The Beauty is in the Details

Too often in our everyday lives we suffer from 'hurry sickness'.

We hurry through life 

rushing from one thing to the next on our 'To Do' list

and we miss the beauty all around us.

For example,

did you know that American Goldfinches aren't yellow in the winter?

In fact they are grey,

and now that spring is just around the corner 

their feathers are coming in yellow,

first just isolated dots of colour

but now more and more yellow is coming in.

 Now that Dave is retired, 

he has pulled out his camera again

and begun to catch the beauty 

that is in the details all around us.

 After a walk around the pond last week,

he came home with some of these shots

that just had to be shared...

 and were just a reminder to me 

of how amazing nature truly is.

 Just look at this!

 You may just see a female mallard duck here,

but look at the details in her feathers...

 and this green-winged teal is magnificent...

but nothing compares to the wood ducks!

The sun shining off this male mallard just lights him up.

 There are many different species of diving ducks on the pond,

 but these male mergansers really stand out.

If you are feeling overwhelmed,

rushing and hurrying all day long

every single day,

stop today....

...take a deep breath

and look around you...

There is beauty in the details

and it's all around you!

This Man of Mine

 This man of mine is extra-special,

well loved and admired,

and exactly one month ago,

honoured for a life-time of ministry,

44 years to be exact.

 News of his impending retirement had shocked many,

how could he leave now,

when he was still so effective?

They gathered in the lobby of the building to surprise him...

...and surprise him they did!!!

He was walking in obedience,

God making it very clear that now was the time to take the next step

even though it's into the unknown,

and so they gathered to honour him,

and share what he had taught them.

 Several staff that had left came back to share,

and one shared this acrostic that seemed so perfect...

I asked if I could have the verses which seemed so fitting.

D Delight. Proverbs 11:20. He delights in those with integrity - people are always watching what Christians are doing and saying ...there is no doubt that Dave walks his talk, a man of integrity

A Abundance. Matt 13:11-12. Because you Have an abundance of knowledge and wisdom... Dave is known for asking for prayer for wisdom, wisdom to know what God wants, wisdom to know what the right step is, the right decision will be.

V Valuable. Prov 8:11. You are more valuable than rubies... to his family, to staff, so people literally all over the world.

E Encourager. Romans 12:8. Your gift is to encourage others...Dave is well known for his phone calls, notes of encouragement, bouquets of flowers just because. He listens and encourages.


B (Birkman) Blessed. Deuteronomy 2:7. The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. ...Dave is known for the many people he has guided through the Birkman assessment but even beyond that we are so blessed with our family, our children and our grandchildren.

E Endures Mark 13:13. One who endures to the end will be saved ....over 44 years in the ministry we have seen the best and the worst of times, and as one person said, there have been many times when Dave was the person with his finger in the hole in the dyke. He was willing to take on new challenges right to the end, and go where he was needed.

C Crown. Hebrews 2:9. Crowned with glory and honour .... there is no doubt that he will definitely be crowned with glory and honour for his faithful years of service

K Kindness. Rom 12:8. If you have the gift of kindness for other and thoughtfulness. ....Giving bouquets of flowers to celebrate, maybe a birthday, returning from an illness, returning from a honeymoon, etc Dave is known for building into others and showing them kindness.

Philippians 1:6. And I am certain that God, who began the good work in you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Jesus Christ returns. 

 This man of mine,

now retired from full time ministry

but still encouraging,

enduring,

showing kindness

and blessing others.

I just had to share this

because I am so blessed

by this man of mine.

A Northern Christmas

 

Christmas Eve up north began with a family trip to the neighbourhood ice rink,

a reminder of growing up on the prairies 

where my cousins had a rink across the road from their house.

 Jude was so excited that the kids were going to be playing hockey!

 We weren't the only ones that thought this was a good idea...

 who could resist this beautiful sunny, winter day?

 Halle was first ready and on the ice...

 I couldn't believe how much she had improved since I had been here in October!

 Kai loves playing hockey...

 ...especially against his Dad!

 This is the ultimate northern Christmas picture!

 Too soon it was time for Jude's nap so we had to head for home...

 ...after all there was a lot of day ahead of us still.

 We took a few pictures in front of the tree,

 before heading to church,

 but Halle was having a hard time putting a smile on her face.

 After church with the excitement of opening a few presents,

that had all changed.

 Jude was ready to open those presents,

never mind sitting still!

The first present was Christmas PJs for all!

But the joy of giving was the best part of all!! 

(watching their little brother enjoying his gift)

The  rest of the presents would have to wait 

until Christmas Day in the morning,

but oh what a wonderful day we had had!

Imagine...

(A guest post by Dave...his thoughts on today)

Imagine if you can, 

walking, working, laughing learning 

and daily investing three plus years of your life in the life of another. 

Coming to where you are now willing to believe 

that the person you are with actually is the long awaited Messiah.  

 
Then you watch him die a horrible death, 

rejected by the religious leaders of your time 

and crucified by the enemy you hoped he would defeat!  

Now you wait in defeat, wondering what to do next? 

Will the Jewish leaders come for you next?  

Will you ever trust someone again like you did trust Jesus? 

What was the last three years really about?  

What a waste. 

 
We know that Sunday is coming 

and we know the "rest of the story" 

but the disciples didn't. 

Try to put yourself in their shoes (sandals) today. 

If you get somewhat close to their despair 

tomorrow will take on a whole new meaning for you. 

 
Have a great Easter.