Our Little Gift

God's gifts put mans' best dreams to shame.

~Elizabeth Barrett Browning~

As a young girl I dreamed of meeting the perfect man, getting married and having LOTS babies, all by the age of 25. But as I went through highschool and into university, my dreams began to alter. I still wanted all the same things, but not quite so soon. I now dreamed of starting my career, of getting my P.Eng. and maybe travelling before I settled down. But God knew better; He knew that the dreams of a little girl were His actual plans for my life. So, at the age of 21 I met my perfect man; at the age of 23 I married my best friend; and now, at the age of 25 I will be a mom :)

Yep, that's right, I'm pregnant with a wee little MacGregor! Andrew and I are so excited! God has given us a gift that we hadn't even started planning for...and that's actually the most beautiful part. We went for our first ultrasound last Monday and got to hear the little munchkin's heartbeat. He/she is now 10 cm long and is due on July 18.

Ideally we would like to move back to Ontario in the fall, after the baby is born, but we know that we need to be open to God's plan. We both want our families to be a big part of our child's life and I just can't imagine having a baby without my mom. But at the same time, we know God brought us out here for a reason and we can't just pick up and leave because we want to, or because other people want us to. Although this is excruciating for me to admit, any decision made to move or stay will have nothing to do with what I want. If we're heading home to Ontario, it will be because we know that we have accomplished everything here in BC that God set out for us to do/learn/see/hear. So please, pray for us, pray for direction, pray for clarity.

Life is God's novel. Let Him write it.

~Isaac Bashevis Singer~

Over the last couple years I have been truly learning what this means. I am a planner and as such I like to think that I can plan my whole life...from the career I will have, to the cities I will live in, and to the age that I will have babies. And in every instance, God taps me on the shoulder and says, "Melissa, trust in me. I know your heart. I know what you can handle. I have a plan for you." And so, I've had to put my desire to be in control aside and let Him step in and show me where to go...even when that means move to BC or be prepared for a child. I'm learning to surrender all of me, knowing that God's plan is much much bigger and much better.

Everything is Amazing, Nobody is Happy

Ok before you continue to read, check out this clip on Youtube:

Everything is Amazing, Nobody is Happy


In a world full of smart phones, HD TV's & 2-car families, we so easily lose sight of the miracles around us. Just like Louis C.K. says in the clip we get frustrated when our electronics don't work as fast as promised or when our travel times are extended past what we consider reasonable. When did we stop appreciating the simple things in life like good health, a roof over our heads & food in our bellies. Why do we swear at the slow guy in front us for making us arrive five minutes later to work? Why do we get annoyed at the trainee cashier at the grocery store that makes us wait in line for two extra minutes?

When you were asked today what you were thankful for, did you say my 42" TV...my new stylish shirt...my fast internet connection? I bet you didn't, because guess what, those things aren't that important. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy all those things, but if I didn't have them would my life be so miserable? No, but if I wasn't healthy, if I was left out in torrential rain or if I was so hungry that I had to dig through garbage, I may feel a whole lot less thankful.
Moving out West and being away from our families & friends for Thanksgiving has been hard & sad, but it has made us realize how much we have to be thankful for. Here are a couple things that come to mind:

1. We have families that love & support us
2. We have a little nephew that is growing into a healthy little boy
3. We have awesome friends who keep in contact with us & are planning visits to see us
   
4. Andrew has the chance to go to school & learn all he needs to start his dream career
5. I have a job that can support us both
6. We have a smart little kitty that just adores us
7. We have great landlords
8. We are both healthy
9. We have a church community that has welcomed us with open arms
10. We have a car that works wonderfully
    

Fun in the SUN!

"The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining."

~John F. Kennedy~

Now would be the time to repair your roof in Vancouver;
we have had sunny, cloudless skies all this week! Andrew & I have made extra effort to soak in as much Vitamin D as possible by hiking & biking & driving with the windows down...we're preparing for the despairing months of October, November & December...dreary fall/winter months filled with endless days of rain and no sun in sight. I've been continually warned since we arrived that I may start feeling depressed in the winter months and that I should look into getting Vitamin D pills. At this point, with the weather we're having now, I'm just not convinced...

I'm not particularly sure what originally struck me about that quote,
other than the word sunshine, haha. But as I sit here in my furnished new apartment, awaiting for the man of dreams to come home in our well-running car and as I look forward to church tomorrow where I will get to connect with some wonderful new friends, I think I get what Kennedy is getting at. When the settings look optimistic, take advantage of the good you can do with it. Now that Andrew & I have transitioned into our new routines & have started to settle in here, its time to really focus on the areas of our lives that need work: our relationship with God, our finances, & our health. None of these topics are easy to discuss or work on when you feel you have fallen short of your own and your partner's expectations. In fact these may be the reason that many marriages today fail. But there is no better time to address these hard topics than now, when we have the time, the patience & the willingness to grow. That sure was some sound advice Mr.JFK!

I just want to leave you with a verse that has comforted me and inspired me in both the good & the bad times:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

~Philipians 4:6

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!