Face forward - even if not moving forward

Here are some photos of Debbie working on some sketching and her wedding vows this past Sunday.

Most of us like to think we are pretty important. The reality about moving is that it can be a very sobering time. I have lived on this earth almost 49 years. Just over 9 of those years have been in this apartment. Other than my childhood home, I have never lived in one place that long.

The location of where the furniture was hasn’t changed in all of those years. The carpeting will likely have to be changed as there are divots in the shape of the shelves, desks, couch and bed. I have added some books, lots of software, lots of movies and a few computers. I have finished my college diploma; which was the reason for moving here in March of 2003.

Much of my larger furniture is gone. After placing it out behind the dumpster here at the apartment yesterday, some of it was gone by morning today. To go into Debbie’s place has required a severe scaling back of things collected over the years. For this upcoming week, my living quarters will be my bedroom. That’s about the real working space for everything that will be moved.

Really, it’s not just the life I have lived, but who I have positively impacted over the years. It’s whether I have been faithful to what I believe my calling has been in coming here in the first place. In looking back, this has been the perfect location in all of the city of Hamilton. It is a nice area; my church is within easy walking distance; the rent has been affordable and the superintendent has been great. Four years ago my current job was an answer to prayer and the fulfillment of all the years of education begun in 2000. I have met my bride-to-be here. Many of you who have been my online friends over the years I have met while living in this place. There have been many happy memories here.

Reconnect 2012 was a conference I attended last weekend. It specifically focused on the issues and needs of church workers (usually volunteers) who operate sound systems, lighting systems, camera and projection systems and all other manner of tech things it takes to run most modern western churches.

It all started with a tweet on Twitter 8 months ago. Early bird registration was sold out in 3.5 weeks. Over 300 400 people were at the conference; the farthest attendees drove over 5 hours. More than 30 churches and their techs were on a waiting list. Personally, I have been waiting for a conference like this for 17 years.

I was pretty impressed that they had seminar speakers in from the United States. The organizers took the scope and intensity of this conference very seriously. It will surely be larger and have more seminars next time.

Lowlights
- Good band on Friday thinks they are playing to a crowd of junior high kids. Most attendees were 30+ years old. Sound mix was brutal. Worst case of "we're so not into you" I have ever seen.

Highlights:
- The MC walks on stage opening night and begins talking. Her microphone isn't on. Everyone laughs at this unscripted classic gaff.
- Guest speaker early Saturday morning has lapel mic transmitter that doesn't work. He hits the little clip-on box and it begins working. More laughter from attendees.
- Worship music first thing Saturday was awesome and well mixed. Wasn't long enough.
- During late Saturday morning seminar, all power goes off in sanctuary; plunging it into total darkness and silence. *makes note to always check circuit breakers*
- Only a handful of equipment vendors, but interest in their wares was good.

Reconnect 2013 looks to be a sure thing.

Hot on the heels of Bianca's recent post, I too shall be moving to new digs. Fifty days and counting.

Perhaps the oddest thing about moving was writing the last rent cheque the other day. The last rent cheque for the most perfect place to live here in Hamilton since coming to this city nine years ago.

I have had the same superintendent as a neighbour and friend (her and her husband started just a month or so before I moved in). The two of them have kept this building clean and neat, inside and out. Originally, they showed me a one-bedroom just below mine, but gave me this one instead. A torrential rain storm 3 summers ago flooded the whole lower floor for days (and much of Hamilton mountain). It took over a month to clean it up and repair the apartments. Thankfully, I was 6 feet above all that mess and had no contents insurance.

Before coming here, someone from my old church back in London suggested looking up Elliott Heights Baptist Church when I got here to Hamilton. Had no idea where it was. A few days after moving in, I was touring the area to find out where shops and services were. I saw a church spire above the horizon on a main street. As I turned a corner, a sign on the left said "Elliott Heights Baptist Church". It was a 2 minute drive, or 15 minute walk, from my new apartment.

The majority of homes in this neighbourhood were built about 50-60 years ago. They are small and unpretentious and well maintained. The streets and sidewalks have also been well maintained and it's a pleasure just to walk around.

There are a number of recreational areas within 15 minute's walk: professional baseball diamond, soccer fields, football fields, indoor swimming pool and rec centre, walking/bicycle trails and a conservation area with a waterfall.

Upon losing my last vehicle as a mode of transportation, I have since found out that Hamilton's public transit system is pretty decent. You can get to most anywhere in the city within 45 minutes if the transfers work well. Otherwise, bring along a book or find some new shop to discover in between trips.

I began my current job just over 4 years ago. The shuttle bus stops right at the front of my building. I transfer to a regular bus route just up the street that drops me off right near the door of the office. It takes 15 minutes with no traffic hassle at all (I detest the congestion of Toronto traffic). When taking a bicycle to work, much of it can be along a bicycle pathway with little involvement with traffic. A peaceful start or end to the work day.

I have come to enjoy living in this apartment and area and can't imagine a better place to live in this city - until Debbie came into my life. Her place is actually about a 15 minute walk from my work. I could still take a bus and get there in 5 minutes, if need be. Most of the same trails take a bit longer to get too, but there will be new ones to discover in that neighbourhood. Her car is available, if needed, for errands, and we will be heading off to church for services and other things at the same time. It is unlikely we will need a second vehicle (unless I bought another motorcycle, or a pickup truck).

Debbie makes all things better.

Many mornings I ride the bus into work. Yesterday seemed just like any other and I usually know the regular riders at a given time. But there were a father and son sitting across the aisle from me. The son was perhaps 9 or 10 and going to an unfamiliar school that day (I had never seen them before). As the boy got up to get off the bus, he reached over and gave his dad a hug, then bounded out the door. It was just the most natural thing for them to do.

At that moment, I could not have been more proud of that man and how he was raising his son.

A couple of stops later, the father went out of the bus and went over to the other side of the street to catch another bus going back the way they came. He was just making sure his boy got off at the right place that day.

My pride in that man's care and responsibility was complete yesterday morning. I don't know their names or anything, but it made me happy in my heart to watch.