Art Immitating Life

Really we have had almost the same conversation with my german friends... true story!!

"life finds a way..."

it's amazing what can sometimes happen in the span of a week... I don't think I could even attempt to blog it all in anything but point form...so here goes.

In less than a week I/ we

.saw the largest perogy in the world!

.took some interesting photo's of the giant sausage in mundare - really what were they thinking (I think I could tell you)

.met up with friends we haven't really seen in over a decade

.filled up on german vocabulary

.visited the badlands and did a little climbing, and bone/perfect picture hunting

.ate at a restaurant that time warps you back to 1987

.reconnected with family

.tried our hands a "yenta"ing

.travelled through mountains and crossed rivers in sandalled feet right on the edge of waterfalls, and were caught in a violent rain storm just after Lake Louise.

.drove on the "c-train" tracks in Calgary because Darren told us too.. later were told that t is highly illegal and our car could have been disabled (oops)

.met another friend from england and caught up as best you can in a matter of hours.

.listened to an up an comers new album namely Darren

.visited Calgary Zoo and made fun of the ugly animals.... I leave that to your interpretation.

.stopped along the QE2 so that my hero brother could assist with an accident that happened just moments before we got there. very exciting

.watched a home made version of fiddler on the roof (that is code my friends)

.tagged along on a 9 1/2 hour shopping excursion.

.saw what looked like a homeless man land a triple sow cow and a multitude of spins at the Ice Palace....really entertaining!!

. went to the airport to say goodbye

.went to grandmas house

.had my car towed and impounded due to a minor misunderstanding.

.rescued off the street by Lena, toured the Ledge grounds, German movie very good!

.another trip to the airport with my aunt and parents, then off to the impound yard...

.rescued said car... (after getting registration and permission sorted because actually it is my brother Phil's car and the registration had expired months ago)

.and made our way home... 2200 km later!

I think today we maybe just might stay in :D

How Now Shall We Live?

I think, scratch that, I KNOW I ask the wrong question... I'm always wondering what next... God where would you have me go? What would you have me do? Where will I be? Who will I be next year?

I don't ask, "How NOW should I live?"

I know, I know... "Don't worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will take care of itself." But really, who listens to that advice?? If you do, I think we should talk because I really need to know how to do it.

I spend so much time thinking up goals and visions and plans of action and the next thing, the best thing, what to learn, what to devote myself to in the future.... I do that and I keep missing the blessing of today. Inevitably these dreams don't all come to fruition.

Today I was thinking a bit about plans/dreams I have had for the future that seem at the moment to have been torn asunder and I started to feel the old familiar melancholy... that self pitying sadness that comes from dashed hopes. It totally put a damper on the beautiful day that I have had. I have friends that have come all the way from Germany to see me!! Unbelievable! we saw so much, laughed our heads off... have made memories to last a lifetime and I began to feel sad because momentarily the future looked bleak. How horrible is that. I think it's horrible that I let my joy be stolen by things that are so uncertain... things that weren't even real.

Ridiculous!! I am ridiculous!

I know I need to change the question. Not what next God, but what NOW? How now should I live? In this moment, who should I give my time, who should I offer my heart, my abilities (such as they are), who should I offer my service? Where should I keep my thoughts? In this very moment how do I live to make it the fullest life, the most abundant life I can have?

"I have come that you might have life and have it to the full!"

I am in his debt...

Major Ian ThomasBorn Hampstead, London, England, 13th September 1915Died Estes Park, Colorado, USA, 1st August 2007"Heaven is rejoicing as Dad is welcomed home"That was the heading on the news sent round to the other Torchbearer centres by Chris Thomas just yesterday..."At 1:40 today (Wednesday) Dad, whom many affectionately referred to as "The Major," "Ian" or "big brother" went to be with the One whom he loved, served and about whom he couldn't stop talking. That was true until the end!"It is with sadness that this announcement comes but also with a tremendous sense of thanksgiving and joy as Capernwray and Torchbearers International reflect upon the remarkable journey he had upon earth. So many are eternally grateful for the message of life in Christ that he so clearly and powerfully proclaimed and no doubt there will be those reading this who will recall a moment, a turn of phrase and a Scripture explained that sparked life into the soul, none more so than "Christ in you, your only hope of glory." Dad's funeral will be held in the coming week in Estes Park, Colorado, where he and Mrs Thomas have been based for over 20 years. Joan and the family are grateful for your prayers as thanksgiving is made for Major's welcome home. Preliminary plans are being considered for a celebration of his life to be held at Capernwray Hall, England in the weeks ahead. Further details will be confirmed as and when possible. It is a privilege to write from a place like Capernwray, at present filled with young people, knowing that Major and Mrs Thomas took steps of obedience even before the place was purchased 60 years ago. They never dreamed or imagined what the Lord had in mind as the first guests arrived and travel around the world began. No doubt you praise the Lord for Major's life, testimony and legacy. As far as living the Christian life is concerned he always maintained it was impossible. He would never let us forget, "Only Christ can do that," and often said "He never said we could--He always said He would".With all our gratitude for the Lord's goodness,Mark & Linda Thomas and everyone at Capernwray. ______________

when life leans in on you...

Inspired by Michael's blog... he writes:

"Today I thought about my family, how we're all growing older and life is leaning on us. Life seems like an obstacle course and if you're lucky you can side-step or duck under illness or tragedy, but sooner or later it will get someone you love, if not you yourself and the pain will be torture just the same."

For some reason I thought about this a lot today. Today life seems a bit fickle. Like it promises something and then just when you feel secure in it the bottom drops out on the dream. Or just when you think relationships are secure something happens to alter it... maybe illness, maybe miscommunication, maybe death or the threat of it, or just a move. Things are never as secure as we want them to be.

I know I can hate the idea of committing... but I love the idea of security. I bet that seems a bit oxymoronic :D

but really... I long for security... I want definites and assurances and yes to mean yes and no to mean no. Which is probably why I am not quick to make promises... instead I feel secure in definite maybes. LOL

Sadly... for the most part everyone else also wants security, possibly promised by you, without the need for a personal commitment.

Anyway.. there it was my thought process today - and as I was thinking about all this I realized - I have security, just not in this world, in this life. I know for many faith, and the hope of the life after this is a big question mark - a vague hope... But I have been blessed with this unshakeable faith since I was a child, that God exisits and that by my repentance and my acceptance of the gift of salvation I will live eternally.

So my problem is not with an eternal type insecurity - it is really temporal... and as I sat on a bench just outside Wal*Mart waiting for my brothers I realized... even though there are moments I ache and hurt and long for security in every and all areas of my life... no matter what happens, no matter what "life" throws my way - I really will be alright. I've already been through so much that has caused so much pain and in the midst felt God's love and compassion. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that though these things have the power to injur me, they do not have the power to destroy me. No matter what happens - I'm gonna be alright.

Somehow just thinking like that helps me to not only be braver than I normally am - but to be more content... whether circumstances would dictate it or not :D