Happy 2023!!!

Happy New Year!

I'm happy to say that there is lots of snow outside.  I'm not a huge fan of being cold but if I'm going to be cold outside (given that it's January in southwestern Ontario), there might as well be snow for the kids to play in and to bring more beauty to this part of the world.  Who doesn't like looking at a snowman on a yard?  Those who shovel the snow may think differently and I certainly would prefer if snow did not fall on driveways.

We awoke on New Year's Day in Listowel and enjoyed some ebelskivers in the late morning.  We drove back home on the 2nd as Lily-Anna had a birthday party to attend.  The last weekend before school started was spent with my side of the family as my brother and his family from Ottawa were visiting.  We went skating at a rink which once again confirmed that I am unable to skate without my feet being in pain.  I bought new skates a few years ago so I think the problem is just my feet.  It's unfortunate because I would otherwise enjoy it.  Thankfully I can go sledding without my feet hurting.

Speaking of sledding, we like to go to a local hill not too far from us.  The City is looking into possibly putting a stormwater pond in the same area which could result in this hill disappearing.  This past Saturday and this afternoon, City employees gave out hot chocolate and answered questions and listened to concerns.  I took Isaac on Saturday and Lily-Anna came with me tonight.  I'm often not interested in a lot of civic issues but this one struck a chord.  There is now an online petition to save the hill.  The City has said they are listening and that the Engineers will be coming up with four different proposals to be voted on.  It will be interesting to see what happens.  While Isaac still wants a hill, he also said it would be nice to have a pond and that students at the adjacent school could go there for nature studies.  

My first attempt at a bun

Kohen is taking a karate class on Saturdays again.  He has his red belt.  Lily-Anna is enjoying her first dance class.  She learns some ballet and jazz on alternating weeks.  

Covid struck again.  Two of us tested positive and two of the kids had symptoms but tested negative.  We were all home together for five days.  Thankfully Graham remained healthy.  That was a big answer to prayer.  Another answer to prayer was that Isaac was able to do his Level 6 piano exam.  If his symptoms had started two days later, he wouldn't have been able to participate and he may not have been able to have another exam booked until June as the April registrations had already closed.  He worked really hard preparing for the exam so I'm so thankful he was able to do it.  

New mug holders

Interestingly, ten days before the exam, we were informed that Isaac would have to wear a mask for the exam due to a new policy at the venue (a church).  I react quickly to things I do not think are just.  It didn't seem fair to me as he hadn't practiced with a mask and other people taking exams at other sites would not have to wear a mask.  Of course, due to post-Covid rules, Isaac had to wear a mask anyway.  At that point I didn't care about the mask, I was just thrilled that he could play.  Actually, Isaac never seemed bothered when he found out he would have to wear a mask.  He is far less reactive than his mother, thankfully.  I have learned to test my reactions though.  I emailed his piano teacher to see if I was overreacting.  She is far too kind to tell me that point blank.

Isaac found out tonight that he received First Class Honours on his practical examination.  He was happy.  Congratulations Isaac!!!

This was my second time with Covid.  The symptoms were quite mild but after most symptoms were gone, I noticed that I had shortness of breath.  It's definitely disconcerting to feel that you cannot get a full breath and that you are not getting enough oxygen.  The doctor gave me a steroid inhaler to use for 14 days and it should also help me get rid of my cough.  I've needed to use the same inhaler twice in the last year to help me get rid of a cough.  I think the medicine is working and I am grateful.  

Isaac went snow tubing for the first time this past weekend with his youth group.  He loved it.  Isaac is currently busy as a bee.  He is preparing for the regional spelling bee on February 11.  He won his class spelling bee and then he received first place in grade 7 at his school so he advanced to the regionals.  There are so many words to study!  It's fun but tiring.   

The Women's Bible Study I attend started up again last Thursday.  I was excited to see everyone.  Unfortunately I couldn't stay very long as Lily-Anna became sick at home.  The first time Graham called, Lily-Anna said she just wanted to hear my voice and that I didn't need to come home.  She asked if there would be a time for prayer requests during out meeting and asked if the group could pray for her.  I said I would make her request.  Graham called a second time after she started throwing up again and he still needed to get Kohen to bed.  I'm glad I was able to give her some cuddles before she went back to sleep.  She's good at knowing when she needs to be sick and usually makes it to one kind of a bowl or another.  

Lily-Anna's Bible Memory Verse

Our Bible Study is looking at a video series about how to study the Bible.  Our Church is also having a sermon series along with Bible Engagement opportunities on Psalm 119 which focuses on delighting in the law of God.  My mother-in-law was just on a podcast sharing how she studies the Bible.  Here's the link for the podcast.  I just saw a great post by Wendy Speake challenging people to read their Bibles.  She writes, "We are a generation of consumers who never learned to consume God's Word.  We scroll through our phones and scour our cabinets, hungry for something to satisfy, but nothing we find there ever does.  We were made for more.  We were made for God.  And our Bibles are where we find Him.  Only in our Bibles will we find the help, hope, and healing we're desperate for."  I also started a new devotional called Fighting Words by Ellie Holcomb which focuses on different verses to cling to and memorize.  I want to grow and everything around me is pointing to the Word.

Time for sleep.  (Sorry it was a slow photo month.)

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Psalm 119:18

"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law."