Christmas 09

Hope you've all had a Merry Christmas! We enjoyed a pretty great day together.

And so this is Christmas...

I am home, for a small stint, a window as wide as many of my other stays this fall. But it's home, and that always feels more stable. I have been here a week and will stay put for one more. Enough time to enjoy Christmas Day with everyone, before I hurry off on Boxing Day to my next location!
After 3 years of considering attending Urbana, and having finally ruled it out, I am now actually going. My connection with MoveIn had them urging me to attend with them, to assist with their exhibit, to see what God has for me and if perhaps He would use my presence there. I had been feeling pretty funny about the idea of going, my discomfort with the Christian-mega conference and celebrity-ism, added to my experience of having received direction from God this fall, had helped me to rule it out. I am not going overseas now or in the next few years, I am not looking to make a connection with a missions agency, I am not wondering how God may use me and my skills for His kingdom. At least for now I have direction. I feel some amount of wonder at how God has knit together good things for my life, and I am excited about these new things!
But after all that, I am going, I made the very last minute decision, and have been surprised to see my going almost completely covered by other's generosity. Without me ever asking. Maybe God does indeed have reasons for me to be there. So on Boxing Day, I'll fly to St. Louis and spend the week with 20,000 others in worshiping God and considering His mission.
And promptly after my return I will pack my things into some sort of vehicle and head south to Calgary, where I am moving in with a friend in her busy community of many. I have a place to stay for the month of January, with the hopes that a team will be ready to MoveIn as early as February!
And that isn't an entirely crazy hope either. Already there are 3 or 4 of us interested in moving in by that date. And I really believe that more people are coming, perhaps even because of Urbana, that we will have 3-8 people, maybe even 2 teams, ready to MoveIn. Part of my work in January is going to be doing the neighbourhood research for these future teams. We are looking to identify "patches" of socio-economic need, high density living and large percentages of unreached peoples.
Other than that, I have enrolled at ABC in two courses, I am working slowly towards finishing my degree with them, and mostly I just like the studying. I continue to wait for news about a midwifery program at Mount Royal, the media is publishing multiple articles about the great need and the lack of midwives - come on, let's at least get started at changing things! And I am looking for permanent full time work, which is kind of fun. Just what do I want to do? Time to try something new?
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas, in whatever corner of the globe that you find yourself in! I am looking forward to another holiday with my dear family. My father managed to win a gift basket of wine etc, from his work party that should make the holidays a little merrier, if you know what I mean... And I have been appreciating as always, this season of Advent. I feel in this season, of the calendar and of my life, that I hear the voice of one shouting in the desert, "prepare the way for the LORD."

How Many Kings?

Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe after all we’ve projected
A child in a manger
Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mothers shawl
Just a child
Is this who we’ve waited for?

Cause how many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Bringing our gifts for the newborn savior
All that we have whether costly or meek
Because we believe
Gold for his honor and frankincense for his pleasure
And myrrh for the cross he’ll suffer
Do you believe, is this who we’ve waited for?
It’s who we’ve waited for

How many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Only one did that for me

- Downhere

Family Christmas

Well first we decorated the tree. But that was weeks ago...

And then we dug in for a feast, but that was two days ago...

And well Ben's always been tall...

So Kayte and I had a photo shoot, and there's more to come...

And brothers were never supposed to be normal...

But sisters get to be pretty...

And occasionally an elf visits.

Merry Christmas!

Ben had to head back to Edmonton early, so we celebrated Christmas on the Eve. We had a nice little Christmas, with gifts more meaningful, and less abundant. For which I'm grateful. It was good to enjoy Christmas dinner on the 23rd, with Liz and Emmy and the whole family. And Kayte and I got to be a part of the Christmas Eve service. Well actually, Kayte, Barry and God planned it. And I got to read the Christmas story, light the advent candles and tell the kids, that the answer "Jesus" was coming, but not yet. And today the rest of the continent is on pause, and we are finished and already scattered about. Ben heading back to Edmonton with D, Kayte at work, Lisa with her mom. So I wish you all a Merry Christmas. And the awareness that Christ IS Come. The wait is over. Don't miss the fact that our giving gifts is only a mimic of the great gift Giver, One we can not surpass. And must not shove out. Blessed Christmas to all of you.

Things I've Thought

So here's the unbelievable truth... I heard White Christmas on the radio last night. For real! And I loved it, it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, I was about ready to call home to share the joy, when I looked at the clock and decided that a call wouldn't be appreciated.
So as I have said before, there is a LOT of dance built into Filipino culture. But I think I realized something more about it tonight. I was at the gym when the usual "I'm Too Sexy For My Body" aerobics class started, and as usual I joked with some of the trainers about it, and smirked and didn't dance! But as I gawked I realized that it is completely normal here for grown, straight men to work their stuff on the dance floor. I mean 40 year-old men are out there, not self-concious and grooving. Perhaps they don't have any ideas of embarassment?
For now I will not be joining in, I figure 6' tall and white is enough attention, without a dance performance. But you never know, if middle-aged men can dance and no one bats an eye, maybe it would be no more a show for me to join in. I'll let you know if I change my mind.
We had our August Baby Party this week, and I think that Baby Party Day is my favourite of the whole month! All of our moms get together at one time, and they're thanking God, and breastfeeding their babies, and singing and laughing, and showing off their babies! And some of the dads even come, and we coerce them into joining in too, (ok, so they don't breastfeed)! It's just the most tangible thing, I can't ever feel like my efforts here are wasted, I just look at the dozens of healthy, happy moms and babies. Eat cake with them, bless their babes and take lots of pictures! That's a day when joy is pretty easy!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas All!!
Yes, that's right, it's September, so bring on the "Ho-Ho-Ho"s, the red and green, the lights, the carols! After all Septem(ber) is a Brrr month. And to those of you, groaning with disgust at the arrival of another commercialized Christmas season, and those of you determined that such festivities should not, will not begin until December. I warn you: don't come to the Philippines in the Fall!
My Filipina roommate and I turned on the Telly yesterday morning (September 1), just in time for "Wowowee!"; a daily, 3hr long, dance and game show that explains at least half of Filipino culture. In my opinion I've already seen a lifetime supply of this show, which is filmed in Tagalog, and is based on barely dressed dancers doing some questionable dancing, and then having lone audience members repeat said dances and kareoke for cash! The show always starts with a major dance production, smoke, lights, and all, and it takes a good 30-45min for the games to really begin. Well yesterday in all my innocence, I was SHOCKED, when the opening dance was performed to a Christmas carol! Yes, in order to mark the opening of the Christmas season, there were red and green outfits, sequins, a big shining star, and Christmas music!! I'm not even kidding you! I'm told that over the next 4 mths I can expect decorations and carols in the malls, on the radio, on the streets - everywhere.
There are some days that I think I was born to be Filipino, and then there are some days when I stand next to one or smell dried fish and know; I'm Western through and through. And can I say, September 1, is a day I think I was born to be Filipino!

BIG NEWS

I have booked my flights home! It feels so definite, to actually have a timeline. Wow! And while it is way too early to begin any kind of count down, the official stats are now: 7 months in, 4 months to go!
I will return to GP and cry many, many happy tears upon seeing my family, on December 13th! I am coming home in time to get in the Christmas spirit and before my last visa runs out!
Also, on a side note, I am working on the aforementioned poem, it's almost there I think. I'll post it later this week. I realize that I had promised poetry way back long ago, and only delivered once or twice. I'll try harder, I will.

Christmas Party I

What is more Canadian then ice-hockey on a frozen lake?? Nothing!
Incidently we weren't playing ice-hockey - but we were skating. We had some chilly fun with our Jr-High kids on Friday night!

Christmas Party II

Some serious faces after one funky night of 2-Stepping, Smooth, East-Coast-Swing and Triple-2!
It's Joe, me, Jessica and Jordan. Apparently I need a J-name.

Christmas Party III

So we had a bunch of really fun Christmas parties this weekend! And what Christmas party is complete without hours of DANCING?!




And we taught a very fantastically fun Mixer-dance!



Here's me and my big bro dancing (I had to teach him the ropes). And apparently I have a lazy eye...

Musings on Christmas - Part 2

A while back I mused on the Christmas story and told you there would be more - well here is that promised more. On the weekend I had the chance to see The Nativity Story, and then I went and saw it again on Monday!
Here's what I'm saying:
GO SEE THE NATIVITY STORY IN THEATRES!!!
The reason I saw this movie twice (and may need to see it again), is that it is teaching me enormous things about God. It is so incredibly and deeply moving my heart and I think it will move you too! When I got home the first night I took out my journal and filled pages with all that was going on in my head. Basically this movie is a MUST-SEE! (I will not bother to review it at all I only say that I recognize that some liberty was taken for dramatic effect, I'm fine with that!)
So onto the enormous things I am learning about our LORD who spread out the Heavens and know the hairs on my head - here's the biggest thing:
- the Christ child came and lived in the smallest way! He, the Ultimate HE did not "demand and cling to His rights as God, but made Himself nothing and took the humble position of a slave." Christ did not come with big headlines in the papers, he did not hold press conferences or revival meetings. He didn't have a state-of-the-art website or the most Myspace friends ever. He just didn't, and that wasn't a marketing mistake! Christ came in the smallest, crudest, most pitiful manner. To an unwed mother, to a couple of kids who were probably terrified at what lay before them. He came and called a small gathering of ragamuffins to his side. He went on no world tours. This Christ child, who came and saved the WORLD, actually went very few places, knew very few people and acted in really, really small ways! What am I learning about God right now?? I am learning that He is the Humble King!
As I have said before - this whole story speaks so deeply, straight into my heart. Mary was met by an angel and answered “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” I wonder and awe at her complete obedience and faith - in the midst of such shock, confusion, fear and emotional upset!! The whole idea of the Christ, growing inside her womb! Ahhhh! Maybe it's because I'm a girl, maybe it's because I'm a midwife, maybe it's because I'm so stinking emotional... Whatever the reason, God's story has captivated me!
I pray that it captivates you too!

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.