Guatemala here we come ... again

The Countdown is on!
This week Tina and I are off to visit the staff and students that will be joining us in Guatemala. They are currently in their first semester of study. We will meet them down at Cultus Lake.

We will leave for Guatemala at the beginning of January and the students will be arrive a few days later.

Reflections from the Rock

Time is flying far to fast. It was 3 weeks ago already that I was invited by Layne to go rock climbing in Squamish. Yes, it was amazing!!!
Now, I have not done a lot of rock climbing before - an hour in a gym here or there, or an afternoon struggling up some rock face - usually without proper footwear. This weekend blew all of my past experience away as we climbed for ~6hrs/day for three days on some of the best rock around. It was hard, it was exhausting, my fingers nearly bled, and it was so good - fun, exhilarating.
Here are a few things that I learned

• It is ok to look failure in the face - 2 things could happen: 1. Good lesons and skills are learned in the trying 2. You suceed where you did not think it possible.
• I am stronger / more capable than i think i am. What you think is beyond your limits is often within you limits.
• So good to have a friend to push you - call you to something higher (thanks Layne!)

September Road Trip

It actually began in August and it was an awesome trip. What trip isn't when you get to visit so many good friends and have such great experiences. We started with a drive to Vancouver Island where we hiked the Juan de Fuca trail for 4 days with Wes and Jodie, and Chad and Lyn. Awesome time walking the coastline - taking in the great scenery and visiting.
Following the hike we were able to connect with friends and family in Nanaimo, and Vancouver before hitting the road again.
Our final destination was Winnipeg - along the way we stopping overnight in Calgary where we caught up with my sister and in Caronport where we saw the Matthies! We made a final push to Winnipeg (and yes the Volvo did great the entire time!) where joined the Outtatown Discipleship School's leadership team for 5 days. While in Winnipeg it was so good to reconnect with returning leaders and get to know the new ones, as well as friends in the city. We had fantastic times of solid work and discussion in the board room and times of team building play outside. The time flew and then we were on the road again!
Back through Caronport, then on to Saskatoon, Camrose (Tom and MA moved there while we were in Winnipeg), and Edmonton were we connected with Kev, Shan, and the kids.
...
I think that we have decided that we have multiple homes across the country. Places where we have beautiful people / community. We love you all!