So as many of you know I have exited the YWAM Toronto scene. It was a bumpy, unexpected exit that has left some scars but God's grace has been a mighty shield and deflected the deadliest arrows from piercing my heart.
With the quick departure from YWAM TO I needed to figure out what to do with my life. I still at the time didn't feel like College/University was where God wanted me to go although it seems part time post secondary may be in my future.
I knew I had opportunities with other locations in the YWAM community. I still went to Vancouver for the Mission Adventures Network Conference which was a very wise decision. God really gave me confidence there through the amazing set of people that are there. Vancouver base of course wanted me back but, I also received offers to go help at Las Vegas, Seattle, San Fransisco, Idaho all in the US and Tijuana and Ensenada in Mexico.
My heart was not to leave Toronto though, and it isn't God's will for me to leave yet. I have invested the last eight months of my life into falling in love with this city and there is no other place for me at this time. God knew where my heart was and had a plan.
Through a Youth Pastor I knew from Redeemer church in Niagara Falls I was forwarded to an amazing guy named Joe Elkerton who is pastoring a church that was almost sold out and closed this past fall. Joe has done an amazing job with the place so far and has networked some really kool young people in similar situations and with similar worldviews as mine to work with him in reaching out to the community and setting up a place to serve God.
I am extremely stoked to be a part of this growing church and I know that there is amazing potential for this church to become a cornerstone of Faith, Justice and Hope in the Bloor Lansdowne community a few subway stations West of the downtown core.
The church is called Bloor Lansdowne Christian Fellowship and I would encourage everybody to come down and visit us one time, see what we are all about.
Thursday 29 May 2008
Wednesday 28 May 2008
Mom's Wedding
So two weekends ago I had one of the best weekends ever!!
My Mom got married!! and a big festival was happening at one of my favourite places in the world Braeside!
The wedding was awesome. For me walking my Mom down the aisle with my bro and giving her away to my step Dad (whose name is also Chris) was an awesome privilege. It has been a real nuisance that the marriage couldn't happen sooner and I know it was really bothering both my Mom and Chris. I was so happy that Mom could finally have her day.
The thing that was so amazing to me was how well this wedding came together. Paperwork only just got cleared a few weeks before and so since they had always wanted a spring wedding they put it together in a short spurt of amazingness. The wedding party looked fantastic, especially Mom and her bridesmaids whom included my two step sisters and my Aunt Tammy as the Maid of Honour. People have even commented on their dresses on FaceBook where we of course posted some photos.
The thing this wedding has taught me is to value my time more. I got to hang out with my two step sisters who really are two of the coolest people in the world. I really have missed doing stuff with them over the past few years and I am beginning to realize we won't be this conveniently close forever. The way my life works I could end up overseas any month now, although right now that seems unlikely. Seeing myself as the only person who may move long distances away is a little naive though. My brother and younger step sister seem like they'll be in the region for at least a few more years, but, my oldest step sister is adventurous like me and seems like she and her VERY kool boyfriend Luke might spread their wings and try new places out. I need to capitalize on this summer and spend some quality time with these people.
---
Anyway after the wedding my Bro, Jessica my younger step Siss, and our friend Heidi booted it from Niagara Falls to my favourite place on Earth, Braeside Family Camp. It is this Christian campground located just outside of Paris, ON which is near Brantford. There I met up with my Bestest Bodacious Bud Jordan, and many other awesome friends of mine.
The reason I wanted to get down SO bad is to catch up with my awesome friend Rachel. Rachel and I go back to prolly around when I was in 9th grade so 6-7 years ago. Rachel and I were summer crushes for 2-3 years in a row (maybe more). Anyway Rach and I are very tight. Over the years we've been encouraging each other back and forth in so many ways and grown a tight friendship. This inspite of the fact I had not seen her face to face in a year and 9 months before that weekend.
Meeting her bf Will was a real treat. I really like they guy a lot. 5 Stars. The koolest part for me though was just talking as we normally did. In groups there are always TONS of laughs at Bside and it was none different in this wonderful, but brief, interlude. The highlight for me was the Sunday night when as promised Rach and I went walking to catch up. We didn't actually walk much. Conversation was great though. One thing about talking with Rach is that she lets me verbally process where I am at. It is nice, if not very confusing lol. Sometimes I prolly am too long winded and confusing but somehow she puts up with it. Anyway I look forward to meeting Will again in the future and having more laughs and deep conversations.
Hopefully we can somehow keep the trailer at Braeside...
My Mom got married!! and a big festival was happening at one of my favourite places in the world Braeside!
The wedding was awesome. For me walking my Mom down the aisle with my bro and giving her away to my step Dad (whose name is also Chris) was an awesome privilege. It has been a real nuisance that the marriage couldn't happen sooner and I know it was really bothering both my Mom and Chris. I was so happy that Mom could finally have her day.
The thing that was so amazing to me was how well this wedding came together. Paperwork only just got cleared a few weeks before and so since they had always wanted a spring wedding they put it together in a short spurt of amazingness. The wedding party looked fantastic, especially Mom and her bridesmaids whom included my two step sisters and my Aunt Tammy as the Maid of Honour. People have even commented on their dresses on FaceBook where we of course posted some photos.
The thing this wedding has taught me is to value my time more. I got to hang out with my two step sisters who really are two of the coolest people in the world. I really have missed doing stuff with them over the past few years and I am beginning to realize we won't be this conveniently close forever. The way my life works I could end up overseas any month now, although right now that seems unlikely. Seeing myself as the only person who may move long distances away is a little naive though. My brother and younger step sister seem like they'll be in the region for at least a few more years, but, my oldest step sister is adventurous like me and seems like she and her VERY kool boyfriend Luke might spread their wings and try new places out. I need to capitalize on this summer and spend some quality time with these people.
---
Anyway after the wedding my Bro, Jessica my younger step Siss, and our friend Heidi booted it from Niagara Falls to my favourite place on Earth, Braeside Family Camp. It is this Christian campground located just outside of Paris, ON which is near Brantford. There I met up with my Bestest Bodacious Bud Jordan, and many other awesome friends of mine.
The reason I wanted to get down SO bad is to catch up with my awesome friend Rachel. Rachel and I go back to prolly around when I was in 9th grade so 6-7 years ago. Rachel and I were summer crushes for 2-3 years in a row (maybe more). Anyway Rach and I are very tight. Over the years we've been encouraging each other back and forth in so many ways and grown a tight friendship. This inspite of the fact I had not seen her face to face in a year and 9 months before that weekend.
Meeting her bf Will was a real treat. I really like they guy a lot. 5 Stars. The koolest part for me though was just talking as we normally did. In groups there are always TONS of laughs at Bside and it was none different in this wonderful, but brief, interlude. The highlight for me was the Sunday night when as promised Rach and I went walking to catch up. We didn't actually walk much. Conversation was great though. One thing about talking with Rach is that she lets me verbally process where I am at. It is nice, if not very confusing lol. Sometimes I prolly am too long winded and confusing but somehow she puts up with it. Anyway I look forward to meeting Will again in the future and having more laughs and deep conversations.
Hopefully we can somehow keep the trailer at Braeside...
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