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
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Finally Home!
It is so nice to be sitting in my little basement suite...I have missed this place! It's wierd being back and I know it will take a bit for me to get into a routine again.
I am so thankful for God's provision and His faithfulness and for the prayers of my family and friends during this season of my life. Not counting God's watchcare over me, it was also knowing that so many were praying for me that helped me get through these three months.
We had about an hour at the border last night. The immigration officer needed to see a copy of my seminary diploma/master's degree as proof that I graduated from CSBS, as it is a qualification of the missions ministry position. He knew of this from the 'letter of invitation' I had to present. I had no idea they would need the diploma, since the position had been approved! Praise the Lord that Debbie was home, I knew where my diploma was, she found it, scanned it, emailed it to a friend from work/church who lives on the seminary hill (Thanks Jennifer/Jenna), who could go fax it to the border office from the convention office!! God was definitely in that! For a few minutes, it looked like there was another issue with the document being expired, but the officer had just misread the date! Whosh! I am thankful for the immigration officer who was fairly kind and 'just doing his job'. Once we were in the car and on our way into Canada, it was like a huge burden had been lifted off my shoulders; so many emotions ran through me. Finally...I was actually headed home!!! I settled into my own bed around 2AM!
Praises that we did arrive safe and sound as we drove through rain/snow and some snow packed roads once we crossed into Canada (Darla did most of that driving!). When we were near Great Falls, in northern Montana, there was a rain/snow mix. It was about that time that I texted a bunch of folks to ask them to start praying hard for the border crossing in about 2 hours and to pray for the weather. In less than 10 minutes, the sun was shining and it was clear!!! Thank you prayer warriors!!
It was wonderful to be with my Pathway church family this morning. Only one family knew I had made it back, so it was fun surprising everyone. I got some beautiful daisies and folks enjoyed a 'welcome home Ellen' with Canadian flag cake :) Sweet! I shared with the congregation about the past 3 months and what God has showed me and more. On 3 different days in a week, God showed me Matthew 7:7 "Keep asking and it will be given to you. Keep searching and you will find. Keep knocking and the door will be opened to you". Because I have seen God answer specific prayers, this verse holds even more meaning to me...
I will write more as the days go on and as I continue to process through things.
I ask you to continue to pray for me as I get into a routine here and "set up house" again. I haven't had to shop for groceries for 3 months! I am exhausted, so pray for my physical health. I left my family back in MS and TN, so please pray for that. We had gotten somewhat used to being around each other!
So looking forward to re-connecting with my Canadian family!!!
I am so thankful for God's provision and His faithfulness and for the prayers of my family and friends during this season of my life. Not counting God's watchcare over me, it was also knowing that so many were praying for me that helped me get through these three months.
We had about an hour at the border last night. The immigration officer needed to see a copy of my seminary diploma/master's degree as proof that I graduated from CSBS, as it is a qualification of the missions ministry position. He knew of this from the 'letter of invitation' I had to present. I had no idea they would need the diploma, since the position had been approved! Praise the Lord that Debbie was home, I knew where my diploma was, she found it, scanned it, emailed it to a friend from work/church who lives on the seminary hill (Thanks Jennifer/Jenna), who could go fax it to the border office from the convention office!! God was definitely in that! For a few minutes, it looked like there was another issue with the document being expired, but the officer had just misread the date! Whosh! I am thankful for the immigration officer who was fairly kind and 'just doing his job'. Once we were in the car and on our way into Canada, it was like a huge burden had been lifted off my shoulders; so many emotions ran through me. Finally...I was actually headed home!!! I settled into my own bed around 2AM!
Praises that we did arrive safe and sound as we drove through rain/snow and some snow packed roads once we crossed into Canada (Darla did most of that driving!). When we were near Great Falls, in northern Montana, there was a rain/snow mix. It was about that time that I texted a bunch of folks to ask them to start praying hard for the border crossing in about 2 hours and to pray for the weather. In less than 10 minutes, the sun was shining and it was clear!!! Thank you prayer warriors!!
It was wonderful to be with my Pathway church family this morning. Only one family knew I had made it back, so it was fun surprising everyone. I got some beautiful daisies and folks enjoyed a 'welcome home Ellen' with Canadian flag cake :) Sweet! I shared with the congregation about the past 3 months and what God has showed me and more. On 3 different days in a week, God showed me Matthew 7:7 "Keep asking and it will be given to you. Keep searching and you will find. Keep knocking and the door will be opened to you". Because I have seen God answer specific prayers, this verse holds even more meaning to me...
I will write more as the days go on and as I continue to process through things.
I ask you to continue to pray for me as I get into a routine here and "set up house" again. I haven't had to shop for groceries for 3 months! I am exhausted, so pray for my physical health. I left my family back in MS and TN, so please pray for that. We had gotten somewhat used to being around each other!
So looking forward to re-connecting with my Canadian family!!!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Alberta Bound - Day 1
The first day of our journey back to Calgary/Cochrane is coming to a close after about 14 hours on the road! We drove from Mt. Olive, MS to Guthrie, OK (near Oklahoma City). We had great weather and nice sunshine and warmth the whole way. We got to visit with Mary and Stafford Bryant in Shreveport, LA, as Mary recovers in the hospital from cancer surgery. It was a sweet visit for us and we would have liked to stay longer, but Mary had had a rough morning and needed her rest. Please keep her and the family in your prayers at this time. Mary will have a month of recovery and then have at least 2 rounds of chemo. Pray for strength and healing. She is very weak and frail...
We know you are praying for us. so keep it up! Continue to pray for safe travels on busy interstates, we will be alert and healthy, and have good rest at night. Pray for a hedge of protection around us. I feel Satan attacking and trying to bring me down (literally), but we know our God is bigger! I've been waiting for 3 months to do this journey back and it's finally happening...!
Darla and I are enjoying ourselves...at least I think we are! LOL! We enjoyed some time on the Gulf Coast of MS on Wednesday as she flew into Gulfport Tuesday night. I had not seen some parts of the Coast since Katrina, so we drove around and saw what remained, is still to be done...after 5 1/2 years. Got to see the camp property at Gulfshore Baptist Assembly in Pass Christian, where I attended as a child and youth and worked at for the summer of '95. The building stands though the 1st and 2nd floors were gutted in the storm. It was somewhat eery seeing it like that with the other buildings around it completely gone...I believe it's in the process of being completely torn down.
Darla shared with my home church in Mt. Olive last night and I know they enjoyed hearing about her and Ken's ministry. Keep Ken in your prayers as he has joined a few others for a mission trip to Cuba for a week.
Oh, how could I almost forget to ask you to keep the border crossing in your prayers. Remember that is where I get the work visa (hopefully with no issues!). Customs and Immigration stuff is so nerve wracking for me, so pray I can "Be Still and Know that He is God". Would you believe that as we walked into Cracker Barrel for dinner tonight, the first thing I see is a beautiful print with that verse on it?! Needless to say, I had to buy it and will find the perfect place for it...
"Keep asking and it will be given to you. Keep searching and you will find. Keep knocking and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7 (verse from 2 separate devotionals on Mar 14 and Mar 15...)
Well, until next time...Keep the prayers coming!
We know you are praying for us. so keep it up! Continue to pray for safe travels on busy interstates, we will be alert and healthy, and have good rest at night. Pray for a hedge of protection around us. I feel Satan attacking and trying to bring me down (literally), but we know our God is bigger! I've been waiting for 3 months to do this journey back and it's finally happening...!
Darla and I are enjoying ourselves...at least I think we are! LOL! We enjoyed some time on the Gulf Coast of MS on Wednesday as she flew into Gulfport Tuesday night. I had not seen some parts of the Coast since Katrina, so we drove around and saw what remained, is still to be done...after 5 1/2 years. Got to see the camp property at Gulfshore Baptist Assembly in Pass Christian, where I attended as a child and youth and worked at for the summer of '95. The building stands though the 1st and 2nd floors were gutted in the storm. It was somewhat eery seeing it like that with the other buildings around it completely gone...I believe it's in the process of being completely torn down.
Darla shared with my home church in Mt. Olive last night and I know they enjoyed hearing about her and Ken's ministry. Keep Ken in your prayers as he has joined a few others for a mission trip to Cuba for a week.
Oh, how could I almost forget to ask you to keep the border crossing in your prayers. Remember that is where I get the work visa (hopefully with no issues!). Customs and Immigration stuff is so nerve wracking for me, so pray I can "Be Still and Know that He is God". Would you believe that as we walked into Cracker Barrel for dinner tonight, the first thing I see is a beautiful print with that verse on it?! Needless to say, I had to buy it and will find the perfect place for it...
"Keep asking and it will be given to you. Keep searching and you will find. Keep knocking and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7 (verse from 2 separate devotionals on Mar 14 and Mar 15...)
Well, until next time...Keep the prayers coming!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Preparing to Leave
It was 3 months ago (Dec 13) that I had to leave Canada and I think my blog entry just before that was 'Having to Leave'. Well, I am now 'preparing to leave' to go back to Canada, the place that has become home and specifically to Calgary and my ministry with the Canadian National Baptist Convention and The Pathway Church!
Just on Thursday, I received the documents I need to get new work visa at the border, I received money that will help with expenses on the road, and my Canadian missionary friend Darla Ponath said that she could travel me! It was neat to see God answer my/your prayers in this way...I don't think I'll believe all this is happening until we are on the road, the work visa is in my hands, and we cross into Canada!
Darla will fly in on Tuesday night, have a chance to speak about her ministry at my home church in Mt. Olive on Wednesday night and we will head out on Thursday morning. We'll stop and see our dear friends Mary and Stafford Bryant in Shreveport, LA. They are Americans who serve as North American Mission Board MSC missionaries with our convention. Mary oversees our Mission Centre in Cochrane and Stafford serves in many different construction projects. They have been in the States since December. Mary has been undergoing cancer treatments and will have surgery on Tuesday the 15th. Please say extra prayers for her. Stafford recently began treatments for prostate cancer, so remember him as well. They are servants of the Lord and we look forward to the time that all of us will be back in Canada. You can follow their journey at www.carepages.com (canadalovesmary). Surely Darla and I will be home sometime on Sunday!
Tonight, the pastor preached on the importance of intercessory prayer. Oh, how powerful that can be! That is the role that so many of you have been taking for me. Please continue!
Pray for:
~my remaining time here and as I sort things and pack up
~for Darla's flight on Tuesday
~for our travels (safety, good weather, alertness, good health)
~for the border crossing and that all goes smoothly with getting the work visa. I feel pretty confident, but one really never knows how these things can go. Even though I have the document needed to get the work visa, that doesn't guarentee my entry into Canada.
God does continue to show Himself faithful. There is so much I could write about these 3 months and much I want to share. I shall do that in small segments in the near future. There were some weeks that each day's devotional/verse that I read went right along with my situation. I continue to be in awe at how God goes before us!
May you see God at work in your life...even in the difficult days and trust that He knows what He's doing! Thanks again for your continued love, support, encouragement, and prayers.
enjoy the moment!
Just on Thursday, I received the documents I need to get new work visa at the border, I received money that will help with expenses on the road, and my Canadian missionary friend Darla Ponath said that she could travel me! It was neat to see God answer my/your prayers in this way...I don't think I'll believe all this is happening until we are on the road, the work visa is in my hands, and we cross into Canada!
Darla will fly in on Tuesday night, have a chance to speak about her ministry at my home church in Mt. Olive on Wednesday night and we will head out on Thursday morning. We'll stop and see our dear friends Mary and Stafford Bryant in Shreveport, LA. They are Americans who serve as North American Mission Board MSC missionaries with our convention. Mary oversees our Mission Centre in Cochrane and Stafford serves in many different construction projects. They have been in the States since December. Mary has been undergoing cancer treatments and will have surgery on Tuesday the 15th. Please say extra prayers for her. Stafford recently began treatments for prostate cancer, so remember him as well. They are servants of the Lord and we look forward to the time that all of us will be back in Canada. You can follow their journey at www.carepages.com (canadalovesmary). Surely Darla and I will be home sometime on Sunday!
Tonight, the pastor preached on the importance of intercessory prayer. Oh, how powerful that can be! That is the role that so many of you have been taking for me. Please continue!
Pray for:
~my remaining time here and as I sort things and pack up
~for Darla's flight on Tuesday
~for our travels (safety, good weather, alertness, good health)
~for the border crossing and that all goes smoothly with getting the work visa. I feel pretty confident, but one really never knows how these things can go. Even though I have the document needed to get the work visa, that doesn't guarentee my entry into Canada.
God does continue to show Himself faithful. There is so much I could write about these 3 months and much I want to share. I shall do that in small segments in the near future. There were some weeks that each day's devotional/verse that I read went right along with my situation. I continue to be in awe at how God goes before us!
May you see God at work in your life...even in the difficult days and trust that He knows what He's doing! Thanks again for your continued love, support, encouragement, and prayers.
enjoy the moment!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
An Answer to Prayers
Praise the Lord that on Thursday, the Canadian government approved my position with the CNBC!!! This is the biggest hurdle, so there shouldn't be an issue with getting the new work visa at the border. I thank each and every one of you who have been praying for me and this process. Your prayers mean so much. God has shown Himself to me in big ways in the past few weeks and His timing is perfect!
I will write more later, but wanted to let you know the latest. Also wanted to let you know specifically how you can continue to pray.
Pray for just the right friend to be my traveling buddy. Pray for financial needs of traveling to be met. Pray for me to know how I am to spend my time until I leave. Pray for me as I say 'see ya later' to family and friends. Pray that I can continue to trust God in the timing of getting back to Canada. I wish I could click my heels and be there! Pray for my health. I have managed to stay well all these weeks, so I don't want to get sick now. Pray for the border crossing and all goes smoothly.
Thank you and blessings to you!
I will write more later, but wanted to let you know the latest. Also wanted to let you know specifically how you can continue to pray.
Pray for just the right friend to be my traveling buddy. Pray for financial needs of traveling to be met. Pray for me to know how I am to spend my time until I leave. Pray for me as I say 'see ya later' to family and friends. Pray that I can continue to trust God in the timing of getting back to Canada. I wish I could click my heels and be there! Pray for my health. I have managed to stay well all these weeks, so I don't want to get sick now. Pray for the border crossing and all goes smoothly.
Thank you and blessings to you!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Waiting
Well, I sure didn't mean to go this long without an update! I have been at my parents' place the past few weeks, didn't know if it would be easy to blog on dial-up, so I didn't want to attempt it. I'm back at my sister's, so computer and internet use is easier for me. Cold temps have been in the South lately and a few inches of snow fell pretty fast today, so we are 'snowed in' in Franklin with schools and much else closed.
Let me say 'thank you' for your continued prayers as I wait out this season of my life. Your prayers for me and the immigration issues mean so much! You will never know what it really means to me. There's really no news to report, except that the paperwork is in process and the CNBC office hopes to hear something in the next two weeks. In the meantime, I continue to wait. I wasn't sure how to title this blog entry, but since waiting is a huge part of my life right now, I thought it was appropriate.
There is much I could write about the '2 months ago since my life was interrupted so suddenly'. I almost don't know where to begin. I think I may write a book when all of this is over!
I will say that God continues to show His faithfulness and remind me of His promises; speak to me through Scripture, others, and circumstances. He has revealed to me reasons of why He has me here...even though my heart longs to be back to the place that has become home to me and I miss my "family" there so much. Honestly, this is probably the hardest season of my life. My first year of teaching in inner-city Jackson, Mississippi, was such a difficult time and one of total dependence on God...but this is different. Yes, I'm trying to depend on God in this season and trust Him, but this is just a totally different season.
I've been resting lots, doing what I can from away as a volunteer for the Missions divison of the CNBC, spending time with family and friends, and eating lots of those favorite things I can't get in Canada. I may gain 20 pounds through all this! Ha! I've enjoyed reconnecting with friends from different walks of life and ones I haven't seen in quite a while. I'm connected with two churches down here, so it's been great to visit with both church families. Of course, the time with my precious nieces and nephew is just wonderful! They continue to be my "therapy"! It's something how you long for one thing, but am glad for another...
I have no set schedule and really can't plan too far in advance...making decisions isn't the easiest for me right now, though I can pick out my clothes and what I will do that day. Guess I'm experiencing what missionaries do when they take their "furlough" time as I'm basically living out of suitcases with a few favorite things I brought with me. Hey, maybe that's another reason for all of this...being able to relate to our missionaries even more!
Speaking of missionaries, my devotional for this year is Voices of the Faithful - Book 2: Inspiring Stories of Courage from Christians Serving Around the World. I went through the first one in 2008 and was so touched reading the snippet of stories from missionaries and honored to be able to pray for them each day. Got the second book at a great price after Christmas, so I knew I needed to do this this year. Though I don't serve overseas, I know first hand what the prayers of others mean and I believe in the power of intercessory prayer. By praying for missionaries, you never know how they might be needing prayer on that given day...so pray for missionaries and not just in general, but by name! And even if you only know their intitials or first names and only their region or people group, God knows them and their needs!
Here is a snippet from Feb 7 (B serving Central Asian Peoples): After moving to her new place of service and teaching her third grade class about natural disasters and they get frightened...she knows God is saying to her "If I am bigger than natural disasters, don't you think that I am bigger than the homesickness that is overwhelming you?...I was reminded that I am never alone and that God, who holds the world in His hands, holds me, too." The verse was Zephaniah 3:17 ~ "For the Lord your God is living among you...He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." Wow!
From Feb 8 (Candy serving Central Asian Peoples): "Listening, waiting, reflecting...I knew that God was teaching me that there was a time to be busy and a time to wait on His timing when He will bring about what He desires..." The verse? "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10. Wow! I have been 'camped out' on that verse for a few years now...Need I really say more as He shows Himself to me...when I am drained mentally and emotionally and am tired of waiting...
In your own waiting seasons, whatever they may be, I pray that you will look to God and trust Him to meet all your needs...even when you don't understand...
Enjoy the moment!
Let me say 'thank you' for your continued prayers as I wait out this season of my life. Your prayers for me and the immigration issues mean so much! You will never know what it really means to me. There's really no news to report, except that the paperwork is in process and the CNBC office hopes to hear something in the next two weeks. In the meantime, I continue to wait. I wasn't sure how to title this blog entry, but since waiting is a huge part of my life right now, I thought it was appropriate.
There is much I could write about the '2 months ago since my life was interrupted so suddenly'. I almost don't know where to begin. I think I may write a book when all of this is over!
I will say that God continues to show His faithfulness and remind me of His promises; speak to me through Scripture, others, and circumstances. He has revealed to me reasons of why He has me here...even though my heart longs to be back to the place that has become home to me and I miss my "family" there so much. Honestly, this is probably the hardest season of my life. My first year of teaching in inner-city Jackson, Mississippi, was such a difficult time and one of total dependence on God...but this is different. Yes, I'm trying to depend on God in this season and trust Him, but this is just a totally different season.
I've been resting lots, doing what I can from away as a volunteer for the Missions divison of the CNBC, spending time with family and friends, and eating lots of those favorite things I can't get in Canada. I may gain 20 pounds through all this! Ha! I've enjoyed reconnecting with friends from different walks of life and ones I haven't seen in quite a while. I'm connected with two churches down here, so it's been great to visit with both church families. Of course, the time with my precious nieces and nephew is just wonderful! They continue to be my "therapy"! It's something how you long for one thing, but am glad for another...
I have no set schedule and really can't plan too far in advance...making decisions isn't the easiest for me right now, though I can pick out my clothes and what I will do that day. Guess I'm experiencing what missionaries do when they take their "furlough" time as I'm basically living out of suitcases with a few favorite things I brought with me. Hey, maybe that's another reason for all of this...being able to relate to our missionaries even more!
Speaking of missionaries, my devotional for this year is Voices of the Faithful - Book 2: Inspiring Stories of Courage from Christians Serving Around the World. I went through the first one in 2008 and was so touched reading the snippet of stories from missionaries and honored to be able to pray for them each day. Got the second book at a great price after Christmas, so I knew I needed to do this this year. Though I don't serve overseas, I know first hand what the prayers of others mean and I believe in the power of intercessory prayer. By praying for missionaries, you never know how they might be needing prayer on that given day...so pray for missionaries and not just in general, but by name! And even if you only know their intitials or first names and only their region or people group, God knows them and their needs!
Here is a snippet from Feb 7 (B serving Central Asian Peoples): After moving to her new place of service and teaching her third grade class about natural disasters and they get frightened...she knows God is saying to her "If I am bigger than natural disasters, don't you think that I am bigger than the homesickness that is overwhelming you?...I was reminded that I am never alone and that God, who holds the world in His hands, holds me, too." The verse was Zephaniah 3:17 ~ "For the Lord your God is living among you...He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." Wow!
From Feb 8 (Candy serving Central Asian Peoples): "Listening, waiting, reflecting...I knew that God was teaching me that there was a time to be busy and a time to wait on His timing when He will bring about what He desires..." The verse? "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10. Wow! I have been 'camped out' on that verse for a few years now...Need I really say more as He shows Himself to me...when I am drained mentally and emotionally and am tired of waiting...
In your own waiting seasons, whatever they may be, I pray that you will look to God and trust Him to meet all your needs...even when you don't understand...
Enjoy the moment!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Has It Really Been a Month?
happy 2011! I pray it is a blessed year for you!
Well, yesterday the 13th was a month since I left Canada. Wow! Some days it seems like only yesterday and other days, I feel it's been months and months. I know a number of you are wondering what the latest is with immigration. Nothing to really report. The Canadian government phoned the office a couple weeks ago to say that if they hadn't heard anything by the end of the month to call. So, it's still a waiting game...and trusting in God's perfect timing.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your continued prayers for the immigration process and as I wait on the paperwork needed to return. Knowing so many care and are praying means the world to me. Keep those prayers coming!
I've been splitting my weeks between my parents in south Mississippi (my ole house) and my sister's near Nashville, Tennessee ~ about 7 hours apart. It's been a blessing to be with family and God has already revealed to me reasons He has me here at this time.
On Tuesday, I returned to my sister's after a 4 day national WMU meeting in Birmingham, Alabama. It was wonderful to be with my missions minded sisters in Christ as we networked together and heard about God's activity around the world. I have developed wonderful relationships with many of these women and always look forward to our times together. Despite the circumstances of why I am here, I am so glad I got to attend the meeting that I look forward to each year...not the meetings so much as the fellowship, encouragement, and networking together. A major ice storm hit the South, so it was interesting in this parts the past few days.
I am continuing to ask God how He wants me to spend my time. I'm doing what I can as a volunteer for the convention despite the distance. We're in the midst of the next missions offering mailout. Lots of emails back and forth, but I know the ones overseeing things at that end will do a great job!
Some nights, I may sleep 10 hours! It's probably what I need right now as I think my brain is still fried from having to make decisions and leave and travel. Don't ask me to make too many decisions; I still can't do it! At least I can pick out my clothes each day...or most days! I've been able to connect with friends and look forward to seeing more, as well as extended family.
God continues to show Himself faithful through His word, song, and others. It's His promises that I hold onto!
In the uncertainties of life, may we ~
Be Still and Know that He is God and Enjoy the Moment!
Well, yesterday the 13th was a month since I left Canada. Wow! Some days it seems like only yesterday and other days, I feel it's been months and months. I know a number of you are wondering what the latest is with immigration. Nothing to really report. The Canadian government phoned the office a couple weeks ago to say that if they hadn't heard anything by the end of the month to call. So, it's still a waiting game...and trusting in God's perfect timing.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your continued prayers for the immigration process and as I wait on the paperwork needed to return. Knowing so many care and are praying means the world to me. Keep those prayers coming!
I've been splitting my weeks between my parents in south Mississippi (my ole house) and my sister's near Nashville, Tennessee ~ about 7 hours apart. It's been a blessing to be with family and God has already revealed to me reasons He has me here at this time.
On Tuesday, I returned to my sister's after a 4 day national WMU meeting in Birmingham, Alabama. It was wonderful to be with my missions minded sisters in Christ as we networked together and heard about God's activity around the world. I have developed wonderful relationships with many of these women and always look forward to our times together. Despite the circumstances of why I am here, I am so glad I got to attend the meeting that I look forward to each year...not the meetings so much as the fellowship, encouragement, and networking together. A major ice storm hit the South, so it was interesting in this parts the past few days.
I am continuing to ask God how He wants me to spend my time. I'm doing what I can as a volunteer for the convention despite the distance. We're in the midst of the next missions offering mailout. Lots of emails back and forth, but I know the ones overseeing things at that end will do a great job!
Some nights, I may sleep 10 hours! It's probably what I need right now as I think my brain is still fried from having to make decisions and leave and travel. Don't ask me to make too many decisions; I still can't do it! At least I can pick out my clothes each day...or most days! I've been able to connect with friends and look forward to seeing more, as well as extended family.
God continues to show Himself faithful through His word, song, and others. It's His promises that I hold onto!
In the uncertainties of life, may we ~
Be Still and Know that He is God and Enjoy the Moment!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)