Anger

Here's a letter I wrote to mom and dad this evening.  I don't know where the rage comes from...

Hi mom, hi dad.

I received your voicemail, thank you.

I do not wish to speak to you.  I have a lot of anger and rage inside me, which I do not wish to unload on you.

I do not think I will come to BC at the end of August.  I am not in a spiritual or psychological condition to enjoy my trip there.

Please do not call me for a while.

Living Room

Almost a month after I moved in, I finally got my main floor cleaned up enough to take a picture and share.  Here it is.

I guess I'm taking a minimalist approach - not too much clutter.  I like the bar stools (Ted and Karin brought them from Vancouver).  I also like showing off the (sparkling!) hardwood floor.

I'm very blessed to live here.  Everything's new and smells like it.  I love going to bed at night, and feeling the warm breeze flow through my room.

Currently I'm getting estimates for putting up blinds.

Contrary to about a month ago when there was lots of activity going on as the builder tried to finish up the interior in time for me to move in, very little action is taking place right now.  The outdoor has been all but forgotten.  Canola weeds are growing in my back yard...

Vices

Gluttony.

Sloth.

Anger.

Lust.

Avarice.

Pride.

And envy.

I didn't realize until today that envy is perhaps the vice I struggle with most.

I don't think it's always been this way.

Maybe vices accompany the various seasons and stages of life.  Right now it's envy-season.

Oh, and anger too.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a Sinner.

Ted In Saskatoon

Ted, Karin, Dylan and Natasha dropped in for a visit yesterday and today.  They're on their way to Winnipeg to visit friends.

They arrived yesterday late afternoon.  I welcomed them, and together we went out for dinner at the German Cultural Centre.

After dinner we went for a walk along the west side of the river.  Walking along the Meewasin trail, we passed the Bessborough hotel (we took a peak inside too) and Memorial Park, all the way to the Mendel Art Gallery near College Drive bridge.  The temperature was perfect, cool, and not too many mosquitoes around.

Ted and Karin slept on my pullout couch, while the kids slept on the floor on air mattresses.  While it was good to be able to host them here, it was disappointing that I still don't have a queen size bed for guests.  It's on order, but hasn't arrived yet.

This morning we all got up around 8am, ate some breakfast, and by 10am they were on the road.  I am thankful for the many blessings I have received through family.  While things are hard at the moment, particularly with mom, I am thankful to have family as a strong source of support.

Dear Lord, bless Ted and his family as they travel to Winnipeg.  May they be refreshed by family, friendship, and fun.  Amen.

Germany On Top Again

Well it was an interesting World Cup.  Germany beat Argentina 1-0 a few days ago, in extra time, and it took an amazing goal by Götze to clinch the win.

Best goal: James Rodriguez - Colombia vs. Uruguay.  Rodriguez won the Golden Boot award too.  Nice to see it go to a very skilled and humble player.

Biggest surprise: I can't believe Argentina made it to the final.  Great individual players, but historically not so united as a team; Sabella somehow managed to gel the team into a nice and cohesive unit.

Biggest disappointment: Brazil losing to Germany 7-1.  It's one thing to lose, but 7-1?  And at home?

Best player: Ok, so Messi won the Golden Ball award, but I wonder whether that was a good selection.  He played ok in the first two rounds but then disappeared.  I think I'd have given it to the Manuel Neuer.

Here's an ode to futbol - the best goals of the World Cup 2014: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/goal-of-the-tournament/index.html.

Hail to the beautiful game!  Now begins the waiting again ... another 4 years...

Bedroom

Here's what my bedroom looks like.  I like the two shades of grey on the wall.