Mother's Day 2013

{Written Mother's Day 12.5.2013 in Heinola where Mikko is preparing his Ph.D. paper}

It's been awhile since I journeled during morning quiet time. Today is Mother's Day in Finland (Same as in the U.S., Father's Day differs however). I wake-up and am told to stay in the room. 2nd of four children is still sleeping.

"Don't Look!", the other children squeal with excitement. I use the toilet and cover my eyes while returning to the bedroom. I get a coffee headache.

"Mikko Dear, can I get a cup of orange juice or something?"

Second child wakes.

Mikko brings in juice and I am asked to continue to wait. Mikko summons second child to table. There is lots of whispering...LOUD WHISPERING.

A Liimatta trait. Rauha täti, Paula täti and mother-in-law flashback. I'm sleeping and wake to loud whispering. I smile. We are in Kuisma. I'm engaged to Mikko and am in Finland at summer for the first time. It's 1999.

We all sleep in the attic. Great memories. Flash back forward, Mikko is about to graduate with his first seminary degree. Mother-in-law and Rauha täti fly over. They sleep in our living room. Seminary housing, particularly the ones we lived in, I'm told, were made with the cheapest material at the time. We were in Mill Valley. Down the street a lawyer for Dryer's Ice cream and other "well-off" folks with gated and or secured housing.

Irony. It is difficult for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, let alone into their own house.

I worked at a popular coffee chain. The lawyer would visit and get her white mocha...I think. (If you worked at a coffee shop for awhile you start to know everyone's drink. Popular sprinter, Michael Johnson, white mocha too...I think.) The lawyer gave icecream coupons once. That rocked.

Back to the Liimatta sisters. They try to order a capuccino in their best English. Mikko holds me back and suggests they do it themselves. Leader allowing people to lead. Love that guy. They return with a frozen coffee drink. They are confused. We all laugh and realize the cashier misunderstood.

It's morning. They whisper loud. It's humorous, Finns are considered quiet and reserved. You can't separate these ladies.

Back to Heinola 2013.

I'm summoned  out of my room to a table set for pancakes and goose berries. I'm smilling inside and already forsee the berry massacre on the floor (Hence no breakfast in bed) that I will probably be cleaning up. Thank the Lord for carpetless floors! Carpet. Yuck.

I'm presented with gifts. First, a card from our four year old daughter. It's a picture of Mikko and I swimming. A heart drawn between us. She's elated. I'm smiling.

Next 6 year old presents an envelope with a lepard material fabric heart affixed to pink paper. I open it, it's  blue bracelet he made in calss with plastic shells, roses and crystals. My eyes swell up in tears. I'm never giving this away, I think.

Then our oldest, the eight year old hands a package and a bunny card. He had hand sewn a travelling rabbit neck pillow. Tears are rolling. Mikko smiles, the kids are ready to eat.

We headed out that day to walk a local trail with our sanwhiches in tow. What a beautiful day! I love being a mother!

13 years and going...

The Finn and I have been married for thirteen years. We both say to each other, "God has really given us what we don't deserve." Long suffering and all that wonderful stuff said at weddings while reading the "Love is patient" passage has really been learned, by God's good grace. We have more fun now than we have had before. To celebrate we went to Sotkamo where it was -20 something celsius. Enjoyed a day at a spa and a movie at "Hotel Sivonen". I learn something new about Finland, culture and the Sivonen family all the time. This time I was told of the passing of Russian's coming through town to celebrate their orthodox Christmas and New Years. The town is apparently swarming with them. One relative told of a time when she remembered Russians coming to Sotkamo to look for an ironing board with legs (a hot item at the time).

To also celebrate I also decorate our room to give us reminders of our covenant marriage...And to show off my accessories! (tee-hee) 

I am pretty happy with this arrangement.

Something we purchased together.

A key holder-now jewelry display (Sinelli Outlet 12 euros)

Frozen lake and the Finn.

Hubs making morning coffee at "Hotel Sivonen"

More snow...

Mikko said he even provided me with a romantic plastic flower! Bahaha

Bar and Restaunt (We were basically the only customers there for the most part)

More of beautiful Sotkamo!

Accessories! Thank God for my accountability friend who also makes sure I have proper bling. Ikea trash bag holder.

To go with our romantic room. I made curtains! So happy with them!

All Things New :

And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." -Revelation 21:5

I have had this idea floating in my head for sometime. It has processed many times but never quite had the time: or made the time, to be written. It is more than an idea, it is something that I would love to see actually. Concretely. There is truth in it. Towering strong hope that pushes me to share with others. Beautiful truth that makes that hope flourish. Not on my own power but through Him, the all Glorious King who made me. Sin entered a perfect garden and corrupted the beauty and purity between God and Man. God perfect. Me: not. Christ came and taught man true repentance from sin. Without him I am nothing. His death and resurrection freed me and gave be access to the Father.

I am still a sinner and constantly reminded of such. That is what makes the Gospel so beautiful, I am free. The gift of repentance, the gift of Christ and His Bride, the church. We are teaching the children a new song every week. This week Dana Derksen, "Has God ever had a beginning?"

It quotes Revelation 4 verse 8, 

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!

Reminds me that I am saved, being saved, and will be saved!

Assurance of salvation.

I am just thinking about what Christ has done in my life, and how I long for others to experience His love too. I am not just talking to people who do not believe the same as I. Christians too. I pray they can find themselves committed to a church. One thing that keeps ringing in my head is, 

The body of Christ is a gift.

I was there too. Going from church to church. Not knowing my place. God is patient. Really he is! Looking back now, I can not imagine living the Christian life alone. Or spreading myself in EVERY Christian corner and not in one place. The body of Christ is also a family. You want to get know family don't you? Don't get me wrong, I have friends spread across this planet in different Christian fellowships and I have the blessing of having fellowship with them once in awhile. My point is, are your talents, gifts, time, and heart for your local church? When people come to fellowship with us then stop with no explanation, it feels awkward. I mean I am there to serve and all, but I consider that person my brother or sister in Christ. Where did you go?

I understand not everyone's situation is that black and white. I have friends who can't come because of personal family preferences, illness, etc. And they have expressed that to me and they long to be in fellowship with others.

Now to my point. If you are still following me, thanks. Didn't I tell you how patient God was? Now to the title of my blog post:

All Things New

Just want to give hope to those who believe and just feel like they can't fellowship because of sin, that Christ died for Shame. Repentance can seem difficult. But that is a gift too. Christ promises to make all things new. That is fantastic news! And there are people like us waiting for people like you to love and support and pray and serve with.

In the last couple years I have noticed a love for taking something old or used and repurposing it. It is not only eco friendly, but it has been something I have found joy in. Even my husband has noticed how much fun I have and in return he is finding joy in my joy. It can also be a beautiful illustration of how the Lord takes my old self and makes it new. He is still taking old pieces of me to change me for my good and His glory.

I have dreams that one day we can help our community in ways that would not only help them know the Savior and His ways, but also help them to help others and serve in the church. A huge piece of my heart beats for single mothers and mothers who are in pregnancy crisis situations. I just need wisdom in how all this will come together. So pray for me. One idea was to be apart of a Market night to raise awareness for Itu Projekti. I am not able at this season in my life to study to be a counselor for them, but want to at least voice the huge need to help women in need. One friend suggested a free repair clothing night, others a flea market/coffee house day, or even a single mother's dinner. If you remember, I am an idea monster. This already feels bigger than myself. Until then...

Thanks for reading...be blessed.

Mikko's volleyball jerseys were just in a box in the storage.

 I had them made into a quilt for his birthday.

My Grandmother's table clothe: turned pillow cases

2012 Christmas gift projects

WC: Where great ideas come from!

When Mikko or I come out from the sauna bathroom after shower we usually hear this come out of our mouths, "I have an idea!" Perhaps when there are no children present to steal space in my brain, I find it quite nice to have my own thoughts. If the girls are in tub while I masterfully shower and bathe them at the same time my thoughts are intterupted with, 

"Mom, the water's too hot."

or

"Mom, the baby pooped in the tub."

or

"Mom, why do the boys have a thingy here and I don't?"

Anyway I hope to share in the near future what I came up with while loofa-ing away, plus some Finland's Father's day/week recap.

Meanwhile, a Finnish friend who moved to Canada got me inspired to organize the bathroom! Hope you enjoy!

Never will I have to sing, "Oh, where is my hairbrush?!" 

 The hubs asked me to label where all the clothes need to go. As you can see the sides of the door are labeled by color and temperature.

 A quote I found in an Magazine, "We should all do what, in the long, gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting laundry." -E.B. White, Letters of E.B.White

 Yes, for organized!

The hubs is working hard to get cupboards put in so that the counter is clear. Other wise it looks clean here!

Estonia, Moles and Butter in Coffee

I am a little perplexed as to how I totally skipped October blogging.

Ok. So like we are not surprised here.

I mean really, I don't think I have been so busy in my life. Cleaning, Caring, and Planning. Completing tasks that will hopefully in the long run help me as a busy mom.

So like...what do you do?

Wow, so if I were to ever write everything down you and I would realise that my life scene looks like something from the book, If I Give a Mouse a Cookie. No, you actually won't get an instant replay of what actually happens here. It would be like a scene from Mr. Bean.

What actually does come to mind is the sweetness of Grace. God granting me areas of peace in my life that I am eternally grateful for. Since I am not pregnant, I also decided to get a mole removed from my face.

That's random

You know after nursing babies for almost 8 years I finally paid heed to our toddler poking my mole while nursing.

That is weird. All the babies did that. Wait. That is huge! It is even different colors.

Hence, the removal of such.

After returning home I debriefed the mole removal with my father-in-law. Somewhere along the lines we started discussing his childhood and how "a real old person" would say they put butter in their coffee. He even remembers his own mother throwing in salt. Those kind of conversations I treasure, fun stories from way off yonder.

Before that, I went alone to Estonia for a women's retreat put on by Women of the Harvest. Real lovely and well organized. They want to bless as many Americans and Canadians who are like minded like myself. Anyway, I met some really special ladies who serve all over Europe and was really grateful for the time away. However, traveling alone made me realise how much I cater to my kids and hubby. I nearly offered a wet towelette to a lady at the harbor because she had something on her boot.

Oops. No diaper bag.

On the boat I nearly took ten napkins after buying my croissant and tea. (Which by the way, found out that Estonia is now on the Euro. Yah, I know, I am a little slow. Wondered why the guy asked where I have been. I nearly did a dance in the street when I confirmed with my friend who picked me up as if I were Jim Carry in Dumb and Dumber who just found out, a little too late, that a man landed on the moon. Yah, that is me.)

By the way, the gals at the retreat gave me this awesome Ranch Dressing recipe! I can't eat MSG, so this was a God send and it tastes so much better anyway! I added 2 cups Greek yogurt instead of milk and mayo, and it makes awesome dip. Try for yourself.

Ranch Dressing Mix
2 t salt
2 t dried minced garlic
8 t dried onion flakes
2 t ground black pepper
2 t sugar
2 1/2 t paprika
2 1/2 t parsley flakes
Mix dry ingredients and store in airtight container. Combine above with one cup mayonnaise and one cup milk.

 From my hotel room.

 Tea and Croissant

On my way to Estonia in the morning! Ihana!

Thoughtful Gifts and Malminkartanon

Big things come in small packages. Like a relative surprising me with a tea kettle I have wanted for some time, or another relative leaving two buckets of fresh berries from Kuisma at our door. I also remember searching out an enamel pitcher for serving guests. I was inspired about four years ago when I was invited to a neighbor's house. She was serving juice in an enamel pitcher with old fashioned painted strawberries on them. Just when I was about to give up I noticed Ikea had it displayed in their catalog. By the time I got to the store, I realized they advertised it as a vase. (No Worries here! Just look at the bottom and you will see it is permissible to put liquids in it.)

Tea or Juice anyone?

Little princess gives this day a thumbs up!

Friends to enjoy picking with! Birthday buddy on left. I love these girls!
 I even saw other friends, I love them too!

Several kilos of yummy!

Somebody loves apples!

Let's wrestle with toddler in applesauce grass! Yah!

He cracks me up! You should have seen one of the lady organizers with the mike looking up into the tree. "No, climbing the trees! These trees come from the 50's. We don't want the branches to break!." He also jumps down in front of everyone and yells, "I feel like a man!". "That's nice dear." I reply as we go to the next tree.

While the man shakes the branches the kids scatter to pick up apples.

Is that a worm?

And random yes. This from my garden! Ok, so only two grew so far. I grated the large one and put it in the "macaroni in a box" casserole. It was delicious! Mikko grew some carrots too!  That is all for now, hope you enjoyed!

Little B's first Bible

Life is just too busy. What am I doing? Just put the kiddos to bed and thinking, wow I am really blessed. I have been having fun with a lot of projects, crafts, organizing, repairing, replacing.

I think it is time to slow down.

*sigh*

I was reminded what kind of husband the Lord has given to me. He melted my heart today when our oldest son came home from getting our back window replaced (funny story, tried to fit chairs in the car after small group and Mikko slammed the back hatch of the van and ...you guessed it. Glass everywhere.) and with a smile on his face:

"Mommy, daddy took me out for juice and a strawberry pastry and gave me my first Bible!"

Man my husband turns handsome quick! (He already is and boy you can imagine, I was even more in love!) Mikko promised him that when he learns to read he can have his first bible. Now I find him in bed reading God's word. Precious isn't it...