So I've finally done it, started my blog. My sisters and some of my sister-in-laws (yes, I have a large family) all have one and have been after me to get one going. The problem was ...............well let's go back to the beginning.

I lived in Ontario, less than 10 kilometres from where I grew up. I was comfortable and content, my children were either living at home or living close by, and I loved my "job". I say "job", as it didn't seem like a job to me, as I enjoyed what I was doing and was truly fullfilled. To top it all off, my parents and all of my brothers and sisters outside of one all lived within close driving distance. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, life was good. I had it all planned out, keep living where we were, keep doing what I was doing, keep close to my family.

BUT............ We Plan; God Laughs

I was the co chair of the Ontario Homeless Committee for The Salvation Army. Late last April, at the Ontario Homeless Conference for which I was responsible, a gentleman from Alberta approached me and said: "Come work for me." "HA HA HA, No Way" was my response. When I returned from the conference, I shared what had happened with Bruce (my husband). I was shocked by his response: "Joanne, you should have a good look at it before you say no, you've worked hard to get to where you are, maybe this is what you need to do. Call the kids to see what they say."

SAY WHAT???

I couldn't believe what I heard from my kids. Each of them said "It's about time you did something like this. You always put us first, it's time for you now." Go figure, usually it's the mother pushing the fledglings out of the nest, here my fledglings were pushing me out. They truly are amazing, insightful people (can you tell I'm a proud mama). After a great deal of thought and prayer, and several conversations with Alberta guy, I flew to Alberta to "check it out" at the end of June. Three weeks later, I couldn't believe it, but I had moved. The other shocker was that my brother and his wife (Stephen & Gayle) were transfered to the same city in Alberta and they and their children arrived just 1 week after me. Can you say "divine intervention".

Bruce stayed in Ontario to sell our house and make sure our 2 sons were settled back in school for the fall. The plan was that he would sell the house, Jason (our youngest son) would move in with Jenn & Kevin (our daughter and son-in-law), James (our oldest son/middle child) was going to continue to live with my parents to complete one more year of school, Bruce would resign from his job of 27 years and would join me in Alberta in September.

But............We Plan, God Laughs

The house didn't sell for over 7 months. Boy was that hard. I was without my greatest supporter of 27 years for 7 long months. We were married young and are truly each others best friend and confidant. I am not a crier, but he heard many tears over the phone through out the seven months. I have come to love and appreciate him even more than I already did. God knew what he was doing when he had Stephen and Gayle transfered here as well. They have been a wonderful support.

But Bruce is here now. Actually, he was only here for 3 weeks when I had to return to Ontario for 2 weeks of business.........."Welcome to Alberta honey, oh, by the way, I'm goin' home in 3 weeks to see the kids." Ha, ha. When I got back last week, he had the office and the computer all set up for me (he's such a good guy!).

So now a new journey has begun as life rolls on. Who knows what else I will plan that God will laugh at, but I welcome it with open arms. I know that He has new and exciting things in store for me and my family.