Christmas 2006

It's still so hard for me to believe that Christmas 2006 has passed us by already! Luke and I had a wonderful Christmas, although I have to admit, for some reason, it felt different this year. Not really sure why. Maybe because the weather in South Florida was in the high 80's! On Christmas day, Luke and I decided to take a drive by Ft. Lauderdale beach and to our surprise, it was quite packed. Lots and lots of people bathing in the sun. There's just no Christmas like there is in South Florida.

One of the great things about Christmas, is being able to visit family. Let me share with you a humorous story that is just too good to not repeat. One day this past week, Luke and I were at his brother's house, Erik. Erik and his wife have two children, a boy and girl. Josh who is like 3 years old, had some great advice to give me. While we where at the house, Josh kept saying, "Aunt Jennifer, will you come play with me?" Of course, I had played with Josh earlier. Well, I told Josh that I just couldn't at that time because my tummy was hurting from all the eating I had just done. Well, Josh just looked at me very seriously and said, "Aunt Jennifer, maybe you just need to push a stinky out." I was cracking up inside. I then proceeded to ask him how I was supposed to do that which he in turn, gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and squinted his eyes. It was extremely funny! You know, sometimes I just have to wonder why adults aren't more honest with each other like little Josh was with me. Maybe next time someone tells me that their stomach hurts, I should just encourage them to push out a stinky and in turn, show them how to do it.

Another great thing was that we were able to meet the three new editions to our family. Luke's sister and her family have decided to adopt three Haitian children. There are two sisters and one brother, ages 9, 5, and 3. They are absolutely adorable. Luke's sister and family adopted two Cuban-American children not too long ago and they too are absolutely terrific. So we are thrilled to have the new little children joining in on the family.

Having the past week and a half off has been terrific. I do enjoy my teaching job, but I must admit, it's hard to go back after being off for some time. But I pray that the Lord will continue to bless me and the students that I have the opportunity to be with on a daily basis!

Well, I must go for now! Hope each and everyone of you have had a great Christmas!

Life is better

I must admit-I am doing much better today then I was on Monday. I must also admit that it was very sad for me to hear that Luke did not get the job. I think I may have taken it harder than he did, although he was very surprised because the interview went so well. Luke had even told me how she was asking about me and what I did and how there should be no problem with me finding a job, etc. So, for him to not be offered the position was very surprising.

Luke has also gotten no's from UCF and Valencia. Very interesting. Again, who knows what God is up to. What we do know is that if nothing opens up for Luke, we may need to both try and get jobs again in Sumter. Financially, we just need to be making a tad bit more than what we are now. So, we will see what happens.

I have been blessed this week with not having to work. It has been so nice to just be able to get things done around the house and to be free to do those things that I not only need to do, but want to do. Yesterday was a great day. My neighbor Pia and I went out to Downtown Disney to do some Christmas shopping. The day was beautiful and of course, whenever you are in any part of Disney, you just feel like you are on vacation. We had a great time finishing up our shopping along with going out to lunch together.

One of my goals for this week was to work on my concept paper which is part of my dissertation. I've only printed out my needed resources. I really need to get motivated because I really need to get this done by no later than the end of January. Hopefully today, I can read through my resources and highlight the important information.

Tomorrow Luke and I will be heading out to South Florida to visit both sides of the family. Should be a good time. We hope to get back to Clermont either on the 26th or the 27th.

I am currently reading this book called, "Living Simply" and I am so happy that I purchased the book. What caught my attention was the title-it's everything I want to be about and really strive for in my life. The author talks about all the different aspects of life and how living simply is what we are called to. She talks about how our society is so focused on the more is better attitude. Have you ever walked into a house where it just was cluttered beyond measure? I have! Our friends are moving next week into another house and we had the opportunity to go see the house with the current family still living there. Well, it was cluttered beyond description. Just stuff everywhere. And you know what? The family probably doesn't even use half of the stuff that is there.

Why do we do this to ourselves? Personally, I prefer the simple house with simple things. In our world today, people are always looking to buy bigger and better? Why? Someone once told me that for those who plan on having a family-recommendations state that a house of at least 2000 square feet is needed. You have to be kidding me!! First off, I grew up in an 1100 square foot house and was perfectly happy. I just don't understand the need for more, bigger, and better. To me, it's just not worth it.

So anyway, if you get a chance, check out this book-it's very good. And come to think of it, I think I will procrastinate on my concept paper just a tad bit more and instead, try to finish up the book this afternoon! Oh how I love having days to myself!

:(

Luke did not get the job. Again, we will continue to trust that the Lord has something even better.

Please keep praying!

No word yet

Well, here it is Monday, a week after Luke's interview, and we have heard nothing. I must say, I am a little disappointed. I'm just thinking that this may not end up being an open door for Luke and with that, I have to admit, I am disappointed.

I must also admit that the past week has been really stressful and in all honesty, a sad one. I just have no idea what the Lord is doing in our lives, but it has caused me to be sad. I don't even like this, but at times I wondered if I was actually depressed. I truly believe that there is something better out there for Luke and I truly believe that the Lord is going to use Luke in some great ways, I just so desire to see that light at the end of the tunnel. I so want to see my husband excited about his new job and I really desire to see him doing what he wants to do. It's killing me emotionally and spiritually to have our life floating around in the air and to now know whether or not a door is going to be opened. It's also not helping that financially, we are not where we would like to be. The Lord has provided enough for the bills, which I am grateful for, but, that's about it. And of course, that just doesn't help out the whole situation. I'm sure that's adding to the stress also.

So again, I continue to ask for your prayers. I will continue to trust God even though I don't understand. I will continue to believe that he has our best interest at hand and we will soon see the light.

Sickness and Patience

Here I am, having taken the day off of work, not feeling any better. Luke and I have been sick and I am just waiting for the day for all of this to go away.

I am also trying to be real patient in regards to the JU position. I was actually hoping that we would have heard from them by now, but we have not.

So, I am just trying to be patient in each of these things. It's not so easy. Patience is something I don't always do well with. I am also trying to not get my hopes up and to know that if JU doesn't call Luke, it's for the best. God just has something better and in that, I have to rest assured. Again, not an easy thing to do. Easier said than done. I hope tomorrow is better!

PS-Tomorrow is our anniversary. Being sick is not what I planned.

Not so peaceful night!

To say that I had a peaceful night last night, would be quite the understatement! Luke left yesterday afternoon for his interview today at Jacksonville University. Well, last night I had a hard time falling asleep not only because he was gone, but also because I had not been feeling well all day. So, I finally was in some kind of sleep at around 11:00 p.m. and low and behold, Jack, our black 80-pound dog, decided to start barking and growling like crazy! I had never in my life heard him bark nor growl with such intensity! It was scary. What I saw was him looking up at the ceiling and there was a shadow upon it. At first it really did look like the shadow of a person standing still. But, when I looked closer, I realized that the shadow was that of our free standing mirror. Needless to say, I was terrified and it took me about an hour to not only get back to sleep, but to also get my heart back to a normal rate! I sure am glad to have Luke back home. It's just not the same with him gone!

Luke did have his interview today and he feels that it went very well and that the lady really liked him! So, there could be a good chance that we will be moving to Jacksonville, Luke sooner than I. JU would like to have someone in the position by January 15th. So, if Luke is offered the job, he would go there ahead of me, I would sell the house, and would finish out the school year at Foundation. We should know by the end of this week whether or not Luke has been offered the position! Please keep praying! This could be really good for Luke!

Prayer Please!

Well, God sure is working in some mysterious ways. As many of you know, Luke has been sending out his resume to a variety of schools to see if anything might open up. Well, we need some prayer. On Monday, Luke has an interview with Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida. Then on Friday he has an interview with Saint Leo University. Personally, I am pushing for the Jacksonville one. Now with that being said, I also have to mention that if he were to get the job, leaving our Clermont would not be the easiest thing. First off, Luke and I really LOVE our church family. We would hate to leave them. They truly are like family to us and we desire nothing more than to work alongside them as we reach this community for Christ. Secondly, we would HATE to leave our friends. Again, we have made some incredible friendships through the church and in turn, it would be hard to leave. Third, we truly love our home! Leaving our little home that we have worked to so hard to make it ours, would not be easy. So, if Luke were to be offered the job at JU, it would be bittersweet. But deep down in my heart I would also know that it would be for the best. This would basically be his foot in the door to what he eventually wants to do-work on a college campus. So, as of right now, it's a waiting game. Plus, I would hate to leave Foundation Academy. I truly feel that the Lord is using me here and could continue to use me here and in turn, I really think my supervisor would be very disappointed if I told him that I was leaving. But again, I trust God, whether he opens this door for Luke or not.

The Saint Leo position is a part-time position and with that, Saint Leo is 45-minutes away from our house. So, that one is more up in the air because if Luke were offered the position, he would have to find another job in order to make ends meet. So again, it's just a waiting game right now. Please keep us in your prayers.

Last night I had the joy of receiving an email from Katie Brazelton of Pathway to Purpose Ministries. I had written her about a week ago basically pouring my heart out to her in regards to my struggle as to what the Lord would have me focus on in my life right now. There are so many things I want to do and so many desire that I have, that it's hard to narrow it down. I also shared with her what so many of you wrote in regards to my characteristics. Again, I am just so humbled by your responses. Anyway, here's what she had to say:

What you do well:
serve others, serving

Why do you do it (your motive):
single-minded in your commitment to Christ, so 'sold out' to Christ, love people unashamedly

Who you are:
1) Leader, lead, strong leadership, lead up, charisma, big picture, organized, bold, coordinate, honesty

2) teacher, teach, teaching, education

3) Good listener, talk to people, encourager, encourage, motivate others, role modeling

4) Writer, writing

5) Speaker

To whom you are called during this season:
Reaching women with the Love of God, heart for people who are hurting, women's ministry

What your other spiritual Gift is:
Hospitality, make people feel comfortable, at ease and wanted

Includes:
doing the dirty work, details

Katie said that she chose these phrases from my email because they are more than simply characteristics/qualities, they are life mission indicators. It truly was a breath of fresh air when I received her email. It has really caused me to just look at how the Lord has gifted me and in turn, what I can do to bring glory to his name!

Ok, I have to run now. Need to post some grades, head home to Luke, get ready to come back to school to watch my students play some b-ball, and then we have a busy day tomorrow at Disney!! Our close friends will be there because her employer is having a huge gathering there and she gave us special tickets to go watch the fireworks in this special area with her and her husband and her co-workers! We are so excited! And oh yeah, Luke and I have officially finished our first year of our Doctoral studies! I must say, I'm quite surprised with my progress! I've made all A's thus far! Kinda crazy for a girl who can be such a flake at times!