A revelation of sorts

What an exhausting day! I'm very tired, today I had language class, met up with a new missionary here and we toured the Prague Castle today....quite the walk. I was on my feet pretty much the whole afternoon. It is quite the hike up to the castle, lots of stairs and incline. We walked through a couple of churches. They are absolutely stunning. They can take your breath away with the grandeur of the building and architecture. Your neck gets tired from looking up at the paintings and statues of these buildings. Then to stand there and look at the size of the building and picturing it being packed full of people. Now this wouldn't be a hard thing to do with all the tourists. However, what about those who are there for the purpose of why it was built in the first place. It was built for the purpose of people gathering together to worship God. What do we see this building as being now? A popular tourist spot, some are still free to go into, why does it cost anything to walk into a church??? This nation seriously needs revival! All of these big grand churches are empty. Empty spiritually and physically, not counting those who walk through there for the sights. I mean there are churches here, but with my church being at about 20 people and the building being shared with another church, just makes me ponder. What truly happened to Christianity that it would die a death to this extreme. Sure I know what happened through history, but seriously were there really only a few Christians who survived this? I know that Christianity is growing, but to think of going back generations just after Christianity just died off, how many would claim they were true Christians who are living by the word and worshiping the one true God. Was there just a handful? Obviously I do not know the answer to this, but these are questions that came to my heart and my mind today while walking around. Please share your thoughts.

Garlic!!!

Alright so we all know that I cannot read a lick when it comes to Czech. I went shopping the other day and saw to cheap chips and thought well I'll get them and try them out. I enjoy trying new things so why not I thought.I grabbed a bag of bacon flavour and another with garlic, thinking I like garlic. Well nothing like eating a clove of garlic a chip, OY that's strong stuff. Anyway, with the language stuff said, I'm half way through the first week now. I get frustrated and confused at times, but I know that it will make sense sooner or later.

*Note to self, stay away from the garlic chips lol!

Europe is where it is at

Here I write from Europe now. I am in the Czech Republic which was formerly known as Czechslovakia. It became its own country in 1993 if I remember correctly. The city that I live in is Kralupy and it is just outside of the capital Prague. As North Americans we often think of our downtown areas as old. That is an understatement, the towns here are near ancient it seems to me. The buildings look like they could crumble at anytime. Hopefully not though. The buildings certainly have a lot of character. The building that I live in is pretty stunning in my books. I live right above a copy shop in the downtown core which is also right beside the ministry space where I will be working. I use the same entry as the ministry space. I have a spiral staircase to walk up to my floor to which there are three apartments. My ceilings are high and I love it! My bedroom is painted blue and many blue accents have been added. Have a taste.

I also made a trip to Prague last week so that I will know where my language course will be. I took a few pictures there, but I'll just add the picture of me and the Prague Castle in the distance behind me along with another of me about to enjoy a Czech dish.

Oh so long!

This could be a long post as it has been oh so long since I wrote anything.

I leave in two short days to go to another country. I can't believe it and the reality of this adventure still hasn't sunk in. This is likely because I am not there yet. I was fine with it until today in my thoughts, today I have been all over the place with my emotions and I am sure that it is going to be even worse between tomorrow and Sunday. I am of course excited to go, but scared and apprehensive too. I don't know where my thoughts are as they are all scattered everywhere.

I have been home for almost a month now and the first two weeks back was mainly time with my family with spending Christmas with them and seeing many members of the family on all sides. I have enjoyed my visiting times very much. I also spent ten days between London, Cambridge and Kitchener. Through those ten days I saw many people and loved that as well. It was wonderful to be able to see so many people that I love and care about during the time back in Ontario. It was such a blessing and encouragement.

So if you think about it and see this before I travel to Czech Republic please pray for me. I have an apartment to call my own and am very excited to live in it. I have been told that I have a blue bedroom, which is something that I always wanted.

Blessings on all you readers.

Snow, snow, everywhere snow!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and I'm sure this one captures many.
Last night my class had their commissioning service. The weather did not cooperate with us very much. The snow just came pouring down along with nasty winds that would brush snow up your windshield. I know I don't drive, but I was riding along with two of my classmates when this happened. The roads weren't too bad, just corners and intersections. The snow was quite deep in places due to the snow drifts, but it does look pretty. I spent about an hour shovelling my walkway around the house and to the sidewalk, and the sidewalk. Some places taking three or four shovel fulls before finally hitting ground. Some spots were past my waist, which doesn't say much as I'm short haha. Last night after the commissioning service I had to shovel in front of my door at least to get it, the snow drift was up to the door knob. Again because I'm so short I wouldn't be about to leap over that haha.

Anyway, the commissioning service was rather small (due to the weather), though it was very good. I left feeling so blessed and encouraged by the message and the warmth of the Punjab people. Also four of us shared our testimonies and they were also encouraging. Then each of us were prayed for in a different language all down the line. It was amazing to say the least to hear just a few different languages in our world of thousands of languages. I can't believe that this semester is almost over and it will be time to be heading back to Ontario. I am looking forward to that but at the same time will miss the people that I have come to know and love here in Calgary.

A little adventure, in God's great creation

A few weeks ago I went to Banff with a girl from my program. I was in awe of the amazing moutains that took my breath away. We dressed for the weather in Calgary which wasn't too cold and there was no snow either. I brought my spring/fall jacket in case it was windy. When we were getting closer we saw that there was snow everywhere. Despite the cold and lack of proper winter wear we went for it a short hike. The snow and ice was beautiful, little did we realize that we would end up slipping and sliding everywhere. I am very thankful that we had railings to hang on to along the cliffs, or else I would have lost my friend! Ok, I slipped a little too, I admit it! Anyway here are some pictures for you to enjoy. Sorry that they kind of run into one another. I fought quite a bit with these photos. Some of God's creation at it's best!

Encouragement followed by discouragement

Although I sent out an email a week or so ago stating how encouraged I was. I almost did not last. Satan saw how happy and bubbly I was even though I was tired and weary.

As many of you know I am currently raising support for my first overseas missions journey that is to come in January. I am super excited to be able to serve God in this way. However, there are also those times when we should see what other missionaries are up to. So off I went to see missionaries that I know well and are serving in Saskatchewan. I was so encouraged and blessed to see them in action and the ministry that they have there as well. After the few days that I spent there I went on a retreat with fellow CrossTrainers past and present. This time was also wonderful and encouraging.

So what is so discouraging about that? Well I am struggling with my support raising, truth be told. This is not an easy task when you are out of province that is for sure. I am trying every tactic out there without making people feel bad and send me money out of pity. I am writing letters to hopefully encourage others and to ask for prayer. I am not coming right out and asking for money as I find that rather rude. haha. If a person is going to give they are going to give. I was happy giving this over to God, allowing him to full in the gaps in his timing. That said the mission agency I am going with kind of threw me a discouraging ball. I know where I am sitting as I keep on top of that so that I make sure that I send out thank you cards right away. They just said "you are at 40%, that's a great start." Now I know that this is not really discouraging words, but they were to me. I believe that Satan was taking the "high" away from me to gain a moment of joy over my feelings.

Please pray for me as I work through this dark moment. This too shall pass! Actually I received a yesterday (personal) and today (missions), so I know God is working at taking that glory away from Satan.