Late last summer we decided to prepare for the years ahead when our large home in which our children were raised, would become an encumbrance. We would move to British Columbia. The house sold in a week and after a month, we were looking for a smaller, compact home in BC, not far from our daughter, grandchildren and son-in-law. For two months we lived in a bed and breakfast suite while we searched for our new home. It is now where we live, adapting to a style of life that’s new in many ways.
It sounds very simple just to say we moved from Manitoba to British Columbia, but it amounts to much physical and mental strain; -more than most people would realize. The problems to overcome are the loss of what was familiar, -one’s friends, church, the entire community, organizations, and projects on which one had been working. Those were anchors that added stability to life and it was necessary to replace them. But how? The answer was, by prayer.
Over a period of time, I have been witnessing the answer to my frequent prayers, in that God is enabling me to adapt to our new home and community. The people in our small community as well as in White Rock Baptist Church, are friendly and welcoming. We belong to a weekly Bible study group, which is the core of our circle of friends. Several times, I was invited to play the bagpipes in church, and we look forward to Sunday services to hear a well-prepared sermon and partake in the worship service. I joined the Seniors’ Choir. We’ve performed for Christmas and Easter services as well as for those who live in seniors’ residences. We were both involved in the week of Kids’s Summer Fun. We like to take bus tours that are offered, to see the country round about where we live and to make new friends.
We’ve attended events of importance to our grandchildren…Science Fair, their Christmas concert, a presentation by school choirs in which our grandchildren had leading parts, their piano and Highland dancing recitals, their block party, as well as their hockey and soccer games. They’ve been here for sleepovers and we’ve enjoyed family outings together. The thrill of seeing our grandchildren singing a solo in concert or winning first in a track meet or soccer tournament have been answers to prayer.
Each week, I participate in a pipe band practice, and The Surrey Public Library has been a distinct asset. Regular walks in the evergreen forests along the multitude of trails are invigorating.
Recently, we took a bus trip to Steveston to tour the Gulf of Georgia Fish Cannery, established in 1894. It is now a museum. Periodically, we’ve ridden on the church bus to tour certain sites such as Vancouver’s beautiful parks. Once, we went to Deep Cove, a quaint, scenic village, where people were swimming and boating. The mountains and surrounding forests were astoundingly beautiful.
At a picnic, I had the pleasure of conversing with our pastor. He mentioned that a study showed that the stress level experienced by people who have moved, is equal to that of having undergone a separation, a divorce or death of a spouse and that such persons need the Spirit of God to help them in those enormously stressful times. I am thankful, as I think about the many ways in which God has helped us to adjust from the familiarity of our home and friends in Winnipeg, to our ability to make new friends and enjoy satisfactions in White Rock British Columbia.
A poem reminds us that it is Jesus, with whom we walk every day, and that He’s the one who enables us to adapt when we move from familiar surroundings to unfamiliar ones. We learn from Him, that the closer we walk with God, the less room there is for anything else to come between us.
To walk in fellowship with Christ
And sense His love so deep and true
Brings to the soul its highest joy
As nothing in this world can do.
-D. de Haan
Keith,
ReplyDeleteI know this has been a tough transition for you and I'm glad you're gaining some peace about moving to BC. Reading your blog, you have so much to be thankful for. We love you.