Soundtracks for Papers.

My weekend:

wake up. write paper. repeat.

This has been one of the worst weeks I have ever had in terms of homework and life stuff. The life-stuff I can't really get into, but it sufficiently affected the time frame I had to work on my papers.

Monday marks the end of the hellish week. On Monday, I will be handing 3 papers (one comparing The Fiddlehead and the Malahat, both of which are Canadian Literary Journals released quarterly, one about the relationship between the Lady of Shalott, and Tennyson's Elaine the Lily Maid, and the last about censorship in Charles I's England.. the latter two are both upwards of 2500 words). I will also be presenting two theses for my finals in my fourth year seminar courses.

Soundtracks of the weekend? Every Michael W Smith Christmas song I could get my hands on, MercyMe Christmas, Sting Christmas, Point of Grace Christmas, and the new Jingle Bell Rock by the Newsboys. Brilliant.

My brain is exhausted.

Word of the Day: Effectively (I have probably overused it in my papers)

Quote of the Day: Nothing. I have been staring at a computer screen all day...

Advent Praise

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons [and daughters] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will -- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One who loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment -- to bring all things on heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.


In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in oder that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession -- to the praise of his glory.
- Ephesians 1: 2-14

Word of the Day: honour

Quote of the Day: "Is the internet finite or infinite? (pause) What! It's been a long time since I have had a ridiculous intellectual discussion!" Erica Akers

Let Hope Rise

Praise.







Erica comes home from France for Christmas.

Christmas is coming.

Let Hope Rise. Let Darkness Tremble.

Happy Weekend.

Word of the Day: Predictable

Quote of the Day: :You drive on the other side of the road in Alberta?!" Corey Van Huizen

Before the Advent season

I have started listening to Christmas music.

I know that it is only the 14th of November. I know that it isn't cold enough for snow. I know that it is too early to put up the Christmas tree (though, I will likely do that this week, too). I know that black Friday doesn't happen until after the American Thanksgiving. I know that Remembrance Day was only 3 days ago.

I know that the Advent season has not started yet.

But what is wrong with being excited about the birth of my Saviour?

Christmas isn't some secularized tradition to me. It isn't about presents, or finishing exams, or snow, or Christmas trees (although, these are fun parts of the holiday season). It is about the fact that in a little over 40 days, I get to celebrate with my family and friends the fact that my God became human in order that He should die for my sins. He died so that I can have life.

My playlist is not filled with songs about Santa Claus. I get tired of the songs about snow and sleigh-rides (though, the romantic - and romance in the literary sense, here - idea of it all, is fun, and does add to the joy of the season). I'm not concerned with Frosty the Snowman, or the Grinch who stole Christmas, mostly because these things don't define Christmas.

Yet, as I look ahead to the Advent season, I can't help but be excited. Excited for lighting candles, for reading through Isaiah in preparation. For seeing family. For finishing exams (goodness, those are coming up quickly). For seeing houses lighted up. For seeing God's creation asleep under a blanket of snow. I'm excited to be a part of the body of Christ as it celebrates the coming of Jesus. He is the greatest gift there is.

That aside, I love snow, and wouldn't mind if Ancaster got some of that this year.

Word of the Day: discourse

Quote of the Day: "God created woman, and placed her in front of Adam, and he said, 'Wo! Man!' " Pastor John