Reflections on Summer

I am trying to reconcile myself to the fact that summer is over.  I'm not happy about it.  I haven't been looking forward to fall (the weather, mostly).  This summer was such a gift to me.


I had allowed myself to become quite burnt out by June (well, February really, but I pushed through until June).  I had commented to someone a while back that we really are capable of far too much all on our own.  I proved myself right. When I should have been taking more time to rest and take care of myself, I was doing all that I could to stay afloat.  This summer has really been a time of resting, relaxing, enjoying a (somewhat) slower pace, and taking a break from the (crazy) routine and schedule that dictates my life the rest of the year.


I went on my first real vacation!  What a wonderful two weeks those were.  And although there were things I would do differently (less days of driving 9+ hours a day, more beach...) I loved nearly every minute of it.  And now I keep thinking back to those 2 weeks.  Because even though our programs and other activities haven't really started yet, life is getting crazy.  My jaw is almost constantly tense, and I can't do anything to relax it.  (It's driving me crazy.  Seriously.)  It turns into really tight neck and shoulders, and I'm pretty sure the whole situation is just perpetuated.


The things my mind keeps returning to from my vacation are:


Trinity Center, CA (on Trinity Lake, in Trinity County, fed by Trinity River.  Do you sense a theme here?)  This tiny little town of 200 people stole my heart with it's sad, painful history, but bright, optimistic attitude.  


It was there that I heard and met Aimee Nolte, a brilliant Jazz musician who grew up in neighbouring Weaverville.  She could have been Norah Jones, if I didn't know better.  Amazing voice.  (And now we're friends on facebook!)  I bought one of her CD's, and her voice draws me back to the lake shore where she performed.


Mostly, I think I keep remembering the restful and relaxing pace (when I wasn't driving 9+ hours a day).  I had 4 beautiful days in one spot in California.  It was so good to just sit and be.  The weather was stunning (35 degrees, which is pretty much perfect in my books).


In 2 months this summer, I put 10,000 km on my car!  I went to the camp where I'm on the board of directors 3 times, I drove to northern Saskatchewan to visit an old friend from Camp Chestermere (this trip is an annual tradition, and this was the fifth year running).  I don't know where else I all went, but I had a lot of fun and still managed to get some work done.  


I read a couple of books.  A couple is a couple less than I'd hoped, but it's better than nothing.  I went to 2 rodeos (Calgary and Strathmore), both of which were great fun.


I'm getting to the point where I'm excited about some things about fall (just not fall itself, or the weather.)  I'm looking forward to seeing my students consistently again.  I MISS THEM!  I'm looking forward to sharing some of the things God's been teaching me, and putting on my heart.  I'm looking forward to some opportunities to connect with some pastor friends; they're people who care for me and challenge me in ways no one else can.  They are gifts from God to me.


And today I booked tickets to go to Ontario for Christmas.  I am so excited to spend Christmas with these cuties:

My niece Natalie and my nephew Gavin.  I can't wait to give them hugs, kisses, and all sorts of presents! (It's my job as Auntie.  I couldn't possibly let them down.)


And I might be looking forward to seeing these fine folks as well:

So I guess fall maybe isn't that bad.  It brings us Christmas.  And in my case family. 


Okay, I guess I'll be alright.

Vacation reflections

I've been home for exactly 2 weeks from my fabulous (okay, maybe not) first ever real vacation as an adult.  It maybe wasn't fabulous, but it was glorious.


I drove 4810 km in 13 days. By. My. Self.
I was in 2 provinces.
I visited 5 states (4 of which I'd not visited before).
I camped for 8 nights in a row (unless you count those 4 hours in a hotel room as a night...)
I was by myself for 8 days.
I read 3 books.
I listened to a lot of music.
I fell in love with a place I'd never been to before.
I learned that 6 hours of driving in one day is enough.


This trip was a gift in so many ways.  To spend that much time alone was so good for me.  Silence is a blessing.  I could think.  Pray.  Reflect on this crazy year.  Begin to dream about this coming year.  And just listen to God.


I saw God here:

and here:

and here

and a whole lot of other places too, but I can only post so many pictures...  But God was so present!  His creation is spectacular and amazing and mind-boggling.  


I learned things about myself, about travelling, and about slowing down.  I came back to work, hit the ground running, and am already longing for another vacation.  I've forgotten some of the things I've learned, and now I'm trying to remind myself of them as I frantically try to prepare for fall, plan and schedule events and care for people.


I wish I could have it back.  I wish I could go on vacation again, do nothing all day but sit and read, cook good food and go for a walk.  But what I know I need to do is adjust my everyday life to be more like the pace of my vacation.  I need to slow down a little.  I need to sit still for a while every day.  I need to pay more attention to what I'm eating.  And then maybe I wouldn't need a vacation so badly...

Tough Stuff

Today has been a hard day.  I came to my office at church expecting to 'get lots done' today.  In my administrative mind that means 'get organized', 'make lists', 'check things off the list', etc.  


Very shortly after arriving today, I found out that one of the students I've been caring for all year lost her father yesterday.  It's tragic, sad and unfathomable.  All of a sudden my idea of 'get lots done' changed to look like caring for this girl who is in shock and is grieving.  And that's okay.  And so much more important.  And so while I 'got nothing done' today, I did exactly what I needed to today.

A New Perspective

I really like sleeping.  I'm usually pretty good at it too.  But once in a while, (or sometimes for long periods of time), I'm not so good at it.  In the last week I've watched the sunrise 5 times.  Okay, well I haven't actually watched the sun rise, but I've seen the sky get lighter through the curtains in my bedroom window, from my bed.  It's happening at about 4 AM.  That is an hour when I should be sleeping, but haven't been.  I've been frustrated, impatient, and several times I've given up and watched a show on my laptop, or played games on my phone.  


This morning I read a blog post from a lady who has also been awake during those small number hours when it seems inhumane (and ungodly?) to be awake. She has vowed to make coffee, get up, and watch the next time it happens.  And I'm going to 'join her'.  All week I've been frustrated, annoyed and tired (hmm, wonder why?)  But I am going to choose to get up, make coffee (absolutely necessary at that time of day!) and instead of begrudging the fact that I'm awake, I'm going to see it as an invitation from God to join him in the quiet stillness of the day not quite there yet.  It will be a stretch, and I probably won't like it all the time, but I'll do it.  And I'm anticipating great things God!  


On the flip side of the day, last summer I decided I needed to spend more time outside.  I bought a great lawnchair (footrest attached!), and set it up on the porch, looking west as many nights as I could.  I bathed myself in mosquito spray, took water, books, a journal and pen, and was still.  I think it's the best time of the day in the summer - the evening time when the sun sinks just a little lower from the sky, and the shadows get longer.  In the country things are peaceful and quiet (mostly.)  I was occasionally joined by the 2 cats, the dog and some children, but it was good.  It was restful.  Maybe these mornings will come to be a similar experience.

I'm back... And wow.

Hello everyone!  I know, it's been a while again, and as much as I say every time that it won't happen again, it does.  I'm busy working, and today I read through some of my VP3 workbooks looking for some stuff.  I stumbled upon this journal entry, and wanted to share it with you because apparently I need to remind myself of what I wrote back in September.


"I believe I am in a place of discovery.  I have been able to pass through a place of asking God 'but are you sure?' to a place where I have been able to begin embracing the image and realities of who and what God is calling me to be, and has created me to be.  I have, in ways, been able to 'let God out of the box' I'd put him in, and become okay with the thought that perhaps this faith that I'm striving to live out looks different than that which I was raised with.  I feel as though I am discovering a freedom within faith that I didn't know was possible." 


Wow.  I read that just moments ago, and literally I thought - holy smokes - who wrote that for me?  I feel like it's pretty profound, and I'm glad I stumbled upon it now, as again, I feel like I'm asking God 'but are you sure?' Not about what I'm doing now, but about what I may be called to in the future (I'm not withholding information - I legitimately don't know yet what that is...  Stay tuned.)


Just thought I'd share that with you.

A Perfect Day

Today was the kind of day I've been waiting all winter for.  It was warm, sunny, quiet and simple.  It was the kind of day that is good for my soul.


My niece was thrilled to see me again this morning.  It's only been 3 weeks since I've seen her, and she's old enough now to remember me.  My sister and I walked her to daycare a little later, and it was already warm and sunny.  Next was naptime.  Then a 2 hour walk with my sister and my new nephew, Gavin.

Then came the picnic in the park for supper, followed by play time.  It was warm.  It was sunny.  It was simple and refreshing.  

And tonight, as the sun was going down, the streets were getting quiet and the birds were singing, I sat on the front porch and was quiet.  Gavin slept in my lap, and I chatted with the neighbors.  It was the simple, calm, peaceful day I've been waiting months for.  There was no busy-ness today.  There was no sense of 'I need to get this done today'.  It was just a day to enjoy and be.

Love. Rest. Peace.

Matthew 11:28 - 30 (The Message)


'Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  
Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  
I'll show you how to take a real rest.  
Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. 
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  
I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  
Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.'  


-Jesus


I love this.  I find it so inviting.  Graceful.  Restful.  Sincere.  


It feels like so much more life (relationally, peace) , and yet so much less life (accomplishment, running around like a chicken with my head cut off).  I want to live freely and lightly.  Like a spring breeze.  Is this impossible in this world?  It feels like it, but maybe that's just me.

Family.

Have you ever felt like family among people you have absolutely no relation to?  I've spent the last 3 days with pastors and representatives from all the churches that belong to the same family of churches I do.  Our conference ended lastnight, and as I drove away to see my actual (blood-related) family, I felt sad.  Don't get me wrong.  I love my family. Anyone who's been around me in the last couple of week knows how excited I've been, especially to see this little wonder:

Yep, that's my niece Natalie, and we love each other very much.  I guess that's what family is all about, right?  So getting back to the conference, one of the highlights is just seeing people that I don't get to see often.  Friends that live far away.  Meeting new friends that live far away.  But what makes me feel and experience that sense of family?  I think it's the idea of being around like-minded people.  We're all on different journeys, in very different geographic regions, but we're all striving to follow God, and discern God's will for our lives, but also God's will for the communities we lead.  There is something so powerful about when that family all comes together.  The fellowship, the challenge, the honesty, and the encouragement are so important to me, and that's where the sense of family comes in for me.  

I had so many people, over the course of 3 days ask me 'how are you doing?'  It's not the 'hey!  How's it goin'?' Rather, it's 'how are you doing?  How is your work at the church going?  How is your soul?'  Intentionally asked questions, begging honest answers because these people care.  They care about me, but they also care about our larger family of churches, and the things that I do, lead and experience are of interest to them because we're in this together!  What a great gift it is to know that I'm not alone on this journey.  I left feeling very cared for, which I think is the most important aspect of family.  They're looking out for me, making sure I'm doing okay, and that I'll be able to continue on this journey until we meet again in 6 months or so.  I have never felt so blessed by, nor excited about being a part of the family of churches called the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada.  It is family for me.

And now, I get to hang out with my real family too.  Bonus!  I sent them all off to church this morning, and I'm having a quiet morning by myself, because let's face it, how often does a pastor get a chance to skip church?  Besides, I've gotten to be a part of 3 amazing services in the last 4 days.  I think I've met my quota.  I hope today is filled with family of some sort or description for you as well.  Blessings, friends.

Spring???

First Day of Spring

So, I read a bunch of blogs by various people in many different parts of the world.  Lately, a lot of them have been talking about spring.  I'm trying really hard not to be envious, jealous and bitter, but I don't have much to work with, as you can see above.  I took that picture yesterday on my home from work.  You can't see where the snow stops and the sky begins.  Neither could I when I took that picture.  The whole world was very grey.  We have had snow here since November 16th.  With no breaks.  I feel a bit like it's the never ending winter, after the non-existent summer.  I want to believe there's a light at the end of the tunnel, but forgive me for being skeptical.


It is somewhat representative of how I've been feeling about my life lately though (which is why it's worth mentioning here.)  It's been a long winter.  A lot of change has happened this winter, and it's been pretty emotional.  On top of that, it's been (unexpectedly) extremely busy, and just when there was a light at the end of the tunnel, it was snatched away.  (My part time job in Calgary didn't end when it was supposed to.  A blessing really, but it meant I didn't get the break I was looking forward to.)  


I hope you don't hear my complaining, because I'm not.  I'm more wanting to get across the state of my soul.  I am tired.  I feel empty.  I feel a bit monotonous.  But I am reminded that this is a season, and while it's lasting longer than I'd like, it too, will end.  And in the midst of the season, there are glimpses of brightness and joy.  I work with a great group of students.  (See my last post for proof of this).  Lately, I have seen them rising to challenges, and growing, and wanting to go deeper in their faith and relationships with God.  The other highlight is when they ask me to go for coffee with them.  Whether it's to talk about difficult situations, or just about life in general, I am honored that they trust me enough to make this gesture.  


So even in the longest, darkest, snowiest winters, there are hints of brightness, and the promise of spring.  I am choosing to believe that it will not last forever.

Too long...

Wow.  I did not realize it's been almost a month.  I feel like that's some horrible sin in blog-world.  I vowed to never let that much time pass in between posts.  And here we have it - I'm still human!


On the 16th of February, I turned 30 (in case anyone in the world missed it - I certainly felt like the whole world knew - and congratulated me!)  What a great day!  I am definitely one of those people who still gets very excited about birthdays.  Mostly this means my own, but I am definitely very understanding and supportive when others are excited for their birthdays as well.

It's kind of funny.  Wednesdays (my birthday fell on one), I usually work all day at my job in Calgary, and don't go into my office at the church at all.  But this day, I had taken the morning off to get some urgent stuff done at the church.  I arrived to see this:  

Happy Birthday Corinne

I opened the door to find my office had been extensively decorated, with great attention to detail taken.  Turns out, several of the wonderful teenagers in our youth group had arranged with a parent with a key to sneak in to my office, and 'make a big deal', just like I told them I liked.  

It's a big deal.

I wasn't asking for it - I just had mentioned that birthdays were still a big deal to me, and I still like celebrating them.


Almost a month later, the post it notes saying happy birthday in a dozen different languages, and other miscellaneous statements ('You are so beautiful to me', Happy 40th, we love you, etc.) remain.  

Mostly because I've been so super busy and haven't had time to take them down, but also because I love them, and every day I open the door to my office, and know again that I am loved and appreciated.  Probably the most touching gift they left me was a plastic recorder.  It showed that they know me, and remember the things I talk about, and pay attention.  You see, when I was growing up, I played the recorder.  Like, for real.  Won competitions and was awarded scholarships.  I know, I know, I don't really spread that one around, but it's true.  You can ask my parents.  Kind of embarrassing.  

So I've been thinking about what it means to be known.  I'm  not going to write about it, because I think it's going to be my next sermon, and I don't want to ruin it, but there is something about being known.  It was a big deal to me.


Anyway, my 30th birthday was my best one yet!  I also spent a great afternoon at my job in the city celebrating with my co-workers there, and then was spoiled with flowers and a beautiful card from my small group ladies, and a party with close friends later on the weekend.  Oh yeah, and literally, about 100 people wished me happy birthday on facebook.  Not to brag, but that's a lot of people.  I felt very loved, celebrated and special, which was what made it the best birthday yet.  So a belated thanks to everybody out there who helped make that day so wonderful.  And I'm starting to get teased at the church because the decorations are still up.  They think I'm still relishing it.  I've just been busy, okay?  And I might be relishing just a little...

'Thanks for being an awesome youth pastor' and 'Finally 40'

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow I turn 30.  3. 0.  Weird.  


I've been doing a lot of reflecting lately, partly because I've had a pretty crazy year (when I take a moment to stop and look back on it), and partly because last week I had to tell 'my story' to my Vantage Point group.  (My mom asked me which story that was.  It's the whole story, as in the story about my life, and where God's been at work throughout my life.)  It's actually been pretty fun to look back, and it's also neat that it almost perfectly coincides with this momentous occasion.  What I've realized the most is that God has been at work in my life, for all of my life.  Isn't it funny that we don't see that when we go through stuff, but later when we stop to reflect, it's often so obvious?  That whole saying about hindsight being 20/20 is pretty true.


So as much as it's been cool to see and acknowledge God's presence and hand at work in my life the past 30 years, it also challenges me to be more aware of God's presence and hand at work right now.  It's happening.  History tells me that it can't not be happening.  But where?  What am I learning, how am I growing, that I don't even know right now?  It also makes me excited for a year from now when again, I'll be looking back and seeing God's hand in everything - my situations, relationships, decisions that I'm living in today.  


I also find it so comforting that this is truth.  That even though I can't see it always, God is doing stuff in my life, in the lives of the people around me, and in the world in general.  It's comforting that I'm never actually 'on my own', to make my own way in the world, but that God is always at work, leading, guiding, preparing.


And the same goes for you.  Be encouraged by that.  God is doing great things in you.  Take a moment to think about the journey you have been and are on.

Still and again...

I read this quote this morning on another blog.  

“To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. this is my symphony."    ~w.e. channing

It struck me again, as the way that I want to be living, and that I am very much not living this way currently.  My life has been a constant barrage of the urgent and busy for the last 4 weeks.  I have eaten only 4 suppers in my own house - no lunches and few breakfasts.  Until lastnight I hadn't folded laundry in over a month, and I had 4 almost empty containers of sour milk in my fridge.  I have been far too busy, and right now I can only dream about listening to stars and birds, and thinking quietly.

And yet I realize that I am the only one who can make this change.  I keep thinking that my situation will change, and this busyness will just end, and I will be able to enjoy this quiet symphony, but the more I think about my life and how I live, I realize that it is up to me to make this happen, regardless of the busyness, and the tyranny of the urgent that I experience.  

So what to do with that?  How does one squeeze more hours into the day than there actually are?  Or does this all mean that I have to let go of something, and gain this quiet symphony?  I know one of my habits is to try to do everything - I love being with friends, and never want to miss an opportunity to be with the people I love, but sometimes is it best to sacrifice something to gain something else?  I think it must be.  

So sorry friends, I may not be at Bible Study this week again.  But I will probably be at home, quiet, doing something I just need to do for myself.  Maybe reading.  Maybe making cards.  Maybe baking.  And I will be meeting God in my own version of Bible study.  Please pray for me.  

Quoting...

I read this today over here.  


“More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.”   ~ Henri Nouwen


Just thought I'd share it with whoever's out there reading (or waiting 3+ weeks to read).  Yes, I know, I've been absent.  I've been busy.  I've been doing the things this quote talks about, and not doing the other things this quote talks about.  Can you figure out what I've been doing and not doing?  I'm doing better this week though - 3 chances already to just hang out, be with, and love people because God made them!  And it's only tuesday.  I may also be needing something to somewhat distract me from a new reality in my life.  But it's all good, and it works out well for everyone involved!  Even better.

God doesn't do mediocrity

Yesterday I started reading 'Crazy Love' by Francis Chan.  I've heard great things about this book, so my expectations were pretty high.  I made it through the first few chapters - it's good stuff.  I was totally tracking with him, and was pretty excited, until I came to chapter four, which is titled 'Profile of the Lukewarm'.  In this chapter, Chan gives a series of 'you might be a lukewarm Christian if...' statements.  I made it through the first few unscathed, but the list seemed to never end, and by the time it did end, I had some thinking to do.  And I have more to do, so we'll save that for another post.

What I wanted to think some more about tonight came from the first chapter of the book.  Before you go any further, click here to watch a short video.

What I got out of this video was that God doesn't do anything halfway.  The vastness of our galaxy and universe, in contrast to God's knowledge of every single person on earth is staggering.  Additionally, the complexity of the system - how creation, in all its different aspects works exhibits God's ingenuity and perfect design.  As I watched the video, I couldn't help but see how God didn't create something 'halfway', or something that 'would work'.  God created an amazing world.  And it didn't end there.

How is it that we so easily fall into the trap of thinking of ourselves of average?  Not great? Mediocre?  When we believe these lies, we not only sell ourselves short of a life that is much bigger, grander, larger than what we could imagine, but we also sell God short.  God didn't create average, not great or mediocre.  God created spectacular.  God created phenomenal.  And each of us, every person who has ever existed and ever will exist is a part of that.  But I think first we have a couple of choices to make.  The first, is that we have to choose to believe the things that God says about us.  And not just believe it like 'oh yeah, it says that in the Bible', but believe it like LIVE IT OUT.  That's the second choice: to live it out.  It means taking risks.  It means doing things that will probably make you really uncomfortable, to prove to yourself and God that the things God says about you are true.  And it's a long road.

Psalm 139:14 says 'Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!  Your workmanship is marvelous - how well I know it'.  Do you know it?  Do you live that out?

God doesn't do mediocre.

I've been on this journey for a while.  I am going to be on this journey for the rest of my life.  I often fall into that trap of thinking that I'm not great, not spectacular.  But other times I believe, and the more times I choose to believe, the less times I fall into that trap.  The less times I fall into that trap, the more I am free to be the very best I can be, which is the me that God created me to be.  It may not look phenomenal or spectacular to anyone else, it may even look like mediocrity to others, but to God, it is perfection.

Two books down

I love to read.  I could do it for days and weeks on end without complaining.  I haven't done it enough lately.

Today I read one complete book (The Purity Code by Jim Burns, which is a book for parents and teens about sexual purity, God's thoughts on the subject, and God's desire for us to live the best life possible.)

Today I also finished another book I've been working on for about a year and a half.  Shameful, I know.  Part of me thinks I should just start over again, because I'm sure it's kind of lost it's effect in the year and a half it's taken me to get through it.  Nevertheless, it is the inspiration for this edition of thought provocation.

The book is 'Jesus for President' by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw.  First of all, a little background on Shane.  He lives in Philly in an intentional community (read hippies that live together).  He is passionate about God, the poor and marginalized, and politics.  This book is about all of them.  Before continuing, can I just say that I love this man, his passion, and I can only hope to be as inspired, convinced and moved to action as he is.)

A couple of quotes to share:

Talking about 'hell and damnation' sermons that were all too familiar from his childhood 'But have you ever noticed that Jesus didn't spend much time on hell?...We see Jesus spending far more energy loving the hell out of people, and lifting people out of the hells in which they are trapped, than trying to scare them into heaven.'

Shane's mom is quoted as saying 'Perhaps there is no more dangerous place for a Christian to be than in safety and comfort, detached from the suffering of others.' 

'Church father Ignatius said that if our church is not marked by caring for the poor, the oppressed, and the hungry, then we are guilty of heresy - and a new reformation is long overdue.'

In the words of Ghandi 'There is enough for everyone's need but not enough for everyone's greed'.

Okay, just one more thing, I promise.  In response to Ignatius' challenge, Shane's community initiated a 'relational tithe' which is a group of friends around the world taking care of each other and their neighbours.  USING A BLOG (I see potential...)  They respond often to situations of poverty, homelessness and even natural disasters.  Out of this also came a conference, in which people were trained in interdependence and alternative economics.  Rather than support huge corporations, essentially empowering the rich to become more rich, the attendees of the conference brought skills, talents, etc. to barter for further training.  'We'll never forget seeing Shane's uncle, who doesn't have much to do with anything that smells religious, taking some nuns fishing.  It was a great image of the kingdom.' 

I think my world's been turned upside down.  And for good reason.  Now I'm far from a hippie, and I really like having my own space, and my own things, but this is challenging me to rethink this lifestyle I have (and enjoy!)  Also, don't hear me saying that we all need to become Shane Claiborne, live like him, and do all the same things - we are the entire body of Christ after all.  But I am pretty sure that it has implications for me concerning my time, my resources, and my attachment to the things I have.  Are they really mine, or are they resources of the kingdom?  (Don't worry, I know the answer.  Now I just need to live it out a little more.)

So just a warning - expect another book report in place of a blog post tomorrow, as I continue the downward motion through the stack of books I haven't been reading in the last 2 years.  Or more.

Looking forward

Things I am looking forward to in 2011:

becoming an auntie again - to a nephew this time
a ski trip with our Sr. High students next weekend
at least 2 trips to Ontario (April & May)
summer (cause that last one didn't count)
change
challenge
growth
new opportunities ???
the unknown

Okay, so a few of those I might not really be looking forward to, but in light of yesterdays post I feel obligated to add them.  I know that in a year I'll look back again and be glad I went through whatever I went through.