Two Weeks Left...

in Sussex. It's kinda sad, because I've lived in this little town for approximately the last 5 years of my life, moving occassionaly back home with my parents, or with Jason's parents, or travelling to various provinces and states. But, this has been home-base for 5 years now! I do have to admit that it will be nice to move to a place that has more to do than rent movies, eat fast food, or get a coffee/donut. Oh, Grand Haven....soon....soon we'll be there!

Anyway, while Jason's off to do passport stuff and visit a bit with a friend in Maine, I'm enjoying the day by myself, for a bit, and then later I'm having some girls over! I need to clean up and get ready!! I'm excited!

Tired

So, we're just tired. Sleep is something that we are getting, however we just don't seem to be getting enough.

Today we went to celebrate a 51st anniversary of a couple at the church we're attending. It was so sweet because they renewed their vows in a short ceremony! Their whole family was there: 9 of 10 children (the 10th no longer alive), 20-some grand children, 4/5 great-grand children, and 1 great-great-grand child! They had a few friends there too, which we fall into. The husband was so proud...a french-man in his glory.

I think tonight will be a relax night...just bumming around, maybe inviting a couple of friends over to play a game or something. Not sure, but we need a relaxing night.

The Last Day of Classes!

Today is the last day of classes for the semester!!! Yay! I'm so excited, not only for the Roach, but for the rest of the students. It's been a tough year for many, and I'm glad for the relief that the summer brings. The Roach has exams in the coming 6 days: 3 Thursday, 2 Friday, and 1 Monday. The two hardest are Thursday, but he'll still need to study well for the rest of them. Anyway, pray with me that the Roach will do well, and that God will help him to recall what he's studied when the exams come.

After that is graduation stuff! Family will come, friends will leave, and parties will happen! It just seems like a bittersweet time.

Then, the first week of May is the James Seminar! It'll hopefully be a good class, because it's just a good book.

Then comes all of the packing and moving....blah, blah, blah......
The beginning of June will be beautiful for 2 reasons:

1. we won't have to move anymore, and
2. WE'LL BE LIVING IN GRAND HAVEN, MI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (enough said about that)

Anyway, as I've continued digesting Buck Naked Faith, Sandras asked a crucial question: "Are you so consumed with trying to do something for God that you aren't allowing room just to be God's?" (p 99) This was/is me! For some reason I think I need to do something for God, because then he'll love me more/better. I still find it hard to believe that he could love me just as I am, as a weak, selfish, fear-controlled person. And the best part is this: Jesus loves us ALL like that!!! Letting that sink has been challenging....and freeing. This freedom, through Christ's love, has freed me (ever so slowly) to love people too...and not just the people that I loved before. And, when I have an opportunity to tell someone about this new discovery, I feel kinda silly inside...as I think of all of the little details I worry about, and how they dictate my actions (or lack thereof), and how nothing seems to matter except that Jesus loves me.

That reminds me of a song I used to sing to myself, during the first semester of my second year, just about everyday. It's an old hymn, and most people think it's just for the kiddies. However, the deep truth that Jesus loves me, blows my mind!!! I'm amazed........sing it if you know the tune:

Jesus loves me, this I know
for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
they are weak, but He is strong!

Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me! This I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, “Let them come to Me.”

Jesus loves me still today,
Walking with me on my way,
Wanting as a friend to give
Light and love to all who live.

Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.

Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.

Our Time in Sussex Comes to A Close

So, I'm just killing time as the Roach is visiting with a friend, and I'm not wanted. I certainly don't mind though because, well, sometimes Jason's friends are his friends. I'm glad that we have different friends. It's kinda of nice. Maybe it just perpetuates the independant natures in us, but it's something that we've learned is quite valuable, because (well, frankly) we don't do well when we spend ALL DAY together. I love the Roach. I am a blessed woman.

As I've said, our time in Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada is coming to a close! I'm excited mostly because I'm looking forward to that final move! I look forward to finally unpacking our things for a while. We REALLY don't like moving, and with all of the moves we've either lost things, given them away because we didn't want to pack them, or had to leave things behind because there just wasn't room! I look forward to shopping for furniture that will be ours....not always having to ask around for extra chairs, etc. that people might be able to live without for a few months at a time. It'll be great! The only challenge is knowing where we'll live when we arrive in Grand Haven. But that's a worry for another day....and when that day comes God will have everything in order and we won't need to worry at all. I'm glad that our God loves each of us so uniquely.

On a side note: my most recent encounter with God was him showing me that I'm not what I tried so hard to be...the perfect Christian...and that I suck....but he loves that about me. He loves that I'm not what I tried to be, because that means that I can't do it on my own. He loves that I can't do it on my own, because that means that I need him to do it for me! He loves that I need him to do it for me, because that means that I'll know more of who he is.

WOW!!!

Coffee Anyone?

Coffee anyone?

Would anyone like a cup of coffee? Maybe we can meet at Jumpin' Java...

Please Go To the Following new Blog

www.thederochenewshub.blogspot.com

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