After our morning with Mark it was back to the house and to the normal routine. Mind you for me nothing will be the same after that time with Mark. That morning was really good because since then Mark has been around and hanging out with us. Popping in from time to time has been really good and all the guys really enjoy Mark hanging round and spending time with him.
That day also had a coffee with Joel which was realy good and positive. Always helps to have someone around to talk to about thigns because it ensure that ou are thinking things through and i discover that i discover things that i otherwise would bot have come across or thought about if I wasn't talking to that person.
So that was Thursday.
Friday was a very interesting day. It was a stock standard day until we headed off to the ranch and found something to do. Dan G and JJ went ice-skating so they did not come out on this adventure but the rest of us did and had a wonderful time. It was through this time that i rediscovered. Sorry... here for the first time really discovered my sense of adventure and desire to not live a safe and bubble-wrap lifestyle. We pulled the snowboards out as well as a plastic orange sled and at different points strapped them to the quad with a rope wth them travelling behind. this was all done on the big lake on the Erb property near the feed lot. I wish I could put video on a blog. I really wsh I could, there is some great stuff that I got on my camera. It all started with Paul on the sled and Big D on the quad. They flew around the lake. Joel was asking Dan to slow down "you're gonna kill him!" Not really actually because as we discovered the snow was thick enough to break the fall and because you're low to the ground you only slide and hence would really struggle to break something. So it was no holds bar! what we didn't predict from all this though was the amount of snow that flies up from the quad and sled. You get mouthuls of snow should you open it to say anthing at all and so much snow that you cannot see anything at all. Next time we would be more prepared...
Dan here would master the quad and learn to take sleds and snowboards. Riding on these sleds is some of the most adrenaline pumping, excitement filling stuff you can do. Flying by the seat of your pants - almost quite literally - behind a quad going about 50km/h, snow flying everywhere, going over many little bumps in the lake that feel like mountains, bringing many sore points along the back and legs. But would only be beaten in excitement and exhileration by the next day.
Satrday is a day that shal never be forgotton and has really given me a taste of adventure that shall not be quenched any time soon. Attached were various objects behind the quad this time and we (that is 5 of the guys) would wrestle and fight trying to push each other off the various objects trailing behind the quad. Two of these objects were breifcases, and worked surprisingly well - once snow was placed in the act as padding. Josh Erb would discover the ecret a little too late and would sustain a blow that he would feel for the rest of the day. He was fine though - these farm boys just suck it up.
The highlight for me though came later in the day. Halfway through ou morning session the Erb's neighbours the Klasson girls came to join us for the event. And with them they brought two snowmobiles. One of which was a Yamaha 1000cc 120 bhp. This Dan hopped on I attached a briefcase and he took me from one end of the lake to the other. up the first time at about 50km/h. On the way back though I asked him to "go as fast as you can". So Dan flew across this lake at 75km/h with me flying (at points) behind holding onto this old breifcase (surprislingly not scared at all) going over little jumps and absolutely zooming along. It all came to a terrible end though when Dan hit a sharp bump in the ice that rolled the snowmobile falling on his leg and breaking it in two places. I continued at high speed and slammed into the snowmobile sending me flying over the top 10 feet into the air and breaking my right arm which I landed on. Just kidding. Dan finally hit this big jump near the end of the lake which the snowmobile got air on and when I went over it I got a foot into the air and went about 20 feet crashing to the ground all in the blink of an eye, sprawling out of the suitcase and sliding another 3 or so metres on my back in the snow. One of my favorite memories that shall be forever cherished.
Great day.
Sunday was another church service day. And we again had dinner at the ranch, once again experiencing Polly's amazing cooking. And knowing that she's reading right now - thanks again, all the guys appreciate all the time and effort you put in for us on the nights you cook for us. (Oh and on the subject of cooking and hospitality thank you Jesse and JL for the wonderful poppy-seed muffins today, they were spectacular.)
Then Monday came. The main event of this day was Youth. This is the youth group that the whole town's churches youth attend. Year's 6 to 12. Tis is the first we have attended and Dan Dan Josh and Josh were the band for the night. Before hand while Cody was praying for the night God told him that His spririt was going to move. this was exciting and yes the Spirit did move that night.
The worship was really god. the guys rocked out and brought a great charasmatic worship session that had not been witnessed by the youth for a ong time. the songs were well selected with The Stand being the big one, as well as Beautiful One and other classics. the youth really responded and really enjoyed what was offered them. Looking for any move of the Spirit at all and being really hopeful, I was put on edge a little when the Spirit didn't move - especially not knowing what the message was. So Clint got up and began his talk. This guy was great. Most reading will know the talk that is often given to youth concerning removing trash from your life. Those that know of these talks will probably know that they are often done quite badly. Clint nailed it. God used him in an amazing way on Monday night, and the youth responded. There was an alter call, the Soul Edge guys got up the fornt ready to pray for people, and we did. What I thank God for was the oppurtunity He gave me to talk to one of the girls that went up the front. I talked to her about a relational and loving and caring God. Something that kids here don't seem to understand - that God wants relationship with us. They know of this fact but are yet to really go after it and to pursue relationship with God. Please pray for the youth. That they would come to this understanding and place.
Tuesday we headed out to Swift Current to do the shopping as well as a movie night. Shopping was not the usual experience though. The van was not present at the house so we had to take Dave's amazing Bronco. Big four wheel drive vehicle. Monster of a truck. Thing is though it was modified form a two wheel to a four wheel. so a mechanism was put in place to do this. So there we are Me, Dan G, Cody, JJ, and Paul piled and squished into a four seater (Paul was in the back), and headed off to Swift, while the others headed off to the ranch to get the van in the Erb family car. Everything was all fine and dandy until - the car cut out. Just stopped. So Dave rolled it in neutral until it came to a stop, and Dave and Cody hopped out and took a look at the car. Under the car which the rest of us are still in we hear Dave say something. I forget because at the time it was really good comic value. Turns out thought the two cases that held fluid and contained the machanism which made the Bronco 4WD had ost all the bolts and had moved away from each other, creating a nice big gap. So we sat in the bronco until the van came by and we all hopped in and when to do the shopping. Once again it was two shopping trolley's and a few hundred dollars worth of food. That's a week's worth. there's some carry over though. that night was manly movie night. The oither manly movie night we watched Braveheart. This time it was Gladiator.
Wednesday was good. Got to 10 degrees above 0 which was really nice. And yes that is a very warm day. I was walking around after the soccer game in shorts and shirt. That day I finally got ot meet up with Kent which was good, and then later we had a wonderful night of Cell group with some of the young guys in youth.
I believe it's pretty up to date now.
Have a great one, and God Bless.
No comments:
Post a Comment