Romans 8

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

Romans 8 is one of my favourite chapters. And the above verses are some of the verses that I like the most. It is a chapter of comfort and truth. God is always there for us, we can never be separated from God, and God works good for his people. In bad situations I like to remember this verse because it reminds me that at the end of this path is good because God works even the bad stuff together for Good. It may not be the good I am looking for, but there will be good in some way or another, for me or for someone else.

Trip to Victoria

My husband and I just went to Victoria to visit his sister, her husband and their new baby. We drove there, about a 14-15 hour drive plus a ferry ride. Even though most people flew there, we decided to drive and loved every minute of it. Driving through the mountains was gorgeous, even though it was also a little bit of a challenge to drive. My husband drove the roads flawlessly!

Our nephew is so adorable! We were there for his baptism. They did something that I haven't seen done before which was to put a white garment on him during the baptism to show that God has covered and taken away his sin. Pretty cool.

I now have my first godchild since they asked us to be his sponsors! We were thrilled and are looking forward to seeing him grow up.

The only thing was that I was holding him through the baptism which was great except that he cried the entire time. People said he wasn't loud though. He sure seemed loud to me!

Campbell River, BC

My husband and I are moving to Campbell River, BC. What an interesting time of figuring out details and working out plans. Boxing up stuff and everything that goes with moving. Everything is falling into place it seems. It's always a comfort when there aren't many road blocks in the way. This is one sign that I use that suggests this is God's plan. Since all doors are opening this is what we should be doing.

What I know about Campbell River: It's about 30,000 people. But it may feel smaller than my home town of 15,000 since there doesn't seem to be as many conveniences, or towns around. I will be living an easy walking distance from the ocean, and there are also mountains on the island. The scenery should be lovely! We could go Whale Watching or learn to fish, tour the island and see what's there. Visit my sister-in-law her family, or visit my husband's aunt. And of course I will be in need of a job.

We are quite looking forward to this new place to live, but I must admit that as the day draws closer I'm a little more apprehensive and nervous. Even though I have these feelings I'm also confident that we will do well in Campbell River and that we can make the most of the year we will be there.

Card Making

So I've gotten into card making, stamping and stuff like that. I really love it and enjoy sharing my thoughts with the receiver through cards. Since I'm not so great with words otherwise (although I'm working on it) cards may be a good way for me to say meaningful things to people as I get better at it. I also love personalizing the items, words pictures and colours for each person that I make a card for. I have started a collection of stamps from the company called Stampin' Up. Card making is something I want to continue doing. It's fun and I enjoy it and I like giving to others what something that I've created!

Sunday School

I find it interesting that Sunday School teachers are given very little training. They do get curriculum but it seems to me there is more to teaching children for an hour than just having the curriculum. Maybe I just don't have a lot of experience but I'm struggling with teaching my class. Mostly with presenting them with activities they are interested in as well as keeping them engaged for the 45 minutes. Right now I have a very shy 3 year old that won't participate much and an energetic, and pretty smart 5 year old. Quite the opposite. I will also have a girl who is almost 3. Both of the younger ones have never been in a school or daycare setting so attention span is short and understanding what a class is like isn't there.

Today I was able to engage them for the first part of the class through the story, until we got to the craft type activity. Then both of the children were only interested in playing elsewhere and the 5 year old thought sunday school was over.

Anyone have any tips? Or perhaps online resources of time filler ideas/games/activities etc.

Christmas Time 2009

Christmas is such a wonderful time of year. I know many people get bogged down with all the details to take care of. Perhaps if I was hosting a Christmas party or dinner I would feel more like that. But as it is I'm not hosting anything and I just love Christmas. I like shopping for Christmas presants. I love the Christmas music that I get to hear for a whole month! I enjoy all the anticipation in and out of the church. In church there is advent and out of church there is the preparations of baking, shopping, plans and everything else. I get to wonder every year if we'll have a white Christmas. Where I'm living now there is usually snow long before Christmas so a green Christmas would be unusual but where I'm from it's always been a toss up. More often than not it snows a little on Christmas or there is lots of ice on the roads which makes for treacherous driving.

Every family has their traditions at Christmas time. One of ours is watching White Christmas. This year I'll miss seeing my family and it might break my heart. I'm also missing the extended family Christmas dinner for the 2nd year in a row. :( But I'll still get to celebrate Christmas with family who love me as their in-law. :) For this I am grateful. I'll get to have a Christmas adventure with different traditions and it will still be a great celebration.

But wherever I am on Christmas and however I'm celebrating I can remember the real reason to celebrate and that's really what matters. That reason is Jesus' birth. Jesus' incarnation where God became a man and dwelt among us. The miracle of a virgin birth and the beginning the life of Jesus who lived a sinless life and then received the punishment of death for all the sins of all the world.

What a reason to celebrate! :) Lets all remember Jesus and the miracle of his birth this Christmas.

Contentment

¹⁰I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philipians 4:10-13

There may be more on this later but for now I'd like to say this:

I like this passage. It humbles me and has made me realize more than once over the last several years that my situation is just fine. I can be satisifed with what I have because all my needs are provided for and I want for nothing. So I can do without the little luxuries or the things that I want but don't need to buy. And I can have this strong will to not overspend my budget or whatever it might be because God gives me that strength and helps me to realize that I have everything I need and have nothing to complain about. I can be content, stress free and calm in whatever situation I'm in.

Prehaps easier said than done in ALL circumstances, but we're all human, and therefore sinners. I hope to be reminded about this passage when I begin to stress or feel discontented.