Strawberries and Cream

Ah, I've fallen in love... with fresh strawberries and cream. And when I say fresh strawberries I mean they are fresh! Sorrento Centre has a farm (www.sorrento-centre.bc.ca), and in its second season the farm is now producing strawberries and the staff tonight got to enjoy the first pick. Fresh, sweet, beautiful, amazing strawberries covered in a light coat of smooth cream. The perfect dessert for Sunday and the perfect end to an amazing weekend.

A few other amazing things took place this weekend. The first, my three youngest brothers and sisters spent the weekend with me in Sorrento. Taylor, Rhys and Aaron joined me on Friday night and left for Savona just before dinner this evening. We had a weekend of adventures,

walks, basketball, movie watching, enjoying treats, lots of time outside, fun in the sun and a whole lot of laughter and conversation. I miss them. It was way to much fun to have them here and just be. There was no competition, no grumpiness, no impatience, just full on deep joy and fun. I love being with my brothers and sisters and one of the hardest thing is not being with them for so much of the summer. Although, even harder is saying goodbye after an amazing weekend visit when I know that I probably won't see them for at least a month. Thank goodness for today's technology!

Sorrento Centre was privileged to have John Bell, an internationally known songwriter, here for the weekend. He came as a gift to us to do a fundraiser for our farm/Sorrento Centre after spending a week with us last year. John Bell is amazing. And his music, equally amazing. I could go on forever about how wonderful it was to have him here and spend a few hours singing with him and a group of folks (including a lovely group from the Cathedral!).

So, my advise for you at the end of this weekend... go find some fresh strawberries and a bit of cream and enjoy the taste of summer!

Summer may be coming...

I have many awesome friends who are so good at blogging regularly, I apologize that I do not fall in that category. So often I think to share with my experiences with my friends via this means but at the end of the day I so often need to choose whether to blog for others to read or write in my journal as a way of reflecting, discerning, and remembering. I suppose you can imagine what I so often choose. And then of course I wonder what the point of blogging even is... like really, is taking this time actually worth it? One will never know. I love the idea that it allows my family and friends to know even a mall bit of what I'm up to... but does it actually serve that point?

Here I am once again at Sorrento Centre well immersed into my fourth summer. I'm excited about this year's Children and Youth program, this years staff team, and all the many adventures and experiences that will take place.

A few of the things I've been up to since completing this past year of school (year four complete!!) and some of my pondering thoughts:

- Sorrento Centre is a place of such deep peace and reflection for me. Yes, it always comes down to me making the decision to take the time to engage in spiritual practices and reflection, but as I learn to do this more faithfully I remember more often how important it really is.

- An undergrad degree is designed to be completed in four years for a reason... planning year five is no longer exciting!

- Amazing things happen when committed folks gather together to make decisions and learn together.

- It's worth it to say "no" to people when asked to take on a commitment/committee appointment as it allows you to say "yes" when the right opportunity that matches your gifts and interests and the world's needs comes along.

- Songs get stuck in my head... for a very long time!

- Gathering with 130 colleagues who share a passion in (youth) ministry is again and ag

ain an amazing experience. Learning, sharing, rest, renewal, conversation. (Common Ground 2011)

- I fell in love with a camp while in Ontario... and the idea of raising a family while directing a camp (at least that is this month's new idea for life!!)

- Lake Huron - stunning!!

- Really good worship makes my day... or week!

- Spending time with my siblings, well I never get tired of it. But yes, a bit sleepy by the end of a full day.

- The Leadership Team I work with at Sorrento Centre is crazy, well we all are! But they keep me laughing and on my toes... and that is good!

So - will you hear from me again before the summer is over and I am preparing to dive into my final year of my BA? Who knows... I can try, but we'll see. I guess first I need to see if summer actually comes, time for the sunshine to come out!