This morning as I was sitting on our back porch eating breakfast I talked to God about needing to make some new friends. I've been here for 5 weeks and I've met people and connected to some which has been great, but still it's been hard at times. I finished my prayer, my breakfast and my getting ready for the day. I took the bus to campus for chapel. As I sat down the girl next to me smiles and says "Hi I'm Julie. Are you new to Regent?" As we began to talk I shared with her that I was here from the states on sabbatical with IV and she responds, "Oh! You must be Shiloh and Becca's new roommate." "I sure am" I respond. "Oh, I've heard about you, they said that you were really sweet. Do you want to come for dinner tonight?" "I would love to!" And so I did. Julie just happens to live within walking distance to me so at 5:45 I began my walk, thanking God once again for answering my prayer. I almost cried this morning when she invited me to dinner at what a quick answer to prayer it was. Dinner was fabulous. I enjoyed good food and great conversation with Julie and her roommates Heather and Lindsay. They invited me to several other outings and promised to keep me updated with all the happenings around town.
Thank you Jesus for answered prayer!!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Canoes, Waterfalls, and Bonfires
Tim and I took an hour 1/2 bike ride out to Pit Lake on Friday. The ride was beautiful, as is most of what I've seen in Vancouver, even though it was mostly on the highway. Mountains surround us. It's breathtaking. I find my time on the back of the bike to one of prayer and worship. No one else can hear me so I sing loudly and pray fervently (yes, the prayers start out of ones for safety, but are mostly intercessory from there :))
My butt was numb and legs were stiff by the time we arrived at Subway for a quick lunch. I'll get used to it...someday.
But the ride was worth it. Once we pulled up to Pit Lake I knew that it was going to be a day to remember. Lush green grass, a crystal clear lake, tall snow capped mountain, clear blue sky with warm sun shining. We met up with Mark (one of Tim's closest friends) and his sister Mallory. Mark and his wife has bought a canoe a few weeks before and we were the second of many adventures. Talk of a waterfall about a hour down the river made my heart beat with excitement. These are the days that I live for. Beauty, adventure, friends. It's so life giving.
Mallory and I were "chauffeured" down the river. Conversation ebbed and flowed with pauses to take in the scenery around us. The water was clear and in some places shallow. There was the occasional running aground, but we quickly set off again. The guys did an amazing job.
Finally we arrived at our destination. A camp site that marked the beginning of a trail up to rapids and waterfalls. The hike wasn't bad, strenuous in places, but relatively easy. Tim did it all wearing slip on sandals (I was impressed!). We laughed a lot, sang crazy camp songs, helped each other a long the way. Tim and I went up ahead of Mark and Mallory to do a little exploring on our own and find the water fall. We didn't make it up to the very top, but what we found was worth it!
Afterward we headed over to Krista's house for a bonfire. There I got to meet Krista, Natasha and Cam, Naomi and Sean, a few others. These are some of Tim's best friends...I think they like me :)
Anyway, enjoy the pictures!!
My butt was numb and legs were stiff by the time we arrived at Subway for a quick lunch. I'll get used to it...someday.
But the ride was worth it. Once we pulled up to Pit Lake I knew that it was going to be a day to remember. Lush green grass, a crystal clear lake, tall snow capped mountain, clear blue sky with warm sun shining. We met up with Mark (one of Tim's closest friends) and his sister Mallory. Mark and his wife has bought a canoe a few weeks before and we were the second of many adventures. Talk of a waterfall about a hour down the river made my heart beat with excitement. These are the days that I live for. Beauty, adventure, friends. It's so life giving.
Mallory and I were "chauffeured" down the river. Conversation ebbed and flowed with pauses to take in the scenery around us. The water was clear and in some places shallow. There was the occasional running aground, but we quickly set off again. The guys did an amazing job.
Finally we arrived at our destination. A camp site that marked the beginning of a trail up to rapids and waterfalls. The hike wasn't bad, strenuous in places, but relatively easy. Tim did it all wearing slip on sandals (I was impressed!). We laughed a lot, sang crazy camp songs, helped each other a long the way. Tim and I went up ahead of Mark and Mallory to do a little exploring on our own and find the water fall. We didn't make it up to the very top, but what we found was worth it!
Afterward we headed over to Krista's house for a bonfire. There I got to meet Krista, Natasha and Cam, Naomi and Sean, a few others. These are some of Tim's best friends...I think they like me :)
Anyway, enjoy the pictures!!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Mariachi Memories
I waited for the bus for 45 minutes yesterday. I wanted the 44. One passed by and just didn't stop. The other lady that was waiting with me and I just stood there stunned. I don't know what happened but it took 45 min for another 44 to come. So much for being on time for my lunch date with Minh...
Finally I got down town and we ate amazing Vietnamese food at a very popular spot. Noodles, pork, cut up spring rolls all mixed up in a tangy fish sauce...my mouth waters just thinking about it. We talked about life, living in Vancouver, dating, Regent. She's an American in Canada, married a Canadian too. I was so grateful for the warm conversation. It was her lunch break so we only got an hour, which seemed to go by quickly.
As we walked back towards her work I checked my bus ticket. I had 5 minutes to make it with out having to buy another one. Good, cause I was out of cash and bus tickets. I got the bus right on time, but as we started to pull away I heard a familiar sound and something caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye that made me signal that the next stop was mine. I knew it was a risk, not having another bus ticket, but it was a risk I was willing to take. I jumped off the bus, ran into the corner store to by more bus passes and went to find what I was looking for.
Where were they? They were standing on the corner playing a minute ago? I stood and listened intently. I followed the music. I came around the corner and there they were; a full fledged Mariachi band.
There was something familiar about them that drew me in. I followed them for a block, smiling, laughing and almost crying. I'm not sure what came over me. I don't even like Mariachi music that much. But there was a feeling of home connected to it that I just couldn't shake. Maybe I was feeling a twinge of home sickness, I'm not sure. After a picture and a quick video shot, I turned around, caught my bus and went home...to hang up curtains with Nitra.
Finally I got down town and we ate amazing Vietnamese food at a very popular spot. Noodles, pork, cut up spring rolls all mixed up in a tangy fish sauce...my mouth waters just thinking about it. We talked about life, living in Vancouver, dating, Regent. She's an American in Canada, married a Canadian too. I was so grateful for the warm conversation. It was her lunch break so we only got an hour, which seemed to go by quickly.
As we walked back towards her work I checked my bus ticket. I had 5 minutes to make it with out having to buy another one. Good, cause I was out of cash and bus tickets. I got the bus right on time, but as we started to pull away I heard a familiar sound and something caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye that made me signal that the next stop was mine. I knew it was a risk, not having another bus ticket, but it was a risk I was willing to take. I jumped off the bus, ran into the corner store to by more bus passes and went to find what I was looking for.
Where were they? They were standing on the corner playing a minute ago? I stood and listened intently. I followed the music. I came around the corner and there they were; a full fledged Mariachi band.
There was something familiar about them that drew me in. I followed them for a block, smiling, laughing and almost crying. I'm not sure what came over me. I don't even like Mariachi music that much. But there was a feeling of home connected to it that I just couldn't shake. Maybe I was feeling a twinge of home sickness, I'm not sure. After a picture and a quick video shot, I turned around, caught my bus and went home...to hang up curtains with Nitra.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)