The Receiver

I try my best to actually Read during "Silent Reading" time in my class. While there are many other things I could be doing, I intentionally take this time to 1. model for my students what it looks like to read 2. enjoy a good book. Before the Christmas break I read "The Giver" by Lois Lowry. Typically we have silent reading three times a week but I'm pretty sure we had silent reading every day that week so I could finish my book!


In a world where everything is controlled in order to protect its citizens from any harm, hurt or pain, one person bears the memories of a time when the world was much different- when the people had "free will." Being the bearer of all the memories of times past is an honour in the society. The sad part is that the One who holds the memories isn't allowed to share them with anyone else. The time came for someone new to bear the memories (to be the Receiver), so the current giver had to hand over all of the memories he had. Some of the memories were wonderful- such as Christmas, snow, family and love and some were terrible and sad- like war, famine, pain and loss. The boy who was the Receiver felt new things he had never experienced before in his life. He understood new emotions. He felt deeply. He had never understood love (in his world) the way he was able to in the memories. Yet, he also felt sorrow like he never had before.


As I read this story I couldn't help but think, "I'm the Receiver!" I could relate to experiencing such depth of emotions. I believe I feel deeply because I love deeply. I care for others deeply. I love others. When you love others, there are moments of tremendous joy and there are moments of sorrow. When you love others, you heart is enlarged. My friend LaQueta told me about her time serving with Heidi Baker in Mozambique. She said, "I remember some of the visitors to the missions base in Mozambique watching the children get so attached to them and then both they and the kids were crying when they left. Some of the visitors decided maybe it wasn't good to even get close to the kids in the first place. But Heidi always said "It's always better to love." And she's right." Those words stick. I've wondered if everyone has this desire to genuinely love others. Maybe it's the gift of Mercy or maybe it's the heart of an intercessor. Maybe it's the way we were raised, or life experiences or something else that has enlarged our hearts, but whatever it is, I believe it is God's heart to Love. When we choose to love, we choose the Jesus way. Jesus is love.


I was reading "The Giver" around Jesse's birthday and it made me reflect on his life. When I called his mom to let her know I remembered his birthday and was thinking about her, I ended the conversation by saying, "I love you." Crazy to love her? No! I love this woman and I always will. Crazy to love some of the people in my life? Perhaps. But Jesus always chooses love. Jesus is love. I choose to walk in love. By walking in love I will live this "abundant life" that I always refer to. It will include pain and sadness at times and it will include joy and celebration at other times. I've seen some people who put up walls around themselves in order to protect themselves. I've seen them put up all their defences so they won't get hurt (again). Sure enough, they won't get hurt, but sadly they prohibit themselves from experiencing Abundant life! Now, that's sad to watch. So although it is difficult to love deeply sometimes, I believe it is closer to experiencing the Father's heart than if we had merely stayed at bay and not cared. Genuine love doesn't love to get something. Genuine love loves because the other person is seen as a Pearl of great value.




Ephesians 3 says, "For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."




This passage has recently gripped me! In my recent reading and studying of this passage (thanks David), I've come to see the parallel between what I've been experiencing (depth of emotions) and what Paul prays that we will experiencing- the dimensions of God's love. This is a rich passage. So I pray that I would know more of this Love- in the times when it's wonderful and you feel on top of the world and in those moments when all you can do is cling to Jesus.

A reminder

to JUST BE

 

This is my favourite spot in the house right now.

 

I love this plaque that I found at Marshalls and I think the Wilmas make it complete. The Wilma is my favourite thing this season. So simple. So beautiful. So real. They were put up just before Jesse's birthday to remember. They are a reminder to choose to see the beauty.

I take the long way to work so I can get my coffee and muffin in the morning, but also to spend that extra time in quietness. I drive onto Mt. Lehman Road and anticipate the beauty that awaits me as I drive. I often reflect. I often pray. Some days are not clear, but most days I hope to see this:

 

And as I pause, I am moved beyond words.

All I can do is BE!

You are invited too- invited to Be!

 

So whether you join me at 7:15 am on Mt. Lehman Road, or have another sacred spot,

 I invite you to take the opportunities to Be! The Father awaits. 

You make me brave

Aslan and Lucy

"Aslan is on the move!"

Over the last number of weeks that phrase has been ringing in my mind. Most days are pretty routine at my work and I don't really love that- I prefer more excitement and adventure in my days! However, as a class, we just finished reading "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and this book stirred me. Reading this book was the highlight of my day. My students loved it as well!  Have you read it?

As we read I couldn't help myself from getting excited. I couldn't contain myself because this story is rich in truth. C.S. Lewis was such a skilled writer. His writing captivates each reader's imagination and  proclaims Truth that has the ability to profoundly impact lives! After reading the novel together as a class (and listening to the Audio, which is incredibly well done) we spent a Friday morning watching the movie. We had our comfy slippers on, popcorn to eat and were eager for the day's "feature presentation!" Now what happened next came as a total surprise to me. Upon Aslan's first appearance on screen, the classroom erupted! You wouldn't believe the cheers and claps that filled the room when the Hero of the story made his first appearance. And again the loudest cheers and claps rang out when (after being dead) Aslan proved victorious and came back to life! I was not expecting that sort of reaction to Aslan. It never crossed my mind that these 24 ten year olds would so outwardly display their affection for him. It's true that you can't help but get close to Aslan as the story unfolds. You can't help but want to know him and you can't help but to be in awe of his great power and kind heart.

As all the cheers rang throughout the classroom, I sat there and pondered that moment. It was a curious moment.

"At the name of Aslan each one of the children felt something jump in its inside. Edmund felt a sensation of mysterious horror. Peter felt suddenly brave and adventurous. Susan felt as if some delicious smell or some delightful strain of music had just floated by her. And Lucy got the feeling you have when you wake up in the morning and realize that it is the beginning of the holidays or the beginning of summer. "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe – Chapter 7

In the same way as Aslan solicited a reaction from each child in the Book, he also drew a reaction out of each of my students.

I just wanted to tell the students that Aslan is Jesus. I wanted them to know that they were moved inside because this is the Truth. I wanted so desperately to proclaim explicitly that their hearts were longing for and calling out for Aslan- the Redeemer. I ask that truth was planted in their hearts. Perhaps this unique way of presenting the message will be tucked into their minds and I ask that these 24 students will hear it explicitly explained in the future. I pray. Perhaps I will see fruit in 10 years when the kids are all grown up and run into me in the grocery store and I actually get to share the Truth openly or perhaps someone else will share this truth with them. Yes, Aslan is on the move!! That day, like no other day yet, I felt this hope rising up within me that one day these students would know Jesus. It may not be now, but I have a curious sense that something is to come.

 

Aslan is on the move!

Jesse

Jesse- a forever friend.

 

Three weeks ago my friend Jesse went home to be in the presence of Jesus, his Saviour and Redeemer. I miss him and find it hard to believe that we won't hang out again, he won't be there when friends gather for games, we won't drink Rooibos tea together, we won't drive in his truck, or go for walks, listen to Jason Upton music together or do random things together like go to Construction Shows and operate our own excavators (!!) but I know that those memories are forever kept in my heart. I will forever remember the memories Jesse and I share together.

As I have thought of Jesse and reflected on our time together, I realized how for the time God put him in my life, I learned so much from him. I went back and re read some old entries I had made on my blog about Jess. Take a look: He had an eye for design and loved creating beautiful things with his work in Landscaping, he desired to grow in his relationship with Jesus, he took moments to be quiet and reflect, he understood that it is in community where we flourish and when we are vulnerable with our struggles, we can lean on the body of Christ to bring us before the Father, he was an everyday guy who had hopes, dreams and brilliant ideas that he wanted to put into action. I always enjoyed hearing his business plans and the future direction he hoped to go with his business.

One of my favourite memories of all of Jess is when him and I were driving back to Abbotsford from Chilliwack and I was complaining because he was being silent (now he was often content to just sit silently and think to himself- he didn't need to be heard and didn't need to always speak to be having a good time). I said, "Jesse, you are wasting our time! We should be talking and getting to know eachother; you should be asking me questions to get to know me and I should be doing the same. This is the opportunity to get to know eachother!" After a moment's pause, he said, "Victoria, I don't have to talk to have a good time. It's ok to be quiet sometimes. Actually, there's something to be said about simply spending time with someone. There is great value in being together." I've taken that nugget of truth from Jesse- to enjoy spending time with another person, enjoying their company.  That was a special moment for me and I remember it like it was yesterday.

With Jesse, I did things I would never think to do on my own- like go to the Art Institute in Vancouver to see what courses they offered because he was interested in design classes. Who knew I would spend time in a garden becasue of Jess? Who knew I would get into playing badminton or drinking rooibos tea? Who knew I would attend an AA meeting to discover the struggles of addictions? Who knew that we would have birds eat trailmix from our hands when we were snowshoeing at Manning Park last winter? Who knew I would be invited to Bright Nights at Stanley Park with his family 3 Christmases ago? Or who knew that I would help him at the Home and Garden show at the Abbotsford Tradex? In all these things, my eyes were opened to new things. Jesse knew totally different things about the world than I do. He always said that I was smart, having gone to university and earning 2 degrees, but the truth is that we both brought different things to our friendship. He taught me something new each time I was with him.

He sent me this picture while he was away

I remember walking at Douglas Taylor Park in Abbotsford- my faovurite walking trail in Abbotsford. He got it! He saw the beauty that I see there as well!

From when Jess was up in Dawson Creek

One time, Jess told me that I knew him better than he knew himself- what a statement to say! Honestly, I don't think I could know him better than he knew himself, but I knew his habits and I knew his patterns. I could tell when he was doing well and I could also tell when he wasn't. I knew that he desired to overcome the addictions in his life. I truly believe that Jesse understood the message of grace that Jesus gives because every time he sinned, his desire was to go running back to God, rather than hiding or continuing in that destructive path.

Oh the things we do! I remember several times, secretly dropping encouraging notes and verses on his truck so that his day would start with something positive. Come to think of it, I remember going to the Peppinbrook development in Aldergrove where Jesse was working and dropping off banana bread for him! I remember having dinner at Rendevous for his birthday a few years ago and eagerly giving him my present... the book Oh the Places You'll Go by none other than Dr. Seuss. It was an intentional gift, trusting that the words in the book would resonate with him. It describe life's journey and it quite accurately describes what Jess faced in his life- such highs and such lows.

Here's an excerpt from the book: "

You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.

It's opener there
in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And then things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.

OH! THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

You'll be on y our way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.

 I could keep quoting the book but that might be against copyright laws, lol, but I this relays what Jess lived- this depicts both the excitement and the struggles in his life.

Each time I hear the song "I lift my hands" by Chris Tomlin, I think of Jesse. This has often been my prayer for him. The chorus says, "I lift my hands to believe again, You are my refuge, You are my strength. As I pour out my heart These things, I remember. You are faithful, God, forever." I prayed this over Jesse often, especially when he was struggling.

In the midst of grieving I keep going back to the words that were spoken by Pastor Vic at Jesse's graveside service from 1 Corinthians 15, "Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. ⁴³ Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. ⁴⁴ They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies." This is Jesse's story.

 

I cherish many memories. I appreciate Jess in the truest sense and value the friendship we shared. I always believed in him and didn't give up on him.



Christmas 2012

 

Miss You, Jess. You are in the presence of Jesus, safe and held dearly.

Forever our memories will be cherished.

 

"My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident" (Psalm 587: 7).

home SUITE home!

Hey Everyone! The grand unveiling of the new basement suite was last Friday. The contractors worked hard all summer and were delighted to show us the finished product! There were lots of "Oohs and Aaahs!" when we were let into the finished basement suite for the first time. Now I'm all moved in and so excited that I have this new place. It feels like mine with all my decorations, my Turkish Rug and a beautiful, spacious kitchen. My bedroom is still a work in progress, so you will have to wait to see pictures of it. Jill has moved in with me until December. I met Jill when I was training to go overseas and now she is here preparing to go long term wherever God has for her. My parents put in a lot to make this happen. What more could a parent want- their grown child being independent and yet, oh so close to home (just downstairs!). It is a bright, modern suite with lots of room for 2 people. Looking forward to enjoying this new place to call home!

 

You are welcome for tea and cookies... come on over!

Again, the kid in me comes out!

"Faith like a Child"- Jars of Clay

 

Did I grow up too quickly? Maybe I did. Maybe it's part of being the oldest child in a family. Maybe it's that I always wanted to impress my mommy and make her happy. I started talking and walking at a young age and have a strong desire to do the best I can at whatever I do. I set high standards and expect a lot of myself. That being said, when I am around children I can not help but show my playful side! I've been loving this season and any opportunity to play! Yesterday's Agrifair in Abbotsford was brought to a close with a Jars of Clay Concert. What was the highlight of my day? Dancing so freely with little 5 year old Jenna- twirling around in circles until I felt dizzy, seeing her run and then jump in my arms, dancing arm in arm around the whole concert area, putting her on top of my shoulders at the front near the stage and then laying on the ground with her sitting on me and giggling. These are the precious~ joyous ~ special ~ freeing moments in life that ought to be embraced and treasured. We danced and danced and it was a life-giving time for me. So Thank You Jenna, for giving me those special moments of bliss, delight and life! As we were dancing, Jars of Clay was singing their classic song, "Faith like a Child" and her and I would pause and sing out those words with everything in us.

Little moments of awesome:
~ cartwheels in a field!
~ kid hugs!
~ questions from kids!
~ sweaty muffins (fresh muffins)!
~ ice cream, ice cream, ice cream!

Summertime!

It's been a fun summer! I've been working from 7-1 at the coffee shop and then spending the rest of the time outside! The weather has been glorious! Here are a few pictures from summer so far.

 

Canoeing with Amy

 

first time "on" Mill Lake

Fun Fun Fun

Genevieve and Jere were in town visiting from Virginia.
It was nice to reconnect and spend time outdoors.

~ Inspiring ~

a good friend

Oh summer days! RELAX and praise God outside!

 

Made a delicious BBQ dinner at the Kaethler house

Charlie's Angels

I've been addicted to Menchie's! FROZEN YOGURT!
Perfect treat for any summer day!



Breanne and I helped at VBS at Church a couple of weeks ago.
Here she is dressed as Esther.

Hope you've had as much fun as I have this summer! Get out and enjoy it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoxEsqwJjXM- Summer Nights by Rascal Flatts