Fresh Lemons

Yesterday I was looking at lemons.  Particularly the one on our counter which had turned hard and crusty, and got some weird looking dots and bumps.  It drew my attention however, out of disappointment that I would no longer be able to make the originally planned lemon poppyseed bread or lemon bars.  I knew clearly that God was trying to speak to me about something.

As I went to chuck the lemon away, it was plain to me this lesson I was supposed to hear.  The longer you are not using your gifts, the longer you sit and let yourself not be used in ministry, the more crusty, hard, and dried out you become, until you reach a point of sheer grossness.

In this, the Father gave me Romans 12 which speaks clearly about each person using their gifts and being a part of the Body.  In all this transition and not knowing where I belong, I have become that lemon.  Hard and unusable.  But in soaking in the living water, I trust that He will renew my strength and open the doors for the ministry I so desire.

So in trust and excitement... may we be crusty lemons no longer!  May our gifts be used for Him! :-)

Thanks...

This is long overdue.  In a time when it's so easy to be unthankful we need to remember truths like these...

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks."  

We have seen countless prayers answered, and His grace shown over and over again.  We are thankful.

One day back in late February I wrote in my journal... "God? A full time job?"  That same day I had a phone call and a supervisor approach me both about taking on full time positions.

Also in February we prayed for inexpensive furniture for our new place.  Mark overheard at a dinner with friends that someone was getting rid of their couch.  Needless to say, two weeks later, we ended up with a free large corner couch, and a friend to deliver it as well!

We prayed for community, and we were placed in a small group of great people where relationships are able to grow.

There was a package we desperately needed from home by a certain date... it wasn't coming and wasn't coming and we prayed fervently.  At the very last moment before it was too late, we received a brown paper package... yet another answer to prayer.

He has been our provider.  He has heard our cries and answered.  And we are thankful...

Sunny on Sunday

Let this place speak for itself...

Sunday was such a beautiful day for us.  Six months after being married, five months after moving to Kelowna, and finally starting to feel connected to people here.  Post-church included warm, sweet coffees, and a homemade cheesy lunch to take on a Sunday afternoon drive.  We ended at a green-filled, snow-absent park where benches faced the mountains and lake of glass.  It was gorgeous.  We ate in mostly silence, watching the ducks in front of us, hearing the chirps of birds ready for spring.  We finished with a climb up this little cliff, and watching some red-nosed prairie dogs.  All that to say, it was lovely.  We are so thankful for (and so ready to see and hear) the plans and the place God has prepared for us in this season...