Today I made a very significant accomplishment and I know a lot of you will be very proud of me. Very uncharacteristically it snowed last night and so the ground this morning was pretty icey and frozen. Not much of the snow is actually left, just mainly ice but it's still wintry. My accomplishment is this, I wore my back heeled boots today and had to walk into work and I did so without so much as slipping once on the ice! (Applause is now appropriate) Personally I think I'm growing out of my adolescent awkwardness and gaining a better sense of balance and coordination. Yup! That's right! I'm sorry Ryan Chuckrey, soon I won't have many stories left to tell you about falling down.
This past weekend was very full indeed. Friday evening I had the house to myself so after we finished our manic club I walked to Blockbuster and rented Batman Begins. I got home made myself some steak - medium rare of course and the closer to rare the better - and then sat down and watched my film. I really enjoyed it and thought it was the best Batman film yet.
On Saturday I went shopping in Newcastle with Anne Moore. It was a really nice afternoon. Anne showed up at my door around 10:30 and we made a day of it. It was really sweet of her to take me out for the day. Her and John are such an awesome couple! With my bank account a bit lighter and some Christmas shopping accomplished Anne dropped me off and that evening I went to "A Mass For Peace" which was a choir/orchestra production at the Leisure Centre. It was huge! It was the high school choir combined with another choir plus the tynne side orchestra. Sophie was in the choir along with many other youth that I've come to know while being over here.
Sunday, I'm afraid to report, I slept in and missed church...I'm such a heathen, I know! But I am a gentile after all! The afternoon I went to the cinema with the Hatch women and that evening I went to Durham to attend the advent service at Durham Cathedral. It was amazing! We were a bit late so we missed the choir entering with candles but what we made it in time for was beautiful. After the service the Bishop was at the back shaking peoples hands and talking and I saw him praying for a man in the midst of the crowd. It really touched my heart. Anna was telling me really good things about him on the way home.
So, that was my weekend! This coming one I'm heading down to Tamworth to visit my friends down there which I'm really looking forward to. It's always nice to get away from work for a bit and relax. Fi is always a blast and I have so much fun with her.
I have a cute story from when we were going up to the high school yesterday for our lunchtime drop in. Lisa and I were walking to the door of the school when a piece of gum flew past my head and I heard a very loud "SORRY!" from two lads behind us. I laughed and we kept going and then I heard "EXCUSE ME!!...EXCUSE ME!" so I turned around to see if they were calling us and said "Yes?" and the one lad said "he really fancies you!" while pointing to his mate. I laughed and said "well, I think I'm a bit too old for you, sorry" to which the other lad said "it's not me it's him that fancies you!" and then they rushed off inside the school. I thought it was funny and had a laugh about it.
Another interesting thing happened this morning. The doorbell to the church building rang and so I picked up the phone to answer and it was a man from the Methodist Church. I pressed the button to let him in and went downstairs to meet him and he had a young african looking woman with him. He said she'd gone to the Methodist Church looking for our church so he's brought here over. He then left and I was alone with this girl. She had quite a heavy accent but she told me that she was a born again Christian and looking for a church to worship at and wondered if we had a program. No one else from the church was in so I took her around the building and found a church program for her. She then asked if she could meet with the Pastor and I had to explain there wasn't a pastor at the moment but a grouop of elders. She seemed a bit taken aback that we didn't have a pastor but said she would come on Sunday. I thought that whole situation was really encouraging...to have someone just walk in off the street looking for a church to attend and coming to ours. It's exciting really and it gives you a sense that God is doing something through the church even when it really doesn't seem like it at times. I'm a bit sad I won't be here this Sunday to meet her but I'll talk to some of the other members so they can be sure to welcome her.
Well I'm off to do some work now and prepare for our youth alpha tonight!
Later, JMo* x
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
My Hope Is Found in Nothing Less...
I had the morning off today! Woo hoo! Aside from a brief surfacing to straighten Sophie's hair, I slept in and then watched tv and ate Jaffa Cakes. Very healthy I know! It was like watching Saturday morning cartoons all over again...except it wasn't Saturday and I wasn't watching cartoons, I was watching Smallville, but you know what I mean. It was the episode where Clark learns to read the symbols in the cave and meets up with Mr. Swan who is played by Christopher Reeves - the original Superman. Very intense indeed, it supplied my portion of suspense for the day!
This week has been pretty full so far. Yesterday was a 12 hour day with youth alpha. We had a Canada meeting Monday evening and then the youth service on the Sunday evening. A very full week. I've had a lot on my mind as well. Many thoughts and questions about the future, where I'm going, what I'm doing, what is my vision for my life? I guess a lot about the past as well, where have I come, where has this journey led me? God what's been happening in my life these past 4 years? Some answers are more obvious than others and some are still shrouded only to be discovered as the days pass. All I know is that God is faithful and that is where I put my hope...
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
... A verse that has been very dear to me this week. Hope. I have hope that my future is secure in God's hands. Although there may be days with confusion, frustration and tears of anxiety I have hope in God.
...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
This week has been pretty full so far. Yesterday was a 12 hour day with youth alpha. We had a Canada meeting Monday evening and then the youth service on the Sunday evening. A very full week. I've had a lot on my mind as well. Many thoughts and questions about the future, where I'm going, what I'm doing, what is my vision for my life? I guess a lot about the past as well, where have I come, where has this journey led me? God what's been happening in my life these past 4 years? Some answers are more obvious than others and some are still shrouded only to be discovered as the days pass. All I know is that God is faithful and that is where I put my hope...
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
... A verse that has been very dear to me this week. Hope. I have hope that my future is secure in God's hands. Although there may be days with confusion, frustration and tears of anxiety I have hope in God.
...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
Friday, November 18, 2005
I've Got That Christmas-time Feeling...
...it's a funny thing too, because there's absolutely no trace of snow here and there are still leaves on the trees. In fact, this morning when I was running with Anna we found a tree that still had blossoms on it! It sure was cold though, brrrr. You might be asking how it can get cold in a country that has next to no snow, but there's this damp chill that can get into your bones and you sure feel it!
BUT, that being said, I went into town with Lisa this afternoon to return some DVD's to the library and blockbuster and we came across a market that was set up in the town square. Not just any market, a French market!! It was sooo nice! There were so many things to look at and the food looked fantastic. Everything from a greek stall with olives, garlic and cheese, to a dried sausage stall that held dried sausages made out of duck, stag and boar! There were stands that held watches, purses, scarves,pashiminas and one that had every kind of dried fruit imaginable plus chocolate covered raisins, yogurt rasions, yogurt peanuts, and all sorts of other things. There was a stand that had millions of different kinds of turkish delight and a stand that had a tonne of different types of bread on it with cookies, biscuits, cakes, scones etc. It was great! The best part was they had samples of everything out for you to try. I got to try all the different types of sausages...even the dried boar sausage. One lady also gave me a handful of chocolate raisins and the man at the olive stand gave us a clove of garlic that was covered in this bright orange sauce stuff. He told us that it would protect us from unwanted attention, well, that's for sure because I'm sure my breath smelled pretty garlicy afterwards. It was potent!
Walking around looking at everything, I just started to get so Christmasy and the decorations have been put up in town and Ruthorfords have their Christmas trees outside the stoor...I know it's only November but it's hard to withstand when there's this sort of pressure around you! England truely is lovely this time of year with the old stone buildings and cobblestones and the mince pies and mulled wine come out and I love being here. Although I'm going home for Christmas this year and very much looking forward to it, I think a small part of me is going to miss England at Christmas. Hmmmm maybe the place is growing on me more than I'm fully aware of!
I still can't wait to have a white Christmas and perhaps a good old fashioned snowball fight! I was talking to my mom on the phone last night and she promised that I would get to help decorate the tree this year! Yeeessssssssss (Napoleon Dynamite)
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Quotes and a Recap
I found some funny quotes online today and thought I'd post a few:
- I frankly felt like the reception we received on the way in from the airport was very warm and hospitable. And I want to thank the Canadian people who came out to wave -- with all five fingers -- for their hospitality. -- George W. Bush
- I love gentiles. In fact, on of my favorite activities is Protestant spotting. -- Mel Brooks
- You cannot make someone love you. All you can do is stalk them and hope they panic and give in. - Author Unknown
- A man may be a fool and not know it, but not if he is married. - H. L. Mencken
The last quote is going out to my friend Shawn who has recently been engaged. Ha, no, I'm just kidding. A big congratulations to Shawn!
This past week has been pretty full, not necessarily busy, just full. Makes a bit of a change and I've actually gotten out! Some of the high lights include going to the beach Saturday with Tim, Anna, Francesca, and Tim's family. It was gorgeous out and we went walking in the sand and played cricket. Yep I learned the interesting sport of cricket. I'm not really sure if I still understand everything about it but I'm a lot closer now. The sky was beautiful as we were there towards the evening. A very good place for one to go and have a time to think or reflect.
Saturday evening I went to a gig. A band made up of doctors that Tim and Anna work with were playing a gig to raise money for a charity called PALZ. It was good fun. There was a raffle and I won a "my first jewellrey box," very precious! There was also dancing and Anna, Sophie and I ended up singing backup to Mustang Sally with the band. Tim was telling me last night that the guy he works with that was playing the guitar complemented us on our singing and harmonies and asked if I was a friend of Sophie's. I laughed, that's the 2nd time in a week someone has thought I was in high school. One girl thought I was 18 and now someone else thought I was 16. I'm not complaining though, if this keeps up I can look 25 when I'm 35!!
Yesterday I painted all day and it was great! I made a prayer wall for people to post their prayers on at the school today. It's international pray for schools day in the UK and Europe. I think it's similar to SYATP in Canada. It felt good to get artsy again and I was pleased with how the wall turned out. If I get a picture anytime soon I'll post it for people to see.
Another humerous story happened last Thursday. I was in Morrisons (formerly Safeway) buying a drink and I was standing in the queue waiting my turn when all of a sudden I heard this voice in my ear saying --"Everything's two for one these days...I hear they're doing that with slaves down in the Carribean!" I'm pretty sure I jumped in shock and I turned and there was this old man grinning at me. I just kinda smiled and nodded and crept closer to the person in front of me. Then he turned to me and started talking about Lord Lichfield who never did a day's work in his life. I had no idea what he was talking about! Finally I paid for my drink and left slightly weirded out. You get some odd characters some days!
So that's me in a nutshell! Will see if this week holds any other interesting moments or stories.
Ta
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
The Cup of Ming
So yesterday, later in the afternoon, I started tidying the office as I usually do when I get fed up of the clutter of papers and mugs everywhere. On a rainy day when there's not too much to do I can end up feeling a tad bit claustrophobic with the mess around and my anal-cleaning personality from highschool resurfaces.
As I was cleaning I made my way over to the window ledge which is where a lot of things tend to get dumped instead of sorted. It is also the new home for Mike's set of teas which are now a year old, the kettle and if we're really lucky a jug of milk that gets left in the office over the weekend un-refridgerated. Luckily today there was no milk but there were several dirty mugs and a mysterious orange cup full of some strange unidentifiable liquid. As I peered into the orange cup a smell of indescribable rankness entered my nostrils and my eyes were met with about an inch of brownish green sludge floating in a slick clear coating. I gagged. Looked again and then gagged some more. Then I shouted at the top of my lungs "EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW WHAT THE HECK IS THIS??"
A slightly startled Lisa and Chris turned around and asked - "what?" I then showed them the cup and Lisa started gagging while Chris, in his quiet subtle manner, said - "That looks like a cup of phlegm"
Well that did it, I started ranting and raving about the inhumanity of something this disgusting being left in an office, and it certainly wasn't Lisa or myself! Then muttering under my breath I braved the cup and grabbed it with the other dirty mugs and marched them downstairs to the kitchen sink, gagging on the way down at the thought of it being held in my hand.
I got to the sink and stood as far away as I could and tipped whatever the heck it was down the drain but it missed and instead of neatly disappearing it spread into the surface area of the chrome. The sight and smell once again assailed me and I keeled over gagging yet again. I quickly turned on the water trying to get rid of it but it only made it swill around more. I gagged again only this time something came up and it really hurt my stomach. I tried to control it but more kept coming up. I dropped the mugs onto the counter and bolted for the bathroom making it just in time. I slowly walked back to the kitchen quite apprehensive of the sink. I'm glad to say that the water had finally washed down the "unknown substance."
I walked back up stairs and snatched the kettle and everything else for making drinks on the ledge, turned to Lisa and said "Mike has just lost his privileges for making drinks in the office!"
And that is the story about the cup of Ming
As I was cleaning I made my way over to the window ledge which is where a lot of things tend to get dumped instead of sorted. It is also the new home for Mike's set of teas which are now a year old, the kettle and if we're really lucky a jug of milk that gets left in the office over the weekend un-refridgerated. Luckily today there was no milk but there were several dirty mugs and a mysterious orange cup full of some strange unidentifiable liquid. As I peered into the orange cup a smell of indescribable rankness entered my nostrils and my eyes were met with about an inch of brownish green sludge floating in a slick clear coating. I gagged. Looked again and then gagged some more. Then I shouted at the top of my lungs "EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW WHAT THE HECK IS THIS??"
A slightly startled Lisa and Chris turned around and asked - "what?" I then showed them the cup and Lisa started gagging while Chris, in his quiet subtle manner, said - "That looks like a cup of phlegm"
Well that did it, I started ranting and raving about the inhumanity of something this disgusting being left in an office, and it certainly wasn't Lisa or myself! Then muttering under my breath I braved the cup and grabbed it with the other dirty mugs and marched them downstairs to the kitchen sink, gagging on the way down at the thought of it being held in my hand.
I got to the sink and stood as far away as I could and tipped whatever the heck it was down the drain but it missed and instead of neatly disappearing it spread into the surface area of the chrome. The sight and smell once again assailed me and I keeled over gagging yet again. I quickly turned on the water trying to get rid of it but it only made it swill around more. I gagged again only this time something came up and it really hurt my stomach. I tried to control it but more kept coming up. I dropped the mugs onto the counter and bolted for the bathroom making it just in time. I slowly walked back to the kitchen quite apprehensive of the sink. I'm glad to say that the water had finally washed down the "unknown substance."
I walked back up stairs and snatched the kettle and everything else for making drinks on the ledge, turned to Lisa and said "Mike has just lost his privileges for making drinks in the office!"
And that is the story about the cup of Ming
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
A little late night blogging
I know, I know! For those of you who actually pay attention to the details of what time a blog is actually posted, I do realise that it's 2:13 am. I couldn't sleep. I promise I won't be on long, not that any of you are my mom, but even if it looks like I type a lot remember that I have an incredibe gift of typing and can do so quite fast.
I suppose one of the reasons that I'm up is I have many things on my mind. Usually I would journal them out and then try to sleep but I figured I just needed to get out of my bed for a while.
I've been reading a really good book lately called "The Visitation" by Frank Peretti. I've read 3 of his other books and I think that this one is my favourite so far. It's about a small town in Washington that is suddenly visited by a man claiming to be Jesus, who performs some amazing miracles and how the town reacts. I think one of the reasons I'm enjoying it so much is because it's told through the eyes of a burnt out Pentecostal preacher. I think that everyone who's grown up in a Pentecostal church should read it because it gives quite an insight into how hype-oriented we can become. Not that i'm anti - Pentecostal at all. I have some great memories from my time at good ol' TPA. I just think that it's a very interesting insight that's all. I think I can understand why a lot of the Christians I've met over here cringe when someone mentions the God channel. Maybe one day I'll write another blog about it.
This weekend was fairly quiet with some bursts of quick-fading excitement. The youth club on Friday was high paced, manic and a bit dream like! We arrived at the minors wellfare and right in the middle of the hall we use was a full sized boxing ring complete with signs saying "please keep off!" Well that's about the same as giving a 5 year old a chocolate bar and saying - "don't eat this, just hold it till it melts!" Right away there are 3 lads climbing onto the boxing ring and one of the ladies of staff yelling and screaming and asking them if they know how to read or not. Great fun. To top it all off there was scaffolding from renovations in the hall and they had moved all the pool tables and table tennis tables that we use into a heap in the corner. We did our best to try to sort everything and create some sort of order. Maybe next time we should try communism. The best part of the whole night though, and I'm not being sarcastic, this was awesome, was when Mike started breaking apart some of the junkier tables to make some space. At the same time Lisa was setting up another table to play a game on. One boy who was watching from the corner came over uncharateristicaly keen to help. He helped Lisa unfold a table leg and then just ripped it clean off!! Splintered the wood and bent the metal supports and all. Lisa nearly burst a gasket and had to keep a tight reign on her mouth as she turned bright red and yelled "WHAT ARE YOU DOING???" Well, I lost it! I literally keeled over laughing for a good 15 minutes. It was a combination of the chaos, tiredness and the look on Lisa's face. The lad stood there a bit confused and realised that Lisa was not helping Mike tear tables apart. Then the staff lady walked over viewed the scene and announced in a rather harsh, barking tone "well you've broken it now!" which made me laugh all the more. Oh it was good! It made my whole week. By the end I was ready to collapse on the couch at home and for some reason craving a good steak! I was quite happy to find out that Anna and Tim were going to be cooking steak for supper when I got in...honestly sometimes there's nothing like a nice piece of steak (enter Tim Taylor laugh from Home Improvement). I think steak is working it's way up to the top of my favourite food's list.
Saturday was a work meeting from 10 - 4. It was fairly productive but took a out a lot of mental energy.
Sunday was church and then I read my book in the afternoon. The evening was the town bonfire night and fireworks to celebrate the failed attempt to assainate the British Parliament 400 years ago by Guy Fox. He hid a load of barrels in the cellar under parliament and intended to blow it sky high because he was a Catholic and the King at the time was a Protestant. Fortunately someone was tipped off, Parliament was saved, and Guy Fox and his buddies were executed. I think I was told they were hung, drawn and quartered - mmmm pleasent- but I think that being burnt must have something to do with it as well because people burn replicas of Guy Fox in their bonfires. What a great holiday!
Anyway I think on that pleasent note I may head back to my bed and try to get some sleep!
At least my insomnia has been useful in supplying you Canadians out there with some history about England that you may not have known!
I suppose one of the reasons that I'm up is I have many things on my mind. Usually I would journal them out and then try to sleep but I figured I just needed to get out of my bed for a while.
I've been reading a really good book lately called "The Visitation" by Frank Peretti. I've read 3 of his other books and I think that this one is my favourite so far. It's about a small town in Washington that is suddenly visited by a man claiming to be Jesus, who performs some amazing miracles and how the town reacts. I think one of the reasons I'm enjoying it so much is because it's told through the eyes of a burnt out Pentecostal preacher. I think that everyone who's grown up in a Pentecostal church should read it because it gives quite an insight into how hype-oriented we can become. Not that i'm anti - Pentecostal at all. I have some great memories from my time at good ol' TPA. I just think that it's a very interesting insight that's all. I think I can understand why a lot of the Christians I've met over here cringe when someone mentions the God channel. Maybe one day I'll write another blog about it.
This weekend was fairly quiet with some bursts of quick-fading excitement. The youth club on Friday was high paced, manic and a bit dream like! We arrived at the minors wellfare and right in the middle of the hall we use was a full sized boxing ring complete with signs saying "please keep off!" Well that's about the same as giving a 5 year old a chocolate bar and saying - "don't eat this, just hold it till it melts!" Right away there are 3 lads climbing onto the boxing ring and one of the ladies of staff yelling and screaming and asking them if they know how to read or not. Great fun. To top it all off there was scaffolding from renovations in the hall and they had moved all the pool tables and table tennis tables that we use into a heap in the corner. We did our best to try to sort everything and create some sort of order. Maybe next time we should try communism. The best part of the whole night though, and I'm not being sarcastic, this was awesome, was when Mike started breaking apart some of the junkier tables to make some space. At the same time Lisa was setting up another table to play a game on. One boy who was watching from the corner came over uncharateristicaly keen to help. He helped Lisa unfold a table leg and then just ripped it clean off!! Splintered the wood and bent the metal supports and all. Lisa nearly burst a gasket and had to keep a tight reign on her mouth as she turned bright red and yelled "WHAT ARE YOU DOING???" Well, I lost it! I literally keeled over laughing for a good 15 minutes. It was a combination of the chaos, tiredness and the look on Lisa's face. The lad stood there a bit confused and realised that Lisa was not helping Mike tear tables apart. Then the staff lady walked over viewed the scene and announced in a rather harsh, barking tone "well you've broken it now!" which made me laugh all the more. Oh it was good! It made my whole week. By the end I was ready to collapse on the couch at home and for some reason craving a good steak! I was quite happy to find out that Anna and Tim were going to be cooking steak for supper when I got in...honestly sometimes there's nothing like a nice piece of steak (enter Tim Taylor laugh from Home Improvement). I think steak is working it's way up to the top of my favourite food's list.
Saturday was a work meeting from 10 - 4. It was fairly productive but took a out a lot of mental energy.
Sunday was church and then I read my book in the afternoon. The evening was the town bonfire night and fireworks to celebrate the failed attempt to assainate the British Parliament 400 years ago by Guy Fox. He hid a load of barrels in the cellar under parliament and intended to blow it sky high because he was a Catholic and the King at the time was a Protestant. Fortunately someone was tipped off, Parliament was saved, and Guy Fox and his buddies were executed. I think I was told they were hung, drawn and quartered - mmmm pleasent- but I think that being burnt must have something to do with it as well because people burn replicas of Guy Fox in their bonfires. What a great holiday!
Anyway I think on that pleasent note I may head back to my bed and try to get some sleep!
At least my insomnia has been useful in supplying you Canadians out there with some history about England that you may not have known!
Friday, November 04, 2005
Computers, Youth Work and Mutant Blood
I thought that maybe I would try something different today. I thought that instead of having a well thought out post with a specific topic, I'd just start typing and see what came up with. So please join me on a journey through my thoughts!
Ever wonder if typing on a keyboard has taken away the art of the written language? Sometimes I think that. It's so convenient and easy and if you get the knack of touch typing it's a lot faster than writing things down on paper. But as someone who enjoyed making my notes neat and tidy in high school, and who is fascinated with calligraphy and old school writing from back in the day, I wonder if we've lost something to the clickety-clack of the keyboard...Just something to ponder I guess. I'm sure that I could get into some rant about how society today is being lost to the age of the computer and technology etc, but I don't think that I'm going to go there. I will admit that I'm someone who can type pretty darn fast on the computer and it always feels impressive to start typing away and wow everyone in the room with my impressive skills. I have my PLM class in grade 9 to thank for that! PLM stands for Personal Life Management and it was this naff class where you learned about random things like how to make decisions, personal hygiene and of course how to type on a computer keyboard. I suppose it wasn't completely useless because here I am typing away, impressing people left and right!
I'm the only one in the building at the moment. Well aside from the decorator who I nearly ran over this morning. He was painting behind the other side of the door which I didn't know and so when I walked in I heard this banging and a bit of a shout. He just laughed which is a good thing. He seems like a pretty jolly fellow, he must enjoy his profession, we need more decorators like him in the world.
Tonight we have a youth club to go to and it's my turn to do the "talk." The theme which I am going to be talking about is either The Bible, or the Holy Spirit. I'm not sure which one because someone's scribbled out the topics and re-written them. Either way it's always a challenge at this particular club because none of the kids are churched and there is only 10 minutes at the end of the club to try and get the talk in. As well they are usually loud and hyper and a bit rough around the edges so half the time you're telling them to be quiet...Please, and the other half you're trying to talk about God. It's very interesting and it makes you wonder at times whether or not they're actually hearing anything you actually say. One evening one boy was bullying one of the younger boys and pushed him over. Let's call them Jim and William. William came to the table where I was playing a game with some others and burst into tears. I comforted him and then got him settled into the game we were playing and then went to see Mike about Jim. Mike went to speak with Jim and then came back to William to announce that Jim was ready to apologize so William went with Mike. While Jim was apologizing something caught Mike's attention and while Mike wasn't looking Jim started giving William the finger while very sweetly saying he was sorry. William just came back to the table with a sigh an continued playing the game. But I had seen the whole thing so I once again went and reported to Mike about Jim's apology. Mike confronted Jim who started yelling and denying the whole thing. When Mike told him that I had seen him give the finger he started yelling at me and cussing at me. I was then his target from that moment on and was constantly dodging pencils that were chucked at my head. SIGH! Youth work sure has it's moments!
I actually did something social last night! After youth group I went out with some of the older youth for a drink. It was nice to hang out with them and just talk about whatever. I've really missed going out while I've been over here. It's not that it's impossible, it's just that there's really a lack of young adults my age to hang out with, they're all away at University. That's one of the things I miss about Canada the most, the friends that I have back there. One of the other problems is that I do not work regular hours. Sometimes I work weekends and evenings because of youth events such as youth alpha and our youth services and tomorrow we have a "vision planning day" for 6 hours. There is a lot of time and effort that goes into being a youth worker and it overlaps quite a lot with your personal life.
I'm trying to think if there are any other interesting stories that I can share...Well my brother and I decided that there is mutant blood in our family. For starters who has a last name like Mosher?? Now, I googled Mosher and apparently there are a lot out there especially in the States, but throughout all of my child hood years I only ever met one person who had the same last name and that was when we were in Thompson. Other then that we were always one of a kind. Secondly there is an unusual behavioral disorder in my family called insanity. As individuals we are fairly tame although still distinctly unusual but when we get together as a family madness reigns. The only theory we could come up with is that our parents must carry mutant blood and have passed it down into us kids. I will never forget the day I came home for lunch and my mother (she rocks) started dancing around the kitchen with an empty jar of salsa singing "my name is picante salsa"...yep mutant blood is the only explanation I can think of. I think most of the mutant blood was distributed amongst the males in my family. I will admit to the occasional weird streak but my weirdness is nothing compared to my brothers...Oh the inhumanity of it all! I have stories...stories that are sworn to secrecy and must remain locked in the family vault of knowledge...If you people out there only knew! I think Tanys must have a pretty good idea since she married one of my brothers, now her kids will have mutant blood in them as well. I guess that's the price she paid!
Anyway I am going to get working on my talk for tonight, Lisa has come in and told me that I can just pick a topic because we've gotten them out of order.
Until my next ramble
JMo out!
Ever wonder if typing on a keyboard has taken away the art of the written language? Sometimes I think that. It's so convenient and easy and if you get the knack of touch typing it's a lot faster than writing things down on paper. But as someone who enjoyed making my notes neat and tidy in high school, and who is fascinated with calligraphy and old school writing from back in the day, I wonder if we've lost something to the clickety-clack of the keyboard...Just something to ponder I guess. I'm sure that I could get into some rant about how society today is being lost to the age of the computer and technology etc, but I don't think that I'm going to go there. I will admit that I'm someone who can type pretty darn fast on the computer and it always feels impressive to start typing away and wow everyone in the room with my impressive skills. I have my PLM class in grade 9 to thank for that! PLM stands for Personal Life Management and it was this naff class where you learned about random things like how to make decisions, personal hygiene and of course how to type on a computer keyboard. I suppose it wasn't completely useless because here I am typing away, impressing people left and right!
I'm the only one in the building at the moment. Well aside from the decorator who I nearly ran over this morning. He was painting behind the other side of the door which I didn't know and so when I walked in I heard this banging and a bit of a shout. He just laughed which is a good thing. He seems like a pretty jolly fellow, he must enjoy his profession, we need more decorators like him in the world.
Tonight we have a youth club to go to and it's my turn to do the "talk." The theme which I am going to be talking about is either The Bible, or the Holy Spirit. I'm not sure which one because someone's scribbled out the topics and re-written them. Either way it's always a challenge at this particular club because none of the kids are churched and there is only 10 minutes at the end of the club to try and get the talk in. As well they are usually loud and hyper and a bit rough around the edges so half the time you're telling them to be quiet...Please, and the other half you're trying to talk about God. It's very interesting and it makes you wonder at times whether or not they're actually hearing anything you actually say. One evening one boy was bullying one of the younger boys and pushed him over. Let's call them Jim and William. William came to the table where I was playing a game with some others and burst into tears. I comforted him and then got him settled into the game we were playing and then went to see Mike about Jim. Mike went to speak with Jim and then came back to William to announce that Jim was ready to apologize so William went with Mike. While Jim was apologizing something caught Mike's attention and while Mike wasn't looking Jim started giving William the finger while very sweetly saying he was sorry. William just came back to the table with a sigh an continued playing the game. But I had seen the whole thing so I once again went and reported to Mike about Jim's apology. Mike confronted Jim who started yelling and denying the whole thing. When Mike told him that I had seen him give the finger he started yelling at me and cussing at me. I was then his target from that moment on and was constantly dodging pencils that were chucked at my head. SIGH! Youth work sure has it's moments!
I actually did something social last night! After youth group I went out with some of the older youth for a drink. It was nice to hang out with them and just talk about whatever. I've really missed going out while I've been over here. It's not that it's impossible, it's just that there's really a lack of young adults my age to hang out with, they're all away at University. That's one of the things I miss about Canada the most, the friends that I have back there. One of the other problems is that I do not work regular hours. Sometimes I work weekends and evenings because of youth events such as youth alpha and our youth services and tomorrow we have a "vision planning day" for 6 hours. There is a lot of time and effort that goes into being a youth worker and it overlaps quite a lot with your personal life.
I'm trying to think if there are any other interesting stories that I can share...Well my brother and I decided that there is mutant blood in our family. For starters who has a last name like Mosher?? Now, I googled Mosher and apparently there are a lot out there especially in the States, but throughout all of my child hood years I only ever met one person who had the same last name and that was when we were in Thompson. Other then that we were always one of a kind. Secondly there is an unusual behavioral disorder in my family called insanity. As individuals we are fairly tame although still distinctly unusual but when we get together as a family madness reigns. The only theory we could come up with is that our parents must carry mutant blood and have passed it down into us kids. I will never forget the day I came home for lunch and my mother (she rocks) started dancing around the kitchen with an empty jar of salsa singing "my name is picante salsa"...yep mutant blood is the only explanation I can think of. I think most of the mutant blood was distributed amongst the males in my family. I will admit to the occasional weird streak but my weirdness is nothing compared to my brothers...Oh the inhumanity of it all! I have stories...stories that are sworn to secrecy and must remain locked in the family vault of knowledge...If you people out there only knew! I think Tanys must have a pretty good idea since she married one of my brothers, now her kids will have mutant blood in them as well. I guess that's the price she paid!
Anyway I am going to get working on my talk for tonight, Lisa has come in and told me that I can just pick a topic because we've gotten them out of order.
Until my next ramble
JMo out!
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Even Then
Nichole Nordeman
It's a fear that keeps me wide awake
In the middle of the night
When the expectations are too great and the bar gets raised too high.
So I do the best with what I've got
And hope that no one knows
That I strain to see how high I can
Try to stand on these toes
Until I'm measure, but you know better
So thank You, Jesus
Even when You see us just as we are
Fragile and frail and so far from who we want to be
So thank You, Jesus
Even when the pieces are broken and small
Dreams shatter and scatter like the wind
Thank You even then
So I put aside the masquerade
And admit that I am not okay
Which may not be the thing to say, but I'm not ashamed to need you
More each day
We raise the standard and try to reach YouBut we'll never make it, and we don't need to...
So thank You, Jesus
Even when You see us just as we are
Fragile and frail and so far from who we want to be
So thank You, Jesus
Even when the pieces are broken and small
Dreams shatter and scatter like the wind
Thank You even then
Nichole Nordeman
It's a fear that keeps me wide awake
In the middle of the night
When the expectations are too great and the bar gets raised too high.
So I do the best with what I've got
And hope that no one knows
That I strain to see how high I can
Try to stand on these toes
Until I'm measure, but you know better
So thank You, Jesus
Even when You see us just as we are
Fragile and frail and so far from who we want to be
So thank You, Jesus
Even when the pieces are broken and small
Dreams shatter and scatter like the wind
Thank You even then
So I put aside the masquerade
And admit that I am not okay
Which may not be the thing to say, but I'm not ashamed to need you
More each day
We raise the standard and try to reach YouBut we'll never make it, and we don't need to...
So thank You, Jesus
Even when You see us just as we are
Fragile and frail and so far from who we want to be
So thank You, Jesus
Even when the pieces are broken and small
Dreams shatter and scatter like the wind
Thank You even then
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Pieces of Wisdom
Last week I went Tamworth and was able to visit the lovely friends that I have down there. It was great fun and nice to get away from work for a bit. I was able to do some shopping, see some films and I even went bowling one evening (without disaster for those of you who know the secret of my grade 8 past)
While in Tamworth I also learned some valuable pieces of wisdom which I'm sure I will carry with me in life forever more:
1. 4 out of 5 people find my honey trap lip balm revolting the 4 of the 5 being males
2. Washing your hands in the middle of the night is not a good idea as you may knock the toothbrush holder into the sink and break it
3. Wine is much more bearable if you are tired.
(to clarify any confusion regarding that statement, Fiona took me to a Dorothy Perkins ladies night where we shopped after hours and they served wine while you wandered the store. I usually can't stand the taste of wine but having dozed off in the car on the way my taste buds weren't fully functioning and it didn't taste as horrible as i usually find it)
4. You have to be very careful when using certain words that could double as an innuendo, especially around English people because they will automatically pick up the innuendo and think that's what you meant!
5. Always make sure that your young persons rail card is up to date when traveling on the train!
While in Tamworth I also learned some valuable pieces of wisdom which I'm sure I will carry with me in life forever more:
1. 4 out of 5 people find my honey trap lip balm revolting the 4 of the 5 being males
2. Washing your hands in the middle of the night is not a good idea as you may knock the toothbrush holder into the sink and break it
3. Wine is much more bearable if you are tired.
(to clarify any confusion regarding that statement, Fiona took me to a Dorothy Perkins ladies night where we shopped after hours and they served wine while you wandered the store. I usually can't stand the taste of wine but having dozed off in the car on the way my taste buds weren't fully functioning and it didn't taste as horrible as i usually find it)
4. You have to be very careful when using certain words that could double as an innuendo, especially around English people because they will automatically pick up the innuendo and think that's what you meant!
5. Always make sure that your young persons rail card is up to date when traveling on the train!
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