Aiming High

I found this list in a mother's letter to her baby girl posted on her blog here. And while I don't have children yet, it is a list of attributes and qualities we can pray and aim for ourselves with the power of Christ in us and the Holy Spirit guiding and building us up. I asked permission to share this list with you...

We should pray to have:

-The courage of the Egyptian midwives (Shiphrah and Puah) who saved so many Hebrew children against their Pharaoh’s wishes.
-The intelligence of Miriam.
-The loyalty of Ruth to family and those you love.
-The perseverance of Hannah in your prayer life.
-The boldness and speaking ability of Esther.
-The obedience of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
-The hospitality of Martha.
-The learning spirit of Mary.
-The bold witness of Corrie Ten Boom.
-The accepting and positive attitude of Helen Keller.
-The adventurous spirit of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
-The creativeness of Joni Eareckson Tada
-The love for God’s Word of Beth Moore.
-The ministry of Elisabeth Elliot.
-The traits that only God can place in your unique personality.

And finally...
-The attitude and attributes of Christ Jesus Himself.

And as Ashley states here, "This is a daunting list, I know. But I will be praying these things for you, not so you can try to copy these women, but emulate their positive and godly traits."

Vacation Recap - Cape Breton

How much can you fit into a week of vacation? Quite a bit, as it turns out.

We flew out of Pearson Airport Thursday, August 5th after work, beginning our whirlwind vacation. We booked a hotel room very close to the Halifax International Airport so we could get an early start on our trip to beautiful Cape Breton the next morning. We had a wedding to attend! My sister and brother-in-law met us at Tim Horton's (a necessary first stop!) and we hit the road together... the two of them in their cute "Smart 4-two", and us in our rented Nissan Maxima (I think)... onward to CB!

Thinking we had plenty of time to get there, we were quickly thankful for our early departure as the duration of our road trip was extended by summer road construction, very very very slow cars, fog, a few bathroom pitstops, and a long stop at the Causeway because the bridge was turned to let water traffic through... and not just any ol' boat, but a snail-paced barge. *sigh*...  (I don't adjust well to the slower pace of life when I go "home"... )

We made a stop in Mabou for lunch and hit a fantastic little restaurant called the Red Shoe Pub... yum yum yumm! But since we were short on time, we didn't have time to savour each bite. Next time!  Then, because we'll likely never see these people again (despite the fact I just said I'd savour the taste next time), we all trooped in to change for the wedding...  :)

We made it to the wedding site with 15 minutes to spare... according to the intended start time. ;) And what a wedding site it was - breathtakingly beautiful... as Cape Breton is. It was held in a cute little high-top tent on the edge of a  bluff overlooking the ocean... there was  refreshing breeze and beautiful sunshine. It was perfect! Here are a few pictures to tell the tale...

Beautiful flowers - My mom did the arrangements! :)

Look at these two beaming with love! I am SO happy for them!! :)

My funky family :) x0x

I have to mention the meal.... because it was done Chiasson style... the meat, the vegies, the fruit - it all came from the Chiasson's yard and my Uncle's tender loving care... it was amazing, and delicious! Here's my very full plate... (apparently I have no shame!):

We stayed in a little motel in Margaree, which allowed us to be close to any family activity on Saturday. We went out for breakfast (closer to noon) with Dad, Mom and my brother at the cutest little cafe called the Dancing Goat. Love the original name!

We dropped into the Chiasson residence where all the hustle and bustle was taking place.... here we were surprised to see the Bride & Groom! :)

They opened gifts, cleaned their car from the wonderful "pranks" their friends pulled at the wedding, packed their car and hit the road. The rest of us planned for an afternoon and evening at the beach... yay!

It was definitely a beach party (once everyone else arrived), and we enjoyed hotdogs cooked over an open fire, a refreshing swim in the waves, lots of family time and singing around the bonfire... it was perfect.

My man checking out the surf :)

My brother doing what he does best at the beach :) Almost non-stop...

I love this picture... they were having fun together :)

The crew is here, food devoured (Thanks Uncle),
and the singing started! Thanks ADS :)

awwww :)

A lovely sunset.... 

And what's a beach bonfire without roasting marshmellows?

Yes.... it was a perfect Saturday!

Sunday morning we enjoyed fellowship with the Baddeck Christians - a packed little building with all the visitors! - then my man and I said our goodbyes and headed to Halifax.  It was a wonderful but brief visit to Cape Breton... we both love it there.

Lonely already...

My favorite man is flying out momentarily for Vancouver... he has a week of work there and is getting in a weekend with his parents. I'm happy for them; sad for me. But here is where I insert how thankful I am that he doesn't travel very often and has never been away longer than a week. I'm not sure how my mom and so many others do it... there's such a vacancy when he leaves and takes my heart with him.

It does sound silly, seeing he will be home a week from tonight... but it's times like this that I get all morbid (my dad has passed this wonderful trait down to me unfortunately! ;) ) and wonder just how I would survive if the Lord chose to take him home... I'm sure most of you sane people don't get that type of thinking. Lucky! You wouldn't believe how many funerals I've been to in my mind (yes - with tears on my face) of loved ones who aren't dead yet!! :P

Anyway, to entertain myself this weekend, I'm driving to Grand Bend after work to hang out with my friends and their kids. Hopefully at the beach all afternoon tomorrow. mmmm :)

Don't worry - I don't mope around the whole time he's gone... just the first day and a half usually... then I just get excited that he's coming home soon. :)

Thankfully he'll likely never read this and see just how crazy I am... ;)

Back from Vacation

The end of vacation always brings mixed feelings - especially when it involves saying goodbye to family and good friends.... but there's something nice about "coming home."

Just thought I'd awaken my blog again by posting two pictures... you'll get the long rambling notes another day. Here's a shot from our Stewart Family Reunion that was held this past Saturday outside Amherst, Nova Scotia.... we came together in honour of our beloved Grandmother who turns 80 in September - an early birthday party! :)

This is one clan that loves to love... loves to laugh, get together, sing, play, and.... eat! Love you guys!

And the Birthday Girl sitting pretty - our "Super Grammie" (a new name over the last few weeks... I think it will stick!)

Love her so much. We are so blessed to have her as our God-honouring role model!