My favourite artist. Kelowna.

Family: I took this sunset pic on the way to see ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2’ with the little people. Not exactly on the way but kids are used to my sunset snapping detours.

Reading: This letter to Miley from Sinead resulting in bloggers, news and all things media passing their opinions. Miley responds by retweeting Sinead’s posts from 3 years ago on Sinead’s struggle mentally, and compared her to Amanda Bynes who is currently in a psychiatric hospital. Sinead is now on her 3rd letter. Stating she will support Miley when she is having a breakdown. The well meaning start, ends with lawyers.

And Miley and Sinead are in the spotlight.

I have 3 girls who have grown up with Hannah Montana and have no doubt watched Robert Thicke thrusting and Miley’s twerking.

Because of letters I have written,  my children can make informed choices.

Because of the letter, present in my home, they know of a value system that is different.

So, how about – in addition to writing to celebs, let’s write letters to our own kids on how to cope with this stuff.

Better still – talk to them. Uncomfortable words. Face to face. 

From Miley to Henri Nouwen. It is my soup after all…

Thinking: ‘The human, ordinary yet divine gesture of breaking bread. A gesture of hospitality, friendship, care, and the desire to be together. Taking a loaf of bread, blessing it, breaking it, and giving it to those seated around the table signifies unity, community, and peace. God becomes most present when we are most human.’ I have focused on the following thoughts of Nouwen a lot this week. Especially as I eat toast with my friends in the Hope Centre.

A most ordinary act in which I believe that God is most present.

Quote: ‘Wow, Michelle, did you make these oustanding cookies’ ‘Yes, a secret recipe. I have only shared it with Costco’.  Made me smile…

Thankful: The reason we are planted in this beautiful country is Willow Park Church, Kelowna.

I know, I know – you think it is for the lakes, ski hills, mountains, the beaches and all round beauty.

But seriously.

A church where:

The voices of hundreds of young adults worshipping at Pursuit can be heard merging with the voices of the Friday morning hymn sing in the Hope Centre.

The stories of our Encounter God retreat merge with Phil’s storytelling at the Seniors Hoedown.

The joyful screams of children at Jam & Thrive merge with the whoops of women at Take a Break.

The cars through hoops of fire merge with the battered bikes outside the Hope Centre.

The quiet prayers of the faithful 7am prayer group merge with the cry of city pastors agreeing in prayer.

Rich and diverse – a church that can’t be defined. 

A church whose sounds touch heaven. 

Verse: That’s plain enough, isn’t it? You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home. Ephesians 2:19

Us. Community.

And finally, if nothing else. Sing-along to this!

Enjoy your weekend, find your place,

Michelle xo

PS: New website launch today at Willow Park Church. Click it out here!