Friday Nuggets: Newfoundland Style

Nugget's have been missing for awhile, so I'm bringing them back. This will be the first set of Friday Nugget's for the summer coming all the way from St. John's Nfld. Overall I am feeling so settled here which is lovely. The staff at St. James are so open, welcoming and helpful, the woman I'm staying with, Ettie, is hilarious, genuine and we get along like 2 peas in a pod. As for work, I'm feel really productive and although have lots of work still ahead, I'm feeling confident that all will come together. So with the long weekend finally here, enjoy some Friday nuggets.

:: Our last night of coordinator training was spent at Michael and Ryan's farm. It was so nice to escape the city and enjoy the country living. I think my heart longs to be living in the country, as every time I'm there I feel so relaxed, at ease and peaceful. We enjoyed the night with friends; relaxing, laughing, sharing our hearts and cherishing the last night together. Monopoly deal + friends + country + wine = one happy me!

:: The morning, after a delicious brunch made by Ryan, the team headed to Five Oaks to close our training with walking the labyrinth. Michael asked us to stop at each turn and really think of what God was saying. How was the Spirit moving? What would we take forward? Throughout the whole prayer, I kept feeling and hearing God say "I am here. You are not alone. We will walk together". During our time together in training, and even when I accepted the job, my biggest apprehension and fear was that I would be alone. That I'll be working in 2 cities that are not home, one of which I've never even worked at, and that I wouldn't have others to lean on. As I prayed and walked the labyrinth, it was very clear that even though the coordinators are not in the same city, we won't even see one another after GO for debrief, nor will our teams ever met up; we are still working together. We are still supporting and upholding one another from a distance, and through successes and struggles we'll be here for one another...as too will God.

:: The flowers in my office at the church are reminding me of spring. At least the spring we have in Ontario. Newfoundland is a completely different world. Later this week *fingers crossed weather is good* I'll be posting pictures of icebergs...yes...icebergs!! It's crazy to think how different each province is with weather. Never the less, the flowers are pink, bright and cheerful!

:: Say goodbye to the most uncomfortable chair in the world. Say hello to the most comfortable chair in the world. Yes the chair on the left was the office chair that I had for the beginning of last week. It was super low to the ground, horrific on the back, and the chair I dreaded to sit in each day. Wednesday however, the minister says to me "hey Hillary, want a new office chair?" and pulls out this high back, soft, lots of support, beautiful cushion office chair from storage! I could have kissed his feet. Who knew a chair could make the world of a difference.

:: The picture texts from the Mommy of these two lovely beans makes me extremely happy. I try not to think about the fact that when I come home at the end of the summer, little peanut will be crawling and standing and Mr. Man will be heading to school in September. Instead, I hold tight to the memories I have and know many more will be made when I return.

:: This Monday a young orchestra will be performing at St. James and I couldn't help but notice they are from Newfoundland, but also NIAGARA! Depending on how I'm feeling I may just go and see the concert. Orchestra's aren't exactly my thing, if it was a choir I'd be all over it- however I may just have to see. I'll keep ya posted.

:: Tonight I headed out for dinner and a movie with two youth from St. James who were participants at The GO Project last summer. It was so awesome to hang out, catch up on this past year and do something for the night. We went to a restaurant in the mall call Fog City which made me laugh as I thought back to my airport experience last summer. Besides that reminder of that, the food was delicious, the company was better and the staff were tall and hot! 

 :: This is how I'm feeling right now. With no plans tomorrow; except to sleep in and go for a walk, forecast of sunshine (although that could easily change), and a weekend full of relaxation I'm feeling pretty happy.

Sending happiness and sunshine to you for a remarkable weekend!

Happy Friday! xo