Unshakable

Happy Birthday Mommy!

2009-03-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Well today is my moms birthday and I'm not home so I want to honour her on my blog!

My mom is absolutely fabulous. She is fun, she is caring, she has a HUGE heart and she loves her family and friends.

Mom you are an inspiration to me in my walk of faith. Your heart towards the things of God is precious and I honour you for that. I am so proud to be your daughter and to hold such amazing memories in my heart from the amazing 21 years we have spent together. And as we all know that you may have loved nick first, you still love me more.. ha ha ha! Your love is so important to me and I'm so blessed that you were the parent you needed to be through out the years so that now we can walk in such an amazing friendship. Thank you for all your time and patience for my hundred phone calls a day, thanks for your prayer and support in our ministry. You are such a blessing to those around you, may you receive that blessing in return today, and for this next year to come. I love you so much and I'm coming home with Bath and Body Works in tow!

Have a great day mom, Love your baby girl!

Well Here I am!

2009-03-22T17:14:00.000-07:00

What a glorious day, Just woke up from a 4 hour nap --- GLORY TO GOD!

Today I woke up with the team, Christina Williams (Pastor here that I'm staying with!) came and met us for the breakfast of campions (Mickey D's) and then I said goodbye to the team and my hubby! Came here for a hot shower and went to Church!

Grady and Christina Williams Pastor a church here in Orange County caller Water brook Foursquare. It was a fabulous service this morning, the family here were amazing! I felt a little white though... ha ha the worship was a BLAST! An amazing message of heaven realities and living in who God is and what God has said. It was great. I then went to the Kernel - which is Grandma speak for KFC! I have found another grandma... Christina and Grady care of Christina's mom in their home to today I helped her get to church with another amazing man who attends their church who's ministry is to pic up grandma every sunday! So sweet. Anyway Grandma is amazing... what an woman of God! Got some KFC, headed up to my room and with book and popcorn chicken in lap I feel asleep! Curled in and had a four hour nap! What an amazing start to holidays! Thank you Lord for this week!

The Team is headed back they are making great time to far, people are learning to use the stops they have properly... ha ha, Hit some decent snow already but all is good. We have all been stretched this last week and I want to blog more about the trip later, once my brain starts to function again! Love you all at home, k

Hello from Mexico

2009-03-16T15:59:00.000-07:00

Well we are settled in and everything is great! We didn't have internet the first day but
it is up today! Yesterday was busy with two church services, Jason preached, Ryan lead
worship and we had the team split and do kids ministry stuff! Everyone did a fabulous
job. Thrown into a full day of ministry on their first day here was an awesome challenge
that they all rose too. We are really seeing the team come together, maybe a little bit
of trouble added to that need to rely and trust in each other. Everyone is out working
today busy busy, it looks like we get to burn a field of tumble weed tonight.. we are all
pretty excited! Lots to do and we are having a blast. Joel and Sally are well. Serigo,
Bernice and Enoch are also great. Bernice had some wisdom teeth removed and is battling a
little bit of infection so some prayer for her would be great!
Hopefully the internet stays but if not we love you and we will talk to you all soon!

New Blogger on the Block!

2009-03-05T20:59:00.000-08:00

Hey Check out my Mom's Blog!

www.colleen-lifehappens.blogspot.com

She will be a fun blogger to follow for she is never short on words! ha ha!

It's going to be great, it's also really cute.. (I helped!)

Welcome to the Blogging world C!

Nick's New Puppy!

2009-03-04T16:25:00.000-08:00

Pretty sure my brother has bought the cutest puppy! His name is Digital Thunder (we need to work on that - it was from the breeder... lol) but DT is the cutest puppy and so I though I would share his pics! Welcome to Vancouver DT!

10 more sleeps!

2009-03-03T16:51:00.000-08:00

Well we are almost in the sun... thank you Lord!!

Although our Mexico Missions trip has snuck up on me, I am really excited! Excited to see Joel and Sally, to see Sergio, Bernice and enoch - he was only a baby last year now he is running around how fun!

I'm excited to see our team of youth grow together as a family, it always seems that when we come back the whole youth group catches on and that sense of unity and family is strengthened!

I'm excited to meet new pastors and families of the churches we are going to.

I'm excited to see the hearts of our students expanded in what God's heart for His people truly is.

I'm excited for the Van and all the inside jokes that are made.

I'm excited for Disneyland!!

When our expectations are high and we trust in God's power great things happen and I am so excited!

Please start and continue to pray for our team as we go!

Leaders:

Jason

Kelsey

Ryan

Randy

Adam

Eunice

Students:

Russel

Tim

Tommy

Sam

Mercedes

Mikayla

Marika

Nikki

Mel

Sarah

Emily

Chelsea

We are leaving Thursday March 12th and we will be back March 23rd!

Rest!

2009-02-24T16:40:00.000-08:00

Well I have been gifted with a fabulous extra day off this week because of conference and it has been an awesome 2 lazy days! It seems when you have days off in the week instead of the weekend you rest more... I guess cause there isn't plans or people making plans! Anyway, I have had tons of sleep, got a lot of reading done, hung out with our 24 life group.. always a joy, and just really feel rested and ready to conquer the rest of the week and what looks like the count down to Mexico!

Each day the facebook count downs are reminding me how close our Youth Missions trip is... as excited as I am I certainly don't feel ready.. ha ha ha! I guess all we really need is hands to help and a willing heart! Well thats whats next on the schedule... so thats exciting Joel and Sally, here we come!

Happy Love Day!

2009-02-14T07:43:00.000-08:00

Although many would think Valentines is just a holiday created by Hallmark, I believe that no matter the source in which it was created, we could all use a reminder to do something extra special for the one we love. Not that your affection for them should only blossom once a year but I still think it serves as a wonderful reminder to Love: Speak words that some times we forget to speak, take time to do on a date (yes they should exist after being married!) and spend the day making the other person feel special.

I also saw a funny comment on this morning "Happy Valentines Day / Single Awareness Day!" I thought that was true and funny but to shine a brighter light on it... "Happy Valentines Day / Singles Save $ Day!" It is murder to see the prices of flowers double, and then you want to buy a card and to even enter the Hallmark isle you need to take out a second mortgage, but it isn't about how much you spend (Although for some Gifts are a part of it - especially if you Wife's love language is gifts - that greedy love language! but even then it's not the price it's the thought!) it's how you spend you time, words and affection. So I encourage you to do something special for your someone special, even if you decide that you don't do Valentines.. surprise them! I promise you won't regret it!

Happy Valentines!

Time logs...

2009-02-10T17:46:00.000-08:00

As I had a personal to do list for this New Year, things I wanted to put into my daily life, weekly life and just change in my life I am finding that well it's february and nothing is done yet!

Yes I'm busy but so is life, so is everyone.. growing up and managing life is real, you can't not do it. Busy will consume you if you don't plan. Although I haven't really thought about these things I've pushed them away with an excuse of being busy. Struggling, or wondering really how to find balance with life, Ministry, and Family.

This weekend at Generation Unleashed Doug Lassit was doing a round table question and answer time with youth pastors and the main questions asked was exactly that.... where is the balance, how do you find it? Doug's answer changed my life and I'm so glad this mindset has changed in me so young and before my family grows bigger than just two!

Doug's answer was THERE ISN'T... there is no balance, you can't balance it. This rocked my world. If you are trying to balance life in ministry you will always be consumed with busy and unfortunately most of the time the church gets blamed because of it. There is no balance, we have been called to do a certain job in the Kingdom, and so our family has been called and we need to live in the middle of our calling. Everything happens there. When we are living in the center of our call everything needs to be there with you. We need to carry our purpose into every area of our life, even the little things, and when we put our family in the middle of our calling our children grow up with an excitement for the things THEY are doing in the Kingdom, not a dissatisfaction because Mom and Dad are just too busy. If we approach our ministry and family as two different things they will always battle against each other, it just needs to all be our call.

So how do I get this into my life... well as much as I hated them in Master's I'm going to start a time log for a couple of weeks and see where my time is going and look at how I can use it better to accomplish that too do list.... Hopefully this won't be a difficult process... As scheduled as my life is.. I think scheduling out my free time is my answer...

Whatever your calling is, I believe that if we approach life busy... we will be busy we all are, but when we stop trying to balance and place everything under our calling and allow God to direct our steps each day, I believe it's going to transform our spare time, our lives, our stress and our families.

Truly Amazed!

2009-02-03T20:52:00.000-08:00

Well I have another post that will be full of bragging of my FABULOUS students because well they just never cease to amaze me. I have the wonderful joy of working in youth ministry which gives me the amazing privilege of being a part of the student's lives at Northgate! If you don't know them... well you should get to know them!! They are all fabulous people.

Tonight I had the pleasure of attending a Variety Night, at Highland for Guardian Angel. Guardian Angel is a Charity that was set up by our very own Sam Middleton to raise money for cancer research! Sam had a friend pass away from cancer last year and she has started this charity and put on this Variety Night in Honor of her friend. Tonight was amazing. It was organized, they had plenty of acts and Sam did an amazing job. She raised over $800.00 tonight. This is one of our students who saw a need, knew she needed to respond to that need and did something practical. Sam not only am I so proud of you, I want you to know the example you set to others. Those who are older and younger. Your strength and passion is making a difference.

At this wonderful night fully put on by a Northgate student, 2 Northgate students performed.

Seth Johnson did a fabulous job on the piano and was also the photographer of the night! Great job Seth! And the show finished up with 2 original songs by our very own Matt Powell! As he took the stage we joked about how we knew Matt pre-hair straightener and how it has been an absolute pleasure watching this young man grow. Matt performed his two songs which both had such a strong message to look beyond ourselves, notice the rest of the world and do something. Matt it is awesome to see you grow in your music and watch you allow God to shape you. It was hard to keep it together.

Well Church, our youth are seeing needs and going after them. I've been challenged by them and I think it's time we allow there faith to stir us up a bit. If nothing else be praying for our young people because they are allowing God to capture their hearts in a radical way and they are changing the world around them. Once again I'm so proud of you guys. Great Job!

If you want to read the whole story of what Sam has been up to it was in today's paper!

http://www2.canada.com/comoxvalleyecho/news/story.html?id=63aaca97-8fa9-4d4e-bd82-8476ad1e5817

Proud!

2009-01-29T09:00:00.000-08:00

Well although I have no real children of my own, I have ton's of students that call Thrive their youth church and as their leader I have a little protective mom that rises inside me. Not only does that protective spirit rise in me, so does pride, love, hurt, joy and excitement. I love being a part of such a large group that I can experience their stuff along side them. This month as you know we have been working through issues of social justice and it has made me very proud to see our students respond.

They have opened up their hearts to the hurting and the broken.

They have allowed God to stir up passion in their prayers for the things that break his heart.

They have planned fundraisers and got right to work practically!

I am so proud of all of them, but I want to just give honor to a young lady who's heart brought me to tears the other day as I read through our very own community newspaper.

Samantha has allowed God to break her heart for his people. She has allowed him to change her life not just her thoughts. Over the last year it has been my pleasure to watch Samantha grow, ponder and seek out the things of God and allow them to impact her. Her heart for social justice can not hide, it bubbles right out of her. She has been on missions trips, she has prayed, she has sought out area's to help in. Anything and everything she can do to help, she will. Back in the fall she came up with an idea to make and sell bracelets, a few weeks back she held a movie night with a $5 donation to help raise money that went to her third practical fundraiser, her valentines baskets! These are practical ideas that ARE raising money for the International Justice Mission, who is truly doing something about these real issues in our world.

Samantha I am so proud of you and I'm so excited to continue to see the things that God is going to do through you! Thank you for encouraging me to seek more, You are an influencer and I want to honor you for using that influence for the Kingdom.

If you still want to support IJM in this way there is still Valentines Baskets available in the church office Tues.- Fri 9-5, saturday at our 6pm service and sunday at our 10am service.

If you want to read the whole article and missed it you can check it out here online:

http://www.canada.com/comoxvalleyecho/news/story.html?id=e780ec8d-6df2-4878-9b91-0a01e165e3f3

Bling to my Blog!

2009-01-28T16:12:00.000-08:00

After a venture from Alison's blog to the best site ever... I now have some bling!

It's fabulous!

Well maybe new looks fro time to time will help my blogging skills! If I can decorate and blog at the same time.. :P

Side Note: Really excited for Youth tonight, gone over stuff with some leaders and receiving some stuff in prayer.. it's going to be great! Expectation is key... leaders that are reading start praying into youth tonight, cause if we want more.. we just need to ask!!!!

Using my snooze button for Jesus!!

2009-01-22T09:11:00.000-08:00

Well like many people I am a SNOOZE BUTTON LOVER!!! For as long as I have been using as alarm clock I've had this love for that little round button! Press it and it gives sleep!!! Now in my world that is the best gift given! I've loved this gift so much that I purposely set my alarm early so that I can have that dozy snooze time to wake up fully! Although this brings me much joy it has always been a struggle with getting up early enough to get everything done in the morning.

Yesterday as I was snoozing.. (of course :P) I had a thought! If I would use my first snooze in worship, my second snooze in prayer and my third snooze in the word, not only would I get my snooze time.. it would be with Jesus which in the end will make me feel way better than a rushed chapter in front of my breakfast! So today was the start of snoozing with Jesus and I loved it!!

1st snooze- put in my worship music, and allowed my spirit to wake to the glory of God and choosing to follow him with all I am today, giving him my yes and just welcoming holy spirit.

2nd snooze- climbed out of warm bed on to my knees and prayed. This morning a spirit of Honor just came into my prayers and I started to pray honor over my parents, my leaders, the staff at our church, our government and my family it was just really cool!

3rd snooze- I opened my bible (I cool bible in the form of a magazine I got for Christmas! Thanks mom and dad E) and It started in Job, and I read about how Job kept his faith through his trails, and I love how he says "should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?" I really love that when things are not going well Job kept his faith! We need to run to God, not run away when life throws us the things that look impossible!

Anyway thats an update from my snooze with JC! Loved it and I'm sure I'll blog about my snooze findings more, I think it's my new favourite time of the day!

Mexico Bound!

2009-01-21T15:37:00.000-08:00

Well our first mexico meeting was last night and I am so excited to head down on our 2nd youth missions trip!! What a great joy leading students into a life changing trip! Anyway we are trying to take two vans this year which means we can take up to 22 students and we have around 12 so far hopefully everyone interested will be able to come!!

I had lunch with two of the girls that are planning on coming today and just that excited anticipation of not knowing what's coming next is really fun to watch and it also got me thinking of what it felt like to embark on these type of trips.

Missions has been a part of my life for awhile and I know it will continue to be in my future. I'm only 21 years old and I have been to the LA Dream Center, Mexico- twice (#3 in 7 weeks), Across Canada, and Haiti- twice.

THATS 7 Mission Trips!!! Not only did that get me thinking about how blessed I am that God put me in these situations but that I've seen a lot more than a lot of people my age.

But looking into these girls eyes at lunch I remembered that excitement, blended with some fear and really no idea what to expect. Worrying about bugs and dirt.... not really what was going to change my heart.

God has used every single trip I have gone on to shape my personality in a huge way and I am so thankful. He has changed my heart for others, social justice, evangelism and my own maturity has grown immensely!

I just want to encourage our students that are planning to go to start praying into your trip now, not for what we are going to do or the people we will see but for your heart to be open because it's going to change you. You will not come home the same person but your heart needs to be ready to respond to God. We are going to have a blast, as much fun as you will have, I'm sure I will have more fun watching you grow, ponder and seek out what God has for you!!!

10 days no post!!

2009-01-14T16:50:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1sggnVeRLw

Been meaning to post this for awhile!

It's amazing!

Thanks Pastor Corey for pushing me to give up.. ha ha jk

Week Away and missing our kick off...

2009-01-04T15:27:00.000-08:00

Well Happy New Year.. guess I've kinda forgot about this blogging world for a bit...lol!

Anyway we are headed to camp Homewood tomorrow for the staff retreat and I'm really excited!!

Excited to spend time with our staff! Always a laugh and so encouraging!

Excited to be ministered to by Ken Gill -- Always a pleasure, someone who you are around you instantly feel encouraged and uplifted!

Excited to do some reading and have so quite time... although my holidays had time, to be honest I watched WAY WAY WAY to much tv series (2 seasons of the Office, 1 season of Friends and 1 season of The Unit!!) yah I think it's time to get back at something that feeds me....

Excited that all the pastors kids are coming... it's going to be a blast!

Excited that it's Baby Josiah's first adventure... lol

It will be great, then we are back for Youth Kick off!! Which will be awesome.. starting the year with a Wii boxing tournament!

Then friday we leave for our youth retreat - Encounter... which again I am super excited about and would write more but I'm off to coffee with a friend.. Write more when were home unless we are able to pick up internet at camp!

Don't forget to be praying for our saturday night service launching this week as well... Although I will miss the kick off... I am really excited to hear about the fabulous outcome !

One done, 3 to go!!

2008-12-26T07:52:00.000-08:00

Well I am so blessed with so much family and Christmas does not happen in only one day! Yesterday was Christmas #1 and it was so fabulous! We were at jay's mom and dad's early to open presents and then have breakfast! We had a very lazy day including a lot of tv, movies and naps! it was awesome! Then a wonderful Turkey dinner! We were so spoiled with awesome gifts and gift cards to spend! Wahoo good thing we are headed to Nanaimo!

Today is Christmas at my mom and dad's! Which is really exciting cause we have never had christmas with Danielle (my sister from CR) and her 2 kids so I'm really looking forward to that!

Again more family time, I'm sure some more tv and movies.. more turkey and more fun!

Saturday is Christmas at my Grandma davids house! My uncle got married this fall and I have not met my new aunt so this will be cool. My cousins are all older not little kids anymore so we all like to hang out as well... and well MORE TURKEY!! .. I love it!

Sunday after church jason and I are going to head done to Nanaimo to go shopping and then pick my brother up from the ferry. ( SOOO GLAD NICK IS COMING!! ) We are then going to meet my dad and step mom in nanaimo for christmas with them.... no turkey but more gifts, family and fun!

I am so blessed and I am so thankful! What a great christmas so far and there is so much more to come!

Well it's almost here!

2008-12-23T17:53:00.000-08:00

Although my husband is out Christmas shopping .... I am SOOOO ready for Christmas.. well maybe not ready as in all gifts wrapped... etc! But I'M READY - as in excited, so wanting to laz around for a couple days, see friends and family... and get some gifts... ha ha!

Anyway last night we went to Campbell River for Jason's birthday! It was a blast, we went climbing and then out for dinner! It was a great time to celebrate Jay and hang out with friends! Emily met us there... I love when schools out and people come home!

Kristina my other friend is coming for tea tonight so I'm excited! Great to have everyone home!

Special gift mentions already....

Kelsi send us a christmas card from Korea.. not only was it super cute but I was so blessed that although she is so far that she remembers us.. lol! Thanks kels

Amy and Rich... just organized my tea... lol cute Starbucks box that was almost empty from last year... ummm FULL! ha ha

Mik and Mer - bought us a baby bottle, soothers, baby wipes and a book called Baby Wise.... They are really wanting us to have a baby, As hard as they are trying ... their gifts don't really effect a baby getting here an faster.. sorry guys! It was cute though!

Anyway probably won't talk about all my gifts cause well that would be weird but those were the early mentions!

Love you all and MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE EVE... or as alexandra puts it CHRISTMAS ADAM! lol

Husband's Birthday!!

2008-12-22T08:45:00.000-08:00

Well today is Jason's Birthday and I would love to write 21 things I love about my husband, but that would be copying him!

#1 - He loves me!!! Jason and I fight about who loves one another more but I know that even though I try to win with 'I loved you first!' It really is awesome how much He loves me, and takes time to make sure I know it!

#2 - He makes me breakfast on special days.... LOVE IT!

#3 - He tells me I'm beautiful all the time

#4 - He loves the out doors... as much as I'm not a hunter or a fisher I'm glad our kids will have the opportunity to have the alone time with their dad!

#5 - He is FUNNY.... way funnier than me!

#6 - He has a generous heart

#7 - He laughs at me.. lol I'm glad we can be silly and goofy together

#8 - He opens my car door and any other door in front of me

#9 - He makes sure the bills are paid and we have money in our bank! I'd be so lost ...

#10 - He bought me a Macbook first even though it killed the gadget man inside him

#11 - He buys me flowers!!! Yes they are a gift that dies but men... it's important!!

#12 - He is an amazing leader. In our ministry and in our home

#13 - He is excited about having a family and our future together

#14 - He welcomed all my family into his heart no matter what

#15 - He watches my stupid TV shows and Chick Flicks cause he knows it's important to me

#16 - He is a worshipper who seeks after God for himself

#17 - He encourages and challenges me in my walk with God

#18 - He fills the car up with gas 98% of the time!

#19 - He notices the small stuff

#20 - He is always there

#21 - He is amazing! Everything that God has called him to be! AND I LOVE HIM!

Happy Birthday!

Love you for being you... you are my everything!

Happy Birthday Mom!

2008-12-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

Well today is Carla's birthday and it is a VERY IMPORTANT day!

Although I have known Carla for awhile she has only been my mom-in-law for a year and a half now, and I'm so excited for the many years to come. Carla is an amazing encourager and supporter! She is a passionate person who will always make you laugh! She is a great wife and mother, she keeps all us crazies in line at work! :P Carla doesn't just do a desk job, she is a passionate part of our staff and family who serves like crazy, has a heart for others, and really understands what being family is!

If you want to send her birthday wishes.... carla@ngate.ca

Thank you Mom, for inviting me into your family with open arms. For loving me like one of your own. You are such a blessing to me and I hope your day is fabulous!

Happy Birthday, love you favourite daughter!!

The Christmas Shoes!

2008-12-18T09:39:00.000-08:00

Ok so if you have spent any time around Naomi at Christmas you have heard about this movie! Last night while at their house I watched it for the first time. It was great, but it was so so so so sad!!! Now I love to cry... lol I cry over big things, little things, happy things and sad things.. I'm just a crier.. So to say the least this movie left me blubbering throughout and all the way home.. lol. It is a great story, kinda lame acting but well a Christmas classic story of family, love, and hope!

You should watch it! but don't forget the Kleenex box!

You guys make me so PROUD!!!

2008-12-16T21:12:00.000-08:00

Just got back from the CVCS Christmas concert it was fabulous!

You all did an amazing job!

The opening prayer was out standing as well... ;)

Pringle Challenge!

2008-12-16T13:35:00.000-08:00

Well the due date isn't till JANUARY 4TH there is still tons of time!!! but a few people were headed on holidays and brought their tin of change in early. This is a fundraiser we are doing for our Youth Retreat! It is basically a loose change drive!!I just counted over $60 for 2 tins... $30 average! That's awesome!

I'm so excited for the retreat and I hope this fundraiser finishes as well as it has started!

Didn't get a Pringle tin and want to collect change to help students get to the retreat! Let me know, or just use another container and bring in your change on Sunday Jan 4th!!

The Snow is here!

2008-12-14T06:50:00.000-08:00

Well, I survived the Youth all Nighter... I'm now sick with a sore throat, stuffy Nose deal which was coming on before and just with a youth event was multiplied! So I will not be leading Worship this morning and I'm excited to say that Deanna is home from Bible College and will be leading this morning.

We had such a great time on Friday night though! Swimming, games, movies.. Awesome worship and a service! We had 51 Thrive students there including 9 new students!! It was a blast! Special thanks to our leaders.. Ryan --can can bump-- went on for like 2 hours! Randy-- well again what didn't you have to deal with Randy??? ha ha your awesome! There was just a great group of students and Out Loud youth (Comox Pentecostal) had about the same number of students so it was really great! I have to go through my pictures but once I do I will post some of the good ones!

We finally have snow! Which is so pretty!

We had a great time at the couples international dinner last night at Dan and Tracie's! It was fabulous food, friends and laughter. As so their new house is so beautiful, with snowing coming down around it.. it was just amazing!

Here He is!

2008-12-11T18:05:00.000-08:00

Momma was a little tired so the flash kept making her blink! Couldn't figure out how to turn it off lol! Naomi and I undressed him to see his cute chub!!
Big foot! Amy's ribs were sore all month now we know why.. look at that thing!! ha ha
Monster Thigh!!
Very proud Auntie Kelsey!

Well not the greatest pics, forgot my camera... thank you Lord for camera phones!!

He is wonderful! Big...totally cute chubby and wonderful!!

GO BABY MOMMA!

2008-12-11T07:07:00.000-08:00

HE IS HERE!!!

JOSIAH WILLIAM EMERY!

Born at 5:15 Thursday December 11th

10 lb 5 oz!

BIG BOY!

Amy is doing well, sore and tired and Daddy has gone home to get some sleep after 26 hours of labour!

I will post a pic this afternoon!

Awesome Night!

2008-12-10T21:56:00.000-08:00

Well like every ones blogs already say tonight Daniel preached and Deanna led worship and it was phenomenal! There is was an amazing power of Holy Spirit, alters were packed in ministry time and there was just such as awesome touch of God on peoples life! Daniel spoke on the love of God and it was just awesome! Great job Daniel.... I had tears many times, some the power of God, others well I'm just plan proud of you! You have matured so much and it is absolutely amazing to see your passion and what God is doing in your life and speaking to you. Yeah God! Awesome Night!

---PS--- AMY IS STILL IN LABOUR!!! NO BABY YET!

Saw her at 5 she was doing great! Rich looked more tired than she did!! ha ha

This Blog will be the first with pictures and info... I promise... keep checkin back

Whole and Holy!

2008-12-10T06:53:00.000-08:00

I think these are two thing that we strive for in life! Some times we rely on God to do it and some times we rely on our selves! ( which as we know gets us no where every time!) Thanks Breanne for the encouraging blog post of just being with God. Taking time and allowing Him to speak. As I just read through Eph 1 & 2 I again was refreshed that I'm part of something big. God plan is huge and He has created me to play a part in it. It is so wonderful. The verse that has grabbed me this morning was eph 1:2-6 ish. It was reading my message and it put it so plainly (which is necessary at 6:30 in the morning!)

"Long before He laid down the earths foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ (What a pleasure he took in planning this!)"

It's in him that we are made whole. It is by his love that we are made holy. We are his, he chose us, we didn't choose him!

5:57!!

2008-12-10T06:23:00.000-08:00

I can't sleep ... 5:57 Amy's water has broken.. they have headed off to the hospital! SOOOO EXCITED!!

God sets the solitary into family!

2008-12-09T20:32:00.000-08:00

That is what I heard everyday for two years from a very wise man in my life! Although it is in the bible Pastor Craig would always remind other masters students and I that, that is what God desires and wants for us all. To be in open relationships with people! Pastor Scott did a great job on Sunday encouraging us all that we are all broken and we need to be open and how to respond to each other in our brokenness.

Today I experienced this a few times and it really affirms in me the joy of family that God has placed me in. I had time with a peer just discussing life's joys and awkward/hard times. Then pastor who always shocks me with how well he can read me... lol (I guess that's what happens.. once in masters always in masters eh pastor!) Thank you for your encouragement! Then Pastor Scott came encouraged me and pushed me to be ME! Sometimes I forget that my goal is excellence not perfection. Thank you God for putting me into family so that when I forget those little details you have placed people in my life to remind me!

God Moment!

2008-12-09T12:49:00.000-08:00

Ok so I keep forgetting to blog about my cool God moment a couple weeks ago! We were here at youth and we were having just a great night! Awesome time just sitting in the presence of God, it was wonderful! After the sermon Madison and I went up to just play and sing through the ministry time and I just began to worship in my spiritual language. Nothing out of the ordinary, just a sense of purpose to speak into that ministry time. It passed, we finished the song and I moved on. As I was coming off the stage one of our Korean students came to Jason and I and told me that as I was singing I was speaking Korean. Which I have ALWAYS wanted to know if my spiritual language was ever more than jiberesh to God! SO I was going crazy! So as I was just singing over that time he told me I was clearly saying -STAND UP- in korean. Which not only was a cool moment for me spiritually but for our youth! I was doing battle on their behalf to really be all that God has called them to be and stand up and stand out in the world we live it..... to THRIVE.... wow God you are so good. Thank you for speaking though me and allowing me to know about it!

wow!

2008-12-08T08:56:00.000-08:00

WOW to the amazing tree decorating night last night!

WOW to my amazing husband.. just cause I love him and am thinking of him!

WOW to Daniel and Deanna being home and hearing the stories of God at work!

WOW to the 3 stooges getting a house!

WOW to Christmas in 17 days!

WOW to a New Year here already!

WOW to God's Love, and the love of family!

WOW to Randy's Birthday today! THE BIG 20!

WOW to how big Amy is... no baby yet.. one day overdue and counting...

WOW to all the Christmas events coming up! What a fun time of year!

WOW God... always amazed at all that you are doing!

Joy to all of you today!

wow for my day off to get Christmas shopping done! hee hee

Dec 1st!

2008-12-01T11:05:00.000-08:00

Well isn't this exciting!

Christmas count down is here! Shopping is in full swing the house is decorated, cookies are kinda being made!! (I was gifted with dough from my mom... so my cookie work was rolling them out and cooking them! ha ha) This is just my favourite time of year!

Life Update...

Amy and Rich---- still no baby! 6 sleeps till due date!

Randy, Matt and Ryan moved to their house yesterday, so that meant Randy moved out! It was such a pleasure to have Randy live here for the month! He really is part of our family!

Not only is Dec Christmas but Jason's Birthday! (the 22nd!!)

Youth is going so well, Consumed wind down and Retreat Jan 9th is coming, so we are so excited with everything happening in the life's of students. As we met as leaders yesterday the stories of God at work were so incredible!

well as my day off I have slept in showered blogged, it's time to eat breakfast in front of Ellen!!

Sneak Peek!

2008-11-25T18:00:00.000-08:00

Well for all those youth who visit my blog here you are one day early! A preview of our youth retreat theme! ENCOUNTER! As we continue to learn about experiencing God personally, we are going to get away for the weekend and take time to really taste and see that God is good!

Well this is super exciting not only cause it's a up and comin retreat but I figured out a bunch of new things on photoshop today.. so I'm kind of proud of my new creation!!

(colours are blue.. not orange.. not sure why when uploading it changed!)

2008-11-24T08:59:00.000-08:00

I think I'm catching up with life!

After Consumed and house sitting and busy week catching up I feel really good! I wasn't sure why at 8 this morning I was woke up by strange men on my deck with ladders coming to clean... we were told they were coming in September.. kinda surprised this morning! Anyway as I sit here awkward in my living room with blinds drawn and men outside.. I think I'm going to start setting up the tree!

Things that have been that were AMAZING!

Consumed... Thank you God for your work in lives!

Youth Church last Wednesday...Lingering at the alter, prayer time was awesome!

Living Waters Conference!

Becka's Birthday!

My brothers birthday!

24 Redemption.... FANTASTIC!

Things that are coming that I am so excited for I could just scream!!!

CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AMY AND RICH'S BABY!!!!

well there is others but come on those pretty much top the list!

What a wonderful morning!

2008-11-09T19:49:00.000-08:00

Well there is nothing more exciting that seeing God work in the lives of our family! It was so incredible to see Holy Spirit move this morning! I was having a really hard time this morning with an allergic reaction which intern I took some allergy stuff but then I was having a hard time getting a full breathe as I was singing. I then came to the realization (which is a frequent one!) I knew that without the strength of God I am nothing. So as I mustered up my faith and Holy Spirit inside of me, God used me in a powerful way to break through walls in worship. As we moved to ministry in both services I was so touched by those who were so expecting to have more of God. It was so evident to see, Thank you Lord for your power, strength and work on the cross! Thank you that you broke the chains so that I can live and walk in your freedom.

Crackers should not be this Complicated!

2008-11-05T22:02:00.000-08:00

Well I have not been a good blogger this week because of serious lack of creativity! I have sat down a few times to blog and well nothing came. Most of the time I count stories out because I don't think anyone will care! But this is a funny story and well if nothing else I hope this story makes you smile or even makes you join in and laugh at me! Yes I said AT me..

A few weeks back I was grocery shopping and I bought crackers. Premium Plus Crackers - simple, red box, the ones we all know and love right! Well I though wrong.

Once I had gone to enjoy these awesome crackers, much to my disgust they were unsalted! That is the best part! You can't take the salt off the crackers! Any way my wonderful husband was so kind to show me that on the box in big letters was the word UNSALTED! fantastic....

So this week I went off shopping and once in the cracker aisle I was very sure that I grabbed the box that was clearly marked SALTED! This was good, everything was going to be good! Oh but once again I thought wrong, and when I arrived home to enjoy my crackers, although they were salted they were wrapped individually in packages of 4! I was so focused on the word salted I paid no attention to any other words on the box! (gotta be a sermon in this story some where!)

Some days I truly am a few fries short of a Happy Meal!

In the end... it's funny and maybe, HOPEFULLY next week I will return home with the right crackers!

we know that God is good!

2008-11-03T08:14:00.000-08:00

It has been a really hard weekend, for families in the valley and for families in the church. On Saturday night their was a car crash involving 8 students. One has already passed others still in the hospital. But I just really sense that a strength is rising up for those who are hurting! I really don't know what to say to those who have lost and those who are in crisis, except that we have a good God and that He never changes. We have to trust and we have to pray that all the enemy was working for evil, to steal, kill and destroy would be turned around! I believe that God's waring angels are around these teenagers and their families and that the truth and goodness of God will prevail.

I'm thankful for my Everlasting God!

2008-10-29T22:39:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful that I have an everlasting God and that in whatever life may throw my way I can trust in my everlasting God! There isn't a lot in life that is everlasting. It is a very hard thing to even understand because we don't see it here on earth. I find it funny how so many things are trying to last longer. There is everlasting gobstoppers... they last like 2 minutes! Light bulbs created to last longer, life time guarantees on pots and pans.... everything and everyone wants to last forever! But the truth is that nothing can sustain forever except God.

I was just so blessed tonight as we say at youth that we serve an everlasting God, NO worries, NO limits, NO let downs....... He reigns forever, He is a good God, His strength reigns forever and He is truly My Everlasting!

World traveller!

2008-10-29T12:53:00.000-07:00

Last night I got a phone call, and with call display I don't get a lot of unknown numbers but as I answered my phone much to my surprise it was the other Kelsi! My made of honor, Kelsi McPherson is in Korea and I miss her so much! It was really awesome to talk to her, She is doing great! Although she has been in university these last couple years and I haven't spent a lot of time with her, being on the other side of the world is pretty far! Teaching English having a great time she is really doing great. Kelsi has always had a heart for others and I'm really proud of her step of faith this year!

Anyway Check out her blog www.kelsiinkorea.blogspot.com

Fun.....

2008-10-28T14:59:00.000-07:00

Jason forgot his water bottle at home today.. look what he found... I'm glad it's just water... no one should consume this much coffee...

2008-10-28T12:47:00.000-07:00

Here at Northgate we give a monthly Lighthouse award to someone in the church who is actively serving. Those nominated are serving in different areas with excellence of service and heart!

This weekend we honored Terry Weston, and it was truly a joy to see Terry get this award. She is always here doing something! Way to Go Terry!

Over the last couple months Jason and I had discussed having a youth lighthouse award! And so it is finally here! Just like the one on Sunday we will be giving the award to a student who is serving in Northgate. This week because we hadn't had the award ready in September we have two to award tomorrow! Make sure you are there and get ready to stand to your feet and honor those who faithfully serve.

Here is a sneak peek at our picture, I tired to find something a little more "funky" than the church one! Little surfer man in the foreground... Hope you like it!

It's here!!

2008-10-27T16:41:00.000-07:00

Well it has been long awaited but with my birthday money (and some awaited Christmas money! ha ha) today we bought a Mac Book! It is my first computer that is really all mine, and I am so excited! There is so much to learn and figure out but I am really excited to have my own lap top and I'm sure my blogging with increase now that I have access everyday... ha ha! Well I'm off to venture and find more... Thank you to all those who cam last night! It was a blast and I was truly blessed. Best birthday ever... with special thanks so my man, and his AMAZING love, flowers, card, blog posts, party and laptop... YOUR THE BEST!

Do I Look Different?

2008-10-23T10:24:00.000-07:00

Well today is the big 21, and as I woke today to the sounds of my husband in the kitchen I couldn't help but smile! Not only was there breakfast in bed, but flowers and cards and everything when I had arrived to the office! If you are a blog checker you have seen the lengths that my husband has gone to make me feel blessed, honored and loved! It has been so wonderful! With a facebook wall full of wishes and all the rest I just want to say Thank you to everyone, and that I really appreciate the love!

Not sure what 21 is going to look like, but my birthday card from Mercedes informed me that 21 was a great year to have kids... ha ha, your cute Mer, I'll see what I can do... 22 might look even better!

I know that this year is going to be better than last, because everyday is getting better and better. I am surrounded by people who love and support me and I have my heart set on a God who leads me.

Although a trip to Vegas would be great, I don't think 21 will show any great difference to my day to day. I'm getting use to every year going faster and faster, so I'm ready to keep my eyes open to not miss any of it!

Ladies Conference!

2008-10-22T09:33:00.000-07:00

Well it's almost here, and I am really excited about the ladies conference this year! I know that in the past it has been a retreat, but my life has always been impacted in a different way every year!

I remember one year when I was in masters, it was a retreat at Homewood and my mom came! Which if you know my mom getting her to a ladies gathering is like pulling teeth.. lol, but she knew God had a plan for that weekend, and he did! We spend the whole Saturday afternoon together! It was so cool, just reading and talking and hanging out in the sun! No one else, just me and my mom! It was an awesome experience of going and building relationship and family!

Another year I was there and one of the only young adults and it was cool to send time with the ladies who were just a few steps ahead in their walk in life and with God. I learned so much about where God was taking me that year and who he has called me to be. I was so blessed by the openness in worship, it was just awesome!

Last year we were in Parksville at a hotel, which was different again, but with a group of masters we had a blast! I remember the best thing from that weekend, was the prayer/fire tunnel and really feeling the different burdens for ladies as they walked through and were being released from things in their lives. I was also really stretched that year to be a part of a prayer team time... and wow, again God moved in a mighty way and taught me to just rely on him!

I'm really excited for this weekend, and ladies I hope you are coming too, be in prayer for what God has for you, because it isn't just a break from work, families, phones and busy (although it will be that) but it is time to come crawl into the lap of your creator, the lover of your life and let him breathe life into you, change you and minister to your heart exactly what it needs! Be ready and willing, cause I know he has great things for you!

yah yah yah!! Here it is! - Sr High 80's Night!

2008-10-21T11:50:00.000-07:00

Well my thoughts would be the opposite Pastor Scott, we are all just so diligent and busy that blogging has had to take a back seat! ha ha ha

Oh we are busy... but that is no excuse to not be creative.. thank you for the friendly reminder! :)

Anyway, I did want to post a few pictures from our Youth Event on Friday! We had an awesome time with our Sr. High students! We enjoyed laughter over all the bright clothes and big hair, had a blast laughing our way through 'Back to the Future" those special effects are AMAZING! ha ha

We consumed a lot of pop and chips, which is very normal for our youth, and awarded 80's favourites as prizes! Matt Powell for best male dressed - a Rubik's cube and Camy for best female dressed - a my little pony!

It was a great night and we reeked of hair spray! We crashed Adam and Janice's house and it was great! We had a great time with them and their little boy Seth is sooooo cute! He really enjoyed the full house, helium balloons and chips!

Anyway, there is something for now, more is to come! And once I get a computer at home.. I promise my blogging consistency will grow...

How to drug proof your kids!

2008-10-13T09:33:00.000-07:00

Well this thanksgiving weekend I had an awesome opportunity to take part in a drug proofing your kids program learning how to be a facilitator this this wonderful program put on by focus on the family! It was an awesome two day class, a lot of information and a lot of great ideas for parents. Not sure when we (Pastor Craig was there too) will put on this course but I am very excited about it, because what I feel it is mainly teaching is good parenting, which many people struggle with what they are suppose to do with teenagers. Taking drugs will always be the students choice but what kind of relationship they have with their parents and family will change their response to that question. Although I don't have children of my own yet I'm so glad I was able to learn this before I do, because prevention is everything!
Specific things I learned?
1) Spend time with your student, get to KNOW who they are!
2) Reward children with one on one time with you the parent, they feel special and it builds relationship! (make time)
3) Be age appropriate but always have an on going conversation about drugs, alcohol and the effect's of the 'party scene'
4) Be careful how much you use over the counter meds and also how much you let your children use them
5) Emotions don't think ---- never deal with anything in life in the heat of it!

Awesome!

2008-10-09T09:25:00.000-07:00

Check out Russel's blog to see how our students are also responding to God's message last night! Awesome job Russel!

http://russellarson.blogspot.com

Lead!

2008-10-09T09:07:00.000-07:00

Well last night I was back at youth, missing one week seems like a lot longer! We had a great night last night! We had an awesome time in worship, great game... GO MARIKA!... and we just had a great time hanging out together.

Pastor Matt had come to my rescue last night so that it wasn't just a big Kelsey show, Matt was our speaker last night. As we continued in our sermon series on lead, Matt began to share with us the story of David and King Saul. Matt did a great job! He made us laugh, he made us think and he was real as he shared stories from his own life experience! Thanks so much Matt.

But it all got me thinking about how many times I could have made better choices if I would have just lead my emotions better! Even yesterday I was mad at the photocopier and Pastor Scott came by and said " Kels the photocopier doesn't make you angry!" we had a good laugh but it's so true how over the small stuff we can just let it fly. The big stuff well we see that coming, but the little things that make us upset, or the words someone says or the action they do that we don't agree with. I was challenged once again to truly believe that God is in control. He is is control of me and of others. What others do and even what things do should not effect my emotions so much that it changes my day, my head space of even my attitude.

May the little things that challenge us today not get the best of us.. even photocopiers and bunny ears! :P

Husbandless!

2008-10-08T08:56:00.000-07:00

Well this week has been a busy one, but it has also been a lonely one!
Jason, Cody and Dave left to Prince George on a hunting trip on Friday so Carla and I have been left all alone! They are having a great time although they have not yet found anything! I'm glad that they are away having a great time as a family and truly getting rest! I'm doing just fine, but I will admit that I hate my cold bed, my quite house and the limited phone calls because of bad service in the bush! Not that I want to have a freezer full of game meat, I do pray they start finding something so that they enjoy the trip completely!

BIGGER or better!

2008-09-24T08:57:00.000-07:00

This weekend the youth will embark on an adventure that goes back into the depths of youth ministry history!

BIGGER OR BETTER!

This is a car rally that is played around town running from one house to the next trying to trade up their paper clip or elastic for something bigger or better! It is seriously a blast! One year my mom's car came back with a 4 ft tall Kraft dinner box and not only did her team win, that Kraft dinner box sat in Pastor Corey's office for years to be enjoyed by all! It was fantastic!

Students we will see you there, invite your friends out, prizes for the winning team and for bringing your friends!

If any one else wants to get in on this and be a parent driver! let me know....

Check out this link about a man who made bigger or better his mission of life...

http://oneredpaperclip.blogspot.com/2005/07/one-red-paperclip.html

24 more hours to go!

2008-09-12T09:14:00.000-07:00

Well this week was our week of prayer and fasting here at the church we were seeking God through prayer and fasting to see new levels of breakthrough! I have always taken part in this week by fasting media, fasting Starbucks, different meals or snacks for a week. Things that were hard but I'm not sure that they stretched me as much as this week has. I am day 5 of my 5 day fast and it has been a very interesting and fantastic experience. I have never fasted more than 30 hours before so this has been an interesting week. Although I have been drinking juice not just water, it has been tough. I was told, that day 3 was the hardest but I really thought that yesterday (day 4) was the hardest. Anyway, it has been a really cool experience for me, I'm so excited that I've accomplished what I had set out to do. God has done so much this week and do I know for sure if it was because of my obedience, no..... but I wouldn't want to chance that it wasn't!

What God has shown me this week:
-Awesome corporate prayer times with people from every generation really encouraged me and stretched me to push harder in my prayer and set a good influence to those younger who are still learning.
-Great devotional times, new light to scriptures.
-Youth kick off ----- WOW WOW WOW, worship awesome, offerings blown away, new students, students returning, leaders engaged and excited! It was fantastic!
- that my snacks, frufru drinks at Starbucks and meals are not the most important thing, God truly is my source and that is most important!
It has been as awesome week, thank you Lord that your word declares the breakthrough that has happened this week, seen and unseen! I thank you Lord for all you are and all you do!

oh by the way... 6 more sleeps till mom and dad get home! WAHOO!

Love is in the Air!

2008-09-09T10:38:00.001-07:00

Well I am so excited to announce the engagement of my friends Victoria and Kato! It came as a text at the end of Mama Mia and I was screaming with excitement! Not only have I been waiting for this as a friend, but also just knowing that the adventure Tori is now walking is one of the most amazing times of my life, and I am just praying it will be the same for them!
Kato you did an awesome job with the engagement as well!

Above congrats I just bless you both is this time of your life! WAHOO!

We are temporary awaiting shaw to hook up our Internet so blogging is at a low! But all is good, life is busy with the awesome blessings of God, and we are so blessed with our new place, busy getting mom and dad's place all ready for their arrival!

Home and Back at it!

2008-09-03T18:46:00.000-07:00

Well we are home from camp it was such an awesome week! God was speaking and changing the hearts of our students and it was a really powerful week spent building relationships. It did rain so some things were altered but it was still a blast like it is every year! I do have to say that my husbands team did win this year, but it's ok my name was on the trophy first! :P Any way we came home to a house piled high and and we finished packing over the weekend and moved on Sunday after church! So we live in our new condo now and it is so perfect! We are loving it so much, it is so nice to have our own place, close into town, and all set up with nice things and stuff on the walls! I finally was able to decorate! It has been super fun! So I will post pics soon, it has been a busy week but I will get pictures taken. Mom and Dad have made it to Florida safely on Saturday and have been hanging out there till tomorrow when they fly back into Canada and then begin another venture home with stops to see family along the way! Thank you guys for all your prayers, they are doing great and are eager to arrive on the island Sept, 18th!

one week till camp!!

2008-08-17T19:25:00.000-07:00

As I look ahead to the next week I realise that we leave for Teen Camp on Sunday!!!! The end of the summer is already here.... HOLY! That went so fast, as we have two short days in the office, staff retreat, camp, two days till move and then September is here it's hard to not get a little over whelmed with all the to do lists! But not only that, it really amazes me all that has happened this summer and to think it's almost over! Here are some of my highlights so far, knowing that every year camp is an awesome highlight!
-The Weather this year has been amazing! thank you Lord for drying us out before the rain comes again!
-Our friends Andy & Shannon with their baby Garrison were here to visit for two weeks!
-The news that our Friends Rich and Amy getting hired at Northgate and moving back to Courtenay
-All our youth events but I will have to say that, Survivor night, tofino campout and ugly mug at the Beelers were the best!
-God using me and growing me in my worship
-Finding a place to go Sept 1st! Finally my own place to decorate!

I sure love summer but I will be honest and say that my excitement for the fall is greater and well I love that first day of flip flops but nothing beats the fall wardrobe! :)

115 more days...

2008-08-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

Let me start by saying..... THIS IS NOT MY BABY! - I AM NOT PREGNANT!

Well now that we have that out of the way you can enjoy this beautiful picture of my friend, Amy and Rich's, baby! So far, his/her name is still baby, we don't know if it is a he or a she, but we are excited to find out!

Not only am I a happy and proud friend but I just love babies and it just so happens that as Amy and Rich move here so does very pregnant Amy! and when baby comes, auntie Kelsey will always be ready to babysit when needed! I am also so excited that as I get to spend time with a new baby I won't have to feed it, and get up all night, and well you know be completely selfless! I will get to play, buy cute things and enjoy the almost here bundle of joy!

Congrats you guys.... only 115 more days aim.. hold in there! :)

Almost home!

2008-08-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

The packing mania has started, condos are leased and the plans for mom and dad to get home are well on their way! It is very excited and I can't wait to see them, hear all the stories cook them all their favorites and just have them back! As they leave Haiti September 2nd and start their adventure home stopping along to see family, friends and attend my uncles wedding, they will be arriving here in Courtenay on Sept 18th! There are many things that I know they are looking forward to coming home for, but I also know it will be hard to leave the people, their friends and all the memories of what God has done in Haiti and in them over the last year.

It has been weird not having them here for a whole year, but as I think of them coming home I have thought about a lot. Although they are gone everything else keeps going. People have moved away and new people are here, People have grown up and many have changed a lot! Our Church family looks different, Our community looks different, and all our lives look different. To come home and everything is just a little different would be weird. It would be really weird having to order food, wait for it and pay almost double for it every couple weeks, what a difference is superstore going to make! What they have learned to live without, will it be hard or easy to indulge back into the many luxuries we live day to day. There is so many things that the mind, heart and spirit will need to readjust to, but I know God is for them and everything is going to be great!

So please be in prayer for my parents as they gear up to return home. Pray that adjustments will be easy, that ever thing they need will be provided and that all travels will be safe and without hindrance!

If you want to check out their journey, their stories and mom's fantastic photo's! Go to...
http://web.mac.com/cyrjana/YrjanasinHaiti/Welcome.html
username - Colleen
password - northgate

There is a lot that we are preparing for their arrival home, if you are interested in helping please let me know! Bless you!

Wipeout!

2008-08-12T20:30:00.000-07:00

Well with not a lot a energy, I have snuggled in with a sick husband to watch this fantastic waste of time show! Now if you have never seen this, it is fantastic! As a youth pastor I want this course to be my back yard! Through out these challenges these people get beat to a pulp by huge balloons, moving things, punching walls, while all falling into mud, water and slim! It is so fun to watch! 50, 000 is the prize to win the game, but I think I know a group of students and maybe even a couple leaders ;) who would pay to have this much fun! If you haven't seen it, check out these highlights, they might pull you into a mindless hour on a tuesday night! :P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29BnbRPy3Us

luke warm blogger!

2008-08-12T09:18:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I have decided that I am a luke warm blogger, I like to look at blogs, I like the thought of blogging but the actual action almost is ... work??.... I came/ have been pushed.. to make a decision about my blogging am I in or am I out! Which brings me to this post in which I never want to be a luke warm person in any area of my life, what is good I want to be all in and what is bad or just doesn't fit I want to be out. Blogging isn't bad, and when I set out to blog it was to encourage my journaling life and be a person who could daily take time to just think about my life, whats going on, something that made me laugh or something that made me smile, just so that I could reflect on it but also to teach myself to stop, think and appreciate my day and my life whether something significant happens or not! So if the blogging is slacking please feel free to encourage me to pull up my socks!

Summer Sun!

2008-07-17T09:47:00.000-07:00

Well I have to say that for all the negative thoughts towards our weather this spring, I have been very impressed with our weather this summer, not one youth event has been cancelled and we have been baking in the sun! It is so wonderful!

Over the last week there has been so much stuff going on so here is a little update...

Youth - well we have been having a total blast with another ice blocking trip after the last one, an ugly mug night of over 40 people, kayaking into our beautiful bay and looking up over the Comox glacier, noise level concert in the park and tomorrow we are embarking on a camp out at our farm! Not only have I been having fun but we have been meeting new kids, developing new relationships and looking forward to the fall and summer events still to come. I also want to thank everyone who came and ate lunch on Sunday to support our students to get to camp, it was awesome and I know they appreciate it so much.

Life in General - Well Jason and I have been busy getting things ready to move already even though we don't need to go till September 1st, we have been refinishing furniture, packing up winter clothes and buying couches... that are fantastic (well I almost like my throw pillows better than the couch, but that's just me.. ha ha ha). Other than that we have had great times with friends, Jason's friend Andy from Texas is here with his wife, Shannon and baby boy, Garrison, so we have had a blast hanging out with them, doing the summer thing, and well getting out baby fix! He is so cute! Our friends Ryan and Lindsay are back from their honeymoon which is nice to have them back and we have also found out our other friends from Victoria.... yes, Amy, Rich and baby will be moving here this fall! and I am one happy Auntie Kelsey!!! So to sum that up, life is good and this summer is so far just fantastic!

What is God saying? - Well it may sound like I am busy but God has been busier.... He has been speaking to me so much and just walking me into new places.. it's really neat! Pastor Scott has been challenging us to look to next year to what we want to personally work on in our skills, reading and ministry goals. So as I have been thinking about this, God has been really working on me in the area of worship and growing my heart as a musician not just a person who can sing, and to look at all areas of worship not just my part! So it's been cool to walk through this as well. I have been loving my voice lessons, looking into some keyboard stuff and also receiving songs from God and seeking Him to write more. It's been very cool. He has been working with some of our students and it is so encouraging to watch them grow. He has been pushing me to reach out more to friends that don't know Him, He is shaping me in my marriage and just really growing me into a better wife and woman of God. I know that I have other areas too but I will save my computer geek chat for another post cause this one is getting long.... :P

The Best Afternoon!

2008-07-10T16:32:00.000-07:00

Well I know I have not been faithful with my blogging so if you have all stopping coming well that's fine.. but I will try and at least post once or twice a week through out the summer, but I will admit that spending extra time on my computer when the weather is this nice it really hard!

This afternoon we went and hung out at the park with some students and we went Ice Blocking!
This is the closest thing to sledding in July that you will find! We take blocks of ice and place a towel on them and then push off down a grassy hill! You slide, you actually slide quite fast, it is fantastic! Anyway you have to check it out...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldIeoNKpKGc&feature=related

We were lucky and didn't have any accidents but this one is worth a watch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klSUBQtE4Ro&feature=related
Try it out--- Tuesday July 15th Shift Ice Blocking WAHOO!!

My New Bible

2008-06-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

Well I have been meaning to blog about my new bible for a while here, and I just hadn't gotten around to it. Anyway I have recently started using the Message Remix for my devotions and I am completely loving it! I started reading in Esther, and it was so awesome, because it is a book I have read before many of times, but never have I had it paint such a clear picture. The detail was so extensive, it was so great! Yesterday morning I had flipped just into proverbs and again was just encouraged by how easy to understand and how the wording in this translation sheds new light to scripture.

As I read through Esther is time another thing that amazed me about this story, was that Esther never let it get to her head. As this translation, really laid out in detail all the riches and glory that she has stepped into, with maids and great food, and extra care. It would be like an orphan girl stepping into the life of Paris Hilton. In this day, that usually destroys a person, they can't handle the pressures and the media and they end up on the cover of ever magazine with some embarrassing story being told. But not Esther, She knew where she had came from, she was thankful and she never forgot who she was. So to add to my list of things that I love about this courageous woman of God, I see the pressures and the things that could have been there just to stay comfortable in her place and not care about her people, but for the call that was inside her, she never hid.

Oh God help me to be bold, strong, courageous and never to sit in my comfort letting my luxuries go to my head. May I never lose site of the call that you have placed on my life!

Need a laugh?

2008-06-23T08:47:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C7oqXewyCE

This commerical gets me everytime!!

To Tattoo or Not to Tattoo? That is the question!

2008-06-20T13:29:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love this show!! I think their work is so cool and love hearing peoples stories.

But...over the years of this constant growing trend of using the human body as a canvas (as my husband puts it) it has also been on my radar. Although I'm not into full sleeves, half sleeves, full backs of anything crazy, there is something that I find cool, beautiful and meaningful on different people. I think it is crazy that people are very free and tattoo whatever on their bodies just cause they are bored, and I'm not to sure about the people that their bodies are like 89% cover with tattoos. But I do think the odd one maybe a couple on a person looks fantastic. But there is so many factors to consider and these factors have not all lined up perfect in my head yet.... but I am so close!
My Husband has two tattoo's and would have PLENTY more if I wasn't around! So not only is he wanted more tat's himself he is trying to get me to step one more step closer to the edge. So what are the factors in making a choice like this...
1)What will it be?
I have it narrowed down to a crown, or princess / daughter of the King in Hebrew
2) Why?
Well I do think they are awesome when they mean something and one of the turning points in my life and why I believe I can walk so confidently today in who I am is because I have an understanding of my heavenly Fathers love for me and who I am in Him. This took time but when I really understood it, it was huge break though in my life and I am so thankful for that. So because I have a true understanding that I am royalty, and that God has chosen me I can walk in confidence which has released so much in my life. So I want something to remind me of that so that if the enemy trys to rob me of my self worth, confidence or self image again I have a reminder that I have already conquered this area before and God has placed me higher than enemy and I have the victory.
3) Where?
Well if I decide on something like a crown or another picture type deal I am leaning toward my upper middle back, but if it is a word I am thinking along my foot.

So whats holding me back?
1) Pain
2) Is this just a trendy thing to do, that I will hate later?
3) Will it look trashy?

so I don't know.... Do you have a tattoo? Why did you get it? Do you still love it? Where did you get it?

Last day of spring, means last day of rain.... i wish!

2008-06-19T08:56:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow it will be summer according to the calendar, which is very exciting it is probably my favourite time of year! The one problem I have with this is that when I look out my window what I see doesn't match what they are saying. If it is summer, how far away is the sun? I don't know anything about our seasons shifting or global warming or all these other explanations, but what I do know is that it is crazy that I have to wear 3 layers in June! Like come on! I think that all this negative science jargon is speaking death over our beautiful summer! All we can do is pray that the good weather is coming and speak life into the sun, warmth and a real summer here on the coast! And hopefully we won't have to change all our July youth events because the rivers are frozen over!!!!

I'm in love with holidays but not with our car seats!

2008-06-13T07:54:00.000-07:00

Well we have made it home for one day and we are going to venture out again tomorrow! We have a had so much fun it has impacted my blogging! ha ha, well we didn't have Internet and then well ok I was much to busy, sleeping, doing fun things, and watching endless CSI! ha ha.

First it was the wedding in Banff! Oh it was so wonderful! The church was great, everyone looked great and the service was great! Very emotional it being the wedding of the first grandson without grandma was really hard on grandpa, but when he saw grandma's ring (the ring that had now become Jenn's wedding band) he had to let some tears fall... well as you can imagine, made us all cry! It had also been only a couple years after Oliver had lost his best friend in a climbing accident so as his little brother stood up as a groomsmen for Ollie, that was so beautiful! Although there was these pieces in the picture it made the wedding that much more intimate and just beautiful.

One thing I learn from this side of my family to always love with everything you have. My aunt does such a good job of this. Her personality it wonderful, her love and compassion never runs out and her generosity is always a blessing to others. What I have learned though her and even my own mom and live is to keep "family" a fluent concept! For it always amazes me when I go up to Calgary I feel like I'm heading to spend time with a bunch a family when really only 5 people are related! It has impacted me in how I look at my church family and my friends. It doesn't matter if they are part of the family, it's if you let them be inside your heart for your family. I am so blessed by all my family! all my grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters that are in my family tree or just part of my heart!

From the wedding we spent a few days in Calgary enjoying the rain....... we went to the mall (of course) , the zoo, we had great food.. and not so great food.. we watched oh I'm pretty sure it was like 5 DVDs of CSI! (it was raining we are resting.. it was great!) We had a great time and now we are home, getting some laundry done, celebrating fathers day with Dave and the fam a couple days early and taking off to Victoria for the weekend to celebrate more friends, father's and then our very first anniversary! It will be so fun, and we will be back Monday, back to work on Tuesday, so I'm sure my blogging will soon return to normal!

Great Post Rich!

2008-06-04T11:37:00.000-07:00

I just loved what my friend Rich had to say this morning! It was great to see that heart after God! That's awesome buddy!

check it out at, www.richemery.blogspot.com

Grad!

2008-06-04T11:24:00.000-07:00

Well this weekend is the last weekend of Grads in the Valley, and well my little bro is graduating! Over the last couple weeks, as PMC has graduated and then many students from our youth over the last 3 weeks from high school, has got me thinking. I loved grad, it was so fun to be with all your friends and getting all pretty!

BUT!!! I had no idea about life that came after school. But what I did know was that God was in control and everything was going to be great! Even though at times I was confused, or didn't really know what God was speaking to me, as I trusted He directed me and I am so happy with my life!

So to all you grads, HAVE FUN! trust in God and let Him direct you, Seek after His will, and know that even when you don't get it, He see's the bigger picture!

Daniel I am so proud of you! It's going to be great, this new step is huge and it is sometimes hard not to fear, but He has promised to be there every step of the way, and so do we! love you man of God!

Thoughts on Honor

2008-06-02T11:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning I had the joy of leading worship at our Gold River campus. Everything was great and again it is always encouraging to see the members of our family at different campuses! The Gold River campus was finishing up the series on alignment, so we had the pleasure of learning from Pastor Naomi. As she walked through the issue of being in alignment with Gods word in how we honor, I have been encouraged to do so. Jason had just finished a sermon series with our youth on honor so it has been something that I have been looking at over the last month. I know that God has called me to honor in many different ways and I am so thankful that His word is so clear. As we honor, life is released, and we are rewarded. So as Naomi has put it yesterday, honor is not performance based it is identity based. So no matter what we think of the people we need to honor we still are called to honor them. Our bosses/teachers, our government, our parents and our church leadership. I don't think that this has been a hard issue for me since taking an undercover course in my first year of Pacific Masters Commission, but it is something that we all need to be continually practising. So here it goes!

Well lucky for me, I can group my Church level of authority and my work level of authority in the same group!

Pastor Scott: I just want to honor you for all that you do in our church, the late nights, the early mornings and hours of thought, prayer and devotion. Thank you for sharing your heart and your dreams with us. Thank you for being a fair, encouraging and inspiring person to work for. I know that my life is changed because of the way you have taught me, pushed me and walked out in front of me the way, to a person of the word. Thank you for your leadership, your friendship and the weight that you carry for me and the whole church family every day.

Pastor Naomi: Thank you for being such a wonderful example of a Godly woman, wife and mother. You have taught me so much that I hold so dear. Your heart inspires me to seek after God with all that I am. Thank you for your continual encouragement, your prayers, your vision and your desire to see God move in my life as well as the lives of others. I honor you for the hard days, the long days and the times when being a leader means sacrifice. I appreciate all that you have done. May you and your family be blessed as you have been a blessing!

Government is something I don't know a lot about, to be honest, but I know that no matter what they do or decide that God has placed them in my life for a reason. So thank you God for our government and may you continue to draw them to yourself. I pray that all would go well with them and their families. May we all grow in honor by speaking well of our government, and start to pray for them that God's blessing would be released in their lives.

My Parents! Well I know that I have it pretty good and it is very easy to honor you!
Mom: Thank you first of all for giving me life! Without that well.. I wouldn't be here.. ha ha! But thank you for always being there for me, for putting me first for all these years. For the days that it was hard and that times that were tough thank you for protecting me, and guiding me. I want to honor you for being my mom. You are so great, and I am who I am, because of the mom you are, and all that you have done. I honor you for putting God's way and plan before your own. I know that it is hard and I know that you miss home, but know that you will be so blessed because you are honoring His word and His ways before yours and that is so inspiring! I love you and thank you!

Dad: Thank you for being my dad when you didn't have to. Thank you for choosing to be an involved father who has cared, loved and shown such dedication through the years. Thank you for providing for me through the years, Thank you for praying for me, pushing me and challenging me to thinking outside the box. I am inspired by your faith and all that God has done in your life. Know that He is so proud of where you are and where you have come from. I honor you for being who you are all the time! I honor you for being my dad and always putting me first. I love you and thank you for everything.

Dave and Carla: Thank you for excepting me into your family. Thank you for the parents that you are and the wonderful son that you have shared with me. I honor you for your faith, your love and your hearts. May God bless you in every area, as much as you have blessed, Jason and I.

Dad and Cheryl: You have always been there and I want to honor you for all that you have done. I thank you and appreciate your love, your support and who you are as parents. Dad, thank you for giving me life and always loving me and supporting me. Cheryl thank you for treating me like your own and always being so encouraging. I love you guys and thank you so much for everything.

Husband: I love you so much and I just want to honor you for your leadership in our lives. For leading us in the way that we should go, for praying for us and our future and dreaming big dreams. I am so excited for the journey that we have started and I know that the best is yet to come. Thank you for supporting me, loving me and being the best husband ever. You inspire me to run after Him, to dream bigger and believe for more. I honor you for all that you are and all that you have become. I love you!

May we all take the time out of our day to honor, those over us and those that we see everyday. Open the door for someone, be polite, or say thank you. The rewards for honor are more than we can comprehend, this is what God is calling us to.

National Treasure Marathon

2008-05-31T11:21:00.000-07:00

Now it seemed crazy to my husband that I hadn't seen the National Treasure movie, when the second one can out... so I had promised him early this week we would take our Friday night and sit a marathon, and watch both movies! And they were fantastic! I would want to give the stories away cause I encourage you to watch them, but I'll let you know why I enjoyed them so much.
1) the history - I have never been to Europe but I pray that one day I will get to go, but the closest I have been to old/historic structures was here in Canada in the old Quebec city. To walk the roads and see the building just drives me crazy! I love it! These movies both go into great territory or heritage and it just inspired that love in my heart.
2) it was fun - the twists and turns were great it was an awesome story of cat and mouse, and they searched for the hidden treasure.
3) it was clean!!!! - this is hard to come by these days, it was a nice change of scenery.
4) it was for him and her - they would both be great date movies. There is enough action to keep 'him' happy and enough cute love story in there for 'her'!!

So that was our Friday night date and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

It's Holiday Time!

2008-05-31T11:08:00.000-07:00

Well it is that time of year for us again, this time last year we were preparing to get married and now it is time to embark on our first "holiday time" together. We had great plans of a road trip up to Calgary starting early this week, to deliver a rather large wedding gift before we went to my cousins wedding next Saturday. But my grandfather, the large gift giver decided to embark on his own journey and he left yesterday morning in his truck. So one, please pray that in this last day of driving Grandpa will be safe!! and two, well our plans have changed! We are still over to Calgary but in a more convenient way, of an hour and half flight from Comox!

Now the two men that encouraged me to blog, no names mentioned......Jason and pastor Scott! Both hold dear to a saying, "I love marriage, but I hate weddings!" Now, me being the hopeless romantic I am was crying just reading their wedding site and I haven't even got to the wedding yet! So I am very excited to get to the wedding, enjoy some tourist stuff in Calgary, and then come home and go off to Victoria for the weekend to celebrate our first anniversary! I'm very excited! It will be great, and I will keep you updated on our journey!

so about those gas prices....

2008-05-30T09:04:00.001-07:00

Now it is not very often that I have to put gas in the car, because well I have a husband that does it! (thank you soooo much....) So today on my way in I had to get gas because Jason had the church van! Now we have a small car, like not a smart car but it is not a large car it should not use a lot of gas.... $53 this morning.. like that is cheap for a truck or and suv, it might get the tank like 1/3rd full... but in our car that is it not cool! I don't understand all the politics behind it and well frankly I don't really care but i'm just praying that it does down cause you can't catch the bus from merville!!!

Worship Night!

2008-05-29T22:15:00.000-07:00

Well tonight was so good! We had our monthly Northgate worship meeting, but this month we had a time of worship and some teaching with Carrie Lembke. i started vocal lessons with her this week also and it is just so great to see a woman of God use her knowledge, giftings and anointing in such a powerful way.

I was just so blessed tonight, I had come from having coffee with a friend who just rediscovering God's presence in her life and i was so encouraged, as she explained the touch of God that she had experienced. So as I was driving back to the church I had just felt that I needed to get that excitement back in my personal walk with God. It wasn't that I wasn't excited about what God was doing it was that I wasn't excited about what He was doing in me, I wasn't letting my relationship with Him thrive.

When I had first experienced a vision from God a few years ago, it could all be summed up in me dancing with Jesus, Him being my first love and just experiencing that intimacy with Him. So as I was worshipping tonight, God showed me that we were still dancing but there was balloons between us that created distance .... (know I know thats funny, but He talks to us in the way that we understand Him best, so the junior high dance threat worked for me! ) And on these balloons were written pride, tasks, and time. These were the things that were keeping me from that excitement and intimacy with Him. As I continued to worship God have we a word to share through the Revelation Song, as the chorus declares who God is it also makes us choose to adore Him. So as I stepped into the freedom in the holy of hollies, I realised that God wanted to restore my wonder of Him and who He was.

As Holy Spirit was working within me the balloons between Jesus and I popped and I knew that this (in intimacy with Him) is where those things disappeared. God was drawing me closer, and to step into a new child like wonder, He showed me that I need this time to stay free, excited and intimate with Him.

It was just a great night to see a worshipping heart come out in others, learn more about my gifting and be changed and transformed by Father God! I would love to encourage you all to let Holy Spirit restore in you a child like wonder of worship, the Kingdom and of the King! It is very refreshing!

Here I am!

2008-05-29T12:34:00.000-07:00

I have entered the world of blogging! Although I am not as passionate about blogs as my husband and my pastor, I really do enjoy reading there's and as I do I think of thing I would like to write. As I was thinking about it last night, I think that this would be a good idea to keep me on top of my journaling and encourage me to think out some things outside the box. So here it goes... I hope you enjoy the musings of my mind, life, and ministry!