Moving Toward Simplicity ... Again!

It has been almost three months. How did that happen? Three months ago, we moved to Canada. One room is mostly empty, another is full of boxes. The walls are still somewhat bare. Where have the last three months gone?

Three years is going to pass SO QUICKLY! We may be here longer, but for now it is a three year deal. Unless ... well, just unless life happens, which it tends to do. The question becomes one of priorities. Just how important is it to stop the living of each day that goes by to unpack a box containing stuff that you don’t miss, therefore probably don’t need.

Yes, the answer is to get rid of it! That’s an approach I can get behind. I’ve been thinking about the unpacking thing all wrong. So today, I begin. One of these boxes, or all of them, will become the “give away” box. Equal distribution of wealth (or junk, as it may be) to whoever has a need, or a want, or is in the habit of collecting stuff that someone else no longer wants. Whatever the motivation, time to downsize, again.

I’ve been stressing about filling all this space. This home is much larger than our little 700 sq ft apartment we moved from. “Stressing about filling”? What has happened to me? I think I’ve lost a little of me in the transfer. Time to relocate me, and put her into action.

So ... this has become about another one of my favorite mantras. “Sometimes more is just more.” Watch out honey! Baton down the hatches, or I may decide that they are an unnecessary source of added stress! And, truth be known, I love the empty room!

Three years IS going to pass by quickly. I don’t think I’ll waste it trying to integrate a bunch of stuff I’ve lived without for the last three months. Seems like a waste of time.

{this moment}

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{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

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Thanks Amanda @ SouleMama

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"O Canada"

On July 1, 1980, a proclamation declared "O Canada" the Canadian National Anthem. Written slightly more than 100 years prior (composed by Calixa Lavallée / french lyrics by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier), originally in French, it became the national anthem on Canada Day thirty-three years ago. As we approach Canada Day 2013, let's pay tribute to this beautiful anthem.

O Canada (click here to listen)

Olive Trees

It has happened to me twice in the last year. And before that time, I can't remember it ever happening. As I was spending time reading God's word, meditating on it, and talking with Him about it, He gave me the reference to a verse in His word. Now, I've been around scripture long enough that the popular verses are usually familiar to me. I know what type of words to expect from certain places in the Bible, and I'm friendly with my concordance. I've spent hours pouring over a certain topic, or trying to find a certain verse. But only twice can I remember a reference in scripture that I didn't know coming into my head during the quiet moments.

Feeling insecure in this new place, I was thinking on sheltering under the Eagle's wings and resting on the Rock of Ages ... and I thought, "Psalm 52:8." What is Psalm 52:8, I wondered, and upon searching, found this:

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God;

I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.

Psalm 52:8 (NIV)

Now, I'm a Bible scribbler. I've tried to break the habit. I've tried to keep the pages clean of my thoughts, but I must confess. I am a Bible scribbler. The pages of my Bible are covered with thoughts, comments from other sources, cross references, little drawings (like a little sheep every time I come across something to do with us being sheep), etc. Underlinings. Stars. Exclamation marks. They're all there. But, Psalm 52:8 hadn't a single mark. No notes. Nothing. I know I had read it on one of my trips through the Bible in a year, but that's it. And there it sat.

I started to wonder about the significance of an olive tree, so I did a little research and found several things of interest. First, in appearance. Olive trees are gnarled and twisted. They show the signs of some internal need to convulse and writhe. Sounds like me. I certainly tend to fight life instead of resting in it. Peace is not a natural posture for me, but God lays it on my life with great patience.

Olive trees are evergreen. Their lives go through cycles with the seasons, as with any tree, but they stay green and beautiful. When I am "trusting in God's unfailing love," the green of my life is evident, regardless of the struggles or changes. God's beauty flows through me.

Fifteen years is a long time, in the world of human existence and in the world of gardening. It takes dedication and perseverance to care for a plant for fifteen years. Only after that time does an olive tree produce a good harvest. Fifteen years! How long has God carried me, pruned me and nurtured me with dedication and perseverance, waiting for the fruitful harvest?

I read that mature olive trees can withstand a temperature drop to -8°C for short periods of time. Their root system has to be protected from freezing. Hmmm ... seems that I could survive anything as long as I am firmly rooted in God, His love, His word. Anything. Since the dove brought Noah an olive branch after the flood, we can assume that an olive tree even survived the destructive power of the flood. Anything.

So perhaps in my moments of insecurity, God's message is simple. His unfailing love lasts forever. Resting in that, trusting in the complete and unwavering truth of His love ... there I will flourish. 

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God;

I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.

Psalm 52:8 (NIV)

So thankful. So blessed.

Want more on Olive Trees and faith? Take a look at PRAY 4 ZION's article, Lessons from the Olive Tree.

Just What are Muckin’ Boots for?

Until a couple of months ago, I had never heard of Muckin’ Boots. Then, rather suddenly, the term “muckin’ boots” became a regular phrase in my daily vocabulary. 

“Don’t forget to put on your muckin’ boots!” 

“Wear your muckin’ boots today!” 

“Where did you put your muckin’ boots?” 

“Where are MY muckin’ boots?” 

“Why do you need two pairs of muckin’ boots?” 

(My personal favorite!)

*** By the way, for my grammar conscious friends. I just did a little searching as to whether it is "two pair" or "two pairs" and found that "two pairs" is actually grammatically correct. Whew! My college education at work! ***

In suburban Colorado, there absolutely was no need for muckin’ boots. And this suburbia mamma has spent very little time on a farm. Yet, here I am in Canada, living on a little farm, wearin' my muckin’ boots! I’m so thankful them! Live and learn.

Mine are blue paisley, by the way.

{this moment}

. . . . . . . . . . 

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

. . . . . . . . . .

Thanks Amanda @ SouleMama

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Gardening ... Anyone have an Idiot’s Guide?

I dreamed of it! I yearned for it! I thought about it, planned for it, and now, I have it. A little kitchen garden. And I have absolutely no idea what to do with it!

Anyone have an Idiot’s Guide?

They say you can grow anything here. We'll see if "they" know what they are talking about. Here’s to trying something new, succeeding, failing, growing, and learning ...