Living the reality of the cost...

Back in November I had written a blog titled The Cost where I shared some of the journey my husband and I have been on over the last couple years.  I share how there is a cost in following Jesus and was I willing to pay that cost whatever it would be.  Often times we don't know fully what that cost will be but we have to consider all things...would I be willing to give up everything to follow Him.  I ended my blog with this: "And it hit me, Tina, the cost...have you counted the cost...can you pay it?  I realized at that moment...yes I have and I can in Christ as painful as it could be because my heart was to follow my Saviour...my LORD...wherever He would call me." 

At the time I didn't know for sure that the cost would mean packing my bags and moving a great distance away from my family, friends, neighbourhood and church community but I also knew that I had to consider it.  And so Thursday morning my husband and I head to New Brunswick for a season to involve ourselves in a men's addiction program called The Village of Hope.  I feel both sadness and excitement in this venture.

I'm excited to step out into this with my husband but at the same time my heart is sad.  There is so much I will miss about the life I have here, I have shed many tears already and I'm sure there are many more to come, but it's okay.  There is no greater place to be than in the midst of God's will for my life.  And that's not just a cliche christian statement, it's what I really believe.  There is peace in the midst of His will but He never said it would be free of pain or suffering.  What there will be from Him though is strength and comfort in the midst of pain and suffering.

Over the last number of weeks I have looked at things and experienced things in light of leaving, it's as though I've been more aware of the blessings in all of the little things...little things that I will miss.

The hum of life here

Walks with my daughter and Cooper

The beauty of where I live

Family

Chats with my youngest

My nieces dropping by for a visit

The chatter and laughter of cousins hanging out

Children that have been a part of my life here that I will no longer see for a season

Being able to hop in the car and visit with my oldest, his wife and our granddaughter Lily

My animals

My parents who live next door

My neighbourhood and those who live here

Friends

Tea with friends

My daughter's smile

Morning walks with a friend

Daily sharing from my kids when they come home from school

My church family

That knock on my bedroom door when my son comes home at night

My siblings and their families

There's much more I could add, life is full here for me and I am so thankful.  But I also know God has a plan and purpose for me out in New Brunswick and that will unfold over time and I'm excited about that.  I know it won't always be easy, but we grow in the hard as we depend on Him for our strength.  This is just another piece of the beautiful story He is weaving for His Kingdom purposes.  I'm excited that I will be close to our oldest daughter, I look forward to hiking adventures with her, exploring a new landscape and capturing the beauty of God's creation through my lens and sharing it with all of you.

God is good and my life is in His hands to be used for His glory.

Things to be thankful for...

2932. A call from Jocelyne

2933. Open doors

2934. Beautiful gift from a friend

2935. Matt stepping out

2936. Courage

2937. Kayla hanging out here

2938. Charissa picked up groceries

2939. Knitting by the fire

2940. Facebook video call from Will...Lily smiles

2941. Early morning movie in bed with Charissa and Cooper

2942. A call from my husband and time to talk

2943. Life and purpose

2944. Twenty-fifth anniversary celebration

2945. My church community

2946. Snow

2947. Pizza dinner made by Charissa

2948. Waking up to a beautiful blanket of snow

2949. Matt plowed the driveways

2950. Dinner at mom's

2951. Going to the Friendship Christmas Pageant with Matt

2952. Chat with Jocelyne

2953. Tea and conversation with a friend

2954. Good news for Matt - passed a test

2955. Perseverance

2956. Sunlight sparkling on the snow

2957. Chatting with Kayla, Sarah and Charissa

2958. Horse farm memories

2959. Matt's been accepted into college

2960. My Pastor, a good man

2961. Gorgeous orange full moon

2962. Falling snow glistening in the sunshine

2963. Warmth of the wood stove on a cold day

2964. Beautiful snowy walk with Charissa and Cooper

2965. The beauty of winter

2966. Call from my husband, good to hear his voice

2967. Chat with Jocelyne

2968. Profession of Faith service

2969. Sunshine glistening on ice covered trees

2970. A game of Ticket to Ride with Charissa

2971. Tea and conversation with a friend

2972. Lots accomplished

2973. House cleaning with Charissa

2974. Beautiful morning

2975. Nice chat with my mother-in-law

2976. An elderly man's love and joy in his wife's recovery

2977. Matt and Kayla out picking up her puppy

2978. Charissa washed the kitchen floor

2979. Call from my husband, tomorrow he and Jocelyne come home!

2980. Gorgeous winter morning - winter wonderland

2981. Breakfast and conversations with friends

2982. My husband and Jocelyne are home!

2983. Catching up with my husband

2984. Stories shared

2985. Hearing the girls chatter

Our beautiful Charlie Brown tree...Jocelyne's serious look ;-)

2986. Walk with my husband and the girls

2987. Dreams shared

2988. Laughter

2989. Celebrating Kayla's birthday

2990. Kids all home for Christmas

Annual family shot in front of the tree - Lily looks the most awake :-)

2991. Family

2992. Beautiful gift from the kids

2993. Family games

2994. Lily's smiles

2995. Kids all out together

2996. Great visit with Will, Amy and Lily

2997. The way Lily always smiles at Matt and is intrigued by him

2998. Sister's laughing

2999. Early morning winter rainbow

3000. Colour

3001. Girls puzzling

3002. Great photo shoot with a beautiful family

3003. Afternoon out with my husband

3004. Beautiful snowfall

3005. Projects finished

3006. Chocolate

3007. Found what I was looking for

3008. Jessica over for a visit

3009. My husband and Matt having a good conversation

3010. Kayla and Sarah over for a visit

3011. Friends over for dinner and sharing

3012. Excitement over new things

3013. Walk in Vanderwater with the girls and dogs

Trying to get organized

Did it!

And then there was chaos :-)

3014. New Years Eve service

3015. Hanging out with friends

3016. The start of a new year

3017. Friendship

3018. Beautiful frost and morning sunshine

3019. Peaceful space while doing chores

3020. Help from my husband

3021. Singing in the kitchen with the girls

3022. Blessings

3023. Girls out bowling with my mom

3024. Sharing ideas, dreams and passions

3025. Dinner at mom's

3026. My husband's love for his children

3027. Jocelyne safely home

3028. Sunlight breaking through the clouds and snow squalls

3029. Delicious meal at my sister-in-laws

3030. Catching up and sharing hearts

3031. Good visit with my husband's uncle

3032. Nice time spent with Will, Amy and Lily

3033. Beautiful Lily, full of life

3034. Thoughtful gift from my sister's

3035. A nice visit and dinner with my sister's and their families

3036. Coming home to a clean house

3037. My church family

3038. Challenging message

3039. Charissa and her dad out for a walk

3040. Softly falling snow

3041. Firewood from friends

3042. The two youngest off to college

3043. Words of encouragement and blessing
3044. Snow storm
3045. Listening to the chatter of Charissa and Kayla in the basement
3046. Pink tinged clouds in the morning sky
3047. Sunlight & shadows dancing across my bed
3048. Visit with the Broekema kids, fun in the snow
3049. Tobogganing

3050. Friends, hearts shared
3051. Morning walk and talk with a friend
3052. Facetime with Amy & Lily
3053. Connections, tea with a friend
3054. Kind words and encouragement
3055. Lily and her mom over for a visit
3056. Chat in the woods with my dad
3057. Nice visit with our neighbours and a beautiful card
3058. Dinner out with my husband
3059. Kevin's encouragement
3060. The love and encouragement from my church family

3061. Tea with friends
3062. One last morning walk with a friend
3063. Lunch with my mom and some shopping at David's Tea
3064. Visit with a friend, her excitement over our new venture
3065. Dinner and a visit with my husband's mom, sister & brother-in-law
3066. Laughter
3067. Matt sharing what he's learned with me