Praise God!!

When i went to my uncle and aunts for 'Christmas' on Jan. 17th, i heard that my uncle had some 'activity' in his liver. That's what the doctors call it anyway. Wait, i should back up a bit...just over a month ago, my uncle was able to stop doing the chemo treatments for a month and then tests to see what was happening. He had been diagnosed with bone and lung cancer-not great odds. So, when we were there, there was a new fear that the liver had spread to his internal organs which isn't good. My mom just got off the phone with him--he said that the doctor said the tests showed that his internal organs were cancer free! Thank God-and the tumor in his lung hasn't changed at all in the last month or more--they have to do more tests on the bone part-but this is truly awesome news! Maybe God is listening after all.
One of the hardest things about his cancer is that we knew my grandpa was miraculously cured of cancer more then 13 years ago-truly amazing-anytime u want a good/true story-come ask-it's wonderful. : ) But it was hard for my uncle, and it really made him wonder why not me too a lot. However, i think my uncle's illness has really brought a good section of the family closer together through it all.
Something i have learned through all our family struggles as of late-and there seems to be way more then our share happening- but whatever-is that struggles make u stronger, and apparently wiser.

2 "Dear brothers and sisters,[2] whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. 3 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything."

James 1:2-4

Enjoy the little Things

Today i was reminded to enjoy the little things in life. I've been having a crummy week with exams(midterms), assignments and frustrations with classmates. Becoming a hermit is sounding better all the time.
Anyway, this isn't a complaining entry, it's enjoying little things, and this time God reminded me with a little person. Bruce's daughter Courtney to be exact. I was at youth tonight, going through the usual motions and enoying myself somewhat. Durning the game, i noticed Jodi and Courtney watching us and invited them in. I figured they couldn't get hurt playin paper, rock, scissors! So, they came in and played. Jodi played against some kids, and little Courtney just stood looking at me and raised her arms to be picked up. So, of course i picked her up. I picked her up and looked at her face which was smeared with nice smelling green lip balm-which really does show up well all over skin! It also apparently tastes really good. I'm sure she used/ate 3/4 of the small container! Just looking at the joy in her face from something so little made my day. It doesn't take a whole lot for children to be content-us adults need to make notes. Stop and smell the flowers(well, in a couple months) and really take time to enjoy God's wonderful creation.

Stuff

So, on Saturday i went to Lanigan. (Yes, i know, wow, Lanigan) I had a wonderful time. I had 'Christmas' with the extended family-well, some of the extended family from my moms side. I went with mom for lunch with some of the family who could make it. It was really good to see them all again, after not seeing them since the last funeral in summer. It's really good to see how close we have become, well, except the one family unit that doesn't make the effort-but whatever. Anyway, it was good to catch up.
The bonus however, was/is that my relatively new cousin(she married my cousin in nov.) from Mexico had a baby. (as well as her sister-in-law who wasn't there) So, i got to spend the better part of the afternoon holding my new cousin. Though she slept most of the day. Seriously, can she sleep! Her mom and i tried to wake her for 20 minutes!
I also received a dear gift. My aunt brought out this huge bag to me with a bunch of yarn(okay, so far, it may sound kinda dumb). She takes out the beginning of what looks like a baby afghan.(not an afghan child-the blanket) I then thought to myself, self-she probably made a goof and doesn't know how to fix it-and then, uh oh i suck at teaching crocheting. But no, she told me my grandma(who passed away in summer) had started it and she didn't know the pattern. See, the day we left for Fernie, i hurried over to gran's to learn the pattern to make my own blanket on the trip for something to do. I guess i was the only one she taught because my aunts couldn't do it. She hands it all to me saying do whatever with it. Gran made an afghan for each grandchild(though pam's mine somehow disappeared) and she was trying to make 2 new ones for the new babies, but never got to finish.
This may sound selfish, but neither baby is going to get this blanket i'm making. I realize i may be planning way too far ahead, but if i should ever have a baby of my own this blanket will go there. It's not that i don't plan to make the same type of afghan for the 2 new great-grand-children-just not this one. I've wanted something special to pass on to future children to share with them just how wonderful my grandma was, along with the impact she's made on my life.

Organized Chaos

Well, the boredom of doing nothing for too long has now passed and i'm almost wishing for it back already. I started another round of classes and am contemplating midterms that are coming in the next week-ish. After these next two months(or just over), i will have completed 14 classes since September. What the heck was i thinking?? Oh my, this year is nuts but i'm really enjoying it and just being able to prove to myself that i can do it with really good marks(especially for me!) makes it worthwhile.
This year has been full of new experiences for me-and so far i haven't regretted any of them. I love working with sr. high, and now children's church too, plus meeting new people through my courses-it's an interesting ride-hope i don't get sick!
Anyway, i don't have a whole lot to say this time, but if you read this i give you a question along with a challenge: what is one thing you have wanted to do? And now i challenge you by asking: what will you do so that it happens??
See, one thing i've wanted to do for awhile is learn Spanish-why you ask? I really have no idea-something told me i'd need it oneday-so, since september i've been finding ways to learn the language-though i haven't put as much time as i have liked-but still-it's new and fun just the same. :)
By the way, the Spanish word of the day is gota-it means to drop.

To all good things must come...

Well, the holidays are almost at an end and with the end brings new beginnings(heehee cheesy!). I start 4 new classes which will be done in a month, to which brings another set of classes-why did i get myself into this?! Oh, right i need a 'real' job! Besides, any of you who have made the mistake of asking how the course is going knows that i could talk forever just on my internship! I think i am finally finding my footing and really believe i have God's blessing in this journey.
However, this wasn't even what i'd planned on talking about-man, i hope that i'm not going to be someone who's job is their whole life! Anyway, what my original intent was that i wanted to talk about my holidays and how i have really enjoyed the time off of everything. This has been the first school vacation where i haven't worked most of it in years. :)
Also, i want to say how good it has been to really connect with friends again. Lately, i have felt really disconnected and alone, but this holiday was really good. I know i have talked to different people over the last while and i know some of my friends feel the same, however people are busy and not too many have time to do much about it. I realize we all get busy and have our own lives to worry about and handle, though i want to encourage u to try to keep in touch with those u hold dear this year. Make an effort so that when you finally get to see each other you don't have to exclaim how long it's been.

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.
George Washington (1732 - 1799)

A good friend can tell you what is the matter with you in a minute. He may not seem such a good friend after telling.
Arthur Brisbane, "The Book of Today"

When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends.
Japanese Proverb