Wednesday, February 25, 2009

the last push

Last full day of packing begins.  Coffee is brewing, kids are at school, in a short while there will be furniture to disassemble more boxes to pack, errands to run, mail to pick up and then this afternoon I swim with grade ones.
Tomorrow morning we load a truck (all things being well).  
Strength for today and faith for tomorrow.


Tuesday, February 24, 2009

not quite what was expected


So today was weird. She posted the stuff about the appointment, didn't turn out at all like we hoped. That took the wind out of the sails a little.

Aside from that, we did some shopping at Wally world and ate at MickeyD's.  I walked through London Drugs today and was a little saddened that a few of the cameras I've been quietly (and unexpectantly) dreaming about are priced higher than I expected, oh well, c'est la vie.

So when we heard the results of this long awaited and might I add seemingly providentially provided appointment, it kinda was a low point.  We had a short visit with my sister in law, the kids were done, but it was nice to see her.  My brother is away on business and it may be some time before we see them again, which is very sad.  
   Then on the drive home, things started out kinda somber and then we had a great talk and things seem a little brighter, albeit overwhelming with the move, the future, and just life.  But it seems we talk the best while driving, perhaps because there's less distractions and the kids are strapped in and we don't need to chase them out of stuff.

Now I've taken a large shelf apart, packed a bunch of boxes from my workshop (sheesh I have a lot of junk) and now I'm done.  Tired from driving in the snow (almost hit a bus), tired from the news, from packing, from a long day.

So goodnight folks, tomorrow is a new day.  


To the city!

So we start our trip to the city of Saskatoon today. Appointment for Aiden. It's a big day. We have tons to do yet, to pack to sort through, to arrange. As overwhelmed as I was yesterday, I have faith today that it might get done. Truck will be here to be loaded Thursday morning. We will drive away on Friday morning.

Had a wonderful evening last night visiting with our neighbors. Had a great visit yesterday afternoon with some folks from the church who stopped by with a little gift for my desk to remember them and here with.

Have been praying in my head for lots of things, lots of people - here, there and everywhere.

Oh and tomorrow I've been volunteered to help take the grade one class swimming. I could be the only Dad going (aka boys change room supervisor). Sheesh.

Hope today is a great day for you and yours.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Just another Sunday?

So today I find myself in a different spot.  I'm at home on a Sunday morning, and I'm not on holidays.  The one Sunday between the old and the new.  Life feels a little surreal.  Lots to do, would rather not do some of it.  Packing is draining.  Caught up between the sadness of leaving one and the excitement of going to another.

Details seem to overwhelm, so I'm trying to keep the bigger picture in mind as that seems to bring some clarity, or at least purpose in why we undergoing what we are.  And yet here I sit blogging instead of packing...

I like the interweb.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Zack Arias - needed to be reposted

Found this via Chase Jarvis' blog, it was also posted on Scott Kelby's blog and on Zack's blog too.
First the video and then a thought...


Inspiring, to me at least.  What I take away from this is: share what you know.  The stories you tell that you know best are your best stories.  I have a few more ideas for my photos after watching this... and I'm one of the hacks that suck, as he says towards the end of the video, but that's okay, I'm learning!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Even after

even after
(Click on the image for some of the details on how this image was taken.)

Even after all these years (it will be ten years married the end of July) she'll still kiss me on occasion.

I need to share with you all how much my wife rocks. She is a blogging machine (1016 posts as of today!), she truly cares for a lot of people - even when she says she doesn't, she cares for our kids and will relentlessly pursue what's best for them, she laughs at my stupid jokes (which is great evidence of long suffering). I truly do love her. Our life together has been an incredible ride, up and down and all over. As we start on a new chapter of adventures there is no one else I'd rather have with me.





(I decided to post this on both blogs...)

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Today.

Today was a long day.
It began with my son asking if he could get up terribly early.
Later I discovered I had left the interior lights on in the van yesterday and it didn't start.  Great.

Also, today was my last day as the pastor of Tisdale Alliance Church.  I went relatively early to the church to get the powerpoint and things setup for the service.  
The service was amazing really.  The high point really for me was a song that was written and sung by a woman on our worship team (who also cleans the church).  
I got to preach on the end of Mark 6 where Jesus walks on water and the disciples are described as hard hearted.  
We then had a potluck lunch.  Feast is a more appropriate word.  Some folks shared some very kind words and they gave us an extravagant gift (the one that always fits).  Some tears, lots of hugs and handshakes.  It is sad to see this chapter of our life come to an end, but I feel at peace.  
As often seems the way, had some wonderful connections with people in the 'margins' of the day if you know what I mean.  Snippets and short exchanges here and there that were a very real encouragement.

As we were finishing, we received some encouraging news concerning some of the details of our move.  Then as we were leaving we got a boost for the van (thanks Jonathan!) and we got some snacks and took a little drive as the house was being shown this afternoon.  On our drive we saw a pair of moose come out of a small stand of trees off the highway.  We stopped and both Tara and I were able to take some pictures of the pair.
Here's one of him:

cropped moose
The four of us quite enjoyed watching them for a few minutes (Olivia was sound asleep).  It's been a long time since either Tara or I saw one.
An excellent day really, and now I'm terribly tired.