An unexpected journey

It’s been a few weeks, but here’s a catch-up post.

My 95 year-old Granny died on November 11, after a few months of deteriorating health. She was a small, but strong woman, who had lived a full life. She had a quiet faith that was demonstrated in the way she lived her life. She left a huge legacy of family behind, which is a testimony in itself.

I found myself on Thursday 12 trying to work out flight times and connections which would enable me to get to Orkney in time for the funeral service. I managed a Thursday evening flight out of Sudbury which got me to Kirkwall airport on Friday evening via Toronto, Amsterdam and Edinburgh.

It was a worthwhile trip and I would’ve regretted not going. Granny was the last of that generation, so it’s probably the last family get-together of that magnitude. I met relatives I haven’t seen for a long time, relatives who were too young to remember me and others who have been born since I emigrated to Canada 15 years ago. Although it wasn’t under the best of circumstances, it was good to catch up with lots of family and friends.

I was also able to spend some time with my sister and her family in Airdrie, and my parents, too, before heading back to Elliot Lake. On the Thursday I was able to arrange to meet Thomas Mathie, aka the Headphonaught, for coffee. It was a pleasure to finally meet Thomas. I love reading his stuff as it’s always a challenge. He truly shows God’s love in action in the way he lives his life. Check out his blog and you’ll see what I mean. His photography is amazing as well. He is also one of the founders of the Something Beautiful podcast, which is always worth a listen. I came away feeling that I’ve known him forever and I look forward to connecting with him again in the future.

Unfortunately, since coming back I’ve been under the weather and am barely able to talk just now. I managed to get through Sunday alright. At our gathering we had a discussion around love and used this video. On Sunday night our Hope Band led worship at the local Anglican Church, which was quite enjoyable. Some pics here.

Cameron is sick  now as well and Pamela and Emily are away to North Bay for the weekend for a swimming meet. I don’t think I’ll make it to our gathering this Sunday, so I’ve arrange for our drummer, Jeff, to step in and lead. Our first kettle goes out today, so it seems that Christmas thing is just around the corner. I think that’s all for now.

Where the Wild Things Are

This opens today. It’s going to be great, I hope. Won’t see it for another week, though.

Membership has its benefits

I took out a subscription at U2.com last year with some money I got for my birthday. As well as an exclusive t-shirt and double live CD, this membership gave me access to the first round of the pre-sale for any of the concerts on the forthcoming U2 tour. So, at 10.05am this morning I was able to complete the purchase of 4 tickets for September 16 at the Rogers Centre, which is great because the general sale doesn’t start until next Monday. So, membership can sometimes have benefits! Looks like it’ll be a great show. Hope they play ‘Unknown Caller’.

Cameron is a little sad and disappointed that he can’t go, but I promised I’ll take him when he’s older. He really want to go to an As I Lay Dying show sometime, too, although their upcoming tour doesn’t work out for us at all. He did tell me that when he puts his band together they’ll tour every year. I asked him if he would need me to play bass guitar for him, but he declined, telling me that I’d be too old by then and that he doesn’t want any grandpas in his band. Oh well.

Season of Lent – Day 1

Lent - Day 1

All over the internet today people are writing about giving up this, or giving up that, and so on in recognition that today is the first day in the Season of Lent. Even Strombo mentioned Lent on last night’s The Hour. But it’s not just about giving up. In the intro to the above pictured book (Bread and Wine) the editors wrote the following:

…Lent is traditionally associated with penitence, fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. It is a time for “giving things up” balanced by “giving to” those in need. Yet whatever else it may be, Lent should never be morose – an annual ordeal during which we begrudgingly forgo a handful of pleasures. Instead, we ought to approach Lent as an opportunity, not a requirement. After all, it is meant to be the church’s springtime, a time when, out of the darkness of sin’s winter, a repentant, empowered people emerges.

So, lighten up people! Enjoy the next 40 or so days. Whatever you may have given up is nothing compared to the the one whom we remember at this time, who gave His all. Maybe you’ll discover that what you have given up was something you didn’t need anyway, or perhaps was something that was holding you back from living life to the fullest.

On a personal note, I didn’t miss eating meat today. I tried out some phenomenal recipes from ‘Vegetarian Cooking for Dummies’ and also managed to bake a batch of oatmeal muffins. It might actually not be all that difficult to go without meat. Time will tell.

Buy this album

If you’re looking for some different music, then check out NoiseTrade (Fair Trade Music). There’s some great stuff in there for all tastes. One that I’d recommend is ‘Sons and Daughters’ by C.J. Bergmen - the last track, ‘Song for the Broken’ is awesome. You can pay as little or as much as you like for any album you download from this site, but don’t short change them – these guys and gals need to eat and make a living as well. Another one you might want to check out is Derek Webb’s ‘The Ringing Bell’.

I would’ve posted this sooner, but…

You Are a Total Procrastinator

If you can put a task off, you will. You hate doing chores and work. Almost all of your tasks get done late, if they even get done at all. You often find life overwhelming and stressful. You feel like you’ll never get everything done. You spend more time worrying about your responsibilities than taking care of them. It’s likely that you procrastinate because you have too much to do… or aren’t doing the right things. Learn how to let go of what’s trivial and focus on what matters. Do the important stuff right now!

Are You a Procrastinator?

Gardening

I’ve never been much of a gardener, but now Cameron is obsessed with planting things, so I’m spending more time (and money) on planting things in our back yard. Surprisingly, some things are actually growing as well!

I planted this plant three years ago in memory of the mother of one of our friends. This is the second year that it has bloomed like this. It’s encouraging and gives us the inspiration to plant more.

Two weeks from home!

Instead of being two weeks from everywhere, I am now two weeks from home. I arrived in Winnipeg this afternoon for a couple of weeks of courses. This week it is homelesness, next week it is Romans. Hopefully I’ll squezze some coffee time in as well, and maybe one or two movies. I saw Cloverfield on the plane out here. It was better than I thought it would be.

Tomorrow night I’m going to see As I Lay Dying. Looking forward to that. Not holding my breath on persuading anyone here to come with me, though!

It’s A Beautiful Day!

Easter