an ancient prayer- fitting for Christmas Eve

A prayer written by Julian of Norwich, in the 4th Century- relevant to us these many centuries later as we again celebrate the coming of our Lord into space-time history... and into each of our daily lives:

Lord, let not our souls be busy inns that have no room for thee or thine,
But quiet homes of prayer and praise, where thou mayest find fit company,
Where the needful cares of life are wisely ordered and put away,
And wide, sweet spaces kept for thee; where holy thoughts pass up and down
And fervent longings watch and wait thy coming.

Hello, Regent College

Today I went to have lunch with an acquaintance who works at the Regent- meeting her there was my first visit to Regent and the broader University of British Columbia (UBC) campus. The girl I met was actually the one who told me about Regent last year- it was great to see her and catch up over lunch at a cozy pub. I also dropped by and met the Admissions staff with whom I've been corresponding the last couple months... I was greeted like a long lost friend. While there, I also discovered that an acquaintance from Oxford works as their receptionist. Then in the lobby, I ran into the people who had invited me over for Christmas. Basically, what I am illustrating is that Regent is a small town within this big city. And that suits me perfectly.

and the squirrel went about busily nesting her new home

Since arriving, a chief aim has been to nest my room. There is much to be done- a city and transportation system to figure out, groceries to buy, ID cards to pick up, things for which to register... but in the midst of it all, I still felt that making my space cozy and homey was valuable and legitimate. My small labors have come together thus far to produce a place I find pleasingly cozy and peaceful. 

There is still a blank wall to be reckoned with and some other odds and ends to be acquired for my project to be fully completed, but some of it will have to be done in bits and pieces, because for now I have to get down to some serious reading for my classes which start just after New Years!

O Christmas tree...

My Charlie Brown Christmas tree was furnished by a visit to the recycling bin, and a few souvenirs from my walk around the block. Simple and small, but no less perfect:) 

the view from here

So, I discovered that I live on a hill...! 

Its snowier than I usually prefer my beaches;) but it was a beautiful none the less!

My prayers overflowed onto the sand. I was just praying with so much gratitude in my heart... I am SO thankful for the overflowing blessings I have experienced here in the day or so.

Thanks for praying, friends. 

the Great White North...no, seriously

I left Maui with a slight sunburn- hours later I was walking out of the Vancouver airport into full out winter wonderland. Thick snow blanketed everything in sight and was falling like confetti, celebrating my arrival.  From what I hear, this is unusual weather - which would be why buses aren't running this morning, etc- but its been pretty fun for heightening the drama of moving from Maui to Canada. Clearly they aren't kidding when they call Canada "The Great White North" ... 

Its been really beautiful thus far- not just the plush carpet of bright white snow, but settling into my house and meeting a few people... the generosity and hospitality I've met continue to blow me away. I've been asked over to a family's home to spend Christmas day, invited to a New Year's gathering, and now had someone volunteer their car for a couple weeks while they are out of town for the holiday. The believers in this community are crazy. I'm so blessed. The Lord has not just paved my way, He has rolled out a red carpet- or, more appropriately- a white one. 

many moons ago

I was barely seventeen when I came to Maui eighteen years ago. Now, as a thirty five year old woman preparing to leave my island home indefinitely, I have been reflecting on those days so long ago.  There has been so much to be grateful for that its overwhelming. Its been a wildly rich season- in joy and heartbreak, trial and transformation, laughter and tears. In everything, I have been carried along by God's grace. In everything, He has worked for my good. 

I am just...blessed. So many times over.

My heart is looking at the horizon, even as I soak in the last days here... I hoped to soak in the sun, but alas, its been just plain soaking: its been pouring rain. But in less than a week, tropical rain will feel very far away: they are forecasting snow this week for Vancouver. 

Seasons change. Even if you have long lived in the land of endless summer.

Many moons ago- in the Fall of 1998