Hello all -
Please update your bookmarks as our blog address has now changed to www.thekruls.blogspot.com
All of our achieved posts can still be viewed on our new blog address, and I have setup our old address to automatically redirect to the new one!
Happy Holidays
The Kruls
Monday, December 7, 2015
Monday, November 23, 2015
He Is All We Need
"Mom, is that snow?" I turn to see an excited Jayden eyeing the white grass.
"No, it's frost!" I reply, and lean down to examine it more closely.
"It sure is beautiful though isn't it?" He nods excitedly.
Just weeks ago the ground looked like this..
But although the bright leaf colours have begun to fade, it is now being replaced by pretty patterned frost and snow capped mountains..
Just the other day Jason took this picture while taking some friends up flying..
God's handiwork is spectacular!
In the past months we've really loved spending time outdoors with the kids. Whether in the garden..
At the park..
Or on nature walks..
We saw beautiful plants and trees and wildlife.
And enjoyed spending time with grandparents!
Just spending time with family and playing with little cousins after spending years living far is super special!
And now that November is already half over we are thankful that we have lots of good news to report! The kids are all doing well and Jason was able to make his first trip back to Haiti.
There he familiarized himself with HFL's current partners and was able to iron out some "wrinkles" in the partnerships, something he really enjoyed doing!
He was also able to reconnect with old friends.
During his time in Port au Prince he facilitated an opportunity for me to video call with Denise. It was so nice to talk to her and hear that everything was going well with her and her family! I had tears in my eyes when I hung up with her and I felt like God was saying "I told you so!" I had worried a lot about what would happen to Anoud and Denise and their family when we left and tried to come up with all kinds of solutions but they kept falling through. Whenever I prayed about it - almost every day for months, I felt like God was saying to give it over to Him; but yet I resisted. Finally, I had no choice but to do just that, and now it was so great to see how marvellously He had provided for them!
That's not the only lesson we've had to learn this past month however. Another painful one was experiencing unexpected rejection. Although painful to go through, this trial brought us closer to God and strengthened our faith. We were also able to see that nothing happens outside of His sovereign plan. He Himself experienced rejection, and understands every hurt and every sting, as He walked the suffering. As we trust and obey Him we come to see that: He is always good, He is always with us, and He is all we need.
"No, it's frost!" I reply, and lean down to examine it more closely.
"It sure is beautiful though isn't it?" He nods excitedly.
Just weeks ago the ground looked like this..
But although the bright leaf colours have begun to fade, it is now being replaced by pretty patterned frost and snow capped mountains..
Just the other day Jason took this picture while taking some friends up flying..
God's handiwork is spectacular!
In the past months we've really loved spending time outdoors with the kids. Whether in the garden..
At the park..
Or on nature walks..
We saw beautiful plants and trees and wildlife.
And enjoyed spending time with grandparents!
Just spending time with family and playing with little cousins after spending years living far is super special!
And now that November is already half over we are thankful that we have lots of good news to report! The kids are all doing well and Jason was able to make his first trip back to Haiti.
There he familiarized himself with HFL's current partners and was able to iron out some "wrinkles" in the partnerships, something he really enjoyed doing!
He was also able to reconnect with old friends.
During his time in Port au Prince he facilitated an opportunity for me to video call with Denise. It was so nice to talk to her and hear that everything was going well with her and her family! I had tears in my eyes when I hung up with her and I felt like God was saying "I told you so!" I had worried a lot about what would happen to Anoud and Denise and their family when we left and tried to come up with all kinds of solutions but they kept falling through. Whenever I prayed about it - almost every day for months, I felt like God was saying to give it over to Him; but yet I resisted. Finally, I had no choice but to do just that, and now it was so great to see how marvellously He had provided for them!
That's not the only lesson we've had to learn this past month however. Another painful one was experiencing unexpected rejection. Although painful to go through, this trial brought us closer to God and strengthened our faith. We were also able to see that nothing happens outside of His sovereign plan. He Himself experienced rejection, and understands every hurt and every sting, as He walked the suffering. As we trust and obey Him we come to see that: He is always good, He is always with us, and He is all we need.
Friday, October 2, 2015
Thankful
I breath in the crisp fall air. It's a cool foggy morning and the leaves on the trees are changing to brilliant yellows, oranges and reds. Overhead a Canadian goose breaks the stillness with its mournful honk. It's been 12 weeks since we left Port au Prince, Haiti and after a flurry of traveling, speaking engagements, visits, and all the work it took to set up our home, things are finally settling down. With Thanksgiving just around the corner I can't help but reflect on all the things I'm thankful for:
I'm thankful for fall, the pretty colours, crisp air, and foggy mornings.
It's been seven years since we experienced it and we're soaking it in!
I'm thankful for my husband, with his endless energy, positive attitude, and quick wit;
and that we had the privilege of celebrating our nine year anniversary this past month!
I'm thankful that the kids are adjusting well and getting reconnected with family and friends.
And for the week break we had thanks to the generosity of friends who allowed us to enjoy their lake house.
I'm thankful that the kids had the opportunity to spend time in the great outdoors,
soak in the warm sunshine,
and cool lake breezes.
I'm thankful for the beautiful scenery we saw on our fundraising trip to Alberta..
And for our first snowfall of the year traveling through the Rocky Mountains.
I'm thankful for the beauty of the prairies.
And the sunsets; of course!
I'm thankful for how well our presentations have gone, and for those who came to show their interest and support.
And I'm thankful for God. I'm thankful that He is loving and patient, kind and forgiving and that He never leaves us or forsakes us and continues to teach us day by day through his Holy Spirit.
Psalm 103
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
September Update
In the coming weeks we hope to send out our first newsletter sharing some of the ways that the Lord has been working in our lives, as well as in the lives of the Haitians we continue to serve! We have been quite busy connecting with many of you through our church presentations, personal meetings, and phone calls, but if we have missed connecting with you, and you would like to visit with us, please contact us so we can arrange a time!
For those of you who have been supporting us through MAF by way of automatic deductions, it will automatically stop at the end of this month. If you would like to continue supporting our family in this new mission endeavour - please fill out the simple giving form (which can be downloaded online or we can send you) - or contact us with any questions / concerns.
We hope to begin with Hungry for Life in October, but we first need to meet our required support goal, which we are currently at about 80% of our targeted monthly support level. If you have committed to supporting our family - please remember to send in your form ASAP so we can meet our deadline.
Donations from Canada can also be made online at: http://www.hungryforlife.org/donate/online
All donations in both US and Canada are tax deductible.
Thanks again for partnering with us as we continue serving the Lord through missions with Hungry for Life in Haiti.
Blessings
Jason, Wilhelmina, Jayden, Justin and Alexander Krul
Hungry for Life International
45950 Alexander Ave
Chilliwack BC V2P1L5
Office: 604 - 703-0223
Cell: 604 997-5725
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Presentation Desert Evening in Chilliwack!
This coming Saturday, Sept 19 we hope to have a presentation desert evening to share about our work with MAF and our upcoming work with HFL.
Everyone is welcome; we would love to see you!
Chilliwack, British Columbia
Free Reformed Church of Chilliwack
45471 Yale Rd West, Chilliwack BC
Saturday, September 19 at 7:30 PM
For those who currently support us through MAF and would like to continue supporting our work with HFL you can do so online at: http://www.hungryforlife.org/donate/online or by contacting HFL office tel: (604)703-0223 or evanegdom@hungryforlife.org
Everyone is welcome; we would love to see you!
Chilliwack, British Columbia
Free Reformed Church of Chilliwack
45471 Yale Rd West, Chilliwack BC
Saturday, September 19 at 7:30 PM
For those who currently support us through MAF and would like to continue supporting our work with HFL you can do so online at: http://www.hungryforlife.org/donate/online or by contacting HFL office tel: (604)703-0223 or evanegdom@hungryforlife.org
Friday, September 4, 2015
Pieces
August 5
I look down and admire the pretty geraniums. It's Wednesday, the day after we landed in Abbotsford and we are staying at Jason's parents.
Today the sky is blue and the mountains in the backdrop stand tall and majestic. I find comfort in their stolid familiarity.
Nearby, in the pool, Jayden and Justin shriek with laughter. We're here, and it feels a little unreal, like a dream.. This place is so different from the one we left behind.
August 6
I'm driving down the road with the windows rolled down and the breeze blowing my hair. I've driven this stretch of road a thousand times as at teenager and young adult and very little has changed. I see the school and church I attended, the familiar stretch of road I biked to get to my after school job, and the memorable houses and landmarks. It feels like I'm traveling back in time and it strikes me then how the lives of my family and friends have continued on with only small changes, while we've lived a completely different, foreign life these last seven years.
August 7
It's moving day. We've loaded most of our earthly possessions in our van and a small trailer and are moving into a place of our own. Before we go in, I line up the kids on the front steps and snap a photo. Finally a place to call home again!
Out in the back yard I admire the garden fall of vegetables,
and the vines laden with grapes.
That night the boys are excited to sleep in their own bedroom, with their own beds and brand new puppy dog sheets. It's been a long time..
The days following are filled with trying to get together the basic necessitites to make our home functional, cleaning, unpacking, organizing, and doing some basic repairs/renovations to make everything more kid safe.
Besides family functions and getting togethers with friends, there are also meetings with MAF and Hungry for Life, seeing our church family again, and registering Jayden for school.
As I watch the sunset in the evenings from our deck, I think about all the pieces of our new life. There are so many different shapes and sizes that it will take prayer, patience and time to fit them all together.
In church on Sunday, I find hope and peace in these words in the back of the Psalter:
Lord's Day 9
Question 26: What do you believe when you say: I believe in God the Father, almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?
Answer: That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and all that is in them, and who still upholds and governs them by his eternal counsel and providence, is, for the sake of Christ his Son, my God and my Father. In him I trust so completely as to have no doubt that he will provide me with all things necessary for body and soul, and will also turn to my good whatever adversity he sends me in this life of sorrow. He is able to do so as almighty God, and willing also as a faithful Father. (Heidelberg Catechism)
Monday, August 24, 2015
The End; and a New Beginning
August 4, 2015
4:00 a.m.
Ring, ring, ring. I sit up groggily. The room is dark. Why is the alarm going off? My body feels so tired! Do we have to get up already? Suddenly it dawns on me. Today is the day! We are flying back to B.C! Wide awake now, I jump out of bed excitedly and head over to Alexander's room. Everything is already packed and now it's just a matter of loading our bags into the van and carrying the sleeping kids to their car seats. Since we already had said our goodbyes to our Aunt and Uncle we slip quietly out the front door and into the darkness.
Following the GPS's directions we are soon on the QEW headed to Toronto. As we drive, all is quiet; but not inside me. Inside my emotions are loud, all clamouring to be heard. There are happy ones, sad ones, excited ones, nervous ones, and scared ones. It is finally happening; after weeks of traveling and years of living overseas we are finally going home, sort of. God had reminded me a lot lately that my citizenship was not of this earth (Philippians 3:20) but if I had to pick a place where I felt most at home, it would still have to be Chilliwack; I think.
That was one of the problems though. What if my old hometown didn't feel as homey as I thought it would? What if I had changed too much! Seven years was a long time to be gone and I know I wasn't the same person I was when we left! What if I didn't fit in? Or worse yet, what if I did, and just forgot all the valuable lessons I'd learned in my years away.
My emotions feel too close to the surface. I feel vulnerable. I hate that. I like being in control. Looking for a distraction I pull out my camera. The first picture turns out fuzzy but I still like it.
I wait for the sun to rise just a little more and try again. This time the image is clearer. I admire the sunrise. It's achingly beautiful!
An hour later we've reached the Toronto Pearson International Airport. My time to think and wonder and try to process is over; for now at least anyways. It takes all my concentration to help Jason get our three boys and baggage checked in, through multiple security checkpoints, and to the gate. Once we've reached our gate there is not much time left before boarding but Alexander is in dire need of a diaper change so I rush off with him to the bathroom. In the bathroom I hear an announcer paging Jason Krul and when I get back he tells me that they've given us one first class seat as the plane is overbooked. A little frustrated, I sigh. "How are we going to do this?" One of us can't sit with all three kids while the other sits in first class!"
"Why don't you take Alexander then and sit in first class and I'll take the other two. Jason suggests. "Okay, I guess that should work." I reply.
In first class I end up with an empty seat beside me so Jayden is able to join me as well. He is quite thrilled! "This is where you get treated like kings and queens right Mom? he says and I nod. We get spoiled with warm towels, non stop juices, snacks, a delicious breakfast and even our own iPads loaded with games.
We soon leave Toronto behind.
Alexander, who I've strapped to me with a belt is much happier this way than with my arms restraining him and soon falls asleep.
As I look out the window, I feel loved. 1 John 3:1 says "Behold, what manner of love the father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons (daughters) of God.
Below me the landscape changes from prairies..
to rockies..
Four hours later, the Fraser Valley is in sight.
With a few moments of uncertainty as the airplane overshoots the runway and needs to come around for a second time we are all happy and thankful when we're finally, safely on the ground.
As we deplane and walk up the stairs to the airport terminal, I turn to look back. A chapter in our lives is over and a new one is beginning. What will it bring? I don't know, but God gives me peace. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)
4:00 a.m.
Ring, ring, ring. I sit up groggily. The room is dark. Why is the alarm going off? My body feels so tired! Do we have to get up already? Suddenly it dawns on me. Today is the day! We are flying back to B.C! Wide awake now, I jump out of bed excitedly and head over to Alexander's room. Everything is already packed and now it's just a matter of loading our bags into the van and carrying the sleeping kids to their car seats. Since we already had said our goodbyes to our Aunt and Uncle we slip quietly out the front door and into the darkness.
Following the GPS's directions we are soon on the QEW headed to Toronto. As we drive, all is quiet; but not inside me. Inside my emotions are loud, all clamouring to be heard. There are happy ones, sad ones, excited ones, nervous ones, and scared ones. It is finally happening; after weeks of traveling and years of living overseas we are finally going home, sort of. God had reminded me a lot lately that my citizenship was not of this earth (Philippians 3:20) but if I had to pick a place where I felt most at home, it would still have to be Chilliwack; I think.
That was one of the problems though. What if my old hometown didn't feel as homey as I thought it would? What if I had changed too much! Seven years was a long time to be gone and I know I wasn't the same person I was when we left! What if I didn't fit in? Or worse yet, what if I did, and just forgot all the valuable lessons I'd learned in my years away.
My emotions feel too close to the surface. I feel vulnerable. I hate that. I like being in control. Looking for a distraction I pull out my camera. The first picture turns out fuzzy but I still like it.
I wait for the sun to rise just a little more and try again. This time the image is clearer. I admire the sunrise. It's achingly beautiful!
An hour later we've reached the Toronto Pearson International Airport. My time to think and wonder and try to process is over; for now at least anyways. It takes all my concentration to help Jason get our three boys and baggage checked in, through multiple security checkpoints, and to the gate. Once we've reached our gate there is not much time left before boarding but Alexander is in dire need of a diaper change so I rush off with him to the bathroom. In the bathroom I hear an announcer paging Jason Krul and when I get back he tells me that they've given us one first class seat as the plane is overbooked. A little frustrated, I sigh. "How are we going to do this?" One of us can't sit with all three kids while the other sits in first class!"
"Why don't you take Alexander then and sit in first class and I'll take the other two. Jason suggests. "Okay, I guess that should work." I reply.
In first class I end up with an empty seat beside me so Jayden is able to join me as well. He is quite thrilled! "This is where you get treated like kings and queens right Mom? he says and I nod. We get spoiled with warm towels, non stop juices, snacks, a delicious breakfast and even our own iPads loaded with games.
We soon leave Toronto behind.
Alexander, who I've strapped to me with a belt is much happier this way than with my arms restraining him and soon falls asleep.
As I look out the window, I feel loved. 1 John 3:1 says "Behold, what manner of love the father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons (daughters) of God.
Below me the landscape changes from prairies..
to rockies..
Four hours later, the Fraser Valley is in sight.
With a few moments of uncertainty as the airplane overshoots the runway and needs to come around for a second time we are all happy and thankful when we're finally, safely on the ground.
As we deplane and walk up the stairs to the airport terminal, I turn to look back. A chapter in our lives is over and a new one is beginning. What will it bring? I don't know, but God gives me peace. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)
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