Sunday, December 19, 2010

Getaway

Sometimes you just need to getaway. Take a moment to reflect on your life and your dreams, your hopes, your fears. That's what this weekend was for me. I am blessed to have so many friends, friends who refresh you and carry the presence of God with them. Just a recap of my favorite parts:

Thursday-
Driving with my husband, singing at the top of our lungs and sounding BAD because it's so fun to do it that way, staying up late, eating leftovers, getting under the warm covers with my best friend.

Friday-
sleeping till 11:30 and thinking it was 8:30, eating breakfast with some of my favorite people, getting my haircut, drinking a caramel latte from Panera, eating at Mellow Mushroom with 23 people at ONE table! and trying my new favorite pizza the Philosopher's Pie (O-mazing), catching up with a true, old friend Brittany.

                                                            Brittany and I
Saturday-
Having a Smith Christmas, getting soft pajamas and chocolate and my first Snowman collectible, eating so much food you can't breathe, staring into my husbands eyes and feeling like I'm the luckiest girl in the world, kisses in the cold, and good conversation with beyond incredible friends.

                                                     The love of my life

Sunday-
realizing the depth of the man of God my husband truly is, seeing him take action when there is a need, feeling the presence of God in the most unlikely places, having clarity for the first time in a while, being refreshed by one of the most amazing women on the planet, watching a movie on the laptop in the Sonic drive in, going to bed early.

Looking back over this small weekend in my big long year, I know that I am truly blessed and that no matter where I am, I can be content and complete in God's presence. I have to count my blessings, name them one by one. I have to leave an account of all that God has done for me, to remember in the hard times how good He is. His love endures forever.

I'm looking forward to seeing family for Christmas this week and for more times of refreshing!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Judgement

I've just been thinking about being a better me.  God created me to be ME. So how can I be a better me? How can I make God look better. He is the artist and I am the masterpiece.....Hmm...I guess if you put it that way, I am ALREADY the masterpiece. When God looks at me, I am His work of art, in a gallery with so many other fascinating pieces. In that gallery, you or I might not like this piece or that piece but we can all appreciate and respect those pieces anyway.

I think that's how life should be. We shouldn't judge people based on our opinions or emotions when we look at them. Maybe we should look a little deeper and see the work of art God created.

I look around at all the people. I pass them in the streets, I enter their information into the computer, I even get frustrated with them but we are all creations of the great Creator and we can respect each other for that. Even if we don't see eye to eye.

I really want to have more peace and joy and patience and gentleness, kindness, self-control....I need more of the Spirit of God in my every day life. I really can't live without it.

I need more.
Jacque

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Countdown

Sometimes I think my whole life is a countdown. I countdown the days of the week until Friday afternoon at 12 pm when I get off work. My weekend has begun! During the day I countdown the hours until lunch and when I get back from lunch I countdown the hours until I get to go home. Exciting things are waiting to happen in the countdown. We countdown the days til vacation, til babies are born, til we get to see our far-away family. There is so much to look forward to in life.

I wonder if Mary counted down the days til Jesus was born. Was she tired of being pregnant or was she storing up those moments in her heart? Did her feet hurt, her back hurt from carrying this child who would save the world one day? I wonder what her days were like on this earth.

This year I made my own Advent calendar because I am married now and have to start my own traditions. I'll miss my mom's cute little calendar with the mouse that's older than me, jumping from day to day until Christmas. But, I'm excited about what is to come. What will happen as we remember the birth of Jesus and remember what His life means in our every day, counting down til the day He returns to redeem us? What will happen in this new year? Sometimes I forget to rejoice in the journey, in the countdown, but there is so much to be thankful for right now.

So as I wait for this CHRISTmas to arrive, as I countdown for my family to arrive and for the yummy food and fun things we'll do, I'll remember that he came to give life NOW. It's all going to be worth it!

My Advent calendar:

Have a HOLY Jolly Christmas!
Jacque

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Sing

I love to sing and so does my sister in law Kaleigh. She has an amazing voice and I can't wait til she shares it with the whole world. One day she will!

It was Kaleigh's birthday on Thanksgiving day. She's 18 and has become such an amazing woman. She's come through lots of obstacles in the last year and I'm so proud of her. I hope this painting I did for her reminds her to always SING through the hard times, to always worship God in her heart no matter what!


I hope your birthday was awesome Kaleigh! I loved sharing it with you and giving thanks with my new family this year. We have alot to be thankful for. Here are just a few things I am thankful for...even if it is AFTER Thangsgiving! (http://www.youversion.com/bible/niv/eph/5/20)

I'm thankful for:
1. My husband-there are no words to say how he has changed my life. He is my kinsman redeemer.
2. My family-I don't know where I would be without them. They bring such joy to my life.
3. My new family-you are teaching me more things about family, different things and we laugh SOOO much together!
4. My adopted families-you know who you are and I wouldn't be me without you.

and last but no least...and I could go on and on and on but I won't...
5. I'm thankful for having everything I need right now. God is faithful and always true to His word. He is my provider and the I AM. He's everything I will ever need!

Happy Holy-days!!

Jacque