Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

If you have never heard of this town then you haven't lived. Pretty much the final town before the never-ending nothingness that is northern Canada. Population 34,000. We drove for six hours across continuous prairies reading "war and peace." (no joke) 

We were attending the funeral of Wes' friend's mom, if that makes sense. He is a young kid and lost his mother, it was incredibly sad. Wes' friend Aaron was so fun to be with. We hung out before the funeral for a couple days and talked about life. He is a Christian and so devout. He loves Jesus more than anything and that hope really helped him through the pain of losing his mom. 

Aaron's family were incredible. They were living with their uncle, his wife and four kids while their mom struggled with cancer. His family has six also, so that was twelve people in one small house. The couple of days that Wes and I were there, they welcomed us as part of the family. Even though they had just lost their mother, they didn't know me, and they were so busy, they welcomed us as though we were family. Not even because they felt they had too, they genuinely wanted to get to know us and serve us the best they could. I could not believe it. 

I was thinking, how many people could actually tolerate living with their family in close proximity for long periods of time like that? And still welcome others with open, sincere arms? What a testimony of a faith that is put into action I thought. I am so grateful for Aaron and his family, and the lessons of compassion, tolerance, and values that they taught me by the way they live while I was there.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Congratulations Rachel and Wesley Proch!

Something Beautiful happened... And I saw it with my eyes... Rachel and Wesley got married to one another.

I was pretty stoked for them. It was perhaps the craziest month of my life. 50 gringos from all over the northern part of the continent coming to this little island in the Caribbean. I was exhausted after the wedding. 

I learned some things: Family and friends may be the most amazing existences in the universe, life must consist of more peace than we are used to in the USA, and I have two really hot sisters, only one of which is still single. (So I will have to work hard to keep her that way.)