Mrs. Robinson’s Blog

Current mood: rejuvenated

So yesterday I was sat on the stage at the end of the service with Bish as some people were prayed for, and the band played, and Natalie danced, and people sang and the air was thick with the presence of God….and I turned to Bish and said ‘I could stay here forever’….

I don’t know why it is that not every week is like that at Oak Tree….and before I get pounced on, I know that our relationship with God and his presence shouldn’t be based on ‘warm fuzzies’…but I do LOVE it when the whole of me feels connected to God. It reminds me that I’m not in this alone, that I’m not crazy to stake my life on Jesus, that I’m here for a reason, on this planet, in this town….with the rest of the Oaks.

And for that I am hugely grateful to God. Thanks Big Man, you make everything worth it…….

Current mood: grateful

On the home run of the holiday now. Time has done this wierd thing where it feels like I’ve only just got here – and like I’ve been here forever….

I swear the girls have grown in two weeks! They are gorgeous. Michelle and Dave are fantastic parents and it’s been great to watch them do their thang with the girls so beautifully and in such a Godly way. If I’m ever half the mum Michelle is, I will feel I am doing well.

Michelle and I have got along so, so well. Considering we’ve lived in each others pockets for two weeks – there has not been a grouchy moment between us. We’ve gone much deeper in our friendship and it has been such fun to be girly together and share our hopes, dreams and fears whilst driving, colouring in, trying on costumes, over a glass of whine (oops wine…that’s a freudian slip!) or snuggled down on the floor of the ferry with our pillows and copious supplies of chocolates. I will miss her lots. She is a woman who gives so much energy and encouragement to those she loves and I’m chuffed to bits that I get to be her friend!

So this week – we have got out and about a bit more. I had a HUGE nanaimo bar ice cream which was yummy. Nanaimo (nan-eye-mo) bars are a local delicacy. Sort of crushed choc biscuit and coconut base, yellow cream fillling and choc on top. They are scrummy!

Tuesday we went up to the top of Mount Prevost. Thankfully we drove most of the way up and then there’s a 15 minute hike up to the top. Views were, as always in Canada, stunning! Miles and Miles of green and blue and white. It was such a clear beautiful day that we could see Mount Baker in the distance – all snowy and majestic. Yet again I wished Carolyn was there to enjoy the view.

Yesterday we hit Vancouver. So very early start to get the ferry over and I sat in on Michelle’s voice and movement class at Trinity University. I felt 18 again as I watched the students do their drama thing. They had all been given an animal to study and were in the process of taking the essence of the animal to inform their character. Lots of fun….was itching to join in.

Then we went for sushi! I wasn’t brave enough to embrace the sushimi raw fish stuff…but we successfully gorged on tempura and avocado and prawn rolls. mmmmmmmmmmm

Then a quick glass of red and girly giggling followed by a play called Grace. That deserves it’s own blog. Suffice to say for now that it was really, really well done.

Back on to the ferry and home late again!!

Today we are chilling at home in that pre-glam up scruffy state (otherwise known as Whale-watching chic – bring on the trakkie bottoms baby!) as we prepare for the gala opening of Murder on the Nile this evening at Chemainus Theatre which is where Michelle has done some work and had her wedding reception!! We are going to look gorgeous and schmooze with the cast and crew at the opening night buffet and party…. This holiday thing is SO hard sometimes!!!

Tomorrow is Victoria to meet Jamie (Michelle’s bro!) and meet up with Simone from Cali!! Woot woot!!!!!

Then Saturday I back on plane and jetting towards long awaited hug from a very missed Robinson man.

See y’all very soon!
xxxxx

Current mood: bouncy

So we’re at the halfway stage of the Canadian adventure and it really feels like I’m on holiday now.

At this moment in time we’re up the coast a bit at Qualicum with Michelle’s lovely parents. On arrival on Friday night we had a yummy roast and then jumped into the hot tub!! Oh yes – they have a HOT TUB!!! Sitting out in the cold night, with the moon shining and cosy in the water….fantastic stuff!!! Yes I did wish that I had a glass of champagne and a sexy Irishman to keep me company…but hey….

Then yesterday we got up early and got in the car to drive through the mountains to Tofino….which makes me think of Mike Delfino….my popcorn brain….

Anyway – SO, SO beautiful. Blue skies, tall green majestic trees, icy cold lakes and snow capped mountains. It is easy to see God in everything….

We stopped when we hit the Pacific Rim National Park and walked for 20 mins through the woods (me singing the Last of the Mohicans theme tune and renaming Dave Ching-ach-hak-chee-gook) and came out on this STUNNING beach. The sun was sparkling on the water and there were wooded islands just out to sea. Ching-ach-hakchee-gook led us manly through the rocks and we took lungfuls of fresh air and Michelle and I resisted every urge to strip naked and run along the beach…..

Then we got back in car (to be said in BK accent – LOTR fans) and made our way to Tofino proper for the whale watching tour.

Now – I’ve been whale watching in Australia with the ever lovely Carolyn….so I thought I knew what to expect. This was VERY different.

I knew this when they handed us red survival suits and yellow slicks…..

Suited and booted Michelle and I make our way down to the harbour and the 11 of us on the tour get in the 12 man zodiac…a large motorised dinghy thing.

Then we were off. The waves were 2 metres high….my hands and feet got SOAKED and chilled to the bone and the sea spray hitting my face was like someone hurling snowballs at me. But I felt so ALIVE!!!!! We did see a couple of grey whales and some sea lions…but the scenery and the thrill of the ride were awesome!

We get back after two and a half hours and Michelle and I look lke we’ve wet ourselves….Did we bring a change of clothes? Nah!!! So off the the local co-op whilst Dave brings out pairs of trousers and socks for me to try on in the car!! One pair of grey trakkie bottoms later, we all go to a seaside pub for halibut and chips! YUMMY!!

I also sampled a local pear cider after decling a Caesar – (like a Canadian bloody Mary it’s made with Wor-ces-te-chester-shire sauce – according ot our waitress!!)

Then fed, warm, dry and cosy, we drove back to Qualicum – had a deep theological discussion about emotionalism and the Holy Spirit and then snuggled down to my second night of amazing sleep.

We about to go to church now!!!!

Catch up again soon

Rxxxx