A Love Everlasting

Don't marry the person you think you can live with;
marry only the individual you think you can't live without.
~James C. Dobson~

A year ago today I traded in a life of independence, for a life of surrender & great reward. For all of those who know me, you may know me as a small feminist, one who has always struggled with certain terminology in the Bible relating to women & their roles in the home. I grew up a tomboy, living in a "man's world", playing rough sports & NEVER wearing pink. I went on to learn a profession that is male-dominated and work in field that is rough and dirty. I'm strong-willed (the nice way of saying stubborn) and independent, so when God put Andrew into my life I had to make a change. I knew in the back of my mind and in my heart that our marriage would never last if I did not fulfill the role in our relationship that God had called me to...the role of a wife.

In Ephesians 5:22 the Bible says, "Wives, submit to your husbands...husbands love your wives." This verse used to really get on my nerves...no seriously it irritated me, it got my heart pumping and got my mouth ready to debate. My desire to be in control of all situations and have the final say did not match up with this verse at all...and it did not fair well in our relationship either. During our engagement we argued a lot...more than I had ever even argued with my sister :| It felt hopeless and at the end of each struggle I did not feel that I had accomplished anything, only frustrated myself & him.

In the summer before we got married we lived a couple hours apart & during those four months I met an amazing woman of faith who truly opened my eyes. Her name was Chelsea and she too was engaged. Over dinner one night, we were discussing that verse and I voiced my frustration. She looked at me and told me this: she was blessed to have found a man that she trusted and loved enough to submit to...the chance to surrender herself to him was a gift! She made it sound beautiful. If I loved Andrew & truly trusted my life to him, why would I not want to submit & surrender. In a healthy marriage submission is a sign of respect, of reverence, of love (and it reaps some pretty awesome rewards too ;) )!

So here's to my husband...my best friend, my stronghold and my good night kiss!

Some people come into our lives,
leave footprints on our hearts,
and we are never the same.

~Unknown~

Andrew & I have been blessed with a phenomenal support system of family, friends & a very welcoming church community. While we adjust to our new life in BC, we have been very thankful to our loved ones who have been there with us every step of the way, supporting us with their prayers & encouragement. In response we would like to say to you: THANK YOU! Thank you for being patient with us as we settle. Thank you for putting on a happy face, even though you may be missing us. Thank you for understanding that while we adjust, it may take us some time before we call you :| We may seem a little wrapped up in our own lives right now, but we still really want to hear how YOU are doing & what is new in your life :)

The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine.
~Mike Murdock~

This week has been the first "normal" week in over a month. Andrew is in school full-time, with 6 courses and more than enough homework. I started my job with Scott Construction this week & for the first time I'm commuting....eiii :| We make our lunches in the morning & we finally get to eat dinner together every night for the first time since we've been married. Gracepoint Church has been a fantastic connection point for us, meeting new friends & providing us endless ways to get involved. God has put an amazing couple into our lives that is expecting their first child in 2 months and we're very excited to start spending more time with them. And this weekend is going to be a fun experience...Andrew's school goes on a retreat with all first years and they've invited me to come as well so we're getting pretty stoked about that.

With all the change that has taken place in the last month, this taste of normalcy has really been what I've been craving. I know that routine can be a dangerous comfort that keeps us from growing, but every so often I believe it is required, to get your feet planted and prepare for the next challenge. I've never been one for change; I would be happy to find what works well for me and stick with it. But, God had much more in store for me, and He brought Andrew into my life...a man that is as interested in routine as a teenager is in his parent's personal life. Our opposite styles have both been beneficial in this move & every time I'm down, I count on Andrew's optimism to make me smile. I am one blessed woman :)

Our Branches

Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.
~Pauline R. Kezer

Continuity is the family & friends that have brought us to where we are now. It is the lessons we've learned in order to build our foundation. It is the time we've taken to pray & dream about the future that God has in store for us.

Change is the new people that have been placed in our path to teach us & inspire us. It is the experiences that open our eyes to bigger & better opportunities. It is the moments that encourage us to become more than we ever thought possible.

Everyday, Andrew & I feel blessed by the change in our lives. We have the chance to meet lots of new people, to explore new parts of BC and to really learn to rely on God. We may have moved out here on a dream, but we have been assured everyday of His plans for us. I got news Thursday that Scott Construction would like to HIRE me...amazing! I have until Wednesday to answer them, which is perfect because I had an interview with Bouygues on Friday and then another next week with Stuart Olson.

On Thursday we shopped until we literally dropped. After 7 hours of bargain shopping & $1,500.00, we have purchased almost all the furniture for our new apartment (17 pieces to be exact)...Andrew can now officially say that he shopped for an ENTIRE day, lol!

Saturday, with the help of Uncle Chris & his friend Janet, we were able to move into our new humble abode. Our furniture doesn't arrive until Tuesday so we're currently living on a single mattress & a TV table...what else could you possibly need as a newly married couple ;)

As for today, we had one pretty awesome day. This morning we decided to visit Gracepoint Community Church for the first time. About 1 month ago I had emailed all the churches in the Lanley/Surrey area who had a GEMS program, seeing if they needed a counselor. The counselor at Gracepoint was the first to contact me & I instantly felt like this was a community that would suit both Andrew & I...and I was right! As we were leaving the sanctuary this morning we were instantly greeted by an energetic woman who had noticed us when we had walked in. In the blink of an eye, we had been introduced to the senior pastor, the new young adults pastor & the children's ministry pastor...all of whom were excited to hear that Andrew & I were looking to get involved. What a blessing...what an amazing community....what an awesome family of Christ that you can feel so welcomed, so needed, so encouraged!

We ended our weekend by taking a road trip to Whistler & checking out the village...it was so awesome!

Education is...

Andrew's quote for the day: Education is not filling a pail, but the lighting of a fire.

~William Butler Yeats

Today was a new chapter in Andrew's life...back to school to follow his dreams. I dropped him off early this morning to register, meet his classmates & choose his courses. The class is made up of a diverse group of 15 students of various ages from across Canada, all fired up to become Youth Ministry workers. He will have 7 courses which include English, Youth Ministry Management, Spiritual Formation, & his elective - Guitar for Beginners. He met some pretty interesting people today, but I'll leave that up to him to tell you.


Melissa's quote for the day: Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school. ~Albert Einstein

My interview with Scott Construction went very well today. They asked me typical HR questions like "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" and "How do you deal with stress and difficult people?", but they were also more specific this time & wanted to know what type of training courses I would like to do, how I would feel working in a smaller team on site & when I would be willing to start. They seemed to respond well to my answers and they said they would get back to me very soon, which is great!

Funny story though, just like my interview with Aecon, they seemed to think I was a girly girl who wouldn't want to get her boots dirty...lol...they asked how I would feel working in a small site trailer that was dirty & had dust flying around...I laughed & said "Don't let this outfit fool you, I have no problem getting dirty, just ask my husband." Yes I know, bad response...but I believe what I said to Aecon 2 years ago was "I have no problem strapping on my boots and getting dirty" and they still hired me, haha!

Andrew and I also got to pick up the keys to our new apartment today...so stoked! Its so beautiful, we will post pics soon! Love & Miss you all!