Deck the Halls

I haven't exactly decked the halls, but I have decked out the home in Christmas attire and if I do say so myself, it's lovely. There are few things that make me happier than Christmas preparations. For the past couple of weeks, I have been baking up a storm. Between 5 different kinds of goodies, I probably have close to 500 in total. Between my mom's baking and mine, the house has not only looked fabulous, it has also smelled divine!

Last weekend marked first advent, and as such, the trees go up and the decorations come out! There is something so happy about unwrapping ornaments that have been tucked away for the past 11 months (actually 23 months for me this year) and reminiscing. My favorite moment of the day has been the mornings when I enjoy my perfect cup of coffee in the living room around the glow of the Christmas Tree lights. Perfection!

The upstairs tree

The downstairs tree

This year for advent I am spending time contemplating gratitude and figuring out what that has looked like in my life and how I want that to look in my life in the years to come. More to come on that another day though :) How are you choosing to focus your thoughts this advent?

Road Trip Part 2

In order to cut back on some costs, my aunt and uncle who live just outside of Calgary, graciously allowed us 4 girls to take over their basement for 3 days. Our agenda and schedule were laid back - the primary purpose of this trip was to reconnect and to just enjoy each other's company. 

Friday morning we awoke to a gorgeous November day. We took advantage of the weather and spent some time outside with the horses (my aunt and uncle happen to live on a ranch). The 4 of us are city girls at heart, although we did determine that if we had to live out in the country, on a farm, we could do it, but it wouldn't be our first choice. It was an awesome day though - lots of laughter was had.

My aunt asked if we could help tarp the hay - not entirely sure what that involved, but we did it. We referred to it as "chorin" (to be said with a twangy midwest accent... right Heidi :) We tarped that hay though and we were mighty proud of our work!

Heading out to see the horses.

Oh how I had missed this lady!

this lady too!

Just acting natural around nature :)

Gotta brush the horses before you saddle up!

Heading out to ride...apparently I thought I was riding a bull or something. We'll blame the country air :)

Heidi...the natural.

ooops.

my cousin Brittany to the rescue

Giddy up Aleah!

Rachael...so lady-like

Getting the hang of it...sort of.

 After a morning of horseback riding, we were in desperate need of Starbucks goodness and a girls coffee time. How I love these girls!

Amen!

 The weekend was full of much laughter, lots of junk food, good movies and good conversation. I can't wait until Christmas when I get to see these ladies again in Abbotsford. After weeks of anticipating this reunion, it came and went far too quickly. Before we knew it, 7am Sunday morning came and the 4 of us were on the road again, going our separate directions. 

As I drove I wondered if this weekend really happened. It felt too good to be true. I am continually reminded how blessed I am to have these ladies in my life and that I got to experience the adventure of a lifetime in Portugal with them - something one can never forget. Thank you ladies for a delightful weekend.

Road Trip Part 1

It started out as a crazy idea we had back in September. After a few obstacles and juggling work schedules, class schedules and needing to find a car, it all worked out and the four of were reunited again! The plan was to meet half way between Abbotsford and Winnipeg, which happened to be Calgary for the November long weekend. 

Thursday morning, at promptly 5am, Aleah and I left Winnipeg with music playing, books on cd on stand-by and strong coffee in hand. After a brief stop for gas and a refill of the worst coffee I have ever had in my entire life (Thank you A&W for that rude awakening), in Brandon, we were on the road again. 

Manitoba

 

 

 

Saskatchewan

Between Swift Current and Medicine Hat, we had an unexpected delay as I noticed an RCMP vehicle in my rear view mirror. I looked at my speedometer and I was not speeding, so I wondered why he was close on my tail. After what seemed like the longest few minutes, he finally turned on his lights and pulled me over. Apparently my license plate was not coming up as being registered or something (I still have no idea what that means), but after taking my license and registration, all was good and we were on our way again. 

Enjoying a much needed Starbucks refill in Medicine Hat - a nice surprise when we pulled in to fill up with gas.

Medicine Hat is also home to the World's largest Teepee. Who knew??

As the evening came, we were close to arriving at our destination: Kathryn Alberta (just outside of Calgary). It was a long day of driving, but so worth it when we got to see 2 lovely faces we had not seen in 4 1/2 months later on that night.

 

Thoughts over coffee

I woke up this morning not only to my clients cancelling their appointments for today, but also to a winter wonderland of sorts and it made me all giddy inside as I realized that it has been 2 years since I have seen snow and we are entering a wonderful season, as Christmas and Advent are literally just around the corner. I felt as though I needed to do something to celebrate snow, so I dug out my winter parka, the boots, etc and tromped through the slushy, snow-covered streets to Starbucks, dog in tow.

I don't know what it is about this weather, but I have been consuming hot beverages right from the get go and I have spent a good chunk of the day thinking and pouring into scripture. 

For about a month now, my heart has felt anxious and a little antsy as I continue to figure out what my life is supposed to be and where and what God is calling me to. It's a big question and I have to admit that for the last little while, I have been impatient and perhaps even dissatisfied at the lack of direction and response from God on this matter.

I was reminded recently of the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel. If you are unfamiliar with the story, check it out in 1 Kings 18. Elijah summons Ahab to the mountain, along with the prophets of Baal. All day, Baal's prophets call upon his name, begging and pleading for Baal to reveal himself to be the one true god and yet they receive nothing. In verse 36, when Elijah's turn to call upon God comes, Elijah cries out, "Come Lord, Come, Answer me." In response to Elijah's cry, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the fire of the Lord appears and he reveals himself to all on that mountain top.

I think this story is an incredibly beautiful picture of God's promise that he will answer our cries. He comes down to us and reveals himself in ways our hearts and minds can never imagine. I am blown away by his faithfulness to his people!

As I have spent time crying out to God for direction these past few weeks, I have chosen to cling to this story - to soak in its truth and to let it transform me into a better disciple of Christ. As a result, my heart is in a greater place of peace. I am once again nudged to lay down my plans, my timing, my dreams and instead, sit and listen for God in this particular season of waiting. I know that God has incredible things laid out for my life and when the timing is right - when my heart is ready to experience all that God has for me in those plans, He will respond. He will answer my cries and reveal more of himself to me.

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's Glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory which comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
~ 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

At this moment in my life, being obedient requires me to sit in the waiting and to do it joyfully and the Lord promises His Spirit to me and that He will indeed continue to transform me more to reflect his likeness. My prayer is that as I wait upon the Lord, that my eyes would be unveiled and that my heart would be opened to experience the fullness of the Living God.

If the tranquility of my heart is at all related to the blanket of snow sitting outside, then I say, bring on the snow, because this is truly a wonderful place to be (although if snow remains into April or May, my outlook on snow may possibly change :).