Thankfulness - with a warm candle!

So, it's been a rough few days - but a good few days also.  

("It was the best of times - it was the worse of times")

 Last Thursday as that huge operating system on our computer decided to do 19 updates - it froze and crashed the hard-drive.  Just as we were preparing to participate in our churches 4 day Mission Conference. 

 Heart sunk, wallet emptied.

 Much thankfulness was felt towards the Mission to the World staff who during our training encouraged us to have stories to share with people - not just photos! 

 Much thankfulness that our daughter's computer was available for us to use. (Proficiency on a different type of system is being acquired!)

 Much thankfulness that there are computer geeks in this world who were able to rescue all of our data from the computer's hard-drive. Thankfulness that we purchased a plan a year ago that would cover this eventuality.

  Our heart was filled during the past weekend as we shared our calling to work in Alberta among the Blackfoot people and the people in the city of Lethbridge with our great church family in Chattanooga.

 

Thank you to all of you who encouraged us, asked questions, and promised to continue to cover us in prayer.

 As I sit here on a cold dreary day anticipating weather in the teens tonight - I am warmed by a great smelling candle I picked up and encouraged by the words I read in this mornings Bible Study.  A book called SHOW THEM JESUS.

  "Jacob's story in the Bible is a life story about God's goodness amid the mess"

   My heart is lifted  - even though I may be discouraged by a fallen world, broken things and broken people - including myself -

 I have a God who has sent a Savior.

We can share that good news in our home's, our cities and around the world!

God is with us as we travel - through life and on the road.

We have returned home to Tennessee after our most recent trip to raise prayer and financial partners.  It was a great time to be in Florida - October is always beautiful.

It is also a great time to be in Chattanooga - the end of fall and looking ahead to winter.

We had good times of fellowship with friends and family while in Florida - who do you recognize

We also had our first bit of car trouble - thankful that only a nail in the tire was the problem.  Even though we had to get a new tire instead of just a patch we were reminded of God's care and provision for us.

This support raising trip was a bit of a challenge for us and as we struggle with the work of asking for partners in our mission and at the same time dealing with living life in a fallen world. I was encouraged and challenged today by a good read that I found on Facebook post by a fellow church choir member.

A pastor from a church in Jacksonville challenged the saying

                   God won’t give you more than you can handle

 Howard and I would like to amend what he wrote. We agree with this pastor when he said the passage was about temptation not troubles.

  “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

 But we should amend the popular saying to what is really going on in our minds:

                  God won’t give me anymore than I think I can handle. 

 That changes the dynamics a bit and really makes the statement false. Then I moved on to the verse used by the pastor that really brings it home. Paul was speaking to his fellow Christians:

   For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 2 Cor 1:8,9

  The hard things that I don't think I can handle (afflictions) are the things that God is using to draw me closer to Himself (relying on God not myself).  He doesn't tempt us but He does grow us - with His goal for my life in mind, not what I have in mind. 

  So we will continue to move forward in our work of raising support, living life, and becoming more like His Son - Jesus. 

 All with the work of sharing the gospel in mind and the promise of eternal restoration with Him! 

  The Spring that will come after the long Winter.

Exciting things happening in Lethbridge!

As Howard and I continue to raise supporters in preparation for heading to Lethbridge we like to let you know what is going on there.  God is moving and working and preparing people's hearts to hear the Good News of Jesus.  Here is just a sampling of what is and has happened recently:

This Sunday, November 2nd, we're having Celebration Sunday!!! Professions of Faith, Baptisms, New Members joining Amazing Grace... It's going to be a great time at Westminster Elementary School Gymnasium!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Our fellow worker in Lethbridge Rohan Crown received this award at the end of the school year - click on the link to read about how he is investing in the neighborhood.

http://www.amazingkids.ca/rohan-crown-receives-prestigious-friends-of-51-award/

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Most Exciting!  A new building for the Amazing Kids and Amazing Grace ministries to meet at is almost here.   Check out these photos of the building that Howard took while he was visiting last month. A large building right on the edge of the neighborhood were the Amazing Kids and Amazing Grace Community church minster to. Pray for this to become a reality for the ministries - it would be a great place to have to expand the work being done.

 Read this recent message from Rohan regarding the news.

To All,

   There have been many moments where I have sat back and stood in awe of what God is doing. This is another one of those times!!!
   Through the testimony of the work of God through Amazing Grace, Amazing Kids & AY we have had someone step forth and put in an offer on a facility for our use. This is an absolute huge and amazing blessing and gift. This building would allow us to grow and expand the work we are doing with kids and youth through Amazing Kids and AY and also give us a permanent place of worship for Amazing Grace.
    Over the next few months there is lots of work to be done before the deal is finalized. Obviously certain conditions have to be completed and their has to be a zoning change in order for us to use the facility for what we need it for. If by God's grace the conditions are all fine and the building is for our use there will also be costs to renovate and get the building functional. These are areas of prayer for us!!!
    So pray for us here in Lethbridge that we would continue to walk by faith in this process and for he guidance and direction as we move forward. Also give thanks for the graciousness that has been given to us.
    As we move forward I will keep you update to the progress of what God is doing with this!!!!
Thanks for your continual prayers for us and our ministry here in Lethbridge. Some of you have been journeying with us now for over 7 years in prayer. So thanks for persevering on your knees for our family and the work of the Gospel in Lethbridge.
In Christ,  Rohan