One More For Mother's Day

Every year on Mother's Day, all of the ladies over 18 are called up on the platform at church. Our Pastor asks different questions, and there are little prizes for the winning answer. One of the questions this year was, "Who got the most unusual Mother's Day gift?" Right before service started, Daniel went out and picked me a bouquet of dandelions, which I took up with me...and this is me holding them up. I knew for sure I'd win for that one!

While I was up there, my husband's cell phone rang! It was my oldest son telling him to stop at the local florist to pick up some flowers he had ordered for me. He somehow remembered that my favorite color is yellow, and his wife remembered that I like carnations! The photo below is Naomi and Lorne during their recent trip to Mexico, and the next photo, of course is the bouquet they sent me, surrounded by a card from my other three boys, and a card from my husband. I also had phone calls from my two daughters, as well as an ecard, so all in all, I had a very nice Mother's Day!

Ezekiel 34:26b and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.

Our Moms

Mother's Day has arrived! Today, I'd like to introduce you to my Mom, and then to my Mother in law. I doubt that I need to tell anyone that the lady in this first picture is my mom...notice any resemblance?!

When I was growing up, my mother never had a career outside our home. Although she had gone to business college, she chose to leave her office job and her friends and family in Toronto to come to Manitoba to marry Dad. It amazes me to think of the life she left behind to come to a little house on the prairie; a house with no modern conveniences such as electricity, or plumbing. She had to get used to coal oil lamps, a wood stove, and an outhouse, but I’ve never once heard her complain about those early years. She loved her new life, and learned to make do with what she had.
Mom was always there for us...all eight of us! As a teenager, I remember spending many evenings sitting on a stool, helping Mom do dishes, and telling her about my day. With such a big family, we didn’t get a lot of individual attention, so I took advantage of my special time with Mom. The stool is long gone, but when I visit, Mom and I still talk as we do the dishes.
Things never changed much in our home. Mom was always up before anyone else, getting breakfast and school lunches ready. Meals and bedtime were at regular times. Dad came home from work in the evening, and Mom always had his supper ready. I think the predictability gave us kids a lot of security. Because we always knew what to expect, discipline never seemed to be a big issue. Mom and Dad never gave us a lot of rules. We just knew what we could do and what we were not to do. That was usually enough. If we did step out of line, one look from Dad with his bright blue eyes was enough, at least for me! I didn’t realize it until recently, when I was told by a girl who had been in care with us, that I give those same looks!
I know from my own childhood that kids are happier when they have guidelines, and know what is expected of them. Our kids need to know that we care enough to set limits for them. I’m so thankful for both of my parents, and the example they’ve been for me.

Many years ago, I wrote the following poem for my parents. Even though it's for both of my parents, it still seemed fitting for a Mother's Day message.

I never want regrets for things I didn’t say.
So, I’ve penned these words, in hopes that they convey,
My love and affection for you, my Dad and Mom,
And my appreciation for all that you have done.
I never want you thinking you didn’t do enough.
How can I ever thank you for all you’ve given us?
For values that you taught us, by your word and deed;
For all the times you’ve been there, no matter what the need.
I never want you feeling you failed in any way.
Having you for parents means more than I can say.
Though we’ve had our differences, as the years have flown,
Through all our ups and downs, we’ve always come back home.
I never want regrets for things I didn’t do.
Can mere words ever tell you how much I love you?
For all my thoughts and feelings can never be expressed.
When God gave me a Dad and Mom, he gave the very best.

The picture above, was just taken on Friday, when we went to visit my mother in law in the hospital. Again, I think you can see that my husband is very much like his mom too!

She is 88 years old, and still lives in her own house, and a tends to a beautiful flower garden. We are still waiting for some test results to determine some recent health concerns, and I would sure appreciate your prayers for her.

Once again, I want to wish all the moms out there a very happy Mother's Day, filled with bouquets of blessings!

Titus 2:3&4 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Bouquets Of Blessings

Our Mother Daughter Banquet is over for another year! The food was wonderful, and of course our team did the lovely decorations! The third ladies team put together the program, called Hannah's Heart. The skit was very good, with lots of songs included, and it just so happens that the lady who heads up that team has a little son named Samuel. He did a great job of playing his part...he slept through the whole thing! His bigger brother played the part of Samuel when he went to the temple.

After the skit, we heard from our special speaker, Mrs. Laura Holt, and also surprised our Pastor's wife, Mrs. Susan Carlson, by honoring her. Someone managed to find gifts to go along with our theme, and they were beautiful! This is Mrs. Carlson & Mrs. Holt in front of our beautiful centerpiece. By the way...they didn't plan the matching outfits!

A few months ago, I wrote a song for the skit, Hannah's Heart.

Hannah’s heart was grieved, as she prayed, and she wept sore.
Though in bitterness of soul, she trusted in the Lord.
Hannah’s heart poured out, as she asked God for a son,
Vowing she would give him back until his days were done.
Hannah’s heart was calmed, and her face no longer sad.
She had lain her burden down, and left it in God’s hands.
Hannah’s heart rejoiced when God answered her request.
Soon the child, Samuel, unto the Lord was lent.
Hannah’s heart was strong in faith,
for through her sorrow and her pain,
The Lord had taught her of his grace,
and how blessings come to those who trust and pray.
Hannah’s heart had learned to trust and pray.

Hannah’s heart was broken. Though she longed to have a son, the Lord had shut up her womb. What made matters worse was the fact that Hannah’s husband had another wife who was able to bear children, and she took pleasure in Hannah’s heartbreak. It would have been easy for Hannah to become bitter and angry at God for allowing such circumstances, and for awhile it does seem that Hannah is wallowing in self pity. But eventually she realizes that her attitude is also hurting her husband. She remembers who it is that is in control of all things, and though she is still in bitterness of soul, she takes her petition to the Lord, and pours it all out to him. After giving her burden to the Lord, her countenance is no longer sad.
What a difference it makes when we just put our trust in the Lord, and realize, as Hannah did, that There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God! Once again, I’m reminded that God’s plan, God’s way and God’s timing are always perfect.

1 Samuel 1:1 –1 Samuel 2:21
Jeremiah 17:7,8 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Decorating For Mother/Daughter Banquet

Our theme - "Bouquets of Blessings."

Still in the midst of decorating...explains the ladder!

The bouquets on the walls have pictures of family (our blessings) in the center of each flower.

All set up for the banquet in our new gymnasium.

More pictures of the gymnasium that gave me the free time to begin blogging! It was definitely worth all the hours without my husband to have such a beautiful place for our banquet...not to mention a place for our kids to run!

Our special speaker is Mrs. Laura Holt. She and her husband are missionaries to Sierra Leone, sent out of Bible Baptist Church in DeLand Florida(Pastor James Knox) Mrs. Holt helped with the decorating, and did most of the work on this beautiful bouquet in the center. She has already been such a blessing!

I'll be posting more tomorrow, after the banquet.

I Will Exalt Him

While reading through the Book of Numbers, I came across a portion of scripture that I had read many times before, but suddenly saw in a whole new way. It’s where Moses is telling God that he is not able to bear all these people alone. After all, he did not conceive them, nor did he give birth to them, and yet it seemed that God was asking him to be a father to these people who more often than not acted like a bunch of whiney kids. Although these verses are about Moses and the children of Israel, it wasn’t difficult to apply them to myself and my own family. I have never for a moment regretted having any of our children, but there are times when I do feel overwhelmed by the responsibility we’ve taken on. It’s those days when the kids are whining and complaining, and nothing satisfies them, that I can relate to what Moses said to the Lord. We can’t do it alone. In searching out how Moses coped with these feelings, I kept reading: “God said unto Moses,” and “God commanded Moses,” then I would read, “Moses did all that God commanded.” Aside from striking the rock in anger, Moses always seemed to do God’s will. Not only that, but he interceded for the children of Israel when God was angry with their disobedience. I kept searching for something that would give me insight into how Moses managed to go on day after day. Finally, I went back to the beginning. Here I found Moses saying, “Who am I….,” as he tried to tell God he was the wrong person for the task, and God said, “Certainly I will be with you.” Then, when God delivered the children of Israel from the Egyptians, they sang with Moses, “The Lord is my strength and song, he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare for him a habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” (Exodus 15:2)
Here was my answer! Whenever I grow weary or irritated with my children, I need to remind myself that it doesn’t matter who I am, God is certainly with me, and he is my strength and song. When I exalt him, I am able to do whatever he asks of me.

And what a difference that makes to my whole outlook!

Numbers 11:12,14 Have I conceived all these people? Have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child….I am not able to bear all these people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
Exodus 3:11a,12 And Moses said unto God, Who am I….And he said, Certainly I will be with thee;

A Mother's Friend

I have friend that I very seldom see, but we talk on the phone....alot. When I asked her to send me a picture of herself, to put on this post, this is the picture she sent. And yes...coffee is one of my closest friends, but it wasn't quite what I was looking for! But since she sent it, I thought I'd go ahead and post it. You'll notice that it's a Tim Horton's coffee pot...I guess that's supposed to make the coffee better....Now I don't know if you have Tim Horton's Coffee in the U.S., but in Canada....or at least Manitoba...it's very popular. I'm always amazed to see the line ups in the drive thru...for COFFEE!! But...anyway...on with today's Mother's Day post.

A mother’s friend is a gift from God
and he knows just who you need.
She’ll faithfully pray day or night,
and she shares your hopes and dreams.
She’s the one who always encourages,
and lifts you up when you’re down.
She lets you know when you are wrong,
and gives you a smile for your frown.
She doesn’t mind when you brag on your kids,
or complain when they’ve been bad
She’s always there to calm you down,
and knows how to make you laugh.
She listens when you ramble,
and knows you just need to vent.
She ignores the things you don’t really mean,
and understands when you’re upset.
A mother’s friend will always be there,
no matter how far away.
The sound of her voice can cheer you up,
and she’s just a phone call away.

Jamie is a foster/adoptive mom that I met about seven years ago, when a little boy went from our foster home to hers. Although she is much closer to my daughter's age than mine, we have formed a 'phone friendship' through our common interest...our children. Pictured above is Jamie with three of her five kids. The next picture she sent me, I told her I couldn't post because she seemed to have lost her hairbrush...she replied that the picture was taken right after she returned from the hairdresser...it was like that on purpose! Figures...I told you she's my daughter's age....which makes me her mother's age....and yes...when I made the hairbrush comment...she said,"Yes, Mother." hehehe

Happy Mother's Day Jamie!

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 27:6a Faithful are the wounds of a friend.
Ephesians 4:15a But speaking the truth in love,

A Mother's Memories

So often I’ve heard people talk about the dreaded teen years, and when I think about how I was during that stage of life, I can understand why! But I actually enjoyed my teen aged kids, and I miss that time of our lives.

I think of the times we spent working together on Grandpa’s strawberry farm, and the trips to family camp.

I remember the one summer we spent days building a stream bed and waterfall that splashed into a pond that was big enough to double as a paddling pool...and it did!

I laugh when I think of how we played our own version of volleyball, where the only rule was to get the ball over the net whatever it took! To anyone watching, it looked like a combination of soccer and ballet, with a little bit of volley ball thrown in!

I miss the times spent with Dana and Christie at the piano, and singing together in church, and I miss the smell of Nicole’s baking; especially her cinnamon buns! I remember watching Nicole’s confidence grow as she spent time volunteering at a care home, and Lorne taking the initiative to sign up for voice lessons at the university, and discovering he was a tenor.