Just finished reading "Persuasion" by Jane Austen last night. It's been so long since I've read a novel or a fiction book. (Wait, I lied- I read "Prince Caspian" from Chronicles of Narnia on a Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago while Jordan was working on the garage. I wanted to brush up before the movie in May) But anyway.....I don't read them often.

We stumbled upon this amazing used book store in Tucson about 15 minutes before we had to leave for the airport. It was awesome! I found several books and determined to purchase "Persuasion," which I had never read. (I'm a BIG Jane Austen fan)

I finished the couple chapters left last night and of course I LOVED the book! It was amazing in true Austen style. If you've never gotten a chance to read Jane Austen- you should! It's well worth it.

Sorry for the lack of posting! Jordan and I have been quite busy lately....at least busy enough not to be able to take time out to post. I am trying to figure out what would be the most interesting thing to post, and I'm honestly not sure. Sometimes I don't think my life is really that interesting to other people...don't get me wrong, it sure is to me. I love my life, but anyway....I think you get the point.

I am really enjoying a book my sister in law, Erin gave me at Christmas. It's called "Having a Mary Spirit" by Joanna Wagner, and I am really enjoying it. It deals with many things that we all deal with, but specifically women and just the performance mentality, comparisons, lack of self-worth, etc....and is a wonderful and refreshing book. God is really using it to refresh me in a beautiful way. I'll let you know when I'm finished.

Speaking of books, the first book I read this year was "Driven by Eternity" by John Bevere. INCREDIBLE! I recommend this book to ANYONE. It rocked my perspective and my thinking and helps us get in the right mindset about our assignments from God. If you are looking for a good book to read- get this one. I promise you won't be disappointed. I'm really enjoying the application each of these books provides for my life. I love to read, and always have, but as I get older what matters most is that I am truly able to apply the things I've read, which I know is God's heart for all of us: to be "lifelong learners."

Well, I could go on and on, but I digress....

Have a wonderful day. We're getting some small flurries here in TN!

I love going to Border's! Any bookstore for that matter, but Border's is usually the choice of the Roe's. We love to go and sit for a while and just READ! Reading has always been a passion of mine. In high school my favorite academic classes were always English, even at the AP level. And in college I LOVED my Literature and English classes. I came across a box of old books the other day, classics by everyone from Jane Austen and John Milton to Shakespeare and Ernest Hemingway. Books are an amazing thing and there is such a power to words that cannot be replicated in a digital form.

Last night, the book I chose to peruse through was called, "My Name is Iran." It's a memoir about a girl born in America, but compelled by her Iranian heritage. It peaked my interest because beneath the descriptions of longing for a homeland, it seemed to me that she was just a girl trying to find herself her own way, and seeing God as she wanted to see Him, on her own terms. I just skimmed through the book for about an hour, but the things I read confirmed my speculations. It has been a sad life that she's led, and although in the end she's seemingly found her freedom and victory, I wonder if she's found true peace. I was struck by how common each human's struggles are, no matter the culture, language or upbringing. It all comes back to us being willing to humble ourselves and trust God with our lives.


On another note, the other book I looked through was all about making bread in bread machines. It totally got me in the mood for bread, which I set to make to be ready this morning. When I woke up and came out of our room, the smell of freshly baked bread greeted me! It was delicious although the loaf is probably 10 lbs. due to the fact that I decided to dissolve the yeast in the water before pouring it in, and this kept it from fully rising the way it should have. Oh well!

Happy Wednesday!

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."

Passion and Purity

The Lord led me to this book again a few days ago. My mom had encouraged me to and I had read it a couple of years ago prior to our wedding, but I was drawn to it again this week. I have read many books on purity of a woman, dating, not dating, christian living, pursuit of Christ, love, marriage, etc. but I quite honestly have never encountered a book that parallels to this one in honesty, truth and revelation.

The story of Jim & Elisabeth Elliot is remarkable, and one that many Christians are familiar with. It's a classic love story with it's own unique twists and turns, but more than anything, it's a lesson in patience, sacrifice, obedience, trust, humilty, seeking God and waiting. Waiting for something for which there is no guarantee. Waiting because you believe the possibility of attaining it, if it should be yours to attain, would be worth any price of time or energy or self-sacrifice you might pay in the process.

There are far too many truths and insights to write them all here, but I strongly encourage you, man or woman, married or single, old or young to get a copy of this book and read it when you get the chance. It is so helpful, especially for those entering a courtship or that time where you find your mate, but valuable to any walk of life.

Some of my favorite quotes from the book:

"The problem starts when we make up our own minds what will give us happiness and then decide, if we don't get exactly that, that God doesn't love us." (in reference to self-deception and contentment)

"But the things that we feel most deeply we ought to learn to be silent about, at least until we have talked them over thoroughly with God....never pass up an opportunity to keep your mouth shut."

"Thy will be done. Acceptance of whatever that means is the great victory of faith that overcomes the world."

"Women expect too much of men...I beg women to wait. Wait on God. Keep your mouth shut. Don't expect anything until the declaration is clear and forthright."

"If virginity [not just sexual] is to be preserved , lines must be drawn. Why put yourself in any situation where the lines become smudged and obscure? Why take the risks? Why accept the pressure of tremendous temptation when you can easily avoid it by refusing to be anywhere where compromise is possible. "

I could go on and on.....but I won't. Have to leave some things unsaid so YOU can read them for yourself!

Blessings on your day :)