Saltspring

Ruth and I were in need of a little time away last weekend. We took the opportunity that the 4th of July always brings to us Canadians; to go home on a weekend that is not a Canadian holiday. Truthfully we only get the 4th off here, which was on Wednesday, so we just took Thursday and Friday off too.

We went up to Saltspring island, one of the larger of the gulf islands. It was a good time away from the office at work, and the office at home. I personally experienced a couple of firsts on this trip. I went sailing for the first time. I also dropped my camera for the first time (more on that later).



This was the harbour we came into. We took a ferry to Vancouver Island and then a ferry to Saltspring. Ruth has been really getting into the photography stuff (bitten by the shutter bug I suppose), so keep in mind that she took some of these photos.

There was lots of wildlife.

Mostly deer. Mostly deer walking onto or off the road we were driving on. Thank God we didn't hit any..but we shot some...

There were many beautiful things in beautiful places. Old barns in big fields, big trees in old forests...






...and hot chicks on the beach. Yowza!



We spent some of our are American dollars on the Canadian tourist industry by going on a sailing tour of one of the harbours. Ruth has sailed before but it was a first for me. It was a blast, and it was also relaxing.

And it was perfect weather.

Here's a picture for Dad...

As seen is previous posts, this is me wearing my "I'm on vacation, but I'm not a real cowboy" straw hat. It also hides my fair face from the sun so I don't burn like a tourist.

And that's Ruth standing on the highest point on the island. She's wearing her "I'm so glad my husband doesn't have email access" smile.

We visited several local artisan studios such as a pottery studio...

... several vineyards...

...and a couple cheese farms. We tasted some very delightful cheeses. We were just sorry that the vineyards and the cheese farms weren't next door to each other.




After the days activities, there's only one thing left to do at the end of the day on a gulf island (and many other places I'm aware), and that is: go searching for the best place on the island to see the sunset. It's like the closing visual orchestra of the day. Well we heard about this place from one of the locals, so we headed down to this beach with our chocolate espresso mousse to go, and our tripod and camera.

We situated ourselves on an outcropping of rocks where Ruth promptly dug into the mousse, and I promptly started snapping my photos.

And this is when for the first time in two years, I dropped my camera...

..into the ocean.

And this is literally the last photo that camera took.

Rest In Peace my dear sweet digital rebel SLR 300D with my 18-55 lens and a 2g flash card...you shall be missed.

That was the very lowest point of my week.

Ruth gave me that camera as a gift on my birthday a few years ago. That was the single best gift I've had in years. This blog exists because of that charming little shutter. It ached in my heart to pull it, dribbling out of the water like that.

But hey, the pictures weren't lost!

And if the worst thing of the whole weekend was losing a material thing that can be replaced one day - so be it. I'm thankful for our health and safety, and the ability to take trips like this with someone I care about so much.

And someone that cares enough for me that she didn't get angry or frustrated, she just spooned Chocolate espresso mousse in my mouth while we watched the sunset.

Thank you Heavenly Father, for sparing my 60mm prime macro lens.

Hitched

I think the smartest people in the world wed in May. Surprise surprise. There are actually a number of reasons why May is the month of choice. These include: nicer weather than June (no rain), none of the unbearable heat of July and none of the smoke filled air of August. Depressing I know (sorry Ali). September would have been my next best choice. May is also shoulder season for most honeymoon destinations and that means - cheap(er). So I was not surprised when my good friend Trevor (who makes the list of smartest people I know) choose May for his wedding.



These are Trevor's parents. They're awesome. Royden and I spent many hours at their home during our teenage years and I spent many hours driving Pastor Dave's blue firefly while learning how to drive. He didn't know that back then though. Pastor Dave also officiated our wedding and followed up with some biblical counciling on the chairlift at Silver Star. Good times. Wendy is an amazing cook - I used to tell my friends to make sure and babysit Jordan if ever asked because the dessert she would make you was totally worth it!



Here comes the bride...isn't she beautiful? We didn't really get the chance to meet Nicolene before the big day but she seems like the perfect match for Trevor. We love Trev so much and we've prayed that he would find someone as great as him and it looks like he has.



Proverbs 18:22 "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from the Lord."



At the reception we got to share this table:



With this adorable little girl:



And her sexy as ever mama:



Glen K was also there with us but we neglected to get a good pic of him. Sorry ladies. He's cute, single and has a job. For more information email glen@.... just kidding. Glen, forgive my shameless matchmaking:).





“Thus says the Lord of hosts…Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you...and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” - Jeremiah 29:4-7

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's day to the three great men in our lives. We feel truly blessed by you! You've all done so much for us in our lives and we are so thankful for all you've sacrificed for us.

Dad L: You have always felt like a dad to me. You are so kind and loving and I can see so much of you in Royden. We know that Jesus is at the center of your heart and we are so blessed to have your example in our lives. Thanks for raising such an incredible son who takes such amazing care of me...he is so patient with me and I know that he learned that from you.



Dad T: Well, we all know we don't have the most ideal relationship in the world but I'm still glad you are one of my dads. I'm doubly blessed. I know that you love me even though it has been hard to show given our distance. Thanks for always keeping in touch with me and for helping me through school. You also gave me some pretty great genes so thanks for those too-apparently I'd have a pretty flat butt if weren't for you-so Royden thanks you;). Rumor has it that those aren't the only good genes you gave me, mom always said I got my smarts from you too. I love you and hope you come visit us sometime.



Dad N: I could go on and on, and on and on, and on and on. You are the best dad and I love you so much. Thanks so much for not dumping mom when you found out she had a kid :). I'm sure me as a hyper 7 year old just made you love her more. Thanks so much for loving me so well. Thanks for always listening to me and taking me seriously even when we all know that I'm a paranoid android. You are so talented and generous and have spent many hours of your life fixing things for me...like my bike, my car, my house and my occasional broken heart. Thanks for all of the affection and patience you've shown me through my life, and thanks for making me marry Royden. Just kidding. Thanks for loving him so much and for thinking that he was coolest guy I knew. I always have such a blast with you and can't wait until our next date so come visit me darn it!



Since we know that all good things come from above, we thank the Lord for all of you. We pray that He will continue to work in your lives and transform you more and more into His own image and likeness. We believe that when you are empty He is full. We know that He can satisfy all of your needs, fulfill all of your desires and can make up for all of your shortcomings.

1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

Rain

I know that we have many other things to blog besides random flowers right now. But I was outside this evening taking some photos that depict the rain we've had this weekend. Also thrown in are some random flower picks from the plants Ruth planted this year. Also some shots by Ruth.









Before giving any praise to either of these photographers, or Canon who made the praise worthy lens we used, give Glory to the real creator of the shots. Thank God for the beauty that He gave to us for our pleasure and His glory.

Childhood

I'm only 27.
Well.. today I'm only 27, I was 26 yesterday. But the gap between the adult and the child in me is growing at a rapid rate, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'm just beginning to notice that I'm relating less to children than I used to. It annoys me to hear them whine or cry because I'm pretty sure they don't have a good reason. It makes me angry when I see them trying to manipulate and lie to get out of a bad situation, because that's not how you're supposed to handle bad situations.

Do I have anything worth whining over?

Do I ever feel the need to lie?

And it's those questions that reconnect me with my inner whiny, lier.




With that said, I need to make it very clear that the children I spent this weekend with were neither whiny nor manipulative. They were incredibly well behaved. Being around them just reminded me how most kids are not.

I make it sound like a have a disdain for children, which I think Ruth will attest that I don't. I love kids, and I can't wait to have some of our own. This weekend I just realized that for the past few years I've been struggling to grow up and become a man. I've been trying to become a responsible, trustworthy, God-fearing, leader to protect and love my wife.

But in the process, I started listening to NPR's Fresh Air, and This American Life! I enjoy the newspaper and for more than just the funny pages! Going to bed at 9:oopm is a special treat! I like a hot cup of coffee more than ice cream. I try to make it home in time for live political debates instead of Batman.

For goodness sake I like debating the real estate market and interest rates!



Alright, let's not get carried away, I do make video games and draw comics for a living. I do own a pet mantis, and I do have a pet lizard arriving in the mail tomorrow for my birthday.

I was just making an observation. It's good to grow up.

It's also good to remember where you've been, and what it was like while you were there.




Which brings me to - context! (yeah!)
Ruth's friends Michelle and Masaya came for a visit this weekend and brought along their 4 girls under the age of 5. It was full house, and kind of brought me face to face with my lack of fatherly skill. I think I'll be a good father, there's just a few things I need to learn - like when you pick up a 4 month old baby from behind she doesn't know that I'm not her Mom. It was great for Ruth and I to observe how Michelle and Masaya make this busy family work. They do great, and we all actually had quite a bit of fun.

We went to the zoo on Saturday. I love the zoo.







Here's the thing about the zoo - the animals are always sleeping...



whoops! That's the other zoo.

So what I realized is; Zoo's are pretty much retirement homes for animals. What would you do if someone approached you and asked if you'd like to be fed the rest of your life without having to work for it. Free room and board. Free food. Friends. Medical care. Daily visits. Sounds like Florida to me.

And this looks like and old man who doesn't recognize me and can't find his pants...



Despite the clarity, there is actually a solid piece of plexiglass between me and that old man in this shot.





It cracks me up that this bird needs a name tag.



Here are some random pics of the other zoo animals in their natural habitat.






Thanks for the visit guys! God's blessing on you and your family! We will pray for His hand in your life.