The well runs deep

I went to a deep place this past week. A place I hadn't visited since I left it long ago during the innocence of my youth. It amazes me how a seemingly insignificant situation can trigger the painful memories, rather than the delightful memories, of navigating adolescence. Perhaps my sub-conscious is revisiting this place because of the context of my job at the minute.

I am fully immersed in the life and troubling times of the young teenagers in my charge at the school where I work. The drama of their life is overshadowing their educational needs. It makes me sad to see so many young teenagers ( age 12 and 13) with deep wounds already in their life. We have an amazing staff who care and are trying to steer them in the right direction. But, it takes its toll. So many damaged souls. Is it the mandate of educational institutions to care for the emotional needs of these children? It seems to be a "catch-22." Before many of these students are capable of moving forward in their academic pursuits, their damaged souls need to be mended. It is a tall order.

Hindsight tells me it is vital to walk wisely in these formative years. It is vital to form positive friendships. It is vital to be grounded in moral and academic pursuits. Yet, part of the rite of passage through adolescence is experiencing life all on our own.

I am proud of the way I manoeuvred my way through " this coming of age" juncture. It has shaped me into the strong, intelligent, amusing, beautiful woman I am today! The journey into the dark, deep well of painful adolescent experience only makes me more thankful for the life God has allowed me to live and empowers me to effectively help the teenage charges in my care!

Go Canada Go!

With the much anticipated Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics almost over, I thought I would post a few pics honouring our Canadian spirit during these games! I am so proud of our athletes who competed well and wore Canadian pride on their faces every step of the way.

My favourite Olympic winter sport is hockey. Both our women and men's teams are exceptional. Proudly I report our women's team won the GOLD medal against the USA with a final score of 2-0. There is great rivalry between Canada and our border neighbours USA! It makes the competition exciting. Last night our men's team beat Slovakia in a "nail- biter" with a final score of 3-2. This win guaranteed our team a shot at a GOLD medal against, you guessed it, the US on Sunday night. I had the unique privilege of watching last night's game at a local restaurant with a group of about 100 customers. It was thrilling to be part of the "hoopla!" Community spirit is exhilarating and makes me aware our nation is a great one! Go Canada Go!

The famous "Hudson's Bay Company" wool blanket, a symbol of Canada's fur trading history and a logo on our Olympic athlete's clothing. Check out the history here and here.

I took this pic while on the train leaving Montreal a couple weekends ago. It is a pic of an outdoor, homemade ice-hockey rink with a couple of young lads playing hockey. To me, this represents winter in Canada and makes me smile. Ice hockey is such a huge part of Canadian life for many families. As I said earlier, it is one of my favourite Olympic winter sports to watch.

Here I am last winter trying my hand at ice-hockey!

Watching last night's hockey game at Jack Astor's on the big screen with my friends San and Mare...

Go Canada Go! Wearing my Canadian attire in support of our Olympic athletes!(This photo was taken July 1, 2008 in N. Ireland!)

Just Love One Another

Today I had church in the woods. Alone. Completely enveloped by nature. Protected. Protected on all sides from urban sprawl who is slowly choking , annihilating the biodiversity of nature, destroying God's awe-inspiring handiwork. It was a rare moment in these parts. I reveled in every moment of this glorious winter day.

Listening to my ipod, I danced in the snow, breathing in the beauty of the moment. The snow- covered path glistened in the sunshine. The majestic cedars, aged with wisdom, rose high into the crystal- clear blue sky. I love these moments. No distractions as I communed with God.

His words filled my mind:

"But concerning love of the brethren you have no need to have any one write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another."
(1Thessalonians 4:9)

"My daughter, out of your depths you called upon Me, and I answered you. I have brought you through the dark valley and into this place and time of light. Know of a surety that it is I and not another who has done this. I want you to be so grounded in My faithfulness that you can share it with others. The inner knowledge you have gained through your recent trials gives added strength to your words to others who are facing dark times in their lives."
( Echoes of Eternity, Listening to the Father, Vol 2, Hal M. Helms)

Simple truths to live by. Just be grounded in God's faithfulness. Just be be grounded in God and just love one another.

I know a couple who have truly encapsulated this mandate. In fact, I am "house-sitting" for them at the minute. They have been close friends of our family for as long as I can remember. It struck me today how truly amazing this couple is. I have taken for granted the fact that my life is blessed because they are a part of my world. They have never wavered in their faith. They are incredible prayer warriors, praying every day for family, friends and missionaries. They love unconditionally. They have never turned their back on our family, even when they have had reason to do so. They forgive. They let go. They forget. They move on.

I am hemmed in on all sides by their love and faith in God. I am so glad they have faithfully shared God's truth with others. I am a contented beneficiary!

May my life be one that is authentically rooted in God's faithfulness and authentically just loves one another.

Bonjours mes amies!

Here I am standing on one of the many cobblestone streets of "Vieux" - Old - Montreal, Quebec, last weekend!

Ready for a mid-winter break, I chose a colder climate rather than the warmth and sun of a more southern destination that most of my fellow Ontarians choose this time of year. It may have been a crazy decision but well worth the adventure. I chose a destination with a rich history here in Canada. In fact, it is where it all began for our country over 300 years ago. French explorers, Jacques Cartier and Samuel de Champlain left their home country and landed in "New France" in the late 1500's, early 1600's.

Montreal is one of the first cities established in Canada. Of course the aborginal peoples were already here but these french explorers didn't know that and were thrilled they discovered this great country enroute to Asia! They had no idea there was a continent in between Europe and Asia! Montreal is a beautiful city and I had the privilege of visiting friends last weekend. I recorded my trip over here at my web album site.

I am house sitting for a month so am without internet ( ugh)! Right now I am sitting with my laptop at our public library trying to frantically download pics and write this blog post before closing time! I have made comments to go along with the pics so enjoy the adventure! It truly was wonderful and felt like I was in a different country! (French is the first language of Quebec and the official second language of Canada).

Joie de vivre mes amies!

Oh I should link another one of my winter "adventures" here. Check it out!

Bosom Buddies

("After the storm passed by," Bangor Country Club, Northern Ireland, July 2008)

Anne tipped the vase of apple blossoms near enough to bestow a soft kiss on a pink-cupped bud, and then studied diligently for some moments longer.

"Marilla," she demanded presently, "do you think that I shall ever have a bosom friend in Avonlea?'

"A--what kind of friend?"

"A bosom friend--an intimate friend, you know--a really kindred spirit to whom I can confide my inmost soul. I've dreamed of meeting her all my life. I never really supposed I would, but so many of my loveliest dreams have come true all at once that perhaps this one will too. Do you think it's possible?"

(Anne of Green Gables)

It comes from out of no where. When we least expect it. Life is strange that way. However, ironically life prepares us for this moment. The moment when we have to briefly step out of our self-absorbed world taking the focus off our life and its craziness and step into the world of our close circle, our bosom friends, supporting, encouraging, protecting them through their adversities. It is not the time to abandon their plight. It is the time we muster the courage to see them through to the other side.

Several beautiful souls in my circle are in the "winter of their discontent." Their angst resonates in my spirit. But, now is the time for me to support them in the ways they need supporting. It is the time for me to give them the freedom to be. No pressures. It is the time for me to pray. It is the time for me to remind them I love them and will never abandon their side.

They are resilient. They are invincible. They WILL make it to the other side of this brokenness.
Mended, strengthened, renewed. Ready for the adventure that awaits! This is the moment life prepared me to live.

my most favourite apology and compliment ever

26 days ago.
my last blog post.
heavy stuff-not mine, but friends' heavy stuff- is swirling around in my head waiting to be words on this page.
as i wait patiently for the story to gestate, i encountered something today at school which deserves a blog post.

i am thinking a full moon will soon bring life to the dark, winter sky because our students have been "wanky" all week.
i am exhausted especially by the verbal banter of our intermediate students ( ages 11-13), which borders on rudeness and disrespect, to both their peers and staff. actually, it is rude and disrespectful.
today i had an encounter with a student in grade 6 who was disrespectful to me while i was trying to help him. i admit i may have been over sensitive because of the cumulation of attitude around the school all week. however he did what he did and it was wrong. i am also frustrated because i work hard to help these students-yes it is my job- but i do go the extra mile. i don't expect thank yous but do expect to be given respect. i am fair to these students and they know that. i also realize we have bad days and i do think i would have handled things differently had it not been a week from hell!
so later on in the day before lunch this boy came to the class i was in to give me a written apology. it was thick and stapled. in my mind i'm thinking, "wow, this kid has written a novel to me!"
as i was reading it, tears filled my eyes. in my mind i'm thinking, " oh K. what are you doing. do NOT cry in front of this boy. yikes. why are you reacting like this?"
here is the 5-page, large font, bold print, stapled "novel" that made tears form in my eyes:








i LOVED it! i laughed. i thought it was the sweetest thing because this boy really did mean it. he is a "bugger" in class and on the playground, but i do really like him and do see his potential. he has had a bit of a rough life in the 11 years he has lived thus far, but he will be okay. i wish i could post a pic of him because he is such a cute young man with gorgeous big brown eyes and long dark eyelashes ( no he didn't charm me into an apology !!)
i gave this boy a hug ( side hug in the public hallway!) and told him i appreciated this apology and accepted it.
i explained to him why i reacted the way i did too.
all was good and ended well.

so the rest of the day continued to be crazy until last period.
immediately as i entered the grade 8 class, my sweet "D" ( the same girl who wonders why they put letters in math equations...) said to me in an excited tone,

"O-M-G ( yes she spelled out the letters instead of using the complete words) Miss W, I LOOOVVVEEE your pearls!"

i looked at her inquisitively, paused for a moment and then the light went on!
i am still not used to this "text language" talk!
her innocent, naive comments made me laugh yet again which i was grateful for after the day i had!

Happy New Year Ramblings

Genuine, pure, warm hospitality- a rare gift so aptly modelled by my parents...

(Dec.25, 2009, Whitby, ON)

...inviting newcomers to Canada ( who happen to be friends of mine but strangers to my folks) over to enjoy Christmas dinner with our family. We spared no expense with immersing them into our favourite Canadian ( via our British ancestors) traditions of Christmas Crackers ( see photo above), Plum Pudding with my delicious secret sauce, salt fish (well this is a Newfie tradition), Christmas cake and crokinole (I don't know if they play this game in the UK or not)! A wonderful time was had by all!

Refuge

shelter or protection from danger or trouble, to take refuge from a storm.
a place of shelter, protection, or safety.
anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief, or escape.
retreat, sanctuary, haven.

(Shave and I on Dec. 28, 2009, Kingston, ON.
Yes, I am drinking my first beer ever, well it is actually Strongbow Cider! I LOVED it!)

How can I ever express my inmost gratitude for the time spent with my precious friend over the holidays? She created a refuge for my soul. A shelter, a sanctuary, a haven, an auspicious occasion, a refuge.

refuge
safe
understood
loved unconditionally
healing deep wounds
release without judgement
grace
tears
laughter
prayer
compassion
forgiveness
kindred spirits
defenders of friendship
silence
family
strength
fearless
blessed
refuge like our Father

How can I ever express my inmost gratitude to my Father for allowing our paths to cross when we were but innocent teenagers? It is a one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetime friendship that has endured the test of time? I am blessed. Thank you my sweet Shave! Thank you my sweet Father! Both of you are a refuge like no other!

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2Cor. 5:17)

(Dressed and ready to ring in the new year with my friends at The H.'s house on Dec. 31, 2009, Oshawa, ON)

I started a new tradition, well new to me, for New Year's Eve. I was visiting my sweet Brasilian friend over the holidays and she told me in Brasil everyone wears white on New Year's Eve. It symbolizes starting anew. Wiping the slate clean so to speak. Jesus wiped our slate clean- "washed our sins white as snow."

"We tend to rehash the past and rehearse the future. You can fret as much as you want, and it's not going to change anything. Why not get through with grace and ease?"
Julianna Margulies, actress

Also, white is made of seven colors, so the wearing of white can also symbolize bringing "colour," vibrancy, life into the new year. At midnight, you are to make a wish. If your wish involves finding love then you wear a touch of red :)

My prayer for 2010 (from Hal Helms, Echoes of Eternity, Volume 2):

"What do you think God expects from you? Just this: Live in His presence in holy reverence, follow the road He sets out for you, love Him, serve God, your God, with everything you have in you, obey the commandments and regulations of God that I'm commanding you today-live a good life."
(Deut. 10:12-13, The Message)

"Continue on in the path, My son and My daughter. It is a good path, and leads onward toward our mutual goal. Calm your fears, child. I am here and will be here always and all the way. Deo Gratias "