It's Almost Here!

Christmas typically tends to be the most beloved holiday of almost anyone you meet...AND IT'S ALMOST HERE!!!

And (to be honest): I haven't even BEGUN my Christmas shopping yet. :(

Ever since I was young, some of the ongoing Christmas traditions in my Mom's extended family are:

1) Gramma Charlotte's OUTSTANDING home-made noodles (best experienced over a huge mound of mashed potatoes)

2) $5 Gift Exchange between all the adults (usually consisting of tons of chocolate, homemade trinkets, and random stuff from Wal-Mart)

3) Yay, Frozen Jell-O punch!

4) All the York Peppermint Patties one Seminary student can handle! :)

So, just out of curiosity, what are some of the holiday traditions that you and your family celebrate; or what's something that you most look forward to about Christmas?

"I Asked the Lord"

A Truth that speaks in this time of maturation and growth for us all:

I Asked the Lord

I asked the Lord that I might grow

In faith and love and every grace;

Might more of His salvation know

And seek more earnestly His face.

'Twas He who taught me thus to pray

And He I trust has answered prayer;

But it has been in such a way

As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour

At once He'd answer my request,

And by His love's constraining power

Subdue my sins and give me rest.

Instead of this He made me feel

The hidden evils of my heart,

And let the angry powers of Hell

Assault my soul in every part.

Yea, more with His own hand He seemed

Intent to aggravate my woe;

Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,

Cast out my feelings, laid me low.

Lord, why is this, I trembling cried,

Wilt Thou pursue Thy worm to death?

"Tis in this way" the Lord replied,

"I answer prayer for grace and faith."

"These inward trials I employ

From Self and pride to set thee free,

And break thy schemes of earthly joy

That thou mayest seek thy all in Me."

Amen.

A Friend Will Be Missed

For those of you who may not yet be aware, Brian Adams - one of the hard-working chefs of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - suddenly passed away this former Saturday. Suffering from a heart attack, Brian (a friend and co-worker I had the privilege of spending most of my afternoons with at the cafeteria) slipped from this world and into the next at a local hospital...leaving behind the wife he loved dearly, Starr, and their two beautiful children, Morgan and Zachary.



For as long as I knew him, Brian talked about his family constantly. He was so proud to be a husband and father. I can remember listening to a vast array of his different stories: about cooking, hiking, life experiences, love and family... If there was one thing "Chef Brian" enjoyed, it was enjoying all that life has to offer. I could always hear his laugh from behind the hotline, at the front of the cafeteria - even though Brian, himself, might be tucked away in the back of the kitchen somewhere. :) But most of all, I will always remember Brian's smile. Both Brian's children, Morgan and Zachary, have inherited that same smile: warm and welcoming.

I write this post as a humble request:

As someone who lost her father in exactly the same way, not too long ago, would you - Southern Seminary - please keep the Adams' in your prayers? This is a sudden and dramatic blow for anyone to endure; and in the weeks to come, let us be intentional in showing grace and love - not only to Brian's family - but also his co-workers in the cafeteria (Chef Pam, Chef Jim, Chef Meg, Kim, Rita, Tidy, etc.). As a student who has experienced Seminary "behind the scenes," and in more than just the classroom: these people will be grieving his loss for quite a while to come, and need the support and encouragement of this school body.

Brian was one who professed the Name of Christ; one who sought to love his family better and deeper with each new day; and one who always strove to be a thoughtful friend and fellow-worker.

We will miss you, Brian.

Random Thoughts

It's difficult to believe that in less than one week, we'll all be starting back to classes again. This summer seems to have flown by, and I'm even finding it difficult to pin-point specific memories and events: the whole thing seems as a blur to me. So much has changed, yet so much also seems to have remained the same.

In about one month, I"ll (Lord willing...) be moving into an apartment of my very own. This will be the first time I've ever done anything like this, and the prospect fills me with a sensation of anticipation, but also some nervous hesitation. Life with Donna and Lisa has become so much like "home" to me... There's a part of me that seems to be looking back - cherishing the time spent and the memories made. Another part of me fully understands, and embraces, the Truth that "this is life": and until our Master returns, this existence is composed of a series of "hellos" and "good-byes." I'm learning to hold things - always - with an open hand: accepting that everything belongs to Christ, and part of obedience is learning to say "yes" to whatever He may give and/or take. This doesn't make Him any less trustworthy.

It just means we are making the decision to take Him at His Word: His good, perfect, and holy Word.

John 15, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4 have been coming to mind a lot lately. I am aware of so many of our brothers and sisters who are passing through times of transition and growth, and that - along with all the blessings these periods have in store - it's not always an easy path to follow. We get impatient; we grow doubtful and hesitant; we feel overwhelmed and already defeated; and we may even question if this was the Road we were meant to traverse in the first place. Looking ahead to the future may even bring a mixture of bewilderment: knowing where we're being called, but not having a CLUE how He's gonna get us there.

Let us be faithful in taking it one day at a time - just as our Lord commanded us. Let us be disciplined in seizing the Scriptures as our definition of Reality - just as Christ admonished us (John 15). Let us be purposeful in practicing true community and encouragement - as the example has been set before us (Ephesians 4). And - most importantly - in all these things, may we recognize and fully accept: it has nothing to do with us...

...and has everything to do with our Lord, and what His grace can accomplish - even despite ourselves.

A Decade of Anna!

I would like to dedicate this post to my FAVORITE "Anna" in the entire world:

My little sister!

Anna Kathryn Wojak was born 10 years ago on July 24th. She was the most beautiful baby we had ever seen, and it seems like we blinked...and then she was practically grown-up! Anna's favorite things to do are: play soccer, play w/ her new Barbie dolls (b-day presents), and have her family read C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia series to her OUTLOUD (w/ all the voices).

This past Saturday, we Wojaks celebrated the birthday of our youngest family member with an afternoon of pizza, cake...and lazer tag! Is there a better way to celebrate turning 10 years old?
























It was most definitely a party to remember (not to mention Big Sis was introduced to the thrilling reality of "air hockey"). As a matter of fact, the entire weekend was filled with good memories, quality family time, and - of course - lots of pictures!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNA!!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

The Great Outdoors

There has always been something about the outdoors that has never failed to entice and romance my soul. Ever since being a young girl, I could never get enough of playing outside: having the entire neighborhood at my fingertips; rummaging around the "hidden wood" (the one my mother always warned me not to go into); and catching fireflies after dark. If there's one thing the summer air never fails to accomplish...it's draw me - captivated - out into the awaiting wilderness.

So! What did Jennifer get to do this past Monday?

Hike her tail off!

After much anticipation, my fellow comrades (Emily, Nick, Ruthann, and Tony) and I journeyed southward to the great "unknown" referred to as: Cumberland Gap National Forrest. Accompanied only by a stuffed cooler, a bag of KFC Original Recipe, Delirious' Mission Bell, and T's infamous camera; our crew launched this long-awaited adventure at 8 am...until 4:30 am the next day (I told you we were "hard-core"...or maybe just really slow). Here are some of my favorite moments from the memorable jaunt:
















































The longest trek of the day proved a grueling 8-mile quest through dense and steep wood, darkly named: Dog Slaughter Falls (don't ask me, I won't know). Sight-seeing and cataloguing rare wildlife might have slowed us up a smidge, but after what seemed like hours of trudging through abandoned rainforest...our perseverance was WELL rewarded.













However, I must confess: the highlight of the evening would have to have been our evening of reflection perched on a hidden boulder past the Cumberland Falls. With gallons of water rushing in the background, and a shroud of stars - like I have never experienced - cloaking the night sky, the only thought that would come to mind was:

God.

How can there be room for anything else?

I hope these pictures inspire you all to "run outside and play." To my fellow "pirates": I love you all and have cherished this experience more than one blog can express. We will be doing this again.

Grand Canyon, anyone?

Coffee?

As of next Friday, I am pleased (and proud) to report that I will begin training for working at one of my FAVORITE places in the world...

STARBUCKS COFFEE!

(Sigh) This job seems like it was a long time in coming, but with all the new stores opening up around our lovely Louisville, I am so grateful to the Lord that He has made a place for me! Since my cafeteria job at Southern ended at the close of May, God has been SO good and faithful to allow me time to "rest and recover" from a busy semester, and be able to spend quality time with friends and family.

And now I'm TRULY ready for my training to be a barrista!

So that rather got me to thinking about coffee and all coffee-related things: where are some of YOUR favorite coffee "hot spots," and what is it about them that attracts you so much? Do you have a favorite coffee drink? A treasured coffee memory? Do tell!

And I'm sure I'll be seeing you around...

"Will that be 'Tall,' 'Grande,' or 'Venti'?"

Life Lessons from a Deposit Box

Do you ever have that experience when you decide to memorize a new verse of Scripture, then - almost immediately - the Lord graces you with opportunities to put His Truth into practice? Well...I sure did yesterday:

"Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the Lord; He is God in heaven above and on the earth below: there is no other." ~ Deuteronomy 4:39 ~

This verse (which I committed to memory just late last week) the Lord has been employing to make SUCH an impression upon my life lately. He is teaching me to fear Him above all else, and truly live out the reality that Man can do nothing to me. The ONLY person that God gives us permission to fear is Himself...PERIOD. Anything else is just sin.

So yesterday, I called my local bank to make sure that they had received the deposit I had made to them the evening before. Well, it came as a bit of a surprise when they informed me that they had no record of it in their computer. So I phone the branch at which I dropped off my only check for the next few weeks (I'm down to only one job, right now), to see if - perhaps - the envelope (covered w/ all my info: social security number, checking account number, etc.) was lying around somewhere. The cordial gentleman on the other end of the line informed me that it was not, and then proceeded to ask me if I placed my money in the correct "drop box."

This caused a momentary lump in my throat. What do you MEAN the correct box?

The box I put my check in was NOT the appropriate box for making deposits. It was, in fact, intended for other bank usage, specifically of the kind that is responsible for transferring money to other locations (not necessarily in Louisville).

I began to run through the list of transactions I had already made that day, with a waning amount of money in my checking, and soon it seemed as if all the potential disasters of what might have happened to my deposit began to crash in around my consciousness. Not only that, but what about identity theft? I had practically INVITED someone into my financial resources with the amount of personal info listed on the front of that envelope (something I will NEVER do again...).



BUT...it was at this point that the Lord extended His Hand of mercy and comfort, and reminded me of His Words: "Know therefore today (Jen), and take it to your heart (Jen), that the Lord; He is God in heaven above and on the earth below: there is no other" (inserts added by me). This was the place at which the Scriptures got PERSONAL, and became my reality...not just recitation. :)

Ultimately (as w/ all things), this circumstance - too - is under God's divine influence. I may not have control, I may have made a simple mistake...BUT God. The Truth of the matter is that it is in He and He alone that we find real security and peace. The test: do we choose to believe Him, and live what we tells us with all our mind and heart.

Thus, after praying in faith with my precious roommate, Lisa, our God filled me with a confident rest; knowing that He was overseeing all things, and no matter what happened: this incident is small, because He is SO BIG.

Not one hour later, I received a phone call from a kind lady from the bank. Apparently, the box in which I placed my money had not been collected from by the serviceman because it had been jammed shut. An employee had accidentally dropped the box's key in the box itself - jamming it tightly shut. A specialist had to be called to pry open the dysfuntional collection box: they found the offending key...and my pitiful envelope covered in identification. :)

Do we serve an AWESOME God or what?



Moral of the story: "There's nothing to fear but God Himself."

Blessings, friends!

The Happy Couple!

I can't believe it: it finally happened. This past Saturday - June 24th - at 5pm, under the loving and watchful eye of their glorious Lord, Jason Shaw and Donna Millard joined their lives together in holy matrimony. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you:

Mr. and Mrs. Jason Shaw!

The wedding day could NOT have been better... The weather was perfect; the ceremony was grounded in the Truth; everyone was rejoicing in the Lord; the reception was a BLAST; and the bride and groom could not have been more in love. :)



To so many of their friends and family, the festivities this past Saturday were so much more than "just another marriage": the union of Jason and Donna is an incredible testimony of God's faithfulness, sovereignty, and love towards His children. And I know that they both would be the first to witness to His goodness and mercy.

Over the past months, our Lord has cultivated Jason Shaw into the outstanding, humble, and compassionate leader he is; and our Father has blossomed Donna into the noble Proverbs woman who continues to teach me what real love, service, and faith looks like.

The newlywed Shaws have so much to look forward to in the months and years to come; and some fantastic memories to keep them company along the way:





Jason and Donna, you are a blessing to us all! And we are so thankful to be able to sojourn with you both down this new and thrilling path. And to Donna especially: you will always be our "cuddly, little snuggle-bunny," and words cannot express how much Lisa and I cherish you...

ZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZz

Ah...NAPPING! If there's one thing to be happy about the summertime...it's that NAPTIME becomes a more frequent indulgence (seeing as how I'm not taking any summer classes right now, so I have a bit of free time on my hands).

Almost two weeks ago, Lisa's little sister, Virginia, came and stayed w/ us for a while. We had a GRAND time: staying up late, watching movies, sewing, laughing... It's no WONDER the two of us "pooped out" right around mid-day.


Ever since I was young, I have always been a napper... My body just tends to "shut down" at certain points of the day; and even if it's only for 20 minutes, I have to be allowed to "recharge" my battery if I'm gonna make it through to the evening hours.





Of course, there are also those people who can't stand to "miss a beat" as the day marches onward, but it seems that Virginia and I were perfectly content to snuggle-up and snooze the afternoon away. Well...sort of. :)






Anyway... If you, too, are a "napper": seize these hot and humid days by the barometer, and SIESTA ON, MY LOVELIES!

Another Prayer Request

After receiving the e-mail from the President's Office this morning concerning Dr. Mohler's health, my heart was also burdened to share another prayer request with you all:

The mother of my roommate, Lisa McGary, has been battling a rare form of cancer, now, for quite some time. Providentially, the Lord has provided a way for her type of illness to be treated free of charge; yet the treatment is highly experimental, and tends to cause Lynn (Lisa's mom) much discomfort.

Lynn McGary is one of the "saltiest" saints I have ever met. This blessed woman has probably served and ministered to more people in one day of her sweet life than I have throughout my entire existence! She is a blessing to so many people, and a constant source of encouragement and challenge. This past weekend, as a matter of fact, in Nashville, TN at Judson Baptist Church, a group of 250 people arrived to join in prayer on Lynn McGary's behalf. Not only were there close family friends attending, but most had been personally served by the "Stone Soup" ministry which Mrs. McGary oversees (even in the midst of her health situation).

I would like to humbly request that anyone who reads this post to please keep Lynn McGary and her precious family in your thoughts and prayers. This woman has been a pillar of strength and Christian love, not only to her family, but EVERYONE she encounters, and it is because the Lord God is her joy, her salvation, and her hope. These past months have been particularly physically difficult, so please intercede on her behalf as the Spirit leads.

Thank you, and God bless!

Hail the Conquering Graduate!

This summer has already started off with SUCH a bang...


I am proud to announce that my baby brother, Eric Douglas Wojak, has completed his requirements to graduate from one of the most prestigious engineering schools in the nation: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. (Loud round of applause!)


At the end of this summer, "Wuj" will be beginning his position at a respectable firm in Indianapolis, which TOTALLY floats my boat because he'll be closer to ME here in Louisville. HOORAY!!!


We had such a blast getting to attend the ceremonies as a family, and I KNOW my Dad was bursting with pride from his "front-row seat" in Heaven. :) The Lord definitely worked through Eric's time at college to completely change his heart and life-course, and I know that was something Daddy had been praying about for SUCH a long time.


Eric, I LOVE YOU!!! I'm so thankful that you're my brother: you encourage, challenge, and inspire me so much with your passion for the Lord, and your desire for Him to grow you in every way. Your big sister looks up to you, and you CRACK ME UP as well...