Tovey Anne Forbes

The Righteous

2011-09-23T21:51:00.000-07:00

"I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed."

As of Late...

2011-09-19T12:42:00.000-07:00

School has been going on for a few weeks now and I think we're finally getting into our routine. We're both taking quite a few credit hours (19! ah!) and with work on top of that, and then friends (!), life is just busy. BUT! We are so happy and blessed to be able to study what we love and be together while doing so.

My parents and little sister came down a couple weeks ago to visit and we had an excellent time with them. We ate good food and loved just hanging out with them. Andrew took my dad out for sushi one day while the girls went $hopping! (Andrew even took my parents to the art museum one day so that Rachael and I could have some sister time... in honor of her birthday that was over 3 months ago. Yikes!). I was so glad they could come.

Then Andrew's parents came down the next weekend! They took us to Charleston and we had a great time there too. We were shopping at the open market and ate some seafood (well, they did... I had a BLT :] ). I took a picture of what Andrew was eating...

This type of food is definitely not what I am used to, but they all really enjoyed it, so I'm glad (and, I must say, my BLT was faaaabulous).

Other than family members and friends coming to stay with us, Andrew's time has been taken up with soccer. He practices a few times a week and then has a game every Sunday afternoon. I looove going to the games and watching him play. Here's a little shot from one of their games (I want a new lens so I can zoom more!).

Anyway, that's a little piece of our life that I thought I'd share with you all. I am going to try to get into blogging more often because we have a handful of people who ask us what's going on, but I am pretty sure I am the worst person at getting back to people. I hope this helps a little bit! We have a lot going on, but I want to save some more of the information for another blog post (that's the cool thing that bloggers do, right?).

(And I know that across my pictures there's a sign that says I need to register for something so that the notification will be removed... I am going to buy some watermarking software with birthday money that is going to arrive in about a week and a half, but until then, my pictures just look a little funny! ;] )

Mirrors

2011-01-30T11:58:00.000-08:00

I haven't updated this thing in about a year, but honestly, I haven't had anything great to say! I mostly just made this blog so that those interested could see what's going on in my life and kind of keep track of me, but I'm too busy and forgetful to update often and not enough interesting things happen that I'd like to share with the entire world. Finally, however, I have something...

Today has been a beautiful day. It's starting to get a little warmer here, as today it will be 74 (!) degrees. The sun was shining this morning as Andrew (my fiance) and I got in the car and drove to Church of the Apostles. After the service we stuck around and had a fun conversation with a friend of Andrew's who told us some funny stories... It's good to have fellowship like we did (Psalm 133:1). On the way back to campus we talked, listened to some tunes and simply enjoyed each other's company. I love driving to and from church with him. And as much as I enjoy taking other people along with us, I always look forward to going with only him. I'm certainly a quality time person and that almost undivided attention is something I treasure.

When we got back to school we had lunch with some previously made friends and some new friends -a guy from China and another from Vietnam. We learned a little bit about their interests and schooling, which always fascinates me, as an Intercultural Studies major ;).

After lunch, Andrew and I chased each other across the lawn back to our dorms. This little encounter was a child-like display of love: running, hugging, brief kisses, laughing, leaving each other, coming back "one more time" for a longer embrace and to say goodbye, and then hollering back and forth until the doors close. Ahhhh spring is certainly in the air and love is blossoming... As silly as all of that is, I think that people can tell pretty easily that we love each other.

A verse that has been sticking out to me over the last month, and I believe will be sort of like my "theme verse" for this semester is 1 Corinthians 13:12. (Yes, I know, the love chapter... of course.) But this verse comes toward the end of the explanation of what love is how it acts and what love does. Paul says, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."

I love Andrew to death. This love is so good. How deep God's love must be if this love I have for Andrew and he for me is only a glimpse, or a reflection, as the NIV puts it. "Not we see in a mirror dimply..." Paul informs us that we only see in part, but someday we will see and know fully in Him! Hallelujah! This is similar to the Old Testament verse, 1 Chronicles 29:15, which says, "Our days on earth are like a shadow..."

Something that's been on my mind often lately is that our culture make huge, bold statements of what we can "prove" because WE SEE! WE SEE! WE SEE! But guess what? We see, yes, and that's great (Thank You, Lord!) but we see dimly. I think that's the key. Herman Melville said, "Methinks that in looking at things spiritual, we are too much like oysters observing the sun through the water, and thinking that thick water the thinnest of air."

I've been challenged and encouraged and I hope that if anyone reads this thing they will be too. I'm trying to remember that seeing is fantastic, but that I need to have a proper perspective of my sight itself. I see dimly. And that dimness is only a reflection of what is to come... or, more accurately, Who is to come.

All of the highest praise goes to You, our Messiah, Jesus. Come, our Lord and our God, for we want to see clearly, not only a dim reflection. Come.

Endings

2010-01-02T20:39:00.001-08:00

This Christmas break has been nothing that I've expected at all. Christmas lunch was interrupted when my great-grandma had some last minute health issues and had to be taken to the ER. The elaborate Christmas lunch (with the long table set with the finest china) was then shared by my brother, sister, mom, grandpa's brother-in-law's brother, Grael, and me (DEFINITELY all we could eat, buffet style!). Now my great-grandma is currently in the process of moving out of her assisted living apartment into the nursing home. What an ordeal! With her progressing memory loss and our sorting through her things and the holidays and the craziness of family coming and leaving and all that, let's just say it's clear that the Lord is our strength.

So as I pack to go back "home" tomorrow, I feel like all that this year held is finally at a close. This has undoubtedly been the craziest year of my life -deciding on and starting school, graduating, packing and unpacking boxes who knows how many times, family madness, relational ups and downs, and sad goodbyes... Whew! However, for now at least, I can sit back and see how sweetly the good has come alongside of the bad.

This is just like any other new years post -reflecting a bit and looking forward to the fulness of 2010. So as I wake up tomorrow morning at 5:20 and hit the road to take a flight out of this at least 21 below weather to a much warmer winter, I'll hopefully be awake enough to remember to smile. He has been so good to me this year and I'm going where He wants me to be. That in and of itself should bring some happiness... and it does. Happy New Year!

Peace

2009-12-23T22:46:00.000-08:00

"I am satisfied with what the world brings. And I have made my mind to make my bed inside peace. I am satisfied with all the sky can bring. And I have made my mind to make my bed inside of peace, peace, peace, peace. I am satisfied with what the world brings. And I have made my mind to make my bed inside peace. I am satisfied with all the sky can bring. And I have my mind to live my life inside of peace, peace, peace, peace. I am satisfied with what the world brings. And I have made my mind to make my bed inside peace. I am satisfied with all the sky can bring. And I have made my mind to live my life inside of peace."

This song by Friends and Romans has been my theme song. It's assisted in getting me through finals week and some craziness right before Christmas. Maybe if I listen to it enough it will be drilled into my mind and become a definite reality... Hmm... to be satisfied with anything that happens. That sounds like the kind of life I'm told to live.

Today I had a wooonderful conversation with a good, good friend of mine whom I hadn't talked to in a couple months. It's interesting (heartbreaking, actually) how many of my friends are believers, but I don't hear nearly enough stories of what God is doing in their lives -in, through, and around them. Thank you, QM, for sharing your life with me and for being such an encouragement. I love talking with you about missions and what God's saying and what He's up to! I can hardly wait to see where He takes you.

I am so blessed to have a handful of truly godly friends who are seeking Him daily -momentarily! -and encourage me to do the same. Passing on the word to you all: share your awesome stories about what God's doing! Ohhhh... I can't tell you what a thrill it is to hear how He's moving all over the world in the hearts of His loved ones.

This Summer

2009-08-12T18:18:00.000-07:00

Well, we're finally here! We arrived in South Carolina last week and so far it's been great! I went surfing (which was a blaaast! I can't wait to get out there again!) and learned how to surf fish! :] Our air conditioning broke, which was exciting for a day, but other than that, nothing else has really been going on.

In the beginning of July my mom, sister, brother, and I had the joy of going to Indiana to visit my grandparents. It was so much fun! I had a great time talking with my grandma and learning more about her childhood. I was also able to make a couple of trips to Best Buy with my grandpa and spend some time comparing cameras and talking photography. He's a genius and I relish every moment with him.

After our time in Indiana, we had about a week before we hit the road for our first of two big road trips this summer. Off to North Dakota we went! It was a great trip there as well, as always. We spent time at the river and enjoyed every moment of it. I got to hang out with friends and family. Some of my most treasured times on this trip were simply being with my great grandma, who is 98 years old and going strong! We had great chats and I will cherish them always. On the way home we also got to stay with friends who I haven't seen in quite some time. That was an extra-bonus blessing.

THEN I went backpacking up north with my friends, Laura and Wendy. We were on South Manitou Island. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. We took long hikes and naps every day and had a good time reflecting and enjoying the sunsets (and the no bugs! (except for one night... blegh)).

I had couple of wonderful sending-out times with my friends. I am so honored to have the friends in my life that I have. Knowing that they are praying for me and supporting me in this move makes it much more exciting. I look forward to seeing them again, and miss being with them, but trust they are well as they are in the Lord's hands. What hope we have in Him!

So here I am, sitting in the kitchen of our temporary home in Myrtle Beach. We are so thankful that people are allowing us to stay here while they wait for their home to sell. We hope our house in Michigan sells, too! I'm looking forward to a week from tonight when I'll be sitting in my room at Columbia putting everything in its proper place for the next year. The Lord has been so good to me and I'm giddy to see what His upcoming plans are.

Learning and Anticipation

2009-06-29T17:59:00.000-07:00

Life isn't moving too fast lately, but it's definitely starting to accelerate. Between airport runs, friendship get-togethers, preparing for upcoming travels, open houses, and us kids fending for ourselves, the Lord has been doing fantastic things. I'm very much looking forward to seeing how the summer will end and what this fall at Columbia International University will look like.

As you know, the plan was for me to be in Guatemala for a while this summer, but that didn't quite work out. I wasn't heartbroken, but I did ask the Lord a "few" questions about it all... I think His main reason for keeping me here this summer was simply (or not so simply) for some more growth- learning from older, wiser people. I am now involved in a fantastic Bible study where I'm learning more about the Bride of Christ than I ever dreamed possible. I have also had the time to meet with extraordinary women who love the Lord and love serving Him. I am completely honored to be able to sit and talk with them. Thank you for your time! (And Mummum, your phone calls are included!) I have also had the opportunity to talk with some missionaries, which is always a blessing. I cannot tell you how good it is to have time to sit (with coffee in hand, of course) and talk with someone for a whole afternoon without anything scheduled for later. I have seriously taken my time in the past for granted.

Upcoming summer plans? Trip to Indiana, trip to North Dakota, camping (on an island!), moving, and starting school (Aug. 19). It's almost July, which means there's only about a month left in Michigan (but really only... 20? days). I am anticipating the fall to see all that God has planned. I pray that until that time I will embrace everything around me- all the sites, all the faces- and lock it all in my memory for a dull day in Columbia, South Carolina.

Being Used

2009-05-27T11:56:00.000-07:00

Wow! It's been a while! Life around here is getting kind of crazy! I finished school- yay! I graduate on Friday! My grandparents from North Dakota arrived a couple days ago and it's truly a joy to have them here. My brother is also home for the summer, and my dad came home for a couple weeks as well! It sure does feel good to have a full house again. Going from three of us to seven of us is a blast. I'm so thankful for my family. Those of you who couldn't make it- no worries. You're with us in spirit. You are missed.

Some summer plans have changed and most are left up in the air. What's happening this summer? No one really knows. Guatemala is a negative now... I am disappointed, but God has something better planned for this summer. (I have got to stop fighting His will... I always lose. ;] )

Senior Trip was pretty fun! We went to Washington D.C. for a few days! It's strange that this season of my life is almost over. I'm looking forward to this next year quiiiiiite a bit (especially after I think I know who my roommate is -a great girl named Brittany. We have so much in common and I feel like we have been friends for a long time! And I haven't even met her yet! God is so good.).

My major has been changed! Haha typical college student, I know -changing my major before I even go... But I am seriously, seriously pumped about this: Biblical Languages! It is going to be sooooo difficult, but I know that this is what the Lord wants. It is so perfect. Bible translating is where I'm headed. Every day I am studying will be a miracle of the Lord -a sure sign that this is alllll Him because there is no way I could do this (Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic) on my own.

On a more serious level, I had to write my testimony and about my calling to the mission field for CIU [Columbia International University] and I'd like to share with you the last part of it. I hope it inspires you to take His words seriously and go. Please, please, please don't think you're the exception.

Because of the Lord's consistant, neverending faithfulness to me, and the promise that He will remain faithful to each person, I know that I can trust Him with all of "my" life. He has given me a deep burden for people, a longing for others to know, really know, this Love that I have found, this peace and hope that I have been given. I know that I will not be satisfied, and neither will my Lord, unless I take Jesus Christ's final command seriously to go, and to go to the ends of the earth.

God has given me a passion for those who have not heard of Him and who have no way of knowing of Jesus Christ unless someone goes and tells them. The Lord has asked me more times than I can count, "Tovey, why not you?" If I am going to take Christianity seriously, I absolutely have to follow my Lord, Jesus Christ. He cares for those who have not heard. Unless someone tells them, they will spend all of eternity, longer than my mind can begin to imagine, in torment, simply because not one person in all of the world cared enough to go and tell them the simple love of Jesus Christ. I cannot live with myself knowing that I am not being used, that I am not making an eternal difference in the lives of others.

I pray that the Lord will use me as my testimony continues on. If the Lord gives me one more day or seventy-five years, may He use me to the full. May my body be a shell filled entirely with His Holy Spirit and may the world always see Him, and never me.

May we be a broken, open-handed generation who seeks God's face. This is my prayer.

What Has Happened? What Do They See?

2009-04-18T21:26:00.000-07:00

Francis Chan recently gave a message titled "Gospel Conference pt. 5." In this message, he named commands in the Bible that are given to the Church. After hearing these commands and writing them down, I have been utterly, utterly convicted. Pride sweeps in and says, "I have this all down... well, most of it." But that's not enough. God, keep the pride at bay.

COMMANDS:

Love one another. Exhort one another. Be at peace with one another. Show hospitality with one another. Honor one another. Receive one another. Do not fight with one another. Serve one another. Do not envy one another. Admonish one another. Greet one another. Care for one another. Bear the burdens of one another. Show deference to one another. Forgive one another. Be kind to one another. Submit to one another. Do not lie to one another. Provoke to good works one another. Comfort one another. Concern yourself in the affairs of one another. Do not hate one another. Do not speak evil of one another. Pray for one another. Be like minded toward one another. Do not hold a grudge against one another. Highly esteem one another. Do not be partial toward one another. Have fellowship with one another. Edify one another. Teach one another. Do good to one another. Minister spiritual gifts to one another.

That's quite a hefty list. The Lord has called each of His follows to do things that look so foolish to the world. Even just doing one of those things on the list looks ridiculous... What have I signed up for? What have I given my life to? Is it really this simple? I live in America, a safe, secure, comfortable, individualistic nation that tells me that all I need is my self and my wants. Why do we fool people into being Christians? Why don't we tell them the whole story? That it is difficult. And sometimes it feels absolutely horrible. Some days it's rough even waking up. Your problems won't all be solved, in fact, they will probably seem to increase. You will suffer a lot. You will cry a lot. It's a ton of "sweat and blood."

... but it is worth it. How do we know it's worth it? How do we know this is what God really has for us -to suffer and have pain and hardship? A verse I cling to is 2 Timothy 2:12a, "If we endure, we will also reign with Him." REIGN?! WHAT?! You're honestly telling me that if I simply endure, I will REIGN with GOD?! Yes. Oh the beauty of grace and the honor of being His child!

... And then there is the second part of that verse. "If we disown Him, He will also disown us." We absolutely MUST get this word out! Why is hell hardly ever being preached on anymore? Why do I rarely hear of God's wrath? Why are we not trembling before the Lord? What has become of us?

"God sent His one and only Son to suffer and die! But three days later He rose from the dead, just as He said He would! And He conquered death for the sins of the whole entire world, including mine! And He is seated at the right hand of God the Father, waiting to come back to bring us home to Him!" Why is it that I can hear all of that, and read all of that, and not be drawn to my knees, weeping, completely overwhelmed at the immensity of grace that I have been given? Have I heard it so much that I have become numb to it? "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; they are weak, but He is strong." So profound! But what does it mean to me now? It has just become "a song I grew up singing." I have to concentrate to think about the meaning of it. The DEEP meaning of it.

So what does the world see when they look at me? Do they see me loving and serving and edifying and forgiving and comforting and highly esteeming and teaching and honoring my brothers and sisters? If I claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ and do not live out what He has called me to, then what does that make me? What do I have to do in order to get back to that childlike faith that finds "Jesus loves me" as precious to me as the first day I heard it? The world is going to think I'm completely out of my mind. It's going to seem impossible, and without Him, it is, but I have the promise of reigning with the Lord if I endure. And I have to endure. I am called to endure. I am called to follow. I am called to do and endure ANYTHING that keeps me following Him.

Lord, do not allow me to be numb. Do not allow the simple truths of Who You are to become stale in my life. May I show that I follow You by ultimately loving my brothers and sisters and everyone else as I want to be loved and as You first loved me. Keep me convicted. Keep Your promises to me constantly on my mind. Keep your simple, profound truth real and deep to me. I want that childlike faith. I need it. May I go out in Your power, confidence, and freedom (Eph. 3:12), and change worlds.

Listening, Watching, and Waiting

2009-03-21T11:35:00.001-07:00

Senior year is coming to an end and decisions are having to be officially made. I'm down to my last month and a half to come up with a final decision. Where does the Lord want me? Encouraging verses came from my grandma this morning: "Blessed is the man who listens to Me, watching daily at My doors, waiting at My doorway. For whoever finds Me finds life and receives favor from the Lord." Another translation says, "Joyful are those who listen to Me, watching for Me daily at My gates, waiting for Me outside My home! For whoever finds Me finds life and receives favor from the Lord" (Proverbs 8:34-35). Listen. Watch. Wait. He will show me in HIS time.

Wally Hostetter gave a great sermon a couple months ago that spoke to me in many ways. He talked about taking risks for the Kingdom and some of the questions that we have to ask ourselves: what will happen to me if I do that vs. what will happen to them if I don't? How much am I willing to risk? Have I counted the cost? Am I willing to forfeit in order to follow the Lord?

Last night some friends came over and we spent hours talking about missions and looking at pictures of Guatemala (where all each of us have been). So much heaviness was in the room. The compassion and heart for the people of Guatemala was evident. What kind of a life is lived without compassion?

I've been thinking a lot lately about this summer and the opportunity I have to go back to Guatemala. God willing, I will be able to go and get some work done for the people outside of Cruz Blanca and, ultimately, for the Lord. As I prepare for the trip to [hopefully] come, I am reminded of Nate Saint's words. "Lying beside me on the floor of the plane was a stinking, repulsive, mangled Jivaro Indian. The sight of the rotten wounds on the disfigured face turned my stomach. Yet I tried to look reassuringly into that one black pupil surrounded by hemorrhaged eyeball. Here was an immortal soul hanging over the brink of hell by a tattered thread. Here was one of the hopelessly lost ones that the Lord Jesus had come to seek and to save.. a poor old one-eyed killer who rarely had seen or shown any expression of pity. He probably trusted me only because his own people had given up on him. Death to him was the horror of uncertainty; the anguish of a starless night forever. He knew nothing of God and less of Calvary. If I could only make it to Shell Mera, maybe Doc Fuller could pull him through the night. The Lord willing, he still might be snatched from the brink" (Jungle Pilot).

Without going, they will not know Christ. What is my responsibility? Looking into people's eyes. Seeing needs. Meeting needs. Showing love. Showing compassion. Taking risks. Living life to the full. Snatching people from the brink. This is what life is about.