House

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I was actually looking for some funny clips from House, but I came across more videos like this. It got me thinkin. Now, anyone who watches House knows the majority of the show is just hilarious. 'House-isms' are way more frequent than all the sad, depressing stuff. Because the majority of the show is so funny, it becomes easy to overlook some of the more sad stuff. I don't want to pick apart House...I love the show. I'm simply using this video as an analogy. Many times people's lives seem great. We tend to see a person's jokes and smiles and ignore their struggles. We like to see only what we want to see, when so often there is so much more going on. This is not to say everyone has some deep, depressing secret, but don't overlook a person's struggles. There's very possibly way more to the person. Just a thought. much love

More Than a List of 'Don'ts'

Too often people look at being a Christian as a list of 'don'ts.' This, to me, is one of the biggest misconceptions of Christianity. It's not only non-Christians who take this view, but many Believers do as well. It can be so easy to look at our lives and think "I'm not struggling with anything...I don't gossip, I don't lie, I don't drink, I don't commit adultery, I don't swear, I don't get angry, I don't yadda yadda yadda....I have a great relationship with God." While refraining from all these things is great and something the Bible calls us away from, I do not believe that simply living by a list of 'don't' brings upon a great relationship with God. Now, you might be saying, "well duh," but, if you really think about it, how often do you see Christians living their lives this way? There's a whole lot of stuff they don't do, but what are they really doing for God? What evidence is in their lives of a relationship with Christ? Even more than the outward expression of a strong walk, what are they doing in their personal lives to grow in their relationship with Him? What's really going on inside their heart? A person knows when their doing for Christ, and when they are just following a list of 'dont's.'

Why do I bring this up? Great question. I bring this up because I have come to the realization that this does a pretty good job of describing me. I've heard a lot of sermons lately which are a call from sin, into a deeper walk with God. As much as I desire a deeper walk with Him, I don't believe it is because of something I am doing which is keeping me from this, but rather what I am not doing. Suru, I'm going to Bible college over 3,000 miles from home, in another country to become a youth pastor and possibly serve overseas. Yes, I'm serving as the Spiritual Life Association President on campus. I've seem to got the outward expression down. But my personal life is bla. It's been bla. How do I make it not bla? How does anyone make it not bla? You've got me. I like to think this is just something we go through. Just another phase in this journey. But at what point does a 'phase' become a lifestyle; a lifestyle that is hard to shake?

Maybe you're reading this thinking 'wow, she's messed up." Maybe you're reading this thinking "I've been there." Or maybe you're reading this and you're tihnking "That's where I'm at." I'm writing this for those of you with any one of these thoughts. My biggest struggle has always been a lack of transparency. I've always tried to be the strong one; the one who has it all figured out. But I don't think I'll have anything figured out until I admit that I have nothing figured out. So this is me, laying it out there. This is me being honest with myself and with you.

God is good. I'm so thaknful for His faithfulness. He never let's us go. He never gives up on us. That is powerful. An illustration of this which has been coming to mind time and time again recently is one Erik shared with us in youth group a few years back. Just like a spit ball sticks to a wall (or ceiling) like glue, so God sticks to us. He doesn't let go. I keep picturing those giant spit balls on the walls and ceiling of the youth room. It's a good reminder of His faithfulness. What an awesome God we serve. much love becky

I Should Blog About That

I use this phrase many times throughout the week, yet, as one can see from the lack of newness on our blog, that I rarely do what I say I should do. So, for your reading pleasure, here are some of the stories/events/etc which I have said I should blog about recently. Enjoy.

The Synagogue Experience
Yesterday we went on a field trip to a Synagogus in Moncton for our World Religions class. It was a very interesting experience. I learned a great deal more about the Jewish faith through this trip. The rabbi reminded me of Ben Stiller when he played a rabbi in some movie (I can't remember the name). He was a pretty funny guy (not to the extent of Ben, but the same idea). It was a little nerver-racking at first because we were all trying to be on our best behavior, making sure with did not come accross offensive. It was difficult to act all prim and proper when the rabbi was making jokes about some of the querks of his congration, and sometimes his faith in general. I enjoyed this. Every religion and congregation has its own little querks, and I liked that he was not ashamed or embarressed to point these out. Another thing that stuck out to me from this experience was that the people in his congregation actually enjoy being a part of the serivce. There are very few Jews who would rather just sit and listen to the rabbi for the length of a service. I believe most Christian churches can learn from this. As a guest lecturer in one of our classes pointed out, a lot of Christians have 'Pew-monia.' I cannot write this post without mentioning the ritual baths. This is simply a bath located in the Synagogue where members wash themselves before prayer and women cleanse themselves in this bath after their mentruation. The rabbi told us that women are not allowed to have sex while they are on their period, and have to go through this ritual bath before they are allowed to again. Now, he also informed us that there have been men who are known to have been impatient and met their wives in this ritual bath. He even said there were roses leading up the door one time. Our class enjoyed the story, so I thought you might as well.

Extensive Three Game Season
I decided to play softball this year. It was a good time indeed. But, as the title informs you, we only played three games. Softball if just wrapping up in these parts when we get here for school. I am happy to announce that we went undefeated. That's right, we beat the same team three times to go undefeated for the 2006 softball season. Our first "tournament" consisted of a double header @ ABU. I caught the first game and most of the second game. I actually pitched (i should mention here that it's slow pitch) the last two innings of the second game...something I haven't done since jr high. It was a lot of fun. I even struck someone out. Go me :) Nicole and I both hit homeruns that game. This was my first ligit homerun in my entire softball career. I was pretty stoked about that. Because I have not caught since June of '04, I was incredibly sore after a mere 10 innings of squatting. I could barely move for 2 days. It was patheitc to say the least. Our second "tournament" was supposed to be another two games against ABU...this time in Sussex. Our first game was scheduled at 8 am, but by 9:15, we realized ABU was not going to show. So, we eneded up playing only one game at 2. We might have a chance to play a couple coed games this Tuesday. I am very excited about that because my gear finally got here this week...of course after our final game (or so we originally thought). I'll let you know how those games go and possibly have a few pics as well.

YAY for Canadian Thankgiving
Today is the start of our four day weekend for Canadian Thankgiving. It is going to be nice to have a break from classes. Jeff and I don't have any big plans. Tonight is date night which will be spent eating some yummy food, watching the Twins (hopefully not awtching them lose AGAIN), and watching the Little Mermaid. Saturday we will be watching college football...the Oklahoma-Texas game is on TV. Jeff is super excited about that. Sunday we will be celebrating Thankgiving with our Canadian family, the Carruthers. We do everything with them because they rock. Monday we are hopefully going to spend a few hours at Fundy. It's really pretty here right now and I want to get some pictures before all the trees are empty. Tuesday I will probably be playing softball in Truro, Nova Scotia. That's what our weeknd looks like as of now.

Living on Cmpaus is Sweet Indeed
Yes, we are loving being on campus. It is so much differnt than last year, but that is a good thing. We are actually involved and are building some great relationships. Life can get hectic with poeple constantly knocking on our door and calling us (thanks to Jeff's job), but overall it has been a great experience thus far. Every once in a while I go on duty with the female RA. That's always a lot of fun. We look for people making out and what not, but we haven't caught anyone yet. I'm looking forward to the awkwardness of when we do someday. I'm convinced it will happen.

Gettin' In Shape
I never thought it would actually happen, but it is. And it is about time. I have not done much of anything since high school and it shows. Softball helped to get the kinks out of my laziness (if that makes any sense whatsoever). Jen Carruthers and I have been walking a few nights a week. Jeff and I have started running everynight. And now, basketball is starting. Last night was the first open gym I had been to and I thought it was going to kick my butt. Thanks to the three things previously mentioned, it did not. I actually felt pretty good out there. I still have a ways to go before our first game in two weeks, but I'm getting there.

Cozy Little Apartment in Ingersoll
There's not much to say about this, but check out the pictures. It is really messy, but I figured you would want to know what it usually looks like so I didn't clean it. Also, there is another bedroom and a bathrrom which are not pictured.

I'll Be Home for Christmas
That's right, we will not be spending this Chrsitmas in Sussex. We have plane tickets to Oklahoma for break. We haven't gotten a ticket yet, but I will be spending a week of that time (Dec 26-Jan 2) in Oregon. YAY!!!! My sister will be back from New Zealand for a a bit and I really want to see her while I can. That is why I am going. Of course, I am excited to see everyone else while I am back there as well.

I hope you have enjoyed this update. There will be more to come soon. And I really mean it this time. Have a great day everyone. much love becky

Jewish Calendar from the Synagogue

Kitchen/Dining Room

Bedroom

Living Room

Living Room...check out that sexy couch

Office

Office

Office

Longings of My heart

I really want to go to a concert. Music is a pssion of mine and because God has not blessed me with the gift of music, I fulfill my passion by listening ot music and going to concerts. It's been a while and I miss it. This, sadly, is definitely not concert country. I thought Oregon was bad, but there's a few good ones going through in the next few months. But not here. I was just on itickets and there were no listings for New Brunswick. Sad. Just thought I'd share the longings of my heart...to go to a concert. For now, I can just reflect upon the good times of having connections. Here's some pictures so you can reflect with me. much love becky

Chris Tomlin Band

Chris Tomlin

The Katinas

Newsboys

Newsboys and Rebecca St. James

Plus One-I know you're all jealous, especially you Swarty

Supertones

Supertones

Jeremy Camp

Newsboys

Relient K

Relient K

Sanctus Real

Supertones

Jake

Phat Chance

Freshmen Week

We've had a crazy couple of weeks here, but it's been a good time for sure. Freshman week was a lot of fun. I hope they had as much as we did putting everything together. The activities started Tuesday night with Bethany Live. The videos, skits, and interviews were hilarious as usual. Wednesday night we had the annual Slip 'n' Slide on Prez's Hill followed by Mission Impossible. We have a field on campus where we will eventually have athletic facilities, but for now it's super tall grass and big piles of dirt. We played Mission Impossible in the dirt piles. Although most of the leaders did not get a chance to play it looked like a good time. Classes started on Thursday, but the fun did not end. That night we played Ultimate Frisbee and Protect the Queen which turned into a huge water balloon fight. Friday was our first chapel (more on that in a bit). Friday night we played Hangman which is pretty much like Capture the Flag only there are multiple "flags" (words) which must be captured and brought back to teammates who are trying to figure out the puzzle. Saturday morning was a scavenger hunt around Sussex. The afternoon brought the annual student vs staff softball game. It was a lot of fun even though the staff won. That night was a cookout and the final freshman game: Barbarian. It was a hectic game full of cow parts (liver, heart, tail, kidneys), bananas, macaroni, and some more water balloons. That was our week. Now we're getting into the routine of classes. It's good to be involved and on campus. Busy but good. Here are some pictures.

Me being a sweetheart and giving Jeff a hug after I went down the Slip 'n' Slide.

Slip 'n' Slide fun.

This weekend was also the balloon festival in Sussex so we had balloons flying over us every night.