World Traveller

Hey guys!
Sooo, I went to Guatemala over reading break! And it was interesting...hah I don't really know what to write about it! umm, I went down with my mom - we were visiting my brother. Kyle's there for three months with his school program with Prairie Bible Institute. While there, we were staying at Guatemala Bible Seminary in a city called Chimaltenango. It was good to not be in a touristy town, so I got to experience 'normal' Guatemalan life. We did go into Antigua a couple of times which was fun. I learned the art of bartering. We went to a school and "taught" English to the kids. That was a long, hard day! We also went to a children's home (for kids whose (usually) single parent cannot take care of) and did stations there. That was fun. I befriended one little indigenous girl who lived at the Seminary. She is probably about 8 years old. Her name is Feve (pronounce feh-VAY), and she speaks no English and I speak hardly any Spanish. hehe it was great. I wish I spoke more Spanish...so that was tough. It wasn't a relaxing trip at all, but despite its toughness and awkwardness at points, it was a great experience! I was very happy to get home though. Next time, I will go with someone who knows more Spanish than me *cough* Melissa *cough* haha, yup we're gonna be world travellers together next year - anyone else wanna come? Well here are a few pics. More are on my blog if you're interested...

Introducing Kaleo 3ers

Hey Kaleo 1
So the most amazing thing that happened this past weekend is that I was able to hang out with the Kaleo 3ers. It was so great to go around Caronport with them and hang out with them at the Qwanoes booth and during the sessions. So ya, here they are...

YQ Pictures

Hey Kaleo
As promised here are pictures from YQ this past weekend. It was great to see Jordan and Amber this past weekend. Jordan came over and nicki and I plucked his unibrow, finally. i have been wanting to do that since Kaleo. They come over after the Snowbirds(they are planes) and we had hot chocolate cuz it was freakin' cold outside.

So what all happened at YQ?

Hey Kaleo
So I will post pictures sometime soon and what all happened this past weekend. All i can say right now, IT WAS AWESOME. Jordan and Amber were out here and Nicki Parker and Amanda Boe were out here from Kaleo 2 along with others and Kaleo 3ers made the trek out on the bus and some were on plane. I had such an amazing time at YQ just being able to have that connection with the Kaleo 3ers and have some good talks with them. So anyways, more stories and pictures to come, probably tonight when I am at home. Love ya, Kristi

PS. Here are pictures of the extreme unicyclist and the John Reuben concert which was pretty awesome. Enjoy!

What to do.....

What to do when you miss britt.....humm post some pictures of her up on Kaleo's blog!

Here's a few pics to remember!

Someting I'm telling myself today "It's ok, God Know's what he was doing, He's in control remember?"

Brittany Fehr
April 29 1985 - February 27 2005

Remembering Britt

So today has been coming for awhile and I think I wanted to just skip by today and just move on. But I find myself forgetting what happened a year ago today and living today just like I usually would and I think that it is okay. Truthfully, I was waiting for someone to make a post today about this and since no one was, I thought I would be the one to start it off.
So something that has been on my heart today is Britt's Family. I have been praying for them today and that God will provide comfort for them on this day.
So what exactly are we supposed to do today? I think Britt would want us to keep doing what we are doing and celebrate the amazing life that she lived even though it only lasted almost 20 years.

So that is what I have to say. Britt I miss you lots and remember the life that you lived. I wish you could be here but God had other plans for your life. You will always be remembered. I love you and miss you. Your sister in Christ, Kristi

Julie's First Winter Camping Adventure

A frozen lake! Who knew there was such a thing on the lower island? I know now because I just camped at one near Shawnigan Lake (for those who know where that is).

This is Weeks Lake:

It's not frozen enough to walk on or anything, but we had a lot of fun with it anyway. And despite freezing my butt off at night (which was so not my fault...I had to share my extra blankets with the boys who were to silly to bring things to keep warm) it was a whole lot of fun. Sometimes it is so good to get away from tv and internet and just spend time with your friends. And eat hot dogs, chili, and smores. Mmm...smores...

SWEET DADDY AWESOME LUGE TRACK!

How cool is GOD!

A fun little story from my weekend!

We took our kids up to Hemlock (a cabin on a ski hill). But the hill was closed by the government this year cuz they need to do renovations! So we had nothing to do on saturday, but right after breakfast we headded up to the hill! After an hour of searching WE FOUND A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIFT FROM GOD! haha or atleast that's what were calling it!

IT WAS AMAZING! right there was this ravine. It was probably a stream that had frozen over, but it was the perfect luge track! all we had to do was compact the snow down a bit! IT WAS AWESOME! we spent the rest of the day racing down the track! It was perfect. and than just as the sun went down this guy comes out and tells us that we were on priveat property (we were on the ski hill...Hemlock Resort's property) and wern't allowed to be there!

Hahah I don't know how he didn' see us all day! God's provision I guess!

N e ways that was my weekend, it was so much fun! I love how even in the little things, God provides!

Here's pics of the weekend and our SWEET AWESOME LUGE TRACK!




The Luge track!



Me and 2 youth girls



Our youth pastor headding down the track!

Jim puts his hair follicles on the line.

Hey Everyone,

Here at Kaléo3, things are getting busy as we fundraise for our missions trips. Kaléo is sending a group of seven students to Venezuela for 10 days to work with Geordon Rendle and Youth For Christ at a camp to help train young camp leaders and to do work projects. Travel expenses for each team member are $1000. We would love to have you support us in prayer - and in one other way.

We are troubled because Jim seems to be getting a bit out of style. We want to help him get a little funkier and spunky by changing his hair color. The colors displayed on our model - Chucky - are blue, pink, black and green. These can be very fashionable looks, especially for a Kaléo leader. We want your help in choosing the right color for JimBad. You can vote for your choice in hair color by donating money to the Venezuela trip. To call in your vote, give the Qwanoes office a ring at 250-246-3014 (you can call in your Visa or MasterCard). Remember when you call or give money to the office, state the color you want. All proceeds will go to the Kaléo mission trip to Venezuela. The color with the most donated money will be displayed on Jim himself. The deadline will be March 10th at midnight. See updates right here!


Thank you for all your help,
The Venezuela Team

Canada Brings Home the Gold!!!

Hooray for the Canadian Women's Olympic Hockey team!! That pushed up to 14 Medals thus far (to bad each teammates medal didnt count as one ;).

Now if only the men could actually capitalize on their offence. Here's to hoping.

AHHHHH....Midterms

Hey Guys
Just asking for prayer. I have a midterm today at 1pm. This one has been stressing me out like no other but it seems as of right now, that I mostly understand what I am doing and also memorized what to do. anyways, could you just pray that I can retain all the info that I have been learning over the past semester and 3 days. haha, thanks so much guys.
love ya,
kristi

iKaleo 2.0 is up!

Wahooo so I've finally done my long awaited for add-ons. You will notice there is also a "Submit Post" button and new images.

There's lots more to come! :)

I'M GOING TO HEMLOCK!

So I'm just @ work supper excited about headding out this afternoon to go on our Youth Group's anual trip to Hemlock for a weekend Retreat! Whoot whoot!

and than I got thinking..............

Last year this trip was a weekend later.......and before we left for the trip I remembver talking to my friend Jared (who has spent the past 4 months in columbia with his wife as youth pastors..but he's back for a week for his sisters wedding.which is really wexciting....but anywase) I remember his saying to me

"Hey Melissa, you excited about diving into out new study on Job" and I said, "Nope not at all! I'm worried, God's teaching me a lot about Job, I know he's preparing my hear for something huge! But I'm not gunna like it" and than I got back from the retreat, and it was late and Michelle called me and told me Britt had dies.

Why am I bringing it up. Well I think (now a year later...I didn't see it back than) How cool God is. And how even for a huge tragedy he takes care of his children and provides for them......like how he was preparing my hear B4 britt died. I'm sure a lot of people are looking at the calanders waiting for Feb. 27 to come up so we can have a reason to miss britt again...or maby that's just how I feel........but I think God is good.........and Yah, just felt like sharing!

Hey, Question, what exactly are we suposed to do on the 27th? You guys having a memorial service or anything like that in Winkler for her Julia? Meh, I guess we just go on with our bussy lives remembering in the back of our heads that today is a big day.....humm I don't really know!

Anywase, I'm supper stoked for this weekend, If you have time pray that I'd be able to have some sweet bonding times with my youth! And that I can land some good jumps! Were buildiong a kicker on saturday cuz Hemlock is actualy closed, but there's tons of snow and were gunna have fun n e ways, even if it means a LOT of hiking!


Heheh WAOHO!

God Bless!

~Dotto~

Jordan our HERO!

Hey Everyone,

Just checking in to let you know I'm alive and well and "celebrating knowledge" with the rest of you!

Also, Jordan the site looks so good! You do an amazing job updating it and making it look top notch. Three cheers for Jordan!

Catch ya later,

Juli-A (I understand there's been some past confussion!)

Midterms are a celebration of NOTHING

Except stress and lack of sleep. And lack of studying.
Kailyn, your influence on this world is altogether too strong.

PROPS (how do you spell that word anywase?)

Hey Jordan,
props on the nice valentines decorations on the site! Thanks for all the time you put in!

Happy Valentine's Day

Hey Kaleo
Just wanted to wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day! Make sure you wear pink or red today. Love you guys, Kristi

Dr. Henry Hildebrand

Hey Kaleo
Just thought I would let you know that the first ever President of Briercrest Family of Schools passed away on February 7, 2006 at the age of 95. The funeral is today at 2pm. It will be a great testament of who he was. If you guys want to read anything about Dr. Hildebrand, you can go to

http://www.briercrest.ca/passport/online/news/default.asp?id=528&cat=top_story

Anyways, just thought I would all let you know since we were all apart of Briercrest College. Hope you are all doing well. Love your sister in Christ, Kristi

Kaits big step

Hey everyone
sooo I never have any time to actually write stuff on this blog and so much has been happening lately.
I wanted to let everyone know that I moved...aaannd I wanted everyone to know that I have applied for the nursing program and for my pre requisite classes!
Im so freaked out about it... I stress out in a school environment and there are still some aspects to nursing that arent super appealing to me...so your wondering why on earth am I applying for it right?? welll its a long story. I guess I should tell it now hehe.
A few of you know that I have been really interested in doing some sort of missions in the future. I have never really known what area i have been called to though and I have gone to missions fest three times with the overwhelming feeling that I am supposed to be doing something. I went this year ready to really seek out what God wanted for me. It was such a weird weekend... I was soo exhausted and I was so busy trying to see everyone that I knew that I only did about 2 sessions. Ashley tarchuk must have noticed how strange i was acting because she proceeded to nudge me into the paths of recruiting mission agencies and then helped me sign up for an appointment with a career/missions planning counsellor. The appointment was sooo helpful ashley was sitting in on it for support. The lady asked me where I was working and she asked me where I saw my self in a year... and with tears in my eyes I replied that I still saw myself in the same place and the same job. (that freaked me out!)
so we talked for a bit and she helped me figure out my likes and what areas my strengths were in and we narrowed it down to counselling, social work, nursing or teaching. because I love to help people and share my knowledge with them. The reason nursing struck me as something that I wanted to do was that I would be able to raise money once i was a nurse so that I would be able to raise my own support and then I would be useful in the mission field. I love that thought so much and I love that I will be able to express Jesus' love through compassion and healing I cant even imagine how rewarding this experience will be. I know there are so many fields that i can branch in to with nursing so i can teach people how to take care of basic health issues or teach a mother how to take care of their new baby. or help someone by dressing their wounds.
Plus nursing sort of runs in the family hehe my great grandma, my grandma, and my mom took nursing.
I am so nervous/excited I know I have my career right now but I havent been overly happy here. I love the girls in my office but its been so busy for the month of january and a bit into february, the phones have been ringing off the hook It has been soo stressful and one of the girls in the office can be a little confrontational at times. I have been coming in early every morning and I have had to stay late several times and considering that this is a 9-5 job its not a good thing. I dont mind the work we do but I would rather be working towards getting out on the mission field, so if that means being poor and in school for the next 4 years then thats fine by me. I think the prolonged stress hasnt been to good for me either I had to go to the doctors just the other day because I have been so exhausted all the time. I had to get blood work done this saturday haha and the nurse thought i was going to faint...thankfully giving needles is going to be different then getting them. haha I will have to learn how to get over certain things. I would love it if you guys could pray for my health and for my application process. Please pray that God will direct me to where I should be, I know that nursing will be a field that I really like but there are some things that I will have to get used to. Also pray that I will be able to afford going to school here!
This is such a huge decision Im trying to just trust God and relax but there are so many things to think about. so ya I thought I would let ya'll know whats up
on other subjects Im really loving my church! and I am going to start helping out with the youthgroup...I know i have been saying that for a while. but i am for sure...hold me to this guys I have been such a slacker. And I had my houswarming party on saturday night and our landlords didnt kill us about the noise...we were a little worried but we had so many people over it was soo much fun and I am soo excited about my new place.. my roomate bought a fish..and it died the next day...so we bought two more! lol lets hope they have a longer life!
I have been meaning to get a hold of you guys individually and i really apologize for not keeping in touch I think about you guys a lot and this blog makes me so happy
any hoo I have to get workin so I will talk to you lata
from Kaitie

Midterms are a coming...

Hey Kaleo
So its that time again...midterms. I hate having to study but I know it needs to be done. Midterms start this wednesday and go till the next wednesday (the 22nd). Perks of this is that I am done classes till Feb 28 and after midterms have a semester break over YQ, it ends up being 5 days long which will be nice to be able to hang out with everyone who is coming up for that weekend and have no homework to do. Life will be great after the 22nd.
So anyways, the purpose of this blog, I need prayer. I am already stressing out about midterms and how I am going to teach myself on what I have learned so far this semester. So you guys did an awesome job being prayer warriors last semester for my finals and I am going to need it for midterms. Thanks so much guys. You all rock!!
Miss you guys, Kristi

PS. Tarchuk, I will be following your guidelines once again for exam week, they helped out a lot last time.

Just Six More Days

Just a reminder that you have just six more days to submit your entry for the Create a New Home Page for kaleolife.ca Contest. Kool Kaleo Klothing is just waiting to be worn by you, plus the joy of seeing your creation every time you visit kaleolife. We're looking for something with links to all past, present and future Kaleo Blogs, plus maybe room for news for all and the occasional photo. Send 'em to me by February 15, 2006. Open to all past and present Kaleo students and sundry hangers-on - you know who you are. Happy blogging!

By the way, have you checked out the newest member of the Kaleo Blog Family? Please take time to get to know the newbies and drop them an encouraging comment!

Hallo

Hello my dear brothers and sisters,
This is a prayer request post! A retina in my Dad's eye broke today, so he is blind in his right eye. He is going to Vancouver for surgery tomorrow, and the success chance is really good - about 90% things will all go well, so that's really comforting and such. An unfortunate thing is that my Mom and I are going to Guatemala the day after my Mom and Dad arrive back in Summerland...sooooo my Dad will be recovering all by himself, which will kind of suck...So yes, it would be awesome if you guys could join me in praying for safety during the operation, and a quick and as-painless-as-possible recovery since no one will be around to nurse him better and cook him meals and keep him company! It makes me so sad to think of my Dad have any sort of disability - even though it's not a huge one, and will hopefully only last a short while, it just really hurts to know that he is being kept back when he is so active in everything. Thanks guys,
Kailyn

News Flash! Sunshine in the Lower Mainland!

It's amazing, after nearly 2 months of clouds, and 440MM of rain, we finally had our first day of SUN!! And I just checked the weather forecast and it is supposed to be nice all week. This is GREAT! I ran out and started shooting like crazy, just because it was sunny! :)





In other news today, many of you know that I applied for the photographer position at Qwanoes. Well I have been kinda unofficially accepted (pending my last reference can get his reference in). I am really excited to come back to camp this summer in this role! I can't wait to use my photography for a direct ministry.

Anywho, I guess I should discard this Ark I built...

Later Y'ALL!

The Office!

Hey guys, here are some pictures of my labour of love over the past few weeks. My new Office! It's pretty sweet! My friend Jeff and I started talking one day about how we needed an office, we both practicaly live @ church, so one saturday afternoon I asked him if we were actualy gunna make the dumpy back room that no one knows and or cares about in to our office or was it always gunna be a dream. He said let's do it and we moved 2 desks in. It was still a dump, the carpt was barely there, the walls were all different colours and had huge holes in them, IT WAS A DUMP! Than our other 2 fiedns ,ashley and erin, who are perfectionests came in and heled us get a vision for the room. 4 weeks later and 100 dollars @ ikea, 2 coats of paint, new carpet peiced together from all the church scraps, new hardwars on the dors and new outlet fixtres, new lighting and painted furniture........... we have this wonderful work space! I love it!





this is one of our 2 doors and the shelf we painted, we also painted my desk.







This is Jeffs Desk *cough cough **it's half as big as mine! heheh and he's like twice as tall as me, we had to put it up on bricks, but it's ok, his ego can handel haveing the small crappy desk!






This is my desk! the bulittin board is now full with calanders and to do lists and all the walls now have a ton of piocture frames up with our youth in them!



Ok, there you go! Just thought I'd share that with all of you! You really gotta come by and see it! All you arts and crafty people, Pam, Kailyn and Amber, you guys would be proud of what we've done with the space!

I really lover it because it feels like I'm one step closer to living my dream, being in full time ministry as an occupation. Ahhh God is so Good!

God Bless!

~Dotto~

I am officially moved!!

YAY I moved this weekend and I am so happy!
Im using all of my own dishes and house stuff and all of my things arent squished into one room! AND I have a full kitchen! so now people can come over and chill
well if any of you want to come and visit you can come sleep on our futon its super comfy!

Julies Question.

Hey Guys,

TEST: What has stayed with you from Grant McMillan's Principals of Leadership class? And I am not talking about the many stories that stem from the fiercely competitive group projects we did. Although that makes for good reminiscing.

Why do I ask?

My friend Carolyn is writing an essay on this very topic for a scholarship from TWU, and I thought we were the experts...right?!?

Also, I remember Tarchuk had a super helpful little book about leader’s characteristics or something along that line. Ash, do you know which book I'm talking about?

Anyways, let me know what you guys got and I'll pass along the knowledge.

Miss you and love you all,

Julia

Camp?

hEY ALL!

So I'm chatting with Kailyn right now.........WALLOWING.........because....we don't know weather or not to go back to camp......Ahhh!!!!! I love camp, but honestly it's really hard to keep on picking up and leaving my life in ladner for 4 months and go to camp, maby Jesus ment something like that when he said that the son of God has no place to lay his head, maby it's a sacrifice I should be making for Jesus! I don't know..what do you guys think, are you thinking about going back to camp? And why or why not aren't you going back? Or what arte you thinking oin general on this topic!

I think we should all go back! haha

ok, God Bless!

~Dotto~