Three Hills

I unexpectedly spent the weekend in the little town of Three Hills. A sudden opportunity came up and I traveled down with our Sr. High Youth leaders for a Youth Worker conference. I'm really glad we went, I think God really spoke to a couple of my co-workers, and that's an awesome thing.
The most encouraging thing for me, was hearing long term, "successful" youth pastors and profs, share about their absolute failures! Strange, right? It just really lifted a sense of guilt and inadequacy from my shoulders. It also normalized my experiences and struggles this Fall. And I have some new resources. It was time and cashola, well spent.
And I got to see Mia. It's been a year and a half, and we've never actually seen each other on Canadian soil, even though we live in the same province. It was very good to see her, it was a sort of debrief and catch up. And also a new light to see each other in, normal life, not life on steroids as our other experiences could be likened to. It was too short, but I am glad for the visit. Thanx for the tea Mia!

VIII

What can I give thee back, O liberal
And princely giver, who hast brought the gold
And purple of thine heart, unstained, untold,
And laid them on the outside of the wall
For such as I to take or leave withal,
In unexpected largesse? am I cold,
Ungrateful, that for these most manifold
High gifts, I render nothing back at all?
Not so; not cold,--but very poor instead.
Ask God who knows. For frequent tears have run
The colours from my life, and left so dead
And pale a stuff, it were not fitly done
To give the same as pillow to thy head.
Go farther! let it serve to trample on.

-Elizabeth Barrett Browning

This Fall

It's Fall! Get out and enjoy it while you can!