People in Our Lives

Well, this blog is in response to a very influential yet sometimes annoying individual in my life who is pushing me to blog more frequently and if you'd like to read his blog you can find it here.

I give credit to how I turned out to two things...The first of course is God. If He had not been present and working in my life from an early age who knows where my life would have gone. The second are those people God placed in my life, so there is really only one place to send the credit and that's heavenward.

When I am in conversation about family you will probably here me say things like: my second parents, a real father figure, honourary cousins, older sisters (I'm an only child), adopted grandparents etc...Well, when I was growing up it's not as though I didn't have family but it wasn't the most stable of environments, so I decided to adopt other family members as the need was there. Fortunately those people that I adopted were only too happy to have me as part of their families and I learned about total acceptance and love.

I grew up in a church and the term church family is very real to me. I have many wonderful friends and there have been a couple with me my entire life and subsequently their families have always been there for me as well. No matter what I was going through or for that matter am going through they have never failed to be there when I call. The band at my church was also a very nurturing environment for me and the constant prayer support that surrounded me made an incredible impact in my life.

I have also been fortunate in the pastoral support in my life. I have been blessed with officers (pastors) who were willing to work with me, put up with me and give me great examples of what pastoral care is all about.

This is just a small insight into a big part of my life and all I can do is offer thanks for those that were willing to take the time for me and still are willing today.

Think about the people in your life...Can you think of someone who has always been there for you? What about someone that you're always there for? It's the people in our lives that get us through every day.

The Second Semester is now underway

Well, I made it through one semester and now I've made it through winter assignment and my holidays. I had a great time in New Westminster for my winter assignment and learned a lot. I got to meet and work with some great individuals and I feel truly blessed to have been sent there. The weather was also a contributing factor as it was much warmer in New West than in Winnipeg.

My holidays were great and while not exactly restful they were refreshing. I spent the first three days with my mother in BC and then after an unavoidable yet annoying delay in Nanaimo headed out to Edmonton to hang out with Dad and family. Then it was down to Calgary where I was reunited with many of the friends that I have missed so much during my time here. It was so great to see them and to be around people that know me inside out and backwards but I did miss seeing my session mates. I also really enjoyed getting to watch the Flames beat the Oilers in their New Years Eve game.

After the holidays it was back here for a one week intensive on the History of The Salvation Army and that was really enjoyable and educational. This week has been spent attending our classes for the second semester and starting our field placements. In the first semester we went around to several of the field placement options and now we are placed at one of them for the rest of the year. I started mine and think it's going to be really enjoyable. The people I am working with are very happy and the staff are great.

So here's to a great 2010, a great semester and great anticipation for what is yet to come!