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'