A Catch Up

I feel so far behind in blogging that I don't even know where to start to catch up. I also apologize for not posting "Voice of The Martyrs" lately. I know some of you appreciate reading those & I will try to get back to posting them regularly so we can continue to pray for persecuted Christians!

We woke up to a somewhat awful site this morning. The big beautiful elm trees that give our backyard summer shade & all season privacy were torn down. Now, they were growing in the neighbours yard, and while we know he has every right to cut down his own trees, it was devastating to us. Now the back just seems like a big open hole, gaping wide to the old aggregate plant that they are also in the process of tearing down. Dirt & dust everywhere. I guess I can be at least thankful that they are doing this in the winter when all windows are closed because the snow in my backyard is no longer white!

But more about these trees, besides losing our privacy and shade from the blistering afternoon summer sun, we are losing a lot more. My squirrels lived in that tree. I hope they had more warning than we did. There are more smaller trees on the side of our property. I can only hope that they might want to stick around for the sake of a few extra peanuts. I so enjoyed watching them chase eachother & run & leap from tree to tree!

Also, these trees house 1000s of birds during the year, some that built their nest in them, others that just hang out for the shade and sing their little hearts out. It was just last fall that dozens of my most favourite bird, the red-winged blackbird, took a rest in this tree before they journeyed on, giving me outstanding joy! And, from time to time, a very large owl has taken refuge in these elms, hanging out during the afternoon till it was dusk & time for him to go on the prowl!

The neighbour also cut down a large tree that was between our houses, that offered us privacy while we sat in our office, between their family entertainment room. Now, I can sit at my desk and stare at them while they watch tv. Its such a disappointment. Thank goodness for blinds!

Aside from this oh-so-depressing day of losing trees, things have been going well here in the Wolfe household. My pregnancy nausea isn't quite as bad as before although other lovely symptoms seem to be more than happy to take the spot if nausea is giving me a break!

The weather has been quite chilly lately but fortunately, while cold, it has also given us clear blue sunny skies. I did sneak out one day to Hayne's Point (where I took the above squirrel photos) but the cold wind drove me back home pretty quick!

However, looking at the weather pages of our neighbours to the direct east, Alberta is getting some serious sub-zero temps this week. And to the south, Washington just got hammered with some really heavy snowfall so I guess we don't have it so bad here afterall!

I've been reading the books of Samuel. I'm not sure what motivated me but I started at chapter one and now I'm half way through second Samuel. I suppose its because its an interesting read of battles, treason, love & hate and God's preservation of His chosen ones! I always wonder when David had time to write all those beautiful Psalms when he was either on the run or conquering others in battle. When you pair the Psalms he wrote with moments throughout the books of Samuel, you see a whole other side of the story. Worship, fear, anger, passion, thankfulness and more! I love the Psalms but it has given me a new perspective by refreshing myself on all the journeys David took in his life!

Anyways, bundle up if you're in the deep freeze of winter & enjoy the warmth if you are so fortunate to be in a warmer location!

God Bless!

Winter Weather

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope." Psalm 130:5

What a strange weathered week it has been again. I finally got out for a much needed walk this week, taking my camera with me for the first photos of 2008. The first photos in a long time actually as I just haven't been feeling up to taking pictures.

As always, my feet led me to my favourite park, Hayne's Point, where I have posted countless photos in the past. I didn't get to have a long walk as the gentle snow that was falling turned into stinging ice rain, blasting every which way in the wind!


I managed to head to the side of the point that was the calmest and I wanted to check out the ice on the lake. It was smooth & solid. No interesting crevices or cracks like what I found last January but smooth with bits of snow blown across leaving beautiful formations all the way across to town. It felt peaceful on that side. The world was a dim grey blue as the snow ice fell!

There was a skiff of snow on the smooth ice so I bent down & wrote 2008 in the snow. Just to remind myself it was my first time out with my camera in the new year!

Usually I like to walk around Hayne's Point and think, talk to God, think about life & what is going on in the world. But with the wind and that stinging snow, I didn't do much but think of how I could take a couple pictures without getting my camera pelted too many times.

I like the shape of these trees in the winter. I took similar photos to the one below last year. When the sky is so bright & the world beyond is so hazy it makes them look silhouetted, and lonely. I found a bit of shelter from the wind where I could take a few more because the weather was right (despite the snow & wind) for this same silhouette to occur - and who knew when I'd have the energy to come again on such a day. I got a few shots that I was pleased with.

Though I'm more of a spring & fall girl, and I'm already eagerly anticipating Spring, I love that I can find moments of beauty in all the seasons and that I was granted some strength (and respite from my nausea) for this brisk winter weather walk.

2008: Its Going To Be Great

My heart is overflowing with a GOOD THEME; I recite composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. ~ Psalm 45:1

Happy New Year my blog friends! Can you believe its 2008 already? Where did the time go? I'd like to commit to blogging more in this new year, and new month as I know I was seriously lacking in the past little while. But still, I'm struggling.

I suppose its time to share with you the reasons for my struggle. I am pregnant! Very exciting news for our household as this is the first child for Lawrence and I and we are thrilled.

However, with that joy & anticipation has come a LOT of sickness for me. I have been very nauseous & ill, all of December & part of November. Oh the price to pay to bring a miracle into this world. So, in my nausea & fatigue, I just haven't had the energy to blog, or even read blogs for that matter & I apologize to you whom I used to visit so frequently.

The good news is the end of the first trimester is not far away, well, a couple more weeks, and maybe I shall have some relief in sight for that! I hope & pray that I do!

So, with my seasonal new year's wishes to you all, I revived the verses I posted on January 1st of last year! I'm really looking forward to 2008. So many wonderful changes are occuring that I'm anticipating, both in our home lives, the life of our new church which will be undergoing a location change, and the spiritual vibe that is coming alive in this community. A Good Theme has already begun and I see it will carry forth in 2008, with nothing to beat it down or stand in its way!

I offer you verses from Psalms for starting the new year with a Good Theme:

Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. ~ Ps. 37:5

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. ~ Ps. 90:12

This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice & be glad in it. ~Ps. 118:24

Your word is a lamp unto my feet & and light to my path. ~Ps. 119:105

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! ~ Ps. 150:6