Hallelujah

We went to St. John after classes today to equip my wardrobe with dress shoes now that I can't get by with wearing flip flops and sandals to church. It's gettin' a little too cold for that. Like every other time we go to St. John, we ended up buying more than we anticipated, although we did bargain shop and only got stuff we "needed". So where's the hallelujah in that? Well, that comes with dinner. WE FOUND TACO BELL! This is the best thing that's happened to us since we've been in Canada. Ok, so that's an exageration, but it's o so very exciting. Jeff got a crunchwrap supreme meal (it came with french fries and a small drink, but more on that later), a spicy chicken soft taco, and a burrito supreme. I got two spicy chicken soft tacos and a chili cheese burrito. Oh, how I missed the sweet sweet taste of the spicy chicken soft taco. Back to fries and a small drink? What's up with that? Taco Bell isn't suppose to have fries. And who gets a small drink at TB? I mean, come on, I can easily gulp down two large drinks with my meal. Besides, the weird meal, another difference at a Canadian TB (at least this one) is there was no Mt. Dew and I always have MD with my TB, but Diet Pepsi had to do tonight. Also, there was only hot and mild sauce, no fire. What's up with that? And do you want to know the worst of it all? Brace yourself for this one...there were no comments on the sauce packets. There was no humor to go along with my meal! Ok, so none of these things are really all that important. I'm just stoked we found Taco Bell. Life in Canada is complete. much love becky

Stain Glass Masquerade and Vulnerability

I love it when God speaks to me. One way God can always seem to get through to me is music. Although it's not a talent, it is a passion. I'm not saying this is how God always speaks to me because prayer and reading the Bible is huge. But, those times when I'm in a rut, not seeming to get anwhere, being lazy with my walk (times like now)--God always seems to speak to me through music. It's like He knows when I'm slackin' off in everything else, I'll still be listening to my music. And, He's right. Anywho, today was one of those moments. I was looking through songs to put on MySpace and I came across this Casting Crowns song. I always seem to get a lot out of their lyrics. They're so upfront, dealing with issues that many in the church are afraid to deal with. It's just passionate music with real lyrics. The lyrics below are the ones God used to really speak to me today. The lyrics don't do this song justice, so if you haven't heard it, you should listen to it. You can check it out on my MySpace. Anywho, here they are.

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small
Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they’ll soon discover
That I don’t belong
So I tuck it all away, like everything’s okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I’ll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the heart again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them
Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone who’s been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who’s traded
In the altar for a stage
The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart
But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be
Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

Now, some of you may wonder how exactly God spoke to me through that. Well, I've always been real bad at making myself vulnerable. At showing the real side of me that has questions, fears, and pain. And, being on a Bible College campus, this might seem like it should be easier, but it's not. A lot of people, inclusing myself have this false perception that just becasue it's a college full of students pursuing ministry, that everyone has it all together. But when we all sit back and really think about it, that statement couldn't be anymore wrong. Anywho, being at a Bible College doesn't help me. I'm sure it will happen over time, but it's just always taken me a long time to open up to people and I don't have a whole lot of opportunities to do so here because I live off campus. Back to the song. This song hit it right on the nail for me. It's an issue that God really pointed out to me last year at camp, and that I thought a lot about then, but not recently. It's something I've done nothing about. It's something I still struggle with. I still don't know how exactly it's all going to get "fixed", but God's made me aware of it again. And I've been remembered that I need to be doing my part. My story, my struggles, my hurts, my fears could be exactly what someone else needs to hear to help them out--to let them know they're not alone. Not to mention, after so long even what seem to be the silliest of issues can build up and become too much for a person. God gave us other people. We, I need to use this valuble resource. I realize I'm sort of rambling on, but this is just something God's really been pressing on my heart so I thought I'd share. Please pray that I will learn to open up and become more vulnerable. much love becky

GAS UNDER A BUCK YEAH!!

Thats right gas is 98.9 cents


a liter(litre in canadian). That means that it is probably like three dollars and a quarter a gallon (thats in U.S. funds of course). Well it seems better anyway. It only costs like 45 bucks to fill up our little car now. We used to whine we it cost like 28 or 30 bucks back home. Well one thing i WILL have because of my experience here is an appreciation for where i came from.

Oh and Chris Stevens i left a post to say lunch would work fine on that friday. We don't have your email now so let me know. Mine is soonerjp@hotmail.com. Just had to get that in there too.

Hoop Ds to Bible College

So the other night Jeff and I (ok, so mainly me) started singing these old school songs that brought me back to my junior high days (ok, so that's not THAT old school). Anywho, these songs reminded me of going to hoop dances and all that jive. Even as a junior higher, what a crazy life. The whole purpose of those things was to meet guys and find a boyfriend for the week--maybe longer if you were "lucky". It's crazy to me to look back and remember those days and where God has brought me. It's only been maybe 5 years since then and I'm married, living in Canada, and going to Bible college to be a youth pastor. I never would have guessed that this is where I would be 5 years from then, but I thank God for it. And I know I would never be here if it weren't for all the influential people in ministry that God brought into my life. He really knew what He was doing. Thanks to Swartys, Timmons, Cummings, VanSchaick's, and many more, I'm exactly where God wants me to be. All you have made a huge impact on my life and I'm thankful for that. As someone going into ministry, I pray that God will use me in a way to impact others as you have been used to impact my life and the lives of so many others. Thank you for being obedient to God's call. I hope you all have a great day. Love you tons. much love becky

Good Student Me?

I have to say I am very proud of the way college has been going so far. The first two tests I have gotten back have been 102 and 100, and I have been scoring high "marks" on all my papers and other assignments. Now, I don't say all this to brag about myself. Ok, well maybe just a little. jk. But that's really not the point to all this. I've just been thinking about how much better I could have done in high school if I would have applied myself like I know I am capable. High school turned out fine. I got good anough grades. I'm here, in college so I must have done well enough in high school. But I never gave it my best effort, or I rarely did. Excelling in everything we do (or at least putting forth the effort to do so) is Biblical. Looking back on why I did not excel in high school, it all becomes quite clear. I tried applying myself to too many things and there were way more activities that got my priority over my school work. I think this is something a lot of people struggle with...too many committments. We need to be able to put forth our best effort in all that we do, but if we stretch ourselves too much, nothing will ever get our 100%. The other half of that is prioritizing. What is important to you? Or a better question, what should be imprtant to you? Are you, am I giving my best, glorifying God in all I do? Just something to think about. Have a great day everyone. much love becky

Oklahoma Reception

For all of you who don't know, the weekend after our wedding we had a reception down in Oklahoma. It was an awesome time. Aunt Nogie sent us some pictures (these are the first we've seen). Just thought we'd share them with ya'll.

Goofin' off for the camera

Aunt Nogie, us, Gma Poe
Us, Adrian, Trevor
Charles and us
MUAH!
The Poes
Pastor Joe gave a lil sermon and then they prayed over us.
MMM...FOOD!

No More Google Ads

Well this is for all of you who faithfully clicked on our ads. The opperation got shut down. Apparently in the agreement with Google we said we wouldn't tell people to go to our site just to click on are ads. Well we never really read the agreement that well, and as many of you know we definitely encouraged you all to click on our ads.
Well I guess you win some and lose some. The email they sent us was very polite. We don't get any of the money we made and we can't ever have Google ads again. It was an oversight on our part and I guess we should have paid a little more attention.
Talk to you all later.
jeff

Good Times

So last night we went to a youth rally with Matt and Sabrina. It was a good time. Three Season Ant kicked off the night. Couldn't really ask for a much better start (even though all the power cut out in the middle of their first song). They rocked hard, worshipped harder and made for a good time. Then they had this guy talk about sex. Very straight forward. More people need to talk like that to teens. Definitely worth it. He also talked in our chapel earlier in the day. Also good stuff. That was pretty much our night. O, I finally got TSA's CD. Rockin times. Ok I'm going to go eat some tasty fajitas. much love becky

Please Respond

I have a quick question for all of you out there reading this. On a "yes" or "no" open-ended question which only asks for a response if the answer is yes, is it fair to recieve a "0" for answering "no" to the question? example: Identify whether or not you have... If you have explain. Like the title says, please respond. I would like to know your thoughts although it seems quite obvious to me, maybe I'm wrong. much love becky

Grades Smell

Hey everybody hows it going.
This is Jeff and I just thought that I would update you all on a couple of things. I have a lot I could write about but I narrowed it down to two things.
First off my grades have all been suprisingly good. (I should also note that in Canada grades are called marks, you pick that up really fast. Aren't marks German currency?) Well I have been pleasantly suprised, and I thought that I would share that with you all. I still have two big papers due and midterms and finals, so it all could blow up in my face. But im praying for the best and doing my best.
The other topic i would like to discuss is the smell in Sussex. I am almost positive it can only be smelt in the cooler months off the year. I love it, everywhere in town has the pleasant smell of wood burning. I don't know the percentage, but a lot of people here burn wood for heat and its great. I can't say enough about how much i like it. As you all know, or should know, I lived near Austin, MN and the smell of pigs dominated all other odors in town. It wasn't like I wanted to puke, and I don't hate pigs, well I do hate pigs but mostly just when im butchering and the way they kick after you shoot them, and you can't get a good stick cuz the demon thats coming out of them makes them flail all over. Anyway the point is the air in Sussex is about 100 times more pleasant than the air in Austin. I love you all in Minnesota but come you gotta admit that some days that plant flat stinks.
Hope you all are doing great Becky and I are for sure.
jeff

Foreordination

"The saints are the primary object of the foreordination of God; or, in other words, God foreordains that men should be saints. It is only inference that one could say that He has also foreordained godlessness for some persons--an inference altogether unwarranted. The will of God seeks man for redemption, for sonship, for His glory; and nowhere in Scripture does it say that God's will is to drive men away from Him. He foreordains to inclusion, not exclusion. It is not His will that any shall be lost. He 'is longsuffering...not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance' (II Peter 3:9). Jesus himself expressed the reason for man's destruction in explaining the case of those killed by the fall of the Tower of Siloam: 'Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish' (Luke 13:5). Man, not God, wills his own destruction.

"The foreordination of God does not interfere with the will of man. The wisdom of God in this regard is seen in Christ (8-9), who was the revelation of God--God in man. In Him we see love, and pleading, and self-giving, and prayers--even for His murderers. But at the same time there is freedom of choice for all. 'He saved others [that is what He came to do]; himself He cannot save' (Matt. 27:42)--when men choose to kill Him. Men themselves choose for or against the will of God."

This is a quote from Exploring the New Testament discussing the beginning of Paul's teaching in the book of Ephesians. I have never quite understood the verses on foreordination; always thinking it contradictory to our freedom of choice. I've heard this topic discussed many times, but it has never been made so clear to me. It now makes perfect sense to me. What are some of your thoughts? On this passage? On foreordination? On freedom of choice? Let me know. This stuff really interests me and I'd love to hear what you have to say. much love becky

Fun Day at Fundy

Last weekend we went to Fundy National Park with Matt and Sabrina. It was gorgeous. We had an amazing time hiking around and enjoying all of God's creation. Yes, God even made Canada beautiful. Anywho, look for elves and moosies and enjoy our pictures.

And it keeps on goin'...

Lord of the Rings moment.
Rivendale, at last!
Yeah, we're cool.
Brrrr, it got real cold.
This is all underwater during high tide.
One of the beaches at low tide.
Despite the Duck's sweatshirt and the Sooner's hat, this really is a beaver pond.
Gorgeous beach sunset.
Twenty bucks to whoever spots the moose.
Beautiful hillside.
Oooo, rocks.
Pretty, eh?
Stay on the path or you might sink like the moosies.
Look, a thousand year's worth of moss.
It's Rivendale, Master Gamge!
Matt on a log on the bottom of the ocean floor.
What a view.
Jeff was very proud of his toy.
Uh, why am I standing here?
Jeff lookin' hot in front of the pretty blue pond.
A sunset driving home from Moncton.
An old horse and buggy path. Where exactly were they going?
We're on top of 25 feet of peet moss.
A dock at low tide. See the ocean way back there?
Looks squishy. There's the river bottom at low tide.
It's too bad they're not out gettin' me some lobster.
Becky with the ocean way in the background.
What is this?
Check out those Nike's and Wrangler's.

Matt, Sabrina, Becky, and Jeff

Good Day

We got up this morning to go to our 8:00, Intro to Youth Ministry. Once we got there we were informed that class was cancelled. That was a good deal. Although, not good that Carruthers is sick. We came back home to sleep some more. I got up for my 9:00, Gen. Psych. First half of class we watched a movie and discussed the ethics of messing with the human brain. I say go for it if it improves the quality of life for a severely disabled person (Parkinsen's, dillusions, depression, etc). Then it was off to chapel. That was a good time. Rev. Symonds talked about being grateful. Then it was back to Psych. Prof. Lee started by talking about the difference between sensation and perception. He gave a few examples on overheads and what not. Then he said sensation was telling him that he had a group of students in front of him and all that jive, but his perception was telling him that we were all ready to leave. So he let us go like 40 min early. That was my last class until next Wed. because it is now officially Thanksgiving break for me. Jeff still has one more class this afternoon, and then he gets to enjoy it as well. Some of you Americans might be thinking wait a sec, its only October, how can you be having Thanksgiving break? Well, it's a Canadian thing. Anywho, it's not even noon and that's my day so far. Not bad. Not bad at all. much love becky

Leave a Message

Hey everyone. We love having this blog so we can let everyone know what's going on in our lives and the thoughts we have from time to time. As much as we like telling everyone about us, we also like to hear how all of you are doing. I know there's some of you who read this who we talk to a lot, but there's others who read it that we rarely hear from. So, leave us a message. We'd love to know what's going on in your lives and your thoughts on our thoughts. We value your opinions and any advice you have. E-mail us, call us, start your own blog, and/or leave us a message on here. That goes for all of you :) Hope to hear from you soon. much love the poes

Everyone's Doing It.

We are poor Bible college students...in Canada at that. Please help support us. It's very simple. All you need to do is click on one of the above links. It will bring you to a google page filled with related links. Click on one of those links. Once you have completed this short process, you may do it as many time as you wish. The more times you do it, the more money we make. Now that is a simple ministry opportunity. Why not take advantage of it? Ok, so we're dorks. We just wanted to post a post informing you of this recent addition to our page. It really is very simple. Hope you enjoy our blog. Have a great day. much love the poes

O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A, OUR CHANT ROLLS ON .....

All you good OKLAHOMA fans know the rest to that one.
I just had to say a quick word about OKLAHOMA's romping of k-state 41-23. I couldn't watch it but i saw the score on the internet and i liked it. Well 2-2 is not exactly what i hoped for, but a win going into the game with saxet (firgure it out, you gotta hate'em) is encouraging.
Well i gotta go write a little paper but i will be watching that game cuz i can buy it on the internet and i am pumped.
talk to you all later.
jeff

SCHOOL vs WORK

Hi everyone it is Jeff again and here are a few of my thoughts.
First let me say that i love my wife. I never get tired of saying that.
Okay now to the topic at hand. I have decided that school is harder on a person than manuel labor. You might be asking yourself "But what about bailing small sqaures in july when its 95 and the humidity is outrageous?" or something similar to that. Maybe mowing lawns when its 105 and you think you could drink the ocean if it wasn't quite so salty. Or how about deer season when you work till 2am skinning deer and cleaning up just to do it all again the next day. Well at least you sleep good when you work like that. I have yet to work hard and go to bed and toss and turn. You old timers might say just the oposite, but remeber im only 24 and i have along time to go till i would call myself an old timer. Anyway some of you im sure had no problems in school and wouldn't trade it for hard work any day, but im here to tell you i sure would.
Don't get me wrong i love my classes the homework is enjoyable and i know im doing Gods will. I want to do this and even though im comparing i hope its not to much complaining on my part, if it is just let me know.
But on the other hand i'd love to be back in Taopi, livin in my trailer. Barely making it to the locker by 8 but working till 6 and then going to Austin for something at the church (that isn't there any more). And my free nights spending with my wife and/or the Voigts. I havent seen a green tractor since i don't know when. I miss the farm (even though i didn't do as much the last year i was there). I miss both the lockers i worked at. I miss the people that i worked hard with.
When you work hard the gratification is instant. When your in the tractor all day and you can see what you've done. When you work cattle. When you dig a ditch. When you clean out a bin and you can't hardly breath for a day. When you kill 10 pigs in a day. When you process 8 of them the next day. When you skin 25 deer. When you cut up 50 (you Caney boys remeber that one, thanks for the motivation Jim and Randy) . When you make a thousand pounds of sausage and your hands are stained dark from the meat that won't scrub off. When you mow till you think your gonna die and you know that it will be just the same next week, maybe ten days if your lucky. You all know what im talking about, work is fun and i miss it.
Now you might be saying "Well, Jeff, go find something to do, and quit whinning". Well that would be irresponsible at this point. School is my priority and i can't afford to mess up this time. I have to put all my attention to school and to my wife (which is better than work by far) so that i can fulfill the calling God has put on my life.
I can tell you this though, unless the church we go to needs 2 youth pastors, Beckys gonna be the one on staff. I'm going out and finding the grubbest hardest job that i can get with a youth ministry degree and im gonna be thankfull for every blister, drop of sweet, scratch, half cut off finger, bruise, sunburn, and whatever else i can get between now and then.
Life is great and i thank God for every opportunity He has and will bring me to serve Him

Let Loose and Love God

Encounter was awesome tonight. For you who might not know, Encounter is the Sunday night worship service offered for students at BBC. It's completely student led which is something I really enjoy about it. Anywho, tonight was a good time of praising God. It was just a time to relax, have fun, and be happy. Jesus is good and tonight was all about that. Being a student at BBC, there is always work to be done and reading to do. We are constantly challenged in our walk and held accountable to a higher standard of living. All the pressures of deadlines and expectations can, at times, become overwhelming. Tonight was a refreshing night. We just kicked back, had a bast, and loved Jesus. It was a great way to end one week and begin another. I think sometimes we all just need that extra boost, that reminder that life is exciting, and as Christians we should be full of joy. Even if you don't have a special service to go to, you all should just crank up your music, jump around, and let loose. Praise God for being an amazing God. Praise God for allowing us to experience such joy and happiness. Let loose and love God. much love becky