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Subject: Beautiful Rocky Mountains....BANFF, AB.
Time: 16:15:00 o'clock BST
Author: abicequeen
Mood: Chillin'
Hello Dear Friends, As we continued to live at the motel that God had provided for us to run, our youngest daughter had got involved with ski racing and would go to a neaby hill to practise. One time she went with the Banff team to Mt. Hood in the summer for a clinic and was told by the coach that should she really desire to attain her goal of the 88 Olympics she MUST come to the mountains.....WELL there was NO way that I was going to send this 14 yr. old off alone and I said to hubby you know there really is nothing keeping us here per se as the one daughter was off to University and the son was on his own so away I go at the end of summertime with my girl to find us a place to live, a job for me and to get her set up in school for her last 2 grades.
Now I am sure any of you who read this are familiar with BANFF, AB as one of the most beautiful spots in my Province of Alberta.
We arrive and having already worked at the motel felt I would easily score a job but that month owners are letting staff go as it is a bit of a breather till the winter ski crowd comes.
I had connected with a family who I knew the mother in Stettler and for you hockey fans it was RYAN SMYTH formerl #94 of the Edmonton Oilers grandmother. His mom and dad were so gracious to my daughter and I and introduced us to their church family.
I finally got a job at KFC (you know the Colonel's place) and although it might not have been my choice I was grateful and we lived in "staff accommodations" upstairs. In Banff employers must provide a place for their staff to live.
Well it of course was interesting but you know God gave me much insight into the lives of the young people who came to that church and lived in their own residences....because you have to understand these Christian kids are exposed to lifestyles beyond their realm.
My boss at the KFC was VERY efficient and at times I thought a pain in the ......but later learned when we bought our own place that this was a training ground God had provided for me.
My youngest girl just LOVED Banff as there you could just be "yourself" and unlike the small-town attitude fancy hairdos, makeup and all that were not needed...She could finally be au natural...
The only thing was the "new girl on the block" was very cute and of course no matter where you live other girls do NOT like a competitor...One of the gals that really gave her the toughest time went to the same church and EVENTUALLY they became great friends.
The boys of course liked her but were amased how great she was at sports.....because in Banff other than girls skiing that was about it.
Our Banff Park Church was a great family and we quickly grew to love these new brothers and sisters in the Lord....and for me I found that I could minister to the young kids undestanding what it meant to live in this tourist town.
Our daughter accomplished much in her skiing and her main discipline was downhill and one day in Lake Louise as we watched the events we awaited her to come to the bottom...well she did but on a stretcher....she had momentarily lost her concentration and fell. You must understand these skiiers are going around 100 mph....She had been selected that day for the Alberta team...
Our girl recovered and went back to skiing but the edge had been lost and she was not sure that she wanted to dedicate the next 10 years of her life to this sport....as by then the 88 Olympics were not possible.
Her Dad and I said whatever she choose we would back her decision.
Our business was two restaurants, one called Banff Pizza which was located between the hockey and curling rinks. The other was in the basement of a motel that catered to the Japanese tourists..
This arena would be utilised by NHL teams that were coming to Calgary to place the Flames...so just to tell you a few stories...we had a couple of video machines outside the kitchen door and this cute fellow was playing them and I inquired if he had anything to do with the hockey team? (LA was there) He replied, "well sometimes they let me play goal." It was Kelly Rudie..(sp) Another time a nice looking fellow came and asked Chuck if he could come in the kitchen and phone his wife Janet as the press were literally following him into the shower. You might remembe #99....anyway Chuck would often ask the players how he could pray for them....We also noticed that the best of the players were the most modest.
Also while there a little guy called Ryan Smyth would go on the empty ice for hours and hours till the rink rats would say you have to get off. I thought I would never see anyone who loved hockey more than my son but this young Ryan sure had dreams...and I never doubted that one day he would accomplish them. Of course his career started in Edmonton with the Oilers and recently with the Colorado Rockies.
After my KFC experience a fellow from our church gave me a job in one of his motels...A family owned three of them and so I started as a housekeeper....YIKES that is why to this day I strip beds, empty garbage and generally clean up for the maids when I stay in a motel or hotel...(hubby just laughs at me)
My time at the "Red Carpet Inn" was short lived as I actually got fired by the gal who had run it for Arlin for years. My problem is I take on to much responsibility at a job and so one night when a family showed up and there was no room and I was accused (falsely) that it was MY screwup I called hubby and said change the sheets I am sending over a couple and their son to stay. The next day I was let go, but Arlin just moved me over to the next motel.
Eventually another lady from our church told me to come and apply at the Banff School of Fine Arts where she was in charge at the Front Office so away I went and just LOVED LOVED this job.
I met some of the world's most famous people as they had to check in where I worked. This was considered a stepping stone job but it was ideally suited to me.
I will continue again....life in Banff was great....but hubby wanted to seriously persue cooking and get proper training....should he go alone on an apprentice program, or should we both go.....????????
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We agree, Banff is one of the most beautiful places we have visited. Of course nothing anywhere compares to lake Louise at the right time and the right time for photo's. sounds like you live a blessed life.
Happy U.S. Mother's Day!
WOW I did not know skiiers hit those speeds coming down the slopes.
jack -
Hello Miss Lori,
It was so good to hear from you this morning! Pray everything is going well for you! I love the story it's funny how God directs our lives and the lesson swe learn isn't it! Hope you have a Great Mother's Day (don"t know if Mother's Day there tommorrow ? If not have one anyway)
God Bless
Randy -
What a wonderful story you have to tell ,I am so pleased you IMd me that day and I looked up your journal ,...love Jan xx http://journals.aol.co.uk/jea
die05/Serendipity/ -
Wow my life has been so boring compared to your. All the great experiences...Banff is one place I would love to visit. Well that and the West Edmondton Mall. LOL Linda in Washington state http://journals.aol.com/lsfp1
960/LindasWorld/
16/05/08 12:01
Feel free to stop by anytime... make your picks for the Stanley Cup :) You might have to weed through a few graphics.. but feel free to look around.
d
http://journals.aol.com/night