Christmas time in Washington

We have had a really good time in Washington and the time is flying by! Elijah was able to meet his Opa for the first time, which was so special! He's loved being around family this month as we have been living in their basement. We've all had the touch of the flu, so that was rough. He's been out on the farm watching Opa milk the cows, has visited the calves and been on a four wheeling ride! We've been able to see a couple movies since James' parents babysat so we could have a date :) James' brother is engaged so we were able to spend a little time with him and his fiancé as well as meet travis' girlfriend, so that was fun! We also were able to have Elijah meet his great grandparents and his great-great grandpa! Time has been very good here and it makes me miss the idea of family being around even more, but the life the Lord has called us to is to follow him, which sometimes means not being near family! May the Lord grant us with the joy and thankfulness of spending this short time with family and not being embittered by leaving!

Brockville, ON (December 14)

Our first stop on the list of churches to visit is Brockville in Ontario Canada. This journey is about 9 hours from our current home in Allendale, Mi. It just so happened that our friend was getting ordained in a church in Vermont the same weekend, so what's a few more hours to see them?! I was so nervous to travel with Elijah, but the Lord was gracious to us and he traveled well! (It helped to have some friends give us gifts of toys, books and DVDs like praise baby and baby Einstein to pass the time...seriously lifesavers!) We traveled to Vermont (about 14 hours of driving + 2 extra because of snow) and had a good time seeing our friend and his family. We got there Friday dec 13, just a few hours before the service. It was so cool to see him ordained! We were given a place to stay for the night in a fancy cabin owned by someone in the church. We were so greatful for that opportunity!

On Saturday Dec 13, we headed off to Brockville which was about a 4 hour journey from Vermont. We got to the border and were stopped. Apparently being jobless and entering another country (especially a country that has free healthcare) is cause for concern. We waited for what seemed like forever, but was in reality only 2-2.5 hours. They wouldn't let me go to the bathroom or change Elijah's diaper!! Finally at the end they let me. But when it came to feeding him I didn't even bother asking, I just did it because that would be insane if they had told me I couldn't give him a bottle!! (Can you sense my frustration ;) haha). At any rate, we finally made it past the borders rude interrogation (though I can understand it didn't look well). We met up with the elders in the church and they were excited to have us there.

Sunday came and we traveled about 30 minutes to church from the house we were staying at. This was James' first time preaching back to back. The first service was at 10am and then next was at about 11:45. It was difficult, but both services went well.  We were able to have lunch with the congregation after, which was nice to get to know some people. After the services, the elders said that
they would like to forego the pulpit supply and extend a call granted that the congregational vote went well. They did a vote the following day and voted to extend a call. We have since received the call and are awaiting for what the Lord has in store. We are prayerfully considering the option and are excited to see where the Lord leads. Please keep us in your prayers as we see if this is the Lords leading!

The Unexpected Journey

For those of you who do not know, we did not receive a call from the church we have been serving at the last 6 months.  It's a rather long story to get into, but that brings us to the title of this post, the unexpected journey! While it was very difficult for us at first and at moments still is, we have been reminded of Gods faithfulness and love upon us despite the current circumstances. We have been richly blessed by some people from that church both in friendship and financial provision and we are grateful for their partnership in the gospel! I was reminded of that as James did a message from Philippians a couple weeks ago. He spoke on how Paul was grateful to those who had supported him in his ministry and spoke on how the financing of his ministry was a partnership of the gospel. I couldn't help but think of our friends back in Michigan who have been those partners in the gospel ministry as we search for a church God has had in store for us from the beginning of time. What a thought...our Lord knew this would be our predicament and yet he already is preparing a place for us to serve! In a worldy manner, we have had our minds blown with the decisions and ideas of moving to Canada among other new challenges of being "homeless" at the moment. But from the perspective of the Lord having our lives in his providence, we sit and take great comfort knowing that the Lord has us in his hands and waiting to use. He is using this time to mold us and make us ready for what he has for us. When placed in that light, it's much more comforting.  Please pray for us as we desire to remember the view of our Lords providence and ordaining all things and not fret where to go.