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 A Weekend of Firsts                         Football and  Lazy Dog

I've been to a lot of football games but never to any in the rain.  On Friday night after several delays it was time for kickoff. Literally played one play and then the sirens went off. So we had to leave the stadium. Then  Zachs game started at 9:00. It was a memory in the making with Becky, Gma, Nancy, Chris, and I. We were prepared for all the rain. Zach got to play after he's been recovering from an injury. He played until the last few minutes of 3rd quarter then reinjured his leg. I was very impressed with the opposing teams players. They came over and checked on Zachs re-injury. It rained the entire game! My fingers were so pruny, no dry bone on my body, but to watch Zachary play his heart out for the game he loves was all worth it.  

On Saturday night Elizabeth and I met up at the Lazy Dog in Addison. On the patio ppl brought their dogs to dinner. The dogs were all so well behaved. The food looked delicious. We just wanted desert to split. Let me just say that they had so many options. The prices were not bad at all! I will be going back there again! It was such a fun place. 

                             Making memories,

                                Jenn

A Weekend of Firsts

                   A Weekend of Firsts....

I've been on a roll since school started of trying new things to the point it's pushed me out of my comfort zone. 

After our fall picnic at school on Friday evening I drove down to my friends Elizabeth and Pavis apt. They live in uptown so we walked from their apt with a group of friends to the Aurora event that was happening. The streets were packed with so many different things. 

So the firsts begin:

* going into the Nasher

* free showcase work by artists from lots all over 

* AT&T Performing Arts center 

* DMA

While in the DMA I added a words of wisdom to a board, created a puzzle, and chose a tile to color to recreate a piece  of artwork to the wall. If you know me I'm by no means an artist but really enjoyed coloring my tile and adding it to the wall. We went and listened to live bands playing outside. My favorite was listening and watching the  digital shoe on certain buildings.

Sorry the pictures went in crazy order. 

The next first for me was on Saturday:

As you know Brooke and I love an adventure. This was a memory I'll never forget! From the moment we walked in till the time we left. 

I had won free tickets to a concert!

My first time to see Taylor Swift.. It was the best concert I've ever been too! 

It was my first time to stand holding a sign at a concert the majority of the time. 

My first time meeting Taylor's mom! 

We didn't meet Taylor but we will never forget this memory.. 

Here's what I've learned don't be scared to try or do things you may not have done before because you're scared you might not be good at it. 

I'm learning there are other firsts I want to do now and I can't wait to write about these adventures! 

                              God Bless,

                               JennSmith

 

The Scar

As I have been healing from my fall, I have been left with a scar on my nose and underneath my left eye.  My knee is still healing from the fall who knew it would take so long to be restored. It is my daily reminder of healing of a true accident.  Yes, I can cover it up with make up but it is the first thing I see in the morning.

 A Scar...

As you think back in life we all have Scars, of all shapes and sizes, its apart of life.  We learn life lessons through our scars. This scar can leave a mark on our lives that we can make the choice of how we deal with the pain of it or to decide to move forward. 

No, you cannot erase the scar it is there forever but you can make the choice of how you heal from the scar. I was recently told A scar does not define you but adds character. Plus its a great story piece.

I'll admit six weeks ago I put on my running shoes and was very nervous about running again. I couldn't let the fear or the scar keep me from my workout routine. 

Finding Joy through the Scars,

Jenn

 

The Fall

This summer has been about working out, eating healthy, and getting back in shape.  On Tuesday morning I decided to go for a run.   It was already warm outside so I loved seeing and running through the sprinklers.  Next, I changed my route I wanted to go by the lake. During this run I didnt have my ear buds in  just my music playing. Then my running app telling me my pace, mileage etc. I was looking straight ahead when the sidewalk was uneven and I took a tumble.  A man was running across the street so he came over helped me,  and told me my nose was bleeding. I start walking back home at a fast pace.  I decide to take a picture of my face and send it to my parents.  Then I called a friend to see what I should do next.  You see until I got home and looked in the mirror I did not realize how bad it was.  My knees were really scraped up.  When I saw my face in the mirror I knew this day was not going to be how I had planned. A chunk of skin from my nose was gone.  I called several friends no one was answering due to being in trainings or other things.  So Brooke told me to go to Legacy Er,  and off I went.  Im so thankful for my sweet friend Donna Walsh who went through the next events with me.  She has boys so nothing grossed her out.  When the Dr saw my nose he said after we do a scan we are going to get you to a cosmetic surgeon to stitch you up.  Well, I have only had stitches once in my life but never on my face..  Little abrasions have showed up all over my face. We got in with the surgeon and he worked to get me in.  My eyes were closed very tightly during this process I was super quiet. 

I was thankful that sweet Becky brought us lunch. The chicken noodle soup was so good.

I got home and settled in.  I had to cancel a days plans one being getting my haircut, and then taking sweet little Gavin to the Roughrider game. Being me I was trying to think of ways I could still go.  

I started on the meds and realized I would not be driving over the next few days.  

I was taught some very valuable lessons:

• I had to say no to doing certain plans.

• I had to let people come help me: with dinner, reapplying ointment to my nose and knee, and having friends take me to the store.
• I had to rest and ice!  This is hard for me!
•  Of course I wear a hat right now to keep the sun from hitting my nose and scarring the stitches.
• I've had to rely on other people and Im so thankful for friends who have just come by to say hi!

So If you see me you will know what happened and that I am recovering great!Thanks to everyone who has called or come by to see me I am so blessed!  
                                                  Never a dull moment,
                                                   Jenn
 

 

The Adventure continues

The past two days have been a huge blessing but exhausting in every way. I'm still trying to wrap my head around all that has happened! 

We ended our conference with 128 teachers. This was the most we've ever had! 

One of my jobs was to interview the teAchers who came to the conference I can't wait to show you what they had to say. Their videos were do heart felt and just precious!

I will upload videos of the conference ending! The Jamaica teachers gave each one of us a gift to ThAnk us for blessing them. Then they sang songs to show their appreciation to us. 

After the conference was over each lady came and hugged us. My cup runneth over! 

We are done loading the back of the bus with boxes every morning and Afternoon.

I think I'm going to wait until I get home before blogging about the schools and the orphange. The orphange was harder than I imagined.

Tomorrow is our vacation day so stay tuned for what we have planned!!! Another first will be happening!!

Thank you for your prayers! They are felt and appreciated more than you will ever know! 

           Good night fromJamaica,

                            Jenn  

The Bat

The Bat

On Monday morning I was sitting at the registration table when Peggy said Jenn I need you to come my room. She meets me in the hallway and says We are okay with this but there is a bat in our classroom. I walk in and sure enough there was a bat sleeping on the wall. I look at her and say I'll take care of this on just a second. I go find Steve the janitor and tell him what's going on. He says are yall scared of a bat? Hmm no but we don't want him to start flying around during a session. So Steve walks up to the wall and hits it with his fist. The bat starts flying around in circles for a few minutes. Finally he flew out the window and I saw my first bat in Jamaica!

                           Making Memories,

                                Jenn

Drum Roll Please

                         Drum Roll please

Today we had 107 teachers attend the conference. This is the most enrolled for a Tuesday we have ever had. We had 69 schools represented by their teachers. Wow! It was an Awesome day that went by way too fast! I have learned so much on this trip. I was blessed and was brought sweet treats by some of the women. Our team is having a blast and everyone is working so hard and teaching their heart out! I promise I will blog longer later but tonight is very quick! I am very tired. After the conference today we cleaned up loaded up the bus. We had our devotion and team meeting before dinner. As soon as our team washed dishes and cleaned our dining area we took off on an adventure. We went to glistening waters! Our group got on a boat and went out into the water where the salt and fresh water meet. Then You jump in about 5 feet of water. The water lights up and it glistens all around you. This was truly the coolest thing I've ever seen. Glistening waters only takes part in 4 places of the world. Google the images it's breath tAking. This is a moment and a memory I will never forget. 

Tomorrow is the last day of our conference so please keep praying for our team!

              Good night from Jamaica,

                              Jenn