Moving On!

I have less than two weeks left in this present appointment I have as a Salvation Army Officer. This is really a time of transition and as I prepare to move on I think of the things I will miss! The work that has been done at Pine Lake Camp in this last year has been extensive and the camp is really poised to move into the future! The building project has been an excellent experience. Even though I initiated this move and definitely feel it was the right thing to do - I do feel I am leaving prematurely. Especially in terms of the camp staff - this would have been a good summer - me knowing what to expect from them and vice versa. Spending time with camp staff and other young people is definitely a priviledge. I will continue with that because I will only be home in Pasadena one week and then its off to Music Camp at Twin Ponds in NL. Just can't stay away!!! It will be a great time to re-connect with people!

I am waiting for the deck on one of the new buildings to finish - there is a gorgeous view of the lake and I have this vision of me sitting there reading a book and sipping on a pepsi! I have to do that before I leave!

Some things I will miss:
1. The worship and Band/Songsters at Edmonton Temple
2. Being less than 10 minutes from Costco and Ikea
3. The peaceful setting at Pine Lake Camp
4. Driving to Beaver Creek across the open prarie and being able to see so much sky
5. Seeing the Rockies on occasion
6. My e-mails - I love getting e-mails and answering them - I probably get 30-40 a day now - that will be my monthly quota as I move.
7. And more.....

Things I am looking forward to:
1. Being close to my parents and other family and friends
2. Being on the Rock! I talked to one of the construction guys who is a Newfoundlander here at Pine Lake today who told me I was lucky to be going back! More blessed!
3. Preaching and leading worship
4. Being able to see my niece more often
5. Strawberry farms all around me in August!
6. The gorgeous drive through the Humber Valley between Corner Brook and Pasadena - especially in the fall!
7. Setting up a new house!
8. And lots more!!!!

Over this last little while a verse of Scripture keeps coming back to me - I think I may have mentioned it before in my blog but it bears repeating here again - It's one of the verses the camp staff will teach the children this summer - Isaiah 41:13 - "For I hold you by your right hand- I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you."

Networking Opportunities

All of my worldly possessions left today in a United Van Lines truck! Since I am flying to Halifax I don't have much stuff left around now. I am moving out to Pine Lake Camp tomorrow for the next 2.5 weeks. It will be peaceful there and a time to re-group a little. Although the program team all arrive on Sunday so peaceful may not be the word!

I've had three opportunites over the past 24 hours to network with people around Camp, what the Salvation Army is doing at the Olympics and introduce two of the officers with someone from a group called Fusion Canada. I've had more opportunity of this kind of stuff in the last month than in the rest of the time I have been here in Edmonton. And I think why? I find it very fulfilling to be out there engaged with people face to face versus sitting behind a desk. The reality is some of the connections I have made will move forward into the future as I move to Pasadena, NL. The lessons I have learned will carry me into the future. I think God is letting me know that while I am leaving something behind - there's lots more ahead. I look forward to re-connecting with lots of people and making new connections - all for the purpose of building the Kingdom of God.

I have read this verse over the past couple of months several times and I know that it is true - Isaiah 41:13 - "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you." Another version - the NLT says, "I am holding you by your right hand! Now that's comforting!!

Odds and Ends

Well, this is the week the movers come! Thursday is the day! Thanks to my cousins wife Traci - the hardest part - the kitchen was all packed up last week. Now I only have the odds and ends left to pack. I am finding that these are the hardest. It seems like you have nothing left and all of a sudden there are quite a few more boxes! I am grateful that when I get to the other end I will have help unpacking! I am looking forward to a more settled life in the next few months - very little travel and time spent connecting with family and friends!

After my stuff goes on Thursday I am moving out to Pine Lake Camp for a more relaxed two weeks before I fly to Halifax on June 30th!!