We wish you a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Canada!! 

We trust that you all had a great day celebrating and that you keep Jesus the centre of your heart.

As our first Christmas away comes to an end, I'm so thankful to say that through tears I continue to have peace and today have truly had a joy that I know can only come from our Saviour.  As bad as it hurts to be so far from those close to my heart I am so thankful to know that Jason and I are completely centered in the middle of God's will. There's no other place we would rather be.  

We thank you so much for the prayers that you continue to pray, for the cards, texts and messages that you sent us this Christmas.  They are greatly appreciated and are all sweet reminders of NC!

...rejoice exceedingly!

That's what I choose to cling to.  As we are one more day into the week of Christmas I choose to follow The One True Star, and rejoice exceedingly.  No matter the circumstances.  No matter the cost. No matter the pain.  In a world that is so flustered with acquiring more gifts, more wealth, better this, greater that, richer gifts under their tree...   It can become so burdensome, but I believe that's never what was intended. 

In reading through some of the gospels these last several days about the birth of our Saviour, trying to see some different perspectives on Christ's birth... I found myself stuck on the one verse in Matthew, chapter 2 verse 10.  Matthew is referring to the Wise Men and their response after hearing of the King's birth.  "When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy."  Wow.  Do we truly rejoice this time of year, and is it because of His birth?  Are we so struck by this same exceeding joy....  The JOY He brought so long ago that offers you an eternity of worshipping at this same King's feet?  We can become so distracted with the false hope of joy in these presents we so frantically shop for, the busyness that we often get ourselves wrapped up in.  

This year is obviously going to be much different for us.  We will not spend any of the holiday with our families, we will not make it to any of those traditional Christmas places that are our favourite and there will be fewer gifts for our two babies to unwrap.  However, we have great joy in knowing there will be amazing things to experience here.  It began yesterday with watching a sweet friend's baptism.  Knowing she is feeling so much more joy, in simple obedience to our Father!!  We will have a great opportunity Tuesday morning to pour into our sweet neighbour who is not sure of her beliefs about God.  Time in the car as we carry her into the city and drop her off at the airport.  We pray God makes the most of each opportunity.  Time with young friends who are very lost.  Time at our church's Christmas program tonight, praying for lost people in our community to come in and hear the greatest story ever and to know this Saviour came for THEM!

 

We will rejoice exceedingly as The Lord has our star over Cochrane.  We have come and we await His plans, the plans He has for us and the plans He has for Vertical Church.  How can He use our hands and feet to make Him known. We want to make much of Him. 

I pray for YOU this Christmas.  I pray that all of those around me will experience True Joy in the birth of our Saviour, the King of Kings, Emmanuel- God with us.  The One who came for YOU.  If you don't have a personal, one-on-one relationship with Jesus, I pray that you not go another day without Him.

 Pray with me for our town.  Pray for God to move in ways that only He can.  He is faithful and He goes above and beyond.  Pray for Vertical Church. Pray for Jason and I, for Hayden and Gracie.  Pray we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and that we not go one day without time with Him.

...trusting in Him!!

The weight of heaviness begins to lighten and we continue trusting!  The last few weeks have been quite burdensome for me and Jason has felt the heaviness I was carrying.  Yet, praise be to our Father, who daily desires to carry those burdens for us,  I am finally feeling a little more free today.  It's constantly saying scripture, so thankful that I have His words hidden In my heart.   It's remembering that "the JOY of The Lord is my strength."  I continue to remind myself that Jesus never said it would be easy but He promised to walk with me through it. Even more... That He goes before me! 

He is definitely working and moving in Cochrane and He continues to work and move at Vertical church.  People are coming to know Jesus as their Saviour, others are desiring baptism that have never been baptized and others are growing in their relationship with Him.  We are so thankful that God has us here and we are so thankful for Chris & Gemma, the pastor of Vertical and his sweet wife!  We want to turn our city upside down for Jesus!!

There is still MUCH to be done and God continues to put people in our path that need Jesus.  We have come to know our sweet neighbour, Ms Bev, and she too is far away.  She has shared with me some, yet I know God has entrusted her to us for this time.  Pray with us, for Mrs Bev.  Please continue to pray for Christine, I will spend more time again with her in January.  Pray for the continued leadership at Vertical, that God will continue to reveal Himself.  Pray for Jason and I to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and that we have open ears to hear.  Pray for our neighbourhood.  Pray for Cochrane.

....giving thanks

As we begin to celebrate such a special time of the year I can't help but feel the blessings through my bit of sadness.  So many new things to get accustomed to, new traditions to make, ...and I'm totally a "traditions" girl, new and different reasons to feel joyful and certainly many reasons to pour out praises to The One whom we should give ALL our thanks.

I am most grateful for my salvation.  I am a yucky sinner saved by grace and I can never be more thankful than knowing that Jesus took my sin debt to the cross and today stands as my righteousness before our holy God!  He has brought me out of my own messiness many times and continues to shape me and grow me into what He desires me to be.  I am beyond thankful to have a wonderful husband that loves Jesus and has put himself and our family in the centre of God's will.   I am thankful for two of the most precious blessings, Hayden & Gracie.  I am thankful for my extended family who do so much for us, none of which goes un-noticed.  I am beyond thankful for girlfriends that stand by me, forgetting the fact I'm thousands of miles away.  FaceTimes, texts, prayers and calls..  they mean more than anyone could imagine.   I am so thankful for Vertical Church.  The leadership, the passion to share Jesus and the friendships that have welcomed us in with open arms!  I pray that we take nothing for granted.  

As we spend this Thanksgiving so physically far from people that are closest to our hearts, we trust and hold on to the fact that God's plans are greater than ours.  He needs us here.  Someone here is crying out.    Someone is in need of salvation.  They need, in their life, the greatest reason to be forever thankful.  Lord, continue to give us ears to hear.

It's been a month....

We arrived in Canada one month ago today, on October 25th!  It's hard to believe it's been a month and here we are.  We certainly have most of our settling in done..  And we're a little more adjusted to this Canadian culture!  Even dressing a little warmer and maybe a few layers!  

Jason and the other leaders at Vertical are doing great and I'm SO beyond blessed to physically see God changing Jason, making him the man God has called him to be.  This has always been my pray for him, not necessarily realizing what God had as His bigger plan.  I am filled with true joy as I watch.  Seeing my Jason truly be able to lay it ALL down for the sake of JESUS!    Trusting and being obedient as we take each new step.  Allowing God to change us and grow us in ways we would have never imagined.  

We are involved in several Bible studies, both individually and together, even through our small group.  Our home is open as often as we can offer it up.  We feel blessed to be here and what we have "on loan" is not ours anyway, we want what we have to be a blessing to others.  We are building relationships and finding ways to reach out into the community.  I pray specifically that we would come in contact with others and that seeds would be planted with each meeting and circumstance.  Let us take nothing for granted.  Let us make MUCH of Jesus!

The months will turn into years and we are here until we know God is leading us away.  Please continue to pray.  Pray for Christine, she does not know Jesus.  Pray for relationships.  Pray for Vertical Church to be a light in Cochrane and for God to use us in ways that would bring Him glory.  Pray for the Leadership, that God would pour Himself out and give them His wisdom and His knowledge.  Pray for hearts to be ready.

...give me Your eyes.

With each new day, there could come a new challenge.  The calling has been placed and we respond in simple obedience.  We want to be broken and poured out, used for Jesus.  Clean vessels, listening and making the most of every opportunity.  We continue to pray that the people of Cochrane be broken for Jesus!!   

Anytime we answer God's call on our lives, we pray and listen for His direction.  He will call us out of our comfort zones and to go beyond our biggest fears.  We must continue to take those steps of faith.  Faith is believing, not seeing.  Jason and I want, whole heartedly, to be intentional about every step and every encounter.  Even blind with our own eyes knowing that He has given us His eyes, even if it's just for one second.  Even when we're not "comfortable".

Yesterday's appointment left my heart sad.  I found a new "friend" through a mom's Facebook page here in town.  She and I had previously met and she stopped over yesterday about an order for a few Christmas Scentsy bars.  Ending the conversation, I simply invited her to our ladies Bible Study that we are fixing to begin.  Her quick response is where I found sadness and a sense of urgency.  She said "I am not a spiritual person, but I'll be happy to let others in my neighbourhood know."  I will see her again and made arrangements before this came up.  I will have more opportunity to be with her, more time for Jesus to make an impact in her life.  Pray I make much of Him, even when it gets hard.  Even if I'm out if my comfort zone.  Please pray for Christine.  She needs my Jesus and I know He had a plan for our paths crossing.  I know He has a plan for her.

Please pray for the ladies Bible Study that will begin in our home this week. Pray for Light to shine so bright, others around would be drawn in.  Pray for salvation needs that only He is aware of.  Pray that we continue to see with His eyes.  He knows where there is true need.  

...to show me You are with me!

LOTS of thoughts today as we start a brand new week.  A life back to normal, yet so far from what normal meant to us.  I can't help but feel blessed beyond measure through all that has happened and God continually draws me to Himself.  He calls and then He strengthens. He shows up and He goes before!  Last night, I truly felt His presence.  He knows just how to reach His children.  

As I was getting into bed, Jason tells me that we can look toward the North and see the Northern Lights.  I had certainly heard of them before and knew a little about them, but never anything more.  Not even exactly sure of what to look for!!  We began looking out our bedroom window and we were both caught by such surprise!  It was simply amazing.  There were shades of green that grew brighter and danced in the sky.  They moved, they got smaller and larger and streaks of green would often shoot out.  We heard from Chris, as he also watched, that they were the brightest he had seen in a few years.  We quickly made a decision about 11:30 to scoop the kids up out of bed and head out of our neighbourhood to a dark country street, just a couple minutes away.  It was awesome to watch and we were so thankful to experience it.  I thank my God for His handiwork! 

This morning as I was getting ready for our day, Jason had music playing downstairs and The Afters just happened to come on shortly after.  I was quickly reminded that He is with us, after what we had just experienced.  If you have not heard the popular Christian song, The words directly from the song say, "You light up the sky to show me that You are with me

And I, I, I can't deny

No I can't deny that You are right here with me

You've opened my eyes

So I can see You all around me

You light, light, light up the sky

You light up the sky to show me that You are with me."  

This morning I stood in awe once again at our God, as I thought through last night and worshiped!  ...And it gets better!

So after our experience, Jason did a little research!!  If you know me well, you know I LOVE to worship my God as a God of DETAIL....  He brought us here and now He's gonna show us His amazing creation- ABOVE and BEYOND the beauty that's already here on a daily basis!!!!  So this is what Jason found out...

       "According to NASA, 2013 is 

       prime time viewing for the 

       aurora borealis. The sun’s 11-

       year sunspot cycle reaches its 

       zenith (Solar Maximum) at the 

       end of the year. This means the 

       best northern lights viewing in a 

       decade is yours to discover, 

       especially in November and 

       December."

Tonight's another peak night.  No guessing where we will be around midnight!

He'll open your eyes. He'll light up the sky. He'll show you that He's right there!  

Feeling like home...

It seems more real than ever.  These last three weeks have gone by so quickly.  Mom has come and gone and she has been such a blessing, at our old home and again here.  She has gone above and beyond and we are forever grateful.  The kids are beginning to get settled and our "Canada home" is beginning to feel like our real home. We are so thankful to have our Canada phones, ever how silly that may sound.  We are able to talk with family and friends again.  This is a huge blessing for me and keeps me close to those dear to me!!  

This week has been trying, yet I know that Jesus never said it would be easy.  We had to wait a couple days to get an Alberta license.  Once we were able to get them, they kept and CUT UP our NC license!!   Such a little thing, but that hit kinda hard! The sweet girl helping offered to make a photo copy, but I let it go!!  Oh, the little things.  We had to go into Calgary several times and it's a pretty huge city!!  That was an adventure each time, whether we had Chris with us or not!! ;)  All necessary things that we had to take care of to live in Canada.  Thankful that we have them done!

We continue to covet your prayers.  Pray for the people of Cochrane to have open hearts to hear the Good News.  Pray for Chris & Gemma as they hear from The Lord and lead.  Pray for Jason and I as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.  Pray for finances for our family as well as for Vertical Church.  

There are many needs and we trust in The Lord completely and know that He will provide every need.  He always goes above and beyond.  Again, we are grateful.  

What a ride...

What a crazy ride it has been.  Packing, leaving, driving and more driving (corn and more corn ...just ask Amy)- finally arriving and saying goodbye to the last friend I could hold  on to.  Running around Canada, trying to prepare for a life here, missing my sweet friends and a coffee date more than any of them could imagine, all while anxiously awaiting the arrival of our two babies ...to finally today, being back together again.  

I had not planned for it to be so hard. I know and trust without 1% of question that this is where God placed us.  Things have worked out and fallen into place as only His plans do.  For that, we are grateful.  We are so thankful for what God has here.  We are beyond blessed to have Chris & Gemma and to know that Jesus wants us to love on these people in Cochrane.  He will continue to pour Himself out.  He will continue to give Jason and I strength each day.  We certainly need your prayers and we covet each one spoken!

His joy...

Tonight I was reminded in a sweet conversation with my Sissy that the JOY of The Lord is my strength.  

I'm so thankful that we have a relationship with Jesus.  I'm so thankful He chose me and that I can depend on Him for everything, and yes- even my great joy.  Even when the "happy" in my heart is not so happy!   That joy runs so much deeper and again I am thankful.

Our move has been one of great excitement, joy, and anticipation.   We are still adapting to the idea that we are in Canada.  Setting up things this week at the bank, looking for a home, filling out paperwork for Alberta license plates, ....all these things make it seem a little more permanent.   Little more of a reality.  So even as things continue to unfold, we trust that He will provide.  We wait as He directs our steps.  We praise Him for joy!

The journey complete...

What a Great God who certainly goes before us.  Our Banner!!  

After 3 hours of border & immigration, we made it through to Canada today.  It was with great joy, much praise and much thanksgiving!  It was not easy, but Jesus never said it would be.  As we waited minute after minute of whether we would be able to pass through, I pondered a response that we were first given.   We were not "qualified" with what we presented as our request into the country.  No, we are not qualified, but we don't want to be "qualified."  We want to be equipped.  Equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit that will work through us.  It is not of ourselves that we do anything.   

While we waited, we prayed.  We prayed for favor, we prayed for peace.  We needed a simple trust.  I often worship my God as a God of detail, and once again He has the details planned out for us long before He reveals.  He's got this. We are confident in that.

So, what an amazing journey.  An amazing time to think and reflect and most  importantly, take in the beauty of America. While I miss my family and friends more than they each could imagine, I am happy to be "home," to this land that God has delivered us into.

Here's the BIG step...

Stepping from America into the new land God has called us to today.  As we drive closer and closer to the border this morning, I am overwhelmed with all that is happening and all that is to come.  I am so excited, yet so anxious.  I know God has great and mighty things which we do not know (Jeremiah 33:3) to show Jason and I!  I am excited that God chose to send us and I am excited to be obedient to Him.  I continue to feel His peace during the transition and again I am grateful.  Just like He reminded me in my quiet time  yesterday, "the power to go comes from having first spent time with Him." (Blackaby)  I praise Him for that power, I praise Him that Jason and I get to spend time growing in Him each day. I know this journey in our life will produce great things as long as we remain in Him.  To HIM be all praise.  To HIM be all honor.  

The fields are white unto harvest, Lord, let your laborers be exactly what YOU call us to be.

This is the day...

Never really thinking it would actually be here, today is the day we leave our small North Carolina town and head north, and far away west!  My heart is broken, leaving behind deep roots and close relationships.  God has blessed me above and beyond with the most amazing friendships and I am forever grateful!  They can never be replaced.

Yet again, that peace that abounds in my heart is  ever present.  Although my heart hurts, I also rejoice in knowing that God has called us to Canada.  Even if there's just one, someone is crying out and it's time we bring them our Jesus.  We can't get over the HUGE need for Jesus in Alberta.  In Cochrane.  He needs us there and as we go, we anticipate great and mighty things that only He can do.  He is working and moving and the fields are white unto harvest.

Pray for us as we go.  Pray for boldness and our full dependance on that Power that dwells within us.  Pray for the people of Alberta to be broken and that they would see their need for Jesus. 

Even in the little things...

Here we are, pretty close to leaving.  I'm  asked daily how I am feeling and I've come to realize that "overwhelmed" is what best describes me right now.  Because being overwhelmed can mean many things and most days I feel many things... 

As we were faced with what could be an "obstacle" today, I am simply thankful that we are able to stand strong in knowing that our God is faithful, He does not delay- HIS timing is perfect and His plan WILL come to pass.  He always finds a way.  Satan wants these obstacles to distract.  He wants us so far from the will of God.  He wants our eyes off God's plan. He wants to see us flustered and doubtful.  However, I can praise The Lord!  God is Overcomer and because we are His, we can overcome!  

As I drove our sweet babies to church tonight for the last night at AWANA, I wanted to practice Hayden's verse with him so he would be ready to recite when it was his turn.  As I read the verse I couldn't help but look in awe towards Heaven and give thanks.  The verse, Deuteronomy 31:8 reads, "and The Lord, He is the One who goes before you.  He will be with you, he will not leave you, nor forsake you. Do not fear nor be dismayed."  He knew right where we were and what I was feeling. 

I am so thankful that God speaks and that He spoke right into my heart tonight.  

What a significant day...

God continues to reveal Himself and His plan.  Watching each detail unfold before my eyes is a constant affirmation that what we are doing is ALL part of what God had planned for us long ago.  Like He just reminded me  in my quiet time this morning, He  is "Author of world history and the Author of your own personal history." (Blackaby)  He knows the plans He has for us.  (Jeremiah 29:11)

Almost 10 years ago, Jason and I prayed through starting a landscape business and it came to pass.  As the last documents were just signed and I watched the truck & trailer pull away, I am again overwhelmed with all that God is doing and going to do in our family.  Overwhelmed with joy, overwhelmed with sadness but most importantly overwhelmed with peace.  A peace that certainly surpasses all of my understanding.  But that's what we are promised and My God is most faithful.  

Just as we prayed to start the business, we prayed about selling the business.  God had clearly taken Jason's passion for it, He was giving him a passion for His work.  I cannot explain how thankful I am that Jeremy contacted Jason and the two of them formed a quick friendship.  Just sharing with his family today, God truly does orchestrate our steps and guides us in His timing. This was the right time for Jason to let go and the right time for Jeremy to grab hold.  I'm most thankful to know that God will use it as a blessing for Jeremy's family.  That was our prayer as we sought a buyer and again, My God is faithful.  

A lot of this is uncertainty.  Most of what we are preparing for is unknown.   We know that in just 8 days we will also be pulling away, sure of where we are going but not sure of what God is doing.

He goes above & beyond...

Furniture is moving out, boxes are stacking up and God continues to weave His perfect peace into minutes throughout our days.  He is putting the pieces together and reminds us that He has this.  He is working all things out for His purpose.  Confirming His plan.  

We participated  in a sweet Missions Conference (which was our first) over the weekend and we left so full and encouraged.  From those we were surrounded by to the sweet gift that was left for us on our designated table when we arrived...

There's a sweet verse that was given to me in a card by one of my closest friends before we left for our Missions trip to Canada this summer.  It is Acts 1:8, which reads, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  God was already at work.  

That is the same verse that was chosen to put on our prayer cards for our mission.  

...As I opened that gift left for us at the conference, I found a small, wrapped brown box.  I unwrapped it, anxious to see what thoughtful gift had been given.  I could not believe what I read as I held the sweet gold frame in my hand...  Typed behind the glass I read through tears that eighth verse in Acts 1.  

God still speaks.  God's Word is alive. He confirms all His ways. 

 

He's got this!!

It's so amazing to see how God continues to unfold His plan for our family!!  As I sometimes struggle or allow the enemy to lead my thoughts into thinking this is too much for us, God reminds me that HE has every detail planned!  

...JUST tonight as I was going through pictures of different houses, condos and simply places available for us to move into,  Jason and I were sharing thoughts with each other about the different possibilities.  I quickly became discouraged and overwhelmed.  The cost of living is much greater in Alberta and for us to pack up and move there seems insurmountable.  Places are expensive, we are unsure of what things will be like when we arrive...

Suddenly, my phone begins to ring and below the number on my screen , the phone reads, "Alberta, Canada."  I answered quickly, unsure of who it might be.  A kind gentleman calls me by name and begins to explain who he is and that he has a home for us to rent.  

After getting off the phone and talking with Jason, Jesus so timely and sweetly reminded me of Hebrews 12.  Verses 1-2 read  "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith..."

This is His race He has set before us and we must run it with perseverance!  We must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus!   It's  part of the story He wrote for Jason & I before we  were born.  He is Author!!  He is the Master Planner!!    He is a God of detail and there is no part He has left undone.  While we wait, we will trust.  We will worship and we will pray.  I will continue to lay this down at His feet, the plans He has are far better than the plans we have for ourselves.

For such a time is this...

(I'm having to re-post, the blog 

decided to delete our first post!!)

During the summer, Jason and I were blessed to go on a mission trip to Canada with a team from our home church, Hephzibah!!   While we were there, we held a Vacation Bible School for a partner church, Vertical Church in Cochrane, Alberta.   We loved every minute of VBS, as I taught Bible lessons and Jason led the recreation time!!   We visited areas surrounding the town as well as the downtown Cochrane area over the course of the week.  We were able to visit door to door in a great neighborhood but were broken hearted as we walked from many different homes and families responding kindly that they had no need for a god.  

As the week progressed, God began to press on Jason's heart, a strong need to be there.  We finished the week and flew back home to our precious babies and we couldn't wait to get our hands on them!!!!  The reunion after a week was priceless.   In the days to come, Jason and I began to share things God was revealing to us both and it was without question God was calling us to step out.  We will be moving our family to Alberta, Canada.  We don't know how long...  As Hayden first asked, "how long will we be there, Mom?"  I responded, "Buddy, when God calls us away He doesn't tell us for how long."