Grumpy days

We all have them, right? Days when nothing goes right, and the world seems bleaker than the day before? (Isn't it amazing how often the weather is actually bleaker on those days too?)

I've got this transparency commitment that I made to myself. I refuse to succumb to the temptation to fake it. So, on days like today, a supreme-o Oscar-fest (as in the guy who lives in a garbage can on Sesame Street), if you ask me how I am, I'm likely to tell you: grouchy. No, Grouchy. And if you ask me why, I'll likely tell you that, too.

But, I'm having second thoughts. I'm philosophical about it all of a sudden. Maybe we should fake it. Maybe I'm not rejoicing in my circumstances if I'm grumpy. Maybe I shouldn't ever get grumpy. (if that's the case, then I'm a real mess!) Maybe I'm lacking a thankful heart when I'm a grouch. And maybe sharing that doesn't honor God. (Ouch.)

My transparency commitment is a result of all the dishonest communication I've observed in my life. People just aren't honest with each other, and it seems like it would be so much better if we just told each other the truth instead of conforming to this unwritten social code that has never been written down but everyone knows and follows.

And, I'm just as open about the great things.. if you catch me on an Elmo day (as in the red guy on Sesame Street who is always learning, giggling, and is generally intoxicatingly happy) and ask me how I am, I'm likely to tell you: Great!
And if you ask me why, I'll likely tell you just what I'm thrilled about or thankful for.

Are these ups and downs because I'm female? Should I make it a goal to be more stable so this is a non issue?

And if being more transparent is the way to go, then what is the right response to someone who tells you they're grumpy?
Well, I'll tell how both how I respond to others and the response I appreciate. Actually, they're the same... just acknowledge it. You know, a hug, a smile, a few words of encouragement, a quick phone call later in the day.

But really, I'm interested in what YOU think... should we be honest with each other, or not?

a little break for dreamin'

So, its Saturday afternoon and it's gorgeous outside, and I'm sitting at work doing the budget for next year. I like doing budgets.. and I love to work lots .. (probably unhealthily so...) but today I'm kinda wishing this was done. I'm hitting a bit of a wall after a few hours of staring at spreadsheets, so I figured I'd take a break.

I'm sitting at my desk dreaming of going to Otter Falls in a few short weeks.... Otter Falls is a little resort area on Dorothy Lake? Eleanor Lake? Not sure, but it's in the Whiteshell, which is a provincial park on the Manitoba/Ontario border. My three sisters and our families, and our dad, head out there for the first week in July every year. We rent two side by side cabins, equipped with hot tubs and a view.. we're surrounded by water on three sides. If we don't want to swim right at our cabin, there are at least 4 nice beaches within a short drive or long-ish bike ride.

The TransCanada trail is going through the Whiteshell, so its nice to see that develop a little each year. After a massive storm in May last year, there were still fallen trees along the path I like to ride my bike on, it was an adventure!

Our week of vacation includes lots of reading, eating, visiting, bike riding, strolls, and even a shopping trip into Lac du Bonnet. (anglicized to be 'lack-de-bonnie by Manitobans!) Last year I bought my interview dress for Bethany in Lac du Bonnet... at a skateboard shop! (I hope it starts to fit again soon....!!)


Anyway, here are a couple of shots of previous holidays at Otter Falls... the first one is the whole fam out for ice cream, and the second one is of a bunch of cousins enjoying the hot tub. The pic at the top of the post is of one of my favorite brothers :o) .. He was fishing at dusk, that is right outside of the cabin. Nice, hey?

The best part of this little holiday is spending time with family!

a personalized/paraphrased prayer to start the week..

God in heaven
help us to know who you really are
and to truly worship you
make us to see the Truth
and make our world more full of you and your goodness
give us all that we need
and help us to recognize that more than that is not better
keep forgiving us, even though we understand so little of what that means
grow our ability to forgive eachother, make us gracious, loving, and open
lead us closer and closer to you, and protect us from the evil one
protect us from the selfishness within us - show us what wholeness really is.
You are our King.

untitled

Life continues at a steady pace for us... here's some of what we're up to;

Our little girl turns 11 tomorrow.. can't believe how fast the time has gone by!  she has changed so much since we moved to Hepburn.  The dr. actually said she thinks Syd is as tall as she'll ever be.  I doubt that, but couldn't believe it might  be true!

Bren and O are off to Edmonton for YC tomorrow.  I think Bren plans to have  mustache for the weekend. Ick.  They will have lots of fun together. 

Karen and Bry visited hepburn last weekend, it was awesome!  I took Eryka on a few little walks, she even wandered over to the Jeschkes to give her cousins a good night kiss on Saturday night.  It is so good to share our life here with family from Winnipeg.  The only un-awesome thing about the visit was Bry's mustache.  (is there a theme here?)  he's growing it for the grad photos for the training he'll soon be finishing, but I could hardly look at him without laughing.  We all held the baby lots, I'm sure she is now accustomed to being held and won't let Karen put her down all week.  On Sunday, we visited the crooked bush and the big tree, SK landmarks  :o)  Then we had ice cream in Blaine Lake.

Bren is enjoying work. After a board meeting this week, he was commenting on how supported he has felt in his role.

A new finance person will be starting next week at Bethany, and we're exploring a couple of options for some other open positions too - its very exciting to think of having some of the vacancies that have been around for a while filled.  I told someone today that my office may soon have an aura of calm productivity instead of disorganized chaos.  I hope......

Thanks for staying in touch with us and reading.   

Here's a 'hmmmmm' from earlier this week:

"(We) enter churches with the same mind-set as when we enter the shopping mall - 

to get something that will please us or satisfy an appetite or need. 

 John Calvin saw the human heart as a relentlessly efficient factory for producing idols.  

With the development of assembly-line mass production, 

we are putting these idols out in great quantities ... 

to suit every taste. John Calvin's insight plus 

Henry Ford's technology equals North American Religion." 

Peterson, Living the Message

A Modern Psalm?

Disclaimer: This is meant to be funny, so please don't be offended!

Bethany had the first of two spring planning meetings last week. One of our tasks while in small groups was to compose a psalm. Here is one example:

A Psalm of X's group

(When they were in the Valley of the Mall surrounded by black boulders)
-for the strategic planner

O Lord, how lovely is the spring time, a time for missions, visions and core values.
Lord have mercy, we are mired in the bog of SWOT
but in your kindness we are surrounded by many strengths,

like sweet honey flowing from a beard.
We confess our communications weaknesses but, by your grace,

we are overwhelmed by countless opportunities.
O Lord, in your mercy remove the threats around us,
And now Lord may the visions of our leaders and the

measurable outcomes of our planning be acceptable in your sight.

[black boulders = leather furniture :o)]

...And some people think strategic planning is no fun!

...some of the greatest people

... in the whole world live in Hepburn. Yup, I'm sure of it.

I just read Gil's most recent post; check it out here. Gil has this awesome way of making complicated things sound easy, thats probably why he is such a great teacher and is so appreciated by the students.

Earlier today, I had lunch with Neil, and we had great conversation about many interesting and diverse topics - like Canadian immigration and driving halfway to Pluto to buy lawn tractors.

Prior to that I met with one of the department heads at Bethany and we had a really helpful chat that inspired me. She makes multi tasking and keeping things organized look like a walk in the park on a sunny day. Our meeting ended with prayer and left me feeling like Someone much bigger than us had ordained our time together.

The day ended with some great encouragement from my new boss, Rick. I'm learning a lot from him and appreciate him more all the time.

I also had a great conversation with Wayne today, he doesn't actually live in Hepburn, he was my boss in Winnipeg. He's been undergoing cancer treatment for the past few months, and he called to let me know that the most recent scan revealed NO signs of cancer. He was pretty thrilled to be sharing that news!

So it was a great day of realizing how blessed I am/we are, how great it is to be in relationship with other people, as different as we all are.

Procrastination

hmmmm... Let's see.  I have laundry to do.  Dishes to wash.  Clothes to unpack.  Prep for the auditor coming to Bethany tomorrow.  Papers to write.  What should I do... oh, of course, post something on our blog!!

Soccer has started in Hepburn, and Bren, Owen, and even I have gotten involved.. Bren has been doing a little helping with Paul's team, and I'm helping out with the coaching of Owen's team.  (stop laughing!)  Sydney's involvement will be to be a cheerleader from the sides!

This past weekend I spent 4 days doing some training in Regina.  I took 2 of 4 modules of Leadership training through Next Level Leadership.  It was so good!  Everything I learned has personal and professional application.  Lots of it was 'refresher' type stuff, but it's always good to be reminded of the helpful tools that one can use for problem solving, conflict resolution, team building.. One section used Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.. I was impressed that it has practical application... I thought it was just an Organizational Behaviour lesson that would never resurface in the real world!  But this tool showed how we can see how an employee would move towards having a complete understanding and commitment to the mission of their organization.  Maybe I should have learned that in OB, but all I remember is thinking that Maslow was as relevant as trigonometry.  

I met some awesome people who I hope to keep in touch with... amazing how you can develop a connection with someone in a few days.  My list of must read books got longer, I filled two sticky notes with recommended reading from this training.   And, both facilitators were from Christian Higher Education professional backgrounds... One was a former Dean of Students at Tyndale, the other works at MacMaster Seminary.   I was introduced to this ministry in Regina called Tapestry and I was blessed by their contribution and commitment to authentic spirituality.  I learned a lot from their President, Gloria, as I watched her interact with the women she mentors and disciples.  

I just remembered that we're on deck for bringing supper to Tim, Kels and Alexis tomorrow, so that's all for today.