End of an Era

The time has come.  It's been percolating in my heart for awhile.

Blogging has been a blessing and an enriching experience over the past seven years.

When I began, I had no idea where it all would lead and how it would end.

But, in recent days, I've been winding down.  Finishing up.

It's the end of an era.

This chapter of our lives has come to a close.

It's a bittersweet thing.  And, yet, it is good.

All of life is good.  When we belong to the Lord,

there is nothing that happens to us that isn't.

Ultimately, it's all about Him.

And, that is what I hope to leave you all with.

A sense of His greatness and my smallness.

He is the One Who ought to be magnified.

He alone is worthy of all our praise.

The Lord has been pressing on my heart the idea that this is
the end of the path for me in this blogging world.

 As each of us seek to live this life He has given 

in a manner that brings glory to His Name,

may we all be found following wherever He may lead.

Accomplishing all that our hands find to do.

By His grace and in His strength.
For His glory alone.

At the end of all, all that matters is that you belong to
our precious Saviour.  Look to Him and live.
The Lord Jesus said, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me;
and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."  John 6:37

With Love,
Camille

P.S. If at any time you wish to communicate with me, I'd love to hear from you!
My email address is flowersinhisgarden@gmail.com  
May the Lord bless you abundantly in all the days that lie ahead. 
And, may you be found to be in Him at the end of the path He has you on.

**Image courtesy of Calvin ~ It's of Emma 
on our recent trip to Northern California.

Flashback Friday ~ Newlyweds

Flashback to 1991...

...newlyweds.

Happy Friday!

With Love, Camille

Whirlwind Week

It's been a teeny little bit crazy around here.  In a good sort of way.

Back in the spring, when this time of year seemed so far off,

I concocted a plan with two long-time blogging friends.
We met via our blogs shortly after I began my online journal in 2009.
 

Jackie and Stacie thought it a grand idea to make the journey 
via a road trip to stay with us in our home for a few nights.
It was incredible to think that they would take me up on it, but, they did!

 Meeting up in person began heading in the direction of becoming a reality.

Our mutual blogging friend, Jennifer, agreed to join us.  We were thrilled.

She booked her flight in anticipation of our face-to-face blog party.
And, we all looked forward to the dates circled on our calendars.

In thinking and planning ahead, it occurred to me that it

might be nice for Emma to have a cousin thrown into the mix...

just for good measure.  I was right...it was wonderful to have her.

Before long, my brother-in-law and nephew were added to the roster.
And, that's when the serious planning began.

And, the laundry and re-arranging.  And, the meal planning.
In the end, it all came together beautifully.  What a sweet blessing from the Lord!

Jennifer arrived on Saturday.

My brother-in-law and the two cousins arrived on Monday.

Wednesday afternoon, my brother-in-law and nephew flew home.

The girl cousin stayed on.  Wednesday afternoon, the twins arrived.

Saturday morning, bright and early, Jennifer flew home.

Jackie and Stacie crossed the border and began their homeward journey
shortly afterward.  We had a couple of hours turn-around before

attending a family wedding on Saturday afternoon.

And, just like that, the whirlwind week came to an end.
The days just flew by, and I was sorry to see everyone leave.

Thank you, Jackie, Stacie, and Jennifer for making the effort to gather in our home.
(Kevin, Alex, and Chelsie...we were so glad you were part of the week as well.
Janine...we missed you!  Maybe next time?) 
We are so thankful that it worked out for all of you to come!

   How good and gracious our Great God is to give these precious moments to us.
Truly, He does all things well.  His ways are always best.  His gifts are always good.

Happy Thursday!
With Love, Camille 

In the Moment

By God's grace and enabling, we are to
to live in the moment...not for it.

What a freeing, liberating, truly wonderful thing to ponder.
May the Lord give us the grace and strength required to live this out.
And, may He be glorified in all that we do.  Moment by moment.  Day after day.

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you;
that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,
may abound to every good work."  2 Corinthians 9:8



Just wanted to let y'all know that I'm
 taking a little break from all things bloggy.
I hope to be back in the swing of things here in a week or two.

Happy Thursday!
With Love, Camille

On This Day...

Life is a journey, and so is marriage.
Some things we've learned along the way have been profound.

Other things have been too obvious to qualify for that category.

But, it's all been necessary.  And, it's all been good.

On this day, twenty-five years ago,
Howie and I said our vows and pledged our love to each other.

It's too incredible to think of it.  

We cannot even be old enough, can we?
When I look at the face looking back at me in the mirror,
I know I am old enough.  It kinda snuck up on me.

Howie, next to our Saviour, you are the best gift He has blessed me with.
I am so thankful for your steadfast love and perseverance throughout
this journey He has us on.  The Lord is so very good to us, isn't He?

"Every good and every perfect gift is from above,
and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom there is
no variableness, neither shadow of turning."  James 1:17

Happy Anniversary, Sweetie!

All my love forever,
Your Camille xoxo

Weekly Recap

I've been feeling a little out of words.

But, I'm quite confident this condition won't last forever.

In spite of the lack of words, there are some that want out.

This last week was full of good things.

Here's a list of some of the happenings.  A weekly recap of sorts.

There are things missing, I am sure.  An incomplete list is probably best.

Taught Emma some things in school and took her to music lessons
with Fraser, my chauffeur.  Had an insurance claim inspection. 

Our dishwasher quit and subsequently leaked.

Decided with Howie that we would do the repairs ourselves.

 Went with Emma all the way out to Chilliwack for a delivery,

and, while we were gone, Fraser got braces on his top teeth.

Stopped in to see Howie's Mum, and took Emma to an afternoon Science class.

While Emma was doing experiments, I worked on catching up on my daily Bible reading.

After we left, Emma and I shopped for a Sunday outfit for her.

(Do you know how difficult that is these days??)

We bought two dresses, but, one is going back to the store.

Decided that I am going to sew a dress instead.  And a slip.

Went with Howie to Whistler for the day.

I drove there and he drove back.

While he was working (3.5 hours), I worked in the library.

(A fight broke out directly behind me in said library 

and my heart raced a little.  But, help came and all was well.)

 Then, I sorted all of 2011's photos and got caught up on my Bible reading.

We went for dinner with a coupon.  Amazing!

When we arrived home, the house was in order and so were the kids.

Had friends over for dinner on Friday night. 

Washed all the beds except ours.  Cut three heads of hair.

Cooked, and cooked some more.  Did laundry and some ironing.

 Spent nearly five hours in emergency for a non-emergency.

Travelled to church and visited with Howie's parents. 

Drank coffee and ate chocolate and ice cream.

 We had popcorn and apples and shared two grilled cheese sandwiches

with sliced jalapeno peppers melted into the middle for Sunday evening snack.

I don't think I picked up my camera once.  So, last week, and the beginning of this
is documented in words alone.  Photos pulled from the archives.

Happy Monday!

With Love, Camille

**Images in this post courtesy of Calvin and Emma 2011 ~
Thank you, my loves XOXO

 UPDATE:  This post was up and running a few hours before
we learned of our friends' daughter's entrance into Heaven.
I thought about deleting it in honour of this sacred time for their family.
However, I decided to add another post to the day's roster instead.
Click here to read, and, please pray.  Thank you so much!

Why Blog?

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do,
do all to the glory of God." ~ I Corinthians 10:31

We have all got stories to tell.  And, we are all unique.
The blogging world is no different ~ much diversity is evident within it.
Some blog to keep family and friends informed on the happenings of life.
Some blog to encourage, equip, or inform.  To share knowledge.
Others enjoy the art of writing ~ blogging is a natural outlet for its pursuit.

And, it's enjoyable ~ let's not forget that point.  
Many blog just for the fun of it.

~ Circa 2005 ~

So, as many bloggers as there are out there ~
there are just as many answers to the question ~ Why Blog?  Fair enough. 
 I am only equipped to answer that question from my perspective.

It all began for me around 2007.  My sister had moved
to Maine on the east coast of the USA, at which time she began writing a blog.
I had never read a blog prior to reading hers.  It was a whole new world.

It was lovely to keep up with their lives in that way ~ complete with photos.
However, the whole idea was too *out there* for my liking.  
I would never do it ~ it was far too frightening a thought!

Obviously, I eventually got over those fears and took the plunge.
But, why?  For what purpose?

~ 2012 One of the last family photos we have with Austin ~

For the longest time, I read only two blogs ~ my sister's as well as
that of a Christian home educating mama who didn't know me.
I had *randomly* (I don't believe in *chance*, so I use that word loosely)
come across her blog.  The year was 2008.  

I read silently.  I was a lurker without knowing what that was.  :) 

She didn't just write about family events.  She also wrote about her faith.
Hers was a blog of mixtures, and I liked it.  I read for about a year without her knowledge.
The words she wrote touched my soul and ministered to my heart.  It was powerful.
Nearly a year of reading transpired before I was able to pluck up the courage 
to tell her I had been there.  It was a big step into the unknown.

I still was unsure of how the blogging world worked ~
I had no idea what she would think.

Well, she quickly became my friend.  A true friend.
Over the years, we've exchanged notes in the mail and chatted on the phone.
We've prayed together.  The invitation to visit in person has been extended.
She is a precious sister in the Lord ~ and, one day, we will meet.
We may have to wait until Heaven, but, it will happen.

The impact these two blogs had on me was huge.

More than two years after my sister began her blog, I began mine.
The publish button was first clicked at the beginning of August 2009.
Life has not been the same since.  It's been a good thing ~ surprisingly good.

My purpose in blogging is the same as in life ~ to glorify my Saviour.
Do I always fulfill this perfectly?  Of course not!
But, my God is Great and worthy of all praise.  He always does all things well.
And, He walks this path of life with me. 

He forgives when I fail.  He picks me up when I fall.
It's a wonderful, beautiful thing.  It's precious.

~ 2013 At Austin's memorial service ~

So, why blog?  For me, the answer is multifaceted.

I blog to chronicle life as it happens, record my thanks, and encourage.
I can also be found sharing recipes, home-keeping ideas, and favourite resources.
Things pertaining to motherhood and just-for-fun random stuff
will appear from time to time as well.  It's always changing ~ just like life.

Sharing my faith is another reason I blog ~ 
perhaps, when all is said and done, it's the most important one of all.

My walk with God affects all I do ~ it reaches into all of life.  This blog reflects me. 
It gives a glimpse into the everyday happenings of us ~ the good and the not so good.
Sometimes it's random and sporadic ~ it ebbs and flows with life.

Through it all, I aim to keep it real and truthful.  Honest.

My prayer as you visit here is that you will be drawn closer to
the Lord Jesus Christ and affected for eternity.
Because, at the end of it all, eternity is all that really matters.
May the Lord help us each to live in light of this.
By His Grace and for His Glory.  Alone.

With Love,
Camille

**This was originally written as a page at the top of my blog ~
It was first published there in Fall of 2014.

Stepping Back

Winter is on its way.  I feel it in my bones.

The winds and rains have arrived.  Our furnace is up and running.

We've had milder than normal weather which has resulted in a new record.

It's always a challenge to see how long I can wait before caving in.

The other day, Emma was wearing her winter coat indoors.

I don't think she was hinting at anything.  She was just cold.

The time has come for change.
A few adjustments are needed here and there.

Stepping back from the blogging world is necessary
from time to time.  At least, for me it is.

To refresh and refocus.  To set things in order.
To attend to a thing or two.  To reflect and be still.

I'm learning to embrace it.
It is what it is.

Lord-willing, I will be back in a week or two or three.
In the meantime, may you know the loving hand of
our Heavenly Father always to be upon you.
And, may you know the peace that only He can give.

With Love,
Camille

**Photo courtesy of my very own Calvin ~
Thank you my love.  xoxo

Winding Down and Gearing Up

The lazy(?!) days of summer are winding down in these here parts.

Just switching gears in my brain for the upcoming school year.

Things are gearing up for that.  Welcome Fall!

In light of this transitional time, a break from 

blogging seems to be a wise course of action.

Lord-willing, I'll be back once school is underway 

and we are in a good routine with all things academic.  

Likely, that will be two or three weeks from now.

In the meantime, I'd like to leave you with these

encouraging words from the Holy Bible.

"The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble;

and He knoweth them that trust in Him."  Nahum 1:7
Are you trusting in Him?  That truly is the only way forward.
Absolutely the only way.

With Love, Camille

The Quotidian (20. 7. 15)

Quotidian: daily, usual, or customary;

everyday; ordinary; commonplace. 

Abundant supply.

Flowers from a friend ~ Thank you SO much!  :)

Flowers from the same friend's little girl ~ Thank you, Miss R!

Family portrait on my birthday.

Birthday outing ~ cycling around Stanley Park.
(We just did the Stanley Park seawall this time.)

Some of my treasures.

Sometimes it pays to be a lady ~ note the location of the boys.

Cake and candles.

Growing old together.  :)

An attempt at preserving their beauty.

Unfortunately, they have wilted since this photo was taken.
I've read up on how to achieve better results next time.

Summer's bounty ~ from a tree that normally gives us three or four a season!!
Click here to see it in full bloom from just a few months ago.

Two shirts and one pair of pants took 45 minutes.  :)

Switching things up ~ again!

The old-new-again school room.

More organizing!

Happy Monday Y'all!

With Love, Camille