Welcome…
to the place where I write fragments of the song my heart sings every day. The melody isn’t always beautifully vibrant or enthusiastic, in fact, at times it has nearly disappeared. But I’ve chosen to do life with Jesus, and knowing that I’m living in His will means that there’s always a reason for the song in my heart to continue. I invite you to join me as I discover the ways of abundant living in the everyday moments, and I pray that you’ll gain inspiration to live with purpose as well!
LATEST STORIES
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My people are all sleeping. Blankets were tucked around wrinkly chins, gray hair was brushed into ponytails for the night, and shaky arms reached up to hug me before I turned out the light. I
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The sun has set over the valley, and all is dark outside my window. My dorm sister is sleeping on the couch before she goes to work the night shift. A stack of clean dishes
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I’m sitting on my well worn grey sofa after another busy direct care shift, enjoying a few moments of solitude before I go to bed. My heart is full tonight. One week ago, I was
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Silent Night, Holy Night… The carollers sang gently, aware that they were standing in a sacred moment. All is calm, all is bright… Their harmonized voices complemented the aura of stillness in hallway of the
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I get out of bed, look in my mirror, and firmly say, “Jackie, you’re a big girl now. Just do it.” And I obediently go to Walmart to buy more tea and cough syrup –
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“I guess I’m an adult now.” This thought pops into my head so often lately. It’s not a shocking, new, awareness. I passed my 18th birthday several years ago and have become used to being
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Someone asked me a question a few days ago that’s still circling in my mind. Sharing a traditional American Thanksgiving meal, the table conversation drifted to the mission program I recently joined. “So – why
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This post is slightly overdue, but my heart and mind needed a few days to let the emotions settle before I could process them in words. A bridesmaid bouquet adorns my kitchen table, not quite
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There is a common struggle among women, and that is dealing with these things called emotions. The very word brings understanding nods and knowing looks and amused grins. It brings an animated discussion into our
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The stars twinkle against a black sky. The lights are all off in the neighbour’s houses. The campfire is burned down and my youth group has gone home. Tis clearly Eventide… and well past. My
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If I could type in whispers right now, I would. Beginning this post after typing the title feels like an intrusion. As though I’m breaking the silence after a heartfelt prayer. But I couldn’t use
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It’s Sunday afternoon again, and I’m here enjoying solitude in another park. I’m smiling as the breeze blows around me, the joy in my heart evidence that I’m alive. Not only physically, but deep in
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“Mightier than the waves of the sea is His love for you.” It’s Sunday afternoon, and I’m here for some solo time in “my” gazebo in my favourite little park in the world. The last
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I have never liked them. People have always told me I have a very large box. I’ve always liked to think outside of the box. I don’t like square or even numbers, because, well… I
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I sit at my desk, attempting to grade language tests, and my mind keeps wandering. The meeting with the staff and school board starts in 10 minutes… but this is my last board meeting. These
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At first glance, they were ordinary. A few mismatched pieces of pottery. Nice enough, but simple. Graceful, unmarred, but nothing stunning about any of them. And yet, something about their unbroken simplicity was intriguing. The
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I had a few today. Moments, that is. The kind where you really want to just pause and exhale – but there’s not actually time. This need to maintain full speed functionality was caused by
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What is your middle name? Does it carry any special meaning/significance? I don’t usually answer the daily prompts, but this one made me smile. My middle name is Anne. Yes, include that E. My dad
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I’m settling in for a relaxing weekend at home after two weekends away. So instead of sleeping as I should be, I’m absorbing what a wonderful feeling it is to be in my own bed
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Humanity in all forms flows around me here in the busy Calgary airport, where I sit reflecting on my weekend. Enjoying a beautiful view of the Rockies. Eating Chinese food (one of the many perks
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*this post got missed in my old drafts for some reason. It was written last October, but if the chaos described is relatable to you now, maybe God meant this one to wait for you…
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It’s Monday morning, grey and foggy, the air is damp and mild, and everything is a tad squishy. But the trees are coated in beautiful white, a mysterious beauty encrusting their stark bareness against the
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Have you ever tried to study the Levitical Law? Over the years, I’ve heard others share with glowing confidence that there’s so much to find there. I secretly wondered what their special gift was that
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The other day, when my family was together for Christmas, a little profound moment caught my attention. As I love to do at family get togethers, I had made lattes for everyone. I created them
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Disclaimer: this should have been posted a few days ago, however, due to the chaos mentioned in the title, it had to wait until now. 😉 Ahhh, Christmas. The season of family gathered around the
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Cold, grey, November rain dripped down my windows all day, but the chill couldn’t extinguish the warm glow in my heart. The rhythm of my classroom missed a few steps throughout the day, as tends
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Spending Canadian Thanksgiving weekend in America has been a fascinating experience. When friends ask me what brought me to the area this weekend, and I explain that I have a long weekend so it worked
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This week has been hectic. I’m starting to grade things for report cards, prepping to leave for the weekend, and trying to invest in my youth group by actually showing up for things. My classroom
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I am a teacher. And while that title means I am an educator, a story teller, a listener, a mentor, a nurse, and sometimes almost get mistaken for a mom, I am not everything. I’m
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I’ve been wanting to turn this into a blog post for several days, but I’ve been too busy to get my swirling thoughts typed here. However, as I spun my cake decorators’ turntable this afternoon,
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If you have ever sat in my class, you may have noticed I am a “bunny trails teacher.” I’ve tried to curb the habit, because obviously we have routines to keep, deadlines to meet, assignments
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It’s commonly known that to understand it, a life must be experienced, and can’t be simply explained. Maybe teaching school is like that, too. And just like life, living it doesn’t mean it all makes
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I’ve arrived home at the end of a good weekend… that kind that’s exhausting, inspiring, and energizing, all in one. It’s this kind of weekend that fills your heart and mind with joy & inspiration
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*the purpose of this post is simply to relieve the author’s stress during a hectic week. If you are looking for inspiration or insightful teacher advice, I apologize, this post is written by a brain
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Have I mentioned lately that I love teaching? Sometimes I forget that I do. It’s easy to get into the routine, get used to the chaos, and start to take the familiarity of school life
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Warmth floods my heart tonight in spite of the cold outside… At the end of a day filled with so many beautiful little things, who couldn’t help but smile? I had promised my Littles an
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So, it’s here. Here, and two minutes close to ending… This last day of the year 2023. I find it interesting how we put so much emphasis on the ending of an old year, and
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Today is… a heart full and a mind full of swirling things. The weekend was amazing. Full, rich, exciting, and beautiful, all in one. Meeting new people… reconnecting with those I’ve met before… and discussing
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I’ve started several posts lately and left them unfinished … but now I know what I’m trying to capture. Life has been so good lately, so full of beauty, saturated with miracles. Miracles, I’ve learned,
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I brought Beta home tonight! She’s a 2013 Toyota Camry LE, and I am officially thrilled to be her new owner. I know, my previous post on this topic mentioned names like Vivianne or Samantha…
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Today’s art class was going to be calm and organized, so that I can leave school at dismissal and get to my much needed massage appointment on time. However, “art class,” “calm,” and “organized” shouldn’t
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A few days ago, I said goodbye to my first car and watched it being winched onto the back of a tow truck. I’ve been scrolling autotrader, comparing prices and specs, admiring sleek sedans and
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My fuzzy blanket wrapped around me, I’m relaxing after another busy day. The sun has set (a few hours ago) in a fiery blaze that framed the hills in the distance. Today was good. I
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Blessed are they who dwell in thy house: they will still be praising thee. Selah.
~ Psalm 84:4
Notes from My Heartsong 