Only a matter of hours now...

Well, it's now Sunday, May 28, 2006. The day that I leave Calgary to move to Peace River. It's just after midnight, so there is still a while before we set out. I've been finishing up a few files to leave behind that have to do with Wilderness Camp...I thought I might get one done, but I managed three, so that's good - only two more to do later.

Shortly I will shut down my computer and pack it up...not quite yet though. I've also got to clean my bathroom and pack all the stuff in there.

We rented a U-Haul trailer today, and it is completely packed. There are still more boxes, but they will easily fit in the van.

I went to youth group this evening one last time. We went bowling and out for ice cream. I enjoyed it. Only 7 people came for bowling, so a lot of people were missing, but those of us who were there had a good time.

In the morning I've got two church services, then we're out for lunch. After that we'll come home, get changed and pack the rest of the stuff in the van. Once that's done we're off to St. Albert. We'll spend the night there and drive the rest of the way up on Monday. We should get to Peace River shortly after lunch time, which will give me several hours to unpack the trailer and van and get my stuff into my new place. Then my parents should be headed back to Calgary on Tuesday. I think I'm starting my job on Tuesday or Wednesday, I'll have to talk to Major Compton when I get up there...we didn't really decide on that.

It's really hard to believe that it's so close now!!

Next post coming to you from the land of the Mighty Peace!!

Some of the stuff that needed to go in the trailer today... 

...more of the stuff to go in the trailer...but there was more inside. 

Sound familiar...?

I was surfing a few blogs and came across this entry written by a Salvationist in Europe (I think Latvia...maybe Sweden). Check it out...and more of his blog - lots of interesting posts...

More than a journal entry...

Okay, so most of the time I just post about what's up in my life and stay away from deeper, more serious thoughts...but I'm having a tough time sleeping tonight...lots of thoughts going through my head right now...so I thought I'd actually write some of it out.

So, one of the the things I've been thinking about is my 9 months in Australia/USA. I absolutely LOVED those 9 months. I was challenged far beyond anything else I've done. I grew in ways I never expected to. I met people I'd never have expected to meet. I learned things that can't be taught in a classroom. It was such an amazing experience. I visited the website for the school (www.salvos.com/sfyl) and was checking out the newsletter that we, as students, put together. As I read over it and reflected on some of the memories that it brought up, I was reminded of some of the things I learned, and it renewed some of the desires that were first stirred in my heart at the time of various events.

And in reflecting on those past experiences and lessons, I started to think about the things I'm going to learn and experience in the next while. The lessons of living away from home, the lessons of a new job, the lessons of a job that exists to serve hurting and needing people... And while the prospects are daunting and sobering, they are also in another way rather exciting. I consider it an absolute honour that there are people who believe that I am capable of doing a good job with the task that I am being entrusted with in taking on this job. I also am determined to do my best to live up to the faith they are putting in me.

Another thing that has been on my mind while I've been packing and cleaning is the question of how many of my friends in Calgary will I keep in touch with when I leave. Of all the friends I've had in the different places I've lived in during my life I've only managed to keep in touch with one to date. I've kept in touch with others for a year or two after leaving, and I've re-established contact with a few years later, but my friend Debbie from Ottawa is the only person I've actually kept in touch with for more than a few years. It's been nearly six years since we left Ottawa and Debbie and I still keep in touch. And so, I wonder how many of my friends here I'll keep in touch with down the road. I don't really anticipate moving back to Calgary (though who knows what'll happen in the future), but coming back to live certainly isn't in my plans at this point. I'll come back to visit for sure, but that definately isn't the same. I'll guess I'll have to see what happens.

One of the challenges that I'm looking forward to is finding new friends in Peace River. One of the great advantages of my current church is that I have friends who are my age who share my faith...but this is also one of the disadvantages, because I really haven't had to find non-Christian friends, and so I've become very immersed in "the bubble" that is church. It isn't that I haven't wanted to get out and do stuff to put me in touch with the "outside" but I've been lazy and been satisfied with the easy route of the statis quo. But the church that I'm going to in Peace River is much smaller than my current church, with a congregation that is largely "older." That means I'm going to look elsewhere for friends...and I'm excited about that...how sad. But we, as Christians, were never intended to live in seculsion, and I admire those who have managed to avoid this...good onya Brothers and Sisters.

Well, it's now nearly 3am, and I still very much awake...

I don't really have much else to write at the moment, so I guess I'll conclude this hear.

Until next time...

My room cleaned and rearranged...I even scrubbed the walls... 

New location for the bed. 

Temporary computer setup for a day or two. 

For sale...

Hey all, this is mostly for my Calgary friends...

I bought a new computer a while ago, but I still have my old computer. I'm looking to sell it quickly. Price is negotiable. Here's what's included...

- custom built system
- 1.8 GHz processor
- 256 MB RAM
- 80 GB HDD
- 1.44 Floppy Drive
- DVD-ROM
- CD-RW (needs setting up)
- 5.1 surround sound card
- Windows XP Home
- Mouse
- Keyboard
- 17" flat tube monitor
- assortment of software
- two speakers
Some setup might be required

If you or someone you know might be interested feel free to e-mail me at listowel1984@gmail.com.

Take care all.

The walls are looking pretty bare. My bookself and night table are out now... 

...and so is my desk. 

JR having a nap. 

JR just waking up from a nap. 

Appliances, TV, DVD's, and more all being packed to take up the Peace River. 

Boxes everywhere... 

...more boxes. 

My room as things continue to be packed. 

My room is a complete mess right now...haven't quite got to the cleaning yet. 

Packing, cleaning and saying goodbyes...

Well, it is definately starting to look like I'm moving. The vast majority of my stuff is now packed. The hide-a-bed, bookshelves and some of the boxes are now sitting in the garage waiting to be loaded onto the U-Haul on Saturday. I've got a bit more to pack (computer, some clothes, etc.), but a lot of the work is done. Then I have to clean of course.

Yesterday I had to say my first good-bye. Alicia and I spent the morning and early afternoon at Heritage Park. The weather was a little against us, but we had a good time just hanging out. It was weird saying good-bye when we parted though, since we haven't gone more than a couple of weeks without seeing each other for several years, and the last time we didn't see each other for a couple of months was before we really became best friends.

Another Announcement...

Just to let all the Calgarians know in advance. I passed my road test today, so I'm a licensed driver...stay off the road for the next week until I move up the Peace River.

A Special Announcement!!

I am very excited (and sad) to announce that I will be moving at the end of this month. I shall be leaving beautiful Calgary to head north to Peace River, Alberta. I have accepted a position there as a Community and Family Services Worker with the Salvation Army. The initial, somewhat vague offer came a week and a half ago and I have been working out details ever since. Last Thursday I received the formal, more detailed offer over the phone from the man who is to be my new boss.

Sunday evening my mother and headed north to visit the town on Monday. I met Majors Harvey and Emma Compton, who I will be working with up there, as well as saw where I will work, the church I'll attend, and toured around the town. We were also able to arrange for somewhere for me to live, at least for the first while.

I finish working at my current job on Friday, which will give me a week to finish my preparations, spend time with friends and family, and get a bit of down time before I go up.

If you want to know some more let me know and I'll gladly e-mail you.

Take care everyone and keep in touch!!

IT'S MAY!!! I LOVE THAT THOUGHT!!

Okay, so I've got a couple of things to update on. I'll start with last week...

Last Tuesday the weather was beautiful, so in the afternoon I decided to go for a bike ride around the Glenmore Reservoir, which usually takes around 45-50 minutes. Below are some pictures. However, that short ride soon became much longer. As I was coming towards the end of the ride, I passed the turn off for another pathway, which I've never taken. I decided to follow it. I ended up riding right downtown, pushing and pulling my bike up a hill that was clearly not intended for bikes in order to get out of a valley that I didn't want to be in...and I really didn't want to turn around, since I had been biking for three hours by that time...so that was challenging. (The process went along the lines of me climbing the hill, dropping off my camera and phone at the top, going back down, then I would hook my arm around a tree, drag my bike up to that point, then I'd grab onto another tree and then pull my bike up to that tree, and so on. The ground was covered in loose dirt and leaves and I just couldn't hold my ground without using the trees.) So after doing that for about 30 minutes, I reached the top of the hill, and got my bearings. I then figured out how to get home and started. The entire trip ended up taking over 4 hours...fun, but exhausting...not to mention dehydrating (I had water for a 45 minute ride).

Okay, so not much else happened last week that is worth mentioning. I just worked most of the time.

So, an update from today. Today my parents and I went with my aunt and a mutual friend of my parents and my aunt to the mountains. We drove out to Field, B.C. A town of about 200 people in the Kicking Horse region. We had a delicious lunch there. I had a Bison Club Brisket (or something like that). Very good!! We also stopped in Banff for a short time to see the Banff Springs Hotel, the Banff Springs Golf Course and to go in a great candy (lollies for my Aussie friends) shop.

When we got home I found a letter offering me a seat in the program I'd applied for last week. So that was exciting. I've got one other thing to look into before I put in my tuition deposit, but I'm glad to know that I have that option for September.

So things are good right now!!

Take care all!!

The view overlooking the Weaselhead Nature Park from North Glenmore Park just down the street from my house. You can see the bridge that I will cross shortly in the middle of the picture. 

The pathway bridge that crosses the Elbow River. That's my bike...I love cycling. 

Looking along the Elbow River towards the Glenmore Reservoir. 

A little pedestrian/equestrian bridge. 

The Elbow River approaching the Glenmore Reservoir. 

Looking ahead along the path. 

This little path runs off of the main path around the reservior. Bikes aren't allowed along here, so I had walked down to take a look. I saw several squirles. It runs right down to the edge of the water. 

This is taken from the path that runs around the reservoir, the building on the left side of the picture is the Rocky View Hospital. The pathway runs right behind the hospital. There are several benches for patients to sit on that overlook the reservior with mountains in the distance on clear days.