I love grade 4s - they have the best quotes. I hope some of these brighten your day.

"How do you spell UV?" (Talking about light and how UV light can be dangerous)

"How do you spell GPS?"

"I'm pretty sure ninjas started way back in... like 1982."

"I found a really old toy... it was from, like, the 1990s!"

~ Kendall

Time for an update:

Hi Kaleo Family,

I figured it was time for an update! A lot has happened over the past few months. At the end of April I graduated from my Bachelor of Education Degree at Ambrose with a K5 - Jahnaya Cey. Our cohort has been working closely together for the past two years which made it quite awkward when we started competing against each other for jobs.

I was having a hard time as there were many things resting and waiting on me getting a teaching job for the fall and I wasn't getting anywhere! I had applied for about 35 jobs and had only seen 'thank you but no thank you' emails and 'thanks for your application. We have had over 200 applications for this position so only those who receive an interview will be contacted.' It was highly discouraging and I was resigning myself to subbing for the fall.

At this point I was also faced with a challenging decision - I felt called to a public school but there were also openings at Christian schools. Was it God's plan for me to wait it out for a public school, or is a Christian school the 'in' I need to get into the public system? I spent a long time trying to get an answer as to whether I should (or should not) be applying for these Christian schools. After much listening and not a lot of hearing, I decided to apply. I started asking God to open doors where He wanted me and close doors where He did not want me. I applied and had a number of pre-screen interviews at Christian schools along with a formal interview at a Christian public school (it's a Christian faith based school that is within a public system and open to any student). I was constantly asking God to close doors if He did not want me at a Christian school.. and 7 minutes after leaving an interview (the worst interview yet), I got a call from Prince of Peace (the Christian Public school). I was chosen out of 64 applicants!

I am really excited about this school as I am discovering that it is a HUGE mission field! The school has a large Muslim student population - 30 to 40% of the students are Muslim! The school is an amazing school with a fantastic principal who I know will help me develop into everything I can be as a teacher. The school is just outside of Calgary - about a 7 minute drive from the edge of town. I have gotten my class list - 18 grade 4s (AWESOME class size!!!) and I will be in a brand new portable classroom (really nice and big!). The other grade four teacher is a great guy and very similar in teaching style to me... he is also sharing all of his ideas and materials with me!

Mike and I are also in the process of buying a house! Our possession date is August 7th and it will be about a 25 - 30 minute drive until they finish building the ring road in the next year or so when it will become a 15 - 20 minute drive. This was also totally God as we had seen another place which was quite run down and in need of a lot of repairs. We asked God, if this house was not for us, to send another house that was better in our budget, already had a garage, had all of the features we needed, didn't need too many repairs, and was available for immediate possession. The house we have the offer on came up a week and a half later with all of what we had asked for - including being empty and ready to move in!

Mike has one more semester of school before he can get started on his career in hotel management (and for those of you who know/have met Mike - it's a perfect career for him). We celebrated our first anniversary in June and everything is going really well - God has even brought another couple in our situation into our lives to start a small group with in the fall.

All in all, God has been so faithful to us and we are so thankful.

I miss you family! I was speaking at a young adults event this past week and talked about JimBad challenging us to not pray the 'just' prayer... I passed along the same challenge to them. It reminded me of you all and how much I miss you guys.

I want to hear from you all! How are things going? What are you up to? 

Love you all!

 Kendall/Kenny/Kenny-G

Breaking Ground

God gave us a year of fallow - you know, like the Israelites were told to do with their fields every seven years - one in which things grew as they wanted to rather than had to. It looked like this: wrapping up our time with Kaleo; selling and moving out of our 100 year old house; giving up both of our dogs; two weeks in Ucluelet; another two in Kelowna; a month housesitting in Duncan and another in Victoria; a trip across Canada visiting 90 Kaleo students; then 8000 km of travel around New Zealand; and finally a month of volunteering at another camp on the Island.

So, what's next? Friday evening, I was sitting in a kayak on the quiet waters of Cowichan Lake with the sun warming my back, and suddenly I knew what we should do. So yesterday, I accepted the position of the Director of Camp Imadene's Auxano program. This is a discipleship program for young adults of college age, focusing on biblical training and service, running from September to April. The goal for the fall is about 12 students (they had 5 as a trial run this year) and I will work alongside two other leaders (like Kaleo's interns), who are yet to be determined.

Right now we are living in Honeymoon Bay (see? I can be romantic!) in a beautiful waterfront home that belongs to friends. We never get tired of looking out the window.

Just wanted you to know: we are breaking up the fallow ground and getting ready to plant once again. Your prayers have been and will be appreciated. Miss you all!

Words cannot express how I feel

Dear friends,

I cannot believe its been so long! It's crazy to think Jeri and Sam have a child and that people are getting married and all that grown up stuff! Anyways, I just thought I would state the obvious and leave with saying that everyone is missed.

Thanks for the invites and the updates of children. I am glad to get a glimpse into some of your busy lives.

Just a brief update on my part.

• I am currently in a Post Degree Program at Simon Fraser University where I hope to obtain my certification to teach as well as a Bachelor of Education.
• Not-single anymore, but not married
  
• Living with some rad dudes from TWU
• Gain about 100 pounds (this one is a lie)
  
• I can grow a beard (still needs a bit of work)
  
• I still have my hats, but rarely wear them
• My style of clothing is not considered gangster or hip, but I rock my unique style out sometimes. Now my style of clothing is more casual (dress shirt, v-necks, cardigan, and sweaters)
  

Your invited....

Hey all

Not sure if you have heard yet but I am getting married and joining the ranks of many of the married couples from our year. We have been emailing out the invitations but also wanted to post one here for anyone that I might have missed. Please RSVP to crossfish22@hotmail.com
hope to hear from you soon.

Here are some more details about the wedding.
Our wedding is casual with an outdoor reception. Please dress accordingly and bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets if you can! There will be some tables and chairs but not enough for all of our guests.

If you are wanting to bless us with a gift we are registered at Sears and Home Outfitters. Since we are having the wedding in Haliburton, ON but will be living in Moose Jaw SK, we are requesting that if you are wanting to give us a gift that you select an item off our registry and arrange for us to pick it up at the Moose Jaw and Regina Stores in order to avoid us spending money having to ship it across the country. For the registries just type in Leanne Plouffe or Kyle Young. Monetary gifts and gift card would also be greatly appreciated as they are easily transportable.

Our wedding is on a FRIDAY at 10:30 in the morning and will be over by 6pm, if you are from out of the area and will be needing accomodations for our wedding please find enclosed the websites for several resorts B& B's and cottages in the area. If you have any questions feel free to contact us. Also because Haliburton is one of Ontario's most popular summer vacationing spots we would strongly suggest you try and book your accommodation before the beginning of March as the demand is high. Also if you are having trouble finding accommodations in your budget please contact us and we will try and help you find a place to stay!

1. We have reserved rooms at the Heritage Inn that is located 3 blocks from the church. It is a B&B/cafe that was built in the late 1800's. Each room is beautiful and unique. The owner is giving us a great deal of $135 a night which includes a homemade breakfast and gourmet coffee! There are only 4 rooms available so first come first serve! Mention our names when you book http://www.bbcanada.com/10967.html

2. Down Home B&B is located downtown Haliburton. Jim and Marilyn Frost are wonderful hosts. 3 rooms are available for $85-95 per night with a great breakfast www.bbcanada.com/downhome

3. Akane Log Home Bed and Breakfast 15 minutes out of town. $90-128. Woodland setting. 3 rooms available. www.bbloghome.com

4. Lady Esther Spa and Bed and Breakfast. Owned and run by Darlene McConnel who used to attend our church. Locate just 10-15 minutes outside of Haiburton on a beautiful farm. Beautuful themed rooms with a hearty breakfast...and a spa (extra). www.ladyesther.ca

5. Country Charm Bed and Breakfast they are on Mountain Street intown and have 3 rooms available at $95 for two and 1 room where two couples or 4 people could stay for $135.00 for 4. Full breakfasts are included. www.countrycharmbb.ca

6. Silver Maple Motel overlooks Head Lake and is a 4 minute drive from the church. Has several rooms open for $85 for two people and a few at $115 for 4 people. The restaurant attached to the motel serves great food. It`s a reasonable no frills but good value place. The website is: www.silvermaplemotel.com

7. The Lakeview Motel is just outside the village. They have slightly nicer rooms and a pool. The prices range from $133 for 2 to $259 for a large room that sleeps 7. Their website is www.lakeviewhaliburton.ca and they have room right now for up to 50 but they say things pick up around March break booking wise.

8. http://oldmillcottages.ca/rates.htm These are cute and quaint cottages about 20 minutes from Haliburton that have great prices.

9. If you are wanting to stay in a resort Pine Stone is a beautiful Hotel and would be happy to accomodate you. Their regular room rates start at $149 midweek and $229 on weekends and by they are happy to give you a starting preferred rate of $139 for the Thursday and $179.00 on Friday. Just mention you are guest of Leanne Plouffe or Kyle Young and they should be able to assist you. They have a beautiful indoor and outdoor pool and is kid friendly!

Introducing Theodore Isaak Brainard!

He's finally here! The first K4 baby!

We have a guest bedroom just 4 U if you wanna come visit and meet him! He can now hold his head up all by himself! He said his first word yesterday: "MAMA" It was actually more like AAAAAAAAMAMAAAAAAAA!! LOL

I don't think I can stop thinking about him :)

I think I'm in love. Again.

*grin*

Love from Jeri, Sam, and baby Theo

ohhhh hi

Hola amigos.

It's your intern and your fellow student Nicki and Janet. (JanJan)

Knock knock.

Jokes.

Suck.

We like to sit on OUR couch (we're roooooommates. sisters always and friends) and eat yummy snacks and procrastinate. AND reminisce about you. Thanks Mark Ang for tagging a photo in Janet's Kaleo album and starting a lovely bantering conversation.

Memory from Kaleo that comes to mind:

Steve Karadimas in a cardboard tube. (Steve's ENGAGED!)

Praying for Ty's mom at the end of the dock before going on Nicki's dad's boat for reflection time at the end of the year.

Laundry room conversations.

Skinny dipping? Did anybody even do that??

well that was nice remembering with you.

come visit us in Victoria sometime, we will make you cookies. And chai.

LOVE

Jim & Sarah on Tour at a Town Near You!

A week from today, Sarah and I leave on a tour of Canada! We would love to see as many of you as we can manage, though of course we can't get to every community where you will be.

Here is what would be helpful: If you live in a place where a number of students could come for an evening or weekend afternoon, maybe you could arrange something and let us know, and you/we could invite people there from any of the years of Kaleo.

It would also be helpful - and especially fun - if you would be willing to let us park the truck (with a camper on it) in your driveway for a night or two. We are otherwise pretty self-contained.

We have no set schedule, but here is an idea of where we will be and when:

August 24 - arrive in Halifax, Cape Breton, PEI, maybe Newfoundland
Early September - New Brunswick
After Labour Day - Ontario
Mid/late September - Winnipeg, Caronport
Late September/early October - Edmonton, Calgary
Early/mid October - BC
Mid October - back to Victoria

You can text, FB or email us even while we are on the road. In the words of Paul, we "long to see you so that [we] may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and [we] may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith." See you soon!

To Team India

Hey, I hope you don't mind if I just pass on a few words to Team India, and the other teams may be interested as well. First, our wonderful guide and leader N. and his wife will be on the Island next week, after the 15th, and is wondering who might be available to get together and when. Please let me know if you will be around and what times would work best for you.

Second, I want to remind you again of the opportunity to continue our involvement by helping send three children to the Moravian School for this school term. The funds need to be in by September, and the children are the oldest son and daughter of J. from Os. and their cousin. Kids going to school has been one of the best ways of drawing families to faith, and you can be part of it! Even if you can only contribute a small amount, it would help. If you would like to do so, please contact me. Those who have already contacted me, I will send you info soon on how to make your contribution.


Finally, there are a few people interested in a Kaleo Alumni trip in late April / early May of 2012. If you would like to be added to the list of those interested, please again, contact me and I will send you information.

Whether you went to India or any other place, please consider how you can continue to be a blessing and support to that ministry through your prayers, encouragement and giving!

This God, His way is perfect...

I've been wanting to post on here for a while now, but didn't really know what to say and wanted to wait for a few things to pan out first. Now that they have, here it goes....

This past year I worked as one of 6 Residence Deans at a Christian boarding school 30mins outside of Winkler. As always, the Lord provided and I was able to house sit 2 houses close to Gretna where I worked allowing me to save a ton of money on rent and gas.

The year was hard as it was a whole new role to learn. But it was SO good as I put into practise literally everything I learned in College. I was asked to stay on staff for another year but as my hours would change to only evening shift which wouldn't allow for me to be a part of my church other than attending on Sunday I said nope.

I had made plans, boy did I have plans. To move back to the Island to Vic, to go to Australia, to do whatever popped into my head at the moment. BUT long story short, I'm going to be working and living at Qwanoes for a year as the Admin Assistant! Crazy. I was so surprised. Yeah. haha. So if anyone is in the area let me know and please come for a visit!!!