I'm driving down a long road. Not many cars. Not in comparison to the thoughts rushing through my head like any highway during rush hour at least. I am in a small country town inAlberta. My destination is Edmonton. Or at least, Edmonton International Airport. Am I flying out?
Heck no.
But they have something of mine. A piece of baggage.
Let me fill you in.
I have been hired as a Video Researcher & Summer Camp (news) Reporter for the companies of "Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship" and the Television Network "CrossRoads
Communication".
This project I am working on is nothing short but amazing.
I am to travel to all of the Pioneer Camps and Circle Square Ranch Camps across the co
untry of Canada, and compile stories on videos and written profiles of the people giving their lives to the work at these Camps. The work of the ministry that is the base of these camps. To the children that fill up these camps - and to God, who watches over these camps.
Much like any journalist, I spent the first few weeks of this position researching all of the camps and dealing out all of the travel and itinerary details.
This was no easy task.
Imagine (if you will :-D) An elderly man. Passionate. Wise. And the sweetest thing since Angel food cake -- describing to you an adventure he had had. Sounds amazing right? But what you
are missing - is his feeling. The feeling that words can not describe. The feeling of flying over a set of clouds that are quite literally in the shape of castles perched strongly over a set of mountains. Or a sunset. A sunset soo beautiful, that the colors of white yellow and blue accent the sky soo perfectly that the echo of peach is a perk soo unworthy to our eyes that we lose the horizon and fall slowly into bliss.
I only had one movie on my computer - Forrest Gump. I watched it every night. And he was
right.
I wasn't sure where the Earth stopped, and Heaven began.
I'm driving down a long road.Newfoundland can take the culture, but Alberta took the land. The hills of Ireland have cousins and they reside in Alberta.
The locals are either Prairie folk, or Mountain. The ones who live and breathe the Prairies reside by the philosophy that the Mountains are in the way. And I'll tell you, that though a flat ground sounds boring - I guarantee you that you will not be looking at the ground. But rather to the skies. And I tell you again - there is as much sky as there is land - and the flatter it is - the more beauty in solitude you will find.
The sky will smile back at you - just watch.
And as for the Mountains.
As a singer? I was a mute. For at least a little while.
There isn't a diaphragm in the word that can stand up to the first second you see a Mountain.
I'm not one to cry - but you see something like that - and all your thoughts turn into a burst of joy so powerful that speech itself becomes not but an audible breath of "yes".
I don't fully believe it - but I felt it - "Moving is living".
For the first time in more years then my young age should have allowed - I was living.
I'm driving down a long road.
An airline lost my checked baggage on the first flight out. This didn't upset me too much as I had only thought it was my clothes. And as a self proclaimed hippy - this adventure had just christened the clothes I had on - my new favorite pairs.
Though after a couple of days of awaiting my bags I had realized - Important pieces for my equipment were in my bags...... And thus began my spontaneous drive down the country side.
I borrowed a car and headed North East to Edmonton from "Rocky Mountain House,
Alberta". This was a fairly easy task. Thanks to of course the uncontrollably nice hosts of mine for lending me a car and a GPS - as well as the lovely folks at Tim Hortons, reminding me that joy is but a dollar 80 away. (depending on your location!! more on that later!)
I am close to half way through my trips and thus making a quick stop off at Home in Toronto to enjoy a quick cuddle time with my cat - and a catch up on life and digest the world I just experienced!
Life moves pretty fast - and though I stopped to look around for a long while - I need to hold on to it - or I truly did miss it.
(Donke Shoen)
I stayed in Sundre, Rocky Mountain House, Edmonton and I flew into Calgary Alberta. From there I went to Vancouver British Columbia. Transfered over onto an island oddly named "Thetis Island". Though I missed out of the wonders of British Columbia on the ground - I lived it out from the skies.
Alberta on the other hand - I lived out quite largely. Both are sooo beautiful. All thought and dreams of a woman to hold and a cat to pat as I cradle a Guiness was LONG out of my mind ;).
What I had before me was God saying "Welcome".
Here is something about me. When I find solitude - when I truly feel the most amount of Gratitude - and the time I wish to be no where else ---- I burst.
I try my hardest to not make a sound, so much so that my face breaks and a smi
le resonates from me like an outbreak of laughter. Uncontrollable. Undeniable. These were gifts to me.
The moment I was accepted into a University.
Walking to class with my friends.
Having an Actors "Moment Before" leading into my first full Lead in a musical.
Boarding a plane on my own as a Man.
Boarding a plane on my own with a mission.
Boarding a plane on my own - but with God pushing my lower back as if to lead me in a soft shoe waltz into a life long experience that would change my mind, heart and soul forever.
I have been very fortunate to experience this Country as a whole.
And a bit of Canadian Culture from Toronto. People are from EVERYWHERE over here. So much so that when you meet someone, it isn't long before they announce that they are 1 quarter English, or Scotish, or Dutch, or Greek - or in my case - Irish/Scottish (thanks Gran'pa) -- But tonight as I rest my head on my own pillow - here in the smoldering heat of Toronto (how fitting) - I thank God I'm Canadian. And I thank Him for not only the sights that I have seen - but the people that I NEVER would have met.
Those people whom have entered into my life for those short few days and made a life long impression. The people are as beautiful as the Country.
This Summer is still going on - and so are the stories.
I am grateful for where I have been, where I am going, and the strength and God who is leading me.
Momentum is up. Can't stop me now.
-pJ
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