This is Sonia and Candice, friends from work. Monday night Candice and I went to a killer cycling exercise class and then we went out for Japanese. We soon discovered that it is not easy to share sunumono salads!! haha!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Power
This is Sonia and Candice, friends from work. Monday night Candice and I went to a killer cycling exercise class and then we went out for Japanese. We soon discovered that it is not easy to share sunumono salads!! haha!
Sunday, January 28, 2007
More Thoughts
Every time Robbie, Rob and i are working together it seems like the fountain in the fish pond always needs fixing. Because Rob has long arms and legs he always gets the job. This time I had my camera so I thought I would document the occasion. I am waiting for the day that he falls in!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
tuesday
This is Chad and Bobbi's puppy, Teega-so cute!
And to end this post, here is a quote I read this morning in one of my textbooks. Nicholas Wolerstorff talks about it in his book:
"It is my conviction that the church, and humanity at large, neglects inwardness at its own peril. And when I speak of inwardness I do not just mean motivation for scoail action alogn with the beliefs that undergird it. I mean contemplation. I mean the cultivation of what in some traditions is called spirituality, and in others, piety. It seems to me that amidst its intense activism, the Western world is starved for contemplation. Likewise it seems to me that the unmistakable witness of the Scriptures is that where genuine piety or spirituality is missing, there life as a whole is deeply wounded. Contemplation, spirituality, piety-these in my judgment themselves belong to authentic shalom, with influence radiating throughout the whole of our existence."
And then Richard Foster says in his book 'Celebration of Discipline', "Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people."
Interesting thoughts and reminders for me. What do you think?
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Full Weekend
My friend and I were having a discussion the other day about going out and serving in other countries. They said they wanted to, but then came to the realization that in a sense it would be running away from life here (in her case, not in every single one). Anyway, I have been pondering it a lot lately and thinking about how I often think that I need to go somewhere and serve, but why can I not be fully serving God right here today? I do in little ways, but why can't my whole life be a service and sacrifice to Him? If I went to a different country, I am sure my life would look completely different. But I wonder what changes I would have to make in my life here to have it look like that more. The question I think is, what comforts is God calling me to sacrifice? Something to think about..
Friday, January 19, 2007
Changes
So to put all of it into action, my first step was stepping down from my management position at work. I was going to be working 32 hours a week and I could have done it with my seven classes at school, but those two things would have taken up all my life and I would have had to sacrifice so many other things just to do those two things. The moment I quit, I felt a huge burden lift and I felt like jumping around. Now I am workingn two days a week, about 15 hours and I am so excited for the change of pace. For the first time in my life, I actually have a fair amount of free time that I am planning on not filling up! Most of my evenings are free and some of my mornings as well!
The next thing on my list has been to get more sleep! I have been running on a state of exhaustion for far too long and it's nice to bring myself to a place of making sleep a priority and seeing how it is important to make my days more full of energy and not so much grumpiness! Along with sleep has been the plan to work out more frequently! I always make lofty goals for myself saying that I will go to the gym 5 days a week, etc and it lasts for about half a week. So this time around, I decided I would make it my goal to go once a week and that has been a wonderful starting place! Plus, then when I go more than once, it's even better!
Another thing that had taken the backburner was my relationship with God which was cause for my focus being completely off and me getting sucked into myself and into a bit of a depression back in December. How easy it is for me to take my eyes off of God and onto my own life, looking at everything through the narrow lens of how it affects me. But there's so much more! I have been thinking about a lot of my habits of late as well. Usually when I come home, I bring all my stuff upstairs and check my email right away, no matter what. Not for any particular reason, but simply because it is what I have done for so long. So I have been thinking that I need to change that habit, to perhaps spending time with God the moment I get home. As I have been changing this slowly and surely, it is amazing how much of a difference it will make in my day!
I have also been shifting my mindset in school. I put far too much emphasis on my marks,w hen thirty years down the road, it won't matter all that much (unless I fail I guess!). So, I have been trying to shift my focus to learning and getting as much out of my classes as I can, because that needs to be my ultimate goal.
So that's a bit of what I have been thinking of lately and working through. More thoughts and pictures to come!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
impulsive
In other contrasting news, still lots of snow here and school is going well! I am really looking forward to all my classes this semester-looks like a good mix that I have! Speaking of school I should head out. More later!
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Fun Pictures
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
For My Dad
Whenever it snows, I think of when we were little. My dad would always tie a rope to the back of his truck and pull us on the tobaggan. Probably wasn't the safest thing downhill, but it was always our favorite thing to do when it snowed!
My dad left a legacy in many different ways. In starting numerous building projects all around Abbotsford and Vancouver, in his generous lifestyle as he freely gave to those. I am thankful for the times that he and I had together, especially in the year and a half before he died. There were long and meaningful talks as well as sharing and I am so thankful I got that before he died. Some days I miss him like crazy and there are still times when I want to call him and tell him some exciting news. I am excited for the day I get to see him and Leon again and until then, they will live on in my heart!
Thank you Lord for my dad and that I was blessed to have him as a father for the time that I did. Although life was not always perfect, I am thankful for the good and bad times, because they brought me closer to you and helped me to understand life more.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Barbados!!
Friday, January 05, 2007
Home Again
During the days, we relaxed, read, watched movies, ate (spooning the cheese and drinking wine was quite fun!) All in all it was a great time of relaxation, fellowship and fun. Last night we went to a fancy little restaurant down the road called Robin Hood Restaurant and Pub. It was really cute and we ended up staying there for three hours! We made friends with the people sitting at two different tables around us! haha! Great to be able to just join into other people's conversations! :)
Now I am back home and exhausted which is weird because I have had more sleep in the last few days than before! if you want to see more pictures, you will have to go look at my photo blog (link on the right hand side) and i will perhaps write more in depth when i'm not wanting to go to bed!
Monday, January 01, 2007
Family Gatherings and Christmas Parties
It's been a long time coming but here are some pictures from some of my family gatherings at Christmas as well as the Christmas party with some friends who were all in the same small group. Oh and Happy New Year by the way! had a games night/party at my house last night and it was a lot of fun. Now I have to go pack as I am going away for four days to Washington. I'm staying at a place on the ocean and am looking forward to it! So enjoy these pics and I will have more when I return!!