This.Is.Life

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

2011-10-23T21:20:00.000-04:00

Have you ever seen a painting that made you stop and stare. And wonder how the artist could paint something so incredible. So beautiful. I am amazed at the talent of some when I see something like this painting by Paula Nizamas.

[Source]

Some just have a way of capturing the beauty of something whether abstract or realistic. I'm always impressed.

- T.

My Feet Hurt...

2011-10-22T22:10:00.000-04:00

Sorry I have not written for a while. To be honest, I have been to tired to even type lately. Standing and working for many hours everyday is exhausting.

An update,

I went to Nuit Blanche.

It was interesting. There was some interesting art. Some strange art. Some I didn't know that could be art art. It was yes. Interesting.

Here's some snap shots from the night.

I Liked This One [Candice & Brad].

Best Friends.

Window Art.

Record Art.

Book Art.

Jacket Doppelgänger.

My favourite Art. Helicopter Art.

Art work can be confusing. I may not always understand the artist. But I must say they are getting paid [a little or a lot] to do something they love. That is more than I can say for myself right now. One day though.

"A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do" - Bob Dylan.

- T.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-10-10T17:55:00.000-04:00

Happy Thanksgiving.

I have so much to be thankful for. This weekend has been amazing. It was filled with great weather, great people, and great food.

I was reminded of all that Christ has done for me. His love. His grace.

- T.

4:18AM

2011-10-05T11:19:00.000-04:00

At precisely 4:18am I have been waking up each day. A few days it varied, but the general time 4:18. Last night I decided to research 4:18am to see what exactly is happening at this time. Since my body seems to really want to be awake for it.

So I typed in Google: 4:18am And hit enter.

The first thing that came up was Philippians 4:18.

However. It seems Lawton Howell had the [most interesting] answer for me in his article titled, It's 4:18 am, Don't You Dare Turn Over and Go Back to Sleep!*

Apparently this is the time to talk to your 'higher power'. To get out all those brilliant thoughts you will forget by the time morning comes around. And that 'Moleskine Journals' are the way to go.

I guess my recycled paper notebook from the dollar store will not do for my most brilliant thoughts. And that my time is 4:18am. The time when I have my great~~est~~ ideas.

I. Love. Joshua. Radin.

- T.

*Article Link

A Day At The Spa

2011-10-04T21:42:00.005-04:00

I have now worked 6 shifts at Elmwood Spa [My current place of employment].

My feet hurt. My back hurts. I'm exhausted. But I like my job. I LOVE to work.

White Ninja

I need new shoes. There is no getting around it. My shoes are not all black. They do not help my back or feet in anyway. And my boss told me this was necessary.

Check them out. My feet scream from excitement and anticipation.

Shoes For Crews

Also The Jewells came for a visit on the weekend. And this is a photo I snapped of baby. The cutest little girl I know. :)

- T.

180 Movie

2011-09-27T22:19:00.000-04:00

This is one of the most INTENSE videos I have seen in a long time. Watch it. Till the end. It's worth it.

180.

- T.

A Heavy Heart...

2011-09-26T19:21:00.000-04:00

After 2 months of trying to finish Blue Like Jazz, I have. Today I realized why it was a best seller. It took me a long time to finish but in the final pages of the book. I saw the authors heart.

I went out to find a place to read today. I did not want to be stuck in my apartment. I ventured down town, and found a small park. It was quaint and quiet. It had a waterfall [man-made] with bubbles. I sat peacefully, drinking coffee. It seemed like the perfect place to read about Love. Not love as in romance but about others. Truly loving others. I was on Chapter 18, Love: How to Really Love Other People.

It was while sitting in this park I realized. I had not been doing a very good job of this lately and I needed some perspective. Today I had seen people give their seats up on the bus, people on the streets canvassing for those without a voice, and a man stop to give another man change on the street. I ~~was~~ am humbled.

I felt at peace in that park, sitting there reading. I. Felt. God. I felt Him remind me He was [always] there. In every moment. It had been a while since I had FELT God. Today I did.

As I got on the subway I finished the final chapters of the book. Chapter 19 is about Loving Yourself. Knowing that God loves us and that is enough. I have not done a very good job of this lately either. I have been selfish. Comparing myself. Cutting myself down. And not allowing God to love me or others. I hate compliments, I find them very awkward. Mostly because at times [not always] I do not believe them. I needed the reminder that Christ died for me and rose again. That I am loved.

Donald Miller describes when he saw what he was doing to himself.

"Love you neighbour as yourself... He was saying I would never talk to my neighbour the way I talked to myself, and somehow I had come to believe it was wrong to kick other people around but it was okay to do it to myself... I stopped hating myself. It no longer felt right" - Miller (Pg. 231, Blue Like Jazz).

"I think apart from the idea that I am a sinner and God forgives me, this is the greatest lesson I have ever learned. When you get it, it changes you" - Miller (Pg. 232, Blue Like Jazz).

The final chapter of this book was about Jesus.

"There is a lie floating around that says I am supposed to be able to do life alone, without any help, without stopping to worship something bigger than myself. But there actually believe there is something bigger than me, and I need for there to be something bigger than me" - Donald Miller (Pg. 232, Blue Like Jazz).

"All great characters in stories are the ones who give their lives to something bigger than themselfs. And in all of the stories I don't find anyone more noble than Jesus... He didn't just love me because it was the right thing to do" - Miller (Pg. 238, Blue Like Jazz).

Miller talks about all the things he believes Jesus would say to him if he were to meet Him. He would listen, He would rebuke, He would love, and remind him all the ways God had protected him along the way.

Miller compares the Christian faith to Jazz music. A freedom that is hard to put on paper. "But is no less real, no less meaningful, no less beautiful" - Miller (Pg. 239, Blue Like Jazz). I like the way he describes this. I spent the summer learning to Swing Dance. I learned that the type of Jazz music danced to is different. It has a certain beat. Something that must be felt. Today I felt God. Not for the first time. Not for the last time. But it was no less real today. No less real than the time before or the time after.

"The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears attentive to their cry... The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all" (Psalm 34:15; 17-19).

Lastly I want to bring to your attention one of my best friends. Wendy. I talked about Wendy in the blog I wrote yesterday. It was that evening that she called me. I missed her call. It was to tell me that her mother had passed away that evening. So I ask that you lift Wendy and her family up in prayer. I ask that you continue to seek ways of supporting her financially. But that more importantly you would remember her in an incredibly difficult time. Three weeks into an 11 months trip. My heart is broken for Wendy. An incredible women of God, a listener, and an incredible friend.

With a Heavy Heart,

-T.

PS. My apologies on the length.

Give one thing up...

2011-09-25T16:37:00.002-04:00

Each day we spend money on little things like coffee, tea, eating out etc. What if for one month we gave up one thing. We put the money in a jar. Write down the amount. Do something to remind us how much we would have spent. And at the end of the month give that money away.

I have been contemplating where the money should go. There are so many in need. But I believe the one that is closest to my heart at this time is Wendy Baer.

Wendy is apart of something called The World Race. This a project through Adventures in Mission where teams travel to 11 countries in 11 months to serve those in need. Wendy is not fully funded yet. This means that although she is able to start the trip she may not be able to stay the whole time. She has $7, 646 left to raise. $3,347 of that must be in by December 1st.

If you want to know more about Wendy visit her blog. Subscribe to her updates. Here how God is changing lives. I will be starting this on October 1st and would love to see by the end of October how much money together we can raise. If you would like to join me. Send me a message, or donate here. See how giving up something small can help something big.

- T.

3 years ago where Wendy and my friendship began

3 Week In...

2011-09-22T22:23:00.003-04:00

I have now been living in Toronto for 3 weeks. Wow. It feels like longer. And yet also like it has flown by. It's funny how that happens.

Three weeks in... and I am employed. I accepted a full time position at Elmwood Spa yesterday.* I stumbled upon a job fair on craigslist for Elmwood held at the Holiday Inn on September 19th.

To be honest when I first got there,

I thought: 'There is no way I am going to get a job here. This will probably be a waste of my time'.

As I was interviewed at first I was unsure of how it would go I was nervous. Stumbling on my words. Coming up with answers that I was sure made no sense. But the woman liked me. And so I was sent to interview number two.

I felt this interview went the same way. But the man assured me they would check my references and get back to me.

I asked reluctently: "How long?"
He Replied: "As soon as your references reply"

Well folks I don't know who they chose to call. But I am VERY thankful. They replied quickly. And apparently spoke well of me. Because I was offered the position yesterday [two days after the job fair]. And yes I screamed [when I hung up the phone of course]. And felt an instant relief.

God. Is. Good.

So 3 weeks in. I am EMPLOYED.

Off Topic YouTube.

Yes. These people are serious. Yes. People [in the UK] really like them. Yes. The blonde [Tulisa] is a judge on the X-Factor UK.

To quote N-Dubz*: "How could I leave without a number in my hand, I went to go on Facebook, will I get a face back. Trying to find you is like a needle in a haystack".

Yes. I laughed VERY hard when I heard this.

- T.

*After I got this call I also received two calls about job interviews. Yes it ~~felt~~ feels good to be wanted.
*For more N-dubz click this.

Some photos from this past weekend.

Waiting for the Ferry to go to Toronto Island.

At Toronto Island.

Ferry on the way back.

Let It Be Said Of Us...

2011-09-16T12:01:00.001-04:00

I clicked on the TV this morning to come across this story on The View.

Forgiving Her Son's Killer: 'Not An Easy Thing'

It is incredible hearing this story. Mary Johnson a woman who say's that through prayer and God she was able to forgive and embrace Oshea Israel her son's killer. A great reminder this morning.

- T.

Happy Birthday Brad G.

2011-09-14T13:34:00.004-04:00

This past Saturday my friend Brad and I decided to go exploring this city of Toronto which we are both new too. It was quite a day.

We ate pizza [of course].

We stumbled upon a Jesus parade

We were so excited when Noah's Ark, and the characters from Sesame Street, and some other Disney Characters showed up.

We then visited Kensington Market and enjoyed a concert.

We saw the city, from Queen Street to Little Italy. All in all a great and adventurous day.

Happy Birthday Brad! I hope you enjoyed the day!

- T.

Employment...

2011-09-12T14:20:00.001-04:00

To be honest. Job hunting is NO fun. Although I'm sure you all know this. For those who are employed. Take a moment to be thankful for this. For those with me in unemployed bliss. I. Feel. Your. Pain. I would say one of the most discouraging things is Job Hunting.

The culture we live in tells us. We must work. Work is important. Working makes you who you are. Well I don't exactly agree with this. True. We must work. Work is important. I even love working. But work does not define me. However working gives me the resources to survive. Right now. Those resources are drying up.

I am beginning to stress [I'm not an easily stressed person]. But mostly I am discouraged. The emotions of having no replies to extreme amounts of resumes, to jobs that are not unrealistic is as I said discouraging. I love where I live. I love that I found an adorable church. I love that I am living with my best friend. But I am discouraged.

So say a prayer for me. Let me know if you want me to say a prayer for you. And if anything be encouraged by Matthew 7,

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks recieves; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened" (Matthew 7: 7-8, NIV).

- T.

Ontario's Capital...

2011-09-07T23:31:00.004-04:00

Breathe in, its summer. Breathe out, it's fall. Stand still, it's winter. Open your eyes, springtime. - Ann-Marie MacDonald.

I have now been living in Toronto for a week [although slightly interrupted by a wedding in Kitchener] and I must say, I LOVE IT. Candice and I have had a chance to put our apartment together for the most part, and we have
almost everything we need!

Here's an overview of my first week.

September 1, 2011- Moving Day - After a great deal of help from my Aunt Crystal and a friend of mine Julie-Anne I had all my stuff [minus my bed] moved into my apartment by 3pm. I spent the rest of the day and the next day unpacking and trying to somewhat organize my things [I have too much stuff]!

September 3, 2011 - Candice moved in. And thanks to Mrs. Sam Wellhauser, I now have an incredible bed! It is the biggest bed I've ever slept in [I have chosen to sleep in the middle]. This was a fun day as Candice's brother and cousin helped her move in.

Then I left for the Bellhauser wedding.

September 5, 2011- Joel Bells and I came back to Toronto and spent the day with Candice and Dan [I hadn't seen him for months].

September 6, 2011 - Joel and I went exploring my neighbourhood. We found a park. PERFECT for picnics. I'll have to wait for next summer for those though.

September 7, 2011 - That leaves me with today. I spent most of the day finding ink, paper, and printing resumes. And most of the evening applying for jobs.

Life is great!

Exploring the downtown/waterfront.

- T.

The Bellhausers...

2011-09-06T22:44:00.003-04:00

The day finally came. The wedding of the year. Move over Will and Kate, Samantha Wellhauser and Nathan Bells got married!

The day was perfect [well in my opinion at least]. The rain held off for the entire ceremony. It wasn't too hot, or too cold. The food was fantastic. The dance was AMAZING [special thanks to Joel Bells for the dances]! I must say I have never met a more hospitable bride. She made sure everyone was happy, gave each person time with her, danced with everyone, and accommodated for the needs of all. Sam was the opposite of a Bridezilla

That's Scary...

She's Beautiful!

Congratz Sam and Nathan!

- T.

Wedding Bliss...

2011-08-24T14:41:00.002-04:00

Its that time of well life. It seems each year [for the past number of years] I have a handful weddings to go too. But I LOVE weddings. It is such an honour to be invited to a wedding. This past Sunday I had the pleasure of attending the wedding of David and Rebecca Gillies wedding. It was truly a blessed day.
There favours for the wedding included a candy bar, and the option of having yourself turned into a cartoon [such a unique idea]!

Wendy and I

Congratulations!

The centre pieces at this wedding were a little fish in a bowl. I now am the proud parent of "Bait" [name thanks to Joel Bells], this little fishy will not have to worry about being anyone's bait!

Wedding Bliss continued with a trip to the Niagara area...

This is a place of so many memories for me. And this trip was a great time of reminiscing and enjoying time with my amazing friend Miranda. Miranda will be married to my brother [not biological] Andrew this January. I have watched their relationship develop from friendship to dating, to engagement and soon marriage. And I have the incredible honour of standing by Miranda and Andrew as a bridesmaid.

We had a great time finishing making invitations, starting the favours and touring Niagara Falls [if you've never been you should! I've been there a million times and I still love it].

Here's some snap shots of the day! [For more photos from the day/summer]

Invitations

Fort Erie

Rainforest Cafe

Falls :)

Secret Garden

I'm Hardcore

Very Hardcore!

"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them" - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I LOVE my friends.

- T.

Sci-Fi much...

2011-08-17T18:18:00.001-04:00

So I have been introduced to a couple new shows this summer; Firefly and Dr. Who. I know what your thinking those are not new shows! Where have you been for the past 60 years (if we're talking about Dr. Who of course) but its true I had never watched either of these shows, did I mention my favourite movie is Joe Dirt, clearly I do not see too much Science Fiction.

Firefly was introduced to me by my dear friends Marilyn and Joel. Here is photograph of us, they've made a couple appearances in this blog and I'm sure they will be making a quite a few more.

I am currently on the final disk of this series which has one season, Marilyn and I plan to finish up the season tonight and then watch the movie [Serenity] in the near future. After all I am moving in two weeks.

Dr. Who was introduced to me by Turlough, just this afternoon. Here is a photo of us from the Spring Banquet in which Turlough was our Ceili caller!

We watched the episode "Blink" and the first, and last two episodes of the first season. It was a show that first appeared in 1963, the series I was introduced to was one that began in 2005, after almost 20 years without this series being on the air. I adore this show already!

Find a friend. Look up these shows. And enjoy the wonderful world of Science Fiction !

- T.

Quickly approaching...

2011-08-16T00:21:00.003-04:00

Well there are 16 days left in my time here in Kitchener. My move to Toronto is quickly approaching, and my summer is quickly fading.

This summer has been quite a fantastic one though, filled with new friends, lots of dancing, a little bit of work and some real healing. I am sad to leave my friends and home of the past three years, I am excited for the future and what that will hold. I am excited to see where God takes me on this new adventure.

This past weekend was Sam's Bachelorette here are a few shots from the day,

Beautiful Ladies

Bryson, another Beautiful Lady, and I

Bride and Man of Honour

Margaritas

Soon-to-be sisters :)

Sparkler time!

My favourite photo of the day!

Lastly if I get married one day... I want this guy to sing at my wedding ...

- T.

A Grand Sunday!

2011-07-31T17:39:00.001-04:00

An adventurous day today, as we started our day with Canadian Tire and 2 Walmarts in order to find tubes but finally we got them and we're on the road only a couple hours behind schedule.

Once we dropped off vehicle number one at the end of our path, we drove to St. Jacobs, got out our tubes and started to pump them up. I cheaped out (or was frugal) and went with the $10 tube but I fit the weight capacity so mine was a bit smaller than the others and didn't have oars, but still quite nice!

As we headed into the water we found that we were knee deep in sewage but once we passed that and got in our tubes we began to float, it was slow at point, rocky at others but all in all it was a grand day on the Grand River catching up with friends, and meeting a new one!

Dan, Caleb, Lisa and Trevor!

- T.

Had a drink of water today?

2011-07-29T15:52:00.002-04:00

The epidemic of hunger strikes the world each and every day in countries like Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya. With the United Nations recently declaring two regions of Somalia to be in a famine that will most likely spread to its entirety within the next few months, it is a reality that plagues more than a million people in Somalia and even greater than that over the world and reminds me of the great urgency we have in front of us.

It is a reminder of those all around the world without food and clean water to drink, the same reminder was brought to mind as we experienced one of the hottest days in years on Thursday July 21, 2011. Conditions such as this have a great effect on those who are homeless and living in poverty, those who have no shelter from the heat just as in the winter risk death and disease because of extreme weather such as this.

As we are reminded what many face in the world I hope that we can join together in pray lifting up those who are in need, and support those in whatever ways we are able.

Here are a couple websites that are dedicated to raising awareness and fighting world poverty.

One International

Salvation Army - Poverty

The World in Action

- T.

Beautiful...

2011-07-27T10:28:00.003-04:00

Just a short thought, Lately I have been thinking about the vainness of humanity (myself included) and how we judge based on how we look, what we have done and the things we have. We want to be accepted and loved but all too often we are willing to pay a price for this. Proverbs 31:30 gives a sharp reminder of different kind of woman "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised". As women we are more than our beauty, charm, and the many things we do. We are daughters of the King, children of God. Although we are all beautiful, we are so much more. When we look in the mirror some days we do not see this, we see the extra weight we put on over the winter, or acne we wish wasn't there. As we seek the Kingdom of God it is then we find truth and joy that cannot come from anything this earth has to offer. It is there we can see our beauty, I am not there yet. Some days I still look in the mirror and see a distorted image of myself. The one that is harsher than anyone else could ever be. But as I continue to walk this life I begin to see less of myself and more of Christ. Less of the person I thought I was and more of the person God has chosen me to be.

So this is just a small reminder that "There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion" - Sir Francis Bacon, a pioneer of the scientific revolution.

- T.

Another shot from painting this past weekend...

2011-07-26T10:05:00.003-04:00

A poem sent to me by my friend Tiffany, written by Marianne Williamson.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear
is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness,
that most frightens us.
We say, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?
Actually who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people
won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine as children do.
We were born to make manifest
the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

Sorry I have not written in a while I have many blogs floating in my head but little time to sit and write.

I will get back in the habit !

- T.

Painting this past weekend, was a grand time!

The weekend before was swing dancing at the Jazz Fest and Wendy speaking at my Church in Dresden... still waiting on photos from that! :)

Love me by JJ Heller

2011-07-02T00:24:00.001-04:00

Everyone should hear this song, its beautiful... Love Me by JJ Heller

I'm sure we've all felt this way.

- T.

Happy 144 Birthday Canada!

2011-07-01T23:44:00.000-04:00

Well today is the day in which we celebrate our beautiful country! A country that has four seasons, opportunities for many different people, and one in which we are free to worship Christ. It is today I am thankful that as a women, I am considered a person, that although our country is not perfect, I am free to work and to many am considered an equal to men. It is in this country that we have mountains, valleys, forests, and fresh water. It is here that we experience the beauty of the city and the country. It is here that I was raised, and am thankful for. Today is the day we stop complaining [for even just one day] about all that is wrong with our country and our world celebrate this place that we call home.

A photo of some of us from early today!

- T.

Deciphering Me...

2011-06-24T15:31:00.002-04:00

I have been listening to this song a lot lately, I'm not quite sure why. Well okay I know why. It is an old but great song by Brooke Fraser.

And all that jazz...

2011-06-23T01:57:00.003-04:00

"The problem is not out there; the problem is the needy beast of a thing that lives in my chest” (Blue like Jazz, Donald Miller, p. 20).

As I begin to read Blue Like Jazz I am painfully reminded that if I want to fight for social justice and if I want to see a change in the world that it must start with me. Often times we neglect the person staring at us as we look in the mirror and point the finger at others. We speak words that we hope will fight the injustice of others but we are not practical in our giving of money or time unless of course doing this will show others that we are socially concerned. I do believe that one voice can make a difference in this world but only when that one voice stops thinking about themselves and how they look or what will make them feel better and focus’ on others.

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get waht you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, becuase you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures" - James 4: 1-3.

The problem and the solution can be me, it is I that choose to follow God, His path and for the glory of His kingdom. And it is only through Him that I can focus on others and not myself, and instead of thinking about myself a large percent of the time, think about others, and help others. But before I can begin to help others, I must first look in the mirror and see what is wrong with me. Change is contagious once I begin to change the dirt inside myself it is like a spark quickly lighting a field on fire, one corn stalk at a time.

“Nothing is going to change in the Congo until you and I figure out what is wrong with the person in the mirror” (Blue like Jazz, Donald Miller, p. 23).

- T.

Guatemala 2008

If I want to see change here...

...With Me.

Then it has to start here...