Abundant Life

I just got back from visiting my aunt, uncle and 4 wonderful male cousins in Baltimore. I drove down with my aunt to Philidelphia to visit two seminaries as I am thinking about studying Biblical counseling after graduation from Geneva (06). Changes changes changes! I am so excited even though the plans have not been worked out. I am not sure if I should go to Korea to teach English first or go to seminary first. If I taught in Korea it would help pay for grad school and that would be a plus. But first of all I would need to find an English speaking church in Korea to worship at. (High priority on that). As far as seminary would go as of right now Westminister Seminary is what appears most promising. I also must indicate that changes will be coming to AL blog also...I am not sure exactly what they will entail but for the past few weeks I have been made aware of the need for some kind of concerted effort to place different priorities into my life. So although I am not sure exactly what will happen to AL blog. I am praying about it. I know God knows whats best to do when time is of the upmost premium and blogging is not.

Megs is sitting on my lap jabbering as I attempt to type this and I am loving every minute of being with her. Being an aunt is better than 10 years of babysitting. I think in part because the lil one is so alike you...its uncanny. It must be the closest thing to having your own...whithout all the responsibility and getting up late at night etc. So nieces and nephews rock. I better go Megaroo is about to destroy the computer~gotta go!

Penguins 4
Originally uploaded by markcp.

I saw the "March of the Penguins", a national geographic documentary which made me want to visit Antartica. The landscapes they capture are breathtaking along with the Southern lights. I love the inside the ocean view as well as the stark pure white beauty of the pristine and frigid enviroment. It mainly showed the harsh realities these penguins had to face in order to survive. If a penguin was separated from the flock of others it was immediately fated to die. It made me think of how we as Christians also must not be solo styled but rather be united to the people of God and His people's fellowship in order survive the harsh pilgrimage that each of us faces as God's people. This journey is not easy, but it leads to a glorious end. We strive not as ones without hope or a future. We have both and we have a strong purpose as well. We cannot however "do it alone". The book of Hebrews esp. emphasizes this fact.

Penguins
Originally uploaded by kalel_mos.

Bay2
Originally uploaded by kalel_mos.

Bay1
Originally uploaded by kalel_mos.

Bay2
Originally uploaded by kalel_mos.

Antarctic sunset
Originally uploaded by kalel_mos.

Check this out these photos just make me smile...the beauty all around us is so amazing!

aaaaAK 106
Originally uploaded by tkurk.

back to Alaska. :) It is so beautiful there!

Originally uploaded by Jessi Joy.

This capture's Michael's persona perfectly!

Gua (156)
Originally uploaded by rogille.

11 months
Originally uploaded by Jessi Joy.

..I should clarify...this is me at 11 months or according to my 2 year old nephew it is his sister Megan, we look almost identical when compared at the same age.

Isaac
Originally uploaded by Jessi Joy.

I miss Isaac alot. We got him when I was just entering 1st grade. He died the year I went off for college. We have so many fun memories of him though. He was such a wonderful dog!

I got my blender out and created a cheaper and yes very tasty *Fraupachino* recipe that I will share with you here.

Hope you like it!
Oh by the way you can improvise by adding more or less of something...I always do.

~6 normal sized cubes of organic or otherwise milk frozen in ice cube trays (I use 2%)

~3 ice cubes

~1/2 cup milk

~3 Tablespoons flavored creamer either flavored half and half or powdered cappuccino mix

~3/4 cup ice cold coffee (or coffee ice cubes)

~Sugar, honey or stevia to taste

(Optional add 1-2 tablespoons dark cocoa powder)


By the way- highly diluted/sweetened and cold/iced is the only way I will drink cofee!! :)

You are dreamy, peaceful, and young at heart. Optimistic and caring, you tend to see the best in people. You tend to be always smiling - and making others smile. You are shy and intelligent... and a very hard worker. You're also funny, but many people don't see your funny side. Your subtle dry humor leaves your close friends in stitches.

I've been tagged by Bonnie who was tagged by Gayla to blog exactly what is currently residing on my nightstand.

So here is a running list of what is currently on my nightstand-and has been for several weeks to be exact. :)

1. The Book of Psalms for Singing (inspired by God :)
2. Moroon NKJ Bible (my black NASB floats all over my house randomly)
2. a small gold reading lamp
3."Watching Unto Prayer" by Robert Murray MCheyne
4. Charles Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening" devotional
5. a quote book I finished in 2002
6. My old high school journal, current journal and another journal, you can never have too many you know.
7. small white alarm clock
8. "Surprised by Joy" by CS Lewis
9. "The Pilgrim's Regress" by CS Lewis,
10. "The Christians Two Cheif lessons: Self Trial and Self Denial" by Thomas Hooker
11. "The Fat Flush Plan" by Anne Louis Gittleman (I am getting ready for a wedding I am in Labor day...the bridesmaids dress must fit perfectly...or else!) :P
12. "Praying Always" Part II by Thomas Watson
13. 4 pens
14. scrap paper with a list of things to do on it.
15. scrap notebook with random thoughts in it.
16. "Passion and Purity" by Elizabeth Elliot...this is the third read. I am still learning more from it.
17. 2 flyers from my church
18. almost forgot...a bottle of thyroid medicine

Well thats it...I have way too many books on my night stand! And it is obvious that I am the type who starts 5 books and finishes them all together a year or two later.

Now on for the fun part: I tag Mustang Girl, Rabenstrange and TBQelite...in no particular order. Have fun and tag three more people also!

Find out here

~~Why aren't more churches loving those they "condemn" as sinners? It seems so many churches do one of three things: ignore the sin and sinner completely, ignore the sin factor completely and accept the person as fine, condemn the sin and sinner and offer no grace. Rather than doing what this church did, I think Jesus would have done something similar...overcoming evil with good!

This is bad news for the US.

You scored as Amillenialist. Amillenialism believes that the 1000 year reign is not literal but figurative, and that Christ began to reign at his ascension. People take some prophetic scripture far too literally in your view. Amillenialist 100% Moltmannian Eschatology 65% Preterist 50% Postmillenialist 45% Premillenialist 40% Left Behind 20% Dispensationalist 5% What's your eschatology? created with QuizFarm.com

Go here

I was reminded of this when today as Michael my two year old nephew asked me to fix his tractor toy after I fixed it I said "say thank you Michael" he promptly replied "thank you Michael". I then remembered that yes...he truly had done exactly what I asked of him. ::smile::He was the smart one!

The wisdom we least want to hear is the wisdom we most need to heed.

It is so sad that this is so often the case because of our heart's reluctance to holiness. Our sinful flesh hates the Spirit of life. It is a continual war. The means of grace strengthen the Spirit's work in our lives: namely...reading the Word, prayer, communion, and hearing sound preaching. Fresh grace is needed daily. I look back and see how it is more apparant when I have not had the infusion of the Word of God for several days...the culmaltive effect is not good. But the effect of being seeped in it is life-giving. Even if our stiff and contrary natures must be force-fed the life giving living waters and heavenly bread of the Word.

Someday our contrary natures will be demolished and we will be renewed complete in Christ...holy and blameless! That will be a joyful day!

I am becoming more and more convinced that it is the subtle changes in our habits and lifestyle that effect us longterm profoundly...in ways sometimes that we only see years later. Heeding wisdom in the "smallest" "daily routine" corner of our lives ends up in either a blessing or a curse when seen from the vantage of years.

Our lives are made up of the effect and sum total of what habits we form and keep up...and those we break and give up. It just reminds me of how our lives so mundane so often have value that we will only fully understand in the next world. This value is directly related to how we choose to live in the smallest yet in truth the largest portion of our time spent working, eating, communicating, playing, shopping, worshiping, and sleeping. I am always amazed to see the amount of time spent at each of these things...they take up our time, but the crux of the matter is how one does these things. Whether they are done in union with Christ; under His lordship or wether they are done in one's own strength and frail human "wisdom".

Over and over again the inspiried "Blessed is he who has made the Lord His trust" and "acknowlege Him in all you do, leaning not onto your own understanding." etc..

Now I can only ask that God would work in me to do the granting of His wisdom and the process of ingrafting into Christ as His dwelling so that my life can be a truer reflection of the beauty of holiness found in God. There is alot of work to be done in me. I am so glad that God who raises the dead, can do all things! He can bring order to chaos and beauty from ashes. Humans from dirt and a dead wicked sinner to a holy saint! Soli Deo Gloria indeed!

Here are pictures of Geneva college. It is a beautiful college. I miss my walks around the campus and the hills that are situated right behind the Beaver river.

Ps 86:5
For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.

Ps 86:15
But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.

Ps 130:7
O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is lovingkindness, And with Him is abundant redemption.

Ps 147:5
Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.

Michael and Meg slept over at our house tonight...this morning Michael wearing a batman cape Michael stated when asked what his black cape was said "cupcake". We were amused. Michael also thought that my baby pictures were pictures of his sister. We looked alot alike as babies I guess.

"Many a dangerous temptation comes to us in fine gay colors that are but skin-deep."

"Better late than never."

"Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trial of extraordinary graces."

I was forwarded this by email and it was a good reminder of something the world forgets.

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of
the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions.
Just read straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners?
How did you do? The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Acheivements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Liberty Falls
Originally uploaded by Jessi Joy.

I love my brother and sis in law. It is so nice to be near them this summer.

"'God is good, if he gives you what you want. What if you want what is bad, will he not be more merciful then by not giving?' [Augustine on the Psalms 86, 7]
Yes! We do not even know what is good for us so often. That is why God is so good as to overule some prayers we make and in the process answer in far better ways; often by revealing even more of Himself to us~far, far better...than many other things I often pray for. This I have seen to be a wonderful mercy displayed by God. May the Lord lead us in straight paths. May His word guide and gaurd our ways forever."

Joy Williams - Hide
From the album Genesis

To anyone who hides behind a smile
To anyone who hold there pain inside
To anyone who thinks they’re not good enough
To anyone who feels unworthy of love
To anyone who ever closed the door
Closed their eyes and locked themselves away

Chorus:
You don’t have to hide
You don’t have to hide anymore
You don’t have to face this on your own
You don’t have to hide anymore

So come out, come out
Come out wherever you are
Anyone who’s trying to cover up their scars
To anyone who’s ever made a big mistake
We’ve all been there so don’t be ashamed
So come out, come out and join the rest of us
You’ve been alone for way to long

Chorus:

And if you feel like no one understands
Come to the one with scars on His hands
Cause He knows where you are and where you’ve been
His scars will heal you if you let Him

Chorus:

You don’t have to…
You don’t have to hide
Come out, come out wherever you are
You don’t have to hide
Come out, come out
Come out wherever you are
You don’t have to hide
You don’t have to…

This makes me think of God
Originally uploaded by Jessi Joy.

My dad left this morning to fly to Soul Korea, Beijing China, Bangkok Thailand and Kuala Lumpur Malaysia in a matter of 10 days!! Ahh. He has been to Korea, Thailand and Malasia several times but never to China. He is excited to be able to see China for the first time but also aprehensive about all the travel. It is exhausting and he is hardly able to sleep on planes. Apart from being concerned for his safety, terrorists are threatening to bomb hotel lobbies in Malaysia, am excited and mildly jealous that he is traveling!! :). He is traveling for business as his company Deguessa, wants him to help the people in those countries develop better fabric softener technologies. So this is a update to ask if you could please pray for him if you think about it. Malaysia is highly Muslim and so there is not a lot of Christian freedom over there. I hope he can still be a wittness by his presence. I will post pictures he takes when he gets back. He has the digital camera...I thought he would have more interesting things to take pictures of than me :)

So its just my mom and me at home for the next 10 days....I wish I could have joined dad though. Thailand and China sound soo fascinating...not to mention Korea and Malaysia. I hope he takes lots and lots of pictures! :)