From walnuts to little ships with loads of laughs

 

I have heard it is said that you are what you eat.  Well, I eat a lot of nuts, and thanks to a couple new friends, we were blessed with a bunch of freshly dried walnuts for our consumption! :)  Last night as we were visiting with a friend, we were snacking on them, and as I cracked the nuts, I remembered that our 4 year old nephew was coming over today, and I decided to save soem shells for him to enjoy. Here is what came of them. 

We made little ships with the walnut shells and a bit of wax and toothpicks, and sent them sailing on the green sea (thanks to food colouring), although Ezra rather liked to dock the ships high up on the rocks instead of sailing them with little wind gusts (or puffs). Time stood still as this little guy played with his ships. We made little sharks with melted wax, and that added to the adventure!

While Ezra played, and in between rescuing sunken ships, I made some cookies - a new recipe from a friend.  Of course I altered it to my needs :) They turned out wonderful, but I think I will put less honey in next time.  I'm sorry, but I can't seem to get my photo rotated. If you are interested in the recipe, just ask, as I haven't the time to include it here at this point when I should be headed to bed, instead of getting frustrated with my blog.

 

 

Some little laughs of the day included Ezra singing me a song about a beautiful princess who lived in a castle. She went out to walk in the garden with the principal and the king. In the garden there was a bee singing a song...etc.  The principal and the princess...I wonder if these are his mom and dad, as his dad is a high school principal, and his mom?  He told me today that his mom's last name was Gorgeous, "that's what my dad told me". 

One more - I told him that I had the same last name as his Baba (Russian Grandma). 

His reply was, "what, Pierogi?" (a traditional Russian food that Baba makes).  

He had me laughing today.  I love 4 year olds. They are so inquisitive.      He calls my juicer, "the Juicer Monster", and I play along with it.  He is so much fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daddy can I have_?

We all have been children at one time, and I think we have all at one point asked our dad for something, and especially at a young age, we really expected him to do it for us.  Why?  We had a simple trust in our dad, and some of us can say, he was our hero.  He could do anything, right?  Why do we lose that trust when we get older?  I think because when we are little, we are helpless in a lot of ways to do some tasks, such as prepare ourselves meals, go places that require driving, defend ourselves from bullies (even if they are our siblings).  As we grow in age, we also grow in self confidence, and there comes a point in life as a young person, that we don't feel we need our dad's help with things, and we often don't even think we need to ask to do things on our own.  We somehow slowly lose our trust too.  We begin to doubt the abilities of our father, and we think we can handle life on our own - we don't need anyone dictating our lives.  How soon we find out life is not so easy all on our own. 

I think of this analogy in comparison to my relationship with my Heavenly Father.  He says in Matthew 7:7-11

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 

Can it get any more simple than this?  My Father is simply saying, "Just ask Me. I am ready to give you what you ask."  I am learning that my Father loves for me to communicate with Him as a child with his father.  He wants me to have the faith of a child, that trusts that He is all powerful, and can really do anything!  Why is it that when we "mature" in our faith, that we seem to think that our Father can only help us with the complicated things, like providing money for us when we run out, or healing someone that is sick, etc.  We don't often come to Him with the small things because, like a growing child, we feel that "I am strong enough to handle this one".  I quickly find how weak I am when I fall into that trap, and then I have to come running back to my Father, and somewhat ashamed, ask for His help. 

This past week I experienced my Father answering very simple requests of mine that were seemingly small, but ended up being something that I will remember for some time. 

On Thursday last week, I had planned to go food shopping and for one reason or another, it took me a long time to get out of the house.  I found I was finally leaving at 2pm, and come 4:30pm, we were going to have people knocking at our door for the Hebrew class we host at our house.  This did not look to favorable for me. 

My first stop was at the Bulk Barrel downtown to get some bulk flours, etc. - a place I have been to numerous times - but somehow missed the street, and had to circle around (clock is ticking).  Before leaving the parking lot after my purchases, I glanced over my receipt, and found I hadn't been charged for something I bought, and had been charged for something I did not buy!  I was a little frustrated because this was going to take away from my short time allotment, and yet I went back in because I thought I was at fault.  I turned out that I didn't have to pay any extra, but actually got $3.00 in change back!  When you are counting your pennies, it all matters! 

After completing shopping at the next place, the clock read 3:51pm (the minutes really mattered too).  I wasn't sure how I was going to make it home in time, as I still had one stop to make across town, but I decided to stop for a moment.  I asked my Father to help me to be finished at Costco in 30 minutes - for those of you who know, this is not a store you can get in and out of too quickly, as there is always quite a multitude of shoppers all the time.  When I drove into the already packed parking lot, I simply asked for a parking spot close to the door so I could be in and out (and I wasn't going to take advantage of Michail's wheelchair accessible parking permit, as he wasn't with me).

After just a couple turns, I found one - about three spots away from the door!  Remember, this is getting on to evening time now...everyone is out and about as work is letting out :)  I got what I needed and returned to my van in good time, and as I was starting the engine I just began to praise Adonai.  He had blessed me so much already, but I asked, "Father help me to get right out of this lot" - usually there is a long line of cars incoming and outgoing constantly.  Yes, you guessed it - there was absolutely no cars coming in our leaving the parking lot when I pulled out. 

As I was driving home, the words to a song came to my mind.  It's called Ayn Kamocha, or There is None Like You, taken from the book of Psalms and Exodus.  Here are the words in English:

There is none like You among the gods, O Lord, and there is nothing like Your works. 

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion is throughout all generations.

The Lord reigns, the Lord has reigned, the Lord will reign forever and ever.

The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.

I was singing it in Hebrew though - it sounds so much richer! :)

I approached my street as I made my way home, and I was just shouting.  God had made a way for me again. As I pulled into our street, the clock almost shouted out God's praises as it read 4:21pm - EXACTLY 30 minutes from when I had prayed. 

I couldn't help but run in the house and share my overflowing heart with my husband.  I rushed in, and as I began to explain how overwhelmed I was with the goodness of my Father, I began to weep for joy.  Michail rejoiced with me after he realized I was not upset :)  He had blessed me before I left that I might have the joy of Yahweh in my heart, and wow - his request was answered too!

Can I share one more verse?  This one I have pondered over and over.  It's so good. 

And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:22

 

Whatever we ask...we receive.  There is a condition though.  Those who receive what they ask for are those who keep the commandments of our God, and do what is pleasing in His sight...that's food for thought.

Just little foxes and taking a lesson from the duck

In Song of Solomon 2:15 I have read about little foxes that spoil the vine.  Lately I think I have been learning a bit about what this means.  In my understanding, the foxes are little things that I allow to get in between me and my husband in our marriage - things that slowly creep in, and if not nipped in the bud, can take root and become something big.  It can me a misunderstanding, lack of communication, something assumed, or simply the differences there are between male and female that we are both still learning about!

It's hard.  Sometimes I just want him to understand me, but he doesn't always. I need to explain, just like I need him to explain for me, or rephrase something.  I have issues with holding on to things, even if they are small. 

Grrr...why?

Why can't I take a lesson from the duck who has a water resistant oily-substance on his feathers so that the rain just rolls off? In 1 Peter 5:7, I find that I am to cast my cares on Adonai because He cares for me.

I am learning. Let go, let go, let go. Be humble. Talk it out. Forgive.

Surrender.

So blessed my cup is overflowing!

Today was an extremely long day. I woke up knowing that we were in for a long one, and still managed to go back to sleep after turning off my alarm!  That can be a scary thing when a caregiver is going to show up on our doorstep at 6:00am!  I usually give myself a half hour to help Michail with his personal care before the caregiver comes so that we have a sense of some privacy.  This morning I had 10 minutes when I woke up...ahh!  But, I found that somehow Yahweh gave me enough grace for the day, beginning that early, and I was finished by the time someone needed to walk in our home. 

 

Another challenge was that I woke up with a headache and pain in my neck, which made me feel blah, and created difficulty in getting Michail and I ready to leave the house by 9am.  Michail was such a sweetheart after praying for me, gave me a neck/back massage with his elbow. We managed to leave not too much later, after we had stopped to start our day in prayer with our Heavenly Father.

Our first item of the day was an interview with Immigration Canada. I have been working on paperwork to become a permanant resident of Canada. We have been waiting for this day for a long time!  We were in and out of the office in about 2 hours, most of that being wait time, as the office was packed with people like us.  So, yes! I am now a permanant resident of Canada!  I am just awaiting my PR card to come in the mail, which may be up to 8 weeks.  By the way, I realized that my headache was gone while we were sitting waiting for the interview!

We went out to celebrate afterwards, and cheated on our diet a bit.   Michail loves Poutine (for those

who are not Canadians like me, and had to ask, "what?" - fries with melted cheese and hot gravy

poured over them), and so we treated ourselves, plus we stopped at our favorite falafel place in the

mall - Feta & Olives for some healthier food :)

Our next appointment was at the Hand and Upper Limb Clinic at the hospital.  My husband managed to break his arm (a spiral break to the humerus bone) 3 weeks ago, and we were referred to a specialist after getting some x-rays, as they said an operation might be necessary.  Today, five days after the last scans, they did another x-ray, and found that the bone had already begun to straighten out, and no operation was needed!  Praise Yah!  We are so grateful for His healing power! 

Can the day get better? Of course!  We have a class we are taking on Tuesdays.  Usually we share a

meal with another classmate/friend, and take her to the class with us.  Today she had a meal prepared

for us when we arrived at her house, and we could eat and get on our way to class, just like that. 

There was no stress on my part about preparing a meal after such a long day.  I felt so blessed...richly

blessed!

I realized on the way home tonight as Michail and I were talking, we were not late to one appointment today!  We were even early to our class when we are usually pressed for time every week.

HalleluYah! I am so excited to serve the Living God! 

playing catch up...soon :)

I will catch up one day...hopefully soon.  Has life really been this busy since July?  What really matters is that Yahweh is still faithful, still on the throne, and still knows what is going on in my life.  I will share with you all as soon as I can. Thank you for your patience.

Here is a post specifically for my mother in law, who I affectionately call Mama.

This is Michail and I with Mama, in front of our house.

Today we took a nice 30 minute walk to her house to help her with translation for a service technician who was doing some measuring. Mama is getting a new AC unit this Friday. Her old one broke almost a month ago, and she has weathered the heat all this time.  I am so proud of her. She is a very spiritually and physically strong, Russian woman, who has a passion for God, and loves her children so much. She cares about their souls, like any good mother would. I have seen her weep, and take on loads of stress for those who she may see to be wandering.

I am so blessed that she has accepted me into the Bantseev family with open arms! I love her so much, and its special that she lives only 5 minutes away (driving distance), and we can pop in anytime we want to visit. Like any good Russian, she always has some good food to offer.

Today we had fried salmon, and fresh garden veggies with hummus for supper at her house, quite unexpected too! She was careful to bless us even though she was very obviously exhausted herself today.

Mama Nela - ya loobloo teba, dorogaya!

P.S. My biggest challenge that I cannot afford to put off any longer, is to learn the Russian language. I so want to just sit down and have a heart to heart talk in a language we can both speak fluently!

Wow. Today was a full day. This morning, after helping Michail with his morning routine before the caregiver arrived at 6am, I began my day in the garden. I gave the veggies a good drink, and enjoyed the morning's cool air. Next I prepared our breakfast, which was a hearty raw cereal with banana milk.







Cereal
1/2 C. raw, old fashioned oats, ground to flour consistancy
1/2 C. almonds, ground to almost flour consistancy
1 diced Granny Smith apple (or coarsely chopped in blender is faster!)
1/2 C. unsweetened, shredded coconut
1 T. ground flax seed
1/2 C. raisins
1 t. cinnamon

Grind oats and nuts in an electric coffee grinder - works great! Combine all ingredients.

-----------------
Banana Milk
1 banana
1 C. water
1 t. pure vanilla extract
handful almonds

Throw all ingredients in blender, blend on High until smooth. Milk will be thick. Add more water if desired to thin.

Mix into cereal and enjoy. This keeps in the fridge as well - it just gets thicker as the liquid absorbs. We ran errands today and took the rest along - it was a great snack + filler food!


By 7am, my husband was up and ready to start the morning. He made some phone calls, and then we sat down to eat - double time. We spent some time in prayer, and read the scriptures as we ate our breakfast! This morning we were reading in the book of 1 John. It was so awesome what we discovered! We underlined many verses that took on new meaning this morning!  1 John 3:22 was one that we had to stop and say "wow".

And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

What are God's commandments? In the Bible, remember that God made a covenant with His people Israel. He showed them how to live holy, set apart lives, to reflect His image. Yahweh gave them commandments on Mt. Sinai, and laid out explicitly how to walk in His ways.  He showed them the blessings of obedience, and the consequences/curses of disobedience. He said to "Be holy as I am holy"(Lev.11:44).

I was so astounded by the simplicity of this verse this morning. As the children of the Most High, He will give us whatever we ask, as we are faithful to be obedient to the covenant that He made with us.

Another verse, 1 John 3:24 siad this:

Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

In John 15, Yeshua said to "Abide in Me.." By keeping His commandments, we are abiding in Him, and He is abiding in us. (Abide - "to remain as one")


After we had our breakfast, we headed out to have a nice 1/2-hour walk in the air that had grown rather muggy and warm already by 9am. On our way home we stopped at the grocery store! We made it home in enough time to get cleaned up and get ready to head out the door for my doctor appointment. Today I had a 6-month follow up appointment with my oncologist here in London. I felt like we were running late, but, as Michail always likes to say, we are always "right on schedule".  We arrived at the appointment with 1 minute to spare :)
As I always feel when I enter the Cancer Clinic, I again had the sensing that I don't belong here. God has healed me of cancer, and yet in a strange way, I feel a link with all the people that fill the chairs of the waiting room. Bald heads, head scarves, frail, elderly people. In my heart is a cry, and a desire to help them all. I want to tell them all that there is hope..that cancer does not have to be a death sentence.  As I waited for the doctor, I had a lingering hope in my heart. I know my healing has been real. I knew there would be a good report today. Soon I will celebrate 2 years of being cancer free. Praise Yahweh! He has done it.

After the appointment, our day continued to race on, but ended in a quiet Shabbat dinner...just the two of us with our candles lit, and our hearts grateful for our Father and His bountiful supply in our lives.