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! 

Week 9

                                                The youngest musician in the family - February 2013 

"It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High,

to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night."

Psalm 92:1&2 NIV

He has very good posture at the piano and seems to be seriously studying his music!

                                                                                              Tim shovelling - February 2013

"Do everything without complaining or arguing"

Philippians 2:14

We have had a snowy February in Southwestern Ontario this year.  Tim doesn't love shovelling, but he willingly helps out, if asked.  This morning we had to "dig out" again, although this photo was from a couple of weeks ago. I kind of like how the panes in the door and the snowflakes on it are out of focus, and the focus is on my helpful son. I am sure going to miss that boy if he goes off to university next year!

Week 8

     I woke up this past Sunday to another beautiful, sunny, still, frosty morning.  I thought I had better take advantage of this gift and go out on another photo shoot, even though it was cold at 8:00 a.m. (-18 degrees Celsius)  I took a little Waterloo County tour and saw some spectacular scenery and had the added good fortune to witness seeing many horses and buggies carrying their Mennonite/Amish families to either their meetinghouse or someone's home, when I was standing at the covered bridge in West Montrose.  While I am used to seeing Mennonite buggies, I have never had the opportunity to photograph them in such an isolated, beautiful setting and just be standing there with my camera in my hand innocently taking photos of the covered bridge.  It was a thrilling experience for me.

     When I arrived at my own church later in the morning, I experienced a particularly special time of worship.  I think it is because my heart was well prepared.    I had already been in God's presence and experienced His love and peace, as I was out admiring and appreciating His beautiful creation.  

                                                                                                                   looking west from bridge in St. Jacob's, Ontario

"Be still and know that I am God; 

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Psalm 46: 10 NIV

                                                             still looking west from the bridge in St. Jacob's,  and including the train trestle

"I will extend peace to her like a river..."

Isaiah 66:12a

                                                                                              looking east from the bridge in St. Jacob's - Conestogo River

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; 

 because he trusteth in thee."

Isaiah:  26:3 KJV

                                                                                                 Covered Bridge in West Montrose - frozen Conestogo River

"The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

Psalm 121:8 NIV

                                                                                                                      a family-sized buggy entering the covered bridge

     "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will...

     Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honour one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

     Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited.

     Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."  

Romans 12: 2, 9-18 NIV

                                                                                                                             exiting the covered bridge in West Montrose

     "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.  Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.  Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him."

Psalm 32:8-10 NIV 

                                                                           an open buggy on a cold winter day on their way to a Sunday gathering

"His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man;

the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love."

Psalm 147:10,11

                                                                  after crossing the bridge, they are continuing their trip to a Sunday gathering

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives. 

 Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

John 14:27

Week 7 - Ash Wednesday

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;

 according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.  

Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin... 

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow."

Psalm 51:1, 2 & 7b NIV

                                                                 Hoar frost on Sunday morning - Feb 10, 2013

"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord.

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, 

though they are red as crimson they shall be like wool."

Isaiah 1:18 NIV

                                                                                                                                             Neighbour's birch tree - Feb 10, 2013

"Create in me a clean heart, O God:

and renew a right spirit within me."

Psalm 51:10 KJV

                                                                                                      The frost was gone, but still lots of beauty - Feb 10, 2013

"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, 

whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him." 

Romans 4:7 & 8 NIV

                                                                                                                                 Early morning country view - Feb 10, 2013

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22 & 23 NIV 

Ash Wednesday was not something that was focused on historically in my church tradition, but the last few years we have had an Ash Wednesday service.  It has become very special to me.  It is a time to reflect on our sinfulness and our mortality, and makes us realize why we need a Saviour.  It helps set the stage for the Easter season when we remember the sacrifice of God's son and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Last Sunday morning I woke up and when I drew back the curtains and looked outside, a winter wonderland greeted me.  Everything was covered in a thick frost.  The timing for taking photos is tricky in this situation - I wanted to wait for a blue sky, but then the frost disappears quickly.  Some of the above photos were taken when it was still overcast and foggy in the distance, and some when the sun started to shine.  The frost reminds me of how I look in God's eyes - I'm "covered" with Christ's purity!