A clay jar

Yesterday I was talking with one of my co-workers about how I came to believe in God. I was telling her how I didn't know anything about God until just a couple of years ago, but then I had a life-changing experience and there was no denying it any longer. I started to really think about the night that it all happened and when I get thinking then I get writing and this is what I wrote:

For a long time I didn't know God. I was going through life how I wanted, not even knowing. Until one day-- everything changed. I had an experience. An encounter. When I describe out loud how it happened, it doesn't seem very "miraculous". It doesn't seem "glamourous" or full of fireworks. That is, it's not that way to those who listen in. But it was miraculous. It was one of those moments: God was there. Right there. Revealing himself to me at that very moment. How God chooses to reveal himself to us is different for everyone, it's a very personal experience. Hard to explain in words so that to whomever you are describing may understand.

There is no going back from that moment. Who can tell God that he doesn't exist when he's right there showing you that he does?

"Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'He did not make me'? Can the pot say of the potter, 'He knows nothing'?" - Isaiah 29:16

This is how I can live my life by faith, without caring what others say or think. It's how I can stand firm despite the critics and the DaVinci codes and those who try to sway me. Who can tell God that he deoesn't exist when he's right there showing you that he does?

We're here...

We're at our new place. It only took us 25 minutes to load up all of our stuff. We are sooooo thankful to everyone who came out to help. It took about the same amount of time to unload everything! Jeremy's right, we are becoming pretty pro at moving. Our new place is beautiful and we feel completely, undeservedly blessed to be where we are right now. And I don't mean just about the new place of residence.

On Sunday I sang to God and it was a truly powerful morning. Since then I've been reflecting on how indescribably intricate life is and I was struck by awe. I feel incredibly thankful for my life, for all that God had taught me and lead me through, for his blessings of sorrow and joy. All of it is so dear to my little heart right now.

Speaking of little hearts, I'm in my 9th week now. According to my book, the baby is now starting to look like a "proper" baby. Its hands, feet, and limbs are growing quite fast. Its fingers and toes are nearly complete, and touch pads are forming on the fingers. The eyelids almost cover the eyes and the nose has taken shape. The baby is about an inch in length.

In the words of Steve Buchemi's character in 'Big Daddy' when he found out McDonald's stops serving breakfast at 10:30: "Total mind blow."

the weekend

So this is kind of a big weekend. We're moving to our new place tomorrow, we've been packing and getting ready, we even took a load over there last night.

Spooky had a big day yesterday, she flew back to her homeland, Saskatchewan. She's living with my mom and Randy now, which I think she'll enjoy. From the sounds of it she's adjusting well already and doesn't seem too traumatized. Peter and I are trying to get used to not having anyone greet us at the door. Every so often I think I hear her meowing. It's kind of wierd.

Today I logged onto MSN and my good friend, Signe, from Tartu had added me. She read with me this last summer when I did Let's Start Talking. She's a very special lady to me and I was so happy that we were able to get in contact again!

So now I'm talking on MSN to some other great friends from Tartu, Heidi and Riina. Soon I'll have lunch and resume packing.

Oh, and last night I watched Cheaper by the Dozen 2. It my humble opinion... not good.

The BL Kendall Family

In January I wrote about our dear friends, the Kendalls, in Tartu. I wanted to mention them again today because I keep up to date on their blog and I wanted to share them with all of you. We spent last summer with Penny, Brandi, and Kayli (pictured) in Tartu, Estonia while we did Let's Start Talking. They are amazing. They have been in Tartu for about a year and a half, working hard to share with everyone how Jesus has changed them.

This past January their son Dustin was killed in the line of duty while stationed in Iraq. Their faith throughout this painful time has been amazing to witness. They are such strong people, with such a strong (and large!) family (pictured below), and I am so thankful that I was able to get to know them. I really look forward to when I will be able to spend time with them again.


Anyway, I was hoping that lots of you, better yet, all of you, who read this today would pray for them and their family as they continue to mourn their son and brother, Dustin.

And I also wanted to ask you to pray for their church family that they are guiding in Estonia. Check out their blog to hear all about what they've been up to and what they are planning for the summer.

Penny, Brandi, Kayli, if you're reading this, know that you're in my heart, and I think of you all the time and the wonderful things that God is doing through you. To use Peter's favourite word of encouragement: "Endure!"

Corporal Dustin Lee Kendall

Trust.

Given that I am carrying another human being within my own body, I frequent the bathroom a little more often than normal. Peter and I went shopping at Superstore yesterday and I had to use the facilities twice during our shopping experience.

Being just 8 weeks pregnant makes any mother a bit nervous as she seemingly crawls toward the three month "safe" mark, and I am no different. Yesterday was a typical day in the life of Chelsey in the first trimester. Feeling a bit anxious; using the bathroom quite a bit (thought I find the two are unrelated).

Why all this bathroom talk? Well, the first time I used the bathroom I was in and out like nothing. The second time, I was feeling particularly anxious and the first thing I noticed was on the door of the stall was the message "TRUST GOD". Bright and bold, there for me to see. I used the same stall earlier and I hadn't seen the message. Perhaps someone had written it in between my visits?

"How odd," I thought at the sight of it. Believing in God isn't the most popular thing, let alone following and trusting him, yet someone decided to write it on the door of the bathroom stall so that everyone who sits their little fanny down would be reminded of who knows best.

Wierd story, I know. God humbles us in many ways, yesterday that was mine.





(I went to Mission Impossible 3 last night, it was stinkin good!)

Long Weekend

I don't have much to say. Pretty tired. We spent the weekend at Spruston Road Camp with about 6 teens. The ratio was pretty much 1:1 (adult:teen). It was a good weekend but now I'm tired. Excited to sleep in my own bed. Went into Nanaimo and walked along the harbour and heard a celloist play on the pier. Lovely. Job searching tomorrow. Tonight we were watching 'Going Coastal' on MuchMusic and we saw an Alexisonfire/Moneen split video. It was hilarious. Rollicking good fun those bands are.

Got to talk to Arlen on the phone tonight. Special shout out to all the YK friends.

Artsy Fartsy

It appears that a couple of fine folks have taken it upon themselves to provide some illustrations:

(by lovely Marnie)

(by the James Davies)

Perhaps we should hold some kind of contest?

the most precious you could believe

Our good friends Matt, Aaron and Dylan are staying with us in Victoria for a few days. Right now they're doing my dishes. Sweet.

The Beach

On Sunday Crystal, Isaiah, Eric, Peter and I drove to French Beach and China Beach. It was sweet.

Apparently Parents...

So you may have already heard, but God has decided to trust Peter and I to be the Patriarch and Matriarch of our own tribe. Yes it's true, this Roberts family is expanding and this time I'm not talking about getting a new pet or plant or anything. A little soul began it's journey toward the human experience about 7 weeks ago and will be departing the womb on January 1, 2007 (according to Nagele's rule, yet to be confirmed with the doc).

Peter and I are both really excited and thankful to God for trusting us with this little person that He has created.

Unfortunately at this time I do not have a comic-representation of our little one in the womb as I did with the announcement of my brother's little bambino. But arrangements could be made upon popular request.

This news is now public domain so you can feel free to spread it! We would appreciate prayers for a healthy development and safe delivery, and for spiritual wisdom as we teach this little being what life is about.



And so, this is the reason why I haven't written in a while. You see, when I have a secret or I have to hide something from someone, I generally try not to talk to that person because I feel like I'm being dishonest. So I kind of avoided the blogspot for a while. I couldn't write anything without feeling like I was lieing to you all. So now you know and now you can expect blogging as usual.

Backstreet's Back

I just haven't posted in a while. This happens to me from time to time. I'll be completely aware of the fact that I haven't written in a while and I think to myself: "I haven't written in a while, where do I even start?" The opposite happens often as well, I'll have so much to say and so many ideas and I don't have the time/energy to get them all out there. Sometimes that even marks the beginning of the dry spell.

The opposite of not writing is writing, so here I am.

We arrived in Victoria at 5:40 PM from Regina. We had a busy week (Peter moreso than I) and it was bittersweet to see all of our family and great friends again (bitter because we were leaving them again so shortly).

I started a new job on Monday and I quit an old job on Monday. New job = West Telemarketing Corporation (for you Reginians, you can think StarTek). Old job = Starbucks. I will sling coffees one last time on Saturday. At my new job I have three chances to win a new car. A Hyundai Accent. It'd be the perfect accent for our Elantra. A couple of weeks ago I won a t-shirt at Got Faith? and I was pretty excited. Can't imagine what it might be like to win a car. I may have exhausted my luck already on that t-shirt.

no news is good news?

Pete and I flew into Regina on Friday night at 11 PM. Greeted by brother Blair at the aerogarde. Lots of visiting, laughter and baby smiles ever since. I heard my little neice Kiara call me Auntie on the weekend. It was good. Seeing lots of friends. Now I'm at my mom and Randy's. Going to see my grandma and maybe my dad for lunch.

I miss my cat.