Day 9- A refreshing beginning to the week!

So today was a beautiful day in Chilliwack, one of those days where you can see the tops of the mountains for at least part of the day. We woke excited to check out the church that some of our neighbors and new friends are attending. We've been praying that God would make it clear to us which church we are to plug into and quickly because we don't want to waste any time on the periphery but rather start fully participating in the church community as soon as possible.
Well a huge answer to prayer was that today's service totally had us excited as Pastor Ron spoke on some topics that have been near to our hearts recently. He challenged us to be genuine followers of God who portray Christ in their words and conduct. He spoke out of Jude where we are warned about apostasy and false teachers and how if we are not reading God's word and seeking his truth we, as Christians, are susceptible to be deceived. Furthermore, the first book that I saw when walking through the church foyer was "Weird" by Craig Groeschel. Many of you know that Dave and I love to tune into www.lifechurch.tv to hear Craig's sermons. Weird is a recent series that he did that has really convicted us to travel the road less traveled, regardless of how "weird" it may seem to others. If anyone wants to read his book, I suggest asking Kevin and Brenda Sinke to borrow it. I know they have a couple copies. Anyway, long story short... I think we found our church. We're going to continue praying about it and have planned to meet with the lead pastor this week to talk to him and get a better sense of who they are and what they are doing in the community of Chilliwack. It really is insane how many great churches there are in the area and so many friendly people with whom we know we could do life with. Please continue to pray for discernment and unity about where to spend our time.

On a lighter note, we had a really encouraging day. Church was great, the girls did awesome in sunday school, we had a lovely couple over for lunch after church, and we met some more neighbors who are also very involved in our church and have such a passion for many of the same things we do. It was funny actually, we've known they lived kitty corner to us and just haven't had a chance to meet them yet and then we were introduced at church which led to us borrowing their ketchup at lunch today which then led to a great conversation in their backyard while our kids napped. It seems Sarah (our neighbors are Sarah and Chad) and I have a lot more than just our names in common so I am thanking God for her and excited to see all that I will learn from her.

Another praise, is that our little Kara is totally connecting with the kids here. Our neighbors have a sweet little charmer who is just a few months older than Kara, and Nora, the daughter of a Kristy and Graham who I think I've mentioned before, is super sweet with Kara. The two of them played quite independently, having funny conversations while they played with side walk chalk in our back yard. It just warms my heart to know that God has provided friends for Kara. I think there is 10-12 kids that we've met this week that have kids within a year of Kara, many of whom Kara will see at church or at the neighborhood play ground. God is good.

Emily is loving life too. She has mastered the climber even though it was designed to keep little kids off of it (a rock wall). She also enjoys scampering up and down our two flights of stairs that are both soft carpet and split 8 steps at a time, so if she were to fall it wouldn't be devestating on her little brain. Speaking of little brain, pray that she starts talking more.:) She is getting frustrated with not being able to communicate so we are actively practicing and emphasizing words and common phrases with her in hopes that she'll acquire a few more words.

Super cute thing that was said today as we drove into our garage after our Vedder River walk this evening. Emily loudly and happily exclaimed "Yaaaaayyyy" to which Kara responded, "This is our new garage in our new house, I like our new house!"
Oh and when we were driving to the Vedder Trail I looked back at our chatting little ladies to find them smiling at each other and reaching across the seat between them to hold hands. "She is my stister and I love her," announced Kara when I praised them for being nice friends. They held hands all the way to the trail which is a 5 minute drive from our house and a great place to run and walk.

Our new "zooper" double stroller is far easier to maneuver than the double I used in St.Catharines but might not suffice if I am going to be running regularly with the two girls. We'll see what resale is like, in the meantime the girls love their new 'stoller'  :)

While walking the Vedder River trail we met a very friendly man named Pat, who to no surprise was a christian too, it seems everyone we are meeting right now goes to a church in the area. God certainly is providing us with a support network fast! We walked with him for a half hour and never thought to ask him to take a family picture but thankfully two very sweet ladies were more than willing to try and pull a smile out of our girls for the family picture.

So, it is Sunday, we've been in Chilliwack for a week now. We are chatting with tea while Dave plays his guitar (newly tuned and stringed by Dave after Graham showed him and who to Dave's delight is a phenomenal guitar player). Life is peaceful. We did some gardening, lawn cutting and relaxing with friends and our girls today. It was just a really nice Sunday. We are so thankful.