So much I could share and as weeks have passed I have contemplated writing, but thought it might help my thoughts as well as share with any of you what God has been doing in us after leaving Canada. If you know me well, you know I love to worship My Great God as a God of detail. He's SO into the details of our lives and I delight in seeing Him work, even when sometimes we really can't see!!! I love that He knows my heart and He meets me there with His sweet faithfulness.
Being in Texas has many benefits and the most significant is time with my sister and her family. Sometimes my Sissy and I think Canada was just a detour to get me to her! I love being able to see her, share with her and just being part of her families life. Yesterday we were so privileged to go watch my niece's track meet. We saw her participate in several events and represent her team well, even those hurdles she had to jump! As I watched I could not help but to think through the steps those athletes were taking and to know so many years ago I was running in similar shoes. Running the race. Clearing hurdles. Giving that track everything I had in me. This, right now, is our life.
As i think about all that I have been through and where God has our family right now, it's just like that race that we run along life's track. One of my heart's set of verses is from the first part of chapter 12 in Hebrews, laying aside the things that weigh us down and allow us to be tempted. It's "running the race with perseverance" that is set out before us. Not looking back but staying focused on my Jesus and what is to come. There are often obstacles, just like those hurdles I had to cross on that track but I knew when I got to it, I had to cross it. There was no other way but taking it in stride. Sometimes I'd catch the tip and knock it sideways. There were times the hurdle and I both fell. You get up. You continue to run. You give it everything you have. I did because I knew there was no other way to cross the finish line. There were difficult days, but it made me stronger. There have certainly been difficult days.
I would have never thought we would move our family and leave all that we knew behind for the short time we were away. I know without question that God called us to step out. We also knew without question that God was closing the door, just as He had opened it for us. One of the most obvious was having our funding that we were promised and encouraged to receive, abruptly cut by two-thirds of what it was supposed to be. We were on a clergy visa and neither Jason not myself could legally hold a job in Canada. Because of these things and the cost of living being so much greater than America, we could not keep our family there. There were certainly difficult days and there have been many difficult days being back, but we cling to the promises that God is working ALL things out for our good, according to His purposes, for those that love Him.
We are beyond thankful for the experience and all the ways God grew us while we were there. I'm so beyond thankful for relationships and for God placing such a precious couple in our lives just as we were leaving. I love how God works even in the 11th hour and once again, that sweet bond we made the last week will last a lifetime. We learned so much and saw God in ways we would have never experienced Him. He constantly reminded us that He was right there with us.
Continue to pray for us as we come to mind. There is much need for healing and understanding.
We are happy to be living in Texas and we are praying through wisdom and clarity as we take each step. Jason was offered and accepted a new job and has been working one week!! Huge praise for that and our sweet Hayden is back in school. He had only been just a few days when he whispered in my ear, "Mommie, I think I like it here." Again, God is in the details and we know that He has plans for us!! With that, I resolve to continually trade my dreams for His.
