Spring into Fall

Posted on September 26, 2008
Filed Under thoughts | 2 Comments

Look at these beautiful flowers Jonathan came home from work with today.

He said that they are meant to represent the middle section of the Canadian flag (which is all white with a red maple leaf for those of you who are not familiar with it.) We still have no news but something within us has broken over the past week. For the past few months we’ve both been quite stressed about whether or not we will get our visa. I think a lot of this was brought on because people started to ask us what our plan B was. We started to think should we have a plan B? Even doubting what God has said to us. Last week we had a long talk and said that we are going to hold on to what God has said to us, we sense no change of direction from him. Simply put, there is NO plan B.

Since then I feel so positve inside and really excited about the future. It’s autumn here, but I feel like it’s spring inside of me. I feel like I’ve come out of a long period of dormancy. I’m itching to move now. Physically we are here, but the rest of us is in Canada. Our immigration lawyer told us today that she has contacted Canadian Immigration and Citizenship (CIC) and requested a tracer on our file. This means she is basically seeking a decision from them. Of course, it is hit and miss as to whether CIC will respond to her email (Generally they do everything by post). We wait with anticipation ….

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Fall Favorites

Posted on September 22, 2008
Filed Under thoughts | 2 Comments

Sue was writing a few days ago about five things that she loves about spring. Being an Australian she is thrilled that they are now out of winter and into spring. I wish I was so thrilled about being out of summer and into fall! Those of you who have read my blog for a while will know that this isn’t my favorite time of the year. I really don’t relish the late dark mornings and early dark evenings as well as a number of other things!

I’ve decided to be positive though and to think about the things that I do love about this time of the year, so here are my five.

1) I do love the changing colors of the leaves, they look so beautiful with all their oranges, yellows and reds.

2) I enjoy going crunching through the woods to hunt for acorns and conkers (chestnuts to you in N.America!)

3) I like being able to curl up on the sofa or in bed, with a blanket and book or knitting, and some hot chocolate to drink just because it feels a little chilly.

4)  …… help me out I’m struggling now! …… k, got one, this time of the year there can be some amazing sunsets as the sun is a wee bit lower in the sky and just seems more majestic etc.

5) PUMPKIN! I love pumpkin pie and pumpkin soup. In the UK we only see pumpkins in the grocery stores between late September and early November. I can’t quite work out if this is because of Halloween so people can carve them, or if it’s the only time when they are available; and unlike squashes, they don’t maintain a year round supply? Anway, I’ve never discovered pumpkin sold in cans here like in N.America, so I can only make pumpkin pie and have pumpkin soup in the fall.

So, what are your favorite things about fall - or indeed spring, if you happen to live in the southern hemisphere?

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Dear Visa Officer

Posted on September 11, 2008
Filed Under forum, thoughts | 4 Comments

Dear Visa Officer,

I’d really appreciate it if you could let us know your decision about our visa asap, you see, the thing is, things are failing around here. My washing machine has been hanging in there for almost a year now. I currently have one program that works the whole way through a wash cycle without cutting out. I’d really like to have a dryer back again as I miss my old one and it doesn’t seem to stop raining around here. The microwave headed to the metal scrap yard four or five months ago now. My bread maker has been temperamental for a few months now and I’m sure it’s not going to hold on much longer before it, too, joins the microwave in scrap metal heaven. The vacuum is broken and is currently held together by a DIY bodge it job that does the trick for now. On Tuesday this week the television decided to join in the fun. I think the tube is going as the only colors on the screen now are neon. You can’t watch the news seriously when the presenters look like the incredible hulk with their green faces and hands.

We are holding in there, knowing it is pointless to replace said objects until we know if we are moving or not. A quick, speedy reply is now requested before anything else dies on us. Thank you.

Mass Consumption part 2

Posted on August 28, 2008
Filed Under mission and justice, thoughts | 3 Comments

Last month I wrote a short post called Mass Consumption. In it I explained that I had been thinking about how much money we do or don’t pay for material goods and if this could change.

There is a store in the UK called Primark and they sell very (and I mean very) cheap clothing. It reminds me of my Walmart experiences only Primark only really sell clothes. These cheap clothes are obviously made in sweat shops, probably by women and children who work long hours for very little pay. Consciously I’ve decided not to shop there, but I am aware that there are other places where I shop where things are probably made by poorly paid staff working very long hours; I’m just not aware of it.

I love fairtrade products but I’m also aware that they are expensive, especially when you’ve got kids and bills to pay etc. Sadly as people continue to buy items made in sweat shops so the demand for products continues. I wonder if working conditions change and indeed if the workers receive a pay rise as the companies in question are making millions in profit? My question is, how do we stop companies from exploiting people in poorer countries so that they stand up and take notice? Given the current economic situation, how do we encourage others to think about where they shop? If you only have $10 in your wallet and have to buy your child some clothes then you go where you can afford. How does this endless circle change for the good of everyone? I’m aware of organizations pushing for change, but find myself wondering if they are making a difference as it’s not obvious in the shops. Answers on a postcard …

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Florida Mornings

Posted on July 31, 2008
Filed Under thoughts | Leave a Comment

I love summer, absolutely love it. There is something about waking up at 5am and it’s already light outside. I love that at 9pm it’s still light outside. More than anything I love the way earth comes alive in summer. Outside there is a lot of activity from all sorts of animals and insects. I love watching the garden spring to life as flowers begin to grow and burst into full bloom. Summer gives me energy and a zest for life and creation.

Last summer in the UK was pretty much non-existent as we had torrential rain for most of it - some of you might remember the floods the country suffered. This summer, to be honest, has been pretty slow in getting started. I’d say we’ve had some decent weather now for a few weeks. This past week has seen temperatures up to about 80F but generally they’ve been in the early 70s - I know these are more like spring or fall temperatures for some of you!

Grace said to me yesterday “It feels like a Florida morning outside today Mama” I knew what she meant. Two years ago we took the kids to Florida. We clearly remember walking through downtown Disney at 8.30 - 9.00 in the morning and feeling the lovely Florida warmth on our skins. We could feel the warmth in the air as we breathed, but this was a wonderful heat (humidity!) which you didn’t want to go and shelter from, unlike the midday temperatures in the 90s which we weren’t so used to, but still enjoyed I might add! Outside yesterday afternoon it definitely felt like a Florida morning, as it does again today.

Summer doesn’t last too long in these parts and I’m aware now that we are entering August that fall is just around the corner once more, although it only feels like summer has just begun! I need to soak up rest in this next month and enjoy the delights that summer still has to offer. I hope to have many more Florida mornings!

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