So long, and thanks for all the fish names!

And the winners are...

not you.

Not altogether surprising, seeing as only one name came from you Kaleo types. That's right, I'm not thanking any of you for those fish names. That title was pure sarcasm. PURE SARCASM! Anyway, enough of the bitterness and on with the good and bad news. First, the good!

Meet Augustus Fish (left) and Theodore Vanilli (right)



The names were chosen as a combination of our favourite two suggestions:Fish and Chips, and Milli and Vanilli. In truth, the story is a little more complicated and only slightly more amusing (to anyone other than my roomie and myself), so I won't bore you with it at this time.

And now for the not-so-good (ie bad) news:

Since the official naming ceremony, both original fish have passed away (I don't want to hear it, it's not our fault, I'm telling you!!!), and have also been replaced. The picture above is actually of Augustus Fish the Second, and Theodore Vanilli the first...sorry, we don't have any pictures of Vanilli the Two yet. Try as we might, we just don't seem to have the knack for keeping fish alive. Thank goodness for Petcetera's thirty day guarantee on all fish! At any rate, I'm sure you all are about done with hearing about my aquatic animal adventures, so I shall end this post here. Just thought I'd keep you up on the exciting events that are my life.

Baby 1 of 2 is here

Hey Everyone
Just thought that I would all let you know that I am an Auntie for the fourth time as of yesterday. My sister, Carrie, had baby number 3 yesterday (April 21). Her name is Shaianna Elise. I am not sure how to spell it but thats ok, I haven't got that information yet. My sister in law, Flora, is expecting a baby boy at the beginning of May. WOOHOO!!! I am very excited, I was supposed to be there but I couldn't because of going to camp this summer. O well!! Kristi

Last Chance!

(I tried to post this earlier, but Blogger didn't like me then..sorry for the last-minuteness)

Ok Kaleo, my roomie and I are sorely disappointed in the lack of fun fishie names coming from this blog. The contest to Name That (those???) Fish ends at midnight tonight (BC time) and we have ONE suggestion. One???? Come on! If you need inspiration, feel free to check out http://greenmangolog.blogspot.com and see what others have been suggesting. Only four hours left! The winner will be announced on Monday and there might even be prizes for those who supply the winning names! Please, give me some names and make me happy! Pleeeeeease!

The Dreaded MELISSA! duh duh duuuuh

HPIM0293
Originally uploaded by meldot4god.

There you go-Me with Dreads in Banff! hehehe Woho-But sadly I took them uut-lol-It was a little too much-I like my hair, maby I'll do them again some day!

Name That (those??) Fish!

Well here it is...my first post on ikaleo.

...and I need your help!


behold my newest friends in vancouver.

these cute little bug-eyed wonders are as of yet un-named, and as my roomie and i have exhausted our naming genius on our previous pets (samuel l. fish and louis grenouille), we are now seeking help. please help us name those fish! leave your suggestions in the comment box here (a similar contest is taking place on my roomie's blog)...you have until thursday, at which time the winning names will be announced. let's hear it kaleo!

Pictures!

We need pictures, Melissa! PICTURES! Take a look at the next step after dreads:



I double-dog dare you!

Melissa has dreads!

Yah that's right, I have dread locks, I was slightly peer-preasured into it, I may eventualy regret it but for now there cool-I look homeless! Amber, Michelle and Colin told me to go for it, so you may have to trust their judgement, I'm hanging out with them here in Canmore...........But hey-I can't get all vain about how my hair looks, really it's a great spiritual lesson!
God Bless!
~Melissa~Dotto~

Need Prayer Extended...

Well I come to you all with another prayer request. I just found out that the brother of one of the CIT's I worked with this summer died today. I do not know detials, but just lots of prayer is needed. Heh, I don't really know what to type...

Thanks guys

Happy Birthday! Jordan, Amber, Isaac, Pam, Brittany and her Brother (Jordan)

Just wanted to wish you all happy birthday this month on behalf of all Kaleo! This month we have teenagers turning to elderly adults and elderly adults turning more elderlyer(?). so...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

And now the birthday bumps are to follow, who's gonna help toss em?

Me (Jordan) - April 10
Amber - April 12 (Today)
Isaac - April 23
Pam - April 25

It would have also been Brittany's birthday this month as well (April 29th). There's going to be a great party going on up there this year! :) It was also Brittany's brother's birthday this month (April 10th). I'm sure the family would love to hear from us all around this time.

Cheers all! Hope all you exams are going well - study hard :)

Kaleo Grad 2005

I sent everyone an email about this, but just a reminder that your presence and/or prayers would be very welcome at the Kaleo Grad 2005 ceremony and banquet. Here are the details:

Kaléo Grad 2005
Saturday, April 23
2:00 – 3:30 PM – Qwanoes Tours and Activities
4:00 PM – Grad Ceremony, Dr. David Lee speaking – Chapel
6:30 PM – Banquet – Dining Hall

Please RSVP ASAP.

It is hard to believe that our second year of Kaléo is nearly completed! Though very different from 2003/04, it has been very good and God has done some amazing things to mold these lives into the image of Jesus. We would love to have you come and celebrate it with us if you can, and to keep the students in your prayers as they head back out into the world. You remember that this is not as easy as it might seem.

You may have heard that I am taking a “sabbatical” this summer. Sarah and I will be away from mid-May to mid-August, for a time of rest and recovery after about 18 years of ministry with not a lot of breaks. We are not sure yet where we are going. Please pray with us that God will lead us to the place where he will be.

I miss you all! I would love to hear what your plans are for this summer. I know that a few of you have applied to be back here and others have told me your plans. Write soon! And come visit! We always have room for you at our place.

Prayer Needed

Just wanted to ask for a couple prayer requests. I just found out last night that my housemates Dad passed away yesturday. My housemate is from a rather disfuctional family and his Dad lived on the streets of Vancouver. None of the family is Christian except for my housemate. So if you could all just lift up this family and pray that Stephen (housemate) can share a little bit of hope to his family.

Thanks
Jordan

The end is near indeed

Well as of today, 2 weeks until I fly out of Saskatchewan and head back to BC for the summer. I am so excited about that but I am also finding myself sad to leave everyone here and miss this community. I am going to miss my roommate terribly, she is the bestest ever and school wouldn't have been the same without her. This semester has been a very hard semester for me, emotionally and mentally. I finally have to time to breathe at the end and it seems that this semester has gone way too fast. I have been busy with YQ and homework that I blinked and it was all over. Exams start next week, classes end next tuesday for me and then the packing will begin. I arrive at home on April 20th and I am not going to have a lot of time there at all, 7 days to be exact and then off to camp for the summer. It seems that there will be a lot that I want to do but I don't think that will be happening. O well, I just want to rest and be able to spend time with family and friends before I disappear for the summer. It is going to be hard leaving this place and moving on from here but I know that it will be good to be somewhere for awhile and appreciate camp because I miss it so much. I am going back home. SO EXCITED!!! Hope you guys are doing well, love to hear from you all. Your sister in Christ, Kristi

The end is near...

Well as the end of this school year draws near (April 13th for me) and the posters start coming off the wall, boxes are dusted off, and all those books are getting packed away, one cannot help but start to think back to how the year went and what happened.

Sept. - School started for me the exact day camp ended. From there it was all out school work, ah yes...school work *barf*

Oct. - Hmm...yup, October *shifty eyes* *shrug*

Nov. - I don't even remember this month happening, heh.

Dec. - Hmmm....essays....exams....CHRISTMAS! Yup, that about sums up that month.

Jan. - A new semester with a few less classes.

Feb. - Brittany, Her brother and fiance went to be with the Lord. Where did February go anyways? Next thing I knew it was March 1st.

Mar. - 6 essay, 1 10 minute speech, 1 1/2 hour presentation...thats all I remember...I think my hair line came back 2 inches that month *sigh, rubs head*

Apr. - And now we are in April. Exam time and summer vacation (should be called "work hard to pay off your student loan vacation").

Well thats kind of how my year went. I'd love to hear a quick recap of your guys' years :)

Thanks!
Jordan

Mother Teresa In Dreadlocks

Here's another great article on Brittany from the "Canmore Leader," describing the influence Britt had during her short time in the Banff area.

Here are also some wonderful, snowy pictures that Melissa took during Britt's visit here with Amber in January. We were all snow-bound together for several days, which made for lots of play, conversation and good memories.

I miss Britt, and I miss you all! I love seeing you as you pass through here on occasion. We always have room for you at our house. Come soon.