The Close of an Awesome Chapter . . .

We were blessed to be able to be with Victoria this weekend in Vancouver,

as she took her goats to their last Boer goat show.

It was such a bitter-sweet time!

Breeding, showing, selling, managing, and enjoying her goats has been such a huge part of her life these past ten years or so. 

It has been such a positive season of learning and growing in so many ways. 

But for now, the Lord is asking her to close this chapter of her life, and is leading her in a new direction.  It is an emotional rollercoaster that is nerve-racking and exciting all at the same time! 

Please pray with us for her as she takes this big step of faith!    

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She brought 2 does, and 4 bucks.

And also her faithful sister, Caroline!

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The show was the normal two-day show with a different judge each day.

There were over 150 goats at the show.

Her goats placed well!

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I think one of the hardest parts at the show was saying good-bye to the folks she has gotten to know well over the years.  There have been so many that have supported and encouraged her through the years.  It was also hard to answer their questions about why she is getting out, and what she will do next.  She knows why, but it is surely hard to explain it to people that probably don't really understand.  And then, she doesn't really have a good answer yet for what she will be doing.  That was also hard for her, but there is great comfort in knowing that God has a good and perfect plan that He is working out in her life. 

 

Lydia just sent an email as I was writing this that I think explains what is on our hearts so well.

I hope she doesn't mind me quoting her here for safe-keeping,

but I think this will really encourage Victoria!

Thanks, Lydia!

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"Oh sweet Victoria!  It makes me incredibly proud to see her keeping her heart and mind focused on the Lord's direction, even when that means giving up everything she has worked so long and hard for!  I can't imagine how very difficult it must have been to leave the show ring for the last time, at least in the foreseeable future.  I can only imagine that she must be making an impact on all of the friends she made in that business, though.  It's so easy to do what most people seem to end up doing...making their job or hobby their entire life, with their security and self-worth tied up inside.  It must confound people when they see her give up years of work and her identity as a top-of-the-line breeder.  But that's not her true identity as a follower of Christ.  (At least, we know that, and I hope others will too!)  It reminds me about what fantastic security we have in knowing that we never lose our "identity," as servants of the Lord and ambassadors for Christ, no matter what projects, jobs, or hobbies we take on or leave behind!  I hope she will find peace and renewed purpose as she seeks to follow wherever He leads in this new chapter of life!"