JANES Retreat Weekend '09

The JANES Core Team were hosted for an amazing (though too short) weekend of relaxation & planning out at the Butlers' Lakehouse on Lake CC. What a place! Sue Butler & her family are the most generous & gracious hosts. I didn't want it to end... Thanks Butler family!!!

The gorgeous Lakehouse property:

The large gazebo with outdoor kitchen, where we enjoyed a delicious dinner:

The main guesthouse where we enjoyed a delicious & healthy breakfast & lunch:

Getting down to business:

We accomplished a LOT:

The radiant Daphne, JANES Ministry Leader ... see Jane lead!

The passionate Marta, Coordinator of Community Outreach ... see Jane reach!

The talented Alene, Discipleship Coordinator ... see Jane grow!

The energetic April, Women's Small Groups Coordinator ... see Jane connect!

The inspiring Alisa, developer & chief editor of the Granola Bar Devotional, & JANES core team member ...

And me... Events Team Coordinator ... see Jane shine!

No... not our Administration Coordinator (we're still looking for one of those to replace our sweet Mandy who is off on a new venture)! This is Kiki! Alisa's daughter joined us for our girls' weekend... naturally! She was a total joy!!! :)

Our fabulous hostess, Sue... I adore this woman! Thank you, Sue... I LOVE your spirit of generosity & look forward to visiting with you again soon!

Preparing for the short trip home (& discussing what a fun time we had)!

I love these women & feel SO privileged to serve with them in this ministry!!!

Let's do it again soon, gals! xo

Meet Alisa Hope... my friend!

My dear friend, Alisa was chosen by Internet Café Devotions as a Guest Barista this week!

Alisa is an amazing writer & friend... my kindred spirit. Please check out her writing blog by clicking on the "Faith Imagined" HEART link above!

Congrats, Alisa... my beautiful friend! Love you. xo

The Terrifying Texas Brown Tarantula!

The Texas Brown Tarantula (looks mostly black) is on the move right now... whether because it's mating season or due to all of the rain we've had lately, I've been finding these unwanted visitors ready to greet me as I got home 3 different times this past couple of weeks!

Here they are... let me know YOUR thoughts!!!


Tarantula #1 in the past 2 weeks. There was another a few weeks previous too!!!

See how close this one was to going INTO my house (garage)?!

Tarantula #2 - I almost stepped on this one going out into my garage! (This pic is post-RAID, obviously.)

See how close he was to going inside my HOUSE!!!??? Eeek!

Tarantula #3 - This guy greeted me at the door as I got home the other night. :(

See how close he was to my front door!? (My door is directly to the left of the light.)

So, "man-in-a-can" (aka RAID) was my immediate friend, until the bug guys I use could come out & spray. And, although I'm praying there will be no further sightings, if anyone (in the CC area) is looking for a Tarantula as a pet, I'll keep you in mind for the future, but it's too late for these guys!!!

Bonne Jour Des Mères!

"The sweetest sounds to mortals given
are heard in Mother, Home, and Heaven."
~ William Goldsmith Brown

My Mommy & I in Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia... just a few years back!
Love you, Mom!


My Miranda Roo... my puppy Momma-bear!
She's now 8-years-young & the best puppy Momma there ever was!


Honourable mention to my sister, Jilly, & my GodMom, Aunt Carol too!
Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there...

SPEAK '09

I haven't blogged in SO long! WOW... time flies. Life has been so busy. That's my only excuse. :)

Most recently, the busyness of life has taken me to Grapevine, TX (Fort Worth) & Fellowship Church, led by Ed & Lisa Young. Our JANES (women's ministry at BAF) were invited to their Flavour Women's Conference, called SPEAK. What a great trip!
Thanks to my amazing church for such a great opportunity, to Fellowship Church for being such amazing hosts, & to my girls: DeeDee, Daphne, Jessica, Mandy, & Marta for great memories!

"Couture with a Cause" Fashion Show & "Sweets & Shopping" Social: