Foxy fun

A Free Press article inspired me to try something fun and spontaneous today. I read about the Foxy Shoppe on the weekend, and stopped by there (at 87 King St.) on my way home from a meeting downtown this morning.  Supporting local businesses is important to me, so I wanted to check this place out...

As soon as I walked in, I met Pamela, who owns the Foxy Shoppe (I think her last name is Fox).  I told her I was feeling a little flattened from a few  challenging things happening simultaneously in my life.  She told me that I'd come to the right place.  I guess she was right because I left with a spring in my step and a little giggle under my breath.


From the outside, the Foxy Shoppe looks like a lingerie store.  But its so much more... I tried on a vintage style dress WITH A CRINOLINE!!! I cannot tell you how fun it was to put that dress on and spin around in front of the mirror!  I also tried on this blue number because Pamela said it was a great colour for me.  I think she told me I was lovely 6 times during our short time together.  Her soft spoken little kindnesses were timed just right!


This store is all about fun, fancy dresses and lots of things to help women feel confident and fun. What caught my eye about the article in the Free Press was that the store wants to help women feel good about being women, celebrating all their curves and femininity.

I am definitely planning to return, and next time (since I now know what to expect) I will buy a fun party dress. (Lisa, if you're reading this, I'm hoping that New Years Eve could be a wear-your-new-party-dress kind of affair?)

I hope some of you Winnipeggers will go visit the Foxy Shoppe and support Pamela.  Her blog tells a little bit about her dream for this little boutique, and I hope our city could help it be one of those dreams that comes true.

You can like The Foxy Shoppe on FB - there are giveaways on there every once in a while and updates about new inventory.  Stop in for a browse around when you're in the Exchange. Just so you know...  apparently they are getting a lot more dresses in over the next couple of weeks.

oh, and by the way, if you're someone who asks about where goods originate, you'll be happy to know that Pamela is committed to buying Canadian or continental wherever she can.  She even has a couple of local designers showcased in the store. The fact that she does  her purchasing with a conscience sealed the deal for me, I know I'll be back!

be not ashamed

This is from Brene Brown's blog called Ordinary Courage.

Sometimes, I wonder whether we want to integrate the whole of our life experiences or only certain parts.  Are we selective about what we 'let show' about our history, bringing some parts out and making sure they're on display like some people do with their fine china? Do we  lock other parts up behind a door under the stairs where no one will accidentally come upon them?

I think Brene is on to something here, and I think it looks - practically - like forgetting about fine china and hidden closets and just owning that whatever is behind us and within us all makes up one life.  Trying to separate and be choosy about what gets seen is never going to be something other than incomplete and partial. 

She hits the nail on the head - if we are only letting certain parts of ourselves and our stories matter, we are going to miss out on some of the best parts of human experience; love, belonging, joy .... probably some others, too.  Or we're only getting a small glimpse of those experiences ....   It's only by embracing the vulnerability of being our real, complete selves that we can hope to enter into the fullness of of being human.

loss - 5 minute fridays

  

how can i write only 5 minutes about loss  when its been such a major theme of my life in the last few years?!  i could write pages and pages on it - actually, i probably have; its probably the most consistent theme in my journal.

at the same time, how can i pass up a chance to share the richness that has entered my life because of the gaping hole opened up by grief?

 the losses i've experienced have had a direct connection with some pretty significant changes in life direction. 

the best way i found to condense loss (less than four minutes to go!) was on a canvas where i painted layers after learning the concept of 'stackable losses'.  i imagined a series of losses piled up on top of each other.   The space left over at the top - the space available to cope with life -  was almost nonexistent.  seeing that picture in my mind's eye was a moment of healing for me, because i knew it was the perfect depiction of what had actually happened in my own life.  i instantly recognized that i'd been in a place of significantly reduced ability to deal with many aspects of life because of a series of major losses. 

in the painting, i named them...

dignity was the first and most significant.  losing your dignity means you can't look people in the eye, and you feel like any confidence you ever possessed must have been a joke - actually it feels like YOU are a joke.  thats extreme loss. 

safety was the next.  imagine thinking that you're going to fall into a safe, warm, welcoming embrace ... and then meeting a brick wall ... thinking that there is a safety net beneath you, only to realize that someone came along and cut all the strings... there was a season of my life that felt just like that. it was extreme loss. 

stability, security, and support followed.... in many ways because of the impact of losing safety and dignity.

hold up, though.woe ISN'T me! 

working through those losses wasn't and still isn't a pity party. 

rare is the day when the things i learned through those losses isn't accessed.  those losses have become valuable resources.  and the more i think about it, the losses i've suffered all throughout my life have shaped who i am ...  they've shaped me more than anything i intentionally sought out to shape me ever did.  

 i am rich because of losses.  what an upside down truth! 

think about it - which important theme of human existence isn't infused with loss? 

redemption.  incarnation.  family.   marriage.  love.  resurrection.  forgiveness.

there are more.

but my five minutes were up a few minutes ago....

the gypsy mama offers an invitation to blog for five minutes every friday on a given prompt.  

no editing, thinking, fixing... just GO, for five minutes, on the topic given.

todays was LOSS.

join in next week...

home, unedited

Gypsy Mama does a 5 minute friday routine where she gives a prompt, and we write on the topic for five minutes.
 we don't re-write, re-think, backspace and start over.. we just go. I'm off today, so here's a little try.

 so, here I go... home is today's topic...

my husband and my family are the usual thoughts i have when i think of home.
 that safe embrace. the quiet whispers, the shared memories, the jokes we know, the stories we share.
 the way we can read a look, a feeling, as if it were scrawled in big letters across the ceiling.
 home is safe, or at least its supposed to be.
 home is intimacy, security.
 some houses have been great homes for us, but not all.
 some years have been wonderful for building our 'home' with one another. other years have torn down what was built before.
 experiences have been so important in the shaping of home, too. Many experiences strengthen our home among eachother. Some have weakened it considerably.

 home. sweet. deep. right. .... and hard, achingly so, sometimes.

 ...and - quit. (I did hit backspace a few times.)

 learn more here, scroll to the bottom to participate.

giving credit.. with love

you may have heard about the link with love campaign that's been noted in several places online.  I heard about it through Brene Brown's blog.

Link with love is a movement to recognize intellectual property - whether its words, photos, images, pictures, ideas, recipes or anything that someone posts - as valuable and not 'publicly owned' even though the internet is a very public place.  The idea is to give credit to the person or place where we get stuff from.

For example, I posted an image the other day of an art piece by a Seattle based artist.  I noted his name on the post, and I emailed him the link (I had to search for his contact info) just to be sure he was okay with it.  He was, and commented about how he appreciated being recognized and made aware of how his images were being used.
There are other examples, though, where I have not done as good of a job, and that's where link with love is helpful.  I'm learning about how I've not honored others and I'm committing to do a better job.  I remember a few years ago when I wrote a post about my love for long country roads.  I used a picture I found online, thinking it was an obscure image of a dirt road lined with trees - unfortunately, the owner of that image didn't want her photography used that way, least of all without permission!  So, I promptly removed the photo and left the post pictureless.
I'm learning... putting this badge on my site doesn't mean that I've figured it out, but it does mean that I'm committed to spreading the love and respecting others!

take note...

Matt lives with us at Flats and blogs about all sorts of interesting stuff.
I'd recommend checking out his writing.
if you're ever at our place, i'd also recommend asking him to make you an espresso.

If you live in Winnipeg...

You need to check out the forks later this week!  The Truth and Reconciliation Commission is putting on their first event in our city.  There is much to absorb and learn, and the fact that this event crisscrosses the 'Forgiven' Summit that I posted about yesterday is meaningful.. things are happening in our country!  It's exciting.  It seems to me like an answer to many prayers, much weeping, and a lot of desperate crying out to God.

There will be events, storytellers, powwows, music, listening, and lots more from Wed-Sat.  Check out the website here.

i've just printed off the daily programs and highlighted the things I don't want to miss.  I have the advantage of being a 10 minute bike ride away, so hopefully I can take in lots of things.  No one in the Winnipeg area should miss the opportuntiy to engage at least once over the 4 days!

On Wed. night, the music lineup includes Blue Rodeo - hopefully we'll be heading over there after the Bean Gallery Coffee House/House Concert!

I'm going to try and be there each day for the 9am drumming - I have come to adore ceremonial drumming since WCV's What Love Does conference in October.  Also, at 2pm each day, there is a 'releasing tears prayer' in the Oodena Circle.  I'm hoping to make it at least a couple of times.  There is an academic conference on Thursday; Prairie Perspectives on Residential Schools.  The interfaith tent has a discussion about Traditional Spiritualities in conversation with Christianity on Thursday at 10:45.

Maybe I'll even take in a sash making workshop one afternoon!

Forgive

From the forgiveness summit website... 


In agreement with the apology presented by the Prime Minister of Canada on June 11, 2008, we, as Canadians, recognize that the treatment of children in Indian Residential Schools is a sad chapter in our history. Today, we recognize that this policy of assimilation was wrong, has caused great harm, and has no place in our country. We sincerely apologize and ask the forgiveness of the Aboriginal peoples of this country for failing them so profoundly. In addition to the apology of our government, we as members of the Church of Canada, through whose hands these policies and all their abuses were carried out, repent. We and our forefathers have sinned, we did not live what we preached. For this we also humbly ask the forgiveness of the First Peoples of this land.

You can add your name to this apology. You SHOULD add your name to this apology.

http://i4give-services.com/index.php

First Nations response..
We have heard your apologies for the terrible treatment of our people and families caused by the Indian Residential School policies. We believe your apologies are sincere. We also know that true forgiveness can help us all to heal from the painful past and move into a future of hope and relationships characterized by mutual respect and new honour. We know that our decision to forgive you can pave the way for freedom from the negative past not only for our people, but for many other peoples and nations.

We forgive you.
 
You can also sign this page if it applies to you. http://i4give-services.com/index.php?t=f

let forgiveness be my sword...

I went to a forgiveness ceremony at Thunderbird House today.  It's part of a journey towards a National Summit being held in Ottawa in June.  It was so inspiring and good.  As soon as I sat down, I felt like I was in a sacred moment, the sense of privilege was overwhelming.

About a year ago, Prime Minister Harper issued an public and sweeping apology to the First Nations Community for historic wrongs, most especially the Residential Schools and Assimilation policies that have done such extensive harm.  He also asked for forgiveness.

The June Summit being held in Ottawa, and the ceremony I attended today, are part of a response to that request for forgiveness.  A movement is afoot to encourage Aboriginal Canadians to let go of anger and to forgive.  To actively participate in reconciliation...

There were moving songs about redemption and unity, about the Creator who is honored when we forgive and hurt when we don't.  The oral tradition was alive and well, and we heard about forgiveness as an ancient teaching and a modern teacher, as a gift and a sword.  The people gathered were asked to release their right to judge and be angry.

We were reminded, in the place of Louis Riel's story, that the Metis People are a unique expression of reconciliation and 'New Canada'; that Metis leaders have unique and influential voices for our time.

The drum was played several times, and I learned from some of the ladies sitting by me that women were the keepers of the songs in days gone by.  Men went to hunt and might be gone for long periods, the women were needed to preserve and care for the tradition.

More info here.

Also, there is a service and potluck meal at St. Lukes on Nassau Street on Saturday (24th) night, 5pm.

Have you checked out the Truth and Reconciliation Commission?  There is a Winnipeg event being planned at the Forks in June.  Other events will happen across Canada in the year ahead.  This is something that would be important to attend for all Canadians.

The pamphlet I picked up today says these good words;



                         Releasing Forgiveness

Healing A Nation

Embracing Freedom

AMEN.

The Bean Gallery

Flatlanders and the Winnipeg Centre Vineyard are working together to put together a series of house concerts called 'the bean gallery'. 

We had our first event tonight, and it was a great success!  We had lots of fun, a great exploration of the arts, and even raised a little bit of money.

If you live in Winnipeg, we really hope you'll come to one of our events this year. 

check out http://www.thebeangallery.blogspot.com/ for lots more info...

Hope to see you out!

linked blogs...

Some of you have asked if I know all those bloggers linked on the left sidebar - or if not, why i've linked them on here.... so, i thought i'd fill you in ... I know some of you read a few of them regularly from here.


the order always changes, because they are listed in order of recent posts; so the one at the top of the list is the person who has blogged most recently.

*************

Leighton is a friend from SK. He writes good stuff about life and faith and church and he's really cool. I miss going for lunch with him at the KK :) -Actually, I miss going for lunch with anyone at the KK, I loved that place!-


Consciously Frugal is written by a blogger from California. She has lots of fun and interesting things to say and I'm glad we've connected. I found her blog through Real Simple Magazine.


Jamie is a fellow Winnipeger who I first ran into when he spoke at our church in Winnipeg a long time ago. He writes great stuff about his community in inner city Winnipeg, and I always learn something from his posts....


downshifting is a blog from the UK about someone who is living as simply as possible, and writing about the lovely things learned along the way. There are frequent photographs of the British countryside that inspire me! A friend sent me the link a while back, and i was intrigued.

Paul M is a great friend living in Vancouver right now. His posts are most often about family and sports these days, but maybe he'll read this and do a post or two about faith insights - he has great things to say and I kinda miss reading those posts... although i do love keeping up with whats happening in his family, too!


Melanie, Cora Lynn, Connie and Erica are all friends who write a variety of stuff about life. There are often awesome pictures on their blogs too!


Ben and Ang are amazing friends of ours who serve with YWAM all over the world! Or it seems like that, anyway! This blog is one of the creative ways they stay in touch - they are gifted communicators no matter what the method.


Nathan is a former bethany student who is now working in Lima. He keeps everyone up to date on that fun adventure, but also does some good exploring and writing about his faith.


Geez is a local magazine that is kinda fun in a risque sort of way. I like the magazine (when i get a chance to read it!) and try to stay up to date on the blog. Often mentions local events.


Jessica is an artist and writer and all around amazing woman and friend. Also a seminary student, one whose wisdom is beyond her years.


Sheryl is a great writer and has a unique way of finding keen insights in ordinary life. She also sometimes writes about adventures with my kids :)


Siloam's blog is a must read for Winnipeggers. They have lots to say and are doing some really neat things to break down barriers between people in our city.

David is a prof at Briercrest and I like to learn from him. (especially when there is no marking involved!) He really likes to write about Karl Barth.

The Briercrest Seminary blog is kinda self explanatory.

Flatlanders et al. is the blog about the community I live in, and more... there is a farm and another ministry called Freedom house associated with Flatlanders. Hence the blog's name.. FlatFreeFarm... (clever, hey?)

Paul W. is another friend from SK who likes to push the envelope a little in his blog, which is why I like reading it!

There are a few not mentioned here, thats because I don't know them well enough yet to say very much.

Have a great week, and happy surfing!

Narrative

Some themes just pop up over and over it seems.

'Narrative' is one. Sometimes i hear about it in the theology context, reclaiming the whole redemption story as just that.. a story...

sometimes in the therapeutic setting, where we practitioners are supposed to be skilled and curious conversationalists.

I am excited to be learning narrative therapy! I read about narrative all over the place.

Here is a new blog I found today, so I linked it to the blogroll on the left. The linked post is about narrative practice.

enjoy.

thoughts about courage

This article about Jimmy Carter was rolling around in my thoughts for a few days last week. It refers to Jimmy's public decision to separate himself from the denomination he was associated with in order to support a position that he has decided is 'bigger' than this affiliation. It quotes from a letter he wrote explaining his decision.

I read the article, and was surprised by what stayed with me. (you should too if this post is going to make any sense to you, and while you're at it, you could get more details about the Elders and a variety of interesting (mostly female) perspectives here.)

.... What stayed with me wasn't the emphasis on women's issues, although that is an important topic. I was interested in the idea that our treatment of women in the North American church is at all tied to how women are treated in other contexts all over the globe. This is a valid connection that I want to think and learn more about.

.... Nor was it the fact that I completely identified with Jimmy's position about the questionable conclusions in scripture about female roles:

"The carefully selected verses found in the Holy Scriptures to justify

the superiority of men owe more to time and place -

and the determination of male leaders to hold onto their influence -

than eternal truths. Similar biblical excerpts could be found to

support the approval of slavery and the timid acquiescence

to oppressive rulers."

I hear shades of many conversations I've had in that excerpt! I also hear shades the oft-quoted Rich Mullins:

"You guys are all into that born again thing,

which is great. We do need to be born again,

since Jesus said that to a guy named Nicodemus.

But if you tell me I have to be born again to

enter the kingdom of God, I can tell you that you just have to sell

everything you have and give it to the poor,

because Jesus said that to one guy too…

[And he paused in the awkward silence.]

But I guess that’s why God invented highlighters,

so we can highlight the parts we like and ignore the rest."

... It also wasn't because I learned about the Elders, which seems like a grand idea. What a concept.. using one's influence to ... INFLUENCE!

No, what ended up staying with me was appreciation for Jimmy's courage. Dare I say that he had bal... okay, I won't finish that statement, it might be crude. (and I'm NEVER crude.)

At the end of the day, he had the courage to stand up for something that he believed was important.
He had the courage to separate himself - generously, graciously, kindly, but also assertively and with authenticity - from something that he believed was more harmful than helpful. He didn't slink away quietly and retreat until everything blew over. He didn't gloss over the truth of why he was reconsidering his alignment. He was just plain courageous. He was just plain honest.

Maybe we should be asking why that is so very inspiring and refreshing.....

Better World Books

In my search for cheap textbooks, I've come upon Better World Books. They have a lot of the books I need for upcoming classes, and they are committed to some great things in addition to profit. For now, they'll be my first stop. (another site, www. abebooks.com is great for used text books in particular.)

I've added their blog to my blog list on the left; check them out! There is currently a twitter contest where you sign up to follow them and tweet about their contest and are entered for FREE BOOKS!! Who doesn't want free books!?

so we're more typical than we thought... ?!?!?

Have you checked out 'stuff white people like'? Its a funny look at North American society. I am ashamed of how close to home it comes sometimes, but no matter what its usually hilarious! (There's a book available in addition to the blog!)

#120 is about how white people like to take a year off periodically in life. Sometimes they serve or volunteer in order to pad their resume during this 'year off'.... :) hhaaahhhaaa.

Thanks Paul for posting the link.

Engaging

Both in online and in person conversation lately, the subjects of the emerging church, tradition, social justice, and unity/disunity have come up quite often. Surprisingly so and in interesting combinations. Here are a few links to check out if you're interested in this discussion.

Lisa posted this link on Facebook today. The post talks about how we can veer too far in the direction of either engagement with or devotion to Jesus, at the exclusion of the other. Interesting thoughts.

Jamie's blog featured this post about the new 'Jesus manifesto' (Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola)a couple of weeks ago.. he also linked to an interesting response to Sweet and Viola's manifesto.

I'm interested in this dialogue. I'm learning as I read scripture, talk to friends, read others' thoughts, and just ponder it all.

One of my 'responses' came from some extended time spent journalling while on holidays last week. I really enjoyed leafing through some old magazines, collecting images that 'spoke'. The result was a prayer collage of pictures, quotes, and stories that remind me of some important things, like:
-the world is so much bigger than what I can know or see
-eternity is unfathomable
-one size doesn't fit all (nor does one expression of love)
-the church is always engaged in mild, moderate, or extensive reformation
-beauty always exists, hope does prevail (even though broken community and injustice are so painfully real... and excruciatingly necessary)

For tonight, I'm encouraged about the 'engaging' I've noticed..
I'm encouraged about the passion I've heard.
I'm encouraged about how much emphasis there is on love.
I'm encouraged by genuine devotion to Jesus.

"May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else..." From 1 Thessalonians 3

(wow.. this is two posts in one day... don't miss our holiday pictures below!)