Well, after having our house conditionally sold for two weeks, then signing the papers for the sale on Thursday, unfortunately the deal fell through last night. To say we are disappointed would be a understatment at best.
This is one of those times that although we know that God is faithful and we only have to look back in our lives to see evidence of it, we are asking "why"? I was talking with a friend last night and she was telling me the difference between belief and faith - we can believe that a chair will hold us, however faith is actually sitting in the chair. We believe God is faithful and has everything in control, but having the faith to actually rest in that promise can sometimes be really difficult, especially during the hard, disappointing times.
Right now we are praying for wisdom and guidance to know for sure what we should do. Our moving date is exactly two weeks from today, Dec 13/08 and there is a lot that needs to happen between now and then. We would appreciate any additional prayers for wisdom at this time.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Still waiting...
It's been a while since we've updated our blog. Some things have happened, others haven't.
We went out to Cochrane to measure our house out there, and were pleasantly surprised to discover that it's actually bigger than we originally thought. We should be able to fit most of our furniture in the various rooms, which means less to have to store.
Kerri and Julia also were able to go to Julia's new school, which we are very excited about. It seems to be a great school, and Julia is excited to go there.
Some other things are taking a while longer than we had hoped, mainly selling our house. It is a slow market right now. We have had about 6-8 showings but no serious offers yet. We reduced our asking price by $10 000, so hopefully something will happen.
We are trying to not be discouraged by the length of time it is taking, and are trying to trust God that He will work things out like He has over and over (and over and over...) in the past, but it's hard while in the midst of everything to sit back and not worry. The way that we had it pictured was for a quick sale so that we would have lots of time to get everything else done in preparation for moving. We will be moving on December 13, whether the house is sold or not (I think). I hope that it doesn't come down to that, but we have to trust that God knows what He is doing.
We are following Him as best we can, and know that going back to school is the next step, so I'm sure that He will work out the details, right?
We went out to Cochrane to measure our house out there, and were pleasantly surprised to discover that it's actually bigger than we originally thought. We should be able to fit most of our furniture in the various rooms, which means less to have to store.
Kerri and Julia also were able to go to Julia's new school, which we are very excited about. It seems to be a great school, and Julia is excited to go there.
Some other things are taking a while longer than we had hoped, mainly selling our house. It is a slow market right now. We have had about 6-8 showings but no serious offers yet. We reduced our asking price by $10 000, so hopefully something will happen.
We are trying to not be discouraged by the length of time it is taking, and are trying to trust God that He will work things out like He has over and over (and over and over...) in the past, but it's hard while in the midst of everything to sit back and not worry. The way that we had it pictured was for a quick sale so that we would have lots of time to get everything else done in preparation for moving. We will be moving on December 13, whether the house is sold or not (I think). I hope that it doesn't come down to that, but we have to trust that God knows what He is doing.
We are following Him as best we can, and know that going back to school is the next step, so I'm sure that He will work out the details, right?
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Walking the path before us
We have great news - Steve has been formally accepted into the Bachelor of Christian Ministry program at Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary and we have a townhouse available for us to rent for the time we are there. The next thing is to sell the house and actually move to Cochrane. We take posession of the townhouse on the first of December, and will begin at that time to move things in, but we will officially move the second weekend of December. We want both Julia and Daniel to be able to finish the first term of school and then move.
It's an amzing feeling to begin walking down the path that God has designed for us. We have known for some time that this was the direction He was leading us in, but to actually head down the path is incredibly exciting. That being said, I'm sure once the "For Sale" sign has been placed in front of our house, it will really hit me and I will probably shed a few tears. This has been our home for 9 1/2 years and Steve and I have put a lot of work into it. We have brought two beautiful children home to this house and have watched them begin to grow up here, and that's about to change. Steve once remarked that it seems as though we are going backwards - selling our house, going back to school and starting basically a new career, all because God has asked us to. It's really crazy! I have to remind myself to take it all one step at a time instead of trying to figure things out too far down the road or else it becomes absolutely overwhelming! I also have to remind myself that this is all in God's hands and he is the potter and we are the clay being shaped in whatever way He sees fit.
Please continue to pray for us as we follow where God is leading!
It's an amzing feeling to begin walking down the path that God has designed for us. We have known for some time that this was the direction He was leading us in, but to actually head down the path is incredibly exciting. That being said, I'm sure once the "For Sale" sign has been placed in front of our house, it will really hit me and I will probably shed a few tears. This has been our home for 9 1/2 years and Steve and I have put a lot of work into it. We have brought two beautiful children home to this house and have watched them begin to grow up here, and that's about to change. Steve once remarked that it seems as though we are going backwards - selling our house, going back to school and starting basically a new career, all because God has asked us to. It's really crazy! I have to remind myself to take it all one step at a time instead of trying to figure things out too far down the road or else it becomes absolutely overwhelming! I also have to remind myself that this is all in God's hands and he is the potter and we are the clay being shaped in whatever way He sees fit.
Please continue to pray for us as we follow where God is leading!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Waiting and Learning
Well, we are back to waiting one more time. We received an email from the Seminary saying that they have received all of Steve's documentation, and now everything has to be given to the Applications Committee for review and approval. That will take another week or two, so the wait is on once again.
I am trying to remember that all of this is God's timing and not ours, and I was reminded of this during my devotions this week. I was reading "Experiencing God" and two sentances leaped out at me - "When God gives directions, you accept it and understand it clearly, then give God all the time He needs to make you the kind of person that He can trust with that assignment. Do not assume that the moment He calls, you are ready for the assignment."
Wow, that spoke tons to me. This desire for missions has been placed in both mine and Steve's hearts by God, but the culmination of it will occur in God's time, not ours.
I need to remember that God is shaping not only Steve and I, but Julia and Daniel as well, into the vessels that He can use and that He is also preparing the hearts of the people that He has chosen for us to minister to.
I am trying to remember that all of this is God's timing and not ours, and I was reminded of this during my devotions this week. I was reading "Experiencing God" and two sentances leaped out at me - "When God gives directions, you accept it and understand it clearly, then give God all the time He needs to make you the kind of person that He can trust with that assignment. Do not assume that the moment He calls, you are ready for the assignment."
Wow, that spoke tons to me. This desire for missions has been placed in both mine and Steve's hearts by God, but the culmination of it will occur in God's time, not ours.
I need to remember that God is shaping not only Steve and I, but Julia and Daniel as well, into the vessels that He can use and that He is also preparing the hearts of the people that He has chosen for us to minister to.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Answers!
Steve has been bugging me to actually write something in here but I was never really sure what to write, however I have now decided to give it a shot!
We finally have some answers - we heard back from the Alliance this past week and we also heard from the school at the same time. It was really encouraging to hear from both of them as we really were beginning to go somewhat crazy! Right now Steve has pretty much been accepted to the Seminary, but they are still waiting on one more piece of paperwork that I was unaware that they needed, so the request for that is in the mail as we speak. Secondly, after talking with the Alliance, they have confirmed that we are on the right path with Steve finishing off his Bible School degree. The next formal steps with the Alliance are doctrinal questionnaires and a licencing interview, both of which will occur when Steve is closer to finishing his degree. So yahoo for answers!
Right now we are in the process of getting our house ready to sell - Steve installed bamboo flooring in both the living room and our bedroom, and laminate in Julia's room; he rebuilt the front deck; we stained the back deck and are finishing up any little things that are left! Whew, it's a lot of work to get ready to sell a house!
Please continue to pray for us as we follow God's leading and that everything will fall into place in regards to us selling our house and getting a place in the residence.
Hmmm, this wasn't as hard as I thought it would be - perhaps I will write a little more frequently! I guess we will see!
We finally have some answers - we heard back from the Alliance this past week and we also heard from the school at the same time. It was really encouraging to hear from both of them as we really were beginning to go somewhat crazy! Right now Steve has pretty much been accepted to the Seminary, but they are still waiting on one more piece of paperwork that I was unaware that they needed, so the request for that is in the mail as we speak. Secondly, after talking with the Alliance, they have confirmed that we are on the right path with Steve finishing off his Bible School degree. The next formal steps with the Alliance are doctrinal questionnaires and a licencing interview, both of which will occur when Steve is closer to finishing his degree. So yahoo for answers!
Right now we are in the process of getting our house ready to sell - Steve installed bamboo flooring in both the living room and our bedroom, and laminate in Julia's room; he rebuilt the front deck; we stained the back deck and are finishing up any little things that are left! Whew, it's a lot of work to get ready to sell a house!
Please continue to pray for us as we follow God's leading and that everything will fall into place in regards to us selling our house and getting a place in the residence.
Hmmm, this wasn't as hard as I thought it would be - perhaps I will write a little more frequently! I guess we will see!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Still waiting...
I am slowly going insane waiting for answers. As of now we still have not heard back from either Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary or The Christian & Missionary Alliance.
I know that patience is one of the fruit of the Spirit, but it would still be nice to see the next step...
I know that patience is one of the fruit of the Spirit, but it would still be nice to see the next step...
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Back to School
So it looks like I will be going back to school, maybe January, maybe next September. Kerri and I went into the school to meet with one of the faculty on Tuesday, and we both left feeling like this is where God wants us to be.
The faculty was amazing. We met quite a few of the profs, and were surprised to discover that pretty much all the professors have a missions background. The emphasis on missions in the teaching is a key, and the experiences which we can learn from them will be amazing.
The housing is really nice too. We would need a three-bedroom unit for our family. We looked through one and it was almost as large as our house, and would work quite well for us. (Note - 2 bathrooms, an upgrade from our one currently!) The area is very quiet and there is a large playground for the kids. There seem to be lots of young families there, so lots of kids for Julia and Daniel to play with.
I have filled out the application form and will get it in soon. Hopefully the people who need to do the reference forms will be quick too (hint, hint).
When we start there will be a matter of the housing. We will require a place in the residence to be available, and for our house to sell. If God wants us there in January He will have to work things out. If not, we will continue to prepare for next September.
Please pray that everything will work out according to His plan, which I know it will!
And, if anybody is looking to buy a house in Martindale let me know!
The faculty was amazing. We met quite a few of the profs, and were surprised to discover that pretty much all the professors have a missions background. The emphasis on missions in the teaching is a key, and the experiences which we can learn from them will be amazing.
The housing is really nice too. We would need a three-bedroom unit for our family. We looked through one and it was almost as large as our house, and would work quite well for us. (Note - 2 bathrooms, an upgrade from our one currently!) The area is very quiet and there is a large playground for the kids. There seem to be lots of young families there, so lots of kids for Julia and Daniel to play with.
I have filled out the application form and will get it in soon. Hopefully the people who need to do the reference forms will be quick too (hint, hint).
When we start there will be a matter of the housing. We will require a place in the residence to be available, and for our house to sell. If God wants us there in January He will have to work things out. If not, we will continue to prepare for next September.
Please pray that everything will work out according to His plan, which I know it will!
And, if anybody is looking to buy a house in Martindale let me know!
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