Grand Forks, ND

Well, I went on my first actual specialling weekend. This is a weekend where cadets from the training college head out to a corps and help out with ministry over the weekend and participate or do the Sunday morning service. I've done something similar in my two Sunday's in Vancouver but that was part of a mission trip so I guess technically this was my first official specialling weekend.

We headed out to Grand Forks, ND on Friday afternoon and had a beautiful day for driving. We started off the weekend with a teen night at the hotel once we arrived, and having now done a devotional around the pool I can tell you that it is hard on the throat. Saturday morning we went and helped out with Scouting for Food. This is where a food drive happens and The Salvation Army splits the food gathered with another organization. With the cadets there were a few extra people so we sorted the food on the spot and wow did that food come in fast. We were swarmed under by bags of food, but we got it all squared away and ready. The group of us then had a wonderful afternoon at the nursing home handing out little bags with a gift and War Cry in them for Easter. Saturday evening we joined up with their worship team and rehearsed for Sunday morning. I learned a couple of new songs which were very nice and now added to my repertoire for service planning. Sunday morning was a great time for Sunday school class to celebrate Palm Sunday and then we were off to the church service. It was hard to believe it by this point but after church we were ready to head home.

Now I don't want you to think this weekend was all work, work, work because we did get some time in to go shopping for an hour or so, and the mall may not have been big but it had my favourite stores so I was happy. We were also busy during the weekend but never rushed and believe me there is a huge difference. I had plenty of opportunities to chat with people along the way and enjoy their company. I had a great time in Grand Forks and would certainly go back anytime.

Driving

This may come as somewhat as a surprise given my age but I do not yet have my full drivers license. For a variety of reasons I have never gotten around to having it, however, that time has passed and now for a variety of reasons I need to get it. So, while I try and contemplate things to blog about this came to my mind.

I have held a learners permit twice now and have actually transferred it into another province at this stage of the game. My motivation to get out and drive has always been a little sketchy and I tend to need some prodding along the way. So I had my first driving experiences on the farm driving a tractor, and then along some of Alberta's back roads driving this huge old car. The second time I got my learners I have been more successful and went with my uncle and one of my cousins (personal peanut gallery) and did the whole parking lot driving and then slowly some more street driving.

Since arriving here I have been out more and more and my aim is to have my full license by early May so that I can be fully mobile on my own which is necessary for where I'm headed in life - and that's going to be a literal heading not a metaphorical one. I went out driving today and had a great time. My instructor was very encouraging and pointed out some great areas for me to focus on for now. I was able to practice things that I haven't done yet in a safe environment and overall made me feel as though this isn't a lost cause.

Look for an update in May to see whether or not I make it through.