We're in Caldercruix, Scotland and guess what...God is here already

(Levi waving in front of the church in Caldercruix... it sits just beyond our front lawn!)

(above: our new home)

It has been good but challenging adjusting this week to live in a brand new place thousands of miles from everything and everyone familiar in Canada. 

Good because of the unbelievably thoughtful welcome from the church in Caldercruix, who - for us complete strangers - put effort and expense into renovating the manse we have moved into - all floors, walls painted, a bathroom fully renovated, garden updated, towels and curtain supplied.  And the retiring pastor who left much useful furniture for our benefit - couch, chair, wardrobes.  And Agnes' mom Effie went overboard getting the cupboards and fridge filled and buying and endless number of household essentials to make our landing here soft - beds /bedding/night tables,  dining table and chairs, dishes, dishsoap, shampoo, on and on.  And  Caldercruix is a beautiful little village of friendly people and kids who come to play in the churchyard in front of our house, renewing trails and breathtaking sunsets.

And challenging- missing loved ones, struggling for days just to get a cel phone working, learning we won't get home phone/internet til Sep 21, and feeling cut off from the world, jet lag, heading by train to the bank to open an account (two villages away) and forgetting my ID...   But today was special as we sensed the Spirit of God speaking his welcome to us.

The last song we heard in Comox was 'you shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace.'  This was picked by a friend who unbeknownst to them, was singing the verse the Lord used to clearly, relentlessly call us on this adventure to Scotland.

We came to church late today, though we live 50 metres from the church door... missed the opening song but what was the first song we sung there - 'you shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace.' 

When I shared with the kids on June 13 that God was giving our family a new calling, I first read to them the disciples' call narrative from Mark 1 where they left their nets and followed Jesus.  Another song we sung in church today referred to that same story.   

At the heart of our journey has been simply seeking to listen for the Lord's call on lives.  A couple days ago  I read the boys Samuel's call story from their children's Bible - a story which encapsulates that idea (1 Sam 3).  What was the preacher's message today in church about ?   Samuel's call.

And we had a taste of our home church this morning - one of our new Caldercruix friends was introducing the church here to Operation Christmas Child - a Bay tradition.

We are where we need to be, and God will be and will give all we need.  God help us to remember that, and to be grateful for his plan and his call.  It's going to be good.