Home Visit and Now

Back in Hamilton after a wonderful home visit to Winnipeg for Christmas. We were able to spend some quality time with both families, see many friends, and feel the cold that Hamilton does not have! Some highlights included seeing friends and family, experiencing one of the best Nayler Christmases ever, having laughing-so-hard-we're-crying sessions, and meeting our new niece, Cori-Anne who is ADORABLE!! Even though our visit ended off with both Jon and I burdened with the flu, it was a most excellent time. So I'll leave the description of our holiday at that. I've included a few of my favourite pictures from the holidays.
And now, I am back to the job search. I was feeling quite motivated the other day, but now have this heavy feeling and am not excited one bit about trying to get a job. Even as I type, I should technically be dropping off resumes to local businesses, but find myself procrastinating. Sigh.

It's a new year, though, and even though it doesn't feel any different than 2008 yet, I know this year brings with it much change and excitement. So I look forward to that.

A Post!

Some things that have happened since my last post:

- Turned 25
- Made good Hamilton friends
- Worked at a bookstore (in addition to the tutoring)
- Had many a cry
- Had many a laugh--one that was so hard it made me cry, actually!
- Became at peace with not renewing my Ontario Teachers Certification/not teaching while in Hamilton
- Painted with watercolours and oils..and quite loved it (and still do love it)
- Had a mom visit
- Caught and held on to a couple colds!
- Have had obvious answers to prayer and have experienced God's grace, faithfulness, and love in many ways
- Read some awesome books
- Took care of the sweetest dog for a weekend
- Sang with Jon at an art show

Things have been so busy that I have yet to decorate the house for Christmas! This is something I LOVE doing, and is an important tradition for me. So, even though we won't be here for Christmas, the decorating will be done this week!! Despite the lack of decoration, a heck of a lot of Christmas music (which I love) has been playing!

Right now Jon and I are looking forward to our Winnipeg Christmas visit! We fly out from Hamilton this Friday (the 19th) and are there till the 31st. Our visit is already looking pretty packed, but in a really good way. I am so looking forward to seeing family and friends from 'home!' Let the countdown begin...see you soon!

I'll leave you with a painting and some photos:

Break

I'm not going to post for a while. Maybe in November.

Thanksgiving in Hamilton (and another pie, finally!)

Friday: Relaxing night at home
Saturday: Cleaning the apartment, dinner at a pub & an evening walk...

Sunday was such a great day/evening. While Jon spent time reading for school, I went out and collected some colourful leaves. It was in the low 20s on Saturday, so the weather was perfect for spending time outside. While my pumpkin pie was baking in the oven, I "waxed" the leaves to make table decorations for Thanksgiving. Jon and I then went out to the "Rail Trail" by the escarpment for a lovely fall bike ride. The colours out here are beautiful--I love autumn in Ontario! Here is one of the views from our bike ride

We saw a garder snake on our ride! I love snakes (non-poisonous ones) and was thrilled to see this one...Jon and I laugh every time we look at my ridiculously happy face in this picture!


Sunday evening was then spent at Dale & Brian's place just outside of Hamilton (Dale is Jon's 2nd cousin) for a Thanksgiving dinner. They had some friends over from Toronto as well, with 2 of their 5 kids. Before supper we went for a gorgeous walk on part of the Bruce Trail, and saw a waterfall. We were kicking ourselves for forgetting to bring our camera!

I slept in till about 11 am on Monday (wow, that felt amazing) and then proceeded to prepare for our own Thanksgiving meal. The place got pretty warm as it reached 25 C (27 C with the humidex) yesterday! That with the oven and stovetop going all day made for one hot kitchen! Definitely a difference between Manitoba and Ontario. I had a great time getting things ready, and the results were delicious! I can now say I have made my own Thanksgiving meal. And the only thing that was from a can was the canned corn! The meal consisted of: a roast chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, rolls, dressing ("stuffing"), brussel sprouts, a carnival squash, and corn. And of course, pumpkin pie with whipped cream for dessert!

Where East Meets West

In Winnipeg, we consider ourselves to be central in terms of Canada and Ontario (and beyond), to be "out East." Here in Hamilton, people consider "here" to be central, and the Maritimes to be "East." I guess in terms of football, or even just BC, Winnipeg would be considered "East" too. Hm. Aaaanyways...

Jon and I have been happy to meet up with a number of people from "out West" the last few weeks...

In September, Kara was taking a massage therapy course in Toronto for a weekend. The Sunday she left, we met up at the Pearson airport and had a wonderful visit. It was so fun to catch up in person, and see a familiar face!

On Thursday (Sept. 25), Jon's parents flew in from Newfoundland, where they were visiting April, Jordan, and little Cori-Anne, and stayed with us till Sunday. We were definitely spoiled and we loved it! Their visit included dinner outings, baby picture viewings (Cori is sooo cute!), a wedding, brunch, and good conversation. Not only were we able to see mom and dad H, but we also had the chance to visit with our good friends Roger & Kelly (and their adorable girls, Cadance & Addyson), and their family as Cortney (Roger's sister) got married on Saturday. For some bizarre reason, we have no photographic evidence of a Hildebrand visit (mom and dad H do...) but we do have some photos of Rog & Kelly.

Last week on Thursday, I had the chance to visit with Alissa and Ayla! They were visiting Alissa's aunt and uncle in Guelph, and they were kind enough to stop in for an afternoon. We went for a Fall walk (and were rained on a bit), and chatted in the apartment over tea (as well as played with stuffed animals, sang and danced with Ayla). I may post some pics from that day later. It was a treat to spend time with both mother and daughter. Thanks for visiting!

The next visit we look forward to is my mom, in November!

Delight

Psalm 37:4 - Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

I was looking for a verse this morning, and I found this one. I was thinking about the word "delight" and how it's such a great word! It encompasses the idea of taking great pleasure in something so beautifully. God takes great pleasure in his creations. God delights in you and in me. I should also delight in Him! Right now, I think I need to focus less on my present struggles (not ignore them) and I should be delighting in the one who delights in me.

This brings me to the question, "what are the desires of my heart?" On the surface I'd say I want a satisfying job that will support Jon and I while we're in Hamilton, or, I want to be able to get enough sleep...

When I really think about it, though, those aren't really the things my heart desires. They are important, and the list could go on, but they aren't really all that deep. My heart desires deep connections with God and with people. It desires for all to know and feel they are loved. It wants suffering to cease. My heart desires to be the heart of God. Those are the desires of my heart, and if delighting in the Lord will bring those things...I will delight!

News from Hammer Town

How I'm Doing:

For a while I really wasn't inspired to write anything on here. After coming to terms with the fact that I can't teach in a school until February (even then, that's a maybe), searching daily for jobs, trying to juggle volunteering, evening tutoring, and job searching, and the stress of money, I was getting pretty discouraged and depressed.

I had an interview on Monday, however, with a placement agency and started a temporary position this Tuesday! It has been really busy for me, with working 7am-3pm and then tutoring on Mon. & Wed. from 6-7, and on Tues. & Thurs. from 4-7! Despite the long days, I am so thankful for the opportunity to work this week! I am a woman who loves (and needs) her sleep, so I am really looking forward to a good sleep-in tomorrow.

Not having friends out here yet can get a bit lonely sometimes, but I have had some wonderful support and encouragement from home--thank you, you know who you are! Also, working this week has been a great chance for me to meet and talk with people, which has been refreshing. I've even met some teachers from around here who are in the same boat as me which is comforting.

This Week and the Next:

This past Sunday, Jon and I attended a church that reminded us of Faithworks in its early stages. It's a new church plant (1 year old) that meets Sundays at 5 pm, and it was full of young people! Everyone was extremely friendly and made us feel so welcome. We are trying to arrange a dinner with the pastor and his wife, and another young couple. We plan on going again, but may also try out some more.

Volunteering this Monday in the Kindergarten class was so fun! The teacher is wonderful, and gave me a "hello" and "goodbye" hug--very sweet lady. This coming Monday I will be with the Kindergarten class in the morning, and in a 4/5 split at another school in the afternoon. I'm happy for the opportunity to make connections with teachers/principals and to be a part of school environments.

Now that I've had a boost in spirit, I can eagerly await the Toronto visit with Kara this Sunday! I am so excited to see her!

Also, the following weekend, Jon's parents will be out for a visit! They will be on their way home from Newfoundland (visiting April, Jordan, and their new daughter --my new neice Corisma Anne Marie!) and will be here from Thursday to Sunday. We have a family friend's wedding to attend that Saturday, so it'll be a fun weekend. I'm pretty excited to host our first guests to our new apartment!

So, things are looking up! Life here definitely isn't what I had anticipated, but in the grand scheme of things, it's only a year. Keeping that in mind, I guess anything can happen within that year, and who knows what God has planned for me!