Christmas Is Coming!

I love this time of year...seriously there is so much about it that just makes me smile. Tara and I went hunting for a tree last weekend and had such a blast off-roading in a minivan! We always have such a blast together...it was hilarious! You can imagine what it was like as two girls set off to find a tree in the wilderness, chop it down with our saw and then heave it onto the roof of the van before trying to tie it on. Before going home, we bought some decorations and of course topped it off with Starbucks! We got home and set to work immediately putting it up in the house and decorating! Our little home is full of Christmas lights and ornaments and just makes me want to sit and enjoy all day! I just love it.

Prayer Week

We took this past week as a Kaleo community to dedicate to prayer; each of us took an hour a day to spend in constant communication with our Great God. I remember when the thought of praying for long periods of time was so daunting; often times I feel as though I have gone full circle in that there are times where I would rather not return to community or fellowship and would rather remain on a mountaintop talking with my Father. Yet I have found that He always prompts me to return...sending me back to spend time building into the relationships of people here. Though my citizenship is in Heaven, my life is here...in this world...with those people that God allows for me to interact with.

Often I find that the times I do spend leave me longing for more...more time with the Lord...more time listening and talking...more time learning...more time crying...more of Him.

Visiting Tim

I had the most incredible time this past week visiting with Tim; I have been so blessed to have him in my life and thank the Lord for the opportunity we had to spend some great time hanging out in Ontario. I loved the opportunity to see where he's living now and meet his friends and family. We had such a blast together! Check it out...

Off To Ontario!!!

Can't believe it...I'm heading to Ontario in just 3 days! So excited to go visit Tim!

Brady and Carson

I love being an Auntie! I had so much fun visiting with my brother and sister-in-law last weekend. I changed soooo many diapers, and had such a blast doing it! Carson (almost 3 now) definitely got a kick out of Brady peeing on me twice in one diaper change! He told me that Brady must think I need a bath! So cute!!!

Aside from the "bath" that Brady gave me, I was so blessed in getting to spend time with my family. Those boys are such a joy to have in my life and Amber and Dan are incredible siblings. It gets harder and harder to leave every time and makes me want to set up shop right next door so I can watch my nephews grow. I love those boys so much.

Caught Up Underground!

So we took the students down through some caves last week and decided there were a few spots that looked quite interesting (translates to very, very small spaces). I decided that I wanted to be the "cool" leader that goes into the tight spaces, so I attempted to "shimmy" into one very small area. I got about half way in and realized just how small this crack was...I was stuck, but I kept moving forward anyway, twisting and wrenching my body through until I found myself next to one of my students curled up in ball with just enough room to be hunched over on my knees. Somehow I managed to turn around and then I saw the hole that I had come through....PANIC!!! How in the world was I going to get back through?! I had never scared myself so bad...I was really worried! I immediately began my attempt to get out as I did not want to stay and think about how much smaller that hole was getting every moment I waited. I began to realize that there was hope as I "shimmied" my way back out...grunting and groaning the whole way out! It was quite the experience, but I think I learned my lesson in trying to impress the students!!

Praise God!

After a very long two and a half months of waiting, my work permit finally arrived yesterday! Which means, I have the opportunity to go and visit my brand new nephew this weekend! What an absolute blessing! I cannot wait to see Brady and Carson; I definitely wish I had more opportunities to visit and hang with them. God has been so good in allowing me to be here in Canada serving, yet I do find it difficult to be far from family.
Tara and I had such a wonderful night last night. Tara is my roommate here in Canada, and we decided to head out for a fun dinner and night on the town (translates to: going to Wal-Mart, buying movies, yarn, and games). We had such a blast! God has truly blessed us with each other; neither one of us would have predicted our living together, but in truth God has orchestrated a perfect setting that has benefited both of us so much! We are learning so much from each other and truly enjoying being sisters.

Starting Out...

Four years ago, I was celebrating my 21st birthday in England while I was going to school over there. For years growing up all I wanted to do was see the world. Anything that God had created I wanted to experience, and the first place on my list was England.

I found myself tossed into 3 months of a dream come true! Although I had dreamt for years about what it would be like to visit and travel around England, I never imagined a scenario like the one that God created and blessed me with. He blessed me beyond my wildest dreams! I always wondered if it would be possible not to just visit other countries but actually live and adopt some of the culture. God unfolded my dream right before my eyes in ways that I could not have imagined. After having the opportunity to travel around a bit in Europe, my taste for travel just continued to grow. I came home to finish university and found an opportunity to live abroad again in Canada.

After graduation, I packed up my car and left for Vancouver Island. I had never been to Canada before and truthfully had no idea what to expect. I only knew that my desire to experience different parts of the world was driving me to try. God has opened up worlds of opportunity since I've been here in British Columbia and allowed me to pursue so many passions and dreams while living and serving here.

After a summer of counseling, I came back to fill the role of Head Counselor thinking that would be the end of my time in Canada. Yet God had so much else in store. I was offered a full-time position here at Qwanoes two years ago and never went home. I have benefited so much from the community of Qwanoes and working with the Kaleo Program and feel so privileged to be allowed to serve on staff here and be a part of the great work God is doing in the lives of young people that come through these gates. When I think of the opportunities in my life and the joy that has come from serving God, I cannot help but recognize that this journey has been and always will be, A Journey of Faith.