Thinking

I have a problem. I think too much. I'm not exactly sure when I realized this. According to my parents, I have always been a thinker, but I really think that in the last few years, this discovery of myself has really hit me. Maybe its because as we grow up, more and more things need to be thought of. And for me right now, there are quite a few things going on in life that need thinking about. But then again, maybe there always will be. Thoughts are racing through my head these days about the process of becoming a teacher, brad, the direction of my career, applications, brad, teaching philosophies, assignments, brad, friends, what I'm going to do this summer and did I mention brad! seriously people, thinking about things all the time cannot be healthy, i'm sure of it. You know, its interesting too because since I've started this whole blogging thing, I seem to be thinking even more.....more about what went on in my day, what I learned, how I could make a story funny, what I could make a cool movie about, or just how I could express my thoughts in a way that sounds right and encourages people at the same time. Tough work! As much as a fun tool that this is to stay in touch, I hope that blogging doesn't become a source of distraction and craziness for me....but rather a tool that allows expression and enjoyment.
Doesn't the mind amaze you? I mean, just think about it. We have the power to control what, how, and who we think about (most of the time) and allow a million of those thoughts to float around in our heads (and sometimes collide). And just when you think you've become overwhelmed with all those thoughts, you can in a second, choose not to allow those thoughts to overwhelm you and let God take control. Amazing isn't it. Amazing that God gave us the ability to think, and to reason and to consciously choose Him. And yet, He knew that we wouldn't be able to handle ourselves sometimes and allows us to rest in knowing He know's EVERY thought going through our heads and WANTS to carry them for us and help us sort them out. What a comfort. I hope that my thinking can turn more and more into resting.

The Great Canadian Midway

This past Saturday, a bunch of us went to do something we would not normally do...we spent the whole night at The Great Canadian Midway on Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls. We looked like 5 year olds running around the arcade getting excited over all the games. I especially enjoyed "Dance Dance Revolution" even though I suck at it. We pooled all of our winning tickets to get on the of the biggest prizes..Animal from the Muppets.
Brad trying to fit into a helicopter ride! Jenna and I racing it up on the motorcycles!
THE GANG with our big prize!

Integrity

I was looking through some old books and papers today and came across this writing on integrity so I thought I would share.

A person of integrity.....

...knows that being godly doesn't mean to try to have qualities like God, but to receive their quality from God.

...constantly works in the power of the Spirit to do what is right but never forgets that they are not perfect, just forgiven.

...does not act this way or that way depending on who is around, because they know that the reason they behave this way or that way is a living God who is always there - even when they are alone.

...is not good because they have to be to deserve God's love, but can take joy in doing good things because they know that their activity will not make God love them any more or less than He does right now.

...recognizes that Christianity is true regardless of their 'experiences', but is not detached from 'experiences' because of this fact.

...pursues being 'set apart' for God by living a holy life, while not mistaking being 'set apart' for being 'set above' other people.

...knows that avoiding doing what is wrong is good, but that actively doing what is right is better.

...seeks Christ, not integrity.

Mondays

Ah, Mondays! Getting up in the dark, out of cozy blankets into a chilly room, only to drive to school and sit through some classes that don't really teach you anything you don't already know. Gotta love it! Most of the time, I would say that Monday is my least favourite day of the week, but oddly enough, I find myself rather motivated on Mondays (mind you, its quite later on in the day that that happens!) I've determined though, that its becuase I have been quite unproductive on the weekends as of late and Monday just seems to be a day of reorganizing for me. And for some reason, I tend to work harder and want to work harder at things when I know I have a big list to accomplish. Is this strange or does anyone else feel this way?
I heard on the radio this morning as I drove to school that today was actually considered the most depressing day of the year. Something to do with the middle of winter, it being a Monday and lots of Christmas bills piling up. Hmmm....interesting. How the heck do they calculate that? I'd really like to know the scientific reasoning behind that one. Lucky for us it was beautifully sunny today. I am always amazed at the power of sunshine to make you feel that much better...at least for me anyway (probably because there are some pretty significant spiritual applications to that!). In fact, it was so nice out that in the afternoon, I decided to go for a little bike ride into town. Its hard to believe its the middle of January sometimes. If you looked around, you would think its spring. People out walking everywhere, kids playing street hockey, flowers blooming....okay maybe not that one, but seriously, we've had some unusually warm days. Nothing like last winters arctic conditions. Anyways, so I felt like I was 8 again as I rode into town with my little back pack on. I went to the local library to get some books for a children's literature project I have to do. I seriously haven't been in there in like 7 years. The funny thing was that when I went to check out my books, I actually had an outstanding fine from 1998. Good thing it was only $1.20.
On my way home, I stopped in to do my Canadian duty and vote. I hope everyone else did the same. From watching the election on T.V. tonight, it looks like its going to be a Conservative Minority government. I'm not exactly sure what thats going to mean, but probably some changes will be coming our way...hopefully for the better. Maybe this Monday will turn out to be pretty good after all.

Updates

For starters, the fish are still alive! Praise the Lord! I went out to check on them after I wrote that last post on them and I saw them move a little. And since we've had even milder weather this past week, they've been swimming around happily! Only a couple months to go and we're home free!
School seems to be a little boring for me right now. I think its because there really isn't anything due right now and so I tend not to work ahead on things. Ya, I've just reconfirmed the fact that I really do work better under pressure. There are actually a lot of things I could vent about school, but it would probably be better for me to refrain and keep a good attitude about things. But just as a summary, my classes are turning very repetitious and non-stimulating and I'm just plugging through to get to my next teaching block in about 6 weeks....what we all really want to be doing anyways.
Speaking of which, I found out about my next (and last) teaching placement...I will be at Vineland school, my old elementary school, in a grade 5/6 classroom. I am starting to get really nervous about it actually. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful to be placed in my own community and will actually know many of the kids in my class, I am just nervous about teaching the grade 5 AND 6 curriculum. Do you know what kinds of things kids learn about at that age? I'm going to have to do some serious studying! I don't remember all about 'forces acting on structures' or 'Canada's links to the world'. Here is a quote from the grade 6 math curriculum..."identify composite numbers and prime numbers, and explain the relationship between them" and "identify, through investigation, the quantities in an equation that vary and those that remain constant". YIKES!! I know I'll have lots of work ahead of me in preparing for 7 weeks of teaching! So I'm trying not to feel too guilty about enjoying a little more down time right now. However, I do need to be working on my resume and cover letter, getting letters of reference and all that fun stuff because the application process is starting up pretty soon. Its all a little overwhelming actually. There are so many steps in becoming an official teacher. Applying to this federation, to that organization, to the school boards and then to schools. And on top of all that, you need to be thinking of what your going to do in the summer, and then in the fall if you don't get a job for September. In one sense, not going back to school in the fall is a little bit freeing and weird at the same time. For the last 5 years of my life, I've had this routine going on. But now, its all changing. Who know's whats going to happen this year..... I cerntainly don't. I have some ideas, but only the Lord knows how it will all turn out. I guess thats kind of exciting really. Perhaps I should remind myself of that more often.
So I guess thats it for now. For some reason I thought I would have more to write about when I sat down, but nothing else is coming to me right now. Check ya!

Congrats Kath!

This weekend my friend Kathy got the keys to her new condo. I am so excited for her as she heads into this new phase her in life. We spent Saturday helping her tear down some pretty tacky wallpaper so she can paint it all up this week before she moves in. I have to say helping her out gave me the moving out bug. But all in the right time I guess. Her place is pretty sweet though so I am looking forward to visiting!

Avery

This is my favourite little munchkin right now...Avery Neufeld. Her parents, Ted and Julie are some of my great friends. Avery is the most content little baby I've known. I babysat her on Friday and took these cute pictures.


You've gotta admit, those are the cutest blue eyes you've ever seen! (Although pretty close up there with Megan Heighs!)

1st Video Clip

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So I thought I would figure out this video uploading thing. Here's a 'test video' from the fall when Brad and I did some awesome Sunday afternoon drives in his old british car called a Morgan. Even though its pretty short, you can still get a taste of the cool roads and beautiful scenery we experienced. Hope you don't get car sick!

Fishy Fishy

So here's our pet fish. We're not very caring owners because we are not sure if they are alive for not. They are in a pond outside in our patio and are now under a layer of ice (hence the white speckles in the picture). We got these fish in the summer and were really excited about them. We watched them grow and even multiply, but as the winter came, we were unsure of what to do with them. Our pond isn't very big or deep and we didn't know if the entire pond would freeze through or if they could survive in a little bit of icy cold water below the surface. I guess as the weeks and months went by though, we just kinda forgot about them. Fortunatly for the fish, we've had a relatively mild winter and it hasn't been too cold for a long period of time. When I looked outside today though, the fish were really really still. So, I'm not quite sure what that means. Either they are really good at sleeping or they've well.....ya know! I'll let you know what happens in the spring! At least they were only 30 cents each! Is that mean?

Goodbye Heidi!

This is my friend Heidi Schulz and I a couple nights ago. A few of us girls got together to say goodbye to Heidi who will be going to Australia on Wednesday for teachers college. Its kinda weird for me in a way because Heidi and I applied to Wollongong Univeristy together back in the spring. When I found out I was accepted to Brock, I changed my mind about going 'down under'. So its hard to imagine me leaving for Australia next week, although the adventure would be pretty sweet. All the best Heidi as you take this big step. I know you'll have an awesome experience. Maybe I'll get my chance to visit next year.

Reflecting

So I've been reflecting on reflection lately. Yes, thats right...reflecting on reflection. Maybe its because of the nature of the new year, or maybe its because I started this whole blogging thing, but for whatever reason, I've been thinking about the importance of looking back on experiences. I think I've come to discover that it is more of an important process than I might have thought before. If you think about, looking back on something you've experienced often gives you completely new perspective on the situation and let's you see what you learned. In fact, I'm starting to believe that reflection is actually necessary for learning and growth to take place. This applies to many areas. For example, when you study for a test, you need to sit down, read your notes, look over a text book and think back on what you were taught in order for that information to sink in and be able to learn it. The same is true in a spiritual sense. In order to learn and grow in our relationship with God, we need to take the time to sit and think about what experiences God has brought us through, look back on what we were taught and allow that to meditate on our hearts in order that we may grow from it. We need to look back with a new perspective and allow ourselves the opportunity to see things in our lives that maybe we need to change, or maybe we need to work harder at, or maybe we need to sacriifice more of. I think for me, this all relates back to my personal desire to use more of what God has given me for His glory. I wrote about this a little in my year in review post, but in short, what I am learning is the huge responsiblity we as Christians have to give of ourselves and with all of the blessings God has freely given us.
As I was preparing to lead worship last week, I was thinking about reflection in the context of worshipping through music as well. Often times, we sing songs during a worship service that we've sung many times before, most of which declare similar qualities and characteristics of God and our lives with Him. We could get bored with this, but I beleive that by looking at this through the lense of reflection, we can choose to learn every time we worship through song. We can choose to reflect on the character of God and consider what that means in the context of our lives and how that should affect our relationship with Him.

The Posers!

Practicing black and white digital photography down by Lake Ontario.

Dissapearing Blog

I've discovered that for some reason unknown to me, some computers will not show all the features of this blog. I was not aware of this until I checked my blog the other day on the computers at school and couldn't see the whole sidepanel with all the links and previous postings etc. Actually, it even flashed for a second and disappeared. Another friends blog uses the same template and I could see everything on their's just fine. Does anyone know why this would be? I've been noticing a trend on older PC's and not MAC's if that would make a difference. Is it there an error in the html language on the template? Technical tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

God's Heart for Relationship

It seems that I have been posting quite a bit today. I have to admit that I have been at the computer alot today legitimately doing school work but also....well.....a little distracted too. But I came across this quote, well more of an excerpt, and wanted to make just one more post today to share it with you. It's by John Eldredge from his book "Captivating". Here goes....
"God wants to be loved. He wants to be a priority to someone. How could we have missed this? From cover to cover, from begining to end, the cry of God's heart is, "Why won't you choose me?" It is amazing to me how humble, how vulnerable God is on this point. "You will find me," says the Lord, "when you seek me with all your heart" (Jer. 29:13). In other words, "Look for me, pursue me - I want you to pursue me." Amazing.

As Tozer says, "God waits to be wanted."

LOST

Although I'm not a huge T.V. junky, there is one show that I find myself watching almost every week. I don't know if anyone else watches LOST, but it is such a great show. Its a totally different premise for a show than any other ones that I can think of and totally leaves you hanging EVERY episode. For anyone who may be flipping through the channels on Wednesday nights, check out LOST. Its great entertainment. New episode this Wednesday. I sound like a commercial. Of course, if you do have better things to do, then you should probably do them!

Props to my Purps!

I love board games. Almost any board game really, just ask my brothers who always make fun of me for lugging around this huge stack of games whenever I get together with friends. Why do they have to make board game boxes so bulky anyway? I thought for a while that playing games for socializing was maybe a lost art, but I really think its on the comeback!
So one of my newest favourite games is called Hear Me Out by the makers of Cranium. You can ask a few of my friends that my first experience with this game wasn't the best, but since then it has grown on me. Recently, I played this game with some long time friends and we had a great time....got a little silly and rediculous at times, but great fun nonetheless. And in case you wondering, I didn't take this picture of the game! So props to my purple player friend (who will remain annoymous!) She's hiding in the background there on the picture!! Play this game if you can.

Embarrassing

Thought...have you ever challenged yourself to do something you know you would normally be embarrassed to do? You know...when you can feel your face turning red and you can't seem to speak properly without swallowing? Why do those things make us embarrassed anyway? Or what causes us to be embarrassed. Maybe if we challenged ourselves to do those things that make us embarrassed, it wouldn't embarrass us anymore. Or maybe, we will always be embarrassed by certain things. I don't know...what do you think? I think I used the word embarrassing too many times. That's embarrassing!

Working out woes!

It happens every year about this time. People everywhere become obessed with fullfilling their new years resolution of losing weight and getting in shape. Where does this fitness frenzy come from? How come we can't have the same motivation the other 11 months of the year? And why do people suddenly find themselves analyzing their bodies and concluding that, even though they may not be any bigger than last year, they NEED to lose weight? I guess I can't be too critical since I too find myself amongst this crowd. Take today at the gym for example. I was going for a run around the track at school and when I arrived on the scene, I noticed that there were more people than usual up there. Normally being one of the only people on the track, I found myself being crowded out by all of these new faces as I started to run. Now, I have to say that although I do not use my gym membership as much as I would like to, I have been going on enough of a regular basis to take note of 'new members'. And so as I continued around the track, more and more people were joining, some passing me and some staying behind.
So I wonder then, how long will it take for many of these resolutions to die? Don't get me wrong, being a physical education student, I totally support the fitness intentions of anyone who want to improve their health, but really, who are some of these people kidding? Maybe we just need to become more content with our bodies and not worry so much about how we look and maybe we could just avoid this whole thing.

And so the new year begins....

Hope everyones new years celebrations were great! My friends Matt & Becky West and Brad and I decided to ring in the new year by a camp fire. We packed up a sled full of kindling, firewood, hot chocolate and popcorn and hiked down to a camping/hiking area by my house and built ourselves a fire.It was a beautiful night actually as we finally got some snow. It rained over most of the holidays so the beautiful snow made the night that much nicer. We enjoyed hanging out and chatting about our year and how we all wanted to simplify our lives more in the coming year. I guess we started the year off right sitting quietly by the fire.