1 Corinthians 13 (The Message)

The Way of Love

1If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.

2If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing.

3If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

4Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
5Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
6Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
7Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
8Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit.

9We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete.
10But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.
11When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.
12We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
13But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

How I celebrated my birthday...

* On Friday the 10th, my parents and brother called from Kunming, China and wished me a happy birthday on the speaker phone :).

* On Saturday morning I got to sleep in. Then, I checked my email and got a few more birthday wishes. I did a few things around the house but mostly enjoyed the sunshine and the day to relax.

* My Farmor and Farfar Stokland came down to Lacombe for birthday lunch. Marco made soup and sandwhich fixings. For dessert we had homemade coconut cake that Farmor brought with fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and coffee. It was wonderful! After lunch, we drove around Lacombe to show my grandparents a bit more of where we live. At about 3pm they headed back to Edmonton.

* For my birthday, Marco gave me a card and a Starbucks Coffee gift card that said "to help you unwind in the days and weeks ahead in kindergarten." This was my first birthday since we've been married so it was special to spend all day with him.

* Then Marco and I went into Red Deer to meet my Aunt Laurie, Uncle Gary, JD, and Amy. One of their gifts to me was tickets to the Red Deer Rebels WHL hockey game. It was a great game...the Rebels won 2-1 in the last minute.

* After the game we went to Moxies for drinks and birthday dessert. I had a Hawaiian Hunny margarita and the Banana Carmal Xango: "Creamy. Light banana cheesecake wrapped in a pastry tortilla. Dusted with cinnamon-sugar and served with warm caramel, ribbons of chocolate and French vanilla ice cream." So yummy!

* My sister Erika and boyfriend Arden were waiting for us at Moxies. They had driven down from Edmonton after work to help me celebrate. It was supposed to be a surprise, but even though they were very stealthy, their cover was blown half way through the day. It didn't bother me at all because I was glad I could spend the day with part of my family. I couldn't stop smiling.

* Erika and Arden spent the night at our house. It was a good visit but too short. They left Sunday morning after breakfast.

And that is how I spent my 24th birthday!

Here is an email I sent to family and friends this week that I thought I would share here too :)!

Well, the last few days have felt like a whirlwind of excitement and nervous anticipation. Last Friday (February 3rd) I had an interview at Iron Ridge Elementary School in Blackfalds, AB for a part-time position teaching kindergarten. The interview went very well! I understood all the questions and felt I was able to answer them confidently. The principals were impressed that I supported my answers with lots of examples from my practicum and substitute teaching. At the end of the interview, they explained that they had narrowed it down to myself and one other candidate. Before they could make the final decision they need to see me teach.

I was back at the school on Monday afternoon (February 6th) subbing in the kindergarten room and so I prepared to teach a Math lesson. That day I could see God working in so many ways--their were only 17 kids instead of 23, some of the kids had colds and so instead of "acting out" listened very well, the kids weren't distracted by the principal being there, and instead of scrambling my words when I know I someone is watching me teach, I was able to speak clearly. My hands and voice didn't even shake!

Wednesday (February 8th) I got a phone call at 8 am. I recognized the number from the school and knew it was the principal. She offered me the position and wanted to know if I would accept it. My hands and voice were shaking at this point. I asked if I could have one more day to think about it (a.k.a. phone Marco and let him know about the offer). After talking with Marco that morning we knew it was God directing our steps. I phoned the principal back at 10:30 am and accepted the position. It isn't official yet but I like saying that I am a soon-to-be-part-time-kindergarten-teacher :)!

Right now, I am so thankful for God's blessings! He is faithful!

Love,
Kristin

I'm it...

...and it is my first time being tagged too :). Lots of fun!

Four jobs you have had in your life?
1. working retail at Northern Reflections
2. cleaning the church for a summer
3. daycare worker
4. substitute teacher

Four movies you would watch over and over:
1. While You Were Sleeping
2. Sabrina
3. Bourne Identity
4. Bourne Supremacy

Four places you've lived:
1. Hay River, NWT, Canada
2. Waxhaw, NC, USA
3. Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea
4. Kunming, China

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. LOST
2. CSI
3. House
4. The Amazing Race

Four places you have vacationed:
1. Australia
2. New Zealand
3. Thailand
4. Norway

Four websites I visit daily:
1. the blogs of friends
2. school district websites to look for jobs
3. Creative Xpress to get ideas for scrapbooking
4. Real Simple

Four of my favorite foods:
1. My mom's brocolli and rice casserole
2. Cari's mandarin orange and almond salad
3. real Chinese food either in China or at the OPM restaurant in Edmonton
4. Marco's receipes

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. out for a Starbucks coffee with a friend
2. at home relaxing with my husband
3. on a warm, sunny beach
4. teaching in a classroom of my own

Four bloggers I am tagging:
1. Erika
2. Kirstin
3. Amanda
4. I don't know 4 bloggers that haven't already been tagged so I guess 3 will have to do :)

As I walk around the apartment this morning I can't help but look out the window. It is snowing! We haven't had a "snow day" in a long time so to see the big, white, fluffy flakes come down is absolutely beautiful. I love how the snow coats everything like a fresh coat of white paint. When I was little and living up in Hay River, NWT, I always enjoyed going outside to play in the snow. I would get bundled up in my parka, skipants, snowboots, knitted mittens, and toque. There were so many things to build and do in the snow. The hours would go by quickly and soon it would be dark. When I would go back inside, my nose and cheeks would be so red. I have lots of good memories playing in the snow. However, today, I think I'm going to stay warm and cozy inside :).

Roads by Jean Little

Some people walk on straight roads
And see to both ends
--But my road dips and loops and swoops
And crooks and bends.

I've heard some people tell the world
That they know where they're going
But that's a thing I couldn't stand:
Always knowing!

One year ago today...

After graduating from high school I remember being very focused. I had goals I wanted to achieve like going to Capernwray Bible School for a year, getting my Elementary Education degree, serving God in my church and in short-term missions, and getting more stamps in my passport by traveling to different places in the world.

However, at times there was a tug-of-war going on in my heart and mind. There were things I wanted to accomplish as a single person. I had high standards for myself and I wasn't interested in pursuing a relationship with someone for the sake of dating. But at the same time my heart's desire was to be a wife and mother. I remember writing lots of emails to my Mom and having long car-talks with close friends! They would always remind me, "Kristin, don't ever doubt pursuing the best. Trust God and His faithfulness. Give this to Him. He knows your heart."

I met Marco at the beginning of my third year at the University of Alberta. We would see each other occasionally when I would visit my aunt and uncle in Rocky Mtn. House. We would talk over coffee, while spending time with family, or on the way to the bus station. Our conversations never felt forced or superficial. It wasn't until the summer of 2004 that we decided to pursue a relationship together. Because he lived in Lacombe and I lived in Edmonton we would spend our nights talking on the phone. Then he would come up to the city on the weekends so we could spend time together.

On January 4th, 2005, in a gazebo in Kunming, Yunnan, China, Marco asked if I would be his wife. I said, "Yes!" Some of you may be asking, "Why did he propose in China?" Well, my parents live and work in China. It was a gift from our Heavenly Father to all be together for that Christmas. It was important to me to show Marco China, a significant part of my life and where I grew up. To have Marco ask my Dad for his blessing on our relationship was also special.

I was once asked what quality attracted me the most to Marco. I would have to say that he is a lot like my Dad. I am amazed by Marco's commitment to God--to love and serve Him with his life. He is honest and trustworthy. He is a "big-picture thinker" and shares with me the thoughts/ideas that are going through his mind. He makes me laugh everyday! He is patient and gentle, yet a strong leader. I love him, respect him, and thank God for him!

The first post of January

2005 in Pictures

Well, the last 6 months of 2005 that Marco and I have spent together :). May you know God's presence and guidance in your life this new year!

JUNE

My Mom, Dad, and brother Nathan came home from China on June 8th.

I graduated from the UofA with my degree in Elementary Education on June 9th.

JULY/AUGUST

Marco and I were married in Edmonton on July 9th. It was a beautiful day!We went to Fairmont, BC for our honeymoon.

SEPTEMBER
For Labour Day weekend, Marco and I drove out to Logan Lake, BC to visit Marco's Mom, Dad, and Aunt Maria from South Africa.


On September 17th, I did the 5 km Parkinson's Walk in Red Deer with my Aunt Laurie and cousin Amy.


OCTOBER/NOVEMBER
These were busy months! I wasn't able to take many pictures but I remember taking this one of a beautiful fall sunset during a day at home. The colours were amazing!


DECEMBER
Marco and I celebrated our first Christmas together. Many good memories!

Can you believe that it is almost January? This month has gone by so fast. I know I haven't posted about what we did for Christmas, so I thought this would be a good time to do a month-in-review because we started celebrating at the beginning of December :)!

Dec. 4th--Went and got our first Christmas tree.

Dec. 10th--Met my Dad in Lacombe and then drove to Rocky Mtn. House to have a German/Ukrainian Christmas with my Grandma, aunts, uncles, and cousins on my Mom's side.

Dec. 11th--We drove to Calgary to get together with friends Marco knew when he cooked in Banff. Even though it was a short visit, I enjoyed meeting people that Marco has talked a lot about!

Dec. 17th--Marco and I drove to Edmonton to have a Norwegian Christmas with my Dad, Farmor and Farfar (my Dad's parents), Erika and boyfriend Arden.

Dec. 18th--Marco and I drove back to Edmonton to say goodbye to my Dad who left early Monday morning to fly back to China.

Dec. 20th--I had a wonderful girls night with Carolyn x2 and Treena at Moxies in Edmonton.

Dec. 21st--We made the hard decision not drive out to BC to spend Christmas with Marco's family because of new, challenging things happening for Marco at Hertz.

Dec. 24th--Erika and Arden drove to Lacombe to spend Christmas Eve with us. Marco and I made a roast beef dinner with pumpkin and cherry pies for dessert. After supper we opened a few gifts and then went for a walk around Lacombe. We also phoned our family all around the world to wish them a Merry Christmas!

Dec. 25th--We drove to Withrow to spend Christmas Day with my Uncle Gary, Auntie Laurie, and cousins Jonathan and Amy. We had turkey and all the fixings!

Dec. 26th--For the first time, I went Boxing Day shopping with my husband. We bought a few more things for our reef aquarium: 3 trubo snails, a coral, and 1 crab. We also stopped in at Farmor and Farfar's for coffee.

Dec. 27th--We had friends over for dessert and coffee. Marco and I enjoy having friends come to our home. We always seem to have good talks around our table!

Over the month we've done a lot of driving! It's been good though to be able to spend time with family and friends. So, tonight Marco and I have decided on a "home night". After the dishes are done we are going to go for a walk and coffee at Kavaccino's.

Our First Christmas Tree

On Sunday, December 4th, we got bundled up and drove about 45 minutes west of Lacombe. We asked a friend who lives on a farm and has a quarter section of land if we could go out with their family when they went to find their Christmas tree. They told us we were more than welcome and so we met up with them later that afternoon.

It was the perfect day to find a Christmas tree. It started to snow as we drove out but it wasn't too COLD. When we walked through the trees everything crunched beneath our feet. The trees looked beautiful with a layer of snow on their branches. Marco was the one who found our tree. He knew the tall, full tree would look beautiful in our apartment. We didn't have to look any farther.

We loaded it into the truck and we were so excited to get it home to start decorating for Christmas. The hard part was waiting for it to thaw out. A while later Marco brought it up four flights of stairs :) and set it in the stand. While I got the decorations out, he started putting on the lights. I'm not a big fan of garland so I found some silver ribbon to weave through the branches.

I guess you could say we were double blessed this year because we got to decorate our tree twice. Thursday morning that week, I woke up to a huge crash. I jumped out of bed and ran into the livingroom where our tree lay on the floor. It was a really hard morning! I cried because there were special decorations that my Mom and friends had given to us that were shattered. There was a nativity scene that I had bought specifically for our first Christmas and it was also on the floor in a million pieces.

Over the next few days, with the tree propped in the corner waiting to be re-decorated, I had a lot of time to think. My thoughts were all over the place. At times I was disappointed and hurt that it happened on our first Christmas. Other times I was disappointed in myself; it was trivial to care so much about a tree, decorations, and memories. Overall, I learned in a new way what Christmas is all about. It isn't about decorations, lights, ribbons, trees, and little gifts. It is about the wonder of God's gift to us in Jesus. He is our Saviour, Redeemer, and King!

After doing the dishes at night, I enjoy sitting in a chair next to the tree and watching the lights twinkle in the dark. Because it is a real tree, the fresh outside smell fills the whole apartment. It is decorated mostly in blue, silver, and white with lots of snowflakes. How lovely and beautiful are it's branches!

Come Thou Long-Expected Jesusby: Charles Wesley/Rowland H. Prichard

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in Thee

Israel's strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of ev'ry longing heart

Born Thy people to deliver
Born a child, and yet a King
Born to reign in us forever
Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone
By Thine all sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne
Israel's strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of ev'ry longing heart

Come Jesus Come

Girls Night

Last Tuesday night the four of us met at Moxies on the west end of Edmonton for a girls night. We really wanted to get together before we all left in different directions for Christmas. Girl's Nights are not new for us. When we were all at the UofA, we would get together a lot to celebrate the end of exams, graduation, before a long trip, birthdays, or holidays. A girl's night usually includes margaritas, diet pop, or coffee, appetizers and/or dessert :).

These girls are really an answer to prayer. When I came to Edmonton to start university from my year at Capernwray I really had no close friends in the city. The last two years had been hard years of "saying goodbye": first to my friends and classmates I had grown up with in Papua New Guinea and then to my friends I had spent a whole year with at Bible School. My mom and I started praying together for a close friend. I met Carolyn my second year at Grant MacEwan. After a few short months of getting to know her it felt like I had known her all my life. There are so many things that we have in common and yet we are different so that we can encourage and challenge each other in our walk. Carolyn introduced me to her two other close friends, Carolyn and Treena, and I have enjoyed getting to know them as we spent time together at university, survivor nights, and girls nights.

THANK-YOU...for making me laugh, being there when I am discouraged, and supporting me through "big" life decisions. I really appreciate your servant hearts for God, your honesty, and your integrity. Your friendship is such a blessing to me!

(The picture is of the four of us at Carolyn's wedding June 26, 2004)

The Parade of Lights

It has been awhile since I last wrote so I thought before I crawl into bed I'd post a few pictures. Tonight Marco and I went to the Parade of Lights in Rocky Mountain House. It was -17C so we bundled up in our toques and mittens and watched the parade with a latte in hand :). Thanks for peeking!

My Favourite Things

Yesterday afternoon I watched Oprah to see what made her list of favourite things. She talked about her favourite clothes, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, food, electronic gadgets, etc. for the year and then gave each favourite thing away to every audience member. At first I was really happy for the deserving men and women in her audience; they were all relief workers for Hurricane Katrina. But after a while I started to feel jealous, greedy, and selfish. When is Oprah going to invite me to be a part of her audience so she can give me her favourites? Thank-you Father for forgiving me when I focus too much on my self and for showing me how blessed I truly am!

After reading another blog I started thinking about my favourite things...the simple things I enjoy, the meaningful things, the things that last, the things that are of eternal value. Here is my list:

* The amazing love and grace of God--it is unchanging, unfailing, and unending
* The blessing of my husband Marco--I love you!
* My family near and far
* Close friends that you can be honest and "real" with
* Towels and sheets that have dried outside in the sun
* Hearing rain fall on a tin roof
* Walking through the river valley when the leaves are changing colour
* Waking up to fresh snow on the ground

* Seeing the first patch of green grass or red tulip after winter
* Walking by the window and seeing the most beautiful sunset
* Shopping with a latte from Starbucks
* Taking good pictures with my camera
* Watching the Amazing Race, Lost, and CSI on the couch with my husband, maybe with a bowl of popcorn
* Lighting candles after supper
* The smell of a clean house
* An unprovoked hug and "I love you" from a child

* Hearing a child laugh--the kind that is way down deep and makes you laugh too
* Being a "kid magnet" on the playground

Well, I think I'm going to stop here. What are your favourite things?

Well, it is Sunday night and I felt like doing some baking. Lately Marco has been looking in the cookie jar hoping that while he has been at work I've replenished the cookie supply. I thought tonight would be a good night! One of my favourite cookies is peanut butter cookies. I love how the smell from the oven fills the house. It makes it warm and cozy inside. They also melt in your mouth and are just perfect with a glass of milk. Someone has just made their way over to the cooling rack...I think I should join him!

Tonight Marco and I went out for supper to one of our favourite restaurants. For our wedding, a friend gave us a gift certificate to Earls and she wrote on the card: "Marriage should be the beginning of romantic dates and not the end!" We really enjoyed her gift and the time we could spend together. Over supper we realized that Christmas will be a busy time as we celebrate with family and friends. We wondered when we would be able to have a Christmas together. Marco came up with a really good and romantic idea. Instead of giving each other our gifts on Christmas, we are spreading out our Christmas and gift giving over the four weeks in December; one gift for each week. I am really excited! I love surprises and Christmas secrets!

Our Home

Home is something I think about a lot probably because it seems I have many "homes" around the world. If I have counted right, I think I have lived in 24 different homes, in 6 different countries including Canada, the USA, the Philippines, China, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. Marco has moved at least once for every year of his life :). After moving so many times you start to wonder where your home is and what a home really means.

There are many definitions of the word "home" but I really like this one that I found on a card as I was browsing in a stationary store in Edmonton: "Having a place to go--is a home. Having someone to love--is a family."

Marco and I are starting our first home. No, we are not living in an old, rickety, and crowded jeep on a bumpy, dusty road. We are living here...on the top floor of the brick building on the corner. After getting married, it took us awhile to clear a path through all the boxes, unpack the boxes, and find places for all the things inside the boxes. Now, our apartment is more than a physical house and just place to go. It is our home and we really enjoy the view!

Travelers

We are restless, we are ready
To be anyplace but here
And the waiting has a way
Of making one thing very clear
There is variance in circumstance
Direction and occassion
But the truth is we're all travelers
Who have not reached our final destination