My Weekend May 27, 2008

I spent this past weekend in Edmonton Alberta at YC and had an amazing time. For those of you reading this that don’t know what it is you can check out the website. The weekend started on Friday night and went non-stop until Sunday night. I am still exhausted!

Here is a brief summary (thanks to Celine) of the weekend. She wrote her summary on Facebook and I am “stealing” it and changing it a bit. I hope she doesn’t mind…

Sitting on a bus with many others. Watching National Treasure and Mr. Bean episodes while covering my nose from that nasty stench. Putting on neon green bracelets that are our passes into the Rexall building. Passing through the doors while holding our arms up so they can see we payed for this experience and praying they don’t check my purse and take my water bottle away.

Kicking a band out of our awesome seats. Music so loud that it left my ears ringing for hours afterwards. Screaming, shouting, jumping, dancing for God. Losing my voice so that I just have to mouth the words because no sound comes out anymore, but then getting it back just to lose it again. John Bevere speaking about fearing God and how he will magnify our steps as we walk for Him. Singing to our heavenly father with 17,000 people in unison, truly worshiping without worrying about who is watching me.

Unloading the bus and setting up snack. 23 of us on a midnight search for a donair place to find it demolished. Laughing at the idea of walking through the Tim Hortons drive through and then shocked that they actually let us. Iced Capps at 1am. Playing Family Business until 2:30am. Cleaning the kitchen with Marc. Going to bed and waking up to find that I had a conversation with Emily while I was sleeping - weird.

Reggie Dabbs speaking, shouts of “Carpe Diem - Seize the Day” “We are all chocolate!”. Safeway for lunch, ditching Marc (I’m still sorry for that). Trying to get into Amanda Falk’s girl talk but going to a boring missions one instead. Finding Marc and worshiping with Vicky Beeching. Parachute Band! Hearing Omega’s story of God’s Mercy. Liz and Dayna’s turkey baster (KJ52 actually rapped about it!). Eating my second fruit tray. More of Reggie speaking. Moved me to tears. Being shocked at the number of kids who stood up for prayer because of suicidal thoughts. Worshiping God with tears rolling uncontrollably down my face. Getting back to the school for prayer and discussion. Being so proud of my little sister for declaring her conviction for her future. Watching boys play their stupid game. Getting attacked by my sister with a water bottle (I’m still hurting). Laughing so hard I couldn’t stop crying and people being concerned. Cleaning the kitchen with Marc…again. Sleep.

Cleaning and packing the bus. Being late for Sunday’s morning service. Leeland leading worship and the Aussie man making us sing to a DVD. Chicken fingers for lunch at the restaurant. Cute little Asian lady running around to get us our food. Parachute Band once again. Amazing worship. Papa San “shake your tambourine!” Finding Avery, praying that God spoke to her in a huge way! More Reggie, singing to his saxophone playing. Leaving during Newsboys. Getting home exhausted but staying up past 2 again!

Incredible worship. Praising God like how if might be like in heaven. Feeling the Holy Spirit in the room and being moved to tears and singing with a shaky voice. Screaming till it hurt. Feet sore but standing anyway. Realizing that I need to be still and focus on God’s voice speaking to me. Knowing that I should not hold anything back and that I need to focus on what God thinks and not to be concerned with those around me. He made me and thinks I am beautiful. I need to seize the day, every day. No day will be wasted.

Hot Days and Cold Iced Caps May 15, 2008

My sister and I were out driving tonight (wow, it seems like we do that a lot!). I had to go fill up my car with gas which is a sad thing these days because it is so stinkin’ expensive, but the Tsui Tina Reserve is close to where I live and they sell their gas for at least 10 cents cheaper than everywhere else.

After getting the gas we figured we needed something cold to drink on this very nice day in Calgary. We headed for Second Cup because we both had gift cards, but after I parked and locked the doors of my car, we walked to the front door to find it locked. For some reason that certain store was closed after 6. As we sadly got back into my car a man in a red convertible pulled up and did the exact same thing. We laughed and headed to Tim Hortons.

At Tim’s we pulled into the drive-through and who pulls in behind us? The same guy from Second Cup! As we were waiting for our turn to order this thought was running through my head that I should pay for this random guy behind me. I thought about it and my hands started getting sweaty but I pushed that idea aside and tried not to think about it. Then the thought came back and I told Michelle my idea to find out she was thinking the exact same thing!

We got our Iced Caps (made with half chocolate milk) and I paid for us and the guy behind us. As we took off we waved. I have no idea what he thought of that, but I just hope that it blessed his evening. It sure did bring us joy as we drove away!

Little Bunnies May 14, 2008

There are rabbits everywhere! I see at least 2 or 3 every time I come home later in the evening and tonight was no different. I was driving one of my girls home from youth tonight when a little bunny ran in front of my car. It was so tiny and cute that I slowed down to get a better look. Suddenly a fairly large black and white cat ran out in front of my car in pursuit of the little bunny. I was so upset and after telling my sister how much I strongly disliked cats I continued to drive to see the bunny run across the road again! The cat followed and since no one was around I swerved toward the cat and it spun around in the opposite direction of the bunny. I have joy in the hope that I saved that little bunny’s life for at least tonight! Stupid cats!

Here is a photo of the little bunnies that are running around Calgary during this time of the year. We found this one in our bushes last year.

Survivor Finale May 12, 2008

Last night was Survivor Fans Vs. Favourites Finale. I will admit that I am a total Survivor junkie and have loved this season of the show. Jeff Probst said yesterday that this season was more popular than the first season!

This season can be known for the most people leaving the show because of injury or giving up and for the most blind-sides during tribal council. I loved that the girls blind-sided all of the boys and how it all planned out. Two guys (Ozzy and Jason) both had the hidden immunity idol and when it came to tribal council they didn’t play it and were voted off. The top stupidity move though, was by a young man named Erik who gave up the immunity idol and was voted off. It was clear that the girls would all vote him off and when he gave up the only thing that would save him was shocking!

In the end Parvati won the million and seemed completely shocked. Many people were positive that Amanda would win, including myself, but it didn’t happen. James won $100,000 for being voted the most liked player.

I am so excited for season 17 to start. Yes, 17 Seasons of Survivor!!!! It is going to be in Gabon, Africa and you can guarantee that I will be watching it!

Hide Those Scissors! May 7, 2008

Last week I was checking my Facebook account when I came across a photo album story that my cousin posted. It began with a picture of the unsuspecting little girl and then the perpetrator (her brother). The next couple of pictures were of the supervising parent at the time (dad) and the distracted (dad’s friend). The weapon of choice was a pair of scissors and the following picture is the result.

I love how she looks so happy with her brand new haircut. Her mom was absolutely devastated. I haven’t seen her since her new “G.I. Jane” look, but I’m sure she’s wearing hats to accompany her new hair-do.

I think that episodes like this are just part of growing up. My sister cut her own bangs when she was little so she could be like me when I was growing mine out. She just cut them off instead of waiting them to grow!

Making Money May 5, 2008

I started my job today and it tired me out a lot faster then I thought it would. I didn’t even do that much but I am absolutly exhausted!

I’m working for a land surveying company called Lovse Surveys Ltd. and as far as I know I will be filing and doing other odd jobs when I am not filling in for those on vacation. My brain is definitely fried today and I hope that I get the hang of things soon!

I’m looking forward to the money that will be going into my bank account to pay for those student loans…

BBQ in the Park May 3, 2008

Our youth event yesterday was a barbecue in North Glenmore Park with a couple other churches. There were burgers, hot-dogs, pop, chips and candy for everyone to pig out on. We also played games like tag, Frisbee, football and bocce ball.

The night was so nice and here are a couple of the high lights that brought me joy.

• Spinning around on the Merry-Go-Round until we felt sick
• Playing full contact football
• Playing toilet tag
• Watching Allan’s eyes turn bright red from the smoke from grilling the burgers
• Playing extreme bocce ball for more than 2 hours!

And here are a couple pictures from the night.