laughter

Ever have those moments where you laugh until it hurts, and it feels like if you laugh any harder you might die from lack of breath? These are some of the moments in my life that I treasure the most. Laughing is one of my most favourite things to do. The whole purpose of this write up was to remember all the times I have laughed until I cried, but I as I try, I realise that I don't remember why I laughed, but only whom I was with at the time. "Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh." - W. H. Auden. Thank-you to those who have made me laugh and thus making my life so much more brighter.

the liberty of opinions

I would like to start this post off by warning you that I might be taking the following statement out of context - but bare with me for this is how my mind works.
In Poltical Science we are studying John Stuart Mill's defence on liberty - how the liberty of opinions can be useful. The third statement reads: Even if recieved opinion is whole truth, it will degenerate into mere prejudice or dogma if not exposed to conflict with other opinions.
When I read this statement all I could think of was how it relates with the different denominations within the church of Christ. Do you think that it is necessary to have a conflict of opinions so that the truth, which we as Christians hold, does not simply become a dogma or mere prejudice? Must we challenge eachother in the controversial aspects of our faith so that we are constantly challenged to continously search for the answers and not be satisfied to settle for less? Does the liberty of opinions within our faith help keep the truth alive?
If the answer to these questions is yes, then the negative connotation that is often connected with denominations is wrongly felt. We have the option to use it as a tool instead of a hinderance.
"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17

questions worth pondering

• Do stairs go up or down?
• Aren't the 'good things that come to those who wait' just the leftovers from the people that got there first?
• Who was the first person to say, "See that chicken over there ... I'm gonna eat the first thing that comes out if its butt"?
• Can you get cornered in a round room?
• If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
• Why is it that if something says, "do not eat" on the packaging it becomes extra tempting to eat?
• Wouldn't it be smart to make the sticky stuff on envelopes taste like chocolate?
• Why is it that when things get wet they get darker, even though water is clear??
• Can mute people burp?
• Why do people say, "You can't have your cake and eat it too"? Why would someone get cake if they can't eat it?
• How come you pay an extra 25 cents to get something put on your hamburger but they don't take off the price if you get something taken off?
• Why do they call the small candy bars the "fun sizes"? Wouldn't be more fun toeat a big one?
• Can you cry under water?
• Can a person choke and die on a life savor?
• If the energizer bunny attacks someone, is he charged with battery?
• Why is the name of the phobia for the fear of long words Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia?

Winter Retreat 2006

Even though this was my first one I have ever been to, it has been the most fun Winter Retreat I have ever experienced! So many good memories, laughs, and the speaker laid out a challenging message. I think I take for granted the wonderful Christian fellowship that surrounds me everyday, and this weekend was a reminder of how refreshing this fellowship can be.
Here are just some of the pics from the weekend.

a fulfilling day...

Today Sarah and I were sitting in the Senate office trying to admire the beauty of nature through the window, but the view was blocked by the snotty and smeary marks all over the window. And since we are responsible citizens and the favoured senate memebers we decided to do something about this window - clean it.
(Now you might consider me wierd when you read the following statement, but that is ok, cause the chances are you probably already hold that opinion.)
I think I have a fetish for cleaning windows - actually I know I do. There can be such a feeling of accomplishment in such a simple act, just gazing through a crystal clear window that used to be smeary. *sigh.
Just one little request - if you are from Redeemer, please refrain yourselves from placing your oily fingers on the glass of the Senate office, Sarah and I will thank you, and if you do put a finger mark on it there is such a thing as finger printing and I'm pretty sure Sarah will hunt you down.
Another sense of accomplishment today was that I got to vote today, what an awesome responsiblity.

when the tears fall

Today has been long and completely draining day, just one of those days that has had disappointment, frustration, and hurt around every corner. This song started to play and it was just like God was standing right there whispering the words right into my heart.

I've had questions, without answers
I've known sorrow, I have known pain
But there's one thing, that I'll cling to
You are faithful, Jesus You're true

When hope is lost, I'll call You Saviour
When pain surrounds, I'll call You healer
When silence falls, You'll be the song within my heart

In the lone hour of my sorrow
Through the darkest night of my soul
You surround me and sustain me
My defender, forevermore

And I will praise You, I will praise You
When the tears fall, still I will sing to You
And I will praise You, Jesus praise You
Through the suffering still I will sing

Oh yes, You are good to me
You've always been good to me
So trustworthy

How faithful and true
Sustain me through and through
You are hope and truth
You’re my spring of living water
You’re my spring of living water

In the lone hour You are there

Whose springs never fail
Be faithful and true
Like a spring it never fails
You're my spring it never fails

remember the mercy...

How could I say there is no God when all around creation calls.
Snowflakes, gently falling, falling, each unique, whispering “Remember the mercy of God ... remember the mercy ... ” Covering the world in white and then the quiet, quiet, quiet of creation at rest. (Brian Doerksen)

Everyday, whether we notice it or not, God is reaching out to us through the beauty of His creation, yearning to remind us of His love and faithfulness. It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness and the problems of our own lives so that we become completely blind to this simple and obvious message.
Today He has given me snow, thank-you.

it's a girl!

My cousins Josh and Sarah had a little baby girl today. Cadence Mary Grace, 8lbs. 5oz. Every thing went well. Yay a little girl!:)

mow - pronunced mau

Maria introduced me to my new favourite card game, Mow. Great way to get stressed about cards, think of new creative ways to rephrase questions into statements, and faorced others to thank you after giving them a pentalty. It's crazy what this game can produce. Just some advice, before you play this game make sure you are friends before the game starts, because the chances are that your level of appreciation for those individuals is going to diminish.

here is the link for the instructions to play bc frankly I couldn't tell you... but it is a basket full of fun.
http://www.stevenharris.com/mauii/

and he will make your paths straight

"However, the greatest faith of all, and the most effective, is to live day by day trusting Him. It is trusting Him so much that we look at every problem as an opportunity to see His work in our life."
- Rick Joyner

Once again this week, I was reminded of the uselessness of worrying... It is so easy to worry, and yet so hard. I don't know why I always forget that I am not the one in control of my life. God must shake His head and chuckle at me sometimes. I can just see him watching me from heaven as I am desperately trying to figure out the details of my life, worrying about what tomorrow may bring, and my futile attempts of holding on to the little control that I possess. All the while He waits patiently for me to realise that I cannot do it on my own and is there when I, finally at my last string, turn to Him for help. The moment I surrender the situation to Him, everything that I have been worrying about tends to fall into to place, better than I ever could have imagined. I wish I wasn't so stubborn, I wish this was a lesson that I wouldn't have to be reminded the hard way time and time again.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight - Proverbs 3:6

spring in january

My weather eye is reading 8'C and predicting showers for the afternoon, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming...
In normal situations I would be writing this with a feeling of joy, but not today, for today is January 11th! I know I don't have that great of a memory, but I'm pretty sure last year at this time I was probably frolicking through the snow, wearing my winter coat and mittens, skating on ice, and experiencing the fridgid temperatures that ussually accompany the snow. Last night Craig told me that the cold air current is stuck in the North, which means that we are going to experience spring conditions. This is going to trick nature out of hibernation, and then BAM the cold will eventually come killing everything green. Yup, sounds pretty accurate to me, especially considering while walking to school today I passed by a tree that was budding! Oh dear... our poor world, what have we done to it?
My only consolation at this time is that I know my home is still normal. Winchester is experiencing normal winter conditions - snow storms, children tobogganing, drinking hot chocolate, getting rosy cheeks.
All I want for Christmas is winter... a real one.

"The Magician's Nephew" - In the Beginning

In The Beginning
C.S. Lewis starts off the series of "The Chronicles of Narnia" with a magically touching story of a young boy, Digory, who experiences the unknown worlds with his friend Polly by his side, all the while grieving for his ill mother. "It is a very important story because it shows how all the comings and goings between our own world and the land of Narnia first began." (Lewis) The story ultimately portrays the sovereign workings of the Creator through the the battle of good and evil, the characters' struggles with grief, and the consequences of sin on the earth. C.S. Lewis, using Aslan, creates a clear picture of a God who loves his creation, takes pride in what he has accomplished, and above all possess an unconditional love.
In the beginning, God spoke the world into existence, and he continues to speak to us today. Embedded deep within each person is the desire to know where we came from, the yearning to know why we exist, and what our purpose is. With these desires comes the realization that we have the opportunity to choose the way in which we will respond to our Creator's voice. The characters' first encounter with Aslan metaphors this decision. When Digory and Polly hear Aslan's voice they are filled with joy, peace, and the desire to know more. Uncle Andrew and Jardis' response was quite different, they felt disgusted, are horrified, and all the want is for Aslan to stop singing. Everyone, at one time in their lives, will encounter the voice of our creator through many different experiences. Just like the characters in the book we each will have the opportunity tp choose the way in which we will respond and whether not we want to have a relationship with the Creator. With this enounter begins the journey.
Another theme that runs throughout the book is the existence of good and evil with the world and the conflict that this creates. Near the end of the story, Aslan turns to confront Digory, who is responsible for bringing the evil and powerful Queen Jadis into the beautiful, new, and perfect Narnia. Aslan challenges Digory to realize that he is responsible for his own actions and tells him that he must make right the wrong that he has done. Despite the best of intentions, Digory's own agenda, his own will and desire, has caused him to act impulsively without considering how this might affect others - he just had to ring that bell. As Digory, we must become conscious that our wrongdoings and poor choices may have far-reaching consequences for those around us and the world in which we live. It is a typical human pattern to allow our sinful nature govern out desires and perceived needs, which in turn drive us to make selfish and foolish choices. Evil is ever present in our world due to the abuse of the gift that God has given mankind - free choice. As long as there is sin in the world there will constantly be a struggle between good and evil. There is hope, for just like Asland promised in the end of the book, God also promises us that good will eventually triumph in the end. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him." (Romans 8:28a)
Aslan is a true depiction of love; this is shown through his first command to the newly created world and inhabitants of Narnia, which is to love. This command grows out of a foundation's attribute deeply ingrained in the Creator. We are able to witness the love that he has for all that he has made and knows through the children's interactions with him. This is most evident when Digory looks into Aslan's eyes after asking that his mother be cured, he sees that Asland's tears for his pain is even deeper than his own. Through his love he heals; Digory is rewarded for his belief and trust in Aslan, and also for conquering his own selfish desires. Alsan is a true depiction of our own Creator - God. God gives us more than our hearts desires, if only we trust Him, do His will for our lives, and follow in his way.
How will you respond to our Creator?

The Chronicles of Narina - C.S Lewis

During the Christmas break I started to reread "The Chronicles of Narnia" and have decided to do a mini analytical piece on each one. (right now you are probably thinking I am a nerd... and yes, yes, you are right) I will be posting them as I finish each book (and right now you are silently rejoicing because you know that it will be the next best thing since the toaster oven.) So I hope you enjoy them.

-- excerpt from the dedication of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"

My Dear Lucy
I wrote this story for you, but when I began it I had not realised that girls grow quicker than books. As a result you are already too old for fairy tales, and by the time it is printed and bound you will be older still. But some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. You can then take it down from the upper shelf, dust it, and tell me what you think of it. I shall probably be too deaf to hear, and too old to understand, a word you say, but I will still be you affectionate Godfather.
C.S. Lewis

the usefulness of national geographics - brought to us by pickles

I thought this week Pickles was classic, because this is so true. My family owns a whole whack load of National Geographics and yet I don't think we ever read them; we just used the colourful pictures for projects and crafts. Grandpa kills me everytime

welcome back to Redeemer

Christmas break was wonderful... although I realise that it was way to short as I am sitting at my desk at school. Definately could have gone for a month off, like Jenn, good ol States univeristies. It was so great just to go home spending time with my family and friends, eating my moms cooking, breathing good clean ol' eastern Ontario air ect, ect. So it was definately with mixed feelings that I came back to school.
What greeted me when I came back to Redeemer was a sorry sight, for in Ottawa we have this stuff called snow that ussually accompanies the season of winter. As we drove closer and closer to Ancaster, the less snow I saw. Actually instead of snow flakes falling from the sky, there was rain. Hmm, never have had to use an umbrella during January before. Yes, I am bitter. There is one good thing about the rain though, because it meant that it wasn't below freezing out, which is very fortunate for us, for our furnance was not working when we got back. So needless to say we had a pretty cold sleep the first night (thank goodness for coats.)
Ok, this is probably sounding like I am not at all glad to be back, but in reality I am. It is great to be back and catch up and talk, talk, talk - a lot happens in two weeks adn we have to make up for lost time (I don't know how I survived not being able to have the long chats with Liz and Angie.) I am also looking forward to my classes this semester, because they all seem interesting, and if today is any indication they just might turn out to be. :) And big news for our dorm, we now have TV!! YAY! Thanks Angie's aunt for the gift. We have 125 channels.... well you can flip throught that many, but a lot of channels show snowstorms 24/7. So now we can watch Price Is Right - and it comes in very clearly, BONUS. It is good to be back.

- Canada's pride and joy, hockey, did not disappoint. CONGRATS US!

the moments

We do not remember days; we remember moments. - Cesare Pavese, The Burning Brand

Top 11 moments of 2005.
(in no particular order)

- recieving my high school diploma
- being a counsellor at Camp Adonai (the many moments)
- coming to Redeemer University
- winning the championship game of our softball season
- playing "fetch" with Chester
- coming home
- hot tub talks with Robyn
- learning how to waterski
- late night talks with Liz and Angie (and by late night I mean early morning)
- Quebec trip with Jess
- hmm... and of course Senate, how could I ever have forgotten? (added with no feelings of obligation at all - lol)