Cheers Everyone!
November and December has been a flurry of activity out here in Nordegg! Ariel and I have been busy both at work and in our own lives, so much so that last month slipped by without a newsletter, WHOOPS! Here are the highlights from the past few months, as well as the projects we've been working on!
November
-Women's Retreat
I was so excited to be part of planning and leading parts of this amazing retreat! It was three days of nonstop activity for me, as I divided my time between hosting, prepping, and programing! I got to co-lead a group of ladies on a frozen creek adventure in the Cline Wilderness area near Nordegg. All eighteen ladies took the plunge and rappelled off a 100ft cliff- it was pretty epic!
-Skating on Shunda Lake
The water in Shunda lake froze crystal-clear at the beginning of November, so one night after work Ariel and I went for a skate at sunset. It was a gorgeous yet strange phenomenon. We could see right through to the bottom, watching entire schools of minnows writer around in the muddy bottom, all the while feeling like we were going to break through the ice at any moment!
-Isaac's Waterfall
On an evening off Ariel and I headed out for a much needed micro-adventure. We hiked up a semi frozen creek, and after about forty minutes of slipping around with water soaked boots we made it to Isaac's. It was stunning! Picture below!
- Baby Levi
A few months ago I was hired as a birth doula by a couple pregnant with their first child. It was such an exciting opportunity for me, and I cherished the time and teaching I was able to share with them. Unfortunately Ariel and I moved West before the baby was born and I wasn't able to make it to the birth. I did get to meet baby Levi a few weeks later though, and it was so lovely to bring that experience full circle!
December
-Hot Wax and Cold Climbing
Frontier Lodge acquired a brand new fleet of backcountry skis for the 2022 winter season. A brand new fleet that needed a lot of work! Ariel and I spent a few days waxing, cutting skins, and installing bindings on all 36 skis! By the end of the week our forearms were burning, but we still managed to go out ice climbing with friends a couple of times. It was my first time, and an absolutely amazing experience! It was really cold, and a lot more challenging than I thought, but overall I'd say that I'm hooked!
- Return of Explore!
Right now we're gearing up to receive our Explore students back to the Lodge for their second term of adventure-based leadership training. They arrive in just a few days, and it seems like everything we've done in the past month or so - from waxing skis to building ice on our on-site ice wall - has been in preparation for the start of their winter term. We are often asked how a program like Explore can really be used as ministry - How do you fit ministry into a program that very often pushes it's students out of their comfort zones, possibly leaving them without margin to think on anything they've been taught while literally learning to survive in the wilderness? The truth is, we find that a lot of growth opportunities can only take place in a state firmly outside of what's comfortable. Many of us can easily hold onto our faith when we are comfortable. How many can say the same when they are pressed? In a time as unpredictable as now, this seems an increasingly important question. This is why we seek to use all of our programs to raise up a faith that is resilient in our students, one that actually thrives in challenge. I'm not trying to bash bible studies taking place in a cozy living room, Starbucks lattes in hand. These are so valuable due to the depth of thought you can attain - but I do wonder if we all need some more adventure in our lives.
If you’re able to and would like to contribute to our journey and ministry here at Frontier Lodge, you can send Frontier a donation via their website (frontierlodge.ca/donate) and let them know you’d like it to go to mine and Emilie’s compensation. Frontier Lodge is a non-profit organization and as a result, a lot of our salary has to come from donations such as this, so the support is greatly appreciated! You’ll receive a tax receipt on your donation to boot!
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Big Love, Ariel & Em.
Women's Retreat- That's my mom!
The road home...
Shunda lake
Em at the top of the ice wall
Ariel pulling his moves after a long day of ski waxing!