A song...

No one ever held you

No single moment of truth

But if you were mine

I would've looked into those eyes

And said,

Tell me the words you long to hear

And I'll sing them loud and clear

Let me heal the wounds you've held on to for all these years

Break the cycle

Break the chains

'Cause love is louder than all your pain

Than all your pain

Break the Cycle you+me

In the wind...

"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." - John 3:8

The movement of the Spirit is like the wind... to bring salvation... to bring change in your heart... does the Spirit only move to bring salvation? Can I take this out of context and use it for any movement of the Spirit in your life, in my life... in anything? Because I want to do that... I've never allowed the Holy Spirit to be the wind in my relationships with men. Not ever. Which is pretty bad. I don't think that I've relied on the Holy Spirit to move or do anything when I'm dealing with romance. I didn't even ask or listen when choosing my first husband. Instead, I've made decisions and then asked for the Spirit to move... not really very smart. In my defense, I don't think that I've actually been conscientiously aware of the order in which I'm asking for the assistance of God, the presence of Jesus, and the movement of the Spirit. I don't know if that's any better. Overall, I have tended to make decisions then ask for God's blessing... which is generally ass-backwards. The times that I have prayed for direction and then acted, have been so amazing that I really should only do it that way.

So after my last dating relationship ended...  I lifted up my prayers for what I wanted in a man, in a husband, to God. I wanted Jesus to know what I wanted. I said it all out loud as I was walking, not because I had to in order for God to hear it, but because I needed to know that I had definitely done it. I laid it all out there and I was picky. I was asking for the Spirit to bring someone to me because I was impatient and frustrated. Once I was done, I felt better... and then went home and signed up for Christian Mingle. LOL Let's face it, I didn't expect God to drop my husband out of the sky! Six months... if this doesn't work after six months, I'm off and will try something else. All those other stupid free apps were filled with junk men and I was done playing around. I also realized that I wanted a man who loves Jesus. I had thought I could just not worry about that; I figured I don't need a man to increase my faith or improve my walk with Jesus. But I actually do want someone to challenge me, walk with me in it, open my eyes to something I didn't see, and point me to Jesus when I'm not focused on him. Anyway, I joined October 9th, on a Sunday evening.

Now, just three weeks later, I'm falling in love. It makes no sense and lacks any logical pinning. At the beginning I even noted that it was ill advised because... he's in Arizona. Yeah... God has a sense of humour. I'm impatient, so Jesus sends me my man, but then says, sorry, you still have to wait... he's in Arizona. Urgh... BAHAHABAH!! My usual plan of meeting right away to avoid false intimacy through online chatting... well that is way gone! What I'm learning through this, is that getting to know him and communicating with him without the physical is just what I needed. We are meeting... but that can't happen right away so we've had all this time to get to know each other, online and on the phone. By the time I meet him, see him in the flesh, hold his hand, and give him a kiss... it'll have been four weeks... but it feels like longer... and not in a bad way. Long distance relationships are hard, but we haven't even seen each other in the flesh... we're starting like this... I feel like this is unprecedented. I should do some research on that... lol

Despite it's illogical beginning and the distance we are dealing with... it's pretty cool!! I'm very happy with all the things that keep falling into place. He's like comfort food, comfy clothes, a warm drink on a cold night, and a movie I love to watch over and over.... and yet there is anticipation and a little fear of what's ahead... such a wonderful mix of bliss and tension... its passionate before I've come into contact with him and comfortable before history has created a rhythm. It's in the wind... that's the only way to explain it. I've been trying to put it into words for over a week, and I can't.

"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear it's sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes." John 3:8

As I already said, I know that in context this is talking about how the Spirit moves to change a heart, how being born again happens; but I don't think I am out of line to extrapolate that the Spirit works that way in other areas. This is how I am currently understanding how I'm falling in love... the wind is blowing... and I'm allowing it to pick me up and take me where it wants me to go. I am allowing the Spirit, Jesus, to direct my feelings for him. Just when I want to pull back or guard my heart, the Spirit moves again. I'm given an open path and his strength, gentleness, understanding, trust, familiarity, vulnerability, and direction leads me where the wind is blowing... straight into his arms. I keep praying it will never stop.

Allowing the Spirit to lead this is proving to be super challenging and is forcing me to give God control of my desire for sexual connection. Part of that is being done because he's not here, and I am learning about him and falling in love with him without being able to express any of that through physical touch. I never would have thought that I needed to do that, but I did. I'm learning to lean into God on this because I have to. I was wrestling with God once we agreed to meet because I had heard from Jesus that I had to wait to have sex with him. I was distraught... I tried to ignore the Spirits voice... but God was persistent with me. Jesus didn't demand this of me but gently asked me to trust him. And then he warned me... if you do this your way, you'll lose him. I was so mad at God for telling me that. I begged him to not do that! What if I mess up? What if I can't do it? Please don't take him from me because I'm weak! It's not fair! I've relented to the wind however, and the moment I did, I was released from the pressure and torment that had been building up. I'm no longer worried about messing it up, because God is gracious to me and wants to give me good things. I still want to have him now, to give all of me to him now, but I'm going to follow what Jesus is asking me to do and wait.

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,

    by the gazelles or the does of the field,

that you not stir up or awaken love

    until it pleases.

Song of Solomon 2:7

There are at least three other times in the Song of Solomon where it says that. I have spent some time reading the Song of Solomon and it's beautiful. The story of how love unfolds, of how it pleases God... it's so cool that that's in the Bible. I want to awaken love when it pleases God. In chapter 8, you see how this happens. It seems, that a seal on your heart, a seal on your arm, put there by your lover, put there by God, is what awakens it. When love finally pleases, it is as strong as death, it is a passionate jealous fire that cannot be quenched or bought with money. I'm a bit unorthodox when I say that I don't think that means marriage as we understand it in our culture. I do believe that even in this broken world where sex and marriage have not gone hand in hand, and even in my own sexual brokenness, God has not changed his mind. He still desires for one man and one woman to be united, to know each other, and only each other, until death. I don't want to give away that part of me to anyone anymore unless he is my husband. That being said, and I have some trepidation in saying this, this man from Arizona, he is my husband. He has said it to me... he has placed the seal on my heart and on my arm. I believe him. Time and distance and circumstance and legalities will most likely keep us from that for longer than either of us wants.  I don't know how long I will have to wait... and I know that the next time I see him after our first meeting, I will hear Jesus speak to me about this again. I anticipate an awakening of love and I am praying for it.

I am falling in love... and I pray for the strength to follow the wind of the Spirit.

Avant-garde Love

How can anyone find their lover, the person they want to spend the rest of their life with via the internet or an app? Seriously, there is no way that actually works.

Statistics show that one third of American marriages were the result of online dating. That was from 2013. 40 million Americans use online dating services. A 2011 Leger Marketing survey found 36 per cent of Canadians between the ages of 18 and 34 use online dating; that's 14.2 million singles in 2014 according to stats Canada. Something is going on, and yet I didn't believe it actually worked. It's phenomenon that I had little belief in even though I know four couples who have met online and then got married. The statistics are not fake, the numbers don't lie, but I hadn't the faintest idea of how it was possible.

I have been just like many and put it down, called it ridiculous, and even said that I would never.... well... I have, I am, and it's working... crazy. This so called avant-garde love is really just old fashioned letter writing and long distance romance on steroids. Communication taken to a whole new level.

I'm jumping in with two feet... haven't landed yet... I'm still floating, taken up in the wind... and it's intoxicating.

Partners for life

I wonder if marriage works...? I know it works when I look around me... it works for each couple in their own way. It requires so much selfless behaviour balanced with an awareness of your own limitations to bear someone else's trouble, dysfunction, and selfishness.

Partners for life... I want that... but lately I've been playing with the notion that a more expedient way of thinking is that people evolve and so 'for life' is not feasible. It avoids disappointment if you already believe it won't last forever; you'll only put in what you may get back, you'll guard your heart, and leave before the trouble becomes too difficult to bear. If you're always putting up boundaries, ensuring that you're not extending too much time, investing too much emotion, and costing yourself money, don't you also miss out on the benefits of the fullness of love? It is a heartless, selfish, near sighted perspective.

I'm scared... because if I want to have a relationship that reflects vulnerability, love, self sacrifice, and grace I may get hurt again. I may have to walk part way down the path with more than one potential partner, putting my heart out there only to have to clean it off and try again.

This is infinitely harder the second time around. I know all the risks. I know what might happen. I find myself suspicious of motives. I find myself jumping in with two feet even though I should be older and wiser... I don't want to be desperate... but there is an element of desperation in anyone who is looking for connection.

To my partner, to my lover I say...

I'm walking towards you... please be gentle, even as I push in too hard... even as I overwhelm you with all I think and feel... even as try to tear down your boundaries... even as I reveal my darkness... be gentle. Don't let me take you somewhere you don't want to go. Be gentle ... even though I will ask you to bend. Please be willing to allow me to change you as you are already changing me.... be gentle. Be gentle with me even if you think I'm not being gentle with you... show me your gentleness and I will put down my sword. Let me find a place to be fully me. I will give to you more than I receive.

Beautiful

When in a place of trouble, I write. I ponder on my situation way too much. It seems that melancholy consumes and comforts and leads the way.

So... thanks for listening... or reading as it may be. I'll be ok, I'm trusting not knowing or understanding... but we all are. Glad for a beautiful place to live and beautiful people to live it out with.

Needed me...

Pain can make you hard or soften your heart....

Oh Lord, please.... let these trials not harden my heart. It seems like it would be so much better to just not give a fuck.

Needed me... Rihanna

I was good on my own, that's the way it was, that's the way it was

You was good on the low for a faded fuck, on some faded love

Shit, what the fuck you complaining for?

Feeling jaded, huh?

Used to trip off that shit I was kickin' to you

Had some fun on the run though I give it to you

But, baby, don't get it twisted

You was just another nigga on the hit list

Tryna fix your inner issues with a bad bitch

Didn't they tell you that I was a savage?

Fuck your white horse and a carriage

Bet you never could imagine

Never told you, you could have it

You needed me

Ooh, you needed me

Feel a little more and give a little less

Know you hate to confess

But, baby, who, you needed me

You been rollin' around, shit, I'm rolling up

Light and roll it up

Break it down like a pound, shit was never us

Shit was never us

That's the real on the real. Are you serious?

How you feel, how you feel?

Used to trip off that shit I was kickin' to you

Had some fun on the run though, I give it to you

But, baby, don't get it twisted (don't get)

You was just another nigga on the hit list

Tryna fix your inner issues with a bad bitch

Didn't they tell you that I was a savage?

Fuck your white horse and a carriage

Bet you never could imagine

Never told you, you could have it

You needed me

Ooh, you needed me

To feel a little more and give a little less

Know you hate to confess

But, baby, who, you needed me
Rihanna - Needed Me

In The Zone

Sometimes I feel like this teaching gig is too much work (and I don't make enough money). I'll see if I can squeeze out as much as I want out of it, but I'm not sure it's 'it' for me. I feel that I haven't found my sweet spot yet. However, I had a really good day last week at work. I was doing what I do without constraint and felt myself using my gifts and abilities; it felt good to be able to be in that zone.

It's like in sport. There is a zone where the familiarity and instinct feel transcendent... like home. I remember games like that... wonderful....

It's similar to flow. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a Hungarian psychologist, recognized and named the psychological concept of flow, a highly focused mental state. I studied the concept of flow back in 2009, as I followed students around seeking to catch them in flow while learning at school. It was surprisingly difficult and I came to the conclusion that school is not very conducive for being in flow - being in the zone while at school is tough. If it's tough for students, I am now seeing how tough it is for teachers.

When I was younger, the court - basketball, volleyball - was my passion. Coaching has captured some of that now; I have a few coaching experiences where I've made all the right decisions and it turned out perfect and felt amazing. That feeling, that zone, is hard to match. So many of us struggle to find that passion, and many unfortunately, have never experienced it. As I get older, I want to create more of it not because I'm seeking the memories of my youth, but because I see how that is what will help me to maintain the ability to enjoy my work, my life, to the fullest.

I have found many alternate places where I am in the zone; paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking, swimming in a lake, prayer, singing, listening to music, dancing, camping, staring up at the moon and the stars, coaching (especially with my partner Jen Farano), teaching (in the right conditions), a good glass of wine, spending time with friends in my favourite places, and working collaboratively with others.

I am seeking to find more opportunities to be in the zone and experience flow. I'm on a journey to let all else fall away that keeps me from it. I feel like it is a Kingdom pursuit; seeking to bring more of the Kingdom of Heaven here; live the life that Jesus has set aside for me. Seeking to work in that transcendent place where I am home. Not because it's easy all the time, but because its in that place I can feel His pleasure.

*some of the words in this blog were borrowed from a wise man who is also on a journey to find his way back to his zone of passion and flow.

Sad

I'm so fucking sad it's unbelievable. My stomach hurts and my eyes are heavy. I find myself crying, whenever no one is around. My mind wanders back and I analyze conversations, interactions, texts, the way he looked at me, all the things we did. I think about the time that went by, the anticipation I felt for the next time I saw him, the things I learned, the connection that was so strong... seemed so strong... it's all just sad. All my troubles and woes seem bigger and harder to carry today. It's like I can't do it anymore and yet I am. It's a beautiful sadness that fills me and consumes my insides.

I'm also fucking mad.... it's a strange thing. I jumped again, with two feet, and took a bigger bite; just like I said I would. I knew what I was doing... and I thought it was the fun part! I put it through the fire and the Kevlar didn't work; I've been burned and it hurts. How mad I am rises up and screams... but then my sadness engulfs the anger and I'm crying. It's a good thing. It means my heart can love again. It means that I can be vulnerable and open; risk being known with no guarantees. I don't regret a single moment of it. It was glorious.

I am embracing how bad this feels because I refuse to numb myself. I cannot numb what is unpleasant or I'll miss the exhilaration of joy, love, sex, nature, exercise, good food and wine, my kids, family, and relationships. I don't want to miss any of it. I want to grow and change, seek and find, and do this better the next time. It sucks that it's over... but I think that it's the right thing. I know it's the right thing, but I want it back. I don't have to make anything work that isn't. It's confusing... everything feels heavier.

Thank God this will end.... and I'll look back and realize how much I've learned... and smile :)

You've got to get yourself together

You've got stuck in a moment

And now you can't get out of it

Don't say that later will be better now

You're stuck in a moment

And you can't get out of it

...

And if the night runs over

And if the day won't last

And if your way should falter

Along the stony pass it's just a moment

This time will pass

Stuck in a Moment U2

From 'other life' to coming home

This all started with the notion that I would have my 'other life' neatly tucked away and accessible when I needed escape. That worked well for those two months before the trip... it was wonderful, it was exciting, it was elicit; just what this passionate girl needed. I didn't hatch this plan with much thought... no... in my typical fashion, I jumped in with two feet and took a very large bite. I am thankful for the blessing of a kind heart, gentle eyes, deep respect, adventure, and love that I found despite my haste. It is a pretty good match, the best I've had thus far.

I didn't expect what I've now received and I find myself questioning it's authenticity. I got the first message from the airport, then the next after arrival, and then more kept coming. The messages didn't stop or come less frequently, they were consistent and unwarranted; just to say goodnight or good morning.  Time away has seemingly not diminished what was just budding before. And then I'm reminded of the false intimacy that online communication can create.

Doubt.

It's presence always gives me pause, and then I realize its a chance to look into things, investigate, notice any red flags, check my emotions at the door, and look at facts. Crunch the numbers as they say. It's a reminder to keep myself from morphing into 'relationship me'. She's an idiot. She listens only to desire, puts the future ahead of the present and becomes who she's not to please the moment, to smooth out the rough spots, and to keep something fresh that is well past due. Doubt brings her around; I see her now, around the corner and her ideas have started to leak into my subconscious. I hate that bitch and don't ever want to be her again. I will not edit myself. So today, I'm fleshing her out; out in the open, she doesn't stand a chance. Whatever I do from here, my eyes will be wide open and my heart on my sleeve. I want to continue to enjoy each moment and be glad it's added to my already great life.

I want my 'other life' to remain. Passion for the next time and excitement for all the moments in between are what make drinking in life taste so good. There are people to meet, family to be introduced, my chaos to meet up with his calm, schedules to deal with, and the challenges of the differences that are always more apparent as time goes on. I'm probably going to jump again, with two feet, and take a bigger bite. But I'm not going in blind. I know the choice I'm making and I know what it comes with. This is the fun part! Putting it through the fire. It's a good thing. It's time to move from just my 'other life' to coming home.

Maybe the Kevlar will work this time.

Warning or Wonder

I have been as a portent to many,

    but you are my strong refuge.

...

You who have made me see many troubles and calamities

    will revive me again;

from the depths of the earth

    you will bring me up again.

You will increase my greatness

    and comfort me again.

Psalm 71:7, 20-21

Portent: a sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen.

archaic meaning: an exceptional or wonderful person or thing

I am a portent. Whether I am the portent of old or not remains to be seen. Much of my life is a warning to my children and to those I know; don't do what I did. I am a strong person, but I'm no fool. I know that I could not have withstood that which has occurred in my life without Jesus who is my rock, my saviour, my friend. I used to think that all my troubles were caused because God was punishing me for all my sin. How did a girl with an evangelist father grow up with that false understanding of God? It snuck in there because I continued to sin and the devil liked me to believe it; kept me in my bad behaviour and away from the saving grace of Jesus. That thinking still threatens to keep me from Jesus even today. I feel that I will never be perfect enough to receive the blessing of a renewed life where I'm brought up again and feel the comfort of the Lord. Each sin repeated reminds me of my distance from this future. It keeps many from him. They reject a false God, not Jesus. The devil likes it that way. Jesus reveals that God is love. The verses from Psalm 71 don't make sense any other way.

Now you know I believe in the devil. Life is a story that has a villain and a saviour. The spiritual world doesn't make sense without it. I'm not blaming the devil... evil comes from the heart - mine and yours. Jesus said that. And we all know it's true. Who can save us from these bodies of death? Jesus.

A warning or a wonder... it doesn't matter. I think I'm both...

Maria out.

Your Love is a Song

Your Love is a Song
Switchfoot

Ooh, your love is a symphony

All around me, running to me

Ooh, your love is a melody

Underneath me, and into me

Song lyrics always get me... 

Big Girls Are Best

It's my mom's 70th birthday today. We're having a big party for her at her newly renovated house with family and friends. It's kind of a big deal. Reflecting on my mom, just like my dad... she has influenced me in very big ways. I have BIG parents with huge personality and my mom is not to be overshadowed by her larger than life husband. The older I get, the more I realize how great my mom truly is.

My mom became a nurse back when that's what you did if you were a woman. She was determined to go away on missions if her relationship with my dad didn't result in marriage... that's what she has always told us anyway. She worked hard as a nurse, but I think she worked harder at home. When we were growing up she had a name for herself while she cleaned gutters, gardened, painted, and fixed everything up around our house - she was Edith the German maintenance lady. While I was playing in the yard... she was on the roof doing something. I asked her a question... and she responded in German to me, then said that my mom wasn't home in a thick accent! Seriously funny! I think it may have only happened once, but I loved it! She has always taken pride in her home and garden.

When my dad decided to leave teaching and become a pastor, he waited for my mom to agree to the idea for a whole year before they moved forward with it. She gave up a lot of her time, energy, and privacy to follow my dad into the ministry. She has done everything in the church from nursery, to coffee service, to playing the piano, to ladies bible study. Her hospitality is unmatched by any other pastor's wife I know. She should teach a course on how to support your husband in the ministry, because there are a ton of women out there that have no idea what they're doing.

My mom always worked; night shifts, day shifts and would sleep strange hours. I remember her vacuuming at 2am and her being asleep when we'd leave for school. She taught me to cook, sew, clean, do laundry, take time to read, work hard, take care of my own things and label them, make a house look like a home, be present, how to camp and do it well, get dirty, be a lady, be kind, stand tall, exercise to feel good, eat well, dress well, be a problem solver, invite others in, treat people from all over like family, and bring all my troubles to Jesus.

My mom is big. I don't mean in size, I mean in life. She is what U2 means when they sing "Big Girls Are Best".
She's not on her back, she's the glue, she keeps it all together.
She feels every sensation and has a smile like salvation.
And we know... she's a sexy momma ;)
She's political, spiritual, she's not superficial...

I love my mom. She's part of why I'm so BIG.

Big Girls Are Best - U2

Other-centeredness = love

... marriage is the ultimate human relationship where love fully replaces law.
Bruxy Cavey

He says also that no one ever writes rules into their wedding vows about physical or verbal abuse (or any form of abuse for that matter), because the relationship is love-based rather than law-based. Love fulfills all moral and ethical responsibilities toward one another. (Bruxy Cavey & N. Kenneth Rideout)

I read that back in 2011; before I understood, before anything really changed. It wasn't underlined or highlighted until today... because today I'm not ashamed of what happened. Today, I want to be able to walk into a relationship where love fully replaces law.

Bruxy goes on further to say...

... when exiting a marriage, everything changes. When a divorce occurs, people's orientation is away from their partner, so the details of law take center stage. Law and love are two entirely different ways of being, analogous to the difference between marriage vows and separation agreements.

The law has left me empty, tired, and broke.

I'm ready for love to fill me, wake me up, and bring me true wealth.

My dad quoted something from a Charles Price devotional that I liked .... 'for this I have Jesus'. When someone asks you how you've moved on, or carried the burden, or manage to smile despite the pain, or work so hard when so much is falling apart, or take on more challenges when you seem to have too many, or even have a hopeful attitude in this crazy world... simply say 'For this I have Jesus'.  What you're really saying is 'for this I have love'. But it's greater than that because it's supernatural, it's not dependant on your human ability to feel love. Instead it's the supernatural love that moves, acts, behaves, and embraces; sometimes despite how you feel. It's not just romantic love, its so much bigger than that. I feel like that should replace the old and tired statement of 'what would Jesus do'. We need Jesus to show up and do it for us! Jesus loves.... our world, our relationships, need more of that.

I feel like we are so bogged down by egocentric issues that even in our desire to love more we get it wrong. We take the command to love your neighbour as yourself and say we must first love ourselves. Jesus' command assumes self love as a foundational reality; we will do anything to make ourselves more comfortable and feel better. We naturally think about ourselves all the time. Jesus is challenging us to move our self-centeredness to other-centeredness. As long as we are oriented toward one another in other-centered love, no one has to become a rules or systems manager. (from Bruxy Cavey too... :)

But yes, we need law to govern our societies because people do not love automatically as they should... and again, just as Bruxy says. But maybe one relationship at a time, we can be other-centered. It's interesting to me because our world is kind of begging for this right now. I just heard a comedian basically quote what Jesus says... love your enemies... and then he gives the same reason scripture gives in Romans 12:20 and Proverbs 25:22 - in showing love you will heap burning coals on the head of your enemy - in a much more crass way he says instead... you'll make them look like the asshole. So, don't be the asshole.

Watch Jim Jefferies here Jim Jefferies - Trump 2016

I feel like this post has gone a little all over the place.... I started with the example of marriage and love in a culture where marriage is not valued and has been redefined by many. My own marriage did not fall under the definition that I have explained in this post, and yet I still believe marriage should be that and that we should aspire to that. I want all my relationships (with my children, my friends, my co-workers, my boss, my neighbours) to be other-centered so that they work and grow in mutual respect. I can't fix every relationship out there that could or may be causing pain, grief, struggle, death, destruction, and fear. No one can. We can only start by loving someone right in front of us.

I guess when I say I'm ready for love to fill me up, wake me up, and give me true wealth, I think our world is ripe for that too. We need to talk about Jesus to people... He is love. For this I have Jesus. Stop saying God, it's not specific enough, and for most it leaves you feeling heavy with your own burdens of who God is and the destructive power of religion. Jesus isn't religion, he's relationship; he's the full revelation of who God is. For (you fill in the blank) I have Jesus.

On a personal note.... I am in the throws of love these days.... feeling that gives me hope and has changed my perspective. It is also preoccupying my mind! As Song of Solomon says in chapter 2:3-7, he is like an apple tree and I am sitting in his shadow, his fruit is sweet to my taste... but I need to be sustained with something else and let it unfold at it's proper pace. For this...  I have Jesus... lol

Hold Hands

At the end of the day, when I'm tired and have spent my time doing what I've been called to do, I want to hold someone's hand who I know loves me; even if I failed that day to do it right.

He rejoices over me...

My birthday was this past Friday, June 17th. I am a 'member' of an FB page called Knowing Christ 365. Pastor Kevin posts a verse every morning. It's become my daily verse and at times I even use it as a devotional for myself and students. On my birthday, the verse was something special to me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

This was my verse for the day I was baptized back in 1987. It seems that Jesus continually reminds me that I am strong when I am weak, that I am strong in him and my weaknesses are really there for that purpose. I used to think that I was being reminded constantly of my arrogance and how I need to lower my head and put away my pride. It felt as if Jesus was reprimanding me every time I'd find myself seeing or hearing 2 Corinthians 12:9. But it didn't this time at all.

On Friday when I read the verse I just felt incredibly known and loved. Jesus is paying attention to me and is invested in what I'm doing and feeling. He knows my past, sees what I'm dealing with now, and wants to be intimately involved in what I'm doing, thinking, deciding, and worried about. This time I read the verse and I was reminded that in times when I am inadequate for the task, overwhelmed by all the work, and under pressure to perform, that's when he's there to shine for me. It is precisely when he is most present, when I understand my own inability to measure up even to my own standards for strength.

I was reminded on my birthday that Jesus remembers me. He knows that verse is a reminder of my baptism, he knows that I am feeling weak, tired, and ineffective. I felt known, heard, loved, cherished, and consoled. The creator of the world, died for me, rose from the dead for me, and he is more than just watching me walk through my life. He is intimately involved in my life. What an awesome gift!

He wants to be intimately involved in your life too.

The Lord your God is in your midst,

    a mighty one who will save; 

he will rejoice over you with gladness; 

    he will quiet you by his love; 

he will exult over you with loud singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

It's New Year's Day... 45!

They tell me the best in life is free

And I feel spent so I guess it means that the best is mine

But it doesn’t seem so

While I’m out here confessing things

All last year got the best of me

And I’m not sure I’m ready for another go

It’s New Year’s Day

Euphoria’s gone, it’s time to move on

I have to believe we can change

When the notes come out wrong

Stop singing along

We can’t be the same old thing

It’s New Year’s Day

I’m tearing down the past years off the wall (it’s New Year’s Day)

I’m coming at you like a wrecking ball (it’s New Year’s Day)

And I think I’m gonna make it after all

It’s New Year’s Day

~Switchfoot

I did it today... my name is no longer Hankey but back to Klassen. It was so easy. I felt fine, or thought I did. But it seems each time I shed something of my marriage, there is grief. As I pulled into my driveway when I arrived home, I ended up sitting in my car and crying. Over twenty years of being Maria Hankey; getting used to signing my name that way, being called 'Mrs. Hankey' and not cringing, and identifying with a different family. Now it's just done. No fan fare. Just back to Klassen (although there are many cards, banks, companies, and organizations that now need to be notified lol). When I became a teacher back in 2009, I regretted taking on my married name; no one knew who I was anymore. All my athletic success and contacts in the school districts only knew me as Klassen. However, for most of my adult life I've been Hankey; most of my university education, my early coaching career, my children, and work history have all been done in my married name. I assume that many of my students will still call me 'Hankey' and I won't be upset, it's really not a problem. It's a part of who I am; it connects me to a family, to my children, to my past. After twenty years of a marriage that slowly deteriorated into an emotionally, mentally, and physically abusive mess, I decided to shed the name as a symbol of something new yet old. Me reborn and on a journey into what is ahead. Earlier today, I told my boyfriend that he should be writing down his journey through 15 European countries in 60 days so he has a record of where he went and what he did. So, I'm writing here again to record my journey; which I need to do more often.

Yeah, my boyfriend... never thought I'd say that again. This is what it is to be 45 and starting over.

I started this post quoting a Switchfoot song, because it captures what is in my head. There's been a lot of change and this year has punched me in the gut. As I head toward my forty-fifth birthday, I'm feeling somewhat nostalgic and reflective. It's New Year's Day for me. It's also the half way point in my One Word for 2016 journey. I haven't been much of a 'warrior' it seems, but I've been wrong before about how well I'm doing with my word choice. There's just so much in my head, so much to process! I'm feeling good again and finding that my passions are changing and what I want for my future is evolving. I read my last post from December of 2015 - Grieving my Divorce - and it's good to see that I'm moving forward from that place. My oldest son revealed to me that the changes in me are not hidden; he's feeling it, experiencing it, and he's confused. Apparently, I'm doing and saying things he never expected. "What have you done with my mother!?" LOL I have to laugh at that! I guess I thought this was all going undetected, but it's not. I'm reshaping and it's showing. I'm very excited about that! It ignites in me! Anything is possible! And that's a good thing.

I have a bunch of things to process, so hang on, it's going to be long.

The elephant in the room when it comes to money is that my ex is not paying child support and that I have gone into debt trying to legally do something about it. I'm still in the process and it won't be finished up until December, and that's just an estimate from my lawyer. The whole issue around that makes me feel stupid; like how could I let this happen? How dumb am I to have had such a negligent lawyer in the first place, let agreements be made that weren't properly prepared, and let a judge and the whole process intimidate me. I cannot fix this problem. I have to let it go... and that is the path I'm choosing. I'm letting it go. Should justice be done? Of course... but I cannot bear that burden any longer. True justice is not of this world anyway.
So, lets not talk about the elephant in the room.

I don't make a lot of money, but it will get better from here. I've never been motivated by money, or making money. Raising my kids financially on my own these past two years has however put me in the hole. I would say I worry about it, but that wouldn't be accurate. I freak out about it! But only once in a while... then I pray, go to work, get busy with life, spend money, and just live. Then I freak out again, and find myself on my knees asking God to protect me financially. I do not lose sleep over it though. If I'm honest, I don't have a real clear financial plan. I'm thankful I have a pension, an investment, a tax free savings account that actually still has money in it, good credit, a job, and parents that are willing to help me for a little while. The money I spent on taking my kids to Kauai was the best money I ever spent. I wish I had stayed longer and spent more, done more. What I am really sure of now more than ever is I want to do things. I am confident that I can find a way to make it happen. I have always been able to pay for what I need, and even what I want sometimes. I am slowly getting rid of the stuff that holds me down; I sold my house and I don't think I'll ever own property again; sold my van; sold my tent trailer; and I want to start the process of reducing everything else so that eventually I could live without most of it. At this point, my children are still the priority, so all this stuff is necessary and my debt may increase. Urgh... but it is what it is and it will come to an end. I'm glad that the goals I have are not connected to purchasing more stuff, but investing in people and experiences.

I want to teach abroad, or coach abroad. Maybe in Uganda or Ghana. Maybe head back to Asia, Taiwan in particular. It would be interesting to try and find some of the students I coached back in 1991. I wonder if I could do that? Maybe I'll go to Vietnam or the Philippines. I even thought about going to teach in Kauai... that would seriously be great... but I think I'd have trouble working in that environment lol. I want to go to Mexico and Columbia. I'd like to go to orphanages and teach, or build a house for someone who has nothing, or spend a year working in a community somewhere that needs strong leaders in education. I want to go on missions again and experience the joy and purpose of bringing spiritual hope to those who don't know Jesus. I'd like to travel to Greece and Italy, and sit on the beaches in Nice, France. I'd like to get to Australia someday. I could go to New Zealand to see my old basketball coach from Grade 8 and 9; I'm sure he'd welcome me for a visit. I used to want to travel across North American with a fifth wheel and camp all along the way. I've thought of seeing if I could join disaster relief with MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) and go where the needs are. I just want to go. At first I thought this pull to get out of here was just wanting to escape. I have reasons to want to escape. With the lack of passion I've had this year, I really just wanted to get away from everything that seemed to be stuck on repeat in my life here in BC. I know, wherever I go, there I am. I know that travelling and teaching abroad is not going to change any of my 'problems'. But I don't want to focus on them anymore. My problems are not that bad. Maybe they're more like opportunities for growth... but I'm still in a holding pattern. I'm waiting for my youngest to grow up. It's not that far away. And I'm not old. I feel pretty good too... I hope and pray that my health can hang on for another 3-5 years. As I type this I think, why wait? I should go in the summers. I should hit the road on Spring Break and Christmas Break. I should sign up for short term missions. I should fly to the Grand Canyon and take that road trip down the Oregon Coast. I think I'm going to take my future and make it now. I want to embrace things now. I started seeking experiences right where I live a long time ago through camping and hiking and I've rediscovered it lately. This summer, I'm going to go see my cousins in Seattle, go to a concert, zip line in Whistler, paddle board on Alice Lake and Cultus, hike the Grouse Grind again, kayak from Deep Cove and with Dana:), picnic at Derby Reach Park and have a fire, and discover some new hiking trails with Stephany.  I'm thankful this past year for my sister and her hubby for reminding me that I may not be able to leave the country right now, but I can enjoy the place I live, because it's pretty great. We'll have to go on a few epic city tours this July and discover the next great place to eat and drink. ;)

It's been said that I'm a good teacher, an excellent coach. I don't know who those people are, but it's been said. This year, and even last year, it seems that this is just puffed up hype so that I can keep my job. Now, I'm very aware that I'm being negative and that this kind of talk is really counter productive. Considering that my One Word for 2012 was Attitude, you'd think I'd have learned my lesson about how my negative attitude was holding me back from truly being in the zone and being happy (which was my Word for 2013 lol). But it seems its a battle that I just have to keep fighting. What I've discovered this year is that as I strive for excellence, so that I can be an accomplished teacher and a good coach, I need to work in my strengths. I do better when I collaborate, when I share my ideas, when I borrow the wisdom of others, and when I lead from my passion. My passion... that has been what I have somehow thrown a blanket on over the past year. I have felt as if I've been muffled. Stuck, tired, frustrated, ill prepared, and often lacking creativity. I've been numbing my emotions. Numbing my need for connection, for relationship, to once again be vulnerable, and it actually affected my work. While I was married, my girlfriends had become my safe place to be free without censoring myself. I am able to be vulnerable with them without fear and shame. I could do that because they never took advantage of my weakness. In my work place at the Elementary campus I had found safe people and lead from my imperfect authentic self. But in my last year teaching Grade 5, there was a shift in administration and the safety net seemingly developed some holes. I lost my safe place and the trust I'd been given by the previous principal - in my abilities to teach, deal with parents, work with students, and make decisions - diminished somewhat. Last summer, I coached two teams and the loss of my footing at work set me off and I felt completely incapable of coaching well. It was an emotional summer... but miraculously, my teams did well and the girls and I bonded and learned. As I've moved on to the High School, with a new principal and staff members to get to know, its been rough. I still haven't found my sweet spot. So, how do you get your passion back and become focused again? I thought I would try dating. As you know, it's not going to turn out well.

Dating is, well... I found this quote on Facebook... yeah, no, I'm not getting my wisdom from social media, but it was funny. So here it is... Dating after 40 is easy. It's like riding a bike. But the bike is on fire. And the ground is on fire. Everything is on fire. Because you're in hell.
Yup, that pretty much sums it up. I had been asked out by numerous men prior to my decision to check it out, but they were all bottom feeders who knew I had just left my husband and had seemingly been waiting for that to happen. I never said yes to any of them. Then this past September, I had a conversation with a young twenty something co-worker who talked about dating Apps, and so the journey began. I should have known that doing what women in their twenties are doing would be overwhelming. I got so many messages and likes and matches that I didn't have time to look at them. I ended up in ridiculous conversations with 'boys' who wanted the full cougar treatment and grown men who couldn't handle my busy schedule. I was stood up and ended up at a house party; I danced with many a dud; texted with a guy from Seattle who tried to talk to me about my daddy issues; and discovered I was one of two women being auditioned by another gentlemen. Was I on the bachelor? I found that the same struggle with boundaries around physicality existed for me even in my forties. I had only stuck my head into the dating scene for two months and I was exhausted with it. I gave it up. This of course didn't last... because through this process, although really not great, I still discovered that I really missed men and wanted to be back in connection with one. I just only wanted one. All the fun I thought I was having, I wasn't having and I didn't want any part of that whole ridiculous scene. I'm crazy, but not insane. What I learned, and thankfully pretty quickly, is what I wanted and what I didn't want. I learned that I want relationship, connection, company, sex, passion, trust, love, familiarity, support, and just enough difference that we affect one another in a positive way; and I wanted all this my way, on my schedule, with my boundaries. Seemed pretty simple on paper. I got real clear when I'd meet someone and when it became clear it wasn't what I wanted, I moved on. I lifted this up to my Jesus and hoped I wasn't being too selfish or godless about what I was doing. But I'm old and I couldn't be that pie in the sky twenty year old who thinks it will all work out when I know it doesn't. I actually didn't really think that any of this was possible. I know that love is not easy. Love is trouble, rebellious, controversial, and requires a heart of forgiveness and arms of grace. I have been deeply wounded by relationship. But I have to believe that it's still worth it to be vulnerable. I have to believe it for my children, who still have the chance to do it well. I have to believe it for myself, or I will miss out on something wonderful. I thought I could just love my students, love the athletes I coach, love my kids, love my co-workers, my family and friends, love teaching... but it seems I want more. I've prayed that I would find a way to be satisfied as a single woman. Maybe I will. In the meantime, I hope that the journey includes a lifelong connection with a man who can be truly connected to a woman who is too much for most and worth all the trouble.

My One Word for 2016, Warrior, has been on the back burner in my mind since probably February. I've been preoccupied with struggling at work and not feeling like I'm conquering. I am still taking the battle field to prayer, but I seem to daily get stuck in the mud of procrastination, negativity, and frustration. It hasn't helped that my co-workers are feeling the very same things. Teachers are terrible for complaining together instead of uplifting one another. It's not very warrior like at all and I hate complainers. I am committed at this point, with six months left in 2016, to be a warrior who tackles complaints with the sword of the spirit which is truth. A warrior who acts in faith that the plans made and the gifts given to me will be sufficient for the task. A warrior who is ready with the right equipment to take on what's ahead. I've had somewhat of an awakening in the past couple of months. A new perspective from an outside source (hmmm.... I wonder who that could be... ;) always helps. It's like this warrior has received intel on the enemy from someone on the other side of the battle. I feel like I have some new weapons and a new ally to help me get where I'm going. Full steam ahead! :)

Back to the song that I posted the lyrics for... New Year's Day. I think it touches on all the things that are glancing off me on a funny angle at this point in life. I'm confessing that it hasn't been a smooth ride and that I feel spent; yet the hope of a future is sprouting out of the chaos. I need to finish my parenting job... who am I kidding!! That's never really done. I don't want to move forward so fast, that I miss the lessons and beauty right here, right where I am and live. I'm still dismantling the past, but I have come to a better place that has a clearer view of the future. The euphoria of my new life is definitely gone, but I will get back in the zone.

I need to move on out of this reflective place because I have work to do. I think I may come back and change this or add to it later, but for now... I've got to go.

I’m tearing down the past years off the wall 

I’m coming at you like a wrecking ball

And I think I’m gonna make it after all
It's gonna be OK!
It's New Year's Day! 

One Word 2016

Before I launch into the new word, I suppose some reflection on 2015 is in order. I chose 'new' as my One Word for 2015 with high hopes of feeling good and seeing new things happen. In September, I looked back and had thought that my word had not truly shaped my year as I had hoped. I lamented this to my daughter and she came back with a quick response; "That's ridiculous! Think about it mom..." So I did, and she was right. For the first time this year, I went on a vacation with my family that didn't include camping. We went to Kauai and had the time of our lives! I started a new job this year as a High School teacher and it has been filled with lots of new things and the school year isn't even over. I moved this past August as well into a new home. It was a miraculous move with God providing just what we needed, at the right time and within one day. Not everything new this year has been good, but instead have brought stress along with them. I am having to live without financial support for my kids from their dad; which has been difficult and frustrating. I have struggled with a new feeling of loneliness that has surprised me. I am longing for a man in my life which makes me feel ridiculous and old. Ridiculous because I cannot believe how quickly my heart attaches to someone; and old because I'm not sure how, nor am I ready, to navigate the crazy dating world. Sometimes the new things that have come into my life have not always been apparent. It's like the verse I chose says;
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the dessert.
Isaiah 43:19
I have struggled to see the newness while in the wilderness and dessert of my life. Yet, when I look back, God has sprung forth; he is making a way for me to walk and there are rivers of life within the dessert of this time. So, I bid farewell to my One Word new, with some greater understanding for what Jesus means by doing a new thing in my life. It will be in the midst of my hardships and despite my own failures to perceive it; the way he makes through the wilderness of this time will create an oasis for me and my family.
Now on to the 'new' word for 2016... he he I'm so punny! :)

My One Word for 2016 is 'warrior'.

I have sat on this word for about a month trying to let it sink in. I wanted to see what it was supposed to really mean. The word itself conjures up images that are aggressive, portray strength, and imply imminent victory. The image of a warrior beating down an enemy that won't relent and needs to be repeatedly knocked down comes to mind. Warriors don't ever rest; they are constantly on edge, ready to fight, and seeking another battle. I'm not so sure I want anymore battles; I'm tired and I can't handle being on edge anymore. The more I thought about this word the more it was feeling like it wasn't right. I didn't want to choose the word if my intent was only to fuel feelings of aggression to conquer and not find peace. If warrior was my word for 2016, then what exactly am I supposed to be a warrior for? What is my mission? Who is my enemy? Why am I fighting and will I find the rest I'm looking for? I was then reminded of the tools or weapons that are needed when you go into battle and it brought me to the verses from the Bible that answered all my questions and sealed the deal for me on this word.

Ephesians 6:10-18a
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fasted on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

This was the kind of warrior I could strive to be in 2016. My enemy is clear, my armor is from the one true God, and my battle field is in prayer. I know I will face many challenges in 2016 and I will be a warrior who is ready with truth, the righteousness of Christ, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the sword of the Spirit, and prayer.

I will be a warrior in 2016. I look forward to how this word will change how I live and shape me in the coming year.

Grieving my divorce

The title of this blog is somewhat deceiving since I'm not actually divorced because legally I can't. I could, I suppose, but then I'd have to say that my children are receiving adequate child support from their father; which I can't do without lying. My ex-husband would disagree... he feels he's done his financial duty. I would have to say at this point the courts have not legally made monthly child support enforceable because I agreed to a document that says he doesn't have to pay monthly. Apparently, I took more in the split of our assets in lieu of child support for two years, yet that is not directly stated in our agreement. Even the judge said it makes no sense. My ex-husband's lawyer swore in an affidavit that I agreed to this deal and there is no evidence to the contrary, so my kids have no monthly child support and I can't get divorced.

I don't know why this is so distressing to me. Why do I care that I can't legally be divorced? I have been separated for two years; I haven't talked to him at all pretty much since then; God has taken care of me and my kids in miraculous ways over these two years; my friends and family have been amazing and have kept me busy, laughing, and have helped me heal in countless ways; and my new job as a high school teacher is less stressful and suited for me. Yet, I find myself brought down by this latest glitch as if it is stopping me from moving on.

I feel like there is no real way to grieve being in this state. I am not a widow, and so no one feels extra specially upset for me. I can't talk about how I miss my husband without confusing people; I miss who he could have been, who I thought he was going to be, who we were together and what could have been if there had been no abuse... it's complicated. There are good memories mixed in with the awful. If I tell people that I miss being married, it begs the question why did I leave? I think what I'm actually grieving is the loss of fidelity. Adultery has scarred me in ways that I hadn't anticipated. After years of dysfunction and abuse, it seems that losing the affections, commitment, trust, and desire of my husband was still very hard to take. I had made so many concessions, decisions, and compromises. I had put my head down when belittled; I had tried to change so as to please him; I had suffered under fear and dysfunction; and I had sacrificed the emotional and mental health of both myself and my children. It was all for not, all destroyed, making no difference at all. He took his body and soul and offered it up to another woman who felt sorry for him and his miserable life with me. I still can't believe it happened - and more than once. I know that it is not my failure. I have heard that it is often both parties at fault when an affair occurs. I think that has merit. Yet, when living with an abusive person there are different aspects to consider; the normal rules and assumptions have to be thrown out the window. I guess I really don't have it all figured out. My default is to take responsibility; I feel like I can do something about it if I'm responsible. But I'm not responsible for so much of what happened... its such a mess. I've said that my ex-husband has a lot of pain and struggles; he is a tortured man. So much of what he struggles with is because of his own bad behaviour; he hurts others around him because he hurts, which in turn creates more hurt. It was very hard to live with.

I'm so glad to be away from that. Really I am... so how do I grieve? I don't want to bash my ex-husband to friends and family. It feels good for a moment, but then I feel yucky and must confess for being so awful. Jesus says I murder those I hate... I have moved away from hate, then back toward it, and then run away again. Giving that to my God has been so ongoing.
I sometimes wish bad things for him, but what good does that do but make me sour and bitter inside. Plus, really, he needs to be OK. My kids still need a whole and healed father. I don't know if that will happen... I pray for it sometimes, reluctantly... yes, that sounds awful... but praying for someone who has hurt you and hurt your kids is so hard and causes me to cry every single time. There are good memories of our life and I am trying to find a way to honour what was good while not denying all the abuse. This doesn't sit well with my ex-husband's family and it is hard to explain to others. It's really difficult for my children to manage as well.

I have lost my passion. There is nothing driving me, there is nothing that I am pursuing with all my being. There is nothing I am surviving that gives me purpose to go forward. I have not the anger I once had as fuel to push me forward and to help me reach goals. There is no anger... I'm past that stage of grief, and I'm exhausted. I feel that I went through the first three stages of grief while still married... by the time it was over, I realize now, I was already depressed. I slept a lot in that first year of separation. I would come home from work and go to bed at 7:30pm. I think my kids were worried. I feel as if I'm lingering still in between depression and acceptance. I find I have to tap into anger in order to tackle any issues that still arise and have to do with my ex-husband. This causes tremendous stress when I'm dragged back to anger. I don't want to be angry. I want to be passionate. I want to find my passion for all that is my life again. I am a passionate person. I am typically infused with passion in what I do; my children, my students, coaching, friendships, Bible study, and my church. Lately I struggle to find that passion and feel exhausted when I exert myself for a period of time. I am praying that I would find rejuvenated passion in a new direction. Whether it is my job, or coaching, or starting to lead in Bible study again. I just need something.

Passionate people are typically sexual people... that may be a generalization, but I think its pretty accurate. So, I'm a sexual person. I miss sex; I recently have a preoccupation with it and it's not a good place for my passion to be sitting. My goal is to find a way to do better with this than I did when I was young. I cannot find myself once again in pointless relationships or one off's that are purposely set up to end quickly. I know better, Jesus wants better for me, I am not without self control, and I do not want to be that woman; I am not that woman. What a serious challenge this is for me! I lean on the knowledge that the love Jesus has for me is enough, even in this, it is enough. One of the strange things about my marriage was that our sexual relationship was the last aspect to be destroyed. Sex had held things together; it bonded us; it was linked to the violent passionate nature of the abusive cycle we lived in. It kept me going, it caused me pain, it maintained my commitment, and it healed wounds the relationship was causing me. Does that make any sense? I think it is one of the most confusing parts of all of this. It is why adultery finally killed my marriage. I have been asked why I didn't leave earlier; if the abuse was so bad, why did you stay? I don't know why my end line was adultery; but it was. I understand it didn't need to be. I know that I can stand before Jesus and say I did what he asked me to; that means the world to me even now.
I am glad that through this I have found that I still desire to be vulnerable before another human being. The epitome of vulnerability in relationship is through sexual expression. Our world has sullied that so much that sex has become about power and not intimacy. Years ago, I bought into that notion but I will not do that again. It means I have to wait, or maybe just never experience that again. I am learning to trust that Jesus is enough. My validation comes from this; Jesus loves me.
Oh my goodness!! I just figured it out! The destruction of my sexual relationship with my husband was the breaking point because of the intimacy and vulnerability that it contained. It is why not being able to be legally divorced is so distressing to me! It is as if I cannot bring closure to an open wound.

I am now also more convinced than ever that I need to go back to my maiden name. Being a Klassen again feels like I can take back some of who I was; before I was damaged. In some way it seems that the wound will close if I'm not that married woman anymore and changing my name will signify that. Becoming Klassen again is part of my grief. It is who I was, who I am, and who I will now become. Its just a name, I suppose. Yet in grieving my divorce, it is becoming another stone to step on toward healing, toward acceptance.

I should write more often. That really worked to clear things up for me.

Grandpa Thiessen's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, 
Help me meet In the right spirit everything which comes to me today. 
Help me to approach my work cheerfully and my tasks diligently. 
Help me meet disappointments, frustrations, kindnesses and opposition calmly and without irritation. 
Help me to meet delay with patience and unreasonable demands with self control. 
Help me to accept praise modestly and criticism graciously without losing my temper. 
Keep me serene all through today. 
If I know there are things which annoy the people with whom I live and work, help me not to do them. 
If I know there are things which would please them, help me to go out of my way to please them. 
Equip me today, O God with the constant awareness of your presence which will make me do everything as unto you.
Grant that others may see something of the reflection of the master whom I seek to serve. 
This I ask because you love me. 
In Jesus name, Amen.

Walter Thiessen
daily prayer

One Word for 2015

1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 

3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. 

Isaiah 61:1-3

From Happily Ever After - Walking with peace and courage through a year of divorce

God didn't create women to be wilted or weak. Our gender has a bizarre tendency to minimize our needs and to belittle our own glory. Why do we play down? To make ourselves less threatening? To whom? Why do we equate this minimization with accessibility? We are not making others more comfortable by playing small. In fact, we are sending the message to others that they need to play down, too. I am not encouraging pridefulness but to be authentic by sharing the gift of our true selves.

Our strength is desperately desired. Our beauty is sorely absent when we stifle it. Our unique offerings are missed when we hide.

We were created by the Lord to display His splendor! 

Root yourself as a creation in Christ. Align yourself to assure the nutrients and sunshine you require to grow into the majestic, powerful beauty God intended.

I spent 2014 defining a path of happiness as my word 'happy' became more ironic when one looked closely at what was going on in my life. What does happy look like when you're broken and you need to start over? How can you be happy when those you love are hurting? Is being happy selfish? Is the joy of the Lord really available to me? Who knew being happy was such hard work! I learned that God is seeking to help me find true happiness in my gifts, my family, my work, my relationships, and in giving love even when it costs me. Happiness is given by my Jesus, and he has afforded me the ability to tap into joy through physical activity, work, friendships, serving, and being blessed by others. It was a good year to be focused on 'happy' as it kept me from falling victim to the lie that I was damaged and would never fully recover.

My One Word for 2015 is 'new'. This past year was filled with first's. The first time I handled all my vehicle repairs by myself. The first time to drive a moving truck and set up house just for me and my kids. The first time I went camping with my children all on my own. First time planning birthday's, Thanksgiving, and Christmas separately from my in-law family. It was tougher than I thought and felt scary a lot of the time. I second guessed myself and had to retrain my brain to seek different support networks and ask for help when before I had not. It has been humbling, overwhelming, and expensive. But God has been faithful, friends and family supportive, my church amazing, and my kids resilient. I am happy!:) 

Now I need to embrace the newness of my life. This is my new life.

In my new life, I walk to work and to the store; I try not to drive my van unless I have to. I live in a rented house; which is actually nice, as when there are problems with things in the house, someone else pays for it and fixes it. I don't obsess about the cleanliness of my kitchen. I can go to bed when the dishes aren't clean and not worry about. I don't really cook. I make food as necessary and we eat a lot of leftovers. Everyone is still happy and no one is hungry. In my new life, I eat less meat. Really. I eat salad every day. I stay up late and always have a couple of drinks before bed... maybe not a good habit to have formed, but I'm not worried about it. In my new life I dance. I love to dance and I don't care that I'm old. I watch TV... maybe something I could switch to reading. I have been reading less, but that is because I used to read to escape. I need to find a reason to read for enjoyment again. I joined a support group. I make decisions based on what God wants (which currently leaves me waiting, a bit frustrating) and what is best for my children... but sometimes, I just do what I think will be fun! I do laundry when it's convenient, vacuum when it's dirty, take up the whole bed when sleeping, decorate how I want, buy clothes when I feel like it, get friends gifts, talk loud, laugh loud, watch YouTube, always have money on my Starbucks card, and sing in the van with my daughter. I can come home late and no one is mad. I can leave for a trip without over planning my exit, and come home with no one telling me what I did wrong while I was gone. I do my devotions daily and enjoy spending time pouring over scripture. I sit with my kids and we passionately discuss faith, the Bible, Godly behaviour and challenging issues; then we pray. In my new life, we are not quiet. We play the music loud and we yell at each other - and no one gets too mad about it.

My new life is just beginning. Even though I still feel an emptiness that would consume me if not for Jesus guarding my heart, I am excited about what is ahead. 

I want to embrace what is ahead and really see that it is new. God is not done moulding me into who I will be and what he will do through me and in me. I want to have a changed attitude about this newness, to be happy in the circumstance I find myself in, and to surrender myself to Jesus in becoming new.

18 "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 

19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 

Isaiah 43:18-19

New. The old is gone, the new has come. All this is from God. (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)