The dream has come true!

Sunday, Septemer 20 2009

Hey friends!

We have arrived in Phnom Pehn! The flights all went incredibly smoothly and had lots of time in Vancouver and Seoul-Inchon to make our flights. Praise be to God! We arrived Saturday night and spent the first evening connecting with our dear friend and teammate Keri, as well as checking out the hotel we are in for our first couple nights. Today has been our first full day in Cambodia and it has been a lot of fun! We had breakfast in the hotel before exploring the streets of Phnom Pehn before church. Church was in a building owned by World Vision and it was a great service. We sang two of my all-time songs, "We Fall Down" and "Lord Reign in Me". We then had lunch at a place called, "Pizza Company" with Bill and Lana, our new missionary friends. I couldn't help but chuckle a little bit to be eating pizza while listening to Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Britney Spears play in the background :) Next up we went to the mall to get cellphones and other various things. A very fun experience today was our first ride in a tuk-tuk. A tuk-tuk is a large cart attached to a moto (motorcycle). I couldn't tell you how many tuk-tuks and motos we have seen today! Anyways, we are now just relaxing and catching up on internet stuff. Friends, thank-you SO much for your support and encouragement! This still feels so surreal to be here, but I am so thankful and so excited to see what God does over these next 9 months.

Love and blessings,
Brian

First round of vacation pictures!

The highlight of my vacation so far has been exploring a large golf-course/property development called Tobiano outside of Kamloops. Tobiano has two things I love; golf and BEAUTIFAL scenery. My parents and I went yesterday as part of celebrating my dad's birthday.

My Vacation So Far!

It has been amazing to be home so far! I have really really enjoyed being able to see my family and just relax for awhile. I promise pictures are coming. Take care everyone! Just wanted to say hi!

Vacation Time!!!!

Hey Friends!

I am currently sitting in the departure gates at Calgary International (free wi-fi is sweet!). I am off to Kamloops for 10 days of much-needed vacation/hang-out with my family before I leave time. I hope and pray God's blessings on you all! Take care everybody!

Love and Blessings,
Brian

Cool Quote

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." Steve Prefontaine

No turning back!!

Friends! I have some exciting news! My plane ticket to Cambodia has officially been booked! I leave on September 18th! I have been waiting for and dreaming about what this experience will be like for so long that I can't believe it's FINALLY officially here. I know and believe with all of my heart that God has used every good, bad, and ugly experience in preparing me for this. I know this probably sounds cheesy, but dreams really do come true! All I can say is thanks be to God, thanks by to all of you wonderful people.

49 days until this adventure starts...

Love and blessings,
Brian

Summer Lesson #2

Hey there! I hope everyone is enjoying the summer. My hope is that you are all able to find the time to kick back and relax with friends and loved ones. I have survived working Stampede for another year! :) Praise the Lord! I am really thankful that I was able to serve and bartend this year as it enables me to go to Cambodia! I was reminded of something tonight that I would like to share with you all. I saw Johnny Reid perform this evening at the Calgary Stampede. He was incredible and put on a GREAT show! I was really impressed with his performance but something really stood out to me...Joy flowed through him as he performed. He looked as though he was having the time of his life and truly loved what he was doing. I don't think anyone or anything could have wiped the smile of his face. As I watched him perform, I asked myself a question, "what truly makes me happy and brings me joy?". I love spending time with people and connecting through conversation. I love listening to music and playing guitar. I love being able to express how I see the world around me through a camera lense. I know that these are all great things that God has blessed us with, but they weren't the answer I was looking for.

Psalm 4:7

"You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound."

Matthew Henry

"Many inquire after happiness, but David had found it. When God puts grace in the heart, he puts gladness in the heart."

"The Good Life" by Charles Colson

"So what have we learned so far about the good life? Is it eat, drink, and be merry, living as if there is no tomorrow? Does it consist in leisure, pleasure, and the satisfaction of every sensory desire? No, true happiness is achieved not through material comforts and satiating our appetites. It is found in fulfilling our higher nature, shaping our lives and our circumstances to reflect the way we are hardwired."

My TRUE joy and happiness comes from embracing the will of God for my life, fully seeking His heart, and allowing His spirit to shape me from the inside out.

I can't wait for the journey to start...

Love and Blessings,
Brian