a faith observed: A few new, old photos and what's been happening here.

Monday, April 6, 2009

A few new, old photos and what's been happening here.

I came across some photos of Simon taken by Rachel and Darren when we visited them in Chicago last summer. I thought I would post a few. On the home front, Andrew and I have both been incredibly busy and feel like we've fallen off the radar. I've started my practicum and really love it. The kids are gorgeous, my mentor teacher is lovely, and so far, I'm really enjoying teaching. But the "part-time" load feels anything but part-time, with my placement two days a week and then trying to find time to do all the work for uni and school. Andrew's had a heavy load this semester, too, so we're doing our best to manage and not neglect our darling. Right now Andrew is sitting next to me, with a 2L of Pepsi max, ready to pull an all-nighter... we'll see how he goes!

Had a good day today with a long chat to my sister in law, Jen, living in Canada and my darling little niece, Ella (also in Canada). Ella is just gorgeous and has been an amazing big sister to little Cassidy, who was born a little over a month ago. Also gorgeous. So hearing her giggle was a highlight of the day!

We're super excited about the weekend. We're off to Mt.Tamborine on Thursday night for the annual Easter convention we've attended the past several years. Most of Andrew's family goes and so it has become a wonderful family tradition. The speaker this year is Andrew's former principal from Tauernhof and an incredible teacher. And of course, the food is always amazing... not to mention there's a cheese factory a km from the retreat center that specializes in goat's cheese... I'm asking for cheese from the Easter bunny this year!

We'll spend the following week at Bob and Steph's. We're also really looking forward to that! I love time at Kalbar and will be good to have the chance to really hit the assignments in a peaceful setting! Simon has really taken to Grandma - especially her bubble blowing ability, so he should be very happy, too.

Well, Happy Easter, if you don't hear from me before then. Been missing my family - - heaps but staying so busy that there hasn't been much time for emotions. Keep us all in your prayers as the grief journey continues.

4 comments:

Cass said...: oh love the new/old photos of S-boy ... and the gorgeous header photo of you two!

life in the S-L household always sounds full and busy ... it exhausts me just trying to keep up with your work/social calendar! thanks for calling last week, was so good to talk to you!!

love and hugs to all!; April 8, 2009 at 5:23 AM
Jenny Wynter said...: Ooh I love reading your stuff Lizzie, was so awesome chatting to you. And the photos are amazing, I second that. The header photo is STUNNING!!!

Love you lots xoxox; April 8, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Judith said...: What a beautiful lead photo - absolutely gorgeous subject matter captured so well.

I love you so much.; April 11, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Marge said...: Thanks, Liz, for helping us all keep up with you guys! I love your pictures and your posting...and all of you. Hugs, Mom; April 14, 2009 at 8:58 PM

Post a Comment

This is me, a faith observed.

C.S. Lewis writes about the pain of losing his beloved wife, Joy, in his book, "A Grief Observed". In some ways this is my attempt to share my journey through grief and back into life, as the past nine months have been characterized by an immeasurable longing for my beloved father, who died suddenly this past January.

After months of hibernation from the internet, I unexpectedly find myself able to re-begin this blog and connect with my larger community of family and friends. This blog will likely reflect less of the intensity and depth of my pain and more of the simplicity and ordinary joy that keeps my life full - namely days running after our little boy, Simon Pierre. But it is because of the incredible love and presence that defined my relationship with my father, that I feel I can will myself to not just survive each day but to pour that same kind of love and attention onto Simon.

My father was an endless source of strength to me, a pillar of faith. His last words, spoken to my mother as he passed into that which is unseen, "God is good - good all the time", have remained with me through this dark cloud of grief. And when God seems hidden, when justice seems to be losing out, when life is unfair, and when death swallows up the one I most love, I remember my father's words and breathe in this promise, that the God of love is in the process of restoring that which has been destroyed.

And as my father told me in dream I've had since his death, "Look to Jesus. As a father, to point you towards Him is the best gift I can give to you." So here I am, this is me, a faith to be observed.

I hold onto that which is not always seen- the promise of God's goodness, the hope that one day in the promised new heavens and earth- on a grassy hill or a sand covered beach- the lion and the lamb will lie down side by side and I, too, will lie down side by side, next to my father, and we will laugh and laugh until there are no more tears left to cry.