How do you know your getting close to the Penner's house.....? There's bound to be some kind of livestock on the road!
4000km coming right up!
When we left Alberta, having finally settled that we were being lead back to Manitoba, we had full intention of being back in 2 months for a wedding and a visit. That couple of months has transformed into 2 years now! Where has time gone?!? We are super excited to be heading out west for a multipurpose trip! Our first stop is at Blue Bronna Wilderness Camp, currently run by our friends, the Ankroms. Second stop is a Christian Camping Conference in Banff. Third stop is Clearwater College to visit our friends, the Enns'! Fourth stop is Entwistle, which is home to our former church and many friends. We look forward to much enjoyment in re-igniting much missed friendships. (I'm sure we will experience much heart ache as well.)
'Pa' took us out to a hotel for our Birthdays!
Amanda and I are both still struggling to regain the spiritual, emotional, physiological, and psychological strength we had prior to losing our job in Alberta. We are still often surprised that life feels exceedingly tough for us some days. This is humbling. For most of our lives we have walked in such strength, and to now feel so much weaker.
There is a test called the Life Change Index dubbed 'The Stress Test' that brings a whole lot of insight to the picture. For well over a year or two, we have been living with a score of well over 750+. According to their research, if your score is over 300+ units you have an 80% of an illness in the the near future.... Amazing how stress affects are body, isn't it?! Fatalistic? No, this is the statement at the end that is profound. It urged me on, and hopefully can encourage you as well! The Higher your life change score, the Harder you have to work to get yourself back into a state of good health! We know we're not the only ones who have been under stress in the last few years. To varying degrees perhaps, but the changes and uncertainty of the last couple years has affected everyone. Ever heard the analogy of putting band-aids on the 'painful spot', when in reality only a surgery will fix the problem? Amanda and I are sure guilty of using a lot of band aids! How can you will yourself to get 'surgery' done when your so exhausted with life. The simple answer is.... you can't!
The hard answer, is that it takes desperate dependence on God; humility, and a choice to allow God to come in and do healing his way. (**Its like surgery without a sedative!! Who in their right mind would chose that!?!?)
I am praying for all of us believers to walk this out with effort on our parts, and humble trust in God to accomplish what He's doing! Then comes healthy life practices, spiritual disciplines, counseling, mentoring etc!! Please pray the same for us. We need God so badly to help us in our weakness right now.
Lets end with a funny memory from summer!
I like to answer all kinds of questions of kids and teens, I do my best to keep nothing off limits! (Hope I'm not repeating a story) This one particular afternoon during teen week, the boys were firing on all cylinders, and we were hitting up all the topics! Soon the topic of sex came up... they are quite shocked to hear me say that sex is awesome, and God created it that way (In marriage of course!). That was a revolutionary idea for them, and we investigated that a bit more. (***These boys are from low income areas of the city, immersed in the sexual culture of the day) Then one of the 15 year old boys says to me in all seriousness, so you've had sex 4 times because you've had 4 kids? I still wish i could figure out his thinking behind that statement, but it was certainly a funny moment!!
See You Soon Alberta!
Needs and Prayers
- So a couple months ago our lovely puppy chewed up my phone well I was jumping on the trampoline with the kids. The phone had been off contract for just over a month, and that was a real solid gut punch! We are not people who upgrade phones often. So i'm looking for a used unlocked S10, S20, S21, S22
- We are needing about 10 large square or round bales of alfalfa for winter
- A need and a Prayer! We are looking for more monthly sponsors, even small amounts or one time gifts!
- Pray that our hamper project would come together to bless 10 Gimli Bible Camp families this Christmas!
- Pray the Lord will strengthen Amanda and I where we need it most!
- Pray for safe travels to Alberta, and great connections made!
- Pray that we can continue to make meaningful partnerships with churches!
- Praise the Lord we have a discipleship retreat this weekend. We get to hang out and minister to our campers from summer! Pray for Jael our discipleship director as she leads chapel. Pray that God will impact their lives in substantial ways!
We are excited to see you all. Safe travels.