent some time at our cottage this past weekend.  The lake and beach are so deserted and desolate looking in the winter.  When it is sunny it can be quite beautiful with the snow and ice on the lake, but we had grey skies when we were there.  I am thankful for all of the seasons that we experience in Canada but I must say that by the time we reach March, I am ready for spring to arrive, which is my favourite season!