Surprising Worship

Yesterday was a long day. It felt as though it dragged on for what seemed like forever. Pounding headache right from the moment my alarm went off in the morning and hasn't yet stopped. Big clients who although are very sweet people, left me completely exhausted. Church in the evening. It just felt like there was another activity or place to go after another. All were good things, but I have to admit that by the time church rolled around, I was not interested in going. I went. Thank you Lavonne for allowing me to pick you up - I needed that expectation that someone was counting on me to get them there.

Worship songs were sung. A sermon was preached. There were good connecting points with friends. All good things, but I felt a lacking in the connecting with God part. Finally on my way home, excited at the thought of putting on comfier clothes and catching up on some television, I encountered Jesus. I put a cd in the stereo not entirely sure of what to expect when it came on. I believe the cd was entitled "The Perfect Mix". Beyonce sang a few songs, so did Michael Buble. Finally some worship songs appeared. I found myself singing at the top of my lungs praises to God in my car. I'm sure I had some funny stares from cars around me, but that does not phase me. There were moments when I wanted to raise my hands and close my eyes (don't worry I didn't actually close my eyes while I drove). It was an intimate worship experience between me and God in the sanctuary of my car. It is experiences like yesterday when I am thankful for the 25-30 minute drive from church to my house.

I was reminded that God has not limits in where and how he can work. Meeting the Holy Spirit in my car was a little unexpected seeing as I was just coming from church where I was expecting to encounter a Spirit presence, but the worship in my car was very much welcomed. The Holy Spirit works in unexpected ways and I love it!

Cabin Getaway

This last weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to head out to the cabin with Cole. My last hang out time with him was May 9th. A Kara-Cole day was long overdue. It was a great weekend to be at the lake. The whole family was out for at least a day (Courtney's family included). That was a first this year so far. The weather was glorious - sun the whole time - my shoulders and upper back are a testament to that as I have turned a beautiful shade of red. As Sabrina described it to me this morning, I had an all out make-out session with the sun - there was no gentle sun kissed glow about me :) She is completely right!


The water was on the cooler side, but that did not stop any of us from spending a good chunk of time in there. I was definitely in there the least. I believe the word chicken was used to describe me on numerous occasions.


Derek and Courtney made a second attempt at putting the dock in. Last weekend they marked where the anchor was left and so this last weekend the dock was officially anchored down. I found it quite humerus that everyone hopped on the dock hoping that one person would brave the chilly water to push everyone else out. I stood on the shore and chuckled. And they call me the chicken! haha.

Eventually someone suggested that they all kick to propel themselves out. It didn't take them long to realize that wasn't going to be effective. I believe Derek finally chose to suck it up and push the dock out.

Frogs were caught:

We spent a ton of time outside - one of the first weekends I have been out there and was able to spend as much time as desired outside. Beautiful.

By the time Sunday night rolled around, we were all exhausted - including the dog. Despite the exhaustion we all felt, I think it was safe to say that it was a weekend well spent. What made it even better was the Cole could join us. It was neat to see how much my family had missed him (it had been since January since they last saw him). Hopefully there will be at least one more Kara-Cole weekend at the cabin this summer.

To Be Loved

My friend Carolyn had this video on her blog and it touched my heart today. It just happened to be exactly what I needed to hear. It's a day where I am craving to love and be loved with hopeful expectation that I will one day be someone's Cinderella.

Summer Goodness

Life has been a whirlwind of activity as of late and the time set aside for blogging has been scarce. The beautiful weather we have had in the past week has made me want to do anything else but blog, but with the rain drizzling and the wind gusting outside, blogging seems to be a perfect activity for the morning. A warm cup of coffee. A hot bowl of oatmeal. Sitting inside where it's warm and cozy. It's perfect.

Most weekends have been spent out at the cabin. They have been wonderful weekends full of puzzles, lots of reading - "Girl Meets God" to be exact and enjoying the sun on the deck (although the colour in my skin might not give evidence to that last point).

Derek & Courtney had the pleasure of being selected to put the dock in this year. Unfortunately the day they chose to do that, the water was dreadfully cold. I think Derek's facial expression says it all! In the end they just marked where the anchor was and will attempt to actually put the dock in this next weekend when the water is hopefully many degrees warmer :)

The book in the above picture is an incredible book. I highly recommend it. More on that another day.

Getting Hitched

After 7 years of dating, my brother Kevin and his girlfriend, Dominika got engaged this last weekend. We are all pretty excited around these parts and are looking forward to the wedding planning that is to come in the next year. The wedding is set for July 2010.

And this is the ring.

Congratulations Kevin and Dominika!

Canada Day Goodness

I must admit that my patriotic duties were not stellar yesterday. I didn't wear red. I didn't wave any Canadian flags. I did not paste any temporary flag tattoos on my cheeks. I didn't attend any big street festival or any other large gathering with fellow Canadians. I did not watch any fireworks. Instead I celebrated Canada's 142nd birthday in Kristy's backyard, sitting by the pool while the kids played and enjoyed good food and conversation.

That being said, we did make an honest attempt at joining the rest of Winnipeg at Assiniboine Park during the afternoon, but we all agreed that to fight the sheer madness of car line-ups and pushing our way through the copious amounts of people was just not worth free admission to the zoo. I'd sooner pay the $8 (or whatever it costs now) to go to the zoo on a non-crazy day. Our sanity is definitely worth that extra $8.

The weather was perfect. We enjoyed ice cold glasses of Coke on the grass and watched as some favorite people delighted in the fact that they could play in the pool together.

Not only was the pool good for swimming in, but it also served as a grape & cracker washer and a drinking bowl.

I'm always up for good fireworks, but by the time 10:30pm rolled around, I was spent. I climbed into bed a tad earlier than the rest of the city, but so glad that I did because I fell asleep instantly as my head hit the pillow.
Our day was not filled with your typical Canada Day festivities, but that's ok by us. We had a great anyways, just laying low. Now, bring on the weekend!