Saturday, February 25, 2006

Johari Window

Http://kevan.org/johari?name=Lighthouse+Forever

Technology...ugh

spent the last hour or so trying to figure out how to post pictures...its useless...time wasted well.

Valiant

'As homing pigeons it's our duty to transport messages in the worst of conditions; wind, rain, sleet, snow, bombs exploding, bullets flying. And as if that weren't enough, mother nature has the odacity to create the falcon. 20 lbs of pigeon eating muscle.'
'These new recruits are our only chance.'
'We're the ones they pick to send to the most important missions.'

I would think that's quite a bit like my life, and probably yours too.

Sunday, February 12, 2006

A date with my brother

Ok, let me just get this out there. Yes I have four, 4, quatro, quatre, vier, cuatro, quattro, yes four brothers.

My oldest brother Darren, phoned on Tuesday because he was coming to s'toon this weekend. He oversees referees for the WHL (Western Hockey League) and was going to be overseeing the Blades game on Saturday night. I knew that he used to oversee the referees but he made it sound like he was actually going to be refereeing the game. I told him maybe I would come out and see him and that I've been wanting to go to a hockey game this year. He said we can make that work, and that was the end of that. The next morning my mom told me that Darren had told my Dad to pass on the message that I was going to the game with Darren. Because I still thought he was refereeing I asked my dad if I could take a friend and he just said to leave it alone but that Darren had some good things planned for me.

Now me being a Melancholy (as Carebear would say) I think about things and wonder what has he got planned. I thought maybe he would have me sit in the score box, or maybe he was going to introduce me to all the players. That would be fun to meet the players if I was like 13 years younger, but I'm 23. Then I joked that maybe he'll have me on skates and I'll just chase him around the rink while the game is on. My mom said "what if he's going to set you up with a boy" OH GREAT! (not a good OH GREAT!) I had been joking with him on the phone. He asked if I was getting married soon and I told him no, but maybe close to getting a boyfriend. He thought that was quite funny. (And no, there is nothing you don't know about, just wishful thinking) So I was a little concerned that maybe he was going to set me up with someone. I knew that God would take care of me and that I didn't have to worry about it. So I just got more and more excited

I was so extremely pumped just to go and hang out with him. I've never just hung out with him and so this was and is a big thing. So he came and picked me up at 6pm and then we went and got my second oldest brother, Dean, and he came to the game as well. We went in the restricted access enterance and then went to a table where Darren whipped out three passes that get you into any game anywhere. He's all dressed up in a suit and says "they're with me."

We then went to the media room which is on the same level as the rink, but also restricted access. They had 6 leather couches in there and a big tv with another hockey game playing. They had donuts and coffee and hot chocolate for all the uppidy people. I was introduced to some guy that writes a column for something. He looked a little familiar but his name went in one ear and out the other. Probably because there were lots of old men gawking at me, some young girl. That guy I was introduced to, Darren asked him if he was going up, and he said yes, Darren said I'll see you up there. I still had no idea what "up" meant or if it was just him going up and we were going to sit somewhere else.

We left the media room and then took the "restricted acces" elevator up to the 3rd floor. Darren showed a pass again to a security guy and again said "they're with me" we walked up some steps, across a bridge thing and down some steps into THE PRESS BOX! I GOT TO WATCH THE GAME FROM THE PRESS BOX! How exciting. I was just in awe that this is were I get to watch the whole game from. Darren said to me "it's quite a different view from up here, hey Chels" I'd say! I really liked it. We were level with the score box, tv thingy and the game was like right there below us. These were definitely the best seats in the house. I was so pumped and excited. I took a few pictures, but I don't know how to add them so I guess you'll have to live without.
The Blades lost to the Prince George Cougars 5-6, but there were 2 goals by the Blades in the last 30 seconds which was pretty exciting. Both my brothers said that the Blades must have scratched their entire defense because only 1 or 2 goals was the fault of the goalie. No fights either, which is kinda too bad because then there isn't much excitement, but I think God likes it better when there are no fights.

So that was my exciting Saturday evening, hanging out with 2 of my brothers!

Friday, February 10, 2006

You make me............beautiful

I have been absolutely overwhelmed lately. Overwhelmed with life, but that doesn't even come remotely close to how overwhelmed I am by my God.

When I sang at Concerts of the Heart I really thought that I had dealt with all the issues and insecurities of being beautiful. I walked down the steps to sit down, that night, and truly believed and knew that what I just sang was true...that God makes me beautiful. I walked like that for a few months atleast.

I just want to clarify that I don't think I'm ugly, I know there was a day when I thought I wasn't nice to look at, but as of the last year I felt that I was just ok.

I guess in order for this to make sense I need to share another journey of my life. For the last 13 weeks I have been on a journey of giving God total Lordship of food and eating. Because of God giving me the strength to lay myself down I have lost 23+ pounds (I find out tomorrow how much more)

People have been noticing and friends come up to me and some are just in shock and say "oh my goodness Chels, you look Amazing!"
So many sisters and girl friends are telling me that I am beautiful and one sister said that sometimes when we get together she just stares at me because she thinks I'm so beautiful.

To be quite honest I find it hard to take. Someone cautioned me not to let it go to my head, but I know that at this point there is no way it can go to my head because how can anything go to my head when I don't really feel that it's true sometimes.

And to help matters more I heard from a source that when asked a certain guy said I was cute! I'm just blown away. I don't know how to take it, but I'm learning to say thank you and to let God work in my heart and have Him confirm and let me know that I Am beautiful.

What is way more important to me is the inside. One of my mom's friends said the other day that there's this glow about me. Thank you Jesus. She didn't know what it was all about, but I have been given amazingly abundant amounts of freedom these last few months in different journeys I'm on and I'm so thankful that it is shining through. I am becoming a whole person again, or maybe for the first time.

A dear sister said the other day that it just doesn't fit. Someone who is so beautiful on the outside, but even more beautiful on the inside. Someone who cares so deeply for others and SHE'S STILL SINGLE! I know it doesn't fit, but it fits into God's plan and that's all I'm living for.

Does anyone recognize me? Does anyone remember the old me? I don't want to make this seem all self-centered, but look at me, remember me, this is not me! Who is this? Who is this? I couldn't have planned this. I wouldn't have dreamed of asking for this.
I AM ABSOLUTELY BLOWN AWAY BY MY GOD!

Of course I'm beautiful, and its all for His purpose! I will use what He has gifted me with for His good so that many may see this light, know Him and follow Him.