Just call me Betty Crocker!

Today, I made my very first pie -- all by myself! And if I can say so, I thought it was excellent!

So here's my pie... made with fresh peaches!

(And not only did I do that, but I also grilled barbeque chicken for dinner for the first time! Pretty yummy also! Checking off 2 items on my domestic goals list!) :)

Closure

You'd think after a year and two months that telemarkerts would stop calling asking for Jeffrey Roe. Yet..the phone calls keep coming. I just had to explain to two telemarketers in the past 24 hours that "I'm sorry, but he has passed away" to which they quickly act embarressed and continually tell me how sorry they are. You'd think there'd be some sort of closure there after 14 months.

And, yet, I'm not sure if there's alot of closure for me - or if there ever will be. He was my dad...as one of my current favorite songs states "he is half of the reason I was born in that November rain". He's half of who I am. I will always carry him in my heart - through his words of wisdom while he was here, the way he raised me, his sense of humor and sweet tooth that he passed on to me, and the security and confidence that he helped boost in me. And because of that, I think it's ok to not have closure.

It seems that as I go through different seasons in life, different songs seem to speak to me and almost be the theme of my life for that time. So here's a few of the current ones....

Live Like You're Loved by Mark Schultz:

"Live like you're loved by the Lord up above, spread out your wings and never give up."

---

Fight Another Day by Addison Road:

Will you spend a lifetime running? Cause you can spend a lifetime running.

And do you feel the fire when the flame gets hot?

Are you living every day like it's the last you got?

Even when your heart's been broken,

He'll be there with arms wide open.

----

He Would Tell You by Jonny Diaz:

He would tell you he loves you and he's so proud of the woman once his little girl,

You look just like your mother when she was your age and there's nothing that's more beautiful,

He would say that he's near and that he promise he hears when you speak to him late in the night

And it hurts him so bad to look down when you're sad and know you are the reason he cries

He can't quite promise you when, but he knows that he'll hold you again,

But until that time, keep your eyes on the sky,

and go change the world you're in.

---

You are God Alone by Phillips, Craig, and Dean:

And right now, in the good times and bad,

You are on throne, You are God alone.

---

Our God by Chris Tomlin:

Our God is greater, our God is stronger,

God you are higher than any other...

And if our God is for us, then who can ever stop us?

And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?

Be blessed my friend. God's got it all under control...including when (and if) closure - for every aspect of our life - will happen. It's time to change the world by shining His light. Go live like you're loved - for you truly are!

The Dark Before the Morning

X marks the spot.... on the calendar....

Today, May 27, 2010, marks the one year anniversary of my dad's death. It is so strange to say that - still! So hard to believe that it's been one year without my dad. How could I have possibly gone through a whole year without him - and still survived? How could I have not talked to him in one year, heard his voice in over a year, or seen him?

On the other hand, I am 21 years old! I'm technically an adult, I should be able to surive without a dad. Oh, it is absolutely crazy what grief can do to you! It is a funny thing... sometimes I wonder if I've really been through all that's happened this past year. Not just with my dad's death, but the things that have happened as a result of his death. But looking back - I wouldn't be where I am in life right now if not for this event that rocked the Roe family structure.

Do you know pain? Do you know sorrow? Do you know brokenness?

I believe we all do - or all will at one point in life. Whether it's the death of a loved one, a broken relationship, a terrifying illness, or facing the unknown, we will all face some kind of pain in our life. So what are you going to do with it? Will you run to drugs and alcohol to run from the pain? Or maybe you will throw yourself into a relationship in an attempt to fill the hole in your heart? Will you became angry and bitter towards God, family, or even yourself for having to go through it? Or will you run wholeheartedly to God, your Sustainer and Healer?

It's a choice. It's your choice. God isn't going to force you to cling to Him. It's up to us.

Will you focus on your pain? Or will you choose to believe that what you're going through is just preparing you for the joy that will soon come? Let me leave you with a song that has been so encouraging to me the past few months. It's called "Before the Morning" by Josh Wilson. I feel that the lyrics are so powerful and can speak to every heart.

~ - ~

Do you wonder why you have to

feel the things that hurt you?

If there's a God who loves you,

Where is He now?

Or maybe there are things you can't see

And all those things are happening,

To bring a better ending

Someday, somehow you'll see, you'll see.

Would you dare, would you dare to believe,

That you still have a reason to sing?

Cause the pain that you've been feling,

Can't compare to the joy that's coming.

So hold on, you gotta wait for the light,

Press on and just fight the good fight.

Cause the pain that you've been feeling,

It's just the dark before the morning.

~-~

Press on friends. Whatever pain you may be feeling...it's just the dark before the morning, the hurt before the healing. You still have a reason to sing - God is in control; He loves you outrageously; and He's calling you to Him no matter where you are in life. Are you answering His call?

(And if you're going through a rough time, let me know...I would love to pray for you. I now know that the intercessory prayers of others were what got me through some of my roughest moments. God provides blessings in the midst of pain!)

Hold my Hand, Father

As I type this, I am sitting by my window listening to the rain fall steadily outside. I never used to like rain - but I think I'm starting to have a change of heart. I enjoy listening to it if it's at night...if it's a spring or summer rain, where normally everything is pretty and sunny and then all of a sudden...you have a burst of rain. I think it shows kinda what life is. Life can be pretty, it can be sunny and happy; and in just a second, life can start pouring down the rain. It's inenvitable. What are you going to do about it? I'm finding that you have a choice. Crap is going to happen to all of us at one point of time or another - will you choose joy or will you choose bitterness when it comes to your attitude when dealing with it? It's all up to you.

Lately, I've been wishing God could be here in physical form with me. I know He's with me every single moment - but sometimes I wish He could just magically appear so I could see Him. I need Him to hold my hand, to guide me and show me His will for my life. I need to know that I'm not doing all this alone and that He's going to be the One to get me through...to pull me out of this dark tunnel and into the Light. I just need to know that I'm not alone.

"never will i leave you, never will i forsake you." - hebrews 13:5

When will I learn? God's not leaving me. He knows the crap in my life, sees my yucky moods, and still loves me the same. How awesome of a God do we serve?

Good ol' Bible school songs sure teach kids the truths of life. Last summer, I heard the little kids in my church sing this song at their closing program - and it brought tears to my eyes. Because I needed - and still need - to know that I will never be alone.

As we travel the trail of life,

We're never alone,

Never out of Your sight

We know that You'll see us through

Casue you always do

You hold our hand tight

As we travel the trail of life.

Grab your Savior's hand tonight -- He's holding it out to you. Will you grasp it or push it away?

You Are So Good To Me; You Heal My Broken Heart

Life's been interesting lately. Lots of changes, lots of pain, lots of joy. It's been so crazy.

2 weeks ago, I was in the Dominican Republic for a week. It was exactly what I needed. I went on a mission trip with an organization outside of Geneva....meaning I only knew one person on my team. That was exactly what I needed. I needed to be away from everyone who knew my pain and who knew my situation. I didn't have cell phone or internet. That was exactly what I needed. We were there to serve and to get closer to God....I helped out with Vacation Bible School with the children in Haitian villages. These kids only receive one a meal or one meal every two days. They live in shacks that are smaller than my bedroom and some run around naked. And yet...all these kids want are for you to hug them, hold them, and give them a piggy back ride. It was so humbling to look at them and see their need - a need to just be loved. That was exactly what I needed. So many of them would come up to you and ask for your shoes. They would show their shoes to you...and they literally had holes in the bottom of the soles where their heels hit. At the end of the week, I gave two pairs of my shoes and some other items to two boys. That was exactly what I needed. These kids' need for love reminded me of God's love and His presence. He showed up; He's still here and still in control of my life. He is good and He cares so deeply about me. That was exactly what I needed. It was such a good trip....not the typical mission trip I would have gone on, but it was just the thing I needed for this time in my life. God is good!

Today marks the 10 month anniversary of my dad's death. It's so weird to think it's been that long. In some ways, it seems like it was forever ago, and other times it seems like it was just last week. We're in the double digits...that's kinda scary, because it means we are getting close to the year anniversary. I still miss him so much; he was such a good dad to me, despite our disagreements. He provided so much love and security. But, I've found that I'm healing. The Dominican trip really helped me to lean on God, because He was truly the only One I had. I've coming around...feeling God's joy again and trusting Him.

Do you ever have those times when you are just so incredibly confused about life? That's where I'm at right now. I just don't know what God's Will is in so many areas of my life. I know He will guide and provide open and closed doors. How do you know what God's will is? How do you know when something is from Him? Life is confusing. And that leads to fear. I found that I'm fearful of some things these days. Why is it that when life starts to get confusing, you start to get anxious and fear? I think it's becasue we want control...we want to just know the future and not wait on God's timing. However, God's the One who knows all things, and He will not reveal His will to you a minute too early or a minute to late. It all comes down to giving your fears over to Him and trusting Him to provide at the right moment. Praise Him for his incredible and perfect timing!

"You are the One who controls all time, can I bring you all of my fears tonight?" - Jonny Diaz

Take your fears to Jesus; He's got it all under control.

Lots of Random

A couple random thoughts....

First. I MISS ALASKA. I want to go back! I was just watching a video advertising a cruise with Mark Schultz to Alaska..... one of my favorite singers and my favorite place! Couldn't get better. For me, Alaska was just a place of peace, serenity, and quiet. The wilderness took me out of the "normal" and gave me a place to just relax and restore my relationship with God. Ahh....I so wish I could go back and escape the craziness of my life.

Second. Mark Schultz is one of my favorite artists. Lately, I've had three songs stuck in my head. The first is "Live Like You're Loved" by Mark Schultz. It just reminds us to live like we are loved, no matter what we feel like that day, to chase your dreams and never give up. Because, ultimately, we are loved. Even if our parents abandon us, you're fighting with your significant other, or you're just having a really crappy day....we still have a God who loves us. One of the verses in this song really hit me hard the past few weeks. It's about an 18 year old girl who is packing up and moving away for the first time. The second verse says, "Some days are fair, but some days she barely gets by. But when she feels alone, she picks up the phone just to hear her daddy's voice. He says "I tell the whole world I'm proud of you girl"." Oh....for some reason, lately I've really missed knowing that my dad is proud of me. And I just need to know that my dad is proud of me...but there's no way for him to tell me that now. It's funny how you can take so much for granted.

Third. I really enjoy Matthew West's songs. His newest song, "Save a Place for Me" has been on the radio alot lately.....thus staying in my head. The lyrics really just explain my thoughts..... "Don't be mad if I cry, it just hurts so bad sometimes. Cause everyday it's sinking in and I have to say goodbye all over again....save a place for me, save a place for me, I'll be there soon.....I have asked the question why but I guess the answer's for another time, so instead I'll pray with every tear, and be thankful for the time I had you here." ...... ah, so readers, don't be mad if I cry. Sometimes I need to. The pain can just be so overwhelming at times. I miss my dad, the love he gave me, his protection, his jokes, and his security.

Fourthy. All this snow (2 feet) is ridiculous!! I hate being snowed in. :( If it didn't keep me from doing the things I normally would be doing, I'd be ok with it.... but it keeps changing my plans, making for an unhappy Aimee!

Lastly. I've noticed lately just how unworthy I am to even have a relationship with God...and yet how amazing His grace is. "I know I'm weak, I know I'm unworthy to call upon Your name. But because of Your grace, because of Your mercy, I stand here unashamed." How amazing is our God, who sees us standing in our sin and brokeness, and yet chooses to see us as pure and clean in His sight. Our God indescribable!

Goodbye 2009!

Two thousand and nine. What a year! It was filled with a lot of learning experiences, but also some fun. To be honest though, it was the worst year of my life so far---and I couldn't be more excited to say goodbye to 2009 and hello to 2010!

It all started last January when my grandma had to have emergency surgery and wasn't doing very well at all. After being in the hospital for 3 weeks, she finally came home. During this time, I was in my first car wreck...did a 360 across both lanes of traffic and hit a guardrail with my front bumper. So scary, but God was good. My dad happened to be off work, because he had broken his wrist, so he was just 15 minutes away and came to my rescue! I didn't get hurt at all - just shaken up, although my car was in rough shape, and the policeman didn't even publish my name in the newspaper when he wrote up the report! :)

Two weeks later, I conquered another fear - I got baptized! I knew I needed to be baptized, but was always afraid because I don't like the thought of having someone push me underwater. Well...February 15, I grabbed the bull by the horns and got baptized! 3 weeks after this, I conquered yet my 3rd fear for the year....I flew on a plane for the first time! I was terrified...but it wasn't bad at all! I flew to Alaska -- 8 hours on a plane. I LOVED Alaska! So beautiful, calm, and refreshing. I have to go back at least once in my lifetime!

And then 6 weeks after my adventure to Alaska, my parents bought me a piano! I was so excited--and just love it to pieces! It still needs a little work....needs tuned and such -- but I LOVE playing it. It just gives my brain some time to relax and not have to think too much.

That same day proved to be the start of a very long month--and the worst time in my life. God decided that my dad's time on Earth was complete and that it was time to take him home on May 27. Those four weeks plus the weeks around the funeral were just horrendous. Nothing can ever prepare you for losing a parent unexpectedly.

After Dad's death, the rest of the year was sorta just a blur. Working through my grief, struggling with the death of a few other friends, it was all just a mess. But - God is still good. I can't say that I've really enjoyed the past 7 months....yes, there were some times where I enjoyed myself, but in general....it was a struggle every day to get up, to feel loved, to feel God's presence, and to not be discouraged. I never knew that there could be this much pain in the world. In the midst of these trials, however, God has shown me His love. He has spoken to me - mostly through the Old Testament during this - and has reminded me that the battles in this world are not own own. They're His. He's working to bring good.

Talking about battles.....this fall, I learned how to shoot a gun and a bow! I was so excited and I loved both experiences! I can't say I'm too good, but it was so much fun!

Like I said, God has brought good through my year of trials. He has blessed me with so many wonderful friends! This summer, I went to Virginia to visit my best friend! Oh, Hannah is so good to me - and it was really nice to see her new house and just spend a few days catching up. Now that we're in college and her family has moved, we only see each other about 3-4 times a year. But --- she is definitely a friend of the heart; we've been through so much together. 16 years is a long time to be close friends! Despite the distance, she still remains one of my closest friends. I am so grateful to have an amazing friend!!

My friends at Geneva have also been wonderful. They were so patient with me-especially the past few weeks. They listened to me vent about so many issues for hours on end -- probably when they had stuff they wanted to talk about too. I've been blessed! They are good to me! And God has been so good to provide me with fatherly figures who love me. Words can't even begin to express my gratitude. There are so many of them and they are all just so wonderful! God has blessed me with godly men and women - from all areas of my life - who have cared for me, sat with me through my tears, and loved me. I am incredibly thankful for all of them.

Like I said -- 2009 was by far the hardest year in my life. I am so ready for a new year! Although I know trials can help you grow, I'm ready for some fun times! :) 2010 seems to be holding a trip to the Dominican Republic and Ukraine, student teacher (ahh!!), the start of my senior year of college, and hopefully - growing more like my Maker. I'm looking forward to seeing what all 2010 will bring!