Everlasting God
(by Chris Tomlin)

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God You reign forever
Our hope, Our strong deliverer

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint, You won't grow weary

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God You reign forever
Our hope, Our strong deliverer

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint, You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

Our God You reign forever
Our hope, Our strong deliverer

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint, You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

God, You are everlasting

I Know an Author...

Last night I attended a reception for someone I used to work with a few years ago. He has definitely earned his 'lion-taming hat' (look back at July and August's posts if you are not sure of what I'm talking about there)! A few years ago he left behind the exciting life of a CA to explore his life-long dream of being a writer. And last night at McNally Robinson, he launched his 4th book!! He is the author of the Russell Quant mystery series of books. His main character is a novice private detective based in Saskatoon who travels about the globe too. This morning my husband read a few excerpts of Tony's new book to me, (which, incidentally, was presented to me at the reception by my soon to be new boss...who was, also incidentally, my boss once before, but that is another story..) and we both (that is, Les & I) found ourselves giggling about the descriptives we found in the excerpts of this place where we live:)

It was fun to get together with many of my former co-workers from a few years ago to celebrate Tony's success last night and to see where life has taken them. And seeing Tony, as always, was a good reminder to us all to "live life wide" ... (he's always saying that, "life is short, but wide!")

Pretzels & Chicken...Parmesan & Fish....

Oh my, this was delicious! I made it for supper the other night...yum! And if you are trying to eat more fish, then you'll love this one too...we sure did:)

"If Jesus appeared at your dining room table tonight with knowledge of everything you are and are not, total comprehension of your life story and every skeleton hidden in your closet; if he laid out the real state of your present discipleship with the hidden agenda, the mixed motives, and the dark desires buried in your psyche, you would feel his acceptance and forgiveness. For "experiencing God's love in Jesus Christ means experiencing that one has been unreservedly accepted, approved and infinitely loved, that one can and should accept oneself and one's neighbor."
Brennan Manning - The Ragamuffin Gospel

So I don't know if I like what I'm learning right now, but that's the thing about learning...once you know something to be true with your heart (not just your head), you know it...and you can stick your head in the sand and pretend you don't know it all you want... and maybe on the outside people won't realize you know better, but inside you do...you know you do.

So here's what I'm learning... I have to accept myself. You would think that in my thirty-some years of life I would have already learned that one and acted on it...and in some aspects I have, but if I'm being really honest, there is proof in my life that I hold myself to a different standard than anyone else. And though I don't doubt God's love nor grace toward me one bit, I don't have much grace for me. And while we're being honest, I might just as well admit that I am concerned far too much with pleasing other people, and I fear criticism.

Yesterday as I was in a changeroom trying on some jeans, I saw some dimples on my upper thighes..a most disappointing (and somewhat shallow) sight, but then I interrupted my thoughts on the matter with what I had read in a Brennan Manning book that morning... I need to just accept myself.

Later as I was talking to Les, I came to see that I can be aweful to myself. If I see something wrong with how I look, then I doubt I could possibly be pretty...if I have a moment of behavior that I think is not sweet, then I think that I could not possibly be sweet. I do not see the big picture when I look at myself, and I would never treat someone else that way.

There is a whole lot more that I could say on the matter...these are just a few simple examples, but I am learning the next step to walking in God's grace is to accept who I am... I thought I did that already?!

We went to the Carolyn Arends concert last night. It was most excellent, as usual. I found myself in tears in many of her lyrics though...this one, in particular, struck a chord with where I'm at right now. I don't know if I will work through all the things I'm feeling by the time I go back to work. The other day I found myself fretting about needing to fill each of the moments I have to the brim and at the end of this experience feeling like I needed to have something big and profound to show for it all. That would be nice (sigh)...or, I could just dance like no one's watching....

Dance Like No One's Watching - Carolyn Arends

I want to sing just like the sparrow 'cause the sparrow knows
That your eye will be upon her everywhere that she goes
I want to shout out like the mountains 'cause they say those rocks
Love to lift up their praises and they never stop
I want to chase you like King David till it's all that I can do
To sing and shout and laugh about the way you made me new

I want to dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Nobody but you

I want to grow just like the lilies dressed up in your best
'Cause they stretch toward the sun and trust in you for the rest
I want to climb up like a daughter on her daddy's knee
Who is laughing 'cause she knows that she is loved abundantly
You said that I should come to you just like a little kid
And maybe even kick my heels the way that David did

I'm gonna dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Nobody but you

Well heaven knows I worry and those worries tend to keep me
Bottled up so tightly in my soul
So spill me like the perfume that was poured upon your feet
And then fill me till at last I overflow

That's when I'll dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Nobody but you

I want to chase you like King David till at last you capture me
And then I’ll sing and shout and laugh about the way you set me free

I want to dance like no one’s watching
Dance like no one’s watching
Dance like no one’s watching
Nobody but you

I am *LOVING* Google Earth...so far I've traveled to France (Paris & the Eiffel Tower), to Dublin Ireland (and the Irish country-side), to London (Westminster Abbey, Abbey Road and Buckingham Palace), to Nashville, TN (and the Grande Ole Opry), to Seattle (and the Pike Place Starbucks as well and the Space Needle). I've also checked out where we live (went across the University Bridge, along Spadina...checked out downtown and where I'm going to work starting Nov. 27th and then headed to our neighbourhood..finding Amanda's school and our very own house!) Well, if I can't fly away to all the places I've dreamed of, at least I can explore them this way! ...It's kind of like that computer generated map of the city in the opening credits of 'You've Got Mail' ... the user clicks within it to a finer and finer level of detail in New York City until they get to the main character's flat and then the computer generated image gives way to reality and the story begins...

The Puppy Song (Harry Nilsson)

Dreams are nothing more than wishes
And a wish's just a dream you wish to come true

If only I could have a puppy
I'd call myself so very lucky
Just to have some company
To share a cup of tea with me
I'd take my puppy everywhere
La la la la I wouldn't care
Then we'll stay away from crowds
With signs that say no dogs allowed
Oh we... I know he'd never bite me
We... I know he'd never bite me

If only I could have a friend
Who sticks with me until the end
And walk along beside the sea
To share a bit of moon with me
I'd take my friend most everywhere
La la la la I wouldn't care
And we'll stay away from crowds
With signs that say no friends allowed
Oh we...we'd be so happy to be...
We...we'd be so happy to be together

But dreams are nothing more than wishes
And a wish's just a dream you wish to come true
Dreams are nothing more than wishes
(Your wish will come true)
And a wish's just a dream (Your wish will come true)
You wish to come true (Your wish will come true)

Thankful

I'm finding myself especially thankful this year. Of course I'm thankful for God's love and grace (too great for words really)...for our family, my loving husband and darling daughter...for our home and the fact that in a few minutes both of our extended families will be here for our Thanksgiving feast...for so many friends and for what God is doing in our small group...for our health...and for this beautiful fall, full of colour and God's splendor. I'm extremely thankful for all of those things, but what I'm especially thankful for today is a husband who not only 'let' me quit my job, but who actually encouraged it...who practically insisted upon it, and who has championed me having some time off before starting the next one...who has not put one ounce of pressure on me about the loss of income for a time and who has been pushing me to take time for myself and listening to me as I've been working through all sorts of feelings. He is God's man for me indeed! Thank-You, Father and thank-you, Les:)

Oh-so-romantic...

I've probably always thought that going to the ballet would be one of the most romantic ways I could think of to spend a date-night. Well, last Saturday I got the chance to find out. Les took me to Romeo & Juliet and it did not disappoint. We sat in a third balcony box with a breath-taking view of the dance. We were able to hold hands and sneak kisses without anyone noticing, and at the intermission Les commented on how much he was enjoying it. Afterward we went to Starbucks for a night-cap.... an oh-so-romantic night!


Random after-thoughts:
- why don't I ever take pictures of us when we're out on the town?!
- Les noted that male ballerinas do not deserve the rap they get from guys
- our tickets were of the less-expensive variety, yet I think we had the best seats in the house!
- married couples need to date more...we try to go on at least once every month...I think every couple needs to have a date at least that often...maybe even more..
- my husband is quite a catch!