Almost Summer...

and the kids are counting it down.


My youngest is saying good-bye to elementary school (can I get an AMEN!) I have been at that school for 11 years so the good-bye is bittersweet, but I am so glad to be down to only 2 schools next year.


My older son has flourished this year in school. He was/is on student council, has had A's & B's all year, has done an outstanding job in band and he came home with all "EXCEEDS" on his CRCT test.


My oldest and only daughter has had many changes this first year of high school. She went to her first Homecoming with a group of friends, made concert chorus, was inducted into the National Beta Club and has maintained A's & B's all year.


Now as we approach summer we are looking to pack up and move to a larger home. The boys need a room of their own, we need an office and well we just need more room. We have not had much luck in finding what we are looking for yet. But as my realtor says, "Your house is out there." I have to believe that.


So what else is new...lots...as I'm sure you can imagine. I have been a total slacker when it comes to blogging. I think part of it is because I've been busy...a little too busy. I have let "other things" stop me from taking the time to have a day to day account of what is going on in my life. If for no one else I blog for me, a journal if you will. I'm glad that you are taking the time to read about my journey.


To be honest we've all been struggling with keeping our schedules in order. I am wanting nothing more than to take control of my time and use what I have better. A prime example is last night. My plan was to go to the gym for a 6:30PM class, well...that did...not...happen. I ended up rushing my youngest to the immediate care because he sliced his finger while helping me prepare dinner. Needless to say, that is an extreme example, but isn't that what happens, other things become priority?


In my last blog (in FEB) I said that I was going to discipline myself for thirty days. I can tell you now, that did...not...happen. So what is one to do? Give up? NO! Try again. As long as God grants you another day, then try again. Your life has the same amount of time in one day as mine - 24 hours. Tomorrow, I will try again, and I encourage you to do the same.


So for tomorrow: THU: my goal is to accomplish these 3 things - read for 30 minutes the Wizard of Oz (the book I'm currently reading) to make it to the gym and work out for 1 hour then walk the dog (my goal is to do this while the kids are at dance) and focus on writing my book. I have put that off too long. My friend Kimberly says if I work on the book for at least 30 minutes a day, then I will accomplish finishing the manuscript.  So here's to trying.


Lastly, goals that I am continuing to work on -> making better food choices day by day - this week the goal is to limit excess sugar, and giving my self an end date to stop smoking. Yes...that is my biggest challenge.




Jen

3 months...

has gone by already? Sometimes I believe that the days just go by way too fast. I remember as a child I thought that the days just DRAGGED on and on and on. Not anymore. So since I have failed at keeping a weekly blog update, I suppose I should start fresh.

But first a recap -

AUG: School started, a wedding, a birthday and of course...humid and hot (not bad for a recap)

SEP: Fall Concert, a birthday and of course...football season (my team is 0-4 {a perfect record})

OCT: Half way through and it's been a tough one.

Over the past few weeks a lot of "changes" have taken place in my "little world"

One of my dear friends is being sent home, to South Africa, because of delay in work visa paperwork. Her family has been in the country for over 14 years, and now...they are being forced to leave. We have been praying for God's Will to seen and to be honest, it has, just not the way any of us thought. We were thinking of buying her house, but God said NO. Then they thought they'd have to short sale, God said NO. Instead God said - here is a person that needs to rent your house for about 9 months and oh by the way, you now have a house in South Africa to rent for about 9 months, and I'm still working on your paperwork and you will have to TRUST me. You husband's company will allow him to continue working while in South Africa. I'd say that is a much better plan because now I'm praying that she and her family will return to us again.

Remember the car that God gave us? Well...it has finally died! YUP...a goner...RIP. Praise God, we had enough money and resources to put a good size down payment on a newer vehicle! I now have AC!! Woot-Woot. I don't much care for the car payment, but it is only for a short time and after four plus years of living in bankruptcy....I'll take it! God is so good...to allow us to have a running car up until we could afford to buy another one. There were so many close calls, but I see His provision.

This past week...my neighbor 2 houses down...lost their home to a house fire. Everything...GONE! It was so surreal to see their house burn down. My heart just broke. Praise God no one was in the home. All three kids were at the sitters. I have seen God's people move to help her out with clothes and food. Others are helping her to find a new place to live and others said they have furnishings to help her start over. AMAZING! My youngest son has been praying, reading his Bible and crying over this situation, because the house...was his friends house. I love that my son has a heart for others who are hurting, and that he has been praying and reading his Bible, but it does break my heart to see him so sad.

My final thought...I have been praying about what to share with you on a regular basis, and God has not made that too clear as of yet. I'll be sure to let you know as soon as He does.

 Well there you have it a wrap up of what is going on in my life. Maybe you can relate to some of this or maybe you can join me in praying for each of these situations. Either way. Thanks for reading.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

July Roundup

July was a good month. It did go by way to fast though. Here it is August 5th and I'm just now getting to what was so good about July.

I was able to get a way with Mike for a long weekend right after the 4th of July. It was great to get him a few days off since he has been working like a mad man for the past few weeks (and we have not slowed down since we've been back). We were able to catch up with a couple of his high school buddies and they had a great time out on the Glades watching the Air Boat races.

I had a great time going into Miami and catching up with a friend from Okinawa and he showed me the sites (to include Versace's mansion). It really was a fun, but all too quick weekend.






 






 
We also had a chance to watch 2 sea turtles be released back into the ocean after being rescued and brought back to health at the Jekyll Island Sea Turtle Center. That was the first time I've been able to go to a release and it was great to take the kids to see. I think they had a lot of fun!

To round out my fast paced but fun month (a far cry from last year) I was blessed to be able to treat my friend and some of her closest friends to a bridal shower dinner! It was so much fun to be able to treat her to such a wonderful time and we really had a blast. I'm so thankful that she asked me to be a part of her wedding and WOW what a wedding it was!

That is where I was this past weekend...attending to Raquel as she was preparing to say "I Do" to a wonderful, God fearing, God loving man. My prayer is that they continue to grow strong in love for God and each other.

(THOSE PICTURES TO FOLLOW....THANKS TO KEVIN LEMERE PHOTOGRAPHY!)

So here it is now, August 5th. The kids start school in 3 days. We had open house for both the high school (yes...I have fits thinking about that) and middle school. Tomorrow night is open house for elementary. I can't believe I have one in each, but I do! What a wonderful crazy life this is! So that's it in a nutshell. Back to school for the kids and (hopefully) back to a "normal" schedule for me...but I sure did love this summer.


~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

I woke up this morning feeling off. Have you ever been that way? It's an odd feeling to say the least and a scary feeling at most. I often take "pride" in feeling "normal". I'm not always real sure what normal is, but for me it's knowing what the day is about to bring and what tasks I have on hand to "accomplish". But this morning, I felt off...odd...out of place.

The days that I feel this way are the days I immediately say, "OK, God, What do you have in store for me today, because I don't feel right?". These are the days I am more aware of the people around me, the songs I hear have a new message, and I know that I need quiet time to hear God's very still voice.

 A heavy heart I have today, a melancholy type of mood. Emotions are a funny thing. They can leave you on top of the mountain or they can leave you in the valley of despair. Although feelings are important, I know they can mislead. That is why I am right now on guard, and praying for God's Wisdom.


What do you do when you have days like these?

Jen

Birthdays, Babies, Blessings

Yesterday was my birthday! It use to be the one time of year that was "all about me". It's not so much anymore, but it's nice to get those "Happy Birthday"'s even from random people, when they actually ask you, "How are you doing?" :-)

I was asked many times as to what I wanted for my birthday, and really, for the first time, there wasn't anything that I could ask for. My husband, Mike, took me Sunday before my birthday and let me get the next installment of my tattoo work! That was a nice gift (that was unexpected).

My daughter wanted to get me a gift and she surprised me with one. She knows how much I love pirates so she got me this ring...

...sad thing happened to that ring (already), it came apart. So now I need to find someone who can solder it back together for me.

So on my birthday, my actual birthday, I was up in North Carolina, visiting my best friend, Tina, and her family. She had just given birth to twins that Wednesday and I was so excited to just get up there and visit with her, and of course play with those precious babies.

An added gift was to see her sister, Teresa, as well, and to meet her daughter. I haven't seen her in almost 20 years. It was nice to catch up and spend time with her.

Another "SURPRISE" was that my Bestie's husband, Chris,  went out (when he didn't have to) and bought me a "birthday pie". Yup...I said it...PIE! I really wanted pie last year for my pseudo - surprise party, but we were living in the hotel at that time and as my daughter reminded me, she couldn't bake me a pie. It was a chocolate pie, and he even bought 4 candles (I assume it was one for each decade *Wink Wink*).

As I was driving up to NC I also learned that one of my dearest friends, Etta, had just returned from serving time in Afghanistan! That made my whole day! So as we were coming back from seeing Tina & Chris I met up with Etta and her family for dinner in Savannah before heading back home. 

The best gifts, I have learned, are not gifts at all, but creating memories with the people that you love and care about.

~Jen

Baptism and Bullets

This week has started off with a "BANG"!

Saturday morning the kids and I walked for our local Care Net Crisis Pregnancy Center to help raise money for this loving caring ministry with the Karate 4 Christ ministry.

We had a great time walking the two miles with smiling faces even though it was windy and freezing out. After we were done we all met up at Grandy's (a local restaurant) for some food and fellowship. We really enjoyed our Saturday, spending time with friends, and spending the rest of the day shopping and hanging out as a family.

Sunday morning started as a normal, exciting day. Lil'Man, my youngest, was baptized! What great and happy occasion it was. We had our family and friends with us to witness his baptism and he was all smiles! After we got home and the kids were outside playing...



my older son came into the house to let us know that "something" hit Dad's car and broke the back window. At first we thought he may have done this on accident, as this has happened before", but the look on his face was different. The tone of his voice was different. We immediately got up to investigate. It was obvious that the "something" was going very fast and was very small because of the way the glass was shattered. I call 9-1-1 and have the police come out to make a report.

I have to tell you that we have the greatest police in our community! After some time talking and getting the report going, we found out that he is an avid listener to 90.7FM WAY Radio, and he said that it was so nice to meet me...even though the circumstances were less than good. Although we can't "determine" for certain that it was a bullet hole, that is what it seems to be. WOW! A stray bullet? In the neighborhood? WOW! Makes me want to just love and hug my kids forever. I am so thankful for God's protection on my children.

So the week most certainly started off with a "BANG", but I resolved not to let this derail me. I am trusting God and what He has called me to do, and what we are doing as a family. Of course I should expect that things are going to happen to either tempt me or test me. I was mad. VERY mad that this could even happen. Scared? You bet! But I am not going to live in fear. I say again...I will live in FAITH!

That's were we are right now. Living in Faith. On Thursday my daughter will celebrate her 14th birthday with friends in Disney, my boys are going to enjoy some "man" time, and on Saturday we are going to enjoy a cookout with our neighbors and celebrate all the good that God has given. I can't wait to share with you what happens when we go to Disney, and to share with you all the GOOD that God is doing in our lives.

Remember that even in the midst of madness there is mercy.
Even in the midst of pain there is peace.
And in the midst of ciaos there is the cross.
Don't look at the negative, wait for the full picture to develop.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

The Dog, The Kids and more...

I had to let you know that we have had a lot of ups and downs this past week, so I will try to keep it all in snapshot forms...but sometimes you have to roll with the punches!

I'll start with the dog...Parker...
Right after Christmas we found out that Parker had diabetes and has been on insulin since. We first started with prayer. We believe that God can heal our dog, so we prayed. Our goal was simple: help him lose weight, get him on a structured exercise program (as we began ours) and to change the dogs' eating habits (as we began ours). As of yesterday, Parker is off the insulin!!! He has lost a total of 12 pounds so far (that is a lot of weight for a beagle)! God is GOOD!

  
and now...the rest of the family...the kids were out of school for 2 days this week. This makes for a long week at home and a short week at work. I'm so thankful to work for a company, organization, business that allows me to be a SAHM when I need to be.

Last week my daughter landed wrong on her hand and is now in a soft brace. We are waiting to see if she will need x-rays, but we have another week to wait.

Yesterday...I thought was going to be normal day, but God had other plans. My car broke down right after I dropped the kids off at school. Made me stop a realize just how much I am NOT in control.

Today was a full day that started with the morning show and ending with a fantastic meeting, but then I totally forgot to pick up the youngest from school before getting the other two...good thing the schools are so close to each other.


We have also been very  with work, as in our company, Krouse Drafting Services, LLC. Since '08 with the slump we have struggled to keep our little company going. Again, I have been praying. Praying for my husband, my marriage, my children, and for our finances. It seems that trusting God with our finances is the hardest thing to do. Why is that? I'm sure I'll touch on that in the near future, but I do know this. God listens, and when I am quiet enough...I hear Him answer. God has shown me in the past 3 weeks so many blessings, that I (once again) have no doubt that He is in complete control. 

 Maybe life has been a struggle for you too. You may be asking yourself if you can trust God. If you are reading this blog I want you to stop just for a moment and reflect on all Who God is and all that God is doing. He loves you. It may be hard to trust Him the first time, or even the hundredth time, but you can trust him.

I only want to share with you what God is doing in our lives and to be as transparent as I can so that He can be seen.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

My heart...

is just broken right now. And it's not just over the unforeseen death of so many young children. This past week has been riddled with death, and today has been my first day to really let it all sink in.

My week started with hearing about a shooting, no two shootings, a plane crash, and a homicide. I do not watch the news. I probably should, but it depresses me to the point that I just can't, and I don't read the paper, so when I hear of a tragedy, I know it is a tragedy, as they say good news travels fast, but bad news travels faster.

Mr. Poppell, an active community leader, took a private plane to Valdosta earlier this week, but never made it. He died in the accident. Then later that morning news came in that Commissioner Sublett, of Brunswick, was reported missing and later found dead and his death has been ruled a homicide. That is when I learned of two more shootings in our community. This was Tuesday. That afternoon we were having a station meeting and we were discussing the recent tragedies, and within a few hours we announced a prayer vigil for next Thursday...

Wednesday...that morning, Pastor Tim came into the station to share God's Word and to try and give our listeners peace, in light of all the dark. That evening, I read about the shootings at a mall in Portland (I have friends there).

Thursday we get the approval for the "City on Our Knees" Prayer Vigil, and we begin to share with everyone via email and Facebook...Prayer Vigil Info

Friday...we hear of the shooting and deaths at the elementary school, Sandy Hook. My heart broke when I heard the news. My thoughts were of loss, and fear, and of my own children. It just shocked me...almost as much as the day that the Twin Towers fell.

Here's where I must interject...all of these events, were "events". They "effected" me, but not in an immediate way, so I could and did brush them aside and place them on the back burner. I had too many other obligations and things that needed my attention, so I could not really take the time to focus on all the death around me. I...my children and I...were in the midst of Nutcracker rehearsal, and Benchmark tests, so I had not been home long enough to sit down and absorb all the news.

Now that my day has given me time to read and catch up on all the information that was given to me earlier in the week, I am just shocked, saddened, hurt and broken. I have teared up 20 different times in the past hour, and I teared up a dozen times at church today as we talked about HOPE, and where HOPE comes from and how now more than ever we NEED to bring HOPE to a dying world.

I went on to Facebook, to see what I could find as far as posts go, so I could get a better understanding of this Adam boy, and to learn about the adults who acted so bravely to save children, and to learn about the children who did not survive. I forget how angry people can become and how easy Facebook makes it for people to be vocal in a very hateful, mean-spirited and hurtful way. This too, broke my heart.

So I say all of this to say one thing...I am praying for the Poppell and Sublett families. I am praying for the 28 families that lost loved ones in the Sandy Hook murders, and for the remaining family of Adam, the young man who committed this horrific crime. My heart just hurts. I'm not sure what else there is to say, but I needed to post this. I know you are angry and I know that we don't have an answer to the question WHY, but I know that GOD is GOD, and HE alone is in control. We, Me...I am called to pray, forgive, love and give mercy, just as GOD has forgiven and loved me and has shown me mercy.


~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

End of the week...

and end of the month. This month has gone by so fast. It still seems like yesterday when we were rushed out of our home and living temporarily in a hotel while looking for a house to rent, and now I'm staring down at 2013.

I told my daughter yesterday that I need to reassess my 2 year plan and get back on track. She just looked at me like I had grown an extra head, and then asked why. That really is a good question, why.

I think it is important to look at your goals and see where you are in contrast to where you want to be, and then from where you are make a road map to get you where you ultimately want be. Then I think it is just as important to present your goals to God and ask Him if what you want in life is where He wants you to go.

Many people may find it difficult to pray about their goals, plans and life. It seems to me that most people do what they want and then when they run into trouble, they pray. I have found the opposite to be much more effective. When I pray first about the direction I need to be going, then write out the plan with the goals in place, I find it easier to succeed, because I know that if it is God's will, then it will come to pass. Besides, why would I want to stray off the path in which God has already laid for me? He, after all, has my best interest at heart.

So with my words on paper (print), I suppose it is now time to take action. I hope that each of you had a great Thanksgiving, and I pray that you have a Wonderful Christmas season.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

I Could Not Ask For More

Since we have moved into our rental home, I have not really blogged much. It's not that I don't have things to say. It seems that I just run out of time, and before I know it...it's a new day.

So here's the quick of it...

The kids are all doing well in school. All A's & a couple of B's so I am a PROUD MAMMA! I am so blessed by my children, and I could not have asked for better.

We are in a new routine now. I have officially moved to mid-days on the radio. So I am home to get the kids ready for school, and then I go into work, and I'm finished with work in time to get them from school. I'm so thankful for where I work and for what God has given me as far as a job. I am so blessed, and I could not have asked for better.

The home is great. We are completely moved in, and we have great neighbors. There's plenty of activity to keep us going, and I have so few things to worry about as far as the home goes. I am so blessed that God has provided a wonderful place for us, and I could not have asked for better.

My first speaking engagement in over three years is tomorrow. I'm excited, and a wee bit nervous, but mostly excited to speak to a room of women hungry for God's Word, and how to become the Woman that God has called her to be. I am so blessed by this opportunity, and I could not have asked for better.

My first conference that I'm head of is in just three weeks. Now that makes me a nervous wreck! I am praying that we reach as many people as possible and that the seats are filled with women that are ready to take that next step to spiritual healing. I pray that God will use me and the ladies that are speaking to engage His people. I am so blessed to be surrounded by friends and like minded women for this upcoming event, and I could not have asked for more.

I seem to see a theme here...no matter what...I am so Blessed, and I am trusting God with it all.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

No more babies...

in the house. My youngest is now in the double digits. We celebrated his 10th birthday over the weekend. It is so hard for me to believe that my children are all half grown. Yes, they really are. When did that happen? It has been an amazing journey so far, and I hope that the lessons that they are learning will last them a lifetime. Especially after this summer with losing their home, and with the car having "issues", and all the sickness that all of us have had. I am so thankful to celebrate life and to give my son a birthday party to give thanks and praise to God with family and friends. We really had a great time.

You'd think with him being my third child, my youngest, that I would not feel so "Wow'd" by his coming of age, but to your surprise and mine...I am. I know that there are still many lessons for him (and all my kids) to learn before they leave our little home, but it is so amazing to see how much he has already learned. I love watching him, and I love having him in my life. Happy Birthday Logan. I love you.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

Post Move

Well we are finally settled in. We've been in the new house for almost two weeks. It took all of last week to finish packing, move, unpack, and put the house back together. I know that a lot of people find it hard to believe, but it really does not take me long to put a house together. This time, it took 5 days, but if I had it my way I would have taken another day from work and had it done in 3. Not to bad for having 7 years and 5 people's worth of "stuff". We did get rid of a lot, but there is still so much stuff! How on earth do we collected so much stuff?

I have two schools of thought on this. First, we are afraid to get rid of junk. I'm not sure why it's so hard to throw away things that are broken, harmful, hurtful, and overall not important in our lives. We not only do this with earthly possessions, but we do this in our spiritual life too. We tend to hold on to the very things that are hurtful, painful, shameful, and overall just not good for us.

2 Corinthians 5: 17-18 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.  All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation"

We need to learn to let go of the old, and prepare for the new, and who doesn't want something new? It's kind of like what I tell my kids, you have to make room for the new, so it's time to get rid of the old. If there is something in the past that you are just carrying around, because you're afraid to let go of it...well...it's time to just get rid of it!

My second thought on this, we put the "stuff" in a pile and say to ourselves that we'll get to it later. My friends, later never seems to come, and then the next thing you know, you are looking at a mountain of JUNK instead of a few items to get rid of. Sin can be like that too. We make a mistake, miss the mark, sin against God, and we say to ourselves that it's not a big deal, or we'll "work on it later". Later will not come. Let's take care of the junk when it first comes into the home.

Pslam 32: 4-6 says it like this, "For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the        iniquity of my sin. Selah

Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him."

So we are now in a new house and it's a new school year. The kids begin school this Thurday. I'm so excited about the new school that two of my kids are going to this year! We have the new middle school (Jr. High when I was a girl) complete, and we had open house last night! I'm loving this school. My son, T, will begin 6th grade there, so he's the "1st Class" of the new school that will go 6th - 8th, and my daughter will be the "1st Class" to graduate from the new school. It's a year of New Beginnings! I love how new beginnings make you feel! If you look, you will find there is something new every day. You may have to dig for the good, but it's worth it. You may even have to move to a new home to see the new and the good, but it is worth it!

Lamentations 3: 22-24 tells us that, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

 So as my family and I look ahead to this new chapter in our lives, I am reminded once again that the author of this story already knows how it ends, and I have to have faith in all that He is doing. I'm not going to say that it's been easy, but I take comfort in knowing that I am not the only one who has gone through this kind of struggle, and I hope that I will be able to help someone else in the future.

Acts 3: 14-16,  "But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all."

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

Progress report

Very quickly on the past 10 days (I promise a better blog later in the week)

I am now 40! Yeah, that's right the BIG 4-0! I am so thankful to have made it this far! God is good.

I celebrated my 40th with a "psudo" surprise party. It was so wonderful to just have a "normal" day with all of the uncertainty that is currently our normal life.

As of today, we are still in a hotel. When Tropical Storm Debbie decided to hit us, she decided to flood (only a little, but enough) my den. Our carpet was soaked 2 feet in. So, now we not only have a homeowners claim in, but also a flood claim in.

We only have 1 bid in for the septic. It does not ease my mind when I saw the dollar amount. All I do know is that God has a MUCH bigger plan than what I can see.

So one day at a time it is. We have been so blessed by friends and family who have brought us dinner or have had us over for dinner. It has been overwhelming the neighborly love that we have been shown.

Most of all, we have become "family" to the staff of Comfort Suites. Everyone here has been just so friendly and kind and have really just gone over and above what they needed just to make us feel comfortable.

I'm sorry that this is not more detailed, but really, who needs details, when you have God on your side and you know that He has it all planned out already. He has the details, so I don't really need them. I will keep you up to date though.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

The Road Ahead...

is paved with uncertainty. I have to be very honest here because I know that somewhere along this journey it is going to help someone else. I am going to tell you that it has not been an easy week, and I really don't know what is going to happen next. My thoughts are not clear, and my mind feels like a scrambled egg, but I am going to update on the septic situation. Oh and did I tell you that my youngest now has a staph infection? Yeah that all happened on Tuesday.

Tuesday: We left the house and stayed at a hotel. I am so thankful for the fast response of my insurance company. I am also thankful for the fast response of ServePro. I had to call and postpone Lil'Man's appointment.

My thought on Tuesday: How on earth are we going to pay for all this mess???

Wednesday: ServePro came out and began removing all the carpet. Damage to the house so far has been all the bedrooms, the living room and the pantry in the kitchen. Our insurance company worked diligently to find us a place to stay until Monday, but did say that we will not be able to move in until we fix the problem. They want us to stay in a suite that has a kitchen. I found 2. One is not available until next Wednesday, so the other we made a reservation for.

When we got there...yeah...no. It was not a safe place to stay. I'm not going to say much more, but when Mike came to where we were, he said no way. I called the company that was helping us find a room and by the time I was talking with the rep, I was in tears. I was so tired, so mentally exhausted and really hungry (yeah...I hadn't eaten) I was just overwhelmed with the situation. They worked on reversing the charges, and we went to grab a sub.

I called a couple of friends...and we were offered a place to stay with a friend so we took them up on their offer. Oh, thank you for friends. By the time we were settled it was about 10pm. It was a long day, but it was a safer nights sleep.

My thought on Wednesday: Lord, please let this be in the realm of us being able to afford the repairs on the septic. We are completely and totally dependent on you because I can't do this.

Thursday: Environmental Services came to the house and flagged the yard. Mike says that is where we are going to have to expand the drain field to. It's more than half my yard?! Oh boy. We now have a permanent, temporary place to stay. Now I feel a little more normal. We got settled into the rooms early afternoon but we still had to go out to eat and pick up a few more items from the house. Mike picked up a floor sample. I like it, looks like Pergo for the house...here's hoping. I know this. I'm not wanting carpet again. I saw all the DIRT that was on the ground when they pulled up the carpet and the padding! Yeah...NO.

My thought on Thursday: Oh Man, today I'm suppose to go to Best Body Boot Camps grand opening! Well...that's not happening. I hope Nicole has a great turnout. Man, I feel so bad. I have to take care of my family first though. Praying for God to give me clarity and peace.

Friday: Well it's early on Friday and I only have a skeleton of a plan. I have to fax over our expenses this morning, then get back to the rooms to get the kids and then go to the house to let our poor dogs out. Clean the dishes that have been sitting in sink water for the past 3 days outside with the house and take Bart (my co-worker) down to the airport. Everything else...I have no idea. We'll see. I'm just praying that I can hold it all together without falling apart.

If you can help us out in any way, let me know. I would greatly appreciate any and all help. We cannot borrow money, we have no credit cards, and we have very little savings (as in none). We would like to repair our septic so it never backs into our house again (Did I tell you that this is the second time in four years?), and have a yard that is once again safe for my children to play in.



~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

Practicing what I...

confess and speak. Yes indeed. 5 days ago I wrote about being thankful for what could be deemed a "defining moment" out of a bad experience. On Father's Day my husband came home to our water (septic) lines backing up into the house (again!!)

Now of course our first reaction was to throw down some towels and call the plumber. We did that and the answer was what we suspected...the septic tank is full (again). Now mind you I just had it pumped out 3 months ago. With all the rain that we have had (like 9 inches in 11 days) our yard is not absorbing the water fast enough. So now we have a "situation".

Of course it would be easy to look at the negative, like no extra cash for the fix, or we do not have full use of our home, but I am choosing to look at this as more of an adventure that God is wanting to take me and my family on. I know that He will provide for our need. I am just waiting now to hear what that need is. Yesterday I called the county for the permit, and now I'm waiting for the inspector to come out to do a perk test, then I can call the septic people for bids.

Can I tell you that yes I'm scared? I don't know where the money is going to come from. Can I tell you that I'm frustrated? In my mind (and my own little world) I thought this would be the month that we could put some money into savings to start saving up for these types of fixes. Can I tell you that I'm worried? We are in no position to borrow money, and to be honest with you I don't want to borrow money. We are a "pay as you go" kind of family. No credit card debt and no loans out (besides the mortgage).

Despite my "Job" like feelings, I am trusting in God. Despite the feeling of fear, I am believing in the goodness that is going to come out of faith. I am reminded that I have been through worse and have not just survived but thrived, and that all glory goes to God so that others may see Him through my life.

So there it is...I'm having to practice what I speak.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

Wonder in the Storm

It seems that every time I turn around there is something else going on. I wonder how it is that life can get so complicated so fast, and then I realized....it's because I'm letting the situation at hand take over the moment instead of allowing it to flow into what God has already planned.

 Jeremiah 29:11-13, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

As a mom, I have make sure that my children are where they are suppose to be, when they are suppose to be there. I do my best to plan the meals, and clean up after the kids clean up, but every now and again I'm stopped dead in my tracks because of illness or an unexpected storm arises. I have come to realize that when I'm blindsided I have a choice to make (and quick), do I get upset and panic or do I bend and flow with the moment and see God?

Isaiah 41:10: Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

This past week, my dear friend has been in the hospital with her baby. Her whole life has been put on a detour road, and as I'm watching her Facebook messages and her texts I see a woman strong in faith. I know she is scared and her heart is filled with uncertainty, but her words are praises and glory to God!

Job 4:5-7, "But now it has come to you, and you are impatient; it touches you, and you are dismayed. Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?"

I have gone through my own storm this week. Both of my boys have gone to camp. This is the first time that my youngest has gone so far from me. I have to admit...it's not as easy as I thought it would be. I know that he is doing fine (because I have not received a phone call), but I am anticipating Thursday evening when they are home.

 John 14:16-17 ,"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

While the boys have been gone, my daughter is battling a staph infection. It began one week ago today. Praise God we caught it early! She has had to overcome her fear of needles and repeat doctor appointments. Throughout it all, she and I keep sharing the blessings (the positive) of it all; the wound healed up on itself and did not leak at all on Thursday or Friday during dance recital, the dance itself made the infection come to a head so we were able to remove most of the infection on Saturday. With all of the bad, it was nice to find the good.

Deuteronomy 31:6, Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Now, not only have we been going through these spiritual storms, we have also been going through some very severe weather storms too. Every day since May 30th we have had rain. Praise God, we are no longer in a drought. We have had limbs down, fences busted and trash blown all around, but we have all been safe. The storms have also been beautiful. I love them. To hear the rain come down and to see the lightening show, to hear the roar of the thunder...to me this is a beautiful sound. I am once again reminded that God has complete control and even though I don't understand it, I enjoy it.

 Psalm 107:25, "For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea."

My last thought for today comes from a sermon I heard on Sunday. Pastor Carl shared this, "Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you respond". I love this reminder of it's not what happens but how you respond. Let's respond with Praise and Thanks.

Psalm 100:4, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!"

~Peace & Blessings~

Jen

Remembering...

what Memorial Day is really about is very important to me. I grew up in the military. I have friends who have fought in Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Panama, Iraq, Pakistan, and other places that they could not say. I have friends who have lost friends during their time of battle. I have lost friends with little said other than, they are coming home to rest.

My father's father fought in World War II, My father-in-law fought in Vietnam, My father served in Desert Storm, and my husband served in Desert Storm. It is because of their sacrifice that we have the freedoms that we have today. The freedom of worship, the freedom of perusing happiness, and even the freedom of debt.

I don't normally "rant" in a blog, but I have to say that I am a bit frustrated this morning with all the "sales" campaigns that I have seen on the internet and have heard on the television. This is not just another "holiday"! Today is the day that we are to stop and thank those who have fought for our freedoms, and remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for those freedoms. So all I am asking from you today is to to remember.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

Just a quick little...

post about the weekend. It was good. T-Man stayed with his best friend this past weekend. I know that it was great for him. He rarely gets a chance to stay anywhere without Lil'Man. The girl was also out of the house on Saturday. She was taking a CPR/Babysitting certifications class. She is now babysitter ready! I know that she is so excited and is now wanting to babysit now more than ever! She is so good with babies too...I'm really proud of her!

Mike was working this Saturday as well, so that left just me and Lil'Man! We had a date! I love dates with my boys. They don't happen often, but I do love spending that one on one with them. We did not do too much though (the weather was not our friend). We went to karate, hung out and had some yummy frozen yogurt together while laughing and just being together.

 Time is fleeting with my children, I know this and I just want to instill in them that I love them and I want to always want to be a part of their lives. It will be trying (I know) as they are approaching the dreaded "Teen Age Years", but to be honest with you, I'm excited to see where God is leading them & I pray that I have taught them to truly trust God in every area of their lives.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

Crunch Time...

is now over!! It has been a whirl wind of activity and deadlines. As you know, tax season is officially over. I am thankful that I finished that up in March.

We are now in full swing on the "man/pirate cave" update. The day before I (yes...me...solo ...with a little help from the kids) painted the room. Now for those of you who know me, know that  I do not like painting. With that being said, I now have a sense of accomplishment!

 Right now the kids are testing for the end of the year. They are all doing well in school and as a mom...I am so proud of my children. T-Man (as of right now) will begin his 6th grade year in accelerated math. The boy is math gifted! I am excited to see where God is leading him. Lil'Man is also doing well with math, and everything for him just clicked this year. As for the Girl, she is back into reading and right now is reading "The Hunger Games". She says I will enjoy it. I may just have to read the book...still out on the movie though...

So the kids and I are now Purple Belts.  It's hard to believe that we are here now. I remember when we were just starting out. Purple to me seemed like a lofty goal, yet here I am. I love taking karate with my children, it has been a great experience.

Mike has been enjoying some excitement too! Just last weekend he was a food judge for the kick for Darien's Blessing of the Fleet annual festival. I am so proud of my husband for following his passion for food and love seeing him light up when he shares his experience with the kids! I hope that he gets a chance to be a food judge again because he really enjoyed it! We have also been blessed with some work for our drafting business. So even in the midst of hectic weeks, things are looking up and we are being very optimistic about the rest of the year.

One of my greatest joys, though, is having dear friends from Okinawa live so close now! I love that every couple of weeks we are able to get together and create new memories while sharing some old ones!

So, like I said, crunch time is over (for now) and I am ready to relax and enjoy some summer fun with my family. We have trips and camps planned and we will most definitely be hitting the beach!

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen