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.