smile

Last night was one of the best times I've ever had at street church. The quote of the evening:
"I haven't smiled this much in a long time. My cheeks hurt."
We danced for about two hours with barely even a break. I love to see new people come and really get into it. It was an amazing time.
Then we went to Tim Hortons for a couple of hours. We had napkin wars (don't ask). We sure made a big mess but then ended up cleaning it up. I guess we wanted them to let us come back next time :-)

Canadian Idol

I had quite the adventure yesterday. My sister and brother decided they wanted to try out for Canadian Idol, not really expecting much....just to see what it was like....and hey, you never know. I went along with them not knowing whether or not I was going to try out. We left the house at 4am and drove to Surrey. From there we took the skytrain to the Plaza of Nations. We got there at about 5:30. We waited outside in the freezing cold for four hours. My feet were numb....but it was still fun. Shane and Elayna (two of last year's idols) did a concert for us. Ben Mulroney was there....and he looks just as fake in real life. Nice guy though. After a few hours of being outside they said they were going to let the singers in but they didn't have room for anyone else quite yet. So I decided that I was going to be a singer. We were herded inside (like cattle) and given numbers that we had to wear pinned to our tummies. We all sat squished in this gym for hours and hours waiting for our audition time. It was quite boring but a lot of fun. I had my audition at about 3. My sister was right after me and then my brother was right after her. I was really nervous....even though I didn't really care whether or not I made it. Well, I didn't make it....I was so nervous that my voice was all shakey and stuff. We also had to sing acapello....I like singing with instruments to back me up. When that was done I waited for my sister. She came out and said that she didn't make it either. We sat and waited for my brother. Waited.....and waited....and waited. Finally I saw him come around the corner with that yellow piece of paper in his hands. I screamed....I was so happy that he made it. He's at the second set of auditions today....if he gets through that he goes to the auditions in front of the celebrity judges (the one's they show on TV)....and then if he gets through that he's off to Toronto in a couple of months. Is that not so cool! So I had a lot of fun....even though it was super boring....it was a neat experience. One I will never forget. Some of my friends who are amazing singers didn't get past the first round....I guess they're looking for something inparticular.

oasis

Just a little exerpt from a story I read by Kim Meedler

I was completely overwhelmed as I slid off Firefly's back and walked through the sooty black powder. My tears broke through my emotional dam in an uncontrollable flood. This was my special place, my healing chamber, my home. Now it was destroyed beyond recognition. "Dear Jesus, this is just like my life," I sobbed.
The puffy, black, soot billowed up nearly to my waist. Firefly and I had began walking a while when my racking sobs finally subsided into silent tears that streamed down my face. And then I saw it. In the vast expanse of black one tiny oasis of color survived. I moved closer and knelt down to inspect this tiny pink wonder. A little plant had risen through the ash and, defying all odds, dared to bloom in this world of black. Then I heard within my heart the unmistakable voice of the One who had knelt beside me so many years before. "You are right, child - this is just like your life. You see, I have raised you out of the ashes."

This story is about a young girl who lost her mother and father to murder and suicide. Her only comfort was riding through the forest near her grandmother's house on her horse. When the forest burns down she is overwhelmed by grief one more time.

As I read the words of this story it struck me that God can do anything. No matter how helpless your situation may be He will raise you from the ashes - when you let Him.