the tunes now.
I made a new playlist, changed it to blue, made it not automatically come on...
Such wild changes in my life.
Speaking of wild, we ORDERED IN supper tonight. That never happens. It was SO good.
Let me know what songs you think I should check out. Honestly, the last few new good songs I've discovered have been on other people's blogs. Might have to go looking for more.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Hmmm...
Not sure I like the sidebar headings. Maybe I'll just leave them for a while and see if they grow on me. If not, they're cut.
We're enjoying a lazy Saturday today - next up is getting pictures ordered so I have something to work on this week.
Hope you are having a great day with your families!
We're enjoying a lazy Saturday today - next up is getting pictures ordered so I have something to work on this week.
Hope you are having a great day with your families!
Friday, February 27, 2009
-29 and thankful
I am thankful because I have the flexibility to work from home; I took that opportunity today, so I have not had to go out in the COLD!
I am also thankful for how beautiful it is outside, and that sitting here at the kitchen table, I'm almost blinded by the sunshine off the snow. Blue skies and lots of light. I like it almost as much as I need it. Soon enough blue skies and sunshine will mean really warm, not really cold. Thankful for that, too!
I am thankful that my homework is coming along well, and for the many chances I have to learn.
I am thankful to have a job where I am encouraged to pursue my strengths.
I am thankful for my family. Sean and Madeline are really wonderful people to be around, and I learn so much from being in relationship with them.
I am thankful for opportunities to do neat things. My friend runs the Big Sister program in this city, and she's asked me to lead a scrapbooking evening for them. I've had the same idea for a while - glad it's going to happen. For me, scrapbooking is primarily a creative outlet, but it can be really significant for people to put important things down on paper to remember. I've seen it be an affirming process for people to put their stories down in this way. I want to go into this Big Sister event with those things in mind, and will pray that it is more than just a fun event for them.
I'm thankful for others who put together important events - there is going to be another prayer house and 40 days of 24/7 prayer starting up soon. I love that idea and am thankful that it didn't have to wait for me to do it!
I am also thankful for how beautiful it is outside, and that sitting here at the kitchen table, I'm almost blinded by the sunshine off the snow. Blue skies and lots of light. I like it almost as much as I need it. Soon enough blue skies and sunshine will mean really warm, not really cold. Thankful for that, too!
I am thankful that my homework is coming along well, and for the many chances I have to learn.
I am thankful to have a job where I am encouraged to pursue my strengths.
I am thankful for my family. Sean and Madeline are really wonderful people to be around, and I learn so much from being in relationship with them.
I am thankful for opportunities to do neat things. My friend runs the Big Sister program in this city, and she's asked me to lead a scrapbooking evening for them. I've had the same idea for a while - glad it's going to happen. For me, scrapbooking is primarily a creative outlet, but it can be really significant for people to put important things down on paper to remember. I've seen it be an affirming process for people to put their stories down in this way. I want to go into this Big Sister event with those things in mind, and will pray that it is more than just a fun event for them.
I'm thankful for others who put together important events - there is going to be another prayer house and 40 days of 24/7 prayer starting up soon. I love that idea and am thankful that it didn't have to wait for me to do it!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thursday Morning
I put some water on to boil for tea this morning and noticed my plant:
leaning into the sunlight. This makes me smile, because that's just like me. I can't get enough sunlight, daylight, brightness. I said to Sean this morning that I wish we could go back to bed and stay there till spring. (That's called hibernating. Some animals do that, you know! Why don't we???)
It's also a spiritual parallel, as so much is in life. I want my life to be characterized by that same stretching out to the Son... Needing him and searching him out. That without God in my life, I'd wither up and die.
Tangent -What do we need in life? Sun and water and food and shelter?
Jesus said, "I am the light of the world." (John 8:12)
Jesus said, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13&14)
Jesus said, "I am the bread of life." (John 6:35)
And Psalm 91:1&2, "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. They say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.""
Yep - everything we need, he IS.
But back to my Thursday morning...
Since I had the camera out, I took a photo of this for you:
This green blanket is unbelievably soft, and huge enough to wrap up two people, including toes. We use this at least twice a day, after breakfast and after supper, to cuddle on the couch. Life is good when we're wrapped up in this.
And instead of working out this morning, I am doing homework. I tried to read at 10 last night and fell asleep countless times... but this morning I'm blazing through it. As blazing as you can get with this book:
I do have to read the whole book for class, but my assignment right now is to write a six page paper on the third chapter. Which is on the Third Quest. Which is "one particular type of contemporary Jesus-research, namely, that which regards Jesus as an eschatological prophet announcing the long -awaited kingdom, and which undertakes serious historiography around that point." Yeah. The whole book is written like that. The whole book is looking at the questions "who was he? what were his aims? why did he die?" I was unaware of all the scholarship and study on this in history - it's really quite fascinating to me reading this. For example, I thought that Jesus knew he was God. Didn't you? But many scholars don't. That doesn't mean they are right and we are wrong, but I'm open to reading what they thought Jesus knew about his purpose; his aims in his ministry. This chapter has 7 pages addressing the question - a huge chunk more is going to go to looking at answers.
So I took a break to talk to you, but now I'm going to plow through the next section then head to work. Have a great day!
leaning into the sunlight. This makes me smile, because that's just like me. I can't get enough sunlight, daylight, brightness. I said to Sean this morning that I wish we could go back to bed and stay there till spring. (That's called hibernating. Some animals do that, you know! Why don't we???)
It's also a spiritual parallel, as so much is in life. I want my life to be characterized by that same stretching out to the Son... Needing him and searching him out. That without God in my life, I'd wither up and die.
Tangent -What do we need in life? Sun and water and food and shelter?
Jesus said, "I am the light of the world." (John 8:12)
Jesus said, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13&14)
Jesus said, "I am the bread of life." (John 6:35)
And Psalm 91:1&2, "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. They say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.""
Yep - everything we need, he IS.
But back to my Thursday morning...
Since I had the camera out, I took a photo of this for you:
This green blanket is unbelievably soft, and huge enough to wrap up two people, including toes. We use this at least twice a day, after breakfast and after supper, to cuddle on the couch. Life is good when we're wrapped up in this.
And instead of working out this morning, I am doing homework. I tried to read at 10 last night and fell asleep countless times... but this morning I'm blazing through it. As blazing as you can get with this book:
I do have to read the whole book for class, but my assignment right now is to write a six page paper on the third chapter. Which is on the Third Quest. Which is "one particular type of contemporary Jesus-research, namely, that which regards Jesus as an eschatological prophet announcing the long -awaited kingdom, and which undertakes serious historiography around that point." Yeah. The whole book is written like that. The whole book is looking at the questions "who was he? what were his aims? why did he die?" I was unaware of all the scholarship and study on this in history - it's really quite fascinating to me reading this. For example, I thought that Jesus knew he was God. Didn't you? But many scholars don't. That doesn't mean they are right and we are wrong, but I'm open to reading what they thought Jesus knew about his purpose; his aims in his ministry. This chapter has 7 pages addressing the question - a huge chunk more is going to go to looking at answers.
So I took a break to talk to you, but now I'm going to plow through the next section then head to work. Have a great day!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
a new me. again.
I got roots. Didn't like that. Made an appointment. All one color. Closer to natural. With some red.
Here's the before:
Here's the after:
Three word sentences! Fun to write.
Here's the before:
Here's the after:
Three word sentences! Fun to write.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
I should be packing...
but I'm posting layouts instead.
You'll notice by the counter over there ----> that we go to Fernie in one day! The trip is on, although with the midnight ear infection and puking of the girl, it was iffy for a while. Not really - we got antibiotics at the clinic first thing this morning, kept her home from school all day, and she's good to go. Very happily for her as well as us, since she's going to winter camp this weekend while we're gone. Last year was the first year she did winter camp, and got an ear infection while she was there and had a miserable time, missing all the fun. We've got that beat this year, sending her pre-drugged... :) She loves camp and is counting down to summer camp already.
So here's some layouts I finished this week:
This is just a silly 8x8 for her little book - these are funny old photos from years ago.
This one needs something... it's my first 12x12 two page spread. Fun papers from that colorbok kit.
Mmmm - LOVE this picture. LOVE this guy. LOVE that I can look at that and have good memories and not remember how miserably out of shape I was. Although I honestly think it was the asthma, not my muscles.
December 2003. A long time ago. A lifetime ago? I remember that this was a nice break from crying... but that's another story, and I chose not to write about it on the layout. It was more important for me to make a fun page with this shot.
You'll notice by the counter over there ----> that we go to Fernie in one day! The trip is on, although with the midnight ear infection and puking of the girl, it was iffy for a while. Not really - we got antibiotics at the clinic first thing this morning, kept her home from school all day, and she's good to go. Very happily for her as well as us, since she's going to winter camp this weekend while we're gone. Last year was the first year she did winter camp, and got an ear infection while she was there and had a miserable time, missing all the fun. We've got that beat this year, sending her pre-drugged... :) She loves camp and is counting down to summer camp already.
So here's some layouts I finished this week:
This is just a silly 8x8 for her little book - these are funny old photos from years ago.
This one needs something... it's my first 12x12 two page spread. Fun papers from that colorbok kit.
Mmmm - LOVE this picture. LOVE this guy. LOVE that I can look at that and have good memories and not remember how miserably out of shape I was. Although I honestly think it was the asthma, not my muscles.
December 2003. A long time ago. A lifetime ago? I remember that this was a nice break from crying... but that's another story, and I chose not to write about it on the layout. It was more important for me to make a fun page with this shot.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Web Pastor?
A friend made a comment about me being a web pastor (I think it was because I suggested we have a staff blog on our church website, and they agreed, and now we do). But that phrase made me sit back... I do connect with my people more online and through texting than face to face. Young adults are not program-goers, and while I've been frustrated over what I do and what I'm not doing in my role there, this is legit. I am staying connected. It's not a cop out, but where they are. And I should do more of it, and less stressing about not seeing them weekly. Hmmm - web pastor...
Here is the blog on our site if you want to check it out. It's new, so there's not much on there yet.
Here is the blog on our site if you want to check it out. It's new, so there's not much on there yet.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Tag... I'm it.
I got tagged by the Kenny's a while ago to write 7 things about myself on my blog. And then I got tagged by two people, Alexis and Kim, within the last week on facebook to write 25 things about myself.
Sh here are 25 things about myself that you may not know. This should be easy since I'll assume you know nothing about me. (Except you, Jess.) I'm doing this here instead of on fb because it's a little less public. Maybe I'll do a really random one there, instead.
1. I am a believer in Jesus. Wholly and completely, and that influences every other thing on this list.
2. I have a big brother and a little sister. They are both married and have wonderful families.
3. I have 12 nieces and nephews and 2 on the way. (Not all from that brother and sister!)
4. I have been to 13 countries on 4 continents. Canada, USA, Mexico, Barbados, Venezuela, England, Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Portugal, and Kenya.
5. I have been to Mexico 5 times, but never overnight.
6. My new summer hobby is being pit crew at the drag races.
7. My husband is playing poker online right now. With play money.
8. I am halfway through my masters degree.
9. My personality type is INFJ, which is the most rare type.
10. I played soccer for 10 years, basketball for ever, and rugby for 2.
11. I coached M's soccer team when she was 5, and co-coached basketball for 2 years. I'm not a very good coach.
12. I have one daughter who is going to be 10 this summer. She gets all her bad traits from me. That's so annoying.
13. I have a second daughter, Lucy, who was stillborn at 5 months.
14. I have been married twice.
15. My first husband died of cancer when we were 30.
16. Lucy and her dad share a plot in the cemetery. I find comfort in this.
17. I am almost 36, but as S (and Bon Jovi) say, it's not old, it's just older.
18. I have been on two missions trips.
19. My trip to Kenya was a scholarship, because God loves giving me good gifts.
20. My sister and her husband watched my girl for the month I was in Kenya, partly because I watched their 3 boys for the month they went to Kenya a couple of years back.
21. I love reading. There's nothing better than getting lost in a good fiction read.
22. I work part time at a church as a pastor to young adults.
23. I scrapbook, and have had 2 layouts published.
24. I quilt once in a while.
25. I have my own 'studio' in the basement for my hobbies.
Sh here are 25 things about myself that you may not know. This should be easy since I'll assume you know nothing about me. (Except you, Jess.) I'm doing this here instead of on fb because it's a little less public. Maybe I'll do a really random one there, instead.
1. I am a believer in Jesus. Wholly and completely, and that influences every other thing on this list.
2. I have a big brother and a little sister. They are both married and have wonderful families.
3. I have 12 nieces and nephews and 2 on the way. (Not all from that brother and sister!)
4. I have been to 13 countries on 4 continents. Canada, USA, Mexico, Barbados, Venezuela, England, Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Portugal, and Kenya.
5. I have been to Mexico 5 times, but never overnight.
6. My new summer hobby is being pit crew at the drag races.
7. My husband is playing poker online right now. With play money.
8. I am halfway through my masters degree.
9. My personality type is INFJ, which is the most rare type.
10. I played soccer for 10 years, basketball for ever, and rugby for 2.
11. I coached M's soccer team when she was 5, and co-coached basketball for 2 years. I'm not a very good coach.
12. I have one daughter who is going to be 10 this summer. She gets all her bad traits from me. That's so annoying.
13. I have a second daughter, Lucy, who was stillborn at 5 months.
14. I have been married twice.
15. My first husband died of cancer when we were 30.
16. Lucy and her dad share a plot in the cemetery. I find comfort in this.
17. I am almost 36, but as S (and Bon Jovi) say, it's not old, it's just older.
18. I have been on two missions trips.
19. My trip to Kenya was a scholarship, because God loves giving me good gifts.
20. My sister and her husband watched my girl for the month I was in Kenya, partly because I watched their 3 boys for the month they went to Kenya a couple of years back.
21. I love reading. There's nothing better than getting lost in a good fiction read.
22. I work part time at a church as a pastor to young adults.
23. I scrapbook, and have had 2 layouts published.
24. I quilt once in a while.
25. I have my own 'studio' in the basement for my hobbies.
Watch This
and then show your kids, if you think they're old enough. M and I had a good conversation after I showed her and asked, "What can we do?"
I saw this on Anne Jackson's blog, which I've been following for a couple of weeks now. She had a good post the next day, too about the 'shock value' of showing poverty like this. I hope by passing it on to you, it spurs you on to something - in my heart right now is 'how do we grow kids to know God's heart?' so talking to M about this was what I did.
I saw this on Anne Jackson's blog, which I've been following for a couple of weeks now. She had a good post the next day, too about the 'shock value' of showing poverty like this. I hope by passing it on to you, it spurs you on to something - in my heart right now is 'how do we grow kids to know God's heart?' so talking to M about this was what I did.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Breakforth
is a great weekend of learning and spiritual renewal. I think you should go. Seriously. It's always the last weekend of January in Edmonton.
The driving was great for a change, and we had a really good weekend. There were 13 of us in a van, plus some friends from another church who caravaned with us.
The weekend has 4 main sessions and 5 options sessions, which you pick out of a couple of hundred options. (There are 7000 people at this event!) I had 3 sessions with Tim Kimmel about family stuff (Grace Based Parenting, Why Christian Kids Rebel, and the Strong Willed Child), one session with Shane Claiborne (have you read his Irresistible Revolution yet? If not, do.), and one with Brett Ullman, on culture, which was really good. Sean had the same 3 parenting ones (and our requests were really different - you have to pick your top 3 options for each spot) and then had 2 drumming ones.
Here are the main points from the main sessions, just in case you want a little peek at what we heard / learned:
Erwin McManus
If your greatest dream became your life, would it make the world a better place?
“You were a dream in the mind of God before you took your first breath.” Doesn’t it make sense that your life live out the dream God had of you?
Is there a dream that you’re supposed to be living that is trapped under the rubble of your past?
Are you willing to take the risk from the life you have today to the life entrusted to and controlled by God?
John Eldredge
God SPEAKS to us. And not just through the Bible.
Do you recognize his voice? Do you ask him what he is speaking to you?
Quiet down. Ask simple questions. Surrender.
Wayne Coderio
One common denominator in all successful Christian leaders: RESILIANCE.
Learn quickly. Train your eyes to see things Godly. Never forget who you are.
People are waiting for Jesus. They need hope. We are to bring hope to the world.
Phil Calloway
Keys for effective ministry in a fast paced world:
Laugh. Slow down. Where is your treasure?
The driving was great for a change, and we had a really good weekend. There were 13 of us in a van, plus some friends from another church who caravaned with us.
The weekend has 4 main sessions and 5 options sessions, which you pick out of a couple of hundred options. (There are 7000 people at this event!) I had 3 sessions with Tim Kimmel about family stuff (Grace Based Parenting, Why Christian Kids Rebel, and the Strong Willed Child), one session with Shane Claiborne (have you read his Irresistible Revolution yet? If not, do.), and one with Brett Ullman, on culture, which was really good. Sean had the same 3 parenting ones (and our requests were really different - you have to pick your top 3 options for each spot) and then had 2 drumming ones.
Here are the main points from the main sessions, just in case you want a little peek at what we heard / learned:
Erwin McManus
If your greatest dream became your life, would it make the world a better place?
“You were a dream in the mind of God before you took your first breath.” Doesn’t it make sense that your life live out the dream God had of you?
Is there a dream that you’re supposed to be living that is trapped under the rubble of your past?
Are you willing to take the risk from the life you have today to the life entrusted to and controlled by God?
John Eldredge
God SPEAKS to us. And not just through the Bible.
Do you recognize his voice? Do you ask him what he is speaking to you?
Quiet down. Ask simple questions. Surrender.
Wayne Coderio
One common denominator in all successful Christian leaders: RESILIANCE.
Learn quickly. Train your eyes to see things Godly. Never forget who you are.
People are waiting for Jesus. They need hope. We are to bring hope to the world.
Phil Calloway
Keys for effective ministry in a fast paced world:
Laugh. Slow down. Where is your treasure?
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