mardi, mai 30, 2006

Priorities

How can we place our daily hope in a Lord Who we don't daily know? Where else in our day-to-day grind can we find hope/purpose/joy? We need to know Him who we have believed!!

In attempting to prioritize my life- needs, necessary focuses, not getting myself exhausted by the "extra" demands of daily grind(and even discerning what are "extras")- I ask myself what the priority might be?

Here's a morning thought for May 30th, 2006:
Could my priority for today (essentially every day) be the 15 minute moment I just spent reading my Bible and meditating on it?
Could the remaining 23 hours and 45 minutes of this day be the bonus, or "periphery" moments of my day?
Was I- are we- not created ultimately for community and relationship with God?

"If I ever achieved an alert and active concentration on this spiritual work within my soul, it would then not matter at all what I did in eating or drinking, in sleeping or in speaking, or in any of my outward activities. And certainly I can tell you that I would much rather attain freedom in these things in this way, by not needing to be concerned about them, than by concentrating a great deal of attention on them." - from The Cloud of Unknowing translated by Ira Progoff

I've been knowing a supernatural, semi-subconcious perspective that has been that underground "peace like a river" through the dry, rocky terrain of the present journey. It is almost as though the 15 minutes of purpose in my morning translate into giving purpose and meaning (and JOY) to the remaining, and often mundane, tasks/relationships of the day.
"It is no longer I but Christ who lives in me."

I would even say that my presence with Christ is priority over my presence with my children. And then, because I've fulfilled my purpose for the day, the remaining "accomplishments" of the day- loving my family, encouraging my neighbor, even folding the laundry- won't seem so much as a duty or a make-sure-it-gets-done (or a priority at all). It will become automatic; as though a pure impulse is surging through my being. It will just get done right!
(well, the laundry can wait until tomorrow).

"Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord to Thee;
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love...."
- Francis R. Havergae

Because He is filling and sustaining me,
Tanya
Posted by Jeremy J Harnett :: 7:28 a.m. :: 1 comments

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mardi, mai 23, 2006

Resting

Catching a chance to put my feet up at 27 weeks. With the heat, I've already had a couple days of swollen ankles.

With the heat, the fatigue, the extra physical strain, the emotional/mental "up-in-the-air-ness" of Jeremy's condition and subsequently our physical 'security', there have been a number of days where the temptation to submit to grumbling has been great! I have, by God's gracious mercy, found a deep, supernatural rest and peace- and strength- through daily (though not lengthy) meditation on the Word of God. He is my Centre.

I read a neat quote- one of many I've picked up on lately in my devotional times:
"Much depends upon making up your mind. The nature of the human animal, as you well know, is subject to suggestion; the feeling-nature, when left to human devices, is unprotected, easily dismayed, elated, bored, irritated. The mind is moved by noises, cold, heat, stupidities, a letter, the disloyalty of a friend. But when the mind is made up, all these challenges can be divinely met; you are not defenseless. You are only defenseless when you are spiritually asleep. Bring into focus your godhood, your divine manhood by saying, "I make up my mind to be in the light of faith always, while I talk to people, while I walk, while I eat, wherever I go, into every house. I will use it against all alarms, I will dwell in his eternal patience, in God's name I will be reborn!"
~ From Letters of the Scattered Brotherhood. Edited by Mary Strong

Posted by Jeremy J Harnett :: 11:20 p.m. :: 4 comments

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---------------oOo--------------- Introducing ...

Wise Guy &
Smarty Pants!

Posted by Jeremy J Harnett :: 10:53 p.m. :: 0 comments

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mardi, mai 16, 2006

Mother's Day- Janzen Side

The plan was PICNIC @ THE BEACH! (it is sooo nice to live a 5 minute drive/25 minute walk from one of the nicest beaches in BC- brag, brag)
The boys couldn't wait indoors as we anticipated the arrival of cousins, aunty, uncle and Oma.
They were dressed in their sun/water suits and waiting, waiting, waiting for our ride to arrive.



This was a portion of the setting in which we sat and drank "te-re-re" (Paraguayan yerba mate drank with ice water), and ate our wonderful picnic.

The boys played in the water, explored the playground beside the beach, and thoroughly enjoyed finally being together again! (Zach had been asking for weeks on end to PLEASE can we go visit them!!)

Jer brought his practice fly-rod to work on his casting technique.

And then we headed back to our backyard for ice tea and some more visiting. It was a wonderful, albeit short, time together. As you can see, however, we had two very special people missing in the gathering today. Opa is in Paraguay until the beginning of June, and Andy could not miss work to come out this time.

Posted by Jeremy J Harnett :: 1:27 p.m. :: 3 comments

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---------------oOo--------------- Happy Mother's Day- at the Harnetts!

HEY MOMMY!! WE LOVE YOU!!


HAPPY GRANDMA'S DAY TOO!!

Posted by Jeremy J Harnett :: 1:10 p.m. :: 1 comments

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---------------oOo--------------- Jerine's gift...

My sister-in-law took me shopping for my birthday, and I picked out a couple of pieces of jewelry from Ten Thousand Villages-- hand-made in India. These dangly green earrings I found at the Kelowna Farmer's Market, made by a stay-at-home mom who makes jewelry to help with the income. So, I thought I'd like to support her too! Dangly, long earrings are coming back in again... I've been hesitant to pick up the trend. Children pull long earrings; I like small, inconspicuous studs and teeny, tiny hoops that don't hang, but rather cling around my ear lobe. I indulged in the culture and bought some beaded danglers (not the longest ones, mind you). What do you think? Is it Tanya-ish?

My birthday party (the part with an actual cake) was spent with family on a sunny day. What a blessing!

Posted by Jeremy J Harnett :: 12:54 p.m. :: 0 comments

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---------------oOo--------------- Photo Update!!

A baby shower cake I made last week for a friend and her little girl: Atalie Israelson.

Our church's "retro" (back to one hundred years back) Anniversary dress-up celebration!

This dress I'm wearing is one my great grandmother sewed for my own mother when she was pregnant with me!! I've worn it at least once for each pregnancy so far. I love the thought of the generations involved in it, and the fact that even three boys have "worn" it!!

Jer was a good sport to dress up with me. He's not quite as ... flambouant (sp?) as he once was. He doesn't have any crazy costume-type clothing in his closet anymore. But, for my sake, he doned a pair of my flair cords, and a flappy/flowery blouse (a gift from my bro; from Thailand). Add a little guitar key-chain from Paraguay and he's quite a handsome participant!

Posted by Jeremy J Harnett :: 12:29 p.m. :: 3 comments

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samedi, mai 06, 2006

Birthdays and other happenings...

Lately we've had a pretty exciting time with all sorts of "out of the ordinary" experiences.

"Happening" #1:
Our little church just celebrated it's 100 year anniversary. We had a "dress up" (in a costume from any era since the birth of First Baptist) Sunday celebration, with a church luncheon and a giant birthday cake and everything! Pretty neat histroy behind this church- faithful to Truth!

"Happening" #2:
I had a 28th birthday. I had a picnic lunch on the day (May 3rd) with my kids, sister-in-law and her boyfriend. Jer took me shopping for a couple of maternity shirts. I planned a girl's night out last night, to celebrate friendships! We saw a movie (at a theatre, might I add; haven't done that since who knows when!), and then went for coffee and desserts at Red Robins. Good time with a bunch of ladies! My mom came this weekend and took me shopping for things that I never just GET for myself! More celebrations to come next weekend: Mother's Day etc. WOOHOO! I love celebrating (even without the gifts!)

"Happening" #3:
We had six garbage bags FULL of boys' clothes given to us from a lady we don't even know! I sorted through it all and, apart from a couple of shirts and shorts that fit Jer, all of it was not in our kids' sizes AT ALL!! So, having an account at a local consignment store, I labeled all of it with my number and brought it to recieve CASH back so that I can purchase the needed clothing/equipment for our boys. ;)

"Happening" #4:
The day after the six bags of "too big" clothes for the kids, I recieved a HUGE pile of kids clothes that was PERFECT for Zach! There's more to come from this lady (from our church); she has yet to sort through her clothes that are Benno's size.

"Happening" #5:
Speaking of being given clothing, I've had alot of maternity clothes given or loaned to me over the last few weeks. I have plenty to last me through this summer, and have even had some extras to hand off to some other pregnant friends!

The Lord clothes His children!!

I know there has been alot more going on lately that I could chat with you about- life is constantly full of excitement!! (good and frustrating!) But, just now I'm pretty pooped and will sign off for this day!
Take care all!
Cheers.

Posted by Jeremy J Harnett :: 7:18 p.m. :: 2 comments

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