God is in Control

Knowing God is in control became even more real to me on Saturday night.

I was driving home at dark after a great welcome back party at the Eagleson's (stay tuned for that post). It had been light snowing all day with just above freezing temps and had gotten worse as the night went on. Not even ten minutes from home, on Crowchild Trail, I noticed some cars stopped on the left side of the road, next to the concrete barriers by the transit tracks. I knew I better slow down as I figured it was a fender-bender. Well, I stepped on the brakes and could not stop as I had hit black ice! I then started steering, which I now know why I've been told you can't brake and steer at the same time! It all happened so fast and the next thing I know, I'm headed towards the concrete barrier...it sounded horrible when I hit it! My car finally stopped with the back of the car "facing" the concrete barrier. I first thought that maybe it had quit running, but then realized it and me were okay. I knew I better get my car out of the way, so I pulled over, facing the opposite direction of traffic, turned the hazards on and thanked God I was okay. I dreaded getting out to see the damage. I just knew my bumper would be hanging off of the car I've just had over a year. When getting out, I almost slipped as it was icy. After inspecting the car, I couldn't believe that the damage really wasn't that bad and only on the driver's side bumper...


AND that I did not collide with another vehicle nor anyone hit me! That in itself is a sheer miracle on one of the busiest roads in Calgary! Cars were driving by me pretty slow at this point and one couple did check to see if I was alright. (God bless them!!) I drove pretty slow on my way home and was so thankful to pull into the garage safe and sound. I still shiver a bit when I think of how it sounded when I hit that barrier and to think of what could have happened.

What else became even more real to me? Jeremiah 29:10-11 "...I'll show up and take care of you as I have promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing, I have it all planned out--plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." (the Message) That verse and many others have been what I have clinged to these past 4 months...God isn't finished with me in Calgary, with the CNBC, in Canada, nor with my life!

When I got home, it was too late Central time to call my parents, so I called my brother Doug. His family and I attend the same church. Doug is like the big brother I never had and he's claimed me as the sister he's always wanted :) He prayed with me and I so needed that. I'm so thankful for his family. It was him that said, "Jesus Take the Wheel"...so I only think it appropriate to include that song/video here.

Getting Back into Routine

It's almost been 3 weeks since I've been back to my home in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. So good to be back! Definitely an adjustment of getting up and going each morning, working 8 hours a day, arriving while it's pretty much still winter, catching up on things at work and church, "setting" up home, buying groceries and cooking for myself again and not being with my family...

I continue to thank God for His many blessings and provisions. Thank you for your continued prayers as I get back into life here.

I find myself still processing those 3 months while I was away from here. Thinking back through it all and what God showed me about Himself...and myself.

One specifc way that God answered a prayer was that I would get an extension on getting medical immigration exams done for permanent residency. Just after I left Canada, I got news that I was to do medical exams within 120 days and I didn't realize I could have done it in the states until I was about to head back. PTL that I was granted a 30 day extension to get that done and I was able to do all that just after I returned! I expect to have permanent residency by the end of the summer! This will make it so much easier for me to be here and no more renewal of work visa and all that mess! You can continue to pray for the residency process. By the time one gets to the medical exam, there's not a lot more to do.

Been great to reconnect with folks here! Great to be back with my church family!

Our CNBC staff is gearing up for New Minister's Orientation at the office next week. Once a year, we invite new pastors to come and hear all about the CNBC, network together and we get to hear God stories from across the country. I enjoy these times of meeting our wonderful leaders and helping them to know more of what we are all about as a convention. We will soon be in full prep gear for our annual meeting that is held in July. This year, it will be in Calgary at Richmond Hill Baptist Church, one of own churches! It's not too often that one of our own churches can actually host the entire meeting in their building...seeing that most of our churches don't have a building big enough to host or even have a building, for that matter. It will be a great time together.

"Be still and know that I am God" - Psalm 46:10