music

After months of hearing "Save your scissors" on tv or the radio I've finally gone out and got the entire cd by City and Colour.
I really enjoy this album by Dallas Green (City...Colour...clever, eh?) the former lead singer of Alexisonfire.
Green's heartfelt vocals and incredible acoustic guitar make for a solid first album on his own.
That's my recommendation.

topics

Is it good blogging etiquette to have several, diverse topics/ponderings in one blog entry?
*holding blogging etiquette in my hand near an open window*
For now, I am throwing blogging etiquette out the window.

First topic.

I am unsatisfied with my current blog template. All that work for naught. I can't put my finger on it. Too girly? Not me?
I also don't like how it doesn't load up properly.
And I'm secretly jealous that Terra's choice of blog template is just as wicked-awesome as I had envisioned it to be when I realized (or thought I realized) that it didn't allow for comments. But alas. My gifts of observation must have been rusty or I would have noticed that indeed...it does allow for comments. But I chose this template instead. No doubt I will probably change it again some time tonight.
Simply because it is bothering me.
And I don't like the name.
We'll see.

Second topic.

Yesterday I attended Uche and Melissa's wedding in Buffalo.
Some thoughts:
- this is the third wedding I have been to/seen this summer where the bridesmaids were in rich, red dresses. It looked nice...it's just a funny observation.
- the message in the service was really good. The pastor used Ephesians 5:22-33 as his base and he expounded it so beautifully and richly as well as applying it to their specific situation and personalities.
- the reception - oh the reception! It was held in this goregeous mansion where we were wined and dined with all the best appetizers, dinner, dessert and great service. The speeches were meaningful but not rambling and there weren't five million of them - thank goodness!
- Chris Shipley's prayer of blessing on Uche and Melissa during the ceremony was the most beautiful wedding prayer I have ever heard. God has so clearly gifted him with an understanding of what prayer is and how to pray...it moved me to tears.
- seeing old friends was great
- shopping at the outlet mall on the way home was also great as I FINALLY found a fall/spring jacket (incidentally the same one as Jenna had picked out ... first the vest, now the jacket)

Third topic.

Babies. I was at a baby shower today for someone in the family (sorta - like a step-cousin-in-law...does such a thing exist?) and it was very...thought provoking.
First: I am fully and completely amazed at God's grace for giving me such a husband who loves me, respects me, cherishes me as well as someone who has a deep relationship with God.
"How is this related to babies?" you might ask.
Well after cringing inwardly at the behaviour and words of one of the men there and bearing witness to his lack of respect for his wife and their first child I was overwhelmed with a sense of relief and thankfulness to be with a man who does respect me and to know that I have no doubts that he will be the most amazing father - full of love and care, discipline and wisdom towards our children.
And then began the comments about Jamie and I and our future children. I don't really mind the comments so much. I look forward to the day when we have kids. And Jamie and I have talked about tons of things concerning our future and we are confident that when we have kids it will be at the right time for us - not our families or friends, but for us. So...in the meantime I will smile and accept their comments knowing that they are probably just as excited (maybe not quite as excited) as we are about bringing new life into this world some day.

puddles

Today was a good day for many reasons but one lovely trip down memory lane was perhaps my favourite. It was my favourite because of how unexpected it was.
The story goes:
After dinner tonight Jamie and I traipsed off to the grocery store. Zehrs.
I love Zehrs. Now mind you, it wasn't the amazing Imperial Zehrs but any Zehrs is better than Price Chopper or Food Basics.
Ok, so I'm a food snob. I like my frills!
Leaving the rabbit trails behind...
So we're slowly making our way. Up and down each aisle. Perusing. Looking at all the fantastic and strange fruits and vegetables.
When just as I'm about to grab some Soup To Go, I look up to see a familiar face talking to Jamie.
It's Jared.
From the summer camp Jamie and I worked at 7 years ago.
The same summer we started dating.
So it turns out that Jared and his wife life a few houses down from the Zehrs. And he invited us over for dinner! Did I mention he's a trained chef?
Maybe we'll be couple friends!
It's little reunions like this that make me smile on the inside and on the out.
Such a little, silly thing and yet...God knew exactly what He was doing when he put us both in Zehrs.
Thanks God...for the many blessings you pour out on me - they are raining down on me and I am jumping in the puddles.

hockey

Today was a good day.
I forgot how much I really enjoy hockey.
And live sporting events in general.
Jamie and I went to see the Leafs Blue & White game.
This is an annual event before the first pre-season game where all the Leafs suit up into two teams - one team wears their blue jerseys and one team wears their white jerseys.
Then no matter what happens - the Leafs win!
An idea situation if you ask me.
I'm looking forward to this hockey season and one that ends with the Leafs hoisting that silver cup in the air.

new

As you can tell, I've changed both the name of this blog and the template.
It was uber frustrating and I doubt I'd do it again...but it sure does look pretty.

thanks

The Holy Spirit does a remarkable thing when He brings about feelings of remorse and repentance and in the end, reconciliation occurs.
It's like a little miracle (I know, I know...not coherent with the exact definition of a miracle according to Dr. A. Scholes - I took Doctrine Survey...but I suppose I use the term loosely) that happens inside someone. It's incredible.
For those who don't know, my grandfather passed away this past Wednesday and there was much strife and tension between certain extended family members.
I expected huge drama and even a public scene.
Instead there were tears and hugs and apologies and humble hearts.
Thank you to those who prayed.
Thank you.

smells

Onions and laundry.
Those were the combined smells I inhaled when I walked out my front door into the apartment hallway.
Yuck.
I hate weird-smelling apartment buildings.
It used to smell nice in there but now it seems as though someone has discovered onions and is using them in every meal possible.
That's too bad.
At least it doesn't smell in my apartment.

happy

Things that made me happy today:


- a glorious sleep-in

- Rolo Ice Cream for lunch

- getting to spend time with my sister

- my sister getting hooked up with Western C4C

- tv shows on DVD

- "down" time

- left-over candies from East Side Marios

- chasing Jamie around the house

- reading a bit and listening to a sermon on being filled with the spirit

- going to bed...well, it will make me happy!

25

Today I had a sobering thought.
Today I am in the middle of the first of 25 weeks on campus this year.
Twenty five!
That's it!
What will God do in 25 weeks? What will He use me to do?
How will He change me?
Whose eyes will He open? Whose heart will He soften?
How will I grow? What will I learn? What friends will I make?
Only 25 weeks.
Oh the things He can do!

today

Today I:

- made hundreds of snow cones
- had probably 15 bees swarming me (and landing on me) as I attempted to "flavour" the snow
- discovered that I enjoy ultimate frisbee
- met some great people (including a girl who knew Carmen from Carleton)
- set up another followup meeting for this week (we're at 5 and counting, folks!)
- took a ton of pictures of people playing sports (and I am attempting to attach them in an email to rmitts)
- ate "real" Chinese food (so good - thanks Becky!)
- played "the bowl" game with some awesome peeps (and we won - oh yes...)
- watched 4 episodes (back to back) of Lost Season 2 with the hubster
- had a scalding hot shower - it was "delicious"
- marvelled at God's faithfulness and sovereignty in the midst of chaos and uncertainty

...did a whole bunch of other things that are probably worth mentionning but not worth reading.

oweek

O-week (aka Frosh week) has begun.
And I love it.
Last night I danced my little heart out on the field along with hundreds of first years and learned my favourite new dance move, The Toy. Good times.
Today I scooped and gave away over 400 free snowcones.
Good times!
Although I didn't get to chat with too many first years, I did notice a girl sitting by herself in the cafeteria reading "Would you like to know God personally?" that she had received for free from our C4C booth. I decided to go over and chat with her.
I don't know what will come of the conversation but I look forward to many more conversations in which to talk about the one person I love the most - Jesus Christ.
I followed up with a ton of girls who left their info and hopefully will be meeting with at least 3 of them this week.
I love my job.

explanation

A brief explanation of the disturbing chicken picture:
We made a Summit video and to add randomness included a chicken in it. Mostly Jamie was the chicken but since he was the groom for one shot I had to be the chicken.
It was hot and slightly claustrophobic.
On an entirely different note, I started a new blog for myself to write about the books I am reading so as to remember and process them. You can check it out here. There's also a link on the sidebar.