I Biked to the Lake

Today, I finally biked to the lake.  I thought about making the trip the first day I was home, but I was tired and lazy.  For the two days since then it has been rainy off and on and I didn't make the trip.   Today, despite the cloud and cool weather, I biked to the lake.

I felt a few raindrops, but thankfully it didn't actually rain.  I started out with a sweatshirt on - it was 14C (57F) - but tied it around my waist for the return.  And, as always, a trip to the lake is not complete without actually putting the bike tires in the water.

From Opelousas, LA to Smithers, BC

Thursday, July 4th
Stage one: I drove from Opelousas, LA to Plano, TX and stayed overnight at my cousin's place.
Friday, July 5th
Stage two: I got a ride from a friend from Plano, TX to the Dallas, TX airport.
Stage three: Flight from Dallas, TX to Santa Ana, CA.
Stage four: Flight from Santa Ana, CA to Seattle, WA.
Stage five: I took a shuttle bus from Seattle, WA to Lynden, WA.
Stage six: My cousin James picked me up from the shuttle stop in Lynden, WA and brought me to my         aunt and uncle's house in Maple Ridge, BC.
Monday, July 8th
Stage seven: My cousin Lynola gave me a ride in her parents' new car to the Greyhound bus depot in Langley, BC.
Stage eight: I rode the greyhound from Langley, BC to Prince George, BC.  (It was a refurbished bus with nice leather seats)
Stage nine: I rode a different greyhound bus (not refurbished) from Prince George, BC to Smithers, BC.
Tuesday, July 9th
Stage ten: Dad picked me up from the greyhound depot in Smithers in the van and brought me home.

Although there were many different stages of my travel from Opelousas to Smithers, it went very well.  My flights both landed early, allowing me to catch an earlier shuttle to meet my cousin.  I had a great weekend in Maple Ridge with Uncle Henry, Aunt Ardie, Lynola, and James.  Uncle Dave, Aunt Margaret, and Martin came over to join us on Saturday night for pizza.  The weather for my bus ride was nice and I was able to enjoy the beauty and variety of BC scenery.  I am thankful for all the hospitality and help of relatives and friends who made my trip possible.

I Have Amazing Friends!

I am so thankful for the friends God has given me.  It has been so much fun to squeeze in last minute visits throughout the past week: dinner at various people's houses, 'coffee', games, meeting for ice cream, visiting the country and swimming in the pool, sharing pictures of Smithers to a captivated (and some not so captivated) audience  This evening I am especially thankful for Debbie who volunteered and then came and helped me finish cleaning my apartment for two hours.
I will miss my friends while I am away in Texas, but I look forward to visiting.  I also know that although we may be separated now, as Christians we will get to spend eternity together with Jesus and with each other.

Overabundance of Stuff

I have a very first-world problem.  I have an overabundance of stuff.  Not only do I have excess of the 'necessities' of life like clothes and food, I also have an abundance of non-essiantial items like games, books, and decorations.  I am in the process of condensing my possessions and passing on many different things.  With that in mind, if you would like something of mine, just ask and I may be happy to give it to you.

As I sort through, organize, and work to eliminate some of my possessions in preparation to move, I am continually reminded of how blessed I truly am.  I am thankful to God for the many ways he has blessed my life here in Louisiana, and I know he holds my life in his hands as I venture on from here.

Birthday Blessings

Even though I have been living in Louisiana four years, this year was the first time I spent my birthday in Louisiana and only the second time I spent it in the USA.  Before I ever spent my birthday in the USA, I previously had a birthday in Ukraine and another one in the Philippines.

Although I would have loved to be with my parents in Smithers for my birthday - especially because I got to share my birthday with Father's Day - I had a blessed birthday.

After waiting until my birthday, I was able to open my cards and gifts from my parents and sister.  They had arrived in the mail early, but I saved them to make my birthday morning special.  I am not sure when the tradition of birthday gifts at breakfast time started, but it is something I remember from childhood, so I continued the tradition.

Yesterday morning a few of my friends at church remembered my birthday, and they went on to remind others.  My good friends Catherine and Alyshia brought a card to church and then passed it around during Sunday School and many people from church signed it.  That was very special, especially knowing that I will be moving from Louisiana in a few weeks.  Catherine also made me lemon bars, knowing that I often have lemon meringue pie for my birthday.  Alyhsia made sure I had a birthday candle for the lemon bars.

For my birthday lunch, I was treated to a delicious meal downstairs with the Sonbuchners.  The meal was a combination Father's Day/Birthday meal.  It was great to be included in the family, and I ate very well.  Thanks for cooking Jon!  In addition to lunch, the Sonbuchners also gave me a beautiful card and gift.

I also got phone calls during the afternoon from different members of my family.  I spent the afternoon relaxing and reading a book in addition to visiting with different family and friends.

I even got to spread my birthday out into today.  Abby made me a special birthday gift yesterday afternoon and it cooled through the night, so we ate it today.  Here we are with my birthday gift - white chocolate raspberry cheesecake.  Abby happens to know that I love cheesecake - so does she - and she spoiled me with cheesecake for my birthday.  It was delicious!

I have received additional birthday greetings today.  One friend at school asked me how my birthday was and told me she had been praying that I would have a special day.  She was so sweet, and her prayers such a blessing.  Other people remembered as well, people I wouldn't necessarily think would remember, so that has been neat.

At the beginning and end of my birthday, I simply thanked God for the gift of another year of life.  I am so blessed by him, which was displayed in many ways simply on my birthday in addition to throughout the year.  I am thankful to all of you who blessed me on my birthday, and I am thankful to God that I get to have you in my life.

Worn - Tenth Avenue North

I have been listening to this song recently.  There are aspects that ring true for me as I work to pack up and wrap up everything in Louisiana before moving to Texas and going home for a visit this summer.  One of our staff members sand it at our End of Year Worship and I really appreciated it.

Worn
Tenth Avenue North
I'm tired 
I'm worn 
My heart is heavy
From the work it takes to keep on breathing

I've made mistakes 
I've let my hope fail
My soul feels crushed
By the weight of this world
And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that's frail and torn

I want to know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that's dead inside can be reborn
Cause I'm worn

I know I need 
To lift my eyes up
But I'm too weak
Life just won't let up
And I know that You can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that's frail and torn

I want to know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that's dead inside can be reborn
Cause I'm worn

And my prayers are wearing thin
I'm worn even before the day begins
I'm worn I've lost my will to fight
I'm worn so heaven so come and flood my eyes

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that's frail and torn

I want to know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that's dead inside can be reborn
Yes all that's dead inside will be reborn
Though I'm worn 
Yeah I'm worn

VBS

VBS is so much fun!  I have the songs stuck in my head, and it is great.  Many of the songs are Bible verses put to music.

This year instead of leading a specific class I am working with the music and promoting our mission project for the week.  It has been great to see the kids' enthusiasm.  I have also really enjoyed the merging of my home church here and the ministry that I will be a part of at Gospel for Asia next year through the Push the Pedal mission project.  It even matches with our theme for VBS this year: The Race is On.

The kids are excited about raising money to buy a bike for a missionary in Asia.  This morning before coming to VBS one little girl was asking her mom about chores so that she could earn money to bring for the bicycle.  Another student today said that he had been saving up money for their vacation to Disney World, but they might not go, so he has lots of money that he can bring.  It is wonderful to see the generosity of children and share in their excitement.

Another great aspect has been the number of teachers we have involved.  Although our church is fairly small, we have lots of school teachers.  Most of them are involved in teaching or helping out with VBS.  It is great to see those talents used here as well.  As a teacher myself, it is also fun to use my teaching skills in a setting that is less formal than the classroom and incorporates a greater variety of ages.