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