In His Presence

2009-09-14T20:22:00.001-07:00

So this post is meant to make you laugh. . .

So here in British Columbia, Sasha and I are beginning to feel at home - now only if my books were on bookshelves, wouldn't that be nice? We'll have to see if they find my HUGE bookshelf and quilt rack within the next couple days or I will be on my way to buy another bookshelf for the time being! Anyway, that's enough about bookshelves.

Well, I can;t help but to write about Sasha tonight. I am so thankful for my airedale. What a sweetie. Well, she is four months old now - I have had her for about 2.5 months and boy, hasn't it been fun! However, she tends to have a bit of an attitude anytime I talk to my mother on the phone - she'll start barking, nipping at my toes, the list goes on...I think she can sense that my mother doesn't like dogs already! Ha ha - poor Sasha and poor Mom in mid-October when I make my way to Newfoundland with BIG Sasha by then in tow. I think that will be an interesting experience. My house - completely puppy proof, my mother's house - not so much... good bye to all of your quilts mom! and your wool, and each magazine that lies underneath the counter, and that hat on that bag storage container - don't mean to disappoint you, but it will probably be in pieces by the time she's done.

Nah.... she's not really that bad, but she's an airedale and thus, a comedian meaning whatever she can get her mouth around expect to be teased with it and if you think you can stop her, believe me she knows how to push your buttons. And you'll know what she's trying to do because she just gives you those eyes.

Now, talk about eyes - the puppy dog look, she knows how to put that face on quite well. " But I don't want to go in my kennel?" and then you leave and you feel bad about putting her in a kennel for a couple of hours.

Now she's quite spoiled, I admit. My house looks like a kids house with all of the puppy toys that are all over the floor - well, it's not that bad. But she's also spoiled because almost everyday she gets two walks - one fast past and no exploring, and the other a walk just for her exploring needs. She loves walking by the river here... and every sandy patch that she can find - she plays and roles in it. She is just so cute.

Well, when I got Sasha - she was about 8 pounds maybe, well she's a solid 25 pounds now for sure. And carrying her around is getting funnier each day. We have a morning routine though...

Sasha is on the bed - "Sasha sit" She sits and then I put one paw on one shoulder, and the other paw on the other shoulder, she rest her head on my shoulder, and then she wraps her two hind legs around my waist... now that tells you how big she's getting. Anyway, she cuddles in until I find her leash and we go outdoors. I know, I could let her walk but I don't trust her peeing habits first thing in the morning yet. Maybe by next week I'll trust her.

Anyway, I am so glad that I have my puppy. I really cannot imagine what life here would be without her. She's a real joy and puppies definitely teach you a lot about yourself. Well, I must go - she's waiting for me at the top of the stairs... that's her new thing!

Blessings,
Rebecca

2009-07-27T20:29:00.000-07:00

Well, a lot has happened since the last time I wrote - 3 months ago... but let me assure you things have been very busy, and there has been many transitions and adjustments.

Firstly on April 24th I found out that I would be heading to Hazelton, BC for my first appointment as a Salvation Army officer.

Secondly, I clued up school and finished field commitments at Weetamah which was busy in itself but a little sad at the same time.

3) I flew to Toronto with 58 other CFOT sessionmates, staff, colleagues, etc.

4) On June 20, I was commissioned and ordained as a Salvation Army officer.

5) On June 24, I left Winnipeg.

6) On June 24, I got the puppy that I have wanted for the past twelve years. I guess God wanted to teach me the importance of patience. Anyway, she's an airedale terrier and her name is Sasha.

7) From June 24 - July 1 I made my way to my new appointment but stopped along the way to visit long lost friends... ha ha.

8) One June 28th, I did my first baby dedication!

9) On July 2nd, I moved into my new home.

10) On July 3rd I realized I now live in one of the most beautiful places in the world.... out my front window there is a beautiful snow-capped mountain.

Anyway, that's all for now! Just though I would update... and leave with you a picture of my puppy Sasha - who I believe is now going through the TERRIBLE TWOS - if there's such thing for a dog ha ha.

2009-04-24T05:19:00.000-07:00

0 Sleeps! but MAYBE a nap!

Well today, in two hours to be exact, I find out where I will be going for my first appointment. Now, what a weird sleep I had last night. First of all Danette and myself did not leave the Scott's until 1:30. Then, I came home and chatted to my friend on line until 2:30. Then, I tried to get to sleep - HA - what a joke! I got to sleep, slept 1.5 hours, and then woke up! At four something I thought about phoning my mother. I was awake until after 6:00, fell asleep until 7:00 on the dot, and it is now 7:23 so I decided to write. Maybe I'll sleep a few more minutes, if I can. I am so excited! and nervous! I have no idea why I'm nervous. Well actually I do!

I can see myself either crying when Major Sandra tells me where I am going. Not because I would not like where I am going but rather, it makes the calling confirmed once again and then I will be emotional, hence the crying. Or I am going to be that excited, I am going to RUN right into her arms or I'll start jumping!

Anyway, looking forward to hearing where everyone else is going! So exciting!

Rebecca

2009-04-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

Ok so about a month and half ago I posted a blog called 25 Random things about myself. Anyway, I was thinking today that I could probably write 25 things about me and food (ha ha). Well I don't know about 25 really but let's see how many I can get. Let's Entitle it - Food Weirdness... just for the fun of it and to amuse some others here I go.

1. When I eat pizza I scrape of all the toppings first - eat them and then eat the crust part. I once was eatting pizza with someone and did this. The person looked at me, "Rebecca, if you didn't like pizza, we didn't have to order it." THe person didn't know that I was actually going to eat it differently - ha ha.

2. I like to eat olives and dill pickles while I study. If they were not so expensive I would eat them more often.

3. When I eat a grapefruit, I like to peel the whole thing and then peel the bitter stuff from each individual piece. It is quite the experience and messy but GOOD!

4. Hamburgers - especially those from A&W with a fork and knife.

5. I have been to MacDonald's on numerous occasions, and have only had one hamburger there in my entire life... it's always McNuggets, never anything but.

6. I like to eat tomatoes like an apple.

7. I like to eat oranges like an apple, the peel and all.

8. I always save the best for last - especially in Jigg's dinner - the salt meat has to be ate last.

9. Pineapple taste really good in spaghetti - you should try it! (I've gotten a few weird looks when I do it).

10. When I eat a Sundae from McDonald's I eat around the toppings, and then eat the toppings last.

11. I microwave bread for breakfast, I never toast anything.

12. My tea is more like warm milk... not really, but my cousins would say so!

13. I think I freeze everything now from living in Labrador... it's really good for us single folk... cheese, yogurt - see anything, and everything.

Ok... I shall digress with my food weirdness - does anybody else have any food weirdnesses that you would like to share? I must be very tired to be taking time to do this but it was a good brain break before I start planning upcoming things today!

Blessings to each of you!

2009-04-08T20:23:00.000-07:00

Great is Thy Faithfulness!

A Note of Praise and Thanksgiving to GOD!

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;

his love endures forever." - Psalm 118: 1

Four days ago, my Dad started month number 4 of being back to work as a Long Haul truck driver. My response to that is one of thanksgiving and praise to God!

You see, in July of this year (2008), as my dad was driving through Louisiana when his foot began to hurt. Within eight hours the pain was unbearable so he pulled over at a truck stop. Hours later, my mom and dad decided to go to Emergency. Little did my dad know that the next eight weeks he would be in hospital.

That night they hospitalized my dad. He had a severe foot infection. Within two days he was needing emergency surgery, and then two days after that another surgery, but the infection did not cease to stop. My dad was getting sicker and sicker, and during the second surgery, my dad was very close to saying good bye to life.

A few days after this surgery, things started looking hopeful again so they medivacked him from Louisiana, USA to St. John's, Newfoundland where a bed was waiting for him. But shortly after the trip, my dad began getting very sick again. We were still hopeful that he would keep his leg but the infection was spreading and my dad was getting sicker so a doctor came in and said they had no other choice but to do another emergency surgery - this time an amputation of his lower leg from just below the knee.

The surgery was done and the leg amputated and my dad in the next few days slowing began to get well again. Praise God!

During this time my dad was visited by the Corps Sergeant Major of my home corps. He asked my dad how his soul was and after asking the question, God through the CSM led my dad back to Him - into a relationship with Him. Praise God! This, for me, lifted the whole burden of the surgery and the wondering about work for my dad, completely from me because I knew it was all in God's hands.

After the leg was amputated my dad spent the next seven weeks in hospital in St. John's and then the next 3.5 months driving back and forth to St. John's for treatments and fitting of a new leg. It was during this time that we prayed hard for my dad and prayed hard that he would get back to work doing what he loves best - long haul truck driving.

I must tell you - I did not know how he would be able to drive a truck again. I wondered if he would be able to use the clutch again since this was his amputated leg. I wondered how he would use a handicapped washroom. I wondered how he would ever be able to climb back into that truck again. However, my wonderings and what I think is impossible, is possible with God and on January 1st my dad left to go long haul truck driving again.

Although, I was somewhat concerned for him - seven weeks into his return to work, I received a phone call from him. He was at the Flying J on the perimeter of Winnipeg so I went to visit him. The love of God was evident on my dad's face and in his walking, I saw God's faithfulness and grace.

I was amazed at my dad's progress. He met me at the door and there he was refusing to use a cane, walking pretty well. Then we headed to his truck and I watched my dad climb into the truck easier than I could. Today, as you look at the pictures you would never know by looking what he went through from July to January. You would never know because God's grace transformed my dad's life and I praise Him for that tonight. I praise Him for He is love, compassion, and grace! Thank you so much God!!!! Thank you for Great is Thy Faithfulness. Since returning to work because of our Great God, my dad has driven to California, Texas, and all throughout the eastern seaboard - what a miracle! It's because of God's faithfulness that He is doing what he loves best! and it is because of God's faithfulness that my dad gave his life to God.

Thanks God!

Rebecca

2009-04-07T20:51:00.000-07:00

Just a Thought:-) Maybe some thoughts . . .

Well, I'm not so sure why I am still up. I am usually always in bed and probably fast asleep by 10:30 but tonight, I have a sudden burst of energy so I think I'll wait up for a while. Secondly, if I were to be honest - I have a dryer full of dress pants and I really do not want to have to iron them so I will wait up for the dryer to stop.

Well, I have been reading a book called Falling in Love with Jesus. When I worked in Kippewa All Girls Camp in Maine during the summer of 2002, one of my Christian friends was reading this book. We talked about it many times, discussed as we had devotions occasionally in the Upper Room - what memories. (It was a secular camp!) Anyway, after I left Maine that summer I bought the book and read it throughout that semester of university. It was a wonderful book when I read it then.

However, feeling led to read this book a few days ago, I picked it up again and it is absolutely way more amazing than when I read it the first time. It truly talks about showing an immense love for Jesus and having that sense of abandonment. What does it mean to truly worship our Lord? Reading the book now, 7 years later, I totally see it from a different perspective and I see it through new eyes.

Since reading it 7 years ago, I am in a completely different place in my life than what I was then so reading it brings new insights and makes me embrace the words in a different way. Since reading this book the first time - I have embraced healing and forgiveness, I have learned what it really means to make Jesus the center of your life, I have had profound life experiences - many different life experiences and each of these elements through God and his gift of grace has changed me as a person and has changed my perspective on many things. So as I read the words and as I let them generate many thoughts, I pray that God will continue to speak. WOW! God is so good!

2009-03-31T16:54:00.000-07:00

Drawing Close to God through Spiritual Disciplines

As I sit here trying to write a paper on Paul's Understanding of the Gospel and Salvation, I find myself more wrapped up in my thoughts on the spiritual disciplines. At present, I am in the process of creating a series called, "Drawing Close to God through Spiritual Disciplines" for Revive at Weetamah. Revive is a discipleship group that meets after the service on Sunday to fellowship together and study scripture for discipleship purposes. This year, God has given me the privilege of leading this diverse group so after much prayer and listening to God's voice, our final program is teaching about the spiritual disciplines.

Now, if you know me well, you know I have a passion for spiritual formation and I see a huge importance in discipling the baby Christians as well as the old Christians. I am very passionate about this because I have seen too many spiritual crib deaths!!!! - including dear friends who I watched come to Christ when we were children together and now walk far away from Christ. So helping someone draw close to Christ through teaching them about the spiritual disciplines and encouraging them in their Christian walk is a passion of mine.

I also have a passion for this because we live in a world that is extremely busy however, a world that is good for making up excuses. Sadly, we as Christians make up excuses about our own devotional times with God as well. We have all been there, myself included. I can hear the excuses now - "I'm too tired to spend time with God today," "I've been too busy all day - I guess tomorrow," "Was out longer than expected!", and "Need some time to myself for a bit!" You can hear those phrases - 'we've all been there.

But lately - I totally feel we are without excuse for not spending time with God. Because how many times do we not spend time with God because we say we're busy or too much going on, but we sit down in front of the television and watch television for two hours, or we browse the internet, talk on the phone for long periods of time, read a novel... but yet, we make up that excuse about not spending that valuable time with God.

For myself, I see a huge value in spending time (alone time) with God each day. I see value in spending time in scripture - I see it as a means of grace. A means of grace that God gives us to draw closer to Him, to come to truly know Him and truly enjoy the fullest of joy in God's presence as we come to KNOW HIM MORE AND MORE.

So I encourage each Christian out there to spot making excuses and make spending alone time with God each day a priority. God desires for you to KNOW HIM and He is waiting for you to KNOW HIM MORE AND MORE.

So as I leave - I pray that you will practice the presence of God like Brother Lawrence did and make God the first priority of your life so that you can truly be lost in the joy that He offers!

Blessings to each of you! My prayers are with you as you try to establish a life of spiritual disciplines for HIM!

Let's continue to LOVE CHRIST!
Blessings,
Rebecca

2009-03-24T19:09:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I last wrote here... just over a month to be exact.
Things have been rather busy with school, field, and assignments. Crunch week is officially over thankfully - and I am glad that this will be the last crunch week that I will endure for a while. 7 years of Post Secondary out of 9 years of being out of highschool is too much at this point. However, I do enjoy what we are learning at CFOT - I am a lifelong learner but for now, I can desire to write a paper in a few years. Anyway, I shall digress there.

I have been rather busy since I last wrote here. I have done a specialling weekend with Danette in Brandon. From that experience I definitely learned that God works in mysterious ways. I have also done a service at Weetamah and preached there too. From that experience I learned that sometimes we will have to preach as God is trying to work on things in your own life - but we still have to believe and have faith that God will use it.
I have done papers galore - God taught me that writing papers go be part of your spiritual journey as well (God speaks through exegetical papers). I have spent many hours planning for REVIVE and have had one REVIVE fellowship time. God still answers prayer - I learned that quite truly from Revive Fellowship.

I have had a full 12 hours straight of scrapbooking - that happened last Saturday. Crystal and I started at 9:45 and ended at 9:15 - by that time I was completely drained - plus many other people joined us for the day. I had fun and got some more of my cruise scrapbooked. From this experience God taught me the importance of friendships once again!

I have changed my devotional times from the night to 6:00 in the morning. What a blessing that has been and will continue to be as I "practice the presence of God" in the morning. God has taught me that He is the priority not my sleep.

Finally, we had IN-SUNDAY this Sunday. God has been doing a huge work in my life for the past month and on Sunday, I was able to respond to His voice. What an uplifting day! From this experience I learned how to give everything over to Him again.

WOW! So this month has definitely been a great month of learning in my relationship with God and spiritually. God is great and I look forward to learn where I will be serving Him in my first appointment in 31 days from today. Keep your eyes fixed on Him!

Blessings,
Rebecca

2009-02-20T20:23:00.000-08:00

LIFE ENRICHMENT RETREAT

In our second year of Training College we go away as a session for a Life Enrichment Retreat at a resort here in Manitoba. This year the retreat was held from February 13th - 15th - last weekend. What a blessing! Truly, something I needed!

It was wonderful to spend time with God this weekend and spend time with my sessionmates. It was great to keep building bonds and connections with each of them. It was even more fun to try and figure out where we are all going. Lunch and dinner discussions always circled around educated guesses where we each are going. I think I have them all nailed down - not really. However, my guesses would be lovely places where God could use my sessionmates. However, we can all joke and say we are going to have a Mega Church together. On the way back in the van we assigned everyone to a role within the church. Very fun! Anyway, let's digress here. 62 sleeps and we will find out for real where we will be going!

So to the most important part. God really met me where I was at this weekend. And this whole week has been very enriching as I look back on this past weekend and reflect on what God spoke into my life last weekend. God has really spoke to me about the concept of honesty - being vulnerable, authentic and real. Don't get me wrong - I am an honest person but I can be better at if I am having a horrible day I am allowed to be vulnerable and say that when people ask me how I am doing. It is ok to be real with your people. But I guess this honesty thing really goes deeper than - I learned that I needed to be honest with how my identity was formed through God spiritually. It is ok to admit things that once felt shameful! And the matter is, once you are honest with yourself - you are released and free. WOW!! This weekend God's Spirit really touched my life and God revealed parts of me (my life) that I needed to be honest about. What a blessing!

I appreciated this weekend a whole lot! It was wonderful!

2009-02-12T08:22:00.000-08:00

The BLESSINGS of Visitation

For myself, visitation has to be my most favourite thing to do in ministry. I consider it a real privilege to fellowship, pray with, and discuss spiritual matters with those who attend the church, avail of community ministries services, or people just from the community.

This summer, God allowed me to make over 45 visitations with different people, this does not include fellowshipping with people on a daily basis with those at community ministries or people who would randomly come into the church. Visiting people makes me tick! Walking along side of people and discipling them makes me tick!

You see, visiting people, walking along side of people, discipling people is where we see God at work and as we listen to the stories and chat about our spiritual lives, God is present, God is working!

I absolutely love it! How can pastors turn down this privilege?

Visitation is where seeds are planted, where seeds start to bloom, where the seeds growth sometimes becomes very evident to the person you are visiting.

God is wonderful and He is working - let's be assured of that! Visit, connect, and let the Kingdom of God grow for Him!

2009-02-03T19:43:00.000-08:00

Well - I just finished writing a paper, my second paper in two days as well as a presentation so I have decided to give myself a BRAIN break before I read a book that I am reading as a part of my devotions.

I have noticed on peoples FACEBOOK lately all of these new notes called. . .
25 Random Things about Me... so I have decided to take part in this note thing, not on facebook but on my blog. So here are 25 random things about me.

1. I love God! and God moments and God Talk.
2. I am an only child as well as the youngest grandchild on one side, and the only on the other.
3. When I order a hamburger in a restaurant, especially A&W I like to eat it with a fork and knife.
4. When I am in pain, I rub my feet together.
5. I can only write a paper when I have this one instrumental song repeating in the background.
6. I love to eat olives when I study.
7. I really wish that I could stop biting my nails - I have been biting them since grade 2.
8. I have broken my arm twice.
9. I can cross my legs over twice... well, I don't really know how to explain this.
10. I was six weeks early and still a 9 pound baby.
11. When I was a little girl I sold dandelions on the side of the road for 25 cents each to teachers.
12. I enjoy going grocery shopping at Sobey's on Friday nights by myself.
13. I can only sleep on my stomach - and I take up the whole bed!
14. If I could live way way up NORTH in an Aboriginal setting, I would.
15. I love winter - although, I do not enjoy wearing DRESS pants in the cold.
16. I have a doll Polly that I have had since Cabbage Patch Kids came out - I was almost three when I got her.
17. I like to eat an orange like an apple - with the peel and all.
18. I learned how to drive by backing up a line and driving down front on... that's my dad!
19. I own way too many Jessie Dolls, and Music Books.
20. I love to scrapbook.
21. When I'm sick, I want to be by myself - No trouble to tell I'm my mother's daughter.
22. I am afraid of transport trucks.
23. I duck from pigeons... ask my friends.
24. It doesn't bother me living in isolation - however, roads are nice!
25. My first vehicle was a snowmobile.

So there you have it - 25 random things about me - although some of them are not so random. Anyway, hope you enjoyed..

Have a great night.
Rebecca

2009-01-28T05:17:00.000-08:00

So the decision is in . . . isn't she gorgeous? She is a non-shedding, hypoallergenic dog, absolutely beautiful. Just like the dog I seen at the shelter. Not a Labradoodle but a Portuguese Water Dog that can be CKC registered unlike Labradoodles. Slightly smaller than a standard labradoodle - however, the male is about the same size. She's a real beauty. Now to make a few phone calls.

Blessings,

Rebecca

2009-01-27T14:34:00.000-08:00

Decisions! Decisions!

Ok - for all of you who know me well you know that I''ve basically wanted a dog ever since my Labrador Retriever, Thunder, passed away. So ever since I was in Grade 10, I've wanted a dog.
I absolutely love dogs. In High school I wanted a Newfoundland Dog or a Bernese Mountain Dog. Eventually I decided that a Newfoundland Dog drools way too much.

When I was in university I always wanted a Chocolate Lab or a Golden Retriever. I was so certain that when I got my first teaching job that is what I would get. One of those two. But then I moved away to work and was not allowed to have dogs in my apartment. And then one night while searching online I discovered Labradoodles.

I had decided at that time - that I would get a Labradoodle. I absolutely love Multi-gen Labradoodles. Now, they are expensive but they are gorgeous! I just feel like this is my dog, the dog that I absolutely want.

Then I discovered when you do not groom a poodle it looks like a Labradoodle to some extent. So I began to look into them.

And now - a dog that I have admired all of my life - I finally know the name of (Airedale Terrier) so I am interested in that dog.

HOwever, I keep liking the fact that some dogs don't shed - which I like very much. You know that chocolate labs and golden retrievers shed like crazy! But they are so cute and adorable. Labradoodles don't shed... airedale terriers don't shed, and poodles don't shed. So the question is what do I love the most and I am pretty sure I know that it is Labradoodles. I love Labradoodles! And they are BIG!!! just the way I love them.

anyway, must run and hurry up and make a decision. I just think I should get the dog that I am most in love with which I truly believe would be a Labradoodle!

Anyway,
must run and not worry about my future dog.

Rebecca

2009-01-10T15:47:00.000-08:00

It is OK to be Single! I AM COMPLETE AS I AM!

Two and half years ago I was in the process of writing my Preliminary Papers to be accepted to the College for Officer Training to become a Salvation Army Officer. On that paper was a question that I remember well: If you are single, are you content about being single? Will you be content throughout officership?

At the time I was teaching in the best place in the world, Makkovik, Labrador and I answered without hesitating, “Yes, I am content being single.” And then at that time I was very content about being single. I felt alive as me. I was Rebecca Pretty: a music teacher, a person who loves God, a person called by God to minister in the Salvation Army, a person who loves living in the Aboriginal Culture, a person who loves winter, loves dogs, loves music, loves children. At the time when I signed that Preliminary paper in June 2006, knowing the rules and regulations of the Salvation Army regarding marriages, I was very content with being single. I was happy to be Rebecca Pretty. Even my remaining year in Makkovik, I was content to single. I loved what I was doing – I loved everything about it and when I was accepted to Training College in March 2007, I truly felt a peace that passeth all understanding. I was content to be a single woman of God. I was ok with that!

But recently, about two months ago to be exact, one day I suddenly became very discontent about being single. It was unexpected to me, I did not expect to feel what I was feeling. A feeling of loneliness swept over me suddenly as I sat in a particular place. Although, throughout the summer, I did have fears of single officership – “Will I be able to do this on my own?” “Will I enjoy living on my own?” However, in the summer at Wascana Park in Regina I found myself in the park laying these fears at Jesus’ feet and felt good about it after that part even though, fears would creep in occasionally. But two months ago I never really expected to feel the way I did and it took me by surprise with the way I felt.

For the last two months have struggled with the whole idea of single officership. I have wondered time and time again if I will ever really be content while single. I have cried! I have bought stuffed toys! (ha ha – I know) I have laughed too! I have screamed! I have done some serious journaling! I have prayed! I have been angry – perhaps a bit bitter! I have been very discontent about being single.

Now I will admit, it would be a lie to say that I do not dream of being married. Yes, of course I do. I would love to share my life with a Christian man who I could pray with and love and I have for years prayed for that special person to pray with! I will continue to pray that way – but today I realized something very important.

Today, something inside of me clicked as I had a very real conversation about being single with another person about being single. The question asked – “Are you content, as Rebecca?”

Yes! I am content as Rebecca! I am content to be me, to love God, to be a part of God’s family, to minister in the Salvation Army, to love dogs - perhaps even spoil them, to love going for walks, to do my own thing, to be independent, to love my family and my friends, and to love scrapbooking and playing piano. To be me! But I think what the problem is – since I left Labrador, I have gradually forgot about being Rebecca!
I have forgot that I am still able to be me! I am able to read books (but who really wants to you when you are in school – ha ha). I am able to go for winter walks. I am able to learn knitting. I am able to be me! I am able to totally place my complete trust in Him, and be content.

Today... I can truly say that I have changed my perspective on how I feel as “single”. Although, I will sometimes have a fear of growing old alone - I know I’m weird but you have to remember I do not have siblings and although, I may sometimes wish in officership that it would be nice to have someone stand by my side or discuss items of conflict with, having a man by my side will not make me complete. I am complete as Rebecca, a child of God, called to be a Salvation Army officer. I will be content as single officer, as a person who loves serving her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I will be content in knowing Him. Although, I have read Christian living books about being single in the past, I never thought I would be able to say that I agree with them. No matter how “interesting” those books have sounded to me in the past, meaning I did not agree exactly with what they said, I now agree with them.

I am content to be single. I am content to be who I am and I have decided that I do not need anything, only Christ, to make me complete. So as I remain single – scrapbooking whenever I want, walking whenever I want, having whatever dog I want, I will enjoy my singleness to the fullest and remain content in being Rebecca.

This has been a day full of many blessings, a day full of much learning, and day full of much growth. And if or until one day a nice Christian man comes my way who would love to minister with me and we would complement each others ministry, I will still be content in being single and serving God as a single officer in the Salvation Army until that does or does not happen.

Thank you Lord for enabling me to listen today as you spoke through your servant. Thank you Lord for bringing me to do the things that I used to do. Thank you Lord for letting me realize that I am complete without a man, and that being single does not mean that I do not have anything special to share with someone else. May you be with me as I step out on my own to minister. May you give me people to support me in ministry whom I can trust. May you continue to bless my friendships, those at home, and those at college and may you allow me to feel whole in serving you. I love you Lord. Thank you for today!
Amen.

2009-01-10T01:07:00.000-08:00

2009-01-02T06:03:00.000-08:00

A BLESSED WEEK!

I am so happy that I had the opportunity to go home to Newfoundland for Christmas. Although my stay in Newfoundland was short (7 days), it was an absolute blessing. Returning home for Christmas to be with family (especially to see my dad for the first time since his amputation) and friends was the best thing that I could have done. You see, my family is very important to me, and since I do not have any siblings, friendships are extremely important! I cherish both my family and my friends and I work extremely hard to keep my treasured friendships. What a blessing!

Going home on plane on Christmas Eve, there was a couple of moments where I thought I would never make it home. Before I had even left the tarmack in Winnipeg, I was minus 20 minutes to make my connection in Halifax and the delays just kept getting worse. However, the whole time I was on the plane I kept thinking how fortunate we are to be able to fly all over the place and we can be anywhere in the world within a day. We are a privileged people - although many people do not always realize this fact. Anyway, that was all I could think about - how fortunate we are to be able to fly on airplanes. Although I was uncertain for I would make it to Newfoundland on Christmas Eve, I was extremely thankful and blessed on my journey that day.

Well I did make it to Newfoundland on Christmas Eve!!!!! YEAH!!! I was sooo happy to see my family at the airport - Dad, Mom, Momcoop, and Nanny. I was beyond happy to see my DAD. This summer I was very close to losing my dad through an infection in his leg. He was very sick. However, God played a big role in my dad's life, and my dad received wonderful hospital care, and now today - literally today, he is on his way back to work with his new prosthetic leg!!! It is quite amazing actually. In five months, he has come so far and I am so thankful to God that He heard our prayers and was faithful!!! What a time my dad and mom have had, but God has been faithful! Yeah - I love my dad! And I love you too MOM.

The week home at Christmas - also allowed me to see some very special people, some wonderful friends and role models.

- God made it possible that I see a friend from music school that I hadn't seen in a year and half. I was so blessed to see her and hopefully we will be better able to keep in contact now.

- I was also blessed to spend "alone" time with each of my grandmothers. Chatting with momcoop in her house was quite loverly one afternoon - hearing all the old stories of her and Dadcoop. And then playing a good game of QUEENS with Nanny, my all time childhood card game that myself, Nanny and grandfather used to have when I went camping with them.

- I was blessed to share a meal with a very special person from my home corps, a person who has been very supportive to me ever since I was a child and a person who has always been a great encourager. Thanks for sharing a meal with us Sandra!

- I was blessed to see some of my bestest friends in the whole world - Melanie and Beth and then including seeing Crystal and Shawn in Abbotsford. (Abbotsford was a GODSEND in itself!!!) However, Crystal and Shawn drove out to see me late one night and spent a couple of hours with me there!!!!

- I was blessed to attend my home corps on Sunday morning. Quite a blessing!

- It was a blessing to spend time with my wonderful aunt and uncle when they returned home.

I am so thankful to God for this past week - a week that I much needed. As I said, my family is very important and so are my friends. My friends are wonderful and I thank God for them.

May we have a very happy New Year and may be keep our eyes fixed on God as he works all around us!

Blessings to each of you,
Rebecca

2008-09-24T15:31:00.000-07:00

Ministry in Regina (Haven of Hope) - Summer 2008

"And whatever you do, in word and deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

- Colossians 3: 17 -

2008-09-23T19:00:00.000-07:00

An Airedale Terrier Puppy

So for those of you who know me well, you know that I have wanted a puppy, a dog since I finished Music School in 2005. If you remember, I could not wait to get my chocolate lab. . . I even had bought my leash, and dog bowls. Anyway, 3.5 years later I still do not have a dog but I am now on a list to get one in July of this year coming. I have opted to get an Airedale Terrier Puppy and I have my deposit paid already. So in July I will be the proud owner of an Airedale Terrier Puppy!!!!

Hope you are having a great day in Christ.
Rebecca

2008-06-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

2008-05-31T14:58:00.000-07:00

So today I discovered my FAVOURITE thing to do.

I love scrapbooking Bible Verses and framing them. Today we reveal our prayer partners and we had to make something for them so I decided to scrapbook a Bible Verse that suits her. I also did another special one for somebody else. I hope they will be inspired by the verse I chose for them.

Here are the two that I did today!

Blessings,

Rebecca

2008-05-26T18:05:00.000-07:00

Ministry Weekend in Brandon

On Friday, May 23rd, 2008, we loaded up a college van and 5 of us cadets and our training principal, headed off to Brandon, Manitoba for a ministry weekend at the Salvation Army Corps there. God really blessed us while we were there and we watched God at work within the town.

On Friday when we got there we headed to the Shilo Military Base to learn more about Chaplaincy in the Military and interfaith services. I found it very interesting and I thought... WOW... God, thank you for giving me the opportunity to see human diversity at its best. I also felt affirmed of my calling to Aboriginal Ministries as we sat and participated in a Native Spirituality Ritual. I could finally understand the stories that many from Weetamah have shared with me on Friday nights. For that I was extremely thankful.

In the night, we participated in an Adult Fellowship at the Bowling Alley. It was a fun night... let me tell you one thing though, I need to practice up on the bowling. Believe I was not that good... ha ha! Well I guess I have an excuse (I can't bend very well!!!) Not really, my fiddle group kids could tell you how I really bowl... ha ha.

Then we hung out with members of the congregation at the restaurant that was in the same building as bowling. It was great times.

On Saturday... we got up and headed to the Thrift Store for a family day. We cooked hot dogs for those who wished to have some, made crafts with the kids, did balloon animals, and then just helped with things in the Thrift Store. After that we headed to the church to set up for Sunday and practice music for the worship team. Good times.

We ended the day with an evening at the Officers Quarters. Here, we enjoyed ribs, and then got to pick their brains about ministry. Well, I actually just listened and contemplated some ideas in my head. I think for the most part we all did this.

Sunday... we did a service at the Salvation Army's personal care home. It was great to see God at work in the lives of the people who live in that home. Sweet Hour of Prayer was a very uplifting moment and we could definitely feel God's Spirit moving there. After we headed to the church. . . where the cadets helped with the service. It was great to worship with the people of Brandon. Very exciting times! After the service we fellowshipped together with the congregation as we shared in a Potluck!

Overall, we were blessed by God and affirmed of our calling. God is good and I am glad that I chose to obey His call and am training to be a Salvation Army Officer.

God Bless You,

Rebecca

2008-05-14T21:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Jesus,

God, you are an amazing God! Your love never ceases to amaze me. I thank you Lord that you allow us to draw near to you and that we can experience your presence daily. Thank you for speaking to me today. Thank you for opening my eyes so that I may see. Thank you for opening my ears so that I may hear your voice. God continue to speak to each of us. May our hearts always be ready and willing to do your will. May we continue to glorify you, my Jesus and my Lord.

Father, teach us to lead others to you. Teach us how to serve others. Teach us how to build relationships. Lead us to take the risk, Father. Challenge us to live in a way that is glorifying to your name and leads other people to want to have YOU in their life.

I love you Lord. Continue to work in my life, in our lives, in the body of believers. Give me a heart that has a passion for your mission. Help me not to be afraid to do your work. Help me to always hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to me. Draw me close so that I can draw others closer to you. May I do your work willingly and mightily always. Help me with my inadequacies.

You are a mighty, sovereign God who loves all and treats us equal. Teach us your ways. Humble us unto YOU!

Father, we love you and we thank you from the very depths of our hearts.

Amen

2008-05-03T19:19:00.000-07:00

So what does a CADET do in his/her spare time? You got it... we play with snakes. Well... actually, today we all decided to go to the Narcisse Snake Pits. It was a great day filled with much laughter, practical jokes, reflective thinking, and peaceful walking. Very refreshing. The snakes are garder snakes... they are only tiny and harmless. The kids had a lot of fun! It was fantastical!

2008-05-01T22:14:00.000-07:00

Well... things have been a little hectic at the moment. We finished up our second semester, with a busy week in between and now we are in an intensive course. It has been very, very busy!!! Hopefully next week it will slow down a bit as I prepare two assignments and a sermon. But with all of that being said, God is good and each day as I learn more about Him, I grow closer to Him and stronger in my faith.

I am really enjoying my field placement this semester. I am at Weetamah Corps, which is an inner city Corps. I love it there. I love building relationships with the people and I love listening to their stories and just simply being Jesus' hands and feet to them. I would have to say... God definitely has given me a passion for this area of ministry. I love talking to people. I love listening to them. I love being able to have "God"talk with each of them. I have had interesting experiences at field but God meets me at that place each time. He meets and continuously is there when I need the right words to say, or need the courage to speak up... God is there. WOW... I am just so amazed by God tonight that I cannot sleep.

Well... I am also really excited about my upcoming Summer Assignment. On June 23rd I will be heading to Regina, Saskatchewan for the summer. I cannot wait. I am placed at an inner city corps where there is Native ministries... a huge passion of mine. I feel so happy and greatful to be placed there. However, when I first realized that I was going to a city I got a little nervous. You have to remember I grew up in a community of 1000 people, then I worked in a community of 380 in complete isolation and now I have ended up in Winnipeg, a city of 750,000. I just figured I would be sent to some small town somewhere... so when I seen city I was a little nervous, I am not going to lie. But God has already taken those nervous feelings away and I am so excited... I just cannot wait. I cannot wait to hear more about my placement and what I will be doing. I cannot wait to plan sermons and plan different things that I may be responsible for and to minister in an INNER CITY. I love it. I absolutely LOVE it. It just gets my adrenline agoing!!!!!! And I see God in everything. I don't know but it is just me!

Anyway... I am also excited for other reasons as well. Tonight I booked a cruise. I have been thinking about it for a while but I finally said... I am going to do it. It is something I have always wanted to do and I am going to do it with my tax return. I am really excited. It will be great to explore God's creation and plus spend a week where I can relax, study scripture, and grow closer to HIm as I relax ona cruise and tour Comuzel, Mexico; Orco Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; and than see a few seconds of Florida. I am really excited. I figured it would be a great opportunity to see the world but have somewhat of a silent retreat as well. Anyway, it didn't take much encouragement tonight for me to actually just go and book it. Really exciting times.

I praise God that I am here. I praise God that HE is continuing to equip me. I praise God that I was saved by his grace when I was 7. I hope that God will continue to use me to lead others to Him. May God bless you today!

Blessings
Rebeccs

2008-04-05T09:08:00.000-07:00

God's Grace is Sufficient. . .

So while I was home this summer I had the opportunity to preach about a sermon called, "What's so Amazing about God's Grace Anyway?" I don't know but for many years I heard people use the word "grace" in church and I was never really certain if the people actually knew what it meant. I really felt God leading me to research God's Grace. I kept being led to the book of Ephesians where grace is mentioned many times.

Well, the topic of God's grace keeps coming to me. God's grace will never seek to amaze me. We are so undeserving of His love and forgiveness and mercy and the list could go on and on, but he so willingly gives us this undeserved favors and merits. WOW!

Recently I started reading Philip Yancey's Book, "What's so Amazing About Grace?" and it really intrigues me.

But in the past three months I have come to discover that God's grace is sufficient... that God's grace always appears when we most need it.

For example, the other day I needed groceries. So I headed to Safeway after an appointment to buy groceries. (I love SAFEWAY... it is so relaxing.) On the way there I discovered that I never had one cent of change. I was hurting and I knew that there was no way that I would be able to lift around a basket.

Well, when I stopped... there was a cart that I did not have to pay for. That was a real blessing. I have never seen an available cart in the parking lot since coming here but when I really needed it, it was there. I went in bought my groceries, and then the grocer offered to bring out my groceries. I was so happy.
When I got home to my surprise I was greeted with someone who helped me bring up my groceries. The person felt God telling them to go meet me when I came in with the van. I was forever thankful that they listened. You see that was God's grace for me. God knew that I needed Him right at that moment and He provided.

So yes, I would have to say that God's grace appears when you most need it. I have encountered God's grace many times and I am thankful that I am able to say that I am a sinner saved by grace. I wish other people could recognize the grace of God in their lives.

"God, teach me to share your grace with others. Teach me to always be aware of your work of grace around me. May I always be grateful to you. Amen"

2008-02-22T20:54:00.001-08:00

1 Keep me safe, O God,
for in you I take refuge.
2 I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing."
3 As for the saints who are in the land,
they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.
4 The sorrows of those will increase
who run after other gods.
I will not pour out their libations of blood
or take up their names on my lips.
5 LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the LORD always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
11 You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand

- Psalm 16

Thank you God for giving me your Peace! I thank you so much for leading me to this Psalm this morning. May I continue to pray this Psalm to you.

God Bless,
Rebecca

2008-02-10T06:57:00.000-08:00

O Lord, listen to my prayer.
Open your ears to hear my urgent requests.
Answer me because you are faithful and righteous.
Do not take me to court for judgement,
because there is no one alive
who is righteous in your presence.
The enemy has pursued me.
He has ground y life into the dirt.
He has made me live in dark places
like those who have died long ago.
That is why I begin to lose hope
and my heart is in a state of shock.
I remember the days long ago.
I reflect on all that you have done.
I carefully stretch our my hands to you in prayer.
Like parched land, my soul thirsts for you.
Answer me quickly, O Lord.
My spirit is worn out.
Do not hide your face from me,
or I will be like those who go into the pit.
Let me hear about your mercy in the morning,
because I TRUST you.
Let me know the way that I should go,
because I LONG for you.
Rescue you me from my enemies, O ord.
I come to you for protection.
Teach me to do your WILL, because you are MY GOD!
May your Spirit lead me on level ground.
O Lord, keep me alive for the sake of your name.
Because you are righteous, lead me out of trouble.
In keeping with your mercy, wipe out your enemies
and destroy all who torment me
because I AM YOUR SERVANT.

- Psalm 143, A Psalm by David.

Once again I am thankful to God that He is teaching me how to pray through the Psalms. I needed this Psalms this morning and God is speaking to me as I write. Spiritual Warfare is definitely real!!!! But can I say... that I will always remain a SERVANT OF GOD! Amen to that!
God is good and He is faithful even when Satan is in the midst. I remember when I worked in North Carolina, our first conservatory staff meeting started like this: "I want you to be aware that just because you are working at a Christian camp does not mean Satan is not here. It actually means that we have to be on guard more than ever before." Well that has stuck to me and I am very thankful for the person who said that to begin the meeting. Satan doesn't want us doing God's work... and He will try to attack but that is when we need to stand FIRM in our faith! Read the Book of Hebrews... and stand firm in your faith today!

God Bless you,
Rebecca

2007-12-29T06:20:00.000-08:00

My Last 2 Days On Winter Assignment

I am happy to report that I had a marvelous time in Fredericton. Everyone who I worked with was absolutely great and I enjoyed each moment immensely. It was wonderful to be finally doing what I believe God has called me to do. Although I do miss teaching and I especially miss the community where I taught, I know I am where God would have me to be and I am certain of this. I looked at Major Leo at one point throughout the week and I said, " Teaching does not compare to this for me." WOW! Just being able to help people and share God's love with people always made my day. When in ministry you have the opportunity to be a person of many hats and boy isn't that true! One minute you are a spiritual adviser, the next minute a musician, then a counsellor, a banker, and the list goes on. I loved it at the Fredericton Community Church.

My last two days were just as enjoyable as the rest. On Saturday my schedule changed a few times but I expect that to be the case as an officer as well. My final schedule allowed me to serve on the kettles in the Regent Mall. It is interesting to see the different faces you get when you say Merry Christmas. I wish I had a camera. Kettle duty on Saturday was great. I enjoyed talking to people and I enjoyed watching the children. In the morning I prepared for children's time.

On Sunday I headed to church, chatted with the congregation, was excited to see our special volunteer in church, and the participated in the service. I led the opening song. (I am not too sure about leading the congregation... I think after conducting choirs and bands... I want to really CONDUCT. So I sort of stand there not knowing what to do but wave my hand to the beat. OK... something I will work on.) Sarah and I read the Advent reading and then led Shine Jesus Shine. Later I did children's time and accompanied Bethann to sing. Worship was great. Throughout the service I could hear Major Brenda's voice in my head... things taught in class and I think I really learned the importance of going over the service a few times before doing it. God deserves the best and I believe now that is the best thing to do.

After the service I headed to the officers house for dinner and then I hung out with their family. I enjoyed my time. We then headed to the church for the . . . " EVALUATION ". It went well. I said my goodbyes, quickly headed back to the apartment, backed my bag quickly, washed dishes quickly, and loaded the car to head to the airport. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Fredericton and I look forward to further ministry opportunities in the future.

God Bless
Rebecca

2007-12-23T14:17:00.000-08:00

Ok... so I will update on my last two days in FRedericton once I get home to NEwfoundland... right now I feel a little too tired right now:) Alright, chat soon.

2007-12-21T17:00:00.000-08:00

A Special Volunteer. . .

For the past four years this special voluteer, a retired man, has helped the Salvation Army here with its Christmas hampers and toy center. For three weeks during Christmas he comes to the church to help from 8:30 to 4:30 each day. This man is not Salvation Army, he is someone from the community but he has a special story and he shared it with me today as he said his Good-Byes to me. (I just thought he was the Santa Claus Incarnate).

Well this is his story:) In the 1930s his grandparents moved here from the USA. Once they arrived his grandparents were having a hard time. His grandparents were not well off, they were struggling financially. Christmas was approaching and the grandparents knew that their kids would not have an enjoyable Christmas: they could not afford to buy anything for them. On Christmas Eve, they had a surprise knock come on their door. When they answered it was THe Salvation Army with a hamper and a few items for the kids. Somehow the Salvation Army had become aware of the Families situation and helped the family. The family was very thankful especially the kids. The kids remembered it and told their children.

As this special volunteer was growing up after hearing this story from his parents and grandparents, he realized the importance of helping others. From a very young age, this man would save all of his spare change throughout the year and when Christmas time came he would find a KETTLE and put his change in it. He learned the importance of giving and he has been that way ever since.

When he retired four years ago, he decided that it was time to volunteer with The Salvation Army for its Christmas Campaign and so for the past four years he has been there to volunteer. He said he loves to fill the toy bags with as much as possible to make all the kids happy. And something I have heard him say repeatedly... "Christmas is for the kids. Whatever I can do, I will do."

I am forever grateful that I had the opportunity to meet this special volunteer.

May we have a wonderful Christmas as we celebrate the Birth of Christ!

God Bless,
Rebecca

2007-12-20T17:36:00.000-08:00

Thursday. . .

Counted Kettle Money... Family Services... Food Bank... Kettle at Walmart... Family Services...Cooked Supper at Family Services Director's House:)

Just a quick note... I like the conversations that can get started at the kettle. The cool thing today is quite simple but wonderful. The greeter at the store is coming to the Christmas Eve Service and is interesting in coming to church on Sunday Mornings. Imagine what a simple hello can do?
Wish I could be there to see it all happen!

Hope everyone is having lots of fun witnessing. WOW!

Blessings
Rebecca

2007-12-19T18:35:00.000-08:00

A Special Moment. . .

Today has been another busy day as we brought people through to pick out toys for their children and distributed hampers to many families. However, the special moment that I want to share occured tonight as we visited the biggest home in Atlantic Canada. We went to the Alzheimers ward and all the residents were sitting down eating a bedtime snack. So the band started to play familiar Christmas carols. I sat down at one point by this really sweet lady and I was more than impressed and touched. The carol Silent Night started to play and I started to sing. When I started to sing, she started to join in. Our eyes instantly connected, and we continued to look at one another as we sang the song together. It was such a special moment. A woman who has difficulty knowing what is going on around her, immediately started to sing Silent Night. We sang a couple more songs together after that, which was just as enjoyable. However, this special moment truly blessed me and once again I realized the impact that God's gift of music has on each of us as we journey through life.

God Bless,
Rebecca

2007-12-18T17:32:00.000-08:00

Tuesday in Fredericton...

Today was another busy day but very rewarding. This was sponsor family pickup day at the church. We started at 9:00 handing out hampers and sponsor family gifts. It was nice to see the faces of the people when they seen what they had received. People were thankful!!! It is nice to see God working through other people.

At 12:00 I went to the J.O.Y Dinner... Just Older Youth which is the Senior's Group. They had their Christmas Program today so I was invited to it. It was nice and the guest singer had a very inspirational devotional.

After the program was over at 2:00 I headed back to Family Services to help out. I organized some toys... then quickly ran to Walmart to pick up the last few items that we needed from applications that were passed in today. I bought the gifts and came right back... sorted them, straightened up many the gifts that needed to be straightened up. Then it was time to go.

Jen and I left the church went to Subway for supper. Ummm.... macademian nut cookies. That's for you Melissa and Danette. And it is the only reason I go to subway ha ha. After that I ran and changed into different clothes and headed back to the church to do Corps Books.

Doing the Corps Books was very exciting for me. Alright... I know I'm a geak but I LOVE MATH so doing the corps books I really had fun doing. They showed me some of the ins and outs of doing the money for the corps. I actually did the deposit book and counted money. It was cool. It was just something that I enjoy doing so I know I will like it... I better be careful about what I say because I might end up in the Finance Department... ha ha.

Well I left the church around 8:15 and headed to Walmart. Then I made my way back to the house. So I am here now going to write out a few Christmas cards before I head to bed. Going to be another great day tomorrow. We have more hampers going out and we will be walking people through our toy center. Should be fun times. Tomorrow night we head to York Manor to distribute Christmas gifts as the band plays throughout the retirement home.

I hope you are having a great day.

God Bless,
Rebecca

2007-12-17T14:02:00.000-08:00

Today's Update. . .

Today I started my day of by counting kettle money, then I was asked to go to Family Services because they needed an extra hand. After that I shopping with Family Services again to purchase the final lot of presents. That was pretty neat once again. I never knew how much you can purchase in a little over an hour. I rushed back to the church, grabbed a quick bite to eat, and then went on the kettle at the Regent Mall. Had another interesting conversation with a man who looks like Santa. Each day he puts on a red shirt and jeans and ends to the mall. He walks around with a cart just to see the kids reactions. He wants to delight children so that nice. I also decided today that I wanted to give out Faith and Friends while on my three hour shift and that's what I did... I gave out over 50. I wonder if the people are reading them. I figure its a wonderful way to spread God's message. After my shift was over the officers picked me up and we went to a retirement home visiting. It was really nice. We spent time with them, then read the Christmas story, and prayed with them. It was very heart-warming. Now I am home just reflecting on my day, waiting for some pizza to be baked.

Hope you have a GREAT Spirit-filled day!

God Bless,
Rebecca

2007-12-16T15:40:00.000-08:00

Sunday at Fredericton:)

This was supposed to be a very busy day but we are having a snowstorm:( Although I love snow I was a bit disappointed that I was not able to do my devotional at the home tonight... however, whenever the Spirit leads to use it, I will do it.

This morning I went to the worship service. I participated in the service by giving my testimony and then singing a song that represented my testimony well. I also played in the band this morning because the bandmaster wanted me to play. Then I led the last song of the service.
It was nice chatting with all the people this morning and hearing some their stories.
And when I get home I need to find out if there was ever a Major Cecil Pretty come out of Dildo because there was a PRETTY officer here around 60 years ago so the Pathyway of Duty will be coming out when I get home.

After the service was over Jen and I were invited over to the officers house for dinner. We stayed there until 4:30 when the decision was made to cancel for tonight. So now I am relaxing at Jen's apartment... sleeping, snacking, listening to worship music, and blogging... maybe I will read in a bit too!

Well tomorrow should be a good day... counting kettle money in the morning, then on the kettle for a while, and then visiting 3 people at a retirement home. I am really looking forward to the last adventure. Then we are going out for supper at Boston Pizza. Will be lots of fun!

Hope everyone is having a great day!
May God continue to bless all of you this wonderful Christmas season:)

Blessings,
Rebecca

2007-12-15T18:01:00.000-08:00

Saturday in Fredericton!

Well today I left the house at 8:45. I headed to the church and helped packed hampers. We packed a whole bunch of hampers today. I was scheduled to be packing hampers from 9:00 - 12:00 however God provided us with many over 20 volunteers who were excellent workers. All 250 plus hampers were packed in an hour. I don't know how we managed it but we did.

So then I went out and asked the Major some questions about kettles and Salvation Army ministry. IT was very enlightening! It also amazes me how much money is raised each year here in kettles alone. For a city of 50,000 people they raise a nice bit of money.

After that I stayed around the church and prepared for tomorrow. Then at 2:00 I was picked up to go on the kettles at the Food Court in the mall. It was a very interesting and fun experience. It was cute to see the little kids who would ask their parents for money to put in the kettle. They were little sweet hearts:)

Around 4:30 I had a man come up to me as I was standing by the kettle. He had recently come here to visit for 6 months from the Middle East. He is here visiting his son who came here for university. He never spoke English before until he moved here 3 months ago. So he came over to chat to me and when he noticed the Salvation Army, he wanted to know what it was all about. He thought at first it was part of the military I think although he had showed me a Watchtower that he had been given since arriving here. HE had tons of questions about Protestant and Catholic and what Christianity was about. He was Muslim but he was so interested in knowing about Jesus and Christmas. I must have been chatting to him for 20-30 minutes. I even had a pronounciation lesson with him since he had a book on learning how to read and write English with different pronounciation that was handed to him with the Watchtower. I had a great discussion with him about the different beliefs and how Christians believe that Jesus is the MEssiah and He is here to save the world. I told him how God cares for us and loves us. He asked me questions in simple form and then I handed him a faith and friends, gave him the Salvation Army website, and told him to phone the Salvation Army in Fredericton. I truly believe we will hear from him. He is very interested in Christianity and he wants people to help him while he is here. I think he stopped at the right place. Anyway, I truly had the opportunity to witness today. I am not sure how much he understood but I do know that he understood some. When I told him that God cares for us... he was amazed!!!
Anyway, that was my highlight of my day. I wonder will I see him again while I am here?

I finished on kettles at 6:00, went for supper, hung out at the mall while Jen supervised her youth group on kettles, and then we went grocery shopping. Anyway, tomorrow I have church, dinner, retirement home, retirement home again, and then a Band gathering. Should be a fun-filled and most importantly Spirit-filled day!

Blessings,
Rebecca

2007-12-14T16:57:00.000-08:00

Full Day 2

I had another full day today. It was a lot of fun and I am continuously being blessed by God as I do His work here in Fredericton.

This morning I was at the church at 8:30. I counted kettle money for awhile, then I made a couple of phone calls, had a coffee break (tea break for me), and then I went shopping with Family Services for 2.5 hours. We bought 4 huge cart fulls of gifts and we still need to purchase more. Then I came back to the church, ate lunch, unpacked and labelled toys, helped pack fruit in shopping bags, and then I did whatever else needed to be done. Tomorrow we pack hampers all day!

I am amazed by the Adopt a Family program. People are so generous and I am just elated to see people being touched by God and called by God to adopt families for Christmas. It is great!

We left the church at 4:45, went for supper to Pizza Delight (yeah for Pizza Delight), and then Jennifer and I headed to the LaPointe's Christmas Concert for 6:00. It was a wonderful, Spirit-filled concert. I was so blessed. I love going to programs where God's message is shared and people are witnessing for Him. I really enjoyed it. Thanks Jen!

And for now... I must prepare for Sunday night.

Have a great night! And I'll update some more tomorrow!

Blessings,
Rebecca

2007-12-13T18:01:00.000-08:00

Update from Fredericton

Well I finally arrived in Fredericton yesterday at 5:00. I am so thankful to finally be here!!!!! This is very exciting to be out in the field!!!! This is what gets me pumped!

Last night, about an hour and a half after I arrived, I went to a service at a Nursing home. I was blessed. It was only a small home with about 15 people but it was nice sharing with the women who lived there. I love when people share their stories about God with me. I was blessed by a story last night. She was 99 years old and told me how God has changed her life and how she knows that He speaks to her daily. That made my day. She reminded me of my grandmother, even in here mannerisms. WOW!

Today, I went into the church. The church is a brand new building opened a year and half ago. It is beautiful and it has family and community services connected to it. Right now the gym is full of presents and food.
This morning I phoned about 50 families who are being sponsored with a pickup date and time so that was nice. Almost got through to everybody on the list.
It is nice to see Jesus' mission at work.

Then I went to a Public Relations Dinner... a nice turkey dinner as we heard what the Emergency Measures has done here throughout the year. It was an interesting experience.

After the luncheon, I went shopping with Family Services. We purchased some toys for the packages and hampers that are being packed. That was very rewarding. I loved it.
We shop again sometime tomorrow. After shopping we returned to the church, I went to the officers house for a while and then I went to the Women's Ministry Christmas Supper which was at a lady's house who is from St. John's and attended the Citadel when I was going to the Citadel... she moved year a year and half ago, so that was nice.

Anyway, I am so thankful to God for everything!!!! I hope the rest of my sessionmates are enjoying doing God's work too!!! Keep praising Him!

Blessings
Rebecca

2007-11-18T20:35:00.000-08:00

I just did a devotional. It was meant for me. You got to love the Book of James.

2007-11-10T20:48:00.000-08:00

Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine!

It is 10:48 right now. . . I should be getting ready for bed but as I sat at the piano for the last half hour playing and singing different songs such as People Need the Lord, Broken and Spilled Out, I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb, and finally Blessed Assurance, God has been REALLY speaking to me. As I sang the chorus of Blessed Assurance which reads: This my story, this is my song, praising my Saviour all the day long, tears trickled down my face.

I kept thinking about my time in Makkovik and how God spoke to me while I was there in the stillness of His universe. I also remember the first time this song was sung in a church service... it was the first song that I had heard there that I actually knew and that song was just placed on my heart from there on end. Many a time I would walk home from church in Makkovik in the crisp air, in the solitude and simplicity of life, and this song would be going through my head, I would pray and allow God's Spirit to penetrate deep within. And as I sit here tonight I allow God to do the same.

I am so thankful that God had a plan for me while I was in Makkovik. He used that isolated community on the North Coast of Labrador to teach me who I was as a person, who I was as a Christian, and who I was as a child of God. He gave me insights into ministry in small communities and Aboriginal settings. He showed me how to focus upward. He taught me how to be REAL! I am so thankful to God tonight for everything He had done in my life!

Moments like these are wonderful!

My prayer tonight is this: That God would continue speaking to me while I am here at CFOT, that God would continue to guide my life and continue to lead me in the direction He would want me to go in my ministry.

And I have a prayer request that I want you to pray for:
The Moravian Church in Labrador is still seeking ministers for the three churches in Nain, Hopedale, and Makkovik. This is been happening since April. Please make this a matter of prayer. They have been without ministers in their churches for a very long time. Let's pray for this.

Have a great Spirit-filled evening and continue to allow God to work in your life!

God Bless,
Rebecca

2007-10-25T20:35:00.001-07:00

EXCITING TIMES!!!!

Here are two announcements:
My Corps Placement is: Weetemah!!!! Very exciting!
My Winter Assignment is: Fredericton, New Brunswick.

It is exciting times!

God Bless,
Rebecca

2007-10-22T20:26:00.000-07:00

Affirming my Calling

In the interview that we had within the first couple of weeks of Training College, we were asked the question: Has anything affirmed your calling in the past three weeks since you have been here?

Well, I could answer yes at that point but now I can answer yes more so. It is amazing to see how God is moving and how God has been speaking to me since I have been here. God never ceases to amaze me. So many Bible verses have been standing out to me but this one inparticular has stood out to me: "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1: 6)

and Psalm 40:8 "I desire to do your will O my God; your law is within my heart".

Both of these verses have been following me around since I have been here.

Each day I feel like that I am supposed to be here more and more. I know that God has called me to ministry. I know that God has placed a special ministry on my heart, and I know that He will continue to equip me. What else can I say but that I serve an awesome God!

Blessings,
Rebecca

2007-10-14T05:41:00.000-07:00

Having Hope in Christ. . .

Today is an In-Sunday at CFOT and the service this morning is talking about HOPE, and certainty in God. That;s how we the planning team planned it.

Anyway, I have been thinking about this alot in the last two weeks as I have watched one of friends go through a rough time and I keep thinking what would be different if she put her hope and trust in God?

Well, this morning I will be singing the song In Christ Alone by Brian Littrell. Let me share with you the chorus of the song:

In Christ Alone I place my trust
and find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory let it be said of me,
my source of strength, my source of hope,
in Christ Alone!

Pray for your friends who do not have the hope of Christ in their lives!

Blessings,
Rebecca

2007-09-29T20:16:00.000-07:00

Ministry Opportunities!

So today I discovered the awesome opportunities in which God puts in front of us to minister.
As I was sitting in the hospital today waiting with one of my friends, God really made me think about all the wonderful opportunities that we can have to minister or just listen. I was able to talk to a couple of people in the emergency room today just by saying a simple hello or smiling as they sat down a long side of me. It is amazing what a simple smile or hello can do. It opened up a conversation and I was able to sit back and listen to this lady's story. The same happened with a gentleman.

Although sitting in a hospital can be a drag, I would have to say I never found it that way at all today. As I watched all sorts of people coming into the hospital, I was able to see that we also have opportunity to pray for individuals. Some people have their "STORY" written all over their faces. Today I sat in silence I was able to pray for these individuals. I was able to just have a desire to help in prayer.

God is always good! Keep your ears and eyes open... you never know what God is trying to speak or show to you!

Blessings!

2007-09-16T19:48:00.000-07:00

Witnesses for Christ 2007-2009 Welcoming Meeting!

I am so thankful to God that I am finally at CFOT, here in Winnipeg! I am so happy and glad to be serving God in the Salvation Army. I am even more elated for being obedient to God's Will and giving my whole life to Him as I study to become a minister. I am so thankful that three years ago I felt God calling me to officership. Although, the calling to officership was somewhat of a struggle for me, a year and half later I finally accepted His call and since then I have been embodied with the feeling of peace. God is amazing!

This weekend, my session, "The Witnesses for Christ", had our Welcoming. It was a really nice occasion and celebration. God really spoke to us through His speakers! I really hope that in the next two years I will ----- (1) gain a greater understanding of theology, (2) dig deep into the Word and understand it to the best of my ability, (3) grow in my relationship with Christ, and (4) continue to think positively!

I am so thankful also that my family was here to support me. God is good!

God Bless!

2007-08-17T08:13:00.000-07:00

Another UPDATE

Well in 10 sleeps, I guess really 9.5 sleeps (ha ha), I will be leaving for Winnipeg. I am very excited but yet somewhat nervous. But that's normal. I know that God will be with each of us as we got into ministry for Him. I am really looking forward to meeting everyone, getting settled away in my OWN apartment, and going back to school. I really cannot wait to set up the apartment. I cannot wait for that at all! I am sure the first month of Training College will be full of lots of adventures and new experiences. It will be very exciting! I am really looking forward to see what the different ministry opportunities will be!

For the next 10 days that I have in Newfoundland I will be busy. There are things I need to do and people I must visit and places I want to go before I leave. This Sunday I am doing the services at my corps which is exciting. In the morning I will be speaking on "God's Grace" and in the evening "God's love for us". I just pray that God will indeed bless these services.

As for now, I need to go and fax something off and photocopy somethings. I hope you are all having a fabulous summer. I know I am!

God Bless,
Rebecca

2007-07-19T16:07:00.000-07:00

Summer 2007 Update...

July 1st-8th:
I was at the Moravian Youth Camp for teenagers ages 13-15 in Goose Bay. Russell planned the camp and did a great job running it under God's guidance! It was a week full of much fun and good laughs. I think my favourite part was the campfires. They were a lot of fun and the campers seemed to enjoy it. I also liked watching the soccer game or should I say football game that we had against the Goose Bay All Stars out in Goose Bay. It was cool watching the campers work together as a team especially since they had never played with one another. I also met some wonderful Christian leaders while I was at camp and I am glad that I had that opportunity. It was also great to minister to the campers. The campers were all great and as the week went on it was so nice to each of them open up more and more. God is GOOD!

July 8th:
I got in St. John's at 3:30, got my luggage at 3:50, left the airport at 4:00, got in my driveway at 5:00, grabbed a quick shower, got in the car at 5:20, was in Whitbourne by 5:40 to play in the band for church. I was so happy!

July 9th - present:
I have been relaxing and packing at home with my mom! (My dad will be home on July 30th!)
I am also helping with VBS at church. This week we have been in the "CONSTRUCTION ZONE" and it has been a whole lot of fun! There has been 50 or more kids at VBS each day. Tomorrow night we have our final program and we get to sing 5 of our songs. It will be a whole lot of fun. It has been a great week learning about Jesus and the love He has for each of us!
My cousins are home too which is nice. So I'll get to see them for a bit!

The plan for the rest of the summer...
From July 27th - August 4th: I go to Music Camp! THis will be wonderful I am sure. I'll get to play for different vocalists, and play for a choir. Maybe, I'll get to play in the band too! It will be good... I am not a counsellor this year so I'll be staying in a cabin with some leaders.

My things arrive from Lewisporte sometime before July 31st... then they will be picked up by a Moving company on August 3rd to go to Winnipeg.

From the 5th to the 26th I will be relaxing at home in Dildo. I am doing the church services on Sunday, August 19th... if you are in the area, come along! On the 27th at 6:00 in the morning I will be on a plane flying to Winnipeg... 38 sleeps from today! It is all very exciting!

Anyway, for now I think I might go put on a movie. I haven't watched a movie all week!

God Bless,
Rebecca

2007-06-30T04:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, June 29th, I was invited out in boat so I went. For someone who is a Newfie, this was only my third time out in a speed boat and each time I have been out in speed boat I have been in Labrador! Yes, that is funny!

Well yesterday we left around 10:30 and headed up the bay (that way is ice free)! But before we headed up the bay, he brought me where Torsten Andersen first landed in Makkovik. When he first came here he wrote on the rock, "Prepare to Meet Thy God". Every year someone from the Andersen family comes back to paint it on the rock. Wow! He must have been a man of great faith! I think it is absolutely awesome! God's creation is in its absolute beauty here in Labrador.

After Johnny showed me that we ended up the bay to do some fishing! We went right to the very end of the bay. After all the times I snowmobiled on the bay, everything looked completely different. I seen cabins I never seen. I must have always been concentrated on the things ahead of me! ha ha! Well when we got to the very end of the bay it was like we had entered a different world. It was completely serene and breath-taking. How beautiful. You have to slow way down and go up the mouth of a river and then you turn into a cove called Boats Cove. Beautiful. We landed the boat and went about fishing.

Alright, so it was the first time that I had ever used a open cast rod... let's say I must have patience. I must have knotted up my line 5 times before Ifigured out how to use it! I usually use a close reel when I go fishing with dad. But DAD, watch out, I'll be taking your open-face reel the summer! Actually, probably not! But I did get the hang of it eventually. Well we had little luck fishing at the cove so we went and ate lunch. I tried smoked trout for the first time and to my surprise I actually liked it more like loved it. It was the nicest tasting fish!

After lunch we headed up the bay again where we fished from the boat. Johnny caught a few and I caught a trout and 4 sculpins! They have to be the ugliest fish ever and they are no good to eat you just have to throw them back. And no... it wasn't the same one I caught everytime! It was definitely different ones. Once, I thought I had a huge trout or char and it was a little bit of a struggle to get him into the boat. To my disappointment I hauled up a huge SCULPIN! Well we laughed and I think that was the last thing that I caught!

Then we returned back to Makkovik Harbour where Johnny hauled up a fishing net. That was pretty cool! I never seen that done before... yep, and I am a Newfie, I assure you!

Anyway, a great day was had and I returned home around 4:15! Nice day!

2007-06-25T13:20:00.000-07:00

Leaving Here...

So in 6 sleeps I will be leaving the community where I spent the last 2 years. It has been a great 2 years with many different adventures, many things learnt, much fun had, and friendships developed. I really enjoyed my time here. The community was very supportive of the school music program; you never had to ask for help, people would just offer; and everyone was extremely friendly. You couldn't ask for anything better than that! Thanks everyone!

So . . . Everything is coming to an end. It is sad in a way but exciting at the same time. In 63 days I will be in Winnipeg to begin a new adventure in my life which I am thoroughly looking forward to! I will be entering into a ministry program where I know I am supposed to be. But without a doubt leaving here is a bit sad too!

Today I said goodbye to my roommate. She flew back home to Newfoundland today. For two people who did not know each other when we came here... we definitely hit it off and got along so well!!!! I really believe that God put us in the same place for a reason. We had so many things in common and we shared the same beliefs. That was amazing and once again I will say: "God definitely takes care of the little things". I will definitely miss her and I am sure we will make many phone calls to one another next year. I will probably be calling Carla everytime I cook supper... ha ha ha. What goes in gravy? Milk, right? Just kiddin'. While here we basically did everything together. It was a rare occasion to see either one of us at the store on our own! It was an even rarer occasion to see either one of us walk to school on our own. What one did the other did. I am absolutely serious about that. Anyway, Carla.... it was good times had and I will miss you tons. There will be days in Winnipeg where I am sure I will say I wish I was walking to the store with Carla!

Well... it has been a good two years. I am so thankful for everything God has done for me while I have been here!

Blessings,
Rebecca

2007-06-14T14:39:00.000-07:00

JUNE 14th 2007... and I went sliding down over a hill on my coat!

Ok... so most of the snow is gone... the bay has broken up but there is still a lot of ice out in the ocean (blocked ice) so I guess it will be awhile before the boat gets here! But that's ok!

Today... I took my grade 9 students for a walk up the hill behind the school. We walked out to Indian Head. I just thought we would walk out and return the same way we went. But one of the boys had another idea. "Miss, why don't be go down over the slant." "My response is "Sure, good idea!" Well at the time I did not realize that we would be going on snow... down over the STEEP hill on snow and my sneakers, believe me, are pretty slippery. (For example last year there was nothing but a sheet of ice from the school to my house. I left the school got on the road and the wind took me and I just went all the way home unable to stop myself. A little scary! ) Alright, anyway, I started to go down over the hill and I knew I would end up on my behind so I took my coat and sat on it and slid all the way down... talk about a great slide. However, when I got down... one of my kids looked at me and said, "Miss, I got flip flops on!" ... "Slide down then.""
Her response... "NO coat!" So there it was her coming down in the snow in flip flops and another student in clogs. So we finally get down and I dry off the girls' feet with my coat and we go on our way when we come across more snow. So me and another student lifted up one of the girls... not thinking about how slippery my sneakers are... well needless to say we almost got her safe and sound to our destination when I slipped, she landed on top of me, and the other girl on top of her. Ok... we all got up from it and laughed and decided it would be a good story for their grade 12 graduation. Anyway, after school I wanted to go on the adventure again and I really wanted to slide down again so I did just that and dragged along Carla and Tara, fellow teachers! We had a lot of fun and took a lot of pictures! Yeah... you have to love life!

Blessings
Rebecca

2007-06-07T18:59:00.000-07:00

Here's some pictures from the last couple of weeks. Sorry they are all over the place. But some are of the concert which was tonight, others of the graduation June 2nd, and the others of my birthday... May 21.

Well... here is a picture of Music K-2 performing Chicken Little... Here's my runners.

March of the Royal Animals... Ribbon Movement by Grades 3-4.

Grade 7-8 playing Ode to Joy... this was their debut performance. They did a great job!

Here is my grade 12 band. They did an outstanding job. They performed 4 selections: Summer of 69, Linger, Last Kiss and Am I not Pretty Enough?

She's 11... she has been playing drums since just before Easter and she's pretty good!

The Junior Choir singing, "In the Shoemaker's Shop". Hey, Krista do you remember this song from choir when we were kids?

This picture was taken at 10:00 PM as I was walking to supervise the grad dance on June 2.

Pictures of the dance. Me playing bass guitar for Last Kiss. I don't usually play bass guitar but since being here I played a lot of different instruments even to the point where I get excited to play drum kit!
Jéntends les moulins... They did a good job... I love this class!

When I got up on my birthday I was excited to see the Happy Birthday letters that Carla had made on the wall! It was so nice and she did that for me when she was super duper sick with strep throat. Thanks Carla.

The girl graduates.... hip hip horray! This is my homeroom class and I have them 20 periods out of 70 which is alot!
Introducing to you the class of 2007~!

2007-06-06T17:47:00.000-07:00

An Important Thought . . .

We worry too much about what others think or about what others say or what others do to us. However, why do we worry about that? We have an audience of one. Our audience is God. If we are living for God, living a life pleasing to God, and we can say that we handled a situation in a way that was pleasing to God, isn't that all that matters!

I decided in October 2005 that this is all that matters to me and I truly believe that we only have to please God, it does not matter what others think! I live for God and if I know what I did was alright in God's eyes then I put my worrying away. But if I know that I have done something wrong then I ask God to show me the correct way and ask for His forgiveness.

This is just my thought after I have heard so many people today worry about the little things. We need to always remember that we have an audience of one!

God Bless,

Rebecca

2007-05-28T12:03:00.000-07:00

The Roads are Plowed

Today the roads are being plowed in town. That is a big deal. It is exciting because I think "spring" is coming! It was actually refreshing to see a truck parked outside of the school today. However, it is a bit sad because there is no more riding machine for me for awhile. But that is ok... I loved every minute of riding machines here! With all of that being said we still have a lot of snow around town but it was getting bad on the roads so they plowed the roads. Not all the roads are plowed yet but they are hard at it today! This means... maybe I'll get some walking in!

We had a good time this weekend at the church as a couple from Tribal Trails were here. They had a lovely concert last night which was wonderful. They shared their testimonies which was really touching. Hopefully they will be able to return to Labrador sometime again in the future!
God is good!

Blessings,
Rebecca

2007-05-26T17:49:00.000-07:00

I'm in His Hands

I'm in His hands, I'm in His hands,
Whate'er the future holds, I'm in His hands,
The days I cannot see
Have all been planned for me;
His way is best, you see;
I'm in His hands.

2007-05-20T05:23:00.000-07:00

Some of My Favourite Birthday Parties . . .

So my mom really loved planning for my birthday parties, right mom? No... she really did! She would always ask me what theme I wanted and then her and I would head to Woolco and get all the decorations and invitations that were needed. She would buy loot bag things and she made sure that there was a prize for each child at the party. I loved my birthday parties and I loved planning for them. I had a Care Bears birthday, a Crayon Birthday, a Mickey Mouse Birthday... I know that I had more but I can picture these Birthday cakes in my head. My mom used to decorate all of my cakes and she always did a fantastic job decorating.

Yeah... I always enjoyed my birthday parties.

Here are a couple of Birthday Party Memories . . .

*For my 9th Birthday, my parents decided to take a group of us Bowling in Bay Roberts. I remember my dad drove my Nanny's and grandfather's car and I went with him with my two best friends at the time. I remember being in the car and on the way over saying to my dad this: Dad, I'm sitting with my two bridemaids here. Funny hey... what you think when you are a kid. Actually, if I ever get married, one of them will definitely stand at my wedding because she is still one of my closest friends.

* At my Crayola Crayons Birthday Party, my mom had done a beautiful job decorating my cake... it looked like a pack of crayola crayons and I spilled my coke over part of it.

*My favourite birthday was my birthday party that I had in grade 6. I had a sleep over... well I can't say we actually slept. We stayed up all night watching movie after movie, playing "Truth, Dare, and Double Dare", and we watched some of the play offs between Los Angeles and ?. That was the only hockey game that I ever watched in my life... a full game anyway. It was a wicked fun birthday party.

*Oh, and I always had a family birthday party too where my parents, grandparents, cousins, aunt and uncle, and one friend were there. It would always be a POT LUCK of which my mom made delicious food, and lots and lots of cookies. It was always a nice time.

Can't you all feel the excitement in your stomach for your birthday parties? It was such an awesome feeling. Thanks mom and dad!

Alright, have a great day!

God Bless,
Rebecca

2007-05-17T18:26:00.000-07:00

A Moment of Reflecting. . . The Things I LOVE!

1. I love GOD! It's amazing to see what He continues to do daily in so many lives. I just wish that more people would see how amazing He is!
2. I love reading my Bible! I especially love the Books of James, Ephesians, Romans, and Nehemiah.
3. I love playing piano and singing, especially when I am alone!
4. I love hanging out with other people who have similar interests to me.
5. I love READING. I love reading about anything that I am interested in knowing more about.
6. I love my family... this should have been my #2 answer. My family is close knit and I am thankful that I grew up in such a supportive home! I love my parents very much.
7. I love working at CAMP. I wish I could be at a camp everyday of the year. The five summers that I worked at camp always had such a great impact on my life. I worked 2 summers at Burry Heights United Church Camp, Kippewa All Girls Camp for one summer, and THe Salvation Army Camp in North Carolina for 2 summers. Wish I could be at the last camp this year!
8. I love the verse Hebrews 12:2. I never in my life had a verse that stayed with me as much as this one.
9. I love working with kids.
10. I love teaching students when they really desire to learn music or at least have fun with it. . . my fiddle group, junior choir, and grade 12s. (As a side note: I really cannot stand attitude from my students... but I keep saying to myself", "Be an example!")
11. I love travelling. I would go just about anywhere I think! I really want to go to Caribbean for a trip in the near future. Maybe I may be able to save a bit more money perhaps, now that would be a sweet deal.
12. I love snowmobiling. This is my new found love since living here although sometimes I am still rather nervous about going up steep embankments and that's when I make Carla drive! (My roommate is great!)
13. I love helping other people and being there to listen to them if they need someone to listen.
14. I love anything and everything to do with church. I feel most at home when I am at church!
15. I love playing in all ensembles and playing all instruments well maybe not clarinet but everything else that I have tried to play or play.

I am so thankful for all the things I have been able to experience in my life thus far!

God, I pray Lord that I will continue to have a love for these things. I ask Lord that you be at the centre of each of them and that You would continue to be my guide! Thank you for everything that you do in our lives each and everyday!

With much love and praise,
Rebecca

2007-05-16T12:51:00.000-07:00

Winter Storm in MAY. . .

I honestly can't believe it. . . it is May 16th and we are having blustery winter weather. Last year at this time we could walk on the sand by now but apparently that was a strange year. Today we are having SNOW and BLOWING SNOW. I never ever experienced snow on my birthday but there definitely will be snow around for Monday and lots of it still I think. So that is rather interesting and different for me. I wish I could take a video to show you the weather, it really does just amaze me.

Enjoy your day!
Rebecca

2007-05-12T11:28:00.000-07:00

Hi! It is May 12th and we are still enjoying "WINTER"activities. It is hard to believe that you can still drive machine on the ice and it is completely safe. Rock Solid! Today, I went ice fishing with a couple in the community. I caught one trout. It was a fair size. I am going to have it for lunch tomorrow. We drove a way I had not been yet so that was nice and it was beautiful. The background was very hilly. Nice hey? Anyway, I just wanted to say that it is May 12th and we still have lots and lots and lots of snow. But the snow makes for nice outtings!

Have a great day!

Rebecca

2007-05-10T16:17:00.000-07:00

Even when something bad and awkward happens in your day, God always has a way to make you smile. At one point of the day, I had a really bad moment that put me in a somewhat bad mood. But this afternoon that all changed when one of my little students came up, passed in her work, and stood up along side of me, wrapping her arms around me and placing her head on me until all the rest of the students had the sheet passed into me. That made my day and tonight it was no different. I passed out 4 pieces of music to the Fiddle group and before it was over I had to go get more music. They ate them up... yeah... see there are big smiles on my face now!

Have a day filled with many blessings!
Rebecca

2007-05-07T17:02:00.000-07:00

OK... So I have lost my voice! It's really weird! Yesterday in church my voice felt a little crackly when I sung, however, I never thought anything about it. Today I woke up a little hoarse... it went away after I had something to drink. But during my second last class I felt something weird happen to my voice and from about 5 oclock to now my voice has been getting progressively worst. I can hardly talk. So I am trying not to talk for the remainder of the night. Now that's difficult! Just kiddin' '! I hope my voice returns in the morning. I need to be able to sing tomorrow. I have primary classes!!!

Have a great day ! I'm going to curl up in a blanket and read. Yeah!

Rebecca

2007-05-02T16:11:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I am getting so excited! It is May month already. I turn 25 in 19 days or something like that. But that;s not why I am excited. It is sooo close to me starting the new adventure in my life. When I was in St. John's I went to the Trade and tried on some uniform blouses and the raglin. It made it seem so real that I will indeed be entering CFOT in September. And today it hit me how fast time has flew since January 2006 when I first made my decision. Wow... things are good! I am super excited. However, with that being said, I will miss J.C.E.M and Makkovik. I will miss winter here although it is now time for the snow to go. We are still driving skidoos to school on May 2 and I say we will be riding to school for least another week and a half. So I probably won't miss winter going into May. But I will miss it and the students that I taught while I was here. But God is good and I know that He will be with me as I move to Winnipeg in September and start this new adventure in my life.

Exciting stuff, hey?

Alright, I am going to run... get some school work done.

In Faith
Rebecca

2007-04-29T15:31:00.000-07:00

Well we had an excellent week in St. John's!!! We arrived in St. John's on Monday, April 23 and arrived back to Makkovik today, Sunday, April 29th. We had an amazing time.

We went to St. John's to play in the Rotary Music Festival. And... all the hard work paid off! They did an amazing job at each performance. They also were so sweet and I got so many comments about their wonderful behaviour and sweet attitudes! It was so nice to always hear positive comments about the three girls. While in St. John's the girls had the greatest musical opportunities that they could experience. They also were able to do other things too!

Here is how our week went:

Monday... arrived in St. John's, went to Dairy Queen.

Tuesday... practiced at Music School, went to Cape Spear for picnic, did a scenic drive to Petty Harbour, went to Signal Hill, shopped at the Avalon Mall, went to a movie and ate lots of popcorn.

Wednesday... Practiced at Music School, toured Music School and MUN (Library, field house, tunnels), drove to Bay Roberts, did a concert/Labrador presentation at Beth's School, went to Pizza Hut for supper, went to St. John's Citadel Band Practice.

Thursday... practiced at the music school, had workshop with Christina Smith (really good fiddler) for two hours, ate lunch at hotel room, went to Bowering Park for the afternoon and went to see the Battery, Quidi Vidi, and other places, practiced at the music school, relaxed at hotel until concert, participated in Rotary Music Festival concert.

Friday... had clinic in the morning, watched the rest of the clinics with a sleep drive in the middle because I will tell you that story in a second, went swimming, went bowling, shopped at the Village for an hour, went to Jazz Concert, hung out with the group from St. Anthony.

Saturday... went running errands for an hour, had a fiddle encounter with the Step Fiddlers (this was a great experience for the girls!!!), had a pizza lunch with them, went to a workshop with a Montreal Symphony violist, had three hours of FREE TIME, went to Jungle Jim's for supper, orchestra concert, and went to Tim's for coffee with Ms. Price.

Sunday... returned home... boo hoo... I could have continued this schedule for a long time. However, we were all starting to get pretty tired! I don't think I went to bed all week at a sensible time! But we had an awesome time! Yeah... for the Rotary Music Festival.

Alright, I will post some funny stories later on!

God Bless,

Rebecca

2007-04-22T18:49:00.000-07:00

Nothing beats the sound of the brass band playing O Boundless Salvation.

2007-04-21T19:24:00.000-07:00

A Few Thoughts

Ok... so this week has been a very busy week and this weekend thus far has been no exception to that. I am taking my fiddle group to St. John's on Tuesday of this week for the Rotary Music Festival so this week we have had numerous practices and I have had to prepare for different things that we are doing when we are out in town... making it busy. Also, we had a Bridal Shower, a lock down last night at the school therefore I had to sleep all day today, Jamboree tonight in which the Fiddle Group performed, a grade three student sung, and the music group performed. And tomorrow... well I listen to church online before I go to Sunday School. Then I have to make my way to the school to plan for the whole week since I will be away, and then there is church, and planning again. It is going to be a busy tomorrow.

Ok... sorry so long winded before I actually get to my point of : SO for those parents out there who are working and running a family, how do you do it? How do you keep your house clean and do all the mommy and daddy things, plan for school or work. How do you do it? I admire all of you. Because this week I can hardly find time to cook supper, let alone clean up from it.

But with all of my busyness of this week.... I am very thankful to God for allowing me to work with the Fiddle Group which consists of three hardworking, nice girls. They have improved so much since September it is amazing. Tonight, they performed so well... I cannot wait to take them to St. John's. They are very excited as well. We had sweatshirts come yesterday so we are all set.

Alright, so if this blog doesn't make a whole bunch of sense I am sorry... I was up for over 26 hours yesterday and today I only managed to get approximately four hours sleep if I was lucky. I'm not complaining though. I enjoyed every minute of the lock down and the best thing about is it was a part of God's work!

Blessings,
Rebecca

2007-04-16T17:16:00.000-07:00

Prayer

I love being in His presence. I love prayer just because of that. Because in that moment when you pray, you focus directly on Him and as you do that, each and every time you become closer to Him. And as you become closer, your passion for Him and His work just deepens. I love praying. I love praying for others. I love praying in groups. I love praying alone. I love looking back through the prayer journal and seeing the amazing things that prayer can do.

The other night while I was praying, I had no clue what to pray about for this person. I just knew that she needed to be prayed for. So I just focussed upward and said, "Lord, you know the situation. I trust you to deal with it. I don't know what to say about it. But you know all things". Feeling a little discouraged that I didn;t know what to say God quickly reminded me as I opened my Bible and turned right to Romans 8:26-28 that the Spirit was right there interceding for me. I could forever sense His presence!

Prayer is awesome. I love it! I really believe in it. I know that prayer is the key to everything!

Keep praying,
Rebecca

2007-04-14T19:26:00.000-07:00

2007-04-12T17:02:00.000-07:00

An Adventure...

This past week I snowmobiled all the way to Goose Bay. Talk about an adventure! It was amazing!

On Thursday, when school ended, Carla and I headed right to Postville and spent the night at her sister's house. The next morning we got up bright and early to head to Goose Bay. We left (Carla, her boyfriend and myself) at 7:00am in the morning on 2 machines and headed out to Goose Bay on the Trans Labrador Trail. The trail, which is a snowmobile trail, was neat in itself... it actually had signs, like actually road signs: turns, steep hills, speed limits, route numbers, and ice crossing.

Carla and I decided that we would take my machine and split the driving. So we did just that. Every hour we switched up, just like the clock. We didn't know what we were going to think about driving machine that far but it turned out to be a very enjoyable experience. We seen the most beautiful things. At one point we kept climbing and climbling and climbing this huge hill when all of sudden we hit the most beautiful spot I have ever pictured in my whole entire life. It was like we had entered a Magical Kingdom! The trees were very tall and burnt, covered in ice crystals. On top of the hill at the time was freezing fog. It was absolutely beautiful. THe only thing is we did not get any pictures. We were behind by a nice bit in our driving and was trying to play catch up but I really don't think the camera would have done justice to what we saw! Anyway, after much beautiful scenery and funny moments... including me getting half way up a steep hill and saying "I don't think I can do this one" as I jumped off and let the machine slip down over the hill. OK... yes, I know... but hey, I only started driving skidoos last year (but Betsy was good and got us through. (Betsy is my machine and Lou Lou is Carla's machine), we finally arrived in Goose Bay 7.5 hours later.

So we stayed in Goose Bay until today at Carla's sister's house. We had a lot of fun. We played games, shopped, bought clothes at Reitman's, ate out (Mary Brown's, KFC, Burger King, Pizza Delight, and Subway... we ate out a lot just because there are no restaurants here so we took advantage) and we got to go to church. It was lovely. Oh... and I got my hair cut, cut right off! I had a fabulous week.

So today we left at 7:00 again, however this time we drove all the way back to our house so it took us a little longer as we only stopped in Postville for an hour... we got back here at 7:00 tonight so it has been a long day. We went 180 miles today so times that by 1.6 and we get 288 km! But enjoyable! It really seemed like we just left when we arrived in Postville. It was a little harder going today since we had over 40 centimeters of snow over the weekend! I would have to say... if you ever have the opportunity to go from Goose Bay to Postville on machine you should do it. It is an amazing experience.

Well... I will post some pictures later! I think for right now I will go to bed. I feel a little tired!

In Faith,
Rebecca

2007-04-03T17:23:00.000-07:00

Galations 1: 10 says:

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Why is it that we sometimes try to please men or have the approval of men instead of just pleasing God?

I was sitting in church here on Sunday and I felt compelled to just start singing with this song that they were playing which I taught the choir. I just wanted to praise God and worship Him. During this time everyone was quiet, sitting very still so I was afraid to worship and sing because I was afraid of what others were think.

Now. . . this is my thought. God made us to worship. God wants us to witness for Him. God wants us to listen to His Spirit. And therefore, we should put God first. Therefore, I should not be afraid of what people will think. I should just fall down at the feet of Jesus and worship Him.

I know that I am not the only one who has felt that way. I have had this conversation with numerous people in the past. However, it brings me right back to Chris Tomlin's, "Undignified". That's how I feel today! "Some may feel it's foolishness but I will come even more undignified than this."

Isn't it wonderful to feel God's love and love Him?

It's awesome!

Rebecca

2007-03-23T19:02:00.000-07:00

I am CFOT Bound for September 2007!

I am super duper excited! Tonight, just shortly after supper, I found out that I am accepted to the Witnesses for Christ session for 2007-2009 at the College for Officer Training in Winnipeg. I will be heading to Winnipeg in September. So now I can start to plan for September. I am excited to start in full-time ministry. In the next little while I should be receiving more information. I am having an awesome night!

Many Blessings,
Rebecca

2007-03-22T18:10:00.000-07:00

Yahtzee...

So here's the deal about Yahtzee. . . some things that I have learned over the past few months:

1. You need to play on a hard playing surface, it is not so fun when you are playing on a soft surface. You really need all the noise you can get.

2. Paper and other objects on the table such as crumbs... now that's interference with the dice! Shockin' hey!

3. Playing with 3 people is a lot of fun, playing with 2 people is good, playing with a crowd possibly could be too long.

4. You need to be head to head with Yahtzees in order to stay in the game.

5. Playing 6 rows at the same time is the best. One row at a time can be really hard.

6. After about the 100 games of yahtzee that I have played since Christmas, I have seen 3 Yahzees rolled with one throw.

7. Six is the funnest number to go for.

8. Yahtzee is a game that you seem to hate one minute but can't get enough of it the next.

9. It is not very nice when you can't get your bonus on top.

10. The one thing that I have discovered is that the easiest way to get a large straight is to roll it in one roll.

Ok... yeah, I know. I play a lot of Yahtzee. And believe it or not I think there is some strategy in playing the game. And... it is definitely a good way for kids to practice addition and multiplication (that's the teacher talking. . . we are in the midst of an inservice). Alright, that's all for now. Have a great day!

2007-03-18T17:19:00.000-07:00

Here's an UPDATE!

I had my Divisional Interview on Friday. It went well! It was nice to know 4 out of the 5 who were interviewing me... that was really nice! Anyway, my papers are headed to THQ and I should know within the next little while about the possibility of college in the FALL. So that's exciting!

On Friday afternoon I headed out to Postville. We left right after school and snowmobiled to Postville. Postville is the community which is closest to us. It took us an hour and half to get there but it felt like no time because it was so pretty out and the bay ice was right nice and smooth to drive on. We went out for the weekend, which was so relaxing. I was so happy to be able to have a weekend to myself. You have to appreciate weekends like. On Saturday we had a really nice boilup. It was super nice! We went with Carla's family for the boilup. It was great. There's nothing better than tea at a fire. Then today we went to the Pentecostal church which was nice and then this afternoon, after we had a delicious ham dinner, we left to travel back. It took us almost a hour more to come back because we had had snow overnight and it made the trip a little bumpy. But all in all, it was an excellent weekend. It was very nice and relaxing.
I am so thankful!

Anyway, I think I might go and get some sleep. I am really sleepy!

Have a great day!

In Faith,
Rebecca

2007-03-11T18:30:00.000-07:00

I hope that tomorrow I will hear from DHQ. This would make my day! I just want to have the interview and have everything move forward to THQ. This has been such a long application process. I started doing the course in March of last year so it is a year from last week. This seed for full-time ministry was planted 3 years ago in North Carolina and although at the beginning I struggled with this calling, God used certain circumstances to make the seed that He planted to come alive and now I cannot wait to enter full-time ministry for Him. God has planted a huge desire and passion on my heart for ministry and I cannot wait to do His work.

In Faith,
Rebecca

2007-03-08T12:03:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I just went out of my house for the first time since I came home Monday. We have been storm bound for the past three days and finally around 2:30 this afternoon (Thursday) I was able to go out and shovel out my skidoo and shovel off my steps. It has been blowing a gail. I posted some pictures earlier but here are some pictures of the snow storm and of the final results of the snow storm. It was the most interesting blizzard that I ever experienced.

But with that being said I had a much needed break that was very enjoyable. I played piano all out for the first time since the summer, I scrapbooked a bit, I listened to a lot of Chris Tomlin music, I cleaned a bit, I had some nice devotional/prayer times, I got to complete one of the last forms before my divisional interview which should be within the next couple of days (I am so excited), I got to watch curling, I got to have a couple of naps, I was able to plan, I got to catch up with some friends and I got some good relaxing in. Overall, it was nice! I was so thankful for this time. Back to school tomorrow and it is grub day too... and I am on so I better run to the store and get something for grub day... whatever that may be!

Have a God-filled day!

Rebecca

2007-03-07T03:21:00.000-08:00

2007-03-06T14:21:00.000-08:00

So... here's the view from my living room window... enjoy!

2007-03-06T02:41:00.000-08:00

Undignified by CHRIS TOMLIN

I will dance I will sing to be mad for my King
nothing Lord is hindering this passion in my soul
I will dance I will sing to be mad for my King
nothing Lord is hindering this passion in my soul

And Ill become even more undignified than this,
some may say its foolishness but,
Ill become even more undignified than this
Leave my pride by my side
I will dance I will sing to be mad for my King
nothing Lord is hindering this passion in my soul
I will dance I will sing to be mad for my King
nothing Lord is hindering this passion in my soul
(chorus)
La la la la la HEY
(repeat)
ITS ALL FOR YOU MY LORD!!!

(This is my new favourite worship song!!!! Chris Tomlin is great!)

2007-03-05T12:23:00.000-08:00

I love how God works in mysterious ways. I absolutely love it! I was very blessed today to know that God continues to use us in ways we never quite imagined! Isn't He wonderful?

2007-03-03T18:07:00.000-08:00

"It's some pretty out!"

The past three days it has been really pretty out! On Thursday we went snowshoeing, on Friday we went cross-country skiing, and today we went for a 5 kilometer snowshoe adventure which took about two hours. For about 4 kilometers of our journey we were out on the bay ice. We went out behind Makkovik, on Makkovik Bay and came in around Indian Head into Makkovik. It was absolutely beautiful. I just decided to show you some pictures... all of the pictures are of the bay ice except the one of the church and Carla. Oh... and just since some of you heard my slob story of last year, there is a picture of slob included. But this slob is now frozen. Alright, just wanted you all to see how pretty the last few days have been!

2007-03-01T16:37:00.000-08:00

Another First!!!

Today was such a pretty day that we decided to do something that I had never done before. I went SNOWSHOEING! It was a lot of fun, and not as hard as I expected but I think it has the potential of being very hard when you have big, heavy snowshoes on. The snowshoes we used are meant for racing in the Winter Sports Meet that they have along the coast therefore they were not clunky or big, they were very lightweight which was nice. It was interesting trying to get them done up but I eventually got them on my feet and made my way down over the steps... maybe not the best idea. Anyway, then we went on our adventure. We went up a beautiful path and just had a great time exploring and seeing if snowshoes really work. I gave my snowshoes a true test: I went in snow that if I wasn't wearing snowshoes I would probably be up to my waist. However, with the snowshoes I probably only went down a couple of inches. That was good!
I am so thankful for being able to experience so many different things up here. I think this weekend we are going to rent some skis. Now that could be interesting! But I am sure we will have lots of fun and we will experience some more of God's beauty.
Enjoy the pictures!

Many Blessings,

Rebecca

2007-02-25T06:11:00.000-08:00

Snow! Snow! and MORE Snow!

Ok. . . so to everyone who is experiencing winter weather I know how you feel. Just because there is yet another blizzard here this morning. Just for kicks. . .I have decided to blog to you about the snow in Labrador, well along the north coast really. So here's the record of our SNOW since last Saturday...

Saturday, February 17: SNOW!
Sunday, February 18: SNOW! Blustery! (could hardly see as I drove to church) no flights!
Monday, February 19: Sunny in the morning, flights on schedule. Afternoon.snowy noflights!
Tuesday, February 20: Lots of Snow! no flights
Wednesday, Feb. 21: lots of snow! no flights (Snow bank really hard to get up over)
Thursday, Feb. 22: Snow! no flights
Friday, Feb. 23: Snow! Freezing rain! definitely no flights
Saturday, Feb. 24: Morning: clear, risk of freezing rain. Afternoon: Snow
no flights!
Sunday, Feb. 25: BLIZZARD! no flights!
Monday, Feb. 26... predicted forecast... snow and blowing snow!

Alright... so there it is... our snow for the last 9 days! It is sort of funny in a way but not funny for those who are stuck here or stuck other places along the coast waiting to get home. For example: one of my students was supposed to come back since Friday, Feb. 16... not back yet. Another two students have been trying to get back since last Sunday! So they have missed alot of school! Interesting hey... but you can't help the weather.

Anyway... I think the forecast for Tuesday is sunny with a few clouds. That would be nice... the planes will be coming back and forth all day if that's the case! And hopefully my computer will be on one of the planes.

So that's about it for now! With all of the snow that we have had... it's still so pretty! I love snow in Labrador. But for those of you on the east coast of Newfoundland... snow there is not as fun because you always get rain after the snow! Makes for good old slush! And unlike us, you have to shovel out cars and trucks, and shovel again once the snowplow goes by. We just got to hop on our machines and drive right on over the snow! So for those of you on the east coast I give you sympathy!

Alright, so have a great day! I'm going to go have a nice relazing morning reading ACTS and my book Heaven... since there is no Sunday School because of the blizzard!

In Faith,
Rebecca

2007-02-24T17:09:00.000-08:00

Walking Down Memory Lane

Don't you love it when you have a day where you just have a whole bunch of memories come into play? Well ... today I had one of those days.

I was supervising at a Volleyball tournament today. Well, at the end of it I had the chance to watch. Everytime they "spiked" the ball (I hope that is the right term), it brought me right back to when I was a little girl going to watch my cousins in a volleyball tournament. It was always fun to go with Aunt Roslyn in the van with all of the volleyball girls. Seeing the players spike the ball ... I could see my cousin Kim getting the job done.

Then I was working in the canteen for a bit of it. It once again brought me back to all the tournaments that I watched. It was fun especially when you were allowed to buy stuff at the canteen. I remember mostly the canteen they used to have in Whitbourne... I remember that one being the best. Roslyn always bought me something.

Ok... so I am afraid of balls flying in the gym. Super duperly afraid! Funny hey? Anyway, everytime a ball came towards me it reminded me of Kenneth. Not so sure why? But it did!
Hopefully I'll get to see him one of these days!

Then some of the music that was playing brought me right back to Burry Heights. I could just picture us doing those early morning exercises. Boy, weren't they fun?

Anyway, it is so nice to stroll down memory lane sometimes. It is just nice to reminence about things and to see all the blessings that we are given!

God Bless,
Rebecca

2007-02-14T12:51:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Winter Scenes

I went for a skidoo ride after school today and these are just a few of the pictures I took. Labrador is absolutely beautiful!

2007-02-11T11:11:00.000-08:00

What a Wonderful Day!

I have had such a spiritual day! I am been blessed so many times. This morning I listened to the St. John's Citadel's church service on-line. (If anybody is interested : it comes on at 9:30 Newfoundland time, at this website... www.radionewfoundland.net.) It was wonderful. The band played Grace Alone and it was so beautiful. Then the sermon was based on John 8. I actually read this story yesterday as part of my devotions. It the story where they bring the adulterous woman to Jesus and say that she should be stoned. But Jesus writes something on the ground and says that if you have no sin then you be the first the throw the stone. Nobody can throw the stone. Then Jesus tells the woman that her sins has been forgiven. It's just an amazing story and I recently watched on the movie, "The Greatest Story Ever Told". . . it just brought the whole story to life for me. But wow... Jesus loves each and everyone of us. And through his grace, although we are so undeserving at times, we are able to have a wonderful relationship with him and He is able to wash all of our sins away. It was just a blessing!

Then since Sunday School was cancelled this morning because of the weather, I went in my room and read from the book "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn. It is an amazing book saying that we should have Heaven-Centered lives. Reading the book just made me stand in awe of Jesus! All I could say was WOW!

After I finished reading the chapter I decided to listen to a cd I own and three songs played in a row. . . "Nothing but the Blood of Jesus" by Chris Rice, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing", and "There is a Redeemer" by Keith Green. I have to say I felt so spiritually fed today. I felt so blessed and so close to Jesus. His presence definitely is amazing... imagine going to Heaven to live with Him!

This weekend I had the opportunity to look at my spiritual growth as I did the full case papers for my application to CFOT. I just was amazed by the different things that have happened in my life that have led me closer to God. It has been a wonderful day!

In Faith,
Rebecca

2007-02-09T18:46:00.000-08:00

Introducing to you . . . "The Scrapbooking Room"

Carla's side My Side

It's just a simple room... but has a lot of space and it is very comfortable!

I am going to use a whole bunch tomorrow! I'm scrapbooking my trip to Quebec this summer!

2007-02-05T18:38:00.000-08:00

What I learned today...

Twice in one day. . . what's up with that.

Well I learned three things today . . .

First thing. . . if you think there is something wrong with a recipe, question it twice to the person who is giving it to you. Mom... I knew tablespoons didn't sound right... especially when you said two tablespoons of SALT for icing!

Second thing . . . never order a laptop on line with your visa... you could be like me and now have two being shipped to you! Ok... you can laugh at... or better yet... don't order a laptop on line when you have a general delivery address as your billing address for your visa... things end up getting a little messed up. (With all of this being said... apparently, I will have no problem cancelling one of the orders tomorrow)

Third thing . . . always laugh when things go a little unexpected...
Definitely do this... it makes things feel so much better. When I looked at my order on the internet, and noticed that there were two computers in production for me... I almost, let's just say my jaw dropped... and then I started to uncontrollably laugh when Carla verified for me that I was seeing things correctly... See my order was cancelled originally because my billing address did not match with visa. They had told me to re-order, and when my billing address was changed... they put both orders through! Oh my... well the customer service person assured me that I will be able to work it out in the morning.

For now, I think I am going to go to bed and deal with it in the morning... so are you laughing yet?

Alright.... In Faith, Rebecca

2007-02-05T13:00:00.000-08:00

Just an Update

So it has been awhile since I actually sat down to blog. I am supposed to have a piano student right now but they never showed up so I have decided to blog while I wait for my next student. Really, I should probably be getting something for supper but I'll eat later I think.

Things are going well! The month of January has flew and I mean it. It has gone so fast and it feels like February is going to do the same. School is going well. It is hard to get music that the students like but I try really hard to find things. I ordered a whole bunch from Amazon for the school so that should soon be arriving.

Music Group and Sunday School is going well. I miss Russell's help in Sunday School but the parent volunteers have been great thus far. Veggietales are a blast and the kids love them. It is fantastic watching them do the puppet shows every week. They just love it! The program is great... it has such great stories that are easy for the kids to understand. It's great!

I am trying to fundraise now for my Fiddle Group. We are hoping to go to St. John's to play at the Rotary Music Festival. So this weekend I baked for our bake sale which we will be having tomorrow night! I am going to bake some more later. I have been craving banana drop cookies all afternoon and then I got a craving for whoopie pies... both cookies that I loved to eat when I was a child. So that's exciting... I am going to make them after. I phoned my mom and got the recipes a while ago. I can't wait.

As for my application to Training College... I am awaiting the full case papers and should be getting them by Friday. Anyway, then I will send them back. . . have an interview with my Corps Officers, then an interview with the Divisional Candidates Board, and then in March they hope to review my case at THQ. I am so excited! I cannot wait to do His work and share God with so many people. Since I have accepted the call to officership I have felt complete peace. It's amazing... I really cannot wait to enter this stage of my life!

So everything is good here in Labrador!

Many blessings,
Rebecca

2007-01-31T16:33:00.000-08:00

I am here alone tonight. . . and I am spending some nice valuable time with God. Nice hey?

2007-01-25T03:23:00.000-08:00

Guess What????????

Ok... so I just thought I would tell you that Carla and I now have a SCRAPBOOKING ROOM! Oh yes we do! And it is lov-er-ly! We have a huge table up against the long wall and we have it divided in the middle. We have all of our essential scrapbooking tools laid on the table and there is lots of room to do two page spreads on this table. Well we are going to christen the room today with its first use because.... school have been cancelled because of the weather (well, at least for this morning). Alright, exciting hey! I can't wait to scrapbook without having to drag all of our materials to the kitchen table and clean it up once we were done. This way we can leave it as is and scrapbook whenever we want. Can't wait for later but for now I think I'll go get something to eat and do some reading.

In Faith,
Rebecca

P.S. I'll post some pictures of our room later!

In Faith,
Rebecca

2007-01-17T03:55:00.000-08:00

Here's a quote from a book I'm reading:

"When someone asked William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army, the secret of his enormous success, Booth remained silent for several moments. Finally, with tear-filled eyes, he said, 'There have been men with greater brains or opportunities than I, but I made up my mind that God would have all of William Booth there was.'

Several years later when General Booth's daughter heard about her father's comment regarding his full surrender to God, she said, 'That wasn't really his secret - his secret was that he never took it back.'

And that's the secret we all need to discover: We may never be William Booth, but all of us can, in response to God's grace and mercy in saving us, give Him our all - and never take it back."
The Power of Prayer and Fasting by Ronnie W. Floyd, pg. 128.

Just felt like I should share.

In Faith,
Rebecca

P.S. This is our 3rd day off in a row! An extra-extra long weekend!

2007-01-16T12:50:00.000-08:00

Extra Long Weekend - - 2 Days OFF in a row

Well... on Monday morning I was very surprised when I received a phone saying school was cancelled... reason it was cancelled the windchill was below -40 and it was very windy. Anyway, I was even more surprised when I received another phone call this morning saying school was cancelled for today. So we have had two days off in a row and although we have stayed inside because of extreme windchill temperatures, I have had an awesome two days. Days off are way better than Saturdays! On Saturdays you always feel that you have school work to do or you need to clean the house or get ready for Sunday School, however, on weather days you feel totally relaxed. It is absolutely wonderful.

So you ask... What have you done in the past two days?

Well... I have scrapbooked some of my trip to Quebec.
I have read a bit of a book called Prayer and Fasting.
I have slept a bit... taken a couple of naps.
I have listened to a lot of music such as Chris Tomlin.
I have chatted with friends on the phone.
I have munched!
I have played Yahtzee! and lots of it... played all 6 rows at the same time

Anyway, the past two days have been wonderful. I think I will go and read now for a bit. Feel ready for a nap I think... I shouldn't be sleepy but just enjoying the relaxation.

Alright, have a great day! Hope you are all emjoying it as much as me!

Many blessings,
Rebecca

2007-01-09T16:40:00.000-08:00

Having Fun in the SNOW

OK... so over the past three days we have had so much fun in the snow!!! We went for two skidoo rides and then tonight after we went for the skidoo ride we ended up "playing" in the snow. (It has been snowing all day and it looks so pretty!) Well. . . I turned out looking like a sheep but more like Mozart really... just take a look! My hat fell off when I was pushed in the snow. Anyway... here I am!

2007-01-02T18:34:00.000-08:00

The Joys of Packing (Part Two)

Well it's time to go back to Labrador and in 5 hours, 4:00 am in the morning I will be making my way to the airport. Anyway, I discovered that packing 40 pounds only without a carry on is extremely difficult! See... it is just really important for me to get my scrapbooking supplies back. I just need those scrapbooking supplies. So because of my addiction to scrapbooking supplies I am having a lot of trouble keeping to my 40 pounds! (ha ha) See, I just NEED to bring my new scrapbooking bag back with me you know! And I have a good excuse... we are starting going to each others houses scrapbooking again now so I just need something to put my scrapbooking things in! Anyway, I am now at a grand total of 56 pounds in two overnight bags. Oh well... I just pay for the access weight going up the coast because you know I really NEED that scrapbooking bag.

Alright, just thought I'd blog before I go back... I am sure the next week is going to be extremely busy. I'll update as soon as I can. Happy New Year once again and. . .

Have a great day!

Many Blessings,
Rebecca

2007-01-02T05:37:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope the year of 2007 is going well for everyone thus far! We had a wonderful dinner yesterday with my family so that was nice and I chatted with friends on the telephone so that was nice too! So all in all New's Year Day was loverly!

So yesterday while I was in mom's room, I spotted a book called "101 Things You Should Do Before Going to Heaven" by David Bordon and Tom Winters. It is quite a fun little book telling 101 things you should do to have fun in life or adventure in life. Now some of the suggestions in the book are more serious than others. Anyway, all I can say from what I can tell is the book is a fun little book.

So I went through the book and checked of the ones I have done. Some of the things I have done are... (3) eat cheesecake for breakfast, (15) bite a hot pepper, (18) visit the mall without spending a dime (20) read the Bible from cover to cover, and (29) build a sand castle. There are others that I have done up to #30 but this is just to give you an idea about the types of things you should do. Out of the 101 things, I have done a grand total of 31 things, 70 more to go.

So I have decided to make this year a little more interesting by choosing these six to do before June. That shouldn't be too difficult, one a month!

Alright so here is my list:
(11) Celebrate a Traditional British Tea
(35) Pray your way through the News
(47) Be silent for one whole day (my only day could be Saturday... sorry Carla, I won't be able to talk on that Saturday!)
(52) Bake bread from scratch
(84) Create a signature dish...
(95) shun planes, trains, and automobiles... (I better do this while I live on the North Coast) Snowmobiling is way more fun anyway! And that is one of the examples they use!

Anyway, that's my plan for half of 2007... if I can get these done maybe I'll come up with some more for the second half! Hope you are all having fun!

Have a wonderful Year of 2007!!!!!

In Faith,
Rebecca

2006-12-29T16:42:00.000-08:00

My Year of 2006 (A Year of 1st)

So I have been reflecting the past couple of days about the last year and I just decided to post a page that I put in my 2005-2006 scrapbook of Makkovik(with the exception of a few more things that I just thought about today or since I did this page) . . .

A Whole Bunch of 1st

Well since I've been in Makkovik I have experienced a whole bunch of firsts.

It was the first time I was ever in an isolated community.

It was the first time I ever ordered food for the whole year.

It was the first time I ever experienced the Inuit culture.

It was my first year of being a teacher.

It was the first time I ever experienced driving a MACHINE!

It was the first time I ever bought a "vehicle" well a snowmobile--- vehicle for me!

It was the first time I ever made my own "cooked" dinner.

It was my first time fundraising. (Let me tell you we did lots!!!)

It was my first time taking a group of students to the Music Festival!

(They did extremely well with all of their sweet voices.)

It was the first time I ever seen so much SNOW!

(Over 100cm in one snow storm)

It was the first time I wore gloves in September. (Funny hey)

It was the first time I ever went out on Bay Ice.

It was the first time I ever went to a Moravian Church.

It was the first time I ever seen a Dog Team, let alone a dog team race.

It was the first time I ever realized that I would be addicted to scrapbooking...

"Do you sell scrapbooking pens Shelley?" . . . we won't say how much I spent!

It was the first time I ever learned how to crochet (well ask Crystal about that)

It was the first time I ever went ice fishing.

It was the first time I ever went fishing in speed boat (and I call myself a Newfie!)

It was the first time I ever experienced a "true" winter boil up! (Can't wait to have one).

It was the first time I used snow for tea! Some good! I can smell it now!

Well my experiences in the past year have been nothing but wonderful! I am glad that I went to Labrador to experience the different way of life there. I am thankful for all the support I received and all the friends that I have gathered. Most of all I am thankful to God for providing me with all of these opportunities and really using my time in Makkovik to speak to me.
He provided when I was nervous, nervous to go there at first. But I knew in my heart that is was where I was supposed to be going at the time. I shouldn't be surprised right? God's love is wonderful!

So I just want to end with a Bible Verse. . .

"For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord." Psalm 117:2

He is completely faithful! I have stood in awe of God's faithfulness in the past two years so many times. His love has no limit!!!! It just amazes me! Just to think of all HE has done for me, and what I hear He is doing for so many others amazes me! I am so thankful! Imagine . . I was going to a place where I didn't know anyone and He provided me with so many things including a Christian roommate. It just makes you realize that God definitely takes care of the little things!

Put your trust in Him!

Trusting Him always,

Rebecca

2006-12-28T08:40:00.000-08:00

My First BUN!

Alright, what do you think? So here it is... my first real bun. My hair has never been long enough until now to put a bun bun in it... and because I am not the best at doing my hair my mother has always aided me when it was long enough(grade 11). But I figured that I should take the next step and try it on my own since next year if I am accepted to CFOT I will need to know how to do this. So today I decided to go the extra mile... just to laugh really, and do a bun in my hair and here it is! This is my first bun... it's an ok bun... a few bumps on the bottom, but hey... with more practice I'll get better. I'm going to try again now in a few minutes because as I tell my students PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT... actually more like this... GOOD PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

Have a great day!

Rebecca

2006-12-26T16:14:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!!!!

Here are some pictures from the last couple of days.
The first picture is of my aunt and uncle, Ros and Bill. I spent a lot of time with my aunt when I was a little girl and I loved every single minute of it. She used to babysit me when my mom was teaching.

The second picture is of my parents. It is so nice to be home with them again although the time together has been short, my dad leaves for work again tomorrow. However, we will get to spend more time together coming up this summer!

The third picture is of Nanny(Dad's mother) and Momcoop (Mom's mother). Just listen to this.. . I am the only grandchild on one side and the youngest on the other... now I would say that that = spoiled. (just kiddin'!)

The fourth picture is of mom, Roslyn, and Momcoop. I want to make a scrapbook later on of my family so I am getting as many pictures as I can.

And finally I would like to introduce to you an another addition to my Christmas family.... Mr. Nutcracker! Isn't he cute? I can't wait to decorate my house with him one of these days!

I love my family! It is so nice to be with everyone again!

May you be richly blessed!
Rebecca

2006-12-24T16:32:00.000-08:00

Thank You, oh, my Father!

There is a Redeemer, Jesus God's own Son
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One.

Thank You, oh, my Father, for giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit til' the work on earth is done.

Words and Music By: Melody Green

Over 2000 years ago, God gave us a very special gift, the best gift ever. I am so thankful that I am able to share in the gift of Jesus. I am thankful that God sent His only Son to earth for each one of us.

I pray that as Christmas comes tomorrow that people will remember the reason for the season and that each family will recognize Jesus' birthday.

Thank you once again God!

Merry Christmas!
Rebecca

2006-12-22T16:19:00.000-08:00

I AM HOME!!!!!!

Well... I made it home! The weather in Makkovik stayed up and we got out right when we were supposed to! Sweet deal hey? I went to Sobey's today which was wonderful... I bought: cherry tomatoes, cherries, kiwi, chicken hearts, meat puddings, nice green grapes, and some other things. It was so exciting. I also went to the MALL!!! I had fun there too... hey, the Avalon mall has had quite the face lift... It looks so cool especially the Market Place section! Neat hey!

It is great to be home... home sweet home!

Bye for now,
Rebecca

2006-12-19T06:10:00.000-08:00

It's Beginning to "Feel" a lot like Christmas

I feel like it is Christmas. Yeah! I love Christmas and as a music teacher I get to experience Christmas for awhile before it begins. (One of the quirks of my job) I have been doing Christmas music in my classroom since November 15th and it has been very exciting for both me and the students! However, since the Jingle on December 9th it has felt like Christmas even more and it feels even more and more like Christmas everyday. And with this being a snow day for us (nice hey... especially after the Christmas concert) Christmas has officially started for me!

We had a Christmas Family Service at the church on Sunday afternoon. It was really nice and it felt so much like Christmas! The Sunday School did their nativity play at the service which went really well. A special thank you goes out to Russell and Cathy for everything they did to make it a success. All the kids looked absolutely cute in their costumes and everything went really smoothly. We had a funny incident happen though. One of our little kids got stage fright and ran down and sat with her family. However, in the middle of nowhere she ran up took the microphone... quickly said " WE is the sheepS", tried to give back the microphone, then decided to take the microphone again, say her line really loudly again, drop the microphone and run back down to her family. All I could do was laugh... it was extremely cute!

The Music Group sang at the service as well and they did a wonderful job! They sang three songs: Do you hear what I hear?, There is a Redeemer, and Promises to keep. It sounded good! Anyway, this service was very nice with a very big message which I hope people heard and understood. We have been praying that God would speak to the congregation. I seen the most people I have seen at church here too! I say there were probably 100 people! Nice hey?

Anyway, yesterday we had the Christmas concert at the school which went really well. I was so proud of my students. I have seen big improvements since September and I am so thankful for that. For the closing song we did "Happy Christmas" by John Lennon. THe grade 12 rock band, grade 11 violin class, and the Junior Choir did it together. When we practiced on Thursday morning for the first time to put it all together.... after they had sung and played the first verse and chorus together I had to stop them. I was teary eyed! I could see how far how they had come since last year and the tears just welled up in my eyes. I was so thankful! When I came here last year Hot Cross Buns was a chore to play together in the violin class. I honestly had never heard anything like it when we tried to put it together one day in class and this year, this class is playing Carol of the Bells in 4 parts at the concert... even the fast run on Merry, Merry, Merry, MErry Christmas. I am so proud of them and thank God for helping me work with them. The final song made my night... I had one person come up to me and say... "It sounded good and we weren't even listening to a recording, we were listening to our own students here". They did a fantastic job!

I am thankful so very thankful! God does certainly bless each and everyone of us each and everyday.

Have a very Merry Christmas.

Rebecca

2006-12-16T05:50:00.000-08:00

The Perfect Cup of Tea

Let me tell ya, there is nothing better than a cup of TEA! I just love sitting back and relaxing with a cup of tea. And that's exactly what I am doing right now before I go to the school! It is absolutely wonderful!!!!! It is definitely a perfect cup of tea this morning... made with two sugar and a nice bit of milk, absolutely lovely (my favorite word). And guess what... I get to have TIM HORTON'S steep tea on Thursday and I cannot wait! Yeah! And I will get to eat out too!!! Yippee... but with that being said I think I live with the best cook in the world. Thanks Carla!

Here are some pictures of Christmas Events around the community!...