I survived!

On my way from South Korea to South Africa, at the end of 2005, on the airplane; one of the movies they were showing was "Surviving Christmas". At the time, I found - definitely - some parts pretty downright funny. My favourite part, however, was the song at the start: "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year..." The point it was making was that, for some people, there can be considerable satire in that sentiment. Fast forward ten years, and I decided I would borrow that movie from the library. I got to the library, and there it was! So I watched... at least most of it. I knew I was going to have to skip some parts - and, sure enough, I did!


My idea was to "survive 'Surviving Christmas'" - and I did it! Yiches! I cannot say I will ever have to do that again! I got some good laughs - but I can see why Plugged In Online hated it so much! The good news is: God willing, I will have a wonderful 24th and 25th day of the twelfth month, also known as Christmas; and this will be by the grace of God.


By the way, I do NOT recommend that movie! Why did I watch a movie I do not recommend? Because I did remember enjoying, definitely, parts of it, and even the ending. Nevertheless, watching it again after all these years? Never again! Never again! What is done is done - and, again, I did skip what I knew I was going to have to. I am not completely proud of it, but let me say this: God knows my heart in having borrowed and watched it again, and "In the integrity of my heart have I done this." Also, I am humbled to admit that the main character DID remind me of me.




My youngest sister and her husband were going to have me up to their place for both of those days; but then she had her third son last "Son-Day". I phoned my brother in law and found out that that meant he was doing good to welcome me up for the 25th and overnight that night! I cannot rent a car on the 25th, which means that - God willing - I will pick up the rental car tomorrow at Noon (i.e. the 24th).


That meant I was going to have a car, and nothing to necessarily do with it for a day; but now I have discovered that the Director I worked for at Carberry Bible Camp in the summer of 1995 currently lives in Cochrane (near where I am in Calgary)! I don't know if I can pay them a visit, but as I have said, "Here is 'HOPE IN'!"


Also, I do earnestly and fervently pray I will be able to show up at certain friends' place on the first of next year - of course, if God will. For whatever it is worth, I have asked a friend here in Calgary to hold me accountable to an agreement: no more visiting that place (trusting I am able to visit it, again, on the first of next year) more than once a year (of course, IF that). In other words, from now on, if those friends wanted to see me more than once a year, they would have to come and see me here. I would love it if they did - but the ball would be squarely in their court; and that would be exactly where it belongs.


Also, if there is one thing that has been settled in my mind, in no uncertain terms, it is that I am to "...-333 ... 1,910,762,114,877.1 ..." And not only that! Also, "... -333 ... 70,711,880,470.1 ..." to "...-333 ... 1,910,762,114,877.1 ..." After all, I am painfully and even mournfully aware that I could have lost that privilege! I was not trying to lose it, though - I really thought I was doing the right thing! How could I have been so sure of something so "... 60,460,385,573 ..."? I'm me. I'm not saying I like who I am - but I am saying I am me. I wish I could say I liked it, but I do not.


Let me put it this way: a while back, I beloved friend in Australia, over the phone, mentioned "... 24,306,635,642,851/-353 -83,232,561,748,300 ..." (By the way, this may seem ridiculous to say, but please bear with me... this is "-3,085,534,426,214". I know ye could really do me in if ye wanted to, but please don't! I love you!) God willing, I will phone my friend again and ask him, "Where do I start with that...?"


It would mean so much to me to see you again, and love and be loved by you - legitimately, of course, and definitely within reason.


Love,


Daniel