off to impact...

for 10 days!

See you guys when I get back!

Please be praying for God to be moving in the lives of my teens this week!

a kaffeeklatsch* & a message from above...

(google image search led me here...)

So yesterday afternoon I found myself at the local Starbucks with Laura. (I was her intern back in '05, and now she is getting ready to get married! She & God have a really beautiful & powerful story...) We try to get together to catch up when she is in town. It had been a while since we had talked, and a lot has been happening (I mean, she is getting married!), so we were there for almost an hour. She told me about the events leading up to her engagement, how God had been and is at work in her life and relationship, and just life in general. I told her about MYM's summer thus far, how God has been working in my life, and how I wish He would work (ha). 

Another girl had been sitting behind us the whole time. I noticed her when I sat down, but I didn't really pay attention to what she was doing... I think she was reading. She was there by herself. She was right behind me, and honestly I had forgotten she was even there until she stood up, approached us, and placed an envelope on the table between us.

"This is for you girls."

That's all she said. Then she turned around and walked away.

Laura & I were kinda caught off guard by the whole thing. It was just so random! Of course I then took the envelope, opened it, and this is what I found:

I pray that God blesses you and your future. May you always hold strong to the Lord and His awesome word. May you never grow cold or turn away the lost. Never forget your worst day with Jesus is better than your best day without Him.

- a strong sister in the Lord

I have never had anything like that happen to me, and her words were just so perfectly placed in our conversation... 

 It was like God had a message for us, and He chose this particular instrument of His to deliver these encouraging words. I want to live with my eyes, ears, and heart open so that I can be such an instrument of the Lord's in the life of others around me...

*kaffeeklatsch: (n.) casual conversation over coffee

courage...

Courage is not the absence of fear, 

but rather the judgment

that something else is 

more important than fear. 

       - Ambrose Redmoon

just something I've been thinking about....

nashville workcamp...

... a favorite amongst MYM teens....

What is Nashville Workcamp?

Well, every summer we send a large group of teens to Nashville to meet up with a couple hundred teenagers from all over the place (Nashville, Montgomery, Birmingham, Atlanta, etc) to paint houses. For free. It is an incredible outreach to low income families in the Nashville area. This was my 3rd year to go, and I love it! We are divided up into about 20 different crews made up of teenagers from various youth groups & 2 (or 3) crew leaders.

This is the house my crew painted. Look at those lovely potted flowers & that sharp looking wrought iron! I was a part of an awesome crew this year. They were such hard workers, that we finished a day early and were able to help another group finish up their house.

Two of my girls from Mayfair, Morgan & Sarah, were on my crew, and they discovered a brick walkway at our house. The sweet lady who owns the home has been having a lot of health problems over the years, so she had not really been able to maintain the yard like she used to. Because of that, the grass (and dirt) had covered the walkway. My girls took care of that!

Here are a couple more pics from NWC. 

Me and Caylie with our matching haircuts.

And a picture of some more of my wonderful girls.

Hurray for another great week of the summer!

one day...

I hope to know love like this...

This woman is just beautiful.

I love reading her thoughts.

so much more than a concert...

On May 30, 2009, I went to the most amazing concert ever.  Laurel, Jenny & I went to see Hillsong United in Nashville.  (Remember how excited I was about this a couple of months ago?) I had high expectations. I knew it was going to be awesome. It was Hillsong. I love them.

Once it began, I realized that my expectations weren't even high enough. By the 3rd or 4th song I could tell that this was going to be so much more than a concert...

You see, I had expected to hear the songs that I love. I'd expected to hear a lot of new ones too. I expected an incredible concert, of course.

I did not (for some reason) expect God to show up like He did.

I did not expect to feel so alone with God in the midst of all those people and blaring speakers.

I did not expect to find myself in such earnest and absorbing conversation with Him.

I did NOT expect to be moved to tears.

I didn't expect any of that.

I just expected a concert.

I love that HE surpassed all of my expectations.

But that's so like our God, isn't it?

I have so much more I'd like to say about it, but I really don't think my words can do my heart justice here. And maybe that's how it is supposed to be... Maybe some things aren't meant to be shared... And maybe that's part of having an intimate relationship with HIM...

I do want to leave you with the words to one of the songs off Hillsong United's newest album, Across the Earth: Tear Down The Walls. And I'd encourage you to check out this entire album. It's definitely one of my new favorites.

Tear down the walls. 

See the world.

Is there something we have missed?

Turn from ourselves.

Look beyond.

There is so much more than this.

And I don’t need to see it to believe it.

I don’t need to see it to believe.

Cause I can’t shake this fire deep inside my heart.

Look to the skies.

Hope arise.

See His majesty revealed.

More than this life.

There is love.

There is hope and this is real.

And I don’t need to see it to believe it.

I don’t need to see it to believe.

Cause I can’t shake this fire burning deep inside my heart.

This life is Yours.

Hope is rising as Your glory floods our hearts.

Let Love tear down these walls.

That all creation would come back to You.

It’s all for you.

Your Name is glorious, glorious.

Your Love is changing us, calling us.

To worship in spirit and in truth.

As all creation returns to You.

Oh or all Your sons and daughters.

Who are walking in the darkness.

You are calling us to lead them back to You.

We will see Your spirit rising.

As the lost come out of hiding.

Every heart will see this hope we have in You.

For Your Name is glorious, glorious.

Your Love is changing us, calling us.

To worship in spirit and in truth.

As all creation returns to You.

  

jh family beach retreat...

oh so much fun!

Every summer on Memorial Day weekend, the Jr High Families at Mayfair retreat off to the Gulf Shores of Alabama. It is one of my favorite things we do in the summer. 

Why is it such a favorite?

Well....

It is at the beach.

Our Jr High kids are so much fun.

This retreat is a lot more laid back.

It is a great time to not just get to know kids better, but to get to know their families as well.

And because the parents are there, they are the ones responsible for their kids, so we get to only focus on the spiritual and fun! 

How could it get any better than this?!

This year was no exception. We had such a great time, and the weather ended up being awesome. It rained the entire first night and first morning, but then all of a sudden, around 10:30 that morning, it all went away and we had clear skies and sunshine! (Definitely a God thing.)

So here are just a few pictures from our incredible retreat.

I hope all of you had a beautiful Memorial Day weekend!

oh ikea....

I really enjoyed visiting you.

Honestly, I wish I had had more time.

I felt so rushed.

So many decisions.

Which chair do I really want?

Black or white?

Are you worth the extra money?

We were in a hurry because we didn't want my sister to miss her flight to Africa. That was definitely more important. We did have SOME time to explore the rooms and rooms of furniture that your walls contain... I think I could spend days exploring those rooms and dreaming up a house of my own.... 

Some of your display rooms were bigger than my apartment. Can I just move in? I think that would be fun.

I got my desk. 

Once assembled, we realized that one leg is too long. It made kinda sad... I mean, you disappointed me a little. But that's okay. I won't let this one mistake ruin you in my eyes.

Do it again, and we'll have a problem.

Thank you for the warm welcome. 

I certainly enjoyed my visit!

Hope to see you again!

(pics of the new furniture will be posted when office is complete. anticipate before and after pictures. yay!)

so much to say....

... but so little time!

It is officially summertime at Mayfair.

Summer is always so exciting, but oh so busy. Especially this first week. So all these things I'd like to write about are just going to have to wait. And you know me, the longer I wait, the less likely it is that I will actually write about what I want to write about. 

Sigh....

Okay, that's enough of a break for now. Gotta go!

they always get you on the s&h....

So I have been making plans and arrangements to redecorate my office.

It is getting painted tomorrow. 

A new shelving unit is being made by the amazing Mr. Mark at church. 

I bought some cool antique chairs. 

The process will probably take a month or so, but I am not letting that discourage me. 

(When everything is finally finished, I will post before & after pictures.)

I still need to buy a couple of lamps, the wall shelving, artwork/pictures for the wall, and a desk.

Oh the desk.....

Let me just tell you about this desk. For a couple of weeks, I have been browsing the internet for the perfect white desk for my office. I want simple. I want clean lines. I want white. I want modern. I want IKEA. And I had found the perfect desk. 

So I thought.

This desk. This is a picture that I found online. The better picture is here. (click on the "function & style" tab, select the top right picture.)  And the price is right too! Just $130. Not too bad... I mean... comparatively speaking.

This morning I got the go-ahead to order the desk. I spent an hour trying to decide if it really was the desk that I wanted to order. I decided it was. I get on IKEA.com, put it in my cart, and then proceed to checkout. I fill in my billing & shipping information, make sure everything is correct, and then I click continue.

And then I see it. 

The shipping & handling cost.

Remember how I said the desk was $130?    Well, lets just say my total AFTER s&h was going to be $254.60. 

Yes. Almost DOUBLE the amount! $5.40 less than double, to be exact. 

WHAT THE HECK?!?! After all that work.... 

Back to the drawing board. This really might take all summer...

who knew...

...that going to a movie by myself really could be fun?!?!

(this is an example of the type person I pictured alone in movies... ha)

I mean, I've had a few of my friends tell me that they liked to do that every once in a while, but honestly, I always thought they were either 1) crazy or 2) extreme loners. And I never thought that I would find myself at a place where I could do it. Did I think I was too cool to go to a movie by myself? Absolutely not! Was I just scared? Definitely yes. Terrified? I wouldn't say terrified, but anxious to the point that I avoided it for 24 years...

Anyways, I officially overcame this fear tonight, and as you can tell, I'm a little excited about that! Especially because it was fun! And 17 Again was definitely a good movie choice. Like I said before, who knew?!?

I hope everyone else is having a delightful week!

from the pen of Susan Isaacs...

In my last post I said that I would come back and explain some of the thoughts that are on my heart after finishing this book by Susan Isaacs, Angry Conversations With God. However, I also warned you that I saw this as a very intimidating task, and honestly, I just haven't been able to wrap my mind around everything enough to put it in blog post form yet. I hope to write something for you soon, but I might not. I suppose sometimes my deepest thoughts aren't meant to be shared. Who knows. Regardless, I do want to leave you with something about this book, so I figure, why not let Mrs. Isaacs do the talking? Here is a small portion of her God story from chapter 16 of the book:

"If God wants to burn up everything useless in my life, amen to that. But I want to know whether or not this sorrow has an end. Do these longings in my heart for love and purpose mean anything? I say yes. Is my need for God just misplaced longing that has no place to be satisfied? I say no. The body thirsts because it needs water and water exists. The soul longs for purpose because it needs it, and because it exists. And I wouldn't long for God if he didn't exist. I am taking this personally because I am personal. And I don't think that an impersonal God could create humans to be personal. So I'm taking this personally from a personal God.

A sixteenth-century monk wrote a treatise called Dark Night of the Soul. When we first know God, he lavishes us with blessings and signs of his love, the way you do with your children when they're small. But God wants us to grow up. So he removes his blessings. The sense of his presence. And even signs of love. Because he wants us to trust when we can't see, to believe we're loved even if we can't feel it, to walk by faith and not by sight. And maybe he wants me to love him for himself, not for what I can get out of him.

Well, if that's where I am, then okay. I can be here. I'm in my own Dark Night of the Soul. And I'm just waiting for my sun to come up."

I don't really have much to add to that right now. I will say this, "maybe he wants me to love him for himself, not for what I can get out of him." Something to think about...

lilies and snarky memoirs...

You all may remember a certain blog post I wrote at the beginning of this month about me needing a break. I talked about how I had pretty much felt abandoned and disconnected from God. I also talked about some of the ways He revealed His truth to me. Really, I didn't go into that many details, but I think you all understood what I was saying. Let me just tell you, He didn't stop there. 

About a week ago, I found myself in Barnes & Nobles, just wandering around with a gift card in my pocket. I'd gotten the gift card for my birthday, but hadn't had a chance to spend it yet. (I had been too busy getting ready for the Girls Retreat.) Well on this particular morning, I had alloted myself plenty of time to wander about the bookstore in search for the perfect purchase. As usual, I ended up with quite a stack, but two particular books really seemed to stand out to me. These two:

At this very moment it is late, and I am tired, but I will be coming back to tell you about these books. I am not very far into the 2nd one yet, but I can tell it is going to be seemingly odd, yet complimentary companion to the 1st book that I did, in fact, finish about 15 minutes ago. I don't even want to attempt to express my thoughts at this hour because they are just too big and deep. 

I will be out of town for part of the weekend, but you can expect my next post by Monday. I'll go ahead and tell you, there is no way that I am going to be able to express everything that is going through my mind right now, and really, the thought of trying to is very intimidating. But I will try... because this stuff is just too good not to...

the beauty of an open heart...

Meet Carie and Brittany.

This is the 3 of us in China where they are currently living.

They have been two of my best friends for years now... We met as Freshman at Faulkner University, and have been friends ever since. Our journey together has been crazy! The ins and outs of our friendship are definitely filled with ups and downs, but when I look back over the past 6 years, I see God's mighty hand working out some beautiful things!

I really believe that God brought us together, along with another dear friend, Laurel, because He knew that over the course of the next several years, He was going to be able to use us, with our specific personalities & talents & passions, in each other's lives.

I am so thankful for these friendships, and the ways I see God using these girls.

For example, take Brittany. 

This is a picture of the two of us in Malawi, Africa in the summer of 2006. The summer before this, Brittany went on her first mission trip. She went with Landmark to this orphanage in Malawi, and the work of the Lord overseas opened her heart to missions. For the past 2 years, she and her husband, Will (also a best friend from the college years). have lived in China, teaching English in a university there, and serving an ever greater purpose for God. 

She and Will are going to be moving back to the States in July. Will wants to go into youth/worship ministry, so they have been keeping their eyes open for the next door of opportunity that the Lord will open for them.

(Note: Know of any youth/worship minister positions open? I am trying to find them work near me. haha!)

And then there is Carie. 

This picture is from that same trip in 2006. Carie may have the most compassionate heart of anyone I have ever met. Her heart belongs to children in need. Children who need food, shelter, and clothes, but more than any of that, they need to be introduced to the One who loves them so much that He died for them. Once Carie started going overseas to serve, she realized that she was just not satisfied staying here and being comfortable at home. She felt the call to go. And boy has she gone! She's been on short-term trips to Honduras, Panama, and Malawi. She then spent about 6 months in India before moving to China for a year to be a part of the work that Will & Brittany are involved in. 

Now that her year in China is up, she is preparing for her next leap of faith. That leap happens to have her jumping back to India, back to the needs of the children who stole her heart the first time she was there. This time, she will not be serving as a part of a work that has already been established, but beginning a new work in a new place. She, along with a family she grew close to the first time she was there, are beginning a new journey in which God is leading them to a new city to start another home for orphans and homeless children. I am so excited about all that God can do through them and their open hearts and open hands. 

I would love to tell you more about the work Carie plans to do, but why don't you hear it from her? She has recently started a blog to keep family and friends updated as things progress. Check it out.

Today I ask you to pray for these girls and their families as they prepare to transition into and be engaged in the new work He has for them.

i got tagged....

... to play this random little blogging game by Katie, and it really isn't difficult, so here goes nothing...

All you have to do is:

1. Take a pic of yourself right now.
2. No primping or preparing.
3. Just snap a picture.
4. Load the picture onto your blog.
5. Tag some people to play along.

I tag: Jessica, Annie, Ashley, & Lana.

I just noticed something-- check out Katie's picture. It kind of looks like we are both on the same couch! We're not. I think that is funny. So I figured I would share my observation with whoever reads this post.

By the way, I am enjoying the most wonderful Monday ever with my dear friend, Amelia, who is in town visiting me! It has been absolutely wonderful, and we are about to go watch the season finale of Chuck at our friend Jason's apartment! (Jason Helton- you and your tivo are my heros. Yes, this is a shout out for you. And no, I won't write about your messy apartment. haha)

i really have just started blogging about some of the most random things...

Any of you that know me well enough to know my TV preferences knows that tomorrow night is a big night in television for me. 

My favorite show, Chuck, is wrapping up Season 2 with its finale, and man is it going to be a good one!!! 

I seriously cannot wait to see what happens! 

And then I can't wait till Season 2 comes out on DVD! 

And then I can't wait for Season 3 to start up!!! 

(PLEASE let there be a Season 3, NBC!!!) 

Oh how I love Chuck Bartowski.... sigh...

p.s. - I love Chuck more than I love Jim Halpert. 

Yes. It is true.

real simple magazine, hear my plea...

Dear Real Simple magazine,

For Christmas, I asked for a subscription to my favorite magazine in the world. Your magazine. I love it. Every month, my mind is filled with the inspiring images that you select to educate me on the ways of simplicity. Every month I slowly flip through the beautiful pages, ink pen in hand, ready to makes notes in the margins-- reminders to myself that I need to take your advice or exclamations of this being my "dream kitchen" or that being the way I want my bookshelves to look...

When I select colors and fonts for my little postcards and newsletters, you are the inspiration for my designs. When dreaming up decor for my Girls Retreat, I so often referred to you. One day, when I am a bride, you will be my wedding guidebook. When I finally begin cooking, I will use your recipes. One day I will have a home of my own, and the things I have learned from you will fill the rooms of my house.

Can you tell that you inspire me? Here's the thing, Real Simple- I just can't do it myself yet. I still have so much to learn. And now I find myself in a small, cluttered, inefficiently organized office that needs to be painted. Help!! Are you out there? Can you tell me how to fix this on a tight budget? I need your wisdom to best utilize this space! Please?

Your dedicated subscriber,

Jenna

reasons why i miss college...

I am currently stretched out across my bed, surrounded by everything that was in my arms upon returning from the office. The sun has been shining through my window, as if it were making an effort to pull me away from the confines of my apartment, but I have turned my back to it. Right now, the invite almost feels like mockery. Come Jenna, you're alone with nothing to do this evening. Why don't you come outside and enjoy the fresh spring air-- alone. (The sun laughs.)

My mind quickly tried to explain my state of solitude to the sun. I'm only here alone because my roommate is gone tonight... and besides, I could use a day with nothing to do... the past couple of weeks have been crazy... and... I... I... I could do something if I wanted to. There's people I could call... or text... besides... solitude is good for a person.... .... so there! The taunting of the sun continues. It can tell it is winning. Stupid sunshine.

And that leads me to this list of reasons why I miss college.

#1. In college, most of my friends could be found within a 1/4 mile radius of my door. Companionship - check. Done and done. Sunshiny day? Guaranteed I would come across someone else that wanted to go to Shakespeare Park to lay around and read, take goofy pictures, and play bocce ball. It was easy to find someone to venture downtown with. We'd go, park the car, walk around, explore random old church buildings, and eat at the most hole-in-the-wall place we could find. Wanna smoothie? We'd pile up in the car and make our way across the street to the Coffee Bean. Best. Smoothies. Ever. Favorite TV show on? You'd never watch it alone. Every Thursday night a large crowd gathered in our apt to watch the Office. And that doesn't even begin to describe it... Sigh... never again will I ever live so close to such a large percentage of my facebook friends... 

Yep. That pretty much sums it up. Oh the days of a social life, how I miss thee... 

feelin' the love...

My friend and follow blogger, Katie, gave me the Kreativ Blogger Award! I was pretty excited! Here are the award rules: List 7 things that you love, and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you love! Be sure to tag them and let them know that they have won. You can copy the picture of the award and paste it on your sideboard letting the whole world know...you are Kreativ!

1. I love God.

2. I love my family. 

3. I love all of my friends. 

(I really have been blessed with some amazing friends!)

4. I love my MYM family.

5. I love good conversation.

6. I love meaningful music.

7. I love moments where I am free of responsibility. 

Let's see... now I am going to tag...

Annie (I know Katie tagged you too, but this is me seconding that.)

Sunny

Stacy

Alisha

Jessica

Hannah

Naomi

Thanks for the award, Katie!! Love ya!

confessions of a 24 year old moleskine addict...

Yes. 

It is true.

I am addicted to something called the Moleskine.

I started using the Moleskine in May of 2005 when a friend convinced me to purchase one while we were in Washington, D.C.  We were in this quaint little bookshop... I knew all the cool kids were using them... It didn't take much to convince me that I needed one. The Moleskine is legendary, after all. I mean, think of the big names that were users... Hemingway... Picasso... Chatwin... David the Psalmist... (okay, probably not David the Psalmist, but if they had existed he totally would have had one!). I was told a Moleskine would change my life.

It did.

Now here I am, almost 4 years and 7 Moleskines later (would have been 8 if I hadn't been stupid my senior year in college and purchased a random navy, soft leather-bound journal instead). It takes me about 6 months to go through one journal. One day, I will have quite a library... 

There are many different styles of Moleskine out there. I am very particular about mine. I refuse to veer away from the traditional black, hardcover, ruled notebook. I want my collection to be uniform (I learned my lesson with that crazy navy journal...). Yes, I realize that is a bit obsessive-compulsive, but like I said, it is an addiction.

Now on a more serious note (because yes, this post does have a point), I really do love my Moleskine journals. Not only because I love the simple, classy, black leather cover, but because of all that fills them. 

I just spent some time flipping through my journals from the past year & a half. It is absolutely incredible to see some of the blatantly obvious ways God was at work in my life. In these journals, I can look back and see, in my own handwriting, a record of events & prayers & conversations & wishes & pleas & frustrations & answers & choices & movement....  I am able to make connections that I never would have noticed without these records. 

The more I think about it, these journals are probably my most cherished possessions...

Maybe one day I will be able to take this record of my story and turn it into something to publish and share with others. I would say that is a dream of mine...

Or maybe these journals aren't meant to be shared like that... maybe the stories they contain are most effectively shared in the context of relationships...

Regardless of how they may be used in the future, for now I will continue to use them as a record from the past to help me live in the present as I strive to live for eternity. 

(Note: Any other Moleskine users want to go in together and buy in bulk? These things are getting a little pricy! haha)