Ramblings of a country woman...: Be Still...

It's been almost a year since I've blogged. My kids randomly ask me, "mom, when are you going to blog again?" I guess they like hearing from me ;-) I've tried numerous times but the words just don't come. And even sitting here now, I feel I am without words.

There are seasons for everything.

A verse that comes to mind though is Psalm 46:10a - "Be still and know that I am God."

Things to be thankful for...

1. My niece Kayla and Trent engaged ~ can't wait to celebrate
2. Surprise visits for my 50th birthday - Matthew, William & Lily, Jenny Lynn, Cameron & Sarah, Mom & Dad and Lily

3. My family - time spent with them

4. Lily chatters and giggles

5. Surprise party with family and friends

6. Beautiful words spoken to me by my husband

7. Beautiful album of words and pictures made by the girls, moving video made by Matt

8. Gift of a Mac laptop

9. Birthday dinner with the guys - words of blessing from them

10. Charissa's help

11. Heading to Florida for a conference - blessed with a direct flight from Montreal - saved us 8 hours of travel

12. Walking Juno beach in the warm sunshine

13. Dinner with a friend

14. Meeting new people

15. Warmth and sunshine

16. Visit Refuge Ranch a woman's recovery centre

17. Feeding and petting Scarlet the deer

18. Lunch by the water

19. Fellowship

20. Beautiful weather, blue skies and sunshine

21. Touring Dunklin Memorial Camp

22. Breakfast with Matt & Lori - good conversation

23. Good chat with Hugh - his wisdom

24. A relaxing drive with my husband - the beautiful of Martin Road

25. Feeling freedom

26. Peace

27. The beauty of God's creation

RESCUED...REDEEMED...RESTORED

28. Bird songs
29. Testimonies of God's grace

30. Evening walk on the beach

31. Words of encouragement from wise men
32. Safe flights home
33. A new day
34. Seeing the guys at the Village
35. A good day
36. Chats with all the kids
37. Warm sunshine
38. Cooper in the office
39. Chat with my husband's mom
40. Good nights sleep
41. Our first Maple Syrup Festival day
42. People working together
43. Help from Jocelyne and Charissa
44. Meeting and chatting with new people
45. Sunshine and fog - looks so beautiful outside

46. Reading and looking through my birthday album - so many beautiful memories and kind words
47. Beautiful evening sky - shades of pink
48. Issues worked through
49. Chat with my mom-in-law on her birthday
50. Charissa over for lunch
51. Beautiful day - mild temps and sunshine
52. Chat and prayer with the mom of a drug addicted son
53. Relaxing day
54. Nice chat with my sister
55. Working together
56. Kind comments
57. Encouragement
58. The guys doing a great job at the Maple Syrup Festival
59. Our cooks
60. Meeting so many new people
61. Help from the girls
62. Warm sunshine
63. Matthew renovating our bathroom back home
64. Bible study with the ladies
65. Video call with Will, Amy and Lily
66. Chat with Jocelyne
67. Giving hearts - God's provision
68. Quiet morning walk with Cooper
69. Nice chat with a mom of one of the men in the program
70. Breakfast with Charissa
71. Relaxing afternoon with my husband
72. Walk along the coast
73. Video call with Will & Amy
74. Jocelyne's much needed help today getting ready for another pancake breakfast
75. Chat with mom
76. Beautiful tulips from Jocelyne

77. The girls helping again at the Maple Syrup Festival
78. Good conversation with visitors
79. Seeing Lottie and the other ladies from Seaview

80. Kindness of people
81. Mild day
82. Walk with Cooper, Kara and April
83. Unexpected blessings at the Village - God's provision
84. Morning sunlight hitting the trees
85. Supper with Shawn and Charissa
86. Day out with the girls
87. Jocelyne's help again cooking for the breakfast
88. Video call with Will, Amy and Lily
89. Amy is feeling much better after being so sick in her pregnancy
90. Tulips from Jocelyne - the smell of spring

91. Another good day at the final Maple Syrup Festival - grateful for the help from the girls
92. Meeting so many new people - good conversation
93. Good sharing time at church
94. Walk with Cooper, Charissa and Kara & April
95. Afternoon spent with Charissa, some good chats
96. The many supporters for the Village of Hope
97. The guys shovelling my walkway and driveway for me
98. My Father God - his steadfast love
99. Charissa's help in the office today
100. New men in the program
101. One man's great smile
102. Chat with my mom, dad and brother
103. Seeing John for a quick visit
104. Laughter with David in the office
105. Beautiful afternoon
106. Laughter with Kim and Angie at the Post Office
107. Beautiful sunny morning
108. Chat with Matt
109. Morning bird songs
110. April greeting little Charles
111. Chatting with Alice, Geza and Benjamin
112. Beautiful sunny afternoon
113. My husband, a good man
114. The blessing of emotions
115. Playing with the kids outside after church
116. Laughter - good for the soul
117. Chat with Jocelyne
118. Spring rains
119. The intricacy of creation
120. Rain showers sparkling in the sunshine
121. Chat with William
122. Dinner with the Vähi family in the dining room
123. Evening sunshine spilling through the window
124. Good conversation with some supporters of the
Village of Hope
125. Good nights sleep
126. Meaningful chats
127. Laughter
128. Morning bird songs through my open window
129. Christ's obedience, sacrifice and deep love

130. Rest
131. Charissa and Cooper are moved in
132. Dinner with David
133. Video chat with Will and Lily
134. Morning walk with Charissa and Cooper
135. The sound of rushing water in the brooks
136. Video call with all my family back home
137. Walk with my husband
138. Charlie giggles
139. Celebrating Nigel and David's graduation
140. Gorgeous sunset
141. David working with one of the men to get healthy
142. Morning walk with Cooper and Charissa
143. Call with my mom on her birthday

Below are pictures from the past year, places we toured, people we saw...life we lived.