2012: Year in Review (The New Year's Letter)

     Another year, gone. I wish I could say we’re all a little bit wiser, but I think we all know better! We’re definitely a little bit older, but for the majority that just means we’ve got more laugh lines to show off.

     2012 was a good year. (Thus saith the optimist!) It saw the end (or near end) of a lot of things; some good, some sad.  It saw some new beginnings, some strengthened and strengthening relationships, some tears and frustrations but more laughter. In the dark moments I was never alone; in the good moments I was celebrating with many. My friends are my wealth: 2012 was again a year of riches.

     WORK: I’m still serving the best parish in the country. I’m happy to brag about it – and do so often. The 5 points of the parish are still all doing well; we’re trying some new things and seeing some growth. Love it. Great people, great location, great ministry. So blessed. You clergy folks are allowed to be jealous. 

     Outside of the parish (aka technically work but oh so much fun) I’m doing stuff for the diocese (sitting on the Executive Committee, finished up heading the Youth Ministry Task Force, helped as we co-hosted Provincial Synod), some stuff for National (became a blogger on The Community, joined the Creation Matters Working Group). I’m still loving doing stuff for the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (re-elected Secretary of the Board of Directors, sitting on Executive, was part of the Nominations Committee, ended my term as Board Observer to the Youth Council at the spring meeting in Newfoundland, saw the completion of the RoundTable meetings and participated in the Global RoundTable in Toronto [this means the Partnership Steering Committee will soon dissolve as a result, as chair I’m glad to see this good work coming to completion!], started working on Branding and our Food Security initiative, attended another fantastic 50 leaders intake weekend in BC and the Western Regional meeting in Regina; I also was pleased to be asked to write the Advent 2012 and Lent 2013 reflections for PWRDF. My thesis has also been shared with PWRDF folks, and I’ve been getting invites to do workshops on ecologically sustainable relief and development work.

     TRAVEL: Aside from work-related stuff, there wasn’t too much grand adventuring happening this year. Had a bit of travel across the pond to attend a funeral; otherwise stayed close to home. Most of my time off was used in days here and there between meetings, visiting with loved ones and having plenty of laughs. Lots of kidlet hugs (though never enough!); my godson is now 3 and beyond adorable and I love playing with him whenever I get the chance (he likes trains), I even got a full out tackle hug from a 14 year old that had both of us fall over! I did also have a lovely canoe trip (7 days, bliss!) with Kate in the Lake of the Woods area; paddle, paddle, repeat! We went a glorious 135km and came home with sunburn, sore muscles, and HUGE smiles. (The 2013 paddle-fest is already being planned…)

     SOCIAL LIFE: Yowsers I’m busy… in a good way. I again have decided that sleep should be secondary to socialising… there have been early mornings and late nights; lots of time spent with people. I got to see my first Jets game in February (oh hand-flappy goodness!!) and enjoyed a May Jays’ game in TO with a bunch of other lunatics; I spent my 35^th birthday with good friends helping me enjoy a lovely bottle of wine after church (it was Sunday!); attended the Opera and concerts and plays; there have been breakfasts and lunches and suppers and coffees that have been fantastic. Lots of Board games were played, lots of reading (I met my goal of 120 books!), still making my own cheeses and yogurts and this summer planted a hugely successful garden (which led to buying a lovely deep freeze), head out to play with the dogs often (we’ve taken up running in the snow-free weather), still doing my crafty stuff (like crocheting legs for a sock-puppet octopus for Vacation Bible School). Never a dull moment. And when things look like they’ll get dull, there’s always someone waiting on Skype to chat/laugh with.

     So – with that brief update, here’s the part you are all waiting on – the quotes list: 

• "There's an elephant in the room. I've named him Thomas." ~ "And he just farted."
• “Give her a minute!” “What good will a MINT do?!”
• ‘Jesus’ is MEANT to be pronounced with at least 8 syllables!
• All the crap in my house in one room
• Be stalked. Only don't. You know what I mean
• Being a liturgist – sounds painful!
• Canoe dances – happy dance, Paris dance, Muppet dance, Fly dance
• Capacity!
• Chicken sacrifices.  No chickens nailed on wall!
• Clove Hitch 10m up
• Collossal cock-up
• Cranmer the Synod Caterpillar
• Cyd fell off the bed!
• De-twerpification
• Did he even get wet?!
• Did you know rawr means I love you in dinosaur?
• Do we need to separate you two?
• Don’t you hate it when you check online and there’s too much money in your account?
• Family Monopoly games.  (Editted there’s nothing left to write…)
• Fish are friends, not food!
• F*c&ing lanyards
• Girls – GIRLS! Come over here!
• Go to jail!
• Good morning, Reverend Father-Mother!
• Hand flaps turned to muppet arms. Wookie call!
• His last name might as well be OFF
• I don’t like change!!!!!
• I have GOT to get into the bridesmaid business…
• I have NEVER blushed this much. Oh my goodness!
• I ironed the laminate off the floor
• I love how articulate you get…
• I love Oatmeal!
• I swear the Mayans were right I’m in heaven… and in the morning hell!
• I wouldn’t do this with anyone else in the bow/stern!
• I’m squealing at new pitches – eek!
• I’ve been waiting for this since the $20 omelette!
• If it has a face, I don’t eat it.
• In one night: lost my (Survivor) virginity and had 3 rolls in jail!
• It’s snowing on the plane!!
• Jedi Code
• Jesus Capacity!!!!!
• Manitoba!
• Mission Hangover: Accomplished
• My slippers are little pee factories walking across your floor.
• Need to borrow a tent?
• NO BOYSHORTS!!!
• Nom nom nom oh crap that’s video
• Oh Fog. Fog!
• Oh MY he was HITTING on me?!
• Okay there Ellie Mae!
• Owwy… who had the bright idea of tequila shots at 5am?
• Party Boat
• Party site! Stone table and all…
• PChristology
• Perk-o-lator… perkamatron… perk-jerk…
• POO.  Not the bear!
• PS we bought you a really nice monkey for Christmas, but seem to have misplaced it
• Ridden hard, put away wet
• Rock/Bear Rope
• Running away from the purple!
• Senor Froggies!
• Sexy PWRDF beast
• Somedays it sucks to be me…
• Soteriology and Pneumatology
• Spork spork spork!!
• SuperMan!
• Tall and skinny.  Tall and curvy.  NOT that way!
• That is the most girly thing I've done since I swallowed the bubble.
• That smells hot.
• The first principle, when it is a boat
• The scrotum song
• There are *8* potatoes in my cup. And by cup, I mean pitcher.
• ThermaRest Toboggan event
• THUD is the prescribed hymnody for the Liturgy of the Holy Faceplant
• Thus saith the walrus
• Tool. Not stool.
• Unmitigated disaster
• Warning Car!
• We *so* have to write the Book of the Dead!
• We need a facilitator – is Kermit the Frog available??
• We need espresso; that’s a French press with no water!
• We’re in a CAR.
• Why are you awake at this hour?!
• Wine-y Scrabble
• Wowza!.. When?.. Jealous...
• You need to buy new pants!