Robin Count

I got up this morning and could hear the birds just singing their hearts out. It just makes my heart sing when I hear them calling out to each other on a sunny Spring morning. I have yet to see my first robin of Spring though. So I thought it might be fun to do a "Robin Count" here this morning.


Have you seen your first robin of Spring?

Click on the word comment below and let me know:

1. Yes or no
2. What Province or State you live in

Wishing you all a super Spring day,
and let's not forget to do some cheerful singing ourselves!

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~The REAL Story of EASTER~

Hundreds attend the Christmas Drama, "This Very Night" each year at SRF. The story did not end when Christ came to earth as a baby in the manger. You will not want to miss "This Very Night - The Story Continues". Choose between three performances (11am- 2pm-4pm) on Sunday, April 17th.

You can get your free tickets online right here.

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An Invitation from Sharelyn. . .

Ladies, I just wanted to let you know that on April 1 & 2 there will be a CRAFTER'S WEEKEND in Hubbards. I enjoy these weekends so much. I get a little rest from the business of my family, spend lots of time being creative, and eat really good food! What’s not to like???

The cost of the weekend is $35which includes supper on Friday, breakfast and lunch on Saturday, table space for your creating needs, and a small favor. I always enjoy getting to know new women who come, and catching up with some good friends too.

To register, please contact the church office @ 865-3814. Deadline is March 28^th!!

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Guest Post: Tanya Payzant - Easter Centerpiece

Cathe Holden @
Just Something I Made

I think this might possibly be the sweetest centerpiece I have ever seen for Easter/Spring! What do you think? I've been so excited to show it to you all ever since I laid my eyes on it this winter on Cathe's blog. I know Easter isn't until the end of next month, but I wanted to give you some time to pick up some spoons, ribbon, flowers (silk ones would be good for many years). You can use fresh eggs, plastic, or colored boiled eggs that your children have helped you dye.

Grab any kind of glass jar from your recycle bag and bend 8-10 spoons (depending on the diameter of your jar) at a 90 degree angle. You can pick up some spoons for a great price at the Dollarama. Or perhaps you have a surplus in your kitchen already. Wrap a couple sturdy elastic bands around the jar and then begin putting the spoons under the elastics, one at a time. Tie a ribbon, to coordinate with your flowers, around the jar to cover the elastic bands. Add flowers - fresh or silk, and then lay an egg (well not literally) ;0) gently in the cup of each spoon.



Maybe you would prefer a candle to flowers. If so, use a jar that will hold the candle you have chosen and, because the jar is smaller you will not need as many spoons. A version of this will definitely be in the center of my table this spring. I love to create pretty tablescapes, and this centerpiece has sure given me a jump start on my Easter table!

Be sure and visit Cathe at the website link under the top picture!

. . . and ya know I want to hear if you make a centerpiece!!

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Drumroll please. . .

THE WINNER
OF OUR
FIRST EVER
BLOG DRAW
IS



THE ZIJLSTRA'S

Congratulations!

Your chances far outweighed anyone else,
due to your frequency in commenting on posts.
That's the way to do it!
Enjoy your chalkboard paint and accessories.

As always, we would LOVE to see some pictures of your finished projects!
"Take Six" will be in contact with you very soon!

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~HAPPY SPRING~

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A World Away... part 4

Before I share my journal with you today I want to remind you that tomorrow is your last chance to leave a comment on a blog post and have your name entered into our "Celebration of Spring" draw. We love to get feedback from you! We will post the winner of the draw on Monday!





Wednesday, March 16
This is what I read this morning:

Psalm 67

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us,
that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.

May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth.

May the peoples praise you O God; may all the peoples praise you.

Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God will bless us.

God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.


How timely was that? These people are praising God, and they are yielding a harvest of tea leaves, everyday!

We finished our sessions in West Bengal today. I found it hard to leave after only three days. I wanted to get to know the women better - to scratch beneath the surface. What would it have been like after three weeks, or three months or... ?

They asked us to "Please, come back again."


I caught them praising God!


...almost a smile there!






Hold up a camera and one, immediately, became the Pied Piper!


Every one's shoes off before entering any church.

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Guest Post: Tanya Payzant - Spring. . .

is hopefully just around the corner. So this week I've been thinking a bit about putting out my Springy decorations. Anyone who attended "Sights and Sounds of Christmas" at StoneRidge in November, might remember the centerpieces that were on the food tables. I made 6 different centerpieces out of a vase I found at the Dollarama. Can I just say, "I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Dollarama store". (Don't tell my husband. He gets "testy" when I talk about stores that aren't Home Hardware!) But sometimes, a girl's just gotta shop, where a girl's gotta shop! Right? Here is a pic of one of the Christmas centerpieces.

(Please click on pictures for a larger view)

So when I picked up the vases at Christmas time I bought a couple for myself as well. (Makes total sense, right? You know. . . just in case!) ;0) This past week I was at the Dollarama and I saw the cutest little picks in the silk floral section. They were $2 and consisted of 2 clusters of bare branches, a cluster of spring colored eggs and berries, and a little nest with eggs in it. I wasn't quite sure what I would do with it, but knew I would use it somehow in my spring decor this year.

Many times I have seen people use a cloche in their displays. A cloche is a clear glass dome that you place on a plate or doily, or right on the table, with a small display, or something special underneath. But I didn't have a cloche. . . yet!! Instead of going out and buying one, I turned my glass Dollarama vase upside down on a plate with a small doily underneath and. . . voila!!! A perfect home for my little nest, and I used the spray of eggs and berries as an accent beside it. Someone please press the "EASY" button!





Any comments on a "TAKE SIX" blog post between now and March 19th automatically gets your name entered in our Spring Draw. Click here for all the details!! We love to hear your comments, please share your responses with us!

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A World Away... part 3

Tuesday, Feb 15
Our second day of training. The ladies are reserved. I so wish I knew them well, and they knew me.
Sam shared her study on Hannah today - and the ladies responded to the call for prayer. Prayer is EVERYTHING to them. They are teaching me. Praying with and for them is a humbling, privilege.



The ladies are enthralled with Sam's hair - all in braids. How long did it take? Did you do it? Did a machine do it? Can you show us?

Pastor James took us to see his home today, during NT Overview class, don't tell the teacher!









I sent some laundry to be washed. Thought I'd pick it up when we got back to the hotel this evening - but, the sun wasn't out at all today. So nothing is dry ;O) Hummmm... how would I deal with that at home?

Shakti took us out to a couple jewelery stores tonight. I would LOVE to buy a gold bangle bracelet. It appears I have monster hands in comparison to the ladies here.


This picture was taken to make the mark the momentous "first time squatter experience". Can't say I'll ever like them, but we are figuring out a... system.

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SRF Women's Retreat - "RESTORE"

Friday, April 29 at 6:30pm - April 30 at 3:00pm

If you've attended the Women's Weekend at White Point in the past, you already know it's not to be missed! It's a time of fellowship, worship, food, fun and more... and for some, very little sleep! This year's theme is restoration. We all need the Master Restorer's touch in every area of our lives... spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. Everyday life - kids, husbands, finances, cooking, cleaning, jobs, disappointments, illnesses, loss - can take it's toll, but no restoration project is too big for our God! He is lovingly waiting to bring you renewed life and renewed purpose. Don't miss this opportunity to be refreshed, encouraged and restored! Cost is $120.00 per person. Register at the Women's Weekend at White Point table on Sundays or at the office through the week (865-3814). Deadline to register is March 20. Space is limited. Want to extend the fun? Ask for details. Please note, this is a child-free event.

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A World Away... part 2

Sunday, Feb 12
I slept with the TV on BBC World News. A bit nervous last night for some reason.

I woke up to the sounds of birds singing outside my window and this thought immediately came to mind: this is "my Father's world", even though it is vastly different from "my world", it is still His world.

Another thought I woke up with was this: I can wrap my head around all of this if I think of myself as camping. I can't try to relate this to a hotel experience I'd have in North America - but it fits well in my mind if I consider myself camping... Princess!

We were honored guests at a church opening today. And, I do mean honored.

This is the new building! We all walked from the old church building to this brand new one. Then we all walked around this one three times and then dedicated each entryway to the Lord. It was so fun to be a part of. I was asked to cut the ribbon at one of the entryways... that's just one of the ways I felt honored.

They use beautiful tents for every celebration. This is the ceiling of one tent that was just for us, their guests, to keep us out of the hot sun. A bit different than our tents, eh?

Some of the beautiful, colorful ladies. I loved them.

Far left, Vino - she is married to one of the area Pastors, Tintamony, myself, and one of Tintamony's daughters. These ladies were the first to introduce themselves to us.

This lady presented me with my scarf. I wanted to tickle her to make her smile - but I didn't.


Left - Shant, director of Far Corners - the mission we travelled with. Mid - Shakti, acted as our big brother for two weeks, he took care of everything for us, everything - and he's coming to Canada in May! Right - Biplab, a Baptist pastor having great impact in his community. He and his wife had us into their home for a wonderful meal.


Being in church today has made me think of home. I wonder what my family is up to? School break has begun.
I ate a meat dish that had nuts in it, at supper time. I had such a sense that this would happen at some point in time... it near scared me to death. But God really protected me - a miracle meant just for me. I am so thankful, NO reaction... just a big swig of Benedryl and I was knocked out.

stay tuned for more...

Don't forget about our first blog draw. All the information about the draw can be found here.

How do I participate?

1. Become a follower of this blog and your name will be entered once. It is easy. Just click on the little Google "Follow" button on the left side of the page, and give yourself a Google password. Please leave a comment on the blog (not on facebook) when you have done this.

2. Leave a comment on any blog post between now and March 19th and your name will be entered each time you leave a comment.

3. If you have a blog and link our draw onto your blog, your name will be entered once if you leave a comment letting me know you have done so.

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS ON THE ACTUAL BLOG POST - NOT ON THE FACEBOOK LINK!! Thanks!

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A World Away... part 1

Well, just over one week ago I arrived back in Canada - from a trip to India that was truely amazing.

I worked at keeping a journal while away, and thought I'd share exerpts from what I recorded there, with you.

May you enjoy.


Saturday, Feb 12, 2011
I honestly don't know what I am feeling. It's like I've been beamed, quite literally, onto another planet.
There is dust and dirt everywhere.
There are men everywehre - women, not so much.
I am completely and utterly a foreigner.

I still can't believe I'm here - pinch me, someone! I already know I wouldn't change this for the world.

Hummm... what all did I see on that 5 hour car "ride" today?
Cows and bicycles, and chickens and motorbikes, dogs and buses bursting at the seems and sheep and goats and cars.

And, people... people all around!
But where are they all going? That's what makes me curious.

It's midnight, and I'm beat. I pray I sleep.

This was one of hundreds...

Oh yeah - a truck load of rice, which I think I ate during my two weeks there.


I know I was/am new to the country, but, honestly, I could not detect any rule that resembled a traffic rule. "Get in and go for it" is pretty much how it felt.

Stayed tuned... more to follow.

Don't forget to get your name in for our first ever draw on TAKE SIX!! Click here and read how you can participate in this draw. It is a great opportunity to win some chalkboard paint and supplies. You can let your creativity take off by creating little chalkboards in your own home on anything!!

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Announcing. . .

In celebration of SPRING,

we will be hosting the first ever draw

on TAKE SIX!

The prize includes chalkboard paint, several brushes and 3 different items that you can paint chalkboard labels on. Of course we have included in the prize 4 different colors of chalk, so you can continue your creativity on whatever item you turn into a chalkboard!

Take a look back at the Guest Post that Tanya Payzant did here to refresh your memory of all the many creative ways chalkboard paint can be used inside, and outside of your home!

We will draw the winner

of the CHALKBOARD PAINT & SUPPLIES DRAW

On Sunday March 20th

(No entries after Midnight, Saturday, March 19th, Atlantic Time, will be counted)


The WINNER will be posted on

Monday, March 21

How do I participate?

1. Become a follower of this blog and your name will be entered once. It is easy. Just click on the little Google "Follow" button on the left side of the page, and give yourself a Google password. Please leave a comment on the blog (not on facebook) when you have done this.

2. Leave a comment on any blog post between now and March 19th and your name will be entered each time you leave a comment.

3. If you have a blog and link our draw onto your blog, your name will be entered once if you leave a comment letting me know you have done so.

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS ON THE ACTUAL BLOG POST - NOT ON THE FACEBOOK LINK!! Thanks!

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Some of my Favs...

I will never see bicycles again, and not think of India.




Two unsuspecting friends.





back view...


and, front view... too cute!



Windows on a flower museum we visited... so happy and bright.




I thought this woman was beautiful. She read her Bible for the group of us women, many times. She was among the FIVE women who took the final test from the NT Overview class.
No, I didn't get her name, and I should have. A regret.

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news." Romans 10:15

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