On Saturday I ended up teaching grade 9 Science, which is not my favourite thing to do (my regular tutor called in sick). On of the questions was "How are stars created?" I tried to answer twice:
1. God created them.
2. "When a mommy star and a daddy star love each other very much..."
She didn't think her teacher would like either answer, so I finally had to resort to Google.
Sunday morning I was talking with one of the small sweethearts at church. She's three and thinks it's so funny and great that I call her "Sweetheart." She told me that she used to be a baby and when she was a baby she had to live in a box. Her dad later clarified that she was premature and very tiny and was in an incubator.
One of our least favourite books at work is Fifi Ferret's Flute. We've all read it (and heard it read) dozens of times. It's so bad that once I changed the ending and killed off Fifi and everyone on the room cheered (except the rather perplexed 5-year old sitting across from me). Today one of my teachers asked her student how the problem in Fifi was fixed, but what I heard was "How was Fifi fixed?" Just for a minute the story was interesting.
Wednesday, 26 February 2014
Friday, 21 February 2014
Remembering
This morning I was looking through my inbox for an email. I couldn't find it, so I started looking through different folders. A lot of them have old stuff from years ago when I saved and organized almost every email. I don't do that quite as much now.
In one folder, I found a couple emails from someone I couldn't remember. I had to read one almost through before I could place her. That was a bit strange. Most people, though, I could remember, even if I hadn't heard from them or even thought about them for years. I wonder what they're doing now.
I found several from one particular friend. We've always kept in touch to some extent, and now we're on Facebook so it's a lot easier. Many years ago we spent a couple summers with Child Evangelism Fellowship, leading Bible clubs through southern Ontario. We were partners for part of one summer; the other summer (I think she only did 2 summers, but maybe she did all three with me) we only saw each other for the 2 weeks of training. Then we lived together for a year when I was at Brock. We have only seen each other one other time, I think in 2001. It's a good friendship, though: the type that could pick up where it left off.
These emails come from the couple years after we lived together. Some of them are silly and some are sad and some are sweet. Most are a mix of whatever came to mind; that's the way we wrote to each other. Somewhere I also have some letters that she wrote. We both communicate so much easier with written rather than spoken words.
As I read the emails I remembered and I laughed and I cried a bit and I missed my friend terribly. I missed the "us" that we were back then, when life was simpler (or at least differently complicated). We've both grown and changed so much, and that's good. That's the way it should be, and it hasn't harmed our friendship, but it had to change as well. And right now I miss that year and that friend and that person who I was and that life.
And I wouldn't change who I am and where I am now. I don't want to live back then again, but I would like to visit.
In one folder, I found a couple emails from someone I couldn't remember. I had to read one almost through before I could place her. That was a bit strange. Most people, though, I could remember, even if I hadn't heard from them or even thought about them for years. I wonder what they're doing now.
I found several from one particular friend. We've always kept in touch to some extent, and now we're on Facebook so it's a lot easier. Many years ago we spent a couple summers with Child Evangelism Fellowship, leading Bible clubs through southern Ontario. We were partners for part of one summer; the other summer (I think she only did 2 summers, but maybe she did all three with me) we only saw each other for the 2 weeks of training. Then we lived together for a year when I was at Brock. We have only seen each other one other time, I think in 2001. It's a good friendship, though: the type that could pick up where it left off.
These emails come from the couple years after we lived together. Some of them are silly and some are sad and some are sweet. Most are a mix of whatever came to mind; that's the way we wrote to each other. Somewhere I also have some letters that she wrote. We both communicate so much easier with written rather than spoken words.
As I read the emails I remembered and I laughed and I cried a bit and I missed my friend terribly. I missed the "us" that we were back then, when life was simpler (or at least differently complicated). We've both grown and changed so much, and that's good. That's the way it should be, and it hasn't harmed our friendship, but it had to change as well. And right now I miss that year and that friend and that person who I was and that life.
And I wouldn't change who I am and where I am now. I don't want to live back then again, but I would like to visit.
Saturday, 15 February 2014
The Third Option
Valentine's Day has come and gone again. As a single woman, the only thing about it that made me sad is that I couldn't find discounted chocolate or cinnamon hearts today (although I only looked in one place; I'll try other places tomorrow). Beyond that, it wasn't a big deal this year.
It did get me thinking, though. There are enough people who think that as a single person, I'm just waiting for the right guy to come along. I'm not. I'm also not out looking for a guy (the other perceived response to singleness). Either one makes it sound like my life is on hold in some way until I meet someone and get married. It's not.
I'm going with the third option: live life now. My life is already full and I am already contented and I already know joy. God has given me a wonderful life full of family and friends and work and studies and service. There's nothing to wait for.
I'm not decrying marriage. Marriage is a wonderful thing. If you're single and seeking marriage, that's great! Find someone, get married, raise a family, life life together. But don't wait until you're married to start living.
Life is too short and too wonderful to waste time on waiting. Live!
It did get me thinking, though. There are enough people who think that as a single person, I'm just waiting for the right guy to come along. I'm not. I'm also not out looking for a guy (the other perceived response to singleness). Either one makes it sound like my life is on hold in some way until I meet someone and get married. It's not.
I'm going with the third option: live life now. My life is already full and I am already contented and I already know joy. God has given me a wonderful life full of family and friends and work and studies and service. There's nothing to wait for.
I'm not decrying marriage. Marriage is a wonderful thing. If you're single and seeking marriage, that's great! Find someone, get married, raise a family, life life together. But don't wait until you're married to start living.
Life is too short and too wonderful to waste time on waiting. Live!
Friday, 7 February 2014
Hospitality
I'm having people over for supper today. I should probably tidy up a bit; at the very least, I should pile up the books somewhere. I have room for all my books, but school and church and Bible study stuff tends to be spread out everywhere so I can see what I need to be doing. Piling them up will make the place look a bit better and will clear the second table so we can use it to eat.
Yes, that's right: second table. I have a dining room table, but I only have 3 chairs. The second table is usually in the living room (okay, truth: it's all one big room, dining room, living room, kitchen (which is at least marked off by the counter), and office (that place between the couch and the dining room table where my desk and printer table are)). It's used for doing school work, and usually has piles of stuff on it. It can be put in front of the couch and used for eating off of as well.
I have chicken in the slow cooker, veggies in the fridge, a large supply of potatoes, and a cake baking. So far as food goes, I'm good. I also have lego for the kids (and maybe their dad).
I used to stress about practicing hospitality. I thought everything had to be perfect and I was hesitant to invite people over, especially if the number of people out-weighed the number of dining room chairs. I also thought the food had to be spectacular and fancy.
I was wrong. People don't care about all that stuff (and if they do, invite someone else over. Maybe a family: the moms will just be happy that someone else is cooking). I keep the food simple so I don't have to wonder if it will turn out. Most people (even children) like chicken so it's a pretty safe choice. I serve potatoes and usually a variety of raw veggies and some buns. Add cake or ice cream for dessert, and everyone is happy. We can sit around the living room to eat and no one cares. A couple weeks ago I had 2 children at the dining room table, 1 child sitting on the floor in the booster seat (it has a tray), the parents on the couch at the second table, and 1 child and I at the coffee table. It worked.
The point is: the Bible tells us to practice hospitality. It doesn't tell us to wait until we can do everything perfectly because that day will never come. We're just supposed to love one another. If you can do everything fancy, then good for you. Otherwise, serve them whatever looks good and have fun together.
Yes, that's right: second table. I have a dining room table, but I only have 3 chairs. The second table is usually in the living room (okay, truth: it's all one big room, dining room, living room, kitchen (which is at least marked off by the counter), and office (that place between the couch and the dining room table where my desk and printer table are)). It's used for doing school work, and usually has piles of stuff on it. It can be put in front of the couch and used for eating off of as well.
I have chicken in the slow cooker, veggies in the fridge, a large supply of potatoes, and a cake baking. So far as food goes, I'm good. I also have lego for the kids (and maybe their dad).
I used to stress about practicing hospitality. I thought everything had to be perfect and I was hesitant to invite people over, especially if the number of people out-weighed the number of dining room chairs. I also thought the food had to be spectacular and fancy.
I was wrong. People don't care about all that stuff (and if they do, invite someone else over. Maybe a family: the moms will just be happy that someone else is cooking). I keep the food simple so I don't have to wonder if it will turn out. Most people (even children) like chicken so it's a pretty safe choice. I serve potatoes and usually a variety of raw veggies and some buns. Add cake or ice cream for dessert, and everyone is happy. We can sit around the living room to eat and no one cares. A couple weeks ago I had 2 children at the dining room table, 1 child sitting on the floor in the booster seat (it has a tray), the parents on the couch at the second table, and 1 child and I at the coffee table. It worked.
The point is: the Bible tells us to practice hospitality. It doesn't tell us to wait until we can do everything perfectly because that day will never come. We're just supposed to love one another. If you can do everything fancy, then good for you. Otherwise, serve them whatever looks good and have fun together.
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