Middle of the week...not too much to say

It's been a great week so far! Jordan is slowly but surely getting better, and (he says) coughing a little less each night. I still think that any coughing is too much, just because I hate to see him dealing with it, but, I am glad for the medicine!

We have our final Life Group tonight with Andy & Tracy Cole. We are multiplying our life group into two- one of which Andy & Tracy will be leading, and Jordan & myself leading the other. It's always bittersweet because it's been an incredible group, but it has definitely gotten a bit large for the ideal small group! So tonight we will pray for each other and enjoy this evening together. I am looking forward to it very much!

That's about it for the rest of the day. Jordan and I are both working hard- trying to get as much done as we can! I think we have a fairly mellow weekend coming up, which I am all about. It will be weird though- a Sunday with now football. I know we have one more- the Superbowl, but I always get really sad at the thought of the season being over...it's a bit depressing!

Oh well- have a Wonderful Wednesday- blessings to ya!

Birthdays

Last night we celebrated three birthdays. It's becoming the tradition in my family to pool all three into one evening, which makes sense because Jordan's is January 18th, Aunt Beth's is January 25th and mine is February 1st- all exactly one week apart. Mom had an appointment with her Oncologist (sp?) in the afternoon, and we had assured her that cooking wasn't necessary so she picked up Royal Thai and we had that for dinner. Mmm Mmm good! I always wear peeople out though with the dish I like- it's so spicy! I totally sweat the whole time when I eat it! We had a really fun time hanging out together, despite several of us being pretty tired, and Dad even delayed his 24 episode with his new Tivo. :-) I got another one of my crystal glasses I've begun collecting- I picked out this pattern a while ago and begun collecting them. They're so beautiful! Mom also got me a silver platter, this Wilton Armetale stuff is really the coolest stuff! It's so versatile and looks good! Jordan got a gift card to Basil, the Asian bistro, which we're excited to try. We've never been there, but I'm sure we'll love it. It was so fun to just spend time with family and enjoy each other.

Well onto REALLY exciting things, our COLTS WON! In the most amazing second half comeback, Peyton and the boys pressed through a depressing first half and went on to win against the New England Patriots, arguably the most difficult team the beat in the post season. The Bears beat the Saints, so we're in for quite the classic Superbowl, as the Bears and the Colts battle it out on February 4th! We're so excited our friends Nathan & Bethany will be here with us! Go Colts!

Well I am going to do some reading before I start work. Have an incredible Tuesday!

Jesse & Jessica Cupp

Today is a difficult and interesting day. Today one of my dearest friends embarks upon a new life and a new adventure. Today begins an incredible season for the Cupp's and the ending of a season for me.

My dear, amazing friend Jessica is moving to Hawaii unto becoming missionaries in Japan. Jessica and I have been friends for 5 years now, all beginning with me totaling my car in the middle of the night in Lewisburg after taking her home, up until this point and time- both married, both walking out God's calling on our lives and learning to serve our husbands in the Lord in whatever He calls us to. Our paths have been very similar over the years, from church at Newsong, being in school at MTSU, to getting married within a month of each other in the same year, and then to being part of churches planted from Newsong Cool Springs! She has been a friend beyond what I could imagine and someone I could never replace.

Jessica had taught me faithfulness and the power of encouragement in friendship. There is not a time when we are together that I don't leave feeling refreshed, uplifted and encouraged. Some time ago, she & her husband, Jesse began to sense that God was moving them ahead in His calling on their lives to be missionaries. Jesse has had Japan on his heart for years, and Jessica knew that she was called to Asia, just unsure of where. God began to reveal it over a year ago and they began to make preparations to go. This is what they were born to do! I know that and I believe, but it doesn't make it easy to say goodbye.

I love you, Jessica. I will miss you terribly, but I am so excited that I know my dear friend and I, albeit miles apart, are building God's kingdom together.

A not-too-thorough Update

It's 2:46 and I just fixed myself a black bean burger for lunch- I love those and I always tend to forget I buy them. I have been meaning to do an update blog all week but it's just been one of those busy weeks and I haven't had the chance yet.

I wanted to update on the weekend, but when it gets to Thursday, you're not really sure if a weekend update or week update is more appropriate. I'll just try to think of the most interesting things that have happened since my last blog, and I'll go from there!

We had a really fun & full weekend. A bunch of kids from Spring Hill came over Friday night to hang out. We ordered pizza, set up ping pong in the garage, and ended up playing a big game of murder. It was SO much fun. It's always great to just get to hang out with some of the students separate from Saturday nights. I think they all really had a great time too. Dylan came over as well, and hung out- so we got to hear all about the Passion conference he had just attended in Atlanta. Sounded pretty unbelievable!

Another highlight of the weekend was Robby's graduation party. He graduated on Saturday from the Student Internship Program at our church, and is a part of the Leadership Team for New song Spring Hill, that Jordan and I are also a part of. So, we spend a lot of time with him, and he's really become a brother to us. Here are some pictures I took to go in his "scrapbook" I had people sign in. It turned out really well.

Oh my gosh, and I almost forgot about Jordan's Sugar Bowl trip. Last week, he got to go to New Orlean's with his dad for the Sugar Bowl, which was LSU vs. Notre Dame. It was an awesome trip for him and he loved the time with his dad, even though Notre Dame lost, and lost hard. So- I'll put some pics above of that! Okay, well, it's not doing it very quickly, and I don't have time to sit and wait for it, so I'll try and get those up as soon as possible.

Last night was Life Group, which was amazing. Jordan and I have been leading a Life Group (small groups at our church) for about 5 or 6 months now. Something like that. We are getting ready to multiply into two groups. The ideal size is 8-12 people, and ours is something crazy like 25. We've had a lot of new people lately, which has accounted for all the Life Groups getting larger than they need to be. Last night we ate, I helped Andy with worship, and then went upstairs to play with the 4 elementary aged boys, b/c we ended up with 9 kids and the girl who does childcare couldn't handle 4 toddlers, a baby and 4 wild boys on top of that. So we had a Connect4 championship and then played Uno, which I came in second thankyou very much! :-)

Alright, well I have to jet! I'll update again soon, and I won't take as long this time- promise :)

Tea for Me!

My tea came in! I am so excited. Earlier today I was working, and I thought I heard someone pulling into the driveway. Like a kid at Christmas I peaked out my little window in the Bonus Room and saw the Fed Ex man bringing a small box up. I ran downstairs and lo and behold, there was a box with my Earl Grey Creme, Caribbean Breeze, and Rooibos Sweet Amore. (which I'm drinking now) Yum yum yum!

Just thought I would share today's little delight!

2007

A new year! Already. Wow! In a way it has snuck up on me and in a way I am completely prepared. Yeah, I know that makes no sense. I think what I mean is that I have been preparing mentally and spiritually for what God has for the Roe's in 2007, and I am ready to run with it, but very unsure of what that is, and what this year will look like. A few things are certain, it will be full, it will be amazing, it will be difficult, challenging, I will cry a lot, I will laugh a lot, there will be times of sorrow and times of unbelievable rejoicing. People will move in, move away, get married, have babies, quit jobs, begin new jobs, come to know Christ and have great breakthrough in their lives. But, we are praying for more of it all!

I wrote a few weeks ago about the book, "Passion & Purity" by Elisabeth Elliot. Since then, I have read "Through Gates of Splendor," "The Savage my Kinsman," and currently "Shadow of the Almighty." God just keeps speaking so much to me through her writings and the life of Jim Elliot. It was SUCH a life of obedience, such a life of selflessness. Is it possible that Jordan and I can truly live like that? Can we live with the same heart they had in the jungle with unreached people groups, here in suburban Spring Hill? I believe we can, it just takes surrender and a determination to lay down self for the Savior.

"The obedience God calls us to is costly, but the rewards of obedience are priceless- among the few things we CANNOT LOSE." -Jim Elliot

My prayer for 2007 can be summed up as this: "God, help me to rid my heart of affections towards things that can be lost, and to be filled with You, and affections for things eternal, that I cannot lose and no one can take from me."