This Is Good...

You know what I love? Sitting with one of your besties in front of the telly, eating some food, snuggled up in blankets, being so comfortable that only three words need to be mentioned.... This is good.

Patience. One of the many fruits of the spirit. One of which I thought I had under control, but apparently not. I am impatient, I am tired, I am frustrated, because I, I am the one waiting on you. You know what the first fruit is? Love. Patience is forth, which leaves me wondering. Why am I patiently waiting for love? I think for once, love can wait for me.

Getting to know you, getting to know EVERYTHING about you... Well folks this has been an interesting week, my eyes have been opened to see who some people really are and that my view of them needs to change drastically. I'm starting to understand their little quirks and mannerisms and it's made life that much easier. YEY FOR THAT! Also on a This is good note, I was shopping yesterday at my place of work, nonchalantly walking down the aisles when I saw a superbly amazing acquaintance of mine, she ran over saying how she was praying that she would see me here so she could give me my birthday present. Now I have hung out with this girl maybe three or four times, always in a group, and I barely even know her, I can't even pronounce her last name, and she went out of her way to make me not one, but two, homemade gifts. I was astonished, she made me a super choice notebook out of an old Air Supply album cover (GOLDEN!) and also some home made lip gloss, so rad. The best part was ...

What are you so afraid of? Could it be, three simple words, or the fear of being overheard? What's wrong? Let her in on your secret heart. This very secret you're trying to conceal, is the very same one you're dying to reveal... Dang nabbit I did it again, I got my heart thump-thumpin thinking maybe, just maybe, we could work this out, that you and I would end up together, but, alas, I think I'm just blowing this out of proportion YET AGAIN! My mother always told me that having such an avid imagination was a good thing, but it's not, I live in a fantasy world filled with stories I've created and when reality sets in it's nothing like I imagined. Not to say that it isn't equally swell sometimes, but, I do have great expectations. And just when I think I'm all alone in this dry and weary land you appear, bringing with you all the answers and all the perfect words to sort me out, and that my friends is good. Thanks again for never giving up on me. M...

Biffy Clyro-- Man of Horror You say "I love you boy" But I know you lie. I trust you all the same And I don't know why. 'Cause when my back is turned, My bruises shine. Our broken fairytale, So hard to hide. I still believe, It's you and me till the end of time. When we collide we come together, If we don't, we'll always be apart. I'll take a bruise i know you're worth it. When you hit me, hit me hard. Sitting in a wishing hole, Hoping it stays dry. Feet cast in solid stone, I got Gilligan's eyes. I still believe, It's you and me till the end of time. When we collide we come together, If we don't, we'll always be apart. I'll take a bruise i know you're worth it. When you hit me, hit me hard. 'Cause you said hello, It's where the going get's hard, Our future is far, Many of horror Our future's far, Many of horror Our future is far, Many of horror I still believe, It's you and me t...

I don't know when, I don't know how, but one day, maybe even soon, we'll come across eachother and ask "Where have you been all my life?" Cause it's just like you said " People who are meant to be together, always find eachother in the end." And in that moment we'll know This is Good.

Isn't it funny how when you are walking down the street you will so easily stray off course to reach that crunchy leaf, to kick that rock further on down the road, or you'll even take those extra few steps just to go jump in a certain puddle, isn't that funny? Don't you find it funny that something so minuscule and unnecessary can make you change your entire path, the way that you intended to go is no longer a focus but all of your attention is put forth toward this one insignificant thing. Funny right? I find it kind of funny that things you once held so dear, that were the forefront in your mind, that had complete control over all of your decisions can be thrown to the wayside so quickly by one little thing, it's so stinking funny. Are you laughing yet? Cause I think I missed the punchline. Much love and not-quite funny jokes-- Amy

Well folks, I did it. I Amy Pickard, told my testimony. It was kind of super crazy as I was ridonculously nervous about the whole situation but when the time came I just thought it's now or never, so just get it over with! I just wish I wasn't such a nervous crier, seriously the most embarrassing thing is being in a room of people you only kind of know and telling them every aspect of your life only to make it that much more awkward by tearing up. But I received some good responses and now it will most likely never be brought up again! Grand! Unfortunately that also makes me ponder if this was a complete waste of my time? My life story isn't filled with hardship, I haven't completely overcome my issues, but I think more people can relate to something like that sometimes than these men who fought battles with drugs or were gang members, for everyone tells a lie from time to time and they can see how it can get out of hand as it did for me. Not to say that those men...

Atelphobia: The fear of not being good enough.

I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can't see from the center. -- Kurt Vonnegut

"The Journey One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began, though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice -- though the whole house began to tremble and you felt the old tug at your ankles. "Mend my life!" each voice cried. But you didn't stop. You knew what you had to do, though the wind pried with its stiff fingers at the very foundations, though their melancholy was terrible. It was already late enough, and a wild night, and the road full of fallen branches and stones. But little by little, as you left their voices behind, the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds, and there was a new voice which you slowly recognized as your own, that kept you company as you strode deeper and deeper into the world, determined to do the only thing you could do -- determined to save the only life you could save.” Mary Oliver

"to live in this world you must be able to do three things to love what is mortal; to hold it-- against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go”

Eccedentesiast: A person who fakes a smile. Well I'm not faking, things have been going really well lately and I am in such a good space even though a few things continue to be trying to bring me down. GO ME! Much love and Monday, Tuesday, happy days-- Amy

So I was asked a few weeks back to speak at a small youth service in my home town. (Why I will never know.) For frankly I really don't know what I am going to talk about. I feel like in the past most people have told a short testimony and therefore I think I am going to go that way too, but alas, my life has been rather easy and I really don't want to dwell on the crappy things of the past and I think it's best to speak about all the grand things that the Lord is doing in my life. Here's hoping that reaches someone. Much love and a loss for words-- Amy

With all the craziness of the past few days I haven't even told you about my amazing weekend on Saltspring! Saturday afternoon Cassia and I and our pal Amy took the ferry over to Amy's house to spend an awesome night at an awesome concert, Current Swell, the epitome of chill west coast music, on Saltspring, what more could you want? So after arriving at Amy's rad house (which I intend to move in to somehow!) we gallivanted around the island, met her superb new pal Shannon, and after playing a large round of "Do, date or dump" we arrived at Beaver Point Hall. Now our dear friend is a teacher and she was already concerned about this being an all ages show and man were her concerns justified for there was a high populace of drunken teenagers wearing "clothes" that resemble my dish rags at home and the doilies on my coffee table, but nevertheless we got in there, stuck our elbows out, and held our ground as these young groupies tried to steal our spots...

You know what is good? The feeling of knowing that someone is praying for you. I find that so comforting and special because I for one am the worst for actually committing to it. I've been told I am a rather compassionate person, and I agree that if you are in need of a ear or a helping hand I will ALWAYS be there for you, but when I say those four little words: "I'll pray for you!" I tend to forget to, at least for a day or two.... But I have to say this, if you do need me and will appreciate my prayers (delayed as they may be) I got your back. Anyways, just to tie in to what I intended to blog about I just wanted to say that things are looking up from yesterday, I've really learnt how to cope with the crappy feelings that I get instead of just wallowing in them and I feel like such a burden has been taken away and although those problems all still exist, they feel so small. This is good.... Much love and prayer warriors-- Amy

... or just going down? Ugh I hate when things seem to be looking up, there is that beautiful picture ahead of you and your legs are pumping as hard as they can to get to it before it disappears. Fingers reaching, arms outstretched, but nevertheless, I am left in wanting. How come friends of mine seem to get everything they want when not a single thing turns out right for me? Why am I stuck in this constant cycle of receiving a task only to never meet the requirements? Why do I always give in and make the same mistake over and over again? Where have all the blessings gone? When did I lose sight of them? I just want to be okay today.

You be Gretzky and I'll be Messier... Del Barber. I love you. If I had to listen to only one person sing for the rest of my life I would be content with it being this man. He blessed our little town with a performance about a month ago and I was stupid enough not to go! I am sto peeved at myself for passing this by because he is now on constant rotation on my stereo and I would have loved to see him live. But alas, I blew it. So in case you haven't heard this little gem before I highly reccomend him. When I have ever been wrong about music before? Exactly. Much love and all that good stuff- Amy Some good songs to check out are: 62 Richmond Waitress Love is just a wrecking ball Give me a story I can believe If I told you that I loved you

The worst lies are the lies we tell ourselves. We live in denial of what we do, even what we think... ...w e do this because we are afraid. --Bach

"I love food" This was a common thread in my lunch date today. As I sat at a table for two with an old friend at our favourite meeting place (the Garage obvs) I couldn't help but soak in the familiar atmosphere and think "This is Good" We munched on fantastic quesadillas, chatted about days of ole and future hopes and after finishing our meal we took in the sun rays like two fat house cats. As I arrived home I noticed my mailbox was overflowing! I ran over to it to find a package from Treelines, a super choice band from which I had ordered a tank and CD (currently enjoying both) and also a letter from a fellow blogger and acquaintance. Although me and this lovely girl were never super close while she was at home I feel like we just get each other. You know how people say you can have a "soul mate" and not in the cheesy Serendipity way where it's some silly guy but just a person that you instantly click with and just understand. I feel like tha...

The Lord is good to me and so I thank the Lord.... Jumping Jehoshaphat Yeehaw! My life is forever changed by the weekend I just had, and not changed like the times before where things went well for a day or two and then flopped back down in to deep dark lameness but they will actually never be the same. At the retreat I got to share a dorm with 4 amazing girls, three of which I already knew quite well and now I have a new girl to mentor and guide. So choice! Our speaker blew me away with how open and genuine he was about things that had gone on it his past, I have never seen someone so willing to share deep secrets such as these that the average person wouldn't even admit to themselves, let alone a room of 140 teenagers. I now hold this man at such high esteem and am genuinely flabbergasted by his heart. Saturday night after he spoke we were offered the chance to stay back and pray if we felt the need, I had been bawling as per usual and decided I needed to face what I was going th...

This is Good! I am going to camp tomorrow! I don't know what it is about this place but whenever I am there I feel like not a single thing can go wrong, I am invincible, God is on my side! I feel like I am accepted 100% for every aspect of my being and that is just so fantastic. The sad thing is I need to be feeling these sorts of things in all situations, I'm working on that. As for now I am super jazzed on a weekend to literally "retreat" back to those feelings and friends from the summer and to get back on track with my Lord and saviour. Much love and happy campers- Amy

Mamihlapinatapai: a look shared by two people, each wishing that the other will initiate something that both desire, but, which neither one wants to start

I would only believe in a God that knows how to dance- Friedrich Nietzsche I don't know what it is about a group of girls spinning simultaneously, arms spread wide, tutus propped just so, buns atop their heads, simply using their bodies in the most beautiful way we know how. My heart dearly misses it. ... and we danced like a wave on the ocean.

"A broken nation restored through all you are" God has been revealing a plethora of things to me lately and I feel like I need to share them with you :) Last bible study we did tests on spiritual gifting and finding out what mine were really helped reveal some things to me and helped me understand why I act the way I do and why certain things bother me and not others. This was especially helpful in explaining my relationship with my Mom. In short I am a compassion person, therefore I need a lot of affection and attention and I get angered when people are rude or don't have sympathy for people. My mother (although she didn't take the test) is definitely a Perciever. She sees things black and white, thinks with her head, and although likes people she needs time alone to re cooperate, whereas I feed off being around other people and when I'm alone I shut down. One thing that our leader brought up is that my Mom probably doesn't show a lot of affection and when ...

Bible study was on Tuesday and I've been marinating on this thought for the past couple days so obviously it needs to be shared. We had the privilege of two ladies coming in to mentor us and lead our study for us and Tuesday night was basically introductions and we got on to a tangent of using "stuff" to make you happy, or what you relate happiness to. So some usual things would be drinking, partying, sex, drugs, rock and roll and such. For example: you smoke pot to relax, therefore you relate pot smoking to happiness and relaxation and your brain then thinks that is what needs to be done to feel this way and nothing else will suffice, whereas you need to relate happiness to God. Thinking this through I immediately knew that I related happiness to attention and affection from others. In my head that's what love is, I crave attention and get easily jealous, and without it (as you have come to see from reading my blog) I get low and unhappy. Crazy, but makes so much...

I cry out love keep your arms around me, I am the bird that's in need of grounding. So two of my pals are getting married this Saturday and boy oh boy am I excited! It'll be a This Is Good moment for the record books. Mostly I'm stoked to see them gussied up and looking their best for the groom in particular wears crocs on a daily basis and seeing him in a tux and dress shoes will be monumental for us all. But the thing is as these two are about to swan dive in to marital bliss I am left feeling ucky and grey like the horizon as it leaves me to wonder about my own endeavors in love, or in the words of Greg Sczebel "love and the lack thereof." I'm still caught up on the Mister of days past (the one who I am supposedly over.) I am left wondering about him and his life and continually getting jealous of those who get to spend time with him, but alas this too shall pass and fizzle out like all the others have. Therefore I am left to ponder about the man who I am w...

I am afraid for no one's ever sacrificed or loved me this way... Wow. Yesterday was a powerful day to say the least. I moved churches about four months ago and have been blessed to attend a place where I have a copious amount of friends, and although our numbers aren't massive, our preachers aren't as gifted as others I have heard before, we are blessed in innumerable ways. I had the privilege of leading worship yesterday and it warmed my heart. I hadn't realized how much I had missed it and although I was super nervy and wanted to retch God worked through me and helped me to reach the congregation. After church I went to work and on the car ride home after my shift my Mom opened up and shared some information. She said how proud she was of me and my love for the Lord and how touched she was when she was watching me praise Him that morning. She also shared how heartbroken and confused she was that I could end up loving God with all my heart whereas my sister, who was br...

So it's official, it's Fall, and I love it! Although as I am wearing a sweater and flip flops I am slightly confused as it's still really warm out! So as it is fall there are leaves changing, pumpkins are appearing and, NEW FALL FASHION! and, of course, new TV shows to watch! My two new favourite shows are "New Girl" with one of my favourite girls ever Zooey Deschanel. I simply adore her and I was thoroughly impressed by the pilot episode. Her little song that she sings "It's Jess!" made my life and the douchebag jar was also classic, needless to say I laughed continuously. The other show is "Broke Girls" with the one and only Kat Dennings, whom I also love. The pilot opened with her in the diner reaming out some hipster dudes that "wear knitted caps because of Coldplay" although she wears them because "it's actually cold." I must give a honourable mention to her co-stars who also keep the punchlines rolling, and not...

Well folks, it's been a while, and frankly there isn't too much newsworthy stories to report, but in the same right, so much has happened. A this is good moment happened just over a week ago, all of us girls went to WildPlay adventure for M's bachelorette extravaganza. Me, being the biggest worry wart ever was seriously nervy about climbing around and doing zip lines up in the air but I am so proud of myself! I finished the whole course and only had one little melt down, and the zip lines were so much fun! My new favourite mode of transportation, I am definitely going again. We finished the night by ingesting way too many carbs and playing silly games as we got to know each other better (a little too well actually!) Other than that school has been going really well, work is looking up, and I've fallen in and out of love with someone in a matter of weeks. Not even a month yet has passed and I've finally removed the scales from my eyes, shaken my head at myself in ...

So I am infatuated with something and that something is getting mail, I don't care if it is only my union updates or a flyer from the Christian Book Store (actually I love those cause they usually come with coupons) but when I get a letter, I am full of glee. Therefore I would like to write you a letter, message me your address either in a comment on here or via my email amymightbe@hotmail.com or my facebook account and I promise, you will receive. Much love and the written word- Amy

Okay so they posted Imadene photos last night I guess and after perusing them I cannot get over this one as it is the eptiome of 'This is good." Let me fill you in: At camp they always have a talent night/ chill night where campers can share their "talents" with the rest of the camp, some people sing, some people do silly dances, we, well we did a skit. We were Wayne's World. We took the framework of this skit from our dear friend Mary, basically Wayne had acquired a candy shop and after a few questions pertaining to our knowledge from the movie such as asking if there was Jelly donuts and red rope licorice for the MerthMobile Garth then asked if there were any lollipops in the store, looking around Wayne could not find any, although there were three suckers over there! Now you may be wondering how this punchline works, well, we picked three lovely boys from the audience and positioned them in to some abfab poses and let them stand in silence while we develope...

I had a weird epiphany this morning that needs to be written out, just go with it. On my box of Oatmeal Crisp I was given the opportunity to get a free beach towel! Score right? Wrong, as I went to the website it told me that I was no longer entitled to this beach towel for they had ran out of supplies. Bogus! Now I know that this was a free gift and therefore losing out on it really doesn't mean much for it wasn't mine in the first place, but what kind of person says you can have something free, no strings attached, and then just changes their mind. What if God did that? What if the free gift of His love was suddenly taken away from us because he simply ran out. He simply grew tired of loving us with no reciprocation and decided enough was enough, we are cut off. That thought just made me want to puke, my stomach is legit in knots right now. Praise the Lord that He is good and will never ever cease to love us!!! There is so much comfort in that. Anyhow, I am going out ...

Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains.... WOW. Looking back on the week I just experienced I am left utterly speechless. I was blessed with a group of 12 girls that impacted me in ways I did not expect. I went into that week anticipating having to be a witness for God, to be perfect in my christian ways, and to have to uphold this level of righteousness, but, in the end, these girls were a witness to me and encouraged me to grow deeper in my relationship with Christ. As I went in to leading them closer, they in turn, ended up leading the way. As I was drawn closer to the Lord, being brought to tears in almost every chapel, I came to the realization that enough was enough, that the Lord's love is enough for me, that it will always satisfy, that I need to stop searching for love from others and cling to Him. This was really hard for as always there was a guy there that I really connected with, and with having him show interest not only for me, but for others I was jeal...

The week I am bout to embark on is going to be monumental my dear mates. When I arrive to work today I am going to be greeted by a friend from high school who I have not seen in person in 2 years. Wow, we used to be rather inseparable and it is going to be so grand to see her gorgeous face. "Jesse- rose has a nose, it turns me on...." Ha! After I work my shift I will be going to an epic dinner with some pals before we embark on a concert at the one and only Duncan Garage Showroom. We will be entertained by some local buds "Smalltown Villains" in which my friend Sam will be making an appearance, then some Christopher Arruda, finally to finish the night with some old high school companions "Redwood Green." Nevertheless today is going to be abfab. After a sleepless night of anticipation and waiting ALL DAY to depart I will be at Imadene at 7 pm to live a week that I will never forget, and hopefully for my cabin full of girls, it will be equally great. Th...

As we stood outside Just Jakes last night, gathered around our dear friend, praying openly in the downtown core, I couldn't help but think This is good. Our dearest friend Cassia will be leaving soon to go back to school and for the majority of us it was the last time seeing her. Lucky enough for me I have a whole week of her to grow closer in our relationship (if that's possible) and to grow closer to God with one another. I was reading over the details for the week and we are required to bring a "Hollywood wear" outfit for a special event night, this entails us dressing up as our favourite classic Hollywood character. Things that come to mind are Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, James Bond and the like but let me tell you dear blog readers what we shall be dressing up as.... Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar. That's right my friends, Wayne's world. ...

Oh my goodness gracious dear friends, camp will commence in 9 DAYS!! I cannot contain the excitement, I squeal, I giggle, I even bust out a little dance because not only will I be at camp with a bunch of radtastic people, a little someone is possibly joining me there! I'll let you ponder that for a moment.... ok it's Cassia! The number one mentioned person on the blog other than myself a.k.a my bestest bosum buddy, my bro-cha-cha, my sister in Christ, my love. I kept mentioning to her that camp still needed a few cabin leaders (and still does, 1 guy, 1 girl, lemme know if you wanna do it!) in the hopes that maybe the idea would creep inside her and irk at her until she couldn't resist. Looks like my manipulation skills are rather great. Insert girly squeal here. I seriously cannot wait to start packing, but I am putting it off because last year I packed two weeks early and had nothing to wear! Who am I kidding, I had tons to wear, but anywho I'm legit stoked. Also rathe...

Wow, I cannot be more surprised by the total change of heart that I have had in these past 72 hours. The glory of the Lord has been revealed to me and the power of prayer has once again proven so much stronger than anything. "I come empty handed ready to see, your life in me changing who I've been, to who I need to be"