Nova Scotia - Week 12: Update

A lot has happened since I have last written. It has been busy, too busy at times – sometimes overwhelming – working at nights trying to get as much done inside before April so I can then consentrate on outside stuff. This last week we had an amazing rollercoaster in the weather; it was the first time that I can remember that there was no precipitation in the forecast. The temperature this week started in the single digits, rose to the mid-twenties for three days and then came back down to single digits. It was an awesome midweek, giving us a foretaste of the summer to come.

The Four Sisters?

This weekend gave us a much needed break from all the work when three of Mary Ann’s Alberta friends came over. Lori, Lidy and Mary Ann have been that much needed distraction. Yesterday started at 4:30am with a trip to the airport, followed by breakfast and a trip to Peggy’s Cove. After this the fatigue of an overnight flight and early morning was getting the best of everybody so we headed home. Today after church, we came home for a quick lunch and then took the scenic drive along the Fundy coast to Annapolis Royal. It was good to share with friends from Alberta some of the beauty and experiences that we have started to cherish here in Nova Scotia. It is also good to hear the house filled with laughter.

Finding that most special rock

I have one day left in the basement to get it to the point I want to until fall. My next project is to expand the store. This is a three stage project: stage one – make more office space. Stage two – move office stuff. Stage three: remove the wall between the existing office and store and build another to expand the store. Stage one is almost done. It is so easy to get so consumed with the work and lose focus on everything else.

When I was at college a number of years back, I came to a point at least one time each semester where I became so overwhelmed with all that needed to be done, that I broke down realizing that there is no way I can do this on my own. I have been feeling a lot like that this last week, but the memories of those past semesters came back to me today and I realized that it was never in my own strength that I made it thru, but only thru God’s faithfulness. An old, old song we sung in church reminded me of all this, here is a link to Anne Murrays version of the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txzOErCuQlo   It is amazing how God speaks to you at different and unexpected times.
Till next time.  HJK

Nova Scotia - Week 10: The Maple Harvest

What a cute couple!

Fifty liters to one. That is the ratio of sap one needs to collect to make one liter maple syrup. This week we had the unique opportunity  to visit a maple tree farm. (It goods to be connected to pastor who has way more connection then we do; haven’t met to many new people in my basement yet.) It was not a full out Maple Syrup production facility with miles of hoses, but was very interesting and educational nonetheless.

Collection Bottles

The maple sap season is only about two or three weeks long; only in the early spring when the sap is traveling up the trees. Even in this short season good productions is entirely dependent on the weather. For optimum production it needs to freeze at night and then warm  up significantly during the day; without these conditions the sap barely flows. The tap is best placed directly in line with a large branch far above it, to collect the sap feeding the branch. A spigot should not be pleased within three inches from where it has been placed previously, nor on a tree less than nine inches in diameter.  This is just a snippet of the information which we learned about maple syrup harvesting.

A Drip of Sap

It was good to get out for an afternoon, see and learn something different. I am tempted to buy a couple of spigots and start tapping  some of our own trees, but without leaves I can’t tell a maple from and oak, ash or most other trees for that matter. So instead I will do the next best thing – buy some.  

The Finished Product

In all this it is amazing to see what is happening behind the scenes. If you look at the trees covered in frost, they appear dead and dormant, but inside with the first hint of heat, there is life. Sap is flowing, providing nutrients from the roots to the rest of the tree. Life can be like that, there can be so much happening inside a person completely unnoticed by others. Often, unbeknownst to us, the Holy Spirit is nudging a person, providing spiritual nutrients thru words, thru their observations, and thru life experiences – preparing a person for a life they cannot even comprehend. I think they call that prevenient grace. (Eph.3:14-20)   Praise God is not all dependent on us!      

The Boiler House

Nova Scotia - Two month Reflection

On Monday

 This Thursday marked the two month anniversary of our arrival to Nova Scotia, Two months since we completed our epic trip across this great country, two months since we first drove onto our new place at 43 Boo Boo Blvd. A lot has happened since, a lot has been done, a lot still to do. The basement has been transformed from one big open space with stuff scattered everywhere to seven smaller rooms including 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, storage room, utility room and a family room which is still packed with stuff; none of these rooms are completely finished, but are nonetheless they are there. Mary Ann has gotten a good grasp of the business side of things, (although she would never admit to it). The phone keeps ringing with people inquiring about the summer or making reservations. A good reminder of the camping season which is around the corner. Most of our  25+ staff have been hired for the upcoming season. This has been an exciting process, meeting with some of the returning staff and interviewing potential new staff. We are excited about the upcoming season knowing the quality people we have to work with.

Four days later

We have also met some great people; it has been an absolute blessing for our whole family to have Ubels family here with us! I am scared to think what life would be like without their welcoming and helpful presence, along with the deep friendship with has formed so quickly among our families – thank you God! Church has been good, the people at Emmanuel are very welcoming,  although I do miss the praise teams at WCCC especially the music by Matt Maher. It`s also been good to get involved in a small group too; to get to know people at a little deeper level.

The last two months, like any other journey, has not been without its bumps. A lost opportunity to Skype with a friend this week, completely took the wind out of Jaymie’s sail; she has been so strong. Something which may seem quite insignificant can cause so much pain – so many tears. Maddy too, who has found good friendships here, really misses her friends and family in Alberta. We all do!! That part has not been easy. (It`s hard to type when your eyes are filled with tears.) But this is the reality of the journey and if you think about it is a good reality. It speaks to the depth of the relationships we have developed over the years. They cannot and should not be replaced in a mere two months. We are all looking forward to the upcoming visit of Lori, Lidy and MaryAnn. It will be good to reconnect with good friends from back home.

Spring Run-off?

As the journey marches on step by step, we look forward to spring coming, we had a taste of it this week and the promise of more to come next week. With its arrival comes new opportunities and responsibilities; a time to get outdoors. Spring also means that Ashley will also be joining us soon (YEH!!!!) and in two months from tomorrow, the campground will be opening. A lot to think about when your to do list is longer than your arm, (in #10 font). But in all this I am constant learning and being reminded to trust in the Lord with my heart and lean not on my own understanding (else I would go nuts!) and all my ways acknowledge him and he will direct my paths!”   

Till Next Time - HJK        

Nova Scotia - Week: Garbage Day

Today we had a great victory – our garbage was picked-up. Now normally this shouldn’t be a big deal, but this is Nova Scotia. Garbage is a big deal here and takes great attention to detail.

In the 9 weeks we have been here, we have had 2 successful pick-ups; thus our excitement. We are allowed 8 garbage bags worth of garbage and recycling every second week. Everything has to be separated into 4 different bags; two recycling, one clear garbage, one optional black garbage, a bag for compostables and the cardboard has to be bundled separately in 2’ x 3’ dimensions; get this wrong it doesn’t get picked up and a big REJECT sign appears on it. It took a few weeks to get this all figured out and to find the correct pick-up day. Four weeks ago was our first successful pickup – 8 bags in all; it was a highlight – we rejoiced and went out for supper! The previous time we had missed it by a day.

Two weeks ago, after we had it all figured it all out, but the crows had other plans. They decided it was too organized  and destroyed a garbage bag, distributing  all the litter over the other bags, so nothing was picked-up, leaving us 4 weeks of garbage for today. The rules state that garbage must be out there by 6:00am, but doesn’t get picked up until 10:00ish leaving the crows ample time to pillage and destroy. So today, I hid the real garbage under the drywall and the recycling to avoid the crows, dragged the garbage out at 7:30, chased the crows away at 8:30 and lo and behold it was all gone at noon. As you can see, it is no small feat getting our garbage picked-up. So the next time you throw your empty tin can inside the same garnage bag as your bread bag, newspaper and apple core be thankful for small blessings, that’s 4 different bags in Nova Scotia.

HJK   

Week 9: A Theological perspective

I asked a couple of blogs ago: “What on earth are we here for? This blog is some further thoughts on the same subject, If this interests you keep reading, if not, catch you next time.

  
What on earth are we here for? Why did God create people? What is one’s purpose in life? or to personalize: What am I here for? Why did God create you? – Why did he create me? These questions have been ruminating in my mind since I started reading The Purpose Driven Life again, and because it has been the theme of the last two messages at my church.  The answer which has been taught and ingrained in to me since my days of Catechism is to glorify God. The Westminster Catechism first question asks: “What is the chief person of Man?” (man=humanity) The answer: … “is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”  The book: The Purpose Driven Life, starts with this statement: “It is not about you.”  - meaning our purpose is not found in and of ourselves, rather in God.

While I believe all this true, I have been given the gift (or curse) to question things – to see things in a different light; thus all the ruminating.  I ask myself if God created man for his own glory, why would he create his masterpiece, a being in his own image, that he knew beforehand would completely screw up things? (sorry for being blunt, but it is true and continues to be true)  He knew this would happen, the “fall” didn’t catch God off guard, he wasn’t asleep at the wheel. He knew it was going to happen yet he still created us. He created not just another animal, but humanity, in his own image, with the knowledge that man would choose their own glory – their own self-interest – over his. Why? Psalm 19 says the heaven declares the glory of God, there is no speech or language where it is not heard or understood. God didn’t need man for his glory, the rest of creation does a pretty good job without us. So why did he create humanity, which later would be described as totally depraved or wretched?  

I believe the main purpose God created man was to demonstrate his love. Before God created humanity God must have understood that cost of that choice – the cost of his own son, yet God still chose too. A very good world could not truly understand the extent of God’s love without humanity. Adam and Eve, even with unhindered communication with God, could not have possibly understood the depth of God’s love for them – the extent he would go to save them from themselves. No-one could until it was lived out in the life of Jesus Christ.

The Bible describes the completed creation as very good, not perfect. The word perfect has the connotation of wholeness or completeness. God’s ways are perfect; his love is perfect. God's love in Jesus Christ is the perfect culmination of God's love. It is what makes the new creation more complete then the first. The New Creation will be filled with people who truly comprehend the extent of God’s love for them, a fuller understanding then all the heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11 did when they died. I was challenged this week to read 1^st Corinthians 13:4-8, not as a description of love, but as a description of God in the extreme perfect sense. John states that God is love.

Does this change things? In one sense, yes; in others, not. In some ridiculous way God has made it all about us! That is the radical nature of love – God’s love. He took our weakness, our brokenness and displayed his power and love thru it; he made it all about us. In the other sense: What should be our only response, our only purpose in life? To make it all about him. To live a life of thankfulness for his love for us. Like the Westminster Catechism says: The chief person of Man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”    

Blessings - HJK

Novas Scotia - Week 8: Movie Week

 This week I (we) watched four movies; three DVD’s and one at the theater. I can’t remember the last time I watched two movies in a week, never mind four. The movies were: Courageous, The Grace Card, Crazy Heart and The Lorax. The first two were overtly  Christian movies, the other two were obviously not, but each one had a good message to tell.

Courageous showed the significance of the role of a father has in a family’s life and the importance for men to seriously step up to their God given role. The Grace Card portrayed the importance of forgiveness and grace, both the giving and receiving grace to move on from past brokenness and adversity. Crazy Heart told the story of a former country star eking out an existence, depending on on his former stardom in bars and other small-time gigs all the while relying on his choice drink to carry him through. Nothing changes until  disaster strikes and causes him to get serious about addressing his addictions . The Lorax is an adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s book of the same name. This children’s movies has a strong message about the exploitation of our natural resources.  

There is time in my not too distant past that movies were not an acceptable pastime, forbidden if you will, but thankfully those days are behind us. Movies have become an important genre to carry essential messages. Today we have may the same feelings about the internet, Facebook, texting or any other electronic communication whose dark side we may be more familiar with, then its potential good. The question we must ask ourselves is how can we redeemed it for good? How can we use these mediums to build God’s Kingdom – his kingdom of love, joy, grace, forgiveness, etc. ?

Thankfully God sees that potential in each and every person – the overtly Christian and the obviously not – and he desires to redeem each of his children with his grace even though the dark side is often way more prevalent.   Have a blessed Sunday - HJK