Audrey's Garden

Just over a week ago, I was visiting my friend Audrey, who had just gone into Riverview Center - a place for palliative care.  It was hard to follow the stretcher car as it took Audrey from Concordia to Riverview.  We all knew that this was where Audrey would live out her final days here on earth.  

Audrey Voth - had become my friend just two years ago, and yet I can't explain it (other than God) but we were sister - friends, and I felt like she had been family for a very long time! We were part of the same church.  Part of the same caregroup.  And we were part of the same neighborhood.   There was just something special about our friendship.

The week before Audrey went into Riverview, her and I had spent the better part of a Tuesday morning just talking.  She was talking - and I was recording what would become her eulogy.  She knew this was the intent, and seemed glad that I was willing to put it together.  For me - it was a window of finding out about a life well lived!  

One of the things that I loved about Audrey was her love for flowers - and specifically for gardening.  At one time, she had said that perhaps she could come and help out at the retreat house.  But then cancer reared its ugly head for a second time, and that never did happen.  But as we talked, she shared with me - that she loved daisies

 and gazanias

 and tulips

 and echinicea. 

I told her how I loved caring for people but that I was utterley helpless when it came to gardening (or in other words, caring for anything green!) She smiled the same smile that she gave me often! I told her that I wished we had known each other longer so she could have imparted some of her gardening wisdom to me.  You see - we own a lot of space, and my friend Maxine has designed a fairly big garden - with many "gardens" within it.  Then, I had an idea.  

So it was last Thursday (a week ago today) I sat by her bed and told her that I was going to plan to make a garden within our garden plan, and I was going to name it "Audrey's Garden" and I wanted to plant the flowers that she told me she loved, and I also hoped that I would be able to get some plants from her house too.  I asked her husband Arnold if he could weld together an arbor (I have oohed and ahhed over the arbor he made Audrey) and Arnold agreed to this request.  

I wrote about my friend Audrey - in my personal blog, last week Thursday.  This week - Tuesday morning about 8:45 am, Audrey left this place and went to be with the Lord!!  So happy for her - but so sad for us, although our good-bye is really only "for a time".  

So now, more than any, as I think about the garden and the intent - I think Audrey's Garden will be a celebration of her - and of our friendship.  I hope it will be mixed with colors - and with beauty.  I hope it will be a part of our garden that will always bring me to remember just what an amazing friend she was - even though we only knew one another for two short years.  In fact - I can hardly wait to get some help planning it.  More than that - I also hope that when other women see its beauty - that they too will be reminded of a loved one, who has passed through their lives too - and has left behind a sweet fragrance of friendship!

I thank God for the beauty of his creation.

I thank God for the beauty of relationships 

I thank God for the beauty of a friend

as a friend reminded me today, with a quote (not sure who said it) but it went like this:

"True friends are hard to find, harder to leave and impossible to forget."

Lord, thank you for my friend Audrey and the impact of her life on her husband, her son, her family and Thank you for what we shared together - good talks, laughter, and also tears.  Lord, it is my prayer that the plan for "Audrey's garden" will be a place that brings joy to others - and where it brings wonderful memories of friendship - and where it brings an awareness of who YOU are God, and how you are in our lives - in our friendships - and in everything that happens - Yes, even in our grieving.  YOU. ARE. HERE.   I pray Lord for your insight - your plan into this space and that the planning, the tilling, the picking of plants, the weeding, the enjoying of your creation - that all of this ultimately will bring you honor and glory!  May this be a place that brings honor to you, from a life well lived by Audrey.  Lord thank you for my friend.  I just imagine that now - she is WHOLE and absolutely healed and in your presence.  No more pain.  Oh Lord - until we meet again - Audrey and I - may the fragrance of our friendship be in this place!  Amen.

unexpected blessing from unexpected places

I am a little tired these days.  Tired but so thankful.  Tired because well, it has been a long haul, and we are still finishing up loose ends.  Or should I say Alvin is.  After all - he is the one doing that kind of work.  We really want the loose ends to be done by January 31st, but time will tell.  There is always more on the go than meets the eye.  lol

Thing is, even in the midst of the loose ends  and in the midst of being a little bit tired - God continues to assure us of HIS hand in all this.  He continues to send people along our way that are blessing us - unexpected blessings - from unexpected places!!  My mouth has dropped open several times lately!

For instance, we (the ministry) got a check sent for the ministry on Friday.  When I opened the mail and saw that, I was so blessed by this couples support of Women Refreshed at the Well.  And then, I went to church on Sunday and was greeted by another friend, who gave me a white envelope which I stuck in my purse.   When I remembered to take it out and look - I was once again totally blessed with another significant donation (same amount as the first one) which again totally knocked my socks off (so to speak!) as again God said - Trust me on this!

Today I came home and Alvin gave me a parcel from Amazon.  I thought it was a book that was on back order, but it was not what I thought.  I looked at these books and thought, "hmmm don't remember ordering these BUT I remember talking to someone about this author" and I checked the slip in the box and saw they were lovingly bought and gifted to our ministry! Again ... God, it was like I just could feel His smile!

Not only that, but we have received emails, and phone calls, and drop in visits (out of the blue, people passing by) asking when we are open for business.  All of this while I continue to shake in my boots! (remember that post?)

God has been speaking to me through verses that I am choosing to memorize.  Actually all of Psalm 139 is on my agenda to memorize in 2013.   But so far, it is the first 4 verses for this month that I am working on.  Yes, it does get much harder as one ages!! lol

O Lord, you have searched me
    and you know me.
² You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
    you know it completely, O Lord.

Psalm 139: 1-4 NIV 

I think these verses are timely - because they are just a great reminder once again, that God knows it all.  He knows all of my thoughts regarding this adventure he has us on.  He knows that sometimes I shake in my boots.  He knows about the ministry and the details ... and he knows about each person who will walk through our doors to find rest, renewal, refreshment and retreat!!  HE KNOWS.

Hope these verses can bring some assurance into your life today too!!  And while we are in the middle of finishing up jobs, and writing guidelines, and furnishing and all of that - it brings great strength to know He is truly in control!

memory verses in the midst

There is so much swirling around in my thoughts these days.  So much.
I find that I am constantly carrying around a notebook and I have a list in there that I can check off when the task it achieved, or the item is delivered, or purchased, or a phone call made .  You get it.
In other words, I don't just depend on my 54 year old memory any more!!

I go to bed with these same thoughts swirling in my mind.  In fact, sometimes they swirl so fast that I can't fall asleep (as was the case yesterday).

But in the midst of all those swirling thoughts and tasks (as fun as they all are) I have come to realize the importance of storing God's Word in my heart.  I have chosen to partner up with many other women who are challenging one another to learn memory verses along with Beth Moore.

http://blog.lproof.org/2013/01/2013-siesta-scripture-memory-team-verse-1.html

Today I finally got around to writing down the verse in the little coiled book, as well as I posted it on the comments on her blog.  She asks that you write your name, where you live, and the verse reference, and translation.  

I have chosen NIV and this is the verse - 

Psalm 139: 1-2

O Lord you search me and you know me

You know when I sit and when I rise

You perceive my thoughts from afar

I think that I would like to memorize all of Psalm 139.  But right now - these verses are very timely for me.  Because - in the midst of all the details - the finishing, the decorating, the purchasing, the phone calls - in the MIDST of it all - HE does search me.

he DOES know me

He knows it all!

And well - it is a wonderful feeling - a deep sense of peace - and of calm - that God KNOWS.

He truly KNOWS me.

And I can't describe how, in the midst of it all - how it makes me feel!!

Thank you Lord for that reminder tonight.

reading part of our story in the MB Herald

As I walk by my island in the kitchen, I glance down at the MB Herald that I received in the mail in December, and I am thankful.

God is pulling out all the stops on our behalf, and hooking us up with people/places/things that cause us to stand in awe at how greatly He is involved in this ministry that He has called us to, and called us to build.

SO I thought I would just share the story link with you - and you can read for yourself.  In the herald itself, in the paper form of the magazine - it does not have the picture of the guys planting, but one of the fireplace in our home!

Here is the story if you want to read.  I am so pleased to be written up alongside of Steve and Evy Klassen and the Mark Center.  Lord willing, we will partner in some way with the Mark Center.  Time will tell - and only God knows.

here is the link:  enjoy the read! (just cut/and paste it into your browser.

http://www.mbconf.ca/home/products_and_services/resources/publications/mb_herald/december_2012/features/hospitality_beyond_holidays/

starting to realize how much I am shaking in my boots!

Time is ticking by and things are being completed off of the "to do" list.  Parcels are being delivered. I think that the Parcel Delivery Guy must think that we have a BIG family and/or that perhaps we have won a lottery.  I am getting used to coming home and finding a parcel by my door.  Too bad I have to pay for them!! Otherwise the surprise would be even sweeter!

Alvin is slowly checking off things on the "to do" list as well.  For instance, we changed the plans slightly in the lower level and so now a wall needed to be built.  And behind the wall - shelves for storage, shelves for supplies, a coat rack for our outer clothes.  And then he and Mike Frank (the one that I tell him I am going to adopt as another son) well they have done work in the kitchen - the tile is up, and the grouting is done, and the boards on the bottom of the cabinets are in place (mostly) and well - we just need to get the top of the stove area done (fan, etc)

We are looking at a March beginning.  It seems far away.  It really isn't.  It is just over two months.
And while that may seem a long time to a guy who has been building this ark for a while, it DOES not seem to be a long time to a woman who is, quick frankly, realizing how much I am really shaking in my boots!   There are many things happening in my heart, and in my mind, and in my being.  Many things.  (for more, you can go to my personal blog www.thoughtsfromacountrymouse.blogspot.com
if you really want to know :)   A side note though:  even though I AM shaking in my boots - I am still firmly convinced of the call to this ministry that He has placed on me, my husband and our family.  FIRMLY CONVINCED even IF I am shaking like a leaf!!

Otherwise, in the meantime - if you are someone who loves to pray on behalf of others - please pray for us as we count down on our to-do list and as we ramp up to our opening.
We would love your prayers!
Please Pray that this house of ours truly will be a place of peace, a place of rest, and a place where one can experience joy and peace.  Pray already for anyone and everyone - who enters these doors and sits at our table over a cup of coffee, or for anyone who sits in front of the fireplace for a time of rest, or for anyone who sleeps in our beds.  We do not know who will come, or why they need to retreat for a day away (and night).  We will not know until they begin to come.  That is when I shake a little and when the devil loves to bring the doubt that is always standing just a stone's throw away his favorite line is "ya, you actually think people will come here?" I smile when I think of the line from the movie with Kevin Kostner - the one called Field of Dreams where he decides to build a baseball diamond and always hears the words "build it and they will come" and I just can't help but think God continues to say those words to us.  So while I work on the budget, and try to imagine how many women may come (how do I do that anyhow?) I keep hearing God affirming that He does have it all under control - that we need to finish the build and that he will make sure "they will come" because there is one thing I know about God is that He has it under control and usually when I feel so out of control, so "shaking excessively in my boots" that He has things the most under control!  So please pray for continued trust in this call that he has put on our lives.  Thanks.

God's Provision in Unexpected Ways

This morning I am just in the midst of my Quiet Time (affectionately known as QT) with my God.
I do may things during my QT.  I (lately) have started off by just focusing on a verse or a passage of Scripture.  I have also been pairing up my QT with reading from a book called YOUR EARS WILL HEAR ~ A Journal for Listening to God, written by Steve & Evy Klassen (founders/directors of The Mark Center in Abbotsford, BC).  I know them, as Alvin and I have had the privilege of booking into The Mark Center, as well as in September I participated in a Listening to God morning session with Steve at our church's (Eastview Community Church) downtown campus One88.  After that Steve came home with me, and spent some time chatting (the three of us) and then talking some more while I drove him to his next location.  SO ... I am really being blessed by YOUR EARS WILL HEAR (which by the way, I have some if you want to purchase one).

ANYHOW back to this morning.  Here is the portion of Scripture that I meditated on:

           Job 11:7

              New International Version (NIV)

“Can you fathom the mysteries of God?
  Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

Job 11:7

Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁷ Can you find out the deep things of God, or can you by searching find out the limits of the Almighty [explore His depths, ascend to His heights, extend to His breadths, and comprehend His infinite perfection]?

The question that Steve encourages the reader to think of/ponder is this:
When has God provided in unexpected ways?  As you pay attention to how God has been providing for you, focus is on this element of the unexpected.  How is God revealing his character to you as you receive provision from unforseen places?

I have been thinking alot lately - about how God - being God - NO ONE can even begin to fathom the deep things of God!  You know, sometimes my mind goes there, and my finite thinking just makes me overwhelmed.  God - His greatness, His might, His power, His omnipotence, His mysteries, His limits ~ CAN NOT BE FATHOMED!!  Sometimes I have said about something, "it is a mystery only God understands".  There is way more to our relationship with God, way more to the way He moves, acts, blesses, guides us - than we can even ask or imagine!

When I think of how God has provided in unexpected ways - I am continually blown away by the "UNEXPECTED" ... and I love that about my God!  Being a somewhat spontaneous person, I love the surprise element (well, most of the time) and I just have loved the adventure that God has us on - with the building of our house, that we are using for ministry.  I am loving the fact that once God laid this vision on my heart - that HE has also done HIS thing over and over and over again, and that He has brought in the unexpected into this adventure.

Let me list you some of the "unexpected ways" that God has provided thus far:

• names of people that we needed to connect with
• volunteers that have come and donated their time and effort
• unexpected cheques in the mail
• land purchase with no conditions, no counter offers needed
• neighbour with dozer who helped do some landscaping
• some help with reduced costs from 4 different businesses - covering landscaping to mattresses to soil to furniture.  BLESSED!!
• an architect who designed the retreat center, and we were so "on the same page" that very little changed in the design from start to finish
• brothers who KNOW codes and gave sound engineering advice
• a friend who listened to our hearts and designed a landscape plan for us and has informed us that someone is ready to donate the rock needed for the yard
• opportunities to share my story of this adventure to women's groups
• last night - the Pineridge Hollow Christmas Home Tours 2012 started, and Jan Regehr has selected Women Refreshed at the Well as their charity of choice and we will received proceeds from the home tours.  (OK that one knocked my socks off)
• Christian Week story (2009) Manitoba Cooperator (2009) and the MB HERALD (coming next month) all wrote stories about the retreat vision.  (I am one of 2-3 written about in an article in the Herald, but CW and MC were exclusive about the Vision!)
• more cheques that come unexpected
• people speaking prophetically in our lives and us seeing how the words they have been given for us/ the dreams and the visions - match fully with this adventure God has us on!   
• and on and on....

How is God revealing his character to you as you receive provision from unforseen places?  I love thinking about this question Steve asks.  God - He is such an amazing God!!  This is what I think about his character!

I think personally, that God LOVES to surprise us.  If you are a parent, you could think in those terms (although our parenting comes NO WHERE close to what God is as a parent to us)  I loved to give my kids surprises .  Even still as they are older.  Personally, I have been surprised over and over again by how God is in the details of my life, and in the details of this adventure He has called us on!  I think that the unexpected ways show us that God is way bigger, way greater, way more beyond our comprehension - that show us how He loves to guide us.  I love that the unexpected things we encounter are like continued road markers along the path, or like continual "kisses" that help us to remember again that even though we don't SEE him in person, we hear him, and see how he works through people, and circumstances.  Personally I believe there is NOTHING coincidental but that God knows, allows, puts into place at times, ORDAINS things along this journey!

I am seeing that God - MY God - is way bigger than anything I could ever think.  He is blessing us more than we could ever ask or imagine - and I just really stand in awe and thanksgiving.  This is HIS vision - we are merely the vessels through which He is building, through which He is bringing to be - a place where one can "just be" and experience rest, renewal, and refreshment.  WOW .... what a God HE IS.  

also posted on my personal blog www.thoughtsfromacountrymouse.blogspot.ca

what's happening around 5839

What is happening these days?
It has been almost 1 YEAR since we did an open house - for people to come and see how things are going.  1 YEAR.  I can hardly believe it, and yet other days - it seems like forever.  How DOES that work.

Let me fill you in on what is happening these days.  My husband, who still has a full-time career with the City of Winnipeg Fire Department continues to work hard at finishing up loose ends.  I commented to one person that it seems like the "finishing up loose ends" is MORE than the "building the house" part of the project.  I realize that the "finishing" is the part I have a real love/hate relationship with.  I think that is because it is not as "measurable" or obvious.  For instance - you frame a house.  THAT IS OBVIOUS.  You put in the central vac ... or some tiles ... NOT so obvious. (ALTHOUGH I LOVE THE CENTRAL VAC!!)  My "NOAH" is working hard.  And I am thankful.  Sometimes I worry about the pace that he is going at.  (although he seems to want me to believe he is handling it).   I think that a two week holiday SOMEWHERE will be part of our winter plans before we open up to the public.  Time will tell.

Anyhow - things are happening.  Let me just tell you a little of what is going on.

• Alvin cleaned up the yard.  One afternoon Josh gave him a hand at some of that stuff.  You know, stuff that accumulates when you move/move again/build etc.  Just STUFF.  The yard is much neater, much tidier.
• Alvin made a parking area (where our semi trailer used to be) and all we need to do is get power to it, so that we have plug in spots for people's cars during the winter months.
• Alvin got the spring put on the door - and now we will just get the automatic openers and I can start to park the car in the garage!!  
• more loads of gravel was dumped on our yard, and Alvin spent some time in the bobcat spreading it
• the base for the hot tub is ready for it to be delivered.  Alvin is also putting up a small wall close by so that the tub is semi-sheltered
• he put the central vac into the house
• he is working on the tiling of the kitchen back splash and soon behind the stove, although I think one of our young friends is coming to do this
• Willy P, our good friend, has come for several hours to put the little latches into the door frames (you know where the door click into when you shut it?)  This is tedious and takes time.  I called Willy the "keeper of our door latches" yesterday.  We are so blessed by his help
• Audrey P. came and did some Christmas decorating yesterday.  It is beginning to look alot like Christmas at 5839.
• several people have stopped by to visit.  We are always thankful for a visit!
• there are still many things to finish, but little by little - it is moving ahead!  

I am thankful for a husband who believe strongly in what God has called me (first) and he and our family to.  I do not take that for granted.  I could not have done this without him - in so many ways.

I am thankful for my kids who are constantly helping with something.  Thing is - they all have their own full lives too!  But they are part of this journey.  I also do not take that for granted.  

I am thankful for people who have offered their time in volunteering at something.  Or their expertise in advising us about products.  OR those who continue to believe in this Vision, and send cheques in the mail.  

I am thankful - and my soul - it is singing today!!  I praise you God - at what you are up to - in my life, in OUR lives and in the life of this ministry to which you have called us.  I give you all the praise!!