Musings...

I am a bit bummed out right now. Last night - while watching Grey's season premier, I got a phone call about the ladies retreat for my church. I had asked whether I could invite 2 friends of mine who have come to Canada as refugees and who are also fellow beleivers. One of them knows English quite well, and the other could use the first as a translator.

I am bummed because I was told that while the caller "didn't have a definite andswer" for me, she outlined all of the reasons thast it would not be a good idea. In this passive aggressive way, she had me say "Maybe I shouldn't invite them". She continued on to ask if I was really ok with that - I said that I'm dissapointed, but I understand the logic of the board, and then she wanted to know if I was still going to come, because the ladies do want to ge to know me.

The reasons given for not wanting people from outside the church are: this is meant to be a retreat where women of our church get together to get to know, refresh and build each other up; the ladies I wanted to invite aren't great at English and may not get as much out of it as a native speaker would; each of these women would need a financial subsidy in order to go and there are a couple of women from our own congregation who might not come because they can't afford it.

While all of these are very good, logical reasons, I am the type of person who sees outreach opportunities around every corner.I was told that the ladies want to get to know me on a personal level - but on a personal level I am one to reach out to others. I want to give others the ability to have the same opportunities that I have.

Writing this hasn't lifted me from being bummed out, but I am reminded of one very important thing. Whenever I don't get my own way, often God has an even better plan for me. Even though I would love to throw a tantrum and kick and shout, I know that for all of the reasons and others which I may not even know of, my way isn't the way things should go here.

I guess I'll have to wait and see what God has in store for this retreat!

Not what I expected

My family and went to the movie WALL - E last night. It was very cute and I firmly believe that technogeek animators have waaaaaaaaaaaaay too much time on their hands.

Having said that, I must say that t was not what I expected. I really don't know what I expected, but that wasn't it. I expected a social commentary on consumerism and waste, but not about how lazy we've gotten as North American consumers.

What many people would call being pampered, is shown to its extreme after 700 years as a way of life. Our culture which is becoming dependant on computers for interpersonal interaction is also laid bare.

Many children's videos are stark commentaries on postmodern consumerism, but none so graphically yet sensitively as this. There is way too much to think about in this show to say it all here and now, but as I reflect on it, I may end up posting more at a later date.

Stress???

There's no stress in my family - I have it all. I'm sitting here at about 11:30 p.m. and can't sleep because of what I (not so) affectionately call my stress cough. When I 'm really stressed I cough.

This evening a friend of mine who recently broke both his wrists while painting a house called me. It seems that while his elderly mother was having a bath, she couldn't get out of the tub and needed help. He didn't know what to do- he has 2 broken wrists. Not to mention that his mother has had a stroke and likely out weighs me by about 50 ponds or so.

After he called, I went and collected my good friend and namesake and went to his place to extract this poor woman from this humiliating state. It took us a good 15-20 minutes, but she finally got out.

Ok now, why would this be stressful??? Well, let me tell you. This unfortunate woman's plight is how I can easily picture myself in about 30 years or so. Hugely over weight, had a stroke and have to live at the mercy of others and is possibly unable to care for myself. This does not paint a pretty picture.

I realized tonight just how badly I have let myself get. I don't exercise enough (ironically doing a unit on staying healthy with my class) I don't resist temptation enough when it comes to sweets, and I have multiple other bad habits - none of which are illegal or immoral, just bad for me.

I believe that it may have taken the humiliating view of this unfortunate circumstance to force me to face up to what I have so far been in very deep denial about. I need to get in shape. I need to get healthy and stay that way. I need to do this not only for myself and my own health, but also for my children so that I am not such a burden to them later in my life.

By the way - don't ever tell my Mom I wrote this! She'll make me do something about it...

renos... Whoda thunk?!?

Our weekend bathroom reno has now turned into the weekend and then some reno. I totally underestimated how long it would take to do this monstrosity of a job!

I forgot about all of the plumbing involved in changing from dual handle to single handle shower/tub. I didn't realize how tough it is to set and hang cement board. Don't even mention the 'cement filler'! I cxan't imagine what it'll take to sand that down to aq paintable level...

This is one of those days that I am exeptionally glad that I teach foundational ESL. Today's lesson needed next to no prep. I had everything pretty much done last Friday and since we repeat SO much, I just had to keep doing the same stuff.

Well, my brain is fried. I need a nap in a big way!