No I'm not....Ok, so I am!

I checked my comments on myspace the other day and noticed one that had not really caught my eye to begin with. One of my nieces had left me a comment about my new pictures that I had posted from the Jackson, Tennessee Signature Sound concert. Contrary to popular belief from my niece, I am not *obsessed* with EH&SS. Obsessed is such a strong word....I prefer "gung ho" or maybe "fascinated by"~~ It doesn't have such a straight-jacket feel behind it! When asked "What is the big deal about them?" I just simply reply,

"I enjoy the harmony, joy, peace, smiles, laughs, tears, glory-bumps, chills, cries, delight, comfort, excitedness, exhilaration, liveliness, vivacity, rejoicing, blessedness, hopefulness, bounce, pep, zing, surprises, bliss, calmness, cheer, and just good ole' fellowship that comes with a concert setting. You can't find anything like it! There is no "music channel" or "top 20 countdown" that can give you what I receive every time I go to a concert. "

To give you a little insight into my happiness, picture two little ones~~Austin 6, and Lana 5. These two precious young'uns tugged at my heart strings when they were at my house and requested to hear "He Made A Change"~~My eyes watered the entire time they were singing along at the top of their lungs, never missing a word! THAT is the stuff that counts....who cares what MTV says....I have found the top 20 in my book!

~It Is Well With My Soul~

As a pianist, I find joy in learning the background for certain songs. I have heard this particular story many a time, and every time I play this song, I almost cry.

"....And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul..."

Even so, IT IS WELL with my soul!

This hymn was writ­ten af­ter two ma­jor trau­mas in Spaf­ford’s life. The first was the great Chi­ca­go Fire of Oc­to­ber 1871, which ru­ined him fi­nan­cial­ly (he had been a weal­thy bus­i­ness­man). Short­ly af­ter, while cross­ing the At­lan­tic, all four of Spaf­ford’s daugh­ters died in a col­li­sion with an­o­ther ship. Spaf­ford’s wife Anna sur­vived and sent him the now fa­mous tel­e­gram, “Saved alone.” Sev­er­al weeks lat­er, as Spaf­ford’s own ship passed near the spot where his daugh­ters died, the Ho­ly Spir­it in­spired these words. They speak to the eter­nal hope that all be­liev­ers have, no mat­ter what pain and grief be­fall them on earth.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Refrain

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Refrain

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

Refrain

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

Refrain

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Refrain

Excerpt above from www.cyberhymnal.org

~Everything will make perfect sense~

Don't you wish things were as easy to DO as they are to SAY?

Oh, I have been thinking here lately about all the things that are happening in my life. I feel sometimes like I have such a heavy load on me...between school, clinicals, home life, and my family, I just feel like I am running around in circles. Have you ever been swimming in a lake or ocean and had to "tread water" for a while waiting for the boat? I feel my life sometimes is a giant ocean and I am treading water....not making any progress.
I know that everything happens for a reason and that God has a plan for me. I just wish He would post it on a billboard or something :-) Hey, I am trying to go by my own advice....laugh at the confusion....it will all make sense later!

I am so tired

What a week so far! I am exhausted...I need one of those LONG relaxing vacations where I can just sit on the beach and watch the waves come in, see the bright blazing orange sunrise and the deep passionate red fading into indigo sunset, white sparkling sand between my toes, cool, crisp, salty breeze on my face, no sunburns, no sweating, fresh exotic fruit, beautiful soothing island music, grass skirts, sailboats, dolphins, seagulls, buoys clinging gently in the ocean waves, a lighthouse on the shoreline, palm trees as far as the eye can see, and a tan hottie to bring me ice water on demand! OK, now that I am back in reality, a good week free of studying would be just as appealing to me!

What A Sweet Sound

What an afternoon! I have spent several hours today playing feng shui with my bedroom furniture, which caused great fatigue! As I was cleaning up the last of my mess, I heard my phone ring. I checked the caller ID and was little weary of answering the "unknown" number. I answered the phone and heard this:

"Hello, who is this"......

"Jennifer who?"........

"Do you know who this is?"........

The name game continued for about another 30 seconds when that one of a kind laugh came through and a huge smile ran up my face.....Oh how wonderful it was to hear such a sweet voice! I had not really spoke much to Brian since our "split" about 2 years ago. We kept in touch every now and then, but I hadn't heard from him in months. An hour after he called, we were still talking about old times, new times, and keeping in touch. So much has happened with the both of us in the 2 years or so that we have been apart. Nothing like a sweet phone call to make a hectic day a good one.

Down in the dumps?

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. (Psalm 55:22)

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You heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help... Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. (Psalm 31:22,24)

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Look at the birds in the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they??? (Mathew 6:26)

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Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I'll lift up my soul. (Psalm 143:7-8)

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The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. (Psalms 9:9)

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The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27)

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You are my lamp O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light. (2 Samuel 22:29)

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A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. (Psalms 34:19)

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If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumbles, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. (Psalm 37:23-24)

Psalm 91:4

If This Is What God Says....

"If this is what God wants, If this is what God says, Then who am I to doubt and try to figure out the circumstance, If this is what God chose for me In all His Majesty, Surely I can trust and lean on what God says...."

You say: It’s impossible
God says: All things are possible

You say: I’m too tired
God says: I will give you rest

You say: Nobody really loves me
God says: I love you

You say: I can’t go on
God says: My grace is sufficient

You say: I can’t figure things out
God says: I will direct your steps

You say: I can’t do it
God says: You can do all things

You say: I’m not able
God says: I am able

You say: I’m not smart enough
God says: I give you wisdom

You say: I feel all alone
God says: I will never leave your or forsake you

You say: It’s not worth it
God says: It will be worth it

You say: I can’t forgive myself
God says: I forgive you

You say: I can’t manage
God says: I will supply all your needs

You say: I’m afraid
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear

You say: I’m always worried and frustrated
God says: Cast all your cares on me

(Chorus above from "If This Is What God Wants")

Oh The Places We Will Go!

I sit here on this Wednesday night reminiscing about the places I have been this year. For starters, I have been to Pensacola Florida for a Signature Sound/Gaither Vocal Band concert, followed by a day at the beach, to Birmingham Homecoming with GVB and Signature Sound along with other artists, then to Six Flags over Georgia, and this past weekend was spent in Jackson Tennessee at yet another Signature Sound Concert. I have been blessed to be able to go and do things this year. As I think about what good times were had, I think about all the good times yet to come. I am patiently awaiting our departure for Fort Worth in July followed by the Cummings Georgia and Wright Music Hall performances of Signature Sound in August. Fort Worth will be exceptionally appreciated because my mom can finally take a little "break" and I get to meet so many of my message board friends! I feel like I have known them forever! Oh the places we will go this summer!

I Need A Rewind Button

Oh what a great weekend! Two girls could not have asked for anything better than a Signature Sound concert! Wow, it was just wonderful! The day started out by driving a somewhat uneventful 264 miles across to Jackson, Tennessee. We stopped a few times along the way. I felt this was like a journey across the Southern states, so I took a picture of the Mississippi and Tennessee welcome signs. My sleeping niece in the passenger seat made no effort to hold her eyelids open through this journey. Shame on her! When we got to the hotel, we were a tid bit early to check in so we embarked on another journey....to find the church! About 8 miles later there it was....this was a huge church. We don't have many churches in my neck of the woods that seat 3,000 people! The outside was gorgeous, leading to even more pictures.

As concert time approached, the butterflies in my stomach were telling me it was time to go! My niece and I (along with the butterflies) loaded up in the car toward the church. We got there 2 hours early and stood in line, hoping for excellent seats. As we stared at the double doors, hoping and praying they would suddenly open, I saw out of the corner of my eye a man wearing a red/white striped dress shirt waving from inside. Who else but sweet Doug would remember us! He just smiled from ear to ear after we waved back in excitement.

As they opened the doors to let the crowd in, we rushed to what would soon be deemed "OUR seats". We were lucky enough to get the first set of non-reserved seats....the third row! After claiming our "treasure" we started back out to the product table to get pictures and scope out Ernie's suit. We were hoping that we would not get that "Century 21" suit AGAIN! Ernie let us know real quick that he had retired that suit from the summer tour. We were introduced to his.....well...."bunnies". Only Ernie could make such a suit look good.

Who ever would have thought Ryan to have such great dance moves! If only I could describe in words what I saw with my very own eyes!! I guess "cowboy" would be the best title for such a dance move...Oh, the memories! I wish I could've captured that one in video, but I will just have to rely on my memory! Doug was stepping up the comedy part also. He was the "tattler"of the group. The little "tattle" notebook he kept was so very funny. He played that part well. Tim had the guts enough to make a wife joke while HER parents were occupying the front row....bravery was shown and he succeeded! Ernie's humor of course included Bill Gaither and also, a new face--Christopher Phillips. The babyfaced 26 year old was introduced by Ernie as "12 years old". Christopher took the sarcasm gracefully! In addition to the Gaither "special talents" moment, Ernie allowed us the pleasure of almost falling off the stage....Oh, if that was rehearsed, he did a wonderful job of scaring me to death! I thought the bunnies were going to take a tumble for the worst! And last but definitely not least, I finally got to meet David. Just a quick "can I take a picture with you" was enough to tell that David is a super sweet guy. He had to "approve" our picture before he left! Too sweet :-)

As I think back on the events of that night, I smile. I had the best time and I just oh so wish I had a rewind button. All they guys are so good to take "just one more" picture. I know they must have thought my camera was somehow surgically attached to my hands....I went just a little bit camera crazy. I am sure they understand....we don't get many opportunities to sit up front, so I took advantage of that blessing!

It was so good to see all the guys! I just love em! They sang most of the songs from the Get Away Jordan CD in addition to Forgiven Again, Then Came The Morning, Pray For Me, I Then Shall Live, Sweet Sweet Spirit, Glory To God In The Highest, and I am sure there were others! My mind does not function for at least 2 weeks after returning from a concert.

~Excitement,~

The time is getting closer and closer to CONCERT TIME! Only about 12 more hours stand between me and the alarm announcing "Time to go." I plan on making an early departure from the nice little confines of Alabama. We should be arriving in Jackson around 12 noon. From there it's just a few hours of grabbing lunch and getting ready to go, then it's off to the concert! I am sure I will just be blessed to the point that I probably won't be good for anything when I get home. I tend to lapse into a "post-concert" phase where I can think of nothing else BUT the concert. Oh, the stories I will have to tell! For starters, a very sweet lady has warned me about Ernie's "bunny pants"....I am definitely looking forward to that photo opportunity. Ernie's attire never ceases to amaze me, well....that really goes for all the guys. It takes a "one-of-a-kind" person to pull off some of the suits they wear! I will also get to see a special performance from Christopher, whom I hear is just like Anthony Burger...oh, I just can't contain myself any longer. I have been packed for 2 days.....yes, 2 days! I check the bag at least 3 times a day to be sure I have not forgotten anything.

Who Is Jesus?

"Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" ~Matthew 16:13

To the artist, He is the Altogether Lovely,
To the astronomer, He is the Sun of Righteousness and the Bright and Morning Star.

To the baker, He is the Living Bread,
To the biologist, He is the Life,
To the builder, He is the Sure Foundation.

To the carpenter, He is the Door,
To the doctor, He is the Great Physician.

To the editor, He is the Good Tidings of Great Joy,
To the educator, He is the Great Teacher,
To the engineer, He is the New and Living Way.

To the farmer, He is the Sower, the True Vine, and the Lord of Harvest,
To the florist, He is the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley.

To the geologist, He is the Rock of Ages.

To the hopeless, He is our Hope.

To the juror, He is the Faithful and True Witness,
To the jeweler, He is the Pearl of Great Price.

To the lawyer, He is the Counselor, the Lawgiver, the Righteous Judge, and the Advocate.

To the philosopher, He is the Wisdom of God,
To the proud, He is the Rebuker.

To the sculptor, He is the Living Stone,
To the straying sheep, He is the Good Shepherd.

To those who suffer, He is the Comforter,
To the thirsty pilgrim, He is the Water of Life,
To the troubled soul, He is the Pacifier.

To the sinner, He is the Savior.
To the Christian, He is the All in All.
~~Author Unknown.

Hear My Song Lord....

O Lord, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
Psalms 141:1-2

I bought a devotional today and I have been flipping through some of the pages and I saw the scripture from above along with a little story about an evening prayer. As I read the scripture I kept hearing a song over and over in my mind. The song is called "Hear My Song, Lord". This is a beautiful song in lyrics alone, but to hear the soothing music that accompanies it just makes it even better. I have heard a couple of versions of this song, but my favorite is off the Love Can Turn The World DVD/CD. I am a little biased I suppose, Doug has a solo part, and I melt every time he opens his mouth. It's good to know that even when we feel like we can't hear anything for all the noise of life, that God still hears our song!

....And I will give you rest.

"Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

~*Hope*~

What is hope?

An everyday dictionary may tell you that hope is to cherish a desire with anticipation, but what exactly IS hope? A few years ago at the "little church" that I used to play the piano for, the pastor gave us this quote about "hope". His definition of hope was this:

"My visions of the future are greater than my memories of the past."

Just think about that for a moment..."My visions of the future are greater than my memories of the past". That just blows my mind sometimes. Maybe I am thinking to deep or maybe I need to think even deeper. That quote has stayed in my Bible ever since the words escaped our pastor's mouth. I often look back at this quote and reflect on the things that I have "hoped" for in my life and how those things have either come to pass or have disappeared completely from my mind. I do not know the origin of the quote. I am unsure if it was from our pastor, or if he was inspired to share it from a devotional, but the words of that quote stay with me even now....2 years later.

Just a little something to think about the next time you are hopeful about something.

~A New Look~

As I left the college from a long 4 hour study session, I thought to myself..."Self, you need a new look". To my surprise, the wonderful lady that cuts my hair had an available appointment at 2:30. I was there at 2:20 looking through different magazines when I saw "The Look" I was trying to achieve. A gentle reminder of my previous hair "nightmares" lay near the money stash in my car...a note to myself saying "Um, you remember what happened the LAST time you had a bright idea!" That played no part in my decision making for the day. So, the coloring began!

After almost 2 hours of just sitting there while she foiled my hair, I began to recall that "reminder" again....Why did I do this?

After another 35 minutes of letting the color "set", I REALLY thought about that note...Why did I do this?

Then came the rinse process....I have a lot of hair, and with that 'lot of hair' comes a 'lot of tangles' and with those tangles comes a lot of ouching and a lot of scary faces. Still thinking....Why did I do this?

After 45 minutes of blow drying, the finished product became a little clearer. Ah, I see.....
I DO know why I did this!

My new "do" is about 6 inches shorter and now has a touch of warm caramel creme highlights to tone down the "black coffee" look I had previously been accustomed to. Now looking in the mirror at the big picture, enduring a little torture wasn't so bad.

~Another day closer~

As the weekend draws nearer, I am increasingly excited about the Jackson concert. So excited in fact, that it is hard to focus on the major studying I should be doing to prepare for the huge test that will await my return.

I have this "complex" about applying situations to my spiritual walk. For example....I have charged several sets of batteries, checked my camera, confirmed reservations, and made sure my directions were printed and tucked safely away with my tickets. I treat this like a very special moment in my life......

What about God? Have I charged my soul for worship and for following Christ? Have I checked my relationship with our Heavenly Father? Have I confirmed my love for Him by my actions? Have I been following God's directions? How will I know which way to go? This way, or that way.... Everytime I think about a "direction" to take, I think about the poem that every high-school junior had to memorize....The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.


In this crazy thing we call life, there are so many distractions, temptations, and evil "lures" to drag us under. I hope, that in addition to being prepared for a weekend trip, that I have prepared myself spiritually for the real "special moment" in life.....following Christ.

When you conquer one, up comes another

After a sudden scare with breast cancer, my sister-in-law has yet another demon to face. Tomorrow's MRI will soon tell us why she has been having numbess, tingling, and a feeling of "electric shock" over her arms and legs. I am so worried. She is my brother's world....literally! He is a big worry wart anyway, but this is so frightening for all of us. As a special little prayer for her goes up, I pray that those of you reading this will do the same.

Dear Lord, I pray that all goes well in tomorrow's MRI and that it is nothing serious. Lord be with the doctors and with the patient. Please put your touch on this entire situation. They say the results will take about a week.....please put your comforting hands over my brother and his wife. One week is a long time to worry. Lord, you have healed her from breast cancer and I know anything is possible. I ask for all these things in Your precious and Holy name....Amen.

The Nursing Student's Prayer!

Lord: I know we go through this every day but please give me the knowledge as to why I actually wanted to go to nursing school. Lord, give me the strength to make it through those boring five hour lectures without falling asleep. Lord, please give me the patience to make it through twelve hour clinicals with instructors that can't just give you the right answer and on the same note, give the nurses the ability to remember what it was like to be a student and give us just a little more respect. Lord, give me the endurance to read all the assigned readings and be able to remember it when I am taking a test with four right answers. Lord, give my family and friends the ability to realize I really am on the edge of insanity. Finally, Lord, give me the vision to see that one day I will be a real nurse and I will never have to wear this ugly uniform again!!!......Author Unknown

This really does sound like a nursing student. Sometimes I get so stressed about the tests and clinicals that I can't even remember why I went back to school. Lord, make me mindful of the responsibilites ahead and be with me through the next year.

Why?

Why is that when you need something the most, it's "unavailable"??? I have had the worst internet problems this weekend....and it's still on the fritz! Of course, you call Tech Support and what do you get.....someone who can't speak English! I couldn't understand over half of what was said, then they get all grouchy when you ask to speak to a different agent! AHHH!!! I was really needing to catch up on some emails and bills. I guess I will just have to tough it out a few more days....I am surprised I stayed connected long enough to vent! LOL

Who do you love more?

Oh the exhaustion brought on by two little ones....I now know why I do not have any children of my own...LOL. "Aunt Boo" is completely worn out. Who would have ever thought that two bundles of joy would grow up to have such insatiable energy! In amongst the high energy levels crept a burning question....

"Boo, do you love Austin more than me?"

No Lana, I love you as much as I love your brother.

"Are you sure you love me as much?"

Silly girl, of course I love you as much.

As I sit here and think about the craziness of my day, I wonder if God feels the same way that little Miss Lana did.

"Do you love your job more than Me?"

"Do you love your new truck more than Me?"

"Do you love fishing more than going to church?"

These are all questions that I feel I need to ask myself daily. I know I have put things before God in the past. I am trying so hard to mend that. I have prayed for a "revival" in my soul. I am still not where I need to be in my "walk". I have come a long way from the things that I used to do, but still, I need that extra "pep" to get me back on the straight and narrow.

Last one for today, I promise :-)

What makes you truly happy? Walking on the beach, taking a picture of the footprints you made?? Yes, that simple task of walking and looking at my footprints made me happy. What makes you happy? Well, here are some rules to get you jump started!

Rules for being HAPPY!

God didn't promise days without pain,

laughter without sorrow,

sun without rain,

but he did promise strength for the day,

comfort for the tears,

and light for the way.

Disappointments are like road bumps,

they slow you down a bit but you enjoy the smooth road afterwards.

Don't stay on the bump too long.

Move on!

When you feel down because you didn't get what you want,

just sit tight and be happy,

because God is thinking of something better to give you.

When something happens to you, good or bad,

consider what it means.

There's a purpose to life's events to teach you how to laugh more or not to cry as hard.

Never abandon an old friend.

You will never find one who can take his or her place.

Friendship is like wine. It gets better as it grows older.

Remember the five simple rules to being happy:

Free your heart of hatred.

Free your mind from worries.

Live simply.

Give more.

Expect less.

I Then Shall Live

Yep, I swiped this from my myspace blog, but these words are so beautiful. If you could just hear the music with this right now, it would give you chills. I have had the pleasure of seeing this performed live twice. Those were two of the best concert memories!

I Then Shall Live

I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven;
I’ll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father;
I am His child, and I am not afraid.
So greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive another;
The law of love I gladly will obey.

I then shall live as one who’s learned compassion;
I’ve been so loved that I’ll risk loving, too.
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges;
I dare to see another’s point of view.
And when relationships demand commitment,
Then I’ll be there to care and follow through.

Your kingdom come around and through and in me,
Your pow’r and glory, let them shine thru me.
Your Hallowed Name O may I bear with honor,
And may Your living Kingdom come in me.
The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor,
And may You feed a hungry world thru me.


These words were written by Gloria Gaither for the Finlandia tune.

A Fresh Start!

This is my first effort in trying to pry myself away from myspace. This is my work in progress! I hope to be able to post a little bit of something everyday. There are so many things that are coming up for me, so I should have at least SOMETHING to say about it!