Saturday, October 23, 2010

Daykins on the Move

I decided to create a blog in order to be able to have a space of our own to allow family and friends to track with us on our journey. I've entitled it 'Tools of Grace', because over the years and espeicially lately, we have experienced some of the many tools that God uses to work in our lives to build, shape and polish us; tools that look very much like the events of everyday life, both big and small.

We have waved good-bye to another full and unique chapter of our lives. On May 1st, 2010, after two and a half years, Michael graduated from Heritage Seminary with his Masters of Divinity. Though I have some courses yet to take, the full-time student days are over for both of us.  We were sad to leave our school, friends and family behind, we knew that we must move on to what God had in store for us in the west.

 
We are presently on a new adventure together having set off across the country earlier this past summer and have entered the world of pastoral ministry. We are very excited that Michael has accepted the invitation from North Valley Baptist Church in Mission, B.C., to take on the role of lead pastor. The folks at the church have been welcoming and kind in every way and over the past three months it has begun to feel like home . As we settle into our new community, we are praying that God will give us an increasing heart for the people and a greater longing to serve them.

We are excited to begin this new chapter in our lives, but it is a bit intimidating to be heading out of the training ground and into the field. We are trusting God to strengthen us and to help us to navigate our way in this new role. We are certain that He has a task for us to do and we trust Him to lead us as we move forward in it.

We would also like to thank all of those who have prayed for us and supported us in so many ways as we have finished up at school, as well as in this major transition in our lives. It has been such a blessing to us that so many people have encouraged us through this time. We would also like to express our deepest thanks to all of you who have helped us through this time by allowing us to share your time, space, guest beds, meals, washer and dryers, your families and more. We have seen the hand of God provide through you a haven in the midst of the uncertainty and need that we faced. We pray that He will bless you abundantly as you bless others.

We will try our best to keep in touch and let you know what the Lord is doing in and through our lives. We hope that you will continue to pray for us in this new stage of our journey and that before long our paths will cross that we may see each other again.

10 comments:

  1. welcome! I'm excited to read about your journey! xoxo

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  2. Yeah!!! I'm sooo glad you are going to blog!!!!!! We can keep up with each other!!!!!!

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  3. So great to see you have an outlet to share this part of your journey with us. I miss you like crazy, but know God has set you on this path to share His love with a whole new set of people. I can't wait to hear more about your adventures out west, as you grow into this new role in your life. Hugs! H

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  4. I can tell you're going to be a great blogger, Dana! Welcome. :)

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  5. I'm glad to be able to keep up with you via your blog. So many things happen in our lives that it's hard to keep family and friends caught up on, so blogging is a great way to connect with many. Have put you in my favorites already!
    Love
    Aunt Bessie

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  6. What an awesome way to keep in touch! I look forward to following the adventures of the Daykins of Mission, BC! May God uplift you as you share your love for Him with your first flock! Hugs to you both, Lynda

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  7. It's funny... but when I think of "Tools of Grace" I think 'whining, crying, kicking, screaming and otherwise misbehaving' :)

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  8. Angela: the truth is that that is often how it is if you really think about it. We're slow to learn and more than a little thick-headed much of the time, but I know what you mean ;)

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  9. Yay! We're online! The picture of us in up on the first mountain Dana climbed with me. It was only about a 20km hike :-D

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