Gleem!

This afternoon I was given the opportunity to sit with my mom and sister, drinking coffee and eating cheesecake all while trying on beautiful pieces of jewellery! We were blessed today by Jane, who makes unique pieces of jewellery, by being given some new jewellery for our wardrobe. Each piece is unique and we were all able to find more than one thing that we loved!

Jane sells her jewellery (Gleem Jewellery) on her etsy store (click here to check it out). You can also see pictures of her stuff on her Facebook page. 

Thank you Jane for taking the time to visit with us and to check out Women Refreshed at the Well, and thank you so much for these beautiful gifts of jewellery!!

Here are some of the pieces we chose!

a few words

what a whirlwind of a week since last week Thursday.

Last thursday at 5:30pm I left Winnipeg with both of my mom's and my sister Phoebe for a 14 hour, thru the night, road trip to Calgary. Let me tell you, doing that.. is not a GREAT idea if you are pregnant. I felt like I had to go to the bathroom almost immediately after a bathroom stop, so on the way home I deprived myself of water which resulted in a severely dizzy and nauseated self. Live and learn. So the drive wasn't the best thing in the world BUT the company was great, and the purpose for the trip - a Beth Moore Living Proof Live conference - was well worth it. I still have to sit with my notes purposefully and really digest the things that she was talking about.

Beth Moore made a couple of points that really resonated with me (well more than a couple) but two that have stood out more in my mind without purposefully going back to my notes to think on it. The first is about when God gives us a "word" - basically when you're at church, or reading your bible or in conversation and all of a sudden you have an "aha!" moment of sorts where you think to yourself, "wow God, that was said just for me." Have you ever had a Sunday morning where the Pastor's sermon seems so perfectly catered to you and where you're at that you almost feel like saying "ok, everyone can go home because this sermon is obviously for ME!"? Well that is what she meant by a "word". Anyway, she talked about how if we don't guard that word, and make an effort to really let it plant itself deeper in our hearts and minds, that the bird of prey is just waiting to devour it. And before you know it, the bird of prey will sweep down and snatch up your word before you even realize it, or think twice about it. And then it's gone. So from that.. the importance of guarding the things God gives us. More digesting of that will happen, but I wanted to put it out there that it resonated with me before the bird of prey even stole that little aha!

The second one was the reality of Satan and his power. She talked about the fact that Satan's goal in this world is to try and copy everything that God is doing. In Genesis (and other times in the bible) it talks about God walking the earth. Later in the bible (job 1:7) it says this: ⁷ “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan.
Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on." 
Satan is also walking the earth. He tries to replicate what God does and deceive us. Beth talked about how in the Bible Satan is described as a roaring lion looking to devour. So often I think we forget the fact that Satan has power. Of course he is no where near as powerful as God, but he is powerful. And he is crafty. And he is working over time. Beth talked about how Satan is constantly working to be right in our face, right in our way. The reality of his menacing presence was made more aware to me when she said "He is so close, you can feel his mane on your neck, feel his breath on your face, hear his growl in your ear." But even better than that, the reality of God's supreme power was made even more aware to me when Beth talked about us taking our ground back, giving God the glory and power, and the fact that when we do that, when we acknowledge God's supremity in our lives - Satan is forced to watch. He has no choice but to see us throw it back in his face. He may be strong, but in the end, he is not victorious. How awesome is that??


So yes, there is a lot to digest still, but those were my two initial things that really resonated with me. 


Since being back, the week has been full, a lot of going and coming. We made some progress on our basement renovations, even got the treadmill & tv set up again in the basement. We also set up our first piece of nursery furniture, and moved most of the stuff out of the guestroom, which will soon be the nursery. Things are coming along!!


I just realized that I started this post with the intention of it going in a completely different direction.. so, there is likely to be a second post today. Part of the result of a busy week I suppose :)

a favorite hobby

I will never forget the first conversation I had with a girl I became friends with on the School of Discipleship program. We were doing one of those get to know you things, and when her and I first started talking we asked the regular questions, name, where you're from etc. and then she asked me what my favorite hobby was. Hmm.. I have a few, singing, music of any kind, photography, reading, being with friends etc. I asked her and she said "well, I have one main hobby. My favorite thing to do in the world is.. exercise."

get out! That does not even rank in my top 50 favorite "hobbies". Nor would I ever classify it as a hobby. Things I do enjoy that could fall into the exercising category (although I don't love doing them till I'm extremely sweaty, which to me is the mark of an awesome work out):

- going for a walk with my hubby, my sisters, my family, or a good friend
- going for a bike ride, especially at the lake
- swimming (although I am a terrible swimmer)
- walking on the treadmill only if I'm watching TV or a movie or something, that way I don't feel too bad about watching tv for so long

I should also admit that I like wearing my exercising clothes or runners around the house because it makes me feel "sportier" than I actually am. for me, the best part about exercising, is looking the part and feeling awesome that I actually made myself go thru with it after.  But that friend of mine.. she genuinely loves exercising. And not to be skinny, or to change how she looks, which I would say is the motivation for a lot of people. But she loves exercising because she just physically enjoys exerting herself like that. She's kinda like a toddler (bear with me, this isn't an insult!) who loves to just run around.. FOR FUN.

I was thinking about her yesterday when I was drinking some water after I had finally convinced myself to do the prenatal pilates video of Leah's that I'm trying out. I did a few of the segments (the video is broken up into a few 10 minute workouts) and had ended working on my buns and thighs (the phrase buns & thighs for some reason makes me have the mental image of richard simmons on the "sweatin to the oldies" vhs that my mom had years ago..). It always feels good to have accomplished something. To feel your muscles ache after working them out, especially muscles you didn't know you had. I stood there thinking how nice it would be to actually consider exercising among my favorite hobbies.

Oh well, at least if it's not my hobby, I get the extra satisfaction of pushing myself to do it, and accomplishing that goal. And who knows, maybe you all won't be able to recognize me in a few months because you'll be thinking "who's that pregnant lady with those amazing buns!"

ya, that'll be me. so for now I'm just giving you a heads up :)

thanksgiving

happy thanksgiving weekend!

for anyone wishing they had made their own thanksgiving dinner... I put up a new post on my recipe blog, outlining the whole dinner, start to finish. you can read that here.

i have had a lot on my mind lately, I often get nostalgic around holidays, and more introspective when i'm busy (which is the case right now with being in school and working) I have also been a lot more emotional (I am off my anti-depressants and have found that the tears flow a lot more frequently, and easily. but i'm ok with that right now)

This morning in church there were so many songs that brought me to tears. i think it's also because i am becoming more aware of the holy spirit and the way that he speaks to us and nudges us - i'm doing a bible study with a few girls on the fruit of the spirit and the first two weeks have had a good focus on the Holy Spirit in general, and ways that the Holy Spirit works, etc, so I have been thinking about this a lot more. Instead of a sermon this morning, the elders of the church lead a lot of sharing time, and people were able to stand up and share what they were thankful for. I have a lot to be thankful for...
my husband, 2 wonderful families, 2 nephews and another baby on the way for me to be an auntie to, a new & welcoming church family, a house that i feel warm & comfortable in, 2 cats that keep me company and make me laugh, many friends - both here and far (bc, ontario & alaska specifically), a legacy of faith within my family and especially from the examples of my grandparents, luxuries like a nice car and a bank account that is never completely empty, the freedom to vote, to worship, to have an opinion (thank goodness or I'd be in a lot of trouble most of the time! ha ha), a love for worship and a voice that I can use in that way, a plot of land that will soon have a new home beside 2 of our best friends - josh & leah, health, a lot of laughter, the chance to go back to school & graduate this year, good jobs (that we love) and the "abundance & faithfulness of christ" (as someone put it this morning in church). and so much more, i could write for days and not be done.. which reminds me of one of my favourite lines in my favourite hymn -

"could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made. were every stalk on earth a quill and everyone a scribe by trade - to write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry, nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky... the love of God - how rich and pure, how measureless & strong. it shall forever more endure the saints & angels song"

my heart is filled to overflowing with thanks!

you is kind. you is smart. you is important.

i went to see "the help" on Sunday evening with a group of wonderful girls
it was just as good as i expected (and hoped) it would be
i'm pretty sure we all cried in a few (or a lot) of parts of the movie

one part has stayed in my mind, playing on repeat it seems
it is the part where the maid, aibileen, is talking with the little girl of the family she works for, mae mobley
aibileen has decided that she wants to make sure that, if nothing else, mae mobley learns this about herself: she is kind. she is smart. she is important.  i was able to find a clip of that part, click here to go to that link, it's only a 20 second clip, but it is sweet.

i was struck again at how important it is to speak in love to one another
to tell those people around you, you are SMART. you are IMPORTANT. you are KIND.
today michael stopped by my office to have coffee with me
and out of nowhere he said to me "i just really like you!"
even though I am married to him, and KNOW that he loves me
it was just so nice to hear, out of the blue, that i'm cared about, and important.

words spoken like that are never in vain!

on a totally different note.. yesterday i went back to school!

i just needed to go to get my student ID photo taken, and to buy my books ($$$!)
i was shocked at the fact that i was kind of.. nervous.
this isn't my first year at university. it's my 6th.
i know the halls, i know the teachers... but i'm new
it was good to have my sister phoebe there to keep me company in the long line up
monday is my first day of classes
my first day that i'm not starting with all of my friends
it will be different, but good
i'm looking forward to learning again
one of my classes looks terribly interesting.
and one extremely hard and overwhelming.
but i think it will be good.
here's to the start of a new year!

perfect treat

i'm a coffee drinker
although, since my gall bladder attacks and surgery i have tried to stay away from it (a little!)
i've always enjoyed a good cup of fresh coffee and thankfully have never become "addicted" to it (aka, i don't get headaches if i don't drink it) which has allowed me to drink it as i want to

i've come to appreciate decaf and 'half-caf" (which is easy to do when i have a wonderful mother in law that is always ready with a pot of decaf for the two of us!)
typically i drink my coffee black
or iced with milk and a bit of sweetener
but i used to drink it "double double" and there is something so comforting to be found in a warm, creamy, sweet cup of coffee

i couldn't drink it like that all the time, but it is a treat once and a while

so, why this rant about how i drink my coffee?
well, i was just treated to an xl cup of double double coffee - it was brought in by a very nice gentleman that was here for a meeting, but we had some time to chat while he was waiting. he is new to faith and it is very exciting to hear him talk - last week i overheard him saying that he just wants God to be the only thing people see when they see him. what a desire! and how wonderful that already he's realized that one way to show God to people is through random kindness.

so, as he is meeting and learning more about God's promises
i am sitting here, sipping and enjoying my cup of kindness
creamy & sweet
the perfect treat this morning

God's kindness comes in all kinds of shapes & sizes

dare to be remarkable

years ago my mom bought me a necklace that had a round pendant with the words "dare to be remarkable"
i loved it when i received it and still love it. i wore it a lot and often thought about those words. what could i do in life to be daring, to be ok with being different. in what ways could i fully embrace who i am and love myself in that process? dare to be remarkable.

on one trip i had the necklace in a bag with my shampoo.. which ended up spilling everywhere and tarnishing the necklace. i thought about throwing it out, and call me a hoarder or call me sentimental, but i couldn't part with it.

i came across the necklace again the other day and i can't help but think that it now represents my life even more than it did then. tarnished, "broken", imperfect, but still there. the things i've gone through over the last handful of years have changed & shaped me. i've stumbled through more valleys, and i think i've seen glimpses of mountain tops. i can still dare to be remarkable. the scars & struggles have shown me more things to be confident of within myself. my faith. my family. my perseverance. my passions. in rougher shape than when i started this life, i still have so many reasons & ways to reach for the remarkable.
hows that for inspiration on such a grey day? :)

the necklace

hope & spring

i haven't written much lately
i try to be careful not to write much when i'm processing
because i find that if i write when i'm too passionate about something, or too frustrated, or even too apathetic.. it doesn't do anyone any good. and it can make me look pretty crazy. so i save that type of writing for the insides of my journal. a place to process in safety.

i have been feeling overwhelmed lately. by emotions, life situations, cat hair & general life messiness. BUT i have been feeling revitalized by spring.

there will always be part of life that is messier than other parts. i've never met anyone with a perfect life (sorry to any of you that thought you were fooling me!)

i watched the movie "soul surfer" the other day with my sister phoebe & we both basically cried our way through it. it was a beautiful story of hope, perseverance, faith, family & choosing to embrace life no matter what is thrown at you. it is based on the true story of the pro-surfer, Beth Hamilton. when she was a teenager she was attacked by a 14 foot tiger shark while surfing. the shark bit off her entire left arm basically at the shoulder. she goes on to continue pursuing surfing and keeping her faith in God. it is amazing & inspiring.

at one point in the movie, sarah, beth's youth leader, is teaching a sunday school lesson about how hard it can be to have a full perspective of something when you are too close. it can be hard to see outside of our situation, circumstance or even emotion when we are too close. sometimes we need to step back, gain another perspective & just allow space to see what we should do next, or what is the best way to move forward. i often feel that that is true for me. and i have been feeling like i need to take some time & space to figure some things out. life is hard! but we have hope.

spring. refreshing. life giving. new.
but still dirty & messy.
slushy & a lot of work.
but within all of that mess - the world turns back to green.
plants push up from the ground
and life is fragrant.
hope!

the day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.

-bern williams

why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?

a new day
a fresh start
a crisp morning
an email from a friend
country music on an ipod
horror stories in the newspapers

a mixture of accepting & expecting

living in but not of

it's a strange world that we live in
when we really stop to think about it

the other day a woman from my home church shared about her life
her journey with jesus
and i think she is incredible
born into hardships & many others added to her life as she lives it
but she said this
you can choose to be miserable
or you can choose not to be!
i love that.

i also love this passage of scripture (psalm 42) in the message. today i will choose to not be miserable. to fix my eyes on God. he puts a smile on my face. he's my God.

^1-3 A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek; 

   I want to drink God, 

      deep draughts of God. 

   I'm thirsty for God-alive. 

   I wonder, "Will I ever make it— 

      arrive and drink in God's presence?" 

   I'm on a diet of tears— 

      tears for breakfast, tears for supper. 

   All day long 

      people knock at my door, 

   Pestering, 

      "Where is this God of yours?" 

 ⁴ These are the things I go over and over, 

      emptying out the pockets of my life. 

   I was always at the head of the worshiping crowd, 

      right out in front, 

   Leading them all, 

      eager to arrive and worship, 

   Shouting praises, singing thanksgiving— 

      celebrating, all of us, God's feast! 

 ⁵ Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? 

      Why are you crying the blues? 

   Fix my eyes on God— 

      soon I'll be praising again. 

   He puts a smile on my face. 

      He's my God. 

 ^6-8 When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse 

      everything I know of you, 

   From Jordan depths to Hermon heights, 

      including Mount Mizar. 

   Chaos calls to chaos, 

      to the tune of whitewater rapids. 

   Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers 

      crash and crush me. 

   Then God promises to love me all day, 

      sing songs all through the night! 

      My life is God's prayer. 

 ^9-10 Sometimes I ask God, my rock-solid God, 

      "Why did you let me down? 

   Why am I walking around in tears, 

      harassed by enemies?" 

   They're out for the kill, these 

      tormentors with their obscenities, 

   Taunting day after day, 

      "Where is this God of yours?" 

 ¹¹ Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? 

      Why are you crying the blues? 

   Fix my eyes on God— 

      soon I'll be praising again. 

   He puts a smile on my face. 

      He's my God.

and i will enjoy this cup of chocolate chai tea. in this fabulous new mug. both gifts from audrey :)

i know you're strong

i know i have referenced the band "the weakerthans" before..
my mind often drifts to them when it's a rainy day
or a chilly day
or any day that makes you want to snuggle up in blankets of memories, reminiscing and coziness

the weakerthans have a song titled 'plea from a cat named virtue'
it's a song written from the perspective of a cat, speaking to it's owner
calling the owner on it's behavior & self talk

i wonder if my cats have wondered what has been up with me over the past few months
(and i say this knowing fully well that it could make me sound totally crazy! i do think that my cats are indeed CATS, not my actual friends or beings with thoughts & perspectives. but it's food for thought)
did they notice the shift in my personality?
did they notice when i spent more time crying than i did laughing?
do they notice the laughter coming back? and the tears decreasing??

we never let the cats sleep in our room over night. frankly, they are far too annoying at night. BUT i have noticed that on days when i'm home alone, or feeling down, or spending time curled up just trying to REST.. they want to be there. they curl up against you & will sleep there for hours. do they wonder why somedays it seems like that's all i have done??

i wonder if they would call me on my negative self talk, or words of frustration & bitterness. again, would they notice a change these days? as i make future plans and excitedly talk about life?

i really like this song. always have. it's catchy & poetic, and a mixture of silly & serious.
the last lines are a favorite of mine. the cat basically saying that he wants you to believe you are strong.

i think that through the healing process it's important to: rely on others for help & encouragement. take time to rest, and not feel guilty for it. simplify life so there are less unrealistic expectations & you can enjoy the simple things. have faith. AND... continually tell yourself that you believe you are strong.

here are the lyrics
plea from a cat named virtue
the weakerthans

why don't you ever want to play?
i'm tired of this piece of string
you sleep as much as i do now, and you don't eat much of anything
i don't know who you're talking to, i made a search through every room
but all i found was dust that moved
and shadows of the afternoon

and listen, about those bitter songs you sing - they're not helping anything
they won't make you strong

so we should open up the house
invite the tabby two doors down
you could ask your sister if she doesn't bring her basset hound
ask for things you shouldn't miss
tape-hiss and the modern man
cold water and card catalogues
to join us if they can
for girly drinks and parlour games
we'll pass around the easy lie
of absolutely no regrets
and later maybe you could try
to let your losses dangle off
the sharp edge of a century
talk about the weather or how the weather used to be

lie down, lick the sorrow from your skin
scratch the terror and begin
to believe you're strong

all you ever want to do is drink & watch tv
frankly that thing doesn't really interest me
i swear i'm going to bite you hard and taste your tinny blood
if you don't stop the self defeating lies you've been repeating since the day you brought me home

i know you're strong.

the bravest thing

my dear sister leah gave me this card that i have in my wallet
i put it in the see through slot that normally contains your id
or a picture

i think it is a beautiful quote
and definitely an encouragement for me as i continue on this journey of trying to fully figure out who i am, who i want to be, where i've been & where i'm going. and trying to own it as best i can!

hopefully it can encourage you as well. xo

your name

this song has been in my head non-stop since sunday morning
your name (by paul baloche)
i sing the words in my head while i'm falling asleep
while i'm making supper
while i'm typing at work
while i'm driving
etc

i have realized something new that i love about Jesus
he isn't safe. but being with him is safe.
that is what i have been realizing and dwelling in for the last few days

safety. perfect peace. consistent friendship. faithfulness. saving grace.

i haven't felt like myself for a long time. and that in and of itself can be terrifying.
sometimes i need strength just to make it through the day!

on sunday michael & i went with josh, leah & ev to Kilcona Alliance Church and we loved it. it felt like being among friends. community. genuine passion for Jesus.
we sang one song that has been very meaningful to me lately

our God:
our God is greater, our God is stronger
God you are higher than any other
our God is healer, awesome in power
our God, our God!

and then a song that I hadn't sang for awhile - your name - and now it has literally been on repeat in my head. especially the line:

your name is a strong & mighty tower
your name is a shelter like no other

i'm realizing anew how amazing it is to have this safety
now i need to allow it to penetrate my entire being, so that there is no room for doubt & fear.

psalm 62:8

 So trust him absolutely, people;

      lay your lives on the line for him.

      God is a safe place to be.

me singing Your Name

Your Name from Ashley Thiessen on Vimeo.

granite-strength and safe-harbor-God

last night was my weekly beth moore bible study night
it is held at mcivor church and this time around i'm going with my friend lisa
we have decided not to be part of a small group, but have done some discussing on our own
anyway, last night was the hour long DVD portion, and i always love sitting there listening to beth
listening to the things she has discovered. studied. challenged.
i find that she helps me discover things about scripture that i would never on my own. she challenges me. she inspires me. and i leave encouraged.
last night she spent most of the hour on psalm 62 - and she described this as a "psalm that is begging for memorization". i haven't memorized scripture in so long, but i think it is such a powerful thing to do. to fill your mind with scripture so that it comes to mind all throughout the day. i was reading this psalm in different translations this morning. i think i will try to memorize the new living translation, because that is what my bible is. but there are some portions that i love from the message.
it is a beautiful psalm - true words that i can cling to even in the hardest days.

psalm 62 (new living translation)

¹ I wait quietly before God,
      for my victory comes from him.
 ² He alone is my rock and my salvation,
      my fortress where I will never be shaken.

 ³ So many enemies against one man—
      all of them trying to kill me.
   To them I’m just a broken-down wall
      or a tottering fence.
 ⁴ They plan to topple me from my high position.
      They delight in telling lies about me.
   They praise me to my face
      but curse me in their hearts.
                         Interlude

 ⁵ Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
      for my hope is in him.
 ⁶ He alone is my rock and my salvation,
      my fortress where I will not be shaken.
 ⁷ My victory and honor come from God alone.
      He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
 ⁸ O my people, trust in him at all times.
      Pour out your heart to him,
      for God is our refuge.
                         Interlude

 ⁹ Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind,
      and the powerful are not what they appear to be.
   If you weigh them on the scales,
      together they are lighter than a breath of air.

 ¹⁰ Don’t make your living by extortion
      or put your hope in stealing.
   And if your wealth increases,
      don’t make it the center of your life.

 ¹¹ God has spoken plainly,
      and I have heard it many times:
   Power, O God, belongs to you;
    ¹² unfailing love, O Lord, is yours.
   Surely you repay all people
      according to what they have done.

and my favorite parts from the message:

^5-6 God, the one and only—
      I'll wait as long as he says.
   Everything I hope for comes from him,
      so why not?
   He's solid rock under my feet,
      breathing room for my soul,
   An impregnable castle:
      I'm set for life.

 ^7-8 My help and glory are in God
      —granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—
   So trust him absolutely, people;
      lay your lives on the line for him.
      God is a safe place to be.