Without A Doubt!

Isobel is hooked on McDonalds and she especially loves to go to the one in Lloydminster because they have a big pink slide in the play place.

John knew he was going to have to take the semi in to the repair shop on his day off, so several days before he told Isobel he would take her to McDonalds.

The day before the scheduled trip, I asked her, "Isobel are you going to McDonalds tomorrow?"

Her reply - "Without a doubt!"

Now that's security and faith in what you have been told and it coming to pass.

And yes, she went to McDonalds. In fact, she rode in the semi on the way to Lloydminster. I wasn't in the city yet as I'd been delayed somewhat leaving home, and so they took a taxi to their destination (the truck centre offers rides as a free service to their customers). And so she had a red letter day -- playing in the play place, enjoying chicken nuggets and a strawberry milkshake AND riding in a cab (probably the first time she's had the opportunity to do that).

It's so much fun to be 4!

A New Doxology...

While Isobel was staying at Grandma and Grandpa's house, she began learning to sing "The Doxology."

The day after she returned home, she was singing snippets of the song - seeming to forget the words at the beginning of the lines but coming on strong at the end of the phrases.

I was cooking lunch as I tried to help Isobel learn the rest of the words. After a while she went on to another activity. When lunch was ready, I told her, "Now is the time you could sing your song."

A smile burst across her face and she began to sing loudly, "Johnny, Johnny, Johnny" -- a song she often sings when her Stepdad returns home after a long day at work.

"No, the other song," I told her, not suggesting the words "Praise God from who all blessings flow."

Enthusiastic and undaunted, Isobel began again for a second time singing, "Shake your bum to the music."

Finally -- on our third try, we were able to sing the Doxology.

Now I am left wondering what would happen, if at our next extended family gathering, we sang, "Shake Your Bum to the Music" as our table grace?!

A Gem

Isobel stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's house for a "sleepover" during the Easter period. This was the first time she had stayed all by herself.

While there, they took her to the Pentecostal church for the Easter morning worship service. Unknown to them, at the close of the service, Isobel had gone to the back of the church and struck up a conversation with the minister's wife.

The minister later told my Mother that Elaine had been wearing a necklace with a red stone in the setting. Isobel observed this and told her "That's the biggest red gem I have ever seen!" Both he and Elaine were amused by her comment and her use of the word "gem."

... When I heard about this (via the grapevine) I couldn't resist and had to record this "gem" for posterity -- when Isobel will be grown-up and these dear childhood "gems" forgotten.