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

What is Bobbi doing with these 2 hotties?

My friends Mike and Jon stayed with my roommate Angie and I for a week. They left today. I'm a bit sad to see them go.

Mike and Jon are friends from home and their family is SO LOVED by our family. Their mom and dad, Kathy and Larry, came into my mom and dad's lives at a pivotal time. They provided spiritual direction and light in a time when our family experienced darkness. They brought my parents into a Jesus loving faith community and eventually all us kids followed. Ahhhh . . . the Severins. Mike and Jon have traveled far, adventured much, and are two outstanding buddies. I'm so glad they chose to stay with me for a bit on their return to Canada from Australia.

Here are a few highlights: coming home from work a couple days in a row and having dinner made and a quick inquiry, "Bob, how was your day?"; good meals against the backdrop of beautiful BC scenery through the mountain-facing windows of my East Vancouver home; flashbacks of fun memories like Jon's ear whistling when he plugged his nose and blew really hard; laughter of trusted friendships; honest conversations about stuff that matters and goes deep.

Meet Wesley Justin

My dear friends Kristi and Dave welcomed this lovely lil' lad into their family last week. Here he is! I am amazed at the arrival of life - it just shows up. The mystery of who this buddy is and who he will grow to be makes me want to do a little dance.

I'M IN A PODCAST!

On Friday at work last week my friend Andy, one of the worship leaders at the church who is also very involved in the college ministry, invited me to be the "token female voice" in their first ever FLuX podcast. I felt like I was on the CBC! Check it out.

http://www.theflux.ca/

Spectacular Saskatchewan (and Alberta)

Here are some more pictures of my vacation. I loved my time in the prairies. I love being a part of my family. I love the blackness of the prairie night. I love the closeness of old friendships.

The people pictures are of the following: Helen and I (Adam's girlfriend whom we love); my friend Steph, her daughter Jae, and I; my cousin Amanda and I at her wedding dance; Adam, Kasha, and I at Outback; my cousin Jaime's daughter, Paige, making Adam beautiful.

Ode to My Sister

I spent a week with my sister in Edmonton, en route by car with her to south east Saskatchewan, and zig zagging from Esterhazy to Spy Hill to Gerald to Spy Hill to "the farm" to Langenburg . . . all the way back to Edmonton. This girl has got a lot going for her. Not only is she a beauty, but she packs a wise punch, is incredibly knowledgeable in her field of work (working with families and early ed kids with special needs), loves to make herself laugh(and others, too), and she puts up with me even when I'm a snot face* for a whole week. I love this girl. Here's to you, Rash!

The pictures are of Kasha and Adam at Outback & Kasha and Shabyn - our friends' Robyn and Shawn's son.

* I mean this literally; I got a nasty head cold while on my prairie vacation. Kasha didn't even come close to throwing me out of her clean car.

Illuminares

My friend Lisa and I rode our bikes to the lluminares Lantern Procession at Trout Lake Park here in Vancouver last night. I loved it. Thousands of people create lanterns - from freakish to fantastical - and walk this loop around the park with their glowing creations. It's a beautiful excercise of creativity, community, and hope.

This event has contributed to something that is growing larger inside of me: a surge of joy is expanding and giving me a strong feeling of home. I feel like I've been looking for this for 10 years. Who knows how long it will last, but today it's warm and the noices of the city around me are my song.

Peace to you friends and family,

Bobbi

Lessons from My Little Brother

My brother Adam was out to visit last weekend and I am sure of one thing – I love that guy. It is fun spending some extended time with him. He is one of the people closest to me, and still he is someone I continue to get to know better. Most of his growing up took place after I left home and we haven’t lived in the same place since. Or maybe it’s that most of my growing up took place after I had left home and . . . anyway.

For me, spending time with family is like spending time in front of a full length mirror. On this viewing of myself I see that I am far too eager to please others. Adam, however, doesn’t feel the need to impress people; I think he sleeps better being unimpressive*. Adam just is – like it, love it, or go batty because of it. I’m still not sure what I should learn from this difference of character, but I think I’ll just sit with it and let it soak into the places that need it. Maybe there’s a time to impress others, but maybe today I’ll relax and just be a bit more like my little brother.

* I borrowed this line from the movie “Garden State.”

California rest in peace

Rest and play is good for the soul - San Francisco Bay Area vacation July 3-10, 2006.

Finally Comes the Poet

Acquainted with the Night

I have been one acquainted with the night. I have walked out in rain -- and back in rain. I have outwalked the furthest city light. I have looked down the saddest city lane. I have passed by the watchman on his beat And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain. I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet When far away an interrupted cry Came over houses from another street, But not to call me back or say good-bye; And further still at an unearthly height, A luminary clock against the sky Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right. I have been one acquainted with the night. Robert Frost

Hope

I read this today:

"And his name will be the hope of all the world." - Matthew 12:21

Lately, my lover is stress and my time is spent hanging out with fret and worry. What would my life be like if I really believed this about Jesus - that Jesus is the hope of all the world?

I need to try saying something: "Screw worry!" Today I'm jumping out of those ties that bind into the freedom that rests in Hope.

We'll see what happens tomorrow.