Kendra Has Conquered!!!

In the beginning, God created woman. And God said, “Let her sew fine raiment and draperies and quilts and all manner of goods made from cloth.” And lo, the woman sinned and God said, “Cursed be woman. For all generations to come there will be enmity between the woman and her sewing machine.” And it was so.

My mother tried to teach me to sew. My grandmother tried to teach me to sew. I attended girl’s club sewing classes. It seemed that sewing machines had a special grudge against me. Mom would get the machine all ready to go and it would work fine. I would sit down and the thread would break. Or the needle. Or the bobbin would jam. If something could go wrong, it usually did, and so I have never enjoyed sewing (to put it mildly). But let me tell you: TODAY I CONQUERED THE SEWING MACHINE. I’m not sure what possessed me to start this project, maybe Glenda talked me into it, but I kind of think it was my idea. Two years after I bought the supplies, my nativity wallhanging is finally done. Or it will be, once I get the binding sewed on. Whoo-hoo!!!!

Wedding, cont’d

Thanks, Mom!

Mel’s Wedding

Mel and Jake were married on Saturday. It was simple, beautiful, and very “Mel and Jake-ish.” I was kind of bummed at myself because I didn’t even think to take a camera along to Baltimore and so I have absolutely not a single picture from the wedding or wedding preparations other than one I pirated from Rebekah’s Facebook. I do hope someone will take this as a not so subtle hint and send me a few, particularly the ones of our family, if I may be choosy. =)

The ceremony was held at their church, which meets in a stately old Episcopal building. Their fathers led the service and Jeremy, Cheryl and Micah did the music. The cutest thing was when Dad pronounced them man and wife and Mel pumped her fist in the air and whooped. =) The reception was held at a nearby park. The weather was kind of misty and wet but it wasn’t cold so we were just fine under the pavilion. It was fun to visit with family and friends that I don’t see often.

I’m so proud of and happy for Mel (and Jake, of course!).

No Place Like Home

As we neared the end of our journey yesterday and the last few klicks to Red Lake were speeding by, I was getting more and more excited. I’m almost home! You Red Lakers know how it is, once you cross the border at International Falls, you’re almost there. Then Dryden. Then you turn onto Hwy 105 and you’re practically there , but there are those 178 looonnnngggg kilometers yet to go.  You pass Perrault Falls, and Ear Falls, and Pakwash, and the Chukuni River, and finally, there’s Harry’s Corner and you thank the Lord for a safe trip and you crest that last hill and…ahhh. Home at last.

And yet, my h0mecoming is tinged with bittersweet, because I’m coming home to say goodbye.

But I’m not thinking about that today. Today I’m enjoying waking up in my own bed, having a choice of clothes to wear beyond the few pieces that fit in the suitcase, deciding what to cook in my own kitchen, walking downtown to do some errands and, of course, reconnecting with friends.

And lest I forget to mention, it is snowing.

Ummm…

I can’t think of a title so I shall proceed without one.

I’m back in VA again after a good visit in Alabama with my parents. Jim and I drove down on Friday the 9th. He returned home on Monday and I came back with Mom and Dad on the 16th. It was fun to see where Dad and Mom live, meet some of their friends and visit their church. It seems like they’ve found a place in that community and have been a blessing to many. Dad spent most of his days in prison. =) Mom and I went walking, played games, talked wedding, and laughed lots. One day we went and picked up pecans. Another day we were invited to a ladies lunch. We were told that the entree would be brunswick stew, so mom and I went expecting to eat a bowl of soup and crackers. We were greeted at the door and ushered into an Old South home–high ceilings, fireplaces, fresh flower arrangements on the tables, goblets of iced tea (sweet, of course), cloth napkins, etc.–and the company of 14 southern belles, of which all were at least twice my age. Thick southern accents and lots of laughter swirled over a feast that included not only brunswick stew and crackers, but grilled pork roast, pork barbeque, baked beans, coleslaw, garlic toast and for dessert, pecan pie tarts and an 11-layer cake. Yes, you read that right. Eleven layers, all baked individually and perfectly frosted with a chocolate glaze. Of course, Mrs. A knows someone who makes HER cake 15 layers, and Ms. B usually makes hers 13, and our hostess only did 11 this time, while Mrs. C can’t be outdone and is considering making one with 12 layers for the next ladies luncheon. All of the food was delicious and was prepared by our 76 year old hostess. I was impressed.

This totally changes the subject, but a “first” for me in Alabama was watching my parents sing in the choir at their Baptist Church. And not only singing in the choir, but doing it wearing fancy choir robes. Jim and I were surreptitiously snapping photos but alas, I do not have any of them on my computer so I can’t share the experience with you. Dad looks rather angelic in most of the pictures, since he was standing in front of a window and so his head is kind of lost in a glow and his creamy white robe adds to the overall heavenly appearance. giggle. =) Good times.

Checking out an old Gulledge Mill building. Honestly, we didn’t notice the “keep out” sign until we had already been in. The confession is that after we saw the sign, we went back in so we could take a picture.

Dad and Mom at Wehle Nature Center.

The women in my family have this habit of wandering/pacing while talking on the phone. Mom and Dad live in a double wide with a huge master bedroom suite. The bathroom has two doors and is about the size of  a normal bedroom. Anyway, I was pacing and talking and found myself in their bathroom, looking at the tub and feeling this urge to see what it was like to sit in it. Which is where mom found me when she came in to put her laundry away.

This is wedding week for my sister Melanie. I’m in VA until Thursday, when I’ll head to Baltimore to do all the sisterly, count-down-to-the-wedding type stuff. Things finally seem to be coming together for her. Her dress, which she ordered online months ago, did not arrive until yesterday. That is a little too close for comfort, in my opinion! Thankfully it fits and she likes it.

I’m filling my time with things like a trip to the apple orchard with Grandmother and the making of applesauce, getting my own wedding plans off the ground, shelling walnuts, last minute shopping trips for things for Mel’s wedding, yada yada. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here, but I’m starting to think about heading home and am looking forward to seeing my Red Lake people again.

One more thing…Jim and I are trying to decide on a photo for our wedding invitations now, since they will likely need to be sent or ready to send before I get to VA again. I’m thinking maybe this one:

Cute, eh? =)

The DAY

Well folks, I am getting married on February 13. I never imagined a winter wedding, much less a wedding the day before Valentines Day, but that’s what works. Mark it on your calendars. =)

To all of my Canadian friends, I’m thinking of you today and wishing you a happy Thanksgiving Day. I certainly am thankful for the blessing you have been in my life!

I am in Alabama at my parents house. It is the 80’s today and rainy, a far cry from the snow I hear has been falling in Red Lake. Dad and Mom have dial-up internet that connects at the rip-roaring speed of 28 kb per second. Checking email, much less sending email or updating the blog, can be a hair-pulling exercise in patience so you probably won’t hear much from me the next couple days.

Old Enough to Get Married

In the past twenty four hours, I have heard three versions of the “you’re old enough to get married if…” saying.

“You’re old enough to get married when you can slice bread straight.”

“You’re old enough to get married when you can roll a round pie crust.”

“You’re old enough to get married when you can wash dishes and keep three (some people are merciful and make that two) dish driers busy.”

Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll ever be old enough to get married.

Yes!!

He asked and I said yes. Whoo-hoo!

It’s taking awhile to sink in. We’re thinking a wedding in February or March but haven’t decided on a date yet.

That’s the biggest news.

My recent activities could be summed up in the word “travel.” Last weekend Jim and I went to Ohio to visit his family. We also spent an evening with my Steiner relatives. The only picture I have on my camera is this one of Jim and his mom playing “Corn Hole.” That was a favourite activity while we were there.

We got home late Sunday night. On Wednesday morning, my sis-in-law Krista, nephew Lincoln and I drove to Baltimore to spend some time with Cheryl and Mel. It was fun to be sisters together. We went on a walk around the inner-harbour area, scouted out Value Village, and enjoyed lunch out at Chick-fil-A.

(discretely trying on clothes in the aisle at VV since there was no dressing room)

We came home Thursday night. On Saturday morning, Jim and I drove to PA. We enjoyed a spur-of-the-moment visit with the Repman family (my friends from up north), time with Jim’s grandpa, uncle/aunt/cousins, and a couple hours at a reunion of a disaster relief team that Jim was a part of in Bangladesh last October. We got home late Sat. night.

This week I’m hanging out here at my grandparents. The days and evenings are planned full, spending time with people. On Friday, Jim and I are headed to Alabama to visit my parents. I’ll stay down there for a week and come back up with them when they come for Mel’s wedding. I think the rest of my time here is going to go by too fast.

I’m a happy, blessed girl. So Iris, that’s where I am and what I’m doing.

Back in the Valley

Recent days have found me making my way back to my home land, the place where I was born and raised. Or as close to it as one can be when the family farm has been sold, the parents have moved, and for the first time in my life, I’m living at Grandmother’s house.

The trip down went well. I traveled along with the Akwachinkers and although my car committed random acts of strangeness that proved that the $300 spent on repairs just before leaving Red Lake did not truly fix the problem, I arrived here on Sunday with no significant adventures. Accelerating on its own when I want to go slow, stalling when I want to go fast, and once, the horn blowing on its own as we cruised along the I-70….I think my little car may be bound for retirement here soon. The most annoying thing about the whole trip was losing my credit card at a gas station in the middle of the night. I think I must’ve thrown it out with the assorted fast food garbage I was cleaning out of the car. Or maybe left it lying on the trunk after we spread out the map to chart our course through Chicago. In any case, it was gone and when I realized it at the next stop, I had to make calls to cancel it, leaving myself with very little cash and no credit card and still a long way to travel. Thankfully my Scotia card worked in an ATM and for the first time in my life (I think) I traveled paying cash for gas and food. It felt very strange. I think that says something about how old I am, that I don’t remember ever paying cash for gas.

Since I’ve been here, I’ve spent my days here at the house with Grandmother and Granddaddy. Taking walks, washing my car, helping with meals. Today GrD and I are going to be GrM’s “employees” and wash the windows. The evenings have been full–a cousin’s birthday party, a trip to town to get a cell phone, and a fun date last night that involved a canoe and a campfire and good food and good talking and unfortunately, no camera. Tomorrow Jim and I are headed to Ohio for the weekend to visit his family and mine and I’m looking forward to that.

My sister Melanie and brother Micah and two of their friends sing together. They call their group Three-N-One. Their new CD arrived yesterday and I’ve been enjoying listening to it. They are very good.

My brother was given a dog yesterday. It is a purebred American Eskimo or something. White and hairy. And it only makes left hand turns. Its the strangest thing. It goes in circles like crazy, but only to the left. It’s panting at my feet as I type.

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the end-of-the-season garden food. Lettuce, tomatoes, corn, lima beans, squash…and GrM says she’ll pick the first endive next week. YUM.

GrD just came and said its time to wash windows so I will leave you with this parting shot of him and Lincoln, taking their afternoon naps together.

Survivor

I’ve been sitting here trying to write a post about my Akwachink experience. Since I was asked to write an article for the upcoming issue of Hopelines (LHNM’s quarterly newsletter), and wasn’t terribly inspired to write something else, I decided to just post the first draft of my article. Those of you who read Hopelines will have a sneak preview, but you can go ahead and read it again, because the newsletter version is a bit more polished.

Knee-deep in oozing mud, a canoe grinding down on my shoulders, sweat dripping off my chin and black flies biting any exposed flesh, I stagger down a portage trail. Five hundred meters lie behind me, seven hundred stretch ahead, and I wonder, “Why do I keep doing this to myself?!”  This is my ninth trip into the bush, helping lead Akwachink trips.

The primary objective of Akwachink is to teach and develop leadership and wilderness skills, building around a framework of spiritual truths and disciplines. “Teaching unity and teamwork, learning to operate the way the body of Christ should operate, is a huge thing for me,” says Arthur Lyndaker. “If that doesn’t happen, I’m always disappointed.” Each day begins with a biblical theme that corresponds with the activities of the day. In the evening, campfire discussion focuses on the theme and lessons learned throughout the day. Together, we are stretched and challenged in areas such as honesty, trust and endurance. A day theme on purity stood out to Ben, who commented that being open and having a meaningful discussion about a sensitive issue brought a feeling of closeness and identification with the other guys. For Jenni, a focus on contentment was challenging when faced with living with a lot less than we usually have.

This year, our trip began at Stormer Lake. Our group consisted of ten students (eight guys and two girls) and three instructors. We paddled out into the sun, spirits high. Twenty-four hours later, we were not the same people that left Stormer Lake. Paddling in the hot sun and the difficult portage trail I mentioned previously had reduced us to filthy, exhausted, dehydrated, discouraged campers. The decision was made to stop for the night, only half of the way to our destination. Our theme for the day was perseverance and we discussed what it means to persevere when accomplishing the goal is not possible.

On we traveled, down the Dowling River and into Pikangikum Lake, where we had our mid-trip food drop. The next morning, a bracing tailwind inspired us to lash our canoes together and hoist sails made from our plastic tarps. We blazed across the lake in record time, a fun change from the work of paddling. We continued traveling down the Berens River, eventually ending our trip in Poplar Hill where we spent several days resting and getting a glimpse of what ministry in a reserve setting is like. One evening we sang hymns and praise songs on the local radio station. Another day we spent time playing games and hanging out with kids from the community.

When asked what memories stand out from the trip this year, Hans said, “Doing first aid on my finger during solo—tearing up my bandana to use as a bandage when I cut myself.” For Tim, seeing a moose was a bonus. “Being able to conquer a fear of heights and actually do the rappelling,” Jesse said. The beautiful weather was a highlight for me this year. It has been a very wet summer in this area and water levels are five to six feet higher than usual. After months of rain, we enjoyed sunshine every single day of the trip. It only rained once and that was during the night. Several people mentioned the fun of staying up late, conversing around the fire on a wide variety of topics. The relationships built on Akwachink are a cherished part of the experience. Facing and overcoming obstacles, being patient with and learning to work together, and sharing life stories builds friendships that endure.

So why do I keep doing this to myself? The words of this year’s students sum up a lot of my feelings. “Meeting new friends,” said Hannah. “It gets you out of your comfort zone. It’s so different from your normal life and it stretches you, draws you closer to the team,” Randy said. “It pushes you to your physical limits,” Ben commented. And from Jenni, “Enjoying the beauty of creation.” I go on Akwachink because it is a privilege to be a part of the maturing and growth that God is working in the lives of the students. I go because there are things that God teaches me, even though I have “been there, done that” numerous times already.

A calm blue lake lined with pine and just-starting-to-turn-yellow poplar trees spreads out before me.  The clear blue sky, littered with puffy white clouds, yawns above. A bald eagle soars and a flock of Canada geese honk as they make their way south. Seven red canoes add a splash of colour and the words of a hymn, sung in beautiful four-part harmony, drift back from the lead canoes. “Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee…” THAT is why I go on Akwachink.

Patiently waiting for breakfast.

The great white hunters consuming a snake on survival day.

The mosquitoes and black flies were a plague and we wore head nets a lot of the time.

The ten students.

My first ever real wound on Akwachink. So Dion has a big knife. And the knife is sharp.

Sailing on Pikangikum Lake.

Rappelling

Cliff jump

The strenuous life of an Akwachink instructor.

Singing on the community radio at Poplar Hill.

A bonus picture…the softball game after the potluck at church on Sunday. A fun day.