grandmaerobics

Grandma and Grandpa's prayer for an accessible place for them where they could have lots of support was answered when an apartment was recently renovated for accessibility and was available just when they were ready to make the move. And... bonus... it happens to be in Zurich! This is a very good move for them.

As we were setting up their new apartment last weekend, Grandma insisted on having her exercise mat out of storage and in the living room. She's been planning some play time with Miss Maia on the floor of their new place. And why wait? This video was taken on our first visit to their new place earlier this week. Go Grandma!

inspiration

I'm a little low on inspiration today. I had hopes of getting back to songwriting this week, and though I love writing for a purpose, I'm coming up pretty dry.

That's not to say there haven't been many inspiring moments and hours in my life of late. There've been lots -- just none to fuel new songs for the new album it seems.

So instead of focusing on what is lacking, I'm going to take a moment to recognize some of the inspiring events of recent days...

- The lovely large flakes of snow that are falling gently outside this afternoon... especially the ones that fell against the bright blue sky.

- The honesty of friends who are in a valley in these days, and are open to the beauty of community by exposing their hopes and disappointments, their fears and failures... yes, I find this kind of honesty before God and friends to be refreshing and hopeful!

- The rereading of my journal yesterday, where I began to recognize several significant answers to prayer that had gone unnoticed. How sad of me not to notice earlier... and how thankful I am now!

- For four days with friends at a church planting conference in Ottawa last week, where much of the vision we've been sensing was confirmed, and where we were encouraged to dream God's dreams for the church... we're not giving up on the church God intended for the world, even though we so often fall short!

- For an incredible concert by the Wailin' Jennys last month. My favourite folk trio of Canadian lasses who inspire me to simply be better.

- A letter from a friend and one from someone I don't know, expressing how my music has resonated with them or been meaningful in a difficult time of life. What a great incentive to keep writing and recording when I begin to question if it's all really worth the effort...

- The prophetic words of a friend who seemed to know something she couldn't possibly have known on her own. Those words have given me reassurance many times over in recent weeks. (Sorry to be so vague -- I'll be able to explain more to some of you in person.)

- The love of my husband and daughter. These two love me well in spite of all I lack and they help give me perspective when it's lacking. Their love is probably most inspiring of all.

finger painting 101

Maia seems to have a naturally cautious streak. She can get a little antsy if spills are not cleaned up immediately and having pant legs straight and things like that.

So on this rainy morning I thought it would be fun to introduce her to finger painting... something outside the "prim and proper" realm. It was fun to watch her embrace the idea of mess more and more with each picture.

Now comes the tough decision. Who do we send these to in the mail?

mcmocha anyone?

So I read this week that McDonald's Restaurants are planning to compete with coffeeshops by offering specialty coffees -- cappuccinos, espressos and... McMochas.

There's something so wrong about that at so many levels.

(I just had to make a wee comment on that one, since this blog is called "Mocha with Mo", after all.)

i am the mother of a giraffe

Halloween -- I see it as a chance to connect with neighbours around our block that we don't connect with often enough. For some, this is the one night a year when we actually see each other and say hello! I found it ironic that every time I would introduce myself to someone, they would already know who we were and where we lived. I take a real interest in people.... try to remember their names... how is it that they know me when I don't know them?

That's not the only irony of Halloween. We teach our kids to be wary of strangers and not to eat a lot of junk food, but on this night we encourage them to talk to all kinds of strangers, go into their homes, and we fill their little bags (or not so little) full of candy and chocolate.

Okay, one last irony.

I am the mother of a giraffe.