Home for the Weekend

This weekend I was fortunate enough to pop back to Calgary for three days and visit with friends and family. I got to hang out with people as well as attend my home church and all those things you like to do when you go home. It was a bit of a funny time as absolutely everything I did was something I might have done on any weekend when I lived in Calgary. I mean maybe I wouldn't have seen work people on the weekend but I certainly might have gotten together with friends or gone to Chinook on any given Saturday. Sunday was the epitome of a normal day as I went in to church, played in the band and went out to lunch afterwards with my aunt, uncle and cousins.

What made it different of course was that it was only a weekend at home. That I was leaving on Monday was always on my mind. I also didn't get the same number of big hugs on Sunday morning when I was actually living in Calgary. My presence was much more common place when I lived there so I didn't get the big greetings. The other odd thing that happened would be completely normal to me in every other place but because Glenmore is home it was odd. At the end of the service I got called up to pronounce the benediction and pray to close. I would not be surprised by this and would even expect it in any other church but at "home" it seemed a little unexpected.

At any rate it was a fantastic weekend and so good to see those I did. I've found many more people I will see in Newfoundland over the Summer and that's good news. It makes my upcoming Summer Assignment so much more exciting.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign

I often hum the song that the title of my blog is from even though it's before my time, but I'm thinking of different kind of sign now.

A common theme that has been occurring lately is that of signs not being the reality but pointing to the reality. This message has been utilized to drive home many points such as interpretations from the Scriptures all the way to ceremonies and rituals performed in the church. The overall message is that none of these ceremonies, rituals, symbols are necessary for salvation. However, it is important to acknowledge that they can be a means of grace for individuals.

It seems that the point we always seem to hit is where we no longer view the rituals as simply a means of grace and start viewing them as necessary for our faith. Then of course there is also the danger of doing them out of routine; the dreaded "that's how we've always done it" response. Now, don't get me wrong I'm not advocating tossing it all out the window. In fact I'm one of those annoying people that you have to work hard to convince to change anything....should I admit that in writing? I think there's enough evidence out there regardless. What I do advocate is the remembrance that these ceremonies, rituals, symbols are signs, pointing to the reality of God's grace, love and forgiveness in our lives. The knowledge that they themselves are not anywhere close to the reality because nothing we can do could ever possibly come close to showing the reality of God.

Well, that's me out on a limb for today. Hope everyone has a good one!

Big Days

Well the past couple of days have been a bit hard to believe. Yesterday I celebrated my birthday and what a great day. I was happy to spend it with some people who have become incredibly close to me over the past number of months and it was great to simply sit and have some great laughs. I received many messages on facebook and I realize for many these are a matter of rote but I had some that were very meaningful and touching written amongst those as well and I loved seeing them on my wall.

Today was another big day as I found out that I was elected the president of the cadet council here at college for next year's council. THEN on top of all of this was my road test. I have had my learner's license for awhile and was very slack about practicing and learning to drive but once I got here that was no longer possible. So, through some help from friends and lessons I began working more assiduously on my license and then - Ta Da! I actually passed it.

It was quite a bit to cram into two short days and by the time I went to bed last night I was ready to fall over from fatigue. It wasn't a physical labour but a mental and emotional one and in this case a very happy labour. So, a big shout out to all those who helped me learn how to drive - except my peanut gallery of a younger cousin if she ever reads this ;). THANKS