Cause for Celebration

My application is finally in! I like to do things by the skin of my teeth, in case you haven't noticed. I blame it on the influences from Flamborough. It's such a huge relief.

Last night we discussed the 7th commandment in YP. Rather scary, I know. But we had a really good discussion, divided up into boys and girls. And I found a fantastic text: 1 Corinthians 7: 34, 35. Our church society is so focused on the benefits of marriage while being single, yes it's a gift, but it's not expanded upon. I really like Paul. He goes on about how fantastic it is to be single and being married, yes it's a gift too (see verse 28). I have nothing against marriage, but I think we need a broader (or is it more broad? Some times I think too much about the English language and confuse myself) picture of life.

Another favourite text - 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you." How much clearer does God have to make it that we cannot rely upon our own devices and that He is always right beside us, willing to carry us over the rough terrain and holding our hand through the troubled times and picking us up when we fall. If I got a tattoo, I would have it read 1 Peter 5:7. I have a tendency to forget it.

I was reading an article in Classics today and came upon the word recalcitrant. I love that word, though my English teacher didn't seem to appreciate my use of it in a Screwtape letter, see an age old post. Thanks for the introduction to it, Joel.

Another thing I like: checkerboard ice cream. Confession: I'm an ice cream addict. While I'm on the topic of confessions: I hate the phone. Which is why I have to call about twenty people about pizza orders in order to go to Québec. Arg. The sacrifices we make in life ...

I hope you all have a fantastic evening with the peace that God's Spirit works in you, the same Spirit which raised Christ from the dead!

Inconveniences of Modern Technology

The good news: I finished my application to Redeemer (three cheers! pat on the back! hip hip hooray! etc). The bad news: I can't send it, due to some error with the internet. It won't allow me to add another course either.

ARG!

Art's Alive! (or is it?)

Playing flute is definitely an acquired talent. I have not played mine in at least half a year, causing my fingers to stumble over the keys. Typing ... now there is a daily exercise at which I am becoming more adept. My friends and I were practising for an audition to play for the upcoming Art's Alive on April 24 (why a Thursday and not a Saturday?). I am beginning to despise the Untitled Hymn by Chris Rice. And now I am rambling and should be studying ... who doesn't love procrastination?

I can't believe our school year is almost finished. And then ... no more Guido. Quite sad, really. Not that I'm not looking forward to Redeemer (which is another one of these things I have to do, the application, that is), but often the goodbye you say to your friends is for a long time.



New prayer concerns:

• my cousin apparently got a concussion while playing football, and can't remember it, but seems to be fine
• the Post/Joosse family, whose grandfather passed away this morning. I talked with Mike this morning, and he had said his grandfather had only wanted to see Jesus, which is a really amazing and comforting thing!

Insult of the Day

"You are a grotesque prestidigitation."

- Prof. Faber, gleaned from T. Hardy's Tess of the D'Ubervilles

I think, I do think, I am thinking

Don't get me wrong, I don't hold a grudge against our Canadian Reformed circles, but we have a tendancy to be stand-offish, and not truly welcoming. There are the certain few who have the talent of conversing easily with those they don't know, but the majority of us is scared to talk to someone. I know for myself that I am petrified of strangers. Give me my close circle of friends, and I'll be fine. But then we went to the DR. We were complete strangers, and yet we were welcomed in with open arms, no questions asked.

Matthew 25:34-40

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' "

Even Paris and Rome ...

Through this past week in the Dominican I have learned of God's almighty power and how truly we are in His control. Even after all our planning, it is ultimately His decision. Forgotten bags (twice), bags that took a while getting off the plane, homesickness in some cases, frustrations, emotional rollar-coasters, etc ... He was always there. He has given us such a blessing in the people who we've met and the team members who I have gotten to know better for the most part.


more to come

Au revior!

So ... tonight, amidst my cramming session for my two tests demain, I am packing for the pending trip to the Dominican Republic. I could so easily do with another two weeks before we leave. But such is life. Maybe this is a good experience for me: that life does not have to be perfectly planned out when we set out to do something. Catherine, you will be so proud of me when you read this.

Please pray for all of us, us meaning the team, as we set out to do God's will, in whatever task He has appointed to us. Pray for our safety, and that we will come back feeling more fully the power of God's amazing love.

Eep

Four years ago, my hair was three feet long ... almost. Now I'm lucky if it's three inches. Where has it gone?