Not for the Faint of Heart

Not only did I get wet yesterday but I was also under attack. Yes, the experience was quite dramatic. See I needed to know how to use a mac, having never used one I asked my coworker for help. This require me pulling up a chair to his desk and watching him. This sounds innocent enough right. Well no, you see his desk is very close to the side of the room where I used to work, the dangerous side, the violent side, the HAPPY side, as we were finishing up I realized that I had about three darts stuck to me and there were about six or seven that had managed to bounce off of my sweatshirt and were sitting on the floor, desk and chair. Ah the joys of working with the people you are so comfortable with. It is a dangerous business. Customer support is not for the faint of heart...nor is working with friends!

A Sigh of Relief

Ah a sigh of relief. I turned in my last final yesterday morning. It felt so good to be rid of that thing. Although I had an unusually peaceful finals week (being at home sick and studying) I am so glad that now I have tons of time to do fun things. I'm excited to go to parties, bake cookies, Christmas carol, go Christmas shopping with friends and brothers. It twill be great.

I'm also excited to start wrapping up Good News Clubs. My kids have been great and I will miss not seeing them. The really sad part is that I will not be coming back after Christmas break. I have other people who will be taking over the clubs for me and I have no doubt that they are quite capable and will rightly divide the Word of Truth.

Right now I'm in my bedroom surrounded by many of the things that used to be in my closet. You see, as soon as I finished my finals I took everything I could out of my closet and dumped it on the floor. Some of it has started to go back. Now I am stuck with those things that I really can't get rid of and yet really have not place to put. So once I find a place for those I can start organizing my bookshelves, then my craft and sewing bins, then my hope chest, then my chest of drawers. At least those are all relatively small projects. It would be nice, though, if at some point during break I could walk from one side of my room to the other.

Since this post is relatively scrambled anyway I thought I could include a story about my experience yesterday:

I wake up ready for the day to begin with a list in my head of exactly what I need to do when and where I need to go and how I need to get there. First I need to go to the church and take care of the library there, I can drive my car for this part. Then I need to drive to downtown and park my car in the parkade. Then I walk to the bus stop. It is pouring down rain. Both of the buses I thought I could take were leaving as I approached the station. Fortunately the station is dry. Finally another bus comes. I take it to school and then walk over to my teachers office and drop my final off in her box in the English department office. Then back to the bus stop. I take a quick detour to the computer lab. Back on a bus headed down town I realize that my pants are soaked. I also realize that I forgot my badge that is required for all employees. By the time I get to the station it is raining even harder. Every thing about me feels very wet as I enter the building and ask the receptionist for a “tacky looser name tag” (those who forget their badges get to wear a stick on name tag) I get one and write down my name and head to Amy's office to tell her I'm done with school for the quarter. Then to the kitchen to get a water bottle. Then back to reception where I cover for a few minutes. By the time the main receptionist is back some of my friends from Customer Support are downstairs and we all head to Starbucks. I believed that I was as soaked as I could possibly get so what harm could it do to go back out into the rain. Well by the time I finally sit down at my desk I realize that my jeans are soaked all the way up to just below the knee. How someone could get that wet I don't entirely know. I know that my pants were long and my shoes very flat....but up to the knee. I guess water can travel up your pant leg. I got dry just in time to go out again on break to get lunch and then again to go on a break with some friends that afternoon. Each time I came in I wished I hadn't gone out. “I want a hair dryer, or a new pair of pants....why can't it just snow?” that is the real question. When is it going to snow?!

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

Homemaking

“So how is the house cleaning coming?” the words from my classmate were not meant as an insult but remembering his comments from before brought a certain sting “I thought only girls who were depressed cleaned house.” No, girls who are not depressed clean house, and bake, and cook, and care for children. Actually many many women have found cleaning house, just one part of keeping a home, to be a very satisfying career. It is just one very small piece of being a keeper at home. There are many, many, many such little pieces that make domesticity attractive. However it isn't just these little sacrifices and acts of kindness (or big ones) it is the spirit of a woman giving herself to her family that is so beautiful. To be able to truly have something to give, in reality to have anything to give a woman must allow God's blessings to flow over her constantly. She must give herself in God and allow Him to fill every bit of her life and then she can truly be a blessing to her family. As I learn to let God fill me completely I think of how blessed I am to have so many Godly woman as my examples. Women who have not listened to societies insults at the idea of homemaking and have allowed God to fill them up so that they can pour out God's love to their families and friends.

Things

What happened is, we grew lonely
living among the things,
so we gave the clock a face,
the chair a back,
the table four stout legs
which will never suffer fatigue
We fitted our shoes with tongues
as smooth as our own
and huge tongues inside bells
so we could listen
to their emotional language,
and because we loved graceful profiles
the pitcher received a lip.
The bottle a long, slender neck.
Even what was beyond us
was recast in our image;
we gave the country a heart,
the storm an eye
the cave a mouth
so we could pass into safety.

Lisel Mueller

Entertainment

Last night I relaxed and watched the show. It was interesting this time. A good book was being read. It will never be read the same way again. Books really are more interesting that way-when you make them up as you go. You see I was the daughter and my "mommy" was reading to my brother and "sister" as I watched from the corner. Then everyone went into the house and the horse tried to follow. Brother finally pulled it all the way in which he got in proper trouble for. Apparently rocking horses do not belong in play houses. Then dinner was served. Brother seemed to get in trouble a lot. It might have had something to do with the fact that "mommy" was a lot smaller than him an less than half his age. Then came school time and mommy became the teacher and brother was still in trouble.

Yes, taking care of children with my entertaining brother is quite an adventure...If you haven't laughed for a while try watching and 18 year old boy play house with a 6 year old girl. It is great fun!

I have an amazing brother.

Dawn Treader

I was just getting out of the grove of being in Narnia. Then I realized that I will soon be going back to Narnia and need to prepare for it. Wow, so much to think about so much to ask questions about. This time we will be thrown into the water and hoisted up by the “Dawn Treader”. Yes, we are starting to think about (or I am starting to think about) camps for next summer. It was about this time last year when I originally started planning to help with a camp. Little did I know how things would turn out (actually I knew nothing at all!). It makes me wonder which ones of my expectations will be changed this year. Or if all of them will. I'm excited to see what God will do...and very much enjoying “having” to read “The Voyage of the 'Dawn Treader'”

Thankful for People

Okay Hannah inspired me to do this. Yes, I know it is almost a week after Thanksgiving.

These are some of the people I am particularly thankful for this year. I'm sure that there are many missing.

Mom-well what can I say, she is an amazing woman. She loves to serve and she does it well. I doubt that anyone has ever shown such loving service to her family as my mom.

Dad- He's always there to talk to about anything and every thing. He loves adventures and he loves his family. Most of all he loves God.

Trevor-He's the brother that I talk with, shop with, go to school with, work in ministry with. Yeah, we do just about anything together. We make a great team.

Cristian-My Chico can fix just about anything. He also is a loving brother. If you want an enthusiastic hello and goodbye whenever you come and go you can count on him.

Natalie- Wow, she has been so much to me this year, she has given countless words of advice this past year. She has prayed for me as I struggle. She's an amazing strong woman.

Katie-Ah girl you've been through so much this year yet you never once gave up on our friendship. Thanks for all you have meant through the years.

Amy- I know that she understands me when I'm talking. God has led both of us through such similar things and she is truly a companion on our way upward and onward.

Sara- I haven't seen you very much lately but I know as soon as I do see you it will be like we never really left. That is just the way you are.

Laura- What a girl. She has always been ready to be a friend to anyone no matter their age or talents or appearance.

Debbie- We have shared a lot of instant messages it has been so good to have someone there who cares.

Jon and Justin – You guys are awesome. I love going out for coffee with you two. Even though you know so many things I don't you are always willing to come down to my level and explain anything to me. It is great having such friends to work with. (Jon I miss you)

Corina and Vanessa- We have shared laughter and tears and several good talks thank you for those and your encouragement to grow in Christ.

Jerry and Heidie – What a relaxed joyful couple. They are always fun to be around and always easy to go to for anything.

Mandy- I'm so looking forward to being in school with you again. It will be so nice to have you. You are such a sweet girl. I truly enjoy every moment I spend with you.

Erin- You were great this summer. God has really given you an encouraging spirit.

Ari- God has given you so much talent. Thanks for using it for his kingdom

Spencer- I love working with you. You are so faithful and so good at what you do. I know I can count on you when things are looking down.

Every one else from the CEF team- You guys are the best. We had some amazing times this summer. God lead us through some difficult things and we hung strong. Good work!
Hannah- well for one you inspired me to write this. Also you are such a sweet girl. We have laughed many times together over everything and nothing.

Pastor Steve, Pastor Dax, Pastor Mark- I truly have caring pastors. Thank you for all of your teaching and guiding.

Alex, Eddie, Kyle, Wes, Ryan, Andrew, Grant, Bill, (and any other guys I missed)– it has been so nice to have you guys at school or playing at school. Sometimes it is so comforting knowing that there are godly guys at school.

The S family – You know who you are although I don't put last names on blogs. You guys are so much fun and I've enjoyed so many things about each member of your family. You are just so much fun to be with and to know.

Grandma and Poppy- Thanks for having me over for Coffee and for taking time for me. I am so thankful for the godly heritage I have been blessed with.

Grandma and Grandpa- I'm glad God has spared your lives and that you are still here for me to talk with. Thank you so much for your faithful prayers.

Emily- I'm excited to finally be getting to know you a little bit. I'm excited that we are learning the sound system together. You are so mature and so much fun to be with.

Brit- Thank you for the time you spend loving your family. You are such a good example to me. Thank you for your personality. You even me out and help me have the balance I need. You calm my passions and listen to me tirelessly.

Abbie- Ha, you are so much fun. I love talking with you or playing with you or doing just about anything with you.

Jeremy and Amy- I'm praying for you as the Lord leads you into new territory. Thanks for being my big brother Jeremy and for all the times you have listened to me and lead me closer to God Amy. I know it has been a long time since I have been close to you guys but you still mean a lot.

The D family- there have been times when it was almost like having a second family. Thank you for that and your lovely hospitality.

Amanda and Helyce- Thanks for being faithful friends. I look forward to seeing you more at school.

Heather, Hannah, Rosie- I've really been glad to get to do clubs with you. May the Lord bless you as you take over. Thanks for all your willing spirits.

Calli- I'm so blessed by your desire to serve God. You are so willing to do anything and go any where. I really appreciate you a lot and enjoy seeing how god is using you.

Shelby- Thank you for your sweet spirit and evident love for people.

Dani- Thanks for being a friend to both my mom and I. That is such a special thing. We appreciate you so much. I'm so glad I have you and for your calm cheerfulness.

Elizabeth and Bethany- Thanks girls for sharing so many happy memories with me. You two are truly wonderful people.

Amy and Beth- ha you girls are so much fun we've shared so many moments talking and laughing and being frustrated. Thanks for letting me hide under your desk and talk. Thanks for all your advice and help with school.

Level 2 technicians- Thanks for teaching me so much and helping me through so many calls

Every one at work.- Yeah I work in the best place ever because of the wonderful people there. You guys rock!

All of the older women (as in older than I am) at church - You have given me so many warm encouragements and pieces of advice.

I know that I'm missing some people so don't feel left out. So many people have been important in my life this year.