This morning in Three Hills, many people awoke to the sound of crashing tree branches, falling as a result of being weighed down from the overnight snowfall. Yes, this is being posted on Thursday, May 24. (Oh the joys of Alberta weather!)
I am not one who minds snow too much most of the time anyway - it means hockey season is coming soon, underway, or nearing the end and btw Go Senators Go! I am even less "concerned" about it today as Sarah and I will be leaving tomorrow for "part 2" of our honeymoon, our trip to India via London (England).
I may try to blog about our trip... we'll see... Nonetheless, I will be away from the office until at least June 22.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Overwhelmed by God's Goodness & Grace
My wonderful wife, Sarah, and I returned from our honeymoon (part 1) on Sunday, May 13 and with our parents present and helping (esp for Mother's Day) we spent 5 hours opening gifts and cards. And amazed, overwhelmed, embarassed, and blessed-beyond-words are just a few words to describe the past ten days.
After I came into the office for a few hours yesterday, we drove to Red Deer to do a few errands before my love, Sarah, went back to work today. On the way home we listened to the Chris Tomlin, "Arriving" CD as we drove by a few dusty fields with farmers readying the land to put their crops in and a nice peaceful Alberta sky and then the sunset just over the fields near the Three Hills. It was just another batch of those moments that God has blessed Sarah and I with over the past year where you have sooooo much to thank God for and can just belt out the songs (sometimes amidst some watering eyes for me) about "How Great is our God" and "Your Grace is Enough," having seen God's Hand so beautifully, powerfully, and richly at work in bringing together His perfect and wondrous plan - and being able to simply revel in His Love and Grace and enjoy Him and His kindness towards you. Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" has been through our minds often these days. Anyway, I'll quit rambling on... but when the LORD gives you those moments, don't miss them. Live them, enjoy them, savor them, and thank Him for them.
There are a few pics from the wedding and reception available if you want to see them at the following website: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ssmay507/ - Thanks to my new sister-in-law, Lois, for setting this up!
After I came into the office for a few hours yesterday, we drove to Red Deer to do a few errands before my love, Sarah, went back to work today. On the way home we listened to the Chris Tomlin, "Arriving" CD as we drove by a few dusty fields with farmers readying the land to put their crops in and a nice peaceful Alberta sky and then the sunset just over the fields near the Three Hills. It was just another batch of those moments that God has blessed Sarah and I with over the past year where you have sooooo much to thank God for and can just belt out the songs (sometimes amidst some watering eyes for me) about "How Great is our God" and "Your Grace is Enough," having seen God's Hand so beautifully, powerfully, and richly at work in bringing together His perfect and wondrous plan - and being able to simply revel in His Love and Grace and enjoy Him and His kindness towards you. Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" has been through our minds often these days. Anyway, I'll quit rambling on... but when the LORD gives you those moments, don't miss them. Live them, enjoy them, savor them, and thank Him for them.
There are a few pics from the wedding and reception available if you want to see them at the following website: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ssmay507/ - Thanks to my new sister-in-law, Lois, for setting this up!
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Out of the Office
I will be officially out of the office beginning tomorrow, May 4 - though some of you may have felt I had disappeared already in the past couple days. I will not be back to the office until Monday May 14.
Meanwhile, it is just over 48 hours until the wedding ceremony begins. Yes, the stress levels are increasing... as it gets down to the last details and "crunch time." Likewise the excitement builds in anticipation of a wedding day that will honour God's Name and even moreso officially start a marriage that will also honour and bless His Great Name.
Though it is fairly overcast here in Three Hills this morning, as I came down the hill and passed the RDAC, I was singing (to myself), "Our God is an Awesome God," and then "How Great is our God" including the Chris Tomlin bridge to "Then Sings my Soul" - and I just couldn't help but cry tears of joy at how INCREDIBLE God is and has been to me, esp in the past few months. These days, we know many people who are experiencing real sorrow and pain (and out of respect for their privacy won't mention names) - and at the same time are "celebrating" with and for us. I've been on the other side of the fence, and want to make sure that in my exuberance and excitement, I don't get wrapped up in myself. As the saying goes, "anyone wrapped up in themselves is a pretty small package."
Meanwhile, Sarah and I continue to be incredibly blessed by soooo many people, some of whom we know by name and to have a conversation with, but would not generally consider "close friends" and yet God is pourly out His generosity and kindness to us through them in ways that are actually overwhelming, even embarassing. I do not deserve such kindness, but again, "every blessing He pours out, we will turn back to praise." (from the song Blessed Be Your Name)
One last thing before I sign off: Of course the best blessing of this whole wedding is that Sarah will be my wife. I love her more every day (really, its not just a romantic line) - for what she does, how she does it, and most importantly who she is. Of all the many blessings God has lavished upon me this year, Sarah is truly too incredible for words and all I can do is THANK GOD for HIS grace and kindness in giving me a wife of such true beauty.
Meanwhile, it is just over 48 hours until the wedding ceremony begins. Yes, the stress levels are increasing... as it gets down to the last details and "crunch time." Likewise the excitement builds in anticipation of a wedding day that will honour God's Name and even moreso officially start a marriage that will also honour and bless His Great Name.
Though it is fairly overcast here in Three Hills this morning, as I came down the hill and passed the RDAC, I was singing (to myself), "Our God is an Awesome God," and then "How Great is our God" including the Chris Tomlin bridge to "Then Sings my Soul" - and I just couldn't help but cry tears of joy at how INCREDIBLE God is and has been to me, esp in the past few months. These days, we know many people who are experiencing real sorrow and pain (and out of respect for their privacy won't mention names) - and at the same time are "celebrating" with and for us. I've been on the other side of the fence, and want to make sure that in my exuberance and excitement, I don't get wrapped up in myself. As the saying goes, "anyone wrapped up in themselves is a pretty small package."
Meanwhile, Sarah and I continue to be incredibly blessed by soooo many people, some of whom we know by name and to have a conversation with, but would not generally consider "close friends" and yet God is pourly out His generosity and kindness to us through them in ways that are actually overwhelming, even embarassing. I do not deserve such kindness, but again, "every blessing He pours out, we will turn back to praise." (from the song Blessed Be Your Name)
One last thing before I sign off: Of course the best blessing of this whole wedding is that Sarah will be my wife. I love her more every day (really, its not just a romantic line) - for what she does, how she does it, and most importantly who she is. Of all the many blessings God has lavished upon me this year, Sarah is truly too incredible for words and all I can do is THANK GOD for HIS grace and kindness in giving me a wife of such true beauty.
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