journals

This morning, I brought another journal to an end.

This one was giant-sized and ornate, not my usual choice. But at the time, it felt like a significant moment was about to happen, and although I had absolutely no idea what that might look like, I didn't want to miss it.

I didn't know it then, but by the time I closed it, everything would change.

Everything.

It's possibly been

the most intense period of life

we've ever experienced.

Just as an example, one tiny little piece - as of last weekend, our church had served over 10,000 PokémonGo players who landed on our doorstep, about three weeks ago. Four weeks ago, I didn't even know what PokémonGo was!

And there are countless other examples of change. 

From owning a small home with a giant, ramshackle, peaceful backyard -- to renting an apartment, right in the city. From driving everywhere to walking everywhere. From an all-English community to a multi-lingual one, particularly French. From a community whose history, people and ethos I knew to one in which I knew no one and almost nothing. 

And of course -- Andie. 

She's a massive, joyous, delightful, messy change.

But then again - I'm still me. Spike is still Spike (although his hair has changed).

And God is still God. 

I'm thankful for social media and texting and FaceTime that keep me connected with friends, old and new. I'm thankful for years of foundation in my faith, for Scripture I read today that reminded me, "If you love your neighbour, you will fulfill the requirements of God's law". And, "The Lord is my shepherd. I have all that I need."

So today, I've begun a new journal, and it's the first one that I've started here, in ma nouvelle ville. Strangely, that makes me feel at home. It's more of my usual style, peaceful, simple. 

And maybe I'm finally back to blogging again. We shall see. 

puppy play

A long time ago, I learned about five "love languages". Ways people communicate love.

They are: gifts ... quality time ... physical touch ... words of affirmation ... acts of service. 

Andie's a quality-time kind of puppy. She looooves to play. Not so much by herself. With somebody.

The first night she was here, exploring, she accidentally nosed the XBox touch-sensitive power button, which made a startling little beep. 

Now - she's figured it out. And if she feels we have gamed or watched Netflix long enough, she casually wanders over, brushes her nose against that power button, shutting it off, and then looks at us expectantly. 

"Wanna play?"

It's hilarious.

 

We call this guy Rudy Roadkill. 

And it's a good thing we have an open stretch in our apartment. 

For the chasing of balls.

She brings the ball back and dares us to try to get it from her. If we can't get past the sharp puppy teeth, she noses it away from her just a little bit - "Come on. Try."

"Look, I rolled it away. Just tryyyyyy...."

And then she buries it deeply in her bed,, with lots of snuffles and snorts, head nearly disappearing. 

#Andieliveshere 

a day off

We sleep in until 6:34 AM, when Andie suddenly bounces awake at the foot of the bed, and scampers up to say good morning, nose to nose.

We both burst out laughing.

Spike makes bacon and tomato sandwiches for breakfast, served with steaming hot, dark roast coffee. Brief moment of panic when the smoke alarm goes off.

Note to self:

Bacon makes the smoke alarm go off.

I retreat to my at-home workspace, because day off or not, I have a boatload of work to do. My brain, overloaded for the last while, finally starts functioning creatively again. It's been awhile. Andie plays for awhile and then falls asleep beside me. 

I can hear Spike cleaning the apartment, washing things, straightening things, putting things away, all as quietly as possible. And then he picks up his guitar to learn some songs. He'll play through his headphones for the next several hours and wonder where the time went. 

I've said it before,

and I'll say it again:

he's never more himself

than when he has a guitar on. 

Andie stands up, stretches, turns around and flops down again with a deep sigh of contentment. I keep writing. 

It's a good day.

I'm grateful. 

Happy Outrage-Free Friday to you!

visual moments

There are so many visual moments in ma nouvelle ville.

Moments on the way to work.

Moments you'd miss if you didn't look up.

Always look up.

Underground moments.

That guitar-toting dude is kinda cute, huh?

And moments when you should definitely look down.

BEFORE rolling the chair you're sitting in, even one inch, in any direction.

#MtlMoments #MillerMoments #AndieLivesHere