More photos from Manitoba

This poor little sunflower got lost and couldn't relocate it's field. So he's hitch hiking to find his way home.

Diane with Audrey who owns a wonderful little ceramic and gift shop in Oak Lake. This town was so welcoming we thought of buying homes there and settling but our men would be too far away. Someone bought our breakfast at the restaurant, and made a donation too! Wonderful people all along the way have made our journey such a joy. Audrey outside her quaint and welcoming store.

We slept beside this grain bin. Thank you Lord for providing for another night.
In the morning there was a rainbow. Beautiful as it was we knew it would mean rain later.
Sure enough it poured later in the day.
I believe this called the "Grand Valley." It is beautiful and the photo can't show you the fullness of it.

NEW TOTAL RAISED

Just wanted to let you know that we have now raised $85,000.00! Thank you to all who have been part of this great adventure of faith. We are also the charity of choice for the Hadrian Manufacturing golf tournament to be held on September 14 in Burlington, On! They are excited to be a part of Simple Steps - again Thank you.
OK, you need to get to bed so get off this blog and close down your computer. Yes you! :)

First time since April 23

My best friend and soul mate of 29 years believed in me and said it was OUR project from the start. He has the harder part - staying at home.

Jean Serviss was the FIRST person to pledge $100 to cover 1 kilometer. She believed I could do it immediately. Thanks Jean!
Diane, Lois, Denise, Darlene, Nancy, and Gwen.

For the first time since April 23 we are back in Melfort. NO, the walk is not finished - nearly but not quite yet. With a month to go we have taken a day off, left the RV in Yorkton to get an oil change, and met Diane's husband there who drove us back home on Friday night. Thanks Carmen!

I write you my friends from the comfort of our new dwelling. After selling our home and having to move, Paul has found a lovely apartment (actually a fourplex) and made it into a welcoming home (with some help from Amie and Jon). It was a great encouragement and blessing to Diane and I when we were met at the border on Thursday, Aug 23 by two van loads of people who came to welcome us to our home province! These people drove 12 hours total to spend a couple of hours with us! Thank you!

At the Saskatchewan border with friends from home!

It was then that someone had mentioned that we should think about coming home for the weekend. After the seed thought was planted it sprouted very quickly and was full blown by the next day. So tomorrow we will be in church at Park Avenue Church and they have even given us some time to speak :) It will be a busy service with a baby dedication, as well as special guests from Teen Challenge who will be singing, giving their testimony and preaching too. The congregants will sure get their money's worth this Sunday!

Thanks for keeping up with the blog. I want to say a special thank you to Running Room for their kind and generous support. Please support them when you need any sports fittings.
We will be back on the road Monday morning walking our way from 10 k east of Wapella to Balgonie in the week. Regina will be on Monday next (Sept 03). Oh, just a note that we have decided to walk up the 11 and not WALK to Moose Jaw. We will be at the Sunningdale church on the 9th of Sept but will be driving there. This will save us a day and two thirds of walking time. Good decision! Thanks to Diane and Paul we are saved some steps - simply! ha xoxo denise

Warm Hospitality in MacGregor, Manitoba

Denise and Diane had the blessing of being at the Westside Community Church in MacGregor, Manitoba on Sunday, August 19. They had the opportunity to share about the Village of Hope in the morning worship service. After the service a few of the churches in the community gathered in the yard for a barbeque, corn boil and a baseball game. Thank you MacGregor for the warm prairie Christian hospitality shown to the Simple Steps Walk Team! Here's a few pics supplied by Bernie & Edna Toews.

Special Offer From Scott Orr Music

Our nephew, Scott Orr, has just released a new recording. We think he's a stellar musician with some artful folky tunes. He is offering a free copy of his new record, Miles From Today, to anyone who makes a donation to Simple Steps Walk in support of the Village of Hope. Check out his blog for more details at scottorrmusic.blogspot.com

Thanks Scott for your generous offer for the kids in Burkina Faso and in support of Denise!

Hello from Brandon, MB

I found the name of this cemetery rather ironic.

This may seem morbid to some but I treasure the chance to admire the animals along the road. This beautiful bird (cedar wax wing???) was only one of many we had admired. I have seen two dead humming birds along the road. What a privilege to see them up close.

Kathleen Hay and I talked our way from Winnipeg to Portage la Prairie! Congratulations on your amazing stamina - you held up your end of the conversation the whole way. :) No really Kathleen showed amazing determination and stamina as she jumped into the walk completeing a 32 k day and 70 k in total for two and a half days walking. Thanks for coming my friend.

The pregnant land waiting to yield her bounty.

My favorite photo I took in Winnipeg at Portage and Main.

Hello everyone! We have made it to Brandon but I should tell you about getting here!

Every day is a new adventure in patience and surprise! After crossing the Manitoba border the land began to show us more and more of herself. She laid back her covering and revealed so much of her bounty and beauty. The land is indeed pregnant with crops and it is wonderful to walk though this busy, industrious time. Combines, airplanes (alot of potatoe crops in the MacGregor area which are sprayed with planes), and semis all producing a strong sense of work being accomplished. The 'atmosphere' (not quite the right word) is noticibly different from northern Ontario which definately gave me a summer vacation feel.

The weather has cooled as August came upon us and both Diane and I are MUCH happier: Diane because we are in the prairies again and me because its not hot at night anymore!!!! Plus we are excited that we are only 5 weeks away from being home!

We have had a couple of visitors: my girlfriend Kathleen Hay from the Ottawa valley and Diane's mom, Lillian, is with us right now for the weekend.

I want to thank Diane and Kathleen for their joint effort of talking me into buying the new shoes. I do find it very hard to spend money when we are trying to raise money for the village. They were right though - I knew it well after only walking for a couple of kms in the new shoes. Like the proverbial frog in the pot they had lost their support and much of their sole so slowly I couldn't tell why my feet were hurting! Thanks girls you are good friends.

Well, I regret that this blog has to be short as I have an hour drive ahead before I sleep and it is past nine. Keep praying and we'll keep walking!

Just an update on the fund raising: we are at $79,000 and we have been notified that we are the charity of choice for the Hadrian Golf Tournament in Sept! Looking forward to updating you on that!

Oh, wait! I want to thank ENDURANCE PLANET.COM. Kevin was just a wonderful host and made me feel so relaxed as we chatted. He has brought me such education in the field of endurance sports and I respect the podcast and his vision for it. I hope all of you will support and enjoy enduranceplanet.com.

Love, denise

Wearing Out Shoes!

This is Paul writing on behalf of Denise (she's not been able to find a wifi connection for a while). This week Denise realized that the four pairs of running shoes she was walking with were worn out. On returning to Winnipeg on Wednesday, they made a visit to the Running Room Store. Denise picked up two new pairs of Asics Gel-Kayanos. She was able to get a 20% discount with a Vector cereal box coupon. This saved her $80! Running shoes don't seem to last as long as radial tires. I'm guessing she got about 750 kms per pair of shoes.

They are gaining some kilometers above the planned walking log due to the fact that she walked through Winnipeg rather than around it on the Perimeter Road. She has also been adding two extra kilometers to her daily total of 30. The reason for this change is that she would like to take an extra day in Caronport, SK. to visit with our grandchildren (and daughter & son-in-law).

Denise has been enjoying all the encouragement from the prairie drivers. She said they are alot more expressive with their honking greetings than the Ontario travellers.

Interview on Endurance Planet

Check out this website for an excellent interview with Denise about Simple Steps Walk: Enduranceplanet.com

TO HONOUR SENIORS READING THIS BLOG

One of the surprising delights of the walk is the stories I have been told by friends and family members of their senior relatives who have learned new skills so that they could keep up to date with Simple Steps Walk!
My son and daughter-in-law, Josh and Becky DeGraaf have told me of Becky's grandmother who, determined to keep up with the walk had her son install and teach her to use a computer. Hello Selma, I am looking forward to giving you a big hug when I reach Saskatoon!
Then there was the family who's senior loved one couldn't be contacted by phone and becoming concerned they sent someone over to the house to see if there was any problem. "No problem!" she explained, "I was just reading Denise's blog!" Sorry to the Hay family and a big hug and kiss to Ruby for your support and prayers.
To all the other seniors, thank you for your interest and support. I couldn't do this without the prayers of so many. Every step is a gift from God.
So if you are a senior who reads this blog could you please comment and let me know who you are. Or if you are a family member of a senior leave a comment to tell me of your relative who has made it a point to read this blog. Lets make a list of seniors who read this blog.
NOTE: you have to sign up for your own blog to leave a comment. That doesn't mean that you have to blog (although my Mom has enjoyed the experience) you just have to "register" with blogspot to leave a comment. Its an easy process and worth the effort.

2000 KILOMETERS

"All that I have has been given to me. There is nothing that I have that has not been from His hand. No effort, no striving, no human pluck or fortitude has brought me anything. I am His servant, in His battle, for His glory." At 2000 k, Manitoba border, August 3, 2007 Denise DeGraaf

Yes, we have indeed passed the 2000 km mark! On Friday, Paul and I walked and Diane drove across the Manitoba border that we had set as our virtual 2000 k mark (actually 2000 k had been crossed about a half hour before the border.)

I have to talk to you about a troublesome bit of brain matters. I have been noticing a trend in my mindset...as I approach a milestone (I noticed it first at the half way mark) a kind of depression (not severe but notable) begins to swarm above me. I can dodge it, and even ignore its looming presence for sometime but as the days bring me closer to the achievement the threat becomes more intense. I respond by pushing harder, avoid discussing the mark and by indulging in a bit of panic (you know the look in a horse's eyes when he's spooked by what he can't see?)

I used to ride a horse (just barely a horse) called Dapper Dan. He thought himself to be all that and would like to strut his stuff. It was always a constant battle for who was going to control his head - or so I thought at the time. In hindsight, I believe he was just frustrated by my lack of riding skills. I was probably sending him conflicting signals, such as squeezing with my legs and pulling back on the reins at the same time. Poor horse, now I realize how patient he was. I'm grateful he didn't attempt to dismount me regularly.

That is the same feeling I am struggling with now - excitement to have achieved 2000 k and a sadness without explanation (squeezing with my legs and pulling back on the reins). A double minded person is unstable in all her ways!

On Sunday, Paul and I attended a Baptist Church in Kenora and the whole service was centered on the word FAITH. Without having the answer about the cloud of darkness that accompanies a success, I will continue this walk the way I began - in faith. This walk is not about me, I could not have come this far without Him allowing me to walk everyday. In Africa, after we visit a village (usually the village of Bankan), we follow custom by going to the elders and they "give us the road." (They also usually give us a live goat which gets tied to the roof of the vehicle for the ride home, but that doesn't have anything to do with my story). God has "given me the road" and I am blessed on my way.

I also need to say that when I set out my log before leaving, at 2000 k we worked in an extra day off. BOY DID I NEED IT. My emotions were soggy, my feet were feeling thick, and my head was not focused. That last day was extremely hard. But my friend (Paul) had come to walk with me - God knew how much I would need him. I felt like those pictures of people coming in after doing the triathalon at Kona - blind with exhaustion. I thought of another picture too, when God laid Elijah's head on a rock and gave him sleep. I needed rest, it was time to rest. Not only did I have a place to rest, but I also had my best friend with me!

Tomorrow morning we start the last 1000 k. I feel ready. My mind is focused and my heart is armed with faith. God only gives us one day at a time for which I am very grateful.

Come with me back to the beginning (Fri Dec 22, 06 Blog entry) and lets see what I wrote:

Shackleton made a commitment to his men when (their boat) the Endurance was finally swallowed by the ice, he said, "Well men, lets go home." He spoke these words of hope to his crew as they stood on an ice flow, the summer was coming in hard and hot, and their vessel had just abandoned them giving itself up to the sea.Words of hope, commitment to each other, hard hard work, and faith. Do we still have any remnants of these virtues within? Do I have any of Shackleton's love for his men, commitment to my goal, willingness to work harder than I have ever worked, and faith that will sustain my hope?

I believe its there inside me waiting to be worked out by a consistant commitment to obedience and endurance.

Well men, lets go home.

New friends in Kenora

Kenora librarian and Denise: Upon arriving in Kenora our first stop was to the Public Library where I met (oh dear Im sorry I have forgotten your name!) this lovely librarian. We both thought we knew each other and had no idea from where. So we just settled on being friends as is. Too bad I'm not a very good friend to forget her name! Their library is a beautiful mixture of old architecture and new, a feat that is not easily achieved. I was able to blog and wasn't charged the extra fee. Thank you.

The Plaza Staff and Denise: Then we happened upon this wonderful family owned restaurant. The staff took us in and treated us so well. We were well fed when we left. The Plaza offers aeuthentic mediterranean dishes made by the owners. I enjoyed the Greek combo and a large piece of baklava for dessert. Hmmm.

Sharon and Denise: While we were out smoozing with the meditteranean set someone was waiting at our RV. Sharon Scharfe is articling in Kenora after having passed her bar exams (CONGRATULATIONS!). We had met years ago through her family in the Ottawa valley. It was sooooo much fun to spend the evening together. We all said we hadn't laughed so much in a very long time. All the best to a very dear lady!

Clare and Diane: Sharon treated us to a wonderful meal at Haps in Kenora. The outdoor patio was full and this was our hard working waitress. She had a great attitude under such pressure.

We were so blessed in Kenora and are taking many happy memories with us as we push on to Winnipeg.

Just wanted to share some of the beauty of the morning with you. These were taken about 12 kms west of Vermillion Bay on Monday I believe.

This morning (Aug 1) I was exhausted, my feet ached and my body still thought it was in bed! At 6 am it was hot and muggy, so much so that I began to pray that God would take the humid dank away! We stopped for bfast after 9kms and had a nap and then made some french toast for myself. While I slept a storm broke the back of the humidity and I stepped out into a fresher world. I was extremely grateful but still tired - last night was a little late and it was stifling hot. The generator ran out of gas and I was too lazy to get up and go out to fill it. As Paul reminds me, God is teaching me patience. Adrian Rogers says that patience is the number one necessary character trait if you want to attain maturity in your Christian walk. So when Paul reminds me of the opportunity to learn/practice patience I try to settle into the situation with some sense of availability and contentment.

So finally, after walking toward Kenora for what seemed to be a very very long time, we arrived here around 3 pm. I still had 3 kms to do to finish my day but went further and did 28 something today.

TWO more days and we will be at the Manitoba border!

Diane was excited to find out that there is a big celebration here tonight to commemorate 100 years of Scouting in Canada. That is pretty cool. The event is being held under a beautiful open sided tent on the waterfront and she is determined to go. Because I was so tired today I might pass up the opportunity? But I hate to leave Diane by herself to experience this occasion.

Kenora is one of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL lakeside towns I have visited. It is bustling with visitors this week because of a number of conventions all taking place here on the same weekend. They have trimmed, and plucked, and fluffed until the town has the appearance of a newly groomed teenager. Kenora's history is fun too. Originally called "Rat Portage" the name had to be changed when a flour company wanted to move to town but felt the name would be a deterant to their corporate image. They didn't want to PRINT the word RAT anywhere on their product. So the town came up with KE (from a neighbouring town of Keewatin), NO (from another neighbouring town of Norman), and RA (from the original name Rat's A?? - humm). Now these were not city rats it was named by the natives because of the large number of Muskrats that populated the area.

The lake which Kenora is on, Lake-of-the-Woods, has so many islands that it has more shoreline than all of Lake Superior. We were told in the information centre that navigation on the lake is very dangerous as it is sooo easy to get lost. "It is a very serious problem." said she.

When she asked if we would be staying in Kenora for the night we said yes and then she wanted to help us to find a campsite. Diane skillfully avoided telling her that we had reservations at the Walmart parking lot. We stayed there last night too and noticed the large signs that stated the City by-law that there is no overnight parking allowed. When we left at 5:30 am there were 7 other RVs spending the night. In Perry Sound the Walmart even allowed us to plug in.

I wanted to say how much your comments bless me. Your words are precious drops of encouragement to me. Keep praying for my stamina.

Paul is coming on Friday (he's going to meet me at the Manitoba border), and after walking on Saturday we have scheduled two days off. So we will be in a hotel room for Sat, Sun, and Mon nights. Today as I walked I really felt the need for a real bed and a hot bath and a couple of days off. Looking forward to that.

Well, my friends and all God bless you in your walk today and may you know God's presence, his promise, and his peace. (hey, that might preach eh?) ha ha

Lovin' you lots and lots, denise