for unto us a child is born

I suppose I knew that Christmas this year would be so different...now having a little one to share the joys, surprises, and wonders with. One of my precious delights was seeing Katerina reach out to the lights and ornaments on the tree, or for the pretty wrapping paper, or her new little dolly...with such a sweet sense of wonder and awe, just desiring to experience each moment and discover what new sensations were awaiting her.

I recently realized how Katerina helps me to slow down and appreciate the little things...whether it is while we are just sitting close in the quiet moments in the morning, or reading a book together, or playing on the floor as she discovers how to move her little body in new ways...each simple act is forcing me to slow down and enjoy the moment.



This has been a gift to me in the busyness of the Christmas season - the time in which we receive Jesus into our lives once again. It really amazes me that God chose a little baby to be the Saviour of the world. It's not what we would expect, but in the miracle of Christmas we are challenged to slow down and receive the gift of Immanuel, God with us.

"For unto us a child is born..." This passage from Isaiah 9 has been on my heart a lot over the last week, as I have reflected on the wonder of the Christ child. I thank God for the gift of Jesus and the fulfillment of his plan to bring light and life into our dark and broken world.

Trusting God from the bottom of my heart

Proverbs 3 has been a favourite passage of mine and this morning I read it in The Message paraphrase. Certain phrases struck me in new ways as I read, and I was reminded to..."Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track."

My tendency is to try to figure things out on my own, instead of listening for God's voice. As a new mum and a pastor, I often find myself in situations where I need wisdom and guidance, but I don't always run to God first. During this season of Advent I am seeking to daily make more room in my heart and my life for God, remembering him in everything I do.

As a church we are reading through the book 'The Uncluttered Heart' during Advent and Christmas. These words today were an encouragement to me to always look to God: 'When I look for God in each person I meet, in each situation I encounter, I am more open to God's Spirit working in me, shaping me into a vessel of God's peace.'

Creator God, help me keep my eyes on you, that following you, I may be remade into your likeness, a vessel of your love, peace, and compassion. Amen.

view from the nursery window

Not long ago I was reading theology books and studying commentaries, now I am reading parenting books and mommy magazines - how to prevent diaper rash and get a flatter tummy...Yes, I am now a mum!

Katerina Joy was born on May 18th at 9:25pm, weighing 5 lb 15 oz. and 19.5 inches in length. She is a wonderful blessing! Her name means 'pure' and the short form of her name is Katya. It's a name I fell in love with while I was in Ukraine a number of years ago. Joy is after my mom's name.

5 weeks have already passed since her birth and we are enjoying this new journey together as a family. It is truly amazing how such a little person can change your life and touch your heart more deeply than you can imagine. And all she does is eat, sleep, and well...you know the rest :)

We had a 'Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child' service for Katerina a few weeks ago and our dear friend Barclay lead the service for us. He asked us to pray for a verse for Katerina, one that would be with her throughout her life. We chose Zephaniah 3:17: "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love,he will rejoice over you with singing." We pray that she will indeed bring delight to the Lord and be a 'pure joy' for his glory!

While I am on maternity leave I have the privilege of being a regular part of the congregation at church. The view from the nursery window is certainly a change from the view from the front! I am thankful for this time and blessed to be seeing things through new eyes. God has been teaching me what it means to nurture and love my daughter, leading her even now to love and worship Him. It is my prayer that Kent and I will be wise and faithful parents for the wonderful gift God has blessed us with in Katerina.

marvelously made

Well, the countdown is on...less than one month now till baby arrives! Lots of people are telling me that life is never going to be the same again. And I think, 'Ok, I hope I'm ready for this!' Not sure what else to say really. There are lots of life changes that I have felt somewhat prepared for in the past, but this one is a bit harder to anticipate in some ways. One would think that after 9 months of carrying a baby, reading books, going to classes, doctor appointments, etc. you should really be ready for what lies ahead. But I'm not so sure at this point. Maybe it's just the anticipation of becoming a parent and the great responsibilities (and joys) that come with that. At times I feel like I'm back in school, preparing myself for the big exam at the end of the term, hoping I've studied the right material :)

Needless-to-say, Kent and I are thrilled and excited to meet our baby! As much as I know there is a little person inside of me, I think it won't really hit me until I actually see him/her. I am so thankful and amazed at how God works to prepare you for what lies ahead. 6 months ago I couldn't actually think about 'delivery' and now it's like my body and mind know that the time will soon be here. I am also thankful that this is all a part of God's wonderful plan for life to grow. It's amazing to think that there is really nothing that I have 'done' to make this child grow and develop. Yes, I try to eat well, get rest and exercise...but I don't wake up and say 'Today I think we need to work on growing some fingernails on this little one'. The creativity of our Father is truly incredible!

The words of Psalm 139 have often been on my mind and heart lately. Here are a few verses from that Psalm, in the Message paraphrase:

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother's womb.
I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I'd even lived one day.

Likely the next time I write I can post some photos of mini-Morgan, but till then here's a 'before' photo. Thanks for your love and prayers for us during this time!

Thoughts on Lent...

Here we are in the season of Lent already...as much as I find myself just now catching up to this time of repentance and confession, it is good to be here. It seems that many things can be obstacles to taking time to truly reflect and confess. One thing that has been a help to me is the study our church is going through during Lent. It is called '40 Days of Community' and is focused on growing community in our church and outside of our church. Our home group meets every week to discuss how we can grow and reach out together and it's been great to learn and practice these things together.

I have realized that what can often keep me from growing in community is when I am not really available...either I'm too busy or don't leave enough time to just respond to 'interruptions' in my day. It is often those things that I may call interruptions which are the very things I should be about. So during this season of Lent I am asking God to help me truly be available - to Him and to those around me.

I was reminded today of this prayer for Lent, which is a humbling prayer of confession and forgiveness:

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowleding our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

May we seek God's amazing love and mercy in these days of Lent, as we reflect and confess our sins before him.