tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205085192012-02-14T11:00:28.445-07:00... paige's little spot...paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.comBlogger11231100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-42244247883906347532012-02-14T11:00:00.000-07:002012-02-14T11:00:28.455-07:00

i thought i already posted this on here... if so... sorry for the repeat - but i think these are important days for prolifers to get on the same page... and even if we're not on the same page exactly, we need to be able to get beyond the things that separate us & encourage each one who has chosen to enter the fray on behalf of human life. i know that graphic images are such a painfully

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-45377697240411658022012-02-13T11:02:00.000-07:002012-02-13T11:02:00.210-07:00

He runs out to get a few things.  i know he won't be home very much for the rest of the month & he wants to take care of me.  i can tell that he thinks i'm sad because i've been so quiet lately, but i'm not sad.  i'm just quiet.  Even God must think i'm sad 'cause people have been contacting me, "you're on my mind, can i pray for you?" but i'm not sad... i'm not angry, depressed or despondent...

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-52714383828141191432012-02-12T15:06:00.000-07:002012-02-12T15:06:13.409-07:00

Charter has embarked on a new fantastical journey.  He finally found a series of books that are more engrossing than Captain Underpants.  He has been flying through our small store of them as our girls have mostly left them untouched.  The other night, a full hour after his bedtime & at least a half hour after i thought he was asleep, he came streaking into my room like a flustered, rumpled ball

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-53961699167875890802012-02-11T12:26:00.000-07:002012-02-11T12:26:07.418-07:00

i've been where you are.  Brave face to the world of raised eyebrows.  Inside, you're laying in the dirt, wretched and alone.  You feel branded - permanently marked by what you've done, and you couldn't form the words to defend yourself even if you wanted to.  You're done justifying, you're done pretending, you're done imagining that this day would never come... Maybe your sin has robbed you

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-169822612767101032012-02-07T10:23:00.000-07:002012-02-07T10:23:49.475-07:00

Hey Paige?  Writing angsty blog posts & then leaving them all to sit in all their mellow dramatic glory in your drafts folder isn't exactly blogging... but whatever... that's beside the point.  The best writing probably has to thank the words that were not written (or that were deleted in time... or put in the purgatory of a "drafts" folder...). Blogging can be tricky business - especially

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-38903461199980115402012-02-06T14:18:00.001-07:002012-02-06T15:31:37.939-07:00

i don't think i have ever in my life experienced the kind of high i had the day Gagey was born.  i had struggled with anxiety in his pregnancy (more than any other) - & as i held him in my arms, i felt like i could explode with gratitude.  Cai remembers how i wouldn't let anyone else hold him... My face felt like it would crack from delirious cackling joy... & i wrapped & re-wrapped this tiny

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-37670679321815345022012-02-04T10:30:00.000-07:002012-02-04T10:30:19.051-07:00

Wow.  Quite the week with all the uproar on the web about the Susan G. Komen Foundations supposed pull, then not pull - of funds to Planned Parenthood.  i'll be honest here:  i'm obviously not a fan of Planned Parenthood - but here's the naked truth... i'm also not usually a fan of health care charities either.  Neil & i made a decision several years ago to be extremely careful about donating

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-59849473550834137822012-02-03T09:32:00.003-07:002012-02-03T14:30:31.662-07:00

The bleak light from the cloud covered sun slips through her windows and lays a dappled print upon her floor.  It is nearly evening.  He has been gone many, many days.  They provided against his absence with heaps of wood  - food for the Homefire that ever blazes in the safety of their hearth - and she feeds it, watching carefully amidst the day's glories and pain.  The children are clean and

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-8817664627039179282012-02-02T09:31:00.000-07:002012-02-02T09:31:43.206-07:00

Ahh, it's the little things in life that bring clarity to the big sometimes, isn't it?  He had called me, but i missed it so i called him back, but he didn't answer, so he called me again & i missed it again, & finally i caught him when i parked our monster van at the college dropping off my big girls for violin.  & i don't know why his voice is all warm sounding over the phone... the deep

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-45091938501699548282012-01-31T13:10:00.000-07:002012-01-31T13:10:54.105-07:00

Sloan, reading from Isaiah 2:23, "Stop trusting in man, who has but breath in his nostrils..." She is interrupted by a shocked roar from my nine year old, "SERIOUSLY?  The bible said he had BUTT breath in his nostrils?" Ya, we've got it all together over here...

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-77494170923185461652012-01-30T11:31:00.000-07:002012-01-30T11:31:49.143-07:00

i'm all over that verse, John 12:24... It's all deep and meaningful - and i always wanted to be the kind of person that bore good fruit for my Master. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. But it never occurred to me before how bad fruit is also full of seeds.  & the decaying

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-6153361857541964452012-01-27T08:04:00.000-07:002012-01-27T08:04:17.766-07:00

1.  So many guesses, but only one WHOOO HOOO to award... & knowing the lyrics doesn't matter because apparently we don't know them either :)  Here is Neil's email: One more night!! Give me one more night, just one more night, cause I can't live without you!!!!  Big WOO HOOOO going out to Melissa.  (He was coming home in one more night :)  hehe.  2.  There are so many women whose husbands

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-38832430454781992732012-01-26T08:00:00.000-07:002012-01-26T08:00:09.399-07:00

You know it has been a long road trip when he sends you a Phil Collins song... Any guesses which one?  Winner gets a big WHOO HOOOO from me.  It has been a long couple of weeks without Neil - & yet... & yet... i can never complain about stretching growth, can i?  i went grocery shopping & hosted overnight company twice while he was gone.  i managed to conquer my fear & drive downtown & get

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-78699597516896214882012-01-24T07:47:00.002-07:002012-01-24T11:45:09.058-07:00

After i posted this on facebook this past sunday: Today is 'sanctity of life Sunday' - the 39th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade in the States... It's time for a new generation that knows better - to do better. (Anyone looked at 3D ultrasounds - or a furiously beating heart in a baby just weeks in the womb?) - All life is precious... i noticed that some of my "pro-choice" friends had responded by

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-66675915487799759462012-01-21T11:03:00.001-07:002012-01-21T11:06:58.826-07:00

1. Remember when the internet slang for your husband was DH?  & now it's, "the hubs"?  Neil fits neither handle.  But sometimes, we write each other notes (ok, mostly me) & we only address them, "husband" or "wife".  2.  Was reminded again this week that you can't compare or measure griefs.  i was reading the comments on a blog written by a girl in her 20's whose parents divorced a couple

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-10985914922735681902012-01-19T12:54:00.000-07:002012-01-19T12:54:32.904-07:00

Now... i'm sure i've tackled this question on my blog before - because i think every believer has asked it in their lifetime.  i went & used the "search this blog" box that's in my sidebar & it came up with a bajillion posts where i used the word 'prayer' - so... not so helpful, search box.  i guess i talk about it a lot... It has been my "school" this year, my Teacher gently leading me through

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-10857146543429150652012-01-17T10:17:00.000-07:002012-01-17T10:17:03.380-07:00

"Ah!!  Oh MY!!! OOhhhh, OhHH DEARRRR!!"  i hear the loud falsetto voice as my seven year old climbs the stairs.  It increases in volume and intensity as she gets nearer to me and finally she bursts into the room where Gagey and i are snuggling and throws herself on my bed.  She has something under her shirt and her arm is flung across her forehead.  "I'M GIVING BIRRRRRTH!!!" She trills, her

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-77686330295197496402012-01-16T11:20:00.000-07:002012-01-16T11:20:44.720-07:00

Am i allowed to combine these things all in one post? They all ask for the same thing (only that versatile blogger award asks you to nominate FIFTEEN other blogs!!??) 'Um... no can do, pupcake'... as mollen would say. The Liebster Blog is an award for bloggers with under 200 followers.  Kinda fun :)  i was nominated by Minerva over at Finding the Right Words.  & i was nominated by Stephanie

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-25709557475828447162012-01-15T22:57:00.001-07:002012-01-15T22:59:43.351-07:00

Awhile ago, our pastor did a sermon series on 'suburban myths about God' (sorry, Brad, i don't remember the exact clever title you used :) ... & i don't remember all of them, but i'm fairly certain that one of them was, "if i'm a Christian i'm never supposed to experience any pain..."  (or something along those lines..) Honestly?  i don't even watch football... is that the game THIS GUY plays? 

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-82997710483178472832012-01-13T10:36:00.000-07:002012-01-13T10:36:32.770-07:00

1. Charter wants to buy a mixer for his wife on their first anniversary.  He's 9.  Is he the only 9 year old boy in the world who was thinking about his future wife today?  He asked me to remind him in 10 years... This blog post will have to do.  To Charter's future wife:  i love you already for picking & being picked by my sweet son... he thinks of you often & so do i.  2. i want to ask

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-67442571545256031182012-01-12T09:12:00.000-07:002012-01-12T09:12:42.227-07:00

For some reason, after over a thousand blog posts, people keep asking me for copies of THIS one.  i'm feeling it more today.  So often we hear people say, "If only the CHURCH would do such and such, it would be better!" or, "i'd be a part of the church if it wasn't so..." Gently, i'd just remind you (& myself)... that if you are a Christ follower... you are the church.  BE the church... go to

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-82317371648577751372012-01-11T09:25:00.000-07:002012-01-11T09:25:32.863-07:00

Remember when i wrote my book?  In a moment of rare confidence, we made the order of books to distribute.  & i felt my cheeks turn crimson & blinked back tears of shame, my confidence completely gone, as that box of books came through the door. i could hear the voice of the accuser in my ear saying, "Who's gonna want to read that anyway?  You're kind of dumb... " & my children squealed and ran

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-76200949095701578282012-01-10T09:12:00.002-07:002012-01-10T13:23:26.123-07:00

We're well into the New Year, but that Christmas carol won't leave me alone.  We have an extra little person in our home, making a grande total of 8 children to cook lunch for.  i've got a steaming pot of potato soup on & Cai has a double batch of biscuits in the oven.  It's the "lunch rush".  Mollen is seated at the piano playing and singing Silent Night.  It's nothing like any version of

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-80630983133317104362012-01-09T10:05:00.000-07:002012-01-09T10:05:49.220-07:00

Have you ever had to go up an escalator with your arms full of baby?  Or maybe wearing 6 inch heels?  Or maybe you've got a baby in one arm, a hot cup of coffee in the other, you're wearing 6 inch heels, and you're chasing after your husband who walks faster than some kind of a jungle cat... and you are about to step on to an escalator? i guess what i'm trying to say is... y'know that moment

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-14034678160598995552012-01-06T19:24:00.000-07:002012-01-06T19:24:55.676-07:00

1. i think i will keep on for 15 on Friday... for now... prayer seems to be a covering, and i need Him.  2. i'm completely smitten with my littles lately... (Can i still call Sloanie a 'little one' even though she's a good 2 inches taller than her mama?)  Lately, my arms have ached to hold them more, to talk more in depth - to explain my heart & to mother.  These desires must be a gift from

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-80136604963948954552012-01-05T12:08:00.000-07:002012-01-05T12:08:24.742-07:00

We're sitting at the supper table & there's some simple flare up between cranky children.  Charter ends up stomping down to his little lair & a few minutes later, i follow.  He has created a little fortress of blankets, books and toys up on his loft bed, and i have to push all aside so that i can climb up there beside him. He's all curled up in a ball with his head under the covers & he

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-79193686374144061412012-01-04T12:00:00.000-07:002012-01-04T12:00:27.446-07:00

The year is 2012.  This past week, i called Ephraim my, "Sugar baby, honey, honey..." and tickled and kissed him till he squealed.  He drooled all over me and waged war with his big brother to find a spot on my lap.  All seven of you kids crowded into my room and snuggled under blankets laughing and talking and making movie watching virtually impossible.  This is the scene in our home these

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-66192025809544915252012-01-02T10:36:00.000-07:002012-01-02T10:36:38.210-07:00

Ephraim is kind of incredible.  Gagey is turning into this gentle giant - a sweet manly soul who is, at 3,  growing so quickly to be like his big brother. Ephraim... is littler & feisty.  He's funny and he knows it - he likes to pick fights, raise one eyebrow when he's doing something silly, and loses the latch on his soother as he suck, sucks it with a goofy grin on his face. This Saturday,

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-28346846260732288972011-12-31T10:59:00.001-07:002011-12-31T19:21:26.132-07:00

1. 40 Days for Life begins at the end of February... i want to go at least 10 times during the 40 days.  Wanna join me?  Check it out HERE or follow our blog HERE.  2.  i need to be more intentional with some areas of our homeschool... This January, i hope to build on the good habits we've already formed & beef up our homeschool day just a little.  3.  i'm not gonna quit bugging God about

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-31966628588253245002011-12-29T11:28:00.000-07:002011-12-29T11:28:25.356-07:00

Mama's often ask me how we do "bible" in our house.  i'm fairly certain i've blogged about this before, but i felt like giving it another go today as we head into the New Year.  Over these past good years, we've sure done a lot of different things to hide God's Word in our hearts... We used picture bibles when our littles were all little, telling stories from that Good Book in our own words.  i

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-78135847131084550762011-12-28T10:22:00.000-07:002011-12-28T10:22:38.207-07:00

Riots aren't that hard to start.  Neil can start one with a prayer.  "Dear Lord, thank you for this food, for a safe trip and for some of my kids.  Amen." *************************************************** If you are sick of my morose, boring blog, it's not my fault.  My 15 year old daughter has made, "calling" blog posts pretty much an olympic sport & she beats me to it everytime something

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-24017103988588933872011-12-27T11:17:00.001-07:002011-12-27T11:17:59.631-07:00

Hey little ones... Dad & i were talking in the van on the way home from Auntie's the other day about some of our favourite years.  One of mine was the year Gagey was born.  That's why i call him sunshine boy.  It felt like for some reason - life breathed warm breaths, no clouds restricted the sun's access in my life & the year as a whole brought good things... Daddy's was the year he went from

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-62122172331754526392011-12-24T13:52:00.000-07:002011-12-24T13:52:33.497-07:00

i'm posting this on Christmas Eve... when most people aren't probably reading blogs.  i'm posting it for the ones who are hiding in their rooms, avoiding the festivities, or who just need some alone time.  i'm posting it for the introverts, for the ones who need a teeny grin, for those who will be glad to welcome a New Year.  i'm posting it for the ones who feel invisible - bleeding and dying on

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-58334707082693198242011-12-22T10:12:00.000-07:002011-12-22T10:12:53.201-07:00

If i ride with Neil during work hours, i usually get exposed to a much more colourful vocabulary from his work associates on speaker phone than i'm used to at home.  i'm pretty used to sitting in silence - listening in while he works & makes deals, gets pushed and pushes back... It's all a part of what he does.  This January, he's switching jobs - leaving his employer of the past 12 years &

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-1732644128955942912011-12-21T09:20:00.001-07:002011-12-21T09:20:55.101-07:00

This past Friday, i wanted to run to that church building... my heart was shouting, singing - my whole day spent in overflowing gratitude & prayers... This 15 on Friday was the easy one. The whole church yard was covered in thick, wet snow... So, i stood on the sidewalk, letting the sun beat down on my head as i changed my posture - coming to that walled place that is just a badly constructed

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-46169357223519922102011-12-20T09:06:00.003-07:002011-12-20T10:12:27.686-07:00

Wow - if i had a nickel for every time someone asked me that question... i'd be able to afford Christmas.  Heehee... i'm just kidding... But seriously - that question always makes me wiggle a little in my seat... what to say?  This year, i just smile & unblinkingly have answered, "yep!" Even though i haven't bought a single present... i have struggled with this one over the years - we have

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-60009339862033930152011-12-19T07:57:00.000-07:002011-12-19T07:57:18.272-07:00

"Hey mom?" "Ya?" Without looking up as i wash up the dishes.  "Kayla & i were working on actions for some Christmas songs for the kids program at church..." "umhmmm?" "Well... What do you think would be good actions for, 'offspring of the virgin's womb?' i collapse on the floor in hysterical laughter.

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-77042092075496378512011-12-17T08:29:00.000-07:002011-12-17T08:29:35.391-07:00

What i want for Christmas...   He's not God... but he's my gift *from* God.  God gives nice presents.

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-70855390288162762242011-12-16T10:08:00.000-07:002011-12-16T10:08:03.267-07:00

(part 1 is HERE) (part 2 is HERE) This is part three... even though i wrote it first & it has been sitting in my drafts folder for awhile now. ACOD... Who knew there was an acronym for adult children of divorce?  i'm learning new things these days... new language rolls off my tongue, and the jumbled mess of my feelings and thoughts heaves and lurches in my stomach leaving me feeling like a

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-53500082167785492772011-12-15T10:42:00.000-07:002011-12-15T10:42:45.504-07:00

So He loves me, eh?  i have heard the story of Jesus Messiah - Redeemer... Saviour of the world... since i was a tiny girl.  That's where i want to start part 2... with Him who was there since the beginning.    i read something today & while reading it, i realized that i have developed a habit of letting my eyes gloss over that part where He loves me as an individual. For some reason, i shrug

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-85626261777436187452011-12-14T14:16:00.000-07:002011-12-14T14:16:28.114-07:00

My friend Fawne - over at Beauty in Weakness wrote THIS post at the end of November.  It resonated with me in a deep powerful way - even though i am not barren.  In it, she talked about pain - & specifically the pain of barrenness, feeling like God's curse... & isn't that like our world?  To kick someone when they're down - to assume when their child is sick that there is sin in their life, to

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-77653066378141286692011-12-13T09:34:00.000-07:002011-12-13T09:34:31.456-07:00

Yesterday i posted part one of my friend's thoughts after volunteering at the children's hospital in Brasov.  You can read it HERE.  Today is the second part in the two part series.  ***************************************************** Five weeks ago I accompanied Steffi & Gabi as they returned two children to their families in Apata, a Gypsy village not far from Brasov (I wrote about it in

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-81175951907744563182011-12-12T08:05:00.000-07:002011-12-12T08:05:11.919-07:00

One of my oldest friends decided to celebrate her 35th birthday by volunteering at Firm Foundations Romania for 6 weeks.  During that time, she posted 2 notes that i loved so much i asked her permission to post them here.  i hope they encourage you in doing what you're doing... i hope they inspire you to seek out the hurting, the lonely and the vulnerable.  & i hope that God uses every gentle

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-40110206163532854502011-12-09T08:22:00.001-07:002011-12-11T15:31:06.367-07:00

i see the signs across our culture - like a sign on our nation in flashing neon lights that reads, "No Room"... & out for coffee with a friend one day, i find the courage to ask if she knows of anyone who could teach my girl to knit.  My girl is so undemanding... this one who willingly changes poopy diapers and works hard for this family every single day.  She has asked a couple of times now if

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-41640040569912032492011-12-08T10:05:00.000-07:002011-12-08T10:05:43.056-07:00

The last couple of Fridays have been odd scrambly affairs... One of them being at my sister's house in Grande Prairie & the other in San Diego.  In Grande Prairie, i switched my fasting to Saturday morning & stole a few quiet moments to offer my prayers.  The Friday in San Diego was possibly my favourite Friday thus far in my tiny voyage learning about prayer in this new Friday habit...  Neil

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-12572092523834430852011-12-07T11:06:00.000-07:002011-12-07T11:06:03.389-07:00

i was driving in an unfamiliar part of the city one day and it was crowded and busy.  i had my big van and drove carefully through the thick traffic.  At one point - in one of those unavoidable awkward traffic moments, i irritated the driver behind me.  i can't even remember what happened, but i do remember that it was one of those things - that even if i had the chance to do it over again - the

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-71808706255130129222011-12-05T14:56:00.000-07:002011-12-05T14:56:16.332-07:00

i have always been a people watcher.  i remember being singled out on the playground, "Hey kid!  Got a staring problem?" & apparently i did, 'cause Neil still gently mutters under his breath every time we're out in public, "Stop staring, hon... it's not polite..." But i can't seem to help myself.  People are so terribly interesting, always doing such unpredictable, or predictable things - & i

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-48684594746501507852011-12-03T09:33:00.000-07:002011-12-03T09:33:37.433-07:00

This might be our first solo holiday... But we hope it is the first of many... i'm remembering some easily forgotten things about this man I love, and gratitude overwhelmes.

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-71856153639053064382011-12-02T15:14:00.000-07:002011-12-02T15:14:50.002-07:00

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-79811832712243640342011-12-01T07:00:00.003-07:002011-12-01T07:00:16.448-07:00

i wonder if Neil is tired of the salty taste from kissing away my tears? i wonder if he's as ready as i am to sneak away... to soak in the sunshine that is our mutual company, to strip away every hindrance or barrier that would encumber us for our reprieve?  i wonder if love is tired of being examined, measured frowned over?  i wonder if she wants to run spritely free leaving behind the sweet

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-9444884702796486292011-11-30T11:35:00.000-07:002011-11-30T11:35:56.098-07:00

So i am home.  i am safe and comforted, poured out, used up and finished.  My dry little soul praises my Maker for what November brought.  The ladies tea in Ponoka was a night of uncertainty.  Would God come?  Would He meet my needs when i was broken and afraid?  He came.  The memory that persists from that night was the woman who might have been in her 50's.  She came up to me and tearfully

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-20039608781070567802011-11-29T10:31:00.000-07:002011-11-29T10:31:56.860-07:00

My life comes to me in pictures lately.  i see myself.  i am some sort of being, part plant, part flesh... That much is unclear.  i look, and behold the wild fragility of God's creation.  i am 35. Most of this being matches that age, and the passage of time has brought about appropriate growth, but there are parts of me that have grown far beyond what is possible in 35 years - thick branches

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-40422395949928517562011-11-28T10:24:00.001-07:002011-11-29T10:32:33.461-07:00

i went for coffee with an old friend.  My tears are frequent, and disobedient these days - never staying where they are put, but constantly, freely flowing... We caught up on our families, what God has been doing in our lives - and how he is causing us to grow.  i told her about my family... and found the words came sparse and hard... "i feel like i'm a child again..." "Well maybe..." she

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-33954193769573077752011-11-24T12:14:00.000-07:002011-11-24T12:14:29.325-07:00

So, i'm in Grande Prairie with my big sister - doing the Ladie's Tea at Grace Bible Fellowship in Sexsmith. We are doing 4 nights in a row... one night down, three to go.  i already sold most of the books i brought, so it's a nice feeling to have those go too... How's it going?  i don't know.  Smile.  But i do pray that God will use these loaves & fishes in some small way to bring dark

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-55270488938973363112011-11-22T14:57:00.000-07:002011-11-22T14:57:51.323-07:00

We were playing a rousing game of charades...  Mostly because i suggested it when i was too tired to oust my body from the couch to go downstairs and play hide and go seek in the dark.  Neil's cousins were visiting, and the littles were each trying to out do the last with their acting.  Peyton stood up.  She delicately held up 2 fingers.  "Two words!" we shouted. She held up one finger. "

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-7374546087284408442011-11-21T11:00:00.000-07:002011-11-21T11:00:35.463-07:00

i think there are only five.  That means i've muddled through 11 of these already.  Searching, praying, grasping, learning... This past Friday we got a dump of snow and a taste of the real winter to come.  i bundled up as warm as i could (it was not warm enough) and i headed to the church.  The accusing voices are getting easier to understand these days - while in the past, they just made me

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-11371618300787042782011-11-17T12:29:00.001-07:002011-11-17T15:29:49.991-07:00

neil has been using more exclamation points in his texts as of late.  i think he's subconsciously trying to lift me - add a little spark, a little expression, a little excitement to his communication.  "We should have chicken burgers for supper!" "i took out the garbage!" "i hope ephraim sleeps tonight!" & i feel the corner of my mouth curl in a reluctant smile... He's poking me, prodding me to

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-19681932419446685602011-11-16T10:47:00.000-07:002011-11-16T10:47:06.350-07:00

i'm expecting overnight company tonight.  The sweetest, best kind of company - the family kind... My kids are just finishing off their antibiotics & are still coughing and several of them are breaking out in a rash... is it from the antibiotics or their new pj's?  What will i make for supper for my company tonight? Neil will be gone till tomorrow night.  The 2 big girls have 3 hours of violin

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-64777811929225650392011-11-14T12:42:00.000-07:002011-11-14T12:42:28.023-07:00

It's been a rough go.  This blog - is for my little ones.  Maybe one day it will be helpful for them to see their mama 'in the thick of it all' & know how very hard i wrestled out my faith because of my love for them.  And yet even though i write with that small audience in mind, i've chosen to be public in this seeking place - hoping that He will use even these tiny loaves and fishes and

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-36214077377285599072011-11-11T09:51:00.000-07:002011-11-11T09:51:19.667-07:00

There is a constant tampering with the vacuume at my house so it was no surprise when i went to vacuume the upstairs of my house and i realized that the middle tube was missing, making it the perfect height for my 3 year old to use.  i called downstairs for my 9 year old to find the missing piece & bring it up to me... Moments later, he burst through the door shouting triumphantly, "Ta-DAAAAAA!!"

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-1342761219639424532011-11-09T14:16:00.000-07:002011-11-09T14:16:11.117-07:00

All seven lambies seemed to get the same horrible cough... it kept them up at night & robbed the whole family of sleep.  We kept thinking, oh, one more day... one more day... it should be getting better tomorrow - & we'd limp through another interrupted night of sleep and slog our way through sleepy days.  Finally after three weeks, we decided i had better take a couple of them to the walk in to

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-80660514312868213822011-11-07T10:19:00.007-07:002011-11-07T16:03:11.404-07:00

My sister described arriving for her daughter's appointment at the pediatric oncology unit and being greeted by a familiar face from her church as feeling like a, "wink from God"... The image stayed with me after reading her post, because isn't that just like our Father?  Sometimes quietly standing in the shadows - showing us His mercy and love... His gracious compassion... with a wink?  i have

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-28295135377506983812011-11-04T12:56:00.000-06:002011-11-04T12:56:19.875-06:00

Winter is dribbling into fall... & still i find i'm struggling to better understand prayer. i use my bible - my heart - my mind... to find the words to pray... & in the silence, sometimes He speaks, and sometimes He's silent too.  Today my words wouldn't stop - & i'm sure He heard me... but sometimes i long for the thickness of His presence - a glimpse of His glory - a portion of His rest...

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-18335426882695104292011-11-02T08:19:00.000-06:002011-11-02T08:19:41.651-06:00

i read a post from a mama of 6 the other day who stated unabashedly that she's struggling. & i felt that tiny nudging from deep within to put up a wary hand and and moan, "me too." Near the beginning of this 40 days of prayer, i reached out to three beautiful women from my church & i told them what i was working on - & would they please pray for me and my family during this 40 days... They said

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-78584344882498353412011-10-31T07:27:00.000-06:002011-10-31T07:27:55.515-06:00

i posted this on the OTHER blog today too.  We're counting down the final week of our vigil - & that's where my mind has been.  On Friday and Saturday i had the chance to attend the Life 2011 National Prolife conference.  There were people who have been involved in prolife since before any laws even began to change, long before the years of publicly funded abortions, and certainly... before i

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-2804482268519625932011-10-26T08:51:00.001-06:002011-10-26T08:54:14.639-06:00

My sister said i could post this here.  Prayer is something that i feel God gently teaching me about these days & her post resonated with me.... Since i asked her to write it in the first place - i know anyone who reads here will appreciate it too.  ******************************************************* So many times in my young mom years i thought "if only i had a mentor! This can't be right

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-65204457890054201162011-10-25T09:08:00.000-06:002011-10-25T09:08:43.473-06:00

i love these people... & i'm so grateful to God for making me a mama.  Learning so much from marriage.  One of the best ways that i can serve God is by loving this man... i love this picture because Gagey was taking it & all of a sudden he got crazy distracted, "Ephyum!!  Ephyum!!"  Little stinker was stealing his brothers raisins that i was supposed to be guarding for him. 

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-67365447345400572372011-10-24T07:43:00.000-06:002011-10-24T07:43:28.469-06:00

The past few Fridays, i've gone to pray at the abortion clinic on 5th Ave before arriving at McKenzie Towne church for my "15 on Friday"... This past Friday leaves me still struggling days later.  My prayers at the clinic were wordless - and i found it hard.  Just... *hard*... i was cold, hungry and i had woken up with a headache that was getting worse by the minute... i was feeling anti social

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-56979252780363148422011-10-22T20:05:00.001-06:002011-10-22T20:06:49.314-06:00

i made a facebook page for the 40 days for life blog.  i was hoping for 100 likes by the end of the 40 days (another 15 days) but then my cousin offered a prize for a random person when we reached 100 likes.  It took 2 days.  So, i figured since that worked so well, i'd see if we could find another present for 200 'likes'.  We found one.  My sweet friend makes the best bibs ever & they're

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-40555937983143139782011-10-21T08:20:00.000-06:002011-10-21T08:20:55.524-06:00

1. When i need to 'talk through' a blog entry - or a blog comment... i phone one of my sisters.  Sometimes i even ask them to post a follow up comment - to 'get my back' or to clarify something that i lack the ability to clarify.  How lucky am i to have sisters like this? Very.  2.  i spent some time this week reading "the other side"... it makes me sad to read stuff written by pro-choice

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-68563167584894678562011-10-20T07:45:00.000-06:002011-10-20T07:45:22.747-06:00

A few days ago, a friend emailed me with some thoughts and questions about the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil that i have become a part of.  i wanted to share some of my thoughts that came out of that conversation... so i'll pose the questions (not in anyone's wording but my own) & my answers below.  Do you think that the benefit outweighs the negativity that these women feel seeing "protesters"

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-73556613124633399872011-10-18T09:52:00.000-06:002011-10-18T09:52:27.634-06:00

We're more than halfway through our 40 day peaceful prayer vigil for life... Have you had a chance to check out the blog HERE? i'm working on a post giving my response to some of the questions that come up about prolife in general and this vigil in specific.  It's still marinading in my drafts folder.  While i'm working on that, are there any questions you'd like to add to it? Some of the

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-22661232845501959402011-10-17T09:03:00.000-06:002011-10-17T09:03:29.824-06:00

i was chatting with an old friend on facebook one night.  Neil was out of town & we found ourselves with a rare opportunity to catch up. i asked her about her six children.  They have 3 biological children and then 5 years ago, they adopted a sibling group who came into their lives unexpectedly.  She told me little tidbits about each one, commenting about this one's strengths, that one's quirks

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-84603146768792671272011-10-15T13:07:00.000-06:002011-10-15T13:07:16.363-06:00

October 15th is pregnancy and infant loss remembrance day... All over the world at 7pm, families will light a candle and leave it burning for one hour.  This will create a continuous wave of light to honour these wee ones who so deeply impacted our lives.  Caleb and Hope... i'm so glad you came... Even just for a short time.  i'm so glad i got to be your mama - to be changed right down to my

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-27860022621402069952011-10-14T09:33:00.001-06:002011-10-14T09:33:00.343-06:00

i'm watching that blinking cursor... i thought of posting the funny pictures i found on my iphone, but i'm just not feeling funny picturish... i thought of posting about how i miss my husband so much that it honestly hurts that spot on my stomach right below my rib cage... but those... are sort of wordless aches.  i thought of posting my 'how we do it' post about babysitting... but i'm not

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-31176609270769449662011-10-13T08:12:00.000-06:002011-10-13T08:12:25.318-06:00

one. Sparkling eyed one (she's 11) must have heard the pleasure in her mama's voice when Sloanie finished reading her bible all the way through for the first time ever last week.  She came to find me and told me, all grinning and sparkly eyed - that *she* had started reading the bible and taking notes on her own too.  She showed me her note book with her tidy notes in it, then added with a smile

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-86996647449200979272011-10-12T08:01:00.000-06:002011-10-12T08:01:06.868-06:00

i've done that a few times... let things slide.    Sometimes it's the bathrooms, or a bad habit, dirty ragged nails or a teeny bit of bad behaviour... sometimes it's my handwriting, my patience or organization... Sometimes it's big things - but more often it's the little things that i let slide - while i catch my breath, get my bearings - and figure a few things out.  This past week it was

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-77739320079823759802011-10-10T15:04:00.000-06:002011-10-10T15:04:08.707-06:00

i know... i know - this is old news - but let me recap... i started writing the 40 Days for Life blog at the end of September.  i have only made it to that sidewalk 3 times to pray so far... but i'll go more.  And then there has been my own personal vigil - my "15 on Friday" offering. If my count is right - there are only 11 more Fridays to go until Christmas. i feel - distinctly - that God is

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-30113772065676989772011-10-07T07:34:00.001-06:002011-10-07T07:34:00.129-06:00

It was Friday... & i felt foolish. i'm too full of pride & shame is an easy tool for the enemy to use on me.  i was still in my jammies at 11:47 & i pulled on my sweats and a hoodie and grabbed my keys and headed to the church.  "God - i'm sick of my own words.  Teach me to pray..." This *purposefully* meeting with God is stretching me.  To stand on the street corner across from the abortion

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-46369857671047555952011-10-06T12:23:00.001-06:002011-10-10T18:22:17.681-06:00

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-63460796476462832162011-10-05T10:12:00.000-06:002011-10-05T10:12:07.649-06:00

He woke at midnight - writhing and angry.  i shushed, offered water, walked, nursed, comforted with lights on - and off, held tight, and let loose.  Nothing worked.  He screamed - the blue veins sticking out of his tiny furious neck.  i could NOT get him to stop.   It was the most insane thing.  Neil got up after the first hour to see what (ahem), *on earth*- was happening & then went back to

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-82524077840321954012011-10-04T07:06:00.001-06:002011-10-04T07:06:00.947-06:00

Last week, i posted one of those posts that sits in my drafts box for a week before i gather up the courage to press "publish".  i always worry that i'll misrepresent my heart - or that i'll choose my words badly, and hurt people in the process.  There wasn't a flood of comments, but the ones that did come in were thoughtful and thought provoking.  You can read them HERE.  What my sister steph

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-58509695426413606512011-10-03T07:00:00.001-06:002011-10-03T07:00:07.324-06:00

When things are too quiet for too long - and you think to yourself with a heavy sigh of contentment, "man, this is too good to be true..." Yeah... it probably is. When i heard his breathy baby voice whispering at me, "hi", i glanced up - and beheld sweet perfection smothered in bum cream. He probably wouldn't have bothered me, but he had shoved his hand into a wipes bin & it was stuck fast.

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-26907600205976956022011-09-30T08:24:00.001-06:002011-09-30T08:24:00.346-06:00

1. i'm not one to take part in a blog carnival, but i'll try anything once. 2. um... if i'm stuck at #2, does that mean i'm not cut out for this gig? Just kidding. We have big plans for this weekend, starting off on Friday by an evening praying for a little baby boy who is still growing inside his mama, and who has a dangerous cyst growing in his head. Will you pray with us for healing &

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-9129584121732581452011-09-29T09:35:00.001-06:002011-09-29T09:36:02.896-06:00

it's kinda horrifying.  Painted in oil on canvas with rich, vivid colours... capturing the accepted inhumanity of the day... The eighteenth century slave ships would throw over the dead and dying mid-voyage so they could collect the insurance for loss of "cargo".  If those shackled ones made it to shore alive, and then died - the cost would have been just. too. much. "Prolife isn't my passion.

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-62092973355237828842011-09-28T08:00:00.001-06:002011-09-28T08:00:09.717-06:00

You wanna know one of the really bad things about Neil travelling?  There's way less levity.  yeh, i have a lot more patience than him - but he brings the humour - he pulls me out of the deep waters and forces me to live, rather than just think.  When he goes - i overthink, i bluster and mull, i quietly give up... When he comes home - i slowly, achingly switch gears, i get new ideas and i

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-65176871576404070592011-09-27T07:30:00.001-06:002011-09-27T07:30:02.890-06:00

Apparently, "it gets like that" wasn't the response my husband was looking for in answer to his question, "Why is our house such a horrible mess?" (it wasn't that bad).  Spinning plates lately - some fall - some worthier ones picked up.  What plates of priorites have you changed out lately?  In other news - happy 15th birthday to the sweet girl who made me a mama. 

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-7506381467845964682011-09-26T09:19:00.000-06:002011-09-26T09:19:40.814-06:00

We gather in the grey light of early dawn... yawning and with voices low; catching up, planning visiting... They pull down the quilts i have folded over the couch and snuggle in - some freshly showered, some littler ones still jammy clad with tousled hair - ready for our morning prayers.  Cai tells me how they were challenged at youth to read the first 3 chapters of Mark as many times as they

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-65334617331334255932011-09-25T14:56:00.000-06:002011-09-25T14:56:24.349-06:00

Yes.  i started another blog - but this one is purposeful and temporary.  i'll still be blogging here too... Crazineness :)  Will you join & be a part of what is happening this fall as we kick off our 40 Days for Life vigil?  i don't care where you're from - we just want to spread the word... http://www.calgary40dfl.blogspot.com/ See you there! 

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-20216005493252257612011-09-23T11:07:00.000-06:002011-09-23T11:07:49.494-06:00

40 Days for Life begins on September 28th.  Within this next week, their volunteer calendar will open up for time slot sign ups.  i have agreed to be their 'blogger' - so i hope i can get it together & make something presentable that will have an impact... i'll share here as soon as i know where & how we're doing it.  i feel a great certainty - especially after the planning meeting i attended

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-11856612786759044792011-09-22T13:17:00.000-06:002011-09-22T13:17:11.012-06:00

Funny - my second Friday is the first time i felt like quitting.  People that i love are hurting, my baby boys have been sleeping horribly, i clung to Neil like never before - weepy, aching and defeated.  i felt powerless to take away anyone's agony - and at 11:30 - i thought of giving up... But i didn't... Texting back and forth with my mom, she said, "Neither on the mountain or in the

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-54724020318617980872011-09-21T10:03:00.000-06:002011-09-21T10:03:36.891-06:00

we bought this print... i remember the first time i saw it - i was flipping through an art book - and i stopped cold as my eyes fell on this one... angry ocean blending together with the fury of the snowy sky - and a steamship - in the middle.  i almost cried to see an image so terrible - yet still buoyed, in the midst of a storm - yet not sunk.  It's called Snowstorm by jmw turner. He has

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-17524093599250571872011-09-20T15:07:00.000-06:002011-09-20T15:07:34.946-06:00

does He who fashioned the ear not hear?  does He who formed the eye not see?  ps. 94 & i picture myself - a kind of bumbling cartoon.... seen by the very Creator of the Universe... slipping and full of anxiety... "When i said, "My foot is slipping." your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.  When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. & i'm held by the One i love. 

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-45811022577267152232011-09-19T07:46:00.001-06:002011-09-19T07:46:00.243-06:00

*Chrysalis Academy is the name of our little homeschool. School pictures will come... i think.  With a couple of weeks under our belts, i figured i'd maybe give a very rough outline of what school looks like for us this year.  It's sure a different sort of year - with my big girl choosing to go online for her grade 10 year.  It was a funny moment of decision last spring... we got in our van &

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-85750008457511645332011-09-16T08:48:00.001-06:002011-09-16T08:48:42.431-06:00

ok - so i admit my blog has been a little more tender as of late... Sometimes life is like that - little seasons of serious or sorrow amidst other seasons of hilarity or joy.  Don't get me wrong - there is still plenty of hilarity at our house, but the problem is that Cai has been blog-calling it.  Don't know what i mean?  Well, my (almost 15 year old) daughter also blogs... and whenever

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-47629813731149750912011-09-15T20:40:00.000-06:002011-09-15T20:40:57.452-06:00

It's Friday tomorrow... My first Friday - i wondered how i would find the words to pray... i wondered if 15 minutes would feel incredibly long - or short - to change my posture... to come to this place... to meet with Him.  i parked my van in the corner of the little parking lot - and made my way to the front of our church.  The front door isn't used much at our church - it's just for looks - &

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-8798943887879540332011-09-15T11:33:00.000-06:002011-09-15T11:33:01.118-06:00

His indignant little cry rouses me almost immediately.  i throw back the corner of my blankets, careful not to wake sunshine boy who sleeps between neil & i - & run to bonus boy's room.  He's. so. cute.  Lately, neither he nor his 3 year old brother have been sleeping much - and it has been a marathon of sleep deprivation these last weeks, but as i walk into his room, and behold his tiny self

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-21664621102029823452011-09-14T09:35:00.001-06:002011-09-14T09:37:42.250-06:00

Our evening services have started up again.  They're different from our noisy, boisterous morning services... They seem more intimate somehow.  So, in that sparsely  populated sanctuary - with lights dim and babies wiggling in their daddy's arms, it was ok to lay my head on his shoulder and cry. And he patted me like a papa - and let me wipe my tears on his clean shirt.  Unable to speak the

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-34447526636291636202011-09-12T08:16:00.000-06:002011-09-12T08:16:14.103-06:00

My niece is going in for surgery as i type - to get a port put in for the chemo treatments that start tomorrow.  She's so wee.  With her white hair - and girly smile... her chicklet teeth, and sing song voice.  It is a crazy thing - to watch your sister in agony... She has researched, and produced binders of information on this extremely rare condition.  She has held the strands of hurting

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20508519.post-39743947651201078202011-09-11T13:05:00.000-06:002011-09-11T13:05:47.695-06:00

See it?  This is what's in it: "From now - till Christmas - i'm going fast the noon day meal. i'm going to go pray at McKenzie Towne Church - for at least 15 minutes at noon on Fridays. At the gates of my community... i'm going to pray for family. i'm going to plead for my marriage. i'm going to beg God to soften this city - and each individual family - and allow us to hear His voice..." 15

paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11879573441359515525noreply@blogger.com2