VACATION!!!

I'm in Florida til Thursday and must say that I'm loving it very much. We left out Saturday morning and went to the beach yesterday & today. We've also layed out on the dock a bit. Oh and get this, I have already read 1 book and have started another. I CAN READ!!! I know that was doubted by some (my brother in law was probably one). We've watched movies and played games and have just enjoyed being awaya!! I do miss my family, I'm not going to lie. I'm so blessed by them and am so stinkin thankful for where God has brought us from and to where we are now. We actually kinda like each other. :) Maddie and Ella both asked me yesterday after finding out I was in Florida, "Are you at Disney World without us?" There was some disappointment in their voices. It was sweet, they are precious and no, I'm not at Disney World without them. Mom, Dad, Tammy & even Eric...I miss y'all too and look forward to seeing you as well. :) Maddie Belle & Ella Bella, I can't wait to see you and show you your surprises. Be sweet and pick on Pop & Daddy for me while I'm gone.



Random sidenote...



It's crazy how thigns can change. Later on this week it will mark 1 year since I met him. A few months later most of us thought he was "the one." We're not for one another and that's been confirmed many times. Wade told me back in Feb. that he was part of the healing process and that God used him to put some pieces back together. I'm still thankful for those words, Wade.



I've been over it for awhile but am really excited about what the future holds. Yeah, I get impatient at times...hard to believe huh? Haha. I know that God has something great in store and look forward to that. It won't be easy but it will be right and God ordained. How could it be any better?



Well gangstas, after rambling I'm going to sign off and enjoy more vacation.



Peace Out.

One Week & Counting!!!

Yep, get ready...to be bitter. J/K. In just 7 days I'll be at the beach!!!! Oh yeah, by the way, I'm pretty stinkin excited (as if you couldn't tell). I'm quite thankful for this trip I must say. I'll be going to Florida with Kimberly & her parents for a week. Where if Florida? Does it really even matter? If so, sorry cuz I don't remember the name of the town. All I remember is that we're staying at Kimberly's Mawmaw's and it's on the east coast. The time is great because we'll be getting some much needed R & R plus a tan the just before Alfred & Heidi's wedding.

This morning was the Riverbend Run and I must say it was quite enjoyable. Mom and I participated in it with Dad. Just to clarify, he did the 10K and we did the 5K. It was a little tougher than expected but didn't kill us!!! I think this was my first one since last year's Peachtree. My official time was 37:28 and I'm rather happy with that. It was fun spending the morning w/Mom & Dad after the race. Oh and Pop placed 3rd in his age group!!! It was also neat because as I was jogging over the bridge I saw Brittany's husband, Jimmy. Brittany if you were there I hate that I didn't get to see you & Ada!

Towards the end of the race I saw father and his little girl and they reminded me so much of Dad and me at my first race. The dad, Hunter, kept encouraging his daughter, Savannah, to keep going and that they were almost there. "Just a little bit longer, you're doing great." Well, I usually talk to strangers. Surprised? Didn't think so. :) So I started to tell her she was doing great and asked them their names. I also told Hunter that he reminded me of my father and assured him that was a good thing. It was a rather heart warming finish to that race and made my heart smile.

Ok peeps, I'm off to bed. Getting home after midnight last night and getting up at 6:00 this MORNING don't mix well...

Keep it real.

All I can say is wow...

He knows what we need! I had planned to just crash early but didn't that didn't happen. I decided to get out an old journal and start that back up again. In the process I found something I forgot purchasing months ago. A book by Beth Moore, "Discovering God's Purpose for your Life."

Hello! Coincidence? I think not! It was like one of those big flashing billboards that Tammy and I want sometimes. "My determined purpose is that I may know Him, that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person." Philippians 3:10 (Amplified Bible) Beth talks about how there is a constant dispute going on within us between our inner man & things of the Spirit. To truly know our purpose we are to truly know God. In knowing his character, we are to learn his plans. DUH! This has been said to me by others before in different words and it was like a light bulb went off above my head...ding ding ding!!!

Then when I signed on here I saw two precious comments that reaffirmed God's knowing his plans and that I'm right where I'm supposed to be. God used you two ladies tonight in that!

A lot of you know the main thing I said after going through Tres Dias. "I got my joy back." Well this quote from the book makes me all happy inside. "He is determined to pursue you because He knows the greatest joy in your life will come from His plan for you."

Isn't God great? He meets us where we are and always comes through!

Sleep Sweet.

Life

The past few days have been kinda blah. In all honesty, I don't know all of why I feel this way. Part of it is because the devil is trying to get at me like he does us all. Today marked 5 years from my high school graduation and I'm not anywhere close to where I feel I should be. I'm frustrated with myself for getting so far off track. College diploma? Nope. Married? Nope. Permanent job? Nope. Oh and I started to backslide with my eating and have gained a little weight back...that's just frustrating because I knew I was doing it and at the time I didn't do anything about it.

As I was typing the above, God reminded me of something that I've been ignoring all day...Whose standards do we compare to? The world's. I'm human and I admit it and it just ticks me off. I'm unorganized, selfish, petty and the list goes on. Thankfully there is God that loves me and has a plan...I just wish I knew what that plan was. There is no need to compare myself to anyone's life because mine is different. Please pray that the Lord's plan will be revealed to me or that I would receive some sort of peace or direction about where I'm going. I must say, I'm glad HE knows and is in control because there is no telling what kind of trouble I'd be in if it were up to me!

What now? I'm back on the healthy wagon, trying to dive deeper in the the Word (easier said than done for me) and am about to sleep. The only option is to hold tight to the Father and to keep moving forward right? Grrrr...sometimes words come back to bite ya in the rear? It sure does make feeling sorry for yourself hard to do. Started this one out all bummed and am kinda refreshed now. He's a great God huh?

Holla!
Jen

Thank You. Hold up, I'm a redneck...Thank Y'all.

I went back and forth about posting this before or after work and have a little time so here it goes...


Thank you all for your support and encouragement with my weight loss/getting healthy. I have appreciated you more than you know. It's been so helpful to me to keep going with it on days that I get frustrated. Special props goes out to Mom who has been awesome but we already knew that!!


It's official folks, I stepped on the scale this morning. 20 POUNDS DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 20.2 to be exact but who's counting? Oh wait, that'd be me! :)

*Jen-Dawg (Oh, that's my nickname from Ryan...it's fun.)

Reflections

Something to ponder...what do you reflect?

I want to share with you something from a bible study I'm doing. It really reminded me of something me tonight! It's one that I felt called to go through again. "Becoming a Woman of Purpose"

2 Corinthians 3:18
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit"

"The on marvelous secret of a holy life lies not in imitating Jesus, but in letting the perfections of Jesus manifest themselves in my mortal flesh. Sanctification is "Christ in you." It is HIS wonderful life that is imparted by faith as a sovereign gift of God's grace." - Oswald Chambers

I'll be the first to admit that I do not always reflect the Lord's glory. But that is a growing desire of mine. He has blessed me with so much more than I ever could deserve and I don't show enough gratitude or praise for that. By wearing my emotions on my sleeve, it's evident to others where my heart is that day...and all too often it's not glorifying God. His glory reigns and is shown in everything around us. Whether it be from the smile and laugh of a child or in the gorgeous stars at night. So let's try and reflect that gorgeous glory of our creator!!

"To God be the glory great things he hath done." ----TRUE THAT YO!

*Jen

GirlsJust Wanna Have FUN!!

These two little girls bring so much joy to the lives of my family and many others. I've said it before and will many times more...I love them "a whole stinkin bunch!" There really is never a dull moment in our crazy family. Below are just a few pictures of the past few weeks..



Here's Ella the day she got her ears pierced! She's looking so grown up and is definitely a big ole mess!


Maddie and I chilled out at my house for a little while yesterday afternoon and took a few silly pictures...here's one that she requested be put on my blog. As many of you know, I've taught your kids to say "peace out yo" and a few other "gangsta" sayings. Maddie's peace out is a little backwards but it's so cute!

Goofy girls!!! I'm not sure what inspired the little pink and little blue riding hood attire but it certainly suits them. How cute are they?

*Jen