Whirl-wind West Coast Trip

On my way home I have had the immense privilege of visiting some family on the west coast!  It has been nice spending a few days here, so I could begin to get over the jet leg, I'm getting there!  I have also been dealing with reverse culture shock upon arriving back in North America...what a different world!

Here are a few photos of the past couple days:

I enjoyed being in Canada again....

After going on a beautiful walk around white rock we went home (with a little stop in at the dutch store :))

Today they took me further into beautiful British Columbia....First stop Granville Island

After a great tour of Granville we went up to North Vancouver

 

And then we enjoyed a walk through God's spectacular creation in Stanley park

And now at the end of this trip my heart is overflowing.  The past few months have changed me in many, many ways. I can't believe how fast the time flew.  But I am now looking forward to seeing my wonderful family again! Ottawa bound bright and early tomorrow morning!!!!   God is so marvelous and faithful!

And Here's a quote from good ol' Tolkien: “Don't adventures ever have an end? I suppose not. Someone else always has to carry on on the story.” 

Highlands Getaway

Last week we took a break and went up to the highlands for a few days.  It was a beautiful drive up in to the mountains!

Here is a view from half way up the mountain.  God's creation is very spectacular!

The first night we arrived we had dinner in this cook house

                                                 

Preparing to go tubing through some rapids...

                                                 

along the river there were some calmer areas...and beautiful little waterfalls :)

we also came across some kids fishing in the river...

After an exciting morning on the tubes we made some snake bread for lunch

This is where Ava slept during lunch

I also enjoyed walking around with her....PNG style

And these boys have quite alot of stories to tell

                                               
after a few days in that beautiful place, there we drove to Ukarumpa for the next 2 days

I spent lots (and lots) of time with Ava! It was wonderful :)

After a wonderful, refreshing time it was time to head home....back to the heat

On Wednesday the kids had their first day of school...and I got to read to these kids for story time!

Today Was a very hot day, so we went to the top of the hill for a nice swim...and this was our view

                                   

I was going through pictures on my camera to put on the blog and caught her watching...that's her curious look.

Every day continues to be full of a variety of blessings! I can't believe that I only have one more weekend in this amazing country, time has really flown by!  God is Good!

 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. ~Jeremiah 29:11-13

Awan photos & everyday life

As promised, here is the follow-up post from our Awan trip...With some picture.  I didn't get very many shots  of the trail because most of the time I was just trying to avoid falling in the mud :p

On the way there me and Jono enjoyed the best seats!

These hills looked so velvety! 

I really enjoyed all the mountains....

not all the roads were smooth....it made for quite the ride

And this is a market we passed along the way

                                     
                                            Right before we started the walking/swimming part of our journey we made a stop so some of our passengers could get some food at the market.  Those of us waiting found shade under beautiful trees like this one.   And of course I had to put some flowers in my hair...
                                      
                                       
                                     
                                           This dude made the wait quite enjoyable! :)

                                      
                                          This is a portion of the road we walked on...

                                      This is the 'cook house'.  When we arrived in the village they made us SO MUCH food!

                                     
                                          Everything was cooked in clay pots over an open fire.

We ate off banana leaves

And when I had nearly had my fill they brought me this bowl of food....seriously, it never ended!

While my uncle preached the kids spent some time trying to rest for the big trek home!

                       on the way home we got to walk through this awesome forest!     

When we are not going on those crazy epic adventures. I enjoy spending lots of time helping look after my cousins....Here's an idea of how wild they are :)

And sometimes they just don't know how to handle me...

In those cases they resort to desperate measures, such as this:

Thankfully Karyln came to my rescue before it was too late! 

And here's Ava...as chill as a cucumber :)

I have so much to thank the Lord for!  I was able to get medication for a bad throat infection (tonsillitis), and I am now healed! I will keep taking antibiotics for a few more days to ensure that all the bacteria is gone. I am very thankful that it was looked at, because it was not good at the time.   Thanks to everyone who prayed for me!  God's always looking after me :)    

That's all for now....until next time