Another reason...

...that I love students.

Exhibit A: They draw random pictures during Bible study.

Also, they allow me to give impromptu grammar lessons using the white board in our office. Actually, "allow me to" may not be entirely accurate. More like they politely listen as long as they possibly can and then smile that "I think you're completely crazy" smile and then carry on with whatever conversation was previously in progress before the visit from the grammar geek.

Bottom line: I enjoy their kind of crazy and they tolerate mine. I'm completely ok with that. :)

Back to school, back to...

...incessant reading, endless typing, and ACNE. What? Yes, I said acne.

I love to read, but usually when I have downtime, I lack the energy to read for fun. Major benefit to taking grad classes online: mucho reading. But honestly, I feel like I read constantly (except when I'm driving, talking with others face-to-face, or showering, of course).

Typing. Again, constant. Between work and school, my computers are so well loved.

Lastly, the ever so attractive redish bumps that are enjoying their flourishing vacation across my face. Honestly, I was beginning to enjoy some freedom from this beast and even exploring lighter (and occasionally a lack of) makeup. And then school started. I really think it must be subconscious because my mind does not feel overly stressed about school. Busy, but not overly stressed or taxed. Oy. I should've bought stock in skin care companies 10 years ago...

That all seems to be a little bit focused on the negative. And I'm honestly trying to have a positive attitude. So, here's some positivity: I LOVE learning. I love growing and being challenged intellectually. And I love feeling like I'm contributing to a conversation that could stimulate growth in someone else. (Yes, I'm most definitely a teacher.) The class that I'm currently taking is called "Ministry with Students." It's been really interesting to discover philosophies, theologies, and such of those who have much experience in the world of student ministry. Some of it seems like things I could have written with my measly 2.5 years of experience in vocational ministry; however, the perspectives of others bring a lot to the table. And their insights are invaluable. In no way do I come close to having this whole world of ministry figured out. Sheesh, it's endless. But I do know that the bottom line is that Jesus is Lord and He loves students. And somehow, somewhere along the line, He called me to love students too.

While all the studying I've been doing is great, nothing even comes close to the heart knowledge that I've gained, even just this weekend. I've really been trying to hone in on what exactly my passion and my calling is in life. Thursday evening, I was on the treadmill, doing some reading for school (further proves my point of reading constantly--I can't currently afford to expand my workout outside of the treadmill because I need that time to read!), and I suddenly realized that regardless of the capacity, I am so passionate about working with teenagers. I sincerely love being around them (even when they annoy the snot out of me). I value their perspectives and so appreciate their energy. Most of all, I care about their lives now and eternally. Maybe this all sounds super silly and obvious, but for the first time--maybe ever--I felt so entirely certain of my calling that I could not stop smiling. There was an overwhelming peace and such a fulfilling joy that I experienced on that treadmill. And I so needed that. I wanted to carry on my power walk forever! Ha.

So, there's some positivity right there...and from a post that started off on a negative foot. What's going on in your life that's positive? How did you discern your calling and your passion? Do you get excited about it?

I'm excited...and I have homework to do. So that's it for now, bloggies.

Have a great Monday!

monday sick day

My plan to avoid Mondays: Monday sick days. Ha...totally kidding. I honestly hate sick days. They're right up there next to gagging noises and bad sushi. Ick. I just feel like a lump of human, consuming space, and profiting next to nothing. Needless to say, I'm not a good patient. So, to counteract the ten hours that I spent sleeping, with brief interruptions to take more sinus meds, refill the water bottle, shower, and put the neti pot to good use, I dragged myself out of bed to hit the treadmill for a bit this evening. Hopefully I sweated out the toxins and wore myself out enough to actually fall asleep tonight.

In between sleeping sessions today (I literally did sleep most of the day--that part was wonderful and apparently much needed), I hit the web to do some shoe shopping, which has become a less than enjoyable experience over the last few months. I'm finding myself struggling to rewrite my definition of cute and go for the healthy shoes. It's especially difficult considering the price of not-as-cute comfy shoes. So, I'm going out on a limb here and asking your opinion. I need a couple pairs of stylish and healthy dress shoes/boots that I can wear on Sundays, mostly. Sundays are the days I'm on my feet the most, but, honestly, that's when I care the most what I'm wearing too. I know in the scheme of things, it doesn't matter; but let's be honest, I'm a girl and fashion is important to me. And I know I'm not alone in that. ;)

Ok, here are a couple of options I've been considering. Seriously, your feedback is requested and appreciated. But, please, be gentle, and remember, I've got old lady feet that I have to consider, so if there is an opportunity cost, it's going to have to be the fashion over the fit.






Ok, so hit me with your thoughts! And of course other recommendations are welcome too.
Stay healthy--from your head to your toes! :)

You know those days...

...that just start off the wrong foot entirely? Today was unquestionably one of those days.

I stayed up too late (enjoying the company of good friends for a special occasion, mind you), but then I snoozed too long. And I skipped my Bible time and last minute review time. I rationalized that I was up late and I would have some downtime once I got to work and got everything settled so I could review then. Plus, those extra nine minutes of zzz's really do count. (HA.) And it was rainy and I couldn't decide what to wear... Ugh, it was just one of those mornings. And then I got to work, and technology was not on my side. I won't recount all the little issues I ran into, but it was honestly one thing after another. Up until about 5 minutes before our first hour of small groups I was struggling with getting anything to work right. It was all I could do to hold back the tears while I asked James, who was busy fighting his own fires and gearing up for his hour of small groups, to take a look at yet another tech issue. Oy. Thankfully he was super gracious and got my stuff up and running just in time to kick off our small group openers.

Needless to say, I did not have a moment of downtime to review my lesson or do any kind of personal Bible study. And let's just suffice to say lesson learned. However, greater than the lesson of not snoozing through my alarm and considering an earlier bedtime on Saturday eve, is a lesson that Jesus has been trying so hard to get me to see lately. As I was switching gears from Junior High and Senior High this morning, I had a few moments to catch my breath during a couple of worship songs. The Lord so graciously reminded me during those moments that He loves me so much, not for what I do, or really even for who I am, but because of who He is. I love being cradled in His love. I know that sounds cheesy; in fact I nearly deleted it as soon as I typed it. But I can't, because it's so true. And maybe you need to hear that. Maybe you need to let Him envelope you and just hold you while you rest in His love. It seems like lately He's been chasing after me with this idea of love. Love? Really? Yes, love. He's been hitting me with it from so many different angles lately, and while I'm definitely not an expert on the topic, and I definitely struggle with accepting something of which I am so unworthy, I am beginning to see glimpses of what true love--His love--really looks like and how it works in my life.

Lesson number one today: His love for me knows no bounds. And all He really wants is for me to know that love and make it known. Lesson number two: Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, is greater, stronger, higher, more beautiful, more powerful, more gracious, more undeserved, than His love. And nothing could ever stop it. (See Romans 8.) During our second hour of small groups I was so overwhelmed, again, with His love and how unchangeable it is. Seriously, I don't even deserve to experience His love, let alone be reminded of it so relentlessly. But He's so good like that.

So today, that started out being "one of those days," and NOT one of my days, ended up being exactly what it needed to be, exactly what He wanted it to be. Here's to the same tomorrow.

I hope you're being blessed, bloggies, and soaking in His love for you.

a-z about me

{ bff rachel and me }

{a} age :: 25 (cough, cough)
{b} bed size :: queen
{c} chore you hate :: laundry...ugh! putting it in isn't so bad, but taking it out and putting it away...oy.
{d} dogs :: 2ish...leo and selene (my parents')
{e} essential start to your day :: snooze, workout (if snoozing doesn't take too long), shower, breakfast, quiet time
{f} favorite color :: i definitely dig black and white. no question.
{g} gold or silver :: silver
{h} height :: 5'4.5" to be exact
{i} instruments you play :: originally, accordian, then keys, now learning guitar
{j} job title :: student associate
{k} kids :: no, thank you (cough, cough, scandalous)
{l} live :: missouri
{m} maiden name :: stone...duh?
{n} nicknames :: jessie, jess, bessie, jesser...that's all i'll share for now :)
{o} overnight hospital stays :: not since birth, but plenty of visits
{p} pet peeve :: poor grammar/spelling, specifically with your/you're and their/they're/there; rude, hateful attitudes; dirty fingernails...ick!
{q} quote :: "It was all worth the weight, worth the wait." --Sleeping at Last
{r} righty or lefty :: righty
{s} siblings :: 1 little sissy, age 20
{t} time you wake up :: depends on the day and the night before...wait, that sounds bad. it depends what time i get to bed. i'm an 8-hour kind of girl. i generally snooze at least once every morning though. typical rise and shine time: somewhere between 6:50-7:30am.
{u} university attended :: southwest baptist university, undergrad; currently dallas baptist university, graduate
{v} vegetables you dislike :: none that i know of, really
{w} what makes you run late :: thinking i always have time for one last task...ugh. i'm late by nature, but on time by discipline...most of the time.
{x} x-rays you’ve had :: teeth, gall bladder, intestines, ankle, feet...
{y} yummy food :: cereal, ice cream, fresh fruit/veggies, SALMON--yum!
{z} zoo animal favorite :: generally, i don't make a practice of visiting the zoo. in fact, i can't remember the last time i went. i guess i'd have to say pandas or penguins or something like that.