Living Beyond Myself

It was a hard thing for me to do. For a couple of reasons. It was hard to walk into a group where I didn't know anyone and where I didn't know what was going to happen. It was hard to commit to a couple of hours of week in class and time outside the class as well. It was a hard thing to commit to a study by a stereotypical southern American woman who seemed, to me, a bit wrapped up in producing literature and making money. But I did it.
Back in September I began participating in a weekly Bible study for pastor's wives. The study was Living Beyond Yourself, by Beth Moore, a study on the Fruit of the Spirit - something I had taught about on Wednesday nights last year. I wondered how much new there would be to learn. I was worried... this is a woman's Bible study, will it be shallow?
Guess what?? I was wrong. I was wrong about the quality of the study. It has been superb. It has been a blessing in my life, changing my way of thinking and living. I found myself guilty of prejudice, but God broke through and I was able to learn at the feet of a woman who truly truly loves the Word of God. I began finding myself wishing that I had that kind of passion for God's Word as well. Then I realized I could. It just would take more time and commitment than I had been willing to give. And this study has shown I CAN do that. I have begun to truly look forward to hearing her video's on Tuesday morning. And each day as I open up her notebook and begin to spend time in the Word, I came away excited and renewed. Even my prayer time has become more vivid and fruitful. God has moved in my life... doing a new thing.
So, yes it was hard for me to do this. And yes, I am so glad I have done this. The study ends this Tuesday. I will miss it. I know I don't need crutches to delve into the Bible. But this has helped me so much.
They are beginning a new study, in January. It is called: "When Godly People Do Ungodly Things". Sounds fascinating, doesn't it? I can't wait.
For now I am concentrating on living beyond myself. I, Peggy, can't be good. Wish I could. Just isn't in me. Fortunately with the Holy Spirit, I can live beyond who I am. I can be better and kinder but I can't do that alone. However, as the Holy Spirit lives in me, He can. Isn't that exciting? May you too be living beyond yourself.

What I love... what I hate

Isn't it beautiful? Today was our first snow that amounted to anything. It fell most of the day and it's really quite cold. Winter is here for sure. I love the cold crisp air. I love to watch it snow. I love the change of seasons. Tis grand to live here in Canada.
I even like to scuff the snow with my feet and look at the footprints in the snow. Yes those are my feet in the snow today. You can see it's actually slightly deep. This really makes it feel like Christmas is on the way.
Now on to what I hate... See the car? I hate driving in snow. Today there were umpteen ( a lot) accidents and at least one person was killed. These people drive like maniacs when the snow falls. It is dangerous. And I also hate having to scrape and clean the car before going out. You have to add 15 more minutes on to any trip. You have to warm up the car and then scrape, scrape, brush, clean. I hate to say it, but it's just a pain in the neck. At least the Toyota we have is smaller and I can actually reach the hood to clean it all off.
All in all, however, the love outweighs the hate. Today I just didn't go out driving. Good solution, eh?
Wherever you are, enjoy your weather. You can't change it, so why complain about it, right? This is the day the LORD has made!

Only at Eastview!

I've talked about this so many times, but just had to write about it. Our church, or perhaps Canada itself, is so unique. My Sunday School class this morning really brought that thought home. I teach 2 & 3 year olds together with Sandy. Today our lesson was about the fruits that God made. We only had 3 students today, and they all speak Portuguese as their first language, but also French. Sandy speaks English and I do Portuguese and English. We both know a few words of French. So we are playing a game with fruits with one little girl and thinking we are teaching her some English, when she looks at the peach and says "PEACH." Then she picks up the apple and puts it on the picture of the apple and says that's where the "POMME" goes. Sandy and I laughed because that is French, of course, for apple. I kept asking them "Quem fez a uva" (Who made the grapes), so they would answer "DEUS" (God). I guess I said it so much that Sandy, who speaks no Portuguese was soon asking the kids in perfect Portuguese who made the grape. Now isn't that just great? Sometimes we don't know what we are saying!!! I speak to them in Portuguese, Sandy in English and they answer us in French. The important thing is that we are learning that God speaks in the language of love and there's plenty of that to go around at Eastview.

Toronto Travels

I'm back from Toronto and I survived. What an interesting trip. I left on Thursday afternoon ready for a relaxing 4 hour train ride. I had been so busy the last few days, I was ready for some time to nap and read and then arrive in Toronto and get a good night's rest before my two days of meetings. I got more rest than I counted on. I sat on the train, in the Ottawa station for 90 minutes. You can imagine how much fun that was. Got lots of relaxation on a dark airless train. Turned out someone had a psychological episode and they had to call the police to talk him down and off the train. That's a unique excuse that Via Rail arranged for being late. Lots of people nearly had a melt down. It was cell phone city. Me I ate my apples and walnuts and yogurt and dried fruit and most of the rest of my food supply for the weekend. Who says I eat when I'm tense?
Nevertheless I did arrive in Toronto and managed to get to the hotel by 11:30 at night, even with some other delays along the way. Then they wouldn't let me check in, since they said I was already checked in. I looked at the guy, very frazzled and tired and said: "Do I look like I am checked in? Look at me. I am standing here." I tried my best to be nice as he made me wait for 20 minutes as he looked for me. It was a great chance to apply my Fruit of the Spirit study on patience for this week. All's well that ends well. Got in and got to bed and had a wonderful day of meetings on Friday. It was productive and fun.
Friday evening we returned to the hotel and met the women's ministry links from Ontario and Quebec. I think almost all of the associations were represented. I was moved as we heard about the ministry of the Friendship House in Brantford. Over and over again I am impressed with the passion people have to serve God in the most diverse situations.
Saturday the meetings continued and I felt encouraged by the direction in which Baptist Women are heading. We just have to keep reminding ourselves that our goal is to introduce women to Christ, not just have a good time!
There were two special bonus' during the weekend. My roomie was Brenda Mann, the new Exec. for BWOQ. I loved getting to know her AND had fun staying with her. That was so gratifying. Secondly, on Saturday we stayed over for the Kelita concert, as promoted by BWOQ. She was funny and moving and talented. It was delightful to just forget everything else and immerse myself in the music. You can see her at the left, as Jude from Timmons, Ontario. It was a riot.
I was also able to visit Kingsway Baptist Church on Sunday morning and enjoyed their worship so much. It is a beautiful sanctuary, and the worship was uplifting. I was glad I was able to enjoy the experience. Brenda had a car and was then able to give me a lift to the subway so I could get to the train station downtown.
I finally arrived home on Sunday night. Late (*sigh*) again, as the train was just slow. No reason we were an hour late. Maybe it was the rain. Who knows? I was glad to be home and in my own little bed last night. I slept late this morning and am ready for a new round. I will be leaving in a just a bit to take Sandy to the hospital for exams. Then (FINALLY) today I am going back to my aqua fitness after several months off. (BAD GIRL). Have a great week. I plan on having one.