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

Bow the Knee

I was really touched by the words of this song. It reminded me that in life's journey there are many mountains and valleys and in every circumstance there is One who can give us comfort. He is ever our Guide and with Him we can have sure victory!!!

Bow the Knee

There are moments on our journey following the Lord

Where God illumines ev’ry step we take.

There are times when circumstances make perfect sense to us,

As we try to understand each move He makes.

When the path grows dim and our questions have no answers, turn to Him.

*Bow the knee;

Trust the heart of your Father when the answer goes beyond what you can see.

Bow the knee;

Lift your eyes toward heaven and believe the One who holds eternity.

And when you don’t understand the purpose of His plan,

In the presence of the King, bow the knee.

There are days when clouds surround us, and the rain begins to fall,

The cold and lonely winds won’t cease to blow.

And there seems to be no reason for the suffering we feel;

We are tempted to believe God does not know.

When the storms arise, don’t forget we live by faith and not by sight.

long overdue update...

It's been months since I've updated my blog. Just a quick update. We have now moved back to Canada in the province of Ontario specifically. It's been really nice being close to family but it has also been a struggle adjusting to our new life. God has been ever so close to me as I adjust to so many things. Finding my place in this new world has been quite an adventure already and it's only been 2 months. My husband is strong in the Lord and doing what he loves. Praise God! He's pastoring two churches as an Assistant Pastor. God is good... ALL THE TIME! ... in all seasons of life!!!

More updates to come... :)

My growing boy! =) He's officially taller than me now. lol.

Food Addict...

So I became a fan of Lose It on Facebook. I joined the group then realized that I needed an iPhone to use the program... well I don't have an iPhone! LOL!!! Anyway, I'm hoping to get a used iTouch soon so I can prolly use that app on there.

Anyway, I was looking through the postings and saw this one post on Food Addiction. I thought since I've always struggled with food, it's worth the time to check out the link. It's a good article and confirmed what I've always believed.

Anyway, it has encouraged me to eat healthier and be more intentional about eating again. I've stopped counting my calories and logging my food so it's been kinda whatever is easy to cook and we know that usually entails lots of calories! Anyway, I'm going to eat healthier with very little processed foods to "detox" my body from the addiction... well at least until next Friday. Although I'm prolly going to have to do this "detoxing" again after next Friday because both sides, mine and my hubby's families are coming to see our son get baptized and for my hubby's graduation! And in my Filipino culture, that means LOTS of food!!! Ahhhhhh.... =)

Great Post on That's Fit