All through

Well, Christmas is over and it's hard to believe. I invented a new saying (invented used very loosely here). More often then not we say that we don't know where the time went...well I learned this Christmas that I know exactly where it went because I could watch every second flying by me faster than I could keep up.

For me, well, what I loved was getting to meet all these people. I mean yes, I'm an introvert and love being alone, but there is no greater way to meet people in your town than to be all over it doing your Christmas stuff and that just gets fun. I got to see the holiday train for the first time and that was cold, but really exciting too. We had a lot of fun and many people from Fernie came out into the cold bringing non-perishable food items for our food drive. The train looked amazing and the music was great.

I learned a lot through the season and I figure now I'll debrief so we can avoid making the same mistakes next year and make way for new mistakes :).

I'm really looking forward to going to Calgary for a few days on Saturday and chillin' out with friends and family over New Years.

So here I am - all the way through.

Christmas Movies

Okay, there are some Christmas movies and shows that a lot of people would list off - How the Grinch Stole Christmas, White Christmas, Miracle of 34th Street, A Charlie Brown Christmas and many, many others. I think there are a lot of people who have specific movies/shows/specials that they watch at Christmas. I know I do for sure!

My Christmas movies are - both versions of The Grinch, the Santa Clause movies, Elf, White Christmas and...The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Chronicles of Narnia movies :). I know those last two sets may seem a little odd, but as I am odd I just roll with it. See the Lord of the Rings trilogy all came out at Christmas over three years and my dad and I went to see all three together so they have come to be associated with Christmas for me. Now the Chronicles of Narnia - I have no idea when they came out but for me they also mean Christmas - especially the Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. In that movie they have a couple of brief mentions that while the White Witch is ruling Narnia it is always winter and never Christmas. If you read the books those mentions happen much more frequently and so I think of them at Christmas.

I also enjoy A Charlie Brown Christmas special and all those old, corny Christmas TV specials that come on. I like the Christmas episodes of TV shows that I watch and LOVE that this year's Glee Christmas episode had both kettles and the Bible in it. Yup...it may be a busy time but the joy of Christmas is still there....even in the fun times of movies and TV specials.

So, you know what's coming, what are your favourite Christmas movies?

Christmas Activities

I was reminded today (in a great way) just how small this world really is, and not because of technology or anything like that but simply a random occurrence. We had a great afternoon the other day in town as the Baptist church had organized a group of very talented musicians to come out and play some Christmas music. While it was pretty cold for those of us not moving around, and I'm sure even more so for the band, it was great to come along and hear praises for the birth of our Saviour.

Then today was the arrival of the holiday train from CP Rail. Again, I was pretty cold - even in my boots, gloves and toque with a warm jacket - well the uniform just isn't that toasty. Unfortunately my camera battery died but that's okay. This is a wonderful program where people are made aware of the food banks in their community and can support them in the Christmas season. I can't say it enough but here in Fernie we are very blessed to have a supportive and generous community so we got a big load of food in our van for the food bank. Then we had many hands afterwards to help us unload quickly.

Now to finish sorting the food and getting everything ready!

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.