i'm using you

i'm supposed to be packing my kitchen, but the thought of doing so makes me nauseous, so i'm choosing instead to procrastinate with you.   i think you're a healthier choice than scrubbing the bathroom or eating chocolate or watching another episode of vampire diaries.  do you mind being used?

the days have arrived.  we've been semi-packing for a month now, with the clear understanding that this week, wednesday to friday, the real packing would begin.  i stayed in bed as long as possible this morning trying to eek out every second of normalcy.

we've endured many goodbyes already.  the church had a lovely going-away bbq for us, and lindsey did a speech - a tribute if you will - for me.  she re-wrote proverbs 31 as she sees me living it - a blessing, an honour, a surprise really.  my favourite part was "she rises in the night to dispense tylenol, then goes back to sleep until a more reasonable hour".  that girl knows me!  i remember reading the famous "woman of noble character" verses as a teen, committing to be that woman someday, utterly clueless as to how i would ever get there.  it's a gift to think that my friends see me as having arrived in  at least a paraphrased sense :).

the church gave us a painting by lindsey of a picture that scott took a few weeks ago on his run.  it's of the river, at the bend right before it heads into the city, with those delicious rolling clouds filling the sky.  it's gorgeous.  i find that i'm trying to soak up the sky as much as possible lately - which might be a little hazardous when driving.  i will so miss seeing the thunder storms off in the distance.  there are moments when you can stand in sunshine and see multiple storms raging on the horizon, circling you.   you wonder which one's coming and which one's going, and the air is electric and exciting.  i love thunder storms.

we have had lots of rain, as you all know, and the river has swollen up over some pathways, but no flooding.  multiple people have said something to the effect of "God's just preparing you for BC".  sometimes i just smile, and sometimes i answer "then i have a lot of apologizing to do to some people in Calgary".   seriously?  for once i hope this is NOT all about me!

our baby robins flew away last weekend.  i was coming into the house with my son and was literally dive-bombed by one of the parent robins.  we were plastered up against the wall of the garage and the two birds were squawking away at us.  alfred hitchcock anyone?  it did feel a little like a horror movie - good thing i wasn't making out with scott anywhere outside - it's always the lovers that die first.  anyways, we left, and when we returned - an empty nest!  those baby birds were probably fluttering around our front yard while i was living out movie paranoia, and i missed it!  sneaky robins!!!  i need to take a lesson from them.  next time i don't want anyone seeing what shenanigans my kids are up to i'll go for the eyes.

speaking of leaving the nest, it is time for me to attack the kitchen.   i can put it off no longer.  please pray for us this weekend as we say our goodbyes to our closest friends.  we drive off monday morning into the wide and wild future, the four of us in our little nest on wheels.

i will close with some verses i was reading this morning:

God did this so that...we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.  We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.  It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain...

                                                          Hebrews 6