The Summer of 2012 ...

Well this can be a long post if you are settled in with a coffee, get comfy and here we go!

Well, this Summer started off with a bang...considering Summer in Calgary starts in July...I will have to save my Israel trip highlights for another blog post.

Vancouver Missions Trip
So, it seems kinda weird, growing up on the West Coast, and going back several years later, on a missions trip! Yep, East Van...to the core! I was a little half hearted into going, spending a week with 14 year olds, was my first challenge, the second was that my dear Darcy was going to France, and I so badly wanted to go along.

Seemingly, that being the case, God had me experience the most amazing week, even wishing I could be somewhere else, I couldn't have been more blessed or in a better place at that time! There was several opportunites for ministry placement that week, I kept saying I will be comfortable doing anything, so I was open to where I needed to be. My placement, was in a church just off of Hastings, working with Shining Stars VBS, this unique experience had the students working with children, doing summer school type classes, there was science experiments, math problems, french language! It was truly fun to see the students I was with stretched, some of them were like, 'these kids know more than I do' but I reassured them that they were still making a difference. My role was much different, nothing like being the camp chef for a week. Yep, something that I love to do, and enjoy challenges of it all. I made meals of a picnic lunch, to Shepards Pie, to Inumpu (sounds like I made a Nun poo), to some dish that was called Beans and Bananas. It was African' themed week as we learnt about Burundi. Oh yes, it was crazy, I was challenged every day, but to see the rewards of it in the moment was a true blessing. I have to say the best dish all week...the Inumpu...no kidding! The dish that I have never made before in my life, was delicious, kids and students couldn't get enough of it! The Lake and the beach wasn't a bad part of the week either, nothing like getting to enjoy BC to the fullest! Only regrets, was not getting to see family and friends.

The best part of the trip, was the lady I was working with there, she was such an encouragement, a blessing and a wise woman of God. She barely knew me, but she knew my heart. I will be forever changed and reminded of her love.

So in July, that was my exciting summer plans, Darcy headed out to France on a dream of a lifetime trip to see the Tour de France. Two weeks of Summer in Southern France, cycling some of the stages that are in the Tour, was definitely his dream. Totally wished I was able to go, but realized that there was more for me here too.

Surprise Trip to London
For some of you, you may have forgotten about my trip to London I had planned this Summer. Well, surprise, I didn't even know. I like to be spontaneous once and a while and one time...it got me in trouble, I became a little more responsible in those choices. This time...it was totally not as troublesome. After much thinking, saying no, and then turning around and jumping at an opportunity...I was on a plane to London, during the Olympics. I was nuts...well some may choose to agree but I was so in need of a holiday, and a chance to see my best friend Megan.

Olympic Events were not even on the agenda, not for lack of trying, we looked at getting tickets...but $150 could be spend in better ways. the best moment, was our not for lacking story of how we went to see the Triathalon, motto of the day...five minuites is all we missed it by....even the medal ceremony! Makes a good story!

Sightseeing was on the agenda, and we got to see places, no lineups....St. Paul's, Shakespeare's Globe, Canterbury Cathedral, St. Bartholemew Cathedral, London Bridge, Clink Prisons, and the Old Operating Theatre. Only downfall, was the numerous blisters in one that I got on my foot, I could barely walk by day three (but that didn't even stop me). I will add in pictures of the sights when I get a chance....not of my foot!

this is all for now...I have some more exciting experiences to share....stay tuned for more!

Did I ever mention?

So did I ever mention that I am bad at this updating my blog thing?  I seriously even have an App for this, and I still neglect the fact...that I can't keep my life together...which means it might me time for my once a year blog day!

Here are a few things since my last post

- Israel
- Vancouver
- bike purchased with kit
- did I mention Vancouver and Israel
- oh and by the way, it has been 9 months with Darcy...yep a whole nine months coming up in August!
- painting the fence
- garden started...not sure if it will survive
- oh and a little trip to London!

So those are a few things I need to blog about...sort of a blog about a blog to do list!

Singleness: Is it a gift or a choice?

I was sure that leading a discussion on Purity with teenage girls was awkward and difficult, this week as I am preparing for our Singles Bible study for next week, to talk about Singleness with singles...I think I am going to be more anxious about.

Yikes! 

Is Singleness a gift or is it a choice that we have made?

And I will post this link here about Sabatogging Relationships, I think it is fair for Males and Females to take a look at, what do you agree with..are we guilty of sabatoge or are we waiting on God?

For those that are married, were you looking for a spouse or did you wait on God?

Happy Six Months...oh I meant Five!

Oh how time flies...Darcy made the mistake thinking it was longer than it really was...ha ha!!!  So for those that are counting...or not!  It has been Happy Five months....

Personalities – Who am I?

So...I really feel like I have posted about this before...but once again I did another personality test...this could be the fifth one in the last two years...crazy and through all of these...I always feel that I can fit into the other box better. But overall, I think it is cool to continue to learn about oneself, in Identity, it is always interesting, especially when at different periods in your life that you can allow yourself to adapt to life situations...or you have changed as you continue to grow and learn about yourself. I love my ability to adapt to situations, I am great at sitting back and allowing myself to enjoy what is happening, wanting people to like me but also can pop into action make decisions and come with practical solutions to get through a situation.

The hardest thing about this test I just did...I had a hard time admitting my weaknesses...I stumbled upon being too proud to say I was proud....and too proud to admit my weaknesses, like being disorganized and somewhat scatterbrained. Yep, this is confession time of those that thought I had it all together...I learned about myself, to be as organized as I am...I have disorganization in my life that totally surprised me...and love when I have someone around to point out a detail that I missed. I build off of it...and it pushes me to try better. I think that through it all...I am someone that loves working with all personalities...it is something I love, and I don't like being that person that just says something and wants everyone to go along with it...I want to be the person, that can be told I am wrong, or that there is other ways in doing something or at least giving a chance to someone else to trying it their way...and not saying they are wrong, or saying that my way was better and I was right...they were wrong. I don't think that they is a right and wrong way to everything...but it is good to try different ways...see what works best...and some ways...adapting to a situation better than doing it the way I want to, even if it is out of my comfort. Unless I have strong opinions....I will voice them, I often would say...I speak truth without grace. But in my wise years...have figured out that...truth...needs grace behind it, sometime pointing out the incompetence of someone...isn't really the nicest thing to say. The needs I have for approval and acceptance are great...I don't like words of affirmation but need to know that there is acceptance, if I am questioned or fingers pointed back to me...or easily discouraged. Especially someone being vindictive in speaking bad about something I like or is quick to point out that their way is better in a selfish way, it hurts.

The fun part about it is that to ever have a good laugh...have someone point out what you do...like how you dress is you personality in a visual, especially telling someone how much you like to wear black because it goes well with everything, and then hear that there are personalities....that wear black because it works with everything! Then there are those that want to be cute and where bright and flashy things...and love it when people come up and tell them their hat is cute, or their scarf is beautiful. Don't forget those that dress plainly...or those that don't know what dressing comfortable or down is!

But it is all fun...so if you ever get a chance...do a personality test. Especially with someone close to you, you learn more about a person...more about what makes them tick...and more about you and how you can learn to work those personalities in your life.

It could...always be worse...

Let me tell you how God is good...

So during this period of Lent...I usually don't believe in the practice...not that I don't think it is good but I don't think I have much that distracts me from God...or that I put first and foremost to Him...besides sleep...and even at that..I don't get as much sleep as I need. But this season I took a different spin on it. At the beginning of Lent, our team took our volunteers on a day retreat...a time out of the city and into solitude, and silence...and a reflection of God. The plans that he has for us...and the heart of surrender we are willing to do for Him.

Some of the things I felt God speaking to me about was what my future has for me, healing for my heart, and a reminder that I am a Child of God, that He truly loves me for who I am...and who He made me to be, He is my Father.

Lamentations 3:22-28

I thank God everyday for the challenges He has allowed me to face, the unknowns, the hurts, and the lost relationships. Without all that I am not the person I am today. I am not hard in my emotions (avoiding them), I am not sheltered, and I have true lovingly friends and family in my life. Have you just been quick to get frustrated at God when all these things don't work out? Do you lose patience that God doesn't have the best for you at times. Worry and being upset...doesn't help God in His plans for you...the plans that are held in an open hand...in your open hand. Discernment and wisdom is given from Him, we are allowed to screw up, that is what makes our God loving, and offering forgiveness, no matter what. Seeking God in all that He has for you...is rewarding!

I am usually quick to take things personally, words and actions hurt me. I get frustrated easily...I wonder why people are so stupid. I know that I am not perfect...I have stupid moments too...but really... I can be too logical...black is black...white is white. In my time of Lent...I thought I am going to work on my attitude...I gave to God that I wanted to be a Cheerful Giver, giver of me, my time and resources. In other words I didn't want to be selfish of what I hold on to...for me. Yep, I prayed for patience and peace for all I am working on and not to get frustrated.

So...you know...praying for patience is often...the 'careful what you pray for' oh well let me tell you...as we are wrapping up with Lent...my patience of course has been tested...but the frustration part...not my finest hour! And you know...it could always be worse! There were a few moments...of you got to be kidding me?? I will tell you...ordering pizza has never been so difficult these last few weeks, moments between Darcy and I have been tested, issues and accusations have flown my way and in other worlds, working relationships have become stronger...miracles have happened. I have seen God work in amazing ways...and in the midst of it all...I have planned some amazing events this last month that really I have seen God at work in. I can say that God has brought together answers that I will never order pizza from a certain company, and Darcy and I have figured each other out in a few more ways. But God has been good, and He has been steadily making me stronger.

In the midst of it all...the speed bump came in and I was reminded that I need to look after myself and my heart. I thought in all that was happening I could be strong...and move on. God reminded me that I had to allow myself to be selfish at times, that I don't have to put a smile on my face and say that I am fine, and that I have be strong for anyone, and a moment of being real...with yourself and others...is a step of healing. I let me see one of my weaknesses...that I can pretend that I am good, when in reality...I hurt inside. I can try to distract myself...but I am only hurting myself. I learned that about myself...I had a moment of unravelling in the midst of life this last month. I saw myself freak out over small details of the event I was planning, I got overwhelmed and realized that I needed to deal with stuff. Avoidance is easy when you are busy...busy with life, people, or a fun job...that you totally don't have time to think. Time to think is good...it hit me and when it did...it hit me hard. A year of pent up tears came out...a year of living in fear and realizing the freedom that I had in that...can be a relief! It is like mourning a lost...this weekend...I found myself looking back at good memories at a period in my life that I thought...was the worse. It is a time of healing...

So that is where God has me in recent days...this time of Lent has been reflective and growing...for me!