Walking in Eden

On Tuesday Marie and I biked onto the ferry and then visited Butchart gardens in Victoria, containing 55 acres of gardens! The bike ride and the gardens were beautiful. I was stuck by how much we, as human beings are drawn to beauty and how God created so much of it for no reason other than our enjoyment!

This voyage marked Marie and my final time to hang out as roomates. She will be missed as she voyages to the far reaches of the world to translate the Bible for others. So, much as this trip was filled with beauty there was also pain. It's odd how those two often go together....

Camping in Banff

After the wedding Marie and I went camping in Banff. We had a great time hiking, relaxing and checking out the wildlife.

Lake Louise was a bit dissapointing!

Hiking on snow?

Road trip!

This weekend, Marie, Josh and I drove to Edmonton for my cousin Andrea's Hawaiian wedding where we met the rest of the family. We went to the play West Side Story where my cousin did a very good job of being one of the Jets, went shopping in the mall, went to the water park, danced till the wee hours of the morning at the wedding and even attended my Uncle and Aunts 25th anniversary. It was a fun filled weekend!

Our first family picture in 2 years! Getting 7 people to look good in front of the camera is no small feat!

Driving, driving and more driving....

Cousin's + Marie (we just adopted her as a cousin!).
The Wisselink gang - minus a few.

Josh doing what he does best.....


Can you tell who is who?

For all the Mothers on Mother's Day

"I thought that one day I would be a famous artist and create great works of art. Instead, God made me a mother, and my children are His masterpiece. The design of their lives will live on after me. What is painted on their hearts will last an eternity." - Anonymous

Camping on Orcas Island

This weekend we went camping at Orcas island. It was great to get away, relax and rejuvenate.

Did you meet God today?

I have a wise friend who often asks this question.

I met God today, it happened in clinic. A husband and wife came in with their two boys. However, as we talked I discovered that parts of their family were missing. There were 3 more children who had never lived to see our world, who would never know their parents voices or feel the touch of sun on their faces. They asked if they could hear this new baby's heartbeat. Gently, with much trepidation we listened, first with no reward but finally with the distinct beat of 12wk baby, 150 times in one minute. Her eyes filled with tears as she contemplated the wonder, and beauty of a little human inside of her. As I turned to put my stuff away I noticed her husband standing in the corner, tears rolling down his face, overcome by the miracle that had transpired right before our eyes.

I saw God today, did you?

The Impact of One Life

A little over a month ago Josh moved to Langley. What a gift it has been to have him here. I've learned that you can make everything "funner", higher, faster, longer, harder.

My muscle's often ache from our workouts and the "drop and give me 70" or "How many more...?" "Till you can't do anymore." I've learned what burpie's are and I've learned to breathe out of my nose while running.
We're spent hours shopping together, the other day Josh stated, "hey, I bought that with you, most of the clothes you wear I bought with you.......and most of the clothes I wear you bought with me - my visa statement will atest to this.
Practicing for worship doesn't just consist of Josh on the drums and me on the guitar, it eventually turns into a beat box fest. Yes, I'm learning....I'm not as good as him but I'm getting there.
I've learned to drive with the windows wide open and "the beat" blaring.

You don't just push a stroller, it turns into a big truck and chases screaming laughing toddlers. We've also spent a lot of time cooking - and I must say. He's well on his way to becoming a great chef.

I feel like I've re-entered the world of grade 8 where what people think, style and the number of "cool" friends you have makes a huge difference and I'm thankful I'm not there anymore.

Yet, I'm amazed over and over by the maturity and perception that Josh posseses, displayed over the countles hours we've spent talking about life, the world and how we can make it a better place.
So, Josh, thanks for pushing me out of my comfort zone, for forcing me to grow, for letting me enter the world of a grade 8er and for teaching me to go higher.