My daughter (who is the home-made random generator for all Islandsparrow give-aways) chose 2 numbers between 1 and 11 for our runner-ups.

and… 

Jody and Tonia - are the winners!

(and of course, I’m delighted to include Tonia’s girl, M13. I’ve been rooting for her all along. With her love of good books, and her beautiful hair, she is the obvious winner for an Anne of Green Gables give-away!)

Oh, I have the perfect gift for our grand winner Jill.

What else could I send someone whose blog is called

Jill’s World of Research, Reactions and Millinery?

The famous Anne of Green Gables hat

Here’s Sarah wearing it for Hallowe’en 1992 

Of course…

We’ll be expecting a picture from you too Jill!

Happy Monday my friends! 

Our baby graduated with honours.

Our fifth, and final, High School Graduation.

Each graduation  brings a lot of memories because my five children graduated from the same High School that I graduated from 32 years ago. They were raised here in Belfast, but attended High School in the little town of Montague where I grew up - a  20 minute drive away.

It was a memorable evening. The teachers and staff of Sarah’s school, as well as the whole community, know how to honour their graduating class.

The evening begins with a procession leading from the High School to a little Presbyterian church where a  service is held. Only the grads and staff can attend as the church is just large enough to seat the class of over 200 students.

 
I wish I could have been there, especially this year, as my preacher husband gave the message and my daughter sang. It was bittersweet, as the song was sung in memory of one of her dearest friends who died last Sept. The whole evening was shining with memories of Martha with her winsome smile and contagious laughter.

After the church service, the RCMP block off Main Street and the whole town lines up to take pictures and cheer the graduating class.

A piper and two RCMP officers, in dress uniform, lead the way.

The procession marches through the town to  the community rink - the only building large enough to hold the class and all the family members, friends and neighbours who turn out to celebrate.

A little wave and a grin for us! 

Best friends since Kindergarten!

So proud of you sweetie! 

We were treated royally in Northern Ireland - by our good friends and by the weather - four lovely days of warmth and sunshine!

~ Paul and Priscilla ~
On the first day we took a drive up along the beautiful North Antrim Coast.

Mist threatened to shroud the spectacular view but it lifted - a minor miracle in Northern Ireland I am told.

The rugged coastline - so different from our red rocky shoreline.

The pristine white sands of Whitepark Bay

When you go to NI you have to visit the incredible rock formations at the Giant’s Causeway.

Geologists explain that the Causeway was created during a period of volcanic activity some 60 million years ago. The famous columns were formed when lava cooled quickly upon flowing into the sea… Local folklore offers an alternative explanation for the Causeway’s creation. The story goes that it was built by the Irish Giant Finn MacCool so that he could cross the Irish Sea to Scotland to challenge a rival giant, Benandoner.1

It was a bank holiday so there were many others out to enjoy the sunshine and tangy salt air.

“The Honeycomb”


 “The Organ”

We had a perfect day - and it was only the first.

The very next day R was happy to find his “home away from home”.

But that’s another story for another day.

Have a wonderful weekend my friends!

 We live on Polly Hill. The hill was named after one of the three ships that brought the original Scottish settlers to this community in 1803. There is a monument and small park across the road from our home.

 

The boys wrote a song about growing up here - on Polly Hill. It’s one of my favourites. This is a video of a live performance - recorded by a fan.

You may want to turn it down a bit in the “singalong” section - it gets a trifle out of tune enthusiastic!

but don’t miss the last note sung by the boys - it’s sweet!

 More endless gifts…
7.my children
8.growing up in a small town beneath an eastern rural sky
9.harmony
10.happy childhood memories for my children  

A crumpled rose-leaf, a gleam in the water lit up by sunset, a child’s happy smile, waken in me the conviction that, as I am looking out upon Nature, so there is Another gazing on me.
 William Barry

A comforting thought for a rough week.

We are all reeling from the news that a very good friend (who had been in perfect health) is in critical condition with pancreatitis.

He is a much loved elder in our church - his wife is known for her ministry of “hugs”.

We would be grateful for your prayers.

_{Photo credit - Rinda Dean} 

     
wishing you much love and happiness! 

•  loves walks
• loves to be patted
• loves to sit under the piano bench while I play
• loves to sit by the computer when I’m on
• loves to lay on the end of my bed (when Roger is not around) 
• loves to lay on her little bed right beside my chair
  
• loves us

Note the paw … it means “Keep rubbing”

Thank you everyone for your kind words and prayers yesterday.  I have a genetic heart condition which has a very long name - hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - which basically means a weak heart muscle. So I head in to the hospital on a regular basis for all sorts of heart tests. The treadmill stress test is not my favourite. I am very easily winded and it’s particularly uncomfortable for me. It’s good to have over.  Today I’m in for an echogram. That’s an easy one!

• The house is clean and tidy and festive!
  
• the tree is trimmed
• the presents are wrapped 
• the seafood chowder is simmering, the rolls are in the basket, the meatballs and chicken wings are in the slow cookers. The hot taco dip and cream cheese and bruchetta on baguette are both ready for the oven. Don’t forget the veggie tray! The sweet tray is arranged.
  
• the candles are ready to be lit
  

Ah …

Everything is under control. Santa is not the only making a list and checking it twice!

All my  children are home - the first time in 2 years! My oldest son, Andrew, arrived today with his fiancé  - safe and sound -  although her luggage hasn’t made it yet. We’re hoping it will arrive soon.

This evening we will gather in our church for our Christmas Eve candlelight service. It will be packed because everyone loves to come home to the Island for Christmas. We’ll  light the Christ candle, listen to the familiar readings and sing the carols that will echo around the world, celebrating the birth of our Saviour. 

Afterwards, family and friends will gather here for the chowder and munchies. There will be a lot of talking, laughter and stories. And music!! We have 4 guitars, 2 pianos, a banjo, a mandolin, a harp and several penny whistles - a house filled with harmony  -  all the voices of my husband, our children and our friends blending together - my very favourite part of our gatherings.

Tomorrow we will open our stockings (traditions rule here) and then have brunch. Later we will open the presents under the tree. Turkey dinner with all the trimmings will follow in the evening. On Boxing Day we will head up to Nan and Gramp’s for the MacPhee clan gathering - another turkey dinner - this time for 35!

I wish each of you a blessed Christmas filled with the joy and peace that comes from knowing Him. He is the best reason of all to celebrate!

Merry Christmas with much love!

Kathie 

Well …

The conference started on a lovely note.

 I had just arrived in my  hotel room when I heard the phone ring.

“This is the front desk calling.” a voice said. “We have a delivery  for  Kathie MacPhee.”

“I’ll be right down” I answered. I got into the elevator and headed down the three flights to the lobby. As the elevator door opened, I caught sight of the front desk. There, sitting on the counter, was the most beautiful bouquet of long-stemmed red roses - a dozen gorgeous blooms. Nestled among them, was a sweet lovenote from my husband.

I’m still glowing! :)

The rest of the conference did not disappoint. It was a lavish banquet of …

• inspiring messages
• passionate worship
• laughter
  
• sweet reunions with dear friends
• laughter
•  good food
• laughter
  
•  a candle lit hospitality room offering herbal teas, flavoured coffees and hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and peppermint bits
• laughter
  
• and even complimentary  hand massages!

These ladies know how to put on a good conference!

Did I mention how much we laughed?

Oh my …

The morning after the conference I woke up with two lines of a song that we sang running through my mind. They are still there - I’m captivated by them. Even as I type these words, my throat tightens and my eyes fill with tears.

It’s my prayer and the cry of my heart.

and yet I wonder - at what cost?

Can I?

I know that in myself, I’m not able.

To be totally honest, I’m not always even willing.

I fail. I’m afraid.

Yet, I am calling out to the Lord,

I want this. It’s my deep desire.

Listen

_{I love the bridge in this song!}

Photo credit - Rinda Dean

I love the way the water perfectly mirrors the beauty of the  sunset and trees in this photo of Cameron’s Island. It puts me in a “reflective” mindset; it’s such a lovely reminder of our calling to reflect the glory of the Lord.

…But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.  For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
2 Cor 3:16-18 NLT

I am so glad that it is His work - not mine. I only need to fix my gaze on Him and His Spirit does the work of transformation.

That’s freedom. 

I’m heading off for a weekend of reflection - moments of hearing about Him, thinking about Him, singing to Him, praising Him, talking to Him, listening to Him - as well as great fellowship and fun with other women who long to know Him more and reflect Him more beautifully.

Wish you were coming too! Wouldn’t that be fun?!