Eva and I in the snow 

Eva and I going to 7-11 during the first snowfall 

Eva and I at CPC's Christmas Banquet 

This is Eva and I.  

Do You Like Badgers?

I know that my posts have been all business and quite serious lately so here is something that might make you laugh. You need to have your speakers on before you go to this website. (click on the title)

PS - it doesn't end

Death totals are rising...

I've put a link some news videos and articles here in case you would like to see more

I've also put a link here to another blog that has many good articles on these devastating events

To Internship or not to Internship...

...that is the question.

As I sit down to write how I am feeling about this whole situation I am torn. There are so many things to consider and factor in.

At first it was just about the possibility of war, then the landslides and now a national disaster. I find though that I am not afraid for my personal safety, I actually have a greater desire to go now than I did before. It doesn't make sense.

Perhaps this is more of a tug-of-war between my head and my heart. My head says this could be dangerous and difficult but my heart cries out for the suffering and loss that they are going through. I want to help, to make a difference.

I'm tired of a lot of things that I see in my world and in me. I know that going will change my life forever. I can't wait. I welcome it with open arms.

I've decided to go no matter what.

A Nation In Mourning

By Matt and Rebecca Baker

The true nature of this disaster unravelled very slowly. The day I felt the earthquake, we went for lunch in the park with friends and their family. We discussed the earthquake, and that the news had said "the oceans are rising". At that point there were a few deaths reported, mostly as being those of curious people watching the unusual sea action. When we returned home in the evening we began to see images on the news of rapid flooding, and heard that the death toll was over a thousand. There were frightening images of the sea rapidly rising in coastal areas and people mourning their dead (Sri Lankan news edits out nothing). Disbelief set in... but we found many Sri Lankans we spoke to had not even heard yet that the dead toll was rising.

When I awoke the next morning, it quickly became apparent that the previous evening news had not even come close to capturing the calibre of this disaster. The death toll had risen to 5000 with a million people displaced. This time the images on the news were even more frightening - my opinion is that the video from the previous nights came from less seriously hit areas where those doing the videoing survived. The video that came the next morning was a result of news crews visiting the extremely devastated areas where those who may have tried to video it with their personal cameras simply didn't survive. Our minds are all branded with terrible images of buses piled on buses in the middle of the town... of train cars hundreds of feet from their tracks, tossed like a child's lego pieces while taking morning commuters to their jobs. I cannot express the terror these images inspire - I am not sure if any (or many) of them have reached the north american news uncensored.

Yesterday was a day overshadowed with shock and sorrow. Everywhere we went, people were somber faced, and the only topic of conversation was the results of the tidal waves. The streets were oddly quiet, in a town known for its bustle and noise.

Sri Lanka is a nation well-known for its laid back attitude and often frustratingly slow response to just about anything. We have been extremely surprised and impressed to see how quickly Sri Lankans have organized themselves to reach out to their fellow countrymen, instead of waiting for other countries to do the work. Walking through town, we have seen trucks being loaded with clothing and food to take to stricken areas. The local grocery store is keeping a "register" for those who wish to buy food staples and donate them - they will be monitored and sent out as a corporate effort to offer relief. The Muslims have organized relief supplies... our church sent out a convoy today to Batticaloa to give food and clothing to church members there... the Buddhists sent around a truck in the neighbourhood where we are staying this evening, collecting from everyone clothing and food. We actually heard that there has been enough clothing donated already, that now food is being requested. It is really remarkable how well Sri Lanka has done to take care of its own in this horrible time.

This morning when we woke up, the death toll was announced as being 10,000. And today, the rain returned to Nuwara Eliya. It came in torrents. Today, Sri Lanka moved from shock and sorrow to outright grief. We have given clothing, we have bought food to feed the hungry, but we can't assuage the grief for the family and friends that seem to be lost or missing to every person we meet in town. Every student we met today had a story to tell of death or missing persons. Several had near misses themselves, as they had been on vacation on the coast.

Tonight, as I sit near the TV and write you, they have just announced that the death toll has reached over 18,000. The grief of this country is unbearable.

Our prayer is that this horrifying disaster will manage to bring the two sparring halves of this country together in a way not done through the failing peace talks. We pray for the divided families to be reunited. And we pray for healing for the trauma caused by all aspects of this disaster.
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I'm sure you've heard...

about the earthquake and tidal waves that have rocked the countries around the Indian Ocean. One of the hardest hit is Sri Lanka. Matt and Rebecca Baker, the people that I am going to be working with when I go, are fine. They have set up a relief fund to aid the Sri Lankan people. I am attaching the information if you are interested to learn more on how you can help.

Something that I wrote in an earlier post has come to kinda haunt me. I wrote about the possibility of war and the landslides that are occuring in and around Nuwara Eliya (where I'll be) asking the question, "what will happen next?"... apparently it's tidal waves.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear friends,
As you know, one of the worst earthquakes in recorded history occured this week off the coast of Indonesia causing massive tidal waves in many Asian countries. Sri Lanka was the worst hit with over 5,000 casualties and extensive property damage, looting and water contamination.

As a registered charity already operating in Sri Lanka, Schools for Asia Educational Foundation is in a unique position to provide direct assistance to the affected areas. Since our mission relates to education, we hope to provide funds to help rebuild schools damaged or destroyed by the tragedy.

To this end, we have established an Earthquake Relief Fund, which we will keep seperate from our regular operating budget and disburse to needy areas once they have been carefully selected. If you would like to make a donation to this fund, you can do so online at: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=50492. Follow the instructions onscreen and be sure to select "Earthquake Relief" under fund designation. You can also send a cheque made out to "Schools for Asia Educational Foundation" to one of the addresses below. Be sure to clearly indicate that the donation is for the Earthquake Relief Fund. Feel free to forward this message to others who might be interested.

SAEF (Canada)
PO Box 323
Station Main
Abbotsford, BC
V2S 4N9

SAEF (US)
PO Box 1111
Gig Harbor, WA
98332

It's Christmas eve...

and everyone is home. My sister and brothers are all here with their better halves. It's nice and I enjoy the family time but I miss my Christian family with whom I can share the true meaning of Christmas. So to all my family out there, enjoy your time with family and friends, don't take for granted the blessing you have.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT
Love always,
Kendra

This is me 

Here's to You Muh Dear

This post is for Eva.

Roommates are good things...Good roommates are even better. I realized on one of our last nights together that Eva is so much more than my crazy newfie roommate...She's my friend.

I came home completely stressed out about school, papers, exams and not understanding systematic theology. I had tried to study at school but it was too distracting. I needed some quiet and peace. I walked home to burn off some anxious energy but it didn't really help. When I got home it wasn't quiet. I went to my room, sat down and tried to figure out if I really wanted to take the test in the morning - I weighed my options. I couldn't take the stress any more. I didn't care if I failed!! I didn't care that I had spent all that money on the coarse. I was on the downward spiral and my pinpoint of light was about to go out.

I decided to call my mom because sometimes just hearing her voice calms me...It didn't help...Just made it worse this time. I couldn't let her and dad down but I couldn't see how I was going to be able to do it. I was a wreck by now, tear-stained cheeks and puffy, red eyes, I went out to put the phone back in its cradle.

In the kitchen I knew I had a decision to make...Would I go into the living room and tell Eva or would I tough it out on my own? I went into the living room and gave her the phone - hoping that she would say something and then I wouldn't have to! I am such a coward sometimes! Needless to say she noticed that I was...uhmmmm...Upset.

I was waiting for the indifference...It never came.
I was waiting for the "grow up"...It never came.
I was waiting for the "what do you want me to do about it?"...It never came.

Those are the things that I always wait for...the criticism, guilt and shame of failure. What happened surprised me. I didn't expect it. What came was encouragement...what came was someone whose words lifted me up...what came was a hand to help me. We turned off the music. Eva showed me that there wasn't as much to do as I thought and encouraged me. She became my cheerleader. We split the study questions and went to work.

Eva you have no idea how much I appreciate what you did that night. I can't believe that both of us ended up actually taking the test! Thanks for being there, thanks for not being afraid, thanks for being my crazy, newfie roomie but most of all thank you for being my friend.
Love,
Kendar
to the cod!
God Bless You

Update on the Land Slide

I just got an email from Matt and Rebecca with an update...
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Since the email was sent, we have had sunny weather - the crisis situation in the Nuwara Eliya region has calmed down somewhat, though an extended period of no rain will be needed to make the threat of landslides and floods vanish. Praise God for giving us a reprieve!

It has been glorious seeing the sun these days!!! We returned to look at our home the day following the landslide, and were shocked at the damage we could see in daylight - no damage to the house itself, but to the grounds. The area of the slide was approximately 20 ft. long by 25 ft. high, and the slide took about 10 ft. of land at the top of the hill. People have found some "cracks" in the earth adjacent to the area of the slide, and there are also some cracks in the earth at the foot of the house. Simply put, our house is in too much danger to allow us to return. We have already packed up our belongings and removed what is valuable, piling the rest in the living room waiting to be moved out. We are doing an intensive search for a new home to move into immediately. In the meantime we are staying with our good friends Kyle and Blossom Patmor.... we do not want to infringe on their privacy any more than is necessary, as they are newly married.

We would really appreciate your prayers that God would provide us with a new home as quickly as possible... that it would be large enough, clean enough, empty (to enable us to move in immediately), within our price range, and would have all the things we need (and maybe some of the things we want!) in a home. Even at the best of times it is very difficult to find a suitable home in Nuwara Eliya...
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Thanks again for your prayers.

I Pledge Allegiance...

After the 16 months that Evar and I lived together as roomies she finally figured out that I was a "jigger"! Being a "jigger" is kind of like being a "wigger" or "wigga" only I'm not trying to be black, I'm trying to be Newfie!!

So here's the story... the night before Systematic Theology exam things were a little crazy in our house...well crazier than usual. You know when it's late (or should I say early in the morning) and you are tired and emotionally strung out...I made my confession to her...I am a "jigger"!

We talked about being "screeched in" but we were sorely lacking some things...cod, yellow fisherman's hat and oh ya...the Atlantic Ocean! So instead I pledged allegiance to the cod.

La Tour d'Alberta est Fini

I know I shouldn't complain... and I'm not really cause I didn't really mind it I just find it amusing. My parents bought me a plane ticket to come home for Christmas which beats riding the bus for 14 hours any day...
...I just find it humorous that I have to fly from Saskatoon --> Calgary --> Edmonton --> Grande Prairie!! Hence the tour of Alberta.

So what's with Calgary? Why is it sooooo special that I must go through there just to get home when the plane could easily go from Saskatoon to GP via Edmonton? I don't see the logic in all of this extra flight time...Oh well...it is good practice for when I go to Sri Lanka.

Land Slides

I heard from Matt and Rebecca, they arrived back in Sri Lanka safe and sound. They have been having some troubles though and I thought that I would include part of the newsletter that they send out to tell you about it.

URGENT UPDATE: Just as I was about to send this message we heard a large noise. Our house is on an embankment and there was a small landslide into our yard. What made matters worse was that the slide broke a water main and suddenly there was about a foot of water and mud right outside our front door. We had to leave immediately and are now staying with some friends in another part of town. The rain is very heavy at the moment and there have been various other slides around town. We're not sure when we will be able to return home due to the potential for more damage. We really need your prayers right now for the rain to settle down and for continued protection!

I ask you to pray with us in this. I am just wondering what else will come up. I feel like its a test to see whether or not I really want to be a missionary (I know that's not what it is). I am encourage always by the faith that Matt and Rebecca have. They have gone through some amazing trials and circumstances while in Sri Lanka and God has always come through for them...everytime. I know that I am in safe hands and I'll have Matt and Rebecca.

Warm Fuzzies

Do you know what I love best about this year? It's probably not what you are thinking. It's not how much I learned, being President or planning chapels...

It's sitting here in the computer lab listening to everyone at the benches play their guitars, laughing and singing, building friendships and having fun. It warms my heart.

Discipline of the Mind

So I was writing my Systematic Theology paper for what seemed to be an eternity and a thought occurred to me...

Sometimes what we need to learn is not knowledge but a different perspective on what we already know...

I decided that my difficulty with the class was not an inability to understand the material because I did...it was learning to process it in a different way.

I really struggled with the systematicness of it...my natural thought pattern is not linear or logical. It's kind of loopy actually. So it will take discipline to learn how to think and write from this perspective.

Yeah...I'm not dumb!

I'm Delicious Didn't You Know...

I tried it Nicole...
I didn't know that I was delicious...

K	Kind
E	Enjoyable
N	Naive
D	Delicious
R	Rounded
A	Accurate

Name / Username:

Name Acronym Generator
From Go-Quiz.com

Modern Worship

So you want to read a good article by Brian McLaren on worship?
Read An Open Letter To Worship Songwriters

I found the article on another blog. If you want to add your comments to the post click

HERE

Tell me what you think.
K

More on the Political Situation in Sri Lanka

Here is another news report on the situation in Sri Lanka -- I did not write it

"Restrictive Constitutional Amendment Proposed (Sri Lanka)After facing the defeat of a proposed anti-conversion law, the JHU party,composed entirely of Buddhist monks, is attempting once again to engrain Buddhism as the state religion and prevent the conversion of Buddhists in Sri Lanka. The JHU has introduced a constitutional amendment, referred to as the "19th Amendment." The proposed bill would declare Buddhism as the official religion of Sri Lanka, while allowing other forms of religion to be practiced "in peace and harmony with Buddha Sasana." Freedom of worship for religions other than Buddhism would be subject to public order and morals; something which could easily be abused to restrict religious freedom.

The amendment would also prohibit converting Buddhists to any other religion as well as spreading other religions among Buddhists. On December 7, a court petition was heard against the proposal on the grounds that the amendment would infringe on basic human rights. The court's decision will be given to the speaker of the Parliament by December 16. An evaluation of this proposed amendment is available at http://www.srilankanchristians.com/article6.html As the December 12 anniversary of the sudden death of Buddhist leader Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thero approaches (see http://www.persecution.net/news/srilanka18.html), there are concerns that the violence seen last December may be repeated. Christians were widely blamed for his unexpected death during a trip to Russia last December.

While violent attacks and threats against Christians have become less frequent in recent months, incidents do continue to occur. In a recent example, the pastor of the "Believers' Church" in the village of Kammalawain Kuliyapitiya faced a crowd of over 100 on the evening of December 2, threatening him if he does not stop holding worship services. Later that night, the church was attacked with stones, damaging the roof tiles, one door and several windows. Pray for the safety of Christians in Sri Lanka. Pray for the peace of Christ to reign in the hearts of believers facing the uncertainty of this proposed legislation as well as the dangers from those opposed to theGospel. Pray for wisdom and direction for church leaders during this time"

Peace Talks Deteriorate

An interesting twist in the internship... possibility of war in Sri Lanka. I knew that there was political unrest but the possibility of war while I'm there has me questioning, do I go or do I stay? It didn't take me too long to come to the conclusion that the only way I will not go is if God tells me to stay.

I will admit though that the prospect of war is scary. I've never experienced anything even remotely close to severe conflict. I've never even experienced the death of a close loved one! I'm grateful for that but I am totally unprepared for dealing with war in any shape or form.

I realize that where I am going is remote and the chances of the war affecting me personally is just as remote but there still is that possibility.

On the other hand maybe the experience of being in a country torn by war might be good for me. Maybe there is something that I need to learn or understand... I know one thing for sure I am not going to pass up the opportunity because of fear.

To read a news report on what is going on in Sri Lanka just click the title. I would appreciate prayer for myself to make wise decisions but more importantly for the government and people of Sri Lanka. Thanks.

Missing My Brain and Other "B" Things

You can always tell when the semester is drawing to a close, people get grouchy and forgetful. I feel like some days I have misplaced everything and often find myself saying "I'd loose my head too if it wasn't attached to my shoulders!" My head might be attached but I think my brain slipped out in the middle of the night. I'll go home and find it squished between the mattress and the wall and when I try to get it out it will slip all the way down to the floor.

Now that it is under the bed I will have to reroute back to the floor and try to extract it from underneath. It is frightening to think of what could pollute my mind while it is under there! I don't keep anything under my bed so it will mostly be dustbunnies and maybe a few bug carcasses. At least I will have a reason for why my brain is fuzzy!

I must go now because I don't want to miss the other "B" word... MY BUS!!

Dry Spell

Well, the title pretty much says it all. Even as I am trying to write I have so many thought and ideas crammed in my head, wildly lashing about that I can't hold on to one long enough to express it in words.

I think it could be because I have poured so much of myself into all that I have done at school this year that to write about things makes me feel too vulnerable. I don't think I could stand a lot of negative feedback.

The classes that I have taken this semester have really been thought provoking. These well provoked thoughts are the ones that are the most wild and hard to tame. I think I need more time to process and perhaps you will hear of them one day.

So maybe this would be better called "the apology for being boring"

This blog is brought to you by the letter "C"

"C" words are nice. I've decided that I really like them. "C" is for cookie, I learned that one at a young age. Christmas starts with "C". Many of the things that I like start with "C". Things like coffee, chocolate, clouds, crosswords, cake, cheese, Christ, Cressman... I could go on but I won't.

No longer a rant

Every year about this time I am usually in the mood to rant and rave about the materialism of the Christmas season. I think that I am done with that. I think that I am going to see it from a different angle from now on. Christmas is about celebration. Everyone celebrates Christmas for their own reasons. My reason is that it celebrates the birth of my Lord Jesus Christ.


I've realized that the giving of gifts has been a part of the Christmas celebration for centuries and is not necessarily a product of our materialistic society. Just as each person has their own reason for celebrating Christmas each person has their own motivations, reasoning for gift giving. Some give to receive, others to be accepted, some even out of obligation even though they do not even have a nice thought to think about the person that they are giving to but I think that most people give because they want to show their love and appreciation for their family and friends.


I think one of the biggest reasons that I used to rant about giving gifts at Christmas was because so many people go into debt just to give stuff. I haven't gone into debt over Christmas but I am always tempted to spend more than I should...and sometimes I do. As a Christian I need to make sure that my motivation for giving is right and Christ honoring.


So how do I honor Christ in giving Christmas presents you may ask? Well I think it is just common sense which applies to my life all of the time. Here are some questions to ask... First, does the gift I give honor the person that I am giving it to?
Second, in buying the gift am I being a good steward of my money?
Third, does the gift honor Christ and my commitment to him?


The reason that I write this is that I was pondering buying my brother a shot glass checker board for Christmas and then thought "What am I saying to him buy giving him this gift? Not only that buy what am I saying about my commitment to what I believe?"