God is Faithful

Thankful for tangible ways that God reminds me of His faithfulness. Moments of stretching and drawing me closer to Him. Brokenness and joy. Tears and laughter...lots of laughter. God has been so good to me. The mug reminds me of a friend and causes me to pray for her. The bookmark brings me back to a trip to Peru. To friends I most likely will never see again this side of heaven. I may never see them again, but the bookmark reminds me to pray for them wherever they are and whatever they are doing. Though it may have been 10 years ago and I may not even remember their names I do remember the impression they left on me. Their love for the children they worked with and their desire to spread the Gospel. Oh, that I may make an impact on someone else's life like they did on mine. 

Feeling so blessed!

I'm so thankful for the people God has put in my life! Recently I've noticed how surrounded (both local and long distance) I am by people who encourage me in my walk with the Lord. People who share what they are learning and get excited with me over what I am learning. My list of books to read is growing because of recommendations by these friends and I've felt so encouraged lately to dive deeper into Scripture. God is so good!

Bring on the Chapstick!

It's beginning to be that time of year again.
The time of year when I have a chapstick everywhere. My purse, desk, bathroom, nightstand, and pocket of every coat I could possibly wear. I should buy stock in chapstick. Once it starts getting cool and dry here my lips dry out. Now my problem is that I need to find all of the ones I had last year and put them where I need them. Hmmm...what purse did I use last year?
On a completely different note, I have been feeling so thankful lately. All summer long I feel like I was having a pity party about friends. 2 years ago I moved away from my close friends and over the last year 2 of my closest friends in Wisconsin moved away. And I was really feeling sorry for myself. But you know what, just this week God has been showing me how incredibly blessed I am. I really do have so many friends here. It's different now, because I don't have one super close friend that I hang out with almost all week, but I have friends! A couple friends have been so great and started inviting me to go and do things with their families or even just hang out with them in the evenings. I had that in California, but hadn't had here until now. So thankful for these friendships! God is so good to me!

Aunt Jamie

God is so good to me! At times it is hard for me to see my friends with their families. Having a husband and kids is something I had thought I would have by now, but for some reason that is not was God had planned for this season in my life. Instead of having my own kids I've been so blessed to have friends with kids. Their kids have become so dear to me. Just like my niece, they are family to me. Some of them even call me Aunt Jamie. It may be that Aunt Jamie will be the only title I get in my life, and if that is the case I know that God will lead me through that. It's kind of a hard thing to think about. So for now I'm focusing on how thankful I am that the Lord has allowed me the privilege of being a part of these kids lives!

Spring Break with Friends

Last week I was home in CA on my spring break. It was such a wonderful week! I was desperately in need of relaxing and visiting with friends and family. And I returned feeling so renewed and rejuvenated to finish up the school year. 

I'm reminded over and over again how much God has blessed me with good friends. No matter where I have lived God has given me great friends who I can laugh with (lots of laughing), relax with, and grow in my walk with Christ with. It was so wonderful to visit with these dear friends last week. I'm already thinking about my next visit and all the fun we will have! 

Oh the Possibilities of 2016

Found myself day dreaming this morning about 2016.
       Before moving to Wisconsin when I'd think about the year ahead it was pretty predictable. Sure things would come up to change the norm, but all in all it was predictable. I'm not sure if that is a good or bad thing. In one sense I really liked it because like most people I'm not a huge fan of change. But on the other hand it wasn't so good because I would get comfortable and just enjoy my time in my bubble.
       Since my move in 2014 I feel like everything down the road is up in the air and could change at the drop of a hat. And honestly the 2014-15 school year was pretty much like that. Nothing happened like I thought it was going to happen. Now I have NO idea of what 2016 will look like.
       I'm actually looking forward to the end of it so I can look back and see how God orchestrated it all. There are just so many unknowns right now.

• I'm not sure how things are going to go with my job after this school year is over. 
• Since moving here God has provided me with two great friends who've encouraged me so much. In October one moved 2 hours away and the other friend will probably move away this summer. So I'm not sure what my friendships will look like by the end of the year. 
• My church is looking for a new pastor right now. I've really struggled with the person who has stepped into leadership while we've been looking for a new pastor. I do think his heart is in the right place. He wants our church to grow and prosper, but he has legalistic tendencies and often says things that I don't agree with. And he is leading the pastor search so that makes me nervous about the pastor that will come in next. Will I agree with him? Will he be legalistic? Will I need to find a new church? 

See what I mean? A year of unknowns.
As I was day dreaming/worrying about all of this this morning I was reminded of the Psalm we went over in prayer group this week.

Psalm 16
Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you."
As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.
The sorrows on those who run after another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me;
because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

       I could sit around and imagine the possibilities of 2016, but that's all they are possibilities. Instead I need to lean on the only one who has everything in His hand. He will preserve me. He will keep me safe. I only need to trust Him. I really like verses 8-9.
"I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure."
       He is always with me. I have confidence that God will always be at my right hand to hold me secure no matter what comes my way.

Bittersweet time of year

       It's been a while since I've written a new post. It is definitely a busy time of year for me. There are only 3 weeks left of school, which is so crazy to me! But with those 3 weeks comes many events.
       The end of the school year is definitely bittersweet. I'm sad that half of my class will be moving on to a new class next year. They have grown to be so dear to me. Thankfully I'll still see them, but they won't me "my kids" anymore. Teaching at such a small school does have some perks though! The other half of my class will be staying with me for next year! I'm excited to have them for another year. We definitely have our ups and downs, but I'm looking forward to another year of training them and seeing them grow closer to the Lord and stronger in their education.
       The big sweet thing about this time of year is SUMMER!!! I'm super excited to be going home next month!! I'm so looking forward to some time with my family! Honestly don't know how my mom moved to California when she got married without the technology I have now. Even though I don't talk to them every day we are communicating in some way every day. And Skype is a huge help! It's nice to be able to see them every once in a while. I'm also looking forward to some fun time with friends. Apart from my family, I'm not the best at keeping in contact with people who are not living near me. But I'm super thankful for friends who understand that. I love that we can pick up right where we left off. I know things will be different when I get back but I'm just going to enjoy the time I have with them.
       I'm so thankful that the Lord made it possible for me to go home for a good chunk of the summer. I'm not sure if I'll be able to do that next summer or not. Still haven't bought my ticket back to Wisconsin, and I honestly don't know what the rest of the summer, or 2015 for that matter, will hold for me. That is mostly because I'm not sure what my grandma will be doing. But even though I don't know what the future holds I do know who holds the future. My Lord and Savior has everything in His hand. And that everything includes me. I could look at the rest of 2015 with dread, fear and anxiety, but I don't have to do that. I'm sure there will be highs and lows, but in those times I can rest in the Lord and find peace in Him.

{Day 14 - Memory}

Obviously I'm not doing this picture thing is every day! I've been slacking off. 

I have so many fun memories that I randomly chose one. This is from college when my friends and I saw Wicked. I was totally obsessed with Wicked. I have to say that seeing Broadway musicals is one of my favorite things to do. 

This was such a fun night! We got dressed up and drove down to LA along with a bunch of other TMC students. I miss these ladies so much! We all had so much fun with each other. I love being able to keep up with them on facebook. So thankful for the fun memories I have from college. God sure is good to me! 

{Day 12 - Friends}

God has been so good in blessing me with wonderful friendships. I'm reminded of how much God cares for me when I think back on the friendships I've had over the years. There have been seasons in my life where God has placed the exact friend that I needed right then to encourage me and point me to Christ. One of the things I'm the most thankful for in my friendships is that even though I'm not the best at long distant friendships we are able to pick up where we left off when we do talk or see each other.
I have to say that the friendship I'm the most thankful for is from my sister. Growing up we got along ok. We didn't fight all the time like some siblings, but we weren't super close. What's funny is that when I went away to college our friendship clicked. I love my sister so much. I'm so proud of the amazing woman she has become. I love talking with her, shopping with her, watching Doctor Who with her, and our random usies (is that how you spell it?).
Julie, you challenge me to walk closer to the Lord, make me laugh, and bring so much joy to my life. You are beautiful on the inside and out. You are my best friend! I love you!

laugh, cry, and harmonize

I definitely cried last night during our last song.
For the past year and a half I've been so blessed to sing with this girl and her brothers. We've laughed, cried, and harmonized with each other. I feel like they are part of my family.
This is where I dislike change. Its not so much the location change, but the people change. I'm going to miss those three so so much. Thankfully I know I will keep in touch with them and see them when I come to visit. I'm so happy that the Lord gave me the joy of leading worship with them. I was encouraged by each of them every week we sang together. They challenged me to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus as we praise His name. I'm excited to see how God continues to grow each of them closer to Him. I know that God is going to do amazing things in them and through them!

Label: Encouraging

As I've posted before, the last month or so has been full of some discouragement at work. I've had times when I've felt trampled over on a number of occasions. But in the last few weeks God has brought a lot of encouragement into my life. I'm so thankful that He hears our prayers and comes to our rescue. As a result of this hard time I've started a new label in my email account. (I'm kinda a crazy email labeler. If I save it it gets a label and leaves my inbox) My new label is "encouraging." For those times when I need to read something encouraging I can just pop into that file and remember the people God has put into my life and see how they have pointed me to Christ. God has truly blessed me with the people He has put in my life. So many godly people who point me to Christ.

Wichitawesome

Having a great visit with the Writebols!

This is the last week of school!! 

I'm so looking forward to summer. I'll still be working, but the summer day camp is a lot different than my teaching job. It is a little more relaxed. 

I've got to find a fun way to celebrate at the end of the week.
Any good ideas? I'm leaning toward going to see a movie, but I'm open for other ideas.

Here is a list of the things I'm looking forward to this summer. 

I'm really into making lists lately. 

• Visiting the Writebol Family in Wichita. 
• Reading at least one book for fun. 
• Getting a flip-flop tan. 
• Having afternoons off. 
• Planning ahead for the next school year - I probably won't think about that for a few weeks though. :) 
• Working on my cookbook and finishing I hope. 
• Lots of walking. 
• Zumba class at the JC. 
• Spending more time with my family. 
• Fresh tomatoes from my own tomato plant. - I wish there were some now.

I do love summer! 

Jam

A very fun way to spend a morning off of school. It went very fast with the 5 of us. 

Halloween Fun

We had a very fun evening Trick-or-Treating. Dani was TinkerBell and Julie was Captain Hook. What a cute pair! Julie always dresses up to go with Dani's costume. 

These pictures don't show all of the little girls who went with our group. There were a lot of them. It was fun and entertaining. Good times. 

Feeling Blessed

Just in the last week I've felt so blessed.
God is so good and has blessed me wonderful friends and family.

A few weeks ago a co-worker of mine heard me say something about my car window not rolling up or down. Not long after he asked me if I wanted him to fix it for me. He ordered the part and installed it last weekend. It only cost me 50 bucks! I can't even imagine how much it would have cost me if I had taken it in to my mechanic.

And then...today my school computer got fixed!  I honestly wonder what my problem is with the computers at work. I always break them. Actually I really think they just die on me.
Well I've been having issues with this one since I moved my stuff from my art room. Unfortunately our computer guy is busy and hasn't had time to fix it. Well I was talking with a few co-workers this afternoon and they felt bad that my computer still wasn't working. As I was sitting in my room working after school one of my co-workers sent her husband down to take a look at my computer. Then while he was figuring it out another co-worker's husband showed up. Between the two of them they discovered that when the computer was moved to my classroom the high school guys plugged one of the cords into the wrong place.

Those are just two examples of how God has blessed me in the last week. I've also had several people praying for me this week because they knew school was starting. And my family and close friends have been such great encouragements to me. God is so good.

10 years already?!?

Is it weird that during my entire drive home tonight I was thinking about how to blog about my evening? I'm becoming a blog-a-holic! I'm sure all 4 of my readers are just dying to hear about my evening! Ha!

There are many words to describe what my evening was like. Good, weird, sad, awkward, painful, loud, repetitive, and fun. Talk about a very well rounded evening.

Tonight I went to my 10 year high school reunion. 
Has it seriously been 10 years?!

I had the blessing of attending a small Christian school while I was growing (yes - the same one I currently work at). There were 46 people in my graduating class. Many of those people had been attending the school since elementary school (myself included). I liked going to school there. But I have to be honest. I was dreading going to this reunion tonight. I'm not the most outgoing person, but in high school I was worse than I am now. I wasn't sure how I would be around my former classmates. I only went because I knew I would regret not going.
It actually went pretty well.

• It was good to see some old friends. My best friend from high school and I have grown apart some, so it was nice to catch up with her. It was fun to hear what people are up to, and there were several baby bumps in the room. 
• It was really weird to think that it has been 10 years since we all graduated from high school. Time flies! Everyone looked pretty much the same, but different at the same time. Most of the people there tonight are married and many of them have children. 
• It was sad to hear about those from our class who aren't doing well. In high school many people appeared strong in their faith. But I'm not sure how many of the people from my class are living for the Lord now.
• There were a few times when I noticed that I was drifting in the background, kinda how I was in high school. But I tried to get out of my comfort zone and talk to more people. There were some awkward moments though. I don't really know these people that well anymore. With a few people we get through the standard questions and then not know what else to talk about. There would be an awkward pause and then "Well, it was great seeing you." Awkward!
• How was the evening painful you might ask? I wore heels from 2-10 pm today. My feet were killing me!
• Our class president planned the reunion at a nice restaurant in town. The food was amazing. The only problem was that the patio we were on was loud. There were a lot of people in there and we could hardly hear each other. I already have a hard enough time hearing people. By the end of the evening I was feeling hoarse from having to talk so loud. 
• I answered and asked the same questions all evening. "How are you?" "What have you been up to?" "Where are you working?" It was a very repetitive time. 
• Even though I was not looking forward to this reunion I did have a fun time. It was good to see many of those people. We probably had about half of our classmates there. Not a bad turnout. 

4th of July

I had such a wonderful 4th of July weekend. As you may have read, my trip started out with a lot of prayer as I waited to get to Seattle. When I think about it that craziness really helped me rely on God more, so it really was a blessing. 

It was so nice to actually have a vacation. Don't get me wrong, I love my summer job, but everyone needs some sort of vacation. And let me tell you, it was wonderful. 

On the first day my friend Lindsay had to work so I was "stuck" at her house. It was so nice to be able to  have a cup of coffee, spend time in God's word and just take my time in the morning. I loved it. A little before lunch time I went for a walk. This is what I found. 

Isn't that a beautiful view?! And there was more to it than just that. There was no one around. All I had was the view, the sound of a lawn mower and laughter from down on the beach. Even with the sounds it was a peaceful time with Jesus. I was struck by how awesome God is while I was looking out at the water. I really needed that time to get my focus in the right place. 

The rest of the day was spent being lazy. Awww gotta love vacation. 

 On Saturday Lindsay took me over to see her brother and his family. It was so nice to reconnect with them. Their kids have grown so much and they have another one on the way. 

After our visit Linds and I met our friend Ali at a marina where we walked around a farmers market and later on a pier. 

This is where we got a little sunburned. Oops! Didn't even think we were out there that long. 

Then came the long awaited moment. Meeting Jeff. Jeff was actually one of the main reasons why I went up to Seattle. I had to meet the guy who was marrying one of my best friends! I would have felt a little funny being in the wedding and meeting him the day before. I'm sure that has been done before, but I didn't want to do that. 

 Jeff is ok. I guess. 

Haha! Just kidding! He is great and I can tell that he loves Lindsay a lot. I am so happy for the two of them. I'm looking forward to being a part of their wedding in September. 

Sunday and Monday were a lot of fun. After church we drove out to Jeff's family's beach house/cabin. I'm not sure what to call it. It was a beautiful place and I'm not sure why I didn't take a picture of it. Those two days were filled with jet-skis, kayaks, swimming (some of it voluntary - lol), bbq, fireworks, digging for clams, beautiful stars, bocce ball and a lot of laughter. I had such a great time. I'm really glad I was able to go. 

Jeff & Lindsay

Ali and I kayaking

God has blessed me so much with so many great friends. I love that even though I don't talk to them or see them too often I'm still able to pick up as if we had seen each other yesterday. God is so good. 

Day 5

Day 05 – A person you miss


I know, I skipped a few days, but that is because I spent the weekend in Calistoga babysitting and the family's computer is super slow. So here I am back at my 30 day blog challenge. I tend to not finish things I've started so I'm feeling very determined to finish this blog challenge. 

There are several people that I miss. Some that are with the Lord and others who are just far away. Lately I've been thinking a lot about my good friend Kelley. She lives in Sac and I haven't seen her in ages, something I'm hoping to fix this summer. She and I have been close since jr high. We went to the JC together and for those 2-3 years we were inseparable. We loved being spontaneous, having Hitchcock marathons, watching American Idol, and shopping. After we both finished at the JC she moved to Sac to finish college and I went down to Masters. After a year in Sac she got married and now has two beautiful children. Her family keeps her busy so we don't get to talk too often. But part of that is to blame on me too. Lately I'm feeling like a chicken with my head cut off. (I think I need to schedule a day at the spa) Anyway, Kelley has always been such a great friend to me. She is one of those friends of mine that even though I don't see her often we are able to pick up where we left off. I love that. Last time I saw her she was calling me Auntie Jamie so her daughter would catch on to it. So special.

Happy Birthday Lindsay!

Happy Birthday Lindsay!

I'm so thankful for you. Praying that you have a wonderful day and a fantastic year! I look forward to visiting you sometime, hopefully soon. We need an updated picture. :)