Best friends...
Nature all around us...
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
In which I worry unendingly about nothing.
It's been a summer of parades and parties and learning to ride a bicycle. Oh, and packing of course. Always the packing. The packing and sorting has overwhelmed me. It's made me an anxious wreck - I worry constantly. I'm torn between the desire to rid myself and my family of the unwanted dross that collects on multiple moves as seaweed collects on a boat, and a strange nostalgic yearning to Keep Everything Always.
It's the worry I blame for the lack of sleep, and the daily migraines, and the general hopelessness I feel as I look around the house and think "Now what? What do I pack next? Do we take this thing, this thing that I like a lot? What about THIS thing that I like a lot? Do I take the nice shoes that don't fit the children but might fit a future child? Does the fact that they are too expensive to replace influence my decision?"
I hate having to quantify my love; rate it on a scale of 1-10 and decide if I love something enough to bring it. I'm frustrated by the lack of people coming to help me. I told a friend last night that I wanted people to care about us enough to be okay with being inconvenienced a bit. Yes, of course it's hard to find time to help a friend move, of course it is, but if it's your friend who's moving then, well, you do it anyway. Even if it means dinner is pushed back an hour or you miss out on the Saturday sleep in or what have you. I want this to be someone's priority. "Sorry, I can't go to the park with you today, I'm helping my friend pack."
It's probably directly caused by my worry - but I am Blowing Things Out Of Proportion around here left right and centre, as my mother would say. Are the dishes not done? The Entire Kitchen Is Disgusting. Is the computer being slow? We Must Have A Virus. Did David say he had trouble practicing parallel parking today? He's Going To Fail His Driver's Test. At times like these I find a few things invaluable, and if you have a personality that swings across the pendulum whilst under stress, then you might want to write them all over your body in permanent marker, as I intend to do later.
When handling worry, it helps to have a project, but it helps more to help another person. Yes, scrubbing my bathroom with bleach and a toothbrush is going to give me something to focus on, but at the end of the scrubbing, all I can hope for is to have calmed down enough to 're-boot' my brain and go to sleep, excusing myself from the endless cycle of worry. On the other hand, if in the midst of my anxiety I focus on someone else, God seems to grant me a special grace. And so I've seen myself taking on, or offering to take on, projects that most people would think were crazy to do at this point. And they're helping, they're helping a lot.
A theologian will need to tell me why this is, all I know is that it's true, and it works, and I'm doing it. And I'm diligently trying not to call my husband at work in a panic. Trying.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Cynthia Sends Me A Cross
Another post on the list of posts in the back of my head.
My friend Cynthia has been talking for ages, literally years, about a gift she had to send to me. Since my parents were planning a quick stop over at our house on route to Nova Scotia we took advantage of the opportunity to have them act as couriers - and Cynthia's gift finally touched down in its new home.
Imagine my surprise...
The most beautiful stained glass cross to hang in our new home! Cynthia makes stained glass as a hobby (which completely amazes me because I never think of a hobby as something so well done you could sell it) and we have an ornament for our tree that she made for us years ago as well, but this! is! amazing!
In with her gift were books for the children as well, which was wonderful because the children love to read and love to tear open paper vigorously - wrapped books are the best gift around here.
For Samuel:
And for Clara:
Both have been read dozens of times already - I think we have winners here.
My friend Cynthia has been talking for ages, literally years, about a gift she had to send to me. Since my parents were planning a quick stop over at our house on route to Nova Scotia we took advantage of the opportunity to have them act as couriers - and Cynthia's gift finally touched down in its new home.
Imagine my surprise...
The most beautiful stained glass cross to hang in our new home! Cynthia makes stained glass as a hobby (which completely amazes me because I never think of a hobby as something so well done you could sell it) and we have an ornament for our tree that she made for us years ago as well, but this! is! amazing!
In with her gift were books for the children as well, which was wonderful because the children love to read and love to tear open paper vigorously - wrapped books are the best gift around here.
For Samuel:
And for Clara:
Both have been read dozens of times already - I think we have winners here.
Beulah Camp
I have so much to share in this space! Ugh, I'm annoying myself these days with my endless thoughts of "oooo...must remember to blog about that" and then forgetting as quickly as it comes. I sit in front of the screen, after the littles are in bed (but never asleep, do they ever sleep??) and my mind just draws a blank. I cannot think of one solitary thing I intended to say.
Well, let's start with something, anyway, shall we? Yesterday the children and I packed up our bits and pieces, drove an hour and arrived at Beulah campground where we spent the day.
It was oh so hot, but the Exalt choir was lovely, and we saw friends and enjoyed ourselves. I'm not sure if I've really written much about our summer and how we're trying to be intentional about getting the children outside as much as possible - but, well, we are. Rain or shine, heat or not. A lot of days this translates into something like this afternoon, where I turned on the sprinkler in the backyard, but more and more I'm venturing outside of the yard and into the world.
The more I experience the early years of childhood, the more I'm convinced that exercise and fresh air are not luxuries in the life of a little being, they really are necessities. On the days when, for whatever reason, we can't get out, behavior plummets, appetites are wonky, fights ensue and really the whole day goes to heck in a handbasket.
Well, let's start with something, anyway, shall we? Yesterday the children and I packed up our bits and pieces, drove an hour and arrived at Beulah campground where we spent the day.
It was oh so hot, but the Exalt choir was lovely, and we saw friends and enjoyed ourselves. I'm not sure if I've really written much about our summer and how we're trying to be intentional about getting the children outside as much as possible - but, well, we are. Rain or shine, heat or not. A lot of days this translates into something like this afternoon, where I turned on the sprinkler in the backyard, but more and more I'm venturing outside of the yard and into the world.
The more I experience the early years of childhood, the more I'm convinced that exercise and fresh air are not luxuries in the life of a little being, they really are necessities. On the days when, for whatever reason, we can't get out, behavior plummets, appetites are wonky, fights ensue and really the whole day goes to heck in a handbasket.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
So How's That Packing Coming Along...
It's a sad state of affairs when the only time you really get to chat to your husband about such important, life-changing events as, oh, moving your entire family across the country, is while waiting to see a doctor.
This means that there is a tonne of stuff to be done in the next few weeks, including but not limited to...
*David practicing for, taking and passing his final driver's training.
*Deciding on a method of moving, U.haul-type or moving company.
*Making decisions regarding large pieces of furniture and their new homes.
*Talking to the church about several issues, including what paint colours we want in the parsonage.
*David finishing all of his follow-up work for the two courses he took.
*Transferring our district license.
And of course, packing. I know it seems early, what with there being 6 weeks until we go, give or take, but even so... I have moved us a total of five times in ten years and if previous experience is any indication of how this move will go, the time line will be something like:
6 weeks - lots of time
5 weeks - lots of time
4 weeks - lots of time
3 weeks - I should pack something
2 weeks - I SHOULD PACK MANY THINGS
1 weeks - Oh Lord
Moving Day - Ahhhhhhhhhh!
And ain't nobody got time for that.
I'm sort of starting in the basement, and my technique is fairly simple at this stage - I call it Purge And Sort. Purge everything, throwing out or donating when/if necessary/possible (no one wants sheets from the 70s, just saying) and then whatever is left gets sorted into piles. I'm being pretty neurotic about my piles. Our books are getting categorized by whether David will have them in his office or they'll be in the house, and even by genre - science, fiction, stuff I like to keep in the bathroom...no? Alright then.
If it's going to David's office, then it gets packed in a cardboard box and labelled. The idea is that those books are going to be unpacked directly onto shelves and then the boxes can be tossed away. If the box contents are destined for the house, I'm trying to pack them in big plastic totes. Partially because they are dry and clean and safe for stuff, but also because I have no practical idea of what the house will be like, and I may very well not be UNpacking stuff for a while if there isn't space.
It's going well, if slowly. I don't want to bring even one superfluous item with us, so I'm being pretty rigorous about what 'makes the cut'. We're not taking our dining room set, or a dresser, or any half finished projects. I'm going to find new homes for books and such, for clothing that will fit the children if they shrink back to newborn size or suddenly develop gigantism and for the obscene number of towels we own. Seriously. Obscene. Who NEEDS this many towels??
Whew. I need a list. That will make me feel better.
This means that there is a tonne of stuff to be done in the next few weeks, including but not limited to...
*David practicing for, taking and passing his final driver's training.
*Deciding on a method of moving, U.haul-type or moving company.
*Making decisions regarding large pieces of furniture and their new homes.
*Talking to the church about several issues, including what paint colours we want in the parsonage.
*David finishing all of his follow-up work for the two courses he took.
*Transferring our district license.
And of course, packing. I know it seems early, what with there being 6 weeks until we go, give or take, but even so... I have moved us a total of five times in ten years and if previous experience is any indication of how this move will go, the time line will be something like:
6 weeks - lots of time
5 weeks - lots of time
4 weeks - lots of time
3 weeks - I should pack something
2 weeks - I SHOULD PACK MANY THINGS
1 weeks - Oh Lord
Moving Day - Ahhhhhhhhhh!
And ain't nobody got time for that.
I'm sort of starting in the basement, and my technique is fairly simple at this stage - I call it Purge And Sort. Purge everything, throwing out or donating when/if necessary/possible (no one wants sheets from the 70s, just saying) and then whatever is left gets sorted into piles. I'm being pretty neurotic about my piles. Our books are getting categorized by whether David will have them in his office or they'll be in the house, and even by genre - science, fiction, stuff I like to keep in the bathroom...no? Alright then.
If it's going to David's office, then it gets packed in a cardboard box and labelled. The idea is that those books are going to be unpacked directly onto shelves and then the boxes can be tossed away. If the box contents are destined for the house, I'm trying to pack them in big plastic totes. Partially because they are dry and clean and safe for stuff, but also because I have no practical idea of what the house will be like, and I may very well not be UNpacking stuff for a while if there isn't space.
It's going well, if slowly. I don't want to bring even one superfluous item with us, so I'm being pretty rigorous about what 'makes the cut'. We're not taking our dining room set, or a dresser, or any half finished projects. I'm going to find new homes for books and such, for clothing that will fit the children if they shrink back to newborn size or suddenly develop gigantism and for the obscene number of towels we own. Seriously. Obscene. Who NEEDS this many towels??
Whew. I need a list. That will make me feel better.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
So What Was David Doing, Anyway?
David is home now, hallelujah! And I thought I'd talk a bit about what he was actually doing away from us for so looooooong.
David's current ministry license (essentially, his piece of paper that certifies that he is a minister in our denomination) is a student license, and therefore has some requirements that come along with it in order to remain current. One of those requirements is that he take two courses per year in continuing education offered through the church. Now, he could fulfill that any number of ways, but this year we chose to invest in him attending intensive in-class courses instead of distance education. Each of the courses was two and a half days long, and involved a lot of reading and paper writing before the in class time. This year, those courses were offered a few provinces (and a 12 hour drive) away! We were really eager for him to have the opportunity, though, especially since he's had to manage his courses through distance education for the past couple of years.
Here's what he took:
Pastoral Ministry - see description
Doctrine of Holiness - see description
Of course, he didn't take these courses at Kingswood, but that's the course stuff.
David's current ministry license (essentially, his piece of paper that certifies that he is a minister in our denomination) is a student license, and therefore has some requirements that come along with it in order to remain current. One of those requirements is that he take two courses per year in continuing education offered through the church. Now, he could fulfill that any number of ways, but this year we chose to invest in him attending intensive in-class courses instead of distance education. Each of the courses was two and a half days long, and involved a lot of reading and paper writing before the in class time. This year, those courses were offered a few provinces (and a 12 hour drive) away! We were really eager for him to have the opportunity, though, especially since he's had to manage his courses through distance education for the past couple of years.
Here's what he took:
Pastoral Ministry - see description
Doctrine of Holiness - see description
Of course, he didn't take these courses at Kingswood, but that's the course stuff.
Answers To Questions You Haven't Asked.
I can finally make an announcement that I've been sitting on for a long time now. David has been hired at a church! It's crazy unreal over here. I wish I could personally email or facebook everyone with answers to all of the questions you'll have, but as you can imagine we're a little bit busy with the whole freaking out thing, so here's what I know so far - and if I've missed some crucial piece of information feel free to ask about it in the comments.
Where Is It?
The church is in a very small town (about 566 residents). The surrounding township only has a population of 625, and that includes several small towns. The next nearest town with a larger population has 1279 residents. Approximately an hour away is a city that would likely be our destination for most things.
The nearest Wesleyan church is about an hour away, but is in the US. The nearest Canadian church is about four hours away. So, it's very removed from things.
Where Will We Live?
The position comes with a parsonage, which is a house that we'll live in for the duration of our time there. It's also small, I've been told. Three bedrooms, no dining room and no basement.
What Will David Do?
Well, David currently works shift work, so he'll be 'home' a lot more. I put that in quotation marks only because a pastor is always on call and David likely won't be IN the house very much at all, but he'll be much more accessible. We've agreed that his office will be out of the house, either in the church itself (less likely) or else in another building that the church owns (more likely).
His days will be taken up with preparing for Sunday's sermon (research, writing, practice), actually preaching, meetings (marriage prep, baptism prep, etc.) board meetings, probably preparing the bulletin, possibly dealing with music stuff, visitation, bible study, travel for a variety of things, retirement home services.
What Will Amy Do?
Likely not anything much different than I do now. Hopefully we can find community there and fit in.
Pictures?
Not yet! I wish I could share some photos but unfortunately the only ones I've found online identify the town, which isn't something I'm comfortable sharing in this space. Once we arrive I'll be sure to take some photos on our walks that I can post. Picture a very tiny northern Canadian town and you probably know what it looks like! Having trouble? Well, a highway, with lots of little houses, and trees, and rocks.
What Will Change?
We'll be using our car, for one thing. Where we live now we really don't need it, but in such a remote area we will. David and I have also discussed getting a cell phone. I don't want one, but it probably makes sense to have one.
I hope you've been patient with my lack of posts recently, and will continue to be patient with what is likely going to be a LOT of one sided conversation about the move. :-)
Where Is It?
The church is in a very small town (about 566 residents). The surrounding township only has a population of 625, and that includes several small towns. The next nearest town with a larger population has 1279 residents. Approximately an hour away is a city that would likely be our destination for most things.
The nearest Wesleyan church is about an hour away, but is in the US. The nearest Canadian church is about four hours away. So, it's very removed from things.
Where Will We Live?
The position comes with a parsonage, which is a house that we'll live in for the duration of our time there. It's also small, I've been told. Three bedrooms, no dining room and no basement.
What Will David Do?
Well, David currently works shift work, so he'll be 'home' a lot more. I put that in quotation marks only because a pastor is always on call and David likely won't be IN the house very much at all, but he'll be much more accessible. We've agreed that his office will be out of the house, either in the church itself (less likely) or else in another building that the church owns (more likely).
His days will be taken up with preparing for Sunday's sermon (research, writing, practice), actually preaching, meetings (marriage prep, baptism prep, etc.) board meetings, probably preparing the bulletin, possibly dealing with music stuff, visitation, bible study, travel for a variety of things, retirement home services.
What Will Amy Do?
Likely not anything much different than I do now. Hopefully we can find community there and fit in.
Pictures?
Not yet! I wish I could share some photos but unfortunately the only ones I've found online identify the town, which isn't something I'm comfortable sharing in this space. Once we arrive I'll be sure to take some photos on our walks that I can post. Picture a very tiny northern Canadian town and you probably know what it looks like! Having trouble? Well, a highway, with lots of little houses, and trees, and rocks.
What Will Change?
We'll be using our car, for one thing. Where we live now we really don't need it, but in such a remote area we will. David and I have also discussed getting a cell phone. I don't want one, but it probably makes sense to have one.
I hope you've been patient with my lack of posts recently, and will continue to be patient with what is likely going to be a LOT of one sided conversation about the move. :-)
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