What A Weekend

Nathan’s birthday thing went pretty well…not exactly as planned, but hey, the best things come when not planned, right? We ate at a park surrounding some old ruins of a monastery in Winnipeg. It was beautiful…the old building, the river, the weather. Perfect. The problems came when we started shopping for Nathan’s birthday gifts…my first mistake? I just assumed that there was a Cd Plus in St. Vital Mall. There sure isn’t. So we went to other music stores (they don’t give you that stamp on your card like Cd Plus, but whatever…). I specified that Nathan was supposed to buy the new Chris Tomlin cd (which he’s been wanting) but we couldn’t find it anywhere. We even drove to Brian Reimer’s. No such luck. So we went on to the next clue…a book. Chapters is right there in the mall, I knew that. But do you think they had any of the books that Nathan was looking for? No, of course not. So here again, we had a problem. We decided to drive to Blessings, which was not in the plan, and there he found both the cd and the book that he was looking for. Good…now we’re caught up. Then we went back to the mall and I gave him his next clue…we went to the car and I gave him his grandma’s birthday card and his parents’ gift. Then we went back to the mall to find the first season of CSI, but of course that wasn’t in the first two or three stores we looked in either! What is with that mall? If they’d just built a Cd Plus, my life would have been SO much easier! No matter. Nathan said it was the best birthday he’d had in years, so that’s good. After shopping we went to the Olive Garden (which was SUPER full) but we had a lovely dinner and didn’t have to pay the $45 bill afterwards because we had a gift card (thanks to our junior youth leaders). So that was Nathan’s birthday. Oh, and of course when we got home and for a few hours on Sunday, we watched CSI…what else?

While we were in the city, looking around, I saw a sign for a 50% off sale at Shoppers Optical. This was a wonderful thing because Nathan and I have been looking for glasses for me since February and my prescription expires in August. We had been in there a few weeks ago and found some glasses that we both liked. They were still there, and much too expensive, but with the half off sale, the price was perfect. So all that story just to say that I got new glasses! They are fun. I like them.

My brother has been down for a few days. I always forget how much I love hanging out with him. He’s just great! He came down last week Wednesday and then left on Friday to drive down to St. Paul, MN for a car show. He came back Sunday evening and is leaving tomorrow morning. It has been wonderful having him down. Nathan’s parents are coming down on Thursday evening and then continuing their drive to Ontario Friday morning. Then, next Monday (July 3) we leave for Ontario for three weeks! I’m very excited for a bit of a break. Even with having fewer evenings in the past week, I’m feeling like there’s something I should be doing. It seems wrong to just be able to sit around and watch a movie in the evening! I guess we need this break very, very much!

As i siT hEre inHaLinG pAinT fUmeS...

So I'm at Nathan's office...typing a post for my blog because it's been four days....FOUR DAYS!!! Actually, that's not why I came. I'll share a secret. I'm about to over-haul Nathan's office. See, he's been stressed the past couple days, just trying to remember to get in place all the things that he has to get in place before we leave for Ontario for three weeks. It's alot to think about all at once and I admire him for giving 'er. But, as I look around me, I see papers strewn across the desk, books piled in random piles and posters sitting here and coffee cups sitting there...it's just so...Nathan-like. No, I shouldn't say that. It's just not condusive to relaxing and thinking clearly, so I'm going to dig in and attempt to give Nathan a place where he can come to work on Monday morning and be able to see clearly what needs to be done in the week.
But before I dig in, I just have to share my plans for Nathan's birthday...I just can't keep it in any longer! I don't think Nathan will read my blog before it happens...I'll take that chance. See, while I have been sitting at work these past couple days, I've been thinking about how I can make Nathan's birthday relaxing and yet an adventure. Something just really fun. Well, here's what I came up with. See, Nathan is this guy who is really hard to buy for (as his -and my - parents can tell you). He just tends to ask for things slightly out of most people's budgets...big wide screen tv's, large surround sound systems, a motorcycle...I had no idea what to get him! So, I decided that he can pick his own birthday gift, but just giving money isn't the best thing for Nathan either, because once he gets it, he just saves it and doesn't buy anything for himself for a long time! So what I have done is make this scavenger hunt-type thing. I've planned a series of places where we will go and do different things at. I'll give him a clue and then we'll go to a park in Winnipeg where we will eat a surprise picnic lunch that I've made and hidden in the car. Then, we'll go to St. Vital mall and I'll take him to Cd plus and he'll get to pick out a cd for himself. Then, to Chapters where he gets to pick a book. Then, we'll go out to the car, where I've hidden whatever gifts/cards that have been sent to him (which I also have hidden and he doesn't know about) and he'll have to use clues to find them all over the car. Then I'll say we've forgotten something in the mall and we'll go back and he'll get to buy Season 1 of CSI (which he's been wanting since he met Jared Brandes). Then we'll go out for supper at the Olive Garden...which apparently is (or was) his favorite restaurant. So yeah, that will be Nathan's birthday this year, but I haven't been able to tell Nathan anything!!! It's killing me, I'm so excited, so I had to share! By the way, if anyone wants to wish Nathan a happy birthday, it's on Sunday, June 25th. Just follow the link on the side of my blog to the site of "My Incredible Husband." It'll make him smile. Anyway, I'd better get busy with his office! He'll be home from golfing in less than two hours!

G'day, Mate!

This was a good weekend. It all started on Friday afternoon with the Friesen's picnic. It is an annual event that takes place at the park in town (unless it's raining). Pretty much, it's free food and entertainment. We joked that it should just be called a town picnic, sponsored by Friesen's, because basically the whole town has at least the option to come. (Everyone works at Friesens here in Altona). So anyway, that was fun. It was a beautiful day for it.

After sleeping in on Saturday morning (which was VERY nice), Nathan and I went and bought a lawn mower. Our grass desperately needed cutting and it's just a pain to have to go and borrow from someone else every week. Our grass was so long though, that we had to empty the bag every few rows because it tended to stall otherwise. Our lawn looks really good now though... and we can mow again before it gets too bad because we have our own lawnmower and don't have to put off asking someone else if we can use theirs. That's a nice feeling...we don't have to be the neighbours on the street with the shaggy grass anymore! So that was our Saturday...full, yet relaxing.

Sunday was Father's Day. Aother year that we are safe from having to celebrate this day (other than just calling our own father!) *Whew*

In church we had a baptism, which was great. Baptisms are exciting. I remember my baptism...it was such and indescribable feeling...everyone's support was amazing. That's one thing I'm very glad I did before I left my home church in Hudson Bay. I was surrounded with family (both actual family and a church family that I had grown up with)...no strangers there. I'm also very glad I did it in a river in the "middle of nowhere." That's where I find it easiest to draw near to God...where the distractions are minimal and the beauty of God's creation is undisturbed. I often miss walks down to that river that I would take when I lived at home. (It was a good hiding place...)

Sunday afternoon we had a youth come over and that was good. We ended up making corn chowder together and she stayed for supper. Such random things end up happening at our house sometimes. The other night we were having a meeting and once the meeting was over, Nathan was like, "I'm hungry. I feel like eating pancakes." So, he went the the kitchen and made pancakes for everyone who wanted them. Course he had to call his mom first to find out how to make pancakes becuase he didn't know and I don't really like pancakes so I don't know either! Funny...most of our randomness so far has had to do with food. Wonder if that has anything to do with the fact that we're working with youth? Hmm...

Today I woke up to bright sunlight coming in our window (It's been a while) What puts you in a better mood than waking up to sunlight and a beatiful day? Well, I suppose I would have been in a better mood if I had woken up on my own, instead of to my alarm, and if I didn't have to go to work, but could just go for a walk out in the country instead. But, even though I had to wake up to my alarm and get ready for work, it was still a beautufl morning to wake up to.

So, overall it was a good weekend, and I'm looking forward to this coming week too. My brother, Andrew, is coming down on Wednesday, which I am very excited about. Plus, I'll get to see my sister while he's down, so that's a bonus! So many things to look forward to...getting a piano, seeing family (both mine and Nathan's), summer vacation, Nathan's birthday, being done work (9 more days!), THE FACT THAT IT'S SUMMER!!!

Anyone else out there have something they're looking forward to? Do share...we can be happy together. : )

I am surrounded by...Coke?

So I'm sitting in my husband's office, in his chair, where I usually post my blog posts from, and I'm looking around, thinking of something to put in the title line, when I see four empty coke cans sitting on Nathan's desk. I glance up and slightly to the right and I see two more empty coke cans and an empty glass coke bottle. Above that, a large sign from a coke machine that another pastor's wife (Deb) found at school and gave to him last fall. To my left are two full glass bottles of coke, one from Thailand and the other from Wakaw, Sk. So I think to myself, how did I end up marrying such a coke freak???

I remember when I decided which I liked better, Coke or Pepsi...I was sitting in the Treeline Dining Room in Hudson Bay with my Mom and Dad and sister and brother and Andrew and I both didn't know which we prefered, so we one ordered Pepsi and the other ordered Coke. We tried each one and decided right then and there which one we would like better. I don't remember what he picked, but I picked Pepsi. Too bad, now that's just another thing that Nathan and I don't agree about. Oh well, we get along really well despite our differences... (sighs of relief all around...)

So anyway, enough about Coke...(you can only type that word so many times before it waters down your computer screen) Last night for youth we went to Rosenort EMC for a praise and worship night. I felt right at home, of course, because it was an EMC church (that's home for me). jj. Actually, it was weird, because I walked in and it felt like I had been there before, long, LONG ago. Maybe I have...anyway...it was a really good night. I enjoyed it so, so much. It was refreshing to see a bunch of people from Bethany (Cody, Stefan, Brian, Trevor & Rebekah...) The way I would describe it is that it was like taking a gulp of water and not being satisfied at all. Instead your thirst was just brought to the surface. I would love to do something like that more often. We didnt' have many youth come. Only about half of our normal group of senior youth. That was disappointing, but I think the youth who came had fun, so that's good. Plus we had homemade donuts afterwards, which was great...mmm...

Well, Nate and I are planning on watching a movie and eating popcorn yet tonight so I'd better run. Anyone seen any good movies lately that they recommend?

14 Days and Counting...

Today feels good. I finished my 15th last day of work! Yeah, I know it’s childish and yeah, I know it will make the time go by more slowly but I’m counting down the days until I’m done work. For those of you who don’t know, I’m currently working at Friesens. It’s a book printing company. I started in November working mornings in reception (answering phones and administrative stuff) and the afternoons I was in accounting doing support work. By February, I had dropped the afternoon part of the job because I was just getting to tired with working all day and then youth many evenings. Very quickly in, though, I learned that it just wasn’t the job for me, no matter what the hours. I guess it’s because I’d rather be the one organizing and telling myself what needs to get done rather than being the one being given projects. Like Marsha always said through high school, “You really are a leader, Niki…just a quiet one.” I’m finally learning just how true that is. I really don’t like following and being told what to do all the time.
Of course, the question that everyone asks when they hear that I’ll be done at Friesens is “What’s next?” Well, this summer Nathan and I will be away for a number of weeks, so working around that doesn’t really pay. I need some time off to rest rather than running from Ontario and then back to work and then off to Saskatchewan and then back to work and then off to somewhere else and then back to work… It doesn’t really pay. So my plan is to relax in the summer as much as possible (and maybe carry that into the fall a bit) and then look into taking a financial advising course. Since being away from Mom and Dad, and especially since getting married, I have discovered my love for personal finances. Weird, I know. The thought of looking at our budget and playing with the numbers, and figuring out what works best financially, for an entire afternoon just brings a smile to my face. So, I think I’ll try my hand in that field. It’ll allow me to work independently, and more or less as much as I want. (More now, less once we have kids) So that’s my plans right now, for all you who were wondering. We’ll see how it goes. At any rate, I won’t be answering nearly as many phone calls! I didn’t even like phones when I started…what was I thinking?
In my last post, I wrote at the end about thinking of something to make for supper. Well, Bonnie, you sympathized with my dilemma of always trying to think of something. I may have a solution…See, Nathan was trying to help me out, so he found this website: Kraft Canada. I haven’t really tried it out, but apparently you just type in three ingredients (whatever you have around or feel like eating) and what meal you’re making and it’ll give you suggestions (with the recipe right there!). Handy dandy! Could be worth a try… Nathan’s been wanting pizza for a while though, so that’s what it’ll be tonight. Mmm…pizza…:P

A Piano!

We got our church directory today! It’s great because it has pictures!!! Pictures beside names is a wonderful thing when you’re new in a big church. So, of course I had to look at it as soon as I got home from work today. I didn’t even have lunch until Nathan had already gone back to work because I was so interested in the directory (how can you tell there’s not a lot of excitement in my life?!) Nah, there’s plenty of excitement…anyway, I was looking through it and a bunch of the people I recognized, but certainly not from church! I’d know them from work or as someone who works at the bank or the library. Who knew they’ve been coming to the same church as me for 9+ months?? Wow, some days I miss being in a small church where everyone is family (and not literally, like in Mennonite towns). : ) Today I am doing ok. It was a “whatever” morning at work, which is far better than a bad one. And tomorrow Nathan and I are going into Winnipeg to look at a piano!!! I would love to get a piano. I’d say it’s pretty for sure we’re getting one, because either we’ll buy this one from Winnipeg or we’ll work something out with my parents and get theirs from Saskatchewan! I really miss playing piano. It was a relaxing thing when I needed something relaxing…it was good for getting frustration out when I was frustrated…it put me to sleep when I was tired…I’m looking forward to being able to play again, and hopefully regain some of my skills and then maybe teach someday. But mostly, it’s just to be able to play for myself. Using your gifts has a way of making you feel more whole somehow, doesn’t it? Mmm…a piano.

Friends!

(Blogger was down yesterday, but this is what I wrote)

Karis was here! Joeline was here! Nathan and I just had a fun visit from his sister and one of my friends from way back when. (Karis is Nathan’s sister; Joeline is my third cousin’s cousin) It was nice to see them again and remember different things from long ago with Joeline (mostly things about Leah…). They were out Monday afternoon and just left this morning. They were recruiting for Bethany. They met with two of our youth while they were down (and had a great time, by the way, in case either of you read this). So today I’m tired because I stayed up past my bedtime for two nights in a row and also happy because I had a good couple days.
Life here is starting to get back to a more comfortable pace…or at least the comfortable pace is in the foreseeable future! Tonight we have youth, which will be hanging out at one of the leader’s places, due to a last minute change of plans with Heaven and Hell night. Not doing that anymore. Maybe if you go to Nathan’s blog you can hear more about that. Anyway, it will be more relaxing and should be fun. Food, fellowship, and fire, what’s not to like? We only have two youth events left after this one! That is so hard to believe! People always told me that time goes by so much faster once you’re out of high school, and I didn’t really know what that would be like. WOW!!! I thought Bible school was fast, but I’m pretty sure that being married, life goes even faster. I’m not sure I’m looking forward to having kids. One minute I’ll be ecstatically excited about the first baby and the next I’ll be a grandma of 30. Not so sure that’s a good thing…
Well, I think I’m going to post this and then maybe do some scrapbooking. I need to get done Nathan’s Peru Missions Trip album so I can start his Bethany one. He’s keeping me busy because I don’t have enough of my own pictures left to do! And then supper…hmm…anyone have any suggestions?

Chili and a Movie

Things I’ve discovered this weekend…

- I love time with my husband.
- Football games aren’t my favorite way to spend time with my husband.
- When I go to football games, I only watch about 10 minutes of the game…the rest of the time I spend watching the people around me.
- It makes my day to spend a couple hours catching up with friends who I haven’t talked to (or seen, or thought of) in months or years, even if it is just by reading blogs…it gives a sense of belonging and history when everything else in life seems new and foreign.
- It’s fun to see people I know in unexpected places (like Kendall Friesen at the football game on Friday night…even though I never really knew him at Bethany, it was still a familiar face)
- It is fun to show people our house…people who haven’t seen it before. The best part is the look of surprise (and relief) on their faces when they walk in the door and see that the inside is not quite as “well-weathered” as the outside.
- I would really like a cat.
- I love warm weather.
- I love Sunday afternoon naps…well, this one and the last one I just re-discovered…
- It’s worth not cutting your hair when you impulsively feel like it…just wait a few days and see if you still feel like it.
- If you’re watching a movie and suddenly feel like making chili, just make it…it’s worth it.
- I’m still learning how living with my husband is supposed to work, but each day of learning makes the next days easier and even more worth it.

Overall, it’s been a good weekend! How was yours?

Rollerskating, Football Games and Velvet Elvis

I'm sitting at work as I write this. Yes, I have lots of time to just sit and think and write. And yes, I am allowed to just sit and think and write. We are in the midst of training the person who will be taking my job at the end of June (thanks, Stephanie!), so she is doing the work that I used to do and I am left sitting (and thinking...and writing).
So last night Nathan and I went rollerskating with our junior youth...that was fun. They have so much energy! I guess that's a good thing, because it means that they are normal, right? We just need to channel that energy... I re-learned there that I'm not terribly good (or maybe I am terribly good) at rollerskating. I re-lived Leah's 12th birthday party when we skated at Rollerworld in Saskatoon for hours to songs like "Little Red Boat (to China)" and "Chica Cherry Cola". (I'm sure those aren't the titles, but some of you may know what I mean) I felt SO cool...
Tonight, Nathan and I are going to the Blue Bombers game in Winnipeg. We were offered tickets, so, being the Mennonite pastors that we are, of course we are going. I've never been to a professional game of any kind, so it should be pretty fun. Nathan says they're pretty good seats, so we'll see.
Yesterday and today have been pretty slow days for me at work, as I mentioned before. So, in my sittings, I both started and finished the book "Velvet Elvis" by Rob Bell. Very good book. I have actually had some very good God time here at my reception desk at work. I would definitely recommend that book. It takes thinking, but it's easy to read, so it's nice. You can read it anywhere and not get totally lost. Anyway, I thought he made some good points, so I'm going to end off with sharing a quote that struck me. Enjoy and have a great weekend!

"In the accounts of Jesus' life, often the larger the crowds get, the more demanding and difficult his teachings get. In John 6 he gives a teaching that is so hard to swallow, everybody but a few leave him. He is constantly trying to find out who really wants it. And so he keeps pushing and prodding and questioning and putting it out there until some leave and the diehards stay. We never find him chasing after someone, trying to convice them that he really wasn't that serious, that it was just a figure of speech. He didn't really mean sell your possessions and give to the poor. If anybody didn't have a Messiah complex, it was Jesus."p.169

We're not Youth Pastors, We're Youth who are Pastors

The other day I was talking to one of our youth leaders. She is the same age as me and Nathan (that is correct grammar, for those of you who care…at least I think. Sylvia, tell me if I’m wrong). We got talking about us being in Altona and friends and ministry and she said something about how we have a lot of responsibility at a very young age and how she couldn’t imagine doing what we do. I was thinking about it, and it’s true. I couldn’t imagine doing what we do either. I think it’s something that you just need to be thrown into and you learn and grow as you go. When I step back and think about our ages and where we are in life (pastoring, buying a house), I kinda think we’re crazy. On the other hand, it took me this long to realize how crazy we are, so that makes me think maybe it isn’t as crazy as it sometimes seems.
Often throughout this first year in ministry, I have wondered why we were called to Altona, and cried out to God for answers. For most of this first year, Altona has been a lonely place. It has (is taking) me a while to make friends and that’s tough, because friends have always just sort of been there for me. It has forced me to step out of my comfort zone. Even after almost an entire school year of youth, I have to admit, it still pushes me, some nights, more than I like to be pushed. Sometimes it just seems easier to sit at home and be alone and…I don’t know, be comfortable in my box. But throughout the year, I have also learned the advantages of stepping out. Youth ministry becomes so worth the challenges when you have a youth’s face light up when you go and sit with them before youth, or when you hear their testimonies and realize that God really spoke to them through a Bible study you led, or when they ask you to be a prayer warrior for them. When you realize that you are making a difference and you are changing lives…it’s still overwhelming a lot of the time, but knowing that we’re not doing it on our own strength or wisdom, but with the power of God…that makes it worth it. Knowing that we are introducing kids to the God of the universe and/or helping them to know him more…that makes it worth it. Knowing that we’re right where God wants us to be, even at our young ages…that makes it worth it!