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!!

"Jambo, Jesus!"

Sipping a cup of hot tea, my cousin Judy shared with me a dream she had in the wee early hours of this morning. It went something like this:
"I was trying to help you find work and we had been searching many places. I finally came across a place where you could help inner-city children learn how to read. I was a bit nervous about showing you this place because it wasn't exactly a "Christian" agency, but I thought you still might be able to make a difference there.
We pulled up to a building that looked a lot like a post office and ventured inside. Partitions were set up every where, with a tutor and a student in each booth. We looked around and again, I pondered, "would this be good enough for Karen, because I know she really has a missionary heart?"
Spotted in the distance was a cubicle missing some walls. We could see a chubby young black girl seated there. When she spotted us, a smile crossed her face and excitement sparkled in her eyes as she jumped up, ran over to Karen, and squealed, "Jambo, Jesus!"
Judy awoke with a smile on her face. Africa in the inner-city. Karen is just the person to share Jesus with this little girl and she knew that about her... she couldn't wait to hear the story of Jesus.
May I be a shining light for HIM!

Mosquitoes in the Moment

Yesterday I took another hike at Scanlon Creek, the shorter Maple Sugar trail. For the first few moments the journey was delightful. Ferns covered the forest floor, birds chirped, and the maples were out in all their glory. Then slowly the mosquitoes started to come out. First one. "I can handle this." Then two. "Okay, I'm annoyed... maybe I should walk a little faster." I was holding hands with a child who didn't want to let go, so when the mosquitoes came out in full force, it was all I could mentally manage not to panic. I wasn't able to swat the pests, so I had to handle the pain until we came to a spot of light or the end of the trail.
There is a Lebanese proverb that says: "He can swallow a camel but chokes on a mosquito."
How true is it that too often we can't handle the little things? They become overwhelming and all-consuming, when all around us is goodness and beauty. Why do we become swamped with the pests when in reality we are on a gorgeous journey? Seldom do we remember that the canopy of light above the trees is always there, we take it for granted. O sure, we remember the Light when we need it, but maybe we're focusing on the wrong things... no matter how much it hurts.
I don't have the answers. Trust me... mosquitoes BITE! But they are a truly small part on life's path.

Grasping the Light

Sunday night: An orange, pink, dark grey ambience filled with lightening all decorated the sky as I quickly made my way home from Hamilton. Flowing with the traffic on the 400, my friend Sarah and I were in awe of the Lord's creativity. I couldn't stop to take a pic of the sunset, but it was phenomenal. The cloud surrounding the glowing orange ball of a sun was super dark, but adorned by an orange lining and shaped like two crab claws trying to grab the sun.

When I got home I was able to take a few shots in the dark because the lightening was flashing through the clouds.
Saturday: It was high time for me to head out of town and take a break, so off to the Royal Botanical Gardens it was. With a picnic lunch and an adventurous attitude we hiked some trails and smelled the flowers. I must admit that I probably push friends or traveling companions to go where they may not wish to normally go. We tried to find 7 gnomes in a hedge maze and marvelled at the art of bonsai.

With our feet covered in blisters, a decision is made to head to our hotel for the night. Opening the door to room 707 we get a little giddy at the Crown Plaza. Each queen sized bed has 7 pillows and we dive right in! Wanting to, but not jumping on the bed, we were hugging each cushion instead and wondering what would happen to the pillows at sleepy time. Swimming in the pool and then strolling down King Street in the heart of downtown Hamilton led us to dinner at a Chinese Restaurant.

Sunday morning, we found our way up the mountain escarpment to attend Immanuel CRC. We listened to a "fitting" sermon entitled "Being Single". Psalm 37 :1-6 sneaks its way back into our theme of the weekend and Pastor Henry shares about committing our ways to God, and giving HIM our undivided attention.

Later in the afternoon, it was off to my brother's house for Jacob's 4th birthday party. I am proud of our latest family portrait.

But now I am back at home, trying to find the light amidst the unknown. I pray that God will always be the Light on my path.