DONE?

THIS IS GONNA BE A SHORT ONE!!!!



I FINISHED MY LAST ASSIGNMENT OF 2011!!!

WOO-HOOO!!!



I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING A COUPLE OF
WEEKS OFF TO SIT BACK, RELAX, AND ENJOY MY
FAMILY....


BUT LETS BE SERIOUS I NOW HAVE A COUPLE OF
WEEKS TO CATCH UP ON ALL THE HOUSE WORK,
AND TO ATTEMPT TO POTTY TRAIN MIMI AND
MAYBE, JUST MAYBE READ A BOOK THAT IS NOT
ABOUT SCHOOL STUFF...

AT ANY RATE I AM FINISHED AND NOT A MOMENT
TOO SOON!!!!

What if.....

There is this song on the KLOVE(a great Christian station) that I love to
listen to. It is called Blessings by Laura Story. The little graphic above
is the chorus to the song. Here is the link to her song..(PLEASE LISTEN)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mmgV6mPvb0


Makes you think right? Lots of people, me included have been told
God never gives you more than you can handle. What if that isn't
true, what if he gives you more than you can handle to see how you
handle it?(Philosophy at its best).

All the times that we see a disappointment in our path may just be
the things that bring the blessings with them. We've all heard the
cliches about struggle and disappointment making us all a better
person. Some of them include:

"You have to go through the rain to see the rainbow"

"One door must close before another one can open."

"You have to turn your life upside down before it can be right
side up"

"You have to break it down before you can make it stronger"

And so on, I can imagine that there are millions of more ways
of saying the same thing. All of it conveying the same sentiment,
bad things happen and getting past them will get you to something
better.

We all pray for good things like wisdom, health, family, protection,
well being, jobs, understanding and the such. But we may not see
that to get the things that we pray for we have to go through a
change to get them.

What if we knew that to get the wisdom that we seek we had to
go through a tough experience teaching us that wisdom. Would
we approach the seeking of it differently. Would we deal with
the tough times in a different way.

Even if we approach the tough times with perseverance we may
start to feel that hope fading away. We have no way of knowing
just how long that rain will fall or how long that journey will be.
It may last a short time or take a very long time. We may abandon
it all together because we are not willing to take another minute
of it. In those cases we can only hope that the journey will grow
bright on the next path.

The truth is that even the strongest person can become weary
of the journey. Sometimes we may need to sit down and take
a moment to rest. We may need to pick up that friend and
remind them that we are there with them, and although we can't
carry them through the journey we can walk with them a little
while and help them approach that goal they seek.

So my question to you is have you walked with someone on
a journey lately. Have you guided, inspired, or encouraged a
person that you know needs it. Have you given nourishment
to the soul in need? Have you given a candle of hope to a
person on the long journey that they are facing?

As we approach the New Year try thinking of making a New
Year's resolution that will do this. Make it a goal to spread
the hope and love that you have with someone that could use
the encouragement. Don't just give lip service, share the tales
of hardship with a gift of love, friendship and nourishment.
That gift you give may be the blessing the person needs to
help them on the path!!!

Observations, Surprises and Updates

Time for some more updates, obeservations and surprises...

 1. IT HAS BEGUN-- I finally started Christmas shopping, My mother in

 law sent me somemoney to buy Christmas presents from her for the kids,

 that way she won'thave to lug them on the train, so I officially have presents

under the tree. I still haven't started my shopping yet, thinking I'll do it next

week.

2. SANTA--This Santa and other childhood imagination stuff is hard.

 My kids allstill believe in Santa, so I am still trying to plan Santa wisely.

I bought thewrapping paper that Santa will use yesterday,of course I had to

 hide it sothe kids won't see it.. Sometimes I think we as parents are crazy for

adding one more thing to our list...

3. BUT KEEP THE OLD- I got an unexpected email from two of my friends

that I have not heard from in a long time(one of them over a year). What a true

blessing to be able to catch up with those people again. God has blessed me

with them and I am thankful that even though life has keep us busy we can

still catch up every now and then.

4.JOBS AND MOVING- For the time being it is looking like we will be staying

put. A mix of emotions, I know that I was secretly hoping that the one option

would work out and make a good situation for Coach. If its meant to be it will

work out.

5.FUNDING- I found out I got a grant award at school. It isn't a lot of money,

it covered the cost of books but it is that much more money I don't have to spend

and that is always good news!!!

6. I'M DREAMING OF A BROWN CHRISTMAS- So I've been trying

to decide what to give my siblings and parents for Christmas. So I've decided

to do treat boxes. I'm making truffles, oreo truffles and peanut butter balls. I

know that the last thing most people need is a little more sugar but come on

the new year means resolutions right?

7. FB TO BE OR NOT TO BE-- I've had so much success not being on FB

that I am trying to decide if I should ban it forever. I think however I am going

to reactivate it and then dump a whole bunch of people that I don't need! This

should allow me to keep the upbeat nature that life is taking. No changes till

January 1st though!

8.CHRISTMAS CARDS-- So I changed my mind. I'm gonna send out

cards but not until after Christmas. I'm gonna send them out to the ones who

send me a card and a couple of other people that I am thinking about! Guess

I couldn't keep my Bah Humbug attitude very long..

9. STOCKINGS ARE HUNG-- My Martha Stewart side came out, I went

to Walmart and bought 7 stockings( the $0.97 ones) and a bottle of glow in

the dark fabric puffy paint. Well lets just say that for less than $10 we have

7 personalized stockings that glow in the dark(the kids get a kick out of it).

10.VOW RENEWAL PLANNING- So I haven't been planning too much

but I have created my save the dates and started working on the brochure

that I am sending out when we know the exact date. Very cool things and

creative to say the least. Also decided to do a bon voyage party for those

that can't take the trip with us.

Alright I'll limit this to just 10 today. But I'll probably be posting some more

stuff soon...

Trust is the name of the game

I've been listening to the christian station a lot lately. On this station they have these one minute ministry things from a group called Proverbs 31.org. I was listening yesterday and heard this one.
(CLICK ON LINK OR READ BELOW)
http://proverbs31radio.blogspot.com/search/label/Trusting%20God

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst



Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Last week I was up most of the night with a very sick child. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries.  My daughter Ashley was supposed to be competing in a State Gymnastics Meet the next day. I know in the grand scheme of life, skipping the Meet pales in comparison to many more serious matters. But, to her this was a really big deal. One that she had worked SO hard to prepare for. And now her body was too weak to attend. So trust was the word of the day. But sometimes trust is HARD. Especially when it means taking a completely different route than what we were expecting. Are you going through some tough times right now? Are you full of questions but short on answers? Maybe we’re just supposed to say, “God I don’t like this and I don’t understand but still I trust You and that’s enough.” For more encouragement visit Proverbs 31.org.

Well yesterday I found out that my cousin, who turns 30 in a couple of days, has
to have both of his legs amputated. This is due to complications with diabetes.
So after hearing the news I started to think, why would god take the legs of a
person so young, with two little boys? Why would he confine a young man to
a life in a wheel chair? As my heart filled with questions that I knew I would
not get an answer to, this little ministry minute came on the radio. As I listened
I got the overwhelming feeling that this was a direct message to just me, as if
at that very minute God was trying to talk directly to me.

I started to think that maybe he had heard my questions and although he knew
that I wouldn't understand why it was the way it was, he wanted me to know
that he did hear me and that if I trusted in him then it would work out. I sat for
a minute, in silence, thinking about my cousin and how much he must be full of
all kinds of questions, anger and frustration. Then I said a prayer that he too
would get that message and that even though it wouldn't make his life any bit
easier that maybe he'd be able to accept it and be able to move along the new
path that was before him.

So today trust is the name of the game. As things change and something that
I don't like comes up I'm gonna work hard to remember that I have to
trust in God!

Updates--Life's Happenings

So here is my updates for this last week. Just to keep everyone posted, and
to let everyone know what is going on in the Jordan house!


1. Finals, Finals, Finals- I've made it to the end of another term in school
which means that I am slammed with final papers, projects and tests. All
of this being due on Dec 23. Let's just say more than one bottle of wine
will be drank on Christmas Eve!

2.No Jamaica-The invitation for my brother's destination wedding came
this week. At a cost of $1,500 a person and a date of August 15th we
have been scheduled and priced out. That is about $10,500 and right
in the middle of football camp for those that do not know. I am filled with
 a mix of emotions over this, anger and hurt, sadness and depression.
 But life will move on and I will be ok!

3.No Christmas Cards- For the last 6 years I have sent Christmas cards
to everyone on my list, we are talking maybe 60 cards. This year I am not
sending any cards. With finals and a limited budget I don't have much money
of time to send them, besides I don't think that a lot of people should get
them.

4. Job possibilites- We have some jobs in the works. One of them will take
us to a very familiar place. I can say that I am excited and nervous about it
at the same time. Coach really wants this, although he won't say it. In all
honesty I must admit that I do too.

5. Let the shopping commence- Time to admit it, I am beginning to make my list.
If you don't know me this is a big deal, cause I am usually almost done by
now. But I am starting to make my list, filled with all the things that the kids
want. I'm only buying for my kids, and our parents.

6. I DO Part Deux- Early stage planning for the renewal is holding until I know
 about the jobs. Location wise we may be smarter to take one option over
 another that would alter the cruise in whole. When we know more, I'll pick
up with the plan again.

7. I resolve- Still holding sold on this. Feeling really good about things lately and
even the news of missing the wedding has not been able to rain much on my
little parade. I've been working on meditation and finding myself more focused
and a lot more relaxed.

8. Facebook Free- That's right you have heard that right. I have been FB free
 for 9 days. I miss it a little but have learned a lot about people that care and
those that don't. Interesting how people I never expected have contacted me
and those that I thought would, well they didn't..Helped me to set some new
 priorities for 2012.

9.Let is snow- It is Dec 6 and it has not snowed yet where we live(Global
Warming).It's had its cold spells but over all it is really warm here. I mean I live
about 10 miles from Lake Ontario. Meanwhile places like New Mexico have
gotten snow. I know that I will probably change my mind, but in all honesty one
of the things about being in the Northeast is that you get a White Christmas...So
I'm saying Let it snow!!!

10. Christmas Visits- My mother in law has decided she wants to come visit for
the holidays. We are really really excited about this. She came for Thanksgiving
and we really had a great time with her here. It is refreshing to have some time
with her and the kids are loving it when they get to see granny! Her affirmation
and support brightens my dad and I'm so thankful that she is the soul that she is!!!


Okay well that is 10 updates for you! Hope everyone has an awesome day and
I will leave you with one quote....

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched,
but are felt in the heart" - Helen Keller ...



SUCCESS

Doesn't this picture just make you laugh??? Okay I made me smile!!!
So what was I successful at, well I made it through 5 days without my
husband being home! I not only made it but I think I did really really
good.

When I say really really good I mean I stayed on target with classes,
which is no small feat considering I am in the final 3 weeks and I am
busily doing final papers and projects. I also managed to work on vow
renewal stuff(ooh more on that later!!!), the house stayed relatively clean,
and the kids didn't even stress me out too much... All in all it was a
very successful week!!!

I was successful because when Coach shared some news that might
have an impact on our future I didn't even get nervous or worried or any
of the other things that I have clung to in the past. It would seem that the
inner strength has been renewed, amazing what 5 days away from FB
will do for you!!!

To me the biggest success of the week was not even being upset that
Coach didn't want to talk to me for hours at a time on the phone, did I
ever mention that I was a little bit psycho in my young coach wife days.
Last week we talked a couple times a day for like 15 minutes. But in
all honesty I didn't need to be on the phone with him.

Another success I've managed to only be on the scoop once this week.
For those of you not in the industry it is basically a website/blog, that
college coaches go on and post "scoop"(a manly way of saying gossip)
about what coaches interviewed where, what jobs are being changed,
what is happening in football. It is pretty interesting and believe me
it is the way that everyone finds out about changes.

As it is football silly season right now we keep an eye on the changes
that are happening. I'm not saying we are looking to move again, but
if the right opportunity came along we would consider it. We aren't
actively looking but if Coach get the right call we have to think a lot
about it.

Lastly, I am successful this week because we are officially in December
and I haven't even started to worry about Christmas shopping or any
of the present things that would have filled my head in the past. I'm
taking a new approach to it this year. I'll get them when I'm ready
and everyone will get what they get. I'm not trying to find the perfect
gift anymore. It will be something nice and if they like it they like it.

So in short this week has been a great start to the resolution I talked
about in the last post!!! It was A SUCCESS!!!

P.S.Also be on the lookout for the coming blog post about our vow renewal
(In 2013--I'm planning early)