Let's take the scenic route again!

SOLD!   Once again we find ourselves in a new place, meeting new people and taking on new adventures!  I'm pretty sure one of our original posts was called "The Scenic Route" as we began our gap-year / sabbatical / vacation in 2012 to New Zealand.  Once again this journey has moved us westward, but not international, traveling by car up through Ontario and over into Manitoba, settling in Winnipeg for the next 22 months.  

Dave and I have been accepted into training to become Officers with The Salvation Army.  This involves post-secondary academic courses, field training at various ministry units throughout the city of Winnipeg and beyond and spiritual formation practices.   Lots more on this later, this post will just recap our travel and settling in.  First there were a few things we had to leave behind ....

 All of these wonderful family and friends, our nieces Kenna ....

 and Penelope Renee, just born July 9th! 

 And we had to say goodbye to our Niagara Orchard Community Church family! 

On August 24th, we packed the 2000 Volvo and headed north. It was a bit like how God had called Abram "Go to the land I will show you".

 Stretching the legs on the shores of Lake Superior.

 Big smiles for the Kakabecka Falls!

 Take away pizza dinner at the waterfront in beautiful Kenora.

 Arrival at our new condo, complete with boxes and boxes of stuff to unpack!

 Bunk beds and a TV gift for the boys new room (from Auntie Laura and Uncle Mike!).

 Couldn't quite find the kitchen on the first day, so had to tackle that first.

 Spent our 3rd day in the city at the local waterpark, of course!  Fabulous heated waterslides and a big hot tub worth lingering in. 

 Spent an afternoon at the Assiniboine Zoo, searching for the polar bears and enjoying the lovely new display area. 

 Walking under the polar bears - look at those paws! 

 Tasty treats from Sergeant Sundae's ice cream with our new friends from the College for Officer Training. 

 So much fun to be had at the children's garden playground at Assiniboine.

Celebrated Labour Day down at The Forks and took in a pow-wow.

Sept 9th marked the first day of classes for these two boys at their new school, Linden Christian School, so far so good!  

Right ... we had to start school too ... no first day photos though!   The next blog will give you a glimpse into our daily routines and new lifestyle, it'll be a blast!