weekend reflections

I should say upfront that the thing I should be doing is studying. I should have done a lot of things this weekend. But sometimes, not doing what I should do leaves me with renewed vigor to do all that I should for the rest of the week. Hmm. Does that make sense? Even if it doesn't, that's okay. Not making sense is one of my great qualities--it adds mystery to my being. Sometimes I like that only God really knows me. I feel like I have a friend, who walks up beside me, throws an arm around my shoulder, looks at me with a grin and winks. because He understands...He gets me.
So,I had a fabulous weekend and I wanted to share it with anyone who cares to listen. Most weekends seems too short and are jammed pack with homework, grocery shopping, cooking meals to last the week, homework, studying, church, studying and more homework. I never feel refreshed and come monday morning, I groan, just thinking of another week ahead of me of the same busyness. Not this weekend! In the theme of slowing down, I took it easy this weekend.
Friday night was nacho and chocolate night with my friend Becky. We had intended to study together but ended up chatting the night away until the clock said bed time. I spent the night at her place and then we got up nice and early for a Saturday morning (6am--I am crazy--another great quality) to go swimming with another friend Jess. What a refreshing way to begin the day! After that swim, I made my way to West Ed. to meet up with my cousin-friend Krista (I call her cousin-friend, cuz neither word alone sums up what she means to me...cousin is too distant, friend is not enough...together, I have a sister!) We spent a good part of the day looking for deals, finding some, and setting off alarms in many stores thanks to my C.D. purchase that obviously was not de-electromaged. (I made up that word for any curious one who is rushing to their dictionary right now). NICE hair by the way, Kris.
Where was I? oh yes, saturday. I bought two amazing C.D.'s for a steal of a deal. Matt Redman and Chris Tomlin. Oh wow. I have listened to these artists many times already this weekend. Some great worship music. It has been so inspiring to me this weekend. I feel refreshed just listening to it and feel closer to my friend who is also my God. What a wonder music is.
I began my afternoon on saturday with the intention to again, study but alas, fun called. Becky and Jo were heading to a friend's house for some Rememberance day festivities. Apparently it is too early to be starting Christmas festivities which I think is just silly. It's never too early for Christmas. So I joined in, meeting many many new people while decorating cookies (I decorated a snowman to be a Mr. Potato head). We played a hilarious game of telephone charades. I couldn't stop laughing trying to act out a polar bear teaching penguins aerobics. I did a great job of fully embarassing myself in front of virtual strangers! Ahhh, what fun :) I love it!
SO, that was my saturday and the fun continued into Sunday. I again, woke up early, intending to do some studying before church but then got caught up in one word...FOOD. I went grocery shopping (where a nice man and his wife let me use their Save-on card because I conviently forgot mine at home when I was trying to be resourceful and not bring my purse with me so I would have more hand space to carry grocery bags with) and then the fun began. I wanted to make a barley veggie soup so I cut up all the ingredients and had everything ready to go so I could just cook it later on. Then at 10, I thought to myself, "heck, I only have 45 minutes before having to leave for church...what's the point in studying, I might as well bake peanut butter cookies". SO, I baked PB cookies (yummy) and then headed off to church.
Church was AMAZING today. The worship just made me fall more in love with Jesus. There was one song, I can only remember 3 lines from it,
I give you my future,
I give you my present,
I give you my past.
but these three lines. So thought provoking. Especially the last line. So often, I hear talk of leaving my future in God's hands. But what of my past? Isn't this where we need God's forgiveness? And in turn, need to forgive ourselves? Leaving our past at the foot of the cross, fully believing that His sacrifice, the cross, is big enough to cover it all? And then, walking away, not looking back, trusting we've been forgiven? Yes, the past. It too, must be given to God, so as not to paralyze us but to free us.
After church, my friends Andrew, Ian, Becky, Pam, Shannon (also PT students) and Andrew's friend Mark and I trucked over to a Ski Swap. Yeehaw. We were looking for some good deals on X-country ski gear. Because if there is ever a place to x-country ski-it's Edmonton! Definitely more flat here than mountainous! Welp, didn't find any good deals but sure had a blast driving standard in high heels, in a seat that was too far away or too close and squishing into the backseat of a car with many others for the trip home. Maybe that's why my back hurts...
So, that's only some of the good things that happened this weekend. I also talked to special K on the tele, my parents, my big bother Chris, and my friend Jamie (whom I proceeded to confuse with another Jamie for the first couple minutes of the conversation--sorry Jame!). yup. a good weekend.
Back to what I should be doing. Studying. For a test tomorrow. That I've only read 4 of the 11 chapters necessary. But, it's bedtime. And I'm tired. Therefore the studying will not happen. And I will do the best I can on the test. And I will be okay with the mark that I get. Because life isn't about getting an A+. I don't know enough to be able to say what life is about. But I can say that I experienced it this weekend. And that I wouldn't trade for a perfect mark on the exam.
'night.