Wait

Wait

A few years ago I was challenged to come up with a word for the year.

My word for 2015 has been WAIT.

Wait on the Lord.

Every week I would read a scripture on Waiting on the Lord

or read a devotion with the application being Wait on the Lord.

I learned that I am not patient when it comes to waiting. 

Ive had to lean on the Lord and lean to trust his plan.

I've had to accept doors closing--no wait Slamming shut

while waiting on him to answer.

While waiting on the Lord:

• I've reconnected with old friends.
• I have been encouraged by friends who are waiting on the Lord.
• Ive been blessed by an amazing team that walks through life with me.
• Ive had the opportunity to serve in Jamaica, Boston, and  local community.
• Ive been blessed to babysit for families and build lasting friendships with the moms.
• I've had friends text me they are walking through this journey with me.
• Ive learned to cry out to the Lord.
• In the waiting period God has been at work.
• Ive grown in the waiting period.
• I'm still waiting for the Lord to answer but while I wait I will not get discouraged- I will trust him.
• IF you are waiting on a prayer to be answered-let me encourage you to keep going before the Lord.
• PRAY. PRAY. PRAY.
• Hold tight to scripture...

Remember you are not the only one that has waited...(Abraham waited, Hannah waited, etc)
Psalm 27:14 KJV Wait on the Lord; be of good courage 

and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait I say on the Lord. 

Blessings,

Jenn

Merry, Merry,Merry Christmas

Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas

Christmas was a little different this year for us, 

I'm thankful for spending it with my parents, Uncle Rob and Aunt Nan.

Plus Im grateful for spending time with my dad's side.

It's not about the Gifts

But the True Meaning of Christmas,

Jesus...Jesus..Jesus...

One of my favorite traditions is attending a Candlelight Service.

This year I got to see alot of my childhood friends, 

which lead to meeting up for breakfast the next day.

You see this is what my heart needed,

 to talk about life the good, bad,

and most importantly how the Lord is at work. 

We picked up r like we had never been apart. 

Each girl at the table has a heart of gold,

and each girl at the table I admire. 

We may be in different stages of life but sitting around the table 

we laughed( I may have snorted laughed a few times).

We were given words of encouragement 

but most of all,

Those Girls are Gems...

It's a Merry Christmas to start it off with them.

Thank you Lord for placing each of those girls in my life.

Thank You Lord for sending your son to this earth,

Jesus you are the Reason for this season.

Merry Christmas

Jenn

 

An old hobby

Back in my mid 20's I got into scrapbooking. The other day I was cleaning out a closet when I ran across my old scrapbooks. Of course I had to sit down and look through them. As I looked through one I had cut out all different cards I had received over the years. Tears  rolled down my face as I read through cards. The hardest thing was seeing words of wisdom and notes from my great aunts who passed away this fall. I'm so thankful to cherish their sweet words. Then I came across words from my Big Mama and Mama Smith which just made my heart beam. Next, I came across a letter from my Pop. He had written me a letter the day I graduated college! Tears rolled down my face as I read it. His words of wisdom and love from my Pop are priceless! 

Even though I've stopped scrapbooking I'm so thankful I took the time to make a card scrapbook. 

                             Thankful for the memories!

                         Jenn

                      An Excellent Read

Last week Lori posted a picture of a book she was reading. Fight back with Joy by Margaret Feinberg, it immediately got my attention. You see I have had some friends go through some hard times lately. Sometimes it's hard to find the JOY in the circumstances you are deploring with. This book encouraged me, gave me tools and strategies to help others, but most importantly reminded me to fight back with Joy, and the power of prayer. I could not put this book down it is an easy read with short chapters. She used a huge trial and shared her story how she fought with joy! This is such a reminder of how we need to fight back with JOY! 

One of my favorite parts  was at the end when she gives a play list of songs!

I know some of you are going through some tough times but grab this book and be encouraged! 

If anyone has any other book selections I would love to hear them!

                           Finding the JOY,

                                  Jenn 

I'm not a Writer..

I'm not a Writer...

A few years ago, I was encouraged to start blogging... Well I was really good about writing for awhile.  Then I took a break...

Recently, Ive run into friends that say they have missed my blog.  If you know me to sit down and just write is hard bc I'm constantly on the go.  Now I can blog on my phone which is super handy. I write what comes to mind and might erase a sentence 10 times before writing the sentence. 

My reason for blogging are:

letting family and friends keep up with my adventures!

To encourage someone who might be going through a tough time

To bring joy and laughter to others

I apologize if I ever ramble.

I'm just a girl enjoying the adventure! 

Blessings,

Jenn

I'm Thankful...

I'm thankful for God and that he is working in my life, even when I cant see it.

Lately I have been given lots of opportunities to be thankful for so many blessings, like reuniting with sweet girls from college, and other friends at various stages of life.

I'm thankful my Uncle Charles is healing from open heart surgery.  He's handling it like a CHAMP.

Im thankful for the opportunity to teach students especially 6th grade Science/SS. 

I'm thankful for opportunities to build relationships with former parents and students!

I'm thankful for a team of co-workers who encourage, bring laughter, and make a difference in the lives of our students daily.

I'm thankful to be apart of sweet friends upcoming weddings.

I'm excited that Dec is coming and we are adding the sweetest addition to our family(just a little bit longer Kristen before you deliver sweet baby girl!! 

I've been blessed with amazing friends to make some incredible memories.

I'm thankful for my family that they are constantly encouraging me and my support system.

My parents have set many examples before me and I hope that I can be an example and serve others. I'm beyond thankful for their serving hearts!

I'm VERY thankful for my BIG MAMA- every girl needs a Big Mama.

I'm thankful to see prayers being answered!

I'm thankful God is at work!

I'm thankful for time off to spend catching up with friends and family. 

I'm thankful for the adventures that are to come!

Blessings,

Jenn

Right on Time

Recently I had a coffee/tea chat with a friend after school it was a last minute opportunity.  It did my heart so good to chat because she just gets me. Maybe its because she is an only child to!

I received some messages from several college friends that I have reunited with, they just happen to be going through the same stage of life as me. It's truly crazy how our paths have crossed and it has been the biggest blessing to me.

One of my favorite workout partners and I have started working out again. This has made life more enjoyable but its nice to lay out our hearts of what is going on in our lives.

Then a group of girls who I have had the pleasure to do life with have all of a sudden gotten back together. My heart is full. We have laughed together, made some crazy memories, and have prayed together. We have loved one another through really good times, and been there to wipe tears off each others faces during very difficult times. 

As always RIGHT ON TIME these girls come back together. 

Once again I'm reminded how blessed I am.  

At work I have been blessed with amazing co-workers who make work FUN and students who are Amazing.  

Today, I am reminded how everything happens right on time.  God's Perfect timing. I trust that and cling to it.

Im thankful for the peeps he has brought in my life at the most PERFECT time!

Blessings,

Jenn