In like a lion, out like a....Lion

Many of us here in central Alberta are getting tired of the white stuff.  March started off with a blizzard giving us at least a foot of snow and ended with one too.  While other parts of Canada were experiencing unusual warm temperatures, we have been donning our heavy winter wear and dreaming of warmer places.

I spent all of March in the Three Hills area catching up with friends and together sharing stories of the future.

You know what though?  It's easy for me to share just the above sentence, but if I do that, I'm not telling the whole story.  March was probably the most difficult month this year.

I have been doing a study on Ephesians 6 and in verse 11 it says "Put on the whole armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."  What are his schemes you might ask?  Well he is described as an animal stalking his prey - waiting for a vulnerable moment and pouncing.  His goal is to consume.  He is called the father of lies, the slanderer, the accuser, the tempter and the prince of darkness.  I Peter 5:8 reads, "Be alert and of sober mind. your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

I hate fear.  It causes me to pick up the pace and scramble.  I can't think straight.  I start to believe lies.  There is no longer a filter in my brain.  When I scramble, I grab for the controls, and become ugly.  I no longer trust people.  I do my best to make everything happen in my timing.  My heart becomes sticky and gooey and slimy.  Ughhhhh.  Disgusting.  I hate what fear does to me! It brings death, not life!! Can you relate?

I knew that taking on this position would bring spiritual opposition at some point or another, but I didn't expect it to be a constant press nor in the areas it popped up.  I have experienced doubt, fear, anxiety, disappointment, and anger (for no reason) and I haven't even left Canada yet.  All of these emotions and concerns caused my mind to race and be a place of confusion.  It caused me to ask too many times, in my opinion, should I just stay and help here, or wait for another time?  I focused a lot on what I would be losing by going overseas, and could not imagine what I would be gaining.  As I write it out to you now and highlight the words, it can be plainly seen that these are not God-led words or how He operates.  The Bible says:

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7


"And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.  For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.  But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.  Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."  Luke 12:29-32


"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world."  John 16: 33


"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  John 14:27

The great thing is that we already know the end of the story - the evil one has already lost.  That's why we celebrated Easter this past weekend!  When Jesus went to the cross as a perfect sacrifice with no sin in His body, He took all of our sins on His shoulders and willingly took the punishment for me and you.  He was beaten and stabbed and hung on a tree until He died.  The devil rejoiced because He was dead and he thought he won.  But 3 days later, Jesus raised from the dead and came back to life! Death does not reign over Him, He conquered it!  And THAT is why Easter Sunday is SOOOO awesome!!!!!!  Jesus brought us LIFE!!!!  No more death!  No more condemnation!  No more accusations!!!  Jesus paid the price for all of us!  So when the devil accuses us before God - as he does - Jesus steps in and says -I already paid for that on the tree (cross).


Romans 8:1 "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins."  


1 John 4:9,10 "In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."


So friends, the month started off with a lion seeking to devour and ended with an intense battle resulting in VICTORY & LIFE!


Please pray for me and each other as we continue in the battle, knowing that the end result is victory.  Let us put on the armour of God each day (Eph. 6:10-20) and fight well and victoriously!  For the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, is in us! (Rom. 8:11)

Part II: February Travels

Where did I leave off...right...llamas.

After leaving Washington I headed up to Vancouver, BC to reconnect with a few more people. Some highlights included:

1) Meeting family for the first time and finding out they're great!!

The Lanigan crew:)

2) Seeing friends that used to be students of mine!

Kedar, Jillian & Stephen

3) Meeting up with ol' Three Hills friends~

Ruth & Jen

Melissa & Daniel

Jason

4) And meeting NEW friends! :)

Meta-communites

In addition I conquered Vancouver traffic, caught up with other dear friends (sans camera) and shared about where I'll be heading overseas.

Thank you to all of you who gave me a place to stay, a meal, coffee, and encouragement. I am not able to do this without you!

~ApRiL

Newsletter 1 is out!

If you're not currently signed up for newsletters and would like to be, then send me your mailing address & email and I'll get one out to you asap!

Thanks friends!

ApRiL

Drugs and misunderstandings!?!

I spent 2 weeks in Nampa, Idaho at MAF-US's base where I joined a group of people who will also be serving as pilot/mechanic families in various places around the world. I learned that MAF does not serve in "bird" countries. I don't mean there are no birds in the country, more so that they aren't easy countries. In my class alone, 2 families are moving to East Congo and 2 are heading to Indonesia, plus 2 serving in restricted countries. It was so great to be a part of this class and to learn more about MAF US. As the token Canadian, they welcomed me with open arms:) I met with the staff and they invited me to come into an "on-loan" agreement to their organization - which essentially means "I've been adopted into the family!" Not many people get to have a Canadian Family and US Family!

From there I started the visiting extravaganza. First headed to Pullman, WA where the Olsen's provided a wonderful relaxing weekend for me. I got some great loose leaf tea which I was super excited to try, but alas, Homeland Security confiscated it from my checked baggage as what I can only guess... I'm sure drugs don't smell like mint or rooibos, however I wouldn't know.

Anywho, then I flew to Portland, OR and drove down to Salem to visit an old friend and meet her kiddos. Now here's a story for you~ Knowing that I was about to spend some time in Eugene, my dear friend tells me we must go and get a Beaver's shirt (Oregon State) because they're huge football fans in Eugene and I better be wearing the right shirt. So she proceeds to buy me a Beavers Hoodie with the strict instructions to make sure I wear it with pride and everyone will adopt me as their own. I'm a sucker for instant friends:) So I drive down to Eugene, OR with my hoodie handy and on the second day I put it on with pride! As I was about to leave the house with my face beaming, my dear friends confront me on my attire. They say - you may want to be careful out there wearing that shirt! I proceed to tell them how my friend specifically bought it for me to support the team down here and that's when I learned that Eugene IS passionate about football and they DO have team spirit and that would be for the DUCKS! The Oregon Ducks! DUCKS!!!!!! Not their rival team - The Beavers!! I laughed OUT LOUD as I realized how I was played. Four complete strangers commented on my shirt that day making the same statement - I was cheering for the wrong team.

From Eugene, I drove up to Longview, WA to visit another great family. We had a quick visit and as I looked out their kitchen window, I was surprised to see a llama in their backyard - mere feet away from the window. Yup they have a llama for a pet! In fact it's a "camping" llama! It carries the gear when they go camping - how handy! Because llamas are herd animals, they also have an alpaca for company! They would tell me how they would load the llama into their mini van along with the kids and head to their favourite hiking spots. Love it! Now they have a horse trailer - so those days are done.

The Sweater & The Llama

And so friends, I hope you enjoyed the stories of the first half of my traveling adventures.

Stay tuned for part 2!

Thoughts from a girl with squishy boots

I was on the road for 3 weeks and through that time I had the opportunity to reconnect with friends that I haven't seen in a few months to several years. Seeing each and every one of you blessed my heart and I was privileged to hear your stories of joy, frustration, courage & disappointments . I am grateful that you allowed me to step into your world- despite the challenges many of you are facing.

Throughout the course of my travels, the Lord has been bringing to light my unspoken expectations; surprisingly my expectations of relationships. I have had a history of unrealistic expectations. It was these that led me on a path of burnout several years ago. Although I feel I have overcome on the work front, personally I still have some work to do. I am realizing that my expectations are too high when it comes to people. This is a problem. For we all know - even I do - that people will fail. I will inevitably fail. Unmet expectations.

What do you do?

I wrote the above this morning and actually had to stop and put the computer aside b/c I didn't know how to respond. I came across a blog of a woman who wrote a post today called "This Is The Person You Will Hurt". She talks about brokenness and how it comes to light in close relationships - specifically marriage. That this brokenness causes you to hurt one another. And forgiveness is how you will heal each other. This is the person you will be asked to forgive more than any other, and from whom you will need to ask forgiveness more than any other in return.

What I am realizing is that it is a guarantee that people will hurt each other and therefore I do not need to fear if and when it may occur. It will occur. Relationships are messy because people are not perfect. Hard to swallow for those overachieving perfectionists... (cough) ...like myself... (cough).

Lord, thank you for starting to show me where my thoughts are misconstrued.

Help me to choose forgiveness when it's my turn to do so.

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Back in Thrills~

Hi Everyone!~

I'm finally back in the little town of Three Hills! I have noticed since returning that there is something that this lil' place offers this time of year that the west coast does not - and that is

SUN!!

After weeks of grey skies and rain, it has been wonderful to return to such a bright place!

COLD, but sunny!

Where are my wellies???

Did your mother ever lecture you on wearing sensible shoes for every activity? My mom did:) I think this is why I cannot bring myself to wear super high heals, for that off chance I'll have to run down the street or stop by for a quick game of soccer, or ....walk. Anyways, I am presently in the Vancouver area visiting friends. I learned very quickly that rain is quite popular here these days and my Alberta soft non-waterproof moccasin-boots are not very "sensible" here. If they were made of say caribou...perhaps...but no, they are made of some other material. So although I have only a few days left in this damp area....I am on a mission to find some sensible boots:) Ones that could be worn in BC , in AB and in SE Asia. A feat that could appear impossible, but I feel I can be victorious!

It has been wonderful catching up with so many old friends these last 2 weeks! Thank you to all of you who have let me stay in your home, do laundry, feed me and just have great conversations:) It has been wonderful to be in your world and see you again!

I look forward to seeing a few more of you over the next week as well!

Till then~

April