A Busy Summer

Boy, am I behind on keeping this blog updated! That just goes to show the busyness of my summer. Though it's been busy, it's been good, especially with one child becoming a Christian last week during backyard Bible clubs! I am enjoying my first summer of ministry at Community Baptist and on the Island. It's just a lovely place to be and a great fit for me at this time in life!
We are gearing up for VBS next week. I think I am a bit to calm right now, considering there are still things to do. Maybe after 5 years of leading VBS, I know how it works and how God takes care of things. Sure, there is preparation, but I also know that I need to remain calm and do what needs doing. We have a team from North Carolina, our 4th this summer, arriving tomorrow night to assist us in VBS. It has been wonderful to have our NC partners with us this summer. Wonderful people and I know I've made some friends for life.
Speaking of friends for life, 'my' girls, Freda and Kendall, left yesterday, so my heart is a bit sad right now. We were practically glued at the hip all summer, so not having them around will be different for me. I continue to be in an adjustment mode, but guess that just comes with life sometimes.
In the midst of all that is going on in my life, God is continuing to show Himself to me and I stand in awe. He never ceases to amaze me and He continues to remind me that He is the Constant in my life! I pray that you experience Him in a mighty way this day!!! I will post pics of the summer when things are a little less crazy.

Celebrating Both Countries

Being an American and now living in Canada, I get the neat opportunity to celebrate both countries each July! Canada Day takes place on July 1st and is the celebration of Canada becoming a country. This year, a group of us from church went down to the Charlottetown Waterfront to watch the fireworks. We arrived before it got dark and enjoyed fellowshipping together over a game of Phase 10. It's always great to watch fireworks!

Though I'm usually not in the US on July the 4th, I still like to celebrate my home country's day of independence in some way. Seeing that my new friends, Kendall and Freda, are American and would not be home on July 4th, we decided to 'host' a 4th of July cook-out for the Wednesday night prayer group. In Canada, you don't hear the term 'cook-out'. It's mainly just a BBQ, but not what us Southerners would consider BBQ. BBQ here is just hot dogs/hamburgers cooked on the grill. Us gals wanted to do more! We had a menu of BBQ chicken, burgers, baked beans, potato salad, chips, sweet iced tea, pecan pies, and a US flag cake, with some things provided by others. We enjoyed planning the evening and everyone seemed to have a great time of fellowship and food.
I thank God for the honor I have to celebrate two wonderful countries and how neat to sing both countries' anthems in one night, as we did on July 4th!

Meet Kendall and Freda

On June 17, Freda and Kendall walked into my life. They are our summer missionaries from Alabama. What a joy it is to have them around to assist us in all sorts of things at the church, but I think that more than anything, I love their company, zest for life, laughter, love for the Lord, and sharing our Southern ways! Now, I'm not the only one who sounds different around here~just kidding! These young ladies are a breath of fresh air for me and God knew I needed them at this point in my life. It can get pretty lonely down in the church basement and we have tons of fun together. They take me back to being in my twenties and we're just silly together. In just a few weeks time, we have made wonderful memories together & they are so willing to do whatever we ask of them. They were with me as I was looking for a car and finally found one. With having them here, I am also taken back to two of my summers in college, doing exactly what they are doing. I can't help but wonder what God might do in their lives. There is no way that I would have ever imagined that 11 years ago, during my summer in Montana and getting to take a mission trip to Cochrane, Alberta, to work on the seminary and help with VBS at Bow Valley Church, that I would 'still' be in Canada. Of course, 9 years ago in Vancouver, BC, might have played a part as well! Girls, thank you for following the Lord this summer and blessing my heart!! Can't wait to see what God continues to do in and through you this summer and the years to come!!! I LOVE Y'ALL!!!

My New Car

Well, for some reason I am just now posting pics of me and my new car when I have had it over a week! It is such a blessing to have this freedom again, to get a wonderful deal on the car and insurance, to have plenty of room to haul kids and youth & whoever (can seat 6) when needed, and to get good gas mileage. Thanks to all those who have been praying! It doesn't quite feel like mine yet, probably because it wasn't what I was expecting to find, but I am pleased with it and have received great compliments on it. When I test drove it, the FM radio was working, but after picking it up, only the AM worked. That about drove me crazy, so without a CD player in it yet, I have pulled out some tapes! While fast forwarding a tape the other night, the FM radio is now working, so needless to say, I won't be pushing that AM button again! Watch out PEI, Ellen is back on the road again!

"Be Still and Know that I am God."

This is what God has been saying to me lately. Have you ever been there? It's not an easy place for me to be, but I know I need to trust Him. For the past few weeks, I have been spiritually overwhelmed. God continues to show Himself to me and I am speechless! I especially saw it in getting the car today, as the amount came to just over what I came here with to spend on one! Of course, they'll be some other expenses with it, but what a joy to get a steal of deal really! I had great friends with me today as I made the decision.
I ask you to keep me in your prayers as I do my best to trust Him completely!!

Finally...a car!!!!

Yippee!!! I finally found a car today, a 2000 Ford Taurus!! I have the keys, but it's not officially mine because I have to get insurance and get it registered, but it's mine! I wrote the check today and got it for much less than anticipating finding one for. GOD IS GOOD...ALL THE TIME..ALL THE TIME...GOD IS GOOD!!! Thanks to all of you who have been praying. Now just pray for a good insurance rate!! I'll post more pics when I actually have the car in my possession.

My Parents' Visit

Mom and Dad left today for their trek back to MS after a week of being here with me. We had a great time together, as we explored some of the Island. PEI is a beautiful place!!! We saw lighthouses, beaches, marinas where lobster fishermen were coming in, Anne of Green Gables 'home', countryside, and more. It was a whirlwind of a week and we are tired, but am so glad they got to come and get a bit of a taste of my new life here. For the most part, the weather was great. Since they drove up, they were able to bring the rest of my things. I had planned on driving up back in Feb, but since I had to sell the Blazer, I had to leave stuff. What great parents to bring it up! My place feels a bit more homey now!! No luck on finding a car yet, but I know God has just the perfect little car for me.
My parents were able to bring up my mirror, help me hang things, and they bought me this area rug that goes just great with my furniture and I think it really adds to my place. I still have a few other odds and ends to do in here and will post later.
Just one of many lighthouses on the Island

Just one of many beaches with the countryside in the distance
The inspiration and setting for the Anne of Green Gables books!! Seeing it has inspired me to try and read the books and watch the movies this summer! Yes, I'm guilty of not doing that, though I've seen some of the movies and know enough about the storyline.