Vancouver and the Island part 1: It's about the people

We are pretty far behind in writing the blog, but can't wait to tell you about our time in the Vancouver Area. It was such an uplifting time of connecting with people and experiencing some coastal beauty.

It began on a Saturday night with an overdue hug from one of my favourite people in the whole wide world. My friend Carla is the type of friend that just feels like coming home. She teaches me so much about friendship, love, authentic living, and Jesus, every single time I am with her.

Sharing space with her, her kiddos, and her husband for a few days was a pure GIFT.

Our kids (and Victor) made their own pokemon trading cards, watched Christmas movies, walked along the sea wall, played at the park, and explored Granville Island all while we nursed Ben back to health.

As Victor and I strive to become people who live more in line with our convictions, it is so good to spend time with people like Carla. As we've travelled I've been reflecting on some of the reasons we embarked on this adventure. One reason was to sort out how we can live more in line with our convictions, the big picture ones and the daily ones that almost seem unnoticeable at the time. For example, choosing to buy ethical products and not bow to convenience, ease, and want. Carla (like so many of us) has strong feelings about purchasing ethical products that do no harm to others. She lives by this and is raising her kids with the same mindset. As we walked through the market in Granville Island I took notice as her son asked if some of the chocolate was chocolate from places where kids had to work in harsh conditions in order for us to have it. As I learn more about human exploitation I am convinced that I must choose not only to educate myself, but to act on what I know so I can play no role in slavery and exploitation as a consumer. I want to help eliminate slavery in our lifetime, and raise kids with the same values.

“Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice.” Anton Chekhov

On a lighter note, I also learned from Carla that 10 year olds can do their own laundry! (ahem....Seth you know what's coming).

The night before we left, as we were sound asleep, Carla stayed up until 2 a.m. making us an incredible detailed itinerary of a suggested trip to Vancouver Island. She's just that kind of person, and it turns out she knew all the right stops for us!

"Everyone knew that all islands were worlds unto themselves, that to come to an island was to come to another world." Guy Gavriel Kay

Vancouver Island was filled with wonder as we rode the ferry to Nanimo, stopped in Coombs and had world famous donuts, hiked the Ancient Cedars Trail, and fell asleep to the sound of sea lions barking outside our bus windows on the western shore in Ucluelet.

In the morning we visited a salmon fish hatchery and the kids learned about the delicate (an controversial) work of restocking our oceans with salmon through fish hatcheries. Just as we were leaving, the kids were thrilled to see a black bear visit in search of an afternoon meal.

In the afternoon we hiked along the coastal bluffs overlooking the salty Pacific, and as the sun sank lower in the western sky we walked the glassy shores of Long beach at low tide. The silhouettes of our children happily dancing along the sand, as the ocean touched the sky, will be etched in my memory forever.

The next day Victor and the kids went on a guided educational tour of the Horne Lake Caves. Miles was an incredible guide who had so much knowledge to share with the kids and connected with Victor on a "dad-humour" level.

That evening we passed Goldstream and hopped out to see hundreds of salmon spawning; another remarkable wonder of creation!

We arrived at my friend Anne's where we calculated that it had been close to 18 or 19 years since we had seen each other. We laughed at stories from the past, and tales from her experiences teaching outdoor kindergarten. Victor and Kiev found a common interest in gardening and tiny homes.

We had two more stops before leaving the island. The first was to go whale watching. This was our one "big" outing that was on everyone's bucket list for this trip. The day began with the best of double rainbows over Fisherman's wharf. This rainbow was just the beginning of the wonders we were to experience.

There are no words to describe the awe and wonder that filled us as humpbacks and orcas broke the surface of the water with sprays and songs and breeches.

"Holy is the Lord Almighty. The whole earth is full of His glory" Isaiah 6:3

Our final stop was to say hello to an old friend that I had worked with in Algonquin park. Andrew, and his lovely wife Jen have a home filled with warmth and welcome. It was great to spend time with these thoughtful, courageous and compassionate souls. Their life story challenges anyone who hears it to live a full life of purpose beyond ourselves. We were truly inspired by the humility, tenderness, and warmth these two human beings bring into a space.

We felt like we left a bit of ourselves on the island, and maybe we will return to collect or join it one day.

Although nature has been awe inspiring and spiritual, it is the people we have realized are the pinnacle of creation. Nothing inspires like soul-filled conversations, and the sharing of stories and laughter together. Sharing these things against the backdrop of mountains, forests or whale flukes just adds to the inspiration of the moment.