Family - My Other Love

Family. It's amazing, is it not? I think that I have been blessed with the family that I do have. God has been truly gracious to us. Let me tell you about my family.

I have five sisters, and nope, no brothers. I am the only boy. Your first thought might be, 'poor guy', but really, it's not me that got the short end of the stick. It's all the other guys that don't have any sisters. (They know nothing) Haha, kidding kidding...(kind of). Not that I know everything, because when it comes to Caitlin and her woman-ways, I know nothing. I actually feel quite silly sometimes, but anyway...

So, my sisters. Kerri, Becky, Brittany, Lindsay and Larissa. The two last ones are often known as Larindsay, Riss, (they're twins). I have no idea where Larinsdsay came from, but it just did. I think it's when we're calling both of them, you don't have to say two names, just two combined into one. Haha. I think my family has taught me one of the most important things when it comes to life (and marriage). That love is a choice. I think we are all living proof of that. There have definitely been times when my sisters have all had to make a choice (and not an easy one) to still love me. Believe me, I don't think there was evera bigger brat than myself. (Ask my sisters). There are so many things that I can be ashamed of when I look back to how I sometimes treated them. It still makes me cringe.

One time, Britt and I were supposed to go feed cows. When I was younger I had a really bad temper. Maybe I still do, but now I have it slightly under-reign. But back when I didn't...hoo boy, things could get pretty ugly. She did something wrong...Actually I don't think she did anything wrong, but the situation was that I had asked her to do something that was physically impossible for her to do. So, I did the normal thing, I yelled, and I screamed horrible things at her. Man...It makes me ashamed to think about it. But I've said sorry ( a lot) and she told me she forgives me...haha, I hope.

Another time, I had this kind of collection of poems in...grade 8 or so, but they weren't really a collection, just a bunch of papers that looked like garbage. Becky was cleaning up, and threw them all away and they all ended up getting burnt. She obviously had no idea what she did, but still, I got furious with her, yelled and screamed, and cried...and made her feel like crap. (I'm a pro at that) Hhh...needless to say she still loves me, and I love her.

Anyway, this is supposed to be a happy, not depressing posting. Family, as I said, truly has taught me what it means to really love somebody. Like the simple fact we all know, or to some degree know of eachothers weaknesses, or messed up ways, but we still love eachother more than ever. It's incredible. So here are some pictures of them all...(I know, they're going to hate me) Sorry girls! My parents....I'll talk about them on a different posting.

Love you all!

Brad

Kerri, Becky and myself at GFI 2006

This is one of my favorite pictures of Brittany, haha, I just love it.

Larissa, Brittany, and Lindsay just before school

Becky wasn't ready for this picture,
and I'm sure she was annoyed. But I put it on
So I could say that...
She says she kisses better then she cooks.
(Not that that's saying much...HAHA!)
I love you!

This is my beautiful baby neice, Cadence.
(Kerri's daughter)

I Think I'm In-Love!

These pictures were taken after Mary and Munier's wedding. (I have no idea if that's the right spelling. But anyway, here she is, the love of my life.

The fact is that I don't 'think' anymore, I KNOW I'm in-love. Young and in-love. I hate that phrase because it makes me feel like because I'm young, I'm incompetent to feel and know what love is. But I'm going to take a risk, and say that I am! I hope that's ok with you all.

Life has been such a blessing lately. It's been hard, with all the stuff that Cait and I have had to go through, but God has been richly faithful, and continues to be the stronghold of our relationship. It always amazes me to look back on situations that you thought were the end of the world, when they actually turn out to be the begining of an amazing ride. I love how God works. Sometimes (well most-times) I'm not sure what He's thinking, or what the heck He's doing, but He makes me laugh. And more importantly, makes it easier for me to fall more in love with Him.

There has been so much on my mind lately, that I could write forever. (I won't, I promise). I think the biggest thing that I've been learning these days is about a persons heart. It's so easy to pass judgement on someone who you don't feel matches up to what the bible, (or yourself) says they should be. This is quite a personal thing, because I definitly struggle with judgement on my christian brothers and sisters. And I say 'christian' because I think it's easier for me to love people who don't yet know God.

When I started to attend Rocky Mountain College, and interacting with the students, I had to do a double take, and make sure that I had actually signed up for a 'bible' school. Sure enough I had, so I continued to gawk, and be disgusted with the behavior that I witnessed. One day, I was talking to a girl in her fourth year, and I was venting on how much it bothered me that people didn't live up to what Christ called them to. She said something like this: that she had to realize that not everybody was like her.

For some people, to love God means following rules, and abiding closely to the bible. But for others, I think that their heart is there, and that they truly do love God, but they perhaps mess up bigger, and more notibly than the others. Like King David. Look at his life. (I was just talking with my dad about this) He messed up all the time! But the bible says that he was man after God's own heart. Amazing! David was a true lover of people, and ultimately God. He messed up, but his heart was huge! And oh how he loved God!

The most important and hardest thing for me, is that when I mess up, I want to make excuses, I want God to feel sorry for me. But if you look at Davids confessions, and repentence, he never tried to make excuses. His response was always 'I have sinned agains the Lord.' Perfect. He just admits it. He doesn't say 'I have sinned agains the Lord...because Bathsheba was looking SO hot that night and I couldn't help myself.' NO! He just says it. It's so hard for us, for me to do this. To just only say sorry and fall to my knees and beg for forgiveness and to be let in perfect communion with God.

Anyway...this was typed all very quickly, so I'm sure there are tonnes of mistakes. But I hope maybe it encouraged you, or challenged. Or made you think...(which all probably fall under the same category).

Love you all,

Brad

These are our feet. I don't know why, but I love this picture.

A Long Expected Update

Well, it is now July 23, 2006, and summer is coming to a close. (Well, almost) I know! It's been so long, too long, since I've done anything to this blog, and as I sat here missing people, I decided it's time for an update. So, for those of you who don't know . . .

I have been working at the university of Calgary landscaping (which only involves mowing lawns, planting flower beds, and picking up garbage), so I don't know if landscaping is the right word. I think it's groundskeeping, but everyone at work calls it Landscaping. But...it's a good job, and I actually enjoy it. I'm working outside, and I'm interacting with a lot of...interesting people. And I love them! It's so refreshing to finally have a lot of non-christian interaction.
I actually just applied for a second job, because I need to actually start saving money, and so far this job is only paying for rent and groceries.

I'm actually quite lonely, because sadly Caitlin has had to move to Lethbridge after things where she was living, weren't working out the way we thought they were. So...I'm all alone, pining away, and counting down the days till she gets back. Really, we don't have it that bad, because we get to see eachother on weekends, but it's hard going from seeing eachother everyday, to only weekends. So don't tell me to stop complaining--haha.

I'm exaggerating a little bit. It's not as bad as it sounds...haha. Anyway, I thought I'd put some pictures up, so I hope you enjoy them. I miss you, (my family) so terribly much. The tears are seldom few these days, and I'm thinking about you all often. But I shall be home soon, and I'm looking forward to it. Becky, say hi to Derek for me, and keep him in line. Haha...

Miss you all, and Love you tons,

Brad
Ok, so this is the Golden Gate Bridge. I know, it's just a bridge, but it's pretty spectacular when you're actually there. Sure beats what Lethbridge is famous for. (Sorry Patricia, I said that for you)

I put this picture up for Larissa, because I know she'll love it the most. They look really cute, but I don't think I've smelt anything more disgusting in my entire life. (Remember that I grew up on a ranch) I think this is called...Pier 39 (or 31) but anyway, apparently it's really famous, it's where that prison is, the Alcatros (where The Rock was filmed, with Sean Connery) Anyway, it was kind of cool.

This is Simon, Violin, and myself. Simon is great, we prayed a lot together, and I respect him incredibly. He's helped me through some tough times. Violin, man, she is truly one of the sweetest, if not THE sweetest girls from Rocky. And I don't mean 'sweetest' in like 'oh cool man' but like her heart...is a heart of gold. She's incredible. If you haven't had the chance to meet her, you're missing out, and you should. And well, yeah I'm pretty amazing myself...haha, kidding kidding.

This is Caitlin and I, in Waterton...(I'm not sure the spelling is right) but Dave and Pat (Cait's parents) well, mostly Pat, wanted to take us to show us the mountains. And they were beautiful. And I had to admit that alberta had some beauty to her.

Pataluma, California

Greetings!

I'm right now in Pataluma, California (if you haven't guessed by the title) and I'm having a great time. Ok, that's a little bit of a lie, because Cait's not here, and she's sick...but I'm TRYING to be positive. (It's not easy)

God has been good. Me and a buddy, Brandon, have really hit it off, so I have a 'tour buddy'. It's great. California is actually beautiful. I know, it's hard to be down here Cait, (I won't say why cuz Americans that read this might get offended) but surprisingly enough, the people are very generous. And genuine.

I miss home, very much. Well, I miss home and Cait. (Not in that order) but if MY Family actually wrote me emails, I might miss them just as much. Ok, who's lying, not quite as much, but it is nice knowing I'll see Cait in a few weeks, and not so nice not knowing when the next time will be to see my family...did that sentence make sense...?

Oh well, anyway. The concerts are going great. But because this year, I'm actually singing so that I'm actually an asset to the choir, my voice is killing me, and I'm not sure how much longer I can keep singing. It's already starting to give way on me, and we're not even through the first week! So keep us (the choir) in your prayers. (And Cait)

I don't have any pictures, because this isn't my computer, so this is boring, sorry guys. Anyway, Hi to my family, (Dad, Mom, sisters, aunts and uncles, friens) I miss you all. Britt, thanks for the comments, haha, you made me laugh. Anyway, I should get going.

I love you all, and miss you tons,
Brad

The Beginning

As I sat writing my Dad an email, I thought of how nice it would be to write a mass email to all of my family. But, as I am horrible at writing 'mass' emails, and horrible at keeping in contact with people, I decided the easiest way would be to create a blog site! And voila! Here it is. And not just for family, but for anyone.

I thought I had so much to talk about, but now I'm beginning to think I don't. And as I don't have Cait here to edit this, there may be a number of spelling mistakes, and mistakes in general, so bear with me.

Hm...Cait. Have you all heard about Cait? Her full name is Caitlin Ruth Meller. I would tell you all about her life, her favorite boy, and so on, but I'll let her tell you, on her blog site, which she doesn't have. Anyway, we've been dating for...almost 6 months. I know, it seems so small, but it doesn't feel like it's only been 6 months. And I mean that in a good way. I'm sure you'll all get a chance to meet her, and if not, hmm...your loss.

So, an update...I have decided, after much thought and prayer, that I will stay in Calgary for the summer. Cait's brother-in-law John, has a job lined up for me working construction. I won't be making as much as the mill, but the mill isn't offering jobs, so this is my best bet. I kind of have a roommate for the summer. But that's still a little bit up in the air. My new roommate right now, Aaron Havens, is a great guy, but he's going home...jerk. No, totally kidding. We're planning to live together again next year, so it's nice that I don't have to worry about a roommate for next year. OH, and bonus, we both like to cook, and he used to be a pastry chef. He's AMAZING at cooking. We always eat good food. Especially with all the really really cheap meat I get....hey! There are benifits to living on a farm. I'm kidding...I know there are...in fact...

I'm really homesick right now. After I decided to stay in Calgary, I was writing my dad an email, telling him, and I started crying. And not just crying, bawling. And what was even more embarrassing about that, was that I was at Caits, so I had to try to hide the fact that I was crying. Which is hard when one is bawling.

So school is done, and all we have left now is choir tour. Hmm...but not for Cait. Unfortunately she has aquired mono. And if you put two and two together, (dating) I inevitably have it as well. But...hopefully not. We're still waiting for tests to get back. If they show up positive I can't go on tour...AAA! Another reason for more tears. Hhh...I hate being emotional. Anyway, with choir almost over, that means Undivided is almost over.

Undivided...most of you probably don't know what it is. And if you're one of those 'most' you're missing out. Except for that one concert where we were ALL off pitch. It happened to be our last concert, so it was a little depressing. In fact, it sucked. Oh well, you can't win em' all. Anyway, that's us. To you're...right...? Yeah, and I'm sorry, I couldn't find a picture where my eyes weren't close. I know, ridiculous.

So, anyway, I hope you all had a good easter. Cait and I went to Lethbridge to her parent's place. It was great. We even painted eggs, and had a chocolate egg hunt. In their house of course, because in Lethbridge, all the eggs would have blown away. And I'm not kidding, they would have. But it was fun even in the house.

It was in Lethbridge, that I discovered bone china. That's right BONE CHINA. Which means that they actually use bone, in the making of fine china. Ok...let me explain. Caits family is BIG into tea, and...hm...delicacy. All they do is...drink tea. Mmm, I love it, because I don't like coffee. I was big into tea before I started dating Cait, but now, I'm even more into it. I think I can top the Hughes, and that's saying something. They're actually British. Anyway, this is much too long, and I'm tired, so I will write again tomorrow.

Love you all
Brad

One more pic of Cait and I, it's our favorite.