T - 38 Days

It seems somewhat surreal to think that in 5 weeks, I will be leaving the known and familiar for a new adventure. It has been amazing how things have fallen into place and I am being blessed by people's generosity. The more I think about how these past few months and how everything has come together - big and little things, I find myself with more confidence and peace that this is where God is sending me to journey. That in itself has been incredibly freeing and life-giving through the moments of utter fear and apprehension as I question things sometimes.

One of the neat things I have experienced over the last few weeks is the reaction of clients as I have filled them in on my plans for the fall. Every single client has been amazingly supportive and excited for me as I venture out on my own for a few months. Many have let me know that they will be disappointed not to have my hands working on them over the next year (apparently I'm good at what I do!), but they will be eagerly awaiting my return and have wished me nothing but joy. Talk about affirmation and support.

I've been contemplating over the last little while, especially this last week, what it is that I am hoping to gain from this year ahead. Summing up my hopes and expectations in one or two points is hard. I guess my prayer for the year is that I would learn and experience what trusting God in all circumstances looks like and that I would gain a huge love for the people around me. There will no doubt be challenging times throughout Trek. There will probably be people that drive me crazy, moments when all I want to do is be in the comfort of my own bed, days of missing the familiar - family and friends and I will be stretched and grown in all sorts of ways, which won't always be easy. Despite all of these things that I know will come up, I want this year not to be just be about me experiencing a new culture and seeing the world, but when I look back I want to be able to confidently say that God and I have grown closer together because I was able to trust His leading and provision over my life and that I would be able to extend the same grace and love that God so willingly lavishes upon me to teammates and people I will be ministering to. As I reflect throughout the months, I am going to be asking myself if I am staying true to these two things - am I trusting God and am I loving people unconditionally?

My date of departure is September 7. I have a hunch that the next few weeks are going to fly by - far quicker than I want them to sometimes. In the meantime I am spending copious amounts of time with friends and family, soaking up what's left of summer and days at the cabin. A definite perk to being in Abbotsford for 8 weeks is being able to spend some time with Kristy, Graham, Norah and the baby. I will be heading out a few days before Trek starts to enjoy time with them and I couldn't be more excited. 

Please continue to pray for me over the next 5 weeks as I continue to get ready to leave. There are still numerous items left on my to do list, but I am already learning what it means to rely on God - not just for the big things, but for the little things too!

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me."

~ 2 Corinthians 12:9

Manitoba Summer

"If you're not from the prairie, 

you don't know the sun,

you can't know the sun.

Diamonds that bounce off crisp winter snow

warm waters in dugouts and lakes that we know.

The sun is our friend from when we are young,

a child of the prairie is part of the sun.

If you're not from the prairie,

you don't know the sun.

If you're not from the prairie,

you don't know the sky,

you can't know the sky.

The bold prairie sky is clear, bright and blue

though sometimes cloud messages give us a clue.

 

 Monstrous grey mushrooms can hint of a storm

or painted pink feathers say goodbye to the warm.

If you're not from the prairie,

you don't know the sky."

*poem taken from David Bouchard's book entitled "If you're not from the prairie"

Lions, Tigers and Bears....Oh My!!

Last week, we took advantage of the beautiful weather and headed to the zoo. 6 adults and 5 kids seemed like a pretty good ratio to us.

watching the crazy wallabies

Cheeeeeeese

Sleepy Kaylin

The things I do for these kids...

and just for the record, I would do it again in a heartbeat! Especially when you get smiles like this.

Ready, Set, Smile!

Back in June, before Kristy left for BC, the 5 of us girls got together with our lovely friend Amber for a photo shoot. We wanted to capture a bit of life with the 5 of us through pictures. Amber did a fabulous job of capturing what an afternoon looks like when the 5 of us get together.

Thank you Amber for gifting us with these pictures. What a beautiful gift for us - especially on the hard days when we are missing being all together. 

There are lots of pictures, so enjoy.