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Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Living Generously.

Do you live generously? Are you generous with what you have to offer? I'm not talking about money. I'm talking about your heart, your time, your talents, you words. Do you give freely of whatever you have to offer at the moment?  



I think when most people think of giving and being generous, they always think of money. Sure, money is important and giving money when you can is equally important. But money isn't all there is to living generously. Living generously is about being generous with everything you have to offer.

"We have been given much not so we can increase our standard of living; We've been given much so we can increase our standard of giving."

You will be enriched in every way so you can be generous on every occasion, and your generosity... will result in thanksgiving to God.
2 Corinthians 9:11

I have been really examining my life and how I spend it. My heart is heavy knowing that I don't do enough with what I have been given. Our pastor made this statement during his sermon on Sunday. "You don't need equipment to serve...You are the equipment."
I get stuck in the mindset that I don't have any thing to give. It's really not about the things. I have already been given everything I need to give what I have, where I am. I challenge you as I am challenging myself... Give. Give generously. Give your time, give a hug or a smile, give encouraging words, give your talents, give whatever you can to whoever might need it. God calls us to be servants. In serving, we are giving. Live generously. Even when you think you have nothing to offer. Serve graciously. It's what we are called to do. 

Happy Tuesday, Y'all!
Jen

Monday, January 28, 2013

Crazy Weekend.

Y'all... I had such a busy weekend. And if I am being honest, I just don't have anything to say. I have a lot on my mind, just not sure how to put it into words yet. I will get there. Promise. I worked all day Saturday and most of the day Sunday. I have to work all day today, and I have class from 6-9:30. Lucky me. Any who...I hope y'all had a great weekend! Can't wait to read all about it!! Here's a selfie just for laughs =)


Happy Monday, y'all!
Jen

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Wet Cement.

A while back I was having a conversation with a good friend. I was really frustrated and annoyed. Just having one of those days where I felt like everything was falling apart. I am such a free spirit but I really wish I had more of a plan. Anyway, we were talking about life in general and how much my life has changed in the last 5 months, and what's to come. I was complaining that my life just wasn't what I thought it would be by 25. I thought I would have a career and a family of my own, and I really don't have either. I got out of a long relationship, moved, and I started a new class. I really feel like I am starting all over. And most days I don't have the motivation to keep going. Not that I don't want more, I just wish I already had it. Some times, I'm just a train wreck. You know, I'm learning life all over again, what's good for me and what's not... who I need to eliminate and who is worth keeping around, who I can and can't trust. I think, sometimes, we begin to define ourselves by who we are around the most. Be it a man or our friends or our parents. Whoever. I did. I defined myself by who I was dating. When it ended, I had no idea who I was. Not.A.Clue. I didn't know what I liked, or what made me happy. I told my friend that I just felt weak. I just don't know another way to describe it. And his response to me was so powerful and I have not been able to stop thinking about it. This was his response...

"You have got to realize that it is your choice to be strong or to be weak. It's your choice, and if you choose to be weak, then it's on you and no one else. You are starting over and that's okay. Right now, as a woman, you are defining who Jennifer will be for the next 5, 10, 15+ years. Your foundation as a woman isn't broken but it's brand new, like wet cement...It's been poured and it is in the process of curing and strengthening. It is still weak and has the potential for massive failure if it's not protected from random pedestrians. Random pedestrians who just want to write their names and put their hand prints in the wet cement to leave a permanent mark on it's surface."




My previous foundation had so many names and hand prints on it that I couldn't even see my own. Those names, hand prints and foot prints were defining who I was. At the beginning of this year, I made commitments. I committed to my Savior and to myself. I committed to be healthier, happier, stronger, wiser, more brave, and smarter. With all of those things came a new foundation. But, it is still new. It's not completely cured. The only name written in this foundation will be my own. The only imprints made on this foundation will be mine, the things that define me, the things that make me happy. Who I am is all that will be written. I will no longer be defined by this world and other people and what they think I should or shouldn't be. I am learning to be who the Lord created me to be. Just as real cement in a foundation has to cure and harden over time, my own foundation must become solid and strong.  I will make sure that my belief in Christ and the word of God is what I stand on each day and I will force myself to go deeper.

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Matthew 7:24-27

It's a great feeling to wake up and make the choice to no longer be weak. It's an even better feeling to have a foundation that is my own, that I am building. 

Jamison, Thank you so much for your inspiration and your wisdom. Love you forever, friend!



Happy Thursday, y'all!


Jen



Monday, January 21, 2013

Weekend Recap.

I had a great weekend! It was pretty laid back and relaxing. I love weekends like that!! We cooked dinner at home Friday night and I finally got to watch Pitch Perfect! It was so so good! Easily one of my new favorites! It was just hilarious!



Saturday I went hiking at Oak Mountain with some of my favorites! It was my 101 in 1001 list so I got to cross something off this weekend =) You can check out my list HERE. We had sooo much fun! It was a pretty good hike, but we finally made it down to Peavine Falls! It was a beautiful day and there were so many people out! It was a great workout for my bootay, that's for sure! We really had a ton of fun!!

Me, Jc, Tori & Lori!

JC and I with the falls behind us.

JC and I at the very top of Oak Mountain!

Saturday night I had dinner with a friend and then we went bowling! I love to bowl but I am really really bad at it! Haha! Sunday was church and a lazy day! Back at work today and starting a new class tonight!! I hope you all had a great weekend, too!!

Happy Monday, y'all!!
Jen

Friday, January 18, 2013

Friday Letters.

Today, I am linking up with Ashley at The Sweet Season for Friday Letters. Y'all should check her out!!!

Photobucket

Dear Snow, I am really glad you came, but I am really, really sad that you left as quickly as you came. I miss you already =/. Please come back soon!!
Dear TJMaxx, please stop being so packed full of things you make me think I need. You are taking all my monies and I don't appreciate it. 
Dear Coffee, Thank you for helping me through this week! I couldn't have done it without you!!
Dear Tervis, thanks for the new designs!! I LOVE my new Bama cup with the polka dots! Yay!
Dear Sunshine, thank you so much for showing your face today!! You make all this cold weather not so bad! I hope I get to see more of you!
Dear Dell, I hate your products. That is all.

The end.
Happy Friday, y'all!
Jen

Thursday, January 17, 2013

It's OK Thursday!!

It's Thursday! It's also my Friday! Yayy! I love only working 4 days a week! Linking up with Amber and Neely for It's OK Thursday! You should join us!!

Its Ok Thursdays

Today, It's OK...
-That I am so sore from doing to days of a Jillian Michaels workout that I am possibly going to skip it today. I mean, I can barely walk. Out of shape much?
-THAT IT'S GOING TO SNOW IN ALABAMA. Nothing crazy for real...the people go crazy! Everyone has been out buying milk and bread!! I will try and build a snow man =)
See, no bread! Haha!
-That I wore a sweatshirt to work even though I am not supposed to.  It's a nice Alabama sweatshirt and  it's so cold outside!!!
-That I have a whole long list of things to do today and I don't think I will do any of them. Some days you just don't feel like it.
- That I am not excited about our office moving. Moving is just such pain. Especially when there is tons and tons of paperwork involved!
-That I am going to listen to Dave Matthews alllllllllll day!
-That that is all I have to say today.

Have a great day, y'all!!
Jen

Monday, January 14, 2013

Monday and Loving One Another.

It's Monday...again! Mondays seem to come way too fast! I didn't blog this weekend. I wasn't crazy busy...I just didn't have anything to say. I started Weight Watchers last Monday, so I weighed in today. I'm impressed with the weight loss so far. I'm feeling really good about it and I'm not hungry at all. It really is a lifestyle change. I'm learning to make healthier choices all around. I also started a fast last Monday. No Book of Face, no cokes and no alcohol. That's also going well, I don't miss any of it. I did really want a glass of wine the other night, but it passed. Welcome to all of my new followers! I can't wait to get to know you all!!  Don't forget about the giveaway I am hosting with tons of other great bloggers! You can enter HERE.

I have had so much on my mind lately. Last week wasn't the best for me. I've been focusing a lot on loving others. It's been really heavy on my heart lately. Do you love others like Jesus does? Do you offer forgiveness as freely as it is offered to you? I know I don't. 



I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].
John 13:34-35



Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgive and disregard the offenses of others].
1 Peter 4:8
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32

There are so many scriptures in the Bible about how we are to love one another and treat one another. Some days I don't think its possible to "have intense and unfailing love for one another".  We all have those people or that person that just absolutely gets under our skin. And usually about really silly things. God loves us unconditionally. Literally. Seriously. It doesn't matter what we've done or how bad it was. He loves us. Always. If our goal is to be Christ-like, shouldn't we also love others just as he would? I know it's not an easy task. Especially when your feelings are hurt or you feel as though you've been wronged. How many times a day do you think you hurt Gods feelings? Or disappoint Him? And He loves us anyway =). Not only does he love us anyway, He forgives us! Time and time again. Every.Single.Day. Forgiveness must also be done in love. The more you love like Jesus does, the easier it is to forgive those who have wronged you. If God can forgive them for their wrong doings, shouldn't you? I think so.  So today, spread a little love somewhere you wouldn't normally. Do your best to love like Jesus loves YOU and  ME! Someone needs your love more than you know!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Champions.

Can I get a Roll Tide?!  I love those Alabama boys. (Even if AJ does have an Auburn girlfriend and a horrible chest tattoo) It's a great day to be from Bama.  Headlines read "Alabama is now a dynasty. The best we've ever seen. The best there's ever been."

The front page of the Birmingham News today.

I am sad for Notre Dame... Their players and fans. I can't imagine how hard it must be to work towards something for months and months and then not get it. I think they could have played better, but I also don't think there isn't much that can prepare you to play a team like Alabama.

Just a few things I want to point out...
-Alabama became the third team to win three national titles in four seasons since polls started being used to crown champions in 1936, and the first since Nebraska from 1994-97.
-Tide coach Nick Saban now has won four national championships. Only Alabama's Paul "Bear" Bryant, with six, has more.
-Alabama had 529 yards. The Irish defense came in allowing 286 per game. WHAT?!? Holy offense!
-It was 28-0 before halftime against a team that allowed more than 20 points just once all season. ( I really don't think they had any idea who they were facing)

And my favorite quotes of the night...

To win it again Monday was special. To do it against Notre Dame, Alabama’s historical nemesis, was memorable.

To leave no doubt on the scoreboard leaves no doubt in the debate.

This was history. This is a dynasty.

The best we’ve ever seen. The best there’s ever been.
 

 
 Barret Jones talking about coach: “He’s awesome,” Jones said. “A lot of people see him as this hard, slave-driver kind of guy, but man, he loves his players, and we love him. He demands the best from us, and that’s why we love him.”
 

 
"They could’ve saddled up the Four Horsemen on Secretariat. Brought back the Gipper with an experimental injection of stem cells. Flown Touchdown Jesus in on the blimp and put Rudy in the game from the start. It wouldn’t have mattered."


Okay. That's all I'm going to say about it. Well, Roll Tide!
Now I'm done!
Happy Tuesday, Y'all!
Jen

Monday, January 7, 2013

Fasting.

Today is a huge day! I am starting Weight Watchers and I am starting a 4 week fast from lots of things.The Book of Face, junk food, carbonated beverages, and alcohol. I don't drink much, but I won't be drinking at all. Not even a celebration drink when Alabama wins tonight. ROLL TIDE!!!
 
 
 

I'm hoping that this fast will allow to spend a lot of time in prayer strengthing my relationship with God and help me to be much more productive with my down time instead of spending hours and hours on the Book of Face. Besides, all the faces I really need to see are close to me!

That's all I've got for today. I'm pretty hungry and I little cranky... I'll have something for y'all tomorrow =)

Happy Monday, Y'all!
Jen

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Dating Part 2: How to wait...

This is Part 2 of a 3 part series. If you are new to my little blog, you can read Part 1 HERE.



Being lonely sucks. I get it. Waiting sucks. I get it. Even dating sucks sometimes. I promise, I really get it. Don't think of it like that... Think of it as preparation. This is the time you need to prepare yourself to be a best friend, a good partner and a great wife. So what can you do to prepare yourself for "The One"? I'm glad you asked...

  • First of all, you are not alone. You are never alone. "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10
  • Seek the Lord in all you do and protect your heart. Especially through this process.Our eyes are the gateway to our hearts and our tongue speaks life into things, good or bad that have an eternal impact on who we are today and who God wants us to be tomorrow. Be mindful during this time to guard your heart no matter how weak or lonely you get. 



  • Harness your tongue. What you say is a direct reflection of your heart. "Her mouth speaks from that which fills her heart." Luke 6:45.
  • Surround yourself with people who lift you up. Seek Godly leadership from those who have been in your shoes.
  • Take time for yourself. Go shopping, hang out with your girlfriends, have a glass of wine. Do the things you love to do. Enjoy yourself, love yourself.
  • Pray for your future. Pray for your future career, boyfriend/husband, and children. Pray continuously.
  • Be a great friend, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, granddaughter, employee. Whatever you are, be the best that you can be at it.
  • Be a good communicator. Communicate daily with those around you. Learn to communicate in a healthy way. Learn to have healthy discussions and disagreements. Learn when words are needed and when you should communicate without them.
  • Be a woman of integrity. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Always do what you say you're going to do. ALWAYS.
  • Be honest with yourself and those around you. Stand up for what you believe in and be yourself no matter what. Someone will love you for you.
  • Be forgiving. Forgiveness is the key to freedom. If you can learn to forgive easily, you can do anything. All good relationships are made up of two good forgivers. "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:14-15.
  • Learn to compromise. It's not all about you. I know, I was shocked to learn that, too. But it's not. Any good relationship is made up of two people who know how to compromise. Even when they don't want to.
  • Be passionate. About something. Anything. I don't care what it is. Your job, your hobbies, your workouts, your church. Something. Find something you love and give it your all.
  • Respect yourself. Respect yourself enough to walk away when necessary. Respect yourself enough to say no when you need to. No one else is going to if you don't. Especially not a man.
  • Be confident. We all have our weaknesses. Be confident in the woman God has created you to be. You are wonderfully made.
  • Remember that you are enough.God created you just as you are. Good enough, strong enough, pretty enough, brave enough, wise enough, smart enough. YOU are enough. Do not compare yourself to anyone else. Spend every day being the best you that you can be. You will be. No one can take that away from you.

  • You can read Part 3 HERE.
    Have a great Thursday, y'all!!
    Jen
    xoxo