aunt

13 years ago today,  my life changed! I can still remember getting the call, rushing around like crazy,  frantically driving to get there, and then waiting! And waiting... But, finally,  my first niece was born!
There are not too many titles I can think of that are better than the title of aunt. So, that was an awesome day! A month later, I got a lot more nieces and nephews when I married the love of my life. How many times I have been blessed!
Being an aunt, I get to do the fun things and not have to do the tough stuff-painting nails, doing hair, giving loud toys for Christmas and birthdays, and just having fun.
Last summer, I got to spend extra time with my niece since she not only spent a week with me, but also went to camp with me. I got to get to know her even better, see the beautiful person she is becoming, and hear how she is maturing into a loving and caring person. During her week with me, she participated in "mission Monday", a weekly service project oriented activity for the youth. This summer, she is so excited to come back for the week and I honestly think a lot of the reason is so she can do mission Monday! How awesome is that?!
I can't believe 13 years have come and gone. But, I am so happy to see the young lady she is becoming- someone who loves God and loves others.
So where was God today? Celebrating the birthday of one of His children.
Blessings,
Jennifer

weekend

This post covers Friday and Saturday.  Both days I had the joy of time. I am usually so busy with things that I barely have any time left.  But over the past 2 days,  I have been able to sleep in, go out for lunch with my husband,  spend time with family,  read, and relax.
I am grateful for the much needed time and I consider it a gift.  It may be the calm before the storm that is summer,  but it's just what I need to prepare me for the next few months.  And, it's not over since I get to enjoy the rest of this long weekend.  Of course,  doing the youth service tomorrow probably won't be relaxing,  but I am hoping it will be an awesome part of my long weekend anyway.
So, where was God today? He gave me a beautiful day to find comfort,  rest, and joy.
blessings,
Jennifer

introvert

Today was week 3 of the new group I am doing.  It's still a group of people who are waiting for some teens in need of some help, guidance,  and love. So, we spent today continuing to get to know each other and pray for the girls we hope will eventually have the courage to come.
I asked a series of questions today.  One of them got the same answer from several,  and I could have given the same answer.  What do most people here not know about me. They answered "i am an introvert".  I am,  too. I love people and have some great people in my life.  But,  i am not always comfortable in big crowds and in new situations.  As I got older,  I was forced to be in situations that I felt uncomfortable,  but, believing strongly in why I was there gave me the confidence to be there.
So, today reminded me of that. I realized that every person in that room was there for a reason.  And, whether we felt it was a comfortable situation or not, we all made the stretch to be there. But, I think the key in all of this is the confidence in God that since He led us to His plan for us, He would equip us. At least for me, I know that I can be outspoken and outgoing when I am doing His work because it's what I am called to do.
So, those times I would rather sit quietly in a corner and watch,  I trust that God gives me the courage to get up and speak.
So, where was God today? He put a bunch of introverts in a room and gave them the courage to speak,  to share, and to work for Him
blessings,
Jennifer

walk

A few weeks ago during the 30 hour famine,  we did some work for a member of the congregation.  We found out that she is no longer able to walk her dog. Being a dov lover and living nearby,  it seemed a perfect thing for me to walk her dog a few days a week.  Today when I went to walk her I also spent some time talking to the woman.  Before I knew it, 2 hours had passed! We had such a great time chatting and I learned so much about this wonderful person.  I also listened as she asked about several college students,  knowing a lot about them already.  I realized that she has spent her life helping kids,  spending time with them, and even now when she is not in the greatest health she is  still mentoring children.
I was grateful for those 2 hours and look forward to seeing her the next time I walk her dog Life is full of those moments-the amazing times we either take the opportunity to enjoy or we rush on and pass them by. I am afraid I am sometimes so busy I pass them  y. I am working on stopping and enjoying them. Today,  I am glad I did.
So where was God today? He gave me those 2 hours.
Blessings,
Jennifer

vision

Today was a great day! After church, we had our first vision and goal setting meeting.  I have a team of people from different aspects of the church- different services,  a volunteer,  a parent, and today a college student and a youth were also part of the team. Joined with the pastor,  children's ministry director, and me, we had a goal to get things done.
And, we did! What I used to think about and do somewhat on my own now became a group project with imput from some great people who care about our youth. And, what came out of that was some great ideas and plans for our future.  Tomorrow,  I am putting it all together and getting the details in motion. It was evident that God was in that room as we all came to agreements on where the youth program is and where it should be heading.
Then, tonight, I had planned a youth group focused on friends and group building,  something we will work on alot this summer. The youth were encouraged to bring or go get friends and they did! It was awesome to see the youth room full of teens! Several were back after not being there for awhile. One girl I had seen at her choir concert the other night, but hadn't seen at church in a year, decided to start coming again.  Not only did she come tonight but she said she and her boyfriend are coming Wednesday!
I feel prayers for my youth ministry working.
Tomorrow I start working with my summer intern. I am excited about that and can't wait to see what opportunities this brings us both.
So, where was God today? He was in the planning,  in the meeting we had, and with my youth, new and old, who came tonight.
blessings,
Jennifer

restart

Hello, my friend! I decided awhile back that my time blogging had run its course. It never meant I stopped looking for God daily. So many amazing things have happened since I last wrote anything! Mission trip, 30 hour famine, and several youthworker events all were impactful in my life and the lives of my youth.
I also decided to write my own youth curriculum focused on spiritual disciplines. I consistently have used parts of curriculum and added my own thing or done something completely my own, but this time I am writing it all to keep for future use or to share. I am pretty excited about it and thw first 5 week focus went really well!
But, somehow in the midst of all these things, I have been feeling somewhat off. This winter was rough and hurt my group's consistency. Snowstorms almost every weekend made canceling youth group all too normal of an event. But, I don't even think that is it.
The other day, while driving to work, I started thinking and my blog came to mind. I realized that it helped me stay focused, accountable to myself, and reminded daily of God working all around me. Not that I haven't seen it lately, but I think I need to express it as part of my time to focus. And, I think I need this time of writing to slow down at least once a day. Busyness is my blessing and my curse.
So, here I am again. Writing. Looking for God in my daily life.
And, it seems an appropriate time to start again as I am in the process of starting some exciting new things and planning my year ahead tomorrow. We are having our first vision and goals meeting and so some quiet time tonight is probably the perfect way to prepare. At least I hope so. I also spent the day learning and talking about tweens. This new potential for growth in our ministry is exciting and I can't wait to see where it goes!
The other thing I am excited about is a teen mom group that I am starting to lead. This is an area close to my heart and I feel God is leading me to use my experiences to help others. I am also seeing other women who are becoming willing to use their experiences to help others. This is an awesome way of sharing God's love to those who need to feel it.
So, lots of good things happening right now! I see God in the plans and preparing and that's an awesome feeling!
What is not an awesome feeling is my headaches that have been consistent lately. I wake up with one, try to tackle most of my day in denial, and come home to become painfully aware it's still there. This keeps me lacking the energy I want to have and the focus and thoughts I want since at times my brain turns to mush and I forget things. It's frustrating and I know there are many people in much worse situations, but I still don't like it!
I am trusting God will give me an end to this headache cycle, but it would be helpful to me if his timing matched mine. I know that doesn't usually work that way.
So, I am glad to be back here. I look forward to writing again. And, I am not promising daily posts, but I am going to try.
So, where was God today? He was in my workshop, in my travels there and back, and in my decision to finally come back here.
blessings,
Jennifer