Merry Christmas Update

Merry Christmas everyone and all the best in 2008!

Today we had Christmas with the majority of the family and it was great. We ate lasagna and tonight we are just having appetizers. Tomorrow we will head to church then to a small Christmas with just Matthew, Kristen, my parents and myself as the other siblings are off at their moms place.

On Thursday Kristen and I leave for our 2 day drive to Las Vegas where she is moving to work and be with her husband-to-be. I am quite excited to go because I have never been before and it will be great to go to a warmer climate. We are also seeing Mystere (Cirque du Soleil) which I think will be the highlight for me! I return new years day in the evening the have a little more time off work before things get busy again in the spring.

I am also currently assisting in the planning of Matthew and Chantelle's wedding (October) and Kristen and PJ's wedding (July) which will keep me busy as well since Kristen and Matthew are both moving away! It is something that I enjoy to do and may do full time one day in the distant future.

Nothing too exciting here but thought I should give an update since I have been slacking for what seems forever. Take Care!

Shine On Marisa

Sorry for more not so happy news.

This morning Marisa Vanderveen, a former teacher at FVC and family friend (Her and Mendelt lived in our basement suite for some time), went to be with the Lord, now cancer free. For those who have followed her blog, you will know how she was a pillar of strength and a beautiful child of God. Her and Mendelt gave us all a powerful and honest look of what it is like to have cancer. It was less than a year ago when she discovered a lump that would later claim her life.

Please take a moment to say a prayer or two for Mendelt, and their three young children, Zion, Jacoba, and Zekijah.

Let her life continue to shine on as beautiful as it has for the last 33 years.

Prayer

Just a quick post to ask for prayer for Martha and Andy who just lost their unborn baby girl Michaela yesterday. Martha was already almost 7 months pregnant. Martha is the Zambian woman who I lived with and worked under while I was in Africa last year. She got married to Andy who is from the US last January. Please pray for them right now as they grieve the loss of their little girl!

Martha, Kimmer, and Mrs. Harawa in Zambia

Stand Up and Speak Out

At church I am part of a social justice team and today we, along with others, stood up and spoke out the pledge below. This is part of the Micah Challenge. (http://www.micahchallenge.org/) With enough voices raised today, this pledge with make the Guinness World Book of Records. It is quite an exciting thing to be a part of! Here is the pledge:

We are standing now with millions around the world on this symbolic day, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, to show our commitment to the fight against poverty and inequality.

We are standing because God has called us to act with mercy and to love our neighbour and to fight against injustice.

We are standing because we refuse to accept world leaders' excuses for not doing more to make poverty history: we live in a world where 50,000 people die every day as a result of extreme poverty and the gap between rich and poor is getting wider. We are standing because we want our leaders to honour their promises to meet the Millennium Development Goals.

We join in solidarity with people from over 100 countries to SPEAK OUT and say:

To the leaders of wealthy countries, in particular our Canadian leaders- We urge you to keep your promises on poverty:
-reach the 0.7% of GNI target for international aid that you promised at the United Nations, AND
-cancel the hundreds billions of dollars that poor countries owe to wealthy governments and international institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank.

To the leaders of poorer countries - make it your first responsibility to save the lives of your poorest citizens. We ask you to tackle inequality, to be accountable to your people, to govern fairly and justly, to fight corruption, and to fulfil human rights.

Today, and every day, we will stand up and speak out against poverty. We will continue the fight against poverty and inequality and to hold our leaders to their promises.

We are asking not for charity, but for justice. We are millions of voices standing in solidarity to say, no more excuses - MAKE POVERTY HISTORY NOW.

A Long Way Gone

First, let me say that Ishmael Beah, the author of the above book, is a beautiful person inside and out. One blogger described his story as a 'story of silence'. I think it is an appropriate way to describe it. You can't help but feel like you are right along side him on his journey of pain, suffering, hope, and joy.

Here are some of my favorite parts of the book...

"Within minutes of talking to each other, we knew that the room was filled with young people who had had a very difficult childhood, and some were going to return to these very lives at the end of the conference"

"I was sad to leave, but I was also pleased to have met people outside of Sierra Leone. Because if I was to get killed upon my return, I knew that a memory of my existence was alive somewhere in the world." (Beautifully said)

"I am not a soldier anymore; I am a child."

"I knew I could never forget my past, but I wanted to stop talking about it so that I would be fully present in my new life."

Christina and Michael's Wedding

My sister Christina got married to Michael Crook over the weekend and it was a beautiful day! It was fun to be a bridesmaid. The only thing I could think of was that I don't always want to be a bridesmaid.. one day I would love to be the bride. One day maybe.. Here are a few pictures.

August

Here are some pictures from the month of August... More to come soon!


Moi driving with Christina across the Burrard Street Bridge to watch the fireworks


Christina and her Starbucks


Kim and I in Whiterock


Seagull


The beautiful ocean...


My in front of a door somewhere in Washington State :)


Kim came with me as I drove my sister to the airport in Seattle and of course we had to go outlet shopping


Aunt Wilma and I near Deception Pass, WA


Aunt Wilma and I having fun with our shadows


Kim on the drive to Seattle

Remembering and Looking Forward

Well... July has come to an end. A year ago I was flying back to Africa. I've spent some time reflecting on that experience lately because I feel that it is important. Now, I'm finishing school. Yes, I am finally done school on Thursday!!!!

I never thought that I would go to post secondary school let alone graduate from it! So, it wasn't very long, but I walk off with new perspectives in life, incredible and almost unbelievable amounts of information, a new appreciation for the hospitality industry, and of course, a diploma. Half way to a degree. At this point in time I have no desire to get my degree, but maybe one day I will go back to finish it off.

Heading into August will be busy. Next week is dedicated to renewing my passport, applying for my visa for the UK, updating my resume, and finding a job! I'm hoping to work to either until the late fall or until January before I move to the UK for a year. There is definitely a lot going on with big changes in my life. I don't know how I feel about the changes, but I will adapt I'm sure.

One thing I read yesterday that I've heard before but stuck with me this time is that life is not about how long you live, its about living. Living life... Have you lived life lately? Take a risk... try something new... you might surprise yourself...

Update

I feel like I should update this thing, although I don't know how many people really do read this thing.

I am still until August and it is busy. My instructor loves giving out assignments and does so faithfully. I think I have about 9 on the go right now. Great... I look forward to being done school, but at the same time it means another change in my life which is always a transition.

My brother James got married to beautiful Jocelyn at the end of June which turned out awesome. There was a lot of prep work that went into it because it took place at our house but it was all worth it! My sister Christina is getting married on Sept 8 where I will be a bridesmaid which is exciting as well. I have to start practicing walking in those heals; its a long aisle.

Other than that all is well here. Busy as usual but I still find time to myself each day. I think its important in keeping me sane. Tonight Im not doing any school work and it feels great!

Until next time...

Prayer

Please pray for my brother Matthew right now and all of those who are grieving the loss of Craig Vanderveen and his cousin. They both were killed in a car accident just outside of Manitoba. Please prayer for healing for the families and friends involved. Craig was my brothers roomate and great friend at college. Thanks...

My Heart Lies Somewhere Else

I'm pretty sure that I live in the wrong country and continent for that matter. Kimmer, the girl from Virginia that I lived with in Zambia has gone back to Zambia a couple days ago for 3 months. I have overcome with jealousy and longing to go back.

It's hard to have someone that you grew so close with and spent every waking moment with go back and do everything that you did together, but with a different person. I feel so selfish.

It makes it even harder that a year ago I was packing my bags to come home here and now I wish I was packing them to go back there. I hate the fact that I'm in school and don't have the freedom to jump on a plane and go. If only it was that easy. I am happier when I am in Zambia living everyday to the full with new adventures every corner. That is where I long to be. Zambia is where my heart lies.

I know that I will be back there one day, now is just not the time for me. God has other things planned for my life and I have to embrace those. Its hard, but I have to do it.

Now that my eyes are red and puffy, I have to go to volleyball. Maybe I will drive to the airport instead....

Yo Ho....Yo Ho...

... A Pirates Life For Me...

By the time the first 'Yo' is over, I know what is about to come... yup, the wonderful previews for Pirates of the Carribean. I first fell in love with Johnny and Orlando in the first when and it is still the best to date and Im sure the first one will always win. I am very excited to go see the third one that opens on Friday (Some tomorrow)!!! So, Im a little obsessive, but I dont mind, I enjoy the views :)

The Beach

Everytime Sharla comes into town we always end up at the beach, whether in English Bay or Whiterock. Last night we walked down at Crescent beach, got some coffee, and walked some more. It was good to catch up with her since we dont see eachother as often as we would like to. There is something about the ocean that is enchanting. It was very calm last night when the sun was going down which made for a beautiful evening!

Rain

If you complain about the rain, move out of Vancouver.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Michael and Christina (my sister) on their engagement! Yet another wedding to plan!

Mistake

I think I just made a huge mistake signing myself up for Facebook. Everyone seems to have it and it is weird to see what people are up to.

Anyways, Last night I went to a baby shower for Megan, one of our Drime leaders who is due in the end of May, but will probably give birth in the next three weeks! We had a lot of fun playing random games eating good food. What more could you want? (Besides the Canucks to win of course)

It's Cheryls birthday today so tomorrow she is throwing a big party which should be a lot of fun. Its going to be a Canucks/Birthday party so Canucks better win!

Wedding plans are coming along well although I havent touched back in a while, but Im sure they are going just fine. We made all of the invitations last week. That was quite a lot of work to make them.

Anywho... I will post some pictures soon. Bye for now!

***Congratulations to Josh and Destiny Loeve on the birth of their little girl Ruby Grace this morning!!! Congrats Joel on becoming an uncle!***

Since last time...

Since my last post...I have to think of whats gone on since then.

My sister flew home last week for Easter and is here until Wednesday. It's weird to have another sibling home and it always takes some adjusting since I've become used to being the only one at home. I went for a long swim today and met a guy who weirdly shared a lot of the same interests. He has his degree in tourism, has a horse farm, listens to the same music etc... Nice to talk to someone who you can relate to easily. I came home, cooked dinner, then went for a run. I almost died. I've been so used to swimming that when I was running it was painful. I like swimming because it doesnt kill my joints as much as running.

Anyways.. schools going good and Im getting ahead on some assignments which is nice. I look more forward to working in the UK as time goes on. School will finish off fast then off I go.

We are busy helping plan my brothers wedding which will happen on June 23 here in our yard. There is so much to cover, its ridiculous!

The family is up in Whistler today so its nice and quiet in the house which allows me to get some school work done among other things.

Thats about it for now.. It sucks that the long weekend is over, but I only have school 2 days this week because of an appointment on Wednesday! I look forward to only two days of classes!

(The Big Ass Pickle picture was taken at the New West Quay where Elly and I went for Ice cream! The other pictures are just some of the plants that are coming up for spring... Im so excited about the nice weather we've been having!)




Until next time...

Going Away Party

Daniel Dejong and Nathan Berkel are headed to Australia and then into South East Asia to do some backpacking for the next year. They invited a bunch of people to go to Baselines Pub last night to celebrate. I picked up Hilary then we headed there. Lets just say the night was very weird, but so good. It was weird to see everyone from highschool again (about 1/4 of our grad class was there) and good to catch up. The night never had a dull moment thats for sure. In the fourth picture Hilary looks ticked because John spilled beer all over her and decided to scowl at him. There was people there that I thought I would never see until our 10 year highschool reunion. Well, over all it was a great night and I stayed out way to late, but it was all worth it!!!

Birthday Celebrations

My actual birthday was on the 24th in which I went to school and did homework all day. The next day, we had a big family dinner to celebrate our birthdays and the recent engagement of James and JOcelyn. It was good to see all the family again, including the nephews. Fun times all around. Heidi got some African fabric so I taught her how to carry a baby on her back so she tried it with Jesse. It will need some practice so he doesnt fall to the ground, but Im sure it will work out fine!



Last Friday Kim and I set out to celebrate our birthdays. We started by going out for pedicures which was probably the highlight of the day. After that we went minigolfing at Castle Fun Park and I won a free pass for the next time! It was the first time in my life.. how exciting. After minigolf we headed to Kims to get dressed and she straightened my hair which was kind of her. After that we headed into Langley, had a very yummy dinner at Boston Pizza, then went to my house to watch a movie. That was our day of fun!