A Francisan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort

At easy answers,half-truths and superfical relationships

So that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with answer

At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,

So you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears

To shed for those who suffer pain,rejection, hunger and war,

So that you reach out your hand to comfort them and

To turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness

To believe that you can make a difference in the world,

So that you can do what others claim cannot be done

To bring justice and kindnes to all our children and the poor.

Amen

Man It's Cold

The weather is frigid today. I had to attempt to start my car and it took me a couple of minutes but I finally got it started. I just can't believe how cold it is today. The worst part is it's supposed to stay like this for at least a couple more days.

A New Vocation

Things have been picking up at my new job. Recently, I was hired to work as a Relief Support Worker at a group home in town here. It is with an organization that works with developmentally challenged people.I was trained last week and I have some courses to take in the coming weeks. I also got a part time contract with the same organization to work with a different program as well helping take care a young adult out on his own for 8 hours a week. It is an exciting time right now I just hope it will lead to full time work. But in the meantime I will hope for the best and rise to the challenges I face with the new job(s).

Just An Update

I just started a new job this way and although it is only part time it seems to be going well. I work at a group home with mentally handicapped people as a support worker which is is challening to say the least. I'm still in the process of being trained.

Winter has hit this area and it has been very cold at night. Last night it was -20 C and the night before was about the same. But tonight isn't too bad and it was snow all day today. At least this month is going by pretty quickly and I have avoid the winter blahs so far. Anyways, I have to do some reading and head to bed.

I AM SOMEBODY

Here is yet another great poem I found:

I AM SOMEBODY

I may be young; I may be old,

But I am somebody,

For I am God's Child.

I may be educated; I may be unlettered,

But I am somebody,

For I am God's Child.

I may be black; I may be white,

But I am somebody,

For I am God's child.

I may be rich; I may be poor,

But I am somebody,

For I am God's child.

I may be fat; I may be thin,

But I am somebody,

For I am God's child.

I may be married; I may be divorced,

But I am somebody,

For I am God's child.

I may be successful; I may be a failure,

But I am a somebody,

For I am God's child.

I may be a sinner; I may be a saint.

But I am somebody.

For Jesus is my Saviour.

I am God's Child.

Author Unknown

More on Global Warming

It is another mild day outside today and even through I don't mind the warmer weather it is cause for concern. I heard El Nino is the cause but I personally feel the culprit is global warming. it is bizaree that I moved up here and still managed to have a mild winter this far. The more I see around me the more I'm convinced that global warming is playing a role in these odd weather patterns. I never thought I would say this but I do hope that we get at least a little bit a actual winter weather just to keep things in balance.

Happy New Year

I got off to a slow start this year as I had a rather lazy day at my girlfriend's house. Which is just as well as December was a rather busy month for us and we could use the rest. Anyways, I was a low-key New Year's for me and I'm looking to see what 2007 has in store for me.

Reflections

My holiday has gone quite well and was overwhemled by the gifts I received from both my family and my girlfriend's family. More importantly, I got to spend to spend some quality time with family and got to see a little of area I used to live. I also got to reflect on the reason for the season and to explore more Christian spiritually. I have been studying the Minor Prophets of the Old Testament as well as some New Testament letters.

As the year draws to a close I look back and I feel very blessed. The move was successful and have adjusted quite well. I found a job within six weeks and even though it was very from enjoyable it kept me afloat and helped me explore my "sweet spot". I am also dating a wonderful woman and we heading very close to one year of dating. More importantly, my faith was rejuvenated this year and I seek a greater relationship with the Lord.

What does next year hold for me. I am jobless right now but it is probably for the best as I get to explore some options. I also get to continue my walk with Him and find out His will for my life. I am nervous yet excited to see what 2007 holds in store for me. I will be an interesting road to travel.

Some Poetry

I found this one is Our Daily Bread:

Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse's lineage coming
As men of old have sung
It came, a Floweret bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half-spent was the night

Author Unknown

Remember The Reason For The Season

Here is a couple of verses to remember for this Christmas season:

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, Which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11

My Holidays So Far

I'm back home for the holidays with my girlfriend. We will be going to see her parents on Christmas eve and Christmas day. I already received a couple presents with one being the movie The Passion Of The Christ. The weather has been unseasonal as it feels a lot like spring. Anyways, I'm enjoying myself so far and am loking forward to Christmas.

A Word On Family

This is part of an e-mail I received recently:

FAMILY
Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family, an unwise investment indeed, don't you think? So what is behind the story? Do you know what the word


FAMILY means? FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU

The Latest in Life

I have been busy lately as I went to a wedding last Saturday and went back home last weekend. i also went to my girlfriend's work Christmas party which went well. Work has been boring and I'm waiting for the ax to fall as the season is almost over. In the meantime it looks like it will be a busy time as we get to Christmas with our respective families. There shall be some good times ahead.

This Past Week zZZZZ

This was a rather boring week for me. I work four days and during those four days I had little to do. My girlfriend was out of town as well. I defintely have to find some hobbies to keep myself busy and get out of the winter doldrums as well.

On Global Warming

About a week ago I saw a film on global warming called An Inconvinent Truth with former US vice-president Al Gore. It is a documentary with Gore giving a lecture to a group of College students on global warming and it's effects on the planet. Of course it is filled with news footage and clips showing the effects.

Among some of the findings are the increase in natural disaters such as hurriances,typhoons and cyclones. The polar ice cap is melting and the country of Greenland faces danger of literally dividing and drifting into different parts of the ocean. Bodies of water such as Lake Chad evaporating and mountain areas turning into desert. Not to mention how much green gas are in the air.

I'll admit with it being a political figure giving this lecture I took it with a grain of salt. I also took into account that there is a political agenda involved. However, a lot of statements and facts found made complete sense. I also have to admit I have been somewhat environmentally conscious for some time.

Even if half the stuff in the film is true it serves as a wake-up call. I'm not ready to become a treehugger but it is made me more aware. I also recommend renting the movie as it has some good points and answers quite a few questions especially about weird weather patterns that we get these days.

The Good And Bad

It has been a good few days as we have been getting mild weather up here. I also been busy at work and Christmas is around the corner. I have gotten most of my shopping done. I am nervously awaiting winter but in the meantime I'll enjoy the mild weather.

On the filpside I did a bonehead thing and wrecked my cellphone when I included it in a load of wash. I also had some car problems a while ago but like the saying goes it is bad but it could be a lot worse. It has also known how I have been strength as these would have cause me to be fit for a straight jacket but I took the approach that s@$% happens. At least I'm alive and well.

I hope with reduced hours at work I can keep this blog up more often. Oh well time will tell.

A Few Words To Live By

Never think that God's delays are God's denials.

Hold on ; hold fast ; hold out. Patience is genius.

Count de Buffon

Take A Moment

Today is Rememberance Day where we remember the soldiers who died for our country in war. It seems to become less meaningful to the younger generations as many of our veterans age and pass on. However, we must never forget what they did for us as without their scarifice we would not enjoy the freedoms and lifestyles that we are able to have. We must we thankful that many of us have never and will likely never go to war. Also, we must remember our troops fighting in Afghanistan. Wheter you agree with the war or not they are giving their lives for this great nation. I ask that we take the moment os silence today and remember all this.

The Latest News

There is not much going on other than I'm going to visit my parents this weekend and see my grandmother who is back from the Ukraine after a two month visit. Work is busy again after a slow October. I'm still figuring out the future but with the Lord's guidance I will get there. I'm starting to get ideas about where I'm going. The weather up here has been nice for a change as it is actually comfortable outside. The best part is no white stuff right now. I will hopefully have more to share in the weeks ahead.

Time Is Not An Ally

I'm learning that with trying to update this blog that time is not an ally. I find that even with my work hours being shorter that I can't get to this blog as often as I want. Then again it could just be writer's block. Either way I could make myself a promise to try and up this up to date as much as possible. Anyways, enough rambling on and I will get back on track soon.