David's Laughter

Do you ever take a step back and look at your life? That's what it felt like every 6 months for the past 2 years with Arrow Leadership. All 24 of us + staff would gather together from across Canada at beautiful Barnabas Retreat Centre on Keat's Island and at an auberge in the Gatineau, Quebec to learn from instructors, leadership partners and each other; pray, eat delicious food and play.

On the first night, they would ask us to give one word that summarized the past 6 months since we last met. It was good to review the last 6 months and remember highlights of what happened during that time. After each meal, 3 people would stand up and have a chance to explain why they chose that word - it was awesome to hear how everyone was doing and what God was doing in them.

Jason Hildebrand, an actor came during the week and acted out the story of King David in the Old Testament. It gave me a chance to take a longer look at my life, remember where I've come from and be grateful to God for his grace in my life. It helped that I went to China in May, to see where I come from and meet my family. My friend J recently mentioned how he sees a vast difference in me from when we first knew each other in university.

At one point in the play, King David has some one-on-one time with God in his throne room. God reviews his entire life in a few sentences and foretells his future, that out of his line will come One who is greater than he and that his kingdom will never end. It's a very powerful moment.

David's reaction? Dead silence, and then he suddenly flops onto his throne and just. cracks. up! He laughs and laughs and laughs, squishing up his eyes and holding his stomach while trying to catch his breath. I mean, this is the same David that wasn't even considered by his own father to be a suitable candidate for the future king of Israel!

It struck me that this is kind of like my life - I wept while remembering the painful moments in my life and shook my head in amazement as I remembered the many incredible experiences I've had and how blessed I am.

2 Samuel 7:8-16. “‘This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own...I will also give you rest from all your enemies.

“ ‘The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son... But my love will never be taken away from him,...Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’ ”

All A-Twitter!

My friend Q & I took off a couple of weekends ago to Montreal for a bit of R&R. It was great fun! We almost didn't go, as we borrowed her uncle's car that needed to pump through some air every time we started it - quite a nerve wracking experience, but Q has the midas touch!

We had a marvelous time chatting away without any huge agenda. My goal was to go shopping and eat yummy food!

We stayed at a hostel for our first evening, and realized that we were the only women in the place. I enjoyed chatting with another hostel traveler at breakfast.

I couldn't believe my eyes - we drove down the streets of Montreal and I saw a head that I recognized....one of the professors that I took a course with in the summer of 2002! I couldn't help it, I asked Q to pull over. I jogged down the street wondering how I was going to introduce myself without scaring the poor guy. It was him! He was there with other Regent College alum at a relgious conference. I introduced myself and he remembered me! He asked what my first name was, and then remembered my last name. This is a professor who inspired me to consider doing a PhD - I thought about moving to St. Andrew's in Scotland just to study under him! I heard he's at Duke now. I kept breaking out in laughter for the rest of the day - from a wee bit of embarassment, and yet pleased that he remembered me. :D

After that completely surreal moment, we were off to Simon's for a bit of retail therapy! I forgot to bring warmer clothes, so was glad for the sweater that I bought.

I gave a GBUC staff a call, and they were having a dessert party for some students at the Université de Montréal that night! It was so much fun meeting students from S. America, Africa, Quebec and Canada. We played a charade-like game in French - I was totally nervous! Eureka, the right words came to me and we only needed one word answers. ;)

We switched from the hostel to the W Montreal the next night - yay! It's apparently a boutique / luxury hotel. My name is on our corporate account for the Sheraton, and they gave me a gift for a free night's hotel stay anywhere in the world. I thought it would be super fun to share it with a friend. It was indeed a very chic hotel, and I felt very sophisticated walking up to the desk. They saw that I have a membership with their hotel and upgraded us to an incredible room with a view. You can pop your ipod into the speaker system in the room and listen to your own tunes! My friend J laughs at the discrepancies in my life.

We had an awesome lunch with her dad and took off for the trip back home. Thanks Q, I'm grateful for good friends to share a wonderful weekend with in Montreal.

Saint Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be confident knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

Thanks Sandra!

Bread

We've been working really long days for Urbana operations planning and some of us (me!) don't get the chance to work in close proximity to the team. Makes things more challenging, to be sure but I'm so grateful for Rob's leadership & solid relationships with everyone on the team. They're really amazing people and some have been working on a number of Urbanas already. Their expertise is really appreciated by the team, and eventually by all 20,000+ people that show up at Urbana on Dec. 27th!

Stemming from a high value in teamwork and team building - we have 'forced fun' evenings together. :) Usually, it's the last evening of our multiple day meetings together where we relax, have dinner and do something fun. It's optional, but everyone makes it a priority to hang out and get to know each other outside of meetings. It's a huge testimony to the dedication of the team, since we usually meet from 9am-9pm each day, some are married, some have kids and we all have a ton of work that means we're pulling really long days to keep up with the demand.

In September, we went to the Cardinal's game - soooo fun! I'm not a huge baseball fan, but it was great to go and chat with everyone while enjoying the city of St. Louis.

This last month we were in Madison and baked bread! I jokingly asked someone what happens when a bunch of operations/logistics people get together to relax? We bake bread! Not just a type of bread, about 8 different types at the same time! It was an logistical feat that went really smoothly thanks to a local team expert who used to be a camp director on Catalina Island just off the coast of L.A. It was a Julia Childs theme and we all learned how to kneed properly. We were pretty kneedy. ;)

I was at the cinnamon rolls station with the Vickster and Rachel. There was also French bread, rolls, a rye bread, scones, muffins, etc, etc. Notice the hairnets?

We played board games (got pretty competitive) & watched Julia Childs videos (including a Saturday Night Live skit) while the breads baked. The smells were fantastic and the feasting was even better!

"Thanks 'Julia!'

P.S. Does anyone else notice that our 'Julia' looks more like Jim Belushi? :)

Life in East Toronto

I live near Little India and really love it. I had friends over for a dinner party last night - people who only come to East Toronto because of me. ;) They were impressed by the crowds on the street - this is the norm on weekends - 3 generations of South Asian families milling about eating dinner and shopping in the many clothing stores selling colourful & gorgeous saris.

I was at the local grocery store, and passed a newly purchased coconut to it's owners in front of me. The guy holds both coconuts up and smiles, and I say a hearty "YUM!" I turn to look at the lady and ask when dinner's ready.

She turns to me and says to come over anytime!

Really?

Yes! Come over anytime! We're Indian and we like it when friends come over any time!

I immediately thought of yummy coconut filled food and the fact that I was stressing out about making dinner for 12 people that night!

I was about to ask what her address was, when the guy behind us yelled, "excuse me!" as he pushed his cart into our backs.

Side Note: My car called it quits this week, so I've been doing a lot more reading on the TTC & streetcars - I get really ill reading on the bus, but I happily discovered I can still pull it off for the other modes of transportation. Good, since I have a ton of reading to do for Arrow next month.

Despair.com

I've been a HUGE fan of Despair.com for years and then something happened to make me an even BIGGER fan (you're wondering how it's even possible?!?!).

My friend left staff to move to Austin, TX & join the Despair.com ranks! Booyah!!!

I love Despair.com.

Seriously.

They're hilarious and make me laugh.

I got a call from this friend of mine over a year ago (we both worked on Urbana 96!). I pretty much yelped for joy. :) He's trying to figure out the best company to ship to Canada and called me to be his guinea pig as I'm the only Canadian he knows!

SWEET!

I got to choose the shirt I wanted to receive. It's not on the website right now (?) but it's grey and says;

PLEASE REMAIN CALM ~

it's no use both of us being hysterical at the same time.

I'm just getting used to the 45-60 minute commute by bus to work. Sigh... I got home from a working an extra long day at the office to see a little package propped up on the outside of my back door. My heart did a little leap of joy - UPS really went the extra mile to deliver it to me!

I'm wearing it right now as I type - perfect timing as the fee increase for Urbana 09 is tomorrow.

Yay me!

PS: I just looked at the invoice - their address is 866 Woe-Is-Me 800 Interchange Blvd in Austin!

The Gift that Keeps on Giving!

Do you remember this post? It's the gift that keeps on giving!

I went to a housewarming a few weeks back of a couple of gals that I know and gave them the button! I think they enjoyed it and passed it around to people so they could have a listen. ;)

The funniest part is the guy's southern accent - it sounds completely self-recorded.