The final chapter...

Final commitments have been met. Our stuff has been packed. Goodbyes have been said. And as I write this we are half-way to Manitoba. Today and tomorrow Carrie and I find ourselves in that odd in-between place, with the only keys we hold being those of our car and our stuff for living packed into boxes in a U-haul.

On Friday Pathways Retreat sent me off with a special time of blessing, and one surprise after another! Yesterday our church gave us "mugs (of blessings) and hugs," which is a sending and blessing ritual that is part of their faith marker ministry. And then yesterday afternoon Carrie and I hosted our "Closing House" Open House. We had over 40 friends come through our apartment to say goodbye, and many hands made light work of loading our trailer. I have been grateful for many opportunities for good closure with this move and feel as though I've been able to gather up a lot of strength to face the unknown with so many prayers of blessing.

Carrie's parents came out this weekend to help us wrap things up and pull the trailer back to MB. All our fears about moving in December have been put to rest - we finished packing in the last of our things this morning in a balmy +11C. It felt like spring outside, which seemed congruent with new beginnings. I know that winter's reality will probably hit us soon enough.

Pulling out...

As we were turning in our keys at the front desk the registrar surprised me by presenting me with my diploma. It's official! I received my M.Div. not 5 minutes before leaving campus for the last time.

I thought for sure that I'd have to wait until January to receive this in the mail. What a perfect way to end my time at AMBS!

It's been a big day, but I am feeling surprisingly at peace in the midst of this transition. The fact that this transition has been taking place through Advent - a period of expectant waiting - has been significant for me. Mary's willingness to trust and say "Yes" has been a model. There are many unknowns about what life in Manitoba will hold for us, but I think our pastor's prayer yesterday that we trust God is preparing the way says it all. My mantra over the past months as I have been discerning vocation and employment has been "If God has called and prepared, God will provide." Another truth that I have been living with is, "What is needed will be provided, and what is provided is what is needed." This past weekend Carrie and I have been reminded of this in a very tangible way as we received many gifts of blessing, including help with moving and some unexpected monetary gifts that added up to our first month's rent in our new home. ...trust.

Now the next time I write we should find ourselves in our homeland.