A Response to Protests and a Prayer For Our Country

I have really struggled with what to say and think and feel since January 29 when some truckers and sympathetic friends converged in Ottawa to let our government know that they represented many who wanted mandates to end. I have made no secret of the fact that I believe a person should have the freedom to choose their medical treatments, and preventative therapies, without fear of losing their livelihood, and as such, I was happy to see a group of people coming together to make known that there were many people who felt this way.

But so many things have happened since January 27, the day I stood on a bridge and waved at the men and women driving those trucks and cars. Many things have happened that have been lawful and peaceful. Many things have happened that are unlawful and hateful. Many people, who simply want to know that the most powerful people in Canada have heard their voices, have been left standing in the cold, their calls unheeded. Many people took matters into their own hands and decided to make life harder for the rest of the city, province, and/or country. Many media reports have grossly misrepresented people on all sides of what is happening around our country.

I have watched on and off with a mixture of hope, concern, and trepidation, but I’ve tried to maintain an attitude of prayerful trust in God who is over it all, because regardless of the laws and freedoms in my country, I can still serve God with everything I have.

And while I see reports of people losing access to the money in their bank accounts, I know that everything I have comes from God, belongs to God, and is used for His glory. So I’m not worrying about whether the government’s newly approved and extended Emergencies Act powers will one day lead to problems with buying or selling or paying bills, because my allegiance lies with the Creator of the universe and He will certainly meet all my needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Rather, I continue to store up treasures in heaven by loving on those around me, sharing with those in need. Whether a person agrees with me or not on any matters of the day, we all bear the image of God and should be treated with love and kindness.

Some of you have felt a personal conviction to silently submit to the letter of the law and others have felt a personal conviction to peacefully protest a law that you see as unjust... Wherever you find yourselves, I want you to join me here, trusting all of this to God in prayer: 

 Let us pray that we would be people mindful of God’s favour and glad to do His will. That God would bless our land with honourable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. That He would save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. That God would defend our liberties, and fashion into one people, united under God, the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Let us pray that God would endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in His Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to His law, we may show forth His praise among the nations of the earth. Let us pray that in the time of prosperity, God would fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, He would suffer not our trust in Him to fail. And let us pray all of this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen (Prayer adapted from the Book of Common Prayer – A Prayer for Our Country)

Peanuts, Woodsmoke, and Viruses

A friend recently shared a post to social media pointing out that exposure to peanuts can cause extreme harm (even death) to kids at school. As such, schools tend to have rules in place that prohibit anyone from bringing peanut products into that environment. This ensures that schools are “peanut-free zones” and those young students can learn without fear of illness.

The post went on to say that parents willingly participate in this community effort to protect the kids who may be at risk. The message encouraged parents to be thoughtful, compassionate citizens so that their children could, in turn, learn to be kind and compassionate citizens. The post ended with “Agree or disagree, but it’s the same thing [as wearing a mask.]”

Several thoughts went through my head, but I decided the best response would be to tell you about my stove.

I have a wood stove in my basement. It heats my house for most of the winter. Once a week we let the fire die out and cool down so we that can remove the ashes.  And once the box has been emptied, we start it back up again from scratch. Most of us in the house are used to doing this and understand what is needed to get it going quickly and efficiently. But every so often we get a little too sure of ourselves and think we can start it without as much paper or wood kindling as usual. Our pride takes over and we think we can coax that small flame to consume a cold log with just a couple small sticks and a piece of paper. Inevitably, we find ourselves watching the fire die out, while a growing cloud of smoke works its way through the tiny gaps in the seal of the door.

In another moment or two, with the smoke detector screaming to us the blatantly obvious fact that our entire basement is filling with smoke, we open our windows and point a fan at those windows, hoping to force that smoke outside as quickly as possible so we can breathe again.  My asthmatic daughter avoids the room, hoping to keep her lungs clear and exchanging air, as designed. It takes a while for the smoke to dissipate but eventually it does and we can breathe in that room again.

I continue to be amazed that smoke can get through those tiny spaces in the seal of the door and fill my entire basement so quickly.

And I think that reveals the truth of how masks work -  They form a physical barrier in front of the face. They are designed to keep debris/droplets from entering or leaving the facial area. But unless a person is wearing a perfectly fitted and sealed respirator (more on that below), there are leaks much bigger than the leaks in my wood stove. And that person is breathing aerosols in and out a lot more consistently than the smoldering fire in my wood stove.

Now imagine that each child in a classroom is like my wood stove with a sealed door, and that instead of smoke leaking out, it is a virus.  Are those children protected from that virus? Unless they are protecting themselves by wearing a properly fitted respirator, I can assure you that the virus is getting into their lungs in the air they are breathing.

Water vapour escaping from a properly worn N95 mask.

Back to the peanut allergy - If there was a device that a person with a peanut allergy could wear to ensure they weren’t exposed to peanuts, wouldn’t they wear it?

 Believe it or not, there are devices that people can wear to ensure they are not exposed to this virus (properly fitted respirators that can filter particles 0.1 microns in size), but very few are wearing them. Why are parents not choosing to send their children with these?

(And for the sake of clarification, I feel that it’s best to point out that a properly fitted and properly functioning respirator has gone through safety checks, is properly fitted to the wearer’s face at all times, is regularly inspected for degradation to the seal, is placed on the wearer by someone with proper training, and is worn by someone with proper training.)

Am I advocating for all children in schools to wear properly fitted and properly functioning respirators? Not at all. But if a parent has legitimate concerns for their child's health, any self-respecting school and/or health system would certainly allow for that safety measure to be put in place to protect that specific child.

In the meantime, let's stop pretending that masks are an effective means of protecting us or others from the Sars-CoV-2 virus.

Screenshot of properly worn N95 respirator taken from TikTok user @chadroyvermont's video.

For more information on how masks, respirators, and other safety measures should or should not be employed to protect oneself from small particles and viruses, check out this interview with Industrial Hazards specialist Stephen Petty.

Disclaimer: I am not an Industrial Hazards specialist, nor am I an Epidemiologist, Virologist, or any other kind of professional-ologist who has special knowledge of how to keep you safe from any particular dangers.  I'm just a Mom with a wood stove.

Birdfeeder Battles

(I just found this unpublished note from September 2016.  I'm hitting "Publish" now...)

I recently acquired some bird feeders. Before investing too much I waited to see if the birds would come. They did.

So I bought a more durable feeder and some more expensive seed that would attract colourful birds and songbirds.

Enter The Squirrel.

I spent a good portion of yesterday morning warring with The Squirrel.

He hung down from the branch and are my sunflower seeds.

I went out and yelled at him.

He left.

I went inside.

The Squirrel hung down from the same branch eating seeds from the same feeder.

I went out and yelled at him.

He left.

I went inside.

The next time I looked out the window, the feeder had its top removed and The Squirrel was shamelessly eating seeds directly out of the now-wide opening.

I went out, took the feeder down, and brought it inside. I would win this battle.

A few minutes later? The Squirrel was hanging on the other feeder (which was also now topless), shamelessly eating sunflower seeds.

More yelling.

I took that feeder down as well.

I had to figure something out.

After a trip to Home Depot, I had some 'S' hooks. I attempted to rig my feeders so that they were hanging from the tree branches, with enough lead that The Squirrel could not reach it.

I was too short.

One ladder later, I was still too short.

I needed reinforcements.

Moments later I had my youngest up in the tree, much higher than I'd want him to go any other day. He put the pieces of twine over the branches for me. I suspended two feeders with 'S' hooks and went back inside to watch.

The Squirrel attempted re-entry with no success.

I decided to count that as a win for me.

~

Later that morning I went to the backyard to check on my garden. I stopped short when I saw my second Dollar Store feeder on THE GROUND, The Squirrel flaunting his mid-morning snack in my face. I chased him away and surveyed the damage. One crack, but the feeder was salvageable. The seeds, on the other hand, were not. Many of the sunflower seeds were split open already. My bird friends would not appreciate those being scooped back into the feeder.

I fixed the feeder with some twine, hung it from another 'S'-hooked rope and retreated to a rear-facing window to stealthily watch.

The Squirrel scampered around to no avail. He could not reach it.

~

A day later, The Squirrel is still munching on his felled loot, but has not reached the feeders again.

BONUS: This morning I saw a bright goldfinch feeding in the front. We have a cardinal couple that is enjoying our seeds as well. Now that The Squirrel has been bested (at least for now) we're finally able to sit back and enjoy our bird-friends!

Vanilla Bean Scones

Vanilla Bean Scones

Adapted from The Pioneer Woman's recipe.

Because it's fun to bake with friends even from far away...
Open up your favourite video conferencing tool and make a date to hang out and bake with your favourite people!

Materials needed:

3 baking sheets (at least 1 with sides)

at least 1 cooling rack

parchment paper or silicone baking mats

pastry blender

rolling pin

various measuring cups

large flat knife

large mixing bowl

medium mixing bowl

INGREDIENTS:

Scones:

2 vanilla beans (or 2 tsp vanilla)

3/4 cup heavy cream

3 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cups granulated sugar

5 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes

1 egg

Glaze:

1 vanilla bean (or 1 tsp vanilla)

1/2 cup whole milk

3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

1) Split 2 vanilla beans down the middle lengthwise. Scrape out all the caviar inside and stir caviar into cream along with the pods; set aside for 15 minutes. (If no vanilla beans, simply add vanilla to cream and set aside.)

2) Sift together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt into large mixing bowl. Incorporate the butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Remove pods from the cream (if you were using them) and mix cream mixture with the egg, then add it to the flour mixture; stir gently with a fork just until it just comes together. The mixture should resemble biscuit dough.

3) Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and press it together, forming a rough rectangle. (Mixture will still be slightly crumbly.) Use a rolling pin to roll into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Cut the rectangle into 12 squares. Then slice each square in half diagonally, to form two triangles.

4) Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone liner and bake until cooked through, but not yet golden, about 15-18 minutes. Edges/corners should just be starting to show colour. Cool for 15 minutes.

5) Mix glaze ingredients together with a whisk in medium mixing bowl. Dip cooled scones into glaze to coat them entirely, then transfer to a cooling rack to dry and harden.  (I usually put a cookie sheet underneath to catch the drips.)

They are best once totally hardened, which takes at least 30 minutes. Good luck getting your family to wait that long.

Makes 24 large scones.  Scones can also be cut in half, before going on baking sheet, to make mini scones. Reduce cooking time if you do that.

Sunday Morning in Isolation - Do Not Fear

(I'm publishing this ahead of time for those who want to print it and use it for their Sunday morning Family Worship.)

It has been said that there are 365 verses in the Bible that say “Do not fear”. My research indicates that’s not entirely true, but the idea is certainly pervasive throughout Scripture.

Take a few moments to dig through your Bible to find verses where God is telling people not to fear. (If you are having a hard time, I’ve listed a few below.)

As you read through these verses, consider the following:

What was the person afraid of in each of the scriptures that you come across?

What was God’s response/promise to that fear?

1 Samuel 12:20 

2 Kings 6:15-17 

Daniel 10:12, 19 

Deuteronomy 20:8 

Matthew 10:26, 28 

Matthew 10:31 

Luke 5:8-10

Are you worried or anxious or nervous or fearful about anything right now? 

Whether you find a passage in Scripture that speaks to your specific situation or not, rest assured that God has not forgotten or abandoned you.  In John 14:27 Jesus tells his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Watch this video, which so beautifully puts into perspective God’s character, and his loving promises (found in Psalm 23) to be with us through everything, in the midst of our uncertainty.

Take some time to pray, confessing your fears to God and then letting go of them into His very capable hands. Pray for those who do not yet know Jesus as their Saviour, that they may be introduced to the Prince of Peace and find rest from their worries. Ask God to help you be an effective witness of what it looks like to trust God with everything.

Finally, worship with us as we sing these two songs!

Whom Shall I Fear

You Never Let Go

Sunday Morning in Quarantine

As COVID-19 wreaks havoc on our world right now, Christians are sitting at home, trying to commune with other Christians as they worship and learn together virtually. Our church is "meeting" to pray together at 10:00 am, our usual meeting time on Sunday mornings.

I wanted to give my kids a more directed and meaningful way to pray and meditate on God's word, so I wrote up the following direction for them to walk through.  Please feel free to join us as we do this on Sunday morning from our own homes.

Sunday Morning Prayer and Personal Reflection

Pray

For this world – That this world may see the Truth of who God is and be obedient to His call on their lives; that everyone may experience healing – not just in body, but in spirit.

For our country – That our government officials would turn their hearts to God and make decisions for our nation that will both protect us and help us follow God more closely; that the Christian citizens of this country and the rest of the world would stand for God’s Truth.

For our region – That the citizens of this region would experience a revival; that they would hunger for God and His Word; that as our witness directs more hearts to God, it would make a difference in the lives of all, whether rich, employed, stay-at-home, unemployed, sober, addicted, homeless, Christian, atheist, sick, or well.

For our church – That we would seek God with all our hearts, setting aside our personal goals and desires that do not align with His good and perfect will; that we would feel a connection to each other while we are physically apart; that we would be able to spur one another on towards good deeds, encouraging each other.

For ourselves – That we would draw closer to God individually, both today and each day this week; that we would spend time seeking for His will in our lives rather than pursuing our own desires; that our hearts and its desires would be transformed as we renew our minds by spending time praying, reading His word, and worshiping Him, both in song and in deed.

Personal Reflection

Jesus told the Pharisees, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

How do you struggle with either of these commandments? (Look at how you tend to sin; it may indicate which is more of a struggle for you.)

When you look at lists of sins throughout the Bible, are there any that you see yourself struggling with more lately? (Feel free to spend some time looking through the various places in the Bible that God talks about specific sins.)

How does God tell you, through his word, that you can overcome that sin struggle? (Spend time looking for God’s encouraging words in the Bible.)

What steps will you take this week to love God and others more dearly?

Finish your personal reflection with a song of love to our Great God.  Choose your own, or sing this one with us.

Grade 8 is making my head spin and it's only Day Two

In case I ever forget... I love homeschooling!

Today we started reading our Science book, dealing with the history of scientific discovery. My youngest asked if we could make water for ourselves from hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms. As I flipped 300 pages into the book to the page about the Krebs Cycle, he went on to explain about wanting to build cities on places like the moon and Mars because of "overpopulation". We ended up talking about whether the world is really overpopulated or if we just don't handle our resources well, which led to a discussion on why people live where they live, which led to a discussion on the history of human population growth, geologic features, climate in different regions, and human nature.

He couldn't stop asking questions, though. Eventually he started theorizing about creating a black hole so he could create artificial gravity which led to a discussion about what is known and what is unknown and how much of what we can really know about what we don't know... And then suddenly we were looking at dark matter and dark energy and where these concepts came from and whether it's ever been observed before...

At this point he smirked at me and remembered that in the science class at camp this year, he asked a lot of questions. "I think my favourite time was when I put my hand up to ask another question - I had to go to the bathroom. Greg seemed disappointed."

Oh this kid! There's so much to talk about!