This Is Good...

Hello dear friends, what a weekend I have had! First off it was amazing to spend 4 whole days in Victoria. I seriously love that city so much and feel like I need to be there, so living in an apartment with a good friend was a good taste of what is hopefully to come. I was in Victoria to attend the Adore Conference. Life changing  Seriously. The speakers, the worship, the people. God is so present within that church and you can't help but feel overwhelmed by it all. Needless to say I cried, I know, shocker. Saturday night was when I first lost it. After a ridiculously amazing sermon from Joyce Rees (new woman crush!) I apparently was so blown away I didn't even write notes, I just remember that I was crying continually for a long time. The closing of her sermon was about the marginalized, focusing on Aboriginals. This hit home because I see this on a daily basis. Growing up in Duncan I was immersed in Native culture from Kindergarten onward  My first ...

Hello blogosphere, so I realize it has been EONS since I posted anything, but that is because the good Lord has been working away at me. Or should I say chipping away..... Over the past few months I worked diligently as a servant in the kitchen at camp, enjoyed some amazing experiences with my best friend who returned home from an amazing trip, lost my other best friend to the same dang country (stupid Australia! :P ) and returned back to camp to cabin lead 24 amazing girls, along with a few other campers I took under my wing. The first week of camp I was feeling really apathetic to everything.  I am usually the most emotional person ever, I cry every chapel, I cry at every testimony, but this week, nothing.  My heart was hard and it took a superbly overwhelming group of 13 fourteen year old girls to break it. Lives were changed in that cabin and I know that God was using me to do his work, but I still felt a little disappointed in myself. It took until Wednesday for thi...

I was listening to my ipod as I walked home from work today and as Leeland's song "I can see your love" played in my ears I realized that the band incorporated lyrics from one of my favourite hymns.  'The Love of God" is an old time favorite and gets me going every time.  I especially love the third verse: Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made, Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade; To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry; Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky. I just googled these lyrics and found out something cool,  although this hymn is written by Frederick M. Lehman, this well known verse was found penciled on the wall of a narrow room in an insane asylum by a man said to have been demented. The profound lines were discovered when they laid him in his coffin. I just think that is so cool. Nonetheless you never know what might...

Yesterday was such a roller coaster my friends! I started out at my good mate's house jamming out on our bud's new electric guitar (such a beaut!) for it was his 19th birthday.  But at the same moment we were saying goodbye to our other pal Sam for 4 months as he is leaving on a fishing boat.  All the boys got together and I was the odd woman out for  a while (as per usual) but we had good times, ate some burgs in the sunshine, and all around tried to forget that we were being abandoned by our favourite hippie yet again. The hours passed and all us kiddies bid him a fond farewell, hugs and high fives all around we knew that we about to embark on a most excellent adventure and who are we to stop him? I then made my way to Ultimate Monday!  It was such a money day yesterday, no wind, super nice out, bit of overcast so you don't burn to a crisp, needless to say I was stoked as!  The teams were so even we played til 10-8 in the first game.  Our fearless l...

As I was sitting in the Mocha House yesterday, enjoying my tea and Kleinburg bar (FAVOURITE) I turned my head towards the doorway and was greeted with an amazing sight.  Standing there, looking all darling, was one of my campers whom I haven't seen since last summer.  I immediately got up and gave her the biggest hug ever.  It was such a God- blessed moment and I feel so good that I got to see her.  We caught up on life and were just in awe of this random run in, especially in such a random place. Nevertheless, this is good. Much love and all the little moments -- A

So last night was going to be monumental. I was supposed to go see Del  Barber (previously mentioned before on here as my true love) at the DGS but alas I didn't end up going SADFACE! But as I sat at home, watching the live stream, I got a text from some mates to come have a brew or two down at the local watering hole.  So I gussied myself up, put on my lucky heels, and made my way downtown. After some laughs and some HILARIOUS sing-alongs with the bartender we decided to head our separate ways and go home.  As we exited the pub I hear "Out of all the gin joints, in all the world..." I turn to see an EXTREMELY long lost mate of mine whom I haven't seen since 12th grade!  Long story short, his brother and I were really, really close and he ended up dying from complications from a brain hemorrhage the summer before grade 12 and I hadn't seen any of his family since the funereal.  Needless to say there were tears and laughs and giant hugs all around...

"She’s the girl that has a few best friends & doesn’t need anyone, the girl that laughs the hardest at her own jokes.  The girl that expects way too much.  Doesn’t care what anyone thinks, and is nice to everyone.  She’s the girl that will hang up on you, but then call you right back & say sorry.  The kinda girl that will put all her trust in you until you give her a reason not to.  She’s the girl who will never leave your side when you need her, the girl who will go out of her way to cheer you up.  She’s the girl who never sleeps without her teddy bear by her side, she’s the girl who says she isn’t ticklish, but really is.  She’s the girl who will not give up on you if she really believes in you.  She believes in loving somebody forever."

Well Folks, I'm back. I realized after writing that last post that I actually really enjoy writing for the sake of writing (shocker!) So I think I may just have to continue on with these so called ramblings but if you got anything from the last post, I think things are heading in a different direction. Hang on for the ride to see where we end up. Nevertheless, there is a a This is Good moment to report upon. I was at work Yesterday, about to sign in, when I looked at the debit machine and noticed someone forgot to take their withdrawn funds.  I quickly swiped my finger, snagged the moula, and brought it to Customer Service.  My supervisor wrote my name on it in case the person wanted to give me a reward, "pfft ya right" I thought. About an hour later my phone rings at my checkout and it is my supervisor saying that the lady came in to claim the money, yey good right? Then she said to turn around, the lady waved and mouthed Thank You as my supervisor infor...

... we're just getting closer to the homeland. Hello my people!  I know it's been forever and my oh my has a LOT happened in these past months.  Here are some "this is good" moments that come to mind: I chopped off all my hair. SO GOOD. I went to this RIDICULOUSLY AMAZING music festival called PASSION where I got to witness Chris Tomlin, Kristian Stanfil, and David Crowder worship their hearts out along with 10,000 fellow Christians aged 18 - 25. My mind was blown, I just started crying at the second song as I was overwhelmed by the Lord's presence in that arena.  Such a good weekend. I met the love of my life, he moved away, and is now visiting for the weekend AND will be attending camp with me. FANTASY MUCH! Ha but all is good, we are good mates and we will see what happens! On another "love" note I was kind of seeing this guy and we were in the "dating but not dating" zone where we had to decide if we were going to take it to ...

"Excuse me, Miss?" *Pulls out headphones* "Yes?" "Can I just say you have a really pretty face." "Oh, thank you." "Are you a theater major?" "No, why?" "Cause you're singing show tunes , rather loudly I might add, while wearing an all black outfit, and bright lipstick. Plus you're eating a bag of raw veggies. It was just an assumption." I love my life.

As I sit here at the Duncan Garage, my stomach filled to the brim with good eats, I feel like it is time to fill you all in on the great weekend I just had. Saturday I embarked to Victoria with my dear Momma for some lady bonding time and just to get out of the house. We had lots of fun and ended our great day with seeing the one and only "Lorax." I seriously loved this movie, I will admit the musical numbers were rather cheesy but it was nice and heart-warming for sure. "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." Sunday we acted like heathens and instead of going to church we slept in for the time change m ade us a tad overtired. Fast forward to Sunday evening where I got the awesome opportunity to stare at a beautiful ginger man for 3 hours. Not just any ginger man I may add, but the one and only Aaron Gillespie. He, along with Parachute Band, were playing a concert FOR FREE at Glad Tidings church and I co...

As we grow up we learn that the one person that was never supposed to let us down probably will. You'll have your heart broken. You'll break other's hearts. You'll fight with your best friend, or, maybe even fall in love with them and, you'll forget that time is flying by. Life comes with no guarantees. No timeouts. No second chances. You just have to live your life to the fullest. Tell someone what they mean to you and tell someone off. Speak out. Be sincere and say with conviction. And never forget where you came from. Because. when you do, it's a long road home. -- "1990" by LIFERUINER

Until the day breaks and the shadows flee , I will go ... All beautiful you are, my darling there is no flaw in you. -- Song of Songs 4: 6a, 7

I really don't like people sometimes. Yesterday I was feeling so blessed by all the love that surrounds me. Many friends were telling me how appreciated I am and how much they cherish and adore me. I also made plans for an exciting trip, I received a tentative concert invite for this weekend and I have a hair appointment. What more could I want? I was filled with the simple joy of knowing that someone somewhere actually likes me. Until about half an hour ago when I got bombarded by stupid people bothering me about something extremely frivolous and unnecessary . Like seriously? I really do not see a point behind antagonizing someone until they finally break and flip out at you. Why would you intentionally cause someone to be mad at you? Nevertheless I am still fuming. It is always refreshing to see the people that come to your rescue time and time again. No matter what it is, or what seems to happen between you, you can always count on them to somehow pop up and help set everything...

Well folks today was super swell. As Mom and I cannot go a weekend without venturing somewhere we decided to go to Victoria... again. But instead of getting our shop on we decided to go down to Dallas road and gallivant along the gorgeous ocean side. Now I have previously mentioned this darling tourist attraction on This is Good but today was different. When I was a youngin my mother used to drag my sister and I up and down that beach as we cried out in agony that we were so tired, hungry, and in need of a bathroom break. As we grew older the walks got slightly more enjoyable as we took in the scenery for all i t was. So it was kind of sad that my sister wasn't there to accompany us today on our adventure but nevertheless we had the time of our lives. I was thoroughly excited when I loo ked to the ocean and saw 30+ windsurfers givin ' er on the massive swells that were colliding with the shore. The winds were crazy! Mom and I got tossed around like rag dolls as we ran from benc...

God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it -- 1st Corinthians 10:13 Lent starts today. Now last year I gave up chocolate and I know that sounds kind of fluffy and superfluous but for me it was not an easy task. This year, the goal I have set before me, that race that is to be run is: I, Amy Pickard, will not buy any clothes for forty days. I know what you are thinking, big woop, how hard could that be? But sit down and let Amy tell you all a story. I go thrifting. A lot. In Duncan there are a lot of secondhand stores and you can get some quality product for super cheap. Therefore, I tend to accumulate many items in my closet. Mom and I also like to adventure up and down the Island on the weekends, either to Victoria or Nanaimo. Prime shopping locations. The fact that I also have no major bills to pay tends to hinder me in the fact that I blow my money on whatever I ...

I love worship. I love singing. And yes, I fully understand that worship is not singularly singing praises to our Lord above but man oh man do I excel in that aspect. We all have our preferences. Some people are really good at prayer and delight in spending time in it. Others worship God by their actions and how they love others. I must say that although all of these things are extremely important in your walk with God I tend to slack off slightly in certain areas. But boy when it comes to singing I am all over it. Last night is a great example. I entered the bible study room only to have my ears bombarded with fantastic music. Our extremely talented male populous had got together beforehand to jam a bit and I loved it. Seriously. Just hanging out with your pals and their guitars. Swoon. I immediately thought "This is good." We always open with a few songs and I find it extremely awkward being one of the only girl voices in the crowd. But I just picture me and my pal Jesus on...

You know those mornings when you wake up and things just feel great. Not that there is any major thing to be stoked upon, no crazy adventure awaiting you, just another day that somehow feels so much better than the past few. I awoke to one of these this morning. I just finished a math midterm (got an 'A'!) and now I don't have any plans until tonight, where I will be having a major worship team jam sesh. Now I do enjoy a good sing-along, but really there's nothing monumental ahead of me It's like things have finally clicked in my head and I have suddenly realized how blessed I am. The dust has been "shook" and there is a refreshing calm that surrounds. Life is good friends, and, this is good. "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." -- Psalm 118:24

This guy goes to a psychiatrist and says, "Doc, uh, my brother's crazy; he thinks he's a chicken." And the doctor says, "Well why don't you turn him in?" The guy says, "I would but I need the eggs." I guess that's pretty much how I feel about relationships. They're totally irrational, crazy, and absurd and.... but, I guess we keep goin' through it because. uh, most of us... need the eggs. -- Woody Allen.

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my savior; my God will hear me . -- Micah 7:7 I am so excited dear friends! I happen to be part of a new young adult bible study starting up in my town. We had our first gathering on Sunday evening and I can feel that this is going to be good. First off it is led by a good pal of mine's father and frankly that is rather cool. I feel like I have a special "in" or something. But boy oh boy! We already have a scheduled event, we intend to attend Passion 2012 in Vancouver and I am so excited! The group of ladies and gents that came together is filled with some of my most cherished mates along with some people I cannot wait to get to know better. Let's just say, between you and me, there are a few lookers that have appeared out of the woodwork as of late and frankly, I don't hate it one bit ;) I find it so inspiring to be in a room with people my own age and being able to see how amped up they are to impact ou...

All of my life in every season You are still God! I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship.

Hey friends, I know it's been a while and I apologize for leaving you all alone for so long. But what a fine life we are living. I started graveyard shifts at work last week and it has been extremely overwhelming trying to juggle the crazy sleep patterns, copious amounts of schoolwork, and a social life. Nevertheless I am enjoying the ride thus far. At the end of January, Tor and I attended Adore. It was nice to worship with some people that I don't get to see often but the best part occurred whilst we waited for the gang to clean things up. Now I will talk to pretty much anyone. The catch is they usually have in to initiate the conversation. I feel extremely awkward going up to people and being like "Hey, I'm Amy, let's be friends k?" My good pal Cassia is extremely good at this sort of thing and therefore I channeled her confidence and decided it was time I made a move. A guy that I have randomly been talking to for the past few months happened to be at Ador...

....I could die OK that may be a bit of an overstatement, but today is the day folks. My dearest mate is departing for the wonderful land of Aus. Although my heart aches at the thought of all the fun she will be having without me I must say jealousy is not the emotion that I feel. We all have that one person in our lives that is always genuinely happy for you. Doesn't matter what minuscule thing you accomplished, they congratulate you. They don't care if you beat them in the race. If your art project turns out better than theirs they relish in that fact! Funny thing is you don't even think twice that they mean this from the bottom of their hearts because it is just second nature for them. Well I am having one of those feelings. I am so happy and overjoyed for my friend. I can't help but smile when I think upon all the grand adventures she is going to have. Sure, I would love to do those things too but I can't help but think of how happy I am that she gets to do this...

Love me when I least deserve it.... ...cause that is when I really need it. - Swedish Proverb.

Sometimes, the girl that's been there for everyone else needs someone to be there for her.

Now we all know that I, being the so-called "hipster" that I am, tend to get a little artsy from time to time. One of my favourite, most cherished art forms is spoken word. Now there are a select few that have cut right to my core, such as the "That line was so Gay," Chris Tse's "I'm sorry I'm a Christian," 'HypoChristian," "Maybe I need you," by Andrea Gibson, and last but not least "Shake the Dust" by Anis Mojani, the one I loved enough to get a tattoo of. My friends knowing this about me jumped at the chance to share a new spoken word with me, this one is simply titled "Why I hate religion and love Jesus." My Facebook newsfeed has been overwhelmed with people sharing this four minute long video which shows a young man eloquently speaking about religion vs. Jesus. I was instantly hooked by the intense chamber music that starts the video off and once I started listening to the words he was speaking I knew...

Groan.... I need to move. Friday night involved me and a good pal going to my favourite Island city, Victoria, and spending a fantastic evening with a grand group of mates, but, alas, we had to return home and instead of getting a 'fix' from seeing my dearest friends I am now left missing them even more than before. I've always been told that God places us in certain places at certain times and although I'd like to think Duncan needs me I can't help feeling a tad out of sorts when I think of all the things waiting for me elsewhere. It's the age old situation of you don't know what you've got til it's gone and man have my eyes been opened to all I am missing out on. I just keep imagining how much happier and satisfied with my life I would be if I could just have it my way, if I could just be around those who are dearest to me but then I realize even if I could have it my way I would always be wanting more for I will never be truly satisfied if I don...

Well it's been a while folks and for that I apologize, but nevertheless life has been uber cray cray as of late, let me fill you in. Over the Christmas season my sister got engaged, moved to Edmonton, had a ridiculous trip getting there (she drove with a less than agreeable car) and caused us all a brain aneurysm waiting to hear if she was alive or not, but nonetheless she made it and things are grand on her end. As for me I feel like I am in a constant state of change, looking back on this year I feel like I have matured so much, just in decision making and how my brain formulates it's views on things is so evolved from the way I used to be and it's really neat to be able to recognize that. But this wouldn't be a blog post without a few "this is good" moments so here are some recent ones... on New years day I woke up intending to go up Mt. T with some pals of mine, I dressed the part, layering myself with moisture wicking materials that would keep me cool and...