Pray for Immigration Process...again!

Well, it's that time again...to renew another Canadian visa so I can remain here. My current work visa expires at the end of September. I still feel led to stay here and the convention staff isn't tired of me yet (HA!), so I must send in my extention application. Without going into all the details and what that entails, just pray for this process and that all will go smoothly.

I continue to feel that God would have me here. God continues to show me that in a number of ways. If you had told me in August of 2001 that I would still be in Canada, I would not have believed you. It's completely God! A couple of months ago, I finally sent in my permanent residency application. Now, before some of you gasp, let me clarify that this does not mean I will not come back to the US. I'm here until God says otherwise. I just know this was a huge step I needed to take. I should have started it earlier...I know my application has been received, so it is being reviewed. There's a number of steps before it is final. I am praying that it will be a quick and easy process.

I ask your prayers for both of these things. It's nerve-wracking having to do all this, but it must be done. Pray for the ones reviewing my PR application and for the ones who will review the work visa extension application. Pray that I can trust God completely.

Thanks for your continued love, support, and prayers!

Convention Video 2010 now online

Convention 2010 meeting in Toronto is now online! Click here to see what we as a convention of churches are all about and how our annual meeting it's not just 'another yearly meeting'. If you want to get a peek into what part of my position with the CNBC consists of, check out the Thursday evening Global Missions Celebration. I still need to blog about our wonderful time in Toronto and how God showed up. Enjoy!

I Love Calls Like This

I often answer our phone at work and never know who will be on the other end. Will it be for me? Will it be a pastor needing to speak to someone specific in our office? Will it be someone I know and I get to catch up with them before transfering the call? Will it be someone calling about missions related things? Well, today I got a call from my mom! I love calls like this! That was exciting as I was away for almost a week on a mission trip and didn't get to talk with my parents. But I would have to say that the highlight (sorry, Mom!) was when I answered a call about missions related things in Canada. I love calls like this!

When our Partnership and Volunteers Ministry Leader is not in the office, I will often talk with the person to see what info I can give them and then pass the information along. Today's call was from a missions leader in northern Arkansas. Their committee had recently met and felt led to contact our office to see how they could be on missions up here. I love calls like this!

I could hear the excitment and passion in this gentleman's voice as he shared with me what he and others would like to see happen over 3-5 years. They would hope the partnership could be reciprocal. This is what we are aiming for in all partnerships. I told him that we could definitely make a partnership happen in some way and in some area of Canada. I was able to share with him a bit of my journey. He didn't know about our seminary up here. I love calls like this!

What I was most surprised about was when the call was coming to an end and this gentleman said, "Let me pray for you"! Wow!!! I usually expect to be the one to minister to others in some way, but God sent this man my way. He said the sweetest prayer for me...
I love how God does things like this when least expected...especially from someone I don't even know. Like he said in his prayer, "I look forward to when we can meet face to face." I can't wait to see what God is going to do as a result of the phone call today.
God is good and I thank Him for smiling down on me like that today.

My New Favourite

"Lead You to the Cross" sung by No Other Name has became my new favourite. This arrangement is just beautiful. It is a beautiful song lyrically and vocally. It's also beautiful because it says what we as Christians - or followers of Jesus - are supposed to be about. Are we leading others to the cross? Do people see Jesus in us? Are we living it out by our actions and words? My prayer is that I can be more confident in leading others to the cross!

I have listened to the recording of this song so much in the past few weeks. I chose it to use in a video that highlights the international missionaries of our convention. That video will be played during the Global Missions Celebration at our annual meeting in less than 2 weeks. Folks will get to see most of the names and faces of our CNBC missionaries or ones with Canadian connections who are leading others to the cross all around the world. Over the next few months, I hope to introduce you to those missionaries.



Check out No Other Name and order their CD! You can't get it in stores, though a couple of songs are on ITunes. I recently got my CD in the mail and have been wearing it out! Some beautiful hymn arrangements...

May you be touched and really think about how you are leading others to the cross...

"Lead You To The Cross" Music Video

I came across this video back in the fall while looking through promo material for the 2009 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. I saw it again recently at a mission focused church service that I was taking part in. I love this song and the video makes it even more powerful!

'Live with Regis and Kelly' to be in PEI

I just came across an ad about Regis and Kelly taping in PEI. I had to see what that is all about. 'Live with Regis and Kelly' will be in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island in July!!!! Check out Tourism PEI for info and dates.

You better believe that I will be recording on those days! If you want to see what was home for me for a year and a half and one of the prettiest places in Canada, check your local listings so you don't miss it!
PEI friends, I'll be watching for you! Can't wait to see Canada highlighted!

ALS Run/Walk in memory of Jesse Morales

It's time again for the ALS Run/Walk in Calgary this Sunday. I'll be a part of "Jesse's Girls' Team" as we seek to raise $25,000 for this terrible disease. Some of us will walk 5K, while others run for 8K in memory of our friend and pastor. If you keep up with my blog, you may recall that Pastor Jesse Morales died in August after an 18 month battle with the illness. Please continue to remember the family during this difficult season.
To find out about the ALS Run/Walk and to donate, go to http://www.als.ca/events/mysite.aspx?fid=3823. I am raising money, so if you would like to give, please let me know so I can include you in my pledges. You can give online. If you can't give, that's okay. Please pray for us as we participate on Sunday and as our church, The Pathway Church, holds a worship service prior to the service.

On behalf of Jesse's Girls...thank you!