jeudi, juillet 27, 2006

Psalm 84 -- WOW!

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young-- a place near your altar,
O LORD Almighty, my Kind and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools (blessings).
They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, O God of Jacob.
Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Note how often the author of this Psalm refers to God as All-MIGHTY!
Our LORD is not weak; He is not absent from us; He is not indifferent to our needs. Quite the opposite, in fact. It seems quite apparent to me that the author has such a relationship with God- or at least an accurate understanding of God's character- that he craves absolutely nothing more than the presence of the LORD. The LORD's nearness is his LIFE; his strength from day to day, through trial and blessing.

This is such a beautiful Psalm and has ministered to me this week as I've meditated on it daily. I also do crave His nearness- perhaps sometimes expecting there to be more "fireworks" to my relationship with Him. That is not necessarily, or typically, the case. I have not always (by any means) felt like I've drawn close to the LORD in my own efforts this week. However, I find merciful peace in the knowledge that it is less about what I'm doing to get near him, and more about the FACT that I am resting/living/being sustained in His presence because of Him. My Valley of Baca (or "weeping") can also be made a place of refreshing springs of life, and pools of blessing- more because of the Almighty's presence than because of any change in circumstance.

I have prayed this week, in my hectic life- and in the eager "nesting" instinctivness of a mother about to bear a child- as Lord Ashley, before he charged at the battle of Edge Hill:
"O LORD, thou knowest how busy I must be this day. If I forget thee, do not thou forget me."

Posted by Jeremy J Harnett :: 2:12 p.m. :: 3 comments

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jeudi, juillet 20, 2006

POOL "Sitting"- what a treat!!

We were asked to house-sit our pastor and his wife's home for eleven days! (that's why I haven't updated our postings Bonnie- thanks for keeping up on me!)
It was such a treat to be sleeping in A/C conditions and enjoying their beautiful pool in the back yard. I let my boys run free in their backyard, as long as they were always strapped into their life-jackets. Zach became much more comfortable in the water, trusting his life-jacket and our arms, and learning to kick and paddle with his arms. Benno loved being in the water, as long as he was securly hanging on to one of our necks, or a firm floaty device. I spent as much time as possible floating in the pool, either laying on the giant tube with my belly through the hole, or just swimming around taking the weight off my back and pelvis.
Other than the pool and A/C, we were blessed with free pickings from two FULLY LOADED Okanagan cherry trees. I was able to can a number of jars full to preserve for the winter months.
I was able to do laundry there and hang it out on the wash line ON A WHEEL!! (as opposed to my usual laundro-mat washing and hang-on-a-rack in our backyard routine.) They had a nice, large patio with a BBQ. A dishwasher!!!
We were given use of their pick-up truck- with back seats so the boys' car seats could fit too. Shopping, doctor appointments and mini trips (ie to visit friends, or family at camp-grounds around) were so convenient!! (no we still don't have our own vehicle, and aren't yet sure what we'll do about it in the Fall with three kids!!)
The basement was very nice and cool, and loaded with a plethera of great movies Jer and I hadn't seen yet, so we had our share of free/stay-home date nights. It was like a holiday for us, but not too far from home. This place was a five minute walk from our own home, which made picking up extra diapers and other needs an easy/daily part of our holiday. I would "wish" this kind of "camping" on any expectant mom with two fiesty toddlers!

The party isn't completely over either. They have nearly begged us to come and use their pool regularly, since their kids are grown up and won't be using it much this summer at all. YAY!

Posted by Jeremy J Harnett :: 2:04 p.m. :: 1 comments

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mardi, juillet 04, 2006

Photo Shoot!

A friend of mine has been taking a photography course. For her final project she was to do a portfolio. She asked if me and my belly would be her model.
It was fun, albeit a little strange to be acting like a "model". (What are they thinking when they just move around being "snapped"?)
So, an hour and a half - and 250+ pictures- later, the photo session was done.
These are just a few of the sample shots that we did.







Jer had taken the boys for a walk during the session, but they got back before we were done. Ben went straight for a nap, but Zach got right into the photos!

Posted by Jeremy J Harnett :: 9:54 a.m. :: 7 comments

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---------------oOo--------------- OH CANADA!!!

We headed over to Enderby/Armstrong for the Canada Day weekend. Good times in the HOT HOT sun! Family fun the weekend long. From sipping terere at Mom and Dad's, to slipping down the water slides with Andy, Tony, Bekah and the boys. Bekah's folks were part of the weekend as well.

The down-home, old-fashioned Canada Day celebration was a good time.
We all (with the exception of Benny who was trying not to fall asleep in the stroller) tried the tin-can stilts.
Zach and Daddy both entered the watermelon eating contest- in seperate age categories, of course. Zach was a little shocked at the sudden hype of the crowd, the loud music and all the attention at the blast of "GO!" He refused to eat the watermelon and came away crying.
Daddy, on the other hand, stole the show in his category! He won hands down, nearly eating the entire peel in his vigor to win. He said he had only gone up to be a good sport, but once the competative adrenaline got ahold of him, there was just no stopping it!! His prize was a nice basket with crackers and several packages of famous and fancy Armstrong Cheese.

Mommy, with the appearance of having swallowed the watermelon whole, decided to try her mouth at the cherry pit spit! She also took the competition with her wet whistle, and won a large basket full of Rogers baking goods.

Zach decided that, having missed out on a juicy watermelon, a bubble-gum ice cream would suit him much better. (Mommy should have known it would literally "suit" him)
He was generous enough, in between licks, to give us all a "shmeck" as well.

And Benno, in his zoned out state- having fiercly avoided his nap- enjoyed all the commotion, entertainment and the simple pride of waving his nation's flag.

"God keep our land glorious and free!"

Thank you Jesus for Canada.

Posted by Jeremy J Harnett :: 7:06 a.m. :: 2 comments

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