It's Time

Dear friends ~ it's time.

Time for some time away from this space.
Sometimes it's necessary.

Lord-willing, I will return to blogging after a few weeks.

Please understand that this means I will

not be publishing comments until I'm back in the saddle.

However, I do *love* to hear from you ~ 

it would be lovely if you would let me know you were here.

Your comments will appear upon my return.  :)

I will also have to forgo the pleasure of visiting with you 

at your place for the next little while.

It is my plan to catch up with y'all in October.

Those are my plans, the Lord's may be different.
What a blessing it is to rest in Him.

Thank you for extending grace to me over

and over and over again.

Each one of you is a precious gift.

I am thankful to the Lord for your kind friendship ~

It truly is a blessing to my heart.

"The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee,

and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee,

and give thee peace."

~ Numbers 6:24-26 ~

 With Love,

Camille

A Little Quiet

Just taking a little break ~ A little quiet.

From this space ~ For a time.

Perhaps a week or more?

May the LORD bless you each one 
in the coming days ~
He truly is Wonderful and worthy of all our praise.

I will plan to reconnect after a little while ~
I appreciate your patience and understanding.

Thank you for your kind friendship ~
Each one of you is a sweet blessing to me.  :)

With Love,

Camille

**Image in this post courtesy of Calvin ~

Thank you my love!  XO

Just 30 Minutes

I've found myself getting frustrated lately ~

I look around at all there is to be done in our home, 

and I'm finding that there are no big blocks 
of time in which to do it all.

This is where the *old* idea of taking it in small 

doses comes in!

It really is brilliant.  
I'm enjoying crossing things off my list. 
Little by little...those *extra* things are getting done. 
The frustration is being replaced with a feeling of satisfaction.

Do you realise what can be accomplished in small chunks of time?

Added up, those small chunks become big.

I've allocated 30 minutes a day to the task of addressing

some of those larger projects that just never seem to get done.

Little by little.  Day after day.  Just 30 minutes!

Do-able?

I think so!

How do you tackle those

looming projects in your home?

Please share so we all can be inspired,

and be an encouragement to each other.

Let's tackle them together.

Ready?  Set.  GO!!  :)

Many Blessings,
Camille

**Images in this post are of small *projects*
that have been staring at me for awhile now ~
they're finally getting attention.  Yippee!! 

Keep Blogging Burnout at Bay

Ever wonder how *they* do it all? 

How *they* manage their schedule

in such a way that everything gets done? 

A little secret. 

 *They* don't. Something has to give. 

Somewhere.  Sometime.  It's inevitable. 

 We all make choices. 

Often, one thing gives way to another.
That's not necessarily a bad thing.
But, it is something to be reckoned with.

 Do I read to my child or blog? 

Do I make dinner or order something in? 

Do I work and then play? 
Do I go for a run or lay down for a rest?

 There is a time to play, a time to blog, 
a time to run (or walk), a time to rest,

and perhaps, even a time to order dinner in. 

Yes, it's true! 

 But, we ought to seek the LORD

as to what He would have us to do. 

We make our plans, but He orders our steps. 

 We seek to live our lives surrendered to Him. 
By His grace.  In His strength.  For His glory.

 With nearly three and a half years of blogging 

and over 500 posts behind me (dear me!) ~ 

I have a few suggestions on how to manage this blogging life.  

However, I have not arrived, and I am still tweaking
and revising my own list of *do's* and *don'ts* ~
I suppose it's the way it is and, the way it will always be.

Ready for some suggestions to 
keep blogging burnout at bay?

Here they are...in no particular order.  :) 

Set aside a specific time to blog and stick to it! 
(Just so you know, I am not perfect in this area...I'm a work in progress). 

Do not allow yourself to feel obligated to blog.
(This one I am much better at...in case you hadn't noticed...LOL)!  

Perhaps time off is in order.  
Give yourself that time and let your 

online friends know that you will be away from the screen for awhile.  

Or, just go *off grid* and *reconnect* when you are back!  
In my experience, the blog does not fall apart in my absence,
and time away helps to redefine the goals I have
for blogging in the first place.
I have found this practice to be very beneficial!

The challenge with an online life is that it's *live* 24/7.  

And, often we can feel its pull.  

Resisting that pull is key to remaining in control of it.  

In the early days I posted frequently, 

and I visited other blogs frequently as well.  

It was a learning curve.  

Sometimes the school of hard knocks is necessary.  

It's the way it often is.  

Now, I visit others when I can. 

I blog when I can.  I leave the rest.  

True friends will understand.  They really will.  

And, isn't that what we all want?  

True friends who understand?  

Yes, I think so.  

If we expect understanding, we must also give it.  

Sometimes we need space.  Our friends will too.  

What a blessing it is that we can pick up 

where we left off and resume a true friendship at any time. 

Oh, the joy of it!  

Grace extended and received is a beautiful thing. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for extending it to me. 

May the LORD help us all to find the balance in all things ~
yes, even in blogging...for HIS glory alone.

Would you like to share your ideas on this topic with all of us?
It would be lovely to read your thoughts on how
to keep blogging in its proper place ~
Please feel free to share in the comments of this post.  

Blessings to you all!  

With Love,
Camille

**Photo in this post courtesy of Calvin ~
Thank you my love!  XO

Going Digital

I've been living in the dark ages.

Technology and I have often been at odds.

The *old* ways are often the most comfortable.

And, so it is.

I got the biggest calendar I could get my hands on.

With the biggest squares.

It lived in my drawer.

It's how it's been for years.

Until recently.

I couldn't take it any more.

Too many things got moved, cancelled, rescheduled ~
A mess ensued.

In case you don't already know this about me ~
I like things to be orderly and neat.
Even my calendar.
And, it was anything but!

It was time for a change.

Welcome to my life Google Calendar!

I think I'm gonna *love* you!  :)

I think I can breathe.

Finally, I am up to date ~

At least in this area.

How about you?

Paper or digital?

Do tell.  :)

Blessings to you!
Camille

Five Hundred!

This is my 500th post ~

Five Hundred! 

I cannot possibly have that much to say, can I? 

Perhaps I should review my own words here. 

Or here. Or here. 

It's always good to take stock.

  

It has taken over three years to get to this place. 

My reasons for blogging remain the same, however.

Interesting how that is ~ I am encouraged. 

Over the next three years 

(based on my recent rate of publication)

I will not reach 1000 posts. 

So, I learn. And grow. And change.

By God's Grace! 

 HE is always Gracious, and Good, and Merciful. 

For these things, and many, many more ~

I am thankful that I belong to HIM! 

May HE lead us each in HIS Truth.

May we shine as lights for HIM.

After all, nothing else really matters.

"For what is a man profited,
if he shall gain the whole world,
and lose his own soul?..."
~ Matthew 16:26 ~

 Many Blessings to you all! 

With love, Camille 

 **Photo in this post courtesy of Calvin ~ 

Thank you my love! XO

Three Years

Three years.

It will be three years tomorrow since I posted my first post.

Three years since I tentatively hit *publish* for the first time.

I had no idea where it would lead.

Some of it has been surprising...

mostly in a good sort of way. :)

So much has happened since then!

Many things have changed.

Others have remained the same.

Three years of life and living.

Life is interesting.

At times.

God is Good.

Always.

I am thankful.

At least, I should be!

This is a thankfulness post ~ without the numbering.

~ Photo taken a few weeks ago on my Birthday ~

It seemed to match the *party* theme of this post.

I'm not in it because I took it. :)

Happy. Happy.

I am so glad I began this journey.

It's been a blessing to meet friends through this means.

And, to have friends like you (some who we have never met in person)

pray for us in times of deepest sorrow has ministered

to my heart in such beautiful ways!

It has been a privilege to do the same for those

of you who have shared your burdens with us as well.

Encouragement and challenges are a part of this life.

It is always a blessing to share in the joys and sorrows

of life with one another.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart

for your sweet friendship and for being a part of this journey!

May the LORD bless you each and every one.

Now, in keeping with the party mood of this post ~

Do you remember how we met and when it was?

Please share in the comment section if you do.

If you can't recall the details, perhaps I will.

And, if neither of us can remember, we can rejoice

in the fact that we know each other now. :)

Let's have a party!

Many Blessings,

Camille

A Time for Quiet

It's Summer.

The children are completing

their school requirements.

The pace and schedule have changed.

The time has come for quiet.

Quiet here on the blog is a necessary part of that.

So, I am taking a little time off.

During my time away, there will be no visiting of blogs

and no publishing of comments.

In light of this, please know that your comments

are important to me and will be published upon my return.

When I am back, it will be my plan to re-connect with all of you ~

both here in this space, as well as in yours.

Thank you for understanding!

I will likely be out of this loop

for a couple of weeks.

Perhaps even a little longer.

May the LORD bless each one of you with quiet too ~

Have a wonderful Summer!

To those of you who live on the other side of the globe ~

Happy Winter to you! :)

"To every thing there is a season,

and a time to every purpose under the heaven..."

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1 ~

With Love,

Camille

Propelled

I once, quite awhile ago,
read something somewhere in
this blog-world that made an
impression on me.

Not the impression the
author was looking for,
mind you.

It propelled me off in
the OPPOSITE direction.

A good thing.
A VERY good thing.

Her advice was to those individuals
who wanted to see their blog grow.
To see their following increase.
To see how to make all that
(and more) happen!

Blog every day,
was her advice.
Every. Single. Day.

Bondage.

At least,
that was how I viewed it.


Why do I blog in the first place?
To have *followers*?
To be popular?
To show off?
(May it never be so).

Or...

To glorify my Precious Saviour?
To share what HE is doing
in our lives?
In my heart.

To be an encouragement to others along this path?
To record for our children some of the
everyday things that we do together as a family?
To share our joys and our sorrows?
To share some of what I am learning
as a wife, mother, teacher, homemaker ~
Christian?

Yes.
That's it.

By God's Grace.

As an added bonus,
there are friends
to be made along the way.

True friends.

The ones who you pray for.
The ones who pray for you.
The ones you grow to love ~
In the LORD.


It's a beautiful thing.
And I'm thankful that YOU
have joined with me on this journey.
What a blessing you are.

Thank you for understanding when I don't
visit you as often as I would like.
And, be assured that I understand
when you are unable to visit me.

I really do!

Thank you for your patience.
And for your friendship ~
It is a joy.

With Love,
Camille

**Photos in this post courtesy
of our Emma ~ Thank you little love! XO

Lesson Learned

My Engagement Ring.

I have had it for over 21 years.
In all that time I have only lost it once.

A few weeks ago.
For a whole week.
I, however, didn't know it was missing
until after six days.
(I wear my gold wedding band
all the time...it's the diamond ring
that I often go without.)

The Ring lives in a special
hiding place.
If it's not on my finger,
it's there.

Always.

Except for that time mid-December.
It wasn't.
When I discovered that it was missing
I prayed.

And then...
I had Howie take apart the plumbing
under the kitchen sink.
I sorted through six days' worth of garbage.
I sifted through a full vacuum bag.
I cleaned behind the fridge and stove.
Thoroughly.

Nothing.

We went to church on Sunday morning.
We listened to a wonderful sermon.
And I was distracted.
I tried not to be.

And then the Pastor had us
turn to Genesis 3:15.
Like he had the week before.

And there. was. my. RING!


Laying there.
Right where I had put it.
The week before.
Oh. My. Heart.

Yes, I did read my Bible that week.
In Isaiah.
In the New Testament.
But not in Genesis.

Moral of the story?
Do not play with your ring
in church.
Keep it on your finger.
And pay attention to the sermon!

Blessings,
Camille

Just Us Girls

Auntie Beverley invited us
to come for a visit.
She lives three to four hours
away from us ~
depending on the ferry traffic.

We went.

We are so
thankful that we did!

Just us girls.
Just the three of us.
Auntie Beverley stayed all cozy
in her place across the lawn.

And we stayed within view
in her sweet guest house.
Isn't it just
A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E.??

We arrived in time for a
wonderful home-cooked meal
last Thursday evening.

Then we ventured up to
*our place* and my girl and
I snuggled in the big bed
and watched "Sarah Plain and Tall"
on a little portable DVD player.

We ate popcorn.

Friday morning we got up
and prepped for the day.
We had quiet time together.
We packed the van.

We took a few *self-timed* photos.

And then...
We headed across the lawn to
have breakfast with our precious Auntie.
How lovely it was to be able
to spend some special time with her!

Here we are...
Just the three of us
in Auntie Beverley's sweet sitting area
just off the kitchen.

The view from the lower level
of the main house...
isn't it AMAZING??

Auntie Beverley lives on a cliff
and...
she has beach access.
A little walk along the beach
was in order.

Good thing I packed boots
for my girl! :)

Emma enjoyed exploring.
We found some amazing shells!
This beach is relatively untouched ~
A wonderful sampling of
God's glorious creation.

Back up the bulkhead...

We went into town
and shopped.
We visited a lovely
little bakery for lunch.
And then...

We travelled home!

It was a
W.O.N.D.E.R.F.U.L.
31-hour retreat.
Thank you so much for
having us stay with you
Auntie Beverley!

Lots of Love,
Emma and Camille
XOXO

Finding the Balance

Just a little more than five years ago I was computer illiterate.
I didn't know how to send email.
I didn't know the first thing about creating Word documents or files.

I didn't want to know.

I'd had enough of computers in High School.
We had to create programs using DOS ~ 'Nuff said.

I figured I had enough on my plate
with little ones and family responsibilities.
Howie could accomplish whatever tasks were
necessary on the computer.

I communicated with friends and family the old-fashioned way.
I wrote letters.  I read the newspaper.
I kept a ledger book for our family's budget.
The calendar was on the wall.

Then, we began our homeschool journey.
It was a requirement to email the teacher once per week.
I thought maybe Howie could do that.
It was overwhelming.  But, I quickly adjusted.

About the same time as all of this was happening,
my sister moved away.  Far away.
She began a blog and invited her friends and family
to read it.  I did.

Then I ventured out online and *met* another blogger.
Her posts drew me in.  She shared her faith.
She shared her life.  It was a blessing.

These were the only two blogs
I read for about a year.
I was never going to blog.

You know how the saying goes ~
"Never say never."

I began blogging over two years ago.

At first it was just a big, unkown world.
I didn't know anyone. And no one knew me.
Before long I was visiting people.
And they reciprocated.

It was fun.  And addicting.


How quickly the computer takes on a life of its own.
How quickly a blessing can become a curse.  If it's allowed to.
There were many attempts along
the way to keep things in check.
Balanced.

I was accountable to my husband.
But, I still found myself going overboard at times.
I still blogged most days.
The computer was constantly drawing me in.
School.  Email.  Shopping.
Blogging.  Research.

It all melded into one big pool.
The pull was great.  Too easy to check the blog.
Too easy to lose track of time.
Too easy to neglect my first calling.

Wife.  Mother.  Teacher.

This past Summer I (mostly) took
a month off from the computer.
It was good.
When I came back I had a plan.
Please understand,
this plan is what works for me.
It may not be what works for you.

My system is simple.

I seek to limit my computer time to twice per week.
Email is sent and answered.
Blog posts are written, posted and moderated.
Blog friends are visited.  Online orders are placed.
Banking is done.

And then I am free.

Free to be a Wife.  Free to be a Mum.
Free to be a Teacher.
I find that I can think
more clearly.  More freely.  Free.

May the LORD help us all as we navigate this
online life in a wise and godly way.
He is Faithful.  He will guide.
He will give wisdom.

Finding the Balance.
By His Grace.  For His Glory.

Many blessings,
Camille


**Photo Credit ~ Calvin...thank you my love! xo

Sweet Indulgence

Born and raised (mostly) in
British Columbia, Canada,
I think I have always
known about Purdy's.

Always.
It seems.

For Birthdays and for Christmas...
the children know the way to my heart.

It's on the top of my list ~
A box of Purdy's.

But, I am also very
VERY happy
with a bag of *seconds*.

They always seem to
settle on a box rather
than a bag.

Oh Y.U.M.

It's a very good thing
that my Birthday and
Christmas are almost exactly
six months apart!

A VERY good thing! :)

Purdy's are my favourite
sweet indulgence.

What is YOUR favourite treat?

Happy Weekend!

May it be very
VERY sweet!
Many blessings,
Camille

New Normal

Things have changed.

There is a new *normal* around here.



Since taking my break,

I have implemented a few changes

in my online life.





I have a notebook.

It can be carried from room to room.

It can be shut down

and put away.



And,

that is exactly

what I have been doing.



Email.

Shopping.

Blogging.

Research.

Gmail.



It all waits until I take it off its shelf

for an online *session*.

My goal is to keep it

to two *sessions* per week.



Liberty.

Freedom.

Joy.



How wonderful it is!





No more *quick checks*

that run into *long visits*.

No more *losing track of time* online.



There is a pre-appointed,

set aside,

allotted time.

For all of this.



And then, it is shut down.

Until next time.

By God's Grace

and with HIS help.

I am not perfect,

but HE is!



May the LORD help us all

to take stock and heed His Words.



"So teach us to number our days,

that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

~ Psalm 90:12 ~





I fully realize that we are not

all in the same situation.



Life is always changing.



What works for me,

may not necessarily be what works for you.

We are all at different stages of life.

And that is good!



But, I would encourage you to pray about what

the LORD would have you to do.



And then...

Follow Him.



Many blessings to you each one!

In Him,

Camille

Looking Up

Life has been a flurry of activity.

First, school ended.

Then there were...

Family commitments.

Birthdays.

Anniversary.

BBQ's.

Home projects.

Not to mention the regular.



The *everyday*.



Meals.

Laundry.

Shopping.

Cleaning.



Once in awhile it is important to

re-evaluate.

Take a step back.



Be still.





As I write this, I do not have everything sorted out.

I do not have everything in its rightful place.

But, I am getting there.

Step by step.

By God's Grace.



Every once in awhile we must get above the clouds.

Step out of the whirlwind.

Take stock.



Am I reaching my goals?

Do I have a proper understanding

of what they ought to be?

Have I sought the LORD on what

HE would have me to do next?



Probing, but necessary questions.



Sometimes life is overwhelming.

We get too busy to even think.

At the end of the day it's all we can do to

fall into bed exhausted.



But.

There is hope.



These are often just seasons.

The LORD never gives us more than we can bear.

Sometimes WE are the ones to

blame when the overload buzzer goes off.



I have been guilty of this.



When that has happened I must examine

myself and my motives.

Have I added things into my calendar

that had no business being there?

Did I ask the LORD what HE would

have me to do before I made those commitments?



Ah, yes.

The litmus test.



These last weeks I have taken a step back.

It's been a blessing to just *be*.

To just live and do the next thing.



Looking Up.



Many Blessings,

Camille





**Photo Credit ~ Calvin

Time Warp

Living fully engaged.
IN the moment.

Intentionally.

Travelling back in time.
All the way back to the
days before computers.
At least to the days before
MY computer.

Living according to HIS plan
for me ~

Just. This. Day.
By HIS Grace.


I'm taking a little hiatus
from email, gmail, internet,
blogging ~
online anything.

Just a little break from this.

But, not forever ~
Just for about a month.

This means that any comments
you may choose to leave
will be published at the end of
my time away from this screen.
At that time, my plan is to
reconnect with all of you.
Thank you for understanding!

(I do *L*O*V*E* to hear from you ~
Please let me know that you stopped by.)

If you have my phone number,
please feel free to call ~
Let's get together! :)

In the meantime,
I'd like to leave you with a beautiful
passage of Scripture ~

"The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
The LORD make his face shine upon thee,
and be gracious unto thee:
The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee,
and give thee peace."
~ Numbers 6:24-26 ~

See you in about a month ~
LORD-willing!

In HIS Love,
Camille


**Photo credit ~ Calvin

T.W.E.N.T.Y.

It's not REALLY possible
that we have been married for 20 years...
is it??

Time marches on.

We are growing old together.

On our wedding day we sang Steve Green's song
"I Cherish the Treasure of You"
to one another.

Little did we know that in
the midst of our joys and blessings,
there would be trials.
Difficult days.
Heartache and sorrow.

And through it all,
we would grow to love more.
Deeper.
Stronger.

Little did we know.

Oh how FAITHFUL
our Great God is!!

HE is the ONE Who keeps us.
HE is the ONE Who sustains us.
HE is the ONE Who gives us life.

All praise and glory to HIS Great Name!

If I'd known then what I know now,
I would have married my Sweetheart
MUCH sooner.
AND I wouldn't have given him as
much trouble as I did! :)

Psalm 91 is our Life-Psalm together.
It has been a great source of comfort
and blessing over the years.
We are so thankful to belong to the LORD!
HE alone is worthy of all our praise.

Many blessings,
Camille

In Which I Explain...

Just a few things.


One ~ I enjoy blogging.

Two ~ I am thankful for all the wonderful friends
I have met in this bloggy world ~
Each one of you is a blessing to me!

Three ~ I wish there were more hours in the day.

Four ~ It might be good if there were two of me ~
Do you ever feel like that? :)

Five ~ Life has been crazy!

It has been my unspoken policy to visit all the lovely friends
who take the time to come and visit with me here.
I so enjoy visiting with you at *your place*.

I don't always get to return the visit
as quickly as I would like.
And lately, I haven't been getting to it much at all.
For that, I am sorry.

Life has been so full of family things ~
My first priority and calling.
After the LORD, of course.


One of our children has recently
been diagnosed with Crohn's Disease.
It is a nasty thing, but God is good.
All the time!

How precious it is to belong to HIM!
HE is faithful and leads us so gently along.

We have chosen to pursue a natural course
of treatment for the time being ~
with encouraging results.

Thank you so much for your continued friendship
and for your patience with me.
There are so many demands on my
time at the moment.

I do plan to continue to post,
but it may take a little longer than
I would like to repay your visit
or even to post your comments here.


I just wanted you all to know the reason why.

Many Blessings to you all!
In HIS Love,
Camille

Birthday Blessings

I don't count anymore.
I am THAT old ~ *wink*

I just
C.E.L.E.B.R.A.T.E.

And it keeps getting better and better.
The only thing(s) missing from my day
this year were boys #1 and #2.
Austin and Calvin were at camp.
Howie had a business meeting on the Island
scheduled for "my" day.
I invited myself along.

How FUN!

Fraser and Emma joined in
to make an *almost* perfect birthday.
If Austin and Calvin had been with us,
the day would have truly been
P.E.R.F.E.C.T.

But God in His providence gives
EXACTLY
what is BEST.
How precious it is to
REST in that FACT!

Here are some of my treasures enjoying the beautiful day
and scenery on the outside deck of one of B.C.'s ferries.

We go through "Active Pass" on the way to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island.
You see MANY smaller islands along the way!

Seagulls flying alongside the ferry.

Passing another LARGE ferry in Active Pass.
It has a Vancouver 2010 mural on its side.

The children and I explored while Daddy had a meeting in Victoria.
There are MANY things to see within walking distance in the downtown area.
The Parliament Buildings are in the background here.
This is where our Provincial government meets.

Inside the Parliament Buildings there are many ornate
and beautiful things to see.
The dome is shown below from the inside looking up,
first from the lower level and then from the
highest level you can go (as a tourist).

This is taken from inside the Main Entrance looking out towards the bay.

The Empress ~
A famous historical hotel in Victoria,
was the next building we did a bit of exploring in!

They even have a sitting area in the ladies public washroom
inside the Empress ~ complete with a fireplace!

The lovely sitting area behind the children here
is where afternoon tea is served for about $50 per person!
Needless to say, we did not eat there! :)

Looking out one of the ivy lined windows toward the bay.

Ahhh, FINALLY, a park to play in!
Apparently, this was the
HIGHLIGHT of the day for Fraser and Emma!

We travelled back toward the Parliament Buildings (they are HUGE)
from another angle and enjoyed the water fountain.
I enjoyed photographing these two all day long...
it isn't obvious, is it? ;-)

And then we discoverd a place to
J.U.M.P.

And so as not to be
O.U.T.D.O.N.E.
Emma joined in! :)

Here we are heading back to meet up with Daddy
where his meeting was nearly done.

On the ferry ride back home Howie treated us to the
Buffet Dinner ~ which was a WONDERFUL treat!

The Birthday display Howie set up for me while I was away from the table...
complete with CANDLES! :)
~ Thank you Sweetie! ~

The food was fabulous and the views
S.P.E.C.T.A.C.U.L.A.R.
The snow-capped mountain you may (or may not) see at
the left hand side of the photo below
is Mt. Baker ~ Isn't God's Creation
MAGNIFICENT?