NEW BLOG!

I have a new blog! I just started my job as a Youth Pastor and figured that I could begin blogging within that context. Here it is: http://equippedcalled.blogspot.ca

The name comes from a sentence I heard during a high school graduation address last month. The speaker had said something that struck me in a wonderful way: "God does not call the equipped. He equips the called."

where to go.

it's been almost a month since i hopped onto a plane with a group of 9 other people to lead a learning tour to Cambodia & Laos for MCC. i've been back for just over a week and a half week now. these times are so strange to read, because everything seems so far away already.

what an amazing experience. it was incredibly draining and exhausting, but it was all worth it. we had a great group of people who got along well and were fantastic discussion starters. we visited three Global Family projects in Cambodia and two in Laos.

one of the best parts was the one partner in Laos. it is a young adult peace training group. they were such a delightful group, and they laughed so much. which, if you know me, is right up my alley. i think i discovered through my overwhelming delight at their light hearted and laughing personalities, that laughter is a really big part of who i am. i like that.

the peace group was called Mittapab. that translates in Lao to "friendship". their word for peace didn't translate well, for some reason it ended up always meaning war in the end. so they used the word friendship instead, and i find that so fitting.

friendship is a relationship that isn't perfect, but is made to work because of a mutual desire to have a great end result. it works through conflict and frustration because one or both parties value the relationship. fitting for the ideals of peace to me.

anyways. that's just one random thought. the world is a beautiful place, and God is all over it. it makes me smile and my heart feels full of love.

not all who wander are lost.

here are a few things inspired by a wandering mind.

i seriously love eating chips. i think this is almost to a problematic level. but also a delicious level.

one thing that has brought me a lot of joy this winter is the dog next door. i will get home, and if she is outside she will watch me. if i turn towards her and start heading for the fence she BOUNDS through the snow and leans against the fence while i pet her. my neighbors find this relationship funny.

at the same time, sometimes the winter gets me down and when i see a happy picture of a past summer, i experience a deep sadness that surprises even me.

something that counters that deep sadness quickly is when i remember how much i love the people around me, how excited i get when i learn new things about someone and rediscover how wonderful they are and how inspiring it is to know that God loves us more than i am able to love. and i think i love a lot.

it would be really nice to sit down and paint again.

i leave in 20 days for Cambodia and Laos and that is incredibly exciting.