After much searching for a location, a date and place have been set! It's going to be on September 17, at 2:30, at the Midlake Community Center. There's going to be dessert after, awesome music, and from what I've heard, Pastor Jay is a good preacher. It's going to be very cool - hope to see you there!
www.bethelmissionproject.ca
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Ho, hum
Only three days of work left! I'm excited for the weekend - not only is it a long weekend, but I'm going on a road trip with a couple of friends. We're heading to the Okanagan - I'm a big fan of warmth and sunshine, and while there isn't an ocean, a large lake is the next best thing. And did I mention the wineries? Not that I can handle much wine, it puts me right to sleep, but I do enjoy it. ;)
I'm so busy these days - let me give you a brief overview of what I'm up to -
There's TEC - I'm the secretary/registrar of the steering committee, and a small group leader for the TEC weekend in October. So I take minutes at meetings and send out email reminders about stuff, register and confirm and get information to the youth going on the weekends, and their sponsors and families, and being a small group leader for a weekend involves 6 meetings between September 1 and the weekend, which starts on the Friday night and goes to the Monday night. And twice a month there's a Saturday evening worship service, which Trevor plays at sometimes. He's also on the worship team for the upcoming TEC, so there's extra practices for that.
I'm a youth leader at Foothills, my church, and we're having a leader's meeting tonight, plus a youth event tomorrow night. During the school year, there's usually at least a couple of events per month. Last weekend I slept over at the church and helped a bit with a confirmation retreat - if confirmation had been like that when I was a kid, I probably would have gotten a lot more out of it!
Then there's the Survivor planning stuff - we're heading in to our seventh year of running this fabulous youth retreat, and it's my sixth year being involved. The first year there was about 50 kids and leaders, and last year there was about 120. This year we should have room for about 150 - it's so cool to see how much God has blessed this ministry. I LOVE Survivor - if I had to give up any of my activities, it would not be Survivor! I handle registration, take care of encouragement, organize meetings, I'm on the session planning committee, and this year I'm also going to share some of my testimony, which is going to be interesting. I really feel God nudging me to do it, but I'm struggling with what to say. I could probably talk for hours about everything that's gone on in my life, and how God's brought me through it. Hopefully I can hear Him telling me what to say. The nice thing is we'll be taping it before the actual weekend, and I can get it done and then not worry about it. And if I ramble or say something stupid, it can get edited out! :)
My next big project is the National youth gathering in Ottawa next summer. I'm part of the session planning team for that, and I'M SO EXCITED!!! I love gatherings - I've only been to two, but I've been amazed by how impactful they are, and it's such an honour to be part of planning one. There'll probably be about 500 kids there - it's so cool to have this opportunity to influence their lives for God.
I'm heading into my last semester of my Legal Assistant program - I'm studying residential real estate law. Should be useful at some point, anyway, if we can ever afford to buy a house, that is. It's insane out there...
I'm so busy, but I'm so happy with the things I'm doing - they give me much joy. Well, except for school, but that's survivable - only three months to go, and then I'll have a nice certificate to hang on my cubicle wall!
I'm so busy these days - let me give you a brief overview of what I'm up to -
There's TEC - I'm the secretary/registrar of the steering committee, and a small group leader for the TEC weekend in October. So I take minutes at meetings and send out email reminders about stuff, register and confirm and get information to the youth going on the weekends, and their sponsors and families, and being a small group leader for a weekend involves 6 meetings between September 1 and the weekend, which starts on the Friday night and goes to the Monday night. And twice a month there's a Saturday evening worship service, which Trevor plays at sometimes. He's also on the worship team for the upcoming TEC, so there's extra practices for that.
I'm a youth leader at Foothills, my church, and we're having a leader's meeting tonight, plus a youth event tomorrow night. During the school year, there's usually at least a couple of events per month. Last weekend I slept over at the church and helped a bit with a confirmation retreat - if confirmation had been like that when I was a kid, I probably would have gotten a lot more out of it!
Then there's the Survivor planning stuff - we're heading in to our seventh year of running this fabulous youth retreat, and it's my sixth year being involved. The first year there was about 50 kids and leaders, and last year there was about 120. This year we should have room for about 150 - it's so cool to see how much God has blessed this ministry. I LOVE Survivor - if I had to give up any of my activities, it would not be Survivor! I handle registration, take care of encouragement, organize meetings, I'm on the session planning committee, and this year I'm also going to share some of my testimony, which is going to be interesting. I really feel God nudging me to do it, but I'm struggling with what to say. I could probably talk for hours about everything that's gone on in my life, and how God's brought me through it. Hopefully I can hear Him telling me what to say. The nice thing is we'll be taping it before the actual weekend, and I can get it done and then not worry about it. And if I ramble or say something stupid, it can get edited out! :)
My next big project is the National youth gathering in Ottawa next summer. I'm part of the session planning team for that, and I'M SO EXCITED!!! I love gatherings - I've only been to two, but I've been amazed by how impactful they are, and it's such an honour to be part of planning one. There'll probably be about 500 kids there - it's so cool to have this opportunity to influence their lives for God.
I'm heading into my last semester of my Legal Assistant program - I'm studying residential real estate law. Should be useful at some point, anyway, if we can ever afford to buy a house, that is. It's insane out there...
I'm so busy, but I'm so happy with the things I'm doing - they give me much joy. Well, except for school, but that's survivable - only three months to go, and then I'll have a nice certificate to hang on my cubicle wall!
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Blackberry Pie and Not Very Nice Men
There's been so much going on in the last little while, I had to check my daytimer to see what I've been up to! Crazy - this is going to be a long one - sorry to those people who I know that don't like to read long blog updates! :)
I tried to make blackberry pies last night - the church I used to go to in Victoria has a blackberry festival every fall, and the pies they make are beyond words. When I was out there a few weeks ago, the blackberries were just coming ripe, and eating them made me crave blackberry pie like you wouldn't believe. So I picked up some blackberries at the farmer's market, and last night tried to turn them in to pie. I realized I didn't have enough to make more then one, so I ran out to Co-op for more. All they had were little container of like, 2 dozen berries for THREE NINETY-NINE! I don't think so... They didn't have any frozen one either, so I went to Safeway, and they didn't have any blackberries at all. So I ended up getting blueberries and making blueberry pies for the other things I need to take food to, and making one blackberry pie for Trevor and me, but it wasn't the same as St. Mary's blackberry pies. 'Twas very sad...
Yesterday I had a really bad day at work. I was really struggling with why I'm at that job when it just really feels like a waste of time, and there're so many other things I could be doing. I've been pretty bored, so I've made a few just really stupid mistakes. Nothing that's brought all kinds of trouble down on us or anything, just stuff I should do better. I felt/feel like my job is just sucking up all my energy and I don't really have anything to show for it. It's darn stressful! I find I'm missing the church more and more as time goes by, and questioning whether I made the right decision. I mean, I know I did, but I still doubt sometimes. (I just have to remember the politics that drove me crazy, and I feel a little better, anyway!)
Then this was in my email this morning...
VERSE
When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
-- Psalm 94:18-19
THOUGHT:
We are amazed at the vastness of God's reach, the awesome breadth of his power, and the glorious sweep of his majesty. An additional truth, incredible as it may seem, is God's personal nearness to us. He chooses to know us and be actively involved in the trials and triumphs we face each day. How will today, or tomorrow, be different because you are aware of his presence and companionship? What difference does it make to know he supports you when your foot slips or that his consolation is nearby when anxiety rises?
PRAYER:
Loving God, who is everywhere yet always near, please hear my heart. I am overwhelmed at your presence near me and within me. The comfort you bring when I am under siege, the strength you offer when I am weak, the courage you give when I am under attack, and the hope you instill when all seems hopeless -- these gifts of your where to go or why I am here. Thlook forward knowing me. I lookforward to knowing you one day as you know me today. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
I don't know when I've every prayed a more heartfelt pre-written prayer, and then only a few hours later, I had the most affirming experience. It was terrible, but affirming. A client came in to sign some papers, and I talked to her a bit. I don't know much of her story, but she's separated from her husband, and she said that when she went home last night, he was there. And then she started to cry. That's all she said, but the tone of voice, the look on her face and her body language were so familiar to me that I started to cry too. And I remembered the bone-deep, soul-crushing terror of slipping in to the house as quietly as possible, wondering if the silence means that he's gone off in a snit for a while, or if he's lying in wait at the top of the stairs, waiting to pounce on some imagined offence. The sense of measured relief as everything really is calm for the moment, but at the same time a sense of impending doom as you wait for the bottom to drop out again.
That's why I wanted to be a Legal Assistant - to help women who find themselves in situations like that. I was quite happy today to go to the court house to file her Statement of Claim for Divorce. And I had many very unprofessional thoughts about men like that, which aren't fit to type on my blog when I give my friends a hard time about their language! :) It was encouraging to remember why I wanted to do this, and while I feel like most of the time all I do is shuffle paper, being able to help in this situation makes it worth it. For such a time as this, hey? Eventually, I'd love to have a shelter kind of place for women who find themselves in that situation. That's something I really have a passion for - I went through so much crap, and came out miraculusly intact, and I want to use those terrible experiences for good, you know? God promises to work all thing to the good of them that love him and are called according to his purpose - that's very encouraging to me!
I tried to make blackberry pies last night - the church I used to go to in Victoria has a blackberry festival every fall, and the pies they make are beyond words. When I was out there a few weeks ago, the blackberries were just coming ripe, and eating them made me crave blackberry pie like you wouldn't believe. So I picked up some blackberries at the farmer's market, and last night tried to turn them in to pie. I realized I didn't have enough to make more then one, so I ran out to Co-op for more. All they had were little container of like, 2 dozen berries for THREE NINETY-NINE! I don't think so... They didn't have any frozen one either, so I went to Safeway, and they didn't have any blackberries at all. So I ended up getting blueberries and making blueberry pies for the other things I need to take food to, and making one blackberry pie for Trevor and me, but it wasn't the same as St. Mary's blackberry pies. 'Twas very sad...
Yesterday I had a really bad day at work. I was really struggling with why I'm at that job when it just really feels like a waste of time, and there're so many other things I could be doing. I've been pretty bored, so I've made a few just really stupid mistakes. Nothing that's brought all kinds of trouble down on us or anything, just stuff I should do better. I felt/feel like my job is just sucking up all my energy and I don't really have anything to show for it. It's darn stressful! I find I'm missing the church more and more as time goes by, and questioning whether I made the right decision. I mean, I know I did, but I still doubt sometimes. (I just have to remember the politics that drove me crazy, and I feel a little better, anyway!)
Then this was in my email this morning...
VERSE
When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
-- Psalm 94:18-19
THOUGHT:
We are amazed at the vastness of God's reach, the awesome breadth of his power, and the glorious sweep of his majesty. An additional truth, incredible as it may seem, is God's personal nearness to us. He chooses to know us and be actively involved in the trials and triumphs we face each day. How will today, or tomorrow, be different because you are aware of his presence and companionship? What difference does it make to know he supports you when your foot slips or that his consolation is nearby when anxiety rises?
PRAYER:
Loving God, who is everywhere yet always near, please hear my heart. I am overwhelmed at your presence near me and within me. The comfort you bring when I am under siege, the strength you offer when I am weak, the courage you give when I am under attack, and the hope you instill when all seems hopeless -- these gifts of your where to go or why I am here. Thlook forward knowing me. I lookforward to knowing you one day as you know me today. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
I don't know when I've every prayed a more heartfelt pre-written prayer, and then only a few hours later, I had the most affirming experience. It was terrible, but affirming. A client came in to sign some papers, and I talked to her a bit. I don't know much of her story, but she's separated from her husband, and she said that when she went home last night, he was there. And then she started to cry. That's all she said, but the tone of voice, the look on her face and her body language were so familiar to me that I started to cry too. And I remembered the bone-deep, soul-crushing terror of slipping in to the house as quietly as possible, wondering if the silence means that he's gone off in a snit for a while, or if he's lying in wait at the top of the stairs, waiting to pounce on some imagined offence. The sense of measured relief as everything really is calm for the moment, but at the same time a sense of impending doom as you wait for the bottom to drop out again.
That's why I wanted to be a Legal Assistant - to help women who find themselves in situations like that. I was quite happy today to go to the court house to file her Statement of Claim for Divorce. And I had many very unprofessional thoughts about men like that, which aren't fit to type on my blog when I give my friends a hard time about their language! :) It was encouraging to remember why I wanted to do this, and while I feel like most of the time all I do is shuffle paper, being able to help in this situation makes it worth it. For such a time as this, hey? Eventually, I'd love to have a shelter kind of place for women who find themselves in that situation. That's something I really have a passion for - I went through so much crap, and came out miraculusly intact, and I want to use those terrible experiences for good, you know? God promises to work all thing to the good of them that love him and are called according to his purpose - that's very encouraging to me!
Friday, August 18, 2006
Tongue-tied
So my boss asked me to call down to the court house and find out who the duty justice is this afternoon. So I call, and the clerk answers the phone, and I come out with "can you tell me who the juty dustice is?"
Brilliant...
Brilliant...
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Me!!!
So I was walking down the sidewalk this morning, and my phone rings. It's Trevor in the glass elevator, watching me walk down the sidewalk, calling to complement me. That, ladies and gentlemen, is how to treat your wife! Major brownie points for Trevor...
Then two guys stepped back to let me in the c-train a head of them, which was also very nice. It's good to know I don't LOOK like an old married woman, anyway! :)
I ended up getting to go out last night - the place they were going to go was too crowded, so they went to Brewsters instead, and I could go there. It was fun, and I got some interesting career suggestions, but I'm having an issue with something.
See, in church on Sunday, the reading reminded me of this verse from Philippians that I've been trying very hard to adhere to, but I just keep forgetting!
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
I've been trying really hard to be more encouraging and I'm having such a hard time with it!
Romans 7:18b-23a (NIV)
For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin.
Driving me crazy, this is. I mean, I'm sure my friends know I love them, but I can talk pretty mean when I get going, and I don't much like myself afterwards. A little friendly heckling is ok, but I keep forgetting where to draw the line. I don't think I've hurt anyone's feelings, but I worry that I might say the wrong thing to the wrong person at the wrong time. Sigh...
Then two guys stepped back to let me in the c-train a head of them, which was also very nice. It's good to know I don't LOOK like an old married woman, anyway! :)
I ended up getting to go out last night - the place they were going to go was too crowded, so they went to Brewsters instead, and I could go there. It was fun, and I got some interesting career suggestions, but I'm having an issue with something.
See, in church on Sunday, the reading reminded me of this verse from Philippians that I've been trying very hard to adhere to, but I just keep forgetting!
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
I've been trying really hard to be more encouraging and I'm having such a hard time with it!
Romans 7:18b-23a (NIV)
For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin.
Driving me crazy, this is. I mean, I'm sure my friends know I love them, but I can talk pretty mean when I get going, and I don't much like myself afterwards. A little friendly heckling is ok, but I keep forgetting where to draw the line. I don't think I've hurt anyone's feelings, but I worry that I might say the wrong thing to the wrong person at the wrong time. Sigh...
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Smoking Rant
I just feel the need to rant about smoking in Calgary. I know there's a new bylaw in force as of January 1, 2007, but that's a long way away! So I'm stuck at home while my friends go out without me. I don't blame them - it's cheap wings - but it's just so darn unfair that people's right to smoke in public interferes with my right to go out with my friends for cheap wings and be able to breathe while doing that. Grrrrr....
I mean really, if you want to abuse your body, totally go for it. Just don't do it somewhere where I can smell it! Why should I have to breath your smog and suffer through the resulting allergy symptoms? I hear smokers complain that they're being persecuted, and that they have the right to do what they want. One of my youth leaders used to say you have the right to swing your arms around, but when they infringe on someone else's personal space, your right ends. This is totally what he was talking about!
Ok, I think I'm done now! Only 4 and a half months to go - I can make it!
I mean really, if you want to abuse your body, totally go for it. Just don't do it somewhere where I can smell it! Why should I have to breath your smog and suffer through the resulting allergy symptoms? I hear smokers complain that they're being persecuted, and that they have the right to do what they want. One of my youth leaders used to say you have the right to swing your arms around, but when they infringe on someone else's personal space, your right ends. This is totally what he was talking about!
Ok, I think I'm done now! Only 4 and a half months to go - I can make it!
Friday, August 11, 2006
Vacation time is over... :(
I've been back for a few days now, and what with the gloomy weather and all the piled-up work, my vacation seems like a million years ago already.
The camping trip to the lake was...special. We hung out with friends of Heather's family, who are an interesting bunch. There was about, oh, I don't know, 50-ish people, I suppose, from tiny babies to grandparents and everything in between. It was an unforgettable experience!
I went tubing - in case you've never been, it's were you hang on to a huge tube and get hauled along behind a motor boat at upwards of 30 miles an hour. Lucky for me the driver was nice about it being my first tubing experience, and didn't try to make me fall off, which he did to everyone else. It was a lot of fun! Did you know that if the human body is traveling faster then 30 miles an hour, it will skim along the surface of the water like skipping a stone? Very entertaining to watch, but I'm glad it wasn't me!!!
The Sunday night there were fireworks down in Honeymoon Bay, so most of us loaded in to six boats and went down the lake. They roped all the boats together, and we listened to country music, which I found really amusing. I was getting a lot of heckling about being from Alberta, but I heard more country music that weekend then I've heard all year! The fireworks were really good, and the lake was in a valley, so the explosions reverberated all around. It was really neat.
Coming home was a little tiring - an hour layover in Vancouver, which has to be the most boring international airport in Canada. My pocket knife was confiscated at security it Victoria - I'd totally forgotten that I had it. It's a good thing I came home when I did though - it would have really sucked to get caught up in all these new security measures that have come down in the last couple of days.
Anyway, glad to be home - sort of. I missed my friends and my church and my youth (and Trevor!), but now I miss Heather and the ocean and the people I know in Victoria and the blackberry picking... It would be SO nice to have everything all in one place!
Speaking of friends, both Crew teams are coming through Calgary tomorrow night, and will actually be here for a bit of the same time, so that should be a lot of fun. Hooray for Crewbies!
The camping trip to the lake was...special. We hung out with friends of Heather's family, who are an interesting bunch. There was about, oh, I don't know, 50-ish people, I suppose, from tiny babies to grandparents and everything in between. It was an unforgettable experience!
I went tubing - in case you've never been, it's were you hang on to a huge tube and get hauled along behind a motor boat at upwards of 30 miles an hour. Lucky for me the driver was nice about it being my first tubing experience, and didn't try to make me fall off, which he did to everyone else. It was a lot of fun! Did you know that if the human body is traveling faster then 30 miles an hour, it will skim along the surface of the water like skipping a stone? Very entertaining to watch, but I'm glad it wasn't me!!!
The Sunday night there were fireworks down in Honeymoon Bay, so most of us loaded in to six boats and went down the lake. They roped all the boats together, and we listened to country music, which I found really amusing. I was getting a lot of heckling about being from Alberta, but I heard more country music that weekend then I've heard all year! The fireworks were really good, and the lake was in a valley, so the explosions reverberated all around. It was really neat.
Coming home was a little tiring - an hour layover in Vancouver, which has to be the most boring international airport in Canada. My pocket knife was confiscated at security it Victoria - I'd totally forgotten that I had it. It's a good thing I came home when I did though - it would have really sucked to get caught up in all these new security measures that have come down in the last couple of days.
Anyway, glad to be home - sort of. I missed my friends and my church and my youth (and Trevor!), but now I miss Heather and the ocean and the people I know in Victoria and the blackberry picking... It would be SO nice to have everything all in one place!
Speaking of friends, both Crew teams are coming through Calgary tomorrow night, and will actually be here for a bit of the same time, so that should be a lot of fun. Hooray for Crewbies!
Friday, August 04, 2006
Sunshine and Beaches
Hello from lovely Victoria! It's been two days since I last checked my email, and boy, do I feel it - I'm officially addicted! 28 emails, and only about 4 of them spam, which was nice.
I'm having a very relaxing time - a day trip up island to Rathtrevor beach, my FAVOURITE beach in the entire world. Lots of nice white sand, seashells, and fir trees. And when the tide is on its way back in, you can walk for forever in shin-deep water that's nice and warm from the sun. LOVE it! We also went to Coombs, which is most famous for the shop that has a grass roof with goats on it - very cute. Also went to see Pirates of the Caribbean again - what a good movie. I'm so excited for the sequel next summer
Today we slept late and went to Taylor beach, with is my third favourite beach. There's a lot of memories for me there! (My second favourite is a tie between Rainbow Haven in NS and the turtle beach in Hawaii...) Also today I did something appearance-altering, and a little bit different - maybe even somewhat out of character for the "normal" me. Look for it next time you see me! :)
Stay tuned for more adventures...off to Lake Cowichan camping tomorrow! I bought a bottle of rum
("There's no rum. Why is there always no rum?" or if you prefer: "Is this a dream? If it were a dream, there'd be rum...")
and a six pack of coke, and Heather made chocolate chip muffins, so it should be a good weekend! :)
I'm having a very relaxing time - a day trip up island to Rathtrevor beach, my FAVOURITE beach in the entire world. Lots of nice white sand, seashells, and fir trees. And when the tide is on its way back in, you can walk for forever in shin-deep water that's nice and warm from the sun. LOVE it! We also went to Coombs, which is most famous for the shop that has a grass roof with goats on it - very cute. Also went to see Pirates of the Caribbean again - what a good movie. I'm so excited for the sequel next summer
Today we slept late and went to Taylor beach, with is my third favourite beach. There's a lot of memories for me there! (My second favourite is a tie between Rainbow Haven in NS and the turtle beach in Hawaii...) Also today I did something appearance-altering, and a little bit different - maybe even somewhat out of character for the "normal" me. Look for it next time you see me! :)
Stay tuned for more adventures...off to Lake Cowichan camping tomorrow! I bought a bottle of rum
("There's no rum. Why is there always no rum?" or if you prefer: "Is this a dream? If it were a dream, there'd be rum...")
and a six pack of coke, and Heather made chocolate chip muffins, so it should be a good weekend! :)
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Victoria
Tomorrow I'm going to Victoria - I don't get back until Tuesday night next week, and I'm so excited! I haven't been back there since Thanksgiving of 2004 - way too long.
This is me and Heather when she was here in February - we walked to Krispy Kreme in a blizzard. Am I dedicated to my doughnuts or what? I'm stopping at Krispy Kreme on my way to the airport tomorrow for sure!
I found a new CD that I love - "Arriving" by Chris Tomlin. Totally amazing! I was listening to it last night while I was trying to pack, and I kept getting distracted by it. It made me want to sit down and really listen to it - it was almost as good as being at the Saddledome, even though my laptop doesn't compare to the sound system there! It's an awesome worship CD (my favourite kind!) - I highly recommend it.
My favourite Third Day CD, "Offering II" is missing. I'm so cheezed off - I have no idea where it is, or when I had it last. Actually, the last time I remember having it for sure was in NS at Christmas, and I know I brought it home, but I haven't seen it since. :(
Anyway, off to bed - talk to you all when I get back!
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Youth Ministries Institute
So Trevor's featured this month on the YMI "Salt of the Earth" section. Every month a different youth leader from around the Alberta-British Columbia District of the Lutheran Church-Canada has a profile posted there - kind of a way of networking the leaders.
http://www.ymideas.com/joomla/content/view/34/137/
That's my husband - special, hey? :)
If you're a youth worker, check out the rest of the site, even if you're not Lutheran! :) There's lots of cool stuff on it.
http://www.ymideas.com/joomla/content/view/34/137/
That's my husband - special, hey? :)
If you're a youth worker, check out the rest of the site, even if you're not Lutheran! :) There's lots of cool stuff on it.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Light the Night
My work is having a team in the Light the Night walk in September, to fundraise for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It's 5km - maybe I should train!
If you're interested in sponsoring me, or just want more info, go here...0r you could always just talk to me... :)
http://www.active.com/donate/ltncal/1986_mheumann
If you're interested in sponsoring me, or just want more info, go here...0r you could always just talk to me... :)
http://www.active.com/donate/ltncal/1986_mheumann
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Sad Day for Third Day...
I heard some people I know talking about this, so I thought I'd check it out. It's one thing to have an opinion, but it's a totally different story when you get the facts wrong...sad day. :(
July 17, 2006
Live Review: Third Day in Calgary
By ROB HONZELL -- Calgary Sun
http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2006/07/17/pf-1688368.html
July 17, 2006
Live Review: Third Day in Calgary
By ROB HONZELL -- Calgary Sun
http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2006/07/17/pf-1688368.html
Things About Me...
A) Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Office assistant to a Member of Parliament
2. Cook’s apprentice
3. Bagel baker
4. File clerk
B) Four movies I would watch over and over:
1. The original Star Wars (I guess that’s technically three…)
2. The Emperor’s New Groove
3. Lilo and Stitch
4. Gosford Park
C) Four places I have lived besides Calgary:
1. Comox, BC
2. Greenwood, NS
3. Waverley, NS
4. Victoria, BC
D) Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Canadian Idol
2. Arrested Development
3. Stargate SG1 and Atlantis
4. Boston Legal
E ) Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Hawaii
2. Nova Scotia
3. PEI
4. Washington, Oregon and northern California (that was a special road trip – gotta love family vacations…)
F) Websites visited (almost) daily:
1. Friend’s blogs
2. MSN news
3. TEC forum
4. comics.com for the 9 Chickweed Lane comic
G ) Four of my favourite foods:
1. Spaghetti (but only the way I make it…)
2. Chocolate
3. Fruit (or chocolate-dipped fruit)
4. McDonald’s fries
H) Four places I would rather be right now:
(Not in any specific order – and if I could manage all of them at once, I’d be a very happy girl….)
1. Sleeping
2. Hanging out with friends
3. At a youth gathering
4. Reading in the sun
If you want to play this fun game too, copy and paste this to your blog, after putting in your own answers. Then post your blog address in my comments, so more people know to check it out.
1. Office assistant to a Member of Parliament
2. Cook’s apprentice
3. Bagel baker
4. File clerk
B) Four movies I would watch over and over:
1. The original Star Wars (I guess that’s technically three…)
2. The Emperor’s New Groove
3. Lilo and Stitch
4. Gosford Park
C) Four places I have lived besides Calgary:
1. Comox, BC
2. Greenwood, NS
3. Waverley, NS
4. Victoria, BC
D) Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Canadian Idol
2. Arrested Development
3. Stargate SG1 and Atlantis
4. Boston Legal
E ) Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Hawaii
2. Nova Scotia
3. PEI
4. Washington, Oregon and northern California (that was a special road trip – gotta love family vacations…)
F) Websites visited (almost) daily:
1. Friend’s blogs
2. MSN news
3. TEC forum
4. comics.com for the 9 Chickweed Lane comic
G ) Four of my favourite foods:
1. Spaghetti (but only the way I make it…)
2. Chocolate
3. Fruit (or chocolate-dipped fruit)
4. McDonald’s fries
H) Four places I would rather be right now:
(Not in any specific order – and if I could manage all of them at once, I’d be a very happy girl….)
1. Sleeping
2. Hanging out with friends
3. At a youth gathering
4. Reading in the sun
If you want to play this fun game too, copy and paste this to your blog, after putting in your own answers. Then post your blog address in my comments, so more people know to check it out.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Lots of Findings...
I found a few cool things this weekend - did you know there's mini golf at COP? It's only $9/person, and it's nice and green with little waterfalls. It was an enjoyable way to spend an hour, even if Trevor did win! Anne Marie and I did each get a hole-in-one though, which he didn't. :)
We also met "Arrested Development", this special TV show about a nutty family and how they deal with their father going to jail. It's pretty funny, but not what you'd call a family show! Not as bad as some of the stuff out there though, so I'm happy with it.
I found this awesome recipe for making BBQ ribs in the crock pot, and gave it a try - it was yummy, yummy!
And I found out that I'm on the Conference Team (like a small group leader) for TEC 44, which is really cool. I worked it once before, and I really enjoyed it. And most exciting, my youth that I sponsored to go on the last TEC is on Conference as well. Yay God! So cool...
Earlier in the week, we went to see Pirates of the Caribbean, and it was really good. The ick factor was a little higher (if you haven't seen it, and wonder how it can get any ickier then animated corpses, just you wait and see!) but the story was good, and I only screamed and jumped once. It totally left things hanging - I don't know how I'm going to be able to wait a whole year to find out what happens next...
Today I found out that Calgary is planning a new central library - for 2012! It's so strange to think of stuff actually happening then and being around for it - I read so much Science Fiction, I tend to forget that we're almost there, you know what I mean? In the early to mid-1900's, there was such a fascination with life after the millennium, and now that we're there, it's really not that exciting. But it's a little strange to see the dates as being in my lifetime - so surreal!
We also met "Arrested Development", this special TV show about a nutty family and how they deal with their father going to jail. It's pretty funny, but not what you'd call a family show! Not as bad as some of the stuff out there though, so I'm happy with it.
I found this awesome recipe for making BBQ ribs in the crock pot, and gave it a try - it was yummy, yummy!
And I found out that I'm on the Conference Team (like a small group leader) for TEC 44, which is really cool. I worked it once before, and I really enjoyed it. And most exciting, my youth that I sponsored to go on the last TEC is on Conference as well. Yay God! So cool...
Earlier in the week, we went to see Pirates of the Caribbean, and it was really good. The ick factor was a little higher (if you haven't seen it, and wonder how it can get any ickier then animated corpses, just you wait and see!) but the story was good, and I only screamed and jumped once. It totally left things hanging - I don't know how I'm going to be able to wait a whole year to find out what happens next...
Today I found out that Calgary is planning a new central library - for 2012! It's so strange to think of stuff actually happening then and being around for it - I read so much Science Fiction, I tend to forget that we're almost there, you know what I mean? In the early to mid-1900's, there was such a fascination with life after the millennium, and now that we're there, it's really not that exciting. But it's a little strange to see the dates as being in my lifetime - so surreal!
Monday, July 24, 2006
Bethel BBQ
Are you interested in helping start a new church in south Calgary? Join us for a BBQ on Wednesday night - follow the link for more info!
http://www.bethelmissionproject.ca/index-events.html
http://www.bethelmissionproject.ca/index-events.html
Friday, July 21, 2006
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Break Forth 2007
I found something cool - if you sign up to volunteer for 15 hours at Break Forth, you get free registration! So we're signing up - there's jobs for everything from security to registration to transportation to photographers to hospitality to first aid to sound. It's first come, first chosen, so we're filling out our forms tonight to get them in right away.
Casting Crowns is going to be there this time, and I'm really going just for that! But Brian Doerkson, Robin Mark and the Newsboys will all be there again too - they have been highlights for me in the past.
If you're interested in joining us, information is here:
http://www.new-creation.net/docs/Volunteer%20Newsletter%20June%2027.pdf
And the forms are here:
http://www.new-creation.net/docs/Volunteer%20Application%202007.pdf
Let me know if you want to carpool!
Casting Crowns is going to be there this time, and I'm really going just for that! But Brian Doerkson, Robin Mark and the Newsboys will all be there again too - they have been highlights for me in the past.
If you're interested in joining us, information is here:
http://www.new-creation.net/docs/Volunteer%20Newsletter%20June%2027.pdf
And the forms are here:
http://www.new-creation.net/docs/Volunteer%20Application%202007.pdf
Let me know if you want to carpool!
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
LINKED
So I really did mean to post more pictures from the Okanagan, but life kind of got in the way...
Our youth group went to the ABC District Youth Gathering and it was awesome. We left Thursday afternoon, and rode a really cushy bus for a TERRIBLY grueling hour and a half. That beats Greyhound any day! The theme was "LINKED", from Romans 8:28-29. Let's see if I can remember it... "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, neither height nor depth nor anything in all of creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." I think that's right...but the point of it is that we are Linked with God.
For me, there were a couple highlights of the Gathering - other than seeing a ton of friends, some of whom I haven't seen in ages - the first was the Passion Play (www.canadianpassionplay.com) on Friday evening. It was the third time for me, but they had a new script this year, which was really cool. It was narrated, and had a bit more humour, and was way more tear-jerking. There was this awesome bit where the possessed "Man of the Tombs" was reunited with his family that really got me started - I've never given him much thought before, but when I went to Matthew and read the story, it does mention Jesus telling the man to go to his family. So cool, and the 400 some volunteers it takes to put on the play did an amazing job. So did the donkey and the sheep...all that was missing was a llama :)
On Saturday morning, while the kids were at Bible study, I snagged a bit of time alone with God, under a tree, with my Bible and some music on my laptop, which was so refreshing. I really need to do that more often. (I had some more time for that on Sunday too, and then my battery died when I was in the middle of saving something, which was a little stressfull!) The best part of Saturday though, was some totally groovy worship music in the evening. My kids really liked it, and it was a lot of fun. We had some debriefing time in the evening, just us girls, and there was some cool stuff going on. I love Foothills' youth - they are just fantastic. I've been very blessed!
If you're interested in pictures of the Gathering, follow the links on the side to Jason's and Scott's websites - I still have a film camera, so it'll be a week or so for my pictures.
It really sucked to leave on Sunday, but we headed back to Calgary, and Chris, Kevin, Scott, Sarah, Trevor and I were off to the Stampede to see Starfield, Chris Tomlin and Third Day. While we were wandering around before the concert, Sarah and I discovered the most exciting food I've ever tasted - even better then Crave cupcakes. We bought a big piece of cheesecake on a skewer, dipped in melted chocolate. I took a bite and thought I'd died and gone to heaven right there. All the stress just melted away, and I nearly had to sit down. It was the most amazing taste sensation ever! I couldn't stop smiling...so good...
It was a little strange - I kept expecting to see youth there, and I found I really missed them. The guys sat in a box, and Sarah and I had 6th row seats, right in the middle section. It was SO cool! I could take or leave Starfield, and I'd never been much of a Chris Tomlin fan, but I am now. He's an amazing worship leader - very humble. He called "We Fall Down" "just a little song", which I found really ironic. It was more like a worship service then a concert, which I really enjoyed. God and I talked about some stuff, and the next day I ended up doing something I didn't really want to do, but that he was definitely telling me to, so we'll see what comes of that. If I don't chicken out and run away again, anyway. :)
I went for Third Day, and they were good, but after the worship set with Chris Tomlin, it was a little jarring to be blasted with rock music. They did slip back in to the worship groove eventually, though. If you're interested, there's pictures of that up on the Third Day website at www.thirdday.com. Maybe you'll be able to pick me and Sarah out of the crowd! By the time the concert was over, I was so wired - it's been years and years since I've been on a God-high like that - it was pretty cool - I've missed the groove we used to have when life was a lot more of a struggle for me. I find it really ironic that it was when my life was at it's worst that I had the best relationship with God, and now that things are pretty hunky-dory I tend to forget about working at my relationship with him. It makes me sad! After the weekend, I crashed pretty hard this morning, what with Sarah going home and me having to go back to work. Blech...
I need to find a job that I'm more passionate about - any suggestions?
So to sum up this weekend, I've decided that heaven is going to be like a giant youth gathering with lots of good friends, awesome worship music...and chocolate-dipped cheesecake on a stick. What more could you ask for? :)
Our youth group went to the ABC District Youth Gathering and it was awesome. We left Thursday afternoon, and rode a really cushy bus for a TERRIBLY grueling hour and a half. That beats Greyhound any day! The theme was "LINKED", from Romans 8:28-29. Let's see if I can remember it... "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, neither height nor depth nor anything in all of creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." I think that's right...but the point of it is that we are Linked with God.
For me, there were a couple highlights of the Gathering - other than seeing a ton of friends, some of whom I haven't seen in ages - the first was the Passion Play (www.canadianpassionplay.com) on Friday evening. It was the third time for me, but they had a new script this year, which was really cool. It was narrated, and had a bit more humour, and was way more tear-jerking. There was this awesome bit where the possessed "Man of the Tombs" was reunited with his family that really got me started - I've never given him much thought before, but when I went to Matthew and read the story, it does mention Jesus telling the man to go to his family. So cool, and the 400 some volunteers it takes to put on the play did an amazing job. So did the donkey and the sheep...all that was missing was a llama :)
On Saturday morning, while the kids were at Bible study, I snagged a bit of time alone with God, under a tree, with my Bible and some music on my laptop, which was so refreshing. I really need to do that more often. (I had some more time for that on Sunday too, and then my battery died when I was in the middle of saving something, which was a little stressfull!) The best part of Saturday though, was some totally groovy worship music in the evening. My kids really liked it, and it was a lot of fun. We had some debriefing time in the evening, just us girls, and there was some cool stuff going on. I love Foothills' youth - they are just fantastic. I've been very blessed!
If you're interested in pictures of the Gathering, follow the links on the side to Jason's and Scott's websites - I still have a film camera, so it'll be a week or so for my pictures.
It really sucked to leave on Sunday, but we headed back to Calgary, and Chris, Kevin, Scott, Sarah, Trevor and I were off to the Stampede to see Starfield, Chris Tomlin and Third Day. While we were wandering around before the concert, Sarah and I discovered the most exciting food I've ever tasted - even better then Crave cupcakes. We bought a big piece of cheesecake on a skewer, dipped in melted chocolate. I took a bite and thought I'd died and gone to heaven right there. All the stress just melted away, and I nearly had to sit down. It was the most amazing taste sensation ever! I couldn't stop smiling...so good...
It was a little strange - I kept expecting to see youth there, and I found I really missed them. The guys sat in a box, and Sarah and I had 6th row seats, right in the middle section. It was SO cool! I could take or leave Starfield, and I'd never been much of a Chris Tomlin fan, but I am now. He's an amazing worship leader - very humble. He called "We Fall Down" "just a little song", which I found really ironic. It was more like a worship service then a concert, which I really enjoyed. God and I talked about some stuff, and the next day I ended up doing something I didn't really want to do, but that he was definitely telling me to, so we'll see what comes of that. If I don't chicken out and run away again, anyway. :)
I went for Third Day, and they were good, but after the worship set with Chris Tomlin, it was a little jarring to be blasted with rock music. They did slip back in to the worship groove eventually, though. If you're interested, there's pictures of that up on the Third Day website at www.thirdday.com. Maybe you'll be able to pick me and Sarah out of the crowd! By the time the concert was over, I was so wired - it's been years and years since I've been on a God-high like that - it was pretty cool - I've missed the groove we used to have when life was a lot more of a struggle for me. I find it really ironic that it was when my life was at it's worst that I had the best relationship with God, and now that things are pretty hunky-dory I tend to forget about working at my relationship with him. It makes me sad! After the weekend, I crashed pretty hard this morning, what with Sarah going home and me having to go back to work. Blech...
I need to find a job that I'm more passionate about - any suggestions?
So to sum up this weekend, I've decided that heaven is going to be like a giant youth gathering with lots of good friends, awesome worship music...and chocolate-dipped cheesecake on a stick. What more could you ask for? :)
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Smoke-free Calgary
One of Calgary's aldermen, Diane Colley-Urquhart, is in support of a smoke-free Calgary, and she's running a web poll on her website.
http://www.aldermandiane.ca/index.htm
Vote for a smoke-free Calgary so I can go to pubs with my friends without having an allery attack!
http://www.aldermandiane.ca/index.htm
Vote for a smoke-free Calgary so I can go to pubs with my friends without having an allery attack!
Monday, July 10, 2006
In Memory
HAYES, Godfrey ( "Skinny ")
Harry Captain Godfrey Harry ( "Skinny ") Hayes, DSC OMM CD RCN, retired, born August 12, 1919, died peacefully July 6, 2006 with his family around him. A valiant and much-decorated Navy veteran and a man who lived his life with honour and integrity, he will be missed by the large Hayes clan and his many friends and colleagues.
Predeceased by Pam, his cherished wife of 56 years, he is missed by children Jinny, Michael (Maggie), Stephen (Maureen), David (Pat), and Liz (Richard), as well as grandchildren David, Paul Justus (Lisa), Sean (Audrey), Caitlin, Patrick, Jennifer, Matthew, Stephanie, Jillian, Heather, and Janet, and great-grandchildren Macy, Emmy and Alexander. He is also lovingly remembered by special extended family members, Julia, Janice and Jeff.
We know he cherished the long friendships of his life and took strength from the unconditional support of friends and family during his five-year struggle with cancer. He often said, "I've had a good run. " We are sure he would now add, "Damn the torpedoes! Full steam ahead! "
A memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday July 12th, at St. Paul's Anglican Church, 1379 Esquimalt Rd., with reception to follow at the new Naden Wardroom, on Signal Hill, at the end of Esquimalt Road.In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.
Published in the Victoria Times-Colonist from 7/9/2006 - 7/10/2006.
The Hayes family welcomed me at their family events when I was a teenager with a rough home life. They made a huge difference in those years, and I enjoyed every minute of my time with them. I remember Papa fondly – it is so painful to think of him not being there anymore.
Heather and your family - you are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of loss.
Harry Captain Godfrey Harry ( "Skinny ") Hayes, DSC OMM CD RCN, retired, born August 12, 1919, died peacefully July 6, 2006 with his family around him. A valiant and much-decorated Navy veteran and a man who lived his life with honour and integrity, he will be missed by the large Hayes clan and his many friends and colleagues.
Predeceased by Pam, his cherished wife of 56 years, he is missed by children Jinny, Michael (Maggie), Stephen (Maureen), David (Pat), and Liz (Richard), as well as grandchildren David, Paul Justus (Lisa), Sean (Audrey), Caitlin, Patrick, Jennifer, Matthew, Stephanie, Jillian, Heather, and Janet, and great-grandchildren Macy, Emmy and Alexander. He is also lovingly remembered by special extended family members, Julia, Janice and Jeff.
We know he cherished the long friendships of his life and took strength from the unconditional support of friends and family during his five-year struggle with cancer. He often said, "I've had a good run. " We are sure he would now add, "Damn the torpedoes! Full steam ahead! "
A memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday July 12th, at St. Paul's Anglican Church, 1379 Esquimalt Rd., with reception to follow at the new Naden Wardroom, on Signal Hill, at the end of Esquimalt Road.In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.
Published in the Victoria Times-Colonist from 7/9/2006 - 7/10/2006.
The Hayes family welcomed me at their family events when I was a teenager with a rough home life. They made a huge difference in those years, and I enjoyed every minute of my time with them. I remember Papa fondly – it is so painful to think of him not being there anymore.
Heather and your family - you are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of loss.
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