Novel wisdom from Noah & the Ark

Much of what I need to know in this life,

I learned from Noah's Ark

1. Don't miss the boat.

2. Remember that we are all in the same boat!

3. Plan ahead.

It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

4. Stay fit.

When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.

5. Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

6. Build your future on high ground.

7. For safety's sake, travel in pairs.

8. Speed isn't everything.

The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

9. When you're stressed, float awhile.

10. Remember this:

the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

11. No matter the storm,

when you are with God,

there's always a rainbow waiting.

When words just fail....

The raison d'etre of this blog was stated here in the original post last December,

almost a year ago:

Yvonne Alexandra (Vanderkruk) Pts

We wanted to find our grand-daughter, niece and cousin Nicole and we needed to learn to keep looking upward, hopeful but content for whatever happened to lie ahead of us.

It all started a week before the Canadian Thanksgiving,

October 12.

My nephew Bryan sent me an e-mail saying he had found (by some miracle) a Facebook profile pic of his cousin Nicole and had sent her a message with a link to this blog.

Four weeks later on November 14, Nicole's Gramma and three aunts (including myself) flew to Florida for their first face to face encounter in twelve years.

Waiting for Nicole in the lobby restaurant of our hotel...

The story has yet to be told and ironically, now I am beset with the telling of it.

It involves knitting - on the beach of all places. Prepare for the unusual.

And now a scripture verse pops into my brain from Yvonne's funeral, Psalm 139: 13b & 16:

"...you knit me together in my mother's womb....

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be! "

All I can say is this: God sure moves in mysterious ways.

There's more to this knitting thing than meets the eye. While I sort through "the marvelous" of this past week - I will reflect on the wonder of Psalm 139.

And then, just maybe - I'll be able to speak sensibly.

By the way, Nikki? We sure do love you & miss you already!

Going on the Carolyn Kick

The Big Surprise (partially) Unveiled

This is it. Part of Grandpa's current back-yard make-over.

There's a story behind it of course.

A lengthy one that I'm formulating for a future post. :)

I Am A Soul

I Am A Soul

Molecules and atoms

Just like Eve and Adam

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

Even still I wonder,

When we are six feet under

Will that truly be the end of us?

'cause why beauty? why poetry?

Why "no! no! no!" to every tragedy?

Why laughter? why lullabies?

And why this asking why?

I have a body, but I am a soul

I see a fraction, it's not the whole

I cannot prove it, but still I know

I have a body... I am a soul

A sculpture or a canvas

can speak a private language

Telling secrets hidden in the heart

About a world of spirit

I swear sometimes I hear it

Playing like a piper in the dark

It's in the love songs, in symphonies

In funeral marches and in liturgies

It's in whispers, in rally cries

In dreams that won't say die

You have a body but you are a soul

You see a fraction, it's not the whole

I cannot prove it, but still I know

You have a body ... you are a soul.

World without end, amen.

Listed among the profoundest influences of my life:

the grace of Jesus Christ

the writings of C.S. Lewis

the music (especially lyrics) of singer/songwriters

Rich Mullins & Carolyn Arends

Arends new album, just hot off the press is pictured above: Love Was Here First.

So far, my two favourite tracks are 5 & 6 I Am A Soul and Willing. I think you can listen to it by clicking on the title of the album posted above.

I first heard this quoted by C.S. Lewis, this thought that I HAVE a body but I AM a soul. It instantly collided (coincided?) with a scripture verse that has always fascinated me:

God has set eternity in the hearts of man.... Ecclesiastes 3:11

....all of which I discovered to be well explored themes of Carolyn Arends.

Happily, her ponderings eventually give way to great songs that never fail to teach, comfort and inspire me. I absolutely love the way this songwriter weaves sound theology into soul stirring melodies - often with the simplest yet most unique turns of phrase.

It's such a wonderful gift and I am compelled to 'pay it forward' as it were.

May you find blessing and peace too.

The Big Surprise Part Two

Grandpa has been very busy in the backyard park.  We see lots of workers and stones and big machines.

There is a lot of dust everywhere from the stone saws that grind away every day for two months now.

WHAT is grandpa doing?  And WHEN will we be able to ride our toys on the deck again?

And WHERE did the kitty cats go?

*sigh*

WHAT is going on Grandpa?

We can't play outside at Grandma's house so we have to go next door to visit Super-Grandma. She has a big playroom downstairs with an even bigger closet we can crawl into. We can all crawl in this closet and there's still room for Grandma. She doesn't like to do that which is just crazy cuz we LOVE it here!

Yep.  I am the youngest one of the five.  But don't worry - I have it all figured out.  Pretty soon I'll be finished with the elbow/knee shuffle thing and running with the rest of them.

I watch my mom...

I know how to do this!

And I will help you my little Lysie.  I will always be here for you.  Someday you will like my squishy hugs and kisses.  I will share my special snack cup with blue smarties with you.  You will like me then.  I will not be bossy.

And then all FOUR of us can be in this pac n' play!  Not Micah though.  Boys are not allowed.

Micah can watch the workers in the backyard while we play house and dollies.  Boys are yucky.

The Big Surprise

There's a lot of excitement in our backyard these days.

Something very big is going down today....

And I can't wait....

It has to do with that back corner that's been raised and prepped...

That tranquil little innocuous corner of the yard - so neglected for twenty years - waiting for such a moment as this.

Stay tuned.  I won't be living with the suspense much longer myself!