Author Archives: Gillian

Another Chapter

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I should be writing my final paper right now. (I tell my counselling clients not to “should” themselves. Easier said than done.) 

The last week or so has seen me wrapping up sessions with the handful of clients that remain. By this time next week, I will have no practicum clients left and will have begun to work with people post-student life (No, I don’t have a job, I’m just volunteering to get my hours up).

My final paper, a major case presentation, is due in 2-3 weeks; I am just over halfway through.

And so, I begin to think about the next chapter.

In reality, I have been thinking about it for a few months. I go through cycles of panic and frenzied job searching to a healthier, more laid-back confidence in God’s provision. Because, really, I have no reason to panic… I’m not broke and needing to repay thousands of dollars in student loans (Though making enough money to cover living expenses certainly would be nice). I do have the ability to wait for something right to appear. Ability… well, some ability. How long I can wait is more a matter of my own sanity.

But then I remember: Why panic? Over and over in my life, I have been constantly amazed at the unseen hand of God at work. Yes, that is what I believe it is. Doors opened and blessings given undeserved. Opportunities appearing out of the blue. It blows the mind. It is a good reminder of why the Israelites were commanded to retell their history over and over again. By retelling those stories, we remember and can be reassured.

Perhaps my lesson right now is to sit and prepare to have my mind blown once again. I’m sure I am violating all kinds of laws of Biblical hermeneutics with quoting this passage out of context, but when thinking about being constantly amazed at what God is doing in (and in spite of), through, and for me, Habakkuk 1:5 comes to mind:

Look at the nations and watch—
and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told.

Hmm. Instead of panic, freak out, and search out, it seems that my words for this moment should be watch, wait, and believe. I don’t always get it right, but I’m trying.

50 Leaders

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On the off chance that some young-ish Anglicans find themselves reading this occasionally, you should apply to 50 Leaders.

All of the people in this video are awesome and, as of about 5 weeks ago, are good friends.

World Refugee Day

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1 family forced to flee is too many;
1 refugee without hope is too many;
1 refugee returned to danger is too many;
1 refugee longing for home is too many;

1 child without a nationality is too many;
1 family without shelter is too many;
1 refugee denied a safe haven is too many;
1 child growing up in a camp is too many;

1 family torn apart by war is too many;
1 girl raped at gunpoint is too many;
1 refugee child behind bars is too many;
1 refugee without schooling is too many

(UNHCR-World Refugee Day)

Placemats and Genocide

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When I tell people that I am on PWRDF’s Youth Council, the first predictable response is “What is PW… something?”. After explaining it as the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund, the relief, development, and social justice arm of the Anglican Church of Canada (pwrdf.org), the next question usually asks about monkeys.

All joking aside, I am delighted to be a part of the Youth Council because I believe strongly in the work that PWRDF does and want every Canadian Anglican (or really just every Canadian) to know about it and understand the importance of their and their church’s support.

My first awareness of PWRDF has a very specific start-date: I can still picture the placemat. I grew up in a parish in the Diocese of Ontario. Our parish had (still has?) a wonderful tradition of Wednesday morning Lenten services followed by breakfast together in the parish hall. In my memory, there were a good number of people who would attend before heading off to work – my parents faithfully went every week, bringing their two young children. At breakfast, each long table was set with PWRDF placemats. I remember sitting at the table, looking at the pictures and being captivated by the images portrayed. However, what stands out to me even more than the images on the placemats is the memory of a church lady standing before everyone with one of the placemats and exhorting us to Stop! and Pay Attention! to the images and messages contained on the placemats and then Do Something! about it.

You see, this was the season of Lent 1994, a time in which the tensions in Rwanda were at the boiling point. We, through PWRDF and other organizations, were being urged to take a stand and write letters to our government to urge them to support actions to help prevent a genocide. I didn’t fully understand the gravity of the situation being described until years later, upon reading accounts of the events and putting 2 + 2 together. However for me, PWRDF placemats will always be a reminder of a call to action, of a call to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God.

Happy Birthday to Me!

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I’ve been unusually quiet this year when it comes to reminding people about my birthday (Its today, if you were wondering). I’m usually all over it beginning about a month before… Not sure what happened on my part.

This is also the first year in awhile that I’ve been able to spend my birthday with at least one member of my family! Yay! Family!

Now that you’ve all been reminded, let the birthday roll!

Friday Photo

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Even if I’m horrible at posting during the week, at least I make an effort on Fridays…

Its fun to go through old photos now and again… this one goes back a whopping 27 years to a time when my cousin and I wore matching dresses and danced (? fought?) on the lawn of my grandparents house.

The reason for this memory lane is two fold: I have not taken any photos this week and I am hanging out with this cousin this week!

I’m in Ontario… I’m attending a conference in London next week and took the opportunity to come a few days early and spend time with my Aunt and Uncle in Sarnia and Godparents in London. After a ridiculous red-eye flight, I arrived yesterday morning. My computer and my watch are telling me different times and my body is rebelling against all of them.

My cousin in Quebec (the one above) is back for the week (and other cousin in Kitchener arrives sometime today), so I have been able to spend some time with everyone!

Beach Day!

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The stellar SIO Saturday team headed out to Witty’s Lagoon this afternoon with puppies and children in tow. Its overcast, but we had a great time running around in the water and playing on the tidal flats…