Journey With Jen

"Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but Peace in difficulties."  --  C.S. Lewis Where would we be without the strength and comfort of God?  I honestly don't understand how the non-believers make it through life.  Our life can be hard at times:  kids, parents, relationships, financial, health...the list can go on and on.  And if this life is all that there is, why keep going? I did not grow up in church or in a family that prayed or even talked about God.  Did they believe in God? I am not sure.  I had friends that went to church but I never had a relationship with God myself.  For me, there was a very distinct line in my life: before God and after.  I grew up with abuse in my home.  There was always the big elephant in the middle of the room that no one dared mention.  I couldn't even tell my friends. There was little hope and I didn't understand why this happened to me.  Why is this my life? I had ...

What is it snow days that makes me so happy? It's not just because it's a day off.  If I needed one that badly, I could just take one of my personal days. I think it is because it's different.  The world kind of stops for a moment.  I don't have to get up and head some where.  I  get a day AT HOME with my kids.  I love it! It's 9 am and I am still in my pajamas.  Which doesn't happen any day of the week!  Saturdays and Sundays are too busy for that.  A pot of soup will soon be on my stove.  I sit under blanket with my laptop open with fur babies resting beside me.  Life is good.  And I just take a moment to say Thank You Lord for truly a day of rest. Yes, I will finish my laundry up today.  And dishes will get dirty and washed.  A precious little girl's birthday present will get finished today.  But today will also include some home made spinach dip while we play board games.  A glass of hot chocolate ...

It's all about perspective... I'm learning that lately.  Your perspective can change your attitude for the better or worse.  It can make your day longer than it needs to be.  For example, I hate going grocery shopping.  Seriously, I've even waited until we even ate most of our canned good.  Fridge was empty besides condiments.  Yeah, it was bad!  Dinners were let me say... creative! :D  Yet, God can change my perspective.  After a tight week here and there, I leave the grocery store thanking God for the food He has provided. Amazing difference, isn't it?  Even my home is still not finished after 2 years.  Yes, I'd love to get new floors or have my bathrooms completely finished.  (our home is a fixer upper!)  Yet, I thank God every night for the gift of a home for my family.  I know what it is like to be in between places to live.  I know what it is like to move your family and while moving in, they reality co...

"I give you thanks, O Lord , with my whole heart;    before the gods I sing  your praise;    I bow down toward your holy temple  and give thanks to your  name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness..."  Psalm 138:1-2 I have been feeling very thankful lately.  That is not a bad thing.  It is a great mindset that can improve your day instantly.  :)  I have been looking back over the past year and seeing how much God has blessed us and I am humbled.  God is SO good.  We just need to take a moment and acknowledge it.  Sing His praises because He is worthy! I look at my kids and feel so much love and purpose.  Are they perfect?  uhh...no!  But, none of us are.  I feel so blessed that God has given me these children to care for and protect.  What an honor to be a Mother.  So many women long for that, and I have three. I don't take that for granted.  He protected me and...

Today, when you take look around there are lights.  Lovely, elaborate lights that twinkle with the tune of Christmas songs.  There is of course shiny garland or that fancy tulle that is all the rage right now.  Shiny ornaments shine in the lights.  Beautiful wrapped presents longing to be opened. Long ago, the only light was a star guiding the way.  There was not any shiny, sparkling garland.  Not even room in a hotel.  Just a manger where the animals where kept.  Yet, even with the simplest of things:  Glory was found!  A babe was born.   And even wrapped in rags, His glory could not be contained.  Angels spread the news.  Wise men traveled long distances.   It is amazing to me how the world today can get it so wrong.  It changes from the celebration of Christ's birth to "Season Greetings."   It has changed from a day of remembrance and thankfulness, to a month of spending...

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”   Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”   ~   Matthew 16:15-1 Would you know God if He were before you?   Would you act different if He were standing before you?   I think honestly we all would.  So it is easy to forget that He is everywhere.  Not just in the church.  God is in the car with us.  Walking with us through our workday.  There is not a place that we could go that God would not walk with us.  In times of troubles, we rely on that message.  The knowledge that God will not leave us or forsake us.  The faith that will carry us through the storm. But would we recognize the hands of God in our own life?  God is there working through others constantly.  We have to stop for a moment and recognize it.  Stop for a moment and be THANKFUL.  Many times, God is working through others ...

Woo-hoo!!  Teacher-in-service equals a three day weekend for us! :)  And, I have made some progress around here.  Long way from done...but progress!   Some friends of ours gave us a few 5 gallons of paint.  I bought one gallon of the color we chose (in a darker shade) and mixed it with two gallons of the light tan.  Ta-Da!  Three gallons of terra cotta for the cost of one!  Good bye white walls!  Hello warm desert colors! :)  I will do some more tomorrow after church.  Maybe I can get our "L" shaped hallway done this weekend! My first thing from Pinterest! Homemade Laundry Soap! Simple and easy with only 3 ingredients!  Oh yeah, less than six dollars and I have two gallons of laundry soap.  And, have enough stuff to make another batch or two!  YEAH!!  Smells great too! My laundry room is painted a light turquoise  I found this wonderful saying to put on the wall.  I love it! ...

We are yet again find ourselves collecting boxes and packing up.  But, I've never been more happy to see that sight!  I don't even have to ask the kids to help pack.  As soon as we get boxes, they are ready to get them filled.  Monday we get to sign the papers and get the keys!  Of course, that is after I drop the kids off at camp on Sunday afternoon.  :) The kids and I have been going through paint samples since we put an offer on the first house the end of February.  Yes, this home has many hopes and dreams already.  Faith's color is called Crystal Aqua.  Doesn't that sound beach-y?  Luke's color is called Fisherman's Net.  It's a perfect outdoors-y color for him.  Joey's is called Soothing Green Tea.  He wanted bright red walls ~ I told him to pick another color! I've done red walls before and not doing it again! My room color is called Lilac Whisper.  Doesn't that sound light and air...

It has been difficult the past few months.  We've looked at lots and lots of houses just trying to find a place to call 'home.'  We have seen some new houses with small square footage.  And older ones that needed knocked down and started over! And everything inbetween!  We have put offers in at at least 3 houses over the past 6 months.  We have even switched realtors after the first two months.  We have gotten our hopes up....and let down.  Mainly, we have waited.  And waited. Waiting for the one God has planned for us.  And ~ good news!  We finally have signatures on an offer!!  When we walked in, it felt like home.  Yes, when you look around, it did remind me on the 70's Show.  But, beyond the cosmetic, it's home!  This house is filled with love and warm memories. There are 4 bedrooms so each of my kids can have their own room.  We honestly didn't expect that.  Just shows that God provides beyond what we...

We went for a hike today. To be in the midst of God's Beauty is a wonderful thing! I look everywhere and see the flowers showing us God's glory!  It is beautiful!   Let everything that has breath praise the Lord Psalm 150:6 A blush of pink... Snowflakes in the middle of spring... Sunshine in the petals of flowers... A Weed full of Wishes! :) The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles. - Anne Frank  

It's been almost two years since I did my children's pictures.  Our lives have felt like a roller coaster going up and down.  I'm ready to get off the coaster and just stroll! :)  Enjoy the blossoms along the path.  With Mother's Day coming up, I knew it was a good time to get my kids to cooperate for an hour.  To get pictures of all three of them together takes some cooperation and patience! And plenty of retakes! Just thought I'd share pictures of my three blessings.  Joey (14), Luke (13), & Faith (10) My tuba player, Joseph (Joey) My "baby" girl, Faith My middle son, Luke

"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...

God can use us even while we are kicking and screaming.  God can even use us when we are trying to be selfish.  God can take the (often times) little bit we are willing to give ~ and multiply it.  He takes what He is given and transforms it into something beautiful. It doesn't always happen that way.  There are times when I try (and I feel that I am) a cheerful giver.  Times when I put others before me.  Times when my heart is open and I am willing and ready to serve.  Those moments can be such a blessing to myself as well as others.  But some of those moments...well, they don't always turn out so well. Sometimes those moments are taken wrong.  It's like  I started with fresh, clear water (good intentions)...then ended up in a mud bath! ;D  I realize that God's trying to tell me something. You see ~ those moments when I am willing and ready, that is how I should be all of the time.  I shouldn't have to get mys...

"Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles..." Psalm 105:4-5 The Bible is full of Miracles everywhere. There are healings, feeding people, and the Red Sea to name a few. But, today, in this world...what do we have? Cancer. Famine. Heart Disease. Autism. Alzheimer's. Stroke. And that's just the beginning. Each of us are touched by this in some way. Heartache is everywhere. This world is so far from the Garden on Eden. It is very easy to miss the miracles that God sends our way now...each day. Little pieces of encouragement to keep us going. Sunrises and sunsets. Sweet kisses. Laundry being done. We need to remember, though, not to limit God. God can still do the big stuff. God is still a healing God. (can I get an AMEN!) God can still take the rain in our life and create a rainbow. God can take little ol' you and me and make us the image of God. Yes, Big Stuff. So many things do not ha...

Tonight we say good-bye to 2011. I wish I could say that I'll miss it, but...no. Not this time. It has been a year of struggles. A year of faith. A year of mercy. I can look back and see that we made it. That through the mercy of others, we were able to survive. Through God's grace, we were able to say good-bye to loved ones knowing we'll see them again. The year of 2011, we found strength while on our knees. But, I am looking forward to the New Year. To the blessings that God has in store for us. I am looking forward to growing in the Lord. Blessing others. Being a friend in time of need, not just the good times. Being a great Mom that notices those little moments. To creating a Home ~ where ever we may end up. Not on my list would be: patience, faith, and weight loss. I know your going to read that again to make sure you got that right! ;o) Yet, when you ask for patience, you get situations...that you have to use patience. To have patience, you have to use it. The same go...

God knows when we are tired. He knows when we need a little hope. I've been feeling a bit worn out. . . physically and emotionally... in need of a little hope. God can supply this through others. This Saturday was filled with soccer as usual lately. Afterwards, we went to get some pizza for lunch with my niece and her parents. We ran into some friends my husband and brother-in-law grew up with. They left and the waitress told us that our tab was taken care of. They bought our lunch. I know they didn't think much about it, but it reminded me of God's love. God's care. Hope, that even in the midst of the anniversary of 9/11, good is still out there. I know, I know ~ it's lunch. But, it wasn't something they had to do. It wasn't something expected of them. It's going a little extra for others. When is the last time that you went out of your way for some one else? Not for their birthday... just for no reason at all. God might be trying to use you to bless an...

God answered Solomon, 'Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.' 2 Chronicles 1:10-12 What an awesome example of a heart dedicated to the love of Christ. For Solomon doesn't ask for things of this world: not wealth or fame; nor honor or health. He asked God for wisdom and knowledge. It makes me stop and think about what I'm asking for. KLRC was talking about prayer one morning on the way to work. (It's Christian radio)Some one even brought up praying for something as small as a good parking spot. The DJ said that it would be hard for her pray about something as triv...

This is my gift list book. My gifts that God gives me each and everyday. The gifts that I try to take the time and notice. I try not to let those gifts just pass me by. (although I'm sure that I miss many!) On my front page, I put "Count your blessings one by one." Remember that hymn? It just seemed to fit. Here are a few that I've wrote down lately: 33. Hiking with the family 38. Breakfast remembering the good times with my Dad 42. Finding a gas station before running out of gas (out on county roads in Newton/Madison County) 46. Beauty of the hills of the Ozarks 48. Summer break with the kids "I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you, I will sing praise to you name, O Most High." Psalm 9:1-2 I know that your probably wondering who won the drawing. (Maybe?) So, I tried something new this time. I saw this website on a friend of mine's blog. ( http://www.blessedholly.com...

"You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love for all who call to you. Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me." Psalm 86:5-7 So often in life, this is me. Crying out in distress when conflict enters my life. Or tragedy enters. Or even confusion. Help Lord!! And yes ~ in this life, there is a lot of that going on. It seems like we are either starting that time in our lives. In the middle of it. Or just coming out of it. (remotely sounds like P.M.S. heehee!) Lately, I've become a lot more sensitive than I used to be. I've always been that person in the card isle reading one after another trying to find the perfect card. Wiping tears away on some. Oh, yes, remember Touched by an Angel? Yeah, cried. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition? Yep, cried. Funerals I went with my husband but didn't even know the person? Oh, yeah, cry like a baby. Oh, one of the worst for me is that Christmas Shoes song. ...

It's been a crazy winter. I honestly don't remember the last time I've walked in 2 feet of snow. It's been days spent inside with the kids. Cuddling on the couch watching a movie. Playing games of Yahtzee and Phase 10. Playing games on the Wii. (Pictionary is so much fun!) It's been times times of a warm bowl of soup or chicken and dumplings. Snow ice cream for dessert, of course. Warm cookies straight from the oven. Going out into the snow and lasting only about 30 minutes just to add more clothes to the pile of laundry! :) I think of these snow days and they bring a smile to my face. It won't be long and they'll be gone. These snow days will just be a warm memory.