Because I love my husband

So, Brad's induction (sounds like labour) service or installment (sounds like vehicle repair) service as the new lead pastor at Zion church was yesterday. It was quite a deal and several people were involved in it including me. Brad gave emails to his associate pastor to contact our friends for encouraging words/comments about Brad to be read at the service. It was... overwhelming. The kind words that came were amazing. I made the joke that you have to leave town or be dead to find out what people really think of you. We know for sure now. If you you are reading and you are one who sent out those words, thank you. It was a blessing.
As I said I was directly participating in the service as I was asked to write a biography for Brad. So I thought I would share it all for you.

I was asked to tell you about Brad. A biography of sorts. And, I mean, who better to tell you than his wife. I know everything about him.

A farmboy from birth and at heart, Brad was raised in the heart of oil country and boasts the city of champions (cough 1990 cough) This farmboy gathered eggs with his grandma Reid, narrowly escaped a raging bee hive, outwitted his brother more than once and on halloween he had to ride in a car to the different houses to go trick or treating. He loved the freedom his bike gave him and took advantage of it by riding to town to blow , I mean, invest his allowance on comic books.

A move to the “big” city in grade 4 was the first marker of God’s hand in Brad’s life. That was a hard year for him. New neighbourhood, new teacher, new school. It was challenging, but looking back one can see the ground work being laid before him. Once he adjusted to his new normal he went about the things boys or brothers do. Tormenting his sisters and wrestling with his brother.

Brad played in his highschool band and loved it but highschool also presented more challenges leading to a dark and down time for Brad. The Lord placed a wonderful man in Brad’s path. His gym teacher. He saw the darkness Brad was in and wanted him to see the light of Christ. This man invited Brad to his church, to the youth event that week. Brad went because… what else was he going to do? Attendance led to involvement, led to leadership, led to…turning down UVIC music program to go to bible college.

Brad wasn’t aware of the unwritten rule that you go to bible school to find a spouse so he focused his energies on his studies…… on late night Wendy’s runs, and nerf gun wars with these guys. You know, the important stuff. At the end of school was a posting for a job for a youth pastor in a small town just a couple hours south of his hometown.

Two and a half years there and he learned so much about himself and his ministry. He learned more of his gifts, he learned to stand up for himself, he learned about what kind of pastor he wanted to be. He left that small town and moved to the real “big” city. And met me. End of story…

One thing Brad is not is slow. Once he decides what he wants he wastes little time in going after it.

At his new job he met a young woman and one night at an Alpha prayer meeting she won him over with a joke about George Bush and dimpled chads. One awkward phone conversation later and they were on their first date. Coffee was planned and if he decided it went well then dinner would follow. So essentially he scammed two dates out of one. Tricksy fellow

Things got delayed though as this young woman would be leaving town for the summer to work at a camp five hours away. Never one to give up easily, Brad continued to pursue her through emails. When the summer was over and she returned home things became serious very quickly and within two months they knew they were going to marry. A February engagement, a September wedding and they were off and running. But, life is never easy and even though you truly feel that God has brought you together it doesn’t mean that the waters will be smooth. But, smooth waters never made experienced sailors.

Marriage is hard enough by itself but add to it outside pressures and then events that happen within the marriage that can either tear you to shreds or tie you together in a life-saving knot.

In one year we saw loss. Traumatic loss. Life sucking loss. “Why God?” loss. While I crumpled into a heap Brad stayed. He stayed focused, stayed loving, stayed sacrificial, stayed true.

Because that is who he is.

After the year of loss we experienced life. Beautiful, pure, healing life. And yet, the world around us, the bubble our life focused on was disintegrating. And you start to wonder…how long will you wait while the ship is sinking before you jump? Or. Do you run below and feverishly work to try to repair the holes, or just keep the other passengers aboard dry and feeling safe, feeling loved, feeling led to calmer waters.

If you consider each stage of Brad’s life to be one that is life altering then Brad’s life on the farm would be when he discovered his sense of play, his curiosity and his elementary years was when he discovered his ability to be brave. His highschool years, he discovered his ability to overcome. (it actually gives me the image of the black knight from monty python’s holy grail- no limbs but still fighting)- “tis but a scratch”

Bible school he rediscovered his sense of play and began to unwrap his theology. His first full ministry job he discovered his ability to defend himself and others. This last turn he discovered his ability to endure and to rise above.

All these things come in very handy when you are in ministry.

In our ten years together the biggest things I have learned from Brad are how to forgive, how to love, how to lead, and how to finish well. He is fair and honourable, a trait that has frustrated me more than once when I know he has been hurt by someone and he is diplomatic and gracious in his response. Mama bear here wants to tear them to shreds. He has said that showing mercy is low on his list of gifts but I have seen him dig deep to show that particular kindness more than once.

I haven’t even touched yet on his ability as a dad. Humility is the first word that comes to mind. He is NOT a perfect dad. No one is a perfect parent. He recognizes his mistakes and seeks forgiveness and by extension of that he is teaching it to our boys as well.

When Carlon was first born Brad was breathless at the sheer joy of seeing his son and being able to hold him. He delights in our boys. He laughs with them, he tickles them, reads to them, helps them, corrects them, teaches them, prays with them.

I know what you all might be thinking now “wow, she has painted quite the picture. Makes Brad out to be the perfect man”

Not at all.

I could give dirty details about his flaws, about our arguments, about our disobedience towards God. But I am not up here to disrespect my husband, the father of my children. I am here to tell you about the man I love. The man God made for me, for my children. He is not perfect, no one is, but his imperfections fit the puzzle of our family. It is a puzzle with unfinished edges, it grows with our lives, with the grace of our Lord.

settled...sort of

Well, we are at the first week of our new life, new home, new ministry in Terrace. We are mostly unpacked, slowly deciding where things should go. We have more space here but I am determined to not just fill up the space so we are intentional about what stays and what goes.
Currently Carlon is at school, Noah and Iain are napping and I am stealing time at the computer. I probably should be doing more unpacking and organizing but, since I rarely get any uninterrupted computer time I'm taking it. And good thing because I just realized I haven't posted in quite a few weeks.
After moving out of our place we moved into my sister's place for close to three weeks. It was not an easy time but it was good for the boys to be able to spend more time with their big cousins before we left. Although, going from seeing them every day for 3 weeks to seeing them every few days on the facetime has made them miss them even more. It's an adjustment to say the least.
Carlon is too much like me so crying at the drop of a hat is not surprising. And often can't give a reason for why he is sad.
Mostly thought the boys are doing fairly well. We said good-bye to auntie Laura yesterday and that was hard for them. Then my tear duct decided to get blocked so my head felt like it was going to explode.
We have all recovered from the trauma of yesterday so onward we go to settle in to our Terrace life.
I am at no shortage of things to do around the house and the neighbours are quite friendly for the most part. We are hoping to get to know them better.

homesickness abounding.....

into the wild...

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...

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?

"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.

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

After a short nap I took Carlon and Noah to the hospital to meet Iain. We did not stay very long as it is difficult to control a (almost) 4 year old and a 19 month old in a hospital room. So, we came back home for supper. To celebrate Iain's safe arrival Carlon and Noah had chicken nuggets for supper. I had turkey dinner leftovers (whoo hoo!).

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

Carlon says "Hello!"

Noah is pretty excited to be a big brother. 

Carlon and Noah were able to have some fun at home too!

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.