Jessica's Journey

Studying

2012-01-19T14:49:00.002-05:00

Well, I am back to school now! I am exhausted from my classes all day yesterday but it feels good to be back in the middle of studying again. I can't wait, I am half way done with my Associates of Arts in Elementary Education with my minor in English! Whew....that was a mouthful! My thought for today is to encourage everyone to expand your mind and step out of your comfort zone. Do something challenging! It is good for your brain! :)

Happy Sabbath!

2012-01-13T20:20:00.002-05:00

I couldn't believe I have not posted on here in SOOOO LONG! WOW! Where is time going? Just wanted to say Happy Sabbath and if anyone is still actually checking up on this poor neglected blog I hope to add more this year then last! :) Blessings!!

Ancestry

2010-07-27T19:09:00.001-04:00

Here is a paper that I had to write for English class that I wanted to share:

Ancestry
English 102
Jessica Salmon
July 11, 2010

Mary Anne, Susan, and Betsey crowded near their mother, Betsey, as she rummaged through the precious “Ireland” trunk. It has been years since the family had come over from Ireland during the wretched potato famine. “Beginning in 1845 and lasting for six years, the potato famine killed over a million men, women and children in Ireland and caused another million to flee.” (www.historyplace.com) The McAdams family had been part of that “million to flee.”
“Mother,” Mary Anne pleaded, “please show us the journal you kept while we still lived in Ireland.” “Yes,” the other girls chorused loudly. Only Mary Anne and her older brother, John, had been born in Ireland and in 1850, when both children were still mere babes, their mother left Ireland following her husband, William, who had made his way to America two years earlier in search of a suitable dwelling and life in the new country. “It must be here somewhere,” Betsey said. There was always a faraway look to her eyes whenever she opened the trunk that kept those precious memories of her beloved Ireland hidden deep inside. She was so grateful to God that her family had made it out of that wretched nightmare of a life that had rocked their life and countless other lives in Ireland; yet, one can never truly forget one’s homeland. The memory of those emerald green hills, beautifully tilled potato fields, and quaint cottages was a world she escaped to whenever she opened up that trunk from Ireland.
“Ah, here it is!” she exclaimed! Gently wiping off the dust and reverently placing a kiss upon its weather beaten cover, she felt as if she were touching and kissing a sacred relic. Betsey had started writing in her journal the day before her wedding to William. She hadn’t written in the book faithfully but from time to time she would pull it out of her desk drawer or from beneath her pillow and pour out on its pages the contents of her heart. Betsey had not had an easy life. In fact no one in Ireland really had and “easy life.” “Ireland in the mid-1800s was an agricultural nation populated by eight million persons who were among the poorest people in the Western World. Only about a quarter of the population could read and write. Life expectancy was short, just 40 years for men. The Irish married quite young, girls at 16, boys at 17 or 18, and tended to have large families, although infant mortality was also quite high.” (www.historyplace.com)
Although Betsey’s family was poor, her parents tried to the best of their ability to make sure their children were properly educated. They did not believe it was necessary for Betsey to marry at an early age only to become a bed slave to her husband. Betsey was intellectual and smart and they encouraged her to become a teacher.
“Mother, Mother, you are day dreaming!” “Please Mother, show us the journal,” the girls protested. “I’m sorry,” Betsey said as a tiny tear trickled down her pure white cheek, landing gently on the closed book. “You girls be very careful and gentle with this book, do not bend the pages, I must get supper now.” The three girls had never before asked to read her journal but when their Mother had mentioned having kept one during the great potato famine they could not be denied the opportunity to read for themselves the first had account of life in Ireland.
“Be careful,” Mary Anne chided as Susan opened the journal. “Oh, the date, look,” cried Betsey. 1846, the year Mother and Father got married. “Mary Anne, you read,” Betsey said, and so the girls huddled around, wide eyed in anticipation as Mary Anne began:

Dear Journal,
June 3, 1846
My Dear William gave me this little journal as a wedding gift. He wants me to write in it whenever he is not here for me to talk to him and since he is not here at the moment I have decided to start an entry. It is so hard to believe that tomorrow is my wedding day! I felt that I was turning into an old maid and was unsure that I would ever really fall in love. Most of my childhood friends are already married and well established with their husbands, farms, and children. It seemed that until I met William my heart was locked to all other men. I had no interest for their company until I met him.
I first met William when I visited Drumconda to see my sister after she had her first child. There are so many beautiful houses in Drumconda so early one evening I left the house of my sister and started wondering down the alleys and side streets. One such lovely mansion caught my full attention and I as stood looking at it in awed silence I heard someone call out, “Hello!” Startled, I whirled around, embarrassed that I had been caught gazing at this enormous mansion. As I turned, my eyes met a pair of the kindest eyes I have ever looked into. His hands and clothes were soiled from a hard day’s labor and beads of sweat laced his forehead. I soon learned that this “William” was the gardener for the royal family that lived in this most amazing house.
It wasn’t long after our meeting that I realized I loved William. His kind eyes and gentle ways were so uncommon for the Irish men that had tried to court me before. I was totally captured by his love. I had to return home but we wrote back and forth to each other and two months later he came to visit me and asked my Father’s permission to marry me. William is 30 and I am 23. We both had felt that love wasn’t meant to be for us but when we met each other we knew all that had changed. He is the love of my life and I cannot wait until tomorrow when I become, “Mrs. Betsey McAdams.”
~Betsey

The girls continued reading journal entry after journal entry. They read of the first happy year of marriage that Betsey and William shared in spite of the potato famine that was beginning to take its toll on the nation. No one knew that the famine would last for six long, grueling years before relief would come. The pain and misery that accompanied the famine was terrifying and death was starting to look into the windows in Drumconda, Ireland.

Dear Journal,
March 1, 1849
This year William and I had our first son! I am adjusting to the newness of motherhood, however; the joy is so overshadowed with the famine. I fear everyday might be our last and here we have a small helpless child depending on us for its survival. I feel greatly overwhelmed and sometimes question, “Why?” There is so much death and sadness around me that it threatens to pull me to the grave as well. People are desperate for food. William doesn’t have much work as royal family has fled the country and that has been our source of income until now. Oh, what will we do? William keeps talking of going to the new country, America. He says that in America we can have a better life, plenty of food and enough work for a lifetime, and that our children will have opportunities that we never had. I am so scared. He has decided that he will leave with a company of men to find a better life for us in America and we cannot go until he calls for us. My heart feels so torn, I am so scared. What if we die, oh God save us…… ~Betsey

William did leave several months later with a company of men bound for Covington, NY. With fear and trepidation he bid his wife and young son a tearful farewell. In their two years of marriage they had not been separate so much as one night. Death and dying was everywhere. Starvation was rampant and William knew that out of the deep love he had for Betsey that he had to make this journey alone for her. The memories they had shared, the love, the joy, the deep commitment, this is what would carry him through the next two years without her. They may have been separated in the flesh but they were bound together with the tightest cords of love. William left Betsey with her sister and set out. Several months later Betsey realized she was pregnant yet again and fear of the death and starvation around her almost drove her mad. Yet she knew that William wouldn’t give up and neither would she.

Dear Journal,
June 4, 1850
Today is our three year anniversary. I haven’t seen William in two years and my heart aches at his absence. John and Mary Anne are not doing well and I am so scared that death will knock at our door any day now. William sends letters whenever he can, he has found work in Covington, New York in America and he said that soon he will send for the children and me. I know that he has worked so hard to send for us. I am so sad to leave my loved ones yet so many of them have already passed away. My dearest sister died a few months ago with her precious baby. Her husband and the rest of the children have already fled the country and now it is just the children and I in Drumconda. I am so scared all the time but this famine will not break me. I will see William again; I know he is waiting for me.
~Betsey

Soon after this last journal entry William sent word that Betsey and the children were to board a ship headed to Covington. The thin and bedraggled little family was reunited at the end of 1850. They had endured most of the famine but unfortunately many did not make it. The great courage, perseverance, and love of William and Betsey McAdams make me grateful to God for having such wonderful people as my ancestors. The names, some of the dates, and great escape from Ireland during the potato famine are true yet I have added a fictitious account of what it must have been like for John and Betsey McAdams my great, great, great, great, great Grandparents coming over during the potato famine. William and Betsey both passed away in the same year of 1897 just a few months apart and I can’t help but wonder if their live was an epic romance better than any paperback novel?

2009-11-15T14:39:00.002-05:00

Making graduation invitations in Binuangan..The girl in the video is my precious Vilma. She was our 6th grader...

2009-11-15T14:23:00.002-05:00

My 4th grade student, Irene:) I love and miss that girl:)

2009-11-15T12:01:00.002-05:00

I took this video in Binuangan whenI was babysitting Patrick the son of the missionaries. He is so sweet!! I miss that cutie!!! We had so much fun that day at my house:) I miss you Patrick!! Love you:)

Long, long, long overdue....

2009-11-13T21:32:00.002-05:00

Wow, so long overdue...I haven't written here in a LLLOONNGG time! It seems as if as soon as I stepped off the plane back here in the States my life returned to the same rate of speed it had before I left! I've been busy with work and going back to college. I'm in the throws of Anatomy and Physiology right now..trying not to pull my hair out...or loose my brains in the process..this class is Hard!!! I'm giving it my best shot though and hopefully that best shot makes it with a passing grade..hahaha..

I miss my days as a student missionary on the island of mindoro in my little village of Binuangan...ah memories...Sometimes I watch the little home videos I made of the kids and I want to jump on a plane and spend the Sabbath with them again. If you ever get the chance to go and serve as a student missionary...GO...even if you get behind a year in your college studies..even if you experience culture shock, both going there and coming home (seriously, I think my culture shock was worse coming home) even if you get lice (it wasn't so bad, just let the kids pick it out it makes for great relaxation to let the kids run their hands through your hair), get sick with who knows what kind of stomach virus (ugh...I remember that night...), break out in rashes (it happens), get ring worm (I only got 1 the whole time i was there), teach a class you've never known anything about before (I taught Filipino history...hahaha), eat food you swear your never going to like and find that you come to enjoy it a lot, ( i miss filipino food:) ), wash your pan of rice you are getting ready to cook at least 3 times to get rid of all the bugs enjoying it, cut worms out of the precious tvp (vegetarian meat substitute) that was given to you, ah..my list could keep going and going...:) Those are just some of the trials...not to mention 2 weeks straight of earth quakes shaking the ground day and night with no prior warning...scary!!!! Yet the joys FAR FAR FAR out weigh the trials..You get used to the "trials", you do..you learn how to live with those challenges and it becomes a daily part of life that you come to not really think of anymore. So with all of this said my advice is still to GO!!!! Oh what I would give to be able to see another colorful sunset on the South China Sea, to lay on the beach at night and look up at the stars and watch them fall, to see them so close and to see just how round the sky looks at night with no city lights to light up anywhere just viewing the natural beauty of how black the sky can be and how bright the stars and moon really are, what I would give to be accosted by my little friends wanting hugs from "maam jessica" though they were half naked and dirty their happiness from our hugs shown from their little brown eyes, if only I were be able to go to church tomorrow and sit on the hard wooden bench next to my little kinder student who affectionately called me "Maam Honey," to be able to tease her again and ask her what I should call her "babes" or "honey" and hear her say that she liked me to call her "Babes.":) Ah..the list is still longer..especially when teaching my Bible class my 5th and 6th graders would tell me that they want to be baptized and when I read their papers I could see the love of God shining in their hearts...tell me that a year of being a student missionary is too hard and I will tell you it is worth every minute of your time...Not only is it a wonderful experience for those you are going to serve but more importantly it is a wonderful faith building experience for you! Yes, you!! I recently re-read most of my journal during that time and I saw what a wonderful dependence I had on God. I miss those days...I could hear God speak to me in ways I had never before heard His voice...It was truely a blessing...So my last thought for today is...Be a student missionary! Make memories and friendships that will last your lifetime and for eternity...:)

Exciting!!!

2009-06-22T15:00:00.002-04:00

Okay folks here it is!! Laymen Ministries put out their newest videos on the Philippines and my village is one of the villages featured. You can view a walk through of my house there and see the interview and graduation!! It is so cool!! The video series is "Winds of Change" and my interview is, I believe, the second video about 5 minutes into the program!! You can go to: www.youtube.com/user/LaymenMinistries

Hopefully, this will be able to show more in depth of what kind of work I was involved with and what my life was like there!! ENJOY!!!!!!

Never Alone

2009-06-19T11:19:00.001-04:00

They came with me as far as they could that hot mid-August day. I was getting ready to embark alone on the greatest adventure of my life – as a student missionary teacher in a foreign country. Tears filled their eyes as my parents and youngest brother, Ben, hugged and kissed me for the last time. We were in the security line at the airport and it was time for me to take the next step – alone.

Tears threatened to take over, but I choked them back, tried to smile, and not really look back, at least not too much. I was traveling alone from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Manila, Philippines. I had flown several times before. I had even been to other countries on mission trips, but never by myself.

I had to change planes at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, then change airlines in Los Angeles, fly hours and hours over the Pacific Ocean, land in Taiwan, and from Taiwan fly to Manila; no sleep, fly straight. I had special instructions in my purse of what to do if a typhoon prevented the mission team from picking me up in Manila, and instructions of what to do to look for them if they should make it.

My cell phone, which only worked in the states, was a source of comfort up until L.A. I called my family one last time in the L.A. airport. From there my communication was going to be my laptop. I pulled my laptop out in L.A. and discovered that it wasn’t working. I had a several hour wait. I was tired and lonely, and I couldn’t get on-line. I wondered down to some computer booths to access the internet. Each computer I tried didn’t work. I went back to my gate discouraged and feeling more alone. I got out my Bible and journal and agonized with God.

The week before I left for the Philippines, I had had the great blessing of going to ASI. God knew I would need that spiritual encouragement before my long flight into the lonely unknown that I was about to face. God gave me the reassurance that I was on the right path for choosing to serve Him in the Philippines. I also had the providential opportunity to meet the Ambassador to New Zealand from the Philippines while I was there. He is a devout and kind Christian man. He gave me his business card and an invitation to stay at his home in Manila. If anything happened, I could call on him. I knew that was from God.

On the very last evening of ASI, Pastor Jan Paulson gave a message that brought tears to my eyes and peace to my heart. In his sermon he said, “You are never alone.” Never alone… I knew that sermon spoken that night was for me. That evening, I knew that whatever happened, I would never be alone.

God has been with me every step of the way and I’ve never been alone. As I look back over these several months of mission service I can see His hand holding and supporting me each step of the way. I’ve experienced days and nights when earthquakes would come and go at any given time, being on the ocean in a small boat with waves threatening to capsize us, and going out on break on the mission boat and having to bury my head in a backpack, close my eyes, and pray that God would protect us from the massive waves.

I’ve seen sickness, death, pain, and I’ve experienced fear and discouragement. Through every trial, every tear, God has never left me alone. I know that in the times when I felt the loneliest, He was holding me, carrying me, and teaching me lessons that I could only learn by going through the valleys of life. You are never alone when you let go of your life and place it in God’s hands. Whatever should happen, I know I’ll never be alone.

More pics from my beautiful binuangan...

2009-05-11T17:44:00.002-04:00

Undying Love..

2009-05-09T16:47:00.002-04:00

It was a hot day. The sun shown down with the kind of heat that can only be compared to an oven.I had been up before 4am, had hiked 7 hours,spent 45 minutes on a boat, and was adjusting to settle down for another hour-hour 1/2 jeepney ride down the mountain to Mamburao. More people continued to get into the jeepney. I smiled and casually began to make some friends. Finally, the last few people entered the jeepney and the engine roared to life.

We stopped along the way and more passengers crowded into the already full jeepney. Logs were loaded onto the top and I wondered just how long this jeepney could last without falling apart.

Among all the people, an elderly couple captured my attention. They were sitting near the front and the wife was apparently ill, as her frail appearance solicited my sympathy. I guessed they were going to the hospital. They were both very quiet, yet the old man was constantly aware of the comfort of his beloved wife. His work worn hands were holding her, as his arms were gently wrapped around her. Held in his arms she was safe and secure to the best of his ability from the jerking and jolting of the jeepney.

I stared in amazement at the picture of love he was painting in my mind. The romantic sparks of new love was far gone, no flirtatious smile, no sparkling eyes, no youthful beauty, but what is etched in my mind is the stability, the security, the undying faithfulness that had been the result of their many, long years together. Standing by each other through thick and thin, supporting, loving, caring, trusting, working through problems together. It was evident that theirs had been a life of tender love and constant commitment.

His love was a living and breathing example of 1 Corinthians 13, "Love is patient, love is kind..bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things..love never fails."

Soon the jeepney reached Mamburao and stopped outside of the hospital. After that I never saw that couple again but the lesson of love he taught me by his actions spoke louder than words ever could have...

Pics of my house in the Philippines...

2009-05-09T15:48:00.004-04:00

My cozy bathroom!!! Commonly called "CR" for comfort room...

The suprise of my life was discovering that this was my toilet!!!!!!!

It is amazing what you can get used to!!!!!!

My shower!!!! Nice cold water!!!!!

Inside my bathroom :) You can see through these walls can you belive it?!?!?!

This is also where I washed all my clothes by hand!

My stove top and my fridge!

My kitchen/dining room/living room/study :)

I had to keep all my food in plastic containers otherwise all of the bugs in Binuangan would have devoured my precious food!!!!!!

Long overdue pics:)

2009-04-21T19:29:00.003-04:00

My awesome beach..

I'm so in love with the kids..

The waves were amazing..

Our boat in my village..

I love kids!!

Some of my life in my village in the Philippines..I'll add more soon plus experiences!

Hoy Ikaw!!

2009-04-11T18:03:00.002-04:00

Hello!!!! I just wanted to put a message on here that I am back home now!!! I arrived home Thursday afternoon and this is the first time that I have been online since I've been home. I am SOOO tired!! It is a long trip from the Philippines to Michigan!! Four planes, two airlines, two nights of travel, and traveling back 12 hours I'm SOOOO tired! My days are night and my nights are day but I know I'll get used to things soon. I'm in the stage where everything is so nice here but I feel a little out of place, overwhelmed, and trying to get used to my own culture again. I miss my students and my hut but it is good to be home, in my own bed and my own room and when I got home and looked in my closet I was so suprised about how much stuff I have!!! Ha ha ha! I will post pics and stories soon when I feel a little more "normal!!" :)

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-01T02:35:00.004-05:00

Hello and Goodbye....

First of all I want to wish you all a very happy new year!! Now I get the joy of trying to remember what year this is!! 2009...where has the time gone(question mark)....If you are wondering about my new way to punctuate my blog posts it happens to be that my question mark key is not working on my computer anymore so I would have posted several stories that I have written about my experiences but I have a few keys out of service. :( Maybe I'll still try to post them even though it won't look the nicest...who knows(question mark).

I'm leaving back out to my village on Sunday so I will be internetless(if that is a word) again until April. I've really enjoyed having a vacation...It was 4 months that I was out there without seeing cities or towns, cars, trucks, stuff like that...or having a hot shower...a piece of pizza...going shopping...ah..vacation....:)

It will be good to get back to my house and the regular routine of school life with my kids though. I haven't had a student living with me yet but I decided I would adopt my 6th grade student to share my home for the last three months I'm here. I am excited to have her live with me and I know it will be nice for both of us to have the companionship.Vilma is 14, the oldest of 5 or 6 kids, I've forgotten how many of them. In fact her mom just gave birth before I left on vacation to a cute baby girl who was named after me and the other missionary. Her name is "Jessella!!" I feel so honored and privileged to have a baby named after me. I feel like my heart will forever be there in that village because of that!!! It is just so sweet!!!!

Village life is very different from that of life in the states or even life in the cities in the Philippines. In the cities there are malls, fast food, cars, modern things like that. In the village I live in I take a boat for 3 hours and I land on a beach that would make all of you think that my life is paradise and that I have the easiest job in the world but once you walk into my village you discover that life isn't as it seemed on the beach. The houses are huts, the floors are dirt, mucous and sleep covered faces of children are everywhere, dogs run here and there, but this is my home and I love my village....I have a little house with a cement floor, running water(cold mind you!!!) piped in from a spring, two light bulbs powered by solar, a comfort room or "cr" with a big bucket as my shower and a squat type thing as my toilet. I cook on a two burner stove top powered by a gasule tank I buy. So far it has lasted several months. The other option is to cook over a charcoal burner. I have one but have not used it yet. Two of the biggest pet peeves for me is not snakes, or bats, or sharks, or spiders, but it is lizards and rats!!! They poo all over EVERYTHING!!!!! It is so frustrating to deal with all of the time but I keep a bottle of bleach very handy and clean up after them so that at least I can have a clean table and counter!!!

I have encountered spiders and snakes. The spiders are very big but my broom comes in handy!!! There are big lizards that get into my house and they can bite people plus they are ugly and creepy!!!! And they leave nasty poo all over. One evening Vilma and I came back from the beach and we discovered one on my stove and Vilma took the broom handle and killed him!!! He was probably 5-6 inches long and stocky. Not salamanders like in the states. It smelled so bad when she killed him I wanted to throw up!!! lol

When I came here I didn't realize it could get so cold at night!! Maybe I'm finally acclimatizing!! At night you need pants and a jacket or sweat shirt! During the day it is very hot. The island of Mindoro though is hotter than Luzon and Luzon is where Manila is. In fact I just got back from that Island where I was on vacation with my friend and from the climate change I got a slight cough and partially lost my voice.( I'll be okay though...I won't die!!!

This has been a long blog post..the longest one in quite sometime!! I won't be able to get back online till April...so that is why this is also goodbye...

I'll finish up my school year, celebrate graduation with my kids and then I'll be back on a plane headed for the states. I've been overseas before on small mission trips but never have I lived and worked so intimately with a people from another country...you know it will be the hardest thing to leave them. God has been teaching me through each experience overseas to be flexible and open and I can see why...keep your expectations at home..through the complications of life out the plane window...land with an open heart to learn what lessons God has in store for you...This is an experience that I will never regret and one in which has only given me more reassurance that I can do ALL things with God, through God, and for God. When you know that God is leading in your life and you follow Him it is the best adventure in the world! It doesn't mean that life will be easy, that it will always be fun, or safe, or beautiful, of wonderful, but what it does mean is that God will NEVER ever let you go...that He will keep you when no one knows your problems, your situation, your fears. I've faced scary earth quakes day and night for weeks, I almost died on the ocean, I've been followed by drunk guys, I sprained my ankle really good running down the mountain (i thought i had broken it and almost passed out and felt myself going into shock because I was so afraid I had broken it and I was so far away from doctors!!!), had the army stay the night in my village(that was unforgettable because i was so scared at first i was SHAKING!!!!!) In all of this I've seen God protect me, keep me safe, I've heard him talk directly to me when I find myself getting prideful....God is amazing! I see his love written on the paper of my English student telling me that she wants to be a teacher just like me, I feel the love of God through all the hugs I get every day from my sweet students, I experience the wonder of God just for me when I look up at the beautiful sunsets over the beach every evening. In all these things I see God and His great love for me!

I have 3 more months here..I'm leaving for my village Sunday and the wind is pretty strong so please keep the safety of all the missionaries in your prayers as we all travel back to our respective villages and lives to continue our service for God....Thank you for reading to the end and may God bless each of you abundantly and be near to you in ways that you didn't dream possible....By the way...if you want an exciting adventure...become a student missionary!!!!!! I have no regrets!!!

Adventure of the rice eater...

2008-12-21T07:22:00.002-05:00

HEY!!!! Just wanted to update after ages and ages of not posting. This is the first time I've had access to the Internet in 4 months! I didn't know I could live that long without my email but you know it is not hard once you get used to living without it. My life is so full of teaching that I rarely have time to think about my online world. God is an awesome God and I will post some experiences I've had since coming to the Philippines. I've experiences every emotion from sheer fear to pure joy. I've nearly died on the ocean, I've experienced weeks of earth quakes, but feeling the hugs of my kids in my village and knowing God has brought me here makes it all worth it. To see your student turn in a paper containing the words, "I want to be a teacher just like you" really does something to your heart. My heart is with my kids and I'm so happy to tell you that God is alive and real and that your prayers keep me going when the going gets hard, when I get sick and discouraged. And yes, missionaries get discouraged sometimes, it goes with the work..this is not a glamorous job, it can be very, very hard but God's grace is truly sufficient!! Thank you for all your prayers!!! I can truly feel the prayers from home.

I will post some pictures of my life here in the Philippines soon.

Merry Christmas!!!!

On a lighter note...

2008-08-28T06:59:00.003-04:00

I was taking in all the sights and sounds. This was my first time going to the market to buy my own produce and using the Philippine Peso/Piso (not sure how to spell it:) was a new experience! I went with my Philippina roommate that lives here at the main mission house. She was looking for vegetables to cook for lunch and I was looking for produce to take with me to my village. Yes, I'm finally going to be heading out to my village and teaching!!!! Pray for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! After Sunday I will not be online for quite sometime so if you would like to write to me just send me an email and I will be happy to give you my address. :)

My adventures in the Philippines have only begun! My first hurdle was making sure I made all of my flights here. I had 4 planes to take to make it here and I had never flown alone in my whole life! Wow, but God brought me through. I was so discouraged and tired during that trip. I had planned on spending some time online to communicate with all of you during lay overs. Well, my computer had other plans. I had put my lap top in my backpack and those of you that fly with your lap top know the hassle at security to not only get your own shoes off but then to get the lap top out as well. Ugh.. Well, needless to say it didn't work the whole entire time. Once I got passed L.A. I couldn't even touch base with home. I had brought along my cell phone to keep in touch with my Mom to let her know I was ok but once I was out of the country I was on my own.

God was right by my side the whole entire time and He gave me pleasant people to travel with. Plus He was my constant body guard and guide. It's scary in today's world being a young woman and traveling across the world, alone. Yet, I've never been alone and I thank the Lord for His continual companionship.

The second hurdle was homesickness. Oh, was I ever homesick...I'm still homesick but the prayers of you all back home have lifted my spirits and my family has been a constant source of encouragement, love, and support. I love you guys!!!

The third hurdle has been my health. My lymph nodes are almost back to normal now Praise the Lord and I'm still dealing with a little lingering low grade fever but God is good and I know your prayers to the Father in my behalf have been heard!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!

I've also had some hair raising experiences like the day I move my luggage around in my room and out popped a HUGE spider!!!!! I'M DEAD SERIOUS, HE WAS HUGE!!!!!!! AHHHHH!!!! I HATE SPIDERS!!!!!! Then one day I was unplugging something and shocked myself good! lol Both experiences gave my heart a good workout!!!!

Oh, and how do I answer the question, are you single for the 1 hundredth time? I don't want to lie and how I wish I could say, no, Im married and have 10 children or no, I have a boyfriend and he's going to beat you up if you even come near me!!!! lol :) They think American girls are very beautiful....sigh....On my way home from the market my motor bike/taxi driver and his friend tried the same question on me but I got away with not answering "the" question. lol ;)

Keep me in your prayers as I leave Sunday morning to head out to my village. I've never taught school before but I know God is faithful who has called me to do this work in the Philippines!!! I would love to hear from any of you while I'm out in the bush!!! This may be my last post on here for awhile but when I'm able to be online more later on I'll try to update with stories of the latest and greatest happenings in my life!! ;)

Reality...

2008-08-27T01:10:00.003-04:00

The window was open wide letting in the fresh Philippine air, dirt stained the once white floor, but what caught my eye the most was his little brown body that lay on the hard bamboo bed. Other men were in the same room sitting on the same kind of bamboo beds. One had TB, another man had a heart problem, and still the other two men were sick as well. Most of them were sitting on their beds and as I looked into the eyes of one I could see he was very sick.

Whimpering noises came from the little brown body from time to time though his eyes were closed shut. Hooked up to oxygen made it easier for the baby, who was not even three years old, to breath. His little chest would heave and his breathed very fast. He was a chubby baby but worms and malnutrition most likely attributed to his chubby appearance. This baby was in the hospital.

The stark reality of the situation hit me as I saw his burned body. The side of his stomach was burned as well as his little arm and hand. Where his baby brown flesh should have been was only red and exposed. It had so happened that he was not attended to fast enough after he burned himself trying to get some rice. His mother and father were not in the house when the incidence happened, only siblings.

There he lay on what I wouldn't even consider a decent hospital bed, his father close by his side. The older man had worked hard all of his life trying to support the his family. People start out so young here having children and they have very large families. It's not uncommon for families to have 7-10 children. Consequently those children don't get cared for properly as in this case.

Today I went back to the hospital to have a lab test done as I haven't been feeling too well. I went back to the room where the little baby had been. It was empty except for one man who was getting ready to go home. The baby had died. In the U.S. a baby with the burns this baby had would not have died due to 911, clean hospitals, and good doctors. Here, it is another story. The reality was too much and as I went back out to the truck I started to cry. He didn't need to die......Reality is that the need is so great here. The need for education, the need for better medical facilities (and this hospital is new if you can believe that one), the need for someone to show them a better way. That better way can only be found in Christ Jesus. All of my feelings of homesickness, loneliness, stress, can not even be compared to the suffering of these people. The need is great and to be honest this need is reality. What I see every day is reality. In the U.S. we may have it hard but please let me be honest, we have it so good. Most of the world is hurting, is starving, and has hardly anything. Most of the world doesn't get enough clean water, enough nutrition to keep their hair from getting a reddish tint to it from a lack of protein, or enough care. Most of the world doesn't know what real love is, peace, happiness, and pure joy. How can I be selfish and hide my Jesus from a world that needs me to be His hands, His feet, His eyes. His heart must hurt as He looks down and sees the need and the condition of our hearts. His heart must ache as no one answers the call to give up lives of ease to work for the good of their fellow men.

My eyes are being continually opened to the reality of life, the reality that Jesus needs me to be His hands and feet and that He will take care of me in the process. Will you let Jesus be His hands and feet through you?

Random pics from my first week in the Philippines..

2008-08-24T03:44:00.009-04:00

Welcome to the Philippines!!!

I love the beauty of the sky..

The beautiful countryside...

Cute little girl..

I think I know who the boss is!!!

Two little cuties at school..

Yours truely, extremely worn out in Manilla the day after my arrival.

bbbbb

I'm still alive!

2008-08-23T21:11:00.002-04:00

Hey Everyone!

Sorry I haven't written on here very much. :( I haven't had good connections with the internet but it is good right now so I though I would post a little bit of news that I am still alive and in the Philippines now! I'm very hot right now as I sit here typing away! I will be heading out to one of the villages sometime soon. The ministry still is not sure which village they will place me in but until then I have access to some degree to the internet and am staying at the main mission house. Once I get out to the villages I won't have internet access so if you would like to keep in touch with me just send me an email and I will give you my address here in the Philippins. I will try to post some pictures in the near future.

Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I've been in the Philippines less than a week and am feeling homesick, and my lymph nodes under my underarms are swollen. Thank you!!!!

Thought for today...

2008-08-12T18:30:00.000-04:00

"The cause of God demands men who can see quickly and act
instantaneously at the right time and with power." Evangelism, p. 480

More fun pics from ASI!

2008-08-10T10:16:00.009-04:00

Tampa Convention Center where ASI was held this past weekend!

My missionary hero & inspiration for mission service, Uncle David Gates

My new friend, Keith, who is a missionary to the Congo. His family is such an inspiration to me as I prepare to go to the Philippines.

3ABN is the best tv network around! Danny Shelton is a great guy!

My friend, Susan, and I!!! I hadn't seen Susan for 4 years! We are old friends from Wildwood! :)

My brothers and Daddy at the exibits.

My Dad at the Country Life Booth that we were invited to come down and help with.

Me and my Papa :)

Laymen Ministries Booth, Daddy, Jeff Reich, Myself, and Cristy Reich. I'm so blessed to be going as a student missionary with their organization!

ASI is Over :(

2008-08-09T23:19:00.010-04:00

Ben's first flight ever!!!

On the plane

My plane!

Yummy breakfast....I had to get up at 3:20am so this proved to be a LONG day!

My Mom and I sharing my headphones, feeling kinda restless and sick of being in the air. It's been 4 years since I've flown so as we neared landing I started feeling kinda sick and really scared. Landings are the HARDEST thing in the world for me..

At the beginning of the flight, I love take offs and this was the first time that I got to fly with my whole family!!!!!!!!

Wow, what an incredible ASI experience I have had this past few days! I can't believe it all is finally over. I am so grateful for this spiritual experience before I head out to the Philippines though. I heard the most inspiring sermon by our leader, Elder Paulson, reminding us that we are NEVER ALONE, that God is always there. I need that so much as I get ready in the next few days for this new experience awaiting me in the Philippines. God is so awesome and as I sit here out on my veranda at the hotel I can see how God is involved in every aspect of my life. I'm learning complete dependence on Him as I step out in faith.

Greetings from ASI!

2008-08-07T15:12:00.002-04:00

Hey Everyone!
I'm having such a WONDERFUL time here at ASI! I haven't had a whole lot of time to play with my lap top so that is why I haven't been online lately. The meetings have been very good and the booths are really nice as well! CL has their booth here and in just a few minutes I need to run upstairs and get busy helping out with that. Will post some pics sometime in the near future! :)

Last day at work...

2008-08-05T16:39:00.002-04:00

Well, today is my last day of work....I write this from a different desk this time. Rebecca has done a wonderful job of replacing me and now I've just stepped back and have just been a coach! It was so sweet, they made an announcement over the loud speaker for everyone to come to the lunch room today and they prayed over me and gave me a gift & a card! It was really sweet! I will treasure the card!

Wow, in just 15 minutes my life gets closer to the Philippines....

Update on my arm...

2008-08-05T15:33:00.000-04:00

Please keep my arm in your prayers, I got my Hepatitis shots Friday and it looks like I have either an infection or a reaction to the shot. Where the shot was given is all red, hot, and swollen. I went back to the doctor and had them look at it and he was surprised and wasn't sure exactly what it was but put me on some meds. My mom has been putting charcoal poultices on my arm and I've been taking the meds so please pray! The Philippines is not a good place to get infections as the climate is tropical and it is hard and takes longer for things like that to heal. I know that God has awesome things in store for me in the Philippines and that the devil is trying his hardest to mess things up so please pray for my protection and healing for my arm.

Shots, Shots, and more shots...

2008-08-04T10:28:00.003-04:00

I went Friday to the clinic nearby and got 3 shots! I'm never happy when I have to go get poked but this time I was more than glad to. I hadn't been able to find a certain paper that had my shot history on it and since I've lived out of state before the clinic couldn't find my history either. So, the other night I was going though all of my old important college papers and I had prayed that I could find the right paper and Praise the Lord I found it! I was so relieved! In fact, I had, had the right paper all along but didn't realize it! I was so relieved!

So, after work on Friday, I found myself waiting at the clinic. Finally, after what seemed like endless ages and after I had looked all of the magazines next to me I was called in. I was given 2 shots in one arm and 1 shot in the other. I got hepatitis a & b shots and the tetanus(sp?) shot as well.

I had read the paper they gave me about all the dangerous side effects that could happen to me but I just prayed over my shots and Praise the Lord I didn't experience anything but some swelling. Unfortunately, the pain and swelling are not very comfortable though......

Friday afternoon after my shot Mary and I went clothes shopping for my trip. By the end of the day my arms hurt. When I finally crawled into bed that night I had a ice pack on one arm and I laid on my back. I always sleep on my side but that night things were just a little bit different. My arms were a little swollen but they hurt nonetheless.

Today is Monday and my left arm where both shots were given are more red, swollen, and hot than Friday. I'm going to go back to the clinic today and just make sure it's okay....... My advice for the day....3 shots is 3 too many!!!!!!!!

LIfe is Awesome!!

2008-07-31T17:44:00.002-04:00

I leave the 17th of August for the Philippines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't checked to see if I've mentioned this date before or not, if I'm being redundant I'm sure Brandon will let me know!!! lol, thanks brandon :) *blush*

Me oh my, I've seen the itinerary and man, is it ever going to be a LONG trip!! I'm so happy and excited though and can't believe that yes, I am actually doing this! The ministry bought my ticket in faith as I have around $1,000 out of the $2,500 and the $1,000 doesn't quite cover my ticket. So, please continue to pray that the Lord will continue to send financial support for my trip. Thank you!!!!!!!!

I'm moving out...

2008-07-27T12:47:00.002-04:00

Well, it's not really as bad as the title sounds! I'm moving out, yet not really moving out! My last day of work is August 5 and I will be training Rebecca to take my place here at my desk so I decided to take all my personal decorations down in my office. I want to be able to let her make this are hers. When I was being trained the lady that trained me did the same thing. Before I came she took all of her personal things out of the office so that I could make the space mine. I've been at this desk for 2 years now and it may sound funny or strange but I almost have this feeling of sadness of taking my belongings out but you know I'm moving on with my goals and dreams and while I feel sad, I feel happy as well! I am just taking a leave of absence here at CL but when I come back I won't likely be in the office.

So, farewell, maybe forever to my desk, life keeps moving and I'm on the greatest adventure in life, serving God and when you serve Him you have everything you need!

Blessings...

2008-07-24T16:52:00.002-04:00

In the midst of my busy life it's so easy to overlook the blessings that so bluntly stare me in the face! I've had several blessings so far that have happened to me since I've told people that I'm going to the Philippines. It is so neat, I've had people come up to me and tell me since they know I'm going with Laymen Ministries that they watched it on 3abn because of that reason!

One guy from our warehouse here wants me to take his best rain coat so I'll stay nice and dry and his wife really wants to send crayons and supplies like that for the kids. Anyone who has or currently works for a ministry knows that you don't get rich there and that people generally don't have much extra cash sitting around their house! It so amazing though because the people here where I work have generously opened up their hearts and their check books to this mission experience. Just this morning I opened up my desk drawer and in it was a $20 bill with a little note on it for my mission trip!!

It's so refreshing to see people come alive when they are able to get involved with supporting a missionary or a student missionary. It no longer becomes an experience for the person going overseas but it becomes a mission experience for everyone. We are the body of Christ and without the hands it can't touch, without the feet it can't walk, without the heart it cannot give. So, I've come to a beautiful conclusion that this mission experience is not mine alone but for the whole body of Christ to share in. If I can be an inspiration to just one person through this whole mission experience it will be well worth it. I don't want to have lived my life in vain only pleasing myself but sharing the gospel of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gives us a commission, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Amen

It's getting closer....

2008-07-23T15:09:00.003-04:00

My last day of work is August 5!! I still don't have an exact leave date yet but the day after my last day here at work, I fly out with the ministry to ASI so technically I'm not done with work until I get back from ASI. I'm getting nervous and excited and I was thinking last night that God has so many things that I know He is going to teach me through this whole missionary experience. Being single and not knowing anyone over there I know that I am going to learn complete dependence on God and I'm so thankful for this opportunity to do that. I know that I will only grow from going.

Another thing I can't wait for is to experience prayer meeting and church in the Philippines! I love worshiping overseas with the believers and that is one of the things I am really looking forward to! (besides eating mangoes!!!!!)

Please keep me in your prayers as I move forward in faith!

What to take, what not to take...

2008-07-22T11:41:00.002-04:00

Well, I've been talking with the ministry and getting ideas of what to take and what not to take. My list of what to take may look something like this: ;)

*Bible & Journal
*My hydrotherapy notebook that I've compiled from my time at Wildwood
*Song book
*Bug spray
*Band aides (the ones there don't stick very good, I've been told)
*Bandanna
*Hat
*Around 10 changes of clothes
*Rain jacket
*Charcoal/Also something to put on cuts and bug bites..I've been told NOT to itch my bug bites!! Cuts infect very easily in tropical climates.
*Some shampoo & conditioner (they sell it but it comes in little bottles)
*I know you can buy soap there but Dove sensitive skin is my MOST FAVORITE kind in the whole wide world so there is going to be some in my suit case!!!!
*A few seasonings I can't get there like Country Life mock chicken seasoning, my favorite saucy ranch seasoning and a few cans of veggie hot dogs!!!

I'll be eating TONS of rice there and last night I was on the phone with the ministry and they were telling me which items I can buy there before I head out to my village and which items I might want to bring like some powdered soy milk, chicken seasoning, etc.

I'm sure this list will get longer the closer I get to packing my suitcase, wow, I can't believe this is actually happening!!! My lifelong dream is coming true!!! WOW!

One thing I won't have to pack.......RICE!!!!! lol

A few pics from my summer....

2008-07-13T14:55:00.007-04:00

Me and my Papa on Father's Day...

We took the top of my tracker and went to the beach awhile back, it was A LOT of fun!!!!

My crazy brothers in the back of my tracker.... Shane is cute when he quits making faces, honestly!!!!

Bebby :)

Ben at the Father's Day Banquet where we were waiter and waitresses...

Our team :)

The food was out of this world...yes, we ate after we finished serving everyone!!!!

Cheers!

The beach is my favorite place in the whole world!

The blue sky..ah....

Oh yeah, more food from the banquet....Yummy!!

Lemon pie and mangoes, who could ask for more?

So long status quo.....

2008-07-10T10:56:00.002-04:00

Inspiring song, Brave, by Nicole Nordeman that says what's in my heart. With God nothing is impossible!!!

~Brave~

The gate is wide
The road is paved to moderation
The crowd is kind and quick to pull you in
Welcome to the middle ground
It's safe and sound and
Until now it's where I've been

Cuz it's been fear
That ties me down to everything
But it's been love, Your love
That cuts the strings

So long, status quo
I think I've just let go
You make me wanna be brave
The way it always was
It's no longer good enough
You make me wanna be brave
Brave, brave

I am small
And I speak when I'm spoken to
But I am willing to risk it all
To say Your name
Just Your name, and I'm ready to go
Even ready to fall
Why did I take this fowl compromise
Why did I try to keep it all inside

I've never known a fire that didn't begin with a flame
And every storm will start with just a drop of rain
But if You believe in me That changes everything

A Rich Reward....

2008-07-07T12:13:00.000-04:00

A rich reward will be given to the true workers, who put all thereis of them into the work. There is no greater bliss on this side of heaventhan in winning souls to Christ. Joy fills the heart as the workers realizethat this great miracle could never have been wrought by human agencies, butonly through the One who loves souls ready to perish. The divine presence isclose beside every true worker, making souls penitent. Thus the Christianbrotherhood is formed. The worker and those worked for are touched with thelove of Christ. Heart touches heart, and the blending of soul with soul islike the heavenly [dialog] between ministering angels. Evangelism, p. 333

New Update ;)

2008-07-05T16:33:00.002-04:00

Well, I know this may seem insignificant to some, but I did something that I wasn't sure I wanted to do but I knew, nevertheless, that I had to do it....I cut my hair....yeah.....I cut my hair...I've been growing it out now for a few years and it had gotten pretty long. As my Mom was chopping it off last night I wanted to cry but I knew that unless I want to have a lice community in my hair it would need to come off. Lice is a very common occurance there as well as heat, and since I won't have electricity, it will just be easier to keep shorter hair. It' doesn't look too bad, not that my Mom didn't do a good job, it's just I'm still trying to adjust to short hair again....It's going to be okay it's just things are setting in like, yes I will be leaving soon.....Pray for me!!!!!

I'M GOING TO THE PHILIPPINES!!!!

2008-07-03T13:41:00.003-04:00

Hey Everyone!!!

I'm really excited and nervous but I've decided, with much prayer and a final decision from Laymen Ministries that yes, I am going to be going over the the Philippines as a student missionary to teach school in the jungle! I'm going to be posting updates as they come here on my blog so please stay tuned!

I contacted Laymen Ministries after they already started the school season there in June but I didn't know that. When I contacted them they were very interested in me because they needed only one more teacher to go over. Well, after going through my references they decided that yes, indeed they wanted me to go over,and even though the school year has begun, to help with the rest of the school year! I do, however, need to raise $2,500 to cover my ticket and a small stipend while I am there. I'm going to include my fundraising letter in this post. I will be leaving soon, I don't have an exact date as of yet but I trust everything will work out for God's will and glory. Please keep me in your prayers as I step out in this new adventure in my life and please consider supporting me in this new phase of my life as I seek to reach out to the children in the Philippines. Missions has always been something very important to me and now I finally have the opportunity to go as a student missionary. Praise God!

Hello to all,

I hope this letter finds each of you resting in the knowledge of God's incredible gift. God has been leading my life in amazing ways this past year. Some time ago, I made the decision to take a year out of school and serve as a student missionary. Through a series of events this last semester, God opened up the door for me go work in the Philippines with an organization known as Laymen Ministries teaching school with a very remote Iraya Katutubo tribe in the Northwestern tip of the island of Occidental Mindoro. Laymen Ministries is a supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and has mission projects worldwide.

The native Iraya tribe of Mindoro has historically been a nomadic, hunter/gatherer people living in small family groups in the jungle. Their lives were simple and their possessions few because the forest supplied everything they needed. Being shy and historically totally uneducated, the Katutubo were easy prey for the "majority population", who used their shyness, superstitions and lack of education to exploit them as well as destroy the land that gives them their livelihood.

Laymen Ministries started working among these people in 1996. The project with the Iraya Katutubo tribe in the Northwestern tip of the island has had three areas of emphasis: education, health and community development and evangelism. Conditions in the Katutubo villages are terrible. Disease, malnutrition, illiteracy, ignorance, exploitation, illegal logging and fishing are devastating both the lives and livelihoods of the Katutubos. The ministry’s goal is to bring freedom in Christ through education. There are currently 4 elementary schools and a high school, organized as Katutubo Excel Schools (KES), working toward this goal.

It is very exciting to watch as God unfolds my life in His perfect timing. As preparations for the Philippines unfold, I have been reminded again and again of the verse in Proverbs: “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” At times, it is tempting to feel overwhelmed with all of the details involved and the responsibilities that wait for me in the Philippines, but I am peaceful with the assurance that God has led us thus far and will be faithful to the end. As part of our preparation for the coming year of student missions, Laymen Ministries has asked each of us to raise a total of $2500. This money will be used to pay for our tickets as well as supply us with a modest stipend throughout our stay. If you would like to help me financially, I would be very grateful. Even more important than your financial support, however, is your prayers. Please pray that we can be used effectively to further His work in the Philippines this coming year. Please address donations to the following address, specifying that this be for (Jessica Salmon) Student Missionary project:
Laymen Ministries
414 Zapada Rd
St. Maries, ID 83861

Letter from God to Woman

2008-07-01T16:50:00.001-04:00

I don't know who wrote this but it's beautifully amazing! Enjoy!

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being.When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils.

But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate.I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you. Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity.

From one bone, I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man's life.I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do. Around this one bone, I shaped you.... I modeled you. I created you perfectly and beautifully.

Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life. The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart.
Support man as the rib cage supports the body.You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side.

You are my perfect angel.....You are my beautiful little girl.You will or have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart.
Your eyes......don't change them. Your lips-how lovely when they part in prayer. Your nose, so perfect in form. Your hands, so gentle to touch.I've caressed your face in your deepest sleep.I've held your heart close to mine. Of all that lives and breathes, you are most like me.
Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, yet he was lonely. He could not see me or touch me. He could only feel me. So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me, I fashioned in you; my holiness, my strength, my purity, my love, my protection and support. You are special because you are an extension of me.

Man represents my image, woman my emotions.Together, you represent the totality of God

Just for me...

2008-06-30T16:26:00.000-04:00

It is not a conclusive evidence that a man is a Christian because he manifests spiritual ecstasy under extraordinary circumstances. Holiness is not rapture: it is an entire surrender of the will to God; it is living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God; it is doing the will of our heavenly Father; it is trusting God in trial, in darkness as well as in the light; it is walking by faith and not by sight; it is relying on God with unquestioning confidence, and resting in His love. {AA 51.2}

The Secret of Eternal Youth!

2008-06-18T10:54:00.003-04:00

I believe I have finally found the secret of eternal youth!! It comes at a most appropriate time in my life since I'm finding myself only getting older and the older I get the more maintenance I find I require, ugh....

Back to the secret though....I enjoyed a most wonderful birthday the week before last and was showered with love from my family. One particular card stands out in my mind that I received from my brother. On the front of the card it was stated "I've found the secret to eternal youth!"
Inside the card in bold letters it said "LIE!!!" Wow, lie, huh?! The present that accompanied the card was two brown bottles of brunette enhancing shampoo and conditioner!! I wonder if my brother was trying to tell me in a kind way that "Your getting old and you need to do something about it?!?!?!?!"

In all actuality, I would venture to guess that most everyone of us has dreamed or will dream of finding the secret of eternal youth. To be honest who of us wants to get old anyway? No amount of make-up can hide the wrinkles, no amount of hair dye can make you look 17, no amount of chin lifts, liposuction, hair transplants, hair removal cream, age defying skin lotion can make you young again. Sure, these products can help but it can't stop time and it can't stop the aging process. I don't want to be the bearer of bad news but I know that we all know, or for some of us, we are finding out that youth doesn't last forever.

To me, it seems that finding the secret of eternal youth is found in laying up treasure, my treasure, in heaven. I know that laying up treasure in heaven generally refers to earthly goods but it could also apply to the simple fact that where my heart is, is where I'm going to put the most energy, time, money, and effort. Instead of worrying,fretting, and waisting money in searching for the key to eternal youth I should focus on using every moment for furthering God's kingdom. It will pay off in rich rewards in heaven. Heaven is the key to unlocking the secret of eternal youth and when we further God's kingdom in laying down our lives in total surrender to Him and letting Him use us wherever He sees is best we are actually setting out on the best adventure to finding eternal youth.

Life Is....

2008-06-16T16:02:00.000-04:00

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." ~Helen Keller

Safe in My Arms...

2008-05-31T15:11:00.002-04:00

I can't believe how busy my life has become since becoming an adult. It wasn't an overnight transformation of going from my comfortable home school schedule to a fast pace college, and working world lifestyle. Rather, it was a subtle change, and the change was like that of a little caterpillar wrapped up in his ca coon. He doesn't turn into a butterfly overnight yet slowly but surely, minute by minute things are changing even though he and those looking on can see no outward change. What must it be like to go from crawling on your tummy to one day waking up and realizing that you have wings?

It's a slow process, a transformation, a miracle and yet that is the way it is in life. We all started out as tiny little babies, turning into cute little toddlers, and somehow in the midst of all of this turning into adults. The process is slow, it doesn't happen overnight and the mindset changes. Even though I've only been an adult for just a few years in comparison to those older than myself my mind sometimes longs for the simple days of childhood. Those days when I had no worries about pell grants for college, working full-time, paying cell phone and insurance bills, wondering what it is that I'm becoming in life, wondering who I am turning into?

Those carefree days of dreaming what it would be like when I was finally all grown up, what I would do with my life, what I would actually be when I grew up, who I would marry, the house I would someday live in.....Those sweet memories of simple child like trust in my parents, a sweet love for humanity, a pure faith in God. Slowly though, the memories fade and I find myself in the middle of all those, once thought of, childhood dreams and if I could turn back the hands of time of time I believe I would go back, at least for a little while. I would go back to the peace and security I would feel at bedtime when I would close my eyes and my dad would gently stroke my head with his hand, the joy of playing outside in the summer all day long, the sweetness of my mom's hugs and kisses, the pure delight of following my dad around the yard at dusk to look for crawdad holes....the list could go on and on. All of these are just memories now forever locked in my memory. As I near the end of another year of life and look forward to the next I look forward with great anticipation of full filling more of my goals and dreams yet as I look forward my heart aches at what I've left behind. The joys of becoming a woman mixed with the pain of leaving my childhood forever behind and the older I get the more I see how true that is. Yet the beauty of being a christian is that while I may not be a child anymore I can lean on my Heavenly Father in the same way that I leaned on my earthly parents as a child. The peace and joy I felt as a little girl doesn't have to leave because Jesus will always keep me safe in His arms.

There is a song by Plumb entitled "Safe In My Arms" that is written from the perspective of a mother to her child and I can't help but realize that this is the same way God feels towards us....

(In My Arms-Plumb)
Your baby blues
So full of wonder
Your curly cues
Your contagious smile
And as i watch you start to grow up
All I can do is hold you tight

Knowing clouds will rage
And storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms

Story books are full of fairy tales
Of kings and queens and the bluest skies
My heart is torn just in knowing
You'll someday see the truth from lies

When the clouds will rage and
Storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms

Castles, they might crumble
Dreams may not come true
But you are never all alone
'cause I will always
Always love you

When the clouds will rage
And storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms
In my arms

Playing with my camera...

2008-05-28T10:06:00.000-04:00

Uh oh..

2008-05-27T08:23:00.001-04:00

Well, I guess it shows just how little I've been to my own blog lately.....Posting 2 quotes in a row....ugh...well....Thanks Brandon for pointing that out....(blush) Wow....Where have I been????

Thought for your day..

2008-05-12T10:25:00.001-04:00

Here is a beautiful thought for your day...I'm unsure of the author but the quote is profound.

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."

No more class!!

2008-05-02T11:21:00.003-04:00

Aaahhh....I'm through with classes for this semester!! I'm SOO happy! No more papers to write, tests to take, no more driving home in the middle of blowing snow storms late at night....I can enjoy a few months free from studying my brains out! It's a great feeling to know,though, that I am closer to becoming a nurse, even if it is only one semester closer! :)

God is SOO good!

Another blessing...

2008-04-23T15:18:00.004-04:00

I can't help myself, I just have to do it! Shane and Rebecca had professional pics taken a couple of weeks back and I just can't get over what a beautiful couple they are! I know, I know, this is coming from their sentimental sister but I am so proud of them and I love them very much!!!!!

They are both very awesome people and they make the best couple in the world. I love you guys!!!!

Blessings

2008-04-18T12:45:00.002-04:00

Blessings in my life:

The pretty flowering plant I was given this week that has a home on my desk. In fact it's one of my favorite colors, salmon!!
The warm weather that we have been having, it's nice to sit at my desk with the window open and feel the breeze....ah!!!! Love it!
Family, so often I take them for granted....I mean, who in the world is going to listen to you rant and rave late into the night like your Mom?!?! Believe me, we talk a lot and it seems to go late into the night!
For meeting new friends and for the friends that I already have. You each are a blessing straight from God to bless my life!
For the opportunity to better my relationship with God and with my friends this weekend at the Youth Rally I'm going to. It's going to be a ton of fun, you all don't know what your missing out on!!!
For someone in the office that volunteered to make me up a map for how to get to my hotel tonight for the Youth Rally.
The daffodils blooming outside the porch at my house.
For my girlfriends who are riding up with me to meet my brothers and Rebecca this afternoon. They are like 2 sisters to me.. luv you Mandie and Meagan!!!

Blessings come in all shapes and sizes and it's usually in the smallest blessings that we find the most happiness and joy. Life is made up of the small things. Don't take for granted the small blessings in your life today!

Just for fun...

2008-04-15T12:11:00.001-04:00

Okay, this may seem a little weird but I'm doing it just for fun. In my profile it asks the question to tell the children about the story of the bald frog who wore a wig. Well, since my version of the story is too long to put in my profile I decided to post it. lol ;)

Once upon a time there lived a frog in a little tiny mud puddle.This frog was mean and old and ugly and didn't like other froggies so he chose to live in a mud puddle all by himself instead of in the swamp with all the other frogs.The mud puddle was so small, in fact, that even though the froggy thought no one could see him sticking out of the puddle you could actually see the top of his head! One day, some other little froggies were hopping by the mud puddle to the big swamp when when the mean old froggy heard them giggling and laughing and poking fun. "What are they laughing at?", mused the mean old frog? As they got closer he could hear them talking, giggling, and poking fun at HIM! At him?! Yes, at him! That is when he discovered that he really wasn't hiding because the top of his head was sticking out of the water! "Oh no, what am I going to do?", thought the mean old frog. He though, and though, and though until his head hurt from thinking so much! "That's it!", he said, "I'll wear a wig and no one will ever see me!" And so the mean old frog decided to wear a wig in the tiny mud puddle in hopes that no other froggies would be able to see him and he lived happily ever after in the tiny mud hole. ~The End

The price keeps going up..

2008-04-15T11:33:00.003-04:00

If gas prices keep going up I think I'll have to get some sled dogs and quit going to the gas station...I'm so sick of paying high prices at the pump!!!!

Deindividualization

2008-04-14T16:13:00.000-04:00

Deindividualization, is a huge word with a pretty simple meaning.
The definition: "In groups or crowds, the loss of awareness of one's own individuality."

That's a pretty powerful word and a pretty thought provoking definition. As a culture we like to pride ourselves in our own individuality. We don't like to follow any one person's way of doing anything. We are fine, all on our own. At least that is what we like to tell ourselves anyway. To actually look in the mirror might tell a different story though. We love designer brands, we will even buy things like the "Jones'" have just to fit in with the "Jones'." We are all into not looking out of place, fitting in not sticking out unless it going to make us look good. Even Taco Bell tries to express our heart felt sentiment with their, "Think outside the bun" slogan.

It's when we take our eyes off of Christ and onto the circumstances, people, and things around us that we find ourselves so prone to deindevidualization. John 8:36 tells us that:
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." In Christ we are made free, free from sin and free from the pressures of deindividualization. Our identity should be found in Jesus Christ, not in fitting in a crowd or keeping up with the "Jones'". Even Jesus found His identity in the Father. In John 14:11 He says, "Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake." Also, in John 15:5 He says, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." In Philippians 4:13 we are given the promise, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." What a promise! It's in finding my identity in Christ that I can do all things, that I find my fulllest fullfillment and happiness. It's not in deindividualization.

Awesome Song Lyrics....

2008-04-13T11:59:00.003-04:00

For the First Time (Mark Harris)

I was waiting for a push, waiting for a sign
Waiting for the perfect moment to arrive
Steady as a clock, caught between the line
Living for myself until I realized
There's too much life
You've given me
To let it slip away

Chorus: I'm ready to live, ready to breathe
Ready to take in everything
I'm ready to love, ready to shine
Ready to live this life of mine
I'm ready to jump, ready to fly for the first time

I want to take a dive, I want to take a chance
I want to make the most of every day I have
I want to be alive, I want to be a man
Cause being wild at heart is really who I am
You've put these dreams inside of me
So what can hold them back
Chorus:

I can feel it
Being pushed by Bigger Hands
You have saved me
You have made me who I am
Chorus:

End of the semester dash...

2008-04-09T14:44:00.002-04:00

I can't believe it, I really can't. I seems as if I just started college and now the end of the semester is in view. April 28 is my last class in English and I forgot which day was my last day in Psych. but it is somewhere close to that. It is nearing the end but I'm far from kicking back and putting my feet up yet! I have several more papers due and a few more tests and papers due in Psych. It seems that the end of the semester is more demanding than the beginning or even the mid term.

It's an interesting parallel, the end of my semester and Christ's second coming. Christ's coming is soon, unlike knowing which day is my last day in class, I don't know when my last day on Earth will be or when His second coming will be but the way things look, it can't be too far off. Things are hard now and will only continue to get harder before Christ comes. It's no time to kick back and relax before my finals or before the second coming, there's work to do! Both events are something to look forward to with joyous anticipation though! Joyous because the end of this semester means that I'm one step closer to my goal of becoming a nurse and joyous because the sooner Christ comes the sooner pain and sorrow, heartache and woe will be gone from the Earth and humanity.

Thought question, do I live like I believe Jesus is coming soon? Do I say it but secretly hope that it won't happen for a long time? Am I living as if today could be my last day on Earth?

The end of the semester is right around the corner and Jesus' coming is as well...are you living in anticipation?

Into My Wild

2008-04-03T16:33:00.004-04:00

Monday our teacher put a movie on in English class called "Into the Wild" based on a true story of a guy named Christofer Mccandless who left everything after graduating college. I wasn't thrilled to watch the movie for class and honestly I was pretty leery to watch it since I am very selective with what I watch anyway but with that experience over and wanting to cry since it had a really sad ending with Chris dying my teacher wanted us to write a paper of what our "Into the Wild" experience would be like. Since my dream is for foreign mission work I decided to write about my experience future tense after graduating nursing school about what it might look like. I titled it: "Into My Wild."

“Into My Wild”

The words still ringing in my ears, the certificate of nursing in my hands, trading graduation cap and gown for a back pack, bandana, and flip flops I sort through my check list, checking it rechecking it. Everything is laid out on my bed as I check each item off. My nursing gear, charcoal and medicines, head lamp, first aid kit, germ-x, definitely can’t forget the germ-x. The list goes on. Only the most necessary items, the most practical clothes, mud boots, rain gear, insect repellant, mosquito net, oh yeah, passport.

Forget the curling iron, blow dryer, high heels, and clear nail polish to make my nails look perfect, those things just won’t be necessary where I’m going. In fact, they are only trimmings and trappings binding me to a culture where vanity is God. Besides, there won’t be electricity anyways and even though I love looking nice it won’t matter where I’m headed. Other things are more important.

I look at the calendar, tomorrow, the day I leave. As I finish stuffing the last necessary items into my luggage that will fit I reach for my Bible, can’t forget my Bible. I’ll put that in my back pack. Excitement has given way to some restless nervousness as everything is starting to set in. I take a deep breath, Okay God, I’m ready!

I'm in love!

2008-03-31T13:11:00.004-04:00

Rebecca and I decided to go to the beach Sabbath and take pictures of the waves, birds, pier, and just hang out. It was a lot of fun and we both brought our cameras. The sun was shining and we had a great time. The problem was though that I fell in love when I went to the beach. I didn't know I was going to fall in love when I left the house though that is the problem. I have been thinking about a certain something for awhile now.....well, here it is.... My brothers are very good at photography and so is Rebecca, you should see some of the videos and pics they make and take, it's amazing! I have been floundering along behind them and for the first time on Sabbath Rebecca let me use her camera!! She wanted me to try it but I wasn't sure so she finally persuaded me to try it and wow..... I'm so in love! Seems like being in love and being broke go hand in hand though......Maybe I'll have enough after putting tires on the tracker with the income tax money to start a new savings account for a new camera..Wow, a camera with a lens makes the world of difference. For now, you all will just have to suffer with the camera I have.....sigh........

The waves are starting to break apart... (that means it's spring time here in the North Pole!!!!)

No more snow on the shore!

The faint line of land looking stuff by the pier is actually frozen waves that haven't melted.

This leaf caught my attention as it laid so beautifully under the water. It was so cool looking!

Lake Michigan is my favorite place to be!

Here are some pics from the wedding I attended recently for one of my brother's best buddies.

Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles!

The happy Mr. & Mrs. John Pike!

Is it almost over?

Receptions are way too long!

Pics of my slide off into the ditch are coming....

My crazy weekend....

2008-03-24T15:12:00.002-04:00

It all began like this:

Thursday...the first day of spring....the sun was shining gloriously, the birds were singing, everything looked perfect to herald in a new season. It was perfect then it happened...

Friday...the second day of spring we got to celebrate it with a snow storm! It snowed, and snowed, and kept snowing. I had been planning on going to get my oil changed and Mary was going to go with me to go clothes shopping while we waited for the oil change. After work I stopped by her house to pick her up and as we were driving it was so bad out, we wondered if we were crazy to be out the way the snow was coming down. To top it off everything was slippery, we had already passed an accident, where a truck had slid off the road into someones sheep pen. We didn't want to turn around so we kept driving. We had a great time catching up on the latest and greatest happenings in our lives since we don't get to hang out much since she got married and I started college while I was doing some white knuckle driving, shopping while we waiting for the oil change, getting a phone call from my house to be out at my own risk since it was so bad out. Needless to say the oil got changed and the only clothes we found at Walmart was a shirt for Mary, and we both agreed our chances at Salvation Army were higher for actually finding something we wanted (and could afford). So as bad as the weather was we decided to go there for a little while. Well, the sign out on the road advertised a 99 cent sale for all clothes and we were so excited!!! We went in and we shopped and shopped and shopped and got more phone calls from home telling us it was really bad out to get home, but everything was 99 cents and we couldn't get out of there (have you ever tried to try on a cart full of clothes before, it takes awhile!!???)!!!!! After quite awhile, I don't quite remember how long that was....Mary was the first to the check out and I followed not to far behind my cart heaped with clothes. What a relief to actually have found something!!! So we started on our trip back home and it was so snowy and scary....then it happened....a young guy in a car behind us kept flashing his lights on at us...weird..I was on the phone with my brother telling him what was going on and I was telling Mary as well. This kept on and I didn't know what to do! Mary thought maybe we had a flat so I decided to pull over at a gas station to see if we did have a flat and to see what he wanted. (Disclaimer: I would have never have pulled over if I would have been by myself or if I was out in a deserted area.) So I pulled in and sure enough he pulls in as well and I was like, okay.....and who should it be but my brother!!! He had gone to pick up a new car and ended up behind us and decided to play a fast one on me!!!! That was a relief that it wasn't some weirdo trying to get a date with me and that I didn't have a flat tire...

On the way home: It kept snowing and snowing and we were creeping along in 4 wheel drive trying to stay on the road. At one point a car in front of me was stopped and as I was trying to stop for it I started sliding all over. I had a car coming, the car in front of me, and Shane behind me so that wouldn't have made for a pretty sight. Thank the Lord I got it under control! Angels are great life savers!!! I'm sure mine was at work! Shane called me and said I had scared him.... not good! Well, we all made it home safe and sound and I wish I could have taken pictures to put on here to show how bad it was.....(oh, btw, Shane had gone in the ditch as well earlier that day on the freeway and Thank the Lord he got out!)

Sabbath: the third day of spring. The roads eventually got plowed and all was well...went to church, had a nice dinner with my family and Rebecca. We hung out in the living room practicing and getting ready to lead some praise music at vespers/gym night, that evening. Finally it was time to go and we all piled in to my tracker and set off. We got started a little late and I kept finding myself speeding. The roads had almost totally cleared since it had been nice and sunny but there were patches of icy, slush and man that stuff is wicked...and well...we were going down a hill, hit a patch of that stuff and I started going all over the road. It was scary. I was trying my best to counter steer but my skills are not the best in regards to that and we were not doing good. There was a really steep ditch down on the left side of the road with trees and a creek at the very bottom and sure enough we head down into the deep ditch....It was so scary...God was so incredibly good though because we stopped just before we hit the trees on my side of the truck. I know I must have scared the life out of the guy behind me to see us all over the road and then go off into that deep ditch. He stopped to see if we needed help and we were all okay Thank God! Neither of us had a tow rope but we called my Dad and he came and pulled us out. My tracker is okay, we are all okay... I was shaking for sure but we are all alive and as soon as Rebecca emails me the pics I will post some of them so you can all see what it looked like......We made it somewhat late to vespers but had a good time Praising God in song and then we had a great evening of volleyball...(I LOVE volleyball!!!!)...everything ended well.. Praise God!!!

Sunday: the fouth day of spring...I slept in..

My poor piggy bank.....

2008-03-17T16:32:00.003-04:00

This is what my piggy bank is going to look like after I have to fill my gas tank up one more time at the rate gas prices are headed.......( FYI: The gas company has no pity on poor college students.)

Starting Over?

2008-03-14T18:20:00.004-04:00

Finally, the snow has mostly melted, the days are sunny and feeling considerably warmer. Now with the time change I walk out of the office a little after 5 and I feel like I still have some day left to do something with.

Speaking of having time to do something with... I decided to clean out my tracker today. My brother had bought me for x-mas this really cool set of cleaners for my tracker and it even came in a tote bag for easier use....I get the hint Ben...

I cleaned it inside and out (with all my cool cleaners) and I actually enjoyed myself, well, kind of enjoyed myself at least.....I haven't been able to clean it out thoroughly since I bought it. Well, it's not that I haven't been able to rather, I haven't been able to make myself do it. With all the cold and snow I couldn't bear the thought of freezing to death to clean it out. :( I am a neat freak in some ways but I just can't figure out how to be a neat freak when it comes to my tracker or the old clunker that I had before that,for that matter...sigh...

I like to have a clean car, I really feel good about having a clean car and it isn't that I keep a horribly nasty car I just don't have the drive or the overwhelming desire to get out and clean it every week. I know that sounds really bad.....but I'm almost positive now that with the days getting warmer that things will change at least while the weather is warm and I might actually clean my tracker out more like every month.... Hey, don't laugh, that's a lot better than well, I won't say when I bought it...it's clean and I'm starting over, turning over a new leaf...at least I hope so....

The Sun Is Shining!

2008-03-13T15:06:00.005-04:00

I'm so happy to be alive! I feel better today and being back to work helps. I'm still weak but getting stronger! It is good to see everyone again as well.

My friend Mary, who just got married a few months ago, dropped by my office this afternoon with a magazine for me entitled, "Jessica's Wedding!!" Hmm..., is there something I should know about?!?! lol ....

Slowly but Surely..

2008-03-12T20:20:00.003-04:00

Slowly but surely I've been getting stronger every day. That nasty influenza stuff really drained the life right out of me. I feel better though and I'm going to go back to work tomorrow. This week was supposed to be spring break( well, actually it still is spring break...) and I had plans on asking my boss for the week off but alas, life sometimes has a way of making other plans....I got the time off, no questions asked..I even got to stay at home and I also got to take time off earlier than I had anticipated...fever and all...

God is good though! Even through all of this sickness He has proved His faithfulness and love. I could have gotten sick earlier this year( the doctor said that the influenza bout came late this year) and missed a ton of classes but instead I've only missed one class because of Spring break. Even though my vacation has been spent sick in bed at least I'm alive. There were a few times that I felt like I wished I was dead because the sickness was so bad but I feel like I'm coming back to life and boy, does it feel great!!! There is a song I have heard that the chorus really speaks to my heart. The chorus goes like this:
"You watch over me in the darkest valleys
You watch over me when the night seems long
You help me to see the way before me
You watch over me;
You watch over me."

Jesus watched over me and my family during this nasty illness and He was there when the night seemed long, and the valley dark. It's so good to know that I have a God I can rely on though thick and thin. Below are the words to the song "Watch Over Me." Thank you Jesus for watching over me!

WATCH OVER ME

I was lonely
You came waltzing over to me
And Your eyes they saw right through me
And You heard each one of my cries for help
And You came to rescue me
I was broken
Every prayer that I had spoken
Reached Your ears and all my tears weren’t cried in vain
You carried all my pain
And put me back together again

You watch over me in the darkest valleys
You watch over me when the night seems long
You help me to see the way before me
You watch over me;
You watch over me

Always faithful
To be leading, at this moment
Interceding for Your children
Though I’ve wandered astray from Your infinite ways
You’ve never left me alone -[to chorus]

Take this frozen heart; awaken me
Never once have You forsaken me

Even though I walk through this shadow of death
You will guide and defend me
You’ll guard and protect me
Even though I walk through this shadow of death
You will lead me home

My advice for March 7

2008-03-07T20:13:00.003-05:00

Advice is sometimes taken, sometimes heeded, and yet other times disregarded but if there is anything I can say to make you believe me about this advice I don't know what it would take...maybe a picture of how awful I look at the moment? Or rather a video would bring the point closer to home, especially of how I sound while talking. Right now I sound like I've been a chain smoker for most of my life! Here I sit, in my pajamas, suppressing a cough, feeling a little loopy from a temp. of 99.0 and feeling like my face has been smashed into the wall. (well not quite to that extent with my face but it does feel a little puffy :) )

My advice, DON'T GET SICK!!!!! Reasons being:

It's not fun
Your stuck in bed most of the day, not out of force but out of sheer desire because you feel so bad
You miss school (my psych test..oh my psych test)
You miss work ($$$$$$)
It's not the most pleasant experience to feel your head pounding and nothing can make the pain go away
It's not the best route if your looking for time off of work, you won't get anything done around the house and if you do it will take twice as long, believe me!!!

This respiratory influenza stuff is HORRIBLE!!!!! If you know someone who has it, like me, tell them to go home and go to bed and not to show their little face until their fever has passed!!!!! It is so contagious. Ugh...well, don't worry, I won't show my face until the fever has passed and I don't really think posting a picture of the way I look right now would be a very good idea, although it might get the point across!!!

It's almost spring!!

2008-03-04T13:53:00.002-05:00

Only 16 more days until spring!!!!!

Ah, if only there were only 16 more days of snow on the ground......but alas I know that, that would only be wishful thinking. The snow is at that yucky, dirty stage. Melting in a lot of areas but the big snow drifts are all dirty and muddy. The roads are telling of that awful stage as well because the potholes are appearing all over the place, seemingly out of no where. On my way to and from work I feel like I'm in the middle of an earth quake as I try to dodge the million of them.

I love the thought that spring is almost here! There is something about having a long, cold winter to make you appreciate the beauty of life. The beauty of watching the birds come back from their migrations southward, the beauty and excitement of spotting the first flower of the season, the beauty of seeing how a seemingly dead forest can turn green with new life shooting through the dead branches.

Spring is about new life. Spring speaks hope, hope that I don't indeed live in the North Pole and that it won't snow forever and ever and that I won't have to wear a coat and boots year around! Yet, spring can also teach us about ourselves. Our hearts without Jesus are like the cold frozen waves, and the dirty snow drifts. Think of the potential for those cold frozen waves, with the warmth of the sun those frozen waves can turn into something extremely powerful yet peaceful. There is nothing like watching the sunset on a beautiful lake on a warm evening and it's just not the same when the waves are frozen. When the Son of Righteousness comes into our heart, that frozen heart then has the chance to become a beautiful masterpiece. No longer does it have to stay the way it was it now has the chance to be everything it was created to be. To accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, accepting His Lordship, His complete control in every area of your life is to accept the beauty of springtime. The springtime of new life in Christ. The choice is up to each one of us. My prayer and desire is that each one of us choose the beauty of springtime that only Jesus Christ can offer.

2008-03-03T10:46:00.004-05:00

Sabbath afternoon I needed some time to just think so I went to the beach. It was a pretty mild day for winter and it didn't feel too bad out. I decided to bring my camera along to capture the north pole feel of the frozen lake.

The white, bumpy, snowy hills are frozen waves..

I decided not to go all the way out on the pier since I was by myself but had to take a few pics of what is looks like when everything is frozen over. I have pics earlier in my summer/fall posts of being at the beach and on the pier and everything, well this is what that same pier and beach look like in the winter!

It looks so much like what I would picture the north pole to look like!! Frozen waves, snow, ice, and cold, cold, cold!!!!!

The Dream In My Heart

2008-03-02T18:36:00.001-05:00

I thought I would post one of the papers that I have due tomorrow night for English Class. I guess we are going to enter them on an NPR web site. This is the rough draft that is due tomorrow but I thought I would go ahead and share it anyways.

The Dream In My Heart

It all started in my childhood, that little dream planted in my heart from hearing my Mother read to me about the missionaries in far off countries. How they worked so hard, labored long, and helped those who were not lovable and who didn’t appreciate the missionary’s sacrifice. The self sacrifice of giving up home, comforts, lovers and friends, forsaking all they knew and setting forth to unknown territory to help people less fortunate than themselves.

As I grew older the dream of wanting to be a missionary to a far off country would sometimes fade away but it never fully died. Down deep in my heart, a love for those people I had heard about in the childhood stories had been planted within my heart and nothing could stop the roots from taking hold. The desire would become so strong after seeing a program on TV about orphans left to take care of themselves on the streets of Romania or of the starving people of Africa that would walk miles and miles to get help for their families. The distended bellies of their babies and the mere skin and bones of the parents broke my heart and as I would continue to watch my heart would brake and tears would find their way down my cheeks.

After being privileged to go on a few mission trips, one to Romania and the other to the mountains of Mexico I have made my decision. The roots have taken over my heart and I’m preparing myself to go and help those who cannot help themselves. Becoming a nurse hasn’t been my most favored choice as a profession but I see the benefits that becoming a nurse would have on making a difference in the life of a person in desperate need. I don’t yet know when or to where or for how long I will use my Nursing skills in another country after I am through with college but I do know that I am preparing myself. I am preparing myself to do the unthinkable, to go to the unreachable, and to live the ultimate dream planted in my heart so long ago.

One of those days..

2008-02-25T11:10:00.002-05:00

Ever had one of those days where you were kind of just out of it? Well, I'm kinda having one of those days and yes, I stayed up too late the past couple of nights working on homework so am really tired on top of it! (actually I think that is why I'm kinda out of it! duh, what a revelation!!!) Okay, here is something to make you laugh today... From my crazy moment to yours, enjoy!! lol

Ways to Maintain A Healthy Level Of Insanity.
1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.

2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice.

3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, Ask If They Want Fries with that.

4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label It 'In.'

5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.

6. In The Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write ' For Smuggling Diamonds'

7. Finish All Your sentences with 'In Accordance With The Prophecy.'

8. Don't use any punctuation

9. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk.

10. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.

11. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is 'To Go.'

12. Sing Along At The Opera.

13. Go To A Poetry Recital And Ask Why The Poems Don't Rhyme?

14. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area And Play tropical Sounds All Day.

15. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You're Not In The Mood.

16. Have Your Co-workers Address You By Your Wrestling Name, Rock Bottom.

17. When The Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream 'I Won!, I Won!'

18. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking lot, Yelling 'Run For Your Lives, They're Loose!!'

19. Tell Your Children Over Dinner. 'Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.'

20. And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity....... Send This E-mail To Someone To Make Them Smile. Its Called ....... therapy

--

The card I got on valentines day

2008-02-22T12:12:00.003-05:00

I really should take a picture of the card I received on Valentines Day, I should...really it's so funny!

I stepped away from my desk for a few minutes on Valentines and when I got back a card was at my desk. It is yellow and on the front of it, it's says, "Congratulations on Valentines Day!" "Hmm.. who is this from," I wondered between burst of laughter at how funny the wording seemed.

Well, I opened it up and inside it said, "You're already half way to being a couple!" There is also a half of a drawn heart with half of the words "Happy Valentines Day." It was so funny!! I just busted out laughing, turned around to my boss and asked him who it was from and all he could do was just laugh! So I knew who it was from!

Blessings sometimes are big and sometimes they are so tiny that you have to look for them but they are usually right in front of your face just like the yellow Valentines card at my desk...... The "little" blessings in life are in reality the "biggest" and it is what keeps us going when the going gets hard.

But hey, now I know the truth ( at least according to the card).... I'm already half way to being a couple! lol ;)

Little Goldfinch

2008-02-20T12:13:00.002-05:00

It has been one busy week... I can't wait till Sabbath...That will be so nice!

I had a really cool experience happen to me last week and I've wanted to write about it but have been too busy with school and work to just sit down and let all my thoughts come together on it. Last Friday I was getting ready for Sabbath when I happened to look out the window and saw a little goldfinch on the ground all by himself. My Dad had put some pine branches around the bird feeder so that the birds were a little more protected and there the little bird sat under a pine branch. Poor little thing, he was sick. We get sick birds at the feeder from time to time and I know you aren't supposed to handle them but my heart is sometimes bigger than my head and I hate suffering. (my Mom is worse than me!!!) So, I put some gloves on, found a box, and put some straw in it. I took it to the bird feeder and picked the goldfinch up and he was sick but not to sick to cry and fly off. I followed him over to a lilac bush near our driveway and decided to not chase him further. I didn't want him getting too far away. I prayed for the little fellow and left him sitting on the branch of the lilac bush.

Sabbath morning came and I got up and started getting ready for church. I ran downstairs to do something real quick and my Mom told me that there was a hawk out trying to get the birds. I stuck my head out the door and who should be there on the snowy walkway all by himself but the little sick bird. It broke my heart because he had obviously seen the hawk and he had no where to go. You could tell he was looking for a place to hide but was too sick to really know what to do. I quickly threw a pair of boots and stepped outside to rescue him. I started talking sweetly to him and it blew me away because, and you can even ask my Mom because she witnessed the whole thing, the bird started coming to me!! I bent down, put my hand, (I did put gloves on!) down in front of him and he wanted in my hand! When I picked him up he started to put his head in his feathers to sleep. He was so sick. Mom and I put him in a dish cloth and placed him in the box outside and there he passed away a short time later. What amazed me though was not only did that bird come to me but some of the lessons God was showing me through the encounter with the little goldfinch.

What really hit me was to see how it is my sin that caused this bird to suffer. Sure, we like to generalize things, yeah I sin, but no, it wasn't my sin that caused that poor little innocent bird to suffer. It was Adam & Eve's fault, they were the first sinners! Wait, it's natures way of dealing with overpopulation! The bird gets sick in the harsh cold, drops over dead, and that's one less old bird around! It's not "nature's way",it's my sin. It was never supposed to be this way! I have grown up a christian and have understood that I am a sinner and that my sin nailed Jesus to the cross, yet, I don't think it has ever really penetrated my heart the way it did last Friday. I was really grateful for God really showing me this and bringing this home to my heart. I'm grateful for God's "reality checks."

Another lesson that I can see through this experience with the bird was that just like when the bird was sick, and I tried to rescue him the first time how he ran away, that can happen with us and God. "God, I know how to run my life, I know how to take care of myself," and yet he sees us as we really are. Like it says in Revelation 3:17, "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." The more we run from the God the worse situation we are in when I submit to His Lordship in my life that is when He can work through me. The farther we run from God the more we put ourselves in the way of danger. Like the little bird who saw he was a prime target for the hawk but couldn't do anything about it, we are putting ourselves in the way of the enemy when we run from God. The awesome thing is that God is right there when we call out to Him though. He is ready with open arms to pick us up and to let us rest in His love. Why run from Him when you can rest in His love? That is the best place in the world to be!

Trying to offset the Valentine Day Blues?

2008-02-14T10:23:00.004-05:00

Yes, today is the day of love and romance and as I am working here in the office thoughts of a post that I want to write keep running through my head. I want to write a post for this blog on how to offset the Valentine Day Blues. Being single on Valentines day is not the easiest thing on this day of love and romance but neither does it have to be the hardest either. It's all about what you make of it. I could go home at the end of the day today, since of course my pyschology class was cancelled for Valentines, and fling myself accross my bed and cry myself to sleep or what I've already decided to do, even though I know it's not the most romantic, is to go home and have a "date" with my homework! Have a plan of action so that your emotions don't get time to start feeling sorry for themselves! Here are a few ideas that I've had this morning about this:

Pray for someone that is facing this Valentines Day alone as well. There are several people that have lost spouses this past year that I know personally and this is their first Valentines Day without their loved ones. Your prayers for that someone in a worse situation than yourself could make their day a little more bright.
Have a plan, don't just go home after a long day at work and do nothing, do homework, call a friend, do something!!!
Remember that you are loved! I have so many friends and family members that love me and have already shown me their love with either emails or presents just this morning! Just because it doesn't have that special guy's or girl's name on it that we wish it did doesn't mean that we aren't loved by someone.
Revel in God's love. Sit back and take a minute to read a few of the promises that He has written just for you today. Jeremiah 29:11 says: " For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." God knows exactly what you are going through, He knows the plans He has for you, and He has not forgotten you. Unless you feel called to a life of singleness you probably won't be single for the rest of your life and unless you are too lazy or selfish to get married you probably will get married. Let God fullfill His dreams in you!
Say a prayer to Jesus today and thank Him for being the love of your life and for being your Valentine! He deserves our unconditional love for being our salvation. His grace is sufficient and His love is so fulfilling!
Reach outside of yourself. The tendency is to close up and feel sorry for ourselves but look outside of yourself today and give someone an encouraging smile or a cheery hello. Though your heart may hurt and being happy and cheerful may be the furthest thing from your mind at this point, trust that to the Lord, and in looking outside of yourself you'll find that it is rewarding.
Keep your chin up and hey, Happy Valentines Day!!!!!

Heartbreaking

2008-02-12T10:11:00.000-05:00

I don't know if anyone heard much about the bad storms that went through the south just recently but in the town I used to live in, Clinton, Arkansas a tornado went through there and really messed the town up. My friend, Jessica, who lives not far from there called me and was telling me all about it. I just wanted to cry thinking about how aweful it would be to have been through the storm or to loose your home or loved ones. If you go to this link you can see pictures of the damage and even pics of the tornado itself that went through the towns down there just destroying everything in it's path. We need to keep everyone that lost family and homes in our prayers.....
http://arkansasmatters.com/content/photos/weatherevents?sid=c39fed0b4d1e84d71729af45c6d7aa7b&archive_stories_page=2

The love affair ended...

2008-02-12T09:56:00.000-05:00

I mentioned in a previous post that I was on bebo.com and that I had a get to know me better quiz on there. Well, I really loved having a bebo account but the commercials on it was too trashy. I got so tired of having to deal with the trash just to be able to have a web page to express myself. That seemed crazy so the love affair with bebo has ended in a tragic sort of way and I deleted my account. Just wanted to let you all know just in case you tried to follow the url over there to take my quiz that it is no longer available....

Tis the season for weddings

2008-02-11T16:24:00.001-05:00

Rebecca and I went to Linda's wedding shower last Sunday and here are a few pics...

My friend, Linda, is getting married on March 2, and this wedding shower was held a few Sundays ago. As you can see from her smiling face, she's getting pretty excited (and nervous!!!) !!!!!

The food was yummy...

We played lots of games and this was one we played. We divided up in 2 teams. The older ladies wanted to play against us younger ladies. So Naomi, Linda's mother in law, was the "bride" on the older ladies side and for my team they chose me for their "bride." The teams then had to make wedding dresses out of tissue paper and tape!!! It was great fun!!

It was really hard for Linda to choose which dress she liked best but in the end our team won! It was a great wedding shower though, and I'm really excited for Linda. She is a great girl and I'm so happy for her!!!!!!! Congrats to John & Linda!!!!!

Ever feel this way?

2008-02-10T14:42:00.000-05:00

Ever been in a situation in your life where God was asking you to totally let go and trust Him? Here is a poem that I wrote recently on those very sentiments.... It's weird because in letting go He can work His will in your life and in dying to yourself He brings life....

...Letting Go...

Letting go of all my dreams
Like tossing sand into the sea
Is a painful part of life's reality
It is part of letting go

Letting go of all my plans
As one would of a lover's hand
Sometimes it's hard to understand
It is part of letting go

Letting go of all my thoughts
Of how my life should be
Is in fact a hard reality
It is part of letting go

Letting go of everything
My thoughts, my plans, my schemes
Is part of God's plan for me
Of fullfiling all my dreams,

It's part of letting go

~Jessica~

For what it's worth....

2008-02-10T13:40:00.000-05:00

Well, for what it's worth, I'm on bebo and some of my friends were telling me that I needed to create a quiz to see how well they knew me! I wasn't sure how well I could do something like that about myself and it might seem a little funny to some of you but if you are interested in taking the quiz to see how well you know me, then you can visit: www.bebo.com/livingmusic23
I can't wait to how well people do and don't know me!

The joys of Psychology

2008-02-08T10:16:00.000-05:00

I'm finally getting more comfortable with being in college again. I wasn't quite sure how things were going to be since I've been out of it for quite sometime but it's amazing after a few classes and a real good test you have more of an idea of what to expect. At least that is the way it is for me. I still don't like the idea of taking a 3 hour long Psyc class after a long day at work but last night for the first time I actually enjoyed that class! Wonder of wonders! I can't believe it! Also, I got my test results back on the test I took and it was pretty good! I was amazed! First tests are always the hardest for me because you don't really know what to expect and if you've studied enough or not. I studied off her Power Point slides and the work sheet she has online and I did fine! I am not interested in reading the book, so I'm going to try my hardest to get through the class without reading the book! We'll see how that goes! Keep me in prayer though becuase I've already had a little bit of a run in with her about a particular situation and I just need prayers to be able to get through this class!

Birthday Party at Richard & Mary's apartment...

2008-02-06T10:58:00.000-05:00

My crazy brothers at the party.. ;)

Mary with the hotdogs...

Shane and Bebby...

Me and Bebby...

My baby bebo... (okay, i know i'm weird but it's my nickname for my baby brother:)

The birthday boy himself, Richard, with his new bride. :)

The food was soo good!! Hotdogs, chips, juice, and per Richard's request, blueberry cheese cake.

I was having fun taking pics of everything... we used the glasses we used at the bridal table for the b-day party.

Rebecca decorating, Mary cooking, and I was supposed to be helping!!

Me and my baby bubby Benny. Isn't he so cute??!!!

Interesting.....

2008-02-06T10:54:00.000-05:00

I love quotes and I came across this one from a friend.. Wow..

"No guy is worth your tears and the ones who are won't make you cry"

Sufficient

2008-01-24T13:30:00.000-05:00

I love the words to this song by Adie Camp, "Sufficient."

...Sufficient...

Hear my heart lord as I cry out to you
Hear my prayer lord and carry me thru
In your mercy in the promise you made
Be my strength lord when my strength fades away

Cos when I am weak your strength is complete
It's perfect
Completely all I need
Sufficient for me
Your grace and peace are perfect
Completely all I need
You're all that I need

In my weakness
I'm finding your strength
In my sorrow a gentle embrace
Thru the seasons of laughter or pain
You are listening
When I call out your name

I'll find you when I seek
I'll look for you with all of my heart
And I'll find you when I'm weak
Cos you are strong

Hear my heart lord as I cry out to you
Hear my prayer lord and carry my thru
Carry me thru

Advice..

2008-01-17T16:53:00.000-05:00

Okay, here's my advice for the day.....

Don't take a three hour, once a week Psychology class at the end of the day, especially at the end of a day that you have just worked...not a good idea....

Why?

The results...

I'm still in the process of finding that out but I know for sure I'm don't like what I am finding out...I'm on my way to a psyc class here in a few minutes and am dead tired, had a busy, crazy day at the office... (YAWN)

Finding my place...

2008-01-14T14:42:00.000-05:00

I'm in the middle of trying to find my place in everything right now. I started college Thursday night after a LONG day in the office. My professor let us out early (that is normally a 3 hour class) with no homework, which I was very grateful! Now, tonight I head back for my English Comp. class. That is another 3 hour class.......(yawn)......

Like I said I'm in the middle of trying to find my place....I'm not yet in the "groove" and I'm not yet in a comfortable schedule. I've been in the office for over a year so I'm trying to put myself in the mindset of college student/nurse. I guess it will come. Some things you just can't rush no matter how much you fuss, talk, or whine. So, I'll eventually get back into the feel of things, the deadlines of papers to turn in, tests, midterms, and finals....oh yeah, that reminds me homework... did I mention that I'm not in the "groove" yet????????

Tonight is the night!!

2008-01-10T11:36:00.000-05:00

This evening I start my first class!!!! I'm really excited!!! (yes, and a little nervous) :)

After work I will take my Psychology class from 6:30-9:30pm. That is going to be one long class but it is the start of accomplishing my dream and that is just so exciting! On Mondays I will have English Comp. Those are the only two classes I'm taking this semester. Thank the Lord Financial Aid covered my classes and my books! I feel so blessed.....

I will keep you all posted......

It's actually happening!!!!

2008-01-07T09:53:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it!!! I'm actually doing it...again.. I'm going back to school!!! I meet with an advisor today! I have been trying to get back to college and this semester I can't go full time but I can start!!! My major is Nursing and my dream is to use it in the mission field wherever God wants that mission field to be. I have dreams of going overseas and maybe even back to the mountains of Mexico.

I feel happy, nervous, and excited all at the same time! I've been to college before but now I feel more ready than I have ever been. It can be hard for those getting into their 20's to go back to college but I think that once you are a little older than just fresh out of high school you have more of an idea what you want to do with your life. At least I find that true for me. I know that there are exceptions but as with anything once you get a little older you start to realize things you hadn't before and in reality you start to finally find out who you are.

I will keep everyone posted....;)

Christmas day pics from our house....

2008-01-02T11:42:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting between two of the cutest guys on the planet, my brothers!!!

Shane and his gorgeous girlfriend, Rebecca

My family by the christmas tree after christmas dinner. :) That pic actually turned out! You should have seen how many times we had to retake!

I love this pic of Shane and Bebby, they look so much alike!! They are perfect together!

Your Grace Still Amazes Me....

2007-12-31T09:36:00.000-05:00

As I look back on 2007 the words that come to my mind comes from a song by Phillips, Craig, and Dean, "Your Grace Still Amazes Me." The words to it goes like this:

My faithful Father, enduring Friend
Your tender mercy’s like a river with no end
It overwhelms me, covers my sin
Each time I come into Your presence
I stand in wonder once again

CHORUS:
Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
Your grace still amazes me
‘Cause Your grace still amazes me

Oh, patient Saviour,
You make me whole
You are the Author and the Healer of my soul
What can I give You, Lord, what can I say
I know there’s no way to repay You
Only to offer You my praise

It’s deeper, it’s wider
It’s stronger, it’s higher
It’s deeper it’s wider
It’s stronger, it’s higher
than anything my eyes can see (back to chorus)

This song speaks so amazingly of God's goodness to me this past year. His patience, his enduring love and support, His forgiveness of my sins, His comfort when I didn't think I could get past the pain, His healing power to make things new. In every way this year, in the good times and in the bad He has been there coaching me along, in the lonely times and in the happy times He has been seeking to teach me new lessons of His love. I pray that each of you have had a year full of His grace, full of His love. If you don't know Jesus as your personal Savior I would plead with you to get to know Him. I can't imagine my life without Him. Am I perfect, no. Have I reached perfection, hardly, but I can see His grace in my life and I don't know where I would be this year without Him. Give him a chance, dear friend, invite Him into your life and watch how His grace becomes amazing to you.
Happy New Year!!!!!!!!

More pics....

2007-12-25T16:24:00.000-05:00

Here a few more pics from the wedding. I wasn't able to get any from the wedding itself but my Mom took some but it was dark in the church and they didn't really turn out but here is one of Ben (my cute brother!!) , best man, and Abby, maid of honor, that turned out nice.

Ben and Abby.

Is it for real?!?!?!?!

Me and my brother getting ready for the wedding.

Bethany, another bridesmaid.

Random pics from Mary and Rich's wedding!!!!!!!!

2007-12-24T13:12:00.000-05:00

Groomsmen getting ready l t r- Ben, Jorine, Shane, Aaron

The beautiful bride getting ready!

It's time to turn you into Cinderella!

Mary peeking out of her room where she was to stay until the wedding :)

Abby looking on as Bethany gets her makeup done.

Feliz Navidad!

2007-12-18T15:51:00.000-05:00

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Ano y Felicidad.

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Ano y Felicidad

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart

I don't know how much I'm going to be on here between now and Christmas with Mary's wedding and so much getting ready to happen in the next few days, so I thought I would just say Merry Christmas now!! Feliz Navidad!! This year has gone by so incredibly fast! I can't believe it! It seems like only yesterday that I got on a bus headed for Mexico to spend my Christmas last year on a mission trip and now it is almost Christmas again...Where does time go?

Wishing you all a very wonderful and full holiday season filled full of Christ's love and peace!

Feliz Navidad!! ;)

"I Will Listen"

2007-12-14T09:15:00.000-05:00

I love adding song lyrics to my blog that mean a lot to me and here is a song that Twila Paris sings called "I Will Listen". The words are so full of meaning.....

"I Will Listen"

Hard as it seems
Standing in dreams
Where is the dreamer now
Wonder if I
Wanted to try
Would I remember how
I don't know the way to go from here
But I know that I have made my choice
And this is where I stand
Until He moves me on
And I will listen to His voice

This is the faith
Patience to wait
When there is nothing clear
Nothing to see
Still we believe
Jesus is very near
I can not imagine what will come
But I've already made my choice
And this is where I stand
Until He moves me on
And I will listen to His voice

Could it be that He is only waiting there to see
If I will learn to love the dreams that He has dreamed for me
Can't imagine what the future holds
But I've already made my choice
And this is where I stand
Until He moves me on
And I will listen to His voice

Pics of my Geo Tracker!!!!!!!

2007-12-10T11:24:00.001-05:00

I'M SO EXCITED!!!

2007-12-10T11:16:00.000-05:00

I'm so happy!!! I was finally able to get my 4x4!!!!!! Driving in the snow all the time with my big old car was getting tiresome for me so I saved my pennies and bought a little GEO Tracker. I would have liked something bigger but with gas that just wasn't a good option so, I opted for a little GEO. They are really cute and so tiny! I found mine off of auto trader. I was browsing on line and found it and Shane and Ben helped me make the decision to buy it. Shane went with me to the car dealer and did all the negotiating. Thanks Shane!!! I really prayed about getting it. If it wasn't God's will for me to have it I didn't want it! I really prayed and thought about it and Friday I went to go see it prepared, of course, with some cash!!! To make a long story short I bought it! I'm going to include some pics that were on the website of the Geo until I can take a few of my own. It is a '95 and it only had one owner who took really good care of it. It has 78,301 original miles and it has a warranty of a month or 3,000 miles whichever comes first. So here a few pics!!!!!!!!!!

Wedding Shower

2007-12-05T10:09:00.000-05:00

“Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.”

Last night I attended Mary's wedding shower!!! I can't believe the time is ticking down to her and Richard actually getting married! It was a nice shower and she received many nice gifts. We also had a lot of fun! I just can't believe that she is actually getting married, and the closer it gets to the day the more I still can't believe it is actually happening. Yet, time doesn't stand still and last night was another little reminder, so to speak, that yes she is getting married!
I have been very grateful for Mary's friendship since she moved here to Country Life. We have been able to be there for each other through a lot of things this year and we've had a lot of good times as well. I hate shopping by myself and so I would often invite Mary to come with me and usually my brother Ben would come along with us as well. I remember one really nice warm day after work inviting Ben and Mary to go to the beach and we hung out at the beach until sun set. Those are great memories!!!! Then once Richard and Mary got engaged, Mary and I hit bridal shops! We had fun! The last dress she tried on was the dress she decided to buy. We talked about it and thought and talked some more about it. Two girls making the decision seemed almost overwhelming but in the end she decided to go for it and it was elating to finally take the dress out the door!!!
I wish you all the best Mary as you are preparing to enter a new phase in life! 16 days till the wedding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Waiting for the Sunrise..

2007-11-21T14:35:00.000-05:00

I found this very encouraging and uplifting. I hope it blesses each one of you as you wait for whatever sunrise in your life that you are looking for....

Waiting for the Sunrise
by Karen

Have you ever had to wait for something you really wanted? I think most of us would answer "yes!" There are times in our lives when we find ourselves in a holding pattern. Everything is in place, the timing is perfect and yet God seems to say "not yet". One such time for me was when my husband and I wanted to start a family. We were ready, but God asked us to wait. This season was not an easy one for us. Little did I know, years later, a simple sunrise would finally help me see a larger picture on waiting.
My husband and I live in Portland, Oregon. It is a rare morning when you can open the shades and see sunlight. Most mornings the view is a very dull shade of grey. One particular fall day, however, the clouds had parted and I was determined to see the sunrise for myself.
I hurried outside and sprinted around the corner to my favourite viewing spot. When I arrived, I was surprised to see the sun actually was a long way from breaking the horizon. I settled in and began to wait.
It had to be soon
The evidence of the sun coming was all around me. Mt. Hood, a prominent volcano near Portland, was lit up as if it were erupting. I could see the sunlight beginning to sparkle off the windows of homes on the bank of the Columbia River. The wisps of clouds looked like bursts of lavender and fuchsia fire dancing in the sky.
I kept looking toward the horizon - it had to be soon. The sky above the ground was becoming brighter and brighter, yet the sun didn't come. I began to grow impatient. I just wanted to see that rim of light peek its head out!
"When they show a sunrise in the movies it happens faster than this!" I thought to myself. "What could be taking so long?" Everything was ready. The sky and the mountain were practically chanting, "Sun, Sun, Sun!" I had seen other sunrises before; surely they didn't take this long or move in such slow motion.
Then it happened. Not the sun, but the Son. God spoke to me as I sat there waiting. I remembered the time when we were waiting to become pregnant with our first child. I had stopped using birth control and we had made the charts. I even changed my diet. Yet cycle after cycle, there came the dreaded trip to the bathroom which confirmed, "Not this month."
As if my disappointment weren't enough, I had to endure the questions and comments of my well-meaning friends and family. They kept asking me, "How's it going?" Time and again I'd hear, "You're not pregnant yet! Maybe you should go to the doctor; there could be something wrong with you!"
What was wrong with me was not in my body, it was the aching in my heart every time I saw a mom holding a crying baby. I'd see her, tired and frustrated, and all I could feel was jealousy. And still I waited. Surely it had to be "soon". (I hate that word!) I learned quickly that soon in our timing, doesn't always match soon in God's timing.Waiting for God's timingSometimes, all the right signs can be around us, yet nothing happens -- the promotion doesn't materialize, he doesn't propose, the test comes back negative, again. In the physical realm, the stage is set! From our perspective the timing is perfect so why doesn't God act? It can be tempting to say to God "now would be a great time, see everything is ready!" But we can only see with our limited perspective. We see only a moment where God is looking at a lifetime. Part of the task of waiting is trusting, choosing to believe that God does have a schedule and that His timing is perfect.
There is always more going on than what we can see with our own eyes.
Psalm 130:5-7 says:I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lordmore than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing loveand with him is full redemption.We're told to look and wait for the Lord more than the watchman wait for the morning. We are more than just our bodies; we are body, soul and spirit. There are horizons even within our own heart where God is behind the scenes working to bring about a sunrise. He acts in His timing, with mercy and loving-kindness. If we get impatient and continue to focus only on one spot, the one thing we want, we can miss the glory and splendour of everything God is doing.
God was at work, all around me
As I thought about all of this, I began to look at the sunrise differently. I stopped focussing on the wait and took in the beauty of the morning. This was the reason God had brought me out of the house. This is what He wanted me to see. His purpose was not just to show me the split second when the sun peaked out over the horizon. He wanted me to experience the morning as a whole. I needed to see and experience it all from the birds' new song, to the fresh breath of fall air. I needed a new view of waiting and the reminder that I don't have to wait alone, I can wait in the presence of my King. God is always at work and we can see the fullness of His hand moving if we take the time to wait on Him.
The sun did break through that morning, and yes it was spectacular. More important however, was the awakening in my heart as I felt the warmth of His love even as I waited.
If you are waiting for the Son to break through in the horizons of your life, be encouraged that God is at work. Wait for Him, "more than the watchmen wait for the morning." Don't let yourself get distracted. Take time on a clear morning to find a special place and sit to watch the sunrise (or the "Son"rise).
Ask God to show you the full measure of your surroundings and to give you the strength to wait gracefully. Resist the urge to rush. Remember Isaiah 40:31 "they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength". Ask for His strength and make sure to allow yourself plenty of time to wait.
Are you waiting for something today? Ask God to fill you with His spirit even as you are waiting. You can pray a prayer something like this:
Father in Heaven,The power of Your Holy Spirit in my life is the oxygen of my soul. Sometimes I want to make things happen on my schedule. I don't always wait to hear the voice of Your Holy Spirit. Help me not to put my timing ahead of Your timing. Today I want to make a fresh decision to allow Your Holy Spirit to be the Director of my life. Help me to spend time in Your presence. Help me to see not just the horizons in my life, but to take in the full beauty of everything you are doing around me. Fill me with the strength and power of Your Spirit to wait and draw closer to You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

~Karen Wells resides near Portland, Oregon with her husband, Neal, and their three precious children; Caleb, Naomi and KariAnna. She provides encouragement, guidance and resources to new mothers as a Birth Doula and leader in Women's Ministries at City Bible Church.
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Praise God For Life!!!!

2007-11-21T10:54:00.000-05:00

My friend Mary and I went out Monday night to pick up bridesmaid dresses for her upcoming wedding and we were driving along in town and had just gone through an intersection when a car came from the center lane right towards my car! I slammed on the breaks and tried to keep from getting hit by their car! Their car was headed straight for mine! Thankfully no one was behind me because everything happened so fast that I would have been rearended. There wasn't a whole lot of traffic out thankfully! If they would have hit me it would have hit my side of the car and probably would have sent us spinning all over the road. I couldn't believe that they were running me over to get into the right lane! I just thank the Lord that Mary and I didn't get hit because we were inches from it. The angels kept their hand over the car and us! I make it a habit to pray when going places before I leave the driveway that the Lord will protect me. He does protect and answer prayers!!!!! Praise the Lord that Mary and I are not in the hospital over this Thanksgiving holiday!!

Wedding Season Begins!

2007-11-19T15:19:00.001-05:00

We just kicked off our wedding season here with a beautiful wedding yesterday! At the place I work the store manager's daughter was getting married to the guy who works in our shipping department so that was the wedding I attended yesterday. Actually, I went Sat. night to the church and helped set things up. (bummer, I should have brought my camera!) Oh well, sigh.. Then Sunday, after the wedding I helped serve at the reception. I was dressed in black and white with a red silk scarf. I felt like I was a waitress dresses up to work in a steak house rather than attend a wedding but it looked more professional and formal to dress that way since I was serving. :) To top things off yesterday at the flower and garter toss I caught the bouquet (that was a first!!!!!) and my brother, Ben, caught the garter!!!! That was too funny!!!

Next month I have two weddings to attend. One of the is for Mary!!!!!! The other one for a daughter of a friend who works in the store. Then, my brother's friend John is getting married to his sweetheart, Linda, and that wedding will be Jan 1, I believe. So many weddings and not enough time to breath between them!! It's all great though! I wonder when Sarah & Brody and Shane and Rebeca will be next???!!!!!! lol

There were several toasts with our sparkling grape juice yesterday so I propose a toast to the wedding season just now upon us and for the couples joining their lives together that God will bless them and that they will be the better for joining their lives together. That God will use them in a special way and that they will grow closer to him together.

My Mamaw....

2007-11-07T10:35:00.000-05:00

These are a couple of pictures with my Mamaw (the one who just recently passed away). The first one is the only recent one I have with her and that pic is actually a couple of years old, my brother Shane is with me in that pic. The second picture is of all 3 of us kids when were little with Mamaw. She was a special lady, I still can't believe she is gone....but we have the hope of seeing her in Heaven someday!

THE BEST CAROB CAKE IN THE WORLD!!!!

2007-11-06T09:05:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone,
It's so hard to find a yummy carob cake recipe that doesn't taste like carob! I got this recipe from my Mom who got it from a friend of ours in Arkansas, THANK YOU DELBERTA!!!! I have no clue where she found this recipe but it is SOOO GOOOD! My Mom and I have made it and our friends think it is Chocolate!! Here is the recipe!!! You HAVE to try it!!!!!!

Carob Cake

1 c. sugar (doesn't matter which kind, but we use the cane juice crystals)
1 1/2 c. white flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. carob powder (doesn't matter which kind either)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 TBSP. lemon juice
1/3 c. oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. water

Mix all of the ingredients together. Double recipe for a 9x13 pan. Bake at: 350 degrees for 30-35 min. or until center comes clean when tested with a knife.

It's so easy and believe me it's soooo good!!!!

Some Recent Pics from Oct/Nov

2007-11-05T13:26:00.000-05:00

Life's contrasting colors...

2007-10-30T10:21:00.000-04:00

Sunday night I attended a beautiful wedding shower and Monday I attended a funeral. What a contrast! Life begining and life ending. The funeral I attended, with my family, was for my Mamaw. She and her husband were close friends of the family from when my brothers and I were really little so we adopted them as our Mamaw and Papaw. She and her husband were instrumental in my parent's becoming Christians so our family owes so much to them! They would come over to our house when my brothers and I were little and bring us song books and Christian books. In fact, when my youngest brother was born Mamaw was in the delivery room (ben is 18 now)! This past year her health had been declining rapidly. Even though it's so hard knowing that she is gone it is good to know that she is sleeping peacefully, waiting for the Lord to wake her up. It's hard knowing that she isn't there anymore, she won't be there when my brothers and I get married, or to hold her great grandchildren and she would have loved it all. She loved life and her friends and family. She never had any biological children of her own but she was every one's Mother.
This year so much has happened. I've never had a year so full of all kinds of things happening in my life. To be honest too much has happened this year but through it all God has been there. In fact I'm going to be honest with all that has happened. Earlier in the year we had to put our family dog to sleep. We had her for 16-17 years. She and Ben were babies together! Then a few months later a serious relationship I had been involved in suddenly dissolved right from under my feet with no prior notice in just one day, then not too long after that I attended the funeral of my 30 year old handsome cousin Jeremy who was killed in a motor bike accident, my grandpa has been sick and in and out of the hospital in Florida, Papaw had open heart surery, we then had the Shane and Beb's accident. Yesterday, I attended the funeral of my Mamaw. Yet in the midst of all this there has been joys as well. My close friend Mary got engaged, another friend Linda got engaged, and a guy I work with got engaged as well. Two of the three that are engaged have weddings coming up in November and December and the one in December I'm a bridesmaid for. In the midst of all this God has been teaching me about Himself, and drawing me closer to Him. I don't know how anyone can make it through life without God. I really don't know how and to be very honest I wouldn't want to know how because the love and comfort that God brings is so awesome and so real! We can let pain make us or break us. It's all up to us. We can let it bring us closer to God or we can let it accuse Him of wrongly treating us. Some might say how can a just God let bad things happen. But it says in Romans 8:28 that: " And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Jeremiah 29:11 also says: "For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." He knows what we need to shape our characters. He also knows that there are things that we cannot learn if everything is always going wonderful and happy. I can say for me personally the most painful thing was loosing my relationship that I had been in but I am greatful for the pain. I would never want to go through that kind of pain again but it brought me closer to God, it matured me, it helped me to grow. I want to encourage anyone that is in the midst of trials and pain to not give up and blame God but to make God your best friend, your closest companion, your most trusted advisor and confidant.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 we are admonished that : "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." He knows why things happen the way they do, He doesn't make them happen but He allows life to happen. I'm grateful for His guidance and His leading in my life, His love and comfort in pain.

Praise God for Life!!!

2007-10-23T11:49:00.000-04:00

Wow, has life ever been crazy...Last week I almost lost my brother and his girlfriend to a four wheeler accident. It was a total miracle that they didn't loose their life or break any bones. My brother was shocked that he lived through it and when they were air born the second time on the way down he thought that, that was the end for him. We have all been just praising God for another chance at life for these two very special people, Shane and Rebecca. I'm just so glad that they are alive, even though they are may have scratches and bruises they are ALIVE!!!!!! Praise God!!!!! It's so sad to think that at funerals some of the nicest things are said, the most beautiful flowers purchased, meaningful songs sang in their honor...let's do that today and not have any regrets. When they are dead they won't know what they meant to us. Live in the moment for this moment is all we are promised....

Camp meeting

2007-10-16T10:47:00.000-04:00

I went on a nice vacation last week! My friends were going down to a family camp meeting put on by Restoration International and they invited me to go with them. I prayed about it and everything worked out for me to get the time off of work so I decided to go. I actually had 2 sets of friends invite me to go, so I rode down with one set and stayed in the cabin of the other set!! It was a nice time of spiritual refreshment and christian fellowship. I would encourage anyone who is interested in thought provoking messages, a closer walk with God and a deeper love and appreciation for family to attend. I have Restoration International's web site in my links section so check it out for sure!

"Praise You In This Storm"

2007-10-08T13:40:00.000-04:00

"Praise You In This Storm" (by Casting Crowns)

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

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 who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Have you ever been in a situation that seemed so dark and gut wrenching that you didn't know how you were going to even make it past that hour, let alone that day? I love the message of this song that in the midst of rain, the rain of life, the sorrow, the pain, that God is there. In the last paragraph of the song it says "I lift my eyes unto the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth." God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth is the God I can go to, sometimes He's the only one I can turn to, sometimes He may be the only one you can turn to, but He is there and He knows the problem we're going through, He knows the answer to the question, Why, and He knows that if we rely on Him that He will get us through. Awhile back I experienced pain like this and I chose to rely on God. I could have grown bitter towards Him but Praise the Lord I relied on Him and He got me through those dark minutes, hours, days, weeks! I can look back and say, that I could not have done it without Him. I couldn't have gotten myself past that situation but He did and He still is.
2 Corinthians 12:9,10 says:
"And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
His grace is sufficient, He knows what your going through, He knows what I went through and if He is the Maker of Heaven and Earth, He knows how to help you because He has helped me...