Miraculous Pickle Season Commence!

           

When it has been a couple years in coming for this entry, I need a few salty soda crackers and raisins to steady my fluttering heart as I announce, lets start some serious pumpkin pie baking, Baby Mani is due to arrive on Thanksgiving Day October 14, 2019!!!

There you are, starting with the best news first, how can I resist? We are utterly humbled by this gracious gift from the heart of God, this was his timing, this is his miraculous hand. There was nothing the medical world could explain for the couple year delay of this hope in our hearts. He turned it, no one else could. When will this stop feeling completely surreal?

We can not say that this pain in waiting has been wasted. When we have had fertility professionals warn us multiple times about how stressful this process can be on marriages, only thanks to Jesus, we have never felt stronger together walking through this, falling apart through this, same team. We kept on reminding each other that the greatest treasure of grace God has given us in himself, in his love and purpose, with or without a child was enough. He is enough. He is the source of all our joy, on days when we felt like that is true, and on darkest days without feeling. He is so we can Rejoice Always.

 About feelings, my body so far has been terrific, a few extra chilli peppers and pickles, with a few more trips to the loo. When asked this last week about mood swings and tears, I realized, that perhaps after these years of ugly crying out to Jesus for this blessing, there hasn’t been a day of emotional upheaval since we found out. I’m pretty sure my tear ducts finally had nothing left to squeeze out. He really is turning our mourning into dancing, what a kind kind Father we do have. He brought us through. He will bring you through your winter season too.

We found this wild news out the morning before, here comes the sad news, we left for South Africa to attend Mawande’s father’s funeral. In this last few months of deep, deep grief, this green bud of life has, especially for Mawande, comforted and revived a dream in his heart for redeeming a new fatherhood story in his family. He was grateful to hear the stories of his father at the funeral, but greatly saddened by the reality that he didn’t have any to contribute as his father chose to not be a part of Mawande’s life. Though he met a whole new set of his father’s family at the funeral that were so excited to begin a relationship with this long lost son after all these years. He also found out his father’s family is from the tribe of the Zulu’s, a great warrior nation. We await to see what feisty little baby face arrives in October!

Until then, we will continue to enjoy beautiful times of fellowship with our Young Leaders Ministry. This radical bunch of Jesus lovers have not only been gracious enough when we usually talk too much, but have been a great support for us in these difficult past months. They have become so dear to us, amazed watching them grow in their own resilient faith, indeed in the midst of some very difficult seasons in their stories and souls. We also anticipate the arrival

home of several that have left for missions, and are so excited to be sending more in the fall! The Holy Spirit is awakening them to his love and life and movement and they just can’t keep it to themselves! He is moving deeply in each one of them, we are just so privileged to be close enough to watch. What must it be like for their parents, wow…I guess we get to find that out someday soon!

As well Housefires has continued to be a great source of strength for us. As we have had to pass some leadership onto another couple in our group during this time of travel and greif, we have again been amazed at the way God is using them and their passions to grow our group into something new and beautiful in their own giftings and passions. They have been focusing on biblical stewardship, which has come at just the right time for others in our group. This community continues to be a dream come true of authentic fellowship, an answer to our prayers for several years.

Finally, with spring a’springing, Mawande has a few weeks of school work to finish, and back to laying that beautiful sod with the same landscaping company as he worked for last summer. He’s definitely looking forward to exchanging those books for some tools and sweat and grime! Its hard to believe, as I leaned over at SBC’s graduation saying, “Honey, only 364 more days until its your turn to wear that hat!” What a learning curve it has been for not only his training, but our lives here in blessed Canada. Every day is a previledge to live in this peaceful place. I think we do mention that on every fear-free evening walk we take down the streets of Steinbach. Thankyou Lord for this cleft of rest, with much celebration to come!

Much love and great gratitude for each one of you for your prayers for this miracle season to arrive, we wouldn’t be here otherwise.

Mawande and Charlene+