We have poured everything into this Ministry and in three short weeks, we are without our Plan B. You see I am supposed to go back to work and my job is back in Regina. John has been asked to stay on, but this small amount he makes for a huge 12 hours a week, will not pay our bills. This Ministry is not a part time Ministry. Full time is putting it mildly. It is not a job where he can work 9 to 5 and just leave everything at work. Oh, but the experience he is getting is second to none. He has had to deal with more things in these past few months than most have to deal with in 20 years. Still, it is hard, so very hard. I am a Planner and I don't have a plan. Our plan is to simply let God be in control and it is the hardest, biggest leap of faith we have taken yet.
One day as I was crying out to God, I read this quote from one of my favourite bloggers over here. I think she sums it up beautifully!
"But bravery is sometimes being the only one who knows you’re scared to death and acknowledging just how much you need God."
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
Saturday, 18 August 2012
And the award for worst blogger and mother goes to
ME!
I am so behind! I haven't even done a post for Jude's 10 month update (nor the picture), let alone the 11 month update. He will be a year old in a couple of weeks! I haven't done one scrapbook page for him, not one. Not even a digital one! Ahhh! Oh yes, and the pictures of this little monkey are almost non-existant in comparison to the other two. Something I was determined to NOT let happen!
This blog, I love my blog, it's my outlet sometimes, it's my record, it's a way of keeping my family and friends updated as to the 'goings on' in the Gooch household (whether or not they care), but I just can't keep up. I still have so many posts in the 'draft' status. Pathetic. Things are not slowing down either. I have to go back to work here soon and that means I have to get everything else in my life organized. Not to mention the fact that I have a boy starting Grade one and I haven't decided what school to put him in yet.
None the less I will leave you with a joke from my three year old. She is quite the comedian (I say she has her Daddy's sense of humour--ha!)
Gigi - Daddy, do you want to hear my joke?
Daddy - Sure, let me hear it.
Gigi - 16, 14 (laughs hysterically)
Daddy - 16, 14? That's your joke?
Gigi - Yeah 16, 14 (laughs some more)
So there you have it, the joke of the day......16, 14!!!
Oh and apparently, we are no longer allowed to say "Winnie the Pooh" because it's a potty word! (Man she is a smart little cookie!) ;o)
I am so behind! I haven't even done a post for Jude's 10 month update (nor the picture), let alone the 11 month update. He will be a year old in a couple of weeks! I haven't done one scrapbook page for him, not one. Not even a digital one! Ahhh! Oh yes, and the pictures of this little monkey are almost non-existant in comparison to the other two. Something I was determined to NOT let happen!
This blog, I love my blog, it's my outlet sometimes, it's my record, it's a way of keeping my family and friends updated as to the 'goings on' in the Gooch household (whether or not they care), but I just can't keep up. I still have so many posts in the 'draft' status. Pathetic. Things are not slowing down either. I have to go back to work here soon and that means I have to get everything else in my life organized. Not to mention the fact that I have a boy starting Grade one and I haven't decided what school to put him in yet.
None the less I will leave you with a joke from my three year old. She is quite the comedian (I say she has her Daddy's sense of humour--ha!)
Gigi - Daddy, do you want to hear my joke?
Daddy - Sure, let me hear it.
Gigi - 16, 14 (laughs hysterically)
Daddy - 16, 14? That's your joke?
Gigi - Yeah 16, 14 (laughs some more)
So there you have it, the joke of the day......16, 14!!!
Oh and apparently, we are no longer allowed to say "Winnie the Pooh" because it's a potty word! (Man she is a smart little cookie!) ;o)
Friday, 10 August 2012
God Knows EVERYTHING
We have made some huge decisions in our life recently. We have prayed, we have sought His voice, His will, we have talked about it into the wee hours of the night when we desperately need the sleep, but just can't. We continue to pray about it and we strive to push on, push forward. Those that know our hearts and know us well, offer words of advice, encouragement and prayer, oh how we need prayer. Those that know us, know our desire to live for God and for God alone. We don't really care what others may say, think or do, we have seen it and been through it all and God has carried us through. What I have discovered, is that when we believe in a big God, a God who can do anything, a God who loves us so much, a God that has so much mercy and grace bestowed on us when we don't deserve it, we will see God work in the most incredible, miraculous ways.
We know that God wants us here, in this Ministry. We have said "Yes", but we are so scared! We are stepping out in a huge, massive, leap of faith like we have never done before. This time there is no Plan B. We are not afraid to go where we believe that God wants us, heck we have moved half way around the world because we knew that He wanted us there. Even when we 'failed', we learned, we grew, we persevered. So did we really fail? I know that I am richer in so many ways because of every journey we have been on. When I am tired and am listening to the voices of the world, they tell me different. They tell me how much we really have 'failed'. Then I read this beautiful, touching and extremely timely post from Ann Voskamp.
"We are saying yes – to whatever we are breathing after.
What do I breathe after? Some kind of success? Some kind of status? Some kind of Pinterest loveliness?"
"As long as we are breathing – our lives are meant to say Yes to God."
This one hit me most
"You can trust the goodness of God and who He is...... You can say Yes"
You see it has been a real rough year, but one that we again learned so much in. I did not want to say 'yes'. In fact I have been begging to be taken out of Ministry. I can't do this, I can't handle it, it is too hard. However, every time I sat down and prayed about this I got these verses, these blog posts, oh so many ways God placed it on my heart and on John's heart and we knew we had to say 'yes'.
We are not in Ministry to 'get rich', we are not in this Ministry to get a plaque of recognition or to be famous. We are not in this Ministry to get our status bar raised in society. We are simply here because God has placed this incredible burden on our hearts and because we care more about 'souls'.
It has taken me a long time to understand and get that I can trust God and that He really does know my heart, our hearts and that if we are willing to say 'Yes', He is FOR US. I can say Yes and He will be right there with me, with us. He really does know Everything! Keep us in prayer as we continue to say 'Yes'.
We know that God wants us here, in this Ministry. We have said "Yes", but we are so scared! We are stepping out in a huge, massive, leap of faith like we have never done before. This time there is no Plan B. We are not afraid to go where we believe that God wants us, heck we have moved half way around the world because we knew that He wanted us there. Even when we 'failed', we learned, we grew, we persevered. So did we really fail? I know that I am richer in so many ways because of every journey we have been on. When I am tired and am listening to the voices of the world, they tell me different. They tell me how much we really have 'failed'. Then I read this beautiful, touching and extremely timely post from Ann Voskamp.
"We are saying yes – to whatever we are breathing after.
What do I breathe after? Some kind of success? Some kind of status? Some kind of Pinterest loveliness?"
"As long as we are breathing – our lives are meant to say Yes to God."
This one hit me most
"You can trust the goodness of God and who He is...... You can say Yes"
You see it has been a real rough year, but one that we again learned so much in. I did not want to say 'yes'. In fact I have been begging to be taken out of Ministry. I can't do this, I can't handle it, it is too hard. However, every time I sat down and prayed about this I got these verses, these blog posts, oh so many ways God placed it on my heart and on John's heart and we knew we had to say 'yes'.
We are not in Ministry to 'get rich', we are not in this Ministry to get a plaque of recognition or to be famous. We are not in this Ministry to get our status bar raised in society. We are simply here because God has placed this incredible burden on our hearts and because we care more about 'souls'.
It has taken me a long time to understand and get that I can trust God and that He really does know my heart, our hearts and that if we are willing to say 'Yes', He is FOR US. I can say Yes and He will be right there with me, with us. He really does know Everything! Keep us in prayer as we continue to say 'Yes'.
Wednesday, 1 August 2012
Terrible 3's?
Before I became a parent, it seemed that every parent or parenting type show, magazine, blog, etc. always talked about the Terrible two's. So naturally being a new parent with my first extremely active, little boy, I was a bit scared to approach the two year old era. I remember Zech turning two and I was thinking, is it really going to get worse.
It is not that he was a 'bad' kid, he was so extremely active, curious, inquisitive, talkative. We really have to be on him ALL OF THE TIME! You give an inch to this kid and he takes a mile, running full speed ahead. So imagine my shock when someone told me.....oh no sweetie (which really meant you naieve, inexperienced, newbie) it is actually the trying two's and the terrible three's! All I thought at that point was 'What I have another year to wait for the terribleness'! I must say that they were right, the three's were definitely harder than the two's.
Next, enter my darling daughter. She is pretty easy going, loves to please, most people think that she is the cutest thing ever---angelic they have said. Oh yes, while she may have the appearance of an angelic little being, she is not to be underestimated.
My friend had to watch her and Jude for a couple of hours. It was so funny to hear her comments about how my Gigi and her Stella (who is 4) played. She said that while Gigi seems so shy and passive, perhaps angelic, she has this strong-willed, stubbourness to her and she gave her Stella (who is a leader) a run for her money. I laughed and thought finally someone who understands and sees all sides of my beautiful little girl.
So yes the terrible three's are upon us. They came in right when she turned 3 on June 5th. I think a couple of weeks ago, we had the ultimate terrible 3 day. I kind of had to stand back and take a few deep breaths to compose myself. The thoughts at that point were to offer her for sale, ok, just a loan for a year or two......until the terribleness is over! Ha.
Do you want to hear about my day with my 3 year old? Nah, probably not, but I will tell you anyway.....so that one day I can show this to her and say 'see' this is what you were like. Perhaps when she has kids and is going through the EXACT SAME PHASE. I do love her to bits and pieces and looking back we can only laugh, but going through it.....I was fuming.
We got up earlier than normal it seemed, she wonders into my bedroom and is hungry. Desperately hungry! This kid could eat 5 breakfasts and then nothing else for the rest of the day (they say that breakfast is the most important meal....right?). She eats and then runs upstairs to 'wash' her hands. She is gone an awful long time...so I go up to find out what she is doing. I come in and see that her hair is a mess. She has ripped the pretty little pony that I gave her out and it is everywhere. I them look in the garbage and find long strands of HER hair. I ask her....and do you know what she says?
"Oh mom, I was just brushing my hair."
I question her further and she gets animated and gives me a demonstration of how she was brushing her hair. She is such a great little actress already.
I beleived her as I scanned her hair for missing chunks, but couldn't find any. She also has a tonne of hair.
She begs me for snacks and more breakfasts, but if I give in she won't eat lunch. She then finds her nailpolish and asks if we can paint nails. I told her not right now, but after lunch we could paint princess nails. She throws a fit and demands that we do it now. It is one of those 'No I want to do it now' tones and she has this growl that goes with it. I send her to her room.
I then tell her to come down after about 5 minutes which gave her plenty of time to think about her sassyness and that tone that she used---it won't fly with me. She comes down and holds up her nails and says with a big proud grin "look mom, I painted my nails".
Oh she painted them alright, I mean all of her fingertips were bright red. I had this mortified look and all I could think of is 'where' did she paint them and where am I going to find the rest of the nailpolish. I sprint up the stairs (I was quite impressed with how fast I took them.... two at a time). I locate the bottle and I search. To my relief, there was only a tiny drop that fell on top of her teapot. Yup, the carpet was ok. I then lectured her, tried to wash her finger tips and told her she was no longer allowed nail polish. You disobey me, there are consequences (this speach must have sunk into their heads by now).
She then bit her brother (her oldest one and sometimes I don't blame her as he puts her through the ringer...but this time it was completely uncalled for and it was right on the cheek). By the end of the day I was so ready for her to just go to bed.
I washed her hair and was combing it as we were getting ready for bed. Guess what I discovered? She now had bangs. At first I was wondering how come she had so many baby hairs and then it dawned on me. She did cut her hair. So I asked her again.....and I found and held up the scissors. She finally admitted it, but so casually and with this tone of well of course mom I cut my hair, like what three year old doesn't cut their own hair. Then there were lectures.......about lying, cutting hair and about lying. I was livid.
I am just letting those bangs grow in.....I must say that she didn't do a bad job (she will read this when she is older so she doesn't get any ideas in the ripe young age). I may have to fix them a little bit. She is quite the little sass pot. While this is a super trying age, it is also a really cute age. She is so talkative, animated, and loving. I especially love hearing her prayers at night.....they are so stinkin cute. Sometimes the way she gets angry and tries to 'tell us' is absolutely hilarious. A couple of times we go to give her heck for speaking to us that way, but have to turn away as we are busting a gut. It was just so funny.
Ahhh the terrible three's........
It is not that he was a 'bad' kid, he was so extremely active, curious, inquisitive, talkative. We really have to be on him ALL OF THE TIME! You give an inch to this kid and he takes a mile, running full speed ahead. So imagine my shock when someone told me.....oh no sweetie (which really meant you naieve, inexperienced, newbie) it is actually the trying two's and the terrible three's! All I thought at that point was 'What I have another year to wait for the terribleness'! I must say that they were right, the three's were definitely harder than the two's.
Next, enter my darling daughter. She is pretty easy going, loves to please, most people think that she is the cutest thing ever---angelic they have said. Oh yes, while she may have the appearance of an angelic little being, she is not to be underestimated.
My friend had to watch her and Jude for a couple of hours. It was so funny to hear her comments about how my Gigi and her Stella (who is 4) played. She said that while Gigi seems so shy and passive, perhaps angelic, she has this strong-willed, stubbourness to her and she gave her Stella (who is a leader) a run for her money. I laughed and thought finally someone who understands and sees all sides of my beautiful little girl.
So yes the terrible three's are upon us. They came in right when she turned 3 on June 5th. I think a couple of weeks ago, we had the ultimate terrible 3 day. I kind of had to stand back and take a few deep breaths to compose myself. The thoughts at that point were to offer her for sale, ok, just a loan for a year or two......until the terribleness is over! Ha.
Do you want to hear about my day with my 3 year old? Nah, probably not, but I will tell you anyway.....so that one day I can show this to her and say 'see' this is what you were like. Perhaps when she has kids and is going through the EXACT SAME PHASE. I do love her to bits and pieces and looking back we can only laugh, but going through it.....I was fuming.
We got up earlier than normal it seemed, she wonders into my bedroom and is hungry. Desperately hungry! This kid could eat 5 breakfasts and then nothing else for the rest of the day (they say that breakfast is the most important meal....right?). She eats and then runs upstairs to 'wash' her hands. She is gone an awful long time...so I go up to find out what she is doing. I come in and see that her hair is a mess. She has ripped the pretty little pony that I gave her out and it is everywhere. I them look in the garbage and find long strands of HER hair. I ask her....and do you know what she says?
"Oh mom, I was just brushing my hair."
I question her further and she gets animated and gives me a demonstration of how she was brushing her hair. She is such a great little actress already.
I beleived her as I scanned her hair for missing chunks, but couldn't find any. She also has a tonne of hair.
She begs me for snacks and more breakfasts, but if I give in she won't eat lunch. She then finds her nailpolish and asks if we can paint nails. I told her not right now, but after lunch we could paint princess nails. She throws a fit and demands that we do it now. It is one of those 'No I want to do it now' tones and she has this growl that goes with it. I send her to her room.
I then tell her to come down after about 5 minutes which gave her plenty of time to think about her sassyness and that tone that she used---it won't fly with me. She comes down and holds up her nails and says with a big proud grin "look mom, I painted my nails".
Oh she painted them alright, I mean all of her fingertips were bright red. I had this mortified look and all I could think of is 'where' did she paint them and where am I going to find the rest of the nailpolish. I sprint up the stairs (I was quite impressed with how fast I took them.... two at a time). I locate the bottle and I search. To my relief, there was only a tiny drop that fell on top of her teapot. Yup, the carpet was ok. I then lectured her, tried to wash her finger tips and told her she was no longer allowed nail polish. You disobey me, there are consequences (this speach must have sunk into their heads by now).
She then bit her brother (her oldest one and sometimes I don't blame her as he puts her through the ringer...but this time it was completely uncalled for and it was right on the cheek). By the end of the day I was so ready for her to just go to bed.
I washed her hair and was combing it as we were getting ready for bed. Guess what I discovered? She now had bangs. At first I was wondering how come she had so many baby hairs and then it dawned on me. She did cut her hair. So I asked her again.....and I found and held up the scissors. She finally admitted it, but so casually and with this tone of well of course mom I cut my hair, like what three year old doesn't cut their own hair. Then there were lectures.......about lying, cutting hair and about lying. I was livid.
I am just letting those bangs grow in.....I must say that she didn't do a bad job (she will read this when she is older so she doesn't get any ideas in the ripe young age). I may have to fix them a little bit. She is quite the little sass pot. While this is a super trying age, it is also a really cute age. She is so talkative, animated, and loving. I especially love hearing her prayers at night.....they are so stinkin cute. Sometimes the way she gets angry and tries to 'tell us' is absolutely hilarious. A couple of times we go to give her heck for speaking to us that way, but have to turn away as we are busting a gut. It was just so funny.
Ahhh the terrible three's........
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
1000 Gifts
671. Happy birthday Canada!
672. Team Canada.
673. Free Carnival.
674. Taking a little drive and exploring new parts of this great country.
675. First day of VBS.
676. Learning new songs and actions.
677. Meeting with friends at the park.
678. My wonderful hubby who brought us all cold drinks on this hot day!
679. Surviving another Zumba class.
680. 5 minutes in the van by myself.
681. Seeing how excited they are to go to VBS.
682. Celebrating 33 years and reflecting on how good God has been.
683. Birthday breakfast with a wonderful friend.
684. Sushi and a birthday cake.
685. My always thoughtful hubby!
686. An informative meeting.
687. Seeing him make it through dentist and doctor appointments.
688. VV boutique and coupons.
689. New direction for a ministry.
690. Watching them sing and perform all the new songs they learned in VBS.
691. Doing a special craft with them.
692. Girls who love to watch and hold my baby.
693. Hotdogs.
694. Cleaning a house that desperately needed to be cleaned.
695. Our first date night without the kids in at least a couple of years.
696. Yummy Thai food with my amazing husband.
697. An amazing walk in an amazing park with breathtaking views.
698. Praying at this amazing spot with my hubby.
699. Dessert.
700. Brown bags, imaginations, dinosaur hunts.
701. Swinging in the park--the simple things.
702. Little helpers in the kitchen.
703. Water tubs and balloons.
704. Cloud dough.
705. Stuffing gopher holes.
706. Seeing them run crazy on the acreage.
707. Celebrations and meeting new people.
708. Incredible views.
709. Live Jazz bands.
710. Sleeping in.
711. Time with just my baby and I.
712. A friend's birthday party.
713. Seeing how awesome our kids get along and play together.
714. Getting Ministerial perspective from a PW who has been in the field for about 25 years.
715. Feeling encouraged.
716. Knowing that people are supportive and are praying for us.
717. Supportive boss.
718. Excellent options for employment leaves.
719. Getting away.
720. Relaxing at Cascade Ponds.
721. Picnic lunches.
722. Stopping at the candy store.
723. Memories of my childhood (Mojo's--anyone remember them--the candy thrown at the parades?).
724. A new splash park on an extremely hot day.
725. Seeing how much they love the water.
726. Completing yet another application.
727. A car ministry.
728. Funny videos.
729. My husbands heart for the Youth.
730. Water wars and hearing all about it.
731. My little family.
732. Going out for lunch.
733. Driving to check out more new places to live (it's nice to have that option).
734. Finalizing, scanning and signing the paperwork for my leave (eeekkk)!
735. Trusting that God will provide for us.
736. Reflecting on all that He has already done for us.
737. A clear sign from God that it was not the house for us.
738. A playdate with friends we have not seen in a very long time.
739. Catching up.
740. More tests and answers for my boy.
741. Hanging with friends.
742. Looking at yet another place with a massive yard.
743. That I can administer my kids vaccination protection myself.
744. Homeopathic options.
745. Viewing yet another place that was identical to one we used to live in and meeting the landlord who seems 'normal'.
746. Visiting with the Lee family.
747. Watching cousins cuddle in bed.
748. Viewing more places and finally hearing an answer from a place that we had applied on.
749. His 1st preaching assignment.
750. Hearing how it went.
751. Seeing God work on people's hearts.
752. Connections and him being asked to preach at other churches and clubs.
753. An afternoon with friends.
754. Friends who are helping us look for a place to live.
755. Being short-listed for a job I had applied on.
756. Finding a place that we really liked that has more than we ever hoped for.
757. Being offered two places to live (we actually have options and decisions to make).
758. Getting the place we really wanted.
759. Booking the moving truck and actually getting one for the day that we need it.
760. Time to study for an exam.
761. Meeting with good friends.
762. Sad that they will be leaving soon!
763. Feelign so blessed that God brought this wonderful friend into my life.
764. My hubby who takes all of the kids to the mall.
765. Writing my exam, even if I think I bombed it.
766. Packing.
767. Urgent Care
768. A hubby to talk with when I feel like I just can't go on, like life is just too much (he always gives me perspective).
769. Knowign that with God, I will get through this.
770. Chatting with a good friend on the phone.
771. Picking up the keys for our new place.
772. Visiting and getting to know our new landlords while our kids played together.
773. Knowing that this was totally, 100% God and hearing their amazement too on how everything worked out.
774. Lovign our new place, the space and the location--God is sooo good.
775. Getting the moving truck.
776. Packing it up and a friends to help my hubby.
777. Unpacking and organizing.
778. Kids running around life crazy, screaming and yelling and not having to worry about 'someone' below us.
779. Sleeping in our new place.
780. My hubby preaching again.
781. Him packing and movign more things.
782. Walking and exploring our new neighbourhood and parks.
783. Supper at our friends place.
784. My hubby who always, always works so hard to get us moved, packed, unpacked and never fusses or stresses about it (so unlike me).
785. A wonderful, loving, amazing God who always gets us through.
786. Getting our full damage deposit back without a hassle.
787. Sweet justice and seeing the realization on our old landlord's face on how wrong she was.
788. Saying goodbyes to neighbours, and knowing that we need to pray a lot for him.
789. A fresh start in a new place, new community that we really love.
790. A sense of peace and security--our safe place.
672. Team Canada.
673. Free Carnival.
674. Taking a little drive and exploring new parts of this great country.
675. First day of VBS.
676. Learning new songs and actions.
677. Meeting with friends at the park.
678. My wonderful hubby who brought us all cold drinks on this hot day!
679. Surviving another Zumba class.
680. 5 minutes in the van by myself.
681. Seeing how excited they are to go to VBS.
682. Celebrating 33 years and reflecting on how good God has been.
683. Birthday breakfast with a wonderful friend.
684. Sushi and a birthday cake.
685. My always thoughtful hubby!
686. An informative meeting.
687. Seeing him make it through dentist and doctor appointments.
688. VV boutique and coupons.
689. New direction for a ministry.
690. Watching them sing and perform all the new songs they learned in VBS.
691. Doing a special craft with them.
692. Girls who love to watch and hold my baby.
693. Hotdogs.
694. Cleaning a house that desperately needed to be cleaned.
695. Our first date night without the kids in at least a couple of years.
696. Yummy Thai food with my amazing husband.
697. An amazing walk in an amazing park with breathtaking views.
698. Praying at this amazing spot with my hubby.
699. Dessert.
700. Brown bags, imaginations, dinosaur hunts.
701. Swinging in the park--the simple things.
702. Little helpers in the kitchen.
703. Water tubs and balloons.
704. Cloud dough.
705. Stuffing gopher holes.
706. Seeing them run crazy on the acreage.
707. Celebrations and meeting new people.
708. Incredible views.
709. Live Jazz bands.
710. Sleeping in.
711. Time with just my baby and I.
712. A friend's birthday party.
713. Seeing how awesome our kids get along and play together.
714. Getting Ministerial perspective from a PW who has been in the field for about 25 years.
715. Feeling encouraged.
716. Knowing that people are supportive and are praying for us.
717. Supportive boss.
718. Excellent options for employment leaves.
719. Getting away.
720. Relaxing at Cascade Ponds.
721. Picnic lunches.
722. Stopping at the candy store.
723. Memories of my childhood (Mojo's--anyone remember them--the candy thrown at the parades?).
724. A new splash park on an extremely hot day.
725. Seeing how much they love the water.
726. Completing yet another application.
727. A car ministry.
728. Funny videos.
729. My husbands heart for the Youth.
730. Water wars and hearing all about it.
731. My little family.
732. Going out for lunch.
733. Driving to check out more new places to live (it's nice to have that option).
734. Finalizing, scanning and signing the paperwork for my leave (eeekkk)!
735. Trusting that God will provide for us.
736. Reflecting on all that He has already done for us.
737. A clear sign from God that it was not the house for us.
738. A playdate with friends we have not seen in a very long time.
739. Catching up.
740. More tests and answers for my boy.
741. Hanging with friends.
742. Looking at yet another place with a massive yard.
743. That I can administer my kids vaccination protection myself.
744. Homeopathic options.
745. Viewing yet another place that was identical to one we used to live in and meeting the landlord who seems 'normal'.
746. Visiting with the Lee family.
747. Watching cousins cuddle in bed.
748. Viewing more places and finally hearing an answer from a place that we had applied on.
749. His 1st preaching assignment.
750. Hearing how it went.
751. Seeing God work on people's hearts.
752. Connections and him being asked to preach at other churches and clubs.
753. An afternoon with friends.
754. Friends who are helping us look for a place to live.
755. Being short-listed for a job I had applied on.
756. Finding a place that we really liked that has more than we ever hoped for.
757. Being offered two places to live (we actually have options and decisions to make).
758. Getting the place we really wanted.
759. Booking the moving truck and actually getting one for the day that we need it.
760. Time to study for an exam.
761. Meeting with good friends.
762. Sad that they will be leaving soon!
763. Feelign so blessed that God brought this wonderful friend into my life.
764. My hubby who takes all of the kids to the mall.
765. Writing my exam, even if I think I bombed it.
766. Packing.
767. Urgent Care
768. A hubby to talk with when I feel like I just can't go on, like life is just too much (he always gives me perspective).
769. Knowign that with God, I will get through this.
770. Chatting with a good friend on the phone.
771. Picking up the keys for our new place.
772. Visiting and getting to know our new landlords while our kids played together.
773. Knowing that this was totally, 100% God and hearing their amazement too on how everything worked out.
774. Lovign our new place, the space and the location--God is sooo good.
775. Getting the moving truck.
776. Packing it up and a friends to help my hubby.
777. Unpacking and organizing.
778. Kids running around life crazy, screaming and yelling and not having to worry about 'someone' below us.
779. Sleeping in our new place.
780. My hubby preaching again.
781. Him packing and movign more things.
782. Walking and exploring our new neighbourhood and parks.
783. Supper at our friends place.
784. My hubby who always, always works so hard to get us moved, packed, unpacked and never fusses or stresses about it (so unlike me).
785. A wonderful, loving, amazing God who always gets us through.
786. Getting our full damage deposit back without a hassle.
787. Sweet justice and seeing the realization on our old landlord's face on how wrong she was.
788. Saying goodbyes to neighbours, and knowing that we need to pray a lot for him.
789. A fresh start in a new place, new community that we really love.
790. A sense of peace and security--our safe place.
Tuesday, 17 July 2012
Who are you keeping company with?
What would the world look like if Christians didn’t care about
keeping up with the Joneses but about keeping company with Christ? -Ann Voskamp
I read these words and they hit me hard. I can't hold back the tears. Why am I so concerned at what 'people' think about us, about our calling, about the way we choose to live our lives, about the fact that we don't have a 'house' of our own, that we are the lowly 'renters', that I spend more money lately shopping at second hand shops to clothe my kids, that I have made a pledge to my husband that we will not buy another piece of new furniture (only used or second hand--because we live in such a throw away society).
I have been pouting over finding the perfect place, over how certain things look, or don't look, how big it is, how big the yard is, will we have enough room to be 'comfortable'. Yet there are millions of people who call a mere 'box' their home. What is wrong with me?
You see I have worried more about what others are doing and keeping up with the Joneses and I have failed to keep company with my Christ, the one and only, who truly loves, accepts, and desires to know me for just plain old me. He doesn't care about these ridiculous things that I stress and worry about for nothing, he just wants a piece of me, of my day and I am too caught up with other meaningless, trivial 'things'!
Shame on me! If I could just draw closer to Him, sit down and have a nice, relaxing conversation with Him whom I love so much, but yet fail to show it with my actions, or with the way I spend my hours. I am convicted and I lose it and beg for forgiveness.....now I just need to
show Him and remember who the best company truly is. I need to not let these be empty words....or the words of the hypocrite that I am.
I read these words and they hit me hard. I can't hold back the tears. Why am I so concerned at what 'people' think about us, about our calling, about the way we choose to live our lives, about the fact that we don't have a 'house' of our own, that we are the lowly 'renters', that I spend more money lately shopping at second hand shops to clothe my kids, that I have made a pledge to my husband that we will not buy another piece of new furniture (only used or second hand--because we live in such a throw away society).
I have been pouting over finding the perfect place, over how certain things look, or don't look, how big it is, how big the yard is, will we have enough room to be 'comfortable'. Yet there are millions of people who call a mere 'box' their home. What is wrong with me?
You see I have worried more about what others are doing and keeping up with the Joneses and I have failed to keep company with my Christ, the one and only, who truly loves, accepts, and desires to know me for just plain old me. He doesn't care about these ridiculous things that I stress and worry about for nothing, he just wants a piece of me, of my day and I am too caught up with other meaningless, trivial 'things'!
Shame on me! If I could just draw closer to Him, sit down and have a nice, relaxing conversation with Him whom I love so much, but yet fail to show it with my actions, or with the way I spend my hours. I am convicted and I lose it and beg for forgiveness.....now I just need to
show Him and remember who the best company truly is. I need to not let these be empty words....or the words of the hypocrite that I am.
Sunday, 1 July 2012
Spider Veins
Found an old post in my drafts that I had to share! Totally cracks me up! Thank goodness she has never asked about my 'spider veins' again! She is probably too terrified! Ha!
How do you explain what 'spider veins' are to a 2 year old? (yes--confession time, I have unsightly spider veins)
Genesis - Mom (pointing to my unsightly spider vein) do you have an 'owie'?
Me - No dear, that is just a Spider vein (said this so casually like she knew exactly what a spider vein was and is)
Genesis - (with a really concerned look on her face) Mom, a spider bit you?
Me - No, it's just a spider vein (wondering whether or not to give her a human anatomy lesson at this point)
Genesis - You mean a spider lives there? (she is trying to touch it now)
Me - No a spider doesn't live there. (now for the art of distraction as I have no idea how to explain what a spider vein is) Where is your new book, bring it here and I will read it to you.
Genesis - Ok, Mom.
She runs off to get her book and I breathe a sigh of relief. What a hilarious conversation, but I have to admit I felt quite self conscious talking to her about my Spider Veins and now I will let the whole world know that I have them. Ha!
How do you explain what 'spider veins' are to a 2 year old? (yes--confession time, I have unsightly spider veins)
Genesis - Mom (pointing to my unsightly spider vein) do you have an 'owie'?
Me - No dear, that is just a Spider vein (said this so casually like she knew exactly what a spider vein was and is)
Genesis - (with a really concerned look on her face) Mom, a spider bit you?
Me - No, it's just a spider vein (wondering whether or not to give her a human anatomy lesson at this point)
Genesis - You mean a spider lives there? (she is trying to touch it now)
Me - No a spider doesn't live there. (now for the art of distraction as I have no idea how to explain what a spider vein is) Where is your new book, bring it here and I will read it to you.
Genesis - Ok, Mom.
She runs off to get her book and I breathe a sigh of relief. What a hilarious conversation, but I have to admit I felt quite self conscious talking to her about my Spider Veins and now I will let the whole world know that I have them. Ha!
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