Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving, eh? ;)

Canadian Thanksgiving, unlike American Thanksgiving always seems to come so quickly! Well, it does...on the second Monday in October! Not the fourth Thursday in November like we Americans are used to ;)

Needless to say, it has been wonderful. I enjoyed sleeping in and then going for brunch with my hubby. We had a nice fall drive, admiring beautiful houses in the heart of downtown Newmarket. I should have taken pictures, there were some really beautiful quaint houses. Some were very old...but really cool. I love how the fall colors of yellow, orange and burgundy trend through the neighborhoods, with the crunchy leaves on the ground and the golden sun rays glistening through the trees.

What a splendid time of year. Now that is something I am thankful for!

I am writing this as I wait for my laundry to finish drying at the laundromat down the street. I will certainly be thankful for a washer and dryer when that time comes! Along with a house that actually has the space....but I try not to keep my list of wants too long ;)

LJ

The time is now

Will I be spent at the end of my life?

.

Will I be able to look back at my youthful years and stand proud of how I've spent my time? Sometimes it's difficult to see the big picture of life when we have no choice but to live only moment by moment....but really it's in each moment's choices and decisions that make up the big picture.

.

Reminds me of that song that goes something like "This is your life...are you who you want to be?" I think we should all pause regularly and consider this.

.

[But true religion is to look after orphans and widows]

.

Our days are numbered.

.

I pray mine will count. Lord let me not wait for opporunities, but pursue them.

.

LJ

It's fall

Today I miss Oregon.

Yesterday the weather was sunny with a light breeze and the air was fresh and crisp - just like Fall should be. It reminded me of the beautiful west coast.

*

I love Fall. I LOVE it. Every time I feel a gentle breeze on my face I feel like the Lord says "I love you" ...and He does. Jesus is awesome.

The colors and crisp air bless me. Isn't God neat?!

I am continually learning what it means to be thankful. I really do want to live a life being thankful for what I have. I want to be a humble woman, strong in the Lord and one who seeks his heartbeat each day. I want to serve the needy and love on orphans and widows. I want to be a woman of wisdom and a life long learner....and a servant like Ruth was. Lord, let me not ever place myself higher or better than another. Mostly, I want to praise him with songs on the piano and pour my heart out in worship...something about radiant chords dancing around on the piano that gradually crescendo to the point of intensity stirs my heart to worship...and I love it.

*Psalm 69:30*

I am blessed...I have been given many things. I have a husband who loves me and is devoted to me, loving friends, a small, yet very comfy bed and a hot shower, a pint sized vehicle that does the job, a supportive Canadian family, a great job and a cute little fluffy puppy who continues to grip my heart with her love and kisses each day. Jesus loves me so....

What are you thankful for today?

LJ

There's always...

Today my husband and I celebrated 3 years of marriage!

Anyway, I was reminded today of the simplicity of being content. Because there will always be...someone richer, someone prettier, someone more talented...bigger house, better clothes...there will always be.....isn't it true? So I am reminded to be thankful for what I have, for there is always someone with "more" of something.

Sometimes easier said than done. Some days I am tested when I see people purchasing items in a heartbeat that I have dreamed of having for a long time. Even though sometimes they can't really afford it, they just swipe the magical card that in some cases ends up biting them back and chasing them while interest builds up and they end up carrying more of a burden than satisfaction. What happened before there were credit cards? You mean people actually had to buy things with cash they had already earned? They couldn't buy it if they didn't have the money? Seems odd now...

So that is when I am reminded that even though I feel like a black sheep, waiting patiently and saving cash for particular items I really desire, that it is indeed the honorable thing. At least in God's eyes.

Pslam 23:1 - "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want."

LJ

Comfort Zone

First post! Hmm...God is good.

Well, let's get to it.

Today I was placed outside of my comfort zone. Yup, that scary place that most human beings tend to shy away from being. It's funny how we sometimes tend to nuzzle ourselves into this comfy little box we've created for our life....a box built of stone walls lined with thorns for protection. All so that we don't get hurt, or embarrassed...or accidentally reveal our flaws for fear of rejection. We as human beings are funny. And what's even funnier is that we are all the same. No matter the race, language, talents, background. We all have insecurities.

Anyway, I love music - it is a huge part of me. I enjoy being able to play my flute and sing on our team at church. So yesterday a friend of mine, Dwayne called me and asked me "Are you on worship team tomorrow?" I replied "no" and he said "Do you want to be?" And I said "sure!" What I didn't realize is that the church down the road was in need of a worship team for today's service because they had nobody that was in town to lead it! (It's a good thing when the churches in the community are connected like that, and can help eachother out.) Dwayne asked me if I would be a singer for the team. I hesitated and said yes, but hinted that I would bring my flute (Flute is my primay instrument while on worship team, and then I sing harmonies in the background) And he said "Sure, you can hide behind your flute if you want" ....obviously seeing through my fear of inadequacy!

I arrived at the church this morning, and we rehearsed. Although I wasn't 100% comfortable with singing, it actually went well. I know that I love to sing, and I can sing, but I know that I need vocal training. I'm not a natural. I know the musical aspect of it, but let's face it - some people are born to sing. Some people need to learn it. The latter would be me! Needless to say, the team did great, despite not even having a drummer. The whole church was clapping and singing along with us and we accomplished what we were supposed to - worship. It was awesome. I would not have done that on my own, that's for sure...thank you Dwayne.

Lately I have really had a desire to pick up the guitar. I started a couple years back, but I chickened out in the callous building phase. But the desire is there, the knowledge of music is there, and I think it's worth it...Psalm 100:2

If money were no object, I would have a roland digital piano and a guitar and I would be taking lessons in both. (I am actually taking piano lessons now, just waiting on the money for a piano) And voice lessons...that would be sweet. For now I will continue to press on with what I have been given, and become the best I can be with my giftings.

LJ