How You Live

Great song with a great message!

- Jenn

What I Want vs. What God Wants

I often times find myself thinking about what I want or what I think that I need. As I've been thinking these things I've been reminded that it's not about me. If I sat down and made a list of the things that I want and/or need, it would look something like this...

• A job
• A bigger apartment or a house
• To live close to my family and friends
• To start a family of our own
• To lose weight so that I can look and feel better

... and the list would go on and on. But I've realized that it's not about me, it's about God. I'm reminded that God has promised to supply all of my needs not all of my wants. Even though it's so hard to remember this and to cling to this, it's something that I need to do.

To be honest with you, I've been discouraged and sad lately. I graduated a month ago and had an interview for a job which I thought was perfect for me and felt confident that I would get it. It turns out that I didn't get it. I know that this was God's plan, but I was discouraged that it didn't work out. Since then I've been looking for a job without a whole lot of luck. I found out today that to substitute in the public schools I need to have my state certification in my hands. I don't have that yet - it's still being processed. Because of that I can't sub yet. Yet again I find myself discouraged, but I'm being reminded that it's not about what I want - it's about what God wants. In his timing He'll provide the perfect job for me.

Since I've been sitting around the house because of my lack of employment, I've also found myself having a pity party that our apartment "isn't big enough" and "there's not enough space to store things" and just wishing we could live in a different place. I haven't been sitting here thanking God for providing us with a place to live that is warm and gives us a roof over our heads. Again, I've been focusing on what I want instead of what He wants.

I can continue to elaborate on my list of things that I want and how they've been on my heart and mind lately, but I won't. Instead I'll try to begin looking more at the things that God wants instead of the things that I want. It's a hard thing to do, but it's something that I need to continue working on. Afterall, my existence isn't about me, it's all about Him!

- Jenn

It's Been Awhile...

It definitely has been awhile since I actually wrote out a blog post that had some meaning to it. Of course the past several months have been quite hectic with student teaching, holidays, graduation, and more. But now I am going to try to get back into a normal blogging routine. I like to blog - but I just haven't really had the time to do it.

Let's see what's been going on lately....

First of all, I finished my student teaching and graduated from college. It's hard to believe that 5 1/2 years of college are over and I am now a graduate with 2 bachelors degrees - one in Bible and one in Education. Graduation was a great day! It was a nice simple ceremony and I had 7 people there cheering me on (aside from friends and people who work at the school). After graduation we went out to dinner at the Olive Garden and then went to my in-law's house for dessert and hanging out. My mom, dad, sister, nephew, husband, mother-in-law, and father-in-law were all there for me on graduation day. Others would have been there but were unable to be. It was definitely a blessing!

Second, I am officially on the job hunt now. I had an interview for a long term subbing position which I didn't get. But now I am looking for other positions. I haven't found anything yet, but I know that in God's time I will find the perfect job.

Third, Christmas has obviously come and gone. It was definitely a great Christmas. We went to my in-laws' house on Christmas eve and spent time with them, as well as my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. We exchanged gifts there, had dinner, and watched a movie. It was a lot of fun. On Christmas morning Josh and I opened our gifts at home together. It was a blessing to spend our second Christmas together. On Christmas afternoon we headed up to my parents' house for the rest of the weekend. My sister and her fiance hosted our whole family at their house for a great dinner. Then we opened gifts and visited with family. It was a great Christmas all around!

Of course the New Year has also come. It's hard to believe that it's 2010 already! Time sure does fly! I'm eager to see what God has in store for us this New Year. There are alot of things on our hearts and minds and alot of decisions to make, but it's exciting to see where God is going to take us and to see what He is going to do in and through us!

I guess that's about it for today. Hopefully I'll be better at blogging now that I have more time!

- Jenn

Merry Christmas!

Just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Remember the real meaning of Christmas as you celebrate - the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

- Jenn

The Few, The Proud...

... the Marines. Today is their 234th birthday and on this day I just want to say happy birthday to all Marines (I would say past and present, but once a Marine always a Marine). A huge thank you to each and every one of you for all of the sacrifices that you make for our freedom and for your willingness to stand up and fight for our country.

I'm so privileged to be married to a Marine - the finest man that I know. I'm so thankful for his willingness to serve our country and do everything that he's called to do in order to ensure that we live in a free nation. I'm also privileged to have a father who served in the Corps and in Vietnam. Thanks to both of these amazing men in my life for showing me what it means to truly be proud to be an American.

But on this 234th birthday, if you know a Marine or see one on the streets, take a minute to thank them for all that they do and to wish them a happy birthday. It's because of them that we live in the free nation that we do today.

- Jenn

Wow...

Watch our friend Glenn Beck has to say. Crazy, scary stuff. But nothing that we haven't been warned about before....



- Jenn

Sometimes Forgotten

I saw this video on YouTube today and I just had to post it. So many times we only hear the horrible things about war and we don't hear what good our men and women are doing and how they're helping others. Sometimes we simply forget the good things and choose to look at the bad. This video highlights the good things that are going on - how others are being helped by our country's men and women who have volunteered to serve us. They deserve our gratitude, not our criticism!

- Jenn