the small things.

December 01, 2005
"The small things of life were often so much bigger than the great things...the trivial pleasures like cooking, one's home, little poems especially sad ones, solitary walks, funny things seen and overheard." Barbara Pym yes Barbara, I agree. I would also add to the list having coffee with friends, getting your hair cut at your place, palmetto trees wearing Christmas lights. i would also like to add that tomorrow i am having coffee with a new friend! omg!
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i'm back

November 25, 2005
hello. i'm back. I am very tired, and my nose is like an open faucet. But, I enjoyed Switzerland, I would be lying if I say I had the time of my life or anything, but i enjoyed it. It was very cold, but the people were very nice. The hotel staff was extraordinary. The hotel Miselalp was waaaaaaay up a tiny mountain road. There was a view of the Swiss Alps just outside my bedroom window...in fact there was a view of the Alps from any window in that hotel. There was a total of 14 different nations represented there. All King's Kids workers, well mostly. I saw a couple of friends there as well. The lectures were usually in 3 languages. The most impactful things had to do with a speaker talking about what he believes to be God's greatest challenge of the moment. To leave the past behind and strive towards the future goal. And also to focus on relationships and not on events and tasks. It's not just in the King's Kids world, but also in YWAM Scotland. I'm really, really excited to leave behind the past in this particular ministry that I'm working in. The time for change is long overdue. The same old thing isn't working, the kids aren't progressing, they're in the same place they were in ages ago. I can't fix all the issues, I don't even know if anyone will listen to me, or if my ideas will just get shot down again. At the last several conference type events I've attended, the things that I've felt and thought have been confirmed. It seems I'm actually on the right track. But how does one steer a ship without the rank to take hold of the rudder? I'm not discouraged though, The way I see it, if one stands in the way of progress they have only 3 options. They either go with it, they will be left behind, or they'll be trampled or removed in the process. It's an obediance thing too isn't it...conform your will to God's will...or be willing to be disciplined because of your actions or lack of actions. So I'm very excited, because I know things must change. Things must progress. Bridges must be built with other ministries and workers in the community as part of the evolution and progress. I believe I can be a part of helping to build some of those bridges. It'll be good. I know this is all very vague, that's because it is for me too. I have a goal, I just don't know the steps it will take to arrive there. BUT...if there is no change, we cease to be. and I'm desperate for that change to come. and btw...it's on it's way. I can feel it. AND this silly thing doesn't have the music I'm listening to listed....but i'm listening to Pidgin in Paris, by Pidgin pidg.snowblind.net/
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comments

November 22, 2005
hey you guys...you can still comment, you just have to click on the view comments link first...then you scroll down a wee bit to a form just like the old one :)
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boarding call.

November 16, 2005
i leave tomorrow for switzerland to attend the western european king's kids conference. sounds impressive doesn't it. but really i think it's a bunch of silliness and the like. i mean on the what to bring for presentations they said old chewed gum. you be the judge.
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oh. martin.

November 13, 2005
martin chalk. fae paisley. fae mossvale church. please go check out martin chalk's new website. http://www.martinchalk.com/ good times to be had by all. he's on myspace too! http://www.myspace.com/martinchalk
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new seasons, new days, new structure.

November 12, 2005
I for one am very excited about this. I've been frustrated by the lack of progress, the lack of new things, since my arrival. Well, yesterday was a YWAM Scotland staff day in Stirling. Stirling is where William Wallace lead the Scots to victory over the English army in 1297. You'd probably remember the scene in Braveheart when Wallace arrives in blue war paint (hot stuff)...that's Stirling.
This is the calling of YWAM Scotland as made clear by the national director, Andy Hall: YWAM Scotland's purpose is to bring heaven down to earth. Where YWAM dwells there should be national transformation. Here's the future we're looking to move into.

1. Forgetting what is behind
2. Straining toward what is ahead
3. Press on toward the goal

I'm OVERJOYED. I don't really know how my arm of ministry will conform to this vision. That will happen. It's just so beautiful. I cried as I wrote down the new vision. To see Scotland restored and renewed is the cry of my heart. I've left friends, family, Charleston, Seacoast, a job, my flat, everything familiar and all that was mine. I left them because I believe Scotland is meant to once again impact the entire world. Because I believe this, I must take action. I must do my part. And what a privledge it is, although a lot of the time it feels nothing like a privledge.
Yesterday I received my renewal of vision and passion. I feel encouraged to persue what my dream for this nation is, and to dream even greater dreams. It's true what the proverb says "a hope deferred makes a heart sick". I can see how people loose hope and give up. I will not. I will not give up, I will not give in, against all odds. What does that make me? Stubborn, foolish, or called?
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what i'm learning about joy.

November 12, 2005
True joy only comes to those who have devoted themselves to something bigger than their own happiness and personal interests.
True joy involves 3 things:

• a conscious decision to focus each day on God's goodness
• reaching out to bless others every chance you get
• understanding that joy produces strength

AND...
Happiness is an emotion, but joy is a decision. And your decisions must rule your emotions, not vice-versa.
so...yeah. i must choose.
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mr. and mrs. marker smith?

November 11, 2005
so. tonight i saw the first photo from parker and lindsey's wedding. i don't know what day they were actually married. they are married...although...i can't believe it. kinda like...if a tree falls in the forrest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound...well. if i wasn't there to witness the event...did they really have a wedding? i'm surprised at how sad i am. i knew that i'd be missing the wedding, lindsey and i talked about it. but now that it's come and gone...i'm very sad. at the same time, i'm so excited and happy for them to start their own grown up life. paker is a huz. lindsey is a wife. everyone said she was gorgeous. duh...she's gorgeous everyday.
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glasgow winter nights.

November 09, 2005
I'd mentioned in my last post that I'd been to Glasgow this past weekend. It was the first winter night of 2005 that I've been in. There's just something wonderful, almost supernatural about winter nights in cities isn't there, especially New York at Christmas time. There are certain things one can expect. The window displays at Macy's. The tree at Rockefeller Square. The Santa's and bell ringers on most every street corner. Here there's a magical little side street just off of Buchanan in Glasgow's city centre. If you walk just behind the Borders you enter pure loveliness. Above head is a blanket of tiny white lights. (There will be a few photos posted soon). Under the new night sky there's a Starbucks and the Gallery of Modern Art, and.....a new place that sells tiny pizzas through vending machines - just like in japan! Millions of kids in smudged black eyeliner, black trench coats with matching frankenstein boots & nightmare before christmas backpacks, purses and tshirts can also be found in the winter wonderland, although they prefer not to leave the back steps of borders. It really is my favorite part of the city right now. It's quite the romantic spot I must say. So if you wonder what I'll be doing during my Christmas break, I'll most likely be found behind Borders with a tall white chocolate mocha warming my hands, staring up at the twinkling lights.
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elcarim my sanctuary.

November 09, 2005
I am so so so so so so thankful for the Chalks. Martin and Jeanne's parents live a 5 minute drive away from me, just up the Glennifer Braes. This past weekend when life got to be too much here on base they came and rescued me!!! I got to leave behind my teeny tenement for a big room with a big bed with heat, the bed was even heated! How posh is that! I was part of a family for a long weekend and it refreshed my soul. I even got to attend church! I think the last time I attended a service where I wasn't working was the last Seacoast service I attended before leaving home. worship was lead by Peter Chalk and the message given by Pastor Hugh Chalk...good times. I have been missing out on the British tradition of Sunday lunch. but not this week! We had a nice big meal around the dining room table, Lesley and her husband, their boys and one of Hugh & Gail's boys were there, as was Jimmy Clelan. we ate and laughed and ate some more. it reminded me of the happy meals around my Grandmother's dining room table at 2390 Morgan Avenue. later that evening we went to "The Mossy" the cafe/quiz night/multi media extravaganza at Mossvale. I had the most fun. I will try to go from now on. I nearly forgot to mention that this was also the weekend of Guy Fawkes Night ( http://www.bonefire.org/guy/) aka Bonfire night. I met up with my pal Tim in Glasgow and we went to watch fireworks. Somehow we ended up at the largest fireworks display in Scotland. There was a funfair and even a laser show. The Scottish version of the largest fireworks display doesn't quite equal what American's would consider large, but it was still so much fun. My very first Guy Fawkes night :) I'll put photos from the night up, also a few photos from Elcarim just so you can see the peaceful surroundings. *sigh* So that is the story of my weekend.
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a new journal :)

November 03, 2005
thanx to some hard and tedious work by richard coull i have a new journal! woooo! well done richard - you're a star!!!! things are a wee bit different than before, i'm the only one who can create a new entry, but now all of the comments will be on one page. it's much cleaner looking, more organised. right, so....enjoy :)
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