Huthouse

The end of the week.

2008-09-26T22:36:00.004-03:00

It is Friday and we have had a great week overall. Catherine is settling in to her new class very well. Last night was a Spaghetti Dinner and Meet the Teacher night at the elementary school. We sat down with our spaghetti and two families who have children in Laura's class joined us, so that was fun. One was a little boy that Laura seems to have a bit of a crush on as she got very giggly and smiled a lot when he sat down. Then we went to the classrooms to here from the teachers on curriculum, classroom discipline and scheduling. It was a good insight into the classes that the girls are in, and a fun night over all. The school uses Saxon Phonics to teach reading. I know very little about it, however, from what I am learning think it is going to be excellent for helping Catherine develop in her reading.
Tonight Michael is having a "guys night" and is enjoying playing Risk. It is his first Risk game since leaving Nova Scotia, where he had been playing once a month! There are only three guys here, but enough food and drinks to feed a football team!
Laura and Graham had a play date this morning with a neighbor girl that Grandmother was watching this morning. They had a good time playing, although I think Graham was pretty disappointed that it was another girl. However, they always enjoy being and Grandmother's and Granddaddy's. Graham is anxiously awaiting to start "school", which will be a Mother's Day Out program at a church in the city when I return from Canada. Heidi has learned to say "shoe" and loves to where her little pink Robbies every day. The first thing she does when we take her out of the crib in the morning is look for her shoes and want them on her feet! It's pretty cute!
We are looking forward to a good family weekend before Mommy takes off for a couple of weeks. Please pray for safety for Mommy as she travels, and for Daddy and the kids as they are home together. By the way, Mommy is going all by herself! And daddy is going to take care of all four kids by himself! What an awesome dad!

Praising God

2008-09-24T14:46:00.004-03:00

After sharing our journey and current prayer requests yesterday, I am excited to share also the way that God is answering prayers today!

First and foremost, Catherine woke up much more accepting of her transition to grade one in Texas and was even thinking that, "homework in grade one would probably be easier".

Second, we received a phone call from the US Consulate in Montreal letting me know that my appointment letter was being sent out, however under the circumstances could they move it up and what would work! Praise the Lord.
Heidi and I will be leaving on Tuesday, Sept 30 to spend two weeks with Grandpa and Grandma in Shubenacadie, NS and to get everything needed to complete the immigration process. We will return to Texas on October 15, and I should be a Permanent Resident, ready to take on Texas!! Thank you Lord!

Where are the Huttons now?

2008-07-22T19:59:00.013-03:00

Posted September 23, 2008 to help clarify (I began writing it in July).
Here is a quick review of the last year so we are all on the same page. On August 19, 2007 we Baptized our baby girl, Heidi Marie Hutton, born April 23, 2007. On August 19, 2007 we said good-bye to partners in church planting, Matt and Terra Keith as they headed on to the next adventure of their lives and ministry. On August 19, 2007 we received a phone call from Michael's father, saying that earlier that morning Michael's sister Wendy had been murdered by her husband in a murder-suicide. It was a day that marked many things in our lives, and the day many things in our lives changed.

Our faith and dependence on God has grown stronger. We have been given a rare glimpse into the hearts of friends and strangers through people who have lifted up prayers on our behalf, given of their time and finances to help us make the biggest transition of our families life, all to help us love four boys who were orphaned that horrific day.

Many of you have reached out to us, and lifted us up in prayers and now wonder how we are doing, and what is going on in our lives. So here I am to try and update you. For Christmas last year we brought our family down to Lubbock, Texas to spend Christmas with Michael's parents and the boys. After the first of three weeks, we knew that we needed to relocate to Texas to help Michael's parents, and to be here for the boys. When we returned to Sydney, NS in January, we put a bid in on a house, just around the corner from Michael's parents, and begain the preparations on our home in Sydney to sell, and to begin the process of immigration. By spring break we really felt we needed to move sooner rather than later, and made the plan to be in Texas by June. On June 10, we boarded a plane on a cool early morning flight in Halifax. In the evening we arrived in Lubbock to 105 F. What a shock. The belongings we had shipped arrived the day before, and so we had beds ready and our own things in the house ready for us. What a blessing that was.

In June we set up house, unpacked and tried to stay cool. It was a record breaking month! The month of July was spent with kids in swimming lessons at Texas Tech Aquatic Center. They did two sessions, a total of four weeks of swimming lessons which was great for everyone. August was when reality hit for all of us. We have had some tense days trying to figure out how to make this all work. Right now, the boys remain with Michael's parents. We are enjoying building relationships with them and finding out what makes each one tick. August also brought with it the beginning of school, which all the adults were very glad to see. Dawson turned 13 in September, and is at Evans Middle School, Shaderick 10, Tyson 9, Catherine 7, Laura 5 and Derrick 5 are all at Waters Elementary School and of course Graham 3 and Heidi 17 months are home with mom and dad.

Michael is still looking for full time work. He is preaching at a small United Methodist church on Sundays where his only responsibility is to preach. He has also been hired by Marketplace Chaplaincy which offers chaplains to businesses in cities across the country, and this is contract work (www.mchapusa.com). Michael hopes to see Marketplace's presence grow in Lubbock and is prepared to work to that end. I am still awaiting my Permanent Residence status, and am in the country on a visitor Visa. Please pray for full time employment and for the Permanent Residence status to come through.

So, how are we doing really? Some days feel great, other days are challenges like we've never imagined we would face. To be honest this has been a very hard and trying four months. There are many days we cry out to God because that's all we feel like there is left to do. He never fails us. On those days we always hear from someone about people lifting us up and standing in the gap for us. In fact, today was one of those days. We had to break Catherine's heart today and tell her she needs to leave her grade two class and do grade one in Texas. Due to some struggles Catherine has had with reading, and due to the huge difference in curriculum between the school in Nova Scotia and the school here in Texas we truly feel this will be the best for her long term education. But today, it breaks her heart, and ours too. I know in a month, we will look back on this day and be very glad we did it, so we are trusting the Heavenly Father to tend to these wounds too. Today I received a note on Facebook and a phone call saying we were being prayed for. In the midst of the storm He knows where we are and what we are going through.

Thank you all for your prayers, for your encouragement and for your love. We give God all the praise and glory for what He is doing everyday in and through us, and for His many provisions in our lives.

Hmmm...Life's Lessons

2008-03-26T10:01:00.003-03:00

Well, my experiences as an at-home real estate person have shown my lack of experience, but have given me some valuable life points. At the first of March we had made a deal to sell our home and had a contract on it and had lined up the inspection. Two days after the inspection...the purchaser dropped out leaving us feeling pretty disappointed and back at square one. The problem was that I trusted the word of a person (which turned out to be empty) instead of double checking with my lawyer before making a move which gave this person an out without any legal ramifications. Hmmm...so, I ask myself, "should I stop trusting people....become jaded and give up on humankind?"

We are ready to be in Lubbock, TX since we made the decision to move...and the finances will dry up and the church has moved on beyond the Hutton family (as it should and must). This leaves us ready to get out of dodge not because we are anxious to be out of Sydney (we love it), but because there is something very important for us to do and be in Lubbock. So, with all that verbally expelled, I should say that I have determined that human nature and its deceit at times is not a reason to give up on humankind, but to continue to live faithfully to Christ and to reach out in love to my fellow man and woman. I am reminded of a song by Keith Green. The song goes, "I was so lost...and you showed the way, you showed the way...I was so lost and you showed the way to me. I was lied to and you told the truth, you told the truth. I was lied to and you told the truth to me." It is not humankind in whom I place my faith and trust...but in the eternally loving Jesus.

Michael

2tim1.7

Oh, Canada!

2008-03-14T10:12:00.003-03:00

As of Thursday, March 13, 2008 I am now a permanent resident of Canada! Thanks to my lovely wife, Tammy, I am eligible to maintain this status even in Texas! This makes traveling and even coming back to Canada someday a real possibility (though we have no plans that way). Currently we are planning to move back to Texas in early May. Our house is sold and all the details are coming along thanks to God's good care. Anywhoo, just thought I'd update on my status as both a US citizen and Canadian permanent resident! :)

Michael

2tim1.7

US/Canadian family

2008-03-09T00:24:00.005-04:00

Just wanted to report that the Huttons are now dual citizens/residents. All of our kids now have their citizenship for both the US and Canada. Tammy is well on her way to permanent residency in the US and I have just been granted my permanent resident's status in Canada. I am allowed to keep the status once we leave Canada because living with Tammy anywhere in the world is considered by the Immigration organization of Canada as living on Canadian soil. There has got to be a reason for the way all of this has come together for us in a relatively 'easy' fashion. I use quotations because there have been months of waiting and cash put out for this to happen, but it all came down at once before we are to move to Texas...May 5th. God is good and we are on our way to a smooth :) transition. More later.

On The Road Again

2008-03-03T11:12:00.005-04:00

Hello there friends of the Hutton clan. We have some wonderful praises...good news to report. In preparations for moving to Lubbock we have to sell our house. The good news is that we have a deal on it for just over what we hoped to get for it. That puts us in the clear and pays for legal fees! That is definitely a God thing in action in our lives which strengthens our faith in Christ all the more! The next biggie from our past weekend is that there is a couple seriously considering coming to Sydney and picking up the work we will be leaving in planting Harbour Church. Again, a big answer to prayer. The next big thing for us is to find a job...like they say, "get a job!" So, we are smiling and again we have to say "God is good!"

(pictured: DS David and Joanne LeRoy, Wendy Markey)

Moving On

2008-02-23T10:56:00.004-04:00

Well, I am horrible at blogging (it's a maintenance thing)...but here I go. I would love to get back on the wagon. An update for the Hutton family. We are heading back to Texas, well, to Texas. I am the only Hutton who has lived in Texas, Lubbock, that is. I cannot believe it. We are going to be there with my family and help through the fallout that has come with my sister's death. We go with joy and hope in our hearts. We go with the belief that God has a very high purpose for this move. We go knowing that in this upside down world this decision makes sense because of the absurdity (in some ways) of making the decision to move. We go with great love in our hearts for Doug and Marlene Hutton and four nephews who are not deserving of the horrible events, yet, will overcome them!

I have discovered within me a lack of caring about my own geo-locution when it comes to being the man that Jesus wants me to be. Therefore, back to the South Plains for me is just piece of life's puzzle. I know that the kids will thrive as Tammy and I work together to make life a beautiful place for them. Catherine is now 6 and will be going to 2nd grade next year. Laura will be starting Kindergarten. She's currently 4 years old. Graham just turned 3 and Heidi is a wee 9 month old...actually 10 mos. today! So, my beloved wife and I leave Sydney in the next few months with happy hearts. Not because we go, but because we have been chosen to enter into another chapter in our lives as God takes care of us with his amazing Grace!

The Hutton Family Circus

2008-02-23T10:52:00.002-04:00

My Beloved Wife

2007-05-02T22:53:00.000-03:00

I have the most wonderful wife! Tammy is an incredible woman who will sacrifice everything for the ones she loves. Though having four children is massively overwhelming we are definitely loving the newness of it all. Heidi is a blessing beyond our simple vocabulary. Catherine is an academic; learning and grasping exercises of the intellect beyond her years. Laura is a leader with the potential to stand down any opposing army. Graham is a diplomat who loves to make more and more friends in any situation. What a wonderful family I have (despite the permanent marker all over the interior of our vehicle)! Thank you God! Thank you Tammy because you are the one who has done so much to mold and shape and nurture our children. I love you with all of my heart.

-Michael

Mom, Dad, Nate, Jess, Dave, Cathy, and Bella

2007-04-25T22:40:00.000-03:00

Catherine, Laura, Graham, and Heidi

2007-04-25T22:39:00.000-03:00

Heidi Marie Hutton, April 23rd, 2007

2007-04-25T22:35:00.000-03:00

Catcher in the Rye

2007-04-17T21:02:00.000-03:00

I guess this book has been deemed by society as evil and profane. I have read it three times in my life and learn something new every time. I am reading it a fourth time and gleaning something, a reminder about phonies and how the young can see through the smoke screens that we adults like to put on and pretend hide the real 'us'. Insecurities and short-comings are things we try to put behind a mask, but the pure eyes of youth see through it. They are not fooled. Holden Caulfield reminded me to be real this week. Just as Jesus reminds me to 'suffer the little children to come unto me.' I want to succeed like Thoreau once quipped, "success is to be loved by children."

-Michael

Happy Feet and a guy from Lousiana

2007-04-13T21:18:00.000-03:00

I don't know how these two things really go together except that they are expression of the Spirit and truth abounding over and above the realm of human control and negativity. Happy Feet is a story of a penguin who doesn't quite fit in...a lot like Rudolph (as in the red nosed reindeer)and should by all rights be exiled to the island of misfit toys! However, he is not and he is quite heroic in the end. Nevertheless, he is branded as one who doesn't fit it because he won't live the status quo.

The man from Louisiana was a speaker at a National Prayer Breakfast gathering I attended. His name is Bobby Smith from Louisiana, a former state trooper who was shot in the face and left for dead. Blinded by the incident he is now a top national speaker. His words today were straight from God's Kingdom and he encouraged us all to live with the right Attitude, to be Committed to the best we can be, and to have Empathy for others...to care about others as we do ourselves. A biblical message and one that comes from the pit of his own experience. I do mean pit. Bobby also lost his daughter in 1997 while she was only 22.

These two things today made me thankful and prodded me onward to a fresh commitment to the calling of Christ in my life. Thanks Happy Feet...thanks Bobby!

-Michael

Fishy Funeral

2007-04-10T04:44:00.001-03:00

Yesterday we had to conduct a funeral for Robyn, Laura's fish. She/He/It went belly-up from a brutal attack from a fellow fish. The death is a bit 'fishy' if you will pardon the pun. The attack seemed to be unprovoked, having to do with territorial boundaries in fishdom.

Anywhoo, Laura, Catherine, and I were the officiants and I was acting as pall-bearer. Laura took charge of the flushing duties while Catherine offered up philosophical questions about death and comments about the blood coming from where the fish's fin used to be (goldfish are brutal). It was a sad occasion eulogized by Laura, "I am sad, I am gonna miss my fishy." However, when all was 'taken care of' and Laura watched Robyn disappear down the 'drain to heaven' she let out an excited cry, "That was cool!"

:)

The Faces of Huthouse

2007-04-09T14:53:00.000-03:00

Easter Eggs Are Fun, Easter Eggs Are Great!

2007-04-09T14:35:00.000-03:00

Hunting for Easter Eggs

2007-04-09T14:30:00.000-03:00

Renovations

2007-04-06T12:14:00.000-03:00

Okay,

I have felt fairly guilty every time I think of our family blog...being totally neglected since Oct. of 2006. I am so sorry. We will start doing something with this. I am not sure if anyone even cares to look at it any longer. Anywhoo...here is something as a token of change for this blog.

Huttons

Huthouse Becomes Pirates' Den!

2006-10-31T21:53:00.000-04:00

Halloween came and we flew the Jolly Roger here in Sydney! All of us were Pirates this year and our sun room became the bridge of our ship. Trick-or-Treaters were treated directly from our treasure chest of goodies (really, we have an actual chest). Laura and Catherine were beautiful pirate princesses while Grahambo and I were scurvy outlaw pirates! ARRRRRRR! We spent 45 minutes out collecting goodies ourselves whilst my maties, Matt and Nate, entertained the lil' ghouls and goblins. Terra, went with me and the kids...what a great help! Halloween this year was a blast.

-Michael aka Blackbeard ;)

Fun in Shubie

2006-10-02T21:12:00.000-03:00

Graham on the lawn tractor with Grandpa

Laura helping Grandma

Catherine with Anna Mae (one of the Stonehouse neighbors)

Laura and Heidi hangin' out...we love you Heidi!

Marker on the Floor

2006-10-01T17:27:00.000-03:00

So, life is good here with the Hutton household. We are experiencing Fall in Cape Breton and it is beautiful! We are discovering more and more colleagues in ministry in the area who are here to start up something new or want to be a part of the renewal/transformation of this isle. It is cool. I, Michael, am very excited to learn what it means to be an at-home parent. It is a very difficult job! I love my kids and family and making it a safe and spiritual home, but it is not easy...it doesn't just "happen." The chores never end and the events are never predictable when it comes to the kids, the antics, the emotions, the minor injuries, etc... The other day Catherine and Laura got out some permanent markers they had (don't ask) and proceeded to color themselves, Graham, and the hard-wood floor. It was the ultimate test of whether I was going to absolutely freak out or not. Tammy told me it happened and I actually very calmly discussed the event with her. I guess I am growing up. I also instantaneously remembered an time when I had taken an exacto knife as a kid and carved my beautiful hieroglyphics into the band new paneling dad had installed. I remembered the complete innocence in doing that...and had to believe that my kids were not being malicious, but were genuinely creating. Now, we did discipline them, but were fair and communicated with them why they cannot have markers for the next thirty years. :)

Anyway, that is the story. Life is good in Sydney. We are meeting new people all of the time and had the opportunity to partake in a prayer service with the church plant people from Glace Bay and some area churches. I was able to present our vision and passion for being here in the area. It is a wonderful ride here in Sydney.

Number 4

2006-09-09T22:17:00.000-03:00

Well, for you who check out our site from time to time that we have not gotten the news out to...we are having a fourth baby. #1 Catherine #2 Laura #3 Graham #4 ?

We are pretty excited about the possibilities, but always have to ask "God, why now during such a busy and critical time in our lives?" Basically he responds, "Chill out, I am in control."

Here are a few pics of our family from the past few months...

Catherine at the wildlife park

Graham feeding the 'duckies'

Laura Dancing in her red dress at her cousins in Baddeck

Graham loves the goalie mask!

All the cousins' together in Baddeck: Ericka, Drew, Catherine, Laura, Graham

Life Poem

2006-08-30T07:16:00.000-03:00

So, life is quite good. I am learning lots of hard lessons. The past two weeks...oh wait, hold on a minute. Before I get into all of that...check out a poem that God gave me just this morning. Go to www.goodnewssydney.blogpot.com or just click on the link here entitled Sydney Church Plant. Look for the entry called FIRE. It is self explanitory. Thanks for checking in on us evey once in a while!

Okay...back to life. For the past week and a half I have been the 40 hour a week house parent and I have enjoyed it while it being the biggest challenge of my life. However, I have developed the relationship with my children I have always envisioned! I am closer and have gained more love and trust from them: Catherine, Laura, and Graham than I could have ever imagined. This is the realization of a dream or vision actually that I have had which is part and parcel with that of the vision for the Church plant: community-oriented, relationally driven, Acts chapter 2 stuff!

I have found that I can be rather grumpy and demanding, and a harsh task-master with a five, three, and one year old. Hopefully they will forgive my foibles and grow from the good imput I give. Pray for me that I will develop into the type of husband and father that Jesus wants me to be!

Tammy has been working full time the past two weeks. She will be moving into part time soon, but these last two weeks are training and require more hours. It is good for her too! I think she is truly finding fulfillment in this new way of life. We are blossoming here and are so truly content with what the Lord is doing in our lives. Thanks to all who are supporting and supportive of this move...it is the right thing! This one goes out to Lauren Lee, and her homies in Smith's Creek, NB!!!

-Michael the Hutt

Summer 2006 Has Been Good!

2006-08-15T00:10:00.000-03:00

Tammy has had a blast living it large...Summer '06...

Life in Sydney

2006-08-06T06:06:00.000-03:00

Okay, it has been forever since we have entered anything in on our blog. Sorry Vicky! Anywhoo...check some updates on www.goodnewssydney.blogspot.com. There are some good stories about what has gone on here in the past few weeks that Matt and I have written. Since we last blogged we have moved all of our stuff into the pink house in Sydney, driven back down to Brown's Flat, NB to go to Beulah camp for two weeks, driven back up to Sydney via Ged and Betty's place, and lived in chaos desparately getting our stuff unpacked, settled, and find work. Tammy had an interview at Reitman's last week (she'd really like to work there bc/ you get half off on their clothes) and worked a temp job as cashier at a craft fair at the arena in town.

We have met many people: close neighbors, people in the parks, people at the laundromat, people at Tim Horton's, people at Home Depot, around the town and the street how many, many, feet you meet (people that is). It is going well and we are totally encouraged. Catherine, Laura, and Graham are having a ball. There are many kids that they play with: Travis, Dawson, Vincent, and Sydney are the main ones. The kids also have their cousins nearby! Just yesterday Erica Stonehouse came over with Ged and Betty all day. Catherine and Laura especially were in heaven! They played so hard yesterday that they were in their jamies by 5:30pm yesterday. Me too!

So, things are good in Sydney. We are confindent in God's calling to this place. It has a great deal of need. The church is not a strong body/influence here and the youth are slipping through the cracks of society. Sadly, there was a rape that occurred just half a block down the street on the railroad tracks at 3:30am on Thursday morning. The night before a man walked down our street wielding a sword. Needless to say we keep the doors locked at night, yet, see great opportunity here for serving Jesus. Keep us in your prayers.

Love,
The Huthouse5

We are going to Sydney to work for Jesus

2006-06-25T23:23:00.000-03:00

Hey everyone. We just had an incredible day of sending off at Sussex Wesleyan, our home church. We were allowed to preach, share about the vision of our church, and introduce our team. Pastor Neville held a time of prayer for us during the service and anointed our team with oil as a part of the prayer time. Then there was a big potluck luncheon/bbq. That was followed by a time of tribute by our brothers and sisters of the church family. They gave us some really awesome gifts like a laptop, an ipaq, a color laser printer. The youth group presented me with a beautiful wall hanging of a cross of nails with Refuge engraved on it. Most of all we felt loved and supported in a huge and powerful way. Thank God for this church and their love!

In the River

2006-05-24T22:12:00.000-03:00

Have you ever been launched into a river, floating ear-deep, feet-first, rushing toward an unknown destination? In many ways, that is how I feel these days. While the river is warm (the loving arms of my heavenly father) the water (His Holy Spirit) is rushing, winding and carrying me away to a destination unknown in so many ways. While knowing the general direction, I am still so uncertain of what the end is really going to be like. We have decisions made, and many more to make. Every day we do something else that makes moving a reality, and yet, it still feels like a dream. I look around me, and nothing has really changed, other than my house is clean beyond my ability!, but really we are in the same house, and the same routines every day. Yet I know, we are heading, in an ever-quickening river, towards this unkown.
It leaves me with the rush of anticipation, and adreniline, some fear of what may jump up in my path, but mostly I'm laying back and enjoying the ride, keeping my focus on the Creator of this river.

Little White House

2006-05-23T22:47:00.000-03:00

Well, we have a contract to sell our little white house on Peter Steet! Thanks to God we had someone come to our open house last weekend who was interested in buying our little casa! They made an offer and we countered and they accepted. As of this coming May 31st it is sold! Again, thanks to God and his calling on our lives. Thanks to all for the prayers...this one's for Sydney, NS! Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!

The real pink house!!

2006-05-18T00:30:00.000-03:00

John Morgan, Mayor of Sydney

2006-05-15T23:31:00.000-03:00

I emailed the mayor of Sydney, Nova Scotia today hoping that he and I can get together sometime. I really would like to meet this man, the leader of the CBRM, Cape Breton Regional Municipality. I really don't have any agenda other than getting to know him and express my interest in his city/cities. Pray for this man as he leads and for the Huttons as we prepare to go! I will post some pics of our new house in Sydney as soon as possible.

Michael

Hutton family Motto

2006-05-15T15:10:00.000-03:00

We exist to love God and serve Him filled with His Power, Love, and Self-discipline.

Peace Out...this one's for Vicki :)

Little Pink Houses

2006-05-12T23:11:00.000-03:00

Tammy and I have a contract on a house in Sydney! We went there last weekend to find one and we did. It is perfect. We had that 'gut' feeling when we walked through the place which has been retro-fitted to be a cafe downstairs (complete with industrial kitchen). We are so excited. M and T will be living with us and that will be so cool. God is opening the doors left and right! I'll post a picture soon. Oh, yeah, the house has a hot pink exterior! Viva wild colors!

Irish Tin Whistle

2006-04-13T23:00:00.000-03:00

This has been a great week. My loverly wife, Tammy, bought me an Irish tin whistle complete with song book and CD so that I can learn to play. The Irish tin whistle is much like the common recorder except that it is made of tin and a little bit of plastic for the mouth piece. It has a shrill sound when you blow hard into it. It is a nice sound shrill or not. It gives the right Celtic sound. As of today I can play Old MacDonald's Farm...EEE III EEE III OOO! My hope is to attain a level of proficiency in the next year or so to join/start a little Celtic band! We will see, pray for me! I can just see me dancing around and playing the tin whistle along the coast of Nova Scotia. What a joy it is to be a minstrel for the King!

Vision Award!

2006-04-10T23:53:00.000-03:00

Tonight at my final Dale Carnegie class I made the top three in the class! I also received an award (The Dale Carnegie book of quotes) for my clarity of vision for the future that God has called the Hutton family to do in Sydney Nova Scotia. I basically said that God has called us to Sydney to be a part of healing people and helping others find faith in Christ. This is something that I know will happen. I am convinced that no obstacle can stop what God has already done!

Me and Three

2006-04-09T00:14:00.000-03:00

Yesterday was a day for just me to be home with my three kids: Catherine, Laura, and Graham! Tammy was away for a women's ministry workshop at our local church camping/retreat facility while I stayed home. The week previous to this experience I was a bit (a bit mind you) apprehensive of being home alone with all three (a task that Tammy handles with excellence daily). Nevertheless, the time came, Friday evening. When I arrived home after being at the church most of the night (approximately 9:30pm), Laura, our middle girl, was awake. She had just been through a scarey dream. Therefore, I took it upon myself to stay up with her and watch a movie, Polar Express, until about 11:30pm. Then she and I went off to sleepy land.

The next morning (I should mention that the night went by without anyone being upset nor waking to any large extent) my youngest woke and was ready to get out of his crib. Graham and I went downstairs at 6:40am. The girls did not wake until almost an hour later. The next few hours we watched movies, played, and I was even able to have a coffee with my neighbor, Mike, who was gracious and patient with the morning routine of preparing breakfast. After Mike left, we watched Star Wars episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. Catherine and Laura absolutely love Star Wars. Catherine is always Princess Leia. Laura is always Luke Skywalker. I am always Han Solo when we watch. Graham gets to be either R2D2, C-3PO, Chewie, or Darth Vader by default.

After that movie Catherine headed to dance class and Graham went down for a nap. The day buzzed on by and Tammy came home sometime mid-afternoon. The day went quite well! No major injuries, tantrums, or adult melt downs, so, I consider yesterday a success. Thanks be to God!

Modern Day Monastics

2006-04-01T22:40:00.000-04:00

I am feeling a call to reach out to the world through the means of prayer inspired mission. I believe that God is calling us to become a holistic community concerned about the body, mind, and soul of all people in our area of influence. I dunno exactly what it will look like when we get to Sydney, but I believe that it will flow all through the week and be a lifestyle rather than a Sunday to Sunday experience once a week. I crave building a group that worships, prays, and does missions together in the very neighborhoods of its existence. I desire to do life together 24/7/365 with people...college students, teens, single moms, men, the homeless, etc... I believe that this dream must come true. I am praying for clarity in the area of our beginnings. I want to see a vivid picture of where we are going physically and spiritually with the people of Sydney....MORE LATER.

The ends of the earth.

2006-03-28T22:13:00.000-04:00

This weekend we travelled to what feels like the end of the earth. Here is where we are heading. A bad thing? Definitely not! A challenge! An adventure! A step of faith!

I am quickly falling in love with Sydney. Already it is becoming familiar, comfortable and liveable. I can't wait to get there... to find a house and make it a home. I'm looking forward to making friends, getting to know the neighbors, finding a favorite place to eat, hang out, shop and play. I can't wait to take our children to the parks, to send Catherine off to school to help them make new friends. I can't wait for regular family time with the cousins and sightseeing, and camping.

What is to come? Many things. A year of ups and downs, of new friends and hugely lonely moments. Missions teams will come, friends will come to visit, and I will rely hugely on prayer support. We all will. It's the only way that we will make it.
Sydney... here we come.

Salaam Alechem

2006-03-24T23:38:00.000-04:00

Tonight Tammy and I along with Paul and Judy (our close friends) went to visit a friend from Jordan, Souraj Salah, and his wife Majd. It was such an interesting evening together. They served us a delicious meal of traditional Middle Eastern fair. The regional culture there is called Shamie (phonetical spelling). We had a wonderful cultural and spiritual interchange during our four hours with the family. Souraj and Majd have a beautiful baby boy named Al Berra which means "the innocent."

Souraj shared many aspects of himself during our time there. He is an engineer by trade, a musician who writes his own lyrics and music, and a deeply spiritual Muslim man. His devotion to Allah is vast. His depth of faith and love for Allah is his life. His knowledge of the Koran is solid. I deeply respect the intensity of his faith and journey with Allah. I learned to listen and experience through his eyes, his god. Through his devotion I was challenged to reflect upon my own devotion to Christ. I want to careen through this roller coaster life with the goggles of faith and no longer hold back for the sake of selfish gain. I want to respect and love Jesus beyond everything. Every molecule of my body must focus upon the Living God: Father, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit. The only other alternative is a hypocritical faith based upon my comfort and convenience. Christ calls us to be HOT for him or nothing at all...let me burn white hot for the Savior!

Ministry Together

2006-03-18T20:22:00.000-04:00

Since Tammy and I have taken the steps of faith to move into the "unknown" of church planting, our vision and ministry together flouishes and blossoms like we have never experienced before. We are of the ilk that believe that women and men alike have genuine callings from God to serve in leadership within the context of the local church. Tammy and I both preach, teach, administer the sacraments of communion and baptism, and lead from our hearts. Today we actually tag-team taught our church's Class 101: Orientation to church membership. It was one of the best times in ministry we have had. I believe that this is only a taste of what is yet to come as we move ahead in faith and confidence that Christ has called us. He will resource/equip us for the opportunities and challenges ahead. Tammy and I have come up with images of fellowship/teamwork that rise up out of the epic trilogy, The Lord of the Rings. We believe that as we forge ahead in the midst of a trust-based community, God will use us to move mountains in individual's lives in order to effect an entire community and region for Kingdom of God change. Using our gifts and talents together under the direction of God's spirit we are an unstoppable force!

New Digital Video Camera

2006-03-17T23:56:00.000-04:00

Well, we have just made an exciting new purchase for the Hutton clan. We are now going to be able to capture our memories on video! We just obtained our new Panasonic Digital Video Camcorder (model PV-GS19). This little puppy fits in the palm of your hand and is as light as a feather. Tammy and I feel as if we have stepped into the 21st century. This camera is the top of the heap of the lower end models, but comes highly recommended by various consumer reports. I guess the real test will be time using this little contraption.

Ready to Move In

2006-03-16T22:21:00.000-04:00

We are getting ready for our big move. There are many details to finalize, however, I think we have found our dream home. It may take a little work to get situated... but I think it will be cozy!!

Seriously we are getting ready to move. We are waiting for official news, and then we can publish where we are going. In the mean time we are getting our home ready to sell, doing a little packing, and looking for something to move into!

The Simple Life.

2006-03-14T12:24:00.000-04:00

Last night during my Monday evening study time, I was once again challenged to look at life and just how busy I am, and our family is. The simple life is something that Michael and I have been striving for since we were married in 2000. In many ways we are succeeding, yet every 6 months or so we are challenged in yet another way we could simplify our life. They are challenges that stir the heart, as well as the mind. Each time we follow in obedience to the Lord, and give up what it is he is asking of us, we see his grace, mercy, love and provision in all new ways.

In our family we are looking at finances, and how to live a simple life with them. We have switched to the "envelope system" to handle weekly expenses. We are paying off and cutting up credit cards to simplify life by decreasing our debt, and striving to spend only what we have. No trying to keep up with the Jones' for us... but we do have our struggles. It's hard to break the lifestyle we were used to living under our parents roofs, or even living on our own. We are learning the blessing of giving generously out of what we have, and living simply to do so. It's wonderfully freeing to be able to walk by a sale and say, "yes, I'd like it, but I don't need it, and just looking is fun enough." Because we have found the freedom in decreasing our debt instead of having it hanging like a noose around our necks, and trying to ignore that it is there.

Another area I'm trying to strive for is simplicity in diet. Having three babies in five years has done a lot to increase my waistline, however, it is not the only thing that has added to my form. So in many respects, I'm re-learning how to eat. I'm learning from my three wee ones, the simplicity of food, and it really is quite simple. When their bellies growl, they want food, and then they only eat until there belly is content - but NOT stuffed to an uncomfortable level. When is the last time you waited to eat until your belly actually growled, and then found the freedom to leave food on your plate, or ask for a to-go box in order to stop eating when you are satisfied? It's much more difficult for me to follow these simple principles, but I'm learning.

The freedom found in simplicity is surprising, but truly wonderful.
~TLH

The first day!

2006-03-13T11:00:00.000-04:00

We are just getting started, and are looking forward to all that is to come!