Pics of the week

Here are some picture of the past week.



Breakfast in the Endurance taken this morning (May 18). Diane is an amazing support to me as she spends so much time making meals and having it ready for me when we are done for the day. Thanks Diane, you are a servant of God.

Walking through a peaceful woods on a small winding road I heard a train approaching from a long distance off. It came closer and closer. The woods were so thick that I couldn't see it but knew that it was running parallel to the road. Then it blew it's whistle. The sound crashed through the woods and my shoulders shot up, my head ducked down, my knees bent and I couldn't even breathe. You would think that I would be ready for the next time it blew, but it was as frightening as the first time! The train is gone, but the shock is still with me.

I wondered if that whistle was supposed to make people get off the tracks - it made me freeze in shock and confusion. I don't think I could move even if I knew the danger it warned of.

The end of the little forest road was at Torrance. This cleft rock was just outside of that town.

On the rainy day we had two visitors, this is Ian. He was riding his bike from Manitoulin Island to Barrie. We turned around to chase him down and then invited him into the RV for a coffee. Diane is a wonderful hostess.

Sarah, Simon and Gabriel came all the way from Barrie to visit us and bring us lunch - which we ate for two days. It was so exciting to talk about Mike and Sarah's call to missions work in Mozambique! You don't often see young people entering the missions field FULL TIME any more and I was so happy to see a young couple with two little ones drop all that is in their hands to say yes to the call of God. Remember, "If God calls you to be a minister, don't stoop to be a King." May God bless the Thessien family with all His provision and joy!

After a full day's walk, The Fry Guy gave us a free supper and a free place to stay for the night and plug in too! Always exciting when we get electricity!

Morning departure (6:00 am ) from Hamlet, ON. The Severn Canal goes through this vacation land.

Sunday, May 15 at Craigleith Provincial Park on Georgian Bay. It was very moving when I came over the last hill on Airport Rd and saw the shores of Georgian Bay. I had walked from the shores of Lake Ontario to the shores of Georgian Bay. Just one of many landmark moments.

Before the launch of the walk we stayed at my sister & brother-in-law's (Ron & Joan Germain). They had a new batch of puppies and Diane spoiled one little one that wasn't well. They are both beautiful creations of our heavenly Father.

Well ok, I have 2.5 more hours on the road to go today so I am on my way. Lots of love to all.

From Muskoka Lakes, denise

Passing Through Cottage Country

This week D&D have been passing through the beautiful cottage country of the Muskokas. They have not been able to access wireless internet so I (Paul) thought I would post some pics of the beautiful landscape that they are seeing everyday. Below is an ariel view of Morrison Lake (borrowed these photos from www.morrisonlake.ca).

The next photo is a satellite view of the same lake. To the east of the lake you can see the route they travelled today (Southwood Rd.). The large island in the lake is called Mile Island.

They are travelling northwest and should reach Parry Sound by the weekend. Today Denise walked her 250th kilometer! Tonight they are parked 10 kms. south of Torrance at the junction of Southwood Rd. and Old Stone Rd.

Tuesday May 15

Simple Steps Walk May 15, 2007 Written in Barrie ON
Kilometers covered: 28.1 km
After walking from Anten Mills to Hwy 12 we went into Barrie tonight. I am realizing (with Paul's help) that I can't do anything after walking until I have eaten. He is right. My brain is fuzzy, can't make decisions, I am a mess until I have eaten. So I have to work that into my schedule.
I apologize to all who have not received any emails. It is only because I don't get to a place to send or receive emails often. So, don't think I am ignoring you - I am mostly just walking.
Pastor Michel called today to encourage me.
The day went by quickly and I felt strong the whole way. I am fading now though so I will say goodnight.

Donors, Radio, Blisters

Simple Steps Walk Monday, May 14, 2007 written in Anten Mills, On
Kilometers covered today: 25.1
We slept in and got a late start as planned today. I finally started walking at 8:45 am in Stayner. Diane caught up with me soon after and in good time cuz the morning is full of washroom breaks. Sometimes I really get frustrated with how many times I need to get into the RV to use the washroom.
The day went by one hour of walking at a time. The breaks that we planned (before leaving) to be 15 minutes have turned out to be half hour breaks. So the day goes by and I am usually just finishing up by 5:30 or 6 pm. I am hoping that this will change as we move into a routine and my body gets stronger.
I have two blisters, one on each heel. But it would have been unreasonable to think I could get away without any the whole trip. They haven’t caused any problem – they are just sensitive but don’t inhibit my walking at all. One thing I do when I finish for the day is have a foot bath. This started with Jay doing this for me for the first three days while we were staying there. Thanks Jay.
Some good news came today: Running Room is sponsoring the walk with 2 pairs of Kayano running shoes and some technical shirts!
Also, Darren stopped to talk to me today. When he drove by he noticed the signs and turned around to come by to get a donation envelope! Then a couple of hours later the Barrie Christian Radio station called for an interview! Darren had called them to let them know about the walk. They called back again and said they were going to sponsor the walk. So tomorrow we are going to drop by to pick up a sticker to put on our vehicle!
Tonight at the end of the walk was a chip stand, “The Fry Guy”. Diane did her magic and asked if we could park in his drive way and plug in – of course he said yes. We were so excited to have some of his French fries and I ordered “The Hungryman(woman)” which had chicken strips too. When Diane went to pay he wouldn’t take the money! Supper was on him. I told him that every night we ask God to provide a place for us to stay and he was our angel tonight. He thought he had more devil in him than angel.
Tomorrow we will get a very early start and hopefully make it to hwy 12. We will also go down into Barrie to visit the CAA office and the Christian radio station. Maybe Jayme will be able to get it worked out so that I can pick up that stuff from Running Room too.
God’s provision is astounding! Thank you Lord.

Week 1 Down 145 km

View of Hamilton going south on hwy 6.

Kelly and Denise walking on Monday May 7.

One of the many hills north of Orangeville on the Airport Rd. I have started using my walking poles and it has seemed to bring a consistancy to my pace and taken pressure off one of my heels.

Simple Steps Walk Sunday, May 13, 2007 written in Anten, ON
To summarize this week is simple, it was a miracle. I have trained, yes. In the part of Saskatchewan where we live there are no big hills. Since January my training has taken second place to recovering from an injury and to the Saskatchewan winter weather (-35 degrees is a ripe for injury). So since then I have been moderately training. I thought for sure I would need to work up to the 25 km per day required. But, the week went by day by day and except for taking a day off for getting a tire changed on the RV (Thank You Glen Colling!) we were able to do 30 km days from Thursday to Saturday. These kms were done at the same 5 km/hour as the others but Aiport Road is a road of huge hills and valleys. I am so glad no one warned me about this road. I was able to take one hill at a time. It was on one of these hills that I felt the presence of Jesus in a way that I have never experienced Him before.
Some of the highlights of the week were:
1. The launch, pretty overwhelming but a good day
2. DeGraafs meeting us before Stayner on Saturday
3. Glen Colling replacing a tire for us on Wednesday
4. A farmer getting out of a bin (he was putting seed into the seeder from the bin) coming through the field to give me what he had in his pocket $70
5. Patrick the Viceroy guy who let us stay on his construction site and plug in for the night.
6. Saw the new Spiderman in Collingwood on Saturday night
7. The presence of Jesus as I walked the hills
8. Erin radio station reception: they treated so nicely and did an interview
9. Erin Chocolate shop: free chocolates thank you guys
10. Christy and Jay Lehman gave us a new camcorder for the walk.
11. Graham Line and kellie’s husband installed a satellite tracking system
12. Charlotte McAlpine presented me with a beautiful quilt from the Careforce Office
13. Moe from 1Hour Signs on Harvester Rd, Burlington donated a caution banner!
Saturday night we pulled into Craigleith Prov Park and stayed for two nights. It was great to dump our waste and fill up our water tank. The Sabbath was excellent. I really needed the break. We didn’t even go to church.

Summary of Week One

Denise hasn't been able to find a wireless connection, so this is Paul writing. She asked me to do a summary of Week One.

May 6: On Simple Steps Walk Launch day They covered 10 kms. from Compasspoint Bible Church, Burlington, to the small town of Lowville. That evening D&D shared the SSWalk with the Crossroads Community Church in Burford. They traveled back to Carlisle to park over night in the driveway of Jay & Christy Lehman.

May 7: They continued to travel straight north on the Guelph Line from Lowville to Darbyville covering a distance of 19 kms. That evening they returned to the home of the Lehmans to park for the night.

May 8: Continuing straight north on the Guelph Line from Darbyville crossing #7 highway and proceeding to County Rd. 124. They ended their walking day at a little town called Ospringe, covering a total of 24 Kms. Once again they returned to the Lehman's home for the night.

May 9: This was a day for getting some necessary tasks completed. In Oakville, they had one of the rear tires replaced and looked after some other errands and appointments before parking for the last evening at the Lehamn's RV park.

May 10: Denise felt that she wanted to make up for the lost time on Wednesday, so she walked 31.5 kms. Passing through the Town of Erin and finishing the walking day at the junction of Airport Rd.

May 11: Proceeding north along Airport Rd. they begin to encounter some very steep hills, especially through the Hockley Valley (see photo below; these photos were borrowed from www.bowjamesbow.ca who gives a overview of the drive along Airport Rd. from Toronto to Stayner).

At the end of a long day they had completed 30.5 kms. at the town of Mansfield. This night they stayed in the Walmart parking lot in Orangeville.

May 12: Saturday was a challenge because of the rolling hills of Simcoe County. Mom and Dad DeGraaf met them on the road with a very generous care package and loads of encouragement. They traveled north to the end of Airport Rd. in the town of Stayner (the photo below shows the approach to the town).

Here's the corner where they finished their walking day covering a total of 28 kms. The total kms. for the week was 142.

From Stayner they drove 25 kms. west to the Craigleith Provincial Campgrounds on the south shore of Georgian Bay. There they found a campsite within walking distance of the shore (below is a photo of the shale rock shoreline).
May 13: This was a rest day at the campsite and doing some necessary shopping in Collingwood.

Passing Through the Town of Erin, Ontario, May 10, 2007

Today D&D passed through the rural town of Erin, Ontario (Km.63). They were greeted with a warm welcome by everyone they met. At the local pharmacy they were given permission to stay in their parking lot and another resident invited them to park the RV in his drive tonight.



On Main Street they stopped at the post office to get a post mark in their journal and the postal attendant made a donation and encouraged them to go to the local radio station, Erin Radio, 101.5FM, across the street. There they met Jay Mowat, who hosts a daily program called, Main Street. The program highlights interviews with the people who contribute to the character of the town of Erin. I think the interview with D&D will be aired today at 5PM Ontario time (3PM Saskatchewan time). You can listen on line by going to erinradio.ca and clicking on the Listen Now button. they also visited a chocolate shop where the owner gave them some goodies. Sugar is fuel! They are hoping to do 30 kms. today to make up for the lost time yesteday. If you are following on a map, their goal for today is to reach the junction of Charleston Rd. (County Rd. 24) and Airport Rd. (County Rd. 7), just 4.5 kms. south of the town of Mono Mills (the bearings are N43 55.050 W79 55.873).


Here's a pic of the kind of countryside they are enjoying as they travel. The temperature has been in the high 20s.

Paul 4 Denise

Short update

Hello good friends and neighbours!
This is the first time in a long time that I have been able to update you on what is happening.
I have walked 10 k on Sunday, 20 k on Monday and 25 k on Tuesday. My base training is paying off as I have no pains, no aches - but I do sleep well.
Today, we are in Burlington as Glen Colling got us a new rear tire as one of the four was worn and bald. He owns a garage but because it was a dual tire he got a tire service to replace it with a brand new tire! Thank you Glen.
Also our last prayer request was answered as Jay & Christy Lehman bought us a digital camcorder! It is excellent quality. Thank you guys.
And our RV is now outfitted with a satellite tracking system. Graham Line purchased the unit and Bert Allen installed it. Bert will also try to keep a map up to date online.
We met Scott for lunch today and said goodbye as we won't be turning around anymore! I'm coming home.
Did another interview with CJVR this morning. I am so grateful for their interest and coverage.
Well Diane is waiting for me in the RV as I finish this up. God bless you all and keep us in your prayers! Denise

Launch Day, May 6, 2007

Here's some pics of the Launch that started at CompassPoint Bible Church, Eaglesfield campus, Burlington, Ontario. Thank you to Michelle Varga for taking these pics and sending them to Paul to post on the blog.

This is a great shot of the beautiful woman whom God is using to raise money and awareness for the children of the Village of Hope (this is Paul writing).

Pastor Michel Ouedraogo, from the Village of Hope, Burkina Faso, West Africa, prays for Denise, asking for God's protection.

Jim Houston, AGC Canada West Superintendent, shares words of encouragement for Denise from God's Word. Pastor Michel and Lydia Ouedraogo are standing on the right.

Denise listens on the cell phone to the children of the Village of Hope in Burkina Faso praying for her as Pastor Michel prays.

Denise breaks the starting ribbon to officially begin Simple Steps walk. She is joined by many others walkers the first day (Jennifer Wilson-Bridgman, the President of Careforce International, is on Denise's left). She was blessed by the support of family and friends who came to see her off (Denise's mom, Ruth Orr is at the left of the picture with her camera in hand. You can check out her blog for more pics).

Sue Page and Donna Leung, on staff at the AGC national office, joined Denise for the first 10 kms of the Simple Steps Walk. Check out Sue's reflections on the day at the AGC website.

Day 7

Photo: Breadalbane Baptist Church, 1816 Paul & Denise's first pastorate located 1 hour east of Ottawa.

Simple Steps Walk Sunday, April 29, 2007 written in Centerville, ON

Three hours of driving east took us through Ottawa and on to Breadalbane Baptist Church in Glengarry County. As we drove up I said to Diane, “Everyone thinks we are from the big city, but this is where we are really from. This is home.”
And it was so good to be home. Before we were out of the RV the door was swung open and an extended arm reached toward me! So much time has passed, so many miles have been travelled but so much is the same. The church was full of sweet faces but a special few were missing. Some were at a meeting in Cornwall, others at a graduation in Winnipeg and one has gone on to be with her Lord.
Photo: Pastor Bruce introduces Denise.

I was blessed with the opportunity to lead the adult Sunday School class and then we went in to the morning service. Pastor Bruce has been doing a 3 part series on Our Resp
onsibility to the Poor. He did an excellent object lesson with ladies serving bountiful trays of fruit, chocolate, cheese & crackers. Although Pastor Bruce explained that there was enough for everyone and that he wanted everyone to sample the bounty of our country the servers only ever served the first two rows. At one point someone did take pity on the rest and threw a bag of rice to one onlooker. The morning was a very powerful statement of our need to be good executors of God’s provision.

Photo: Denise presents Simple Steps Walk.

And this is what the message of Simple Steps boils down to – we need to share what we have with the rest of the world. This life of sharing will lead to a previously unexperienced health for all of us.

After a wonderful potluck (where the kids served the adults dessert before they could indulge- good idea Kathleen!) we left for Denise’s parents home 3 ½ hours away in Centerville (near Napanee). We had a bit of a scare with the oil pressure but everything turned out fine.

Day 6

Simple Steps Walk Saturday, April 28, 2007 written in Centerville, ON

Sleeping in was the first order of the day. Obediently I slept until 10 am. Becky leaves early for work every morning so on Saturday she treasures her morning sleep. While Josh & Becky made a beautiful breakfast of pancakes, fresh fruit and yogurt I chatted with them. They work so well in the kitchen together (along with Massey and Ferguson who lay at their feet the whole time).
At noon, Josh & I started our list of jobs on the RV – change oil & filter, flush water lines, light hot water tank, paint mounts, attach mounts and lights. So we got all that done, and it was time for supper. It had been raining and overcast all day which made us chilled. So when we finally came in a nice cup of hot tea was such a treat! Again, Becky had made a wonderful meal and we sat listening to Josh’s stories.
Sunday was coming and we four looked forward to visiting Breadalbane Baptist Church – Paul & Denise’s first pastorate. So after a short evening we “hit the sack.”

Day 5

Simple Steps Walk Friday, April 27, 2007 written in Golden Lake

It was raining again today so we had a really slow start. I started working on my journaling while sitting at the kitchen table this didn’t work so well. I woke with a stiff neck that was very unusual – it hurt when I swallowed!? Not IN my throat – but the muscles around my neck have been strained somehow. Even still it hurts – which probably means I should go to bed!
Josh & I went for a walk down to the Bonnechere River that runs behind their place. Their two dogs are beautiful Springer Spaniels and they were great to watch as they worked patterns through the fields looking for some quarry to flush out.
We spent the evening just talking and catching up. When Paul called we had a four way conversation with him on speakerphone. That went on for a half hour before they decided to go to bed.
Tomorrow the plan is to sleep in and then work on the RV: mount warning lights, flush water system, change oil, repair leak on roof, try to get the CB working. If we can’t get it all done I will see if my Dad can help out with these things.

Day 4

Photo: Denise, Becky & Joshua

Simple Steps Walk Thursday, April 26, 2007 written in Golden Lake

By eight in the morning I was taking the computer over to the restaurant to see if the wireless would work (it didn’t). I called Josh and asked him to meet us at Irving’s for bfast. I was surprised when I spotted a very handsome man and immediately turned my eyes away (as is my habit when my mind registers a man as handsome)and then with a laugh realized it was my own son I was looking at! What a blessing to be together again! He looks so much like a man. We talked about some of our experiences of late and we encouraged each other. I thank God for his wisdom, friendship, and straight forward honesty with me. We will be staying with Josh & Becky until Sunday. Paul has asked him to do some work on the RV.
I was anxious to get to Ottawa to go the Mountain Equipment Coop as I had a $200 gift certificate. (Thanks Colleen for that great gift!) Diane didn’t come as she wanted to spend some time doing wash, working on her scrap booking, and getting organized. Josh & I stopped in at Becky’s work to trade vehicles as his truck is hard on the gas. She gave us a tour of her work place and I was jealous. She is working at a large printing company in the pre-press dept. I am so proud of her.
I was able to get a breatheable waterproof coat and pants plus a few other small items at MEC. I am very thankful for this generous gift!
While Diane continues to sleep in the RV, I am taking advantage of their guest room.

Day 3

Simple Steps Walk Wednesday, April 25, 2007 written in Golden Lake
Kilometers covered today:
DEPARTURE I woke up at 5:30 Saskatchewan time, changed my clothes and started driving while Diane continued to sleep. It was a beautiful morning and the sun was making my eyes burn with its intensity. But my sun glasses were hanging in the back and so I just kept driving.
I realized that the gas was extremely low and that I should have stopped at Marathon to fill up. I didn’t know how much further the next town was and so I began to ask the Lord for a pull off spot. One came up and I was glad to pull into a very large graveled area where a semi driver was resting as well. I emptied the two jerry cans into the gas tank.
Diane was up and we boiled some water to make ourselves a bfast of oatmeal and bananas (the ones the ladies at the church gave us for on our way). We also started our lunch by making up some couscous salad. (Thank you Amie for the recipe – that bowl of salad has provided many meals!)
We stopped at White River at a Husky and took a shower ($4: includes two towels and no time restriction – although my water went cold and I figured it might be time to get out). There was one small item missing in my shower – a LOCK on the door! So I place the chair in front of the door so I would at least hear if someone was coming in. Leaving my socks on so I wouldn’t pick up plantars warts I enjoyed my shower and was ready for another day on the road.
At Wawa we stopped at a Tim Hortons around noon. They have just opened a new one there, what a beautiful store. We promised we would come back and enjoy the enormous goose, the great little store, and the new Tim Hortons again on our way home. We decided to set our goal for Pembroke tonight.
By Sault St. Marie we were again desperate for gas. The Husky station that is situated in front of the WalMart parking lot was our choice. The lady behind the counter asked where we were going. I explained the walk to her and she was very excited, shook my hand, and wished me well. She said she’d be looking for us coming back through so I hope to stop in there and shake her hand again.
I have been failing at hearing God’s voice telling me to speak to people. I think about giving someone a Bible or tract and then make reasons why they wouldn’t be interested. I will keep trying and working on my skill of engaging people in conversation.
It was 1:30 am when we pulled into the Irving truck stop on Hwy 17 in Pembroke. The manager (Mike) told us if we want to park there for the night we should park in the far corner. I thought that was very nice of him. There must have been 50 semis there all backed in neatly in a row and then our RV tucked in over in the back corner by the dumpsters. We slept well again. Both of us are very comfortable in our beds. And we are warm too.

Day 2

PHOTOS: Having fun at the Ontario welcome sign.

Simple Steps Walk Tuesday, April 24, 2007 written in Golden Lake

DEPARTURE Got a late start from Winnipeg this morning but then we made up for it by travelling into the night.
Just outside Winnipeg we stopped at St. Anne’s to get gas and bought a 20 litre jerry can. Last night’s host, Jim, lent us another 20 litre jerry can. Now we carry 40 l of gas in our outside compartment. This will extend the reach of our gas card, allow us to drive through the night and feel secure about never running out of gas.
The terrain began to change thoughout the morning. The trees began to stand closer together and move in toward the road. They became taller and rocks were scattered about their roots. My emotions swelled as we approached the Ontario border. I settled into the peace that coming to a familiar place brings to the soul. That feeling of home encompassed me for hours, kilometers, and a day until we reached Josh & Becky’s (my son & daughter-in-law) home in Golden Lake in the Ottawa valley.
Passing by our goal for the day, Thunder Bay, we went on to Terrace Bay. The description of the Thunder Bay Husky truck stop gave us a false impression of what we would find. What we found was a dumpy little place with a parking area that was dimly lit. Neither of us felt comfortable parking for the night at this place and so we agreed on driving further. Thunder Bay was also a disappointment because it was to be our last fill up on the gas card but the Cardlock only carried diesel.
I would say I am very flexible with changing plans on the go but tonight I was disappointed with my frustration with these developments. This is an area that I am going to work on over the next five months. I will choose to focus on finding doors to maintain momentum and not stand staring at the wall in front of me.
In Terrace Bay we stopped in the parking lot of the Tourist Info place which shares its pavement with the public library. We decided we would bed down and if a police officer woke us and asked us to move on we would have at least gotten some sleep. And so we settled.

Day 1

PHOTOS: top - saying goodbye from Melfort, below - the elders commission Denise & Diane

Simple Steps Walk Monday, April 23, 2007 written in Winnipeg, MB

DEPARTURE As decided early on, we went to Crossroads restaurant for breakfast on the day of our departure. Amie and Jonathan (my daughter and son-in-law) and my grandchildren, Elijah and Grace were with us. We talked about nothing important but it was an extremely important time together. Diane and I would get into the RV and drive south while the rest would just go home – our lives taking separate directions for a time and in God’s will. The goodbye’s were shortened by the cold rain but they were warm and my last glimpse of Paul was in the side mirror.
GAS MILAGE It is a large vehicle we have been blessed with and it seems to lumber down the road. We have tried to figure out our gas consumption and it seems to be about 24 – 26 miles/gal. That seems unbelieveably good and so I wonder if I did the calculations properly? One segment was 310 km with a fill up of 86 litres (I am giving you litres and kms it needs to be converted as well). Can someone send me a formula for this calculation?
DAY OF FIRSTS So this was a day of firsts. Our first try at using the cardlock system – everything went great! Thanks good Nabers. We also had our first lunch while driving. We both spent time driving while the other napped. Our first stay in someone’s driveway and our first night of sleeping in the RV. I had originally thought that I would sleep on the couch but then decided to fold down the table and make a bed. Although we had no heat it was very comfortable and cozy in our sleeping bags.
Overwhelmed with thankfulness Diane and I both expressed to each other many times yesterday at how grateful we were to be chosen to do this walk. That we were the least of all who God could have laid His hand on, but He graciously chose us! And then we were overwhelmed with thankfulness when we looked through the cards and gifts that we have be showered with. THANK YOU to everyone who has said words of encouragement, “You’re doing the right thing!” or “I believe in you.” Thank you to everyone who has given to us out of your own need. May our Lord richly bless you in return for all you have done. Thank you to all who have said they would pray – we are counting on those prayers for every leg of the journey. Thank you to our husbands who believe we are following the calling of our Lord to do this work for Him and who have sent us with their blessings.
And so arriving in Winnipeg at about 9pm we found Jim and Heather’s house, backed into their driveway and went in for a visit. They have recently renovated and their bathroom is like a spa. While I went out to get my things, Jim was so kind to draw a bath for me in the oversized Jacuzzi tub. With candles lit, I lay in the hot water thinking about the times I would crave a hot bath while on the road ahead. But for now I would just enjoy it and thank God for this surprising moment of tranquility and happiness. I thought about Paul and prayed that he would have peace and joy in his journey. I thought about all the faces that populate my heart and I asked God to return the blessing they have sent with us to their hearts until they are overflowing.

Computer for the Walk

This is the largest industry in our area. They are infact one of the largest manufacturers of agricultural implements in the world. Many people from our church work there and one is Norris Rusling. He is the head of IT for Bourgault. So when Diane (again, the woman of vision and forsight she is) decided we should really have a laptop to take with us on the walk we talked to Norris about a source he has for refurbished computers.

Paul however was moved by something beyond himself (because this is not like him) to ask if Bourgault might donate a computer to the walk. Norris directed Paul to the right man and Paul simply asked if they would consider donating a computer. Last Sunday, Norris told us the good news that Bourgault has offered us a loaner (which is wonderful) for the walk. So we have a wonderful computer to be able to update this blog with photos and daily dialogues during the walk.

Thanks goes out to Diane, Paul, Norris, and Mr. Fagnon at Bourgault who said yes!!!

Bryson & Katz

I just finished "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson. Why did I start crying? I think it had to do with them finishing. Bill Bryson and Steven Katz had set out to walk the Appalachian Trail (2200 miles) but they come to realize that finishing is not a definitive word.
Then again, it might not be about finishing as much as the changes that take place along the way. At the finish you take stock of what has happened. For Bill and Katz (as Bill refers to his companion throughout the book) there were many landmark moments when opinions, physical responses and relationships were reassessed. These two men are as unalike as a poem and an axe. In the beginning of the book Bryson describes Katz with a sharp pencil – there are few attributes that bring you to believe that this man is going to bring anything of worth to the journey. In short he was a liability. But a useful one since Bryson was literally afraid to be alone in the woods. At first, I was uncomfortable with their relationship. I didn’t like the way Bryson was always laughing at Katz’s stumbling stupidity. It made me remember a relationship that I have since absconded from. She repeatedly mentioned my sloppiness, my unattentiveness, my absent mindedness. It was all a source of great humour for her.
But, we all know that Bill is a brilliant writer and thus my suspicion that he was employing literary device was confirmed when Katz left the walk (and the book) to work for the summer. Many long chapters passed while I waited again for Katz to return (just as Bryson had so often described his waiting along the trail). I missed him, and something was missing from the narrative. I slogged through Bryson’s rants on conserving everything from trees to toads, believing that soon (maybe the next chapter) Katz would return and we’d get back to the trail for real.
Bryson needed Katz, he faltered in his walking, doing bits and pieces of the AT but never with the comfortable routine of the time spent on the trail with Katz. Bryson tips his hand as he describes the time on the Maine trail in the Hundred Mile Wilderness that the two become separated. His writing is understated to an extreme (but that is how writers express the largest and loudest emotional trauma). At times I felt the fear and panic rising in my own throat and wanted to scream at Bryson for his quiet words and description of his surroundings. What would I have done? So many decisions, only one right one. After experiencing what Bryson and Katz indicate might have been a miracle the two decide not to continue. They call it FINISHED. And they were both happy with that. I would suggest they stopped hiking the AT because they had found something much more important to them – each other. Last night, my theory was confirmed in my mind when I breezed past the dedication of the book. It goes like this, “To Katz, of course.”
So there you are, that’s why I cried, that’s why I was satisfied with the book.
When I write my book on the walk who will I dedicate it to?

BIG BIG DEAL!

WOW, March 15, 2007 is a big deal day!

A couple from our church who wish to remain anonymous (Todd & Colleen Naber -you dont always get what you wish for) have purchased a motorhome for the specific purpose of lending it to us for the walk. Todd has been looking for the perfect vehicle since December '06 and today he found the deal of a life time. The lovely lady who sold it to him was ever so sweet and generous! Here are some pics.

Todd is going to get his mechanic to go over it to check all the essentials are in good order before the trip. And one more thoughtful little detail they are looking after is all the gas!!! How do you say thank you for a gift like that!

So that makes us officially ready to go! We don't have a computer to keep updating the blog and my ipod or a dvd camera to document the whole walk and maybe get it edited down into a documentary??? Thats ok. God has been so generous that I am shocked.

Our sons, Josh & Scott have purchased an expensive cell phone for us with 10-4 capabilities so that Paul and I can talk for unlimited minutes everyday. It works great and is crystal clear. So all we need now is patience - to wait the 5 weeks and 3 days to pass.

We will probably do some test runs - say three or four consecutive days at 25km/day just to get warmed up.

I should also mention that a friend who was in the middle of buying a home called tonight to ask about our house. Wouldn't that be wonderful if we could sell the house before I leave!!!

Well why shouldn't I expect amazing things to happen today - after all it is March 15!

Three more good things!

1. While having coffee at our favorite coffee shop (the BookStop) this morning, the two ladies at the counter asked for donation envelopes for Simple Steps and thankfully I had them in my coat pocket!

2. Got a message today that Bayer Chemicals of Saskatchewan is donating $500 to Simple Steps. Arie Vandertweel is the man who asked them for their participation!

3. A lady who works at the christian bookstore here in town has offer to buy 20 New Testaments for us to hand out while we are travelling!!!

4. One more for good measure - I went back to Extra Foods this morning and bought another pair of glasses exactly the same as the ones I got yesterday. I really like my new glasses. Scott will like them too once he catches on to the new styles :)

All simple steps leading to the walk.

I love my nephew Scott

My nephew Scott Orr sent me this picture explaining that he too got new glasses (at Value Village) and although there was some built up grime left on the arms of these glasses he was able to clean most of it off. He thought that he too looked pretty cool. Infact he thought we sort of looked alike and indeed we do!

My dear nephew has had some tough deals in his life but he has manged well with the brain damage and as you can see he is the head clerk at the Staples just down the street from where he lives. Its nice that the store is so close so that he can walk because taking buses is beyond his ability to cope.

What a great guy though when he was out here in Saskatchewan he didn't mind the cold (-35) too much, I guess I'd mind it too if I peed my pants and they froze solid making it hard to walk. Which wouldn't have been too bad if he'd had some underwear on.

I love my nephew Scott. We have been best of friends for a long time and have lots of fun together. But I must say he has lost alot of weight and its because he's picked up his pace. No longer can we describe him as fat, melancholy and lazy as boiled cod fish! Nope, he's up and about. Gone are the days when the expanse of his backside was such that you could have projected motion pictures for, lets say, an army base.

I love my nephew Scott.

Note: some of the slams in this fictious rebuttal are direct quotes from the book I am reading by Bill Bryson.

New glasses, new book, new experience

I got new glasses~ they cost me $399, I know you are thinking thats not very much and you're right cuz I forgot to put the decimal in they were $3.99 at Extra Foods. Paul loves them and so do I. They are of course only readers but thats all I need! I think I look like my cool cat brother Allen in them! Cool glasses old lady :)

Today I had my first ever massage. I wondered what all the hype was about and now I know! Carmen, who graciously offered me 2 one and a half hour appointments, professionally worked through my muscles one by one. What an amazing experience! She also encouraged me by telling me that I had excellent muscle tone and that I was extremely flexible - well suited for endurance sports!!! Thank you Carmen for the uplifting morning. I go back next week and I am looking forward to it. She suggested that other therapists may want to donate time while I walk. That seemed like a good idea to me :)

Last night Paul lit a fire (in the fireplace) and we spent the night in the living room. I started reading a GREAT, GREAT book. In fact I am going to buy it for Scott for his birthday (which was on the 6th). While Paul worked on his blog, I began to read, "A Walk In The Woods" by Bill Bryson.

Well, I laughed so much I had to set the book down at times while I sought composure.

Closer than ever before!

Today is the first day the sun has shone in Melfort for a very long, long time. I really have no idea but the way the sun has lifted my spirits seems to indicate it has been too long. I walked today, in the sun and it was encouraging. I felt so good I found myself out by the grave yard (5.60km from our house), when suddenly the familiar rumblings started. Pulling out my cell phone I called Paul even though I knew he was visiting an older gentleman and would never answer it. So I left a message and hoped he would go to the washroom to listen. After a few more minutes my bowels caused me more panic and I called Paul's cell phone again. He did come to pick me up and there was no mishap -for which I are extremely thankful. Thank you Paul for rescuing me again.

We are closer than ever before to having a camper van for the walk! Todd Naber has promised a camper van for the walk and the gas too! This businessman goes to our church and has been working on getting a camper van for a couple of months now. The other day he said within the next two weeks he would have to buy something or the prices will be going up. As soon as we get our hands on it I will of course post a photo here for you. I am really happy about this as today’s little walk demonstrated…we need to have a toilet close by during the walk.

Diane and I were invited to the Bagley Baptist Mission Circle meeting to share Simple Steps with them last night. We were so blessed by this group of eleven women (at least two were missing). They told us their mission circle had been going for 63 years. When the offering was taken this small group of believers gave us $305.00!!! They also promised their prayer support which will be of the most value to us on the road. What a beautiful spirit of godliness was felt at that meeting. Both Diane and I felt honoured to have been with them.

I am intrepid!

Sufferin suckatash! I just wrote a whole blog and went to look for the poem that is below and realized that the blog was gone! Argggg. Ok, I will try again.

I am walking again. With only 7 weeks left to departure it is imparitive that I get more training in and a few 25 km days in a row under my belt. So, today when I really did not want to walk and Paul asked when we were going to go for a walk I pouted and said - its my sabbath. He didn't fall for that. Early on in our planning this walk I had asked him to be my trainer. Well today he shone!
He left what he was doing, came to the room where I was and kneeled on the floor before me. The he gave the greatest, "What Every Endurance Athlete Needs to Know" speech ever. If you had been able to listen hard enough you could have heard that music they play during all of those terrible American sports movies where the underdog coach challenges the underdog team and they win the all-state championships. You know the movies. You know the music.
But honestly, what a gift he gave me today. When we got out there in one especially exposed area the wind was blowing so hard Paul had to cover his face with two hands. I had fortunately worn sunglasses which protected my eyes and my neckwarmer was pulled up to my nose. I was intrepid! so indomitable! exactly like what Paul had told me - I WAS AN ENDURANCE ATHLETE!
How our words have power. Thank you Paul. I am going to need your encouragement every day on the walk. Counting on the best trainer any woman (any endurance athlete) could ever have!

GROW old along with me!
The best is yet to be,
The last of life, for which the first was made:
Our times are in his hand
Who saith, ``A whole I planned,
Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!''
from Robert Browning's Rabbi Ben Ezra

A Bad Day In Mongolia

It has been a "bad day in Mongolia" day. A "who thought this would be a good idea day." (Watch Ewan MacGregor & Charlie Boorman's, Long Way Round, to understand.) But even if you havent been blessed with seeing that great series...you understand.
But Jesus did hear my cry, and gave me strength to stand up and move. Thank you Lord.
Emotional crap is worse than anything physical...absolutely. And I have had more than a lifetime's worth of emotional crap in the last 4 months. But I keep believing God is up to more than my mental training for the walk. And he is! So I submit. Wow, big girl "submitting" to God. I think the bible calls that my reasonalble service. Yep.
Weeping endures for the night but joy comes in the morning. Come morning come.
Only 8 weeks until we leave Melfort. What needs to be done??? hummm

Jon Krakauer

Jon Krakauer first introduced me to extreme adventure books. I don't remember...oh yes I do...I heard an interview on CBC with Jon about his book, "Into Thin Air" which told of his assignment as journalist for Outside magazine on a tragic assent of Everest. It was the first book, that I couldn't put down. It was too soon over and I was hungry (ravenous) for more.

Since then I have read nothing but adventure/travel genre. I was going to name them all but the list is long and if you really are interested (which I doubt) you can leave a comment (which no one seems to do anymore on my blog) and I will compile a list of some excellent books for you.

All that to say: I am reading another of his books, "Into the Wild." It is the true account of a young man who gave away all his savings, burned the money he carried, and walked into the Alaskan wilderness only to be found months later by a moose hunter. It is estimated that he had died two weeks before his rescuers appeared on the scene. Again, Krakauer draws out facinating and disturbing evidence of a seemingly "normal" young man who although living on the edge of extreme for some of his life could be any one of us if we would let our childhood fantasies of escaping to the wild become reality. It doesn't seem to be a long road from one side to the other.

Well, maybe it is shorter for some of us than others ;)

So, again we see the moral of the story is that I AM NOT CRAZY AFTERALL! This little walk of mine is fraught with all kinds of safety features, safety nets, and safety considerations. Our "happy band" will walk the daily route and savour every human encounter (good or bad), every wildlife encounter, every coffee counter (woops slipping off there).

I am into these triplets tonight. Ok enough. Paul is out playing basketball and I am home alone writing to you - being crazy.

Something I can tell you that is very serious - a massage therapist gave me a gift certificate for 2 - 1.5 hour sessions for deep tissue massage and stretching. I have never had a massage before but I know I have the MASS and the AGE for it so I look forward to her gift. I would like to put her logo on my website and the chiropractor who gave me the orthodics as well. Very generous.

Naomi and Ruth

Our ladies retreat was an exceptional blessing this weekend. Our speaker, Gloria Daum is well taught in the scriptures and had many spiritual insights for us to digest. Along with her humble spirit her teaching was clear.

The thought that spoke to me most was that when Naomi returned home the women of the community said, "Poor Naomi! Look what your husband did to you." But she had a clearer vision of the reality in her life. She responded, "It is God that gives me good and bad. I will not blame anyone for the circumstances in my life." How mature, how wise.

Naomi could have said things about her husband that was true - how he had led them astray into Moab. How his children had married outside of the Jewish culture because of where they were living and then they both died there. In fact her husband died there too.

He had not been a good spiritual leader, he had done things that hurt Naomi, he had not been a good provider. YET, she spoke of God as the one who had brought her into this season of "winter" as Gloria described Naomi's situation in Moab. The winter was a time of pain and loss. We have all had winter seasons but moving out of those seasons into spring time is crucial to our continued health.

What stimulated Naomi to leave Moab? "She heard," that there was bread in Bethlehem. She heard of the Lord. Are you listening for God's voice calling you home? What will that sound like? I am sure you will know it when you hear it for it will come with the want to get up and go, a new energy that feels like springtime.

Having just passed through a deep time of winter in my life I feel a surge of springtime as I begin training again and setting my face towards the challenge ahead.

No news about a support vehicle but keep praying.

I am starting to dream about what I will do after the walk. Say about a year later - giving me time to plan. I have been thinking about walking or paddling to remote villages in Saskatchewan to teach the Word. That would be very dangerous as there is a lot of aggression in the north (we are told).
But blood sometimes has to be let to bring other missionaries and souls to eternity.
This poem was a favorite of John Stam. He and his wife, Betty were martyred in China I believe. It has been visionary for me.
This poem was written by E.H. Hamiliton, after hearing of the death of his missionary collegue Jack Vinson. Vinson was martyred in 1931 and showed no fear of death to his Chinese captors, telling them, "Kill me, if you wish. I will go straight to God.

Afraid of What?

Afraid? Of what?
To feel the spirit's glad release?
To pass from pain to perfect peace,
The strife and strain of life to cease?
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
Afraid to see the Saviour's face,
To hear His welcome, and to trace,
The glory gleam from wounds of grace,
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
A flash - a crash - a pierced heart;
Brief darkness - Light - O Heaven's art!
A wound of His a counterpart!
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
To enter into Heaven's rest,
And yet to serve the Master blessed?
From service good to service best?
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
To do by death what life could not -
Baptize with blood a stony plot,
Till souls shall blossom from the spot?
Afraid? Of that?


Esse Quam Videri,
Denise-Lucille DeGraaf
Esse Quam Videri is Latin for "To be rather than to seem."
www.simplestepswalk.ca

Confluence

Confluence - meeting of streams: a flowing together of two or more streams, or a point at which streams combine- stream: a stream formed by others combining- meeting of two or more things: a meeting or joining of two or more things, or the place where two or more things meet or join
My definition of confluence is when you have the flu and responsibilities that you need to attend to coming together on the same weekend. Like this weekend: Ladies Retreat at my home church, I am part of the planning committee, I am invited to speak at a near by (45 min south) sister church at their Ladies Retreat tonight; it is snowing and blowing; and I do have the flu (or cold thing). That is the confluence I am at right now. We know that there are strange and wily currents at confluences and so we need to navigate carefully through them.
I like that word: confluences. We'll make it and the weekend will be over and .... only 8 weeks til we leave Melfort!
Living in green pastures with my Pastor, denise

OH MAN!!! GOLIATH EXPEDITION

Goliath Expedition is the first expedition ever to attempt to forge a path of unbroken footsteps from the southern tip of South America back to England without using any form of transport. Karl Bushby, whose idea and dream became this expedition, will take no fewer than 12 years and 36,000 miles to traverse some of the most remote and challenging places on earth.
His website is attractive and user friendly. Find out more at,
http://goliath.mail2web.com/Plan/

CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS! I am totally blown away by this guy's vision and stamina. Everytime I read about someone else who is doing more and harder I am encouraged and strengthened.

Not sold

Well, the prayer was either childish and demanding or just not in His will for the time. In other words our house didn't sell today. Too bad it would be really nice to get everything moved before I leave. Only 8 weeks away on Sunday. The days are getting longer which brings a great smile to my heart and the temps are rising.

My friend owns a magnet sign business and was so nice to put simple steps on one. Thanks Ryan! It is really great how the church especially is behind me 100%. No nay sayers, at least not within ear shot. :)

A local chiropractor, Dr. L. Siwak called and asked if she could assess my feet and provide orthodics if I needed them. It is all done with a computer - you walk across a pad on the floor a thousand times (hyperbole) and then the computer takes all the info and gives an assesment of your foot. My left foot is good but the right was a bit off. Not too bad. But since I have been wearing the orthodics I have noticed improvement with my problem on the inside of my ankles.

Well, we will see how the orthodics work and if they will make it the whole way. She was so generous and I appreciate her thoughtfulness.

Hangin at our place

Amie & Jon, Elijah and Grace were here at the same time as Scott and we spent alot of time just hanging out. It was good medicine. I am looking forward to spending time on the road with my kids. They have promised to come and join me for bits of time. My Mom and Dad too. Of course Paul is coming for the whole month of June. Which is so exciting to be able to share the experience together. I am secretly (not a secret any more) hoping and praying that he will be able to join me for a longer time... but a dreamer knows that dreams are only dreams.

Mom gave Paul a book ages ago by J.Edwin Orr called "Can God." I began to read it today and was most encouraged. He was a tramp for God too. He biked, walked, and travelled over 10,000 miles on the supply of God for meals, bed, clothing and a monthly allowance for the widowed mother he was responsible to support.

After reading is account of need and a prayer of faith, Paul & I prayed the same prayer as he - to provide our need (Orr's was his mother's allowance, ours is to sell our home) by the next day at 11 am. So we wait on God. If this is a prayer of a selfish demanding child I ask for forgiveness, but rather I believe it is a prayer of faith. I will tell you tomorrow which kind of prayer it was.

Also reading this book. What a wonderfully detailed account of the physical feats of these men. I am kept busy reading, not bored in the least. These three started for San Francisco on January 30, 1906 on a bet that they could reach San Francisco and return to their home town in 366 days. They had to start off with no money in their pockets and return with $200 each. If successful they would receive the $600 each placed in a bank account on the day they left. These are mighty sums in those days when 25 cents equaled five dollars today.

There are many good tips for my time ahead and I am much encouraged by their willingness to just step out and do. There were no technical shoes, not even good outer wear (they were given wool toques and leather leggins by stores in their home town of North Sydney, Cape Breton) to brave the -35 degree storms on the way through the maritimes, Maine and to Montreal. The book mentions Vankleek Hill twice and there is even some betrayal and underhanded business!

Of all the pedestrians I have researched I have always found they were at some disadvantage to me. Take for instance Kyle Pickering and Bobby McDowell who walked through the winter and walked from Vancouver to Newfoundland: so they walked in the cold and 3 xs farther than I will. Their website is just plain beautiful and even entertaining (check out the videos). www.walkcanada.com

Then there is Ole Olson and Helen Viel who left Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean on 30 March, 2000 bound for St. John's, Newfoundland by way of the Pacific coast, in the longest sanctioned volkssport event ever. They made it - three weeks ahead of their schedule, finishing on Tuesday, November 13, 2000. I couldn't find their ages, but from the photo you can see they are older than I am and they set themselves a much higher goal - touching three oceans!!! Way to go you two!

You might also want to read about Dave Kunst who walked around the WORLD! His brother, John joined him, and later another brother Peter walked for a year with him. They left on June 20, 1970, Dave completed the trek on October 1974. Sadly, John was killed by bandits in Afghanistan. The newspapers had mistakenly written that the brothers were "collecting" money for Unicef. The bandits thought their mule and cart was carrying a load full of money collected. By playing dead, Dave was able to escape the same fate. There is alot of information on his site: http://home.earthlink.net/~earthwalker1/

So as you can see I am not doing anything extremely wild - moderately wild? Perhaps.

Finding someone who looks like Jesus

Paul and I discussed the potential problem of becoming selfish while we are apart. Living alone without anyone else to care for or think about it will become easy to start to think only about "me" (both of us will have to fight this). We brainstormed about ways to overcome this easy slide and didn't come up with anything we could literally "do" to prevent the selfish bloat. But today at our ladies Bible study we were looking at Matthew 25:31-46. Jesus is talking about being a servant and that our actions reveal who we are. He also talks about doing acts of kindness to people because we see His face in theirs. That was the wicked servant's problem, when he left his Master's home forgiven of the debt he could never have paid he walked out with a right relationship to his Master. But when he failed to see his Master's face in his brother who owed him a small amount he destroyed that right relationship with his Master and fell out of favour with the Master. He then was punished according to his debt. Matthew 6: 14,15 tells us clearly that if we want to be in right relationship with our Lord we need to forgive as we are forgiven.
I began to think how Diane and I could ask the Lord to send us someone to give to, or help or encourage every day on the walk. And we could keep a journal of all the ways God sent us into people's lives along the way.
Being unaware of themselves the righteous are good to others.
"Small things with great love." is a quote my daughter passed on to me from Mother Theresa.
I am excited about looking forward everyday to meeting a new person and discovering how I can touch their lives with God's love. Its a simple step away from self occupation to God orientation.

A Tribute to Wanda Hay

Someone died the other day who was a woman of God, a woman with influence and kindness. Her last days were spent sharing the gospel with others around her. Her boldness impacted her young grandson to speak out for His Lord. She is with all those who have gone before now, rejoicing at the throne. Do I regret her home going? I can't be sad to think what a blessed woman she is at this moment and forever more. She has led the way and I will gladly walk in her foot steps one day. But for her family I grieve. Those who cared for her in so many ways, those who will find an empty chair, who will have one less on their Christmas list, who will look absent mindedly for her to come through the door and then remember. For those I ache, and as their friend I pray for their healing to come in time. Not to quickly because love deserves time to weep as it did to laugh. We are the ones who need healing now, not Wanda! And so we wait for time to wash over our hearts-a constant lapping of the ocean of God's love on the shores of our pain - to replace that pain with the hope that we will meet again. As she was so fond of singing at New Year's Eve,
Blessed be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds is like that to that above.

Before our Father's throne We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares.

We share each other's woes, our mutual burdens bear;
and often for each other flows the sympathizing tear.

When we asunder part, it gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.

This glorious hope revives our courage by the way;
While each in expectation lives, and longs to see the day.

From sorrow, toil and pain, and sin, we shall be free,
And perfect love and friendship reign through all eternity.

So until then, my dear friends may God bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and grant you His peace as He has so recently done for Wanda.

Spaghetti Supper and Concert

In an effort to let Melfort know what we are doing we held a Spaghetti Dinner and Concert. It was an amazing success raising about $3000 for Simple Steps!!! The night featured a celebrity cook - Steve Bohan, who was the chef of the sauce. What a great sauce it was, with cream cheese, cottage cheese, sausage and hamburger! We had a disclaimer for heart patients displayed at the event. Friends, Tracey and Seth MacNaughton who are expert food service coordinators jumped into the deep end and pulled it all together. What an amazing couple! They are humble servants and serve their God with a beautiful attitude.
Ray Sargent, pastor of the Apostolic Church of Melfort and radio show host of "Sunday Side Up" on CJVR was our MC and was excellent at keeping the night moving and informative! Its so great to see our churches in Melfort moving toward each other.
Scott Orr (scottorrmusic.com) came to sing and everyone was incredibly impressed and greatly entertained as he sang the song he wrote for me called "Dreamer," and then ended his set with "King (Queen) of the Road." From crying to laughing, his set had the audience's heart the whole time. Scott was only able to be part of this dinner because Tim & Corina flew him out on their AirMiles. Their thoughtful generousity was ... words become so small and cheap when your heart is so full of gratefulness.
Then I got to say something about the walk, and becoming people who live a simple life so we can share what we have been given.
Trevor Baker (trevorbaker.com) took the stage and had some encouraging and challenging words to introduce his songs.
After the dinner we had lots and lots of food left over, so it was decided that we would have a lunch after church and take donations. Ray invited everyone to join us at Park Ave at 12:30 pm to have some more spaghetti. We also auctioned off 5 cakes of various sizes that Deanna Unruh decorated so beautifully. They went for a crazy amounts from $250.00 for one cake to $55.00. The whole lunch brought in another $1000.00! I was speechless again.
The generousity, hard work and support that our church, Park Avenue Bible Church has shown Simple Steps is unbelieveable! They are my home team and I am counting on them for prayer support the whole way.
I didn't mention all the volunteers who came out to do the prep work for the sauce, or every one who helped in the kitchen, or carried, or purchased supplies, or prayed for success...
I didn't mention that Amie & Jon, Elijah and Grace came all the way from Plenty, SK to be at the dinner. It felt so nice to have them there - it was an important night for the walk.
This was going to be a short blog. But, here you are - I am humbled, and wish to walk as your servant, for His glory and will and that your investment (whether that is money or time or prayers) will be fulfilled and grow into what God blessed it to become.

Nailed Down to May 6, 07

After talking with the Careforce staff we came to the date of May 6, 2007 as the launch date for the walk. Sorry for all the changes but we are trying to optimize the effectiveness of our work/walk.
Honestly, I am upset with myself about my training right now. There are, of course, lots of reasons... Christmas season, snow, cold cold temps, new work on conference administration, tender bruised heart. Ok, so I have decided this portion of the training is about the MIND. I know I have written about this before but it continues to be an area that God is working in me.
How can I overcome the external influences and make a way through to obtain my goals. I'm still working on that but I wont stop, I will never stop. This is a trial that I can use to my advantage in this training. My body is responsive and strong and will catch up in the spring again. But for now it is slow hard slogging. That's ok, just keep moving.
The other day when Paul was picking up some GingerAle for me cuz I was sick, he also surprised me with a 3 dvd set on Shackleton and the story of the expedition to the Antartic in the boat the Endurance. Paul knows how much I love those stories of perseverance and teamwork. Those men did unhuman tasks - like navigating through the roughest seas in the world in a small open life boat exactly to the island they aimed for over 800 miles away! a feat that could hardly be matched today with modern technology. Or scrambling over mountains to reach an isolated fishing village in record time - when repeated today with technical clothing and navigating tools by experienced mountaineers took 3 times longer than Shackleton and his couple of men who had been fighting the ice and seas for 2 months previous. What was in those men? What did they carry inside them that took those bodies past the limits of human endurance and stamina?
Shackleton made a commitment to his men when 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 am working on it. Shackleton is one of my heros (he didn't do everything right, he failed in many areas of his life) but I want to remember the things he did well. Against all odds, against all British navel protocal, against all hopes, he brought every last man home safely. He set a goal and set everything aside to achieve it.
Today, that means loving my best friend, working harder than I have before, and keeping my eye on May 6. Its just one simple step in a long line of steps that will bring me home.
Thank you Charlotte for encouraging me to write again! d

Change in launch date

New launch date
We recently found out that our church will be hosting the 2007 AGC Canada West Conference in April. This is exciting news but it was also really unsettling for Paul as he considered that I would be gone and he would be responsible for the administration of the whole shabang. So, I have decided to start the walk on May 1, 2007 instead and there are many extra blessings that goes with that date. The first and most important is that most of the Ontario Parks will be open within the second week of May - that was causing us some concern. Also, the weather may be a little nicer, although that means the bugs will be out in full force but they would have been anyway. And, now when Paul comes in June I will be around the Montreal Harbour hill - the longest grade on the walk. I will also have more nice days at home to build up again in long days of training. I would like to go to Hamilton to do some hill training, but that might have to be done "on the road."

Lower Blood Pressure
So walking does pay off. I was at the Dr's and my blood pressure was a little low! What a nice surprise. I may be able to go off my bp pills, which would save us almost $50 per month. So he set up an appointment for a 24hr bp test to see if I can come off! I'm sure I will be able to for which I am so grateful. We are also going to do a full physical which is what many people have asked me about.

Pain brings growth
That sounds so cliche - but the truth of it is; the dirty hard truth is that without the pressure that pain brings into our lives we can't grow into mature persons. We have been swimming through some sewage in our life in the last two months and although I never would have asked for this tutor - it has been faithful to show us the way to the Father. How many times I have called out on God, or just the name of Jesus for help to take one more breath. And He always came into the room. He surprised me every time with some measure of peace, hope and perseverance.
This training ground is what I am counting on for the walk - when it gets so that I don't want to go on I can look back and know that I have done it before in harder circumstances - WITH GOD'S CARE AND HELP.
Calling on Him is a simple step I've learned about through the hardest days of my life.

what it takes

Do I know what it takes to train my body to the place that I am ready to walk 25kms a day? Do I know what it takes to leave my husband alone for 4 months? Do I understand what it takes to make a sacrifice to help others?
The answer to all these questions is: absolutely not!!
I do know that my greatest asset is my mind. The ability to take control of my thoughts and emotions and focus them into the moment will be what makes or breaks this adventure.
The training of the body seems to be going well and I am excited to report that I have lost 48lbs - which means I have broken the 200 lbs mark which was a mental barrier for me. I have begun to wonder if my training schedule is too rigorous and whether I am overtraining. So, doing more research and looking for training schedules for edurance runners has helped me to slow up a bit.
Do any of us know what it takes to follow our call? I suppose we have to realize that it will take all of everything we possess.

THE VOICE OUTSIDE MY HEAD

I heard today, that a disciple is one who lives a disciplined life. Surprised? I was but then, what did I think it meant? Of course, simple. So immediately I asked myself the obvious question: Where do babies come from....NO, not that question...Am I living like a disciple of Jesus Christ? Or more simply: Am I a disciplined person.
Sometimes, more than I ever have been, trying hard, were all responses that lay on the gray matter. But since things have changed here in Melfort, SK - snow fell and I feel the push to walk inside at our beautiful "Northern Lights Sports Palace" - I seem to have lost my firm grip on my head! Its like the Bible verse my Pastor read on Sunday while commenting on sloth - "the sluggered says, there is a lion in the street," hmmm sounds like me - backing out on my discipline regime because of a bit of snow.
So last night, this faithful voice that is outside of my head said, "We are going to walk outside tomorrow. Nothing is going to stop you."
May I have $10 worth of courage please, and $100 worth of discipline. Sometimes I need to hold on to his determination and courage, sometimes I can't get it from deep down and thats when you know you have the bestest friend in the whole world...cuz he lets you share his discipline. I love my dear friend and trainer - Oprah eat your heart out :)
Remember endurance is 90% in the mind and the other 10% is in the mind!

Jumping right in

I got blasted for not blogging - truly I deserved it, and probably needed the kick in the motivator. Thanks Scott
The training has been going excellent. I have set up a new training schedule that I have developed for myself after doing some research. It goes like this:
There is a total of 6 months until the launch of SimpleSteps, so I divided the training into 6 wk sections. We had been walking 6 km every day for at least a month before I began this schedule.
Section 1: M 6km, T 12km, W 6km, Th 12km, F 6km, S 30km
Section 2: M 12km, T 12km, W 12km, Th 12km, F 12km, S 30km
Section 3: M 12km, T 18km, W 12km, Th 18km, F 12km, S 30km
Section 4: M 18km, T 18km, W 18km, Th 18km, F 18km, S 30km
Taper: distances will taper down to 6km and 12km but keep the 30km Saturday
I am really pumped about this training. It is so entirely doable one simple step at a time.
Today was my first Saturday 30km. It went great and I am grateful to Paul for helping me to get past a mental hurdle of wanting to walk from point A to point B. So today I walked our 6 km route 5 times. It was great that I could come home since it poured, poured, poured all day. I went through two pairs of shoes and then just started putting the wet ones back on - I still have one pair of dry shoes left.
Something else exciting is the commitment of a support team person, Diane Hawreschuk. The Lord had been laying her on my heart for sometime and when I finally asked her if she had any direction about joining me she was ready to answer on her part. Her husband was surprised by her desire to go but he responded, "This isn't about me." Wow, what a great attitude.
So things are starting to come into place...little by little. Paul keeps me focused on God's part in all this.
I was listening to EndurancePlanet podcast and it was an interview with Christian MacEvoy who is running across America to raise money for cancer survivorship. He mentioned that he has a support group of four, an RV was given to them as well as a car. So I went on their website and realized he not only has a support dream team, but has a full compliment of professionals working on a board for him.
Honestly, I felt discouraged - and little, and like the people on the dust speck in Dr. Seuss' book, "Horton Hears a Who." But Paul reminded me that this walk was God's idea, and His project and He will accomplish what He has planned. There are so many examples of God helping the small to make a big difference. For me its huge, but for God its just a simple step.
Your prayers for the walk and all the needs are treasured.

Vulnerable

I have just returned from having coffee with a dear friend at the Co-Op. It is a cafe area attached to the grocery store that seniors frequent and today it was full. Linda and I had just finished saying how blessed we felt when an old man with three or four days of whiskers stood at the end of our table which was against the wall.
He said hello and I could tell that Linda knew something about this man and that she was uncomfortable with me even talking to him. He joked and I joked back and then he started getting closer and poking my ribs. He then touched my side telling me I was too fat. Trying to keep calm I told him that I wasn't worried about that and that he should keep his hands to himself. This only seemed to be an invitation - he asked if I was married. Aha, I thought this should put him in his place, "Yes, to the Pastor from Park Avenue. Do you know him?" He said that he did know him and that he was a nice man. If I had thought that knowing my husband was a pastor would deter his rudeness I was immediately proved wrong when he asked how many times a week we had sex. I told him it was unappropriate to speak of such things in public. But he went on... I will spare you the rest.
Linda went to ask if a man would come from the bakery to take him away from us, while I called my husband on Linda's cell phone. He left. We left.
It has been a long time since I have been cornered and vulnerable. It will be with different ears that I hear other stories - a more compassionate and understanding heart.
God forgive him, and help me to forgive him too. And help me to forgive all the men who sat listening to this encounter without helping us.
We are going camping on Otter Lake next week . . . there are worse things than bears to fear and they are right here in Melfort.

Getting Closer

As the days and months tick by I am getting nervous about not having all the details of the walk in order. Here is a list (its good to just get it written out) of things I am concerned about,
1. What will the launch celebration look like, where will it be held? >Book the place, set a date.
2. Who will be on the committee for the walk? >Talk to Doug & Jen
3. What will the publicity & materials look like? >talk to Careforce (Lorna Dueck, Crossroads)
4. What will we use for the chase car? >would like a Smart Car
5. Who will be the road manager? > I might know this one
6. Will enough people join the team? > not under my control
7. Will we raise the money we are aiming for? > not under my control
8. Will people trust us with their money? > not under my control
9.
I cant think of anything else right now. But just writing them out took their power to frighten me away. There are some I can effect right now, others that I need to wait on, still others that are not for me to control. Those last ones fall into the "have faith" area of the walk.
Remembering that this wasn't my idea always helps me to relax into God's wisdom. No, I don't have all the answers but I truly believe that God is in control of this walk. So I am exercising faith and thats the first simple step of any journey.

Failure to Launch

So what does your son do for a living?
I'm afraid I can't tell you . . . yeah, or I'll have to kill you. (ha ha again) No really I can't tell you.
The title of this blog has nothing to do with my son though. I just found this photo on the dnd website and thought it was too cool to keep to myself.
Today, was a failure day. Last night I decided that I would walk 28 kms today. I packed my hydrapack with water, gatorade & snacks, filled up my new ipod (which I got for free by the way!!! something I wanted for the walk but didn't think I'd get), packed losts of wet ones and tp (see previous blog), recharged my gps and set my alarm for 4:30 am.
Yes, I woke up but it was still "dark" out (at least it seemed to be through my only slightly opened eyes) and so I decided I should sleep for a bit longer. Yeah, exactly. When I woke up, I felt stupid and guilty. When Paul suggested we at least do our regular morning 6 km walk it just made me mad. But his gentle persistance got me out on the road.
The reason I wanted to do the walking early in the day was because my reading group was coming to my place at 1pm. So after a rather larger bfast I decided I would do something completely out of my ordinary and make cupcakes. No biggie, just a box of cake and a tub of icing. While making these I licked the spatula instead of scraping it. Then ate the one that I broke taking it out of the pan. Then ate another for lunch, another for supper.
Failure was the flag of the day!
But...I had just surprised my son-in-law a couple of days before by saying, "Failure plus failure plus failure plus failure equals success." And so it came back to my mind quickly. I truly believe that failure is part of the journey. So today is my failure to launch day, but tomorrow...well actually we are going on a 2 day canoe trip to I will actually launch for sure.
I heard somewhere, "Running is 90% in your mind. The other 10% is in your mind." So I guess I win . . . that was a simple step :)

Becareful how you smile

Once there was a wonderful gentle man who wore a grumpy face just for a little bit of fun. When he got old his face stayed twisted and sad, although he looked for a way to change . . . there was none.

A very rare moment in the life of this wonderful man who helps me to pursue my dreams every day.

UMLB, d

Sacrifice

The sacrifices of this walk appear to be mostly about the 5 months of doing the walk itself: being away from Paul for 4 months, the rigors of daily walking routine, a life on the road living out of a bag, living in a tent, figuring out how to maintain my motivation. Yes, those will be some of the sacrifices but others won't be as apparent.
Before we moved to Saskatchewan I owned a home business doing graphic design in print publication. It was a business I enjoyed. So when a job for a graphic designer came up at the Credit Union in town, I hoped to be hired to do something I knew I could do. Besides it was paying 2666.00/mth plus great benefits.
Vera, goes to our church and is in charge of human resources at the Credit Union. Today after church she told me that they didn't call me in for an interview because of my commitment to the walk. They filled the position on Friday.
I understand of course! Hiring someone who cannot commit to the term of the contract (it was a one year maternity leave) is not good business practice. And I felt good just knowing the result of my application. It also felt good to know that I was beginning to make sacrifices for the walk. It makes it more real and more valuable.
I am also considering a half marathon walk in Regina on Sept 10, 2006. The goal of achieving the marathon will help me to train with a short term goal, and build up my mental stamina for the days during the walk.
All things are in God's hand. Heb 11:11 Because she judged Him faithful who had promised.