His Law in My Heart || The 10 Commandments

The 10 Commandments

Exodus 20

Vs 1 | And God spake all these word, saying,

Moses had been instructed by God to have the Israelites assemble at the foot of Mount Sinai, for there He would meet with them and tell them His pleasure. For three days the nation washed and prepared themselves. Fences were set around the foot of the mountain, lest any man touch it or venture too close. Doing so would result in certain death. The holy must not be mingled with the unholy lest it be defiled.

Finally the great day arrived. All eyes were on the mountain as a dark cloud settled from the summit downward until the whole mountain was enveloped in darkness and mystery. Suddenly the sound of a trumpet was heard pealing from the cloud across the cast desert, calling the people to meet with God. Moses led his multitude to the base of the mountain. As they assembled, thunder and lightening joined the noise of the trumpet. Smoke billowed from the writhing cloud and the earth shook in a violent earthquake. The effect was terrifying. So terrifying that all of Israel fell on their faces and even Moses shook with fear.

And then, all was quiet and still and Jehovah spoke.

Vs 2 | I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

First, God establishes who He is, His authority and gives the people a reason why they should listen to what He's about to say. He shows them that He is not only the Mighty and Terrible Law-giver, but their loving guardian who delivered them already from bondage.

Salvation wouldn't be salvation if God found us in our sin and need, tossed us a copy of His laws and said, "I'll forgive you once you've memorized these and used them to make your life perfect." Some ignorantly believe that this is true and we call it salvation by works. No! Praise God, that's not how He works. God finds us in our with, washes us with the blood of Christ, delivers us from bondage, sets our feet on higher paths and then walks with us to teach us His commands which will keep us from falling back to the snatches of bondage. He loves us first, then instructs us.

So, when God calls you to learn something new, to give up something precious to you, know that He loved you first. Everything God asks you to do will benefit you in some way. He has Brough you out of bondage and He will always be drawing you closer to Himself.

Vs 3 | Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.

Well, if you think about it, there is no one, or nothing except Jehovah that deserves supreme reverence and worship. He is the only self-existent, uncreated One. The only behind who can actually create from nothing, how holds the whole world in His hands and speaks His pleasure and it is done.

"Other gods" are anything that I do or love that lessons my affection for The God. Today our world is so full of distractions and it's so easy to find myself doing something else instead of seeking after God. We must all search our hearts and always have The God at the top.

Vs 4 | Thou shalt not make unto the any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

We cannot see God. He is like the wind - we see what happens when He passes by, but we cannot see His form. Sometimes, this can be a challenge. Sometimes in our human weakness, we wish for just one glimpse of something to base our hope on. This is not how we were called to live. "We walk by FAITH, not by SIGHT." Today, not many of us set a sculpture of a fish in front of us when we pray and argue that it helps us have a clearer picture of God and worship better but sometimes we are content to receive our spiritual guidance from speakers or other leaders. Our spiritual mentors (who we need) can become the voice of God to us and we forget to spend time seeking His will for us from His own lips. "...in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." but "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth."

Vs 5 | Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

First the bad news. Sins, mistakes, iniquities carry consequences. And yes, sins are sometimes hereditary. God cannot ignore the trespasses of the children simply because our fathers also sinned in a similar way. God is just and punishes His wayward children in an attempt to help them see their folly. "I will correct thee in measure and will not leave thee altogether unpunished."

God is not using scare tactics to frighten us into obeying Him. Every action has a reaction and God is simply warning us of the consequences of our actions. We all have a choice to be obedient of accept the consequences of iniquity.

Vs 6 | And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me and keep My commandments.

And now the good news: God is merciful! There are so many verses that I could reference here: "His mercy endures forever," "not willing for any to perish," "be merciful, even as your Father is merciful," "God is merciful and gracious," and so many more. But maybe the verse that best sums up Exodus 20:4&5 is found in Ezra 9:13. After Israel had disobeyed the LORD and the men, even some of the priests had married 'unchristian' wives, God had to punish them. Ezra, who was the Israelite leader at that time, fell on his knees and prayed for his people. In that prayer we find this gem:

"After all that has come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that Thou out God has punished us less than we deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this; should we again break Thy commandments?"

Here we see a blatant sin, and a just punishment, but a punishment tainted with mercy and a heartfelt repentance. Yes, God will correct and punish His children, but always in love and always in mercy.

Vs 7 | Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.

To take someone's name in vain is a form of high disrespect. God's name is powerful: "There is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Through His name, devils are cast out, darkness is dispelled, the sick are healed and more miracles have been performed than all the books in the world could contain. God's name is more than a name. God's name is power. God's name can kindle life. There is nothing about this name that deserves disrespect.

Imagine if every time I said or wrote or thought God's name, I actually thought about who God is, what He's really like and who I am referencing. This is respect. God is a Friend of sinners and yet, He is God. Let us express His name in reverent tones, remembering who He is, and never speak it lightly or in jest.

Vs 8-11 | Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, not thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested on the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the seventh day and hallowed it.

So, not only does God the creator ask for a tithe of our income, He also requires a tithe of our time. He asks us to set aside a time each week to celebrate the establishment of our earth and to worship our Creator.

Beginning the commandment with 'remember' somehow adds a special emphasis to it. The Sabbath is a special time for us to spend with God each week that no one can force us to attend. It's almost as if God has one huge date with humanity every weeks. And in this verse He's sending us a reminder: "Hey, don't forget our date this week! It's a special day so I don't want you doing anything you could do another day. And, give everyone else the day off too. I wanna spend time with you and celebrate my creation. It's our anniversary you know. Love, God."

Vs 12 | Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Commandment number five is the only commandment that comes with it's very own promise. There is special blessing in giving our parents the respect that they most certainly deserve whether we are young or old. Godly parents are an incomparable blessing. Recently I was faced with a mildly important life decision. Options, opinions, questions, desires and worries all whirled around in my brain until my head hurt every time I thought about it. I was so confused, I couldn't see a right or wrong and I wouldn't even tell what I wanted anymore. Then, I finally had a good, long talk with my Mummy. She listened to me rant and carry on, and, after I had poured our my heart to her: my concerns, my fears, my different reasons for wanting different things, she pulled it all into a decision to offer me. It was still my choice but she presented it so clearly that it was easy and, suddenly I had peace.I'm so blessed to know that Mum and Dad love me and want only the best for me. I'm so blessed to know that the advice they give me is based on that love and the wisdom that comes from a life-time of following God. So, thanks Mum and Dad. I love you!

Vs 13 | Thou shalt not kill.

At first glance, this seems like a very straightforward commandment. I am pretty sure that no-one who reads this is a murderer and for most people, actually taking someone's life isn't a thought that we have seriously entertained. But, is it really that simple?

Anyone who has grown up in a good Christian home with siblings has heard 1 John 3:15: "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him."

Moral of the story - don't hate your brother or sister or anyone else. I had to be reminded of this a lot growing up. So, if you have ever hated, despised or persecuted anyone, the bad news is: you're a murderer, just like me. The good news is, Christ died for sinners just like you and I and forgiveness is free.

But there's another, even graver side of this story. We are told that every time we sin, it's just like driving those nails through Jesus' hands all over again.

"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened...if they should fall away, to renew themselves again until repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put Him to open shame." (Hebrews 6:4&6) 

"It is a terrible thing for human agents to sin, and to crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to open shame." (14MR74)

Once we have tasted the knowledge of good and evil and the goodness of God's love and mercy we have no excuse. Each time we sin, it is like we crucified Christ again. Again He feels the agony and hears the crowd screaming at him, mocking. And every time we sin, we break the 6th commandment.

Vs 14 | Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Faithfulness. Loyalty. Commitment. Love. These are a few of my favourite words in the dictionary. They are also some of the most important attributes to cultivate in our relationships. Betrayal and infidelity would deeply any relationship whether that relationship is romantic, platonic, family, business or marriage. Or, our relationship with God. Adultery in it's normal usages is when a married or committed person willingly has a sexual encounter with another person who is not their spouse. Jesus went deeper saying, "whoever looks on a woman (or man) to lust after her commits adultery with her already in his heart." (Matthew 5:28) Keeping a pure mind is just as vital as having pure actions for eventually what is in the heart will be hidden no longer. 

Similarly to the previous commandment, I never plan on being unfaithful to my future husband, just like I never intend on murdering anyone. But, I have a lifetime relationship with Christ to navigate and I'm not always faithful to Him. So often I give my attention and love to other things and offer my hear to other people until I almost forget that Jesus is still there, loving me, waiting for me to come back to Him, crying over the pain I cause Him, myself and others. Unlike human partners, Christ will never leave me, never give up on me and will always be waiting to welcome me back home.

Vs 15 | Thou shalt not steal.

The Bible, speaking of the devil says: "the thief cometh not but to steal and to kill and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that you might have life and have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

Surely Satan inspires every wrong deed that is done and teaches men to steal. It's what he's done ever since he foolishly tried to usurp God and steal His throne. But as we have discovered, each of the commandments seemed to have a more subtle application.

To say that every moment we are the victims of attempted robbery would be a fact. Every temptation we experience is Satan trying to take something good away from us and make us sin.

Allot of the time, this something good is, well, time. If Satan can successfully distract us and get us to waste even a moment, he has stolen that moment from us. And yet, the final decision in any temptation is always ours, so really, when we give in to Satan and hand over our spare minute, we take what God has LOANED us and trash it under our feet. We steal from God every time we misuse our time.

"Let him that stole, steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is  good that he may HAVE to GIVE to him that needed." (Ephesians 4:28)

1. Stop wasting time on unproductive things
2. Keep yourselves busy working with your hands
3. Everything you do, let it be done to help others

These three steps are the recipe to stop stealing time from God. "Neither give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:27)

Also, if you are waiting until 'later' to give your life fully to God, you are also a thief. Do it now before precious moments pass you by. Seize the opportunity today and make the most of each second of your life.

Vs 16 | Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

As a child, I was taught a hundred excellent reasons not to lie. To my logical brain, some of them made a great deal of sense while others seemed like excuses my parents made up to get me to say what they wanted me to say. An automation reaction developed in my brain and I became very good (or at least I thought so) at telling people what they wanted to hear without telling the full truth.

Bringing a false witness against your neighbour though refers to a more inter-personal situation that lying to one's parents about whether you did in fact take that cookie or not. Here, we are talking about lying about a neighbour or other human being. These days the consequences for lying under oath or perjury is time spent in jail, back in Bible times, a false witness had to be punished in the same way that the man on trial would be, should the witness be true. Lying then, is a gamble.

in court, testifiers are sworn to tell "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth." How much less drama and sorrow would exist in this world if this principle was applied to everyday conversations. If everything I said was verified information. Gossip would disappear. This thing we always say we need and never seem to attain would finally exist: good communication. Relationships would be saved, friendships kept, hurt reduced and trust restored.

Satan will always be tempting us to lie - it's one of his favourite moves - but with God's grace, we can live by the court oath, or the ninth commandment, however you prefer to look at it, and make our world, at least the little one around each of us, a better place.

Vs 17 | Thou shalt not covert thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covert thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour's.

COVERT |v| yearn to posses (especially something belonging to another.

Contentment is a beautiful thing. While the rest of the world clamours for 'more, more', a contented person is a powerful witness and a safe haven.

There are three cogent bible verses that speak about contentment for the Christian:

1 Timothy 6:8 - And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. Speaking of wealth and how it is an earthly thing, Paul says, "If you've got clothes and food, you're good. Don't even worry about all the extra bits and pieces that the world says you must have. Let God take care of all that."

Phillipians 4:8 - I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Contentment with what you have and now contentment with your situation. It's tempting to look at other people's lives and covert them. Maybe they have a fooler or higher paying job. Maybe they don't work at all or their family or circle of friends seems better than yours.

While there is nothing wrong with striving for excellence, remember that God has placed you where you are. "Wherever you are, be all there." (Jim Elliot)

Hebrews 13:5 - Let your conversation be without covertousness and be content with such things as you have; for He hath said, 'I will never leave you, nor forsake you.' As Christians, even if we were lonely, destitute and homeless, we would still have this promos and the companionship of Jesus. He knew what it was like to be poor and He has a plan for our lives which we don't even need to question. Our contentment can be found in Him whether we have little or much. We can leave behind the stress and fret and heartache of covering and experience the true peace of contentment.

Godliness with contentment is GREAT GAIN. (1TIM 6:6)

memories of home || with pictures of Canada

There's a specific moment that I remember from a little over a year ago. Back when semi-perminant relocation to Canada was only a plan. Probably before most of my friends even knew it was a plan. I remember this moment so vividly that I thought I must have written it down in my dairy but even after reading through every day from the last year, I couldn't find it. So it must just be one of those tiny slices of time that my brain chose to remember. 

It was evening and my whole family was at home. The fire was probably going and who knows, Ned the dog was probably even inside. It was worship time and we had all gathered in the lounge room to listen to Dad read whatever that day's worship was on.

As I sat there in complete cosy and contentment, the thought sprung into my mind: It won't be long and I won't have these tiny moments anymore. At this, I looked around, memorising every detail of the room and what was happening. My eyes slowly ran over the piano, the kitchen, the dining room, the oddly painted ceiling (don't ask), the unfinished architraves (or rather, missing architraves), the unpainted but splotched with rogue paint concrete floor, the big fire crackling by the wall. The big, round, rug that mum had made out of old sheets. She'd spent months and months working on that rug. It had a dark pink rim and then, with an off-white background, swirls of green, blue and pink wove their way into a homey not-pattern. There were the blue lounges that we've had almost as long as I can remember, they have some holes and melted spots from when someone placed them too close to the fire, and the blue lounges that we'd just acquired second-hand and everyone would fight over because they were so comfy. Then there was the ugly lounge that was covered in an almost equally as ugly blanket. If Ned was inside, that's where he was curled up. Daddy was probably on that lounge too - he wouldn't have showered yet after a long day out in the garden and that was the assigned dirty lounge. 

Tom was probably sitting at the table, kinda removed from everyone and outside the ring of lounges. He was probably trying to be secretive about still using his phone - obviously prohibited during worship time. Josh was probably sitting over there with him. With us, but not really. Jack was sitting on Mum's lap, because although he's getting much too big to do that: baby privileges. I mean, even I still try to sit on her lap sometimes. She had her glasses perched on the end of her nose, following along with Dad's reading in her own book. She looked tired. She always looks tired in the evening.

Hannah and Ella, curled up in their own lounges with their own looked contemplative and slightly bored and me, I was in my favourite lounge chair. (Get to worship early and you win. The first come, first served seating basis in big families is real.) I wasn't reading along anymore. I was trying to save everything to remember for the future. The small of the freshly baked bread that Mum had lovingly made that day, or was it a Monday and she'd spent all day making sausage rolls and other tempting delicacies to sell at the markets the next day. The gentle melody of Dad's voice as he read. The sound of the crickets and other evening animals outside. Everything was home. 

* * *

It's Sabbath morning here in Canada. I woke up with this memory in my brain. It's strange, I haven't really thought about it since that night but all of a sudden, the picture is so vivid and it's all I can think about. I knew I'd miss the little things but I didn't know that those little things would be things like getting ready for church on Sabbath morning, having to leave early so that we didn't get stuck behind slow church friends on our way to church, real bread, being able to talk to my family whenever I wanted to, getting woken up by Mum making breakfast, or waking Mum up by making breakfast.

There is so much I miss about living at home but mostly home. Home is not a building or a place, although I have lots of places that I call home. Home is a feeling, a knowing. Home is friends. Home is family. Home is feeling, knowing that you are safe, that you a free and that you are loved and appreciated. This, is home.

I came to this realisation while I perched precariously on top of a mountain just two weeks before I left Australia. There I was, getting blown about by a fiercely cold winter wind, huddled on the tiny summit with some of my favourite people in the world. Knowing that this was the last time I would see some of them for a very long time, realising that even on that mountain, I was home. 

And yes, now Canada has a part of my heart and I'll call it one of my homes when I leave. But truly, home is where my family is, where my friends are. It's where my heart is. Home is, well, at home! 

Week 4-7 ● Fast-forward

PJs, good music and a full belly. What more could I ask for on a cool Sunday morning? I've cooked breakfast, put a load of washing on, taken the Love Languages test (no, I'm not going to share), listened to a whole hour of Mormon Tabernacle Choir music and 3/4 completed a design project I'm doing for Mum. (Pause while I go and make up invoices for the last two designs before I forget...)

Okay, done that.

I'm on a roll of productivity this morning it seems and so I thought now was a good time to write a long-neglected blog post. I really am sorry. I am discovering the depths of my forgetfulness. If I don't write it down, it doesn't happen. And, if it's not vital...it might not happen anyway. (Pause while I go and take the 16 Personalities test yet again...)

I got as 100% Introvert! 😳

School/work/life has been going well. Thanks for asking. Each day is pretty similar. Breakfast at 7:20is (depending if I'm on time or late), music practise attendance & supervision, office work, violin & piano lessons every now and again (receiving, not giving), more office work, meetings, lunch, worship with our afternoon helpers, office work, violin & piano practise, office work, music practise attendance & supervision, choir warmups, music period, tea time! Then hanging out with friends, music practise or home to bed.

Repeat.

This week has been the Autumn Week of Prayer at Fountainview. Every morning and evening we gather together for a meeting and then special prayer. I have been blessed, as I'm sure everyone has. We finished off the special week with the Communion Service and an Agape Supper last night. The dining hall was beautifully decorated with Autumn leaves and apples and stunning flower arrangements and the mood was sombre as we meditated on God's love, the things that we had learnt during the week, and the commitments we had made.

"The relations between God and each soul

are as distinct and full as though there were not

another soul upon the earth to

share His watchcare, not another soul for

whom He gave His beloved Son."

I'm making many friends - both staff and students. All of them are wonderfully crazy of course. This is actually one of my favourite parts of life. Creating connections and friendships and little inside jokes that fill life with beauty and interest. I've also found people who are as crazily addicted to classical music as I am.

This link to see my kids doing special music: 

https://youtu.be/RfxQjCXQB38?t=13m37s

(Jaz & I are in there)

Sorry, I don't really have a lot to tell you. Life is just life here now. We're looking forward to Thanksgiving Break in about two weeks and then Cali Tour in December when we get too go on tour to share Christmas concerts in Washington, Oregon and California. Until then...we prepare!!! But, Jaz & I are both going well and settling in. Sometimes I still get this crazy feeling of our weird it is that I'm in Canada but it won't be long and this will be my second home. Thanks to God and all the wonderful people here!

Until next time!

Week 3 ● And We're Off!

It's ten to seven (am) and finally chilly. I'm typing this as I'm about to run out the door for breaks and then take off to the Lake for First Campout. Because I didn't get to write a blog post. Here is a short video for ya'll to enjoy.

Week 2 ● Settling In

Well, week two has come and gone. There's just 5 days until these quiet halls echo with scores of footsteps and the tidy classrooms are strewn with books, papers and shoes and filled with excited young voices. Five more days of relative calm before the wonderful storm. 

It's been a quiet, easy week. Sabbath - my first actually spent on campus - was a special day for me. The morning’s service was deeply moving as almost the entire congregation committed to spending time in God’s Word every day in response to the “David North Challenge”. Just another powerful reminder that a changed life with a message can be heard around the world. Even this is a challenge within itself. Is my life lived in a way that makes a difference in my small sphere? Do I have something worth sharing with the world?

Sabbath afternoon, everybody slowly left the main building. I remained in the profound emptiness. And then, through the beautiful silence, I heard the grand piano calling my name. (At this point, I need to digress from my descriptive narrative to plead with someone from home to reassure the piano in the Wauchope Church that it's still my favourite. Could someone do that? Thanks.) And, when a piano, any piano calls through the silence, it is next to impossible to ignore it. So, to the piano I went. Three hours later, I looked at the clock. Yep, the time had flown. What a golden afternoon!

Work this week has been like the general atmosphere - cruise before the rush. My poor neglected violin was probably shocked at the amount of attention it received this week as I began preparing to finally play in a rehearsed orchestra. My shoulders are aching and my fingers stinging after so much unuse but I'm super excited to finally be in an environment where there are actually musical opportunities. It's worth the pain. 

The hill between the school building and my house is starting to shrink. On good days when I have allot of energy or some powerful inspiration, I run up the hill. On other days, I can feel in my legs that I've run up the hill. It's not always an easy trip to make. Some days, I admit, I stay in the office until tea-time just so I don't have to walk up that “mountain” twice. Especially on hot days. 

Sabbath afternoon, God sent a strong wind and by Sunday morning, the smokey cloak that had shrouded the surrounding mountains had been blown away. Now the grandeur of nature lay crystal clear. I can see the tops of the mountains and the peaks standing in rows in a encircling ring around our little river-flat. I can see the river, reflecting the blue of the sky, winding its way gently down the valley and disappearing into the distance. I can see the tiny patches of snow clinging through the heat to the highest peaks. They were right: this place is beautiful and I am so blessed to enjoy this breathtaking view every morning. 

NOTE: The fires are still not out and continue to blaze in multiple locations around the province. 

Blue sky for the first time...

I'm excited for the future. I'm excited for the friendships that I get to build with the staff and students here. My favourite moment of this week (other than talking with my family) was spending time with my boss, chatting, laughing, discovering similarities and getting to know each other, learning accents and new words and become friends. Oh and this incredible rainbow:

Things I'm looking forward to in the next week:

• Jaz getting here
• A possible exciting outing on Sunday 
• The rest of the students arriving
• First Campout!

P.S So sorry for the lack of photos this week...I left my phone down in my office when I wrote this post. I promise to make up for it next week.

P.S.S Next week's entry will either be really early or really late as we have First Campout over the weekend and I won't be around Friday arvo.

Week 1 ● A Patchwork

Even in the smoke there's a blushing sunset.

The sun has finally set. Sabbath is here. As I lay down (on my floor - it's the coolest place in my room and has easy access to power) to write this post, I'm thinking back over my week. And what a week! This time last week, I was preparing for my very first night in my new bedroom. My new sanctuary of personal space. I had shoved my still half full and very messy suitcase behind my bed so that I could take a photo of my nicely organised, tidy bedroom to send to Mum and it made me feel great when I walked in the door because the mess was hidden. I don't remember how I spent that night. I was tired so I probably didn't leave it too long to go to sleep. Maybe that was the night I called Dad though and talked to him and Jack for hours.

Anyway, I have wandered. I'm tired. I really should be in bed trying to sleep in this heat but I'm not. Last week I was looking forward. This week I'm looking back. My mind is sorting through all the different experiences I've had this week. Mostly epic and good but every week has it's hard moments.

• Playing the piano at vespers last night. I knew no-one but someone discovered that I played the piano and asked me to play. Nothing like first impressions you know. Most of the people in the room I couldn't tell from a bar of soap. And that brings us to my next point...
• Everyone knows you but you know no-one. Everyone here seemed to know that Katie Bailey was coming from Australia to be the new Music Assistant. Well, that's great. Except when they come and introduce themself. The conversation kinda goes like this:

                                "Hi I'm _________."
                                "Oh, hi ______, nice to meet you. I'm Katie. I'm the new Music Assistant."
                                (I have to clarify this or they'll ask me what year I'm going into...)
                                 "Yeah, I know."
                                 Okay...that was awkward. Soooooo.....

• FOOD! Yum. Yum. Yum. Well, not everything is awesomely yum but there's always something yum to eat and let's face it, you can't get everything right all the time in the kitchen. And, I'm getting fussier and fussier in my old age so yeah, they're doing good.
• Playing in the Fountainview Academy Orchestra. I've only been wanting to do this for seven years right? No big deal. Oh, but before I tell you how awful it was. It wasn't really the FAO. The players from the school just joined the camp meeting orchestra and used their conductor. And it was bad. REALLY BAD. But fun still... just sounded bad.
• New people. LOTS of new people. There are about or over 20 students already here who are doing the summer program. They spend their day working on the farm to supplement their student fees. Combine them with all the staff who seem to be all foreign (they're lovely lovely wonderful people) and definitely all look the same and there's allot of people to learn. The students I'm starting to get the hang of. I sit with them at lunch time. The young staff who I live with, well I've got them figured out. And everyone else, when they come to talk to me, I make a conscience effort to figure out which person this is. Look, give me a break, it's only been one week. I'm doing fine. And in one and a half weeks, there'll be another 70 or so names and faces to learn. Eek.
• Loneliness. I wouldn't by any means say that I'm homesick. I miss my family and friends and love chatting to them but the hardest thing this week is being in a situation where everyone else has close friends except for me. And knowing that it won't be long and I'll be hanging out and laughing the same as everyone else but for now, I just have to watch from the sidelines. Backstory is a handy thing in friendships. I'm making my backstory. Please don't worry about me. I'm being honest but I'm perfectly okay. It won't be long.
• Hot. I've had lots of people tell me they can't reconcile Canada with hot. Please come and try it. Take my place until Autumn steps in would you?
• The busses. I don't think I've ever been on a bus....I can't remember. But I have now. I have a premonition that "Jack & Jill" are going to be the home of lots of fun memories on tour and on our way to activities.
• Eating Promite out of a jar. Is that gross? I mean, I am using my finger I guess. Yes, it's strong. But it's a pleasant homey taste. It's nice when you're winding down at the end of the day to feel like you're eating something from home. It's rich though and you can't eat much before it's too salty.

Important for any Aussie Abroard

My happiest moments this week actually happened this evening. There are two that were really lovely. Firstly, just before I was heading down the hill for tea and worship, I was sitting on our swing that's just outside our house under an ancient weeping willow. I heard a chirping noise and when I looked up to see the bird, it was a squirrel. SOOOOOO cute! He must have though I was cute too because he sat there for a few minutes chirping at me and then scurried off through the branches into a pine tree and disappeared. That was my runner-up moment.

Our Swing

The best moment of my week though was an hour ago while I was talking to the girls. Well, it started with the girls. Hannah, Jasmin, Ella, Tahlia, Micky and then sooo many more...Ben, Tyce, Cathy, Dave, Dad, Pr David, Marsha, Jack, Kiarhn, Bindi, Mummy and my babies: Indy, Lozzy and Rach. It was so precious to see your smiling faces and get to say hi to some of my favourite people. Home is the best place.

Well, that's me out for the week. Looking forward to see what the next seven days hold.

Katie

#katiekwaheri

Church, Auditorium, Music Classroom
(my office is behind there)
((Yes, I have an office.))

The First Sunrise

From the first sunrise you see, you will be in Canada. 

But Australia will always be in your heart.

I left Sydney in the morning coldness but with the warm feeling of a family's love in my heart. Somehow, I wasn't scared.  I wasn't really excited either because excitement isn't really something that I'm very accomplished at. So, to me, new things are just another page in my life.

The journey to LA itself was uneventful although my seat partner was very interesting. He was a youngish finance person from the US who had been working on a project in Sydney for a month. Normally on a plane, I get some quiet time and don't really talk to my neighbour. This dude wouldn't stop talking to me. After multiple
hours, I finally started falling asleep (my normal entertainment for long trips) and he took the painfully obvious cue to be quiet. This gave me most of the remainder of the trip to myself although when we got close to landing he started up again.

LA had a surprise in store for me. I had just joined the immigration line when I heard my name called and saw familiar faces just behind me. Sienna and Elouise were in my queue! We had completely different flights the entire way from Sydney to Vancouver and somehow we met up in LA. It was a lovely surprise. LA is a terrible airport but thankfully my layover was long enough that having to ask for my gate number and take a late shuttle to get there wasn't even stressful and I made with a bit of time to spare. Apparently quiet travel was not in the
agenda for the day because on this flight I sat beside an elderly couple. The man asked me questions about what I was doing but he didn't talk as much as old mate on the first flight. Wow!

So Vancouver. Finally I am in Canada. The land of snow...or 35ºC. But really, there is so much to learn, to look forward to, to wonder about. O the thoughts that ran through my rather exhausted head as I waited for the the twins to get in and our pickup to arrive. I also observed...dogs in the airport??? Really?? Sooo many people coming to meet loved ones with flowers. That's a real thing?? I wish I could go get something to eat but I have sooooo much luggage that no, just no. I am not going anywhere with two suitcases a violin and a backpack. And so I waited.

Home for a Season

We drove home across Beautiful British Columbia in a thick cloud of smoke. Which meant that Beautiful British Columbia was hidden. Still, I can imagine the rugged beauty of the mountains which we drove through and the bright green of the 'forest' in Summer time.

The next day was Friday and we travellers were graciously granted the day 'off' to do just as much or as little as we pleased. After breakfast, Sienna, Elouise and I toured the campus. They showed me around and introduced me to everyone we met. They took me to find my room and helped me move my things up there. It's a sweet, white room with a pitched roof and not much furniture. It does have a private balcony which I have discovered is good for those hot nights where you want to catch every possible skeric of breeze. And here we'll address another issue, yes it's hot. The smoke has been keeping the temperature somewhat cooler because it acts like an insulate blanket but it's hot. And the nights are those kind where you wake up and you haven't even used a sheet. Ugh.

Big Camp

On Sabbath, the students in the Summer Program and a selection of staff travelled a few hours drive back towards Vancouver to go to BC Big Camp or Campmeeting as they call it. There, we joined the camp orchestra to accompany the hymns and then spent the rest of the day together. There were lots of ex students of Fountainview and other friends that the rest of the group caught up with. I spent the day starting to try and learn some names. Wow! That is one epic task.

The twins and some of their friends and I visited a beautiful spot near the camp ground. There was a river, railway tunnels, rocks, cliffs, friends and just beauty. You could almost forget about the smoke down there as it was somewhat filtered through the trees.

Sunday, everyone hopped on the buss again and we went to Seton Lake for the day. Almost everyone hopped in the water to wakeboard or just to swim but there was no way I was getting in. I would have, if the weather out of the water had of been hot but it was the coolest day so far and I'm a soft Aussie. I mean, that water was COLD!

And, Monday I started work. So far, I've got to say that I'm loving what I'm doing now and even the plans for the rest of the year sound super exciting. The last few days I have been printing and copying music. Just that. Putting it into folders ready to give to the students when they arrive. I'm super excited about the songs for the first concert we're doing and looking forward to being able to actually work with the students to bless others.

And so that brings me to today. No, I'm not homesick yet although I miss my Mummy & Daddy and others dearly. But everyone here is so fun and kind that making friends is easy and I can already imagine that leaving will be difficult.

Well that's me done.

My Home on the Hill (plus the smokey haze)

Can't you just imagine this with snowcapped mountains clear in the background?

Choir & Voice Folders Upcoming

Orchestra Music

Gaining weight already!