the crazy conversations I have....

In the last couple of days I have some strange conversations....

I spoke to an elderly woman who can no longer get to church because of her arthitic back and so she gives herself communion. She eats a soda craker and drinks some cranberry juice and she believes....I asked her if the priest could perhaps come and visit and she said she did not want to be a bother....

I had someone yell at me and call me stupid.

I spoke to someone who thinks that they can create their own value in their home by telling me that a house down the street sold for $100,000 more than what they bought their house for so de facto their house is now worth $100,000 more.

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I sat at a table that was "out of order". I am certain it was some kind of wierd experiment... somebody was off on the sidelines seeing who avoided sitting at the table. I grabbed a chair and insisted my coworkers sit at the table with me. Nothing happened. My coworker insisted that I would agree to reimburse her for her lunch if something dropped from the ceiling...

never a dull moment in Surrey!

saint monica, mother of augustine

Monica is my "orthodox" name. She faithfully prayed for her children for many, many years. She is an inspiration to me.

summer photo experiment

biscotti, anyone....?

White Chocolate Cranberry Almond Biscotti (not exactly as pictured)


for the bake sale on Saturday.

Silence in the house. Tea in my cup. Luke was working on our Christmas cards. I am looking for a star image. The first one didn't turn out quite right; the second one was looking pretty good until the black marker came out to outline the star, the black marker was not thin enough so he has abandonned the project for tonight.

Johnny Cash

Yes Vic and Kurt we saw the flick. I could not wait any longer and we dropped off Hannah and Luke at the youth event and we found ourselves at the cinema and how could we choose anything else....so go see it - I'd see it again in a hearbeat.

I wept. Does that surprise anyone that knows me? I thought the film was brilliant. I think that if you know of the later years of Johnny Cash and June Carter and their love and commitment to each other... you are able to see the beginning of their relationship differently. Does it do Johnny Cash justice? Well, I think there is more to be said.

The Man in Black was one of the Righteous ones. I believe that with my entire being. He was bold about his faith and love for Jesus Christ. I literally experience pain when I listen to him. Piercing of the heart pain. Daring me to get rid of the crap in my life and be bold in my faith pain. I miss him.

a new to me poet- Pablo Neruda

Leaning Into The Afternoons

Leaning into the afternoons I cast my sad nets
towards your oceanic eyes.

There in the highest blaze my solitude lengthens and flames,
its arms turning like a drowning man's.

I send out red signals across your absent eyes
that smell like the sea or the beach by a lighthouse.

You keep only darkness, my distant female,
from your regard sometimes the coast of dread emerges.

Leaning into the afternoons I fling my sad nets
to that sea that is thrashed by your oceanic eyes.

The birds of night peck at the first stars
that flash like my soul when I love you.

The night gallops on its shadowy mare
shedding blue tassels over the land.

Pablo Neruda

from the community of Grandchamp

Pray and Work
that God may reign
Throughout your day
let work and rest
be animated by
the Word of God

Keep inner silence
in all things and
you will dwell in Christ

Be filled with the Spirit
of the Beatitudes

Joy, Simplicity, Mercy
-from the rule of prayer, communaute de grandchamp

Municipal Elections

I am drinking my tea and listening to my favourite talk radio CKNW review the results of the local elections... any chance to listen to CKNW is good. Municiple politics are quite fascinating and it is critical that people vote. I particularly love listening to Michael Smith's commentary on the political happenings in the province.

Just heard that Kurt Alberts is the mayor in Langley which I am happy about. Surrey has a new mayor.

I am still somewhat stunned by the actions by our MLA's in BC. I think it is a slap in the face to the teachers in this province and to all public sector union workers. What were they thinking? How can this be good news?

Thank the God Lord it is Saturday evening. Two days of rest.

on being exiled + a few other thoughts

So, I was told that I am being moved today. I am changing work stations. I have a window seat of Surrey from 22 floors above ground. Whalley, yes the same one that makes Hannah uncomfortable looks quite lovely from my perspective. I am being moved to accomodate new staff on the floor. You may think, really, what is the big deal? Well, we work in close quarters and you get to know your neighbours.... so it will be sad to leave the people around me and I will have to work at establishing new relationships. The dynamic will change... Moving from comfortable to not so comfortable. After many years of being orthodox I am starting to get the fact that God calls me to be uncomfortable... edgy faith. I get it - just not so happy about it. Everytime I get to a point where I am about to settle and rest... something happens to pull me out... it is letting go of the idea that I am in control of my life. Thank the Master that I am not. Surely, it would messy.

Music
I was on the bus today and listening to a local radio station. I have a wide ecclectic range of music tastes... I was thinking that this is one way I can maintain a relationship with Hannah as she also enjoys music. I clean my house to rather loud rock music. I like drinking my coffee on Saturday mornings listening to medieval church music.

Reading
A fellow blogger posted on the topic of silence. This reminded me of a short story I read during university. I then started to search for the story and found another short story.... and while I was standing in front of my bookshelf I started pulling other texts down and reminiscing about the times I read this or that... I love reading outloud with my son. My Chaim Potok collection are treasures to me.

Blogs
I am struggling with the blog thing. I want to read what is happening to the people I care about. I love the fact that others can share inspiring stories or suggest "read this" - go there - but - time is so precious. I stayed up far too late last night. It is about making choices - what do I do with the little bit of free time I have. Laundry takes a low priority ... just ask Thomas how often he is scrambling for socks...

Friends
Fellowship with others is life sustaining - critical to my well being. I am thankful for all the support and love I have received from my friends. I am humbled by their generosity.

Co-workers
I work with some exceptional people. Today at lunch I had a date with a Muslim coworker - we walked to Starbucks. I love chatting with her as she and I can talk spiritual struggles - she is a real gift to me. I also work with other Christans - from all backgrounds.... just knowing we are there together makes a huge difference on the days when the "going gets tough".

Husband
I am blessed - I am unworthy of such a husband. He is stubborn and loyal. The things that drive me crazy are the very same things that make him a good mate. We balance each other out.

My children
Who are these little folk who inhabit my house with me? I am amazed at their unique personalities. I love conversing with them. I love to see what excites them... to see them discern their passion. I love hearing about their perceptions. They also drive me crazy.... notice a trend?

Simone Weil

I can sense another Simone Weil period in my life. I find her fascinating and inspiring, prophetic and challenging.

What a country calls its vital economic interests are not the things which enable its citizens to live, but the things which enable it to make war. Petrol is much more likely than wheat to be a cause of international conflict.
Simone Weil, The Need for Roots (1949)
French social philosopher (1909 - 1943)

a little bit of culture

We traversed into the city to see a Picasso exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery. It was a perfect day weatherwise. We did not have to wait in line as we have a family membership, thereby passing the crowds. We wandered the streets of the city and came home to dine with good friends in their new home.

a new book

Luke and I have started a new book. This story is written by the author of the Silverwing trilogy. If you haven't read them you should. One of my absolute favourite memories is reading stories to my children. We hauled books back and forth from the public library by the wagonload. Often the same books would reappear by my bedside. The three of us - Luke, Hannah and myself would crawl into the big bed with our piles of books and read together. Luke and I still read novels together, Hannah likes the freedom of reading on her own. We miss her. Just writing these words makes me smile.

fear and trembling

More like trepidation. So, now many of you have discovered the W children have created their own blogs. I wasn't sure - still not entirely convinced of the value - but I can see the potential for good things. We have set some groundrules. We will practice our writing skills and use it as a teaching opportunity. Already both of them are keen to write. My good husband likes to point out the accessibility the laptop gives students. Fair enough. They also see both Thomas and myself reading and posting. Reading is always a good thing. Learning to write well and self edit are good skills to learn also.

I am concerned about self- censorship. I think is is important we guard our "tongues" or rather our " fingers". Once you write something and post it, it is there for the world to see and you are hardpressed to remove it. Do my children understand the full implications of all they say? For that matter do I?

I am also concerned about who posts to my children's blogs, so may I be so bold to ask you my community of brothers and sisters to also watch over my children with me.

If you see something that concerns you - by all means call us, (either Thomas or myself) on it. You know where to find us.

the pit

Deliver me from the mire, and do not let me sink;
May I be delivered from my foes, and from the deep waters,
May the flood of water not overflow me,
And may the deep not swallow me up,
And may the Pit not shut its mouth on me.

I am in the Pit, It is not a good place to be.

the weekend returns...

Do I live for the weekend? No. But, I take great pleasure in knowing that tomorrow I do not have to get up at the crack of dawn... well dawn is not cracking...it is dark as night when I rise at 5.30 - but not tomorrow my friends....

I applied for a Lending position at a branch today. It would mean two things - no more shift work - but I would then work Saturdays all the time save for long weekends.... but no nights... and the commute would be less - God willing I get an interview... really that is what I am hoping for - get my name out there.... I really do enjoy my job for the most part - I work with a great team of people. The Christians have found each other and we support each other in prayer while on the job.

So - pray that God's will be done.