The birth of a princess

Almost 30 years ago I was just about to give birth to my very first child Sarah Elizabeth Riley - who I made to be my friend (inside joke).

I remember feeling such fear of the unknown and still so excited to meet this beautiful little person that was growing inside me. 

It was a crazy time, John was on notice to go on exercise within days and if I didn’t have our baby before the date he was set to go - too bad - he would have to leave and I would have to have this baby on my own.  I was already overdue by a few days and really didn’t think anything was going to happen so I started to panic a bit. But then it did - 5 days before he had to go)…labour started around lunch time so of course I made John take me out for lunch “Pizza" (I was going on a diet after the baby was born - of course). At first it wasn’t too bad…we went walking and then finally around 8pm I pretty much had enough and we had to go the hospital. All I can say is … for a shy girl this was unbelievable…they don’t care - and once the whole world has checked your cervix which was only at 4 cm (which needs to be 10 cm to actually give birth) - lets just say you just roll with it. 

Through the next 4 hours John and I spent time walking and watching boxing. At one point I said I didn’t want to do this anymore and in regular John style he said “Ok lets go”. 

Well then things really started to happen - my body took over and we started to bring our beautiful Sarah into the world….I remember seeing the look of helplessness on John’s face during this time - because he couldn’t really help me…I know if he wouldn’t have been there I still could have done it but with him there I felt strong and able with no fear and I am so glad he was there to greet our baby girl. 

She arrived at 12:35am on June 13, 1981 − just under 7 lbs she was wrinkly, purple and screaming - John counted her fingers and toes and kept saying how beautiful and perfect she was. I got to look at her, kiss her and then they took her away. I didn’t get to see her for another 8 hours. I remember feeling instant love and scared - where did they take her, was she ok…and lonely after John left to go call everyone and go home to sleep.  I was was hungry - when they bring you back to your room they feed you…ah the toast, honey and orange juice…best ever.  

Then the strange things your body goes through after having a baby start… thats another story…

After a restless sleep...finally I get to meet my baby girl!!

Down the hall came this rather large nurse carrying what looked like a football - but it was Sarah tightly bound in a blanket. She handed her to me and said “YOU ARE NURSING CORRECT” I feel at this point even if I wasn’t I would have - she was quite intimidating. I meekly said “Yes” - then she took ahold of my breast and proceeded to assist me…I still want to throw up when I think about it…I was 19 years old and this was completely invading my space but we had to do it. Again…they don’t care it is just a body part and they have a job to do. 

Through the pain of learning to nurse I finally got to look into the blue eyes of my beautiful baby girl who really was a Sarah “Princess”. My heart overflowed with more love than I ever thought possible. 

When John came in to see us - his face expressed such pride, joy and unconditional love. You were our daughter.  Sarah you were born to be my friend and have fulfilled your destiny in that regard more than you will ever know - but your destiny far exceeds being my friend you were born to be a child of God, a worshiper,  a friend to many, a leader, a wife, and most of all a mother. 

The journey of your life has been an honour to be apart of - I love being her mother and her friend. The moments are many from your learning to walk, to talking and bossing us all around, kindergarten, horses, the painful teenage years, working together, the heart breaks, the joys, the wedding, the birth of Jack, watching to be a parent, our journey to the Death Race and beyond…I look forward to all our new adventures.

Sarah Elizabeth Riley I love you more than I can ever express and am so proud to be your mother. The day of your birth was the first of my many best days ever!!!  

I thank God everyday for you. 

Really The BASS???

I am someone who loves to try new things and take on what some might say is a crazy idea or just really stupid one. Last year I decided to run the Death Race with a team of strong young women.  I ran Leg One and I achieved 20 minutes faster than I planned for - a lot of people thought I was crazy, foolish and again even stupid.  Maybe they were right but I don’t care I had so much fun during the process, got to know these incredible young women better and know I can push myself through pretty much any kind of pain, hardship and injuries… I did it and I am so proud of that accomplishment…but that is another story.

So now at the age of 49 - almost 50 years old I decided to learn how to play the bass. The idea started with what I saw was a need in our very young Churches Worship Team - our team only had one committed bass player who is also an amazing worship leader (its hard to combine Bass and leading) -we needed more bass players. So I decided to help out…I know crazy and unrealistic - its going to take me quite some time to learn to play let alone start working with the band. After purchasing an amazing bass and amp and everything else that goes with it…lessons and practice I set to work on learning - then realized this is going to take some time - looking cool isn’t all you need to play the bass :-).  Thank goodness some bass players have started to come out of the woodwork and join our team so the pressure is off me and I can learn and have fun doing it.  :-) Because of this idea my amazing husband has started taking Guitar lessons and I believe one day he will play with our worship team…this will be continued. 

But all that being said I am so glad I decided to take this journey into music from a different side. I have always loved to sing and have been given the great honour to sing with our worship team and now through  this new undertaking I am learning about music in a whole new way which is helping me understand worship and singing so much better.  It has increased my desire is to learn as much as I can through this and bring more when I worship God. I am also taking voice lessons and learning how to improve my singing as I also have a strong desire to lead worship one day. God is so good -He puts people and circumstances on your path so you will hopefully follow His plan for you.  The people on our Churches worship team are so inspiring, gifted and anointed. I love getting know everyone involved and sharing this beautiful experience with all of these talented young people.  I feel so blessed.

I was told by two different people (both worship leaders - I admire and respect) I would be a worship leader one day and I just laughed and put that thought away... how could someone like me lead worship?  I tried not to think about it and I never even prayed about it. For along time I stopped singing and even worshiping - closed that part of my life off. Then just recently I was given a chance to worship again by a young talented Pastor who asked me if I would like to be apart of their worship team. So I came out - I was scared and I really thought he was just being nice and that in time he would figure out I really couldn’t sing and I would be slowly fazed out.  Funny this hasn’t happen…yet - he has just been encouraging my love of worship and pushing me to be better and also reminds me its not about me it is all about HIM…we were made to WORSHIP GOD.

So that being said I am going to continue to learn the bass - it is so much fun and I will continue to take singing lessons in an effort to one day become the worship leader I was meant to be. 

The best part of all of this is John learning guitar and Sarah and Rayna are now singing on the Worship Team!!!  God is so good - heck we might even have a family worship band. :-)

The something from nothing on this is…. from just wanting to help out in an area of need - It in turn opened my heart to what I am truly passionate about "Singing and Worshiping God".   It is so true that when you give you get back ten fold…I am so excited about what the future holds for all of us. 

God Bless

Something from nothing…an icy dip

I love long weekends - for so many reasons…
its an extra day to do something or absolutely nothing, maybe you start your spring cleaning or have a BBQ’s with family and friends or just relax and remember.  But we all seem to get that feeling that summer really is going to happen  around this time of year. Some people plan elaborate traditions but not me I just like relaxing with family and friends and remembering….but once I had a tradition:

A tradition is born… it happened when I lived in Cold Lake Alberta. I was in grade 4 and my mom took me and our dog Bonny to the lake…"Cold Lake" on the May long weekend…so began the new ritual of the first dip of the season being the May long weekend! I can remember being excited and so ready to jump in the water…I had my new blue, red and white speedo on - I am not sure but I don’t think we put sunscreen on back in the day - we just burnt. :-) I also remember my freckles were popping out all over my face in the warmth of the beautiful spring sunshine  (my father used to say it looked like I stood in front of a screen door that someone had through poop through = freckles) Ah the memories :-).

Standing on the sand I remember the wind having a bit of a chill to it but off I ran towards the water- because we were at the lake and our dog Bonny was in already so it was my turn- off I ran in full tilt. As my feet hit the ICE COLD WATER…I stopped felt shooting pain in my feet and looked back at my mother who encouraged me to keep running in….”it will get better just keep going - you are doing great!” She was laughing and waving her arms towards the water - encouraging me to keep going in. So I trudged in further - tippy toeing trying to make myself as tall as I could as the icy water crept up my body - my feet were numb now  - but I continued on and even put my head under - a brain freeze I still think might have affected me in regards to learning. I didn’t stay in too long - I ran out faster it felt faster - but it was probably slower - because my feet and legs were numb. Once I got out thats when the chill of the spring wind really kicked in. But my mom hurried over to my purple shivering body and wrapped me in a big towel and went on and on about how great I did and how proud she was and how she thought it was so great that I had started a new tradition - our tradition. Me, my mom and our dog Bonny- The annual May long icy water dip - no it wasn’t a swim - I can say maybe a slight doggy paddle but not a swim it was way way way too cold!!!

 Each year after that I got nervous and even dreaded that dip - because the "Cold Lake" never got warmer on the May long weekend but I loved the experience my mom and I shared - all the laughter, the memories and hugs. She always made us a special picnic, had a big towel and a hug for me when I came out of the Freezing water - cheering me on - it was our special time no one else shared - except for Bonny.

Funny I carried that tradition on with my friends when I became a teenager - but it wasn’t the same and it didn’t last - because she (my mom) wasn’t there with the cheers, laughter, towel, a big hug and oh yes and a pretty darn good sandwich - a tradition becomes a memory.

The something I got from nothing is a wonderful memory of a funny little tradition that was born because my mom thought it would be nice to take the dog to the beach for a dip…after all Bonny was a spaniel and she loved the water.

Some of the best things come from nothing…Thanks Mom and Bonny.  xxoo