Reflecting On 2014

Continuing my tradition of looking back over the past year.

1. What were the highlights or accomplishments of 2014?

The biggest highlight has been Brian starting back to work at the Royal Oak Inn & Suites, as Maintenance Manager. It feels like we've come full circle, with Brian back working where he was before we moved away.

Another highlight has once again been puppies....lots of puppies...followed by visits to the vet for spay and neuter surgeries! We do love placing puppies with happy families, but it's also a lot of work, and ties us down.

The final highlight of the year was Danica accepting Jesus as her Saviour on November 30th.

2. What were the major themes of the year?

Change has been the major theme this past year. After a short time at home, Justin went back to Alberta to work with Lorne again, then returned in July to start working at Armwood with Brian. With Brian's job change in August, Justin lost his ride to work in Portage and decided to get his own apartment, once again shrinking our family to five.

September brought another change, when we visited a different church, and made the decision to attend there.

3. What disappointments or regrets did you experience?

Last year, concerning regrets, I stated "we can't go back and change things." While that is true, I can learn from my regrets, and I can commit to a better today and tomorrow. With that thought in mind, I look forward to the changes that 2015 will bring, and pray for the strength to embrace them.

4. What was missing from the year?

Much like the previous year, we lacked clear direction, and for me personally, peace. But we are closing out the year with a much clearer vision of God's will for our family, and the accompanying peace.

5. What did you learn from the past year?

In 2013 I was reminded of the importance of being part of a community of faith, but we were still not sure where we fit in. We were trusting the Lord to show us, and to provide....and he has. It's taken some time to get over the difficulties we had experienced in previous churches, and to be ready to try again, but we've taken that first step, and we're looking forward to what 2015 brings.


Happy new year to all!

Featured Garden-The Garden of Ede'n Gerald

This beautiful garden belonged to my parents, Ede and Gerald Blair, and was located south of Sidney, MB, until they sold the property in 2009. Mom and Dad spent many hours working together to create this little bit of paradise. These photos were taken in 2004 when the garden was probably at it's prettiest! Sadly, the garden no longer exists, but it's still here for all to enjoy.

I hope you enjoy this tribute to the Garden of Ede'n Gerald.

See my new tribute to Mom & Dad: A Life Well Lived.

(all photos by Al Henry)

 

 I hope you enjoyed your stroll through the garden today. I look forward to your next visit.

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 Living Our Lives Well.

My verse For 2014 ~ Romans 12:12

 December has been a very difficult month of one illness after another. Nothing serious, just a sore throat, stomach bugs, and a seemingly endless headache. It makes me all that much more relieved to be finished with 2013, and begin afresh with 2014.

 I've been thinking for a while about what my 2014 verse might be, and the one word that kept coming to me was 'joy'. Somewhere along the way I've lost my joy. The trials and drudgery of life, the disappointments we've experienced in 'church life'....I've allowed all of these to steal my joy...and my song. I haven't even written a song this past year, and only a couple the year before. Something is not right!

 So, I went looking for verses that speak of joy, and somehow ended up in Romans 12. So many verses stand out in this chapter that are so needful in my life right now.....

 Given the circumstances of one of my daughters, Romans 12:19 hit home.."Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." In the case of my son in law, I will have to hold on to the fact that one day he will reap!

The end of verse 16, "Be not wise in your own conceits." is another one to ponder, and to put into practice!

 But this is the verse I have chosen as the one I will try to keep in the forefront of my mind this year:

Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

I believe this is a sure formula for restoring to me the joy of HIS salvation! And that is sure to bring a song to my heart!

Wishing you all a wonderful, joy filled new year!

Reflecting On 2013

Continuing my tradition of looking back over the past year.

 1. What were the highlights or accomplishments of 2013?

  There were not a lot of highlights this year, other than the birth of eleven puppies in May. It's been nice hearing back from the new owners; everyone seems very happy!

   We accomplished a lot of  landscaping and outdoor construction, but a much less intense summer than last year.

  I'd have to say it's been more a year of misty flats and valleys than mountain tops!

   2. What were the major themes of the year?

   Home and family were the major themes. We continued working on our house through the early months, and then switched to the outdoors in the spring and summer. Brian built the decks, a pergola, and fences to keep deer out and dogs in! Trees were planted, top soil was brought in, lawn was sodded and perennials transplanted.

   Spring also brought sad times with the passing of Brian's mom. Thankfully, Brian and Nicole were both able to spend some time with Alice before her passing. A beautiful service had been planned by Alice herself, and many friends and family were able to attend. 

   One of the biggest changes was Justin's temporary move to Alberta. He spent several months working with Lorne, coming back home late in the summer. I really wasn't ready for him to fly the coup, and this all happened a little too quickly for me. It's hard to believe that our 'second batch' is growing up so quickly, but with a young lady now a big part of Justin's life, I guess I better get ready for more changes!

   During the spring and summer we also had one of our daughters spend some time with us until she was able to find employment and a place to live in Brandon. It was a blessing to have this time with her, and especially to enjoy her cooking skills!

  Fall brought changes for another daughter, requiring us to spend some time renovating her mobile home, in preparation for renters. (construction and renovations seem to be the story of our lives)

  The past few years have been difficult for both of these daughters, and as parents, it's very hard to see our children hurting. The one positive that has come out of all of this is that we have our girls back. For the first time in many years, all of our children were home at the same time for a Christmas get together. Fortunately, the stomach bugs stayed away until later!

3. What disappointments or regrets did you experience?

  Anything I may count as a disappointment or regret is really pointless....we can't go back and change things, so rather than dwell on regrets, I happily say goodbye to 2013, and welcome 2014, and all the promise it holds!

4.  What was missing from the year?

   What was missing from 2013 was a close walk with the Lord and a clear direction. Having spent the previous year so busy with our move and construction, we really just didn't have much energy left for most of 2013, and the year just took its own path.

  We're thankful for the willingness of friends to come out to our home for Bible study during the spring and fall, and for the church we began attending in the latter part of the year.

5. What did you learn from the past year?

  I've been reminded of the importance of being part of a community of faith. After a year break from regular church, we have tip toed back in...not quite ready to plunge right in...which I think has been the right way. We're still not sure where we fit in, but we're trusting the Lord to show us, and to provide.

Happy new year to all!

My Verse For 2013 ~ Joshua 24:15

 For the past two years, I've chosen a verse for the year, and when I condense each of these two verses down to one word they are: 2011-SEEK, and 2012- GO. 2011 was a year filled with lots of questioning, pondering, evaluating our lives, and ultimately led to our decision to move home. 2012 was spent putting action to that 'GO".

 Now that we are here, my question is, "What now, Lord?" As I contemplated this year's verse, I came across a portion of scripture that I believe is God's answer to my question, and is meant to be my verse this year.

"......but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15c"

 It's a very common scripture; maybe so common that it's sometimes used without much thought. But these are not words to be taken lightly...they're not just a nice wall plaque or bookmark. They are words that require an action, a commitment. And at this moment, as I write these words, I don't even know what those words in action will look like in my life this coming year. What I do know....and all I really need to know, is that God is faithful, and when we seek, he directs; when we go, he leads, and when we commit to serving him he blesses.