I loved my Ruby
Today was a sad day for my whole family. We had to put our dog of 13 years, Ruby to sleep. It was so much harder than I thought it would be. This dog had grown to be a wonderful part of our lives as a family and we have so many wonderful memories of her. At least she went with all of us around her in my parents backyard. It was such a difficult decision to make and I'll love her for the rest of my life.
Nop (the other dog) whined by the gate quite a lot when they took her body away. I hope that she can get used to being the only dog. She's never been alone before.
Sorry this is so morbid you guys. It's a pretty sad day for me. I loved that dog so much. I thank God for the joy she brought to my family and I. Up to doggie heaven she goes. (sniff...)
LES MISERABLES
Jer and I went last night. He got the tickets from someone at work that he'd done some extra jobs for. It was a nice little anniversary date. And...it was pretty amazing. I've seen it before in London, but there I had restricted view seats (because they were cheaper) which made it difficult to see. (Being in the top balcony of a theatre about 4 times the size of Centennial, and seeing the dead people walk off the revolving stage sort of wrecked it for me.) All in all though, yesterday was great. I hope Jer knows that now every six months I expect him to take me to a show! Just kidding...or am I?
Anyway, now I'm back to writing papers. My biggest 25 page one still isn't quite finished. (I'm handing it in today) I'm pretty sure that it's the hardest paper I've ever had to write in my University career. I have another one due on Friday (which I'll have to work on tomorrow) and another one due next week along with a midterm. So...I'm looking forward to that being done.
I won't be around for a bit as a result. (In the blog world or anywhere else really.) Until the end of next week!
An anniversary of sorts...
Today marks 6 months for Jer and I. (I can't believe that it's been 6 months already!) The rest of our lives to go. Today is a great day. ;-)
I struggle to find the words...
Some of you have known me/known about me in previous years and the thought that you know what you do hurts me to the core. Many only see who I was rather than who I am. Sometimes I wonder why I didn't shout my difficulties from the roof tops so that people would understand. But, now I'm convinced that no matter what I say, no matter what secret I carry with me that would make so many things clear, people are people and they would judge me regardless. (And in all honesty, I too would judge them on occasion.)
So many of us base our interpretation of a person on what they have done/mistakes they've made rather than who they are. I hate that, but I'm sure I've done it too. What I despise more, is that so much of the 'judgment' that I've felt in my life has been from the one institution that I still put so much faith in, the church. We need to start separating the sin from the person. A person is not just their sin. They are many other things as well. Some days I wonder where this 'forgiveness' is that so many of us speak of. I know it's there, but does it live in us like it should? Are we really looking at and loving people like Jesus? Are we? As the image of the torture/beating/crucifixion of Jesus runs through my mind, I wonder if we're up for it. Are you, am I ready to have a love so powerful, so radical that you or I would die for those who hate us?...die for those who are different?...die for those who struggle? Would we do it?
I want to say yes. I want to be so sure that I would, but I don't know. It's a journey. There's no doubt of that.
But, let's start with this... Let's start with loving those who are hard to love. Let's start by not basing so much of our opinion of someone on what they did. The church should not be a place where people are afraid to come and ask for help. It shouldn't be a place where people have no one who they feel they can trust. It should be the complete opposite. Let's work together to make it that way, because the rest of the world needs it so badly. In everything we do and say we need to remember this...
We are the reflection of Jesus on this earth. Would you or I want to be the reason why someone never took the chance of knowing him? I didn't think so.
Tragedies
TRAGEDIES
A second in eternity
Changing the circumstances of timer
Effects not of the Creator's wishes
But of humanity's crime
Knowing why things are as they are
Doesn't satisfy my mind
Blind faith gives glib solutions
Of a pious and sanitized kind
Today I hurt
Today I cry
Today I scream at God
Demanding why?
Yet in a flood of unanaswered questions
Faith stays safe and sound
Holding fraying threads of promises
Until reasons can be found
Tragedies are never real tragedies
Because they never happen to you
But the lesson of life I'm learning
Is that they do
And God never promised exemption
Or that immunity was mine
Be He did promise light in the darkness
That comfort might shine.
Written by:
Steve Stockman
Been a While
I think it has been a really long time since I last posted something on a blog. I guess I haven't really had much to write about lately. Life has also been really busy. That's kind of the reason I'm writing right now; I haven't been feeling much lately at all, at least from God. Until today… I have become overwhelmed with the feeling that I have too much, that I want too much, and that I deserve absolutely nothing. In fact, less than nothing, I deserve death and torment for the way I have treated the One who created and ultimately sustains me. Not that I have done these things directly to God, saying things to His face, hitting back when He corrects me, no, not at all. But with a spirit of apathy so prevalent in our western society I have failed to see the needs around me. I have failed to see the people around me who don't have what it takes to keep themselves alive long enough to live it out for Jesus. God has presented Himself to me in these people, a reflection of the Lord God of Hosts in every human being. Oh how I have let Him down in this. Just thought I would share this, it has been on my mind all day.
Time for a post...
I've been busy trying to beef myself up on my Social Work application. Mmmm... I hope that I know what they're looking for. I've been fortunate to have 'Social Work pals' that have been helping me out. (i.e. Cara, Daphne, Lori, my Aunt(s)Marilyn and Donna and Uncle David) It's still pretty nerve racking though.
In other news, I got word of yet another engagement last night. Leanne M. got engaged to Zack (I forget his last name). If you don't remember Leanne, she was the one who was our guest book attendant at our wedding. They're planning on getting married in August of next year. That means that next year I am in one wedding (Sara T.'s) and going to another (Leanne's). This year still takes the cake for the most weddings. (I could only go to about 6 but was invited to 9.) Oh, and that reminds me... I got to see Sara's wedding dress this last week and it's so beautiful! I'm so excited for her. It makes me want to get married again. (Well, minus the disagreements with my mother about centerpieces, etc.) I really should put my photo album together. I've had over 5 months. There are so many bad pictures that I should probably make one of those too as a gag. I have some pretty funny facial expressions. I'd post them on here if I knew how...
Oh yeah...and for those of you who made pregnancy bets... It's nearly six months and no baby yet. So, that means Matt's out. (Here's a hint: If you bet 5-6 years, you would be right on.)
Anyway, back to work I go. Finals and assignments are looming and if I don't get cracking soon, I'm in serious trouble.
