So. This semester I took a class I shouldn't have taken. It was waaaaay out of my league. Well... more accurately it was in a completely different league than I am in. In more ways than one. I must not be the only one feeling this way, as our prof, often commented about how he has never had such a low average in his class. (My lowest mark of all time... somehow still made it above the class average! Whats the deal!) I literally thought for sure I was going to fail (I suppose I still might... I technically haven't gotten the mark back). Today. I wrote the final. I have never felt so... unprepared after so much studying... for any other exam. I was convinced it was going to be worse than worse. Somehow when I entered that gymnasium lined with rows and rows and rows of desks... I was going to disintegrate... or combust... or a hole in the floor was going to eat me up...
Now. I must pause to tell you. This prof... has his quirks. He likes to bust out jokes quite frequently (particularly against university of calgary grades)... that often are... well... they are what they are I suppose. Sometimes we laughed, sometimes we didn't. (I more often not than the rest of the class I think).
Well. After nearly failing both midterms. This prof was convinced he needed to do something different to raise the class average. A change in teaching style perhaps (though if that is what he chose... I certainly did not take not of any differences...), a ridiculous final exam maybe?... Yes. That would be what he would choose.
This is the exam I DREADED with a dread I have never ever felt towards a final exam ever.
Can I give you an example (or maybe even 2) of the craziness of this final...
Question... ("note consider the following two questions together")
Question 1
In north american society people have green pine trees inside their houses on the shortest day of the year. This is because
a) the shortest day of the year causes pine trees to grow inside peoples houses
b) having a green tree inside people's houses causes the shortest day of the year
c) both a and b
d) neither a or b; they are both caused by some other 3rd factor
e) they are University of Calgary grads
Question 2
High interests rates are prevalent during a recession because (or some other econ-speak variation of this question i can't remember)
a) high interest rates cause recession
b) recession causes high interest rates
c) both a and b
d) neither a or b; they are both caused by some other 3rd factor
e) they are University of Calgary grads
Some other possible choices for other questions
e) because chickens started producing buffalo wings
b) university of calgary grads are running the government
the rest of the questions that had answers that made sense... still most had one very obviously right answer... (well... here's hoping anyways! Maybe I just thought they were more obvious than he usually has them...)
Anyways. I just wanted to give you a small taste as to what I experienced today. Just try to imagine your hardest the stress and dread I was feeling... and then writing a test with questions like that...
It. was. interesting.
But. I suppose I passed? That's all that matters at this point right? .... Right?
December 17, 2010
December 12, 2010
re-challenge
have you ever accidentally encouraged yourself?
i do that sometimes.
reading an old journal entry. or an old blog entry. suddenly... i am reteaching myself.
i found this tonight.
"how many times a day do I say ‘ I wish I was bolder ‘. Not even about being… bolder… but doing bolder things. Like hanging out with the joyful blind lady who was selling jewelry in a little strip mall. Or sitting near someone on a bus and starting a conversation. Those moments that someday would make a great story. I always think about wanting more of those. Yet… I keep to myself, and if I have nothing better to do, I spend my day on the internet. Lame? I think so. So… I am challenging myself… publicly… to be BOLD. and stop wasting so much of my day on facebook (I am surprised facebook is still being underlined in the little red squiggly line). So maybe… someday… sooner than later… I will have some stories to share. That’s that."
this was posted one Dec 18, 2009. almost exactly a year ago.
and i wonder.
have i been bolder?
i suppose in some ways i have. i do have a couple extra stories to tell here and there. but... i definitely don't think i am near what i hoped i would be.
so. i guess. this is a re-challenge.
join me?
i do that sometimes.
reading an old journal entry. or an old blog entry. suddenly... i am reteaching myself.
i found this tonight.
"how many times a day do I say ‘ I wish I was bolder ‘. Not even about being… bolder… but doing bolder things. Like hanging out with the joyful blind lady who was selling jewelry in a little strip mall. Or sitting near someone on a bus and starting a conversation. Those moments that someday would make a great story. I always think about wanting more of those. Yet… I keep to myself, and if I have nothing better to do, I spend my day on the internet. Lame? I think so. So… I am challenging myself… publicly… to be BOLD. and stop wasting so much of my day on facebook (I am surprised facebook is still being underlined in the little red squiggly line). So maybe… someday… sooner than later… I will have some stories to share. That’s that."
this was posted one Dec 18, 2009. almost exactly a year ago.
and i wonder.
have i been bolder?
i suppose in some ways i have. i do have a couple extra stories to tell here and there. but... i definitely don't think i am near what i hoped i would be.
so. i guess. this is a re-challenge.
join me?
December 10, 2010
the post you've all been waiting for (including myself)
alright.
the wait is finally over.
I can FINALLY reveal what it is I have been blogging about so cryptically!
as some of you may or may not know... just about 2 months ago I did something random, and spontaneous... I applied for an internship with invisible children. I knew applying was a bit of a stretch... there was a lot to figure out... and not a lot of time to do it...particularly when it came to knowing if I could do it for school credit (as it turns out I could). But then... I had an interview... and then... I made it to the second interview...
However... the wait is over.. and I did not get the internship.
Some of you are probably wondering what this internship was? Well... let me just tell you! I was planning on being 'a roadie'. Which basically entails one month of training in San Diego (hence the palm trees in an earlier post), and then 3 months on the road with a small handful of other people... travelling across the states (17 teams total) Hosting screenings of the updated documentary for Invisible Children. Raising awareness. Raising funds. And inspiring young people to be a part of change that is outside of themselves.
They did affirm that I made it to their top applicants, but because for my qualifications (a female, non-driver.... need a US license to drive)... there were only TWO positions... it made it a little complicated to choose from the oodles of highly qualified people...and thus... I did not make it. Which... I totally understand! And I am SOOO glad the wait is over.
I would have loved it. It would have been hard. But... I know this... because I did not get the internship... it just means that God has something so much better for me this next season.
This is the video I made for part of the application process. (You'll have to click the link to youtube... I don't know how to post the video on here from youtube... and I lost the finished copy somewhere in my computer... odd) (p.s all the shots were taken/filmed by caroline... doesn't she have awesome skillz!)
Thank you soooo much to everyone who was praying with me and encouraging me through this LONG and STRESSFUL process!! Love you guys soooo much. And I am excited to see what is next!!!
the wait is finally over.
I can FINALLY reveal what it is I have been blogging about so cryptically!
as some of you may or may not know... just about 2 months ago I did something random, and spontaneous... I applied for an internship with invisible children. I knew applying was a bit of a stretch... there was a lot to figure out... and not a lot of time to do it...particularly when it came to knowing if I could do it for school credit (as it turns out I could). But then... I had an interview... and then... I made it to the second interview...
However... the wait is over.. and I did not get the internship.
Some of you are probably wondering what this internship was? Well... let me just tell you! I was planning on being 'a roadie'. Which basically entails one month of training in San Diego (hence the palm trees in an earlier post), and then 3 months on the road with a small handful of other people... travelling across the states (17 teams total) Hosting screenings of the updated documentary for Invisible Children. Raising awareness. Raising funds. And inspiring young people to be a part of change that is outside of themselves.
They did affirm that I made it to their top applicants, but because for my qualifications (a female, non-driver.... need a US license to drive)... there were only TWO positions... it made it a little complicated to choose from the oodles of highly qualified people...and thus... I did not make it. Which... I totally understand! And I am SOOO glad the wait is over.
I would have loved it. It would have been hard. But... I know this... because I did not get the internship... it just means that God has something so much better for me this next season.
This is the video I made for part of the application process. (You'll have to click the link to youtube... I don't know how to post the video on here from youtube... and I lost the finished copy somewhere in my computer... odd) (p.s all the shots were taken/filmed by caroline... doesn't she have awesome skillz!)
Thank you soooo much to everyone who was praying with me and encouraging me through this LONG and STRESSFUL process!! Love you guys soooo much. And I am excited to see what is next!!!
December 8, 2010
misleading... my bad
As some of you may know, I do not always have the best hearing skills (and yes I mean hearing... my listening skills are better than my hearing skills unfortunately) An early post mentioned an update for the end of the week... well... some of you also may have noticed the end of the week came and went without said update. I guess I heard the conversation wrong that resulted in that post... I guess it was to be the end of THIS week. so. Friday. the 10th. Hopefully. Is THE day.
until then.
I am learning to be content with today. And really really REALLY trying hard not to live in the future... or possible futures...
So. I guess. Unless I come up with some other random post... I will post on Friday!
until then.
I am learning to be content with today. And really really REALLY trying hard not to live in the future... or possible futures...
So. I guess. Unless I come up with some other random post... I will post on Friday!
December 3, 2010
just ask my roommate
Anyone who lives around me can tell you that I LOVE squash. I have no idea why my mother never made squash while we were growing up... it is soooo easy... and sooo delicious.... and sooo versatile.
Since I discovered squash (recently) I have made it more times than I can count. I thought I would share with you a list of the different ways I've made it.
Spaghetti Squash (still the running favourite)
- with a meat sauce (of all sorts of varieties
- in a stir fry (i did it with a bit of honey garlic
- plain
- as a snack with butter and salt
- as a side dish instead of rice
- with fried chicken, onions, garlic, and a potato soup sauce
- with lemon pepper (who could forget the lemon pepper! also a recent obsession of mine... just ask my roommate)
Acorn Squash
- stuffed with a bean/brown sugar/bbq sauce mix (better than it sounds!!)
- plain!
- as a dessert with brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter
- just with butter and a bit of salt
- my roommate made it with a delicious meat stuffing with some sort of delicious sauce
Butternut Squash
- invented an apple curry recipe to eat with rice.
to name a few :)
Since I discovered squash (recently) I have made it more times than I can count. I thought I would share with you a list of the different ways I've made it.
Spaghetti Squash (still the running favourite)
- with a meat sauce (of all sorts of varieties
- in a stir fry (i did it with a bit of honey garlic
- plain
- as a snack with butter and salt
- as a side dish instead of rice
- with fried chicken, onions, garlic, and a potato soup sauce
- with lemon pepper (who could forget the lemon pepper! also a recent obsession of mine... just ask my roommate)
Acorn Squash
- stuffed with a bean/brown sugar/bbq sauce mix (better than it sounds!!)
- plain!
- as a dessert with brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter
- just with butter and a bit of salt
- my roommate made it with a delicious meat stuffing with some sort of delicious sauce
Butternut Squash
- invented an apple curry recipe to eat with rice.
to name a few :)
December 1, 2010
youth ministry: an observation
So, as some of you know, I am a youth leader at my current church. I co-lead a small group of 6 wonderful junior high girls whom I adore to pieces. I also lead youth at my old Church back in the Hat, and I adore each and everyone of them to pieces too! I have always been so encouraged and so blessed by each one in so many different ways.
I have been doing this for....5ish years now. I started leading a group in my grade 12 year. And I did some random other stuff before too with Drama (Which can I just say... I miss doing drama stuff IMMENSELY!! Someday. I will do it again.)
Anyways. My observation about youth ministry came out of the ongoing.... struggle? (there is another word I want to put there... but can't seem to find it). of "figuring out" youth ministry. How to make it 'work' the best. To get the youth to be the most engaged, and the most challenged, and growing the most..
You leaders you know what I am talking about.
Each week is VASTLY different. One week... amazing conversation and deep questions.... next week... off the walls can't get anything out or in that is remotely related to the decided on topic.... next week... deep questions in the same breath as out of the blue random to do with nothing questions... next week... silence....
I dont get it.
TONS of books have been written on Youth Ministry... a couple of which I have read (and find quite useful)
But if I were to write a book.
This is what it would say.
Youth Ministry - An Observation
- the all you need to know guide to youth ministry -
page 1.
There are no tricks to youth ministry. You cannot/will not "figure it out"
page 2.
Stop trying.
page 3.
Start loving.
page 4
the end.
this would be my cover picture...
(the most common look you will see on me after a night with the youth)
I have been doing this for....5ish years now. I started leading a group in my grade 12 year. And I did some random other stuff before too with Drama (Which can I just say... I miss doing drama stuff IMMENSELY!! Someday. I will do it again.)
Anyways. My observation about youth ministry came out of the ongoing.... struggle? (there is another word I want to put there... but can't seem to find it). of "figuring out" youth ministry. How to make it 'work' the best. To get the youth to be the most engaged, and the most challenged, and growing the most..
You leaders you know what I am talking about.
Each week is VASTLY different. One week... amazing conversation and deep questions.... next week... off the walls can't get anything out or in that is remotely related to the decided on topic.... next week... deep questions in the same breath as out of the blue random to do with nothing questions... next week... silence....
I dont get it.
TONS of books have been written on Youth Ministry... a couple of which I have read (and find quite useful)
But if I were to write a book.
This is what it would say.
Youth Ministry - An Observation
- the all you need to know guide to youth ministry -
page 1.
There are no tricks to youth ministry. You cannot/will not "figure it out"
page 2.
Stop trying.
page 3.
Start loving.
page 4
the end.
this would be my cover picture...
(the most common look you will see on me after a night with the youth)
Soon? I must be going crazy!
Baby step closer? I think so! Keep your eyes pealed for an update this week!!!!! This 'something exciting' is becoming a reality quicker than I had imagined!!! BAAHH. My nervous face is starting to dissipate... and is being replaced with this one..
... the 'oh my word i am so excited!!' face...
... the 'oh my word i am so excited!!' face...
November 28, 2010
sign of true friendship...
you know when you get your friends to sit on your feet to warm them up?
well... you know you have a true solid friendship when this happens...
"let me put my feet in your armpit to warm up"
"ok"
well... you know you have a true solid friendship when this happens...
"let me put my feet in your armpit to warm up"
"ok"
November 24, 2010
pending bonus.
want another hint?
this one has to do with the potential bonus of this 'something exciting'.
this....mmm... maybe not....
(there is a sad face in the fence for a reason... )(actually i think it was there naturally... by the wind... meant to be)
this... yes I think so
dont get me wrong... i do love winter... i do. it is beautiful. even if it is treacherously so. the thought of possibly skipping at least month of winter sounds quite appealing. Really who needs 5-6 full months of snow and coldness? I am ok with just one or two thanks.
i would also like to point out this is not part of my motivation for this 'something exciting' whatsoever... just a possible added bonus.
I will also tell you. I will be able to announce fully by December 10th.
this one has to do with the potential bonus of this 'something exciting'.
this....mmm... maybe not....
(there is a sad face in the fence for a reason... )(actually i think it was there naturally... by the wind... meant to be)
this... yes I think so
dont get me wrong... i do love winter... i do. it is beautiful. even if it is treacherously so. the thought of possibly skipping at least month of winter sounds quite appealing. Really who needs 5-6 full months of snow and coldness? I am ok with just one or two thanks.
i would also like to point out this is not part of my motivation for this 'something exciting' whatsoever... just a possible added bonus.
I will also tell you. I will be able to announce fully by December 10th.
November 15, 2010
are you as antsy as I am?
i think that that would be impossible at this moment.
remember how I said there was an 11-17 percent chance this thing was happening?
well... now it is officially much much bigger! EEk! I am so excited.
There will be another update to come very shortly (hopefully).
Want another hint?
eye see.
it's kind of like one of those crazy word play game things that i dislike doing so much. some words put together that actually mean or represent something completely.
try it out.
until next time ;)
remember how I said there was an 11-17 percent chance this thing was happening?
well... now it is officially much much bigger! EEk! I am so excited.
There will be another update to come very shortly (hopefully).
Want another hint?
eye see.
it's kind of like one of those crazy word play game things that i dislike doing so much. some words put together that actually mean or represent something completely.
try it out.
until next time ;)
November 10, 2010
any day now.
remember how I told you something exciting is happening.
well.
i worked out the ratio... there is an 11 - 17 % chance of this 'something exciting' to actually happen.
my hope for this 'something exciting' to actually happen... is inversely related to the chances of it actually happening. as in... my hopes are about 83-89%.
but.
I can tell you any day now. if those chances have increased heaps or if it won't happen at all.
i am nervous.
this is my... i am so nervous face....
well.
i worked out the ratio... there is an 11 - 17 % chance of this 'something exciting' to actually happen.
my hope for this 'something exciting' to actually happen... is inversely related to the chances of it actually happening. as in... my hopes are about 83-89%.
but.
I can tell you any day now. if those chances have increased heaps or if it won't happen at all.
i am nervous.
this is my... i am so nervous face....
October 25, 2010
the suspense is killing me...
something exciting is happening...
maybe.
but I can't tell you yet.
because I don't even know yet.
BUT
when it happens... you will be the first to know... (besides my family of course!)
maybe I can give you an itty bitty hint.
.JPG)
- dont get too worried... unfortunately the 'something exciting' does not entail going back to Africa (as much as I would LOVE to go back!). BUT it maybe quite possibly has to do something with faces such as these precious ones.
i'll keep you posted.
(ps. photo credit I THINK to Brent Earwicker... one of the missionaries we connected with in Uganda)
maybe.
but I can't tell you yet.
because I don't even know yet.
BUT
when it happens... you will be the first to know... (besides my family of course!)
maybe I can give you an itty bitty hint.
.JPG)
- dont get too worried... unfortunately the 'something exciting' does not entail going back to Africa (as much as I would LOVE to go back!). BUT it maybe quite possibly has to do something with faces such as these precious ones.
i'll keep you posted.
(ps. photo credit I THINK to Brent Earwicker... one of the missionaries we connected with in Uganda)
October 19, 2010
reflections of a year gone past
i just began the beginning of my 23rd year here in this world...(as in 12 minutes ago)
funny how fast the celebration of my day of birth came and went.
i always thought i would be way further than am at 22 years old. which is cause for just a twinge of angst. but i know that where i am is where i ought to be... even if it differs from where i thought i ought to be.
6 days ago... my roommate (thanks Lanah...) pulled out my very first legit grey hair. white actually. i was a touch... mmm... what do i say... appalled?... shocked?... disappointed?... distressed... isn't 22 too early for white hairs?
a year ago... i just moved to regina... and one of my friends organized a little birthday party for me... about 10 people were
there. looking back on that day... it was kind of awkward. I mean, here all these people were celebrating my birthday and they barely knew me and i barely knew them. i had only been here for a month at that point. hardly grounds for a birthday party that large. now... these girls are some of my closest friends. (particularly lanah, who remembers the awkwardness of handing me the card she made to the girl she didn't really know... now... close friends and practically inseparable we are)
i thought i would be married and have at least one child by now. i am not. not even close.
but... i am ok with that!
it has been an amazing year. truly. incredible. i made so many new valuable friendships. and i have grown in SO many ways since last year.
kinda neat to think about.
though, i wouldnt mind a hold on those white hairs for a at least a few more years.
funny how fast the celebration of my day of birth came and went.
i always thought i would be way further than am at 22 years old. which is cause for just a twinge of angst. but i know that where i am is where i ought to be... even if it differs from where i thought i ought to be.
6 days ago... my roommate (thanks Lanah...) pulled out my very first legit grey hair. white actually. i was a touch... mmm... what do i say... appalled?... shocked?... disappointed?... distressed... isn't 22 too early for white hairs?
a year ago... i just moved to regina... and one of my friends organized a little birthday party for me... about 10 people were
there. looking back on that day... it was kind of awkward. I mean, here all these people were celebrating my birthday and they barely knew me and i barely knew them. i had only been here for a month at that point. hardly grounds for a birthday party that large. now... these girls are some of my closest friends. (particularly lanah, who remembers the awkwardness of handing me the card she made to the girl she didn't really know... now... close friends and practically inseparable we are) i thought i would be married and have at least one child by now. i am not. not even close.
but... i am ok with that!
it has been an amazing year. truly. incredible. i made so many new valuable friendships. and i have grown in SO many ways since last year.
kinda neat to think about.
though, i wouldnt mind a hold on those white hairs for a at least a few more years.
October 12, 2010
Thanks Day
I suppose it would be appropriate to do the good ol what I am thankful for list. Considering the weekend we have just enjoyed. :)
- I am thankful for (in no particular order at all)
.... breathing...
... electric blankets ... tea....
..memories ... the ability to laugh until I cry... buttons, especially on shoes...
... when the sun shines through golden leaves... .... single tears...
... my 3 adorable nephews and their little giggles... ... cuddles.....
... my moms hugs ...
.... wedding stories.... .... pictures ....
... my super awesome big brothers, and their beautiful wives.
... dad's e-mails... especially when they are just to say 'hey'.... ..... one super duper roommate...
... a good story from a good storyteller ...
.... home cooked meals....
...hugs from children.... ... the privilege of freedom ....
.... life....
... love...
... and EVERYTHING ELSE!...
October 2, 2010
September 27, 2010
autumn leaves
Love it. Love it.
Love IT!
Did I mention I love it?
I LOVE THE FALL.
i wish it was longer.
Lanah and I spent the afternoon outside. Taking pictures and reading by the lake. Beautiful.
Love IT!
Did I mention I love it?
I LOVE THE FALL.
i wish it was longer.
Lanah and I spent the afternoon outside. Taking pictures and reading by the lake. Beautiful.
September 25, 2010
September 23, 2010
Birds of prey.
Have you ever watched a hawk, or an eagle? Its eyes fixed on its prize, gliding gently in circles with gentle fervour, lower, and lower and lower. Till finally... it dives intensely toward its claimed prey.
Today.
That was me. In the parking lot.
September 21, 2010
If I could put life in a perfume bottle...
I have an amazing roomie. Seriously, the best. We laugh until we cry ALL THE TIME. We vent to each other. We eat together. We pray together. We read the bible together. We talk to each other on facebook.... when we're on the same couch. We make tea together.
Sometimes. I pick a song tune and she sings the tune and puts words to it. And we laugh some more.
Today, while taking a deep breath of composure after laughing hard, she said this.
"I wish I could put our life in perfume bottle." Then we could let other people smell and they would understand how wonderful our friendship is.
We have conversation like this.
Lanah: What does palindrome mean?
Cheryl: *pulls out dictionary widget* spell it.
Lanah: P. A. L. I. N. D. R. O. M. E.
Cheryl: A word, phrase, or sequence that reads the same forwards as backwards.
Lanah: Oh.
Pause.
Lanah: Well... what does palindrome spell backwards?... emordnilap?..... OOHH...
More. Laughter.
Love. It.
ps. my beautiful roommate would also like to clarify that it has been an exceptionally long day today, and really isn't always that blonde.
September 20, 2010
Tales of a fundraiser.
It's been a while since I've written.
My bad.
But... fear not... I have stories! I hope you find them as interesting/inspiring as I have.
Story 1
I work for a World Vision campaign right now. It's pretty nifty. Occasional, we meet some very interesting people. Occasionally, we meet some very inspiring people.
One lady stopped by our booth, she began to tell us her and her fiance had just sponsored one child, but they wanted another one. From colombia, from a specific city and a specific part of the city. Upon further investigation of the specific request, she told us her story. She was from Colombia, and was affected by the civil war. She prayed for her 4 children and herself every day, just for a meal. God was always faithful she said. Someone would always coming knocking on her door with food or money some way or another. Very cool. Then, World Vision came into her community, they got her connected into some work, got her family drinking clean water and eating plenty of 'good' food. Her children got their photos taken, and their profiles sent off to find some sponsors. When they got sponsored, she told us the joy it brought them when she got to take them to the World Vision office to get school supplies for the first time. And how much of a blessing it was to her and her family.
Suddenly every story of every child at our booth became so so so so much more real to me. I cried. I was blessed to hear this woman's story. She now is attending the U of R, her and her family were able to get out of their war torn home and find safety and a new life in Canada.
Her and her fiance signed up for 2 kids at our booth that day. Knowing they already had one, thats 3 kids. "It's only a 100 dollars a month" The fiance said. Both were university students. But they understood the difference they were making in those 3 kids lives in a much much much deeper way than we ever will.
Wow.
Story 2.
A guy came to our booth, mentioning that he was from South Africa and sponsoring a kid from South Africa, and he was enjoying it. I mentioned we had a few kids from South Africa if he wanted to see them. I picked up the only girl we had out and handed it to him. He held her and stared down sort of wide eyed. "That is my last name" He said. He pulled out his driver license and showed me. Sure enough the names matched. Meant to be? I thought so.
Story 3.
I was chatting with an middle aged man, maybe around 50. He was on his own, he just had some questions as to how the program worked, and some clarifications about where the money went. Once that was all discussed I mentioned the possibility of taking the opportunity to visit them someday. His eyes welled up. He was so excited, and so moved by these kids. It took a lot for me not to cry with him. It is amazing to talk with people who have such big hearts. I love it.
The end.
My bad.
But... fear not... I have stories! I hope you find them as interesting/inspiring as I have.
Story 1I work for a World Vision campaign right now. It's pretty nifty. Occasional, we meet some very interesting people. Occasionally, we meet some very inspiring people.
One lady stopped by our booth, she began to tell us her and her fiance had just sponsored one child, but they wanted another one. From colombia, from a specific city and a specific part of the city. Upon further investigation of the specific request, she told us her story. She was from Colombia, and was affected by the civil war. She prayed for her 4 children and herself every day, just for a meal. God was always faithful she said. Someone would always coming knocking on her door with food or money some way or another. Very cool. Then, World Vision came into her community, they got her connected into some work, got her family drinking clean water and eating plenty of 'good' food. Her children got their photos taken, and their profiles sent off to find some sponsors. When they got sponsored, she told us the joy it brought them when she got to take them to the World Vision office to get school supplies for the first time. And how much of a blessing it was to her and her family.
Suddenly every story of every child at our booth became so so so so much more real to me. I cried. I was blessed to hear this woman's story. She now is attending the U of R, her and her family were able to get out of their war torn home and find safety and a new life in Canada.
Her and her fiance signed up for 2 kids at our booth that day. Knowing they already had one, thats 3 kids. "It's only a 100 dollars a month" The fiance said. Both were university students. But they understood the difference they were making in those 3 kids lives in a much much much deeper way than we ever will.
Wow.
Story 2.
A guy came to our booth, mentioning that he was from South Africa and sponsoring a kid from South Africa, and he was enjoying it. I mentioned we had a few kids from South Africa if he wanted to see them. I picked up the only girl we had out and handed it to him. He held her and stared down sort of wide eyed. "That is my last name" He said. He pulled out his driver license and showed me. Sure enough the names matched. Meant to be? I thought so.
Story 3.
I was chatting with an middle aged man, maybe around 50. He was on his own, he just had some questions as to how the program worked, and some clarifications about where the money went. Once that was all discussed I mentioned the possibility of taking the opportunity to visit them someday. His eyes welled up. He was so excited, and so moved by these kids. It took a lot for me not to cry with him. It is amazing to talk with people who have such big hearts. I love it.
The end.
September 8, 2010
on a related and unrelated note.
today was neat.
you know how I am stoked to have a job where people are passionate and excited about the same things? and the fact that there is soooo much purpose in what we're doing? well today was neat because I also get to share my faith with one of the ladies I work with. We were having a slow day. she came up to me (picture a super passionate lady from singapore) and says this... out of the blue. 'you are christian?' me 'yes' 'like really christian?' 'yes' 'ok, let's pray'. And she grabbed my hand and started praying. right there. in the middle of the mall. she prayed nearly the EXACT same thing as I did on my way to work in my car just hours before, down to specific numbers. THEN within half an hour, i got the first 2 sponsors of the day. and a LOT of great promising conversations from then on. amazing? i think so. God? Absolutely.
Anyway, I loved that we got to pray together. And I love that God answers prayers.
in a completely unrelated note...
I am transferring all my pictures over to a new computer. that's when i realized i have over 50 000 photos.
what do you do with that many photos?
I want to go through them all... but... it's such a daunting task! Any suggestions?
on another note.
today.... i got a library card. i am excited. yet not. i love to own books. to lend books. to write in books. to see books go from new to wrinkled. to crack the spines. all of those joys i will not experience via the library. YET... i love the smell of old books. i love to make up stories as to where the books have been and whose read them and what those funny stains on the pages are from. and... sometimes i like to not spend money. and... old books look way cooler sometimes.
what do you think? old or new?
August 31, 2010
so, you're probably wondering what I am doing with myself since I quite my job right? I knew you were. so I will tell you.
I am working as a fundraiser for World Vision.
So what does that mean? Well, it means the I get to learn all about what World vision is and what they do. Primarily, the sponsorship program. We will have 2 booths set up in 2 malls. Just to tell people about the sponsorship program, and hope that as many people as possible sponsor the precious children. (check it out. www.worldvision.ca)
It is so so so so so good, and refreshing, to work with people who are there because they are passionate about what they do. It's not just a job. It's a way to make a difference. It is people coming together for a common purpose, because they love people, love children, and want to make a difference in the world. THIS is what I have been looking for in a job. THIS is confirmation I am going in the right direction. TO work out of my passions and desires and the things that tug on my heart... and THAT be my motivation! Not the fact that I have to do this job so i can make the money so that i can do the things I'm excited about.
So why am I getting paid? I wondered how they could do that myself, but we talked about that. The fact that they pay fundraisers all across Canada to do these campaigns actually does more, for more communities, by getting more sponsors than they would have simply by scraping the bottom of the bucket trying to pull together fundraiser willing to invest the time in such a campaign. The fact that people need to make money is no small fact. So, it's win win. And that is how it works.
I love doing things I am passionate about.
I love it.
I love it.
I love it.
August 25, 2010
love hate relationships cause dilemmas.
I dislike Love Hate relationships. Mostly for the matter that I cannot decide whether to love or hate. And I terribly dislike sitting on the fence. It's rather uncomfortable. Here is my dilemma. can you guess? It's rather anticlimactic.
Facebook. Yup. Just typing that word is kind of satisfying, only on account of that little red squiggly line under it that tells me its not a real word yet. phew.
About a month ago I said to myself that I would love love love to delete facebook. But then again. I would hate to delete facebook. Love hate love hate love hate. dilemma.
so why would i delete it?
1) to push better, deeper, realer, less virtual friendships. (you know... to plan and invite via telephone and face to face rather than creating an event hoping people see it)
2)to get rid of time waster. seriously. news feed. status updates.peoples pictures i don't even know. i read them. and i don't need to. (though i have gotten better... i can still subdue to its time wasting temptations.)
3) to stop filling my mind with random and pointless information about 500 different people that i wouldn't really care otherwise. like the fact that you're eating popcorn. or that you really like rainbows. or that you're waiting for a package. or whatever it may be.
4) to stop telling everyone else pointless and random information about my own life. like the fact that i am eating popcorn or the fact that i really like rainbows, or even the fact that i am expecting a package.
- to not have serious personal conversations on the not so serious impersonal facebook chat.
5) i really don't care what superhero, twilight character, movie star i am. i am not any of those thank you very much.
6) i really don't want to play farmville or fish tank whatever.
7) poking. really?
8) seeing events all the time that you can't go to or weren't invited to and kinda wish you were. or worrying about people who would be sad if you didn't/couldn't invite them.
i feel like i could go on. but for sake of time and your boredom i won't.
so then... why wouldn't i delete it?
1) out of town/country friends. so easy to keep in touch.
2) pictures! as much as they waste my time... i really do love looking at them! and its an easier way to share pictures!
3)...
4) should i take this as a sign?
so hate far outweighs the love. but the love ones... are biggies.
i don't know what i should.
so.
bah.
i think i will. or maybe not. that is where i am at.
Imagine... If i didn't have facebook? I would have so much extra time. I would listen in class more (maybe). Instead of needing to waste an hour and going to facebook, i could use that hour to walk, or scrapbook, or read, or anything else that is thousands of times more productive.
I think i may be mostly convinced.
What do you think? Love? Hate? Should I or shouldn't I?
Facebook. Yup. Just typing that word is kind of satisfying, only on account of that little red squiggly line under it that tells me its not a real word yet. phew.
About a month ago I said to myself that I would love love love to delete facebook. But then again. I would hate to delete facebook. Love hate love hate love hate. dilemma.
so why would i delete it?
1) to push better, deeper, realer, less virtual friendships. (you know... to plan and invite via telephone and face to face rather than creating an event hoping people see it)
2)to get rid of time waster. seriously. news feed. status updates.peoples pictures i don't even know. i read them. and i don't need to. (though i have gotten better... i can still subdue to its time wasting temptations.)
3) to stop filling my mind with random and pointless information about 500 different people that i wouldn't really care otherwise. like the fact that you're eating popcorn. or that you really like rainbows. or that you're waiting for a package. or whatever it may be.
4) to stop telling everyone else pointless and random information about my own life. like the fact that i am eating popcorn or the fact that i really like rainbows, or even the fact that i am expecting a package.
- to not have serious personal conversations on the not so serious impersonal facebook chat.
5) i really don't care what superhero, twilight character, movie star i am. i am not any of those thank you very much.
6) i really don't want to play farmville or fish tank whatever.
7) poking. really?
8) seeing events all the time that you can't go to or weren't invited to and kinda wish you were. or worrying about people who would be sad if you didn't/couldn't invite them.
i feel like i could go on. but for sake of time and your boredom i won't.
so then... why wouldn't i delete it?
1) out of town/country friends. so easy to keep in touch.
2) pictures! as much as they waste my time... i really do love looking at them! and its an easier way to share pictures!
3)...
4) should i take this as a sign?
so hate far outweighs the love. but the love ones... are biggies.
i don't know what i should.
so.
bah.
i think i will. or maybe not. that is where i am at.
Imagine... If i didn't have facebook? I would have so much extra time. I would listen in class more (maybe). Instead of needing to waste an hour and going to facebook, i could use that hour to walk, or scrapbook, or read, or anything else that is thousands of times more productive.
I think i may be mostly convinced.
What do you think? Love? Hate? Should I or shouldn't I?
August 15, 2010
Resignation.
Well.
I quit my job today.
It feels good. I have 3 more shifts. Ahhh. I can feel the freedom already.
This store... was... interesting to work in.
I loved and hated it every day.
So it was terribly easy and a little bit hard to fully decide to stay or go.
I wonder how many beverages I have made in my Starbucks life. Shall we do a little math? Friday we figured we made 2500 drinks, we rang through 1031 transactions that day. Of those, lets say I personally made 200 of them in my 8 hour shift. So that's 25 drinks an hour. Let's just use that as a guideline. Knowing that some hours would in reality be only a few, and others would be way more. So... hopefully this is a good guesstimate to get a sort of idea. So... 25 drinks an hour. I work approxamitly 30 hours a week (sometimes less sometimes more) for 36 months since 2006. Lets say 32 months... once you count vacations and such. thats 144 weeks. At 30 hours is 4320 hours. 25 drinks an hour... is... 108 000 beverages. wow.
lets go even further with this math fun...
lets say it takes 30 seconds to make a drink (once again, some take more... some less) thats 3 240 000 seconds which is 54000 minutes and 900 hours. in the last 4 years. I have spent 900 hours of my life... making a beverage. is your head spinning? cuz mine is!
That is a full month and a half of my life... of....just making drinks.
It was fun. I enjoyed it.
Starbucks must have been good to me. I was hired with them on 4 separate occasions.
But. For the 4th time... I am done. Will there be a 5th? Well. We will just have to wait and see. If there is... it better be in a different country!
I quit my job today.
It feels good. I have 3 more shifts. Ahhh. I can feel the freedom already.
This store... was... interesting to work in.
I loved and hated it every day.
So it was terribly easy and a little bit hard to fully decide to stay or go.
I wonder how many beverages I have made in my Starbucks life. Shall we do a little math? Friday we figured we made 2500 drinks, we rang through 1031 transactions that day. Of those, lets say I personally made 200 of them in my 8 hour shift. So that's 25 drinks an hour. Let's just use that as a guideline. Knowing that some hours would in reality be only a few, and others would be way more. So... hopefully this is a good guesstimate to get a sort of idea. So... 25 drinks an hour. I work approxamitly 30 hours a week (sometimes less sometimes more) for 36 months since 2006. Lets say 32 months... once you count vacations and such. thats 144 weeks. At 30 hours is 4320 hours. 25 drinks an hour... is... 108 000 beverages. wow.
lets go even further with this math fun...
lets say it takes 30 seconds to make a drink (once again, some take more... some less) thats 3 240 000 seconds which is 54000 minutes and 900 hours. in the last 4 years. I have spent 900 hours of my life... making a beverage. is your head spinning? cuz mine is!
That is a full month and a half of my life... of....just making drinks.
It was fun. I enjoyed it.
Starbucks must have been good to me. I was hired with them on 4 separate occasions.
But. For the 4th time... I am done. Will there be a 5th? Well. We will just have to wait and see. If there is... it better be in a different country!
a trip around the block.
or maybe a little more than a block.
as per requested, I thought I should share with you about my adventurous road trip I went on a couple weeks ago.
Destination: California. Route: Unknown. Timeline: 6 Days. Kilometers: 8000km. Sleep: 3/6 nights.
And this is how it went.
We began... with creampuffs. frozen ones of course. we thought this was a great way to kick off the trip. I am not so sure our stomachs fully agreed.
We picked up our dear friend Stacy in Lethbridge, and began a 27 hour journey to which we only ever stopped for gas. and food once... in Las Vegas. So we got really excited about anything and everything we saw out our window. and added 'in California' at the end of every sentence. You know. just to keep things interesting.
For example...
"Whoa... palm trees!!! whoooaaa... in California!...whoa!"
we also took pictures by every state sign (except we missed nevada and washington much to our dismay)
we swam in the ocean. and laid on the beach. and took pictures of ourselves making ridiculous faces. Such as the infamous 'barracuda'
and we drove. a lot.
we went to san Fransisco. at 3am. we ate breakfast at denny's. and got a parking ticket. and took pictures by the golden gate bridge. oh and we drove over it. and danielle and i stuck our heads out the window. kinda like this... only both of us.
oh... and you're probably wondering where the random guy came from? well.. he isn't so random. our purpose for destination California was to pick him up. he happens to be the fiance of our friend Stacy. He was working at a pretty sweet camp down there. They are getting married on Saturday. No biggie. It's just a week a way. So he traveled all the way back up with us.
So... continuing on with our trip.
We left San Fransisco and continued heading north. Eventually we drove through a redwood tree. Amanda was so calm as I squeezed her SUV type vehicle through. Little did she know, I wasn't really sure we were going to make it through. But we did! And a couple parked by the gift shop watched us intently, and then measured their vehicle to ours to see if they would fit.
those trees. were magnificent. majestic. awesome. insane. gigantic. crazy.
have you ever seen on?!?!?! I highly recommend it!
look how big this one is! ...
you could live inside one if you really wanted. there would be enough room.
we hung around in the redwood forest for a while. took a couple scenic routes just for fun. and hiked down to a little river to skip rocks. it was beautiful.
I stood in two places at once.
Oregon and California. Simultaneously.
We hung out in Portland for a couple hours. We didn't really do much there other then use the internet at a Starbucks downtown. and went into a lovely book store. It was delightful.
We then went to Seattle. This was definitely my favorite part of the entire trip! We saw the city skyline at night. Slept. Parted ways and Danielle and I spent the ENTIRE day shopping and exploring.
We did crazy things like try on awesome glasses in vintage stores.
Got our portrait drawn for way too much money. (That is a story in itself!)
And visited the first Starbucks ever! (Which is a pretty big deal for me, since I have given Starbucks almost 4 years of my loyalty and life.)
and then. in a blink of an eye. it was over. just like that. 8000 km later. 6 days of very little sleep. and it was so so so so so worth it.
ps. Danielle is responsible for 99% of the above pictures. for taking and/or editing them. she is a really wonderful photographer don't ya think? I think so.
as per requested, I thought I should share with you about my adventurous road trip I went on a couple weeks ago.
Destination: California. Route: Unknown. Timeline: 6 Days. Kilometers: 8000km. Sleep: 3/6 nights.
And this is how it went.
We began... with creampuffs. frozen ones of course. we thought this was a great way to kick off the trip. I am not so sure our stomachs fully agreed. We picked up our dear friend Stacy in Lethbridge, and began a 27 hour journey to which we only ever stopped for gas. and food once... in Las Vegas. So we got really excited about anything and everything we saw out our window. and added 'in California' at the end of every sentence. You know. just to keep things interesting.
For example...
"Whoa... palm trees!!! whoooaaa... in California!...whoa!"
we also took pictures by every state sign (except we missed nevada and washington much to our dismay) 
we swam in the ocean. and laid on the beach. and took pictures of ourselves making ridiculous faces. Such as the infamous 'barracuda'
and we drove. a lot.
we went to san Fransisco. at 3am. we ate breakfast at denny's. and got a parking ticket. and took pictures by the golden gate bridge. oh and we drove over it. and danielle and i stuck our heads out the window. kinda like this... only both of us.oh... and you're probably wondering where the random guy came from? well.. he isn't so random. our purpose for destination California was to pick him up. he happens to be the fiance of our friend Stacy. He was working at a pretty sweet camp down there. They are getting married on Saturday. No biggie. It's just a week a way. So he traveled all the way back up with us.
So... continuing on with our trip.
We left San Fransisco and continued heading north. Eventually we drove through a redwood tree. Amanda was so calm as I squeezed her SUV type vehicle through. Little did she know, I wasn't really sure we were going to make it through. But we did! And a couple parked by the gift shop watched us intently, and then measured their vehicle to ours to see if they would fit.
those trees. were magnificent. majestic. awesome. insane. gigantic. crazy. have you ever seen on?!?!?! I highly recommend it!
look how big this one is! ...
you could live inside one if you really wanted. there would be enough room.
we hung around in the redwood forest for a while. took a couple scenic routes just for fun. and hiked down to a little river to skip rocks. it was beautiful.
I stood in two places at once.
Oregon and California. Simultaneously.
We hung out in Portland for a couple hours. We didn't really do much there other then use the internet at a Starbucks downtown. and went into a lovely book store. It was delightful.
We then went to Seattle. This was definitely my favorite part of the entire trip! We saw the city skyline at night. Slept. Parted ways and Danielle and I spent the ENTIRE day shopping and exploring.
We did crazy things like try on awesome glasses in vintage stores.
Got our portrait drawn for way too much money. (That is a story in itself!)
And visited the first Starbucks ever! (Which is a pretty big deal for me, since I have given Starbucks almost 4 years of my loyalty and life.)
and then. in a blink of an eye. it was over. just like that. 8000 km later. 6 days of very little sleep. and it was so so so so so worth it.
ps. Danielle is responsible for 99% of the above pictures. for taking and/or editing them. she is a really wonderful photographer don't ya think? I think so.
August 13, 2010
This. is. life.
So.
I want to be real with you.
Whoever 'you' might be.
I would like to share with you. My life. In a nutshell of course... because any other way would be a tremendous task. Bit by bit. Day by day.
Maybe, this blog could be for anyone who just wants to keeps tabs on me once in a while. (Once in a while because I cannot promise anything consistent).
Shall we begin?
First of all... you need to know a few of the majorly important things about me.
- I love love love love love God. I think He is so incredibly awesome, in the truest sense of the word. If you don't know Him... I highly encourage you to seek him out. He says those who seek will find Him, He has made himself known to us. That fact alone is crazy enough. Let alone the fact that He loves so crazily unconditionally us - crazy, tainted, rebellious, man-fearing, selfish beings - that he created for us a redemption path so that we could BE WITH Him. How amazing is that?
- I am so incredibly imperfect. There is a list stretching all the way to the moon and back again on the things I need to work on. But... I am working... that's the point. Working on things that need to be worked on. Some of which I will definitely share with you. I am so so so so so thankful that I can stand in the knowledge that my salvation and my righteousness is NOT attained by the works I do. But simply in my faith in Christ, I can stand before a Holy God and worship Him, with all my flaws fully exposed. Funny how much freedom there is in that.
- I am a crazy passionate person. I am visionary. I get really really excited. I will share BIG ideas with you. And small ones. BUT... that doesn't mean I am going to do them. Even if I sound like it... it's probably more like...'it-would-be-cool-if' type ideas. I just get... excited, and ahead of myself really easy. That's a heads up. And if you know me already... I know you're nodding your head and smiling. It's something I am working on. There are worse things.
- The little things: I am a student. Taking Human Justice. Second Year. I love it. I love to travel. (and am ITCHING to GO somewhere!). I love coffee. (and am unfortunately allergic to caffeine or something). I am working at a coffee shop. Surprise.
- I asked my dear friend to tell me some things about myself...here is what she came up with. (you know how sometimes your friends know you better than you know yourself)
~ you like people and love to be around them, BUT you also need need to make that time alone with God in order to feel whole and complete.
~you are good at wording hard things in a nice way
~you like to buy things.... :):)
~you like to be edgy... sometimes
~you say ha ha when it doesn't fit sometimes
- I am working on conversing with people. Well. About faith mainly (Perhaps because it is really what I am most passionate about). And life in general. Maybe I will share some of those conversations. I seem to have many interesting ones.
So... with ALL of that. You have an idea of who I am, and a hint about where I am coming from. Maybe I'll even share some of my past with you. We'll see ;)
For now... its 1230am... and I have a breakfast picnic date with my friend Carmen at 930. So... I shall be off.
Oh... one quick last thing. I LOVE to answer questions. So ask me stuff. Anything at all. About life, faith... really... anything! I am an open book!... or blog?
Goodnight! For real this time!
With Joy.
~ Cheryl
I want to be real with you.
Whoever 'you' might be.
I would like to share with you. My life. In a nutshell of course... because any other way would be a tremendous task. Bit by bit. Day by day.
Maybe, this blog could be for anyone who just wants to keeps tabs on me once in a while. (Once in a while because I cannot promise anything consistent).
Shall we begin?
First of all... you need to know a few of the majorly important things about me.
- I love love love love love God. I think He is so incredibly awesome, in the truest sense of the word. If you don't know Him... I highly encourage you to seek him out. He says those who seek will find Him, He has made himself known to us. That fact alone is crazy enough. Let alone the fact that He loves so crazily unconditionally us - crazy, tainted, rebellious, man-fearing, selfish beings - that he created for us a redemption path so that we could BE WITH Him. How amazing is that?
- I am so incredibly imperfect. There is a list stretching all the way to the moon and back again on the things I need to work on. But... I am working... that's the point. Working on things that need to be worked on. Some of which I will definitely share with you. I am so so so so so thankful that I can stand in the knowledge that my salvation and my righteousness is NOT attained by the works I do. But simply in my faith in Christ, I can stand before a Holy God and worship Him, with all my flaws fully exposed. Funny how much freedom there is in that.
- I am a crazy passionate person. I am visionary. I get really really excited. I will share BIG ideas with you. And small ones. BUT... that doesn't mean I am going to do them. Even if I sound like it... it's probably more like...'it-would-be-cool-if' type ideas. I just get... excited, and ahead of myself really easy. That's a heads up. And if you know me already... I know you're nodding your head and smiling. It's something I am working on. There are worse things.
- The little things: I am a student. Taking Human Justice. Second Year. I love it. I love to travel. (and am ITCHING to GO somewhere!). I love coffee. (and am unfortunately allergic to caffeine or something). I am working at a coffee shop. Surprise.
- I asked my dear friend to tell me some things about myself...here is what she came up with. (you know how sometimes your friends know you better than you know yourself)
~ you like people and love to be around them, BUT you also need need to make that time alone with God in order to feel whole and complete.
~you are good at wording hard things in a nice way
~you like to buy things.... :):)
~you like to be edgy... sometimes
~you say ha ha when it doesn't fit sometimes
- I am working on conversing with people. Well. About faith mainly (Perhaps because it is really what I am most passionate about). And life in general. Maybe I will share some of those conversations. I seem to have many interesting ones.
So... with ALL of that. You have an idea of who I am, and a hint about where I am coming from. Maybe I'll even share some of my past with you. We'll see ;)
For now... its 1230am... and I have a breakfast picnic date with my friend Carmen at 930. So... I shall be off.
Oh... one quick last thing. I LOVE to answer questions. So ask me stuff. Anything at all. About life, faith... really... anything! I am an open book!... or blog?
Goodnight! For real this time!
With Joy.
~ Cheryl
June 21, 2010
a hidden story?
This... is.. crazy...
are you ready?
Cuz... I don't think you are.
How many times have you skipped Genesis 5? You know... the Adam to Noah list of who is the father of who and how long they lived... (I always found their ages the most interesting!) Well...there is a message... God's plan... revealed embedded deep enough that only those who are seeking will find it. I hear this in a sermon this morning... and honestly was skeptical because it all seemed too... fluid. So I looked it up myself this afternoon...and it stood true (as true as the internet can be?) I'll post the sources I used at the end.
SO... here we go... the name MEANINGS of the 10 fathers in Genesis 5... and the story they tell?
(The ones in brackets are the one from the sermon if they were different from what I found)
Adam - Man of Earth
father of
Seth - Anointed, Nominated
father of
Enosh - Man... frail miserable, (weak sickly)
father of
Kenan - to take possession, to aquire, (struggling working)
father of
Mahalalel - praise of God, (glory of God)
father of
Jared - descends
father of
Enoch - instruct with speech (bringing teaching)
father of
Methuselah - die, sending away, more specifically with sword or spear, (death by sword)
father of
Lamech - this one was pretty uncertain... but here's is the options... (conqueriing youth), for lowering or humiliation, priest servant of God, strong man.
father of
Noah - rest, soothing, (comfort)
So... if we take the meanings... and put them in a sentence...
we have this...
Man of Earth, nominated and anointed, becomes frail, miserable, weak and sickly to take possession for the glory of God, brings teaching and dies with a spear (while on the cross) becomes a strong man..a conquering youth (of death)...to bring rest and comfort.
The gospel. In Genesis 5.
Neat? I think so.
Chew on it a bit.
http://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning.html
http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/lamech_hess.pdf
are you ready?
Cuz... I don't think you are.
How many times have you skipped Genesis 5? You know... the Adam to Noah list of who is the father of who and how long they lived... (I always found their ages the most interesting!) Well...there is a message... God's plan... revealed embedded deep enough that only those who are seeking will find it. I hear this in a sermon this morning... and honestly was skeptical because it all seemed too... fluid. So I looked it up myself this afternoon...and it stood true (as true as the internet can be?) I'll post the sources I used at the end.
SO... here we go... the name MEANINGS of the 10 fathers in Genesis 5... and the story they tell?
(The ones in brackets are the one from the sermon if they were different from what I found)
Adam - Man of Earth
father of
Seth - Anointed, Nominated
father of
Enosh - Man... frail miserable, (weak sickly)
father of
Kenan - to take possession, to aquire, (struggling working)
father of
Mahalalel - praise of God, (glory of God)
father of
Jared - descends
father of
Enoch - instruct with speech (bringing teaching)
father of
Methuselah - die, sending away, more specifically with sword or spear, (death by sword)
father of
Lamech - this one was pretty uncertain... but here's is the options... (conqueriing youth), for lowering or humiliation, priest servant of God, strong man.
father of
Noah - rest, soothing, (comfort)
So... if we take the meanings... and put them in a sentence...
we have this...
Man of Earth, nominated and anointed, becomes frail, miserable, weak and sickly to take possession for the glory of God, brings teaching and dies with a spear (while on the cross) becomes a strong man..a conquering youth (of death)...to bring rest and comfort.
The gospel. In Genesis 5.
Neat? I think so.
Chew on it a bit.
http://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning.html
http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/lamech_hess.pdf
June 1, 2010
A word from St. Augustine
Late have I loved you, O beauty so ancient and new.
Late have I loved you!
You were within me while I have gone outside to seek You.
Unlovely myself, I rushed towards all those lovely things You had made.
And always You were with me, and I was not with You.
All these beauties kept me far from you -
although they would not have existed at all unless they had their being in You.
You called,
You cried,
You shattered my deafness.
You sparkled,
You blazed,
You drove away my blindness.
You offered my Your fragrance,
I drew in my breath, and I pant for You.
I tasted and now I hunger and thirst.
You touched me, and now I burn with longing for your peace.
- St. Augustine - (354-430AD)
Late have I loved you!
You were within me while I have gone outside to seek You.
Unlovely myself, I rushed towards all those lovely things You had made.
And always You were with me, and I was not with You.
All these beauties kept me far from you -
although they would not have existed at all unless they had their being in You.
You called,
You cried,
You shattered my deafness.
You sparkled,
You blazed,
You drove away my blindness.
You offered my Your fragrance,
I drew in my breath, and I pant for You.
I tasted and now I hunger and thirst.
You touched me, and now I burn with longing for your peace.
- St. Augustine - (354-430AD)
May 28, 2010
math.
I have this funny little setting on my gmail account. Oneday... a LONG time ago. maybe even years... no definitely years... so long a go i don't remember when.. i set it... probably thinking it was a brilliant way to exercise my brain... or play a really horrible joke on myself every time i want to send an e-mail after 11pm. The setting? 5 "simple" math questions. Addition subtraction and multiplication. Things like 11 X 7 or 5 + 13 and such. I say "simple" in "quotations" because... when I try and send a simple e-mail at night... and this stupid math box pops up... and i HAVE to do them... or I can't send my e-mail.. WELL... after a 16 hour day including a stressful 8 hour work shift...math just isn't "simple" no matter how "simple" it is. The most hilariously awful part of the whole thing, is that I have had this setting on for forever... and it surprises me EVER TIME!! And here I am blogging about it.. instead of changing the setting... so I can let out a heavy frustrated laughing sigh towards...myself... the next time I try and send an e-mail after 11pm. Why do you think this is?! Because I have yet to think of somewhat decent answer that doesn't involve the state of my sanity.
and that.
is that.
and that.
is that.
May 17, 2010
Shout out from beautiful Mexico! (this is for you Elena!)
I failed facebook security once.
The second time I tried.. the power in the internet went out.
Third time I tried. Explorer shut down.
Forth time´s a charm?
Today... I made my own tortilla (corn tortilla)
A couple days ago... I ate Rabbit.
It thunder showered every night.
I think I like it here.
Mexico.
is.
Beautiful.
P.S. resorts... are not truely Mexico. Check out real Mexico. I reccomend it.
The second time I tried.. the power in the internet went out.
Third time I tried. Explorer shut down.
Forth time´s a charm?
Today... I made my own tortilla (corn tortilla)
A couple days ago... I ate Rabbit.
It thunder showered every night.
I think I like it here.
Mexico.
is.
Beautiful.
P.S. resorts... are not truely Mexico. Check out real Mexico. I reccomend it.
April 14, 2010
Dear children,
I am sorry. I am sorry that you have to grow up in a world that constantly tells you that you are not good enough. I am sorry for the messages you hear of what you need to do to be loved. I am sorry for the pressure you feel to be earn love, whatever the cost. I am sorry that you are pressured into doing things that children shouldn't do. I am sorry things that shouldn't even exist are so accessible to you. I hope that someday you will know full well how much your Father in heaven loves you, desires you... delights in you. I hope that you will soon discover that you do not need to do anything to earn his love. I hope you find all of your satisfaction in Him who satisfies. I hope that you run far far away from the lies the world begs you to believe. I wish I could keep you all safe, away from these horrible things... I wish I could prevent you from ever believing a single lie. But... the truth is... this world is an ugly place. And I know that you will be hurt... I know that you will choose things that aren't the best for you. I know that you will look for love in places that only offer cheap conditional love. But please... know this... the Father in heaven is waiting for you... with arms wide open... waiting and longing for you to return running to Him. Please know... that no matter where you have been or what you have done HE will always accept you and love you... unconditionally. Please know that His love never fails. His love is true love. His love is real love. Please, the love you are looking for... it is waiting for you.
April 13, 2010
A burden.
As you are probably aware, a little while ago I participated in homelessness campaign which raised over 17000 dollars for Carmichael outreach in Regina. It was perspective changing and continues to effect me as the days pass.
The other day I was asked for money outside of the 7-11. It was the first time since 5days. It caught me off guard. I didn't have any money on me, it being in the north end, and him standing in a shadowy corner... I apologized sincerely and carried on with my day. I knew the reaction I had, mainly internally,was different than what it would have been previous to the 5 days campaign. I was encouraged to know that 5 days did in fact have a deeper impact on me.
Today, I received a letter in the mail from one of Regina's homeless.
I am going to share this letter with you, uncensored, so I apologize for anything that may be offensive.
"Dear Cheryl,
I see your write-up in the newspaper (March 20, Leader Post) of your sleep out. I can see your reason for bringing attention to the problem. But nobody Cares!! The vacancy rate is 0 in Regina. It's terrible! Rents start around $650 and up. That's awful. I am wondering how serious you really are. Sask. people like to show off. I have an idea and a suggestion. The 5 of you should take an afternoon off and fo speak to Mr. Brad Wall, the premier. Ask him to build 2 medium size apartments, reasonably priced for homeless people etc (welfare, old, low wage earner) These should be downtown at the source of all the activity. Tell him to do it this year 2010. He has an election to win in 2011 and it might help him. The money would not be wasted as the rents would eventually cover the cost and would bring in a profit. The government is in other industries and the housing industry is very important. Housing and rental property is no non-existent. Where are people supposed to live? The people of Regina are satisfied fat cats and don't give a damn about you or anybody.
- from A Regina Homeless"
I am challenged...a little bit discouraged... and sad. I do want to do what this person has suggested... but how? I wonder how the mustard seed in Calgary began? I wonder what it is that I can do? I wish I could solve this problem... today! But I know it's a big problem that is probably always going to be around. I don't want to be complacent! I don't want to ignore the issue! I know that I cannot be a hero. Sigh. So many questions. So many issues. So little answers.
The other day I was asked for money outside of the 7-11. It was the first time since 5days. It caught me off guard. I didn't have any money on me, it being in the north end, and him standing in a shadowy corner... I apologized sincerely and carried on with my day. I knew the reaction I had, mainly internally,was different than what it would have been previous to the 5 days campaign. I was encouraged to know that 5 days did in fact have a deeper impact on me.
Today, I received a letter in the mail from one of Regina's homeless.
I am going to share this letter with you, uncensored, so I apologize for anything that may be offensive.
"Dear Cheryl,
I see your write-up in the newspaper (March 20, Leader Post) of your sleep out. I can see your reason for bringing attention to the problem. But nobody Cares!! The vacancy rate is 0 in Regina. It's terrible! Rents start around $650 and up. That's awful. I am wondering how serious you really are. Sask. people like to show off. I have an idea and a suggestion. The 5 of you should take an afternoon off and fo speak to Mr. Brad Wall, the premier. Ask him to build 2 medium size apartments, reasonably priced for homeless people etc (welfare, old, low wage earner) These should be downtown at the source of all the activity. Tell him to do it this year 2010. He has an election to win in 2011 and it might help him. The money would not be wasted as the rents would eventually cover the cost and would bring in a profit. The government is in other industries and the housing industry is very important. Housing and rental property is no non-existent. Where are people supposed to live? The people of Regina are satisfied fat cats and don't give a damn about you or anybody.
- from A Regina Homeless"
I am challenged...a little bit discouraged... and sad. I do want to do what this person has suggested... but how? I wonder how the mustard seed in Calgary began? I wonder what it is that I can do? I wish I could solve this problem... today! But I know it's a big problem that is probably always going to be around. I don't want to be complacent! I don't want to ignore the issue! I know that I cannot be a hero. Sigh. So many questions. So many issues. So little answers.
April 11, 2010
creating.
i LOVE to paint.
i am not sure why i didn't discover this sooner?!
it's making things that i would normally find annoying or bland... enjoyable! though... i am not sure its making those things themselves enjoyable... but it sure is making the time pass quickly!
what am i saying?...
here's an example...
currently... my blow dryer is on... hooked onto my shelf... blowing towards the floor... where my painting lay almost dry... while i have been waiting for it to dry... i do my to do list! i just cleaned the bathroom... and now my painting is nearly dry... just enough time left to write a quick blog and start finishing my homework...
lovely!
I LOVE PAINTING!
oh... not to mention the whole 'not thinking about anything' concept that comes along with painting... seriously... i never knew it was possible to not think and just simple enjoy something... and if i do think... its more directed, like what i am painting, or about how sweet it is that i have the ability to paint... and then that just get me thinking about how awesome God is... and I really can't imagine anything better than being creative while thinking about my creator.
i am not sure why i didn't discover this sooner?!
it's making things that i would normally find annoying or bland... enjoyable! though... i am not sure its making those things themselves enjoyable... but it sure is making the time pass quickly!
what am i saying?...
here's an example...
currently... my blow dryer is on... hooked onto my shelf... blowing towards the floor... where my painting lay almost dry... while i have been waiting for it to dry... i do my to do list! i just cleaned the bathroom... and now my painting is nearly dry... just enough time left to write a quick blog and start finishing my homework...
lovely!
I LOVE PAINTING!
oh... not to mention the whole 'not thinking about anything' concept that comes along with painting... seriously... i never knew it was possible to not think and just simple enjoy something... and if i do think... its more directed, like what i am painting, or about how sweet it is that i have the ability to paint... and then that just get me thinking about how awesome God is... and I really can't imagine anything better than being creative while thinking about my creator.
April 10, 2010
what feeling?
you know that feeling...
the one after a long days work, where your body is begging, pleading with you to stop... you didn't really notice its cries until you started to wind down...
and then... just when it feels like you can't handle anymore... you answer it's call...
that feeling. the feeling of stopping...ceasing... fully. the feeling of your body crying out with thankfulness and relief...
you know that feeling?
i like that feeling.
the one after a long days work, where your body is begging, pleading with you to stop... you didn't really notice its cries until you started to wind down...
and then... just when it feels like you can't handle anymore... you answer it's call...
that feeling. the feeling of stopping...ceasing... fully. the feeling of your body crying out with thankfulness and relief...
you know that feeling?
i like that feeling.
April 1, 2010
some solid thoughts...
So I have been reading this book... (well sort of... I read it on the way to Edmonton in the airport and on the plane... I actually haven't had the chance to continue in the craziness of the end of the semester!!) Anyway.. this book is called 'Be a Hero - the battle for mercy and social justice' by Wesely Campbell and Stephen Court. The goal of the book is to basically outline God's desire for mercy and social justice and his call for us in those regards. A book for me? maybe? A little.
ANYWAY.... I wanted to share some little snipits that have got me thinking.
"Human beings are unable to resist their bases appetites because they have been deprived of the very means of resistance." Not sure if you noticed... will power doesn't work.
They quoted Bono on this one..."We put it in the most crass terms possible; we argue it as a financial and security issue for America.... There are potentially 10 Afghanistans in Africa, and it is cheaper by a factor of 100 to prevent fires from happening than to put them out."
"It is the simple act of not looking away from deformity, from ugliness, from repulsiveness, that is the simplest act of compassion."
"God takes the poor, the need, the alien, the widow, and the orphan and instills within them rights, justice, a sense of belonging and dignity, through the unstinting deployment of justice, righteousness and compassion."
ANYWAY.... I wanted to share some little snipits that have got me thinking.
"Human beings are unable to resist their bases appetites because they have been deprived of the very means of resistance." Not sure if you noticed... will power doesn't work.
They quoted Bono on this one..."We put it in the most crass terms possible; we argue it as a financial and security issue for America.... There are potentially 10 Afghanistans in Africa, and it is cheaper by a factor of 100 to prevent fires from happening than to put them out."
"It is the simple act of not looking away from deformity, from ugliness, from repulsiveness, that is the simplest act of compassion."
"God takes the poor, the need, the alien, the widow, and the orphan and instills within them rights, justice, a sense of belonging and dignity, through the unstinting deployment of justice, righteousness and compassion."
February 25, 2010
blogs trump facebook.
I think it would be way cooler if everyone had a blog, where people shared about the ups and downs, adventures and challenges of ones life.... rather than facebook's incredibly ability to take pointless information and flood our minds.
Yup. That is what I think.
Yup. That is what I think.
February 7, 2010
spare parts.
I am feeling quite challenged as of late. How? wondering if i am doing all that God is asking me to do.I am sooo certain that i am where I am supposed to be.but, lately I am just challenge by the 'part' of my life Christ does have...and bothered by the the fact that it is only part. I say that He is my everything... and it is true the He is... but then... there's this part of my that just wants to do my own thing. I know I am not the only one out there. When Christ says...give everything... pick up your cross and follow me... Do we take Him seriously?
We have made 'church' sooooo easy. Pick up a bible and read through it... what is God saying? When do we take the time to listen? I listened to a short sermon from Francis Chan the other day... from when he spoke at breakforth. This is what he likened it to...
It's like telling my daughter to go clean her room... and she comes back later totally excited... 'hey dad, I memorized what you said to me... you said.."go clean your room". I even had some friends over to discuss what it would look like to clean my room and everything!
Just doesn't sound right does it? Yet is what we do often much better than this??
I'm tired of saying I want to go and not going.... but I am not sure what it looks like to go. Am I willing even?
And I don't mean go... as in go somewhere... but go and do the things Christ asked us to do... to make disciples... to follow Him, in joy and in suffering.... to give Him every part of my life. All of it... not just parts.
We have made 'church' sooooo easy. Pick up a bible and read through it... what is God saying? When do we take the time to listen? I listened to a short sermon from Francis Chan the other day... from when he spoke at breakforth. This is what he likened it to...
It's like telling my daughter to go clean her room... and she comes back later totally excited... 'hey dad, I memorized what you said to me... you said.."go clean your room". I even had some friends over to discuss what it would look like to clean my room and everything!
Just doesn't sound right does it? Yet is what we do often much better than this??
I'm tired of saying I want to go and not going.... but I am not sure what it looks like to go. Am I willing even?
And I don't mean go... as in go somewhere... but go and do the things Christ asked us to do... to make disciples... to follow Him, in joy and in suffering.... to give Him every part of my life. All of it... not just parts.
February 4, 2010
100 day Challenge.
Check the link.... <------ over there somewhere... that says 'My 100 Day Challenge'. I started today. And I am very excited where this journey will take me. So... if I write less here... that is ok... cuz I will be writing once or twice a day there. :) Check it out.
February 3, 2010
Manu Forti.
Latin... for 'With a strong Hand'. Manu Forti... to fight for the things that are important. In a world so full of devastation... seeing glimpses of people fighting for, and persevering for justice, truth and beauty bring these words to light.
Good friends and mentors of mine have been fighting to adopt a little girl from Haiti. For nearly 3 years. It has been a crazy journey for them, and incredibly difficult since the earthquake hit. But...God, through it all, is bringing Jayna to their arms earlier, as in today, because of the earthquake. They have never ever given up during this journey, and have constantly fought for their little girl, constantly praying and allowing God to do what He does best.
This to me is a moment that I think about when I am reminded by this phrase... 'Manu Forti'... (Which I often am... as it is tattooed on my back)...
An encouragement to fight when things don't feel all peachy.
To fight for the things that are important.
Truth.
Beauty.
Justice.
Family.
Intimacy.
Relationships.
Life.
Hope.
Love.
Because this is what God has called us to.
Good friends and mentors of mine have been fighting to adopt a little girl from Haiti. For nearly 3 years. It has been a crazy journey for them, and incredibly difficult since the earthquake hit. But...God, through it all, is bringing Jayna to their arms earlier, as in today, because of the earthquake. They have never ever given up during this journey, and have constantly fought for their little girl, constantly praying and allowing God to do what He does best.
This to me is a moment that I think about when I am reminded by this phrase... 'Manu Forti'... (Which I often am... as it is tattooed on my back)...
An encouragement to fight when things don't feel all peachy.
To fight for the things that are important.
Truth.
Beauty.
Justice.
Family.
Intimacy.
Relationships.
Life.
Hope.
Love.
Because this is what God has called us to.
February 1, 2010
Blank pages.
Blank pages intimidate me. For real... they are really quite scary. So clean, and perfect... I am always to scared to ruin them. But it really is an accomplished feeling when they get filled up. So... this is it. The first post. The first mark on the blank page. The beginnings of something new.
One thing I have always been really fantastic at... is not finishing things. So, I am refusing to let this be one of those things. I hope to bring to you (whoever you may be) at least 2 post per week.
These posts shall contain... life. In whichever sense of the word my fingers shall lead me. I hope to make you laugh, to inspire you, to challenge you, and to journey with you in this thing called life...
These posts will be... glimpses of my life.
And that... is that.
One thing I have always been really fantastic at... is not finishing things. So, I am refusing to let this be one of those things. I hope to bring to you (whoever you may be) at least 2 post per week.
These posts shall contain... life. In whichever sense of the word my fingers shall lead me. I hope to make you laugh, to inspire you, to challenge you, and to journey with you in this thing called life...
These posts will be... glimpses of my life.
And that... is that.
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