Upon returning to Canada, i was greeted with the biting cold that saskatchewan winters offer consistently every year. My dorm room is usually pleasantly warm, however since i've been back, i've been experiencing difficulties with the heat flow into my room. What once use to be a safe haven for me to return to after running 150 feet from the ad is now not so. But, I shouldn't complain. at least i have a place to go, and even though its not my prefered tempterature of 25 degrees, it is still an adequately comfortable 17 degrees.

Honestly, since returning from India, I have been noticing over and over again how blessed i am. God has provided for me "everything I need"- a loving family, food, clothing, shelter and friends. what more could i ask for? And yet, I still complain when the shower isn't exactly hot enough, or when the water pressure is low. or when someone doesn't flush the toilet. At least we have a shower. and a toilet with running water!

This weekend was Youth Advance, where tons of youth come and expereience what bible school life is like, and hopefuly learn to pursue a relationship with God more intensely. We had a phenomenal speaker, and a great time of singing and worship. we were challenged to dream big and think outside the box... (as the theme was "unboxed") To pursue a life after God and dream big! anyway, I'm back to hit the books, I hope you all are doing well. i don't know who's still reading this thing, but i'll try to continue updating as the year goes on.
Please pray for healing, i'm still sick from India and would love to be able to feel better soon! thanks!

more of India

Sorry this is so late... but i'm still processing!

Well India was amazing. where do I start? Between running with 15 people through platforms of train stations and getting hugged and jumped on by tons of street kids, it was a crazy trip. I was told that my experience would be much different than anyone else's, and that i shouldn't tell people "how it is in India" because it's really diverse. So true! I had heard so much about it, and nothing even came close to how i experienced it.
I was so amazed with how many people there were EVERYWHERE. and how the woman were treated and looked at; How the store owners would shoe street children away by slapping them on the head; and the look in the eyes of a child who is grateful to be loved by someone... even if its just some strange white person from Canada.
Honestly, it was a great experience, but at the same time, heart-wrenching. I wish I could do more for those people. Somehow, spending time teaching english and playing games with street kids just didn't seem enough. part of me wanted to just take some kids home with me. I was also amazed at the power of God. We shared our testimonies in people's houses (or shacks) and many people became christians. I never knew how thirsty those people were to hear about Jesus. it was overwhelming.

Thanks for reading... i'll update more as my mind continues to debrief and process!

Delhi, India

I only have a little bit of time here, so i'll make it short. we're here, it's amazing, this is what has been going on so far:

I am working with street children here, and its soooo hard to see them. they live on the streets, but cant be put in an orphange, because they have parents. they're parents just dont care about/for them. its so sad. we play games with them and teach them english. its amazing how much respect they have for us.

One crazy expereince was the trip to and from the Taj Mahal... it was a nice place, pretty to take pictures. but i was mostly impacted by all the people in the streets. the market place was crazy. we have to be super careful when walking anywhere in public, not to make eye-contact with the men. (otherwise they might think its appropriate to approach us). But what i love the most is looking into the eyes of the women. they love it when i smile at them, and they giggle and smile back. While waiting in the train station to get back to Delhi, we had a bunch of begging children come up to us and hang around for a long time till the train came. It just broke my heart seeing these kids, not being able to do anything to help their situation. sure we can give money or food... but this is their life. their everyday. It makes me feel extremely helpless knowing that in the long run, i can do nothing. but i can show them love. please pray for safety and health (I havn't gotten sick yet!) and for opening of hearts!

until next time,
see ya!
(pictures will follow when i get home)

I have not disappeared...

To those of you who thought i might have disappeared off the face of the earth, fear not- i'm back. I tend to think that I have nothing important or interesting to write on my blog. However, for those of you who are not around me on a day to day basis, here are some pictures to update you on the happenings of my life:

Nerd Bowling

playing much volleyball

dressing up for halloween, (i was the paper-bag princess)

In honor of our upcoming trip to India- we dressed up for the christmas banquet!

Erin and I, shocked... but i don't know why.

So there you have it. I have been busy with all sorts of things, including homework. I am excited about the arrival of baby Gavin (see Kendall and Sabrina's blog) and the news of my own little niece or nephew coming in June! in terms of this semester-its been a rough one. But, God is good, and his grace is sufficient for me! Thanks to all who have prayed for my mother this last month, surgery went well and its good to be home now to help her around the house. speaking of....I better go make supper!

The "idea"

Seeing as I said that I would update you all on the happenings of my life...(and i haven't recently) you must think that nothing has been happening. Well, in reality, I have mostly just been working a lot, and not spending to much time adventuring. (is that a word?) Plus, facebook has been taking up a lot of my internet time. (blast that facebook!) Anyway, perhaps i should announce here in my blog the "plan" for the fall.. dum dum dum: I am planning on going back to bethany. I know, i said i would never. (three years in a row now!) I should have learned never to say never. lesson duely noted! How i came about this conclusion?? well, for the last two months i have been thinking about going into youth ministry, and feeling like that is where God has been leading. I have put a lot of thought and prayer into this decision, and I feel this is the new plan, (or "idea" as Nick B. likes to call it; seeing as we should never be planning for ourselves, but striving after what God has planned for us.) So, nothing is official or anything, and I'm sorry if you are finding out from my blog rather than in person, its not that i don't love you enough to call you and tell you in person...its just quicker this way. I'd love some feedback, questions, concerns, affirmation or not... This is your chance to speak directly into my life!!! lol. go for it. thanks for reading, sorry its been so long!

ps. here are some pictures for you're viewing pleasure: (a bunch of my friends giving the peace sign, and then the "small face" and the sitting on a bench at sunset pose.. I'm in the black shirt.. i got a hair cut)

working!!

I am officially working. yay! I'm working in a nursing home, which is amazing. Most of you probably already knew that, because i was talking about it lots before i moved back home. Anyways, I'm working in the theraputic recreation department. and its wonderful. One thing that constantly amazes me as i watch the residents is how much joy some of them have. And how a simple "hello" can just brighten up someone's day. I think about this in relation to the rest of my day, and how much of an impact I can have on someone; just with a smile or a caring look. So often we rush through everything trying to make it through each day... just to find ourselves at the begining of another day when wake up the next morning... instead of rushing, caring only about myself, I want to be intentional about taking time to stop. taking time to notice someone who's lonely/ in need of a friend. those are my thoughts. i'm out.

a woman by the name of "anonymous"

First, do you ever have those moments in your day when you have a conversation with a friend, and you walk away from that conversation feeling like you have been touched by an angel? I just had one of those moments... A good friend of mine, who is very far away at the moment, has been on my heart lately. For the sake of privacy, i won't mention her name. However, I really feel as though I need to write this. She has been going through a lot of stuff this last year, and has experienced a lot of hurt, rejection, and loneliness. I feel as though God has laid this woman on my heart lately, to pray for Joy in her life. I believe in the power of prayer, and I would really love to see God do something awesome in her life. If you would join me in praying for this amazing woman, it would be appreciated.

Second, I have not started work yet... please pray that I would have a job soon. I'm getting more bored and poor as the days go on.