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July 21, 2009

Well we are back home. I always find it very interesting that no matter how long the vacation there comes a time at the end when you just want to go home.

There is great anticipation in the preparation and the early part of the travel. There is the fun and awesome connection with friends and family as the trip progresses. But at the end we just wanted to go home and get back to our regular life. (whatever that means)

It seemed that nothing much had changed when we returned. Our house had been left in pristine condition, thanks to Nancy White, and all we had to do was unpack. We did so and connected with our friends around the fire in the evening.

Monday morning dawned and we now realized the next season has started. For Mira this means much the same as she immersed herself immediately in prayer ministry.

For Glenn it is a little different. I do want to resume prayer ministry and must prepare and wait as God leads. This is a little scary because I'm not sure what it will look like. Will people actually want to see me again? Can I make this a viable vocation that produces income for me and my family? Am I listening to the Lord as I pursue areas of study and ministry or am I just following my own wants? These are questions that I ask myself.

I would ask for your prayers as I continue to see what this new season brings. I feel that God is leading us into an exciting time and am so pumped about the opportunities this will bring for us to minister to the body of Christ. What an adventure and I look forward to walking with you in it.
Blessings,

Glenn & Mira

Life at Eric & Julia's

July 15-17, 2009

Happy birthday Sheri! Gramma gets to play with Arielle all morning as Sheri goes to meet a friend and ger her hair done.

Suntanning in the afternoon and salad, shishkabob's and pineapple cheesecake, according to Sheri's wishes.

What a rare and marvelous experience to have all of us dreaming, sharing and laughing together. Back to Art and Audrey's to sleep.

We enjoy morning coffee with Arielle crawling around clearly the starlet of the day. We clean up and do some yard work as Eric and Julia have been so generous in hsaring their home with all of us.

The girls and I attend a shower for Ashley who is engaged to our great nephew Keith. Good food and good time was had by all.

The boys spent the evening together watching a movie. Quiet but still much fun. Back to Art & Audrey's. They have been very gracious to give us a bed to sleep in.

We are coming to the end of our stay. Matthew now owns his car again with BC license and insurance. AFter coffee in the morning he is off to Whistler. It is another goodbye but he is happy and plans to see Eric & Julia in August.

Reinhard and Gerry pick us up at 3:30 and we will spend some time with them. This has truly been a rich experience for us and we want to thank everyone for making this possible. Bless you all and thank you for your prayers.

Glenn will stay in touch as to what the next season holds for us.

Blessings,

Glenn & Mira

Abbotsford, the last week

July 14, 2009

We sneak out of Art & Audrey's house (3 min. away from Julia & Eric's) quietly in our PJ's to go to be there when Arielle wakes up. Coffee with our family! It is amazing to be with Matthew. He has new re: Whistler and it feels great for us to be near him again.

A lovely, lazy coffee morning and then Glenn & I are off to meet "Soulstream" a group of spiritual directors in Abbotsford! It was as if we always knew them! Steve Imbach was the youth pastor in the E Free Church in Steinbach years before we joined that church. The Mennonite connection!

Glenn. Matthew and Jonathan played golf in the afternoon. We golfed at Ledgeview and were joined by a long time Abbotsford resident who knew the course well. This could have been very helpful for us but alas it was more of a day of excercise in this course nestled in the mountains rather that a game of golf. We enjoyed ourselves very much and hopefully will be able to redeem our golf together another time.

Sheri and Mira had a nap with Arielle. Arielle knows some simple sign language and she communicates her needs very well.

We went to Cora's for coffee and perischke. (sp.) Cora is a very good baker, yum.

The boys came home in time to eat and then go to Eric's ball game. He played in two games against the national team from Denmark and the acquited themselves very well. They won the first one and the second game ended in a 0-0 tie. Eric played exceptional as usual and had two hits in the first game. It was great ball.

Jonathan and Sheri visited Brian and Sandra, thanking them for their generosity. Auntie Julia and Gramma play with Arielle and share a special bonding time over a glass of Salt Spring Winery wine:)

Blessings,

Glenn & Mira

Salt Spring to Abbotsford

July 13, 2009

Up at 5:15 am to catch the Queen Nanimo Ferry. We stop at Pender, Mayne and Galiano islands. This is very very early. What a great weekend we had. Thank you Art and Audrey for this experience.

We return home to Eric and Julia's house into Arilelle's outstreched arms. How wonderful to be met by Sheri and Jonathan here in B.C. Matthew has also arrived to join us and pick up his car.

Sheri and I get groceries and prepare for the big family gathering. All the Wiebes are there except the Alberta family and what a joy. Glenn was so thrilled and reconnected bit time. Gramma Mira got to go back with Arielle and put her to sleep. What a joy.

It was wonderful to connect with all of the family at Brian and Sandra's. I (Glenn) got to talk to each one reminiscing and reconnecting. It is truly a privelege to have the opportunity to spend this time in B.C. connecting. My family are an incredible blessing to us and as I looked around the back yard I again experienced what family truy looks like. Thank you Jesus.

Blessings,

Glenn & Mira

Salt Spring Day 2

July 12, 2009

Awake with the sun in our faces we enjoy a slow coffee and toast. At 11:30 we saw Fulford harbour. There are 3 harbours on the island. We wandered into unique little shops, had an organic coffee and then off to the goat farm.

Here we saw the entire cheese operation and we were able to try many different types of goat cheese. We walked in a walled garden and saw extraordinary poppies.

We drove around the island and saw beautiful Arbutus trees. These trees require salt water air and grow on the coastline only. The bark is reddish orange and cracks and peels off. You can hear the cracking at night.

Back home we shared with each other about the last few years. Very therapeutic. What a blessing. Early to bed because we will be waking at 5 am.

Blessings,

Glenn & Mira

Salt Spring Day1

July 11, 2009

The sun is shining into our room after a peaceful sleep. I make my way outside when Audrey quietly points to a baby deer! We stare at each other the deer & I! Of course I took pictures.

Sitting outside drinking coffee is most mellowing as I stare thru some trees and see the ocean. It is very nicely quiet consolation.

Breakfast of French toast and bacon. Art & Audrey cook, Glenn & Mira clean up. Those are our roles and it works well for us.

The decor in our villa is on a Frida theme. She was an artist. Frida paintings, self-portraits of Frida, Frida coasters, dfinitely a theme. By the way she has a unibrow and a mustache. I bless her and enjoy the color. By the way Frida was an artist from Mexico who painted in the early 20th century. She was commemorated in a movie starring Selma Hayak.

After breakfast we went to the Island market. Very arsty, $900.00 wood salad bowls, organic everything, pottery, licorice soap.. our artist friends would love this Island. To have a booth in the market you must make it bake it, or grow it!

It is sunny and a very casual friendly atmosphere. We went home after lunch and then we went to find the wineries. There are 3 of them on the island. Again very friendly people. We tried 13 different wines! Then we found the Lavender farm! Oh the purple! We saw many different varieties of lavender and saw how they dry it and also process it to extract the essential oils, fascinating.

Home to steak and vegetables and then we watched "Into the Wild."

Blessings,

Glenn & Mira

From Abbotsford to Salt Spring Island

July 10, 2009

Julia gets up to go to work and I start the "after camping laundry" and coffee in Abbotsford at Eric & Julia's. What a treat and what a privilege the Lord has given us. Eric puts up the tents yet again in his backyard in the glorious sunshine to dry them out and be refreshed.

At 11:00 sharp Art & Audrey pull up and we are packed and ready for the ferry ride to Salt Spring Island. Audrey has planned all the meals beginning with a Starbucks coffee and a most delicious raspberry, white chocolate scone.

We drive to the ferry on zero highway which is right on the 49th parallel. US on the left and Canada on the right. It is a very interesting feeling driving down that road, Glenn can be here not over there...we reach our destination and while we wait we catch up on the new and people watch as many, many of us are waiting for BC ferries.

At 2:00 we drive on to our ferry and eat a most amazing pasta salad while others walk by saying "Oh that was smart." yum Audrey's wise thinking once more.

The sights are beautiful as we ride thru the Pacific, past gorgeous hilly islands. Oh look there are seals playing in the water! Our first "seal sighting." They look so relaxed in the water.

We drive off the ferry down the road to Frida's Villa. It is truly truly amazing. The vegetation around the stone walk up to this delightful cottage with a hot tub in the back.

Glenn & I spent some time in the hot tub and praised and prayed, basking in the grandness of the Father.

After a wonderful Sante Fe salad meal we watch a romantic comedy and go to sleep in this big beautiful fluffy bed! Thank you Jesus.

Blessings,

Glenn & Mira

Banff to Abbotsford

July 9, 2009

At the crack of 9:20 am we use all four of us fully refreshed. We had a super buffet breakfast and we are on the road again.

We take #1 highway thru Yoho National Park and Glacier National Park. Glenn's long hopeful dream is coming true as we see these mountain ranges up close. He had a coyote sighting and exclaims every few minutes "Look at that scene."

It is quite an experience to drive thru Rogers Pass with the sun shining and listening to worship music. One cannot help but worship when our eyes feast on the immensity of these mountains.

Raw Nature, Incredible Majesty. Our Father creates well. It is good.

For Glenn and myself it is a powerful moment as we join Heather Clark singing "Price of Love" at the top of our voices riding thru the hills where our help comes from.

Eric and Julia follow us as we drive thru this beauty. Their nearness is a great comfort to me. We make it home to Abbotsford by 8pm and the guys are really tired. The drive thru the mountains is not as easy as the drive thru the prairies. The roads curve and turn a lot and the steep inclines and declines keep the driver alert.

We start the camping laundry and make our way to the couches as we laugh and talk about our experiences together.

Good Night.

Blessings,

Glenn & Mira

Jasper to Banff

July 8, 2009

We actually slept and woke up to see how Eric & Julia fared. Julia levelled a look at us and said we had a horrible night. I hate camping! It is still raining by the way as it has been ALL NIGHT. In one quick hour we were packed and made our way into Jasper for a coffee and travel breakfast. The hot coffee and dry vehicles cheered us as we make our way to Banff.

How can I possibly describe these mountains, valleys, rivers, glaciers!! The water is aqua green crystal clear and always moving. The evergreen trees cover the montain sides like a welll manicured lawn, the steep rocky sides feel dangerous yet commanding in beauty.

There are no cows dotting a flat landscape here but we did see a black bear lumbering back into the forest disgusted with all the attention he was getting from us "road people."

Clara our GPS gets us clearly into Banff to our hotel. Our travel weary, stinky, dirty bodies most certainly enjoyed the shower, hot tubs and saunas that our hotel offered us. We are on the main drag in Banff. We cannot take enough pictures of this town nestled in the mountains. Julia and I take the time to do some very necessary laundry and then we enjoy a delightful dinner in our hotel. Delicious!! These beds are soft and clean and dry. We settle in for a good nights sleep.

Blessings,

Glenn & Mira

Jasper Day 2

July 7, 2009!

We awaken refreshed and looking foward to coffee by the fire. Sure enough Eric is splitting wood for the fire. We have eggs and toast for breakfast as teh sun shines gloriously. The boys go grocery shopping in Jasper and Julia and I have great fun cleaning up and organizing the campsite. Julia has the most brilliant idea of drying the wet bathing suits and towels around the fire draped over the lawn chairs. It is all dry in a very short time. Thank God for fires. We were thinking of suggesting a new fragrance for Downey...wood smoke.

We are on our way to the highest and longest tram to the top of Whistlers mountain. (gulp) We are actually paying money to go up very straight and high!! OK God is with us...27 people including ourselves are jammed into the tram and 7 minutes later we bump and then rest on the top! When we started it was 13 degrees C at the base, we step out in 5 degree of rain, snow, sleet and hail. Harsh!!! We walk around a bit...but the wind!

Julia rushes into the restaurant as the rest of us eagerly follow. The view is amazing as we look at "clouds from both sides now". The lunch and hot chocolate and coffee was great in the top floor restaurant. The feel is rugged, tough, pioneer like.

As we are waiting for the tram to go back down a girl (about 12 years old) and I are looking out the window at the foggy view. She writes on the window "Clarissa was here" and I write "Mira was here" and I turn to her and say hi Clarissa. Her face breaks open into a smil and she say hi Mira.

We are all travellers here and we hear many different languages around us so we are all together on this mountain top (dependent on a little tram) yet very different only connecting in our little groups. I enjoyed "cross connecting" with Clarissa.

Part of the restaurant was closed because someone was hurt. As Julia was minding her own business getting coffee an older man just says to her "she fell"...Julia immediately returns with "I'm sorry I hope she'll be OK." "Cross connecting" just happens with us.

We make it down thru rain, hail and clouds. Whew, thank the Lord.

Back at the campsite we are dry and Eric builds a fire to make sure we are warm. It is wonderful to be with Eric and Julia. What a great couple! So many laughs, deep connections and pleasant silences.

The steak dinner was beyond compare and Eric and I won the 2nd crib game but Julia and Glenn killed us the next.

With faces set like flint, we move through the rain to our dome tent bedroom...A little disconcerting as it is very damp...yet we are a persevering couple...the electric blanket warming us we settle in as 2 nights before...yet is is a little differint...those drops on the forehead..a little more disconcerting...Glenn encouranges me to sleep where it is dry...hmmmm...more persevering we fall asleep waking up a couple of hours later...it is still raining...raining...it just never stops....the sides of the tent and therefore our bed is very damp...I imangine the worst...I HATE CAMPING!!

At Glenn's impatient direction we move around so we can both be dry...this I find absolutely hilarious as we move our ample bodies around and over each other aligning blankets with some expressive words it was very funny as I imagine what it must have sounded and looked like in the black of night in the camping wilderness...you just had to be there...

Blessings,

Glenn & Mira

Jasper Day 1

July 6, 2009

After a deep comfy sleep with a couple of hilarious interruptions when Glenn had to go out at night we are awakened by Julia at our window inviting us for coffee. The fire welcomes us and the smell of Starbucks coffee made with a Melita. Sigh what a beautiful time sitting by the fire drinking coffee, munching on toast and planning our day at Miette Hot Springs...do they have showers... that would be nice...what is that a mother and baby elk just over 15 feet away passing by and eating.

Silently we approached them taking pictures like crazy. What a beautiful serene sight mother and baby calmly eating with the mountains in the background and gorgeous evergreen trees throughout.

On our way to the Hot Springs we see a herd of elk and stop to enjoy them and take more pictures. The hot springs are amazing, 40 degrees C and the rain is falling and we don't care at all as we lounge in the hot water. Standing in hot water with the rain falling on our faces...living in the moment...awesome! The view of the mountains with tall trees thick as a carpet...in this rugged place.

The winding/frightening steep road into the mountains to get to the remote hot springs was exhilerating. Eric, Julia and Glenn love the road but I am a little frightened to see the tops of tall trees at the roadside at eye level.

At home under the protective tarp roof we cook a gourmet mountain view, elk sighting, meal of bbq chicken roasted peppers and bbq potatoes the way Jonathan taught us.

Back from the hot springs our fire builder Eric got a fire going and when the coals were good and hot we had Bavarian smokies made on the open fire. So delicious.

We then played a rousing game of crib where Glenn and I had a dramatic win.

We must admit to all right now that we love camping! It is so beautiful and relaxing, the trees, the mountains, the fire, the clean air. Most excellent. I am now a convert. This is wonderful. Off to our bed/dome tent/room for a contented sleep.

Blessings,

Glenn & Mira

From Barrhead to Jasper

July 5, 2009

Wow what breakfast! Oma brought a Ukranian dish that was delicious (I can't spell it). Scrambled eggs and bacon and blueberry pancakes. Ashley's little boys were adorable.

On the road again at 11:15 to Jasper, Yeah!

Bringing blessing is the plan and it seems to unfold in a unique manner each place we go.

Mountain sighting at 2:30 pm and 70 km away from Jasper we see mountain goats, WOW. At 3:30 we see the Palisades mountains.

As we come into Jasper I call Julia and she is just on the other side of town taking pictures of elk bathing in the river.

We meet at a pizza stop on the main street of Jasper. What a picturesque town nestled into the mountains. Lots of tourist shops. We are mostly interested in each other sharing stories of elk sightings.

The kids have set up camp for us at Whistlers campsite 3 km out of Jasper. Our little blue tent holds our queen size double blow up mattress and nothing else. Julia has made up the bed beautifully with an electric cord that connects to an electric blanket. Looks comfy.

The rain begins. We pull up to Eric & Julia's campsite a few sites down and Eric is building a tarp roof over the picnic table. Eric is an expert fire builder (even in the rain) and we sit around a roaring fire eating take out pizza. We tell stories as Glenn pokes at the fire. And after laughing lots as we make smores we are suddenly tired.

Glenn & I make our way into our little dome room filled to every corner with bed. As the electric blanket warms us we hook the lantern onto the middle of the roof and read. Lights out simply means raising my arm and pressing the button. :)

Blessings,

Glenn & Mira

Barrhead road trip

July 4, 2009

Wahoo in Alberta with brother Mark and cool wife Colleen!!

After coffee and a breakfast shake made by Mark we prepared fora road trip in Northern Alberta.

We toured Colleen's office building, Albert Distance Learning Centre, and saw her office which was very impressive. Then we visited Lisa's house taking note of renovations...Glenn is picking up some laminate flooring tips.

Off to Mark's office, Pembina Hills School Board Office. It was good to get a feel of his work environment. Now I can see them when I think of them at work.

We went thru the Dutch hamlet of Neerlandia which had very well maintained and neat dairy farms. Made it to Vega where the Klondike Ferry crosses the Athabasca River.

We enjoyed a lovely picnic of potato salad and taco salad on the banks of the river. We are ferryed across the river by an acqaintance of Mark and Colleen's. Not being charged for the ferry ride proves again that Alberta is truly the land of the free.

As we hiked along the sandy trail, we saw breathtaking views of the river. We saw some people with quads riding up and down the sand hills.

On our way to Fort Assiniboine where Mark taught school we saw 2 white tailed bucks, 2 sand hill cranes and a herd of bison but the closest we got to a moose was some moose poop in a bed of beautiful wild roses, which are characteristic of Alberta.

In Fort Assiniboine we saw the world's largest wagon wheel and the amazing beauty of the forest. We even came across a little red school house where I signed my name on the black board. Moose Wallow School was definitely there but definitely abandoned.

On the way home we saw Colleen's homestead, a graceful white tailed doe, and Ashleys home on 12 acres. Colleen went down memory lane recalling where her schoolhood friends lived. Great stories of hard working people in a harsh land.

Colleen's grandson, Mason, came for the night and was a delight to watch playing with his front end loader.

We had barbequed chicken, peppers and rice for dinner. It was scrumptious. Mark's daughter Jamie came home from work and joined us and we had a great time eating on the deck and rehashing our day. Northern Alberta is beautiful and we had a great day exploring it's backwoods.

Cleaned up after dinner and went to get a movie to chill and finish the evening. What a great day touring and seeing the sights of the Athabaska valley.

Tomorrow we leave for Jasper and 3 days camping with Eric and Julia and more adventures.

Blessings,

Glenn & Mira

From Calgary to Barrhead

July 3, 2009

After a good nights sleep we had breakfast at the Carriage House. This is the first day of the Stampede.

The waitresses are dressed in Western style and people are wearing huge cowboy hats. We saw a fair number of people in perfectly polished cowboy boots. One waitress talked about her pet rooster and we saw pictures and everything.

We were very blessed seeing Wayne and Muriel again and enjoying our time together. These are things that do not happen often enough; but with the miles separating us what can you do.

On the road again to Barrhead looking forward to seeing Mark and Colleen. (Mira's brother and sister-in-law) The sky is big and blue with white fluffy clouds, the landscape, yep, is rolling hills and we are seeing more trees as we drive North.

Wonderful welcome by Mark and Colleen, the cocktails and steak were absolutely delicious.

Robin joined us and we walked to the local ice cream parlor and had soft ice cream. Met Oma Fehr (Colleen's mom) Came home and saw Robin's grad pictures and crashed for a good night's sleep.

Blessings,

Glenn & Mira

The Calgary stop

July 2, 2009

9 am we are on the road again....The road looks like a grey ribbon going through rolling beautiful hills...the cattle are still dotting the landscape. Just inside the Alberta border we see buffalo also dotting the hills...Have we said this before, there are no trees.

There are a few 5ft high bushes but the vast prairie and big sky make us feel like we live in a big big world or are we all inside a globe? you know like those little ornaments you shake? :)

So we surprised Wayne and Muriel (a mixup in communication) but we all rallied and had a great time together.

Had a lovely dinner at Cravings, we recommend the salmon, a walk along their local conservation area, beautiful and right in the middle of the city. Stephen, Kevin and Karen came later for coffee. We enjoyed great converstion and connecting again as family. We loved hearing about their interesting eventful lives.

It was a great day with family. Loved it.

Blessings,

Glenn & Mira

Travel Day

July 1, 2009

Woke up early 7 am to quietly leave our Kleefeld home to go to Winnipeg to kiss Arielle and her mom and dad. We drank their coffeee and then headed on out to the prairie drive to Swift Current Saskatchewan.

The gently rolling hills dotted with grazing cows are pleasantly peaceful to us as we share, pray and listen to John Paul Jackson talking about heaven.

We are passing Elkhorn which is very near the Manitoba/Saskatchewan border. We see a float from the Elkhorn July 1st parade. We new because it was a tractor pulling a trailer full of hay bales and children on top waving at the cars. NO REALLY IT IS TRUE. THAT IS WHAT WE SAW!!!

OK it is several hours later and we saw horses dotting the same landscape... we will keep you posted :) There are huge gran elevators...makes us think of dad... we love him.

Arrived at Swift Current and our motel room. Time for bed and then tomorrow we visit Glenn's brother.

Blessings,

Glenn & Mira

Some more old friends

June 30,2009

Slept in and slowly got ready for the day. This is the day Julia flew back, very early, Sheri took her to the airport.

Yeah the weather is great and the boys go golfing in Steinbach. Norm and John Peters join Glenn and Vic at the Steinbach Golf Club.

Carol serves a marvelous Summa borscht with homemade buns. Seriously this food is to die for!!

As Carol and I go for a walk I pass Woodlawn school and see my old classroom window. I did enjoy teaching but I'm not sorry that it is behind me now. It feels strange to walk the streets I used to walk at 35 years old. My thoughts are so different now. I appreciate being older.

Carol and I catch up sharing our lives together and reminiscing. We are immediately comfortable with each other and the familiar easy going relationship we always had is picked up as if no time has passed. What a treasure my friend is!

Yet some things have changed. We are grandparents now, our children are married... Vic & Carol are dancing, literally, and Carol is a painter! Will wonders never cease!!!!

Then along comes another grandmother, Connie Peters, and little William and another great connection is made. The men joinded us and we dined on bbq shrimp, stirfried linguine, and caeser salad with lots of wine. What a great community we experienced with the food and great company.

(Glenn writing) Just wanted to add that we had a great game of golf. It was so incredible golfing with my friends. I must say I have missed their company. I won't share scores or anything because I do want to protect their privacy. :)

Over coffee we shared Vic & Carol's trips to Mexico and Palm Springs and it felt like we were ther with them.

Humbly gratified to God for great friends we blessed each other and went home to Kleefeld.

When we arrived low and behold the "rail" game was on the table so we played a game until 1:00 am. Adam is amazing at picking up these new games.

Bed and prepare for the next leg of our trip.

Blessings,

Glenn & Mira