| Dear friends, God’s timing isn’t always ours. Sometimes, in the midst of our great ideas, the Lord requires us to halt, listen, and trust. You may recall my excitement in last month’s update about the imminent Real Life Real Impact Atlantic retreat. Well, that enthusiasm rapidly morphed into disappointment for me and the 49 other attendees, when we were forced to call off the event. This was due to two consecutive heavy snow and ice storms in the Atlantic region and Ontario on our event weekend. During the stressful time of cancelling various things and notifying people, the Lord brought Proverbs 3:5-6 to mind for several of us. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. The Lord had given us the momentum for the retreat, and yet he also allowed it to be taken away. I’m fairly certain you can relate to this in your own life, where you were following the plans you thought God had laid out, only for them to crumble in your hands. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purposes that will prevail (Proverbs 19:21). So how to respond? Well – we can halt (sometimes there’s no other choice), lean in to listen, and trust in his good purposes. These are responses you and I can learn, even in tandem with our disappointment. Because we know that our Father in heaven sees and knows all, and he cares for each of us.  So, half of our Atlantic registrants gathered virtually that weekend (above) – we chatted, played games, prayed, and took in a CE session. I’m grateful everyone stayed safe, and we WILL try again. In fact, watch this space for an announcement about an Atlantic RLRI to replace this one! And don’t forget – you’re invited to join the Virtual Real Life Real Impact on Saturday, March 8th. It’s a four-hour zoom event including 2.5 hours of RACE-approved CE. We’d love to see you there. Check the program schedule and register for Virtual Real Life Real Impact, March 8th! Serving together, Lisa Balzer CVM Canada Executive Director  Feature Story: Missions Impact Following God to Serve in Peru   By: Danielle Groenendijk-Westwood WCVM Class of 2027 My name is Danielle Groenendijk-Westwood, and I am currently in my second year at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (University of Saskatchewan) working towards my four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM). I am very blessed to be a part of the CVM Student Group at WCVM and attend the Real Life Real Impact Retreat. Read the Whole Story Here |