Perspective

I was returning a flat bed trolley yesterday at work and I took a short cut through the BC Cancer Agency (BCCA) to the Diagnostic and Treatment Centre.  I take as many trips as I can through the BCCA, because it's OUTSIDE of my comfort zone.  Sometimes, I get nauseated and dizzy going through there.  Sometimes if I see someone that works there in the line up at Good Earth when I am grabbing coffee, I get sick.

So, as often as I can, I incorporate the BCCA into my work week.

As I am taking this underground short cut I came around a corner and see this:

Do you see it?  There is NOBODY there.  I was startled at the fact that it was POURING rain outside and there is no one there!

As I walked from one end of the hall to the other, I thought perspective.  It was the last lesson of Art class that I had in Surrey before I was adopted.  I was getting an A in Art, I was kicking butt, my teacher said I was talented.  Woot!  I moved to Victoria and I wanted to continue my Art classes but my Mom said that I needed life skills, sewing, cooking.  Sigh, the end of art for me.

I was thinking about this hallway as I signed in the borrowed trolley.  I was thinking about a co-worker.  It seems to me that God is trying to get her attention.  She has had a really tough 3 weeks.  She used to be a part of "the church" and a part of a worship band.

As I entered back into the BCCA I can't say I heard it, but it resonated in my heart:

John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Was this for me?  Was it for my coworker?  I don't know--but it brought me back to perspective.  Not the artwork kind but rather the perspective that Jesus gives.  2012 was horrendous, but I looked at it all from the perspective that Jesus had it all under control.  There was peace, there was assurance.

Now, in a week where life is not at all like 2012, although busy and stressful--my perspective remains the same.  God is good.  He has given me the perspective of looking at all things with hope, peace and assurance.

On my way back to Memorial Pavilion I caught a sight of this:

Pretty right?  Completely delicate, getting rained on--soaked right through.  Faces upturned to the creator.  It probably wasn't pleasant or comfortable, but the flowers know that they need the rain to grow.  How much more do we need trials for the same growth?

0-60 in....4.5 days.

This week was BTWW - also known at Bike to Work Week.

When I started working at Research I was asked to be part of the BTWW Team, the Research Riders.

On a complete side note I am typing this while Kent is mimicking all the accents on TV.  Finally I said, what's with all the accents and he bleated like a sheep.

There was a sheep on the TV....

He just did an Evil, deep voice and said, "Man of Steel."

Max and I laughed......Kent is hyper tonight....

For Mother's Day, I got a bike from Kent and the kids.  Her name is LaRombashaniqua.  My friend Leah at work named her.  She is glorious.

I had a great bike in Kelowna, I got her in 1996.  She was pretty impressive for the time.  I had a great baby seat on the back for Max, Melissa would ride with me.  It was a great time.

When we moved, we sold my bike.  We had no room in the truck, I wasn't using it like I should've been.  I was a little terrified after my friend Deb was hit while riding her bike and suffered a brain injury.

As well, in Kelowna it always seemed that I had to go uphill or downhill.  I didn't love that idea.

So, this week, I went from 0-60 km in 4.5 days.  I really enjoyed it--even in the Victoria drizzle, in traffic, rushing to work and having to get changed....it was really great.

Kent rode with me in the morning, Monday he rode home with me.  Tonight he met me at the Johnson Street Bridge and rode with me to the celebration station at the swing bridge.  We ate a burger and met friends....and tonight, I am reaping some of the benefit of my bike to work week.

Kent's love language is quality time.  He loves being active, he loves being outdoors.  By taking part in the BTWW--I fed a part of my husbands heart that sometimes, I have to admit, I ignore.

Either because time is an issue, or I just don't want to hike somewhere...sometimes there is just too much to do.

And now, we are off to DQ to spend some more quality time with Kent and our friends Barb and Bjarne.  This impromptu date may not have happened had I not been biking and we ran into them at the swing bridge.

Life is good on a bike.  I have to admit...I am going to like this biking to work.

Cancer: Suck Rope Pal.

A quote from Tori Hamre.  She was pretty famous for the "Suck Rope Pal" quote.

Last night I got word that my friend Vicki wasn't doing well.  That end of life measures were happening.  I was so saddened by this news, I had myself an ugly cry night.

I know that we all die, I know that there is an end, that is really just a glorious beginning.  Last night I had the lyrics of Shaun Groves running through my head.  He is an amazing lyricist and singer.  Here's the words and a link to listen:  Last Notes: Shaun Groves/Album Version

There is a part of me
That's only visiting
Torn from eternity
A stranger here
The awkward mingling of
The loveless and beloved
So far from things above
While I am here
So when the last notes of my soul's summer symphony
Go stealing through this old world's cold garden gates
I will hold no fear as You close my book of hours
And the hands of heaven carry me
Carry me home to stay
O Death where is your sting
Your tears and your tremblings
His peace is lingering 
Even now
O Grave the battle's fought (no graver battles fought)
Your vict'ry has been lost
To Christ who gave it all
To take me now 
There is a part of me
That's only visiting
Torn from eternity
A stranger here
The awkward mingling of
The loveless and beloved
So far from things above
While I am here

Bike to work week.

Yesterday was my first Victorian Bike to work week.

I was a little nervous of the traffic on Gorge Road, I did ok!

Today, I left Royal Jubilee Hospital, rain and clouds ahead.  In my little side view mirror, puffy white clouds and blue sky.  I felt like I was headed the wrong way.

As I turned onto Haultain, the rain increased to the point that I needed to put on my jacket, I was getting pretty soaked.

As I continued on my way, I started thinking about how far I've come.  A year ago, I couldn't walk a couple feet without being winded.  I didn't have the energy to go from the bed to the bathroom to the couch without feeling like I needed a nap.

I was keeping up with traffic, following the same green Toyota Echo along Gorge, until the hills....I was thankful that God had brought me through, that I learned what I needed to, that I was pliable, that I submitted to God and that He built in me the character I needed.

5 years ago, I would have never biked to RJH on my own.  So many changes.

As I faced the hills on Gorge, (same as the 'Cliffs of Serwa') I was thinking the wind was now at my back, the clouds had thinned, the sun was shining down on me.  I thought, I love my life.  I am so thankful for it.

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Beans. Rice. Jesus Christ.

HM has ended and life has taken over again.

I've attended probably close to if not more than 25 HMs, starting with CA Convention, YC and then the modern version HM.

All the speakers were amazing, but there was a moment this past long weekend where I realized, what was prayed in the pre-service prayer service was echo'd in the services.

It was a very cool place to be.

God was repeating Himself, until He was heard.

Kinda like Joshua 1.  How many times does He say, Be Bold and Courageous....?

One service, Matthew Barnett was talking about the rehab to ministry that they do and he said, "All they need is beans, rice and Jesus Christ."

In that moment, I believe God was speaking to me...  NYSUM is a Kim thing....NYSUM is a Kelowna thing.  Maybe this group--CPC needs their own thing.  Maybe they need a Dream Center.

So, being that I am not always so bold and courageous--I went to Rob Penny, CPC youth pastor and told him what I was thinking....or hearing.

He and Chelsea had heard the same thing.  The day before.

So, the journey begins.  A new HM class is underway, a new adventure awaits.

I will keep you posted, it could be as early as November 2013.