Shaken Up!

So how’s it going?

I said last month we wouldn’t be having an inside pet.  Charlie, our temporary, 19-pound Persian has come to visit.  He belongs to our pastor, Aaron Bouchard and his family.  They are staying with Sara’s parents in Brampton until they can find another rental property in Milton (a matter of prayer!). As soon as Charlie bounced out of his cage the day he arrived, our household has been shaken up.  He is the friendliest cat ever who follows us night and day while yapping along the way.  He is more like a dog.  Cats love to munch on plant leaves so all the plants are shut in my office upstairs.

This past month our church has been shaken up as well with the Lockharts moving on to Sarnia and Bouchards residing in Brampton.  We have decided to move our official opening to the spring so that we can regroup.  This past Sunday we moved our meeting location from Kelsey’s to East Side Marios in Milton. The first service there ran quite smoothly and will give opportunity for those who couldn’t climb up to the loft in Kelsey’s to attend.  Maybe many restaurant owners anywhere are willing to open their doors to a new church start.  It can certainly help their bottom line.  All one has to do is ask.

It seems that the U.S. has been suffering through one crisis after another – hurricanes, shootings, parcel bombs.  It is very hard to watch people’s lives being completely shaken up without us being able to help much.  It is easier to just shut it all out of our minds, to not be affected by their pain.

Since the spring I have been asking you periodically to pray for Pastor Joe Boyachek, pastor at Richview Baptist in Toronto, who is slowing dying with cancer.  It is amazing that God has kept him alive this long; although his body is weakening more and more.  Heather, his wife, honestly remarked in her recent blog that she feels like her wheels are spinning, “The running will continue.  And I’m ok that I’m not going any place.  Thankful for every day and moment that we can spend together.  The whirlwind of emotions will work themselves out.”  This family’s whole life has been shaken up this year.

I memorized I Corinthians 10:13 as a junior-aged child. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”  I am not sure why it has stuck in my mind ever since; but I do know that no matter what shakes our lives up, I agree with the Psalmist (16:8), “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

Just for your information, Gary is a board member for the newly revised Canada’s Walk Through the Bible, a terrific seminar on learning the contents of the Bible.  Our daughter Sara is training to be a presenter this weekend.  If your church is interested in having her come along at some point, please let us know.  More info to follow.  Also we have helped with two orphanages in Myanmar over the years.  A third one will be starting in the spring.

Take care,

Wendy

Wendy.carter@kainos.org