Finding a Voice

An exciting opportunity has opened up.

A few weeks ago I received invitation from the Chester Ronning Centre to become a junior research associate to establish an archive for the history of women at Briercrest. This would extend the work begun with my thesis: Oral Histories of Women from the Early Days of Briercrest.

Last week I had planned a trip to Caronport, and suddenly realized that it might be good to chat with some key people about a potential partnership between Briercrest and the Ronning Centre. So after some back and forth discussion, a meeting was set for Friday morning at 9:00 with several professors (especially history), two librarians, and the president.

The meeting went well. We discussed the importance of this historical archive for Briercrest, how they can assist me in making it available to scholars at Briercrest College & Seminary, and what partnership with the Ronning Centre should look like.

It was a most collegial and fruitful conversation, yet I had a mix of feelings: the comfort of being in a room full of friends, yet self-consciousness about going to this next level of scholarship (who me?).

But they were all so supportive. Two years ago I had the vision for this project, and I even pitched it to the president and the academic dean -- not asking for money, but for space (even just a study carrel) and institutional resources and some kind of status like researcher-in-residence. They basically said Briercrest wasn't ready for a formal relationship, though they would be encouraging and supportive as I finished my thesis.

Looking back I see that they were right: Briercrest wasn't ready -- and neither was I. Unfortunately, I fear I was slightly belligerent about it back then. But NOW seems to be God's timing for it.

So I'm leaving here with a key to a seminary carrel in the library (office space) and all the encouragement and promise of resources to champion Briercrest's archives, to define my project, to pursue funding, to bring in Dr. David Goa at some point for a workshop or conference on the archives in general, to train students for field research, etc., etc., etc. The sky is the limit. Neither Briercrest nor the Ronning Centre have money at this point, but they both have the means to seek funding. It's amazing to think of the possibilities.

In the short time since Friday morning, many conversations have confirmed that this is a door the Lord is opening. At the same time, I feel very called to stay in Duval with my brother Jeffrey, and in Strasbourg where I work at the newspaper and am part of the Alliance church. So the question will be how to balance and fulfill my commitments to my brother (pottery, arts), to the newspaper, and to the church. I work 2-3 days a week for the newspaper, so I can imagine going to Caronport for 2-4 days every few weeks to do research for the summer and set up my own office space in the current archives so I can give up the study carrel for a seminary student in autumn.

I came home blissfully exhausted … and facing responsibilities ...
So, if you would keep praying and providing feedback, that would be fantastic!

Labels: calling, jobs, travel, vocation, writing

Do you ever search for your name on the Internet? I googled mine today. This blog came up 4^th on the list. Interestingly, I also appear 8^th—in the CUPE gallery of all places! A few weeks ago my sister said she had seen my picture in a CUPE ad in The Carlyle Observer. Today I discovered that two more pictures appear here. I may have socialist leanings (yes, I vote NDP sometimes), yet I'm ambivalent about unions, even after working in one for a year, so think it’s humourous that they used my picture in their ad campaign!

I was actually in Carlyle last week. Gave a concert at the Pentecostal Assembly. My sister, brother-in-law, and nephew (13) are going on a mission to Mexico with 11 others from their church. I had offered to give a fund-raising concert, so they took me up on it. What a wonderful evening. About 1/3rd of the people were relatives! I entertained with story and song, and we worshiped together: Let your glory fall in this room / let it go forth from here to the nations. Afterwards while I sold coffee and CDs, there was a pie auction, including an auction to throw a pie at the pastor and another man.

Of course I stayed overnight with my sister and her family. Got some good hugs, cuddles and inspiration from my nephews and niece. Had a good, long, and overdue visit with Jaime. She gave me a clipping of the infamous CUPE ad.

The Mexico team is leaving this Friday, so my parents are going to babysit the other three kids. Eric will be on school break, so without anyone to put on the school bus, it will be a bit like a vacation!

The Carlyle jaunt threw my schedule off. I did quite a bit of writing last week, but must apologize for not posting any of it to the blog. Will try to be better at posting at least once weekly—preferably on Tuesdays.

On my plate these days:

- A big advertising push at the newspaper—we’re publishing 2 extra sections this month for Ag Week—so I’m putting in 4 (long) days instead of 3.

- A concert on Saturday in Regina: HeartbeatS, an evening of music and arts in support of OptionS Pregnancy Centre. Advance tickets are still available at $15 each. Call the Centre at 757-1371.

- Finishing an overview of the book publishing process for a non-profit organization. We’re discussing the possibility of me writing a book about their ministry and its beginnings.





CURRENTLY LISTENING: Kathryn Scott, I Belong

Labels: blogging, family, jobs, life, music, travel, updates, writing

My car odometer (which, it turns out, is not broken) turned over to 300,000 km on the drive from Caronport to Duval. Seemed somehow significant that I looked at it right then.

Jeffrey realized recently that he's now the largest employer in Duval--with two part-time employees. Of course, that's not hard in Duval, population 95.

I've taken another part-time job to help cover the bottom line and fill out my portfolio: working at the local newspaper, The Last Mountain Times, selling ad copy and doing a bit of reporting (with photography). I start on Wednesday at 9:00 AM. Not only is it good for the portfolio, it gets me out into the region, meeting business people.

Interestingly, the previous advertising person quit just 3 weeks ago, about the time my brother and I officially decided to pursue this new arrangement. Hmmm. All summer I looked and looked and looked for a job, with hardly an acknowledgement never mind getting shortlisted. So by faith I went on a house concert tour, and prayed and prayed and prayed, feeling a bit like Abraham to whom God said, "Go to the land I will show you," and hoping, hoping, hoping that God would show me the land soon, as I was wearied with drifting. Rachel Runnalls asked in September, "Do you think there could be a bit of divine interference?" I'm willing to bank on that ... now.

Sunday morning's sermon was about Abraham's tests and obedience. It spoke directly to me, affirming this move to Duval to be involved with arts and writing. The first sermon I heard at the beginning of my music tour was about Abraham's obedience, even though what God asked was both counter-intuitive and counter-rational. So this formed the atmosphere of my 7-week tour: following, watching, wondering, waiting, discovering.

After sermon this Sunday there was communion followed by a song and the benediction. Then Pastor Lonie went up to the mike and asked for it to be turned on. He said, "I don't usually do this, but I just want to say that God told Abraham, 'All nations of the world will be blessed because of your obedience.' There's a world out there that needs Jesus. Go and tell someone." This made me cry. This is exactly what I've been pondering all year in the phrase Sing Release To Nations. I have arrived in the land the Lord has shown me: the Last Mountain region. In a way I have come home to the prairies, yet there is something bigger. The expansiveness of the prairies evokes remembrance of the ocean (an image in my song "Prairie Soul") and makes me wonder about the world and how my obedience might be used to bless the nations. Perhaps, like Abraham and so many others listed in Hebrews 12, I will never actually see the thing I'm hoping for, yet am convinced that I'm part of a larger story written by a divine author ...

On Saturday Jeffrey and I had our first business meeting in his studio. He "threw" pots (pitchers, actually) while we talked and I wrote. How convenient to have work where a business meeting doesn't have to stop production! (I believe firmly that business meetings need not be a waste of time, since talking and planning are critical before executing ideas. It's the "measure twice, cut once" proverb. But it's nice when production doesn't have to stop for it.) Fun to dream a bit together as well as make some concrete plans. A couple of weeks ago Jeffrey was a little wary of dreaming, almost ready to sell the shop and move. We're wondering what the Lord might have in store and paying attention to his voice and guidance, watching for opportunities.

Recently my friend Janina asked if I feel at home here. In fact, I do. Spiritwood was comfortable, but I always knew it was temporary. As for this area, I grew up coming to Arlington Beach Camp at least twice a year. In 1990 Mom and Dad moved to Arlington, lived there for 6 years and attended the Strasbourg Alliance Church, so I got to know a lot of people in both places, and it just felt so natural to be at the Alliance Church yesterday morning. Sunday afternoon Jeffrey and I attended the grand opening of the Regina Beach art gallery expansion, and that evening went to the "Welcome Neighbour" event in Strasbourg where I was introduced as the paper's "new reporter" and received a welcome bag with five pens inside. I was almost in heaven! Simple things, you know. Last night I attended a worship team practice and was thrilled to fit in easily and to play instruments that I don't usually get to play (keyboard--bass & vocal aahs, tambourine, penny whistle) and to find such lovely vocal harmony with Linda & Heather.

Of course there will be adjustments, yet it's amazing to feel such belonging so soon ...

This week involves lots of preparation for Jeffrey's open house and sale on Saturday. The kitchen is basically ready. Need to dust shelves, price pottery, practice some folk songs (as I'm the guest musician), clean bathroom and office/l.r. area ... Come if you can.

Labels: calling, family, jobs, music, performances, travel, writing

Last Sunday our interim pastor, Vern Munshaw, preached about the new year (surprise) from the perspective of buying a new pocket-sized personal calendar. For years this was the gift he bought himself for Christmas -- always the same, and better than any of his other gifts. "Someone" (his wife) eventually realized how important this purchase was and now she buys it for him.



The image of looking for a new day planner really resonated with me. I had been looking for my new day planner but holding off the purchase. The brand I keep returning to is Quo Vadis, the style Minister Prestige. The paper is creamy (in both colour and texture) and heavy (ink never bleeds through); the layout is ideal (1 week on 2 pages, 8am-9pm, with lots of room for notes); the extras are handy (anno-planning, world maps, time zones, receipts and payments section, address book). And recently, in shopping around, I have learned that the paper comes from environmentally friendly mills in France!

Listening to Pastor Vern talk about new calendars and new years confirmed to me that it was time to really welcome the new year, so I had my uncle pick up a new Minister Prestige planner at Staples on his last trip to Saskatoon. Last night I finished the transfer from the 2006 book to 2007. Feels good.

More than ever a good calendar is imperative. 2007 is starting out crazy!

When I came to Spiritwood last fall, my parents moved down to my grandpa's apartment and I moved into their spacious bedroom suite (300+ sq ft). For many months Mom & Dad have been fielding queries about renting space here, but have never felt like they had the right set-up for boarding. That all changed a few weeks ago when they learned that the local nuns had sold their house and, not wanting to leave Spiritwood, were looking for a place to live. (Sister Therese and Sister Bernadette who are not only vocational sisters but biological siblings, too.)So my parents offered the apartment, the sisters came to see it, and Therese could hardly sit down she was so excited! This is where Sister Therese and Sister Bernadette lived several decades ago when they first came to teach in Spiritwood, so it's like coming home for them -- except that they never imagined it could be so beautiful! They would like Dad & Mom to build a little chapel space somewhere so they "can bring the presence of God into the place." Mmmmm.

It's exciting all around -- a home for the sisters, some rental income for Mom & Dad. But then it also means that Mom and Dad want their bedroom suite back, which means carving out different space for me in the south end upstairs.

Add to the mix a handful of international farm workers (employed at Fast Genetics) who are looking for places to live and a desperate lack of rental accommodations in Spiritwood, giving my parents have other possibilities for renters, which means more potential renovations on this 9000 sq ft 1950s former convent. And a lot of tradespeople have moved to Alberta!

I had hoped that January would be a quiet month to settle into my thesis and finish that thing, but I've been assigned several training & relief shifts at the Spiritwood home care office, I've got at least 5 Norwex shows in the next 2 weeks, and there are some exciting things happening with a glyconutrient company, so I'm going to Caronport and Weyburn next week "on business." I'm also considering getting certified as a Birkman consultant. (Training in Orlando, Florida, February 6-7 or Orange County, CA, March 13-14. Ask me about my introductory rate.) Interestingly, being so busy provides structure and perspective that somehow helps me to be more productive than when life is slow, increasing my motivation to write! Strange how that works, but I won't argue. Guess I'm just going to have to cram that thesis into the small spaces!

Stay tuned! ...

Labels: calling, family, jobs, life, vocation, work

I'm so exhausted after playing keyboard with the band for Spiritwood Grand Ole Country Christmas concert/talent show tonight. But it was SO much fun and good exposure. Tomorrow Mom, Aunt Linda, our friend Dawn, and I are singing at the seniors' Christmas supper in Shell Lake. Music. This is in my calling ...

Yesterday I got a job: Relief Scheduler with the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region. As relief work it's very part-time and sporadic, yet will provide at least 2 full-time work weeks for orientation this month at a nice governmental starting wage. Part-time suits me well, since music & writing is what I came here for. With my foot in the door for the health region I'll be able to bid on other jobs that come up.

Part of my orientation will include 1-2 days in Prince Albert with the health region providing a car and paying me 8 hours a day. What a gift: my sister Starla lives in PA and just yesterday was asking if I could come do family Christmas presents with her! So I get to say yes and go with all expenses paid!

This job is an answer to prayer. I've been considering teaching English in Korea. But, the Lord has been speaking to me about that my call is to the nations but English is not the vehicle (for now), that he wants me to concentrate on the music and writing and watch him provide. Well, this week I've been doing a lot of music ... and he's providing, true to his word!

Bev, the woman hiring me, said she's very comfortable with me and that the reference checks (all Briercrest people) are excellent and that they'd love to hire me back. Sigh. Sometimes I long to be doing that work, especially the mentoring of young women. But that will come ...

Labels: calling, jobs, music, performances, vocation

Wow -- has it really been a month and a half since my last post? So much has happened. I wrote a very long post already, but one false move wiped it all away. When will I learn to copy such things to the clipboard before navigating to another window??? Here are highlights from the past 6 weeks and some previews of things to come ...

- found some needed rest. Need now to establish some good rhythms -- too many late nights already! Mom and I are night owls.

- set up a website that I'm ready to launch: www.siretona.com.

- spoke at a college & career retreat in Alberta for a group from Brentview Baptist (Calgary). My friend Lamb came from Ontario to help with that. Really good weekend. Sold a few CDs.

- gave a Norwex demonstration at Caronport on Thurs., Oct. 12th. Seemed like quite a good show. One of the bookings will be down the road in Mortlach, and the other booking is happening right now -- a catalogue show in California! (With the free Westjet flight from my new Scotia Bank One account maybe I can fly down and follow up in person!)

- led worship with Mom, Aunt Linda, & Dawn Mundell for a ladies' retreat at Arlington Beach Camp last weekend. Wrote my first song of this new season. The speaker, Janice Dearing, had written the words and showed them to my Mom who handed them to me. I looked at them Saturday evening and woke up the next morning with an idea, picked up my guitar, and the tune came quite easily with a little tweaking to make the words into lyrics. I recorded (sketched) it on my cell phone and later was listening walked onto the stage. Gave the women a good laugh explaining why I was on the phone!

- left the retreat a bit early to attend the memorial service for my friend and colleague, Shantelle Almeida. Can hardly believe she's gone. I was on MSN Messenger with her just a couple of weeks ago. She received a clean bill of health at the end of August -- not a trace of cancer in her body. Then an aneurysm took her a few days after Thanksgiving. Life is but a breath. Sigh. Shantelle may have been "promoted to glory," but her loved ones are left to cope without her ...

- stayed in Caronport until Wednesday morning. Started feeling unwell on Monday at noon. Resisted it at first, then sensed the Lord telling me that with the busyness of the previous week my body and soul needed time to rest and shift gears. So I relaxed into it and took the afternoon off. Visited some friends that evening. Tuesday morning I asked the Lord to organize my day, bringing the right people across my path at the right times, and he sure did that. Of course there are people I couldn't see or spend much time with, but overall I was satisfied with the trip.

- have been finishing books. I'm a great nibbler, reading a chapter here and there, with not much fiction in my literary diet. But with the new space in my life I've been reading books from cover to cover. So far I would highly recommend all of them. On Saturday I finished A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute, set in England, Malaya (aka Kuala Lumpur), and Australia. It was so compelling I didn't want to put it down and so beautiful I never wanted it to end. Apparently the movie is well done, so I'll borrow it and other books by Shute from the local library. Of course, now I want to go to Australia. In early September I read For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn and found it quite illuminating on the subject of men.

- got in on the beginning of a book sale at the library on Wednesday morning! Life couldn't be better. Discovered a copy of For Women Only (with study guide in it) at the Briercrest library sale -- for only one dollar! Also discovered a copy of Sealed Orders by Agnes Sanford for only 25 cents. Loved this book when I first read the library copy, then found a used copy somewhere, then lent it to my cousin Denise and haven't received it back yet. Now Denise can keep a copy and I'll have my own again.

- spent Wednesday afternoon in Regina with my cousin Marilou (lunch) then my Aunt Sherry (coffee & dinner). Stayed that night in Saskatoon with Janina and saw Melanie the next day before coming back to Spiritwood.

- wrote a c.v., collected some references, and have applied for some jobs in the area of arts and culture. We'll see what comes of it. I've registered with www.elance.com and would like to try bidding on some of the jobs there. Funny -- feel a bit daunted by that!

- need to finish the bulk of my thesis by November 7th. Brad Doerkson, the librarian at Caronport, has been more than generous with my due dates, but Nov 7th is my cut off! Tough to go from two month borrowing terms and unlimited renewals as a faculty member to two weeks as a seminary student, with only 3 renewals allowed. Will have to set the fiction aside for a bit ...

- tomorrow 8 or 9 Briercrest students will arrive to help with outreach at Witchekan Lake First Nation. In August Mom and Dad hosted a summer missionary with Child Evangelism Fellowship to do 5-Day Clubs in local towns. Mom had Witchekan on her heart for this, and when she made inquiries the doors opened more easily than she could have imagined. Then, wouldn't you know it, the missionary, Jennifer, was a First Nations girl from Prince Albert! They held clubs in 3 towns and on the first day had no kids in Spiritwood, about a dozen kids in Leoville, and about 37 at Witchekan. By the end of the week they had 98 people on their contact list including 3 moms and 5 teens. So the Briercrest team will help us with follow-up, holding an after-school club for kids and some noon-hour and weekend activities for teens.

Well, that's an update for now. I'll try to be better ... but don't hold your breath. Seems like it's feast or famine on this blog!

Labels: Arlington Beach, books, friends, jobs, life, Norwex, outreach, performances, retreats, Shantelle, website