A heart of gold

On Feb 4th my oldest daughter turned 15.  Wow , I still remember her as a little baby, just like her sister.

This year, however, she decided to do something different for her birthday.  In a world filled with people, especially teens, wanting things for themselves and the latest gadgets and stuff, she decided she wanted to make an eternal difference.  We held a party and instead of gifts she asked people to bring items or money for Operation Christmas child shoeboxes, and that they did.  180$ worth.  We had a very happy girl.  Then the fun was really about to start.

We ventured to the store the next morning and she had a blast picking out and buying wonderful treasures for each box.  She loves to make them unique and add things she would love as well.  Everything from socks, school supplies, and t-shirts to little toy cars and baby dolls.  Then our living room became a packing zone, but I loved to watch the joy on her face as each one was packed with love.  I am so very proud of her.

So often I was told as a new and young mom not to talk about the hungry, or poor in the world around her or around children because they are too sensitive.  I disagree, if they don't realize how truly blessed they are with things like food, shelter, health care and clean water, why would they value other blessings? Why would they want to help if they are not shown and exposed to the need that is there?

So often I am asked or hear "If there is a God why is there so much poverty? Why doesn't God do something?"  My response is look at my daughter, He did do something He created her, and you, so the question is not why hasn't God done something, the question is what are you doing?  A 15 year old can give up her birthday and gifts to help needy children, this is God doing something through her.  Will you let him use you?

When God writes your story...

Every women dreams of the perfect love story, but I have it, and I just let God write my story.  People have asked how I met my wonderful husband so here it is, our story as planned by God and just typed out by me.

When I was 14 years old, I got hit by a car and broke my ankle, not a nice start to the story but this is where it all started (see even a reason for being hit by a car).  After 6 weeks in a cast I needed physiotherapy, and it was here I got to meet my husband, Keith, for the first time.  He worked doing different things around the physio office.  I noticed him and took a little interest right away but figured he was taken or would not be interested. Over the weeks of physio we got to chat a little about our likes and just everyday things.  Then that faithful night of May 15th 1992, we went for a walk, and got a great chance to just talk together, (not knowing I should not be walking that far yet)

We did start dating on the night of May 15th, and over the months and years to come my love for him grew greatly.  I was happy, content and felt like I was given the world when I was with him. We dated for years but when distance and a misunderstanding took it's toll, we went separate ways.  

I moved on and got a job a few years later in Toronto, where I meet the father of my oldest daughter, and he (Keith) went on to work in Montreal where he lived at the time.  Years and life continued, however I never forgot about how much I cared about him and wondered how he was over the years.  Then a mutual friend of ours got married and we were both invited to the wedding.  We both had plans to try to avoid the other at the wedding but I guess God had different plans and we spent most of the time together talking and catching up.  For the most part we stayed in touch after that, and once again our friendship grew, he once again become my best friend. 

There were a few years where I did not want to allow myself to be with him thinking and believing God had someone else for me but all the while feeling a pull and love for him growing, not that I would admit to that.  I struggled with the want for someone else and the feelings for him for years, but my husband and best friend stood by me through it all, even though now I know it must have been hard.  I often didn't want to hear, or admit that he cared for me because I didn't want to be hurt again. I wanted someone else, or so I told myself.  

Then one beautiful night as we were camping in our back yard with my daughter and younger sister he pulled out the ring he had been carrying around and said " This ring answers a lot of questions but comes with one too, will you marry me"  I answered yes right away, I knew it was right and what God had done.  In that moment I was so happy and felt again like I had when I was 14.  The love I had for him was still there just as strong.  

We have been married for 2 years now and have had our struggles, but I still love him so very much, now we get the joy and blessing of raising a family together.  I would have never written this story for myself, nothing I could write could be as wonderful, it is only a God story.  Let Him write your life and love story you will never regret it, and it is always better than we can do ourselves, and more than we can imagine.