As much fun as we are having, sometimes people respond to my joy with, “oh just wait until you get past 6 or 8 months”. This dismissal of my joy really makes me cringe. We experienced a similar thing prior to marriage. Some people were encouraging and talked about the joys of marriage, but others would simply talk about how hard it was. Well, I’ve decided that its all about perception. You can look at the challenges of marriage (or life in general) and say, “what a great challenge, oh how I am learning and growing”. Or you can think, “oh what a struggle, this life is so hard…”. So, I’ve decided to go with the former. And with this in mind, I’ll pose a few questions: For those who are married: what do you enjoy about married life? For those who are single: what do you enjoy about being single? For those with children: what do you enjoy about being a parent?

Lastly, since being married I have become very aware of how appropriate it is to pray for significant others who might come into the lives of our single family members and friends. So, for those who are single, what can we ask God to provide you with? As an example, though I’m not entirely sure I ever asked for this specifically, I have loved having Jordan’s sense of humor in the house. Just last night I was feeling a little down when I looked over at my husband who made the goofiest face just at that moment. I burst out in laughter as a good portion of my anxiety was relieved. Awesome how God knew just what I would need in a mate.

I just wanted to bring that to yalls thoughts. But that is how i see it. That we let the enemy win. I hope you all have a great week. I love everyone !

JoJo

After our our discussion of bacon this weekend, i thought you might like this. Now you can make yourself taste like bacon.

J&D’s Bacon Flavored Lip Balm

($13/Pack of 4) for Bacon enthusiast!

If you could have lip balm that tasted like anything in the world…what would it be?

Yesterday as I drove to Colorado, I spent a great deal of the journey thinking and planning for the future.  In preparation for marriage, Jordan and I have had to think about several of life’s big questions.  Along the way Jordan has had to remind me that you cannot plan for everything (though this is rarely a comforting thought to me).  Near the end of my journey home, this point was made very clear to me.  There is a last final stretch on the drive, which I always dread.  Just outside of Wray, CO (small town near Yuma) there is a small two lane curvy highway with no shoulder through some hills/cliffs.  I usually take this path with great trepidation, but last night the journey was not so bad.  I drove confidently through the hills without a thought of fear.  As I reflected on the experience, I realized that the difference was in the fact that I was driving in the dark, with only my headlights to light the way.  I could not see the steep drop-offs or the severity of each curve, I only saw the few feet in front of me.  I felt that this was a great reminder that were I to know all that might come in the future, where we will go, how we will live… it would be too much for me.  Today is just enough for me.  Matt. 6:34.

Last night’s revelation was tied to a sweet reminder this morning of what is most important, reflected in the story of Mary and Martha from Luke 10:38-42.  ”Martha was distracted by the preparations that had to be made… the LORD said, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (10:41-42). 

1 John 2:6 “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”

I think it’s time we stop asking ourselves the question: “Am I a good Christian?” We live in a time when the term “Christian” has been so diluted that millions of immoral but nice people genuinely consider themselves “good Christians.” We have reduced the idea of a good Christian to someone who believes in Jesus, loves his or her family, and attends church regularly. Perhaps we should start asking the question: “Am I a good Christ?” In other words, do I look anything like Jesus?

I keep wondering if anyone had ever said that about me, ”The day I spent with Josh was the closest thing I’ve ever experienced to walking with Jesus.” The answer is an obvious “no.” Would any honest person say that about you? Have we made it our goal to resemble Christ. Isn’t it ironic that a man can be known as a great pastor, speaker, and CHRISTian even if his life doesn’t resemble Christ’s?

This verse merely states that anyone who calls himself Christian must live like Jesus did. So how did Jesus live? You could make a list of character traits to compare yourself to, but it would be far more beneficial to simply read through one of the Gospels. After you get a bird’s-eye view of the life of Christ, do the same with your own. Are you comfortable with the similarities and differences?

Try to be COMPLETELY honest with yourself right now. Is the following true of you?

• You passionately love Jesus, but you don’t really want to be like Him.
• You admire His humility, but you don’t want to be THAT humble.
• You think it’s beautiful that He washed the feet of the disciples, but you don’t want to serve anyone but yourself.
• You want to live by faith, but you really don’t want to live by faith.
• You love that God so loved the world He gave, that you so love yourself you keep.
• You praise Him for loving you enough to suffer during His whole time on earth, but you’re going to do everything within your power to make sure you enjoy your time down here.
• In short: You think He’s a great Savior, but not a great role model.

I didn’t say this would be easy. This is just one of the questions I have been wrestling with lately. I think this is enough to chew on for one post. Let me know what cuts you to the heart! Let’s make a personal decision to stop talking so much and begin living like Jesus. Then we can say as the apostle Paul, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

My teachers are great. My math teacher is explains whole bunch and i like that. Another student was telling me today she didn’t like him but not in a bad way. she was like i like him he is funny but he expains to much. i told her yeah but when it becomes to get harder stuff i will like it because i will need it. she laughed. he is helpful and patient. patience is a great thing when it comes to teaching.

my reading teacher is a great teacher just a little more stern. she seems nice. she seems she will work with me. we actually took a test on my second day of school but she said she wasn’t going to put this one in the grade book. i am totally glad cuz i don’t think i did to well. it was a test to help her know how far along are we.

I am glad that i have decided to go to school. my reading teacher said something great. that College is 100% student responsibility. i totally agree with that. this is my responsibily and i will get out of it how much i put into it.

i got to do what Jordan said he said something like “that i have to be excited with school like it was the first day of school everyday. that i need to act like its work. that i need to schedule part of my everyday to spend time studying just like i work everyday.”

i thank God for bring me in this season and i am depending on His stregnth and help with College. well talking about studying i got to do it. so i will talk to yall later. Love Yall.