Pouring Out

Well, it's taken me a while to post any pictures at all, and I'm sure it'll take a while for bits and pieces to come up. Vacation is always a good thing in my mind. It takes you away and allows you to look back in at life from the outside. I tend to see things away that I never would have saw while I was in the midst of things.

Had a time to finally just sit and read, actually read for an extended length of time. I finished two and a half books while I was away...that's unheard of in the past while for me.

I would love to say that things are calm as ever now that we're back, but that would be a blatant lie. Life with three kids, a job to work, a house and family to care for and especially in the summer...it equals hairiness for our family on a variety of levels.

Here are some pictures of Niagara Falls...the falls which are considered the Canadian falls and also the falls which are considered the American falls. There is also a picture of the CN Tower in Toronto, which we took as we drove by...we opted out of actually going up the tower when we saw the cost...took the kids to the Science Centre and the Imax for less money, so it was still an awesome day in Toronto.

Here we are posing for a family picture with the American Niagara behind us. Getting a decent picture of us all is quite rare, but we came home with quite a few this time.

Here is a picture of the Canadian falls, right at the mouth. This was such a picturesque day...I had a hay day taking pictures ;D!

We were marvelling at the colour of the water by the falls. It was a beautiful colour.

Another picture of the shores leading up to the Canadian falls, with the bridge in the distance. The Canadian/American border falls at the mid-point of the bridge.

The American Falls...I just love the way the water falls onto the rocks. They were really neat to see up close on the Maid of the Mist ride.

Here's one of the many Maid of the Mist boats beginning the trek down the waterway towards the Canadian falls. They begin by going by the American falls and giving a really awesome history of Niagara.

I took this one from the walkway above, as the Maid of the Mist drew closer to the Canadian Falls.

A zoomed in close up of the Maid of the Mist and it's occupants.

The CN Tower

Well, that's all the time I have for now. We are still settling in...I've been battling headaches and fatigue. We have a long weekend coming up, so are trying to get things cleaned up, so we can enjoy some time visiting with my family when they get here.

There will be more to come at a later date...pictures and reflections about God's power and beauty.

Perfection

I took a picture of this poster when we were touring Lanka Bible College while in Sri Lanka this summer. It's one of our family's verses and I just LOVED how the artist had used the colours and the curves to portray the different parts of the verse.

This weekend I went to the Bible store to try and find some posters which would be a good 'fit' in my new office. Something that would be tasteful, yet scream 'Cinder' all the same. I was going through the posters, beginning with the little ones and when I came to the bigger ones, this was the first poster I set eyes on. I just kept saying, "I found my Sri Lanka poster with my theme verse...it's PERFECT!" And indeed it is perfect to me on the wall...it's my theme and brings back some really awesome memories and a reminder of what God does when you truly do step out in faith and obediently walk where He's calling you.

I'm really rather tired this week...learning to juggle three sports schedules, in amongst quarter-time work, teaching and then those normal responsibilities of life...being a wife, mother and everything else I tend to be in a day. I'm hoping to get to my doctor tonight and am optimistic that we'll come to a good plan about how to treat the whole health issue going on. I know this is heaping more fatigue and stuff on me, but life does go on and I think my mandate right now, is to simply live life to the fullest and be all that He's calling me to be. He's there, allowing for those little pockets of reprieve, amongst the huge busyness of life. I feel like I'm exactly where He wants me to be right now and I can't express the peace that brings.

We sang this song on Sunday at church. It's one of my new favorites and just lifts me every time we sing it. It allows me to feel closer to Him...gives me a charge to live stronger for Him...to be more attentive and quiet so as to hear His promptings...to just take comfort in knowing He's always there to take it all off our shoulders.


The Stand
by Hillsong United / Album: United We Stand (2006)
You stood before creation
Eternity within Your hand
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand

You stood before my failure
Carried the Cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I'll walk upon salvation
Your Spirit alive in me
This life to declare Your promise
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I’ll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all

So I’ll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours

Show me Your heart
Show me Your way
Show me Your glory

Life in His Way

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master.

Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don't take advantage of them.

Children, do what your parents tell you. This delights the Master no end.

Parents, don't come down too hard on your children or you'll crush their spirits.

Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work.

~ Colossians 3:12-25 (The Message)

Mottos of Life

I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. "When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. "When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed."

~Jeremiah 29:11-14(a)

It's no secret to anyone who reads this blog that this is my motto verse in life...for myself, our family, our marriage and life in general. I'm clinging SO very hard to this verse today. I've been blessed to volunteer for a position this past year. It's been an awesome experience that words won't ever adequately describe. There's been a lot of growth in my walk, my work experience and simply in me as a person. I attribute this volunteer position to a good portion of that...it's very humbling as I think where I was, where I am and where He'll continue to take me.

Another motto I live by in my life is this...that God would place job opportunities in my life that are such a blessing, that I would love them enough to do the job for free...with my whole heart and soul, giving it my all and letting Him shine through it all. Today, I am having an interview...to possibly be able to call this volunteer position my job. It's my first interview in 11 years...yes, I worked a job for two years in my old stomping grounds, but I didn't have a formal interview for it. So, yesterday and today have so far, been full of prayer and preparation.

"His will, not mine" is what my motto is today. That He'll formulate the words to answer questions posed to me. That His love will shine through me as I have this interview. That in the end, what He wants will transpire, and that it'll be accepted with a loving and humble heart, no matter what that reply might be.

Guided Ways...

"Keep me safe, O God, I've run for dear life to you. I say to God, "Be my Lord!" Without you, nothing makes sense. And these God-chosen lives all around—what splendid friends they make! ... Now you've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I'm on the right way.

~ Psalm 16:1-3,11

Our New Addition to Be...

Hmmm...I wonder which one will be the welcomed addition into our family? One of them will be in a month or so. We haven't let our kids in on the secret quite yet. They have been trying to wear mommy down for a very long time, in terms of welcoming a puppy into the Cinder family.

I'm sure we'll be kept busy, but it'll be a lot of fun. I probably would have been stronger, but after holding these little gaphers when they were two weeks old...well, that just did me right in...so yes, I guess I can be won over depending on the situation ;D!

Faith

"Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time."

~ Oswald Chambers~

Grant All Which Is Needed

Drink

"It was the last and most important day of the Feast. Jesus stood up and spoke in a loud voice. He said, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Does anyone believe in me? Then, just as Scripture says, streams of living water will flow from inside him."

~ John 7:37-38

Mandatory Rest Period...

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

~ Matthew 11:28:30

Venomous Drippings...

Here comes the discharge sign again. People who have read my blog for a while might very well remember what this sign stands for. But I'll give an explanation for anyone who might not know.

I guess maybe this will scream weakness or lack of meekness, but I'm going to be quiet for a while. Very well might only be a couple days, but it has to be done. I'm not real proud of it, but right now it seems like everything which comes out of my mouth hits like venom. I'd prefer to sit quietly and hopefully have some anti-venom treatment, so that when I open my mouth, people will instead be greeted with love and openness.

We'll talk to you soon and I hope that you'll be blanketed with His love, grace and many blessings!

Continual Mediation = All You Need

"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

~ Joshua 1:7-9

Complex Love....

Your love amazes me,
Your devotion's humbling.
I would rather live forever with you,
Than one second apart from your presence!

Help me be Your hands, feet & eyes,
To all who cross my path.
Shine your love through me,
Help me meet people where they are, regardless of how they treat me!

Always With Us...

God is There

When the sky is dark -

He is there.

When you are all alone -

He is there.

When nothing goes your way -

He is there.

When you are in pain -

He is there.

When people are against you -

He is there.

When you are frightened or worried -

He is there.

When those you love are in crisis -

He is there.

When you feel as if God is far away -

He is there.

When doubt and confusion weigh you down -

He is there.

When you are about to breathe your last -

He is there.

And where God is there is always hope.

Dr. Steve Stephens'

Sunshine, Roses and a Smile

"Hope you are feeling better. I know you have been struggling with your health. God Bless you all. Know I'm praying for you all...Love you all"

I find it so humbling how God works through those around us. Especially when it might not seem like you've done something all that significant, but simply did something that you felt led to do. Many of you do that through a comment of love left on my blog or an email found in my Inbox.

The note above was waiting for me in my Inbox. The most special thing about this note is because of who it came from. This friend has been battling cancer for a very long time and just portrays a strength and faith, which I'd never seen at that level, until I met her. Those words overwhelmed me, as I've been thinking about them, but due to illness, haven't been able to see them very much at all the last little while.

My friend is a rare gem and a true beauty. His love, grace, strength, endurance and peace pour through them every single day. Their words were like sunshine, a beautiful rose and a smile coming through my computer tonight. Truly precious is this life we are granted the privilege to live. Very complex and yet extremely rewarding.

God has just been truly working through people this weekend. With Corry's timely advice in her comment below, this message received tonight, great advice in this morning's service and so much more.

A few things I walked away from church with today:

~ God values humility, servanthood, courage and risk-taking in us.

~ When you come up against a challenge, the temptation will be to stop...keep moving and unexpected help, strength and blessings will come.

~ Don't expect to hear from God if you remain frozen in one spot. (Bob Gass)

~ The moment we stop going forward is the moment we quit making ourselves available to resources, etc. which might be there for us in the future.

~ Luck happens to those who take a risk...we never know what's out there if we don't take the risk.

~ To fail to prepare is to prepare to fail.

~ Success doesn't always look the way you expect it to.

~ Sometimes the greatest discovery is unknown until the passage of time.

~ Our idea of success is a lot of times very different than God's idea of success.

Well, I guess I gave you a quick overview of the sermon. But really, the person speaking could not have known where I was at, because I haven't really shared a lot with people. It fed me beyond belief and brought me a huge sense of peace...that's always an awesome thing when that can happen. I'm ending off with three scriptures from this morning...this has been a really humbling and awesome day!

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

~James 4:10


Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

~Proverbs 16:3

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

~ Isaiah 41:10

Where Do You Go For Help?

I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
~Psalm 121:1-2

Come and Drink

"Come!" say the Spirit and the Bride. Whoever hears, echo, "Come!" Is anyone thirsty? Come! All who will, come and drink, drink freely of the Water of Life!
~Revelation 22:17

Childlike Faith

At that time the disciples came to Jesus. They asked him, "Who is the most important person in the kingdom of heaven?"

Jesus called a little child over to him. He had the child stand among them. Jesus said, "What I'm about to tell you is true. You need to change and become like little children. If you don't, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Anyone who becomes as free of pride as this child is the most important in the kingdom of heaven. "

Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.

"But what if someone leads one of these little ones who believe in me to sin? If he does, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and be drowned at the bottom of the sea.

~Matthew 18:1-6

A Prayer

A Little White Dot

This is how I feel right now...a little piece of white in amongst so much 'stuff' that you begin to feel like you are suffocating. Satan is definitely not stupid...I under-estimate him way too often. He knows exactly where to hit me and knows to not let up, because there's only so much I can actually take. It's a cunning way of making you to feel like you suck at everything you touch...knowing that despite the fact you are wearing the Armour of Christ, that it might not be on correctly or attached firmly enough...knowing just where to hit to knock you off your feet, even if just enough to make you feel unsteady.

It brings me to a point of questioning all things...all decisions, actions & words, mindset, spirituality, commitments, condition of my heart. I found myself this morning, questioning whether I have the perseverance I need to get through. Telling God that I feel like I'm at the end of my rope...I don't think I can do all that's before me. I hear other mothers talk of all the milestones that their kids have hit...I don't often broach into this subject with people. You see, I have three amazing kids and I don't like to compare them to each other or to others. One of them though, hasn't reached a milestone, which seems like an easy one in most people's eyes. And because of that attitude, I live with this feeling that I've failed them, in getting them over that hump, that I've failed as a mother...because really, that is the job of a mother...to equip their kids to adequately be able to reach and obtain the milestones in this life.

I guess right now I'm just tired and out of answers in a lot of areas...that in itself makes me more tired than ever! This song has been in my head throughout the morning...I know God placed it there, 'cause He knows I'm feeling weary and questioning whether I truly have what it will take to continue going. He knows best...even when we can't see it!


Psalm 121 (I Lift My Eyes Up)
I lift my eyes up to the mountains,
where does my help come from?
My help comes from You, Maker of Heaven,
Creator of the earth.

O how I need You Lord, You are my only hope;
You're my only prayer.
So I will wait for You to come and rescue me,
Come and give me life
©1990 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing
Words and Music by Brian Doerksen


I've been thinking a lot about a friend's quote and know it speaks truth to all that's going on. I guess the key is to take comfort in knowing that He is with us through it all...He understands the questions, the doubts, the fears, etc. and only requires that we simply open our hearts to Him and allow Him to carry us when needed. To know where the battles come from and to allow Him to adequately equip and protect us, especially during those times when that's a struggle for us. That is true love and what we celebrate this season...that in itself is a lot to take comfort in.

"if satan can't touch God without burning up, he'll poke at God by hurting us." (jb)