Well...we leave for Slave Lake early next Tuesday. Can't believe it's so close. And the next few days will go by fast as we are going to a wedding in Ottawa and will be back on the Sunday - just before our farewell party. Monday will be a day to load up the uhaul and hopefully get some last minute family time and then off we go - on this grand adventure.
Am I scared? Yes a little. Scared that I won't find a solid community of people my age - seems it's quite normal in the Northern areas for women my age to have lots of kids by now and I'm not ready for that. I need a good friend who is in the same stage of life as me. I've been blessed so much with friends like that here - Godly women who are on the same page as me. Thank you God for that.
What will I miss?
Most definitely my family. Gonna be a huge tearfest on Sunday. My friends - you know who your are - prayer warrior women who have stood by me and prayed me through so much stuff. My Young Life kids - girls I have watched go from initially dipping their feet into this pool of faith - to standing firm in their relationship with God in face of friend troubles, family members with cancer, health troubles, family problems and just the everyday anxieties that teenagers face in battling high school drama and angst. I don't envy them that. I have been welcomed into friendships that have been founded so long ago - as a mentor, as an older sister figure, as a fellow Christian struggling with my own issues and learning to surrender them to God - and as a friend. It has been a real gift to walk alongside my girls and watch them grow. And though I plan to text and skype and fb them all - I am scared to disappear with the fogginess that distance often creates. But I trust God that He will provide for these kids exactly what they need in a leader and in the new mentors that will step into their lives. I really hope that there will be a niche in Slave Lake, of youth, that I can step into and find more kids to walk alongside and encourage and give them someone to listen and talk to. My hope is not to work within a church - but in a community centre or something like along the lines of what Young Life has been.
What am I looking forward to?
First and foremost - to see my husband be able to work as a pilot - to do what he is passionate about. I am praying for an authentic environment of people that really care about him - that build up and encourage and let him know that he is appreciated - both as an employee and a person. I do hope for other Christians at his workplace - mainly for the encouragement that it would bring but mostly I hope for solid friendships to be formed. Jay is a talented individual - both intellectually and in his character. He has amazing work ethic (sometimes too much ha) and his skills as a pilot have given him so many opportunities - rather - God has given him so many opportunities. We have prayed and trusted God that a job like this would come about and God has granted it and affirmed and confirmed it from the day that we said yes. I want to see my husband flourish in the God-given talents that he has and I look forward to that so much.
What are my hopes?
I hope to continue my music - to be inspired to write songs and share them with others. I have this picture in my mind of being able to invite fellow musicians to our apartment and have music nights (modelled after Huizenga music nights). I hope to be stretched and challenged in my faith - to become more passionate about serving God and more aware of others' needs and not so self-focussed.
Prayer requests for Jay and I?
-to continue to put God first in our marriage and lives - and to grow closer as a couple
- to find an affordable apartment that we can make our own
-to be able to fly up our dog, Sadie - as she will be a real comfort to me when Jay is away for flights
- to find a solid church community and Christian friends there
-for Jay to settle quickly and smoothly into his job and for me to find a job
-for our drive to Slave Lake
Day 1 : Tuesday, Nov 29th - Beaverton to Sault Ste Marie
Day 2 : Wednesday - Sault Ste Marie to Winnipeg
Day 3: Winnipeg to Saskatoon
Day 4: Saskatoon to Edmonton
Day 5: Edmonton to Slave Lake - to unload our stuff and settle in to the crew-house we will be renting a room from until we find a proper apt
Am I scared? Yes a little. Scared that I won't find a solid community of people my age - seems it's quite normal in the Northern areas for women my age to have lots of kids by now and I'm not ready for that. I need a good friend who is in the same stage of life as me. I've been blessed so much with friends like that here - Godly women who are on the same page as me. Thank you God for that.
What will I miss?
Most definitely my family. Gonna be a huge tearfest on Sunday. My friends - you know who your are - prayer warrior women who have stood by me and prayed me through so much stuff. My Young Life kids - girls I have watched go from initially dipping their feet into this pool of faith - to standing firm in their relationship with God in face of friend troubles, family members with cancer, health troubles, family problems and just the everyday anxieties that teenagers face in battling high school drama and angst. I don't envy them that. I have been welcomed into friendships that have been founded so long ago - as a mentor, as an older sister figure, as a fellow Christian struggling with my own issues and learning to surrender them to God - and as a friend. It has been a real gift to walk alongside my girls and watch them grow. And though I plan to text and skype and fb them all - I am scared to disappear with the fogginess that distance often creates. But I trust God that He will provide for these kids exactly what they need in a leader and in the new mentors that will step into their lives. I really hope that there will be a niche in Slave Lake, of youth, that I can step into and find more kids to walk alongside and encourage and give them someone to listen and talk to. My hope is not to work within a church - but in a community centre or something like along the lines of what Young Life has been.
What am I looking forward to?
First and foremost - to see my husband be able to work as a pilot - to do what he is passionate about. I am praying for an authentic environment of people that really care about him - that build up and encourage and let him know that he is appreciated - both as an employee and a person. I do hope for other Christians at his workplace - mainly for the encouragement that it would bring but mostly I hope for solid friendships to be formed. Jay is a talented individual - both intellectually and in his character. He has amazing work ethic (sometimes too much ha) and his skills as a pilot have given him so many opportunities - rather - God has given him so many opportunities. We have prayed and trusted God that a job like this would come about and God has granted it and affirmed and confirmed it from the day that we said yes. I want to see my husband flourish in the God-given talents that he has and I look forward to that so much.
What are my hopes?
I hope to continue my music - to be inspired to write songs and share them with others. I have this picture in my mind of being able to invite fellow musicians to our apartment and have music nights (modelled after Huizenga music nights). I hope to be stretched and challenged in my faith - to become more passionate about serving God and more aware of others' needs and not so self-focussed.
Prayer requests for Jay and I?
-to continue to put God first in our marriage and lives - and to grow closer as a couple
- to find an affordable apartment that we can make our own
-to be able to fly up our dog, Sadie - as she will be a real comfort to me when Jay is away for flights
- to find a solid church community and Christian friends there
-for Jay to settle quickly and smoothly into his job and for me to find a job
-for our drive to Slave Lake
Day 1 : Tuesday, Nov 29th - Beaverton to Sault Ste Marie
Day 2 : Wednesday - Sault Ste Marie to Winnipeg
Day 3: Winnipeg to Saskatoon
Day 4: Saskatoon to Edmonton
Day 5: Edmonton to Slave Lake - to unload our stuff and settle in to the crew-house we will be renting a room from until we find a proper apt
What a beautiful evening, full of evidence of deep love for both of you.
ReplyDeletePraying for safe travels and memorable moments along your drive to Slave Lake...that should be guaranteed if you are able to take a 'Honeyford' package along with you!