My Jesus and these two (Nature's Flu Shot & Oil of Oregano) got me through today!

My body was definitely letting me know today that it wasn't feeling good. It just took so much effort to do little tasks at the office today but since I was "out of service" yesterday, I so need to be there today! I brought a bottle of that orange substance in the above picture to help my body fight this bug. A few ladies and I, after our morning worship, started discussing home remedies for colds and flu and one of them shared that a few drops of Oil of Oregano does wonders to aid the body's healing process. I was curious enough AND desperate enough to try it. She suggested that I take it with juice... well, I didn't have any but I did have my bottle of Nature's Flu Shot and that had pineapple juice in it so I mixed it together (15 drops of Oil of Oregano) and drank it. It didn't taste too bad. I didn't feel like upchucking it out so it was all good. lol. Anyway, I have to say tho this thing WORKS! Felt a lot better and could more than survive the day! Praise God! Yay God!!!

Cuba

So we finally booked our 10-year Wedding Anniversary trip! :) It's 71 days from now... lol! I'm so excited and, truth be told, a bit sad coz our son won't be coming with us. I know... I know... it's a couple's trip but still. We're going to Cuba and I'm excited to see it. I'm excited and nervous about flying. lol. Well... I'll just focus on the excitement for now. :)

Yayyyyyyy! :D

Ok... I so need to go to bed. I have to wake up at 5 a.m. to workout then be at work at 7:30 a.m.! :)

lil' Allen and Auntie Aimee holding on tight in fear of being swepted away by the wind at the Navy Pier, Chicago! lol.

We had our yearly church camping this past weekend. This year's retreat was at Sherkston Shores. It's a beautiful community of trailer homes. It was lovely and very quiet. Several families came out and had fellowship with one another. We all had an wonderful weekend!

I was really blessed by the weekend. The place actually really reminded me of our home in Michigan especially the evening walk on Sabbath brought back memories of Sabbath walks/hikes around our neighbourhood and surrounding parks. It was such a peaceful place. I was pleasantly surprised at how lovely the trailer homes were... some were even luxurious! :) I would definitely consider having a quiet family weekend getaway there! A definite alternative to vacations outside Ontario. :) (photos by Jocelyn Henriquez)

Firsts

My young 7th Grader's 1st day at his new school. He's a bit camera shy now-a-days so didn't get to take lots of pictures of him. lol. This was taken in front of his locker... 1st time having lockers. :) He's sporting a new hair cut and new glasses. :) Looking like a young man... a handsome young man, I might add. :^

He's adjusting well so far. Keeping in touch with his teachers to make sure he is making the transition well. There's quite a difference this school year already. He's much more responsible. Praise God! Isn't that what we parents aim for... raising responsible adults. :) Looking forward to the victories our son and his Lord will conquer together this school year! May he experience more of his Father's amazing love and grace this year!

This picture was taken in Missouri during one of our many family road trips. During our 3-year stay in Michigan, while my husband was in the Seminary, we were able to spend wonderful time together. I can't believe that the 3 years are done and we are now back in Toronto! lol. I sometimes find myself thinking if in fact it took place and was real. lol. It feels like it was only several months ago we were packing to move to Michigan. Now, I'm unpacking memories of those years.

I remembered feeling excited as I packed for Michigan years back. Excited to be a stay-at-home Mom and living outside the city. I was looking forward to spending my time with our son and getting to know the person he's become. I was looking forward to doing all the things I wished I could do with him like taking him to school and being there when he got home. I was excited to work on projects together and help him with homework (although I have to say I DISlike homework! lol.). I was looking forward to family time unrestricted by work. And I did! I did enjoy every moment of those unrestricted time with my husband and our son. We talked, laughed and played together. We did all the things we wanted to do together and more!

It, of course, wasn't always sunshines and pink roses for me as a homemaker. I learned very quickly that being a stay-at-home Mom was no easy task!!! Work never ever ends... there's no 9-5... it's just all the time. lol. I have truly found greater respect for all the women who stays at home! You ladies are just absolutely incredibly awesome!!!!!!

God has truly blessed me with my time at home. I learned so much in those years... about myself, my husband and son. I learn more about my Father and how incredible He is. I learned who and how God wanted me to be... how God wanted families to be. I count myself so blessed and I thank God for that precious gift of unrestricted time with my family!

Now that we are back in Toronto, I will no longer be staying at home, not full-time anyway. I'm slowly switching gears. I can't help but feel a little sad... sad at not being at home to send our son off and be there when he gets home. But I am most grateful for the time the Lord has given me and look forward to more quality time the Lord will continue to give me with our growing son. :)

Trust His Heart - Veronica Boyd-Gillis

I love the sound of the waves crashing and the feel of sand under my bare feet. With my eyes closed, I would stand still and just listen. Then looking up into the sky see a beautiful setting sun, I suddenly feel in awe of how amazing God is and how He's been there for me. I could even feel Him in that moment just being there with me... sharing the moment.

I miss that. I miss the sound of the waves and feel the sand under my feet. I miss feeling the breeze and looking up into the sky and just breathe. I miss seeing sunsets like this one and feel completely at peace. :) I miss walking around my old neighbourhood (which was inside the University) and seeing friends and acquaintances. I miss listening to the birds outside my bedroom window. I miss the quietness and calmness of my life in Michigan.

I haven't completely adjusted to life in a big city, I'm afraid. I'm having difficulty with such a faster pace of life and busyness of living in a much more populated area. The constant noise that surround me is always a reminder that I'm no longer in the Michigan boonies. lol. Oh, how I miss the "boonies"! The masses of people and cars that are everywhere is unnerving! It just seems like no one ever stops here and just breathe... to take in the sunset or appreciate the trees and flowers or to listen to the birds sing. Despite the awesomeness of having family close by, I must say I often feel out of my element. I have yet to wrap my mind around all the changes and process all that has happened in the past 3-4 months. I must say that it has been such a comfort to see that my husband and son seemed to have adjusted fairly easily. Thank you, Lord!

So here's me finally blogging almost 4 months after our move back to Canada. I'm owning up to having feelings of homesickness. Learning to allow myself to be ok with feeling overwhelmed with all the changes. Actually, I came across my husband's cousin's blog and reading her blog gave me courage and encouragement to face up to me feeling this way. A good friend told me that it takes about 3 years to really settle in and I do recognize it takes time but I wish it was a little easier. It's frustrating at times because so much things/places/people are familiar yet so unfamiliar to me. It was like a lifetime ago that we lived here but lived different lives so nothing really is quite the same.

I'm praising God in this storm because He is loving me through it. He is constantly showing me that He cares and that He is faithful in providing for all our needs. He's been helping me slow down and take the time to adjust. He is so incredibly amazing! And as much as I miss Michigan, I wouldn't want to go back because this is where He wants me... us to be. So I'm going to allow Him, in His time, to show me what He has in store for us here and allow Him to show me the way.

I'm leaning and holding onto Him to do what He has promised to do. The God that created the waves of Lake Michigan that I love to listen to and of the beautiful Michiana sunsets is the same God that will sustain and carry me through this season in my life! And eventually I too will love the Toronto sunsets! :)

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11