Vancouer

Wow! I stayed at my grandparents (in Chilliwack) for Monday night and then headed into Vancouver Tuesday morning. I've only been here since Tuesday but I've done soooo much stuff!! So Tuesday I helped out with camp at the UP mission here. After camp, Tori and I went fishing at Trout Lake. It's a pond that's a few blocks away. Then I went to the grade 6 & 7 Science Fair. That was pretty cool. I remember doing both of mine.


Wednesday there was no camp but I looked after Tori for a couple of hours. Then I went to Stanley Park to relax. I sat in the park and had supper. I watched some huge ships leave the harbour and just took in the scenery.


Thursday morning I met up with my friend Adrian and some of his friends. (I got lost on my way to meet them so I was 45 minutes late!) We rented some canoes and kayaks and headed across Pitt Lake. I was in a kayak. Paddling across the lake only took a few minutes and then we where into a windy marsh area (kinda like at Stoney). We paddled through that for a good 45 minutes. Then beached the boats and hiked for and hour or so. We came to some amazing waterfalls and ate lunch. Then we hiked a few more minutes to some more falls on the same river (Pitt River). I took a bunch of pictures and we had fun climbing rocks and jazz. Then 3 of us decided to jump into the glacier fed river. It was so unbelievably cold!! We only lasted a few seconds. I screamed like a school girl! So we were all laughing at that for a bit. We tried to get Adrian in but he didn't wanna. I don't blame 'im, we almost froze our nay nay's off. Oh ya, I talked with a stranger for a few minutes. Hmmm, what else.......I guess then we hiked back to our boats and paddled back to the docks on the lake.


Today I went out for coffee with Adrian. What an amazing man of God! Man, we talked about ministry and God and struggles for a good 2 hours. Then I helped out with camp (not really actually). We had a water fight and that was about it (I had missed most of it while at Timmy's). Then I went fishing with Zacc and Tori at Trout Lake for a couple hours. Skunked again (stupid city "lakes"). Then Zacc and I hoped on the SkyTrain and went to see a show at the IMAX Theatre. We saw some 3-D African Safari thing. It was pretty sweet.


Tomorrow I'm going to the Aquarium with Cheryl. That'd should be cool. It's supposed to be raining so we're not going to Lynne Canyon like I had wanted to. Then I'm going to Vancouver Island to fish and relax. Oh, I'm gonna try and get some pictures up here soon. I think I've taken about 100 pictures on my digital. That's all, buh-bye.

Calgary

Hey everyone! I'm in Calgary. I arrived here Wednesday evening. My parents and I travelled together (in 2 different vehicles). We went through Edmonton and then down the #2. It was double lane most of the way so we could cruise. Man, I forgot how fast Albertans drive, it's freakin' crazy!! The average speed they were doing was probably 130. No wonder why they die all the time on their highways. But anyway, it's been really hot here. 20 degreees and up!! I've just been hanging out with my bro and my cousins. My brother graduates this weekend from Rocky Mountain Bible College. I guess he's gonna take me to a bunch of parties and stuff to meet some ladies. I leave for Vancouver on Monday morning (yes morning....it's a 14 hour drive). I'll update more when I get there. Cya.

Well...

Sorry, I inadvertently lied. But I shall blog today. I am on the brink of new and exciting things. I praise God for everything He's done in my life in the last 7 months! God is the most amazing being I've ever met. The last 7 months were probably the toughest in my whole life. I was alone, afraid, unsure. Constantly, I would pray for God to just take everything away from me--all the pain, the physical stress, all the anguish of fighting........... fighting alone. You might be wondering what the heck I'm talking about. That's exactly it. I pushed everyone away, out of my life. I wanted to work on my own problems by myself, I didn't want outside help. Problems? Oh yes, we've all got them. I've struggled with anxiety related problems for the last couple years. I've kept all my feelings inside and wouldn't really let anyone help me. It's been tough. It really has. I want to share my struggles with you guys. Next time you see me, don't be afraid to ask how I'm really doing. Don't take a "fine" or a "good" as an answer from me, only accept a "you know, i'm really struggling with ______" or "God is teaching me ______." I would appreciate that. Thanks for your prayers, I always covet them because I know.....I know who's listening to them.

Fly-By

It's hard to believe that I've been out of high school for 6 years and out of Bible College for 4 years. Wow, it makes me feel old. But at the same time, I am so young! I still have my whole life ahead of me. I don't have a career, or a wife, or fancy things, but I do have a lot of life experience--a lot of experience that I never would have gained had I pursued a degree. I can take these experiences with me back to school--experiences that a lot of my colleagues won't have. I believe that all things happen for a purpose. I did not continue to pursue a degree 4 years ago and I don't regret it. I don't think I would have really known what to do with it at the time. But that's beside the point.


And so, I will go back to school in the fall with my head held high and my mind full of dreams & visions. Being in the process of applying for school kind of brings things into perspective, so it seems. I think a lot of things combined help bring life into perspective. Friends, jobs, books, decisions, thinking--these are all potentially life changing things. Hold on to what you have and don't look back. We only get one shot so give it all you've got. Even if you mess up, no worries. Realize your mistake, ask forgiveness from those involved, and move on. God has blessed all who trust in Him--realize this.


I covet your prayers, as I also try and remember to pray for you, my friends.

March for Marriage and Freedom - April 9th, 2005

March for Marriage and Freedom: This rally and march will take place in Ottawa on April 9, 2005

12:00pm - Gather at the Supreme Court (corner Kent & Wellington)

12:30pm - March from the Supreme Court to Parliament Hill

1:30pm - Speeches & Music

4:00pm - Dismissal

Organizations should register ahead of time.
E-mail: canadians@march4marriage.caTel: 613-220-2093Website: http://www.march4marriage.ca