Kirsten

reader

My mom loves to remind me of what I said one night as a little girl when she pulled a book out at bedtime… “Does this book have trouble in it?  Because don’t bother reading it to me if there’s no trouble in it.”  38 years later I feel the same way.  I’m old school and like the feeling of holding a book in my hand as I read.   Stuart McLean is one of my favourite storytellers; not coincidentally, Dave gets himself into trouble in every single story.  I have also been profoundly impacted by C.S. Lewis and Sara Groves, whose songs are her stories.

observer

I don’t generally like crowds; however, I do find human nature and culture fascinating.   Airports, the theatre foyer , Costco lineups, and the neighbourhood park are rich people places.  My favourite stories are ones which allow us to observe human nature through characters who are authentic, vulnerable, messed up and loveable.  If we are looking, there is a story to be told.  As writer and director Nora Ephron’s screenwriter mother said, “Everything is copy”.

listener

Over the years listening has become more natural for me.  When I listen, I learn.  And I’ve found that just listening is often  the best way to love someone.  That and bringing them a latte.

musician

Music has been a central part of my life since I was a little girl.   My roots are in the classical genre and in the church, and I’ve more recently explored the world of jazz and blues.  In this season there is a lot of music in the house, and one of my favourite things is singing with and accompanying our kids as they work at mastering their own instruments.

believer

AW Tozer said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”   My Christian faith is foundational to who I am and is the lens through which I see the world.  For me, the lens has widened and shifted over time, and although there are elements of constancy, I realize that there is more mystery than clarity, more grey than black and white.  And I am enjoying the journey.