His delightful inheritance

Learning what I already know

2012-01-26T19:00:00.003-05:00

This past month has been an adventure of sorts for the two of us.
Andrew has not been able to eat solid food since before Christmas. We're still not completely sure what the issue is. The muscles seem to be getting better so hopefully soon we can see what kind of work the teeth need to solve the real problem. It's not a bone issue though, so that's good.
His intense daily pain. Finding food I can puree for him to eat. Trying to make sure he's getting enough of what he needs each day. Feeling completely helpless.
Currently he is in withdrawal from the pain meds. So he is both in pain as well as dealing with feeling horrible.
And day after day he reminds me "This is the best thing for us. If it were not we would not be going through it."
Finding joy in God period has finally found it's way into my heart through this.
Again dealing with something that is out of my control. Having to completely trust God. All of a sudden something clicked.
Last fall the youth went through the study "the blazing center" which was basically a study through John Pipers Desiring God. I was introduced to the fact that "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." hmmm. Sounds good. I tried to wrap my brain around it. I did a bit.
Our pastor continually talks about this. I hear it all the time. Nothing else can take His place. My joy cannot come from circumstances. I've heard parts of it my whole life. Other parts were new.
For many years this has been one of my favorite verses:
^" Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them." Psalm 139: 16
I thought I knew what it meant, but did not fully grasp it.
But this time, something came together for me.
I could choose to be miserable because our attempts to start a family were on hold.
I could go around complaining that our life is just horrible because once again we are dealing with a very out of the ordinary illness that may never be explained.
Or I could realize that God is wiser than I.
That my life is never in my control, and this was just a magnified picture of this.
I could choose joy. His joy. I could truly, really realize that God is who He is by His very nature and have that bring me His joy, His peace, confidence.
And I did.
It's a constant battle, but it's also an amazing feeling. From Him.
And in the car a couple of weeks ago I told Andrew that God was teaching me things I already knew. My head knew them. My heart didn't quite grasp them. It wasn't my reality.
I've now thanked Him for this season. For things that seem to my humanness painful, horrible even. And He has turned pain to joy. He can do that!
His grace is Huge.
Choose joy in Him!

God is good. Period.

2012-01-10T16:13:00.003-05:00

God is good!
How often do you hear someone saying this when everything is rosy in their world? "I got a new car! God is good!" "The test came back negative! God is good!"
What about when the test comes back positive? Guess what? God is still good!
God's goodness is not based on our circumstances. It's part of His unchanging nature. His goodness is not something He does, it's something He is.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. ~James 1:17

When you can't open your mouth, and are in continual pain and the doctors are not sure what is going on: God is good.
When you are trying to start a family and don't understand God's plan: He is still good.
Andrew reminds me daily right now as it's hard to keep the right perspective "this is the best thing that could be happening to us." And it's true.
He is good and we can take joy in that.

But as for me, it is good to be near God. ~Psalm 73:28

Beyond what we can imagine

2012-01-08T17:48:00.003-05:00

Little Girl Friend has a great imagination. During lunch today she said her toast was an elephant. There was also another girl who knocked on the door and came in and looked just like me and had my name. She could tell us apart because one of us was cute and the other adorable.

God tells us He can do more than we can as for or think. More than I can imagine. That is an amazing promise!
"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us" Ephesians 3: 20
I really need to be reminded of that right now. I can imagine my husband being healed. I can ask and pray for God's provision, wisdom and help in this season. But God has an even greater purpose.
As a song I was listening to a lot in the car today by Jars of Clay says (out of my hands)

There’s nothing in my life, nothing in my life

That you haven’t given to me

I think we like to attribute all the things we see as good as coming from God, but not all things. Not all things that are good are pleasant. But they are still from Him as as He is my loving Father, I can joy in that and trust Him. Which is something I am still learning.

Resting is hard work

2012-01-07T12:08:00.002-05:00

I've been having conversations with others and God on this subject.
Resting and trusting are so hard to do! I don't know about you, but to me, when I think of resting I think of the end of my work day getting to sit down, or a lovely day off like today when I get to spend time with a friend going to the farmers Market.
But, that is not the picture I get when I read the instructions on resting in the Lord:

Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you
~Psalm 116:7

David tells his soul (his mind, his will, his emotions) to rest in the Lord. It's a decision. He chooses to rest. He also reminds himself of how God has dealt bountifully with him to get him where he needs to be.
Jeremiah 6:16 also says:
Thus says the LORD:

“Stand by the roads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

There is rest in following His Word.

For me this is a constant battle. I am very grateful He is on my side!

Thankfulness in the Morning

2012-01-04T22:28:00.005-05:00

I was prompted this morning during my quiet time to write something I am thankful for each day. I've found lately it's easy to focus on the negative and not on all the blessings He has poured into our lives.

My verse from this morning: "for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." Philippians 2: 13

I also find it interesting that the next verse says to do everything without complaining or arguing.

A fresh start.

2012-01-03T22:26:00.007-05:00

I truly am feeling the freshness of the year and am full of ambition for change. I don't know if I've ever really been this way at the start of the year.
But, after going back and forth a bit with my eating habits and *ahem* eating "just a little" Christmas baking and chocolate, I am getting back on track with a vengeance and the scale is already telling me it's paying off.
The Man gave me an IPhone for Christmas (!!!!!!!!) and I found an ap that is helping me to count calories and track my work outs. It's really helping and I'm loving it!
I'm eating a lot more raw fruit and veggies and watching my portions. Portions are a big piece of the picture.

So, the other day a friend posted this on facebook. At once I wanted to do this! Of course yesterday I stayed in all day-it was freezing out and I had a lot to do at home, it was nice to just stay home. But today I found the needed items and I'm kind of excited to start! I've decided that each day I'm going to write a scripture from my quiet time as well.
Todays?
" And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. " Philippians 1: 9-11

Joyful Songs

2011-12-13T19:44:00.003-05:00

Just thought I'd post a fun blog about Christmas music.
What do you enjoy?
What do you wish you had not wasted your money on?

A few of our Favorites:
Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb of God.
This is our favorite and currently missing Christmas album. It's unlike any Christmas album I've ever heard. It starts in the old testament and, in customary Andrew Peterson manner it tells the story of the Messiah. It's folky, peaceful, unique and refreshing.

Bebo Normans Christmas from the Realms of Glory

This album is, as The Husband would say "pleasant".
It's not the same old same old, is Christ centered and draws you in so you leave it living in your CD player.

Mercy Me The Christmas Sessions
This is one I listen to a lot myself. I even run to it! It starts with quite a few songs that are not so quiet and ends at the other end. I've always loved Mercy Me and it holds true with this album.

The not so great: I downloaded David Crowder Band Oh For Joy a couple of weeks ago. I have always liked him and was really disappointed. It starts out really well and peters out. It does start off very joyful, but then the music is just drab and depressing.
The worst part is the last song is a total rip off of Trans Siberian Orchestra's Carol of the Bells
I thought maybe I had burned a song off of another album onto the CD, but no, it's not.
It was like they thought the idea of making a Christmas album was good and then they gave up.

So how about you?

What we really need

2011-09-18T15:54:00.002-04:00

So many times God tells me no or wait and I throw fits and then learn, the very hard way how He knows so much better than me. And I admit this, and move on with life and completely forget it. I don't know how many times I've done this! I'm glad He is abundantly patient with me!

This past year has been rough in some regards. The main one being (and it's kind of hard to write about this in a public place, but I feel it is beneficial to others, and so I will) that we have been trying to start a family and it's just not happening like I "want" it to. Like I "planned".
Which is hard on a few levels.
I forget that God is sovereign and in complete control. I go through mixed emotions of feeling broken, aching, judging others who are parents and comparing myself (which is not only sinful, but absurd). And that's just the tip of the iceberg!

God's taught me a few things through this time and with the help of my husband.
He's taught me that I have no idea what is best for me and that I need to just trust Him. This is so cliche and so hard to actually do.
A Sovereign grace song has been going through my mind this week:
" You disarmed me of everything that I would lean on
So I would lean on You
And You stripped me of everything I would depend on
So I’d depend on You"
A verse I have relied on through much of this is Romans 8:32:
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Believing He actually always knows what is best is a wonderful place to be.
Know He knows. Truly trust that He is for you. Because He is!

Abundant Grace

2011-06-10T18:55:00.006-04:00

It's been a rough week. So many sinus headaches. Just not feeling well from my allergies. Emotions. I've been feeling like I was just hanging on as I got through my shifts at work.
It's so comforting to have God's Word right there every day no matter what is going on. Such comfort and strength. Such grace right when I need it.

When I thought, "My foot slips,"
your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.
When the cares of my heart are many,
your consolations cheer my soul.
Ps 94:18, 19

Romans 8:32

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

It's so comforting to know if I don't have something right now, I don't need it;
Or if I have things in my life, it's what's best for me.

Sunday Reflections

2011-05-01T14:08:00.003-04:00

I was sitting in church today reflecting on God's grace in placing us there.

Last fall we drilled into our youth that the church is not the building, it's the people. I was thinking about that, and about how amazing it is that we are there. How in our great plan we were visiting this city for a few months.

I could see a brother who, before we started attending was my pilot and flew me to Toronto so that I could have a crucial surgery that may have saved my life a couple of years ago.

I saw some of my youth with their various hopes, dreams, passions and talents.

I saw the quiet violin player who blesses our whole congregation humbly.

I saw our shepherd who daily leads us by his life and ministry in the Word.

I looked around and thought about how each face there was a representation of so many things that the average passer by would not see. Pains and joys. Struggles and triumphs.
I reflected on how God has privileged us with the gift of having this congregation welcome us with open arms. How we are a living body that we have been placed there to be a part of.

I looked and saw my family.

I pray that I never take that for granted. We are so privileged to be a part of this family.
Thank you all for loving us so deeply, so sincerely.
We are blessed to be a part of you.

Do you really?

2011-03-22T21:48:00.003-04:00

Something I have thought about in the past is how God takes us through things, stretches us and brings us one step at a time through learning something. He doesn't whack us over the head, asking us why we don't get it yet. He gently and lovingly teaches us.

If you asked me last month even if I would be alright with having absolutely no idea what was next, including a job for my husband, I probably would have been more than a little hesitant.
If you had asked me that five years ago I really would not have been alright with it.
When my husband even shared with me a couple of days ago how he was feeling about a job prospect, I felt leery.

But, do I really take God at His Word, or do I only believe it when my plans are in place and my ducks are in a row?
We are memorizing Psalm 34 together right now (although he has been more diligent in this than I, I have to admit).

When I read and say I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth. (vs 1) are those just empty words, or will I live them?

Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. (vs 9-10)

These are verses that I and we have come to live by. They are not just pretty poetry that bring a flutter or a thrill to the heart. They are unchanging truths. If I don't have something, it's not good for me. So what I have is good and is from the Lord.
He's brought me and us through a lot for me to be in the place where I can say this from my heart.
To be honest with you, I don't fully understand this peace. But I believe it comes from knowing we are following God's will for us and knowing He will continue to take care of us no matter what.

Because as I told someone dear to me a little while ago, yes, I believe He can be trusted no matter what and will never let me down.

More than you'll ever know

2011-02-14T15:09:00.002-05:00

Five years ago the man and I spent our first Valentines day separated by more than a thousand miles. I saw him a couple of days later and he proposed!

Five amazing years later, and I now know that he believes Valentines is a silly made up holiday, made for the sake of consumerism.

That year however I was giddy and made him a special gift he still treasures. Funny thing is, something I now find a little corny is what prompted him to encourage me to get back to blogging (among other things).

I wrote him a "fairy tale" about a princess (me) and her prince, scrap book style with our few pictures in it.
When I was young I used to think I'd be a writer, but that's fallen by the way side over the years.
Andrew told me that this gift is part of what made him fall in love with me. Go figure.
Today as I was praying and thanking the Lord for a man who loves me so much.
He loves me where I am, encourages me where I need to grow and nurtures things in me I don't even realize are there sometimes. I am also so grateful for a husband who loves the Lord so much and who's desire is to serve Him and His people all his life.

During my quiet time today I was also thinking about God's huge love for me and how He has shown me /us that over the years.
In so many little and huge ways He has taken care of us and redirected our plans. What a loving thing to do!
The man put this quote on my facebook wall not to long ago, and it really spoke to me:
"You're more sinful than you ever dared believe; you're more loved than you ever dared hope."
Tim Keller

^"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

God's love for us isn't based on how we live or what good things we have done. It's based on Christ and the cross. I can courageously wake up each morning and approach the throne of grace boldly knowing that He sees me in Christ, that I cannot have a righteousness of my own, but that His love for me will never change. He doesn't love me out of principle (because He has to) , but because He truly loves me!
Bask in His love today!

Sweet anticipation

2011-01-24T15:41:00.002-05:00

I bought a bunch of goodies today for our youth sleepover on Friday. I'm about to make a couple of things, and tomorrow and extra special something as well. I can't say in case someone peeks ;).
I get such joy out of showing my girlies that they are so special. I don't think we let teens know how valuable they are enough of the time.
I think I am more excited than they are because I get to prepare for their special night. I'm also excited for what God has given to me to share with them.
I thank God for giving me the opportunity and grace to serve these teens and to grow with them these past two years. It has been such a joy and blessing!
What types of things do you get excited about? What lights you up? What do you anticipate?

A New Beginning

2011-01-18T21:36:00.003-05:00

I know, I know, I've said it before "I'm going to be better about blogging".
But, this time I feel it's all about discipline, bringing glory to God and encouraging the family of God.
I had been thinking along the lines of the later, but then my pastor encouraged it on Sunday, and then to top it off my husband gave me a shove in the right direction.
Ladies, marry a man who encourages the best in you, especially the things you may not think are your best.
When I was a kid I used to want to be an author. I thought I might have a bit of a knack for writing, but never pursued it.
My husband told me last night that I should do this. He then told me that my writing was one thing that attracted him to me. Go figure.
God has also been giving me grace in the area of disciplines of late.
He's been helping me to wake up earlier to spend time with Him before I begin my day at work.
He now giving me grace in working on my eating habits and exercise.
And now it's time to get back to blogging.

I used to be consist, back when it was the thing to use Xanga.
I know I can do it, despite business. It's all about priorities. Using my time wisely and in a way that will bring glory to Himself.

So here is the start of something new.
I hope to encourage with insights from the Lord through things He's showing me and teaching me.
I'm sure I'll mention my jewelery, coffee and other things that I obsess over :).
My prayer is that I may be a blessing, encouragement, and that God may get the glory through His workings in our lives.

"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Timothy 1:17

Peru Chanchamayo

2010-05-18T20:19:00.000-04:00

As I type this I am getting ready to press the last of my Peru. Sadly I can't get anymore for now.
I figured it was time to get in gear and finally blog about it...sorry I don't mean to be a tease.
I really love Latin American coffees. I guess it's the nuttiness and cocoa notes that are usually present. I'm not sure :). Most are pretty acidic, so that is probably part of it.

(Break to go and pour water into my press)

However, I found Peru to be very different. The roasted nut and herby notes are very distinctive.

(Just took my first sip)

I find the aroma to be very rich and enticing. You can really smell the roasted nut notes. I'm going to miss this one very much!

I initially paired this coffee with a ginger molasses cookie as we don't really have anything herby in the store. It was ok this way, and I still really liked this blend right away.
However, pairing it as they suggest, with savory food and cheese really makes the flavors pop! Especially cheese.

A few other specifics:
~The beans used in this blend are grown on the eastern slopes of the Andes mountains. They are slowly ripened, which contributes to their unique taste.
~Peru is made through the washed method. (This means that after the coffee cherries are picked they are emerged in water for a period of time, then the pulp is removed. It's a bit more complicated than that, but that's not what this post is about.)
~Peru is a medium roast with a medium body.
~Peru is quite acidic, leaving a clean finish in your mouth after you take a sip.
~Peru is a certified Organic blend.
~Peru is certified Conservation international, meaning the area in which it is grown does not interfere with the ecosystem.

Community

2010-04-09T15:17:00.000-04:00

There is nothing quite like community.
Having grown up in family like churches all my life, I have long believed this. I have had family everywhere I've moved, even when I was single, simple because I was a part of the family of God-it's amazing!

Little did I know though, when I was hired at Starbucks that I was going to become a part of a new community, one in which a passion and love of coffee drew us together.

After being hired I stumbled on one of my new favourite blogs: Starbucks Melody
She is a big starbucks fan, and posts a wealth of interesting information about starbucks and coffee. It's a really fun and informative blog, and the community there is uplifting (something that is greatly lacking "other" places).

So, after poking around for a bit, I started to comment. I even entered a contest with some photos of chalk art in our cafe.

I also chatted with her a bit on twitter.

Then one day a few weeks ago, this arrived:

My first thought "cool stamps!" (the man said the same thing of course). Then "who?" I open it and find a "Thank you" card..."what is this?" I really had no idea what this was!

I open it to find a starbucks gift card from the first starbucks cafe! "NO WAY!!!"
Melody had my address in case of winning the other contest and sent this as a thank you for participating in her blog! I've since learned more and more what a generous person she is and how she loves to send packages :) Thank you Melody for brightening our lives with your passion! It is appreciated!

Have I told you latey how much I...

2010-03-08T23:40:00.000-05:00

I started that sentence not that long ago and poor DH looked so crest fallen when I finished it "l love my job." Poor guy (yes, I love you ;) ).
This past week I have been especially grateful to my wonderful co-workers. I've been having some killer headaches (migraine anyone?), and have been so glad to be backed up in my job, and not have them rolling their eyes at what an idiot I am, but rather encouraging me and telling me I'm doing fine. They may see this as just doing their job-but that just shows what character they have.
And I'll tell you what, when you've not had that in the past, you really come to appreciate it.
That and I love working somewhere where Barista girl and Barista Cowgirl make an appearance...

Kenya!

2010-03-05T17:39:00.000-05:00

ok, so I've found a better phrase "Coffee Geek".
Maybe just Coffee Geek in training ;).
I like it a lot better and I defiantly am not a coffee connoisseur as I'm just taking my first baby steps.

I'm finally taking the time to post this :).

I DO really love trying different coffees, finding the different smells, mouth feels, flavour notes. I find it fascinating.

So, when you taste a coffee there are three different steps and different things that you are looking for. I'll touch on them since this is my first coffee tasting post:

~Aroma
When you smell the coffee (Black of course!), you cup your hand around the top of the cup and really inhale. Some smell nutty, earthy, spicy or floral.
When I did this with the Kenya I thought that it smelled lighter and fruity, and not just fruity but I could really smell the Citrus!

~Acidity
This is not like the acidity in wine, but rather how smooth it leaves your mouth feeling once you have swallowed. I found the Kenya left a very crisp and clean feeling on my tongue-so this means it is quite acidic, something I really like in a coffee.

~Body
This refers to how heavy it feels in your mouth. A good way to think of it is comparing how whole milk and skim milk would feel in your mouth. Whole would be very heavy and skim very light. This is also referred to as mouth feel.
I found Kenya to be very light on my tongue (it has what is referred to as a medium body).

~Flavour
What flavour notes do you taste? Is it earthy, nutty, floral and so forth.
I found the citrus notes in Kenya to be amazingly pronounced.

Another aspect of coffee tasting is pairing-eating a food that ascents the notes that are found in the coffee.

I made lemon loaf to go with my Kenya and found it made the citrus in the Kenya just pop!

I also found that when I added milk and sweetened it a bit (something I rarely do with coffee, just milk please ;) ) it really brought the fruitiness out even more.

African Coffees tend to have a really strong citrus undertone, the defining word for Kenya is Grapefruit.

Dark Cherry Mocha

2010-03-03T10:04:00.000-05:00

Yes, warning, deep deep post to ensue.
I do have some deeper thoughts that I want to share, but I will wait for a clearer head to do so. I've been fighting off migraines this week. Fun stuff! So, this is just for fun :).
The dark cherry Mocha has arrived on the scene! So, here is my take on it-I am not a huge mocha fan, and really not a fan of full strength syrup mochas i.e. peppermint mocha. But, if you are one, you will probably really enjoy one!
The syrup is not overpowering, although, if not blended properly into a drink may remind you of cough syrup...however, if you are ordering a drink at starbucks and not throwing a little into something as an afterthought, it will be blended ;).
So far, I like the dark cherry syrup:
~By itself in a latte, hot or cold.
~With white mocha -white seems to blend a lot nicer in my opinion (I love it this way in a double shot!)
~In a vanilla bean frappuccino blended cream
~In a green tea latte
~In a black tea lemonade...
~Less sweet in a Strawberry banana smoothie
Now, what should I try it in today???

Love Is...

2010-02-14T14:58:00.000-05:00

Love is putting others ahead of yourself...

Serving when no one may notice or care...

Loving others when they are unlovely, giving with no thought of what will be returned.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. (Philipians 2:3)

Just a little furthur...

2010-02-07T00:38:00.000-05:00

How much does it take to make someone's day?
How much does it take to take an awkward moment and turn it into a moment of joy?

I had God hand me a little lesson a couple of days ago.
I was serving a customer who told me that she wanted two mocachinos. So I asked her if she was looking for a hot or a cold drink (as this is not something on our menu). She looked a good deal miffed. I then proceeded to finish putting her through the till and giving her her cookie. I decided that I should push a little out of my comfort zone and go further and explain why I had ask for clarification and how I just wanted to make sure I was giving her what she really wanted. This led to an immediate smile. Wow, that was not very hard and made a world of difference!

Later, as I was doing what we call a slide of the cafe (collecting dishes, straightening up) I saw her and asked her if they had enjoyed their mochas. She raved about how good they and her cookie were.

Amazing.

So I was thinking and praying about this later. Okay God. I'm getting your message. How often do I miss opportunities to reach others around me because I am comfortable in my little bubble. How often are there people around me who need a little something, or a big something, and I simply pass them by-because it is easier.
May I truly, but His grace live by this verse:
Ephesians 5:2
and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Barista Bonding and Comfort zones

2010-01-30T13:18:00.000-05:00

So, this week I've been fighting off a killer cold.
So , I've been loading up on various cold medicines, trying to get better and trying not to gross my customers out. I mean I know that I'm being ultra careful (yea, I sure didn't cough, wipe my hand under my nose and then hand me money for a latte...not that any one's every done that to me!), but you may not realize that and keeping our customers is highly encouraged ;).

Let me just say that I work with some incredible Baristas. I don't know if I've ever worked somewhere where everyone has each others back, and honestly does, as in, they are not just waiting for you to leave so that they can talk about you.
I had such an amazingly off day the other day, and not only did they have me covered as I was at the bar, but one supervisor just went above and beyond, telling my manager that I was doing fine and how we all have off days and so on. I still almost don't know how to handle that (in a good way!)

Then the afternoon just got brighter:
We had some Barista bonding with a bit of an espresso shot competition-two of us did 8, I think the other "only" 6.

I think we might have scared a few people off...our regulars found it hilarious.
Let's say it motivated some cleaning on one of our parts (not mine this time :) ).
Good times.

One of our core values is to be welcoming.
Let me say that I've been pushed out of my comfort zone already at this job, but I really pushed myself yesterday to start more and more conversations with my customers.

The amazing God thing was that I was planning a devotional for my teen girls that I lead about loving others by seeing the needs around us (not just always focusing on our two best friends) and comfort zones, and I asked God to help me to learn this and to lead by example.

And then yesterday happened and it was awkward at first. Some people don't really want to talk.
And it's just hard for me to do that. But I found the responses incredible. People would stop and look at me like "are you talking to me?" Then they would get into the conversation. Smile. Laugh sometimes.

I had a conversation with a customer who was buying a pound of Verona. Verona is one of my favorite roasts and I told him that. He said he thought all of them were supposed to be our favorite. So, I kept talking about it and how I had tried it at home as espresso and it was amazing.
When he walked away he laughed and told me to never loose my personality.

I was just really struck by what a difference these conversations were making.
And come to think of it, were making in me as well.

We live in such a sterile society. Don't talk to me. I'll check myself out at wal-mart thank you. Just give me my product and let me go home and sit in front of my computer and television. Deliver everything to me.

But we really do crave that interaction. We NEED it.

I've just been amazed on more than one occasion at how God has used this job to bring the real me out.

Those of you who know me know this has been an ongoing thing in my life.

But, recently, God has really been convicting me ( for me personally) that it's a matter of pride to not reach out to others around me.
I say I'm shy. Maybe so (although not as much as I used to be).
But, where does that come from? I'm afraid to show who I am because what if others laugh at the real me? What if they don't like what they see and they wound me?

And? Really what difference does that make?
Does it change my value? Does it change how God sees me?
If they do not like what God created, is there something wrong with ME?

Not in the least.

I also find it very eye opening to realize in a new way that God has placed me there for a reason, and that His work is in all things. I can serve Him and others while I serve coffee.

(Oh I love that He created coffee!)

I still need a lot of work in this area, but I find this of great comfort:
Philippians 1:6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Coffee and other ramblings

2010-01-27T09:45:00.000-05:00

So yes, I am going to attempt to be a bit more consistent at using this blog. Of course, anything is better than how I've used it thus far :). I used to blog about my life all the time. Lately it's just been for my jewelery blog, and I keep thinking of things God is teaching me that I should share and little tid bits.

This morning however is going to be about coffee. Yes ladies and gentlemen, I am now willing to agree with my husband that I am indeed a coffee snob, but I am trying to come up with a better term for it. I tell him that I have just learned to enjoy the better things in life, and somehow just end up coming across as a hilarious comic routine which leaves him hooting. Oh well.

But, this is what happens when you work for a local coffee house, begin to like better coffee, then start working for a company that sells the top selling coffee in North America. Being educated in coffee (which included tastings, called cupping, more on that later), how it's made, how to describe it, how where it's grown affects it's taste...it all adds up. Or at least this is what I keep telling myself. In all honesty I am very thankful to God for giving me a job that I so thoroughly enjoy and that I can be passionate about.

Soon after being hired at this job, I discovered the beauty of the French Press. (again, another blog ;) )

Of course said dear man added fuel to the fire by giving me my own espresso maker for Christmas. I have been having a ball with it! I am still floored over it to tell you the truth.

Which leads me to my wonderful brew of choice this morning: Verona.
But, not only Verona, but Verona as an espresso shot.
In a nut shell Verona is more of a Cocoa tinted, sweeter brew while espresso is a little more bitter with caramel notes.
But, I am in high heaven this morning with my Americano misto. (Americano=espresso shots +hot water. Misto=also some foamy milk)
And if you do not speak coffee, I sincerely apologize and will be posting more blogs about such things in the future.

What can you do?

2010-01-17T14:27:00.000-05:00

I know we have all been hearing about the devestation in Haiti since Tuesday.

It's easy to feel as if we have nothing to offer, or what little we do have can do little to aid such an enormous need.

But, God has called us to help the poor and needy:

Luke 12:33-34
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

We are told that in doing so we are shown as His children and are really doing it for Him:

Matthew 25: 31-40
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' ;

Fo Here in North America we have so much disposable income-even those of us on a tight budget!

Maybe it means giving up our entertainment for the week or month (movies, eating out, new music);

Maybe it means not buying that new pair of jeans or shoes;

Maybe it means not going out for that coffee every day, but we can all do something.

I challenge you to find a way to bless those who are in sever need. Share His Love with hurting.

The Desires of your heart

2009-08-01T00:37:00.000-04:00

(yes, I know, I've been pitiful in the upkeep or even true starting of this blog. I need to keep better priorities. I USED to blog all the time (*rip xanga*).)

Andrew and I had an amazing conversation the other night that has caused me to further think on a certain subject: God giving us the desires of our heart.
We all know the verse: Psalm 37:4
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."
And likewise we've all been told, and maybe even half believed that when we truly delight in the Lord He will replace our desires with His and we will be truly content with that.
But, do we truly, deep down believe that loosing our desires will be a joyful thing or that He really will replace them? In a tiny corner I think that all of us REALLY just want Him to give us what we ask for , how we ask for it, and right away. We really are hoping, at least in a secret place that this verse really doesn't mean that we will have to change at all and that God really wants for us what we already want.

What triggered our conversation was the ending of our church's summer conference. It was just a time of refreshment and deep fellowship.
We (my husband and I) went out for something to eat and were talking about how completely we felt accepted, how overwhelming blessed we felt to be a part of that fellowship and how amazing it was that God had placed us there.

We talked of a plan that we had a couple of years ago. A plan that we, at the time, were so sure of. A plan that fell to pieces in our feeble hands and was a bit devastating.

But God is so much bigger than our tiny little plans.

Andrew repeated something he's said to me many times: how every time God has told him no, He has in His time given him (and now us) something so much better.

THAT is what this verse is about! It is one thing to "know" that and quite another to have God tangibly hand us this lesson.

There is absolutely no doubt in our minds that we are in the centre of His will and that He has given us something better. We belong here because He has placed us here.
Has it been easy to come here instead of Him handing us what we asked for then? Not in the least.
Has it been worth all the pain and heartache?
Absolutely!
Ephesians 1:11,12
"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory."

One Year

2009-02-23T12:17:00.000-05:00

A year ago...
I was lying in a hospital bed, not allowed to leave it unless it was to use the washroom.
My health coverage was not in effect yet, and I needed to be flown to Toronto for surgery.

I was always the healthy one, so, when my leg started to hurt, we didn't think much of it.
I thought I was getting my mom's bad legs, that I had cramps. So I started to do things with that in mind...but it got worse.
Then, I thought maybe it was a muscle thing and started to treat it that way.
It was getting to the point where I couldn't stand in one place, had to put it up all the time.
The only thing that seemed to relieve it was hot water. It felt more and more like someone had taken my leg and twisted and twisted it.

Then I had a morning when I ran up and down two sets of stairs and promptly passed out.
After that happened my breathing was not the same. I'd loose my breath very easily. If I went up a flight of stairs it sounded like I had just run a marathon...

My mother in law finally made me go to the Doctor, and withing about five minutes, he knew exactly what was wrong-I had a DVT and a Pulmonary embolism.
In other words, I had a blood clot in the centre of my leg and some of it had taken a little trip to my lungs.
I was rushed to the Emergency Room, where I was sent right in due to the nature of what was wrong to me.
I had never had to be in the hospital for anything, so it was all a bit overwhelming, as I was instantly surrounded by numerous people who were putting IVs in me, checking my heart and everything else that could be checked.
It seemed to take forever for my husband to get there, who had gone to pick up some necessary items for my comfort.
To top things off nicely, they discovered at the same time that I had severe anemia. Which also means that they had an awful time getting IVs in my already wimpy veins.

That first night in the ER I did not sleep at all. They had to keep the curtain open and watch me all night, and the ER is not exactly a quiet place regardless of the time.

Right from the start I had a myriad of people praying for me, across Canada and the United States, and I felt it.

Like I said, at this point in time, I did not have medical coverage. Which means we were acuring quite a nice little bill. Not as big as if I lived in the US, but not free either.

Well, it turned out the blood clot in my leg was about twelve inches long. I also had clots in all the parts of my lungs, as well as one which had enlarged a part of my heart. They were worried that more of the clot would travel up to my lungs or heart and because of this I needed a surgery in which they would place a tiny filter under my lungs and heart. The problem was they could not perform this surgery here, and I needed to be flown by air ambulance to Toronto.
Well, the problem was that they would not do this unless I had coverage.
Technically I was not supposed to receive coverage until mid march.

So, my husband was doing whatever he could to get me my coverage. He went back and forth between the offices of those who could help...and he was about to be thrown out of the OHIP office (health care)...when he broke down, knowing how badly I needed this. All of a sudden he was in a back office, being asked how bad I was and how badly I needed this surgery. A call was made to the office of the Minister of heath and I was then covered, backdated to the begining of February!
This type of thing NEVER happens and is always accompanied by months of appeals!
SO many people were praying, and I know that that is what did it.
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

I was then flown for the surgery-which was no fun, as it was done through my neck, yuck, but may have saved my life.

It was a scary time, but I knew that God was Soverign and in control.
Psalm 139 was of great comfort to me:
1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.

19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.

21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?

22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

In the midst of my fears of going asleep one night for fear that I would never wake up again, God gently reminded me that He would not allow that to happen if He had more for me to do.
He reminded me of something Andrew Jackson said one time when questioned about how calm he was on the battlefield. He told them that God had already decided when he would die, so he was just as safe on the battlefield as at home in bed.
I knew that this was true!

Now here I am, clot free, off my blood thinner, working...and praising Him!
I was thinking last night, as I ate some pizza that it was much better than what I was eating a year ago-hospital food.

Sale in my etsy shop

2008-11-01T14:08:00.001-04:00

So, after contemplating what type of sale I want to run for Christmas, I have decided to offer free shipping on EVERYTHING!
What a deal!!
Give a unique gift this Christmas! :)
Here are a few of the choices currently up in my shop:
A Moonlit Garden Walk
Green Hues Beadwoven Earrings
The Night Before Christmas

A Midsummer Night's Dream

God's Grace takes many forms

2008-10-11T16:05:00.000-04:00

The other day I was really frustrated. There had been more than one thing go "wrong" that day, and I was pretty grumpy.
I had to be reminded of what was truly important:

It's amazing to see God's grace continued in our lives and in our marriage. He's just been doing a lot in us lately. It's amazing to think that our love can continue to grow more and more with time.

I was thinking earlier about how much better we are doing, but how our circumstances have not changed. God is in the process of doing something He knows is better: He is changing us.

We have an abundance of apples this year, and I was wanting to try something else with them besides crisp -as much as we love it. Mum suggested a recipe she had for an apple cake.
It's in a notebook that The Husband's grandma had put together.

It looks really yummy, I can't wait to try it :).

Great First Day

2008-10-10T19:13:00.000-04:00

Today was my first day at the new job at "The Coffee House".
I am really going to love working there! I am so thankful to the Lord for providing me with a job I will really enjoy :)!

I spent the rest of the afternoon helping out upstairs in the kitchen as The Brother In Law is visiting and Mum wasn't feeling up to doing much cooking.
One of the things I helped with was "cabbage rolls". We made them with grape leafs instead of cabbage, a bit like a Greek recipe. Mom also told me how to make them with cabbage for future reference.
And yes, I'm "one of those people." Yes, I love candy corn...it's a like The Husband and I do not share, which is fine with me!

Back Bears

2008-10-09T18:54:00.000-04:00

We have a family of bears who like to visit us. I got some good shots today.

Sheer Blond Set

2008-10-04T15:30:00.000-04:00

A special set for a special girl.