The Little Things Make a Big Difference!

 Last year when I was planning for my home assignment year, my friend, Sarah, had a great idea! She would also be on home assignment, in Canada for the year. She could fly to Denver, spend a week with me, we rent a car and drive up to Canada where I would then spend a week with her! We made it happen! 

Sarah flew down on March 2 and spend a week with me. We rented a car from DIA, drove to Paris, Illinois to spend a day with my 1st cousin, once removed, and her family, drove to Detroit, got an Uber from the car rental place to the bus station, rode a flixbus over the border and to Toronto, Ontario where we spend a few days then up north to spend the rest of the time with her family. 

Looking back on our travels, I can see all the little ways that God provided in a physical sense and also in a spiritual and emotional sense. 

I am training for the Horsetooth Half Marathon that is happening in April so I have runs on Mondays, sometimes Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, I have a 30 minute strength training video to follow and a short 10 minute ab one for Friday or anyday during the week. My rest days are Fridays (apart from the ab video) and Sundays. I planned ahead of time by getting a few extra 30 minute workouts in before we left on my rest days; Friday and early on Sunday morning. Monday, we drove all day and Wednesday was also a travel heavy day with the drive to Detroit, Uber ride and 6 hour bus ride to Toronto. Thursday, we found a gym nearby in Toronto where I could pay a small fee to use their internet and weights for a day. When we were up north and staying at her sister's house for a day, I found a similar situation at the YMCA where I purchased a one day pass to use their facilities. For the running, it was amazingly, warm enough where I could run outside! Woohoo! I look back and see how God provided that I was able to keep up with my plan. By the time I got home again, I was only one day behind which was easy to make up. 

What was even sweeter were connections made with people! We stayed with my cousin, Jane and Russ and their oldest daughter for a night and day in Paris, Illinois. We went to Bible study with Jane the following morning, lunch with Russ and Jane, and just time spent together. It has been several years since I've seen Russ and Jane and it was so incredible the way we could have such a close connection. We are family and even more, we share the same faith which really ties us together. When you scroll down, you will see a family photo with their daughter, Missy as well. 

And then there is Sarah's mom and dad. From Toronto, we took a train up north about an hour and a half and were picked up by Sarah's parents. I have met them before when they came to visit Sarah a few years ago. I also met one of Sarah's sisters. Well, this time, I got to meet the whole family! I met both of her sisters and spouses, her brother, and all of her neices and nephews! The night before I was to fly back, one of her sisters invited us over for dinner where I was warmly welcomed, toasted to, and prayed over for a safe journey back and many more years of friendship with Sarah. Amen to that! I am so beyond thankful for all of these friendships that God has placed in my life! When I think of the sweet friendships that He has brought just this year! New friends through the churches I am attending, friends who served at BFA and are now living in the Ft. Collins area with their families, supporters that I am re-connecting with, friends I have lived with and spent lots of time with before going to Germany that I am blessed to still have in my life, and so many more! I was asked just yesterday about the relationships that God has blessed me with this year and for sake of time, I was only able to share a little. Thank you to all of you who are such a blessing to me this year and I look forward to what God will do in the future! 

After Sarah arrived, we went for a hike with my friend, Lisa in the wind, cold and sun! 

I took Sarah up to Estes Park for an afternoon of checking out the fun shops. 

One of the shops in Estes, had some fun angel wings. 

Right at the beginning of the Thompson Canyon, there is a Cherry store with juice, pies, and more!

As we were heading back home, we saw a bunch of elk so stopped to take a few photos. 

We visited the library as well and found a book on Squeegee Art and this is one of my creations. I squirted acrylic paint in lines, curves, and dots, then took a squeegee from the top to the bottom. Scroll down to see how it turned out!

When it dried, I added black lines for character. :)

This was the halfway point of my 11 mile run the Saturday before we headed out on our road trip. 

A couple from church brought us to the car rental place in Denver and we left a little after 2 pm and drove to Kearney, Nebraska. The next morning, we got up at 6 am and were on the road by a little after 6:30. Sarah took some great photos of the sunrise!

We got to Paris, Illinois and Russ and Jane's by a little after 6 pm on Monday evening. Just in time for dinner! We spent Tuesday hanging out with them, going to a Bible study, lunch at a Bistro in town, watched Cadfael, I did an easy 4 mile run, and dinner when Missy got home. Here is a family photo with their two dogs and one of the three cats. :)

We left Paris, Illinois a little after 6 am on Wednesday morning, got to Detroit at about 1 pm and our bus headed out later that afternoon. It got a little warm on the bus. I think the driver forgot that most of the people on the bus were from Canada and did not want the heat on! Someone asked him to turn it off thankfully! BTW, we drove through 8 states! Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, and Michigan!

Here is the border crossing into Canada! After crossing, we got off the bus, went inside a building, were asked a few questions, then got back on to continue our journey. 6 hours on that bus! We got into Toronto after 10 pm and to our hostel after 11 and to bed close to midnight. I was so happy for a bed!

On Thursday, we went to the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) and these are a few of my favorite paintings. 

Friday, we went to Casa Loma, that was built by Sir Henry (forgot his last name). It took him 3 years to build and he and his wife lived in the home for 10 years before they lost everything and had to move out. They have restored the home to look as close as possible to what it did in the early 1900's. 

I loved the bookshelf in the library and would have chosen to read Daniel Deronda first!

Here is Toronto in the background! 

We were in a small town to spend the day at Sarah's sister's home and I walked to the local YMCA to do my workout and got a grand tour of the place! 

Sarah's mom volunteers at a local store and ministry called Sharewear; A Unique Boutique. A clothing store that is free! It was incredible to shop, meet some of the other volunteers, and tour a very cute store! They are even having a fashion show in early April! 

I made it home last Wednesday and here is a picture of me and Messerschmitt! This only lasted about 15 seconds and he wanted down!