Jasper

So I took off for Jasper for my day off! Its a 4 hour drive. It was a beautiful day! I went up the Jasper Tram and hiked to the top of the mountain. Great view. It started to snow a bit and there was a beautiful rainbow below me. Then, I took off to view Mount Robson (highest point in the Canadian Rockies). Mt Robson is one of my favorite mountains. For hours, I could sit and watch the clouds and sun dance off its majestic peak. I was fortunate to see the top. Along the way, I saw mountain sheep, a mountain goat (rare sighting), elk and moose. I also saw a hummingbird at Mt. Robson but didn't get a picture of it.

Carrots

So I was helping weed the garden at the people's place I'm staying at and we found carrots that overwintered. I was amazed that they didn't freeze. The green shoots show that they were trying to grow again. They were crunchy and very sweet too. (Carrots are the sweetest after the first or second frost. The carbohydrates turn to sugar. Same thing with corn.) Harvesting carrots in MAY! AMAZING!

Where I Come From

On Wednesday I drove up to my brother's farm, the place where I grew up. It's just a beautiful place in the springtime. The leaves were just starting to come out and the crocuses were dotting the hills. I truly enjoyed the peacefulness and the beauty of where I grew up.

Stranger in a coffee shop.

My friend Kase and I were in Esquires Coffee shop doing some Scripture discussion when a guy sitting next to us asked if he could join in our discussion. We were discussing our thoughts about the previous week's reading from the book of Revelation - somewhat of a difficult book to discuss. After you read Revelation you kinda just sit there and say, "Wow." ...or, "OK."...and thats about all that can be said. Anyways, the stranger added his thoughts and we had quite the discussion. We ended with some prayer for each other and went our separate ways. Just find it interesting that a stranger had the guts to ask if he could join us. It was a blessing for all.

Barry DOES have friends!

Finally, I found someone that wants to go on a road trip with me!

Look into my eyes

I needed to get more contact lenses so I got my eyes checked. One eyes (I think my left one) needed a little bit of adjusting but eyes are in good health. Trying some different contact lenses (a bit larger but are supposed to breathe better). I'm not that happy with the new contacts, eyes feel heavy and drier. Check up cost: 100.00. Contacts for a year: 375.00. Yikes! I asked for a print out of my eyes...thought the photos were blog worthy. The lit up area is where the optic nerve enters the back of the eye.

Deer in the city

The other day I took this picture of a bunch of deer in the city. Notice we still have snow. :)

The Dentist

Yesterday I spent some time at the dentist. It always takes longer than expected. I hadn't been to the dentist in years! Now that I have health insurance and have more money...I've decided it was overdue to get my teeth worked on. I have a bunch of cavities and a couple of my wisdom teeth might need to be abstracted. Kelly did a great job of educating me about brushing/flossing and Curtis (the doctor) is not charging me for the dental work. WOAH! I couldn't believe it. My experience at the dentist was better than what you hear. I got free toothpaste, floss, and brand new tooth brush. Yippee! Here is an exray of my teeth. As you can see the upper molars are pointed in a funny direction and so they might need to be taken out.

Introducing....Doris!

I would like to introduce you to Doris. Doris the Ford Taurus. Her name derives from a Greek sea goddess meaning "abundance. I think the light blue color is fitting. She's a '94 and I think I'm the 3rd owner. Anyways, she came to my rescue back in October when Mimas died (the 95 Saturn). Check my post October 18/06 for details. I didn't realize it at first, but since my grand parents couldn't use Doris at the time I borrowed her while I was car-less. She was there right when I needed her. She was in early retirement (see the lisence plate) but has since come back to work for me - even though she still dosen't have a home address. So far we've gotten along real well. She has had a garage to spend the winter in and had her front brakes and tires, exhaust and alternator belts replaced. Also gave her a tune-up and in this picture she has actually been treated to a car wash (might be the ONLY one she receives). She has 120,000 kms on her and was purchased for $2,500 dollars. I wonder where all she will travel and wonder of the many adventures we will take together. Thank you God for Doris!

Art Contest

So I'm going to enter a painting contest. The theme is "Capture the Beauty of the Peace." So I tried my hand at painting a photo that I took a few months back. The cow moose was only a short ways away from where I live. Here is the photo and the painting together.

First Day of Spring

So...it snowed again today. It's supposed to be WARM and SPRINGY.

On another note...I saw a cow moose just outside the house. Cool creature!

Dead Deer

So, the other day I saw this deer. It was right outside the front door. I was a bit freaked out by it because it just stood there and staired at me. Kiva, the cat got a little close and the dear bunted the side of the porch. It must have been injured or sick...because on Saturday it died. So...a cat and a deer haved died at "my" place this winter.

Welcome to Our World

Wednesday I went up to Fort St.John for a baby tour. First I met Amber Jessica Braun.


Then I met Rebecca Marianne Friesen.



As you can see, uncle Barry is a bit awkward holding the babies and is scared he may break these precious little ones. May God's hand of love and protection be upon them both.

What a blessed week!

What an amazing week! To start the week off my sister had a baby girl - Amber Jessica. Melissa had to have a C-section because things weren't progressing as they had hoped. But, everyone is healthy and Melissa and Tim are very happy.

Then, Duane (brother) and Bonnie had a baby girl - Rebecca Marianne. There is a bit of concern of platelet counts, but so far things are ok. That makes SEVEN nieces. NO nephews. I'm not sure what's in the water here, but my family is multiplying like locusts. Look out Peace River country!

Yesterday, I met a couple that needs someone to house sit for them for April and June through September. 5 months total. It works perfect with the house sitting job I have now since it is from the end of October till April. That means I have a place to house sit for 10 months of the year (and this could be a yearly thing). I will have to figure out where I will live for the months of May and October. But, I'm sure everything will work out fine. With the housing/rental situation in Grande Prairie I have the best possible situation anyone could have. Hopefully, I will be able to save up to buy a house soon. We'll see. GOD IS GOOD!!!

Deer Sausage

So...what do Canadians do in the spare time? We make deer sausage!

Check out my videos on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=barryfriesen

First we mix the meat:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeblPqnnp2g

Then we fill the sausage maker machine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7oEKg7Gzt4

Then we apply the pig intestines:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5KlUlXHARM

Then we fill the pig intestines:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02NYzr94OW4

Then we put the sausages in the smoker for a couple hours:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APF2sLX5OCQ

Winter on the Farm

This is my parent's place:


This is my brother's place, which is in the same yard as my parents:


Some friendly baby bovine:


Winter wonderland:

Brother Scotty

Brother Scotty arrived today! I guess he has a wandering spirit like me. I'm not really sure why he decided to come all the way from Mahomet, Illinois to visit me...perhaps he would like to go on another adventure!

I decided to try putting Scotty back in the box he came in....but he couldn't fit back in.

So....I decided to keep him around for awhile to do some work for me. If it wasn't for his stubby hands he would be a pretty good typer.
I wonder what adventure he will go on next??? Until next time.....Thanks Mahomet friends!

Blizzard

Tuesday night we got a nasty blizzard. I barely made it back to the house where I'm house-sitting and already the drifts were up to 2 feet high. Since the drifts were still soft I was able to push through them with the car (my grandparents). Wednesday I was pretty much snowed in. There were 4 foot drifts! I managed to get the snowblower out of the garage but then I got it stuck (its a small tractor with a blower on the front). I called the neighbor to help me out. Once free I spent the rest of the morning clearing snow. Its amazing how quickly this snow came. This morning it was -36 degrees! Yikes!

Highlights of 2006

Here are some highlights of 2006.
January: Continued schooling and serving at Mahomet Christian Church, Illinois. Great to work with David Johnson and see the progress at MCC. Began working on my thesis (extended research paper) – topic: The Tabernacle. Started to read through the chronological Bible and a blog called “What did you have for breakfast?”
February: Turned 30. Visited Junior and Emily in D.C. and shared my testimony with the youth group. Changed Dryden’s diaper (first ever diaper change). Philip is new roommate on the weekends from LCC. Made a deal: He would cook and I would clean.
March: Sabbatical from MCC to work on thesis paper in Colorado Springs. Invited 31 of my closest friends to call me during the sabbatical and ask “What did you have for breakfast?” Grew a beard. Fasted. Spiritual retreats at Glen Eyrie, Horn Creek and the Great Sand Dunes. Finished rough draft of thesis at 100 pages. 6300 mile road trip (Mahomet, IL to San Diego, CA). Broke my fast on Mission Beach, San Diego with an apple. Stopped at the Grande Canyon, Death Valley, Las Vegas and the Arches National Park.
April: Created “The Upper Room” for Good Friday. Shaved my beard off the day before Easter. Drove to Eureka Springs Arkansas with Bret to see the life size model of the Tabernacle. While in Eureka Springs we drove to Oklahoma just to say I’ve been to Oklahoma. Finished second draft of thesis paper.
May: Presented paper on the Tabernacle. Graduated with two degrees (BA in music; MA in Worship Studies). Mom and Dad came to my graduation. Open house at my apartment. Hung out in Chicago with Justin and Bret and was given a HUGE American flag for FREE. Interview with the Grande Prairie Church of Christ.
June: Invited to come to Grande Prairie as the Creative Arts Director. After much deliberation and prayer I accepted the position. June 13 Bret was in an accident and almost died. Ankles were shattered, 4th lumbar was shattered, tear in the aorta, ligaments were stretched and hands burned from cable. Induced coma. Psalm 91. He had to have his right leg amputated below the knee. God spared his life and is using him in a mighty way to bring glory to Himself. Went to Edisto Beach, SC and spent time with Smiths, Mays, Armettas and Krafts. Drove to Florida and visited Derek and Ashley. Drove to the furthest southern part of the continental US (Key West). Stopped at the Unclaimed Baggage Store in Scottsboro, Alabama.
July: Indiana Dunes. Sears Tower. Vacation with the Hufford’s in Michigan. Sleeping Bear Sand dunes. Drove around Lake Michigan. Checked off Wisconsin as the 48th state I visited.
August: Farewell concert at MCC. Sky-dived into church (with JC Colclasure) on my last Sunday (Aug 6th). Flew to Reno, NV to meet up with Rob and Amanda for a 5-state road trip (Checked off Idaho as the 49th state I’ve visited). Experienced Lake Tahoe, the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone National Park. Flew to Hawaii as the 50th state I’ve visited: Experienced sky-diving, sea turtles, Dole plantation, volcanoes, Mona Kea (highest peak in Hawaii and taller mountain than Everest if you count from sea floor), snorkeling, waterfalls, hostels (great place to stay for cheap), Waikiki beach, Honolulu and Hilo. Drove from Denver to Grande Prairie (40 hour drive). Stopped in Radium Hot Springs, Lake Louise and the Columbia Icefields. Arrived in Grande Prairie Aug 22nd. Lived at Pine Ridge Camp. Staff Retreat at Pine Ridge camp.
September/October: Lived at Pine Ridge Camp for 3 weeks. House sat for the Bertrands for a few weeks. Lived with the Tunke’s for a couple weeks. Becky and I sang “Praise You in the Storm.” Began house sitting for Ken. Major snow fall. 2/3’s of the annual snow fall within 3 weeks. Very cold temperatures (-42 degrees with the wind chill). Grandma had back surgery. Accident with my car (Mimas). Car is totaled. Driving Grandma and Grandpa’s car. Started using Media Shout in the worship services.
November: Art’s Night. Started a Christmas Choir.
December: Invested in RRSPs for the first time. Lived at the Landon’s for a few days. Christmas Eve service (used the song “My Deliverer” as a central theme to the service). Drove to Shelley’s for Christmas Eve. Drove with Shelley’s to Mom and Dad’s for Christmas day. Everyone but Jamie’s was there. Drove back with Shelley’s and then drove to Jamie’s for Boxing Day. Great to see all the nieces and hang out with the family. Bought a computer.
To all my friends and family and to my Lord – thank you for a wonderful year of friendship, challenge, determination, wonder, thrills and life change. To God be the glory!

Did you see the sunrise this morning?

This morning I couldn't help but take a picture of the sunrise. Pictures never do sunrises justice, but I had to capture the moment. It was as though God was painting the clouds. How beautiful! God is faithful and everday we can rely on his mercy and love. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness.