Seasons

Blog posts have been rattling around in my head and heart these days, but have not made it to paper.  For a while I fussed that I was not getting to write, but I am consciously letting go of my own expectations, embracing the reality that all of life has its seasons.  It is important for me learn to release the pressures even of things that are enjoyable and good in my life.  Those posts will get written and I will return to regular blogging as it is something that is fruitful and life-giving for me, but for now I am fully embracing other parts of life.

 June is full of celebrations and endings in our home.  For our family, our numbers have become larger again as older children are coming and going.  For our children by adoption the celebrations of even wonderful beginnings and endings with more people in and out often brings up those old feelings of abandonment and painful transitions.  Bedtime cuddles and long talks are more important than ever.

The garden and late evening walks are added delights of this season.  We are gathering many fruits of our labours these days with meals of fresh broccoli, peas, and raspberries picked for breakfast.

I hold the rooted groundedness of the weather, outdoors and varied seasons in my heart with thankfulness.  I want my heart and soul to be ever listening and responsive to those changing calls and whispers from God that are unique to each season and time.  Some seasons are downright hard to endure.  Others we hope will never end.  Don't let go of those ever-changing cycles that bring growth, pain and joy.  Live fully in each, keeping your ears and hearts open always!

Go For It!

Today we had a wonderful celebration at my work as one of my colleagues is following her heart and with her family including two small children is heading off to begin a new life adventure in Australia.  Bit by bit, day by day, she has followed her heart to start this new chapter of her life.  It has not always been an easy journey and there have been many discouraging parts to her story, but finally one big hurdle has been crossed.  She has sold her home, quit her work and they are flying off next week.
Her predecessor in that job is also following her heart and is in the middle of her own adventure as she has just sent off all the papers to adopt her daughter from Africa.  She too has not had an easy path, but has recently taken some significant steps forward as she moves forward in faith on a different kind of dream.  Today I held both these wonderful women in my heart and allowed their journeys and faith to inspire me.

Life is not always about dreams.  Sometimes there are long periods when we really may not have any special goals or aspirations on this journey.  We are simply hiking along, doing the best we can in the ordinary.  One person I also work with has dreams of his own, but is also really good at encouraging the rest of us.  Not a birthday or event goes by without significant celebration and joy expressed in cards, gifts, and banners draped across desks.  Delighting in bringing joy to those daily events that life brings is in itself a big part of the adventure of life.

When those possible and not so possible dreams bubble up in our hearts it is important to recognize them and step forward.  At first the steps forward may seem insignificant.  They may be as ordinary as celebrating the birthday of a colleague!  Sometimes the steps may seem like they go backwards in disappointment.  Keep the faith.  Go for your dreams.

For all those in the midst of adoption journeys, be encouraged!  There are many steps forward and backward both in the process of adopting and also in the process of parenting!  Do not loose your passion for your kids.  It is a hard but most wonderful journey. Even the stepping out to try is enough.  Wait for whatever will be, while taking a step at a time forward.

Life is not perfect.  Dreams may seem small or big.  Listen.  Respond.  Receive.  Love.  Go for those stirrings in your heart in faith and trust!

Refreshing!

One of my daughters has arrived home from journeys afar and as I went to snuggle with her before bed tonight she was busy refreshing her computer as she felt sure that I would have written a new blog post.  Somehow she felt she could not access it!  Even though she is now home here with me she wanted to know what I was thinking and thought the blog might expand on my thoughts these days.  She gave me lots of possible blog posts that she has been envisioning.  My reaction to chronic illnesses around here, feelings about various children, weekends away, my work and the fullness of these days were all possible insights that daughter had hoped my non-existant blog post might reveal.  I suggested that maybe it might be a good idea for her to write my blog as she has so many things she is hoping to discover.

Refreshing her computer did not pull up a new blog post.  I think it is time to push the refresh button on my heart and mind!  Refresh and release! There are almost too many thoughts and concerns rolling around in my crowded heart and mind these days.   I have not known where to begin in blog writing!

Though I do email and text various other children away on adventures, I know they want more than knowing I miss them.  They all want details and thoughts.

For now,  I am on refresh and release mode.  Thanks for reminding me of the need to regularly push that refresh button, dear daughter.  I so quickly slip back into piling up the concerns and busyness of daily life in my heart and mind.  We all need to push that button,  have a good laugh and release the clogging fullness of our days.

Tonight I will refresh.  It is too late for a good walk, but I will let go of all those things to do and consciously relax, renewing perspective in quietness and trust, walking forward in love and mercy.
Lately I have made many many trips driving along the almost overflowing banks of the Fraser River.  I pray that I may be increasingly like that flowing river, full to overflowing of nutrient rich refreshing waters of love.  I will imagine those waters tonight, flowing out to enrich and send love to so many.

That Lady

Another of our favourite people is the central character in Charlotte Zolotow's book, "I Know a Lady."  In the story a little girl feels loved by the lady in her neighbourhood who quietly and gently gardens, picks zinnias and makes cookies for special occasions.  In the rhythm of days the Lady savours and shares the ordinary delights around her.  She is an inspiration to me.

These days I am delighting in the longer sunny days.  I am spending time in the garden, and each evening my husband and I go for a walk around our neighbourhood, listening to the birds, smelling the fresh mown fields,  and enjoying the vibrance of this season.   Our garden is already full and our dinners include lots of fresh broccoli, snap peas and abundant swiss chard.

Life is full for the children as the activities of their year ripen to the final harvest of speech contests, class parties, piano recitals and dance shows.  This week is our local track and field for a couple of my athletes too.  Like the lady in her garden, I am wanting to preserve gentle routine and peace and calm in the midst of these full harvest days.  Chaos and tiredness at the end of a full year are all part of the package too as the days seem to race by!

In the long days and full endings of the school year,  I hope that I will still watch out for those gentle ladies in our midst, not forgetting to notice the  beauty all around and allowing time to receive and give love through the ordinary.