August 22, 2005

Blessed Be Your Name - Part 1

This year has been a strange year.  It has been full of the amazing highs as well as some of the worst lows.  While the year is not done yet I have begun to reflect on some of the "whys" behind the highs and lows.


These last 8 months have been some of my most fulfilling.  I truly love what I do.  I am the executive co-director (with my husband) of a small but vibrant YWAM base in Winnipeg.  We have seen the completion of our first Discipleship Training Schools (see above photo of students).  While the school wasn't perfect and personally I made lots of mistakes, it is great when you can look back on something and say it was a success.  All of our students came away with probably more questions than when they started (I love that when it happens because there is so much we don't know and that is only truly revealed when we seek after Him).  Their eyes were opened to a bigger understanding of not only who God is but the world around them.

We also just finished our first Mission Adventures (MA) Summer Program.  Although we have been running the MA program since we got to Winnipeg at the beginning of 2002 and I had helped run many summer programs at YWAM Vancouver. We had never run a summer here and all of you who have been involved in MA know how much work goes into putting the summer together.  I know it's a lot of work and I know my husband thinks I am crazy but I thrive in that environment.  There were many days this summer where I worked 20hr days, sometimes because I had to but other times where I just didn't want to leave and miss anything.  I love it!  I am my own worst critic so I already know a lot of things we will do differently next year, but once again I was so proud of what my staff did this summer.  They are amazing.   This was my favorite summer ever.

Another area of my life I would not change is my marriage.  I am married to the best guy ever, who, while doesn't understand how I can possibly want to work 20hr after 20hr after 20hr day supports me all the way.  Jamie and I, when you look at us, don't have a lot in common.  Nothing makes him happier than finding ideas that he can intellectually, spiritually and emotionally wrestle with and then come out the other side to not only apply to his own life but help the people around him.  We often have people calling and emailing us (actually not me, Jamie) because they are struggling with some theological or personal issue.  I look at the issue and go "That's a really good question but I don't have a clue." Jamie looks at the same issue and goes either "Have you thought about this" or "I'm not totally sure but let's explore that."  Yet despite our differences- in fact, sometimes because of our differences- there is no other man more perfect for me.

I know there are lots of people out there who are not excited to wake up and go to workwho don't have husbands that will support anything they truly want to do.  When I look at this part my life it is really easy to say:



Every blessing You pour out


I'll turn back to praise


When the darkness closes in, Lord


Still I will say




Blessed be the name of the Lord


Blessed be Your name


Blessed be the name of the Lord


Blessed be Your glorious name


(by Matt Redman)




But this has only been one side to my year. The other part is still much harder to talk about.  And the part I don't understand why.  Part 2 to come...

    

    
Posted by 
     Gracelet
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     04:22:29 
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  1 - And this is why I married you, Kim!  Your second blog post and you've already made me cry.  I love you, sweety.



Peace,

Jamie (Comment this)
  


  

       Written by:   
            Jamie Arpin-Ricci
       
   at 2005/08/22 - 16:40:17
     
 

  

   
  2 - Kim, you nearly made me cry!  I'm so glad Jamie -- who tells me all the time what an ass he can be :) -- has such love in his marriage.  I'm thankful for you both.



God bless,



Christopher (Comment this)
  


  

       Written by:   
            Christopher
       
   at 2005/08/22 - 17:08:57
     
 

  

   
  3 - Great work Kim, thanks for the insights into your world.  I appreciate your open honest approach to life. Keep up the good work blessings to you both.  Look forward to the second instalment! (Comment this)
  


  

       Written by:   
            Carol Haslam
       
   at 2005/08/22 - 23:24:36
     
 

     

   
   

    
    
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