Words.

Words.  

Do I have your attention yet?  Read on...


According to dictionary.com, the definition of words includes the following:

1."a unit of language, consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation, that functions as a principal carrier of meaning."  
2. "contentious or angry speech; a quarrel."
3. "a short talk or conversation."
4. "warrant, assurance, or promise"
5. "news; tidings; information"


Synonyms to words are:
 statement, declaration,  pledge,  message, report, account, 
catchword


Words hold much power.  They can build up. 
Or....  They can tear down.  


It always amazes me the ways in which we use our words to do both.  And often the latter happens without realizing that our words hurt or destroy.  So I have to remind myself to monitor and chose my words wisely.  The words I chose should be ones that "build up" and enhance the days of my children and my friends.  I want them to be blessed and/or guided by my words.  


When my Papa passed away in ' 97, I stood in the long receiving line after his memorial service.  I must have shook hands and spoke with close to 300 people.  All these individuals had such kind things to say about my Papa, not only about the man he was but about the words he said to them.  His choice of words had such an impact on those around him. I recall one man telling me that my Papa made him feel like he was worth something.  Papa didn't pass him off just because he was using the soup kitchen, but rather made him feel like a human; someone of importance.   He told me that my Papa would sit and talk to him. Papa encouraged him.  The man continued to say that when my Papa was in the room, my Papa would step back into the shadows and make people shine.  


And that's what Papa did.  Often.  My Papa, with his choice of words, would provide those around him with encouragement, respect, support and friendship.  [Isn't that a  true practitioner of the faith, as well?]  


Now, think back to when someone has said something positive or encouraging to you.  How did you feel?  What was your reaction?  Did you share or extend those kind words to someone else?


That is my experience.  The more you give away your positive, encouraging and supportive words, the more words from others are carried on in the same light and spirit.  I am always striving to keep this at the forefront of my mind and on my tongue.


However, honestly, like everyone else, I am humbled every so often when my choice is not that of positive words and the effects are the opposite. Hurt feelings and undue stress are put on relationships.  


As a teacher, a mother, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a friend and a neighbour, I need to be an example (just like my Papa.)  I don't have to be perfect, but it is necessary to then use my words (along with actions) to heal the hurt that I unduly caused.  Not only is this a humbling and important act, but it is an example how to correct myself, the situation and to get back on track.  


Sometimes, those hurtful words are directed at you.  How do you respond?  How do those words make you feel?  What words to you give back? 


Its a never-ending game.  But we are reminded in Proverbs 16, of the power and effects of our words, and why we need to chose them wisely. 

Proverbs 16:21

²¹Good judgment proves

   that you are wise,

   and if you speak kindly,

   you can teach others. (CEV)

Proverbs 16:23, 24

²³You can persuade others

   if you are wise

   and speak sensibly.

    ²⁴Kind words are like honey--

   they cheer you up

   and make you feel strong.(CEV)

Proverbs 16:27

²⁷Worthless people plan trouble.

   Even their words burn

   like a flaming fire.(CEV)

(PS. I chose the Contemporary English Version for the verses as I think it spells out the point clearly)


What kind of words will you chose today?

A Snow Fort in a Typical Nova Scotia Winter

I spent the first 10 years of my life in a little town of Port Hope on the shores of Lake Ontario.  While that's not an exciting tidbit of information, it does pertain to how I see winter now.  I can remember we would receive LOTS of snow... I mean LOTS of it.  Hours and hours were spent sledding, making forts and just "playing" in the white stuff.  It was awesome.

When I moved to the East Coast, I discovered a different kind of winter.  One that really hasn't changed much since I moved here over 20 (or so) years ago. While snow happens, it doesn't tend to stay long.  It is an endless pattern:  snow-rain-freeze-get warm-rain-snow-freeze-rain.  Get the picture?

Right now, I look out my front window where the epic fort that was built almost 2 weeks ago lies in ruins.  It became subject to a typical Nova Scotia winter weather pattern.  Only a couple of days after this amazing fort was built, which the neighbourhood kids flocked to and others drooled over, it rained.  Then it froze.  Then it rained again. The roof has caved in, the tunnels and walls have shrunk and well, it can no longer support life.  Ok.  Maybe Plio is the only one that can make use of it.  But otherwise, it is now a monstrosity in our front yard.

I can recall spending hours outside in the snow many days a week after school and on the weekends growing up.  My hands would be so cold, and my toes lost all feeling.  It didn't matter.  It was too fun to come inside until I absolutely had to be dragged inside the house.  I am saddened that my kids can't experience a glorious Canadian winter to this extent.  The weather doesn't allow days on end like this.  A couple of hours, yes, but not day after day. And tomorrow, well, the snow-freezing rain-snow cycle will be in full force once again.

In memory of our January 2011 snow fort.  Here are some pictures of it in its prime.

FORT CONSTRUCTION

(The night of its construction with help from our neighbour).  

Notice the "working light" in the first picture and the "foreman" checking the workmanship out in the third photo.

                                    

                                    

The FINISHED Fort 

      

THE NEXT DAY

The fort is still standing, no real change.  Playable and enjoyed by all.

Spicy Lentil, "Kale" & Sausage Soup

It is FREEZING outside today and what a better way to warm up our insides than with a hot bowl of soup.  I wanted to try something a little different than my usual.  I wanted a break from my yummy Lentil and Chickpea "stew" so I found a tasty recipe in this month's Chatelaine.  I had most of the ingredients, but I still ended up substituting quite a few.  Nothing like making it truly your own right from the beginning!

Lentil, "Kale" & Sausage Soup

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 Italian sausages (you can omit this if you want vegetarian version.  Everyone else likes sausage but me so I ate it without the sausage.  I gave my pieces to Mac)

1 large onion, finely chopped

1 leek (white and light green parts only), sliced

3 - 4 carrots, thinly sliced

2 -3 large garlic cloves, minced

156 mL can tomato paste with garlic

1 tsp Italian spice (I used a mixture I picked up in Florence a couple of years ago.  Its spicey!)

1/2 to 1 tsp sea salt

8 cups  "kale," about one small bunch (I couldn't find any at the market, so I used green chard.  You could use spinach, too)

540 mL can lentils, rinsed and drained

4 cups water

grated cheese, ie. parmesan

HEAT a large, wide saucepan over medium.  Add a little oil and then the sausages.  Cook the sausages until they are no longer pink.  (You can even crisp it up a little, too.  Barbecued would be amazing!)  Remove to a plate.

Heat a little more oil in the pan.  Then add onion, leeks, carrot and garlic.  Cook until the onion is soft, about 3 -5 mins.  Add the tomato paste and spice.

Meanwhile, thinly slice the sausage and add back to the pan.  

Cook for 5 mins, stirring frequently.

Pour in 4 cups of water.  Bring to a boil.

Add "kale" and lentils.  Stir and reduce to cook on medium.  Cover and boil gently, until "kale" is tender, about 7 -10 minutes.  (If soup is too thick, just a add more water.)

Ladle soup into bowls.  Sprinkle with (parmesan) cheese.  Serve immediately.

******************************************************

Let me tell you, it is full of flavour and very spicy.  So good! And it warmed us up tremendously, too!

Home-Made!

I came across some creations that the kids have made recently after off-loading two months worth of pictures.


Firstly, we went to a night of art in downtown Halifax.  We spent our time looking around the exhibits at AGNS and partook in the group art project of what you think the brain would "look" like.  There were over 100 pieces to be "created" and each piece, when finished, fit onto a large canvas, like a puzzle.  It was incredible to see the "brain" transform as more and more pieces were added on.  The one on the left is Abby's contribution.  She went for one that showed personality.  Mac, on the other hand, went for the techno look as he said the brain is like a machine.  After their finished pieces were placed, they could talk to a neurosurgeon who was on hand to talk about the brain.  Mac asked him some challenging questions.

 Secondly, for Christmas, the homeschool group kids decided that their annual gift swap would be a homemade one this year.  So the kids racked their brains to figure out what they might do.  Abby came up with making beaded bracelets and an owl tree ornament that she could sew out of felt.

First ornament

 Once Mac came up with his idea, he was eager to hit Grampy's shop.  He worked on the lathe to create some exquisite ornaments.  The one he made for the homeschool group was a big hit, and had a request to make another.  Then, of course, I needed one, too.

The one made for a friend.

Reflections for Christmas with our new and improved family

 We have hardships that make it difficult to carry out our original plans or causes us to change direction.  Joseph and Mary remind us of this.  They had some bumps in their plans as Mary became pregnant and Joseph had to make a decision whether he would support her, even though the baby wasn't his or to leave her and publicly humiliate her.  It was not what he planned.  But he followed the hard path and he and Mary got married.  Then, they needed to travel to Bethlehem.  That would have been long, extremely tedious, especially when the roads were what they were back then, and with a pregnant woman by his side.  Oh, how they would have loved to have had a comfortable place to lay their head after their travels, but they could not secure this for the night.  It was not in their plans to have their son, God's son, in a barn.  A barn!!!

No, none of the plans were what they felt they should be.  It was not easy.  They had to make decisions and change their plans.  However, look at the outcome from all this - Jesus.  The real Reason for the Season.  Joseph and Mary knew he would arrive and that all their hardships and the things they endured would "pay"off.  So they trudge through and tried to stay positive.

It is how we need to be. We need to  put into perspective exactly what is important.  I learned that you have to fight for things that you hold dear and that it is not always an easy task.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. And sometimes, it means that things have to change for awhile and that you have to endure hardships, but the outcome is bigger and better than before.

For example, over a rough number of months of separation, Chad and I worked tirelessly on making our marriage work.  We didn't make promises to each other over 12 years ago to walk away.  Sure, there are times when this is inevitable.  But we weren't convinced this was the path for us.  To make sure that we were going down the right path, we put God in the forefront.  He was always there, but we propped him up even more.  We made sure we went to church every Sunday and shared in a few meals here and there as a family, despite the way we may have been feeling towards each other at the time.

In the Spring, we attended Retrouvaille.  What an intense, draining, but SO worthwhile venture.  It really helped for us to open doors and begin to heal as a couple.  It was the stepping stone for putting a seemingly broken marriage back together.

Just after our weekend, we began going weekly to a "Fireproof" study at a couple's house from our church.  It was incredible.  We felt like we could be open and honest with the others present.  We could bounce ideas and thoughts with ease and this lead to many deep conversations later between the two of us. This was more than just the next step.  It provided us with more meat to chew on and bolted us forward to the commitment to reunite and begin anew.

While we were apart for those months, there were times things were maddening and frustrating.  But once we began to heal, thanks to strategies from Retrouvaille and strengthening through Fireproof, we were like a brand new couple rediscovering our likes and dislikes all over again.  That was really exciting.

In September, we renewed our vows. The kids and us (minus our greyt pal, Spencer) headed for Bermuda.There was more anticipation for this event than when we said vows the first time around to each other.    We had a gorgeous place right on the south shore (thanks to amazing friends.)  It was our private getaway.  And the four of us - and God - celebrated the reunion.  It was a blessing, the entire trip, bumps and all.

This year, we saw through the tragedy, and the hurt.  We chose to work through it all and to give it all we had.  We couldn't let 20 years of friendship and 12 years of marriage slip away.  Now, we are more connected and alive in one another than ever before.

Then there is Spencer.  He has also brought this family together with a common goal... to please his majesty.  We have been so enjoying (most of the time) the antics of our new family member and the ability to share our love with him.

We feel like a new family.  We have been given a new start - dog and all- for the next amazing chapter of our life.  We are truly blessed and we are granted grace, all made possible by the One and only.   Our family would not be as it is if it weren't for the strength and love of Him, through Christ.

So as we prepare our home and our hearts this Christmas season, we reflect on the goodness of God.  His gifts to us are endless and we humbly stand before Him.  The most important gift, was His Son.  Christ was not born into earthly royalty.  He was born like many of us - into a working class home.  He didn't have all the luxuries nor did he have the wealth.  Yet, Christ was focused here on earth and lived a flawless, bountiful and grace-filled life, showing compassion and reverence where ever it was due.  And ultimately, He died for our sins.  He bore our pain, guilt and shame.  Can you imagine a parent allowing their child to be tortured, ridiculed and raised on a cross like a common thief?  Would you do that?  Would you sacrifice your son or daughter if it meant that others would be free and could have a relationship with you because of this death?

Again, what a gift this season is and it was given to us at a high cost.

A month already?????

Wow!  On June 28th, Spencer will have been with us for a month.  I don't know where the time went. It has been incredible to have a large, awkward four-legged creature bounding through the house.  Spencer has added a whole new dimension to our home, that's for sure!


So, here's to recap the goings-on during the first month...

• he's a Houdini - proved that the second day 
• he loves being around people and can sound very mournful if you are out of his sight for too long
• he prances and smiles when he is out for his walk, freaking the passer-bys out
• he's actually a sleek, shiny black colour (the baby fur has left the building... now floating around the back, perhaps lining a nest or two)
• he LOVES marshmallows AND (can't forget this one) his wombat who essentially is his playmate, chew toy, cuddle buddy and pillow all wrapped up and disguised as an animal.
• he can shake both paws... and will give it freely if he thinks it will get him a treat or two!
• he can "spin" for treats as well
• he roos and smiles at the same time
• he actually barks!
• he is trying really hard to win Plio over... so far, a few swats, a couple of scratches and a few play swipes...
• he compliments the chef after he eats by coming over and burping and then walking away
• he leans when he is driving in the car... like a surfer or snowboarder does through a turn
• he enjoys the beach and thinks rocks are his playmates
• he can clear the room with his quiet-but-deadly ones!
• he went on his first vacation to Pugwash and charmed everyone he met in town 

During his first month with us, Spencer celebrated his 2nd birthday on June 12th.  He received some gourmet dog treats and lots of love.  We took him to the dog wash and gave him his first bath, which he wasn't too keen on, but was tolerant until the dryer came out!  He also got to run free a couple of times when he went off-leashing at a local dog park.  Check it out:

One of our favourite things he does is cockroach when he's sleeping... his tongue will also hang out from time to time.