Freezing in my basement...

Let me elaborate...our electricity bill was so high this month that now we are too cheap to turn the heat on. I've learned from last year...just pile on the sweaters and blankets and socks and clothes in general. I'm just wimpy...I prefer heat. Blasting heat...warm heat...hot heat!!
So, we are voluntarily freezing. But I think it's supposed to warm up this week again.
I'm going to Southern Alberta Bible Camp for an Axis retreat on the weekend. Axis is the ministry at Center Street Church that I have been involved in for 2 years. I'm looking forward to it...hopefully it'll be warmer for this wimpy coastal girl!

Here are the pictures...

"Stand Up, Stand Up"

On Sunday, I attended the "Masters" at Spruce Meadows. For all you non-horse people, Spruce Meadows is a world class show jumping stable in Calgary, AB. www.sprucemeadows.com

The Masters is an international competition where professional riders come from North, Central and South America, and Europe.

This competition is two rounds with a series of jumps that the rider must complete. The first round must be completed within 76 seconds (about) and the second round, 65 seconds. If the rider goes over the time allowed, he/she receives time faults. Also, each fence that falls, the rider also receives 4 faults.

The goal...complete the first round with as little to no faults as possible to make it into the top 12. Then complete the second round with no faults and the fastest time...your faults carry over from the previous round.

The prize...a chunk of money and a car!

So, the whole "Stand Up, Stand Up" thing. Even though I used to ride, and I understand that it's a wealthy sport...nicknamed "The Sport of Kings", I always get caught off guard with the wealth. To honor previous winners, we all stand up and clap and sing this cheesy song, "Stand Up, Stand Up" over and over again, for what seemed like 5 min! (It was probably only 2 min!) And, the ones that had money, seemed to be on a specialized tour of the course before the show began. Imagine walking around a field in high heels...who knows what you'll step in when it comes to horses!! Yet, a cool experience to have a detailed layed out course explained...maybe just for me!!

Here's some pictures...sorry, I don't remember who the riders are!!

Faith

Just Like You

Jason Upton

I tried to walk on the water

and found myself under the sea

So with water up my nose

I felt your hand come close to save me

I've tried to cast out the demons

I've gone to the darkest of regions

When fear has me shaking

You suddenly

Break in to save me

I desire to be like you

Like any son or daughter

I want to be like my father

I desire to be like you

You prmised to never

forsake me

So I'll risk it all if

you'll make me

like you

I Will Wait

Jason Upton

I will wait for you Jesus,

You're the sun in my horizon

All my hopes in you Jesus

and I can see you now arising

There is a wall that stands

in front of me

That I know I just can't climb

But like an eagle

you will carry me

Its just a matter of your time

Chorus

Evil army's all around me,

another wall gets in my way

But I believe the word

you promised me

so I will wait another day

Chorus

Though doubt may try to come in

The disillusionment might try

to come in, I believe oh Lord,

in the word that You promised

I believe it will not end,

I believe it will not go vain

I will wait for you

I will wait for you, Jesus

You're the sun in my horizon

All my hope's in you, Jesus

And I can see you now arising

God, help me to lean on You and trust you. It's so easy to lean on those around me when I'm drowning. I have doubts and fears about my future, but You know what I need. You give me all that I need. Help me to be more like You.

Skunks and Lawns

Last night some of us were watching a movie when the stench of skunk permiated the whole house. It was like a skunk backed up to a window and let loose. How inconsiderate:) I could still smell it this morning...but I think the smell is gone now.

This afternoon, Merissa and I did yard work...she mowed the lawn for the first time...it was fun. We even trimmed the trees (so us tall ones can walk under them without ducking) and weed whipped. There was lots of laughing and sneezing.

Hmmm...instead of "Girls like guys with skills", what about "Guys like girls with skills...mowing skills, weed whacking skills, tree trimming skills, raking skills...! Yard work is fun and now it doesn't look so much like we live in the hood...just slightly. Maybe we should add a couch in our front yard!

Worship

I had an amazing worship time with my roommates Merissa and Meghan. Meghan was at the piano, I was on the flute or singing, and Merissa was singing. I just love music and I enjoying worshipping God with music.

It hasn't been the greatest week God wise. I've been trying to pray and spend time with God, but I've been tired. Bad excuse. So, singing tonight was awesome. God has blessed me with some wonderful like-minded roommates.

I had been praying for some like-minded friends for a year and a half and God blessed me with friends at church and at home. Gracias a Dios!! I was so starved for fellowship, I was beginning to believe that it would never happen, but God was teaching me patience and trust. I wish I didn't have to keep learning these two things over, and over, and over, and over again. But there is always a reason for it.

I have the weekend off, so hopefully I won't get too distracted and lazy to spend time with God. I miss Him and reading the Bible and praying.

The picture above is part of my Aunt and Uncle's garden in BC. Nature always reminds me of God's creation and it's so peaceful. Sometimes I could just sit in nature forever and refelct on God and His goodness and greatness.

What makes you reflect on God?