Update from Vancouver

Yesterday was our first journey downtown together, though Kim and Bobby had been down there a time or two already. Kim and I headed that way mid-day and caught up with Bobby and one of his childhood friends who was in town for a day or two. After a quick bite at McDonalds, we headed to the Rusky Dom (the Russian Pavilion). It was only a short wait to get in, and it was pretty cool. Russia will be hosting the 2014 Winter Games, so much of what we saw was promo for that. One really neat thing, though, was a short line we happened upon. We checked it out promptly joined the queue. Here's what it led to:

Yes, that's a genuine Olympic torch we're holding! At the Rusky Dom, no less!

We spent the rest of the afternoon visiting the Saskatchewan Pavilion (got our picture taken with a real Canadian Mountie), passing Canada Hockey Place (some interesting sights outside the arena there), and generally having a good time downtown. Then we headed to BC Place for the Vancouver Victory Ceremony (aka "Medals Ceremony"). We ended-up sitting TWO ROWS from the Mountie honor guard that raised the flags for each set of winners. We witnessed only the second gold medal ever awarded a Canadian on Canadian soil (the place was pretty pumped!), and we got to see, via a video link to Whistler, Lindsey Vonn receive her gold. All in all, it was a huge day!

Today, we're headed back downtown to see the Olympic Cauldron (should get a better view now that the "Free the Torch" campaign has yielded results) and ride a trolley to Granville Island. Then (hopefully) we're going to go help make signs for a children's outreach we're helping with on Saturday. Which leads me to...

I've been so impressed with the ministry I've seen taking place all around. Yesterday, alone, we saw a Gospel of John distribution in what appeared to be 12-15 different languages, we passed the Salvation Army distributing free coffee, and we were approached by a Jews for Jesus volunteer. It's very encouraging to see so much going on. Join me in praying that, through it all, God will be glorified and many will be drawn to Him!

Well, time to get ready to head back out. More to come!

Vancouver, here I come!

I'm posting this from my hotel in Seattle as I prepare to board a shuttle later today for Vancouver, BC. Our oldest daughter, Kim, lives and works there, and I'm finally getting a chance to visit! Can't wait to see her, and I can't wait to see Vancouver, especially this week! We're planning to be at the medal ceremony Wednesday night of this week and catch any free Olympic stuff we can find along the way.

I'll try to post some pics later this week.

Until then, U-S-A, U-S-A!

Blessings!

OK, the new MacBook hasn't quite inspired me to post everyday (obviously), but two weeks is still pretty soon...at least for me, anyway.

So last night's forecast called for 5"-7" of snow (part of "Snowmeggadon" or "The Winter Powerhouse" that buried the east coast). When we got up this morning, this is what we found--

Obviously, these Ohio inches are much thicker than those I've seen in other places! Some South Florida friends suggested (via FaceBook) that I "grab a good book." I guess settling in by the fireplace and reading a "good book" would be nice, but since we don't have a fireplace and we've got to be able to get to church tomorrow, I spent the better part of the day moving snow, one of my new "least favorite things."

Oh well, such is life in NE Ohio. All joking aside, it was much worse over Virginia way. At least we don't have anybody without power (that I know of , anyway). Hope it's warm where you are, and, if that's not the case, I hope you're able to stay warm and safe.

Blessings!