So I've finally posted some photos from the last 6 weeks of my trip when I backpacked in New Zealand....wish I could hop on a plane and go back again! Here's the link, enjoy!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=120505&id=505837778&l=4a975ea59a
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Settling, travelling, thanking...
So I decided it was about time to update the old blog. There have been a few moments over the past month and a half that have seemed blog-worthy, but I didn't manage to sit down and type them out so hopefully I can remember them.
I moved back to Prince George, the city I have been teaching in since I graduated from uni (except of course for last year when I was all over the map). In some ways this was a tough move. I feel like my life is one of those paths with stepping stones...I'm on the PG stepping stone, but I know it's just about time to jump to the next one...but I can't see where it is yet. So I have to stay for the time being. Substitute teaching (or to be politically correct teaching on call) is a really challenging job for many reasons, some of which I'm sure you can guess when you think back to your own experiences, and others are due to the nature of working on call. Anyway God has been incredibly faithful in showing me that this is in fact where I am supposed to be for the time being. He has provided practical things (furnishing my whole bedroom for free!), new (and old) friends, and also people to advise and guide me through to my next step. I have been incredibly blessed by those around me.
Last week I spent 11 days away from Prince George and of those 11 days, 5 were spent either in a car or on a bus. I travelled all over the place for two weddings (congrats to my cousin and his new wife and also my friend Supipi and her new husband). As I tried to figure out all the little details that go along with carpooling and coordinating with others I caught myself thinking, "This would be so much easier if I just did it by myself."
An attitude of independence and pride that has tripped me up many times in the past. As I reflected on this I realized yes, it may have been simpler to do this by myself but what would be the point. I am travelling to SEE people, to spend time with them and build on relationships that I've begun years ago. If I didn't bother to coordinate with others then I wouldn't have any events to go to. I feel blessed to be able to celebrate and be a part of days and times where friendships and relationships are celebrated.
Last weekend was Canadian Thanksgiving and my attempts to coordinate with friends I decided it might be a good idea to go home to the farm. Once the thought of going home had crossed my mind I started to think back to the last time I was home for Thanksgiving....and it had been 8 years! Since it's only a 3 day weekend and I've been living away from Enderby for that long now, I just haven't managed to justify the travel time. Being home was quite uneventful-I helped my mom pick vegetables to decorate their church, helped my dad pile wood (one of my least favourite childhood jobs which somehow wasn't bad at all this time), went for a beautiful walk along Shuswap lake with my brother, and of course ate some turkey and pumpkin pie.
In my experience, Canadian Thanksgiving is a grocery store holiday--about food and fellowship. A time to enjoy the simple things about life. I'm thankful for my family who love me regardless of what I do or where I am and who are always happy to see me. I'm thankful for a God who continues to challenge me to become the person he sees in me. I'm thankful for friends who bring laughter and joy, who are shoulders to cry on and patient listeners and so much more. I'm thankful for the beauty I see in the world and people around me. There is so much I can find to complain about if I look, but when I'm looking for things to be grateful for somehow those other things just don't seem so important anymore. I hope you can think of some things to be thankful for too.
I moved back to Prince George, the city I have been teaching in since I graduated from uni (except of course for last year when I was all over the map). In some ways this was a tough move. I feel like my life is one of those paths with stepping stones...I'm on the PG stepping stone, but I know it's just about time to jump to the next one...but I can't see where it is yet. So I have to stay for the time being. Substitute teaching (or to be politically correct teaching on call) is a really challenging job for many reasons, some of which I'm sure you can guess when you think back to your own experiences, and others are due to the nature of working on call. Anyway God has been incredibly faithful in showing me that this is in fact where I am supposed to be for the time being. He has provided practical things (furnishing my whole bedroom for free!), new (and old) friends, and also people to advise and guide me through to my next step. I have been incredibly blessed by those around me.
Last week I spent 11 days away from Prince George and of those 11 days, 5 were spent either in a car or on a bus. I travelled all over the place for two weddings (congrats to my cousin and his new wife and also my friend Supipi and her new husband). As I tried to figure out all the little details that go along with carpooling and coordinating with others I caught myself thinking, "This would be so much easier if I just did it by myself."
An attitude of independence and pride that has tripped me up many times in the past. As I reflected on this I realized yes, it may have been simpler to do this by myself but what would be the point. I am travelling to SEE people, to spend time with them and build on relationships that I've begun years ago. If I didn't bother to coordinate with others then I wouldn't have any events to go to. I feel blessed to be able to celebrate and be a part of days and times where friendships and relationships are celebrated.
Last weekend was Canadian Thanksgiving and my attempts to coordinate with friends I decided it might be a good idea to go home to the farm. Once the thought of going home had crossed my mind I started to think back to the last time I was home for Thanksgiving....and it had been 8 years! Since it's only a 3 day weekend and I've been living away from Enderby for that long now, I just haven't managed to justify the travel time. Being home was quite uneventful-I helped my mom pick vegetables to decorate their church, helped my dad pile wood (one of my least favourite childhood jobs which somehow wasn't bad at all this time), went for a beautiful walk along Shuswap lake with my brother, and of course ate some turkey and pumpkin pie.
In my experience, Canadian Thanksgiving is a grocery store holiday--about food and fellowship. A time to enjoy the simple things about life. I'm thankful for my family who love me regardless of what I do or where I am and who are always happy to see me. I'm thankful for a God who continues to challenge me to become the person he sees in me. I'm thankful for friends who bring laughter and joy, who are shoulders to cry on and patient listeners and so much more. I'm thankful for the beauty I see in the world and people around me. There is so much I can find to complain about if I look, but when I'm looking for things to be grateful for somehow those other things just don't seem so important anymore. I hope you can think of some things to be thankful for too.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Cambodia Photos
I've posted another album on Facebook, this time covering the 2 and a half months I spent on my DTS outreach in Cambodia...lots of great shots thanks to everyone on my team who shared their photos.
It's strange to look back on them and think it's been almost 6 months since I've seen some of these people who have made such a profound impact on me and the way I perceive life now. Hope it gives you a glimpse into life in a country with a past full of heartache, which I pray has hope for a better future...
Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=201050&id=505837778&l=90d5edd072
It's strange to look back on them and think it's been almost 6 months since I've seen some of these people who have made such a profound impact on me and the way I perceive life now. Hope it gives you a glimpse into life in a country with a past full of heartache, which I pray has hope for a better future...
Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=201050&id=505837778&l=90d5edd072
Monday, September 13, 2010
Finally....pictures!
Just a quick update for those of you who read the blog, but aren't on Facebook. I've posted an album of photos from our 2 1/2 weeks in Bali and here is the link to check them out:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=198257&id=505837778&l=6fc911d42b
There is also a video on YouTube which shows a quick overview of our Outreach time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzcCQtLYHCw
Let me know if the links don't work. Hope you're all well...more updates soon :)
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=198257&id=505837778&l=6fc911d42b
There is also a video on YouTube which shows a quick overview of our Outreach time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzcCQtLYHCw
Let me know if the links don't work. Hope you're all well...more updates soon :)
Thursday, September 2, 2010
3 Questions...
As crazy as it seems, a year has passed since I started this blog. Even though I've been on my trip and returned "home" it still seems like a good place to keep you updated about life as I know it. As the summer has flown by I've spent a lot of time catching up with friends and family in Canada and I can probably don't have enough fingers to count how many times I've been asked these three questions: What have you been up to? What are you doing now? and What's next?....so I'm going to try and answer them here for those of you I haven't been lucky enough to see in person.
What have you been up to?
Since the last time I wrote I have spent time working on my parents' farm with my dad and even drove the tractor finally! I co-led a Vacation Bible School for one week...seeing the kids enthusiasm for God, willingness to help, serve, and learn scripture and being part of their energy was really encouraging. I've had multiple opportunities to share photos from my trip as I've visited with my grandmothers, brothers, university friends, old roomates and family friends. I've enjoyed all the fun summer things in the Okanagan like tubing the river, going to the drive-in, lying on the beach, drinking yummy fruit wine, eating giant peaches, quadding on the farm, and hiking. I've helped both my grandma's move into care facilities and have spent some much needed quality family time with my brothers, mom and dad. Gone on a couple road trips-Vancouver Island and Thompson Okanagan mainly. And visited some babies and kids who aren't babies at all anymore :)
What are you doing now?
At this very moment I am in Montana visiting a YWAMer I hitched in New Zealand with who is an AMAZING woman of God. In between Shakespeare in the park, giant burritos, and other adventures she's been working and I've been spending time doing all those things I thought for sure I'd have time to do this summer like finally sorting through the 15GB of photos from my travels. This time has been a great opportunity for me to spend time with God and figure out what my priorities are going to be over the next 4 months.
What's next?
I'll be back at my parents tomorrow and then will be hopping in my car again on Monday to head North. I'm moving in with a couple future teachers in Prince George which should be fun. I'll be hoping for a bit of substitute teaching work to help pay the bills, but am not sure if a teaching contract is a reality yet. I'm really praying a lot about the next step because I have a feeling that Prince George is more of a stepping stone than a destination. Before I started my big trip last year this verse kept coming up on my radar and has continued throughout the year:
So if you've got some time, I always appreciate being included in your prayers and hearing from you via email, facebook, skype, in person, or even the good old fashioned telephone. Right now direction for my next step and peace about where I'll be are at the top of my prayer request lists.
What have you been up to?
Since the last time I wrote I have spent time working on my parents' farm with my dad and even drove the tractor finally! I co-led a Vacation Bible School for one week...seeing the kids enthusiasm for God, willingness to help, serve, and learn scripture and being part of their energy was really encouraging. I've had multiple opportunities to share photos from my trip as I've visited with my grandmothers, brothers, university friends, old roomates and family friends. I've enjoyed all the fun summer things in the Okanagan like tubing the river, going to the drive-in, lying on the beach, drinking yummy fruit wine, eating giant peaches, quadding on the farm, and hiking. I've helped both my grandma's move into care facilities and have spent some much needed quality family time with my brothers, mom and dad. Gone on a couple road trips-Vancouver Island and Thompson Okanagan mainly. And visited some babies and kids who aren't babies at all anymore :)
What are you doing now?
At this very moment I am in Montana visiting a YWAMer I hitched in New Zealand with who is an AMAZING woman of God. In between Shakespeare in the park, giant burritos, and other adventures she's been working and I've been spending time doing all those things I thought for sure I'd have time to do this summer like finally sorting through the 15GB of photos from my travels. This time has been a great opportunity for me to spend time with God and figure out what my priorities are going to be over the next 4 months.
What's next?
I'll be back at my parents tomorrow and then will be hopping in my car again on Monday to head North. I'm moving in with a couple future teachers in Prince George which should be fun. I'll be hoping for a bit of substitute teaching work to help pay the bills, but am not sure if a teaching contract is a reality yet. I'm really praying a lot about the next step because I have a feeling that Prince George is more of a stepping stone than a destination. Before I started my big trip last year this verse kept coming up on my radar and has continued throughout the year:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13I'm not sure what those plans are, but I do know that I'm doing my very best to submit to them and will be praying and working toward finding out that next step.
So if you've got some time, I always appreciate being included in your prayers and hearing from you via email, facebook, skype, in person, or even the good old fashioned telephone. Right now direction for my next step and peace about where I'll be are at the top of my prayer request lists.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Dessert Night and Pictures in Enderby
Wow! It's so crazy how time really flies by. I can't believe I've been back in Canada for 2 months now....between working almost every day until the last week of school, catching up with new and old friends, and dealing with all the stuff I've had in storage, life as I know it has been very full.
Before I start rambling on I just wanted to mention two things that I'll be up to in the next couple weeks:
Ok back to rambling....so I have made a decision about where I'm heading over the next few months. I will be leaving Prince George next week to spend most of the summer with my family in the Okanagan helping out on the farm and of course with the VBS. Hopefully throwing a few little road trips into the mix. BUT the big decision was where to go in September.
I have been praying and seeking answers since before I left Cambodia about what the next step would be for me; what God had for me after seeing and doing all these things overseas. Although I am willing to walk away from teaching, at this point I feel like I am supposed to be in Prince George this fall working on call (or in a contract if the right one comes up). At the same time, I know that teaching alone will not satisfy the call on my life...so I am looking into some options for Masters programs to see if I can find the right fit (and if a masters is how I want to pursue this dream).
Today I was reading a book I started reading before I left last summer and I found a piece of paper where I had written down causes that excite me. I had written down things like environmental change (sustainability and valuing creation), empowering others and helping them to value themselves, simple changes that can make a big difference, and fueling a passion for learning in others. It's so cool to see how the dreams I have now totally fit with these causes...I guess I haven't strayed that far from who I was then, but now hopefully my strengthened faith will be followed by action! After all faith without works is dead:
Oh! And one more thing....my friend Josie who went to Australia with me and completed the Waves DTS on the Sunshine Coast of Australia has become involved with an organisation called Destiny Rescue which is working to end human trafficking. Right now I'm supporting her by being part of the 26 Second Challenge and I encourage you to watch the video on YouTube. She actually worked with this organisation in Mozambique, Africa during her outreach and witnessed the difference they are making. Anyway what really stands out to me is the last minute of the video where there is a little girl who says
Here's the link to the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9ZJiY3PjTA
and the link to Destiny Rescue's website:
http://www.destinyrescue.org/26seconds/index.php
Before I start rambling on I just wanted to mention two things that I'll be up to in the next couple weeks:
Dessert Night and Pictures in Enderby
My parents' church in Enderby is hosting a dessert night on July 15th at 7:30pm where I'll be showing pictures and telling stories about my 8 month adventure (probably an hour and a bit). Would love to see you there....it was so great to be able to do this in Prince George with my friend Josie. Sharing the experience with those of you who have been following along has been so amazing and is a great way for me to remind myself that I'm not who I was when I left...or maybe I am more fully me than I was then. Anyway it'll be some delicious food and crazy stories....hope to see you there! (if you do decide to come maybe just send a quick email/leave a comment or facebook me so that I have an idea about numbers....but if you decide at the last minute, no worries...the more the merrier!).
Vacation Bible School in Enderby
My mom and I are helping lead a Vacation Bible School in Enderby in the mornings (9am-noon) July 19-23. It's for kids aged 5-11 and only costs $10 for the whole week (!!!). We don't have many registrants as far as I know so if you or someone you know has kids who are interested let us know!
I have been praying and seeking answers since before I left Cambodia about what the next step would be for me; what God had for me after seeing and doing all these things overseas. Although I am willing to walk away from teaching, at this point I feel like I am supposed to be in Prince George this fall working on call (or in a contract if the right one comes up). At the same time, I know that teaching alone will not satisfy the call on my life...so I am looking into some options for Masters programs to see if I can find the right fit (and if a masters is how I want to pursue this dream).
Today I was reading a book I started reading before I left last summer and I found a piece of paper where I had written down causes that excite me. I had written down things like environmental change (sustainability and valuing creation), empowering others and helping them to value themselves, simple changes that can make a big difference, and fueling a passion for learning in others. It's so cool to see how the dreams I have now totally fit with these causes...I guess I haven't strayed that far from who I was then, but now hopefully my strengthened faith will be followed by action! After all faith without works is dead:
If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.I'm confident that I'll be led where I need to go, but also that pursuing big dreams like this is never easy....however after re-reading the post I made about my Grandpa I am determined to live (and love) like I mean it. So keep praying for guidance and the determination to not get caught up in complacency.
But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. James 2:16-18
Oh! And one more thing....my friend Josie who went to Australia with me and completed the Waves DTS on the Sunshine Coast of Australia has become involved with an organisation called Destiny Rescue which is working to end human trafficking. Right now I'm supporting her by being part of the 26 Second Challenge and I encourage you to watch the video on YouTube. She actually worked with this organisation in Mozambique, Africa during her outreach and witnessed the difference they are making. Anyway what really stands out to me is the last minute of the video where there is a little girl who says
"close your eyes...it's still happening"which just breaks my heart. So many times in our comfortable lives we choose to close our eyes to the heartbreak and injustice that surrounds us....now maybe human trafficking is not an issue that breaks your heart, but I'm fairly certain there's something out there that just makes your eyes water and your stomach knot, that makes you want to DO something....so my challenge is make a little change that can potentially make a big difference (or else just watch the video on youtube :).
Here's the link to the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9ZJiY3PjTA
and the link to Destiny Rescue's website:
http://www.destinyrescue.org/26seconds/index.php
Friday, June 4, 2010
Food, stories, and photos!
Hey everyone,
Josie and I will be doing a slideshow-type thing with photos, videos and stories from our travels over the past 8 months so you should come!!
Here are the details:
Monday, June 14 at 7pm
The Hub Ministry Centre (Associated with Timbers Church)
1553 3rd Avenue
Prince George
ps did I mention I'm going to bring food...
I'll be doing another one in Enderby this July (off the top of my head I think the date is the 15th, but I will post details closer to the date).
Here's a sneak peek at some of my photos....hopefully this formats right!
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Australia 
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DTS in New Zealand
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Bali
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Cambodia
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New Zealand
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