A Pirate and A Princess

Who wouldn't love this face? I am so in love with my nephews...what a joy to be here with them! Brady is laughing and cooing and totally on the move and Carson is the most brilliant 3 year old I've ever met (and that's not Auntie bias, I promise!). These boys are such great medicine for my heart. I was having a rough afternoon about a week ago and Amber handed me a naked baby in a diaper to ease the heartache...who wouldn't love that??!!
My heart is continually moving from contentment to longing. I think what plagues me at the moment is the question of if I had the community that the Lord brought to me in Canada, would I be happy doing something else? I want to do occupational ministry...I guess the question in my head is what ministry I want to do. God opened incredible doors for me in Canada, and I have loved every minute of it, granted it's been difficult at times, but I need to take the time to decide if this is the kind of ministry my heart yearns for. Truthfully, it's the only kind I've known...camp ministry. Before I commit long term, I think I need to know if that's truly my heart. It's hard to make that decision in the midst of that ministry, because I do really love what I've been doing. I'm curious to know if this is a long term desire in my heart or if the Lord has other plans for me...

Wow, it has been way too long! So much has transpired since the beginning of the year that I don't know where to start...I'm leaving Canada. After 3 incredible years up here, the Lord is calling me to a time of rest. I must say I never expected to be doing this and really it came on quite suddenly. In a matter of one week I went from stepping out of Kaleo next year to leaving camp at the end of April. It has been astounding how the Lord has prepared my heart for this transition. Although I lament saying goodbye to this place, He has brought me to such a place of grace and peace that I am ready to go. Anyone that knows me well knows that this could have been an impossible decision for me, but the Lord has been so gracious in making it impossible for me to choose anything else. He has made it so clear that my time here has come to an end...at least for now. It is time for me to experience refreshment and allow the Lord to restore me. I love pouring my whole heart into whatever I am doing and right now I can't do that; I need to be restored...I need to made whole. I want to be an effective minister of the gospel, and I believe that in order to do that God has brought me to this much needed time of rest.

I am so very excited to be heading down to Washington where I will be staying with my brother, sister-in-law and two wonderful nephews! They have so graciously offered for me to live with them and truthfully there's no other place I'd rather be. Although I do believe that moving on from here will be quite difficult at times, I am excited for where the Lord will choose to use me next. I have such an incredible opportunity to pour into my family at this time and look forward to what He will have for me beyond this. I could use your prayers as I make this transition starting this weekend. I will be moving down to Washington this weekend and then returning for the final two weeks of Kaleo in a month.

Truthfully I find it hard to describe the peace I feel at this decision; honestly, I could not have made it unless I felt this incredible peace and God has been so faithful in giving me the grace to have confidence in the decision and readiness to move on.

Love you all

Happy New Year!

I cannot believe another year has come and gone; it is so incredible to think of all that God has accomplished through this year and all that there is to look forward to. We had a wonderful staff retreat here at camp where many from the summer were able to gather together and reminisce over the wonderful work of our Father this past summer.
I took off for Washington a couple weeks ago and spent a bunch of time with Dan & Amber and the boys! Christmas was so much fun with Carson running around and Brady's bright eyes looking on. I enjoyed the break, but in truth I was a little preoccupied with Tim coming in on the 26th...I could not wait to for him to get here! We had such a blast this week going to a hockey game, visiting with summer staff, welcoming the new year, and then finished our week yesterday in Tofino. It was amazing. Thought I would leave you all with a beautiful photo of us on New Years taken by Jordan Nielsen...

Happy 2008 Everyone!

Christmas Is Coming!

I love this time of year...seriously there is so much about it that just makes me smile. Tara and I went hunting for a tree last weekend and had such a blast off-roading in a minivan! We always have such a blast together...it was hilarious! You can imagine what it was like as two girls set off to find a tree in the wilderness, chop it down with our saw and then heave it onto the roof of the van before trying to tie it on. Before going home, we bought some decorations and of course topped it off with Starbucks! We got home and set to work immediately putting it up in the house and decorating! Our little home is full of Christmas lights and ornaments and just makes me want to sit and enjoy all day! I just love it.

Prayer Week

We took this past week as a Kaleo community to dedicate to prayer; each of us took an hour a day to spend in constant communication with our Great God. I remember when the thought of praying for long periods of time was so daunting; often times I feel as though I have gone full circle in that there are times where I would rather not return to community or fellowship and would rather remain on a mountaintop talking with my Father. Yet I have found that He always prompts me to return...sending me back to spend time building into the relationships of people here. Though my citizenship is in Heaven, my life is here...in this world...with those people that God allows for me to interact with.

Often I find that the times I do spend leave me longing for more...more time with the Lord...more time listening and talking...more time learning...more time crying...more of Him.

Visiting Tim

I had the most incredible time this past week visiting with Tim; I have been so blessed to have him in my life and thank the Lord for the opportunity we had to spend some great time hanging out in Ontario. I loved the opportunity to see where he's living now and meet his friends and family. We had such a blast together! Check it out...

Off To Ontario!!!

Can't believe it...I'm heading to Ontario in just 3 days! So excited to go visit Tim!