Red Room Ramblings

Way to Go Shane & Kathi!

2009-05-20T09:28:00.008-06:00

Today I have friends to celebrate. They did not celebrate their birthday, they did something even better. They got married.

Fourteen years ago to be precise. I am so happy for them, and proud of them, and glad that I get to be a part of their life in a smallish way.

I first met Shane and Kathi when I went to youth group. No - that's not entirely true. I knew Kathi before that, but I was little, so it's doesn't really count. They have been running Fernie Christian Youth Group almost as long as they have been married. I was blessed to be a part of that and have the chance to share in their collective wisdom. Kathi was my small group leader, and she's heard me cry and laugh and wonder more than a lot of people. The cool thing now, is that we are almost family. Shane and my husband, Tyler, are cousins. So we get to hang out with them a lot, and we love it. They have two beautiful children, and it is fun watching them grow up. They are a very special, wonderful family.

Anyway - Shane and Kathi - heres to you. You are wonderful people and a great couple. We love you much much much and wish you many more happinesses and blessings and you share life together. Thanks for being a shining example. Congratulations!

Perspective.

2009-05-14T17:17:00.003-06:00

So. Four years ago, four years seemed like a long time. Two and a half years ago, two and a half years seemed too long to spend doing school work I hated. Four years ago, isn't that long ago, and two and a half years is even less, and if I had stay in school, I would be convocating this spring. It's all a matter of perspective.

There are days I look at my life and wonder how it turned out the way it did. For all my plans and dreams and aspirations, I married my high school boyfriend, I work the same job I did in high school, and I practically live down the road from my parents. I am living a small town girl cliche.

However - In the past four years since graduating high school, I went to university for three semesters. I worked for a chiropractor in a city other than the one I grew up in. I moved to a big city to do an internship with IVCF for 8 months. I have worked and studied and learned and feel I had sufficient life experience to choose to live in my home town. To choose to marry my high school boyfriend. To choose to work the job I had in high school.

Because at the end of the day, there is no where else I'd rather be than here. I love Fernie. Waking, sleeping, winter, spring, summer, fall, I never grow tired of it, never get bored of it, never stop loving it and feeling thankful and blessed that I get to live here.

This is the corner I work on. You can't see my (well, not exactly my store, but I call it that) store, but it is on the left side of the street, right on the corner.

At the end of the day, I love my husband. There is no one else I would rather have around to share my life with. Waking, sleeping, good times, hard times, I love him, and am so grateful God let me choose him. I am constantly learning more about him and being surprised by him. Like the the time we had that awful fight and I went for a walk to clear my head and when I came back he had run me a bubble bath because he knew that I was stressed and needed a chance to relax. Tyler is my best friend, and I am glad I get to grow old with him.

Tyler at our wedding. I still love seeing him smile!

At the end of the day, I love my job. There is almost nothing else I would rather do. I love my boss and coworkers. We have such a good time together. I love my work, helping people find things to wear to their special events, finding something that makes them feel good and beautiful, find the special something that will make that special someone smile. I love getting to sing along to the radio, and no one tells me to be quiet. I love my job. I love clothes and looking out the window at the mountains and smiling and singing and laughing.

As a matter of fact, at the moment, I am almost 100% satisfied with my life. And that is pretty remarkable. I say almost 100% because there is always room for improvement. But that too is a matter of perspective. I don't know how it gets any better than this.

Watermelon

2009-05-13T16:32:00.002-06:00

So today I ate my first piece of watermelon of the season. It was good good good and tasted like sunshine and the back deck. Which is quite the feat considering it looks like it is trying to snow outside.

Anyway, I have a question for anyone who might now the answer, or who could at least come up with something creative.

Whatever happened to watermelon with seeds? And why is it that in my head it tasted better? I mean, does watermelon with seeds actually taste better, or is it that I just remember watermelon tasting better when I was younger and my pallet (palet?) has changed and now it doesn't taste as good. Hmmm.....

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T11:32:00.004-06:00

When I was little Mother's Day was fabulous. It meant breakfasts and dandelion bouquet and mostly just trying to tell my mum how much I loved her. Now that I am older the breakfasts have gotten nicer, and the bouquets are of roses instead of dandelions. But my mum hasn't changed. I still love her as much as I ever did!

Now the cool thing about getting married is that you wind up with an extra set of family. Which means today I get to celebrate two mums instead of one!

There is my Mummy - Affectionately known as CandyMommy.

And Tyler's Mummy - Brenda.

They are such wonderful women and I have learned so much from both of them and am so thankful to have them in my life. So today I am celebrate all mums and mine special two in particular. Thank you for all the memories, and all the hugs and all the loves and all the wisdom and the meals cooked.

Two special stories.

First, Tyler's mum.

If ever when I was over visiting Tyler and I wasn't feeling good, or I was cold. Tyler's mum would get up, plug the kettle in, put her rice bag in the microwave, Grab me a fuzzy blanket from the railing, bring me back the rice back, now warm, and a mug of chamomile tea. I always felt so blessed by her thoughtfulness and care. It made me feel cozy and safe and special, and I love her for that! Happy Mother's Day Mum, I am so glad I get to keep you - I love you!

And now my Mum.

On our birthdays we always got to pick what breakfast we wanted. And for most of my life I picked Danishes. Which means that for two days before, Mum would go through the process of rolling the dough, cooling the dough, rolling more butter into the dough, cooling the dough, rolling the dough, etc. etc. until finally she would get to twist them into the danishes on my birthday morning. They are so good - flakey and yummy. Anyway, when asked what I wanted for breakfast on my wedding morning I said - Danishes. Sort of jokingly, because I knew mum had so much to do there was no way she'd have time to make them. I can't remember what I said to make instead, but on Friday night at midnight, the night before my wedding, there she was rolling out danish dough. I was so touched. The next morning when I sat done to breakfast, there were the most perfect danishes, light and flaky and delicious. Thank you Mum - thank meant so much to me! I will always love you, Happy Mother's Day to the best Mum I could have!

Happy Birthday Granny!

2009-05-05T15:54:00.003-06:00

Today is my Granny's birthday. She's my mum's mum and pretty incredible. She can sew and knit and crochet and cook and build play houses and grow things. She is always amazing me. I don't have any pictures of her on my computer - but I stole this one from my cousin.

That's my Granny and my Grandpa. They love each other. I love that about them. She turns 84 today, and they have been married for over 50 years. Fantastic.

Anyway - Happy Birthday Granny! Thanks for all the wonderful things you do and for being so wonderful yourself! Hope you have a fabulous day! Hugs and loves!

All we needed was a horse.

2009-05-04T17:55:00.003-06:00

So last night was the youth group Country Cookout. It's a big fundraising dinner the youth group puts on to help finance their way to YC. The theme warranted dressing up. Here we are:

Isn't my husband handsome? In the afternoon he was getting his outfit together, making sure everything worked, and when he walked down the hall to show me, spurs jangling, I swear my heart skipped a beat. He looked sooooo good. Strong and tough and exactly the way he should. Oh, I swooned!

Ty's parents stopped by to put the finishing touches on our outfits, and Dad said we needed to have a traditional pose. No smiling. Obviously, I am not very good at that - but Tyler has the look down pat!

In other news - we bought a truck today. So now, below our apartment is parked a shiny red one tonne Dodge Diesel. It's nice and big and we are very happy!

Oh, and the socks were finished on time. Just. But they got sent off with my mum and will have arrived safely and in time for Granny's birthday!

Socks for Granny

2009-05-02T23:14:00.001-06:00

I am making socks for my Granny for her birthday. Her birthday is May 5th. My mum is leaving to visit tomorrow and will take my socks to my granny. One teensy, tinesy problem. They are not finished. Wish me luck! I must knit knit knit!

P.S. They are RED!

In case you are wondering...

2009-04-19T21:58:00.001-06:00

The Speech yesterday went great! Better than expected actually! People seemed really receptive and I felt good about it. I think I remembered to talk slowly (or at least slower) and I tried to remember not to fidget. It was almost fun. It's surprisingly exhausting though! I was wired all morning prior too, and as soon as I was done, I crashed. I felt like taking a nap right there in the church. I waited til I got home at least though! And it went by really fast! I felt like I had just started and then I was on the last page and ending it up! Anyway - thought you might like to know!

Tomorrow.

2009-04-17T23:02:00.003-06:00

So. Tomorrow I give my speech on Community at a church retreat. I am alternately nervous and excited. I am not usually nervous standing in front of people - but I am this time. Maybe because it's my own words that I am sharing. Anyway - I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers! If you want to read my speech, it's below. It's kind of long, and doesn't make as much sense as when I read it aloud. And I think there are a few spelling and grammar errors. But it's there if you are interested!

Community. It’s something that I am very passionate about. It was because of a discussion on community that I began the firsts steps towards my first non-family community living experience. It’s also why I was asked to speak today. It is also why writing this out has been so difficult for me. There is so much floating around in my head that it is difficult to get them down on paper and into something coherent. Please bear with me as I try to convey what I believe God has taught me about community and what I would like to share with you.

To start – a definition.

The Following definitions I took from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

Community: A unified body of individuals.

Unified: from unify – to make into a unit or coherent whole.

Body:

There are a few that I liked for body. As follows:

A mass of matter distinct from other masses

I liked this one because of the distinction. We are called apart, called to be separate. In the world, but not of the world. John 15:19 (part) You do not belong to the world, for I have chosen you out of the world.

Something that embodies or gives concrete reality to a thing

Isn’t that fantastic – that fact that we are body gives concrete reality to Christ. We embody Him.

A group of persons or things

Entry level description. Call it what it is.

A group of individuals organized for some purpose

Add a little something extra. Organized for some purpose. Isn’t that perfect? Doesn’t that describe what the body of Christ is?

Individuals:

A single organism as distinguished from a group

An indivisible entity – This I like because of the indivisible part. We cannot be divided.

That being said, a new definition of community could be:

A coherent group of indivisible entities organized for some purpose. For a purpose.

Now within that definition, there are several groups that we need to address to fully understand the scope of community that we are involved in.

Entry level. Your Church.

Next. The National Church.

After. The Body of Christ – all Christianity

Separate. Your home town.

Now I spoke earlier of a purpose. That a community is a group of individuals organized for a purpose.

Matthew 28:19 – 20 clearly states that purpose, right before Jesus ascends to the throne of Heaven, he leaves behind these words:

19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

There are some key points about these few sentences that I would like to point out. In these couple of verses we are given our Great Commission. Our purpose is spelt out. And – we are also given the promise that will allow us to fulfill that commission. We are called to go. And we are called to teach. And we are promised that Christ will be with us always. That’s a good promise.

Now – this is our ultimate goal and purpose. However – each community functions differently to achieve this purpose.

Here are some simple descriptions of the roles I believe each community has.

The role of your home church is to teach, support and equip its members to go into the community they live in. Evangelism is an individual pursuit because it involves relationships. However, those individuals need to come from a place where they are being taught truth, and supported and encouraged to follow God’s path. The home church also needs to function with the other churches in the area as a united and loving example of Christian life. We need to work with the other churches in our community in love and friendship. There is only one way to come to God the Father, as John 14:6-7 states:

6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

However, there are different ways of worshipping God and that we must embrace and encourage. Our goal is to bring people into the family of God. But we need to understand that the family of God is bigger than just our church. Working with your local churches is a wonderful way to show how inclusive God’s family can be.

Now – the national church functions in a similar way to the local church the way a local church functions to its members. The national church equips the pastors and leaders and supports and encourages the congregations. It is a wonderful thing to be able to come together at a retreat like this, or at the National conference and meet with more people and different people and still have the commonality of being a member in the body of Christ. What a wonderful encouragement to keep running the race!

As I touched on earlier – as a church we need to function in community with the rest of the churches in our locale and in the world. We are all part of the body of Christ, all having an equal share in the inheritance of Jesus.

I would now like to share with you a specific experience that I had. I mentioned earlier that it was through a discussion of community that I came to live in community. This is my story.

Last year I spent 8 months in Vancouver on an internship with (InterVarsity Christian Fellowship) or IVCF. I lived in a two bedroom house with four other people. Talk about communal living. IVCF is all about community. And on so many different levels. At the base – it is about building Christian community on university and college campuses. At a second level it is about community of staff. That’s where my living situation came into play. Living together, working together. At a third level it is about the community that supports the staff and students. Some of you were part of my extended community while I was on the internship. People who fund the staff, people who pray for the staff.

Where it all began. My journey into the community of IVCF began with a look at a particular community. It started on a Ranch near Sundre, AB at an IVCF staff gathering. I had tagged along with friends, even though at the time I wasn’t a student or directly involved in IVCF. On the Saturday morning we read through Joshua 1. At this point, Moses has died, and God tells Joshua to cross the Jordan. On the other side of the Jordan live the Canaanites, and God has told Joshua to take the land from him. Before the tribes cross the Jordan, three tribes voice a desire to remain on the close side of the Jordan. The Rebenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh wish to remain in the good land where they presently camp. It was what Joshua told them that really caught me off guard.

But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, 13 "Remember the command that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: 'The LORD your God is giving you rest and has granted you this land.' 14 Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, fully armed, must cross over ahead of your brothers. You are to help your brothers 15 until the LORD gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise."

They were required to help fight. They were asked to support their brothers. That is the kind of community God calls us to.

At this point in the passage someone made a comment about that being a crazy kind of community. They asked the question of IVCF – with all of our varying campuses and needs and diverse cultures – is it even possible for us to be that kind of supportive community for each other? And something became very clear in my mind. We are not called to a possible community or an impossible community for that matter. It is irrelevant whether it is possible or not. God calls us to community. Simple as that. God has never dealt in things that are possible. But – we have his promise in Philippians. (Philippians 4:13) – I can do everything through him who gives me strength. God can make us into that community if we will allow ourselves to be molded. God will make us into that community if we listen and obey him the way the Israelites did that day on the shore of the Jordan.

It is my belief then, that communities are built on Love. I believe the ability to love is our greatest strength, the only thing we have that will make a difference in the darkness that is around us. The love of Christ-turned-man, dying for the world. The love we have for that Christ, which is obedience to his call. The love he gives us for our brothers and sisters and those yet to be invited to the family table.

When I was in Vancouver I learned that Love is not as simple as it seems. As defined by M. Scott Peck in The Road Less Travelled, love is the will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth. When I first read that, I hated it. I had just gotten engaged, and that definition held nothing of the romance, the joy, the excitement and the security I felt. But the more time I spent in Vancouver, with my community, and away from my fiancé, the more I realized this definition is bang on. God also has a definition for Love. It is a lot more romantic than Peck’s, but not any simpler. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails.

As a community we are called to love each other and the community we live in, with this kind of love. It is incredibly difficult. I had roommates that I barely even liked, and yet I was called to love them. There were people on my campus that I had nothing in common with, nothing to draw us together, yet I was called to love them. I had students that drove me crazy, yet I was called to love them. Love them how? Only God knows. We are all unlovable at best. We are all imperfect, and selfish. Yet God calls us to more, because he knows we can be more. He created us to be more. Ephesians has a good description of how to live in community:

Ephesians 4:2- 6 – Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Bearing with one another in love. God gets that we might not always like each other – but he says bear with each other, in love. That being said, don’t let people get away with being less than they were created to be, but do it gently. We are not called to be judgmental. But we are not being loving if we are not concerned with their spiritual growth, with their future eternity.

That is why the great commission is all about Love. We cannot make disciples of the nations if we don’t love them. That is why I believe that evangelism is a relational pursuit. It requires a great deal of love, and love, requires a great deal of effort.

And community is all about relationships. You cannot truly be in community with someone if you have no relationship with them. Part of the word community is commun(e). To share ones intimate thoughts or feelings with; especially when the exchange is on a spiritual level.

We had a house meeting in Vancouver about half way through second semester. And my roommate asked us the question – do we love each other? Marva Dawn asked the question in the book – The Unnecessary Pastor – Are you willing to die for each other? I believe both are significant questions, and I believe they are linked. And I don’t read Dawn’s questions as the loss of our lives. I read it as the death of self. We have to give up our selfish pride and ambition and live 100% in the 1 Corinthians definition of love in order to care about someone else’s spiritual growth. You cannot love someone with the expectation of getting something in return. You have to love them purely for the sake of loving them. And a little surprising thing will happen. As you love people, you begin to like them. And it’s way easier to be in a community with people you like!

That’s why, to me, becoming a unified body of individuals is impossible without love. Without love, we are all different, and weird to one another. We are all individuals with no redeeming traits. Our gifts seem mismatched and we don’t even want to fight for each other, let alone die for each because we are too busy fighting with each other. By actively trying to Love – and I stress the trying part. Because, let’s face it – we are imperfect. We cannot, on our own, achieve true love. However – we can try, and by God’s grace we can reach that goal. By trying to love each other. By dying to our selves. By casting off our selfish ambitions and reaching out towards one another, by any God given means – including, but not limited to: hospitality, prayer, dreaming together, sharing together…. If we can do that, if we can be patient and kind and not envious or boastful or proud. If we will stop being rude, self-seeking, and angry. If we will stop keeping record of wrongs. If we will rejoice in the truth, instead of delighting in evil. If we will protect each other and trust each other, and hope for each other, and through everything be perseverant, then we, through God, will not fail.

If you can do all that – you will love each other. You will accept and appreciate one another’s gifts and you will help nurture those gifts.

When you love the members of your church, you will support them in serving your community. When you love the other churches in your community – you can be unitied in loving and serving your community. When you love the other CCCC’s churches you can encourage them and pray for them. And best of all, when you love your community, you will pray for them and love them and serve them, and when God works in their hearts and draws them to himself, he will invite you, to invite them to sit at the family table, further completing the Christian Community their gifts and talents.

This is what I know to be true and I will leave you with it in closing:

Hebrews 10:19-25

19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

A Day Late.

2009-04-17T09:16:00.003-06:00

Happy Birthday Megan!!!

My apologies for being a day late in your best wishes.

Megan is my sister-in-law. My adopted sister. Adopted in the sense that she married my brother, but even if she didn't - we'd keep her anyway! She's everything I'm not - tall, red-headed, good at playing guitar, and all manner of other things. I thoroughly enjoy hanging out with her, and constantly find myself wishing that she and Aaron lived around here!

Anyway - thanks Megan for marrying Aaron - I know he can be tough to take, but stick it out, cause Tyler and Andrea and I think you're great!

Hugs and loves always and forever! Hope to see you soon!!!!!

Thanksgiving.

2009-04-13T19:06:00.002-06:00

Today my wallet came back to me. A very nice person from Calgary picked it up at Lussier Hot Springs and mailed it all the way back to me. Everything was intact, and I was quite happy to be reunited. I was very disappointed with the local purolator shipping center that left the package sit for almost two weeks because it didn't have a phone number attached to it. However, I am almost over that. It is so nice to not have to worry about where it is anymore!

So, thank you Jody from Calgary for being so kind and mailing my wallet to me! I appreciate you more than you will ever know!

Sunshine and God Pokes.

2009-04-08T21:22:00.002-06:00

So. Every once in a while God pokes me in the side and says - "See - that's for you. I made that for you. Do you like it?" And I get all gushy and say - "God - you are amazing. How did you know that's exactly what I needed right now. Thank you so much." And of course he knows because he created me. But that aside, here was my God poke of the day.

I was walking home from work and thinking about getting home and changing for judo and listening to my iPod and not really thinking about anything important. I rounded the corner and there was an amazing sky. I can't say really amazing sunset, because I've seen some pretty incredible sunsets. I grew up in the mountains where sometimes when the sun sets it looks like the hills are on fire and the light spreads from peak to peak. And I spent a month in Saskabush as a kid and prairie sunsets are from another world they're so gorgeous. And I sailed, and ocean sunsets have their own incredible beauty. But this was pretty unique, and notable. The underside of the cloud was orange. As if on the other side of the mountain there was a huge forest fire that was giving colour to the cloud above. And then there were dark bands in the clouds and puffy clouds and swoopy clouds, and the sun just barely peaking out between and these sun dogs like fingers reaching out and down to the mountains. It took my breath away. And if that wasn't enough, this is what came on my iPod.

I'll be waiting for the sun to rise

So I can start again by and by

Oh I'll be looking o'er my head to the sky

See the clouds open wide reveal my faith.

Which of course, is the song By and By, performed by Jennifer Knapp. Who has an amazing voice. Anyway - it was perfect. I realized that I have really been down and out because of losing my wallet, and other things and God reminding me that the sun still shines. Reminding me of who I put my faith in.

So - I'll be waiting for the sun to rise, so I can start again by and by. Although my dreams may be tattered, my will, my heart battered, I know you will hear my cry.

God gave me a sunset to remind me that he loves me. That he has good things in store. And that no matter what, there are still things worth smiling about. Life really is beautiful!

Lost. Missing. Pouting.

2009-04-03T23:13:00.000-06:00

I am pouting. Because my wallet is lost. Missing in fact. It was last seen on Friday. I think. The last record of it being seen was on Friday. But it may have been seen on Saturday and I just forgot. I don't normally lose it, and it doesn't usually go missing. But apparently this is the week it decided to go AWOL. So I am pouting and waiting and hoping that it comes back. It was purple. And old. And needed to be replaced. But I still miss it. Come home, dear wallet, come home.

Happy Birthday Mum!

2009-04-01T21:31:00.003-06:00

Today is my Mum's birthday. She'll be 7 in Glover years today. I quite like her. She's been a good mum thus far, and I am sure she will continue that. She has taught me much much and I am so grateful for her patience and wisdom. I don't have many pictures of her on my computer - but this is a classic from when She hadn't been my mummy for that long!

Mum - thanks for everything. For the skills you taught me, the love you gave me, and the wisdom you shared with me. You have been the best mum I could have asked for! I love you so much!

Hugs and loves always to my Mummy.

Asleep my love?

2009-03-26T05:35:00.003-06:00

What dead my dove?

This post is for Lindsay. The above may not make sense to anyone but her. But yesterday was her birthday, and I didn't get a chance to write about it, so today she gets a post.

I have known Lindsay for a long time. Back when we were sports rivals, to becoming close friends. She makes me laugh. I miss her when she's not around, and I can't wait for summer time so we can have our movie nights together. This will be the fourth year in a row!

Hugs and loves Lindsay! Happy Birthday, love you always!

A Baby.

2009-03-24T08:54:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I got to meet Jaxson. He was 14 hours old. My big sister Vanessa and her fiance Jeremy are the proud parents that get to keep him. It was pretty neat to be able to meet him yesterday. I've never met a baby that new. He was tiny. He had these little itty bitty fingers that were all wrinkly and a tiny little nose. His eyes were blue, but he mostly kept them close and slept. I guess getting born is hard work for a little guy! Anyway - I just wanted to share that with you guys. It was a pretty special moment. Thanks Vanessa and Jeremy for sharing him with me!

For Lisa

2009-03-22T15:12:00.003-06:00

Happy Birthday Lisa!

Lisa and I have been friends since I lived in Lethbridge and Tyler drove the blue truck. We have cried together and laugh together and waited for Tyler to come visit together. Lisa introduced me to Gilmore Girls and was my best friend when I lived in Lethbridge. We spent every weekend together, sometimes even sharing my little twin bed. We share secrets and supported each other.

Lisa is a fantastic gal. She loves pink, and dancing and has an infectious smile. I miss her terribly cause I don't get to see her much. My hope and prayer today is that this year is fantastic for her, that God continues to bless her and smile upon her.

Thanks Lisa for everything. For being there when I needed you and for sharing everything with me! I love you lot's lot's lot's and can't wait to see you again! I miss my pink lady!

Three Voices

2009-03-18T08:52:00.002-06:00

So last night in my bubble bath I read Robert Service. I thoroughly enjoy Robert Service. Did you know he was born in England, but grew up in Scotland? He moved to the Yukon and hung out there for a long time, until he went to Europe for WWI as a stretcher bearer. He ended up getting married over live and lived out the rest of his life in France. He died at age 84. In 1958. That's old back then. Anyway - so I think he is fascinating and I am reading through this book of his works, and I come across this poem:

It's titled The Three Voices and talks about the waves, the wind, and the stars. Well - here - I'll just share it with you and then I'll tell you why it makes me glad.

The waves have a story to tell me,

As I lie on the lonely beach;

Chanting aloft in the pinetops,

The wind has a lesson to teach;

But the stars sing an anthem of glory

I cannot put into speech.

The waves tell of ocean spaces,

Of hearts that are wild and brave,

Of populous city places,

Of desolate shores they lave,

Of men who sally in quest of gold

To sink in an ocean grave.

The wind is a mighty roamer;

He bids me keep me free,

Clean from the taint of the gold-lust,

Hardy and pure as he;

Cling with my love to nature,

As a child to the mother-knee.

But the stars throng out in their glory,

And they sing of the God in man;

They sing of the Mighty Master,

Of the loom his fingers span,

Where a star or a soul is a part of the whole,

And weft in the wondrous plan.

Here by the camp-fire's flicker,

Deep in my blanket curled,

I long for the peace of the pine-gloom,

When the scroll of the Lord is unfurled,

And the wind and the wave are silent,

And world is singing to world.

So - what do you think?

Anyone who knows me has probably heard me talk about my love of stars. I could watch the stars for hours and hours. They fascinate me and intrigue me and make me happy and sad and tiny. They are so big. And yet so tiny. But size is irrelevant, isn't it? Anyway - I love that the stars tell the story of their Maker. That their purpose is to show His glory. That all night long they sing praises from this world to the other. I love that. I love the things that have no other purpose but to show how great and cool and creative God is. Cause answer me this (and I am sure there is a perfectly acceptable answer to this. I just don't know what it is....) What is the purpose of stars? They don't give us that much light - cause we still need the moon for that. And they don't give us heat. We can take directions from them - that is useful. So - I just answered my own questions. But isn't it fantastic that God chose to give us a compass that looks like a skyful of stars? We've never been able to create anything that beautiful.

Well, thanks for letting me wander. I just like that fact that me and the stars are both a part of the whole, weft in the wondrous plan.

Some Might Say

2009-03-17T05:46:00.002-06:00

So last night we were playing Guitar Hero and I was on vocals and Tyler chose the song "Some Might Say" by Oasis. Anyway - I am singing along, and all of a sudden the following lyrics practically stop me in my tracks.

Some might say they don't believe in heaven,

Go and tell it to the man who lives in Hell.

Anyway - I couldn't help but think that many people I've talked to in my life express a firm belief in Heaven, but not in Hell. And it raises an interesting perspective. That you can't have one without the other, and that the existence of one proves the existence of the other. At least, in my head it does. I have no idea what the band was thinking. But that's what I thought. What do you think?

Poetry

2009-03-15T15:20:00.002-06:00

So, Zoe over at Queasy posted a plea for help with her English project. Something to do with poetry. Anyway - I love poetry. Love buying it, reading it, hearing it read, looking at it, sometimes even writing it. I am not however, often fond of thinking about it. I used to hate English classes when they would expect you to have an opinion on a piece of poetry, or thoughts of what the author was actually trying to express. What's wrong with thinking it sounds nice. When did that become less than adequate. So anyway - Zoe wanted us to send in our own poems, or our favourite poems. So that got me to thinking about my favourite poems.

Nothing Gold Can Stay - Robert Frost
-this one had to make an appearance - I think I've loved it since I fell in love with the Outsiders.

Dirge Without Music - Edna St. Vincent Millay
- I have loved it for a long long time. I don't know why. I don't know anybody that's died. But I love it.

So those were the two I was going to send her. But then how can you leave off the list -

The Shooting of Dan McGrew
or
The Cremation of Sam McGee
- Robert Service

I mean - c'mon - those are classics - and I have versions of both complete with illustrations by Ted Harrison - which somehow makes them better than just out of an ordinary book. And - I have a friend who can recite Dan McGrew on command and everytime it makes me laugh.

And then I thought - well - maybe I should send one of my own poems in. Then I got stumped - when was the last time I wrote a poem. Wow. For all the ones I churned out on cue in English class I was coming up dry. But then - does a song classify as a poem? If it does, marvellous - so I sent her the song I wrote for Tyler that I sang at our wedding. I'll share it with you too. I like it. It sounds better when it's sung and Sharla and Aaron and Megan are playing along - but you'll just have to imagine that part!

You dug your toes in the sand
Dipped your fingers in the water
Washed away the years of waiting
Looked ahead, anticipating

Let's play together
Let's walk together
Let's dance the night away
Let's sing a song
Let's dream a dream
Let's share a sweet, sweet smile

So turn your face to the wind
And I'll put my arms around you
Hold my small hand, five fingers strong
And we will make our love last long

Let's play together
Let's walk together
Let's dance the night away
Let's sing our songs
Let's dream our dreams
Let's share our sweet sweet smiles

I made a promise
I'm here to stay
I won't ever walk away

We'll play together
We'll walk together
We'll dance the night away
We'll sing our songs
We'll dream our dreams
We'll share those sweet, sweet smiles

-Cause From Now Until Forever; Me(words); Andrew (music)
(The title came from a line that was suppose to be in the bridge but never really fit. Andrew made it the title so we never lost it. I like it.

Anyway - that's my song. But then I got to thinking - there are plenty better songs out there if you are going to include songs. Like Leonard Cohen and Hallelujah. I know I've mentioned this one before - but it gets me right in the eyes everytime, so I am going to included it again. Enjoy.

Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Baby I've been here before
I know these rooms I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I met you
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah

There was a time you let me know
What's real and going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breathe we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light in every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Maybe there's a God above
But all I ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you
It's not a cry you can hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah

I tried my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though it all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Fast Cars

2009-03-10T19:55:00.005-06:00

So, for about the hundredth time, we are watching Gone in 60 Seconds. It's one of my favourite movies. First - there's the cars. gorgeous gorgeous cars, everywhere you look. There's Eleanor and Shannon and Jessica and Tanya and Nadine and Pamela and Barbara and they all make me swoon. Then there's the cast - quite the cast. Robert Duvall, Angelina Jolie, Nicholas Cage, Giovanni Ribisi, Scott Caan, Vinnie Jones and others. They make me smile. I start wishing I could walk around in leather, high heels and pink underwear and drive beautiful cars like the Shelby GT 500 or the Hemi Cuda. Beautiful beautiful cars. And beautiful actors, and a halfways reasonable soundtrack. So anyway - I am smiling and wishing and planning on going to make an ice cream float. If you haven't watched the movie - you should. Just for the cars. Cause everyone needs a little dream feed every now and then!

Coming Home

2009-03-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

As of 8:00 this evening, Tyler's dad was out of surgery and doing fine and the plan is to head home tomorrow. I am glad. I hate being away from Tyler, even for a little bit, and I hate worrying about things. The miracle of science though - Dad was awake for the whole procedure! Isn't it incredible what they can do? Thank you for all your prayers, and please continue to pray for a safe return and a quick and healthy recovery!

Prayers Please!

2009-03-05T09:20:00.002-07:00

Today my Father-In-Law heads up to Calgary to get a stint put into his heart. Apparently his heart isn't getting enough oxygen or is blocked up somewhere, somehow. Please pray that the procedure will be effective and safe and that he will be back and recovering soon. Also - Tyler and his mum and grandma are heading up to Calgary as well, and we just got a fairly decent dump of snow - so for safe travels. Tyler's family owns a small farm - so it is important that his dad be up and running as soon as possible. Thank you so much for your prayers! I will keep you posted!

Happy Birthday Andrea!

2009-03-04T09:20:00.003-07:00

My favourite twinnie turns 20 today! Isn't that crazy? She's been my favourite twinnie for a long time now, and she's been my sister for forever. She's my best friend and biggest support. I love her much much much. Isn't she gorgeous!

Andrea is incredibly bright and talented, and I am so proud of her for all that she is done in her short life. This lady is going places! I wish I could celebrate her birthday with her, but I ate cake with her on Sunday, and I'll see her (I think) this weekend. So I will just have to make do with sending her a HUGE birthday hug and writing a nice smooshy post all about her!

Hugs and loves now and always to My Favourite Twinnie!

I love you much much much and I miss you much much more!

P.S. Night Night
Sleep Tight
Don't let the bed bugs bite
If they do
Take your shoe
and beat them til they're
Black and Blue!

Happy Birthday Robyn!

2009-03-03T09:32:00.002-07:00

So. Today is Robyn's birthday. Robyn is a wonderful girl. I first met Robyn when I lived in Lethbridge for University. She is very welcoming and made me feel right at home.

So today I am celebrating her!

In many ways we are alike. We both like snow, ice cream and things that are Red. Also - we both like my favourite twinnie - so I like Robyn that much more for that!

Happy Birthday Robyn! May your day be wonderful and bright and may all your dreams come true! Hugs and loves always!

Beer, Metallica and Meat Pie.

2009-03-02T17:46:00.003-07:00

So today was one of those days. I was productive. Sort of. And I was lazy. Sort of. All in all - pretty much what a Monday should be. A little work, a little play, and a yummy meal and beer at the end of the day.

Although I suppose technically now is not the end of the day. I still have sock class to go to. (Our last class - grafting the toe! My favourite part!) And I still have Bible study. (A chance to visit and share with Sharla, so much fun!).

It is however, a nice transitional part to the day, and I am spending it sitting on my couch, listening to Metallica (The San Francisco Orchestra Album), eating a homemade meat pie, drinking a Nelson beer.

It's a good time of day.

The Best Job In The World!

2009-02-24T16:32:00.003-07:00

I am writing this post in support of my friends Julie and Lowell. They are applying for what is affectionately known as the best job in the world. Caretaker of the Island, Queensland, Australia. They are super cool people and totally deserve to get this job. That - and I want to read all about all the wonderful things they do when they get there! Please watch their video here and vote for them! Five stars! Thanks for voting and letting me promote them!

Congratulations Kari and Cameron!

2009-02-22T22:45:00.002-07:00

So yesterday my friend Kari got married. I am very happy for her and her new husband, Cameron.

Their wedding was lovely. Partially because I had the honour of singing at it, but then I am biased! It was a fantastic weekend. Tyler and I got to hang out with our friends Beth and Cory which was a blast because we haven't hung out with them in a long time.

It's always nice to hang out with other married couples! Beth played the piano at the wedding, so we had a good time stressing and practicing together. In the end it all went well! We danced and ate and talked. Anyway - congrats again Kari and Cameron - all the best to you both! Thanks again Beth and Cory for a grand week! It was a blast!

Community

2009-02-13T20:56:00.002-07:00

So. My parents have asked me to speak at a Church rally they are helping to organize, and the topic of the weekend in Community. So I thought I would throw it out to you guys and see what you had to say about it. What does community mean to you? How have you been affected by community or lack of community? I think I know where I want to start with my little speech, but I am still in the brainstorming phase. So if you have any thoughts at all - send them out!

Lucky Girl

2009-02-10T12:24:00.002-07:00

So. Last week, or I guess two weeks ago, was my birthday. And my darling dear husband gave me a most wonderful birthday present. A gift certificate to a local spa. So today at 2:30pm I will be headed towards an afternoon of pampering with events such as a pedicure and manicure, and a facial and a massage. I am SOOOOOOOO excited! I have enjoyed pedicures and manicures in the past, and I love getting massages. But I have never had a facial before. But today I am a lucky girl. So. Let's hear it for the boy! Well done Tyler - I love you!

Happy Birthday Vanessa!

2009-02-05T09:28:00.002-07:00

Vanessa is my big sister from down the street, and I love her dearly!

Today I am celebrating her, and am grateful for all the wonderful memories! Like having a sisters weekend at the lake, and all the times she made me work hard for track and field practice! Thanks Vanessa for everything! Hugs and loves and may your birthday be the happiest yet!

Another Birthday!?!

2009-02-03T09:23:00.002-07:00

Yes, it's that time of year again. Lot's and lot's of cake. Today I am celebrating my big brother Aaron.

Happy Birthday Aaron! Thanks for being born, and thanks for all the big brother memories, like no friends on powder days, but letting me tag along. Like taking me mountain biking, even though I slowed you right down. And thanks for being subtle about chasing all the boys away in high school! You are a great big brother, and I am so blessed that you are mine!

Now, I didn't have internet for a couple of days, so I missed a few other birthdays. I will now catch up!

My big sister Tanya...

Happy Birthday Yesterday. Thanks for the big sister memories, even though I wasn't actually your little sister. Thanks for the movie nights, and the lake weekends, and the hugs and loves. I miss being able to just walk down the street to visit you!

My housemate from Vancouver, Waison....

It seems weird that I don't get to celebrate this birthday with you. Hard to believe how quickly time flies! Thanks for the bus rides, and the laughs! Happy Birthday!

And Brian, the Bozo 3 who wanted to be Bozo 4 so he moved in with my roomie and I in Nova Scotia.

I hate that I haven't seen you since Ste. Anne's, and I wish we could hang out again. You made that summer a blast for me, and I will always love you (friend way) for it! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Zoe.

2009-01-29T09:15:00.004-07:00

So. Today is Zoe's birthday. I have known Zoe since she was this cute:

to now, when she is this beautiful.

She is talented and wonderful and warm and writes about things like blueberry lips and takes pretty pictures with her camera, Edwin.

Today I am wishing Zoe a happiest of happy Birthdays and wishing I could pack up a huge hug and mail it too her. Although I would have had to do that last week so it would arrive in time. If I express post it now, it might get there early next week...

Anyway - Zoe - hugs and loves on your birthday, it's been a treasure knowing you and growing up with you! May you continue to grow evermore wise and wonderful!

Love.

Snow.

2009-01-27T17:46:00.001-07:00

So. It snowed. I might even go so far as to say that it's snowing. But that might jinx it. You can't jinx what is already on the ground, so I am smiling. Fernie looks more like Fernie, and less like March, and I am delighted.

That's all for today...

But let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Things That Made Me Smile

2009-01-24T09:48:00.002-07:00

The things that made me smile this week:

The little girl in my store saying "it's just too charming, so charming".

My Red Reindeer Sweater.

Hitting the target I was aiming for at the gun range.

Hot tea from the Tea House.

Sharing fries and licorice with my Father-in-Law at the hockey game.

Cuddling with my husband.

Eating dinner with good friends and family.

Unpacking pretty sundresses at work.

The beautiful sunset sky on the walk home.

I smiled because life is beautiful. I am loved, and I love, and I live in the most wonderful place in the world. I have good friends, and good family. Dreams are coming true. There is no where else in the world I'd rather be.

Final Thoughts:

This song is running through my head right now. I love it.

Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the word

Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dewfall, on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day
- Eleanor Farjeon

Monday Afternoons.

2009-01-19T18:00:00.002-07:00

Monday Afternoons are for:

Target practice. (And actually hitting the target you were aiming at!)

And grocery shopping.

And snacks.

And Gilmore Girls.

And cold milk.

And Hot tea. (the new Cranberry Fruit from the Tea House - yum!)

And blankets.

And Husbands.

I like Monday afternoons as much as I like Monday mornings.

Monday mornings.

2009-01-19T10:27:00.001-07:00

Monday Mornings are for:

Plain yogurt and orange juice.

Sleeping in.

Gone in 60 Seconds.

Flannel Pajamas.

Puppy Dog slippers.

Couches and blankets.

Husbands.

I like Monday Mornings.

So...

2009-01-14T21:05:00.003-07:00

So. Do you ever try to sit down and write something, but nothing comes to mind? Is it considered writer's block if you are trying because you want to, not because you have to? I mean... this blog. It's not an obligation, it's not an assignment. It's a blog. Purely voluntary. And I want to update it. Really I do. I just can't think of things to write about. I don't think my life is boring, but there just aren't that many things to say about it. I am happy. And that is good. I haven't been happy, and I mean, truly, consistently, contentedly happy in years. First there was high school, which wasn't unhappy I suppose - so maybe first should be university. I hated studying, I didn't want to be in Lethbridge, and I woke up the morning of my birthday with no hot water. So after three semesters, I quit school. Came home for the holidays, but it was decided that it would be better if I moved back to Lethbridge. More opportunities or something. I mostly liked my job, but I didn't really want to be in Lethbridge. Again, I liked my job, I liked where I was living, but I didn't really want to be there. So I moved home. But only temporarily because I had decided to go on the internship. But that was a struggle too, I was never completely confident of the decision, and I longed to just come home. Now I am home. I love my job. I love my husband. I even love our little apartment. Life is good. Just not noteworthy. I haven't done anything remarkable in a long time. But you know, I am OK with that. I am quite happy to just live. Especially after the events between Christmas and New Years. If you live in Canada and watch the news, I am sure you heard about the Avalanche that killed the 8 men from Sparwood. Sparwood is a small community about 20 minutes away from Fernie. I didn't know any of the men personally, but Tyler had at least met every one of them. I just remember thinking how blessed I am to have what I have. Every breathe we take is a gift. The only thing we can be sure of is what's past. The future really isn't guaranteed. Maybe that's why I feel happy. I am breathing every breathe in of good Fernie air, and there is no where in the world I'd rather be. Like that Sheryl Crow song - it's not having what you want, it's wanting what you've got. Well - I am blessed, because I want what I have, and I got what I want!

A New Year

2009-01-02T21:55:00.002-07:00

So. We are already two days into the new year. This seems crazy to me because I can't believe that I am finished with the old year yet. But time is tricky like that. It comes and goes whether you want it to or not. So, we are in a new year. This means there are 363 days to try new things, and make new mistakes. Every year has a lot to live up to, because it seems to me that bigger and better things happen. Like this year - it doesn't get much bigger than getting married does it? At any rate - 2009 will have big things too. It will include a move for Tyler and I, and I will make the foray back into the university world. I am not excited about those things, but I am OK with them, and I have almost 8 months before I need to get really worried about them! Fortunately whether I am confident or not, I have confidence in this - Romans 8:28 - ...that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. And personally - that's good enough for me!

Top Ten

2008-12-19T09:13:00.003-07:00

So. This morning I checked my email and received a really exciting and special email! The boys at 6:8 Photography chose one of the pictures they took of Tyler and I at our August wedding as one of their top images of 2008! This is a huge honour! (You can read all about it on their blog) Anyway - there is a contest to see which of the top 13 photos will become their top photo! Please vote for us! I think it's really sweet of them to select our photo! Thanks for supporting us! We had a blast working with these guys, and they are crazy talented! Also - if you haven't already checked out our wedding photos - there is a great blog post here! Enjoy!!!

Baby - it's cold outside....

2008-12-14T11:02:00.002-07:00

So. It is freezing outside. So cold that it makes me want to use profanity to describe it. But I won't. Aren't you proud of me, twinnie? And the worst part about it.... it's not that cold. Well - let me check.... As of 10:00am this morning, it was -24 here in the Elk Valley, but due to the wind chill factor, it feels like -35. Ok - so that is cold. For you down south, I have no idea what that means in Fahrenheit.... Oh wait - here we go: -11.2 with a wind chill that drops it to -31. Hey - as it gets colder - our temperatures get closer. Cool. In more ways than one. Oooooo - and in Kelvins (absolute zero temperature scale) it's 249.15 and 238.15. And that sounds crazy hot. Anyways. It is cold. And I am now I wimp. But what am I suppose to do? I spent last winter in Vancouver were I doubt it even dropped below freezing. So instead of braving the elements this morning, I go to hunker down and eat French Toast cooked specially for me by my husband (it's still so fun to say that - I have a husband!). Yummy. We even turned on the heat in the living room of our apartment! (Up til now we've hardly had to turn the heat on at all!) I will have to brave the elements to go to work this afternoon, but Tyler promised me a ride, what a sweetie.... And there is plenty of hot water and tea to get me through the afternoon. I have a wool sweater to keep me warm, so I am delighted. It's a beautiful day and I am smiling! Life is good. Hope you are warm and smiling wherever you are!

My Favourite Things.

2008-12-07T23:19:00.004-07:00

So. With a little help from Julie Andrews:

Snowflakes on pine trees and rye on the rocks;
Singing tea kettles and red yarn for socks;
Black and white piano keys, songs on their strings;
These are a few of my favourite things.

Cute little puppies and cold ice cream sundaes;
Church bells and carols and end of week Fridays;
Sailing at night when the moon makes me sing;
These are a few of my favourite things.

Wearing my brides dress all white silk and pearls;
Husbands with blonde hair and green eyes and curls;
Sunsets in summer and starslight in spring;
These are a few of my favourite things.

When the rain comes,
When the snow melts,
When I'm feeling low,
I simply remember my favourite things,
And then I begin to glow.

Baking and Cleaning

2008-12-03T17:06:00.002-07:00

So. I had the day off today. So I got up early, went to the gym, came home, showered, and hopped right back into bed. That is where I stayed, quiet happily slumbering away until my phone rang. Now - my phone has a very very special ring tone. My ever loving husband chose it specially for me because he knew I would appreciate it. Or something like that. My ring tone sounds like a bull elk. I have included a little video to let you know what it sounds like.

So anyways my phone rings, and it's said darling husband, who is at work, telling me to get out of bed and go get our skates sharpened. So what did I do? I did what any self-respecting wife would do. I climbed back into bed for another half hour. Then I got up, then I ate breakfast, then I got dressed, and then I went to get our skates sharpened. Which, as it turns out, they only do Monday and Thursday evenings so I had to leave our skates there anyway. I came home and thought about cleaning, and even got so far as to make the bed and put my clothes away that had been laying on the floor. I put up some red bows and a couple of stockings so our place looks a little more festive. And then I did some work on the blanket I am making. And then I did the dishes, and about half way through the dishes I decided to make chili for dinner, and I finished the dishes. And that's when I decided to bake. So I started making some cookies, but they need to be refrigerated before you bake them. So then I thought - maybe I should clean up the chili making mess. But then I thought - Christmas is coming - better make two batches. So I started a second batch of cookies. And they also need to be refrigerated (why isn't that word spelt with a D - fridge is...) but there isn't enough room in our fridge, so they are on the deck. And now I really need to clean the kitchen, but I am sitting here writing this instead because I hate cleaning that much. But, Tyler will be home soon, and best to have the mess gone before then. So - enjoy your day, and hope you have yummy cookies to eat!

Socks.

2008-11-15T23:26:00.003-07:00

So, my most favourite thing to do in the whole world is to knit socks. Now I know that there are many other things that I like, such as sleep, and things that shouldn't be posted on a public blog, and watching Gilmore Girls and skiing and quadding and eating and - well - lot's of things. But knitting socks is definitely near the top of the list. Closely followed by buying yarn to knit socks, and wearing hand knit socks. I love knitting socks. Currently I have three pairs on the go. Pink ones with colourful stripes knit toe up in a chevron pattern. This yarn came from Naomi's yarn shop. Lovely place. Lovely girl. Aren't they pretty?

These are for my friend Sharla. Also a lovely girl.

The next set are for me. I have one finished already. These are top down socks, and they are thick and cozy and I can't wait to finish all my other socks so I can finish this pair. They are stripey and knit in a garter rib.

Don't you just want to put them on your feet and wiggle your toes? I should have put that in my top things to do - wiggle my toes. In hand knit socks, and sand and water and squishy mud and flannel sheets and cozy slippers.

And last but not least - my sock class socks. My mum and I are teaching a sock class. Very very fun. These socks are delightful - they have elastic in them. I can't wait to wear them - I think they are going to be very comfy. We have gotten to the heel flap. It's frustrating having to wait for each week to have to do the next step. Luckily I have lot's of projects to keep me busy!

These are pretty socks too. Cotton and wool and stretch - what could be better?

Now - There is a reason that my socks aren't completed. And that is this blanket. It's a wedding gift for a friend - I think it's beautiful. But I like knitting socks. And I miss knitting socks. So - I will finish the blanket and then I can knit socks.

But it's a pretty blanket right? Nice and light? I hope they like it! It's going to be sent overseas! What a trip - wish I could take it too! But - I will console myself by knitting socks. Oh socks. I love socks......

P.S. I am not much of a photographer, and my webcam is not much of a camera - still - I hope you appreciate how pretty my socks and blanket are, and how much I love socks!

IT'S SNOWING!!!!!

2008-11-04T17:54:00.003-07:00

So - today it snowed. Actually snowed. It hasn't really accumulated, but it is falling in big fluffy flakes and looks lovely and makes me happy. This morning when I walked to work I remembered a friend of mine who told me that whenever it was beautiful and sunny outside she felt like it was God's gift to her. Well - snow is God's gift to me. I never feel so loved or at peace with the world than when it is snowing. I don't know why that is, but I am celebrating it all the same!

Final thoughts:

It's snowing, it's snowing La, la, la, la, la! LET IT SNOW!

Things I Did in My Wedding Dress

2008-10-08T22:10:00.007-06:00

So. I though I would post a fun blog. With pictures. Wedding Pictures. My favourite kind of pictures. So - here goes - these are merely a selection of all the things I did in my wedding dress!

Here is the Dress! Raw silk. Hand sewn Lace and bead work. A Candy and Alisha Glover original. That's right - Mum and I made it all by ourselves!

I got into it.... with some help of course!

Did the Hula.... Not bad eh?

Saw Ty in a tie for the first time. ever. and probably never again. (this picture is right before we saw each other for the first time that day)

Played with a parasol... E-bay - genius - Andrea and I had matching ones!

Swung on a swing with my favourite Twinnie... She's gorgeous eh?

Relaxed on a couch in a back alley... even took a mini nap!

Posed for a car ad.... OK - so I just leaned all sexy like against our Camaro.

Jumped on a Trampoline... This was probably my best idea all day. FUN!

Played in some flowers... six foot high fire weed to be exact. Tyler is just over six feet if that gives you an idea....

Did my best Superman pose... not bad eh?

Sang my way down the aisle... Yes, I did sing my own processional.

Got MARRIED!!!! The best thing I did in my dress!

Got Kissed... The other best thing I did in my dress!

Ate an ice Cream float from the Dairy Queen.... Yummy!

Ate cake... Carrot cake.... cream cheese icing...

Danced.

And Danced.

All in all it was a grand day, and I had fun in my dress. I feel bad for it, cause now it is sitting in a bag in the closet. It's not an everyday sort of dress, unfortunately. Hope you liked the pictures!

All pictures with permission from 6:8 Photography - our incredibly talented photographers - check out their website 68photography.ca

Finally!

2008-10-04T10:27:00.003-06:00

So. It's been a while eh? Much has happened. Too much. And not enough. Well - maybe enough. I am happy. God has been pretty amazing. Tyler and I spent our honeymoon in the Domincan during the week of the hurricane that destroyed Haiti. We had fantastic weather almost the whole time. For those of you who haven't taken any geography in a while, Haiti is the other half of that particular Island. And it isn't a large Island. Because of the Hurricane our plane was delayed and we arrived into Montreal with a little less than a half our to clear custums, collect and check our bags, go through security and get to our gate. And Montreal has a big airport. We ran the whole way and made it on the airplane. Barely. But - we made it home safely, and have settled into the working/living routine. We've gone hunting together. Tyler has learned that he has to bring me snacks, and I've learned to keep my mouth shut and walk quietly. We hauled cattle together, Tyler learned that I know nothing about cows, and I learned to keep my face out of the way when the guys are beating the cows to make them move. We've gone on road trips together. Tyler has learned that it's like taking a roadtrip by himself - and I've learned that sometimes it's important to try to stay awake for part of the trip. We've cooked together. Tyler's learned that he is responsible for the barbecue, and I've learned that not all stoves/ovens are created equal. We've learned that broken glass is like spilled milk - not worth crying over, and that there are never enough covers. At any rate - there has been a lot of blessings, a lot of learning, and we are hopeful for many more years of lessons and blessings. I will try to post again - with some pictures even! But I just wanted to say hi and let you know that I was still alive!

One Week Left?

2008-08-15T10:26:00.002-06:00

So, with basically a week to go I figure it's time to update and revise the list. It's hard to believe that the past three weeks have gone by as quickly as they did. I thought I had so much time to get all the items finished - but it looks as though that might not happen. But I am OK with that. The list was more for the process than for the application. But - here is the list again... with some updates!

1. Go for a run with my Twinnie - Been there, done that, and I have the sore legs to prove it. In hindsight - it might not have been the brightest idea to run right after dinner to sit on a couch and watch a movie, to then run all the way home again uphill.....
2. Bake Auntie Trisha’s raisin cookies - As I've already said - baked these, but substituted prunes, dried apricots, and dried cranberries - yummy yummy yummy.
3. Finish Hannah’s blanket - I'm sorry Hannah - it won't get finished this week - I don't think I have even worked on it since I made the list! There were socks to be knitted....
4. Watch a movie with the girls - Check check - we ran down there to watch "Definitely, Maybe" - which was really cute, and worth the sore legs.
5. Sleep on the deck - This hasn't happened, although I suppose there is nothing to stop me from sleeping out there other than my cot and sleeping bag are at the apartment. Maybe I'll get there yet....
6. Dance with my Daddy in the living room - Does the kitchen count? We had to practice for our Daddy-Daughter Dance, and make sure the song was danceable. It was.
7. Go for tea with my Mummy - Why hasn't this happened yet? Hmmmmm..... I will have to rectify that!
8. Finish Tyler’s socks - Finished the socks - but he still hasn't tried them on yet. But they are beautiful - cotton and wool blend - with a lovely stripey pattern. Everybody should knit socks - they are divine!
9. Bake Chris and Sherrill’s favourite brownies - You know - I don't think I've done this. I've been remiss. That's sad. I like baking brownies! And I like people who like brownies!
10. Work out at Curves with my Mummy and the 6 am girls - 6am every morning - this has definitely happened - whether I feel like it or not!
11. Learn to put on makeup - Well, I've put on makeup - I figure that's a step in the right direction! As for the learning how - there's something about practice being perfect I've heard. This will be the test to find out whether it's true or not!
12. Sing in the shower - Yup. Loudly, sometimes in key, sometimes off key, and sometimes with a toothbrush!
13. Wear a red dress - Obviously - I've worn at least four of my red dresses since making this list, and I have worn a red top that belongs to one of my other red dresses.
14. Pet a dog - I have pet some dogs. Namely, Tyler's dogs Daisy, and Sissy. They are cute. I like dogs.
15. Cuddle with Alley-Cat - I've cuddled with Alley when she feels like it, and I have cuddled her when I feel like it. She's so soft. I like kitties.
16. Go for a hike - Yup, Yup, Yup - all the way to the top of the middle Sister of the Three Sisters. And I hear tell that I am going for another hike in a couple of days - won't that be fun!
17. Plant something - I put dirt on top of my Chive plant -that's as close as I've gotten this month....
18. Give my brother a high five - Well, I haven't seen my brother since my cousin's wedding over a month ago, so this hasn't happened - but I think it will soon! If he still likes me, that is....
19. Eat an ice cream cone - I haven't eaten an ice cream cone - isn't that ridiculous! I have eaten bowls of ice cream, and had an ice cream float, and even eaten an ice cream sundae - but no ice cream in a cone. I think I need to go for ice cream!
20. Go for a walk with my Family - We went for a walk downtown and then watched the girl go for a walk through the wet cement. People are dumb sometimes.
21. Twirl - Mum and I went close shopping, and there was some pretty good blues playing, and I twirled in the swirly skirt dress. I love twirling!
22. Stop picking at my legs so they heal - Well - I am getting there. I am using this crazy German stuff which seems to be doing something, and I am desperately trying to keep my hands off - which is also positive - so here's hoping... !
23. Admire a caterpillar - I admired a caterpillar the the Prowler. It was too slippery for the little guy, and he kept trying to climb up and kept sliding down. We flicked him off. He wasn't very fuzzy or cute, but he was better looking than the squishy green one we saw later on.
24. Go swimming in a lake - Yippee - finally - and it felt so good. The water was cold until you got used to it, and then it felt so good. Until Tyler found a stick under water, and dragged it up the back of my legs, so I thought something was trying to eat me. I am such a wimp.
25. Organize my yarn stash - Hasn't happened. Won't happen. Sometime maybe, not this time. It is however, mostly all contained in various bags, and baskets, so it isn't a big mess everywhere....
26. Choose with Tyler a song to dance our first married dance to - We haven't gotten there yet, but tonight's the night! We are determined to pick a song tonight. Well, Tyler will pick a song and I will bake our cakes!
27. Paint my toenails red - Yeah for red toes. They did look nice, now they are all flaky, but I am too lazy to strip them yet. But, I have a pedicure and a manicure next week - so I am excited for more red toes!
28. Sing and play music with my Twinnie - We have had some fun playing some songs. Andrea is so talented - I wish I had half her talent, and a quarter of her good looks!
29. Drink a beer on the deck - Hasn't happened, but there is still time.... Maybe tonight will be the night.
30. Do a devotion - I am getting better at this one. I never realize how much I avoid them, until I really need them. I am so glad God is as patient and compassionate as he is, otherwise - I would be totally in trouble.
31. Learn the words to the Hallelujah song - I am totally working on this one. And I am learning the Rufus Wainwright version and the Leonard Cohen version. I think I like the Cohen word's better, but I like the way Rufus sings it. Such a good song.

So I colour coded it so we could see how I did! Not bad eh - more Red than Blue!

Final thoughts:

There's a blaze of light in every word, and it doesn't matter which you heard, the holy or the broken Hallelujah.
I'll stand before the Lord of Song, with nothing on my lips but Hallelujah.

I am so thankful that God accepts all of my broken Hallelujahs. Many times it's with tears and pain, but it always seems to me that no matter what, it is always Hallelujah. Sometimes that's all it is. But fortunately, in those times, it's enough.

When there is nothing left to say, start with Hallelujah. Hallelujah to the Lord of Lords, Hallelujah to the King of Kings.

8 Down, 23 To Go

2008-07-31T20:54:00.003-06:00

So, today is the last day of July. That means that there are only 23 days left until the wedding. Exciting stuff. Things are really starting to come together, and I am feeling confident. How is my list coming you might ask? Well, I am wondering if it is a realistic list. Is it really possible to finish the blanket before the wedding, am I actually going to organize my yarn stash? I doubt it. But it's nice to think that I might. Still, I have made some progress. I have completed quite a number of things. For instance, all this past week I have been going to Curves at 6am with my mum and the rest of the 6am crew. So that takes care of #10. Some of those mornings I ate breaky with my Mum and Dad and we did a devotion together, #30. Also, #2 - I made Auntie Trisha's cookies (best cookies in the world) but I didn't have enough raisins and so I substituted apricots, prunes and cranberries - they were really yummy. I watched Fools Gold with the girls - that takes care of #4. I definitely sang in the shower, therefore I can check #12 off the list. As for #27 - I have red toenails. They are lovely. I should wear sandals more often. We climbed to the top of the Three Sisters, so #16 is taken care of. And I snuggled with Alley-Cat last night, so #15 is accomplished. Let's see - that means that I have completed 8 of my 31 tasks leaving 23 for me to complete. I think I am right on track! Life is good. The sun is shining, and I am smiling.

Final Thoughts:

From a song I sang this evening with a friend:

Thou oh Lord, are a shield about me, You're my glory, you're the lifter of my head.

No one knows how to love me better than He who created me.

The Countdown Begins

2008-07-22T21:21:00.004-06:00

So. Tomorrow is exactly 31 days until I get married. So I suppose that maybe the countdown should begin. People are always asking me if I am counting down, and truth to be told, I’m not. I haven’t been. Funny eh? I’ve counted down to everything else: Christmas holidays (I start this one on the first day of classes), Spring break (I start this one the first day back after Christmas Holidays), End of Classes (I start this one the first day back after Spring Break). I’ve counted down till the next time I see Tyler again (Usually started the day he/I leave), and when I see my twinnie again (again, usually started when we separate). So, you would think that I would count down to my wedding. There is a countdown going in my Daytimer. And a countdown going in Facebook, there just isn’t one going in my head. I thought maybe I should start one. But then I got to thinking, I don’t want to be so excited about the future that I miss where I am at. I am excited about the future though, very, very excited. I just happen to be enjoying here too. So I made a list. My countdown of 31 things to do before I become Alisha Temple. The last 31 things (well – sort of – obviously I will do far more than 31 things in the next 31 days) of Alisha Glover. Here goes, in no particular order:

1. Go for a run with my Twinnie
2. Bake Auntie Trisha’s raisin cookies
3. Finish Hannah’s blanket
4. Watch a movie with the girls
5. Sleep on the deck
6. Dance with my Daddy in the living room
7. Go for tea with my Mummy
8. Finish Tyler’s socks
9. Bake Chris and Sherrill’s favourite brownies
10. Work out at Curves with my Mummy and the 6 am girls
11. Learn to put on makeup
12. Sing in the shower
13. Wear a red dress
14. Pet a dog
15. Cuddle with Alley-Cat
16. Go for a hike
17. Plant something
18. Give my brother a high five
19. Eat an ice cream cone
20. Go for a walk with my Family
21. Twirl
22. Stop picking at my legs so they heal
23. Admire a caterpillar
24. Go swimming in a lake
25. Organize my yarn stash
26. Choose with Tyler a song to dance our first married dance to
27. Paint my toenails red
28. Sing and play music with my Twinnie
29. Drink a beer on the deck
30. Do a devotion
31. Learn the words to the Hallelujah song

As you can see – it is a bit of an eclectic list, ranging from the important and special to the obscure to the every day. But I think it is a do able list. I think I can succeed at crossing off the items. So – I will try to keep you posted on how my countdown is going. But until then, I have only 31 ones days till we get married! WAHOO!!!!!

Final thoughts...

We watched a movie called Music and Lyrics tonight. And the line "Pop goes my heart" keeps running through my head. Corny in the worst way possible, yes, but at the same time, surprisingly appropriate. When I start thinking that in only a month I will be united to my best friend, that I will be married to the person I love most, then my heart does pop. It jumps. With joy. I soar. In a non-cheesy way. I am happy to be here. Happy to be waiting for the person I know is worth the wait. So - 31 days Starshine. Till then.... Pop goes my heart.

Long time coming.

2008-07-08T11:48:00.003-06:00

So, it has been about forever since I last blogged. First, I was too busy, and then - well - I guess there never seemed to be anything to blog about. I could also blame my parents lack of high speed Internet (they still have slow slow dial up) but that isn't very nice. Has much happened? I am trying to remember. Let's look back....

End of April - I went to the sleep clinic and slept over. That was quite the experience. They hook you up to all these wires and electrodes and then expect you to sleep. Which - apparently I got about eight hours of that night. Not bad eh? The next day they let me take 20 minute naps every two hours. The worst part of it was that just as you were getting really comfy and about to fall asleep - they'd come in, wake you up, and then tell you that you weren't allowed to sleep for another two hours. It was torture. Fast forward to June and I get a call from the sleep doctor telling me I have Idiopathic Hypersomnia, a fancy way of saying "We aren't sure why, but your brain has troubles maintaining wakefulness." No wonder I never stayed awake in class.....

May - What happened in May? It seems so far away. Oh right, I went to Mark West Camp - which was awesome! So much fun - and so very very challenging - I highly recommend it to everyone. What could be better than spending a week at a beautiful camp on a lake, doing intensive Bible studies on the Gospel of Mark? The rest of May was spent working, living and all that good stuff. Some friends got married, I got to go to the lake (which was barely a river because they hadn't stopped the Dam yet).

Enter June - More working. Tyler and I got an apartment, a bed, and my sister threw me a shower where I was given the most beautiful gifts including red kitchen stuff! June was a pretty cold rainy month. I always forget that about June.

July. Now, I remember stuff from here. I finished my wedding dress. It is absolutely perfect and gorgeous. I have the most talented mummy in the world for helping me make it! My cousin got married, and I got to hang out with all but 2 of my 15 cousins, so it was pretty awesome. The rest of July has some good potential. Hopefully I'll get to the lake, or go for a bike ride, or a hike or a paddle. As for wedding planning - there's always August! The facebook countdown tells me there are 46 days left. Plenty of time right?

That's pretty much the basics.
Life is good. I just forget sometimes. Sometimes all I want to do is sleep and never wake up. Sometimes I rail at God, but most of the time He is missing from my subconscious. Most of the time I just need a hand up and a smile and a hug. Life is good.

Final thoughts:

Psalm 27
- I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Father you are still King. You will always be King. And You are Good. You are the great I AM. I praise you.

In the end....

2008-04-21T22:18:00.005-06:00

Alisha Before

The end. It's funny how quickly eight months can go by. I have just spent 8 months of my life in a house in Vancouver with five other people and countless more coming and going. I have climbed mountains and sang songs, and gone for walks, and cried tears, and dug in the dirt, and prayed and studied scripture and have learned about people and have learned about me and in five days I will get on a plane and fly away and that's that. It seems so anticlimactic. I realize that it's not entirely over. I realize that I am different, that I have made life long relationships, that I have hopefully made life long adjustments in my own character to be more aligned to God. I realize these things to be true. Yet I still feel a let down of sorts. People have invested hugely in me and in the ministry and it feels like there should be something more. I feel like something tangible should be different. And yet stepping off that plane I am still going to look the same, I am still going to walk the same and dress the same, and probably to a casual observer, sound the same. But I am not the same. Of that I am certain. I have grown. I have changed. I can't look at things the same and I can't think about things the same. If you spend eight months in a two bedroom house with five people, things are going to be different. If you spend eight months seeking God and investing in students and having people invest in you, things are going to be different. If you leave for eight months, things are going to be different. So I suppose in some ways - maybe the best thing to do is to get on a plane and fly home and carry the differences with you. Package up all the people you have met and all the things you have learned and put them in the pocket closest to your heart and square your shoulders and walk onto that plane. And when you get where you are going and people try to put you back into the mold you walked out of, you can empty your pocket and you can wrap yourself in what you've learned and pad the edges a little so that bit by bit you can stretch out the mold so that you are still you and you are still different, but people will have come to understand the different you. Maybe that makes no sense. And maybe that isn't even good theory. But as I embark on the journey to the end of the Vancouver Internship 2007/2008, I will comfort myself that I carry with me the things of here and that I protect the different me with the love of the people who have changed me.

Final thoughts:

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

- e.e. cummings

God in my living

There in my breathing

God in my waking

God in my sleeping

God in my resting

God in my working

God in my thinking

God in my speaking

Be my everything

God in my hoping

There in my dreaming

God in my watching

God in my waiting

God in my laughing

There in my weeping

God in my hurting

God in my healing

Christ in me

Christ in me the hope of glory

You are everything

Christ in me

Christ in me the hope of glory

Be my everything

- Tim Hughes

Alisha After

Escalators

2008-03-25T16:27:00.003-06:00

When I was a kid, growing up in a small town, excitement was going to a mall in a big city and riding the escalators. We thought they were the coolest invention ever. My siblings and I would beg my parents to let us go up and down just one more time. Now escalators make me nauseous. And I mean nauseous as in ill. As in, when I ride escalators I get motion sickness and my head starts whirling and my stomach starts swirling and it's just a bad feeling. Elevators have the same effect. It's almost depressing. However, since I have been avoiding escalators I have noticed a couple interesting phenomenons.
1. People will wait in line to use an escalator. This I don't understand. Isn't the point of an escalator to speed up the process of using the stairs? How does standing around waiting get you to the top faster?
2. People stand all over the place on escalators. Isn't there some sort of escalator etiquette that says stand on the right, walk on the left? I understand that for some people the point of an escalator is to get them to the top of the stairs without the having to climb the stairs, so they should stand on the left, but for the rest of the people who just want to get there faster, walking up the stairs is just as fast as standing on an escalator.

That's all I have to say about that. I've just been thinking about that recently, and thought I would blog about it. I hope you all enjoy your escalator experiences, that the line-ups are meager and the people polite!

Newsletter #3

2008-03-13T13:58:00.005-06:00

My third newsletter! My apologies for the lateness of posting! I hope you enjoy it all the same!

Hullo from the City on the Hill

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come…”
- Isaiah 35

At the end of January, I participated in an intern retreat, and this scripture came to me as I was praying and meditating. It spoke so directly to what I was struggling with, and what I was praying that I know it was from God. I felt such a sense of peace and encouragement and I was reminded of how our Father always provides exactly what we need. The past couple of months I have really learned about God’s provision, and it has been an exciting journey!

Proxe Update:
Described as a Proclamation Experience, Proxe is pieces of artwork designed to draw people into conversation around a pertinent topic with the end goal of sharing the gospel with them. We have created a presentation with the purpose of engaging students in the topic of hope, surrounding the issue of climate change. It has been an exciting process getting the artwork made, (we were fortunate to have a Student from Emily Carr Institute of Design create it) and training the staff and students on the presentation. We geared up to present at the end of January only to cancel the presentation due to snow. We were unable to secure a venue for the next date so Proxe was cancelled again. We were feeling pretty frustrated but decided to be “walking Proxies” and see where we could engage on campus. We were rewarded with conversations with a variety of students as well as the opportunity to present the Proxe to the Climate Change Council of SFU. Everyone felt encouraged and affirmed by the opportunities God presented us with. We really learned that He never closes a door without opening a window!

When I returned to Vancouver after the Christmas holidays I was able to go to Galiano Island with the SFU Student Leaders for a retreat. We spent the day reading through Acts, planning for the upcoming semester and enjoying each other’s company. One of the students has a cabin on the Island so we were able to enjoy her hospitality and share in her joy of her home!

The Team at the end of the retreat!

After returning from the retreat our students geared up for Clubs Week at SFU. We had our table in one of the main thoroughfares on campus and handed out homemade cookies and brownies and welcomed students into our club. One of the new additions to our table this year was the prayer box, a place where students could place prayer requests, and at our following leadership meeting we prayed over the specific requests. It was a joy to offer that to students and there were several students who were delighted to know that someone cared about them and wanted to pray for them.

The intern team was blessed to go to Bowen Island at the end of January to have a few days of Retreat at a beautiful retreat center called Rivendell. We prayed and read scripture and walked and talked and drank in the beauty of the Island and God’s creation. It was fabulous. I haven’t felt that close to God, or that at peace in such a long time. It was like taking a drink of cool water and knowing that you will never go thirsty again. I really understood what Christ was talking about when he offered the woman at the well living water. I returned from my time away feeling refreshed and excited to get back on campus with the students. However….

It Snowed!!!! So instead we spent the afternoon playing in the snow and building snow sculptures! It was the perfect ending to a wonderful couple of days!

I am excited to see what else God has in store for me this semester! I am especially looking forward to see how He will provide for me. If you would like to pray with me, I am praying for the last $500 of my funding, for students to attend my Bible study on Jonah, and for wisdom and discernment regarding how to apply this internship experience to the rest of my life. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and financial support thus far. I am so grateful for everything.

Calm me, O Lord, as You stilled the storm. Still me, O Lord, keep me from harm.  Let all the tumult within me cease.  Enfold me, Lord, in Your peace.

Happy Birthday!

2008-03-04T18:45:00.006-07:00

So. Today is the birthday of one of these fine looking ladies.

Which lady you may ask? Well - it's my twinnie's birthday of course. And which is she you may ask? Well - the one that isn't me. She's a pretty special twinnie. She's my favourite twinnie. So, without further ado, I wish Happy Birthday to you, My Favourite Twinnie. I pray this year is the best yet, and that God blesses you richly. You will always be my favourite half, because I am only a part of the whole that is the Andrea/Alisha twinnie-ness. Hugs and loves forever for always to my favourite twinnie!

Wading.

2008-03-02T15:53:00.003-07:00

So today I went for a walk. I needed to get out and get moving. And Vancouver seems to think that spring arrives in the middle of winter, so it was dry and warmish and there were crocuses. When I say warmish - I mean - it's overcast and breezy and plus 8. Funny. It felt cool. Now I feel like a wimp. Anyway. I went for a walk. It was lovely. I walked down to the beach where Ty and I got engaged, and I stood on the exact spot (or near as I could remember, quite frankly, I was far more interested in what was actually going on to remember exactly the spot of sand I was standing on, for which now I regret that I didn't make a firmer mental memory) of that most happy moment. And I closed my eyes and took deep breaths and remembered. And I stared off into nothingness until I realized that there was someone standing on the boardwalk watching me, so I started moving again, but I didn't get far because I decided that I wanted to go wading. So off came my shoes and my socks and up went my pant legs and I walked in. It was cold, but it felt good. So I wandered around in the shallows and then I came out and wandered around on the beach and then I went back and wandered some more in the shallows, and then I walked around on the beach and squished my toes in the sand. It felt delightful. But then I had to put my socks and shoes back on, so I sat on a log and brushed the sand off my feet and put my socks and shoes back on. I was wearing red socks. That made me happy. And I decided to toodle on over to my Auntie's house and see if she wanted to have tea. And she did, so we drank tea, and I ate a yummy fresh baked ginger cookie and we talked about knitting and watched the hockey game with my cousin, and it was delightful. And then I toodled on back home, and here I am. So. That was my afternoon. I can't remember anymore why I wanted to write about it. Well - I guess maybe because I went for a walk because I just needed to hear God, and I hear God best outside. And Vancouver is a big city, and so I have a hard time hearing God in big cities because there are too many people and not enough trees. But there is an ocean, or at least a big bay, and so that helps, and so I waded in and talked to God and listened, and I don't really know anymore now than I did before, but I felt like we were communing and that is good. God really is good. Sometimes I forget that and I need to go wading to remember. It's like remembering that He has sent you a whole ocean of blessings. You just have to step in. Oh wow. Now I feel all warm and fuzzy. Thank you for my blessings Dear Savior.

Reality Check.

2008-02-21T13:17:00.002-07:00

So. Sometimes I can forget about reality. It happens slowly usually. Over time. Like sediment. A little bit of sand doesn't build a mountain, but pile enough of the stuff up over enough time and with enough pressure - and voila! a Mountain. I like mountains. I don't think I like reality. Well. That's not true. I like reality selectively. For example - I loved the reality of wedding dress shopping because it reminded me of the reality that I am getting married. However, I don't like the reality of my location because it means I am hours and hours away from my beloved and I don't get to see him. Another example. I like the reality that I am on the internship and that I am growing and changing. However - I don't like the reality that growth is often painful and difficult. So, as my dear big brother would like to remind me - I simply create my own reality. My body lives in Vancouver, because that's where it is, but my heart lives in Fernie, because that's where it wants to be. I accept that I am growing and changing, but I refuse to accept that it is painful or difficult - which bites me in the bum because then I stop growing. So then I live a somewhat split existence always fighting between where I am and what I want. But even then I can't make up my mind about what I want. I want to be back home in Fernie, I want to be with Tyler and my family. But I want to be on this internship. I want to invest in the students at SFU and I want to see where God is working in my life and grow towards him. So I have to choose in. I am finding more and more that it has to be a daily choice. To choose into here, choose into this. Otherwise, I slip away into a non-reality again. And surprisingly I float along quite happily counting down the days. But I think ultimately it would be better to exist in reality and do as much each day to the best that I can. So. I choose in. I am asking you to keep me accountable to that choice. Friends. Choose in with me. Help me stay in one piece in reality. Reality changes so quickly, it is best to be enjoyed for what it is, when it is. Thank you.

What's New?

2008-02-01T19:33:00.000-07:00

So. I like the word so. It has all sorts of possibilities. Anyways. So is not the point of this blog. It had a point, and now I am not certain I remember what it was. It had a great beginning though. It started something like:

It has been a while since my last post, and I have been procrastinating for long enough, so now with a glass of rye in hand I will endeavor to write that which has eluded me on previous attempts.

It's a good beginning isn't it? Only it appears what had eluded me before has eluded me again.

No. Wait. I've got it.

So. Last weekend I went to Rivendell. No, I didn't get to visit with Elves, but I did get to stay in a charming little cabin on a beautiful piece of property on Bowen Island, BC. The interns were taking a much needed retreat and spent the bulk of Monday in prayer and meditation and reflection. It was so wonderful. I often struggle with that sort of thing because there seems to be a running commentary in my head that won't be quiet. But there I experienced peace and silence of the soul. It was marvellous. I walked and saw a deer (I wrote about it in my journal, I'll post that later) and I prayed and read and really felt God moving in me. As an intern team we are working through the Servants Guide to Prayer. Which I highly recommend. It is fabulous! Anyway - I won't share too much on that, other than it was just an absolutely perfect couple of days! When we left it had snowed a few inches, and pulling away in the ferry Snug Cove looked like a Christmas Card. We came home and played in the snow with our other housemates! I'll post a couple of pictures for your viewing pleasure! As you can tell, life in Vancouver goes well. It's hard to believe that there are only 3 months left!

I built a chair and smallish ottoman. It seemed fitting to relax after all my hard work.

I discovered that I have severely lacking snowman building skills. I am almost ashamed to admit that I built this!

Final thoughts

While on the retreat I had the following scripture come to me while I was praying about some troubles I've been going through. It spoke so perfectly. I had to stop and praise my incredible Heavenly Father!

Isaiah 35 (I read the whole chapter - I just about cried - it was too beautiful and perfect, but I am only sharing some of it on here - but I do recommend reading it!)

Strengthen the feeble hands,

steady the knees that give way;

say to those with fearful hearts,

"Be strong, do not fear;

your God will come,

He will come with vengeance;

with divine retribution

He will come to save you."

and the ransomed of the Lord will return.

They will enter Zion with singing;

everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them,

and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

It's been a while....

2008-01-18T23:06:00.001-07:00

So. It's been a while since I posted last. I think I'll take advantage of the muffins being in the oven to try to write some of what's been happening. Since I last updated I have:

• Went to Toronto for National Staff Conference of IVCF

• Somewhat seriously considered staff work

• Cried cause I was feeling the pressure of major life decisions

• Went home to Fernie for the Christmas holidays

• Worked lot's in my most favourite store

• Skied, shovelled, went to Curves with my mummy

• Got wedding planning done

• Spent not nearly enough time with my favourite twinnie, or anyone else

• Flew back down to Vancouver

• Went to Galiano Island for a retreat with the SFU IVCF student leaders

• Participated in clubs days and saw one of the student's glowing worms

• Missed people, snow and Fernie terribly

Things coming up for me:

• Proxe training - Proclamation Experience - very cool - we have an art display that is designed to create discussion about global warming and what hope the world has ending in an opportunity to share the gospel with students. I realize that is a completely lacking description - but I don't know what else to say

•Missions Fest - I'll be at a booth for IVCF - if you are in the Vancouver area the weekend of the 25 to the 27 of this month - please stop by and check us out!

• Intern Retreat - we're going somewhere to talk and pray and learn - very exciting

Look how organized I was - bullets and everything! Life is going well. I am starting to get my heart here. It's taken a while though - the more I am on campus and with students the better I do. Tomorrow is also the first Student Dinner of the new year - I am really looking forward to those! They are a lot of fun, albeit overwhelming! I hope you all had a marvellous Christmas and that the new year is treating you well!

Newsletter # 2

2007-12-10T22:15:00.000-07:00

So I am back from Toronto. Had a good week. However - I have neither the juice or the words to write about that just yet, so you get my second newsletter instead. For those of you that regularly get a newsletter in the mail - yours should be arriving soon. For the rest of you - here it is!

Hullo from the City on the Hill

Lord, send me anywhere,
only go with me.
Lay any burden on me,
only sustain me.
Sever any tie but the tie that binds me to Thyself
- David Livingstone

I read this prayer in one of my morning devotions and it has stuck with me. I am learning how true it is. In the beginning of my internship, I was struggling with the first statement. It has become easier since experiencing God’s answer – “I will go with you.” I have seen God at work on campus in relationships that I have made with students and in interactions I have had with people I have met. I am in my third month on campus and am even more excited to see God work and to be a part of whatever it is that he has planned.

November started with a much needed staff retreat so we took advantage of some Whistler connections and headed out for the weekend.

The Staff Team on the Whistler ski hill

The staff team enjoyed taking walks and using some of the facilities, like the rink and the pool. We enjoyed each other’s company, slept in and relaxed.

We spent our IVCF Fall Retreat in White Rock with students from 4 campuses. Many of the students had never attended an IVCF retreat and we had several that were new to Christ. We studied the seed parables in Matthew 13 and on Saturday morning we worked with a Rocha (www.arocha.org) on their farm in Surrey, BC. A Rocha describes itself as “Christians in Conservation”. We dug in the earth and remembered that we are all little “dirtlings”. There was plenty to talk about in the small groups, and the students really engaged with one another and with the staff. Below are a few short stories from the weekend.

One of the students in my small group chose to remain at the retreat instead of returning to Vancouver for a career opportunity because he felt called to lay down his life for his friends. He had a call to invest in students and chose to release his dreams and goals in order to better serve his campus.

A student was excited to learn that not only was she the soil in the Parable of the Sower, (Matthew 13:1-8) but she could also be the sower! She felt empowered to sow extravagantly the seeds of the gospel among her friends and family, and anybody she meets.

“Do you think we have roots like these in our hearts?”
- One student to another while pulling out thistles at A Rocha. She compared the long, tenacious roots of the plants to the roots of evil we have in our hearts and how important it is to weed them out.

I finished off the weekend by praying with a student that we would hold our futures loosely, and that we would consistently say yes to the things He asks us to do.

In other news:
Tyler Temple and I are engaged.

Tyler and I have been together for over three and a half years, and on a cloudy day in October on Jericho beach he asked me to marry him. I said yes.

Prayer Requests:
• I am still praying for the last $1500 of my budget.
• At the end of November we will invite some new students to our weekly meetings – please pray that they will be led to become student leaders.
• Many of our student leaders are feeling the stress of school and work and family – please pray they are able to finish out the semester and have time to devote to IVCF and their studies.

To steal some song lyrics (Lord I Don’t Know; Newsboys), there are times when I don’t know where all this is going, or how it will all turn out. But I am praying for the peace that is past understanding, the peace beyond all doubt. The best part though, is that God is showing it too me. There is a peace that comes from trusting him, and depending on him. And this internship would be worth it, if that was the one thing I learned. It isn’t the only thing I have learned. So thank you for all your support and prayers over the past few months, I have appreciated it immensely. My prayer is that you are finding that same peace, and that you are experiencing the rest that only God can give.

Lord, You have always given strength for the coming day; and though I am weak, today I believe. Lord, You have always marked the road for the coming day; and though it may be hidden, today I believe. Lord, You have always lightened this darkness of mine; and though the night is here, today I believe. Lord, You have always spoken when time was ripe; and though you be silent now, today I believe.

The Owl Adventure

2007-12-02T21:42:00.000-07:00

So. It's been a while since I've posted. And tomorrow morning I fly to Toronto - so it will be a week before I get another chance to post. I thought I would try tonight. It snowed yesterday. That was really exciting. Except my choir concert got cancelled, and people in Vancouver need to learn how to drive in the snow. But that isn't the point of this blog. I'll just try to touch on a few of the happenings of the past couple weeks and call it a night.

First off - the Owl Adventure. Because it's crazy, and because I think it's interesting. My Auntie Heather and I were running on Thursday morning, and she was telling me this lovely story about how she got to be with my great grandma (GG) when she died, and how it was really special, and suddenly I felt something pulling my hat and headlamp off my head. (We wear headlamps because it's dark. Not only are we visible to other runners, but we can see the puddles. Also, we have avoided being startled by coyotes, dogs, and other runners, bikers etc. Well - we've still been startled by them - but I would rather be startled by a coyote and know that it's there than to be blissfully unaware of it's presence and have it eat the cute little white dog that we saw while we were running. Definitely - I recommend it if you are running in the dark.) Anyway - I screamed and grabbed at my hat and headlamp. This startled my aunt - and it took us a few seconds to realize what happened. My initial reaction was that someone had run up behind us and was trying to scare me or something. But that wasn't what actually happened. What happened was that a large-ish owl had swooped down and attacked my head. We saw it fly into the tree and stared at it. We talked to it, pointed at it incredulously and decided to continue on. This is when the owl tried to attack us a second time. We both screamed and waved our arms. Well - Auntie Heather waved her arms - I screamed and crouched down, covering my head with my arms. This time when it flew back into the tree we were really incredulous - we decided to cross to the other side of the street, but didn't want to take our eyes off the bird. So we were backing across the street when it flew straight at us for the third time. Again - we let out our death scream/yells, did combinations of ducking and waving the arms. This time - we couldn't see where it had flown, so we hoped that it had flown away. We continued on our run, Auntie Heather finished her story and we didn't get attacked by any more feathered foe. Now - Auntie Heather has since called the wildlife people - and they said that it's quite normal for people to be attacked by owls at this time of the year - the owls are migrating and are very territorial. Also - your chances of being attacked increase if you have a pony tail. I had a braid or a pony tail. So that was the great owl adventure. It's much better if I tell it in person. You get a demonstration of the arm waving that way.

This week marked the end of classes for the SFU folks - lucky duckies. Our student leaders bought us bunny rabbits from the World Vision catalog - I thought it was really sweet of them. Some lucky family somewhere has a couple of bunnies to breed and eat.

Our last couple student dinners of the semester were record breaking in numbers - the second last dinner had over 20 people in attendance. I think our house reach capacity that night! I was responsible for making dinner and I was very stressed that we wouldn't have enough food. Also - I don't like large groups of people so I was starting to feel anxious. However - there was a fun sort of happening. While we were eating dinner there came a knock at the door. I opened it thinking that it was another student, and so with my mouth full of food I greeted a canvasser for the Green Party? Yup. She took one look at the craziness of our house and said - it looks like you are busy - maybe I'll come back later. Not really knowing what else to say, and not being very equipped to answer the door to a political person (I have zero interest in politics) I said ok and closed the door. And immediately Tyler and others yelled - invite her in - let's feed her too. So - I opened the door and asked her if she wanted to eat. Yes - that's what I said - Do you want to eat? - I am not always overly well spoken when I am anxious. After another couple of attempts at asking the right question to convince her to come in she came in. It was marvellous. She ate, they talked (I was still too busy stressing about the number of people and lack of food), they ate, she talked. The students told her about A Rocha (arocha.org) A Christian Conservation Farm out in Surrey. It was really cool. She left to go catch up to her partner (poor sucker - out in the rain) after thanking us very much for the good food. Everyone was really pleased that she came in and I was very grateful that the other people in the room were better at answering doors than I was. (As an aside - we had enough food. There was basically one serving of spaghetti left at the end of the night.)

The third fun thing - I have started taking my knitting on the bus (when I am not to nauseous, or tired - funny thing about buses nowadays - they make me tired and nauseous.) It's surprising the people who will talk to you on a bus. One day on the sky train I had the pleasure of talking to three different ladies who took a seat next to me - one right after another they would sit down, ask me what I was knitting, discuss their knitting experiences with me, say good bye and go on their way. I am learning to be slightly more intentional with my day and try to get into conversations with people - just to see what comes of it!

OK. I'm done. Hope that wasn't too much to take in - I put it in paragraphs to make it easy on you! I'll try to update when I get back from Toronto. In the meantime....

Hmmm.... I had the perfect something to write here. Now it's gone. Oh well. OK - no meantime today.

Learning to Fly

2007-11-13T22:27:00.000-07:00

So we watched this video at our retreat and it was really thought provoking. It really made me think a lot about following and what it means to be a follower. But I won't ruin the surprise - I'll let you watch it yourself.

It also makes me think about flying. I think I am learning to fly. Like on Friday night for instance, we were in our small group discussing the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-8), and one of the students said that she had never realized that she could be something other than soil. When reading that particular parable, she had always assumed that Jesus meant that she was the soil, and that it was important that she ready her heart to be good soil. She never thought that she could be the sower. Never thought that she could sow good seed into other peoples lives. And not only could she be the sower - she could sow extravagantly. That felt like flying. It made me want to do staff work - because I felt like I was able to make a difference. To listen to a student having a break through with scripture is an amazing feeling. However - most of the time I don't feel like I am flying. Most of the time I feel like I am bouncing around on rocks and waves and trying to keep my head above water. I am struggling. This internship is harder than it seemed. There are days when I feel useless, like I am not able to connect with students. There are days when I feel dejected because nobody is attending our Bible study, or because our prayer meetingattendance is down, or because people don't seem to want to commit to student leadership. I feel frustrated because I want people to be excited about IVCF. I was excited to give up 8 months of plans and dreams to come out here, and I want to continue to be excited. But it is hard. I have to make a conscious effort to be in. Some mornings - I just don't feel like it. But then there are moments like the retreat or like going for coffee with a student and having her be completely honest with me. Those moments I fly. Those moments I am so certain that this was the right decision, that this is exactly where I want to be. I live for
those moments. They aren't as few and far between as you might think from this blog, but they aren't as close together as I might like. However - if everything was good, my prayer life wouldn't be - so I suppose that God has a bigger plan than what I can see. I hope that your prayer lives are good, and that you are including me in them, and that you are praying that I would learn to fly even when I don't feel like flying.

Thoughts:
Psalm 119:10 - I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.

I
think very few of us could actually say this. I don't think I can. That's a huge statement. I seek you with all my heart. But - I have a hunch that when I get to the point of saying that - I will be able to fly right into his arms.

Hello, good morning, how ya do?
What makes your rising sun so new?
I could use a fresh beginning too
All of my regrets are nothing new

So this is the way
that I say that I need You
This is the way
This is the way

That I'm learning to breathe
I'm learning to crawl
I'm finding that You and
You alone can break my fall
I'm living again, awake and alive
I'm dying to breathe in these abundant skies

Hello, good morning, how ya been?
Yesterday left my head kicked in
I never thought I could fall like that
Never knew that I could hurt this bad

I'm learning to breathe
I'm learning to crawl
I'm finding that You and
You alone can break my fall
I'm living again, awake and alive
I'm dying to breathe in these abundant skies

So this is the way
that I say that I need You
This is the way
That I say I love You
This is the way
That I say I'm Yours
This is the way
This is the way
-Learning to Breathe; Switchfoot

I am dying to breathe in these abundant skies. One day I will fly across these abundant skies and I will fly into the arms of my Saviour. Until that day - I will be content to learn to fly and crawl, and swim and struggle. Thanks be to a gracious God that lets me stumble, but is always there to pick me up.

Experiencing God

2007-10-28T12:20:00.001-06:00

So, there is a picture in my mind. I am standing in a garden and everything is brown and grey and dead. And then it starts to rain. Pour. A rain like when I was a kid and it would rain so hard that Aaron and Andrea and I would all run outside and run around and laugh and holler and jump in the puddles and get completely soaked in only a matter of minutes. That was what this rain was like. And it poured down. And everything started to turn green. Everything started to come to life again. It was like the part at the end of the Lion King (yes - corny Disney movie reference, but this is what it looked like) where the rain comes down on the dry dry plains and the brown dusty earth starts to produce life again, and the trees turn green, and the rivers start to run, and the whole picture changes from brown to lush lush green. And I stand in the middle of this green garden, in the pouring rain, and I am looking up at the sky, and my eyes are closed, and my hands are lifted palm up, receiving the rain. And the rain pours over my face and I am soaking, dripping wet, but I stand there, and I receive the rain.

I am so glad to be in that garden. The Spirit of the Lord pours down on us, and when we receive it, we receive the life that it brings, and we can't stop praising Him.

After church today Tyler and I prayed with my staff workers Steve and Susie, and Susie prayed an image that she had about us. Last night Tyler and I had been telling her about going to Lucier Hot Springs, and about the road, and about the trail, and about how we could go whenever we wanted, and it was free and about how we took our friends and youth kids and about how fun the trips were. She likened it to walking with God. We can enter His presence whenever we want. There are no visitor hours, no holidays off. He is always there, waiting for us. There are risks involved, like the scary winter trips when the road is icy and there are no barricades, but the pay off is so worth it. When you can sit in the warm water, it's like sitting in the love of God - it washes over you, and comforts you, and sustains you. It eases your aches and pains. And the best part is that it's free. And you can bring your friends. We can take people with us and share with them the love of God. Susie shared that with us with the prayer that we would take people with us on our journey with God. That we would share the healing effects of his love with all around us.

Tyler: Thank you for standing beside me. Thank you for supporting me, and thank you for
saying yes to God. I look forward to what lies ahead. I pray we will always say yes, no matter what. I love you.

Mum and Dad - this is for you: I stood beside Tyler in church today and I prayed to God, and I praised Him, and I thanked Him for my many blessings, and for the man that He has given me to stand beside, and for the adventures that He is going to take us on, and I prayed that I would always say yes to Him, and I prayed that we would always say yes to Him, and I prayed that I would write songs again.

Thoughts...

2007-10-23T19:45:00.001-06:00

So. Today, I am going to try not to ramble. I am going to try to organize my thoughts into a nice point form list. Here goes. In no order.

God is big.
Really big.
So big that I don't think I can really coprehend how big he is.
He is also good.
Very good.
Very very good.
God loves me.
I love God.
God has asked me to be in Vancouver.
I am in Vancouver.
God has given me a wonderful fiance, even though I am in Vancouver.
I love my fiance.
I love God.
God has blessed me with wonderful roommates.
I love my roomates.
I love God.
He has also blessed me with wonderful friends.
I love my friends.
I love God.
I have an amazing family.
I love my family.
I love God.
I have fantastic supporters.
I am so grateful for my supporters.
God is gracious.
I am thankful for God.

I suppose I'll stop there. God is huge. More than words, more than everything. I could go on and on, but I promised I wouldn't ramble. I just wanted you to have an idea of how big God is too me. I am finding that everyday I glimpse just a little bit more of God, and a little bit more of his plan and purpose for me. And everyday I am amazed that there is still so much that I haven't seen. My prayer today is that I would never tire of seeing all that there is to be seen!

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you.
- God.

(Jeremiah 29:13/14)

Oh Happy Day!

2007-10-15T12:23:00.000-06:00

So. I have the most exciting news. Let me tell you a story.

Sunday, October 14, 2007
Tyler and I decided to go for a walk. Destination - the beach. We started walking in that direction, and decided to scramble down a little path to the section of beach that runs along beside the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. We walked to underneath the boardwalk and decided that we should try to take a picture of the two of us. I stood out closer to the water, and Tyler set up his camera with the timer. This is the picture that was taken:

I had put out my arm to give Tyler a hug when he got to me, but instead, he took my hand, got down on one knee and said: Will you marry me? At which point, the camera took the picture! I was so ecstatic - I said YES - very loudly and very quickly and then Tyler gave me a huge hug and took my current ring off my finger and slid this ring on:

I apologize for the poor quality - I tried to take the picture with my webcam.

And now - I have to give you a close up of Ty and my faces. Just cause you need to see how big I was smiling.

And that was that. Well, not entirely. We walked a little on the beach, and smiled and kissed and laughed and were basically happy happy happy. We came home and made the rounds of the phone calls, and had a celebratory dinner at Moxies - Tyler and I used to always go to Moxies when I lived in Lethbridge, so it was the perfect place to go. And that was that. We are engaged. God is so good - and we are so excited to see what he has in store for us as we take this next step in our life together!

Thoughts:

I sang this song in church on Sunday, and before we went out for the afternoon Tyler and I sang it and prayed and praised. It is so beautiful. I am just going to write the parts that were important to me.

How can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Could you tell me how could it be
Any better than this?

Cause you're all I want,
You're all I need
You're everything
Everything

The Calm Before the Storm

2007-10-06T00:59:00.000-06:00

So. Have you ever walked around and for an inexplicable reason, you feel like this is the last moment you have to see whatever it is you are looking at, and so you have to drink it all in like it's your last drink? I don't know that I have, but I know that I had a weird afternoon. This week was convocation week at the Simon Fraser University (SFU). They hold it outside, and it is beautiful and wonderful and boring. Today was especially beautiful and wonderful. The sun was shining, the trees are beautifully coloured from greens to yellows to pinks to reds, the sky was bright blue and the air was cool and crisp. I was watching the convocation of the Faculty of Education with a friend, enjoying the colours of the regalia of the professors on the stage and enjoying sitting outside in the sunshine. We decided to walk around to see if we could find a better view point, and I started noticing things far clearer and sharper than I had all day. We walked past a tree that has beautiful, delicate, tiny maple leaf shaped leaves that ranged in colour from a pale yellow green, to a beautiful pinky red. I said "I love this tree. I don't know if I ever have before, but today, right now, in this moment, I love this tree." And when I said love, I didn't mean that I liked the tree, or that I thought the tree was pretty, but that I loved the tree, and if I could have reached out to it and given it a hug, I would have, because I felt like the glorious colour was it's way of reaching out to me to give me a hug. We wandered around, and I could see the mountains - not so far off, and snow capped, and it took my breath away, and I wanted to cry. And I don't know why. Homesickness for my own mountains perhaps, or maybe just the fact that they were so beautiful, I had no other response. I had to stop and drink it in. And when I say drink it in - I mean I literally had to stand there and pull the sight in towards me and take it inside of me. It was that beautiful and that poignant. I don't know if that was a good use of the word poignant. But it felt like it fit. So now, how does this all relate to the first sentence? And what is so weird about a beautiful tree that is trying to hug me, and me drinking in the mountains? Nothing. Except for the feeling. An overwhelming feeling of peace. But not the feeling of peace that comes after the storm, when you know you have weathered it out and are safe, but the pent up anxious peace that comes before the storm, when you know that now you are fine, but now is the only thing you can be sure of. I suppose peace shouldn't be described with words like pent up and anxious, but that's the kind of peace it was. It was more than calm. It was resigned? I don't know. It was worry and acceptance and fear and trust. It was a perfect and awful feeling. A really great and glorious (read terrible) feeling. I felt so close to God, and yet more terrified than I have felt in a long time. Something. Something seemed wrong because everything else seemed so right. I felt like I was being given one last glimpse, before everything changes. And yet - it wasn't like that at all. Maybe I shouldn't write about things I don't understand at night. I probably just shouldn't write about things I don't understand. I don't understand this afternoon. I just felt. I felt very very weird. Everything was perfect. And yet too perfect. Too beautiful, too happy, too sad. And I don't know what to make of it. But, I will stop there. Perhaps you have an experience that you can share with me that might make some sense of this scramble. I would love to hear your thoughts.

My thoughts tonight:

blah. yup - not even with a capital. I'm spent. I just feel like something is happening. And I am right on the edge, and I don't know whether to be scared or excited. And there is no reason to think that anything is going to be happening. Or is there? Is it that the moon might rise red over this great and glorious day?

I think I've been reading too much Acts these days. Check out Joel 2 especially verse 28 to the end.

Ack. I rambled again. And I don't know what that scripture has to do with my afternoon. But it just popped into my head when I wasn't thinking about anything. So I think it might be important. If all else - it is a call to prayer. Read the book "Red Moon Rising" about the start of the 24/7 prayer movement, and that will make sense. I saw a red moon once - the night after the day we read about Pentecost in Acts and Peter quotes that passage from Joel. There was an eclipse, and when the moon was completely in the shadow - it glowed red. Not a red red, but a sort of rust, faded orange red. It was beautiful. And sad. And I wanted to cry. I love the sky at night.

Thank you Father for your love
Pouring down from heaven above
All the glory be to you
Alle Allelu

Newsletter # 1

2007-10-01T09:36:00.000-06:00

So. Here is my first official update/newsletter/prayer letter. I thought I would attempt to post it on my blog. I think this is the final draft, but I want to double check with my intern director to be certain! Now remember that this looks nicer in reality - nice columns and fun fonts etc. I am just too lazy to try to replicate it on here! I hope you enjoy it anyway!

Hullo from the City on the Hill

Lord let your spirit wash over this campus like a mighty water fall, and your voice be like the raging water, drowning out all excess noise, and unable to be ignored.

That was my prayer as I sat in front of a fountain my first day on the Simon Fraser University (SFU) campus. And it is still my prayer that God’s presence on campus would be as tangible as the water from that fountain. That is why I spend my days, meeting God at the top of the Burnaby Mountain, at SFU.

I am learning to meet God where he is, instead of demanding that he meet me where I am. This means recognizing God is already at SFU, already at work, and my responsibility is to join Him, not to bring Him there. It’s an amazingly freeing concept and it has opened my eyes to all that He is doing around me.

My sign
(We didn’t take any pictures that day, so you’ll have to just imagine a busy school background….)

Our first week on campus the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) student leaders wanted to welcome students by providing a service we decided to be available to give directions. Standing in the hallways holding signs that read, “Can’t find your class?” or “Need directions?” we were overwhelmed by the number of students who came for assistance. I was standing with one of the student leaders when a couple of first year students stopped for directions. What made them so memorable was that they looked like the type who would never ask for directions. They looked tough, and self-assured. But when they came back a second time bringing a third student, and a third time, with a fourth student exclaiming “You’re our best friends!” we knew their confident appearance was all a façade. These students were just like many others; lost and so very thankful that someone was there to give directions. The world is a lot like that – full of people, lost and trying to find their way. We as Christians are blessed with opportunities and abilities to steer them in the direction of our Heavenly Father.

The BC IVCF Staff Team in front of the Intern House
(L-R Top Row: Waison, Sebastian, Sarah, Renee, Alisha
Middle Row: Jacqueline, Christa, Susie, Sue, Troy
Bottom Row: Steve, Mike, Tim

Funding Update:
I have been blessed with your support so far, and I am still looking for supporters to help me raise the last $3500 of the $9600 required for the IVCF internship. If you are interested in supporting me financially, please return your gift in the envelope provided or visit the IVCF Website:
Ivcf.ca

Please designate all gifts for ALISHA GLOVER

Our House:
So many prayers have been answered already, a big one being our housing. You may recall, in the early summer we lost our promised housing. A few days before I flew out to Vancouver I received word that we had rented a main floor suite. Upon arriving, we discovered the house to be more than adequate. In addition to a great floor plan, it has an excellent location: right across from a park, two blocks away from the bus stop, and a ten minute walk to the beach!

Thank you again for your prayer support. I could not be here without you. I would appreciate continued prayer for a sense of confidence in my abilities as a leader, and for student support of the IVCF club on the SFU Campus. We are looking to bring alongside some new student leaders, so I ask for prayers of discernment for the current student leaders and staff.

Christ as a light, illumine and guide me. Christ as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

An Invitation

2007-09-18T16:53:00.000-06:00

So. Yesterday I decided to do my devotion in the park on account of it being a lovely sunny day and I am trying to take advantage of the sunshine because I hear it rains a lot in Vancouver. Breath. Sorry - I need to make shorter sentences. It's a good thing I am typing and not talking. Anyway. I was in the park. I walked toward the picnic table, and when I had just about reached it a tennis ball flew over the fence from the tennis court beside the picnic table. I put my books down and walked over, picked up the ball and threw it over the fence. To which the tennis players replied - "thanks!" I sat down and started my devotion. The tennis players walked out of the court, walked past me saying "Thanks for the ball!" To which I said, "You're welcome!" or maybe even "No problem!" or something equally unmemorable. The tennis players did whatever it was they were doing when they weren't playing tennis in the courts (I wasn't paying attention, so I don't know), and walked past me again this time heading towards the court. This time one of them said "Studying hard?" To which I replied - "Why do you think I am in the park?" and smiled. The tennis player then said - "Why don't you come play tennis with us - we'd love another?" To which I replied - "No - I don't think so, but thank you." And continued with my devotion, and the tennis player continued on his way. Yes. His way. Which is possibly why I didn't think playing with them (male - them) was a very good idea. Probably it was a fine idea. But at the time I felt like an idiot and wanted to gracefully decline. Now you are probably wondering why it was that I felt like an idiot. Well - here is why. Prior to me going to the park I had stood in the doorway and sang along as my roommate practiced a song for an event he is going to tonight. He finished the song, we chatted, and I left. I was feeling kind of sad, because I really wanted to sing with him, but he didn't really look like he was in the mood for singing or for singing with someone, so I didn't ask, and he didn't offer. (Which as it turns out was merely because that idea wasn't on his radar. If I had asked if we could sing a few songs together, he probably would've been fine with it, and even enjoyed it.) So that is what was going through my head as I walked to the park. I was thinking about how I want to invite people/students to events with the IVCF, or invite them to coffee or lunch, or something, but I am waiting to be invited into their lives first. I feel like I need their stamp of approval or something. So I was moping because I had wanted to be invited to sing, but since I wasn't I left, when what I really wanted to do was sit down and sing. So I sit down in the park, and feeling like I never get invited to anything, and there I got an invitation. I think God just likes to wink at us sometimes. He says - "what do you mean you never get invited to anything? I send down some nice tennis players to invite you to play with them.... That's an invitation right?" To which I reply - "Yes, but...." When really - but nothing. Maybe I should have played with the tennis players - who knows - I never will. And maybe their purpose was just to remind me to keep my eyes open to invitations. In the mean time - if I decide to do my devotion in the park, I'll wear running shoes - just in case!

PS

2007-09-11T21:34:00.000-06:00

So. I am actually not depressed. I am happy. Life is good, God is good. I am learning. Maybe I am a slow learner. But life is good - and God is amazing. And that's all I have to say about that.

More than Fine

2007-09-11T20:43:00.000-06:00

So that is the song playing on the stereo. (Our house is awesome - rigged up with wireless speakers, so you can play the music from your laptop on the house speakers. So my roomie Waison is playing Switchfoot right now, which is just fine by me) Anyway. I am learning that I need to be more than fine. I think when I moved down here I was looking for things to be fine. I was looking for things to be OK, and i would have an average experience and then my eight months would be up, and that would be that. But I am realizing that God wants more than that for me. He wants me to be more than fine - he wants this experience to be more than fine. If I could just let him out of the box I keep putting him in - I think that this could be amazing! Right now I am too nervous and too uncomfortable to really experience Him. Things that I am learning though:
1. It is more effective to believe that God is already at work all around me and that I am meeting with him, not bringing him along.
2. I need to join. Watch and join God where he is working, and join people where they are at, instead of trying to bring them to where I am at.

It's a big world, and I am just a small girl. I need to trust God and the unlimited potential that he has given me via the Holy Spirit in me.

Things I would like prayer for:
1. That the voices in my head would quiet long enough for me to hear God's voice
2. That I would not be so intimidated by the big city that I would enjoy it instead of keeping my distance

Things in my head:
I lift You high
And bow down low,
How high can You reach,
How low can I go
You must increase
I must decrease Lord
I'll bow down
And You will be adored

I think it's a theme lately - I've been thinking about that song a lot....

My prayer:
This day - be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.

Can't Find Your Class?

2007-09-06T20:28:00.000-06:00

So. That's what the sign I was holding on Tuesday said. It was part of an IVCF initiative to get students to class. When talking about how we wanted to start the year off in terms of outreach, someone came up with the idea to give directions to people who needed it. And so that's what we did. In our yellow t-shirts, with our signs, we hung around at various locations on campus, and when lost students came up to us, we happily told them how to get where they were going. It was really fun. And had a huge impact. I was shocked at how many students needed directions. I had a blast. It was a great first day on campus. A funny little story. There were these two guys who looked like the kind of guys who would never need directions, but at about 9 o'clock they came running up, asking for directions to their first class. At around 10:10 they came running up, saying - We're back! And looking for directions to their next class. At 11:20 they came running up again, exclaming - You're our best friends! And looking for directions to their third class. It was fun. That's all I have to say about that, other than I hope the IVCF continues it, because it was a very well received venture, and it was FUN!

Being sick...

2007-09-03T15:42:00.000-06:00

So. I think I am sick. There is a part of me that wants to deny it because maybe it's just a head thing, and if i say I am not sick and that I am as healthy as a horse, then maybe I won't be sick, maybe all of my positive thinking will keep me healthy. But then there is another part of me that wants to accept that I am sick, and lie on the couch, and drink tea, and be lazy and sleep. However, I am not totally sold on that idea either. Last night my throat starting to feel scratchy, and my nose started to fill up. Today, my nose is right clogged, and my throat hurts, and I sound funny when I talk, and if I get up to quickly I get really dizzy and nauseous. I also get hot and cold at weird times. I hate being sick, you always feel so gross. Anyway - I suppose this is neither relevent or interesting, but I thought I should at least pretend to be productive while I sit on the couch, and writing a short blog about being sick seemed about as productive as I was going to get. Hope you are all feeling healthy!

My little bus adventure...

2007-09-01T11:18:00.000-06:00

So. This is a story about a girl who thought that maybe she had it together enough to survive in the big city. She got a phone call from her aunt and uncle who were staying downtown and wanted to take her to dinner. This sounded wonderful, so she looked up a bus schedule and found a bus to take her where she needed to go. She calculated how much time she would need to catch her bus. She got ready and headed out the door. As she walked down the street she watched her bus drive past her, to her obvious chagrin. She walked back to her house, called her aunt and uncle to let them know that she would be late and went to wait for the bus again. This time she got on the bus and everything seemed to be going just fine. She got off, and went to fine the meeting place and realized that she was nowhere near the meeting place. So, she went back dejectedly and sat down to wait for the next bus. This time she got on the bus, and asked the person beside her when it stopped where she needed to stop. She got off at the right stop and waved at her uncle who was waiting on the other side of the street. She looked both ways and jay-walked across the street. Which felt deligtful. There was a joyous reunion and an excellent dinner at a fantastic Japanese place where the chefs cook the food right before your eyes with a wonderful display of juggling and pyro-technics. And after that they walked back to the hotel to visit and she was sent home on her first ever cab ride. It was a delightful evening, but showed her how much of a small town country bumpkin she really is.

That was me. Boy did I feel silly. It all turned out fine, and I am sure that I will manage just fine, but I thought I would update with a funny little story about the girl who thought she could and then missed her bus.

Sing.

2007-08-30T18:16:00.000-06:00

So. I am learning. Life is all about learning. Over the past few days I have been involved in some manuscript studies. Manuscript studies are all about observing, interpreting and applying. Today I was asked to do a manuscript study of my week. Not such a bad request. I’ll even use paragraphs to tell you about it.

Things that I observed: I was scared. Terrified. Yet God asked me to go. God has provided for me. God loves me. Infinitely. People will always be coming and going in my life.

Things that I have interpreted: Going doesn’t have to be scary. Going, sometimes means doing what you love, being yourself and seeing what opportunities God invites you to join. I need to take my rest in Him. It’s not my responsibility to convert anyone, or to change the way they think. My responsibility is to love them, and to share them my truth – God’s truth.

Things that I will work to apply: Sing. Sing whether it’s good, or bad, or happy or sad, but sing. Love the others. Go when and where I am asked.

Thoughts:

Psalm 92

It is good…. To sing praises to Your name
For you, O LORD, have made me glad
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands
You are my rock.

And in my head:

Look What You’ve Done for Me – Tree63

It’s not a question of what you can do for me, but what can I do for you, My Lord

Hallelujah.

2007-08-25T13:55:00.000-06:00

So. Here I am. Suddenly what was so far away is here and now. And that is kind of freaky. Very freaky. Because I am not ready. And I have to be. Here's the story. This whole summer I've been fighting God on this internship thing. Because I know that he wanted me to go. And I didn't want to go. But I went, and now I am here. And I am trying to accept that it is no longer me, but him, and I need to just focus on the plans that he has for me, but it's difficult, because I don't want to be here. I know I am suppose to be here. I know that this is where God wants me to be, but for an unknown reason, I don't want to be here. So. I would love some prayer for that. I would love it if you would pray for me to have joy and peace and excitement about being here. I would love it if you would pray that I would want to be here. And I would love it if I loved being here. Soon. I pray. But, life is good. I ran into one of my best buddies, Ashlin, and that was pretty awesome. We had an amazing bible study on Acts 8 which was really good. And we have a house. (Although we don't get beds till the end of next week, and there was a big puddle in my room that is currently being dealt with). My funding is coming in - I am almost half way there - which is pretty amazing considering how much I was fighting it this summer. God is faithful, and he is good, and I am blessed! Thanks for the prayers - I will try to update this more often with encouraging things and more pray requests. Until then:

And an angel said to Philip - "get up and go". So he got up and went.

Obviously paraphrased, but powerful nonetheless.

Amen.

Fundraising

2007-07-22T17:11:00.000-06:00

So, it's been a long long time since I last posted. And I am going to use this post as a fundraising pitch! Below is a letter that I am using in my fund development efforts with IVCF. If you would like to support me, please send me an email or a comment, and I can get you some more info! Thanks!

Dear Friends,

I have exciting news! I have been accepted into Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship’s National Intern Program starting this fall. In August I will be moving to Vancouver, BC for 8 months of intensive training and ministry. I am writing to present you with an opportunity to be a part of this experience and this ministry by joining my support team. I am looking for financial support to raise the necessary budget of $9600 as well as prayer support for a successful internship.

I am very excited about this opportunity to reach out with God’s hands to students on campuses in Vancouver. I feel this is a necessary and valuable ministry and I am looking forward to being a part of it. Community is very dear to my heart and this internship allows me to bring students into the community of Christ, and to give them a place for fellowship and support.

As an intern, I will raise 100% of the funds I need. The budget of $1200 per month ($9600 total) will cover training, ministry, housing, food and transportation expenses. If you feel that you would be blessed by supporting this ministry, giving can be done by cheque (payable to IVCF and sent to: IVCF, 64 Prince Andrew Pl, Toronto, ON M3C 2H4) or by credit card online at www.ivcf.ca/donate. Please make sure that you include the designation “Alisha Glover” with your gift.

Thank you very much for considering my invitation to be a part of this ministry opportunity. I believe that God has brought me to this internship and I am looking forward to what I will learn from Him during this experience!

God Bless,

Alisha Glover
glover.alisha@gmail.com

My Favourite Twinnie

2007-05-31T09:33:00.000-06:00

So, I have a twinnie. I think I’ve written about her before. If you are unfamiliar with my twinnie – let me introduce you. Her name is Andrea, she’s smart, pretty and talented (just like me). Anyway, she graduates this summer. That alone is pretty hard to believe, cause it seems like I just graduated, but I suppose time passes by us all. The point of this blog is because I have brag pictures I want to show. When I graduated my parents opted to have my pictures taken by a photographer friend, and not by the high school. Here is a picture of Tyler and I taken when I got my grad photos taken. (Like my dress? I made it from another dress that I made, I was going to wear it to grad, but then ended up making a new dress, but that’s not the point.) The point is that my parents decided to have our photographer friend take Andrea’s pictures too. Now, because Andrea is my favourite twinnie, my mum thought that since I am at home right now, it would be nice to take twinnie pictures. Actually, she saw the sister/twin pictures of some friends of ours (That’s you Greidanus beauties) and thought - gee - Andrea and Alisha should get nice twinnie pictures taken too! So we arranged to have pictures taken. Now, when Andrea got her grad pictures taken, I was working, and so we weren’t able to get twinnie pictures taken that day, but our photographer friend is a really good guy, and he said he would come back another day. The another day arrived, and I was working and Andrea was at school. We came home, and were hanging out, staying relaxed when my mum informed us that in ten minutes our pictures were getting taken. Luckily we have two mirrors in our bathroom so we didn't have to share. We were madly getting ready. Looking for clothes to wear, having already decided to wear black long sleeve shirts (to hide that fact that we both have big shoulders), jeans, and bare feet. Of course, one was in the wash, so Andrea had to wear a different one (which just happens to have been a shirt I gave her for her birthday) We got ready in time, and wandered across to the neighbour’s back yard to take advantage of the green foliage and sunshine. They have a nice backyard - we hosted a wedding there once. But that's a rabbit trail that I will resist running down. It was actually kinda fun, which is saying a lot cause Andrea doesn't really like getting her picture taken. The pictures turned out pretty nice too. At least – I like them – but you decide - here is a selection for your viewing enjoyment. Me and my favourite twinnie.... May 2007. (On my computer the pictures are all the right way up, and I am sure there is a way to switch it on here, but our internet is to slow for me to want to play around anymore. The third picture should be rotated counter clockwise so I am looking left and Andrea is facing right, and the last picture should be rotated clockwise so we are rightside up.)

Finally an Update

2007-05-15T12:45:00.000-06:00

So.
It’s been a while eh? I figured I should get on here and write and update on what is going on in my life. Last time I checked, I had been accepted to the IVCF internship. Well, I have since found out my destination city. At the end of August I am off to Vancouver for 8 months or so to work with IVCF staff there. That’s more or less all I know. I am excited, scared, and a lot of other things. On the bright side, I am still in BC (which for those of you that know me, and for everyone who has lived in BC, it’s just so good to be back) I have family and friends in Vancouver and Victoria, and my boyfriend Tyler will be in Burnaby in January. So – that is encouraging. However, there are the usual fears that surround new things, and I will just have to wait until this is an old thing before that goes away. Anyway, on to current things. I have moved back to Fernie to spend time with Tyler and family, and am very happy. I love the mountains, and I very much missed spending time with those that I love. I am working as server at Boston Pizza which surprisingly I rather enjoy. Frustrated that I make more money in tips than in wage, but that is the world we live in. Life is good. I am happy. Funny how small things make such a difference in life. Location. Anyway – I will start rambling soon, so I will end here. The phone is ringing, and mum’s making biscotti, so I suppose I will be the one to answer it. Enjoy life – it’s a beautiful world!

Internship

2007-04-24T21:41:00.000-06:00

So - in case you are new to the loop - I applied for an internship with IVCF. Well tonight I got an email saying I was accepted. Yeah! So - now onto exciting things like fundraising. (if you are interested in supporting me....)
That's all I have to say about that. Thanks for all the prayers!

2007-04-22T12:17:00.000-06:00

So this weekend I went to a Chiropractic Seminar in Edmonton. It was quite the experience. I have worked in the clinic now for 3 months, and this was a huge eye opener into the chiropractic philosophy. It was interesting. And heart breaking. So here is what I've got. The philosophy is this - Inside of everything there is an innate intelligence. The problem is - people get subluxated - there are interruptions and interferences in their nervous system and thought patterns and this prevents them from expressing their true greatness. As chiropractors, and chiropractic assistants, we are able to help remove the interference and help the bodies innate intelligence to heal the body and allow the person to express their full potential. This in and of itself isn't such a big deal. It's an amazing concept - to be able to treat people as full and complete instead of parts. We can heal people from the inside out. It's borderline revolutionary. Now - that part was interesting. They then went on to talk about the law of attraction which mostly has to do with being able to make goals in life and attract the things you want to them. Again, in and of itself - not such a big deal. However - they are talking about reaching our inner greatness - and getting everything we want in life, and it was all we we we. That was heart breaking. Because I do not want to attract the things that I want. And I do not want to reach my inner greatness. I want to throw off that skin that is me, and reveal the God who lives inside of me. And I mean that in the non heretical sense. I believe that Christ is in me. And if I can surrender myself, then he can shine - and that's what I want. I don't want to be the me that I am - or the me that I could be - I want to be the me that God wants me to be. The me that God designed me to be. With so many of their points they got so close to why I am a Christian, and how my relationship with God works, but they just blow by it. That was the heart breaking part. People are so close - but so far away. There was this saying - when the why is big enough - the hows look after themselves. That's the way it is with God - we can worry about how we are going to follow him and do his work and all of that. But we shouldn't - we have a huge why. And because our why - eternal life - freedom from fear - peace, joy, all that - because our why is so huge - our hows will look after themselves. That's what I've got - so far anyway. It just breaks my heart that they are missing it. They are so close. I guess that's where I come in. I can't worry about how I am going to share my story - my truth - with them - because I have a big why. I need to share Christ's love so they too can have all that we Christians have - if I can focus on my why - the how will look after itself!

Two Thoughts:
1. a song that I first heard sung by a group called Capstone

I'll lift you high and bow down low
How high can you reach
How low can I go
I lift you high and bow down low
How high can you reach
How low can I go
You must increase
I must decrease Lord
I'll bow down and you will be adored

Pretty self explanatory I think - I need to surrender me - so Christ can increase in me, and so he can be adored.

2. John 21:14-18
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

That's the call we all have as Christians - to feed his sheep. I heard this verse in church today, and it caught me as it always does - right in the heart - feed my sheep.

Home...

2007-04-16T13:11:00.000-06:00

is where the heart is. Which, physically speaking, along with the rest of my body, is in Lethbridge. However, figuratively speaking, my heart is miles away from the rest of me. Home is back among the trees and the rocks and the mountains. Where my family and my Starshine live. Home is were I feel safe, and secure, and happy. Home is not here. Not that here is bad. Here is like a sort of mediocre vacation from home. It's different, not entirely bad, but it ain't good either. (Yes i used ain't - just cause I thought it flowed better there). But why isn't here home. I have a good job, which I usually like, with people that are mostly good to work with, and somedays the work and the people at work are really good - and I get really excited. I live in a beautiful house with a big bed, and wonderful people and a hot tub and good food. And that is always very good. I have good friends - which I see often enough - go for runs, or coffee, or something. I have a good church and Bible study where I meet with God and godly people, where I feel stretched. But it sure isn't home. Home I share a room with my sister, who gets annoyed when I don't make my bed or pick up my clothes, I don't work, except when I do - but when I do it's for awesome people that I love working for, I live with my parents whom I love, and there is Alley Cat who sometimes lets me cuddle, and there is good food, and comfy couches and lots of tea, and Tyler. Tyler is my Starshine. And I think the hardest thing about here, is that he is there. And as much as sometimes that's OK - he's busy, I'm busy - we probably wouldn't get to hang out that much anyway - it's not the same. But I survive. I'm still here when I would rather be there, and lately I've been pretty happy which is enough. Sometimes. And sometimes it isn't. Sometimes, like this past weekend for example, I just have to get out and go home. And home is enough. This weekend was more than enough. So I can survive being here for a little longer. The question on my mind is - if I get accepted to the IVCF Internship - do I get to keep home? Or does God need me to remember that home is in Heaven, and here on Earth - is just a temporary resting place, not a place to grow roots. We'll just have to wait and see. I hate waiting.

Going in With My Elbows

2007-04-06T00:17:00.000-06:00

So Tonight was our last soccer game. We didn't exactly know that going into it. See - it's play offs - and if we had won the game - we would still be in - but since we didn't win the game - we are out. In some ways I am not unhappy about that. I have never really been that fond of 10:30 soccer games. Just not something that puts wind in my spinnaker. At the same time - I really like playing soccer, and it was guaranteed physical activity every week. Now I am going to have to start running or something like that! All of this however is beside the point. The point is, I have a few things that really frustrate me when I play soccer. And I am going to tell you about them tonight.

1. I hate playing guys that are smaller than me. I'm not a very big person, and I have huge biases towards males that are smaller than me. Please don't be offended if you fall into this category. It has just been my experience that males that are smaller than me that play soccer have Small Man Syndrome (SMS). And that really ticks me off. It's like little dogs. Loud and obnoxious - but really - I could take them out, so they have nothing to be proud about.

2. I hate playing people that have bad attitudes. Now - I am not necessarily a nice player on the field, but I usually try to be consistent. It really irritates me when a player will be yipping about every single thing my team does that is even close to the line between legal and illegal, but ignores the fact that they themselves are doing the exact same things that we're doing.

3. I hate people that take dives. This could be stemmed from the fact that I hate being taken out because I feel very embarrassed by it and thus I don't understand how someone would willingly go down. Especially in indoor soccer - you don't want to know what's in the carpet - so why would you willingly dive onto it. And it really ticks me off when people take a dive, and make a big show about how injured they are, but in less than two minutes are healed enough to take out my players.

I apologize - I should have warned you. I didn't realize I was this frustrated. Perhaps this blog has been therapeutic - I can let it all go now.

Now more to the point of this whole little spiel. Those three things - and others - that I am not going to mention because I already sound like a (bad word here) - make me want to lead with my elbows. I just want to start taking people out. And then I get frustrated, and I go hard, and I end up trying to take people out, which is kind of dumb because I am usually smaller than most of the people on the field, except for the smallish men - and I suppose I usually try to take them out - anyways - off topic. Today I wanted to go in with my elbows, and I hate that I am like that. Cause that's the thing - in as much as I am frustrated with the other team - I am just as frustrated with myself. For the following few reasons:

1. I am terrified of the ball. Funny how the biggest guy on the team doesn't frighten me at all, but the little round ball freaks me right silly.

2. I can't do anything with the ball. I get so many chances and I end up shanking the ball, or duffing it, or just losing it and looking incompetent.

3. I get frustrated cause I can't keep it together, but I don't have balls to lead with my elbows. Instead I write rambling blogs like this one and blow the steam off.

So in short - if you see me walking out of the soccer center with my hands tucked into my chest, and my elbows randomly waving about - it's because I am good and fired up and wanting to go in with my elbows and stir things up a little.

I hope your soccer experiences are much better than mine!

Song running through my mind (which is different than the song stuck in my head):
Raise a Little Hell - Trooper

p.s. i used paragraphs! Aren't you proud of me?

On Life....

2007-03-28T23:51:00.000-06:00

So I was talking to Tim tonight. Tim is in my Bible study, and we have these marvelous discussion about what we are suppose to do with the rest of our lives. After a great deal of thought - I have decided that it really isn't important to know. The minute you start know what you want to do or what you are suppose to do - you start having a destination. And life shouldn't be about the destination - life should be about the journey. I mean - we already have our end destination - Heaven - we're already citizens - we just have to get there. So life is about getting there. And why should we have set destinations on our trip? Why can't we just go along for the ride. It seems like there is so much pressure to grow up, and have a five year plan. I can't seem to plan for 5 days - let alone 5 years. I don't want to lose the spontaneity of being a kid. I think as adults we should be able to experience that same feeling. If something sounds like fun, and would be an adventure - than we should do it. If we aren't into adventuring, we just want to settle down - than we should do that. More importantly - we should give the keys to God - and just go along for the ride. Mostly I think that's what we should do. I mean - honestly - if God can design a pattern for all the stars in the sky, I'm sure he can do something pretty cool with my life. Something far cooler than I could imagine up, so why not. Why not give the keys to God and take the ride of my life? Why not step out of the boat and say - "OK God - never walked on water before - not so sure it's a good idea or even if I can - but if you say I can - then OK - I'll believe you - you are God after all - if you say I can - then I am sure I can." God has such huge plans for our lives, and I think we sometimes limit him by making our own plans. I know I did. There was a time when I was not willing to believe that I had a call - I didn't want a call. I liked my life - I was settled - things were good - I had my five year plan. But why settle for less? Why settle for bread when you could be eating ice cream? My five year plan was so lame! God's 5 day plan is way more exciting. I am learning to trust - which is funny - I have never understood why I have such a hard time trusting God - he did design me after all. But that's not the point. The point is - find God - and really - he spends 90% of his day tapping people like me on the shoulder saying "I'm right here. Quit looking - I'm right here. I've always been right here."So - turn around - find God - give him your hand and say "OK God - your turn. I'm out of ideas - You gave me this life - let's see what you can do with it. Whatever you want me to do - I'll do it. Wherever you want me to go - I'll go - just get me out of Alberta (wait - that's just me.... just joking)." That's my challenge - I'm working on it. I still have a bunch of conditions attached to my hand - but I am slowly pulling them off. Try it - try to go a week without worrying about what the rest of your life is going to look like. Enjoy the stage your in and be willing to say "thanks God - that was fun - I can't wait to see what's next." I hope that made sense. I am tired and wired while writing this, and rambling. I just want to stress that God has huge ideas for your life - so don't limit him, and secondly - don't waste all your time trying to find him - he's right where he always is - inside of you - by your side - he's right there. Just open your eyes, and you'll see him. As my sister can attest to - if you want to see your knees, you have to open your eyes. So Tim? Will that suffice?

Here goes....

2007-03-25T21:43:00.000-06:00

... something..... It has to be something I suppose. Cause it sure won't be nothing. If you remember I wrote a couple weeks back about going on an IVCF internship. I have decided to apply. I figured that I would regret it if I didn't, and that it was time to get off my duff and see what God will do for me if I give him everything. I've talked to lot's of people, and done a lot of praying, and so now I am going to go for it. I am going to give the reins to the one who created me and trust that he can do way more with my life than I can. It's scary. Not sure why - God is pretty huge - if he can create the world and hang the stars, I'm sure he can take care of me. I just have to remember that God is good, and he's been there before, and he'll go again, he will be with me - even to the end of the age. So - thanks for all the prayers and talks - Pete and Bette, Darrin and Lisa, Troy, Mum and Dad - I love you all. Please keep praying for me that God's will be done, and that everything goes smoothly - it's a big step for me just getting out of the boat - I am concerned that if the water gets rough I'll just jump back in. So pray for courage, and peace. Thanks again!

Two thoughts:

1. Isaiah 43:1b-4 (The Message)
"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you.
I've called your name. You're mine.
When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you.
When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you're between a rock and a hard place,
it won't be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God,
The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you:
all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That's how much you mean to me!
That's how much I love you!
I'd sell off the whole world to get you back,
trade the creation just for you.

Just for me eh? Well, if you'd do all that - I suppose I can give you my life - small as it is, for in your eyes - it is precious beyond all else.

2. From one of the greatest songs ever - If I Stand - Rich Mullins

So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can't, let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home

Please listen to this song - it is so good. I love it. The words are so beautiful. Let me stand Lord - and if I can't - let me fall in your arms!

Shareen's Hat

2007-03-25T11:41:00.000-06:00

As many of you might know I live with two wonderful people named Bette and Pete. Now Bette and Pete have a daughter named Shareen. And my room used to be her room. It is a lovely room. When Shareen married and moved out she left a grand white cowboy hat behind. Last Friday my friend celebrated her birthday by going to Essies (the country bar in Lethbridge) with a bunch of friends. I thought that would be the perfect opportunity to borrow Shareen's hat. So I put on some denim, brushed my hair, but on my white belt with the big belt buckle, and my new pink t-shirt (which, as an aside says - WORK YOUR MAGIC - on the front, and on the back is an advertisement for a Britney Spears perfume, Fantasy. It was free - and comfy - and bright pink, and it says Britney Spears on the back, which basically cracks me up, cause I am just not that into Britney Spears.) So anyways - I was wearing all this, and and some white flip flops and Shareen's hat, and I thought I looked pretty cute. So we go to the bar, and everything is going fine until I realize that Shareen's hat needs to come with a warning. And that warning should read something like this: "Warning: This hat will make the wearer tremendously attractive to drunk guys and will make them want to ask the wearer to dance again and again." So. It was a fun night. I had to laugh because everywhere I went people complimented me on Shareen's hat, and asked if they could wear it, or if I would trade them hats, or if I would dance with them. The dancing part was not bad - some of these guys could actually two step which was a bonus, and they were all very polite. Perhaps the reason they were so polite is that I had my good friend Lindsay glaring at them whenever they tried to touch my hat. She's got a good stare when she wants to. So - thanks Shareen for letting me borrow your hat. Though I doubt you knew you did. I now consider myself warned!

Here are some pictures - you decide if there should be a warning in effect....

We're in Barney

2007-03-13T23:13:00.000-06:00

Barney - Barney Rubble - trouble!
Where is my twinnie when I need her. Andrea is my twinnie. My favourite twinnie. In actuality, Andrea is two years my junior. But we look alike, think alike, act alike and so she's my twinnie. If you don't understand the first line of this - no worries - you probably won't. Not unless you like repeating movie lines. That's why I need my twinnie. Andrea and I always go through movies by the lines we like from them. Tonight, I am watching a movie that has that line in it, and it made me think of my twinnie, and how much I miss her. So - for those of you who aren't a twinnie, but would like a twinnie - here are another couple of lines to see if you can figure the movie out.
"Does he make you laugh?" "He doesn't make me cry."
"Not to mention, the biggest Ella Fitzgerald ever."
"Waiting, still waiting.....You're like a little girl!"
(That last line was for you, Andrea.)

If you haven't figured out the movie yet, that's rather unfortunate - I thought I picked some easy lines. But, if it is really bothering you, you can ask me nicely, and I'll think about telling you.

That's about it. There is no real point to this blog other than I missed my twinnie cause I couldn't repeat the lines with her. I'll have to save up and run through them the next time I see her.

I've included this final video - 1, because I thought it was hilarious, and 2, because it's a fun way to figure out what movie I'm talking about if you don't already know.

And just cause it's funny....
I'm gonna get out of the car and drop you like third period French.

Be Strong and Courageous

2007-03-11T22:13:00.000-06:00

There is a whole world out there that I try to forget exists. Or maybe I never knew it existed. That is the big scary world that God leads us into. I went to Staff days this weekend up at Pioneer Lodge near Sundre. Saturday morning we read part of Joshua 1. It starts off something like this: Moses is Dead. Now proceed.
That is a pretty huge deal. Joshua was just new at this whole being a leader thing, and now he has to lead the Isrealites across the Jordan to face the crazies on the other side. Now in this whole gaggle of wandering peoples were the Gadites, the Reubenites, and the half tribe of Manessah. Now these guys didn't really want to cross the Jordan. They thought things were pretty good on their side. That was fine - Moses told them they could hang out. Although - first their warriors had to head across with the Isrealites and fight, and once that was all settled they could return to their place of rest. So what does this all have to do with me? Well there is that big scary world I was talking about. The world on the other side of the Jordan. My little introduction to the world began a little like this: after the discussion of this chapter the VP of IVCF cornered me and asked what it would take to get me on staff. More specifically he would like to have me do an internship. For me that is the big scary world. God has plans for me. I know that. I just don't like not always knowing what they are. And it scares me that perhaps this internship is in his plans. I had never thought about doing an internship. Never crossed my mind. Now it looks like a real possibility and it terrifies me. I bet Joshua was pretty scared. But the people supported him. In the beginning of the chapter God gives this big speech to Joshua, but keeps repeating - Be Strong and Courageous. At the end, Joshua asks if the Gadites, Reubenites and half tribe of Manessah will come with him - and they repeat back - we will - Be Strong and Courageous. I guess maybe I feel like the grass on this side of the river is pretty green, and I don't really feel the need to go fighting the crazies on the other side of the river. But I feel like God is telling me not to settle. It's like he is saying - "there is going to be a fight, and there is going to be a struggle - but be strong and courageous, I am always with you. And when the fight is over - you will have rest - and it will be more than good - it will be grand." I don't want to settle. But I am scared. Scared of failing, scared of losing the fight. But I guess that's not my worry is it? If God is for me - who can be against me. If this is his will - I will have success and prosperity. I pray that I am willing to fight.

If you are reading this - please pray that I will hear God's voice. I just started a job and don't want to be irresponsible to my employers, but am being encouraged to apply for an internship in the fall. The application is due in a month. I am excited, and terrified. If you have any wisdom to give me - I would appreciate it greatly.

Two thoughts now:

1. Some verses of a song we sang this morning in our service. Felt like a knife to my heart. And it terrified me.

Will you come and follow me,
If I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know
And never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown,
will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown
in you and you in me?

Will you love the ‘you' you hide
if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside
and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found
to reshape the world around
through my sight and touch and sound
in you and you in me?

2. Joshua 1:9 CEV
I've commanded you to be strong and brave. Don't ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the LORD your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.

Now - why again was I so scared?

My Most Excellent Moment

2007-03-08T23:53:00.000-07:00

So I realize that I already posted something today. But I just have to post one more thing. Today I had a most excellent moment - a perfect moment - a one hundred percent God/holy spirit moment. And I am going to tell you all about it. Aren't you excited!

So I was walking home from work, and I was really down and unhappy, and tired, and lonesome, and well mental image - slouched shoulders - dejected feeling. I looked up at the sky, and I saw a shooting star - at first I thought - a plane - but no - it was a star - my very own shooting star - and then the song that started to play on my ipod was my new favouritist song "Good Morning Starshine" (which I wrote about sometime ago). Wow - totally a God moment. I won't tell you what I was thinking about prior to that, cause it's kind of personal - but suffice to say that I totally had the sense that God was saying - I have given you this - and I will give you more! I couldn't stop praising God the whole way home - thanking him for how blessed I am! Gone were my blues - and the rest of the evening has been rosy red! (other than the fact that I am terribly out of shape, and scared of the ball, and thus not totally a contributing member to my soccer team) (but that's beside the point)

So that was my perfect moment - God is good - to think that the One who hung the firmament (isn't that a grand word) is so in tune with me that he would send me a shooting star. For those of you who know me - I love stars. I love the sky - stars and clouds - but especially stars - so seeing a shooting star tonight was huge. God is so good - so good!

Two things running through my head right now:
1. There was a song we used to sing in Church called the doxology. I always thought it was beautiful.
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above the heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen."

Amen.

2. A verse - from Genesis (it talks about stars. And it says firmament)

Genesis 1:16-18 NKJV

Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.

It still is good. Amen.
Let it always be so.

Heck No! I'll never listen to Techno!

2007-03-08T13:57:00.000-07:00

OK
So thanks to some very helpful friends - I learned how to make the little picture box appear and it is now that easy to watch this video! Look at that - learn something new every day!
Anyways
This video always makes me laugh. And then the song gets stuck in my head and I then I laugh all day long.

I strongly encourage you to watch it - just cause that way I won't be the only one getting funny looks when I am singing
"if the robots win we'll have to listen to techno,
Heck NO! I'll never listen to techno!"

It was just one of those days....

2007-03-07T09:42:00.000-07:00

So Yesterday when I arrived at work, I started my daily routines, and the phone rang. So I answered it and learned that my co-worker wasn't going to make it in cause she was sick. On the surface, that doesn't seem that catastrophic. But, take an inexperienced newbie like me, add to it our new computer system which is understood by my co-worker only, and add to that the fact that I now have to do her job - which I know next to nothing about. It was just one of those days. I did fine. I think. Or at least - that's what everyone is telling me. I hope they aren't lying just to make me feel good. At any rate, by lunchtime I was in dire need of ice cream. Those of you who know anything about me, know that I am clinically addicted to ice cream. No joke - ice cream has mood altering capabilities for me. Since I walk to work I needed to find someplace that sold ice cream that was within walking distance. And my walking distance I mean that I needed to walk there and back and eat my ice cream in about half an hour - because by this time - that's about all the time I had left before I needed to be back at work. Lucky for me there is an IGA about five blocks away, and they have ice cream. So I walked to the IGA, picked out my ice cream - some Chocolate truffly, dreamy thing, and bought it. While I was at the cashiers, I asked for a spoon, which she gave me, which delighted me, because now I could eat ice cream on the walk back to work. Delightful. So there I was - walking back to work - with my sweater tied around my waist because it was warm out, eating out of a litre tub of ice cream with a plastic spoon. Not my most attractive day - but I was too happy. My whole body seemed to relax as bite by bite I ate my ice cream. By the time I got back to work, I was happy and relaxed, and smiling, and laughing. All because of the ice cream. Part may also have been the fact that I got to go for a walk outside and enjoy the sunshine and listen to Five Iron Frenzy. But I think most of it was because of the ice cream. The afternoon went much better after that, and the day ended up not being to bad. However, the last hour was a bit squirrely - mostly cause my head was spinning by that point. While I was walking home, I couldn't decide which I was more looking forward too - food, or a good stiff drink. Luckily for me - I had both, and then Pete came home and made tea - and my day ended perfectly. But, if it weren't for the ice cream - I think I would have had a melt down around 4:00 and I would have just exploded in a little cloud of Alisha scented smoke. But, I had ice cream, and life was good, and I am all prepared for today. Maybe today will be one of those perfect days - were everyone brings me ice cream, and I speak peace and love and good will to all!

Fundraising....

2007-03-01T20:25:00.000-07:00

So - I hate fundraising. With about every ounce in my being. And it's not as though I've even done any fundraising lately. But every time someone mentions the word - I cringe and remember bottle drives, and raffles, and apple pies, and bingo, and hot dog sales, and all manner of other things we did to try to finagle our neighbours out of their hard earned money. Not that I think fundraising is a bad thing - it's very important - and when I can - I try to support good causes like Stars (the calendars), and Girl Guides (the cookies) and bottle drives when I have bottles to give. All in all - I think fundraisers are a thing to support - I just hate running them. So yesterday I went a gave blood. While the CBS (Canadian Blood Society) is not exactly a fundraiser it is sort of trying to raise something - blood mostly, and I'm not talking about when you start getting angry and all the blood rises to your face. I'm talking about trying to get donations of blood. Now - donating blood is definitely in the upper half of my top ten favourite things to do. It falls just in behind skiing, sleeping, and of course, well - never mind. So as I was saying - donating blood is one of my favourite things - you get to support a very worthwhile cause - and it doesn't cost you anything - and you get to hang out with the nicest nurses - and you get fed. C'mon now - who doesn't want to do that. It's a great date - entertainment - you can race each other and see who bleeds out faster, and then dinner - soup and cookies and orange juice. One of my favourite things - I wish I could give more often, cause now I have to wait a whole two months before I can have this most excellent experience again. OK - so on to the point of this whole blog. Linking fundraising and giving blood. I have a fantastic slogan for a fundraiser. This whole idea came about while talking to my buddy Lee - so Lee - if you read this and think that I stole your idea - I apologize - but you can steal it back if you like. So here goes:

Get Stabbed for the Cure.....

The original idea was kind of like a hoops for heart type ordeal - you know - take pledges for how many baskets you could score - except in Get Stabbed for the Cure - you'd take pledges on how many stabs you could get. One point for hand, two for leg, three for stomach, four for chest, 6 if you can withstand facial or cranial stabbings. OK - morbid I know. Which is why we decided that maybe it was a better idea to make it into a slogan for a blood drive.

Get Stabbed for (I'm not sure - insert good sob story here - little boys with leukemia, or car crash victims - or better yet - stabbing victims) (My apologies - I think it's cause I am hungry - OK - that makes no sense at all - I'm not usually this bad - I promise)

Anyways - Get Stabbed for the CBS - cause when they stick the needle in it sure feels like they are stabbing you. Actually - I don't mind the big needle all that much. However - it did freak me out my first time - in my head - it was a little needle. I really don't like the finger poke. Lame, I know - but the finger poke bugs me the most. But enough - I am rambling.

So - Get Stabbed for Stabbing Victims everywhere! Cause they really need your blood.
Or honestly - just do it cause every two months it's a free meal! Either way - I say give blood - and give generously!

Good Morning Starshine!

2007-02-25T15:53:00.001-07:00

So right now I have this particular song repeating on my computer. I have had four lines stuck in my head for the past two weeks, and I thought that I should listen to it over and over until either I learn the rest of the song or I get so sick of it that I stop thinking about it. So far I've got:

Good Morning Starshine,
The earth says hello,
You twinkle above us,
We twinkle below.

And it just keeps going and going. So we'll see what happens. The version I have is by The Fifth Dimension, although someone has just recently remade it. Not that I know who that someone is, or even who the Fifth Dimension is for that matter. I just like this song. I think I like it because in the middle of the song you can sing things like tooby ooby walla and nooby abba naba.
Who doesn't like a song like that. Ask your parents about this song - they might have more insight for you. I'll just leave you with a little teaser....

Our early morning singing song
Gliddy glub gloopy
Nibby nabby noopy
La la la lo lo
Sabba sibby sabba
Nooby abba nabba
Le le lo lo

Hats

2007-02-20T19:56:00.000-07:00

I love hats. Some people say that they can't wear hats. But I disagree - everybody can wear hats. You just have to find the right hat. And if you can't find the right hat - then you just have to wear the almost right hat. And by wear I mean - be confident - look good, feel proud. Wearing a hat is all about attitude. If you put on a hat and say - I don't look good in hats - then you won't. You will look kind of sad and silly. But if you put on a hat and say - dang - I look good - then you will - you will look fantastic, and everyone will be jealous. It's the same with most things. Red rubber boots, faux fur coats, and fleece feet-y pajamas. I think it is especially true of hats though. Sometimes though, not even the most confident people can truly pull off feet-y pajamas. True professionals like myself however, can make almost anything look good. And by looking good I mean that I think I look good, and I am pretty happy with my outfit, and if everybody else thinks otherwise, well, that's their right, but I have the right to disagree. You may wonder about the reason for the ramble on hats. Today I wore my new hat. I bought it at the Salvation Army at their half price sale of Friday with Bette. It is a grand hat. It's black with a fun brim, and a black trim bit with white stitching. I love it. It makes me happy. And I was just thinking that probably not everyone would love my hat - because obviously someone didn't which is why it ended up at the thrift store. Not that everything at the thrift store is unloved. The beautiful Inuvik red wool coat that I also bought at the thrift store was very much loved. And so perhaps my hat was well loved but the previous owner got such a swelled head from all the compliments she received that she was unable to continue wearing said hat because it was too tight. Hmm - I am assuming that my hat belonged to a lady. Maybe not - it isn't a decidedly female hat - but I do think that it leans more to that persuasion. I almost bought a beautiful cowboy hat, but alas, I had too small a head. Unfortunate - because I have the perfect earrings to match. However, I am getting off topic. I am not writing about my habit of purchasing clothing to match my jewelery. I think many other females have suffered from the same syndrome. I myself have never met any males who will admit to it, but I am sure that they exist. It's difficult sometimes though - you find the perfect earrings/bracelet/necklace/hairpiece, but you have nothing to wear with it, and so you don't and you are sad. So you buy a new shirt, and pants to match, and then new shoes because obviously you need a complete outfit. Ah - I love shoes. But again - that is off topic. And I should end - otherwise I will continue to ramble off topic. So, in closing - wear hats - smile big, hold your head high, and know that deep down inside - people are just laughing to cover up their jealousy! (Oh, and speaking of shoes, or rather red rubber boots, if you ever find red rubber boots in a size 6 1/2 please let me know - my mum is taking away my current pair because they are too small, and I am fairly heartbroken.)

So Frustrated

2007-02-14T23:13:00.000-07:00

Have you ever loved someone so much, but every time you try to express that they just push you away, and the closer you try to get the harder they push. And the harder they push, the closer you try to get? And you consciously run around in that circle, because somehow you think the next time will be different? It's like when you come home from work and you are hungry, so you open the fridge but you don't see anything you want to eat, so you open the pantry, and you don't see anything you want to eat, so you open the fridge again, just in case, in the last 30 seconds, something magically appears that you want to eat. I had that experience tonight. You'd think that on Valentine's Day everyone would want love. Apparently I was wrong. But I wouldn't take no for an answer. I think that maybe I just need to learn that sometimes people actually do want what they say they want. I don't always know best. I don't always know best. Wow. That's a scary thought. Suddenly, my parents might actually be right. Everyone else might actually have a point. I might suddenly be on the wrong side of the fence. What now? Am I able to accept that? I doubt that I can. I hang on so tenaciously to what I believe that I doubt I could be wrestled away from that. Everybody needs love. Everybody does. Don't they? Maybe people need something different from what I am able to offer them. Maybe they want cheesecake, and all I can give them is jello? What then? Will they ever want jello? Can I ever give cheesecake? I think that's what frustrates me the most. My inability to reach people where they need to be reached. I have boxed myself in so much that I don't feel confident in stepping out. But again, that puts the fault on me, and I don't like being responsible for the negative. Maybe, just maybe, I need to grow up.

Playing in the snow....

2007-02-12T22:39:00.000-07:00

I love the snow. Absolutely love it. It makes me happy and giddy, and I giggle, and laugh and smile, and twirl. Snow is simply one of my most favourite things. Last night I got to go and play in the snow with my roommate. I think we were both kind of bored, so we decided to go out and shovel the walk. Well - shovel our walk turned into shovel the neighbour's, and their neighbours, and so forth. When the snow settled, we had shovelled our walk, and everyone elses on our side of the block, the sidewalk on the other side, as well as some random peoples walks, and the sidewalk going up and down in both directions. We would put our shovels together like a snowplow and run full tilt until one or both of us got hung up on the pile or the curb. And then we would laugh and shout and do it again. Then we tried making snow angels, and that was cold cause I got snow up my jacket. It was worth it though. I love snow, and I was in the best mood last night. Every morning, I walk to work, and I am in the best mood when I get there cause I got to walk in the snow, and if I go for a walk at lunch, I can't stop smiling. Lethbridge is just so much prettier when there is snow - it isn't so brown and drab! Nope - there is nothing quite so good for cheering me up as a good snow romp! I hope their will be many more before this snow goes away!

Beginnings

2007-02-11T20:38:00.000-07:00

I love beginnings. They are new. And I like new things. I've enjoyed reading my friends blogs, and thought that perhaps I could do the same thing. Maybe out there are people who would be interested in what I have to say, or what I am up too. Maybe, just maybe. If not - I at least will have record of having thought, and that is sometimes enough. So here begins my blog - may the well never run dry....