Happily Grateful

I wish there was a way to describe Ben perfectly for so that everyone could understand what I mean when I say he’s one of the best guys I know. Ben is so funny and kind, and he’s growing into an incredible man. I’ve always been really good friends with him, and I’m definitely at the point where I would consider him one of my closest friends. Even though I don’t see him often, even though I never talk to him when we’re not in person, Ben is just one of my best buds. I can sit and talk to him about literally anything for hours on end, and listen to him talk about things in turn. This past week we decided to go out and watch for meteors, and we sat outside and just chatted until 3:30AM -I can’t do that with just anyone. It’s in hanging out with Ben that I remember how much I miss living in Alberta, how much I miss all my cousins. I just have this huge appreciation that we can go a year without saying a word to each other and then talk for hours. Last Tuesday we talked about relationships, marriage, mental health, testimonies, the island, evening, and more about Harry Potter and Ben’s fanfic. Not to mention we read some hilarious one star reviews on Goodreads of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, hehe. This week Ben was going to offer to take my shift so that I could take a day off – he didn’t end up needing to, but it was a very thoughtful offer. He helped me out with birthday shenanigans for Keenan and all around was someone I could talk to and trust on the island. Ben is such an amazing friend and cousin, and I’m so thankful he’s in my life and was out here with me.

Keenan is also growing into an incredible guy. I’ve never really been as close with him as I have been with Ben, but I can see such a change in him since when we were kids. I feel as though every time I see him he’s changed so much since the last – I guess that’s just part of living across the country from him. This summer especially I’ve noticed how God has shaped him; he’s kinder, stronger, sweeter, more mature, and there are lot’s of other little things I’ve noticed. I got the super exciting opportunity to celebrate his 18th birthday with him yesterday. We had nachos and cake and watched Avengers: Age of Ultron. I was so happy to celebrate with him, Ben and Hrothgar.

I house sat this past Wednesday, which was a huge blast. A lady named Sharon (who works for the ferries and is a volunteer firefighter on Thetis) went off island with her mom on the 11th, and came back on the 14th. My buddy Shannan watched her place on the 11th and 12th, and I got the 13th and morning of the 14th. I was basically living my dream; it was magical! I stayed in her little cabin with her two dogs and cat, wrangled some chickens that had escaped, and watered a bunch of plants. Not to mention the numerous walks I went on through the woods. While I was house sitting it rained which was super exciting, and that led to me finally finding a slug! I was told the slugs here would gross me out, but nope! Still love slugs.

On Sunday I was able to go to church one last time out here, which was amazing. The past couple times I’ve been able to go to church I’ve found myself going to Calvary Baptist Church in Chemainus. The theology they teach is quite sound, and I’ve found their sermons quite compelling and very well done. Don’t even get me started on the incredibly friendly community there. I was offered rides back to the ferry terminal by many people, and many others told me they saw me walking to church and considered offering me a ride there. It got to the point were I was walked around and introduced to different members like so: “Oh hey *insert name of person being talked to*, have you met Emily yet? She’s over on Thetis Island for the summer, not at the school but at the marina. She’s only going into grade 12! She leaves on Wednesday though, but it’s ok because she has a good church family to go home to.” It’s an amazing church and I am so grateful that I was able to take the ferry and attend a couple weeks there.

As I’m writing this I’m actually sitting in the airport, kinda glad for the delay my flight has. Thanks to the delay I am able to finish up this before going back home, setting my next post up nicely for being back there. This summer was a ton of fun, and I’m extremely thankful for the incredible opportunity to come out here and work at the marina/cafe. It’s an incredible life experience, and I’m so happy it was offered to me. If you’re into boating, I highly recommend you stop in at Telegraph Harbour Marina on Thetis Island. And now I have so many things to look forward to going back home: I get to see my family again, I get to sleep in my won bed, I get to go back to my own church family, we’re going to camp in a week, I’ve got school coming up, and the list goes on!

Until next time Friend!

My, oh my, this is much too long overdue. My summer is absolutely flying by, and I’m losing track of the days that go with it. Each day is a new adventure and I’m learning so very much. I’ve gotten to make a lot of fun drinks -including a raspberry lemonade that we just added to the menu- as well as a bunch of different things about the island. For example, when people say that they’re “going to town” it doesn’t mean driving half an hour or an hour to the nearest town or city that they can buy groceries in. No no, it means taking an hour long ferry to a separate island. I’ve also learned that blackberry bushes are a huge pain, and pretty challenging to get rid of -super fun though! I’ve had a couple project days since getting here, where I basically go up to the farm and do things that need to get done. Both times I’ve been tasked with weeding (which I absolutely love) and have taken out quite a few blackberry bushes do to it. I find it quite enjoyable, though the thorns are real suckers and give pretty nasty scratches.

At this point Lily’s gone home already, so I’ve hung out a lot with Ben and Keenan (awesome cousins of mine, hehe). We watched the first and second Guardians of the Galaxy, and are planning on working our way through other Marvel movies as well -we may even watch the first Avengers movie tonight. I’m so thankful that I have them here with me, it’s such a blast to have them around, not to mention the great quotes I’ve gotten from them already.

Some of my favourites being: “Ben! Why are you so hot?!” -Ben.

And “Why are you talking about flubber? Ain’t like you got any.” -Keenan. “I’ve got all the flubber.” -Ben.

I’m also very thankful that I get to hang out with Ben again because of the great discussions we have. Knowing I was coming out here and I’d be with Ben got me so thrilled, it’s always so amazing hanging out with him. Yesterday I went to town with Ben, Keenan and Hrothgar and on the ferry there and back, and in town, I got to hear all about Ben’s Harry Potter fan fic about the actual cursed child, being Teddy Lupin. It was so interesting to hear about, and it ended last night (at 11:30) with Ben sending me both pieces about Teddy as a student and an adult. While I haven’t read them yet, that’s my plan for tomorrow, as I have the day off. I’m also super thankful for the theological conversations I’ve gotten to have with Ben, about all sorts of things. It’s really amazing having people that you can just start talking to about sermons and pastors and sound doctrine, people that challenge you to dig deeper and grow closer to Christ.

Other fun things to note: before Lily left we went to town and got really good Indian food, which was incredibly fun. We also went swimming after dark with our friend and coworker Shannon, where we swam with bioluminescence and a seal. The only time I went off the island alone (a couple weeks ago) the ferry broke down, and so I got to take a water taxi back. Also, I think I’ve had more ice cream this summer than I have throughout my whole life -super scrumptious!

Signing off for tonight, until next time friend!

It’s been a bit over a week, oops! But man oh man, has it felt like months already! Since flying out of Ontario I spent a weekend working at the Ponoka Stampede, spent a day at the West Edmonton Mall, a week at camp, a weekend at a friend’s house in Saskatchewan, and have flown to B.C.! It’s been busy, busy, busy, but so much fun! While I can’t go over all the little things I’ve done at this point, I’ll share some highlights!

I was so very glad to be able to work at Ponoka once again! While hauling garbage and being covered in alcohol might not be everyone’s cup of tea, when it comes to Ponoka it sure is mine. Ok ok, maybe I’m not selling it great, haha. My job is to clean out the suites, so I deal with the garbage and recycling, mop, wash surfaces – that sort of thing. Then I usually head to the beer gardens and clean everything over there, and clean the odd bathroom. It’s hard work, but I find it so rewarding. I’ve continually made lovely friends, and always gotten to see family again. On top of that, it just gives me so many more reasons to stay away from alcohol – something that’s fine for some people for sure, just not for me. I was so happy when my aunt picked me up form the airport and told me that we would be headed to Ponoka, and again it did not disappoint!

Biggest highlight definitely had to be working at camp as a counselor again this year. It’s such an encouragement to see the girls in my cabin work so hard to take notes in chapel, memorize God’s word to hide it in their hearts, include one another, step up to get work done, and just have a wonderful time enjoying creation. I loved getting to stay up late discussing theology with my campers and seeing them come out of their shells as the week went by. It was a pleasure getting to know every one of them and spending my time with such an amazing group of girls. As a side, boy oh boy did I forget how much I missed the clouds out here! The clouds in the prairies are so incredible – it feels like being in a painting or something!

At this point I’m sitting in my camping trailer with my two pals Jessie and Lily, and I’m writing this up! I had my first shift working front of house at the cafe today, and i’m already loving it. On top of that, I get to see the absolutely incredible nature and new bit of scenery here. This is my first time at the ocean, and I love it so much! The island is phenomenal, and every little bit of it is a treasure. I’m so excited to spend my summer here, and I can’t wait to keep sharing how it goes!

Thanks for stopping by! Until next time friend!

Thanks for joining me on this journey of picking a life of joy and gratefulness, I’m glad that you’re here! There are so many things to be grateful for, and I want to try to focus on all the blessings God has provided me.

I’m a young writer from Southern Ontario, and I’m on a mission to spread the gospel in day to day life, through my actions, words and writing. Apart from writing, I spend my time doing loads of creative things such as reading, painting, drawing, baking, sewing and really anything crafty – I’m always ready to try something new! I love going on long walks in creation (especially in the rain) and will always be sure to have a camera with me to take pictures of this, that and the other thing. I make tea every morning to take to school with me, and I usually have another cup or two in the evening. I like to say I’m an extraverted introvert, and I love to just cozy up on my own to do something on a cold or rainy day.

As I sit here and type, I’m 7 hours away from leaving home for the airport. At 6:15 tomorrow morning my flight departs for a trip across the country. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to get to travel to a beautiful island in B.C. to work at a marina. I’m so grateful to my parents for letting me embark on this adventure, and setting me up with such a big support system. I will be writing a new post every week with new information and updates of all that I’m getting up to with my friends and cousins, and plan to do the same when I’m back in school afterword – but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Thanks again for joining me! Your friend, Emily.