10 Years Ago Today

Ten years ago, surrounded by friends and family, two voices said "I do." Ten years ago today, two hands reached out and clung to one another. Ten years ago today, two rings were exchanged as a symbol of love and devotion. Ten years ago today, two people from two very different walks of life joined together to begin a journey together.

Ten years ago today...... I married my hero.

This Christmas, Choose Love

Love is a choice. Never before have those words meant more to me than they do this holiday season. Christmas is a natural time of year to reflect on love, joy, peace, hope, etc., but this year – as never before – I’ve been reflecting on the truth that love is really a choice.

Over 2000 years ago a love story was born through Mary and Joseph. Aside from what the Bible says about their engagement, we know nothing about the interaction between them. Given the time period, however, it’s safe to assume that their marriage was an arranged marriage. Arranged by their families, but ultimately arranged by God. Unknown to their fathers, who likely agreed upon the union, and unknown to Mary and Joseph themselves, God had a plan bigger than anyone could have dreamed. A plan that required two very special people who made the choice to love.

The minute their plan to marry was interrupted by an unexpected pregnancy, both Mary and Joseph faced a difficult decision. The choice to love in the face of overwhelming odds, impossible conditions and unheard of circumstances, or the choice to turn their backs on their commitment to each other and to God. Fortunately for the world, they chose love. Love for God. Love for the unimaginable miracle they were being called to be a part of. Love for a marriage commitment that would face challenges no one could possibly fathom. Love for a child that would draw them together in a way they could have never planned. They chose love, despite the hardship they knew they would face. The chose love, even when love was likely the furthest thing from their minds at the time.

As I reflect on this powerful love story, my thoughts drift to my own love journey. As the year draws to a close, my husband and I celebrate a milestone anniversary --- 10 years. 10 years of learning, through tears and laughter, that love truly is a choice. A daily choice. Right from the get-go our relationship was an intentional choice. Though we didn’t go through anything like what Mary and Joseph faced, we did endure challenges the minute we agreed to marry. And for the past 10 years we have had to choose love daily, even when it would have been easier to thrown in the towel.

This Christmas, as you reflect on God’s love choice for us in sending His Son to save us, I challenge you to spend some time thinking about the love choice God is calling you to make. It may be the love choice to follow Him to places that don’t make sense. It may be the love choice to love a spouse that has grown distant, or a child that has chosen to rebell. Or it may be the love choice to care for a stranger that desperately needs to see the love of God through you. What ever the challenge before you, this Christmas choose love, and watch what love can do. Choose love, because love chose you.

Anticipation

I love Christmas. This is due in large part to a plethora of wonderful holiday memories from my childhood. But of all my Christmas memories, there is one that stands out among the rest.

When I was about 5 or 6, I believed in Santa with all my heart. My beloved grandpa loved Christmas too, and got right into my anticipation of Santa and all that the holidays mean for a child. As we drove home on a snowy Christmas eve, I remember clearly his excitement as he looked out the car window and exclaimed “Joey, I see Santa!” Determined to see Santa too I quickly turned in my seat to peer out the rear window, hoping to see him too. “Where Grandpa? Where!?!?”, I remember screaming. He assured me that he had seen him, and I spent the rest of the drive home glued to the window. I knew that if my grandpa had seen him he must be real, and I was desperate for a glimpse.

A few years later I came to the realization, as all children eventually do, that Santa wasn’t real. But that truth did nothing to spoil the memory of that special moment between my grandpa and I. My beloved gramps was merely enjoying helping his favourite granddaughter (his only granddaughter) get into the spirit of the holidays! If anything I loved him more for helping me create that special memory!

Almost 30 years later, however, I am even more grateful for a completely different kind of anticipation instilled in me by my grandpa and others who have made their mark on my life. But this time my anticipation is for someone more real, more remarkable, and more amazing than any story of Santa Claus. Thanks to the faith instilled in me by my parents and grandparents, I now sit in anticipation of Jesus return. And while I will spend time this holiday season enjoying the stories and songs of Santa, I will celebrate the birth of my Saviour and Lord, and look out my window with anticipation at the promise that He is coming someday soon!

Bubble Wrap Faith

Today we did an odd thing at work. We played with bubble wrap. We jumped on it. We rolled in it. We lined the entrance to our office doors with it. But mostly we laughed. Bubble wrap has a way of making you do that.

It made me think a little about how much fun children have with the simplest of things. A box. A spoon and a shiny pot. A light switch. And, yes, bubble wrap. But something happens to us as we grow older, and somewhere along the way we lose the ability to find joy in little things.

The same is true with our faith. Somewhere between 5 and 35 we lose our child-like, innocent, “My God can do anything” faith. We stop believing in the impossible. We lose some of the awe and wonder we once had about God. We stop praying for the bugs, our toys, and the imaginary friends we love. We stop learning and exploring. And we stop dreaming. Somewhere along the way we forget that He created fun, loves to be adored, gave us dreams, and simply wants us to believe. Not to question, analyze or compare, but simply to believe.

In my quest to celebrate life, savour the moments and enjoy the little things, today’s experience has added a new element to my quest. I am now determined to enjoy a faith that trusts more, and questions less. A faith that is wide-eyed with wonder. I long for a bubble-wrapped faith.

(Reader – take a break and enjoy some bubble-wrap at http://www.chatiran.com/postcard/bubble-wrap.php)

My Favorite Things

I confess, I’m a “shower singer.” While I do sing in public (worship team at church, etc.), I really let loose when I’m in the shower. Name the musical and I can sing the song. Today the song of choice was from The Sound of Music, and while singing about my “Favorite Things” it occurred to me that a list of my favorite things would make a great blog. So, here’s a list of 50 of my most favourite things … in no particular order:

1. Sherman (my hubby) – ok, so he’s not a “thing,” but no list would be complete without him
2. Since I’m naming people too - My family
3. Pictures of my nephews - they adorn my home and my office
4. Risotto from Don Francesco’s in Vancouver – to die for
5. Movies – all kinds
6. The perfect night’s sleep
7. Showers – not baths – showers
8. Scrumptious body washes – my current fav, Softsoap’s “Shea Butter”
9. Cozy P.J.s
10. Lazy nights curled up on the couch watching TV or a movie
11. Trying new recipes
12. Christmas – everything related to the holidays
13. Laughter – the sound of life being celebrated
14. My photo albums & scrapbooks – memories of friends and special times
15. IKEA – Sherman calls it my “mother ship”
16. Fun and funky pens and sticky notes
17. Decorating magazines
18. A good book – particularly anything by Frank Peretti
19. Music – I need music on around me 24/7, if I’m not listening, I’m singin’
20. The crisp air of a perfect fall morning
21. The vibrant colours of fall
22. a perfectly clean house
23. a cozy blanket
24. the crackle of a fire
25. Roses
26. Candles
27. Baskets – I love baskets for everything!
28. Sunday morning drives to church
29. Road trips & travel
30. The Oregon Coast
31. the perfect photograph
32. Quiet Time – being still
33. redecorating
34. chocolate
35. Shopping
36. weekend get-a-ways
37. watching my hubby on the drums – I get a kick out of how much fun he seems to have
38. Creative juices – the rush of adrenaline when you get on a roll with something
39. Gift giving – for no reason
40. My bed
41. Grocery shopping early in the morning
42. Driving
43. Saturday mornings
44. My home
45. A really good cup of coffee
46. The perfect Mac n’ Cheese
47. Hotels – I love staying in hotels!
48. Brunch on a lazy day.
49. Funky socks
50. Long walks on the beach

Perfect Monday = A Good Thing.

Today was, to quote the domestic goddess herself, Martha Stewart, "a good thing." After a busy week capped off by an even busier Sunday, my hubby and I got away for some down time and ended up enjoying the perfect Monday. I'd love to show you photos of it, but since our camera officially ran out of batteries the moment I turned it on, I'll have to paint it in word pictures for you. Enjoy.

Snuggling in the warmth of a cozy bed as the sun (yes sun) peaks through the curtains in our hotel room.
Stepping out into the crisp morning air and marvelling at how the sun highlights the fall colours in the trees.
Grabbing a warm coffee and scone from Starbucks and enjoying them while walking along English Bay.
Walking and shopping at Granville Island - on a Monday when there's fewer tourists!
Picking out yummy ingredients for a decadent evening meal when we get home.
Napping on a lazy Monday afternoon.
Making dinner (stuff mushrooms, kabobs, risotto cakes, and salad... yum) in our PJs.
Cuddled up on the couch with my "Hiro" to watch Hiro and the other heroes on Heroes! Ha ha...
Crawling into bed to read before drifting off to sleep on a perfect Monday.

It was a good thing.

Be Encouraged!

Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. - Matthew 11:28

TRUTHfully the best monologue ever!

I caught a bit of one of my favourite movies today, and was pleased to come into it at precisely my all-time favourite scene! While overall a good story with some decent acting, the main reason I love it is quite simply for a 2-3 minute scene, towards the end. The movie – “A Few Good Men.” The performance – Jack Nicholson as Col. Jessup, and Tom Cruise as Lt. Kaffee. Nicholson’s performance won him an Academy Award nomination, and while he truly makes this scene memorable, I believe it’s the writing I envy the most. Hats off to Aaron Sorkin for this masterpiece:

Jessep: You want answers?
Kaffee (Tom Cruise): I think I'm entitled to them.
Jessep: You want answers?
Kaffee: I want the truth!
Jessep: You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty...we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a *&$# what you think you're entitled to!
Kaffee: Did you order the code red?
Jessep: (quietly) I did the job you sent me to do.
Kaffee: Did you order the code red?
Jessep: You're *&$# right I did!!

Well done. Well done.

Yummy of the Month

I am woman, hear me... submit?

Submission. Just the idea of that word gets backs up, claws out and defensive knives sharpened. In today’s vocabulary the word “submission” is right up there with the worst of the worst.

Thanks to those who have used and abused that word in order to dominate and take advantage of women, the idea of a wife submitting to her husband is considered a thing of the past. Even in Christian circles, among those who claim to know and understand God’s word, the topic of submission is avoided at all costs. And while, admittedly, the concept of submission has been twisted by those interested only in abusing and demeaning women, I believe it is not submission itself that is wrong, but the way in which we interpret and live out the concept.

I must confess that I am not your average 21^st century woman. While I am strong, confident, independent and outspoken, at 34 years of age I would gladly give up my career to stay home loving and caring for my husband. I am proud to be known as Mrs. Sherman Lau. I consider it not my choice, but rather my duty as Sherman’s wife, to cook, clean, and support him in the adventure God has called him to. I willingly stand behind him in support, not beside him or even in front of him in competition. Many would view this as negative submission. But if that is your view of submission, than I fear you have it all wrong.

Submitting to my husband does not mean losing myself, or allowing him to walk all over me. Submitting to him does not mean I have no voice, or no freedom to do as I wish. Instead, I propose that true submission brings with it a far greater freedom and worth than the feminist movement ever dreamed. As a God-fearing, submissive wife, I consider myself to be happier, more fulfilled and even more confident than those who are fighting so hard not to submit. I believe that true submission – as God intended – is what makes me equal, and in many ways yielding more than power than, my husband.

It is my desire then, to help change the way we view the idea of submission. The longing of God’s heart is NOT that I submit and become a slave to my husband, but that instead I support him, understand him, believe in him, make a home for him, realize my influence on him, and trust him as the leader of our home.

My husband has been called by God to be the head of our home and, to quote a famous line from Spiderman, “with great power comes great responsibility!” In the end when we stand before the Lord, my husband will be held accountable for how he leads his family. With that huge burden on his shoulders, my role as his wife is to support him or lighten the load for him when I can. To believe in him when he struggles to believe in himself. To make a home for him, and ensure it’s a place of refuge for him when he comes home tired from fighting life’s battles. Submission means realizing the influence I have over him, and using that influence to help, not harm, him. And finally I am to trust him. To trust in his wisdom as he follows God’s guidance in leading our family. In submitting in this way, I don’t lose, but rather gain a happy, strong, confident, loving, respectful, and even passionate husband. My willingness to submit as God intended me to, allows my husband to be the man God truly intended him to be. How could a husband, who is living 100% in tune with God’s plan and purpose, bring me anything but full contentment and fulfillment as a woman? What greater responsibility, with the exception of those privileged enough to raise children, is there than the responsibility of a submissive wife?

Support. Understand. Believe. Make a home for. Influence. Trust. I am woman, hear me submit!

“True strength lies in submission which permits one to dedicate his life, through devotion, to something beyond himself.” Henry Miller