//day 4// Ottawa

Day 4

July 1, 2015

It was a every hectic and busy day.

We got to sleep in till 7:30, because we didn't need to get down to the the noon show till 10:30. After we got through the crowds and through the securit
y, we sat and waited in the VIP section. In the time that we waited Minister Shelley Glover came and talked to us winners. She was very happy to talk to some fellow Manitobans!

It had rained the night before and was a pretty cloudy and dark all day. Some people were saying that the the fireworks had been canceled!

It started raining half way through the noon show.  Luckily the VIPs got free rain ponchos!

The Prime Minister spoke and the the Governor General spoke. Afterwards the Prime Minister and his family, the Governor General and his wife walked in-between the VIP sections on a red carpet shaking hands. 

I was towards the end taking pictures, I was thinking even if I didn't talk to the Prime Minister, I got pretty close!!! Right after this picture He turned to me and reached in-between two guys I was standing behind and shook my hand and asked me how I was doing!!!!! Ahhh! Right after some of my friends just look at me they were like 'Did you.... did he.... did that just..... WHAT!'

Jennifer Jones was a MC so us girl winners took a picture with her, unfortunately I didn't take that picture.

After that was all done it was 2:00 pm and free time and a down pour!!!! So we ran through the rain back to the hotel, changed, ate lunch/supper and went to the War Museum, because there was free admission!

Then we ran back to the hotel to meet the group at 5:45 to go to the VIP section for the evening show.    The evening show was really amazing in one aspect and completely sickening in another. The work that went into it was amazing, but the song artists and and dancing were just vulgar, and honestly if I had had no obligation to stay, I probably would have left.

The fireworks began as soon as the last note was played by the band and we still had to make our way around parliament to see them! So what fireworks we did see was about as impressive as Portage's!! but none the less it was still an amazing experience!!

Then we had to get back to the hotel. As we came back around parliament all we saw was a red and white stampede. We all looked at each other held hands and braced ourselves for the walk back. Quite honestly I was a bit scared. I hate shopping because of the crowds, never mind this crazy,  half drunk mob! As the police officer let us out of VIP into the mob I honestly prayed for protection, and that Jesus would keep us together. We got off parliament and were swept into the street with the crowd.

As we made our way through broken glass, squashed beer cans and people,  I began to think through if Canada was really that different then any other country, morally I mean. I don't now of one country where people don't get drunk, where people aren't murdered and the law isn't broken. I do believe that Canada is a much safer place, but really all across the world we are a sinful and fallen people, no matter were you are from. And as drunk men want us to give them high-fives, ambulances, firetrucks and police were going every which way, and people seemed to not have a care int the world I was reminded of my small town, not that it is like that, but how much I love being around family and friends that are like minded, that love me and whom I love back.

Signing off,

Regan

//day 3// Ottawa

Day 3 

June 30, 2015

We all had to get up at 6:30 go down to the restaurant and eat breakfast by 8:30.  Everyone then left the hotel on the bus heading to the Rideau Hall! We all looked pretty snazzy!  When we got there, after waiting for a lot of construction, we unloaded and started to tour the Hall.  

It was a really beautiful place! After that we watched the trading of the torch, for the PanAm torch relay. 

Someone ran it up to Rideau Hall and handed it off to the Governor General then he ran it down the hill and past it off to someone to keep going. Police security was really heavy. I have seen more police security here in the past three days, then I can ever remember seeing before! 

Then we all went to the upper terrace to meet His Excellency! He came a little while later because he was still running! When he came we winners were all in a line and he talked to us and shook our hands! We took a picture, then we had to show him our work and tell him about it! 

He was really nice and I didn't have to address him at all, we just talked about farming. Yup, he has a farm,  he is used to hard work! 

We then watched the changing of the guards at Rideau Hall and left to go back to our hotel.

We ate lunch in a hurry and then started walking to Parliament Hill as a group. We got to meet the lady who plays the bells in the Peace tower, 

got a tour of Parliament,

 and then headed down to the Rideau Locks!

 Everything was so fascinating! Parliament is so completely beautiful! The locks are amazing!

Afterwards most of the group went back to the hotel to rest and change before the reception at Parliament! It was put on by the Chicken Farmers of Canada, so dad was in good company! There we had a delicious meal (although I don't know half of what I ate!), listen to some speeches, including one from Brent Hayden,  a famous Canadian olympic swimmer! (that I had never heard of!) 

Then it was time to go back to the hotel and sleep it was a good day!

Signing off,

Regan      

//day 1 and 2// Ottawa

It has been crazy busy here!! I will give you the time line of events!

Day 1

June 28, 2015

 I got up at 4:30! I just couldn't sleep anymore! Dad was already up and making last minute preparations! By 5:45 we were showered, packed and ready to go and pick up Grandpa and Grandma! By 6:00 we had turned our vehicle east to the airport, and what ever lay ahead!

We got to the airport, parked, got our tickets, went through security without any major difficulty and sat down to await the arrival of our plane!

At 9:30 am our flight number was called and we boarded. My Dad and Grandpa switched seats because grandpa wanted to sit closer to the front, then dad and myself switched seats because I wanted to be closer to my sisters and Grandma! And as Providence would have it, Jesus gave me a very pleasant seat mate! He looked around late 50s, he worked in the air force, he had his helicopter license and he had lived-in the States! So we had a few things to talk about! Jesus also gave me a very pleasant first commercial plane ride experience! I normally get car sick on road trips, so I was prepared for anything! My ears didn't even hurt, and I didn't feel sick once! Yup, Jesus. Thats all I can say! 

So we landed in rainy Ottawa, got our baggage, and then went to find transportation to the hotel. 

That turn out to be a little bit interesting! None of us had ever ridden transit bus before! But we made it to the hotel in one piece! We entered the lobby, where greeted by our hostess', checked in and went for lunch. by that time it was 2:30pm Manitoba time and 3:30 pm Ottawa time! We were ready to eat! We ate with another winner and her mom, she was the youngest to win, 10 years old, and I am the oldest!

Then we hit the sack for a nap, we were done. 

We meet at 7:00 and went for supper.

On the way back to our room we were in the elevator with three other people. I recognized the girl right away, and started talking with her! To make a long story short, we found out that that too are Christians! Ruth (the girl) were very happy to find that out, and have this special bond now! (Fun side note: she was baptized about 9 months after me!) We were in bed by 10:45 pm.

Day 2

June 29, 2015

I had a pretty bad night thanks to my dear sister Rebecca! Yes I got punched and hit a few times during the night! ( we have different sleeping arrangements tonight!) But none the less I had to get up at 6:30 to shower and get breakfast by 7:15. Need less to say I am not a breakfast person, so it consisted of a piece of fruit the size of a strawberry! I made it till lunch!

We have a personal bus, so we, winners only, loaded at 8:45 am, and were off the the Canadian Museum of History! There we got to know each other a lot better, as most of us had never met! There also, we learned how to use our Nikon Cameras and Mac books that the National Film Board of Canada gave us for the trip. We did mock interviews, and a fun photography activity! I was always assigned to be with the only two boys on this trip Eric and Luke! Ya, nuf said....!! Eric is a pretty cool kid, and Luke..... well...... he's himself I guess! 

After that we got to go to lunch in the Museum, and then had an hour to tour by ourselves these are the two places we went in that hour (where by the way I broke the no taking pictures rule.... oops!).......

Then we went to see this in the park!

Afterwards we went to the Royal Canadian Mint were we were presented with coins, and toured.

We headed back to the hotel 5:00 pm and had some free time. At 6:30 we had our welcome reception and were presented with more prizes. 

We were back in our room at 8:00 pm! 

I am done and ready for a good nights sleep!

I will try to do this tomorrow too!

Signing off,

Regan

P.S. If you can please pray for my grandpas hip. We are doing a lot of walking and it is starting to bug him.

      

Thoughts on a rainy day.......

I am a little bit weird, ok more then a little bit......

 

You know those really famous preachers that started out their ministries for the Lord by preaching to fields and cows and..... well...... things that don't respond? I'm one of them. Not a great preacher of old, no, but one of those weird people that talk to things that don't respond! The place where I'm working right now is very conducive to that kind of behaviour! You are probably wondering what I talk to....... eggs!  Thousands of them.
 

So as I was telling the eggs my testimony today (I like to practice once in awhile), I came to a part in it where I had started realizing the influence I can have in peoples lives. As I pondered this thought (the eggs are a very patient audience!) I wondered if all of the people that Jesus has brought into my life saw Jesus in it?

I know that I can't say that for every relationship that I've had.

It has been impressed on my heart of late, that Jesus should be all I want to talk about. That conversations that I have with people wouldn't just be about the weather. I have seen people do it. I have a great aunt that I got to see recently. Her every word wasn't 'Jesus' but she had a joyful continence that made you want to smile, and she wasn't afraid to tell an unbeliever that she was praying for him, while telling him about the latest political thing in Canada! It was really beautiful to witness.




She could almost weep at something going on over seas, and say 'Halleluiah praise the Lord!' in the same sentence! I was shown that day that I should be able to do that, with anyone. I better start talking about my Lord now if I'm going to talk about Him while someone beats me to death when persecution comes to Canada!  

To put all my thoughts down here and now on this subject would not be possible.

 (I'll just talk to my eggs about it!)

 

//sneak peek at all the eggs//

//with some info//

in this picture there is over 200,000 eggs!

At the moment I'm getting about 28,000

eggs per day.

We collect 7 days a week.

And just a added bonus....

 all employees at the moment are homeschoolers!! 

(that are school age)

       

Look full into His wonderful face

 

 

When in this life do we ever think about the real deal? Jesus is real! This life, that we call reality, is really not reality. Jesus is reality. But to truly grasp that thought is an awesome task. Oh yes we think about it for a minute or two or maybe even an hour or two, but then it quickly slips back into 'what we see'. 

 

 

Have you ever walked by a man sitting on a bench in the park? What is your first thought? The outward appearance or his soul? Are we a heavenly minded people or earthly minded?

 

 

 Jesus was always heavenly minded.  

 

 

That thought caught me in devotions one morning as I read 1 John 3:20b 'God is greater then our heart'. I have always known this, I was taught it my whole life! The fact that we don't have to let our heart, aka emotions, over take our lives. But yet culture has told us our whole lives that we need to have self-control, self esteem, self confidence, self this, and self that. But when in the Bible does it read: And Saul look to himself, and found all that he need!!?! No it was always when the person had Jesus controlling their lives, esteemed Jesus, and was confident in Jesus when the battle was won!

When our gaze is turned upward, and we are heavenly minded then the battle is won.

Is Jesus not beautiful! 

 

'Look full into His wonderful face' 

 

 

 

I just don't understand how we aren't always in awe of our Father!

 

But yet I do understand.

 

 

-closer-

I heard laughter, then sadness. Running my hand over the books, emotions seeped out. I kept walking, letting my fingers side over the covers, then one book caught my eye, it looked full to over flowing with happiness and pleasant thoughts. I took it off the shelf and let it fall open in my hands. Memories now replaced book shelves. I looked around, I was at a Christmas family gathering. Everyone one is smiling, laughing, and joyful, the type of family gathering that you would read about in a story book, but this was no fairy tale, no, this was reality in hindsight.

In thought I pondered..... how many of us actually put aside time to worship our Creator? How many of us even think about that? Am I a distraction for my family in this area? Could I be exemplifying this area in my life more? Or is that part of the intimacy between Jesus and His children? When am I ever prostrate on the floor in fear and awe of Him?

 

  Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it up beside Dagon.

And when the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and put him back in his place.

But when they rose early on the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him.   





1 Samuel 5:2-4(ESV)

And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”

Mark 3:11 (ESV)

 

When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.”

Luke 8:28 ( ESV)

 

 Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord.

2 Chronicles 20:18 (ESV)

 

Since when did I get 'old enough' to not give Jesus the praise and worship He deserves?

Jesus has given us a choice as humans to accept His life giving salvation or to reject it, He much prefers the former. When I accepted the gift of salvation at the age of seven, I didn't know the consequences. I didn't realize that sitting at Jesus' feet would give me strength and revive my soul. I didn't really know that sin grieves Jesus, that He weeps over it, that it breaks His heart.





 

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

 1 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV)

 

But now the fact that I'm not as innocent anymore and do know these things, requires active obedience to Jesus Christ and a willing and surrendered heart, fully devoted to Him for all my days. It also requires discipline, to make Jesus my first priority, to intentionally spend time with Him, and have Jesus as first in my life.

Grow ever closer to Jesus.  



{{Who's Desires}}

There are few things that I like better then to sit on my bed with the sun beams coming through the window, softly laying their warmth on my floor, a mug in my hand filled with chia tea, hot chocolate, mocha, apple cider, or whatever my taste buds crave that day, and a good book laying on my lap.
Sadly this is basically 'in my dreams' and has happened maybe twice in my life time!
When the chance arises, and the opportunity places itself in my hands this is what happens....
I (Regan) open one eye to view the alarm clock that is before me in my groggy 'don't tell me its morning already' state, turn my iPod on, close my eyes as Paul Washer starts to exhort me in the ways of Romans 12, I don't want to miss anything and don't want to pause it to get tea, so I slowly get ready for the day listening to him, no good books, no soft sun light, just groggy me trying to remember every word he preaches (which consisted of "the holy spirits path is discernible in the lives He touches" totally profound, if you think about it, yup I had to listen to it again, and again and....... again!) Even this rarely happens!

             Why is it that I have my perfect ideals, and yet the most touching, profound, and meaningful moments that God has put in my life have not changed my 'this is perfect', 'this is the way it should be done' ideas. Do I still trust Him with my life? Yes. Have I so let the world into my head and change my thinking, my ideals? Yes, probably more then I know. Yes it says that God will "give me the desires of my heart', but in C.S. Lewis's book the Voyage of the Dawn Treader in the part when they come to the place where ALL your dreams come true, do I think that ALL my thoughts have been pure, honorable, upright, and actually worthy of being given? No. Jesus Christ didn't die to give me the desires of my human heart, He died to make His desires mine. With that in mind, even though I think I know what should happen in my future, I want my heart so in tune with Jesus', that it burns with His desires.