I am pleased to announce that my man, Brad Trost, has won. I feel confident that he can represent me. Congratulations Mr. Trost!

I have just completed my duty as a citizen of Canada, and I have voted for the person I think will best represent me in parliament. This is another one of those milestones in a young man's life, for this is the first Federal election I have voted in. The first election I've voted in, period. I missed the provincial and municipal elections in the fall, as I was out of the country. I look forward to seeing the results tonight...

I'm back from the over-night canoe trip. I'm really tired, but I had a great time. My forearms and knees are sunburned. A good week to everyone out there in worldwideworld.

Come in Peace, messengers of the Most High God. Good Sabbath, brothers and sisters of Israel. Tonight, I rest, and in the morning I'm going on an overnight canoe trip with my canoeing class. So much canoeing. One could almost deduce that I like it...

This is a little late, but I remembered a verse from the Psalms I found that seemed connected to last week's Torah portion, Korach (Numbers 16-18). This portion relates Yahweh's confirmation of Moses and Aaron as His chosen leaders of Israel. The reading from the Prophets (I Samuel 11:14-12:22) is about Samuel's final address to the children of Israel, and Yahweh's confirmation of him as His chosen leader.
Here's what I found:

"Exalt Yahweh, our God, and bow at His footstool; He is holy! Moses and Aaron were among His priests, and Samuel among those who invoke His Name; they called upon Yahweh, and He answered them. In a pillar of cloud He spoke to them; they obeyed His testimonies and whatever decree He gave them." Psalm 99:5-7

I'm so thankful for Shabbat. For six days we work, and there's always more work to do. But on the seventh day, Shabbat, all that work is completed for another week. It doesn't matter if you have to start all over again the next day; on Shabbat we rest, and our labour is finished. We remember that in Messiah Yeshua all our work is done, because He has given us rest. I'm looking forward to Shabbat. Only two more days!

"Yahweh favours those who fear Him, those who hope for His kindness." Psalm 147:11

A lesson Yahweh is teaching me today:

People are always moving on. Change is constant, and often our Father closes doors to eras of our life. Some of our fondest memories are destined to be just that: happy, idyllic memories. An era is ended, and we cannot return. Today I was realizing that sometimes I try to return to the past: go back to places, get in touch with old friends. But so often my loving Father blocks me from going back to the past, for reasons I cannot fully understand. He wants us to move on. Forget the past, and press onward toward the goal. That's all we can do, move on. As a very wise man once taught me, because we know God is who He says He is, it's right to hope. It's right to hope. Sometimes I have to repeat that to myself over and over again, and remember the final verse of Psalm 27: "Hope to Yahweh; strengthen yourself and He will give you courage, and hope to Yahweh." We can only move on, hoping to Him. It makes me sad to lose connections with the past, but I trust that my Father is good, and is guiding me in good ways. Chazaq!

I'm home again. This canoeing trip was a wonderful experience. I learned a lot, and I had a fine time hanging out with three good friends for a week.

I have a feeling that the times are changing. This past week was important. I turned 20 years old. Coming back from this trip I feel invigorated and refreshed. I'm looking forward to what Abba has in store for His people Israel.

I'm gone canoeing...

"Only be very strong and courageous, to observe, to do, according to the entire Torah that Moses My servant commanded you; do not deviate from it to the right or to the left, in order that you may succeed wherever you will go. This Book of the Torah shall not depart from your mouth; rather you should contemplate it day and night in order that you observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way successful, and then you will act wisely. Behold, I have commanded you, 'Be strong and courageous,' do not fear and do not lose resolve, for Yahweh, your God, is with you wherever you will go." Joshua 1:7-9

Yom zeh Yisrael, Orah v'simchah, Shabbat m'nuchah (this day for Israel is light and gladness - Sabbath of contenment). Yes, it's Shabbat again! I just finished a fine day at work. It rained steadily at work all day, but I was inside cleaning - sweeping and picking up garbage. On this coming Monday I'm planning to go canoeing with Christopher, Colin, and Paul Daniel. Canoeing!!! Hurrah!

I'm listening to U2 right now, their best of B sides 1990-2000. I like.

I spent the evening at the downtown library with Christopher, Colin, and P.D. planning the canoe trip we hope to go on next week. I'm excited!

Yom Sheyni, day two of another week. This morning it rained extensively, and so I get the day off of work. That's quite all right with me. So I'm trying to figure out what to do this fall, and I still don't feel ready to pursue a career. If Yahweh's willing, this may be a year of personal study for me. I really want to get serious about learning Hebrew, and read many books, and learn to worship God and develop a deeper relationship with Him.

No Turning Back...
I managed to hear two good shows this weekend. First, on Saturday night, I heard No Birds, Shakey Wilson, and Maybe Smith play at Mehta Youngs' birthday show at the Unitarian Centre. The Paper Kites was also supposed to play, but I left before they started. No Birds was amazing. I am always thoroughly entertained by their shows. It's a huge band, I think there was eleven players at this last show, but they manage to avoid utter chaos, and instead play very intricate, tight, and seemingly well-rehearsed self-composed tunes. All the players are fine musicians. Toby and Robin started things off with a cello/viola screaming piece, and then the whole band came in with a bang, and it just got better and better...
I enjoyed Shakey's set as well. He played a handful of Bob Dylan and Neil Young songs, among others, all in a very stripped down arrangement. He played guitar and harmonica and sang, and he was accompanied by bass and drums.

The other show I heard was the Prairie Virtuosi, a local baroque chamber orchestra. They performed in the Billy tent at Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan. Outside the tent was raining and thundering, and inside, sweet music. I enjoyed it a lot.

At last, it's Shabbat again! Halleluyah!

I had a fine day at work today. The sun was hot, and I was laying sod with my work-mates.

This evening my Mother, Father, Justice, and I picked up Mrs. Johnson and went to the Patterson gardens. All the apple and lilac are in bloom. All the blossoms smelled ever so sweet, but I smelled to many and now I have a runny nose.

Shabbat Shalom to the whole world! Seek first God's kingdom and righteousness!

It's good to persevere. As a wise man once told me, much blessing comes from commitment. I believe it.