Life without Limits...or Limbs

Wow...Empowering...Life Changing

So I had a cool opportunity now that I am back in Calgary to go and see this man talk last night.  Nick Vuljcic is truly a man of God and used by God.  I encourage you to check out this youtube video to get a sense of Nick's life.

If you are in the Calgary area I encourage you to check him out at Centre Street Church this weekend, he is speaking at all four services, Saturday night at 6:30 pm, Sunday Services at 9 am, 11 am and 6 pm.

Be Blessed...

A week on the BC Coast

Well this week I have been busy, I know I did a post below but here is my week in review.

Jennine in her dress...no one gets to see how it looks!

The first thing on the list of things to do was wedding planning with Jennine.  In the morning we spent the day going wedding dress shopping.  Now the fun part of this was that Jennine has found a dress already, so there was no pressure.  It was just fun for the experience to try on some fun dresses and I had a blast.

Later in the day we made our way to the venue that she is getting married at, Grouse Mountain.  Known as the Peak of Vancouver it was spectacular.  We took a Skyride up the mountain, passing over a Timber wolf Sanctuary, and the Grouse Grind 2.9 Km climb up the face of Grouse Mountain, straight up like a stair master, looked like something to attempt.  Once we got to the top...this is what we saw...

Grouse Ski Hill

Turn around to see...

City of Vancouver

Another day was spent, gardening.  We thought the weather turned on us and it was going to be raining for the rest of the week.  Well this morning we woke up to a bright sunny day, so Jennine and I made our way out to hit the Garden Centres.  Yes we visited three of them before 10:30 in the morning.  I realize there is lots of things that I would love to do...if I owned a house.  This would be one of them...

Jennine happy in garden!

This is what we planted...plus a few more hanging baskets!

This is Frank, Henry, and I forgot the other dudes name...they watch over the garden!

The dogs were tired from 'helping' all day...ha ha...they didn't do anything but smell the flowers!

 

This Juniper, my sister's pug, posing like a cutie!

Then we headed up the highway...the Sea to Sky Highway...to Squamish.  This is my home town and I love to come visit, for this reason...

This park is just outside of Squamish...I went out with my brother to do some photography together.

 This is my brother Dean (my other brother)

Me...trying not to notice how cold and windy it was!

Then we hiked down the highway to this spot...to get a shot of Squamish.  This is it...it is a small town with about 15,000 for a population.  It is the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada, it is well known for 

rock climbing, wind surfing, great hiking trails, mountain biking, snowmobiling and some great back country skiing.  I know I sound like a tourist hostess...but I tell you every time I come back to visit I wonder if I can stick around longer.

 The Squamish Chief

The Squamish Chief or otherwise called the Stawamus Chief is the second largest mountain of granite in the world.  This is not the good side of the Chief, as from the other side the Chief resembles an Indian Chief laying down.  (It stretches out further back)

So far that is all, I have seen some great friends and funny things...I have run into people, had a lovely visit but totally blank on who they are.  Or this was the best, I saw someone in the store, they smiled at me, I smiled back...I turned around and was like, mom I think I smiled at a lady that you know...you better take a look.  Sure enough...she knew the lady.  Oh and then I saw a guy that I had a crush on in elementary school, now this one was embarrassing, you know childhood crushes...well this one I had forgotten and moved on and grew up.  Well, my elementary school when we were in Grade two buried a time capsule.  In the year 2000 they opened it up.  Well, my grade wrote all our favourite things on our paper, like favourite food, colour, etc.  Well as well, our teacher made us write a secret we had...I wrote that I liked this kid....then they read it out loud in 2000 to all of us that were there!  Well this was the first time that I had seen him since...you could tell that we remembered that moment still...

Question of the Day

Are Canadian Geese still called Canadian geese when you see them in London?

Canadians who Garden in May

so the joys of being in BC...

I have enjoyed the whole gamma of seasons this week...the weekend brought a beautiful gorgeous day to drive, it was even hot!  Or lets say the first hot days of Canada, everyone was in their shorts and tank tops, me in a sweater and long pants, everyone working on their tan for their pasty white skin...and then I walked in...yes people stared.  I wouldn't say that I am that tanned...but it is better than the pasty whites.

So this week we have managed to go Scrapbook supply shopping, wedding dress shopping, checked out Grouse Mountain...I even got to see snow while wearing flip flops (a Canadian thing).  It has been busy and good.  To be honest...jet lag??? who knew...I skipped out on that.  I have been wide awake all day...but blurry eyed by the end, sleeping through the night.  I have been way too busy to even let the jet lag hit.  Another thing...the days are long...long...who would've thought that I would have a hard time with looking outside at 10:30 pm...and seeing light still???

Today, we had a fun day...it started early but Jennine and I made it to the Garden Centre early, we made four trips to four different Garden Centres...yes...a little extreme but Jennine and Rick's backyard is going to look great this summer.  We managed to get it all done in time before a big rainfall and now there is a wind warning for Vancouver...we hope that we are not cleaning flowers off the backyard tomorrow morning.

So...just a few secrets...coming back to driving has been interesting.  Getting use to driving in Nairobi was good, but all of a sudden I had a hard time.  I guess I got started or imerged in driving fast.  I am also driving my mom's car around Vancouver, a city that I don't know all that well.  Traffic lights...are a suggestion in Nairobi...here they are everywhere.  Seeing a round about...excites me...they are only slightly smaller than what I am use to (ok...they are miniature round abouts).  Stop signs...are everywhere, four way stops are followed by rules...not just enter in.  My horn honking has been mastered and I find that I my response time to use it has been quick on the draw.  My secret was that I was doing well at driving until one traffic light...I freaked out my sister and my mom driving with me, I admitted later that Nairobi didn't have traffic lights!

So week one...doing well...life is great and I am not about to fall apart.  Please continue to pray for me as I am doing well but my health hasn't been that great this last month and getting use to not working as it is tempting to look for work right now too.

Also...note for those that are looking for me...I have my same phone number...call me or sms me if you want to get together too!

The last days of Kenya!

Well I am finally home and spoiled...not that my mom is excited that I am home but I had a hot shower last night, a snack when I got home, great friends, the sun is shining (and it is warm), and fast internet connection!

I know it is just sometimes the little things that are pleasures in this life.

I thought I would recap the last week or so from Kenya for those that were wondering.  Well  managed to get all packed and ready to go on May 1st...today marks 14 days that I have been living out of a bag and it isn't going to end yet!!

I moved all my bags up to RVA to the Dubber's as I spent my last few days in Nairobi.  It was a bittersweet weekend as I said my goodbyes and enjoyed a Pig Roast...if you have never experienced this...I highly recommend it!  I was also looking into an earlier flight home by this point which I decided later that it was worthwhile to spend the last few days there...and I heard that Calgary was having a snowstorm.

Things happened so fast with my decision I felt that I was in a whirlwind and took a while to process everything it was an interesting time for me.  I made it to the office on Monday to say goodbye to the Kenyan staff as things haven't been announced yet to anyone.  It was good to see everyone and be encouraged by them.

I then headed up to RVA and knew I had to process lots...but then I got caught up in life in the fast lane of RVA.  It turned out that Kylie's househelp was really sick last week, she normally takes care of Ella when Kylie is teaching, well I showed up and I was Ella's sidekick all week long.  The life of an almost three year old...priceless...we played every imaginary game we could think of.  Had a great time with Titus and Cassidy doing homework together, and reading together.

By the week, Titus informed me that I wasn't going home, Cassidy asked for me to put her in my luggage, and Ella asked to come along too...it was a fun week.

I felt like I continued on in ministry, just in a different way as God's timing was perfect.  I even got to go along on RVA Outreach weekend...and pick garbage (or rubbish) from the side of the road that I traveled so often throughout this past year.  It was great!

I managed to plan my last day in Nairobi well, we went to Amani Ya Juu for lunch, it is a really great cafe that supports single ladies and their families.  And then had a great visit with Gwen before making it to Diamond Plaza for dinner for some great Indian food experience.  Two of my favourite places in one day...mmm!!

My flights home...were very uneventful...I am not disappointed...just surprised...I figured that from this year of everything unexpected to happen...that the same would be for the trip home.  It did start off with a funny story...my check in time...took about the same amount of time that it did for a family of five to check in.  I ended up with an overweight bag that became a hassle...

I enjoyed the time in London, though they were in the middle of a cold snap...in May...it was 2 degrees when I got there, I was thankful for a scarf...a pair of gloves...and two jackets...  I made my way to Hyde Park, enjoyed a brisk walk through there, had a coffee and enjoyed the view of the Serpentine.  Made my way to Green Park, on my way to Buckingham Palace.  It was great to get out and walk, in some fresh cool air in between the flights!

My flight home was uneventful, despite the baby that flung food around...I came out...rather clean compared to her mom!  I flew through customs...literally but had enough time to have a wonderful visit with the custom's agent about missions.  Got all my bags...which is a big bonus and headed out to see Calgary!

I have to say how well I am enjoying being home right now...I was worried about a few things...but I am doing really well and feel like I didn't miss a beat at all...it is strange...but good!

My day is well planned I am now a little behind in my plans but I am heading out for a quick walk...then to see one of my bestest friends ever.  I have to pack and get ready for another road trip...

See you all soon!

Update!

Well thought I would let you know that I am at RVA, and working hard. 

I don't have strong internet connection (funny when I mentioned it...it disconnects) so I probably won't update my blog again before I get home, but will update it as soon as I get a chance when I return home. 

I have a pretty busy schedule when I return but I hope to catch up with everyone soon, I miss you all back in Canada and miss those that I have been with over the last year in Nairobi.  It is a bitter sweet time right now being in transition.

I have been busy being entertained by an almost three year old and working hard on spelling and reading (not for me silly) but with the nieces and nephew.  It makes for an interesting week.  I am also working on my debrief and repacking. 

So far the plan is that I will be arriving in Calgary on the 13th, nothing has been changed as I plan to soak up the time here with family being able to help out and enjoying the moments of Africa.

Love you all!