Journey With Jen

Everyone knows that it gets worse before it gets better, right? I, like everyone else, just wishes we could bypass that getting worse part. Or when you think, okay, this is the bottom ~ guess what?! Yep, you guessed it. Slip-slide down just a little more. It's okay. God knows. It is so easy to look around at my situation and become discouraged. To feel hopeless. To look around for that white flag to raise up. But ~ that's not what need to be doing. Sometimes when you get so wrapped up in the drama of life, the blessings go un-noticed. I don't want that to happen. I want to notice the good things. I want praise God and thank God, no matter where I am in this journey. Yes, I do have much to be thankful for. Most of all, God. Yep, three little letters but one BIG word. :~) I have three great kids that overall are healthy. I am SO thankful each and everyday that Luke is not severe. I have a husband that is trying: trying to understand. trying to have the faith through this. try...

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary trouble are are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Just remember that no matter what situation that you are in: You are not alone. You are loved. You are here for a purpose. You are a Child of God. This song has touched my heart and made me sing loud. Windows up in car, of course! :~) I can feel the words. I hope that it can give you hope as well, no matter where you are on your journey. Praise You in this Storm. By Casting Crowns. Written by M. Hall & B. Herms "As the thunder rolls I barely hear you whisper through the rain, "I'm with you" And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands And praise the God that gives and takes away. And I will pra...

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." I cling to this promise. I am not very good at change. I tend to be more like the turtle where slow and steady wins the race. Not the rabbit which is bouncing from here to there, making change. I know this and it can be a good trait. I'm very loyal. I am forgiving. I'm one of those that you can call at 2 a.m. and I ask 'are you okay?' and 'what can I do?' Yet, there are times like now, when I wish I took change easier. I know in my head that sometimes we must be broken, so that God can make us what we are meant to be. Yet, that is never an easy process. John 15:2 "He cuts off every branch in my that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so it will be even more fruitful." My husband's job, well, sucks really. He was working a month of nights. Then...

My niece, Abby My sons, Joey & Luke with my nephew, Phillip My daughter, Faith, with my nieces, Summer & Cara "If I could give you one thing in life, I would give yourself the ability To see yourself through my eyes. Only then, Would you realize how special you are.." ~ Unknown

1 John 4:12 "No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." I'll be honest. There are times when that is easier said than done. It is so easy to look at some one and just see what's on the outside. What they present to rest of the world. I make snap decisions based upon that. I have three kids. Is this some one I want my kids to speak to? Is this some one I feel comfortable talking with? There are so many bad things out there. So many things that I want to protect my kids and, honestly, myself from. Yet, it's my job as a parent to prepare them.... not shelter them. Yes, there are crazy people out there. Sick people that do sick things to children and adults. As much as I'd love to hover over my children, it's not doing them any good unless I teach them about the world. Teach me kids to yell "help", not just scream if some one tries to take them. Teach them to be aware of their surroundi...

Three little letters. One BIG question. Things in this life don't always go as you plan. Or if you like me lately, never go as planned. Sometimes I feel like a hamster going around and around in a circle but never actually going anywhere. You try. You pray. Then, that door closes and your in a room, in the dark, waiting...for God's Light to shine where He's put the window. Sometimes that wait is short. (Love those times!) Sometimes there is a lesson within the wait and it's long. Of course while I'm in the dark, I start to question, "Why?" Why am I here? Why me? (don't we all eventually get to that question?) Why now? and it goes to the question, "What do I do now?" Kent and I are reading a book called 'When Life Is Hard.' It talks about how those who are not traveling the path of God seem to have it easy. Their worries on this earth seem small. It's because there isn't a fight of good against evil. Evil has already won in t...

God's Lent Child I'll lend you for a little while, a child of mine, God said For you to love her while she lives, and mourn for when she's dead. It may be six or seven years, or forty-two or three; But will you, till I call her back, take good care of her for me? I'll bring her charms to gladden you, and should her stay be brief, You'll have the lovely memories as solace for your grief. I cannot promise she will stay, since all from earth return, But there are lessons taught below I want this child to learn. I've searched the whole world over, for teacher's kind and true; And from the things crowd life's way, I have chosen you. Now will you give her all your love? Nor think the labor vain? Nor hate me should the angels call, to take this child back again? To which the parents did reply, Dear Lord, Thy will be done. For all the joys thy child will bring, the risk of grief we'll run. We'll shelter her with tenderness, we'll love her while we m...