laughter and tears

I left the house in my slippers yesterday...to go grocery shopping. It was kind of embarassing actually because when I approached the elevator I realized I was wearing slippers and not shoes and I laughed out loud and said, "What the heck are you doing?!!" to no one in particular. However, one of my neighbours happened to be standing right there. I turned and smiled at her while giggling at myself. She didn't seem to think it was as funny as me.

Movies can be powerful experiences sometimes. On Thursday I saw Amazing Grace. You should see it too. It's about William Wilberforce's struggle to abolish slavery and the trade of human beings. When he was deciding between going into ministry or becoming a politician one of the few women who was part of the struggle said "May I say you could dare to do both." That's what he did. He did ministry by freeing slaves. There was hope that a difference could be made.

Last night my roommate and I watched Blood Diamond. Violent. Horrifying. Overwhelming. Sad. Will not buying a diamond really dent the corruption of our greed or my greed for that matter? It may assuage some of the guilt of being part of the overwhelming situation. About a year ago I began to wonder if I would ever allow myself to wear a diamond. My heart has been pulled toward 'no' and this movie clinched it.

However, the difference between these two movies was that, although both realities are overwhelming and almost incomprehensible, the first left you with the feeling that you can make a difference. The second left you feeling like you can try to do this one small thing but it probably won't do anything. I must believe one life can make a difference...an eternal difference. Either here or there. Anywhere you are, anywhere I am a difference must be felt. Maybe the ripple effect will change the overwhelming situation. We've got to at least try.

ridicdamdonculous

Monopoly is fast becoming the bane of my existence. I lost again...which is the ridicdamdonculous part of it all. Yet I have a sick compulsion to play it every time I'm at Dave and Karla's. We hit an all time low tonight when Dave could not control his maniacal laughter after he accumulated thousands of dollars of cash and had nowhere to use it because all his property had hotels. It was actually pretty fun and I'm happy to keep playing because I just know that when victory comes, one day in the future, it will be one of the sweetest experiences ever.

I had class this morning. New Testament Foundations at Regent College. It was beautiful and I was actually moved to tears a couple of times when Rikk spoke about Jesus. Here are a couple of truth nuggets:

"It's the General's responsibility to make the orders clear, not the soldiers." (see philippians)

"The will of God for your life is for you to look like Jesus today."

"We think theology is knowing about how things work when it's really about how you live."

Brilliant...especially the last one.

tying the knot

I tied the knot this afternoon!! I learned to suture. I've wanted to do this for so long I can hardly tell you. My teacher said I got the hang of it pretty quick. I get to practice at home with surgical equipment. I think my favorite instrument is called a needle driver. No, it's not as scary as it sounds but it's dang cool anyway. Tomorrow I get to suture a person! AHHHH!

(The needle driver is on the left and those are the first three sutures I've ever tied.)

Monopoly

I just arrived home from playing Monopoly with my friends Dave and Karla....again. We've kind of gotten into a pattern of playing Monopoly on a pretty regular basis. I have never won, ever. Sometimes I know within the first round that I'm going down fast. Other times, like tonight, I owned an entire row with houses and everything and no one landed on my fully loaded property!!! How does this happen?! Karla landed on free parking nine gazillion times. She feigned guilt but I know the truth! Dave and Karla are stuck playing Monopoly until I win...at least once!

Why I like people

Last night my small group met in my living room for the millionth time. I don't really tire of having people in my home and Mondays are one of my favorite times. It's so good to actually talk about meaningful things and be challenged by who they are, what they've experienced and what they think. People are amazing and complex and beautiful. Today I met a doctor who is from Afghanistan. I spoke to her for quite a while about what it was like there and how amazing it is that she is this incredibly educated, articulate woman who is now waiting to write exams here. It was a very moving experience. She is an amazing person. I feel incredibly fortunate to find myself among these people. As I encounter different people I find myself more able to understand myself and Jesus and how much He loves people. It's quite an amazing mystery actually-one that will continue for a lifetime.

the lure of apples

I spent friday night and saturday morning helping out with a silent retreat at my friend's retreat centre in Abbotsford. I got to be part of the retreat by proxy as I was there to make meals and take some of the pressure off my friend. It was an amazing time to be silent and listen to God for a while. In the session before the silence began my friend told a story about her mom and dad. Her dad has dementia and is in an extended care facility. Her mom goes to visit him everyday. she takes fresh fruit, usually apples, for him and all the other residents of the facility. His roommate was a particularly bitter man and apparently got quite angry whenever my friends mom would talk to him about Jesus. She kept bringing him apples and stopped talking about Jesus. Last week this old man, in an extended care facility, became a christian. He now has a friendship with Jesus. Because of an apple. I guess fruit really is enticing.

Here's #1

Well, here's my first post. I have finally given in to the inspiration of my friends Brandon, Beth and Bobbi. I suddenly realize that this blogging thing may actually be something for people whose names start with 'B'. Odd.

Do I actually have anything to say? Too many things. I'll have to sort my thoughts out so I can write something that is at least semi-profound.