Dear New York City, 

It still baffles me that I once called you home. Today I am remembering you and remembering that day eleven years ago. I admire the strength and the sacrifice of the people you hold. My prayers go out to those who still live with the aftermath of such tragedy.

I cannot pretend to be effected personally by this event other than the start of the war and things that came with it. But I do remember a dear friend at Sarah Lawrence, who had grown up in Brooklyn, telling me her story. How she saw the towers from out the windows of her high rise elementary school. She saw them fall. Smoke everywhere. And there was crying, the crying of children in her class whose parents were in those buildings... I can't imagine...watching such a thing play out while knowing that those you hold closest are inside.

So I pray today for those 10 year old kids who were in that class with her that day, 21 now. I pray that God would use all tragedy for His good in some way. That God would grant each person on this earth with the extreme ability to forgive in such a radical way that others would notice... and that they would see the character of God. 

e pluribus unum.

(photos circa 2010 and my classy old polaroid)

I've got this feeling of extreme thankfulness today.

I think God is teaching me so much about how blessed I am 

to be here, in this wonderful place, and how He orchestrated 

my path for such a time as this... 

I am so in awe of music. The soothing and healing power of such 

things and how we, humans, can make such a wonder that can 

restore emotion and provoke such thought. 

After my first counseling class today I am so thankful 

for God's design of community. How healing can come 

through the broken vessel of a fellow being. Such a wonder. To see 

a session take place and witness the power of words and the power

of a listening ear... it was truly a spiritual thing for me to witness. 

I am so thankful for great roommates and great friends here. 

I have never had such an amazing sense of wholesome community.

It is an amazing time in life to be surrounded by those who sharpen me so. 

It is officially fall and with it comes chilly weather, 

warm scarves, and pumpkin spice lattes. 

I honestly couldn't think of a place I would rather be. 

I am so thankful for Canada, for my school, for my friendships, for 

my classes, for the books I am reading, and for those who challenge me to be better.

I am absolutely blessed and truly joyful.

All of this because of Him.

He knew how my heart would be filled with such gratefulness in

this moment before I even knew who He was or what He had done for me. 

God has truly orchestrated my path perfectly and worked things together for my good.

I wanted to share a great song on the site this afternoon but who knew that

people scour YouTube deleting Bob Dylan videos? 

Probably for some copy right mumbo-jumbo. humph. 

As you can see re-vamping is happening in the blog world.
I have ceased editing photos and now I just slap 'em up here
when I get a spare moment.

School has started and with it always comes a shortage of free time
but with that said this year is shaping up to be nothing short of amazing.

These photos are from another lazy day wandering Manitoulin
Island. No, I haven't forgotten that I have a million zillion Africa
pictures to share... I am just pacing myself. 

1. the beauty around manitoulin 2. leeanna cummins 

3. the infamous rope swing 4. tim (leeanna's brother fireworking) 

5. leah (leeanna's sister-in-law) 6. leeanna, melissa (her sister) and i

 I have returned to Edmonton from a magical trip to Ontario,

New Orleans and home. 

I have tons of photos to come (from Ontario and Africa)! 

Here are a few of my adventures with one of my 

best friends in the world-- LeeAnna. 

Well, we spent the last week on Manitoulin Island. 

This island is where my friend LeeAnna has spent summers

for her entire life (her family owns a cottage there that has been 

passed down through several generations). Manitoulin is located

in Lake Huron and is the biggest fresh water island in the world.

We spent days swimming, playing board games, enjoying bonfires, 

taking walks and shooting off fire works.

A few posts from last year's visit to Manitoulin can 

be found here and here.

Now we are back from the island and sad perfect time

in paradise is over. Hopefully, I will be able to join LeeAnna's

 family here next summer as well!

Off to Toronto tonight! 

(more pictures will come later!)

This is my little Mercy. 

Part of our ministry in Kampala, Uganda included holding a kids camp
for the children of police. Being a police man in Uganda is 
not like being a police man here-- it is not a respected position. 
The police of Uganda live in shacks thrown together from scraps 
of metal and whatever other material is available... 

I will never forget two little girls who were sisters. 
Bricsla and Mercy. 

Bricsla befriended me first and through that I gained the 
trust of her little shy sister, Mercy. 

Mercy would always catch my eye and smile at me when 
we were dancing to worship songs. I will never forget how her
little belly pooched out (from hunger, no doubt) and how
she tried to mimic every move I made when we danced together. 

Both of them were brilliant and a little on the shy side. 
Each night food would be provided for the kids and the camp
workers and each night the girls ate a couple
bites and put the rest in a plastic bag to take home for their family. 
One night I caught on and asked them if they took the food to 
their family. They looked so afraid as if they were in trouble
and muttered "yes". Then I handed them my plate. 
Their faces lit up with relief, "thank you TEE-CHA Abby."

I will never forget the way they would call me teacher.
//
To have the responsibility to provide food for your family 
at the age of thirteen and six is something that is hard to imagine. 

Despite the weight these girls carried on their shoulders every day 
they had the most beautiful passion for life, school and friendships. 
I had the privilege of meeting their family and spending some time
in their home with them. One small room with a curtain for a 
door is the place where a family of ten has to sleep. 

I know these girls will be influencers for Jesus and for change 
in their nation. I know one day we will dance together again. 

I know I haven't been writing enough.

I have had a rough transition back into North American culture--

including an illness. But I seem to be feeling better after

a weekend soaking in the sun with great music feeling my ears. 

My friend Nova and I traveled to Canmore, a little mountain 

town, and attended their epic folk festival. We discovered a 

new favorite band and reignited our love for cowboy boots

and banjos. The weekend was a dream. Just what we

needed to reintegrate into our home culture. 

I know that I need to post Africa pictures but it is taking me longer

than I anticipated AND I am off to Ontario tomorrow to visit 

one of my best friends... so I cannot promise any as of yet. 

I hope this summer is proving magical for everyone.