*Some of these entries may be short*
August 26, 2018
Today we traveled....a lot. We (Me and Rebecca) flew from Altanta to New York JFK, then from JFK to Vermont. From there we took a Greyhound bus to Montreal where we were met by the accountant from Capernwray. We then drove an hour north with a stop at subway to eat since we had not eaten supper. We had ran into a few complications at the Canadian border as well but everything got sorted out. We started our day at 5 am waking up and leaving at 530-545 to be at the airport by 625ish because our flight left at 810. We arrived in Montreal around 650ish and we were exhausted at this point from traveling all day but thankfully we made it safe and without any jet lag. We arrived at Capernwray Bible Centre at 9pm that night and unloaded into our temporary rooms after we were shown our rooms for the week we were introduced to some of the staff that work here. Julie is head chef and will be working with her some this year, we met Jay the Dean of the school as well. We met our roommate as well! Her name is Shilo she is from BC ( British Columbia) and she is very nice. We all talked for a little while when we had finally all showered and got changed and settled into bed and we all get along wonderfully.
August 27, 2018
So today was technically day 1 of our lives here at Capernwray for
the next 9 months. We had a small meeting with Jay and Ron ( he is the pastor of the renaissance church we will be going out and doing mission work with) and talked more about what the year will look like. We found out we will be attending some French sermons which will be really interesting. After our little meeting we had brunch with the staff and it was really nice very very beautiful and very good food, we ate on the deck of the main building were we will have all our meals at and it was so nice temperature wise a nice breeze no humidity and it was pure bliss. This morning we also had a kind of orientation base thing where we learned about how to basically fend for ourselves with food when the kitchen is closed and what attire should be worn. After all that we said goodbye to two guys that were here last year on staff and student, they were from Germany and they were really cool to meet even if it was for a little bit. Soon after that Julie the chef took us and some other people to the town of Rawdon and we went to a thrift store in the basement of a catholic church and it was really cool and interesting to see all the different things like clothing size wise. After we did that we went to grocery store called Maxi where I made my first canadian purchase. I did find out that canadian prices are quite different from american. Later when we returned back to campus me and Rebecca our roommate Shilo took us around campus and through the trails and it was really beautiful.
August 28,2018
So today was a kind of workday full of eventful things. This morning we got up at 730 and went to help in the kitchen, we learned how to set the tables and even got to serve coffee and tea (both are two duties we will have pretty much through the year) so all that went very well. After breakfast we were given this cleaning list for the buildings here on campus and we started on it, we chose to do the main building first we did the downstairs pool (game) room I did that room completely and Rebecca did the bathroom. We then went upstairs at 1045 to help get things ready for mid morning snack, we had these lemon roll things and they were sooooooooo good. After we cleaned up we took a little break to finish the tea we were drinking, then we set the tables for lunch and Shilo served us. After lunch we did what is called touch ups and it is were we basically just go to either the main building or the conference room and make sure everything is neat and pick up things take out garbage and refill things. After touch ups we did some cleaning in one of the dorm buildings called Rocher and we basically cleaned the rooms and bathrooms changed the trash out and all that fun stuff. Then we did our last duties for the day which were again setting and serving and also we did dishes afterwards. So that concluded our workday of fun little things!
August 29,2018
Today was just another work day really. We did another dorm today called Quatre Temps and basically did the same thing we did in Rocher and friday we will do all the big nitty gritty cleaning things like baseboards, windows, doors and vacuuming. After we did that we resumed our normal duties of setting ad serving and dishes. Chrissy (she was the one who emailed me and Rebecca about schedules and school things) needed our help preparing dinner and it was fun to help do. Rebecca made the icing for the zucchini brownies and I cut up peppers and carrots for the steak fajitas and made cilantro butter which by the way turned out amazing.... we were awfully proud of ourselves and everyone seemed to enjoy it as well. We both also learned how to say two french phrases..... we learned to say happy birthday which is "bonne fete" and what is your name? which is " c'est quoi ton nom" and we got put on the spot at the end of dinner by the guy who taught us that but it is okay we did it just fine. But yeah that was our day.
August 30,2018
So today was another work day but more chill I would say. We finished up the small cleaning tasks in the dorm so only thing to do is make beds tomorrow which wont be hard with five or more people. We helped set and serve lunch again but was a small crowd. And for dinner we did it out on the patio and it was reallllllyyyyy nice.... it was basically a goodbye for the McClean family and Christiana. After all that was done we finally moved into the cabin by the lake so it is a bit more roomy then the room we were in, but its basically a hike to get there. We also don't have a bathroom or shower so another hike to do those. But the upside is the view is fantastic! Sorry to say there isn't much in this entry though some days are just repetitive and short sadly. Oh also we will finally move into dorms next week when some more students arrive and I can't wait to finally put clothes in dressers and not live from a suitcase.
August 31,2018
Today we had a changeover to get everything ready for the conference coming in tomorrow. We did extensive cleaning and I don’t think i’ve been more tired in my life. But today was pretty great. Also very sad because we said goodbye to the McClean family and Christiana and Chris but overall a good day. Hopefully tomorrow’s entry will be a bit longer.
September 1,2018
Today the group came in at 10 but we were up at 8 to do any little touch ups that we needed for the rooms and laundry. When the group got here me and Shilo set the tables for lunch and it was a good bit of setting. Lunch went quite well no hiccups thankfully. After lunch me and Rebecca walked the hiking trails and moved sticks and rocks out of the path that took about an hour and we had three hours to kill.... so when we got back we helped clean the McClean's house with Laura (she is the domestic leader and she is German) we did that until our next duty which was setting for dinner. Oh and I found BAGGED MILK! I got to write the menu again but this time it was in french so I had a little help translating the menu into french so that the group could read it and everything. During meals when we have a group here we don't sit in with them and eat we sit on the terrace outside the kitchen which is fun just can't really sit down. We did dishes but had Marvin ( another german here) and Laura.That went pretty well Marvin s in the cabin next to us and likes to play his music through his speakers which are quite loud but not too loud to keep us up. But that was really the wrap of our day.
September 2,2018
So I think from this point on if some days are the same I will push my updates to a few days or more based on what all is going on. Today was another work day and the group that is here leaves tomorrow afternoon and this week we officially move into the dorms so no more moving after that.... yay! But yeah that is all I have for this update unfortunately. So until time :)
September 8,2018
So the past few days have been extremely busy between cleaning(deep deep cleaning) and finally moving into our dorm rooms. It has all been so exciting and chaotic. Yesterday the married couple that is attending the school this semester(or the year we aren't sure) came in and their daughter is sooooooooooo cute. Their names are Klaus and Corinna Shaffer and their daughters name is Linda. They are staying in the McCleans old house because they are married and have a child with them. When we moved into the dorm we all got the good rooms, I got the room at the top of my list and its the biggest, Shilo and Rebecca got the second biggest and are right next door to me. Today another student arrived and his name is Bryce. He is one of the four boys that are in the school this year, his parents and sister came as well and are staying a few days. Jessica also came in with her parents tonight. So it is exciting to finally have more students instead of just the staff to be around. Anyways there will be more to come tomorrow for sure due to the rest of the students arriving and possibly a class or two that evening but stay tuned :)
September 10,2018
So yesterday was a busy day, we had domestic duties in the morning until lunch and then the students started to arrive. Andrew ( the new director) he went around 2pm to go pick up 8 girls from the meeting place at Tim Hortons (its basically a overrated starbucks to us hoping to try it soon though) and they got here around 430-5pm. Before they all got here we helped greet the ones that were driving in. Got to meet the parent and siblings (those who had or brought theirs) and when the girls arrived we helped carry their luggage to the dorm while they got registered and boy do they pack alot. After that we finally met our roomates a bit better before dinner. My roommates are Lea (from Germany) and Kaylie ( from Alberta, Canada) they are both very very nice. We then ate dinner and had a class to go over what the week would be in a glance. Now going to today.... we started the day with a brunch at 1030 this morning and we had crepes (i have never had one before and they are really good) after breakfast we had a little time before having to go to a class that would go over the handbook (was a long class) after the clas we had some snacks. Julie prepared us some bread chips and pizza dip ( btw verrrryyyyy good). Then get this... we had a student vs staff soccer game( we won by default) Jay said the next point to score would win at that point is was the staff leading with 2 and us with 0 but we finally got a goal after a hour and we won thankfully. I was the goalie for maybe more than half the game which was fine until my legs were getting tired. But it was a good afternoon:) To wrap up the evening before bed we had a class to start going over the table of contents. Bruce Campbell is the guest speaker this week and he took us through some of the old testament and the gospels and partially through the new testament.
September 11,2018
Today I started my morning off at 7 am and that is totally not normal for me.... We had breakfast and then some team building games. We were all blind folded for a majority of them. One of them we had to get in a line by birthday, we were also blindfolded so... the second was where we had to make the sound of a animal we were given and find the other person with that animal but again we were blindfolded. The third one we were not blindfolded but we could not talk, this one we had to get in line based on age and the month. The final one we were split into four groups and had a leader that would guide us by telling us what to do and get us through this course of chairs and tipped over chairs an of course we were blindfolded. After all that fun we had a short class and then lunch. After lunch we had another short class but with Jay and not Bruce, it was about the outreaches we will be involved in throughout the year. We then had supper after that well after this free time for an hourish and then a class with Bruce. After that Julie offered to anyone who wanted to go on a night hike to the highpoint on the campus, I of course went because why not. And it was wonderful, a really good bit of a hike though. The highpoint was nice but sadly it was cloudy and over the years the trees have grown blocking the view that was there. But today was a nice day overall.
September 12,2018
Today started our first workday, so basically we had orientation in all the departments(domestics,maintenance,and kitchen). After all the department orientations we offically started our work. I was in maintenance and it was really nice. I started out stacking firewood at the McIntyres and i have never done that before and learning was nice, I also helped make a walkway for the Dusing household by moving concrete slabs onto dirt in front of the door, and i also took a mallet to the concrete slabs to break them into smaller pieces to be dumped into a pile. After the workday for dinner we had a progressive supper where we went to other staff members houses for little appetizers and we get 10 minutes to eat and at the end we all met in the main building for dessert and games. So today was a good experience and fun day:)
September 20,2018
So sorry I had not been blogging lately but I have been busy with classes and work and just being around others. I do admit a few days ago I become homesick and it was hitting hard but all is well with the prayers I received, even if you did not alert me that you were praying. I also started going to french class and i am required to go to both the beginners and the advanced (not that bad). I can say I am kind of improving which is great! My roommates and I are getting along very well and that makes me at peace. It is starting to get quite cold here, alot earlier than back home but it feels great during the day because I am not sweating while walking or working. I cannot really remember much of every detail that went on during the days I had not written but I am adjusting even though times become tough I am growing and excelling with and through Christ word and I cannot wait to see what the rest of the year holds. Until next time :}
September 27,2018
The past week has been nearly the same as the ones before. I have grown closer to some of the students here and that makes it better. My homesickness is still present on some days but most are normal. I have been doing many things aside from my lectures and french classes, things like playing pool against Josh, hanging out with Kaylie (roommate from Alberta), and just over all being around everyone and laughing. We switched workday jobs and guess who is back on domestics....me:) It is not all that bad still. Last night me and josh actually played a few good games of pool and I keep getting my butt kicked but I seem to be getting better I think. Kaylie is making me confess that I am sick(oh yeah I got sick a few days ago, just ya know a simple sinus congestion and cough) but she is persistent and it is funny, I finally cracked last night though and admitting it. But that is the one thing about a close knit community, everyone gets sick fast. So besides that I have been really digging into Gods word especially in the times I am getting homesick. This friday the youth group outreach is hosting a event here at CQBC and I couldn't be more excited about it. Ohhhhhh I also forgot to mention that I fell in a lake... yep you read me, I FELL INTO A LAKE (40 degree weather with a breeze and the water was probably about 30 degrees) had to hike back to my room in soaked clothes so that was wonderful. I learned not to let Josh row into the wrong end of the dock or for myself to let go of the dock when the front isn't set in the grass f for stability. It is a great joke my between us and I am actually happy it happened, great memories will be made this year from me being silly. So stay tuned :)
October 6,2018
Sorry I haven't been on lately. I have been unable to get my computer from ether being in classes or going out on activities. The last week I went on a hike to Foret Ouareau, this is a national park. Here we signed up for a hike like normal hike but ended up literally rock climbing in which I had one of the worst anxiety attacks but God provided two great roommates in which stayed with me and kept me calm and helped me get to the top. The night before that we (youth team which is me, Abby, Lea, Brittany, and Rebecca) hosted a youth event at the CQBC campus and it went so well. It is wonderful to immerse myself in with the local youth and experience their culture and hear their testimony and just what God has done in their lives. Yesterday we were with the youth group of Juliette and they are such a great bunch. I am so happy to have been given the opportunity to be on the youth team. Today we went to Mont Tremblant and hiked different trails and it was a wonderful experience to just see Gods creation and as well as slowly killing my body because im so not fit (getting close to being able to hike without any pains though) I was just able to look and breathe and have a clear head, something I needed after the week. This upcoming weekend we are going to a change conference so I'm stoked for that and to see what God does in the lives of those there. Stay tuned :)
October 20,2018
So sorry I have not been on. I past weekend I attended a change conference in Toronto, Ontario. Here we volunteered as staff in a way. As we were apart of what made the conference run smooth we also got to meet fantastic people. I was on security all weekend so I made sure people didn't go where they weren't supposed to go. The first night they had a time where they prayed and many were saved, I was able to give follow up bags to those people which was great. I was taken back to when I was saved a few years ago. Last night we hosted another youth event here and I was able to share my testimony, this was nice considering I came on this mission to do God's work and minister and as a part of that I am to share what He has done in my life. This week we will be going to Rimouski where we will be will families and be working in the community, now I don't know much so you will have to stay tuned as I will try my best to update regularly so I don't forget much.
October 29,2018
So we returned from our week in Rimouski around 9 last night. The week in Rimouski was really nice. some of us stayed in pairs at peoples homes, and some stayed at the church. I was lucky to spend my week with Pauline and Gilbert as my host family, although they didn't speak much English but I was able to work on my French skills kinda... I understood some things through gesture more than comprehension. During the week we had a time for an evangelism assignment in Matane which is only an hour and half from Rimouski. We basically went on a scavenger hunt but in order to find some things we had to communicate with the people in the town, in which spurred the topic of what we were doing and why. We also had a prayer walk in Rimouski and we were told to meet at a place which sells Poutine(fries,gravy,and cheese curds). In order to find it we had to again talk to people but before going to that place we had to stop in two places and pray. My group went to a hockey rink and prayed there for one stop. I had never before seen a hockey rink so I was so excited. We prayed for the pastor and associate pastor of the church we were at. We then went to a residence for Cegep ( its junior college) and prayed for the community in Rimouski since the percentage of christian is .05, along with the people that are in Cegep. Lastly we went to the place of meeting nd prayed for each other whether it was a praise or a please. Overall it was a wonderful time and a great experience. Stay tuned for more:)
November 16,2018
So the past few weeks we have endured a lot of snow. And I haven't been happier... I have never experienced so much snow and it still isn't even all of it. Nothing big has gone on the past weeks though so its been just classes. Last weekend we went to montreal to a CYCW conference which is just a conference for youth workers, here they learned tools to help teaching their youth. After that we again haven't done alot other than classes and I feel really good about my classes to, I feel as if I am learning more about the books of the bible then i knew before. We actually did a study project(and I suck at projects) but I feel like I did well and was able to present it really good. As christmas approaches we are nearing the end of the fall term of bible school and many students will be leaving, and that makes me kinda sad but life must go on. I still don't know what me and Rebecca will be doing over the break as we are staying back and not traveling or going home. But whatever it is I am sure it'll be fun and nice. I can't wait until January to see my parents though, that is what I think I am looking forward to the most. But stay tuned for more :)
Decmeber 9,2018
So since my last entry, we finished up the fall term and classes with that and I can say I thoroughly enjoyed this term. God has been speaking to me in many ways that honestly I haven't mentioned in previous entries. This term God has been showing me that I shouldn't be anxious about things, big or small. And also that I should be bold in the things I do. Upon coming here I had so much fear in everything, and over the past three months God has really shown Himself. I was so scared all things would go wrong, and although I have run into a few problems God provided a way and I am so thankful. I found a saying yesterday that fit this term quite well, GREAT THINGS NEVER CAME FROM COMFORT ZONES. This is kinda a ongoing lesson from this summers camp theme. This past week we had the christmas banquet and during that I said bye to many great new friends who I may or may not see again (Hoping I do). I am hoping this holiday season God will continue to reveal himself in all that I do and learn. Me and Rebecca will be here and there with housing since all students are gone and the first semester is over so I will try to post on what all I am learning and experiencing over the christmas holiday. Stay tuned for more :)
January 2,2019
So winter term will begin the 6th and all the staff has arrived back. This past month has been a real dinger. I spent alot of time getting to know a couple families due to having to stay with them and it was alot of fun, even though I couldn't be around my family for the holiday season I still had a family. God showed me that home can truly be where the heart is, and I can say its definitely in missions.I stayed with the Young family first ( Ron Yound is the pastor of the church we attend) During those few days I learned to ice skate and play hockey (which i sprained my wrist sadly and had to get a brace). I also enjoyed a hike up the side of a mountain where a spa is and the view was beautiful. I rang in the new year with them all except two and then some, and I am so excited to find out what is in store this year as I grow in my faith and my relationship with Jesus. On new years day I found out I had won a photography contest held by Global Year, I won in the category of landscape. This was so exciting, I didn't expect to win at all. Over the break I was had the opportunity to just be alone with God and pray to Him about alot and I just feel so relaxed from all the worries I could ever have at this point. I hope that God will continue to teach me and show me things as the winter term comes along and even after that. Stay tuned for more:)