Adventuring we go!!

Yesterday Sarah, Kristian, Keisha the pup and I went adventuring in Chehalis (just past Mission). I thought I'd show some of the schnazzy photos from our little adventure as well as include some of my personal highlights :) We took Mother Superior's advice (from one of my favorite musicals: "The Sound of Music") and climbed a mountain!! Ha!!

Highlights:

- Going off roading in the Pathfinder. Yeehaw!! Quite the bumpy ride :)
- Exploring the woods and creek
- Having to pee TWICE in the bushes. Hey, I have no shame...when you gotta go, you gotta go!!
- *insert warm and fuzzies* Spending time with Sarah and Kris

Playing with the latest Christmas 'toy' from Mum and Dad (walkie talkies) and saying things like "Roger that" and "10/4 little buddy".

Building a fire in the snow and roasting hot dogs...mmm yum!!

Frolicking in the snow with one of my all time favorite pups, Keisha! (she blinked...haha)

Attempting to share an icicle with Keisha (she loved that thing!!) She was also obsessed with licking every rock in sight!!

Practicing my fishing skills with my favorite, and ironically only, brother-in law ;)

The two missing 'angels'. I'm here for you Charlie. Seriously, just call...

Enjoying God's beautiful creation!! AMAZING!!

How do you "do"?

Tonight Megs informed me that an 'update' is in order *sidebar: Tys, I am going to heckle you due to the fact that YOU are WAY overdue for an update...in fact, overdue is an understatement!! Update or NO SUSHI FOR YOU!!*. Ahem, ANYWAYS, I am planning on doing a "Christmas" post that will inform you about all of the happenings of my past few days. I'm sure that the anticipation will be the death of you ;) Ha ha!! So Megs, this one's for you. Here is Megs and I at Rough Acres several years ago with our 'morning hair'. Yes, I have flowers in my hair when I wake up...don't ask. JUST KIDDING (gosh, it's late and my jokes are lame...ok they are ALWAYS lame...I'm just going to post...haha) This is Megsy and I on 'wacky hair night' (a classic at most camps). Enjoy!!

The anticipation of Christ...

Oh come let us adore Him...

Merry Christmas dear friends

Emmanuel...

Last night Megs and I went to see "The Nativity". I loved seeing the interactions between Mary and Joseph. Raw. Real. Faith that was steadfast. Despite the fact that all odds were against this tiny child of hope, He triumphed and accomplished what he came to do here on earth. I felt like I was falling in love with Jesus all over again. I left the theatre in awe and amazement.

Thank you Jesus. Thank you for coming down to earth in humility so that we might know what it means to experience life. The story of your birth is truly miraculous. Glory to God in the highest! I am in awe...

just bust a move...

Tonight was one of the randomest/funnest nights I've had in awhile. Sometimes the best evenings of fun are totally unplanned and sponateous. I love these adventures ;)
Tonight was my parents infamous annual Christmas party. I love this Christmas party. I love this party because I love my parents friends. Sarah and Kris left Kris's work party early just so that they could come b/c "your parents party is my favorite Christmas party of the year!!" (Kristian).
It started out like any other Christmas party...the usual "New Life" gang. Most of my parents friends attend the Church that I attended until Grade 10/11 (my parents still attend this church). One of my childhood friend's mums came out to the party and she said "Oh Maia! Leslie and Cam live in Walnut Grove now! Cam (her husband) is at the Canucks game and she is baking cookies with Sarah (another girl I grew up with). You should give them a call!". So I did just that!! I haven't seen either of these girls in several years and we haven't all hung out together since about grade 9/10. AND, wonder of wonders, THEY CAME OVER!! After lots of hugging and high pitched talking (ha ha) Sarah informed me that she and Leslie were heading to a hootenany at her school. Sarah attends the Dance Barn which is a Christian dance school/outreach program located just off of 88th in Walnut Grove. Sarah and Leslie both said "Hey, you should totally come out tonite!!" and I thought what the heck, count me in!!
When I arrived at the Dance Barn I felt like I was at A Rocha. However, instead of being surrounded by people who are passionate about the environment, I was surrounded by an eclectic group of people who are passionate about dance and other forms of artistic expression!! Awesome!! :) After a lot of introductions and a trip to the food table (mmm) we decided it was time to brave it and go out on the dance floor!! WOO HOO!! I thought it might be 'intimidating' being with a bunch of highly trained dancers...but everyone was acting like a dork and it was amazing!! I busted out every move in the book and then some. We even did a dance circle!! The best part of the dance was that the music was live and the musicians were phenomenal! (I love 'artsy fartsy' people...heh heh). After 10:30 a lot of people began to make their ways home (some people live at the school but most commute in). This is when the real fun began ;) We had a smaller dance party and then Leslie and I grabbed jimbay's and were drumming along (killing ourselves laughing I might add). But wait, it gets better!! The COOLEST part of all is that the Dance Barn offers dance classes to the public!! I did a fair bit of dancing growing up and it's something I've always wanted to 'pick up' again. However, a lot of places that offer hip hop are sketch. THESE people know how to bust a move but in a 'tasteful' fashion ;). SO, come January 2007, we are going to take a hip hop class at the Dance Barn!! AHHH!! I'm SO excited :) I got to re-connect with some amazing girls AND we're going to dance. I felt like I was in high school because Leslie, Sarah and I's parents were all at my house and we were out partying it up. It's so great when God brings old friends back into your life...I'm anticipating lots more crazy times with Leslie and Sarah ;)

has anyone seen my calculator?

Hook me up with a pocket protector. Does anyone have Issue #52 of the Avengers? Will somebody please get me a band-aid for my glasses!! I want some new suspenders for Christmas...
Yes, it's true. I THINK I'M BECOMING A GEEK!! Ok, ok...most of you are saying "uhh Maia, you JUST discovered this!!". Let me clarify. I THINK I AM BECOMING A COMPUTER GEEK!! Last night, at the Old Spaghetti Factory, Sharelle and I spent over 15 minutes FULLY engaged in a conversation about blogging!! Now, Sharelle is much more 'in the know' of the blogging world. She also has myspace AND facebook! However, I DID learn some very helpful information from her (seeing as I am still relatively 'new' to this and don't know about all of the bells and whistles. I did a lot of "ooooh's" and "I can do THAT's!"). After about 10 minutes into our conversation we stopped, looked at each other and said "gosh, we're dorks!!". Pause. "Meh, I'm ok with that". Conversation continues. Here's to all of us communicating via cyberspace. Let the geekiness live on!! Cheers!

A ride of Christmas cheer?! I THINK NOT!!

I was extremely excited to, once again, partake in the holiday festivities that our wonderful city has to offer. Tonight I will be driving down the colourfully lit streets of Vancouver, through the lush greens of Stanley Park and taking a ride on the joyous Christmas Train that has brought delight to boys and girls for countless years. I WAS excited...until I remembered one small detail. I AM TERRIFIED OF THE STANLEY PARK TRAIN!! Let me explain. Several years ago I took a group of youth to ride on the Stanley Park Christmas Train. After admiring the Christmas lights, trying some "chestnuts roasted on an open fire" (highly overrated), it was finally our turn to board the holiday train. I was thoroughly enjoying my ride at this point. There were live reindeer, wooden Christmas creatures scattered throughout the trees and a beautiful lady in white who stood on stilts and gracefully waved her transparent wings. Ahh, magnificent! But then...it happened. As we were turning the corner we approached a dimly lit shed. As we passed by, I saw a dark shadow leaning next to the shed. What was this? Suddenly, I noticed that it was moving! THE SHADOW WAS ALIVE!! Slowly it drummed its long fingers. Up and down, up and down until BOOM!! It suddenly turned to face the train, opened its arms wide and flashed a terrifying smile!! IT WAS THE GRINCH!! Immediately I let out a SHRIEK and buried my head in the person's shoulder who was sitting next to me (one of my youth). I was PETRIFIED!! My heart was racing. I couldn't look. I knew that I had freaked out half of the train and I could hear laughter from my fellow train passengers.
This is why I fear the Stanley Park Christmas train. A ride that is supposed to fill you with holiday cheer and give you 'warm fuzzies' freaked the living crap out of me!! Let's just say this...I'll be watching for you Grinch. You and your long drumming fingers too!!

Mirror, mirror...

Mirror, mirror on the wall, which is the UGLIEST of them all?? Tonite Janny, Mel and I are embarking on a Value Village adventure in an attempt to find the UGLIEST Christmas sweaters mankind has EVER SEEN!! On Friday night we, along with a group of our White Rock friends, are going out in public in our hideous sweater outfits. We will be catching a ride on the Stanley Park Christmas Train followed by dinner at one of my favorite restaurants of all time...The Old Spaghetti Factory!! I'm sure I'll have some ugly photos to post after this evening of pure and utter chaos ;)

ps - if anyone wants to come on a MEC Adventure with Mel and I (I am purchasing my backpack/therma-rest) then feel free to come along!! We are heading out around 9:30ish on Friday morning :)

slightly 'cracked'

"A true friend is someone who thinks you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked" Bernard Meltzer

Seymour Weekend O' Fun!!

This weekend we are taking our youth group to a very 'high class' *cough* chalet up at Seymour!! Retreats are always awesome because everyone is removed from their 'regular lives' and are rid of their usual responsibilities. In my experience, youth retreats are INSANE WEEKENDS OF CRAZY/PSYCHO FUN!! Sleeping bag races down the stairs, dance parties in the kitchen, massive pillow fights, blitz fury...ahhh, brilliant!! I thought I would post some prayer requests for the weekend so that you can be praying for us while we're up at Seymour.

- Pray for safety as we travel up to Seymour (lots of us have good old 'student vehicles')
- Pray for safety for those youth who will be going snowboarding/skiing on Saturday.
- Pray for Jason, Matt and myself as we are doing the 'speaking sessions' for the weekend. Please pray that God will speak through us and that we will be sensitive to what He is wanting us to share.
- Pray for all of the sponsors as we spend time with the youth. Pray for lots of 'bonding' opportunities and openness in sharing.
- Pray for those youth who are still seeking. Pray that they will take the time to stop and listen as God speaks to them
- Pray also for those youth who have made a committment to Christ. Pray that they will continue to grow in their faith and be an example/encouragement to those youth that are still seeking
- Pray for unity among our group. Please pray that everyone feels included/valued and that friendships are strengthened and new friendships are made.
- ** Please pray that God will speak powerfully to us this weekend and that HE will be our main focus**