A dogs companionship

Ok, so how couldn't you fall for this dog right?! Well, this is my parents dog Tanner who has been around since my junior year of HS. She has been my 'sister' through many joys and sorrows that have come in and out of my life over the past several years. She is quite a listener and rarely if at all talks back to me or gives me grief.

So, why do I post about Tanner today. Well, we about lost Tanner today due to severe circumstances with finding out she was anemic yesterday and could've had other issues we weren't aware of involving her sicknesses recently. She didn't act quite right all summer my parents have told me and when I was back in Ohio ovee Labor Day I could tell something was going on with her.

To make a long story short, the vet said yesterday that they could do surgery which was really risky at this point for her and that she might not even make it through. After my parents talked about it last night, they were going to see about putting her to sleep bc they didn't want to see her suffer. Of course my mom was upset and didn't want to see this happen. So as my mom watched my dad take Tanner to the Vet yesterday, she didn't think she would be seeing Tanner again. A little bit later, she heard the phone ring and it was my dad. He decided to give the surgery a shot today. My mom left me a message last night about it and told me that she would keep me posted today. Well, I knew that this was going to be hard for me to see Tanner go, but if it meant she wouldn't suffer I would have to deal with it. I will admit this AM I broke down and cried a bit while praying that God would do His will in this manner knowing it was a dog and not human. I believe that God does care about our requests big or small. Later today, I found out she made it through and was going to be going home tomorrow! I'm hoping that she will be able to recover at home and be ready for a Jenny hug when I go back in November for my brothers wedding.

I love my dog and I'm not afraid to admit it!

Day Off

Last Monday, I had the day off so I decided to take advantage of going outside and enjoying God's creation. It was beautiful 'fall' day here with the high being 75, light winds, and no humidity! I found a green way a mile down the road and thought I would go read and journal some goals for myself. As I entered the green way, it was like my attitude was elevated to another level. The grass smelled good, the birds were singing, the sun was shining and the wind was blown! I found myself in complete amazement of how a God can place trees, rocks, birds, grass, and etc. in such a perfect way. I walked for about a mile until I found a bench that was a step away from the path. There wasn't much room to sit on the ground as I was hoping, but none the less, I was sitting on a bench in 'nature'. Mind you, I was still in the city, but it was definitely refreshing! As I got ready to get out Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels, I noticed I forgot a pen to write with. I was really excited about writing down goals and was disappointed that I forgot it. So I ended up going over some verses in my Bible as well as skimming over the book. I read this book for one of my CSO Leadership classes and a part in the book was mentioned to me a few days before by a fellow Tim who took this class with me. He was encouraging me about developing vision, recapturing and following passion, and how we need to dream big about what we want to accomplish and allow God to work in each of those areas of our lives. The reason this is significant is because I believe God is up to something in my life right now and I need to make sure I'm on board!

So as I read looked through the chapters, I was reminded of how much vision is lost to those who are afraid they will fail in it and don't move forth in their vision or lose sight soon after they start sharing and going after it. The book talks about Bill's experience as the pastor at Willow Creek Church in Chicago about his journey with vision and the local church. There are some cool quotes that I will share in another post. If you haven't read this book, I would highly suggest it.

After reading and soaking up His goodness, I walked back to my car thinking what a great day to be alive!

Girls Night Out

Ann, Kate, and Mari-Ann

Amanda and Jen

Jen and Mari-Ann

Mari-Ann and Ann

Friday night about 20 women from around Charlotte got together for dinner. This meeting was coordinated by Mari-Ann's friend, Jenni, so that women could get connected to each other in the city for a GNO. It was good to get out and meet some other women that I'm not connected with through work or my life group. After dinner, we caught up outside the place with some guy friends of ours and other new people. Mari-Ann and Ann are in my life group through Forest Hill, Kate is Ann's co-worker and Amanda and I went to IWU together. We met randomly in a church parking lot over a year ago.

Below is a picture of Maia (roommate) and I at festival in the park on Saturday night. It was like a giant fair placed in a park. It was fun and super busy.

Psalm 23

Pics over Labor Day Weekend

Phil, Jen , & Will

Phil and fiancee Katlin

Jen & Grammy Num - Nums

Mari - CC Meet at Columbus Grove

Cassie - Crestview HS Cheerleaders @ VW Fair

Lifehouse Skit

Please watch this skit with music performed by Lifehouse. What a powerful testimony of the gospel of Christ!

Tribute Commercial

This video was shown to me a few months ago by Bob Schindler. I still can't express to you the emotions that continue to run through my heart every time I see it. Remember to keep praying for our men and women overseas.

Monopoly

So I heard a real cool analogy on Wednesday from the women's ministry leader at Christ Covenant church where I'm currently working part-time.

We had a women's lunch with the ladies working at the church. As we entered the room, the director, Susan, handed us a monopoly card and we were to sit at the table that had the same color of card that matched ours. As we all did this, we found player's piece to the game in front of us. We began the time with her giving us a question that we were to answer at our tables while we ate. The question was, "what do you think the object of your life is about right now?"

The reason why she posed this question was because she had us answer the object of monopoly, which is to buy, sell, and trade to have the most property / money at the end of the game.

So our table was quite about what they would say their life's object or purpose is right now. One lady answered and then I chimed in, which is not my personality to do so right away in a group. This is an area that God has been working on in me the last 2 years and be more confident and uncomfortable to share within a group.

I stated that my life's object right now is to enjoy the journey and be content on where He has me. To know that the destination is not as important as the journey. For the journey, the process is the point. I tend to focus on what's next largely due to the uncertainty of where, what , and how God is leading me to serve. Since I've been in Charlotte, I've moved 4 times (this last move being the 4th) , I've served in 3 different churches as an intern, I've struggled financially (God has been more than Faithful in that), I've worked part-time at "The Fitch" and CSO part-time / full-time for a year. Needless to say, nothing has been permanent except for my Rock, Jesus Christ. He has provided me with an amazing community here that I still can't fathom and has allowed me to visit my family in Ohio every few months, which has been awesome. I've experienced a range of emotions along with doubt (sometimes I still do) in all of these areas, but am reminded daily that in all of these things, God is preparing me for what is to come. I may not know now what He is up to, but confident in His perfect timing He will reveal some if not all of these circumstances were for something He has in the bigger picture. He has in my JOURNEY to get me to where I need to be to love and serve Him.

So getting back to the thought I want to share from this topic on monopoly and objects in life. Susan wanted to point us to the analogy of monopoly and life. The two things she pointed out that would last in eternity would be 1. our relationship with Christ 2. our relationships with other people. She said this was a theme for her life right now in that she too is trying to allow God to use her in this journey to know how to serve and love Him and others more. She was reading a book by John Ortberg, It All Goes Back in the Box, and wanted to share with us that the things around us that the end of our life, but those 2 things will go back into the box.

Just like in the game of monopoly, our things will all go back into the box.

Wow! I really thought this analogy was cool. How true is that we (myself included) are always concerned about the pieces that go back into the box rather than what we get to take with us at the end of it all.

We were able to take the player piece in front of us so we would be reminded that it all goes back in the box at the end of the day. I need to remember that when I'm not enjoying the journey and working on the 2 things that will last!

Home

So, it's been a while again since I've last posted. I'm really going to try to post more regularly with pictures and with thoughts about what is going on in my heart.


Well, I have moved into the apartment (House as Maia and I like to call it) that I mentioned in my last post. We moved in the weekend of August 25. I'm planning on posting some pictures tomorrow or Friday of the place that we have decorated so far.

Can I get an AMEN about having a house of something that gives women security! I can't tell you how exciting it is to have a place that is partially mine. The freedom of watching T.V, of cooking, of hanging out, and etc. brings me joy and excitement that hasn't been there in a really long time. It's really not the things that I enjoy so much as it is the way I'm able to enjoy them.

As I'm writing this post, I know without a doubt that God's timing in where I would be staying and with whom is perfect. He was preparing this for months and has know brought some of it in the light. All the while, I can say that God is Good!

As far as roommates, Maia is a perfect fit. We are still in the process of getting to know one another, but can't tell you how blessed I've been by our conversations. It's like you barely know the person, but you feel like you known them for years. This is the way that I feel about Maia at this point. I know we will continue to build our friendship as days, weeks, and months go by, but God has proven Himself faithful in allowing me this time to share with Maia.
I appreciate her efforts in getting to know me and for taking the time to ask how my day went. In this way, her older sister Courtney and her are alike. They are good at asking questions and letting you know that they care about you.

So a shout out to both of them for loving me and sharing their lives on good and bad days.
Thanks ladies!

So more thoughts to share tomorrow....