Elda Lorraine Snider (Saip)

On the 13th of October, my Grandma turned 80 years old. You'd never believe it to look at her or talk with her but it is, in fact, true! My grandma has taught me so much about kindness, graciousness, humility and what it really means to keep your eyes focused on the Lord, no matter the circumstance. She has been a source of strength in my life - a constant reminder that grace and beauty need not diminish with age. She is lovely in every way and I hope to someday have a faith and demeanor just like hers.

love you, Gram. Happy Birthday.

my little girl.

This friday, April 29th (yes, the same day as the royal wedding), my little sister is turning 10.
Victoria Elizabeth Lorraine Saip - my "Toe-beth".
She has always been my special girl... ever since she was brought home from the hospital. I remember I used to lie on Dad and Muttie's green couch either napping or watching cartoons while Tori lied on my belly as a baby. We've played barbies, coloured in colouring books, played catch, baked cookies, painted nails, made up songs and dances and done countless makeovers.
She is one of the most amazing young ladies I know, and I am so very proud to call her my sister.
Already she has one of the kindest hearts of anyone I know and her gentle spirit is an inspiration to me. She is fun, talented, intelligent, creative and sweet.
Happy Birthday to my darling sister.
I love you, "Schmor Bor". You're one gorgeous 10 year old.

Death in His Grave.

Though the Earth Cried out for blood
Satisfied her hunger was
Her billows calmed on raging seas
for the souls on men she craved

Sun and moon from balcony
Turned their head in disbelief
Their precious Love would taste the sting
disfigured and disdained

On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke with keys
Of Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave

So three days in darkness slept
The Morning Sun of righteousness
But rose to shame the throes of death
And over turn his rule

Now daughters and the sons of men
Would pay not their dues again
The debt of blood they owed was rent
When the day rolled a new

On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke holding keys
To Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave

He has cheated
Hell and seated
Us above the fall
In desperate places
He paid our wages
One time once and for all

"Death in His Grave" - John Mark Mcmillan

to take the words from Job.

I've taken some verses from throughout the book of Job and added my own thoughts amongst them.

You must know my eyes have seen all this.
That my ears have heard it and I understand.
These things that you know? I know them.
These words that you're speaking to me are nothing new.
What I want is a private audience... with the creator of the universe.
I want to speak to speak to the Almighty.
To stand before Him and watch how He sees me. How I feel. How I'm hurting.
For though he slay me, yet I will hope in Him.
Till the end of my days...

For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and in the end He will stand upon the earth
And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God. Me. With these eyes.
I long for that day and yet, I'm terrified for it...
Because of what I've done. Who I am.
For I am flawed in every way imaginable,
and though it seems that I have had to deal with more than I can, at times, handle,
I truly did not get what I deserved. What I deserve.
He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit
and I will therefore live to enjoy the light.

So speak, God.
Tell me of Your plans for I'm afraid this affliction leads me to make my own.
I'm sorry for how I've despaired - for begging "why me?"
Surely I spoke of things I do not understand.
Things too wonderful for me to know.

The truth, Father, is that my ears had, indeed, heard of you...
but now, through this, my eyes are finally seeing you.

February

Time flies.

My play has come and gone - and it was truly one of the most delightful experiences of my life. I can't explain how much the friendships that I created have meant to me... after one of the hardest years of my life, God knew I needed them. Gabby, Rebekah, Ron, Josh, Colleen and Joanna have become like family to me and brought so much joy and laughter back into my life. I love them, and I'm so proud of the job they did on "Girl in the Goldfish Bowl".


Here are a few pictures for you all to enjoy!

Girl in the Goldfish Bowl

Tonight is our first show in front of a real audience... and I think I might be sick. haha

I'm SO excited for this show, you have no idea.

If any of you are interested in coming, here are the details:

Location: University of the Fraser Valley, Chilliwack Campus

Preview Shows: January 19th & 20th at 7:30pm

Matinees: January 30th & February 6th at 2:00pm as well as February 3rd at noon.

Evening Shows: January 21st, 22nd, 27th, 28th, 29th, February 3rd, 4th & 5th at 7:30pm

Ticket prices range between $10-$18.

If you're interested, call the UFV box office 604-795-2814

...Showtime!

web "window shopping"

So, I couldn't sleep this morning. I don't know if it was nervous excitement or if I was stomach sick! haha. Anyways, it caused me to venture to the living room to watch "rich bride, poor bride" and browse the internet. I landed on modcloth.com and thought I'd share some of the cute dresses and tops I found:

Cute, right?! I know.

Karla Lee - January 5th, 1961

Today is my mom's 50th birthday. I wrote this for her:

The first person I ever knew was also the most influential person in my life.

My mother has been a mentor, coach, confident and friend

and has faithfully guided me, like a lighthouse, towards truth, love and a life worth living.

She taught me how to walk by faith and to pray when my faith was scarce.

Most importantly, she taught me to trust in Christ when I had almost no faith at all.

My mother has modelled kindness, strength and perseverance

and has taught us what it means to live selflessly.

She has made me who I am and I hope to someday be

a mirror-image of the woman who gave love and life to me.

A Wonderful Christmas Time

I'm a tad late with this one!

I had a wonderfully magnificent Christmas. It was full of fun, family and festivity (and who could possibly ask for more?!) We were at our church for Christmas Eve, and I read from "the Jesus Storybook Bible" from a big arm chair onstage. It was like story-time with Aunt Jay - I should have pushed my glasses down my nose a bit! When that was done, we headed over to Uncle Grant and Aunt Connie's house for Saip family Christmas. We ate lots of tasty food and played the present-stealing game (White Elephant?). Aunt Edna ended up with a bottle of Fireball...

We stayed overnight at Dad and Muttie's house and enjoyed a leisurely morning of opening presents, eating dad's goulash (yummy), drinking coffee and, of course, reading the Christmas story from Luke chapter 2.

At around 11:30 we headed over to mom and Lyle's to have our family Christmas there - we ate mandarin oranges and turtles (it's tradition!) opened presents and lazed around. Uncle Guy and Aunt Terri came over for Christmas dinner and we enjoyed our usual ridiculousness joking and laughing around the table, eventually retiring to "jam" in the music/living room.

/div>

I'll have you all know that I remained in my pajamas ALL day.

We left for Kelowna mid-morning on the 26th and enjoyed our Dyck family Christmas as soon as we arrived! We had an awesome time of relaxing, playing games (TTR, Settlers, Dominion) and I read about 50 percent of "Little Women" on my new Kindle! (I'm now at 80 percent).

We even enjoyed some outdoor theatre and a sleigh ride (right up my alley!) in Armstrong - we had an awesome time.

It was fabulous. Just fabulous.

Merry Christmas, friends.