2009 Tally

1.Move to B.C.
CHECK. End of April, 2009

2. Graduate as an RN
CHECK. End of April, 2009, exam written and passed June 3rd, 2009

3. Do 100+ newborn baths
☹ Not working in postpartum since final practicum, probably did somewhere between 12-20 while I was there

4. Buy a guitar
Nope. I think this will need to be a prize for learning a song on the guitar or something.

5. Read more Newbery Medal books
CHECK. Many many more, not sure the exact number.

6. Write a letter every week
Nope. I don’t think so but I did do more letter writing than last year so I will keep at it.

7. Participate/Encourage/Witness the accomplishment of BIG goals for Teh Project
Nope. The Project is in stasis as the writing goes but I am still part of it and look forward to seeing it finish.

8. Complete 2nd draft of my wip by April 1st
… ☹

9. Get professional feedback for my novel
See above…

10. Submit my novel for publishing
See above above…

11. Help backstage @ ___
CHECK. Was totally fun and I have a new BIG dream related to this. ☺

12. Take a roadtrip with S.T.
CHECK. Completed end of April, 2009 and it was sweet awesome!

13. Go to the Gathering in Nashville
CHECK. Wow, what a weekend. :D

14. Kiss Elijah
CHECK. Smooched him on the cheek and he didn’t make strange or cry. His mom was quite impressed. ☺

15. Worship dance with Joy
Nope, but I did get to meet her and spend time with her so next time!

16. Teach Katie and Nikki to play Dutch Blitz
Nope, but their parents already know the game.

17. Spend another sunrise at C___ Point
Nope, it is ridiculous that I did not make the time to do this. :P

18. Hang glide
Nope, this one is still on the bucket list. Found a good teacher to do it with though, I think.

19. Jump off a cliff with my sister, Janessa (or something else adventurous that she would like to do)
CHECK. I think our Europe trip counts as adventurous even if there wasn’t any cliff jumping. (scaled and jumped off a waterfall ledge in Israel)

20. Finally finish memorizing Psalm 119
Nope, but I found a website with it in HEBREW. :D

21. Make flossing a regular habit
CHECK. I’ve done it nearly every day for the last two and a half months, we’ll see if it sticks.

22. Learn to sing "Jesus Loves Me" in Mandarin Chinese (and other languages)
Nope, but I have a recording of it in THAI. Can’t actually sing along with it yet but I have put it on a CD for my car.

23. Read books out loud with my sister, Hannah
CHECK. Dragonrider and the Tower of Geburah. ☺ Working on Gaal the Conqueror right now.

24. Create a really cool Age of Empires campaign with my brother, Andrew
CHECK. Not finished but I think it is really cool. ;)

25. Watch the 6th Harry Potter with Christa & Julianna and treat them to a fancy dessert
Nope, unfortunately Christa was on an entirely different continent and Julianna in a different province but we watched the movie on the same day.

26. Find something weird/new to cook with every month
Not sure if this is a check or not, I didn’t follow up with it very well. I did have fun experimenting with different things though.

27. Eat more avocado
CHECK. Mmmmmm!

28. Take yoga and belly dancing classes
CHECK/not check. I took a hot yoga class but haven’t gotten out to belly dancing yet.

29. Go fishing (and learn to clean fish)
Nope, need Joy to take me. ☺

30. Visit Lass and cook a fantabulous meal with her
SO CLOSE but schedule didn’t mesh, still working on this one.

31. Spin hug with Phoenix, my cyber-sis
Not in the same geographical vicinity… :’( Only cyber hugs exchanged

32. Cross the Alberta/Saskatchewan border
Lol, I can’t believe I STILL haven’t done this!

33. Swing dance
Mmmm, not actually unfortunately.

34. Teach Deanna more Rhumba steps (teach ballroom dancing to anyone who wants to learn)
CHECK. But barnacle covered rocks don’t make good dance floors…

35. Worship with Lannette and dance in the streets
CHECK. Thank You, Abba!

36. Walk in the land of Israel
CHECK. Baruch HaShem!

34. Worship at IHOP in Jerusalem
CHECK. On my bday. ☺

35. Write a letter to a politician regarding an issue that is important to me
Bother, I forgot about this one. Definitely need to put it back on the list!

36. Learn and memorize a new song on the piano
Oooo, I have not memorized any of them yet.

37. Take guitar lessons (learn to play at least 3 more songs)
Uh, yeah this one is not a check.

38. Wear fuzzy socks more often
CHECK. And another pair in my Christmas stocking with turtles on them!

39. Learn & sing a duet with my sister, Micayla
Not a check. Sing with her all the time but we need to learn an actual duet.

40. Breakdance with my brother, Peter
Not much. Trying to plan a snowboarding trip though

41. Volunteer at a Pregnancy Counselling Centre
No, I have found an organization in the area that I am interested in volunteering with but I think I will need to find a part time position before I have the time to do the weeks of orientation

42. Volunteer at the CAUSE run in Canmore
Nope, forgot about this one.

43. Pray more frequently for leaders in government
Not sure how to measure this one…

44. Scheme something EPIC with my brother, Josh
Still need to do this too… Hmmmm…

45. Paint toenails with Vilma and laugh lots! (link also with #28)
CHECK. With her assistance, my ten toes are five different colours right now. Need to go belly dancing together still though

46. Finish my crazy story project for my co-workers from the summer
I’m afraid I abandoned this project.

47. Write the true stories of other people
Nope, need to put it back on the list.

48. Write another 50k+ novel in the month of November
CHECK. Aw yeah! …need to write The End still for Mesiebed though.

49. Hike Mt. Baker with the Ragans
Nope, still working on this one.

50. Go to the USANA celebration in Calgary
CHECK. Fun and informative. :D

51. Help host a Health & Freedom or Sense event every month
Nope, … one Sense Spa party…

52. Swim frequently
Mm, I don’t think this one is a check. I barely swam at all in the summer. All the swimming in Israel though was INCREDIBLE. Oh, I love water! :D

53. Spend lots of time outside
Hm, again I don’t think this one is a check. Good thing I am taking oral vitD!

54. Finish a project in my craft box
…

55. Buy "my Baby" from Mom & Dad, register in my name
Plans changed with this one. I will be leasing a car instead, no name yet.

56. Have at least one tea party with fancy mailed invitations
:O I forgot about this! Definitely goes back on the list.

57. Have an organized clean room before I pack it all up and move away
Mmmm… this is debateable. I did get rid of SO much clutter! Getting better at keeping clean too.

58. Snowboard more than once or twice
Once.

59. Get rid of clutter, give it away
CHECK! See 57, felt really really good.

60. Build a sand bear (or try valiantly)
CHECK times 6 with the help of Moshe. Epic. October, 2009

61. Buy a cell phone and get in on this texting action
(EDIT: Officially CHECKED off January 10th, 2009)

62. Read Boneman's Daughters, Kiss, Lunatic and Elyon
CHECK. Also the ARC of Burn and the final Circle Series: Green which were AMAZING.

63. Swim to the island at T____ Lake
I forget… I was only at the lake a few times, I don’t remember if I went to the island or not.

64. Perform a skit with my siblings
Nope.

65. Pay off at least 1/4 of my debt to the bank of Mom & Dad (stay out of all other debt)
Nope/CHECK. Won’t be out of debt to my parents that quickly but I have started paying back and no other debt.

66. Attend Top Hat & Tails
CHECK. Lovely as always.

67. Remember to check the oil in the car
What? Cars have oil that needs checking?

68. Dance in B_____ park
Nope, should have joined in with the group of people Israeli dancing that I saw when I was sharing a milkshake with a friend!

69. Spend more time interacting on the Circle than lurking
Hmmm… Did better with this earlier in the year. Back to lurking mode.

70. Walk from ___ Avenue to _____
Lol, nope…

71. Visit Alyssa in Jasper
Nope, need to see that girl again though!

72. Encourage my co-workers
CHECK. I had one comment along those lines so I’m checking it. ☺

73. Complete an intrapartum care course
Nope, need a sponser…

74. Write my nursing mission statement
Nope, forgot about this. I have a start somewhere I should look up.

75. Watch the 2nd season of Alias
CHECK. (and the third…)

76. Dunk in the Jordan river (if possible)
CHECK! Baptized for the third time but each time has special significance. ☺ If the website starts working again, I will link video.

77. Volunteer at Beit Immanuel
Nope, stayed overnight though and that was good

78. Listen more for God's silence
CHECK. I hope to do this even more next year too.

79. Skip rope
Nope, should buy myself one.

80. Colour with sidewalk chalk (create pictograph bible stories and play lots of hopskotch)
Nope

81. Blow bubbles on the breakwall
Not together. I did blow lots of bubbles and I did walk on the breakwall but I didn’t have my bubbles with me.

82. Teach Caspian to play fetch
CHECK sometimes. Depends on the mood he is in

83. Watch the 1st Indiana Jones movie
Nope.

84. Play lots of soccer (and buy more soccerballs for children in other places)
Nope/CHECK. I did buy more soccer balls from the CHF catalogue but I didn’t play much soccer.

85. Do the RESET cleanse
(EDIT: Officially checked off the week of February 5-9th)

86. Meet Collette Larsen
Spent a week in relatively close confines with her but didn’t actually meet her.

87. Find opportunities to babysit for free
CHECK. Once. ☺

88. Sponsor a child
CHECK. Isatu from Sierra Leone!

89. Wash feet
Nope.

90. Pick blackberries and bake blackberry pie
Nope. Ate every blackberry that I picked.

91. Do secret gifts for the moderators and TD administrator again.
CHECK. June, 2009.

92. Check off every item of this list by 2359 hours on December 31st, 2009
Unfortunately, this one is not a check. Still cool to look back and see.

And now for 2010!

JC

Every year I think there is more hope and less pain. :)

A note to my baby sis: I love you and I am still looking forward to dancing with you one day.

Missing you,
Leanna

Tomorrow

Boker Tov!


Late late tomorrow after the end of Shabbat, I will wing my way back to the far shores of Canada.

There will be pictures and more detailed elaboration of stories over the next couple weeks. I think I am ready to go back and (hopefully) have more time to reflect on all I have seen and experienced.

Sweetest awesomest thing from yesterday?
NIGHT SWIM!
Love it. After a worship outreach evening in Tel Aviv, we built a bonfire on the beach again. Then someone commented that it would be a good night for a swim. Yay! I had been carrying my towel and swimsuit around ALL day in hope of that very thing.
It was so refreshing and so fun. :D I will miss the Med.

Live free! :)

Mehere! [sp]

Fast! That is what this post will have to be, I am nearly a week behind on the storytelling so I will give a brief summary and expand later. :)

Oct. 8
The Old City!
We visited the Davidson Centre and learned a LOT about the history of the Temple. Then we went to the old south wall.
Really cool: most people were to enter in the right gate and exit through the left gate. But those who were in mourning, had just been married or who had lost something were to enter through the left gate that way the people coming out would be able to comfort them, celebrate with them or help them find what was missing. Several members in the group were mourning the death of loved ones in the past year so they walked up to the blocked off entrance and we surrounded them with prayer and comforted them. They said it was really healing.

Then I kicked off a shoe so I could dance barefoot on the steps where Jesus had walked. :D I will post the short video to Facebook when I get home.

We also went to the Wailing Wall, Chain of Generations hall and finally the Garden Tomb. The Garden Tomb is the most peaceful place I have been in Jerusalem, one of those places that you can just tell that people have gathered to pray and worship. We had a beautiful time of communion there.

Lannette and I dashed off to a Messianic worship service (wow, I loved being able to sing worship songs I knew in Hebrew as well as English!) and ended up staying really late visiting in a cafe.

Oct. 9
The day before my bday!
We went to Ein Gedi where David hid from Saul. We had not planned very well because we did not have our swimsuits but we jumped in clothes and all anyway. The waterfalls were lovely and I did a Daily Focus which will have to be one of the stories I expand on later.
Then Masada where our tour guide really brought history to life. I don't know what I think about the hard decision that was made there.
Then we hustled our way south to see the Fountain of Tears by Rick Wineke [sp]. Unfortunately he wasn't there, it would have been so amazing to hear him share about his work. But it was very moving just to see it.
It was a loooooong bus ride back but the last portion of it I spent worshipping with several of the ladies in the middle/back of the bus. So good.
Finally we had Shabbat dinner under a suka in the hotel and were able to testify about Yeshua to several curious people.

Oct. 10th
My birthday!!!
And Simchat Torah! :D I danced to every song but one and felt like one of the Jewish people. ;)

Oct. 11th and 12th
Hung out in Jerusalem, stayed up WAY WAY late every night but at least didn't have to get up early because the tour was over.

Oct. 13th
In Tel Aviv!
Swam in the Dead Sea and now I must go!

Shalom Shalom!

Erev Tov!

Wow, I don't even know how to begin but my internet time is limited so I had better get my thoughts together quick.

October 6th
Started bright and EARLY. We headed out to the Sea of Galilee. First was some shopping time and then we embarked on Daniel Carmel's boat Faith. He told us just very briefly the story of how he came to know Yeshua as his saviour after repeated exposure to Christians worshipping on his boat! And now he is leading worship. :D It was really cool to have heard his music previously from the CD Janessa had bought when she was in Israel.
Totally God-wink: it RAINED when we got onto the boat and they had not had rain since ?April. It only sprinkled but it kept up while we sang Michael W. Smith's "Let it Rain". It was lovely. The only things that could have made it better would have been if I had more room to dance and if the rain had fallen for the whole time! :D
Another cool thing: Daniel explained to us about the significance of the 153 fish caught at the end of John.

THEN we drove to Jerusalem. On the way, I had my first Israeli falafel (it was SOOOO good!) and saw camels but did not ride one (hopefully later in the trip...).
Upon entering Jerusalem we joined up with the Jerusalem March of the nations gathered together to show their support for Israel. The Brazil group was the largest, they were totally awesome, so pumped. They had this cheer going while we were all waiting on the hill, I forget the beginning lines but the end was "we are here to shout and show/ Israel is not alone!"
I tried to say "Sawadeekah!" to the Thai group when we passed by them getting line but it was too noisy and none of them heard me. It really was amazing to see all the people from different nations gathered to bless and support Israel. There were even two guys from Nepal!

When the March finally started it was an incredible experience. We had Canadian souvenirs and candy to hand out and at the start the kids and crowds were gathered so thick that you had to walk single file. It was even just amazing to witness Mr. Bye make stern men and little old ladies cry, thanking them for fulfilling the prophecies of the Bible for being Abbas and Immas in Israel. He got mentioned in a newspaper article and quoted. Haha. :D So awesome.

We finished the March and headed to our hotel just in time for supper (which was a scrumptious buffet). I then had a bit of adventure meeting back up with Lannette (she had dropped out because of her foot to hang with Israeli friends at a coffee shop). She called to ask if I would be comfortable taxiing to where she was because she was right by the house of worship we were going to that evening. *Dramatic Pause* I will come back to this because I want to make sure I catch up to tomorrow first.

Anyhoo, I (obviously) made it safe and sound to Lannette and our Israeli friends and we headed to the house of worship. It is on the top floor of a building with these spectacular windowed corridors where you can see out over most of the city. A great place to intercession. Moshe was leading worship and Lannette accompanied him on the keyboard, playing some songs that she had never played before.
I rested. I cried. I danced. It was beautiful.

After we went to meet another friend somewhere else. We passed through Zion Square where Orthodox Jewish men were dancing in the street. Wow. Something is so messed with Canadian culture that that doesn't just happen. (unless maybe the guys are drunk or high...) The place where we were supposed to meet the friend was in an area thick with busy bars and every bar had at least one outside greeter to draw people in. One guy would just NOT give up, "Come, come, tell your friend to meet you here. I'll give you a free hookah pipe for your table and the second beer is free!" :P It was way too crazy busy so Carrie called the friend to meet us back at Zion Square instead.
By this time, I (so NOT a creature of the night) was ready to turn in so Chaim and Moshe caught us a cab. They explained where the hotel was in Hebrew. When Lannette and I got in the cab, we found out the driver did not speak ANY English. Fortunately Lannette's Hebrew was up to the task and kept him from cheating us in our change at the end.

October 7th
Yay, we have reached today! :D
WHAT A DAY.
There is no way I will be able to get it all down right now in the fullness I want to. I wish too that I could download some of the pictures to SHOW you. Alas, I will add them when I am back home.
This morning started at the holocaust museum. As our tour guide said, "I've been to this museum 200 times and I still have not seen it all". I think trying to take all of it at one time could kill you too. It tears the heart. The two exhibits that stand out most to me are: Raoul Wallenburg's place in the order of the righteous (nonJews who helped Jews at great risk to themselves) and the Children's Memorial (I don't want to describe, you should just see it for yourself).
As you leave the Museum, you see on the back of the entrance way arch Exekiel 37 v? "I have breathed into you and made you to live again and planted you in the land..."

Next we headed for the Jordan river but there were no soldiers available to take us in so we went for lunch first at the Caves of Qumran. There was a store with TONS of Ahava products there but we only had a half hour to get our lunch, eat it and shop.
SIDENOTE: SO you had better be very very grateful, Nessa, I gobbled my lovely shwarma for your sake! ;)
We had a very quick teaching up by the Caves. And then we were off again to the Jordan.
*cue epic music*
Absolutely a trip highlight, man alive, I would live it over again.
This time we were not alone waiting at the security crossing, there was a convoy of Jerusalemites who were as excited to see us as we were to see them if you can believe it (seriously, imagine Dean Bye and then imagine an almost as passionate counterpart).

[Ahhhh... I only have 20 minutes of internet time left. How will I do this story justice?]

Anyhoo, I told Mr. Bye that I wanted to be baptized in the Jordan. I think it was a bit of deja vu for him. :) Being baptized in the Jordan is an idea I have entertained for some time but actually being there, it became a conviction. When I asked Abba about it, He said, Yes do it! (too bad I hadn't thought to have that conversation sooner than I could have packed extra clothes...)

Down by the side of the Jordan River (which is just as muddy as you can imagine when reading Naaman's story), we went over some of the different events that had happened there: Israelites crossing over, Elijah & Elisha, Naaman and the baptism of Jesus. We called greetings over to the Jordanian side where different groups of people were also coming to the water's edge briefly. (Only 1 Jordanian soldier standing watch so not quite as intimidating as in Janessa's story!)

I was the first to be baptized. I explained how I had been baptized before and why I wanted to do it again in the Jordan. I shared Philippians 3:7-11 which God had placed on my heart (Leanna paraphrased version). Then I knelt down and fell forward into the slimy brown water.
And rose up again. :D
It felt very much like a death/birthing experience even though it was very quick.

Three others were baptized and gave brief beautiful testimonies.

THEN the Jerusalemites gathered with us. It was such a God thing, this meeting at the Jordan River. The leader of their group (I forget his name) translated as Mr. Bye spoke. Remi prayed for them. And then we sang two songs that had been written by different members of our group when God had shared His heart for Israel with them. (one of these was Lannette's "You are Mine" from Isaiah 43).
At this point, we found out that they had come up from Jerusalem as part of events preceding their bar and bat Mitzvahs. We sang a couple Hebrew songs with them. One of the girls (named Nama) stood up and took the microphone to share in English how our words and support were an incredible courage and faith builder.

It was just one of those crazy things that only God could plan. People on the other side were taking pictures of us, Jew and Christian gathered together. Just before both groups left, one of the boys stood up to ask in Hebrew, "Did you plan this?!?".
Nope.
He did. ;)

To close off the day, we went down (down, down, down) to the Dead Sea, covered ourselves in the mineral rich mud and floated. :D

Tomorrow...
The Old City!

Shalom.

From Sea to Sea

Erev Tov!

I am blogging from a balcony above the Sea of Galilee. The night is just the kind of cozy warm that makes you want to sleep under the stars. NO mosquitoes around just crickets somewhere making their symphony.

So I slept straight through from midnight to quarter after ten this morning, a great start to the trip especially since tomorrow's wake up call is 6:30am! Anyhoo, Lannette and I pulled ourselves out of bed and bused down to meet friends at Beit Immanuel. (except for getting my foot stuck in the bus door, it was an uneventful trip) Beit Immanuel has a refreshing homey feel just in the front lobby where we met Corinne. I am definitely looking forward to staying there next week!

We went for Shwarmas (sp???) which is a kind of pita wrap that is REALLY good (AND they had ketchup!) :D Then to Dr. Lek's for some of the best ice cream ever, no lie, I don't care if Italy is famous for Gelato. :) I had a scoop of mango, mmmmmm!

We stopped for a quick dip of the toes in the Mediterranean (so lovely and incredibly warm, almost too warm to be refreshing... can't wait to actually go swimming). Then we headed back to the buses and spent the rest of the day getting to Tiberius on the Sea of Galilee where we were received an enthusiastic welcome from the tour group and Lannette's parents and feasted on the hotel provided buffet.

Tomorrow we will worship on the Sea of Galilee and we do the Jerusalem March in the afternoon. Please pray for peace. :)

Shalom!
Leanna

PS> During our long bus ride, we drove past this valley mentioned somewhere in the Bible, I will have to ask Lannette to remind of what she said again. Anyhoo it triggered a sort of story scene in my head that I will have to blog here. :) L'Chaim!

This Year in Jerusalem!

Erev Tov!

Twenty some hours of travelling later, I am finally in the land of Israel. Wow, such a dream come true to be here. It is worth the decade of waiting.

The coolest thing from the last couple days was meeting Jenny at the airport and sharing the flight from Toronto to Tel Aviv with her. When we weren't trying to sleep, she, Lannette and I might have been the noisiest most hyper people on that flight. We had our noses to the window as we the Mediterranean fell away below us to reveal the flowering desert and skyscrapers of Israel. When the wheels touched down on Israel soil, we cheered. :D

The sun set as we landed so I have not seen the Land in daylight yet. Thus far, I have ridden the train (chatted with an Israeli who is just out of the army and planning a surf vacation to Australia), been slightly ripped off by a cab driver who yelled and gestured into his cell phone the entire drive, gone shopping for food when all the places were closed because of the high holiday and visited with an incredible group of people in a beautiful Israeli apartment.

In addition to "toda raba" (thank you very much), I now know "kin" (yes) and "lo" (no) and a couple of the other words that I won't even try spelling because I haven't managed to say them right yet.

Lannette and I hope to catch up with several friends of hers tomorrow afternoon and then we join the tour in the evening. :)

Shalom!
Leanna

Awe

What do I know of holy?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6J5TzSE_18

I need to learn how to insert video from a link if that is possible...

From chapter 2

        Outside the muted traffic noises were a relief to Rae's ears and the autumn chill felt good on Rae's skin. She breathed deep, tasting the nip all the way down to her lungs.

    "We better get back," Vi said. She started off at a fast pace and didn't say anything more. They walked back in silence but Rae didn't slip back into plotting her story again. She felt on edge. Vi only got quiet when she was really upset about something.

    Back on her driveway, she watched Vi dig her keys out. "Well, see you around, Vi." 

              "It's still about Ryan, isn't it?"

              Rae halted in mid-turn, her mind slammed to a bewildered stop.

              "It's his birthday this weekend. You're not the only one who misses him you know."

Rae risked a look at her not wanting to make eye contact. Vi fidgeted with her car keys looking distinctly un-Vi-like.

"I can't… I mean, I don't-" Vi sighed in frustration before starting over, "Pretending that nothing's happened, that nothing's changed since last spring is killing me, Rae." Her voice had dropped so low that Rae almost stepped nearer. "And, considering the fact that you never leave your house anymore, I don't think you're doing so well either. I heard you're seeing a shrink."

Rae looked away. Iron clenched her stomach.

"I want to be friends again. You know, actually talk and hang out without this," Vi searched for the right word, "this façade." She paused and took a slow breath, "Rae, I'm sorry about what happened after the play."

              Silence hung uncomfortably in the air but Vi didn't say anything more.

              "You know," Rae said at last. "It is almost five and I have to help with dinner again tonight. And I have a geometry test tomorrow." She avoided Vi's gaze, "I'll see you around, k?" She didn't wait for an answer. She pushed the door to the garage open and shut it hard behind her. Outside, Vi's car rumbled to life and faded into the distance.

              The iron weight in Rae's stomach didn't ease, it reached up and pulled on the corners of her eyes, drawing rivulets of salty liquid down Rae's face.

*Waiting*

*Wait*

Now, Abba?

Where now the horse and the rider?

"Where now the horse and the rider? where is the horn that was blowing?
Where is the helm and the hauberk and the bright hair flowing?
Where is the hand on the harp-string, and the red fire glowing?
Where is the spring and the harvest and the tall corn growing?
They have passed like rain on the mountain, like a wind in the meadow;
The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow.
Who shall gather the smoke of the dead wood burning?
Or behold the flowing years from the Sea returning?"
(Tolkien, Two Towers)

Where, O Lord, is Your church? Why do I gather alone?
I am still wrestling with this, Abba.
You asked me if I had asked others to gather.
This time I did.
I stepped out, Lord.

And one person did come.

But I am still wondering, Abba.
Where is Your church?

Here I am.
What would you have me do?

Missing...

A thought to ponder from Newbery Medal book The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg:

They did not know that Humpty Dumpty was not in Wonderland because they never journeyed through the looking glass to find him.
How can you know what is missing if you’ve never met it? You must know of something’s existence before you can notice its absence.
-p. 157 (bold added)

Time to go back to bed

Man alive, I should have stayed in bed this morning.

But the extra 6 inches of snow and fierce wind did not dissuade me from going to work. And even though I still haven't really slept in the last week, I felt really energized and rather ridiculously happy on shift today. :)

I was on top of things but then it started to get crazy. In the midst of trying to help the other nurses keep on track with their assignments, I lost track of my own and there was way more than I would have liked left undone at shift change (although nothing dire).

I won't go into all the crazy details but following a stressful shift change, I was in a scary (but zero injuries) car accident, my cell phone died at the police station (with my family all out of the province so I couldn't call them on their phone) and when I finally made it back home, there was a sign saying "No water, maybe back on this evening".

It definitely crossed the line to where I laughed more than I cried. It was just so comically tragic. :D

The water has finally come back on (at least in spurts, hopefully the toilet will be flushable soon). And the insurance company will call me back tomorrow morning. I'm praying that will go well. And thanking God for the little miracles that keep me smiling. :) He really is good.

I am so glad that it is time to crawl back under the covers. And I'm turning my alarm off. ;)

Collecting Tears

I cared for my first apprehended baby today in the nursery, sang her "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" to quiet her after the Hepatitis B shot.

Man alive. :(

Abba,
Thank you for precious little "L". Thank you that you have a forever family for her and that you love her like crazy. I pray that she would know your love from infancy. I pray that you would give the foster family compassion and wisdom. I pray that you would cover and protect her. May she and her family praise you for the miracles you have done.
In the name of Yeshua, I ask.
Amen.

Whom do you seek?

from Chapter One

Kas’SaDe knelt down in the thick spongy moss of the forest floor. No discernable path lay before or behind her but she knew the way to go. ToByan was home. She knew the life and routine of the forest as surely as she knew herself even if she had never ventured this far before now. She knew dozens of safe plants and insects to eat, the restorative uses of tera seeds and how to overcome jaglars. She knew all the frog songs and what they foretold. She knew the smell of imminent rain. But she had never, even when deep in the haunts of jaglars, known the experience of being hunted.
The uncomfortable sensation of vulnerability had clung to her for more than an hour now, growing progressively in strength. Goosebumps rose across her arms, the muscles in the back of her neck contracted tightly and every sense tingled with heightened awareness.

As she had done repeatedly throughout the past two days of her journey, she waited, crouched in the tricky shadows of ToByan. One hand rested on the woven pouch belted to her side. She listened. Tiny flies buzzed over her lips and nose but she kept still. Only her eyes moved, scanning slowly through the dappled patterns of light in moss, brush and tree. Vy toads wooed each other in the canopy above and vy irises saturated the air with pungent spice. A bramble snake slithered across the ground within arm’s reach. She made a note of its movement to her left as it circled a large boulder and vanished into the thorny entanglement of bramble tress behind. Nothing else moved over the ground. All was as it should be, indeed as it had been for the past two days, but Kas could not shake her unease.
The hand over the woven pouch tightened subconsciously.
So much trouble for a simple letter!

Kas didn’t need to pull it out of the carrier pouch to picture it clearly before her. The gravity with which the letter was entrusted to her had sealed its image in her mind. A small white square sealed with dark red wax on the front and addressed with a single name in black flowing calligraphy on the back. Besides brief initial direction, that name was all Kas had to guide her. It was unfamiliar to her and her tongue stumbled over the strange pronunciation:
Ùghdair.

Forward Motion

"'cuz I struggle with forward motion, we all struggle with forward motion..." (Relient K)

Thus far,

5. I have read three more Newbery medal books. :) (Waterless Mountain, Sounder & The Door in the Wall)

20. Four more verses done :)

21. Two days in a row! :P

33. Last night. 'Twas fun!

61. CHECK! I have bought my cell phone and the texting madness has ensued! :D :D :D

78. Loving this. Thank You, Abba.

Onward!

92 Wishes

1. Move to B.C.

2. Graduate as an RN

3. Do 100+ newborn baths

4. Buy a guitar

5. Read more Newbery Medal books

6. Write a letter every week

7. Participate/Encourage/Witness the accomplishment of BIG goals for Teh Project

8. Complete 2nd draft of my wip by April 1st

9. Get professional feedback for my novel

10. Submit my novel for publishing

11. Help backstage @ ___

12. Take a roadtrip with S.T.

13. Go to the Gathering in Nashville

14. Kiss Elijah

15. Worship dance with Joy

16. Teach Katie and Nikki to play Dutch Blitz

17. Spend another sunrise at C___ Point

18. Hang glide

19. Jump off a cliff with my sister, Janessa (or something else adventurous that she would like to do)

20. Finally finish memorizing Psalm 119

21. Make flossing a regular habit

22. Learn to sing "Jesus Loves Me" in Mandarin Chinese (and other languages)

23. Read books out loud with my sister, Hannah

24. Create a really cool Age of Empires campaign with my brother, Andrew

25. Watch the 6th Harry Potter with Christa & Julianna and treat them to a fancy dessert

26. Find something weird/new to cook with every month

27. Eat more avocado

28. Take yoga and belly dancing classes

29. Go fishing (and learn to clean fish)

30. Visit Lass and cook a fantabulous meal with her

31. Spin hug with Phoenix, my cyber-sis

32. Cross the Alberta/Saskatchewan border

33. Swing dance

34. Teach Deanna more Rhumba steps (teach ballroom dancing to anyone who wants to learn)

35. Worship with Lannette and dance in the streets

36. Walk in the land of Israel

34. Worship at IHOP in Jerusalem

35. Write a letter to a politician regarding an issue that is important to me

36. Learn and memorize a new song on the piano

37. Take guitar lessons (learn to play at least 3 more songs)

38. Wear fuzzy socks more often

39. Learn & sing a duet with my sister, Micayla

40. Breakdance with my brother, Peter

41. Volunteer at a Pregnancy Counselling Centre

42. Volunteer at the CAUSE run in Canmore

43. Pray more frequently for leaders in government

44. Scheme something EPIC with my brother, Josh

45. Paint toenails with Vilma and laugh lots! (link also with #28)

46. Finish my crazy story project for my co-workers from the summer

47. Write the true stories of other people

48. Write another 50k+ novel in the month of November

49. Hike Mt. Baker with the Ragans

50. Go to the USANA celebration in Calgary

51. Help host a Health & Freedom or Sense event every month

52. Swim frequently

53. Spend lots of time outside

54. Finish a project in my craft box

55. Buy "my Baby" from Mom & Dad, register in my name

56. Have at least one tea party with fancy mailed invitations

57. Have an organized clean room before I pack it all up and move away

58. Snowboard more than once or twice

59. Get rid of clutter, give it away

60. Build a sand bear (or try valiantly)

61. Buy a cell phone and get in on this texting action
(EDIT: Officially CHECKED off January 10th, 2009)

62. Read Boneman's Daughters, Kiss, Lunatic and Elyon

63. Swim to the island at T____ Lake

64. Perform a skit with my siblings

65. Pay off at least 1/4 of my debt to the bank of Mom & Dad (stay out of all other debt)

66. Attend Top Hat & Tails

67. Remember to check the oil in the car

68. Dance in B_____ park

69. Spend more time interacting on the Circle than lurking

70. Walk from ___ Avenue to _____

71. Visit Alyssa in Jasper

72. Encourage my co-workers

73. Complete an intrapartum care course

74. Write my nursing mission statement

75. Watch the 2nd season of Alias

76. Dunk in the Jordan river (if possible)

77. Volunteer at Beit Immanuel

78. Listen more for God's silence

79. Skip rope

80. Colour with sidewalk chalk (create pictograph bible stories and play lots of hopskotch)

81. Blow bubbles on the breakwall

82. Teach Caspian to play fetch

83. Watch the 1st Indiana Jones movie

84. Play lots of soccer (and buy more soccerballs for children in other places)

85. Do the RESET cleanse
(EDIT: Officially checked off the week of February 5-9th)

86. Meet Collette Larsen

87. Find opportunities to babysit for free

88. Sponsor a child

89. Wash feet

90. Pick blackberries and bake blackberry pie

91. *secret*

92. Check off every item of this list by 2359 hours on December 31st, 2009

Snowflake method –Step 1

A teenage girl tries to cope with wounds from her past by writing a fantasy novel.