Thankful for Our Anchor

I am typing while eating mini Licorice Allsorts and drinking vanilla rooibus tea, listening to the crazy wind outside.  Thankful for warmth and new sock slippers.  My first 1000-piece puzzle beckons from my right.  I started it yesterday and I've decided that I think it's doable.  It's a Christmas gift from the kids of a piece of art that used to hang in our kitchen by Wassily Kandinsky (Colour Study of Squares).  I think it deserves a better name.  

Graham and the kids made a snowman this morning before the rain came.  Kids' safety glasses arrived today so there was a Nerf Gun battle in the house.  Lots of fun.  

I had my first Covid test on Sunday.  Thankfully it came back negative.  It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but I'm sure it was more than five seconds.  I had chocolate ready to pop in my mouth as soon as it was over.  My one symptom has been a cough.  For this reason I've missed church and our Christmas Eve service in person but I'm thankful for technology that lets me join from home.  

I was so excited to find these transfers!

It's been a good and full month and I am appreciating having down time these last few days as we are in Lockdown until the end of January.  I enjoyed watching The Chosen Christmas special.  I watched it twice in a row.  It's free to watch with the App.  It was also fun introducing the kids to Anne of Green Gables.  We finished the first dvd.  I've put the Sequel on hold at the library.  I'm hoping to introduce them to Road to Avonlea whenever my name comes up at the library.  

Thrilled with her earmuffs!

Our fridge saga is finally over.  Our fridge died in September and then we found out that the fridge we ordered would not come in until July.  Our second and third choices would also not come in until July.  Our fourth choice was due sometime in January but instead it arrived on December 23, just in time to hold our Christmas turkey and all the leftovers.  Grateful!  It was so kind of family and friends to lend us two bar fridges.  It was also very nice to return them and enjoy the extra space.  I still have a feeling of thanks each time I go to the fridge.  It's our first time having a fridge on top and a freezer on the bottom.  I am enjoying the new layout.  

Goodbye old fridge!

The month began with a trip to the Coping Centre for their annual Christmas memorial.  It was different this year but we were still able to place an ornament with Josiah's name on a lit tree on their beautiful property.  The theme this year was tears and we were also given an ornament to put on our own tree (and we enjoyed some yummy treats as always).  

Next up was Isaac's 10th birthday!  My first-born has double digits!  It was more low-key than usual but he had a very good day.  Actually we started the evening before with a trip to see the lights at Bingemans and he watched The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe the night of his birthday.  

Kohen had his piano recital the next afternoon via Zoom.  He played Away in a Manger and did an excellent job.  

This was our first Christmas with only our immediate family.  We did have a couple of Zoom calls with the extended family.  My first turkey last year was a disaster but this year's was a success.  We have lots of turkey and stock in our freezer and we've enjoyed turkey soup and turkey a la king this week.  

This is my first Christmas on FaceBook.  Had I joined years ago, I may have bought my kids matching Christmas pajamas and posted the results each year.  I think it's a fun tradition but I also suspect I'm too frugal to buy three pairs of pajamas every December, given that my boys usually opt to wear shorts and a t-shirt to bed.  

Lily-Anna no longer has to content herself with chewing fake gum.  Kohen received a gumball machine for Christmas so Lily-Anna's first gum was from there and she paid for it herself (you need to add a coin to get a piece).  I think Kohen is excited to make some money from his sister.  

Lily-Anna's first real gum!

Speaking of traditions, we have a few.  Starting on December 1st, we light a candle each night on a spiral wreath, each day moving Mary and her donkey closer to the middle.  We also try to read Scripture and a reading from a beautiful Advent book by Ann Voskamp.  Each day I also try to hide a card for the kids to find.  The cards tells us something we need to do such as 'Go for a walk and look at Christmas lights.'  A friend gave me these cards years ago and the kids ask for them each day.  This year I also added a small treat with the card.  

Growing up, we would open all of our presents, one person at a time, and then later my dad would let us know that there was one more present for each of us hiding somewhere.  We would run off to find it.  I usually do that too but this year there seemed to be so many gifts that I still have three wrapped gifts that the kids don't know about yet.  We actually decided to take a break from opening gifts.  It worked out well as I worked on the turkey and Graham shovelled snow and the kids built Lego and played happily.  We often have more than one Christmas so this year there were more gifts to open on one day.  The kids will be at home at least until January 11th so I'm sure I'll need to pull out something new before then to grab their attention.

One gift to me was a book that I could read to the kids.  It's called Little Pilgrim's Big Journey and it's a full colour picture book of the story of The Pilgrim's Progress geared for kids.  I was quite happy when the two youngest kept asking me to read more.  I love reading to the kids but I tend to get quite sleepy as well.  Finally, I told them I needed to stop.  Isaac said that he could keep reading but only one chapter.  He ended up reading the remaining six or so chapters and asking the questions at the end of each chapter.  

We are soon to be pet owners.  We prepared the fish tank today so we'll pick up the fish in a few days.  

I am very impressed with the creativity of some churches.  My inlaws' church bought a large number of gift cards from a local bakery and then church members gave them away to neighbours and friends.  A friends' church made up beautiful boxes for Christmas Eve.  Church families took one for themselves and another to give away.  It contained hot chocolate and popcorn, Christmas cookies, chocolates, coffee, candles, candy canes, a book about Christmas as well as an invitation to their online Christmas Eve service.  How thoughtful and generous!  Thanks Morbys!  

The kids enjoyed decorating a gingerbread house which we've been eating since Christmas.  

Another fun adventure has been the stair slide.  I've always wanted to have a slide on our stairs.  It was actually Graham who realized that the three big identical boxes could be taped together for a tube slide.  The kids had fun on that.  I have since made it a flat slide so that it could be longer and so I could try it out.  I just gathered the couch cushions and all the pillows in our home and placed them at the bottom of the stairs.  Fun times.  It will have to come down soon.

I've seen lots of beautiful Christmas trees on FaceBook but I've realized that my perfect tree has all of the homemade ornaments and school gifts and Sunday school crafts and all the memories of Christmas's past.  The fact that our tree was a Value Village find from our first year of marriage 16 years ago, still brings me joy.  

Yes, I like traditions.  Each year since our first Christmas we have ordered two ornaments from Amos Pewter in Nova Scotia where we spent a night of our honeymoon.  We order the annual ornament and then Graham surprises me with another one he chooses (we refer to a list so we don't repeat).  This year's was a Wild Rose.  The description says, "Even under the most challenging conditions, the Wild Rose can grow and flourish."  He surprised me with an Anchor, "a symbol of strength and stability."  I'm so thankful that "We have an anchor that keeps the soul, steadfast and sure while the billows roll; fastened to the Rock which cannot move, grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love!"

This family has certainly needed that anchor and relied on that anchor during 2020.  I can think of so many needs we are praying about for others and ourselves.  One that comes to mind and isn't private is that my Mother-in-law broke her collar bone and is recuperating with the care of her wonderful husband.  Please keep them in prayer.  

"Lord, we welcome 2021 with open arms.  We are so thankful that You are Sovereign and You love us.  We trust You.  Please turn people's eyes to You and reveal Yourself anew."

May you be blessed with God's gracious gifts in 2021.  Happy New Year!  Rejoice!

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Luke 2:10-12,17

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid!  For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:  Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you.  He is Christ the Lord!  ... After they had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him."

I've enjoyed this Christmas song, O Come O Come Emmanuel by Matt Maher.

The Hope of Advent

Santa and two reindeer at church

Happy Advent!  Many candles of hope and anticipation were lit on Sunday.  While there may be many things to grieve during this Covid-season, there are also many things for which to be thankful.  

Sunny November day

This month started with our church's AGM in which Graham was voted on for another three-year term as a board member.  Actually, our condo AGM was also this month and Graham is once again the president.  I'm thankful for my hard-working husband who serves faithfully.  He cleaned out our garage so we can park our van out of the snow, he raked up many many bags of leaves and he shovelled lots of snow after our first major snowfall.  Our next snowstorm is expected over the next couple of days.  It's coming down now.  

Snowy November day

This month has ended with Lily-Anna turning four-and-a-half-years-old!   My baby is growing up fast and she's a sweetheart.  I heard her say the other morning, "Isaac, how do you spell 'Dear God'?"  Later she told Graham and me that she made "cards for the Lord."  She is excited to celebrate Jesus' birthday.  

Our fridge saga continues.  I can't remember if I wrote about this before.  Our fridge died in September.  Given that it is 16 years old, we decided that we would buy another one as we were able to borrow a couple of bar fridges.  We bought one and were told to call in six weeks if we hadn't heard from the store.  I emailed and didn't hear back and then I called and emailed again a week later.  The salesperson called and told me that we wouldn't get the fridge until July due to the particular brand we chose.  So, tomorrow, our appliance repair man will come and we will find out if our old fridge can be fixed for a reasonable amount of money.  Then we can give back the mini fridges and we still plan to buy that fridge or a different fridge as the backlog probably isn't going anywhere quickly.  

Popping Popcorn

A friend gave me an Advent kit for kids a few years ago and we try to use it each year.  I hide an envelope each morning for the kids to find.  It contains a card with a message such as, "Make popcorn and watch a Christmas movie." "Go for a drive and look at Christmas lights."  Make a Christmas card for someone special." Etc.  I need to go through the cards and order them in a way that fits our schedule.  We also have a spiral wooden candle holder with 24 holes so we'll move and light the candle each evening along with 'Mary on the donkey'.  We also have a beautiful Christmas book with daily readings.  So, lots to choose from.  There's lots of grace if we can't make it all happen some days but the kids enjoy most of it.  

Tea party with brownies

We put our tree up this weekend.  Tomorrow night we will go to The Coping Centre for their annual Christmas Memorial, though it will look quite different this year.  Hopefully we'll be able to get a picture of us by the tree where we hang an ornament bearing Josiah's name.  

This will be the first year that Isaac won't have a birthday party with friends.  I'm sure we'll still manage to have fun.  

I'm excited to sit on our couch and enjoy the Jolly Irish Christmas concert put on by Rend Collective this coming Saturday.   

"Dressed as a teacher." (wearing a face mask)

One night I was putting Kohen to bed and he told me that we should give to the food bank.  I reminded him that we had just given to them.  He told me that he would put the food bank near the poor people so that they don't have to walk a long way.  [I also explained that people living anywhere can need to use a food bank but I appreciated his point.]  He then asked me if people have to pay for the food and I told him they didn't.  He told me there should be a money bank for people to get money.  There should be a candy bank and a clothes bank for fancy clothes.  Kohen has a very caring heart.  

Happy 60th anniversary to our church, Waterloo Pentecostal Assembly!  

Thank you WPA for this 60th treat!  Delicious!

December is quickly approaching so I will say goodnight!  May you and yours have a wonderful Advent and Christmas season!  May "every heart prepare Him room!"

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

October Fun

Dressing up for Grandma and Grandpa

This was our quietest Hallowe'en ever with not one knock on the door.  That's not surprising as we put our lights out but I didn't see many kids in our neighbourhood.  I delivered candy to some neighbour kids and then we enjoyed pizza and screen time.  

I'm looking forward to when the kids are a little older and we can hopefully all enjoy watching a movie together.  I took out Bambi from the library, hoping that would work but Kohen told me the mother dies so he didn't want to see it and I know Lily-Anna wouldn't have lasted long as she finds a lot of things scary (such as Mr. Humdinger).  

I found my old tea set!

Kohen sees and anticipates when she'll be afraid and he'll talk her through it.  If she's upset about something, he comes and does a little slapstick routine in which she touches him and he falls to the ground.  Tonight he wanted to give candy to Grandma and Grandpa and also gave some of his candy to me and Lily-Anna.  He is a very sweet boy.  

Isaac said he had a great day.  I was at my church all day for Mental Health First Aid Training so after Graham dropped me off, they drove to Graham's parents' place (The Faulkner Restaurant) for a lovely brunch with different food stations.  They were very excited to tell me about it.  

The kids were all off school for a week this month due to cold symptoms.  They each had the Covid test but thankfully the results came back negative.  The kids were prayed through the tests.  The chocolate I gave them after the test also helped distract them. (Thanks for the idea and the chocolate Mom!)  

This month was also the first time that our whole family has been at our own church building together since March (we have watched online and a few times we attended Graham's parents' church when we were visiting them).  It felt good to be back.  

A couple of moments:

In the washroom with Lily-Anna

LA: Do you know what remems means?

Me: I know what remember means.

LA: Remems means I love you Lord with all my heart, soul, and strength.

Fun with the dress

***

Kohen told me he made a Hoodie Club at school with some boys from his class.  He picked two boys to be in command and others to be second in command and then he and another boy were third in command.  His job was to look out for the bad guys.    

***

We haven't given Lily-Anna gum yet but she is an expert fake gum chewer:

LA: Can I have a piece of gum Mommy?

Me: Sure.  Here.

LA: (She starts chewing) Oh yum, vanilla!

A few chews later

LA: Mommy, you should really have some of my vanilla gum!

I take some.

***

Kohen asked to play the game Clue against Graham and I (three players).  Kohen did not use the papers at all and yet he beat both of us.  I played against him one other time and he didn't use the papers but he kept revealing information that helped me win (and I accidentally broke a rule).  

Kohen is enjoying learning French.  He asks me to test him on his words and give him a dictee.  It's fun to watch him learn.  He is going to do a mini gymnastics session starting next Saturday.  He loves to run and jump and climb.  Hopefully he will learn new ways to use his energy.  

Isaac did a great job on a mathematics contest this month.  He came first in his school out of those who wrote the test.  Kohen liked hearing his brother's name over the PA system.  

Graham has raked lots of leaves this month, with some more to come.  UW kindly gave staff two thank you days off of work so he has made this a long weekend and he took me out to Cora's for breakfast yesterday when the kids were at school.

I am enjoying having a little breathing time to myself in the mornings.  I've been keeping up with scribing the prison letters in the book our church distributed.  I just finished Colossians.  I often come home from dropping the kids off at school and then put the tea kettle on and read my Bible and pray.  My lovely mentor recommended that I divide up my prayer list so that I pray for different people each day.  

For the first time ever I have also almost finished my Christmas shopping by the end of October!  This is thanks to my mother who suggested that I start early as Covid may affect things.  One of my favourite things is picking out good books from Christian authors for the kids.  We like all sorts of books but most other books I can get from the library.  Our city libraries don't have the books I order.  I am thankful for our church library and we still have books on our library shelf that have been there since March as the church library is closed right now due to Covid.  

We gain an hour tonight as the clocks go back but I should use that time to sleep so I'll sign off.  We are singing a song in Tamil during our service tomorrow so I need to be well rested to sing it properly.  I love that our church is diverse and that we celebrate the diversity!  Thanks for any prayers.

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Colossians 1:19

For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Warrior cry!

Covid birthday celebration in a garage

Thankful for School

Thank You Lord for school - and the principals, teachers, and staff who work there.  It has been a good start to the year, though Covid delayed the start by a few days.  Isaac is in grade 5, Kohen started grade 1 and Lily-Anna is officially a JK.  We had originally planned to keep Lily-Anna home to do online school and Mommy-training but God in His great mercy allowed our plans to change.  We received an email the day before school started to say that Lily-Anna was registered to attend in-person (with a teacher whom we really like) so we chatted with Lily-Anna and agreed to try this.  God already knew this would happen so I had already bought her new shoes and water bottles so at 7:30 am on her first day of school, I just needed to buy her a backpack and lunchbox. 

Now Lily-Anna gets to see friends in the morning while I get a few things done and then I pick her up at 11:50 after she has had some outside time and her nutrition break so we can have Mommy-time in the afternoon (picnics, reading, hammock, art, tea parties so far).  Good times.  Graham works from home so I can leave Lily-Anna to play quietly while I pick up the boys at the end of their day.  Graham is also very helpful in the mornings when we are trying to get out the door and in the evenings when we make three lunches.

First day of school letters to my children

Celebrating freedom and education

Speaking of food, our fridge died last week.  Thanks to family and church family, we now have two borrowed bar fridges to keep us going until our new fridge arrives (we were told it would be a minimum of six weeks - I wasn't brave enough to ask about the maximum time, though I may regret that decision).  This will be our first fridge with the freezer on the bottom.  

Tea party with stuffies and Grandma's banana bread

I had forgotten to warn Kohen what the immersion part of French Immersion actually means.  I think he is over the shock now.  He was a little confused why his teacher was speaking to the class in French when she had not taught them yet.

A picnic

Today is Orange Shirt Day in Canada.  It's a day to "promote awareness about the Indian residential school system and the impact it has had on indigenous communities for over a century" (Wikipedia).  Even Lily-Anna was able to tell me the orange shirt story.  I am thankful that my children will grow up learning about this sad part of Canadian history and its ongoing effects.  

I am now a fan of electric toothbrushes!  It was recommended that two people in our household use an electric toothbrush.  Now four of us are using them (two bases and four different heads) and my teeth feel so great after using it.  I wouldn't have guessed there would be a great difference but I am sold.  

Our plates, bowls, and glasses are now located in a lower cupboard in our kitchen.  This seems like quite a silly location for anyone over 5 feet tall but now the kids can put these dishes away out of the dishwasher and they can set the table without having to climb on the counter.  

I like to self-diagnose using Google.  So, I think I may have two bone spurs on my right hand/wrist.  I haven't told Graham yet - I thought I'd surprise him.  Surprise!  It is bizarre to look at my hand and see extra protrusions.

Picnic at the park

This family can't even play pretend without a full on argument.  We were having a road trip and Graham was making it extra fun by pretending that we were on a plane and Lily-Anna was the hospitality manager.  Well, that didn't last long.  The boys decided that we were really on a fighter plane.  I think one one was the pilot and one was the gunner.  Lily-Anna was adamant that she was not on a fighter plane.  It didn't go down well. 

Today I did something for the first time.  I took a man's grocery cart for about ten minutes until I noticed the mushrooms and knew something was amiss.  In those ten minutes I had travelled all over the store.  I then found the lovely man or he found me.  He had taken my cart to customer service so he went and brought it to me and then we took out all the items I had added to his cart.  I was very apologetic and he was very kind.  I remember thinking near the bread that my cart seemed to be in a little different position.  I guess I'll know what to do the next time I feel that way.  

Reading in the hammock

It's time to say good-night.  (Also, thank You Lord for such a beautiful Fall!  I've loved the sunshine and the leaves and even some crisp mornings.)  Sorry the photos are mostly of Lily-Anna - I see I have been negligent in the photo department after school and on weekends.

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Phil 1:21

For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

P.S. I have been enjoying Rend Collective.  Often Lily-Anna and I dance to some of their more rowdy tunes at lunch time but here are a couple of others I like:

I Choose to Worship:

Rend Collective: Our Prayer