love song

I've heard it said that a man would climb a mountain
Just to be with the one he loves
How many times has he broken that promise
It has never been done.
I've never climbed the highest mountain
But I walked the hill of calvary

Chorus:
Just to be with you, I'd do anything
There's no price I would not pay
Just to be with you, I'd give anything
I would give my life away.

I've heard it said that a man would swim the ocean
Just to be with the one he loves
How may times has he broken that promise
It can never be done
I've never swam the deepest ocean
But I walked upon the raging sea

Repeat chorus

(Bridge)
I know that you don't understand
the fullness of My love
How I died upon the cross for your sins
And I know that you don't realize
how much that I gave you
But I promise, I would do it all again.
Just to be with you,
I've done everything
There's no price I did not pay
Just to be with you,
I gave everything
Yes, I gave my life away.

-- Third Day

* And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:18-21

the price is right

I have been watching "The Price Is Right" since I can remember; Bob Barker and I would always have our daily date at 11:00am on CHTV (that is until school and a summer job would get in the way.) I would just like to say that one day you will be able to see me on that show, running down the alley, leaping on the stage to kiss Bob Barker's weathered cheek, choosing the right price to my new car, and then I will have the closest score to my showcase so Im the ultimate winner of the show. Then the experince will be complete when Bob says his classic line of "Remember to get your pet spade or neutered to control the pet population!" *sigh... how I love this show.

I celebrate the day

The first time that You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior? And the first breath that left Your lips did You know that it would change this world forever?
I celebrate the day that You were born to die so I could one day pray for You to save my life.
- Relient K

What is the true defintion of glory? The answer to this question, in my opinion, is revealed through Christ's birth. God sending His only Son, Jesus, who would one day die to save our lives, was not a minor event. God had every right to make it a huge deal. He could have chosen Jesus to be born to a King and Queen in the midst of wealth and celebrations, with crowds of people around him acknowledging the birth of a Saviour. Yet, Jesus' mother was Mary, he was born in the little town of Bethlehem - in a manger, and the only audience was the shepherds. This night was God's ultimate showing of His glory - He humbled Himself and send us the greatest gift we could ever recieve, a Saviour. Through this He is able to obtain the highest glory. For this I give thanks and give God the glory... I celebrate the day.

here I go again....

well - if you did not notice, I haven't used my blog space in forever - due to the fact that I was using the good ol' MSN space... but then I decided that I prefered Blogger. So here I go again. - I posted a couple of my favourites from my MSN space

will you walk away? - december 19

I was studying English, and I came back to the story of "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" by Ursala Le Guin, and once again realized what an incredible story it is. It is the story of a Utopian society whose survival depends on the existence of a child who is locked in a small room and mistreated. Although all of the citizens of Omelas are aware of the child's situation, most of them accept that their happiness is dependent on the child's "abominable misery." Sometimes, however, a few people, after visiting the child and seeing the deplorable conditions under which it lives, leave Omelas forever.
This story can be seen as a parallel to the current society in which we live, although an extreme one. We do not live in a total Utopian society, and yet a large amount of the luxuries that we enjoy are at the expense of others who are less fortunate than us. One example of this would be capitalism. Just like the story when we first encounter the reality of these injustices we are shocked and bothered, but we ussually rationalize it and then accept it as the way society works.
There are the few that can never accept this "false" happiness, and decide to walk away from Omelas. They cannot accept that their happiness is dependant on those who suffer. It is not an easy journey, for they are going against the grain, ussually traveling alone. In our current situation, it is hard to stand up for the injustices that are happening, to leave this city and take a stand. We feel so helpless because we are only one person and feel so inadequate to change the many injustices in our world. It is possible to obtain a better world? Is it possible to walk away? Will you walk away?

Colossians 3:15 - december 14

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body; and be thankful." Colossians 3:15 NKJV

Keep your head up and hold fast to Christ's hand.

what I love about winter - december 13

during this stressful time, i am more prone to think about all the negative sides to winter, so i decided to make a top 11 list of what I love about winter...

11. the puffs of breath
10. sliding on patches of ice
9. lighting candels
8. snowflakes
7. christmas lights
6. having snowball fights
5. taking walks when it is snowing
4. i can wear my Oma slippers
3. the crinkle of my winter coat when it's really cold
2. singing Christmas hymns
1. the smell of wood stove smoke

hearts are like rollerblades - december 10

Yesterday was a blast and a half. To celebrate being done classes, Angie, Liz, Willem, Steve, Matty, and I all went to Liz house. We had an intense game of scrabble, that's right scrabble, one of the best games out there. Steve and Liz won -- though no thanks to Liz :). Willem and I got in a close second and opened the playing board many a time. Angie and Matty get an honourable mention, I guess.
For supper we had coke and pizza, two foods that I haven't had in FOREVER, which is really wierd considering Im in univeristy and those are ussually the staple foods.
After supper we went into the hot tub, I think I am going to Liz's house more often... for the hot tub. Soooo relaxing. And our hearts are stronger today due to the famous Swiss tradition of going in the snow before the hot tub, except Im not sure if they make snow angels...
We then went inside to go back into our childhoods and watch Home Alone 2 - Lost In New York. It was still good, but Angie and I had a hard time getting past analyzing Kevin's family - lacking. Though when watching the movie when older you catch things that you over looked as a child. Such as deeper meanings. There is a lesson in the movie from the Special Hide Out when Kevin was with the Bird Lady --- ahh heart touching.
I had a nice pair of Rollerblades. I was afraid to wreck them... ...so I kept them in a box. Do you know what happened? I outgrew them. I never wore them outside. Only in my room a few times. A person's heart and feelings aren't very different than skates. They're kind of the same thing. If you won't use your heart, who cares if it gets broken? If you just keep it to yourself, maybe it'll be like my Rollerblades. When you do decide to try it, it won't be any good. You should take a chance. Got nothing to lose.
It was a great night - thanks Liz. Now I should be all refreshed and ready to study - hahaha, studying will be the death of me. (especially cause it means that I am in my bloody cold room and i am going to catch pneumonia.)

hallejuah, the beans are coming off - october 31

You know you're a hick when... your parents send you an email with the subject title "hallejuah, the beans are coming off." Oh how I love it. I am actually happy that we are able to get the beans off, cause my dad was pretty worried about not being able to get a crop off. I can't wait to be home again :) Im leaving Wednesday night so I am going to be home for four days, quite happy about that. My mom's cooking mmm. Being able to do laundry for free.
I went to the Fall Entreat this weekend, and it was amazing, really worth it. It hepled me refocus on God and keep everything in perspective. The topic was about finding your vision and a passion through Christ.
Tonight was halloween, I didn't go trick-or-treating though, but in the festivities of it we watched Silence of the Lambs - a sick, sick, sick, creepy movie. Hence the reason I am still up right now. I can't sleep - blah. I've made a new decision, I am never going anywhere alone, no drivng alone, no walking alone, no living alone... too freaky.
But hey, good news a little, I think I am the new computer nerd. My labtop was sounding like a refrigerator so I did sergery on it and took off the fans part and vaccumed it and now it is A LOT quiter. Im pretty much a genius.
Well I think Im going to try to get some sleep, but for some reason I think I might have insomnia for life. eek.

update - october 16

Here I am at Redeemer University - totally loving it! I am meeting so many new people and making really good friends, and of course the school work comes with it - blah. I made it on the student senate and now am officially a nerd. I have a great dorm and am having a blast living with 8 other girls, it has it ups and downs obviously though. Anyways this entry is gonna be very general cause i could go on and on with stories of what has happened. Though I must say I LOVED coming home for thanksgiving. Once i was there I didn't want to leave again. Too bad though I couldn't hang out with friends while I was there - stricly family time. Though I am coming home again soon and we will get together then.
Cheers!

thank-you Father for families

What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories. - George Eliot

This weekend was our annual Vedder family reunion at.... *drum roll* Aunt Hetty and Uncle Aalt's back yard!!! Though this might be a little unusual it has become our tradtion, and what a great one it is. They have a BEAUTIFUL place, the key component of a pool, trampoline, woods, volleyball court, and a spacious deck for tanning (who needs the beach?) It was an awesome weekend of fooling around with my cousins - team Winners, eh Jake?, cranking the tunes on the way to Osgood, girl talks with Krista till 2am, Sarah's baked buns, and making the all around BEST whirlpool in the pool - and a very relaxing weekend too - being a pool bunny and a sun sponge (I actually got a tan, along with freckles) Sara and Josh also brought little Jordy (of course he got spoiled), it was so cute to hear him giggle.
This weekend I gained so much respect and admiration for my Aunt Janet and Grace. They have been so strong throughout their battles with cancer, displaying so much courage. I love them even more for it. They are such examples to me of how your faith in God can pull you through the darkest vallies in life. I thank God for answering our many prayers that have been offered. He is a gracious and loving Father.
My Opa and Oma are the foundation of our family. They are such strong couple and their love for eachother is so touching. It is my wish that one day I have a relationship like they do, of growing old together.
These weekends I will always keep close to my heart, for family is the best gift that God has granted.

goodbye's the saddest word

So this is it I am officially done high school. The dinner, the ceremony... done! It was all so beautiful, such a fitting ending to an awesome four year chapter to our lives.
The dinner in the Baldachin proved to be what we expected and more. There was plenty of delicious food, the decorations were amazing, and it had a a realy beautiful interior. And the company was of course top notch.
The ceremony went ny fast and its just a blurr. But yah its all done, mixed feelings.

Dear Jess:

Goodbye's the saddest word I'll ever hear
Goodbye's the last time I will hold you near
Someday you'll say that word and I will cry
It'll break my heart to hear you say goodbye

But the love you give will always live
And I will always love you till forever comes

And when you need me
I'll be there this I promise you

I'll be your beacon through the darkest night
I'll be the wings that guide your broken flight
I'll be your shelter through the raging storm
And I will love you till forever comes

Till we meet again until then goodbye

-Celine Dion

-props to the bossy posee-
-thanks robyner for everything-

school's out for the summer

School's out forever
School's out for summer
School's out with fever
School's out completely
- Alice Cooper

Wow I guess this is it. It's over (Just For Gags wailing in the background) I don't think it has hit me yet that I am finished High School and this is it. No more Redeemer, and some of the people in my class I am never going to see again after graduation. *sigh. Though I am going to try my best not to loose touch with people. Even though I am going to miss the people, I'm not going to miss the classes. I was increadibly happy when I was done my last exam. It felt so good, not have to worry about assignments, or feel guilty for not studying. It has been an awesome four years of my life in which I would not trade for the most chocolate in the world. Seriously, these have been life changing years and I'm not sure if they can get any better than this. Though apparently University is supposed to better, University must be a heck of an experience then. Through these years I have made quality friendships that are going to last through the test of time. I have also met so many great people who have in one way or another helped shape me into the person I am today. Thank-you all for these past years and the memories they have given me. I will miss you all terribly.

Autopro is much faster than CAA

So this is it, I have found a new job and am about to leave a job where the people I work with and for mean so much to me. I guess I have never really thought about it before this time when I am leaving. They are so great and the fact that they care about me and what is going on in my every day life and my walk with God has meant so much to me. And of course this past weekend doesn't make it any easier. On Saturday we had to do invetory, but then after Dave took us all out boating. It was a blast! I learnt how to water ski and just spent the day on the beach making sand castle with their kids and going tubing with Paul's wife Christina. These people mean so much to me, so it gonna be hard to say good-bye. Though it is time to move on, life changes. The job I got at Timmy's place may hold many opportunity yet to be seen.

can I handle the seasons of my life

Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love
Can the child within my heart rise above
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life

Well, I've been afraid of changing
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you get bolder
Even children get older
And I'm getting older too

- Landslide

fruitopia moments

(if you are reading this and haven't read the previous post you might want to as this is the events of our Grade 12 trip continued...)
On Thursday morning if we were looking forward to a breakfast for champs we were to be bitterly disappointed. The breakfast at Laval was a crusty attempt of making garbadge look like food... I guess it just adds to the experience eh?
After breakfast we went to the military base in Quebec (I think its called "La Citadel") It was a pretty awesome fortress. I wouldn't want to have attack that in the olden days. There was the HUGE cannon called Rachel.. lol Rachel I don't think you're a beast. :)
After the tour they put us in groups and gave us a camera with which we could tour the city and take crazy pictures. We got a picture of Andrew getting told of by a cop, us with all kinds of different Quebec hats on, we posed with a stuffed bear wearing "don't feed the bears boxers on", and other crazy pics. I can't wait to see them developed. With our groups we then went for lunch, I had this fresh fruit parfait which was soooo good. The whipped cream.... mmm. Good thing we did a lot of walking that day.
After lunch we then went to a famous church where many people were healed. It was an amazing building, so detailed and beautiful. Everything about that church was perfect in its style.
On the way back to Quebec we stopped by at the waterfall, where we saw the TCS kids on their grade 8 trip... fancy seeing them there. The stairs to get to the top were unending, there were sooooo many. Zach, Luther, Robert, and I raced eachother to the top, and of course I won right boys? Just remember there is no reality, except for mine, just ask Julie. Once on the top we could go on a bridge that went right over top the water fall. Looking down at the waterfall was awesome. Matthijs made a rainbow at the botom by pouring a drop of his orange gatorade down the waterfall, that is how rainbows happen. Julie, Josh, and I took the Gondala down... go figure, we could handle the stair up, but not down. It was a nice view though.
We then went back to Laval where we got ready for dinner, I ironed Jess's hair... I will conform many people in my life that the iron is the way to go. We went to a pasta place for dinner where there was many, many kids there eating dinner with us. Josh daring me to squeeze the butter container, but stopped me just in time before I popped it and butter went everywhere. But the funny thing is that there were kids across from us who saw me doing it and tried it, and before I knew it I was sprayed with butter. I tried to look mad, but I couldn't because it was too funny and if I were them I would have probably done the same.
Afer dinner we went to the Plains of Abraham and played soccer. But before we played soccer, Mrs. Shuurman, Jess, and I had to try to find a washroom, which was an adventure in itself. We walked everywhere before one, and Mrs. Shuurman almost pushed right onto a dead groundhog. *sick. Then Jess and I waded into a waterfountain and took pictures with penguins who played intraments. We then made it back to the soccer fields, where we played tackle soccer. I found the tricks take Nathan out by his bumm ankel and Mathijs has sore legs. It was fun though I took them both down at the end, though not before getting taken out by Mathijs. But I got in a lot of noogies and kidney punches. "Zach, at least I don't take Calculus!"
We then when back to Laval, but most of us were really thirsty so we decided to take a walk to the nearest gas station to buy drinks. On the way there Mathijs and I realized that we share the same problem, the difficulty of trying to be humble when we are so great. It felt so good to find someone else who understands what it is like to be perfect...lol. And there was a fountain that we passed that it was necessary for Jess and I to wade in. At the gas station I bought a fruitopia, where I would later find out the bottle would come in handy, eh Jess? Ahhh fruitopia moments... juice $1.75, bottle priceless. At the gass station it crossed my mind that we should have a gas fight like on Zoolander, but my better judgment won out... not very often that happens, but in this situation it prevailed.
We went back to Laval, this time to sleep, though it was kinda hard considering there were drunk men outiside our window yelling at the top of their lungs.
The next day was.... La Rounde!!! It was an amazing time. The first ride on I went on was a rollercoaster. I ussually am terrified of them and this one was no acception. I told the guys that I wanted a warm up, and I guess to them this was one... The line up was long except it was kept interesting, by watching a group of 40 guys try and bud their way through the line up, only to be escorted away by security, while the whole line was cheering and clapping. "Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey Good-bye!" The rollercoaster was very, very, very terrifying. I was curled up in the fetial postion the whole time even though your supposed to keep your head back so you don't get whip lash. By the end Mathijs had to assure me that it was almost over, I'm surprised I heard him over my screams of terror. Though it was worth it. The thrill of a life time. I went on other rides the whole day which were fun also. It was so hot that day, so the water fight by the kids water park felt so good. Good thing that the sun was hot though, cause we needed to dry off before going on the bus back to Ottawa. On the busride back I hung out with Mrs. Shuurman. Man I miss her so much. She is more a friend than anything else, I can't wait for next year when we can hang out more. We had some good talks but also a lot of fun. Josh was joking about how at grad we should have futurarian that predict where everyone will be in 10 years. So Mrs. Shuurman asked me to tell her fortune by reading her palm, so I did the whole "You are going to be very rich, here is you mansion, your cars, and *spit* your swimming pool. LOL - "that was great guys, really great." But then she got me back by giving me a wet whilly.
The Grade trip was great, memories that I will take with me the rest of my life. A great way to end your highschool years with your classmates. Thank-you all for making it what it was.

underwater bike submarine

The Grade 12 trip was all I thought it was going to be and more. It was awesomely, funnly AMAZING!! I love having those kinds of weekends. Blast and a half with Jess, my roomie, good times all around eh?
On Thursday we left in the morning... that day I spent 7:00am to 2:30pm on a busomobile. But this was no original busomobile... this one had tinted windows and went 120km on the highway! Yes that is right, a big yellow bus can go 120km, passing others, it was great. The busride was fun, playing cards, SLAPJACK, and of course cheat, but at least we didn't play a full 6 hours of Euchre like Nate, Zach, Rob, and Mr. S did. Once we got to Quebec we had a guided tour of the city... lol. I don't think anyone listen to a word our touree said. That wasn't the great part of it, but at least we got to scout out the good shopping and eating places for later on. We were then left to go where we wanted, so Jess, Steph, Rach, and I went to a place to eat. The food there was increadibly delicious! I ordered a ham, cheese, and spinach crepe. It was a taste of heaven in a crepe. We then went to shop. I almost got convinced to buy this extremely overpriced necklace for my grad dress, (Robyn insert, "my dutch blood is raging!") but the Jess insisted to the shop keeper that I was dutch therefore I am cheap, so that deal was soon off. After the shopping we were then told that we were going to go on a farie... well it didn't work too well considering there wasn't one running that night. "Clap if you believe in fairies... I guess we will never get to see Neverland now." So instead we were once again let loose in Quebec. Steph and I tried to stay away from the flour and sugar isles, but Rachel insisted that the butter ones were not as bad. And the swing dancing by the St. Lawrence romantic, even though it tended to ruin other people's moments. Josh also found an underwater submarine bike by the edge of the river. Rachel, Steph, and I also had spitting contest, mine went the farthest... even though some of it tended to go down wind into their faces. :)


----------------------------------Going to bed------------------------write about it more tomorrow---------------------------

naming of my blog - "why pearl necklace?"

Pearl Necklace

Once there was a little girl who adored jewellery. She spent her childhood playing dress-up with her fake gems. When her parents would go to the local mall, this little girl would always beg to go with just so that she could gaze at the real stones glittering in the shop windows.
During one such trip, they passed by a discount store. It was then that the little girl spotted a pearl necklace hanging in the window; the white beads seemed to glow alluringly. Next to the necklace dangled the price tag, which read $4.99.
She would only receive a quarter for her weekly allowance, which meant that it would take her over five months to save enough money to buy the treasured necklace. Determined, she waited patiently and carefully put each of her quarters in her piggy bank.
When she finally saved enough to pay for the necklace, her father took her back to the discount store. To her delight, the pearls were still waiting. She proudly walked into the store, emerging minuets later with a small velvet pouch. “I did it, Daddy!” she exclaimed.
That night, as her father tucked her into bed, he asked, “Honey, do you love me?”
“Of course I love you,” his daughter replied.
“Do you love me enough to give me your pearl necklace?” her father questioned.
Horrified, she burst into tears. “Daddy, I love you, but I can’t give you my pearl necklace.” Her father leaned down, kissed her and told her that it was okay.
Each night for a week, the father and daughter had the same conversation. Each night, after the tearful reaction, her father kissed her just the same. Finally on Sunday night, the father heard her crying sometime after he had tucked her in.
He opened the door to her bedroom and sat down on the bed. “Daddy,” she sighed through tears, “I love you. You can have my pearl necklace.”
She pulled the small velvet pouch from under her pillow, placing it in her father’s hands. Now it was his eyes that filled with tears as he hugged her tightly. He thanked her and walked out of the room.
The next morning, when the little girl awoke, she felt something under her pillow. Almost forgetting that she’d given away her precious necklace, she reached for the velvet pouch. But in her hand grasped something sturdier.
She pulled out a small blue box and placed it in her lap. Slowly she opened it and gasped with surprise. Inside was a genuine pearl necklace. On the clasp, an inscription read, “Daddy Loves You.”
---- He’s HOT, She’s HOT by: Jeramy & Jerusha Clark

At this time in my life I am struggling with the uncomfortable issue of change. I am almost done high school, and soon will be starting a new chapter in my life. This chapter lacks a plot, and yet I know what it entails. It will consist of saying good-bye to cherished friends and embarking away from my family and everything that is familiar about home. I am not sure I want to open this chapter, I am not sure if I want to end the last one.

This is the reason that this little story hit hard. The little girl in the story worked so hard for what she had, and thought that it was the best necklace that could be offered - she did not know better. In result she held on to it for all its worth and despaired at the thought of giving it up. In the same way, I am holding on to my current situation, this is all I know and I have worked hard to be where I'm at. I am slowing starting to realise that sometimes it is necessary to give up what is comfortable and waht we cherish in order for God to bless us with better. I am learning to let go of my fake pearls... and give God the opportunity to give me the real thing.