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