Life As It Continues...

Hi Kids!
Life has been going on as God has it planned since last I blogged. Not too much has happened since last I spoke to you, but I will give you a quick short update and not bother you with boring details.
Work has been going well. I am still working for Billy and enjoying it for the most part. I have built some good relationships with some people there and at times am really growing in my Christian life and at times really not and figuring it out later. So I'm trying and it's going pretty well.
Our little apartment is turning into a little home. We did purchase a ginourmous entertainment unit and a new computer. So we are enjoying that. The unit really is great. It has tons or storage and displays our stuff so nicely. We are really happy with it.
I have decided that we are the people that have people over and feed them. On Thursday we had some friends for stew before small group. (I'll explain that in a bit). Then tommorow evening we are having some youngins come over for supper. It seems like every weekend we have one of our friends for some sort of meal. I like it. It turns out I'm kind of a good Becky-Homecy. I have found out that I can make a darn good stew. In the oven or the crockpot. The crockpot that has been very handy and was a great wedding gift. I also found out that I can make some DARN good homemade buns. In fact I made a fresh batch tonight. Nice and light and fresh and fluffy.
We started a small group. One of my friends from work and her husband lead a small group at the church that we attend and we have been talking about getting connected and so she mentioned that we could join theirs. So that's what we did. We joined it 2 weeks ago and have gone to 2 nights of it. It has been really good and I think I am going to grow a lot from it personally and that we will grow in our marriage since it's a young married couples group. It's been good so far to be around a few other young and marrieds. At least for me. It's something that I need to get used to. But so far so good.
I think that's pretty much it. Life is continuing. The other thing is that Mike is going to be candidating in Vermilion for a position in the church. We are pretty exicted about it. We have been spending quite a bit of time in prayer about the whole situation and to be honest with you...we are feeling pretty good about it. The more time we spend with God and in conversation with each other-the better we feel about it. So if you feel like throwing out a little prayer for us that would be appreciated. Also, feel free to let us/me know what you think/feel about the situation.
Something funny from the week is that one of the girls that I work with quite closely and I ended up wearing the same outfits. We both had black shirts with white under shirts and pink bottoms. Her's were pants and mine was a skirt. We were trying to keep a tally of how many people made comments about it and by lunch we had 7 or so and then we just quit trying. And no we didn't plan it or even try. In all honesty it was sort of embarrasing.
And to finish this blog I spent a half day in a training conference with the Will Graham. I think he's the 5th in line with the Graham name. I wanted to share this because I just found out this week that there has been 5 generations of William Franklin Grahams. I didn't know that they all had the same names but went by different first names. Interesting fact.
Have a good time till I feel like blogging in a month or so.
Also, thanks for everything if you came to our wedding and if you didn't just to let you know it turned out pretty well. I think almost everyone enjoyed themselves.
Later Gater.

Life Sure Hits Ya Sometimes...

To start off this blog I want to share that my boss came to work today and told me that she sat behind Paul Brandt last night at church and just rubbed it in a bit. I told her that I would have tapped him on the shoulder and invited him to our wedding. She didn't do it for me so I have no confirmation on his attendance in Vermilion. I'm leaning towards no. But anyways. Life has hit me hard the last little while.
Let me explain. My father-in-law had brain surgery. He is doing wonderfully well. I decided at the last minute to go and be in Vancouver for the surgery. I am getting married again for the second time in a few weeks. Life is getting pretty darn real. Also, everywhere I go now people are asking when we're gonna have a baby. All I have to say is probably not as soon as my friend Jenn at work. So that is what's going on.
Let me tell you. I have seen God work some miracles. It may sound corny or hokey, but I believe it. Wow, he is pretty darn amazing. It didn't really hit me until I was emailing an update to a friend and just laid it of how I have seen God in my life these days. I am going to attach that email right here so you can see yourself how God has moved me in this situation. I don't think I would do as well if I tried to recreate it.
So here it is:
I just wanted to give you ladies an update on Mike's dad and us. He went through surgery this morning and it ended up taking 4.5 hours. So that was great. They got both of the tumors in the back that were indeed cancerous. He went into recovery and finally came up to ICU. He is going to be there for a couple days and then will go into a regular ward. He should be in the hospital for 7 days for recovery. Instead of the coma that we expected him to be in he was talking to us when they wheeled him up to the ICU. Because he didn't go as long in the OR there wasn't brain damage and he didn't have to be induced into the coma for healing to happen better. He is sore and tired. But he is good and healthy. They said he is doing really well. So PRAISE GOD! Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragment. It really worked. It has been amazing to be able to be in this situation and know how many people are praying for him and us. It has been even more amazing to be in this situation and have to put it all in God's hands and learn to trust him, and for God to pull through. It has been tough and it's not over yet by far, but God really came through today and showed me more of him and really proved just what he is capable of. He can perform miracles. This whole thing has been a big growing step for me and God. It's been hard but I'm glad that I have learned what I have learned and can now take that with me. Also, I found out just how strong prayer is and how contagious it is. I love it.
Again, thanks for everything ladies. I will keep you updated. We will be back in Calgary on Sunday afternoon. I came here hoping to fill my father-in-law with a little more strength and love. I surprised them at the airport and he cried. I heard Mike telling one of his uncles that he thinks I really did have a bit of an effect on this situation. That made me feel pretty good. I felt it as soon as I got here. It was great because I was doubting a tiny bit, but God just let me know that I had made the right choice with his help. So that was just an extra little tidbit. Also, the family that was there went out for a celebratory supper. It was great for everyone to be in such good spirits. There has been a lot of prayers and tears today. It has been wonderful. We are all filled with such joy for what God has done so far. I think it will make it easier for us to trust in him and turn to him for the rest of the ride.
Thanks so much. Till we meet again. God Bless!
Cara
So I think that's pretty good. The rest of the update is that not both tumors were removed. One was taken completely but the other is still in there. It has been drained and all that good stuff, but it couldn't be taken out because it is attached to some important stuff that had a chance of paralizing him if it was removed. But he is doing so good and we left him in high spirits yesterday. He is busy making the plans for the trip to Vermilion for the August wedding. So that is wonderful.
Now I have to spend some time focusing on the upcoming wedding that is not totally organized. But give me a couple of days and it will all be in order.
So for now I think that is all that I have to update. No baby yet. I think we will have to give a bit of time. Maybe when we get settled somewhere with a house and a permanent job and schooling finished and such. I'll keep you updated.
Till we talk again....Cara

What It's Like to Be Married...Weird.

I write this blog as a newly married woman. I don't usually refer to myself as a woman but I felt it was fitting since I should now become somewhat of an adult.
This whole marriage thing is interesting. How strange it is to wake up in the middle of the night and have someone snoring beside you. It throws you off a bit sometimes.
Anyways everyone keeps asking me what it's like and I always answer "it's weird." Maybe that's because my descriptive words sometimes leave something to be desired. Ask Mike. Or maybe it's because it's so new I just don't know how it is. I guess it's good. We haven't killed each other yet. So I think it's what you call a good marriage.
But to be serious for a moment. Life is pretty good. Even with all of the stress and drama and uncertainty in our lives right now we are okay. I would even venture to say that we are great. I have to make this short right now. But we have each other and our families and God. So I think that we are going to be just fine. I just wanted to give a quick update that I am still alive and pretty happy with life.
Talk to you kids later.

Reasons Why Not to Have the Flu...

Hi Kids. The title of this blog is very relevant to my life this past week. I got the 24 hour flu on Thursday and missed a day of work since I was in the bathroom or sleeping all darn day. It was good times let me tell you. I had some serious issues. But I wasn't that lonely since my cousin was sick the same day. Two days before that - on my birthday my little cousin was sick with it and she decided to share it with us. Anyways it has gone through my whole household in the past week. All 6 of us. Lucky...
So life in Calgary is good so far. Work is fun and good. The new car is treating us well. We are getting married in 2 weeks. So for most of you that will come as quite a shock. But Mike's dad is kinda sick and going in for surgery on July 3 so we have made an executive decision to get married on July 1. It will be a small family wedding in Mike's old stomping grounds. So my parents and my best friend Tina are coming to North Vancouver, British Columbia on the 29th of June. It should be a good time. Hope things go well. But don't you worry your pretty little head because everthing will go the same way as planned in August.
Aside from that my main reason for this blog is that because I missed work on Thursday I also missed seeing the Paul Brandt at my place of employment. Apparently it is a common hangout for old Paul. And becuase of this I have decided to list the reason why Paul Brandt and his wife Liz should be attending our wedding.
REASONS WHY PAUL AND LIZ SHOULD BE AT THE SCULLY-SCHALIN WEDDING:
1.He likes my workplace
2. I have seen him in concert 6 times
3. I have met him once with a picture
4. He sang at my dad's workplace - Camp Wainwright
5. My dad's best friend knows his manager because of the aforementioned show
6. My dad's best friend's son was in his music video "Convoy" because of the aforementioned show - I may have babysat him once
7. I worked at the Pregnancy Care Centre with a lady who sang in choir with Liz and who used to work at the Alberta Children's Hospital-where Paul used to work
8. My co-worker went to school with his sisters and hung out with them and grew up with them
9. My supervisor went to school with his sister
10. Mike works at Christian Publications where they have an account
11. Mike went to school with and is friends with Paul's cousin (by marriage)
12. Mike is using "Alberta Bound" for our wedding slide show
13. Cara used "Small Towns, Big Dreams" for her high school grad write up
So all and all I think those are some pretty good reasons for them to come to our wedding. Here's hoping.
Well kids...Talk to you later. We'll try to keep you updated. Get in touch if you have any concerns.
Love you....Cara

Is Losing Your Pants on Main Street Embarrassing?

So...my first day back in Vermilion and I lost my pants on Main Street. Not so much, just that I was carrying my niece down the street while she was screaming bloody murder and my sweat pants got lower every step I took. Thank goodness my brother only lives a half block from the park or it could have been a bad scene.
A lot has happened since last I have blogged. I know that I have surpassed the one month not blogging but I am sorry. As I said before I have a lack of commitment.
I have a job. I am done school for good. I am back home. So I guess that's not too much that has happened but it is big stuff.
So on Friday, April 28 I finished my practicum which means I finished Lakeland College. Thank God (in the good way). So I will be coming back to Vermilion to graduate on June 3rd. Oh, won't it be fun.
Last week I got a job. I am now the newest employee of the Billy Graham Evangalistic Association of Canada. Yah, I am working at Samaritan's Purse on the BG side of things doing some donations input stuff. I start next week.
I am in Vermilion for the next week. I am staying with my parents and getting rid/through of all my stuff while I am home now that I have a new home and am supposed to be an adult.
That is what is new with me right now. So sorry to those of you who actually somewhat care about my life and used to read this blog. I am going to make some solid attempts at blogging on a semi regularly basis.
Have a good one kids. Till we meet again. Oh yah, I am now a permanent resident of Calgary. I am just on vacation right now.

Lack of Commitment with a Touch of Fear...

Well I must appologize. It has been quite some time since I have last blogged. Now that I live in a city and I do have access to the internet at my fingertips maybe I will blog a little more often. We can only hope.
I am on my way to bed, but I just thought that I would tell anyone who still stops by here once in a while that I am fine and loving it in Calgary. I love the work that is done at the Pregnancy Care Centre and I have thrown myself into it at full speed. I will be sad when it isn't my full time work with no pay anymore.
The final note and probably the explaination of the fear is that my dad is going in for surgery at 6:30 in the morning. This has really been weighing heavy on my heart and Mike and me prayed tonight, but for anyone who ends up reading this feel free to pray for my dad. I would really appreciate that.
Thanks kids...Cara

Who Doesn't Blog for a Month?!

So....that would be me. For the few of you who read this - incase you didn't notice, I don't do it often. It seems to be because of my lack of being close to a reliable computer. That or I am just too busy. Which is sad. I shouldn't be so busy. But I am. Maybe I am not that good of a time alloter. I don't know.
I do know that a bit has been going on in my life since last I blogged. So I got baptized. That was exciting. It wasn't technically "public", which is unfortunate. It had to be that way so that the few people I did want to have there (or needed to have there) could be there. At the time it seemed like that was going to be the only time in the next 6 months that was going to happen. Who knows though. Anyways, I have been really busy with school. I made some new friends - thanks to the local "youth centre" and my outgoing (slightly embarassing) personality. I have gotten a million addresses of schools in Calgary where I am going to start sending resumes. I have decided that I am going to try to be a TA (teacher's assistant) next year for a "real job". I am kinda excited about that. Soon it will be reading week for Mike and then for me. I am excited for that since I won't be seeing him until that time. That sort of makes me sad. It's hard when you are super in love with someone and are making plans to spend the rest of your life together and you just don't get to see each other. It sort of makes things hard. Lots of progress has been made over the past few weekends in regards to this rather large wedding that is to be taking place this summer.
I am sort of excited because me and my roomate (Muffin) have managed to make some time in our busy schedule to get to Edmonton for 2 days. We are heading out on Thursday and coming back on Saturday. We have decided to get a little more educated and sit in on some 4th year Physics Degree university courses. Actually we are going to spend some quality time with Tina. It just so happens that we don't have classes on Fridays so we can skip out of town early for a little "vacation".
I am sort of struggling. I am finding that I am growing as a person and I am growing in my relationship with God, but I just am not where I want to be. I find that when I am at school I tend to be surrounded by a bunch of negativity. I don't know if it's just me but I tend to get caught up in that and can't easily get out of. I also find that I put other things before my relationship with God and I am so tired lately. So if any of you feel like praying for me about that I would appreciate it.
I am going to wrap this up and get back home to ice a birthday cake for 3 of the girls in my class. It's a surprise so I am excited to see their faces tommorow.
Have a good one everyone! Until we meet again....Cara