Rain

I had to go out for a few minutes this evening, to meet my brother at the mechanic. I left George there to have a few repairs done, before I have to drive him for a longer time period and distance to get to the wedding I'm attending out of town this weekend. My brother met me at the mechanic, we went together to mom and dad's house, and then I drove home in their car, which they're generously loaning me for the day tomorrow.

It was raining.

As I waited at the mechanic's for T. to arrive, I sat in George, with everything turned off, and simply enjoyed the sound of rain on the roof.

I've been hoping for rain for days now. I used to hate it, but these days, I think I'd rather have it. Particularly the sort of, end of day, after heat, rain that we often get in the summer.

A refreshing, and a washing clean.

I've needed that symbolism deeply again lately.

And, as I turned into the alley to park the car at my house, I smiled, because there, waiting to greet me, was a beautiful and vivid half-rainbow. It's been a while since I've seen one where the colors were full and bright. And it made me smile as well.

A much needed promise. A refreshing and a washing clean.

Tired of moving?

Are you tired of hearing about my move yet? I'm getting tired of the unpacking thing, and there's a long way to go still...

My mom came over for a bit this afternoon, to help me go through some things and do a bit of unpacking. Two thirds of my books are now on shelves, and I pared the selection down just a little bit more. Once I buy a bed frame (hopefully early next week) I'll be able to really make progress on the sorting and unpacking.

In the meantime, I've declared tomorrow to be a day off from all things unpacking (at least that's the plan). I need to paint both my fingernails and toenails for the wedding I'm attending on Saturday. Since I have plans for Friday evening to have dinner and see a movie with a friend, that makes tomorrow the night for all things pampering for Saturday related.

I'm still struggling with a few health issues. And my energy levels remain quite low. I'll be glad for a bit of down time.

I've been quite lonely this week too. Missing some of the people I care about deeply. And missing having meaningful contact with the people who know my heart well.

Trying to rest, wait, watch, and pray. Longing for freedom to ever increase.

From my own house...

So, I'm still incredibly frustrated with Telus, (long story...) but I do finally have internet access and telephone access in my own house. That, at least, I'm thankful for.

There are a number of things in life that are feeling quite uncertain right now. Things that are frustrating me a bit. I'm feeling a bit the pull towards silence. To simply internalize everything within me, to contain it, and ponder it, and (hopefully) not be consumed by it. To keep it close within me until it settles.

Today will be full, but also hopefully slow and a little bit restful. We have much unpacking to do, but it was wonderful to get up this morning and realize that we'd accomplished the unpacking of our kitchen last night. To walk in there and know that it was finished, and that there was one room in our house that was settled.

We're off, in a little while, to the mall. To pick up a few things we couldn't get last night. A few other things I need. And a wedding gift for the weekend. Oh, and I need to get gas for George today, too (because it's cheaper on Wednesdays.)

And, it's Canada Day! Happy Birthday Canada!

Slighty Crazy

It's been a little bit of an unexpected day around the office.

Tensions are flying a bit high, and I'll be glad to leave in half an hour or so, when we close early.

It'll be interesting to see if it blows over, with a day or so off, or if it'll pick back up again on Thursday.

It'll be interesting (and possibly hard) to see how it all shakes out.

In the meantime, I have a house to unpack, laundry to do, a wedding gift to buy, groceries to shop for and a prescription to refill. And I don't plan on thinking about work in the midst of doing all of that over the next day or two.

Hopefully the internet will also be installed in my apartment tomorrow. If so, I'll be around. If not, it'll be quiet here until Thursday. See ya next time!

Spiritual Courage - from Henri

another challenging thought from Henri Nouwen...

Spiritual Courage

Courage is connected with taking risks. Jumping the Grand Canyon on a motorbike, coming over Niagara Falls in a barrel, or crossing the ocean in a rowboat are called courageous acts because people risk their lives by doing these things. But none of these daredevil acts comes from the centre of our being. They all come from the desire to test our physical limits and to become famous and popular.

Spiritual courage is something completely different. It is following the deepest desires of our hearts at the risk of losing fame and popularity. It asks of us the willingness to lose our temporal lives in order to gain eternal life.