Hello!
First off, sorry it has taken me so long to write this blog, it's been a bit of a hectic couple of weeks so I hope you haven't been waiting too long ;)
I have now completed my first two talks to the guys which have gone down very well, and I'm really happy to see them responding positively and pressing in with a desire to learn! They are also doing incredibly well with their physical program and I'm really happy to say we are seeing the efforts pay off, the guys are starting to look slimmer, faster and stronger.
Since I last posted lot of adventures have been happening, so I will try and give you a quick run-down.
A couple of Saturday's ago we went shooting and hunting; due to my collarbone and had to lie down with the rifle on a hay bail, but straight away 3 from 3. So very happy with that! The guys had some fun shooting some clay pigeons with the shotgun but I didn't fancy re-breaking my collarbone from the re-coil! We were fortunate enough to have Marlowe from church come out with us and bring his hand guns, now this I could really get stuck in to. I was fortunate enough to shoot a Ruger .22 and a .357 revolver. I had the opportunity to shoot a .44 Magnum but after seeing Tom almost go off his feet firing it I decided against it. The weight and size of these guns is incredible, and as much as I am not a killer they are fantastic feats of engineering and really quite fascinating how they work. In the afternoon we went Coyote hunting, Joel managed to hit one, though after 3 hours of trekking over 5 miles in deep snow the three pursuers couldn't find him, so a lovely dinner with nice home baking warmed us all up!
Later on in the week, after more fantastic sessions within the Soul Edge house, Kids club and youth group we were fortunate enough to go Horse Riding. They have six horses at the ranch, I was put on the oldest, slowest and calmest horse they had, Molly, to reduce impact. I couldn't ride as such because of my shoulder, so Josh led Molly and I around which was a great experience, they really are majestic creatures and I can't wait to have a proper go at Horse Riding when I'm in better shape!
The boys had another lovely snowboarding trip in blizzard like conditions, which I reluctantly watched from the Cafe. They are really getting the hang of it now, and I am just looking forward to Banff at the end of February! Other areas of note for the past couple of weeks include; the invention of a new game 'Slapball', the coldest day since we arrived (-45c) and more and more beards for the boys. Mine is taking full flow which is rather warming in this cold weather!
I am really excited that Emily is coming out three weeks on Saturday and I can't wait for her to experience some of the fun we are all having. I am really missing her. So it will be a nice chance to enjoy a fun break!
Tomorrow we are going on a four day expedition to Kay country. Lots of hiking and camping. Unfortuantely, I won't be able to join in. I'm sure it will be fun whatever.
I hope you are all well and you have coped with another 'cold' snap in the UK.
Take care,
Laurence x
P.S. More photos soon!
Monday, 31 January 2011
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Week 2 - Routine,
So Week Two has been very fun too, though definately different. The guys have had to settle into their routines, which they have done so with great aplomb. This routine includes;
So on tuesday we had our first cell group at the house, which is a youth scheme Soul Edge runs in Correlation with the local church. Tom and Josh led the worship and did very well. On Wednesday we had Kids Club at the church which was a very bizarre experience! Very hyper kids, must be all the snow! Thursday and Friday were normal teaching days.
We have eat very well as usual, this week we have had a mix of home made burgers, home made chilli, home made pizza, lentil and chicken stir fry and pasta amongst many others. We have also made our way through many classic films such as Rocky, Jurassic Park as well as the more modern films like The Prestige, Wall Street II and Iron Man 2, have also worked them very hard in the Gym and I think they are now starting to see the benefits of it, minus the blisters!
In terms of my health I hope I am doing slightly better, the collarbone is still very painful but I am moving it better, though I think thats to do with the new medicine (oramorph) as much as anything! Lets keep hoping and praying for a quick recovery! On Saturday the boys went snowboarding while I watched on from the cafe and worked on some talks of mine (I gave my first one on Monday and it went well I think) Then on Sunday we were fortunate enough to tag along Cayote hunting. Joel just missed so we were unfortunate to come back empty handed!
This week we have Gun Orientation to expect which will be fun, then a hunt at the weekend. Below are some photos for you to enjoy (finally!)
I hope you are all well and look forward to hearing from you as always!
- Early up 730
- Meditation time
- Breakfast
- Morning session
- 2.5 Mile Run
- Gym
- Lunch
- Afternoon Session
- House tidy/Ranch Duties
- Dinner
- Youth Group/Kids Club/Chillout
So on tuesday we had our first cell group at the house, which is a youth scheme Soul Edge runs in Correlation with the local church. Tom and Josh led the worship and did very well. On Wednesday we had Kids Club at the church which was a very bizarre experience! Very hyper kids, must be all the snow! Thursday and Friday were normal teaching days.
We have eat very well as usual, this week we have had a mix of home made burgers, home made chilli, home made pizza, lentil and chicken stir fry and pasta amongst many others. We have also made our way through many classic films such as Rocky, Jurassic Park as well as the more modern films like The Prestige, Wall Street II and Iron Man 2, have also worked them very hard in the Gym and I think they are now starting to see the benefits of it, minus the blisters!
In terms of my health I hope I am doing slightly better, the collarbone is still very painful but I am moving it better, though I think thats to do with the new medicine (oramorph) as much as anything! Lets keep hoping and praying for a quick recovery! On Saturday the boys went snowboarding while I watched on from the cafe and worked on some talks of mine (I gave my first one on Monday and it went well I think) Then on Sunday we were fortunate enough to tag along Cayote hunting. Joel just missed so we were unfortunate to come back empty handed!
This week we have Gun Orientation to expect which will be fun, then a hunt at the weekend. Below are some photos for you to enjoy (finally!)
P.S. The beard is coming on nicely!
This is the first video update from our youtube page.
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Week 1: Done!
Well what an eventful week it has been! Since my last blog all kinds of things have happened! To start with, on Monday we went snowboarding. IT WAS IMMENSE. I was lucky and somehow got the hang of it and I'm now addicted. Cannot wait to go again! It was a lovely day with some stunning views at the top, so I will get those posted to you soon!
Tuesday was a day of prep, tidying the house, setting up the boys room, doing a phenomenally large food shop and discovery of 'Liquidation World'. A phenomenal shopping experience where companies who go bust sell all their stock on disgustingly cheap! Then we had a nice relaxed evening at the Ranch for Jennie's final evening in CA.
Wednesday was the beginning of an epic drive to Calgary to drop Jennie at the Airport and pick the boys up, after a while of waiting we located them all and they all seem like a lovely group and excited to tackle the challenges. We were then fortunate enough to stay with some friends, The Ungas. They have a phenomenal custom built house in the foothills of the rockies with some fantastic trophy kills on the walls; Cougar, Moose, Elk, Antelope. All hunted with bow which is apparently where all the skill lies! We had Elk chili con carne, which was again so so so nice, very lean and very tender, exactly what was needed! We then played about sledding for a while then a nice Early night before the mini hike we took on in the morning! This took us to the top of the foothills and gave us a phenomenal view! Then we had to do some kit shopping for some of the boys in Calgary, then a nice big subway and back to Herbert! Driving in CA is fun, its just a lot of straight roads and spectacular views! We have also invented a silly game called 'yellow bus' which is making the long road journeys a little more interesting!
On Thursday evening we just let the boys settle into their rooms and the house and they hit the hay. Friday was briefing day, so we started to get into our usual routine. Up early, then a morning session, then a run followed by gym work, then lunch. In the afternoon we went to the ranch to do more tubing which was fantastic fun for the guys, until the quadbike tipped and I broke my collarbone badly, one bone sliding under the other, and chipping bits on the way! A very short and painful ride to the clinic followed, where they confirmed it was a bad break and gave me a specialist support which I have to tighten to straighten my shoulders out! It was a really gut-wrenching moment. However, I'm happy its not worse, or my neck, or my legs. And it gives me a chance to really focus on other areas of my leadership rather than rely on my stronger areas (physicality).
Saturday, the boys went on a big hike while I stayed at the ranch with the family. Was really gutted I couldnt go with them, until I heard about the - 20 snowstorm they got caught in. As ever though, they made it through with smiles on their faces and slept contently after nachos, meatballs and a bit of 'Rocky'!
This week will be the start of the programme officially with all the reading and teachings as well as attachments in the community such as kids club etc, which I know we are all excited to get stuck in to! Weather is taking a turn for the worse and we are expecting minus 20C all week!
Hope all is well with you guys and that first weeks back at work were not too painful!
Stay in touch!
Love,
Laurence
Tuesday was a day of prep, tidying the house, setting up the boys room, doing a phenomenally large food shop and discovery of 'Liquidation World'. A phenomenal shopping experience where companies who go bust sell all their stock on disgustingly cheap! Then we had a nice relaxed evening at the Ranch for Jennie's final evening in CA.
Wednesday was the beginning of an epic drive to Calgary to drop Jennie at the Airport and pick the boys up, after a while of waiting we located them all and they all seem like a lovely group and excited to tackle the challenges. We were then fortunate enough to stay with some friends, The Ungas. They have a phenomenal custom built house in the foothills of the rockies with some fantastic trophy kills on the walls; Cougar, Moose, Elk, Antelope. All hunted with bow which is apparently where all the skill lies! We had Elk chili con carne, which was again so so so nice, very lean and very tender, exactly what was needed! We then played about sledding for a while then a nice Early night before the mini hike we took on in the morning! This took us to the top of the foothills and gave us a phenomenal view! Then we had to do some kit shopping for some of the boys in Calgary, then a nice big subway and back to Herbert! Driving in CA is fun, its just a lot of straight roads and spectacular views! We have also invented a silly game called 'yellow bus' which is making the long road journeys a little more interesting!
On Thursday evening we just let the boys settle into their rooms and the house and they hit the hay. Friday was briefing day, so we started to get into our usual routine. Up early, then a morning session, then a run followed by gym work, then lunch. In the afternoon we went to the ranch to do more tubing which was fantastic fun for the guys, until the quadbike tipped and I broke my collarbone badly, one bone sliding under the other, and chipping bits on the way! A very short and painful ride to the clinic followed, where they confirmed it was a bad break and gave me a specialist support which I have to tighten to straighten my shoulders out! It was a really gut-wrenching moment. However, I'm happy its not worse, or my neck, or my legs. And it gives me a chance to really focus on other areas of my leadership rather than rely on my stronger areas (physicality).
Saturday, the boys went on a big hike while I stayed at the ranch with the family. Was really gutted I couldnt go with them, until I heard about the - 20 snowstorm they got caught in. As ever though, they made it through with smiles on their faces and slept contently after nachos, meatballs and a bit of 'Rocky'!
This week will be the start of the programme officially with all the reading and teachings as well as attachments in the community such as kids club etc, which I know we are all excited to get stuck in to! Weather is taking a turn for the worse and we are expecting minus 20C all week!
Hope all is well with you guys and that first weeks back at work were not too painful!
Stay in touch!
Love,
Laurence
Sunday, 2 January 2011
Here safe and sound!
So here I am in Herbert, Saskachewan! It was a long Journey but well worth the wait! I had a lovely flight with Thomas Cook, however the Cabin Crew sometimes gave me the impression that were Virgin, BA or Air Canada rejects. When you are presented with a Jack Daniels and Coke after asking for water at 11am in the morning something doesnt add up! Needless to say it was sent back! On arrival in Calgary I was apprehended for 1 hour by immigration who didnt seem to be able to cope with the idea that I wasnt being paid for my three months of VOLUNTEER work in Canada! After getting through that minor ordeal I was then hassled by security who decided it was necessarry to take apart all my luggage to check for anything that this volunteer could be smuggling, which ended up to be my 95ml mouthwash. After a bite to eat it was a quick 50 minute flight to Regina. I stepped out of the airport with Josh, his wife Kiri and her sister Jen to a rather fresh -28 degrees celsius! If that didnt wake me up after 19 hours travelling nothing would. Then we had a two hour drive to where I now reside, Herbert.The six bedroom house is phenomenal and very rustic and only cost Soul Edge $34000 CA which is about £22000, first big culture shock.
On Sunday when I saw Canada in daylight the thing that struck me was the vast space. Beautiful and picturesque. Very remote which I so far enjoy. We went to the local church who we will be working with and was made to feel very welcome indeed, that has made settling a lot easier. In the afternoon we went over to the ranch and did some 'tubing' which involves lying on a large rubber dinghy attached to a truck and being dragged, swung and skidded around large, snow covered fields! Great fun but also mildly terrifying the first couple of times! There followed a large family dinner with 15 people just relaxing together. A nice way to end my first full day.
Today (Mon) we are off snowboarding. I expect to come back with dented pride as flying down a mountain on something not dis-similar to a tea tray does not bode well for a 14 and a half stone oaf; Oh well onwards and upwards!
I will post some pictures when I next blog, which will probably be the end of the week! I hope you are all keeping well, enjoyed your new years and are not dreading work too much! I would love to hear from you so please do comment!
Laurence
On Sunday when I saw Canada in daylight the thing that struck me was the vast space. Beautiful and picturesque. Very remote which I so far enjoy. We went to the local church who we will be working with and was made to feel very welcome indeed, that has made settling a lot easier. In the afternoon we went over to the ranch and did some 'tubing' which involves lying on a large rubber dinghy attached to a truck and being dragged, swung and skidded around large, snow covered fields! Great fun but also mildly terrifying the first couple of times! There followed a large family dinner with 15 people just relaxing together. A nice way to end my first full day.
Today (Mon) we are off snowboarding. I expect to come back with dented pride as flying down a mountain on something not dis-similar to a tea tray does not bode well for a 14 and a half stone oaf; Oh well onwards and upwards!
I will post some pictures when I next blog, which will probably be the end of the week! I hope you are all keeping well, enjoyed your new years and are not dreading work too much! I would love to hear from you so please do comment!
Laurence
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