It has been a long time since I have posted! Life just became busy. I am in South Dakota living happily with my husband of almost 10 months. I am quite content and delighted to be a wife. Josh is an extraordinary husband for whom I am very grateful.

South Dakota reminds me a whole lot of Newfoundland. I think in a sense it makes me miss home a little more, while being comforted with the familiarity of this small little town we live in. I enjoy the town simply because it is quiet and peaceful. I have been a permanent resident now for about a month. It was a long process but well worth it to live here with my husband.

I have been working since August (had my work visa since then) at the local nursing home in town as the Activities Assistant. I love the people there and caring for them. I enjoy the job a lot even if it is go go go and I'm zonked when I get home. At least I feel that I'm contributing something to the lives of those that live there.

I am going to try to journal more as I miss it. For those reading this that I may have lost contact with, drop me a note and say hi! :)

I know that divorce happens in the world but yet I am still flabbergasted when I hear of Christian couples seperating or divorcing. There are many couples that have met on the site that Josh & I have met on and I recently learned that one of the first couples married is seperated. My heart is broken for this friend that I have spoken with through some of the happiest moments of her life. To see it unravel and to hear that her husband is unwilling to seek reconciliation just breaks my heart. How can this be? How can Christians not see the sactity of marriage and embrace it. Please pray for my friend that she may be surrounded by the love of God and by caring friends. And pray for me as I have taken this kind of hard and anxiety is having a little bit of fun with my emotions.

Thanks!

Sometimes I find it absolutely frustrating to live in a world with Sunday Christians. It's hard enough in itself to live Christ at work. To try to explain to others morals and values that Christians abide by, to try to demonstrat it with how you live your life. And with one Sunday Christian it's ruined! That person who is so "faithful" to their church and sing in the church choir or worship team but they live with their boyfriend, or they party every weekend to the point of a drunken stupor. Suddenly the values and morals you've tried to share as a witness to the Lord you serve turn you into a "fanatic" or "holier than thou". SO FRUSTRATING... and so alienating!!! *sigh*

So I leave for Newfoundland in less than 24 hours. I am so excited to see my family. I can't wait to eat some of my mom's good cooking and just to be surrounded with the love that is family. I am definitely in need of a stress free environment for a little bit. God has been extremely gracious to me and my relationship with Josh is so solid and brings me an incredible amount of joy. I am so thankful for his kind and compassionate way and I just can't wait to be his wife. Most of the invitations are out now and a whole lot more are being delivered to Newfoundland. God has been with us this whole relationship and around every corner I see his blessings. I am anxious to move to the USA and be with him permanately and I am REALLY going to miss him when I'm in Newfoundland. I know that may sound odd but my parents don't have a long distance plan to the USA and Josh does not have one to Canada. I have purchased some calling cards though so that we can keep in touch. I really need to hear his voice.

For those of you out there that are still waiting to meet that one special person, I encourage you not to give in. Do not settle for less than what God has planned for you. Josh meets what I have desired in every way. Before I even knew my needs, God did and he created Joshua to fufill those earthly needs in a mate. I am thankful to a gracious Saviour who not only creates those to help us on our path but also grants to us Salvation. To Him be all the glory!

Lately I have found that when I speak of an issue that is controversial the overwhelming determiner is whether or not it makes one "happy". How can this be the standard? Surely there is a better standard than this. The things that can be allowed simply because it causes someone joy are incomprehensible. Certainly if murder caused someone joy it still would not be permissible. And I know many would argue that this is outside of the limits of the law, but what if it weren't? At one time there were no laws. Is there not a moral guide that tells us what is persmissible and what is not? The standard should be concrete. Morality changes, what is permissible today would have been unheard of years ago. Surely years ago you wouldn't see explicit sexual content on television; today however it is ok as long as you "warn" us that it is going to happen. Does this actually make it ok? We argue that we are growing as humans yet our morals have degenerated, how can we have grown yet our basic morality has been compromised. Growth doesn't mean we become more permissable and understanding of sin, growth means we strive to move away from those sins. There is a concrete standard that should not change and that is God. However, even within the realm of the church people have tried to change that concrete. God can not be changed, his standards remain whether it is 1960 or 2007. Colossians 3:5-11 "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." Surely that sounds like a standard to me? How many things will we let creep into our lives before we say, no, this is not permissible, this is not acceptable and I will not say ok to this behaviour. There is a standard, the standard is Christ and we must strive to meet that standard.

I have heard lately the continuing battle of the Sabbath and how it should be observed by Christians. It seems that many hold to a traditional manner of the Sabbath based on teachings in the law yet they will state clearly that the law is fulfilled in Christ. How can the law be fulfilled in Christ if we still hold to the law? That is a complete denial of the power of Christ fulfilling the law. The only scriptures that talk of holding to a specific day of the week as a Sabbath day are in the old testament and they are referring to the 7th day of the week. In the New Testament it talks of a Sabbath Rest which is our rest in Christ as believers, not a specific day of the week. One of the tools the Pharisees tried to use against Christ was his unlawful practises on the Sabbath day including healing. However, to do anything in the name of Christ is not an unlawful use of the day. Christ knew what the reasons for a Sabbath day in the old testament were. In the new testament all of our days are to be dedicated to Christ in the sense that we are saved through him and there should not be anything we are doing that is not permitted on any day of the week.

Colossians 2: 13 - 17 reads:

13When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature,[b] God made you[c] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.[d]
16Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.

This scripture is very clear that the written code was cancelled with its regulations, we are no longer obligated to observing Christ on a specific day of the week. We are not to be judged by our Sabbath celebrations as our reality is found in Christ and is sufficient in all of our days.

I am not saying we should not take time to rest, our rest is in Christ. However, we are not under the laws of what we can and can not do on the Sabbath.

Some have used the following passage from scripture in support of a Sabbath day. But if you read the following it is not stating that observing a certain day grants a Sabbath rest. In fact it continues to say that the day of rest is Today in Christ. Not a specific day of the week.

Hebrews 4 reads:

1Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.[a] 3Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,
"So I declared on oath in my anger,
'They shall never enter my rest.' "[b] And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. 4For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: "And on the seventh day God rested from all his work."[c] 5And again in the passage above he says, "They shall never enter my rest."
6It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. 7Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before:
"Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts."[d] 8For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. 11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.
12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Finally in the new Testament when the commandments are repeated, all are repeated as a requirement for obedience, that is except for the Sabbath because clearly as it has been stated in scripture a specific Sabbath day is not required but that we should be obeying Christ every day.

In closing, I am not advocating that people forsake fellowship in their churches, by all means do not do this. Rather I am saying there should not be division if someone decides that after church on Sunday they are going to eat out instead of eating at home. Why do we as Christians waste so much time on something as trivial as where we eat our lunch? I fear that Satan gets a foothold when we allow for such little arguments to divide us. For those who choose to observe a Sabbath day, they may do so but please do not judge for those who chose to observe the Sabbath in a different manner.

There is a new phenomonon going around with the creation of myspace and facebook and such. Suddenly anyone you have ever spoken to for more than 2 minutes is your friend. People add you that you know detested you in the past. People that were manipulative and gossip hounds are now your best friend. Why? So they may have the most friends. My response to this is rather simple.. you are not my friend, I don't like you, I never have and I am sorry I will be nice to you but I can not pretend we were friends. Just because I *KNOW* you doesn't make you my friend. So I will refuse adds from people who have been fake and are not truly my friends. Call it integrity if you wish!

It's Valentine's day and I'm sitting in a basement in cold South Dakota and am real excited. My fiance (he proposed today) is upstairs cooking me a Valentine's supper. He's making grilled chicken and baked potato and salad. He is so adorably sweet and I love him so very much. After that we are going to watch American Idol and then big Fish. What a nice valentine's day with my handsome fiance!! :)))))))

Sonya

Due to some false advertising and a confusing website I ended up purchasing a year subscriptions to PoGo games. Since they are not being so kind as to refund this subscription I am determined to get my worth out of it. SO if I am not playing pogo games and you would like to play the paid version sometime just email me and I will give you my user name and password so that you may enjoy the games also. I am not sure if two people can be logged on with the same ID at the same time or not, but if so even better!!! :)

The past few days have been stressful for me as I struggle with anxiety and have not been doing so good. Through this I have learned a lesson in love. I have a history of being deserted when things get tough so I have learned to expect that from people and perhaps in a sense to demand that from people. I push so hard that its hard to love me. But through this last incident Josh has loved me purely and unconditionally and it humbles me. I struggle with love because I don't feel like I deserve love, yet, he loves me. I am so thankful for this amazing man in my life and through his love I am being healed.

This Christmas has been filled with sounds of complaints over the removal of a Christmas tree from a courthouse. I can't say I really weighed much into the debate as I have never seen the Christmas tree as being a Christian symbol. However, I am thankful for the removal of the tree, and though that may sound odd my reasoning's are legit. I have heard people complaining about this tree being removed who never talk about Christ, who never recognize that Christmas is about Him. What they are saying is that we should be able to celebrate a Christian holiday. And it got me to thinking that Christmas is not for Christians to celebrate Christianity (again, odd sounding I am sure) instead Christmas is for Christians to spread the news of Christ. I have always given Christmas cards with a Christian message on it. Each and every year someone unexpected gives me a card signifying the celebration of Christ's birth. Perhaps this is just respectful or perhaps its just the right thing to do, but just the same Christ is recognized for Christmas. It is not about a tree, it is not about espousing our rights on others, it is about Christ. Scripture tells us we will be persecuted for Him and in His name. Are we prepared for this? Are we prepared to preach Christ crucified even if it means we are unpopular? Remember to share the true meaning of Christmas this year, in fact I challenge everyone that reads this to share the message of Christ with someone that needs to hear it. Have a merry Evangelical Christmas!

One reason why we Christians argue so much about which hymn to sing, which liturgy to follow, which way to worship is that the commandments teach us to believe that bad liturgy eventually leads to bad ethics. You begin by singing some sappy, sentimental hymn, then you pray some pointless prayer, and the next thing you know you have murdered your best friend.
- Stanley Hauerwas

A girl at work got a slinky for Christmas. And while this is seemingly a fun and innocent gift it is driving me absolutely bonkers. All day long all I hear is slink slink slink. Yet, I don't speak up and say anything because I am not part of the clique in which she resides. So instead I am thinking of ways to destroy the slinky, how horrid. I beg all of you do not buy someone in an office a slinky for Christmas if not just for my sake!

Thanksgiving Me & josh in our new shirts we got together!

I saw a bumper sticker the other day that said "One man can make a difference.. Jesus did" and it bothered me. I think that sometimes society, even those claiming Christianity, forget that Jesus was more than just a mere man. Jesus was God in flesh. The difference He made was not just the workings of a mere man. The difference He made was salvation for those who otherwise would be eternally lost. Through Christ man was reconciled with God. This is not the type of difference we can make in the world. Nor should we think we can achieve that type of a difference. I do, however, understand the sentiment behind the bumper sticker. Yet it still bothers me that something undermining the deity of Christ would be sold in a Christian bookstore and placed on the automobiles of Trinity believing Christians. Just because there is a "nice slogan" doesn't mean its acceptable. Think about what that slogan is saying, test it against scripture. Is it truth? If it is not, reject it. I pray that we are all conscience of those little things that are seemingly innocent but yet are corrupting to our faith.

Hey Everyone,

So things went better than my expectations in South Dakota. Josh and I clicked instantly like it wasn't even our first meeting but just as we were on the phone. I have never met someone so sincere and compassionate. I am overwhelmed by the beauty of Josh. He is an amazing man that I am not letting go!! His parents were phenomonal and so loving and kind. His mom and I have a lot in common and it makes me happy to get along so well with her. I look forward to seeing Josh again soon as I miss him dearly. It has been hard to be back here and far away from him. I can hardly wait until I am with him forever. Thank you for all your well wishes and prayers, they were heard.

Sonya

Ok, so the journey to South Dakota starts tomorrow. I am so nervous, yet excited. I am trying my best to not allow past hurts to interfer with the joy I should(and do) feel right now. It takes a lot. As I heard a Christian Psychologist say, anxiety is there to allow us to proceed with caution. I feel I have done that and I am now moving forward. I choose to trust. I choose to love. And most of all I choose to be optimistic.. if I get hurt, at least I have lived. Keep me in your prayers please!!

I am worried.. but not for the reason you may think... after reading the article about the girl who plastered "kill bush" on a picture and posted it on myspace, my concern is that a girl in grade 9 did not know that this could be considered a THREAT. I am sorry but you can try to play the "i'm an innocent little girl, how could the big bad secret services dare question me" act as long as you would like to but do not try to make me believe it. A person in the 9th grade SHOULD have the awareness that you can not say you want to kill people. My fear is not that the secret services are doing their job but that our children are so uneducated that they think its OK to utter death threats.

Sorry for the lack of updates, the last month has been back and forth betwen being sick and doing overtime. I have only half an hour of overtime needed for my week off in November. I am getting to be quite excited about my South Dakotan adventure :) Yesterday I went to the doctor as my mood has been rather off for the last little while and I haven't been able to sleep well so he gave me some sleeping pills. Last night was the first night in weeks that I can truly say that I have felt rested. Another night like that and all should be good. I hope you are all doing well out there in LJ land :)