JustRealJess

Time Flys

2011-11-07T20:24:00.003-06:00

It's been 2 years.

I haven't written in 2 years.

Let's be real though... I only made this blog so I could read Katie Hooper's blog.

I'll go ahead and update the world though... For fun.so it's my 3rd year teaching High School, and I couldn't love it more. I was made for this. I love my students, the faculty, the mission opportunities... I even love living in Atlanta. God has been so good to me.

I've been attending Passion City Church for the past year, and I really feel like I'm home there. I've been working with the K-5 kids and so I've become more a part of the community. Plus, it's nice to be with little kids after being around high schoolers all week. It's quite refreshing really.

In other news, my twin sister in engaged. I'm crazy excited for her. I love Mike, her fiancé. He loves the Lord, and he love her. Im just really grateful for how God has blessed her life. She just finished massage therapy school and got a great job. They are getting married in June.

I'm getting to do a lot of traveling this year, which I'm very excited about. I'm going to Mexico to see my sponsor son, Jose de Jesus, for Thanksgiving. Then in February I'm going to Greece for a week with a mission trip from my school. Then I'm headed back to Mexico for spring break to see my boy. How did I get this amazing life? I've been asking myself lately... How did I get to be so blessed?

Oh ya, I'm also a God-Mother now. I have 2 godsons, Josiah and Noah. They are 6& 1 year old.

Turkey Day in Dogville

2009-11-27T22:40:00.002-06:00

It's time for a holiday... so naturally I went home to see my family. Well, with 73 dogs... as Jesse McCartney would say, "how do you sleep?"

I was so excited to see the fam... have some laughs, eat some good food... ya know, just chill for a bit. And it was good. It was. We played games and laughed a lot... it was just horribly distracting to have literally 70 dogs running around barking, and making a mess everywhere. I mean, Mom and Aunt Sally are doing the best they know how to... with kennels and such. It's just too much. I feel kinda bad but I couldn't stay there any longer. After Thanksgiving, I hitched a ride to Memphis. It was too crazy loud to even talk to my sister sitting on the couch next to me. No joke. And the thing is, I know Mom didn't want a dog shelter in her house. They just need to learn to say no when people bring them dogs. But what do I know?

So here I am, back at the Hinton's house with my puppy. And here we are, sitting with our laptops, like old times. good stuff.

They love Mei. L.O.V.E her. no surprise there though. Who doesn't?

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at Highland. Can't wait.

ATL life

2009-11-11T21:13:00.004-06:00

They call me Ms.Terry...

So I've been teaching at Greater Atlanta Christian School for a couple months now... and I must say, it's been quite a learning experience. First of all, I love my kids. The kids that I teach are so diverse and I've learned so much from them. The second week of school, at the Spiritual Retreat I was given the honor of baptizing one of my students, Hannah Holdridge, into Christ. That's just how the year started off... and it's gotten better every day. I get to talk to my kids about my Lord and hear about their questions and see them grow. It's pretty much the best job I could have. Not to mention, 2 of my best friends in the world teach at my school. Sandy and Derek are both amazing teachers as well as friends. Also, I finally got a puppy. :) Mei is my baby girl and I am crazy about her. I really do love my life here.

So much has happened in the past few months and I haven't been blogging, but I'm going to start keeping up with it again. I need an outlet to process and reflect, and I also need to know that someone is praying specifically about what I'm living... ya know?

Well... anyhow...

I'm crazy busy with grading and stuff but I need to go to bed. The mornings come quickly around here so Mei and I are off to sleep.

Praying for Baby Jayden... Lord I know you are the Healer and the Protector and I trust in your hands!

Praying for GRG this weekend.... I'm coming home Sugar Land!!

Love you.

Camp of the Hills stole my heart.

2009-07-09T10:26:00.003-05:00

I just had the most incredible week.

I took my 8th and 9th graders to Camp of the Hills in Marble Falls, TX last week. We were the volunteer staff for the session, and had the privilege of cooking, serving and cleaning up after every meal of the week. Three times a day, for 200+ people, we worked in the kitchen. It was so much fun.

CotH is a camp for inner city kids. They bus them into the Hill Country and give them an experience of a lifetime. They get to be loved on like never before, and they see Jesus. The counselors at CotH were dedicated to serving the kids and teaching them about the Lord's love and new life in Christ alone. I was really impressed by this camp's mission. I'm even thinking about possibly working as a counselor there next summer. I felt so at home there.

Oh ya... I also got married to the camp director while I was there... (good story... I'll tell you later.) Good times. :)

On another note...

I'm freaking out a bit.

I'm moving to Atlanta in 2 weeks.

2 weeks.

That's craziness.

I've got so much to do before I leave... Lock-in's, One more mission trip, so many people to spend time with, projects to finish, and not to mention... packing up.

Then I start working at GAC in ATL on July 29th. How crazy is THAT?

My heart is breaking as I think about leaving here. I've grown to love it here at First Colony... and I have fallen in love with my kids... and so many friends. God has blessed my life here. How do I say goodbye? How do I thank these people for all that they have taught me, all that they have given me?

My heart is breaking, but I'm always excited about what the future holds for me in Atlanta. God has provided for me life, once again, in a huge way... with a job thats better than anything I could have imagined. in 3 weeks, I'll be Ms.Terry... a High School Bible Teacher at Greater Atlanta Christian School. I'll be living with my best friend, and only 4 hours from my family. God has been for faithful... and I wish I knew how to thank Him.

The Lord is my Shepherd

I shall not be in want

He makes me lie down in green pastures

He leads me beside still waters

He restores my soul

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his names sake

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

I will fear no evil

For you are with me

Your rod, and your staff, they comfort me

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies

You anoint my head with oil

My cup overflows!

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever!

(Psalm 23)

Getting ready for a marathon.

2009-06-26T02:05:00.004-05:00

The next couple months are freaking me out... just. thinking. about. them.

In 30 days, I'll be moving to Atlanta, GA... to start my new job as a High School Bible Teacher and Campus Minister. It's so bitter sweet to think about. I am so torn...

I don't want to leave the people I love. Sugar Land has been my home for almost a year. I've fallen in love with my kids... and with First Colony in general. How is it ever easy to leave people that you love? I hate it more than anything. I feel like I'm torn into pieces when I have to do this. Especially leaving Katie and Trisha. I don't know what my life is going to be like without them. I know they will just be a text message away... but I know things are going to change. Change is so weird... because I know there will be great things that will come of my move... but I also know that it's going to hurt really badly to be ripped away from these people that I've grown so close to.

On the other side, I know that being in Atlanta is going to be an incredible time to get to grow in ministry and in new friendships. I'm looking forward to living with my childhood best friend... and working as a Bible Teacher EVERYDAY! I'm also looking forward to having a more stable schedule. I mean... lets be real... my schedule right now, as a youth minister, is pretty all over the place. I don't have weekends.... and I barely have time to have friends by own age. I'm also looking forward to being closer to the fam. 4 hours away is gonna be such a piece of cake.

God's timing is so evident in the way all of this went down.

This is the deal...

My last day at First Colony is July 22nd... and I'm planning on driving to ATL on the 25th with Derek (thank God he will be riding with me!).

My first "work day" at GAC is on July 30th.

I'll work on teacher prep stuff and moving in and stuff... and then

I'm flying to Little Rock to meet up with my best friends for the weekend. (We havent been all together in over a year.)

Then... on Monday...

SCHOOL STARTS!

The kids start school on August 3rd!!!

I'm going to be "Ms.Terry" on August 3rd. Is that not INSANE?!!!

Ya... thats fast.

I'm pretty freaked out about it.

I'm pretty excited too.

I know this is what I'm meant to do. I have complete peace about it.... and I'm so grateful. God has been so good to me... I can't even put into words... how Faithful he has been.

Summer is crazy.

I need to sleep.

Camp of the Hills is next week.

Big deal mission trip.

I'm taking my 8th & 9th graders.

Pray for us ok?

Thanks.

Peace and Love

Change go'n come.

2009-03-23T00:02:00.002-05:00

Basically, I haven't had time to breathe, let alone blog. Whoops. Let's remedy that.

So the winds of change are filling my backyard, and I've got questions up the freakin' wah-zoo. My job situation is coming along, and I'm quite amazed at how things are falling into place. The thing is, I've got two things falling into place, and don't know if I'm choosing correctly. Or really, is there a "correct" choice at all?

Choice # 1) The principal at a really great private school called me a couple weeks ago, and asked me to apply for a teaching position that is not even officially open yet, so that I would be sure to have a good shot at the job. whoa. My childhood best friend, Sandy, teaches at this school, and so does my college buddy, Derek. The job would start in the Fall, which is when my internship ends here. Yeah, that's legit.

Choice #2) The Super-intendant at a private school here in Houston called me last week, and asked me to come in this week to discuss the possibility of being their first ever, Female Chaplain. Yeah, amazing. I'd basically be the Female youth minister for the school. Incredible. The job would start in August as well.

AHHHHHH!!!

Please pray for discernment, and God's control in my life.

Here am I, Send me.

Spring Break was crazy busy. It wasn't really a break at all. The only thing that the word break conjures up is the torn feeling I've been having in my right shoulder. I don't know, but I think all the photography I've been doing has started to mess with my shoulder. Is that silly? I mean, I for real can't figure out what else could have caused this pain. Luckily, I live with the most generous family, and they are sending me to a physical therapist to get it checked out. (I don't deserve the life I live.)

We did a ton with the youth group over break, and Travis and I are thoroughly exhausted. I am glad to say though, that we got the next two days off. (YAHOO!)

So I'll write more later...

But as for now,

I'm on my way to dream of the beach and gelato ice cream.

Yes please.

Night friends.

Thoughts at 2:36am

2009-03-06T02:39:00.005-06:00

I have no idea why I'm still awake, but I think it has to do with the fact that I just watched American Idol. I can't clam down. That show just fills me up.

I still have no idea where I'm going to be by the end of August... and I'm starting to feel like I might end up working at a school. At first I was a bit apprehensive about that, but it's starting to feel better every time I remember that I would have summers and weekends off. Yes Please. I hope I get to move in with Katie and Koko. Koko is a sure thing... but Katie is a necessity. Please Lord.

I got an iPhone this Monday.

My life has changed.

Everyone should have an iPhone.

I also got a purple case for her... to match my macbook and iPod. :)

Yes. I like purple. problem? didn't think so.

I seem really materialistic huh? Man I sure am blessed.

I got a pedicure today and the color I picked out happen to be really lovely in the bottle, just not quite so lovely on my toes. Dark turquoise turned into florescent green. Whoops. Happy St. Pattys Day.
Also, the ladies at the nail place were really rude to me and my friend. I know I couldn't understand them because of the language barrier, but I could see what they were getting at ya know? Not nice. No thanks Sweet Water Nails.
So then Katie wanted to go get a manicure later. And since today was my day off I went ahead and went with her (I'm so spoiled and I'm almost embarrassed about how wonderful my life is here). Well anyhow, the lady who did my manicure was so friendly. Her name was Susan and she grew up in California by the beach so we talked about missing the water. She also told me about her host Mother (the woman who she lived with when she came from Vietnam as a teenager.) It was wonderful talking with her. So refreshing to have a conversation instead of sitting there akwardly as someone serves me by pampering my hands and feet like I'm some princess. Does anyone else ever feel humiliated when being pampered like that? I do. But with Susan, I felt like I was just visiting with a friend. It was wonderful.

Ok. Completely exhausted.
Sleepin over at Katie's tonight.
:)

Celebrate Good Times

2009-02-19T16:46:00.026-06:00

So I had a pretty wonderful birthday.

Thanks to some pretty wonderful people.

I can't believe how completely blessed I feel.

Here is the sum-up of my day :)

Midnight brought me a few great conversations with good friends who couldn't wait to call me for sweet birthday wishes. Bree included of course. It was so odd to be without her. To those friends and family, I say thank you.

The morning was delightful. Bordo, Gina, Travis and Sherilan (the youth staff) took me to one of my very favorite places... Panera Bread. And with my blueberry bagel and cream cheese in hand, I realized how blessed I am to be at First Colony.

So then back at the office, the ministry staff had a cake for me... delish.

Trisha made me the most tasty strawberry cupcakes that I was given to bring to work... so I ate those too.

(needless to say I was getting pretty full at this point.)

For lunch, I was so blessed to spend some time with Joyce Swanson, one of the sweetest, Spirit filled Mom's I've ever met. We went to this restaurant called "The Hobbit" which was themed after the Lord of the Rings. Cyndi (my baby sis) would have LOVED it. I don't know if I felt like I was in the Shire, but I most definitely enjoyed the experience. Joyce, you have made me feel so at home here. You and Deborah are so dear to my heart.

When I returned to the office, Travis and Katie were there... being sneaky in my office, not letting me in. :) So I waited until they called me in...

Katie walked me into the office... and with the lights turned out, balloons filling the room and candles lit, they started singing ... very loudly (haha). I just stood there... hugging Katie the whole time they were singing... and I could barely hold myself together. I thought to myself,

"Thank you God for Katie!!! and Thank you for Travis!!! How could I be so loved?"

As they finished the song... and waited for me to blow out the candles, I said, "Oh no! we need a picture!"

and ran to get my camera... (haha whoops!) And Travis said, "You WOULD do that."

After that, they had me open a few presents...

get ready to freak out with me....

You wont believe what they got for me.

It's way too much.

OKAY okay... I'll tell you.

THEY GOT ME A GARMIN GPS!!!! (AHHHHH!!!)

Can you believe that??!

How are my friends so amazing to me? ! ! !

For real... WHAT were you guys thinking?

AHHH!!!!!!

Okay, so as the celebrating continued... I was getting pretty full, and emotionally drained as well. So before our birthday dinner... I went home and sat on my love-seat for a little bit and read my ridiculous amount of facebook wall posts (one of my favorite parts of my birthday of course... Come on... don't act surprised. )

The next part of day was quite wonderful. I went over to Katie's house, and we got dressed to go out to fancy dinner. I had no idea where we were going, and I liked it that way. Travis and Jamie escorted us... and we enjoyed a lovely dinner at an really hip Italian place called Grotto, which was in Houston.

And we ate, and ate some more!

(I feel sure that I ate more on Monday than I've ever eaten in one day.)

I had a perfect filet of salmon with shrimp, mushrooms and

potatoes. Oh. My. Goodness. It was fabulous. That's all I can say.

Dessert was prime time. We all got something different, and shared. My gelato was fancy :)

Getting all dressed up is just too much fun :)

Thank you for such an incredible day Katie, Travis, Jamie, Trisha, Joyce, Matt, FCYG...

I thank my God for you guys.

What a wonderful life I live.

I am now a whole pack of candles...

Joyfully,

Jess

24 Years Ago...

2009-02-15T23:06:00.003-06:00

On February 16th, 1985...

My Mom & Dad went to the hospital to give birth to a 12 lb boy, soon to be named Jesse Bryant Terry. Little did they know... they would soon have Jessica and Breanna instead.

So, I just got off the phone with my Mom... and she was telling me that she remembers that night like it was yesterday. I've never heard this story the way she just told it to me, and I'm pretty excited about it. There is something so special about hearing the story of your own birth. I feel so much more connected to my Mom, and to my Creator when I hear about it. So here is what she told me.

Mom and Dad were expecting to have a son on that night. She said she remembers so much about that evening. She remembered that during the ultrasound, she heard the doctor say something about a second heart beat, but then brushing it off. She said that she remembered giving birth to Bree... and being so surprised that she was a girl. She said that the midwife who was there for the delivery looked about Bree like something was wrong, and said she was too small, but Mom said she looked absolutely perfect and was sent into panic after what happened next.

She remembered...

Hearing them call for the Doctor

Holding her baby girl for a few moments, only to feel them take her away

Hearing them say, "there is another heart beat."

and, "Dad you're gonna have to leave for this one."

Signing something that allowed them to put her to sleep and cut her open

Feeling Panic for a moment...

Waking up confused

Not believing the nurses when they told her there were two baby girls

I was there the whole time, and she never knew... only God knew I existed until that moment.

Mom said that they kept bringing her a baby to hold, but it was always Bree. By the third time, she said she remembered her Dad, my Grandpa David, being there and taking her in a wheel chair down the hall to find me and hold me for the first time.

She said she knew then, that God would always take care of me, because He knew about me... and took care of me, before she even knew I existed.

She said that she remembered Dad bringing her two pink balloons.

And remembering that she had prayed for twin girls.

Ugh... I love this story!

Happy Birthday to my amazing twin sister Breanna Jan.

Thank you God for taking care of us....

you are so Good to me God.

So good to me.

PS: My Mom and Dad went on a date last night for Valentines Day... and Mom told me tonight, when I asked her how it went... she said...

"It was good. We are doing great. I mean, it's your Dad. We get along so well... I care about him."

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HOW CRAZY AMAZING IS THE POWER OF GOD?!!!!

Thank you Jesus!

All it takes.

2009-02-14T22:06:00.006-06:00

What does it take to make a girl smile?

What does a guy have to do to impress her, show her he cares?

How hard is it to show a girl that she is special?

I don't think that guys realize how easy it really is to please us girls. All it takes is a little courage, and some action. Thats it.

It's kind of funny that my last post was about Love, and how I have been wondering about all that sticky stuff lately... because I've been truly smacked in the face with a pretty great Valentines Day after all.

If boys would just be bold and real with us, instead of being cowardly and timid, (not saying that all guys are cowards) there would be so many girls out there who were a lot happier. Just be real guys. Be the Man and go for it. Stop waiting around for the girls to make the moves. We don't want to be the Man, and you really don't want that either.

All it takes is a thoughtful gesture to show her that you think about her.

That's all it takes.

-Happy Girl

The way I see it...

2009-02-08T23:16:00.003-06:00

Let's be real here. Everyone wants to be in love. That is the bottom line. Well, my thought is... if that's what everyone wants, then why are their so many people alone? What a random question. The real question is actually, when is it okay to start wanting to stop being alone?

Ok... Jess just got real on ya. whoops.

I'm not saying that I'm crying myself to sleep at night. The truth is, I'm actually very happy with my life as it is right now. I don't day dream of romantic nothings constantly, or even often. But, one does end up thinking about "love" every once in a while... and so I guess today is one of those whiles.

I just saw the movie "He's just not that in to you"... and I must say... I'm kind of sad. I don't think that movie had any point really. I do agree with one part of it... and just one. That one point being that people should stop chasing after love, and start just loving others, and in return they will receive a much better love (but I don't really think they even meant for me to get that out of the movie.... I might have just been applying a spiritual truth to a worldly movie). Anyway, it was shallow and romantic, and even though I got wrapped up into the romance of it, I'm left feeling pretty low after all. What a waste of $9.50. Not to mention, my junior mints spilled behind my seat after only consuming about 6 of them. whoops. Thanks a lot AMC.

I guess what I've really been thinking about is... I know Love will find me one day, because I know that as long as I continue to love those around me, instead of focusing on "when, how and who will find me...me...me," I'm confident that a better kind of love will actually happen on its own. A love that will be generous and not self-seeking. At least that's my hope.

I don't want to live my life waiting for someone to sweep me off my feet. So... I'm just not going to. I've never been of that mindset, and I'm not going to fall into that now. So there ya go Hollywood. That's what I have to say about your lame attempt at explaining Love.

"Guard your heart, for it is the well-spring of life."

I pray that I will understand this verse more and more everyday. For real... how does this work? I'm still boggled, but I think I might be getting closer to understanding it.

The way I see it... the Lord is going to have to take care of it. I'm sure He will do a better job then I could ever attempt to.

There.

Now that's off my chest.

I Love Technology

2009-01-20T00:30:00.003-06:00

I feel like such a nerd and I love it. The website I've been working on for our "Girls Reflecting Glory" conference is finally posted. I'm still working out some kinks in the domain but it's up! I really dig it.

girlsreflectingglory.com

Don't type the "www." in front of it, and it should work. :/

Like I said, I'm still working out the kinks. :)

I got to see Katie again today and that alone was a joy to my day. :) I had a pretty good day... but getting to hang out with Katie just made it that much better.

I went to my "one-to-one" Apple training today at the Apple store and I learned a lot. I learned how to publish my site, and all about the new iLife 09! Do you know about it? Oh my goodness its incredible. In the new iPhoto, there is this thing called "Faces" that detects peoples faces, recognizes and tags them by name for you, loads them to facebook, tags them there, and also organizes your pictures by who is in them... creepy and yet amazing at the same time! What will Mac come up with next? A software that finds you the perfect man and plans your wedding for you?! Oh wait... thats ridiculous Jess. Chill girl.

I am working on a photography website. AHHH! I'm freakin' pumped. Maybe then someone important will see my photos and give me a job that allows me to travel back to Europe to photograph beautiful and awesome things, with all my best friends, while we are all on their tab! Ok Ok... got carried away. Chilling out.

...

...Chilled.

My friend Matt Johns was on the Food Network this past weekend. Check it out online if you get bored. It was a show called "my life in food" and the episode was called "This city is going on a diet". He was fabulous. :) It was a blast watching... you'll love it. Pinky swear.

Alright... that's enough babble.

Later Playas.

New Chapter

2009-01-13T22:30:00.005-06:00

Today I moved to a new home.

I now live with Rick and Trisha Clark, a lovely couple whom I've grown to love and admire very much already. Trisha is a dear friend to me and I am so blessed to get to live here for the remainder of my internship.

Moving is so disgusting to me. How do I have so much stuff? I feel like I just got rid of so much when I graduated and we had our big garage sale... but I seem to still have a butt-load of stuff!! While packing, I came across clothes that I haven't seen nor worn since before I moved here. I think that may be a sign that I should get rid of some things. I almost feel heavy because of all this meaningless STUFF I have. I feel like simplifying, and maybe even gutting my stash of stuff. It's time to clean out my closet.

American Idol started tonight....

& my heart is so glad!!

I cannot help it. I am one of those American Idol fans that believes her opinion is the best one. So I apologize in advance for being so right, and being crazy about AI. :) Rick didn't want to watch it. He says its trash, and a waste of time... but I think he enjoyed it a bit. I even caught him laughing a few times. Trisha was cracking up with us. It's just too good. Just too good.

On the ministry side of my mind...

I've got a situation on my hands, and I'm feeling pretty anxious about it. Basically, something that some of my teens told me in confidence was leaked out to some of their parents because I had to take the matter to other authorities... and now one of my teens is in big trouble with the Rents. I'm worried that the Parents are going to be upset with me for not telling them about the incident. I know parents want to know everything that goes on in their teenagers life, and I know they deserve to know. But I also know that the situation would have only gotten worse if the parents were involved, and the teens chances of repenting would not go up either. Mostly, I'm wondering if this kid is ever going to confide in me again now that he is in so much trouble. I know I did what I had to do, and I know it was right. But I guess I'm just struggling with it. Probably because I know how hard it is to get through to teens... and how distant most parents are... and how close I sometimes get to be. And I'm just scared I might be losing that trust from some of my kids because I had to do what was best for them. Anyway, I know that is all vague... but thats what has been on my mind.

I pray God convict the hearts of my teens,

and that they will come to Jesus.

They need Him so badly.

Jess

Holiday

2009-01-03T16:00:00.004-06:00

My holiday was such a great couple of weeks. I had an awesome time with my best friends in Charleston at Celeste's wedding... oh man it was beautiful. The Fam was great in Savannah, but we have so many dogs barking around the clock, it's almost impossible to sleep. I did love being with Koko and Cheif (my chihuahuas). I miss them already. Koko is getting to where she gets mad at me when I leave. :( I wish I could bring her here to Htown. Anybody want a puppy?? We have over 50 now!

YIA in Nashville was such a blessing and the class I taught was a huge success thanks be to the Lord! I love my job so much! I mean, gosh... I get to let the Spirit speak through me and watch teenagers lives change! How awesome is that?! Memphis was fulfilling as always, and I'm finally home in Houston.

I will have to say though... I am literally exhausted! I guess I haven't yet learned what a holiday is supposed to be like. It seems that around this time of the year, I always find myself flat on my back in my bed, surrounded by a pile of tissues, vitamin C, and a box of Nyquil. Yuck. I need to learn how to have a holiday.

In other news...

Though my body aches and nose runs...
I am overwhelmed by the peace and joy of my Lord!!
I can't wait to write more about my break.
I have seen his glory!
I have been blessed in so many ways to see his glory.

I'll write more once I'm not ill.
Love.

Praise the GOD who Heals!

2008-12-18T11:00:00.003-06:00

Jake's surgery went perfectly, and he is doing well!!

Thank you so much for praying! I got to see him last night at the hospital and he was able to open his eyes every once in a while and talk a little too. I told him that I've been talking to hundreds of people all over the world who have been praying for him... and even though he probably wont remember it, I know he felt God's love in a huge way. He is in a lot of pain still... but doing as well as possible. Check out his Mom's blog for better details...
http://averyjerijournal.blogspot.com/

We had an AMAZING response up at the chapel for Jake's Prayer Vigil. Thanks to all who came out and also to everyone who prayed on Jake's behalf. Our Lord heard your words!!! And He has been faithful!!!

Please keep praying, for this is not going to be an easy next few days and weeks for Jake. He is still in a lot of pain, and on lots of drugs. Pray that God gives Jake as little pain as possible! Also pray for Matt, Jeri and Jenni (his parents and sister). They are of course, exhausted and drained. The Lord has sent them peace and his prefect Love through the body of Christ, and once again, I have been amazed.

Lifting Up Jake & other news

2008-12-17T00:22:00.006-06:00

Jake Davis is one of the most incredible people I've ever met. He is loving, a peace-maker, kind and generous... and he is only 17 years old. Today, Jake is having heart surgery... and I will be on my knees to our God. PLEASE join me in praying to our heavenly Father on his behalf.

Oh Loving Lord of all Creation...
I ask you to move today
Move in Jake's life oh Lord
Protect him and
Heal him oh God
Take the surgeons hands and make them perfect
Send your Spirit of God...
and bring PEACE and comfort to the Davis family
Send your Love
Your perfect Love
Your never ending Love
and show us your GLORY dear Father!

I trust in you my Lord and my God.

In other News...
I am flying to Charleston, SC in 3 days for Celeste's wedding..... Ahhhhh. How did Christmas come so soon? I'm really looking forward to seeing my friends, especially Celeste. Marissa wont be there.. and that makes me sad, but I know it will be an unforgettable weekend.

I am sad that I wont get to be with you on your 25th birthday Katie my sweet friend. I will miss you so badly over the break, oh my dear heart friend.

I found out that I can't have my dog Koko here in Houston. Tricia, the lady I will be living with, is allergic to dogs... so I will have to wait until I get my own place in August to bring Koko home. I guess it's just not time yet.... and I'll have to wait. I miss my sweet baby girl. :(

YIA is coming up fast and I'm still working on my class. I'll be teaching this class in front of over 200 teen girls throughout 5 sessions. Please pray that the Spirit will guide me and send me the words and inspiration that I need.

Pray for Jake.
Love you my friends.

Photo Shoots

2008-12-09T23:24:00.010-06:00

I absolutely Love Photography.
Just something you should know about me.

I've been working on a project for the new youth rooms at our church... and it's been so much fun. Yesterday I took some of my teens to a park and took some photos of them on the playground. Those will be in the "Back Yard" themed room. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. It was such a blast. I am doing this two more times next week with different teens and on different themes.

I am so crazy about these kids.

How could I not love them?
They are so amazing!
I Love, Love, Love them.

Also, I think if I could,
I'd love to be a photographer when I grow up.

The End.

Ready or Not?

2008-12-07T23:45:00.005-06:00

Did you know that I have the best job in the entire world?
Well... I do. I surely love it. I had a really great moment today with the juniors, and then the SAME moment again later with some of the 7th grade girls. Crazy! In Bible class this morning, we were talking about the moment we decided we were READY to follow Christ, and get baptized. So what happened was, some of the teens said things like, "I didn't get baptized for the right reasons" and "I think I should have waited until now to get baptized because I understand more"... and my heart went out to them. I felt like I really needed to speak up and so I did. I told them that everyone has a different "story" and that they should'nt compare what they knew THEN with what they know NOW, and discredit their decision. Basically I told them that even though they see more and understand more about God now, that doesn't mean they weren't READY to follow Christ back then, but that they are just growing and maturing! It was a really cool moment because I think most of them had been feeling like their conversions were shady... and maybe that they could have done something "better"... BUT THATS NOT THE POINT!! Deciding to follow is being READY! His GRACE is SUFFICIENT! We talked about that for a little while and it was good. SO... then tonight, when I was at the 7th grade Christmas party, I was sitting with about 8 of the girls, and the conversation somehow shifted to the same subject! I felt like I needed to ask them, so I said, "How many of you girls have ever thought that maybe you weren't really ready to get baptized?" After I said that, almost all of them raised their hands. I asked why and they all said the same things that the Juniors were saying earlier. This gave me another opportunity to empower them and let them know that their cognitive decisions to FOLLOW GOD was the only thing they needed! I told them that they were just maturing, and that all they needed to know was that they chose to follow God, and that God's grace has saved them! It was really awesome because I think they all really needed to hear that, and really got it.
I love my job.

Dear Lord please bless my kids. Speak through us and give us wisdom to share your words with them! Thank you for your PERFECT Grace and Mercy. We are so imperfect and we need you more than life itself.

Ok... So can I just say... I MISS YOU KATIE!! I get to have dinner with my sweet girlfriend Katie tomorrow... and I'm so very excited. She is joy to my heart and I can't wait.

I'm doing a photo shoot tomorrow also... for our new youth center... and I'm pumped. I secretly wish I had a photography buisness. It's my favorite hobby. Just fyi. And I promise to post a few of the favs. No worries.

13 Days until Christmas break... and Celeste's Wedding!! Yessss!
Can you please pray that I get to bring my Koko home to Houston after Christmas? I miss her so much. (she's the cutest chocolate Chihuahua you'll ever see. For real.)

Thanks for reading. Love you.

Sweet Sugar Land

2008-12-05T11:51:00.001-06:00

So... I have not been the best blogger. whoops :)

Just to catch you up, I am now living and working in Sugar Land, TX. I am one of the resident youth interns at First Colony Church of Christ along with a great friend... Travis. We were hired to work here together with an specific purpose in mind. Travis and I have a desire to write curriculum for this generation, to speak to them and challenge them in a new way. We want them to see why they NEED Jesus, and then help cultivate a passion in them to begin spreading that fire. We've been working here now for over 3 months and we've already had some amazing twists and turns. I can barely believe we've been here for that long already.

When we first moved here, we kinda jumped head first into ministry. We planned and ran the FCYG (First Colony Youth Group) Fall Retreat, which was truly an answer to many prayers. The retreat was so awesome, and all the glory is the Lord's. He used our talents and words to speak to the teens and their parents in a really beautiful way. I wish you could have been there. I've never been so proud to be a part of anything as I was that weekend.

Since the retreat, I've been working on a new curriculum for girls only. GRG (Girl's Reflecting Glory) is a girls conference that was started her at First Colony about 5 or 6 years ago. The conference is usually in Nov. but we had to move it this year due to construction on our building. I have been writing a curriculum for a retreat that will be put online so that churches in the Houston area can take it and use it for their own personal girls retreat for this year. The big conference isn't until NOV. 2009, so we've got a lot of work to do for that. I've really, really excited about it.

On a more personal side, since I've moved to Houston, It's been a struggle finding friendship. Of course, leaving Harding was a big transition, and I know it takes time to make new friends... I guess I didn't realize how there would be such a smaller pool of people to choose from. I HAVE found some really great friends here though. Katie :) is my dearest friend here in Htown. I adore her joy for life, and would hang out with her 24/7 if she'd let me. Then there's Jamie. Jamie is also a very dear friend, whom I love to spend time with. He is a comfort to me. Jamie and Katie have been my sanity most days. I thank the LORD for them.

I'm looking forward to Christmas break because I will get to see all my BEST FRIENDS (minus Marissa who I miss terribly and is in Rwanda) when I go to Charleston for CELESTE'S WEDDING!!! Yes!! Also, I'll get to go home to TN and see the fam... and my puppy! :) Then I will be going to YIA (a youth rally that I grew up going to) with my former church in Memphis where I will be teaching a class!! So exciting!!

This post will have to serve as my catch-up post. Hopefully from now on I can write about more specific, light hearted things as well.

20 days until Christmas :)
16 days until Celeste's wedding!!

Love.

I'm a Real Adult now...

2008-06-04T01:17:00.000-05:00

I've started my first post-college job. And get this... the job is at the very place I started out at before I left for Harding.

I am the Youth Minister at my home congregation. The main reason that's crazy incredible is because this church has never, in its history, had a female on the ministry staff. Now, two females (my best friend Sandy and I) are co-youth ministers here... in the very place we grew up and found our personal faiths all those years ago.

This has been uncomfortable and hard for a few reasons. As Christ said himself, "a prophet is without honor in his hometown." At first, I felt underappreciated and lost when I arrived here to work, but after yesterday's events, I can truly see God's control in my life. How could this have happened? How did I end up working at the same church that raised me to believe that women could not and should not be ministers in the church? How? Well, I don't really know the answer. I do know that I am once again amazed by the renewing Spirit of my God. The people at my church are people who have doctrines that are sometimes offensive and completely wrong in my opinion, attitudes that are sometimes surely uninviting, beliefs that are traditional. The thing is... these are God's people and I love them. They are trying to live their lives for the kingdom in the best way they know how, and far be it from me to put them down because they see a different interpretation of the scriptures then I see. The moment I let myself start fighting with flesh is the moment I loose my focus. The point of a church is not to be better than everyone else in the world or always right. To me, the point is to gather together before we fall apart, and praise the healer of our broken lives. We don't have the right answers most of the time, lets face it. But like my youth minister use to say, God loves us just the way we are, but he loves us enough to not let us stay there. If we, as the church, don't start LOVING eachother unconditionally... looking past our disagreements, then we will never be the church Christ desired us to be. A church who serves the dirty and low as if they were the rich and mighty. A church who is unified in Love because of devotion and trust in God's Spirit. A church who see men and women as equals, no jew or gentile, slave nor free, prep or freak, straight or gay. A church that is devoted to one another in brotherly love. I believe in that church, and I will give my life working for that church.

One goal I have this summer, as a minister to the youth here, is to show this youth group that church is not about being righteous and better than others for the sake of being right. The point of church is to praise the God that saves us, and take care of eachother while we share the redemption we have found with those who are still without hope. I want them to see their real NEED for God's love and guidance and desire a better life. I want to give my life to them so that they see Christ.

"Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:8