Amazing Grace

2011-05-05T18:49:00.000-07:00

" Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire."

St. Catherine of Siena

2011-01-08T18:45:00.000-08:00

Ever since Eliza had discovered the book of fairy tales in Mrs. Swindell's rag and bottle shop, had disappeared inside its faded pages, she'd understood the power of stories. Their magical ability to refill the wounded part of people.

~ The Forgotten Garden. Kate Morton.

Holy Sonnets

2010-11-08T15:15:00.000-08:00

Thou hast made me, and shall thy work decay?

Repair me now, for now mine end doth haste,

I run to death, and death meets me as fast,

And all my pleasures are like yesterday;

I dare not move my dim eyes any way,

Despair behind, and death before doth cast

Such terror, and my feeble flesh doth waste

By sin in it, which it t'wards hell doth weigh;

Only thou art above, and when towards thee

By thy leave I can look, I rise again;

But our old subtle foe so tempteth me,

That not one hour myself I can sustain;

Thy grace may wing me to prevent his art,

And thou like adamant draw mine iron heart.

Holy Sonnet 1// John Donne

beatles tribute

2010-06-20T15:49:00.000-07:00

He roller-coaster he got early warning

He got muddy water he one mojo filter

He say "One and one and one is three"

Got to be good-looking 'cause he's so hard to see

Come together right now over me

**a beatles favorite

the pursuit of happiness

2010-05-18T20:08:00.000-07:00

This is my dear cousin Logan, a gem of a child and little ray of sunshine. At the age of two Logan was diagnosed with Idiocentric 15. Idic 15 is a rare genetic mutation where the child is born with an extra chromosome in their DNA. Their 15th chromosome is doubled and inverted. Not many Idic 15 children live past 20. There are only 5 kids in B.C. with Idic 15. The most recent development in Logan's case has been the increasing frequency in seizures. He had his first one last August and they have increased to now only a month inbetween. Logan's last seizure lasted an hour (seizure's typically only last 5 minutes). This post is to ask for prayers for Logan and his family. Two months ago they moved down from Whitehorse, Yukon to Chiliwack and it hasn't been easy settling in. Please spare a few moments to pray for Logan's safety and continued health, as well as for the Kalnicki family as they continue to search for ways to help Logan. Thank you so much.

a classic

2010-04-20T12:29:00.000-07:00

"If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger: I should not seem a part of it."- wuthering heights

**i just finished reading this. read it if you haven't. i'm coming to the realization that books today are nothing compared to the novels that were written years ago. maybe i just should have lived in a different era =)

rememberance day// 3 months later

2010-02-01T19:35:00.001-08:00

how long ago did you fall?
how shallow was your grave?
were you buried alone?
or with others who tried to be brave?

do poppies grow about you?
is where you rest a hallowed place?
or were you left behind,
in the wars screaming torrent haste?

but i promise you're not forgotten
we do remember you
if not you innocent face
then what you stood for in our place

2009-04-30T12:53:00.000-07:00

im here in london england. well technically reading. i am staying with andrew and jacky my two wonderful and amazing cousins of distant relation. i got up at 4:30 this morning and said goodbye to my two beautiful travellers and two planes and a train later landed me in reading. seeing london tomorrow and then oxford, windsor castle, bath, the stone henge and of course reading. only 11 days til i come home, which i am i think ready for. love you all and cant wait to see you soon!!

2009-03-05T07:59:00.000-08:00

i dangled my feet over
the edge of a lifegaurd tower
it was abandoned
but beautiful to me

i watched from my place up high
the waves crash upon the shore
i listened to the seagulls cry
the sun shone across the old wood floor

there my rambling mind
can finally rest in peace
everything left behind
all the questions cease

created to live in a broken world
but the ocean speaks of something greater
a love, a hope
my perfect creator

<3 miss you
jess

2008-11-19T15:59:00.000-08:00

my europe travel blog for all you who are interested to know where my feet have taken me :)
www.travelingleprechaun.blogspot.com

inspiration

2008-09-26T12:30:00.000-07:00

to see a world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower,
hold infinity in the palm of your hand
and eternity in an hour.

William Blake
Auguries of Innocence

2008-05-05T18:44:00.000-07:00

On Saturday night one of the grade 11 students from my school passed away in his sleep.

Please pray for his family.

His name was Nathan Kirk.

I didn't know him well, but the times that I did talk to him he made me laugh.

RIP.

2008-04-19T13:43:00.000-07:00

I'll fly away, Oh Glory I'll fly away

in the morning

When I die, Hallelujah, by and by, I'll fly away

When the shadows of this life have gone

I'll fly away
Like a bird from prison bars has flown

I'll fly away

republica dominica

2008-03-29T20:57:00.001-07:00

"ARRIBA

ABAJO

ASENTRO

MOVIENTO

SALUD"

my grad dress

2008-03-05T17:00:00.000-08:00

2008-02-11T19:43:00.000-08:00

A riot of color in a dreary world
A gorgeous aray of light shining on rain drops

falling

SPLASH

a reflection of beauty on a slivery surface

2008-01-30T09:30:00.000-08:00

EXAMS ARE CANCELLED!!! DO a happy DaNce!!!

there is snow on the ground, i hope you are all enjoying this as much as i am.

this is for you kara

despot: an absolute ruler; tyrant

for everyone else

inspiration: a creative influence; the influence of GOD on persons

"Short of the nearest and dearest communion with Him, my panting spirit cannot stand firm. Blessed Lord Jesus, be with me, reveal yourself, and abide with me all night, so that, when I awake, I may still be with you."

Charles Spurgeon

Evening by Evening

2008-01-20T16:26:00.000-08:00

T'was grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

2008-01-07T19:48:00.000-08:00

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, till on the haunting flares we turned our backs and towards our distant rest began to trudge. Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots but limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind; drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.

Gas!Gas! Quick, boys! – An ecstasy of fumbling, fitting the clumsy helmets just in time; but someone still was yelling out and stumbling, and flound'ring like a man in fire or lime . . . Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light, as under a green sea, I saw him drowning. In all my dreams, before my helpless sight, he plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

If in some smothering dreams you too could pace behind the wagon that we flung him in, and watch the white eyes writhing in his face, his hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin; if you could hear, at every jolt, the blood come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud. Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues, my friend, you would not tell with such high zest. To children ardent for some desperate glory, the old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est Pro patria mori.

Wilfred Owen

Dulce et Decorum est Pro patria mori- it is sweet and right to die for your country
written during the first world war by captain wilfred owen.
he died 7 days before the armistice, his family recieved the news well the bells were chiming.
remember those that fought and died.

2007-12-27T11:56:00.000-08:00

And everything in the world went on and then a baby was born.

A baby to save the ones who were his own creation.
Why don't we remember this every day?
Merry Christmas

2007-12-17T14:34:00.000-08:00

"When we draw near to Him in the breaking of the bread, the hearing of the Word, the searching of the Scriptures, prayer, or praise, we find any form of approach to Him to be the return of peace to our spirits."
Evening by Evening//Charles Spurgeon

2007-12-09T19:00:00.000-08:00

Thou wast not born for death, immortal Bird!

No hungry getnerations tread thee down;

The voice I hear this passing night was heard

In ancient days by emperor and clown:

Perhaps the self-same song that found a path

Through the sad heart of Ruth, when, sick for home,

She stood in tears amid the alien corn;

The same that oft-times hath

Charmed magic casements, opening on the foam

Of perilous seas, in faery lands forlorn.

Ode to a Nightingale//John Keats

2007-12-02T19:52:00.000-08:00

Do you hear the people sing
Singing the songs of angry men
It's the music of the people who won't be slaves again
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drum
There's a life about to start when tomorrow comes

2007-11-26T20:08:00.000-08:00

LES MISERABLES

the madness begins.....

coming to a theater near you

November 29th-December 1st 2007

YOUR INVITED!

irish pancakes

2007-11-18T20:14:00.000-08:00

'Twas hard the woeful words to frame to break the ties that bound us
But harder still to bear the shame of foreign chains around us
And so I said, "The mountain glen I'll seek at morning early
And join the bold united men," while soft winds shake the barley

But blood for blood without remorse I've taken at Oulart Hollow
And laid my true love's clay cold corpse where I full soon may follow
As round her grave I wander drear, noon, night and morning early
With breaking heart when e'er I hear the wind that shakes the barley.

2007-11-11T22:06:00.000-08:00

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead.

Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

a captive spirit

2007-11-05T16:44:00.000-08:00

Ariel: Before you can say 'come' and 'go,'

And breathe twice and cry 'so, so,'

Each one, tripping on his toe,

Will be here with mop and mow.

Do you love me, master? no?

The Tempest//William Shakespeare

tear drops

2007-10-28T17:35:00.000-07:00

Somebody said this to me today. "Every tear that falls is caught and put in a jar in heaven. Jesus does not forget those tears."

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to seperate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."//Romans 8:38-39

Angel

2007-10-19T17:13:00.000-07:00

And suddenly I thought that the mast of the ship was a kind of never-to-be-shut-in chimney, and that perhaps Angel has first thought of going to sea as he had stood on some roof top and seen from afar the ships in the harbour before he was forced down into the black hole of his work once more.

That was the last I saw of Angel, high amidst the air and sun, looking up towards the sky. I shouldn't have cried, for indeed I was happy for him, but I did, a little.

-Street Sparrows //Rose Ayers-a wonderful author and aunt

2007-10-07T17:47:00.000-07:00

In Christ alone my hope is found,

He is my light, my strength, my song;

this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,

firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My Comforter, my All in All,

here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh

Fulness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones he came to save:

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied

-For every sin on Him was laid;

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain:

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave he rose again!

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,

For I am His and He is mine

-Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath.

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

2007-09-30T18:24:00.000-07:00

Run when you can, walk when you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.

2007-09-21T17:59:00.000-07:00

"People come, people go- they'll drift in and out of your life, almost like characters in a favorite book. When you finally close the cover, the characters have told their story and you start up again with another book, complete with new characters and aventures. Then you find yourself focusing on the new ones, not the ones from the past." //The Rescue-Nicholas Sparks

2007-09-15T19:15:00.000-07:00

Some of us,

We're hardly ever here

The rest of us,

we're born to disappear

How do I stop myself from

Being just a number

How will I hold my head

To keep from going under

Down to the wire

I wanted water but

I'll walk through the fire

If this is what it takes

To take me even higher

Then I'll come through

Like I do

When the world keeps

Testing me, testing me,testing me

John Mayer//Vultures

Little Things Matter

2007-09-09T16:01:00.000-07:00

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Matthew 10: 28-30

2007-09-02T18:25:00.000-07:00

Never do you realize how much you love someones friendship until they are gone. <3

2007-08-16T15:04:00.000-07:00

For our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses. When he lived on earth, he was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin. Let us then, feel very sure that we can come before God's throne where there is grace. // Hebrews 4:15-16

bluejays & mockingbirds

2007-08-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

"'I'd rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you'll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mocking bird."

That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it.

"Your father's right," she said. "Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.'"

To Kill A Mockingbird/Harper Lee

captivate

2007-07-27T21:03:00.001-07:00

You say, strength is found in weakness

Peace in incompleteness

So why do I hold on?

You look, For a heart that's open

For beauty in the broken

So why am I withdrawn?

My soul's screaming out

To be found in You

Spirit draw me to my knees

Captivate all of me, all of me

Here before You honestly

Captivate all of me, all of me

I'm so messy and distracted

Undisciplined and tactless

Here on the inside

I thought age would tell the secrets

But the secrets are still secret

And the years are passing by

Teach me to wait in the moments of my need

Teach me to hear the melodies of peace

"captivate"/starfield

home sweet home

2007-07-16T19:39:00.000-07:00

so there is a song and i don't know the name of it and i couldn't find anything about it on google. but i love the lyrics and i probably don't have them completley right but it goes something like this from what i remember.

HEAVEN IS MY HOME

WHERE I'LL LIVE FOREVER

SHINING LIKE THE SUN

WITH MY KING FOREVER

EVERY SORROW GONE

HE WILL REIGN FOREVER

HEAVEN IS MY HOME

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."~ Matthew 19:14

2007-07-03T13:03:00.000-07:00

my big red suitcase is filled with clothes, strawberry jam and cookies. what more could i need to live off of for two weeks? i am leaving for the airport in an hour to fly away to calgary, my favorite hick town. well it will be a hick town for the next two weeks anyways. i had an amazing weekend with all of you at celebration and i wanted to thank you for that, you all are crazy fun people.

Quote of the Day: We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play the one string we have and the is our attitude. ~ Charles R. Swindoll

Verse of the Day: Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn-shout for joy before the Lord, the King. Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the people with equity.~ Psalm 98: 4-9

adios amigos, hasta luego. <3 jess
*kara's picture, but the timer did the work

A Time for Everything

2007-06-23T16:05:00.001-07:00

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build up,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden of God that has been laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Ecclesiastes 3

the coke side of life

2007-06-13T17:03:00.000-07:00

i saw it and i had to buy it. my world has been cokeisized. ain't it just grand?

changed

2007-06-08T17:10:00.000-07:00

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,

naught be all else to me, save that thou art;

thou my best thought by day and by night,

waking and sleeping, thy presence my light.

Old Books and Poems

2007-06-03T15:39:00.000-07:00

Last week when I was empty out the bookshevles I found a bunch of old books. I love old books, they smell good. Anyways there were these two old poem books that my mom had as a little kid. They are falling apart at the seams and one is from 1905. So this is one of those poems from my good smelling, falling apart book. enjoi...

THE LAND OF NOD

From breakfast on through all the day

At home among my friends I stay;

But every night I go abroad

Afar into the land of Nod.

All by myself I have to go,

With none to tell me what to do-

All alone beside the streams

And up the mountain-side of dreams.

The strangest things are there for me,

Both things to eat and things to see,

And many frightening sights abroad

Till morning in the land of Nod.

Try as I like to find the way,

I never can get back by day,

Nor can remember plain and clear

The curious music that I hear.

2007-05-28T16:16:00.000-07:00

No greater joy

Is there than this

To know for what

We're meant to live

To hold Your hand

To touch Your face

To find ourselves

In loves embrace

I want to stand before the King

Join in the song that heaven sings

I want to hold the hand that holds the world

I want to know the mystery

Reach out and touch the majesty

I want to hold the hand tht holds the world

No greater love

Could be bestowed

That You would name us as your own

Your daughters sing

Your sons rejoice

They gather here before Your throne

You are, You are

The author of creation

We are, the chrildren of your heart

You are, You are,

The light of all the heaven

We rise, to worship all You are

*Starfield, The Hand that Holds the World

2007-05-24T20:00:00.000-07:00

Time is the one thing we cannot stop. We cannot go back and we cannot

go forward. Our future is in the past and our past is in the future.

a little piece from a land far away....

2007-05-18T09:51:00.001-07:00

Tu justicia es justicia eterna y tu ley a verdad.~ Salmos 119:142

This verse was on the wall of the church in Honduras. It means "Your righteousness is everlasting and you law is true" Psalm 119:142. God's righteousness is higher than the heavens and wider than universe, how great is His love. have a good long weekend. luv, jess

2007-05-12T11:25:00.000-07:00

"Nothing is sure to last in this wicked world, not even our troubles." ~ Charlie Chaplin

2007-05-04T15:43:00.000-07:00

Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace. But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns. For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true friends! This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus' are now walking precisely in His steps. Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one. This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger. Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints They have become one. This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Gashes in the sand. A variable mess of prints. You are amazed and shocked. Your dream ends. Now you pray: 'Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You.' 'That is correct.' 'And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, following You very closely.' 'Very good.. You have understood everything so far.' When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way.' 'Precisely.' 'So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first.' There is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice. 'You didn't know? It was then that we danced.'

*this is one of those cushy little stories, but it made me smile when it was just one of those days

Children

2007-04-25T16:47:00.000-07:00

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.~Matthew 18:2-6

*please pray for my friend Ben, he went into the hospital tuesday with a collapsed lung and they don't know why or how long it will take to heal, thank you.

prayers

2007-04-13T20:09:00.000-07:00

" Here in dust and dirt, O here, the liles of his love appear." ~ All the Way Home by Ann Tatlock

My friends grandpa was diagnosed with cancer and he found out last night. My dad is going in for back surgery next week the day I leave for Nelson. Please pray for my friend and my dad, I really appreciate it. Thank you.

"The desert and the parched land will be gald; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy." ~ Isaiah 35

2007-04-08T18:08:00.000-07:00

I hear the Savior say,

“Thy strength indeed is small;

Child of weakness, watch and pray,

Find in Me thine all in all.”

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

For nothing good have I

Whereby Thy grace to claim,

I’ll wash my garments white

In the blood of Calvary’s Lamb.

And now complete in Him

My robe His righteousness,

Close sheltered beneath His side,

I am divinely blessed.
Lord, now indeed I find

Thy power and Thine alone,

Can change the leper’s spots

And melt the heart of stone.

When from my dying bed

My ransomed soul shall rise,

“Jesus died my soul to save,”

Shall rend the vaulted skies.

And when before the throne

I stand in Him complete,

I’ll lay my trophies down

All down at Jesus’ feet.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Honduras

2007-03-28T21:47:00.000-07:00

Where do I begin? Everyone keeps asking me how my trip was and I don't know how to put it into words. If I could tell you every little thing I would, there is just too much unless you would want to sit down for 3 hours and listen. I miss it a lot. The people there were amazing, I have never met a group of people so loving, so caring, so accepting. What I saw was people living a life that I probably will never have. What they were living seemed to be so much more real then the life I live every day in Canada. The Hondurans sincerly cared about you and accepted you for being you from the moment they saw you. They were so grateful for the small things. The kids wanted to be with you everywhere you moved. They wanted to hug you, hold your hand, talk to you even if you couldn't understand. They wanted you to spin them in circles til they couldn't walk straight. There are so many little stories that mean the world to me. It is too hard to write them all here, but I'll let you know sometime. This world holds so much more then I understood until I went to Marcala. If you ever get an oppurtunity to go on a missions trip take it. I can gaurentee that you will come back feeling blessed. God is amazing and He is everywhere. Dios le bendiga. Buen suenos. ~ Jessica

Green and White

2007-03-22T19:46:00.000-07:00

i made a promise to go back, and i intend to keep it. thank you for praying for me. i will tell you all about it when i see you next. goodbye is never forever, for we will see each other in heaven.

please pray

2007-03-11T13:51:00.000-07:00

please pray. time flies. i remember finding out back in september what team i was going to be on, i can't believe that i am finally going. please pray for me and my team that are going down to honduras. i arrive tomorrow in tegucigalpa after 18 hours of travel. the next day we are driving to marcalla where we are spending all of our time. we are working in christian and public schools, building a playground and working in the villages surrounding marcalla. if you happen to think of it please pray for our saftey and health. thank you for you support and prayers. i will be thinking of you too. adios and gracias. see you in 10 days. love, jess

2007-03-09T15:11:00.000-08:00

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.~Matthew 7:7

Friends and Family

2007-03-03T13:45:00.000-08:00

friends and family are the ones who keep me going. i am so grateful for these people.
"There are greater things ahead then any we leave behind."~C.S. Lewis
"We can do no great things, only small things with great love."~Mother Teresa

"For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies."~Psalm 108:4
"Love sought is good, but given unsought is better."~William Shakespeare
"One can never consent to creep when one feels and impulse to soar."~Helen Keller
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." ~2 Timothy 1:7

"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." ~Albert Einstein

2007-02-25T16:08:00.000-08:00

No I'm not color blind
I know the world is black and white
I try to keep an open mind
But I just can' t sleep on this tonight
Stop this train
I want to get off
And go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can't
But honestly, won't someone stop this train?
Don't know how else to say it
I don't want to see my parents go
One generation's length away
From fighting life out on my own
Stop this train
I want to get off and go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can't
But honestly, won't someone stop this train?
So scared of getting older
I'm only good at being young
So I play the numbers game
To find a way to say that life has just begun
Had a talk with my old man
Said "help me understand"
He said "turn sixty-eight"
"You'll renegotiate"
"Don't stop this train
Don't for a minute change the place you're in
And don't think I couldn't ever understand
I tried my hand
Honestly we'll never stop this train"
Once in a while, when it's good
It'll feel like it should
And they're all still around
And you're still safe and sound
And you don't miss a thing
Till you cry when you're driving away in the dark
Singing
Stop this train
I want to get off
And go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can't
Cause now I see I'll never stop this train
~John Mayer

random

2007-02-20T09:38:00.000-08:00

i am sitting in my cp class right now and my friend is sitting next to me screaming and squealing about an online game. i love my friends. yesterday i got my shots for honduras. shots never change, i always freak myself out to passing out point and then the stupid needle goes in and it's all over. worrying never helped anyone right? Quote of the week:" We could learn a lot from crayons...all are different colours, but they all have to learn to live in the same box." Verse of the week: " Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff they comfort me." ~Psalm 23. God is with us every day, through good and bad. Never forget that, I know that i do.

love, jess

2007-02-13T17:18:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is Singles Awarness Day or at least that is what half of my school is calling Valentines Day. Valentines Day used to be so fun when I was a little kid getting all the heart shaped candy and cute little cards. I still think Valentines is a cute holiday, but why not celebrate love in a different way. God sent His only son down to earth for us, that is the greatest love of all time. Happy Valentines Day! "For God so loved the world that He sent His one and only son, for whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." ~ John 3:16.

Love, Jess

ps i still really like those little chocolate heart shaped candies =)

The Stars Listen

2007-02-07T17:15:00.000-08:00

Alicia Brown and her friend Danaya sat on the old bench swing that hung from the porch of a white clapboard house. The stifling heat of summer in Fayetteville, Arkansas had the two friends doing nothing but playing cards and sipping freshly squeezed lemonade. A man wearing jeans and a plaid button up shirt walked out of the corn fields to the left of the house. Alicia broke into a grin and waved her hand saying, “Hey Daddy! Are you comin’ in now?”
David Brown smiled at the greeting from his daughter. “Hey darlin’, I have to make a run to the hardware store before dinner could you tell your mother for me?”
“But you promised that we would practice my pitching tonight”, exclaimed Alicia.
“We can practice after dinner, okay? I’ll be back in 20 minutes. Go tell your mother”, David said as he climbed into the red Ford pick up truck.
“Okay, come on Danaya, we can finish the game a little later. Bye Dad”, Alicia said as the truck pulled out of the driveway.

Alicia set the forks and knives carefully on the red and white checked table cloth, while her older brother Michael poured the drinks for dinner. Their mother, Elaine, cut into the chicken to see if it was done
The phone rang and Alicia charged at it calling, “I’m getting it this time”, but Michael picked it up smirking at his little sister and said, “Hello?”
Alicia scowled at Michael, crossing her arms just for effect, and went back to setting the table. Alicia glanced over her shoulder and saw an expression on the face of her 16 year old brother that she had never seen before. Michael handed the phone to his mother and said with a blank expression, “Dad’s been in a car accident.”
Alicia stared and then walked over to her brother and wrapped her arms around his waist, “Is he going to be okay?”
Michael looked down and said, “He just got to the hospital. They don’t know anything yet.” Elaine put down the phone, grabbed her keys and purse and headed to the car without saying a word. Michael and Alicia followed in silence and got into the car as their mother started the engine.

At the Fayetteville Hospital an elevator carrying the Brown family slid silently to the seventh floor. In the elevator, the calm music made Michael want to punch the button panel and speed the elevator up. Michael looked over at his mother holding Alicia’s hand and could see the tears in her eyes. The elevator dinged, the doors opened and the anxious family stepped off looking for room number 713.

Alicia looked down at her stomach as it erupted in sound once again; their dinner had consisted of bags of chips and pop while they had waited for their dad to come out of surgery. Alicia peered into room 713, waiting for her mom to come out and take her and Michael home. The doctor had told the family that David was in a medically induced coma for the night because they were worried he would reopen the wound that covered his side. Alicia didn’t understand, but she knew it wasn’t good. Elaine came out into the hallway wiping a tear from her cheek. “I think it’s time we went home”, she announced.

Alicia lay on her bed at home wrapped in a patchwork quilt crying silently, her thoughts were scrambled and her stomach was filled with anxious butterflies. The darkness in the room had felt like a suffocating blanket ever since her mom had kissed her goodnight and turned the lights off. Alicia sat up in the quilt; she couldn’t stay in her room anymore. Alicia grabbed a flashlight, pulled on a sweatshirt and yanked the quilt off the bed.

Michael had heard Alicia coming out to “their spot” between the stalks of green and yellow. When they were younger their dad would bring them out here into the corn fields, they would sleep out all night, and he would tell them to just listen. Five years ago after their grandmother had died Michael had found his father sitting out under the stars. When Michael had asked him what he was doing, his dad had replied that he was thinking. Michael had said that he thought you were supposed to listen out here. David had told him that this time the stars were the ones listening. Michael hadn’t understood then, but he did now. Michael sat up wrapped an arm around his sister and said, “It will all be okay, Dad’s gonna make it through.”

The next morning Alicia woke up in her room with the covers tucked in around her, Michael had carried her in once she had fallen asleep. She changed quietly then went out into the kitchen and found her mom making eggs. “We are going to the hospital this morning to see your father, he is awake now. Go and get your brother up please”, Elaine said.
Alicia ran up the stairs and woke Michael up, telling him that they were leaving soon to go to the hospital. They all ate together, then piled into the car and drove to the hospital. When they arrived at David’s room Alicia had to look away. Her father was a mess of tubs and machines. David’s eyes opened above the air mask that was keeping his breathing steady. He smiled at his family; they were the most beautiful sight he had seen in what felt like a long time. Elaine went over to the bed and held his hand, “You are going to be just fine”, she whispered.

Four hours later Michael and Alicia were walking back from getting lunch in the hospital cafeteria downstairs, when Michael noticed that their mother was outside in the corridor pacing. Michael immediately asked, “What’s wrong?”
Elaine looked up and shrugged, “I don’t know, one of the machines just started beeping and then the doctors came.”
A doctor walked out of David’s room and stopped in front of the Brown family. “I’m sorry”, he began, “his lungs and heart just couldn’t hold out anymore.”
Elaine sank into a chair pulling her kids down with her and just held them, while tears streamed down her cheeks. Three days later a funeral was held for David Brown, the loved husband, son and father. Two weeks later the corn farm was put up for sale.

It had been a month and a half since Alicia’s father had passed away and the Brown family was moving tomorrow. Alicia slept curled up in the sleeping bag that lay on the bare mattress. A knock echoed in the room, the door opened and a hand shook her shoulder. “Common we are going out to the fields”, said Michael, “I want to say goodbye.”
Alicia got up sleepily and followed her brother out into the corn fields and spread the sleeping bag out on the ground next to Michael’s. “What are we doing?” she asked.
“We’re gonna listen like when Dad was here”, Michael said.
Silence enveloped them as they lay on the ground in their sleeping bags listening to the stillness. A tear slipped out of Alicia’s eye, “I really miss him Michael.”
“Me too. But tonight let’s pretend Dad is here. The stars are listening and so is Dad”, Michael whispered.

2007-01-29T13:33:00.000-08:00

A couple of nights ago i went out onto my back porch and just looked up, have you ever done that? It took my breath away. I looked up and saw the canopy of stars hanging overhead. And I thought God is so amazing. God made all this for you and me. I forget so easily what He has made for us. I get caught up in my own life and don't remember to thank God for the world He has made. On the next cold and clear night get a blanket and go outside and look up, for God is looking towards you. "And God said, ' Let there be lights in teh expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the skyto give light on earth.' And is was so. God made two great lights-the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night . He also made the stars." ~ Genesis 1: 14-16

2007-01-23T19:14:00.000-08:00

Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal. ~ Ralph Vaull Starr

A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out. ~ Walter Winchell

2007-01-18T17:52:00.000-08:00

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss

2007-01-15T18:16:00.000-08:00

the teachers are forecasting another snow day for tomorrow. i found out today about the shots i have to have before i go to honduras. i hate shots, they give me the creeps. i watched 24 last night and it wasn't at all what i was expecting. i was just waiting for asain guys to come flying out to steal back jack. i am going to watch again tonight, or actually i am right now. i had choir at 7 this morning for the first time in a month, i am exhausted. i love to sing, but not that early. in my outreach meeting after school someone read a verse to us as a part of the devotions they were leading. "Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight", Proverbs 3:5-6. i have heard this verse so many times, probably like everyone else, however it never ceases to have a renewed meaning. So often i try to work out my problems on my own, but i need to learn to trust that God is going to take care of me in everything i do. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

2007-01-12T08:59:00.000-08:00

i got my L!!!!! I haven't actually driven yet because of the snow, but I got it anyway:P

2007-01-10T12:33:00.000-08:00

From sunshine to snow. This morning i went out in my house coat and pajamas and took pictures of the snow. Everytime it snows our neighbourhood is the same, crazy. People from around the block come and sled on our hill, which i say is quite annoying but fun all the same. I never get tired of the snow. One day you have to come and see for yourselves and i will make you maple syrup candy. I invite you, please take me up on that so that i am not a loner. I am being mushy, but thankyou for being my friends you make life a whole lot easier.

love, jess

2007-01-05T15:37:00.001-08:00

My Christmas Adventure

2007-01-05T15:37:00.000-08:00

Pigeons in Mazatlan
A Cathedral in Mazatlan
The docks in Cabo San Lucas
Me and my cousin in our lifejackets
In Old Town Sandiego

Our ship the Oosterdam
Christmas morning
The cousins on Christmas Eve
Miss Monkey in Puerto Vallarta
Polly the Parrot in Puerto Vallarta

I'm Home

2007-01-02T19:49:00.000-08:00

So I am home now, after 2 weeks in the sun it feels a little weird to be back in the cold and rain, but good to be home. I did miss everyone, I hope you all had a good Christmas and happy New Year. I don't have much to say as I am semi brain dead from lack of sleep and coffee. I will write when I am more awake and show you pictures to. It's good to be home.

My Chrsitmas List

2006-12-21T20:10:00.000-08:00

I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when i'll be back again.... So I am off to Me-he-co, thats how you say it right my spanish buddy steve? So far it has taken around 2 hours to get packed, with procrastination highly involved.Yes I will miss my friends and my rainy Vancouver dearly, except for the fact that I hopefully will be coming back with a good tan, not a sunburn or snow white. I also am determined not to get any of those nasty parasites that Joe and Steve were talking about. That really didn't make me excited about going to the beach. I told Nathanael that I was going to wear socks everywhere. From what I have heard silver in Mexico is a very good deal, so I will bring back braclets for the girls and some gangsta chains for Matt. So I opened my Christmas presents last night and I got a John Mayer cd, I was listening to it and one of the song's lyrics really hit me. "Stop this train, I want to get off, And go home again, I can't take the speed it's moving in, I know I can't, But honestly, won't someone stop this train?" Sometimes our life is moving way to fast, we forget about everything but the thing that we are focused on. I know that at Christmas time it is so easy to forget the real reason we celebrate Christmas. The way that the world celebrates Chrismas with Santa Claus and light displays is so different from what really happened. Try and remember to slow down this Christmas and just listen to what God has to say to you. I said this would be long and I think that I fulfilled that promise. I will see you all in January. Merry Christmas and a happy new year. God bless!

Love, Jess

2006-12-20T11:17:00.000-08:00

so i am sitting here in yearbook class doing absolutley nothing, again. i have nothing to do, but nothing to write about either. oh i know well this isn't all that exciting, but they chose my designs for our team shirts for Honduras. My outreach trip is coming faster then i thought it would, i am nervous and excited about it all at once. i think i should get my hair braided when i go to mexico for the cruise, what do y'all think? oh and aly and joe, your brother just came back from san diego i think, so ask him about some good places i can go while i am there. today i am staying after school to work at a basketball game, these days are just too long. anyways i think you have heard enough of my nothingness (is that a word), so i will stop. love you, bi!!

Snow Day

2006-12-17T15:00:00.000-08:00

So i am missing the snow a little bit since Christmas is coming. i hope we get more snow before the winter season is over. i heard a saying a little while ago, " snowflakes are one of God's most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they join together." God made every little thing in incredible detail, and He made us with His perfect plan in mind. He had a plan for Jesus to come and save the world. remember that through Christmas vacation and the next time you see a snowflake fall marvel at it's beauty. and if the snow falls while i am in mexico think of me too, as i soak up the rays of sun and come back with a tan :D

2006-12-14T18:48:00.000-08:00

me before and me after. you can't really tell in these pictures, but you will see me tomorrow.

2006-12-13T11:14:00.000-08:00

we had an assignment, we didn't finish. can you guess why?

I Love you all

2006-12-12T19:23:00.000-08:00

I made this blog for all you youth people that i love so much!! I love you all!!

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now am found

Was blind, but now I see

So clearly

Halelujah grace like rain falls down on me

Halelujah all my sins are washed away

Washed away