A List of Things I Love

(in no particular order)
- my Lord Jesus Christ
- hot chocolate after a cold winter outing
- the smell of fresh rain
- driving through mountains and/or forests
- the smell of a fresh spring morning
- preparing a gourmet meal
- road trips with clear skies
- horseback riding anywhere
- early mornings to greet the sunrise
- sunsets in Saskatchewan
- watching the stars in a farmer's wheat field
- dreaming of my wedding day
- playing music for my Lord
- the colours blue and green
- a wide open field of grass
- the smell of freshly baked bread
- holding a newborn baby
- the soft touch of a baby's skin
- when cute kids start to talk
- swimming in a lake with goggles (the mask type)
- singing on worship team
- a clean and organized space
- baking
- being creative and crafty
- adventures in the wilderness with friends
- canoeing, kayaking, boating, fishing
- playing soccer and badminton
- a good run
- family vacations anywhere
- VBS!
- babysitting
- campfires
- dressing up for special occasions
- watching TV (home makeovers, food channel etc.)
- playing adventure video games (Zelda, Spyro)
- going for walks
- getting surprises
- drinking tea on a cool day/evening
- reading a good book
- building snow forts
- cleaning up and making things look good
- chocolate
- cranking the tunes!
- listening to the life stories of others
- Hillsdale Baptist Church
- reading God's Word in a quiet place
- German Shepherd dogs
- good shoes!
- a good story
- the feeling of smooth skin after a shave
- being clean
- observing wildlife
- taking trips down memory lane
- imagining
- solving puzzles and mysteries (Nancy Drew)
- a good hairstyle
- wearing my cross
- matching my clothes
- dates with God (especially early morning ones)
- playing crib and other games
- walking or swimming in the rain
- watching a thunder storm (preferably with lightening)
- when the power goes out
- sushi
- late night trips to Wal-Mart
- knowing what time it is
- rainbows
- the seasons spring and fall
- spring and fall colours
- outdoor BBQ meals
- hanging out with good friends
- being warm and cozy
- soft and fuzzy things
- iced tea and salt and vinegar chips
- ice cream from DQ
- feeling with others
- a good picture
- dragonflies
- suspenseful movies
- hanging with my siblings
- getting mail (especially letters)
- waking up to a new day
- surprising others with thoughtful gifts or notes
- a hug from a friend when I need it (or even when I don't)
- a good cookbook with lots of pictures
- randomness
- healthy eating
- water
- a bubblebath once in a while
- a massage
- serving others
- behind the scenes tasks
- pouring out my heart to God
- bright white lightbulbs
- breakfast
- hair elastics, bobby pins and lululemon headbands
- being naturally tan
- harmonizing when I sing
- good smelling shampoo, lotion, deodorant and perfume
- having blonde hair and blue eyes
- lounging around in comfy clothes
- decorating food
- when things go as planned
- 1000 piece puzzles
- shopping at Costco!
- www.boundless.org
- a challenge
- Yankee candles
- learning new things
- the smell of gasoline
- comfy furniture
- dreaming of decorating my own home someday
- organizing things
- having clear skin
- pretty things
- a good laugh
- when people smile
- camping in a tent
- catching up with old friends
- writing in notebooks with my best printing/handwriting
- bubble wrap
- climbing a mountain and watching the sun rise over the clouds
- sharpies
- trying new foods
- candy (only once in a while)
- Christmas time with family
- lying out in the sun
- Veggietales!
- adrenaline rush
- roller coasters
- Julian Smith videos
- my gold rings
- my steak cooked rare
- being debt free
- moments of silence
- praising my God for all of the above!

Nice Sunny Morning

What do you do on a beautiful sunny morning? Well, go for a walk with God of course! It was wonderful walking on the path, feeling the slight breeze and observing the amazing greenery outside! God is so awesome! I couldn't have prayed for a better morning to spend with my Heavenly Father. I am looking forward to many more days like this...

To Bike?

Oh Daniel...I just love my little brother, he really knows how to make a person feel wanted :)
Today just before supper Daniel asked me if I would go on a bike ride with him, this is how our conversation went...

Daniel: "Jessica! Wanna go on a bike ride?"

Myself: "Umm Daniel, I don't have a bike."

Daniel: "You can ride this one!"

(Daniel points to a big silver bike hanging from the garage ceiling)

Myself: "I don't have a bike Daniel."

Daniel: "Can you get this one down?"

Myself: "I forgot how to ride a bike."

(Mom quickly informs Daniel that people don't ever forget how to ride a bike)

Daniel: "Jess, get the bike down!"

(I try, really I do but it's just too tricky for me)

Myself: "I can't get it Daniel, it's too heavy, plus the tires are flat."

Daniel: "Daddy! We need your strong muscles to work out here!"

(Dad eventually comes and gets the bike down, I'm not all that enthused about it)

Myself: "Thank you Daddy..."

Daniel: "Here's the pump! Pump up the tires so you can ride it!"

(I pump up both tires...)

Daniel: "Now I'll find you a helmet!"

(He does...)

So we went on a short bike ride before supper. How could I resist? He practically left me with no excuses, plus he's really cute and I love my little brother :)

Hiding

Oh why can't we hide our sin? God knows all, everything about us, all the time (Psalm 139).

I am so glad that people don't know what is going on inside me.

People don't react the way that God does.

His love and acceptance is unconditional.

But you never know how people are going to react to your sin.

Being a people pleaser makes life hard.

I have a really hard time communicating my desires.

I am always afraid that the people that I desire things from are going to shut me down or worse...disappiont me when I expect them to care.

So I hide.

Pretend that everything is ok.

Stay in my comfort zone because it's safe.

I crave freedom.

The freedom to express my true feelings and desires.

Lord help me.

Because only You know (Psalm 139).

Beautiful Day

I woke up this morning and looked up at my curtains. There was light shining through the window so the sun was likely shining for the basement doesn't get that much light through the windows often. After some time with God I decided that I would go for a run. When I got outside, everything was beautiful! The sun was indeed shining, the colours were vibrant! A brilliant blue sky and lush green grass...God is so good! To run felt great, I thank God for the health that He has given me. He continues to bless me as I think of the ways that He has gifted me for ministry, maybe it's time to move on from Canadian Tire and find a job that better suits my gifting so that I can serve the Lord to the fullest capacity possible. Now is the time to wait upon the Lord :)