Reflecting on Ten Years

(Be prepared for a lengthy reflection...)

Has it really been over ten years since I moved to Canada to study at seminary? Has it really been almost ten years when I began a focus on children's ministry as a seminary intern and then carried on full-time after I graduated? Have I really been friends with so many incredible people (some for 10 years) here who have become like family to me? Has it really been almost three years since I began my "job" with the CNBC? Have I really had six addresses in ten years?! (I just realized that today...and that I'll be adding another address to that list as I look for a place in Cochrane.) Where have the years gone?

Since mid-August, I've been reflecting on all this, as that was the time of year I moved to the seminary hill. Never would I have thought I would plant my life here, especially since I thought that after graduation, I would move back to the US and be a children's minister in a church. In the spring of 2001, I was close to the end of my second year of teaching and I felt the Holy Spirit telling me that I wouldn't be teaching in the fall. I soon realized God was saying "fully surrender your life to me". I surrenedered to full-time ministry and really, the rest is history! I found my journal from spring 2001, when I knew God was calling me to study at Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary. I made a preview visit and here's an entry: "Lord, I am in awe at things You've shown me on this trip and people You've brought into my life in just over 24 hours. I know you want me here - in August! There's no doubt and I pray You'll prepare me and others...I am in awe at what You're doing right now and that I've finally, I guess, said 'yes', I'm to be here...I know without a shadow of a doubt that this is it, but won't believe it until I'm here!" In August of that year: "Lord, I am just in awe of how providing You are and unworthy I am!" (I saw God meeting financial needs in big ways.) I just felt led to share those things here. I am sure that if I sat down and read my journals, there's ton more entries like that of how I was in awe of God and how He has provided.

When I reflect over my time in Canada, it's probably those things I think of the most ~ how the Father never ceases to amaze me and how He has been so Faithful and such a Provider for me. Words almost can't express...
I think of my time in seminary and the incredible friends I had while there, including faculty and staff. There are a number of those people I get to see on a regular basis since I work at the Convention office, which is on the same property of the seminary. Many of my seminary classmates are spread across Canada and we get to connect in various ways. God blessed me with the opportunity to serve as children's minister at Mountain View Christian Fellowship in Calgary and Community Baptist Church in PEI. The people who made up those congregations while I was there were wonderful and will always hold a special place in my heart. You allowed me to lead your children's ministry and entrusted your children to me. I am forever grateful. If someone would have told me that I would be serving with the Canadian National Baptist Convention as the national missions ministry leader, I would have thought they were crazy. Only God could have orchestrated that. I'm thankful that my boss, Salt Jones, listened to the Father when He put my name on Salt's heart about the missions ministry leader position. It is an honor and privilege to "work" where I do. I get to interact with missionaries on a daily basis (some weeks), help churches be on mission and know what mission resources are out there, and watch others join God in His activity in Canada and around the world!
It's also a joy to be a part of The Pathway Church in Calgary. We are a growing church where I am involved in the children's ministry (surprise, surprise) and I continue to seek God in His leading for what my exact role is to be. It's cool to see God at work in our church and its people and be a part of this family.

I wanted to include pictures of the past 10 years, but how does one do that? I don't think I could ever chose the right ones. I decided that I will keep it simple and just use this one:
I also know I must use it because of what the Canada flag means to me. The US flag means something to me because it's the flag of my home country. The Canadian flag means something to me because it's the flag of the country that has become home to me and the place that God has called me to. It means even more to me since I recently became a Canadian Permanent Resident! I think it's pretty cool that the residency process came to completion just after I was in Canada for 10 years. Wow!

I don't take it lightly that God has placed me here. I know I haven't always been about what He wants me to be about because I let life get in the way. It's not always easy being here, away from my family where snow can be on the ground for nine straight months and temps way below freezing! But God is good through it all, has been so Faithful to me and Provided for me in ways that are too long to list. I don't know why He chose me to be in Canada, nor do I fully need to know. I just know that I would not have experienced Him (I don't think) like I would if I was not here. I've learned much and continue to learn much about myself and the Lord. I've been able to experience different cultures and different churches. And for almost 3 years, I've been able to help others be on mission! That warms my heart...
While doing summer missions in 1996, I came with a group from Montana to Cochrane to volunteer at the seminary and help with VBS at Bow Valley Baptist Church having no idea God would have me back five years later. I spent the summer of 1998 near Vancouver, BC, at Royal Heights Baptist Church. It was then that I "fell in love with Canadians" and wondered if God might have me back in Canada. One never knows what God will do as a result of a mission trip!

"Thank You, Father, for being Faithful and a Friend...You have been with me each step of the way. I could never thank you enough. May I be found faithful. I love you, Lord."

Psalm 46:10
Jeremiah 29:11

Listening to the Rain

Wow, it's been over a month since I last blogged. I'm not so good at this...

As I write, it's raining. It's been raining off and on since Sunday and lots today. Parts of the city are under a 'flood watch' of sorts. It doesn't rain here a whole lot, so the sound of the rain is kinda nice. As a missionary friend wrote in their newsletter, rain cleans things off, make things grow, and more...just like Jesus does in our lives! Though we are ready for spring to really arrive here, I don't mind the rain so much because the grass is getting greener and the flowers will really start blooming! I do pray for no flooding along the river areas. There's been enough of that in other parts of Alberta, Canada, the US, and the world!

Jesus does clean us up, help us grow, and so much more! I couldn't imagine my life without Him! What has the Lord been doing in your life lately?

Our convention of churches is into day 33 of our 50 Days of Fasting and Praying. This is a focused time where churches and individuals have been asked to pray for the lost of Canada, this country, more churches planted, more baptisms...you name it! Booklets/devotionals written by Tom Blackaby were printed in English, French, Korean, and Chinese and mailed out. It can also be accessed at www.cnbc.ca. (I so meant to write about this sooner!) I know God is doing, and will do, big things as a result of this joint effort! Our staff prays together on work days at 9:30. It's been a neat time together as we seek God's face, wisdom, and look to Him. CNBC churches, what is going saying in your congregations?

As for what God has been saying to me? More of a burden to pray for those who don't know Him...those I know by name and just the lost in general. To lift up our hurting churches and pastors...to ask for more workers for the harvest field (CNBC vision to plant 1000 churches by 2020 and we are at 270)...and to really seek Him in what my ministry role is to be at my church---I've taken on too much.

Today's devotional hit home, "...Part of fasting and praying is to put other people out of our mind altogether and focus on God...If you are having trouble focusing on God because you are too worried about the people around you, what they think, what they are or are not doing, then you must ask God to focus your mind and heart on Him and trust everyone else into His hands. This time is about you alone before God alone. Let God alone be your whole desire, nothing more and nothing less."

Pray with me as I seek for specific answers and that I will trust Him for all things.

It's a busy season for our convention as we plan for the annual meeting July 5-7 in Calgary. Remember us! It's also a busy time as churches prepare for summer outreach events. Pray for The Pathway Church and all we are planning to do this summer. Pray that I will have a calmness in my responsibilities with the CNBC and Pathway.

May you see God at work around you and join Him in it!

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

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!!!

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!

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!