Thankfulness in the midst of change...

It's been forever since I've blogged.  My life is so different now, at times I'm still coming to terms with that...that it will never be the same.  Of course I realize life is always changing...but this last change for me is different, it's not a natural progression of life so to say.

This change has taken me away from the home I knew and the life I lived, loved and thought I'd live till my time on this earth was finished. Yet in the midst of living that simple every day life knowing that if God called me elsewhere I would follow. 

There are times I still long for the home and life I had, that's just the honesty of what lives in my heart.  I am a creature of normalcy, big change is hard.  My husband reminds me though that he who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not worthy of service in the Kingdom of God.

Those may seem like harsh words but they are real, raw words of what it really takes to serve in the Kingdom of God. I can still reminisce and think on great memories lived but my heart must long first and foremost for my God and His plans for my life. 

I am learning more and more what it means that this life is not my own. Yet thinking on that I am also realizing how much more freedom there is when I am only doing the things He calls me to do.

My life is different.  

I could have never imagined what it is now. That's the thing with God and the journey He takes us on, we never really know fully.  We go through the open doors he places before us and walk through to new opportunities.  Not every door walked through leads to an easy path but life isn't about easy...it's about obedience.

I have witnessed God's amazing grace and hand in the lives of so many of the men here. 

A man doubting God's forgiveness only to be given two clear signs that he is truly forgiven...two situations that speak that forgiveness into the depths of his heart.

A man who should have received jail time and yet he was released...the lawyers call it a miracle, something that's never happened before.

A couple from 4000km away comes for a visit only to find a former student here...lives intersecting for the sole purpose of  reconciliation.  Only God can orchestrate such things.

God breathing life into dry bones.

He is the Potter...we are the clay.

Things to be thankful for...

   3823. Cooper a good dog

3824. Good nights sleep

3825. Chat with Charissa

3826. A young fox at the Village

3827. My husband's smile

3828. Video call with Will, Amy and Lily

3829. Kindness from one of the men

3830. Charissa chatting with her dad

3831. Morning chat with Charissa while she's out walking Cooper through the woods

3832. Quiet, relaxing morning

3833. Morning sunlight in the tree tops

3834. Call from Matt

3835. Jocelyne babysitting Lauren & Keira

3836. A gift in the mail

3837. Sweatshirt kind of day

3838. Game of euchre with a couple of the guys and my husband

3839. Laughter

3840. The sound of the wind rushing through the trees

3841. Good choices made

3842. Matt and Charissa kayaking on the river

3843. Sunday morning message

3844. Worship

3845. Seeing a brother and sister together after 17 years apart

3846. Families visiting at the Village

3847. Taking family pictures for some of the men

3848. Walk in the park with my husband

3849. Much needed rain through the night

3850. Day out working with the men

3851. Our God of reconciliation

3852. Drive home chat with Jocelyne

3853. Chat with Charissa

3854. God knows the desires of our heart

3855. Call from Matt

3856. Sound of crickets through my open window

3857. Chat with Kayla

3858. Sound of rain through the night

3859. Will & Amy starting a new adventure together

3860. Beautiful afternoon with my husband at Kings Landing

3861. The smell of horses ~ reminds me of home

3862. Interesting chats with people at Kings Landing

3863. Dinner & conversation with friends

3864. The art and sound of fly fishing

3865. Stories of God's transformation

3866. Morning chat with Charissa

3867. Hugs from April

3868. A word of encouragement and prayer

3869. Chat with Matt

3870. Call from Jocelyne

3871. Dinner with some of the guys

3872. Good conversation

3873. My husband and I blessed with prayer from the guys

3874. Watching the guys soccer game

3875. Laughter

3876. Beautiful drive with my husband

3877. The taste of fresh apples off the tree

3878. Chat with Will & Amy

3879. Charissa's care for her clients

3880. Knitting

3881. William's 27th birthday

3882. Jocelyne over for a visit

3883. Homemade pizza lunch

3884. Chat with Charissa

3885. Cupcakes by Jocelyne ~ delicious

3886. Matt & Charissa out on a road trip

3887. Hearing their laughter

3888. Sitting down by the river

3889. Charissa chatting with her dad

3890. Lily smiles

3891. My husband's love and care

3892. Morning chat with Charissa

3893. Kindness

3894. April, Kara and Evan over for a visit

3895. Video call with Steven and Debra

3896. Chat with Matt, Charissa and Jocelyne

3897. Leaves starting to change colour

3898. Playing with Ramone the friendly fox

3899. Chat with mom and dad

3900. Matt's 22nd birthday

3901. Conversation after dinner with two of the men

3902. Beautiful day on the Fundy Trail with my husband, Arvi and Zach

3903. Majestic views

3904. Conversation

3905. Supper provided by Zach's dad

3906. Words of blessing spoken over Zach by the men

3907. Morning chat with Jocelyne

3908. Warm sunshine

3909. Matt and Charissa hanging out

3910. Excellent sales day for Will and Amy

3911. Poplar leaves rustling in the breezes

3912. Health and strength

3913. Morning chat with Charissa

3914. Chat with Matt

3915. Beautiful colours of fall

3916. Ramone the friendly fox

3917. Picture and video sales

3918. A cooler day

3919. Kindness of others

3920. Video call with Will, Amy & Lily

3921. Chats with the kids

3922. Early morning thunder storm

3923. Fog across the fields

3924. Chat with my sister-in-law

3925. Matt and Charissa on their way down for a visit

3926. Apology from one of the men

3927. Matt and Charissa arrived safely

3928. Delicious bacon and egg breakfast

3929. Produce from home ~ tomatoes, beans, squash, berries, eggs

3930. Picked up Jocelyne and headed to the Funday Trail

3931. Having most of my kids together

3932. Nice walk on the beach, beautiful views

3933. Dinner as a family

3934. Matt and Charissa got to see Ramone

3935. Morning walk with Charissa

3936. Church with my family

3937. John H's graduation

3938. Laughter with the kids

3939. Beautiful fall day

3940. A family walk down the road

3941. Matt and Charissa home safe

3942. Watching the guys soccer game

3943. Laughter and fun

3944. Leaves falling

3945. Nice chat with my dad

3946. Evening chat with Matt

3947. Frisbee with Evan and April

3948. My mom and dad over for a visit

3949. Catching up

3950. Beautiful colours of fall

3951. Nice visit and dinner with Jocelyne and Dan

3952. Relaxing day

3953. Great BBQ for Ariv's going away party

3954. Fellowship

3955. Beautiful weather

3956. Cards with mom and dad

3957. Laughter

3958. Chat with Charissa

3959. Thanksgiving day service ~ the importance of gratitude

3960. Stories of gratitude shared

3961. Delicious turkey dinner

3962. Community

3963. Gorgeous fall colours ~ deep reds and oranges

3964. Video call with Will, Amy and Lily

3965. Mom and dad home safe

3966. The sound of rain through my open window

3967. God's grace

3968. My husband's love for me

3969. Guys over for dinner ~ fellowship

3970. Volleyball

3971. Good nights sleep

3972. A miracle in court

3973. One man's joy in seeing the frost sparkle in the light

3974. Chat with Charissa ~ laughter

3975. Dinner out with friends

3976. Good conversation

3977. Morning chat with mom

3978. Chat with the girls

3979. Sharing dreams

3980. Hockey game in Saint John with my husband, some of the guys and the Vähi's

3981. Sunday morning worship

3982. The sound of the wind

3983. Nice chat with Charissa

3984. Sunlight sparkling on frost covered leaves