The last couple weeks

Sooooo….

The past couple weeks have been a whirlwind and super busy, all culminating with a long awaited Labor Day weekend at the beach. I’m sunburned, I smell like fish and squid guts, and I’m more full on pulled pork, collard greens, and bacon wrapped/jalapeno stuffed tator tots than I have been in a long, long time.

We said goodbye to what has been our home for the past year at four in the morning on Monday, August 22nd. We will, no doubt, miss it. Our experience in Canada has been, for lack of a stronger word, invaluable. I say that for several reasons. First, the growth that Rachel and I both experienced was unreal. On a spiritual level I feel that we have both grown tremendously. The Lord has shown me things over the past year that I don’t think would have been revealed had we not been obedient and ventured out on this journey of faith. I have learned to become all the more reliant on Him for everything; provision, direction, guidance. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to “trust in the Lord with all our your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all you ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” I’ve learned through many experiences this past year how true that really is. Aside from our spiritual growth on an individual level, I feel we have grown in maturity. We have had to leave all we know and every bit of comfort that we can cling to in turn cling to the Author and Finisher of our faith. We have moved to a different country, had a baby there, raised our family there for a year, adapted and fit in. I believe that one of the reasons, if not the main reason, the Lord had us do this was the unbelievable growth that would occur through Him. On top of all this our marriage has grown so strong. What a beautifully orchestrated plan by our Maker to have us in a situation where we would have to cling so tightly to Him and to each other. He knew what He was doing. Secondly, the friendships. The Lord led us away from our family and friends in Florida and filled the gap with some of the most amazing people I have ever had the privilege of being able to call friends. We have developed irreplaceable friendships that will last for eternity. And lastly is experience. God has given me some ministry opportunity and experience that have developed who and where I am now and will continue to act as a mold for who the Lord will have me be. I’ve always been a big believer in on the job experience as greater than any classroom you may sit in. You may know what your textbook says about a three point turn but that knowledge is pretty useless if you don’t intend drive. I have been given a ton of opportunity for “on the job training” over the past year and I am so thankful for it. Thankful to God, to Rachel, Andy, Brett, Jon Ruby, and many others. If I had the chance to go back and talk to myself before I made the decision to move our family to Canada I would have said to do it exactly like we did.

So we left Canada at 4am on the morning of the 22nd. As soon as we got on the Queensway I noticed that my tail lights were out. Turns out the trailer blew a fuse. After driving for three hours with the hazards on so as not to lose time, we found an open wal-mart and fixed the fuse. We drove for 17 hours on the first day. I couldn’t sleep until we were south of the Mason Dixon Line. The second day we drove for nine hours from Roanoke VA to Atlanta. We stayed the night with our brother, Chris Robinson. We had an amazing dinner with Chris and our good friend Drew. The next day we left early and trucked it home. Crossing the Florida/Georgia border was such a sweet thing.

As we were finishing out the last leg of the trip my excitement started to mix with knowing that I was going to have a few days of tough, solid moving ahead of me as we get situated at our new place in Palm Harbor. My mom and Rachel’s mom called and wanted us to meet them there so they could show it to us, we hadn’t seen it yet. I was exhausted and the plan was to stay at my parents the first night and to move stuff over the next day. Our mom’s were excited, though, so we went to the house. As we pulled up I saw a bunch of cars out front. Turns out that a bunch of the dudes got together and moved our stuff for us and the girls cleaned the house for us! We are so blessed by our friends and family. I can’t explain how big a relief it was to have that stuff done.

Since we’ve been back we’ve been busy. We are settling into our house and a new routine. I am getting used to my schedule at the church and have found a part time job that will be starting soon to supplement my income a little bit. It’s really been crazy and awesome so far. I’ve only run a couple times as I’m trying to nurse my foot. I think it may be back though, we’ll test it with a good long run in the morning. A few weeks before I got here, Andrew Chung came to join us at the church as he leads worship. Andrew is super talented and I am pumped for the chance to serve with him. He lives right down the street from me and is Korean, meaning that he is a good cook. I’ve already walked to his house. And the answer to what everyone is wondering, yes, I’ve been to Taco Bus. I’ve been to Brady’s. I’ve already eaten conch fritters and alligator nuggets. I’ve had pulled pork, collard greens, biscuits and gravy, Ted Peter’s smoked fish spread, cole slaw, bacon wrapped/jalapeno stuffed tator tots, sweet tea, and a few burritos as big as my head. I’ve already caught a few fish and lost a few more. We’ve been to a Ray’s game. We are back in Florida.

A few ministry updates. I am starting a men’s discipleship group that begins tonight and Rachel has a woman’s group that is also starting tonight. Please be praying for those. I am still beginning to settle into my role here at CCPH. Although mine and Rachel’s location has changed, our hearts haven’t. We are both seeking the Lord and looking to Him for guidance. We just want to serve Him in whatever area and capacity He has planned for us. Over the past year my heart has really grown for men and women in addiction recovery. I, along with some men at church, are praying for God to equip us and give us the resources to pursue some longer term, more full time recovery ministry. Please be praying for that as well.

I think I covered a lot and I don’t want this to get too long. If anyone, Canadian or other, has any questions for Rachel and I please feel free to ask or tell me if I have left anything out.

We miss Canada and our family there. We are happy to be home and are so thankful for our family here. We are excited to see what the Lord has planned in this new season that we are in.

Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9

God bless!

Grace and peace,
Ryan

Matthew 9:37-38

Jeremiah 29:11

I just had lunch with Jon Ruby and the guys from the Jericho Road “D-house”. What a blessing. When we moved up here I had no idea the impact that those guys would have on my life. I sat with a couple guys today and was completely blown away by what the Lord is doing in and through them. I sat with a real good friend of mine, a brother, and told him how he’s been such an encouragement to me. This guy, who just a few months ago without hesitation would rob his own grandmother for crack, is sitting in front of me and showing me what God has been showing him in his quiet time. Understand this, my friend has been nothing but a statistic since he was 12. In and out of group homes as a kid because his parents gave up on him. In and out of jail. Living in crack houses. Abused young so he became a violent adult. An addict. A nobody. Loved by no one. Hated by everyone. He opens his Bible to Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” In tears he turns to me and says, “God has a plan for me and a future. I’ve never had a future. I’ve always been told by everyone that I’ll never have a future. Now I have God telling me that He has a plan for me, and it’s not a plan to harm me.” My friend has come from a place so dark, a place that very few have ever experienced, and has walked right into the light and has been blown away by the love of Jesus.

My heart breaks for the lost. It absolutely breaks. But I thank God that I have the opportunity to know these guys and to be a part of their stories. I have no doubt that God has plans for my friend. Great plans. How many more are out there like this guy? How many more are lost and hurting, searching for this freedom from what enslaves them. This freedom and joy that I have and that my friend has. Please take some time and pray for God to give you an opportunity to be a light to someone. As Andy likes to say, “We need to keep praying for God to bring us broken, messed up people.” Amen. The fields are white and the clock is ticking.

Grace and peace,
Ryan

Matthew 9:37-38

Jericho Road, Johnny

I wanted to take a moment and ask that you continue to pray for Jericho Road and the ministry that is going on there. As you may or may not know, I have been teaching a Bible study there for the last 10 months or so. This past week was my last time teaching there and I am really going to miss those guys. There is an awesome crew of guys there right now. We spent the last 10 months in the book of Mark and wrapped it up in the last couple weeks with the betrayal, death, and resurrection of our King Jesus. I wanted to share a sweet story and an awesome way to close out my time there:

I have been bringing Johnny with me to the Bible study off and on. He loves it and they guys like him. I brought him a few weeks ago as we studied in detail the death of Christ and the sacrifice that was made. Perhaps a lot more detail than he has heard in Sunday school and coloring books. I could tell that he was affected by the fact that he was beginning to understand what, exactly, Jesus took on our behalf. The beatings and the mockery alone is enough to make you cringe, not to mention the actual act of crucifixion. I decided beforehand, knowing what Johnny was going to hear, that I would bring him back to hear the next part of the story. The Resurrection. Equally heavy. Rachel told me before I left for Bible study that she felt led to pray for someone to be saved that night and you could feel the Holy Spirit in that tiny classroom at the Jack Purcell Community Centre. After Bible study was over Johnny and I had to take a carload of the guys home. When we dropped them off, Johnny started asking some deep questions about jail and punishment. Questions you know he had been thinking about for a while. He asked me first, “How long do you go to jail if you steal something?”, then “How long if you kill someone?”. I told him about different laws and the accompanying punishment and how they vary in different countries. I told him how there is a punishment, or consequence, for everything that you do wrong. Whether it’s life in prison for murder or a couple hundred dollar speeding ticket, there is going to be a consequence. Johnny fully understood this.

The door was opened to tell him, as I have before, about God’s law and the punishment that comes along with that. I said that the Bible says that if you break one you break them all and I asked Johnny if he had ever sinned. Reluctantly he said that he had. I told him that God’s standard is perfection and when we sin we fall short. If you can’t meet God’s standard of perfection you can not spend eternity with Him. I then went on to tell him that I’ve sinned, Mommy has sinned, everyone he knows has sinned. By this point his eyes began to well up. He really understood this. I asked, “what does this mean, then?” Very shallowly, he answered, “Nobody goes to heaven.” I told him that he was right. Praise God, though, that He didn’t chalk up humanity to a loss and walk away. I told Johnny that we all deserve punishment and there is nothing that we can do ourselves to get out of this. But then I asked, “What if I told you that someone else, someone Who loves you so much has already taken the punishment for you and that you don’t have to suffer now?” Johnny began to smile and asked, “Jesus?” Proudly, I said, “Yes! Jesus loves you so much that He died on the cross and took the punishment that was meant for you and me. All you have to do is put your faith and trust in Jesus and surrender to Him.” That may have been a little deep, Johnny said, “I want to do that, how do I do that?” Fighting back tears, in the car on the way home from Bible study, I said, “Well, let’s pray together.” Johnny asked me to help him so I started and told Johnny to say what I was saying from his heart.

It’s amazing to see the Holy Spirit work in the heart of a five year old. I know that God has big plans for Johnny. He has such a big heart and loves people. I am thankful that I can already experience the joy that is talked about in 3 John 1:4: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

Please take a minute and pray for Johnny as you think about him during your day.

Grace and peace,
Ryan

Matthew 9:37-38

Monday’s the New Sunday

I think Ryan has mentioned lately that we spend Mondays together as family day. It is the only day off that he has a week. So we have decided that each Monday we are going to go to some really cool place in the Ottawa region, explore and have some great family memories up here in Canada. It’s been awesome so far. We have been to Gatineau Park, Museum of Civilization, Mer Bleue Bog and this week we travelled over to Quebec to go to Parc Omega.

The drive was great. We took a ferry across the Ottawa River a little bit east of where we are at here in Orleans and landed just on the other side in French Quebec. We drove about 45 minutes through rural farms and little pockets of cities until we got to Montebello, where this amazing park was just north of.

Parc Omega – it’s a drive thru wildlife experience and it is massive. You drive your car through the park, and Red Deer, Fallow Deer (my favorites), Wapiti aka Elk, hogs and boars would come up to your car, stick their slobbery, wet and buggy mugs in your window and demand a carrot or two.

It was awesome. The kids fed them. Ruth would yell from the car, as if these animals could hear her, and say “Hey Hog!! I’m going to feed you a carrot.” Johnny shied away from it a little bit but did feed some. And poor Ryan, I heard him say, “I feel like a kid in a candy store and I can’t have anything. I can’t believe I am feeding these things instead of shooting them.” (I think that was mostly directed to the huge boars)

There were amazing animals that we saw beyond those who walk up to your car to be fed – Bison, Arctic Wolves, Black Bears. Obviously, you were not allowed to feed those.

We had this one amazing experience that made the drive and the money we spent to get in totally worth it. We went down by this lake where we could feed some fish in a pond. And then all of a sudden a huge pack of beautiful Fallow Deer gather around some food the park ranger just dropped for them, and surrounded us. It was surreal. No one else was there but us. They ate all around us. Ruth was in heaven. They let her feed them, touch them, hug them a bit. If she could, she would have gotten on one of their backs and ridden off into the mountains.

I was able to get some good pictures out there. I’ve put a few in here but check out our Flickr page for more.

friendproject

I had an idea the other day that I would start another blog where I would write about a different friend of mine every day. I’d write about where we met, three things I like about them, my favorite memory of them, and a picture of me and them. Well, I started it today. The blog is friendproject.wordpress.com so check it out and subscribe to it. Of course the first post is about my wife but the rest will be as random as possible, showing no favorites. My thought behind this is to just encourage and edify each other. Sort of considering one another in order to stir up love and good works. I’d also like to encourage you, if a friend of mine is a friend of yours, to leave some of your own thoughts and memories in the comments section. Help me out and let’s encourage each other.

First Post: Rachel Saul

Grace and Peace,
Ryan
Matthew 9:37-38

Oh, Hey

Sorry for the absence in writing this blog. We have been busy and time has slipped by. Lo Ciento.

So what have we been busy with?

-Baby, obviously.

-We have had a series of amazing visits over the last few months. In April we had were lucky enough to have Barbara here for a solid 10 days, I believe. She made us some awesome dinners and helped with the kids. It was awesome having her here. I am so thankful to have her as a mother in law. I got lucky, I don’t think I could have gotten anyone better. In May we had Brett and Kara and Zac here. What a treat that was. Late nights just talking. We got the chance to hear Brett teach, in person, not online. I got to proudly sit next to Zac as he shared his testimony and taught from Mark at the Sunday night Jericho Road Bible study. I was amazed at how Kara ingests Sriracha like it’s water. In June my mom was here for 10 days as well. What a blessing. She shared her room with the kids the whole time. It was a great relief for us. She made some more awesome motherly dinners and left our freezer full of lasagna and french onion soup. Each visitor was especially hard to say goodbye to but with each visit came a renewed affirmation of God’s plan for our lives.

-Monday is my day off so we have decided that each Monday until we leave we are going to do a family outing of some sort. Two weeks ago we had a picnic and spent the afternoon at the Mer Bleue Bog. It had a beautiful boardwalk through swamps and woods. Johnny was quick to say that there would be gators EVERYWHERE if this was in Florida. Instead there were beaver trails and funny plants. This past Monday we spent the afternoon at the Museum of Civilization. Impressive for sure. We still don’t know what we’re doing this coming Monday so if you have a suggestion, bring it on.

-We have begun packing early for several reasons. 1)Again we have to make the decision of what we are and aren’t taking. 2)We don’t want to put it off and freak out about it as the day is quickly approaching. 3)Our landlord is beginning to show the place so instead of putting things in the corner we decided this would be a good chance to just box them up.

-I have been running lately. You may be familiar with the #HASSELHOFF phase I went through. Well, that turned out to be a one hit wonder just like the program’s namesake. Now my program is the 1 Kings 18:46 program. I’ve always hated running and never been very good at it. I prayed a while back that God would give me the desire and discipline to run and He has. Over the past couple months I’ve been running 20+ miles a week. I usually do a 5k early in the week, then a couple 4-5 milers during the week, and then a long run on Saturday. The longest run I’ve done so far is 13 miles. I’ve become obsessed with distance and for some stupid reason I really want to try to run 50 miles in one day. Anyway…

-I took Johnny to see a longtime hero of mine play in Ottawa. Chuck Ragan of Hot Water Music. I’ve known Chuck on an informal level for a while now and had the opportunity to interview him once for REAX magazine. An interview that turned into talking about fishing instead of the tour I was supposed to be asking him about and got cut majorly short in the final print. I got a hold of Chuck before his Ottawa show, a show that was supposed to be 19+, and asked if he could do anything to get Johnny in. Not only did he get Johnny in but made it one of the most memorable nights that Johnny, and I, will have for a long time. Chuck gave Johnny a harmonica, a shirt, and a record signed by him and the band. He also had Johnny help him with his soundcheck. It was an unreal experience. You can see some photos if you click here.

-The kids are in VBS this week and loving it.

-Lastly, and most significant, to me anyway. Rachel. Rachel is amazing me everyday in many ways. Her wisdom, her patience, her love. Daily she goes above and beyond, both as a mother and a wife. Proverbs 18:22 says “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.” I can attest to that. It’s true. You want a biblical picture of who Rachel is? Read Proverbs 31:10-31. I knew that I loved her when I married her but I had no idea the deal that I was getting. I have been incredibly blessed by her. Proverbs 27:17 talks about how iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. I usually think of men in my life when I read this, guys like Zac, James, Brett, Andy, my dad and so on. However, I realize that daily Rachel and I are sharpening each other and it’s amazing. God knew what He was doing with marriage. It’s a sort of self sustaining fire and as long as both are earnestly seeking Him, He will provide more than enough fuel for that thing to keep going. Praise Him!

Anyways, as you can see, we’ve been busy. I promise I will get better at being more consistent with the blog. Until then, be excellent to each other.

Grace and Peace,
Ryan
Matthew 9:37-38

Guest Post: Kari Saul

Well, Ryan asked me to write this entry on my first day in Canada.    I certainly have more to talk about having waited!  We had a great time.  There were bird houses to build.  Shirts to tie dye.  Tissue Flowers to make and Sand Art to create.  Stories to tell, movies to watch, dinners to make and walks to take.  It was a very very busy time.  I love this family so much.
 
Johnny & Ruth slept with me every night.  We made a huge fort floor in the basement and snuggled every morning.  The sun is up very early in Canada – even before 5:00AM!  How do you tell children it’s not time to get up when the sun is shining as if it was noon???   I found a trick after the first morning.  If I block the small window with a pillow – it stays VERY dark down there.  So after our first morning – we began a more civil 8-8:30 morning start for the remainder of our time.  This is late for each of us but has been good since our nights have been a bit late too!
 
As I sit here back in Florida, I’m thinking about how over the last year or so, one of the things I’ve been praying and asking God to develop in me has been a worshipful heart.  Understanding we “get” just a small glimpse of HIS worthiness, realizing we could not stand much more, I’ve been asking that He would open my eyes to things around me that has HIS Hand all over it….  That I might see HIM at work around me and recognize His handiwork…  for the purpose of praising HIM, I’ve asked Him to open my eyes like He did when Elisha asked Him to open the eyes of the servant. Oh how faithful our GOD is!   Let’s just say, I’ve seen His Hand much in the last couple weeks!!!
 
While in Canada, I got to see Carl Ruby, my sweet friend, Jon’s dad.  I prayed much for him this past winter and he was not only up and about, but out serving at Jericho Road!!  PRAISE GOD!  I listened that night as my son taught and was challenged to ask – what does my service cost me?  PRAISE GOD!  I attended Calvary Fellowship Ottawa Saturday night, ALWAYS a blessing to see what God is doing there!  Hebrews 10….  PRAISE GOD!!! They had some sweet girls visiting, leading worship.  A long story made very short – they shared a song they had written about a girl they met in prison, a Muslim, seeking – the song goes on to declare her coming to a saving knowledge of JESUS!  Deeana.  I know her!  I’d prayed with her and for her when I was there in October at the women’s conference!  PRAISE GOD!  I got to see Andy & Gen and their beautiful family, albeit way TOO short.  Praise GOD! I spent an evening with the Gilmans, saw Kathy Chu, Chelsea, Liz and finally met Linda Owens.  We had a night with the Ruby’s, met some more CFO folks and it was all like seeing family – PRAISE GOD!  I’m so grateful to the family there in Ottawa and their love poured out on my kids this past 10 months – PRAISE GOD!
 
I’ve spent the last 10 days with the most precious children.  They are full of joy and kindness, smiles and laughter.  They shared with me, with great articulation, their recent memory verses.  PRAISE GOD!  There is nothing like hearing Truth, ring from the lips of children, especially your grandchildren!  Johnny is no longer a little boy.  He is such a helper and takes his chores quite seriously.  He is gentle and such a good brother, giving guidance and encouragement. PRAISE GOD!   Ruthie has expressions that are priceless.  She raises her eyebrows so high and her smile and eyes light the room, and she is the most beautiful ballerina – PRAISE GOD!  Levi is absolutely beautiful.  Content and happy.  He snuggles and coos and smiles all the time.  He is perfect – PRAISE GOD!!!!  We had a wonderful time together – OH PRAISE GOD!
 
My time was full of praising!!!  My God is so good and faithful! 
 
I spent lots of time with my beautiful daughter, Rachel.  I highly recommend to all moms of small kids – begin immediately praying for their spouses!  When God answers that prayer – you will have the sweetest gift.  I could not love this girl any more if I had given birth to her myself.  I am so proud of her.  She exemplifies the fruit of the Spirit of GOD and it couldn’t reflect more brilliantly then in these three little children.  I enjoyed our morning time with the Lord – together most mornings – PRAISE GOD!  Thank you Rachel for everything!!!! 
 
Ryan got up very early this morning to take me to the airport.  Tears slipping from my eyes, I listened to him as he shared his desire to be obedient and faithful to our God.  He loves his family and God has indeed raised him up to be the leader – the spiritual leader of his home and he has so much fun doing so!  PRAISE GOD!!!
 
I am back in Clearwater tonight, picked up at the airport by my hubby.  Randy and I celebrate this weekend.  We celebrate more than we could have ever imagined.  Monday will be 30 years of marriage for us.  And with all that is inside me – I PRAISE GOD!!!!!  I love this man so very much and am grateful beyond words to be married to a man who seeks after GOD.  In addition to Ryan’s family, we have another son who has been called by GOD!  Cory will marry Elizabeth in 8 short months.  Another “little girl” I have prayed for since she was born! PRAISE GOD!  Then there’s our princess, Kasi, home this summer from Bible College and shining brightly in our lives.  PRAISE GOD!  Together we have seen God’s hand of faithfulness, His hand of grace and mercy, His hand of LOVE.  Praise GOD!!!!
 
I am blessed.  I am grateful for my chance to visit Ottawa, to see old and new friends, to see my kids and to meet my new grandson.  I am looking through pictures and I am smiling much!  And I absolutely sit here tonight – PRAISING GOD!!!!
 
Psa 9:1&2 I will praise YOU, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.  I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.