Chapter 14: Let Other Pens Dwell on Guilt and Misery

Well another week has passed at home. With less than a week left at home it is crazy to think that I will be back at Kaleo so soon! At times I feel like I am still in high school on Christmas vacation, I seem to forget that I am a college student now and that I am doing Kaleo, it sometimes seems surreal to me.

On another note, I had two large Christmas with both sides of the family -the Elsassers and Jassmans. I really do love seeing my family as family has played a large role in my life. Even though, I do enjoy them more as I get older but for some reason by the end of the night, I want to leave. I am trying to work on that and I think at my Jassman Christmas I didn't have the best attitude.

Overall, nothing has really happened in the last week, and to be honest, I am rather glad. It has been slow-paced and relaxing, I haven't accomplished as much as I would like to though. I did finish the book, Mansfield Park, which I was excited to finish. I am watching the movie right now and frankly, it doesn't match the words of Jane Austen. haha.

Well that is all for now.

Chapter 13: What Would Anyone Need to Be Saved From?

Well it is Christmas holidays, and I am finally back at home.

Last Tuesday Mike, Nate and I took the same flight home... well they continued onto Ontario while I got off in Calgary. They were great plane-mates if I do say so myself.

After my parents picked me up from the airport we went to my dad's Aunt's house for the night in Airdrie. In the morning we then went to Ambrose University College for a tour of the place. Something that has really been a big decision is where I am going next year. I am trying to keep it open for God to work in my life, and I want to be willing to let him make plans in my life, so I am not going to be definite in my decision but I am deciding between Ambrose and Briercrest for school next year. I have an idea of what I am called to do but I don't know how to go about it, which is slightly difficult.

After the Ambrose visit we went to Medicine Hat to visit my grandparents. My grandpa, who just had surgery was looking a little thinner than how I remembered him but it seems he is doing pretty good which was great.

Last night two of my friends, -James and Travis- along with my brother watched Inception. I was a complete fan. I find dreams so interesting, and it was a little bit of a mind thriller. Plus, I find dreams so fascinating and they highlighted some basic facts of our dreams that I had never consciously recognized before.

It has been so good to be back and see everybody again, and it was good to go home to my home church. On that note, my mom as of late loves to volunteer me for things it seems. Last time she volunteered me it involved me riding a big bike with ladies mostly 30+. I don't mind, but it does make me laugh. So this year my church decided instead of having a Christmas play because our Sunday School children numbers are getting too low, we did a Night in Bethlehem instead. They decorated the whole church basement to transform it into Bethlehem including a Carpentry, Painting, Candy, Leather, and Bake Shop. Along with a stable. I was volunteered to run the Painting Shop. I did it, not an incredible job or anything, but I got it down, my pastor on the other hand, was hilarious. He really got into the biblical times character. One of my lines was, "I just sold two wooden ornaments to two men talking about a prophecy of a Saviour in Bethlehem. A Saviour? What would anyone need to be saved from? What is this Messiah they are waiting for?" For some reason the line, 'what would anyone need to be saved from?' stuck out to me. I think that is a question that is common in North America. We live comfortable lives, we don't think we need anything, so what would we need to be saved from? It was a pretty good night, I think there was around 100 people who came.

This break to be honest, it has been really refreshing and relaxing but very frustrating. I feel like I haven't changed and if I have changed, I have fallen into old habits. Some moments here have been good, while others have been rather crummy. This time though has been an eye-opener to things I was blind to at home, but also great time to contemplate a lot of things, which I am thankful for.

Lastly, I would like to note that the night I came home I went through a cleaning frenzy with my room. I got rid of some stuff/junk/clothes. My time at Kaleo has made me realize that I am too attached to material possessions. It is a work in progress, but it is a start.

Chapter 12:Everything the Light Touches Is Our Kingdom

Well, let me just say that Friday was probably one of the hardest chapels we have had so far.Four people have decided with good reasons to not come back next semester while two others are still deciding. With every person that told us that they are leaving my eyes seemed to water more and more. As I looked around I could tell the rest of Kaleo felt the same way. It was definitely hard but it is not a goodbye, but a sending off.

I felt like it was the end of the first Lord of the Rings movie, The Fellowship of the Ring. I know this sounds beyond cheesy, but I did just recently watch all three of the movies, so bear with me. But I felt like we, as Kaleo, were the Fellowship of the Ring, and when each person revealed that they were leaving it made me think that the Fellowship was broken. In the movie they all went different ways and in one case, someone died-luckily this wasn't a case of people dying, but definitely a lot of people leaving. I do remember though that all of them meet each other again, they took different paths but their purpose was the same. It is the same with Kaleo, some of us may be taking a different path but our purpose still remains the same. Our purpose is to build the Kingdom of God and follow his ways, it is just a different process, but same result.

As well, we had our Kaleo Christmas on Monday morning! It was so joyful and wonderful. We did a 'Secret Santa' gift exchange. I had Erik Karklins and my room mate, Anna M. had me. I didn't even suspect her! It was an incredible Christmas, I loved our time together, it was really sad because it is probably the last time we will all be together as Kaleo.

So now I sit at my dad's aunties place in Airdrie (near Calgary) for the night and tomorrow I will be going home officially. It has been an incredible semseter, and as I look back I can really see God's hand in everything. I can't wait to see what happens next semester!

I ask that you pray that I have a refreshing time at home and reconnect with family and friends. I also ask that I would be a light to my community and be bold about my faith.

Chapter 11: Fake Stars in the Sky

Bonjour!
Well... the semester is coming to a close, only a little over a week left. The class was really great. The class: Church Ministry. I learned a lot like elders are pastors are elders, haha. Actually we discussed things too like the emerging church, spiritual gifts, social activism, stewardship, and giving. I really liked the giving part since I am really trying to learn to not be possessive of my stuff, and especially on my consumerism. It is weird how the book Crazy Love which I just finished talked about that too. Coincidence? I think not.
On another note, this week we went to the Festival of Lights in Ladysmith. So much fun! I absolutely loved it. The fireworks were right above us, and they filled the sky. It was so sweet! I felt like a little kid again. The only downside was that we were rained on by firework ashes, haha. The parade was really good too, I think we were the loudest group there.

That is all.