Hope is Gently Born...

Dawn is breaking here in Banff and as I look out from our picture window onto Banff Ave and beyond to Cascade Mountain, I indulge in the moment. The town is finally covered in a proper blanket of snow and the street lamps reveal that it is still gently falling. This is what we have been waiting for, this is what this town thrives on.

I am preparing to teach Sabbath School today and must comment on the appropriate nature of the lessons of late. Last week we looked at dealing with Fear and Anxiety while this week we will be looking at how to deal with Stress. How wonderful are the words of Christ, "Come to me, all you are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." My mom also says, "Aren't you glad for the opportunity that trials offer you. The opportunity to grow".

Yeah it is easy to be overwhelmed by these things and yes we must take them seriously. But there are certainly a few things to look forward to in 2011. Yours may be different but here are mine...

The death of the Nissan is an opportunity to shop around for a new car. This is not necessarily just a "want" because with a growing family, I do need a ride to carry them around in. What is great about work is that I get to have a firsthand experience with brand new vehicles and see how they fair with 6 months of use. I have to say the one I am most interested is the plucky Mazda 3. Even the base model is more than adequate for my family's needs.

The annoucement of Team Leopard Trek the new super cycling team lead by the Schleck brothers for the 2011 season really got me excited. Then it was confirmed that Fabian Cancellara would be joining along with Jen's Voigt. Man, thats pure joy right thar! But the cherry on top of the already delicious pie was the fact that Trek would be supplying the bikes for the upcoming season. Super team indeed.

And what could be more exciting than the prospect of becoming a Dad this coming summer! I am the kind of person who needs lynch pins to ground my efforts in life and this is definitly top shelf stuff. I can see it changing the way I approach my everyday routine. I can see it affect how I plan for the future. I can see it as motivation to draw on and to dig beyond what I am capable of...

My Giant Defy is next to me this morning. A guest is staying in the room where I usually store it. No I won't be riding it till the weather starts to warm. But we are 90% ready to go. Patience is key now and shrewd planning for the months ahead paired with the knowledge that God has a far better plan. I only pray He clears my vision so that I can move when He deems it right to move.

But like new mornings, hope is gently born...