Niagara Falls & North Rose, NY

Wednesday -- Packed up early and left Lake of Bays. Saw an "entourage" with some world leader headed to theG8. Got wet and wild on the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls.... then had an EARTHQUAKE while we were shopping (although most of our group didn't notice it). Great border crossing, dinner in New York. Met at North Rose UMC by Bud and David. Spent the night at a quaint cottage which was on the shore of Lake Ontario and Sodas Bay.... boys slept on the porch to the sounds of the lake lapping on the shore.

Thursday -- Work projects at North Rose. Three youth from North Rose joined us -- Kendra, Katie, and Nolan worked on our two crews worked on houses, with major yard work and roofing. One crew went to Faith UMC in neighboring Wolcott, to sing at a Senior Program lunch, then went to the Blossom View Nursing Home and sang for the residents. Swimming and showers at North Rose High School pool.... with our personal lifeguards. Dinner at Skippers Landing and slept at the church. Enjoying RADICAL HOSPITALITY.

Cottage Country - Monday, June 21

Summer Solstice! Slept in! We enjoyed the day with the most sunshine at my aunt and uncle's cottage, near Dorset, Ontario (also near Huntsville where the G8 will meet later this week). 'We made a trip to Robinson's store in Dorset, swam, took boot tours of Lake of Bays with Uncle Bev. (and photo's of Shania Twain's cottage), kayaked, fished, tubed behind the boat, saw deer, heard loons on the lake, had a campfire and a "glowing" outdoor devotional time.

Sunday, June 20th -- Jessica's 16th birthday

Enjoyed worship together at Westway United. Youth did "Made to Love" action song, anthem and offeretory with guitars, children's time, and they played our mission Powerpoint slides. Mingled with folks at the bbq on the grounds after the service.

Take me out to the ball game! Took the subway to downtown Toronto with LouAnn, Bratislav, Daniel, Alex and Nicholas (Jan's cousin and family). Walked from Union Station to the Blue Jays game on the sky walk over the train tracks. Blue Jays tried to rally in the 9th inning, but we still enjoyed the game!

Destination Unknown -- after the game, we took the subway back to the Kipling Station. We were invited by a church member to come to their home and see a collection of movie memoribilla including light sabers from Star Wars, the USS Constitution model from Pirates of the Caribbean, Kill Bill, Avatar, a model from Star Trek and more. He is an award winning special effects artist and had graciously invited us to visit, and had raised money for the church Sunday School with his movie connections. Little boys and big boys and girls had a GREAT time!

We headed north to cottage country, and arrived safely at Lake of Bays! Sleep in tomorrow surrounded by birch trees, black squirrels, deer, and a calm lake.

Planting at the Peace Garden

Now known as the Peace Garden, we helped weed, clean up, plant, build a rock pathway with ladies from the community. the ladies, many who have been touched with violence, are known as dreamers

We made balloon animals and gave them away to children at eh garden. We were touched by the women and their dedication to this park, even though the park. We went back to the Salvation Army, it had stopped raining, so we took down the tarps, hung up the plants, and blessed the sacred space we had helped create! We were sad to say goodbye to Zoe, we had blessed us with her sweet spirit and by helping us to serve.

Next we walked to Queen Street where we took the trolley to Eaton Center for Shopping! Huge mall, lots of people, noisy, a lot of "high fashion" and expensive stores. Found a Hard Rock Cafe. Picked up Amy Johnson from the airport. Discovered that they Closed several streets while we were shopping and had to change our point of pick up for the vans. Chris and Wallace are awesome and really adapted to Toronto traffic.. but this one made them crazy.

Great dinner at the Mandarin Buffet with sushi, calamari, crab legs, waffles, nanimo bars, a 50 foot salad bar, pizza lamb and more! We think everyone left happy. Drawings for door prizes ad devotions at the house. Sweet Dreams!

Painting and Planting at the Salvation Army

Back to the Salvation Army. Finished the "sacred space" -- had to put up blue tarps to finish the last three tables while it was raining. Cleaned out and reorganized a storage closet. Washed vehicles. Cleaned out and painted the grill. Bought four hanging plants for the space. After lunch we me a special woman who had a son die from violence -- she then had a dream to create a garden, and that children in blue shirts would dance in the garden. In 2005 the garden was completed.

We walked down the street from the Salvation Army and turned at the hockey rink, and went to the garden.

Warm Greeting, Eh?

Greeted by Moose and Mounties makes one feel welcome.

Exciting Time at the CN Tower

The team went to the CN tower, the tallest free standing structure in the World.

Some braved sitting on the glass floor!

The power went out, which created a delay and a late night!