So Many Passions, So Little Time!

100_6707, originally uploaded by jennifercreates.

Ok, As I said on a previous blog...I have so many passions!! I've been asking of God what it is that He wants me to do. For now, I have just been having fun with my passions.

One of them being photography. Sometimes I think I know just a little about a lot of different things...but only enough to make me dangerous! lol!

Anyhow, these photos are ones that I took several months ago like back in March, when we were visiting our family in Western NC. This is my niece and my daughter...being fun. We found this rly cool wall downtown and they wanted to strike poses!

We had a lot of fun. This is one of those times where I wish I'd had a more powerful camera, or at least better lens options/more powerful flash on board!

These were taken with a Kodak P850.

I had bought the camera several yrs ago to use for ministry... for taking photos at our church for special events. I have a lot of photos I have taken through the yrs that I may begin to post a few to get your opinion as to if I have any potential in photography. = )

Check out the photos I have streaming on my flickr too.
Let me know what you think. And remember...I am not a professional! Nor do I pretend to be. HA!

Victory! Be Encouraged in Jesus name!!

A Homeschool Family

The kids and I have been watching videos together. We love this comedian Tim Hawkins, who is a christian comedian. He really is a hoot and actually is a homeschooling parent.

This video will make ya laugh...it made the children and I just crack up since we "are" a homeschool family. hehe

Enjoy!

Ok...my turn...I'm Inspired by my daughter now!

Ok...now Jordan has inspired me!!

Alright...you saw the Women's Conference pics (that is how my hair looks when I take the time to fix it)...

Usually it looks like this...




Or This...up in a clip...



But now it looks like THIS....

My New Do!

A Day in the Life of Josh

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Is that my Brain making that noise???

No...it is just the dryer hummin' and rattling...not my brain afterall! =) It sure feels like it could be my brain though!! My thoughts have run overtime lately! HA.

I'm going through that..."what do I want to be when I grow up" phase again. It comes around about every 5 yrs. hehe

The problem is, I've got so many passions and interests that I would never be able to fit them all into my days and weeks. I mean, why can't I find what it is that I do well...and do it with all my heart?

Then my friend Drea shared with me that I AM doing things well. Being a wife and mother...homeschooling...taking care of my home (not that I have got all these things down to a science) What she said to me really got me to thinking a lot.

So why do I think there should be something more out there that God wants me to doing??? I believe that I should have some kind of goals and passion...SOME other ways to use my gifts and talents for the Lord...creative outlet too, right?

I see these blogger friends...some are eloquent writers, photographers... creatively selling ideas that they have come up with to make a mom's life easier or to preserve precious memories. Living their passion, being creative, blessing others, and making a little money in the process too. It is a very neato thing to see.

I enjoy singing, music, photography, painting, drawing, crocheting, web design interests me/computers, encouraging/counseling (I have 2 yrs toward a counseling degree that is just sitting in Lakeland FL unfinished!)...it is like I do just a little of each of these things to make me dangerous, but not an expert at it. HA! Or, I pick it up for a season, and put it down for a season.

I so love to write too...perhaps praise and worship songs, which touch my heart...God has even woke me with songs that I have written down parts of them when I awake. Nothing completed though. What is it with all the incomplete things in my life? Somebody counsel me on that one! =)

Probably my biggest passions are singing and art. If I could choose anything in the world I could do, and money was no object, I would be part of a praise and worship team for Hillsong in Australia. Now that is dreaming big!! My husband and children would have to be a huge part of this ministry too. We are a music loving family.

Only...I do these things like singing, but can't read much music at all. I play piano mostly by hearing and by chords. I am learning piano at age 40! My voice is only ordinary, but I know God can do so much with so little...you know, "little is much when God is in it".

Ok...and here is another thing! I'd always thought about being a cosmetologist. I know...you're probably thinking (???) I guess I could use some of my counseling and encouraging gifts in that field too. As a matter of fact, I even recently applied and have been accepted to a school nearby.

Then I stop and think...Am I being selfish here???...and wow, if I did go back to school...I'd have to put our children in school for a yr, then maybe longer to do my apprenticeship afterwards. I also remember how God called me to be their mom, and to teach them and train them in the way they should go. So at that point I'm back to full circle again...with being a wife, mom and homemaker...being a friend. Those are very important things too.

Other dreams I remain hopeful about. God put on my heart yrs ago to do a praise and worship CD that would encourage hurting/wounded hearts. Especially for hurting women. The ministry Proverbs 31 is so awesome and is such an encouragement to women. God has just put me in the path of a lot of hurting women who have been beaten down and abused. They need to know how special they are, and that no one can take away the fact that they are fearfully and wonderfully made in Christ's image...and loved by Jesus...mostly, that they ARE significant in Christ!

So...now you know why my head is rolling like a dryer...I'm praying for God to sort all of this out and make my path clear.

Lord, as I get quiet with you, be still my thoughts and may I listen to your still small voice guiding me. (see I do have to take my own advise!)

I'm wondering...Anyone ever have days like these? I'd love to hear from you all.

Psalm 139

Women's Conference - Our guest speaker - A Judge!

Worship4 - The Speaker and a Judge!, originally uploaded by finadrea.

Today we had a women's conference at our church. It was an awesome time of fellowship, getting into the word of God together, worship, and prayer.

Drea helped us with powerpoint and taking photos for us. Thank you so much Drea!!!

You can view more of the photos on finadrea's photostream.

Jordan was inspired!

Jordan was inspired by our friend Kelly to get her hair cut short. I love it and so does she!!

Jordan Before:




Jordan After!

This is where it all began... Street Water Balloon Toss!

100_2083, originally uploaded by jennifercreates.

Ok, This is the game I was telling Andrea about. Our children got in the streets an did water balloon toss. They had a blast and got cooled off with the splashes when they missed they catch.

I suggest getting at least 100 balloons. 25 just isn't enough. Especially if the neighborhood kids come and join you. : )

Our streets are very low traffic by the way...

I Will Not Be Moved!

This is a song Jordan and I are lovin' this week.

Now, if you aren't the christian rocker type (I love all kinds of music from the hymns to the heart of isreal to stryper...whatever glorifies God!) This may not be for you. Hope you will at least give it a try and "take in" the lyrics. : )

Click Here and then go to the song player on the right of the pg, scroll down the songs, and click on the song, "I Will Not Be Moved" by Natalie Grant. It may take a moment for the player to come up completely, it is worth the wait! Patience is a virtue ; ) so "they" say.

Also, you can go to my myspace pg and hear the song. But you may want to hear some of her other songs that aren't so rock sounding too. So check out Natalie's page if you want! =)

Here are the lyrics:

"Will Not Be Moved"

I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They're bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won't let me go
And is the reason why...

[Chorus:]
I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It's grace I'm standing on

[Chorus]

And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I've worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved

[Chorus]


Enjoy and be blessed in Jesus name!

Baby Birds in a Front Door Nest

Baby Birds in a Front Door Nest, originally uploaded by jennifercreates.

These are baby birds. If you look closely...you can see a partial body and tail of a second bird, which is positioned horizontally behind the first.

These baby birds nested in an artificial wreath hanging outside of our piano teacher's door! This one allowed me to get so close to take a pic, then flew out for the 1st time. It was soooo cool!!!

After this family left, a second batch of eggs were hatched. Unfortunately some cats got a hold of those baby birds. We were so sad. Our music teach tried to protect them, but the cats got past her blocked area, and ripped the nest to shreds. We all had a cry!

Anyway, I received my first comment on flickr for my photography. That was kind of nice!

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

What are your thoughts on this?...

I'd like to know what you think. This scares me that the woman almost is calling him a devil...just for asking people to question and test the spirits. It almost makes me think of Jesus, and the people were accusing him for being a devil for speaking truth. I don't know, I'm only putting thoughts out there, and he never mistreats anyone, even though that lady yelled at him.

Lincoln Makes Us Giggle...

This weekend we had visitors. A family from our previous church in Western NC came to stay one night with us. They arrived Friday and Sat morning we got up and had a big breakfast with them before they continued on to their beach destination. They have 3 children and one on the way!!! We miss them already!

Get ready to giggle!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

While the neighbors are away, this kids will play!

Our children are keeping our neighbor's cats, and in return are able to swim in their pool. : ) That is a great tradeoff! We got out there for about an hour or so today. It was really humid out though!

The kids and I have been talking a lot about how to handle hurtful comments. There have been some boys in our neighborhood who have called Josh names and made fun of his body( Jordan too actually-thankfully she didn't hear it because she was on a golf cart with her girlfriends....these things were said to Josh and he asked the boys to stop. When they wouldn't, he asked them to leave)...

Anyway, these boy said to Josh that his breasts were too big to be a boys. : ( I just told Josh that he is blessed because when he is old enough to do weight lifting, he will have a lot of chest muscle that will build up then! We talked about how Jesus would handle persecution and name calling, and while we are not Jesus, we can certainly learn to be like Him.

It is a hard thing for kids to be made fun of, it hurts them deeper than other kids know. And I just hurt with them! Then remind them to always remember how it makes them feel when others tear them down, because we never want to be the one to do that to someone else. I also share how they can be like Christ and show a better way by being their friend, even when they are not always so nice. That is a hard one too. We pray about it, and he has learned to see when it is getting to hard, to walk away. He backs off from spending too much time. But I do believe that the only way we can be affective in sharing Christ, is to go to a lost and dying people...only after we are prayed up and able to allow those fiery darts to bounce off of us! With them being so young, it is a delicate process to train them and keep them from being too hurt at the same time. I'm continually reminding them of who they are in Christ, and that what people say about us does not define who we are. : )

So, back to the swimming. It started out fun for them. Then Josh got on Jordan's nerves with all of his boy energy. Then I had to do the mommy thing of saying, "If you guys can't have a good time together, then we'll have to try to swim another time. Of course, that sobered them up because they did not want to have to get out of the water so soon. In the midst of their fussing, our sweet neighbor lady came out to hang clothes. So I went over to help her, and we had a nice talk, until the fussing got to a dull roar...that is when I had to regulate and give them the above mommy line! hehe. They did begin to settle down and have fun.

Someone asked me recently if they really do get along together. Yes, they do for the most part. Occasionally they get on each other's nerves and need a time out. BUT they are with each other much more than most sibblings since we are homeschooling. So I try to keep that in mind and help them each with making time away from each other from time to time. That way they appreciate being together much more. =)

Here are some pics from their swimming today. I've decided that at some point I need an upgraded camera OR a better lens for the one I have! This one is just not getting the detail I would like. Well, I'll have to add pics later. For some reason the blogger pic uploader is getting stuck. : )


The neighbor's Cat - His name is Slap...isn't that funny??? hehe

My Christian Priorities...Or Not

I found this really great and encouraging website. Thought I would share it! Hope you are blessed by it as I was too. Have a beautiful day! Jenn

My Christian Priorities...Or Not

I'm not exactly sure when I realized that my Christian priorities weren't in order.
Have you ever felt like you've tried and tried and no matter what you do, things don't turn out right? Have you ever gone to God and said, "God, I can't do this anymore. I'm just worn out and I'm done trying?"

I remember thinking that somewhere, somehow, there HAD to be a better way. Life couldn't possibly be this chaotic, this unfocused, and so completely wrong.

For years I tried everything to meet my goals. But eventually I turned into what is known today as a work-a-holic. Nothing was as important to me as my career. Not God, not my family, not anything. I would work 50, 60, 70 hours a week and just keep telling myself and my family that I had to do this if we wanted to get ahead. I would just go around and around the same mountain. AND I would do the same wrong things on every trip.


Stop the World and Let Me Off.......


Do you know what happens when you go around a mountain enough times? You wear a rut in the path. And when you continue, the rut just gets deeper and deeper. I figure I was up to about my neck when I finally stopped. Yup, it took lots and lots of years doing it wrong to finally realize that continuing to do the same wrong things over and over simply wasn't working.

Trying to find a balance isn't easy when you're focused on the wrong things. And establishing your Christian priorities...well, they certainly don't just descend on you in the middle of the night.



Fortunately, God is pretty good at meeting you where you are, even if all He can see is you standing in a rut up to your neck. Slowly but surely God takes you by the hand and leads you out of the rut, one step at a time, one issue at a time, IF you ask for the help.

But just because you turn things over to God, doesn't mean He's going to show you the whole plan.

He didn't show me what He had in mind. He just led me step by step. If He would've laid out the whole thing for me, I would've looked like a deer caught in the headlights. It would've blinded me. Instead He showed me just enough to keep me relying on Him...trusting in His timing...believing Him, one step at a time. I was OK with it though, because then I only needed to have faith for that day. And at the time that "mustard seed" faith was all I had. One day at a time was all I COULD see.

Who Me? Climb UP the Mountain???


So as the journey up the mountain began, God started confronting me about all kinds of things. He started working with me in areas that weren't productive...like wrong attitudes and things like patience, kindness, humility...you know, REAL Christian priorities. Ugh, who knew those were all that important?

Little by little, God showed me that if I wasn't going to honor the most important things, then nothing would ever work right.

Today I'm in a different place on a different journey. Even though you can never have absolutely perfect Christian priorities, I'm alot better than I was! Whenever you get better in one area, God confronts you about another one. But, oh well, life is just a bunch of journeys with an occasional destination. As Joyce Meyer says, "we'd better just learn to enjoy the journeys..."

As you can see, this website is one of my new journeys. I wasn't so sure what to think when God led me in this direction, but here's how this whole thing got started.

And oh yeah, that mountain with the rut? Today I can't see much of it anymore. I just keep looking up toward the top of the mountain.

More Help to Manage Your Christian Priorities:


Trying to find a balance


Am I in God's Timing?


How Do I Wait for God and NOT Lose My Mind?


Time Management...Who Needs It?


a GREAT story about Christian Time Management


Christian Priorities (top of page)


Home Page

Happy 4th of July!

Our Babes at the Beach minus One! (William was at the pier. : (




We've had a great week! We spent 5 days at a time share given to us by a friend at North Myrtle Beach. It was amazing and we had a wonderful time! The place was BEaU-Ti-FuL!!!!

Then we went to Sunset Beach for 2 days to celebrate David's birthday with his family, and spend time at Sunset Beach. It was so beautiful there and we had a really good time with our family too.

Last night we had dinner with my friend Drea and her 2 sweet boys. We ate chinese and then came back to our house for the kids to do bubbles together. It was a sweet time.

Tonight we thought about going to Edenton to see the fireworks there, but may be going with Drea and our friends who are pastor's near us to view the fireworks. Hopefully if we decide to go, it won't be as crowded.

I'm not sure if we are going anyway though. The kids have been at it all day and David's patience has run more than thin. The last word is that we are not going anywhere because the children's behavior has been "out of control"! I hate that they will miss the fireworks show, but yet we must be consistent if we are going to discipline them. If we give in, we are not teaching them any lessons. Seeing as how David is asleep already, it is looking like we are not going anywhere tonight!

But he did grill us some delicious hamburgers and hot dogs, so the evening was not all that bad. =)

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy 4th of July!!