A new "Wind"

Once again so much has happened since I last posted a blog. Many of you who are family, we were able to see face to face during our very quick visit to Michigan (see picture of our kids with their cousins). It is such a blessing to have these memories to cherish as we again attempt to transition. We have had so much to be thankful for in the last months as God continues to meet our needs, both material and spiritual. Our car is running well, our girls have bunk beds, our family is healthy, and God is patiently helping us grow; these are just a few examples of our reasons to be grateful.

We have been home to Longview for two and half weeks, and it has been a difficult time (at least from Amanda’s perspective). The first week was the hardest as we tried to get re-settled in our home and finish unpacking. We are almost officially done “getting settled”; a process I’ve decided might not ever be completely done with (at least for some one who is a bit of a “junk collecter”/complusive organizer like I am). I think we are also trying to wrestle with “reality” verses “expectations”. When ever I go through a change in life, I spend time thinking about what it should/could be like, as most of you know, it usually doesn’t turn out that way. In a lot of ways it comes down to a choice if your really going to trust that God knows what is best, and let go of wanting to be in control. The last few days we have been blessed with some amazing fellowship, which has been a big encouragement. (Thank you Mayerle’s, Warren Cheek, John Cosby and families from Longview Bible fellowship). God is so faithful to our family, sometimes I can’t understand His goodness to us. I know without a doubt that your prayers are a big part of what keeps us going. I hope I don’t sound like I’m “whining” I just felt like I wanted to share my heart and what it’s been like in my world lately.

From a “ministry” perspective we have much to be excited about.

It is really great to use the tools we gained at our training and dive into building relationships. Joel has had the opportunity to put up a play set on the reserve, and through working with a few young men on this projects, relationships are beginning to form with some really neat guys. We have also been greatly encouraged by a fellow Nakoda (Stoney) believer and his dedication to working on the translation of the Bible into Nakoda with Wycliffe. Some of this work has been happening 

 close by the last few days and we are thankful for the chance to get to know those involved with this project as well. Our language work consists of a few expressions we have recorded to familiarize ourselves with the Nakoda language and start to use in daily conversation. Abigail is doing better than I am.

We came back to late fall, which quickly turned into winter. We experienced our first Alberta Chinook (wind) today. Sunday we got a few inches of snow, which fell on the laundry I had hung out Saturday. Last evening the wind started howling, this morning I went out at ten thirty and it felt like spring. My sheets and towels were dry and as fluffed as if they had went through the drier. By tonight the wind has stopped, the temps have dropped and we are due for more snow. I need to go get supper on for the girls, sending all of you our love-Amanda