"And I am certain that God who began the good work within you will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." Philippians 1:6 NLT
A Work In Progress
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Jeffrey Lynn
Monday, December 8, 2008
Nine Years Ago Today
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
I'm Alive!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Girl Time In Chicago!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Quality Time With Hannah
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
What Is Unseen Is Eternal!
Back Home Again In Indiana!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
I'm in Milwaukee!
J-La =-)
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The South Bend Permacloud Has Arrived
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Things To Look Forward To!
- Having a 4 day weekend in Milwaukee where I get to see family and friends
- Getting together with my dear friend Mary for coffee on Thursday evening
- Meeting up in Chicago with 3 friends from Milwaukee a week from this Saturday
- Getting a $10.00 gift card to Starbucks from work for OT and being flexible with my schedule last quarter
- Watching a movie with my Small Group a week from this Sunday evening
- Hanging out with family for Thanksgiving
- Working the day after Thanksgiving for double time and a half
I'm sure there are more, but that's all I can think of right now.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Change & Growth
Change & Growth can be very hard work, but in the end, it will only serve to make me a stronger/healthier person who is more equipped to serve the Lord here on earth. "People who believe others are above them are still relating from a child's position of being under a person, not under God. This belief makes the difference in one's ability to follow God and to seek God's approval instead of what people want. People who are stuck in this "people-pleasing" stage can't take charge of their lives as God commands." Wow! I have a lot of work to do, but I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me! At least I know the truth in my head. Now if the feelings would follow, that would help! I am blessed to have wonderful friends around me who are helping me to see the areas which I need to improve in. I just have to remember that perfection isn't possible this side of heaven!
Friday, November 7, 2008
I Need To Surrender
Hi! My name is Jen and I'm a control freak! There, I admitted it! Inwardly I'm a control freak and I need to Surrender to God. I found this version of the Serenity Prayer tonight. I love this prayer! I bolded the new parts that I really like and want to cling to as well. I'm always feeling like I need to DO something in order to surrender to God, and then feel guilty when I can't surrender. I think I've been looking at it the wrong way. Surrendering is allowing God to be in control, in essence, to relax/breathe and let Him work. I don't have to "DO"...I just need to "BE"....BE in His presence and rest in Him. The only things I can control are my FAB...my Feelings, Attitudes, and Behaviors. That's what I learned in my Boundaries class. Tonight I'm feeling like I need to retake that class!
Serenity Prayer - By Reinhold Niebuhr
God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change
Courage to change the things I can,
Wisdom to know the difference,
Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking as Jesus did this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it.
Trusting that you will make all things right
If I surrender to your will.
So that I might be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with you forever in the next.
Amen
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Happy 6th Birthday Lexi! =-)
Alexis Ann was born on 11/4/02! She was my first niece! I'm so glad I lived in Milwaukee and was able to be there when all 3 of Debbie's (my Sister) kids were born. I'm sure Lexi can't fathom that 11/4/08 will be a monumental day in History. I only hope she knows just how special she is! I can't wait to see her on November 15th! Happy Birthday Lexi! :) I love you!
Monday, November 3, 2008
November 3rd, 1940
Saturday, November 1, 2008
I Was An Inmate For Halloween!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Amazing Grace
Your Grace Is Enough!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Legalism Quote
—Toby McKeehan of dc Talk, Free at Last: The Movie
I agree wholeheartedly with this quote! The negative impact legalism has on our Churches, and more importantly an individuals relationship with God, is an issue that is near and dear to my heart. I will more than likely blog about this issue in the future, but I really liked Toby's quote and wanted to share it with you. I pray that God's unconditional love and acceptance of you will be your motivation, and not fear.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
FM and M & M
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
I Miss These Kiddos!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Words of Affirmation
Gary Chapman is the Author of "The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate". This book talks about the 5 primary love languages. What is your primary love language? Mine is Words of Affirmation with Physical Touch coming in at a close second.
"Verbal appreciation speaks powerfully to persons whose primary Love Language is “Words of Affirmation.” Simple statements, such as, “You look great in that suit,” or “You must be the best baker in the world! I love your oatmeal cookies,” are sometimes all a person needs to hear to feel loved."
"Aside from verbal compliments, another way to communicate through “Words of Affirmation” is to offer encouragement. Here are some examples: reinforcing a difficult decision; calling attention to progress made on a current project; acknowledging a person’s unique perspective on an important topic. If a loved one listens for “Words of Affirmation,” offering encouragement will help him or her to overcome insecurities and develop greater confidence. "
My friend Kathy is awesome at giving Words of Affirmation to others! I think this is just one of the many reasons she is so very successful at what she does! That, and she loves what she does! She has such a contagious positive energy about her! She is a Fashion Expert and Personal Wardrobe Coach! She made my day the other day when she wrote this about me on her blog:
"I have another friend who I met recently - she has such a kind and sweet heart - she is totally honest about who she is, and really really wants to change those things about herself that hold her back - that is what I call REAL COURAGE!"
I didn't even know she was talking about me until I clicked on the link. Her Words of Affirmation totally brought tears to my eyes and were just what I needed to hear that day! Kathy is an amazing person with a heart for God and a heart for helping others! Thanks for all you do Kathy!
This all got me to thinking more about the Primary Love Languages of my friends and family. Do I really seek to learn about how they receive love/what makes them feel loved? Or do I just show them Love in the way I like to receive it? If I don't seek to learn what makes them feel loved, I can show them Love in my language all I want, but they aren't going to feel loved. It is my hope and prayer that God would help me to seek to learn the best way they need to be shown love, instead of just loving them the way I want to. I think it is a lot easier to love people in your own love language, but I want to work on understanding what makes them feel loved, after all, it's not all about me! :)
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Happy Birthday Trey & Claye!! :)
We will be celebrating Trey's Birthday at Red Lobster (his choice) on Saturday!
Happy Birthday Trey! :)
Alaina's (one of my roomies) nephew Claye turned 11 today! His sister Amaya is in the pic with him. Claye was hit by a car the beginning of September. We praise God that he is doing great and wasn't seriously injured! Alaina & I were driving home from the gym tonight and it was hilarious because we were both on our phones wishing our nephew's a Happy Birthday! Two special boys born on the same Day! Trey's Mom's name is Pam and Claye's Mom's name is Penny! Happy Birthday Claye! :) It's so ironic and so cool that Alaina and I each have nephews close to the same age who share a birthday! We are two very proud Aunt's! :)
Please Pray For Elkhart, IN!
Unemployment in Elkhart gets national attention
by Dustin Grove
Labor statistics show the jobless rate in Elkhart has increased more than any other metropolitan area in the country.
ELKHART — Tough times in Elkhart are getting national attention. The jump in unemployment now has the distinction of being the highest in the country.
This weekend the New York Times profiled Elkhart, calling it the "white-hot center of the meltdown of the American economy." To the people in Elkhart, that's no surprise.
Stop by the unemployment office in Elkhart and it won't take long to catch a glimpse of how many people are hurting and looking for work. “It's real bad around here," Dwayne Williams told WSBT News. "It's getting worse every day." Williams is a father of three who's been laid off twice in the last year. “A lot of people aren't taking applications; they're laying off and stuff," he said. "It gets to a point where what can you do?” Williams is turning in a voucher that proves to the state he's really searching for work. The problem is, he can't find any. And neither can Eldon Miller, recently laid off from his job in the RV industry. “Anything RV related is scary," he said. If jobs aren't cut in this community's massive RV industry, hours have been. It's why the New York Times labeled Elkhart — known as the "City With a Heart" — as the heart of this nation's economic meltdown. The New York Times cited labor statistics that showed the jobless rate has increased more than any other metropolitan area in the country, rising 4.8 points from August 2007 through August 2008. Nearly 10,000 people are out of work. “I don't know what to do but just keep beating the trail and trying to find a job,” said Williams. While they look for work, many are intensely looking forward to November 4th and an election some say could help turn things around. "Honestly, I've never voted in my life, but I'm gonna vote this year," Miller said. Elkhart County's voter registration officials say they're seeing record numbers of people this year looking forward to casting their ballot. The state has been in Elkhart County the last few months helping unemployed workers with their resumes and offering $6,000 grants to send some back to school. See your local WorkOne office for more information.
The NY Times article also mentioned that Elkhart is even limiting houses to 1 Garage Sale per month because there were too many people having Garage Sales. This is sad, as they are only trying to provide for their families.
The economic downfall in Elkhart has obviously affected the South Bend/Mishawaka area as well. Many people who live in Elkhart work in South Bend, and many who live in South Bend work in Elkhart. I am so blessed to have a job! It took me a year of looking to even get 1 offer for a job with benefits. I'm so thankful to God for providing for me. Please keep Don (Mom's Husband) in your prayers as he continues to look for a job. Also, please pray that something would turn around for all of the 10,000 people who are out of work in this area! Pray that God would comfort them and give them His Peace!
WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! :)
Monday, October 13, 2008
I Got To See Some Wisconsin Friends! :-)
Sunday, October 12, 2008
I Met Two Very Special People Volunteering Yesterday!
Here is a picture (immediately below this paragraph) of the Cafe at the Community Center where I volunteered. I socialized with the local people who came in to pick up there box from the food pantry. They can relax and socialize and get free coffee, doughnuts, etc. I told a few people I didn't feel like I was volunteering, since I wasn't cleaning or lifting boxes or doing something strenuous, or other things that I don't like to do. It didn't feel like work to me. They assured me that not everyone has the gift to be able to socialize with strangers and make them feel welcome. That is a spiritual gift I have been given. I think I was so used to volunteering being something you HAD to do out of guilt because it had to be done. That's what I love about my Church! You get to choose where you want to plug in, and you are never made to feel guilty. I'm still working on changing my legalistic thinking. I was serving the Lord talking to these local people, just as much as someone who was cleaning, or delivering food pantry boxes to the disabled.
When Ramona left she told me she will be expecting an invite to my wedding if I get married someday! :) That won't be happening anytime soon, since I'm not even dating anyone, but I'll remember Ramona if/when that day does come. I had a great time yesterday morning and I'm gonna continue to find things I enjoy and volunteer for them. I'm also gonna continue to work on not feeling guilty when I enjoy what I'm doing. God wants us to like what we do when we serve His Kingdom here on earth! :)
Saturday, October 11, 2008
I Got To Celebrate With Mary!!!
friend to me and I'm so thankful that God had our paths cross! I moved back here 5/1/07 and we met on 6/4/07, so we will have lived in the same area for over 2 years by the time Mary & Frank get married. It looks like she will be moving to Indianapolis (that's where Frank lives) after they get married. I'm really gonna miss her! But, until then, I'll just enjoy spending time with her while she's still in the area! :) Congrats Mary & Frank! I wish you God's richest blessings on your future together! :)