Summer, Summer, Summer

 

I love Summer!  

YES, its been an adventure... 

Here we go...

I get out of school on Thursday and drive straight to Lufkin.  

Then on Saturday evening I attended a beautiful wedding of my sweet friend Krystle Walker. I arrive home to sleep for 2 hours wake up at midnight and get in the CAR to drive to Houston.  At 3:00 am, yes you read that right we were in line at the United airlines counter.  Did you know they don't open till around 4:00 am? We hurry thru security to go to our gate!  Oh, and Starbucks was not open....At 5:00 am we are boarding the plane for Charlotte, NC... We jump off the plane quickly to get a Starbuck fix to hurry back to the GATE to HEAD to PUNTA!!!  

Of all the tropical places I have been this was my absolute favorite!

It was truly 7 days of relaxation, spending time with the family, laying on the beach, runs on the beach, and of course meeting new people.  

I did have a girl walk up to me and ask if I was from South Carolina.  All I could do was laugh, and say, GIRL- Im from Texas!  One group of friends I made started calling me Texas, which fits me to the T!

I loved meeting so many new people!  

We watched weddings on the beach everyday!

I held parrots and an iguana on the beach!

For 7 days, I did not check my phone often, I just soaked up a TRUE vacation.

Its not a vacation unless you take a jumping pic!!

More to come...

Jenn

 

5 Years

Reflect

In case you have not heard I am leaving my Current school to go and open a Brand new school in August(same school district).  

As this chapter in my life closes a new ADVENTURE is on the horizon!

Before it does I thought it would be a great time to REFLECT on the last 5 years of teaching!

Here we Go..

• Opening a Brand new School
• Mission Trip to the Amazon in the Fallof 08
• Starting  my  Masters in Education
• Friendships with Co-Workers what an Incredible Journey
• Awarded District Service 5 Year Pen
•  Writing Summer Institute (3 week course)
•   which led to getting a Star for becoming an ALLEN ISD Published Author
•  Turning 30
• Graduating with my Masters(in less than 15months)
• Memories and Amazing Stories about Children
• Moving Classrooms
• Sunshine Co-Chair
• One of my coworkers telling me about her mission trip to Jamaica= the next thing I know I was headed with her to Jamaica to teach teachers.
• Having the Opportunity to teach with Women who have become my BEST FRIENDS.

Can 5 Years change your life ABSOLUTELY?

I always thought when I left this school it would be because I was married and had a family, but I know Gods got a PLAN in this new Journey. 

So the new question is

What does the next 5 Years of Teaching Hold?

Excited to be a LoneStar,

Jenn

I Wanna

(This blog goes out to my parents)

I wanna be like my parents who have put God first and foremost in their life. 

I wanna be more like my parents, they truly go above and beyond for everyone they come in contact with!

I wanna show constant love and grace to everyone I meet.

My parents truly led by example. They will drive to watch a ballgame of my moms former students.

I wanna be like my parents who will not only pray with me but text or call me through anything going on in my life.

I wanna be like my Pop who I can call at 11:30 pm then again at midnight when I hear a noise that I don't know how to fix and he patiently walks me through it.

I wanna make a difference and leave a legacy....

I wanna be like my parents who will just go sit with friends in the hospital while their child is sick.

I wanna be like my parents who go the extra mile!

             I'm truly grateful that I've learned so much from my parents. My prayer is that I would influence others that they would want to glorify God by my example!

                            Blessings

                              Jenn

This I know....

Over the past few weeks some of my most precious friends have gone through loss of loved ones and big trials in their lives. I don't always know what to say except that I let the Holy Spirit guide me. Today these are the words that came to my heart!

This I know

Gods got you in the palm of his hands

This I know 

when our hearts are breaking God will pick up the pieces

This I know you are not alone in this journey The Lord is with you along w your precious family and friends

This I know when we are weak he is strong

This I know you are dealing w lots of emotions but God is adding this to your testimony

This I know most of all

You are loved

Even when we don't understand or feel so broken I'm thankful God is at work!

                           This I know,

                           JennSmith

Bucket List

This year My New Years Resolutions was to go on more adventures.

I started off the New Year in Disney World!

 Well in March I went to Rangers Spring Training with great friends. 

 Every year in April our Singles group takes a trip to Boston where we Partner with Hope Fellowship and different churches.  We go throughout the city passing out granola bars, gum, or water bottles w a card.  This is a great tool of servant evangelism.  Then on Monday the team goes to the Boston Marathon and passes out gum.   

Ive always heard about how AWESOME this particular marathon is, so I decided this year I would take the days off to go and serve the city of Boston.  I truly did not know what God had in store for our team, the people of Boston or, my self.  I know this happened in April and every night before bed I begin typing about this trip or I just stare at my computer!  This trip has really impacted my life.
I saw God move in a mighty way!
God reminded me that he is at work in my life, and shared with me some answers of things that have been so heavy on my heart!
I watched as people walked down the street with so much pain in their eyes as they were hurting. 
I cannot begin to tell you how each person on our team encouraged me, or a new friendship was formed, and most importantly I learned from each one of them!  I was blessed! 
May has been quite busy but I was able to go to Lufkin during Mother's Day and hang out with not only my mom, Big Mama, but my Alabama and Livingston family.  Also, I was so excited to find out one of my sweet college friends would be in Lufkin, so I met her family at the zoo!  I am so grateful that the Lord places people no matter what stage of life they are into my life! 
Wedding season has started back up!
School is winding down!
Summer is a coming....
So I hope to catch up on blogging soon!
Until then...

Love
and 
Enjoy each step of the Journey,
Jenn

The Journey of Life

                         The Journey of Life

Life is hard

Life is fragile

Life is full of emotions

Life is a journey

But through this we are made more aware:

God has a plan

God hurts when we hurt

God will carry us through all our emotions

Even though we don't understand Gods adding to your testimony! 

Step up to the plate 

Trusting him

Knock this time in your life out of the park showing that Gods got this!!!

This is written for all of those hurting today, experiencing their 1st Mother's Day without loved ones!

A Birthday Blessing

A New Tradition

Today, as I was driving to Lufkin I was praying asking that the Lord lead me to do something special on my birthday.  As I continued to pray the Lord laid different women who have played a huge impact in my life on my heart to go and bless.

 

Let me just say walking into their offices or homes and surprising them with flowers or a Sonic Drink melted my heart.  It brought me so much joy knowing that these women have been through some pretty big trials and  needed just a sweet bit of encouragment. 

As one of them said, Jenn this is YOUR bday we need to celebrate you-You are not suppose to be giving on your birthday and taking care of others. 

What I am continuing learning is that even though its my birthday I want to show unconditional love and continue to love on others!  I am trying to live for Christ more and more every day. This year has been a hard one on our Family and I am reminded daily that we do not know how many days we have here on earth.  I never want to miss an opportunity to love on someone and make them feel special!

Also, as I face another year of aging I just want to be remembered as someone who Loved, encouraged, and impacted their life towards eternity.  I'm learning this lesson daily!

A Birthday Blessing,

Jenn