Rest

It's been good to take a break from life in general. It isn't like I've been working, but I've been working. The stress of trying to find the right ministry position and having exhausted several options has weighed heavily on us (though it doesn't often show). Our back account is quickly dwindling away. We've been preparing our house to sell even though we have no idea when or where we are moving. We are waiting on a phone call from an adoption agency in the US letting us know that we can come down because we have been matched with a birthmother and child - we haven't yet. Everything is on the verge of something more but it is difficult to find joy, peace, and patience in the midst of this uncertainty. We've needed to get away.

So we decided it was worth the expense to take a rest. Sure. That's it. Rest.

In our "resting" we have gone camping in Edmonton with Jim and Heather, held out at my parents' place near La Glace, gone to Luke and Carmen's new house near Dawson Creek, spent a few days with Clay and Tam in Whitecourt, met Jocelyn in Red Deer, and are now taking a break in Calgary. Some people might think that spending that with many hours in a vehicle is stressful. Really, we've broken up the trip more than we ever have. Some may believe that doing everything we have would be exhausting.  We've found it rejuvinating. I think the only thing I really regret is not getting enough sleep because we've been up most nights until midnight - and I don't regret the games and fun and conversations that we've had that have brought us to that point, so I am satisfied. I have still taken time to read more, pray more, and meet with God in unexpected ways.

Yes I am checking my email. Yes I am receiving calls from potential ministry opportunities. Yes, I've even gone to an interview while we've been away. But at least in all of this I am with my family having fun and fresh perspective. I have found quiet in the moments in between, silence in the midst of noise. Sleeping in and napping when the kids are down. And right now I am sitting down at the computer and reflecting on our time away. And I am grateful.

So, this is what we've been up to...