1/24/2009

Blessed be your name

Hey everyone!!

Let's see.....my last post was to announce my engagement to the most amazing man on the face of the earth....and now, I will fill you in on what happened after that.

After another week of time well spent with family and friends, Jeremy and I headed here to Mississippi. Instead of taking the "normal" route we drove to Nashville to spend time with Abby, one of our good friends. After that we took the Natchez Trace (an old indian path turned into a country road that took us across the most beautiful parts of Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. It was SO much fun! We stopped at waterfalls, and scenic over looks and things like that along the way, which made the trip very enjoyable.

The next day I had to return to dance, so Jeremy and I got to announce our engagement and celebrate with everyone at Ballet Mag.

Thursday morning Jeremy left for Chicago....and Saturday morning he headed off to Israel! If you haven't bee following his story, I would highly recommend it. You can access his blog here.

I want to start off by making sure that you all know that I am THRILLED that Jeremy is in Israel. I am fully convinced that this is what the Lord wants for him right now. The things that he's learning, the places he's visiting, the people he's meeting are/will make a huge impact on his life for the kingdom. I'm SO excited about that!

However, that doesn't necessarily make life easy right now. This last week was ROUGH. Having him in Israel isn't really the hardest thing.....it's not being able to be with him. I'm called to be here, he's called to be there, and that's just the way it is. In my mind, it seems better for us to minister and learn together....but that's not what the Lord thinks is best (and his plan is always the best).

The Lord is so good. He always uses these situations for his good, for his glory. He is WORTHY of all of my praise, no matter how I feel about any situation. My life cannot be lived by circumstance. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Period. No qualifiers. Whether I am rich, or poor....sick or healthy....joyful or miserable....BLESSED BE HIS NAME. That is not an easy thing to say, and even more difficult to live out.....but it's the cry of my heart. I want to bless the Lord at all times, I want to have his praise be continually on my lips. Lord, please use this for your glory! Pain is worthless if it doesn't draw me closer to you. Not for my sake, but for the sake of your name and your glory.

Amen??

1/01/2009

Mrs. Jeremy Slager

This is the story of our engagement, as told by my amazing fiance. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! (Well.....not quite ;-)

Love,
Julie

Once upon a time.......a long time ago....or last night.....

Happy New Year just doesn't cut it. Elated New Year? Best New Year ever? (I forgot that it was the New Year I was so excited?) For anyone who hasn't heard, I have stepped out of the single world and into the world of an engaged man. I am Julianna Rubio's fiance. I'm sure you all want to hear the story, so I'll try and make a picture version of it so it feels like you were actually there.

Wednesday Morning--6:45 AM December 31st.
I didn't get much sleep. I had asked Julianna's parents on Monday night, and hadn't thought that I would propose quite so soon. But the night before I decided that this was the day, which meant that I got NO SLEEP. I woke up and drove to Meijers to pick up a bouquet of red roses (because every engagement needs roses). So I was planning on going to work at 8, so I made a card that said, "I love you--Don't make plans after 4:30," left it on her car (scraped the ice off her car), then went home to figure out how to do the rest.


Wednesday Afternoon--12:30 PM December 31st.
Made another card which said, "I still LOVE you--we've had a long week, but I love you even more. You deserve a special night. Wear something casual, something stunning, and something you can stand in the snow in." I dropped it off in her room and went home to finish getting everything ready.



Julianna and I always make dinner together for our dates, so I transformed my room from disaster to romantic restaurant. I had a gold tablecloth down, with red ribbons and flowers and candles and the nicest china out.


Wednesday Evening 4:45 PM December 31st.
Picked Julianna up at her house (she was stunning as promised). We made dinner and I completely surprised her with my room transformation. I left on her plate a card which said, "I will ALWAYS love you." I didn't know if this would hint at my later intentions or not, but she didn't catch on...thankfully. My mom had painted two pictures for us, one of each of us praying, and they were on the table as well. We had a lovely meal, and we were both lost in each others eyes the whole time...(awww).



Wednesday Night 6:30 PM December 31st.
The last part of the date was a surprise. I had put a sled in the back of the car, because Julianna had never been sledding before (!!!). Meanwhile, her best friend was preparing the top of the sledding hill for us, but was running 20 minutes late. She called while we were on our way, and I needed to kill 20 minutes. I remembered that the Jackson Co. Fairgrounds were having a Christmas lights festival, but didn't remember if I had money or if they were still going. Fortunately, it worked out. I didn't know this, but Julie had been dropping hints all break that she wanted to go...did not pick that up. Oops.



Wednesday Night 7:00 PM December 31st.
Off to go sledding! As we pull up to Cascades, Julianna remembered that this was where, 1 1/2 years ago I asked her to be my girlfriend (but I convinced her that we were still going sledding). Kelley (her best friend) had finished setting it all up, and as we came to the top, we saw a circle of candles with all the snow shoveled out and rose petals down in the middle. Julie thought it was a seance, so we went for a closer look. It might have been the bouquet of roses in the middle that tipped her off that this was planned. We walked into the circle together, I pulled out my Ipod and speakers and played Elvis Presley's "I Can't Help Falling in Love." (which is the song we danced to when we first started dating). We danced, enjoying the time we had together. When the song finished, I said, "Julianna Rubio, we started dating 1 1/2 years ago, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I will always love you. Will you marry me?" Reply: yes...yes of course....)FJKDLJFKDSJ)(@!$U)UFDDXJC(@U$@!$$KNCNDEF:KJE:KXMNCMNF:KEJ:LKFJN:LKJf (gasp) jfeja;3P#Jp;IF:jr;ij;adjf;iehan;kdjf;akj. It was all a blur. We sledded down the hill as a newly engaged couple. This was the face I saw (!?!?!?!)


Wednesday Night--7:45 PM December 31st.
My new fiancee and I went to my brothers apartment to see everyone there. After the screaming and dancing, I pulled out my last surprise. I had compiled all the emails we had sent before we started dating into a book entitled, "Beginnings." At the end of the book it said, "1 Year, 6 Months, and 11 Days later" with a picture of us at our formal dinner underneath it, and pictures of all the cards and roses next to it. And that is how Jeremy Slager and Julianna Rubio became engaged.













































January 1st, 2009 until Death Do Us Part
Eternal bliss.

12/15/2008

Ransom Captive Israel

Israel has been on my mind a lot lately. Omega (one of our ballet companies) just went a couple of weeks ago. Jeremy is headed there next semester. My precious grandmother and grandfather on my dad's side have taught me a lot about Judaism.....the Jewish people.....and the country of Israel. They are Messianic Jews, and so they have a very special place in their hearts for Israel....as do I.

The Jews are the apple of God's eye.....his first love. We, the gentiles, are the new comers, the adopted child of GREAT price. He loves us both....and none of us can come to the Father except by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, his only son. There is no replacement theology in His mind, just two lost children....and he deals with us differently.

As believing Gentiles, it is our responsibility to pray and intercede for....not scorn and turn away from....our lost brother, Israel.

This is my new favorite Christmas carol. The words alone make me want to weep. I can hardly sing this song without being on my knees crying out for the nation of Israel. This song beautifully displays God's heart for his people.


O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.


Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.


Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.


Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.


Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

12/11/2008

I Believe

It is hardcore snowing in MISSISSIPPI. Just thought I'd let you know. I'm one of the few dancers who knows how to drive in the snow.....hence I and my fellow northerners are the DDs until the weather clears!


I spent yesterday afternoon at Baptist Children's hospital reading books to sick kids, praying for them and their families and just simply holding them. It was awesome. Ms. Cassandra (my Trainee director), myself, and my friend Jade decided to go and spread Jesus to these kids.....and I think I was more touched then they were.

I don't understand why Jesus lets little ones suffer. I don't know why he doesn't prove himself mighty and just act. I don't understand why God let's me struggle instead of fixing my heart RIGHT NOW. I don't understand him, the magnitude of his plan, or the responsibility of being his ambassador.

But I believe in Him. I believe that he has power.....because I've seen it. I believe that he is good.....because I've tasted it. I believe that he is LOVE....because I've felt it.

There are many things that I don't understand.....but that's why this is faith. "Faith is being SURE of what we hope for and CERTAIN of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

Yes, there are a lot of things that don't make sense. There is so much in my journey with the Lord that makes NO sense! But the bottom line is that I believe in a baby in a manger....a man on a cross.....and a king who is coming IN GLORY. To HIM be all the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Love,
Julie

12/03/2008

Psalm 37

Trust in the LORD, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.

Be still
before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!
Psalm 37:3-7


That is one of the most beautiful promises in scripture. Trust. Commit. Delight. Befriend faithfulness. The Lord WILL act. He IS faithful. Amen?? That's it. Just pressing on toward the goal. Love. Faith. Hope. We must fix our eyes on Jesus. Perseverance. Trust. Diligence. We will win the battle. Struggle. Surrender. Repent. Continue. We fight the good fight of faith.....and we win.

What are you doing today?? Are you actively following the Lord? Is your faith active? Are you trusting the Lord in your actions, not just your words?? Are you delighting in him? Or is faith a drudgery?? Are you finding yourself trying to do good in your own strength? Surrender. He WILL supply. You must first surrender. His yolk IS easy, his burden IS light. Cast all your anxieties on HIM because he cares for you. Be joyful always, patient in affliction, fervent in prayer. It is a DELIGHT to be with the Lord......getting the desires of your heart is just a bonus.

This life is so temporary. The words of the Psalmist are absolutely true:

Your presence is too wonderful for words!

My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Even a small sparrow makes a home near your altar! A young swallow makes a nest for herself in a place near to you, El Elyon, God Most High!

Blessed are those who dwell in your house!! They have no task but to praise you.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who pursue you with their whole hearts.

Even in the hard times they rejoice. The Valley of Baca is a place of springs! The desert times are as an oasis because you are there with them.

They do not become weak, but go from strength to strength until you take them home.

Father, hear me, this is my one desire! Please grant this to me, because I am your daughter, look upon me with favor.

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

For you oh Lord are beautiful and terrible, awesome and to be feared.
You are the giver of all good things; you bless those that love you.

O my El Shaddai, Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you!
Psalm 84 (paraphrase)

11/22/2008

Life in the real world

Hey y'all.

Where to start? I haven't written in a while......which was actually intentional. There have been a million thoughts swirling all around and inside of me lately, and somehow I couldn't quite write any of them down.

Let's see. Work?? Work is good. I really enjoy my job. It DEFINITELY has good and bad days, but overall it's awesome. I love people watching (not the creepy kind! I just find humans fascinating, I like to study how people work). So anyway, being a server definitely lends itself to that. I have AMPLE opportunity to share about Jesus, I find myself talking about Him a lot, because there are always questions as to why I'm so different. I love talking to them about Jesus. I'm blessed with the ability to talk to people easily, making friends has never been a problem....and it's a very useful tool in evangelism. The Lord has really given me a heart for them....I want them to know Jesus! It's exciting....but not always that easy......

This is what I hate. It's SO EASY to become like them. The bad language, the coarse humor, the racism....it's much easier to join in then it is to resist. The fact of the matter is that it is exhausting to stand up for Jesus. Being in the "real world" is challenging. I've never been in THIS much of a secular enviroment before. Even last year, my boss was a "christian" and most of my coworkers were somewhat sympathetic to christianity. Not so with this crowd. There are many hurting people. Some involved in cults, some in homosexuality, some are single moms, some do drugs.....all of them get drunk on the weekends. It's funny how much they want to see me fail! They're waiting for the day that I cuss someone out, or take a cigarette, or sleep with one of our coworkers, or do ANYTHING....big or small.....that would make them feel better about their lifestyle. They want me to be okay with how they act....and it's hard to disagree in love! I either want to tell them that they're crazy, or I want to sweep it under the rug.....it's hard to stand for my values, but still relate to them and love them.

I have to be on my knees, I have to be in the Word.....or I would be easily swept away by the sin that surrounds me. Danielle (my roommate) is wonderful. It's really nice to have someone else their for moral support!

So, is it too late for me to say that I really feel for my friends that went through public school?? I never gave you guys enough credit. It's a hard thing to be immersed in all that crap everyday. I see now why many fell away....and I have a lot of respect for those of you that didn't.

I need more of you Jesus. More grace, more love, more strength, more passion, more self control, more ability to serve you.....to reach out to the lost.

Love,
Julie

11/08/2008

Prayer

Mmmmmmm...."oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear! All because we do not carry...everything to God in prayer!"

Can I get an amen??

I'm such a dummy sometimes. I mean really, why do I neglect prayer? Of all the things in the whole world, it's my favorite. No kidding. I'd rather spend time in prayer then do anything else....and YET, it's the one thing that always seems to be pushed aside. An hour spent totally alone with the Lord is SO refreshing. It restores my heart, my mind, my body, my joy....so wonderful....yet I find it difficult to make time for it. I need to prioritize my time better.

Anyway, I had a really wonderful time with the Lord today. I sat out on my balcony, listened to some music, and just talked to the Lord. Wonderful. Much to my surprise (and amusement) I opened my eyes about 30 minutes into my prayer time, and two precious little kids were standing below my balcony, jaws dropped, with a puzzled look on their faces. I smiled, waved, and went back to praying. I can hardly believe how captivated I was by Him. An hour went by like a minute. SO WONDERFUL. It was one of those times where I really felt like I got to pray through everything, and got to prayer for everyone that I wanted to. It is SUCH a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. The freedom and joy found in casting your cares on him is immeasurable. I am so thankful for prayer.

Thank you Jesus, that we can come to God, through you, our high priest. It is such a privilege. Amen.

Love,
Julie