in pieces

It has been a beautiful winter wonderland here in Vancouver. It reminds me of home - the quietness of it, and the beauty it brings. Snow here is rare, and I'm just glad it's not raining for awhile, although many Vancouverites tell me that "you don't have to shovel the rain!" Also people in Vancouver are not the best winter drivers, especially snow covered ice. It makes for slow driving days, but forces people to slow down and take notice of life around them.

A glass of filtered water right, looks clear and clean next to a glass of turbid tap water in North Vancouver Friday November 17, 2006. (CP / Chuck Stoody) "Vancouver has entered its third straight day living under a boil-water advisory, with just under 1 million residents still subject to strict warnings about tap water consumption. Advisories were lifted Friday in much of the surrounding area, but about 900,000 people living in Vancouver, the North Shore and Burnaby were still being advised to boil all tap water before drinking it as of Saturday morning." Here I am, one of the 900,000 residents still boiling water in Vancouver. It's amazing to see the impact that contaminated water can have on a city, and it's amazing the length of time it takes to put together a meal without access to good clean water... boiling water, cooling it d own, just to wash some lettuce...and that 's just the start - preparing any food , or drink is quite a process now...not to mentio...

Here is Jason and his new Mexican bonita Blanca! She is wonderful. They are both visiting this week and came with some exciting news! They are engaged! We are so delighted. Blanca is a wonderful woman - and met Jason onboard the Doulos ship. It has been a fun few days, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the family. Also we welcome Matthias Elias...our cousin Rina and her husband Carl had a beautiful baby boy this week. He sure is a cutie pie, very peaceful, and sleepy. What a wonderful celebratory week we are having!

I cut my hair! So much of it.... AND... I was given a new travel thermos-mug from Jacqui's mom. Isn't it awesome?

Leigh's 25th birthday was on Oct 18, and so we had to celebrate on the road. He was still able to have a cake (in Salt Lake City), a birthday meal (in Pasco WA) and lots of wonderful birthday wishes along the way (like from his mom, dad, brother, Wade) Thanks to everyone who sent him wonderful email encouragements, and those that were able to celebrate with him when we returned at the surprise birthday party!