Saying Goodbye....for now.

I can't believe we are leaving for Chad in 2 days......I feel like our departure date has snuck up on me! It has been an awesome whirlwind of a visit these past 6 months.....lots of friends, family, fun things to do and yummy food to eat! We have had our fill, and feel refreshed and ready to head back to our life in Chad.

The beauty of a Canadian Fall

As I type this, Phil is knee deep in suitcases, trying to make the last little things fit and not send the baggage weight over and have to pay the ridiculous fees for that! We have stocked ourselves with some things we can't buy in Chad like......yumminess from Canada (Reese peanut butter cups!!), toiletries, art supplies, clothing, some birthday and Christmas gifts, toys/books for Evie and other baby stuff that she will need, some DVD's for our Friday night movie night tradition, spices and mixes for the kitchen, books for Kaitlyn to read (she is progressing into chapter books) and a slew of other things we will need for the next two years.

We have been blessed by so many of you during our time here.....the generosity that has been shown to us has been A-MAZING! Just another reminder how God always takes care of us....our needs are fully met and we are so thankful for that.

Words cannot express how much we will miss our families and friends....but we are so thankful for the time we had with so many. Lord willing, we will be able to better connect with people via skype, facebook and blog updates (a trip to the hotel for a $6 coke and 'free' internet will be in order!).....and hope to send more pictures and even some video of our life in N'Djamena.

I better get back to helping Phil with the packing....hope I can find him in among all those suitcases!

We'll see ya'll in 2 years!

Catching up on all things Canadian

I cannot believe it is already October 1st! So much for blogging while back here in Canada.....time has just flown by and we have been busy with visiting family and friends, loving baby Evie and going to various appointments, enjoying the pleasant temperatures and taking advantage of all the parks, pool, libraries, bike paths, shopping, restaurants and other things we don't get to enjoy while in Chad. We have had an awesome 5 months here and even though we have been busy, we feel refreshed and ready to go back for the next two years. To be honest, I have mixed feelings about returning to Chad.....part of me is excited to see what life can be like over there when I am not sick or pregnant. I'm also curious to discover the various ministries and ways to reach out to the Chadian people. On the other hand, I am nervous that these next two years are going to be just as challenging as the last....and that scares me. So, it is these thoughts that I take often to the Lord, He knows how I feel and I trust that He will take care of me, all the way from Canada to Chad and during the 2 years we are spending there. No promises that things will be easier or better, I know that.....but to be able to rely on someone who never changes and promises to give us what we need each day....just knowing that gives me the peace that I need to walk this somewhat 'crazy at times' journey. One of my favorite quotes is

"Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God."

Love that quote. So true. And it is that Truth that I cling to on those "what am I doing here" kind of days.

I love Canada. We are so blessed to be Canadian and to call this country our home. Looking forward to seeing this beautiful country and our friends and family in 2 years. Don't forget about us. Love ya'll.

Lunch in the Park