Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

Pure joy!

Well, what else can I say....reading scripture and so many verses speak so clearly about how I am feeling. My first post was the night D left, and this post is the night before we leave to go see him graduate. What do they say? The days are long, but the months are fast...something like that anyways...it's about right. Here we are pretty much full circle, ready to begin a new chapter. I can't decide what I am more excited for, seeing him graduate or having him back here, seeing him with the boys again. Well either way, it will be great. Writing on a blog about the emotion I feel being at the end of this journey, just doesn't give it justice. I feel like I could compare it to the euphoria one would feel after completing a marathon, or triathlon or something. Proud, tired, and ready to relax a bit and then take on the next challenge ahead. Yep, nothing really new to write other than complete and utter joy and thankfulness to God, who did it all for me. It might sound repetitive, but what else is there to say expect...PRAISE GOD! His mercies are new every morning, and thankfully I can say I really felt this along the way. 

So...ready to go, mostly packed. Got my new red shoes my Mom found and bought for me for a real bargain, matched with a gorgeous red necklace and earrings from one fabo SIL, and my 'new' black $8 dress I got at the consignment store in Burlington (Yes I brought the one from Ross back cause this one was cheaper and nicer) with a red sash sewn perfectly on, by yet again, my wonderful mother. I really learned how I had to rely on people to do things and 'help' out even though it was usually out of my comfort zone. It taught me a great lesson about how to give others in the future, and how it can be such a blessing for the giver and the receiver. Again, God providing for us through loved ones and His grace and love shown through them.  

The boys are so excited, though Jude won't know what hit him when we get there, D and him have had a really close bond since birth, and I know Jude has really missed his presence. The other boys are eager too and look so cute in their little serges, and short hair cut like Dad's. 

So I am humbled, by His amazing grace, and my realization of our constant need for HIS saving power and grace everyday. 

I just wanted to say for those of you reading this that have supported Darryl and I, in whatever capacity, and for your prayers, I am truly grateful and thankful to have been able to experience such a communion of saints. So THANK YOU! Yep....after 6 months of struggles, triumphs, stresses and love...it's Pure Joy. I can't even imagine Darryl's story and I am eager to hear his testimony of God's care of him over the last 6 months, and share mine! 

 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

The countdown is on!

Whew! Well, it looks like we are going to make it! 6 sleeps till I pack up the boys and jump on plane bound for Regina! Eek..I can hardly believe it. I don't know what else to say except "Praise God"! He has been so gracious to us, and to our family, and has really carried us during this time.  This has been such an awesome experience for me, probably one of those things in my life and will look back on and be proud of. I was having this conversation the other day with an aunt of mine, how the hardest things we have done in life, we'd probably never do again, but they are always SOO worth it and we are glad we did them! I can't believe how well Darryl has done, I am so proud of him and all he has accomplished and it is so cool to see how God is transforming him into someone new again....it makes me cry!  God has really been with him this whole time, and Darryl attributes every success to God's gracious hand. Even yesterday, someone from his troop packed up and was sent back 4 months to troop 11, and I can't imagine how hard it must have been for this guy. But we know that everything happens for a reason, I am just so thankful that Darryl's journey will most likely not be longer than it had to be. Darryl just testified to me on Tuesday after his practical exam, how after it was over, he wasn't so sure that he passed and was praying, praying and God answered and he got a "P" for pass, he couldn't believe it.   There aren't enough blogs I could post with all the things I have learned in Darryl's absence, about God, myself, others, my attitude, and how truly blessed I have been to have gone through this. We try in this life, to avoid pain, to avoid the tough stuff, and I knew this time, that Darryl changing careers was coming. See we made a pact about 10 years ago, a year after we got married. I had decided I felt God calling me to go to college and pursue something I had felt passionate about since elementary school. I never  wanted to go to college after highschool and I ran from it for 5 years, going from job to job, doing anything to not have to do more 'school' work. I never liked school. I thought I would get married, and a year or two later have some kids and live happily ever after. God's plans are always different than our plans though, aren't they? (Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD'S purpose that prevails Proverbs 19:21)But they are always better. So, Darryl agreed that he would support me to go back to school, if one day, I would support him if he wanted a career change. I never really forgot about that, sort of filed it in the back of my mind...little did I know, it was a tougher road than I would have signed up for. But, when he applied to the Abby PD a few years ago, I supported him, and I had hopes for him. After making it all the way through the process and failing the final interview, we were both discouraged. It seemed liked this is what God was calling him to do, it felt right to him. But our feelings are not always right, only God's truth will prevail. And so, after much prayer, and discussion, he went with a half hearted hope and handed in an application in to the RCMP in September of 2008.....i remember saying "Oh yeah, watch now, your going to get in"...yep he sure did...and the rest is history. We have both learned so much, and i am so eager to go down this road with Darryl. I know, it is going to have its up and downs., I have been warned about shift work. But I have had a look into that life, seeing my little sis go through it all when her hubby became a full time firefighter, and them both doing shift work. I think the upside outweighs the downside, and I look forward to all it has to bring. Plus, I believe it is mostly attitude, and I feel that the Spirit has been with me, giving me a thankful heart and encouragement when I needed it most. There have been times, when I had questions, felt farther from God and started whining and feeling sorry for myself. But I realized not only was it rediculous and an insult to all God has done for me, it does nothing, brings NO relief to oneself at all. In fact, usually it makes you feel worse.(Like the Hymn..."Will anxious care or bitter sighing..at any time bring true relief?") It is good, when your having a tough moment, day or even week, to call someone close to you (if your hubby is gone) and 'get it all out'. But deal with it, wipe off the dust and move on with a smile, otherwise...your in for a tough life. This was one of the valuable lessons I got to learn, to now treasure and hopefully remember. And I have had much inspiration and blessing from family, friends and the 'depot dolls"! I have met some great Christian ladies, wives of other cadets, one in particular who has 4 kids under the age of 5, and has the most positive, thankful, Christian attitude everyday and it has brought me a sense of what really matters and real perspective on life. (You know who you are JJ!) I have been blessed just to learn from her outlook and I hope to encourage others in the same way.   Also, I have to bring up the fact that my Mom and my sister have been the absolute bomb for me, they are a true gift in my life, I love them so much. I love my whole family, but I have really been made to become closer to them and I realize what a treasure it is to have a mother like mine. She has taken the boys every Thursday while I teach and then had me for dinner every time. Today, when I got there, she once again had gone to the dollar store and bought the boys a little something, just to spoil them and she always does sweet little things like that. then when I got back from school , after she and I had tea by the warm fireplace, she showed me the red sash she had finished sewing for the dress for grad and hemmed some pants for the boys. (oh and she found some awesome red matching shoes from Suzy Shier). Yep, mothers, sisters, friends, family and the communion of saints..I am rich, so very rich.  I know I have already said this, but I am so thankful to God for everything, all his grace, grace and more grace he has blessed me more than I could have ever known, despite my ongoing sinful nature, ....God is GREAT!....So, here's to the last week of being a single Mom, I think I am going to have to do some adjusting when D gets back....I'll keep you updated and hopefully have a picture or 2 of the grad...now I better go and rinse this box die out of my hair before it all falls out. I think I have posted this song before..but I just LOVE it...I feel very passionate about music, and I get goose bumps when I play this song.... God has really saved me from  myself!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d33iScnAa9w&feature=fvsr

Thankful....

So as you can see I am no designer blogger, and I haven't quite figured out how to make it all look good, but I am wanting some better weather here, with all this rain, so I decided to put up some sunshine. With hopefully approximately 3 weeks left in this journey, we are all getting so excited. Even though we know the hard work will continue once he comes back, at least we know he will be coming home after work. God has been so unbelievably good to us, and we are astonished by His richness and grace. This has motivated me to want to do more for others, to praise God more and tell others of his awesome deeds....God is good. My life feels so incredibly blessed, and I am so excited to have the love of my life back here starting this part of the journey together and  have never been so proud of him. This whole journey has really made me lean on God and only been a positive part in my relationship with Him, and learning to rely on him every moment. He has not only taken care of us, but blessed us, blessed Darryl and answered our prayers (sometimes within minutes!). It hasn't always been easy, but that is the best part.Through struggle,I have learned so much, I have gained, especially about trusting in Him more than ourselves or others. It sounds easy, but it isn't always that way when there are question marks.  I truly believe God tests us and sends things our way to draw us closer to him, and even though sometimes we can't always see the big picture, He is always there and always has a better plan than the one we hatch up...and I am so thankful for that. 

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

 ¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
 ² Worship the LORD with gladness;
   come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the LORD is God.
   It is he who made us, and we are his^[a];
   we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

 ⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
   and his courts with praise;
   give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
   his faithfulness continues through all generations.