Delayed

So as people have been chatting with me the last few days, they've been saying that they're sorry that I'm going through such a hard time with the border, and that i don't know whats going on. I've been wondering why people think that I'm frustrated... cos I'm really not. There are a few frustrating things about the situation I'm in, but I'm generally pretty content to wait on God's timing for this whole thing. It wasn't my idea to go to New Jersey in the first place, so it sure ain't gonna be my timing that determines the best day to leave.

I figure its because I'm generally an impatient person, so maybe people assume I'm impatient about it. Or maybe people are just getting frustrated for me...I dunno. If you're one of those kind souls that care about me enough to get mad about the situation...thank you. I'm okay though really. I mean its not like life is peachy, there are other issues going on...but with regards to the border crossing - its all good. I'm excited to go eventually, but will be sad to leave home.

The piece of mail we were hoping for today...didn't arrive. We should get it monday or tuesday. if I get the letter before noon, I'll boot out and get into Calgary before dark hopefully. If all goes well, maybe I'll make it to my first Skyline service next Sunday...

We'll see how it goes. I'm getting used to life in ministry. Its never predictable, and being flexible is so key to maintaining a good attitude about everything. Each day I'm involved in this, I realise the deep truths of Isaiah 55:8:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.

NEWS!

So I spoke to Pastor Christopher (remember his name, I’ll be working with him lots in the weeks to come) in New Jersey today, and we confirmed our plans for the Fall. After speaking to various sources, including the very border that rejected my entry. We decided it was wisest to return to the US, through the same port of entry. Any other attempt would throw up red flags, and I would most likely be refused entry based on fraud and been banned from the US for 5 years….harsh…I know. So to keep a long story short, we have all the documentation we need, and we’ve spoken to the head supervisor of the Portal, ND crossing. Under the current circumstances (with our new letters in hand), she will most likely allow me to cross if I request to speak to her when I arrive.

So the trek begins most likely on Saturday, and the latest I guess would be Monday morning. I will call her on Friday morning to set an appointment for Monday. If she’s not in, then I’ll try Monday morning…so on and so forth. The plan is to leave for Calgary on Saturday, and spend the night back in Caronport on Sunday. After that… the four-day journey begins towards New Jersey, most likely in the same stops as I had planned a couple weeks ago. Obviously, we are hoping that I’ll be let through cos that’s a lot of driving to be rejected…once again. We have been reassured that there should not be a problem… knowing of course that they would never promise anything over the phone.

So here’s crossing our fingers, and hoping for the best. Its been good being back in BC thus far, refreshing and oddly surprising in many ways. I realized a lot of things that I didn’t before about Vancouver and the community that I have here. This is where I will probably always feel at home.

Stay tuned for Monday night. If you hear from me, I’ll probably be in Bismarck, North Dakota that night. Otherwise, I’ll let you know at least when I hope to cross at another date.

What flavor of ice cream am I?

You Are Strawberry Ice Cream

A bit shy and sensitive, you are sweet to the core. You often find yourself on the outside looking in. Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works. You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

Apparently, my favourite ice cream flavor also happens to be the kind of ice cream that I am!

Puts a twist on the phrase: "You are what you eat."

mmm...ice cream...

Equilibrium

So I've been wanting to blog about this ever since I saw this video in Caronport before I left SK. --> (side note) Man, I haven't rented a movie for a couple of weeks, but oddly, don't feel like I'm going through some sort of withdrawal. I go through these waves of indulgence when I work for certain companies...with starbucks, it was coffee. with canadian tire, it was working on my car. with blockbuster, it was lots of movies. I always think that I'll go through these withdrawal symptoms when I am removed from these things that are so much a part of my everyday life, but i'm oddly pretty flexible. which is good, cos i'd be in a lot of debt drinking coffee and suping up car if I wasn't.


Anyway, if any of you haven't heard of Christian Bale, he's one of Hollywood's quickest rising stars. He is the new Batman, and has been in other movies like Shaft and the Machinist. Anyway, this movie that i watched was called Equilibrium, and its set in the future. If you enjoyed the Matrix movies, or Minority Report, you'd really like this movie. here is a short synopsis from imdb.com:

"In a futuristic world, a strict regime has eliminated war by suppressing emotions: books, art and music are strictly forbidden and feeling is a crime punishable by death. Cleric John Preston (Bale) is a top ranking government agent responsible for destroying those who resist the rules. Whe he misses a dose of Prozium, a mind-altering drug that hinders emotion, Preston, who has been trained to enforce the strict laws of the new regime, suddenly becomes the only person capable of overthrowing it."

When I was watching this movie, I could not help but sense the tremendous tragedy that people were going through. Not being allowed to feel, is like rejecting everything human in you. I can't imagine not being able to read books, or listen to music or watch a dramatic performance. I can't imagine what it would be like not to feel. I understand the premise of the movie, because feeling does lead people to do wrong things...but without it, we would never be able to experience anything good as well. Emotions and feeling is such a part of our very existence, but I wonder if most of us realise that - and to that point if we are grateful for it.

That is why I love working with creative arts and being able to enjoy the labour of love from fellow artists. Not only do we connect deep down inside with the core aspects of humanity, we are also redirected to a spiritual power that screams of intelligent design and purpose. Creating material things is one thing...but creating emotions and feeling is such a complex endeavour that it is hard to believe it came about by anything else but the hand of God.

So do something today that makes you feel something positive. Listen to a favourite song. Pop in a favourite movie. Remember why you married your spouse...tell them you love them. Watch a play or musical, and connect with timeless stories of humanity. Read a chapter in a favourite book. Shut the door, crank up a tune, and dance like no one is watching.


*Now listening to Moon Song by Norah Jones*