Re-seeing the familiar

I always saw spring as beautiful. New growth, young being born, fresh scents in the air, and warmth from the sun. Now I am beginning to see fall just as beautiful. It always was a nice time of year, but now I appreciate a beautiful death. One that gives a new perspective and new life to all that surrounds.

Take these leaves, for example.

We see them underfoot as they fall from the trees.

Yet, do we admire the beauty in their death? And the new life it brings?

An early rise gave way to see beauty unfold

The walk to the lake is peaceful and, at the same time, full of life. Spider webs with dew on the silk, hanging like an ornament. Leaves rustling and dancing in the wind. Birds chirping in the trees, calling out to one another. 

The lake is as peaceful as ever. Watching in silence as the sun disappears behind a bank of fog. Slowly, it closes in on the land , slipping further along until it covers the entire lake. 

Waiting patiently for it to move again.

Nothing. 

Tranquility remains.

 That is until a powerboat speeds into the fog, slows, disappearing, until it is consumed. 

Even if just for a moment life would be still, to enjoy all that is around. To take in life, to be full of life. To see and breath peace until you overflow. 

In the silence and peace I hear “my portion is enough for you” echoed among the wind.   

Honey listens carefully too. 

Watching silently. 

For the bird. Or the squirrel. To give way of its whereabouts.

 Ears perked. Legs braced. She watches. Listens. And is surrounded by peace. 

“be still and know that I am God” 

Just around the riverbend....

A walk in one direction may lead you to another. 

You never know what is just around the riverbend....

                                                         one step after 

                                                                                  the other 

What will you find? 

You will never know unless you look and see with not just your eyes but with your heart. 

What you find may change your life. 

There is a beautiful world underneath the trash. 

If only we would stop and see it for what it is, lifting our gaze heavenwards. 

"What I love most about rivers is:

You can't step in the same river twice

The water's always changing, always flowing"

Going Where? To Do What?

This has been what seems like a long time coming, and was only possible with patience, hope, dedication and persistence. "If we hope for something we already see, it’s not really hope. Who hopes for what can be seen? But if we hope for what we don’t see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance."

When I am asked what I am doing I am often confronted with this. You are going where? To do what? 

I am excited to say that I am moving to the UK! L'Arche will soon be my new home and I will have the opportunity to go through life with some amazing people and I hope to encourage them and engage in two-way learning, all while having fun. A perfect combination of things I am passionate about: life-long learning, community development, spirituality, and environmental awareness. 









More about L'Arche 
L’Arche supports the personal growth and development of each member so that they can fully develop their potential. Communities provide work, therapeutic and leisure activities that are a source of dignity and fulfillment for their members.

L’Arche communities give each person the confidence and skills to grow, to achieve their life goals and to make a contribution to society regardless of their intellectual and physical limitations. This is done through the development of long-term mutual relationships, providing a stable home environment, on-going training of those who provide assistance to community members with disabilities, and partnerships with professional care providers and government authorities.

There are currently 146 communities in 35 countries. Each community is comprised of homes and day programs, which operate according to a not-for-profit model. Our model of care is unique: people with intellectual disabilities are at the heart of L’Arche – not as clients, patients, or recipients of services but as friends, teachers and companions.

Founded in 1964 in France by Jean Vanier, L’Arche is an international federation dedicated to the creation and growth of homes, programs and support networks for people who have intellectual disabilities and people without intellectual disabilities live mutual relationships and share daily life, building community together.

What's Next?.....I'm Glad You Asked!

It has been awhile since I have used this blog, so welcome back!

First I would like to thank everyone who has ever encouraged me, taught me, coached me, disciplined me, or guided me. I cannot tell you enough how grateful I am for you all being in my life, helping me to where I am today. Life is meant to be lived together and we are much stronger as a community than individuals, so thank you for being a part of mine!

This fall I finished my university degree at Dalhousie University after returning from Scotland in May and completing my final courses this past summer. I have officially achieved a Bachelor of Science, double major in Earth Science and Marine Biology (rocks and fish). My time at university was life changing and I have learned so much about the world around me and how to use and enjoy all God has created!

 

7 October 2014, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS

I am excited to tell you all that I have been accepted to work with Power to Change - Students on a one year internship! I was involved with P2C at Dalhousie and was challenged to deepen my faith. This changed my perspective on faith and allowed me to see the world in a new way: the world is full of people who need Jesus.

Starting in January I will be on university campuses joining a small team that will work with students to develop student led Christian ministries where there is a need for the life changing message of Jesus. Half of the year will be in Australia and the other in Canada, with potential to impact the lives of thousands of students from many different areas of study from all over the world.

But, this cannot be done unless I am able to find like-minded people who are eager to support me. For the next few months I will be working towards developing a sending team...people who are as excited about this as I am. I am asking people to join me in a variety of ways, ultimately to "journey with me" to Australia and back to Canada. Two main ways you can join me right now is with prayer and financial support, both are essential. If you, or someone you know, is interested please contact me (gillianbond.m@gmail.com; 902-277-1566) and I would be glad to tell you more.

Ps. I will make sure to use this blog as often as I can with updates!

Sing your heart out

Do you sing? Or play instruments? Music has always been a huge part of my life and still is today. I love playing and listening to music. There's just something about the rythm and the way it reaches your soul. This all multiplies when you go to a gig.....

Being surrounded by people who have the same heart attitude as you triggers something inside to dance, clap and sing, plus whetever else you do to make the most of it. Theres quite a difference in the gig's I went to. The bands were worshiping Jesus as Lord and Saviour, and asking us to join them!

Heres a message inspired by one of the bands:

Life is like a song. Who you chose to sing it to influences everything you do. 

Your song isnt finished .... you have the opportunity to sing the unimaginable, starting right now!

Dream big and go for it. Challenge yourself and take risks. Try something new, and give it your all.  

But, remember who you sing your song to....is it for others, yourself, or for God? 

In the Great Outdoors, Free From Distractions

Whether rainy or sunny, a day can be brightened by stepping into the great outdoors. There's something about wind-blown fresh air, songbirds singing, and beams of heat from the sun that soothes the soul. Last weekend I did just that, enjoying all of creation without the distractions of busy schedules, technology, and to-do lists. 

The group of people I shared this time with are part of the Destiny Church network, mostly all students or young adults. Our activities spanned from life lessons and hill walking to worship and quiet times. We simply spent time together, enjoying all we have been blessed with and being challenged to dig deeper into God and life. 

Life is not meant to be easy. It never was and never will be. Our only hope to find joy during our time on earth is to seek lasting friendships with each other and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In this comes fulfillment and purpose, ultimately joy! 

I was blessed to spend time with some amazing people growing deeper in faith and understanding of what it means to live life as God intended for us, both individually and together as the body of Christ. 

Live a Life Worth Writing About

Life is a funny thing. We are born, we live and we die. The time we spend here on earth is so short and we worry so much about things that dont really matter in the eternal perspective. I cant imagine a better way to spend a relaxing day than with the people around me, exploring the historic city of Edinburgh. 

The time spent with these wonderful people in Edinburgh was amazing as we explored the city, took in the sights, and enjoyed the culture. 

There are all kinds of people alive today who love to be around others and share life. It can be pretty boring to have no one around to share time with, so encourage others and be thankful for the great friends and family you have had and have right now, no matter how unique (or crazy) they seem to be. 

As simple as it seems we need others to share in our struggles, fear, accomplishments, love, pain, and joy. There is always a need for a good friend to stop and listen, to share time with, and to create lasting memories with. So today, and every day, be a friend to someone in need, it may be someone you never talked to. Stop and spend time with them. It could change their life, or better, yours! 

A word of wisdom to end: 

I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 NLT)

Life: a precious gift we are privileged to have and enjoy!

I took a huge leap of faith in coming to Glasgow, with high expectations of what my time here might look like. But, as life happens so does change. Change is guaranteed to come, often when we least expect it. We can enjoy the ride that life brings, but is there more to life than sitting on a ride and waiting for the next turn or bump? 

I appreciate where I am in life right now and I am able to enjoy it with those around me and with others who are a bit further away. My course load is manageable and I enjoy learning about the world around me, while still having the ability to see it for myself. So much of the world has already been uncovered with a spark of curiosity and patience, both of which I seem to have been gifted. 
 

The world we live in is amazing and full of wonderful surprises, but we are satisfied by the simplest of things, like smartphones or tv, that generally occupy our minds with nonsense. I believe that there is more to life than busying our minds and bodies, that we are all able to seek something greater. Our lives have so much more value than we ever could understand and we must appreciate all that we have. 

Consider your life, are you satisfied with where you are now or are you seeking something more? 

The biggest challenge I face is not knowing what I will be doing in the future. For a lot of people university is the time in life when they "find themselves" and determine what they will do upon graduation. But I am fully reassured that I am still undecided, with less than a year until I finish my degree. I know who I am and as a follower of Jesus I have complete faith that all of my challenges will be overcome in some way, but they may not be the way I think is best (it's often far better!). 

This life is very short and to spend our precious time worrying and planning is often a way to pass the time here on earth that is already so limited.
 

My challenge to you is to stop being busy and worrying, to seek God, to let go of your challenges, and engage in the ride God takes you on! 

Don't let life pass you by, it is far to short and you are worth it.