2 Free Games!!

This past Thursday, we went bowling with our small group from our Richmond church and had a blast. When we got there, we learned that it was "Red Head Pin Thursday". Basically, they have a few completely red pins mixed in with all the white ones, and if one of these pins falls into the head pin spot, you can win a free game if you can get a strike....can you see where this is going? Yep, I won myself 2 free games - and those were my only 2 strikes of the night! My theory is that having the red pin in the centre actually helps me aim. But, regardless of that, I'm happy. We haven't been bowling in a long time and now we get to go again and play for free!! :)

I've been thinking about this blog, but once you hear my schedule, hopefully you'll understand why I haven't posted much. In February, I was spending 2 days at BCIT (1 course per day), 2 days at my practicum, 1 day at A Rocha, and working 12 hours at Chapters each week, 8 hours of which took up my Saturday. Basically, busy 6 days a week. Then in March I finished the 2 BCIT courses and began my very last one ever!!! It meets 2 days a week for 5 weeks and I'm done 3 of the 5 - in 2 weeks I'll be done classes forever! So, my schedule in March was much the same as February but without the Chapters hours.

Then, on top of all that busy-ness, we also have made the trek to Abby every weekend since Feb 21 (except for around March 21 when we headed to Victoria to visit Reuben & Heidi). So, with this weekend, that makes 7 in a row that we haven't been home - and the end isn't in sight because we'll be back in Abby for some of Easter and possibly the next two weekends as well. That will make 10 weeks in a row! No wonder both Mark and I feel exhausted and like we haven't had a break.

Each of the reasons we went back were good ones, including birthdays, stags/stagettes, a wedding, and church involvement, and we enjoyed the time with family and friends. But, given the craziness of my current schedule, it meant that things like laundry and cleaning had to happen during the week and we've found it hard to relax and have a day or even a few hours where we felt like we could do something that we wanted to do without having other "to-dos" hanging over our heads.

There are times that I find myself wishing that Richmond was one or two more hours away from Abby - and I don't like that thought. I love our life in Richmond. We enjoy the city, the closeness to Vancouver, the way we can walk or bike everywhere, how Mark is really close to work and I can easily take public transit to BCIT and my practicum. We've connected with a great church here and have been part of a small group for at least a year. The list goes on and on. And actually, we've said many times that we would probably even be able to go without a car if we didn't travel to Abby so much - or at least lower our gas expenses to one tank a month instead of one a week...

If we were 2-3 hours from Abby we would be forced to be more selective about when we travelled back and people would be more understanding and would not expect us to always make it out. It's hard because it makes more sense for us to be the ones to travel since we're only 2, and if we hosted, more people would have to make the trek to our place. But that means we lose more of our time and we often feel obligated to stop in to see others while we're there. Plus, it's hard to say no when you're invited for something and you don't actually have previous plans. "No, we can't make it because we want to veg at home." That sounds like a weak excuse even though it is a very real need.

I'm tired of the constant juggle but I haven't found a way to solve it. If we don't go to Abby, we don't see people. If we go to Abby, we don't get time to relax at home. It feels like a lose-lose see-saw.

For those of you who still read this, I'm sorry that this post turned into a bit of a rant; I needed to get it out of my system and since I often find that writing helps, this seemed like as good a place as any. We covet your prayers over the next few weeks as we try to work out a way to better balance our lives that will enable us to enjoy time with family and friends but also have the ability to say no. And we ask for understanding from those around us as well as this new balance will probably mean we won't be in Abby all the time.

However, on the weekends we stay home we're always open for visitors...

:)