September 18

[ Birds of a Feather Eat Apples Together ]

These birds were my newest art project.  A while back, Cherise wanted to put birds on her wall.  So as a good sister, I found a clipart and mailed it to her.  But then I decided I wanted birds on my wall.  So I spent some tedious hours cutting out birds.  Now, my living-room wall has this feathery treatment.  Very whimsical, I think.

 

 

This week, one of the teachers I work with brought in freshly picked apples from her backyard.  After deliberating over my baking options, I finally decided on a pie.  100 % homemade.  I peeled, I chopped, I mixed, I rolled, and I baked.  The recipe I used is from the Better Homes Cook Book - arguably the best cookbook out there.  The apples were deliciously tart against the savory cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar crust.  The only thing that could have completed this warm pie was a scoop of homemade vanilla icecream.

I found this clothing website the other day.  I am in love.  Too bad, most of these are beyond my price range.  I guess I just need a reason. . .

Shabby Apple

Black Oak 

Ingrid

thoughts on God

2 Corinthians 9:8  

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;"   

Just this morning I was struck with this verse.  Read over that first phrase again. "And God is able." That alone, gave me so much encouragement.  While we are filled with inability, God is able.  Paul filled this verse with words containing such immensity in meaning. It has such power and confidence.  2 Corinthians 9:8 really continues on with the teaching on community, which God has really been laying on my heart.  God gives us extra in all areas of life, not so we can hoard, but so we can give. So our response needs to be:

1.Consider what we have extra of right now.  

(God may give us extra of different things at different times.)

2.Look for needs - be aware.

3.Pray God would bring people into our lives / ministries that have needs.

4.Give

5.Accept gifts from others when we have needs.

6.Trust God in our giving and that He'll provide.

GOD IS ABLE 

LOVE

jayejaye 

September 16

[It was a good week]

I really have a hard time not counting down the days until the weekend.  This week wasn't any different.  I need to be reminded to live my days, not count them down. But, it was a good week.

*I FINALLY (and I mean finally) skyped with Bo.  It is always too long between our conversations

 

*The sun has been keeping my little town warm. We still have no idea the rest of the world is feeling autumn.

*I was able to put more pennies in the bank to save up for my birthday trip to Texas to see my sister.  I. CAN. NOT. WAIT!!!

A few snippets from school:

6th grade boy . . .(who daily, is very concerned with the fact that I'm not married)

"Miss Johnson do you have any, wait no.  You don't have any kids do you?"

        I answered, "No, I don't have any kids.  I'm not married remember?"

"Oh yeah," he thinks for a minute "You're probably never going to get married."

        "Why would you say that?" I asked back, laughing.

Very matter of factly he says, "Because, you never try out any of those websites I tell you to." then he walked away, semi-upset because I was ignoring his help.  

6th grade autistic boy . . . 

A student gave me an airhead today.  I've been getting quite a few of these offerings this week; airheads and fruit by the foot.  Apparently the apple is out.  As I was walking around the classroom checking planners I had the airhead in hand.  I walked by this student's desk and he says, "I smell some extra pounds on you." I could not stop laughing as I asked if he was insinuating that the one airhead was going to make me fat.  Oh, he was.

On a brighter note

 

I just dearly love daisies.  

Lanterns are starting to catch my eye.

LOVE

jayejaye

[T-T-T-Tongue]

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger."

Proverbs 15:1

Oh how true.  Putting this into good practice as the children get sassier than ever.

Missing on my sister today. And summer. And Starbucks. With my Sister.

[ Happy Birthday ]

 

August 31 was my dear cousin, Sadie Trimble's birthday.  She is my favorite cousin, even though I probably shouldn't have favorites.  We've played together, eaten together. . . a lot, cheered on the huskers together, played football together, and made many other memories together.  Sadie has always been a positive influence in my life, and whether she realizes it. . . someone to look up to.  I love coming to Nebraska and being part of her full and happy  family.  Watching her being a mom and a wife.  Reading books, checking the buffs, eating meals straight from the garden. . . drinking coffee and sharing.  Happy Birthday! I love you and am thankful for you.

September 3rd was my dear Grandpa Kinzer's birthday.  He's the only grandpa I've ever had, but what a great one.  I love his witty sense of humor and his no nonsense kind of attitude.  He has an organic dairy farm; which is pretty rad.  
He's always been ahead of the curve (Krispy Kreme).  His continued love for Jesus has been an encouragement to me. When my grandma was sick last year, he exhibited the truest example of love I  have ever seen.  And I say this in the truest sense.  He knows what love is. . .and for that, I feel so truly blessed to have as an example and  memory. I love him. . . . AND We both love lemon meringue pie.  I love you and am so blessed to have you as my grandpa!!! 

LOVE

J J

Just some "rough draft" thoughts on. . .

[Community]

.13 For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction,

but by way of equality -- 14 at this present time your abundance

being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a 

supply for your need, that there may be equality; 15 as it is written, "He who 

gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack."

2 Corinthians 8:13-14 

      The background of these verses is that Paul writes to the Corinthian church, encouraging them to give financially to other churches who are struggling.  Paul wants to stress the idea of community and the importance of unity.

It's a give and take relationship -- a community.  

     Because there are always going to be times when we have a little extra.  Maybe it's not always financial.  Maybe it's emotion, time, wisdom, prayer.  Maybe it's an ear to listen, compassion, or love.  There are times we have more of these things to give.  It is our responsibility, then, to look out in the body of Christ and seek out those who are coming up short.  Who has needs, and in their own strength aren't able to fulfill them.  It is our job as a body, as a community, to see those needs and give.

     There are also times when we begin to run dry.  We may wonder how we will pay the next bill.  We may question if we have the patience to deal with an overbearing boss.  Our hearts may be so heavy with concern, worry or pain.  Maybe we've fallen into sin but decide we want out.  So we ache for someone to come along who will show us compassion and forgiveness.  Someone with extra patience who can take over a ministry to give our bodies a rest.  Maybe we just need someone to recognize our being.  To help us not feel so alone in this battle. Someone to help us remember,   

we are a community

     A functioning community; giving and receiving.  Looking and excepting.  Meeting needs and allowing our needs to be met.  We can not allow our community to go on unfilled or inadequate.  We can not allow our abundance to be unused and ignored.   

     Because that's what happens in a community.  A community shares both pain and joy. A community works together to heal and has the opportunity to create an impact that can reach the world.  This community functions through genuine love.

     So when we seem to have extra, look and see where there is a need.  Ask God to allow us to see as His eyes do (Give My Your Eyes-Brandon Heath).  Don't just ignore your abundance or store it away, saving it for a rainy day that may happen.  There are needs now.  And when our rainy days come, trust that God will provide through the community He's given us to be a part of.  Learn what to look for, how it feels, and how to reach others.  As we embrace as a unified community watch what God will do, through our genuine love.

 It's a give and take relationship -- a community. 

 

  

LOVE

JJ

A Lesson in Love

[How to Get Married]

Believe it or not, this has been proven to work.

August 7th this little one

got her face marked with a big fat red x. 

A lovely outdoor wedding.

The one day it rained in the STG.

LOVE

Once Upon A Time...

...I got married.  to the most amazing guy i've ever met.  it was a good time.  there were a few rocky parts in the ceremony, but how else are memories made?

 Many photographs were taken to capture 
                                  the special moments, like this beauty...
              putting his ring on the WRONG hand. and this is after i repeatedly reminded him which hand to put                                                         my ring on.                                       sigh, oh well.  memories right?

Peace.

Best of . . .

I've been away far too long.

School is in full swing.  Much too soon, if you ask me.

 Here's a little gem from last year.

[BEST HAIR 2010]

In our social skills class the last day of school, each student had to draw

a name and come up with an award specific to them.

I will cherish this forever.

LOVE

Miss Johnson

 

Throw Down - JJ

One item on my Christmas List for Lexington was to make a gingerbread house. My mom had bought 3 kits. One for myself, Cherise, and David. A little fun turned into a good 'ol . . .

Throwdown

The instructions were very clear. I had 30 minutes. I in reality worked on my house for 2 hours instead.

The Secret Ingredient... Gingerbread

I had so many options.



I worked and worked.



Finished!!












I DOMINATED . . .