Aspen

Helping people create better lives for 25 years.

I GOT THE JOB!!!

I'll be a support worker in the Youth Transitions to Adulthood Program.
Thanks for all the prayers and support. This is a great organization, and incredible program. I'm blessed to have the opportunity to be apart of it for any length of time.

I'll let you know how things are going soon. I start on Monday!!

blessings,
kristen

the latest and greatest

So I've COMPLETELY neglected in updating you about the latest.

I'm here, in Calgary, getting settled in my new home. The Owens-Young household has been of the most welcoming kind and I love staying with them. I am becoming a part of the family with each passing day and I love it.

I'm also able to spend far more time with the new man in my life than I ever imagined! And I'm loving that too! :) His family has been incredibly gracious and hospitable. Thank you!!

Lastly, I have an exciting opportunity before me. I have a job interview with "Aspen" in Calgary tomorrow morning. Click here to check out the program I'd be a support worker for!
I'll keep you posted as to how that goes.

talk soon
many blessings
kristen

oh how plans change...

the BIG news!!

In case you haven't been following along:
Since I returned from South Africa in December, I've been working towards getting back there. The original plan was to be back by the end of April . . .

Clearly that hasn't happened.

I talked with Kevin, the minister in SA, and he told me I needed to wait. It seems the timing is off.
So no, I'm not headed to SA anytime soon.

For those of you who blessed me with your financial support - that will remain in a high interest earning savings account - as we're both certain I will get there within the next couple years. He's confident that I'm meant to be there when the church is ready to be opened. The hope is that I will assist with getting a lot of the programs up and running, and of course, work with all the lead worshippers in making some beautiful music!

Those of you who asked for a prayer card to be mailed to you, I will hold on to them until the time is right for you to be reminded to pray for me IN South Africa!! :)


Therefore... MORE BIG news:

I'm headed back out West, for an indeterminate amount of time. I've desired to settle there for some time now, and it seems the Lord sees fit to have me begin that process now. (Yes, you just 'heard' Kristen McMullen use the word settle...)
I'll keep you posted on those details through my blog (and emails if you wish).

For now, I'm packing up Calvin (my car) and heading out of Ontario on Saturday May 16th.

I finally have a cell number again: msg me if you want it!
HOWEVER, the day I arrive in Alberta it will be changed to an Alberta number. So.. maybe don't put it in your contacts lists just yet.
(If you want to call and catch up, after 9pm or the weekend would be best for me! ;)


There it is.
I'm infinitely blessed to have your support and I thank you for sticking with me through all of this.
I'd ask now that you pray for:

- my heart - I'm reeling from the fastest U-turn of my life and there's a lot more change headed my way.
- the details - moving to another province, my summer clothes are all in SA, etc.
- Kevin and the church in SA - that God's hand would remain over that whole process and we would be able to honour Him as we move forward.

Innumerable THANK YOU's to you.. I'm blessed to call you friend.. to call you family.

Get back to me!
Would love to talk!!

much love
many blessings

kristen

www.kristenmcmullen.com

moving onward to South Africa

Good afternoon family and friends!!
Just a quick note.

I'm still in preparation to get my butt back to South Africa. Getting the paper-work together so I can send off the VISA application is taking far longer than I anticipated. However, in light of the waiting, I've had the opportunity to travel around IL and MI doing some visiting. And I also just returned from my beloved Rocky Mountains and my loves in the West.
The crunch is on now however, and many phone calls are being made!

When I return to South Africa, I'll be working with a minister who is starting a church. For the first chunk of time - up until Christmas - I'll be volunteering with a church and mostly helping with their Worship and Youth Programs.

I'll be mailing out prayer cards (a postcard sized reminder to pray for me and South Africa) this next week and need your address!
If you're interested in receiving one, please reply and give me your snail-mail.

I won't be sending out many updates via email, so please keep an eye on my blog for the latest news.

HOWEVER, if you'd like to be on my PRAYER TEAM and be ready for specific requests, please email me back and let me know.
I'm hopeful for a team of about 10 people who are committed to lifting me and my ministry up in prayer weekly and also pray for specific requests.


Looking forward to hearing what's new in your life!!
much love
many blessings

kristen

www.kristenmcmullen.com

I want...

It's taken 29 years to get here, but today I cried out to God and allowed myself to dream of the things I desire for myself.

The thing I've known without doubt for the last 10 years?
I want to worship, honor and serve God with every facet of my life.

But knowing that caused me to let go of having any of my own desires.. I just wanted what God wanted.
Then I spiraled into confusion when it came to taking a step forward: which direction would I go? Because after all, I am the one who will have to take the step.


So here it is.. my desires, after God's own heart (I pray):

I want to be around high schoolers and college students who want to 'dig' into life.
I want to mentor and disciple young women in the ways of God.
I want to sing.
I want to be a part of a community that is journeying together through faith and life.
I want to be a wife.
I want to keep taking North American young people on missions trips.
I want to be able to visit 'my kids'.
I want to be a part of a home schooling network - as a mother or a teacher, or both.


In the short term, this is how I'm moving forward:

I want to go to SA and help my friend Kevin start his church.
I want to come back to Canada.
I want to live near the Rocky mountains.


It's hard for me even to write this, because it is so 'I' centered. But after much prayer, and a lifetime of joys and tears, I trust that the 'I' is not just me, it's me and my ancient and incredible God.
For now, it's one foot in front of the other. That's the best this little saint can do.
I love you Poppa.

Thanks for coming along for the ride.
I'm honored to call you friend.

blessings,
kristen

every now and again..

Sometimes the sweetest things happen that warm up my insides.

Today, I went to Christian Center Church in Toronto for the Easter Sunday service. I haven't been for quite some time, but I used to help out with the youth and young adult programs there.
Upon arriving, late, an usher tried to help me find a friend.. but of course it was packed since Easter is the the Superbowl of holidays to Christians.

After about a minute, a most welcome and familiar face trotted up - it was Nicholas, the 7 year old son of the associate pastor. He wished me Happy Easter and we hugged. Then I asked him where his sister was. He proceeded to grab my hand and show me. I got an excited welcome from Abigail and thus began the antics. Who needs to sing worship when you can worship through play with young children?! lol
*sigh* I felt incredibly blessed and loved.

And lo and behold, I looked up, and there was my friend not two seats away.

This, was a most wonderful way to start my Easter.

blessings,
k

*tear*

The thought of selling Calvin - my car for the last 8 years - has made me cry three times already.
Who knew I could become this attached to an inanimate object?!

sigh