Kettles

I'm pretty sure I post about this regularly, but hey, it's always a good topic.

I can also reassure people that for me nothing says Christmas quite like kettles. I always enjoy my time standing on kettles as I watch people go by. Also, I find that no matter where I'm on kettles I will always run into someone I know and that gives a lovely opportunity for a chat. Now, I know almost everyone says this, but my favourite donors are the little children and the teenagers. In all of this though, I LIVE for the stories people tell me. Stories of how we may have helped them in the past, or their volunteer experiences and so on. Today was a great one - a young boy donated the money he had just received from the tooth fairy - how great is that.

You also have some great conversations on kettles...maybe you're in a store and someone is shopping for a party they are going to have, or, if you're me these days, you're that person everyone is wanting to meet and they come over to introduce themselves. It's a wonderful way to find the pulse of the town and get to know people.

Kettle time is also good thinking time and today I was thinking about all the wonderful people I met on my two winter assignments and how valuable those experiences were for me then and even more so now. I also had a good chuckle remembering some kettle experiences of mine....like the time I wondered why the mall was on an angle, only to realize I was so tired by the end of the term I had started to lean to the side and was in danger of falling over.

What a great time and what a great way to volunteer - have you thought of volunteering?

The Season of Advent

As hard as it is for me to believe, this week is the first Sunday of Advent. These four weeks we take some time to look at the coming of Jesus. To look at the events leading up to his birth and anticipate all the things that came to us because of his arrival here on earth. No matter how long it's been, how far away it may seem chronologically, I am always struck by the fact that he arrived helpless in a stable to start the journey of life that would lead to death on a cross. The love that this represents is staggering and something that I may never be able to fully comprehend while I'm here on earth. That love is for you and I every single day and while we take a few short weeks to focus on it leading up to Christmas we should remember it always.

My goal this year (other than to survive Christmas) is to take some time to focus on the Advent - not just the actual arrival, but on the anticipation of the arrival. To focus on the fact that he is coming and to remember what that arrival would mean. I don't want to rush through the next four weeks spiritually, but rather try to savour what Christmas means and what these weeks promise.

Remembrance Day & Family Visit

This past Friday we took time to remember those who have fallen in battle for us - both those who died many years ago and those who continue to serve and fall today. I am very fortunate in this appointment to be the Legion Padre for Fernie and as such was able to participate in many of the Remembrance Day services. It was great to be able to listen to the children's voices from a local school choir, to hear the singing of the national anthems and to look around and see a town that came out to support and remember. My day and my involvement was definitely a unique privilege.

Also on Friday my dad and his wife arrived for the weekend and it was a great time. I am loving being close enough to family that I can visit them and they can visit me. I also love having family who will play the piano and read scripture during the service :). We spent some time driving around Fernie and checking out some of the scenic locations. I'm starting to get better with knowing my way around to those very locations. It's great to be able to really know this town as my home....or at least getting there.

Dad also figured out my fireplace and they put together some furniture for me so I guess I'll have to let them come back sometime. Also, for all of his protests my father seems pretty fond of my little cat. She, however, was not so fond of him unless I was nearby or there were treats involved.

All in all a great weekend - even with my cold acting up.

Are you prepared?

I've been thinking a lot since I read a blog post from a blog I frequent about our willingness to take on challenges. Reformation day was October 31 and it's a big day in Christian Church History. Martin Luther was willing in a big way to take on what had been the church for a very long time - he was willing to stand up for what he believed in. Now it took a long time to see the fruits of those labours and in some ways we are probably still waiting because the church is ever imperfect as we are imperfect. However, he knew he had to take the step because it was what he believed, and was utterly convicted was the right step.

The thing is though the rest of the church had to deal with that conflict and over the years that hasn't always been shown in a loving and good manner, although sometimes it was. However, it's a typical reaction - we do not always do well when people confront our beliefs and values. I think though that a little conflict is not always a bad thing.

For me at least, conflict pushes me to examine why it is I'm stuck on my beliefs. It makes me think and grow more in the knowledge of both sides. Most of the time, well for the really important things, I come down on the same side I always did, but at least then I know why. So if you're interested in knowledge then conflict is probably coming your way - are you prepared?

Martin Luther nailed a thesis into a door, wrote letters, books, and other documents and made good arguments because he knew what he was fighting, I hope I can defend my faith just as well and that I can do it better and better as I grow in my knowledge. I wish to be prepared to face it.