This and That.

I missed it! Two posts ago was my 50th bloggiversary. Don't worry, I'm still accepting gifts.

I love to blog, it is very different than journaling. While I dare to say journaling
is more personal, I don't think it has to be. Thus why I bear all...well, a lot to you, a fellow human who is at least semi-interested in what I have to say (love to you for that). Also, I already talk to myself so why should I write to myself as well?

Is anyone sick of the cheesy Christmas music yet? I like spirit of Christmas and all but here's a few things to consider in your song choices:

Santa Baby? What a who....man. What a whoman...

Frosty the Snowman? "Oh hey congrats on your wedding" "Ya it was the best day of our lives" "who did the wedding?" "Frosty the snowman. The marriage certificate was scrolled with a carrot and isn't legit but hey, we're hitched..."

Santa Claus is Coming to Town? 'He see's you when you're sleeping, He knows when you're awake...' as a child I was more afraid of an obese senior in a red jogger hidding in my closet than our neighbor with the binoculars across the street. Hi Mr. Johnson!

By the way, yesterday I went to my aunts house to hang out with the cousins. Somehow we started talking about santa and Tarynn says: "Right, I believe in "santa" ". I turn to little sweet Rhys, "Ya menga, "Santa" (in quotations with their little hands". I tried to salvage any crumb of belief they had left but they know. "Santa" is not "real". Such relief. Now I can have sensible conversations with these kids. I fail to see why we lie to our children annually.

I'm done... sort of...

Okay I'm not. I'll sweeten the rant by telling you my favortie Christmas song.

Baby it's cold outside. An inapropriate classic I absolutely love.

That is all.

Love.

It's beggining to look a lot youmas.

Hello blog lovers and Christmas lovers alike.

Well doesn't your tree look sparkling from here! Is that? Oh you! Remind me to steer clear of that mistletoe.

Sorry, What was that? I can't hear you over Chestnuts Roasting on An Open Fire. That's better, thanks for turning that down.

Let's chat.

Why is it, that giving has become a requirement at Christmas. It sometimes seems a task.

Don't get me wrong, I love to give gifts. a lot. I'd consider my self a generous person in the area of time and what-not as well. You know, not just the material things.

Its a simple pleasure of mine to see something unexpectedly and buy it for someone I know would love it. This is not difficult for me. It brings me joy.

It's difficult when I feel required to give a gift just because it's standard procedure. Takes the fun out of everything. When gift shopping, I don't like worrying about if it's more or less expensive than what so and so is going to give me or if the gift is too humble or not.

My best friend will attest that the best gift I have ever given her is a wooden back scratcher I bought for her out of the blue. I saw it and I knew she'd love it. Gone are the days she scratches her back with a plastic fork. Does she remember the bath stuff I bought her for Christmas? nope. Will she remember the gift certificate I gave her for her birthday? Probably not. All appreciated? Well of course! but nothing compared to that scratcher.

Christmas, Birthdays and whatever gifts are good. It's still lovely to buy with intent. I'm just not as into it until I find something perfect that fits the person, not the holiday or occasion.

I motion, we spend TIME on people at Christmas and worry about gifts well, never, unless of course we feel like celebrating someone or happen to stumble on the perfect way to say "Merry Youmas" or "Happy Youlidays" no matter the time of year. Please don't think I'm trying to take Christ out of Christmas...that's been done before.

Did I spoil your cheer? I hope not. I hope I've inspired you to become genuine in your gift giving.

I see your latte is empty, may I get you another?

Back!

I'm back in Calgary and am sad to see a new season upon us. I'm greiving fall and am anticipating finding reasons to love winter.

Got any?

Don't mention Christmas or I'll punch you in the ovaries or otherwise.



Love always,

Meaghan

xoxox

A Big Whoops!

My belove readers and friends. Two months have passed and I have yet to blog! I could make a thousand excuses but I won't.

Where to start?

Christmas was good, I went home to Sherwood Park and onto Calgary to see my family and friends. Thank you to everyone for the fun and welcome back home. It was such a good visit however I was happy to return back to Hay River in anticipation of a new year.

Upon returning to Hay River some bad news met me at the door. My cat, Belle, had turned ill while I was away. Though she was 18 years old it was an unexpected turn for the worse and we ended up traveling to High Level, Alberta to find out she had end stage kidney failure. I miss her terribly as I've had her since I was in kindergarten but am grateful for the years we had together.

Onto the good news!

I started a new position this new year at the preschool part time and am still at the cafe part time. It's been fun to have two different jobs and I enjoy my new title as "Miss Meaghan". The preschoolers are very fun and well, the coffee keeps me going!

As for ministry I have continued to be involve in the youth group here. God is doing really amazing things there. New kids are pouring in each week and are growing. We had three youth give their lives to the Lord just last week which seems to be a pattern repeating. There may be an opportunity for me to work with the youth on the weekends casually at their friday/saturday community program.

Tuesday nights are about to get even busier as well as we are starting a week day kids program at the Pentecostal Chapel. As a team we have been busy gathering information, programming and kids for the ministry. It has been quite busy being invovled in this new endeavour but am looking forward to using some of my children's ministry skills and experience that has been on the shelf for the last five months. Updates on the progress to follow soon!

In general I am doing very well and am enjoying my time here. Though some aspects are very difficult I feel an incredible peace that I am in the right place at the right time and am grateful for that.

My biggest piece of news however is that at the end of March during spring break here I will be travelling to NEWFOUNDLAND to see my friends Ian and Tiffanie for two weeks. I am very excited about this!

Thanks faithful readers for sticking with your missing in action northern girl. I promise it won't take me another two months to blog again.

xoxox