5 posts tagged “vacation”

I've been so encouraged over that past several months by the wave of interest and support that I've been receiving for the ministry that God has called me to in Germany.  I've so much enjoyed the chance to travel and meet so many wonderful people along the way!!  These months have seen thousands of miles on my car, hundreds of great conversations, dozens of concerts and ministry opportunities, and now one very tired woman!   So, it's time for a break and some replenishing.  My mind and my body and my heart are all screaming out for a break, and since I haven't been able to figure out how to silence those screams, I've decided to give in and get away for a bit.  I've been given the wonderful gift of Buddy Passes for a flight to Calgary, Alberta, (thanks, Lesli!!!) which I'm going to "cash in" this Sunday and spend time with some dear friends exploring the Northwest Territories and the Canadian Rockies.   :::sigh:::  

I can assure you, there will be more photos to come, as well as videos that you can view on either my YouTube or my Facebook page.  Thanks for stopping by!  See ya around!

Here are some more videos of our adventures in the Canadian Rockies.  There are quite a lot of them, just so you know.  (We are well aware of the fact that they may possibly be solely for our enjoyment, but hopefully you'll also have some fun watching them as well). :)  If you want to see some of our pictures from the trip, you can view them here.

We decided to log our day today with a series of short videos to share with our Vox neighborhood.  When necessary, I've explained a couple, but most are pretty self-explanitory.  Hope you guys enjoy!

There's a section in the next video where the wind was blowing directly into the mic on the camera, so you can't really hear me explaining the important information that we learned about the Glacier.  During that section, we're facing the Andromeada Glacier which is on the Andromeada Mountain and has formed a "circ" in the side of the mountain, which is basically when the Glacier cuts away a circular formation as it moves down the mountain.

 

The next one is pretty dark for some reason.  You can still hear it though.  Sorry. 

I know I said that I would reveal my destination on Sunday, but by the end of the day I was exhausted and there wasn't much time to sit and compose a blog. 

A little over a month ago I was talking to my friend about wanting to get away and perhaps visit her when the thought occured to me that I have accumulated Sky Miles for travelling to Europe!  So I used some of them and got a ticket for $41.58 (had to pay for taxes and fees) to this city:

 

Any guesses?  We saw this rainbow on our way back from our road trip through the mountains....

 

 

 ...and a spontaneous and adventurous hike.  And if you think I'm kidding by saying it was adventurous, here are the before and after pictures:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

 

We got a taste of every season, and during the winter part, we made snow angels and hiked through "gnarley mud" and snow in tennis shoes and high heeled boots (remember the part about the hike being spontaneous?...yeah.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By the time we got to the lake we were hiking to, we could no longer feel our arms or move our fingers, we were soaking wet from the rain, and our shoes...well, let's just say we were wishing we had planned better.  However, the beauty that awaited us at that lake was well worth the pain it took to get there.  In fact, the moment we arrived, the Lord pulled the clouds back and allowed the sun to peek through and warm us up before the trek back.  The whole experience...the whole day...was truly a gift (with many parables to be shared in another post at another time).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our way back, we stopped for a short moment to take a picture of our reflection in puddle...--

On our drive back we rounded a corner to find this guy and couple buddies out for an afternoon stroll up the highway...

 

When we got back, we changed clothes, gathered our things and headed out the door again.  This time, it was to spend a few hours in "the office".  If you haven't figured out yet where I am, or WHO I am with, it is none other than our very own Cheryl Emery, and I had the great privelege of sitting behind her for three hours as she accompanied the Philharmonic Chorus as they rehearsed for their upcoming trip to Newfoundland.  To say that I was impressed by the skills that God has given to Cheryl would be an understatement.  Instead of trying to paint a picture for you with words I will share this video that I took while she sightread--which means seeing the music for the FIRST time ever--Dvorak's Te Deum, Opus 103.  Enjoy and be impressed as well. :)

So, that was day #1.  We still have 2 1/2 days left.  Tomorrow we're  heading back to the mountains to stand on glacier that's as deep as the Empire State Building is tall.

 

You can't beat that for $41.58.

 

 

I travel a lot.  In fact, I think in the past year I've spent more time living away from my apartment than I did living in it.  Part of that includes time housesitting, but a lot of it is just being out of town traveling with music or missions or conferences or whatever.  THIS TIME, however, I'm leaving on Sunday for a few days of pure, unadulterated FUN!  I can't remember the last time I did this.  We never really took family vacations when I was a kid, so whenever I get to do something like this, it's always kind of a novelty for me (with, I admit, a slight twinge of guilt for some reason).  No guilt this time, though.  I've got a crazy summer coming (Exodus national conference, music trip up the west coast, candidate orientation, several concerts around here, and beginning support raising in the Fall), and I know I need some space like this to just relax, connect with a good friend, prepare my heart for the weeks and months ahead, and just simply be...oh, and did I mention HAVE FUN?! :)

So, ya wanna know where I'm going? :-D  Of course, you do!  But it wouldn't be as fun if I just out and told you, now would it?  So...20 questions ('yes' or 'no' questions).  Starting now.  I'll reveal the destination on Sunday night when I arrive there.  Unless, of course, you guess correctly before then.  Have fun!