"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas..." NOT!

So my beloved roomie, Donna, and I had an interesting and poignant reminder this evening:


After work this afternoon, I was privileged enough to be able to meet our own Jose Rodriguez's little sister, Beatriz, at the mall; after which, all three of us decided to take advantage of our surroundings, and indulge in a little "Christmas browsing" (no purchase necessary...YET!). It wasn't long until Donna-Wonna was released from her duties as well, and came to join up with all of us. Well, after the siblings Rodriguez bid their "good evenings" for the night, Don and I rushed back to one of the retail stores to purchase some early Christmas presents.

So this is where the story gets memorable: Donna and I are heading to the Customer Service desk to claim our prizes, when - upon approaching the desk - we noticed that one of the clerks was crying (she was attempting to compose herself, but it was OBVIOUS that something happened). As we make our puzzled way to the line, we notice a couple standing in front of us making a RAUCUS with all three clerks behind the desk b/c they felt they had been "affronted" when they were not assisted as promptly as expected. Things began to escalate when one of the other clerks began to "loose their cool" due to the matter, which resulted in a manager arriving to inquire after the problem.

Well, the couple went on and on and on and on about how much money they spent in the store, how they had been so rudely "ignored," "all they wanted to do was make a purchase," yadda-yadda-yadda-yadda... This unfortunate scenario continued for at least ten minutes, with all people within a twenty foot radius of the desk staring at the all-too-common "Holiday scene."

Why am I retelling this story, you ask? Because I felt really convicted while I stood there observing this sad scene. How often do I allow uncourteous comments and insensitive/flippant statements fly out of my mouth at the passing of some self-centered feeling? WAY too often... It's almost as if at certain choice moments, I revert back to my infant temper-tantrum stage, and ignore the fact that I just turned 26 this month. The Lord tapped me on the head tonight, saying: "I'm using this to teach you something very important, Jen."

Fellow brethren, as believers, our Master has called us to be separate from this world, and this includes everything from attitudes to appearance. Let us be exhorted and challenged by His commands, especially during this season of the year (as the unfortunate norm is to be a little edgy, impatient, and exasperated with each other), to make a conscious effort to ENCOURAGE, NOT ONLY EACH OTHER, BUT ALL HOLIDAY WORKING STAFF!!!

Colossians 4:6 - "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

When you are buying your items, MAKE EYE CONTACT, and genuinely say "thank you" or what have you with the GOSPEL soaked in every word and expression! Look for opportunities to DEMONSTRATE PATIENCE AND COMPASSION with the workers, and the fellow shoppers who are entitled to just as much service as you! I know this may seem trivial...but the REALITY is these times are quintessential chances to permit God's sanctification in our lives, AND to be Christ's hands and feet in this community. If we refuse to incorporate this daily concept and practice into our lives NOW, why bother wasting our time sitting in class talking about how we're going to do it on a grander scale when we graduate?

Soapbox smashed. The end.

...

OK, so I'm sick of coming to my blog and seeing the same thing posted for three weeks in a row. Thus:

This is meant to break up the monotony. :)

Thanksgiving this year was amazing. Probably one of the coolest things that happened was the conversation my brother, Eric, and I shared on the journey home. The Lord blessed us with two long hours of catching up and sharing His faithfulness with one another. Every time I hear about what God is teaching him, and how he's been growing in the Father's image, I have this funny mixture of intense humility and admiration. It really causes me to look closely at my own Walk, and thank God for all that He's done, while also understanding I have so far left to go.

The rest of the weekend was great: supper at G-ma's (we had ham 'cause G-pa hates turkey), I watched three movies I've been DYING to see (Pride & Prejudice, Batman Begins, and Madagascar), and it was just so refreshing to be among beloved family and friends. I can't wait to go home for Christmas.

I found out some news about my old crowd of friends back in the Haute, too. It was an interesting experience...and really made me realize how much the Lord uses time and circumstances to alter us (for the better). :) I can't express how grateful I am that God loves us enough to challenge our own expectations for the future, and takes liberty to alter those paths and courses for His glory. It may not seem like a pleasant experience at the time...

...but if you stay fixed at his feet while that small boat of your life is being tossed and beaten by the storm raging all around you; you come to realize that Jesus IS in that boat with you - in absolute control of the storm - and YOUR job is merely to be still and confident in His sovereign understanding. In fact, He often allows the storm, just to make sure you STAY in the boat...and contented at His feet.

Then, as our faith grows in His presence - despite the wind and waves - pretty soon: Jesus will become all that we can see.

And ain't that a BEAUTIFUL sight? :)

Birthday Abduction

Just when you thought you could trust your dearest, closest, most dependable friends... THINK AGAIN!!!



Time: Monday evening of November the 7th (the day before my 26th birthday).
Place: Lakeview Apartments, Number 7342
Plans: Lisa and I make our way to the car in order to go meet Donna somewhere, and have a "nice, little, quiet birthday celebration - just the three of us."

After entering into Lisa's car, we make a quick stop at a local gas station to "fill up" before continuing on our quest to catch up with "D." Well, you would have thought I'd see it coming, but - being the naive and unsuspecting victim that I am - I soon come to find Miss Lisa pulling out a blue scarf, and instructing me with a mischevious grin to "blindfold myself." I was being abducted for my BIRTHDAY!

Fearing for my life, I follow my kidnapper's instructions, and am quickly whisked away on I-64 E to some unforeseen place that seems to take FOREVER to get there. Finally, the car stops, and my EX-friend/NOW-kidnapper, Lisa, leads me out of the vehicle, and into some twisted environment filled with the giggling laughter of three-year-olds and the tempting scent of fresh-baked pizza. When the blind-fold comes off, I'm standing in front of a mutant mouse named "Chuck," and horror races up my spine as this monstrosity begins to SING me Happy Birthday and my treacherous companions attack me with Silly String (I nearly fainted).

Yes, kids: for my 26th birthday, I was given a party at "Chuck E. Cheese's."



After being FORCED to scarf loads of gooey pizza, caramel cake, and play EVERY GAME in the restaurant; I am, again, escorted to some random destination (blindfolded) where they shove a bat in my hand, lead me helplessly into the dark of night, and taunt, laugh, and tease as I swing for HOURS at a paper-machet fish dangling from a tree! (The torture - the TORTURE!)





Well...after picking up the shattered remnants of what used to be my dignity, I was able to clock the embarassing pinata from the Jo-Bowl tree; and we all feasted on his innards (which consisted of M&M's, Andes mints, and Jolly Ranchers).

Never will I forget my night of utter terror on the eve of my 26th birthday. Never will I forget the extreme humiliation endured in the presence of so many people. But most importantly, never will I forget how much FUN it all was, and how intensely blessed I am for God to grant me the friendship of all who participated in that night. I love you all SO MUCH! I HAD A BLAST!!!

(Special thanks goes out to Joey, Jason, Bradley, Chris and Kelly, Keiko, "Sunday School" Chris, and - of course - my two Twin Sisters, Lees and D. You people make my life Salty).

Great Unexpectations

I can't believe they're gone... This weekend has flown by in a whirlwind of happy reunions, tears, and SHOPPING (strange combo, eh?).

Well, the fam arrived around 8:15 pm on Friday night - ALL of them (which was a HUGE treat, because I didn't think my brother, Eric, was going to get to come). After tons of hugs and kisses, it was time to cruise the Clarksville and find some FOOD. We ended up for two hours at O'Charley's, feasting on seafood and long-awaited fellowship (I had a GREAT conversation w/ my brother, who is prayerfully conisdering going on staff w/ Intervarsity in Bloomington come his graduation from Rose-Hulman; afterwards, he would REALLY like to attend seminary). :)

Saturday morning, we all piled into the car in the early afternoon, and made the trek northward to hit the Edinburgh Outlet Mall, which was having RIDICULOUS sales, by the way... This is my ONLY time of the year when I get to do some "new clothes" shopping, and I feel almost guilty at the hilarious buys I found (we're talking 50% off or more!). My favorite aspect of this part of the day, however, was getting to mosey around w/ Eric and Laurie, and crack up at the way Eric deferred to Laurie's fashion sense in EVERYTHING that he bought (she must have picked out all his outfits for him - it was seriously cute). Not to mention we all got to catch up on what the Lord has been working in our lives and family. I am so humbled by the Lord's faithfulness and goodness. WHAT AN AMAZING FATHER WE SERVE!!!

Oh...and if you haven't visited our local Cheesecake Factory, yet - YOU HAVE GOT TO GO!!! OK, so it was Saturday night, and we had to wait three hours to get in, but God in all His sovereignty uses even extended "wait times" to bring about His glory and purpose. While we Wojaks wandered around St. Matthews, I opted to go get a much-needed haircut. Well, it turns out that my hairdresser and I launched into an extended discussion concerning the Scriptures interpretation/explanation of homosexuality. The conversation caught me by surprise, and further emphasized to me the passage in 1 Peter (3:15) which states: "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear..." By the time our talk was concluded, I was ready for some prayer time w/ my siblings (who witnessed/prayed thru the entire event), and starving from some rich, yummy goodness.

Anyway...the fam just departed, and my heart is full of blessings - yet heavy - that it will be another few weeks before I see them again. As the holidays approach, I find myself glancing at my dad's pictures more and more. It's funny: though he is, obviously, physically absent for the rest of this life...in so many ways, it feels as though life is still the same. He is still here. This is the time of year to reflect upon the provision and faithfulness of God, and to offer praise and exaltation to His worthy Name. It will be the first season without Pop for all of us...but perhaps a better perspective might be: it will be Dad's first spent w/ the Lord. I must confess, in this case...I envy him so. :)

Praise to You, Father, for Your mercy and grace! Glory to You, God, for your omnipotence and omnibenevolence! Thanks to You, Master, for Your provision and your care. Draw us ever deeper and closer with You, and may we anticipate the Day of Your Glorious return.

We love you, Lord.

Things I'm Gonna Do to Celebrate...

OK, roughly speaking, we have about two weeks left of school before Thanksgiving Break, and then finals following. Translation: two months of unadulterated R&R (or whatever you would like to do) following the grueling task of cramming for finals. Thus, in a renewed spirit of anticipation, I would like for you all to project your thoughts and contemplations (briefly) to the future; and pose the question:

"What are YOUR plans for those two months?"

I am well aware that many will be wedding, travelling for the holidays, graduation (sniffle - we'll miss you Jonathan Hodges), and catching up on long-lost friendships that have been sorely neglected due to more pressing scholastic demands. My brief list consists of the following:

1) Christmas shopping (one of my FAVORITE yearly tasks - no fascetiousness intended)
2) Read all the books that I've listed on my "To-Read List"
3) Pray about taking an "in-between" semester course
4) Decorate the apartment w/ Don and Lees for the Holidays (WOO-HOO!!)
5) Play Christmas music until they break down the door and smash all my CDs
6) Plan continuous "hang-out times" at Java to catch up on those "suffering friendships"
7) Seek to establish some new holiday traditions in honor of my Dad *** (this is top priority)
8) SLEEP (and prepare for the Spring)

This list is by no means restricted or limited to the aforesaid activities. My goal is merely to get you cogitating. So think about it... Then let us know!

Anticipations

I KNOW, I KNOW, I KNOW... This post is sorrily overdue. Yeah, time has gotten away from me, but the GOOD news is the Lord - in His infinite graciousness - has blessed me with motivation and a nerdful spirit to finish the semester strong.

OK, maybe not strong...but finish the semester, at least. Remember: "D stands for 'Diploma' ."

But in other news, I'm looking forward to my mom and three sisters coming up for a visit this weekend. This is the first time that they (my mom, in particular) have left Terre Haute since my Dad's death back in June. It's been particularly difficult for her adjusting to the absence of her husband (and best-friend) of 28 years, yet I'm so encouraged by Mom's faith and willingness to look to the Lord to be her Guide and Hope w/ this incredible loss. We've all had our moments of doubt/anger/etc. (all associated w/ the grieving process), but I was really touched when she said that she absolutely wanted to come down to L'ville for a visit. (Trust me: for my mom, that is a BIG deal).

Anyway...it'll be the first time they see our new apt., and it should be a lot more comfy than staying in the Legacy Center (no disrespect intended - the Center is GREAT; but "home" is "home," you know?). As expected, we "girls" are hoping to shop around, watch movies, catch up on each others' lives, and just enjoy the time that God has given us together. My goal, therefore, is to get all my homework/projects done before then. (A bit ambitious, I know - but I figure it's a worthy goal). We'll actually have the entire apt. to ourselves since my two beloved roomies (Lisa and Donna) both have out-of-town engagements for the weekend: Lisa's lil' bro is getting married (YAY, RYAN AND BETHANY!!!), and Donna will be leading worship at the International Student Conference ("People all over the world, join hands; start a Love Train...").

So, yeah...busy weekend ahead. But a good one. There's so much to be thankful for, you know? I've also been reading J.I. Packer's "Knowing God" for my Systematic class, and it's really been forcing me to meditate/contemplate some foundation Truths of the Word. I really am enjoying this reading because it's quite fundamental, but also extremely detailed and written in such a way that I just get PUMPED after a chapter or two. Note to self: read more Packer. :)

I'm so grateful for and to the amazing God we serve! He is both "Yahweh" and "Abba-Father"; sovereign, yet intimate and accessible; fearsome, and tender... The praise goes on FOREVER!!!

And it will... :)