Blessings

So Today was a short day since Training was canceled because of bad weather I was done by noon. So I started to sit and reflect on a conversation I had last night. The plan last night was for a bunch of us to go walk around whistler last night, well it started to rain, so me and a very good friend sat in her hotel lobby and talked. The topic came up about how blessed we are to be up here and how all the nations are here with us. Today I thought about this a lot and started to see what she was talking about. Every big nation and even some small are here working with us everyday side by side. God has given us this amazing opportunity to be a light of Christ to other countries without having to even go overseas. We talked about how it is sometimes very hard to share Christ with others when so much is going on, but then we realized it's all about your attitude and your actions because that is what people notice the most. I have been thinking about this all day and it is very true, us Asburians right now are extremely blessed. There are people who spend their entire career trying to get where we are right now. I wake up everyday and go to work and see the beautiful mountains and it blows me away every time that I am actually here in Whistler working for the Olympics. The Games have not even started and some of us are starting to realize just how amazing all of this is.

Whistler Village

So Today we got off very early, just after lunch because there was bad weather on the mountain. Snowing so hard that the town at the foot of the mountain was not visible yet down in the town it was not snowing at all and much clearer. So being that I got off early when some others get off we are going to go walk around the village, it is such a cool little village, it reminds some people of downtown Disney, but to me it reminds me of a Christmas Village with everyone out and about during the night even in the cold. The really cool thing though is that not a single person is every in a hurry. Everyone just kind of goes about their business and even talking with people as they pass although they don't know each other. Everyone seems to treat others like they are old friends up for a visit, this is something America does not understand. Canada has realized that since we are al living in the same place, lets be friendly and get along. Up here everyone walks everywhere and used public transit much more in the states. Yes I have been to Canada many many times before this, but I was always pretty young, this time I can actually very clearly since the difference in the culture and the people, Canadains are so proud of their country that they want you to feel welcome, it is a really cool expierence. It makes a lot of us not want to go back to the states becuase we know it just won't be the same. Maybe that's something we should all work on when we go back, to be more friendly with people we meet and pass on the sidewalk, well that's all for now.

I'm here

As my plane landed in Vancouver I became extremely excited as I was entering another country to work the Olympics. I was able to go through Customs very smoothly. I was met by some Asbury people upon arriving at my hotel who helped me go pick up my credentials so I could start work the next day. It's been really cool to see how even in Canada us Asburians greeting each other with friendly hugs as we see each other for the first time after traveling across the country.

Today was my first day of work we got done early today so that gave me a chance to see the town of Whistler in the day time. Whistler is a nice little town, everyone walks everywhere and it is very much a ski town with people sitting outside on patios in 20 degree weather.

After work tonight a bunch of us went out to eat right here in Whistler and just had a good time chatting about our days and what positions we have and just fellowshipping. Now I believe it is time for bed as we start around 8:30 tomorrow morning, actually later than this morning.

Sureality

Well I landed in Chicago early, Thank the Lord, because I just made the flight, the gate was on the opposite end of the airport and Chicago airport is HUGE. I arrived in Seattle a few minutes early so I had time to grab lunch and just sit back and relax for the next 30 min. while I wait for the plane to arrive. As I made my descent into Seattle it all started to hit me even more, I am on the west coast going to work the biggest event in the world and one of the biggest venues there. This is something I have dreamed of ever since coming to Asbury and have heard stories from tons of people and now the time is finally here, and I will start my story as I experience the largest event in the world firsthand.

The Begining

Well I am now sitting in the Lexington airport waiting to get on my flight that leaves at 10:46am eastern time, I had to get a later flight so my dad and brother would make it here before I left. My dad and brother made it to kentucky with my passport at 5:30am this morning and slept in my room for an hour before heading out to the airport this morning. I got through security very smoothly and KY security guards are very nice, they are just a bunch of older gentlemen that are enjoying their job. This still all feels like a dream that I will wake up any moment. I cannot believe that I am actually going to the Olympics to work there!!! I am way beyond excited, a little bit of nervousness is starting to kick in, I mean after all this is the biggest event on the face of the earth. However the excitement still outweighs the nervousness. I will fly to chicago, then to seattle, where I will finally fly into Vancouver and then take the bus into Whistler where I will be staying and working.

A Phone Call Changes everything

So I was sitting in my room with my good friend Kenton watching a movie. All of the sudden my room phone rang, which is very rare since not many have room phones anymore. I decided to answer it to which I hear, "Hi Carlton, this is Jim Owens" I instantly knew what he was calling for. He went on to say "I have a job for you, can you be here by sunday night. So I called my parents and booked my flight and now leave Sunday Morning at 6am Eastern time.