The Cat in the Hat!!!
So I'm sitting in Medicine Hat right now...I know - RANDOM! I'm here dropping off a friend who just got a job...in the middle of nowhere! The last couple of days have been a bit of a blur, and I am still trying to collect myself (impossible task, I know!) Our trip consisted of a completely loaded down honda - itty bitty living conditions for an extended period of time (it doesn't help when you're "blessed" with height!) Our first 3 hours consisted of that lovely white fluffy stuff making the roads (and ditches) an absolute mess! There were over 50 cars (including an emergency vehicle) parading the embankments as a friendly reminder that speeding wasn't the wisest choice on the menu for the moment. We made it safely through - and after hitting some smoother road conditions, decided to go for broke and drive thru the nite. Bring on the extra large coffee...
After almost landing in a ditch ourselves, and being introduced to the Wisconsin highway patrol (very friendly chap - quite understanding of the looooong trip still ahead - without making it a tear jerker!) the sun finally poke into what seemed like endless darkness. That's when the fun started...hello prairie land!
What does one do for entertainment on those long straight stretches of field upon field upon field upon field of wheat? Well, one could hit a scraggly black cat that mosies across the road RIGHT infront of you (I didn't kill it immediately, but I wasn't about to go back and assess the damage! Bring on the bad luck!) OR, for all you Dog River fans, you could happen across the set of Corner Gas and have a little photo op - including falling flat on your face and spraining an ankle (I'm beginning to think that swollen bruised ankles look rather becoming!) OR you could use the lack of sleep and balanced diet while being crammed in a very small space to create interesting conversation...yeah - the disclaimer remains on anything said inside the vehicle! But bring a camera and deprive yourself of all the things that keep you sane, and ANY road becomes interesting!
But in truth, I have always enjoyed going thru Saskatchewan (although I don't know if I would survive here very long!) There's something about it that is very peaceful and striking. Maybe it's the endless sky that domes around you...or the golden fields that "shine" in the sunlight...or the starkness of singular objects that rise out of the overwhelming sky and field surrounding. It was good to be back, that's for sure!
So we arrived in the Hat and got the tour...their claim to fame is the world's largest teepee. This place is going places! I am so proud of Mary's courage in taking a step out of the comfort zone. Picking up and moving to the prairies of all places is not the easiest decision in the world. And yet stepping out in faith and believing that God has awesome things in store for those who trust Him will NEVER be disappointing or boring!
As we were driving through we pondered on the differences in the communities and people we met. Definitely a different culture and mindset of the locals than what I'm used to...but it is a challenge in accepting the fact of diversity within our Canadian culture. I LOVE IT! Where would we be without prairie farmers, or Albertan ranchers, or BC tree huggers...And it reminded me of what it means to be part of the body of the Church. We are each unique, each serving a different purpose within the body...each equally as important - no matter our station - in allowing the body to function as a whole. If we were all hairy noses, how depressing would that be? Or chattering mouthpieces - what a headache! But God has given each of us different abilities and talents, and when we are unified, we can accomplish more as a body than on our own. No matter how extremely different we are - may we learn to appreciate the "prairies" in our lives and the gift of diversity that God has given us to do AWESOME things to glorify His Name!
After almost landing in a ditch ourselves, and being introduced to the Wisconsin highway patrol (very friendly chap - quite understanding of the looooong trip still ahead - without making it a tear jerker!) the sun finally poke into what seemed like endless darkness. That's when the fun started...hello prairie land!
What does one do for entertainment on those long straight stretches of field upon field upon field upon field of wheat? Well, one could hit a scraggly black cat that mosies across the road RIGHT infront of you (I didn't kill it immediately, but I wasn't about to go back and assess the damage! Bring on the bad luck!) OR, for all you Dog River fans, you could happen across the set of Corner Gas and have a little photo op - including falling flat on your face and spraining an ankle (I'm beginning to think that swollen bruised ankles look rather becoming!) OR you could use the lack of sleep and balanced diet while being crammed in a very small space to create interesting conversation...yeah - the disclaimer remains on anything said inside the vehicle! But bring a camera and deprive yourself of all the things that keep you sane, and ANY road becomes interesting!
But in truth, I have always enjoyed going thru Saskatchewan (although I don't know if I would survive here very long!) There's something about it that is very peaceful and striking. Maybe it's the endless sky that domes around you...or the golden fields that "shine" in the sunlight...or the starkness of singular objects that rise out of the overwhelming sky and field surrounding. It was good to be back, that's for sure!
So we arrived in the Hat and got the tour...their claim to fame is the world's largest teepee. This place is going places! I am so proud of Mary's courage in taking a step out of the comfort zone. Picking up and moving to the prairies of all places is not the easiest decision in the world. And yet stepping out in faith and believing that God has awesome things in store for those who trust Him will NEVER be disappointing or boring!
As we were driving through we pondered on the differences in the communities and people we met. Definitely a different culture and mindset of the locals than what I'm used to...but it is a challenge in accepting the fact of diversity within our Canadian culture. I LOVE IT! Where would we be without prairie farmers, or Albertan ranchers, or BC tree huggers...And it reminded me of what it means to be part of the body of the Church. We are each unique, each serving a different purpose within the body...each equally as important - no matter our station - in allowing the body to function as a whole. If we were all hairy noses, how depressing would that be? Or chattering mouthpieces - what a headache! But God has given each of us different abilities and talents, and when we are unified, we can accomplish more as a body than on our own. No matter how extremely different we are - may we learn to appreciate the "prairies" in our lives and the gift of diversity that God has given us to do AWESOME things to glorify His Name!
posted by The Bean Bag Chair at 10:36 PM
1 Comments:
AMEN! Oh Anne, always on the move, always finding God in the unseen. It's great and encouraging! I would like to see your pictures of your drive and "photoshoot"...as for the diversity Ben and I briefly touched that topic as we shared how different our school careers are and how different the focus and classes are geared, but God made us all different and for that let Him be praised!
love you and love when you post :)
Post a Comment
<< Home