"Live the Difference"
by Acquire the Fire
And here I am
I'm on my knees
I give You all
Cuz You're all I need
And in Your arms I'll find my place
I will never be the same..... again
I wanna live to love
Live to love
I wanna live to fight
Live to fight
Til the whole world knows
And sees Your light
Sees Your light
I'm gonna live the difference
Pay the price
Its all or nothing
No compromise
I'm gonna live the difference
Put my life on the line
This is my generation
And I'm gonna fight
Its time
Your love
Its Your love
Like a fire inside
Fire inside
Your touch
Its Your touch
That changed my life
Changed my life
I'm gonna live the difference
Pay the price
Its all or nothing
No compromise
I'm gonna live the difference
Put my life on the line
This is my generation
And I'm gonna fight
In Your arms I'll find my place
My place in You
I will never be the same
Never be the same
In Your arms I'll find my place
My place...
I will never be the same....
I'm gonna live the difference
Pay the price
Its all or nothing
No compromise
I'm gonna live the difference
Put my life on the line
This is my generation
And I'm gonna fight
Its time, Its time
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
Too busy for Revolution? WhatEVER!
“People are too busy to organize a revolution!”
This is a quote from one of my professors. In context, he was absolutely right – we were talking Marx (who is totally my hero, by the way. Not really, but I like to tell people that) and about how the majority is controlled in society by the minority and all the minority really has to do to change things is to SPEAK OUT and DO SOMETHING about what they do not agree with and about the ways that they are being exploited. This is a valid point.
And it is SO true. People today do think that they are too busy to do anything. People do not have the time that they need to accomplish what they really want to accomplish. People are “too busy” or “don’t have time” to stand up and fight for what they believe in. There are degrees to this: some people make time for certain things that are important while others make time for nothing and allow “the system” so to speak, or whatever system of choice, walk all over them and never do anything to stop it.
And it’s a shame. In Canada especially, we are given so many freedoms and so many rights, but no one ever uses them. It sucks. People need to take a stand more often for what they believe in. Maybe when people all over the place begin using what they have, especially their rights and freedoms, all of the time, it is not going to be such a big deal when one person does it.
So… what is this revolution thing that I am talking about? By definition, a revolution is a radical and pervasive change in society and the social structure or can also be view/defined as a sudden or momentous change in a situation (dictionary.com). What does this mean? It means that eventually, Canadians are going to have to rise and STAND against injustices that are present, not only in OUR society, but in this world. There are many ways that we can take a stand, but the first thing that we have to do is TAKE ACTION. I don’t want to be referred to someone who is “all talk” and someone who takes no action for the things that she says. I hope that someone will hold me accountable for taking action. And the next time I hear someone complaining about something that they feel isn’t right in society, I am going to gently ask them what they are going to do about it. We need to “dance upon injustice” as one of the songs states. I want to be a “dancer”, who “dances” upon injustice, don’t you? That would be amazing. That is a life time aspiration for me, and it always has been.
I certainly do not want to be too busy to organize a revolution. I was a revolution or a revival or revelations, or whatever I can get. I don’t want to be stuck living in a world that is the way that this world is all of the time. It’s not really that good of a place sometimes. Some days you can look at it and agree that it is decent; it’s all right. Some days, I would like to think that I am not even a part of anything that is going on around me. There are always positives and negatives. But I definitely want to live in a society of positives, so I want a revolution – I want those negatives to be abolished and those positives to be emphasized. But the only way that this is ever going to get done is if we stop our busy lives and DO SOMETHING – stand, fight, take action!
This is a quote from one of my professors. In context, he was absolutely right – we were talking Marx (who is totally my hero, by the way. Not really, but I like to tell people that) and about how the majority is controlled in society by the minority and all the minority really has to do to change things is to SPEAK OUT and DO SOMETHING about what they do not agree with and about the ways that they are being exploited. This is a valid point.
And it is SO true. People today do think that they are too busy to do anything. People do not have the time that they need to accomplish what they really want to accomplish. People are “too busy” or “don’t have time” to stand up and fight for what they believe in. There are degrees to this: some people make time for certain things that are important while others make time for nothing and allow “the system” so to speak, or whatever system of choice, walk all over them and never do anything to stop it.
And it’s a shame. In Canada especially, we are given so many freedoms and so many rights, but no one ever uses them. It sucks. People need to take a stand more often for what they believe in. Maybe when people all over the place begin using what they have, especially their rights and freedoms, all of the time, it is not going to be such a big deal when one person does it.
So… what is this revolution thing that I am talking about? By definition, a revolution is a radical and pervasive change in society and the social structure or can also be view/defined as a sudden or momentous change in a situation (dictionary.com). What does this mean? It means that eventually, Canadians are going to have to rise and STAND against injustices that are present, not only in OUR society, but in this world. There are many ways that we can take a stand, but the first thing that we have to do is TAKE ACTION. I don’t want to be referred to someone who is “all talk” and someone who takes no action for the things that she says. I hope that someone will hold me accountable for taking action. And the next time I hear someone complaining about something that they feel isn’t right in society, I am going to gently ask them what they are going to do about it. We need to “dance upon injustice” as one of the songs states. I want to be a “dancer”, who “dances” upon injustice, don’t you? That would be amazing. That is a life time aspiration for me, and it always has been.
I certainly do not want to be too busy to organize a revolution. I was a revolution or a revival or revelations, or whatever I can get. I don’t want to be stuck living in a world that is the way that this world is all of the time. It’s not really that good of a place sometimes. Some days you can look at it and agree that it is decent; it’s all right. Some days, I would like to think that I am not even a part of anything that is going on around me. There are always positives and negatives. But I definitely want to live in a society of positives, so I want a revolution – I want those negatives to be abolished and those positives to be emphasized. But the only way that this is ever going to get done is if we stop our busy lives and DO SOMETHING – stand, fight, take action!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
SMILE
"Don't cry because it's over... SMILE because it HAPPENED"
Another year at Laurier Brantford is almost over.
I remember how CRAZY HARD it was for me at this time last year. SUPER DEE DUPERLY HARD. I just totally bawled my eyes out (I know, for those who know me now, HARD to believe!)
But then... a VERY VERY VERY wise person told me this quote - DON'T cry because its over, smile because it happened.
And it really helped me! Kind of... AFTER all of the tears, it really helped me! Really! So... I know that a lot of you are graduating, or leaving residence, or moving on to BIGGER and better things. So, just remember what did happen, and the good times that you had, and hold on to that, not dwelling on the fact that it is over.
Remember that if you are not changing you are not growing! And what fun is it to be the same all of the time? Sometimes I think that it makes things a lot easier... but really just makes change, which is going to happen eventually no matter how hard you fight it.... THAT much harder in the end!
Trust me, it was REALLY hard for me to get this last year too! Anyone who was at the residence life banquet will remember me THAT night (and Heather was my cry buddy, ha). Its difficult, but worth knowing in the end!
I love you all and wish you the best of luck for any changes that are happening in your life right now... those changes that just HAPPEN in April of every year when you are this age!
---------- erin
Another year at Laurier Brantford is almost over.
I remember how CRAZY HARD it was for me at this time last year. SUPER DEE DUPERLY HARD. I just totally bawled my eyes out (I know, for those who know me now, HARD to believe!)
But then... a VERY VERY VERY wise person told me this quote - DON'T cry because its over, smile because it happened.
And it really helped me! Kind of... AFTER all of the tears, it really helped me! Really! So... I know that a lot of you are graduating, or leaving residence, or moving on to BIGGER and better things. So, just remember what did happen, and the good times that you had, and hold on to that, not dwelling on the fact that it is over.
Remember that if you are not changing you are not growing! And what fun is it to be the same all of the time? Sometimes I think that it makes things a lot easier... but really just makes change, which is going to happen eventually no matter how hard you fight it.... THAT much harder in the end!
Trust me, it was REALLY hard for me to get this last year too! Anyone who was at the residence life banquet will remember me THAT night (and Heather was my cry buddy, ha). Its difficult, but worth knowing in the end!
I love you all and wish you the best of luck for any changes that are happening in your life right now... those changes that just HAPPEN in April of every year when you are this age!
---------- erin
Friday, March 09, 2007
Voice of Truth
By Casting Crowns.
Good Song.
Read the lyrics!
"Voice of Truth"
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand
But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again, "Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes
to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name
And he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again, "Boy you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth
But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
On top of them lookin' down
I soar with the wings of EAGLES
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe-
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth
I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the Voice of truth
I will listen and believe
Cause Jesus you are the voice of truth
And I will listen to you, you are-
The Voice of Truth
Good Song.
Read the lyrics!
"Voice of Truth"
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand
But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again, "Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes
to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name
And he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again, "Boy you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth
But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
On top of them lookin' down
I soar with the wings of EAGLES
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe-
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth
I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the Voice of truth
I will listen and believe
Cause Jesus you are the voice of truth
And I will listen to you, you are-
The Voice of Truth
Sunday, March 04, 2007
WINTERFEST!!!!!!
Things that I learned at Winterfest this year…
This was my first winter retreat! I’ve been on one around November and March before, but they were very different. Very not outdoor-sy. Very… boring. And certainly not a lot of snow OR four hours away. And this time, I got the priviledge of going with a group of AMAZING kids (and other leaders) and learning some amazing things.
This is what I learned this weekend (or SOME of the things that were just reinforced again):
1. GOD IS AMAZING. Totally awesome. And HE LOVES us SO MUCH. SO much.
2. Worship God with ALL of your heart, the way that you want to, NO MATTER WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING. You may be the MINORITY when you begin, but by the end of the weekend, you’ll be part of the MAJORITY. And really, when you are with God, it doesn’t matter which group you are a part of… because you are part of the Body of Christ and we are all on the same team.
3. Prayers are powerful. It does not matter WHO are you praying for or WHO is praying for you… because in the end, they are all praying to GOD, and they have the authority to make powerful declarations. The impact that your heart declarations being spoken out to God can have on the person that you are praying for is something that you might not ever actually realize.
4. God gives revelations when we ask Him too. He’s pretty cool that way.
5. God makes it snow. Snow makes everything amazingly beautiful.
6. Sunrise is prettier than sunset.
7. Walking outside in bare feet in three feet of snow in the morning to take pictures OF the sunrise, IS COLD… and not that smart!
8. A four hour bus trip ON THE WAY to a retreat is FUN without iPods/MP3, etc. On the four hour bus trip HOME when EVERYONE is sleeping, those things would be helpful/useful. BUT we did get creative without them (I spy, veggietales, cranked worship music, and the worship team practice… hahaha… for those who know why THAT’S funny.
9. It doesn’t matter how much you pack… at some point throughout the weekend, everything you brought will be soaking wet.
10. JUST because there is snow, does not mean that it is evenly distributed throughout the area in question. There COULD be a HUGE brick buried only centimeters below the deceiving layer of snow. When you jump on to this from a height KNEES FIRST, it is GOING to leave a rather large and painful bruise.
11. Slide tackling in snow soccer does not hurt near as much as it does in actual soccer.
12. Just because it is a winter retreat, DOES NOT mean that the cabins are going to be cold. BUT when the cabin is hotter than you’ve ever EVER experienced… Open a window for the night.
13. It’s hard to lead cabin devotionals when a) you’re not familiar with the story b) it’s the middle of the night c) a quarter of your cabin is sleeping d) a quarter of the cabin does not belong to your group thus does not care and e) did I mention you don’t know the story you’re teaching about
14. Threatening to take away your special leader name tag is NOT actually going to happen or affect your ability to have fun and hang out with your kids.
15. Telling the kids to shovel snow over the balcony on to a group of other kids who are talking really loud and being really disrespectful, MIGHT not work out. However… In my case, it worked out totally fine. I just recommend pursuing with caution.
16. Sleeping on a school bus could never be comfortable.
17. PLAYING the huge group game is probably more fun than sitting as a road marker in the snow, in the cold, in the night, by yourself, waiting for the kids who are playing the game to find you. BUT if put in this position, building a snow igloo pyramid thing will likely entertain you.
18. No matter what you call something (WINTERfest)… people are going to cancel because of the weather. Imagine that: It’s SNOWING… during WINTERFEST?
19. You may never expect it… but making a comment such as “you are a few cards short of a deck” can be the cause for hours of conversation, explanations, and confusion. Add in “my driveway doesn’t do all the way to the road” and you are SET.
20. Using a luggage bag as a sled WILL NOT ALWAYS work… but will make for some pretty fun videos and pictures.
21. No matter how big and how hard a hill was to get UP… getting down on the snow via sliding, running, sledding, jumping, etc, will make up for the trek.
22. Just because a young teenager is not MEANT to fit through the guard bars on bunk beds doesn’t mean that they can’t try, get stuck, make it through, than be asked to do it all over again for pictures.
23. If you run outside of the cabin in just a towel, your leaders WILL lock the door on you, or otherwise instruct fellow cabin mates to do it for them.
And last… certainly last but NOT least…
24. If you’re told not to bring your cell phone somewhere, you probably shouldn’t bring it. No matter what the advice of the random lady waiting in front of you in line at the grocery store might say.
God did SO much amazing things this weekend. No matter how much fun we did have, the bottom line was that we were there for God. God wanted us to have fun, but we also learned SO much about Him, sang praises to Him with all of our hearts, and allowed for Him to bring revelation. I’ve changed as a result of this weekend and it is amazing to also be able to see God changing in others.
This was my first winter retreat! I’ve been on one around November and March before, but they were very different. Very not outdoor-sy. Very… boring. And certainly not a lot of snow OR four hours away. And this time, I got the priviledge of going with a group of AMAZING kids (and other leaders) and learning some amazing things.
This is what I learned this weekend (or SOME of the things that were just reinforced again):
1. GOD IS AMAZING. Totally awesome. And HE LOVES us SO MUCH. SO much.
2. Worship God with ALL of your heart, the way that you want to, NO MATTER WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING. You may be the MINORITY when you begin, but by the end of the weekend, you’ll be part of the MAJORITY. And really, when you are with God, it doesn’t matter which group you are a part of… because you are part of the Body of Christ and we are all on the same team.
3. Prayers are powerful. It does not matter WHO are you praying for or WHO is praying for you… because in the end, they are all praying to GOD, and they have the authority to make powerful declarations. The impact that your heart declarations being spoken out to God can have on the person that you are praying for is something that you might not ever actually realize.
4. God gives revelations when we ask Him too. He’s pretty cool that way.
5. God makes it snow. Snow makes everything amazingly beautiful.
6. Sunrise is prettier than sunset.
7. Walking outside in bare feet in three feet of snow in the morning to take pictures OF the sunrise, IS COLD… and not that smart!
8. A four hour bus trip ON THE WAY to a retreat is FUN without iPods/MP3, etc. On the four hour bus trip HOME when EVERYONE is sleeping, those things would be helpful/useful. BUT we did get creative without them (I spy, veggietales, cranked worship music, and the worship team practice… hahaha… for those who know why THAT’S funny.
9. It doesn’t matter how much you pack… at some point throughout the weekend, everything you brought will be soaking wet.
10. JUST because there is snow, does not mean that it is evenly distributed throughout the area in question. There COULD be a HUGE brick buried only centimeters below the deceiving layer of snow. When you jump on to this from a height KNEES FIRST, it is GOING to leave a rather large and painful bruise.
11. Slide tackling in snow soccer does not hurt near as much as it does in actual soccer.
12. Just because it is a winter retreat, DOES NOT mean that the cabins are going to be cold. BUT when the cabin is hotter than you’ve ever EVER experienced… Open a window for the night.
13. It’s hard to lead cabin devotionals when a) you’re not familiar with the story b) it’s the middle of the night c) a quarter of your cabin is sleeping d) a quarter of the cabin does not belong to your group thus does not care and e) did I mention you don’t know the story you’re teaching about
14. Threatening to take away your special leader name tag is NOT actually going to happen or affect your ability to have fun and hang out with your kids.
15. Telling the kids to shovel snow over the balcony on to a group of other kids who are talking really loud and being really disrespectful, MIGHT not work out. However… In my case, it worked out totally fine. I just recommend pursuing with caution.
16. Sleeping on a school bus could never be comfortable.
17. PLAYING the huge group game is probably more fun than sitting as a road marker in the snow, in the cold, in the night, by yourself, waiting for the kids who are playing the game to find you. BUT if put in this position, building a snow igloo pyramid thing will likely entertain you.
18. No matter what you call something (WINTERfest)… people are going to cancel because of the weather. Imagine that: It’s SNOWING… during WINTERFEST?
19. You may never expect it… but making a comment such as “you are a few cards short of a deck” can be the cause for hours of conversation, explanations, and confusion. Add in “my driveway doesn’t do all the way to the road” and you are SET.
20. Using a luggage bag as a sled WILL NOT ALWAYS work… but will make for some pretty fun videos and pictures.
21. No matter how big and how hard a hill was to get UP… getting down on the snow via sliding, running, sledding, jumping, etc, will make up for the trek.
22. Just because a young teenager is not MEANT to fit through the guard bars on bunk beds doesn’t mean that they can’t try, get stuck, make it through, than be asked to do it all over again for pictures.
23. If you run outside of the cabin in just a towel, your leaders WILL lock the door on you, or otherwise instruct fellow cabin mates to do it for them.
And last… certainly last but NOT least…
24. If you’re told not to bring your cell phone somewhere, you probably shouldn’t bring it. No matter what the advice of the random lady waiting in front of you in line at the grocery store might say.
God did SO much amazing things this weekend. No matter how much fun we did have, the bottom line was that we were there for God. God wanted us to have fun, but we also learned SO much about Him, sang praises to Him with all of our hearts, and allowed for Him to bring revelation. I’ve changed as a result of this weekend and it is amazing to also be able to see God changing in others.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
I think that we are about... eleven or twelve here...
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Memories
So... for one reason or another... I've been thinking a lot about childhood... specifically my childhood. That might sound really weird... but that is OK. I've recently gotten kind of back in touch with some friends of mine... not totally in touch, but still - talking.
I was basically raised beside this huge dutch family... since I was four years old. There are seven kids in the family... and I was close with the last four... Esther, Aletta, Lisse and Tessa. They were really like sisters to me, that I never had... because I didnt have any sisters growing up. But we had a lot of fun together. I just remember some of it.. and will probably think of other things later... but we used to run around the neighbourhood, barefoot, playing cops and robbers, jumping on the trampoline, riding bikes... we put on plays, they were neighbourhood producutions and we charged people to come and watch them, we snuck into the RBG after hours and played there... hide and go seek, babysitting together, building forts... there are SO many things. We spent A LOT of time together, A LOT of days and had a lot of slumber parties where we may or may not have slept. I went to church with them sometimes, on Sunday nights, and sometimes on Sunday mornings... and I went to Dutch school a couple of times. I know some random words... and I know their Christmas story thing... ha.
We never like, stopped talking because we were really angry at each other or anything, it was just because we kind of drifted apart because life took us in different directions. It probably really started with high school - because I went to public school and they were to private school - and then I was competing a lot in high school at a higher level, so I was never really around. At all. Ha.
Basically, if you know me well... you will know that I am totally hooked on droppies and pepernoten (ha, I CANNOT spell those AT ALL, but if you know what I mean, then you know what I mean, if not... go to a dutch shop... haha). Basically, I love those things because I had them at my neighbours house all of the time. Other things? There are probably some randoms... but I cannot think of them right now.
But anyways, it is fun that we are kind of back in touch now, and I've been totally remembering all of the good times that we have had. And I've been going thru my pictures... which is diffficult, because they are at home and I am at school... but... I have a couple here. I want to get some more on the computer (these are from the era without digital cameras being so popular, so I had to scan them). But anyways, I am going to find some more older ones.. .these are the most recent ones I think that I have actually... from around 2000/2001 ish.
Esther was my very best friend for years and years. I spent so much time with her, we had SO many HUGE fights... AND... I remember something REALLY embarressing... But, one time we sang "doe a dear" with actions at a Talent show at her church... SO bad.
One summer, cousins stayed at their house for the entire summer while their aunt had her baby Marie... So this is Tessa and I with Thomas and Enna.
Lisse and I
Lisse, Tessa, Aletta and I
Tessa, Esther, Lisse and I
I was basically raised beside this huge dutch family... since I was four years old. There are seven kids in the family... and I was close with the last four... Esther, Aletta, Lisse and Tessa. They were really like sisters to me, that I never had... because I didnt have any sisters growing up. But we had a lot of fun together. I just remember some of it.. and will probably think of other things later... but we used to run around the neighbourhood, barefoot, playing cops and robbers, jumping on the trampoline, riding bikes... we put on plays, they were neighbourhood producutions and we charged people to come and watch them, we snuck into the RBG after hours and played there... hide and go seek, babysitting together, building forts... there are SO many things. We spent A LOT of time together, A LOT of days and had a lot of slumber parties where we may or may not have slept. I went to church with them sometimes, on Sunday nights, and sometimes on Sunday mornings... and I went to Dutch school a couple of times. I know some random words... and I know their Christmas story thing... ha.
We never like, stopped talking because we were really angry at each other or anything, it was just because we kind of drifted apart because life took us in different directions. It probably really started with high school - because I went to public school and they were to private school - and then I was competing a lot in high school at a higher level, so I was never really around. At all. Ha.
Basically, if you know me well... you will know that I am totally hooked on droppies and pepernoten (ha, I CANNOT spell those AT ALL, but if you know what I mean, then you know what I mean, if not... go to a dutch shop... haha). Basically, I love those things because I had them at my neighbours house all of the time. Other things? There are probably some randoms... but I cannot think of them right now.
But anyways, it is fun that we are kind of back in touch now, and I've been totally remembering all of the good times that we have had. And I've been going thru my pictures... which is diffficult, because they are at home and I am at school... but... I have a couple here. I want to get some more on the computer (these are from the era without digital cameras being so popular, so I had to scan them). But anyways, I am going to find some more older ones.. .these are the most recent ones I think that I have actually... from around 2000/2001 ish.
Esther was my very best friend for years and years. I spent so much time with her, we had SO many HUGE fights... AND... I remember something REALLY embarressing... But, one time we sang "doe a dear" with actions at a Talent show at her church... SO bad.
One summer, cousins stayed at their house for the entire summer while their aunt had her baby Marie... So this is Tessa and I with Thomas and Enna.
Lisse and I
Lisse, Tessa, Aletta and I
Tessa, Esther, Lisse and IThursday, February 15, 2007
SNOW... Part II
So... this week here in the B dot... we got a TONNE of snow... like... a lot.
Campus was closed from 5:30PM Tuesday night until 8am this morning (Thursday). My hometown (region) cancelled school before the storm even hit because it was so bad.
BUUUUUT - THERE IS SO MUCH SNOW.
Of course - Vanessa and I went out to play again... this time around 11pm. I made snow Angels on every corner between Palace and Pearl, all down Albion to West and back up again... and wrote messages of Jesus' love for us in the fresh blanket of snow.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Ho-Downing It UP
*GASP*
Yeah... planning the Ho-Down at my church recently, I heard all of the jokes. From everyone. "You're going to a Ho-Down... Are you dressing Ho-Downy?" Well - the answer is... OF COURSE WE ARE!!!!!!!!!!! Ho-Downy, Valentine's Day-y - the entire works!
What is a Ho-Down, you ask? Well - that is what I was asking when I first got the email asking me whether I would plan this year's Ho Down from Alison. Of course, I said YES, I would LOVE to plan the Ho Down (especially since I was going to be planning it with Jessica, who is awesome, and Alison herself) - after all, events planning is one of my favourite things to do.
A "Ho-Down" or, to be specific, a "Sweetheart's Valentine's Day Ho Down" is a Western/Country themed Square Dance party. That RIGHT, I said Square Dance; with a professional square dance caller and everything. He teaches everyone how to square dance in groups of eight. Very fun looking... although I only did get to try it once!
We rallied our Youth group together, dressed in our best country western clothes (although, I have only ever had to dress country once, which was for O week and all of my o week stuff is in Burlington), did some amazing set-up and decoration (Including strategically placing hay around the room... and might I add, I grew up in the city and have never carried hay around before.... and I learned that I really dislike delegating to people who are older than me!!!)
We rallied our Youth group together, dressed in our best country western clothes (although, I have only ever had to dress country once, which was for O week and all of my o week stuff is in Burlington), did some amazing set-up and decoration (Including strategically placing hay around the room... and might I add, I grew up in the city and have never carried hay around before.... and I learned that I really dislike delegating to people who are older than me!!!) 
We took some awesome pictures... made some announcements... picked some best dressed winners... It was a BLAST and the Youth raised a lot of money (it was a youth fundraiser after all) - but we are going to have enough money for a bus to Winterfest in a couple of weeks. That is very exciting, it is going to cut the cost for everyone!
And even Super Skittles came (aka Samantha Marie)! Even though she was reallllllllllllllllllly late!!!! And she brought this guy, named Ian - who I think that I am going to be having some religious debates with in the future (just a feeling).... I think so... *nods head*. And, just for the record... coming into Square Dancing during the third segment... when everyone else already knows what they are doing... I wouldn't recommend it. Good thing we were with an understanding crowd.
The moral of the story? If you EVER have the chance to go to a Ho Down, ESPECIALLY at our church... or on Valentine's day... and MOST especially if it is a Youth fundraiser... and if it is all for goooood fun... i strongly recommend doing it! AND if you ever get asked to plan one... go for it. It will be an experience. And you only live once!!!
Friday, February 09, 2007
Growing Up
I just got a load of recent pictures of my nephew William... but I cannot help but look back and remember when he was such a little baby. It has been since Thanksgiving since I've seen him at all, so I think that that might be one of the reasons why it was such a shock that he is such a little boy now... not even a baby anymore... even though he is only one. It makes me so sad that I don't get to see him grow up... or very much at all.... BUT - I write him letters and his Mom reads them to him and everything... but its just not the same. And I miss him a lot. No wonder - check this out!! Look how adorably CUTE he is!
-1.jpg)
Hours old... end of last summer!
October - about 5 weeks old
Bathtime... SO cute
When William stayed with us this summer...
In the leaves in the fall....
When my brother went to visit a couple of weeks ago...
Hours old... end of last summer!
October - about 5 weeks old Bathtime... SO cuteWhen William stayed with us this summer... In the leaves in the fall....When my brother went to visit a couple of weeks ago... Saturday, February 03, 2007
SNOW
This morning was just what I needed.
Somehow… every year… I seem to get just what I need in the form of nice… fluffy… white… cold… SNOW. I cannot describe how much I LOVE SNOW. It brings SO many opportunities. Skiing is the best sport EVER… And just walking and hearing the crunch, crunch, crunch under your feet. It is pretty awesome. And it brings people together. I’m NOT even kidding… it REALLY does. Last year, during this HUGE snow storm during a HUGE struggle in my life… I realized that I had some good people in my life (none of which are actually STILL in my life, but that’s a totally different issue). I realized that God works in the most mysterious ways – and He has a plan, and He totally knows what He is doing and He knows SO much that He knows that something as small as a snow storm can totally bring glory to Him and peace to any situations that someone might be facing. Peace is SO important, and when I think snow, I think PEACE: God’s peace. God has peacefully blanketed everything with snow to protect it through the bitterness and coldness that winter brings, so that once the snow melts, it is able to grow again. New growth… Hmmm… Interesting…
This morning I went TOBOGANING!!!!!!!! CAN YOU SAY "super nifty callafragalicious wackily swelled expeielodociously amazingly fun"???? I haven’t been for a really, really long time (probably at least eight or nine years – you know, when childhood ended and I decided I was too old for that stuff and also WAY too mature and all that jazz). Tobogganing… It was fun – to say the absolutely LEAST. We went with Operation God, a Children’s program through my church that I volunteer at on Saturday mornings. So… my first run... I didn't go all out... as I was with a five year old who was oh so cute but afraid to go all by himself. But... then we worked it out. He went once with me, and realized that it was really fun and then wasn’t afraid. I think that he actually wasn’t afraid to start with, because he was pretty pro once he got used to the sled etc. My second run included me... on a GT snow racer made for a ten year old... and the ten year old who owned it giving me a mighty push. Also fun.
THEN I was racing these two older kids (by older, I definitely mean that they were ten and twelve… not older than me – just older than the majority of the rest of the kids)... and the one kid TRIED TO TAKE ME OUT... I swear and know it, probably because he TOLD me that that is what he was trying to do... haha... so... he was in a GT and he was trying to cut me off (because, they can steer a little better than toboggans)... so, I had to roll outta my sled and purposely WIPE OUT so that I didn’t SMASH into him... which is actually what he wanted, but as a leader and all, I didn’t think that that was such a good idea.
THEN... These three girls were kind of not so into it, and I was like... "We should ALL go down on ONE sled" so... we obviously didn’t all fit on one sled, so we grabbed a second one and we all linked arms etc and went down, four of us... all together, in two sleds… that were attached… by US. We did that about five times, wiping out in a variety of fun, fun ways. We only REALLY messed it up (and by messed up, I mean it was HILLLLLLARIOUS and totally… Hilarious) when Mary switched with Chelsea and decided she was toooo coool to SIT in the sled (haha... ooooh funny) and knelt instead and then we separated somehow (probably because we weren’t holding on to the other sled tight enough) and basically I ended up (with the other three)rolling down the majority of the hill (or maybe not even that far)... BUT SOOOO FUN! Tobogganing = good times. Snow = AWESOME.
THEN two MORE friends came, and they wanted to join us... SO... since six of us wouldn't all fit SITTING in two sleds... we squished to the front and then the two other girls STOOD on the back of the two sleds. THAT TIME we ACTUALLY made it ALL the way to the BOTTOM and NO ONE fell off or wiped out or ANYTHING. Which is good, because I was a little worried about the “standers” and whether they would make it safely to the bottom. It was pretty cool.
THEN... you know when you are stepping on snow and the depth of the snow suddenly changes but you have absolutely no idea that such a thing is going to happen so you end up going from NO snow to PAST YOUR KNEES DEEP IN SNOW... and then falling... because of the depth? That is ALSO really fun.... followed by a "First day with your new legs?" comment. Oh yeah.... funnny... hahaha . And I am really not being sarcastic about the funness of ANY of this… because… well – because I’m being serious.
I repeat, this morning was just what I needed!!! I am also definitely heading out to… some park (if we can find one) near my house in my snow gear RIGHT NOW (its eight thirty pm) to play in the snow with my roomie. It is going to be a blast. This reminds me SO much of good times last year when we all played Capture the Flag at two in the morning at Vic Park downtown (yes, middle of the night, vic park, downtown Brantford… we were totally being safe there). The only DIFFERENCE is… this year, I have SNOWPANTS… which will avoid the frost bite on my legs.
Thank God for snow. And thank God that He is God.
I have posted some of my FAVOURITE snow pictures here. I have always been drawn to snow. No wonder why!!! Let's give this a try....
| View Show | Create Your Own
Somehow… every year… I seem to get just what I need in the form of nice… fluffy… white… cold… SNOW. I cannot describe how much I LOVE SNOW. It brings SO many opportunities. Skiing is the best sport EVER… And just walking and hearing the crunch, crunch, crunch under your feet. It is pretty awesome. And it brings people together. I’m NOT even kidding… it REALLY does. Last year, during this HUGE snow storm during a HUGE struggle in my life… I realized that I had some good people in my life (none of which are actually STILL in my life, but that’s a totally different issue). I realized that God works in the most mysterious ways – and He has a plan, and He totally knows what He is doing and He knows SO much that He knows that something as small as a snow storm can totally bring glory to Him and peace to any situations that someone might be facing. Peace is SO important, and when I think snow, I think PEACE: God’s peace. God has peacefully blanketed everything with snow to protect it through the bitterness and coldness that winter brings, so that once the snow melts, it is able to grow again. New growth… Hmmm… Interesting…
This morning I went TOBOGANING!!!!!!!! CAN YOU SAY "super nifty callafragalicious wackily swelled expeielodociously amazingly fun"???? I haven’t been for a really, really long time (probably at least eight or nine years – you know, when childhood ended and I decided I was too old for that stuff and also WAY too mature and all that jazz). Tobogganing… It was fun – to say the absolutely LEAST. We went with Operation God, a Children’s program through my church that I volunteer at on Saturday mornings. So… my first run... I didn't go all out... as I was with a five year old who was oh so cute but afraid to go all by himself. But... then we worked it out. He went once with me, and realized that it was really fun and then wasn’t afraid. I think that he actually wasn’t afraid to start with, because he was pretty pro once he got used to the sled etc. My second run included me... on a GT snow racer made for a ten year old... and the ten year old who owned it giving me a mighty push. Also fun.
THEN I was racing these two older kids (by older, I definitely mean that they were ten and twelve… not older than me – just older than the majority of the rest of the kids)... and the one kid TRIED TO TAKE ME OUT... I swear and know it, probably because he TOLD me that that is what he was trying to do... haha... so... he was in a GT and he was trying to cut me off (because, they can steer a little better than toboggans)... so, I had to roll outta my sled and purposely WIPE OUT so that I didn’t SMASH into him... which is actually what he wanted, but as a leader and all, I didn’t think that that was such a good idea.
THEN... These three girls were kind of not so into it, and I was like... "We should ALL go down on ONE sled" so... we obviously didn’t all fit on one sled, so we grabbed a second one and we all linked arms etc and went down, four of us... all together, in two sleds… that were attached… by US. We did that about five times, wiping out in a variety of fun, fun ways. We only REALLY messed it up (and by messed up, I mean it was HILLLLLLARIOUS and totally… Hilarious) when Mary switched with Chelsea and decided she was toooo coool to SIT in the sled (haha... ooooh funny) and knelt instead and then we separated somehow (probably because we weren’t holding on to the other sled tight enough) and basically I ended up (with the other three)rolling down the majority of the hill (or maybe not even that far)... BUT SOOOO FUN! Tobogganing = good times. Snow = AWESOME.
THEN two MORE friends came, and they wanted to join us... SO... since six of us wouldn't all fit SITTING in two sleds... we squished to the front and then the two other girls STOOD on the back of the two sleds. THAT TIME we ACTUALLY made it ALL the way to the BOTTOM and NO ONE fell off or wiped out or ANYTHING. Which is good, because I was a little worried about the “standers” and whether they would make it safely to the bottom. It was pretty cool.
THEN... you know when you are stepping on snow and the depth of the snow suddenly changes but you have absolutely no idea that such a thing is going to happen so you end up going from NO snow to PAST YOUR KNEES DEEP IN SNOW... and then falling... because of the depth? That is ALSO really fun.... followed by a "First day with your new legs?" comment. Oh yeah.... funnny... hahaha . And I am really not being sarcastic about the funness of ANY of this… because… well – because I’m being serious.
I repeat, this morning was just what I needed!!! I am also definitely heading out to… some park (if we can find one) near my house in my snow gear RIGHT NOW (its eight thirty pm) to play in the snow with my roomie. It is going to be a blast. This reminds me SO much of good times last year when we all played Capture the Flag at two in the morning at Vic Park downtown (yes, middle of the night, vic park, downtown Brantford… we were totally being safe there). The only DIFFERENCE is… this year, I have SNOWPANTS… which will avoid the frost bite on my legs.
Thank God for snow. And thank God that He is God.
I have posted some of my FAVOURITE snow pictures here. I have always been drawn to snow. No wonder why!!! Let's give this a try....
| View Show | Create Your Own
Happy February?
Welcome to the wonderful month of February <3>January RECAP: January totally flew by! It was pretty awesome though. Some of the highlights include family Christmas at my sister's house now that she is back from Aussie Town...... a very.... mature family, I must say!!!!
On top of family Christmas back home... we also had our roommate Christmas Secret Santa dealio. See our lovely Christmas tree?? Tiny, but important. I got a beautiful bracelet from Vanessa with all different beads that tells the Christmas story! It is lovely & beautiful! Charli has been CUTE AS EVER.... crawling into boxes and bags and whatever suites her fancy. Look at her little FACES!!!!!!!!!
Above: The event that I was worried about... went FANTASTICALLY!!! I had a lot of volunteers end up coming to help out... especially with set up. I left us an hour and a half for set up... and we were done after a half hour - so i sent everyone for a half hour dinner break. It was AWESOME. Lots of kids came and they had an awesome time! One of my highlights was one of the activities that I made up being such a hit. It was a Scavenger Hunt featuring the book "The Paper Bag Princess" (of which I got for Christmas, THIS year). The kids did a march/hunt around the building before coming back to the lounge for their treats. It was awesome. I am SO grateful for all of the help that I had and for everyone who came out and supported or who wanted to but weren't able!
Other than that stuff... well.... classes and such... January was not that exciting. I am down to four classes and also taking at least four in the summer - so I am going to be graduating early I hope. I am taking Law, Morality and Punishment; Crime in Context; Theories of Crime; and Evil and Its Symbols right now. This summer, I am tackling Love and Its Myths; Grief, Death and Dying; Cults, Sects and Other New Religious Movements; and Global Governance, the UN in the 21st century. WOW, that is a mouthful. I am also trying to get into french so that I can get back into the language. I've decided that I never should have quit and that it is going to be very useful - but I have to get permission to get into the class that I want and the permission is not coming just yet. Praying about that one!
January was ended with a Breakthrough Blessings Conference at Freedom House. It was... well... Amazing. Breakthroughs? So many! In so many ways! Just... Awesome. God is SOOOO amazingly awesomely super duper! The conference had a pretty big impact on me... more than anyone will likely ever know!
WHATS NEW in FERUARY?
This month is already off to a good start. Last night with the Youth, I went to see the movie "Facing the Giants" at Evangel church. This movie was apparently banned in Canada because it mentions God too much (I'm actually looking into that as we speak, because that's just NOT right and I am going to write a letter if that is really the reason why)... but was a FABULOUS movie that made us laugh and cry. Amazing. It was pretty awesome. A church in the states made it on a limited budget to raise money for something... or... something (Also looking into that). Its good. I recommend watching it. Really!
February is going to bring midterms, essays, work, events planning... a Sweethearts Valentines Day Ho Down Square Dance at yes church... and much more... (i.e. Hitting the slopes AT LEAST once!!!! If not WAY more than once).
Looking forward to it...
Monday, January 22, 2007
Busier than before?
So... Not a lot has changed since my last blog that was a couple of weeks ago. Actually... if at all possible... Things are even busier. The stress of it hasn't kicked in yet, for which I am grateful. I'm doubting that in the next seven days, after tonight, I am going to have much time to do anything other than what I already HAVE to do... which definitely and especially includes blogging...
This Saturday night is my event - Well, LSFL's event - called Snuggle Up and Read. It is going to be good. I had been overwhelmed with a lack of volunteers able to come to the event - but the dedication of the volunteers that I DO have (even those that cannot actually physically be at the event, but still help planning) has been amazing, and for that I am grateful. This week is going to be filled with running around for that event, as well as photocopying, prepping stuff, and preparing my game story scvenger hunt... activity... thing - for the book... The Paper Bag Princess... which just happens to be ONE of the most amazing books EVER.
Coupled with running that event this weekend - there is a conference at Freedom House - A conference of Breakthru Blessings for 2007??? Sounds good! I'm SOOOO excited about this conference, and although I am going to be a tad bit late on the Sat night because of my event - I think that I will still make it in time for the guest speaker.
What else is going on this week? Well.. I have a paper due on Tuesday (not tomorrow, a week tomorrow) about a book that I am supposed to have read called "When Bad Things Happen To Good People". Its for a religion class and so far, it is actually a really good book. And yes, I do say SO FAR because i have not FINISHED it yet. So... any time that i DO have this week and weekend that does not include planning, running around or actually being at this event, I have to spend finishing this book so that I can write a kick butt response about it. Did I mention that I need at least four A-(s) to get my average back up to what it was last year?
Midterm season also starts for my on Wednesday the 31st. I'm not exactly sure who calculated that the middle of the term is a third way into the term (since we started on the 3rd of Jan and end on the 31st of March, I'm not really sure where the math went) but... that means that they are not all on the same day... or in the same week... as they were last time.
I'm happy to say that I have only spent $46 on textbooks. And get this, neither were actually Textbooks, they were books that I have to read for religion class. The other four classes I have? I can't afford textbooks for those. There goes that A-? I think NOT. I can do this without textbooks... they usually just sit on my shelf as soon as they get home anyways.
Well... I am late leaving for Bible study now. I am going to run. But wanted to give current updates! Maybe, if I am still alive in two weeks, I'll post again
This Saturday night is my event - Well, LSFL's event - called Snuggle Up and Read. It is going to be good. I had been overwhelmed with a lack of volunteers able to come to the event - but the dedication of the volunteers that I DO have (even those that cannot actually physically be at the event, but still help planning) has been amazing, and for that I am grateful. This week is going to be filled with running around for that event, as well as photocopying, prepping stuff, and preparing my game story scvenger hunt... activity... thing - for the book... The Paper Bag Princess... which just happens to be ONE of the most amazing books EVER.
Coupled with running that event this weekend - there is a conference at Freedom House - A conference of Breakthru Blessings for 2007??? Sounds good! I'm SOOOO excited about this conference, and although I am going to be a tad bit late on the Sat night because of my event - I think that I will still make it in time for the guest speaker.
What else is going on this week? Well.. I have a paper due on Tuesday (not tomorrow, a week tomorrow) about a book that I am supposed to have read called "When Bad Things Happen To Good People". Its for a religion class and so far, it is actually a really good book. And yes, I do say SO FAR because i have not FINISHED it yet. So... any time that i DO have this week and weekend that does not include planning, running around or actually being at this event, I have to spend finishing this book so that I can write a kick butt response about it. Did I mention that I need at least four A-(s) to get my average back up to what it was last year?
Midterm season also starts for my on Wednesday the 31st. I'm not exactly sure who calculated that the middle of the term is a third way into the term (since we started on the 3rd of Jan and end on the 31st of March, I'm not really sure where the math went) but... that means that they are not all on the same day... or in the same week... as they were last time.
I'm happy to say that I have only spent $46 on textbooks. And get this, neither were actually Textbooks, they were books that I have to read for religion class. The other four classes I have? I can't afford textbooks for those. There goes that A-? I think NOT. I can do this without textbooks... they usually just sit on my shelf as soon as they get home anyways.
Well... I am late leaving for Bible study now. I am going to run. But wanted to give current updates! Maybe, if I am still alive in two weeks, I'll post again
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Welcome 2007... and let's start it off with a kick in the face....
Wow.
2007 is here.
Can you believe it? 2006 went SO fast... and a lot happened... and a lot is continuing to happen in 2007... even though we are a total of 11 days in (I think, I had to keep asking what day it was yesterday, but I am a little more grounded today).
How am I starting off this year? With lots of things! I have different classes (so far, so good... and boring x1).... I have different roommates (they are really the same people, but they are different to me)... I have different situations (one of my best friends moved to St. Cats... which is really far by comparison to Burlington)... and I now have a palmpilot (not sure if that is how you SPELL palmpilot, but it was a good guess if not) that is going to assist me in my organization.
2007 ALSO started off with... oh... this just in... wait for it... INSANITY! Like always.... I just don't think that I can get away without having my spoonfull of insanity. But really... Its not that bad... well... maybe. I think that I have been juggling it well. I've already completed an assignment (Its DONE and SUBMITTED and not due for another... twelve hours... so for anyone who knows me, that is PRETTY DARN IMPRESSIVE), I ran a meeting by myself that didn't go horribly (although I have now determined that I am not a huge agenda person.... but I'll keep trying to become one, just for Rachel ;)...), I have an event coming up that is going to ROCK... i hope... I am helping run a Youth fundraiser for Winterfest at Yes Church... It is a Valentine's Day Ho-Down Square Dance thing... Going to be good... still in primary stages and I don't know that much about it... And umm... well, there is always work. Nothing like showing up in time to no students, because assignments are not due yet, and sitting there for two hours, while not getting paid. But, it gets me up and out of the house and into a forced working situation - I've used that time wisely, completing assignments for myself and work for LSFL etc. All in all... its not too bad. But I'm looking forward to tutoring again! Hopefully students will start coming sooner rather than later!
Of course there are always things that suck. But... working through them helps you to learn who you are, right? Am I right? Please tell me that I am at least a little bit right. And of course, "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him. Who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
2007 is here.
Can you believe it? 2006 went SO fast... and a lot happened... and a lot is continuing to happen in 2007... even though we are a total of 11 days in (I think, I had to keep asking what day it was yesterday, but I am a little more grounded today).
How am I starting off this year? With lots of things! I have different classes (so far, so good... and boring x1).... I have different roommates (they are really the same people, but they are different to me)... I have different situations (one of my best friends moved to St. Cats... which is really far by comparison to Burlington)... and I now have a palmpilot (not sure if that is how you SPELL palmpilot, but it was a good guess if not) that is going to assist me in my organization.
2007 ALSO started off with... oh... this just in... wait for it... INSANITY! Like always.... I just don't think that I can get away without having my spoonfull of insanity. But really... Its not that bad... well... maybe. I think that I have been juggling it well. I've already completed an assignment (Its DONE and SUBMITTED and not due for another... twelve hours... so for anyone who knows me, that is PRETTY DARN IMPRESSIVE), I ran a meeting by myself that didn't go horribly (although I have now determined that I am not a huge agenda person.... but I'll keep trying to become one, just for Rachel ;)...), I have an event coming up that is going to ROCK... i hope... I am helping run a Youth fundraiser for Winterfest at Yes Church... It is a Valentine's Day Ho-Down Square Dance thing... Going to be good... still in primary stages and I don't know that much about it... And umm... well, there is always work. Nothing like showing up in time to no students, because assignments are not due yet, and sitting there for two hours, while not getting paid. But, it gets me up and out of the house and into a forced working situation - I've used that time wisely, completing assignments for myself and work for LSFL etc. All in all... its not too bad. But I'm looking forward to tutoring again! Hopefully students will start coming sooner rather than later!
Of course there are always things that suck. But... working through them helps you to learn who you are, right? Am I right? Please tell me that I am at least a little bit right. And of course, "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him. Who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
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