Wednesday September 27/06

My first comment is this, "Good morning Stacey!" haha

Opportunities - Tonight and the Winnipeg East Corps the missions group has put together an evening of food and fellowship. Actually, tonight I will have the chance to meet and share in a meal with the President of Women's Ministries from Mexico! I will have the chance to "rub shoulders" with her, ask her questions, learn about her ministry, about her country, about her experiences, and perhaps even about her family. Who knows where conversation will lead?

Tomorrow I will get the opportunity to tour Territorial Leaders of the Salvation Army World around the CFOT Building. Who knows who I will meet, connect with, have conversation with...what questions I will answers, and what questions I will be asked....although I am expecting a very special VIP Invitation to some territory! JK!

Friday and Saturday I will have the opportunity to lead these Territorial Leaders in worship at the CFOT Chapel. Only God knows what he has in store for those services....considering I'm talking about God...I think I can say that I go expecting to have a wonderful time of worship, part of that will simply be seeing different expressions of worship!

Opportunities - I have been blessed in my training experience thus far, and look forward to accepting any further opportunities that God sends my way!

Monday September 25/06

"BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD"

A beautiful chorus? yes!
Easy to sing? yes!
Easy to sing from your heart? not so much
Easy to actually do? not so much

Be still...be still....this week my struggle seems to be found in these two little words! In the near future we will be filling out forms and having discussions about our first placement - year one of the 40+ years Sheldon and I will be serving as SA Officers. The reason I can't "be still?" I think it's a mixture of feeling truly humbled again that God would call me to full time service....trying to find out more about myself as a leader & pastor....trying to know if God has called me to a specific ministry at this point in my life....what my future education will look like....if Sheldon and I would fit into the whole separate appointment aspect of the SA....so many questions....I feel like I need the answers. But God still shouts at me from Heaven "BE STILL...I hear your prayers....just wait on me!" It's so easy to encourage others to "be still" in God's presence and to wait upon him for answers....it's harder when you preach that same message to yourself! If the HS reminds you about this post in your devotional time - send up a prayer for me!

Thursday September 21/06

Well friends, tonight is the night! Season 3 of "Grey's Anatomy" kicks off and I can't wait! Sheldon and I were late bloomers of this show - and have spent countless hours trying to catch up on the episodes before the new season started - but I don't think we'll quite make it! Regardless, I'm super pumped! Also the season premiere of "America's Next Top Model" or ANTM as M.B. often calls it came on last night...Perhaps not the most thought provoking show to be watching...but who can resist girly cat fights every now and then?! haha!

My mind and body are still trying to adjust to this semester's schedule - it's quite a bit different than the one I was used to over the summer months! Feeling a bit tired...but I'm hoping to snap back to being myself real soon...maybe if I started going to be a little earlier???

Today we shared in a "This is my Story" chapel led by Worship Team "B" and Majors Ian and Wendy Swan. Just want to say - great job to Peter, Edi, Julie and Linda, it was their first WT experience and they did an awesome job!! It never ceases to amaze how God puts situations (good or bad), and people (for better or worse) in your life to teach you something, or help you grow spiritually! Sometimes we go about our lives as though they are so mundane...and then when we stop and reflect on what we've accomplished, it is only then that we are able to see what God has truly done for us! How he's given us guidance, protection, wisdom and knowledge....we serve an awesome God! I know God has placed a few of these influential people in my life since entering CFOT and I am eternally thankful for that!!

Monday September 18/06

Thought provoking day!

This morning in field we had Major Geoff Ryan as a special guest - and then he shared in a word from God during our chapel service! My thoughts were provoked in class by the discussion around "Church Health vs. Community Health" and then again in chapel when he spoke about communion. God's spirit moved in my life today - and no- i'm not about to share my indepth feelings with the entire world - but I will say - I'm continually amazed with what God can do in your life if you are open to his promptings!

This afternoon in organizational leadership we got on the topic of women leadership in the army. And of course we had many different opinions! Apparently we will discuss this issue much more next semester - I am eager to continue this discussion! Then I began thinking about my own life...not only am I a married women(part of class discussion)...but I am also very young....will this be held against me? Will this hold me back for the next 20 years until I am seen as a "mature" leader? Will this cause the appointment board to second guess the options that are open for me at this point in my life? I certainly hope not! yet at the same time I do realize that I am young - that I do have a lot of potential - that I try to have a teachable spirit - and that yes....in 20 years I will be much more of a "mature" leader than I am right now! God has definitely been faithful in my call to officership...he has provided me with the strength I needed to show who I am, he has surrounded me with a session who has been very encouraging with this issue (among others) and has also allowed me to further my leadership skills since entering CFOT. I will continue to put my trust in him - as he keeps making me into the married, young, woman leader he wants me to be!

Friday September 15/06

TGIF Everyone!! Unfourtunately for me this friday will be spent cleaning the apartment in expectation of the Col's visit tomorrow afternoon. The good news is that this weekend is "Welcome Weekend" for the first year session, "God's fellow workers." Sunday morning will be a beautiful service of dedication and Sunday afternoon will be a service of celebration when we gather together with other winnipeg salvationists! Guys - just remember to "SMILE" because the SA photographer will be there to snap your pic every chance he gets!

Wow...one full year has come and gone since our welcome weekend! How quickly time flies! I remember how nervous I was when I was asked to give my testimony in the morning's service...how nervous I was to "march" into Southlands Church in front of all the people...not to mention how shy I was...but now...now...well...let's just say that in a year I've changed a lot! My training days thus far have been filled with laughter, tears, confusion, "ah-ha" moments, and questions...but I wouldn't trade this experience! The things I have learned so far, the new friendships I have made, the new knowledge I have gained in this one year blows my mind away sometimes!

This chorus comes to mind:
Use me Lord, use me for they glory
Use me Lord, help me tell the story
There's no other way, Lord I will obey
Use me, Use me, Lord.
(It's a good newfie chorus but the words sum up how I am feeling today!)

Blessings on you! Have a great weekend!

Tuesday September 12/06

Just wanted to shout out a "Congrats" to my little nephew Benjamin who had his first day of pre-school today! I can't believe how quickly time flies...it seems like only yesterday I was rocking him like crazy trying to get him to go to sleep! I wonder....was the day harder on him...or on Erika & Steve....I wonder.....either way I'm sure that his little bro Owen had a pretty peaceful day!

Monday September 11/06

A beautiful chapel service was held today to give cadets, staff, and officers a chance to reflect on the happenings of that terrible day five years ago. A lovely power point presentation was put together, including a testimony of a survivor...Followed by a time of personal prayer and reflection. I think it was one of the quietest time that I've heard all of us be together! It was amazing to spend time praying to God...for the victims families, the volunteers, world peace, and anything else that was laid upon your heart related to that day. A special thanks to all who put that chapel together.

Throughout all of my years traveling on this Christian journey one of the prayers that has continuously followed alongside has been a prayer for Christian friends....then when Sheldon & I got together we prayed for Christian couples...that prayer continued when we got married. I have been thinking about this prayer over the past few days and the holy spirit finally got my attention - this prayer has been answered! We have been blessed by young married's to hang out with (Braye's, Pearce's, Lublinks, Swartz - it's great to know where' not the only crazy ones who are giving their lives in full time ministry!) and it's great to have the slightly more "mature" couples to hang with as well! The singles also bring me joy - and I'm sure that God has great plans for relationships and friendships! I just want to say THANK YOU GOD for answering this prayer, and providing such a great network of Christian friends!

Lot's to do...readings, ironing, running, watching Canadian Idol "good luck craig (the newfie)" God Bless y'all!

Saturday September 09/06

Well what a beautiful day God sent to us to spend at Bird's hill park! What a lovely place to camp and spend the day, swimming, rollerblading, laying on the beach, playing at the park, beach volleyball, and whatever else you wanted to do! We had a great time roasting wieners over the fire, playing silly games (Sheldon and I won one! Wahoo!) I had a game of beach volleyball, and just reconnecting with everyone after the summer and getting to know the first years a little more.

We met the new Cadet's today - another young married couple! How awesome! Finally Sheldon and I are not the newlyweds anymore!

Sheldon is gone now to EB Games with Jason Swan to "pay" him for collecting our mail for us this summer while we were gone - he did an awesome job! Tonight we're going over to Nathan & Amanda's for a movie with a bunch of people...should be good! Tomorrow is an In-Sunday so it should be a busy day!

Sorry it has taken me so long to post some pictures from our summer assignment and holidays. Here are a few!



Sheldon painted Benjamin's room while we were home! Benjamin loved watching and desperately wanted to help!


I'm pleased to introduce "Ruben" our VBS Ant! Me....having a snack - of course!

Me, Mom and Sis! All dressed up for Aunt Lillian's reception!
Here's Owen singing and dancing to "Shout Brother Shout" by Ernie Haase and Signature Sound!
Cadets Sheldon and Ashley Bungay at the Dildo Wharf following an open air service!
Sheldon went cod fishing on his day off! A great morning spent with the boys!

Sheldon, Mark, Nancy and Me and the Newfoundland Congress-Waiting to make our big entry with the Canadian Staff Band.

TBS had a free car wash during the summer...Sheldon...being crazy....decided to go through the car wash on a bike! haha

Hope you've enjoyed this very small display of some of our summer!

Friday September 08/06

FIELD PLACEMENT YEAR 2

This afternoon we found out that our field placement for this year will be at the Winnipeg East Corps, under the leadership of Majors Brian & Lynn Armstrong. We will be sharing this ministry unit with Bram & Anita Pearce and Barb & Mark Stanley. We are excited to work alongside the Pearce's again (we worked with them last year at Booth) and are excited to work with the Stanley's as well. Basically the Stanley's will simply be attending the Corps for worship as they have other field responsibilities at Booth College and DHQ. Winnipeg East was the corps that we requested to go to in our discussions with Mj. Ian Swan last semester - we had many reasons for this request - we've spent time praying about it - and feel very blessed by the outcome!

Time was spent learning the new sessional song today as well. No offense to the "God's Fellow Workers" but I like our song better - probably because it means more to me!! Nevertheless I am looking forward to the welcome meeting next Sunday! We also had the news that the GFW's will be getting 2 more sessionmates tomorrow! God is good! Our first community event is scheduled tomorrow at "birds hill park" so we will all get to meet them there!

Can't believe this first week is done!

Thursday September 07/06

What a great week this has been! It's so nice to be back here in our own space - nice to have my running partner back - nice to have friends to go for a walk with - drink tea with - waste time with - and of course study with (eventually)! Wednesday morning we started our prayer meetings again, and it was very nice to see some new blood. Four of the first year women joined us for prayer and what a beautiful time we had. Prayer meeting was one of my highlights from last year and I"m sure that it will be a highlight for this year as well.

Tonight we met with Cpt. Rick Zelinsky about our field placement for the year. The communication lines were open - we feel heard, understood, encouraged! I know that God has great plans in store for us throughout this year - another year of growing, stretching, learning and discovering who I am - my gifts, talents, and leadership style.

Is it absolutely crazy to be thinking about our first appointment already???? It feels as though that goal is so close! Is it even crazier that we are planning to buy our doggie on June 18th...it'll be our second year anniversary gift! haha! Well I must go and continue to catch up on the "Grey's Anatomy" series. Can't wait for the new episodes!

Monday, September 4/06

It's been awhile hasn't it?! Since my last post we have taken our vacation in Corner Brook, and drove the very long drive from Newfoundland to Winnipeg! I enjoyed our vacation to the fullest! We spent loads of time with our two nephews Benjamin (3) and Owen (1) and Erika & Steve...Mom & Dad West...and Mom & Dad Bungay...also other family and friends! It was awesome to be home and reconnect with everyone...some untill 3:30AM playing Rook! haha! We loved every minute of it! Our drive was long...we crossed the water on the 31st at 2am...our first night was Edmunston NB, our second night was Blind Rivier ON, and our third night was Winnipeg! It was amazing to watch the scenery change as we moved along from province to province - but if I was ever to do the drive again - I would take vacation to see the sights as we went along!

I've spent the last two days unpacking, spending an hour and half ironing shirts, cleaning, and reorganizing school stuff. I can't believe we're back at CFOT tomorrow for orientation - crazy! It's been great to see some of the other SECOND year cadets, although we haven't seen all of them yet - and it's been nice to meet some of the newbies! haha! I can't promise that I will have a blog entry every day now that I am back in Winnipeg as I started this blogging adventure as a journal of our summer assignment - but I will try to stay connected as much as I can!