writer's block

I don't know what to write about. There is so much I could start on, but to put pen to paper and actually write is a little intimidating right now.

hopefully more later...

How well do you know me?

It's sinking in for me that I'm 25 years old. I'll turn 26 in June and to me that seems like a big deal. So I started thinking.... what's something fun about being 25? I decided it's time to get to know me a little better. Therefore, I present to you

25 Things You May Not Know About Me

1. I have 3 common nicknames... i think there are only 3... my family calls me "dar-dar", my close friends call me Jess and only 2-3 others call me Skeeter. We don't honestly know where the 3rd came from, but those who call me that are the only ones with the permission to use that name. :)

2. I have a dream of traveling to a foreign country and leading a group of believers in worship through song in some remote location. Just us, a guitar and the Lord with His creation.

3. I am not a morning person at all. Most of the time I don't think my brain can form words much less sentences until I've been up for at least 1 1/2 - 2 hours.

4. I loved high school. I wasn't popular or anything, but I just loved high school. I loved the events, the groups I was a part of, the random trips to the Chinese restaurant in town with friends after early senior release, the fact that my senior class started a lot of the "traditions" that are still going on today.

5. At this time in my life, the idea of having a mortgage payment scares me to death. Probably why i'm such a big fan of renting right now.

6. When I surrendered to the ministry in high school, I "bargained" with the Lord that I would greatly serve Him in ministry as long as He never called me to work on staff at a church.... the first job I had out of college (first big girl job) was working as the youth pastor at a church. Don't bargain with the Lord. :)

7. I'm not a girly girl, but I do hope the man the Lord has for me is a MAN and not a little boy. catch my drift?

8. I take things to heart a lot when I shouldn't.

9. I bottle up emotions whether they are anger, happiness, sadness, etc.

10. I love vintage prints and colors.

11. I have a big pet peeve when people call me "baby, sweetheart or honey". It's alright if you're my family or if we're in a relationship, but if you don't fit into that category then call me by my name. There are only a handful of people who I brush it off when they refer to me by one of those names and those individuals aren't family.

12. I love to travel.

13. I hate to unpack my suitcase.

14. I doodle when I study or take notes on subjects. You should have seen my notebooks in college and high school.

15. I want to adopt one day.

16. I want to have a house full of children. However, I don't want to have a big house.

17. In the last year, I have learned a lot about myself and who I am in the Lord.

18. I don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

19. That last statement/thought sometimes makes me feel inadequate and like I've failed.

20. I love black and white photography.

21. I like to make things.

22. I like to cook for people. Not for myself, but for others to enjoy.

23. I love Christmas year round!!

24. I can't be in a room when onions are cut up or cooked in a pan. I have a reaction. However, I can eat them.

25. I am a people watcher. With that being said, I am a very good reader of people. I believe that one of my spiritual gifts is discernment.

that's all. :)

10 in 2010

The Top 10 Things I learned in 2010 from working at the Mission:


1. Toothbrush holders are more valuable than gold.

2. Bookbags/cloth bags are more valuable than toothbrush holders.

3. Men gossip just as much as women.

4. The more you have to call 911, the less anxious you get while doing it.

5. Firemen are really nice.

6. The saying, “don’t judge a book by its cover” is the most profound statement you can ever hold onto.

7. When you’re the only unmarried female on staff, the men on staff tend to adopt you as a little sister or daughter…. Lord, please prepare and be with the man who decides to accept the challenge of marriage with me.

8. Just because someone claims they are from a church, don’t automatically assume they will portray the attitude and characteristics of Jesus.

9. There really is no traffic when you drive to work at 4am on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Of course, there is nothing on the radio at that time either.

10. A simple smile and look in the eyes can change a person’s whole day.

Yummy Treats and Cool Weather

Recognition night was last night at work. Such a wonderful time to hear the Word, worship in song and fellowship with our men who will be moving on to the next phrase in their recovery program.

My mom and I baked and decorated treats the night before for the reception we host after the service. Below are some pictures of the treats we had. I made creepy crawly bugs, pumpkins, spiders and ghosts. Had to go along with the fall/halloween theme this month.

I apologize for the poor picture quality. Our conference room lighting is horrible. at least the treats were good though.

I was informed to make a turkey cake for the month of November's recognition night. hmmm.... got to figure out how to do that one. Christmas cookies were last year for the month of December. I've already purchased a special "surprise" for my office for employees during the month of December. I'm really excited!!! :)

Hope you have a wonderful rest of the week. I'm excited for Friday to be here... cold front is moving through. High of 72!!! Woo-Hoo!!!

It's here!!!!

Fall is officially here I do believe!!! Fall flowers, pumpkins, crunchy leaves on the ground, crisp morning and evening air, cool breezes.... o i could just scream!!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year. I get excited about it more and more each year. I've already walked down the aisles of Hobby Lobby grinning from ear to ear as I looked at all the Christmas decorations.

It will be here before we know it.... Hooray!!! I do believe I need to warm up my "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" DVD so come middle of October I can watch it. :)

I wish I may

I wish i was shorter. Being a tall girl isn't the funnest thing. Wearing heels makes you feel/look like Godzilla and people don't tend to think of you as delicate and girly like they do shorter girls.

I wish I was shorter.

These are a few of my favorite things.....

What brings a smile to your face? What things bring back memories for you? What are some of your favorite things? **Please try not to break out into the "My Favorite Things" song that is often played at Christmas.**

1. Jesus (whether talking to Him, about Him to others or just learning)

2. Taking pictures of people

3. Fresh cut grass

4. Elderly couples holding hands

5. Babies/little kids laughing

6. Cold weather

7. Fun colored socks

8. Warm scarves

9. Sitting around a campfire with friends and family roasting marshmallows

10. Walking outside

11. Christmas (obviously this should have been at the top of my list)

12. Vintage anything

Ok, that's enough for now!!!! :)