Don't have any pictures of us together but here are some fun ones I found on mom and dad's computer.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Birthday William!
Today's is my cousin William's birthday. Jenna and I (and the rest of the family too) wanted to wish him a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I'll be catching up to you soon! We love you!
Don't have any pictures of us together but here are some fun ones I found on mom and dad's computer.
Don't have any pictures of us together but here are some fun ones I found on mom and dad's computer.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Updates
According to my mom, I haven't written enough lately on here. So this one is for you mom! =)
Life has been so busy for me lately. Work is constantly keeping me busy and I find myself more and more challenged with my clients. Mostly that is a good thing but sometimes I leave their houses shaking my head and thinking 'how did I ever think I was cut out for this?' For instance, yesterday my 6 year old autistic client is growing frustrated by the puzzle we are doing and refuses to practice the words we were working on. At the wrong time his 2 year old sister walks by and he shoves her head first into the seat. She cries of course and I make him stop working on the puzzle because I refuse to reward bad behavior. I tell him that we can finish the puzzle once he goes over to his sister (who is now in the mom's lap) and tells her that he is sorry. He gets up, walks over to her and proceeds to punch his little sister square in the head. By this point I am mortified and the mom is livid. I packed up my things and left apologizing as I walked through the door. The moments like that are we keep me up at night. Then there are times when all they have to do is get the sound right that we have been working on for weeks and I am thrilled. I also have had to call social services several times but that is another story all together.
Marriage- After having an "its all about me and my life" moment, God brought me to my knees and revealed to me things that I needed to see and hear but wasn't ready for until that moment. Josh and I are starting the very slow process of reconciliation and we are starting with worshiping together. I think this is key to building a better marriage and learning how to be married in a different way. The bible is clear about divorce and if I claim to be a Christian and to follow Christ, I have to take His ideals and values as my own and do my very best to be obedient even when obedience is hard. This is going to be a very long road for both of us and I don't know how it will end up but I do know that we will both be better for this in the end.
Dogs- So I got the crazy idea to foster a rescue dog until a new owner could be found. I contacted yorkie rescue in Greensboro and 3 days later, I have this bundle of hair and dirt in my apartment. Davey is a 6 year old yorkie who was given up by his owner due to her health problems. He was very sweet most of the time but he liked to bite. Most of you know, I DON'T DO DOGS THAT BITE!!!!! Been there, done that, over it. So I promptly returned him today. I wish him the best and maybe one day I'll decide to foster again. Not anytime soon.
SNOW- It snowed the other day. Here are some pictures from my sun room windows.
Thanksgiving is in 2 days and I am thrilled because I get to go some of my dearest
friends. We have plans to go see the Duke & UNC football game. Should be fun times had by all. I am also really excited about seeing both sides of my family and just being home for a few days and away from life here. It should be relaxing.
Well my pizza just arrived and my dog wants to go out. So until next time, I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!
Life has been so busy for me lately. Work is constantly keeping me busy and I find myself more and more challenged with my clients. Mostly that is a good thing but sometimes I leave their houses shaking my head and thinking 'how did I ever think I was cut out for this?' For instance, yesterday my 6 year old autistic client is growing frustrated by the puzzle we are doing and refuses to practice the words we were working on. At the wrong time his 2 year old sister walks by and he shoves her head first into the seat. She cries of course and I make him stop working on the puzzle because I refuse to reward bad behavior. I tell him that we can finish the puzzle once he goes over to his sister (who is now in the mom's lap) and tells her that he is sorry. He gets up, walks over to her and proceeds to punch his little sister square in the head. By this point I am mortified and the mom is livid. I packed up my things and left apologizing as I walked through the door. The moments like that are we keep me up at night. Then there are times when all they have to do is get the sound right that we have been working on for weeks and I am thrilled. I also have had to call social services several times but that is another story all together.
Marriage- After having an "its all about me and my life" moment, God brought me to my knees and revealed to me things that I needed to see and hear but wasn't ready for until that moment. Josh and I are starting the very slow process of reconciliation and we are starting with worshiping together. I think this is key to building a better marriage and learning how to be married in a different way. The bible is clear about divorce and if I claim to be a Christian and to follow Christ, I have to take His ideals and values as my own and do my very best to be obedient even when obedience is hard. This is going to be a very long road for both of us and I don't know how it will end up but I do know that we will both be better for this in the end.
Dogs- So I got the crazy idea to foster a rescue dog until a new owner could be found. I contacted yorkie rescue in Greensboro and 3 days later, I have this bundle of hair and dirt in my apartment. Davey is a 6 year old yorkie who was given up by his owner due to her health problems. He was very sweet most of the time but he liked to bite. Most of you know, I DON'T DO DOGS THAT BITE!!!!! Been there, done that, over it. So I promptly returned him today. I wish him the best and maybe one day I'll decide to foster again. Not anytime soon.
SNOW- It snowed the other day. Here are some pictures from my sun room windows.
Thanksgiving is in 2 days and I am thrilled because I get to go some of my dearest
friends. We have plans to go see the Duke & UNC football game. Should be fun times had by all. I am also really excited about seeing both sides of my family and just being home for a few days and away from life here. It should be relaxing.
Well my pizza just arrived and my dog wants to go out. So until next time, I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Still in Limbo
After the town hall meeting I wrote about earlier, the school board is still in Limbo. The presentation was only about 30 minutes but then they opened up the floor for community members to speak. That was when things got a little heated. The very first gentleman that spoke accused the school board of already knowing what they were going to do. Most people that spoke were angry and one woman even cried because they don't want to see the school go away. The board hasn't made a decision but when they do the students will still have to go to another school nearby and be taught in pods for at least 2 years. It was crazy but I am glad that I went.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
The fate of a school
The last few months the county school board has been taking polls of people in Stokes county as to what they think the best plan of action is for the school that I currently serve 3 days a week.
Nancy Reynolds is one of the oldest if not the oldest school in Stokes county. The Reynolds family set up an endowment before they all died off that would give a large amount of money to the school but the stipulation was that the money had to be spent on the grounds and couldn't be spent on the actual building or inside the building. I am sure you can imagine what 80+ years of students and teachers can do to a building. The school needs extensive renovations or just needs to be bulldozed and a new building put up.
So I am writing all of this because the school board is holding a Town Hall Meeting tomorrow night at 7 to let us all know what they have decided. There were a couple of options: 1- renovate, 2- donate the building to the community and build another school at another site, or 3- bulldoze the school now and rebuild a new school to look like the old school at the same site. The last option would be my choice but since I don't live in Stokes county or have kids that go to the school, I don't get a say. My job will move wherever the school does as long as the county continues to contract with my company.
Even though I live about 40 minutes from the school, I think I am going to drive up tomorrow night to find out what they are going to do. I didn't go to the first town hall meeting and I heard that it was interesting. So, I guess we'll find out tomorrow. For now here is a link to a story that FOX 8 news did last year.
FOX 8 News
Enjoy!
Nancy Reynolds is one of the oldest if not the oldest school in Stokes county. The Reynolds family set up an endowment before they all died off that would give a large amount of money to the school but the stipulation was that the money had to be spent on the grounds and couldn't be spent on the actual building or inside the building. I am sure you can imagine what 80+ years of students and teachers can do to a building. The school needs extensive renovations or just needs to be bulldozed and a new building put up.
So I am writing all of this because the school board is holding a Town Hall Meeting tomorrow night at 7 to let us all know what they have decided. There were a couple of options: 1- renovate, 2- donate the building to the community and build another school at another site, or 3- bulldoze the school now and rebuild a new school to look like the old school at the same site. The last option would be my choice but since I don't live in Stokes county or have kids that go to the school, I don't get a say. My job will move wherever the school does as long as the county continues to contract with my company.
Even though I live about 40 minutes from the school, I think I am going to drive up tomorrow night to find out what they are going to do. I didn't go to the first town hall meeting and I heard that it was interesting. So, I guess we'll find out tomorrow. For now here is a link to a story that FOX 8 news did last year.
FOX 8 News
Enjoy!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Fans
So my Mimmi informed me today that I have 'fans' out there in blogland reading what I post. Mostly family so I wanted to say hello to every family member that reads my posts. Living in a completely different part of the state than most of your family certainly presents challenges but keeping a blog is a good way to keep everyone updated. I hope you are all well!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Convictions
I know it has been awhile since I last posted but life has been so busy and I just haven't felt really great lately. I seem to always be tired no matter how much sleep I get, I have reoccurring headaches and I seem to want to eat everything in sight. (No I am most def. NOT pregnant so don't even let that thought enter the realm of possibilities) I think the stress of being separated is just having its way with my body and the weight gain isn't helping. I need to get on track with this soon.
Anyway the reason for the post other than I am ready super early for church. One of the last posts I wrote was a list I had created for the next 'mate' that I have whether than be Josh or someone else. A few days after I wrote that I was reading in the book that my Bible Fellowship class studying and God called me on that in a big way. We are reading "Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I highly recommend this book to any woman who is in bondage or feels like she is only keeping obligations because she feels like she has to. Anyway the lie that I was studying was this, "I have my rights" in the chapter about lies women believe about themselves. Now some of you may gasp and say 'of course I have my rights' and you are correct. By government standards we as women have the right to vote, the right to choose the fate of an unborn baby, the right to own land, the right to carry a gun, etc. I created that list out of anger and pain and because so many people have said to me "you deserve better than that" or "If this one wasn't the right one then whoever the right one is must be amazing." After you hear that for so long you begin to believe that you deserve the best the world has to offer and this was my biggest mistake. I believed that I deserved better and that God would provide that for me but what I learned is that I deserve what God provides for me and whatever that may be is what I should be content with. Now that doesn't mean that I will be content with being the maid, cook, financial planner, etc. I don't believe that responsibilities like should all be on the wife. God used the story of Jonah to convict me. Here is a brief run down.
Jonah was an OT prophet who was angry with the Ninevites and believed that he had a right to see them judged by God. But God didn't do what Jonah wanted so Jonah got mad and angry with God. He even begged God to kill him because he was so angry. God confronted Jonah asked him if he thought he had the right to be angry and Jonah wouldn't answer God. So like many young children do when things don't go their way, Jonah went outside of town, built a make shift shelter, and sat and waited and pouted until God changed his mind about destroying the city. I can remember so many times when my sister and I would crumble to the floor and cry and yell when we didn't get our way. Imagine how spoiled we would have been if we had gotten our way every time we pouted. We would be monsters. So back to the story, Jonah was suffering in the heat so God showed compassion on him and grew a vine over him to shelter him and provide him relief and Jonah was of course happy about that. But when Jonah didn't realize his selfishness God sent a worn to eat up the vine and then sent a hot sun. Jonah was once again miserable because God didn't give him what he wanted. So once again God asked Jonah if he had a right to be angry about the vine and he said that he did and that he was once again angry enough to die.
The point of the story is this and I am going to type it verbatim so I don't mess it up: "Jonah felt he had the right to control his own life and environment, to have things go the way he wanted them to go, and to be angry when they didn't. His insistence on his rights caused him to emotionally unstable, isolated, and estranged from God." pg 76
In a world where today we can get things "our way" like most fast food places advertise, we have to remember that if we were honest, most of the times when we claimed our rights we were happy for a short time and then back to being miserable. In order to be fulfilled we need to yield our rights to God and trust that He knows exactly what we need for the day or moment.
So I am no longer making a list because I realize that what I deserve is what God sees fit to give me. If that means that God is going to restore my marriage then great and if not then I'll have to be okay with that. It won't be as easy for either circumstance as it is for me to type it out but I have to be faithful and obedient and trust.
So there is my soapbox for the day. With the presidential race coming to a close we need to remember that what both of these men promise are just words. The actions come later and we have to hope that they will allow God to lead and direct them in the way that they should go. I personally voted for McCain/Palin solely based on the fact that whoever gets in office will be able to stack the supreme court justices and their affliations may or may not overturn Roe v. Wade. Other than that I had a really had time deciding so I can sympathize with those who are struggling with that decision.
I hope this finds you all well!
Anyway the reason for the post other than I am ready super early for church. One of the last posts I wrote was a list I had created for the next 'mate' that I have whether than be Josh or someone else. A few days after I wrote that I was reading in the book that my Bible Fellowship class studying and God called me on that in a big way. We are reading "Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I highly recommend this book to any woman who is in bondage or feels like she is only keeping obligations because she feels like she has to. Anyway the lie that I was studying was this, "I have my rights" in the chapter about lies women believe about themselves. Now some of you may gasp and say 'of course I have my rights' and you are correct. By government standards we as women have the right to vote, the right to choose the fate of an unborn baby, the right to own land, the right to carry a gun, etc. I created that list out of anger and pain and because so many people have said to me "you deserve better than that" or "If this one wasn't the right one then whoever the right one is must be amazing." After you hear that for so long you begin to believe that you deserve the best the world has to offer and this was my biggest mistake. I believed that I deserved better and that God would provide that for me but what I learned is that I deserve what God provides for me and whatever that may be is what I should be content with. Now that doesn't mean that I will be content with being the maid, cook, financial planner, etc. I don't believe that responsibilities like should all be on the wife. God used the story of Jonah to convict me. Here is a brief run down.
Jonah was an OT prophet who was angry with the Ninevites and believed that he had a right to see them judged by God. But God didn't do what Jonah wanted so Jonah got mad and angry with God. He even begged God to kill him because he was so angry. God confronted Jonah asked him if he thought he had the right to be angry and Jonah wouldn't answer God. So like many young children do when things don't go their way, Jonah went outside of town, built a make shift shelter, and sat and waited and pouted until God changed his mind about destroying the city. I can remember so many times when my sister and I would crumble to the floor and cry and yell when we didn't get our way. Imagine how spoiled we would have been if we had gotten our way every time we pouted. We would be monsters. So back to the story, Jonah was suffering in the heat so God showed compassion on him and grew a vine over him to shelter him and provide him relief and Jonah was of course happy about that. But when Jonah didn't realize his selfishness God sent a worn to eat up the vine and then sent a hot sun. Jonah was once again miserable because God didn't give him what he wanted. So once again God asked Jonah if he had a right to be angry about the vine and he said that he did and that he was once again angry enough to die.
The point of the story is this and I am going to type it verbatim so I don't mess it up: "Jonah felt he had the right to control his own life and environment, to have things go the way he wanted them to go, and to be angry when they didn't. His insistence on his rights caused him to emotionally unstable, isolated, and estranged from God." pg 76
In a world where today we can get things "our way" like most fast food places advertise, we have to remember that if we were honest, most of the times when we claimed our rights we were happy for a short time and then back to being miserable. In order to be fulfilled we need to yield our rights to God and trust that He knows exactly what we need for the day or moment.
So I am no longer making a list because I realize that what I deserve is what God sees fit to give me. If that means that God is going to restore my marriage then great and if not then I'll have to be okay with that. It won't be as easy for either circumstance as it is for me to type it out but I have to be faithful and obedient and trust.
So there is my soapbox for the day. With the presidential race coming to a close we need to remember that what both of these men promise are just words. The actions come later and we have to hope that they will allow God to lead and direct them in the way that they should go. I personally voted for McCain/Palin solely based on the fact that whoever gets in office will be able to stack the supreme court justices and their affliations may or may not overturn Roe v. Wade. Other than that I had a really had time deciding so I can sympathize with those who are struggling with that decision.
I hope this finds you all well!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
A Pet's 10 Commandments
A woman I work with sent this to me in an email and I thought it was great. I may be a little crazy about my dog but she's great so I can be a little crazy about her. =) Here they are:
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
I loved this so I thought I would post it. People, work, life will always let you down. But your pet is always there to give unconditional love and kisses.
Just thought I would share some thoughts on this grey Thursday. Have a great day!
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
I loved this so I thought I would post it. People, work, life will always let you down. But your pet is always there to give unconditional love and kisses.
Just thought I would share some thoughts on this grey Thursday. Have a great day!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Making a list
Life is starting to get back to my 'new' state of normal around here. I was sick for about 3 weeks and then with the move and added stress I had a hard time getting myself well. I think I am just about there though.
Zoe and I are settling into apartment life well. She is a good dog for an apartment because she is quiet and friendly. Here she doesn't have to be cooped up in one room and she can roam anywhere she wants. We have even met some neighborhood dogs and she did quite well.
In the time that Josh and I have been apart, God has been dealing with us both in different ways. I am, whether intentionally or unintentionally, making a list of qualities that my next 'suitor' will have to exemplify before he gets the time of day. Now I don't say that to get a shock because I don't believe that divorce is ever God's plan. Once Josh is in a better place and I am in a better place several months down the road we will explore whether our marriage is something we want to salvage and if we can salvage it. If so then, he already knows that many, many months will spent in counseling. However in the mean time I don't think it is inappropriate to begin a mental list of qualities that I will demand from him or some other person. In 3 short years of marriage I have learned a lot about how a man and wife should treat one another and how easy it is to lose focus on keeping God in the center. So however short it may be, here are the things I am looking for:
1. Above anything else, I want a Godly man who will serve as the leader of the household because he has been called to do that. To love me as Christ loves the church. He will be the not only the family leader, but the spiritual leader.
2. I want a husband who will pray with me. I need that in a man and I won't settle for less. A man who turns to God for major and minor decisions. A man who knows that Jesus is in control and seeks His guidance everyday and encourages me to do the same.
3. A man who shares the responsibilities of keeping up a house without having to be asked. I don't want to be the maid, the chief cook, the chief clothes washer, the financial planner, you get the idea. I want help and equality.
4. A family man. I so desperately want to be a mother one day that if whoever this person may be doesn't want to have children, then they are the person for me.
I think that is enough for now. I in no way write these things to point out and lay blame on Josh as a husband. We both did what we thought a husband and wife should do. I think he would agree that we both have faults and if there is a next time around, things will be different.
Once I get my memory card emptied I will post pictures of my new place. I hope this finds you all well. =)
Zoe and I are settling into apartment life well. She is a good dog for an apartment because she is quiet and friendly. Here she doesn't have to be cooped up in one room and she can roam anywhere she wants. We have even met some neighborhood dogs and she did quite well.
In the time that Josh and I have been apart, God has been dealing with us both in different ways. I am, whether intentionally or unintentionally, making a list of qualities that my next 'suitor' will have to exemplify before he gets the time of day. Now I don't say that to get a shock because I don't believe that divorce is ever God's plan. Once Josh is in a better place and I am in a better place several months down the road we will explore whether our marriage is something we want to salvage and if we can salvage it. If so then, he already knows that many, many months will spent in counseling. However in the mean time I don't think it is inappropriate to begin a mental list of qualities that I will demand from him or some other person. In 3 short years of marriage I have learned a lot about how a man and wife should treat one another and how easy it is to lose focus on keeping God in the center. So however short it may be, here are the things I am looking for:
1. Above anything else, I want a Godly man who will serve as the leader of the household because he has been called to do that. To love me as Christ loves the church. He will be the not only the family leader, but the spiritual leader.
2. I want a husband who will pray with me. I need that in a man and I won't settle for less. A man who turns to God for major and minor decisions. A man who knows that Jesus is in control and seeks His guidance everyday and encourages me to do the same.
3. A man who shares the responsibilities of keeping up a house without having to be asked. I don't want to be the maid, the chief cook, the chief clothes washer, the financial planner, you get the idea. I want help and equality.
4. A family man. I so desperately want to be a mother one day that if whoever this person may be doesn't want to have children, then they are the person for me.
I think that is enough for now. I in no way write these things to point out and lay blame on Josh as a husband. We both did what we thought a husband and wife should do. I think he would agree that we both have faults and if there is a next time around, things will be different.
Once I get my memory card emptied I will post pictures of my new place. I hope this finds you all well. =)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
A new beginning
Some of you may know already and some may not. The reason for this new blog is because Josh and I have separated. I know, you probably didn't see it coming and honestly I didn't either. Josh asked me to move out a few weeks ago and I am just now getting settled into a new apartment. I won't go into the whys and hows and what happened. I don't think it is necessary to explain it all here especially because the point of view is one sided. I can say that I am not bitter and don't hold any anger or hatred for Josh. He is/was a good husband and we are still on good terms. We may not be together anymore and I don't know what the future holds for us but I do know that God is in control and it is my job to prove myself faithful and be patient.
Some wonderful Godly women at Calvary shared the verse at the header of this blog and I have made it my mantra the last few weeks. God is using this season of my life to teach me that fully depending on him is what is necessary to live a full and fulfilled life. I can't say that I am perfect at letting the control go or that I don't struggle because I do, everyday. But God is faithful and I am willing to follow obediently and see where this leads.
I will not be updating the blog we shared together after I post the link to this blog. So if you want to keep up with me and my best girl Zoe, then this is the blog you need to check. Hopefully my schedule will calm down enough that I can post more often.
I hope this finds everyone well. Know that I am well and I am in a good place.
~Jess
Some wonderful Godly women at Calvary shared the verse at the header of this blog and I have made it my mantra the last few weeks. God is using this season of my life to teach me that fully depending on him is what is necessary to live a full and fulfilled life. I can't say that I am perfect at letting the control go or that I don't struggle because I do, everyday. But God is faithful and I am willing to follow obediently and see where this leads.
I will not be updating the blog we shared together after I post the link to this blog. So if you want to keep up with me and my best girl Zoe, then this is the blog you need to check. Hopefully my schedule will calm down enough that I can post more often.
I hope this finds everyone well. Know that I am well and I am in a good place.
~Jess
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