Spring into Easter

I love spring!  Who doesn't, the snow is melting, rivers are flowing, and in Canada the geese are returning.  You know our national bird.  With its majestic honk.  Ok, maybe not as majestic as it is loud and harsh sounding.  I still like to look up and see those flying "V" formations returning home!  I am a Lilac girl and pretty soon you will be able to smell their perfume all over the county.  If you are a tulip fan you can head to Ottawa and check out the Tulip Festival, thousands of tulips from bulbs donated from Holland.  It is beautiful.  I find spring just awakens the soul.  For me, it all starts with Easter.  The colour pallets change to the pastels of blues and greens, the sun is brighter, chocolate flows freely!  Those are all wonderful and fun, but it is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus that gets me!  I am captivated every year by the story of Christ.  From the last supper to the cross.  The images of the pain he endured are so embedded in my brain.  We have all seen them.  Jesus hanging by his bloody hands and feet, on the cross for all to see, head hung, the crown of thorns upon his brow.  I remember growing up in German as a little kid and visiting so many old churches and cathedrals.  All of which contained the image of our Saviour on the cross.  It scared me and fascinated me at the same time.  As an older teen and young adult, those images and statues did nothing to me.  It was just another cross with another Jesus statue.  I was almost annoyed at the way I would see some people weeping Good Friday at the image of Jesus.  I thought "give me a break" or "really".  I mean it's not like they hadn't seen it before right?  At least, that's what I thought until Easter 2011.  That was the year I watched our church perform The Passion play.  My husband had to work that night and my oldest son wanted to go see the play.  I suggested we invite his dad (I am divorced and Cameron's dad is a none Christin).  I just figured it would be good for him to see.  So there I was sitting on the end of the row with my ex-husband beside me, my son beside him, and my ex's stepdaughter beside my son.  The Odd little unit we were.  The play was well done.  We have a lot of talent at our church.  I was enjoying everything until they put Jesus on the cross.  I look up at that cross and began to weep, no sob, no even worse!  It was an ugly cry like no other!  I was so moved.  My heart hurt so bad for Jesus.  I just wanted to scream "get him down"!  My ex-husband was looking at me like I was crazy!  I felt Crazy!  I wept the entire rest of the play.  My shirt was soaked!  I'm sure I had makeup everywhere.  I just kept thinking my Jesus, my poor Jesus, I am not worthy of the pain you endured.  Well, let's just say the drive home was a little awkward for my ex.  Poor guy didn't really know what to say.  The rest of the weekend was a blur until Easter Sunday.  Easter Sunday was another performance of the play, I was dreading it!  This is where God's goodness steps in.  Good Friday, he needed me to "see" the story, not just the image or statue.  Sunday he needed me to accept his greatness and worship him for it!  I was so excited when the play ended and we were able to worship.  My heart was so filled with thanksgiving and Joy!  It was a rebirth in me!  About 3 years later our church did The Passion play again.  I made sure to be in it that time!  I did not weep uncontrollably or have the same overwhelming feeling, but the Joy was there!  I'm pleased to say it has been there ever since.  It is in the spring, when Easter comes, that I get to remember that experience, and it renews my soul again.

International Women's Day

Today I wanted to celebrate all the women in my life that are such inspirations.  I would also like to encourage you to leave a comment with the name of a woman who has inspired you!

I'm going to start with one of my wonderful, dear friends, Rachel Conley.  Rachel has one of the biggest hearts for people.  She is a follower of Jesus in every sense of the word!  I have seen her cry over not being able to do enough for others many times.  She gives of herself every day and for that she is a great inspiration to me!  So shout out to you Rachel!  Woot, Woot!!

Next I'm gonna holla at Mrs. Judy Crowe!  Judy is a pastor who gave up a very good job in order to follow God's calling.  Judy was an RPN and had held a position for some time at her place of employment.  When God called her into the ministry she answered.  Her time there has been full of ups and downs but her love for God has never failed.  Judy you are an inspiration of being true to the Lord.  Thank you. xo

Lastly, I would like to send a huge shout out to Dietta!  Dietta runs Berea Christian School in Liberia.  Dietta is a woman who is so strong in her faith and determination.  Dietta not only in the Principal of the school, but she teaches there too.  She supports herself through sewing and teaches this trade in the evenings.  Her determination and perseverance are only surpassed by her gentleness and love of the Lord.  Dietta, you inspire children every day to reach for the stars, you inspire me to do the same!

Thanks for checking out my blog today.  I hope you are inspired by the women around you!  Don't forget to comment!

Crowd Funding and Liberia

Have you ever heard of Crowd Funding?  Well, Crowd Funding is what it's called when you post an "ad" on a fundraising website in hopes of generating funds from outside your normal circles. Don is travelling to Liberia in April of this year.  He is going to be teaching some war-affected youth how to weld and build block making machines.  These machines will be used to build houses, schools, and much more.  In order to fundraise the money for materials, Don has set up a gofundme crowd funding account.  He has managed to raise $850 so far!  Check it out below and please consider donating!

https://www.gofundme.com/educationliberia


These are some of the people that will benefit from your support.  These are real people and like us they only want to learn, grow, and better themselves!