Oh Canada!

First, go much farther north than most of you have ever been. then cross the border into Canada, and go about an hour farther north still, till you come to winnipeg, manitoba. Then, turn right, and cross back into Ontario, and continue going for 2.5 hrs. The scenery will change, as if you were crossing over an actual line, directly from bales of hay and farmland into towering pine trees and lakes on every side. Soon you will come to the town of Kenora. Pick up some chips (french fries) at the one of the iconic chip trucks (the original food truck, long before they became popular). Dont worry, you are almost there now! Hop back in your car and go just a little farther, 30 more minutes, winding around lake after lake, big and small, cabin after cabin, hiding behind trees. If you're really lucky, once in a blue moon you might see a moose or a bear. Slow down, and turn gently onto "Gibi Lake Rd." Drive carefully down this dirt road, cross a few bridges, keeping an eye out for beavers, turtles, and other creatures. Soon after the second "bridge" you will come to a gate. Only the privileged few get past the gate! The road branches off, take the path on the left. You're here! Welcome to Gibi Lake, one of the most beautiful places on earth. (And I've seen alot of places ;-) 

This was a selfie, I think it worked pretty well, except you cant see Caroline behind me!

Its "Survivor, Gibi Lake." ;-) My kids and their NC cousins are the 3rd generation to be coming here. My grandpa and his family heard about a few lots available on this lake, a long time ago, when my mom was little. They snapped up 3, one for each of the brothers. This area in Ontario, around Lake of the Woods, is an extremely popular busy tourist area. So it is extremely rare to have such a private property. There are a few other neighbors, but my mom and Bob are the only ones there year-round. 

Have you ever seen such clear water? I know many people do not have a positive opinion about swimming in a lake. They should come to Gibi! (Actually not, because then it would become like all the other lakes!) Northern lakes are generally much cleaner and clearer. You dont have the salt or waves like you do at the ocean (although I love the ocean, you cant learn to swim in it that easily). There is no seaweed around the beaches, and its so sandy, not rocky like many lakes are. You can take whatever method of transportation you want and go explore little bays and inlets and islands and all kinds of things, and have it all to yourself. 

Smores: another great tradition!

Me and my mom. Getting out early morning is best. (Not to say that we did that. :-) 

Every time you turn around, Caroline is trying to escape :-)

Apparently she thought she was going on her own little trip. 

We also like to find a rock face somewhere, and do some jumping. A thrill-seeker I am not, Patrick is much more adventurous in this department than I am. Maybe Charlie takes after me. It took quite a bit of coaxing, but we finally got him to give it a try. (from the "kid step", right here)

I'm pretty sure Caroline would jump off the roof if I let her. 

Thanks to Grandpa Bob for taking them tubing 

Exploring is one of my favorite things. (Not just in nature, but in urban places as well.) In another life I might have been a camp counselor ;-). For the past 6 years here, I have either been hugely pregnant or trying to take care of a 1 yr old. (Or pregnant with a 2 yr old. or pregnant with a 2 yr old and a 4 yr old. you get the picture). I feel like I'm starting to see the light at the end of the baby tunnel. Obviously canoeing with a 2 yr old is a challenge, but still, we were able to do so much more this year than in previous years. There is nothing better than sharing something with your kids that you really enjoy. I know they probably wont be excited about catching minnows and tadpoles as they get older, even if I am, so I want to enjoy it with them now. 

No idea why I look like I'm riding a horse here! I put it in because I thought it was such a funny picture :-). The sand was pretty quick-sandy, and I think I was having a hard time not sinking. Thats probably why.

Once again, Caroline just goes off to do her own thing, doesnt need anybody to go with her. (See above: perhaps she got my independent explorer gene?)

The floating dock is in the background. The water is shallow right at the beach, so we've always like to go out to the dock and swim there. The slide wasnt there when I was little, its one of the many new additions. Caroline just goes right up there, you have to be fast to catch her at the bottom. Seeing as how she doesnt swim. A fact that doesnt seem to cross her mind as she's preparing to hurtle herself down into the water.

When i get sad that i'm not there anymore,  I remind myself that the musquitoes, blackflies, deerflies, and horseflies were brutal this year! (But, in sort of a trade-off, there were hardly any bloodsuckers :-)  

We got to spend time with my Nana and her husband as well, I put some pictures up on FB last week. 

Seeing as how its only an easy 11 hr drive ;-), we are going back at the end of the summer. Got to take advantage of being so close! 

WHY?

I imagine that a wide variety of people may happen upon the blog. Some come from backgrounds similar to my own, but others may be unfamiliar with the concept of  "international missions." What does that even mean? What in the world do I ramble on and on about here, and why? In case you have ever wondered why we are doing this, this post is for you!

Basically, my life story actually begins long before I made an appearance on this earth. So I'll start from the beginning. (Just fyi, my entire worldview is based on the Bible and the belief that it is the complete, inspired, perfect Word of God, and I believe it without question or discussion.)

• In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. We've all heard that, and its still true! He also made plans to create you and me, and everything He created was for His own enjoyment and glory. He created you and me to be in fellowship with Him, to enjoy a close relationship with Him, that of Father and beloved child. But His children chose to sin, which irreparably damaged their relationship with Him. Since that day, God has continued to seek out the lost, to bridge the gap between sinful people and Himself. He did that through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through belief in Jesus, we can receive forgiveness for our sins, and re enter that perfect close relationship with God the Father. 
• However, the Bible clearly teaches that it isnt enough to believe this intellectually, and that it isn't a one way street. It is true that we cannot earn our salvation. We have no hope of ever attaining to God's perfect standards. But, when we accept His offer of new life, that means we give up our old lives. It really is like we are born again. Choosing to accept Jesus as Saviour also means accepting His Lordship. (All that means is that He is in charge, He calls the shots. He is the ultimate authority over our lives.) The Bible tells us to count the cost. Before I sign on for this wonderful, too good to be true offer of complete forgiveness and new life, I had to make sure I was willing to give up my old life and start going in a completely different direction. 
• So what is this new direction? Obviously, trying to avoid sin, "be good people". But is that all that makes me different from the world? The more I read the Bible, the more I see the unavoidable truth that I am not just saved FROM something (sin and eternal separation from God), but I am saved FOR something: to enjoy this fellowship with God, be conformed into the image of His Son, AND to reflect that image to those around me who dont yet know Him. 
• But why cant I do that here? This is where I was born, this is where God put me. Why would I give up this wonderful life, all the blessings that come with it, and choose something different? Why do I think its my responsibility? Cant God reveal Himself to whomever He wants, wherever He wants? Absolutely. But for some reason, He commanded us to do it. Over and over and over, the Bible makes reference to every nation, every tongue, every people and every tribe. The Creator longs to be reconciled to each one of His creations, longs to restore that Father/child relationship with every person. And Jesus left his perfect heavenly home to die for me. How could I not be willing to give up my (nearly) perfect comfortable life to spread His name, and be willing to also die if it were to ever come to that? 
• The underlying foundation to every single decision I make is that this world is not the end. That it really is only a precursor for real life, eternal life. (I know thats a crazy thought, and if I think about it too long, i get a little confused myself. But if i understand everything, then what would I need God for? I just believe it.) So anything we give up (if you can even call it that) in this world, is only because I believe with all my heart that I am working towards something way better than I could ever imagine. I dont want to be far from my family, live in 100 degree weather without air conditioning, and wear Goodwill clothes for no reason. But I was bought with a price, and now i no longer belong to myself. I am the property of my Creator, and I exist only to enjoy my relationship with Him, both now and forever. So if He wants to use my life as a means of showing other people what a forgiven sinner looks like, He is allowed to do that. And according to the Bible, it just so happens that the people He desperately loves and wants to know and worship Him live not just in this special, blessed country, but also in places other than America. 

And so we go. To places other than America!