Where in the world are Mark and Faith?

The day before yesterday we drove to Calgary to stay at the Nations’. There was just one catch – they weren’t there. In fact, they were still in Hawaii. They have been on vacation for the last two weeks. Anyhow, we were there to drop our kids off so we could leave. I picked up Faith’s parents and Robert and Debbie from the airport around 11:00 AM yesterday morning. Faith and I returned to the airport at 2:30ish that same day to board a flight. Crazy? Only slightly. I’m just imagining the jet lag that Grandpa and Grandma are experiencing with 3 kids out of their own time zone waking up at 6 AM. Wait a second, that’s what I did this morning! And I was exhausted the night before.


When we arrived at our destination, we ran into the youth pastor at our local church (Jim) and two of our other youth leaders that were apparently on the same plane, only they boarded it earlier from Regina. We all took the Canada Line together from the airport up to Yaletown Station and walked a number of blocks to the hotel. I accidentally told Faith to get us the wrong tickets before we boarded the train, so I’m glad we didn’t get checked. I hear the fines are pretty steep! Anyway, after asking for directions a few times, we’re here!

............ One Wall Centre - The Vancouver Sheraton Convention Centre............

So - Hey there from Vancouver! We thought that we would drop everyone a line and let you know how things are going. So you know, we’re here for the Canadian Youth Workers’ Convention at One Wall Centre, which is the Sheraton here on Burrard Street. We’re not staying there like some of the other people we know from Briercrest and elsewhere. We’re staying across the street at the Century Plaza Hotel and Spa which is $85.00 less per night. No, the hotel is not seedy; it’s rather nice actually. We did have to close the window when we arrived – a window with no screen that is big enough to fit a truck through on the 12th floor – and we thought it would be safer if we closed it. Across the street Immediately to the south of us is the CYW Convention.

............ Our hotel is to the left of this beautiful Wesleyan Church............

I know that sounds like a lot of crazy people getting together all at once, but it’s okay. Not everybody is here yet, so there is some peace. Apparently I know half of the people here because of Briercrest. The majority of people in our first session were also from Saskatchewan, semi-unrelated to Briercrest.

Comparing this place to Nashville on the outset, there isn’t nearly as much free stuff, less than ¼ of the exhibitors, and the bands, well, what happened that Starfield isn’t back? Can’t they bring someone like Jars of Clay in? I’m a little disappointed. And we’ve got a bunch of camps and youth organizations rattling around in our brains that aren’t represented here at all... But our course on “Marriage and Ministry” hasn’t been a complete wash. We are learning some things – not that we didn’t know we needed to learn them - but the trick will be applying what we know to the crazy life.

Today we get to see Matt and Teresa – yay! We’ll try to keep you updated. The schedule is very full...