aaaaaaaaaah

I think the title of my blog says it all. I am 3 days behind on my weekly blog and there are so many little things hanging over my head. Life/work is extremely busy right now and all I really want to do is retreat and hide. I realize that is not the most mature response to stress...putting my head in the sand and ignoring what I need to do. Well, 2 weeks from today, I will be on a plane to Berlin and then I will breathe (maybe). Speaking of which, haven't even thought about what I will be doing on my trip. Anyone want to plan my trip for me? There is an irony about this - me as a planner has not planned anything about her upcoming trip.
I don't really know how to talk about the busyness and craziness of life without sounding like I am complaining/whining. Life is still good and that is what I need to remember most of all.

Resemblance

At Christmas time, I stumbled across these 2 pictures...one of my darling niece Cordelia and one of my dear sister, Wendy. I shared this comparison to the family during the holidays but wanted to show the uncanny and kindred resemblance to the rest of the world.

AMPIA

Last summer, my friend Punam did her first documentary short film called "The Lesson". A week ago or so, it was nominated in the best short film category for the AMPIA awards (Alberta Motion Picture Industries Association) for this year. The awards are at the end of April but I am so proud of Punam and hope she wins the award. Right now, she is down in Ontario scouting locations for her next film. Here are a couple shots from last summer.

Punam's dad - the subject of the documentary - THE LESSON

It seemed we were always eating good Indian food or drinking Tim Hortons between takes as demonstrated above and below.

more of easter

Some snapshots of my weekend down in Lethbridge with a few of my favorite people.

Tulips to brighten a day

A new game created - Spin the eggs

The Coban-ator's 1st birthday and 1st chocolate

Ran into a centurion and Pontius Pilate on my way to Easter Service

Miss Alexa Joy - An angel who stole my heart

And how can you not fall in love with this little man? Dear Zach...

How the new game worked. I can't figure out how to change the direction of the video.

Redemption Song

Leading up to this Easter season, I have been thinking about redemption and grace.
According to dictionary.com, to be redeemed means...

1) To restore the honor or worth of
2) To exchange or buy back
3) To compensate for or cancel out the faults of
4)To set (a person) free by paying a ransom
5) To obtain the release or restoration of, as from captivity, by paying a ransom

Once again, I realized the price of my freedom. However, Easter is not only about my redemption but it celebrates the redemption of the whole world. The cost to remove my debt overwhelms me and the fact my chains are gone continues to bring me to tears.

The updated lyrics of Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin have been playing in my head for the last few weeks. Although, YouTube is not cooperating with its sharing technology, here are the updated lyrics and if you have time, here is the link to the video

Amazing grace, How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever
You are forever mine

Despite all my faith questions which at times appear to be without answers, one thing remains constant...I know I stand before my God redeemed and therefore can share my doubts, questions and fears without fear or shame.

needing Easter

This past week, my cousin Jen put "Jen needs Easter" as her status on Facebook. That status made me stop and in a moment, I understood that I need Easter more than I realized. I had been under the impression that Easter would be a short break from life down in Lethbridge with some of my favourite people.

However, after reading Jen's status, my need for Easter is deeper than a rest or a break from life.

Easter is a beginning and I am in need of a new beginning in my soul. I need Easter. I need the hope that Christ brings. I need to understand his forgiveness. I need the refreshing water only he provides.

It may be the Friday of my soul but I know that Sunday's a coming.

state-of-the-art

I love creating things and since I have embraced the idea that my art does not have to be perfect, I enjoy it even more. What makes art? Can art be art for art's sake?Do you have to make a living at your creative skill for it to be considered art? Dictionary.com defines art as:

the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.

I think I have an artist soul within and every once in a while, I let the artist out to play. Here is what my artist did this week - a painting for my living room:

It has been a beautiful weekend here whispering the hope of spring. Because I have lived in Alberta for many years, I know this hint of spring will not last...winter will visit us again and again until June (and then perhaps even then). But for now, I am enjoying it especially on my run this morning by the Glenmore Reservoir...when I came upon a herd of deer by the path. A few deer started gently running at the same pace as me on the path...for a few minutes I was running in the middle of the herd. It was beautiful.

Thanks for all the helpful advice for insomnia this week...the next night I had a most fabulous sleep. And my breakfast event went off splendidly - in fact, another $70,000 was raised to support a future event in April to help women and their children who are homeless and escaping abusive situations.