andypaxo.net

It’s now just two months until Shanon and I walk up the aisle. We’ve put together a small website about the wedding if you need any details or reminders. Dates for the blessing and wedding as well as maps are there.

Plenty of preparation remains to be seen to. Shanon has been absolutely incredible in making things happen for the big day.

Can’t wait!

On Sunday the 6th, I got back into the country. I received a great seeing off! Several of us from FOCUS were leaving Canada around the same time, so we had a joint leaving party which was great fun. A few folks even came to see me off at the airport (Shanon and family, a couple from work and another couple of friends, 8 people in all!). I really felt loved

Shanon, Kana and Andy at the leaving party (and Bruce in the background)

Now that I’m back, it’s pretty hectic and there’s plenty to rush around and do. Better dash!

In true blogger style, I’m going to have a post with nothing much more than a couple of links now.

I’ve been working on some web stuff recently, so I present you with…
Our team blog (If you’re reading this now, you know what a blog is)
Our team wiki (Kind of a collection of documents, nothing that interesting for non technical readers yet)

Also, I thought I’d just throw out a link to Shanon’s blog. There’s some cool photos from events around Calgary.

Look forward to seeing you soon!

I have been writing a newsletter recently (look out for that soon) and it has prompted a few thoughts I’d like to share.

I’ve really been hit by the thought that I should really practise what I preach - something that’s tough to do if I take what I preach literally (each one of us is supposed to deny ourselves and pick up our cross, right?)

What I practise:

I have been a worried person for the last few days. I really do at this point want to stay longer in Canada. To do that I need money, for which I need a job, for which I need a work permit (for which I need a job - yeah, kinda circular). For the permit I need to renew my passport… The success of any of these three things is risky. Whilst I am going about getting the next few years of my life sorted out, I have a Bible study to plan for FOCUS, lots of correspondence to sort out with you guys back home (which - I’m hopelessly behind on, sorry guys), and a tax return to get a handle on and a ton of other little but necessary things and… ARGH!! PANIC!!!

What I preach:

Stop. Rewind. What was that? Oh, yeah - Bible study.

This is where I go to the international students group and explain parts of the Bible to students who mainly come from Asia and have little or no exposure to scripture - because I’m a Christian and I understand the Bible… right?

Let’s have a look at the stuff I’m covering. We’re going through the stories in Genesis at the moment. Throughout this, we see the people that God uses:
Noah, Abraham, Moses…

All of these are men who achieved great things by listening to God and carrying out his words with faithfulness. (Indeed, Abraham had times of not trusting in God and doing what he thought was best instead - but he only had success when following the Lord’s instruction).

The upshot:

I know of course that panic and worry are not helpful and that worry is even forbidden by Jesus. But, as we all know this is not always easy. Indeed, several people have told me to “Just trust in God” recently. This is great advice, but I believe that the word “just” is out of place. I have great respect to those who truly rely on the Lord, and pray that I may have the same faithfulness. It’s hard to practise what you preach.
So don’t panic, do trust in God - but don’t underestimate the task at hand, “just” trusting in God can be harder than trying to work out our lives under our own strength - ask Abraham!

(Wow, those few thoughts turned into a mini-sermon. Thanks to those of you who read all that!)

Over the last couple of days, I have been working away on a blog for our department. This is really aimed at software developers around the world who are interested in what we are doing (Chiefly other branches of our organisation). Having said that, feel free to have a look and you can see the kind of stuff we are doing from day to day.

(Note: The blog is offline at the moment)

Also, I’m glad to tell you that we are having a weather respite at the moment. After getting down to wind chill temperatures of -41C, we are now above zero!