First Day of School....at Horizon

Yesterday, March 6th, was the kids first day at their new school, Horizon Christian Academy.

We all woke up to a fresh blanket of snow!

It's fair to say that the kid's first day was an adjustment day. They missed the friends they had left behind and were a little overwhelmed at learning the "ins and outs" of a new teacher, class, and curriculum. I am so thankful for the teachers God has given them, here, and their help and encouragement to the kids as they make their adjustments.

Day two (today) brought them home with bigger smiles! They are figuring things out and making new friends. It takes time...and, as we try to always remind the kids...when Jesus is our very best friend, it doesn't matter where we go or what life is like, because He is always there! All that He brings into our lives is for the purpose of making us more like Him and helping us depend on Him and Him alone!

We are so very thankful for the opportunity to send them to Horizon!

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purposes that prevail.”
Proverbs 19:21

Saturday night, the Lord purposed for Grace and Micah to get the flu. As a result, the kids did not start school on Monday. It was not as we had planned...but we are thankful that God’s ways prevail. By the grace of God, no one else has come down with the flu and, having the extra day proved to be a sweet blessing. It gave us time to get last minute school supplies, visit the school and meet the kid’s teachers, and just feel a bit more rested and all-around ready for our new routine.

As I went to bed on Saturday night, I was reading in Philippians 4. Verses 4-5 say:

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Those very words were going through my head as Bryan and I were awakened in the middle of the night and up for the rest of the night. My conversation with God went something like this:

Rejoice?
Yes, even in this.
Be reasonable?
Yes, be gracious and be content with where I have put you right now. I am with you.
But Lord, we were excited about going to church...and what about school on Monday? What if this goes through the whole house and we spend all week sick? Lord, you know this is a big week for the kids.
Stop! Don’t worry about anything. Talk to Me about it. Cast your cares on the Me. Thank Me for being in control. Rest in the peace of knowing that I cause all things to work together for good. Be still!

God’s Word doesn’t get more living and active than that, now does it?!:)

Can't help but think....

....that while we spent yesterday moving our furniture and belongings into our house...many in the midwest spent the day in "hiding" as their belongings were destroyed and scattered by tornadoes.

It puts things into perspective, doesn't it?

Unloaded!

I can't believe I am writing this...but all 5 1/2 tons of our "house" is out of the container and into the house and garage! And yes, that is the actual weight!:) There are sore bodies walking around tonight...but we are soooo thankful for God's sustaining strength and continued grace. We have been blessed, too, by the love and care of the people here at my dad's church. Our hearts are full! We truly do "feel" the prayers of the saints! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

We Made It!

It's been a long day...but we are in Hood River, Oregon safe and sound!!!

We stopped by to see our "new home" :) and, with some help, got the U-Haul unloaded.

We are staying at my parent's house tonight and will wait for the arrival of our container tomorrow.

We are so thankful for God's protection today and for all of your prayers!!!

Farewell

In about 8 hours we will head down the road and say farewell to Canada. These last couple of weeks have been full of sweet memories but also tearful good-byes.
It started with a beautiful farewell party that blessed our socks off. We were humbled to tears throughout the afternoon by the friends and church family who were there to encourage us! We shared the following in a thank you to those who came:

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you”

As we look back on the last few months and on the sweet farewell party our hearts are full of thanksgiving for all of you. God has used you to encourage our hearts, speak words of care and wisdom into our lives, and help us to “give thanks in all circumstances.”

You have been instrumentally used by God to remind us of His faithfulness and His personal care over every detail of our lives. We are eternally grateful for your friendship and for the season of life we have had in Canada. We have so many sweet memories!

As we enter a new season of life, we can honestly say that we do so with rejoicing. Thankful for where God brought us and thankful that His hand continues to guide us still. Though there are still uncertainties...He has begun to open doors in amazing ways.

The kids will start school again on Monday at the local Christian school...we never even thought that would have been possible! We stand in awe at how God orchestrated all the details, and the kids are excited (although, I have a feeling they will be a bit nervous on Monday).

Then, just today, God opened the door for us to rent a house from a family in my parent's church. So, our household goods will not be sitting in a "truck terminal" in Portland for months but be filling a home, as of this weekend. We are blown away! What a treasure it continues to be to see God's faithful provision for us. It feels a little bit like we are living Isaiah 30:21:

"Your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left."

Having said that, I have no idea when we will have any type of internet connection for our home...so, don't panic if you email and there is no response...would you just keep praying for us through this time of transition? We would be so grateful! We'll eventually be "up and running" again but it's going to be a bit crazy for a while, I think.:)

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8

Thank you, thank you!!!

Today was "load up the container and Uhaul" day....and it was a great day. We had so much help...from our kiddos being watched and loved on, to coffee and donuts, to more arms then there were things to carry, to cleaning help, to lunch help, and lots of little things in between...we were blessed and humbled.

So many of you have sacrificed on our behalf...both of your time and your resources. Know that the Lord has used you to encourage our hearts, to behold His faithfulness, and to rejoice greatly for the body of Christ!

Thank you from the very bottom of our hearts!!!