Back in the Saddle Again

Seeing as Wayne accepted the call to Grace the end of March and got installed the end of August, this was a long time coming! 

The last time Wayne was installed (and ordained) into the ministry was 16 years ago. Here's a flashback just for fun:

We were babies. We really were. All I remember about that day was how overwhelmed I felt. I had no idea what I was in for, what the ministry would be like, or how blessed I'd be by the strangers that surrounded me. 

I remember fellow pastor's wife, Karen, approaching me - her husband's own installation and ordination just a year before - offering to guide me on where to find what in this crazy new country of Canada. I should have know then and there as she offered to show me where to find shoes that we'd become the best of friends! 

My in-laws had been in town for the occasion and I also had a two year old running circles around me. All of this to say, I didn't get much out of it 16 years ago.

But this time ...

I soaked it all in. This time I was overwhelmed by emotion and appreciation. This time I held in my heart the verses spoken over Wayne by the 14 different pastors that attended. I was able to listen intently to the sermon words of direction, encouragement and Godly wisdom written for this occasion. This time I had 16years in the trenches of ministry to give context. 

For a few moments I lost control of my emotions as we sang the hymn, "Speak, O Lord" because that's a hymn I didn't even realize until that moment I equated with my Divine Word family. How I missed them (and Our Shepherd) but in serving them for all these years they have helped equip us for the tasks ahead. My naive 28 year old self never imagined how precious those members and fellow called workers would be to us. I had no idea how they would change us, challenge us, and shape us. I didn't know that by serving them would in turn bless us - even in the hard. I could never have foreseen the many moments of sharing life's joys and struggles that bonds would run so deep. 

Speak, O Lord, as we come to you to receive the food of your Holy Word

Take your truth, plant it deep in us; shape and fashion us in your likeness

That the light of Christ might be seen today in our acts of love and our deeds of faith.

Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us all your purposes for your glory.

Now we were surrounded by strangers again, people we were just beginning to get to know. But these are now our people. We're going to get to know each other very well - the good, bad and ugly. It will stretch us, challenge us, and bless the pants off of us. It won't be in the same way, but it will be God's way. 

There's something about the ministry that offers palpable grace - undeserved love. I wore it in the wrist corsage made for me and another kind for Wayne and even Hosanna. I read it in the cards given with Scripture encouragement and words of wisdom. I felt it in the hugs offered to me, still a relative stranger to them. I heard it in the many versions of, "we're so happy you're here".  It's all so very humbling and makes me want to let them know ... yeah, I'm not that great ... don't get your hopes up!! I'm going to disappoint you a million times before we're gone. They'll figure that out on their own soon enough - haha. A family in Christ knows that in spite of each of our weaknesses, Christ still loves us and clothes us in His righteousness. When we look at one another the way He sees us, it gives us a different lens to see each other. I treasure this gift and know we all have a lot to learn about each other. This is our people. 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek 

to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love;

for it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Prayer for a life of service

Lone Star Canucks

Things are starting to come together! 

I love Texas. I have reconnected with my drawl. I embrace redneck influence. I suddenly need a cast-iron skillet. 

Now, not everything is perfect this side of eternity. For instance the day the truck unloaded and the doors were opened for most of the day, a big 'ole bug made it's home (or maybe got stuck in a web?) in the peak of the ceiling. It honestly looked like a baby bat. It made me a bit uneasy to look up at that thing and wonder how long it was going to stay there. About 48 hours into it I looking up and it was gone. That was also quite concerning. Sure enough it had dropped and was found dead on the living room floor. At least it wasn't on my head. 

Also along the topic of bugs, etc would be fire ants. I have vivid memories of a previous encounter with fire ants back when I was a kid living in a suburb of Ft. Worth with my parents. So this has been on my mind and a real concern on our current property. Let's spray the crap out of those suckers. Let's just pour gasoline over their homes and light them up. They are the enemy. Until...

Wayne tells me that his conversation with Danny, the previous owner, suggested that we not treat the fire ants because they keep the chiggers and the snakes away. 

I'm sorry, ........ come again? 

First of all, chiggers. You may not be familiar with these in the north but they like to live in tall grass in the south. I am allergic to them. I remember my family traveling back to the midwest when we were kids. We stopped in Oklahoma to pick blueberries because my mom thought it would be a fun childhood memory. Until I got chiggers and blew up like the blimp while I scratched myself until bloody. Not cool.

Then there's the whole snake thing. I can't even. 

Will kept traipsing through the lawn and I kept warning him of fire ants. He claimed it was just an urban legend. Until he came in with a spring in his step and not the good kind! Then he told me how he had seen a snake in the landscaping. But don't worry, Mom, it was a baby. It was cute. Baby snakes turn into adult snakes, son, and we have a machete for that!!!!! 

Which leads me to why we now own a machete. 

Wayne and I were going for a walk in our subdivision one evening. We had some pertinent questions for the locals such as, what kind of lawn mower is good for the size of these substantial lawns? What do they do for TV out in the country? What the heck is with the wifi? Having already experienced the friendly nature of the locals, we thought we'd knock on some doors and ask these questions. 

We had knocked on about 4 doors and come up empty, despite the fact that it looked like someone was home - garage doors open, cars out, etc. We were striking out but seriously impressed by the obvious safety of the area since no one seemed too concerned about locking stuff up when not around. We were going to give up when we gave one more house a try. Bingo! They answered the door.

We walked in on a little neighborhood shindig. They welcomed us in, poured us wine and treated us to Texan hospitality! It was here that we had our greatest take away - get a machete. You know, for the poisonous snakes and stuff. Good to know. We'll be adding that to the Walmart list.

Wayne's new riding lawn mower

Don't get me wrong - our property is beautiful! We have a lake view. Groups of deer wander the subdivision. Hummingbirds wander in among the landscaping. It really is idyllic. Except for the fire ants, chiggers, snakes, skunks, and armadillos. Haven't I mentioned the armadillos?

First let me mention the landscaping. It's amazing!!! It circles the perimeter of our home. It makes use of all that is native to this area of the country. There's even a fenced area farther down the property that grows roses, blackberries, and I don't even know. But if you know me at all, you are laughing your butt off right now. Rachel ain't got a green thumb. 

I'm in trouble. It's not that I'm not up for learning but I am way out of my league and have no one to help me. So for now I'm trying to keep up with the weeding which is enough by itself. 

Which brings me to the armadillo. I was out weeding the landscaping when I noticed the wood chips messed in places. Then I noticed a big hole had been dug. That's when I called Wayne.  When I looked up from the kitchen window and saw my guys with a .22, a machete, and a shovel I thought,  "Shoot. We in Texas, folks!" 

No armadillo has been harmed. Do not private message me. And yes, Wayne and I are going to take shooting lessons. When in Rome....

And while in Ottawa I was paying for the luxury of a retail establishment providing me with a plastic bag to hold my purchases, I now have so many FREE plastic bags that I have had to throw some out. Land of the Free, baby. 

Remember how in Ottawa they only picked up our trash every other week? So that when you missed a week if you were out of town or something you had your garbage for a month? Remember maggots? Here we don't have trash day. We got ourselves a neighborhood burn pile, people! We also have 24/7 access to the big dumpster so that every day can be trash day. It's a beautiful thing. 

What really strikes me about this area of Texas is how much it reminds me of the midwest except without winter. The terrain, the lakes, the trees are all reminiscent of the midwest. We had some members who live on the lake invite us over for dinner and jet skis. The temperature of the water was like a bath! Looking around we could have been in Wisconsin! 

I am also throughly enjoying Amazon Prime. I've been paying for it for four years to make sending stuff to Will easier. Now I can finally use it for myself. Sweet.

Our wifi stinks. We really are out in the country. But seriously, have we not reached high speed internet to everywhere by now? Apparently not. So much for Longmire and The Crown. I'll never know what happened. 

We have no cable television. We could get satellite. Until then we keep watching episodes of King of the Hill on DVD . Which explains why we keep ending all of our sentences with I tell you what. 

I have dragged my family in to Target and Hobby Lobby I don't know how many times in the last month just because I can. I don't have to tally my total for the border, worry about duty, or packing it all in the vehicle with our luggage. Somebody pinch me! 

I've never been much of an ice person. I usually prefer my water at room temperature. But when it's over 100 degrees, a woman needs some ice, I tell you what. 

This is all the superficial stuff for the most part. Our real reason to be here hasn't really started yet. We're getting to know our new church family and have been welcomed with opened arms. It's a great feeling! We were brought into membership a few weeks ago and Wayne will be installed on August 26th. 

Meeting up with the Texas cousins! 

Our surroundings, culture and country may be different but being together as a family, our mission and purpose, and the love of God remains constant. 

Head 'em Up and Move 'em Out

Well. We were ready for a change and boy did we get one - I tell you what. 

Before I get to Texas I need to reflect upon the last week or two before the big move. For closures sake. And while July may be a distant memory for you, it seems like last week to me.

Our farewell party at Divine Word - cakes, food, and a beautiful painting of Ottawa

They look like cousins but were our original neighbors and like family! 

Our China travel group girls

A Texas themed going away party

Wayne ditched me. Not really, but he had a good reason for leaving. He and Will flew to Calgary to get a car from Grandma for Will. Will had been dreaming of this moment for years and the time had finally come so he was flying high. Wayne was able to enjoy a few days with his mom before leaving the country for awhile. They had some good bonding time especially as they drove from Calgary out to my parents house in northern WI where we met up with them. 

Meanwhile I made plans. Dinner plans, lunch plans, social plans, tea party plans. I figured if I had to say goodbye to these wonderful people in my life we better have fun before doing it. 

Dinner on the deck with friends

Tea at Chateau Laurier with Oma and our dear friends, Evelyn and Mary

Finished her sewing project with Aunt Karen!! 

My parents also arrived to accompany us on this move since we were down two guys. I may be in my forties now but good land ... I still need my mom and dad. They've moved so many times in their lives that they could move blindfolded. Maybe not, but they definitely bring some experience to the table. And emotional support. There's that too. 

I won't get into all the ducks that had to be in a row for this move but there were many ducks.  Immigration, finances and changing currencies, importing our vehicles, selling a house and buying another, and all the paperwork that had to be collected ahead of time not to mention the regular parts of moving. Anything could go wrong at anytime. Just one piece of missing paperwork, one government employee having a bad day, something falling through the cracks ... we tried not to dwell on this but used our energy to pray instead. It was hard. 

Long story short: we made it to the other side. Our house was sold and a cute family moved in. We bought a house in Texas and Wayne was able to get to know them a bit and help them move out while collecting needful info about our new place. Wayne and Will crossed the border with his "new" car. My car, Wayne's car and mom and dad's truck with trailer crossed the border and we had the nicest people.  They were friendly, efficient, and properly completed their part of the paperwork needed to import our vehicles. Keep in mind - this is a government agency. Miracles happen, people! 

The drive from Ottawa to Texas was LONG. We had the two days it takes to get to my mom and dad's in northern Wisconsin. Meanwhile Wayne and Will were driving there too but from Calgary. We met up on Wayne's birthday happy to reunite after almost two weeks apart. As luck would have it, his birthday was on a Friday so you know what that means in Wisconsin .... fish fry! Unfortunately he had to leave for Texas the next day to make it down for the closing of the house date. The kids and I took the weekend to recuperate and enjoy a short reprieve before heading on. I hadn't realized how tired I had become over the previous few weeks and I slept a lot during those two days. 

We left early Monday morning with Zan and me in the Explorer and Will following in his car. We made it to our new home Tuesday night and the moving van had already arrived, unloaded and left. We arrived to a sea of boxes and 105 degree temperatures outside. The kids were excited to see our new place, move into their new rooms, and we were all excited to finally be reunited again! 

Zanna colour coordinated the boxes with rooms. The Spanish speaking guys on this side of the move really appreciated it! 

Time to settle in. 

Taking our kid to college

This has obviously been a whirlwind summer and a lot has been happening. Include taking our firstborn to college and we're all a bit shell shocked. But it's been exciting too and we're excited for Will to start this new time in his life!

 Will is attending Martin Luther College in Minnesota. He'll be studying for the pastoral ministry. His time at MLC will be working toward a double major of theology and ancient languages. He'll be busy! 

As usual, my parents are rockstars! They had graciously taken all of Will's stuff from Prep up to their place for the summer so we wouldn't have to haul it all to Ottawa, move it to Texas, and then back up to Minnesota. So they met us in Minnesota with their truck and trailer full of Will's stuff. This is after they drove all the way to Ottawa earlier in the summer and helped us move. But that's another post!

 We are so thankful to have brought him to a school that has Scripture around every corner. He will continue to get an amazing education rooted in the wisdom of God. What an opportunity!

Wayne and I enjoyed reconnecting with some other parents dropping their kids off too. We also got a chance to see some friends that live in the area. We've said goodbye to a lot of people this summer but we've also reconnected with friends from the past. 

It had been 20 years since I was last on campus. Wayne had graduated in the spring of 1998 and we married that summer. Who would have imagined we'd be dropping our son off 20 years later in the fall? 

It was the first time I had seen the new campus chapel for myself. It was amazing! 

Below is Will and his roommate. 

We made the most out of our trip and visited the local brewery with some friends. Zanna had root beer - haha!

While almost everything in our transition has been going incredibly well, we've been struggling with decent wifi out where we live. We seriously live in the country and we don't even have enough "juice" to stream shows or movies. I don't see it improving anytime soon so keeping my blog updated may be a real struggle. I may have to run into town to the library sometimes - we'll have to see. I obviously have a lot of updating to do and pictures to share. I'm writing this from our hotel room in Minnesota! 

Thank you all for your prayers:)

Goodbye {to my everyday life as I've known it}

Goodbye to my favourite grocery store. I not only get everything on my shopping list for the week but adorable Joe Fresh clothes that somehow make their way home. 

Goodbye "Homesense" who became strategically placed next to said grocery store that made it really easy for me to pick up a variety of miscellaneous home items for discount prices I didn't even know I needed. 

Goodbye Canadian Cheetos. You are far superior to your subpare American counterpart. Could you be any cheesier?!

Goodbye to the numerous retailers that charge me to provide a plastic bag to put my purchased items in. Are you kidding me? I totally love the challenge of balancing two soup cans, a bag of milk, a bunch of bananas, and three tubes of toothpaste while walking through the parking lot, opening up the trunk with my mind (because I can't reach my keys) and putting all the items into the reusable bags I forgot to bring in. 

Goodbye to the powers that be in the city of Ottawa who decided to only pick up our trash every other week. You didn't lower my taxes but now I'm encouraged to use the city provided green bin that has been taken over by maggots. I will truly miss you. 

Goodbye reclining overstuffed seats at the movie theatre. It seems like we just met yesterday and you've so enhanced my movie going pleasure. Oh sure, I know they have them in the bigger cities of Texas but I'm not holding my breath that they're coming anytime soon to our new small town. Back to sore backs and not knowing whether to cross my leg to the right or to the left. First world problems.

Goodbye milk in a bag. Yes, everyone knows your taste is far superior. Add to the fact that in Canada they don't allow growth hormones in milk like they do in the States (unless you want to pay extra). But curses when a bag springs a leak! The slow offender usually takes me a few days to realize it's leaking into the veggie drawer and underneath. By then the smell of sour milk begins to ripen and my celery is now drenched in the white stuff. Bring on the gallon plastic container. 

Goodbye Tim Hortons. You will never be replaced. I adore you. You may be fast food but you're good food. Where else will I go for an Iced Cap on hot days? No one else makes steeped tea like you do - Orange Pekoe brewed to perfection and ready to go for me! (I tried ordering a tea in Texas at Mc D's and they wanted to give me iced tea. They said hot tea was "seasonal".)  You are truly a Canadian gem. 

Goodbye to all the people who ignore me when I say hi to them. I've never lived in a place where it was socially acceptable and not an embarrassment to whoever raised you. We are all people. We have mankind in common. Can we not at the very least acknowledge one another's presence in passing with a smile and a "hello"? 

Goodbye to all the places I can get to in walking distance that enhance the quality of my life: Starbucks, the drug store, the frozen yogurt shop, two schwarma restaurants, and the bank. I just have to remember to bring my own bag. 

Goodbye LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario). Seriously, why do you bother advertising for yourself when you have no competition? We have no choice if we want our booze. You win!!

Goodbye socialized medicine. Look, you've got a bad wrap. Maybe if I had had to wait two years for knee replacement surgery I wouldn't be so gracious. But bottom line is we've benefited from some decent healthcare that we pay through the nose for in our taxes. We don't get bills in the mail and I'm not on the phone with insurance trying to figure out who pays what. Thank you.

Goodbye loonies and toonies. You silly one and two dollar big ole coins, you! While I appreciate the ease of one and two dollar currency, you become very heavy in my purse - especially when I forget you're there and it starts to feel like I'm lifting a baby carrier over my shoulder. 

Goodbye French. I really don't want to offend you but you alluded me. I don't even know enough to speak you badly. Yes, learning another language is always a good thing for your brain. In our home we use some serious bastardized German and we can count to ten in Mandarin. There was a time I was on a kick and tried teaching Will Canadian French but we both stunk at it. He even had a tutor for awhile. In this area every kid learns some French in school and has to know it well if they are ever going to get a decent government job someday which is apparently the goal in life. You have made me feel like a failure on more than one occasion. We have sat through French first airline safety instructions, Ottawa summer camps, museum trips and tours, and phone recordings where we have not so patiently waited for the English part to kick in. You're so fast and you don't pronounce half the letters at the end of words. I respectfully bid you adieu. 

Goodbye people that help me function.  God has strategically placed certain individuals in my life that he works through so I make it through the day. Goodbye, Tish, my hairdresser who has kept me well coiffed all these years. Goodbye, Jackie, who has kept me aligned and adjusted through her chiropractic magic (along with her incredible friendship). Goodbye, my pastor's wife girlfriends, who have studied God's Word with me, inspired outreach ideas, commiserated in our struggles, prayed with me and been there with listening ears and hugs. I love your husbands and kids too! Goodbye, Melissa. You've been there since almost day one when you introduced yourself as my friendly neighbour. We've spent hours together at parks with our kids, shared copious amounts of tea and lattes, and shared holidays as families. Our husbands look like brothers;) Goodbye, clients in my chair, that let me into their lives and provided me with work at the same time. Good bye Ruth, Diana, Christine, Evelyn, Silvia, Tracy, Charity, and numerous homeschool friends over the years. I could not have done it without you. I'm not even kidding. We have cried in frustration together, confessed our secret fears, encouraged each other in our lows and rejoiced in our highs. We've shared curriculum, discipline ideas, and spiked lattes in the middle of the day. Goodbye Angie, my dear church friend whose home we stayed in that first night in Ottawa. Our boys at two years of age became the best of friends and we became mama buddies ourselves. We wondered if they would be potty trained by their wedding. Goodbye church friends who've worked alongside me during VBS and other kids' camps, sang with me in choir, studied with me in numerous Bible studies over the years, celebrated our adoption and baptism of Zanna and threw us a baby shower, celebrated Will's confirmation and high school graduation with us at our home, shared in altar care dressing,  drank tea together at tea parties, made real Christmas wreaths that covered us in sap, laughed over Divine Sister's meetings, worshiped and wondered at Advent by Candlelight. You are my sisters in Christ. I will deeply miss you.

Goodbye Canadian dollar! We pay US tuition. You're exchange is killing us. 

Goodbye Canadian flag. Even after 16 years of living here (and more before that on visits) I am still taken by your perfect colours of red and white and the beautiful emblem of the maple leaf. You will always be welcome in my home regardless of where I reside. You are part of me. You are part of this family. I will continue to proudly fly you! 

Blessings Flow

The graduation celebration continued as we had an open house here at home for Will. Church family and friends gathered for what would be our last party to host in this house. 

On a sad note and rather a surprise, Zanna's bird died. She had had Snowie for 4 years. While we weren't planning on taking him to Texas, we did have plans lined up for where he would go. We're not sure what happened - it seemed like he had a stroke - but it happened quickly. It was hard on Zanna but she took it like a trooper burying him herself in the backyard somewhere near where Will buried old Xerxes 4 1/2 years ago.  It was hard on me not because I particularly loved the bird but because I love my daughter and it was hard to see her so heartbroken. 

Zanna and I had finished book work school stuff before we left for Wisconsin but June has had some fun end of year activities that I'm glad she was able to participate in. 

SHEP (Science and History Enrichment Program) came to a close and she and the group had fun playing their game projects they made for Canadian History.

She also gave an oral summary on the pioneer of flight subject she had researched - DaVinci. 

The final close to the study of flight unit was to meet at the park and set off everyone's rockets!

This month has also been busy with final doctors and dentists appointments. This week is the final week of my home hair business and saying goodbye to my wonderful clients and friends I've made through that. 

Zanna had her homeschool track meet. She placed 3rd in the 400 meter race and her relay team place 2nd in the closed race. It was a beautiful day to be outside and a fun thing to do surrounded by wonderful people! 

Our ladies group  hosted a tea for a fellowship event. We gathered around goodies and enjoyed friendship among each other.

Our Shepherd in Poltimore had our goodbye potluck the Sunday before our last one there. Along with good food, they spoiled us with a box full of goodies found "only in Canada". 

There was also the Quebec maple cones!

We also received some beautiful, unique woodwork custom made by a member to hang in our new home.

They also had a cooler of beer at the church potluck. The drinking age is 18 in Quebec;)

We had some Chinese members treat us to authentic local Chinese food. The peking duck reminded us of our last meal in Beijing when we adopted Hosanna. 

We've been so blessed by the love and friendship our Chinese members have shown us over the years - before and after Hosanna's adoption. 

We continue to work through our Ottawa bucket list - mainly food related. We went to Mandarin (Chinese buffet). We also were able to attend the Ottawa Redblacks football game!

Since there's no parking at the game we rode the public bus to and back which was also an adventure.

The next day was my birthday and another item scheduled to check off the list. We stayed at the Chateau Laurier. This is where kings and queens, presidents and prime ministers have stayed while in Ottawa. We're fancy like that. 

They had slippers by the bedside. Slippers. I love this place! 
When they heard it was my birthday they sent this over - 

The writing was done in chocolate. Super fancy.

We explored downtown and were excited about Ribfest going on that same weekend. We never make it down for "fests" since they're always on the weekends that are usually busy for us in the "burbs". 

So many ribs, so little time. How to pick? We figured we'd be getting plenty of Texas ribs in the future so we opted for Alabama ribs. We shared a rack and ate on the front lawn of Parliament. 

Best birthday ever:)

Meanwhile Zanna was camping with the Lutheran Pioneers that weekend somewhere in the wilds of Quebec getting eaten alive by black flies. Will was left to fend for himself at home and had a guy evening with a few friends. 

This month has also been busy with a garage sale and managing the sale of larger items through some local Facebook groups and online resellers. Zanna made the most of our garage sale by setting up a lemonade stand complete with her first batch of made by herself chocolate chip cookies that ROCKED! She also whipped up a few knitted toques in case anyone was in the mood. 

She also participated (and did really well) in a homeschool spelling bee. Not a high stress competition - the caliber clearly obvious by her official participation certificate that had her name misspelled - haha! 

With all this mention of what Zanna has been busy with, you may wonder what Will has been up to thus far in the summer. Not much. So he might as well enjoy it while he can since life's not like that very often. But he does the dishes without complaint along with other household tasks that helps to have the extra hands. We're watching "The Crown" on Netflix together. We're very disappointed in Prince Phillip. He eats a lot of guacamole. Will does, not Prince Phillip;) I don't make it because I can't stand avocados but Costco does a fine job I'm told. It amazes me how fast he goes through it! 

Slowly but surely we're working on eating what's left in the deep freeze. It's getting down to the weird stuff I don't know what to do with - frozen cranberries, half a Wonder bread loaf, and chicken meatballs. Last week I thawed the turkey I had in there and we had Thanksgiving dinner in June! 


Praise God from whom all blessings flow!