This Week's Excitement

Yesterday morning, around 10:30, I looked out my window to see two firetrucks in the parking lot. There wasn't any smoke and there weren't any alarms going off and none of the firemen I could see looked anxious or in a rush or anything, so I didn't worry about it, although I did wonder what was going on. I went on with my schoolwork (while watching "Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Woman" which I would definitely recommend if you like old science fiction movies) and kept a bit of a watch on what was happening outside in case anything actually happened.

About an hour later there was a loud knocking at my door. I opened it to find two (big, strong, good-looking) firemen (that was not the week's excitement, but it was nice). They told me that there were high levels of CO2 in the building and they were trying to evacuate everyone, and was I feeling okay, and would I crack open a window to help clear the air. In fact I felt fine, even though I had spent the night there (they asked if I'd spent the night, and when I said yes, asked more questions about how I felt). So...I figured it was a good time to forget my plans for the day and spend it with friends (and their children...and their children's tinker toys...). Later, when I was outside waiting for a ride to elsewhere, the news people came and since I was about the only resident outside at the time, I was interviewed by the TV and newspaper people. They kept trying to get me to talk about how scary it was, but I wasn't scared; nothing had happened to me and I felt fine. Plus, there were a lot of firemen there to take care of us (by the time I left they were up to 4 fire trucks). It was interesting to watch 4 firemen go in with oxygen tanks on, especially since one of them was carrying an axe.

Later I learned that the CO2 levels were double what they should be in some of the units on the top floor (but I live on the 2nd floor so it wasn't as bad). It seems that there was a malfunctioning air makeup unit. Anyway, it all worked out. And that was my excitement for the day.

(As an aside: I checked the MSN article to see if they explained what was wrong since I don't remember details, and the only person they quoted was someone complaining that the firemen could have handled it better. Don't read it. She's an idiot. The firemen did a fine job, especially since at first the levels didn't seem too high, and even in the units where the levels were higher, they were never actually at emergency levels. They only quote the upset people.)

Merry Christmas

From the Gospel According to John:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.

The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came into His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."

...but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

A Confession

In November I visited my family. I finished my Christmas shopping and left the presents there; in exchange, they sent my Christmas presents home with me. Which means....I have had my Christmas presents in my house for a month, and for a month I have been very good. Until Sunday I kept them tucked away in my room, but on Sunday I put them under the tree. There are big presents and little presents and obvious presents (it's hard to disguise a mug) and mystery presents. There were also 4 small, identical presents just the size of individual packages of hot chocolate. And I have a shortage of hot chocolate in my house.....

Last night I caved. My only excuse is that once work was done last night I declared it to be Christmas (technicalities bore me; once I'm on Christmas break, it's Christmas no matter what day it is), and if it's Christmas it's perfectly okay to open 4 small, identical presents. And they're very nice hot chocolates: hot chocolate with mini marshmallows, white hot chocolate with mini marshmallows, candy cane hot chocolate, and gingerbread hot chocolate.

The rest of the presents are still wrapped and will stay that way until a proper present-opening time, I promise! But I am very thankful for the hot chocolate.

Next year maybe I will keep them all hidden away until Christmas Eve.

School Update

Last year, at the end of my winter class, I ended up with a final mark posted on my transcript long before I received marks for the individual assignments. This year, I have no final marks for my summer classes, but there are finally marks for all of the individual assignments. Go figure.

And, thanks to my amazing mathematical abilities, I can determine that I passed both classes (well, a glance at the marks assures me that I passed since I didn't fail any assignments; the math was to determine that I received A's in both classes (and yes I'm bragging a bit, but what else is a blog for?)).

I have now earned 10 credits (every class I've taken has been worth 2 credits) which means I have 24.641024641024...% of my program completed. I'm currently working on 4 more credits, so by the end of March I will have 35.897435897435...% of my program completed (I need 39 credits, which makes for long, repeating decimals).

And I'm enjoying my classes. Most of what I'm doing right now is reading, but it's interesting reading. I'm hoping to get a lot done over Christmas break so I can get going on the longer assignments in the new year.

Just a Reminder

Please go vote for Emily (find the link below). The page was closed for a while but it's open again.

You can vote for her 14 times.

Make a Snowflake

Go make a snowflake.

I refuse to be held responsible, however, if you find it as much fun as I did, resulting in forgetting the other things you should be doing (like eating lunch, or maybe working).

Vote for Emily

My young friend Emily has entered a writing contest and is one of the finalists.

Head on over HERE and vote for Emily. You can vote many, many times.

Ignore the other contestants. Only vote for Emily!

Thank you!

To Think About

From The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges, p.93:

"What does it mean that God administers His discipline in the realm of grace? It means that all His teaching, training, and discipline are administered in love and for our spiritual welfare. It means that God is never angry with us, though He is often grieved at our sins. It means that He does not condemn us or count our sins against us. All that He does in us and to us is done on the basis of unmerited favor."

My Fellow Word Geeks....

...you should head over to Biblical Christianity today and read his rant and the comments that accompany it.

An Alternative to Studying

Today when I checked email there was, as always, an offer for a free degree. Today I began to consider the pros of going that route. It's free, it probable doesn't require studying, it won't take four more years, they give them to anyone....

Yes, yes, I know it's not the same as a real degree. I know it would come without getting to learn everything that I've been learning.

Still, it would be easier than spending hours reading textbooks, and it's bound to be cheaper than paying tuition and buying those textbooks. It wouldn't require juggling work and school and church stuff.

Some days I wonder if it's worth the effort and the sacrifices I'm putting into getting the degree. Some days the alternative seems like a good idea.

Finally

As you may know, I moved into my apartment about 17 months ago. I love my apartment. It's warm and cozy (especially on a snowy day like today) and quiet and just the right size.

Those of you who have been here know that there has only been one little problem with the apartment, and it's been wrong since the day I moved in: there was no light in the fridge. When I first moved in I was too busy getting settled to worry about the missing light, and then I was just used to it not being there. But.....other people kept commenting on it and telling me that I should replace it.

Today I gave into peer pressure. I was getting groceries and passed the lightbulbs and remembered the fridge. And now there's a light in my fridge and I can see the food.

It really hasn't changed my life.

Baking with a Princess

A certain princess from my Sunday School class is here helping me bake. We made rice crispie squares and cookies for Sunday School and sugar cookies for the other little monkeys to help me decorate and muffins because I had extra bananas.....

And now the princess is watching me write about her, much to her joy. She wants me to tell you that she's "all that" and has a great sense of humor and is pretty, dazzling and is overall the best girl ever. She's a bit conceited today!

She is a good help in the kitchen (and only made a couple messes). She likes to touch egg yolks for some unknown reason and was very happy using the egg beater.

We also watched Gideon: Tuba Warrior (from VeggieTales) and Shrek 2. And we ate pizza and popcorn (actually, she ate popcorn). It's been quite the evening!

Go and Watch

I may have to take a course on church history at some point; do you think they'll let me substitute this instead?

Notes from Thunder Bay

Today I watched soccer. Timothy played first. He's only three but they let him play (with the 4 year olds) and he loves it! He's been talking about it all week: "On a next day you're going to watch me play soccer!" They're so funny at that age: they can't kick the ball in any direction except the one they're facing, they fall over a lot, and they just like to run! After that Keona played. She's 7 now and these guys have at least a bit of an idea of how to play. They try hard and the score stays about even since they aren't good at scoring or saving. It's fun to watch and, since I knew some of the small players, pretty much worth getting up early on a Saturday morning.

I've been having a good time playing with the small and not-so-small nieces and nephews (the oldest towers over me by at least 6 inches). The smallest ones are entertaining and the older ones are interesting (usually). The two oldest, my brother's children, are 16 and 13 now and we had a good time talking over bowling and supper. I did have Alex (who is 11) describing his DS games in detail as we walked home last night. And Zach (9 next week) discussed the merits of the different "High School Musical" movies with me. So, yeah...interesting!

Only one more day and then I head back to Edmonton where's it's quiet and peaceful and not nearly as much fun.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. There are celebrations and such going on in Germany today, marking the occasion, not only of the coming down of the wall and the reunification of Berlin and then Germany, but the start of the fall of communism.

They say there are (or will be or have been)children where the wall was, holding speakers with recordings of the sound of people chipping at the wall, a sound that no one there will forget, but that the children did not hear; they are part of a generation that has only known a united Berlin and then a united Germany

I remember when the wall came down. I was in grade 10, and in history we were learning about World War 2 and the rise of the Berlin Wall. It was a strange thing, to be learning the beginning and watching the end of an era at the same time. It was a great time to be learning history.

A Sentence to Share

"David is not awakened by the prophet's hovering at a distance in parabolical insinuations."

from A Sure Guide to Heaven by Joseph Alleine

First, it's just so beautifully worded. Second, when we are talking about the gospel and the need for Christ, we can't be vague and talk in generalities; we need to make sure people know "thou art that man."

From the Kids...

At work:
Student: You know they say you can't judge a cover by its book...well, I always judge a cover by its book, everyone does....wait, that's not right....

In Junior Church:
Me: Jews and Samaritans wouldn't even eat at each other's houses.
Child: That's silly! No one eats houses!

After church, when the children were lining up for their treat; they were telling me what the Junior church lesson was about (the lesson was the parable of the rich fool):
Small girl (in a small, sweet voice): Jesus said stuff... to some people...

From a friend (sorry, Dawn, but it's too good not to share and you don't have a blog...):
Dawn's nephew was over while his parents were at the hospital; they were adopting a baby and this was the day the baby was to be born. The nephew (and soon-to-be big brother) really wanted a girl.
Nephew: I really hope my baby sister isn't a boy.

A Most Amazing Experience...

I got home from work today, about 3:20, and discovered that....I had nothing urgent to do.

The final essay has been sent off the friends for editing, so I can ignore that for now.

The Junior Church lessons for November are written and ready to go (I need to get them to the teacher tomorrow).

I'm ready for Sunday School, since it's a "workbook week" (one week I teach the lesson, and the next week we review and do the workbook pages).

Even the mending and hemming is done.

Which is not to say that there's nothing to do: there's the neglected housework (although I did vacuum) and there are Bible studies to prepare for (I've at least started the memory work). There's always "stuff" to do. It's just that, for the first time in a while, I'm not trying to keep up and meet a deadline.

Which is good, because I think I may need to accept that I have a cold and I just want to sleep.

Sunday School

I love my Sunday School class. I love teaching children who are old enough to think and have conversations and understand stuff. We're having a wonderful time and they're talking more and it's so much fun!

This was a teaching week (the lessons are too long for one class, so one week we teach and the next week we review and do the workbook). We're learning about the promises of God and how some are for everyone and some just for Christians and some have conditions attached. Today we learned Psalm 84:11 and we had some good conversation about why God might withhold something we view as good (it isn't really good, He has something better, we are hiding sin in our hearts). And for once we finished in time to have a proper prayer time when the kids could pray too if they wanted.

And then we had snack and talked about dead animals stories.

Did I mention how much I love my Sunday School class? They are all totally amazing kids. This is going to be a great year!

Jam

This fall I decided to learn how to make jam with varied results. I'm done with jam making (I'm almost out of jars and need the last few for apple sauce) so here's how it went:

Strawberry jam: was renamed "strawberry sauce" for it's refusal to set. Later, though, I learned that after it had been in the fridge for a while it acted more like jam; Mum told me I had made "soft jam." It's good on toast.

Blueberry jam: most of it is also "soft jam" but still very good. I love blueberry jam!

Mint jelly: was only made because I grew mint on my balcony and needed to do something with it! It's pretty and seems to have set okay but I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it!

Raspberry jam: I found the easiest recipe and it worked like a charm. I haven't tried it yet, but it smelled good and it looks good.

Peach jam: was an interesting experience. I didn't have quite enough peaches for any of the recipes so I had to guess at the amount of sugar to use. I think I used too much (because with too little it doesn't set so I was worried about cutting back too much) so it's sweet and somewhat sticky. It's good, though, and I would make it all the time just for the smell of cooking peaches. Plus, peach jam is so pretty!

That was my end of summer fun. I really like making jam and I like eating homemade jam! Plus, all the jars sealed nicely much to my delight!

Quote of the Day

Background: There's an elephant at the Valley Zoo here in Edmonton. Her name is Lucy. People seem to be very upset about her; she's not feeling well and she's all alone (she's the only elephant there) and they want her moved to an elephant refuge in the U.S. (question: why not leave her in Canada, say with the other elephants at the Calgary Zoo?). There may be more to the story, but I'm not really big on details when it comes to upset animal rights activists. Most of the time they are working on emotion and not facts. Besides, there are celebrities involved and I dislike the belief that celebrities are automatically experts and we should all listen to them

So...this morning, as I was waking up, I was listening to the radio, waiting for the weather report (because I like to know the weather before I get up) (for those who wonder, I listen to the country station; I like their music and they play the news/sports/weather every half hour in the morning so whenever I get up I can listen for the weather). There was a news story about Lucy; it seems some vet expert from the San Diego Zoo came to look at her and said that, because of her respiratory problems, it would be fatal to move her. As in: try to move her to the elephant refuge place and she will die. But Bob Barker (from the Price is Right) is still planning to come and lead a protest (or something like that) to insist that they move the elephant. Yeah, I thought, there's a plan: ignore the vet and listen to the celebrity "expert."

Okay, so after the news and stuff, just as I was thinking that I should get up the deejay said (it's not an exact quote, but as close as I can remember) (and you'll have to imagine the slightly sarcastic tone):

"It's not that I doubt the expert from the San Diego Zoo, but I sure am glad we're getting a game show host up here too."

And that is why I like the station's morning guys.

A List of What's Happening

1. My essay is pretty much done; it just needs one more read-through to find the small, hidden errors.
2. I was with the big kids (grade 4-6) for the first time in Sunday School today. The other teacher reviewed last year and my job was just to feed them. It went well! Next week I actually teach.
3. I made strawberry sauce this weekend from a basic recipe: try to make strawberry jam, have it refuse to set, rename it strawberry sauce!
4. On the other hand, the raspberry jam set nicely.
5. I'm trying blueberry jam next.
6. This month I'm off Fridays and working Saturdays and as a result I spend the entire weekend trying to remember what day it is.
7. I tried to hire a tall teacher at work but she bailed on me so I have the short teacher. I think we're doomed to never reach the top shelves easily.
8. Inspirational videos do not work on me. My boss sends them to us when we're having a sale to inspire us to do a great job and reach for the start and believe in ourselves...all the last one did was inspire me to quit my job and become an opera singer. Happily enough, that wore off quickly!
9. I am, however, inspired by the stories of great men and women who served God with their whole selves. Men like Hudson Taylor and Jim Elliot and William Carey. What they did mattered way more than the "believe-in-yourself" video people (like the opera singer).
10. I've been watching old episodes of "The Muppet Show." Some of their guest stars are really, really strange. Others are amazing. Dad loved "The Muppet Show" so we watched it weekly and gained an appreciation for the puppetry. As I watch I even remember bits and pieces.

Misunderstandings at Church

1. Announcement: "Sunday School will start again next week."
Child: "Next weeee-eeeek?" (very upset)
Mother: Tries to explain that there is still Junior Church and he will get to go to his class soon. Very soon. She hopes.

2. Teacher: Explaining the Parable of the Sowers...."The different types of ground represent people."
Perplexed Child: "We're ground?" (This same child (who is four) thought "paralyzed" meant "no legs" and was very, very impressed when the Jesus healed the paralyzed man who was then able to walk with no legs; he also took literally the "blood and body of Jesus" and was very upset.)
Teacher: "It's a metaphor." (Yeah, like that helped....)

The Crayon Mystery

Once there were 6 boxes of crayons. They were well used and greatly enjoyed by a group of Junior Church children. Last week I noticed that some children had 3 or 4 of one colour and none of certain other colours so today I sorted out the crayons.

There are now 4 boxes with 23 crayons, one box with 21 crayons, and a handful of broken crayon bits. In all it adds up to about 5 full boxes and at best 2 extra crayons. And one of the boxes has 2 of a few colours.

What, exactly, do you suppose happened to rest of the crayons?

Things Coming to an End

I know it isn't really the end of summer; after all, next week is supposed to be HOT. Still, it feels like the end of summer and such.

Summer classes have ended at work. On Monday we switch to fall hours (and since most schools go back Tuesday and Wednesday, any bets on how many children show up anyway?). I'm always happy when summer classes end and things go back to normal. People wonder what I do all day now: catch up on everything that got neglected all summer and keep up. There's always a pile of paperwork and new kids and parents and all sorts of stuff going on.

I wrote an exam today and I'm glad that's over! There were 7 essay questions and 2 hours to answer them. After I'd answered 5 questions I thought I'd better hit the "save without submitting" button just in case, then answered the 6th question. Then I went up to the first question to add in some things I'd forgotten before I answered the 7th question (which was really the 4th question but I'd skipped it)....only to find that the my answer to the 1st question had vanished! There was nothing we could do to get it back and the elder (who was proctoring) assured me that he would email them and say that I had answered it. After answering the last question, though, I saved again and the answer reappeared. I still don't know what had happened, but I had just enough time to add in the extra bits I'd remembered. I'm glad, because I didn't do well on that last question; it was to briefly discuss the Herods in the Bible. I had a Bible with me and I still only came up with 3 (it seems there were 5; I turned 2 of them into 1 person and I still don't know who Herod Philip is....anyone?). Oh, well, the other questions weren't so bad.

And last of all....this week marks my last week teaching Junior Church. I'll still run the program and I might fill in once in a while but I'm encouraging the teachers to trade with each other when they can't teach. I've been teaching this age (3-6 year olds) for 6 1/2 years now and I love them dearly. They're my babies! But in the spring I asked the elders if there was any way I could teach an older class for a change. I just wanted a break from the small ones and I like teaching older kids too. The elders were delighted to have me teaching Sunday School this fall (especially since I convinced them I didn't want to give up Junior Church altogether; I still have plans and a vision for that ministry) since the pastor's wife had been teaching the grade 4-6 Sunday School class and she needed a break. I think they had tried to get her off the previous fall but her replacement hadn't worked out so she had been teaching all year. Granted it's a pair of teachers and they take turns actually teaching but she has a lot of other stuff to take care of. So in September I switch classes and everyone is happy.

So there you go....I always think the new year should be in September!

From the Kids

One of the 7 year old boys at work was question one of the 17 year old girls about whether or not she has a boyfriend. After she told him she does not have one he asked:

"Did you always not have one......or am I a ninja?"

Language and Evolution

The point to evolution is that we are getting better, more improved, more complex in our thinking and doing. People (and cultures) start off primative and move up from there.

Language is said to work the same way. We started off with noises, then words, then complex means of communication.

Except: the most complex languages are found in the most primitive tribes. Our language is very simple compared to theirs.

Anyone want to explain that?

Sometimes Being Spontaneous is Good

I like plans. I like to know how my day will go and what will happen. I do not do well with large blocks of unplanned time; I crave structure.

So maybe someone can explain the small sleepover that happened here Friday night. I can't. Usually I plan these a week or two in advance, not the night they happen. But, Friday night we had a wedding shower for a young couple from our church (who got married in December and then spent the semester in Israel, so this was as soon as we could have it). Near the end, as people were cleaning up and heading out, two of the girls from church cornered me and asked if they could sleep over that night (they had missed the last official sleepover). Every instinct said no, but what came out was "ask your dad." Silly me; what dad wouldn't say yes to having half his children taken off his hands for a while! Then they convinced a third girl's mom to say yes too (because they knew that I wouldn't object; I'm such a sucker).

And so I had 3 preteens sleeping on my living room floor that night. They ate a pile of popcorn and some Popsicles and whatever else I had in the kitchen, played some games, and watched The Sound of Music. And, sweet things that they are, slept until almost 9:00 the next morning.

And it was fun. There was no planning, no stress, no worries. They ate and watched whatever I had and it was good. We laughed a lot and played games and talked and had fun.

That was my foray into spontaneity. I should plan to do it again some day!

What I Have Been Reading

I thought, to counteract the last post, I'd give you good book suggestions!

The Savage my Kinsman by Elisabeth Elliot

In 1956 Elisabeth Elliot's husband, Jim Elliot, and four other missionaries were speared to death by the Auca Indians in Ecuador. In this book, Elisabeth tells of her response to the killings and of her eventual venture into Auca territory three years later (along with her daughter and Rachel Saint, the sister of one of the other men). It's an interesting read and a good look at what it is to be a missionary to a people whose language and customs you do not understand and who know nothing about the outside world.

Faithful Women and their Extraordinary God by Noel Piper

Here Noel Piper looks at five women: Sarah Edwards, Lilias Trotter, Gladys Alward, Esther Ahn Kim, and Helen Roseveare. She gives short biographies of each and shows how they lived for God in the toughest times. What I liked best is that she wrote about missionaries who were real people; not perfect Christians, but people who struggled and wondered and made mistakes... but without excusing or justifying their sins. It was very encouraging.

There you go; two books to go read!

What I'm NOT Reading

I'm starting preliminary research for my essays today. Step one is to see if the public library has anything useful. Usually I can get some general information from them and use the bibliographies is those books to find better books elsewhere. From there I'll move on to inter-library loans and then the university library.

Anyway, I entered "New Testament" as my search term and found a couple books that I will definitely not be reading:

The yoga of Jesus : understanding the hidden teachings of the gospels : selections from the writings of Paramahansa Yogananda 1st ed. Yogananda, Paramahansa, 1893-1952.

Jesus, interrupted : revealing the hidden contradictions in the Bible (and why we don't know about them) 1st ed. Ehrman, Bart D.
(Side note: can anyone find the problem with that title?)

The first book claims that Jesus knew and taught yoga (a claim of which I am highly skeptical). The second book, based in its description on Amazon and the reader comments, is pure heresy. It claims that Jesus, Matthew, John, and someone else, were all writing about different religions.

So that's what I'm not reading. I'm going to check whether or not they have anything worth reading.

Thinking About Stuff

There was a time when I just accepted life the way it was. I went along with everything and never really put a lot of deep thought into what people were saying or teaching.

Now people are making me think. The elders at my church are the worst (or best) for this. They won't let me sit back and accept everything and they won't just give me answers (well, they will if I really can't figure it out). For example, there was a song we sung in church that one of the elders had a bit of an issue with and he wouldn't tell me what, he just asked me why the line was a problem...and I had to think...and I knew the answer! Which was kind of nice, actually!

The thing is, I'm doing it all the time now. I do it when we're singing in church and when I'm listening to sermons, even sermons by people I trust completely. And sometimes I disagree with what I hear. Sometimes I disagree with what the elders tell me (but don't tell them!). Actually, they're okay with disagreement. It's hardest for me because I'm sure they must be right and I'm not always good at verbalizing my point and I still think people will laugh at me because they either won't understand me or I'll be wrong (which is unfair to the people who have never laughed at me). There are people that it is safe to disagree with out loud.

Okay...back to the point...

It's good, this habit of thinking things through, even if it's work. Even if I agree with most of what I hear, which I do. It keeps me from getting lazy and from possibly letting untruths leak through when I don't expect it. So maybe I should thank the people who make me think.

Back at Masters

Yesterday afternoon I arrived back at The Masters College for my annual week of classes. Suddenly all those hours spent doing homework seem worth the effort for this one, glorious, happy week of being with other students and with teachers and learning.

I think coming back was even better than coming the first time. This year there was no uncertainty or wondering what it would be like. It was like coming home. The campus is familiar and I know so many people and it feels right. No matter who is around we can just talk and catch up and share stories and laugh and be together easily. Or we can sit around working or reading or whatever with only occasional bits of conversation here and there and that's okay too.

Tomorrow I start classes. Tomorrow will be a happy day too.

Happy Henday!

You didn't know that tomorrow is Henday? It's a very important day that we set aside to celebrate chickens, a very important part of our diet. After all, they provide us with eggs and... well... chicken. Surely you plan to celebrate!

Perhaps an explanation is in order. Sunday evening a friend and her 6 year old son were driving me home from church when we crossed Anthony Henday Drive. The boy pointed out the Henday and then asked what a Henday is. His mom was nice enough to tell him that it was named after a person. I told him that it was the day set aside to celebrate chickens. He liked my version better (go figure). He laughed and asked when Henday is. I didn't know, so I asked him what he thought and he said "Friday." Then he asked how we celebrate Henday so his mom and I asked him what he thought (I should really think about the details before saying whatever comes to mind).

He wanted fireworks high up in the sky and balloons on the roof of the house. We convinced him that the celebration had to involve chickens, like drawing pictures of chickens or eating chicken. He agreed, adding that we can eat eggs too and sugar (all his celebrations have to involve sugar in some form).

I've already apologised to his mom for telling him about Henday. I hope he forgets, but he assures me that he won't, so I suspect they may be celebrating Henday soon. Well, as long as he stays away from fireworks it should be all good!

Happy Henday everyone!

Forgiveness

Too often when people say they are sorry or apologize, what they want is not forgiveness but for you to brush their sin away as if it never happened (I'm sure there's a single word for that but I don't know it). They want everything to be okay again with no consequences or restitution or even real repentance.

I think forgiveness has become just a word sometimes. You see it when tragedies occur, like school shootings, and immediately people start forgiving the perpetrators. First, I'm not sure you can forgive someone for what he has done to someone else; second, this sort of "forgiveness" allows the person to side-step repentance or even apologies. He's already been forgiven so there is no need to even acknowledge guilt.

I think that for forgiveness to be real, repentance must also be real. It includes admitting that there was sin and hurt and this needs to be dealt with. Otherwise it becomes meaningless.

Bits and Pieces

The first full week of summer classes is over at work. I'm so tired....every year I forget how tiring the first week or two can be. After that things settle down, there are fewer new students, and time flies. It's still busy, but I adjust to it.

Some of the tired may be from the concert last night! A group of friends and I went to see Kenny Chesney and it ended very late. There were a couple of minor opening acts, then Taylor Swift, then (finally) Kenny Chesney! It was amazing.

In 8 days I'm leaving for school! I'm so excited (although I have a pile of homework to do still). Five full days of classes and being with people who understand why I'm there! The teaching and the fellowship are both great.

My friend Sarah is coming tomorrow night. She used to attend my church until she moved away for work. She's heard that our pastor isn't well and is finally able to make time to come visit. Sarah and I don't see each other often and we don't talk or email often but we have one of those friendships that can just pick up again when we see each other.

That sums up my life right now.

Simple Logic

I was reviewing the alphabet with our youngest student (she's not yet five). She got stuck on one letter and told me she had to think about it. She explained it like this:

"I need to think about it. If I can't think of it, then I'll have no idea what it is."

The List

A couple years ago at a work retreat we were encouraged to make a list of 100 things we want to do before we die. It was one of those "you can do/be whatever you want if you just believe in yourself and think positively" things. Anyway, eventually I tried to make a list (I only got to 86 things) and put it aside.

A couple weeks ago I was looking at the list again. What struck me is how completely self-centered it is. That makes sense, right? It is a list of what I want to do. And there was nothing bad on the list. But it bothered me that everything on there was to make me happy and bring me glory. That isn't supposed to be my goal in life; it's supposed to be to serve God and glorify Him.

So I tossed the list. I'm not sure what exactly I should want to do before I die, only that it has to focus on what God desires: obedience, service, sacrifice.

O Canada

I was over at challies.com and learned some things about our national anthem. When I learned it in French I never actually learned the words or what they mean. I just learned to sing it based on how it sounds. Here are the actual words translated into English:

O Canada! Home of our ancestors,
Your brow is wreathed with glorious garlands!
Just as your arm knows how to wield the sword,
It also knows how to bear the cross;
Your history is an epic
Of the most brilliant feats.
And your valour steeped in faith
Will protect our homes and our rights;
Will protect our homes and our rights.

I really doesn't resemble the English version at all, does it? So, when we mix the two, which has become very popular, we end up with this:

O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
Just as your arm knows how to wield the sword,
It also knows how to bear the cross;
Your history is an epic
Of the most brilliant feats.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

It's a bit too militaristic and proud for a Canadian anthem, don't you think?

To Think About...

"It is always helpful to fix our attention on the Godward aspect of Christian work; to realize that the work of God does not mean so much man's work for God, as God's own work through man."

~Hudson Taylor

Finding the Words Again

I know, I know, it's been a long time.

For a while I seemed to have run out of words. All of my writing was for school and I was too tired to think of any other words. In fact, I was tired.

I'm rested now. I took a few days off and hid from the world and rested. I read and walked and wrote again. I've missed writing. It's how I sort out my thoughts. For too long I haven't been finding or making time to pick up a notebook and pen to just write, and I haven't been able to find any words anyway.

I'm back now and determined to keep writing just because. I'm not promising anything insightful or even interesting; I'm not even promising to share it all with you. I'm just saying, I seem to have found my words again.

Another Class Done

After two weekends of endless essay writing, I finished Apologetics. If I pass, that's 2 more credits, with only 33 left to go.

I'm going to be in school forever.

On the plus side, I'm enjoying the latest assignment. It's a map marking assignment and I have a lovely atlas of the Holy Land to use. So far I'm marking highways and noting some of the important Old Testament sites. It's fun stuff; the assignment is long, but not difficult; I'm seeing where stuff happened. It's very interesting.

Besides, I'm working on the next 4 credits. By fall I'll only need 29 more credits.

Yup, forever.

A Pet

I've been thinking of getting a pet. I'd like something else in the apartment that's alive. I've pretty much narrowed it down to a turtle. A small turtle, mind you; I don't want anything too big. Any thoughts on the matter?

Stuff That's Been Filling my Mind

It's been a long couple of weeks. Work is busy and I've been working long hours; schoolwork should be taking up all my spare time, but I don't have a lot of spare time, so it's been neglected (except the reading I do on the bus), which means the next couple weeks will also be long.....

My brain is full. I've been exposed to so many new ideas through my studies, stuff I wish people had told me years ago. About everything that went on outside of the Israelite nation during the time of the Old Testament that affected the Israelites....about how God worked in the lives of so many people to bring about His plans....about how nicely all of history fits together when you put God in the middle....So many things that point to God that people don't know or don't understand or are simply misled about. It's so fascinating to learn and so much fun.

The thing is, I don't know what I'm going to do with this knowledge. I want to grab people and shake them and say "Listen! Do you not see how wonderful all of this is? Right here, there's more proof of God at work from the beginning! Look at all this!" But that doesn't seem like a great plan!

I have been thinking, of late, about studying it more fully when I'm done school; just picking one part of history and learning it well. Then, when I know it better, I'd like to write about it. I'm thinking books for children or young adults, or even adults who want to learn this but not through text books. Something lighter, maybe. Something written the way I wish my textbooks were written (more charts and illustrations so the visual among us can learn better). I don't know. It's just a thought. At any rate, it's better than collaring people and forcing them to listen!

Still Laughing

My friend's son is 5 (almost 6). I was visiting one day and he and I were sitting together talking about nothing much when, out of the blue, the following conversation ensued....

Him: You have milk in your hips for your babies.

Me (very confused): I...what?

Him (patting my chest...not my hips): You have milk in your hips. It's for your babies.

Me (removing his hand and trying hard not to laugh): Those aren't hips. Hips are further down (gesturing towards my hips).

Him (lifing up his shirt): See, I have little hips (he points to his chest). You have big hips to hold milk for your babies.

That's when I decided that it wasn't my job to correct this little misunderstanding and changed the subject.

Seeing Clearly

Wednesday evening I started to see the world clearly again. It was surprising because I didn't know how fuzzy things had become until I put on a pair of glasses and everything snapped into focus. And it's not like my vision is very bad; I can see well enough (and I have no problems seeing close up; it's only distance that was fuzzy) and I only went to get my eyes checked because I thought the headaches were possible vision related (they were; I was squinting to see clearly without knowing it). Anyway, now I have glasses and I can see more clearly and the headaches should be a thing of the past.

Okay, so here's what I've been thinking: it's like sin, right? I can wander into sin slowly and not really acknowledge it for a long time. It becomes normal behaviour and I don't see clearly what I'm doing. Until one day I read something or someone says something and the truth about my behaviour snaps back into focus and I can see my sin clearly. And I can confess this sin and be forgiven and seek God's help in stopping it. And I can see clearly again.

Random Thoughts

I'm listening to the Aaron Lines CD "Waitin' on the Wonderful" on the computer, but Windows Media Player insists that I'm listening to "Live Out Loud." I'm not sure why.

Real estate agents who advertise on bus benches need to think about their ads a bit more. All too often they have a picture of the agent placed in the exact right place so that the bolt that holds the bench back to the supports goes right through the guy's forehead. I'm not sure I want to buy a house from a guy who looks like he's been shot.

Yesterday it was spring (almost summer). Today they called for snow flurries. I love spring in Alberta. It's like being back home.

Speaking of spring, here's my newest sign of spring: the drive-by evangelism of the Jehovah's Witnesses has started up again. I hadn't seen them since last fall but yesterday I was sitting at the bus stop and a car drove past and then stopped and out jumped the JW lady to offer me some reading material.

Hands-on in Junior Church

It has been suggested that I try more object lessons and hands-on stuff in Junior Church to hold their attention better. First, I think the only way to hold the attention of a bunch of 3-6 year olds is to be an animated tv character. Also, my big concern is making the lessons very Bible based and I worry about other stuff distracting from the actual teaching.

The big problem, though, is that this week I'm teaching about the water-to-wine at the wedding at Cana. Yeah. Probably not a good week to try for hands-on, eh?

Easter

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen." Luke 24: 1-6a

To Think About

What I have for you today is a story about the 5 year old twins at work. I'm going to call them Mark and John (because those aren't their names). They are adorable and may someday remember all the letters and we all want to take them home. They aren't actually identical, but they look almost identical; we're just now starting to be able to tell them apart. They're good about correcting us if we get it wrong. So, enough background.

Thursday they came in a few minutes early to use the bathroom. On their way through one of the teachers said "Hi, Mark," to which he responded "I'm not Mark, I'm John." She was surprised because she had gotten pretty good about telling them apart. Lucky for us their mom was there to assure the teacher that she was correct; they had decided to try to fool us. It was the first time they had ever done that and she was surprised too. She did make Mark tell the teacher who he was, but then he went back to insisting he was John.

After a few minutes Mark was keeping it up, but John had enough and ran out of the room after him calling, "No, Mark, you're Mark! I'm John!" Mark was pretty persistant, though, until I stood them side-by-side and told them which was which. John was happy, but Mark was not. And that's when the truth came out: I told him that I knew he was Mark and he said, "But I don't want to buy the whistle!"

Yup, it was all a plot on Mark's part to keep from having to buy a whistle. See, we have a toy store at work and the students earn tokens by working hard and trying their best and then they get to shop. The day before Mark had blown the whistle (actually a cheap plastic instrument-type thing; you know the type) and I told him he had to buy it, but he couldn't take it home that day; I was going to put his name on it and keep it in my office until the next day. This meant that he wasn't going to get enough tokens for the car. So he hatched a plan to change his name so that he didn't have to buy it. Of course this meant letting his brother take the fall for him, but this doesn't bother many 5 year olds (except the brother, of course). He didn't get away with it, of course, but it was interesting.

That's my story; you can draw your own insights from it.

Returning from Self-imposed Exile

Hello, anyone still out there reading my ramblings....I have returned to ramble once again!

It's been a good break. This blog-reading had begun to get the better of me; I was spending way too much time reading the ramblings of people I don't even know. It was time to stop, get away from the internet, and spend time with real, live people! Plus, I am up to my eyeballs in schoolwork and church stuff and that job thingy...you know: life!

But I have missed writing so I'm returning to share my thoughts with the world in general.

For today, though, I have nothing for you. Just an announcement of my return. Oh, and I got my hair cut last week. It is now shoulder length with layers, not all the way down my back. She cut off a LOT of hair! I like it short, though. It saves a pile of time in the mornings, time that could be better spent sleeping.

Okay, that's it for today. I'm still limiting my internet time. I'll try to come up with deep and insightful for tomorrow (but don't hold your breath).

On a break...

I'm taking a blog-break, both from writing and from reading (although admittedly there are a couple I still sneak a look at, but my current policy is that I need to actually know the writer of the blog). So far I'm surviving withdrawal!

Quotations

From To Everyone an Answer: A Case for the Christian Worldview

"Indeed they were so bold as to proclaim him messiah in Jerusalem -- the very place where there were numerous witnesses to his execution, which presumably should have scotched the rumor that he was more than an ordinary mortal."

Aside from the importance of what he's saying (roughly translated, that the disciples proclaimed Jesus was alive in the same city he was crucified), guess why I liked that sentence.

And in a different vein (still talking about Jesus):

"He came to make known something about God and something about humankind and something about their interrelationship in the crucible of a volatile environment in which proclamations about the intervening saving reign of God were dangerous and could get one crucified because of what such messages implied about one's own relationships of power to both God and God's people."

I have read that sentences, in general, should be no more than 15-20 words. A bit longer is okay to make a point, but longer sentences tend to lose people. This one has 59 words. I read it three times before I understood it at all. It's actually easier to understand now that I've taken it out of the paragraph. No wonder Apologetics is giving me a headache.

Crayons

I have determined that the life span of a box of crayons in Children's Church is not more than 9 months. Actually, it's about 6 months of living and 3 months on life support.

About 9 months ago I bought 6 new boxes of crayons from Dollarama. (Before you begin to wonder just how cheap I am, understand that they are Crayola crayons and they are boxes of 24. These are not cheap crayons; they are simply inexpensive!) Three months ago I straightened out the boxes (again) and determined that I had 2 complete sets of crayons, 3 mostly complete sets, and 1 box of broken crayon pieces. I figured they would last a few more months before I needed to replace them. Last Sunday I noticed that no one has a complete set anymore, so I decided it's time for new ones.

Side note: I understand the broken crayons. I do not know how so many disappear. When I'm teaching we check the table, the chairs, and the floor for crayons. It's after I haven't been teaching that I need to go through the boxes for the kids and reorganize the sets so they have the right colours (yes I spoil them; your point is?) and that's usually when I find out how many are missing. I don't think everyone is as compulsive as I am about making sure we have all the crayons at the end of class.

Anyway...today I bought new crayons. Six beautiful boxes. The kids will be very happy Sunday morning. The old crayons always go to the nursery unless the youngest Sunday School class wants them. I always feel a bit bad about that; basically I'm saying, "Here are some crayons that are no longer good enough for my kids so your kids can have them." On the other hand, we are talking about children who still eat crayons, so it's probably okay!

What's Making Me Happy Today

1. Getting off work early today (actually I got off at 5, but I've been working so many evenings that 5 feels early).
2. Finally finding that I'm understanding the apologetics text books. The more I read the more it makes sense.
3. Finding the "Stuff Christians Like" blog. If you head over that way, be sure to check out the comments as well as the posts; sometimes the comments are funnier.
4. E-mails from the kids. They make me smile.
5. Reading comics instead of apologetics for a while.

Oh, yeah, as long as I'm here....

I've been meaning to mention: those Hannah Montana cookies were a hit with a couple of my high school students (I shared; aren't you proud of me). Plus, they're growing on me; they're really good with coffee.

I just thought I'd mention that, for Keona.

Why We Should Look Back Once in a While

I've heard it said enough times: that's in the past; forget about it; move on. Usually it's good advice. There are things that need to be forgotten or moved past. On the other hand....

Things have been stressful at work (and does that surprise anyone?). Life has been busy outside of work. I'm trying to understand Apologetics (it's coming), keep 12 small children still during Children's church every week (oh, and teach them stuff), and deal with the other bits of stuff life throws my way.

And, as always, I start to worry, fret, fuss, etc. Then I start to pray and remember that God is in charge of all of this stuff, He knows what He's doing, and besides all that worry is a sin. Then I sigh deeply and wonder when I'll get it right on the first try.

Then I think back about a year or so when I would fret and worry and such for much longer before coming to prayer. Back to that time when I stayed stressed and frustrated and justified it and forgot that God is God and I am not. And I realize how much faster I'm repenting of worrying and remembering to trust God.

So...it hasn't gotten easy, trusting God. But it has gotten easier. And that is encouraging.

Math Problems

5 new students + 6 potential new students - 1 teacher = schedule issues

It's fun stuff. Somehow, though, it always works out and I'm not stressing (too much).

Could it be the constant prayers for help and trust?