Night at the Balmoral

Whew - we're not too good at this whole keep-up-to-date-on-the-blog thing. We just got back from a nice trip to B.C. Lots of good times with Nana, Barbie and the gang. And another tearful airport good-bye. I'm tired of good-byes. Oh well.

We got down to Seattle for the day and went to the aquarium. And I got to see my oldest friend Julie's baby - so cute!

I also spent a day visiting my sister in the downtown eastside of Vancouver. My sister is currently  - by choice - living in Vancouver's worst slum hotel (the Balmoral) and I had an interesting sleepover with her. She let me have her bed and enjoyed some time with the mice on the floor (thank you, Kirsten - I have a strong aversion to mice!) It actually wasn't THAT bad (well, ok, the shower was bad!) Being in the downtown eastside with my sister for the day made me proud of her - how she's living in this oppressed place and just meeting people and learning how to love them and building community. While we were walking down one alley way she showed me a building where trees are mysteriously growing out of the side of the building. It was beautiful. In such a "hopeless" place, you never know where beauty will grow or when it will surprise you.

Anyway, there's lots to share, but you could always just check out HER blog (on the side panel). Kirsten Ivany - got to love her! (I do!)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

 

Some highlights from my 2005:

 

- seeing the Soweto Gospel Choir (and crying at least 6 times)

- lying down on Sherri's dock and looking up at the stars

- dancing with Kirsten at territorial

- 24/7 prayer week - praying in the wee hours of the morning

- cottage weekend trip with Andrea & Galen

- Josh & Jenn getting engaged

- scary allergy attack when Mom tried to get me to eat ice cream to make me feel better

- walking to the Beaches & double dating with Mom & Dad

- Indian food and jokes at James' birthday & Elora gorge

- meeting up with so many old friends in the summer

- trips to B.C., Kingston, Montreal, and Atlanta

- going to Ottawa with Johnny

- new closeness with John (we were always close, but you know what I mean)

- sitting under a tree at Harbourfront

- getting hugs from Joel and just feeling relief because he gets me

- Nedim fixing the flood in the basement in about 3 minutes

- Stephanie

- Gospelfest 2005

- graduating (again) from U of T

- all of the planning for Africa - medically, spiritually, emotionally

 

I am a blessed person.

 

2006... the best is yet to come!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

 

Isn't it amazing that God became a baby?

 

John and I are doing well. We had a few good days with Mom & Dad McAlister and James and Lindsay. And today we celebrated Christmas Ivany styles. We didn't expect to be in Toronto this Christmas, but we are blessed to be surrounded by family. It's so nice to have Kirsten and Josh home - and Kirst's friend Crystal.

 

I've had a really emotionally volatile month (thank you for your patience, John and Sherri!) but God is good.

 

Today is boxing day. It would seem that it is the holiday that unites people of all faiths - consumerism! Supposedly in an average day, a North American Christian spends 7 times more time in front of the t.v. than in worship, prayer and Bible reading combined. No wonder we keep wanting more. Yikes. But, as for t.v.... you have to admit - LOST is fairly addictive...