meet the team..

So I haven't really said much about this on the blog, but several transitions have taken place for our ministry in the past 7 months.

First of all, in August, one of our youth ministry teammates, Corey, moved away. Now this was a pretty big deal. Corey had been at Mayfair for 10 years, and he thought he would be here for 10 more, but God had other plans. Corey and his family are now in Atlanta, serving the teenagers at the Campus Church. It's exciting to see how God is using him in this new place, and it is powerful to see the impact that he has left here. It's going to be fun running into them at different youth events this summer!

Soon after Corey moved, we began the process of finding a new youth ministry team member. Most of you probably haven't been through a process like this from this end of it. It is SUCH a difficult, frustrating, stressful, crazy thing! I don't want to have to go through this again for a very long time! But thankfully the search process is complete, and someone else has now joined us!

So...

Meet the new team:

(pictured: Aubrey, Dianna, me, & Cody)

Aubrey Wood and his family joined us two weeks ago, and let me tell you, it has been a great two weeks! Transitions are scary, and I was anxious.. worried about how things would go. You know, fear of the unknown. But God has been at work helping this transition to go so smoothly. I can't describe to you the peace that I have felt over the past two weeks. Cody, Dianna, and I are all very excited about the new addition to our team. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that God is at work, and we can't wait to see all that He has in store for our teens and this youth ministry!

For those of you who have known about the transitions we have been going through and have been praying about it, thank you so much! I am seeing prayers answered daily.

Praise the Lord for all He has done and all He plans to do!

as i watch my favorite show on hulu...

...I am reminded of how much I love this show.

And really, it just keeps getting better and better...

it's going to be a bright, bright sunshiny day...

And for that I am thankful!

I hope you enjoy your beautiful weekend!

hungry...

(That was really supposed to sound like "hungry?" but I use ... at the end of my titles. Tradition. I can't break that.)

Anyways...

Hungry?

Well chew* on this.

And while you are at it, read this too.

And who knows, maybe you could even make a comment?

(I know. I am shameless.)

(What is the "this" that I am talking about? It is our February discussion on the subject of Lent on chew*.)

Oh yes, one more thing...

If you are in the mood for some more food for thought, check out this post from Donald Miller. I'm interested to hear your thoughts on this topic. Maybe I will have more to say about that later.

cup o' sunshine...

(found here)

I am tired of the cold & glummy days of winter!

I am so ready for springtime..

God,

is it almost time

to fill my cup with

some rays of sunshine?

Por favor?

Sincerely,

jenna

first day of lent...

So yesterday was Fat Tuesday. Marci, Ashley, & I celebrated with pizza & gelato at Sam & Greg's in downtown Huntsville. It was so good. It was just another reminder that I am so blessed with the friendships that God has provided for me since I moved to Huntsville (almost 2 years ago).

(borrowed this image from here)

While at dinner, we talked a little about Lent. We didn't really go into great depth in our conversation.. We mostly talked about what we were going to give up for the Lent season. (I've decided on Diet Coke. But really, I am just going to do sodas in general.)

After this conversation and reading this blog post yesterday, this whole concept of Lent has been on my mind. If I am going to participate in Lent this year, I want it to be more than just giving up Diet Coke. The real intention of Lent is for the believer to prepare himself for Easter, which is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.

So for the next 40 days (technically 46, but this explains that), I want to focus on Jesus.

I want to focus on:

Why He came to live amongst us.

The way He lived while He was on this earth.

The ways I can model His life... to make His life my own.

The sacrifice He made.

The powerful gift that His grace is.

What that requires of me.

I will fast from sodas, recognizing that it is only a metaphor for the greater sacrifices I want to embrace and exercise in my life.

So these are my thoughts on Lent as of now.

Anyone else participating on Lent?

What are you fasting from?

What are you focusing on?

Your thoughts?

a few random thoughts...

image found here

I want a reason to own and wear a dress like this.

And I want it to be warm enough to wear it.

I am tired of being cold.

I am really enjoying going to the Y.

I've been able to spend some quality time with family recently, so that's a big blessing.

Life is going well.

That's all my random thoughts for now...

Wishing you all a very wonderful week!

my snowy weekend recap (a few days later)..

So last weekend I went to Boone, NC with some of the Young Pros at church for a weekend of skiing. And let me tell you, I was not confident that I would master the art of this snow sport. I was so nervous when I woke up the first morning. But as I have been learning (and making an effort to practice), God's peace can guard your heart in all things. Even something as silly as a fear of falling down a snow covered mountain.

Now I am definitely no pro. I would still consider myself a beginner, but I did really well! By the end of the trip I was going down those greens like they were nothing! (Keep in mind, the green slopes really are practically nothing, but for me, it was huge!)

I seem to be doing this a lot recently.

Facing little fears.

Fears of all kinds.

And setting goals.

And following through.

(Ex - this was a successful 2nd week of 5:30am classes at the YMCA. And I love it.)

I am in a place where I am growing a lot right now. I feel it. And in some things, it has been a little painful. In other things, it has been so liberating. I am excited to see what God is preparing me for... Please be praying about that for me.

Now for some pictures of the trip!

Ready for a day of skiing! Just look at all of that snow!

(pictured: Marci, me, Ashley, Christy, & Allison)

Me & Christy on the van. We look so hardcore.

Meet Sugar.

The most incredible snow-woman I have ever helped build.

Seriously.

Just look at that face...

So much emotion in those eyes...

The group responsible for this beautiful creation.

(pictured: Matt, Ashley, Marci, Jamie, & myself)

And finally, a roommate picture with Sugar.

(We pretty much consider Ashley a roommate. She lives in the same apt complex.)

It really was such a great weekend,

and it's been a really good week.

Growing pains and all...

God is good.

i would love to find this somewhere...

Saw this on this fun blog, along with this lovely little story...

I want this journal.

I wonder if they have it at Barnes & Noble?

Just thought I would share.

finding peace...

Peace,

His peace,

pushes out fears;

replaces them.

Peace,

God's peace,

provides strength

without understanding.

Peace,

from the faithful Father,

knows things entrusted

with Him are

safe.

for all of you who might be wondering..

I met my goal this week!

I got up every morning this week at 4:50 so that I could get to my 5:30 classes at the YMCA.

I actually did it!!

Let's see what I decide to do next week...

(I actually really like this routine)

Now I am off to the slopes of North Carolina to learn how to ski.

(We'll see how that goes. Pray I don't die.)

on belief & pilates...

First of all:

Pilates are a lot harder than you'd think!

I guess it didn't help that I,

a beginner,

was in an intermediate class this morning.

Oh well.

I may be a little tired today,

but I met some sweet ladies in the class,

so I plan to go back on Thursday!

-------------------

On another, more important note:

The girls of my SH Girls Bible Study and I are going through Beth Moore's book, Praying God's Word, this semester. We talked about chapter two last night, "Overcoming Unbelief".

I can't begin to tell you just how encouraged I was by the Scriptures we looked at.

Recently I've been having some doubts. Maybe doubt isn't the right word.... I guess my heart/faith has been a little moody... a little discouraged...

I don't doubt that God exists. I most definitely believe in our Father.

But I've been frustrated...

Maybe it's because I don't understand Him sometimes...

Maybe it's because I've been disappointed...

It seems to be a lot of things.

I think my faith is being tested.

And I don't like it.

I have not enjoyed these feelings...

My fear of disappointment,

lack of excitement,

and lack of trust in God.

But then we talked about Overcoming Unbelief...

And my eyes were opened to see a more complete picture of what is going on here.

It is okay that I have questions.

It is okay that I have been feeling a little weak.

Faith is not believing in my own unshakable belief. Faith is believing an unshakable God when everything in me trembles and quakes. (from the book)

And I believe in this unshakable God.

Even when the legs I stand with feel a little wobbly.

Father, You have told me that the testing of my faith develops perseverance. (James 1:3) Please help me to not refuse to be faithful in tests granted for my gain.

My wise and trustworthy God, according to Your Word, trials come to me so that my faith-- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-- may be proved genuine.. (1Peter 1:7)

(these quotes also from the book)

God really is good.

And I am thankful that He reminded me of that.

it's early & i've been up for hours...

Well, maybe not hours, but for about 2.

And at 6:45am, thats a lot!

What was I doing?

This:

Spin Class.

Friday morning I tried it out for the first time,

and I really enjoyed the class!

But that was at 8:30am.

Friday's I can do that.

I don't have to work.

Yesterday, I decided that this week, on Monday & Wednesday, I am going to do the 5:30am Spin Class. And on Tuesday & Thursday I am going to try out Pilates at 5:30am.

I know.

I must be crazy.

But you know, it really wasn't that bad.

It was actually really good!

(Honestly, I am a little surprised that I followed through this morning!)

I don't know if these early mornings will become my routine, but this is the plan for this week. And I will map out another plan for next week. Taking it a week at a time... a day at a time...

The way I figure it, life is made up of choices.

And if I want certain things to be different, I can't just complain about it. I have to make different choices.

Choosing not to stay in bed until the last possible second.

Choosing not to remain limited to my current experiences.

Choosing to change my habits.

Choosing to add to my hobbies.

Choosing to be a little healthier. (gasp!)

Anyways, enough blogging.

I've got to start getting ready.

There are a couple other things I am planning to change about my mornings.

I followed through today's goal to exercise.

Next thing to follow through with: quiet time.

we build strong kids, strong families, strong communities...

Photo found here.

You may be wondering why I have featured a photo of four statue kids doing the "YMCA".

Well, I will tell you why...

It is because I, Jenna Lupo, have decided not to be cheap, not to be lazy, and not to stay trapped in the familiar and comfortable routines that I have established for myself over the past 2 years I have spent in Huntsville.

(emphasis on that last part)

That's right.

I have joined the Y!

Here's to getting off the couch, branching out, and being brave (because I went by myself)!

a little letter to life..

dear life,

today i crave adventure.

perhaps in far away lands.

perhaps with someone i love.

who loves me too.

oh wait.

i think i am imagining fairy tales.

or at least a lovely piece of fiction.

but wouldn't it be nice.

to escape into a storybook land.

i'd probably have on a flowy, floral dress.

and my hair would be longer.

and i would be thinner.

and more exciting.

maybe i'd be exploring a castle.

or resting in a field of daffodils.

reading.

or singing.

or playing with woodland creatures.

oh silly me.

trying to escape reality.

but can't my reality be adventure?

maybe instead of closing my eyes to dream,

i should be opening my eyes to truly see,

all the love

and friends

and fun

and moments that have a special magic of their own.

maybe then the cravings would cease

and i could live

satisfied

exactly where i am.

and maybe that's the key

to the secret garden

of abundant living.

seeing what is Real.

seeing the beauty of it all.

and being a part of it...

hmm..

you have definitely given me

something

to think about

meditative chewing...

Not too long ago, one of my dear friends, Annie, asked me to join her and 2 other girls in an exciting little adventure that we call chew*.

4 girls.

From 4 different places.

With 4 different stories.

Coming together once a month (via internet) to experience community with one other through discussion.

Searching for truth.

Eager to be stretched.

Open to what we might discover.

*chew: to meditate on; consider deliberately.

You can join us in our discussion by going to our blog, listening to our discussion (it's similar to a podcast), and leaving comments with your input. Check it out!

We'd love for you to be a part of our community!

the power of the spoken word...

This past weekend at Gulf Coast Getaway, I was introduced to Amena Brown.

She is a beat poet.

She is incredible.

She shared a few of her poems with us on Saturday evening, and it was so powerful.

I can't begin to explain how moved I was by her words.

The spoken word.

There is so much power in the spoken word.

Check her out:

(p.s. - You can purchase her recorded poems on iTunes. I just did.)

oh yeah! i forgot... it's 2010...

The past several weeks have been jam-packed.

(Hence my lack of blogging...)

Interested in knowing what all has been going on?

Here. Let me give you an overview.

I spent the week of Christmas at home with the family. It was such a great week! I really was not ready to leave at the week's end. You know that's a good sign!!

It was a big week for the Lupo family. Especially for Karissa! You may have already heard, but she is engaged!!!!

Here is a picture of the precious couple when they returned home from the proposal. Seriously, this picture captures these two perfectly! Love it!

Here are the sisters and the future bro-in-law at Christmas Dinner at Grandma's. He fits right in!

Oh, and this year, it was our turn to host the big traditional Christmas Eve party for Mom's side of the family. We had 41 people crammed in our house! It was madness, but oh so wonderful!!

Christmas morning was exciting with a new addition to the family there. (It was also nice to have someone who could take a picture of the 5 of us together!)

Sunday the 27th, I headed back to Huntsville. Went to church, ran home, unloaded my car, and met up with some teens at the movies to see Sherlock Holmes. Great movie! Except for the fact that I severely sprained my ankle. I know.. how do you do that at the movies? Weak ankles + foot asleep + TOMS shoes + stairs = disaster. Here's an ugly picture of the horror that was my foot. And you can't even see all the bruising!

I had to go to the doctor the following morning, and then get packed and ready for Youth in Action (YIA)! Some wonderful people (Donna & Chloe Moore) were SUCH a help that day! I can't thank them enough!

I still went to YIA at Lipscomb, but getting around campus was miserable. So check me out with some of my girls in my WHEELCHAIR. Yes, that's right. I have never felt like such an inconvenience. But my teens were so great! I think they must love me or something, because they never complained about having to help me in and out of the van, carry my stuff, wheel me around... I love them.

After YIA, I headed to Montgomery to celebrate the New Year. I really enjoyed spending quality time with Laurel and some other good friends. Praise God for the wonderful things He blessed me with in 2009 and on into 2010! I love when He reminds me of His faithfulness.

I got back from Montgomery, did some laundry, enjoyed my first Sunday of the new year with my Mayfair family, and then packed my backs for NCYM (National Conference for Youth Ministers) in St. Louis! All of last week I was enjoying snowy St. Louis with some incredible friends and partners in ministry! I loved the long car rides with Cody, Jenn & Caroline, rooming with my girls (Abbey, Beth & Ayesha), spending time with my long-time friends (Will & Brittany!!!), getting to know new friends, hearing great speakers & going to great classes (Chris Seidman, Patrick Mean, Rich Little, Gary Spear), and simply enjoying community.

Now I am back in Huntsville, playing catch-up in the office, enjoying my community here, and going on new adventures that God seems to have set in motion.

Here's to a new year! Can't wait to see what all God has in store!

what they brought day three...

I figured I would continue this theme of following the Voices of Lee on their journey on The Sing-Off. I really am just so proud of them! I think they are doing a phenomenal job!

Now it's down to the top three (and they happen to be my three favorites), so we will see how America votes on Monday at the live finale. Go to NBC 's website if you want to vote.

second day of sing-off...

I'll tell you what, they just keep getting better and better...

Keep it up, Voices of Lee!

(my other favorites are Nota and the Beelzeebubs.)

Have you been watching?

Do you have a favorite?

Let me know what you think!

p.s. - anyone else SHOCKED that Maxx Factor is still on the show?!