In the 10 years since I have moved from California, I have not had a white Christmas yet. The main reason was that each Christmas I still went home, so of course there was no snow. But this is the third year that I am in an area where it is possible to have a white Christmas. I guess the questions I am asking is, what constitutes a white Christmas?
What I mean is this, does it have to actually be snowing on Christmas day for it to be considered a white Christmas? Or does it mean that there has to be snow around, like on the ground for it to be considered a white Christmas? If the answer is the latter, then I think I am guaranteed my first white Christmas ever. If it is the former, then that will have to be determined yet. The way the weather is now, I think we are guaranteed snow on the ground at least. So, I guess I will see if it is worth all the hype...finally.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Christmas mood
This year is my first year of leading Advent services and really preparing for Christmas and New Years Eve. Last year we were in the middle of a move and everything seemed so out of place and it was just a blur for the most part. This year is a little different. We are settled in and have been here for a while and we know the area pretty well.
With that being said, I still feel that it is hard to get in the "Christmas mood." This morning as I am preparing for the third Sunday of Advent, I was thinking about how I need to really reflect on what Christmas is all about. You would think it is easy to do this when you are in ministry. But I think that since there is a lot on my mind about the upcoming services, it makes it difficult to really get in the Christmas mood.
As I prepare for Christmas and advent, I think I need to take some time to do more reflecting on the meaning of Christmas and advent. It is something that many people can go into auto pilot when they think about Christmas. How can we make the Christmas story new and exciting? Do we need to? Should we use the K.I.S.S model (Keep It Simple, Stupid) during this time of year? Do we need to get back to basics when it comes to Christmas? We celebrate the birth of our Savior and Lord. We celebrate his coming, and we wait his coming again. Hopefully we arent too wrapped up in our own things that we take this for granted. Hopefully we can honestly say as John says in Revelation 22:20, "Come, Lord Jesus"
With that being said, I still feel that it is hard to get in the "Christmas mood." This morning as I am preparing for the third Sunday of Advent, I was thinking about how I need to really reflect on what Christmas is all about. You would think it is easy to do this when you are in ministry. But I think that since there is a lot on my mind about the upcoming services, it makes it difficult to really get in the Christmas mood.
As I prepare for Christmas and advent, I think I need to take some time to do more reflecting on the meaning of Christmas and advent. It is something that many people can go into auto pilot when they think about Christmas. How can we make the Christmas story new and exciting? Do we need to? Should we use the K.I.S.S model (Keep It Simple, Stupid) during this time of year? Do we need to get back to basics when it comes to Christmas? We celebrate the birth of our Savior and Lord. We celebrate his coming, and we wait his coming again. Hopefully we arent too wrapped up in our own things that we take this for granted. Hopefully we can honestly say as John says in Revelation 22:20, "Come, Lord Jesus"
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Energizing
A few posts ago I asked the question what wears us out. In that, I think I talked about what energizes us as well. For me playing sports has always been the best way for me to get energy. The last few weeks I have been driving to Lethbridge to play basketball on Wednesday nights. After the first week I said to my wife, "I really miss playing." At Seminary I was able to play basketball 3 mornings a week at 6:30, plus I was able to play on intramurals as well as volleyball with friends.
I was noticing again last night that I really enjoy getting out there and playing. Life in the ministry can be lonely at points. Especially when we get close to the holidays you really begin to miss your family. That last number of years we were able to be with some family during the holidays. But now is the second time that we arent able to be at home with our families. It is a busy time of year for me, but I realize that playing basketball has really helped me.
I find that I can have a good time with a bunch of guys that I really dont know, but am getting to know over time. It is a lot of fun to play hard and competitively, but also to respect each other. I am finally getting in to shape, at least a little bit.
On a different note, I am not looking forward to this weekend. Not that there is anything that makes it extra busy or anything, it is just the fact that they are forecasting a high -25 celsius (-13 Farenheit) as a high on Monday! Saturday and Sunday arent much better. I was thinking of going skiing on Monday to practice a bit, but not in -25 thank you very much!!
I was noticing again last night that I really enjoy getting out there and playing. Life in the ministry can be lonely at points. Especially when we get close to the holidays you really begin to miss your family. That last number of years we were able to be with some family during the holidays. But now is the second time that we arent able to be at home with our families. It is a busy time of year for me, but I realize that playing basketball has really helped me.
I find that I can have a good time with a bunch of guys that I really dont know, but am getting to know over time. It is a lot of fun to play hard and competitively, but also to respect each other. I am finally getting in to shape, at least a little bit.
On a different note, I am not looking forward to this weekend. Not that there is anything that makes it extra busy or anything, it is just the fact that they are forecasting a high -25 celsius (-13 Farenheit) as a high on Monday! Saturday and Sunday arent much better. I was thinking of going skiing on Monday to practice a bit, but not in -25 thank you very much!!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Walking in the cold
Coming from a native Southern Californian, this might sound strange. I just enjoyed my walk outside in the cold. It sounds especially strange since I am not a fan of walking for exercise. However, since getting the puppy it has forced me to go on longer walks then I ever would have done before. I am actually starting to enjoy them.
As I was on my walk, even though Pepper wasnt really following me that well, I was thinking about how much I enjoyed it. It is -7 Celsius or 19 Fahrenheit, growing up I dont think I could have ever imagined that cold of weather. But having lived in cold weather country for the past 10 years, you start to get used to it, or not mind it as much. (That is what I say now in December, talk to me in February or March, see how I feel then.) I was thinking about the fact that there was no wind and it wasnt so bad. It is a bit invigorating to walk out in the cold.
Not only is it healthy to walk every day, but I am finding that I think about God's creation as I am on my walk. Today again is different than yesterday, but both were beautiful days in their own way. It is amazing to me to see God's creation and all the minute little details that he has made. Yet, he gave it to us. Often times we take it for granted. I know for myself, I am being reminded of how great a God we have.
As I was on my walk, even though Pepper wasnt really following me that well, I was thinking about how much I enjoyed it. It is -7 Celsius or 19 Fahrenheit, growing up I dont think I could have ever imagined that cold of weather. But having lived in cold weather country for the past 10 years, you start to get used to it, or not mind it as much. (That is what I say now in December, talk to me in February or March, see how I feel then.) I was thinking about the fact that there was no wind and it wasnt so bad. It is a bit invigorating to walk out in the cold.
Not only is it healthy to walk every day, but I am finding that I think about God's creation as I am on my walk. Today again is different than yesterday, but both were beautiful days in their own way. It is amazing to me to see God's creation and all the minute little details that he has made. Yet, he gave it to us. Often times we take it for granted. I know for myself, I am being reminded of how great a God we have.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
I can't believe it
I was/am sick to my stomach. Yesterday I did something that I cant simply believe. I went to the local ice arena where I can skate for a while, usually, by myself as I am still learning. While I was there, I decided it would be a good idea to put my wedding ring in my pocket while I mess around with the hockey puck and stick.
Well, I put it in my pocket thinking that was the best place for it. Do you think I remembered right away to put it back on my finger? No, it didnt occur to me until later last night that I didnt have my ring. In a panic I reached in my pocket and my ring was not there. I didnt search too much, maybe I will later, but I think the thing that happened was it fell out of my pocket when I reached for my keys either at the Ice arena or the grocery store since I stopped there next. I dont remember hearing it, but, that is the only thing I can think of.
I felt so terrible I didnt know how to tell my wife last night until we were in bed. We thought we had purchased some sort of insurance with the ring when we bought it. But, of course it doesnt cover loss, it covers re-sizing and things like that, but not replacement. Anyway, I still cant believe it and feel terrible. But, what can I do?
Well, I put it in my pocket thinking that was the best place for it. Do you think I remembered right away to put it back on my finger? No, it didnt occur to me until later last night that I didnt have my ring. In a panic I reached in my pocket and my ring was not there. I didnt search too much, maybe I will later, but I think the thing that happened was it fell out of my pocket when I reached for my keys either at the Ice arena or the grocery store since I stopped there next. I dont remember hearing it, but, that is the only thing I can think of.
I felt so terrible I didnt know how to tell my wife last night until we were in bed. We thought we had purchased some sort of insurance with the ring when we bought it. But, of course it doesnt cover loss, it covers re-sizing and things like that, but not replacement. Anyway, I still cant believe it and feel terrible. But, what can I do?
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving, part 2
Today is American Thanksgiving. Thinking about that this morning has made me a bit homesick. I have never really thought about being away from home much. But hearing that my family was going camping for Thanksgiving it makes me want to be there with them. Oh, to be camping by a lake at the end of November.
Being homesick hasnt really happened to me for a long time. I have been away from home for 10 years now, I should be accustomed to it by now. Things that help are the fact that we have a great church community here. Knowing that we are loved and welcomed as a part of the family here has been great. Going to things like volleyball tonight will really help. I played basketball for the first time in months last night and realized how much I miss playing. I find if I keep myself busy enough, then you dont have time to think about missing out on camping. Having a job where you sit in your office and think sometimes doesnt help. But, in general I dont get homesick.
One thing that I am looking forward to, at least a little bit, is the fact that we are celebrating American Thanksgiving on Saturday with some others in the area who are American. I think this is a neat idea. Last year I remember missing Thanksgiving especially because we received American TV channels and I could watch Football on that day!
Anyway, on this Thanksgiving Day, I am thankful for family, friends, and a great church community. We are really blessed to be here in Granum. Both my wife and I feel this way. We love being here and are extremely thankful. Most of all I am thankful for our Lord and Savior that he came to us. We begin Advent and celebrate his coming, and we wait his coming again. Thank you Jesus for giving yourself for us!
Being homesick hasnt really happened to me for a long time. I have been away from home for 10 years now, I should be accustomed to it by now. Things that help are the fact that we have a great church community here. Knowing that we are loved and welcomed as a part of the family here has been great. Going to things like volleyball tonight will really help. I played basketball for the first time in months last night and realized how much I miss playing. I find if I keep myself busy enough, then you dont have time to think about missing out on camping. Having a job where you sit in your office and think sometimes doesnt help. But, in general I dont get homesick.
One thing that I am looking forward to, at least a little bit, is the fact that we are celebrating American Thanksgiving on Saturday with some others in the area who are American. I think this is a neat idea. Last year I remember missing Thanksgiving especially because we received American TV channels and I could watch Football on that day!
Anyway, on this Thanksgiving Day, I am thankful for family, friends, and a great church community. We are really blessed to be here in Granum. Both my wife and I feel this way. We love being here and are extremely thankful. Most of all I am thankful for our Lord and Savior that he came to us. We begin Advent and celebrate his coming, and we wait his coming again. Thank you Jesus for giving yourself for us!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Feeling guilty
This past weekend I actually had the Sunday off and decided it was time to take my wife on a weekend getaway. She had no idea of where we were going or anything. It was a lot of fun to plan this without her knowing. We went to Banff national park and stayed at a nice lodge with a fireplace and kitchen. We went to the hot springs and went up the Banff Gondola. It was a really nice time.
When I got home, there was a message on my machine that someone in our church had a heart attack. It was bad enough that they sent him to Calgary. The thing that got me was that we just came through there. It was too bad I didnt know about it earlier we could have stopped on the way home.
This got me thinking about the weekend. I started to feel a little guilty that we werent around for this. So, on my day off I went up to visit him. Should I feel guilty about spending some quality time with my wife? I feel a little guilty, but then on the other hand, I need to do these things for my own personal life as well as my sanity. Again, some conflicting feelings.
When I got home, there was a message on my machine that someone in our church had a heart attack. It was bad enough that they sent him to Calgary. The thing that got me was that we just came through there. It was too bad I didnt know about it earlier we could have stopped on the way home.
This got me thinking about the weekend. I started to feel a little guilty that we werent around for this. So, on my day off I went up to visit him. Should I feel guilty about spending some quality time with my wife? I feel a little guilty, but then on the other hand, I need to do these things for my own personal life as well as my sanity. Again, some conflicting feelings.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)