It's Official

It's official:

Don has been offered and has accepted the job with Longreach Aircraft Maintenance in Longreach, QLD.

Thank you for all of your prayers over recent days.

Don's new job will entail both aircraft maintenance and flying.  The aircraft that he will be flying are like those below.

This job is really amazing for Don, because it means that he will have the opportunity to build up his flying hours as a part of his job.  We will not have to pay for his flying.  It also means that we will be closer to all of our family and back in the warm/hot QLD weather.  The children are excited about the move.  We all sat down to talk about it last night and pray together.  Sam is excited about swimming and Jack is excited about eating ice-creams and a new school.

We are able to move and start the new job at any time.  We have to find someone to rent the home we are currently leasing, before we can leave.  This is where we really need your prayers.  I am sure that if God wants us there, He will make a way. 

Our call to serve with MAF has not been forgotten.  As previously discussed, our path is more of a scenic route.  It may be ten years before we come to that place.  That is in God's hands.  In the meantime, Don will be using the valuable new skills he has acquired while we have been in Victoria, and God loves the people of Longreach, just as much as those in Gove or PNG, or anywhere else.  So we will continue to follow where his footsteps lead us.

Ahhh, sunny QLD weather here we come!  God has heard the cries of my heart.

Stop Wait Go?

A few weeks ago we heard a message at church based on:

STOP
WAIT
GO

For those of you who have been following our little trip down to Victoria, Don's flying and our calling, that is what I am typing about.

When we heard the message God told Don and I two different things as we were in very different places.

Don was told to stop.  Stop and listen.  To be content with where he was and what has been achieved, trusting God to work out the details in His time.

I was told to keep waiting.  I was enjoying my wait.  We have moved around MUCH in the last few years and waiting and living was something that I was happy with.  I like that Jack is doing well in school, that Sam is loving Kinder, that we have found and are making new friends with our church family.  I like that I could just be a 'normal' housewife here and write a book or a novel in my 'spare' time.  I like that, and that's OK isn't it?  To like being settled for a time?

Well Don took notice and stopped. I remained waiting and now God is placing a new direction in our hearts.  Don has applied for a job that in all honesty seems to be tailor made for us.  It will mean another gigantic move for us.  If you are a Mum, just think about that for a minute....

and another minute...

The positives are:

We are almost certain it is what God wants.

It will mean Don will fly and engineer as a part of his everyday work, therefore increasing his flying hours and experience.

It is in QLD, closer to family and friends.

It is in the outback, which we have always loved.

The challenges are:

We think it may be a quick move.

We still have six months left on this lease.

It will mean using what is left of our savings and therefore I must let go of the dream of someday owning our own place again.

It means Jack will have been to three schools in his Prep year.

We always knew God would not close the door on Don's flying, without opening another.  So for now we need to ask you to pray with us, seriously.  You know us.  You know how if God says go, we go.  Well, we need you to pray for his provision for us.  To sort out all of the details (and He has already started) because when I try, it hurts my head.  One thing I can tell you, is that we are excited.  Excited because this opportunity is an answer to prayer.

 I was pretty angry with God last week.  I think most of the valley below heard our 'discussion'.  I wanted to know why we were in this place?  Why I had to be dragged around the country chasing a dream that didn't feel like mine anymore?  Why I could never live close to family and those we loved?  That's right, I am not a quiet little wife that sits in the background.  God didn't make me that way, but He knows my heart and that I love Him.  He took my hoarse scratchy voice, my tears and my flu, then when I was completely wrung out,  He just held me.  There were no words just his arms.  That is why I know this new opportunity is a gift from Him.   

This weekend I am also speaking briefly at the Victorious Women's Conference in Traralgon, VIC. No wonder the battle was so intense in the previous week.  So if you have a few spare moments on Saturday morning about 9.30am, remember me in your prayers.

Thank you friends.

Nicole

xx

Do we stop, wait or go?

For those who read their bible, this is the scripture God has given us:

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. ¹³ If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.  I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” (Jeremiah 29:11-14)

A Fortunate Life

Hello there!  Forgive me for my reclusive nature over recent weeks.  Forgive me not for my disconnected break but for the pleasure of hearing from you all.

I am fortune hunting today.  In fact I am ammassing a great deal of wealth, the riches of like you've never seen.  In reality I am unwell (head cold) and typing in my pyjamas.  My boys are also in their pyjamas and they are enjoying playing trains, while I wallow in the place between conciousness and not.  Somwhow they are surviving with an almost absent mother.  I am so proud of them.  It is the school holidays.  We have read stories, watched movies, had warm cups of tea and dunked biscuits, snuggled in my bed.  This is how I store up great hords of treasure, by loving on my family.  This is where the reward lies, and so even though I look and feel like I have been dragged through a hedge backwards, I am a happy and content lady.

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.(Luke 12:34)

For the past many months Don and I have been pursuing God's answers to his call to serve Him with Don's gift of flight, among our families other gifts.  And every time the answer is the same. 

 Be still and wait.

And so this is where we are.  The issues we had with our rental home being sold are resolved and we are secure in our lease here for the coming 10 months.  And so now are just going to settle in here and live in this place God has brought us.  We have had to deal with much in our minds and hearts over the last while-the redirection of the call, people's expectaions, our expectaions, God's expectaions. 

So MAF is on hold.  Don is working, not studying and we are settling into some sort of routine with the children.  Don is now doing engine runs with the GA 8 aircraft and into engine work, which we are sure will be of some use down the track.

I am hoping to start writing more in the coming months, now that life is starting to settle down somewhat.  God has planted many things into my heart, many of which I never expected.  Time will tell how it all pans out.

Jack is doing really well in school and just received his first school report, with which we were very pleased.

Sam loves Kinder and seems to be doing well heart wise.  His next appointment is in October.

One of the things I have had to deal with, is that we may be letting others down.  Those who have been supporting us with prayer and needs in every other way.  We have had to let that go and just embrace God's plan for us, in every way.  We don't live any differently whether we are in QLD, the mountains of Victoria or a remote island somewhere.  We still live the way God wants us to, doing His work, where He wants us.  We know at some point Don will be flying and it is our prayer that Don finds contentment in this, even when it pulls so fervantly on his heart. 

We want to thank each one of you who ever utters a word of prayer for us.  God hears your words and smiles, pouring out his goodness on us. 

PS.  In other news.  Sam fell off of the lounge chair  a week ago and we feared he had fracture his arm.  As it was a Sunday we drove him to emergecy as he could not seem to lift it, and was very upset.  By the time we arrived he could move his fingers.  The orthapedic surgeon at the hospital just happened to be walking past and exmained Sam and when he did Sam moved his arm and it was fine.  They sent us home and told us that it would bruise badly.  He did not even have one bruise despite being on warfarin.!I cannot wait to hug Sam's guradian angel.  He is certainly one busy fella.