We have enjoyed lots of delicious peaches this past month - they are definitely one of my favourite fruits when they are ripe and juicy. The BBQ season and times with friends have also been fun. We have had a lovely summer.
Isaac had a great time at a four-day camp where he dressed up and was immersed in the daily life of a rural village in the year 1914. He did not enjoy fishing as they used dough for bait and his hands became sticky with no place to rinse them. He loved playing with the goat, doing farm chores, and making a toy in the blacksmith shop. We had an old glass jar for his water and he took his lunch wrapped in wax paper inside a basket. We actually made him homemade bread (though we used our bread maker!).
Graham was on vacation for a week. We had a great time at Wasaga Beach and Collingwood. We went to a candy factory that I remember visiting as a child. Lily-Anna enjoyed sitting in the water and playing with Kohen in the sand. Graham's parents joined us so there was no stress juggling the kids. We also thoroughly enjoyed visiting Storybook Gardens in London. The boys loved all the climbing structures.
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| Fishing |
Kohen often prays. Tonight he had us all repeat after him his supper prayer. Last week we were going to the library. Isaac rode his bike and Kohen was on his scooter. I passed Kohen with the stroller and then looked back to see his hands up and his eyes closed. I asked him if he was praying. When he was finished he told me that he was praying that he could catch up to Isaac who was ahead of us. Then he took off.
Kohen has also been talking about dying. He said that God told him each day that he was going to die that day. I told him that God always tells the truth and since Kohen wasn't dying, it can't be God telling him that. I also reminded him about how Josiah was very sick his whole life, from before his birth and explained that Kohen wasn't sick and doesn't have a sick heart. Isaac told him he didn't think he would die in the next week.
Both of the boys LOVE listening to a musical story about Sir Bernard and Little Dog when we are travelling in the van. It presents twelve chivalric virtues. One of those is bravery. Sir Bernard explains that we can only be brave when we are afraid. Last weekend I was watching Kohen play on a swing set. He was too short to reach a bar that he wanted to swing on. He climbed up on a swing and tried to balance. He then let go with one hand to grab the bar and then swung over and grabbed it with his other hand. While doing this, I could hear him saying to himself determinedly, "This is my chance to be brave," just like in the story.
We were having lunch at our kitchen table when Isaac told me the following:
Isaac: I have to know how to drive before I get married.
Mommy: Yes?
Isaac: Because I'll probably have to drive to the wedding. Or, I could get a taxi.
I let him know that someone else would probably drive him to the wedding but I also said that if his bride was stuck and couldn't get to the wedding, he would want to be able to go and help her so we agreed that he should get his license before getting married.
Lily-Anna has started calling us Mommy and Daddy instead of Mama and Dada. It seems too early to lose my Mama title for the last time! We have been able to get her to take two or three steps walking between us but she never wants to try as she prefers crawling.
We said good-bye to our wonderful music pastor this week. We will miss her.
My mom had back surgery this month. We're praying for her to feel relief and gain more mobility.
I enjoyed reading "Unafraid: Learning to Trust God in an Unsafe World." The author witnessed a school shooting as a child, a few days after I was born. She was traumatized and lived a fearful life for years, loving God but not trusting Him. God has given her freedom from her fears. I have been challenged to take my thoughts captive when I choose fear instead of trust. He is trustworthy. I am now reading "Am I Messing Up My Kids? ... and Other Questions Every Mom Asks." The author says I am not, so I'll take her word for it. It is reminding me to take everything to God.
I am very sad that one of my relatives has passed away, far too young. She was sick for only a short time and her death has shocked everyone. I last saw her 17 years ago, to the week she died. How has it possibly been seventeen years! I took a train with her to London, England. I am sad for her family, my family. I am sad I didn't really know her, though I remember her joyous laughter, her red hair, her art in her bedroom, and playing with her as a child. She liked sunflowers. I regret not taking the time to know her more. I miss her.
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| Separating the cream from the milk |
This tragic death, along with seeing lovely photos from recent weddings of cousins in Northern Ireland has opened my eyes to see some of what I have missed as a second generation Canadian. My dad emigrated from Northern Ireland when he was 17 and my mom arrived from England in her early 20s. Thankfully I always had one aunt and uncle and cousin in Ontario but they never lived close by. We were always excited to see them but being a PK (for which I am thankful) means you don't just up and go see them for the weekend or special holidays. Mine was a lovely childhood; I never lacked. I felt special - other children went to Florida, we went on two family trips to England and Ireland. However, I now see my children playing with their cousins and visiting their grandparents, aunts and uncles. I don't get to attend the funerals overseas to say good-bye or celebrate holidays, weddings, and showers with all the family. I realize my life is good and has always been so, but it has taken me to 39 years of age to realize and cry about what I never had and can never know.
That's all for this month. We have one more weekend before school starts. As of today, Isaac has shoes for school so we're ready early. I believe this will be our fifth annual trip to Toronto Island this weekend. We need to say good-bye to the carousel that has been sold.
Thanks for any prayers! Goodnight!
Blessings,
Elizabeth
Psalm 125:1-2
Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.
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