Third Day of our Journey...quite the experience!

We could definitely feel your prayers last night as we were on Interstate 70 near Topeka, Kansas, and hit freezing rain...though it wasn't raining but the roads were slick. Traffic was slow with hazards on, truckers and cars pulled over, cars in the median overturned...Scary! But God was with us...

We are about to leave for Nashville area. Will get there when we can and may have to take an alternate route because of weather in other areas. Will see. Please continue to pray for us as we are on the last leg of our journey.

This is Jenna now... I think that the theme thus far in our trip has been trust. God has really been showing me (and I'm pretty sure Ellen as well) to just trust Him. To trust that He truly does know best regardless of how we feel. We've had to trust that He would take care of us in getting us across the border, trust that He would keep us safe, trust that He would give us wisdom in which routes to take, when to stop at night. We serve an amazing God!! He has taken care of us in the big and little things. Once again last night, as Ellen has already briefly shared about, we had to trust Him. At first we could not figure out what was going on. I was driving and as we started to see more and more cars with their hazard lights on, and some pulled over, the feeling that we began to get was not one of ease. The roads did not look wet to us and we weren't sliding but there was obviously something major going on that we weren't aware of. Then we began seeing cars flipped, on their sides and some had slid into the ditch. Still not knowing what was going on, Ellen text somebody to try and figure out what was going on as there was nothing on the radio about it. Once we found out what was going on and could tell that the roads were getting worse, it was a matter of trusting God! Trusting that He would get us to our destination safely. I kept reminding myself "Do not fear for I am with you!" As we have began each day, we have prayed that God would protect us, send angels to surround us, for Him to be the pilot and to keep us safe. It was just a matter of trusting that He would do so. It was also a good feeling to know that you guys were praying for us as well! We could definitely feel them as God guided the car straight to the hotel. So I thank you so much!!! I look back at His perfect record and just think that He hasn't failed yet so why would He fail now?! God is good! And thanks again for your continued prayers.

from both of us: how awesome that we got to have dinner at Cracker Barrel after that crazy drive! we love Cracker Barrel!!

Second Day of our Journey

It's Wednesday morning and we're about to leave Denver. We drove 15 hours yesterday! But we got to where we wanted and we'll see how far we get today. We've had clear roads, good weather, and another good rate on a room! God is good...
Our happiest time yesterday was getting to meet up with our friend, Kaitlyn Sullivan (and a friend of hers) in Cheyenne, Wyoming. We had a great dinner and laughs together and she gave us U of Wyoming tshirts :)

I am learning some things about my "daughter" Jenna. She is expecting too much from me. Why in the world she thinks I'm supposed to unlock her door, open and close it, I do not know! But I think I will keep her around because she does a great job cleaning all the windows when we stop for gas! LOL! Seriously, things are going well...

After I blogged Monday night, here is what we read in my devotional from In Touch on December 13:
John 14:1, 27 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Charles Stanley writes: What has a grip on your heart? Think about the things that trouble you...What are we supposed to do with all the challenging situations we face?...Yes, we will experience trials, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can endure struggles with the peace of Christ...But how do we move from overwhelming distress to undisturbed tranquility? Begin by focusing immediately on the Lord, not on the circumstance, trusting Him to help you through it. Read the Scriptures so you can understand His perspectives on the problem and search out His promises. Then believe God and do whatever He says, because you can never have His peace without obedience. And lastly, present your troubles to the Lord in prayer, not just with requests for their removal, but with thanks for His strength to endure them.

ok, God...wow! Do I really need to say more?

We can feel your prayers and ask you to continue to pray as we travel, for our health and strength. I am finding that I am mentally exhausted and haven't slept that well, although last night was better than the first.

So thankful for my dear family and friends! oh, Mom's cataract surgery went well! thanks for praying!

First Day of the Journey

Thanks so much for your prayers as Jenna and I began our journey South today. I still can't believe what all has transpired in my life in just 4 days. It's one day at a time for sure!
We got into our home country just fine and were so relieved. We made it to Helena, Montana and got a great rate on a room! Would have probably driven to Billings from Great Falls, but because it was dark we wanted to take the interstate and not just the 2 lane highway. We hope to make it to the Denver area tomorrow night.
It was a beautiful sunny day today with mild temps in Calgary and even here! The half moon and starlit sky was sure nice.

God is continuing to show Himself faithful...as He has promised!
Please continue to pray for us as we travel. I'm thankful for a great traveling and driving buddy!

Please lift up prayers for my mom as she has cataract surgery on her other eye tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon. Things went really well last week and she's seeing 20/20 in that eye! Having such good sight will be a great Christmas present for her...and of course, having me home!

Thanks to our dear sista Mary Parra for sending this to us via text today: "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isa. 41:10)
That verse came as we were getting close to the border and a bit nervous...

I heard this favorite hymn tonight: "Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." (Lam. 3:22-24)


our highlight today? Eating a bite at Sonic in Great Falls!!! it's one of my favorite places and "hit the spot"!

Having to Leave

I apologize upfront for those I have not contacted personally about the latest in my life. This is the easiest way to let all of you know what is going on with me. As most of you know, I have been waiting to hear back from immigration concerning work visa renewal. I found out last night (Thurs) via a letter in the mail that my work visa application has been rejected and I must leave the country immediately. This is all similar to what happened in 2008 when I came to Alberta to work. Had to go home and wait on the proper document in order to get a work visa. That visa has expired so I had to renew. The appropriate paperwork is still in process or having to be redone, so that's why the application was denied.

So, needless to say I will be leaving Calgary on Monday...driving south and thank the Lord that He has met my need for someone to ride with me and help me drive. My sweet friend and "daughter" Jenna will travel with me, get to visit family in North Carolina and will fly back to Calgary. Her dad is a student at our seminary; her mom and I share an office and have become the best of friends; and we attend the same church. Sometime last year, I realized that if I had had a child at 16, that child would be Jenna's age (18)...so she often calls me "mom" and I call her "daughter". Her younger brother often calls me "mom" as well and even got our kids' Sunday School class started on it last week. Too funny! Anyway...

I will be in the Nashville, TN area and Mississippi until the convention office receives the paperwork needed, mails it to me in MS, and I can head back and hopefully get a new work visa.

I was wanting to be with my family for Christmas and attend the national WMU meeting in Alabama in January. Because of immigration issues, I thought I wouldn't get home. I was bummed about all that but had pretty much accepted it and would make the best out of Christmas here and then 10 days in Prince Edward Island, where I lived for 18 months. As folks have told me today, take all this as a blessing and your way to do those things you were wanting to do. That is what I am doing. God is good through all of this and He is already showing Himself faithful.

I have a range of emotions right now. I was pretty much able to leave the office Friday with things done that needed doing. I have my "to do" list as far as packing and things to take care of before I go. Thankfully I had my car serviced and new winter tires put on a few weeks ago. Just need to get jumper cables and those 'winter preparedness' things one needs on the road in the winter! I've made the trek south in this time of the year before and that went pretty smoothly. Still have to plan out the route, check the extended forecast, etc.

It's somewhat strange preparing to leave when I don't know when, or maybe if, I will return. I feel fairly confident that I wll be back in due time...this is just a season...God showed Himself faithful before. I also am holding onto His Promises and that how I still have a peace about being here doing what I'm doing. I know that can change, especially when it comes to immigration...

So, that is what's going on and I covet your prayers during this time. Many of you have been praying already and ask how the process is going. Thank you! Pray for me to have a calm spirit and that I can think straight when packing and doing all those necessities. Pray for me as I continue to say 'see ya later' to those so dear to me here. Pray for Jenna and me as we travel (car, clear roads, good weather, good health, safety...). Pray for my family as I know they will be concerned wtih us traveling. Should take no more than 4 days. Also much has been going on in the lives of people my family knows...Pray for peace that surpasses all understanding in everyone's lives. Please lift up the convention and application that will soon be sent off for the document I need. Pray for officers reviewing the file.

I will be checking email periodically and recently set up a new email. Yahoo account is becoming overwhelming! You can email me at ellen.cone2001@gmail.com. Of course, Facebook is great and I'm able to access from my Blackberry. I have unlimited texting in North America, so feel free to text me at 403-671-1046. I will try not to talk on my cell much in the States as price goes up. If you'd like to talk on the phone, wonderful! I can send you numbers of where I'll be in the States.

I pray you and your family have a blessd holiday season and all the best in 2011! May we keep our focus on Jesus---THE Reason of the Season! He continues to change lives...including mine!

Thank you for being such a source of support and encouragement to me. You are a blessing!

Our Katie is now 5!

Wow, where does the time go? To think that our Katie is now 5 years old and started preschool this year! Of course, "our" Katie is my sister's middle child...She brings such joy to my life, even with the time and distance separating us. I love talking to her on the phone!


I remember when she was born and the calls coming from my mom that October 4th, 2005 day. It was an exciting time as I waited to hear how things were going. There were a little bit of complications, but everything ended up just fine. We praise the Lord for our precious Katherine Noel!
She had a rainbow party today. How fun is that! When I talked to Katie this morning and she told me the kind of party she was having, I thought "I needed to hear that today"...a rainbow...just another reminder of God's promises! I called her tonight to see how her party went. My sister, Christy, had misplaced my birthday gift to Katie that I had sent along with Mom and Dad. She found it while I was on the phone, so got to open it with me! I can't wait to see her in person and spend tons of time together!

Thank you, God, for Katie and the special little girl she is! Watch over her in a very special way as she grows into the person you want her to be!!!

Continued Prayer for Immigration Process

I'm continuing to ask prayer for my immigration process. Both my permanent residency application and extension of my work visa have been mailed off. Pray that things go smoothly and quickly! Pray that I can trust God completely and know He has a perfect plan for my future. He has been revealing Himself to me in so many ways lately and especially through His Word. May I not forgot His promises!
Thanks for standing in the gap!

A Highlight of What I Do

One of the coolest parts of what I do is getting to connect with our missionaries and be the 'connector' for them and our churches. Some weeks, I am in touch with missionaries daily. Maybe I've received their latest newsletter or prayer requests. Maybe I'm needing to contact them for stories. Maybe we have pastors/leaders interested in an international missions trip, so I am connecting the missionary and the pastor. Maybe it's their birthday! Maybe I am just emailing to say, "how are you? You are being prayed for." I love rubbing shoulders with missionaries in this way!

I am finally going to begin to introduce you to the missionaries that are appointed by our convention in partnership with the IMB. We have 3 appointed, but a total of 17 units that have Canadian connections! It is these 17 that we keep before our churches - sharing their stories, needs, and making prayer cards available.

My friend, Jess, will be leaving on Thursday to go to a country and people group that is very unreached. She will be there for 2 years. God knows where she is going, so as you pray for Jess, He knows her needs and where she is! Jess is a recent university graduate who has already spent time overseas. She is a former youth minister in one of our churches and has a heart for reaching others. She will be leading teams that come into her city to reach the people in her area.

I have the privilege of being Jess' "gatekeeper" while she is away. If you would like to hear more about Jess and her work, just contact me at econe@cnbc.ca and I will add you to her newsletter list.

Pray for Jess as she prepares to leave on Thursday, as she travels, and transitions to a new country.

Standing in the gap...