Friday, July 28, 2006
While I'm being girly...
...I should add one more thing I've recently grown to love. Real Simple Magazine. Not just for girls though. It's how I first found out about coke blak!
All the things I've learned from moving
So the move is underway. I've spent the day packing, have one more to go and then the moving crew swings in to gear on Saturday. The exciting part comes after that when I get to actually be in the new house.
There's been some time to reflect while I've been packing. Here's some things I've learned from moving:
#1. As North Americans, we really do have too much stuff. I have too much stuff! It's sad to me that while we have so much and are worried about packing and protecting our possessions, there are people in the world that have absolutely nothing!
#2. I love to decorate. One of the things that I look forward to the most is getting to decorate my new home with my new roomie, Heather. I think we have some similar ideas so it will be great. Perhaps Ikea or the Pottery Barn can provide some good ideas. Again, I'm such a girl!
#3. God is faithful! (This would be #1 on the list if I were going by priority). I'm consistently amazed by God's provision above and beyond what I could have hoped for in my new home. There is only a 1.6% vacancy rate in Calgary and we got the 2nd house Heather looked at! Not to mention that it's fantastic. I know that I only need a roof over my head but every once in a while I would think of something else that I'd want and throw up a prayer for that too. All of those things (dishwasher, garage, and a Superstore nearby for example) are there! I'm so thankful to be in His care.
#4. I've got some great friends and family. I really didn't have to work too hard to find a great moving crew, ready and willing to pitch in and make this as painless as possible. It's supposed to be smokin' hot on Saturday but they're still willing. Love them all!
#5. I'm my mother's daughter. That moving crew I mentioned, well, they will be well fed on Saturday if I have anything to say about it. Today I was mulling over what I would feed them - two days early. Good thing packing doesn't take much brain power.
I know there's more but I can't think of them anymore tonight. Time for bed. This little girl needs a good night's sleep 'cause they've been far and few between lately!
There's been some time to reflect while I've been packing. Here's some things I've learned from moving:
#1. As North Americans, we really do have too much stuff. I have too much stuff! It's sad to me that while we have so much and are worried about packing and protecting our possessions, there are people in the world that have absolutely nothing!
#2. I love to decorate. One of the things that I look forward to the most is getting to decorate my new home with my new roomie, Heather. I think we have some similar ideas so it will be great. Perhaps Ikea or the Pottery Barn can provide some good ideas. Again, I'm such a girl!
#3. God is faithful! (This would be #1 on the list if I were going by priority). I'm consistently amazed by God's provision above and beyond what I could have hoped for in my new home. There is only a 1.6% vacancy rate in Calgary and we got the 2nd house Heather looked at! Not to mention that it's fantastic. I know that I only need a roof over my head but every once in a while I would think of something else that I'd want and throw up a prayer for that too. All of those things (dishwasher, garage, and a Superstore nearby for example) are there! I'm so thankful to be in His care.
#4. I've got some great friends and family. I really didn't have to work too hard to find a great moving crew, ready and willing to pitch in and make this as painless as possible. It's supposed to be smokin' hot on Saturday but they're still willing. Love them all!
#5. I'm my mother's daughter. That moving crew I mentioned, well, they will be well fed on Saturday if I have anything to say about it. Today I was mulling over what I would feed them - two days early. Good thing packing doesn't take much brain power.
I know there's more but I can't think of them anymore tonight. Time for bed. This little girl needs a good night's sleep 'cause they've been far and few between lately!
I'll take that to go
One of my recent discoveries is the Tide To Go Pen. You might think all the commercials are just hype but they are seriously amazing. Exhibit One...I dumped coffee/hot chocolate on my pants on my way to the airport last week - no time to change - but was able to get it ALL out with the Tide pen. Exhibit Two...I dripped coffee all over my white tank top (are we seeing a trend here?). Yet again, it's Tide Pen to the rescue. I think I need one in like every pocket or something. It's one of those things everyone should have and I wish I would have thought of. Can anyone say millionaire? Okay, so I know this is totally a girl post. I'm okay with that. Just embrace it, right? And if you get a stain, use the Tide pen.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Online albums
So it was a toss up whether to go with flickr.com or with shutterfly.com...the only two really recommended to me by the way. I've decided to go with shutterfly.com for no particular reason except that it seemed a little easier for someone first taking a dive into the whole realm of online albums. We'll see. Maybe I'll switch to flickr later...just 'cause so many people seem to be members there. Does that make a difference? Anyway, we'll see how it goes. Pictures will now be posted here.
Hello Baby Peterson
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Need help...advice...whatever...
Okay, so I want to put some digital pictures on line for people to access but I'm not sure what to use. Does anyone have any advice?
I don't really want to have to download software onto my computer and I'd like it to be free. I have a LARGE number of shots to upload too. I want people to be able to look at them just by clicking on the link I would post here in blogger, not by having to sign into something or have a user name or anything.
Anyone have any advice?
I don't really want to have to download software onto my computer and I'd like it to be free. I have a LARGE number of shots to upload too. I want people to be able to look at them just by clicking on the link I would post here in blogger, not by having to sign into something or have a user name or anything.
Anyone have any advice?
Guess what I got!?
The key to my new home! So I went to visit and check it out - you know, make sure it's still there and all, that it's real and I'm not dreaming!! It is and so I took some pics. Here's our new home.
Doesn't it look good with my car parked in front?!
This the view from the front door...down a few stairs to the living area and up the stairs to our bedrooms and the bathroom.
This is the view out the front door. The pictures dark 'cause I wasn't really paying attention to what the picture looked like. Sorry 'bout that.
Living room and cute little fireplace. Not sure about the green though.
Then here's the kitchen with a dishwasher. I love that part. Still not tired of that!
So there you have it. Heather has started to move in and I'll be moving on Saturday. I'm still amazed at how God provides over and above what we expect. Why do I ever doubt?
Doesn't it look good with my car parked in front?!
This the view from the front door...down a few stairs to the living area and up the stairs to our bedrooms and the bathroom.
This is the view out the front door. The pictures dark 'cause I wasn't really paying attention to what the picture looked like. Sorry 'bout that.
Living room and cute little fireplace. Not sure about the green though.
Then here's the kitchen with a dishwasher. I love that part. Still not tired of that!
So there you have it. Heather has started to move in and I'll be moving on Saturday. I'm still amazed at how God provides over and above what we expect. Why do I ever doubt?
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Poll Question
This poll is on the Radiant Magazine website and now I'm curious too. Yes, maybe I do have a bit too much time on my hands right now. It's a nice change. Anyway, here goes:
Which would you prefer if offered...
A larger salary with greater responsibility and longer hours
A smaller salary with fewer responsibilities and more flexible hours
So, what would it be?
Which would you prefer if offered...
A larger salary with greater responsibility and longer hours
A smaller salary with fewer responsibilities and more flexible hours
So, what would it be?
Today in Denver...
So I was going to write a post about day 2 in Denver but Dayna did it for me. Go to something to chu on: Post of the Day. GREAT conference stuff, good food, fun people and a little more shopping. To follow Dayna's theme...
Steal of the day...Ralph Lauren polo jeans for $9.99. Whoo hoo!
Store of the day...Bath and Body Works. Love that place!!!
Okay, seeing that I am here for the conference, lot me give a quick bit of my reactions after day 2. To keep me from feeling totally overwhelmed by the mass amounts of info that have been dumped into me in the last 2 days, I keep remembering that my context is significantly different from, say, Perdu university. I've been pleased to hear that a lot of my thoughts and dreams for what to do at the college are on the right track. That's the good news. Bad news is the amount of work and convincing it will take to actually get it done.
Are we sure that cloning is reserved for only Dolly the sheep? I could handle having two of me from time to time...the rest of the world couldn't but I sure could!
Just remember...one step at a time. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming (Nemo reference for all the cartoon lovers out there).
Steal of the day...Ralph Lauren polo jeans for $9.99. Whoo hoo!
Store of the day...Bath and Body Works. Love that place!!!
Okay, seeing that I am here for the conference, lot me give a quick bit of my reactions after day 2. To keep me from feeling totally overwhelmed by the mass amounts of info that have been dumped into me in the last 2 days, I keep remembering that my context is significantly different from, say, Perdu university. I've been pleased to hear that a lot of my thoughts and dreams for what to do at the college are on the right track. That's the good news. Bad news is the amount of work and convincing it will take to actually get it done.
Are we sure that cloning is reserved for only Dolly the sheep? I could handle having two of me from time to time...the rest of the world couldn't but I sure could!
Just remember...one step at a time. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming (Nemo reference for all the cartoon lovers out there).
Don't worry, be happy
According to studies cited in this relevant article I was just reading, American's are some of the least happy people in the world...fortunatly, I've been running into mostly happy ones so far this trip!
Any Google Earth fans?
Apparently some Google Earth members were playing around and found this to-scale model of a mountain range in China...on a military base. Either someone has some plans to do some stealth military missions or they're planning one heck of a climbing expedition. Check out more info here. It's atually pretty cool. Talk about using technology, eh!?*
*Being that I'm in the states, I thought I'd drop in the stereotypical "eh" just so that I don't get too homesick. You know how it goes.
*Being that I'm in the states, I thought I'd drop in the stereotypical "eh" just so that I don't get too homesick. You know how it goes.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
A Date With Captain Jack Sparrow
Pretty much my dream, even if he is kinda creepy and hygenically impaired if you know what I mean. Yes, I am one of those girls: completely intrigued by Johnny Depp in pretty much any role he plays but especially in 'Pirates.' That's why going to see 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest' was such a treat for me. I was going to do this great post and do my own review after watching it last Saturday...at least I was going to until I read the relevant article review and, well, they pretty much did the work for me so I'll just link to it so we can all read it here.
The first 24 hours
24 hours in Denver. Yup, that's right. I started the trip yesterday morning by dumping hot chocolate on my pants...about 5 minutes after leaving my house! Not good news!!! I figured that was NOT the way to start the day and I was right. It was a ridiculous traveling experience. Dayna, my traveling buddy for the week, was pretty convinced not to travel with me anymore...by the time we reached the Calgary airport. Stopped at every check out. Weird seats. Scary government people. However, when all is said and done, our suitcases made it to Denver with us safely and so we're a-ok. We would have had a perfectly good excuse if our bags had been M.I.A though...guess we'll need to find another excuse! Um, Canadian dollar is almost on par and no GST?
Here's the highlight from last night (or at least one of them), when we got to the hotel, Jesus checked us in and my name was on the list! Good news, I can sleep well tonight. Truthfully, it was a hispanic guy who's name was very likely pronounced Hey-zeus and it took me spelling my name 3 times before he got it. Hopefully it's easier to find my name on "the list" the real Jesus has! Ahhh good times!
Oh, here's a new experience for my taste buds. Dayna and I tried Coke Blak today. Some weird thing they've got in the states. It's called a carbonated fusion beverage (whatever that is) with the essence of coffee. Seriously, its some mix of coke and coffee. Quote of the day for me on that one..."my tastebuds are completely screwed up!" Honestly, I couldn't figure it out at first. It's carbonated and kindof coke/caramelly but it tastes like coffee. By the time I got to the bottom of the bottle, I was really enjoying it. I'll need to bring some home to share if I can find again.
The rest of the day has been about good food and great sessions. I went to one session on web and e-recruitment which, for most people, wouldn't be that exciting but was really good for me in my role...I may have to figure out myspace after all. I'm beginning to realize the incredible number of hats that I wear at the college but am also trying to put that into perspective with the size of the college. I'm a small fish in a big pond around here with schools like Perdu represented. Just a country girl from rural Alberta, Canada...and proud of it! Second session on Canadian vs. American enrollment 'stuff.' Good too. I'm pretty darn sure it will be super useful for the rest of my sessions, at least to have that in the back of my mind while I go to the other sessions. Then the final plenary session for the day was this funny, funny lady - a professional comedian with a Phd. They introduced her as Doctor whatever (that wasn't her real name but I don't remember it) but she definitely wasn't like I expected at all. She talked about staying on purpose. Essentially living the life you're supposed to live. Funny how that keeps coming up. She was a Christian, too, and NOT ashamed to let people know.
Overall, it was a good day!
Oh, yes, I'm still sticking to my challenge to look for the things in life to be thankful for. In addition to all of the above, today I'm thankful for chocolate cookies from The Einstein Brothers Bagels that could be confused for brownies fresh out of the oven. Sooooo good. Chocolate....mmmmm.
Anyway, gotta run. Breakfast is at 7am...yuck!
Here's the highlight from last night (or at least one of them), when we got to the hotel, Jesus checked us in and my name was on the list! Good news, I can sleep well tonight. Truthfully, it was a hispanic guy who's name was very likely pronounced Hey-zeus and it took me spelling my name 3 times before he got it. Hopefully it's easier to find my name on "the list" the real Jesus has! Ahhh good times!
Oh, here's a new experience for my taste buds. Dayna and I tried Coke Blak today. Some weird thing they've got in the states. It's called a carbonated fusion beverage (whatever that is) with the essence of coffee. Seriously, its some mix of coke and coffee. Quote of the day for me on that one..."my tastebuds are completely screwed up!" Honestly, I couldn't figure it out at first. It's carbonated and kindof coke/caramelly but it tastes like coffee. By the time I got to the bottom of the bottle, I was really enjoying it. I'll need to bring some home to share if I can find again.The rest of the day has been about good food and great sessions. I went to one session on web and e-recruitment which, for most people, wouldn't be that exciting but was really good for me in my role...I may have to figure out myspace after all. I'm beginning to realize the incredible number of hats that I wear at the college but am also trying to put that into perspective with the size of the college. I'm a small fish in a big pond around here with schools like Perdu represented. Just a country girl from rural Alberta, Canada...and proud of it! Second session on Canadian vs. American enrollment 'stuff.' Good too. I'm pretty darn sure it will be super useful for the rest of my sessions, at least to have that in the back of my mind while I go to the other sessions. Then the final plenary session for the day was this funny, funny lady - a professional comedian with a Phd. They introduced her as Doctor whatever (that wasn't her real name but I don't remember it) but she definitely wasn't like I expected at all. She talked about staying on purpose. Essentially living the life you're supposed to live. Funny how that keeps coming up. She was a Christian, too, and NOT ashamed to let people know.
Overall, it was a good day!
Oh, yes, I'm still sticking to my challenge to look for the things in life to be thankful for. In addition to all of the above, today I'm thankful for chocolate cookies from The Einstein Brothers Bagels that could be confused for brownies fresh out of the oven. Sooooo good. Chocolate....mmmmm.
Anyway, gotta run. Breakfast is at 7am...yuck!
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Stacey's going to Phantom!
Stacey's going to phantom. I seem to remember that saying it three times is good for emphasis so... Stacey's going to phantom. Heather just let me know that she got tickets for us for the end of the month. Her sister, Harmony, is going to join us. I'm so incredibly excited...Stacey's going to Phantom!!! Whoo hoo!!!
To see deep inside...
"Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature, what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action, even though his language so often camouflages what really motivates him. For if you know these things about a man you can touch him at the core of his being." – Bill Bernbach, legendary ad writer
Denver, Co.
I'm off and on the road again. Actually, forget the road, I'm leaving on a jet plane. Off to Denver, Colorado today for a recruiting/marketing conference. It should be really good - I'm having trouble deciding which sessions to go to. Not everyone's cup of tea, I know, but it's going to be good for me. Plus, I get to travel with a good friend and hook up with some great folks while I'm there.
I'm going to have some spare time too. Packed light to do some shopping. Wonder what kind of trouble I can get into in Denver....
I'm going to have some spare time too. Packed light to do some shopping. Wonder what kind of trouble I can get into in Denver....
Spiritual Discipline
I've been thinking a lot about different spiritual disciplines and about challenging my own faith - about growing deeper with my Lord and what that would look like. There's two things I've come up with recently that I've been "challenging" myself to be disciplined in and inviting anyone around me to join in as well.
This one is from one of my morning readings and caught my attention
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. (Colossians 3:16)
In reading the writings of almost all great leaders, especially when discovering their own devotional practices, singing is recommended in one's private walk just as readily as it is an essential part of corporate worship. I always keep at least one hymnal at my place of devotion, and enjoy gaining inspiration from reading lyrics whether I sing them or not.
Alongside your hymnal, consider using your Bible as a source for singing in your private time with Jesus...Father God will receive any "new song" as a "sweet, sweet sound in His ear." (Pastors of Promise)
That one's pretty easy for me since I'm fairly musically oriented anyway. I just figure it's time to take it up a notch, if you know what I mean.
This one is a bit harder though. It's about developing a heart of gratitude in all things and at all times. I've been seriously convicted lately about my attitude about things and making sure that I'm living a thankful life. So, one of the things I started doing last week, as an already avid journaler, is to write down at least one thing that I'm thankful for from the day, a highlight of the day, every day. They can be big or little. For example, one day last week, I wrote that one of my highlights was giggles with my cabin - it was a seriously ridiculous evening and so much fun! - while another day, the highlight was hearing that one of our campers had received Christ. I don't want to give away all of my camp stories yet so I'm going to make up some examples. It could be a good sunrise, a silent moment with a cup of tea, a good movie, fun friends, getting to share Christ's love in a significant way. I am choosing to take joy in the good things of life.
I want to challenge my friends and family around me to join me in this. I believe we will find that by our discipline, we will find a bit more of the abundant life that God promises His kids.
This one is from one of my morning readings and caught my attention
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. (Colossians 3:16)
In reading the writings of almost all great leaders, especially when discovering their own devotional practices, singing is recommended in one's private walk just as readily as it is an essential part of corporate worship. I always keep at least one hymnal at my place of devotion, and enjoy gaining inspiration from reading lyrics whether I sing them or not.
Alongside your hymnal, consider using your Bible as a source for singing in your private time with Jesus...Father God will receive any "new song" as a "sweet, sweet sound in His ear." (Pastors of Promise)
That one's pretty easy for me since I'm fairly musically oriented anyway. I just figure it's time to take it up a notch, if you know what I mean.
This one is a bit harder though. It's about developing a heart of gratitude in all things and at all times. I've been seriously convicted lately about my attitude about things and making sure that I'm living a thankful life. So, one of the things I started doing last week, as an already avid journaler, is to write down at least one thing that I'm thankful for from the day, a highlight of the day, every day. They can be big or little. For example, one day last week, I wrote that one of my highlights was giggles with my cabin - it was a seriously ridiculous evening and so much fun! - while another day, the highlight was hearing that one of our campers had received Christ. I don't want to give away all of my camp stories yet so I'm going to make up some examples. It could be a good sunrise, a silent moment with a cup of tea, a good movie, fun friends, getting to share Christ's love in a significant way. I am choosing to take joy in the good things of life.
I want to challenge my friends and family around me to join me in this. I believe we will find that by our discipline, we will find a bit more of the abundant life that God promises His kids.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Everything I need to know about life...
...I learned from Noah's Ark
One: Don't miss the boat.
Two: Remember that we are all in the same boat.
Three: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
Four: Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
Five: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
Six: Build your future on high ground.
Seven: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
Eight: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
Nine: When you're stressed, float a while.
Ten: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Eleven: No matter the storm, there's always a rainbow waiting
One: Don't miss the boat.
Two: Remember that we are all in the same boat.
Three: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
Four: Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
Five: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
Six: Build your future on high ground.
Seven: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
Eight: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
Nine: When you're stressed, float a while.
Ten: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Eleven: No matter the storm, there's always a rainbow waiting
Sunday, July 16, 2006
God still answers prayer
Let me recap the last couple months as far as my housing situation is concerned...November, my last roommate moves out. Scary! Finances. Double scary! May, my landlord calls and says he's raising my rent. Really scary! Note the rising housing cost in Calgary for both buying and renting. Down right frightening!
Through it all, I've been trying really hard not to panic but to trust that God has a plan. I have to confess that there were moments of panic but I don't have to panic anymore! God has stepped in and done something amazing yet again.
I was having one of my moments of panic. I was realizing that if I was going to get this move done, I would have to give notice for August 1st with my July rent. I was making plans to be on the road for work for most of July which would make looking for a place really difficult. Plus, I hadn't really figured out how I was going to be able to do this financially considering the housing market, particularily without a roommate. I could not see how it was going to all fit together. I'm a planner (a trait that some might call control freak but I prefer to take the positive spin on it). I was trying to sort out my options and come up with plan A, B, and C but felt like I was getting no where. A friend of mine called me up at work that afternoon. That phone call was a gift from God. We were talking through the options I had figured out and he was so encouraging! I got off the phone feeling better but it was then that a passage from Matthew 6 hit me:
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the sparrows; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Okay, so I'm a farm kid. I hate the sparrows. They're dumb birds. A plain old nusance, actually, BUT if God takes care of them that carefully, how much better off am I? I am in good hands.
And so there was peace. I mean, real rest. There was a situation to deal with but it was going to be okay...somehow.
Well, that somehow didn't take too long to reveal itself. Remember, this little revelation was on Thursday. On Friday, I spent some time with a girl I'm just getting to know, Heather McMillan. She is connected to a lot of people I know and love...and they know and love her. In fact, several of them had mentioned her as a possible roommate. The minute she sat down beside me, we started talking like we'd known each other much longer and much better. It was great! As it turns out, by the following Monday, we'd decided to live together. She'd even offered to start looking for places while I was gone! A God send...seriously!
So the first week of July, I was out for work at a camp on Pine Lake by Red Deer. I got a call from Heather on my cell phone on Sunday about a place she'd looked at. We decided, after some chatting, not to put an application in. It was weird but neither of us felt right about it. Then, on Tuesday, she went and looked at another one. She loved it and put an app in right away...and we got it! I saw it on the day we signed papers and couldn't be happier with her pick! She did well!
We have a home!!!!
It's a two bedroom townhouse in south Calgary, almost right across from Spruce Meadows riding facility. I know, it's super far south but that's perfect for the church plant, Journey, that I'm involved in. It's far from work but maybe that's a good thing. Anyway, it's in great shape. The community looks great and new. There's lots of stuff around...even a walmart which should make my momma happy. It has a fireplace, bright windows, a garage and even a wee little bit of green space. And get this, it has a dishwasher...and it's not me!!! Whoo hoo!
Once again, God provides above and beyond what we could have expected.
I'm planning to move on July 28th. That just means some crazy packing in the mean time...and lots of praising God for taking care of one of his kids once again.
Bring on the boxes...
Through it all, I've been trying really hard not to panic but to trust that God has a plan. I have to confess that there were moments of panic but I don't have to panic anymore! God has stepped in and done something amazing yet again.
I was having one of my moments of panic. I was realizing that if I was going to get this move done, I would have to give notice for August 1st with my July rent. I was making plans to be on the road for work for most of July which would make looking for a place really difficult. Plus, I hadn't really figured out how I was going to be able to do this financially considering the housing market, particularily without a roommate. I could not see how it was going to all fit together. I'm a planner (a trait that some might call control freak but I prefer to take the positive spin on it). I was trying to sort out my options and come up with plan A, B, and C but felt like I was getting no where. A friend of mine called me up at work that afternoon. That phone call was a gift from God. We were talking through the options I had figured out and he was so encouraging! I got off the phone feeling better but it was then that a passage from Matthew 6 hit me:
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the sparrows; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Okay, so I'm a farm kid. I hate the sparrows. They're dumb birds. A plain old nusance, actually, BUT if God takes care of them that carefully, how much better off am I? I am in good hands.
And so there was peace. I mean, real rest. There was a situation to deal with but it was going to be okay...somehow.
Well, that somehow didn't take too long to reveal itself. Remember, this little revelation was on Thursday. On Friday, I spent some time with a girl I'm just getting to know, Heather McMillan. She is connected to a lot of people I know and love...and they know and love her. In fact, several of them had mentioned her as a possible roommate. The minute she sat down beside me, we started talking like we'd known each other much longer and much better. It was great! As it turns out, by the following Monday, we'd decided to live together. She'd even offered to start looking for places while I was gone! A God send...seriously!
So the first week of July, I was out for work at a camp on Pine Lake by Red Deer. I got a call from Heather on my cell phone on Sunday about a place she'd looked at. We decided, after some chatting, not to put an application in. It was weird but neither of us felt right about it. Then, on Tuesday, she went and looked at another one. She loved it and put an app in right away...and we got it! I saw it on the day we signed papers and couldn't be happier with her pick! She did well!
We have a home!!!!
It's a two bedroom townhouse in south Calgary, almost right across from Spruce Meadows riding facility. I know, it's super far south but that's perfect for the church plant, Journey, that I'm involved in. It's far from work but maybe that's a good thing. Anyway, it's in great shape. The community looks great and new. There's lots of stuff around...even a walmart which should make my momma happy. It has a fireplace, bright windows, a garage and even a wee little bit of green space. And get this, it has a dishwasher...and it's not me!!! Whoo hoo!
Once again, God provides above and beyond what we could have expected.
I'm planning to move on July 28th. That just means some crazy packing in the mean time...and lots of praising God for taking care of one of his kids once again.
Bring on the boxes...
My Space what!!??
Can somebody tell me what the deal is with My Space? How the heck does it work and why is "everyone" having so much fun with it? Can somebody please explain?
If one more person tells me I should get a my space space..... arg...
If one more person tells me I should get a my space space..... arg...
A New Beginning
It was my pleasure to share in a B-E-A-Utiful (say it like Jim Carey and it sounds better) wedding on July 1st. Congrats to my fantastic friends, Al and Kelly! May God bless you with many happy years together. Love you!
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