PRAIRIE - April 2009

Graduation & Friends at Prairie Bible Institute - Three Hills, Alberta, Canada

^ The Pseudo-Fam (well almost everyone) At Grad!

^Keren & Sarah

^Sarah & Victoria at Grad (Together Again!!!)

^Happy Graduation to the Grads at the Massey's house! (Happy Birthday to Jordan too!)

^Lunch with George & Ruth Foxall - The Foxalls are retired Missionaries who served in Nigeria, Africa for 40 years (Ruth worked as a Nurse while George trained future leaders through Bible school education). I have been richly blessed, time and again, by the Foxall's loving friendship, delicious meals, and Godly mentorship.

^Marji Krahn & Me at Grad - Another sweet reunion with a dear Friend

^Tea & Desserts at the Mission with Nursing Buddies :)

- A Beautiful day out on the Prairies -

^One childhood memory I have from living in a small community out on the Prairies in Alberta is climbing atop the big round hay bails and rolling them in the fields. When I saw these two lone hay bails out in this field near the old Catholic church I said, "Keren lets try to roll the hay bails!" She said, "Vicky those things weigh a ton (literally)!!!" Being the good friend that she is, she agreed to help! So we climbed on top of the one ton hay bails and pushed with all our might, but those bails were not going to roll. We huffed and puffed and laughed until our energy was drained, but it was worth trying! That afternoon we drove around the countryside looking at old barns and churches, I was once again reminded of the beauty of the Alberta Prairies and her vast open sky!

Overlooking Calgary, Alberta...Goodbye for now "O' Canada "

A New Season

Life is an adventure especially when the Creator of the Universe is the Guide. I seems like after nine months of resting and preparing for the next place God will take me things are starting to move. It is like knowing Spring is fast approaching because the wildflowers are budding. As of February 9th I became a Licensed Practical Nurse! This came to me as quite a shock, but as I am learning God's ways and plan is higher than mine -- so I praise Him for the success and the ability to pass the licensing exam. Throughout February I applied and waited to hear back from several different jobs all over the world you might say. As my mom put it, "I laid out several different fleeces." Yes, they were answered in suprising ways.
In the Fall of 2008 I applied to attend a Midwifery school in the Philippines. My heart was set on this plan, I thought it would be a perfect fit for me. But as it turned out, and I am very thankful now, this was not the case. By mid March I received one of the most encouraging letters from the Director telling me that although they really liked my application I was not accepted to the school for this coming Fall term. God is so good though, because the month prior to this letter I believe He had been preparing my heart for this news. He was telling me that all things are made Beautiful in His time, and now was not the time to go midwifery school in the Philippines. I was also planning on possibly going to Angola, Africa for three months to work in a hospital over the summer, but that door has also closed, but I believe will be open in the future. Then there was Alaska. I would love to go to this wild American land someday. So I thought way not apply for some jobs up there! I did but nothing came about, so again maybe at a later time in my life. The door that God opened up for me is one door that I never seriously considered to be a viable option, especially with our economy the way it is right now. But my God is bigger then our economy! On March 13th I had my first interview at the Southern Oregon VA Rehabilitation Center for an LPN position in their Infirmary. I had no idea they were even hiring! I was overjoyed and a bit fearful for an interview then when they called me and offered me the job (unofficially) I knew this was a God thing! As far as I know I will be starting in May. It seems like a new chapter in my life. I am excited to see how God will use this time, as I know it will be challenging I am ready. Until then I will continue working at the Sugar Pine Company Cafe in Butte Falls and what a treat and joy it is to work there! I love the people, my coworkers and boss -- God is Good!

I will end with this verse from Ephesians, a passage that has become more tangible to me in over the past several years. As Paul prays this it is my desire too for you and me:

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the Glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." (Eph. 3:20-21)

No matter what kind of season you are in right now I promise you that Jesus Christ is guiding you and knows, better than anyone, the blessed joys and torment of trials that life brings us. May you rest in HIM and may His Word rightly fill you with a great knowledge of HIS LOVE FOR YOU.

In His Service Always,
Victoria Lawrence