Joyska's Journal: November 2007











Tuesday, November 27, 2007

It's been a long 11 days. I've had sick days, and days where I felt sick but just kept going, but this is silly. It started as a flu, turned into a cold and now is a full blown sinus infection. The doc wants me to get xrays on both my feet and my spine, and I am taking an ever increasing arsenal of meds. It makes for a fight to stay encouraged.

Yet, I know that the Lord is faithful. I know that He is good, and that all is and will be well. It's just not always easy to stay there in my head. When I am sick, I tend to stay home and away from everything like church and prayer meetings, where really, that is where I should be. I went tonight and it was good, it was very good. Sanctuary has some amazing people to be sure.

But even now tonight, as I sit here at my computer (when I should be sleeping) I can't help but wonder what is going on. Why is sickness such a central part of my life right now? How did I end up back in Winnipeg? (I think that is really starting to hit me) I miss IHOP, and Hope City especially, yet I love my job at Siloam and being with Sanctuary. It's all just transition I guess, I have only been back 3 months, and I've started a new job only 3 weeks ago. I guess it's all just catching up with me. That's okay, it's just harder than I want it to be! :)

So... relying on God's faithfulness and liking of me is all I can do. That's not a bad place to start. So if you think of me, please pray for encouragement, health, and more than anything time with the Lord.

Thanks.
Joyska at 9:15 PM
1 comments

Monday, November 26, 2007

Please Pray

My annoying 7 day cold/fever seems to have turned into a sinus infection. Oh how fun.
Joyska at 4:12 AM
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Wednesday, November 21, 2007

WOW, two blogs in one week... is it possible?



I am going back to work today, cough, sniffles and all. Today is my day to be outside. I like this part of my job alot. I hang out with the patrons all day. We go in teams of two, (so yes I am safe), and we are called "Donation Hosts" or "Door Hosts" for the day. It's actually fun. The temperature is a little chilly, so even as I write this, it is a mere -8 degrees Celcius (14-ish degrees F) I am layered well, and hopefully will be warm enough with my toque (hat), scarf, mittens, and luxuriously warm Siloam STAFF jacket.

The last 2 days I have been extremely bored and terribly sick. I don't like being sick, and I especially detest being bored. Cheryl was home sick yesterday too, so that was helpful. We sound like a coughing chorus though between fighting over the Kleenex and the remote control. Actually we don't fight over anything... we both just took turns playing Scrabulous on the computer.

Well, I need to get ready for work. Hopefully the days go well and I only go through 2 packages of Kleenex! :)
Joyska at 4:40 AM
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Tuesday, November 20, 2007

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

I know you are all humming the tune now... admit it!

Saturday was the Santa Claus parade here in Winnipeg, and it was a good one! I missed most of it, as I was TRYING to get to a doctors appointment, which unfortunately I missed because of an inability to navigate all the changed bus routes! Ah well, at least I got in the following morning.

I decorated my own house on Friday. ( I think it was Friday) The tree is up, the nativity is set up, and all my Christmas movies are on the shelf. So far I've watched White Christmas, and Elf (and maybe Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol and well... who's counting?"

I unfortunately in the midst of all this Christmas Cheer, have gotten sick. Flu and cold sick. The sniffling, sneezing, coughing, puking kind of sick. Woo hoo! Mix that with a cup of hot cocao! Yah, it's been a long couple of days. I'm determined to make this my last sick day however. I miss being at Siloam. That's a good sign! :)

Anyway, I am running a fever and the room is spinning a bit, so this girl is heading back to bed. Please pray for healing! Oh yah, no official word on my feet... I was sent for an exray on my right foot and spine, so we wait and see and trust that God has it in his hand.

okay, not feeling so great... later
Joyska at 4:35 AM
4 comments

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

It's been a coon's age!

I assume that means a very long time! hahaha

Life has been busy since I started working at Siloam. Let me first and foremost say, I love my job. A typical day (if there are no significant incidents) looks a bit like bussing tables at a busy restaurant., except the people wait in line for the food and as one of the volunteers said "don't expect any tips". I love just getting to know the people. For obvious reasons I cannot tell you who they are, but I can tell you they are amazing.

I am constantly amazed at the sense of humour in them. They love to laugh and joke around and they have such a quick wit. It keeps me on my toes for sure! There are of course the difficult situations, the struggles that have gotten them to a place of homelessness, stories of great loss, brokenness, and sometimes just mental illnesses that have taken over their lives. It's a humbling thing to be amongst such an amazing group of people.

I'm getting to know some by name, and happily greet them as they walk in the door, or take their spot. They are getting to know my name now too, and constantly asking me if it Ukranian, Russian, or Polish, I tell them my name is Dutch AND I have creative parents. They laugh every time. Some of them are fascinated that as far as I know, I'm the only Joyska out there. There is one gentleman who tells people that everytime he sees me.

There are a few characters there too. There are the ones that can get everybody laughing, the ones who you know to give them their space, the ones who love to talk, and the ones who won't talk to me at all yet. It's like anywhere people gather. That is part of what I love about it. Everyone has a story, everyone haas a unique personality and great strengths as well as weaknesses. And I love that they gather at Siloam.

I've had the privilege of praying with a few who tell me the details. That has been my greatest honour so far. Faith has a different expression on the street, and I'm learning that quickly, and I am reminded daily of the blessings in my own life. Even waiting for the bus in the cold has taken on a new experience for me. I wait at most a half hour in the cold, these guys will stand in line for hours for a meal or a place to sleep. There is great strength in them. Great strength.

Well, I could go on and on, but I need to get ready for work. Please pray for the homeless and porr in your community. They need compassion and support. Please pray also for healing for my feet. I'm finding it hard some days to walk as quickly as I would like. When I am home, my feet tend to be in significant pain. While I'm working, for the most part they are good, and more numb than anything else, but when I get home and relax a bit, they really can hurt.

Anyway. There is my update! I will try to do better at keeping you all informed and look forward to sharing many more experiences! The Lord truly is great!
Joyska at 4:22 AM
1 comments