We're Back!

Thank you to everyone for praying for our time of debrief. It went extremely extremely well! The girls did mostly super good, we had a great time at the house we stayed at - "Auntie" Marg's house. She is a grandma so enjoyed having little ones around. The girls of course enjoy being around people who think they're cute! They were even given two little dolls knitted by Auntie Marg. I asked Emily if she wanted to name them...so far names haven't been too original, "dolly", "bear", "puppy"...you get the idea. BUT this time...dah dah da!...Emily actually named them almost real names! Are you ready for them? Drum roll please (you do realize that this is a rather monumental occasion don't you?)...ok, yes, I know, we need to get out more...back to the naming! One was named "Strawberry" and the other named "Cookie". Hee hee, can you tell her two favorite foods at the time of the naming? :) Hey, it could have been worse! "Lasagna" "Cheeseburger" (although there is a classic Veggie Tale "Cheeseburger" song isn't there?).

Anyways...moving right along! Henry and I had a great debrief time as well. We talked and talked and listened and heard words we needed to hear. We walked away feeling a bit of freshness in our spirit. I will try to figure out better how to word it, but for now maybe just that we had been feeling a little lost. When we were packing and making decisions for the move and wrap-up of Grand Portage there was tons of things that needed our attention and focus. While we still have been extremely busy getting our vehicle transferred over, licenses changed, citizenship papers started on, we have also felt a bit lost. Perhaps much of it has to do with us not having a real clear direction for our future. So now, while we still don't have a clear idea of our future we do have some more things to work on so that when we do know where we're going (which we are pursuing) we'll be better prepared. Henry & I both put together some things that we would like to spend time learning about or growing in. There is much more to talk about regarding our debrief, but this is all we have time for right now.

Ok, time to go get Sleeping Beauty a.k.a. Emily, up from her nap. Sorry these always seem to get a bit long don't they?

Time to debrief

We will be out of Toronto this week, June 23-26 as we meet with our organization and have a time of debriefing. It may seem like its a bit on the late side to debrief, but with all the getting settled our minds and hearts are just now getting to a place of feeling capable of debriefing.
During our debrief we will discuss our time in Grand Portage...if any Grand Portage-ites are reading this - WE MISS YOU!!!; as well as seeking God as to what our future might look like. This is a very important time for our family as we bring closure to a huge chapter in our life and seek God for the next chapter. Please pray for us!
We will be staying at a friend of a friend's house and will have the girls with us during this time. Please also pray for all of us. Emily has been a very distinct 3 year old this past week. As a parent it is always a wonder how filled with love your heart can be for your children...at the same time it is always a wonder how they can push your buttons so frequently!

Random thoughts...because most of Amy's thoughts are random!

Why is it that you can have such fantastic thoughts throughout the day and then evening comes and you sit down in the wonderful quiet to write out your thoughts...and suddenly all thoughts vanish! Do they really vanish or is it that when things are finally quiet and you don't have the constant background babble of a 3 year old and a 16 month old that you realize maybe your thoughts weren't so fabulous after all? Whatever the reason, its the 3rd straight night of such problems! But I decided to go ahead and try to have thoughts anyways! ;) Sounds scary doesn't it?

Lately I have been seeing again how much pain we experience in our lives. Close friends going through really hard times on all levels. I have also been amazed at the faith of those I have seen around me. These friends holding tightly onto God while going through these times - realizing that only through Him will they make it.

As many of you know, this past year has been a tough one for Henry & I. We have been battered and beaten. But we have also been given much. I was recently writing to a friend and explained it as such, "I know that when I was feeling really down - God used that time to almost write me my own personal love story. He seriously showered me with little gifts that would only touch my heart - so personal and thoughtful. Made me fall so much deeper in love with Him. Makes my heart go pitter patter just thinking about it. I know He will give you things too during this time that are gifts specifically for you, because He loves you."

So perhaps there are others of you out there who are also going through some personal struggles. Maybe life isn't quite where you expected it to be. Maybe you've been betrayed by ones you love. Maybe you feel you've been dealt a card too difficult to carry. To you: just wait, be still and look around you because I'm sure God has given you something of Himself, a little something just for you that will only touch your heart.

And to those of you are just dandy: look around you, does anyone need a hug, even just a smile, an understanding ear, a non-judgmental response? To those going through the struggles it can mean everything.

Ok...I'm going for now. ;)

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Refrain

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Refrain

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!