The Thursday Group

Is anyone reading here anymore.. writing at all?? Come on where is everyone.. LOL

Maybe we should just get Jamie to delete all this.. move on... work on our own blogs..

L8R all.. It's been a slice...

Bye the bye.. I'm still writing from time to time on corteka.blogspot.com... maybe drop by sometime..

Peace Out.. God Bless...
It's been a slice.......................................

Hi Everyone!
Just in case anyone out there is still reading the Thursday Group blog - I thought I would update! Officially, the Thursday Group is on hiatus now - we met Thursday nights for a long time, and then we changed it to Mondays because Jamie and Em (the hosts) had a different college schedule. And alas, now Mondays don't work anymore either. So we've taken to having get togethers every so often. I really enjoyed our potluck on Saturday night. Most everyone showed up - only a couple of people couldn't make it. Everyone shared that night about things that are going on in their life - and their walks with God. One thing the Thursday Group taught me was about community. I have been in a church for over 3 years - and I absolutely love it...and even though it is a smaller church - it's still hard to establish community. Thankfully, our pastor encourages it, and we do have smaller get togethers that enhance community - but being a part of the Thursday Group REALLY taught me something about community. So now this has spread to my own church community. For me, it's about reaching out to people and blessing them. Ask on a daily basis - who can I bless today! Step out of your comfort zone, ask someone new out for coffee! Encourage people! And there's so much more....Anyway, even though we're all doing different things now, we can still be a part of - for the same Spirit is in all of us! God bless you all, and maybe I'll be reading some of your posts in the upcoming future!

Shaela

Well everyone school starts tomorrow and i cant wait. Ive got two classes tomorrow:sociolgy 101 and professional and acidemic development (which is criminology 129) I am so excited. I just went school shopping today it was fun. I also got a phone call that i was waiting for; the call about being a youth leader for Eden Chruch. Well they phoned me today to come to youth tomorrow at 6:30pm and they would tell me more then. So thats all i know about it. Talk about last minute people eh? but thats ok at least they called. Im so excited about everything.
I just hope that it all turns out to be as good as i have imagined it all to be.

Hey, I just got 6 invites to Gmail...the new email service from Google...is anyone here interested??

email me at tessien@gmail.com and we'll see what we can do.

And hey, I miss ya'all and God bless ya.

I had the most fabulous visit with my Grandma Marks today. She is 80 years old and has much wisdom. She has seen a lot in her life and still keeps serving God. I was totally burned out from many days of family get togethers, and seeing friends and out of town relatives. I was driving home feeling very heavy - think it had something to do with the types of conversations held with the people I visited today. Anyway, I went over to see her - and I tell you - if ever the verse "whosoever drinks of this water will never go thirsty" ever rang true - it rang true today. I felt spiritually dehydrated - I have to admit I hang out with a variety of people, and I get dehydrated if I don't balance that out with hanging out with fellow believers. Well - I was soon replenished after talking with another believer. Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying don't hang out with people - I'm just saying I need to speak with other believers, or I feel disconnected.

She said something very profound to me. I was all disappointed because I couldn't go camping with some relatives. She said "Man's disappointments are God's appointments." Sometimes the things we want so badly aren't really that good for us - and in any case - things always work out for the best in the end. And sometimes God has other things in mind for us to do - rather than plans we so steadfastly try to hold on to. So I'll remember that quote and if it helps anyone else out there that's reading - Amen.

C-y'all soon

Hi guys, Well, it was an awesome group last night. Good times of food and fellowship. Lots of questions and discussions on various issues. And much needed prayer for a few in the group. Jamie said it great - one week you're on top of the world and the next you want to jump off a bridge. It's part of life. Fortunately, when there are those who are feeling down in the group there are others to encourage them. I learned again last night that we all have some kind of pain we're dealing with. And sometimes it is very important to step outside of our own pain - and pray for others. I find I can get self absorbed and focussing on my own pain - only to realize so many others have THEIR pain. I am grateful that God showed me again to step outside of my own pain and pray for others. I pray that Ray makes it home soon, that Chaundra starts feeling better, that Jen finds a good job, and that Jamie and Emily will be given the child they want. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

SpHi guys, A really cool Christian radio station comes out of Seattle. It's called Spirit 105.3. Funny, I can't get the station on the radio - but it comes in the computer just fine. Had a great day today - went to the Abbotsford Potter's House - the couple that was sent out to plant a church got a building and had their first service on Sunday - so it was cool to go and support them in their new endeavor. I think I'll go help them paint and clean as well - they're still in the construction phase. Funny, not working - you can start feeling like you're not contributing - and then God presents you with opportunities to contribute. Started reading "Purpose Driven Life" - looks interesting - I just find it hard to stay focussed on reading these days - would rather putter in the yard. Hope to see you all for group!

What a fabulous day! Me and Jen and Jamie and Chris went to these really cool caves down Chilliwack Lake Rd. There was one we climbed around in that you had to first climb up a rope and then slither through tunnels for about 10 minutes before coming out the top of the mountain. Kinda like Indiana Jones stuff. More importantly it was a good time of fellowship. It is good to hang with other Christians - they know your struggles and can encourage you. Hope everyone in our community is doing well - thoughts and prayers are with each one of you. See you Thursday!

Shaela

I just posted my home site.... corteka.blogspot.com

It'll explain lots..

God Bless, Peace Out.

Hi guys, Well, I finally updated myself to the 21st century and got the internet. It's more for work search than anything. You may think it sounds crazy but it was really stressing me out. Should I get the internet - or should I not? I have a paranoia of viruses. Anyway, at first I ordered cable & internet through Shaw - then I cancelled it and got ADSL through Telus. I'm kinda anti-television - and I'm NOT slamming anyone who watches TV - I have one for movie/dvd purposes - I just thought for myself I have enough trouble controlling other activities - I don't want to get cable and bring in yet another distraction. Also - not wanting all that Hollywood crap in my brain. I find what you put into your brain affects you - put a lot of violence and sexual scenes in there - and we become desensitized. So amazingly enough, I finished 1 Chronicles the other day. 26 more books left to read in the OT. Man, it takes discipline to read, discipline to go to church, discipline for everything. I hit a bottom over the last while - pulling out of it now. Actually, God's pulling me out of it. I'm a little leery of posting on line what I normally write in my journal - but just to say that I think in all of us there is somewhat of a war going on - the struggle between self preservation and self destruction. I've had a lot of loss this year - been to 2 funerals; lost a job; and lost one very special cat. Funny though, people say to keep things in perspective - earthly vs. eternal. So I'm doing okay and trying to accept life on life's terms. About the blogging thing - I was reading a bunch of blogs from people in our group - very rich stuff - it's like all of our journals or diaries on line. Still, I feel a little sad that our Community Blog is not being used that much. And also - people may read stuff here- and not provide comments. It's nice when people give feedback. It's like many are off doing their own blog - while the community one sits here.  It may sound strange - but I think it may be symbolic of us in general as human beings. We can all (myself included) become focussed on self so much that our community and/or God is neglected. I know when I was working full time and involved in so many groups and studies - my family and friends were neglected. I think having this time to reflect on what's really important has been a valuable learning experience. It's taught me more about patience and gratitude. And in closing, I would like to express gratitude to all of you in our Thursday group. Many lead busy hectic lives - yet we all come together - from different backgrounds for a common purpose - to worship God - and encourage eachother. Amen, time for bed! Shaela

hey guys i dont know how many of you actually still read this but i would like to ask a favor of all of you. I have been receiving some very unsettling emials that i am not sure how to take yet. I dont know if they are real or if its a scam. I cant be any more specific then that especially right now. I would just like to ask that if you guys could remeber to pray for me. Please pray that i get wisdom from God to know what to do and how to handle all of this. Please also pray that i can have to courage to do what needs to be done if it is all real. But also please pray that those who are around me will have understanding and compassion as well. I may have more understanding or even more just willingness to do with out understanding if its from God then those i live with. And this could turn out to be a very big deal. Although im not sure yet what is going on. I ask this of you all with great heavyness on my heart. I would love to give more details if i could.. but i cant so please just constantly pray for me. Thank- you so much. May the Lord Bless everyone of you with His love and mercy.
Chaundra

So ive created my own blog...its not as sophisticated as Jamies or Em's but i still have one. Please check it out hopefully it'll be a better way for us to keep in contact. It sucks not knowing whats going on with all of you. Please keep me up-dated and let me know of any prayer requests.
As for me, you can pray that God reveals His plan for my role in the Church that i am goign to be attending....many things have already arose, inwhich i will allow more detail when i am better aquainted with His plans myself.
 So check out my blog! Its rwells.blogspot.com

Hope to hear from you soon!!!!

So ive tried several times now to actually post my blogs, but since they've re-done things around here, i cant seem to do it. What gives??
Anyway...so i took my truck to Ralph, and ya know what, they VACUUMED it! Can you belive it, tehy actually vacuumed my truck; it really made my day. I just couldnt believe it, i was shocked and amazed, and very grateful. I mean i was going to get to it but i just never did, oh well, they did such a nice job for me anyway.
Right now im on Vancouver Island with Trieneke visiting my aunt Liz and Uncle Ian; man in two days we've already had so many crazy things happen to us. I've been like dyslexiac (i get my left and rights totally mixed up, even though they're right in my brain), all weekend, and so i freaked Trieneke out when we were driving to the ferries because the sign said go left for the ferries and in my brain i was yea, left and thought the arrow was facing the other way, so i went to get into the next lane, but Trieneke's like, no the other way!! So i quickley swerved into the other lane so that i didnt miss my turn. We then arrived early for our reservation time, and the lady told us to take the 3:00pm ferry cause there was still room, but made us pay the reservation fee. How bunk is that? And then we took Liz's directions literally (like we wouldnt? i may have been here before, but ive never actually drove myself), so we went in the opposite direction, and we drove all through Sooke, until we decided to pull over to get some directions, and yes, sure enough, we were going the llllllllloooooooooonnnnnnnnnnngggggg way to Shawnigan Lake. So we had to turn around and go the other way. And as i was driving home from work earlier that day, i happened to run over a HUGE work staple. I dont know where, and i dont know how. I drove all the way to Shawningan Lake wiht a massive staple in my wheel, and luckily enough it didnt lose all the air (i did keep a watch on it, and filled it everytime it got real low). Finally we got to Liz and Ian's, safe and sound. Today i go out to look at my tire, and to make a long story short, i had to buy a new tire. BUT, the crazy part is, I didnt buy the new tire, my anut and uncle paid for it. They insisted on it, and just wouldnt let me pay. Now i may not be super rich, but i think that i can afford to buy a tire. But then again, im not complaining; you really wanna buy the tire, then go ahead, and thanks!! And then, they bought lunch. How crazy is that? How wonderful is that? These two people are some of the most nicest people ive ever met in my life. A God-sent from heaven. So we bought dinner, we had to. I just couldnt let them have all the fun. I need to go away more often.
So now for the big news. Have you ever told something, and then wished you never said anything? It beacame way to hyped and just taken a little outta control? Well, for all of you who were looking forward to my absence for eight years, you're just gonna have to suck it up and settle for less. My letter finally came in the mail. I opened while i was driving to work on Thursday morning. I got to the word "unfortunatly" and closed it. I couldnt read it. I almost started to cry. And i seriously HATE crying. I did finish reading it and even though it was a good letter, it just wasnt good enough. The good news is that i came in as first runner-up, which means that if someone cant make it or cancels or what-have-you, then they phone me and i get to go. But it's highly unlikely that that happens. I was crushed at first, but now im ok with it. It's still a little hard, but easily enough to manage. Now im just trying to figure out what i am suppose to do. And for all of you "condolenscers" out there, please, please, dont tell me that its just not what im meant to do. That there's something else that God has planned for me. I know that, and to be honest, im sick of hearing it and i will tune you out (unless you're going to tell me what it is that God has planned for me). Don't take it as a personal thing, i just dont need your "sorry's" ect. I appreciate your good hearts, and whatnot, but thank-you for just not saying stuff like that.
Anyway, Trieneke's trying to sleep and we have to get up early for church, so i should head to bed too. Nite!!
ps. Ray i really need you to take something off my hands, so the next time you're in town, could you please get a hold of me. The sooner its gone, the better!!

Hello !!
So. I started packing last night, all my camping gear and my warmest clothes 'cause for my job I will be camping teh whole 4+ months. I had one huge hockey bag, and it was filled only half, and didn't even have my heaviest planting equipment in it yet, I couldn't carry it much more than 10 ft. Then my Brother made me laugh, well, I fell down, on the bag, b/c it wa sso heavy...I need to rethink my packing strategy, I think that I will pack 2 smaller bags. It's not even like i'm taking everytthing. i showed my mom the list and it is the absolute BARE minimums....I'm a light packer to begin with but some of my equipment I have to bring adds up in weight...I miss Thursday group so much, and I will plan on calling Emily and Jamie's place thursday night say 7:30 and chat with you guys for a bit before I take off for the outdoors, ....Thanks! Later Dewds