Thursday, 31 October 2013

Merry Autumn Days

'Tis pleasant on a fine spring morn
To see the buds expand;
'Tis pleasant in the summer time
To see the fruitful land;
'Tis pleasant on a winter's night
To sit around the blaze,
But what are joys like these, my boys,
To merry autumn days!

We hail the merry autumn days,
When leaves are turning red;
Because they're far more beautiful
Than anyone has said,
We hail the merry harvest time,
The gayest of the year;
The time of rich and bounteous crops,
Rejoicing and good cheer.

-Charles Dickens

Saturday, 26 October 2013

YWAM Newsletter October 2013

We just sent out our first email newsletter! (Thanks Mail Chimp).  It still doesn't seem real that we are actually moving. We are still very much involved here where we live, yet having our feet in two different places is proving to be challenging. I will be grateful when the transition is over. *smile*

Here are some snippets from our newsletter: (Let us know if you want to be on the email list)

House Update
After researching numbers and practicalities of selling a house, it looked like we couldn't even afford to sell our house. What to do, Lord? We knew that if God wanted us to serve on staff at YWAM, that He, our all-knowing God, would have to take care of this "big" problem and keep us out of debt. And lo and behold! God has provided a buyer for our house! A Christian couple from ____ have made this transaction very pleasant, and since we didn't ever have to go through a realtor, the numbers have worked out in a positive way! So praise the Lord with us!
As far as a closing date goes, it looks like we'll be closing in December-but nothing is for sure yet.


Future Housing
As far as a place to live in _______, the base has a couple possible options they are figuring out, or we may look for a rental in town.  We are praying about when to go and look.  

Prayer Cards
If you haven't already, you may receive a prayer card in the mail with our contact information on the back. Please let us know if you would like one, but have not received one. 

Financial Support
God is our provider and we are trusting God to meet our needs, not just financially, but our physical, spiritual and emotional needs. He does this through His Spirit but also through His people: which is His church. We have been blessed to know that there is a group of people who are supporting us through prayer, encouragement, and/or through financial means. We need to have $1200/mo pledged before we can join YWAM as staff. We are not at this goal yet, but we trust God in His timing. He will make a way.

Just for Fun

On Monday, the six of us went to ____ for medical reasons (nothing major, just a regular doc visit). While Joel and Joshua (8 yrs) and Rachel (6 yrs) were in the doctor's  ffice, I took Hudson (2 yrs) and Madelynn (4 yrs) on some shopping errands. After some stops at Walmart and Target, we went to Hobby Lobby. The name "Hobby Lobby" must have struck a fancy with Madelynn and Hudson because they sang these two words over and over while I shopped. After awhile, Hudson changed it to "Hobby-lu-yah!" I'm not sure what other people were thinking, but I was trying not to laugh too hard. Kids are so funny!

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Among the Scattered Stars

I (Renee) have been lacking the inspiration to blog on this blog. What with selling our house, homeschooling and all the other things that make life full, my mental energy has run a bit low. On an up note though, I have taken an interest (a small one) in reading poetry. I am fascinated by the poet's use of different words and how they intermingle to describe some indescribable thing. 

So since I love to share what's going on in my life and sometimes what I'm thinking I'll be sharing a poem that caught my fancy until my mental inspiration revives and I can once again share my own thoughts.

To start, I'll share one about the moon. Right now it is a waning full moon. And as the wind blows and the leaves fall, and the nights get darker, and the temperature drops every week, I will nestle into Love and find comfort in Him and in His gifted poets.


The Wind and The Moon

Said the Wind to the Moon, "I will blow you out;
You stare
In the air
Like a ghost in a chair,
Always looking what I am about;
I hate to be watched; I will blow you out."

The Wind blew hard, and out went the Moon.
So, Deep
On a heap
Of clouds to sleep,
Down lay the Wind, and slumbered soon-
Muttering low, "I've done for that Moon."

He turned in his bed; she was there again!
On high,
In the sky,
With her one ghost eye,
The Moon shone white and alive and plain,
Said the Wind, "I will blow you out again."

The Wind blew hard, and the Moon grew dim,
"With my sledge
And my wedge
I have knocked off her edge!
If only I blow right fierce and grim,
The creature will soon be dimmer than dim."

He blew and blew, and she thinned to a thread.
"One puff
More's enough
To blow her to snuff!
One good puff more where the last was bred,
And glimmer, glimmer, glum will go that thread!"

He blew a great blast and the thread was gone.
In the air
Nowhere
Was a moonbeam bare;
Far-off and harmless the shy stars shone;
Sure and certain the Moon was gone!

The Wind he took to his revels once more;
On down,
In town,
Like a merry-mad clown,
He leaped and hallooed with whistle and roar-
"What's that?" The glimmering thread once more!

He flew in a rage; he danced and blew;
But in vain
Was the pain
Of his bursting brain;
For still the broader the Moon-scrap grew
The broader he swelled his big cheeks and blew.

Slowly she grew, till she filled the night,
And shone
On her throne
In the sky alone,
A matchless, wonderful, silvery light,
Radiant and lovely, the Queen of the night.

Said the Wind, "What a marvel of power am I!"
With my breath,
Good faith,
I blew her to death-
First blew her away right out of the sky-
Then blew her right in; what strength have I!"

But the Moon she knew nothing about the affair;
For high
In the sky
With her one white eye,
Motionless, miles above the air,
She had never heard the great Wind blare.

-George MacDonald