Marco Moves On

Just about a month ago Marco decided to move out.

He found a good deal on a house for rent, and since his wife Jana is arriving here in a few months' time, he felt it best to take advantage of the opportunity.

Actually, the house he'll be moving into is basically across the street.  We'll be neighbours now.

I'm at peace about his departure.  I'm ready for some solitude.  I yearn for it.  Particularly in the morning, before going to work, I'm ready to focus my energies on reading (devotions), prayer, and practising the guitar.  Of course, all of this, over a cup of coffee.

The time is right to begin finishing my basement now too.  I've found the right person to take charge of this project.  The aim is to complete the project by the end of August.  I'm also toying with the idea of renting the extra bedroom upstairs on airbnb from time to time.

The Hope Within

Today was a busy day, as we had the semi-annual memorial service at St. Ann's.

But afterwards, an interesting conversation came up at my coworker Carla's place.  A few of us were sitting around the table, and out of nowhere the unthinkable conversation about religion erupted: "Is there a God"?, we mused.  For the first time in a few years' a genuine conversation about such matters came up, and I have to say I found it so rich, interesting, and refreshing.

At the table were an Adventist, an ex-Mormom, a "progressive" (ex-United Church), an atheist (ex-Catholic), and me, a recent convert to the Catholic Church.  And each of us came at the question with our own experience and belief.

Not everyone appreciated the conversation, though.  Things got personal.  Feelings are hurt so easily.  Convictions are tested, as is patience and the ability to not take criticism personally.  It's so hard though, when one's deepest beliefs are challenged.  It's a hit to the very core.

I need more conversations like these.  And I need to practise expressing "the reason I have this hope within" (I. Peter 3:15) more.  With grace.  And understanding.

Hiking Elk Trail

One of the things that has given me great joy over the past year has been the regular hikes I've been able to plan with a local hiking group.

The people I meet along the way, the conversations, the traveling (getting there and back), the fresh air of God's beautiful creation, and the physical rigour of a good hike all add to the overall sense of fulfilment I get from these experiences.

Today a group of us went to PANP and hiked 28+ kms.  Before we began I suggested we do 20-22 kms, and the group gave me a resounding "No."  They felt that 15, maybe 20, max.  When we reached the 9 km mark and I suggested we turn around to make sure we keep the hike under 20, everyone was so energized that they insisted we continued.  So onward and forward we went.

Until the 14km mark.  That's when people said "Uhmmm....maybe we better turn around."

On the way back we caught just the outer edge of a small thunderstorm.  The contrast between the various shades of blue above us throughout the day was splendid - light blue and joyful in the morning when it was sunny, dark blue and ominous late afternoon when the rains came.  There were also lots of greys and browns still in the trees and the shrubs around us - winter has just finished,  spring has not completely arrived yet.

We live in a very beautiful place.  Below a few pictures other hikers took.

Thank you Lord for a wonderful day of hiking.  Thank you for the glory of your creation.

Summer Project

I met with Wade today, to discuss finishing my basement.  It's going to cost me about $30K, plus a 20% commission fee for him.  He's going to find all the contractors to do the work, and oversee everything to make sure it's done right, on time, and under budget.

We will save some money by doing some of the painting ourselves.

I can't build a full kitchen because of silly city bylaws.

I hope that once Jana arrives, Marco and Jana will move down.  Then I'll have the upstairs to myself.