Life as nomads has gone better than I had imagined, though of course it has its challenges! We're praising God for giving us quite good health, strength and provisions along the way. It does get wearing of course, so if you see lots of cool pictures just remember these are "Highlights" and not the full picture of our lives! Thanks for your prayers as we have been on the road!
After Nate and I flew in with the boys to Indianapolis (where we will soon be basing), Luke and I flew to Montana! Nate took the 2 boys to Michigan and Chicago, but with only one camera between us you will not get to see their adventures. What a vast place!!! I love it!
My dear friend, Laura, and I got to have time in person together! Also her family graciously loaned me a car, a crib and a car seat. Without them this trip wouldn't have been possible!
Luke also looks cute in the wheat fields (newly harvested). Such a peaceful land with nothing to hinder an open view.
One of the precious things I got to do was spend time with my dear friend and mentor from college days, Beckie. She and her small group of ladies had adopted one of our Filipina sisters back in 2008, when we did the "adopt-a-sister" project. They helped Ruen build a house, a kitchen, and get new teeth over a period of 4 years.
It was so special for me to meet the Canadian sisters in Beckie's group, but also to give them a surprise Skype introduction to Ruen herself!!
CLICK TO SEE PICTURE OF RUEN ON SKYPE, PICS of BRIERCREST and ALBERTA
Many tears of joy were shed and much laughter as the sisters connected across the ocean through the web. Thanks to my other Canadian friend in the Philippines, who let Ruen come over and use her computer for this special meeting!
One of my goals for the trip was to reconnect in person with many special people, and to share what the Lord is doing also in me and in the Philippines. I don't want to post tons of pictures of them since they may wish to not be publicized, but thank you all for your generous hospitality and friendship! I have found that time in person is worth years of letters and phone calls. We were a people made for RELATIONSHIP, and that happens best in "REAL TIME!"
Oh, that was a long reflection, but this picture here is of my FAVORITE place to sit in the Briercrest library. Luke is there in a stroller! I had just 30 minutes alone while he slept to journal and reflect. How many times 10 and 12 years ago did I sit in this same place wondering where my life would go from here. Now 10 years later I am back! The Lord has brought me around the world to see His faithfulness in guiding my path. I love you, Lord!
My heart is also longing to have a ministry with the college girls. It didn't work for me to share on the dorm meeting, but instead I went to eat with them at the cafeteria. I told them, "Girls, this could be you in 10 years!" I remember so much from those days, so I enjoyed sitting and hearing their stories and also giving them encouragement. This is one girl I met, who just happened to live in "MY ROOM"! 10 years later I find this girl loving the Lord and following after Him.
How many letters did I receive from my faithful mother while I was at college?! I always looked forward to going to the post office and finding her mail! Now, how crazy is it to see my son here! I only wish I could bring Nate here (but that would not have worked as well with all the distance I went!).
This is just capturing my joy at being able to spend time once again in my special college town. I never knew how many times my life journey would bring me back here. First in grade 8 I visited a friend. Then I ended up going to college here 1998-2002. I visited once in 2004 just before going to the Philippines. Now in 2008 I am back! Such a formative place in my life with friendships to last a lifetime.
I had to stop on the road just outside Caronport to see the vast fields so open. For a lady who travels in tons of cement cities and traffic, this is soothing to the soul. This has been a place for me to seek the Lord and to grow deep in my theology and roots of faith. Now I am saying good-bye once again, pulling away with tears, yet having a feeling I will find myself back here one day again.
On the road again. 8 hours to Edmonton! Thank you, Lord, that Luke has been such a peaceful and joyful travel buddy! I like this one of the rear-view mirror...you can see Luke so precious and also the many vast Canadian kilometers I drove through! I love Canada!!
A wonderful visit with my first college roommate, Erin! I LOVED meeting her 3 kids, and they pushed Luke all around "Little Italy" in the "Carriage" (a.k.a. Stroller--I love all the different words that I can use in Canada like "soother" for pacifier, etc.). It's amazing how the whole world lives in Edmonton. Just in one walk to get Itallian gelati, we saw an Ethopian restaurant, Ukranian bookstore, Itallian grocery store, and Chinatown! Erin may be more international than I am! What made me laugh the most was when I told her how the Filipino people trim their small yards by hand with sheers. She said, "Yes! I have seen my Filipino neighbors doing that!"
In one day it is amazing how many different places you can see! I have had quite a diverse schedule and experience this month, to say the least! But my heart was soaring when I found the trees in Alberta already golden yellow, glistening in the sun! My heart is filled with worship to our Creator God. Thanks for the fresh air and the serenity of being in the mountains!
Thank you also, Lord, for my dear friends (here Julie--precious treasure!). I am so rich with relationships all over the world! My heart is bursting with love for each one (even those I wasn't sure if you wanted your picture up here).
Thank you, to all my friends, who are faithful to pray for us, to share your heart with me and to journey through life together. The time in person will only strengthen our time apart. Until we meet again....
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