Hello, you will probably see a few new blogs all at once. I finally have some internet access, some quiet, and some time all at the SAME time. I just wanted to let you know of the churches that we have been in the last couple of weeks. Our first Sunday in Nova Scotia was spent at Calvary Baptist Church in Plympton. The people there were so sweet. You know, it is so amazing to me that in every church we have gone to so far, the Lord just puts people in our paths that we KNOW will pray for us. This church was no different. Pastor Steve Stone and his wife were so kind and their people followed suit. We enjoyed a nice lunch with them and then went back to the Norton home before the evening service. After the evening service was a fellowship, so we were able to get to know some of the people a little better. We really enjoyed visiting here.

The following Wednesday night, we joined Pastor Robbie Millburn and his wife for supper before attending their church, Heritage Baptist Church in Shubenacadie (I really hope I spelled that right). Dinner was delicious, and the fellowship was sweet. Now, the church is small, but we were there on Wed. I know that only a fraction of people attend the mid-week prayer service, so I don't know exactly how many it runs. I say all that to say this: the spirit there was amazing!! The Lord has definitely blessed this fine congregation. The pastor and his wife are two of the sweetest people you would ever meet. One thing that really impressed me was this: There is a young couple that goes there. They are FaithWay graduates and VERY talented in many ways. This couple could most likely have gotten hired on to work in any good-sized church and be used there. But their hearts were to go back East and be used of God there. He is the assistant (I don't even know if he gets a salary), and she, the pianist. So they have chosen to join this church and help with whatever needs to be done. Can you imagine the blessing that this young couple is to the pastor?! I am so glad to see them just follow the Lord. You see, about 2 1/2 years ago, my husband tried to interview them for the job of Assistant Pastor at Faith Baptist in Hamilton. However, the Lord simply would not allow it to happen. The interview was scheduled and rescheduled during the Christmas season, and so finally, on the only Sunday that they were free to attend the church and meet the people, God sent the biggest snowstorm of the year. Travel that day just wasn't going to happen. I now see God's divine plan, and am so glad that they just followed the Lord.

Another family we met there were the MacDonald family. What an amazing family! There are EIGHT children, and they all work beautifully together to make the home a happy place. I was IMPRESSED! Because the drive back to the Norton home was about 2 1/2 hours, we decided to stay the night at this family's home. Now, they have 2 houses on their property. The one we stayed in, they use it specifically for people like us. They thought we were going to stay a few days, so they loaded us up with TONS of groceries, including homemade bread and muffins. We each had a comfortable bed to sleep in, and it was just PERFECT! After the church service, we joined them for ice cream in their home. It was a late night, but we just felt so at home with them. It was like we had known them forever. Early the next morning, Austin just couldn't sleep, so he went down the lane to their house and knocked on their door. They were having breakfast. They handed him a fishing pole and said, "Here, you can go fishing." He actually caught something, too. This family owns over 100 acres of land, so our children really had a grand time exploring and just being kids. I don't think any of them would have protested if we would have "forgotten" them. They just DID NOT want to leave! But, all good things must come to an end. If we are ever in the area, I would love to stop and pick up right where we left off.

We went to Peggy's Cove for about an hour and then headed back to Bear River. We used the back roads. Needless to say, half of us were car sick. The roads are very windy and there are many hills. Bethany had never been car sick until now. Hopefully she outgrows it.

The following Sunday, we attended Habitation Baptist Church. Here, we met some really nice and genuine people. Then we had lunch at one of the family member's home. It was delicious! Barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs. Boy, did it make us miss our barbecue! Again, we had a really good visit.

The evening service was spent at Amazing Grace Baptist Church. And although it is a smaller church, it was packed. The spirit here was really sweet. It was obvious that the Lord is blessing. After the service, we joined the pastor's family in their home for some pizza and fellowship. We had a wonderful time! Alan and Pastor Lake REALLY hit it off! It was almost midnight by the time we got back to the Norton home. The night was late, the the fellowship great!

Well, I have rambled on for quite some time, so I will give your eyes a break. Tomorrow, I will post about something that still makes my eyes well up with tears, and my heart praise the Lord. I am excited to be able to share this good news with you, but I need to rest my fingers. So, have a wonderful evening, and I will share more of what the Lord is doing in the morning!

Psalm 113:1,2

Love,

Ida

Hello, friends, thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your prayers!! Not only has the Lord given us safety on the road, but lodging as well. He is so good, and He has placed good people in our path that He uses to be a blessing to us. We are so grateful!!

Well, we have been in Bear River, Nova Scotia, since last Saturday. Is it ever beautiful out there!!! The home that we stayed in belonged to the Nortons who used to come to our church here in Hamilton until they moved out East. They bought this property about 7 years ago for cheaper than cheap. The house had not been used for 27 years. So Mr. N. gutted the whole place and started over, and he did a terrific job! It was very comfortable, and everyone had their own comfortable beds, except for the girls, but they don't mind sharing! The backyard for this home is the Bear River, and you can see it fill up with water, and then go down as the tide comes in and out. It is just beautiful.

They happened to take a trip back to Ontario during the time that we were there, and wouldn't you know it, my greatest fear happened. Something went wrong with the washer. I don't know what it was, but I just felt sick about it. They assured me it was nothing I did, and that it could have happened to anyone, but because it happened on my watch, I just feel terrible about it!

Anyway, we had a terrific stay with them, and the little time that they were with us, we had a great time getting to know them better.

This past Monday, we left Nova Scotia and travelled to New Brunswick, which is the next province back, but this time instead of driving, we took the ferry:( ugh!! I will tell you about that in a separate blog. We are now staying with a lady in MacAdam, New Brunswick, who is very much like a grandmother to us. She also attended our church in Hamilton until she moved away. (Am I seeing a pattern here?!)We just arrived there this past Monday, and will leave her home on Saturday. Then we will travel to Amhearst, Nova Scotia, (right on the border of both provinces) for a Sunday meeting. After that service, we will head back to Ontario to prepare for our trip to TOGO. Yay!! Everything is in order, and we will leave on Wednesday, May 19. I am just beside myself!! Have a wonderful evening!

Psalm 113:1,2