At least that's what it feels like.
If you didn't know already and hey, if you only know anything about us by following our blog how would you know that we are moving up north. It's not like I've been terribly.... on point with keeping this spot updated. Sorry.
2012 was THE biggest year for us to date. You only have to read back a few posts to see that we have experienced more than enough the last couple years. Well, now we are on to more experiences as we have accepted a call to minister to the community of Terrace through Zion Baptist Church. We are down to the last few days in this house that has been our home for the last 4 years. It has done well for us and we are so grateful to Brad's parents for giving us a lift into the housing market.
So this week Carlon has his last few days at Beaver Creek Elemantary. *tears* He will be saying good-bye on Friday to his teacher and classmates. It will be a hard, sad day so please pray for us. Carlon talks about the move as if it's something you do every day. He isn't aware yet of the emotional difficulty of the "I'll probably never see you again" good-bye.
I'm such a basket case of emotion right now. I cried last night because Brad took our first stroller to a friends for spring clean-up. It doesn't even work anymore but it was another thing to say good-bye to.
Tip** don't leave all your good-byes to the last minute... it is too much.
Basically it takes very little for me to tear up these days.
So, lots to go through for our family and lots to pack up still.
We appreciate your prayers. No move is a small one and this is a big one.
In the past I have used this blog to lay out my thoughts and feelings about my walk with the Lord. Through encouragement from a friend I have decided to continue this blog as strictly a family update. So pictures, what the kids are doing, Brad's job and such. I have opened up a new blog for my basket case rantings and tears and joys. you can find it at faithfullunatic.blogspot.ca
This blog will be real, raw, hard to read sometimes as it will be part of my reluctant but obedient journey into the wild north. Hopefully it will also have joy, and strength and peace...
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Friday, January 18, 2013
Playing the waiting game
We started our blog back in September 2008 just before Carlon was born. We created it as a way to keep family and friends in the loop about our family's goings on. But, like so many in the online world I have come to our blog at times to use it as a journal, a way to expound, to vent, to explain. And that is what I'm using it for today. I stayed off it for a good chunk of last year because there was so much going on for our family and so much of it was just too overwhelming for me to even begin to understand all of what was going on. From that I can't trust what I say and so just better to stay off the outlets that can help you do things you regret.
I have calmed down somewhat from the turmoil of last year. I have said to a few friends that if Carlon remembers anything about last year it will be "the year that mommy cried" The tears have abated, thankfully, and I'm able to function on an emotional level (most days - still dealing with post partum hormones after all) This last week though has thrown me into a state of spiritual exhaustion.
We have been unemployed since the beginning of this year. We knew this was a possibility but had prayed that God would provide a job for Brad before his last day. That time has come and gone and even while he was on sabbatical the job possibilities were not flooding our door. A couple possibilities have come our way and we have applied and now comes the waiting game. I don't like waiting. That's not something I've ever tried to hide or fake. I try to be patient but, waiting is frustrating. It also isn't something I'm nuerotic about. I don't FREAK when I have to wait it's just nice to be able to get on with things. So we have been waiting... waiting for more job postings to come up, waiting for responses from teh churches we've applied to..... waiting for God.
Now I'm asking 'God, what are you waiting for?' I am so tempted to add an exclaimation to that question because I have yelled it so often in my head. We haved asked ourselves and eachother 'Is there something God is calling us to do and we aren't doing it? Is there a sin? A broken relationship? do we need to forgive someone?' What is standing in the way of God allowing us to move forward with our lives.We have no place to commit to, to be able to serve. Do you know how hard it is for someone who has gone to church all their lives and has been involved and serving regularly in some capacity in the last 15 years to go to nothing? It is hard. Some people might welcome the opportunity for the break but in our case breaking form that regular service we are removed from the people that have been our church family for 8.. almost 9 years. Not having that community leaves a hole. A much bigger hole that you might expect.
Brad and I have been reading through a plan on our bible app and we are in the story of Noah. It is always an eye opener to go through some of the stories that we might call a Sunday school story and you realize you only got part of the story. the biggest thing that got me this time was that ya, it rained 40 days and 40 nights, but did you know that they were on that boat for a week before the waters came. And did you know that they were stuck on the ark for more than a year?! More like 13 months. Ridiculous. And they couldn't even got out of the boat until all the waters had receded.
I'm feeling a little like Noah. God told him to do something that today would seem crazy, maybe even then Noah thought... 'this is crazy'. But he loved and trusted the Lord his God and so was obedient. I didn't know it at the time but I think that God telling Brad he was done as youth pastor. He was telling him to build an ark. Our family certainly has been flooded. Are we to wait a year as well? We've sent out several birds looking for that olive branch... we're waiting for their returns.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not fully comparing our situation with that of Noah's and that time. God certainly isn't using this time to clean the earth. I am wondering what he's using this time for.
So God, it's a new year and we need a new job. What are you waiting for?
I have calmed down somewhat from the turmoil of last year. I have said to a few friends that if Carlon remembers anything about last year it will be "the year that mommy cried" The tears have abated, thankfully, and I'm able to function on an emotional level (most days - still dealing with post partum hormones after all) This last week though has thrown me into a state of spiritual exhaustion.
We have been unemployed since the beginning of this year. We knew this was a possibility but had prayed that God would provide a job for Brad before his last day. That time has come and gone and even while he was on sabbatical the job possibilities were not flooding our door. A couple possibilities have come our way and we have applied and now comes the waiting game. I don't like waiting. That's not something I've ever tried to hide or fake. I try to be patient but, waiting is frustrating. It also isn't something I'm nuerotic about. I don't FREAK when I have to wait it's just nice to be able to get on with things. So we have been waiting... waiting for more job postings to come up, waiting for responses from teh churches we've applied to..... waiting for God.
Now I'm asking 'God, what are you waiting for?' I am so tempted to add an exclaimation to that question because I have yelled it so often in my head. We haved asked ourselves and eachother 'Is there something God is calling us to do and we aren't doing it? Is there a sin? A broken relationship? do we need to forgive someone?' What is standing in the way of God allowing us to move forward with our lives.We have no place to commit to, to be able to serve. Do you know how hard it is for someone who has gone to church all their lives and has been involved and serving regularly in some capacity in the last 15 years to go to nothing? It is hard. Some people might welcome the opportunity for the break but in our case breaking form that regular service we are removed from the people that have been our church family for 8.. almost 9 years. Not having that community leaves a hole. A much bigger hole that you might expect.
Brad and I have been reading through a plan on our bible app and we are in the story of Noah. It is always an eye opener to go through some of the stories that we might call a Sunday school story and you realize you only got part of the story. the biggest thing that got me this time was that ya, it rained 40 days and 40 nights, but did you know that they were on that boat for a week before the waters came. And did you know that they were stuck on the ark for more than a year?! More like 13 months. Ridiculous. And they couldn't even got out of the boat until all the waters had receded.
I'm feeling a little like Noah. God told him to do something that today would seem crazy, maybe even then Noah thought... 'this is crazy'. But he loved and trusted the Lord his God and so was obedient. I didn't know it at the time but I think that God telling Brad he was done as youth pastor. He was telling him to build an ark. Our family certainly has been flooded. Are we to wait a year as well? We've sent out several birds looking for that olive branch... we're waiting for their returns.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not fully comparing our situation with that of Noah's and that time. God certainly isn't using this time to clean the earth. I am wondering what he's using this time for.
So God, it's a new year and we need a new job. What are you waiting for?
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
"Crazy"-tober
If the title doesn't give you any clue about what this past month has been for the Reids...
October 7 - Iain Christopher Reid was born
October 8 - My nephew's 17th birthday and my family's combined thanksgiving and birthday celebration (which includes now 5 birthdays)
October 24 - Carlon's 4th birthday
October 31 - Carlon's first trick or treating
And my post partum recovery through all that.
As I type it out it doesn't look that busy but when you factor in a newborn, a postpartum kidney infection and two energetic boys, the month has zipped by with barely more than a deep breath from me or Brad. I can't remember the last time we had such a crazy month. And when you tack it on to the craziness that has been this year already I'm really hoping that this is the last of it. I'm ready to be able to take a few deep breaths.
October 7 - Iain Christopher Reid was born
October 8 - My nephew's 17th birthday and my family's combined thanksgiving and birthday celebration (which includes now 5 birthdays)
October 24 - Carlon's 4th birthday
October 31 - Carlon's first trick or treating
And my post partum recovery through all that.
As I type it out it doesn't look that busy but when you factor in a newborn, a postpartum kidney infection and two energetic boys, the month has zipped by with barely more than a deep breath from me or Brad. I can't remember the last time we had such a crazy month. And when you tack it on to the craziness that has been this year already I'm really hoping that this is the last of it. I'm ready to be able to take a few deep breaths.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Iain Reid has Arrived!
We are proud to announce the latest member of the Reid clan: Iain Reid! Sorry... middle name is pending. No, that does not mean that his name is "Iain Pending Reid" although I do think that has a certain ring to it.
Iain was born on October 7, 2012 at 4:07am. Unlike his older brothers Iain decided that mom and dad would not get any sleep before he arrived. On Saturday night we were having a big Thanksgiving turkey dinner with our friend Leah. After supper Colleen went upstairs to lay down for a bit while I put Carlon and Noah to bed and started to set up a Settlers of Catan game (since that would make it a Thanksgiving Settlers game... which I feel is an appropriate way to celebrate).
Around 8:00 I took Carlon up to his room Colleen let me know that it was time to go to the hospital... it was a bit of a surprise!
Leah was kind enough to stay overnight at our place with Carlon and Noah (THANK YOU AUNTIE LEAH!!). Later on I told her that it was all part of my cunning plan: offer her a turkey dinner and when she takes the bait we'll leave her with the kids so we can go to the hospital!
I drove Colleen to Royal Columbian Hospital (I only ran a few yellow lights and stopped at all the red ones) and we were thankful that it wasn't very busy. We were soon in the delivery room and the Doctor on call was able to give an assessment. Then we were put into a delivery room.
 |
| Yep! He can cry |
Things went fairly quickly after that. As I said, Iain arrived at 4:07am. He weighs 7lbs 15oz so Colleen is thankful that he arrived a few weeks early. Colleen and Iain were moved up to a maternity room and I headed home to relieve Leah from her babysitting duties.
 |
| Colleen says "Hello" to Iain |
Today (October 8th) we are hoping that Iain and Colleen will be able to come home. Then it will be into the new Reid reality!
Brad
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| Carlon says "Hello!" |
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| Noah is pretty excited to be a big brother. |
Carlon and Noah were able to have some fun at home too!
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Pumpkin Patch
It has been so great to have Brad home right now. He is currently enjoying a three month sabbatical and with the weather being so great we are doing our best (taking into consideration my lack of mobility with my growing belly) to get out as much as possible and take full advantage of both Brad and the sun. I did some research and decided that the Apple Barn in Abbotsford would give us the widest range of activities for the boys. And it did. A petting zoo, pumpkin patch, playground and multiple other chances for fun that we weren't even able to take advantage of. We left with a big pumpkin, fresh pressed apple cider and a big bag of juicy crunchy Ambrosia apples. A beautiful day and the boys had a wonderful time.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Sometimes good bye is the hardest word...
Well, what began this past April has finally come to completion. We are done at Bethany. It's odd to type those words, to look at them, to say them out loud. Don't get me wrong, I never had the slightest notion that Brad would live out the rest of his pastoral ministry at Bethany. It was something we discussed at length before getting married. I, as of this up coming Christmas, would have been an attendee at Bethany for 15 years, a member for 13 years. Brad came on as youth pastor eight and a half years ago. We began dating shortly after his arrival, were married a year later and now 7 years and almost 3 kids have rounded out our time there.
We always knew we'd be saying good-bye eventually, it doesn't make it any easier to do so when you are in the thick of it though. I have lived a good chunk of my impressionable years at Bethany. I was baptized there, made lasting friendships, discovered and developed the gifts God has given me and met and married my husband, lived through a challenging miscarriage, a bed rest pregnancy, another that went full (and I mean FULL term) and now this last baby... waiting for the day to arrive.
As much as you talk about something, you can only be so prepared for it, especially if you've never experienced such a journey before. There have been bumps and turns and views in this latest road that have surprised me. I have tripped and slid, at times I have strolled and for a brief moment I was able to run... currently I am walking... slowly, and not just because I'm 8 months pregnant. I'm walking with Brad and the boys. This is not a time to be rushing.
I want to take this opportunity to tell my Bethany family a few things. I was too overcome with emotion Sunday to express any of it.
First of all, thank you. The moment I walked through the doors at the old location at Quebec and 50th in December '97 I felt that I was home. That is not something you can manufacture, sure it helped that I already knew several people but that doesn't mean that I would feel a connection or know that God had me exactly where He wanted me.
It is no secret that Bethany went through a very, very challenging time a few years back. It was incredibly painful to see my home torn to pieces the way it was. At the time I never thought I'd see Bethany come through the other side. I confess there were times when it was extremely difficult, near impossible to come to church, to continue to serve and be involved. Several times I shared with friends that were I not married to Brad I would have left the pain that Bethany was dealing with and gone to another church. Deep down then and even now I know that to have done that would have been to my loss. There is such great blessing in committment and service, through the good and bad times. Being a part of a church body means you are part of a family and family is hard, we all know that. But if we love our family we stay committed to each other and to seeing it thrive and grow.
I suppose that is also part of what makes this good bye so hard to say. I'm so glad that Bethany is on the road to healing and health and to have to leave before I can see it to it's full fruition is upsetting. To have invested so much into my family and then to have to move on leaves a big hole for me. I am now asking myself the questions 'Did I do enough? Did I serve God to my fullest? Did I love my family well enough? Do I have any regrets?' These are difficult questions to answer and I'm getting the feeling that I might never be able to. God's grace will have to see me through that and I'll have to trust that no matter what I did or didn't do, He used it all to His glory.
As Brad and I wait on the Lord for our next ministry home I would urge my Bethany family to not wait for God to drop a ministry opportunity in your lap. You are already in a ministry home and you have multiple opportunities to serve Him. Seek them out, seek Him out, seek out your brothers and sisters in Christ and their needs, seek out the community around you and around Bethany. The need is great and you are all ministers. It's not hard, we make it more challenging than it needs to be. Remind yourself how Christ loves you and go out and love your neighbour likewise. Each one of you has a tremendous gift designed by God especially for you to use for His glory. When you say "Yes" to Him you become part of His wonders and your life will explode with joy. Had I said no to God that December I would have never received the blessing of friendship, my husband, my children and so much more.
I love you all and will miss you deeply. Thank you for the impact you've had on my life, my husband's life and the lives of my children. Because of that we will take you with us where ever we go.
Shalom
We always knew we'd be saying good-bye eventually, it doesn't make it any easier to do so when you are in the thick of it though. I have lived a good chunk of my impressionable years at Bethany. I was baptized there, made lasting friendships, discovered and developed the gifts God has given me and met and married my husband, lived through a challenging miscarriage, a bed rest pregnancy, another that went full (and I mean FULL term) and now this last baby... waiting for the day to arrive.
As much as you talk about something, you can only be so prepared for it, especially if you've never experienced such a journey before. There have been bumps and turns and views in this latest road that have surprised me. I have tripped and slid, at times I have strolled and for a brief moment I was able to run... currently I am walking... slowly, and not just because I'm 8 months pregnant. I'm walking with Brad and the boys. This is not a time to be rushing.
I want to take this opportunity to tell my Bethany family a few things. I was too overcome with emotion Sunday to express any of it.
First of all, thank you. The moment I walked through the doors at the old location at Quebec and 50th in December '97 I felt that I was home. That is not something you can manufacture, sure it helped that I already knew several people but that doesn't mean that I would feel a connection or know that God had me exactly where He wanted me.
It is no secret that Bethany went through a very, very challenging time a few years back. It was incredibly painful to see my home torn to pieces the way it was. At the time I never thought I'd see Bethany come through the other side. I confess there were times when it was extremely difficult, near impossible to come to church, to continue to serve and be involved. Several times I shared with friends that were I not married to Brad I would have left the pain that Bethany was dealing with and gone to another church. Deep down then and even now I know that to have done that would have been to my loss. There is such great blessing in committment and service, through the good and bad times. Being a part of a church body means you are part of a family and family is hard, we all know that. But if we love our family we stay committed to each other and to seeing it thrive and grow.
I suppose that is also part of what makes this good bye so hard to say. I'm so glad that Bethany is on the road to healing and health and to have to leave before I can see it to it's full fruition is upsetting. To have invested so much into my family and then to have to move on leaves a big hole for me. I am now asking myself the questions 'Did I do enough? Did I serve God to my fullest? Did I love my family well enough? Do I have any regrets?' These are difficult questions to answer and I'm getting the feeling that I might never be able to. God's grace will have to see me through that and I'll have to trust that no matter what I did or didn't do, He used it all to His glory.
As Brad and I wait on the Lord for our next ministry home I would urge my Bethany family to not wait for God to drop a ministry opportunity in your lap. You are already in a ministry home and you have multiple opportunities to serve Him. Seek them out, seek Him out, seek out your brothers and sisters in Christ and their needs, seek out the community around you and around Bethany. The need is great and you are all ministers. It's not hard, we make it more challenging than it needs to be. Remind yourself how Christ loves you and go out and love your neighbour likewise. Each one of you has a tremendous gift designed by God especially for you to use for His glory. When you say "Yes" to Him you become part of His wonders and your life will explode with joy. Had I said no to God that December I would have never received the blessing of friendship, my husband, my children and so much more.
I love you all and will miss you deeply. Thank you for the impact you've had on my life, my husband's life and the lives of my children. Because of that we will take you with us where ever we go.
Shalom
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
More than I predicted
Yes, it has been several months since my last post and there are plenty of good reasons for that. As I looked back on my last post (Christmas/new year 2011) I am shocked by how on point I was with my feeling that 2012 would be a big year for us Reids. Well it has become far "bigger" than I could have anticipated and not only for us but for many of those closest to us. And while I'm unable to go into any detail about the "bigness" for us all, I can say that we all covet your prayers. Especially us Reids. Pregnancy and employment are big changes to process through and we are not at the end of those races yet.
With that in mind we are still doing our daily things, the boys are growing (and so are we) always learning, always fighting against what He wants to teach us. I know one day we'll get it all right.
Here are a few snap shots of what we've been up to the last 8 months. Enjoy!
Mugging for the camera
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