I realized yesterday as I was celebrating the birthday of my fine country, that this is the first Canada Day that I have actually been in Canada since 2006. While it comes as no surprise to me that the past several years have been full of summer travels for me, I was somewhat startled as I started counting backwards and realized how many years it actually has been since I had spent July 1st in Canada. And while it's kind of cool that I can say that I've celebrated Canada Day in five different countries over the past five years - I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to celebrate in my own country yesterday, with some good friends!

My friends, Elise & Josh, are on the beginning of a two-week trek from the Sunshine Coast to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and all the way back again! They stopped off in Merritt yesterday for the day, and I got to spend the whole day with Elise! We spent the day hiking to the top of Sugarloaf, riding scooters around town, and taking in the fireworks at night! It was such a blessing to spend time with her again!




I can't really believe how long it's been since I've been on here! So much has happened: mom & dad came to visit, Alicia moved back to Saskatchewan, Jonathan & Sarah came to visit (and we had the best weekend in Vancouver!), Michelle came to live with me for the summer, and I went to Ontario for a visit, and stopped off at home on my way back to BC. Life is good! :)

Saying goodbye to 'Stinky Face' aka Alicia

Sisters!!

Totem poles in Stanley Park

Biking through Stanley Park

I finally got to meet this cute little man - Logan

Two of my all-time favourites - Tamara & Matthew. I can't believe they are off to Halifax in about 1 month! Gives me a good excuse to finally make it out to the Maritimes for a holiday!

With some of my favourite people on our CDA (Cousins Day of Activity)

As I look through all those pictures, I feel so blessed by all the incredible people in my life. They might not all live close to me - yet I can't help but feel surrounded by an amazing group of people!

Lately, I've been loving getting out and exploring my own 'backyard'. My desire to explore and adventure runs deep - and while I've done a lot of world exploring, I decided that this summer I would use the opportunity to do some exploring of this beautiful province that I call home presently. I've been trying to use my weekends to do some hiking, and have been on my bike around Merritt as much as possible. In just one week, I'll be on the way with my parents to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast, to spend a week exploring there.

With Michelle on a scooter outing

Michelle, Mike and I went out into the woods and did some wood chopping and sawing!

So beautiful!

And while I'm starting to get restless to 'go' again, and am feeling a little bit sad to not be in one of the places that I have come to love so much in recent years, I know it's good for me to stay sometimes too. To see and be reminded that there are good things here too. And that I don't need to go in order to serve. And to remember that my contentment does not come from a specific place, but rather from the peace that I can draw from my relationship with God and the people that He has placed in my life.

Those that know me best always ask me: What's next? Where are you planning to go? What do the next couple years hold? And while I have some ideas, I honestly have no idea. For right now, I'm happy to be where I am. So I'll just take things one day at a time, enjoying these moments that I've been given now, while always seeking where God may have planned for me to go next.