Last weekend in Saskatoon

Last weekend I had the pleasure of taking a little road trip with my friend Jennifer to Saskatoon. Good company always makes a trip so much nicer! I also had the pleasure of staying with my good friends Lisa and Paul. It is always so good to see them and catch up a little bit. And of course there's the perk of getting to spend some time with my beautiful niece Cadence! I was so amazed by how much she has grown up! She will be 7 months on April 5th. Since the last time that I saw her she has changed a lot. I think that she has lost a lot of her "baby-faceness." I mean she is still very much a baby but she has grown up so much! It was great to see her smiling face as I walked in the door. She is a very happy baby with lots and lots of smiles to share with everyone. She seems to forget to smile as soon as the camera comes out. I think she gets distracted by it and wants to know what it is...and if you're a baby and you want to know what something is that means that you put it in your mouth of course! My Little Girl is definitely a people person and that makes me happy! So here are some of my favorite pictures from last weekend in Saskatoon...I took a lot!

Cadence in her super cute teddy bear jacket.

Look at that beautiful Little Girl.

I got to babysit Cadence for the very first time while Paul and Lisa were at a wedding on Saturday. This also meant my first time feeding her. I couldn't get that food into her fast enough! This picture seems to prove that I need to improve my aim.

After the trauma of having her face washed off she had some more great smiles to share.

I love this picture!

My Mommy and Me!

Cadence and her first piano lesson with her mommy.

This is a favorite of mine!

Beautiful in butterflies!

Here she is trying out her new car seat. I really expected her to look small in this big car seat but she doesn't look small at all. She looks so big! She really likes that thumb of hers!

And here we are Auntie Pamela and her Little Girl!

Last Weekend On Duty

This past weekend was officially my very last day of ever being on duty in the dorms! WOOHOO! Last year I was living in the dorm and working as a Residence Assistant or R.A. This year i decided against living in the dorm. I guess I wanted my own space. Student Life "asked" me if I would be in the rotation of Adult in charge for weekends. Really the asking part was only for the appearance of politeness. It was basically implied that I was expected to say yes. So anyway, every six weeks I got to be the adult in charge on campus...scary I know! haha. IO never really minded very much. It just meant that every six weeks I had a very exhausting weekend. One of my least favorite things about being on duty was planning activities. No matter what you plan the kids never seem to want to participate, and then they complain about being bored and having nothing to do...grrr! Anyway, this weekend I planned a snow sculpting competition, complete with prizes. Guess how many came out to participate...a whopping TWO! One of them being one of the R.A.s on duty with me. So my friends Nadine, Cassandra and I sculpted a ginormous (That's a Pamelaism) caterpillar. Cass named him LochnessSnowy...I'm not really sure why. It was a lot of fun and by the end we were soaking wet! When it was all over we enjoyed our prize as the undisputed snow sculpting champions. :)

Here is Nadine Rolling a ball of snow.

Cass was having a few problems.

I found I got more leverage this way.

Snow is surprisingly heavy!

Water and Food colouring in a spray bottle did the trick for giving some colour to our caterpillar.

Cass and Nadine putting on the finishing touches

You can see in this pic. how much water was sitting underneath the snow.

Here are the artists with their creation.

And here is the finished product!

Silkworm Pupa...Who Would Eat That????????

The other day I opened my kitchen cupboard to look for a can of soup and what should I see staring back at me but a can of Silkworm Pupa...You read it right folks, canned SILKWORM PUPA!!!! Right in front of the Cream of Mushroom Soup and the canned lentils. EEEEEWWWWW!!!!!

My roommate, Joyce just recently returned from a trip to South Korea to visit her sister. This lovely can of grossness came back with her in her suitcase. (Aren't there customs laws against that kind of thing??) Apparently she's saving them to share with her wall climbing buddies...I pity them, really I do!! Personally I don't even like the fact that they are in my cupboard...eeeww!!!!

I was so grossed out by the thought of eating one of these that I decided it was definitely post-worthy! I also decided to do a little research on these nasty looking things. Visit this link to see some cool pictures and read about the life cycle of the silkworm. I also discovered that silkworm pupa are apparently an excellent source of dietary protein...hmm, I can think of a million other ways to get my protein thanks! Apparently they are considered a nice snack in places like Korea...pass me a carrot stick! But interestingly enough, they are also used as fish food...I am not a fish!!!!

I also stumbled across a blog of some guy named Steve who is braver, or at least stupider than I am and actually ate one of these Silkworm Pupa. His silkworm pupa adventure is number nine in a series called "Steve, Don't Eat It." I warn you that he is a little crass but it is absolutely hilarious and in my opinion worth the read! There are also pictures of the contents of the can that is currently residing in my cupboard. Again I say, "EEEEEWWWWW!!!!" If you want some more laughter go ahead and read all nine of his nasty eating adventures. Some of them are even grosser than the Silkworm Pupa. Again I warn you that he is downright crude in some of them.

So even if I wanted to go wall climbing with Joyce and friends I'm going to be passing the next time they go because there is NO WAY that I would ever eat one of those things!!! I am interested to hear about what they think of them once they've tried them so maybe there will be a sequel to this post some day. So Nasty!!!

Where I've Been

Looking at this map I think about what a big world we live in. But at the same time since I've started traveling a little bit it amazes me just how small the world is. I know it's kind of contradictory! Different countries are so different! (Wow what an epiphany Pamela, I know!) I am enthralled by the diversity that exists in this world. I mean there are the obvious things like language, skin colour, and history but also there are so many different nuances of culture. Culture is something that I find fascinating! I have been blessed with the opportunity to experience a few different ones and for that I am extremely grateful!!!

The places in red on this map represent the different countries that I have visited. Some visits had a much longer duration than others but I have special memories of each place. I'm going to list them in chronological order of the first time I ever went to that specific place.

1. Canada - Born and raised! Unfortunately I have not seen as much of Canada as I would like. If they only colored red the places in Canada that I have actually been then Canada would look a lot less red!

2. USA - The first time I ever crossed the Canada-US border I was in Grade 12 and I traveled down to Montana with Western's high school drama team, Sonseekers, that I was a part of. It was a most exciting experience for me as it was my first time ever outside of Canada. Since then I have traveled to a whole lot of different states but the same is true of the US as of Canada, if only those states I had visited were in red then the US would not be quite so red. (This is also true for the following countries on my list) Perhaps in the near future I'll have to post a North American map with States and Provinces that I've been too.

3. England - My first time here was in the summer of 2000 on my way to the next country on my list. I was there again on my way home and got to do a little bit of sightseeing in London. The next time was in 2001 on my way to countries number 5 and 6 on this list. That year some of us left early so that we could spend I think 5 days running around London and surrounding area...great memories!!!!

4. Ukraine - In the summer of 2000 I went on my first Let's Start Talking (LST)project. This trip was my first time overseas and my first time flying. I spent 6 weeks in Kiev. It was a great experience and it really opened my eyes up to the world.

5. Finland - During the summer of 2001 I participated in my second LST project (see #6). Finland was supposed to be a short stopover on our way there and an overnight stay on our way back. It ended up being an overnight on the way there even though we really didn't want it to be. What an adventure! I did get to see some of Helsinki which was fun!!

6. Estonia - This was the destination of my second LST project. Tons of amazing memories! I still keep in touch with a handful of people from here which makes me happy!

7. Brazil - This country became my home for two years. I think my heart still lives there even though I am back in Canada right now. My first year I went as an LST intern and then ended up staying for a second year. I could write for an eternity about this place and the people I love there! I was back last summer for three months and Lord willing I will be taking an LST team there this coming June...Less than 3 months from now! WooHoo!!!!

8. Argentina - I visited Argentina while I was living in Brazil. We took a trip to see Iguaçu Falls which borders Brazil and Argentina. We went into Argentina on two different days. Iguaçu Falls is hands down the most beautiful place I have ever been to!

9. Paraguay - This was also during my trip to Iguaçu Falls. Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil all meet at what is called the Três Fronteiras or Three Borders. It was our last day at Iguaçu and we went across the border to Paraguay to do some shopping. The bus never stopped at the border so there is no proof in my passport that I was ever there. It felt kinda sneaky at the time.

I'm excited to see what the next country on my list will be. I have a good idea of which it might be and that it could be added to the list within the next 5 or 6 months. I'm waiting to see whether God continues to open doors or not. I'll let you know when I know.

What countries have you been to and which are most precious to you? What are some cultural experiences that you have had? What are some favorite memories?

Words of Wisdom to Live By Today

Proverbs 4:25-27

During my Spring Break I took what we at Western Christian College refer to as a block class. I've heard lots of names for them but basically it is an entire class smooshed into one week. The class I took was on Poetic and Wisdom Literature and was taught by a guest professor, Dr Paul L. Watson. It was a great class and I thoroughly enjoyed it, no matter how bitter I was that I didn't actually get a spring break.

We were given a class project to produce a volume entitled "Words of Wisdom to Live By Today." We are to collect, from our friends and families, sayings that provide wisdom for daily living. My class is then going to compile and arrange all of the sayings that we gather into a document that will eventually end up in WCC's library. I am putting a petition out to all of you, my friends in the blogging world, to share your words of wisdom with me as a comment to this post. These could be words someone close to you has shared with you or something that you have picked up along that way that has proven to be useful in your daily living. Do me a favour and tell your friends to come and share their words of wisdom as well. Thanks in advance for your help with this project. In closing I'll share a couple of Brazilian proverbs with you:

Curta que a vida é curta. Which, translated means, Enjoy every moment because life is short. I like this one because there is a play on words. The word curta means both to enjoy and short.

Se Correr o bicho pega, se ficar o bicho come. This one translated says that, If you run the beast will catch you, if you stay the beast will eat you.

The Road Up Ahead

This is a picture I took while I lived in Brazil. Salena and I were attending the annual missionary conference which was being held in a small city in the state of Rio de Janeiro. We took our car one afternoon and decided to go exploring with our friend Adrienne. We ended up on this road that led us out of town and into the middle of nowhere... a very beautiful nowhere I might add! The road was so narrow that we could not turn around u-turn style and so we had to keep driving until we found an approach on which we could make a 3-point turn and get going the way we had come from.

This photo has been on my computer's desktop for the last month or so. It reminds me of the journey that I am on. I am on a road and I'm not quite sure where it is going to end up on this side of heaven. Sometimes it is packed hard and is easy traveling. Other times the road is full of potholes that make for a difficult journey. The thing that is sometimes most disturbing about this road that I am on is that it is full of twists and turns that I can't see around. Sometimes I feel like I would like to turn around and go back the way that I came from but that is not an option on the road of life. The only direction there is for me to go is ahead, no matter how uncertain it may appear. Sometimes I would give just about anything to know what is around that upcoming bend before I get there. The only way for me to know is to just keep on traveling. I may not know what lies ahead but I eagerly continue traveling in anticipation of what I will find around the next corner. It is far from boring this road I am on! There is lots of beautiful scenery along the way and always a new adventure waiting around the corner. I can't help but wonder what I'm going to find up ahead in the next few months!

Homesickness in the Words of Allen Close

This morning I worshipped with the Northwest Church of Christ family on WCC's campus. This morning's service was the windup to Northern Light, WCC's Youth Rally. Brothers, Allen and John Close were the keynote speakers. Allen used to preach at my home congregation in Saskatoon. I didn't attend the weekend but I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to hear Allen speak. I've always enjoyed the authenticity and enthusiasm that Allen brings to his lessons. This mornings message was no different. What Allen shared was very much along the same line as my last couple of posts on homesickness for heaven. As I've written about homesickness I've tried to convey something that I think Allen put very clearly. "The closer we get to God the lonelier for him we become because we know that we can't fully be with him yet." Allen talked about how this loneliness is a good thing. Being lonely for God means longing to be with him. Allen prayed that we would all feel lonely for God. That is my prayer for myself and for all of God's followers that we would all experience a very real sense of homesickness/loneliness for our heavenly Father.

Ins and Outs of Blogging II

Did you notice the video??? Yeah, I'm moving up in the world!!!!! I told you all not to hold your breath for it but for those of you who didn't listen to me, and have managed to hold on this long without passing out, then go ahead and take a well deserved and much needed deep breath because I finally got it figured out! YAY!!!

Sorry, I can't help but feel a little tiny bit proud of myself. haha!

Homesickness II

The idea of being homesick for heaven has continued in my thoughts this week. It has come up in conversations with a number of different friends this week. It was suggested to me that we don't feel homesick for heaven in the way I feel homesick for Brazil because we don't have a physical picture in our minds of what heaven is like. I think in a way this is true. I have been to Brazil and I have a connection with it because of that. I haven't actually been in heaven and I so don't feel that same connection.

I also think that one of the biggest reasons for my homesickness for Brazil is the relationships I have with the people who are there. There are so many people there who mean so much to me! I won't even start to mention names because this post might never end. It makes me think that the reason I don't have that strong homesickness for heaven is that I haven't made my relationship with God a priority. Relationships require time to be formed and to be strengthened. I think my relationship with God is the same. I need to spend time talking to Him. I need to spend time listening to Him. I need to simply spend time hanging out with Him! I will be the first to admit that I don't spend as much time with God as I want or need to. I think that if I did then my homesickness for heaven would skyrocket to a level far surpassing my homesickness for Brazil!

A song that has been important to me this week as I have reflected over my homesickness for heaven is one entitled Homesick by Mercy Me. In this song the reason for being homesick for heaven is a relationship with someone who has already gone home. The longing to be with that person is manifested in homesickness for heaven rather than a desire for that person to be back on earth. It is a powerful song but again, I want my homesickness to stem from my desire to be with God and not for any other reason.

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you?

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbyes
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now