Merry Christmas to Josh

So this week is a very special and very busy one for Krista and I, as we are going to be treking all around Saskatchewan and Alberta. We couldn't think of what we were going to get the other person this past Christmas, so we waited at least until we were back in Canada (from our honeymoon in Mexico, where we were on Christmas day) to make the decision. Upon our return to Canada, I noticed that my favorite band would be playing in both Calgary and Saskatoon in February. It sounded too good to be true.

We aren't able to go to the concert in Saskatoon due to Youth Quake which is going on that same weekend (which could hurt them, but God is faithful, and we are praying for lots of youth to be there!), but Krista made the decision that we would take the time off to go to Calgary for a couple of days for the concert. I am so pumped.

Switchfoot, live and on their Oh, Gravity! tour.

What a sweet deal.

Needless to say, I'm excited. It's not every day that big bands come around this part of our country, and I'm pretty pumped that they are coming at least somewhat close to regina.

Well, I'll let you know how the concert goes after Wednesday. A song I really hope that they play is "Head over Heels (in this life)" from their new album. It is definitely a gooder. Check them out at www.switchfoot.com or www.myspace.com/switchfoot.

The Difference

"Jesus does not give recipes that show the way to God as other teachers of religion do. He himself is the way."
- Karl Barth - checkout John 14:6

Back to the Old Stomping Grounds

The past is calling me....

Well, it's been almost two months since Krista and I were married, and its about time we return to the place where it all began - Caronport, Saskatchewan.

Yes, a rare find to see a 4-storey chapel on the prairies of Saskatchewan, but not altogether unfamiliar to those however many thousand (dare I say million) people who have attended Briercrest at some point in the last 60+ years.

My wife and I are only 2 people out of the tons who have gone there, and while that may seem small, I hardly realized it when I arrived there 4 and a half years ago (September 2002).
Crazy, it seems, how the world seems to revolve around that little town along the highway for so many people.

Anywho, Krista and I are heading out to the 'Port for a much needed visit. Why? Well, we have friends we know there who are attending Briercrest or do not have the strength to escape the clutches of this homely, yet individualistic town (Lifers?). A friend of mine refer to this mindset as "the suck". Not in any way bashing Caronport, but we've just noticed over the years how easy it is for people to get stuck there. I'm sure its like any little town whose population decreases by half when it is not the school year.

Kinda like you know you're in Caronport when...
-40 km per hour is speeding
-Your typical idea of a date is a sub at Subway and a DTR(Define The Relationship) in the Chapel. (ok, I'll admit it...been there... done that)
-Driving home anywhere past Moose Jaw is a really long trip
-The newspaper consists of caregroup ads and prayer requests (not a bad thing)
-The "rich" part of town are three bedroom bungalows
-You see a sign that says "Students Crossing: Need Sub and Need it NOW!" (ok, no sign says this, but I think they need one for all the students who walk from the chapel to the Point)
-During the month of September, every 20 feet there is a guy with an acoustic guitar singing worship songs to a girl showing off his "skills". (Praise and Pickup)
-Open Dorms is a community event
-You stereotype everyone according to their dorm (i.e.- "Fender guys are smelly" or "You don't act like a Sundbo girl..."

Anywho, I could go on forever (if you want to leave me some of your own thoughts in my comments, I'd love to have a laugh), but to be honest, it will be good to go back there. It was a great place for me to learn, love, and grow. I did just that. I can't knock a place like that. It was...home. It was the place I needed to be at that time. So, needless to say, it is a great place. I'm sure those of you who are reading this and have been there can agree with me. What will this weekend hold? Well, like any true Caronportian male or female will tell you...

...only God knows.