One more sleep...

until we get rid of them.....I mean until all the fun times are over!

Today as promised was an action-packed one. Headed out down the 401 again for our TO day trip. We parked at Yorkdale mall and took the subway down to Union station. It's a bit different than our LRT. Comes in at a great rate of speed, opens doors, closes doors, see ya later! We had to have a little chat after our first ride and the near loss of Tammy in the doors:( After that they kinda caught on. Boy those shirts were a good idea. Makes the hundreds (or are we at thousands Tammy?) of head counts much easier. Oh yeah, that's when they aren't wearing sweaters over top (who needs the sweaters, it's stifling!!) Can you tell that's a bit of a sore spot??
So...walked to the CN tower and toured around there for awhile. Very cool glass floor! Then back to the station and on the subway (quicker) up to the Eaton Center where the kids were set free again for lunching and browsing. Then back on for a few train changes until we reached the ROM (museum). The had about 1.5 hrs. to see what they could see. It's huge also and so of course, they only scratched the surface. I think J, Ava and I were the only ones to go see the Terra Cotta warriors exihibit. It was an extra charge but who knows if we will ever get to Xian, so this was our chance. Another group tried but waited too long and it was too close to closing time.
After that it was back on the subway to the mall where we had parked. The mall had a Rainforest Cafe so that's where we had supper together.
The weather was overcast today (but still very muggy) and there were some drizzles here and there. The traffic was crazy and it was packed or bumper to bumper all the way back to Cambridge tonight - Monday night at 8 pm. Go figure.
Today Mason was personal assistant once again (I think he's ranked highest) but her bestest buddies were Bruce, Jacob R. and Tim, (and then there's faithful Kristen but she's a given). But of course, everyone has to play along sometimes too. She did decided that everyone needed a hug at the tower today and went around one by one. She's having the best time. She is so excited when she spots 'one of her team' when the kids have their free wandering time. Very funny! Always telling them where they need to be (or dragging them there - and they let her!) or telling them they have 5 minutes left. I think Sam B. was PA for her on the way home but tonight most of them were snoozing by 8:30 in my van at least so he was pretty much off the hook for duties.
Tomorrow it's pack up and off the see the other monkeys, I mean animals at the zoo.

I'm sure they will all have lots to tell and will have happy hugs for you tomorrow night:)

Take care all. It was a privilege and lots of fun to be part of the group for some of the time.

Beth (Helena and Ava too)

PLace to find more Gathering Pictures

Hello,

If you have a facebook account you can subscribe to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and see the many photos posted on their pages. Look for our green shirts and you will see lots of the Youth.

J

A Few More Pictures

Here are a few more pictures.

St Jacobs Market

Fresh Field Ripened Tomatoes

PJ Eating some of the World's Best Apple Fritters!

Group Shot at the London Convention Centre

Supper the the Pool Party

Swimming in the pool

A week with the Youth - need I say more?

Here are some of the missing blog entries. We haven't had time to post them until now. The internet connection is a little shaky and I need to sit on the front steps of the church to get a good signal (outside). We will hopefully be able to get another update from the Youth Monday. (These posts are unedited)

J

Blog Entries for August 19

Wow I never thought I’d get to see one of the wonders of the world, it was so intense!! I love coming here so much, it’s only been 2 days and it feels like an action packed month passed by!

-Jacob R.

Hey everyone back home miss ya all. I’m having a great time and yes dad i miss the shop and it has been amazing here from the falls to the car rides i love it here even tho we don’t get to much sleep

-Sam bochke

The last few days made the plane ride worth it . This trip is awesome, I’m glad I chose to come

-Cody T.

The past few days have been really fun and everyone has enjoyed it a lot. I do miss home though but the week will go by fast with the amount of events that are planned. It is beautiful at the Falls, and it was a once in a lifetime chance.

-Cossette

Hey family!! Hope its goin’ good back in e-town! Niagara Falls was AMAZING!!! So beautiful! We are on our way to St. Jacobs Market and the Gathering right now! Im so psyched! Have fun!

-Kristen!

Hey family! Wish you were here! The plane ride was horribly early but it was worth it! Niagra falls was crazy amazing and I had a ton of fun. Wish You were here!

-Sam

Hello family! It is great to be back in Ontario! I am looking forward to the gathering and watch out for the bats!

-Tim :P

I went to Justin Biebers’ home town!!!! The gathering is going to be awesome and i really want to go swimming!

-Marissa

It is really fun down here. I am a bit hot.

P.S. Send more underwhere!

-Jacob

Maeve Blog entry:

Hello all, the gathering has been really fun so far. I’m almost done my sock. I’m on the toe!! Happy me. I’ve enjoyed being in a group at all. If I had gone with my church it would have been my youth leader and I. I’ve yet to spend all my lunch money. I found a zauberball at the flea market. It’s really colorful. The flea market was amazing, it was so big. Anyways good-bye

Safe and Sound

Everyone is safely back at St. Peter's in Cambridge. The girls and I arrived early to pick up the group so we got in on the last hour of worship. The kids were pretty pumped! Just from some video clips and the atmosphere in there I could tell it had been terrific. Everyone in my van had great things to say about the gathering.

I thought more of them would nap but I think they were not ready to unwind. A couple of families from St. Peter's hosted a BBQ at a home with a pool. As luck would have it, it poured rain as we arrived but the kids still had a blast. Supper was hotdogs, hamburgs, chicken, salads, corn on the cob (I saw a side of Maeve I've never seen, or should I say heard! - her family will understand that reference), and make-your-own sundaes. These people have been SO hospitable and welcoming to us it's incredible. The kids played Wii for awhile and then headed back to the church to wind down in the movie room. I'm hoping they get some rest as we have two very full days ahead.

B

Just a Note...

to let you know what little I know about what's happening at the gathering. They are apparently having a blast and they had to take the kids back early on the first evening because some were falling asleep (we can be bribed for names when we get home - which goes for other tidbits too!). And on the note of info, we'd like to know who is missing matches to their socks when the laundry gets done at home...valuable info to use against them:)
Girls and I will head back to pick up our load tomorrow afternoon. We've had a great time visiting old friends but are anxious to hear all the awesome details of the gathering. I'm sure they've been so busy James has not had time to post the rest of their blog entries from the first two days.

Blog Update from the Kids (and a few pics)

Here are a few post and pics from the youth

(typed while driving and edited for spelling etc by PJ)

Heather’s Blog Entry:

What a great time we’re all having in Ontario so far!! We’ve been to Niagara Falls, which was a highlight for everyone… Even being followed around by a giant Reece cup guy! (But that’s a story for another time.) We stayed in St. Peter’s Lutheran and the people there are positively wonderful!! Thanks, your hospitality is greatly appreciated! :) Now onward… Today is the first official day of the gathering, and on our way to London we stopped at a farmer’s market where I bought 4 little carved kittens and a pair of my iconic fancy-earrings. Anyway, onto the gathering... I’m stoked already; it’ll be a blast! I can’t wait to get to know my Heavenly Father even better, while surrounded by friends from all over the country! Oh, by the way, this time we have hotel rooms and don’t have to stay in stadiums… WOOOT!

Bruce’s Blog Entry:

Firstly, Sam [Bochke] and I are best friends now, but Heather and I are best mateys… HURRAH! It’s been a great time in Ontario so far, seeing Niagara Falls, and going to the farmers market (Sam [Bochke] and I bought sunglasses, before Jacob and Mason). There was even a bat, which Jacob named Bartholomew, who stayed with us in our room for a night. We’re on our way to London now after spending the first two days at the St. Peter’s Church in Cambridge. The people there were so nice, making us breakfast and giving us bedding to sleep with. Thank you, and it will be great to see you again before we leave. We’ll be at the gathering later today, WHOOO!

Kelsey’s Blog Entry:

Ontario is so AMAZING already! We were at Niagara falls yesterday- it was wet and exhausting but also truly beautiful!! We saw a awesome 4d movie about the falls… and me and Marissa screamed a few times but that’s been typical lately since we have a bat living with us in the church (it almost flew into my face!) St. Peters has been very generous, making us a dinner and a few Breakfasts, and also giving us a place to sleep and bedding :D thanks! Well we r off to the gathering and just got into London!!!

Masons Blog Entry:

Ontario is picturesque. I’m amazed at the plants, scenery and beauty that surrounds us here. Niagara Falls was just breath taking, and I couldn’t even wrap myself around the fact that someone fell from these falls and actually survived the rocks, water pressure and fall itself. I love this place too much. The people are really nice and we’ve learned a lot about different cultures and religions as we’ve stayed here. We’ve done awesome activities and had very peaceful sleeps. I could not ask for more on this trip. We saw a 4D movie which was so much fun … you’re in the movie! We even got to go very close to the falls on Maid of the Mist! All in all, I’m having a great time. Miss everyone J So, now we’re in London and going to the gathering today, so we’ll see how that works out. Hope to see everyone from the mini-gathering in 2009! :D!

An old order Mennonite in St. Jacobs.

Ava and her new best friend!