16 For this is the way God loved the world: he gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. 18 The one who believes in him is not condemned. The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. 19 Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil deeds hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed. 21 But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, so that it may be plainly evident that his deeds have been done in God.
We, Josh & I, were invited over to Pastor Glen Berube & his wife Jacquie's house for dinner last night. They are such gracious people to open up their home to couples from church and we are so blessed to have met them. I had asked Josh Saturday morning at breakfast if he was nervous about having dinner at their house. He said not really, but I said I was. I wasn't sure how to act, or If I would act the way I should, or that I would offend them in anyway, because I didn't want to do that because they are such a wonderful couple.
But as we pulled up into their driveway, I wasn't nervous anymore. I was excited. I was excited to get to know them on a deeper level and to worship together and just have a wonderful night with 2 other wonderful couples. We got to talking about the church and how it has really helped my journey and our journey as a couple and how thankful we were for them to open their home up to us. We sat down with them and the Landi's and just laughed and talked over cheese and crackers, and I couldn't help but to begin to feel at ease. Just being surrounded by such beautiful people made me feel so strong and happy.
Then we sat down for dinner, which by the way, was ah-MAZE-ing! I can't wait to do it again, haha :). And the Landi's talked a lot about their college days and the things they experienced because of that and God. Glen shared his passion with the men and a little bit of "crazy pepper spray" (Only they will see the humor behind this LOL)!
Then after enjoying dinner and desert and on to Allyssa and Josh's 3rd cup of insanely strong coffee, Josh asked a biggie. "Can you explain exactly what being saved means?" Glen brought out his bible and began to read. Nicodemus...the way he asked God in John 3, reminded me of Josh last night at dinner and how he asked Glen. At the end of exclaiming all our accomplishements as a couple, and as individuals and as a family even since we have began going to church and opening our hearts to getting to know God, Glen said, "Listen, we can do this right now. We can recite sinners prayer and that'll be it, your life will be changed for the better."
In that moment, that's when I knew I was ready, and so did Josh.
As we recited the prayer with Glen, I just started to think about all the great things we were about to endure and how so blessed I felt in that moment to be surrounded with such faithful and heartfelt people and I just knew it was the perfect time. After finishing, everyone was teary! It was a wonderful moment.
All night thereafter, I just kept saying, I am so happy! It is a wonderful feeling.
I can't express how deeply grateful I am to Jacquie and Glen. Words cannot express enough how much they have opened my eyes, and Josh's too I am sure, to how beautiful our lives can be with the Grace of God. As we left their house that night Josh said what I had been thinking since desert, "I felt like we were having a family dinner." And it was so true. I didn't want to leave. Their hearts are so open and warm to anyone and everyone who walks into their lives, whether it be in sunday school, or at church at the end of service, or in their homes and everyday life...and I honestly can say that they inspire me. I hope to one day be like them. To see everyone through god's eyes and and have a pure heart, and just love all others as God loves us. Because that's what they have done for us and still are doing for us, and many others and I hope they see that. I hope they truly know all the good they are doing for so many.
This morning we made our way down to the front of the church and gave our Profession of Faith. All those times I sat up in the balcony wondering if I was ready, and I kept saying no, not today. Today, I knew. We knew. And the amazing thing was, I wasn't afraid anymore.
(I hope they don't mind <3)
"Dear God, I want to pray so deeply to you for Pastor Glen and his wife, Jacquie. Continue to show them your grace and mercy, and let them know how grateful we are to them and how wonderful they are. I pray that you continue to shower them with your love and honesty and faithfulness as you have done all these years. I pray to you to keep them in good health and good mind during times of struggle and I pray that you will give me and my husband the strength and courage that you have blessed this wonderful couple with so that we can continue to grow through your eyes and with a pure heart and love one another and all others in our lives just as you love us and just as the Berube's love all who come into their lives. In Jesus name I pray, Amen."
Till Next Time Bloggers, and God Bless!
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