Fall's Fleeting Colours and Christ's Transforming Power

This week I finally found a little bit of time to take a few autumn pictures.  There's something about this season that fills me with renewed energy, but also carries with it a sense of sadness. The fresh greens we have enjoyed all summer long are soon going to disappear from the landscape and be replaced with browns.  I will miss the colour when autumn is chased away by winter's frost and snow.  I really do try to enjoy every season...I suppose I'm only wishing this season would stick around a little longer.  It's such a feast for the eyes!!!

The fleeting seasons are a good reminder that things on this earth don't stay the same.  Autumn's end might be rather brown and dead looking, but the bright snow that comes in winter makes the earth look bright and fresh.  Every season has its beauty. God keeps changing the landscape from one beautiful season into the next.

Just as this earth keeps changing, we also ought to change.  We shouldn't be staying the same from one season to the next.  We should be transforming as well...constantly becoming more like Christ.  We ought to be putting off more of our sin and putting on more of Christ.  God keeps making beautiful things out of each season, and He is also about the business of making beautiful things out of us.  Don't we have an awesome God?!  I'm so thankful that He doesn't leave us alone to fend for ourselves or to find our own way.  He has equipped us with everything we need to be transformed.  His Word and His Spirit are His gifts to us.  I pray He will keep giving me the grace and a growing desire to seek Him and I pray that His Spirit's power will continue transforming me into something more beautiful for Him.

Even though I'm not sure if the colours outside are as vibrant as they were last year...I still think this season is another amazing masterpiece by the Master.  I plan to soak it all in until it's gone!

Fast & Furious Fall

It has been several weeks since my last post...needless to say, we have all been just a little busy.  It is a fact of life in this house that when school starts, we all hit the ground running...some of us do more running than others, but in our own ways we are all running the race!

 

Taylor and Amber started basketball on the second day of school, and that generally involves games and practices 4 out of the 5 days of their school week.  Levi has already finished the school soccer season as well as the cross country one, and for the first time in his school career, David was also on the cross country team.  He had a great time competing at the first two meets.  The junior team came away with a 2nd place finish at one of the meets, so he was pleased to come home with a lovely blue ribbon.

Levi exceeded his own goals at the culminating All-Ontario Christian School meet, coming in 31st place!  There were over 30 Christian Schools represented at that meet, so it was most definitely a personal best for him!!!  We are so proud of them both for training at school and at home and for persevering and using their God-given gifts.

The girls are almost at the end of their regular season games, and then hopefully they will put on a good show in the play-offs.  Having girls on both the junior and senior teams has proven to be very exciting!  Lots of games to watch and lots of time on the bleachers.  (Can't say my back always likes that part of it.) We haven't been able to watch all their games, but when things aren't too crazy, we are there with our voices to cheer them on!  Both teams have done quite well this season...I think the junior team has only lost one regular season game so far...SO...the play-offs should be VERY exciting! I will attempt to keep you posted once that showdown starts.  (Amber is really hoping the seniors will make it to OFSAA again...only time will tell.)

Rick is busy at school with all that is involved in keeping things running smoothly and he does his best to keep everything in balance.  At the end of September I started my EA position at DCCS.  I am enjoying my time back in the classroom.  My immune system is working overtime trying to fight off all those germs that 4 and 5 year olds are so great at sharing...but other than that, it is going very well.  I love being back with the children and because I have the pleasure of being an EA, it doesn't involve all the extra prep-work that goes along with teaching.  Besides the work at school, I also teach a few piano students during the week and that is also a lot of fun.  

We have had so much rain and nasty weather this autumn that I haven't made it out to take any fall pictures...YET!  I hope to squeeze a bit of photography in there before all the leaves are gone...they are falling fast and furious these days...

Where is the Dignity of Human Life?

We live in a day and age where people are so lost.  No absolutes, no thought of eternity, no fear of God, no respect for life.  These are sad days.  I thank God for people who stand up for the truth, and at the same time my heart breaks for the millions of innocent lives that are destroyed.  May God have mercy on our wicked generation.

The following is a link to A. Mohler's blog post.

"The moral dishonesty of the entire tragedy comes down to the fact that, in legalizing abortion, liberal societies claimed to be making a bargain. We will not protect unborn life, but we will defend all those who make it to birth. Of course, the dividing line was always dishonest. Are we seriously to believe that human personhood is a matter of mere location, inside or outside the womb?"

http://www.albertmohler.com/2011/09/16/thrown-over-the-fence-infanticide-canadian-style/

Kid Pics September 2011

Amber's Birthday

It doesn't seem possible that we have a child ready to get behind the wheel...but Amber say's it's true.
She turned 16 this weekend and we had a lovely time celebrating this milestone.  It was a weekend filled with quality family time, basketball, amazing weather, shopping, dinner out, youth group, church, a visit to the lake and of course some very delicious cake...

HAPPY SWEET 16 AMBER!!!

Back To School 2011

Week one is done!!  What would September be without a couple back-to-school pics?

Before You Speak

Found this yesterday and just had to share.  I love the way it's put together.  Very simple positive steps we can take that will probably save ourselves and others a great deal of grief.  I think there might be more peace and a little less hurt in this world if people thought before they spoke.
Great things to remind ourselves and our children.  Brings to mind a certain verse in James about being quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  Jms 1.19
That book speaks a lot about the tongue.  Well, as my father-in-law would say, "Use your brains."  If we thought a bit more, used our brains a bit more before we opened our mouths, perhaps some of us would get in a little less trouble...

http://www.scribd.com/doc/61772754/Before-You-Speak-Think#

Niagara Get-away

Rick and I managed to find a couple days to get-away without the kids before he had to be back at school...the kids stayed with Grandpa and Grandma.  We took a different route to our destination and started our visit in Niagara-on-the-lake.  We enjoyed a lovely Timmies lunch by the lake and drove through town taking in the gorgeous gardens.  I didn't take one picture because I just wanted to take it all in.  (Those flower gardens really have to be seen up close and personal.)  They always have incredible floral displays...absolutely beautiful!
We spent a night at our favourite Sterling Inn in Niagara Falls and we had a great time walking everywhere and enjoying the wonderful weather.  Our anniversary dinner was at the Fallsview Keg (again)...amazing food and a lovely view. 
This year we made a stop at the Butterfly Conservatory and I had a great time snapping shots, until my camera batteries gave out.  What a lovely relaxing environment to be in...(if you're not freaked out by all the flying creatures.)  I didn't have any butterflies land on me, but Rick had the pleasure of being a taxi for a little while...(X-rated picture below explains the giggles he was hearing from the people all around him.)
I was quite pleased with some of the pictures, so I hope you enjoy them.  They are a wonderful display of God's creativity.  If you're a butterfly lover, I highly recommend a visit! Oh ya, and the Yogen Fruz was a nice way to end the trip.