pics

Check out some pictures (taken by my good friend Terra) of Regan's wedding on June 24th!
Congrats Steve & Regan!

Florida

Florida is great!
It's hot, but you get used to it.
Every day without fail there is a thunderstorm.
Spectacular thunderstorms with massive bolts of lightening and pitch black skies. It's pretty dramatic.
Classes are well under way and I'm a quarter of the way through the first 2 classes. Pretty crazy. It's a fast pace and I'm already working on my second assignment which is due tomorrow.
Well, right NOW I'm not working on the assignment because I'm writing this blog.
But the profs are great and even though the classes are from 8-12:30 every morning (and often my eyelids are extremely heavy!) I'm really enjoying what I'm learning and especially as we go deep into Ephesians in my Bible Study Methods class.
It's going to be a great 4 weeks!

remember

You know when you hear, see or (often) smell something that reminds you of another time in your life?
Lately I've been having that (mostly with things I smell) but just know I heard this wailing/singing voice and it made me think that it was the 5pm Call to Worship that I so often heard in Tanzania but the nearby mosque.
Oh wait - it's just someone's really loud music from their car. And it's 7pm.
Oh Tanzania.

ramblings

Well, my attempt at getting to sleep at a reasonable time is not going so well.
Just as I was getting "sorta" sleepy while lying in bed, Stanley (my idiot cat) starts these lonely little "meow"s.
*shaking my head in disgust* (Be a normal cat, already!)
You'd have thought he'd be thrilled and completely catlike in his contentness with Jamie (his main "sugar daddy" - and by that I mean, the only one who really gives him affection) being home, but nope. He decides now is the perfect time to bemoan his sad, sorry existence.
And then out of nowhere I hear a wretched cat yell - like two cats in a fight or something. I figure there was a cat outside and Stanley went nuts at the window screen.
*sigh*
So here I am in the living room, fully disgusted with Stanley and completely wide awake.
And Jamie sleeps like a baby.
I guess that's jet lag for ya.
Unlike Stanley, I am thrilled the Jamie is back - what a fantastic husband.
Meanwhile, this week begins our mad summer craziness...travelling around and whatnot.
On Wednesday I take Stanley to his "summer camp" as I like to call it. He'll be staying with my cousin who also has a cat. It's going to be interesting to see how the two "only child" cats get along with each other. Stanley will be thrilled to have a playmate, but I'm not so sure how Harley will react.
Friday Jamie leaves for Florida and I'm busy with wedding stuff for my friend; Saturday is the wedding and Sunday I fly to Florida for 4 weeks.
I'm really looking forward to Florida (I'll be taking 4 seminary courses there) and so thankful for the opportunity I have to go places and do the awesome things that I get to do!
Anyway, so that's my late-night-I-can't-sleep post.

things

Things I love:

• driving on long, country roads with the windows down
• blasting music in the car
• driving or walking through quaint little towns
• walking barefoot on grass
• pears
• real juice popsicles
• good conversations with awesome gals
• laughing so hard my stomach hurts (haven't done that in a long time!)
• hugs
• a sense of accomplishment
• people watching
• people watching at the airport
• commercials that make me laugh
• commercials that make me tear up
• duvets
• camping
• the smell of a camp fire
• getting snail mail
• being deeply moved by a worship song - especially while driving down a long, country road!
• african art
• photography
• making lists
• Thai food
• the new Pride & Prejudice
• fresh berries
• coffee
• surprises
• cooking & trying new recipes
• the sun
• rainy days
• rollercoasters
• trying new things
• comfy sweaters
• my crocs
• GAMES
• hanging out with people
• being a tourist in your own city
• travelling
• reading blogs
• writing
• wedding stuff
• dressing up
• being pampered
• ikea ice cubes
• when the rim of a drinking glass is covered in sugar
• clean feet

Things that bug me:

• cat litter strewn about
• cat litter
• when my cat is ridiculously clingy (for goodness sakes! be a cat!)
• when people turning right cut you off and go really slow
• zits - especially ones that hurt
• "fat" days
• going to do something or get something and then forgetting what I'm doing or getting
• bad drivers
• drippy taps
• clocks that make ticking noises
• hang nails
• itches that I can't reach
• whiney people
• cat/dog hair
• unruly eyebrows (as mine too often are
• when my computer randomly shuts off for no reason
• technical problems
• doing nothing
• long nails
• french pedicures

litter

Cat litter that is.
I have a problem.
Here's the situation:
I have a cat. He has a little box. But even though we have one of those mat thingies that's supposed to collect the litter from his paws, the litter is still all over the place! The trail of litter extends to about 1 foot after his mat! It drives me crazy and I don't want to haul out the vacuum every 5 hours to vacuum up the little gray bits that give me the heebie jeebies when I walk on them!
Any suggestions?

On a side note, I have just tried out a new enviro-cat litter. It's brownish (so already that makes me feel like it's more naturey) instead of gray and it weighs a lot less!

Anyway, I need help since I don't have some crappy room in a basement to stick the litter in - just a small apartment and a couple rooms (currently it's in the spare room/office) so I'm trying to make it as inconspicuous as possible.

legalism

I came across these thoughts on "devotions" by a man named Bill Goode as I was browsing some articles online.

"For many, "devotions" is a mixture of legalism, Keswick experience, a reading of any portion of scripture (like going to the scriptural drugstore of God's Word and trying on any remedy on the shelf), and just plain hope that something will spring off the pages to make them spiritual.
For some, having "devotions" is more sacred than other parts of life; somehow worship and thoughts about God can only occur at this time.
For many, it cannot be a time with study aids - commentaries, language helps, Bible dictionaries or concern for right hermeneutics.
And for some strange reason, it can never include a passage you are studying for your Bible or theology classes or for a message you are going to preach. Instead many believe there must be a time in prayer and an open Bible where, without any stab of accurate interpretation of the Word of truth, the participant does an end run around all study aids. (There cannot be any work involved - after all this is "devotional".)
...
The common idea of "devotions" also rests upon a type of legalism and a meritorious benefit. Because of it I am now worthy and capable of serving God and winning all of my battles today.
...
The fact is, merit only comes by grace, and my ability to serve only comes as I apply and obey accurately interpreted Scripture. Worship of Christ can take place during any Bible study I am doing or during any service for Him where I am consciously applying His Word.
Let me close with these important truths. I am in such desparate need of God's truth that every time I go to the Bible I must always hear, ready, study, memorize or meditate looking to know Him, praise and thank Him, or honour and obey Him. All times are sacred. I must be careful to accurately interpret the Scriptures at all times. Therefore, there can be no reading without study nor intake without thought of how to apply.
God's Word is the only means of knowledge and awareness of Him and How I can please Him. There are no end runs around thoughtful, purposeful, careful study of His Word. His Spirit who gave us His sword always uses the mind (1 Cor. 14:15) and invites our regular careful search that we may learn of His ways in order to know Him, praise Him, change and grow in His likeness.
If this English word "devotions" has taken on wrong connotations for you, it would probably be helpful to return to Biblical terms such as hearing, reading, studying, memorizing, worshipping, honouring, and obeying God's Word.
God grant us a hunger and thirst for His likeness so that we prayerfully and thoughtfully approach His Word to know Him, praise, honour, thank and obey Him.

So that was a large portion of the article but something that I've often thought about and sometimes struggled with. The whole idea of what Goode talked about, the legalistic idea of devotions, like they are some magical spiritual act that we think will give us merit in the eyes of God. Obviously we don't think that outright, but that is the underlying purpose with which we approach the Word of God. How callous and foolish that is of us....of me.
I really like his idea of approaching the Word of God to hear, study, read, memorize, honour, obey and apply what we read and interpret from God's Word - as opposed to simply doing my "7 minute devotion".

Oh God, let me not take your Word so lightly and callously that I would think to approach it without the intent to study and correctly understand it and then to apply it.
What a gift you have given to me - your very own Word.
Help me to, as Goode prayed, hunger and thirst for Your likeness so that I approach Your Word with the right intents and motivations.

outing

Chivalry does still exist!
Today as my husband and I were in Tim Horton's eating lunch I noticed a group of men sitting by the entrance. Most of them were older, a few gray hairs and one younger looking guy. Anyway, all of a sudden I noticed the young guy jump out of his seat and run to the front door to open it. I looked to see who was coming in - it was a young mom with a toddler in one hand and a baby carriage in another.
It's so nice to see guys - especially YOUNG guys going out of their way to help out us women.
I wonder what the older guys said.

And on another entirely different note, as we stopped off in Zellers to pick up a few things we split up to get different items and when we came back together at the check out, Jamie told me of how he was passing by an elderly woman in an aisle who was using a walker. As he went past her she said she was looking for a comb. Jamie thought for a second and said, "So you're combing the aisles for a comb?" Apparently she let out a huge laugh and when I heard I laughed just as hard (actually, he said we both had the same reaction).
Oh my dear, dear husband and his love of cheesy puns. He really cracks me up.

leaving

Well, my husband leaves tomorrow for a week and a half to Tanzania.
I can't remember, but I think this may be the longest we've been apart from each other...hmm...let me think. Well, since we've been married. When we dated we were apart from each other quite a bit.
But it's different when you're married.
I'm gonna miss him.
It's so great to still be so in love with him after almost 2 years.
What a blessing he is to me!

keener?

So much to read, so little time. Is the comma supposed to be a period? "So much to read. So little time." 2 sentences or 1?
Anyway, in preparation for the 4 seminary courses I will be taking starting June 26th I've been trying to read and take (good) notes.
In doing this, I have rediscovered my ability to be a horrible student. Oh the slacker in me is being unleashed...("Down boy! Sit. Lie down. Stay.")
*rolling eyes*
One of the books I'm reading (ok, so I'm only reading 1 book from the list of books to read for seminary right NOW...but I'm trying to give it my all) is called The Artful Dodger and it's about one man's journey from non-believer to follower of Christ. Each chapter addresses different questions that a lot of people have (both Christian and non-Christian). But what I found intriguing is that he becomes a Christian in...like the 3 chapter or something (there's a lot of chapters).
Ie. What he found out about sin and Christ and mankind was evidence enough to cause him to put his faith in Jesus Christ - even though he still had questions! The rest of the book goes on to address things like the Bible (is it trustworthy?), Evolution (is it really a scientific theory?) and some other really interesting topics.
Needless to say, we don't need to have all the answers to see who we really are, our need for a Saviour and the possibility of relationship with the Creator of the universe.
It's exciting to know that our journey of knowledge and intimacy with Jesus Christ is never ending. At least I think it's exciting.
Maybe I am a keener after all.

crochet

I've recently come back to a beloved hobby, crocheting.
It only took me about 10 minutes to get right back into the swing of things.
So I've decided to make an afghan. However it's starting to buckle and I think that's because my foundation stitches were much tighter than the rest of the stitches are.
I don't want to pull it all out because I've already done so much on it and I think it'll be ok once it is full sized. Oh well...my first afghan.
My next one will be much better.
I'm going to put cream coloured stripes in it.
I'm also going to try (on my next afghan) a different stitch that is more stretchy and has more 'give' to it.

forgiveness

How do you react when a friend or someone close to you (or anyone really!) disappoints you or lets you down?
Once I'm past the hurt and anger (which I'm trying to release to Christ as soon as I recognize it) I turn to Christ and to His Word to help me.
Some points I've recognized:

• My dependance needs to be upon Jesus Christ. Not others. Jesus will NEVER let me down. When I look to others and when the source of my dependance is others I will undoubtedly be hurt and angry. When I depend on Christ and others let me down I will continue to cling to the cross and find my strength and find the power of forgiveness in Him.
• I deserve nothing less than the fiery pits of hell. In all things I need to recognize the grace and mercy that has been lavished upon me that I would be granted the attention and love of the Creator of the Universe.

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Matthew 5:22

If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
Psalm 130:3-5

• I love the solid, Biblical truths of the hymns. (A off-the-track point, but a valid one. When I find myself with a wrong attitude, it is often the reconciling ministry of music that brings me to my knees in front of the cross.)

One hymn/song (even though it is modern day) I absolutely love for its truths about God is In Christ Alone.

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

O Lord, let me stand in your power and your love. Let me remember that in YOUR death I now live and that it was YOUR precious, precious blood that bought me from the clutches of Satan.
Help me to love others when they hate me.
Help me to turn the other cheek and be willing to walk not one, but two miles with someone.
Forgive me for my anger towards another child of God.

gushing

I can't help myself!
I love Pride & Prejudice.
It is now officially my all-time favourite movie.
Watched it with the hubster tonight.
I think he appreciated it.
So good.
I lurved it.
Still do.

stuff

A few things.

I have a tummy ache. I like saying that better than a stomache ache. Mostly because I feel it gives me cause to pout. *shrug* Oh well. I wonder if it was something I ate?

Support appointments are so good. Tonight we met with a group of people. I felt a bit rusty. But it was still good. A younger crowd of people (mostly in their mid 20's I would guess) but it was good to "get to know" some new people. I put that in quotations because I always do much more of the talking than the listening - but then I guess that's what the appointment is for. Me to share my heart. But I always feel like I wish I could hear more about what is going on in their life, what God is teaching them, what are their struggles. And it's always harder in a larger group anyway.
But one of the girls who was there was a girl I met through one of my close friends! I love when that happens! So funny!

And lastly...man. All I can think about is how much my stomache hurts. By the way...is it stomach or stomache?
Hmmm...now they both look wrong to me.

choice

I am seeing how some of my readings from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People are affecting my words and the decisions I make (as I am learning how to be more proactive).
For instance, I recognize a tough decision that my husband and I were faced with and we CHOSE one of the options. We looked at our options, weighed the pros and cons and proactively chose to do one thing and thereby chose NOT to do something else.
It causes me to realize how responsible I am for my life and the decisions I make.
Even if they are tough to make.
I am also recognizing the word choices of other people. When they say that "have" to do something...they don't HAVE to do something (or have to NOT do something), they are CHOOSING not to do something.
Anyway, it's all very interesting.