Want to know what I've been learning?

bethia says:
yes... I had a long talk with my friend the other day about standards and choices and music and hardcore and culture and... a lot of things. I called into question a lot of the things we say and do... probably kicked myself harder in the teeth than her.

I am the luckiest son in the world to have been able to call you "Mom!" -- 7:38 pm Saturday, January 8, 2005 says:
nice. . . what did you conclude?

bethia says:
ummmm... I guess the main one is sort of a cliche... but it's true. I am a citizen of Heaven. Therefore the only rights I can cling to and the only things I can be offended by are those which go against my King and the culture of Heaven. Otherwise, I have no right to be offended.

bethia says:
No right to judge

bethia says:
And I have to conduct myself in a way that is pure and open and loving... throwing off all hinderances AND sin. b/c there are both things that hinder me from really livinga full life, and sin - although the line is pretty tough to find.

When I read in the Bible, Jesus just loved people. It's amazing to see - He is dynamic and unpredictable and wise... he got frustrated and acted aggressively at times, but he also had patience that is unbelievable.

Man, I've decided that one of the toughest jobs around has to be being a missionary. Especially a North American Missionary.
I think part of it is that there's this expectation that I should be able to live a normal life - salary paid, saving money, working 9 - 5 and having "me time" being able to build new friendships... I never thought I'd have to work at guarding my time off, that I'd be chicken to try making new friends, or that not having a regular salary would bother my mind so much. I have a whole new respect for the staff that I work with and have been doing this for years. Especially the men with families. I challenge all of you who read this to put aside a bit of money each month to support a missionary... $5 you spend on junk food a month... go to one less movie... something... these guys are wondering where their mortgage is going to come from and the gas for their cars and the food on their tables b/c they don't know if people will be behind them monthly. THAT, is tough. They can't just manage their lives differently... they rely on other Christians to help them... it's opening my eyes a lot.
Teaching me a lot about trusting God.

Cold Feet... the damp.

*sigh* so the other day I was thinking about England and how much I miss the UK over all. It has been cloudy and wet here for the last week with that chilly cold that makes you just want to get a cup of tea. I was remembering my early mornings in N. Ireland last summer... walking downstairs in the chilly house to the kitchen. I'd make myself a cup of tea and lean up against the Aga oven, often grabbing a shortbread biscuit as I stepped outside to sit in the Garden. Lenore's garden was so pretty with the green grass and the flowers, if it was rainy and cold outside, I could always sit on the bench at the window and look out and hear the birds singing.

Even when i was in England in February, it was all green with a huge amount of birds! I loved sitting by the window eating breakfast and looking out over the mist and clouds and the pond.
A huge part of me aches to go back there again - I found out about a camp that runs there, and there's a hope that I might be able to get involved one day!!!! Or maybe I'll just scrap thoughts of getting a job and move there... but then, of course, the ideas of Mexico aren't that far away either. I think I just have the travelling bug.

The guy who gives me a ride to work every day was showing me pictures of him and his wife from when they were my age and all the adventures they had... it made me want to live life to the fullest while I have very little to tie me down. We're all so bent on getting a job and an education, but part of me just wants to experience places and adventures before I have debt and responsibilities! Maybe I'm childish!!

I guess we'll see where I end up. Life has been very taxing and tiring these days to say the least! My friend from Mexico is flying in on Friday and it's going to be fun to show her the sights of "canada"!!!! Woo-hoo!
Until then, I shall need to go dig up a pair of slippers and drink a cup of tea and dream again of going back to visit my family in the UK!