Okay, okay, so the year isn't yet over, but it has already brought so many new changes for us. We couldn't wait until the end of the year to share what's been happening in our lives, so here we are... let's review what 2021 has looked like so far!
For those who prefer jot-notes over long ramblings, the following is what I'll be sharing about in this newsletter:
1 - Leading a prayer group 2 - Getting a puppy 3 - Stepping into a new role with GEM as a Storyteller 4 - Becoming one of the creator/editors of our church's newsletter 5 - Opening our doors
At the beginning of this year, we decided that our ministry shouldn't wait until we arrive overseas, but should instead start while still in Canada - especially with travel being restricted due to the pandemic.
Sometimes it's easy to focus so strongly on the calling, that we miss the here and now, and in reality, we should all be living actively for God no matter where he has us placed. Whether we are called to serve here, there or anywhere, we need to live with His light shining through us in all times and in all places!
This began an unfolding of opportunities for us... here we go!
1
Our first decision was to start a prayer group.
Our church didn't have an active prayer group who met regularly, so we started one, and have been meeting online on a weekly basis with a group of devoted prayer warriors.
It is what you'd expect a prayer group to be - we pray for anything/anyone that needs God's intervention (covid being a regular topic), and we stand in agreement together.
We open the meeting up to anyone from our congregation interested in praying with us, and we pray in community.
Community is so important, and when we pray together, it is powerful!
2 We have a puppy!
Four children, homeschooling, planning on serving overseas, and we get a puppy... are we crazy? I think so!! haha
In reality, though, we had thought of the idea of getting a puppy once we were settled in Italy, but because our timing hasn't quite lined up with God's, and we really have no idea when we'll be there, we decided why not now?
We've decided to no longer live our lives waiting for things to happen, but are choosing to instead live life now!
So with that being said, meet Gemma! She's a bulldog mix (English, Old English and American) and is about 6 months old now.
And quick fun fact -
Since adopting Gemma, we have met more neighbours in our area than ever before (some of which are turning into new friendships!)
3
I (Leanne) am a Storyteller!
Many who know me know that I love to write, so imagine my delight when GEM Canada's Executive Director approached me with the position of being GEM Canada's Storyteller!
So, what does that mean, exactly? As mentioned in our last newsletter, my new position means that I am the writer and creator of GEM Canada's newsletters and (hopefully in the near future) blog posts. This means that I write about what is happening in Europe, what our missionaries are up to, and how God is moving, and send it to those who subscribe to GEM Canada's monthly newsletter.
Each month I also have the opportunity of meeting (virtually) with all the other Storytellers within GEM who are scattered across Europe, hearing what type of stories they have been working on, coming up with new story ideas, and listening to professionals share their tips and tricks of the trade to help us grow and improve as writers.
I began this position in May, and have been thoroughly enjoying it! It's also a good feeling to finally be able to serve with GEM while patiently waiting to serve in Europe.
If you'd like to read my latest GEM Canada newsletters, click here.
4
Creating newsletters for our church
One day, my mom (one of the leaders of our church) and I got together and discussed the idea of creating a newsletter for our church.
Our church hasn't had a newsletter put together in years, and while brainstorming ways of staying connected during lockdowns and restrictions, we thought it might be fun to have this as a means to stay connected!
We made it official by announcing to our church the idea, and welcoming any and all contributions from our congregation.
Well, our newsletter quickly turned into a newspaper, with about 29 pages worth of poems, stories, jokes, recipes, etc.
With it being such a success, we've decided to make it an ongoing thing, producing a newsletter three times a year.
With becoming involved with Storytelling with GEM and creating newsletters for our church, both my heart and my plate are FULL!
It's great to serve in these creative ways.
5
We are being more intentional about inviting people into our cozy home.
For the longest time I felt like we didn't have a good 'hosting house', so I wouldn't invite people over as often as I should have. Instead, we would often arrange to meet up at coffee shops, parks, etc. I've definitely come to realize, though, that it's simply not true! Our house may be small, but people aren't coming over to judge our living space, but rather to enjoy the company! The past couple months we've had more people come over for coffee, dinner, and play than ever before, and we're loving it! This whole discipling thing is going to mean having people come over to watch how a life lived for Christ looks, and the best way to demonstrate it is to have them immersed in our home life!
Just the other day, we had a spontaneous play date with every single child that lives on our side of the street, in our front yard. Imagine about 10 extra bodies milling about. These are not christians, so you could imagine our delight when one of the girls randomly asks us "Who created people?" Totally out of left field! Franklin answered with a question, "Who do you think created people?", to which she contemplated and thought, "Perhaps the dinosaurs?" We were able to answer her question correctly, and even bring up Jesus (who another girl asks, "Isn't he dead?"). Throughout this brief conversation I look over at my two oldest sons and see them with these huge grins! They are loving every moment of this!
We were able to share what we had time for (the conversation was interrupted when something else caught their attention), and are so looking forward to next time. They know we have some answers, and we are hopeful they'll continue to ask questions!
By opening our doors, we are hopeful to have more encounters like the one we had with the neighbourhood kids. We are all (yes, you too!) exactly where we are meant to be in this moment, it is our responsibility to make the most of it!
So that's the gist of our year so far.
I think the biggest change that has taken place has been the change in our perspective.
Italy has been our main focus for so long that we forgot to live in the moment. Reflecting back on these few years, it seems clear that God's timing hasn't quite lined up with ours, and with that realization, we figured it wouldn't make sense to keep waiting to live a life of ministry, but rather be open to serving where we are right now.
Besides, any ministry we do now would just be beneficial in preparing us for when we finally arrive in Italy, right?
So as the year continues, and as we continue to wait for God's timing for Italy to become a reality for our family, we will be intentional about serving our Lord while still here in Canada.
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