Bubble Notes #47

I began to write this letter about a week ago, only to stick it into my drafts box, glance at it occasionally as I checked my email, and decide that, since I was having a permanent case of writers block, I would continue to postpone until I could entertain you lovely people to the best of my ability. Thus, now. I am sitting on my bed, which is one of 8 beds in a room that is about...15 feet by 10 feet. Clutter surrounds me on all sides, yet soft light makes the heaps of clothing seem much larger than they actually are. Though, since this room is occupied by females only, there is not yet a stench.

I'll backup for all of you who are confused about where I am, what I am doing and why I haven't been writing for the last month (your anger is justifiable, and I am sorry.) I am currently at Camp Bighorn in Montana (USA). Land of rushing rivers, green trees, brilliant beauty and constant laughter. I am working here as a summer staffer as a part of my Explore requirements, this entails everything from facilitating campers, to working in the kitchen, to leading raft trips to...well you name it. The past week and a half has been spent in summer staff training, and has been wonderful. These last 3 days I have spent on the river, which were incredible. I have missed the outdoors so much, so to be back in the wide open space, with sun, breeze and lack of smell is more amazing than you can imagine. Sorry, I don't have many pictures, but below is just a glimpse into what we do in our free time (and how it looks).

I am incredibly blessed. This next week we are beginning Day Camp (ages 4-8 approx), and I can't tell you what I'll be doing. Not because it is a surprise, but because I don't honestly know what I will be doing.

Please continue to pray for safety on the river, ropes and in general as we deal with a lot of fluctuating environments. Also, Tyler is planning on attending Explore this upcoming fall (WOOHOO!), but the job he had planned for this summer fell through and is therefore out looking for another job. Please pray that he would have patience and confidence as he searches for another job.

I would love to hear from you (really really.)

Blessings,
Beth

Bubble Notes #46

I have been home a week, covered 3 provinces, over 3000 kilometres, attended a graduation, a funeral and been emerged into the Canadian culture. I arrived home Friday the 27th, and found out enroute that my grandpa had died (it was expected). Thankfully my parents had arrived back to Calgary from BC (they were attending a leadership conference) an hour and a half before I arrived back. Since I made a mistake in communication (I assumed that my uncle would not be in Calgary to pick me up due to my grandpa dying, so I called Tyler to come pick me up, which piqued suspicion at my house), my parents figured it out about 30 minutes before I arrived home. The reaction was priceless, screaming, hugging, crying, a little bit of hitting for arriving home at such a time (my bad. haha). But life hasn't really settled down since then, the day after was Tyler's graduation (425 students), then his banquet, then the following morning mum, dad and I drove out at 5am to head to Manitoba (a 14 hour drive). The following day was the viewing, the following the funeral, and the following was my parents business in which I occupied myself by walking around Winnipeg (beautiful city). And then we drove back home on Thursday. This weekend hasn't held much, working in the garden, walking around, church. It has been lovely, busy, but good. Not much is happening this week; dentists, driving test, more banquets, rugby games, visiting some people, returning books, bathing suit shopping (that's a little more than I thought..) and other stuff that I'm sure I don't know about yet. But on Friday my parents are driving me, a fellow interning friend and Michael down to Montana so that I can begin my time at Camp Bighorn. I will be spending the summer down there as it is part of my Explore program requirements. Not much time at home (have I unpacked my bags from Asia? Psh. Do I need too?), but so far it has been wonderful. Below are some pictures of the pre-grad and graduation.


Can you find him? He's the one in blue.


We don't need a reason to party...but we don't mind one.


Dad and I all dressy for Ty's Grad banquet.


And for all those who are still living in South Asia. My biggest culture shock moment is below (driving to Manitoba, 90% of the 14 hour drive consisted of this. INSANE). I had forgotten how big, how green, and truly how empty (or rather, spacious) Canada really is.


Well friends, I suppose I should unpack some....maybe....maybe not.

Blessings,

Beth