I didn't realize how appropriate it was to use my "official NorthLife portrait" on my little fridge magnet-prayer card thingie until just now. While that fridge magnet obviously represents my future in Japan, nevertheless, embedded right on it is a reminder of a part of my past that will continue to have affect me for …
New Friends and Life in Exile
(Final) thoughts about the Alberta Wildfires, Part 8. Well, in less than a week, Fort McMurrians will be able to return home, though whether or not they can stay home is still an open question. I intended to head up on June 1, the first day of the “Return Schedule” published by the government, though I …
Water and Washroom in Anzac
Thoughts about the Alberta Wildfires, Part 7. I was interviewed by the CBC again on Thursday - a follow up to my earlier interview the day after I evacuated from Fort Mac. In that interview I said, “I'm just enjoying my time here… Probably the most therapeutic thing is to hold my newborn niece after …
Frantic Phone Calls and Meet Up
Thoughts about the Alberta Wildfires, Part 6. I’m sitting in a Starbucks in Toronto right now, which probably sounds ridiculous given that I was in Vancouver just a couple of days ago. But this past Sunday, we had a really good staff meeting at work that really defined our roles and responsibilities during our “exile” …
The Infamous Walls of Fire
Thoughts about the Alberta Wildfires, Part 5. I’m at the Vancouver Airport now, after spending all of 9 hours in Vancouver. Let’s see if I can get this post done before my plane back to Edmonton boards in 20 minutes. Just a quick recap of my trip, I took the VIA Train, “The Canadian” from …
Preparing to Evacuate
Thoughts about the Alberta Wildfires, Part 4. I’m in Vancouver now, having lunch at the Telus World of Science. I’m basically just killing time until my flight back to Edmonton tonight. I had an alright night on the train. I wasn’t expecting to sleep much anyway, but it was actually quite comfortable. Economy Class on …
Anime and My Emotional Quotient
Thoughts about the Alberta Wildfires, Part 3. I’m still on the train, of course, as most of my journaling for these “Times of Refreshing” will be done on this trip to Vancouver. We have just left Jasper and are now weaving our way through the valleys around the Rocky Mountains. I’m trying to think about …
Needing Times of Refreshing
Thoughts about the Alberta Wildfires, Part 1... Yesterday afternoon, I had a meeting with my old mentor, Jason. I was his intern in charge of the Young Adults while he was the Student Ministries Director at our old church, Morningstar Christian Fellowship. Now he is the Lead Pastor at Fellowship Baptist Church in Edmonton, and …