Where's ...Mr. Brown?!??

When I'm not enjoying country cruises, lightening storms, and being amazing at Etch-a-sketch (-ing?), I work at a coffee shop in a neighbouring town. My co-worker and I have decided that the town we work in is very much like Starshollow from the T.V. show Gilmore Girls. The reason we have come to this conclusion is due to all the quirky people who either work with us (including ourselves) or come in for coffee and a bite. Mr. Brown, Margarita Chicken Man, The Muffin Man, Luigi , and Yellow Jacket Staring Lady to name a few. This turns what could be mundane into a whimsical, hilarious place to be. Mr. Brown comes into the shop every week day around opening (6:30am) and leaves just before the lunch rush; he and The Muffin Man have become friends and will now sit at adjoining booths so they can talk while they enjoy their breakfast. On Monday, Mr. Brown's nephew came into the shop and asked my co-worker if she had seen him. The nephew went on to tell her that every once in a while, Mr. Brown will go M.I.A. for a few days and no one will know where he went. This started a whole new mystery with an air of excitement for us behind the counter. Where does Mr. Brown go??

Speak to me

A few months ago I joined a photography group through my church. The goal was to learn how to take better pictures, meet people from the church I would not normally get to meet and study the Word together. Our group decided to do a silent auction fund raiser for a community centre a bunch of churches in our area have worked together on. We submitted some of our photos, the one above is one  I submitted. Tonight was our group wind-up. As we sat around the camp fire, one of the women in the group said that she had seen my photo on the wall of one of the businesses in town. A business that builds homes. The man who bought the photo told my friend what God spoke to him through this picture...(this is in the words I remember from my friend so it is not the exact words or message, but it gives you a picture).

He said that a couple designed and built a house. They made it their home and raised their family in it. Eventually the kids grew older and moved away and the couple grew old and eventually passed away. Over the years, the house became worn and dilapidated and it looked a little depressing. The man said that it was kind of a hopeless picture; until he noticed the beautiful golden field surrounding the house. He said that God told him that He was still at work doing good things even in the midst of things that may look hopeless. God is always at work.

This was a unique and special message for me to receive about this picture. I had not looked for a message in this photo when I took it..let alone most of the other ones I have taken. What a beautiful reminder that God is always at work and to keep listening for His voice in all things!

Some photo's from travels..

Camp Qwanoes

 Reinfeld

 Saltspring Isl.

 Camp Qwanoes

 Winkler

 Mystic Beach

 Crofton

 Caracas, Venezuela

 Venezuela

Sun flowers..

These pictures were taken a few summers ago...can't wait to take some more photos of these pretty things this year!

Bitter sweet farewell

Last night I went to sleep to the sound of seals barking for the last time. While at the Breakwater this morning, I breathed in deep trying to remember the smells of the ocean. It was a clear day and I could see the mountains in the States; so far away, but still making me feel so small.

At the moment, I'm sitting in the Victoria International Airport waiting to board a plane to Calgary Alberta. I have spent an accumulative total of about 31 months on Vancouver Island over the past 6 and a half years. It has started to feel a bit homely here and I wouldn't mind living here once again if God calls me back. I didn't say a lot of good byes. I avoided them like the plague. Maybe there's this feeling deep down that if I don't say goodbye I'll see you much sooner and it will be like we've never parted ways. But I won't admit that :)

Tonight I land in Calgary to be picked up by my brother. Tomorrow we drive to Fernie to meet up with Ty to shred the hill for a day. It's been over a year since I last spent time snowboarding and boy oh boy am I excited!! Tuesday morning Jordan will drop me off to catch my morning flight to Winnipeg and thus starts my search for a summer job. Yay! 

I'm looking forward to being back in Manitoba for this while as I prepare for my next big adventure. To see Mandi and Jas's new baby, family weddings, catching up with high school friends, hiking in the Pembina Hills, driving on dusty old dirt roads, being able to see my destination from 15 minutes away, going to the Motocross races to cheer on Chris, Richard, and Scott, and drinking in the smell of Manitoba rain. Once this all has been accomplished, Lord willing, I'll be off  to Australia!!!!! Something I've wanted to do for so long and now finally it's really happening! I can't wait for this new adventure to unfold!

the Boat Song

a wee bit of an update...

It's been a while..

Much has happened since my last brief post. I enjoy lists so point form here we go!

- I finished work at camp on Feb.29

- I've been house sitting in the mill town by camp since some time before that.

- I booked my ticket back to Manitoba, but not without a stop over in Calgary to visit my brothers Jordan and Tyler and spend a day snowboarding in Fernie!
- Tara came to visit for a week and a few days which was both a retreat and a blessing.

- Oh and did I mention that my couple month visit to Australia has been extended to a year! (whoot!)

Other than that I've been doing my best to keep busy whilst I'm not working this month. So far I have managed to bake my first ever successful loaf of bread (without help), I also made muffins, cookies, pizza dough, and am open for suggestions too! Having time to think, read, write, take pictures, and just be has been good but it does come with a learning curve. That's all I've got for now. Until next time..