Monday, January 21, 2008

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!

Thursday, January 17, 2008

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.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Strength to be found in Him



1 Samuel 30 One of David's stories.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

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!