Priceless Treasures...Friends

Friends are so amazing. That's an understatement...but I can't think of any other way that would say it better.

Hung out with some of my youth group this past weekend doing the 24 hour famine for Word and Deed. What a blast. I mean, I can't think of more awesome, godly people to hang out with! Cassy gives the best hugs ever!

And then I went to a friends profession yesterday and went to the party after too. There are just some people that are so encouraging and fun and sweet it makes me feel so loved and special. Justine, Cassy, and Tamara were just some of those people yesterday.

And yet funny how you can still feel lonely when you've been with such great people all weekend. I think I miss four of the friends that I haven't seen in too long. I'm in Amy/Maria/Jacinda/Naomi withdrawl I think.

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But on that note, Congratulations to Amy and Steve on your engagement! God bless you're future together!

Update

Well, it’s been just over a week since we moved. So much has happened in the past week.

The house is looking really good. Most everything is unpacked and pictures and nick-nacks are on the walls and shelves. It looks a lot more like home now. Still no high-speed internet yet though. SorryL

We had a very nice week. Dad was home all week, so he got a lot of stuff done instead of going to work and doing it all at nights. And we had some family outings too. On Thursday we went to the St. Jacob’s Farmers Market. We had the most amazing apple fritters and cinnamon buns ever! And, bad me, I got two bags of candy, which I kept nibbling at all weekend until they were gone.

On Saturday we went out for breakfast at Smitty’s Family Restaurant in Burlington. The waitresses there were absolutely hilarious. They had waaaayyy to much energy and the one who showed us her table actually Ran, or rather, ran-skipped, towards us when we got there. And then proceeded to offer the kids beer and stuff. It was very comical. I don’t think I have ever seen such hyper waitresses in my lifeL So then we went to IKEA to get some stuff for the house. That was fun. I love seeing all the different set-ups of kitchens and little mini apartments. Makes me want to buy a whole bunch of stuff and furnish an apartment . . . without worrying about the money of course! That would be soo much fun.

On Monday, my family went for a biking tour of the houses and trailer park around the lake near our new house. Wow! I had no idea we lived so close to a "cottage" world. The houses surrounding the lake are basically glorified cottages. We even saw some people toobing on the lake! And to think that that is only a 2 minute bike ride from our house!

Working at the greenhouse has been pretty good so far. And in only three days I have already almost done everything there is to do there. Weeding in the field (woot, woot), moving plants, potting, staking, sawdusting, seeding, throwing out dead plants in the compost pile, and shipping. Quite the variety. And the people I am working with are pretty awesome (on the most part). Mostly girls, which can be bad. Sawa likes to comment on all the talking and giggling that goes on while we work!! “It makes me dizzy.” lol Sawa is awesome. He is so much fun.

On Sunday, our Young People's went to a church service at Streetlight Ministries in downtown Hamilton. It was very interesting. The people there are pretty friendly. I hope our YP gets more involved with them. They have some amazing opportunities for us to help them in their mission, like being a big brother or sister to a kid, or helping with the children's programs or Bible studies. It was definately a good experiance.

Anyway, I leave you with this: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15) I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately because one of the people from Verbinnen’s has been coming to church and stuff, and it is pretty awesome. And I wonder if I would be able to actually give a “defense” if someone who was not a believer came up to me and questioned me about “the hope that is in me”. Would I balk? Would I suddenly clam up? Not know what to say? Say the wrong thing? Be too blunt? Sometimes I wonder just how strong I am. In being able to witness, and proclaim who I dedicate my life to.

Happy 17th Jacinda!!

God bless.
I love you:)

Well, I started at my greenhouse summer job today, so I'm kinda tired out. This will probably not be too long. Sorry for all you guys just waiting for details and news about moving. Maybe later on this week. And if we get highspeed, which my mom still has to look into, I'll post some pictures of the house. We'll see.

But as I'm sure you've guessed since I'm posting, we have finally settled in a bit after moving this weekend. And I have time to sit down and get on my email and stuff again. This weekend has been sooooo long! And tiring both physically and mentally and somewhat emotionally. Tomorrow morning, the old house is officially not ours anymore.

I'm okay with that now though, after relaxing yesterday in the new backyard...or back field...whatever you want to call it. Anyway, it was nice. And we are setting up our beds tonight, so our room will look a bit more organized and cozy.

Hmmmm...I think I'm going to like living here.


All I have to do is look out my bedroom window...I have a bedroom window now!!...and I think, "yes, I like it here. I think I can handle this!" and here the wonderful sound of the piano in the music room with the beautiful wood floor and say "wow, this is sweet!"

But it is still weird to be living in another house after all those years in the other one...and call this one HOME.

Two more days until we move.

Amy and I were sitting on our beds (or rather, our mattresses on the floor) last night doing devos before bed and we were talking about moving and we realized that we only had three more nights left sleeping in this house, in our room. Ahhhh!! Talk about scary. But oh so exciting at the same time.

Actually, I'm sad. I didn't think it would affect me this much to move, but I think I'm really going to miss this house. I mean, after living here for 11 years, it is all I've known for over half of my life!


And two more days until I write my music history exam and get it over with! Two more days of intense studying and then I can put my books, papers, and study notes away forever!!

Until next year when I start the next history course.
But I'm not going to think about that right now. That's too depressing.


AND . . .

only 5 more days until I start working at my summer job in the great outdoors (and greenhouses) of the awesome tree nursery! Yeeeessssss!!!!!!!

AOC . . . All Ontario Choir . . . was the best one out of the five I have been to. I really enjoyed playing and helping out in sectionals. But most of all, I enjoyed my devotions group. I had some pretty awesome people who have an incredible passion for God. Thanks for letting me join your group!

"Let my mouth be filled with Your praise,
And Your glory all the day,
Then my soul which you have redeemed,
Shall sing unto Your name."

And the highlight of the weekend . . . this song which will not leave my head:




Tula sizwe ungabokhala

uJehovah wakho uzo

Kunquobela




Which means something like 'God will protect us' in an African language.

I saw a truck today, an old Ford . . . or was it a Chev . . . whatever, it was an older, very well kept truck with this on the back:

JOHN 3 16

On the side, in the style of one of those road-side signs was:

For God so loved the world that He gave

His only begotten Son that whosoever

believes in Him should have everlasting life.

And on the front grill was attached:

A large wooden cross

Interesting way to spread the message!

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AOC is this weekend. I can't wait. It should be fun . . . I can't wait to accompany the choir. I love doing that, even thought that means I can't sing in it.

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And I turn 19 on Saturday. I'm getting old. And yet I have so much to learn.

Wow . . . . 19!!

I found this Psalm last night. What an amazing God we have . . . He always seems to give me the Bible passage that I need.

Feelings of stress, business, one week until my dreaded history exam, packing up the last of our things, AOC, trying to get teaching in there somewhere, and practicing, along with other things I haven't mentioned.

And yet at the same time, feelings of gratefulness for a caring, loving Father who knows my every thought and feeling and helps me pull through.

Psalm 116

I love the Lord, because He has heard

My voice and my supplications.

Because He has inclined His ear to me,

Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.

The pains of death surrounded me,

And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me;

I found trouble and sorrow.

Then I called upon the name of the Lord;

"O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!"

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;

Yes, our God is merciful.

The Lord preserves the simple;

I was brought low, and He saved me.

Return to your rest, O my soul,

For the Lord has dealt boutifully with you.

For You have delivered my soul from death,

My eyes from tears,

And my feet from falling.

I will walk before the Lord

In the land of the living.

I believed, therefore I spoke,

"I am greatly afflicted."

I said in my haste,

"All men are liars."

What shall I render to the Lord

For all His benefits to me?
I will take up the cup of salvation,

And call upon the name of the Lord.

I will pay my vows to the Lord

Now in the presence of all His people.

Precious in the sight of the Lord

Is the death of His saints.

O Lord, truly I am Your servant;

I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant;

You have loosed my bonds.

I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,

And will call upon the name of the Lord.

I will pay my vows to the Lord

Now in the presence of all His people,

In the courts of the Lord's house,

In the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord!