No... we are not keeping Abigail in a cage. Read below for the story.
As most of you know, my family and I moved from Knoxville to Buffalo, NY to prepare to head to Canada and assist Shane and Kristy Davis in planting a church in western Alberta, Canada. Shane and I have known one another for quite some time and have enjoyed a wonderful friendship. We prayed about working with them as they started a church, and the Lord very specifically directed us to make the move to continue planning and working toward this goal.
With great expectation and anticipation, we moved to Buffalo and began planning to go to Canada. The more we worked with the Canadian government, the more evident it became that things were going to be more difficult than we initially expected. Knowing that God had led us, we continued pressing on and attempting to secure the appropriate paperwork for the move.
As Shane and I continued to pray and plan, the Lord began closing doors for our immediate entry into the country of Canada. After much prayer and counsel with his pastor they decided to take another survey trip to Canada.
During this trip to Alberta, the Lord confirmed in Shane's heart the need to work with a church in Canada prior to launching out. The Davis family will be working with Pastor David Harness and the Victory Baptist Church in Edmonton for a few months as he becomes more familiar with the people in this part of the world, gains pastoral experience, and waits on the timing of the Lord in planting a church in Hinton, Alberta. During this time, a Bible study will be established in Hinton, with some interested families.
At this time, we are not planning to go with the Davis family to Canada. Both Shane and I understand that first and foremost is the will of God in all things. Just as much as God opens doors, He closes them. Through all of this, Shane and I have grown closer as friends. Both of us just want what God wants.
Are we discouraged? NO!!! During these past months, the Lord has proven Himself in ways I have never known. God has been so good to our little undeserving family! We are confident that the Lord led us to move to Buffalo, NY and that has become increasingly clear as the weeks and months have passed. There is not enough paper to adequately tell the story of what God has done for us by proving more each day that He is real and that He longs to be preeminent in our lives. We are waiting to see what the Lord has for us next. As we wait for clear direction, we are serving at the Cornerstone Bible Baptist Church. Among other things, Pastor Britt has graciously invited me to teach Sunday School in the adult class. Jocelyn is working in the nursery and has begun a small junior choir. They will sing for the first time this Christmas Eve.
We are excited about what lies ahead, because we know that God is directing and leading us each day. We are very open to whatever He desires. So many have emailed, called, and written us to let us know that they are praying for God's will to be done in all things. We thank each of you for your prayer. God has proven Himself and we are confident that He will continue to do so. We serve a good God!
Photos of the Day: Here are some photos from when we were in Wichita, KS with Grandpa and Grandma Troell. They have a dog named Molly. Abigail found the cage and decided to take up temporary residence in it. She even shared some of the food. Molly was a good sport as the camera clicked and the flash popped!
In Molly's cage
"No, Daddy, I can close the door!"
"Yuck! Stop licking me!"
"I wish Dad would stop taking my picture!"
"Ooooooooo, more goodies!"
"See, Dad, I fit -- this could really be my new home!"
"Now it's mine!"
"Mmmmmm, not sure I really want to live in here after all."
Until next post,
Stephen, Jocelyn, Abigail, and Baby #2
