Life

Faithful in All Seasons

September 1, 2020 // Esther Filbrun Leave a Comment

It was a warm, windy day here when I got back to North Canterbury on Sunday afternoon. Today, rain is coming through in gusts, with a definite chill in the air heralding a southerly wind pushing up from south of New Zealand. Some parts of the island have had snowfall, and though we aren’t supposed to get any due to our low altitude, you can definitely tell from the air that it’s somewhere around! I’m looking forward to tomorrow, when the clouds roll away and I can get a glimpse at the hills and mountains surrounding us—I expect they will be quite beautiful!

It’s amazing how life follows the same patterns weather does—sometimes, things are bleak and shot-through with sorrow, and other times, sunlight comes in on the gentle wings of a breeze, coaxing the daffodils and hyacinths into the full, rich blossom of springtime.

When I went home a week ago, the tree outside my bedroom was a mass of dark greeny-grey branches and twigs. Now, little clusters of light green have sprung from what looked lifeless, and the tree’s branches are suddenly a haze of growth and beauty.

These past weeks haven’t been easy, for a variety of reasons, but you know—the Lord is so faithful. Even when I feel like I’m distanced from Him, that I can’t get much out of His Word, He still reaches through and touches me.

I’ve been blessed to be part of a HelloMornings study group for the past two weeks, and one question about a week ago was, what songs do we cling to in hard times? I shared a couple from my “Valley of Hope” playlist—one compiled years ago—and was reminded of just how faithful the Lord has been over the years.

When we walked through losing my brother, He held us up.

When Mom miscarried little ones we were looking forward to meeting, He held our hands—and even provided a rainbow in the sky on our way into the hospital the last time!

When my youngest sister was born, our joy in His goodness overflowed.

When I struggled to give up my idea in preference for what He was asking from me, He gave me the grace to say “yes”.

When a hoped-for journey came to an abrupt end, He gave peace.

Whatever you’re facing, friend, I hope you will keep your hope and trust in the Lord today. No matter what your current weather season is, He will always bring life and hope again!

And, for your enjoyment and perhaps encouragement, here is my “Valley of Hope” playlist.

What songs touch you when you’re walking through hard things? Comment below; I’m always on the lookout for other encouraging ones!

Home Again—Temporarily!

July 8, 2020 // Esther Filbrun Leave a Comment

I’ve often pondered what the word “home” means—because I’ve felt at home in many different places over the years!

Born and raised in Michigan, teenage years in New Zealand, longish trips back to the States, a trip to Tasmania, one to Hastings, another to a tiny out-of-the-way place in south Canterbury, weekends at Kaikoura for eight years….

Each time I look at pictures of those places, or go back to them, I feel a certain rest when I get there.

These are my mountains. This is my road. These are my people.

Some places have a stronger tug than others, of course. And yet, life continues moving—a steady thread pulling me forward, until I fear that if I take time to look back, I’ll miss out on the now.

A week and a half ago, I came home again, back to my family, back to the green pastures and quiet purplish mountains visible across the winding rivers. And while I know and feel that I’m at home, there’s a restlessness there, too. This transition between being with one family that has become “my” family, and my flesh-and-blood-family is hard sometimes.

Because I love them both.

And I’m thankful for this—this grief of what is now past, and this looking ahead to what will be. I don’t know what the next weeks will look like—while things like a permanent job are definitely up in the air, another opportunity has come up in its place.

God has a way of bringing unexpected, sometimes uncomfortable, things into our lives. Lord willing, I’ll be heading away again in about a week’s time to help another family with a daughter who has been unwell for many years. I’m expecting this to be stretching in ways I’ve never dealt with before, but I know I will also learn a lot, and find out again just how good the Lord is and how much we can rest in Him.

But for this week, I’m home. And whatever situation I end up in next, that will become “home” too, so I’m thankful.

God is good.

The Last Four Weeks…

June 10, 2020 // Esther Filbrun Leave a Comment

…I’ve been away from home! And today, I finally have a little time to sit down and say “hello” for a bit!

I’ve had a very full month this past month—I planned to go help a mother after her surgery, but plans got changed (common story at this point, anyone?) and I didn’t go after all. I was very thankful to be able to stay with my family during our lockdown—we made some great memories during that time!

But then, as soon as lockdown was over, plans quickly came together and they were full steam ahead! So I’ve had the privilege of getting to know a family with seven children over this past month, and by now, we’re all good friends.

I’ve been enjoying the opportunity to do a lot more cooking—something I’ve noticed before in situations like this! I’ve found that I don’t cope well when I don’t have a menu to follow (but then, I’m not so surprised at that!), but I’ve also found that I love making things up. Last night, we had a meal inspired by Chow Mein, Cabbage Roll in a Bowl, Egg Roll in a Bowl, and Chicken Noodle Soup for tea. That was yummy, and I had fun figuring out which elements of the four dishes I would use, and which I wouldn’t!

We’ve enjoyed playing a good number of games different weekends. Two of the weekends since I’ve been here, I’ve spent elsewhere—visiting friends either north or south of where I am currently staying. That’s been really good, especially since we haven’t even had the chance to visit for the last few months! I’ve loved being able to reconnect with people like that.

My days are very full, but probably one of my most favorite times is my early morning drive over (I’m staying about 7 min. away at the grandparent’s place). Early into my time here, the sun was rising around 7:30 am—just about the time I was heading over for the day. The family lives in the hill country part of Canterbury, close to but not quite right underneath the mountains. It’s a lovely area—I’ve always loved the hills and mountains, and watching the golden beams of sunshine play along the tops of the mountains is just the most gorgeous sight ever! Often, too, when there’s been a good frost overnight, everything is glistening in the morning light. It’s beautiful.

The days are getting shorter, though—we’re only about 10 or 11 days out from the shortest day from the year—so lately it has been darker and darker when I take off in the morning. Likely, it will probably get to the point where I will be leaving in the dark as well as getting back in the dark, but that’s alright! I can enjoy the sunrise, anyway. It’s a lovely time of day.

In all, I’ve had a good time here. I’ll likely be here for several weeks yet, and I’m looking forward to learning more cooking skills and spending more time with the parents and children. I’ve already read one book (Owls in the Family by Farley Mowatt) aloud to them, and I’ve just started reading Star of Light by Patricia St. John out loud as well—that’s been very fun!

What things have you been enjoying doing lately?

Gideon’s Cloak

May 5, 2020 // Esther Filbrun Leave a Comment

Well, hello again, friends! I thought I’d drop in here today to share a little Scripture nugget I was blessed by near the end of last week.

It’s been a busy day here at the Filbrun household. This morning, Mom decided to call off “normal” schooling, and do something different—watch the Home Grown Foods Summit that’s going on right now! (#HomeschoolingPerks, anyone?) The children did have the option to do their normal school work, but, wonder of wonders, everyone decided they’d rather learn from the presentations. We really enjoyed the three we watched today (I have four pages of notes as a result!), and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can learn tomorrow.

Also, we got out into the garden today. This was my project this afternoon, before on the left, and after on the right. I’ve got about four more rows of tomatoes to pull out yet, but I’m glad for the progress so far! It is nice to have a tidier garden to look at now that we’re at the end of the season!

And now onto the devotional. I’ve been reading Rosie Boom’s devotional My Heart Overflows lately (unfortunately, I’m not sure the book is in print anymore), and it’s been a real blessing to me! Perhaps that’s what has inspired this to some extent.

* * *

“But the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon, and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called out to follow him.” — Judges 6:34 (ESV)

I loved this verse this morning when I was listening to a Bible podcast feed (one of those through-the-Bible-in-a-year plans, but in audio version and it’s published every day). I generally listen to this while I’m getting dressed and doing my hair in the mornings; it’s just another way to fill my day and heart with God’s Word.

When I looked this verse up in several different versions, they all said something along the lines of “the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon…” with a footnote of “clothed” for the “came upon” part. The ESV, quoted above, translates this literally, and if I understand the root word correctly, it connotates a “clothing” meaning. I don’t think it matters either way, but I did think it was an interesting concept.

Right after this verse, Gideon does his two “fleece tests”—so obviously, though he was “clothed with the Spirit”, he didn’t always “walk in the Spirit”—Galatians 5:16: “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” (KJV)

What would it be like to know that this clothing you are wearing is actually the very Spirit of God? That’s how it was for Gideon, at least for a time to some extent, and, I believe, is ours today. Consider these verses:

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” — 1 Corinthians 3:16 (KJV)

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” — 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (KJV)

As children of God (Romans 8:16), we are clothed with the Spirit. And this is where my imagination runs a little wild. I imagine that to be more than just clothing, though—it’s armor, wrapped around us, protecting each part of us. But it’s odd armor—not only is it our protection, but it is also our enabler—our means to go out into the world and bring change to others in a meaningful way. It is our offensive weapon that brings hope and healing to those that have none, in the sense that it is multiplying armor—we can use it, through the Spirit, to give armor to others.

I also imagine this “clothing” to be a soft blanket, wrapped around our shoulders on a chilly morning. Though the storms of life may rage around us, though things make absolutely no sense (why would God whittle an army of 32,000 down to 300 when they were facing an innumerable army?), we are given the Comforter (John 14:16) who will be with us in all things.

Lord, clothe me more in Your Spirit, and let me never forget that You are living in and covering me. You are so good!

What have you been working on lately? What has the Lord been speaking to you through your time with Him?

Arthur’s Pass – January 2020

May 2, 2020 // Esther Filbrun Leave a Comment

Today, I’m bringing you the final installment of the tramping pictures I took while taking walks with some friends back in January!

I have decided that mountains are my most favorite terrain. Ever. Even if I end up with burning legs after walking nearly 18 km (11 miles) or so in them in a day. They are so gorgeous! So, I apologize for the number of pictures in advance. I couldn’t whittle the number down further.

We left fairly early that morning, bound for the mountains about an hour and a half away. Part of the route we took went past Lake Brunner, so we drove down around to have a look at it. The lake was so beautiful that morning! Though I’ve gone past there many times, it was actually my first time going down to the beach!

Only one brother accompanied us this day. I convinced him to pose by some of my favorite summer flowers—tiny red ones that are scattered all over the West Coast! Then it was on again, up to Arthur’s Pass. We stopped at the information center there before starting our walking for the day, so we could take pictures of the large maps they had and could plan our routes better.

After that, we took off up behind the old information center, and walked the (very short) Millenium Track, to an overlook of the Avalanche Creek Falls. I love the plaque they have on a rock at the viewing platform! What a wonderful verse to put up there, although I wonder how many people catch that it’s actually from the Bible, and talking about the Lord!

The beautiful Avalanche Creek Falls! We climbed up to the base, because why not if you’re there anyway? I found out later that Arthur’s Pass chapel is built in such a way that when you sit in the pews, you get this same view. What a lovely reminder of God’s awesome glory! I don’t think I’d ever get tired watching waterfalls.

On our way back to take the car around to the base of the walk to the Devil’s Punchbowl Falls, our next stop, we were serenaded by this beautiful bellbird’s song!

Then, around mid-morning, we got to the Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall track! It’s not long, but it’s arguably one of the most taxing short walks around. It’s easy at first, but then you hit the stairs. I counted 389 in all on the track (and that was one-way), and at least 100 of them are straight up in a row.

But it’s worth it—SO worth it!

This waterfall is 131 m/430 ft tall, and while it isn’t the tallest waterfall I’ve ever seen, it’s pretty impressive. We walked up to the base of this waterfall as well (even if it isn’t recommended…we found out later that sometimes large boulders come crashing over these falls! 😮 ). It was cold down in the basin under the falls, with the mist swirling around and the sun not yet there to warm the area up.

After walking up to the Devil’s Punchbowl Falls, we walked out along the Arthur’s Pass Walking Track, hoping we could get close to Bridal Veil Falls, which is the next one along in the mountains. Unfortunately, what we didn’t realize was that you can only see it from a distance, but while we were on that detour, we did get to walk through some beautiful NZ bush!

Then it was on to the Bealey Valley Track, that runs up along the Bealey River. This river is the one that flows from the divide down toward Canterbury from Arthur’s Pass, and eventually joins the Waimakariri River, which is the main river that flows past Christchurch (the largest city on the South Island).

I love this track—probably because of all the different kinds of terrain you walk through as you work your way up to the river itself!

And then the riverbed—a jumble of rocks descending from the peaks. And you could TELL the water came from those places up there where snow still determinedly held on!

Our feet were all hot and sweaty after a morning of walking, so we decided to cool off in the river. Unfortunately, “cool off” equaled sticking your feet in for a few seconds until they started to ache to the bones from the cold, pull them out to warm up, and stick them in again. I managed to lose a sock when I was doing this, and my shoe accidentally fell in the water. I was thankful I was able to rescue my shoe before that flowed away, too! The water was rushing through here pretty quickly!

When we got back from the Bealey Valley Track, we headed back to the Arthur’s Pass village to refill our flagging water supplies and have lunch. We enjoyed lunch under the shade of some huge old trees next to a campsite, then headed for our last walk of the day—the Dobson Nature Walk, and Lake Misery Track. This is another favorite of mine; in the early spring, there are the most beautiful flowers along this walk. Unfortunately, when we went in mid-summer, there weren’t that many, but it was still lovely.

We got to see one lake with a little water in it!

I assume the whole string of little lakes in this area makes up “Lake Misery”. (Correction: Looks like I was right. I found this pictorial walk-through of the track, and I agree—visiting it in early-morning fog in late November/early December would be wonderful! Be sure to click the green arrow button in the lower right-hand corner, so you can see all the pictures. I also really want to try the Otira Valley Track now. . . .)

Unfortunately, most of the lakes were dry while we were there, but we had fun exploring the lakebeds anyway!

And I found an interesting flower on the Dobson Nature Walk on our way back. It reminds me of a daisy, but has very fine petals! It was beautiful, whatever it was.

By early afternoon, we were all fairly tired. We’d covered a lot of walks, and decided we’d had enough for the day. Pretty much everything else that we could have done was 3-6 hr return tracks, and we weren’t up to that!

So, we headed home and stopped at the Otira Hotel on our way back. There are some weird and wonderful things in there (including a stuffed two-headed duckling), but I particularly enjoyed this sign in the women’s bathroom:

In all, the Arthur’s Pass day trip was very enjoyable, and I’d love to go again one day and explore the area more. Or show other people around, who haven’t been there before. Of all the tracks we did that day, the only ones I hadn’t been on were the Punchbowl Falls Track and the Arthur’s Pass Walking Track. All of them are highly recommended, if you’re ever in the area! 🙂

What kinds of scenic spots can you get to from your place without having to drive too far? I know it’s sometimes easy to ignore those, but I think it’s important to know what there is around you, so when you have visitors, you can take them there if they like to do sight-seeing!

A Sunrise Reminder

April 15, 2020 // Esther Filbrun Leave a Comment

It feels like winter has suddenly arrived these last three days, with chilly-almost-enough-to-frost mornings, windows covered in condensation, and the warm woodfire-heated air that you just can’t beat.

It’s the season for fluffy socks, thicker blankets, outer wraps for a while in the mornings, and book reading. Lots of book reading (or at least I can dream, right…?).

We aren’t in winter—yet—but it’s been knocking on the door, saying it’s on its way.

We had our first winter storm system come through two days ago, with the cold wind blowing up from the south, rain beating against the sides of the house, and later, three or four different thunderstorms that passed over, leaving a few rumbles and more rain in their wake.

Then, yesterday morning as I settled into the couch for my Bible time, facing the westward windows looking toward the Paparoa Ranges and my favorite view at sunset, I saw this:

…and I decided that that seat wasn’t just my favorite at sunset. It’s also my favorite for sunrise, though my back is to the east.

We hadn’t gotten a lot of rain the night before (or maybe I just didn’t hear it?), but there was the most beautiful skiff of snow on the mountains—the first snow of the season. And I got to watch it with the sunrise colors playing along the peaks, before the fog from the river rose to meet the sunshine and blocked our view.

What a gift.

In this time of uncertainty, knowing that things might never be totally the same again, let’s look to the One who is certain. Our Rock.

“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” —Psalm 18:2

What parts of nature are you enjoying at the moment? Are you reminding yourself of some of God’s special attributes right now, too? If so, which ones?