Sandman Hotel Red Deer

... was all based on frontier missions, i.e. going to those places of the world who've never heard about God. Now I (and I think most of my group) dont really see ourselves going to some far flung country to spread the gospel, but there were some great speakers with some really great ideas. The main point that came across is that we're blessed so that we can be a blessing to others- so that<br>blessings flow through us. It's going back to the idea of us ...

Ruth and Gorden's 50th was a great time with family and friends. <br>Boundry Ranch is beautiful.<br><br> We left Boundry Ranch in the PM and stopped in Calgary and had a short put sweet visit with Albert and Mieke. Then drove to Red Deer to overnight with Don and Lois

... seems to have an oil pump in one of his fields. Near Joffre (and other places) are big petrochemical refineries.<br>I also spent a fair bit of my time trying to see a hummingbird which I finally managed. Nearly everyone in Canada has hummingbird feeders hanging off their porches or in trees and they fill them with a sugar/water mixture. They are so timy and quick and their wings are just a blur as they hover as they feed.

In our quest for the library, we stumbled upon the most beautiful city gardens! What a find in a roundabout way! Since Senica has a broken toe we cannot walk all over the town. I love how we found the highlights just a few blocks from the bus station!

... but the temperature this morning was -36C with a strong breeze that dropped the wind chill to a crushing -47C; brrrrr. The snow fell most of the night and I had to shovel through drifts as deep as 40 cm. Still the weather didn't stop me from walking into town for my dental appointment this morning

... for outdoor activities: ice skating, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, sledding, quadding... We arrived home last night, having been away eleven days, so my day began with shopping. Our fridge ...

... glow on the horizon. The only lights were the front porches of farmhouses and the occasional star. We passed through many small towns and one big one. Edmonton looked beautiful at night and the handful of people I met at the bus terminal were extremely friendly. I don't remember being there before but I would like to go again.

... sure that we stayed relatively near the city in case they needed to use their emergency ride home option. We arrived and decided on site #16 which we all agreed had the best view of the lake. After setting up our tents (the boys set theirs up all by themselves), it was time for Fishing 101. What a feeling to share one of my favorite pastimes with two of my favorite people. And even better was how enthusiastic they were ...

Feeling: Awesome Things i've noticed: Make sure you have some sturdy hiking shoes, with ankle protection and thick socks. Also if you are on a long hike it may be a good idea to take a long a comfy pair of sneakers for the long walk home after a big climb, as it took so long to get home after hobbling a long in my hard hiking shoes.. Last week Jason, Shauna, Stephen and I climbed Mt Rundle.. Please excuse that it's taken a week ...

... I eventually dragged myself out of bed, seriously considering the possibility of ditching the trip in exchange for a good Saturday of sleep. But I'd paid my 15 dollars bus fare, so I persisted. I walked out of the back door and was rewarded by my first Canadian snowfall. Snowflakes were dancing in front of my eyes, and a fresh blanket of powder covered the path which had been dangerously icy since my arrival. I jogged down to the bus stop ...