The First Semester

Well, it hardly seems possible but I'm within days of the end of the first semester here at training college. I had been warned that time flew here at CFOT but I don't know that I was fully prepared for that. I thought I'd jot down a few of the reasons why time has flown so fast and how they are affecting me.

The school aspect has been a combination of doors opening wide and severe frustration for me. It was anticipated that due to my lack of education before coming here that university level coursework would be a challenge for me, and while that is true I am happy to say that I am managing better than expected. In fact my two highlights in a week are Old Testament and Church History classes. I have really come to love the time spent in Church History and am going to miss it in the next semesters. Old Testament class has opened my eyes to some new ways of reading the Bible and learning what is has to teach us. As I have learned some of the context and culture of the times it has really helped my understanding.

Field has been a growing experience in every way. We are interacting with groups and people from all over the city and I feel privileged to participate in that program. Every time we go out as a group I learn some new aspect of the Army and how it works to provide assistance for those that require it. I am excited to be participating in a field placement next semester and look forward to the opportunity provided to me there.

They are about using your talents here that's for sure. I have done 5 dance performances, a duet twice, am up to sing a solo, play in the band and the list goes on. This is a great environment for that because no matter what your talent is - singing, speaking, administration - there is a place for you. What I've listed are just some of the many opportunities here, so I don't want people to think it's all about the music cause that just isn't the case.

These are just a few of the reasons why it seems like I just arrived. I still miss home an awful lot, well, more the people then Calgary itself, but am excited to be here and slaving away :). I'm sure the next few months to the summer will go even faster, but now to get through the rest of December.

Tribute

Here is what I read at my grandfather's funeral and I really can't think of another way to write it so I'm posting it on my blog as is.

I am the oldest of the 11 grandchildren and I have been living in Winnipeg since September when I joined the college for officers training just like my grandfather, and I just discovered what to me, is a very cool connection. Every group of people in this program is given a sessional name. My session is called the Ambassadors of Holiness and often just the Ambassadors, so when I looked at Grandpa’s college photo and discovered that his session was called the Ambassadors I was pretty thrilled. If I can express one personal wish it is that I can be an officer that my grandfather would have been proud of.

You’ve heard from his sons, and now it is my privilege to tell you about our grandfather. Well, finally after 6 boys Grandpa got his girls in his grandkids and he liked that. Shonda talks about how Grandpa made her so comfortable the first time he met her with his sense of humour and stories, and I know he always loved to cuddle on the couch with me and tell me stories for as long as I would stay there or until I fell asleep and sometimes even after I fell asleep. His stories whether true or not were always entertaining, and it seemed to bring equal amounts of happiness for him to talk to his granddaughters as it did for his granddaughters to listen.

Now, don’t think Grandpa only loved the girl’s because that just wasn’t true. Scott can tell you stories about going up the roof of the apartment building with him, and sending goodnight wishes and love from their house on signal hill down to Grandma and Grandpa’s. There were plenty of times where Grandpa leaned over to whisper a joke or express the wish that someone would stop talking, but I think Stephen really summed it up where he said “You could always see behind his eyes a wisecrack. He never didn't have something to say; now whether he said it or not was another matter entirely”.

Now always having something to say is a trait that has been passed down through his children and his grandchildren. This idea of whether or not he said what he was thinking is very unique and has not yet come through the gene pool.

I have so many memories of Grandpa that have been going through my mind this week and it’s hard to pick out the ones to share and to hide the ones that will get me into trouble. He always seemed to want to break the rules whether it was going after sweets or talking when he shouldn’t be. He is of course famous for falling asleep at the table and I remember many lunches in downtown Calgary and Grandpa snoozing away while Grandma and I chatted.

I could go into the stories and events involving my grandfather for a long, long time but really what I want to tell everyone is that he was great. It is a good thing, when, as a grandchild I can look back on so many times – his retirement, Easter in Abbotsford, many times in Calgary – and the list goes on – and they are all great memories. Ones that make me laugh, smile and always remember how loved I felt. I am so privileged to be up here speaking on behalf of the grandchildren about a grandparent who evokes grins and automatic story telling of all the crazy things that happened with him around. He used to lean over and whisper “I love you, you know, so Grandpa, you’ll be missed, and your legacy continues in us but most importantly I love you, you know.

Some Funny Moments

Well, I thought I'd write out some of the funny moments that have happened to me and around me and some even because of me since I've been here.

• On the day of my first time as the chapel leader I managed to catch the back of my pants on a chair and tear them. I then proceeded to tell everyone about it so they were aware of why I had my jacket tied around my waist.

• In pastoral care class when discussing about an internal process that shows outwardly I said "This rings a bell, I'm just not sure which one"

• I brought down the back door of the van onto someones head (accident I swear it)

• One of my session mates has an interesting time mixing up words of songs singing things like "High, high as the ocean" or "the world before me, the cross behind me". The last one came up when we were singing the chorus to Onward Christian Soldiers which contains the line "with the cross of Jesus going on before" and I leaned forward and said to her "note how the cross comes before you".

These aren't all of them but a few to start you off. I figure I'll continue this theme as the months go by cause we all know I'll have even more of these moments. I'll also say that any of these stories that involve other people are written with their permission.

Opportunities and Overwhelmed

This is just a quick update and hello to the world of blogging. I can tell you that as I write this I am taking a brief break from finishing up some of the hundred or so things I have to get done this week, and am feeling a little bit crazy. We've been having a week full of rehearsals with worship teams, creative movement, new songs etc...and that takes its toll as well as sermons to write, orders of service to prepare and upcoming assignments that are due. I can honestly say that even now I have never felt so fulfilled as I do right now. That thought makes me shake my head and wonder about my sanity but even in the moments where I could sit down and cry from my to do list I still feel a certain degree of peace that this is where God wants me to be.

I will be fortunate enough to be able to go to the Olympics in Vancouver come February and that is an extremely exciting prospect. I think it's going to be a wonderful time of learning and experiencing. Seeing the many ways the Salvation Army participates in large events will certainly be good for me.

Today was also the day to find out our Winter Assignments. This is an opportunity for us to participate in the many Christmas activities in and around the corps and other services of the Salvation Army around the country. I was thrilled to find out that I am heading to New Westminster, BC for 10 days and am looking forward to the many opportunities I will have there. I will also be praying for my session mates and the Prayer Warriors as they head into their various assignments.

So, I'm overwhelmed with opportunities here and most days...it's a good thing :).

Family Visit/Thanksgiving Weekend

Well, it was a great Thanksgiving weekend here as my family all showed up in Winnipeg to celebrate my grandparents 80th birthdays and 55th wedding anniversary. I was very pleased to see my two youngest cousins who I haven't seen since they were toddlers and aunts and uncles who I don't get to see very often. Oh and I got to see my dad too which was okay ;).

As we spent the weekend going from meal to meal I was given ample time to reflect on the many things I have to be thankful for. For family who is close and gets together at least every few years. For being able to go out for dinner and have my choice of food. For freedom of religion that we can all worship Christ together at church, and many other things.

I was of course thrilled to have my family from Calgary all come in....yes all 6 of them drove out, and this made my month. In the past 18 months or so I have spent a great deal of time with them and have really missed them these past two months. Getting to spend two whole days with them really cheered me up. It was very hard to say goodbye but I know no matter what happens, they'll always be there to puncture my ego and remind me of my roots :). Love you guys!!!

Welcome Weekend

Well, I'm now official. This past weekend was the official march in for the 2009 Ambassadors of Holiness session for the College For Officers Training. I was overwhelmed by the feelings that assailed me as I marched down the centre aisle and was met by the territorial commanders, and as I watched my session mates do the same thing.

The weekend began with a visit to each of the first years condos by Commissioners Francis, Majors Bond and Major Ivany. I was very pleased to see that they are willing to take the time and meet with each of us making it clear that their interest in us is vested and personal. Sunday morning was a chapel service for the cadets and their family/friends and the leadership of the Salvation Army that were in the city. There was an opportunity to hear testimonies from Joyce and Peter and I was given the opportunity to perform a creative movement piece with a second year cadet Elizabeth.

A little bit later in the day was the public service at Southlands where surrounded by members of the Salvation Army from all over we were welcomed into the session by the territorial commanders. The service was excellent with some more opportunities for participation including an interview of our flag bearer and a cello solo.

I was happy to have my Mom and Eric & Gilles there as well as a chance to get to see Fred and Wendy. These are all people who have influenced my Christian walk in many different ways and it meant a great deal to have them there for the two days.

Arrived

Well, it's yet another post for August, but if I'm going to write about being on my way to Winnipeg I have to write about arriving.

I made it into Winnipeg safe & sound on Friday. I have been spending the weekend shopping, setting up and generally moving in. I am also very fortunate to have a great deal of family in Winnipeg who are not at all mechanically inclined by still got the few pieces of furniture I had put together alright. Also, fortunately with my Dad & Glenda here for the weekend I was able to get out and do any and all shopping required and am now happy to say that I am well set up. I'm sure odds and ends will pop up along the way but for now...I have arrived.

Look for more posts as school gets going. I'm going to try to stick to my minimum of once a month but I am hoping for more as I start all this new stuff up.