Negative turned positive

A staunch look, and a passing comment,
a whispered word, with disaproved tone.
A piece of gossip, so willfully spread,
without a glance at the heart instead.
All eyes are focused on one, not themselves,
where it's easy to see the cracks and the shells.
It's the negative that's become the topic of the lips,
the focus on others, that's caused our hearts to slip.

But what if the mirror is turned to the face of our own.
What is the view?  A heart full of love or a face full of stone?
It's time to let the Master take hold.
Let's give Him our hearts, and He'll willingly mold.
Let the negative turn positive, the focus, to us.
If we look in the hearts, we'll find more than a crust.
Give a little here, and smile a little there,
soon we'll have a life with love everyhwere!


J.Leman

What if...

when I woke up this morning, I had only things that I thanked God for last night?

the windy city with an ecstatic 7-year-old

For my niece Lydia's birthday, mom, Jodi, and I took her up to Chicago on the train to see the sights and (most importantly) visit the American girl doll store.  To say she was on cloud 9 is an understatement!  She couldn't wait to get on the train and asked about every 10 minutes on the drive to the station how long till we'd get there. 


The excitement begins!

I didn't even have to tell her to say "cheese!"



"I can hardly contain my excitement!"

 

"No, mom, I don't need to hold your hand, and I don't need to put my gloves on."

The new addition--Lucy (her look-a-like)!

Eating lunch at the top of the John Handcock building.  Lydia was showing her doll the sites!

"It was just sooo halarious!"

 

Loove the face!

"Now take a picture with just me and her, Jeana."
"Oh, she just looks sooo cute!"



The train, the doll, the bags, and the girl!

 

And that's what she thought about it! lol

We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and Lydia kept exclaiming how this was her favorite birthday present ever and she was never ever going to forget it!  She could not wait to show Grandpa, and Uncle Jess, and all her siblings her new doll!  I have a feeling she'll be talking about this for weeks on end!  I love this girl! ;)

Catch up

It's been a while since I've updated this... so, if you're ready for a boring post--read on.  If not, then you better stop! (This is gonna be a 3-yawner, as my BIO 123 professor would say....!)

 

Biggest news in my life--I got another job! It was one of those God moments in my life where I didn't have to wonder what God's will was b/c He plopped it right in my lap at the perfect time.  I'm soo thankful for HIS direction in my life!  Our God is AWESOME! I'm pretty excited about it, but I haven't started yet, so I'll let you know after I do!  I will be going to an elderly gentleman's house a few days a week (mostly weekends) to help take care of him (making meals, cleaning house, laundry, personal hygeine, and so on).  He needs 24 hr care so there are about 5 other aids that help out.  They do really good at scheduling around conflicts so that will be nice! Oh, and I can study at work while making $$!!!  (That's my favoritest part!) ;) 

I will offically be an aunt again w/in the next month (hopefullly!)  Can't wait to see how sweet this one's gonna be!!!

I'm headed out to West Bend, Iowa this weekend for my cousins's (Paula & Betsi's) double wedding.  Should be a nice weekend. :)

My 5th week of college is almost offically finished :D  It's flying by and I hope it continues that way!  It's a little bit more stressful than last semester but I'm sure its not as stressful as next, so I need to remember to NOT complain...as soon as next week is over... ;)

Next Friday I am taking the TEAS test which will help determine if I get into the nursing program or not...maybe that's why my stress level is a little bit above average about now. :S But after that, I will be in the waiting period to hear back if I get in or not.  It's in God's hands, tho, so I'm not gonna worry over it.

That's about it for my boring, yet crazy life...God is good!

 

 

 

Meal for the P's

My parents celebrated their 30th anniversary last week...makes me feel like I have old parents...but I wouldn't want 'em any different!  I'm so thankful to have a mom and a dad who clearly love eachother, and have set a perfect example of love for their children to follow.

So, as a celebration, CKJT Catering hosted a meal Sunday night for my family at the Forrest Hotel... Just thought I would share a few pictures of the evening.  We all had a wonderful time and everything turned out awesome! (Well... don't ask CKT b/c they'll tell you otherwise!) And... (prepared to be shocked...) I pulled it all off as a surprise!! And it actually was a surprise to mom and dad! I had fun going behind their backs, grabbing things here and there when they were gone, stashing stuff under my bed, and coming up with excuses for going to Jodi's, running erands all day, and going randomly to pontiac one night...It was a blast!

Tiff, our wonderful napkin designer!



One place setting (minus the knife...)

The table!

Another view...

Our griller... Thanks Jerm!

T & C preparing the salads--YUM!

SURPRISE!

Sorry for the unappealing picture...It looked so delicious I couldn't wait to taste it before taking a picture!
We had steak, twice baked potatoes, savory green beans, and garlic bread.

Dessert: German Chocolate cake... or

Mini pavlovas w/ fresh fruit! Delish!



aww... :)

Us 4 and the P's...
So thankful for the friendships we've created and all the many memories we've made!



 After supper, my family went to my sister, Jodi's, for the evening.  I stayed back and helped clean up a little, but my 3 wonderful co-partners finished it up.  Thanks again gals, you're the best!!



I brought along their wedding outfits to try on...
Yep they still fit, but don't look too close!

Christian Walk

In our walk as a Christian, how should we be with others? Should we be causing controversy, strife, envy, or hate? Or should we walk in love, joy, longsuffering, and peace?  I think that's pretty obvious--the latter. 

But how come so often we find our selves immersed in the controversy, causing strife towards others, being envious of someone, or having feelings of hatred?  What is causing this?  It's none other than the evil doer--satan. 

In a disscussion I had tonight, a wonderful point was brought up.  Christians should not lead controversial lives and they should not cause controversy.  It's not part of a Christian walk. Ask yourself the question--"what makes satan happy?"  Does satan like it when we focus on the many issues of the church? Does he like it when we choose the easy way out in a situation, even if it's not "bad" or "wrong"?  Does satan like it when we look at others and judge them based upon what we see? Does he like it when our decisions cause controversy or strife to the people we love?  Yes! He likes all of these situations.  Satan feasts on these things.  And yet often times I find myself very willing to feed him with out even realizing it.  I think it's good to look at it from the view of what satan thinks of my decisions or my life.  Am I making him happy or giving in to what he wants?  By God's grace, I hope not!

So I challenge you in this week... ask yourself this question, "Am I doing what makes satan happy? Or am I making him wilt?"  In every decision in life, I think its a great way to decifer what's right and whats not. 

Let's stop making satan happy!!

God's Math

This was a forward that I got. I thought it was good enough to share with you! :)

>From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%?  What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?
Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?
We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%.
How about achieving 101%?
What equals 100% in life?
Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these
questions:
          If:
          A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
          is represented as:
          1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19  20 21 22 23 24 25 26
          Then:
          H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K
          8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 =  98%
         and
         K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
         11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 =  96%
        But,
        A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
        1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%
        AND, look how far the love of God will take you...
        L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D
        12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 =  101%
        H-o-l-y S-p-i-r-i-t
        8+15+12+25+19+16+9+18+9+20 = 151%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:
While hard work and knowledge will get you close, and attitude will get you there,
 it's the Love of God that will put you over the top!
The Holy Spirit Will Keep You There!