Saturday Morning

I'm sitting at my kitchen table, eating toaster waffles for a late breakfast.

(sidenote: Every time I hear the word "waffles" or think of eating them, I hear that line of Donkey's from first Shrek movie in my head, "And in the morning I'm makin' waffles!")

My parents are out of town this weekend, which means that I need to head to their house about 3-4 times a day to feed the family dog, and let him outside for a few minutes.

I slept a bit for a change last night. I haven't been sleeping much lately, and I've had even fewer nights without odd and disturbing dreams, so a night with some sleep (I think I only woke about 3 times) and no disturbing dreams is a blessing that should be noted.

Upon waking, I lazed for nearly an hour in bed, before dressing in favorite, comfy but cute weekend clothes, and heading for mom and dad's. I fed the dog, and headed for my favorite park to walk for a bit.

This was a good morning for the park. Not yet too cold to really enjoy a walk. And the animals were out. I saw a doe making her way up from the creek, where she'd been drinking. And a young buck eating in the midst of the trees. The chickadees were dancing and playing in the trees and bushes, and I felt blessed by the quiet and the peace and the beauty of the natural realm.

A quick stop to get gas for George, another quick stop at mom and dad's to let the dog outside, and I made my way to Ikea. They had my favorite tea-lights on sale for nearly half price. So, I bought 400 of them!

Then home, and waffles.

In a little while I'll head out to drive my roommate to work, and then I'll head to a used clothing store on a quest for a dressier winter jacket, and maybe some pants for work.

I'll do some sewing this afternoon, and likely attend a church service tonight. Somewhere in there I may take the recycling to the bottle depot to claim my refund, and buy groceries. Somewhere in there I will definitely be back at mom and dad's to feed and let the dog out. I may even work on a creative project that popped into my head last night as I was resting on th couch.

It's the sort of day I like best. Relaxed, yet productive. Very few plans set in stone, but lots of things to anticipate. I'm feeling like myself again, after a day and a half of wrestling with God and life.

Happy Saturday!

Decisions that Define Us

A dear friend sent this to me a little while ago. She knows me well. (And it's probably a good thing that she didn't send it any earlier in the day today - this has not been a banner day for me.)

It's been the sort of day where I had to make decisions again. Decisions to choose life. To choose Christ. To choose joy. To choose peace. To choose hope.

I made those decisions, and then got an email from my friend with a link to this video. I'll be watching it often, I think. I needed to hear the things it speaks.

And a few more...

A few more headlines that have caught my attention as the day has gone on...

Jim Jones' Followers Enthralled by his Skills as a Speaker

Obama's Senate Role Creates Odd Overlap

Suspect in French Synagogue Bombing Arrested in Canada

Sixth Severed Foot Washes up on BC Shore (updated from yesterday)

Headlines Again

I know I've posted a lot of headlines again lately, but there have been stories that have been catching my attention for various reasons lately, moving my heart, or challenging me.

Here are three more:

Suspicious Package Left Outside Bank of Canada

Doctors Say Marrow Transplant May Have Cured AIDS

Hannah's Choice: Saying No to a New Heart

Heart as Wide as the World

Another great thought on the communion of saints from Henri Nouwen...

Heart As Wide As the World

The awareness of being part of the communion of saints makes our hearts as wide as the world. The love with which we love is not just our love; it is the love of Jesus and his saints living in us. When the Spirit of Jesus lives in our hearts, all who have lived their lives in that Spirit live there too. Our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents; our teachers and their teachers; our pastors and their pastors; our spiritual guides and theirs - all the holy men and women who form that long line of love through history - are part of our hearts, where the Spirit of Jesus chooses to dwell.

The communion of saints is not just a network of connections between people. It is first and foremost the community of our hearts.