Christmas Greetings

Incarnation

I viewed several videos from the YS 2008 website. This one I thought I'd share because it reflects the very meaning of Christmas, this was the scripture used last Sunday at our church.

I'm in Therapy

...Chocolate Therapy...

'Tis the season!

We've had whack loads of goddies at the office the past 2 weeks and right to December 24th. I like it...creates good morale and merriment in the office in light of the current market conditions :)

Christmas Eve is one week away, oh the JOY ! Time to finish shopping and wrapping :)!!!

One Match

What better gift than a bone marrow transplant?

Anything's possible...I've been on the donor list for many years already (never been called to donate yet!!).

I encourage you to check out One Match, the Canadian Blood Services program for bone marrow/stem cell transplant.

For your consideration...

Christmas & Ten Thousand Villages

I don't if any of you are avid shoppers of this store. I love going and don't get there enough. I was telling Quinn a couple weeks back, my next pack of coffee beans will be from there (right now there is no coffee in the house and this is troublesome).

Years ago when I lived on Pembina I would be over there more often. I remember some Christmas's ago I was in there and spotted their Nativity scenes. I told myself then, "self - when you have a home and/or family, you will attain a set". Time??

I checked online and found this one pictured for a FAIR asking price of $150.00. Remember - these are all fair trade products. The Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) has partnered with these artisans to ensure they get fair value for their hard work and ensure them a sustainable future.

Ten Thousand VillagesDid you know?

Not sure if those are wisemen pictured...however, the wisemen did not actually visit Jesus as a baby in the 'manger' (Luke 2), they would have visited Him when he was under 2 years old and probably over 1. (The wise men's journey could have taken a year or more...?) It would have been when Jesus was under 2 because Herod had all the children who were 2 and under killed. They visited Jesus in a 'house' as Matthew 2 states. This was never clarified to me in Sunday School, only found out recently (thanks to you Quinn!).

Magnetic Drive Thru's

Apparently there are now magnetic Tim Horton’s Drive-Thru’s in the city.

If you are in the vicinity of a particular caffeine establishment, your car will be magnetically pulled into the drive thru, forcing you to drink a caffeinated beverage.

A local woman explains “well actually the car just drove to the drive thru and there I was ordering my first Tim's from my own Tim Horton's” after a Tim Hortons was recently built in her area.

No Tim Horton's representative could be reached for comment.

How AMAZING

Let the music speak, as it says,

"How can I ever say enough? How amazing is Your love!"

As sedate as I feel this Monday morning, inside my heart shouts and rejoices.

Psalm 150
1 Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

Flowers, laundry and love

I do like flowers...one single beautiful rose in a vase, neatly tied with a bow.

Surprises I like too.

A clean fish bowl, dusted night tables, laundry folded.

When they come all in one day, these are the moments that take my breath away.

Happy One Month Baby!

Quinn and I celebrated our one month wedding anniversary, obviously on October 27th! Quinn built me a FIRE! We went over to St. Vital park, after driving through the park (literally, to find a fire pit in the darkness, we drove 'in' and 'through'), we found a pit, had a raging hot fire and roasted smores.

(above) see smores in tinfoil

This was a 10 second timed pic...I raced around the fire to get to Quinn...that's why I look frazzled :) We also got Tim's in the Thermos!

Quinn, my husband and best friend, I love you.

Introducing...Paul & Loretta Martens

My sister's wedding was three weeks after ours. It was a beautiful day for a wedding. My little sista cried her way up the aisle, they said "I Do", pledged their love to one another and saddled up on their horses into the fall sun!!

Pretty lady...

The 'DeWalt' way to cut a cake, very funny moment!!I love this pic...

If the horses aren't fast enough, you take the Dodge...

Quinn snapping pics...zooooooommmmm in :)

Mommy and her grandbaby...

Conner in a Nikon moment...sweet!Dressing up...lol...I don't think Daddy was too impressed...

With Gramps & Gran Fehr
Another Nikon moment...stunning couple!

Family

Not afraid of them until he got close...so funny...

Paul & Loretta Martens - October 18, 2008

The Perfect Day (for real)

Quinn and I were married almost 3 weeks ago on a gorgeous fall day. The day was wonderful for: in that we became one, the weather we were given, our friends and family who came and witnessed it - then celebrated with us.

The day was surreal, it went by so fast. After, Quinn and I couldn’t wait to see pictures…although we were IN the wedding; we wanted to actually see what it all looked like, from our guest’s perspective.

On our honeymoon, we reflected on the friends and family that came, some of the big and little things that were done for us - we know we’re greatly blessed to know so many amazing friends. May each of you be blessed in return for how you blessed us.

God is good.

I was blog hopping and came across this quote...

Circumstances aren’t the barometer of God’s love and goodness—the cross is.

Not sure who it's by. Just a solemn reminder, whether we're in good times (great, happy times!) or enduring hard times.

Funny Quote

I know, I know, my blogs are backlogged...they are coming...but I have this funny quote in my head, so I had to share it on here...

At my sister's wedding:

"Never go to bed angry with each other, stay up and FIGHT!"
Ray Dueck, Bestman

The Perfect Day

We got it! We have our perfect wedding day weather-wise. Except, today is only September 3rd…

Today in Winnipeg, we’re enjoying sun, balmy 17 degrees, with a slight wind. Quinn and I met for lunch and agree - This - is perfect.

Not too hot, not raining, just a perfect fall day.

Don’t worry, we’re not setting ourselves up for a fall here (pun intended :) We have plans if the showers of blessings (or snow) do come, but if we were to ask, which we will and likely others will on our behalf - we couldn’t ask for better…shine on!

Regardless and without reservation, we say…it will be beautiful...

Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. Genesis 2:1

Disfunctional-Iron Syndrome

For the past 7 months I have not ironed my clothes. Yes, it’s true, the wrinkles have been crimping my style. After I moved out, I lived on limited household supplies. I figured - we were getting married in 7 months, better to wait for the gifts then spend money needlessly (not that I expected gifts, its just what happens :).

This past week, with setting up our new apartment, we bought a few necessities - iron and ironing board.

This morning I decided to make use of this recent purchase. I pulled out the ironing board, which took a few mins to figure out, (it has an extra plastic clasp to hold the legs in). Plugged in the iron. Since I only had a few minutes to iron, I chose not to use the steam feature. This iron was taking a very long time to warm up, so I decided to try adding water and engage the steam feature…maybe it would work faster. I only filled a quarter of the reservoir thinking I didn’t need much water. I tried using the steam feature, didn’t work. The iron still wasn’t hot. I decided to use the ‘spray’ feature, nothing happened. I lifted up the iron and water poured onto my pants. I tried several times over to use both the steam and spray feature…nothing worked, after a few minutes, I had a LAKE on my ironing board.

Quinn calls…I explained my frustrating situation and said I would have to go back to the instruction manual. Quinn regretfully informs me, he believes the instruction manual got thrown out with the boxes during unpacking. Quinn suggested we look on the internet for some instructions.

I went back to my closet, pulled the best of the worst un-ironed pants and left the lake until tonight. No, I will not let the iron win and make this a bad day. The rest of my morning started off great - of which, the first morning in 2 weeks I haven’t woke with a sore back and the iron can’t take that away from me. So happy!

Praise for Provider...

Matthew 10:29-31
29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Matthew 6:25-34
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Psalm 8
1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:
7 all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! (emphasis mine)

Luuuv

Sore

We have it! The new apartment is here. Yesterday we received the keys, checked out the suite, let them know what still needs completing (no shower head, no fireplace and install washer/dryer combo). This company completely gutted this 9 storey apartment building and reconstructed. So, essentially this suite has just been built. If you've ever renovated or been in a newly renovated house...you know the fresh film of wood/dirt. While we were in there, we noticed thorough cleaning was needed before we moved anything in. We went back to my current dwelling, got all the supplies and went to work. The apt has hardwood through living/dining room. Tile for kitchen/bath and carpet in br. Quinn did the floors, vacuumed and swiffered. I tackled the dreaded cupboards. Fresh cupboards have this film, so I worked at that for I'm sure an hour and a half. Also cleaned out the bathroom, not too extensively, they need to do a bit of work to install our washer/dryer unit.

ooohhh, our washer/dryer unit: First, I was apprehensive about this little machine. It's a washer/dryer all in one. It's about as big as a dishwasher. According to our new building managers, they work well, although you can't do extreme loads, like 8 towels or 5 jeans. They say these units are popular in Europe, they're low voltage, so the dryer doesn't actually require a vent (that may mean it takes longer to dry clothes). I'll let you know how it goes.

So, on top of cleaning the new apartment, we also tackled the oven at my old apartment. I cleaned the stovetop and the drip trays (ugh) and we had the oven sprayed since the morning. In the late afternoon I started on the oven and the bottom of it was so stuck on, I hauled in Quinn to spend 15 mins scraping it. Note to self: don't let pies overflow in new oven.

We've concluded the worst of the cleaning is now complete, my current apartment will only require the normal vacuuming and bathroom cleaning when I actually move out.

I'll probably be moved in completely by next Saturday.

It's Sunday, day of rest, I need it, my body is so sore...

Though moments of that day were difficult work-wise, it was a great day for Quinn and I, I'm grateful for what we have.

Christianity

Son of Hamas Leader converts to Christianity from Islam.

See the interview...

- Informative Islam read...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,402483,00.html

Update

Ok, one month & only 8 days. Last night I went and got my purple, poofy :) wedding dress fitted for alterations...oh, I like it, so pretty.
The dress came with an optional bow...but I'll give that to Candice, I know she would appreciate it...and it will look pretty pinned to the rear of her dress :)

Quinn wrote a to-do list yesterday with about 15 items on it...it's not that bad, we think we're in a good place as far as preperations go.

I.AM.MOVING!!! I'm super pumped. Quinn went through his bedroom this last weekend, so he is ready to move for the end of Sept. Just needs to throw his clothes in boxes and away he goes. We are likely to get the keys for the new place this weekend. More importantly...we have yet to sublet my current apartment. We have 3 showings this week so far, so please pray that something will develop from them.

This afternoon we're making final arrangements with our florist and then ceremony planning in advance of our meeting with Pastor Ron...pray that that goes well and through it - God will be glorified.

More Reading, more learning…

Things happen…sometimes for a reason. Last night, I made a child-like mistake and touched the stove element before checking if it was on. I managed to only burn the tips of 2 of my fingers. As a result plans for our dance lesson were cancelled.

Probably good that we didn’t go to our dance lesson in waste, because we were supposed to have our first dance song ready and we hadn’t managed to find one in time. So, Quinn and I had dinner at my place then decided to go to his parents to use their fast internet to look for music.

Now…onto the exciting find!! While there, Quinn decided to show me some of his memory boxes. The Book Collection - outstanding! A while back, Quinn’s parents had mentioned Quinn’s extensive book collection - they collected over his childhood. Quinn, in his early days was an avid reader, so his parents collected a small library for him. Children’s books, through to Junior High, then teen books, then devotionals to young man books (don’t know what else to call them). So when children do come visit, we have hours of entertainment! Kids book like, Critters, counting, kids Bible stories, Odyssey, Curious George, Babar, Clifford and many more. So fabulous!

Quinn sold the majority of his textbooks from Providence, but still has some of the Bible textbooks; Quinn gave me one on Intro to Christianity. I’ve had a lot of learning in the last few years through the church and obviously God’s direction - these have been the most scripturally educational years of my life. We can learn so much if we open our minds and hearts to it and I think the books are going to be really good for me…now if only Quinn could find me the papers he wrote on the books. .. I love reading papers…oh how they have toiled!

So that was our fabulous night, and we did find some music for our first dance!

postings...

The past 9 months of posting have been sparse and without images (which everyone craves).

To explain my situation...Since moving in March, Quinn gave me his old computer. Lets just say it works. It's only use is basic internet capability and maybe budgets and small wedding tasks. I'm grateful to have a computer/internet at my place, but this poor, old unit has very little memory and one of the drives is already full. It's like the 'engine that barely could'. I do appreciate having access to the internet, even if I can't play videos, load music, download photos...you know...functions that are now-a-days basic computer requirements.

My camera has approximately 500 photos on it, the past 9 months of our lives are documented on my camera, including a cool Henckel knife trick Quinn created!! If only you could see it!

We might have a new home computer this fall, so stay tuned in the hopes my blogging takes a 180!

Showered

I can't explain, although I'm sure most already know, the feeling of being surprised. In the last year, I've fallen twice. First, Quinn. The first person I can ever remember to surprise me for my birthday. I love surprises, I love the everyday surprises too. :)

Then, before I marry the love of my life, my wonderful friends surprise me. I really didn't speak of it for a week, til the shock and awe wore off. I'm so grateful for the excitement brought to me that weekend, not to mention the excitement Quinn felt. Quinn had no idea until approx 3 hours before the surprise. He was having one of 'those days' at the office, but by the time he came to pick me up he was on such an excited high, I was impressed, but suspected nothing. My sister and Mom came in to go dress shopping, but said they were going home early that night...at times I suspected something, but each time my suspicions were diffused.

Thanks for making the surprise trip Candice & Tom, thanks to everyone, I mean everyone for surprising me, and thanks to everyone else who helped out. The shower was perfect, when I walked in and saw all those people were there for me (and Quinn)...no doubt I was overcome. The gifts...Quinn and I were...just...wow. Thanks people. Thank you God.

9 months

Yesterday, Quinn and I went out to celebrate our 9 month dateiversary. It'll probably be our last big dateiversary celebration as this summer will be busy, we'll be broke and our wedding is near.

We wanted to go to this little restaurant I know called Star Grill. It's quaint, interesting inside (stars everywhere), and really good food. BTW, it's plus 30 in Winnipeg, plus humidity. We get in there, no A/C, small, stuffy, it's loud, it just wasn't working for us. :( I was sad, because I really like their food, Quinn said let's try Osbourne or Corydon. We went down to Corydon and went to another place I really liked, Quinn hadn't been to before. Guess what? We ended up on the patio on Corydon, sipping cool drinks with good food! We'll go back to Star Grill in the winter, when we need it to be warm inside!

That was part 1, then we took a little stroll on Corydon, then off to mini golf. Guess who joined us mini-golfing??? 5 billion of our close friends :)

Yes, us and all our friends went mini-golfing, these friends decided to sit on us, have us for dinner and made us score badly on our golf game. I can't remember all their names, but I think it started with M and ended with O. We left them quickly, only to be joined by their co-horts at the ice cream stand. When we left mini-golf, they put in a quick call to their stand-bys, down on Jubilee, by the river. Needless to say, we had to escape, made off with our ice cream to the security of the car. We weren't the only ones - so many were confined to their vehicles with ice cream in hand...no 'enjoying the view' for so many.

I guess this is their 'season'...we need the 'cone'...lol (I'm so HAPPY, this is the BEST day of my liiiifffeee)(so funny!)...if any of you have watched Get Smart, you'll know what I'm talking about...lol...not for silence, for bug protection...I guess bug spray works too.

All in all, we had a great night out, just great, we're thankful. We have a good reason to celebrate early, we have a wedding to attend on the 27th. We're excited for Friday, for Jeff & Andrea, to be able to celebrate with them on their special day.

3 months and 3 days...

This piece I read from author Candice Watters, the truth for your consideration...

"In order to build a list for what men should be looking for in wives, I need to go back to Scripture. The first qualification is the same: A woman must be a believer. Paul wrote, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers" (2 Corinthians 6:14-15). That's a requirement we must all adhere to.
The next requirements are different for men and women and here's where it gets interesting. Despite our culture's best efforts to convince us otherwise, men and women are different. Jesus said, "Haven't you read ... that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'?" (Matthew 19:3-5).
Where husbands are commanded to love sacrificially, wives are commanded to respect unconditionally. Paul wrote,
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything (Ephesians 5:22-24).
While both husband and wife must be open to the blessing of children, and teach their children to fear, love and obey God(**) (Malachi 2:15, Deuteronomy 6:1-9, Ephesians 6:1-4), wives must be willing to bear the babies and take primary responsibility for their physical care in the early years (Titus 2:3-5, Proverbs 31:10-31).
Where men should be striving to have the qualifications of a spiritual leader, women should be developing the qualities that will make her a help to her husband. (Genesis 2:18) They include being self-controlled, pure and kind, as well as effective home managers.
In his commentary on Proverbs 31, theologian John MacArthur praises the role of woman, saying, that "caring for her household ... was the foremost priority of her life" (MacArthur Study Bible, p. 907). About Titus 2:5 he writes, "Keeping a godly home with excellence for one's husband and children is the Christian woman's non-negotiable responsibility." Noting that the book of Titus was written to a culture steeped in radical feminism, he says, "Modern feminism is neither new nor progressive, it is age-old and regressive" (p. 1856).
This is not to say women can't or shouldn't work outside the home; most women will when they are still single and even into the early years of marriage. But once married, and especially once the children arrive, there should be a perceivable shift in a Christian woman's priorities. This is about the attitudes of a woman's heart.

The text I read was more so for women; then they listed in short form - the contrary for men.

• A man must be a believer.
• He must be able and willing to provide for his family.
• He must love sacrificially.
• He must be honest, have a good reputation and strive for the qualities of a spiritual leader. (See Acts 6:3, 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9)

**I want to add a piece to this...recently our pastor spoke of fearing God. Deuteronomy 6:1-2, explains the fear of God. Obeying his laws is not meant to be legalistic, as so many have learned of God before. God is not legalistic, by keeping his laws and commands, you can ENJOY LIFE! Our Pastor explained this way, THAT is what we should be teaching our children, not that we should cower in fear over God, but that He loves us and in following his laws, we can have life abundantly, to enjoy.

The Struggle

Do you ever question your purpose? At a certain point in life you believe you are where you should be, then within what appears to be a brief moment your perception changes and you question where you're at...?

I don't believe these moments are without purpose; on the contrary - I'm not saying that they are divine moments of clarity. They could be our own thoughts, selfishishly brought on by our own will. One would hope that not to be the case...

I don't read the word as much as I should, but in the midst of these thoughts, one verse stuck out in my mind - God is Faithful. He who called you is faithful. He who brought us into a relationship with his Son, Jesus Christ, is faithful. Its all in 1 Corinthians 1:8-9.

Wherever we are, whatever situation we in or are facing...God is faithful. If there is somewhere else he calls us to be, may we find that through him. Timing could be not what we expect, but we remember, God is faithful. To Him, 5 years is as a day, and maybe that time is what we need to prepare us for what is to come. It's no doubt there are urgencies that come up, dire situations that need our attention in this world, but God doesn't call everyone immediately, maybe He calls your neighbour, your friend. Sometimes I think He asks us to wait, wait for his timing. Maybe he asks us to stay where we are, because he needs us there too. Whatever it may be, He is faithful. I like what one author said on this topic..."God has started a work in you by his Divine grace. You have been redeemed. And that work must be continued by his grace until the day it is completed." -J. David Hoke

Whatever, wherever we may be - might we remember, He called us, he brought us into a relationship with him, introduced us to Jesus Christ, gave us an open line of communication, assures us he knows every part of us (Luke 12), and we have nothing to worry over.

Have you ever heard the story of Horatio Spafford? He wrote the hymn, It is Well With My Soul. A devout Christian and lawyer by trade he encountered tragic loss in a short period of time...after this penned the hymn.

I believe that in the midst of the struggle or life's decisions, even when we believe the decisions we make are right, whatever we face in it or after, we should remember, God is Faithful right to the end.

Blogging with intent

I haven’t blogged in a long time and certain people make me aware of that continuously. Let me get something straight here. I started a blog when I was single, by myself with no one to talk to. Well, not no one…but you know. Now, I share my life's events with Quinn and I feel like I have no reason to write about it, because I already got it out of my system.
That’s not to say I don’t believe in the blog. I still want the blog, I think I simply need to adjust the tune of the blog. Often times, I feel I need to have something profound to say, or else I feel the blog is inadequate or me as an individual lacks quality blogging material.
So, rather than not blog at all, I will blog today, but simply tell you about the days, week and months that have been and lessons learned…

1. Scalding hot water on your skin, burns – Sunday I was not thinking. Quinn’s parents were over at my place for Mother’s Day, we were going to make coffee in the French Press. My kitchen is not yet stocked, so I boiled water on the stove rather than a kettle, when I decided to measure it out for the coffee I poured the water from the pot into a measuring cup which I had clasped in my hand. I chose not to use the handle on my Dollarama measuring cup. I poured, spilled all over and scalded my thumb. I was in some pain for 3+ hours. Finally, Quinn sent me to bed, tucked me in, propped my hand up on a pillow with my thumb drenched in Aloe Vera, he went home and I went to sleep. How restful my sleep was.

2. You can learn so much about yourself when you’re in a relationship. I’ve never taken the time to evaluate me (hopefully that means I’m not an egotist). It helps when you take a psychological analysis test as part of your marriage counseling… More than that, when you see a certain characteristic in the other person, I find it’s easier to see what your characteristic is. It can be the same or opposite of what you are. Regardless, once you figure that out, you develop a better understanding of them and see where their view comes from.

3. Sub-concious Stress – my work can sometimes be stressful, more-so there are moments where I don’t even realize my body is under stress until my stomach is writhing in pain as though someone is squeezing and pulling it. Yesterday was one of those days, without me knowing my mind took the challenges of my day and told my body it was too much, so my stomach went into stress mode. I met Quinn for lunch which was a very relaxing hour and also looked up some stress reliever tips…

Be aware of your choices; you always have a choice. This is true for emotions and work. Sometimes you need to let your emotions out but still stay in control. (In a corner crying is not the intention)

Start every day with reflection, spiritual or otherwise. (Good point, I’ll take the spiritual)

Remember to delegate. (yes, delegate to my subordinates ;)

Drink water it is the best beverage and stay off alcohol which always adds to stress one way or another. Caffeine is also known to raise stress levels, so again it is best to drink water. (really?, that goes against all corporate policy)

Talk to friends. This is one of the most important things, as keeping things bottled up can only cause more stress. (I knew talking to my friends while on the job was a good idea, now I have it in writing)

Get fit. Exercise a little every day. This releases endorphins that can lower stress levels, also eat chocolate it also releases endorphins, but sorry only in small moderate dosage. (A license to eat chocolate, this just gets better) (the chocolate thought trumps the exercise)

Learn to say no; you cannot do everything you are asked. (definitely struggle with this one, I attempt the impossible on a regular basis and when I succeed, the impossible is added to my list of duties)

Treat your body right - You will have more self-confidence and energy, and be less likely to experience the physical side effects of stress.

Develop a sense of humour - One of the barriers to stress reduction is the temptation to take things too seriously. It's okay to back off from your intensity and see the humour in life's situations. Laugh a little or better yet, laugh a lot! See the humour in stress.

coming...

...new post coming...

To this blog, soon.

In my head...

Salad

One day, I wanted to make salad, but I had no lettuce, then I looked in the fridge at all my vegetables...AND...I had feta cheese...cha-ching!

Here's what I made:

Vegetables:
Green Pepper
Red Pepper
Broccoli
Sliced Celery
Baby Carrots - sliced thin

Any other vegetables you may see fit. Then I added Golden Italian dressing by Kraft (altho I'm sure there are other brands that work). Then loads of Feta Cheese, crumbled. Mix and voila!! Quinn and I thot it tasted good.

Who am i without God’s Grace?

Who am I without each breath that He gives
Who am I without the strength He gives me to move
Who am I without the food He provides for physical nourishment
Who am I without income He provides for that food
Who am I without the work He provided for that income
Who am I without the abilities He gives me to do the work
Who am I without the parents He gave to train me in the way I should go
Who am I without the high level education I received
Who am I without the freedom He provided for me within this country for education
Who am I without the safety He provides for me within this country
Who am I without His love and the way he shows me His love through others
Who am I that He would sacrifice His perfect Son for me
Who am I that He would promise Heaven if I believed in Him
Who am I once I leave this earth
Who am I outside of this life
Who am I without Him?

Happy Beginning?

Me, the main character, in this little tale called Life. I was reading a weekly article I receive thru FOF, you can read it here. While reading this, I thought how it pertained to my life over the last 5 or so years...so familiar.

I quote:
"Take a lesson from Joe: While you're waiting for a happy ending, focus on what God wants to change in the life of the main character. (That would be you.) Maybe like Joe, you have some humble pie to choke down. Maybe you need to manage money better or mature in relationships. I have no idea — but odds are, your story involves some character development. Might as well get it out of the way now."

A few years ago, I came to the realization that my life required a few changes. Finances, the way I spent money, how I was perceived and how I perceived others, my lifestyle in regards to what I ate/exercise/care of myself (not in vanity, but according to God's commands), spirituality (how I worshipped), taking care of what God blessed me with (possessions). All these weren't immediate, they came at different times but within the same year or so. Also going through my head at this time, was whether or not...in the unlikely event that I would meet someone worthy of my love (lol), and consider marrying; would I be prepared for that? The answer was no, so I needed to make some changes. I just didn't see myself as prepared - to take on such a big role. And make changes I did, inside and out. So, changes were made and now I feel that although one never stops learning, I am better prepared for change and accepting change in my life than I was 5 years ago.

To summarize, I do believe God was working in me, my character development and in my mind. What I've known for a few years now, is that; although your parents raised you how they thought best, it is up to you to make the changes in your life (in your early 20s)- that you see God wanting. Your parents can shape you only so much, then they (should) let you go, and you make decisions, you take decisive action and make change happen in your life according to what you feel is the lifestyle God wants you to take. If your parents raised you a certain way - that way might not necessarily fit according to your life now (current career, finances, even your marriage/relationship could be vastly different from that of your parents) and that may require change in you before and after.

I'm so thankful God worked on me through those formative years and I feel that the timing couldn't have been more impeccable. And not only for me - while He was shaping me, he's also working and shaping those around me...maybe even turning a frog into a Prince!

Would YOU buy my album?

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See the above video and read on...

Love is blind...but thankfully I'm pretty honest with myself about my lack of talent in the music department, saves Quinn from being dishonest.
Quinn and I were watching this show (no, we don't watch on a regular basis, just like to watch the beginning auditions, so funny) and we watch this audition, so I pose the question to Quinn: Would you buy MY album? Secretly in my mind I'm hoping he'll say No, because if he poses the question to me I can be honest and say No too, without feeling bad.
Quinn looks at me, earnestly and says Yes I would, I said: really, you would buy my album?, then he says, Yea, I would buy the whole store! (As he's laughing.) But buying the whole store would be a good idea, save me from a lot of embarrasement.

Simon said in the video, he really loves her...this I'm not so sure of, if he really did, wouldn't he save her the embarrasement of national television and instead crush her dreams in the privacy of their own home?? Personally, that's what I'd prefer.

Be honest in love.

Sit me Down

Please God, just sit me down and tell me where you want me to be. Tell me, show me, do whatever it takes for me to know where I should be. I know you actively pursue me, you chase after me, you tug at my heart for me to be drawn to you. Your always there, you never ever leave my side, even though many times I walk away or turn my back on you. Make me see the big picture, broaden my view so I'm not narrowly seeing only my own life, open my eyes to those in need, open my eyes to those who are hurting, open my eyes to the oppressed not only in the world, but right in my own city, open my eyes to the injustices in this nation and in the world.
Please God.

Strength to be found in Him

1 Samuel 30 One of David's stories.

Post Holidays

Christmas and the holidays for 2007 are now behind us and we're swept into 2008 with the gusto of an Alberta Chinook. It all flew by so fast and now it seems that in the midst of it, I didn't even realize all the newness that this Christmas brought and how beautiful the season was.

This was a new experience of Christmas for me, as I'm sure it was for Quinn and my family and his family. I can tell you that it was memorable, fun, exciting, but new experiences aren't always easy. Changes can be abrupt and sometimes unexpected, but that is life, so we adapt and move on, right?

Highlights:

- Christmas at Quinn's house, with his parents and grandparents

(Ukranian food, Nalysnyka - cottage cheese filled mini crepes baked with 1.5 L of pure whipping cream...ahhh...goodness!)

- My whole family was home

- Jesus was born

- Quinn and I managed to be sick free for 4 days - Christmas day to the Friday -

- I discovered Trans Siberian Orchestra

- Quinn's lemon juice drink, or should we say - choke...i might elaborate on that.

- Chocolate, more chocolate and Christmas baking

- First Christmas with Conner, my nephew

- Although I appreciate all my gifts, the one I appreciate a lot was the one I picked (outfitting 25 kids in winter clothes for $30.00, thanks Mom & Dad)

- That's right, 25 kids for 30 bucks!

This Christmas and the holidays were such a great time. My life was, what I thought, so rich before...it still is, now even more so. I'm thankful I was able to spend it with Quinn, my family and his family...I loved it.

Quinn has enriched my life, showed me its okay to have some fun, makes me laugh and that is just one thing I love about him.

Now onto a good story...

One day we decided to go out to eat a little bit, Quinn decided to have Ceaser salad. It is one of his favorites and normally he orders it without incident. This outing was a little weird from the get go. We order our food and drinks, one thing I ordered was pineapple juice. She brings our drinks and I took a sip to realize that the straw appeared used. It looked as tho it had been chewed. Quinn suggested I get a new drink, I agreed. She came back to our table and I kindly pointed out that it appeared my straw had been used. She quickly stated, alright I'll get you a new straw and turned to leave. I slightly elevated my voice, I would like a new drink. I did get a new drink. Strange!

Anyway, the food came, Quinn and I ate and left, decided to catch a cheap movie. I noticed a garlic scent from time to time, in the car, in the line at the movie theatre...I hadn't been feeling well, the last few days, so in the theatre I mentioned to Quinn, that the smell was nauseating me, he said what's that? I said: the popcorn and the garlic. Before going into the theatre I mentioned to Quinn I wanted to buy some gum, but after seeing the lines, he hinted that would be a long wait. I smiled and figured: I have to say this. We need to buy some gum I told him. After a short conversation, Quinn realized what my garlic comment had really meant and obliged. He waited in line only to find they had no gum, so he settled for candy. Garlic lingered. The next day the garlic was still in our relationship. I had heard and someone else mentioned; lemon juice might work. Alright, we needed to go to Safeway anyway to grab some stuff. We're in Safeway in the fruit section, no lemons. Yep, they were out. So, I noticed a small bottle of lemon juice...figured this should work. We get back to the car, Quinn decides to try this out. I wasn't really watching him, I was playing with the stereo and didn't notice he just took a big swallow of lemon juice or lemon concentrate. AHHHHH, car door flies open, Quinn's choking, I simultaneously figure out what just happened and am laughing my butt off. Quinn choked for sometime and I explained that this was concentrate and what I wanted him to do was simply rinse with the lemon juice, not chug! Anyway, it did seem to work, so, lesson learned = lemon juice to kill garlic, but don't swallow lemon concentrate.

Happy New Year!