Another Year Past

Another year passed and what have we learned? For many of us it has meant countless hours of reading massive amounts, writing papers on existentialism, Pauline theology or a host of other topics, and studying hard for pop quizes and exams. We have learned to walk beside one another in community, eat about a thousand meals, and braved the harsh winter of Three Hills. As we come to the close of another school year, I am reminded of the importance to press on towards the goal. Paraphrasing the apostle Paul, it is imperative that we strive to run the race for Jesus: to be disciplined like a soldier, to train hard like an Olympic athlete and to persevere like a farmer. It is only in this light that we can run the race set out for us.

Tinsel, Egg Nog and Nursing Homes

Yes, once again, the tinsel, eggnog and shopping malls have their place in our lives. But wait, could it be that perhaps we are missing the real holiday cheer in a nursing home. No, I have not been sucking on lead painted toys from China that you can buy in the dollar-rama. I am speaking about a paradigm shift of Christ-mas. Yesterday I was privileged to attend my children's Christmas concert. I was greatly surprised that the scene was not the infamous nativity with crooked haloed angels and a really fake baby in a manger. Rather, the performance centered in a nursing home played by 14 year old actors with spray painted gray hair. The story itself was about aged folk in the nursing home and their real experiences of loneliness and isolation. My favorite part in the concert was watching a grumpy old lady with dark humor, who despised life and everyone around her, shower everyone with discouragement. I came to the realization that there are people out there like that. Yet the quiet love of a Sunday School choir, the gentle visit from a grandson and the authenticity of the real story of Christmas broke through her hardened heart and all was well in nursing home-ville. Could it be that the parties and the tinsel and the eggnog are really garnishes on the real feats of Christmas, to love one another as God has loved us. Let's not forget that love is about action-maybe even visiting someone in the nursing home this Christmas.

Merry Christmas Off Campus!

Simple Thanks

This time of year with papers and exams right around the corner, the tendency is to gripe and complain. Stress gets in the way of truly thankful times. Often our best intensions are shadowed by anxiety, sometimes depression and just void of energy.

I am reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul to the church: "be thankful continually." That is an extremely hard thing to do, when a paper is due the next day and you haven't even begun your research.

The other night our family sat around our fire pit in our backyard. As we sat there I had a God moment. My God moment was a flash of inspiration in which God wanted to speak to us as a family. I knew I had to obey. I asked for each of us to go and get a piece of wood from our firewood box. With each person holding a small piece of wood, I asked them to gave thanks to God for one thing. It was amazing to watch and listen to my elementary aged children to go around, Our middle daughter began: "I am thankful for today and for my family." It continued... "I am thankful for God and my family, and my friends.", "I am thankful for this fire, food and dad and mom and my sisters, buddy and slipper (our dogs), our fish and my bed." Then as an act of sacrifice, we all threw our thanksgiving stick into the fire. There was silence that ensued. As I looked at my children, simple tears welled up in my eyes because my children caught it- they were simply and authentically being thankful to God. It reminded me that the simple things that we sometimes overlook are precious in the eyes of children.

Jesus reminded us that we wouldn't see the kingdom unless we demonstrated simple faith. This simple faith relates to being thankful in simple ways: "Thanks for the sunrise today God.", "Thanks for fresh clean water to drink.", "Thanks for food on our table.", "Thanks for a warm bed.", "Thanks for the opportunity to study at Prairie.", "Thanks for friends.", "Thanks for my Family.", "Thanks for this term paper." I wonder sometimes if God can't wait for thanksgiving because we often neglect being thankful at other times of the year. I can see God, pulling up to the table and saying I can't wait to hear my kids give thanks. It is beautiful. May this thanksgiving be a truly beautiful time of year to share our simple faith with God and others.

Student Family Potluck and Chili Cook Off

I woke up this morning, put the coffee on, and headed for the shower. The air in our bathroom was a little "chilly" to say the least. I thought to myself, it is only September so who turned the heat off. I grabbed a hot coffee and got ready for work. While backing the car out of the garage, I noticed the frost was sitting on my grass. I can't believe how chilly the air is getting even outside my house. I guess winter is right around the corner. Speaking of right around the corner, we are have a "Student Family Potluck and Chili Cook Off" happening on Sunday October 5 @ 4:30 p.m. at the ARC. For those of you who have been accustomed to great food from our Off Campus Families, we once again have our famous "Chili Cook Off." It never ceases to amaze me how our families come up with delicious recipes for some "down home smoking chili." So put those crock pots on and come and join us Sunday October 5 @ 4:30 p.m.

Welcome Back

We wanted to take this opportunity to say, "Welcome Back- from the Spiritual Formation Division"; especially, the Off Campus Student Development Team! We know what it is like being an off campus student (single or family) moving to a new place, meeting new friends and going to a new school. Questions like: "Will I fit in?", "Will I and my family make friends?", "Will I feel welcome?" and many others are all common questions and part of the experience. We (Donna Fletcher and I) want to make sure that you are connected, welcomed and feel part of the community at Prairie. Please know the Assistive Resource Centre (2nd floor Imbach) is open from at least 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. We are here to answer any questions, concerns or just share life. We want you to know that our job is to be here for you. We are also available by phone 24/7. So, welcome back and we hope that all of you will join us for our first Hot Dog Roast for Families (Friday September 5 @ 5:30 p.m.) and Hot Dog Roast for Singles (Saturday September 6 @ 5:30 p.m.). Both events will be held at the north end of the campus at the fire pit (north of the mail center). See you there.

Thinking about summer, so are we.

Summer- I love the word. Picture for a moment green grass and trees, bright and colorful foliage, people outdoors, camping, hiking and the like. It is a chance to finally clean out my garage, get the outside of my place in shape and connect with friends for BBQ's, parties at the lake and enjoying the outdoor living to it's fullest. "Now wait a minute", you might say, "I enjoy the outdoors any time of year." This is entirely true but there is just something about life in Canada regarding not wearing a ski jacket, winter boots and mitts that excites me.
A number of students I know are enjoying a much deserved break from studies (unless of course you are loaded with Distance Ed. courses). If that is the case, the change of a new summer environment lends so some creative thinking. Sitting outside at a picnic table with a glass of ice tea and a cool breeze does something for our creative process. Thinking about summer, so are we. As we sit in our non-air conditioned offices waiting for that special note on our calendar that pops up and says, "summer holidays begins today."

The Last of a Long Line...

And so it came to pass that in the year of our Lord two thousand and eight the program of the off campus students came to an end for the summer. For four months, the fair students of Prairie who lived on the fringes of the town would wander off into the wilds, ne're to return until the rising of the September sun. Some would return joyously, others not at all. However, there was a light, a fair luminescent orb on the horizon... the Off Campus program lived on! To some, it would be a new adventure, to others it would be a change of fate. The program ne're looked the same as it had before, but it still lived on in the hearts and minds of those students who chose to make the town of Three Hills their home... at least for the next few months.
All of us here in the Off Campus office want to thank you guys for making this inaugural year for the program one of the best. You made our job easier with your willing attitudes and servant-like hearts, and for that we thank you. May God continue to bless you richly as you travel from here for the summer, and in many cases for the rest of your life. Please remember your time here fondly, and know that we all wish you well on your journey.
Off-Campus Interns