Journey With Jen

About 3-4 years old Almost 13.  Looks same but bigger. Isn't it amazing? Tonight was Luke's baptism. He wanted to get baptized on his birthday. He told me that it would be a new beginning...a new birth. Yes, seriously, my almost 13 year old was telling me this. Isn't that awesome? :) Unfortunately, Luke's birthday falls on a Tuesday this year. So, he picked to have it on his Dad and Uncle's birthday. I'm know that God has a special plan for Luke. There have been many struggles through the past 13 years. He has so much that could hold him back. So many things that are considered weak in this world. Learning disabilities. Autism. Asthma. Heart Murmur. Feet problems. So many doctors and therapists. So much that Luke has to deal with everyday just to function. But, everyday through my own circumstances, I find this to be true: "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults,  hardships, persecutions, and cal...

"Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?" Psalms 94:16 This verse in Psalms is speaking of our friendship with God. " The Lord is my help ," it goes on to say. But, if we are to be like Christ ~ than this verse applies to us as well. We are to be there. We are to stand up when others back down. One of the greatest blessings that God gives us is friendship. Real friendship. One of the stories that comes to my mind about friendship is about Job. This poor guy had everything taken away in one swoop. A messenger came and told him the sheep and servants have been burned. Another messenger came to say the camels and more servants have been slaughtered. Then, at the same time, another messenger told him that a house fell on his children and they have died. In a mere minutes, Job's life has been completely changed. Oh yes, then his skin is filled with boils. His wife gives up on him. Then, his thre...

Today we did our February month of service through Faith In Action. We went into Fayetteville, to a lady's home that is in her 70's. She has diabetes and well as some other issues. She loses her balance easily and cannot get down on the floor or high up to clean. So, another family, the Anderson's, joined mine today and went to help. (Thank you! Thank you!) Some of us worked outside raking up gumballs from her tree that she trips over. I worked inside and cleaned out her kitchen cabinets with a few helpers. She was very appreciative to the work that we did. We were only there until close to noon but in those short hours, we helped her living conditions. I couldn't help feeling disappointed today though. I was hoping to get a couple families to help us out today because we didn't know what we were getting into. After all, we've been talking about service in church for sometime now. So, I sent the e-mail asking for help a couple weeks ago. Then again, last week. I...

"...for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” ~ Nehemiah 8:10 So much of our time is spent waiting. Waiting in line. Waiting until Friday. Waiting in traffic. Waiting until your married. Waiting until your kids are bigger. Waiting for something... We need to remember one thing. "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 Today. We are not talking about yesterday and the mistakes we made. Nor are we talking about tomorrow (because God will take care of that too.) Today...right now is a gift from God. What are you going to do with it? Those people in your life right now, God has put there for a reason. Yes, even the odd ones at Wal-Mart. There are moments everyday that I let go by. Moments were I'm spaced out thinking about...yeah, you guessed it.... ME. What I want to do. Where I want to go. What I am in the mood to do. Here I am thinking about me and I miss those people walking around me. Those opportunities that God g...

Today we went to LifeSource International in Fayetteville to volunteer. They help families of all ages. They have a summer camp in the summer for the kids. They have a food pantry for those in need. The first and third of every month, it is Senior Saturday. They had a young adult class from Trinity Church volunteering to cook in the kitchen today. So, they put us to work creating USDA bags for seniors. We made a line and got to work! We filled two carts full of bags that LifeSource could hand out. We filled two containers full of bags. Once we used all of the bags they could find, lunch was ready to be served. After a blessing over the food, we served food to the seniors that came out for lunch. So many of them come there week after week. (I also learned never to ask a senior how they are doing unless your prepared to hear about gout and the heart attack that might happen!! LOL) It was a good day. We ended today with a birthday party celebrating my niece, Abby. It seems unreal that sh...