Why?

Why is it that as soon as I open my awesome presents on Christmas eve, I think about the other stuff I want to buy for myself on boxing day? Why am I never content with the clothes I have but I always want that new hoodie, that jacket, those jeans (why not? they're 25% off)? Why do I think I deserve to go to that concert, to have that expencive holiday in the sun, to buy fancy food at a restaurant every once in a while? Why do I always spend money on these extra luxuries before I give to the church, so that often I feel I cannot afford to give. I'll give later, when I'm not going to school, when I'm making good money. I don't have money to support a fledgeling church plant reaching out to people downtown, but I did have money to go to Tim Hortons 14 times in the past month, watch a couple movies, and buy some new sweaters and a touque that I didn't really need. How is it that I could spend four months living with kids who have one lousy meal a day, have one pair of clothes, live in a tiny mud hut, and can't afford their measly school fees and then live like I do here?

Maybe running to Africa is fleeing from my materialism, my selfishness. Maybe it's the easy way out, when I should deal with these problems here and start living like I should, like the true, selfless, God-focused individual I'm supposed to be where I am right now. It's just so much harder here. Its so easy to forget those millions of poor, my kids at Progressive Primary School, and be comfortable with all my luxuries. To slide into materialism like most of those around me and forget that God wants me to be willing to give up everything for his kingdom. To live a completely self-centered life focused on my school and having fun and impressing those around me. But that's what I want right now. I want to flee. I want to escape and again be a part of that world that made me so much more aware of who God wanted me to be. That world that pushed me to want to make a difference, to live for those around me. That world that showed me that I don't need all these things, these comforts. That world that allowed me to become a part of something, something bigger than myself. I know I can live like that here, in my own community, but its so much harder. I know that's no excuse.

"As an Athiest, I Truly Believe Africa Needs God"

"Those who want Africa to walk tall amid 21st-century global competition must not kid themselves that providing the material means or even the knowhow that accompanies what we call development will make the change. A whole belief system must first be supplanted.

And I'm afraid it has to be supplanted by another. Removing Christian evangelism from the African equation may leave the continent at the mercy of a malign fusion of Nike, the witch doctor, the mobile phone and the machete."

I Stole this Link from Gideon Strauss'  blog. Its an amazing witness to the power of the gospel. 

Home

I'm back on the bald praries and its as cold and flat as ever. I always forget how flat southern alberta is, and how empty. A lot of feilds and sky and snow. It's nice for a change. The cold, however, is not so nice. A biting -25 has been the average. More like -30 or 35 with the windchill. Lovely. I don't need to feel my face. It doesn't help that two of our vehicles have sub-par heaters so by the end of a trip across town I can't feel my toes. It's okay, I don't need my toes either. On the bright side of things, we haven't been completely covered with snow as the rest of Canada seems to have been, though I kind of like the snow, if I don't need to be anywhere important, which, seeing as it is the holidays, I don't. Glory. I'm going to get fat. I've always wanted to know what that would be like. ha. 

Cold aside, its nice to be back in Alberta with the family. I was gone for much too long. Everyone started (continued? finished?) growing up without me. Levi is almost as tall as I am, and probably almost as mature (almost). Sarah is a beautiful young woman who can teach me a thing or two about style. Meagan is probably more mature than me now, making her way in the world as an awesome Christian woman. Pieter is always growing and is quickly becoming a man. And Josh is, well, Josh. Okay, he's growing up too and even has facial hair. Its great to see everyone again and catch up and hang out. I don't think I can say Alberta is my home anymore, but I always feel at home with my family, and its always good to be back. 

I hope everyone has an awesome time with their families and friends this Christmas season. God Bless. 

exams and things

Study break!! Okay, I just had one and choreographed an interpretive dance to "little drummer boy" (african style!) with Trine, but I need another. On the musical note (clever!), I love the song "bolero" off the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. It's instrumental. It's sweet. Go listen to it. (Download it if you don't have it, right Tim?) Our living room is cozy right now with some garland, lights, and some nicely scented candles setting the mood. Of studying of course. Or Dancing. Or probably just christmas, but I like it anyway. Christmas is coming soon and so, with that in mind, we had a tacky sweater party. It was epic, complete with the traditional, give-it-your-all, glass-shattering, mind-blowing rendition of "the 12 days of Christmas". Glory.


Ryan died.. but we revived him. no worries.

I love exam time. Minus the exams. And studying. Everyone goes a little nutty cooped up inside all day and you get to see another, extra-special, exam-time-only side of your friends. Exam time brings us together. The other night, joined by Katlyn and Anna, we had a house wrestling tournament. It was fierce. Needless to say I was the champion. But that was expected. I would love to show some pictures and videos, but I don't think that would go over well with everyone. Another time.

If you would like a sweet summary of this super semester (alliteration! I was in a creative writing class, can you tell?) then check out Ree's blog.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!!