Cuties!

We had gift exchange with my Dad's side of the family on Saturday. I have to say, I do have some very cute cousins..or rather 2nd cousins....or 1st cousins once removed...whatever! They're cute....whatever they are.

Some more pics....

And here's me making a fool of myself again (charades at my place)
My friends have special finger talents!
A couple friends (Tim and Paul) playing twister with my landlord's kids (Emily and Sarah)
Jo was in a Christmas play with her church this year, which we all went to see (me, Jen, Jo and Jess)
They make things big in Alberta...check out this soup can!

Done like dinner!

I can now officially say that I have survived a week consisting of 6 intense exams! And I think I passed all of them....yayyyyy! I am back in Vancouver (or rather Langley) now and I feel as though I have 2 homes. On one hand, I feel like I'm visiting but when I see old friends and family I feel back at home. But when I think of those I've become so close with already in Edmonton, I feel as though I'm away from home. Who knew they could be torn between 2 places so soon ?!

Just for something random...right now I am listening to a singer with a beautiful voice called Diana Pops. She is a home grown Canadian artist who has just released her first cd in the last year (or maybe two?). Anyways, I HIGHLY recommend her. If you get a chance...look her up, especially if you're in a mellow mood.

Anyways, I thought I should actually introduce my friends if I'm going to chat about them on here....
So this is Jen and Jo (from left to right)...I'm sure they are going to love the fact that I put this pic of them up here...haha!
And a nice pic of all of us...
How can you tell we get alot of snow? I'll take it over rain any day.
My first masterful creation since I got here...and probably the last time I make this particular item in school. It tasted awesome but I decided it is definately not a student food. #1 - it's expensive #2 - time consuming...so maybe again when I actually have money!

3 down...3 to go!

I don't think I've ever had to do 6 exams in one week before! That may sound lame..but they've all been spread out before so this is definately a new experience. The first 3 have gone ok....I think! I can't say that I aced them, but I'm pretty sure that I will be carrying on to the second semester of physio school. It's really hard to believe that I can now say that I only have 2 years left until I can practice as a physiotherapist! It's been really cool to see how God has been working in my life in the last 4 months. It's amazing what He can do, when we're out of our "comfort zone". I have to say, the only way I've made it through the last couple weeks without losing my sanity is through the help of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am starting to really appreciate the verse that says, "Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Phillipians 4:6)

Well, "home time" is in.....3 days!! I'm soooo excited...but have sooo much studying left to do, so unless I somehow manage to get throught a whole semester's worth of notes for 2 courses between now and flying home...this will be it until the holidays.

Merry Christmas everyone! If I know you from Edmonton, I hope you have an awesome Christmas break! And if I know you from back home, I hope to see you soon and hopefully we can catch up!

For everyone...happy holidays and I pray that if you don't know Jesus Christ personally, that you will be able to find true peace (found only in Him) this Christmas!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him, will not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:16

I love you, Lord.

Magnificent, Holy Father,
I stand in awe of all I see.

Of all the things you have created,
Still you choose to think of me.

Who am I that you should suffer,
your very life to set me free?

The only thing that I can give you
is the life you gave to me...

This is my offering, dear Lord.

I give you this offering,
for it's all I have to give,
because you gave your life for me.

Third Day

Oops!

sorry guys! Can't get those pics to show up properly...maybe next time.

Anyone want to move to Alberta?

Well, these sights definately changed my view of Alberta and I'm sure they'll change yours as well!


You can see sunsets in Lac la Biche...

...green prairies somewhere between Lac la Biche and Edmonton

You can go to Venice and never leave Canada!

...see More great sunsets at Lac la Biche!

hang out with wonderful people such as Mr. and Mrs. Williams...

...and the Connor's Hill young adults group

You can go running on the River Valley Trail...

...and skating on this pond during the winter

...and go to this school!

Pictures

What a nice break!

So I'm just finishing up my midterm break for the fall semester...it was so nice to procrastinate and take a good long break from doing homework. This is what my weekend consisted of....going with Diane to her Discovery Toys (kinda like Pampered Chef but with Toys) party at Marlayna's (a woman from the Connor's Hill Gospel Hall). Marlayna has some very cute pics. This is she and Connor and Connor with Jolene.

Then on Saturday, going to the rodeo (which you saw pics of already), Sunday - the Lord's supper in the morning, lunch at Jo's, a Gospel Meeting and the young adults over here after. Nice!


On Sunday morning, I was really impressed with the way in which Christ can relate to us because He truly was human. In John 11 there are 5 phrases that show this:
"Jesus heard"
"Jesus loved"
"Jesus came"
"Jesus saw"
"Jesus wept"

These are things that we all experience and this was specifically to do with the death of His good friend Lazarus. It reminded me of the verses
"For we have not a high priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tested like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:14-15 What an amazing God we have!
Monday consisted of finishing a project - ahhhhh what a good feeling! And then taking it easy and going to Jen's for dinner with Jo, where we had yummy stir fry and an interesting fondue fiasco! Pictures later! :) The evening turned into a guitar jam session, a time for chats about the ways the Lord has worked in our lives and prayer for each other and friends. Both Jen and Jo have been such awesome friends and have motivated me to have a deeper love for my God. And today...ahhh today, breakfast with Jo, a Dr's appointment, tobagganing/snowboarding with Emily and studying (finally!) The last couple days it has been snowing on and off and it's already starting to feel like Christmas! Here's my place with a good amount of snow...and apparently there's more to come..yayyyyy

I'm being countrified...

So this week, other than school, and usually activities included going to a Paul Brandt concert and a the Canadian Finals Rodeo! James...I know you're jealous..so you'll just have to move here and come with me next year. Both were somewhat spontaneous. There was a seat sale for Paul Brandt and I love his voice..not too much twang...good lyrics and it was at the Winspear theatre, one of the nicest accoustic venues in Edmonton. Score! The rodeo was on invitation. A couple of Jo's friends from her church invited her and I got to be the tag along. So you can feel like you were there..(sort of!) I've included a few pics!

Research & comedy?

So I am taking a research methods course right now, which is soooo dry, but I have to give a hand to a group in my class yesterday who actually made it amusing for me! Just imagine being in a dry lecture, when a guy gets up, puts his finger under his nose (which incidently has a moustache drawn on it), starts talking in a Southern drawl and introduces other students who are "researchers from Germany, France and China". Anyways, they proceeded to give the rest of their presentation with full out accents. Hilarious! The funny thing was that they were good at it... Yes, the things we do to make our days interesting..haha

Quote of the day

"I wish I could have been there, to see you make footprints on the sea.
I wish I could have been there, to see you Jesus face to face."

- unknown

Welcome!

Well, here we go everyone! I am almost 2.5 mos into Physio School and things are a combo of stressful, challenging, exciting, nerve wracking, cold, expensive, fun, comfort zone breaking, spiritually uplifting, and a bunch of other things rolled into one. I technically should be going to bed right now or studying for an exam tomorrow....buuuuuuut I am learning to not take everything so seriously. If I know the material, what's the point in being anxious? So this will be a combo of pics of my adventures here and a few notes here and there. I hope you all are visual learners to a certain degree because I think that will be main way of sharing with you! And to all of you who were worried about the cold for me....it's actually not that bad! I have to say that so far I'm loving winter. The snow is beautiful, it's crisp in the mornings and we can do things like cross-country skiing and skating on ponds! Not that we have done it yet, but the potential is there! Anyways, here are a few pics for you to take a look at. I'll try to post them in order from the beginning of September. Have fun!






So the kids above are the ones I'm living with. They are Emily, Sarah and Matthew. So far we've had some fun experiences going for walks, making movies and having tickle wars. Yup, I can definately say that I want kids....at some point (just not right now! :) Good night all.