i love friends

I was talking with Rala earlier today, which was so nice to catch up with her again, and she commented that sometimes it seems that the closer you get to making a life decision the more you realize you're back with as big a decision as you started off with. Like you keep making decisions, thinking you're getting closer to some end goal only to see the goal broaden and open up with endless possibilities.

I guess sometimes that's a freeing thought, but sometimes it can be overwhelming also. For me, I will rest in the hands of my Father. Because I just don't know, and, praise God, he does.

I also got to talk to Tina today. I miss her so much. I wish we could still have our late night talks when we shared our hearts with each other, through much laughter and also tears. I miss our room, and each of us on our bunks trying to make eye contact in the mirror as we chatted because it was too hard for the person on top to be upsidedown for that long. And I miss our loft and our roof (which sadly everyone has to miss now, even the people who live there) and being up high in the fresh air looking over the city and yet still a part of it.

And so, in memory of Rala, Tina, myself, and our roof in the beautiful city of Amsterdam, here is a (not very good) picture of us having "church" together with tea and Tina's guitar one Sunday morning in September.

marci made my day

So apparently I'm really getting back into this blogging thing...or I'm procrastinating. Depends which way you look at it.
Anyways, after class this morning I went to find Marci in the library and had such an encouraging chat. I often wonder what I'm doing in this program since I don't really want to be a counsellor, and yet I know that I am supposed to be here doing this. But still, sometimes it's hard to justify spending this much money on a degree I don't plan on using to make my living. I know that I will definitely be using what I'm learning, but I do not know that it will earn me money. Marci has similar end goals as me...as she put it "I want to work with normal people who are dealing with normal people things." It's true...I don't see myself working with people with pathologies and mental illnesses. I see myself living life with people and encouraging them through the ups and downs that will come. So it is really nice to not be alone, and it helps to confir, this for me when I get discouraged.
Also, we're going to do a project together now, since we're both doing teen depression. So that's really nice to be working with her, and since we both have the teaching background our thought processes are quite similar. I'm quite excited about this project...I mean, I was before, but ever more so now. Cool beans.
And now I will write a paper (see, I don't procrastinate for very long). Doei!

random sidenote. times two.

Yesterday at the lunch meeting at church when I was introducing myself to everyone, one of the pastors actually checked my hand and asked me outright if I was married yet, hahaha. He pulled the "I wondered if I may have met your husband but not you before" thing, even though if I was married I would have been there with my husband, and he has a son around my age. Whatever, I thought it was amusing.

Also, I like a few shirts at www.jesusbranded.com but it's frustrating because they're expensive to begin with (which is ok, because most of the profits go to an orphanage in India which doesn't actually exist yet but is in the process of being built) but it's an extra $20 US to ship to Canada, but free shipping in the US. So one shirt ends up being like $50 US plus the exchange rate...ridiculous! So...no cool shirt for me. Which is actually probably a good thing since I don't have money to throw around, especially if I have to buy a new coat.

catch up

The other day I went to this bookstore downtown to get some reading done. A comfy chair and London Fog was good motivation! I'll have to do it again sometime.

Oh, and figure skating has been on tv...I like it! Soon they will go to Tokyo and I can cheer madly for the Canadians...they're so good, if I do say so myself, haha.

Friday night we went to Curtis's basketball game. Ok, it was the school game, but he and Dave are the only people I know on the team. It was cool, and also we got to see this hackysac/soccer game thing going on in the court next to them, which was great, but unfortunately they ended shortly after the bball game began. I had been excited about watching them when bball got boring, but it turns out I just had to watch bball, haha. The auc/nuc/cts bleachers were full when we got there, so we sat on the "enemy lines" which was an interesting experience.

After the game we went to some east coast bar and went "jigging". It was fun, but I'm really out of shape and my calves are killing me now, not gonna lie. If only I still had a bike and cycled every day!! Also, sad story, my coat got stolen. So random too...we had all our coats piled on the back of one chair and mine was second from the bottom and somehow mine was missing and everyone else's was there, even though we were sitting there the whole time. So that's not so fun, but thankfully I have another coat, so it's ok.

Last night a different Curtis (seriously, I need to come up with nicnames for them all. There are 2 from church, 1 from school, and then my bro-in-law) and I went to Joel's show at some bar on 17th ave. It was a good show, but the bar was not very full, so that's too bad for him. I think he knew pretty much everyone who was there to watch his show. Also it was way too loud in there so it was difficult to talk. I know that there's this whole loud music ambiance thing going on at bars, but when it's that loud it just gives you a headache and makes you frustrated that you're shouting into someone's ear and they still have no idea what you're saying.
And yes, I know that "someone" and "they" do not agree.

Today I woke up no thanks to my alarm which did not wake me up, if it even went off, and rushed to get ready for church, talked to Stawan in India really quickly, and went to Beddington. It was a really good service, and after I went to the life group leadership meeting. I'm considering starting a life group, but I may also just join one. or both!? I'll keep praying about it and see what happens...

So, that's about it I guess. I'm going to finish my worksheet on Job now. By the way, the text book I have for that class is amazing and I would read it for fun. I love learning!

Oh, one last question...Switchfoot and Jars of Clay are playing at the U of C on the same night at the same time in February. Which concert should I go to? I think Switchfoot is more expensive. But I've seen Jars quite a few times. So it's still a bit of a toss up. What's your opinion?

dizzy

So I was thinking about posting again, but couldn't think of anything to say...and then I saw Dave's comment. So why not make at least one person happy?

Um, I'm back in Calgary. Had my first class of this semester this morning. Am madly trying to read 2 text books by next Tuesday so I have enough time to write the paper. Have to come up with something(s) creative to do for my Wisdom Lit. class that can be worth half my marks.

Tonight I'm going to the Young Adults thing at church. I'm considering helping out with the youth group and/or starting/joining a home group. I love the people at this church...they're very friendly, and I am always in the business of making new friends.

I think I've posted this song before, but it's my song of the day from yesterday (haven't found one yet for today, so maybe it'll stick around) and I like it, so why not share? It's by Sixpence None the Richer which sadly isn't a band anymore, although Leigh Nash is doing the solo thing. Anyways, here it is.

Dizzy

I'm like Thomas doubting
fingers routing the scars
in your wrist and side
touching flesh will make my mind believe

but I want to be like David
throwing his clothes to the wind
to dance a jig in my skin
and be remade by your cleansing again

I gave you myself
it's all that I have
broken and frail
I'm clay in your hands
and I'm spinning unconcealed
dizzy on this wheel
for you, my love

I'm like Peter crying
crowing burning my ears
still you come near
you take my hand and place in my palm
an eternal chance

but I want to be like David
throwing his clothes to the wind
to dance a jig in my skin
and be remade by your cleansing again

nieuwejaar

On New Year's Eve...
God blessed me.
I went to Waterloo to visit my sister and brother-in-law, and we went skating with their church.
One of my campers, who I haven't seen in years, happened to be there. It was such a God-thing for us to catch up and I know she was an encouragement to me. I hope I was an encouragement to her as well.
It was the perfect blessing with which to end the year.
And to begin the new year...
I got to see my friend Kristina who I met in Amsterdam. She was part of the YWAM group which stayed with us for a while. It was so nice to see her again and catch up on her life and the lives of our mutual friends.
Tomorrow Amelia and I are going down to Rochester to see some friends from college, and I'm really looking forward to that.
Then on Wednesday Roz is going to meet us in Toronto and we're going to look for a bridesmaid dress pour moi. Should be fun.

I pray that your year has started off full of blessings as well!

Liefs en zegen!