Dreams Unlocked

Adam reads his kindle with Lake Michigan and the John Hancock building behind him. Yesterday we strolled down Michigan Ave. - really the heart of downtown Chicago. All the shopping is here. In the afternoon we visited Willis tower (formerly Sears Tower). It is a tall tower that has unique glass floors in one part that allow you to look directly down and feel like you're walking on air. The kids loved it. We decided to take the subway there which made us appear like we were like the amish in the city, as I couldn't figure out how to buy a ticket. A homeless guy who somehow had a wad of cash on him, helpfully gave me change for a 20 so I could buy the tickets from the machine (you needed exact change). He was muttering incoherently, and the kids just stood there frozen staring at him. After that we headed home and ordered in some famous Chicago deep dish pizza. It was pretty good, but both Felicia and I felt that it wasn't amazing or anything. This morning, Eas...

South Dakota. Minnesota. Wisconsin. Illinois. We drove from SD, through MI and WI and ended up in Illinois in 11 hours. 4 states, 3 kids, 1 minivan, 1 day. To say I am tired is an understatement. The landscape and traffic changed dramatically. Prairie, rolling hills, urban sprawl and finally urban congestion. The funniest part of today was watching the kids play in the snow in an area that resembles an abandoned industrial park, somewhere in Wisconsin. Despite the sparse surroundings the kids had a lot of fun. After a lengthy day, make that DAYS of travel - our hotel in Chicago feels like a welcome oasis. The hotel staff had special treats prepared for the kids in our room.  Adam had popcorn and a coke. James and Sophia both had cookies and milk. They prepared a fruit tray for Felicia and I. It made us feel welcomed once again. Chicago looks like an interesting city.  We're looking forward to exploring the city tomorrow.

The day began with a visit to the national monument of Mt. Rushmore. The amazing sculpture of American Presidents, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Adam and Sophia have virtually no knowledge of American history. So, it was fun for us to go over each of these Presidents - although my own knowledge of this country's history is limited as well. I'm going to try to read some good history books to get caught up to speed with our new home country. After a couple of hours there, we had to change the oil in the van because the service light was coming on. We found a locally owned garage where the staff was so friendly and helpful, it reminded me of 1950's era service stations where you would pull up for gas and 4 guys would jump out and go over your whole car. After that it was back on the road. South Dakota looks remarkably similar to Saskatchewan. One big difference is in the large number of billboards advertising everything...

Enjoying the snow in Wyoming! We trekked on through Montana, Wyoming and finally South Dakota today. Yesterday we stayed in Bozeman Montana. We ordered coffees in a drive thru Starbucks. When we were picking up our order, the employee started chatting us up about the bright sun and warm weather. She was extremely excited to hear about our trip and wished us well. We encountered her after our eager friend in McDonalds the day before. And then again, in Sheridan Wyoming today, the manager of the sandwich shop we were in asked where we came from and where we were going. She cheerfully wished us happy travels. Within a very brief period of time 3 complete strangers expressed real interest in who we were and where we were headed. Each one also wished us safe travels. Are these expressions of interest and warmth endemic of the citizens that make up these rural enclaves in the American West? What are the chances of 3 strangers in 3 different towns within a very brief period of...

Beautiful Montana Skies Our trek continued from Eastern Washington, over the tip of Idaho and into Montana. The scenery was completely stunning and awe inspiring. The vast lands running up against low lying mountain ranges. And the huge inky blue sky. I can see why artists and writers retreat to Montana. The surroundings provide inspiration for a lot of artistic output. This was quite a lengthy day of travel. We left Ellensburg at about 9 AM and rolled into Bozeman at about 9 PM. We made only 2 stops. Lunch at a McDonalds somewhere near Spokane, and later in Missoula Montana. At the McDonalds, a man approached me as I was filling up my Diet Dr. Pepper. He asked how long we were traveling. My normal big city defenses went sky high as I warily eyed him up and down. I determined he was just being friendly, and not out to do me harm. So, I said we're headed to Bozeman. Then he volunteered that we should go to some park an hour away in Idaho. I said, "Uh, huh." Thi...

Parting shot from 1 Aspenwood. It's happening. After 10 months, we are finally on the road towards Ithaca New York. Today was a frantic tsunami of activity, miscommunication and even more good-byes. The day began with the arrival of 2 vans to our door. The first van only carried equipment to help the movers move. The second van was the shuttle van ,meaning the movers would move everything onto this van. It would go to the warehouse, and then some unlucky people would have to unload and reload  all our stuff into a 53 foot trailer truck that will take it cross country toward Ithaca. After this frenzy of last minute packing and dropping items that we were shedding, we faced an eerily empty house. We had pawned Sophia and James off on our beloved babysitter/honorary eldest daughter  - Lindsay, for the day. We were waiting for them to arrive. I walked over to chat with my neighbor about something and then all of a sudden an entourage of minvans started driving toward...

Yet another farewell dinner. With another pastor. I've had lunch with a dozen pastors in the past month, saying goodbye. With each farewell, the hugs have been warmer, tighter and longer. A mysterious lump forms in my throat. And an odd salty discharge escapes my eyes. Sadness stalks me during these goodbyes. We have lived in Vancouver for 12 years. All of our kids have been born here. And my friends. My friends who have been there for me in the good and the bad. And it is in the bad, that true friendships are discovered. When the ground beneath your feet is unsteady, your friends hold you steady. And I have so many who held me. Held us - two years ago when our ground shook. A fissure in a small church developed into an uncrossable crevice.  Forced to walk away from a church into an unknown future. Unknown, but not unknowable. It becomes knowable over time. And now, we step into the future. More accurately we drive towards a future in the East. A horizon...

In 5 days our family will embark on a journey. A journey that a couple of years ago we would never have imagined. We will be driving(!) from Port Moody British Columbia to Ithaca New York. We will pass through 11 states, bedding down in 6 different cities in 6 states. The guiding hand of sovereignty has directed us to travel during Holy Week. Jesus journeyed to his cross - fortunately, we head off to a far less fatal destination. We will drive and drive and drive, stopping for food and gas. Stopping to look at wonders both natural and man-made. A high-light of the journey will be Mt. Rushmore, a rock sculpture of 4 US presidents. A good introduction to American life, to see entombed in rock the visages of these great men who helped shape the country which has opened up its doors to us. Another highlight will be spending Easter weekend in Chicago. I've been to Chicago a couple of times and I think it will be fun exploring the big city with the kids. We will go up the Sears ...