Everything

When we were driving home from Chilliwack, after spending time at the hospital with my Grandma, this song came on. As I looked out the car window at God's glorious creation (the snow capped mountains, the bursting beams of sunlight) God ministered to my spirit.
Today we are spending a day of prayer/fasting for those who are experiencing brokenness in their lives...as their 'spiritual family' we want to come along side them and pray on their behalf.
My precious Jesus - YOU are everything. So often I seek the temporary to fulfill the longings of my heart. Only you, the eternal, can satisfy. As the possessed boy's father in Matthew cried "I do believe; help me to overcome my unbelief", we cry this too Father. Rip the apathy from our lives and help us to boldly approach Your throne.

Prayer Request

Several days ago my Grandma was admitted to the hospital. The doctors discovered that there is a very large cancerous lump on her stomach. She is currently still in the ER and is being kept alive by 'technology'. The doctors have told us that she doesn't have much time left. Tomorrow Sarah, Kristian, my mum and dad and I are going to the hospital to pray with her and, perhaps, say our 'last' goodbye. Please pray for our family during this time. Pray for my dad and his three brothers as they have a difficult decision to make. Please pray that our time together is full of joy and of peace. My Grandma is an amazing woman of faith. God is a faithful God and we trust that His timing is always best.

NOTHING is impossible with God...

Dear friends,

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith" Galatians 6: 2, 10.

Tonight, as Anne and I were sharing/praying together, we both felt the urgency to join together and pray for families that are experiencing darkness/trials. I so easily forget that Satan is at work...and he has set out to destroy. He wants to keep us 'distracted' and numb to the fact that he is active in our world. We need to "be on [our] guard; stand firm in the faith; be people of courage; be strong" (1 Corinthians 16:14). We need to come expectantly before Christ and cry out "Abba, Father!". God can do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine...but he desires to hear the prayers of His people. Anne and I are setting aside THIS Tuesday (January 30th) to fast/pray for restoration in the lives of the broken (specifically families). We are asking you to join with us (in whatever way you can) to intercede for those who are hurting/broken. Let's pray in a spirit of expectance...to GOD be the glory!!!!

Who's with me?!

On Saturday, February 24th Jars of Clay is coming to the Chandos-Pattison Theatre in Surrey!! Jars is one of those bands that I have ALWAYS wanted to see (and for some odd reason, never have). Their music (particularly their first cd) has been a source of encouragement throughout my faith. The opening bands are Burlap to Cashmere (yes, these guys are still around) and NEED TO BREATHE!! (woo hoo!!). If anyone is interested in coming with me, let me know :) Heck, I'll go alone but if you'd also enjoy seeing these bands, come along and we'll sing our hearts out!! :) Tickets are $26.50.

change is a brewin...

A new year often signifies 'change'. I feel that this upcoming year is going to be a year of change (I'm praying that is it). 2006 was a great year. I encountered a number of 'life changes' (FINALLY graduating from school and beginning teaching) as well as a number of challenges.
I'm stoked about 2007 because (drumroll please) ANNE AND I LEAVE FOR AUSTRALIA THIS YEAR!! I was always saying to people "next year I'm leaving for Australia". But now I can say "THIS YEAR i'm leaving for Australia". I'm started to get really excited about going. I don't have nearly enough money saved yet. We don't have a lot of the 'major details' worked out. There are still some big decisions we need to make. BUT, I'm trying not to stress it :) I think I need a 'change of pace' (there's that 'change' theme again). I need to step out of my 'bubble' and go explore this amazing world I'm in!! I'm ALSO stoked because I am going to be spending Christmas with some very dear friends IN AUSTRALIA!! Natty's aunt and uncle have a farm in Australia (Victoria) and Natty and Corrie are planning on coming out for Christmas where Anne and I will meet up with them. Also attending our 'Christmas in Australia' get together will be our awesome South African friends Audri and David who will be working as chefs in Australia the same time that Anne and I are there *how cool is that?!* Then I was talking to Audri and Dave's good friend Yanni today (ok it's not actually SPELLED like that but that's how it sounds...haha) is thinking of also coming (he's debating between Australia and Taiwan)!! *Yanni, I don't want to pressure you BUT COME!!* It's going to be awesome :) Here's to new friends, new challenges and, most importantly, CHANGE!!

Goodbye's are never easy...

Chloe is leaving in the morning. I feel happy for her and for her mum. I also feel sad right now...I'm going to miss her...

Just one of those days...

The past few days have had some fairly 'interesting' starts (and ends too I suppose). It all began yesterday morning...
I had been called out to a teaching assignment in Langley. I had never been to this school and so I used my trusty friend, mapquest.com, to navigate my way (generally pretty accurate). As I was driving closer to where mapquest claimed this school would be I got a funny feeling in my stomach. Something was not right. I turned down the street that the school was supposed to be on and BAM, I was in a subdivision with a DEAD END!! Most definitely NOT correct. I always bring the school phone number with me and gave the school a call. The secretary was also 'on call' (go figure) so she tried to give me directions as best as she could. I got back into my car and backed up into a driveway so I could turn around. When I put the car in drive...nothing happened. Ok, that's not entirely true. My wheels were spinning, but my car was certainly not moving. I tried again. And again. No luck. I got out of my car and the woman (whose driveway I was in) poked her head out the window and yelled "I can't help you, I have a herniated disk!". Great. I began wandering the neighbourhood, knocking on doors to see if anyone would help me. I would hear footsteps on the other side of the door but, no one would actually answer it. Perhaps I look really freaky through the peep hole?! After several failed attempts I went back to my car. The woman poked her head out the window again and said "Hold on. I'll drive out of my garage and you can back in so that you'll have a dry patch to start off from". I thanked her profusely before before getting back into my car. A few minutes later, I was on the road again.
Last night was Megan's 23rd birthday bash. It was a really fun night full of laughter, food, games and good times with friends. I left the party at about 11:30 and drove home so that I could catch some sleep before teaching in the morning. At 11:45 my home phone rang. "That's really odd" I thought to myself "who would call here that late?!". I picked up the phone to hear Rysu's broken voice (he was on a cell phone) explaining to me that he had two flat tires and wanted to park his car at my house and needed me to drive him home. "Sure Rysu, that works for me". I drove Rysu home, got home just after 12 and finally went to sleep.
This morning I headed out for another assignment in Langley. The school was located more in the "Aldergrove area" and the snow was falling much thicker and was actually sticking out there. As I was heading up 232, I was met by brake lights. What on earth was going on? I sat and waited for about 10 minutes trying to figure out what was happening. Finally I realized that there was a stalled semi. We all tried to move around the semi (watching out for oncoming traffic). Then, BAM. I was met with ANOTHER stalled semi!! WHAT ON EARTH?! Altogether there were 4 semi trucks with their hazards on, wheels spinning. Because a lot of people had lost momentum, their cars were swerving all over the road. It was like trying to maneuver my car through a maze!! There were stalled cars all over the place!! However, I FINALLY reached the school (after numerous skids through the snow). I signed in and checked my phone messages. The school board had called requesting that I call them back asap. "Hi Maia. I am actually going to switch you to another school this morning" (arg). It was snowing quite heavily and I did not want to face 232 again. I asked the school secretary for an alternate route and headed out into the 'winter wonderland'. As I was driving along Fraser Highway, I felt like I was experiencing deja-vu because I was constantly facing (you guessed it) more break lights!! It took me over half an hour to get to the school I had been re-assigned to. Little did I know that another adventure was awaiting me...
I arrived at the 'new' school and signed in. "Head down the hall, go out the doors, to the left, you're in the portable" (gotta love portables). Because I had arrived late (obviously not my fault...the school started half an hour before the other school I was at AND I had to drive there) another teacher was covering for me until I got there. I walked into the door and was met with chaos. The teacher looked frantically at me and said "Thank goodness you're here! Are you used to teaching Grade 5?!". "Yes", I replied, "I have pretty much taught everything". "Good!" she looked relieved. "I am a secondary teacher and have no clue what is going on here. I don't know how to get them to listen and they're wild" *I had noticed the 'wild' part*. "Did you check her binder for her dayplan?" I asked her. "Oh, no I didn't' *Hmm, I thought*. She pointed to the desk and quickly exited the room. I had to get some 'order' in there and fast! "Ok kids, look up here. I know that today has been a bit hectic thus far but I will be your teacher today and I am going to lay some ground rules here". As I was giving instructions for the day (and trying to read the dayplan at the same time) something caught my eye. A white blurr streaked across the room. "What on earth was...." I began. "OH! That's our class rabbit!! He just runs around and does whatever he wants" called out one of the students. He was right. The rabbit DID do whatever it wanted (including it's 'business' wherever it wanted). It particularly liked sitting on my feet when I was up at the front teaching.
During recess one of the support workers who was in the room looked at me and said "I don't know how you TOC's do it". "Well" I said "you just kinda roll with the punches and hope to come out alive at the end of the day. It's..." I was interrupted by five screaming girls chasing the classroom rabbit who was making an escape for the door...

Baggage isn't always a bad thing...;)

This is Chloe. This is Chloe in the backpack I purchased for my Australia 2007/2008 trip!! (gosh darn it, I wish I could take her!! I know I'm biased, but isn't she precious?!). On January 19th Chloe is going to leave us for good. Her mum has worked really hard to prove that she is ready to be a 'full time' mum (which is awesome). One of the most common questions that we get asked about foster care is "How do you do it? How do you say goodbye to these children that you have helped to raise? That you have seen grow?". The answer is, by God's grace. I wish I could say that it gets easier every time, but it doesn't. The thought of welcoming a new little one into the house is always a bit overwhelming. At this 'transition' time my family always asks: "Can I go through this again? Do I have the capacity to love another child this much?" and, no surprise, we go through it again and love the next child just as much. As soon as I see that cute little face in the carry on, I'm 'smitten'.

We love you Chloe and we'll miss you.

muffins

This brings great joy and much laughter to my life...hahaha.

The new do...

Well, here are some pictures of my new haircut. I feel kind of ridiculous posting pictures of just myself on here (but Megs told me to and said it's not dumb...heh heh). Now you can see Janny!!

It was REALLY hard for me not to made a silly face!!

It's weird having a new hairstyle because it's forcing me to experiment with different styles. I've had the same haircut for a long time now and haven't had it this length for about 7 years. I was a perfect candidate for one of those talk shows about people who have had the same look FOREVER...so I'm saving you that letter to Oprah or Tyra *BAHA*. Here I am sporting the bangs back, pigtails look. I think I may need to get some headbands now...haha.

Randomocity

Random facts from this Christmas break:

- Be sure to wear long pants when riding an elephant. Their hair is very prickly.

- Stalkers wear capes.

- Dave is violent. I fear him...

- Rats clean themselves more often than cats do.

- RySu can eat a LOT of rice pudding and, as a result, won the marzipan pig!

- Kris can whoop my butt at ping pong (I'm practicing...you're going down Pederson!)

- Keisha likes to lick rocks. And eat icicles.

- Megs and I invented a new word: Randomocity. Ironically, this same word was used by one of our friends that same day...

- Elderly men flail their arms while doing the front crawl resulting in MAJOR waves (I nearly drowned).

- Nothing happens when you remove the 'do not remove' tags from pillows.

- Susanna has crazy/mad skills at Donkey Konga. One day, I want to be as good as her...

- When playing "Phase 10" skip Tyson as often as possible.

- Telephone pictionary makes people hyperactive (and talk about poop).

- Saying "booo" does not count as 'trash talking' (I'm working on it Ben!)

- Taking leaping pictures on New Years is a must.

- Running errands with Megs is always a fun adventure ;)

- Buying a 10 foot Christmas tree to bug your mum is a brilliant idea!


In other news...I got a new hair cut!! Yes, it's true...I have traded in my long locks for a 'shorter do' (it's part of Meg's and I's "New Year's dares/resolutions") *sidebar: my new hairdo is not featured in this photo*

Damien Rice - Cannonball

My blog now contains 'multimedia'. Ooooh...fancy smancy! Now I just need to learn how to add links...haha ;)

Fix You

I love this song. We listened to it this morning while driving Janny to the airport...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Hokey crap!! 2007 you say?! Unbelieveable!! Yes folks, it's true...it's officially 2007. Only 3 more years until the Olympics (remember, we are going to sign up to be volunteers!!). I've had a very relaxing Christmas break. This year was the quietest/oddest Christmas I've had so far. Sarah and Kris were in Oregon and both of our kids were visiting with their families for Christmas Eve/Day so it was just my mum, dad and I. We went to a really awesome Christmas Eve service at their church and I got to visit with a lot of people I grew up with which was sweet!! I love hearing what everyone is doing with their lives...it's encouraging :) We open our presents on Christmas Eve (the only way to go) and then opened stockings together on Christmas morning. On Boxing Day my mum, dad, Chloe (our 7 month baby) and I headed to Victoria. Usually it's quite busy with all of the cousins, etc etc BUT this year they were all working!! So I did lots of 'baby duty', visited with my grandparents and went for long walks by the ocean...very peaceful. I spent New Year's at the Naylors (classic) and got to see some people that I haven't seen in years!! We played lots of Donkey Konga (I love that game!!), Dutch Blitz, visited and, of course, at midnight screamed and ran around outside. Actually it was funny because at about 11:55 I said "uh guys, it's 2007 in 5 MINUTES!! Turn off the game system and turn on the TV!!". Tyson, Amy, Megs, Janny and I were the only ones that went outside and ran around...haha. We took lots of hilarious photo's (Jan, I need to get those from you) and then got locked out of the house...party poopers (heh heh). Other than that I've been visiting with people and sleeping in!! Yesterday I went down to Lynden to visit Liz and then we came back up here and went for dinner at the new Old Spaghetti Factory in Langley (soooo yummy).
At the beginning of every year I always go back and read my journal and see where I was at/what I was doing at the same time last year. This time last year I was preparing to head into the 'full immersion' component of my PDP practicum and I was slightly nervous. It's really encouraging to see God at work in my life and to stop and take the time to thank Him for his faithfulness. God has answered so many of my prayers...not always in the way I had planned, but heck, it's 10 times better!! Megs and I came up with New Year's 'resolutions' (more like dares...haha) for one another. I've never really been a person to make New Year's resolutions because I never keep them and, I figure, why purposefully disappoint yourself?! However, I do have a lot of areas of my life that are in serious need of a 'renovation'. After spending a fair bit of time reflecting on my life this break, I've realized that I'm not FULLY enjoying everything that God has for me. God can do AMAZING things through those are willing to be used and I want to be used!! I feel so ill equipped sometimes...but God welcomes the humble and He will do the 'equipping'. I always place limitations on God. I say "here you can have THIS part of my life.. But this part? Heck no!! I have my own plans!!" And why do I doubt?! We serve the SAME God that saved Daniel in the lion's den, the SAME God that healed the blind and sick, the SAME God that used a shepherd to slay a giant, the SAME God who turned a man who was pursecuting His people into a God-fearing, jail breaking, preaching machine!! I want to experience all that God has...I don't want to 'settle' for a second rate faith. I'm tired of apathy. I'm tired of trying to do it on my own. I want to be molded, I want to place my life in the potter's hands. My prayer this year is that I will pursue hard after Christ. I feel 'overwhelmed' by all of the 'needs improvement' signs flashing in my life. I need to take it one day at a time. God, I don't want to place limitations on You. I want to experience life to the UTMOST...to You be the glory...

Confession is good for the soul....right?!

Yes, it's true...I have a terrible confession to make. I couldn't take the pressure anymore, I gave in. I am weak, the weakest link some might say. Here it goes...I have joined myspace *gasp* Before you judge and say that I am disloyal to blogspot, please hear my reasoning behind getting a myspace account. Janelle recently joined myspace so that, while she is in Hawaii, she can stay in touch with everyone. She refused to sign up for blogspot (which I still maintain is far better) and she kept 'encouraging' me to get one. I caved to peer pressure and, as of yesterday, I now have a myspace account. However, on my myspace page, I have made it CLEAR that I am a 'blogger' at heart and this is where I will continue to post my ramblings, photos, etc. If you are a myspacer too and want to add me or visit my space, my address is: www.myspace.com/flipflopsanonymous (thought I'd stick with the 'flop flop' theme...my memory can only handle so much).
I wish that was my only confession...however *hides her face in shame* I also just signed up for facebook because my South African friends use it!! Who am I kidding?! One site is enough for me!! So, I think I'll stick to blogger and sometimes check my myspace account. Good thing I love ya Janny ;) Heh heh