Thirty one days can pack a lot of change! Literally
I have never packed and unpacked this much ever. Our loaded up Toyota took us to Saskatchewan,
Alberta, BC and Washington State, and we pulled up the covers in nine different
locations! With much anticipation we heard back about Rosyn’s most recent
medical tests (the 48hr EEG and the MRI) and absorbed God’s grace as we were
told both test results are clear. The notorious house hunt kept us guessing right
to the very end it seemed! We signed a lease August 24th, moved in
September 1st and Nathan started work September 3rd! The
wonder of God’s timing never ceases to amaze us.
Along the road we travelled this past month, the
order of these events and their outcomes shadows in comparison to the substance
of change brought to our hearts. We fell to our knees in praise to learn of
Rosyn’s hopeful prognosis; we were humbled and overwhelmed to be provided for
financially and repeatedly received into the open homes of so many; and the
last big mountain moved was the provision of a home for us to live, nestled in
the exact neighborhood we hoped and prayed for, with plenty of room to run and
jump and play. Mrs. Jackie Bishop, whose family lays claim to hosting us for
two weeks during the months of August, wrote in our house warming card a quote
by Augustine, “faith is to believe
what we do not see; and the reward of faith is to see what we believe”. It seems
these words of wisdom cover far more than the finding of our house.
 |
| We said goodbye to our Wilkinson Circle home, Sylvan Lake, AB |
It’s been a little more
than a week and life is taking the shape of comfortable once again. I’ve been wondering
after life goes back to “normal”, how does a family cling to God with as much
fervor as they did when a road of unknowns lay before them and continue on in
faith, hoping for that which they do not see? Hebrews 1 says, “Now faith is being
sure of what we hope for and certain of what
we do not see”. Nathan and I were talking yesterday about the arrival of the twelve
Discipleship Training School (DTS) students next Tuesday (September 17th)
and how they have been unable to secure housing as of yet. If I’ve learned
anything living out of a van for a month it is this; we stay zealous for God
and in the moving of more mountains by taking a look around at the grace of
each and every gift we owe to him. Our faith is renewed in knowing that
everything we have comes from the God of the universe. Housing for
the DTS students is not a discussion filled with doubt but an opportunity to
pray and live by faith that is certain in that which we do not see, certain in Jesus Christ.
I’m wistfully hoping that the five weeks we spent
packing and living out of our van will equate to the time it takes to unpack
our life, make a home and transition into a new “normal” (whatever that means)
– not a bad hope. I am so thankful
to be able to testify to His goodness to us this last month! We praise Him and
offer Him every ounce of fame for sustaining us on our journey. And praise him
in advance for the mountains he will move as we prepare to start disciplining
the hearts of a group of individuals eager to know Jesus Christ and make Him known.
Jenny
