Sunday Funday

Coincidence is God's way of staying anonymous.

Brian and I decided to attend the local Methodist church here in Williston.  We picked an interesting Sunday to attend as the VBS was running the service.  After there was a yummy pot luck (Methodists know how to cook).  After chit-chatting with some folks the pastor's wife came up to Brian and said "I hear you play the organ.  *sigh* We have been praying for help in our music department for sometime."  Brian responds with, "Here I am." She goes on to talk about how they need help in the pulpit as well.  Here is where I sell myself a little.  Tell her I have preached some and am a lay speaker in my church back home.  "Well, we need someone for the 21st of August when were are on vacation. I'll talk to my husband to make sure."

So, here were are.  Only in ND for 1week and BAM we are taking over a church :).  I am 100% OK with being here and this cements the fact that we are MEANT to be here.  I am reminded of the hymn "Here I Am Lord".  Here are the words...

"  I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have born my peoples pain.
I have wept for love of them, They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My word to them,
Whom shall I send?
Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them,
My hand will save
Finest bread I will provide,
Till their hearts be satisfied.I will give My life to them,
Whom shall I send?
Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.  "

As I leave you with this Blog- I urge you to listen deep to the calling of God in your life. 

<3  Love from ND  <3

Home Sweet Home

Hello from the great plains of North Dakota!

It was a heck of a drive! 700 miles in 24hours (nap included).  My BIL drove the RV without a single problem (Thanks Eli!).  Brian and I have been alone for a week.  Brian doesn't have a job just yet but the manager of the shop said he could vouch for him getting a position (yippee!)  The only person who can do the interview and first day paperwork is on vacation 'till the 15th of August-so now we wait.  In the meantime we have been 'sight seeing' around our new town.  We found lots of things to do (no money quite yet to do them) and a lot of nice people!  Everyone you talk to for more than 5 minutes hands you a business card (maybe they hand them out at the boarder, lol).  In fact today two young men helped us change the break pads on our van (all they wanted was money for food, we pitched in a little more "J" did a fantastic job!)  The dogs are getting used to the new environment.  I worry about Chance, he isn't eating normally.  I hope it only has to do with nerves and soon goes away.  Princess loves following the sun (which is ALWAYS out here) from window to window taking naps (nothing has changed with her).  Williston (the town where we are) has a Puppy Park.  Brian and I have taken the dogs everyday.  Princess loves the openness for running and Chance (who is normally a big oaf) loves the ramps and tunnels in the agility part.  I still don't have a car so that also means no job. I also get board often siting in the RV when Brian goes out but it is all for a good cause!  I am liking North Dakota very much and can't wait for the opportunitys that can come of this ADVENTURE.  We still don't have a computer so these Blogs will be far and few between but the Library has AC :). 

Until the next time! ~J

The Beginning-

The journey of 1-million miles starts with one step.  Oh, and is that true!  

In April my Brother-In-Law Eli called my husband and tells Brian about all the work in North Dakota.  Brian laughs it off.  When he hangs up the phone Brian calls me into the room to tell me about the conversation.

"No. Do you know how far away ND is?" I argued.

"Yes, I don't want to go anyway." Brian says.

I could tell there was something different about this job idea that Eli was feeding Brian.  Eli has called Brian numerous times since we have been married to tell him about job offers and Brian never bites.  Brian is a very independent thinker.  He needs to know EVERYTHING about that something before he feels comfortable enough to even think about the possibility.  What was different?  ND was everywhere!  You couldn't turn around with out bumping into someone who lived/lives or knows someone who lives/lived in ND.  Oh, and the oil fields! Everyone knows someone who is making a killing with an oil company!  From April to May Brian did research, thought, planned and thought some more. (He likes to think).  When he told me he was going to peruse a job as a Tanker Driver for an oil company in ND as much as I hated it I was twice as much behind him.  I KNOW that my husband would do NOTHING to hurt me, himself, our marriage or put our two kids (they are dogs) in risk.  

The job applications are in.  The RV (my castle, yes we will be living in it) is getting tuned up and we are looking into a better car for Brian.  My home is in boxes that will be located in a spare bed room at my In-laws home until we come back.  Maybe 2years maybe 10 only God knows (and probably Brian too).  We are not in ND yet, Brian hopes to head out soon but I will linger till the end of the month to tie up the loose ends.

My husband and I have an amazing journey before us and we are young enough to set-out on this crazy adventure with nothing but hope!

So, here starts my blog.  I hope to be diligent enough to type to you in it everyday or at least when something interesting happens.  The only thing I ask for is prayers!  Prayers for Brian and his work-Prayers that I can find a good job out there too-Prayers for my health ( I was diagnosed with Lupus in 2009)-Prayers for the State of North Dakota and it's oil workers (not everyone likes the idea of drilling).

When we meet again I will be writing to you from the Plains of North Dakota! <3