In loving memory of John

So today I decided to go have my lunch down by the water with it being such a lovely day (and I have been seeing way too much of the library lately!). I found a good eating lunch worthy rock and busted out my carrots and spinach dip (mmmm!). A few mins later I see a couple of asian ladies with 3 boquets of baby pink roses. Trying not to intrude on what was going on, I turn my head the other way and watch the boats and ducks making their way through the water. All of sudden out of the corner of my eye one of the ladies comes over (the mom) and asks with a smile upon her face:

"Eating lunch?"

"Yes" I reply

She hands me one of the roses

"Oh, no, it's ok."

"No, please"

I accept

She then begins to tell me of her son John and how he attended Queen's and loved sitting down by the water 5yrs ago today.

I am at a loss for words and just listen intently.

She walks past and continues to throw the roses into the water.

Not really knowing what to do with this rose, I pray and felt led to toss it into the water in memory of John.

As I continued to watch the water, his mother cries "John!" "John!"

On the verge of tears at this point unable to eat, I sit unable to really do or say anything.

I begin to pack up and see his mom is too, God prompts me to hug her and my flesh resists, but my spirit wins out and I am led to mourn with her. I grasp her hand and hold it tight with nothing to say. Her words to me:

"God Bless you today"

Father, comfort their broken hearts.

Revisiting Geography 338...specifically Walmartization

So I decided to go with Walmartization as a topic for my 338 paper and some of the facts about Wal-mart I knew, some are jaw dropping! Honestly, call me the book of random wal-mart facts as I can tell you alot of stats and what goes on behind the scenes (which many of you probably already know, but when you read real case studies it starts to hit home!).

Some of these random facts include locating Wal-mart (Supercenters at that) in areas with a population of 22,000 or less (say goodbye to those small locally owned businesses, or atleast to those who can't afford the price!). Another random fact I found talks about how Wal-mart is able to meet customer demands so quickly. An example used is towels from India. So if Wal-mart orders a bunch of these towels, they sell like hotcakes and then have no more to put on the shelves, they have to wait for the next shipment, so they are losing profit, however Wal-mart has is set up that manufacturers in India can actually track how well a certain product is doing on computer and then ship some to Wal-mart as soon as they start running low. A raincheck is pretty much unheard of at Wal-mart.

Many case studies I have read on Walmartization, resist a Wal-mart supercenter coming into their town, because they fear it will take away from their culture and identity.

This is just a small glimpse of Walmartization...We want convience and low low prices, then this is the price we have to pay a Wal-mart within every 5 miles of each other, is this what we really want?

These are a few of my favorite things (*2)

So I have done a couple of these posts, but listening to some relaxing music puts me into a thankful thought provoking mood...so here are a few of my favorite things!

1. The Colbie Caillat cd "Coco"-if you like mellow music, this one is for you! I have really been enjoying some of her not so well known songs on her cd such as: "Feelings show" and "Midnight bottle"...very relaxing!

2. Amazing Campus for Christ staff! Today I was able to sit and have coffee with an amazing woman of God (Dorrie, hehe) and felt at such peace while chatting with her! I felt like I was chatting with an old girlfriend!

3. New friendships formulating: Many of my most beloved friends graduated so I will admit it was and still is hard, but am incrediably thankful for text messaging and phone dates! However, I am also ever so thankful the friendship that has formulated between Sarah and I (you know who you are lovely!)...and some of the other wonderful students here at Queen's thankyou, I love you all!

4. The fall! This morning on the way to Sarah's (we had a brekfast with all the female DGL's with Elaine and Dorrie at the church) I was in awe of the beauty of fall before me. So in awe I had to stop and pick up one of the leaves (a beautiful red one)...God is soo cool!

5. Amazing sermons from Alex P! Such a good speaker and God revealed to me the beauty of His gospel again last night...such a wonderful state to be in when you are leading people into worship (2 girls told me after how happy I looked up there) I was in my element that's for sure, praising Him for all He has done!

6. Wonderful Hymns "Great is thy faithfulness" "Before the throne of God above"...need I say more?

7. Fresh roasted red pepper hummus from the farmers market!

8. It's pumpkin spice latte season at Starbucks.

9. My RC Sproul book has finally come in! Chosen by God...I cannot wait to crack it open!

10. Summit (an awesome fall retreat) is only a week away!!!

These are a few of my favorite things.

I have never had this problem before!

I LOVE love love, my Urban Political Geography class! Since I am attending Summit with Campus for Christ (a fall weekend retreat about 2 days before my proposal is due) I wanted to get a head start on my research topic.

I have narrowed down my choices to 2 but am torn! It's between Walmartization or Rebranding Toronto and Montreal. If I pick the rebranding one, I still need to decide btw Toronto or Montreal! Gah!

My prayer for you is...

I think I go through seasons, no I know I go through seasons. But it in this season, I can definitely say that God has really been giving me a passion for His word and truth. While reading His word, experiencing life and reading other books I am truly convinced that Jesus is the way! Not that I wasn't before, but the more I read His word and read Christian books, God begins to confirm things in my heart through His spirit and I am so grateful for that. I can honestly say that I am seeing fruit in my life and that I am hiding His word in my heart!

My prayer for womens ministry this year is that they would "love the Lord their God with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their mind" (Matt 22:37).

There is nothing I would rather be doing this year, this is how I want to spend my year!