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.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Japa Dogs
Imagine an all beef hot dog smothered in spicy mayo, onions, teriyaki sauce and seaweed...sound appetizing? Surprisingly it is! And it's a huge hit here in Vancouver. Apparently a Japanese man wanted to open up a Japanese Crepe restaurant but could only get a hot dog stand license. The Japa Dog was then created and people will wait in line for 20-30 mins (during the Olympics 1 1/2 hours) to get one. My friend Robin insisted that I try one so we went downtown, waited in line for 20 min and partook in the interesting goodness.
Friday, April 23, 2010
My First Ride
"I brought my extra helmet" were the words that finished an invitation to lunch. Tim rides a motorcycle. I've known this since I first met him. I've also known that someday I would ride it, but suddenly the moment was here and I could either say yes or no. It would be a short ride he assured me. I'd put it off for over a week...all my friends encouraging me to just do it. You'll have fun they promised.
Here's what I envisioned...when I think of riding a motorcycle my thoughts race back to the days that I rode the back of the wave runner with my dad or brother who, like little maniacs, would swerve through the water with sharp turns and 360's every hundred meters. I was holding on for dear life, screaming at the top of my lungs, knowing that inevitably I would be thrown off and hit the water with belly flop force. It was a love hate relationship. I loved driving the wave runner myself. I took some risks, but i was in control...ah, control...I'm sure you can find a fabulous spiritual analogy in there...
I hated riding on the back, I hated not knowing where we were going, when the next turn was going to happen, when I would be thrown into the cat tails where I was convinced there was an alligator waiting to ponce.
Anyway, back to the motorcycle. I imagined the ride to be somewhat like the wave runner experiences. It wasn't. I imagined that I might actually pee on myself from being scared. I didn't. I imagined that I might close my eyes and scream, if only silently. I kept them open with no screaming. Although I will admit that I did mutter, "Jesus I love you and I know you love me" over and over for the first few minutes.
We took some back roads to get Chicken Shawarma first stopping at the bank. As we stood in line for the ATM I had a ridiculous grin on my face. It might have just been a 5 min ride so far, but I loved it. I jokingly told Tim that I half wished that I hated it so that I could talk him out of riding it in the future...but for now it was fun!
We ended up getting lunch, going to the beach to eat and then as we are putting on helmets and getting on the bike Tim looks at me and says, "I'm going to take you on my favorite ride this side of Vancouver."
This is more than a short ride on back roads. I'm not sure if this was planned or not, but I trust him, so I say "great" which is back by emotions of excitement and thoughts of "this is crazy!"
The ride was breathtaking, as much of Vancouver is this time of year. Mountains, ocean, bursts of color. It's a picture of God's creativity. We're driving 60 kilometers per hour (40 mph) and I'm loving every minute of it.
My first ride was a good one...I wonder where we'll go next.
Here's what I envisioned...when I think of riding a motorcycle my thoughts race back to the days that I rode the back of the wave runner with my dad or brother who, like little maniacs, would swerve through the water with sharp turns and 360's every hundred meters. I was holding on for dear life, screaming at the top of my lungs, knowing that inevitably I would be thrown off and hit the water with belly flop force. It was a love hate relationship. I loved driving the wave runner myself. I took some risks, but i was in control...ah, control...I'm sure you can find a fabulous spiritual analogy in there...
I hated riding on the back, I hated not knowing where we were going, when the next turn was going to happen, when I would be thrown into the cat tails where I was convinced there was an alligator waiting to ponce.
Anyway, back to the motorcycle. I imagined the ride to be somewhat like the wave runner experiences. It wasn't. I imagined that I might actually pee on myself from being scared. I didn't. I imagined that I might close my eyes and scream, if only silently. I kept them open with no screaming. Although I will admit that I did mutter, "Jesus I love you and I know you love me" over and over for the first few minutes.
We took some back roads to get Chicken Shawarma first stopping at the bank. As we stood in line for the ATM I had a ridiculous grin on my face. It might have just been a 5 min ride so far, but I loved it. I jokingly told Tim that I half wished that I hated it so that I could talk him out of riding it in the future...but for now it was fun!
We ended up getting lunch, going to the beach to eat and then as we are putting on helmets and getting on the bike Tim looks at me and says, "I'm going to take you on my favorite ride this side of Vancouver."
This is more than a short ride on back roads. I'm not sure if this was planned or not, but I trust him, so I say "great" which is back by emotions of excitement and thoughts of "this is crazy!"
The ride was breathtaking, as much of Vancouver is this time of year. Mountains, ocean, bursts of color. It's a picture of God's creativity. We're driving 60 kilometers per hour (40 mph) and I'm loving every minute of it.
My first ride was a good one...I wonder where we'll go next.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Dinner with Steven
I just wanted food. I was hungry, so was Tim. There are a million choices on Commercial, all we needed to do was pick one. We finally settled on Sushi, a favorite for both of us. We ordered and sat at the only table outside. We couldn't pass it up, it was such a beautiful day. We had just finished the evening service at Tim's church and sat talking about the sermon when a man in a wheel chair came asking for change. Tim asked if he was hungry, he said yes. I went inside to order more food. As we waited the three of us began to talk. He had lived in Montreal for a bit but had been in Vancouver for the last 14 years, was a Canuck's fan (Vancouver's hockey team, who just happens to be in the finals), and had some temporary housing that he was staying in. We invited him to eat with us when the food came. So there sat the three of us - me, Tim and Steven - enjoying sushi on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. It couldn't have felt more right to be there in that moment.
There is something about sharing a meal with the poor because really, it's sharing a meal with Jesus.
There is something about sharing a meal with the poor because really, it's sharing a meal with Jesus.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Green and Clean
So as I was making my breakfast this morning I found myself watching the garbage man hard at work in the alley behind my house. Here's a summary of the scene that unfolded before me...The white garbage truck rumbles down the street to stop behind my house. The garbage man gets out, moves the huge dumpster in order for the truck to easily lift it up and dump its contents into the bed. He get back in the truck to do the dumping, then gets back out. Now what he does next is what caused me to pause. The man pulls out a can of spray paint. Any graffiti that he sees on the dumpster he sprays over leaving the dumpster looking almost shiny. Then he moves it back into it's little nook gets back in the truck, moves down a half of block to begin the whole process over again.
Why I found this so fascinating I'm not quite sure, but I was intrigued. There was a meticulous manner in which even the garbage is dumped here. Very different from back home.
Vancouver is in the running for being the greenest city in the world. I saw this first hand as a handful of students yelled "no, you must recycle" as I went to throw a can away earlier this week. I missed the fact that there were huge blue recycling bins three feet away. I don't think I will miss there looming presence again...
Why I found this so fascinating I'm not quite sure, but I was intrigued. There was a meticulous manner in which even the garbage is dumped here. Very different from back home.
Vancouver is in the running for being the greenest city in the world. I saw this first hand as a handful of students yelled "no, you must recycle" as I went to throw a can away earlier this week. I missed the fact that there were huge blue recycling bins three feet away. I don't think I will miss there looming presence again...
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