Photos

It was my cousin's graduation this weekend so we have been dolled up, dressed down, and have had more than enough cameras flashed in our faces to last a lifetime (except for those of us who love having their picture taken, so instead it was a moment of glory rather than a painstaking ordeal). I reckon people like looking at pictures and so I give to you small glimpses into my weekend.

David is grabbing proudly at his 'stache'. I believe he might even be tugging on it.

Me, David and my cousin (the graduate), Justin.

The family, minus dad...David is masterfully creeping on me in the background. I think I knew...check out my awkward half smile. Actually, that's the same smile in the photo above...perhaps that's just my fake non-smile. And yes, these are all self portraits, taken by the long arm of yours truly, thus my always being on the right hand side.

No Joke

Seriously folks, Jasper in May is C O L D.

Please note David's amazing moustache. If there is any way in which to zoom this photo, I insist that you do it.

The Great White North Indeed

I am no longer in lush and green BC, but have rather found myself in Jasper. I feel like I have been transported out of the tropics and into Siberia. Seriously, how is it possible for one place to be so warm and beautiful, and another so cold? Oh-so-cold. Tears spill out of my eyes and freeze into little ice droplets on my cheeks. Ok, so it's not actually that bad, but I feel like it is.

My family has ventured up here for my cousins' graduation. This is the first time in years that all of my immediate family is away somewhere together. It's so nice! I'm super excited about it!!! We saw more wildlife on the trip up than I think I've possibly seen in the last five years put together. I was thinking if that was an exaggeration, but I don't think it is. It seemed like every 5 minutes we were passing more white tailed deer, and elk, and mountain goats. After much of the same, we encountered the mother of all wildlife! The black bear. He was just sitting there by the side of the road inconspicuously eating berries and ignoring my very 'bear-like' lady calls. As we drove away we joked about how I should get out of the car and get photos beside the bear. That's a little memory from my childhood. When we drove up to Jasper every year we would see cars lined up on the side of the road and parents prodding their children closer and closer to a very skiddish, and possibly ravenous wild beast so they could get this spectacular shot on their extremely expensive cameras. Because my parents had put the fear in me, I envisioned these children getting beat down and eaten, and their parents capturing their last moments on earth on those expensive cameras. We simply drove slowly by with our faces pressed up against the glass, fogging our view with our own breath.

Anyway, I anticipate this to be an awesome weekend of reconnecting, of eating copulous amounts of food, and of much laughter. It'll be good to be home again though. See everyone in a few days!

Thanks for Praying

Hey guys. Today happened. Thank Jesus that I made it through. Things were getting a bit hairy, simply because I wasn't sure what God was saying. I sat down with the team that I had been hoping to go with and we all prayed together about my involvment in that team, and none of us really knew if God was saying for me to go ahead and join them. This brought on an onslaught of questions and doubts in my mind. So, before my interview today I was battling with many different thoughts and emotions and needed to take some time out and seek God on this stuff. I felt him say, "TRUST ME. I have something in mind." And he does.

Basically my interview went well. I think I am accepted. They didn't say officially "yes", but they said that they want to get me out there and we are going to talk about 'next steps' on Tuesday morning. I asked them if it was a concern that I didn't have any formal education and they both said that they recognized that I am an experiential learner and that they wouldn't want to box me into traditional studies. They can see that I will be a life long learner who will be self motivated to educate myself in what I need to know. I couldn't believe that they said that! I told them just how much that meant to me! I think that still means that I need to go to school in the fall as those courses are required of all MBMSI missionaries...but man, I'm so excited that I have been released to be me!

In terms of where I'll be, I have no idea...they are going to get me out into language school and we will all be praying about what team I should join and what part of the country to be in. It is possible that I will be joining a more stable team that has been there for a few years and be mentored by them...there are many options.

Anyway, thank you for praying. Today was hard and emotionally exhausting, but God is good and he constantly proves himself faithful.

Unexpected

Sorry for having disappeared for the last couple of days. To catch you all up, Vancouver was awesome...great Thai food, amazing coffee (Karin, I went to JJ Bean a few times, but I didn't see your son), and such great friends. I really valued this time that I was able to have connecting with people that mean so much to me. I also ran into a few people that I haven't seen in years, so that turned out to be an unexpected blessing!

I am now hanging out with MBMSI folks...it has been an intense week of praying together, sharing our stories and praying for one another. It has been so encouraging. So encouraging and so hard. I really feel like God has been showing me things in my own heart. Revealing pride, areas where I don't actually believe what he says about me, and insecurities. I also had a moment of realisation of what it actually means to move to Thailand. This is huge!! So, if you guys could be praying...there's lots that I'm walking through right now. I have my interview on Saturday and I believe that's when I'll find out if I'm in or not. I'll keep you all posted.