Alumni: Emily & Trenton Wierenga

 Students at Mount Carmel in `98-99, Trent and Emily married in 2003, and over the past decade have lived full lives in many ways. Between them, they have served on staff with Young Life, edited a Christian newspaper, taught English and played road hockey in Korea, created written and visual art and beauty, and served people. They now live in Blyth, ON, where Trent teaches high school math, and Emily writes full-time. “We plant a huge garden every year, try to support local farmers, and feed my parents three times a week. I run an art-group for teens, a place where teen girls can find an outlet for their pain through painting/creating. I am also in a band …” In the midst of the swirl of life, we asked Emily a few questions via e-mail.

MC: In the diverse life experiences of your last five years, what has been constant?
EW: Certainly not our address or occupations. But we've always put faith first--this has been a constant, and every move and job has been done with prayer. We pray together every morning and every night, for it's this God-link that keeps us grounded. And gradually, as a result of this prayer, we've become best friends, family has become our number one priority, and life has become an excuse to celebrate.

MC: Why do you choose to drive a vegetable oil car?
EW: Trent would say for the experience; I would say for cost-efficiency and environmentalism. We get our oil at a nearby cafe; Trent then heats it up, strains it and filters it into the car. This past summer we made it across Canada and back using only one tank of diesel (the rest was veggie oil, which we toted in our trailer).

MC: What keeps you fresh in your connections with God?
EW: Geez magazine, indie music, Sojourners, documentaries, non-Christian friends, a small, humble church, creative outlets, living experimentally, bringing justice through every-day living, and being gut-wrenchingly real before God.

MC: Are there fresh challenges coming your way these days?
EW: Trent coaches badminton and basketball, as well as leads youth group. We're both going through foster-care training right now, and are in the process of trying to adopt a baby. Prayers appreciated! I have published a book on the founders of Bethany Homes called Save My Children. I currently have another book about my mother with an agent, and am working on a novel based on the life of a girl who passed away from Leukemia a year ago.

www.emilywierenga.com: writing, art and thoughts on life from one of God’s creative creations