Snow Day!

This is an official Snow Day! It hasn't stopped falling for over 24 hours, and I couldn't even tell you how many inches we've got!

I figured everyone would stay home today - but proving that we are truely people of the North, everyone was out anyway, business as usual. We had a steady day at work, even though we had to shovel the walks 3-4 times in twice as many hours!

Take note of the snow on top of the fence!!

I was driving to work this morning, going real slow, all was very slippery, but going well. And all of a sudden with no particular change in driving I was no longer facing forwards and moving but completely jack-knifed, on the tracks and - not moving. By the grace of God there was a bit of space between me and the folks behind me, and they did not slam right on into my lovely ride! Scary roads, when 2 of your tires are near bald! I must say the Lord had mercy.

Now, just so you know - there was no snow on the ground when this started up yesterday. And this was early this morning, its been going all day since then too!

Despite all the snow, or maybe right along with all of it - life is going good. I'm enjoying my job - we have a lot of fun, and with such cool stuff to sell, why wouldn't we? And come Tuesday I'm picking up country dancing! Looks like the next 6 weeks will be a hoe-downing good time! And by then it will be Holiday season, although its already beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Musings on Christmas - Part One

Last night I did something that will make most of you roll your eyes or even groan in disgust:
...I pulled out a Christmas movie. Have you ever seen The Polar Express? The movie came out a couple years ago, but the book, the book was a favourite of mine as a kid. I remember its hard cover, and the beautiful illustrations, and the smell of the book (you know that books have smells right?). It is a beautiful book, and its one I remember well.
But, The Polar Express is really besides the point.
What it started in me was a need for the REAL Christmas story. (You can only handle so much of people extoling "the Spirit of Christmas", "and just believe", and la-dee-freaken happy-shmansey Santa-ness.) So I pulled out my Bible and pieced together the real deal from Matthew and Luke, starting with Zechariah and going on right through to the shepherds... Now that's a beautiful story!
Have you ever considered the Christmas story from the point of view of the two pregnant women? How rich, and how human it becomes. Now I suppose you may both wonder, "Why does Kim think she can understand a pregnant women?" and in the same thought "Well of course Kim would think about the pregnant women." And both thoughts I understand completely.
Here are these two women Elizabeth and Mary, at both ends of the spectrum, one too young, one too old, both unable to conceive - and both do. And both feel the growth and somersaults of one within them, one who has been announced by angels, who is chosen by God, who will fulfill ancient prophecy. And one who will be in fullness God, who will being salvation to the world! I just wonder about the prayers that must have come from the depths of these women's souls as they contemplated all that was going on within them and around them. Consider it. Can you imagine?
Last night I wondered about their spiritual lives, these were godly women, and I wonder how they communed with God. What was their trust like? Were they afraid of what might come? Did they ask God for strength and for courage? Did they spend their prayers praising His name and His plan? Did they fear what the world might say? What went on within them, where no one else could hear?
Consider that. And thank God that He sent His Son to a women too young and unmarried, and that he prepared the way for that Messiah by sending a messenger before Him.
...And stay tuned for more musings on this unlikely, but Heavenly Christmas tale.

The Deepest Ache

There is an article on 24-7 Prayer right now that urge you ever so much to read! It resonates so deeply with where my heart is at right now - feeling like time with God isn't happening. Do you know that feeling, that dull ache - like a hunger, almost tangible? But it fades so quickly because I quickly replace the realization of my desparation for God, with "busywork", with anything, with my entertainment and distraction. I am number one in my life. I am the end, the center, of all my thoughts and time. I feel the call of Christ. I hear His voice. But I am so weak.
I need to be transformed in the ultimate act of worhsip - time with Christ alone.
My hope is in Him, and that lately I HAVE been in His word, what goodness as He waters my soul. (Annie I feel your prayers.) Now I need to stop, and recognize that the LORD, Yahweh, the One who knows all, holds all, made all, He is waiting to commune with me. I want to worship Him.
Read the article and find that maybe you hear the call, and feel the ache. Go be quiet for just a moment, and find that God is there. He is already there. Worship Him.

Thanksgiving Weekend

The Family Gathered

Tom Chows Down on Apple Pie!

Me and My Big Bro

The Grandparents

Family Music

The Art of True Rebellion

I just read a fantastic article on Relevant that I just had to share with you! Now admittedly it's talking about a different kind of youth ministry than what I've grown up on. But I have seen my share of entertainment-based, babysitting style youth ministry, that was lacking or uninterested in being something so much more.
This article really stirs me, because I want to see the youth of this generation rise up and be "peculiar people". Kids who live lives that are socially responsible and who above ALL are faithful to Christ. Even to give up their rights to a life of safety, security or predictability. The call of Christ is often wild and undomesticated - regardless of where they are living, what school they attend or whatever vocation they involve themselves in.
I really have big dreams for our up-and-coming youth, the kids in my church here at home are really amazing. I have a blast with them. It is these kids who I want more for, I want to see them embrace Christ, and enter the world as His bride!

"I’ve grown to believe that student ministry is about much more than just numbers and telling teenagers to “just say no” to temptation. It’s an opportunity to place oneself at the forefront of a great rebellion, a war on the idea that Christianity is just about your inactions. “Follow” is a verb. Something must be done in order to meet the requirements of the command. If I follow Christ and my students follow with me, then they no longer have to settle for being a shadow of the greater culture. Instead, they can lead the Church into the next generation, making her what God intended her to be—a cool shade for the world to rest beneath. If they can accomplish this, the world will look at the Church and know: This is where I go when I need help …when I’m hurting …when I’m homeless … when I’m addicted …when I’m far from home …when I’m hungry … when I’m sick …when I’m ready to give up … But if I choose not to go to the church, there’s no worry, for I know that she will come to me."