Live Simply ~ Dream Big

I will make a confession. I LOVE rings. Over the past 10 years or so - I have gathered a few silver rings. One of my longest worn favs is the one that says "faith" on it. In fact, the first one wore out and broke. The second one is still in tact, but has been re-shaped.

Then there is the one that I bought in Thailand. Apparently it is called a "worry" ring - because the inside of it spins... and apparently when you get worried, you can spin it around and around and around. I just love spinning it for fun!

A couple weeks ago, I purchased one more. I loved what it said:

Live Simply ~ Dream Big.

Hmmm.... Live Simply! How do you do that? I remember the first time that I questioned how to live simply, was when we went on our first of two mission trips to the Dominican Republic. I came back so touched, and wanted it to be a permanent change of heart, not just one that affected me while I was there, and for a few days after.

I think I have done some change, or should I say I believe the Lord has changed my heart. However, to live simply continues to be a challenge. Let's face it ~ we (meaning you, I, all of us..) just have so much "stuff". I think that really hit home when I began to purge and then pack up my house full of stuff. I gave away boxes... and boxes... and boxes...

I have sometimes looked at our plans (the barn/shop and the house with 5 dedicated bedrooms for bed & breakfast/retreat) and wondered how that is living simply? And then I remember - these plans are the Lords. It was He who laid down the plans on my heart and specified that we needed 5 bedrooms in the house. (which is why last year, when we made application to the R.M. I had to ask for them to give us a variance so we could have 5 bedrooms instead of the 2 they allowed. They granted our request! Praise God!)

Anyhow - back to the Live Simply part. I think that right now - I am learning that, as I live in the loft at our kids house. It is a one room area which is partitioned off with a half wall for the kitchen and a shelf. I am still unloading stuff, and rearranging stuff, and putting stuff back into storage. I am still looking for my cutlery, and for a few other things, but for the most part - we are moved in and have lived here now for a month. There are a few "best" things about all this... definitely living next door to my grandson is a PLUS!! But one of the things I am loving - is the "living simply". There is this new type of freedom. It is quite something. Actually I remember feeling somewhat the same feeling 27 and a half years ago when we moved into the apartment of an older couple who went away on missions. We moved in - put all our stuff in storage, and took over their stuff... Alvin and I and Josh - who was a one year old. (Imagine the fun - a 1 year old in a Seniors Apartment! They loved him!)

Dream Big... this is the second half of my ring. Dream BIG. I do a lot of dreaming. In fact lately I have been having some really weird dreams which I remember... funny how we dream.
What does it mean to dream?

~-~-~-~-~

Dream
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The thoughts, or series of thoughts, or imaginary transactions, which occupy the mind during sleep; a sleeping vision.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A visionary scheme; a wild conceit; an idle fancy; a vagary; a revery; -- in this sense, applied to an imaginary or anticipated state of happiness; as, a dream of bliss; the dream of his youth.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To have ideas or images in the mind while in the state of sleep; to experience sleeping visions; -- often with of; as, to dream of a battle, or of an absent friend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
this is the definition I like!

To let the mind run on in idle revery or vagary; to anticipate vaguely as a coming and happy reality; to have a visionary notion or idea; to imagine.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To have a dream of; to see, or have a vision of, in sleep, or in idle fancy; -- often followed by an objective clause.
I have to say that this ministry has been more than a dream. It has been a vision God laid on my heart - 10 years ago. I still remember it... I picked and chose very carefully, those who I shared it with.

It was just a little hard to imagine that God laid it on my heart so detailed.

I haven't really ever used the word dream. I have called it - "the vision" most of the time. I have never said it was mine, but that I am only a conduit through which God shows his might and power. And I am so willing to be used.

I think that the girls and I have done some "dreaming" about what the rooms can look like...colors, decor, themes. We have dreamed about the "feel" of the place. And it is really so cool to see it unfolding with each day that the boys work.

I really want to live simply...

to revel in all that God has for me, for my family, for this ministry.

I really want to dream big...

to dream about how God will use me, my husband, our family for His purposes.

I want to dream about how God will use the shop.

What will happen up there?

Perhaps sessions with a speaker... or perhaps parties...or gatherings for families...

or as someone just mentioned a week or two ago - perhaps a church plant.

Whatever you want God - we want to use this space for your honor and glory.

I want to dream about how women will come, and rest, renew, relax and refresh.

I want to dream about walking paths, and prayer paths, and flower gardens.

I want to dream about good conversations, and hugs...

about tears that will be shared....

and times spent in the chapel!

I want to dream about providing a setting where people will come

and feel like they are in the presence of God!

So right now - I am living in the loft - and living simply.

I want to still my heart more... to breathe deeply and be less hurried (and harried!)

I want to take the time to walk with my grandson...

or have coffee with a friend...

or laugh with my family.

I want to figure out "simple" even while we are building more elaborate than we had ever thought. I also want to "dream big" and to trust God with every step of the way.

Live Simply ~ Dream Big.

O Lord - please help me to do both!

such a privilege.....

This morning I had the great privilege of watching my little grandson for a couple hours while the kids went for breakfast with friends. And, I am serious when I say it is a privilege. I watch our little Everett... and wonder what he is thinking when he appears so serious!

I watch him as he looks at himself in the little mirror on his exersaucer. Oh Little One - how sweet you are.

I laugh with him when he laughs. We growl with him when he growls. (Although I can't compare to the growling that he and Poppa do together). I talk with him, and hug him. I love the smell of his baby skin. I hold his hands as he wants to be upright and "walking". I pick up toys when he drops them. Feed him his food so lovingly made by his mommy. I love the sparkle when his daddy comes in the room and calls his name!

Today, as he was in his exersaucer, I sang to him. I do that often (especially when it is just Everett and I). We can tell already that he loves music. There are times when it even seems that he is singing along, or sings after you do.

So today, I can dream about my little grandson, who is on his way to being 9 months in September. He is growing so quickly. His first tooth made its appearance a couple weeks ago. It was interesting today as I watched him... I had a flood of emotions rush over me, and I felt like I was back in my mothering days, watching my own little son. Sometimes watching Everett takes me right back, because I see so much of Josh in him.

I will continue to dream as I spend time with my grandson. But more than that, I will continue to pray that God uses this little guy for his honor and glory. That has always been my prayer - first for my own children, and now for my grandchildren ~ that they will grow to put their trust in Jesus Christ. That they would love him with all their hearts, and make their own relationship with him once they are old enough to make that decision. Till then, this Granny will love, support, and pray without ceasing for my grand kids.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
before I sign off on this post - I will share a video I found. It is of a little 7 year old girl with the most amazing voice! I remember when Ashley was old enough to talk - she sang. It is quite something to see someone so young but loving the Lord with all her heart! Wow...
See that is why I am lifting my grandson before the throne too. He may not be a singer on You Tube but I have a feeling that the Lord is going to use our Everett John in amazing ways. Time will tell! Till then, this Granny will just pray!


I hope you are just as blessed as I was - to hear this little girl sing!

thinking about life

I have been thinking a lot lately about life... about enjoying each moment of my life NOW... about breathing deeply and savoring each moment ... the feel of the dew on my toes ... the sight of fog first thing in the morning... the bright orange sun as it pops up and greets us in the morning. I have been enjoying the sight of the birds feeding at our feeder out the porch of the loft where we are living... the sight of my little grandson's eyes as they light up when they recognize us... the sounds of his squeals...

I have been taking in the warm sun on my skin... the smell of our humid days (always reminds me of Florida where some of our happiest trips have been). There is just so much. I want to feel and touch and hear and taste and see. I want to live FULLY today at the same time as I look forward to TOMORROW with great anticipation.

As I watch my little grandson grow up before our eyes, I realize how life does go quickly by. I know it doesn't seem so at the moment. I remember my mom saying "Honey, they grow up so fast" after a time when she knew I was tired and the kids were acting up a little.

Lately I have thought a lot about life (like I stated previously) and two things happened. One: I heard a beautiful song which I will also post here. Love Love LOVE the words...how true.



Secondly I had the privilege of listening to this YouTube. Hope it blesses you too.


O Lord, teach us to number our days!!

Sunset Skies and other things...

I have a feeling we are going to be seeing many MANY beautiful sunsets from our new land!

amazing colors...

more amazing shots...

looking up at the "coopala"

not sure how we are going to be opening those windows!

the steps are in place.... no more ladders

from the inside looking up at the end wall where the big overhead door will go!

a nighttime shot of the barn/shop, complete with coopala in the middle top.

Tonight I went over to our land with Alvin (after supper) for a couple minutes. It is really nice - living in the loft at our kids - it is only a 5 minute drive to our land on Henderson Hwy.

As we drove, the sunset sky was amazing! I took a few pictures with my little camera... they hardly capture the beauty! The heavens declare the glory of God!!

I also took a couple pictures of our barn. It is coming together. The "coopala" (or however you spell it) is now done. Alvin and Josh worked on it last week - and then Alvin and Michael have been working on some other things in the shop. Today, I went to order the metal for the outside... Dark Red with White Trim. Much like the kids barn (which we are living in the upper loft of). The steps are done on the bottom, so now you don't need a ladder to get to the second floor of the barn/shop.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures - and since it is so late - I am off to bed! Night.

past my bedtime

It is past my bedtime. The weekend has been full of family, and friends, and hospital time. I do not begrudge any time by the side of Mom's bed. In fact, I am thankful that at this time, I am not working, so that I can be there to keep her company, advocate for her, etc. However, even though sitting at the bedside is rather sedentary - I am pooped!

So this blog will be short. Today I am thankful for many things. I am going to name a few. Perhaps I can think of 15 since today is August 15. Here goes:

Thank you Lord for:

1. my grandson Everett got his first tooth!
2. Josh, Leah and Everett are at Faith Bible Camp. Josh is Assistant Director. Thank you for my kids and grandson.
3. Ashley and Michael spent the day with us. Thank you for them and for the help they were today. Ash sat with me at the hospital today and Michael went with Alvin and my nephew to pick up the tractor from our neighbors.
4. Gordon and Janice Mills (my nephew and niece) are in town visiting Grandma and staying with us here (they are in Josh and Leah's house). Thank you for Gordon and Janice and for the good talks and laughs we have shared these past few days.
5. the sun that shone at the end of the day
6. prayers on behalf of mom klassen
7. this loft of our kids, which is our temporary home. we have been here for two weeks and it is feeling more and more like our place
8. for my husband Alvin who loves me and makes me laugh
9. for mom klassen's determination to live. she had a stronger day today. who would have thought that she would be here with us if you could have seen her on Wednesday
10. for laughter which seems to come readily with our family and our friends!
11. for the work the boys are doing at the new land. the "cupola" (sp??) is up on the shop/barn. Looking mighty good - even if i do say so myself.
12. for the sale of my dad's house. (which has belonged to us kids for the past almost 13 years) This is an end to a final chapter
13. for our friends and family who love us and have carried us in prayer
14. good books. I just finally finished Brennan Manning's ABBA'S CHILD and I am now re-reading BLUE LIKE JAZZ by Donald Miller. You gotta read these two books.
15. for the word of God which continues to speak into my life! and thank you Lord for my relationship with you - Redeemer, Friend, Rock, Comforter, Physician... the great I AM.

Gotta run - I am so very tired. Tomorrow is a new day. Night.

thoughts from alongside a hospital bed

Yesterday my sister-in-law and I took Mom K. to emergency - as she had been in big pain due to some fractured vertebrae (from her multiple myeloma aka cancer) and little did we know how the day would unfold. I would travel by ambulance service - as they transferred mom to Grace Hospital. She returned back to Seven Oaks this afternoon.

Mom K. is one strong woman. We saw how she rebounded from her bout in the hospital last year with renal failure - and became their "miracle child". However right now - it seems that she is fighting hard. It looks bleak, but we are not giving up - she certainly has not.

I sat with her today - for a long time - before and during and after visits from other siblings...

and had a good talk about heaven. We are supposed to not get to used to life here - isn't that what the Word says - that LIFE for us is ahead - if we have given our life to Jesus Christ.

But - how do you process end of life - when you love so hard in the here and now. We don't have anyone to tell us that the transition to be with Jesus is not scary. It is unknown...

However - we believe that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord which is far better...

As I go to bed tonight - I will go with thoughts of Mom who is asleep in a hospital bed - her mind no doubt dull from painkillers, but full of all the things she was told today. Lord, please bring comfort, peace and freedom from pain. Your will be done Lord - in her life - and in mine.

The Land Between (thought provoking...)

Today I sat with a good fresh bold cup of Mountain Bean coffee - and I read a "free chapter" from the book The Land Between: finding God in difficult transitions, by Jeff Manion. (also ordered off amazon) I first heard about this guy, when he spoke at the WillowCreek Leadership Summit which was simulcast and my daughter was there at Riverwood, and watched/listened and shared his thoughts.

So you have to go and look for yourself - and perhaps download the free chapter and order the book. www.willowcreek.com/events/leadership/2010/between.asp

It hits me right where I am at. He talks about the Israelites as they left the Land of Slavery for
the Promised Land, but in between was "the land between" and Jeff Manion goes on to say that the "land between" is fertile land...Fertile for: complaints, emotional melt-downs, God's provision, God's discipline. A few lines really struck me, and I have put them here: they are from CHAPTER ONE: Welcome to the Land Between, by Jeff Manion.

"I believe that the Land Between - that space where we feel lost or lonely or deeply hurt - is fertile ground for our spiritual transformation and for God's grace to be revealed in magnificent ways. ... and while the Land Between is prime real estate for God's faith transformation, it is also the space where we can grow resentful, bitter and caustic if our responses are unguarded. The wilderness where faith can thrive is the very desert where it can dry up and die if we are not watchful.

The land between can be profoundly disorienting. It also provides the space for God to do some of his deepest work in our lives. Many seasoned spiritual advisers propose that this is the only space in which radical, transformational growth occurs. God intends for us to emerge from this land radically reshaped. But the process of transformational growth will not occur automatically. Our response to God while in the Land Between is what will determine whether our journey through this desert will result in deep, positive growth or spiritual decline.

While offering us a greenhouse for growth, the Land Between can also be a desert where our faith goes to die - if we let it. The habits of the hart that we foster in this space - our responses and reactions - will determine whether the Land Between results in spiritual life or spiritual death. We choose."

I think this is not coincidence that Ashley went and heard this guy speak...
I think it is just one more God-thing, and very timely in my life.
There are some good questions to ask myself - and I will be doing that - my journalling on this has just begun and I can hardly wait for my book to arrive from Amazon!

The Land Between.... somehow it feels like I have been in between for a long time... and I know I am not alone. O Lord, may this be the time that you transform me to become more like you. Remove the acidic soil and instead make my life more like you... O Lord... more of you, less of me!

there is also a posting on my other blog He Rejoices Over Me www. zephaniah3verse17.blogspot.com