Journey With Jen

Today was my IEP conference for Luke.  We go over progress or regression that has happened.  We try to figure out what worked and what didn't.  Then, we set a plan for the coming year.  Some years are harder than others.  The assistant-principal had a chart on his computer about Luke from 1st or 2nd grade and up.  He pointed out that in 4th grade and 5th grade, Luke made some good progress according to test results.  We could see that 2nd grade missed.  (so true!)  And third grade showed some leveling out.  (that wonderful teacher needed to just love on him because of second grade.  which she did wonderfully!  She got him to like school again and gain lost confidence.) Middle school was a good experience for Luke overall.  The resource teacher and the assistant-principal helped him in SO many ways.  He's grown and matured the past two years.  They pushed ...

“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you,  Fear not,  I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13 ESV I look around and feel so small at times.  I look around at the problems we are facing...the ones my family and friends are facing... and I am, well, I am just me.  I feel overwhelmed.  Angry.  Frustrated.  Sad.  Confused.  All of those human emotions go through me.  I am very thankful that my help...my strength through all of this, is not of this world.  I don't pretend to understand why friends have to have fertility issues when a drug user has several children she doesn't care about.  I don't understand why friend's have to go in for a breast biopsy because the scans are not normal.  I don't understand why my husband has to go through a possible by-pass surgery when he is in his 40's.  I don't understand a lot of things.  But, I do know some one that sees the whole...

It is that time once again.  To write unscripted ...un-edited (besides spell check! LOL)  for five minutes.  The topic today:  Together S T A R T I know what your thinking....a duck...what does that have to do with anything??  But, this is a momma' duck waiting for that last little duckling to wake up and crack through the shell.  She didn't leave her nest when I was squatting right next to her taking her picture.  I SO wanted to try to pet her then I thought how much I liked my finger! Many times I feel like that duck.  Waiting.  I'm waiting on God's next step.  I'm waiting to see what happens next.  I want to protect my family.  Yet, I realize more and more that I have no control over protecting my family.  Besides not running in the street and don't put your fingers in light sockets ~ well, even then ~ God's in control.  God's protecting my family even when I think it's me.  And God will contin...

"...Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn   in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from  me.  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,  for my  power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the  more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on  me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak,  then I am strong. "   2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Thorns.  Paul didn't understand why.  He cried out to God.  He pleaded to God.  I don't understand. The three-letter word, "WHY?", has come from my lips numerous times.  I'm guessing that you don't either.  What ever thorn that you are bearing.... Thorns of Infertility Thorns of Miscarriage Thorns of Divor...

2nd Annual Fishing Tournament for Children's Hospital Love to see my children serving others! The number of early entries doubled to 150 boats! All proceeds went to the Arkansas Children's Hospital. It was a great Friday the 13th!  I woke up from a NyQuil induced sleep to an upset stomach, stuffy nose, and achy all over.  But, I signed up to help and I was determined to go.  :)  So, a little more slowly than usually, I got ready to go.  Kent and I called in to work.  Kids got to miss school.  This is our second year to participate and we were all looking forward to it. God gave us a beautiful day.  A little cloudy, but no rain.  (which is good...I'm a bit of a wimp once the rain starts!)  The sun wasn't too hot.  Just a good day to serve others.  I love seeing my kids my put their gloves on and get to work.  :)  Very thankful for our church to provide this opportunity to give....

So Beautiful! The cheesy Easter picture! ;) Love those kids! Luke, Abby (my niece), Faith, and Joey The smell and beauty of a rose! The beauty of spring!  Flowers blooming!  Pollen making your eyes water.  Cool breeze with the windows open!  Again with my eyes watering.  Birds singing their own praises to God!  It is a beautiful time of year reminding us that we serve a risen Savior.  It is so easy to look at the majesty of our Lord.  "Yours, O Lord , is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory  and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours  is the kingdom, O Lord , and you are exalted as head above all." 1 Chronicles 29:11 I hope that you have a chance to enjoy this beautiful spring that God has given us.  I've been trying to get spring pictures of my kids for two weeks now and it keeps raining on the days I can.  But ~ even that I am th...

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives   in me. And the life I now live in the flesh  I live by faith in the Son of God, who  loved  me and  gave  himself for me."   ~  Galatians 2:20  I love the last part of that verse.  He loved me.  He gave himself for me.  Not just me ~ but you as well.  We were on his mind.  We are the reason that His angels did not swoop down and set him free.  We are the reason.  Is that not a bit mind boggling?   So, now because of Jesus, this world is not our home.  I know this world is not the end.  Just as He arose, so will we.  Suffering will vanish.  Tears will dry.  Our tired bodies will be put to rest.  And our spirits will be free.  What a gift we have been given!  Thank you, Lord, for loving me.  Through my ups and downs.  Through my mista...

Just Call Me the Easter Bunny! My basket winner, Angela Sullins, received her basket today!  Filled with Coconut Macroons, Chocolate Chip Shortbread, Frosted Sugar Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies, and Hot Chocolate Cupcakes! Yumm!! A few baskets for some sweet kid-o's.  Chocolate, cookies, cupcakes, bubbles, and chalk.  Hope they bring smiles because they make me smile! :) No, I haven't forgotten my own three kids.  They are too grown up for the baskets.  :(  They just want the candy! LOL So, a bag full of goodies that I won't buy any other time a year! My baskets are done for another year.  I hope the Easter Bunny visits your home this year and leaves some treasures for you. Happy Easter!  

And our winner is......   Angela Sullins!  Just one of the sweetest people I know!  Congradulations Angela!  Thank you to everyone that entered.  I'll have to do it again soon so keep you eyes out.  Well, that's kinda gross.  Keep your eyes in but keep a look out for my next contest.  I'll post pictures when I am done.  I gotta start some Easter baking now! :)

"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;  A nother withholds what he should give,  and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, And one who waters will himself be watered." Proverbs 11:24-25 Tonight I'm examining myself a bit.  I believe it's good to take a look at yourself.  See the things that need worked on.  Accept the things that cannot be changed.  Take a good look ~ warts and all. And I wonder ~ when others count their list of blessings, do I even cross their mind?  How many lives have a really, truly touched?  How many would consider me a blessing in their life?  Before you get too worried about me, I'm fine! LOL  Just a little deep thinking... Am I doing my best to make a difference?? Do I try to reach out to others?? (even when it's not easy) Do I love more and judge less? My 'goal', you could say, is not to be on every one's list.  Just to give freely...to brin...