a few recent photos

Ms. Stone was played by our daughter - who made me cry with her amazing solo!

Beach babies!  Last week, I decided to take a day off and go to the beach.  My sweet niece, whose voice is so cute on the other end of the phone, called me at supper time and said 'we're going to the beach tomorrow, wanna come with us?'  Could you resist this sweet kid... especially with her sweet voice?!  (Its a little less sweet when she calls me 'missy' ... as in 'hey, you, missy, what do you think you're doing?')

We had lots of fun in the water, splashing and going 'really, really deep!'(up to my waist!)

This is the sweet youngest daughter of our good friends.  I really wanted to focus on thankfulness that day at the beach, so  brought my journal along help me think and pray... as I was writing, I looked up and saw these guys, and was reminded afresh about this baby's early days, including emergency heart surgery and being away from home for a few weeks.  Perspective, and reminders of how fragile and beautiful life is, were perfect for my reflections...

Wedding bells ringing... :)

A wedding at Flatlanders... 'Is this really my wedding cake?'

All dressed up, and we don't even have to leave for the wedding!

Is it time yet?

 beautiful -- no matter what angle!  (inside and out!)

We recruited some familiar servers :)

Not so interested in the tupperware, but this ribbon stuff could be some fun ...

wanted to try Dragonfruit as part of birthday weekend fun..

So, we walked to an asian market in the exchange and got some. 

 kinda like kiwi, but not as good... and don't eat the red stuff.

decentered, humble learners

teachability is such an important trait, don't you think?

in counselling school, I'm learning about being 'de-centred' - not the expert, not the professional, but a skilled helper and listener who genuinely cares.

as a member of an intentional community, I'm learning about being a perpetual learner... not an experienced, has-all-the-answers person, but a curious, help-me-to-better understand person.

in life in general, I am seeing amazing examples of humility and sacrifice all around me.  I wanna be like that!

the end.

resonating lyrics

Your grace is sufficient for me

Your strength is made perfect when I am weak

All that I cling to I lay at Your feet

Your grace is sufficient for me

 

(Martin J. Nystrom)

 

This is a song I have heard a couple of times lately (Thank you, Bethany College Point of Impact Team!)
 
I really want to mean them and live these thoughts ...

moments of clarity

I've been having some moments of clarity recently.  Do you get those?  An insight where all of a sudden, your eyes see, something clicks, and your spirit says 'oohhhh... I get it!'

For as long as I can remember, my sisters (they often serve as an external brain or a mirror....) have been telling me that I am too focused, often seeming preoccupied, and that its hard to talk to me when I'm in 'that space'.  My husband , kids, and other family members nod knowingly and laugh, but still - I never thought much about it or took it seriously. Or if i did think about it, it went about as far as.. 'So?  ... Why is this a problem?'  (yes, I am that selfish!)

This week, the aha! came when a series of incidents all pointed to the same thing ... I am often not present, even when I think I am or when I really want to be.   Even when I think I've prepared myself, or I'm really looking forward to something ... there is part of me thats not fully there.  (This doesn't happen all the time, there are times when I am fully engaged...)

Last week, I knew my mind was moving too fast, and my day was way too full,  to enjoy a meal out with wonderful friends from out of town.  I was trying to quiet my head and focus.... but I couldn't.  And now I regret it.. I had to ask my friend for forgiveness because I was there, but not there.
 
So, all this is to say that I'm thankful for moments of clarity.  I'd love to hear if you've had one of those lately...
 ... I needed this clarity to be able to work on this in a meaningful way. 

a funny.

I've seen this before, and saw it again at Ryan's blog.  I've been reading his site lately, and its good stuff. Check it out if you can.
 Once upon a time I used to hang out with Ryan's brother a lot (or he used to come over and yell at my TV)... reading Ryan's blog reminds me of conversations and friendship that its nice to remember...

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 church

Read Steve Bell's blog this morning... here is a quote about the church that struck me;

... Her flaws do not constitute her any more than mine constitute me, and I bet yours don’t constitute you either. It’s terribly important we own up to and amend for our weaknesses. But it’s also  important we don’t allow them to define us ...

A good reminder for me.. I am often disillusioned with the church, yet I always love her deeply and feel pulled in the direction of defending and building her up.