Control

Life is a bit more hectic these days then it normally is. Periodically, I feel waves of panic splash over the brim, only to subside with my usual nonchalance. Actually, I hope that it's my trust that's stretching it's muscles. When I begin to feel overwhelmed it's because I feel a decided lack of control. This is an opportunity to remember that I'm not in control. God is and if I just trust him things are fine.
We went to Mass on our way to Medicine Hat, at a mission church in Bentley. The pastor was a priest from Nigeria and he told us about a bug called the Wee-wee. It's an edible bug with lots of protein and when it is very young it clings to the tree so hard that if you try to pull it off, you will break the bug in half. When it matures and is full of itself, all you have to do is stand underneath the tree and call "wee-wee" and it falls to the ground. "Lord, let me not be full of me, but instead cling to you so hard that I might break before I let go."

Pass Words

Our everyday lives have become littered with passwords. It takes me forever to get into my blog account because I cannot remember my password. I need a password for my phone messages, for any shopping I do online, for my banking, for my magazines, and it goes on and on. It's not the needing that drives me bawanas, it's the remembering. I'm lucky if I can remember if I had breakfast. But so far I don't need a password to hug my children, kiss my husband or pet my dog. I think I'm gonna snuggle now.

There! Did it!

We moved. It was an incredibly sanctifing journey. We packed and moved. We packed some more and moved some more. Finally we panicked, packed and moved as the date to be out of our old house loomed ever closer.
Now I'm unpacking boxes that lay arranged around our new house, forming rabbit warrens. There's a remote possibility that we will be found crushed by stuff. I had beautiful resolutions to pack the boxes in a logical organized manner. Those resolutions lasted up until the panic.
I've lived quite happily without most of the stuff within those boxes and if it weren't for those few things I really need, I'd throw them out. But I really, really need my phone book. Oh and those bottles of wine I stocked up on. And somewhere there's a lid for my teapot(I hope).

Our Ninny

Today you are 6. You are tall and strong. You are compassionate and funny. You are the most generous child I know. If someone is sad you make it your mission to make things better, even if it means giving up your last candy. The other night when your 4 year-old brother had a night time accident, you helped him get dressed and cleaned up. Listening to you was so sweet. You were so gentle and kind. I love you so much my Patrick. Happy Birthday.

Productivity - Thy Name is...

Matthew. Just one of my little productivity enhancers. The work I accomplish in a day cannot be measured. The number of loads of laundry I've washed, dried and folded; the floors I've swept; the meals I've prepared; the dishes I've washed - they just don't matter. In 10 years they're not what I'll remember. It's the time I spend with my children. That's what I'll remember and maybe they will too. Lord, I pray that I remember this lesson.

Happy Father's Day

You are such a great father to our children. I love the way you play with them and the way you laugh about what they say and do. It's so great to share these everyday, extraordinary events with you. We really had no clue all those years ago where this would lead. It's been so good. And although things may get bumpy ahead I couldn't have asked for anyone better to see it through. I'm so glad that God looks after the details! Happy Father's day, honey. You're the B-E-S-T.

Moving is Good for the Soul - really

Moving is good for the soul. Really. It is. Okay, so I'm not convinced. We are certainly moving so I'd better find something beneficial in it.
Truly, I must say it is very good to declutter and I'm doing that in a big way. Please don't tell my kids. If they only knew what I've tossed (the little pack rats). Their reaction would probably be similar to mine if I only knew what Justin has tossed! There is an urgency to declutter, when given a deadline to meet that truly decreases one's attachment to material things. Maybe that's how I need to view my life of grace - as something more urgent. I give lip service; but how convinced am I? A change in attitude would permit a growth in detachment and a focus on what's really important. If I only knew the deadline!