The NorMel House

New Year's Eve Wow. 2016 is over. This year has been filled with the many trials. I said goodbye to my beloved Bichon, had several surgeries, seen friends go through illnesses and loss, witnessed the brokenness of this world ruin families and lives, buried a child and so much more. Yet in all of this I stand confident that God is my refuge and strength. Through each struggle He has upheld me, He has shown grace, mercy and love. I pray that whatever comes in 2017 He will continue to uphold me. May His light shine through me in this dark and broken world. It will be a new dawn, a new day, a new chance to try again. From the NorMel House to yours: may God bless you richly in the things that truly matter

Proverbs 3: 5, 6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Its interesting that the heart is often spoken of in the Bible. Several times we are told to keep things in our heart; for example Deut 6:6 "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.", Proverbs 6:21 "Bind them always on your heart, fasten them around your neck." and 2 Corinthians 3:3 "You show that you are a letter from Christ, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the Living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts." The heart is an important thing, and is often spoken of in an emotional and mental sense. As a teenager I used to write quite a bit of poetry and more often than not I spoke of things that affected my heart. We tend to use the heart as a way to express something that is important to us. We believe something with all...

Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the Lord is a fortified tower, the righteous run to it and are safe" At first glance it may seem this verse is talking about refuge from an enemy, but take a moment to read the surrounding verses. The context of this verse is quite interesting. It's found amidst proverbs on the use and misuse of our mouths and the consequences. Satan does not always tempt us in obvious ways. He sneaks into our thoughts with words of slander, anger, gossip, and malice. When we do not guard our thoughts and thus our tongues we hurt others and stir up strife and contention. We can guard our thoughts by running to the Lord. Fill your mind with the wisdom of God's word and there is less room for Satan to slip into your thoughts. Verse 15 says "the heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out". The Lord is our tower, run to Him, seek His knowledge, ask for His Word to fill your heart and mind. Our words reflect o...

When I look at your heavens, the work of your hands, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?         Ps. 8:3&4 Moments. Moments are what we're given. A moment to think, a moment to hold on to, a moment of peace, a moment of silence. Moments. Each precious, tiny moment a gift. To love, cherish, to have and to hold on to. At this moment (and for quite a few lately) my heart is actively reminding me of moments passed, moments that never happened and ones that won't ever happen. It hurts. When I think of all the moments I'll never have with my children, you know the ones every parent looks forward to, my chest hurts. First Christmas, first steps, first words, first birthday, so many firsts that I won't get with them. I'm thankful Denver and his siblings will never have to feel this pain. We often forget to live in each God given moment. We wor...

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" Matt. 6:25 - 26 (ESV)  When we consider our lives, do we truly understand that all things are in God's Hands? So often we struggle with situations or difficulties and try to fix them. Sometimes there are actions we can take, but then we worry about whether it was the right action or choice. We need to lay it all before Him in prayer and then trust that He is in control of all things! Seek God's help, and then trust that He will lead you on the right path.  We also need to remember to leave it with Him. There have been times in my life where I've prayed about things and I say I'm leaving ...

Day 20 - "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity" Psalm 133:1 I am so thankful for my family in Christ. How blessed we are to be able to go to church today! To be able to worship in freedom, to openly share our faith and praise God. This past year there have been times when the love of our church family has truly shone brightly. I am so thankful for the love and care God has shown through his people. This past year we have had countless meals made for us, people have helped clean our house, and we've received numerous cards. Our communion of saints has cared for us, loved us and supported us through all the trials and hardships this past year has seen. I am so thankful that God has given us our church family. It is truly a blessing and an amazing thing to see everyone working together to support each other. With love, #thenormelhouse because things in life are never really normal

  Yup, back on the puppy train... They're getting older, more spunky and playful and just too cute to resist. I had to have a picture of my handsome Mr Knightly, the daddy of these cuties! They don't get their adorable looks and characters from a stranger! The pic on the right is one of the little gaffers after a bath and blow dry :) I seriously can't wait til my Roxie has hers!!!! There may end up being an overload of puppy pictures then... #thenormelhouse Where things are anything but normal and I'm eagerly awaiting puppies!

 We often forget to be thankful and there is so much to be thankful for in this life. One of the ways of dealing with anxiety and depression is to change your pattern of thoughts. As we go through life there are many things that can bring us down and cause depression, but there are also those who struggle with chemical imbalances. I bring this up because there is truth to the thought "positivity breeds positivity", but while it can't fix everything, there is definitely reason to strive for it. 90 days of gratitude. It's a challenge. Every day for 90 days you must come up with something new that is positive and that you're thankful for, and list at least  one good reason why you're thankful for it. No repeats. It's harder than you think! The first few days are easy, but then you end up having to look at your life and the world around you a little closer. If you spend time every day thinking about it and writing it out you'll find a new appreciation for...

Day 17 - It may seem a bit odd, but have you ever thought about water. Seriously. It can do amazing and beautiful things. It sustains life, it can take life, it stands or flows, it can be a force to be reckoned with or a comfort for the weary and a source of healing for pain. It can be a beautiful and magnificent sight. I look out my front window and there is snow covering the fields that will eventually melt and run away, but for now its a beautiful sparkling reminder of the many aspects of H2o. I'm excited for the time when the snow starts melting a little and then freezes and there ends up being these beautiful icicles hanging off everything. A source of life, and so often a beautiful work of art. So, as strange as it sounds, today I'm thankful for water and the many things God has made it for. #thenormelhouse where things are anything but normal

I love the snow. I love how bright and white and beautiful it looks when the whole world around me is covered in a blanket of shimmering snowflakes. I love looking out my front window and seeing it blowing and flying everywhere. I think it's a beautiful testament to how amazing our God really is. I feel this awe and love from the comfort of a warm house, tucked in a warm blanket and having enjoyed a wonderful roast dinner made by my dear husband. I'm so thankful for these undeserved blessings and for our Heavenly Father's continued Grace and mercy. May He graciously watch over those who are without these things we take for granted

Emotions betray us. I know, I know, there’s a purpose for them, but the way I see it, it comes down to Faith versus Feeling. I am a person who lives with overwhelming emotions. Not just moody, or fluctuating, but OVERWHELMING. Have you ever felt overwhelmed by something? Have you ever been so submerged in something, so surrounded by it, so overtaken by it, that it literally feels like it’s the only thing in your world at that moment? I have. I do. Constantly. I am not an expert, or a doctor, or a scientist, nor do I have any qualifications but one; life. When it comes down to making decisions most people will go with what they feel is right; I don’t. I go with what I know is right. God has given us everything we need in order to know what is right and wrong. Plain and simple (well, not really, our emotions can make things very complicated and sometimes there’s no black and white line, or writing on the wall, but you’ll get my drift eventually). I should start by saying that I don’t thi...

Remember We wait in eagerness Guns in hand But the time has come For us to stand Look at my face Do not turn away Think of us all Remember this day We go on a journey Though most won’t return In your heart and your mind May this image burn We fight as one One reason, one goal Dirt on our hands Faces streaked with coal Some lie in trenches Mud up to the waist Rubbing hands on their cheeks To warm up their face Some have been captured Tortured and shamed Herded like sheep No reference to name Others fly above us To lend us support Though some have fallen None will abort Bombs are exploding And bullets fly past I give you this picture Cause it may be my last This letter I write To tell of times at war But remember again The way I was before Remember us joking Laughing so hard we could cry For that freedom we fight And are willing to die Melynda Reinink (Printed in the Dunnville Chronicle for Remembrance Day, 2005)

A friend lost a child this past week. He was her 6th son. She has two beautiful daughters, but all her sons have moved on to glory. My heart just broke when I found out and as devastated as I was for them I know she still hurts more. When we lose a child we often feel it's too soon, or think "I just wish I could have held them (for some it may be held them once more)". We will get to, I have no doubt I will see my children again. And yet, as I saw this post on Instagram I couldn't help but feel sad and hurt. I don't think that will ever leave me but I'm thankful for the knowledge that God is holding them. "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 From the NorMel House where things are anything but normal and where the burden of grief can be shared

Lisa Smouter: current art projects: doodling my way from dark to light... : I am on the verge of creating some new work, probably continuing on the theme of motherhood or home life or something familiar and real r... A beautiful artist and a beautiful woman, I'm proud to know her! Check out her amazing art!