Thanksgiving Canada style

I can't believe a month of school has already gone by! Time seems like it has gone very quickly, and yet not. It also seems like it's gone very slowly. Anyways...this weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving.

You'd think it wouldn't matter to me since I'm American. It's not really my holiday, the Canadians think. I say that I have enough things to be thankful for that I can have two official holidays to celebrate it all. Before I tell you the things I'm thankful for, let me ruminate on the holiday of thanksgiving. First off, like I said, I have lots to be thankful for.

Secondly, I don't really feel like holidays are important for their dates, but I do think they're important for what they represent. On one hand, I don't feel like any holidays are really important because I drift around. I haven't been in the States for American thanksgiving for the past three years, so it doesn't really bother me to miss it. On the other hand, any national holiday that celebrates family and friends and belonging in community makes me feel that drifting more keenly. It doesn't matter if it's "my" national holiday or any other, but sometimes a holiday makes me feel alone. I think I'll be fine, that I will enjoy introverted time, and then when the day comes, I feel alone. I guess I should learn to know myself better and schedule accordingly.

However, the lonely days drive me to my real Home, my Father God. And once I get over my lack of family nearby, I really enjoy my alone time. Today, I baked cookies, bread, and my first attempt at granola. I feel quite accomplished. Plus, I've been getting to eat some good leftovers from my housemate's delish cooking.
In addition to these things, I'm thankful for:

Plans tomorrow: bike ride in the morning, dinner with friends in the evening, movie at night.
Friends: here in BC, Dordt friends, people I grew up with. They're all important to me, and they enrich my life!
Family: my dad, mom, and brother. Also extended family, like grandparents, great-aunts and uncles, aunts and uncles, cousins, and all the others. I'm thankful for visits to and from them, and for a diverse group of people to teach me more about God's love.
In with family are the people who aren't family by blood but they may as well be. My big brother Edo and all connected to him, the exchange student we had from Germany, my Nicaraguan host family, and the Fluits who have taken me in here in BC. These are people who brighten my day and fill me with happiness.
Food: I love pretty much all kinds, and I never have worried about having enough. Thank you, Jesus.
Lovely scenery: Lately the weather in BC has been great, and I drink in the sights and smells with joy
School: I get to learn stuff I've been waiting to learn half my life! And I like what I'm studying, and the people I'm learning with
Work: I get paid to interact with students as well as work at sports events (free men's volleyball games, woot!)

I could go on and on, but these are some of them for now. More will be given in November, my next go at a holiday just for saying thank you.

Working Woman

I'm so thankful for a job when I go home.

School let out for the summer on August 11, and after road-tripping with some friends for a week, I wandered to Indiana by August 20. Then I started working for Treasure Homes construction, and the Oudman family. It was great. What other job is so flexible, pays well, and allows you to hang out with your parents (esp., in my case, Dad) all day? I think it's a sweet deal. I get to work off some of the desk pudge I accumulate during school terms, and my mind stops feeling frayed and mushy. All in all, it's a great set-up, and I'm very thankful to my employers for the opportunity to work hard.

Over the past two weeks, I spent 110 hours cleaning the house, framing, building a deck, installing cabinets, and doing sundry tasks. It was very good. Plus, deciding what to wear each day was a lot less of a hassle than it usually is.

Rocking the carpenter jeans, standing by the work van with my trusty tape measure. The bandage on my arm was from giving blood, not a work wound. I still have all my fingers and toes, in case you were wondering.

Indiana is HOT! As in, over 70% humidity and 85-90+ degrees F, so you gotta find shade where it's available. This day it happened to be in the shadow of a port-o-pot where I ate my granola bar mid-morning.

Roller Coasters

These past couple of weeks have been rough, let me tell you. A big bang of a start to the year 24 for me, that's for sure.

First off, school has been crazy. Maybe I'm just getting soft, but the three classes I'm taking this summer have kept me hopping. I think Scripture Use is the culprit. Principles of Translation and Galatians have regular assignments, but they are manageable. It's Scripture Use that has major projects regularly. Don't get me wrong, I love them. They are opportunities to do some homework that affects real people. The first project was revising a Bible study that might be useful for people in Ghana. Next, we commissioned a local artist/expert to do something (c.f. A Commissioning). We presented it in chapel, and maybe we will in church. People at CanIL have asked me to do it again - for other chapels in the fall and a class for semantic domains (how words connect to other words by their definitions). What I felt discouraged and scared about, God has used to affect other people. Third, we're supposed to do a recording. That's coming this week, and I'm thinking about recording something that can be used to meditate on John 15, especially for North American commuters. In addition to these projects and the daily assignments, there's the term paper: An analysis of the Scripture use in a situation. A real life situation. So I've been skyping with a missionary regularly, talking about the ways that God is working - the discouragements, the joys, the dreams... It's intimidating, this work that can affect people's lives. It's draining. It takes a lot of extra time because it's more creative, and I can't just make up an answer to make the professor happy. It's also life-giving despite it's strain. 

Speaking of strains, there have been relationship strains too. Last week a couple of my best friends at CanIL and I had some good talks. Hard talks. The kind of talks where you end up baring your souls to each other, confessing the ways you've sinned against them, crying, and hugging... It's been a sackcloth and ashes experience. I've had to acknowledge my own black heart, and ask for forgiveness when I didn't feel like I deserved it. I had to face how I've hurt people. This happens now and again, but it's brutal when it does. And things aren't all better just because we've reconciled. I still have to deal with my own emotions, with the "what's next" questions because I don't know how to be friends the same way, with my own instincts to crawl into my shell and put up walls. I'm in awe of how God loves us. I am amazed by forgiveness and reconciliation because they show that even though people are broken, the Spirit is working in us to fix things again. 

So it's been hard in several ways. These are the main ways - school and friends - and all I have time and energy to write about. I guess I just wanted to share how God has been working with me this summer. The sun is shining, and it's a beautiful Sunday. May you be blessed beyond your wildest dreams.

A Commissioning

       This summer I'm in a class called Scripture Use. It's all about principles for getting people to engage with God's Word in their lives. We talk about theoretical principles but also practical activities. One of our major projects is to commission an artist to create something artistic revolving around Scripture.
       Praise the Lord! I met with Deb today, and we walked around Fort Langley with Aria, talking about ideas for something to do with the Lord’s Prayer. The Bridge Community Church, where we attend, is doing a series on the Lord’s Prayer, so we wanted to have the double audience of CanIL chapel and the Bridge.
            Deb is a drama teacher at a local high school. Her husband Brad has done many artistic things at church as well. I thought of them for this work because they are heavily involved at church, and they have artistic gifts that are often overlooked in worship settings. I had hoped Deb would come up with something like a drama or reader’s theatre when I commissioned her.
            We began by throwing around some ideas. The audience was already understood because of our background at church. The Bridge is a small church community that is seeking to be open to non-churched people, those struggling with addictions, and people who have grown up in church their whole lives. The Lord’s Prayer was going to be our Scripture passage.
            Genre took longer to settle on. We talked about editing video, but we didn’t really have someone who could do it well in the time frame I need to finish the project. We thought about doing a voice recording in different languages, but we would need a metronome to keep the timing so the voices could be meshed together on a sound file. We discussed doing a children’s story book, or a drama with the Lord’s Prayer at the end.
           Here’s what we said was important: Scripture. It’s hard to interpret the Lord’s Prayer in a static way for an audience, but if we just use the words of the Lord’s Prayer, we’ve got something really powerful. We want it to be a performance piece- well-done, artistic, creative- but also something meaningful. Too much Christian art comes across as cheesy and the happy endings come to quickly. The stories and testimonies of people are what make the words powerful, and we want to capture the relevance of the Lord’s Prayer somehow.
            We prayed in the midst of our brainstorming, and when we lifted our heads, Deb had a drama exercise in mind. She had me close my eyes and focus on the word “love.” I had to repeat “love” after each phrase she said. It was akin to a word association game. She rattled off things like “wedding day, buying your first home, having a baby, manipulation, abuse, forgiveness...” while I repeated “love, love, love” in between each utterance. Divine inspiration.
            If the goal of Scripture Use, and this project for us, is to get the audience to engage personally, this “thought web” can do it. It builds relationships among concepts. It balances tensions and brings up authentic conflicts. Using key terms from the Lord’s Prayer, we can have people join together in repeating “Our father, our father, our father” in between other phrases that deal with fatherhood. The same goes for “holy,” “heaven,” “give,” etc. Initially, we can script the associated phrases.
But it would also work to turn it around. Instead of the group repeating key concepts, the facilitator could repeat the words. Then different members of the community could share their associations – and even testimonies – connected with that key phrase.
A beautiful thing about this work would be that it does not require expertise. It grows from what God is already doing in people’s lives. One doesn’t need a master’s degree in drama or leadership to repeat key phrases from the Lord’s Prayer or other Scripture passages. The associations help people connect to the passage. Closing one’s eyes and repeating bring a new affective dimension to the repetition. Furthermore, this piece could be used all over the world, in many different contexts. It uses the same principles – repeated key concepts from Scripture and associated phrases – but can be done in any language, with any experiences informing the script. It can be done in large groups or with only two people – maybe even only one person.
I’m very excited about this idea. I think it has a lot of possibilities, and I’m looking forward to using it in chapel as well as at the Bridge, hopefully. To God be the glory!

Recent Life Summary

School ended at the end of April, and I went on a road trip with 3 other girls down to the U.S. This is Rae, our packing engineer. Her skills were quite useful cramming things into the car.

We stopped at Mount Rushmore along the way. It was actually pretty chilly, and starting to rain, but it was nice to get out of the car.

I got dropped off in Iowa to visit my old stomping grounds. The cowboy hat, by the way, was my roadtrip buddy from my good friend Danielle. :)

The Hannahs let me stay with them in Kuyper, and one night we had a sleepover in the living room. They are so great. I miss them most of the time when I think about it.

The Hannahs graduated! And Abbie came, too, since she's Hannah's sister. So the four of us got to hang out all together for the first time in a year.

Then, it was time to leave Dordt. My cousin Taylor and I drove through the night to get to Ohio. We didn't make church (and the confirmation we were hoping to get to) on time, but we made it safely, which was enough.

Road trip buddies at the end of it all!

Family lunch on Mother's Day in Indiana. There's no place like home, I tell ya. I got to be there about a month, but interspersed with other trips.

Trips like going to Ohio for Taylor's wedding. They ran around and collected money as a game. They had a fun dance, and a good time was had. :)

Another wedding was in Kansas. Once again, the Hannahs, Abbie, and I united. Hannah got married, and the other three of us were bridesmaids. I couldn't have asked for better bridesmaid buddies. It was great!

Finally, my childhood friend Caleb got married in Washington just before school started. I had gone back to BC for classes and staff orientation, so I went down to WA for the weekend and hung out with Caleb's family at his wedding.

Now, I'm back at school in British Columbia. I'm taking three classes this semester and working as a teacher's assistant (TA) as well. It's quite crazy this week, so I really need to get off here and do homework, but I thought I'd send this out before it got any later. There are more things happening to talk about, and I'm behind. I'm thankful for a good break, and I'm content in school again.

Patting the Grave

"But every time the world has been disappointed. Its first disappointment was over the crucifixion. The Man came to life again. In a sense - and I quite realise how frightfully unfair it must seem to them - that has been happening ever since. They keep on killing the thing that He started: and each time, just as they are patting down the earth on its grave, they suddenly hear that it is still alive and has even broken out in some new place. No wonder they hate us."
~C.S. Lewis, "The New Men,"  Mere Christianity, p. 222.

Inklings

I'm freaking out. It would be just so weird! After 23 years of not knowing what I'm going to do when I grow up, what if I find out this summer???

I'm not saying that I have, for sure, decided upon the next step in the path. But there is something to this Scripture Use class, and Translation is intriguing, too. Could it be that easy?

There are still unanswered questions, like where and how. But Scripture Use is about engaging people with the Word of God. We're talking about ways to get people to use the Bible in their lives. This could be applicable to North America even, but we're especially focusing on SIL/Wycliffe work in other cultures and countries. Hmmm... Maybe. Maybe the Lord will fence me in even more this summer, narrow my horizons even more, call me more clearly to a specific role in His work. That would be crazy! It'll take some getting used to, actually having an answer when people ask what I'm going to do after my studies. If I have an answer. Pray for me. I'm praying too. If nothing else, this summer has led to a lot more prayer. :)

Personality

Yes, I have dreadlocks. And it's becoming a more dreadful experience every day.

First, I'm home for the first time in almost a year, so people are seeing them in person. They are horrified that I've tied my hair up in knots. They worry that it won't be the same "beautiful, curly hair" it was before. Let me tell you, people, that is NOT the case! It is precisely because my hair has its same texture, curl, and mind of its own that my dreads are so difficult to maintain.

Before I got dreads in October, my hair did what it wanted. I had pretty much learned ways to tame it sufficiently so that we were working together like a team, but my hair has its own personality. I used to be able to direct it in ways I was happy with only every couple of days. Other times, I just settled for it looking decent, not amazing. Then I experimented with dreadlocks. I have kept my hair contained and in the same positions for 8 months. It is rebelling fiercely by this time.

Little pieces are pulling out. New growth is not knotting up. The locks look like they have tumors from where curls have bulged out the sides, and I have little straggly curls around my face and neck because they won't stay knotted into the strands. After the wedding I'm a bridesmaid for in May, I'm not going to worry about maintaining the dreads any more. That's it! I throw up my hands in surrender.

 See? Even when I put it in a pony tail, it's doing its curly thing, and it's escaping all around my face and spiraling weirdly in the Indiana humidity.

Down, it just goes nuts now. Medusa, is what my family calls me...

Second, I'm running out of supplies, and I'm too cheap to buy more. So yes, it's the end of an era. I've got that itch thoroughly scratched, and I'm done trying to tame my hair while shock the world all at once. Don't worry, my hair may be shorter when the dreads are out, but it will still be my hair completely, and it will grow back. :)

Purpose

Don't look at me that way, with doubt in your eyes. You don't know what you're doing with your degree? you say incredulously. What are you studying again? Linguistics and exegesis (translate: language and Bible) What can you do with that, teach? I chuckle helplessly and say yes, but I don't really want to teach. Maybe Bible translation. So you don't know the next step? How long is your program? No, I'm waiting for God's timing. I've got another year and a half, or so.

It's not a problem, people! I don't have a disease! I DO have purpose, and I know what it is. To bring glory to God and enjoy him. To love the people around me. To serve where I'm needed. I smile when I see people, cook and clean to make them smile too, go out for coffee, babysit, volunteer. I have lots of reasons to live. Just because I don't know what the next step of my career is doesn't mean I'm wandering aimlessly. I have been called, by God, to British Columbia for whatever reason right now, and I am living faithful obedience. I have dreams for the future, yes. Lots of options, in fact. But right now, I'm allowing God to craft me more into the person He wants me to be. I'm becoming more and more like the Future Self I envision when I think ahead.  One step at a time, following the Leader, living in relationship with Jesus and the people around me. The external stuff of a long-term plan doesn't really matter. I'm not worried about it. So don't you be, either.

I love stimulating homework!

I begin with what seems to me to be an undeniable truth. Schooling is mostly official.It always has been. It derives from the views and interests of our masters and mistresses: politicians, inspectors, and advisors. These views and interests – corrupt in the sense that they pretend to be about the interests of children and are really about statistics – are filtered through and then further corrupted by elements that have little to do with learning: the media and its need to influence people and the politicians' need for votes.
Fred Sedgwick (2001) Teaching Literacy: A Creative Approach, 1.

The Heart of Worship

Stimulating thoughts from class today:

The quest for meaning will not be answered by turning inward on the self but by focusing on the external revelation of God. Then he will tell you who you are.

The substance of worship is RELATIONSHIP. Rightly ordered relationship in which we recognize God in his place, and he gives us our place.

Worship is not limited to Sunday mornings.

Worship is a matter of the heart, not methods.

Prayer is the center of relationality. It is the substance of coming to know one another. Prayer is a deep walk into the heart and life of God.

Memorizing Scripture promotes intimacy between you and God.

We must liberate ourselves from the conventions of cultural religion. WE are not advocating an abandonment of culture. But a recognition that Christian theology has a responsibility in culture, not to it. We are salt, light, and yeast. We must discover the possibilities of "littleness." 






(Taken from Prof. Archie Spencer's lecture notes for Believers Church Theology.)

Possessions

I took a walk with God in the sunshine yesterday, and I was pondering Ephesians 1. As I wandered, ogling the flowers coming out and the mountains in the distance and the white clouds in the bright blue sky, I was amazed at life, and God's handiwork. I was also struck, meditating on words from Ephesians, by my utter creatureliness.

The first phrase to catch me was, "Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession, to the praise of his glory." I thought about the words "God's possession."  It seems to objectify people so much. Just objects to be owned. Really, it works well with the idea of redemption. God bought us back, paid something for us. That's how we relate to objects we own.

The next phrase was, "we were by nature objects of wrath." Again with the objectifying! Just recipients of divine anger and punishment. I mean, the verse even says "objects."

In Christian talk, it's easy to say that everything belongs to God. We easily say (not necessarily act) all the things we own are really God's possessions. We even say that we belong to God. But yesterday my mind stopped short on this idea that I am really not in control. I am truly a possession, an object. God is the actor. I like to think I'm in charge, that I have a will and the power to carry it out. This is true to some extent, maybe, but really - I'm a creature. Something that God created. I was an "object of wrath" but now, through the redemption bought by Christ's blood, I am God's chosen possession. There's not really anything I could do about it, or that I can even do now. I am the clay in the hands of the Potter.

It's humbling to be reminded of that. I am reminded that I am not in charge. God acted. God acts. Maybe it's not such a horrible thing to be objectified. And by the riches of God's grace, which he freely LAVISHES on us, knowing full well what he's doing, we are precious despite our creatureliness. Or because of it?

Making a List

When I have a lot to do, I write it out. Actually, I make lists for myself quite often, even if they're in my head. I stand and think about what I'm going to do next, and what comes after that. My mom calls me "Miss List" often enough. Part of it is that I process things better when I write them down. Things I have to do are no different from thoughts in my head or feelings I have to do - I can release them when I write them down. Thus, the lists.

I think I'm getting better. My list is not all-powerful like it used to be. In fact, I hope that people who don't know me very well don't even realize that I'm plotting my next moves all the time. That, after all, would be poor public relations. :) But really, I DO think that people should come before my goals. My relationships are what should be most important in my life, not the tasks I can accomplish with excellence (cough: good grades). This is what I believe in my head, at least.

But there is another dimension to my agenda. It's a defense mechanism. That way, if I ask someone what they're doing, I can have a list of things I'm doing if they don't say they want to spend time with me. The list is quite easily overridden if someone just expresses an interest in me. I can rarely say no to spending time with other people. But the list is there so that I can tell myself, "I don't need him. I have my own things to do." It makes the feelings of rejection or simply being unwanted less harsh. If I have a back-up plan, it's fine not to have social plans.

This is probably not a good way to approach life. It's rather pessimistic and fearful, I guess. Right now, it is what it is - but I'm pondering it. How can I interact with others in ways that shows that I value them? Is my need to protect myself even biblical? People tell me to guard my heart, but is it mine to guard? What would be so bad about saying directly, "I was hoping we could do something together even though I have a few things to do..."? Fear of rejection. I'm pretty sure it's no way to live life, but don't we all, to some degree?

My Sentiments Exactly

"I can only ask instructed Christians to watch very carefully, and tell me when I go wrong; and others to take what I say with a grain of salt - as something offered, because it may be a help, not because I am certain that I am right."
~ C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, "Faith"

Glory in an Afternoon Shower

Today I rode my bike home in GLORY. 


The voice of God echoed in the heavens. Fat drops of water, the kind a Midwest girl expects in a rain storm, pelted down. The wind gusted, asserting its existence. The clouds formed a blanket. How close the earth is to heaven!
And yet. 
Sunshine burst gloriously, lighting the world as if for the first time. The hues of the trees and the fields and the houses stood out, making everything look fresh and vibrant. The sky looked so blue it was like as to change your eye color just staring at it. 


And I got to experience this glory all around me, on the way home from school. 
A wonder of a moment.

Two Years Ago

"I had no idea
the pain would be this strong.
I had no idea
the fight would last this long..."

I can't believe how much energy it takes to not think about some things. Like me, the last few days, trying so hard not to think about two years ago. Two years ago, when I drove through the night with my cousin to visit Grampa in the hospital because there was a probability he would die Valentine's weekend. Two years ago, when I was pleasantly surprised to get to see Grampa again on spring break. Two years ago, when Grampa couldn't talk or eat anymore. Two years ago today, when we celebrated Grampa's 80th birthday early so that we could still celebrate it while he was with us. Two years ago tomorrow, when I was there in the room while he drew his last gasps of breath. Two years ago, when I slept in Grampa and Gramma's living room and woke up the morning after Grampa's death, expecting him to come walking into the room with his cane and his pipe and his cute grandpa hat.


I can't believe how much energy it takes not to think about these things. I can't think about these things because if I do, I'll cry. I can't cry right now. I am still running.

The song that was my mantra during the death of my first grandparent (Grampa), was Jon Foreman's "Learning How to Die." The death of my mom's dad was one of the first deaths I had to experience of someone really close to me when I was old enough to know what was going on. It was hard. And now it takes so much energy to not think about it.

See, I still miss him. I see his overalls in my closet, and I think that he should still be wearing them. I smell a pipe and think of him. Usually all the reminders are good memories of him, but sometimes it just hurts.

Yes, I have no doubt that my grandfather is with the Lord. He no longer experiences sickness - physically or mentally - or crying or pain. He has been transformed. There is hope beyond the grave. I know this. I believe this. Jesus Christ died and rose again, conquering the grave. But it's not the way things were supposed to be. It still hurts, and I still miss him. "So hold me, Jesus, cause I'm shaking like a leaf..."

And a Visit with Friends, too!

While I was in Alberta, I also got to meet up with some CanIL friends from this past summer! Brenda, my roommate during the summer, lives in Montana. She graciously drove three hours north to hang out with me and my grandparents the last weekend I was in Alberta. Saturday night we went to Lethbridge to visit our friend Keilan, whom we lived directly above in the dorms during the summer. We made him show us around the university before we went out on the town.

 Keilan in his native environment, the basement office with equipment attached to his head. Yes, I'll let you draw your own conclusions...

 Apparently, the U of L has the longest hallway at least in North America, if not the world. This is it, folks

 Keilan took one look at this hallway and just laid down in desperation.

 We roused him enough to get to the other end of the long hallway, and we got to look out over the coolies

 However, before he saw the view, Keilan had again lain down on the floor, too exhausted to move. Can you imagine going to class on one end and the next class being on the other end of this hallway?!

 Of course, after galavanting all over Lethbridge, we needed sustenance. I had a coupon for a free pizza at Pizza Hut (long story, but basically I went to a fundraising dinner with Opa and Oma, I was made to sing the school's anthem, and they rewarded me and my cohorts with gifts of free food), so we ate there

 Then we topped off the revelry with some good blizzards at Dairy Queen. 

Thankfully, no blizzards outside to report, but the wind could have knocked us over that day.

Brenda sported her Trinity Spartans scarf, a reminder of her fiancé back at CanIL

Needless to say, a good time was had by all. I was laughing so hard I was crying in Pizza Hut (Brenda and Keilan have that effect on me), and we got to see all sorts of wondrous sights and sites. :) Brenda and my grandparents got along well. Us girls also enjoyed a late-night girl chat in my aunt and uncle's hot tub the night before we parted ways. I've never mixed friends and family in Alberta before, but this was definitely a good experience!

Family Time in Alberta

For Reading Week, I went to Alberta. Yes, the slacker life of a student. :) Providentially, it wound up that the weekend my break started was the same weekend that my dad's father, Opa to me, turned 85. I was able to be there for the parties and then for a week afterwards, too!

We had Opa's family gathering at a place north of Calgary. The weather was bad in the morning, but everyone made it to the location safely anyway. Then the sun came out and we explored the grounds. Some people went snow-shoeing, and others went sledding before lunch.

My cousin's son, Braden, climbs the hill ahead of the pack

 Dad and others went down the hill, sledding for a long time. He got all the farthest runs, until my last one...I beat him! :)

 Two of my aunts were climbing the hill after their runs down. They are brave and active ladies!

 Dad and his Ws... He marked the ends of his runs with W to mark which ones were his.

 See? I was there, too! Sledding is good father-daughter bonding time. I recommend it, as long as you have hills. :)

 During lunch we sat around at different tables and enjoyed a delicious meal of Morroccan fare.

 Meet the Maldiney men. They live in Calgary and I spent a few days with them before Opa's party on Saturday since I had flown into Calgary. These boys are the littlest cousins, and they're growing up so fast! (sorry, guys - I know you're not little anymore)

 Here are a few more aunts and uncles... My dad has 10 siblings, plus all of their significant others.

 I got to see my parents in Alberta, too! They made it up for the parties as well

 Opa and Eric having a manly conversation

 while the other men, my dad and uncle, start clean up in the kitchen (this kitchen had a walk-in refrigerator!)

 Time for cake! We gathered around and sang to Opa

 Then he blew out his candles!

 The next day at church, we served the congregation cake. Opa and Oma had two sheet cakes, and we served it up in the fellowship hall after the service.

 Then the family members who were around in Taber hung out at Opa and Oma's house for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Aunt Janice looks pretty relaxed

 Dad is getting ready for a nap

 Doesn't my mom look smart? 

(in the complimentary, beautiful way the British use the term - sorry, I'm a linguist; correct terms necessary)

 Yes, it's possible to lie down and knit. Can't you see I'm doing it? Okay, so I took a nap as well, but still! I knit a whole scarf in one week, so I don't think this method was a problem.

 Beautiful, snowy, cold, and flat! I love Alberta! :) 

This was the view from my bedroom window at Rob and Leslee's house.

 Aunt Leslee wanted proof that she was helping during the third party. Yes, three party days in a row. Monday Opa had over his friends and relatives to celebrate his birthday.

 That night, we made authentic Nicaraguan food at Rob and Leslee's house: gallo pinto and Nica tacos with salsa ingles! I may not cook much, but I can cook Nicaraguan food. :)

 Another day at Opa and Oma's house, just hanging out with my family.

 Oma was showing family pictures to my parents

Opa watched at the table. 

Shortly afterwards, we played Skip-Bo because that's what we do at my grandparents' house.

All in all, I had a great visit with my family in Alberta. Not only did I see my Albertan family, but I also got to spend time with my parents. I was really thankful for the opportunity to go for such a long trip and at such an opportune time! Highlights included seeing most of my aunts and uncles, pottery with Oma, swimming and Tim Horton's with Opa, a good long talk with my uncle Dick and aunt Pearl, and hot tubbing at Uncle Rob and Aunt Leslee's house, to name a few. It was a great visit, and I'm sure I'll cherish the memories for a long time to come.

Faithful

I just want to say that whenever I start to fret or wonder how life is going to work out right, God comes through. Every time. He is faithful. I don't even really know what that word means, but He's teaching me. God rocks!

Thoughts on Virtue

"You must ask for God's help. Even when you have done so, it may seem to you for a long time that no help, or less help than you need, is being given.
Never mind.
After each failure, ask forgiveness, pick yourself up, and try again. Very often what God first helps us towards is not the virtue itself but just this power of always trying again.
...The only fatal thing is to sit down content with anything less than perfection."
~C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity, p. 101

Magic

Look at them there
hanging in the sky,
so perfect and awe-inspiring,
so inexplicable.
Majestic puffs and globs we call clouds...

No. Stop. Don't give the scientific rationale
of water vapor and refraction.
Take a moment to think about how
something as simple and ordinary as clouds
can be mind-blowing.

All the pieces that need to come together
to make these shapes in the sky
that are always changing.
Can we predict what they'll look like,
or why?
They are pearly white or threateningly dark,
wispy and solid, house-like and barely there.
Don't let yourself believe you understand it.

Even with reasonable explanations
we don't comprehend.
How does the wind blow just so,
and the sun shine just right?
They change so quickly,
always capture the eye...


Stop. Let it blow your mind.
Incomprehensible, really, when you ponder it.

And if we open ourselves to the possibility
that we don't even understand clouds,

how can we think that we can begin
to grasp life, or love, or even God?
This great question that we must wrestle with
We are left to puzzle and ponder, soak and seek
and in the end, Love, somehow.