So here I am. Can’t even remember the last time I did this. My buddy Dave Shacket made this great website for me last year, and alas, I didn’t learn how to use it til now. Sorry Dave. That’s kind of like someone slaving over an old ‘57 Mustang, restoring it to mint condition, giving it as a gift, and the new owner never opening the garage door. Again, sorry Dave. I really like it. Really.
Life is busy here in my world. I am desperately trying to finish up school with the kids, tend to my gardens (flower and vegetable), keep up with the house, we’ve been traveling a lot which means doing lots of laundry, moving bedrooms around to prepare for Baby boy, painting bedrooms, feeding humans 3 times daily, getting kids to gymnastics and piano lessons, jogging, potty training a 22 month old, trying to stay on top of the character development of 5 little ( some not so little anymore!) people…oh yeah, seeking the Lord about His new venture for us: starting a church…all while growing a human inside of me. Sometimes, it just makes me shut down to a degree. I often have people wonder why I don’t like them, cuz we never seem to find a time to get together. I guess those who still call me friend are those that have learned that I’m not usually trying to find things to do in my spare time. I would love to go to Tim Horton’s and talk over a hot drink and a fruit explosion muffin. But at the moment, I’m just not organized enough to make it happen. Life happens without me planning it, and I do my best to keep up. I had a friend suggest recently that I should get a “life notebook” in which I write down everything important, so that it’s all in one place. I think I just might try it. The Good Lord knows I need help! And I believe that He is working self discipline in me…it’s a fruit of the Spirit. That is the only reason I don’t collapse under condemnation and defeat. I believe that He will finish the work He has begun in me. My only hope is that I have a friend or two left by the end of the work! 
With this new idea of planting a church on the forefront of our minds, Derek and I have been doing lots of soul searching and clarifying of what our beliefs are. At times, I almost laugh at how interested I am about theology now. The old Heidi, back before the Lord graciously opened my eyes to His wonderful grace and sovereignty, didn’t have a clue and was truly happy about that. The basics were enough for me! But now, I LOVE talking about truth and the gospel and the righteousness I have in Christ…the place the Lord has brought me to is such a peaceful one. Even amidst the chaos of my life, there is a rest that sustains me. And that, my friends, is the proof in the pudding. If the gospel doesn’t work in every day life, then it’s not the gospel at all.
We’ve been talking a lot about women’s roles and the different views present in the church today. I have had some express concern that I am not involved enough in ministry and have somehow ended up in a life that confines and supresses me. Well, all I can say is, “the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul…He guides my path in righteousness for His name’s sake.” He has led me here, and what joy there is to walk in the path that brings glory to His name. I am so thankful that He constantly works in me a contentment for the call and role he has called me to as a woman. I am not confined. I am hemmed in by my loving Father. I love my children, and love my husband, and love the life He has given me. I walk through the doors of public ministry that He opens. (Sometimes He has to push me through.) But my main goal is to be faithful to nurture my 5, soon to be 6 disciples and to love and care for the wonderful man of God He has given me. It’s simple. And I like simple.
This renewed blogging venture will be fun, I think. For me, anyway. I’m getting more honest in my old age, so time will tell how fun it will be for anyone else. Much grace to all who find time to read this. His grace is sufficient, for when I am weak, I am strong.
Ummm…do I sign my name here? I can’t remember. 