So Very Small

"The largest a mother ever is, is just before the swollen birthing, and after that she spends the rest of her life small, so very small."
--Ann Voskamp

These words from Ann's blog so beautifully sum up the stirrings in my heart right now.  I can't say that this smallness I'm experiencing is something negative. 

It just is.

I think because Ashley and I talked about university this afternoon and some of what that means, a swirling of thoughts and emotions have surfaced.  She still has all of Grade 12 to journey through, but part of that journey will have us investigating universities and all that this entails. 

As brief as this conversation was, it was filled with the heart of a young woman eager...no, bursting... to spread her wings as far away from home as she can.

And that has me feeling small...so very small.

But God  in His vast, "bigness" has me safe with Him.

What a restful, secure place for me to dwell.

Bless the Lord O My Soul

"The sun comes up it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes.

Bless the Lord oh my soul Oh my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before Oh my soul
I worship your holy name."
--Matt Redman
10,000 Reasons

These were the words that captured my attention this morning as I was preparing for a new day.  They captured partly because I was still rehearsing the difficult events of yesterday and partly because a new gift of 24 hours had been given to me and I so wanted to be blessing the Lord "when the evening comes" again.

Yesterday was like a day out of a fast paced drama and I got caught up in the frenzy and the fear and the unknown.  I allowed myself to feel trapped within the circumstances with my limited bird's eye view.  I needed God's perspective.  I needed to invite Him to settle my soul. 

That is what this morning was about...this day that lies ahead.  The emptying of that which overwhelmed me yesterday is essential to allow for the filling of a God who desires to, Himself...overwhelm me today.

With His truth, His steadfastness, His sovereignty and yes...His mystery.

The words of Scott Tolhurst  in his article, "Hearing the Voice" began to center me--

"The fact that God speaks does not mean that we're granted every answer.  

I have questions that God chooses to ignore.  

There is information that I want but am denied.  

God speaks by His wisdom and will.  

We have to allow for mystery...

we are looking for six easy steps...

we are prone to develop procedures

and become confused without them...

take time...

listen with your heart....

open your whole life.

Accept the mystery that God is speaking."

John 6:63 called me forth to life.  "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are the Spirit and are life."

"Spirit of God, I need Your life-giving Presence--not answers, not plans, not a 3 step formula, but for You to invade my thoughts and fears and to be Life...your Life that is truth and invasive and calming to this dusty frame(Psalm 103:14) that is mine. "

Wedding Panorama

I had not expected it would take me this long to post more pics, but truth be told, my computer illiteracy got the better of me and well that is the very short version of a very long and complicated answer.  Suffice it is to say, the married couple themselves gave me the much needed info so...ta da!!!!!! 

The hairstylist at work

Sister Charmaine and Sister-in-law Dorine

The Ogilvie's

Much fun was had at the Wedding Day Photo Booth!!!

Charmaine and kids...Mikaela and Anderson

Niece Rachel

This would be the reason for the above pic in barefeet:)

Love you Sista!!!!

Adorable Emmy

Mom and daughter

Mennonite Country

The happy couple with Cam's Uncle Randy and Aunt Chrissie

Brother Randy and Sister Chris

Bobby, Brady and Emmy (nephews and niece)

Scarey!!!!!!!

Handmade Boutinere's

I love it!!!!!!

Table Centerpieces

Mikaela and her Nana

"Happy 21st. Wedding Anniversary"...TO US!!!

Although this post is somewhat belated as our anniversary was July 27, today we bought ourselves an anniversary gift--a new camera!!!  It has quite the slew of features on it which gave me some fun late this afternoon.  The following is a taste of what "Sammy" can do.  (It's a Samsung camera...just thought I would name her "Sammy")  ha,ha

Some pics are just seeing how true to life the colors are.  I'm very pleased!!! 

 Pics from "Magic Frame"

"Old Film"  (My Table Centerpiece)

"Sunny Day" ( Yep...that's some of my laundry from today "in" the t-shirt)

"Old Album" (One of my baskets in the photo album)

"Billboard 1"  (Wow...Cam and Sonya already made it to the billboards!!!!)

"Billboard 2"  (My sister and I on a billboard as well...ha,ha)

"Old Record"  (Piano Keys)

"Newspaper"  (A little sign I have  hanging on a cupboard)

"Funny Face"  (Okay...you gotta know that when I was cropping this picture I was laughing so hard I couldn't catch my breath--my poor husband was just sitting here looking at me...smiling of course)

 The rest of the pics come under a setting called "Photo Filter".  Ink Painting, Vignetting, Soft Focus, Retro are just some of the looks.  I still have much to browse and figure out:)

Who knew an empty laundry basket could look so unique!!

We have been richly blessed during our 21 years together.  We have walked through joys and sorrows, challenges and blessings, but we have walked through it all together...with our God. 

We are grateful to celebrate with a gift that will record many more of life's moments as the days ahead unfold.