The results are in...

I tried to find a picture from last New Years but could not find it. As we close out this year I have lost 30 pounds!!! Im beyond thrilled, at this point Im smaller than I was in high school. What a great feeling. My goal for the year was 30 pounds and now all I need is to loose 15 more pounds and tone my body! Thank you for all of the support and encouragement during this journey! I am so encouraged that I have actually stuck with my goals this year. I'm still praying through what God wants me to accomplish this upcoming year!

Blessings and Love
Jenn

Losing a Loved One

Losing a loved one is never easy. I feel like after losing so many loved ones it should be a walk in the park. Right??? No... It's truly amazing to me the different emotions you go through. Like right now I'm typing at 4:30 in the morning because I can not sleep.

Mama Lee(my mom's mom) went to be with Jesus on Wednesday evening. She always told me after our conversations in her exact words were "Jennifer Lee I love you more". I am so thankful she shared with me those words. My heart gets very sad when I realize that my grandmother will not get to meet who I marry. But then I rejoice thinking about her dancing on the streets of gold with my papa and she has a perfect new body.

Here is what God is teaching me right now through this time:

• God is Faithful.
• God is Love.
• God is holding my family in his hands right now.
• God has sent friends to shower my family with love right now.
• God is teaching me to make the most of every opportunity. To really follow and be obedient to what the Holy Spirit is telling me to do.

Please be praying for my precious friend Penny Pickard Franklin her husband died in a hunting accident leaving her with Jordyn (6 years old) and JP (4 years old). He was a preacher in New Orleans. Their church lost an amazing man of the Lord. My heart just breaks for them right now and know they will need our prayers right now and in the days ahead.

God Bless and Love,
Jenn

It's Reading Time!

While I have been on this wonderful break, I went to the Christian bookstore and started browsing. I am almost done with The one year Bible( only 3 days left) so for my new devotion book will be 5 Minute Apologetics for Today by Ron Rhodes. It has 365 Quick Answers to Key Questions.

I'm very excited to read this book and really ponder on the questions and look up the different scripture references. At the end of each day there is a Pearl of Wisdom I'm really excited about starting on this journey, to really grow deeper with my relationship with the Lord.

The book I chose to read is The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. This book is about a Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus.

I'm really excited to see what Journey the Lord has in store for me this next year. My prayer is that I would take more opportunities to share with people about the Lord and what he is currently doing in my life.

I would love to hear what books you would reccommend to add them to my list of reads...

God Bless....

A Shopping Experience to Remember

Yesterday I ran into the Lufkin Mall looking for a wallet because mine broke. After running in several stores, I went in Cato and found some cute shirts. As I was waiting to check out this lady walks up to me and asks, if she could pray for me. She did not know me and said that God had just laid it on her heart to pray for me. In the middle of the store this lady prayed for me.

I've never had this happen before so I was shocked in a way but I just thought how Awesome is this lady for being obedient to what God had told her to do. She took a step of faith by asking to pray for me because she did not know what my response would be.

I'm so thankful for this experience because the words this sweet woman prayed over me, will not be forgotten. Again I am reminded of stepping out to things God has called me to do and to not be afraid.

Faith

Hebrews 11:1-3 Faith is the Confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

One of my favorite Chapters of the Bible is Hebrews 11, which gives an account for people who lived by Faith. This morning as I was reading it I started thinking if my name would be in the there for Living by Faith Jenn did.....

God has really laid on my heart to ask people in my life, "Do they personally know Jesus?" Fear really creeps in on me with this because I'm afraid of losing their friendship or what they will think of me by asking this. But that should not matter because I want to know that I will see them again in Heaven.

So today what is God calling you to live by FAITH to do....

Let's not waste time for we do not know what tomorrow brings!
God Bless!

HOPE

Yesterday one of my sweet friends Jen Mac called to tell me about her morning devotion it was on Hope. I have never heard this acronym before so I thought I would share it with you this morning:

Holding
Only
Positive
Expectations

As we are about to celebrate the Birth of Christ, I decided to look up more verses on hope. No matter what you are going through be encouraged and have HOPE.

Job 11:18 And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security.

Psalms 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,

Psalms 33:22 Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

Psalms 39:7 And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.

Have a Blessed Day!
Jenn

New Years Goals

I feel like every day I'm being taught something new and truly on an adventure. The last few days Ive been reflecting on the Goals I set last year. I am the World's Worst about setting goals and not following through with them. Here are the 3 goals I have completed this year:

1. Reading the Bible through in One Year (Chronological Order). I have learned so many stories I never knew were in the Bible. This has really deepened and strengthened my walk with the Lord. As I'm learning more and more every day that I have to trust him, and most importantly to die to Self daily.

2. Loose Weight- This has been a journey of exciting and frustrating moments. Sometimes getting so frustrated because the weight would not come off or very exciting to go down a size. The key I have had to learn is discipline. I will report my final weight loss closer to New Years...

3. Nails- My whole life I have had a terrible habit of biting my nails. Well now I have fingernails and they are getting longer and stronger every day.

As we are approaching the New Year I am praying about what God wants for me to accomplish this next year. I would love to hear about the Goals you accomplished for this year or what your goals are for the upcoming year!

Enjoy every Minute of the Adventure Christ has given you!
God Bless
Jenn Smith

Thankful for.....

Im thankful for.....

• Christ a Personal Relationship with him that is growing daily

• Parents who are so supportive and loving

• Family I'm blessed beyond measures

• Friends who make me want to me more like Christ

• Co-Workers who are amazing....They are so encouraging and are like part of my family

• My High School Table group girls- the sweetest and most precious girls who are striving to be like Christ.

• Prestonwood- a church that teaches the Word and encourages us to go out and spread the Gospel.

• Our Military- those who are protecting our country and are not with their families.
  

• Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. (NIV) I'd love to hear what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving!

Contentment

Contentment....

This fall Ive been attending the Reality's Girls Bible Study. We have been reading a book called Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow. This book is a 12 week study on different areas of ways we struggle on being Content, whether it be through relationships, finances, worry, or the What If's. Through reading this book it has drawn me closer to the Lord and Im learning how to truly rely on the Lord. I want people to remember me of having faith in the Lord, even when circumstances are not the way I might want.

Here are some scriptures that I learned during this study:

Psalms 116:17 " I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and Call on the name of the Lord."

Philipians 4:7 and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalms 141:8 Encourage us to fix our eyes on the Lord and take refuge in Him.

I encourage you and Want to Challenge you if you are looking for a Good Book, read this one.. It will rock your World...and take you deeper in your relationship with the Lord. If you would like to know more, just ask.....

Showers...

For some reason, I have not had my camera out lately...
Which is a first for me... Lauren is getting married! It has been so fun to be at these showers and meet people who have invested in her life. I'm so blessed to have her friendship and to do life with her. Lauren's joy for the Lord and investing in people has really opened up my eyes. It has pushed me to get out of my comfort zone when Im in the check out at Starbucks and having conversations with people. I'm so excited to see what God has in store for her and Ben as they start this exciting journey!

Wedding Season has started...

On October 16th, my dear friend Amy got married to Nathan. Their wedding was just gorgeous and so sweet. Im so glad I got to celebrate this special day with them. Here are some pics from a shower and the wedding!

Texas Rangers Baseball

A season to remember...

My students have learned alot about my love for sports, especially baseball. Growing up I was a huge Astros fan. I remember in college how we would go to tons of Astros games. My favorite Astros back in the day were Bagwell, Biggio, and Berkman. Once I moved to Dallas, I became a Rangers fan. As we went into the playoffs this season, I got to share with my students how they were apart of seeing history being made. After going to the different playoff games, and being interviewed on the radio before the game verses the Yankees, I started thinking about how excited I was for playoffs. I even put up a wall in my classroom of Rangers memorabilia with articles from the games and etc.

Every day I was just on cloud 9, just talking it up about the Rangers and recapping the game. Then it hit me, why am I not sharing Christ with others or telling them what he is teaching me daily. I realized I get scared, what if they dont receive it or make fun of me... Well this verse has spoken volume to me:
Is 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.



The night the RANGERS beat the Yankees!!!

Up close with Nolan Ryan..


April and I


Kelly and I

Kelly, Katie, and I at Red Sox Stadium vs Rangers

The Summer that Flew...

I can not believe it is November, and I have not blogged since July. Once I got back from St. Lucia I got to see my family from Alabama for 2 days. Then it was back off to Boston with the Young Singles and our youth choir from Prestonwood. We stayed in the College dorms. During this trip God gave me opportunities to meet people from Boston, who are not believers and to just show them love. On this trip I never dreamed that I would get to love and meet more of our high school students. I bonded with students who I had never met in our student ministry. Also, on this trip I bonded with one of our adults, who has become such a wonderful influence in my life. Her name is Karen and since Boston we have gotten to hang out alot. I have learned so much from her as I continue to walk through this journey. Ive loved getting to meet so many people and hearing their stories from where the Lord has taken them or what God has been teaching them. I so enjoyed getting to build relationships with the young singles that went on our trip.

After this trip we got home to celebrate my precious friend, Kelly's 30th birthday weekend. We even went to a concert with Kelly Pickler, Chris Young, John Rich and Rascal Flatts. It was such a great concert at Frisco Pizza Hut Park.










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Vaca in St. Lucia

Good Morning Friends!! I had an absolute blast in St. Lucia. This trip helped me conquer fears and step out of my comfort level to try NEW things, that now I will want to do more...Happy Reading!

As we landed into St. Lucia, went through customs, and then we were off to find our shuttle. Mom and I were looking around for a sign with Alexander on it, and no luck... In the meanwhile Pop is like I over shot where we were suppose to go. We ended up standing in front of the HELICOPTER booth. Pop had booked us to have a helicopter ride closer to our resort, but wanted to surprise Mom and I. WOW! I teared up because I'm scared to death of little planes. It was the most beautiful ride! We saw the Atlantic coast, Caribbean, where the Bachelor stayed this past season, and all of the beautiful scenery that GOD created. Yes, I loved every minute of the ride and was so sad when it was over.

We stayed at the Beach Bay Resort, and our rooms over looked the ocean. It was just so soothing to look out at the ocean at night. It is so calm and peaceful, just like our lives should be. Even though we were on a relaxing trip the Lord showed me so many things that I can't wait to share with you.

In St. Lucia they are not on a time table, they do everything layed back and relaxed. We went to Big Chef Steakhouse one night and literally it was a 3 hour dinner, it was absolutely amazing to just sit, talk, not be in a hurry of I have to do this next and wait for our food to be brought to us. I loved this place they had the best salad I have ever eaten and it was just tomatoes, onions, and basil. Just delicious.

If you know me well, you know when I go on a Trip somewhere Tropical my main goal is to get a tan. I love to just sit on the beach with a good book and read, chat, and just RELAX. This is what I did most of the trip, but I did make some new Friends that I will be keeping in touch with.

One afternoon my new Friends Jeff and Michelle rented something like a sailboat and invited me to go for a ride with them. They were going to Pigeon Island. As we loaded the little boat, kind of like a sail boat, you had to lay back to enjoy the ride. This was a blast. Again this was something I had never done...

On Sunday morning we woke up early, to go ZIP Lining in the RAIN Forest. First, we had to ride in a van for 30 minutes to get to the place. Then we were greeted and suited up. Next, we went through our Practice Zip line getting all the directions on how to hold on, and Brake. After our course we then rode a tram up to the top of the rain forest. Once we got there we had to hike down a side of the mountain to get to the 1st zip line. There were 10 different zips from that one. I loved every minute of zipping at different levels inside the rain forest. After we finished zipping we had to walk back up the mountain to catch the tram and then ride back down. Again the scenery was incredible.

I loved having five days with no cell phone or emails.. It was so great to hang with my family. I read two books "Forgotten God" by Frances Chan. This book really grabbed my heart about our relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Also I read "Scouting the Divine" by Margaret Feinberg. This book opened my eyes on the way God pursues us. If you are looking for books to read I would highly recommend these books.

All Star Beach Camp 2010

Last week I went to Panama City with our 9th thru 12th graders to Beach Camp. We stayed in Condos and every morning I woke up to see the OCEAN! We were truly blessed because there was no oil while we were there.

It was truly an incredible week, through the preaching, worship, recreation time, and just time to sit and soak in God's word. My favorite day of Beach Camp was Thursday night, when we watched students who accepted Christ during the week follow by baptism in the Ocean. Not only did these students make their professions in front of us but so many people were watching on their balconies and we will never know the seeds that were planted from watching this take place.

I was so blessed to have girls in my condo that were just PRECIOUS. We truly laughed, loved, and just had the opportunity to get to know one another more. Im so thankful that God has placed me with these girls. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for these girls and to see how he will use our table group to serve others.

Pictures coming soon....

In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make our paths straight...Proverbs 3:6

Food for thought from Phillipians

Tonight I read Phillippians 2:13

"For it is God who works in YOU to will and to ACT accordingly to his Good purpose." (NIV)

"For it is God who works in YOU, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (ESV)

This verse really grabbed hold of my heart at bible study tonight. I started thinking about how God is constantly working in us, giving us opportunities to share with others or love on others but how often we get wrapped up in our daily routines and miss the opportunities to share God's love when he is ACTIVELY Living inside of us.

My Plan

Do you remember when you were a little and started planning your own life? Over the last few years the plan I thought was best for my life has not happened the way I imagined.

Let me start with my list of I Never thought, I wouldn't be....

* married by 30
* lost some important people in my life.
*my dream car
and etc....

Now let's look at my list of I never thought I WOULD....
* Go on a mission trip to the Amazon
*Have Godly women disciple me
* Completed my masters in Education
* having the opportunity to pour into younger girls.
* Most importantly seeing how my relationship with the Lord has blossomed and I desire to learn something new each day.

No my plan did not turn out the way I expected but PRAISE GOD for his Perfect Plan for our lives. It takes me back to Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare, and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.(ESV version)

Now for those of you whose plan has not taken the path you thought Do not get discouraged or loose heart because Christ has the Perfect Plan. In writing this I just got so excited thinking about the ride or adventure is in store for us.

Am I a blogger?

I always thought I would have a blog after I was married, but lately I have felt God telling me I need to blog. In my life I have had the opportunity to go on different journeys whether it be a mission trips, vacations, or just sharing what Christ is teaching me. I want this blog to be an Encouragement to others and to share with you the journey that I am on.

As I close today, I've been reading "Crazy Love" by Frances Chan. If you have not read this book, I highly recommend it because it really makes you think about your relationship with Christ. It asks questions that sometimes we need to really look deep in our hearts and examine. Am I giving the real answer or am I giving a church answer??

Col 3:2 "Set your mind on Heaven above and not on earthly things."