Now it's time for snacking, baking and jam-making! YUM!
Blessings.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Strawberries
One of our favourite summer traditions since moving to Canada is strawberry picking. This area is filled with so many wonderful fruit farms. We love having the windows rolled down as we drive into the farm because we can smell the glorious strawberry aroma even before we see them. The farm that we go to does not use harmful chemicals on their strawberries, so the difference in the taste is unbelievable...so very sweet!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Bittersweet
So, as some of you are already aware, I shared my 40th birthday and 17th wedding anniversary on May 30th with the home-going of my dear friend, Carol. It was a bittersweet day.
Carol and her husband, Lowell, have been like second parents to me since I was seven years old. Bob and I loved her dearly, as did our children, who called her by her grandmother name, Mia. She was a beautiful person who loved Jesus and lived her life for Him. I have so many great memories of time spent with Carol.
I was able to fly to Texas for the funeral and am so, so, SO thankful that God allowed me to go. The funeral service was an amazing time of celebrating Carol's life and worshipping Jesus. Carol's sons, Andy and Steve, both spoke, and Lowell, by God's grace, was able to get up and sing a sweet, old song called "Wonderful Peace." Amazing.
And I'm pretty sure there was not a dry eye in the building.
The trip to Texas was, in some ways, like a big reunion. I am happy to be re-connected with friends that I had not seen in a long time. I spent some sweet time with my friends, Carolyn and Jim, as well as their boys and daughter-in-law. (More later on my flight in Jim's 4-seater plane--it was awesome!) I stayed with my mom and had a nice time over lunch at one of her favourite restaurants and shopping. I also had a very special time with friends, Peb and Lori. I am grateful.
I am thrilled that I know where Carol is right now...in heaven hanging out with Jesus and experiencing the wonders of heaven...and that she is no longer in pain. We laughed at the funeral home and again visiting just with Lowell and Andy that my dad was probably one of the first to greet Carol in heaven...and that he would've called her by her last name like he always did on earth!
I will be honest though. Grief is hard and it does weird things to a person.
And we're back to bittersweet.
So I've just been laying low and trying to keep my focus on my Saviour. I usually do that with some sort of music.
Here's one of my new favourites...
Blessings.
Carol and her husband, Lowell, have been like second parents to me since I was seven years old. Bob and I loved her dearly, as did our children, who called her by her grandmother name, Mia. She was a beautiful person who loved Jesus and lived her life for Him. I have so many great memories of time spent with Carol.
I was able to fly to Texas for the funeral and am so, so, SO thankful that God allowed me to go. The funeral service was an amazing time of celebrating Carol's life and worshipping Jesus. Carol's sons, Andy and Steve, both spoke, and Lowell, by God's grace, was able to get up and sing a sweet, old song called "Wonderful Peace." Amazing.
And I'm pretty sure there was not a dry eye in the building.
The trip to Texas was, in some ways, like a big reunion. I am happy to be re-connected with friends that I had not seen in a long time. I spent some sweet time with my friends, Carolyn and Jim, as well as their boys and daughter-in-law. (More later on my flight in Jim's 4-seater plane--it was awesome!) I stayed with my mom and had a nice time over lunch at one of her favourite restaurants and shopping. I also had a very special time with friends, Peb and Lori. I am grateful.
I am thrilled that I know where Carol is right now...in heaven hanging out with Jesus and experiencing the wonders of heaven...and that she is no longer in pain. We laughed at the funeral home and again visiting just with Lowell and Andy that my dad was probably one of the first to greet Carol in heaven...and that he would've called her by her last name like he always did on earth!
I will be honest though. Grief is hard and it does weird things to a person.
And we're back to bittersweet.
So I've just been laying low and trying to keep my focus on my Saviour. I usually do that with some sort of music.
Here's one of my new favourites...
Blessings.
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