The continuing mission, to explore strange new worlds...

This past month has been an interesting one. I'm still in limbo, not feeling quite settled as I continue to live out of a suitcase. I had hoped to have housing sorted by the time I started back for my second year at school..but alas, I have my first class this afternoon and housing isn't worked out just yet.

Honestly, it's been a struggle remaining motivated and optimistic. I hadn't anticipated that the process of securing a house would end up taking control over so much of my thinking and my emotions. I realized in the past couple of days that a huge part of that is because part of me feeling 'at home' here in Melbourne, is living in Reservoir. It's the community that I've fallen in love with and want to be in. It's where I want to spend my time, and where I want to commit all my passions and energies. It's not so much the living out of a suitcase and not really having my own room that gets me down the most, it's the commute to Reservoir, and not being able to just be in that community when I wake up and go to bed.

I know I'm not in the ideal situation at the moment, but it really isn't that bad at all. I have a bed to sleep in, food to eat, and clothes to wear...so I really can't complain about much. I guess the frustration of not being able to get a house is one I haven't experienced before and hadn't really prepared myself properly to deal with. It's just amazing how much impact something like securing a house has on all other aspects of your daily life, and how much it puts on hold of planning for much of anything in advance.

I know that God is good. And I remain convinced that He wants to use me in Reservoir...and every time I see those beautiful kids I'm reminded of why I'm here. So, I just need to renew my faith and trust daily in the Lord that He has a plan, and that he will take care of me.

As the search continues.....I'm now off to uni.

Blessings.

Walk by faith

I've been reading a book recently about the "Founders of The Salvation Army" that I recieved from my grandparents last Christmas. It's not a very long book, but gives a pretty good account of William and Catherine Booth...their childhood, how they met, and then the path that led them to The Salvation Army.

I just wanted to share a part of a letter that Catherine wrote to her mother during a time when many uncertanties lay ahead.

"I have no hope that God will ever assure us that we shall lose nothing in seeking ot do His will. I don't think this is God's plan. I think He sets before us our duty, and then demands its performance, expecting us to leave the consequences wiht Him. If He had promised beforehand to give Abraham his Isaac back again, where would have been that illustrious display of faith and love which has served to encourage and cheer God's people in all ages? If we could always see our way, we should not have to walk by faith, but by sight. I know God's professing people are generally as anxious to see their way as worldings are, but they thus dishonour God and greatly injure themselves. I don't believe in any religion apart from doing the will of God. True faith is in the uniting link between Christ and the soul, but if we don't do the will of our Father it will soon be broken."

Well said.

Blessed to be a witness

Here's some lyrics to a song that is a favourite at the moment, on a cd that my lovely brother made for me before I departed the great white north.

Cheers.

Corcovado parted the sky

And through the darkness

On us he shined

Crucified in stone

Still his blood is my own

Glory behold all my eyes have seen

I am blessed to be a witness

Some have flown away

And cant be with us here today

Like the hills of my home

Some have crumbled and now are gone

Gather around for today wont come again

I am blessed to be a witness

So much sorrow and pain

Still I will not live in vain

Like good questions never asked

Is wisdom wasted on the past

Only by the grace of God go i

I am blessed to be a witness

Ben Harper

Pathways

It's probably been two years since I could say that I was blogging regularly...but alas, it's a new year, so we'll give this another shot.

I'm back in the land of Oz..again. Though most would say by now that this is home, and I was in Toronto meerly for summer holidays, which I guess is probably true. Boarding the plane in Toronto airport I sat down and felt tears creep down my face as I found myself thinking "why am I doing this again?" As easier as it may get to actually live in Australia, half way across the world from Canada, it never actually gets any easier to leave Toronto and the people that I love.

2007 brought a lot of unexpected events. The big ones are all common knowledge, so I won't go into detail. But, in reflection, it's almost as if we were heading down this path. A path that we may not have been fully aware of was heading, but became quite comfortable travelling along it anyways. A path that more or less seemed straight, with just a few bumps and curves along the way. Then suddenly..the path ended. It just stopped. Everything we thought we knew ceased to exist in the event of one moment...and we found ourselves only being able to form the question 'why?' We tried to grab onto one another for support, but found that most the time we fell right back down...unable to stand on our own two feet, let alone hold the weight of those next to us.

Slowly, over time, some have found their footing and have journeyed out, making a new path. Others have started out, but are crawling still...as they regain the strength that they once walked tall with. Some, I imagine, are still sitting in that same spot...the spot that they landed on when the news first came. Everyone is seeking out a new path now though. A new direction. A way to carry on...minus one.

The good news though is that God is there. He's there to help us stand up...help us take those steps in a new direction...help us carry on with joy in our hearts and our eyes heavenward. God is good.

I'm not entirely sure what path I'm on at the moment, or what direction it's heading in. I'm a bit of a floater as I'm without a house or job, and waiting for uni to start back up. I am excited for this year though. Excited for unknowns...excited for the hopes and promises God has spoken into my heart...excited for seeing all the beautiful Reservoir children...and excited for the development of new (and old) relationships.

Well 2008....lets do this.

Good Times

Does anyone read this anymore? Probably not, but that's okay because I hardly write nowadays.

This year is beginning to draw to a close, though it's still very full on and things just seem to be getting busier as the date for my flight home for Christmas draws closer.

I will be very glad once I have my first year of bible college under my belt. It's been an amazing journey, but will be good to feel a sense of accomplishment that this is something that I am acutally capable of.

Things in Reservoir continue to be amazing. I honestly don't know the last time I've been so challenged, and moved and encouraged in the span of one year. It's definitely had it's downs, along with all the ups...but it's all been worth it. I just grow more in love with the children and youth in this community every day.

A high point recently would be our "mock" Canadian Thanksgiving we had last weekend. We had a real mixture of kids, teens and leaders...all gathered together as one big family enjoying a real Thanksgiving feast. It felt like home eating the cranberries, and even sharing a home-made pumpkin pie for desert (they don't eat pumpkin pie in this country!). It is definitely one of my favourite days I've had in Reservoir, and a real moment that I just felt home.

I'm already getting excited for all that awaits for next year, though a lot is uncertain. I am currently without plans of where I'll be living next year, and with whom. There are a few who are also in the same boat, looking for accommidation in Reservoir...it's just a matter of things coming together and waiting on God to open up some doors for that to happen. I'm not worried, but it is a prayer point and something that is often trying to stir up anxiety in me from the depths of my mind.

Things are good. Reservoir is good. God is good.

"Where I cannot see, I'll trust"

God is good...did you know that?

I am sitting here this Sunday morning in Melbourne Australia absolutely amazed by God.

I received a facebook message from my Uncle Gord that told me that while preparing for a Bible Study that he leads, he put in the song lyrics "Where I cannot see, I'll trust" and came up with my blog entry from October 19, 2005. Doubtful anyone who has read that would remember what it said...I certainly didn't. So I looked it up and began to read....

"Saturday night I had the privilege of attending a very beautiful covenant service with 614. Throughout the evening my heart was stirred as God spoke into my life and revealed some new truths to me.

"Humbled by Your Majesty,
Forgiven so that I can forgive..."

I came to realize how proud a person I am. I think it's a hard thing for me to admit that I'm wrong. Not just in terms of proving a point in a discussion or debate with someone...but I have difficulties accepting the fact that I am capable of hurting someones feelings without realizing it. Recently I had an old friend confess that I had hurt them in the past, and because of that they didn't think very much of me. Instead of humbling myself and apologizing...I argued. I gave reasons, excuses and pointed out in a very wordy speech that I wasn't the one to blame, and there was a logical explanation as to why feelings had been hurt and why we weren't friends anymore.

I realized Saturday night what a proud person I am and the difficulties I have in admitting that I have done wrong and require the forgiveness from someone that I may have hurt...unintentionally or otherwise. I think this is a hard thing for me to overcome and completely change...but I am glad to have been made aware of it and hope to continue to improve and have God keep me accountable."

For anyone who knows me well, you'll know the friend I'm referring to in this blog and that this whole issue has been one that has been on my heart these past few months following the accident.

I am sitting here right now just blown away at the full circle my life has taken these past two years, without even realizing it. I am presently in a place where I am again faced with the negatively that I have allowed eat away at my life and be present in my relationships with people, especially those I love the most.

I think that I've been made to rediscover this post for a few reasons. For a start, to realize that where I am now isn't such a new place...and surprisingly enough, I can reflect on the further words I wrote in that post and take a lot of comfort in faith and knowledge that I had even two years ago of how good God is and that He's with me every step of the way.

I think it was also to remind me of the relationship I had with my friend, both the good and the bad...and to know in the end it turned out just how God intended it.

And finally...I think it was so I could say I'm sorry. I had been struggling with that nagging thought these past couple of weeks, and I think that this is the time to say it.

I'm sorry. To everyone in my life where I've let negativity get the better of our relationship...or when I let my pride or stubbornness dictate my words and actions. I'm sorry to those I hurt, either intentionally or not...and to those whom I wasn't a listening ear when I should have been.

Also to my family. Being so far away for so long does nothing but make you appreciate how much you love those most important in your life. I am sorry for those moments of absolutely pride, stubbornness and grumpy days when I just couldn't be bothered. But...thank you for loving me anyways and always seeing past those moments.

I think that's really all I have to say. I have a lot of reflection to do, and I know I have a long and hard path ahead of me as I continue to nut out who it is God wants me to be. But I am so thankful for his continued goodness and love in my life.

To have a read of the full post of October 19, 2005...click here.

No matter where I go I am, proud to be Canadian

Almost Canada day..here's an oldie but a goodie...

Missing you Daryl...

O Lord my God, when I, in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hand hath made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

When Christ shall come, with shouts of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, My God, how great You are!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Fig Newtons

Well, semester one is nearly finished. Hard to believe. Exams are just around the corner and coming up in a few weeks, which I'm not exactly excited about..but then I do have 5 weeks of holidays to look forward to afterwards.

It's been a busy past month or two. I had two lovely visitors from Toronto here for a week, Easter, a mega squad (taking 30 kids swimming),a wedding, 3 essays due, leading a church service, a new babysitting job...and of course just the normal work load of school and stuff going on at Shop 16.

But, I'm definitely not complaining. Things are going well. I'm having fun and learning a lot, both at school and at the Shop.

One thing I'm finding with school, especially after researching essay topics, is how many more questions spring up in my mind. I guess it's just the way it tends to work when you study theology...the more you learn, the more questions you end up with.

I think I'll throw up a topic that I just talked about in my New Testament lecture this morning. We're working our way through Mark, and today looked at the final days of Jesus' ministry in chapters 11-14.

One specific passage we spent a great deal of time on, was the 'clearing of the temple' in Mark 11:15-19. This passage is right in the middle of the miracle and illustration of the fig tree that Jesus condemns, and its pretty much standard belief that Mark uses that to draw comparison between the fig tree with no fruit, and the temple lacking proper worship of God.

The part that was of debate is the actual purpose of the clearing of the temple. When you see a proper sized illustration of the temple, and realize the thousands and thousands of people it could hold in it's outer courts, you begin to wonder how much of an impact Jesus really made.

Was it a small protest in a corner in the outer courts where sacrificial animals were being sold? Or did Jesus actually halt the all temple function suggested by the language in Mark?

Was this act just in protest to the corrupt trade taking place? Or to all trade in general?

Was Jesus even angry, which is a common assumption? Even though there are no words used of that sort in any of the gospels...only that he had 'zeal' when he was clearing the temple, which is a different thing all together.

Was he actually "cleansing" the temple, as is widely accepted, because there was a need for God to purify His temple? Or was Jesus providing the means for all nations to be welcome to come to and worship at the temple? Or was it a hint at the final days, and that the time of judgement had come?

Or was this simply another act of Jesus to symbolically suggest that there is no longer the need for the temple, or for sacrifices, because the old ways are coming to an end, and a new age will begin in Jesus..the ultimate sacrifice?

It was definitely an interesting lecture despite all the questions given to think about, and the various opinions and ideas on the matter. But, I think I'll just leave it there for now.

Blessings!

Mo'Money

Money.

Man, is there a word that is capable of stressing out more people with just the mere utterance of it? Well, I know it stresses me out anyways.

I just wanted to share a brief God moment I had this week.

Wednesday was a very stressed out day for me. I received an invoice for my overseas health insurance from school that I'd have to pay them for, as well as for a college community fee. Upon receiving those I checked out my credit card status to realize it was pretty much maxed out.

Stress set in...and maybe even a few tears.

I have just gotten permission to work, but I am getting busier with school as essays are due soon (as soon as 6 days for my first one) and the next month proves to be a busy one with Easter, friends visiting from Canada (yay!), a couple weddings, and a mega squad that I'm in charge of planning for about 30 kids from Resi to attend. Needless to say, there aren't many jobs that I have the time for at the moment.

With all these thoughts flowing through my mind as I sat on my bed looking at my two invoices...stress and worry very nearly got the better of me. I finally took a deep breath....cleared my head...and just said "God, I'm putting this in your hands. That's all I can do."

An hour or two later, my friend Katherine rang me. She was ringing to ask if I wanted a babysitting job in the city. I nearly cried on the phone. Turns out, Thursday afternoons (which is the day I finish school at 1, and I am about 10 minutes away from the city) are perfect and I'm starting next week. It's for a 18 month old and a 3 year old, for a few hours a week, so that the mum can have some time to herself. It's perfect.

Even more perfect was when I got off the phone and my Godspell soundtrack was blaring out "thank you Lord....all good gifts around us...." Yah, I cried. What can I say? God is good.

It's nothing huge, and I'm still pretty much broke and having to take it one day at a time to work things out...but if nothing else it was a reminder to me that God's got it under control. He's got me this far, he won't leave me abandoned now.

~Big deep breath~

God is good.

Yes, I'm alive...

Well I haven't posted in quite some time so I thought I should..even though it is nearly 1am.

I am very happy to be back in Melbourne, and it feels like a home away from home now. I've settled into my new home, where I'm living with 3 great house mates. You can check out my new digs by clicking here.

I've now survived three weeks of Bible College, though it feels like its been heaps longer. I'm learning lots and getting challenged by a lot...and man, do I have to do a lot of reading!

Nothing else too exciting is going on. I'm getting into the childrens team at Shop 16 (my church) and loving being around all the Reservoir teens and kids again.

I'm still waiting on the government to tell me I'm allowed to work before I seek out some part time employment.

I guess just to finish off this blog I'm just going to post up a devotional I had to write in my first week of school, for my communication principals class. I had to present it and hand in an oral text, and it was worth 20% of my mark. I was heaps nervous about it, as I'm not one for public speaking. As well as the fact there are some very brilliant biblical minds in my classes, so that's intimidating. Anyways, I got an 'A' on this, which made me very happy indeed, so I thought I'd share it. (if it reads weird its because I had to write it in "oral" format, so writing how I read it out.)

Oh, and P.S. Uncle Brad...both the Bible and the flash drive you gave me are coming in VERY handy!! Thank you so much!

P.P.S Only one month until Jenn and Heather visit!! Yay!

Time

I have some trivia questions for you. Feel free to shout out the answers.

How many minutes are there in an hour?

How many hours are there in a day?

How many days are there in a year?

So, what do all of those questions have in common?

Time.

Time governs our lives.

Time tells us when to get up.

Time tells us when to go to bed.

Time tells us when to eat.

Time tells us when classes are starting.

And time tells us how long until a project is due.

Sometimes, impatience becomes our middle names as time slowly passes at a red light.

Sometimes, we hit a birthday of a significant age and wonder, where has the time gone?

Time.

Time is continually passing.

Time brings us moments.

Some moments that are a cause to celebrate,

And some that break our heart.

Time brings us life experiences.

Time brings us knowledge and wisdom.

Time brings us old age.

We live our lives according to time, without the ability to stop or control it.

Now, I have a question for you.

What are you looking forward to achieving as time is passing?

A diploma?

The man or woman of your dreams?

A career that will set you on the path for the rest of your life?

I have another question for you.

Are you living in the time and moments that God is giving to you right now?

Or are you in a constant state of waiting for the next big moment yet to come?

The big moment when life will really start?

Donald Miller in his book, Through Painted Deserts says this.

“I don’t think we can really understand how time passes.

We can’t study it like a river or tame it with a clock.

Our devices only mark its coming and going.

I dropped an anchor three months back but time didn’t slow.

Some things have to end, you know.

You feel like life is always leading up to something, but it isn’t.

I mean life is just life.

It’s all happening right now.

I only say this because I am trying to appreciate everything tonight.

I will be leaving soon, and I want to feel this,

Really understand that it is happening because God breathed some spark into some mud that became us, and He did it for a reason, and I want to feel that reason, not some false explanation.”

God has a purpose for our lives.

Jeremiah 29:11 says

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.

Plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.”

That hope and future that God has promised, has already started.

Life is meant to be lived, not just gotten through.

Time is fleeting, and it’s not going to slow down.

You, have a choice to make.

Will you wait for the moment when all the pieces fall into place?

Or will you take every breath that God gives you,

as an opportunity to live out His purpose for your life?

Snowy January in Toronto

Well, what can I say?? It's definitely been a while since I've posted...especially since I've written something in a post.

I've nearly finished up my stay in Toronto, and will be flying out to Vancouver on Monday to stay with my family out there for a week..and then will be flying to Melbourne to begin year two in Australia.

It really has been a very good visit home. I've had more meals bought for me in the span of 6 weeks then I think I have in my entire lifetime...but its all been accompanied with amazing fellowship, catching up with both family and friends, and just sharing what both I and they have done over the past year.

Christmas was very good. I got exactly what I asked for, which is definitely helps with me going back to Australia...especially the stationary! Our family mini-holiday to Niagara falls was also a really fun time. In all honesty, I don't find the falls that interesting, but I did very much enjoy the time spent with my family.

Nearly everything is in place now to go back to Melbourne. I got my student visa at the beginning of January. I even got a Wii for Matt a couple of weeks ago (fantastic story about how I actually got my hands on one...but I won't type it out right now). And have gotten to do a lot and see a lot of people here in Toronto over the past month or so.

I was a bit nervous about coming home, and the possibility of not wanting to leave again. But, never once since I've been back in Toronto have I not been excited to get back to Melbourne and get my year going there. Oh, I'm definitely scared as anything to start school and to begin a year that is going to be both intense, demanding and very very busy...but I am excited.

It has been good to be home for this time and to just reflect a bit on who I am. I came to know a lot about myself while I was in Australia, and I guess coming back to Toronto has allowed for my two worlds to meet in a way, and for me to again look at who I am and who I want to be. I think it has helped to ground me again and allowed me to put together a fuller picture of what kind of person I am, who is important to me in my life, and what direction I'm going in.

I think leaving my family in Toronto again, is still going to be the hardest part about going to Australia. They're definitely a HUGE part of my life, and have helped to make me who I am...and I'll really be sad to say goodbye yet again. But, I know that they'll still be here, supporting me and praying for me, and before I know it, November will be here and I'll be seeing them again.

Definitely not excited about more planes. A plane ride out to Vancouver. Then a very long plane ride to Hong Kong, where I have a lay over...and then a final very long plane ride to Melbourne. Really really not excited about that. I'm not sure I'll ever quite get over my fear of flying and actually enjoying being in a plane. But, I've just got to know that the motivation to take such a long flight is worth it, and God will get me there in one piece.

I guess that's about it for now. Will try to do better to post more regularly!

Blessings!

Create your own snowflake...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

WOOT!

I would just like to say....

I GOT ACCEPTED INTO BIBLE COLLEGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na...BATMAN!

You know that scene in Batman Forever where he calls all the bats, and they come in this massive swarm? Yah, I felt a bit like that scene Friday night.

We went to a park for our final youth group with the teens from Resi on Friday, and it has just started to get dark as we were leaving. As we walked over a cable foot bridge that went over the Yarra river, hundreds of black bats (with wing spans of like two feet) had just woken up and were flying overhead. By far, one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Here's a quick clip I got of it. All those giant black things that look like birds...yah those are bats!

Hair Raising

So...random thought.

You know how hair salons can give you hair extensions? A very handy thing I guess if you have short hair but need to be in a wedding, or maybe for a formal you want to have longer hair to do more things with.

Typically I reckon, hair salons use synthetic hair. However, I saw a sign on my way to work yesterday that said "Human Hair Extensions."

Hmmm

My question. Off of whose head are they getting this hair for the human hair extensions? I know that people donate their hair to organizations that make wigs for people who have lost their hair due to illness...but do people actually chop off a foot of hair to donate it to a hair salon for people with lots of money to pay to have longer hair??

So my thinking is, either the source of the hair is something dodgy...or I'm just seeing a new side to the materialism of our world.

Any brilliant minds care to shed some light on the subject??

Lizards and Losses

I'd like to share a little story of my moment this weekend where my true idiocy showed.

Friday night, as I was about to get into the car, I kicked something. Turned out..it was a blue tongued lizard. Yes, I did the girly thing, and screamed and jumped back...mostly because that was the last thing I was expecting to step on in the drive way. I told Matt what I saw and we both watched it as it ran and hid under the car. So, of course, I decided I needed to take a picture. I told Matt to chuck me the keys to get into the house, and thinking VERY logically, I put my wallet on the boot of the car so I wasn't carrying too many things in my hand. I came back, and took several pictures of the lizard (Frank, as I'd like him to be called) and then made sure he was away from the car as Matt backed out of the drive way.

Two hours later....Matt says to me "so, do you have any money on you?" OH CRAP. "umm...I think I left the wallet on the back of the car when we left the house...."

So what followed was 2 hours of searching the streets around Matt's house and knocking on neighbours doors, to see if they had seen my missing wallet. As well as me ending up in my bed, under the covers, crying for a great deal of the night. (Hey..try being a Canadian in Australia and losing all your Aus & Can ID! Especially when you're going home in 3 weeks!!)

ANYWAYS, Saturday morning, both Matt and I had another look around the streets, but with no luck. We ended up going to the local police station to fill in a report of lost property. After filling out the form, the police officer went back to photocopy the sheet for me so I had a copy. She came back about 10 minutes later....WITH MY WALLET!!! To say I was happy was an understatement. I danced and screamed and even fell on the floor I was so excited. Turns out, it fell off of the car on the first big turn we did by Matt's house, and a family in the neighbourhood picked it up and turned it into the police station.

So, what have I learned? Yesterday we did two hours in the prayer room at Resi, so I ended up spending some time reflecting and thinking about that question after the drama of Friday night. I've learned that I'm good at being calm and positive in a stressful situation...when it's not about me. I've learned that I'm good at having faith in God in big decisions...when I have time to process them and they're a long way off. But, as it turns out, I lack the ability to remain calm and to just trust God when a life line of mine is cut in a split second, and my "source" of identity and finance is gone with one very silly move. I also learned that through the entire ordeal of about 16 hours, I put myself down a lot. There was no one to blame for the mistake but myself...and boy did I ever blame myself. But I have also learned that yes it was a very silly thing to do..but I'm not the first person to do something like this, and won't be the last. So though my pride may have taken a blow, I need to suck it up, laugh about it, and get over it. As well as the fact that God is good. I was missing my wallet for a total of about 16 hours, and I had it returned to me with nothing missing. I've learned that I need to trust God to provide for all my needs (including ID and finance) in both the small and large things...and through Him, all things are possible!! He is good. This might not have ended with me finding my wallet...but I should have entered into the situation with the mindset that God will provide, no matter what the outcome, instead of thinking that if I didn't get my wallet back, my life was over.

And I guess that's about all I can say on the subject. A dramatic weekend, a good story to tell, some lessons learned, and a renewed sense of provision from God.

To finish off, here is Frank.

Has transporters been invented yet?

Holy crap.

It's 3 weeks until I go home.

Eek.

Dancing Dave

Last weekend we had the random experience of attending a proper dance competition. Our good friend Dave has been doing ballroom dancing now for the past year, and I must say he's quite good at it!

It was a bit humorous to sit amongst hundreds of professional and student dancers and to be in an atmosphere that I've only seen on tv. But, I definitely enjoyed myself and can appreciate the hard work that people put into training in this form of dance.

I was also very proud of Dave, and how great he looked out on the dance floor! We saw him do the quick step, the tango, salsa, the waltz, and about a half dozen others! We didn't stay quite until the end (as it was an all day competition) but he let me know that he won three 1st places, seven 2nd places, and one third place!

Here are two video clips I took of him dancing with his partner.

Congrats Dave!