I Love Technology

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

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

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!

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

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

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?

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.