Lost In the Prairies.....Found by God

Sorry about being MIA for the last week. We've been busy with Winter Break (yes, our school system had a week off).

I've noticed that the last month has been pretty hard for many of us in the blogosphere. Depression, health, deaths, and just general no good very bad days. Yesterday at church we sang All Who Are Thirsty. As we were singing it, I was struck by the reminder in the lyrics that all who are struggling need to come to Jesus and drink of the peace that only He can bring.

If you have been struggling, listen and allow Jesus to come and take your pain and hurts away.

All who are thirsty
All who are weak
Come to the fountain
Dip your heart in the stream of life
Let the pain and the sorrow
Be washed away
In the waves of His mercy
As deep cries out to deep
(We sing)

Come Lord Jesus come (x3)

Holy Spirit come (x3)

As deep cries out to deep (x2)

I watched the opening last night with my daughter. Yes, I did let her stay up until 11 pm. She was excited, but sad because they didn't show the Olympic Mascots. She really loves those guys. I may have to purchase some stuffies for Easter or Birthday.

Watching the opening was amazing. I was so impressed at what they did by incorporating the First Nations history and our vast multicultural history. There were many times when I was explaining something to my daughter that I got teary eyed due to being so proud of my Country and what we are. The highlight of the evening for me, was the slam poem by Shane Koyczan - We are More! It is true what they say about Canadians being humble and not taking centre stage. However, this poem said everything every Canadian feels.

We Are More!

So they have arrived. Something we have been waiting for for 10 years now. I remember the initial excitement when it was announced that they were coming. Then the realization of what would actually need to be done to pull it all off - highways widened, buildings built, huge deficits, etc... If you haven't already guessed about what I'm talking about - The Olympics start today in Vancouver!

Admittedly, I've been pretty apathetic about the whole thing, until I took the kids to see the torch run through our small town. The Torch Run took place last month. Luckily it was during a warmer period. They planned the torch to run past the school so that the kids could see it. It was fun to see the trucks drive by getting the kids excited by the loud music and the dancing and clapping. It was also a shock as this is a pretty subdued little town. My 3 yr old thought that there was a parade coming. I don't think he realized what was happening, but he was excited because he got a flag to wave. My daughter was excited. They have been learning about the Olympics since the beginning of school in January.

Here the kids waiting for the torch to go by, don't they look excited.
PS - Notice Nicole's Gloves they are the Official Olympic Gloves.

When the torch finally came it was sort of anti climatic, but it was fun to see something that we have been waiting for for so long.

I'm excited to see these Olympics through my daughter's eyes. She knows that she is Canadian and the she wants to see Canada win "ALL" the Gold medals. She knows all the mascots names. She wants to watch the snowboarding races, because one of the mascots really loves to snowboard. She's built Inukshuks with our lego and wooden blocks.

So they're here and now I can't wait to see the opening ceremonies tonight. Who will light the torch? Who will sing our anthem? I'm proud to be Canadian and can't wait to cheer on our team!

Mohammed Ahmed Ali, a 41-year-old underground church leader, was shot and killed on January 1 on the outskirts of Mogadishu by members of the militant group al-Shabaab. Mohammed and his wife, Amina Ibrahim Hassan, were reportedly being monitored by the militants for signs that they had left Islam. The militants killed Mohammed, who became a Christian in 2000, after learning that he had organized New Year's Day festivities for Christians. On January 3, Amina received threatening phone calls from the militants who stated, "We also know your home and that you are a follower of the Christians, and we are going to kill you the way we killed your husband." The next day, Amina set out for Kenya on a bus with her two-year-old son, Abdi Asis Mohammed Ahmed. They safely arrived in Nairobi on January 20. (Source: Compass Direct)

Pray for peace that surpasses understanding for Amina and Abdi as they mourn the loss of their husband and father

Ask God to provide for and protect this family.

Pray that they will continue to grow in their faith in Christ.

I've mentioned before in my blog that I'm doing a study by Kelly Minter on Ruth with local friends, including Andrea. The study has been amazing. But what has been more amazing is the wonderful friendships growing within the group. We have been sharing our life stories and praying over each other. I know that the friendships that we have been grooming will last a long time.

I'm also amazed by the friendships that I've made over the blogosphere. It amazes me on how people that you don't see and only know by reading their blogs, are so willing to pray when you need prayer and cheer you on when you need encouragement. So this week I choose a song that expresses what all my friends mean to me - both RL and Bloggy!

More Than You'll Ever Know
Watermark

Glenn Penner passes on to glory

After a seven year struggle with cancer, Glenn Penner of The Voice of the Martyrs Canada went home to be with the Lord on the evening of January 26, 2010 at the age of 48.

Glenn first joined VOM-Canada in 1997. Little could we have known the great work that Glenn would be able to pack into the nearly 12½ years of service to the Persecuted Church."

Barely five years after joining VOM-Canada, was Glenn diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. After undergoing chemotherapy, radiation treatment and a stem cell transplant, Glenn, his wife Denita, and their family decided not to pursue further treatment when the cancer returned. With confidence in God's provision, Glenn bravely continued to serve the Persecuted Church and strove to utilize the time God gave him to its fullest potential.

Glenn had a particular passion for helping suffering believers to understand the biblical basis for their trials. His book, In the Shadow of the Cross, is an intensive study of the theology of persecution and discipleship which continues to be an invaluable resource to Christians worldwide who are suffering for Christ's sake. A gifted teacher, Glenn was blessed to be able to share his study with Christian leaders in religiously restricted and hostile nations in South America, Africa and Asia, as well as in seminaries and colleges in Europe and North America.

Glenn's faithful dedication has inspired many – his family, the staff and supporters of VOM-Canada, international partners, and the many suffering Christians worldwide who have been touched by his service to them. As the mission moves forward into a new chapter, the staff is profoundly thankful to God for Glenn's example.

Pray for Denita, Joel, Becky and David as they mourn their husband and father.

Pray for the Voice of the Martyrs that we pick up the torch and go forward, as Glen would have insisted on that.

Pray for strength and wisdom for Corey Oddan who is the new CEO for the Voice of the Martyrs.

So many of us have shackles that we allow to take over our lives. However, we are called to praise God through our circumstances. When I first became a Christian this song had just come out. Whenever I feel like the world is pushing in on me, I play this song and remind myself that when I praise God He is there with me releasing me from my "shackles."

Try not to dance while listening. I dare you.

Whoo!
It sure is hot out here
Ya know?
I don't mind thought
Just glad to be free
Know what I'm saying, uh!

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
(What'cha wanna do?)
I just wanna praise you
(Yeah, yeah)
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
(Uh feel me?)
And I'm gonna praise you
(What'cha gon do?)
I'm gonna praise you

In the corners of mind
I just can't seem to find a reason to believe
That I can break free
Cause you see I have been down for so long
Feel like the hope is gone
But as I lift my hands, I understand
That I should praise you through my circumstance

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise you
I'm gonna praise you

Everything that could go wrong
All went wrong at one time
So much pressure fell on me
I thought I was gon lose my mind
But I know you wanna see
If I will hold on through these trials
But I need you to lift this load
Cause I can't take it anymore

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise you
I'm gonna praise you

Been through the fire and the rain
Bound in every kind of way
But God has broken every chain
So let me go right now

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise you
I'm gonna praise you
[repeat x3]

Take them off
What'cha gonna do, yeah

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise you
I'm gonna praise you