Are you Joking?

I have met many wonderful and colourful characters while riding the bus, one of which was Doug. I was already sitting comfortably in my seat this morning when this little, shifty eyed, fanny pack wearing man placed himself directly beside me while an entire bus sat empty. I was a bit uncomfortable at first until I realised that he was mentally handicapped. This guy was brilliant! He related everything to hockey (like I'm from Calgary, where the Calgary Flames are from), and he remembered everything I said. Also, he always asked, "Are you joking?". My favorite of his conversation starters was, "You know Elton John? (*pause*)...he's gay...". I laughed out loud and then he asked me if I was joking.

I had my second meeting today. This one was scheduled to be my personality assessment where we would walk through the book that I filled out. After about an hour of conversation with my psychologist I began wondering if he was going to ask for the book at all, and that's when I realised we were actually going through my spiritual assessment which was scheduled for tomorrow. That moment of realisation was hilarious to me! I was not mentally prepared for that one bit! It turned out being a really encouraging and uplifting time, where he said that he was jealous that MBMSI was going to get me instead of their organization. So, tomorrow is my last psych meeting and then my program begins.

I have had the pleasure of getting together with old friends and making some new ones...so far, my three days in Abbotsford have been full and fun. I am meeting more friends for coffee tomorrow and then am going to Vancouver for Thai food on Saturday, spending the night there and plunging head long into the Spring Adventure on Sunday. I'm sure I'll have many more stories and adventures to relay, so until then...

Green but Wet

I have to admit, flying into Abbotsford is much nicer than flying into Calgary at this time of year. There are cherry blossoms, the grass is green, and the smell of spring is in the air...but it rains. Oh how it rains!! I am currently learning Abbotsford's transit system (again), and so I spend much of my time walking to and from buses in said rain. Thankfully my friend was kind enough to lend me his umbrella, so only my dragging pantlegs absorb the water.

*note to self* roll up pantlegs

I had my first meeting today. I was amazingly comfortable and peaceful before I even went in there. Thank you Jesus! The room was set up just as I imagined a psychologists' room would be...warm, inviting colours on the walls and soft, comforting paintings lining the room which was cast with a low and subduing light. One couch, in which I suppose a client could lay upon, a swivel chair and another chair set between the couch and the swivel. I at first chose the couch, but decided shortly after that it was too far from my psychologist, so I moved to the chair.

The meeting, on the other hand, was nothing as I imagined it to be. She simply asked me a question to get the ball rolling, and this little mouth just wouldn't stop! Also, she didn't try any "psychology" tactics on me but rather listened to me as one person would listen to another. She cried when I told her of how God has called me to Thailand, and she later told me that I was a mature and articulate person who would be an asset to any team. She is a woman of God who happens to be a psychologist. She also knows Duane and Arliss Ibsen...actually happens to be related to them!

Anyway, so that's one down and two to go! It seems that every step that I take is only more confirmation of the direction God has been leading me. Thailand is so close.

Getting Psycho-analyzed

I'm heading off to Abbotsford tomorrow. I will be there for two weeks getting "tested" and "analyzed" to see if I'm fit to be a missionary. My first three days include 2 hour sessions/day with psychologists who assess my mental and spiritual health, and then a week long program that I forgot to ask any questions about. So, for those of you who are interested to know what I'll be doing there, I apologize. I don't know. The only thing I do know is that I'm meeting with psychologists and that I'm there for 2 weeks. I also know that I have my formal interview with MBMSI leadership on May 6th and that's when I find out if I've made the grade or not. So, I ask that you pray that God's will be done in this situation. Whether in or out, it doesn't matter to me...just so long as we are following His leading.

Thanks to everyone for all the encouragement and all the prayers. I know that many of you have been walking behind me in this journey that I'm on and I so appreciate it! Thanks for all the interest. My emotions have been so scattered, so there are times where this is really hard, and times where all I want is to be in Thailand, and times where I wonder what the heck I'm doing...all I know is that I'm not alone in this and that God is carrying me through, so I'll keep going, pressing on towards the place I know God is calling me.

Have a great couple of weeks friends!! I'll see you all in the middle of May!

More Car Woes

I seem to be having quite the streak lately. I go into the city to have a nice afternoon and things go wrong. I'm not sure what I am to be learning in these situations, but I am learning to laugh because it has been quite ridiculous.

I went into Calgary to meet up with a friend of mine visiting from Germany. She called me to let me know that she was going to be a little bit late, so I decided to do wander around some stores and check stuff out. I bought some amazing shoes, so I came out of the store to put them into the car so I didn't have to carry them and I realised with much dismay that my keys were not in my pocket where they should have been, but rather they were in my ignition...and my doors were locked. So what did I do?...I called mommy and daddy. Bless those self-sacrificing parents. After some giggles and a confession that they had the extra set of keys, they decided to drive in and save me once again. I did meet up with my German friend and we had a lovely time together, and I checked my pockets much more thouroughly before exiting my car again.

I have been blessed once again. I'm not sure what God is up to, but everytime I think there is going to be some major expense, I am freed from all financial obligation. I went to the dentist and I didn't have to get a splint (for my TMJ) and so instead of being $400, I only paid $45. Also, I'm heading to Abbotsford at the end of this month to check out MBMSI and get some assessments done and actually find out if I'm accepted. I had budgeted for my return flight out there, and I was waiting to find out the exact dates when I got a phone call from them today asking when I would like to fly out and when I would like to come back. It was at this point that I became confused. I asked her if I was to pay them when I got there, when she tells me that actually, this is the at expense of MBMSI as well as everything for those two weeks. I don't pay for a thing! God is good!!!!