Uncle Joe and Auntie Evelyn's Wedding

Updated Family Picture

Grandma ~ Me ~ Grandpa

Are Canadians really that polite?

We grow up thinking that Canadians are so very polite. We say please and thank you and wear our Maple Leaf patches on our backpacks and luggage when we travel because we hold a reputation around the world for being polite. I'm glad we hold this sort of title. It's great- Doesn't it feel good to be known as "Nice" people? I hope that we instill these values into "our" [collective] children. I think a sense of entitlement can easily creep into our fibres because of where we live in the world and how much access we have to the resources around us. When we feel this sense of entitlement, we aren't humble and we often take things for granted. But here comes the idea I've been thinking about over the last little while.

Although Canadians may be polite, I believe we are not a hospitable people. There have been a couple of instances over the past few weeks where I've realized that Canadians have bought into such an individualistic mindset that too often [we] don't make any special effort to welcome others and enjoy their company. Now that may sound a little extreme, I know, but it's my observations and experience. When we travel one of the most striking things is how generous other people are. You always hear people say, "Although they had very little, the people we met gave of themselves and wanted to give us all that they had." I wonder why we don't invite poeple over to our homes. A few weeks ago the Canucks were playing in the Stanley Cup play-offs. We made it to game seven of the Stanley Cup game (but didn't come out victorious this time). I make references to this becuase it really grabbed my attention how this event brought communities together. This game brought people together. Some pepole follow hockey and some jumped on board when we made it to the play-offs to rally behind Vancouver's team. I say all of this to build up to when I went downtown Vancouver for Game 7 with three friends to join in the excitement of the final game. We went to the big screens that were set up for people to come watch the game at; however, we left that place after the first period because we were getting trampled and you could sense that the crowd's disposition was not very friendly. So we left the square looking for a new place to observe the game. My suggestion was to just knock on someone's door and see if we could join them in watching the game. This idea was immediately shot down. Now, I understand that the area we were in consists mostly of apartment buildings, so it's not like my neighborhood; however, I couldn't understand why it would be so outrageous to to join other Canuck fans in watching the game. Truth be told, probably 95% of British Columbians were watching the game anyways! It's like everything was at a stand-still while game seven was happening. I thought to myself, if this is the most unifying events (comparable to the gold medal hockey games in the 2010 Winter Olympics), why can't we join with other proud and excited Vancouver-ites to commemorate this occasion? Why would it be so strange to see if we could join others and watch the game with them? Why would it be so crazy to "visit" with a stranger? Honestly, I can't understand it. I feel like that would have been the most opportune time to join with strangers and rally together for a common goal, but, I guess I am the weird one. It isn't normal to knock on a stranger's door and invite oneself in. It is normal to go to a restaurant with your exclusive group and watch the game in a public place.

Am I truly Canadian or not? Lately I've been feeling this strange tension within my being that can not easily accept what our culture is like.

Can I give you example number two? I don't want this entry to sound like I'm complaining, I'm really not; it's just that everyone longs for community and somehow too often Canadians settle for less-than that. I was delivering these flyers around town to get some extra money (secret's out! yup! I'm kind of like a paper girl again). Anyways, I was in a beautiful neighbourhood that I had never even really explored before. It was pretty quiet and the houses looked nice from the outside. I had to stop on someone's front step because my cell phone rang and so I answered it. After finishing my quick conversation, I sat down on the front steps because it started to rain. The weather has been really capricious lately. I thought to myself that the rain would let up in a minute, so I figured I would wait on the front steps of this nice looking house. The owners opened the door to see who was sitting at their entrance. ME! (I don't look scary!) I explained the situation that I was delivering these flyers and it started to rain so I was just going to wait it out for a minute. The couple seemed fine with that (sort of) however after a few seconds the man came outside and sat on a chair right behind me. Feeling a little awkward I turned around and thought I'd see what he was doing. He gave me the most unfriendly look and said in a very rude voice, "Can I help you???" Once again I gave him the same explaination that I had just given about 1 minute prior. He continued to give me a very unwelcoming look and so I felt obliged to put my hood on, pick up my flyers and continue on my "merry" way.

I guess that all I have to say in response to what I've noticed in these instances is that we have adopted an individualistic mentality that has actually come to believe it is outrageous for the paper girl to sit on the front step to wait for the rain to let up.

What I'm taking from all of this is that I want to be a hospitable person. I want my neighbors to feel safe and comfortable with me. I want to offer my home to people and I pray that my future home will be a place of refuge and refreshment and that I would let others know that I have an open door policy. Three of my friends recently moved in together and they have named their home "the nest." The name is quite fitting and I have already found myself there sharing my heart with these precious women! Is it always convenient to attend to the needs of others? Probably not. But how much richer is a life when others are invited in to share the rooms with laughter, tears, stories and memories? Let's be the kind of people who embrace community.

"Lord, I want to see others the way you see them. May I walk in humility and share all that I have- because all that I have has been supplied by you."

The World is A'Glow

Like I've mentioned before, we can learn something new everyday

if we posture ourselves to be teachable.

May I maintain a posture of learning and take the time to learn new things everyday.

Before pic:

This project still remains unfinished; however, I wanted to tell you all about it. If you know me, you know that I'm not really a painter/ visual artist. I can definitely appreciate artwork, but my thoughts are that since I wasn't exposed to art that much as a child, I am sort of lacking in the artistic domain. I would consider myself an artist though. I love creating! I love seeing others create! I love Colour! I love music! And I'm okay with sharing my emotions! (As a side note, I worked at a photo lab for about 5 months and got the job by telling the lady that "I appreciate art and love music." What the heck did that have to do with working at a photolab? So for 5 months I got to view everyone's photos. Don't worry, none of them scarred me). Okay, back to the story. When my parents were away on vacation my brother decided to update the front yard. It was his project. I think it looks really sharp. He did a fantastic job. So this time while my parents were away, I decided I would paint the front door. I thought it would be an easy task- just paint. It was more involved than I had originally thought. It involved choosing the paint (going to Benjamin Moore twice), sanding, taping, priming, and then painting. The colour we decided to go with is called "Black Beauty." I had a little creative-conference with Jeanette to discuss the project and then, set off to do it. Props go out to Jeanette for all of her suggestions and her natural "eye" to envision what will look good. The thing I learned is that it's great to try new things. Trying something new doesn't guarantee that you will be a professional- however I'm learning that that's okay. It's good to try something that you have never done before. It's so rewarding and I also enjoy collaborating with those know what they are talking about because they have so much to offer. It's actually really neat to get someone talking about what they enjoy. I actually get joy from listening/ watching someone talk about something they are passionate about. I must say that I was a little impatient when it came to the painting. I tore the tape off too early and ended up taking some of the paint off with it, so I need to go back and touch up the edges. I need to give a shout-out to my brother because he woke up at 7am with me to do this project and while I was doing some of the painting he was working hard on the yard. We are a good team (amazing race, Brayden?).

The after pic is still to come.

Next I've been in need of some work because although I've been on the TOC list for Abby Christian I've only been called once. Praise God! Isn't it amazing how the body can work together? I had a need and J needed someone to do some work. Perfect for both of us! So I ended up landscaping, aka pulling weeds and edging, for 3 days. I have never even mowed the lawn before, so this was sort of a big deal. I ended up enjoying it a lot. I found it to be so soothing. It was a totally different job than I'm used to, but there was something so peaceful and beautiful about getting dirty, enjoying creation and blasting my music (thanks Tamara and Vicky) in Pete's garden. There is also something to be said about doing something that you don't typically find yourself doing. This was a whole new experience for me. I also felt a sense of accomplishment when the job was all done and I could actually see what I had done. May we be the kind of family that cares for one another and meets each other's needs. May I be inclined to meet someone's needs if I am capable of doing so. May we act as members of one family.

On Friday I found myself (of all places!) at the Pacific Construction Equipment Show in Chilliwack. Again, not my typical gig, but I from it I added another thing to my
"life experience list." I operated a Volvo 160 Excavator. Here's a picture.

J wanted to operate the biggest machine they had. I was happy to just let him have his fun and enjoy being in the excavator; however, the sales guy from Volvo also invited me to get on one for myself and take the controls. So this picture is of me doing exactly that. J was right when he said that I probably didn't wake up that morning thinking, "hmm... I think I'm going to operate an excavator today." So thanks Cupressa for the experience!

Finally, here are some words from *SARK*- be an artist!

Plant impossible gardens ~ Look forward to dreams ~ Cry during movies ~ Swing as high as you can on a swingset, by moonlight ~ Cultivate moods ~ Do it for love ~ Take lots of naps ~ Take moonbaths ~ Giggle with children ~ Listen to old pepole ~ Drive away fear ~

Play with everything ~ Entertain your inner child ~

Build a fort with blankets ~ Get wet ~ Hug trees ~ Write love letters ~

Psalm 24 for my 24th Birthday

I thought I would look up Pslam 24 since it is my 24th birthday.

It is a gooder! Something to meditate on and remind ourselves that God is sovereign.

Lord, I want to be more like you!

Pslam 24

The Earth is the Lord's and everything in it.

The world and all its people belong to him.

For he laid the earth`s foundations on the seas

and built it on the ocean depths.

Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?

Who may stand in his holy place?

Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,

who do not worship idols and never tell lies.

They will receive the Lord's blessing

and have a right relationsihp with God their savior.

Such people may seek you

and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob.

Open up, ancient gates!

Open up, ancient doors,

and let the King of Glory enter.

Who is the king of glory?

The Lord, Strong and mighty;

The Lord, invincible in battle.

Open up, ancient gates!

Open up, ancient doors,

and let the King of glory enter.

Who is the King of glory?

The Lord of Heaven's armies-

He is the King of glory!

www. christiannotes.org/commentary.php?b=19&c=24&com=wes

Cupcakes!

It seems as if the current theme in my life is CUPCAKES!

Today Tamara brought me a special treat while I was working at the office. Oh what at delight it was to open my little dainty box from starbucks and see a delectable mini cupcake. With our lattes in hand, we enjoyed one another's company and downed our chocolate and peanut butter goodness cakes. The rain was pouring outside, and we were safe and comfy in the office, watching earth drink the rain and bring in spring.

Thanks Tam, you always light up every room you step foot in!

Funny thing is that I acutally had a cupcake last night when I went to Wendels in Fort Langley. My mom said to chalk this occasion up since I'm not normally one to eat chocolate.

Two students recently brought in mini cupcakes to celebrate their birthdays and when I went to visit my friend last week she gave me a cupcake that her niece had baked and decorated.

Talk about cupcake galore! It must be that the world knows my birthday is coming.

One week... the countdown is on.... then 24~

Have a ~sweet~ weekend. Receive the gifts the Lord gives to you and

maybe even share a treat with a friend this weekend!

let's hold fast

To the Promises the Lord has made to us. Surely He keeps his word.

These are life-giving scriptures that we need to hold on to and remind ourselves of.

May we store these up in our hearts and reassure ourselves of how mindful our God is of us.

for more go to www.365promises.com

You make beautiful things

~ You make beautiful things out of the dust.

You make beautiful things, you make beautiful things out of us. ~

- all around hope is springing up from this old ground- out of chaos life is being found in you-



Been thinking of the following quote that I stumbled across the other week. It goes like this, "Don't ask yourself what hte world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and go do that because what the world needs is people who have come alive."



I have so many things to say about this quote... so I better just release! It dawned on me as I was talking to Z last month that we have no right to ever discourage anyone from doing what has been placed within them to do. Woulnd't you hate to be the one who silences someone else's dream? I was not created to do the same thing as you and you were not created to do the same things as the persona beside you- each of us was designed by God to have a certain bent, certain skill sets and ways that move us to action. Isn't that what makes the world beautiful, and yet so mysterious? We are each unique! say it again... I believe that instilled within us are secrets that the world can not know until we release them. I suppose they are more like treasures- what we want to uniquely offer the world and those around us. Bill Johnson says, "Our dreams are not independent from God,but instead, exist because of God." This is exaclty what I am trying to say. Do you need me to shout out the dreams that God has placed within me? I don't think that's necessarily the right approach. Can't the way we live show what God has put in us? That's how it is supposed to be- our lives are a response to what has irrevokably been put in us. We may call these things longings. I wanto go and love people. I want to tell the children I interact with that they are valuable and designed by a Father who will never let them out of his sight. "One of the most significant ways to serve others is to be present with them" (Charles Ringma, Dare to Journey with Henrdy). The idea of ~presence~ has been resonating with my spirit lately. We cary the presence of Christ and that is lovely. So in God's presence things Change. As Kim Walker declares, "we are not the same after we encounter the presence of God." Really his presence compels us and softens us. Just think: If I bring the presence of God wherever I go, how does the atmosphere change as a result? How do people respond and receive the presence of God? T always says, "wherever you are, be present." This speaks to me and I hope it calls us to delight and be more full. I know my thoughts are a little scattered but that's how it goes sometimes (espcially when you haven't blogged regularly). I have been wondering since the summer about how come there is power when we pray in a particular spot. We can pray boldly from any location, however physically briging the presence of Christ to a spot brings light, healing and freedom and that's probably why intercession/ prayer walks have the ability to change the atmosphere becuase darkness is becoming invaded by light. Spoken words of Light overrule the darkness. The theif always comes to destroy what God wants to use for good, so then our presence (if we know our authority) can release God's power to supersede the patterns of this world by invading it with the will of God (the kingdom of God becoming a reality on earth). Wow. I think of the story of Jesus passing through the crowd and the one woman being healed when she just walked by. Can't that be a reality now? I long for a greater release of the Spirit of God to touch and intervene in those avenues of people's physical and spiritual bodies that need healing and reconciliation. Just think of touch people can receive from God if we act as carriers of Christ to this people. When I travel, I have a new desire. I want to be a worshipper from whichever city/ country I find myself in. I don't know the complete mystery; however, releasing worship declares God's reign over a place and invites God to expose the darkness and bring communion/ relationship. His heart is for relationship. Worship expresses relationships and invites deeper levels of relatioship. We carry the presence of Christ.

May we extravagantly RADIATE!



more thoughts to come... on the next post.

~faith~ courage~ obedience~ overcomer!~

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR7VOKQ0xJY