God has blessed me with two Jennifers in my life. One, I've known for years, the other, a little over a year. I often wonder what I ever did to deserve the friendships that I have, and to this day I still dont know.
One of the Jennifers, the one I've known the longest is like my kid sister. My mom will sometimes call me laughing, having read one of our comments to each other-usually with name calling involved. Chickenhead, dork, Kiki, Jenny, its all been used before. We have so many things in common. We both have two children, she has boys, I have girls. She may eventually be crazy enough to have a third, but thats all her, I want no part of that!
She inspires me to think outside of the box. She is creative, even if I make fun of her creativity, I really love it, but its my job to aggravate the kids sister right? We are alot alike with our attitudes, shes my "google queen", and I'm her "pick your battles" friend. She is a wonderful person, a little timid compared to me and Traci, but a wonderful person. We can have fun together, because we both accept our differences, we dont have to be attached at the hip when we shop, and we are pretty honest with each other. Jennifer is one to nicely break things to you.
She has really had alot on her mind lately. Our conversations have changed. So my prayer for her is that one day she will know "her worth". I want her to know how creative she makes me, and how she laughs at her husband and enjoys his humor, how her eyes light up when she thinks of her children. We are both sentimental "fruit loops". I say that lovingly, because we both get choked up when thinking about our families and the memories of our childhood. Jennifer, know that you are worth the hand of your husband walking beside him and not behind him, the breathe of your boys that you gave them, the push you give me to get out of my comfort zone, and an ear to listen to anyone who needs it. Love ya Chickenhead!
The other Jennifer, one that I have known for such a short time, but I feel like I have known her forever is the truest form of faith that I have ever seen.
One morning, when Mallory was still a baby, I was dropping her off at the church daycare. My mother in law had been telling me about a little girl at their church that was really sick with cancer a few weeks before. As I am walking Mal in, I pass a woman, her young son, and her daughter. At that moment, I knew who the little girl was, I choked back my tears until I was safely back in my car, and then in the quiet, I lost it. I was a mother hurting for another mother. I didnt know her at all, but God did. It was then that God began really working in my life.
For a long time after we starting to go to the same church, my heart ached for Jennifer anytime I thought about her. Just a few short weeks later, Emilee died, but that is where Jennifers inspiration really started. She still engulfed herself into our childrens ministry, and even though I knew and still know that her heart breaks everyday, her faith in God has pushed me on the days I forgot my faith. She is one of the most inspiring people I have ever had the chance to know. God put her in my life to fully show me what faith should be.
Jennifer is such a sweet person, she has been plagued with an unimaginable loss, but to meet her, you wouldnt know it. She is the one that Christ shows His face through. A gleaming light for the world to see, without any sign of tragedy. She has taught me more than I could ever repay. A friend and I were talking one day about her finding someone to love her like she deserves to be loved, but to us there is nobody good enough for her. She deserves so much more than any one person could ever give her. One of her treasures is waiting on her in Heaven, the other beside her. Jennifer, I hope you realize what an inspiration you are to so many people. You are a light for Christ, more than you know. Love ya sista girl!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Be Still & Know I Am God
Our lives are so busy, its rare that we ARE still long enough to hear from Heaven. I've always said in talking to people that I'm a little stubborn. I am not one that God can gently tap on the shoulder and I will listen-its more like UFC fighting when He pops me in the back of the head.
I am convicted everyday, which to me means I am walking with Him. Because just like with our parents, we didnt feel guilty unless we thought we were going to get caught. The mercy He provides us is undeserving.
For months a friend and I have been toying around with the idea of starting a new business. I have been faithfully praying about what Gods plan was for me. Those of you that know God also know that He works on His time not ours. A month or so ago, Jennifer and I were talking and we decided that this was it, it was time, so we sat down and wrote out a game plan. Our purpose is to brighten the lives of people, and do something we both enjoy.
Hopefully we will begin booking home parties next month. As the blessings pour in, we also want them to pour out. Our hope is that we keep God in the center of our lives and in doing so we are able to share our profits with those in need.
In giving God the glory.....Sugar Snails Pottery & Gifts is becoming a reality.
I am convicted everyday, which to me means I am walking with Him. Because just like with our parents, we didnt feel guilty unless we thought we were going to get caught. The mercy He provides us is undeserving.
For months a friend and I have been toying around with the idea of starting a new business. I have been faithfully praying about what Gods plan was for me. Those of you that know God also know that He works on His time not ours. A month or so ago, Jennifer and I were talking and we decided that this was it, it was time, so we sat down and wrote out a game plan. Our purpose is to brighten the lives of people, and do something we both enjoy.
Hopefully we will begin booking home parties next month. As the blessings pour in, we also want them to pour out. Our hope is that we keep God in the center of our lives and in doing so we are able to share our profits with those in need.
In giving God the glory.....Sugar Snails Pottery & Gifts is becoming a reality.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
My Sister From Another Mister
God is a truly amazing God. He brings people into your life for lots of reasons-to teach, to love, to hurt, to strengthen, to humble, to mentor, and to inspire. I have friends that do all of these things for me. Traci is my honest, tell you whether it hurts your feelings or not, see the other side of it friend. I feel like we are the same on so many levels. I know that she will tell me what I really need, not just what I think I need.
Being an only child, I never had that sibling connection until Traci. The only thing I feel like we are missing are the genes. We could never NOT be friends, we know too much about the other. ;)
I have so many memories of our 15 year friendship. Where do I begin? We met at a doctors office in Callahan where we both worked. For a few years, it was just me, Traci and Connie. People came in and out but no one ever lasted. We were the only ones tough enough (or stupid enough) to stick it out. We only became closer. The three of us would go shopping in St Augustine, to each others house for parties, out to eat, just the normal stuff.
I couldn't imagine my life without Traci. She is always the one I call when I need the truth. Just a couple of weeks ago I called her, and told her I needed some "Traci" time. Her response was.."uh-oh, I dont know if thats a good thing or not", but she never hesitated, her only question was "what time?" I know that about her. I felt such a relief when that lunch was over, like a weight had been lifted.
She has comforted me through a divorce, chastised me when my priorities weren't right, cried with me when we both lost a wonderful friend, and loved me unconditionally through all of it.
I know that our relationship isnt the same, because we are in two different places in life, but it will never fade. I love her now as much as I ever have, and I know that she loves me too. Life has a tendency to come full circle.
Being an only child, I never had that sibling connection until Traci. The only thing I feel like we are missing are the genes. We could never NOT be friends, we know too much about the other. ;)
I have so many memories of our 15 year friendship. Where do I begin? We met at a doctors office in Callahan where we both worked. For a few years, it was just me, Traci and Connie. People came in and out but no one ever lasted. We were the only ones tough enough (or stupid enough) to stick it out. We only became closer. The three of us would go shopping in St Augustine, to each others house for parties, out to eat, just the normal stuff.
I couldn't imagine my life without Traci. She is always the one I call when I need the truth. Just a couple of weeks ago I called her, and told her I needed some "Traci" time. Her response was.."uh-oh, I dont know if thats a good thing or not", but she never hesitated, her only question was "what time?" I know that about her. I felt such a relief when that lunch was over, like a weight had been lifted.
She has comforted me through a divorce, chastised me when my priorities weren't right, cried with me when we both lost a wonderful friend, and loved me unconditionally through all of it.
I know that our relationship isnt the same, because we are in two different places in life, but it will never fade. I love her now as much as I ever have, and I know that she loves me too. Life has a tendency to come full circle.
Friday, February 5, 2010
My How Time Flies,,,,
Well its been almost 2 weeks since I've blogged, and as the title implies it has flown by. Theres never a dull moment around here. I've tried to be boring, but its just not our style, I guess. Since I last blogged, quite a bit has happened.
About a week and a half ago, I received an alarming "middle of the night" phone call. You know the ones......you automatically know that something bad has happened......and it had. My house that was left to me by my dad burned to the ground. As a child, I stayed in this home every other weekend, summers, and holiday breaks. At first, I didnt have much of a reaction. I was glad that everyone was okay and no one was hurt.
The next morning, I got Mal off to school, and Mabree and I made the two hour drive to see just what the fire had consumed. When I turned at the red light heading to the house, my nerves started to get the best of me. The closer we came, the worse my emotions became. As we pulled into the drive, fire trucks were again battling the reoccuring flair ups. The fire was trapped between a wall, and was continuing to burn. You can't really prepare yourself for anything like the sight of a childhood home no longer standing, but just a smoldering pile of bricks. My mind just kept going back two weeks when my girls and my mom decided to have a camp out in the garage with an air mattress and a tent. The garage was now unrecognizable, with the roof fallen in on the floor. A closer look revealed the metal bracket that held the tent up and what appeared to be the melted plastic of the air mattress.
How humbling can one experience be? How gracious can my God be? As I continued walking around the house time after time, my mind repeatedly went back to the camp out. Then as I stood back and focused on the front porch, the outline of my great grandmothers rocker caught my eye....I gasped. Now only a charred shadow of what it once was. Its one of the very rockers I have blogged about before, a big part of my growing up, and it was gone. The other chair that also graced the front porch was merely ashes in the pile of rubble. I managed to pull one side of the charred rocker out and although only half was in tact, I knew that I had to keep it. No longer functional, but still filled with emotion. It now graces my home, and everytime I see it, I am reminded of the many times that I have sat in it listening to the advice of my grandmother and great grandmother.
Most importantly, I know that the chair is only a piece of wood, one with memories, but still only wood. What I still have are my children and my family. God has once again shown me His face and it is beautiful. One of my favorite inspirations is.....Be still and know I am God. Its rare that any of us are still long enough to see God or to hear Him. But on that morning staring on, the crackling of the wood, and onlookers slowing down, I was still.
About a week and a half ago, I received an alarming "middle of the night" phone call. You know the ones......you automatically know that something bad has happened......and it had. My house that was left to me by my dad burned to the ground. As a child, I stayed in this home every other weekend, summers, and holiday breaks. At first, I didnt have much of a reaction. I was glad that everyone was okay and no one was hurt.
The next morning, I got Mal off to school, and Mabree and I made the two hour drive to see just what the fire had consumed. When I turned at the red light heading to the house, my nerves started to get the best of me. The closer we came, the worse my emotions became. As we pulled into the drive, fire trucks were again battling the reoccuring flair ups. The fire was trapped between a wall, and was continuing to burn. You can't really prepare yourself for anything like the sight of a childhood home no longer standing, but just a smoldering pile of bricks. My mind just kept going back two weeks when my girls and my mom decided to have a camp out in the garage with an air mattress and a tent. The garage was now unrecognizable, with the roof fallen in on the floor. A closer look revealed the metal bracket that held the tent up and what appeared to be the melted plastic of the air mattress.
How humbling can one experience be? How gracious can my God be? As I continued walking around the house time after time, my mind repeatedly went back to the camp out. Then as I stood back and focused on the front porch, the outline of my great grandmothers rocker caught my eye....I gasped. Now only a charred shadow of what it once was. Its one of the very rockers I have blogged about before, a big part of my growing up, and it was gone. The other chair that also graced the front porch was merely ashes in the pile of rubble. I managed to pull one side of the charred rocker out and although only half was in tact, I knew that I had to keep it. No longer functional, but still filled with emotion. It now graces my home, and everytime I see it, I am reminded of the many times that I have sat in it listening to the advice of my grandmother and great grandmother.
Most importantly, I know that the chair is only a piece of wood, one with memories, but still only wood. What I still have are my children and my family. God has once again shown me His face and it is beautiful. One of my favorite inspirations is.....Be still and know I am God. Its rare that any of us are still long enough to see God or to hear Him. But on that morning staring on, the crackling of the wood, and onlookers slowing down, I was still.
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