Wonder Years

What would you think if I sang out of tune, would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ear and I'll sing you a song, and I'll try not to sing out of key.
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends.
With a Little Help from my Friends by, The Beatles

Tea Party

One little bird sitting high in a tree
Turning his head, he was looking at me
I said, "Birdie, oh, birdie just what do you see?"
He said, "A sweet little girl having a tea party."
The blanket's spread wide for your guests
The saucers and cups are laid out to impress
Tea Party if you please
Yes Please!

Tea Party by Frances England

In the Summertime

"In the summer time when the weather is high, you can chase right up and touch the sky"

~In the Summertime by, Mungo Jerry

Hosanna!

In the Christian tradition the Greek translation of Hosanna is a cry of praise or adoration shouted in recognition of the Messiahship of Jesus entry into Jerusalem. As a little girl sitting in a pew at St. Matthew's church in Hillsboro, OR I recall many times reciting Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. At the time I didn't grasp the fullness of what the word truly meant or how it applied to my life.

Fast-forward 15 years to my college days at PLU. A fiery bible loving roommate of mine had a revelation of Hosanna in her life. She would walk around declaring without fear this beautiful word. At first I thought it was a peculiar exclamation to use outside of a Sunday morning Catholic church service. But the way that she lived out Hosanna made a lasting impression in my mind. Now, here in this beautiful place I am reminded again of the word Hosanna.

The word has gained in popularity in recent years with the release of the song "Hosanna" off of Hillsong United's Saviour King label. If you haven't heard the song I suggest you take a moment to listen to it. It's a beautiful song but more importantly it is a cry of praise and adoration.

When I was selecting which pictures to post this week I couldn't help but think, Hosanna! over the one of my daughter in her swimsuit standing out at Hamburger Point. It was taken on Matt's day off. We left Ryder with a sitter and set out to have a Maddie only date. It was fantastic. She wore her princess flip flops and frilly suit. We put flowers in her pigtails and walked around camp without a care in the world and set out to go kayaking. Matt navigated us through a harem of seals and pristine beauty before we arrived at Helena Creek and falls. After a quick look around we headed back to get Ryder. Maddie alternated between rowing, eating her bunny fruit snacks, and putting her feet in the water. Matt and I were completely soaked which made it all the more fun and carefree. We arrived back around noon and ran into some dear friends who shared a fun idea with us that they used with their children called "backwards meal". So we headed straight for the ice cream shop and got a scoop of Mango Marble ice cream and walked backwards to get lunch and ate our vegetables last. It was a hoot and Maddie thought it was the best! Later on that evening Matt and I were able to hike up to Inspiration Point with the summer interns to share in a time of reflection and prayer while the sun set. It was magnificent.

The photo of Ryder was taken when I found him hiding-out in-between the refrigerator and dishwasher. I had been frantically searching our house for him. When I finally spotted him I exclaimed "Ryder James!" He giggled hysterically like he had been found in a game hide-and-seek and we both had a good laugh! He just loves to hear his name and loves to laugh out loud. I cannot help but think thoughts of praise and adoration for my wonderful children. Maddie is a fun-loving spitfire and Ryder is a sweet and mellow snuggle-bug and they both make their mommy and daddy so proud.

The picture of Kara and I was taken the day she headed back to the states. It was a gorgeous morning with the air crisp and the sun shining. The smell of cinnamon buns surrounded us, which is enough to make Matt cry out Hosanna! We were so blessed as a family to have her here with us before her next journey to Alaska. We LOVE you, Kara!!

So, when you come across moments of selfless love, mercy, beauty or justice think of the word Hosanna. Let it be a declaration of praise and adoration for the One who loves you, gave his life for you, has poured out abundant blessings and set the heavens and earth in motion. "You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise." Psalm 8:1-2

Blessed,
Julie

Thin Places

During our time here at Malibu Club, I've been able to return to a passion that I so dearly enjoy, and that is pleasure reading. As a little girl, I would hide-away in the playroom and read hours on end. It was so easy to become immersed in the lives of the characters in the books, that it was hard to pull away.

Since the theme of this summer for our family has been adventure, I've decided to read books that fall in line with this genre. Treasure Island was polished off in no time at all and now I'm on to The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, by C.S. Lewis.

During my quiet hour yesterday, I came across a verse that connected with a talk I heard later in the evening on "Thin Places." In the Celtic tradition a thin place is described as a location where two worlds meet. In Walking Through Thin Places, Mindie Burgoyne offers this interpretation: "Thin Places are ports in the storm of life, where the pilgrims can move closer to the God they seek, where one leaves that which is familiar and journeys into the Divine Presence. They are stopping places where men and women are given pause to wonder about what lies beyond the mundane rituals, the grief, trials and boredom of our day-to-day life. They probe to the core of the human heart and open the pathway that leads to satisfying the familiar hungers and yearnings common to all people on earth, the hunger to be connected, to be a part of something greater, to be loved, to find peace."

In The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, I came across a verse that a Dryad woman spoke over Reepicheep, who is a valiant mouse and self-appointed humble servant to Prince Caspian: "Where sky and water meet, Where the waves grow sweet, Doubt not, Reepicheep, To find all you seek, There is the utter East" (pp.22).

C.S. Lewis no doubt penned these words to articulate that the object he longs for is not this world but another world. To find unity with Aslan in his country, is his hearts desire (p.179). He describes briefly in Mere Christianity: "Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing. If that is so, ...I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country and to help others to do the same" (p.120).

In this adventure, where my faith is sure and my commitment is total, I find joy! Sharing this period in life with special friends, exercising childlike faith, and living at the threshold of a thin place is more than I could ever asked for or imagined.

Best,

Julie

Friendship

"Friendship" said pooh, "is a very comforting sort of thing." ~ Winnie the Pooh

This last weekend our family had the joy of welcoming some very dear friends to Malibu. Ryan Buskirk and Nick Russell were up for the weekend and Kara Meier has stayed on to help out with the Julie and kiddos through the coming weekend. It's a real treasure to get to spend time with people that you respect, admire, and feel completely comfortable around.

Nick is graduating from high school in a few weeks and we are sad to miss such a big milestone in his life. However, we are grateful that he will be joining us again at the end of June for some quality time together. Madeline adores Nick as an older brother of sorts and was happy to spend time with him. Matt and Julie also appreciate the opportunity to spend time with Nick in such a busy season of his life.

Kara is a former cheerleader from Julie's coaching days at Life Christian and member of a mentor group she led. She is home from APU and helping out with the kiddos for a few weeks. It has been very refreshing having her around as Matt's work demands a lot of his time and attention. Julie and Kara are enjoying working out together, helping out the interns with tasks that still need to be completed before session camps begin and just spending time together.

Madeline Grace Cyr meet Madeline Grace Powell. Yes! Both of these darlings have the same name and are only a few months apart in age. Maddie and Maddie are looking forward to many more dress up days, hours of pretend, and coloring when Maddie P returns for a month in July. What a fun weekend we had with people we have run into over the years. We look forward to developing stronger relationships and ties this summer.

We've had a couple of requests to hear an update on the cat. As some of you know we trekked Julie's parents Siamese cat, Ciscoe up to the Canadian wilderness to hunt mice. He has not failed us yet. Our first run in with a mouse left Julie on the phone at 11:00 pm trying to hunt down Matt to come help out with the 'squeaker' that was scurrying through the house. Ciscoe grabbed the mouse from the children's room but the mouse got away when he set it down to play with it. Two days later the mouse was left outside of Matt and Julie's room as gift. Almost as Ciscoe's way of saying that he has earned his keep. We aren't exactly sure what he brought in last night, nor do we care to know. He is now in his element and doing what he does best.

And finally, we had the opportunity to spend an evening at Chatterbox Falls in the beautiful sanctuary of the Princess Louisa Inlet. The spray coming out from the falls showered both Maddie and Matt while we made the most of every photo opportunity. It truly is a great place to come visit if ever you get the chance. Julie's grandparents have yachted up here in the past which was special to her to share in that connection. Many other dignitaries, celebrities, and adventure seeking persons have sought to make this a destination visit in their travel itineraries for good reason.

Sending our love and well wishes to everyone back home. Please send letters, photos, or drawings if you think about it. We love to receive mail and think of our friends and family often.

"I knew when I met you, an adventure was going to happen!" ~Winnie the Pooh

The Cyr's