Congratulations to Tim and Lanis on their Engagement!

Outlook for the next two months

Sorry again for taking so long to post. Things are busy at work again and the next two months are going to be even busier. Here's a snippet of what my February and March will hold:
This next week I am out of town from early Tuesday morning to Friday evening in the Prairieland Regional District doing work in some of the schools there (i.e., Morrin, Delia, and staying in Drumheller).
Monday evenings- volleyball
Tuesday evenings- a study skills workshop for five weeks for work
Wednesday evenings- Families Learning Together program for eight weeks (one down and I'm missing this week because of the travelling) with the Children's Village
Thursday evenings- Bible study starting up again next week
And of course my Saturday groups are still going for another four weeks (this coming Saturday I thankfully have a break as it is the Family Day weekend here in Alberta which means LONG weekend! Yay! I'm going to need it to reenergize for the next few weeks!
And I'm sure that the usual work stuff and such will keep me busy as well.
So to say the least, it will likely be a while before I post again. I hope you're all able to stay nice and warm in this cold winter we're having!

Long time, no blogging

I don't know if anyone is stilling reading my blog but I thought I would post a quick update. The last few months have been incredibly busy and unfortunately this blog got put on the backburner. Here is a quick list of what has happened with my life since the last post:
-a few trips to the Drumheller area for work
-enjoying my new car by driving to Banff and other places with friends and my sister
-getting into a small accident with my car (not my fault so insurance is covering it all- my front bumper needs to be replaced and it's been a bit of a hassle trying to get it all sorted out)
-lots of work stuff (fourteen cases in the fall- I was so tired by the time the holidays started!)
-three weeks of Christmas vacation in Newfoundland with family. My parents, sister, and I drove to the east coast of NL to visit our extended family which was especially nice as we hadn't seen any of them in two years. The rest of the time was spent sleeping, reading, playing board games, and of course eating! It was great to have some relaxation time and I was nice and rested by the time I went back to work.

I am sure that there is more but I can't think of anything right now. I returned from NL two weeks ago and have been swamped with work stuff since getting back. Despite the workload, I am really loving my job. We have hired on a few more interns and we are starting a training program that includes presentations every Wednesday morning. We will be alternating between here in Calgary and the Siksika nation so that means a little more travel for me. My social skills groups started again this past Saturday and so I have again started having Mondays off. I am also involved with a few other programs and such that we are trying to get up and running so it is turning out to be a great learning experience. In addition, my primary supervisor is finally working fulltime at Foothills which is making things a lot less stressful. I will have to start studying for the big EPPP test that I have to write as part of the registration process soon. I am not looking forward to having to study again- I have enjoyed having my evenings free! Thankfully, there are a few of us now that are at that stage of the process so we can try to motivate each other! I will let you know how it goes!

Outside of work, nothing special has been happening since returning from NL. I was unable to make it to volleyball the past two weeks but we have it again tonight and I am excited to get back to playing. I am also trying to eat healthier and get some exercise as I have certainly gained some weight since finishing school (less stress I guess!)- we will see how well that goes! We are trying to start a yoga group at work so that might help! I am also considering moving in the spring as my current apartment rent will be raised in May. However, I don't know how easy it will be to find a place with a decent rent given the shortage here in Calgary. Again, we will have to see how the search goes. I will keep you updated.

Anyhow, I must go and get ready for v-ball. I will try to post more regularly, I promise! I am also waiting on getting some pics from Christmas so I will post them when I get them from my parents. 'Til then!

One step closer to being a psychologist

I received in the mail today confirmation of the approval of my academic credentials from the College of Alberta Psychologists. That basically means that, after a few hundred dollars and a ton of paperwork, I am able to advance to the next step of becoming a provisionally chartered psychologist. That step involves even more paperwork as I have to make up a supervision plan and a ton more money! Eek! But it is exciting to know that I am getting closer!

In other news, I am finally feeling a little better although I am still sneezing and coughing a lot. My supervisor said today that she heard that this flu lasts two weeks and has four stages: aches, sore throat, sneezing and coughing, and then the stomach flu! I haven't had the fourth stage and I'm hoping I don't get it! It's been a tough week already! Nonetheless, I have been able to get back to work and I'm going to try and get to beach volleyball this evening (don't know how good I'll be tonight, though!). Anyways, gotta go get some supper and lie down before vball. Til' next time!

Sick

Well, it's hard to believe that the flu season is upon us already, but even though it's only September, I have already caught the flu bug. And it came on really fast! I was fine Monday evening, went to beach volleyball and everything, only to wake up Tuesday morning with the worst sore throat I've had in a long time. I went to work but thankfully we finished up at the Siksika Nation early (an hour drive east of Calgary) and I was home by 3 o'clock. I then fell asleep on the couch for a few hours hoping to feel a little better so as to head down south to help out with my church's children's program. But I just felt worst! So, I stayed at home, drank orange juice and ate Halls and went to bed early hoping to kick it by today. But this was not meant to happen. My supervisor told me yesterday that I should stay home if I felt sick and believe me I do! I think I may have contracted it through her as she said that both of her daughters have been home from school with coughs and such. So, I decided to stay at home. Thankfully, my work is not the typical 9-5 job and I didn't have any pressing issues to get to today. So I spent the morning sleeping and now am on the couch trying to find something reasonable to watch on TV. It's been a while since I've been home during the day and had the time to watch television during the day. Hopefully, I'll be better to go to work tomorrow as I do have some work I need to get done! Hope you all are lucky enough to surpass this bout of flus!

I read this in the Salvation Army's monthly magazine and thought I would share it:

Most of all, let's remember one thing- kids are important. Some say they are the church of tomorrow, but I disagree. To me, they are the church of today. And if you don't touch them today, tomorrow may never come.


I agree and perhaps that is why I love working with children in various capacities. What do you think?

God works in mysterious ways!

I received this email from a girl that was in the youth group I worked with during my time in Nova Scotia. To protect her privacy, I have left out her name. It just blew my mind how God can use us, even years later, to make an imprint on someone else's life. Below, I have also posted the words to one of the songs that the girl mentions. I hope that this encourages all of you out there who work with youth (and anyone really)- may you know that you make a difference even when it feels like you aren't!:) God can use ANYONE!

Hi Mel,

This is XXXXXXX. I don't know if you remember me from New Minas Baptist Church youth group or not. I talked to you on e-mail once or twice after you left NMBC to head out west. Anyhow, I wanted to write you and thank you.

One of the last devotions you led before you left was at a girls/guys sleepover at the church. You were leading the girls group, and there was a sheet you gave each of us gals with "Your words of wisdom on it". Well, I didn't read a lot of that paper when you gave it to us, but I did hold onto it and keep it on my bulletin board ever since.

I just started university this week. I'm at the University of Ottawa, which as excited as I was to come, and am to be here, I've been lonely and feeling so far from home. I packed your piece of paper, and I came across it today. Feeling very homesick, and read the song lyrics you put on it. "Faith's Struggle" by Sarah E. Haringa and "By Your Side" by Jamie Slocum. Those lyrics seemed to fit me almost perfectly... I was so, so encouraged by them, and I just wanted to thank you for sharing that with me, long ago. I highlighted the parts of the songs that I like the most, and have them on my bulletin board here, just above my computer, where I can sit and read them often.

Actually, a few months ago when I was having a bit of a hard time with the end of high school and such, I also referred to that piece of paper and was really encouraged by the bible references you made on it.

So, I just wanted to let you know thankful I was and am, that God gave you those words to pass on to someone like me. He used you to make a difference for me.

I hope you are keeping well.

In Christ's love,
XXXXXXX



Faith's Struggle
by Sarah E. Haringa

Hurdles are getting higher, God,
losing sight of who you are.
Going through the motions now,
each day like the one before...

Every hour is a test of patience,
each minute a test of strength.
Lord, how much longer must I wait?
Right now it seems you’re late...

"All in his time," so people say,
and while I know those words are true,
with the way things are going, God,
I’ve lost the comfort in that, too...

My hope is being shattered,
burdens press me to the ground.
My once-strong faith is wavering,
like Peter I’m sinking down...

I’m sailing a sea called Lonesome
to an island named Despair.
My ship has blown off course,
black clouds looming in the air...

Lightning fills the darkened sky,
and it feels like I’ve been hit.
But when I ask, "Why Lord?"
you simply say, "Don’t quit..."

Oh God, I’m your child!
Please listen to my cry.
However long it takes,
I’ll wait for your reply...

But if I have to wait much longer,
then you must give me patience.
If I am supposed to trust,
then you must give me faith...

Your answers mean so much to me;
it’s your will I’m striving for.
All I want is a glimpse of home,
to rest at last upon your shore...

Is this what they mean by
"Leap of Faith"?
When your feet can’t touch the bottom
and land seems so far away?

I want to reach out to you
despite my present fears.
Draw me closer to you now, God,
and wash away my tears...

I will rest tomorrow,
your love is all I know.
But in the storms of life, Lord,
please hold my hand and don’t let go...

Busy, Busy, Busy

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted anything. It's been a busy few weeks. My sister and her boyfriend arrived and I was busy helping them get settled. Plus, there has been the buying of some new furniture and putting it all together, a Vipers baseball game, suppers with my sister, the start of beach volleyball season, etc., etc., etc. And then of course, work has started up. I will post about how that is going soon but first I wanted to post a few picks from the past few weeks before I forgot (and before I returned the camera to my sister).

The first few are from a day at the beach with a few new girlfriends. It was great to get out of the city for a day and to enjoy the sunshine with the laughter and great conversation of friends. Hopefully, we'll get to do it again soon!



Next, are some pictures from my 24th birthday. I was very blessed to be able to spend it not only with my sister but also a handful of great friends, both new and old. Plus, there was cheesecake!!! Can't get much better than that!:) I hope we can do that again too!