Tasty Soup

I went to Abbotsford late this afternoon for a celebratory dinner for Ted's 41st (?) birthday. First I dropped by Ted & Karin's place and hung out there for a bit, before heading to mom & dad's for dinner.

At around 5pm I arrived at Ted's. I played "bumm-a-war" on the trampolin with my nephews Neal & Dylan, before heading inside and talking with Ted and Karin for a bit. We reminisced about Ted's "Strongwill" days in Paraguay. Yes, those were the days....

At around 7pm we all headed over to mom & dad's for dinner. As usual, the dinner tasted excellent, and as usual, there was enough food left over to feed a hungry village in Africa. Lord have mercy ...

After dinner we went inside and had a nice chat about all kinds of topics. Yes indeed, it is in these kinds of situations where the young and old, the intelligent and ignorant, the serious and jovial, mix to form some sort of familial-conversation-soup that one never knows quite what to make of. One may like or dislike the taste, but tasteless this soup is not, for its ingredients are far too filled with passionate talk about personal and impresonal matters.

Anyways, enough philosophical psycho-bable: it was a good day. Enough said for today.

Ryan & Julie's Wedding

Another weekend, another wedding: the 3rd wedding in the last 5 weeks.

Today my friend Julie married Ryan, at a golf & country club in Surrey. It was strange attending a non-religious wedding, but everything was done in very good taste. Actually, I'd expect nothing less from Julie. She has a way of getting things done exactly the way she wants to. It was a perfect day for a wedding: hot and sunny. The reception was good, with super food, wine, and various fun activities that encouraged guest participation.

In the evening I went to church, and afterwards I walked home. I've walked home from church throughout the summer; it's been a good way to wind down the weekend, and prepare for a new week.

Next week's the last wedding I'm attending this summer. This one will be hard to swallow. Sharon's getting married.

Hiking & Wining

Morning:
* I hiked the Grouse Grind with Paul, and two friends he invited, Sharon and Karin. Neither of the girls were "hikers", so we we took it really easy. It took us 2 hours to hike to the top. As far as socializing was concerned, it was fun. But hiking at such a slow pace was no fun.

Once at the top, we relaxed for a bit, before going to see the grizzly bear "habitat" they have set up there. It was interesting. I'm fascinated with bears, so my nickname "cub" is actually quite ideal. These bears are massively huge and heavy, yet very playful. Those qualities, "big" and "playful" seem like paradoxes to me, but that's probably just me.

Evening:
* I went to the August edition of the "Wine Club" I'm a part of with some close friends. Tonight we tried a few Sauvignon Blanc wines. Kendell-Jackson (California), and Cloudy Bay (New Zealand) both make good Sauvignon Blancs. Oddly enough, I liked the "ringer" wine best: a French Vouvray. Unfortunately, I forgot the brand name of the wine.

Wavelenghts

This morning Grace and I met over coffee. It was the first time we met since our time together in Firenze and Roma in July. It was good to catch up, especially with regards to her experience this past month at Caux, Switzerland, at an inter-religious dialogue/conference.

But I knew that sooner or later we'd end up talking about us. She asked me why I hadn't emailed her the past 5 weeks. I simply told her the truth: I feel that she takes my attention away from God, I feel an increased draw towards the single life, and finally, we're both very different, on different "wavelenghts", if you will. She was hurt, but she accepted my comments.

I offered her friendship, but she said she'd think about it, and get back to me.

In the afternoon I met up with my wonderful nephew Ralph, whom I picked up at the bus station. We took the skytrain downtown and had lunch there, before walking around, checking out the city. Late afternoon we took the bus to my place. Just before arriving at my place we dropped by a hairstylist just around the corner, where he proceeded to get a (tiny little) haircut. For dinner we cooked up some pasta, and in the evening we went to watch a movie. He stayed the night. Tomorrow I will drive him back to Abbotsford.

Although I enjoyed my time with Ralph, my mind was occupied with thoughts about singlehood, lust, friendships, cellibacy, marriage, and relationships.

Dean & Kira's Wedding

Cindy picked me up around 9am today and together we went out for breakfast at Seb's. It was good: good food, good conversation, and pleasant company.

In the afternoon I went to Dean & Kira's wedding at church (I ushered at it). The ceremony was nice, Dan G. preached. The reception was casual: stand-up, "fingerfoods" luncheon. I left at around 6pm, went home to take a nap.

In the evening I went to Jeff & Jo Ella's for beer & pizza. Loretta was there too. Good times.

Oh and yeah, while picking up a wedding present for Dean & Kira at Caper's, I asked out the checkout girl. She was the cutest thing. She said no, because she has a boyfriend. But she had the hugest smile on her face, and she told me I made her day.

Melanie's Back Too!

Finally reunited! One of the things I find most frustrating about our family is that we don't live together. My bro & sis live in Paraguay, I live here, and my parents, well, they's usually caught somewhere in between.

Today that all changed, as for the first time in about 15 years we're all together, if not in the same city, at least in the same country. Melanie, Heinz, and their 4 bandidos arrived at the Vancouver aipport, and it was great to see them. Mom, dad, and I went to the airport and greeted them upon their arrival. Ralph & Tanis have grown so much. It's great to have them all back.

I think we'll be together, God-willing, for at least a year. After that, who knows what will happen. It may even be me that leaves the country next time around.

On another note, I finished my paper for Building Christian Communities today, and handed it in. It always feels so good handing in a project. I put a lot of work into this, and I liked the final result. Not only did I learn much from the research I did on Benedictine Monastic Communities, but I also made some suggestions/recommendations for the church: steps the church could/should take in order to improve the way Christians practise community. I am challenged by the Benedictines, and think we have much to learn from them.

Imitating God: A Prayer

As we quieten our hearts and minds, we invite you Holy Spirit, to continue your presence in and among us. Keep our hearts and minds focused on you and on what you want to say to us.
_____

Heavenly Father, you are our creator, you are God, you are the great I AM. We approach you with a humble heart and a submissive spirit. You alone are worthy to be praised, for you created the heavens and the earth, and all that is in it.

We also approach you with a joyful heart, for even though we rebel and turn away from you time and time again, your faithfulness endures. As the Apostle Paul says, “Christ loved us and gave himself up for us”, and this was a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to you, our God (Eph 5:2). Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice on the cross. We acknowledge with thanksgiving that true reconciliation with creation, one another, and God, is only possible through you.

Lord Jesus, we want to be imitators of you. We want to walk in love (Eph 5:2), steer away from darkness, and walk instead in your light (Eph 5:8), so that we too may inherit your kingdom (Eph 5:5). Awaken us from our slumber, so that Christ may shine on us (Eph 5:14).

Help us be better stewards of time; keep us from idleness and foolishness (5:4, 16). Grant us wisdom and discernment in our daily tasks, in our actions and our conversations.

Lord, in your Mercy, hear our prayer!

On a hot and sunny day like today, in this beautiful city, it is easy to think that all is well elsewhere too. But, “the days are evil” (Eph 5:16), and this is so evident in the conflicts and brokenness in so many places. We intercede for your intervention.

May your church act boldly and wisely.
Protect your people from harm.
Reveal your ways to those in positions of power and influence.

Lord, in your Mercy, hear our prayer!

We are grateful for your church, and in particular, this evening congregation. Guide and protect this service from the Evil One, who seeks to distract and divide us. I pray especially for Neil, the musicians, the prayer team, the greeters, ushers, the Evening Service Committee, the planning committee, and the many people who serve you here on Sunday nights. Grant wisdom and the guidance of your Holy Spirit as they shepherd your flock.

And our congregants we entrust to you also, Lord Jesus. Awaken in us a desire and commitment to know you and one another better. May we see the eyes of Jesus in the person who sits beside us in the pews. Give us grace and patience as we walk our Christian life together and help us to be genuine and real. May we “walk as children of light”, discerning what is good, right, true, and pleasing to you (Eph 5:9-10).

Grant peace to those who could not be here tonight: restore the sick or the hurting, direct the hearts and minds of the distracted, refresh those that are on vacation, and and give us all a single-minded heart intent on loving and serving you and your church.

Lord, in your Mercy, hear our prayer!

And finally, Lord, we silently entrust to your loving care those people you’ve placed on our hearts and minds.

We give thanks to you, our God and Father, and ask that you would guide us into the new week with humble and joyful hearts. And as it pleased you that Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, may our walk in love also be a fragrant offering to you, our God. This we pray in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (Eph 5:20).

Amen.

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Evening Service Prayer at St. John's Shaughnessy Anglican Church, based on Ephesians 5:1-20.

A Day With My Bro (& Family)

I'm so thrilled that Ted & family are here for the next year or two. Today he came over with Karin and their 4 kids, and we had a good day together. They arrived after 11am, and we had pancakes for breakfast.

Then we went to Jericho Beach. The pictures speak for themselves:

The kids:















Natasha:















Dylan:















Priscilla:















Neal & some other guy:















Feet:















Ted & family:















After the beach we went to McDonalds.

Studying & Hiking

I did lots of schoolwork today, researching on Benedictine monastic communities. I'm interested in learning how they can help us in our life together in the church today. It seems to me we have much to learn from them. Well, I'm still formulating my thesis statement, but it's going to be something along those lines.

I hiked the Grouse Grind again today: 54 minutes.

I took public transportation though, to get to Grouse. Argggghhhhh .. it's gonna take a lot of effort & discipline to do that again. What with a bus-seabus-bus routine the whole ordeal took 3.5 hours. That's a whole hour longer than if I take my car. On the other hand, I was able to read while traveling, and that's something I usually can't do. So I guess it all evens out...

Same Old Same Old...

I finished the Witness paper this morning around noon. I suppose I could've gone to Abbotsford to visit with family, but they went camping in Hope. It's just as well, I spent the afternoon at home, enjoying the sunny day.

It was hot and sunny, so I took the opportunity to sit out in the balcony for a few hours and drink my latest favourite drink, San Pellegrino Orange juice. It's so refreshing on a hot day!

Late afternoon I got in my car and drove to Grouse Mountain, and hiked the Grind again: 54 minutes. I little better than yesterday, but still lots of work.

On another note, earlier this week I received a prayer request by email from Grace. I've been praying for her, but I've yet to respond to her email. In fact, I've yet to email her since my return from Europe. Not good. Actually, very bad.

Same old same old story: I do not have peace about her.

Witness

After a day spent with family yesterday, it was good to get down to business and write my Witness movie review. I'm almost finished with it. Should be finished by noon tomorrow.

Late afternoon I drove up to Grouse Mountain and hiked the Grind: 55 minutes. Not bad, but not good either. By the end of September I'd like to be able to hike it in under 50 minutes.

Strange. I don't enjoy going out on Friday nights anymore. It used to be a matter of principle, not to do any schoolwork on a Friday night, but nowadays, there's a certain peace and safety that comes along with staying at home.

Toys Without An "Off" Button

I went to Abbotsford today to visit with Ted & family & mom & dad.

In the afternoon I hiked to the top of Sumas Mountain with Neal and Dylan. It was the first time I hiked since returning from Europe, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

I came home tired in the evening, but I was more tired from talking to my nephews/nieces than from the drive or the hike. Actually, I don't really "talk" to them: it's more like trying to answer their 1,001 questions. Where do kids get all this energy from? Where do they get their questions/ideas from? Was I like that too?

My goodness....they're like a toy that runs on batteries. The difference is that toys have an "Off" button, and kids don't.

Children are a gift, no doubt. But I'm glad I haven't received this gift (yet).

Breakfast, Science, & Burgers

I hadn't seen Dave L. in about 4 months, so it was good to catch up with him this moring. He dropped by at 8:30 for breakfast. I made pancakes, he brought blueberries.

In the evening I went to a public lecture on "Has Science Killed God", by a famous lecturer from the UK. It was superb.

After the lecture I went out for a burger with Mar & Byron.

Back To Church

I went to our church for the first time in about 2 months tonight. It was great to be back. It felt like a sort of homecoming.

I'm thankful for the church you've placed me in, Lord!

Fireworks

Today was a good day for two reasons:

* Vancouver hosted the annual Celebration of Light fireworks. It was superb. This is really the only event of the year where Vancouver sheds its no-fun city image and actually allows people to enjoy themselves.

* While watching the fireworks at my good buddy Rudy's place, I met not one, not two, but 3 hotties. My gosh, thank you Lord! Hahaha!!! However, two of them were quite snobby, so I guess I really only met one!! Anyways, 1's better than none. ;)

Ted's Back!

Today my brother Ted, his wife Karin, and their 4 children Neal, Priscilla, Dylan, and Natasha arrived from Paraguay. They plan to be in Canada for the next 2 years.

I'm thrilled!

The last time I had a sibbling living "in the vicinity" was 10+ years ago. I've missed him dearly, so I will do everything possible to make the most of his extended visit.

No More TV...Finally!

This morning I drove Cindy to Langley, where she had a job interview. During the interview I went to Tim Horton's and had coffee, a sandwich, and a donut.

Afterwards I picked her up and on our way home we dropped by a recycling place in Surrey where I was able to finally! get rid of my old electronics "stuff": tv, laser printer, and laptop and camera batteries.

I feel a little lighter now. Less crap's weighing me down.

Visiting The Benedictines

This morning at 6am I picked up James and together we drove up to the Westminster Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in Mission. We arrived there shortly after 7am, settled into one of the corners upstairs in the guest house, and proceeded to take out our Bibles and have a Bible Study of Psalm 41.

Afterwards we prayed the Psalm, before praying for the world, for the church, and for one another.

Then we got down to business. The purpose of our trip to the monastery was to speak with some of the monks there, and learn about their community-life. We met with Father Mark, Father Matthew, and towards the end of the day we met a lively one, Father Peter. The areas we discussed were: 1- the purpose of Benedictine monasticism in general, and the Westminster Abbey in particular; 2- the structure of the community; 3- the nature of life together; and 4- the nature of ministry.

Here are, in (very) short form, the responses we received:

1- Benedictine monasticism exists to seek God through ora (prayer) and labora (work), and this is worked out in response to the monastic vow of stability, continual conversion, and obedience; the specific calling of Westminster Abbey is to prepare young men for the priesthood.

2 - the structure of the community is 1 abbot and 29 monks; the abbot is the Christ-figure of the community, and as such his authority is unquestioned; on the other hand, he leads the community not out of a position of pride or lordship, but humility and love.

3- the nature of life together is structured around the divine office, or the sanctification of time through work & prayer. Every one works out his monastic vocation according to his gifts.

4- the nature of ministry stems from the gospel of Matthew (5:14), where Jesus says: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." In other words, do now what we will be doing in all eternity: seeking peace and pursuing it.

I have to say that everytime I visit the monastery I leave a better man. It seems to me they're doing something right. I'm incredebly attracted to their vocation.
















After we finished the conversation, we went and heard them sing the Psalms in the beautiful church.
















And we also had the chance to go for a walk and visit the monastery farm. The picture above is of the orchard trees.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the monks at the Abbey who are working in your vineyard. Bless them according to your good and perfect will. Amen.

Settling In

It's great to be home. Yesterday I slepped in, and today I am starting to get down to work. I've got a lot of things that I need to get done.

August 17th is the deadline for my "Building Christian Communities" coursework. By then I have to write a movie review, visit a Christian community and write a reflection paper on it, and write a research paper.

After the 17th I want to take 2 weeks and do some house lceaning: clean the apartment, pay my taxes, pay my bills, do my financial planning for the next year, get rid of old "stuff" (tv, laser printer, clothes, and shoes), register for the Fall Semester, and some other "stuff" that needs to be done before the new semester begins in September.

Also, my brother Ted and his family arrive here on the 28th of July, and I definitely want to spend some time with them.

In the meantime, I'm thrilled to be home!

Hiking The Big T..... Uhm, Grand Teton

OK, so today was actually a travel day: 15 hours from Driggs --> Butte --> Spokane --> Renton (Seattle) --> Vancouver. I'm finally home!

But rather than talking about the boring journey home (we didn't even listen to any music!), I'll post some pictures of a hike up the "Ski Pass" (or something like that), not too far from Grand Teton National Park.

It was a perfect hike: 5 miles; we did it a few hours before Mark's wedding yesterday. Here are the pics:

The way up:















Andrew (left) & Rob


















































At the top:

Cub & Andrew















Susan, Andrew, Tim, & Rob















The Lake (it was cold!)






























The return: