Engaged, Excited, Elated

Today, friends and family will gather at my mom's place to have a party. I love the celebration aspect of parties. Celebration of life and love and God's grace and goodness in our lives.

And what are we celebrating today? My brother's engaged!!!


Lucas and Colleen got engaged right before we left for our trip to Asia and I'm so excited for them!! I have loved getting to know Colleen and am excited to have another sister-in-law! I was blessed to be able to spend time with both of them for a few days earlier this year in Florida and am excited for more memories and fun together!


So Congrats to Lucas and Colleen!! Can't wait for your big day and so excited to celebrate with you!!

Sold, Surrender, Sad

When I decided to move to Quebec, I wanted to keep my house. I guess in my mind it was part of the Plan B back up plan, but in a lot of ways it was a large piece of home (literally) to hold on to as I move away.

However, plans went otherwise and a few days before I left for Asia, I realized I needed to sell it. So that week amidst getting ready to go, I had to get my house ready to sell. A bit stressful but I made it through. Anyway, within a few days of leaving, an offer came in, two weeks later my house was officially sold. So I came home to a house that was only mine for a little while longer.


Sometimes I'm struck by the sadness of selling my house. I do love my house. I love the colours, I love the spunkiness of it. I love how perfectly it is a reflection of my personality. I love the memories I've had here, the people I've hosted. The random dance parties in the kitchen. So many things.

I laugh because a while back I was reading back in my journal from the fall and I prayed that life would not be so comfortable. I was realizing just how comfortable my life was and how I wasn't okay with it. So I asked God to change that. And I surrendered and loosened my grip. Little did I know how much life would be changing in the next year and that things would not look anything like they do now.

I prayed that God would change things, but I didn't actually think He would so dramatically. Mind you, I guess I let Him as I in turn surrendered everything. It's been a crazy season of letting go, obeying and trusting.

So, I have 19 days left to enjoy this crazy house of mine and then hopefully some other people will enjoy it as much as I have.

Shattered, Soccer, Sliding

The other day I was sitting in my room when suddenly I heard a large crash. I got up, a bit concerned that something fell down the stairs, but a quick glance out of my window told me otherwise. There were children with horrified looks on their faces glancing back at my house, but running away as fast as their feet would carry them. Kind of a funny sight when I think back.


I went downstairs to discover my basement patio sliding door completely shattered. Well, the outside pane at least. I was quite upset and angry, especially because the children had all run off.


But then I realized it made for some cool pictures, because the way the glass had shattered and was just sitting there was kind of cool. Anyway, turns out, I talked to someone on strata who tracked the kids down and it was not until those parents got a phone call (five hours later), that the mothers found out what had happened. So I watched as angry mothers stormed through the back courtyard with their little boys in tow, coming to apologize. In the end, it got fixed and I didn't have to pay for it.


But there is some sort of life lesson here. I was more upset at the fact that these kids who shattered my window did not tell their parents right away than the fact that it happened. Accidents happen, I get that. But then to run away and try to hide seems quite silly.

Yet, we seem to do that so often. We run and hide and try to cover our tracks when different things come up. I'm learning more and more, that it's better to just be totally honest about something, rather than someone finding out about something later and finding out who didn't tell them the whole truth. And I now have some pictures of my shattered door to remind me of that.

Thai, Ten, Treasuring

One thing about an impending move is that every time you are with a friend or go somewhere, it is extra special, because you know that these will be things you miss and remember when you're somewhere else. So I am treasuring moments in my heart and enjoying every minute with treasured friends.


Sarah and I enjoyed some Thai food together the other day and then watched a movie. It was funny going through the movies and her not having ever heard of or watched some of my faves. And then I remember that she's ten years younger than me, so it makes sense that she wouldn't know all the movies that were made in the 90's. Perfect.

Practiced the art of using chopsticks

And since I'm SO good at giving people Christmas presents on time, Sarah got her present from me in May. At least I got it to her before June... :)

Yet another treasured memory to keep!

Fever, Fans, Finals

Game 4 tonight. The Canucks fever continues. People who never even watched hockey are now attending playoff parties to wait in anticipation to see if this is truly our year.


I don't have tv at home, so I like to invite myself over to different people's houses for the games. And it's fun to cheer with a lot of different people.

And of course, I have my flags flapping proudly off my vehicle.

Game 4 predictions? I predict a win. ;)

GO CANUCKS GO!