“We cannot withhold facts for fear of offending, because the importance of the information outweighs people’s rights not to be challenged in their beliefs.”

-Maddy Reid

Poison & Wine | The Civil Wars | OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO [HD]

I love this song. Enjoy!

“Living Eulogy” by Mary Anne Radmache

She danced. She sang.

She took. She gave.

She loved. She created.

She dissented. She enlivened.

She saw. She grew. She sweated.

She changed.

She learned. She laughed.

She shed her skin.

She bled on the pages of her days.

She walked through walls.

She lived with intention.

38 days.

Can that be right? I have counted twice and it seems to be the case!

When did us leaving come so close?! We are in "full-on" mode now. I have 3 shifts left at work, we are running errands daily, our schedule is..well..fully scheduled ALL the time..

and we. love. it.

We are so blessed, so excited, so anticipating!

It feels like I would imagine the 9 months of pregnancy feeling (but on a MUCH smaller scale).

The excitement and nervousness. "Are we ready?" The preparation and planning.

We are feeling a tad overwhelmed but ready. God has been preparing our hearts for a long time now. He has been giving us slivers, glimpses and slowing pulling our hearts in.

We might not know what the next couple years look like, but we are ready to see what God has prepared!

'However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”
the things God has prepared for those who love him.'

1 Corinthians 2:9

I havent bragged about how adorable my little nephew is lately, and I know you must be missing that!

We had a lovely snow week last week! Cody got to taste snow for the first time.

I think he liked it! :)

We haven't had the easiest of weeks. Especially my husband.

We have been presented some challenging situations. Especially my husband.

And because I am married to him, and happen to think highly of him, I get offended for him, defensive, angry, protective.

And when there isn't one single tiny thing I can do to fix the situation?

Well, usually I cry.

And then I pray.

(I wish I did it in the opposite order, skipping the wide range of emotions)

We have learned a lot over the past year, Andrew and I.

During the planning of this trip, we have been challenged by various people, in various ways. Ways that made us stop the process and say "Are we sure that this is what God said? Is this really what we want to do?!"

We have prayed, prayed and then prayed some more.

The resounding answer is "I have called you to be obedient, not to understand every step."

Isn't that the simplest thing?

And yet, infinitely complicated and soul wrenching.

We have been stretched and tested, and we haven't even left Canada yet!

And yet, because of this stretching and testing, we are learning deeper ways to trust God. To know that He has is figured out, that His ways are not our ways.

And so we walk forward. Not because its easy or fun. But because we trust that God will pave the way.

And if He doesn't?

We trust that He will give us the grace to walk the road He has called us too.

"Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trails of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

James 1:2-3

The Wiebes are settling in nicely. We have our room mostly organized and we feel more at home.

Perfect, just in time for us to get sick!

Yes, we are all sorts of sniffling-sore-throat-coughing-up-phlem-glamourous these days!

Just 3 days ago I spent some time asking God for wisdom. I tend to speak quickly, without thought, and sometimes..well..my foot gets firmly planted in my mouth. I need Gods wisdom! In Proverbs it talks about holding your tongue.

I spent some time praying for God to help me hold my tongue more, allowing others to speak and not always saying my opinions.

The next morning I woke up with no voice.

Do you think that was a clear enough message? I took the hint and, with Gods grace, have been attempting to hold my tongue. It will be a life-long lesson, this I know, but I love the hope I have in Jesus. I know Im not doomed to spend the rest of my life struggling. When we ask for wisdom, God is quick to give it. He is good and faithful.

"My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."

Proverbs 2:1-6