My Littlest Hero

While most of you may know this story, I thought I would write it anyways. It isn't truly my story, I haven't lived the fear and pain of it, so really I am just borrowing this story.
Last summer I was sitting, sipping tea with my Nana discussing why God allows pain in the world, and how false the idea is that, when you do good things, bad things wont happen to you. WE had started considering going out for dinner when the phone rang, my terribly upset mother on the other end. It seemed that my little niece, Taylor, had been taken to hospital. It was at that moment that the word "cancer" was introduced into my intimate vocabulary. Denying the possibility, Nana and I rushed to meet my sister, Morgan, and brother-in-law, Ryan. As we stepped into the little curtain-walled room, the doctor was explaining the situation. Morgan and Ryan's face's were blotchy from crying, and Taylor lay squealing in discomfort. When the doctor said it was almost certainly cancer... I went to the bathroom and hung my head over the toilet. This can't be happening, is all I kept thinking.



Less than an hour later Taylor and Ryan were on a plane headed to Children's Hospital. Morgan and I packed, and took the ferry to meet them. The next few days were strange, things seemed to fall together so well, and yet at the same time were so terrible.

It has been seven months that Taylor and her momma and papa have been fighting the leukemia that is trying to take my nieces life. And they are winning hands down! I am so proud of how all three of them have handled it. Taylor has developed so much mentally, and is definitely in the middle of her 'terrible twos'. Morgan and Ryan have been such an amazing example of trusting in God in the face of suffering.


But, mainly, I am thankful. Thankful Morgan took Taylor to the hospital that Sunday. Thankful for the staff at Children's Hospital. Thankful for the amazing couple that opened their home to Morgan, Ryan and Taylor for the months they have had to stay in Vancouver for treatment. Thankful for the abundant support churches and organizations have given. And thankful to God for his healing hands on the entire family. He has been so obviously in every step of this journey, and I am always so encouraged in hearing the reports from my sister.
Taylor will be finishing her treatment in June or July, and I am so excited to have my little niece back! She is such a beautiful child, both inside and out! God is so good!

Is it easy being green?

I just spent my entire 1.5 hour Sociology class watching "The Next Industrial Revolution". Although I can't say I agreed with everything in the film it was so incredibly thought provoking. It has made me want to be more eco-conscious, something I have always done a little bit, such as recycling and composting, but I certainly could be doing so much more!
I was so inspired by the number of blogs focused on 'green' living! The Zero Waste Home is probably one of my favorites, she just seems to be so passionate about it, and I love all her tips and hints on there. As some of you know, I am getting married this summer, and am really excited to have my own place and be able to make big decisions about where I get food, and how I run my home. Thankfully, I am marrying a farmer's boy who isn't afraid of getting his hands dirty, and is fantastically handy! He is always fixing this or that, or cutting this broken truck in half to make a trailer, or building a bike. He and I are in total agreement that we don't want to have too much "stuff", not wanting to buy into the North American idea that you need more! I really appreciate that about him.
One thing we want to be sure of is that we only have on vehicle. I know that might sound trivial to some, and ridiculous to others. To those finding it trivial, I don't think you can deny that we will be putting so much less pollution into the atmosphere by only having one car, not to mention will be more likely to walk or bike when the car isn't available, thus causing us to live a healthier lifestyle. To those who think it's ridiculous, yes, we know it will be tough at times, having to organize our schedules around one another, but seriously, it's only in the past decade that multiple-car-families have become common place, so I am sure taking a little step back in time wont kill us. That being said, Daniel (my loverly fiance) is slowly fixing up an old VW Jetta to run on veggie oil! I am so excited! While I definitely don't think veggie oil is the way to go for everyone, nor do I think it is the answer to the world's oil problem, I sure do think using old veggie oil from McDonalds to run your car is much better than having the oil be thrown out!
To end off this post, I would love if everyone could leave a comment with suggestions on creating a more eco-friendly home! Hopefully this fall I will be able to blog about each one as I set up my nest :) .