Bead Kisses

We're here, we made it.

That's the first thing I need to get out there.

Quick.  Jet lag is hot on my heels, behind my eyes.

More of a story, when I'm not struggling so hard to stay awake.

Next, quickly now, before I droop again.

Just in case you were wondering if the packets you make as Sponsors matter.

Bee Mai is kissing her beads.

She did this over and over tonight as all the children opened their packets. 

I have more.

But I've literally dropped off twice while writing these few lines.

So, it's to bed.

Grateful and beyond for all the grace that brought us here.

Great team spirit through the typhoon.

But that's another story.

Blessings.

 

Clarity

Monday afternoon and the transitional clutter and confusion is started to get sorted.

Suitcases and carry-ons for Thailand are almost ready, all but what can't be done until mostly last minute anyway. All the shopping for sundries, which had to wait until we were back in the city, is done.

Van is unloaded and tidied and ready for our packing time as a Team tonight. Weigh scale is at the ready, and so far it looks good for staying within the limits AND bringing all we wanted to bring. We'll see how things go tonight.

I've also got my purse ready to go, which sounds like no big deal, but actually has about three steps to it, all very detailed, including all those carry on fluids, snacks, and a thorough change over of my wallet.

Another big relief today. The dentist agrees my broken back tooth is stable enough to not be too much trouble while I'm gone. I haven't really mentioned this yet, because it happened at Thanksgiving already, hasn't been bothering me, and, to be honest, I was fairly certain this would be the assessment, so I haven't been thinking of it too much. Still, I realized as I walked out of the office just how much I needed to get that go ahead checked off the list. Whew!

Back to the van. Having that all sorted and ready for our trip to the airport really helped clear my head too. Just felt like there were so many details and lists and things to sort through, between the cottage and Thailand. It was getting rather swimmy in there.

But here, just now, in the latter part of the afternoon of the day before, in the comfort of our stay, I feel it all washing away and sorting itself out and coming together.

Like Muay helping Wanmai shower off at the end of our little bai tea, out for a swim, last July.

Aaah yes.

And of course, I took another look at those pictures from last time just in case I might forget the why of it all in the mist of the doing of it all.

Those kids!
Soon my beloveds, soon!

When You See It For Yourself

Today has been full of all the feels.

Still feeling the physicality of closing the cottage, big time, and the crazy way the van is, and how it just represents the strange space I'm in to be back but leaving again. Living out of a suitcase again.

Grateful for the generous hospitality of friends (a beautiful, recurring theme these past four months already) for a place to stay and rest a little and finish off the packing, both personal and ministry, for Thailand.

Grateful for the time spent this morning worshiping at Highview, and the kind Commissioning the November Team received. It means so much to be prayed over. Every time.

So very excited and encouraged, awkward selfies notwithstanding, to see with our own eyes the progress made on our house so far! There will be pauses here and there, no doubt. But has there ever been a LOT accomplished this week! Standing there, beside the foundation in the sunshine this afternoon, it felt more real.

This morning, in one song we sang together, we were reminded that God's love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on us. And on and on it goes, like the wild sky over Georgian Bay that I've had so much time to sit under these past months. Pictures, like the one I've included here, kept coming to mind as we sang.

In between, that's how these next few days will feel.
It's a good place to get that 360 degree perspective I think.
From all angles.

And it all looks pretty amazing to me.

Final Fridays (For Now)

 

Taking a few moments before I really get at it. All the packing and putting away in prep for tomorrow's departure for the season.

So many things to say, really. A lot said already, probably. More to muse on, very definitely.

I know I will look back on this extended season with amazement for all God has done. To be settled here during a rather unsettling period of our life has been an enormous gift.

The good thing about staying later is that it won't be as long before we're back, Lord willing.

And....

Things ahead are exciting too. It's been a busy week in the foundation department of the construction of our new home. Can't wait to see it with my own eyes.

And...

So looking forward to hugs from grandkids.

And...

So looking forward to worshiping in person at Highview on Sunday.

And...

Our Team is ready to visit the beloveds in Thailand once again, leaving in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.

Here we go.
A final Friday for now.

Hope your week is winding up well.

Out-of-Milk Thursday

 

 

“Be still

and know that I am God.”

Psalm 46:10

 

In a new communication tactic on behalf of some of my forest friends, I noticed a bird flitting back and forth across the bedroom window this morning as I was blow-drying my hair.  A quick glance outside, and there was a blue jay sitting on the step.  At first I needed to be outside before they’d come.  Next, if I was sitting at the table by the front window.  Now, it seems, they’ve found me back around side of the cottage.  I’m impressed.

 So, I’ve put some peanuts out in rationed portions, reserving a few last handfuls for tomorrow.

That will be our last full day here.

Peanuts rationed.  We’re also out of milk.  I’m down to my last serving of yogurt.  The fridge is feeling emptier.  These are all the signs that we will soon vacate this home and head back to the city to begin the next phase in our little housing transition adventure.

We’ve enjoyed incredible temperatures these past several days.  This morning the fire is on and we’re layered up.  The packing has begun and the place looks a bit unruly, to be honest.   So does my to do list.  I’m not going to get it ta-done.  Not all of it.  So I’m rationing out that as well, prioritizing and giving my best energies to the tasks that count the most.

Like the frantic jays, I find it harder to be simply present these past few days.  Or rather, I have to be more intentional about it.  I have to be still on purpose.  Take a few moments on the deck to feed the blue jays and soak up all the colours of the early morning.

 What a good gift it’s been to have been here this long.

What amazing things await us back in the city….and also half way around the world.

Leaving for Thailand on Wednesday, and that will be another beautiful thing in itself.

So, happy Thursday.

Wishing you abundance in all things today.

But if you find yourself having to ration anything, make sure to stop and be still anyways.

If you get the chance.

Rock Solid Wednesday

 

Trust in the LORD himself;

for the LORD,

the LORD himself,

is the Rock eternal."

Isaiah 26:4

It was a full day yesterday, as these last days tend to be. Packing and packing and packing, repeated here not so much for emphasis on how much there is to do, but for the categories required to make sure everything gets to the right destination. There is no simple point A to point Be going in our lives right now.

Because it was so warm and summery, it seemed good to take advantage to finish the final clean-the-boat-before-winterizing ritual, which we did together. Felt good to be out in the sunshine like that.

Lots to do, and I'm feeling it. So to balance things a bit, I went out on purpose later in the afternoon as the sun came around to shine directly on our side of the channel. I wanted to get some good pictures of our buildings surrounded by the fall colours.

The water was so still that any ripples you see were solely of my own doing. Sat a while to allow the surface to mirror itself again, and it was so still and quiet! Slow even breaths, just to be in the beauty.

Can't help but notice the rocks, and the firm, unchanging foundation they provide.

I took way more pictures than this, but thought I'd just post a sampling.

Of course, if you look through the pictures you'll see a few that aren't so pretty but just as happy for us. It's of the footings that went in yesterday! Firm foundations are essential anywhere you build.

Feeling the countdown on both sides of things.

Glad for mirrored moments to remind me of my Rock.

Wishing you a Wednesday that brings confidence and anchoring to your soul.

Tangible Tuesdays

 

You can imagine the excitement yesterday when we started getting these pictures!

Yes!  We’re digging!!  Well, technically WE aren’t, but people with fun machines and who know what they are doing rolled onto the property yesterday morning early to break up the earth and make us a lovely hole.

Our new little home will have a crawl space only, but that’s enough to require the excavation in preparation of the next step…pouring the concrete foundation.

Yes and yes!!  Things are really starting to take shape now.  And while we expect the process to take its own time with any number of things to wait through and wade through, it sure does feel good to have this first visible step happening.

Big thanks to our son David, who is overseeing this in person until we get back, managing the inconveniences of such a big mess right in his own backyard, and staying so positive and encouraging!! Also to Harvest who came home to a big hole out back and sent us a picture right away.

So, in contrast to all the lovely fall colours reflected on the glassy waters of Georgian Bay, brace yourselves for the incoming onslaught of crazy mess building pictures that only look beautiful to the people who are excited about what’s coming. 

“Unless the LORD builds the house….”  Psalm 127:1