Yesterday's Tweet

Climbing up the stairs at 11am, I entered the kitchen to make some chai tea. Putting the milk on to heat, I walked over to the window to look at the sunny fall sky outside. To my surprise, a yellow bird had come to visit our deck. My first thought was a finch, but upon looking closer, I thought, "no, it's too yellow." Dad was sitting on the couch, resting his knee after surgery last Friday, but he even got up to take a closer look.
Slowly opening the sliding door, I cautiously stepped out on to the deck. The bird didn't move. I came within thirty inches of it, before it started to just jump away. It had blue tags on it's feet... obviously someone's pet.
I attempted to catch it, and so did Dad and our neighbour. (So did our neighbour's two little dogs, but thankfully Houdini flew the short distance of 4 feet back to our deck.) I left the door open, and within about 5 minutes time Houdini flew in to the house.
Perching on the couch, it was much easier to catch our little lost friend. Soon we became buds.
Houdini made himself at home on the main floor of the house, until I made a makeshift cage for him. A bucket with a stick for him to climb on, and two little containers for water and sesame seeds. I placed a cookie rack over the top of the bucket... and ta da... I have a pet.
I can't keep him in the bucket though. I love having Houdini tweet around and rest on my hands. The tags on his legs tell me that he was born in 2008, but after calling a pet store, there is no way to mark it's own.

As much as I love having Houdini around, he belongs to someone else. I may need to make posters to hang on the area mailboxes... and or check the newspaper for missing ads.

Dad has always loved Tweety Bird, and he too was excited to learn that yellow canaries are also called Tweeties.... he finally has a tweety of his own. :)

My KitKat Moments

Yes, I found time to "have a break today!"
Driving around the country side, near Schomberg, I spotted a jockey riding a horse over jumps, a combine bringing in the crops, and a pair of beady eyes staring me down from the side of the road. Those eyes brought the first line of my sixth grade speech back to the front of my memories: "I remember the summer I spent with a thief and he stole my heart!" Ladies and Gentlemen, that thief's name was Bandit, my pet racoon. Bandit used to sit on my shoulder and play with my hair, using his intricate little hands. He had the cutest purr as he awaited corn on the cob or some other special treat for dinner. I know that most people see racoons as pests, but they are my most favourite animal. The diversity of fall colours and landscapes grips my heart every day right now!

As I was driving around, the word "fall" started swimming around in my thinking. I pondered how Adam and Eve fell when they ate the forbidden fruit. And now how all of humankind is a fallen people. No matter how hard we try, we will never be perfect. Thankfully, God sent his one and only Son to die for us.... so that if we repent of our fallen nature, he will cleanse us and call us His own. God loves us and really wants us to live in the perfect garden of eternity with Him.

And then to spot a rainbow at the end of the day, for me, once again sealed the promise that God will never again destroy all of His people. O, what a glorious God we serve!

How Great Thou Art (O Lord My God!)
by Stuart K. Hine
O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder

Consider all the works Thy hand hath made

I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder

Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades

I wanderAnd hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze

And when I think that God His Son not sparing

Sent Him to die-I scarce can take it in

That on the cross my burden gladly bearing

He bled and died to take away my sin

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

And take me home-what joy shall fill my heart!

Then shall I bow in humble adoration

And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!
© 1953 Stuart K. Hine

Colourful Creation

All week I was looking forward to a day off of work, so that I could drive north and explore the fall colours. When I woke up yesterday morning, I was so excited to see that the sun was shining, and the sky was that perfect blue that I love, with fluffy white clouds. My heart sings as I head out on the highway... to destination number 1: Base Borden. Slowing down to 15 km an hour, I keep my eyes open for deer and men in camoflauge. :) On this day, I was unable to spot any troops doing marching drills, but I was still filled with a sense of pride, knowing that Canada also plays a part in bringing peace around the world. I headed to the home of a military police office to catch up with a friend of mine.
We chatted for a few moments, then loaded up the car with her 11 month old son and drove even further north to Wasaga Beach, destination #2. Wasaga is a hopping summer destination, but it was absolutely quiet on this fresh fall day. The wind blew and the waves gently greeted the shore. Three of us were grateful for the pink noses and rosey cheeks on our faces.

A hearty hike along the boardwalk had our hearts pumping, but I kept joking that the baby's bottom might get itchy from all the stroller bumping. Every board on the walkway made a daduh, daduh sound under the wheels of the stroller.

Destination #3: For dinner I was introduced to Mucho Burrito in Barrie. I ate the most delicious spicy salad bowl... the bowl was made with a tortilla, filled with lettuce, black beans, guacamole, cheese, pulled pork, veggies and hot salsa. Yum Yum.
On my way home, I knew that I had had the perfect day off, with a wonderful friend.

Bones the Bear is helping me to appreciate the fall colours, because occasionally this season can sadden me... it reminds me that winter is just around the corner.

The other day I went to visit another friend and she wanted to tell me a story of one of my prayer bears. You see, I knit these faceless teddies and send them to people all around the world. So far I have knit 135 bears. Each one takes approximately nine hours... so I am unable to send them out as often as I wish. They are symbols that I have prayed for the person that is receiving the bear, and often when people see them, they say a little prayer for me too.

Well, my dear friend told me that she uses this bear while counselling children. The kids hold the bear tightly to feel more comfortable, or they speak about what facial expressions the bear might have, to express the feelings that are inside of them. What a blessing!! God is so good!

Blessings in the Moment

Everyone needs to be occasionally reminded to count their blessings, so here's my list for today:

1. For the gift of new life. Yesterday I was able to hold a newborn baby, and I simply marvelled at how intricately the Lord has created us.

2. I'm grateful for quality family time. Whether it is hanging out at home, with my parents and youngest brother, or traveling far to be with my other brothers and their wives, I love it all.

Alysha, Dennis, Me, Brian, Melinda Sneaking in on a super fun moment!

Uncle John took me for a ride in his home-made Model T. I felt rather victorian when I was stepping out of the car in my African dress. He was proud to putt around at a gorgeous golf course as the Benjamins clan gathered for the wedding of his son Michael.
Meanwhile, I liked to "putt" around on the practise green before the reception started.

3. Recently, on one of the rare Sundays that I don't work, our new neighbour lady took us out for a delicious chinese meal. A truly cultural experience at the Dragon Dynasty. For anyone in the Scarborough region, I recommend trying the delicious food.

4. The opportunity to hang out with former college friends and missions team-mates. The Lord has truly blessed me with incredible friends.

5. Work continues to remind me that I should celebrate the gifts of speech, clear communication, movement, and independence.

6. It's a pretty cool feeling when a man picks up my dinner tab by surprise.

7. I love my new haircut. I've even received compliments that I look as young as 18 (actually, I'm not sure how I feel about that). And today a lovely friend mentioned that my eyes match the beauty in my heart. It's good to hear those words, but also a good reminder of how both our words and actions need to be honest testimonies that glorify God.

What are you thankful for today?

Power of Suggestion

Last Tuesday night, I caught up with my friend Jenn and her new fiance for a drink and dessert after work. We shared a warm chocolate brownie surprise that was scrumptioulyumptious. Jenn asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding, and I'm absolutely pumped and honoured.
So last night I called Jenn to chat and to see how I could assist, since the wedding is coming up quickly. First, I need to find a black dress. Check, I think I can do that.
Then, Jenn was telling me that they've already booked a local Baptist church for the ceremony and how now it feels like it's actually happening. Jenn met with the Pastor to see if he could officiate at the wedding, and he quietly responded that he couldn't because he had a double funeral booked that day. Jenn honestly believed him for almost 10 minutes and was even informing her fiance that the wedding couldn't happen until the spring if the Pastor couldn't do it on the planned date. Finally Jenn realized that he was pulling her leg. No one books a double funeral a few months in advance. :)
Well, as I was chatting with Jenn on the phone, I thought that I should write her wedding on to the family calendar, so that I too could book the date. Writing while talking, I mistakenly wrote "Jenn's funeral". Ha Ha... I guess you can plan them in advance.

"Just One More Jump, Please?!"

This past Labour Day weekend I had the privilege of camping with my whole family. We had a blast swimming in the water or chatting around the fire. I want to share a few pics of the jumping experience I had with my three brothers. We all felt like kids again while egging eachother on in competition.

Dennis may jump the highest, but he is always the first one out of the water.
While Brian makes up the rules, Richard wins the race to shore.

It took me a bit to convince myself to jump... or maybe it was the three voices behind me saying: "Karen, if you don't jump, we'll push you!"

"Okay, Okay!! I'll go!!"

I jump straight down. Brian goes to the left. Richard goes to the right. Dennis goes further out over me. And within a few seconds we are all splashing eachother, grasping for the surface, and having a blast!

Emerald Lake is a great place to play. It has water activities for the young and the old. Here I am hanging out with my nephew Jaxsen at the splash pad.

5 Minutes of Fun

There has always been a rule in my father's house that we are not allowed to have more than five minutes of fun a day. Sometimes I cheat and take some really miserable days, so that maybe I can have a half hour of fun. :) Just don't tell Dad! Last weekend I was able to get away to Grand Rapids for a few days. Crossing the border becomes more of a hassle, because I have too many stamps in my passport and the guard questions my reasons for travel. Thankfully, I was able to cross the border and head over to my cousin's house. I arrived in the evening, just in time to see the sun going down over the pond in their backyard.

A trip to the airport to watch planes depart and arrive filled some of our time. All of us girls wore skirts and we danced with joy whenever a plane came by. We were even able to watch a military plane in training, as it did fly by landings and take offs.

The kids are absolutely in love with Bones, who continues to sight see whenever possible.

One of my dear college roomie's was relaxing at a cottage for her birthday. Surprisingly, I was able to spend two days with Jeannie and her adorable family on the water at Green Lake. The cottage was too precious... a tiny green dwelling amidst these ritzy mansions on the waterfront. It wasn't any fun riding the Sea Doo!! I found out that I have a huge passion for speed, waves, and airtime. There is a rebellious side to me after all.

Mmm!! Corn on the cob.... my favourite.

On Friday night I went to Provin Trails behind beautiful (RBC) Kuyper College campus (my alma mater) to hang out in the dunes. I had sent out very last minute invitations for people to join me there if they could, but no one was able. Delightfully I was able to spend quality time with God. I read the whole book of Hosea, prayed, hiked, and had a picnic supper. I even collected a bag of acorns for Judy, who was trying to fill a decorative jar. The silence was wonderful, a much needed break.

Speaking of silence, Robert Shangle is a Live Statue whom I bumped into on Saturday. He was participating in Geek Aid, a festival to raise money for the public schools in Grand Rapids. Jeannie's husband also had a booth up at the event. He was selling his incredibly delicious Magnanimous Salsa. I scooped up some Barbecue 'Defender' and Pumpkin Mango Tango... which starts out creamy and sweet and then punches you with incredible heat!!