Merry Christmas and "Bless You All" my former classmates and extended family members.
"Friends are friends forever , if the Lord is the Lord of them."
Love Laura-Lee
This blog is for all former graduates, attendees and staff of Vancouver Christian Secondary School, BC, Canada. VCSS doesn't actually exist anymore but this blog allows us to still meet and belong to each other. We are more that a building. We are a family. And "Friends are friends forever, if the Lord is the Lord of them!" - M.W. Smith
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Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Here is a video I made last year for my family. It ended up quite good and I thought I would spread it around to a wider group of people that I love this year: all my friends in cyberspace! And if you think someone else might like it who hasn't seen it yet (I don't even have the email address for everyone who appears in the video) please forward it to anyone you wish.
Merry Christmas and "Bless You All" my former classmates and extended family members.
"Friends are friends forever , if the Lord is the Lord of them."
Love Laura-Lee
Merry Christmas and "Bless You All" my former classmates and extended family members.
"Friends are friends forever , if the Lord is the Lord of them."
Love Laura-Lee
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Where’s the Alumni Newsletter, Laura-Lee?
As you can tell, the VCSS Newsletter I mentioned before is not finished. Nor is it going to be anytime soon. "LIFE" has invaded once again and what I used to consider tough situations deteriorated into "major crazy".
I had to leave my apartment on March 30, 2011. I had only a few days to get out and save a few things because of the waterfalls (literally) coming from my kitchen and bathroom ceilings (and I was in a basement suite). My landlady wouldn't fix it and I didn't have the money to move my belongings. I saved a few boxes of things (about 1/2 dozen) and my coffee table. Then on my way out of the building, I fell down a flight of stairs and awoke to discover myself surrounded by 5 , big, handsome firemen. That normally would have been a GOOD thing but they were trying to keep me from panicking because of my injuries and the fact that my purse strap had wrapped around my neck twice and was cutting off my circulation.
So here I sit, many months later, in a dingy hotel room, with winter nipping at my heels and Jack Frost at my nose. It was - 6 Celsius today and I am still no closer to finding a home. What makes it harder is that my mother is sleeping in the bed next to me. Almost 2 months ago , her kitchen sink became a water fountain (not to be confused with a water fall) and neither of us can walk , nor have a car and are a goodly amount in debt, while we watch our options dwindle. Yet it is a huge coincidence to find ourselves in the same boat. And, quite frankly I don't believe in coincidences. It probably looked pretty bleak to those Hebrews who had their backs to the Red Sea and Pharaoh's men ready to slice them to bits from the other direction. But what did Moses say to them? "Let the Lord fight for you. you need only to stand still"
So I think you may understand why the VCSS Newsletter has gone to the bottom of my list of priorities. (Maybe somebody else will take up the idea.) Yet, I received some mailed that was being "held" for me and discovered that Vancouver Christian School sent me something to "hit me up" for money. (Good luck with that guys) But once again, I wandered back, in my mind, to a gentler place and time. Where our greatest troubles was a test score or a new pimple.
Now we are all grown up and we must learn the lesson that "God has no grand-children". You either belong to Him or not. You follow or not. You must make a conscious decision to pick up your cross daily, deny yourself and follow wherever he leads.Christianity is no longer something you stumble into or "give it a try". It is a choice. The ultimate choice!
Two things come back to my memory again and again: When Alan Dunlop was forever practicing the hymn, "Freely we have received; now freely give" and what Mr. Van Oosten wrote in my last yearbook, "Blossom where planted". A hundred times a day those 2 thoughts run across my mind. It's my job to grab hold of them and invite them to stay a while. Just like I wish I could do with each of you. It is my desire and prayer that you each reach the "breakthrough" point when you surrender that last piece of yourself. You no longer keep that one last cookie in the cookie jar. I'm not saying I prefer not knowing where I will be from day to day or what will happen to me, BUT , Jesus reveals himself to me EVERY day. Sometimes to say deep, important things and reveal startling revelations or just to share a silly joke , because He knows I love them best. But when I realize that the Maker of the stars, knows me by name, I can understand the reaction of men like the prophet Isaiah (who told God he was of "unclean lips") or Peter (who said, "Get away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!"). Somebody told me once that , when they were with me they never felt so guilty but so accepted at the same time. That is our Jesus. Correcting us constantly, yet loving us totally. He has filled my hands with blessings because they were not full of other things. And I find great strength in my weakness because it's at that point I must lean hardest on Him. He will gather me under his wings and I will rejoice. A deal where we certainly come out with the bigger end of the straw.
So now I head off to bed this early Sunday morning, knowing that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God found in Christ Jesus (Romans 8)
Oh No. Not Winter Again!
And my Love to you all, my extended & Christian family.
Forever and always, your Laura-Lee Rahn (VCSS grad 1985)
Beautiful Alberta Sky
P.S. DON'T FORGET TO CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS AN HOUR.
I had to leave my apartment on March 30, 2011. I had only a few days to get out and save a few things because of the waterfalls (literally) coming from my kitchen and bathroom ceilings (and I was in a basement suite). My landlady wouldn't fix it and I didn't have the money to move my belongings. I saved a few boxes of things (about 1/2 dozen) and my coffee table. Then on my way out of the building, I fell down a flight of stairs and awoke to discover myself surrounded by 5 , big, handsome firemen. That normally would have been a GOOD thing but they were trying to keep me from panicking because of my injuries and the fact that my purse strap had wrapped around my neck twice and was cutting off my circulation.
So here I sit, many months later, in a dingy hotel room, with winter nipping at my heels and Jack Frost at my nose. It was - 6 Celsius today and I am still no closer to finding a home. What makes it harder is that my mother is sleeping in the bed next to me. Almost 2 months ago , her kitchen sink became a water fountain (not to be confused with a water fall) and neither of us can walk , nor have a car and are a goodly amount in debt, while we watch our options dwindle. Yet it is a huge coincidence to find ourselves in the same boat. And, quite frankly I don't believe in coincidences. It probably looked pretty bleak to those Hebrews who had their backs to the Red Sea and Pharaoh's men ready to slice them to bits from the other direction. But what did Moses say to them? "Let the Lord fight for you. you need only to stand still"
So I think you may understand why the VCSS Newsletter has gone to the bottom of my list of priorities. (Maybe somebody else will take up the idea.) Yet, I received some mailed that was being "held" for me and discovered that Vancouver Christian School sent me something to "hit me up" for money. (Good luck with that guys) But once again, I wandered back, in my mind, to a gentler place and time. Where our greatest troubles was a test score or a new pimple.
Now we are all grown up and we must learn the lesson that "God has no grand-children". You either belong to Him or not. You follow or not. You must make a conscious decision to pick up your cross daily, deny yourself and follow wherever he leads.Christianity is no longer something you stumble into or "give it a try". It is a choice. The ultimate choice!
Two things come back to my memory again and again: When Alan Dunlop was forever practicing the hymn, "Freely we have received; now freely give" and what Mr. Van Oosten wrote in my last yearbook, "Blossom where planted". A hundred times a day those 2 thoughts run across my mind. It's my job to grab hold of them and invite them to stay a while. Just like I wish I could do with each of you. It is my desire and prayer that you each reach the "breakthrough" point when you surrender that last piece of yourself. You no longer keep that one last cookie in the cookie jar. I'm not saying I prefer not knowing where I will be from day to day or what will happen to me, BUT , Jesus reveals himself to me EVERY day. Sometimes to say deep, important things and reveal startling revelations or just to share a silly joke , because He knows I love them best. But when I realize that the Maker of the stars, knows me by name, I can understand the reaction of men like the prophet Isaiah (who told God he was of "unclean lips") or Peter (who said, "Get away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!"). Somebody told me once that , when they were with me they never felt so guilty but so accepted at the same time. That is our Jesus. Correcting us constantly, yet loving us totally. He has filled my hands with blessings because they were not full of other things. And I find great strength in my weakness because it's at that point I must lean hardest on Him. He will gather me under his wings and I will rejoice. A deal where we certainly come out with the bigger end of the straw.
So now I head off to bed this early Sunday morning, knowing that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God found in Christ Jesus (Romans 8)
Oh No. Not Winter Again!
And my Love to you all, my extended & Christian family.
Forever and always, your Laura-Lee Rahn (VCSS grad 1985)
Beautiful Alberta Sky
P.S. DON'T FORGET TO CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS AN HOUR.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
VCSS Alumni Newsletter Coming Soon
Soon I hope to start publishing our very own Vancouver Christian Secondary alumni newsletter.
It looks like we have been left to fend for ourselves when it comes to keeping in touch with each other. VCS as a High School no longer exists. (Carver has taken up that role). So I am hoping to start a newsletter for all of us who attended the Mons/Haida Campus when it was a High School (whether you graduated or merely attended).
Keep watching this blog for news about this coming newsletter.
NOTE: I will be contacting several of you personally about contributing to the first issue. For now, the best thing to do is to invite and inform as many people as possible who attended Vancouver Christian [Secondary] School.
It looks like we have been left to fend for ourselves when it comes to keeping in touch with each other. VCS as a High School no longer exists. (Carver has taken up that role). So I am hoping to start a newsletter for all of us who attended the Mons/Haida Campus when it was a High School (whether you graduated or merely attended).
Keep watching this blog for news about this coming newsletter.
NOTE: I will be contacting several of you personally about contributing to the first issue. For now, the best thing to do is to invite and inform as many people as possible who attended Vancouver Christian [Secondary] School.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Reunion Stories
Well, the VCSS Reunion in June came and went. Thanks to Alan Dunlop (still my hero) for his picture.
I am hoping to be able to hunt down more people that we went to school with and next year make sure that everyone KNOWS about it.
Right now, I encourage all former students (grads and attendees and teachers too) to join up with this blog. Then come and tell your stories.
The original group is on Facebook but FB has limitations to what we can post. For now I would mind hearing a story or two about how the day went.
We've got an entire year to make sure the NEXT reunion will not leave anyone out.
Love always, Laura-Lee (grad 1985)
I am hoping to be able to hunt down more people that we went to school with and next year make sure that everyone KNOWS about it.
Right now, I encourage all former students (grads and attendees and teachers too) to join up with this blog. Then come and tell your stories.
The original group is on Facebook but FB has limitations to what we can post. For now I would mind hearing a story or two about how the day went.
We've got an entire year to make sure the NEXT reunion will not leave anyone out.
Love always, Laura-Lee (grad 1985)
Monday, June 7, 2010
REUNION ON JUNE 12
Dear Fellow VCSS Students;
Well, the June 12th Reunion at Central Park in Burnaby is right on us. I'm not at home right now so I've gone to the library in order to get on the internet for a little bit. I'm feeling cut off as well as sorry for myself for not being able to get to the Reunion. Factor into that last week end's BLIZZARD here in Edmonton and I would really love to be in Burnaby with you for the Reunion.
All the info that you need is found here at this Blog and also at the Facebook Group "Vancouver Christian Secondary School: VCSS" under the EVENTS tab. You can see the "Guest List" (who is going), what food you can bring, where to park, where to meet and who is welcome (which is everybody who attended school at VCSS - graduate or not).
Our former school doesn't actually exist anymore, so it will be up to us to form our own alumni group and contacts. Remember to bring a camera, something to write down addresses on and a healthy amount of curiousity in order to discover what everyone has been up to over all these years. I'd give my right arm to be there so I am jealous of the rare opportunity you have to be there. (as I'm sure many other out-of-towners are also thinking). In a society that is so mobile, it is rare to even know people for a long period of time, let alone have the opportunity to see old friends you had in high school. Only now we're not a bunch of insecure teen-agers trying to be cool and trying to fit in. Enjoy yourselves and I'll be here in Alberta praying that on June 12th there is no rain.
God bless.
Love Laura-Lee
Time: June 12, Saturday, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Place: Central Park, Burnaby (next to Swangard Stadium- Variety Park Playground) ** see map of Central Park here at this blog
Food: Potluck (chips, cookies, pop, juice, ice, napkins, wetwipes) go to Facebook group to see what others are bringing and post what you can bring - not mandatory for participation though.
Who's Invited: Everyone who graduated or attended Vancouver Christian Secondary School ( approx 1980's and 1990's) and their families
ALL INFO IS FOUND at Facebook Group "Vancouver Christian Secondary School: VCSS" under the "EVENTS" tab. Click on link here at this blog. (note: there are other groups at Facebook for Vancouver Christian School that are not involved in the planning of this reunion. So make sure you're at the right group.)
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18851213888
Well, the June 12th Reunion at Central Park in Burnaby is right on us. I'm not at home right now so I've gone to the library in order to get on the internet for a little bit. I'm feeling cut off as well as sorry for myself for not being able to get to the Reunion. Factor into that last week end's BLIZZARD here in Edmonton and I would really love to be in Burnaby with you for the Reunion.
All the info that you need is found here at this Blog and also at the Facebook Group "Vancouver Christian Secondary School: VCSS" under the EVENTS tab. You can see the "Guest List" (who is going), what food you can bring, where to park, where to meet and who is welcome (which is everybody who attended school at VCSS - graduate or not).
Our former school doesn't actually exist anymore, so it will be up to us to form our own alumni group and contacts. Remember to bring a camera, something to write down addresses on and a healthy amount of curiousity in order to discover what everyone has been up to over all these years. I'd give my right arm to be there so I am jealous of the rare opportunity you have to be there. (as I'm sure many other out-of-towners are also thinking). In a society that is so mobile, it is rare to even know people for a long period of time, let alone have the opportunity to see old friends you had in high school. Only now we're not a bunch of insecure teen-agers trying to be cool and trying to fit in. Enjoy yourselves and I'll be here in Alberta praying that on June 12th there is no rain.
God bless.
Love Laura-Lee
Time: June 12, Saturday, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Place: Central Park, Burnaby (next to Swangard Stadium- Variety Park Playground) ** see map of Central Park here at this blog
Food: Potluck (chips, cookies, pop, juice, ice, napkins, wetwipes) go to Facebook group to see what others are bringing and post what you can bring - not mandatory for participation though.
Who's Invited: Everyone who graduated or attended Vancouver Christian Secondary School ( approx 1980's and 1990's) and their families
ALL INFO IS FOUND at Facebook Group "Vancouver Christian Secondary School: VCSS" under the "EVENTS" tab. Click on link here at this blog. (note: there are other groups at Facebook for Vancouver Christian School that are not involved in the planning of this reunion. So make sure you're at the right group.)
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18851213888
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