What if more statements of belief started like this?

(Insert name of organization here) is devoted to joining the God of the oppressed in the restoration of all creation.

Where do I sign up?

Read more at http://www.mhbcmi.org/about/faith.php

And now for a fun pic of my friend Rebecca and I on our way back from the "Pastor and Spouses'" Retreat this week (yes, it's really called that). She's getting married at this location next summer. I'm . . . not:)

My New Friend

My new friend Thomas.


Yummy Queen of the Kitchen pizza.


Over a year ago I decided to tell my ebay-loving dad that I'd like a bread maker. I've become quite the queen of the kitchen in the last few years and I figured a bread maker would be a lovely addition to my kitchen supplies. Soon after my request my dad called me up to report that he had indeed found a brand new bread machine on ebay, he had purchased it, and it was ready for me . . . in South Dakota (where my parents live).

And so began the pilgrimage of the bread maker. A few months later it made it to my motherland of Esterhazy, SK, by way of car. Then months later it traveled with my sister to her home in Edmonton, AB. And only this summer did it make the final leg of the journey to Vancouver in a car with a friend of my brother's. Sadly, by then, the novelty of having a bread maker wore off and I left it in the box . . . until today. Today I was craving pizza and the bread maker, O the poor neglected bread maker, it made bread.

This blog is for you, dad. Thanks for the bread maker!

I cried all day.

I rode my bike downtown today to see a film at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF): Away From Her directed by Sarah Polley (who was actually there to introduce the movie). This film sparkles with the elements of life. It is about a couple who, after being married for 44 years, are faced with Altheimer's disease and the places it takes them. The screen play, written by Polley and based on the Alice Munro story "The Bear Came Over the Mountain" takes themes of love, devotion, mistakes, grace, sacrifice, loss . . . to close-to-the-heart heights and depths. I'm in love with it. Should you get the chance, and you aren't bothered by beautifully slow moving dramas, then I recommend it.

Prayers in All Places

Today, in the buzz of my coming, going, and working at a church my prayer was found lodged in a song so beautiful and lovely. I hope it follows me into the week. Have a listen at www.thewailinjennys.com

THE WAILIN' JENNYS
One Voice
(Ruth Moody)

This is the sound of one voice
One spirit, one voice
The sound of one who makes a choice
This is the sound of one voice

This is the sound of voices two
The sound of me singing with you
Helping each other to make it through
This is the sound of voices two

This is the sound of voices three
Singing together in harmony
Surrendering to the mystery
This is the sound of voices three

This is the sound of all of us
Singing with love and the will to trust
Leave the rest behind it will turn to dust
This is the sound of all of us

This is the sound of one voice
One people, one voice
A song for every one of us
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of one voice