One More Roommate..

Ok seriously there has to be one of you lovely readers who wants and can live with me next year. C'mon you know you want to. So just let me know ASAP so we can hook it up. I seriously don't want to move again (it would be the 7th time in 4 years). I'm getting selfish here, having one more roommate would make my life and Jo's life a lot easier! Do it!

Being Friends With Me...

I am a strange one. I am often convinced that my brain doesn't work the same way that everybody else's does. Or maybe it is my lack of adherence to social boundaries. Who knows? I would like to say thanks to those of you in blog land who are friends with me. I know it isn't easy. I'm so up and down and needy and then independent. Fricking me. How do you do it? Really, I'm not a big fan of myself and I struggle to understand what you guys see in me. I understand the need for a good laugh now and then, but there are lots of people who can do that for you. Why not dispense of me? I'm demanding, loud, boorish, obnoxious, consistently inconsistent, moody, starting but not finishing, a leech, unskilled, lazy, ignorant, greasy, overweight, unhealthy, a drama queen, a crisis junky...i could go on. So thanks for showing that Christian principle of loving those who are hard to love.

One of my Mom's cats is scary...

My Mom has this cat. Her name is Abby. She is little. She is black and she has lots and lots of hair. Or fur, whatever you want to call it. She also has the hugest eyes ever. I really mean ever. I bet that when she dies if we took her for an autopsy they would pop out her eyes and scream and shout and call the World Record Book people and her eyes would be preserved in Geneva for all to see.

The cat uses these eyes to see things. She looks like an owl. Especially when she slits her eyes. When she looks like an owl she also looks really scary. There is all of this fur, and then these big slits. I get pretty freaked out. I've been trying to read articles about Gen 3 on the livingroom floor all morning but Abby is sleeping in the chair above me. She keeps looking at me. I think she is trying to curse me and my children and my children's children. Scary, really scary. I like it when she actually sleeps because then she isn't looking at my soul.

Easter

I am thankful. I am rejoicing.

Mercy and Love

I was talking with a younger friend of mine who is quite passionate about Christ and frequently has more insight than I think she realizes. She was speaking about having just reread the Contemporary Testimony for class. It got her thinking.

She was talking to me about how all of our gifts, our lives, everything about us does not belong to us. That we speak of giving God our lives and such but that our lives already belong to God. That the only thing we have to give that is truly ours is the need for mercy. We were struck by the image of seeing ourselves kneeling before the cross and crying out for a mercy that we don't deserve.

This got me thinking about love. Is love ours to give or is it something that we receive from God and we return some of it back to him and distribute the rest? Your insight and thoughts are welcome....

Memories

I heard some radio ads that reminded me of this post from last year.

Baseball

If you're interested or know anything about baseball you might think it is pretty cool that my younger brother, John will be playing in the Metrodome in Minnesota this Wednesday.

Auto Pilot

Me: Hy God
God: Hey, I didn't think I was ever going to get a chance to talk to you.
Me: Huh? I talk to you every day.
God. I said I didn't that think I was going to get a chance to talk to you. You always seem to do the talking.
Me: You're right. Sorry about that.
God: Its ok, I forgive you.
Me: Thanks.
God: So how are you doing?
Me: Don't you know already?
God: Yes, but I want to hear in your words how you feel.
Me: Umm, ok, well I guess I'm still really tired. I feel drained. I guess, I guess I feel like I'm on auto pilot.
God: Bingo!
Me: What?
God: Baby, you've been on auto pilot for the past two months. Sure you talk with/to me every morning and during the day, but its the same old stuff. I'm only getting part of you. The same is with your friends. You've probably only been totally honest with one of your friends in the past month and half. And when you were honest about how you were feeling you started to cry. Of course you stopped yourself from crying because you don't cry.
Me: Uh..
God: I want to see all of you. Everyone wants to see all of you. Even if that you is tired and cranky. I love the joyful, full of energy you, but if that isn't what is on your heart that is ok. And its ok to take a few weeks to get over all of the stuff that has been going on lately and that is continuing to happen.
Me: I...
God: Shhhh. Rest in me. I will fill you. Ask me, please just ask me. I'm here for you. And so are your friends. Ask for a massage, ask to go out for tea, ask to be left alone. Ok?
Me: Yeah.
God: I love you.
Me: I love you too.

I need roomates or something...

Ok, so the R.A thing didn't work out. My landlord told me tonight that I could live her again and that he would keep the rent at the same rate. Whoot! This leads to a need...roomates. I need 2. Or I need a spectacular place to live for at least a year.

The specs on my house:

• 3.5 min drive from RUC
• 5 min to Walmart
• 1 min to 403
• 5 min to Ancaster shopping centre
• 5 min to Meadowlands
• has a fire place
• three bedrooms
• amazing landlord and his beautiful wife live in the basement
• lots of windows
• clean
• neat carpet
• at the end of a cul-de-sac
• 85% furnished
• 309$ a month plus utilities

let me know if you are interested or know of someone who is.

St. Patrick.....green beer?

Patrick, Saint (389?-461?), called the Apostle of Ireland, Christian prelate. His birthplace is uncertain, but it was probably in southwestern Britain; his British name was Succat. At 16 years of age he was carried off by Irish marauders and passed his captivity as a herdsman near the mountain Slemish in county Antrim (according to tradition) or in county Connacht. The young herdsman saw visions in which he was urged to escape, and after six years of slavery he did so, to the northern coast of Gaul. Ordained a priest, possibly by Saint Germanus, at Auxerre, he returned to Ireland. Sometime after 431, Patrick was appointed successor to St. Palladius, first bishop of Ireland. Patrick concentrated on the west and north of Ireland, establishing his see at Armagh. Patrick's two surviving works are written in Latin and demonstrate his acquaintance with the Vulgate translation of the Bible. In one of these works, the Confessions, Patrick portrays himself as an ignorant yokel in an unequal contest with the powerful and learned adherents of Pelagianism. His reported use of the shamrock as an illustration of the Trinity led to its being regarded as the Irish national symbol. A strange chant of his, called the Lorica, is preserved in the Liber Hymnorum (Book of Hymns), and what purports to have been a handbell he used during Mass is shown in the National Museum in Dublin. His traditional feast day is March 17.
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Interviewed By The Queen of HOT!

Interview questions provided by Naomi

1. What is your favourite thing to do when you have a day off?

I sing and cook. Like today; I've had to house to myself for a good chunk of the day and my guitar is busted out and I've been prancing about the livingroom singing my silly face off. I've also been cleaning my room and singing along with some of my favourite CDs. I also love to have the time to make food. Like today; there are banana chocolate chip bran muffins in the oven right now.

2. Why are you a singer and songwriter?

Short answer: because that is how God made me. Longer answer: I love to sing. I have loved to sing as long as I've been able to sing. I love to sing for other people, I love to sing for myself. But sometimes the songs of others are not the songs of my heart. So the need to write was birthed out of the need for specific expression. I also have this thing where I butcher everybody else's music on the guitar so there was a necessity there too.

3. If you could choose anywhere in the world to live,where would it be?

Portugal. It is in Europe, it is warm and it is by the water.

4. What has God been teaching you about himself lately?

That he is faithful. He has shown me through the blessings he has poured over my family this winter, through his word that i have been learning about in school and through the lives of my friends. I expressed a little bit of that here. He has provided so many things for my family this winter as we have been going through a rough patch. He provided neighbours with food, Godly people encouraging us, a quick medical process, a great surgeon and a great surgery, schedule allowances, financial allowances and endless resources. And not one bit of it is because I deserve it. I continue to sin through all of it and he continues to love. He is faithful.

5. What do you think beauty is?

Naomi Biesheuvel.

___________________________________________________
Anyone else interested? Send me a note or leave a comment.
Here's the rules.
1. Leave me a comment saying "interview me." The first five commentators will be the participants.
2. I will respond by asking you five questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions. (Write your own questions or borrow some.)

Choir Tour Photos

These are from Kari's camera. There is an extended section that might give evidence to why i shouldn't own a digi cam.

http://community.webshots.com/user/jazzlilly

The album for tour photos is called Yes.

Nachos

Does anyone want to go out for Brassie's nachos tomorrow night. I'm in the prayer room from 9-10pm but we could go after that. Let me know.

Catching Up

Its been a long time since we chatted you and I. I'm sorry about that. I've been really busy. I know that isn't an excuse. You deserve better for all the time you give me and for being so nice. I will try to do better.

It looks like the excitement with my Mom is just about done. She is resting at home and in good spirits. She has some hefty drugs and instructions for a good recovery. She is able to walk around though stairs pose her some challenge. That will come though. God has been good to her and our family through all of this. I am blessed to have friends like you praying for her and for us. Thank you.

Not too much is actually new with me. School is going well. It is really busy this year. There is so much work to do. I haven't seen the inside of a bar in weeks. That is a good thing. I have been challenged and tamed by the work load and my determination not to fail any more classes. The rest of my activities are going well. Tannis and I have been making big leaps in my voice lessons and I am really glad I took them again this semester. Choir has been super busy this semester. I thought there would be a little more breathing room between tour and our Spring Concert, but I feel like there isn't. Church In the Box has been really enriching and butt kicking for me. Being on both the prayer and drama teams makes things busy but I'm glad to be on them. I'm really inspired by some of the people I've been working with this year. I have also started mentoring someone this semester. She's really cool. It has been a real challenge for me at times. More butt kicking I guess.

Work at the Pit remains the same. It is always changing and always staying the same. We got whole wheat pitas this fall and a brand new pita too. The staff we have this year is great and they are easy to work with. Better than last year's I would say. Unfortunately I am a manager now. That means that I'm doing a weeknight close every week. This semester it is Tuesdays. Every Tuesday I have all 5 of my classes plus choir. I start at 6:45am (for 8am class) and my last class ends at 10pm. Then I zoom home, change my clothes and rush to work. I am there until anywhere between 3:15am and 4:30am depending on cleaning. I come home, I collapse, I hate Tuesdays.

Well friend, I had better get on with it. Send me a line and let me know how you're doing.

Oh Marleah

Lisa: do you want this?
Marleah: what is it?
Lisa: its a key chain.
Marleah: what do you do with it?
Lisa: you put keys on it.

These guys make me want to stick it out for the rest of my Redeemer education. I mean, look at how smart they are....

Disappointing

Well, I got a notice in my mailbox on Thursday stating that my GPA is too low to be considered for an R.A. position. I cried. Very disappointing news. I hate it when my past mistakes catch up with me like that.

Gorked

Yesterday was a good day for Mom. She was much more alert, she ate three meals (and kept them down) she had a shower (with a nurse) and after supper she (with Dad and I on either side) went for a walk! She walked to the end of her hall and back! Whoot!

She got a new roommate. The roommate fell yesterday morning and broke her leg in 3 places and is awaiting surgery. She was in a lot of pain last night and vomitting so they drugged her up a lot. We asked the nurse a few questions about the roommate after she had received all the drugs. The nurse told us that the roommate wouldn't be a problem as she was gorked (aka drugged up!). The nurse explained that gorked is of course a medical term.

I need to shower so we can go back to K-town.

At Home

Hy,
I beat my Dad home last night. He spent the day in Kingston with Mom. She was in good spirits. They had some trouble with her IV and finding veins so she's getting morphine shots in the arm! They got her washed and brushed which made her feel better. The nurses also got her sitting upright. She was pretty light headed so that didn't last too long. The Dr was in and wasn't too impressed that she wasn't up already. He doesn't know my Mom too well. I love the woman but she is a wuss.

Dad and I are going to head to Kingston after breakfast and spend the day there. I'll let you guys know if there is anything of note that goes on.

Thanks again for your support. It means a lot to me and my family.

Mom

Dad just called. He said that Mom is out and the surgery went well. The surgeon found a nobule (which he removed) and a herniated disc (which he fixed) while he was in there. He said those were likely significant contributers to the pain (duh). He also said that she will experience a period of muscle soreness as her muscles and such adjust to the changes.

Thank you all so much for your prayers!

I'm exhausted and longing for nachos.

Keeping you updated

Mom did not get bumped. Her surgery is at 2:45pm today. It is expected to last around 3 hours with a couple hours of recovery. If you're in the Redeemer area and you feel like praying about this some people will be meeting at 3pm to do just that. We'll be above the art gallery at Redeemer.


On a completely different (and irreverent) note: a girl came into the Pit last night wearing a very plunging v-neck shirt. The short and long of it was that we could plainly see both of her nipples. Yuck!