One Life...

Well, no matter how much patience I have, I just can't seem to get any pictures up...
I'm pretty mad.

Oh well.

So, training is officially done.
In fact, today was my first day of "programming".
But let me back up a bit.
On Wednesday we had our Rockclimbing training,
Thursday was Biking. It was a blast. We did a bit of downhill - definitely some adrenaline there.

Then Friday was our Canoeing training. One of the important things we had to learn was how to "self rescue". That means that when/if you tip you need to be able to get yourself, two paddles, your canoeing partner, and the canoe safely to the side of the river. Learning how to do this requires you to actual tip. So we were forewarned that the training would involve tipping... well what you need to understand about tipping in the North Saskatchewan River this time of the year is that there are still 2 meter high ice/snow walls on the river sides. I couldn't breathe.
But it was actually a pretty good day. There were some nice little rapids that we made it through fine, and in the end had to tip on purpose.

Saturday was kinda a day off, except that I got asked if I wanted to go on a half for fun half for work canoe trip. They had to scout out a lower part of the North Sask River for an upcoming group. Of course I said yes. (If any of the Goossens are reading this these names are for you: "Sonders" "Devil's Elbow" "Briarlys" - do you recognize any of them? And did you go over any of them?) This time I was forewarned that the rapids were quite a lot bigger and harder and that there was a chance I would tip again (though this time at least by accident)... Not gonna lie, it was an intense day. We were on the river for like 5 1/2 hours, the rapids were huge, and my arms hurt so bad. But! We made it all the way without tipping and! My canoeing partner (Migges) and I surfed on a wave!! Oh boy... it was a rush.

Today, as I said before, was my first day of programming. We've got a group of 16 in right now. Pretty small group, but good for our first of the season. I was on Climbing today, which meant that I spent almost 5 hours belaying kids up and down the cliff. It was fun though... it's a good group.

The next two days I'm on canoeing...

I'm so beat though.... I gotta hit the hay.

loves you all.

Where Mountain Peaks are Tall, and the Sky is Blue...

Here I am.
Frontier Lodge.
A Wilderness Adventure.
Christ Centered Outdoor Education.

So far so good.
The weather has been amazing.
The training has been long and tiring.
I love it.

I don't really have a lot of time but to give you some quick highlights:
-Snow.
-First outdoor rockclimb!!!
-Lots of hiking.
-Knot tieing (love it).
-Only one other girl.
-Spiritual growth already.

Some prayer requests:
-Courage and Boldness to share my faith.
-An unconditional Love for everyone.
-ENERGY.
-(This one I'm cautious to mention because I don't want it to seem like I'm asking for it... cause I'm not... but ..yeah) Pray that I would trust God for finances for equipment that I need. (again, I am NOT asking for money... I want God to provide in His own way)

I love you all so much and miss you already!!!


Please, Please, Please email me.
I know I won't always reply back, but yeah.

Loves you.

The Adventure Begins...

My AMAZING friends and family:

My journey has begun. 

We drove to Canmore last night (got here at like 12:30). 

There's snow. 

Stupid.

The closer I get, the more excited I get.

And yet...

A part of me is torn apart at the thought of not being with you guys for another 5 months.

You guys are the most amazing friends EVER.

I LOVE YOU ALL AND MISS YOU ALREADY!

Well, 

I gotta run,

The other half of our journey is before us.

Funny story though:

My parents are taking $100 off my loan for every month that I don't talk about boys.

:D

It came and went...

K wow.

I have the most AMAZING friends/family EVER.

Seriously.

The 15th was my birthday.

I had a pretty busy week so I just planned a small "party" with 4 other girls, on the 14th.

It was a blast!

We basically played dress-up the whole time:

-went to Value Village

-bought our dinner clothes (a farmer, a "punk", an 80's mom, a "prom queen", and a leathermen)

-went out for dessert

-wents to Behns

-scared them all speachless

-took tons of pictures

(Here's a few of my favs from the night)

Then, on the 15th my mum told me not to plan anything because it was going to be our family party. Fair enough. So we went to Eastside Marios and had a nice little family dinner. After I got my free dessert we decided to head home. As we were driving up the hill I noticed a lot of cars and was like "wow, someone must be having a party". I walked in the house and right away noticed something out of place, Rebekah's camera sitting on the ledge. I barely had time to think about it though, cause right at that moment like 100 people jumped out and yelled suprise! Haha, was I ever suprised. I had no idea! Wow. Well, after peeing my pants and trying to run away, the party started. We played games and stuff... it was really fun.

THANK YOU to everyone who came! THANK YOU to everyone for the money and gifts! You guys are AMAZING and I LOVE YOU!!!!

...Or so they say...

The phone rang today.

I didn't answer it.

My mum did.

It was for me.

It was a man.

I was scared.

Haha.

It was Frontier Lodge.

They "would love to have me come." (!) So yeah, I guess I'm pretty happy about it. Kinda nervous though.

New experiences, new trials, new growth...

I leave on the weekend of the 25th (April) and get back in either August or September. They were pretty pumped that I was willing to stay longer then just the normal "summer season". So for now I've commited to the end of August with a "play it by ear" for September and an invite to stay forever. Heh. We'll see. Actually I'm starting to get really excited... it'll be hard to leave here and maybe hard to be there, but I really feel God blessing this whole experience. So yeah...

Some pictographs to express our/my feelings:

Us waiting and waiting for the phone call ----^

Sad to hear that I'm leaving ----^

Us being us, because that's all we'll ever be, whether I'm here or not----^

I LOVE YOU ALL HEAPS AND HEAPS!!

He will find me...

So, my little stocker boy has resurfaced... He sent me the postcard (pictured above) telling me about the cruise he just went on, and how he wished I was there. *shiver*

To quote Starwars - "I just can't shake 'im!"

Lanny Day

Yesturday we celebrated Lanny Day - The day that Lanny became part of our family 4 years ago. (If you happen to read Josh's blog, he got a few details mixed up... but that's alright... we only figured everything out after he had written it.)

We started doing foster care for Lanny a week after he turned one. We were doing full time care, so he was with us 24/7. Of course we fell in love with him right away. And of course his first words were "Scores!" and "Shoots".

But yeah, without getting all sappy and stuff... Lanny has added a lot of Joy and Laughter to our family as well as Noise and Energy. I don't know what we would do without him.

We love him to pieces!!