Liz Millican – January 17, 2010

I grew up in the church, but I didn’t know God. God always seemed far away and uninterested. I wasn’t interested in a God that seemed impossible to please. On September 11, 2001 when a terrorist attack struck close to home without warning I came face to face with my own mortality. I realized that I could die unexpectedly. I wondered if it was possible to know what will happen after we die. I wasn’t just looking for something to believe in. I wanted to know the truth. If there was nothing I wanted to know it. If there was something I wanted to know what that something was.

I talked to a couple of Christians who believed that the Bible was a historical document. I thought it was ridiculous to think that the stories of the Bible could be true. The miracles all seemed so impossible. They presented me with evidence about the reliability of the Bible and the prophecies that predicted the life of Jesus.

I decided to go to church to see if there was anything to this Jesus. I prayed that if God existed he would reveal Himself to me. It was the first time in my life when I prayed and I felt as though God had responded back to me immediately.

The message that night was on forgiveness. God didn’t expect me to be perfect like I thought. He’s not waiting to punish me the second I make a mistake. He wants me to be honest about my mistakes and to give Him my best.

There are 3 Bible verses that were significant to me when I first became a Christian.

The Bible gave me assurance that my negative experiences could result in good experiences in the future. Romans 8:28 says “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” I learned to put my confidence in God instead of trusting my own abilities.

The Bible gave me confidence that God could set me in the right direction and repair what had been destroyed in the past. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” I learned to be considerate of others and repaired broken relationships.

The Bible gave me confidence that God had a plan for my future. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I learned to challenge myself and not to be afraid of failure. I found what I am passionate about and realized what I do well.

I didn’t think that I needed God and I thought that I was happy without Him, but since I have come to know Him personally I have had a peace and joy that I had never known before. God has changed me in ways I never thought that I needed to change, but I’m glad He did. I know it’s never too late for God to work in your life, but you have to be willing to ask Him to start.

Permanent Residence

We had our immigration "interview" yesterday. Which consisted of paying money, telling someone when and how long we've been married and confirming things like his parents names and other details like that. So he gets the card in the mail soon and than he can leave the country... for things like family visits and such. So my husband and I can live in the same country without having to worry. It feels nice.

In Laws Visit and Misc

So my husbands family are in town. We are being all touristy and going to various attractions. We saw Casa Loma today. Science Centre tomorrow. I'm pretty tired now. I might post some pictures soon. There's a couple with people in them. I went picture crazy, but it's mostly just stuff. We're having a good time. :)

I've been writing more. Have a few books in mind. Mostly in my head at this point, but I am working towards them regardless.

My church had our first youth Sunday school today. I did a gospel message and then Jared talked about baptism and then we just talked about miscellaneous stuff. Busy day. I'm teaching an evangelism class on Thursday. Should be fun.

Endings and Moving On

So today was the last day of homework club...let me rewind a bit. Since January Jared and I have been volunteering at an elementary school tutoring kids. I've been working with 4 grade 5 kids. It's amazing to see how different kids are even at a young age. I wrote each of them letters of encouragement and advice. It just leaves me with this sense of accomplishment.

On another note I'll be finishing my first class in about 2 weeks. Due to a strike at my school the winter term ran a bit long pushing the summer back. So the class is starting when it would normally be over. So this week was the first week. I managed to work it out with the teacher so I can finish the class in 3 weeks instead of 6 because starting June 27th I'll be working at a Christian kids camp. So it will be the closing of this chapter and we'll see what happens next. Even though I haven't actually finished my class yet I still have this sense of relief about things being completed. It'll be nice to finally finish my degree (typically 4 years taking 6)! YAY!

Wedding Pictures

Ruined for anything else...

So I think I've figured out why I haven't been wanting to pick up my Bible lately. I believe that it's true...but I don't always want to. There's the good bits about how God always provides, but then there's the part about how it's in God's timing not mine. Cuz my timing would already have my loan paid off and I'd be moving out of my mom's house. Because if I was God I'd give me a little more privacy from my family. Like being married and NOT having a room right beside my brothers. So I can't read the Bible because it rubs in my face that God's plans are better than mine.... Really? *Sigh* Love my husband. I'll keep that...don't want to be living with my mom with a bunch of debt and having to look for a job that I know is less than what I want to do. Then there's the whole being ruined for wanted to do anything less than teaching God's word in some form...you know...in a way where I can afford to move out of my mom's house...

YAY!

So after a lot of hard work the day finally happened. It was incredible. Everything went perfect though I was thoughly exhausted. My husband looked fantastic. We got lots of pictures, most which I haven't seen yet. They're slowly creaping online, mostly through facebook. http://mikeclarke-photo.com/ There was lots of good food and lots of people who I haven't seen for a while. So now that all the work is done we're relaxing on a two part honeymoon. I've developed a cold which I'm hoping will clear up in the next couple days. But I'm incredibly happy and enjoying spending time with my husband without having anything to do. :)

Dancing

I know my faithful readers have missed me. I haven't really felt inspired to write lately since my inspiration has been focused elsewhere. So I thought I should take this opportunity to let you get caught up with me.

I am getting married next Saturday. The long awaited for day is finally approaching. So tonight my dad and I went out dancing in preparation for the wedding day. Apparently I'm pretty good according to my dad. So I had some thoughts as to dancing and relationships.

Good dancing requires the dancers to be in sync with each other. They have to be able to give silent cues to each other because, let's face it, the music is too loud. A firm hand hand mean that I am to move towards the man. While a hand that is more removed means that I should move back. Of course every once and a while my steps would be off time and I'd have to do some weird stepping to get back in line, but it's pretty much all about paying attention to what the other person is doing and going along with it. Though typically the man leads the woman can make suggestions and put in a spin here or there, or whatever. Kind of like the whole husband and wife submitting to each other, though the man is the head.

Jared, don't worry. I spent most of the night dreaming about you. <3

Girls sleepover at my church.

We had the first big event with the youth at my church yesterday. 5 girls showed up (Normally 2 come to the weekly meetings). We had dinner and games. 3 stayed for the sleepover. We had a great time and I can't think of how it could have gone better.

Engagement update: We are praying about paperwork. It's very complicated and takes a long time to process. Please pray for God's timing with a wedding date and that the paperwork will go through without problems.

I'm engaged!

This is what my ring looks like.

When: Jared asked me yesterday after getting permission from both of my parents.

Where: My kitchen.

How: We were sitting in the living room and Jared led me into the kitchen and said, "What's that?" pointing out a small box on the counter near the sink. I went over and opened it knowing that it would be empty. "Okay, it's empty." I turned around and saw Jared down on one knee, "Liz, will you marry me?" And I said yes.