Saturday, July 25, 2009

Changes

As you will have noticed I changed my background (thanks Louise at Adori Graphics for the great free backgrounds). For those who don't know Louise, she has a great ministry of free blog makeovers. I'm set for one for Cooking with the Evil Twins this fall. I was going to create my own background and header, but after two weeks of playing with paint.net and one picture I decided I needed help. I give a lot of credit to those with the gift. It just isn't mine. I have the vision, just not the technical capabilities.

I've also changed my blog name. This blog started out as an update for my friends and family during our move to Saskatchewan. However, I didn't keep up with it. Lately, I've been convicted to blog about my journey with God. I've discussed this change with two of my friends and they both seem to like the "Lost in the Prairies" take, given how I got here (see my first MM&M Blog).

My family and I are going on vacation for the next week to the mountains. So when I get back I'll fill you in on my vacation, as well as my continuing saga at MM&M........until next week.
Friday, July 24, 2009

Caffienated Randomness: Bible Verses



Since I do not have an i pod, I'm going to ramble on my own tangent today.

A while ago at my weekly mom's group, our leader (the great and wonderful, Mabel) asked us what our favourite bible verses were. I immediately started giggling. Not that this is a funny subject. There are some very serious bible verses. But sometimes you come across a bible verse that makes you giggle. The one that makes me laugh, as well as my evil twin, (see my other blog Cooking With the Evil Twins) is Acts 2:15

These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! (NIV)

I know in the context that this verse is talking about pentacost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and the outcome was that 3000 came to our Lord. However, Debbie and I always get a kick out of the fact that one cannot be drunk at 9 am , however, any other time would be ok. Sometimes, when we are talking and Debbie's watch lets us know what time it is, if it is 9: o'clock we will each call out this verse.

Now I know I can't be the only one with a favourite quirky verse. In fact at our mom's group one of the moms had a verse about watching the boys! Can't remember what verse that was. Wish I could remember.

What's your favourite quirky verse?
Thursday, July 23, 2009

My Favourite Things: The Morning Edition

Filled With Praise


So this week I was going to post what my favorite old movies were. However, as I have been up on and off since 5 AM, I'm going to tell everyone what my favourite things about the mornings are (since I am a night owl).
  1. The way the sun comes up over the Prairies in the winter;
  2. The sound of my coffee maker brewing;
  3. The sound of children television programming and the silence soon after.........;
  4. Cuddling with my three year old when he just want time with mom.
Monday, July 20, 2009

MM&M: Cold Night, Gnashing of Teeth & First Kiss




Last week on our show we left the our heroine at the drive in with a some what or not interested Leroy...

That week Christy and I joked around about the drive in. She phoned Shawn and asked if Leroy was interested. He was not playing our "junior high games" and gave us Leroy's number . So I phoned him while he was a work and left a message so that he would have to phone me.

That evening, I paced the phone waiting to see if he would call. Finally the phone rang. It was him. I jumped for the phone and answered very nonchalantly. However, my uncle decided to try to embarrass me and kept yelling "Leroy, is that Leroy?" Once I made it into the basement, we made a date to go to the movies. I immediately went through my wardrobe and planned out what I was going to wear. I picked out my little grey suit (I miss that suit, of course I think only one thigh could wear it now).

On the day of our date, I went to my bank on my lunch hour to pull out some cash (always have a back up). Who should I happen to run into, but Leroy!!! Was I glad I wore my suit.

That night we met up to go to the movies (the "Spy Who Shagged Me" by the way!). After the movies we went for coffee at Starbucks (oh Starbucks, coffee, mochas, lattes.........ok I have to wake up now). Did I mention that Leroy is the exact opposite of me. While I'm talkative, he's quiet and shy. So the conversation that night went like this.......
Me: "So do you have brothers and sisters?"
Leroy: "Yes"
M: "How many?
L: "7.......4 brothers and 3 sisters."
M: "You're the youngest?"
L: "Yes"
Ok, I know you get my drift. It was probably nerves for both us. Where I tend to talk a lot when nervous, Leroy tends to do the exact opposite.

Anyway.....the next few weeks we continued to double date with Christy and Shawn every couple of nights and on weekends.

A few weeks into our dating, my grandmother was came out to visit and see how I was doing since my break up. I hadn't told her about Leroy yet. So on the day she arrived we watched a few movies at Christy and Shawn's as I was in no hurry to get home. However, Christy's parents showed up a day early for their visit and we were evicted. Somehow, I wrangled a evening at Leroy's apartment. So we stayed up until 3 am watching movies and talking.

The next day, I spent visiting with my grandmother. I mentioned that I was "kinda " seeing a new guy. She didn't seem very "supportive" of my decision.

As I felt like Leroy and I were just hanging out with Christy and Shawn for our dates, I decided if he didn't want to go out without them that I would no longer pursue him. I phoned him up and invited him to a Pipe Band Concert (I know, they were free tickets from my boss). Leroy stated that he couldn't go out as he was on call. I was just about ready to ditch the conversation when he stated that maybe we could get some movies and hang out at his place. YIPEEEEEEE!

So we again stayed up and watched movies. In fact, I didn't leave his place as it was 4 am. I ended up falling asleep on the couch, with the window opened and was offered no blanket. Something I still bug him about to this day. Of course, he states that I could have got a blanket from the closet or closed the window! The next day we went to the mall, and finally held hands. That night we again rented movies and stayed up late.

When he finally dropped me off at my house the next day, I decided to introduce him to the family. At some point I left Leroy alone with my grandmother, of which he states there was "gnashing of the teeth".

When I walked Leroy back to his car, we finally had OUR FIRST KISS!!!

Will our Hero leave now or will he finally call her. Will our heroine meet his family? Stay tuned.
Friday, July 17, 2009

Caffeinated Randomness: Memo from God



Found this well I was cleaning out my craft cupboard.....

To : You
From: God
Date: Today
Subject: Yourself
Reference: Life

I am God. today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help.

If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFGTD (Something for God To do) box. It will be addressed in MY time, NOT yours. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it.

If you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair - there are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work, think of the man who has been out of work for years.

Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.

Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.

Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you noice a new grey hair in the mirror; think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thinkful, there are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.

Should you find yourself the victim of other peopl's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; remember, things could be workse - YOU COULD BE THEM!


My Favourite Things: The Clean List

A day late, but better late than never!


Filled With Praise



So last week I was in a reflective mood, but this week I've been busy with my grandmother being in from out of town visiting. I haven't had much time to do anything, including my housework. So this week I take a page from Amy's post last week and think about my favourite cleaning jobs. By the way, according to my 6 year old, cleaning is my favourite thing to do since I'm doing it all the time.

  1. Bathrooms: There is something about a clean bathroom that can make or break my day. Even if every other room in the house is hazardous, this room is always clean and sparkling;
  2. Oven: Self Cleaning need I explain more!
  3. My Kitchen Counter: When this is organized and clean, I feel decluttered. However, too much on the counter and I can't think until this is organized;
  4. Making my bed: Again, just done to make me feel more organized. As well, I can use it to pile clean clothes on once folded; and
  5. Laundry: Ok really not my favourite thing to do in the winter, but in the summer when I can use the clothes line I love it. I actually keep up with the laundry (except on rainy days).
Now off to finish the laundry.
Monday, July 13, 2009

MM&M: We now return to our show....



When we last left our heroine, Michelle, she was at her new co-worker's home when a mysterious stranger named Leroy showed up............

OK you now know that I watch too many soap operas, but to continue....so Christy's boyfriend came up with this "Leroy" character and introduced us. A total set up? You decide.

We spent the afternoon watching videos (believe it our not "Something About Mary") and then went out to the movies ("Never Been Kissed"). I was sure I freaked them all out. I informed them that I had had my belly button pierced; that I wanted to get a tatoo; and voted for the NDP provincially and federally (socialist party for my American friends). For people from the conservative belt of Canada, I think I was a little on the scary side, besides being my pushy outgoing self. I must not have freaked them out for long, as I was invited to Shawn's Birthday Party the next Friday.

That week, Christy spent the week telling me a little about Leroy everyday at work. At the party, I spent the first of the party arguing with one the guys Shawn and Leroy went to Devry and then finding out more about Leroy. He had been working for five years at the same job; did not have girlfriend; his birthday was two days before mine; and had just bought a house. Coincidence or God speaking? That evening, when the guys went to get ice, I asked them to pick up straws for Christy's and my slushy drinks. When they came back, Leroy said that he had bought the straws, even after the others said to forget it. It was love at first "straw".

The next night, we went to the drive-in (sounds like a movie from the 50s). Because we all owned small vehicles, Christy and Shawn went in their vehicle and I went with Leroy in his. I tried all my usual flirty tricks on Leroy (licorice on the lap, etc........don't ask). I was still not sure if he was interested in me as all his signs showed he was not. And anyway, wasn't it too soon after my break up? Didn't I need some time to reflect about me and what I wanted in the future. What would my counselor say? What would my family say??????????

Turn in next week for the continuing saga of "The Days of My Past Life".


Friday, July 10, 2009

Caffeinated Randomness: My Carpets

The last two days we have been having new carpet installed in our basement. However, we had to remove the old carpet first (ok my husband removed the carpet, as well as removing all the furniture). The hallway carpet came up easy (was only held by double sided tape). The rest of the carpets were glued directly to the cement floor. My great husband scrapped the foam off the floor for three nights after working an eight hour day. This was messy job. I did help a little, but really my job was clean up.

Now as I'm enjoying this new carpet I am realizing how our carpet saga is like our coming to God. When we accept Christ into our lives, God starts scrapping the baggage from us (hopefully not with the ice scrapper we used) and believe me this is a messy job. He then cleans us up (Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51:2). When we accept and repent, we are made new (You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24).

I'm thankful for my new carpet and I'm so thankful to God for "taking on" the messiness and continuing to work within me! I'm not finished like my carpets, but I am a work in progress!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

My Favourite Things

Filled With Praise



After this week's "worship" of Micheal Jackson (please don't get me started), I think I will make a list of my favorite Heroes in no particular order:
  1. LIz Curtis Higgs for teaching me that bad girl could be reformed;
  2. Ruth Graham Bell for modeling her faith and showing that you don't have to be a perfect mom, just a perfect model for Christ's love (read "Rebel with a Cause" specifically the ice cream story);
  3. Jesus....need I say more;
  4. my best friend Debbie (and evil twin) for showing me that having a disability doesn't mean that you aren't useful for God's purposes;
  5. my friend and mentor, Natalie Owen, who continually teaches me that it's OK to show your emotions;
  6. my friend, Andrea, who continues to encourage me in my walk (though she doesn't even know she does that) and has "challenged" me to write this blog; and
  7. my grandmother and mother in law, who both raised more than 9 and 8 children respectively, and continue nuturing the next generations with love.
Thanks again Amy for this idea. I love sharing my favourite things.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Liar Liar Pants on Fire......

The pastor announced before the end of service that next week sermon would be on lying and that everyone should read Mark 17 to prepare for the sermon.

The next week the Pastor asked the parishioners who had read Mark 17. 3/4 of the parishioners raised their hands. The Pastor quickly stated "Then this sermon is for you!"
I'm sure you've all figure out that Mark 17 doesn't exist and are having a good laugh. But, how many of us have raised our hand, when we knew we shouldn't just so we didn't look silly.

This week, we've had a few discussions regarding lying in our home. Last week my daughter cut her and her brother's hair. When questioned, she didn't lie, she came right out and exclaimed "I cut Thomas and my hair!" I was furious but she told the truth so her consequences weren't that severe (she did lose her scissor privilege for the week). I praised her that evening for telling me the truth and not lying to me. My best friend's daughter was involved in a similar incident 4 years ago and it took her a year to tell the truth.

This weekend we took my daughter's best friend camping with us. I overheard many of their conversations (6 year olds think they have all the answers). At one point the friend told my daughter that little lies were OK. I talked to my daughter later about this and reiterated that lying is not OK. I told Nic that the one sin God doesn't like is lying. In fact he hates it soooooo much that a couple who lied, where struck dead! She was shocked. Have you heard the story:

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.

Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price."

Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."

At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. Acts 5:1-11 (NIV)


Wow. Just for lying about the amount of money he was giving God. God never asked Ananais for the money. Ananais was giving the money to God, but decided to lie about the amount. If he had just told the truth and said he was giving a portion and not all who knows what would have happened. How many of us have cheated on our taxes or said we tithe our full 10%, on our gross, but actually take it from our net. Same story.

How many times have we each told "little white lies?" I know I have. "Oh I'm sorry I was feeding the baby and couldn't reach the phone. " The phone had been on he nursing pillow and just didn't feel like answering the phone. How many times have we avoided the "truth" or not told the whole story?

Lies hurt. Not just the liar but who we are lying to. Growing up I was lied to consistently by people who should have known better: promises broken; truth surfacing through arguments; and misleading information to make others look better (just to name a few). Trust and respect is hard to get back once lost. How do you trust one who has lied to you throughout your life.

Have you thought about the ramifications of lying?

Luckily we have a God and Saviour who tells the truth. He never lies and is always forgiving if we confess our sins.


Monday, July 6, 2009


Once upon a time there lived a beautiful princess in a far away land by the ocean, who was captured by the evil ogre who took her to a barren land and left her there
.
........

Ok that may not be the truth but at the time it felt like it. To tell the story of my husband and I meeting is also the story of Christ and I meeting.

I as living on the west coast of Canada, Vancouver Island to be exact. I was in my mid twenties. I was in a destructive relationship, of which we were co-habitating. I had lost my good job as an administrative legal assistant and was working in retail. Most of my friends were wiccans or just plain ol'partiers. I was "skimming" along some rough waves. My boyfriend was just finishing school, of which I had helped support him at for the last two years. He was looking at getting work, but we had to move. I sent out my resume and got a job immediately in another province doing what I had been trained at. I felt my future was on the rise and that finally things would be "coming up roses." However, the thorns got me first.

I moved to Alberta a few weeks before my boyfriend and luckily had an aunt that was willing to let us stay there very cheaply. My job started off great. Things were looking up, however, as usual in my life it was the calm before the storm. When the boyfriend showed up in "cowtown", he immediately dumped me. It felt like I had been beat in the stomach. Here I was, just turned 25, in a place with no support, little family and no friends. What was I to do? Luckily, because we had been having problems I had booked a set of counseling appointments, which I decided to use for myself (another story, another day).

A couple of sessions in, my counselor asked me what I was looking for in a man. My response: No baggage (meaning no kids, no ex-wifes, no crazy ex-girlfirends), I had enough for the two of us; a stable long term job (I was tired of supporting my boyfriends financially); and a house or nice place (the last two had moved into mine too soon). I wanted something I rarely had in all my life - STABILITY.

That week my new co-worker, also new to the city, invited me over to see her new kitten. I had been planning on doing something else to meet new people, but thought I should get to know my co-worker better. I went over that Saturday afternoon and had a nice visit. About an hour after I had been there, there was a knock on the door. Christy answered it and shouted "Leroy's here. Sean, Leroy's here........"


to be continued......
Thursday, July 2, 2009

My Favourite Things.......

Filled With Praise


My favourite things this week:

1. The sound of my 3 year old when he is laughing;
2. My 3 month old's smile (he is a big flirt!);
3. When my daughter reads to me; and
4. My husband's sense of humour.



Gifts to God

When my daughter was 2 she decapitated one of our Wise Men from our Nativity set. I told her at that time that it was ok because they didn't bring any good gifts anyway. I mean could Mary really use myrrh and frankincense. What she needed was a stroller, diapers, soother....if you have kids you get my drift. I later learned what the 3 gifts actually represented when I did a study of Matthew in BSF.

This mornings devotional was Jesus being anointed in Bethany.
While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, "Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages[a] and the money given to the poor." And they rebuked her harshly.

"Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." Mark 14: 3-9 NIV

The people at this dinner questioned her choice of gift, just as I did the Wise Men's gift. However, have I really looked at my gifts to God with the same scrutiny I do others' gifts. Do you? What have I given to God that others' would assume unworthy or too much? And who am I to question another's gift?

When I think of this verse I always think of the song by CeCe Winans. We don't know the cost of another's alabaster box and we don't have the right to question the gift. We are called to give OUR best to God. That best may differ for each of us.


Wednesday, July 1, 2009

I AM CANADIAN

Happy Canada Day!


My photo
Alberta, Canada
I'm a 39 year old (oh yeah I'm telling you my age) Stay at Home mom. A former Bad Girl now reformed sinner, I'm married to my Y2K guy and raising 3 great children from God. Proudly Canadian, however, missing the West Coast, I currently live in the prairies watching the farmers fields produce as I learn how God produces the fruits in me.
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