promises

 love this fall chalk art by my talented Layla.  love the truth it displays.  love that every time i'm in the laundry room this verse calls out to my heart and reminds me i'm covered and carried by the peace of God.  peace is there when it shouldn't be.  peace is there guarding my heart, reminding me that God is all-knowing and not the least bit surprised by the mountains and valleys of life.  He's sovereign.  He's working when things seem stuck.  He's supplying grace and He is my source of rest.  

simple and true. blessed to be His.

also love this song soooo very much.  you really will too, i'm so sure of it! :)

I Speak Jesus by KingsPorch

photo drop

 a bit of a photo drop.  not a lot of time to expand on them, but they are pretty self-explanatory i'd say.  warm soccer evenings, birthdays, ice cream with friends, brothers sea-dooing with sisters, and the first day of grade 10.  a few of the highlights.

so thankful for moments and occasions of deep joy and fun this summer.  abundance and opportunity and privilege in this day-to-day life, in our beautiful country of Canada.  we are a blessed bunch.

my cake maker

 Layla is officially the family cake maker.  i've blogged about this before...she loves creating in general, so cakes just fall into that category and are a nice creative outlet for her, no occasion necessary.  

on this particular day she held nothing back.  her buttercream is/was delicious and her finished result was pretty impressive considering we are lacking a few kitchen tools that a pro baker would have. 

we groan and complain, but we tolerate it overall ;)  honestly though, life is better with cake, don't you think?!

great job Lay!

another season

 

Sarnia Sturgeons, Junior Varsity, 2022.  congrats to my handsome son, co-captain and lover of all things football.  proud of your effort on the field, and for your courage, never once seeming afraid to defend or take down the opponent with the ball.  you're always so fun to watch.

i'm gonna wait on you

truth in song, right there in the link below.  enjoy.

Wait on You by Elevation Worship and Maverick City

strength in the waiting.  who doesn't need that?!

and just because, i'm including an adorable throwback photo i came across last week.  

melt. my. heart.  this one nearly did.   

love this

 my crew of bigger kids do the very best job of loving this little guy.

it's so sweet to see.  

thoughts

been pondering lots about life this summer.  the seasons, the highs and lows, the things i learn along the way, the things i have yet to learn.  the undoubtable truths, the fragile parts that still remain true, regardless of my particular state.  i said recently to a friend that i'd been doing way more "leaning in" than i ever used to. pressing in closer to attempt to hear God's thoughts on the very subjects i spend time contemplating.  i love how God honours that effort.  i never feel like he's looking at my shaky or flighty temperament and thinking "c'mon lady, haven't we already been over this?!  like 10 years ago, two months ago, and many, many times in between?"  he truly carries me, and when days are hard or sad or even fear-filled- i eventually remember His word and those promises spoken...

here's just one...

Isaiah 41:10 in the NIV says "Don't be afraid, for I am with you.  Don't be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."  

isn't that fridge worthy?  especially in this crazy year of global uncertainty? not to mention those unique and personal trials and painful losses you and i all encounter?  

still, i falter. still, i fear. still, i'm shaken.  and what is God's response?  well, like that of a Father, of course....but a perfect one.  he pours out more grace, more love, more picking me up and lightening my load.  he sends more timely reminders that he knows and he's working even when i don't see a way through, and he's still God and that is really all my weary heart needs to keep in laser focus.  why is that so hard for me? sigh...

so...i attempt to clear some of the senseless clutter and fill my mind with more of His truths, and stay in step with Him...wash, rinse, repeat~ you know? seems elementary but apparently i'm still learning.  sigh again.

so i share the songs below because they have been such an encouragement to me.  for God to bend low and hear my inner groans and meet me right there in my messy state of raw emotion is really no surprise.  it is after all, just the kind of God he is...he is faithful, he is good- always, and he is here when i'm seeking and grappling and asking hard questions. i hope in some way these lyrics meet you too, in your most vulnerable places, and wherever life finds you. 

"it's in the empty tomb, it's on the rugged cross, your death-defying love, is written in your scars, you'll never quit on me, you'll always hold my heart, cause that's the kind of God you are"

God You Are by We Are Messengers

 Famous For (I believe) by Tauren Wells & Jenn Johnson

Even When It Hurts by Hillsong United