Maria’s Newest Accessories. Courtesy of Thrift Stores..
I was having an anti-social day but Keith and Sarah always make me smile. My new sunglasses and hat are a hit.
Archive for September, 2006
You Loved Us First.
I was at a Forum Leader’s meeting on Sunday. Sarah and I are going to be leading a forum discussion based on the messages at Embassy on Wednesday nights, so for the past couple weeks we’ve been meeting with other forum leaders for some training and discussion.
Yesterday we read a series of prayers by Soren Kierkergaard, which were pretty inspiring. I wanted to share a bit of my favorite one,
“You have loved us first. O God, alas! We speak of it in terms of history as if You have only loved us first but a single time, rather than that without ceasing You have loved us first many times and every day and our whole life through. When we wake up in the morning and turn our soul toward You- You are the first- You have loved us first; if I rise at dawn and at the same second turn my soul toward You in prayer, You are there ahead of me. You have loved me first. When I withdraw from the distractions of the day and turn my soul toward You. You are the first and thus forever. And yet we always speak ungratefully as if You have loved us first only once.”
This stood out to me for many reasons, but I think mostly because as someone who has been raised in the Church I think it is so easy to live in the history of Christianity, in the past. It’s easy to say that God loved us first by sending Christ for us while we neglected God. However, in emphasizing this we often neglect to acknowledge that in every second of every day God is loving us first. As I forget him, as I get wrapped up in my own agenda and worries, as I forget to love others, as I act selfishly, even when I think I’m focusing on God, God loves me first deeply, first sincerely, first intensely, first desperately. This adds such an urgency and immediacy to faith.
Lame Excuses for Blog Neglect.
I am supposed to be learning about the “Emergence of Modern Society” right now, but my blog is just so lonely, and I’m overcome with guilt for its neglect. Now that I’m back at school my writing focus is all over the place, I have an “Arts Writing” class which focuses on film, theatre, fine art, music and dance reviews and press releases within the arts. I’m also in a “Creative Writing” class this term, which is humbling, terrifying and exciting. We have to print off our fiction and poetry works for the whole class to critique, if that isn’t motivation, I’m not sure what is.
I forgot how busy life in Waterloo is. Ok, so I only have classes on Tuesday and Thursday, but still, it’s busy! I’ve become involved in both Community Fellowship’s young adults ministry and The Embassy . I serve supper at Grebel (college) on Wednesday nights. Sarah, my roommate, and I have decided to take up aqua fit at the local rec center across the road. Who doesn’t want to go exercise with the elderly ladies? I have also joined a soccer team. It’s going to be interesting to be sure. Point is, life is full and I’m enjoying it all.
Example: I spent the weekend in Exeter because Sarah, her mother and I went to a bridal expo in London, which was, of course, very fun. It involved a bridal fashion show, which I must admit made me wish that I could go prance around in pretty dresses for a day. This has always been a serious passion of mine, ever since the age of two when I informed my mother that I would wear dresses exclusively. Dress-up was a theme of the weekend actually, as Sarah and I also spent some quality time in a Goodwill change room, as Sarah tried to fit into a child’s rabbit costume and I found my self hopelessly stuck in an oriental dress. I wanted to be Mulan for Halloween!
However, these are all poor excuses for neglecting this writing, so I’ll procrastinate the homework to my little heart’s delight and continue to write these letters to no one in particular, and everyone in specific.
Just too Cute.
My little cousin Betsy is just too cute.
Calling.
I recieved an e-mail from my friend Ruth Grobler, the woman who runs Sinakekele Children who let me have the opportunity of becoming part of her family in South Africa. She needs help and support very badly and I’m feeling discouraged and helpless.
She told me today that if support does not come soon she will have to return to work. This is so frustrating! This woman works so very hard to start this ministry for orphans from absolutely nothing. She set aside a very successful career and now she has no other choice than to see all her efforts roll to a stop simply because she does not have enough money to pay the bills and feed her children.
Life seems so unfair. I sat at my computer and cried when I read her e-mail. Ruth is so unbelievable and strong and yet here I am half way around the world, panicking.
A girl in my Arts Writing class has a tattoo of the word, “faith” across her wrist, maybe that’s a good idea.
For now I’m racking my brain trying to think of what I can do. If you have any ideas let me know! I would love to start a network of supporters for Ruth right here in my community.
Oh yes, and I don’t even feel an ounce of guilt plugging her ministry. You can donate through FEB International online or through the mail.
Through the Mail:
1)Go to their website at: http://www.febinternational.ca/
2)Go the section of the website called “Contribute”, which is located on the far right at the top of the screen.
3)There are three forms listed on this page. The form you are looking for is the middle one called, “Donation Form”.
4)Print this form, fill it out and mail it with a cheque to Feb International. (The address is included on the form.)
a.The envelope should be addressed to Feb International, Attention: Norman Nielsen.
b.The cheque should be made out to Feb International
c.To direct the donation to Sinakekele Children, include that name on the form in the section titled, “Donation Information.”
d.If you do not check the last box titled, “Please send my tax receipt at the end of the year.” Then it will be mailed to you within a couple of weeks.
Online:
Follow the same process as above, but select the form entitled, “Secure On-line Donation Form” instead. Fill out the appropriate information, but make sure to include “Sinakekele Children” in the space labelled, “Missionary Name”.
I looked back on what I had written while in Africa, to remind myself. My journal on May 21st said, “Ruth always says that once you have Africa in your blood or under your feet it never leaves you. I think I’m experiencing a little bit of that tonight. I feel like I’m leaving a part of myself, my purpose, behind. When Ruth talks about this ministry, I feel like I could stay here forever, sitting in this tiny room with a suitcase of clothes and a mattress. I’m so content.”
I need to do something quickly!
So Long Sweet Summer.
Summer is over. I leave for my new waterloo home tomorrow. Its been a very good summer, full of new adventures, new places, new people, old friends, old haunts and of course good old Sarnia.
This is the fourth time I’ve moved since going to university. I was off campus my first term, then in residence, then off campus with six of my friends and now I’m starting a brand new home. You’d think I’d be use to it by now.
I’m pretty poor at transitions. Change makes me nervous. I’ve always found that when I’m in a new situation there’s always this buffer time when I feel a little lost, when I find it hard to just relax and be myself.
Change is hard for me, but its also exciting. I’m looking forward to yet another wonderful year full of blessings and challenges. Who knows what’s in store. So long sweet summer.
My tribute to summer. I’ll miss all of you!
You Loved Us First.
I was at a Forum Leader’s meeting on Sunday. Sarah and I are going to be leading a forum discussion based on the messages at Embassy on Wednesday nights, so for the past couple weeks we’ve been meeting with other forum leaders for some training and discussion.
Yesterday we read a series of prayers by Soren Kierkergaard, which were pretty inspiring. I wanted to share a bit of my favorite one,
“You have loved us first. O God, alas! We speak of it in terms of history as if You have only loved us first but a single time, rather than that without ceasing You have loved us first many times and every day and our whole life through. When we wake up in the morning and turn our soul toward You- You are the first- You have loved us first; if I rise at dawn and at the same second turn my soul toward You in prayer, You are there ahead of me. You have loved me first. When I withdraw from the distractions of the day and turn my soul toward You. You are the first and thus forever. And yet we always speak ungratefully as if You have loved us first only once.”
This stood out to me for many reasons, but I think mostly because as someone who has been raised in the Church I think it is so easy to live in the history of Christianity, in the past. It’s easy to say that God loved us first by sending Christ for us while we neglected God. However, in emphasizing this we often neglect to acknowledge that in every second of every day God is loving us first. As I forget him, as I get wrapped up in my own agenda and worries, as I forget to love others, as I act selfishly, even when I think I’m focusing on God, God loves me first deeply, first sincerely, first intensely, first desperately. This adds such an urgency and immediacy to faith.
Lame Excuses for Blog Neglect.
I am supposed to be learning about the “Emergence of Modern Society” right now, but my blog is just so lonely, and I’m overcome with guilt for its neglect. Now that I’m back at school my writing focus is all over the place, I have an “Arts Writing” class which focuses on film, theatre, fine art, music and dance reviews and press releases within the arts. I’m also in a “Creative Writing” class this term, which is humbling, terrifying and exciting. We have to print off our fiction and poetry works for the whole class to critique, if that isn’t motivation, I’m not sure what is.
I forgot how busy life in Waterloo is. Ok, so I only have classes on Tuesday and Thursday, but still, it’s busy! I’ve become involved in both Community Fellowship’s young adults ministry and The Embassy . I serve supper at Grebel (college) on Wednesday nights. Sarah, my roommate, and I have decided to take up aqua fit at the local rec center across the road. Who doesn’t want to go exercise with the elderly ladies? I have also joined a soccer team. It’s going to be interesting to be sure. Point is, life is full and I’m enjoying it all.
Example: I spent the weekend in Exeter because Sarah, her mother and I went to a bridal expo in London, which was, of course, very fun. It involved a bridal fashion show, which I must admit made me wish that I could go prance around in pretty dresses for a day. This has always been a serious passion of mine, ever since the age of two when I informed my mother that I would wear dresses exclusively. Dress-up was a theme of the weekend actually, as Sarah and I also spent some quality time in a Goodwill change room, as Sarah tried to fit into a child’s rabbit costume and I found my self hopelessly stuck in an oriental dress. I wanted to be Mulan for Halloween!
However, these are all poor excuses for neglecting this writing, so I’ll procrastinate the homework to my little heart’s delight and continue to write these letters to no one in particular, and everyone in specific.
Just too Cute.
My little cousin Betsy is just too cute.
Calling.
I recieved an e-mail from my friend Ruth Grobler, the woman who runs Sinakekele Children who let me have the opportunity of becoming part of her family in South Africa. She needs help and support very badly and I’m feeling discouraged and helpless.
She told me today that if support does not come soon she will have to return to work. This is so frustrating! This woman works so very hard to start this ministry for orphans from absolutely nothing. She set aside a very successful career and now she has no other choice than to see all her efforts roll to a stop simply because she does not have enough money to pay the bills and feed her children.
Life seems so unfair. I sat at my computer and cried when I read her e-mail. Ruth is so unbelievable and strong and yet here I am half way around the world, panicking.
A girl in my Arts Writing class has a tattoo of the word, “faith” across her wrist, maybe that’s a good idea.
For now I’m racking my brain trying to think of what I can do. If you have any ideas let me know! I would love to start a network of supporters for Ruth right here in my community.
Oh yes, and I don’t even feel an ounce of guilt plugging her ministry. You can donate through FEB International online or through the mail.
Through the Mail:
1)Go to their website at: http://www.febinternational.ca/
2)Go the section of the website called “Contribute”, which is located on the far right at the top of the screen.
3)There are three forms listed on this page. The form you are looking for is the middle one called, “Donation Form”.
4)Print this form, fill it out and mail it with a cheque to Feb International. (The address is included on the form.)
a.The envelope should be addressed to Feb International, Attention: Norman Nielsen.
b.The cheque should be made out to Feb International
c.To direct the donation to Sinakekele Children, include that name on the form in the section titled, “Donation Information.”
d.If you do not check the last box titled, “Please send my tax receipt at the end of the year.” Then it will be mailed to you within a couple of weeks.
Online:
Follow the same process as above, but select the form entitled, “Secure On-line Donation Form” instead. Fill out the appropriate information, but make sure to include “Sinakekele Children” in the space labelled, “Missionary Name”.
I looked back on what I had written while in Africa, to remind myself. My journal on May 21st said, “Ruth always says that once you have Africa in your blood or under your feet it never leaves you. I think I’m experiencing a little bit of that tonight. I feel like I’m leaving a part of myself, my purpose, behind. When Ruth talks about this ministry, I feel like I could stay here forever, sitting in this tiny room with a suitcase of clothes and a mattress. I’m so content.”
I need to do something quickly!
So Long Sweet Summer.
Summer is over. I leave for my new waterloo home tomorrow. Its been a very good summer, full of new adventures, new places, new people, old friends, old haunts and of course good old Sarnia.
This is the fourth time I’ve moved since going to university. I was off campus my first term, then in residence, then off campus with six of my friends and now I’m starting a brand new home. You’d think I’d be use to it by now.
I’m pretty poor at transitions. Change makes me nervous. I’ve always found that when I’m in a new situation there’s always this buffer time when I feel a little lost, when I find it hard to just relax and be myself.
Change is hard for me, but its also exciting. I’m looking forward to yet another wonderful year full of blessings and challenges. Who knows what’s in store. So long sweet summer.
