The NorMel House

Dead Dead inside and yet wishing it was actually true. Because it isn't. The truth is I'm alive. I wouldn't really call it living though. I'm existing in a world made up of pain, agony, exhaustion, confusion, and simply existing through it because nothing has killed me yet. Not the times of complete numbness to the world around me, not the extreme emotions that hit like a storm and threaten to take my last breath. They never do, though I wish they would. Seems anything would be better than this. Not too many people would understand my plight, though some may understand parts. I was ok-ish. For a person with depression, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Myofascial Pain Disorder, PMDD, back issues, complete lack of immune system and so many other health problems I was ok. For a while. I accepted that God has taken all 8 of our children to be with Him. I accepted that I would always live in pain. I accepted and even got to the point where I don't even want to raise children in thi...

By now hundreds of thousands of people have been tested for covid, however if you haven't, you aren't missing anything fun. We had to book our appointments 2 days away as the testing facilities were so busy. They sent us to an arena and told us to go in through the Zamboni doors.  With lots of "No Pictures" signs and double checking health cards we drove in a circle on the arena floor. Last stop? Poking a plastic brush-like thing up your nostril... Not a pleasant feeling, but what can you do? Then it was a waiting game...in isolation with the hubby and 4-legged babies. As symptoms left, new ones came. My body went through all kinds of things and when I called the test results line 5 days later the lady told me it sounded like covid to her, but my results weren't in yet.  Eventually I called and they told me the test was negative but by that point I'd already been quarantined for 2 weeks just in case. Regardless of what it was I had I was still recovering at th...

What do we do when everything seems to fall apart? Where do we turn when the world around us seems to be crumbling and we feel like we just can't take anymore? We often wonder how all these bad things can happen; why do they happen? There is a reason for all things, and the bible tells us that as Christians there is a definite purpose. As a result of our sin the world is no longer perfect, and bad things happen. But is that all? Is that the only purpose??? I don't believe so. One of the things the bible talks about is being refined. We are being refined by our trials, being molded into something better! Zechariah 13:9 "...and refine them as one refines silver and test them as gold is tested..." Isaiah 48:10 "Behold I have refined you, but not as silver' I have tried you in the furnace of affliction" Psalm 66: 10-12 "For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid an oppressive burden upo...

"All my hope is in Jesus  Thank God that yesterday’s gone  All my sins are forgiven  I’ve been washed by the blood"  What a blessing we have in Jesus! As you go through your week remember where our hope is found! Today's #TuesdayTunes is an uplifting duet, " All My Hope ", sung by Crowder featuring Tauren Wells. May it bring a smile to your lips and a prayer to your heart thanking God for this great blessing!

There are things in life that take us by complete surprise. Life’s pathway will bring struggles; we each have our own particular heart ache. Yet, we can be confident, we serve a God who knows the beginning and the end! He has given us a light for our path and we must trust our sovereign God; that He knows what He’s doing. When wrestling with assurance we can see that the devil is strong. He will do anything to separate us from God’s love so we must pray for perseverance! We must also pray that we will see God’s presence in our lives and that God will keep His eyes on us. By faith, through grace, we are united with Christ and therefore perfect in God’s sight. When we know in faith, that this is true for ourselves, then we may know that no matter thick or thin, no matter what trial or trouble, we are well protected, for He will hide us in the shadow of His wings. What a blessed comfort it is to us, to enter day by day, knowing that the Father sees His children through the lens of His Son...

Oh how well I know this. When I look at my life and myself I am amazed that God could love a wretch like me. That He sees me better than I even see myself and yet He still calls me His own. I've done nothing to deserve this love; in fact I've done all kinds of things to push Him away, and to deserve the opposite. I am a sinner, I dont deserve His grace, I dont deserve His mercy. How thankful I am that He gives it anyways.  #byGracealone #savedbyGodsGrace #undeservedgrace #thankful #notbymymight #amazinggrace #Godslove #extraordinaryGrace #inChristalone #ChildofGod 

Ok, so I know it's a weed... but theres something beautiful in the intricacies of this puffball. I feel like there's something poetic about it all. Most people would have ripped this weed out of their  garden long before it got to this point (it's stem is more than 3 feet long/tall), but then they would have missed out on how cool it looks! Beauty is found in many forms. I see the beauty in God's design, this plant has a purpose. Maybe it's purpose was simply to cause me to reflect on things, maybe not. Its reminded me to look for the good and the beauty in all things. God's creation is amazing, each life is formed and fashioned by His hand, even the plants and weeds. I mean seriously look at it, it's so neat!  I'm probably rambling; just some things to think on for the day "All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made" John 1:3  #considerthis #Godscreation #Godmadeallthings #beautyintheweed...

To say the last few weeks have been difficult would be an understatement. At times it felt like hell on earth. Three weeks ago at this time I was fighting some sort of flu or virus, as well as a pinched nerve in my spine; the combination of the fever, pain, uncontrollable body shaking chills, headache, nausea, dry heaving, body drenching sweats and spasms had me begging for death. In shame, I admit to asking my husband to put an end to my misery, pleading with him for death. I don't remember much from those first couple days other than the pain, and overwhelming desire to have it all end. Despite my husband's pleading, I refused to go to the hospital, terrified of being put in isolation and suffering all alone. With all the fear and regulations due to Covid-19 I knew they would isolate me. Several of the symptoms being recognized as Covid-19 symptoms were wreaking havoc on my body and I wasn't certain if I had it or not. I only knew I was barely hanging on as it was. I was ...

I thank God for the father who raised me. He's kindhearted, generous, giving, loving and has always done his best for me. He raised me to serve and praise the Lord and I am truly grateful. I'm also grateful for the many other fathers in my life. I've been blessed with a wonderful Father-in-law who is wise and caring and has made me to feel grateful for both my families. To my dear husband, you're the best father no one seems to know. You've been a steady rock and Christian through all our children's births and deaths. Though you dont get to parent our children you show love and wisdom with all children. Our arms will be so full when we finally meet our children in heaven. I love you. Fathers come in many forms. To the many fathers in our lives, may you be blessed with wisdom and faith so you can raise your children to God's glory. To the ultimate and perfect Father be all glory. Without you, my Heavenly Father I'd have nothing. 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord .  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8‭-‬9 ESV So great and powerful is our God. It's truly a blessing that we dont always get what we want. God knows all things and what He wants for us is far better than anything we could possibly think of. Trust In God #TIG #trustinGod #greatisHislove #Godsways #ChildofGod #TheNorMelHouse 

April has come and gone. Another week has passed, and life seems to have a new 'normal'. Nor is still working from home and we still avoid in person interaction with others where possible. Grocery shopping happens every 2-3 weeks, and we managed to go the entire month of April without needing gas for either car. Seems the money saved on gas has gone towards groceries instead though as our usual No Frills store had to take some precautions when an employee caught covid19. We've been hitting the fortinos instead, which costs a bit more but also means only one stop. It also has a lot more room so it's easier to keep your distance from others. We just enjoyed another game night with friends in the new 'style'. Zoom video chat and online games played with our cell phones. Not quite the same as all being under one roof but it's pretty fun anyways. It felt good to laugh and joke around again. Bit of a rough few days in the body department. It's been a while sin...

I'm not alone, I know that. But some days it sure feels that way. I'm sure I'm not the only one to feel this way; like there's a millstone in the middle of my chest and at any moment I could be crushed by the weight of it. Today there is so much emotion wrapped up in my memory bank; a lot of wondering about the things that might have been. 7 years ago I sat in an emergency room just waiting for the bad news. I knew it was coming. I had told my doctor a few weeks earlier but she had passed it off as first time nerves. I had tried to be positive despite my feelings that something was wrong. I didn't want to believe it, desperately wished it WAS just first times nerves, and up until those words were spoken I held onto that thin light of hope. I don't think you ever forget moments like that. Holding on to Norm's hand like it was a lifebuoy that he could pull me in from the storm with. Because despite him being there, despite it being his child to...

We live in strange times, which aren't made any easier by the media. False stories, both to over-scare people and to play it down too much make it confusing to know what is really even happening. For the most part I'm not caught up in either. I believe there's good reason to take lots of precautions and to stay home, but I'm not so overly protective that I don't take walks. I do. When the sun is shining and the weather is nice I make a point of trying to get in a good walk. I still avoid getting even remotely close to other people, but I wave and smile and try to keep things positive. It's been a bit difficult with the crazy weather we've been having though. In the span of a few minutes it can go from sunny and no wind, to dark, stormy looking skies with hard snow pellets flying and smacking you in the face, to rain or back to sunshine. I find, at times, I feel like a yo-yo from all the havoc it wreaks on my body. When I look back to my younger days I feel a...

I think nowadays speaking includes speaking via social media... may I learn to THINK before I speak. 🙏🏻 Is what I want to say: True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and Kind #HelpmeLord #ChildofGod #THINK

"God is greater than our hearts and He knows everything" (1 John 3:20b) Wow. This is such a huge comfort for the believer! In His omniscience, God knows all things, at all times, effortlessly and intimately. Have you ever tried to count the stars?  "He determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names" (Psalm 147:4) We can't even begin to count them, yet He determined each one, gave them their places, gave them their names! What about the hairs on your head, not as many as the stars in the sky but "even the hairs of your head are all numbered" (Luke 12:7). Does that not fill you with awe and amazement? His knowledge is far beyond our comprehension. He knows all things that are possible, all things that have happened and all things that will happen. We often think we're quite smart yet our knowledge is but a drop in the ocean, just a spec of what God knows. As Christians we ought to be humbled and comforted by all this. We are...

7 years ago I was pregnant and took up crocheting, somedays it doesn't seem that could possibly be right, other days it feels like a lifetime ago. I guess technically it was 8 little lives ago. Strange how seeing something so simple brings back so much. My little Miya, I was so looking forward to meeting you but I guess I'll have to wait longer still. My arms will be so full in heaven.

I close my eyes, basking in the gentle warmth of the sun Its light kissing the surface of everything around me The soft hum of cars passing by barely breaks the silence of the morning And I am at peace. Though the world is living in fear Though the virus has put us all in isolation  Though we know not what tomorrow brings I find myself content. Here in this moment, the sun wrapping me in a warm soft hug, in the quiet before the day begins, I find God. It's as if He's sent this comforting sunshine to remind me of His unfailing love.  Just as the sun is holding me, He holds me And as the sun gives life, so He is the giver of all life  I find peace and comfort in this moment I'm thankful. Thankful for this moment of calm before the day ahead Thankful for the gentle reminder of God's grace Thankful for the strength I find in Him The day has begun

Every year I struggle with the darkness of winter. My body and mind crave the sunshine and a break from the achy dampness that seems to last forever. But every year I come back to this. Every year I have these faithful reminders. Faithful in their yearly return; faithfully reminding me of the one in whom I put my faith. They get all they need from the same amazing Creator that gives us all life. I see these beautiful and bright displays of color and life and I know. Darkness will not last forever. There is hope. I am a #ChildofGod #beautycomes #NoartistlikeTheArtist #Nofilter #nature #beautyinnature #beautyincreation #AwesomeGod #Godisgood #blessed #flowers #rain #sunshine #color #life #creation #SADs #wildgardens #flower #springreturns