Sit a Spell to Spell a Bit

A is for adoption, something I really hope I get to do one day, Lord willing.

(I agree with Ash, who tagged me for this cool ABC thingamabob, and also begins with A)

B is for blog friends.  I've thought about blog friends ALOT lately and how I appreciate getting to know you amazing people.  Blogging allows me to know things about someone's heart that could take months/years of a friendship to know.  It's pretty cool.

C is for CNA, which I now AM.  My test results and certificate came in the mail last week--thank you for your prayers!

D is for Daniel.  I've had many Daniels leave footprints in my life.  Some good and some notsomuch.  This name seriously follows me around.  But I've been blessed with a couple of brothers-in-Christ that are stuck with their snippy sister: (L: Finney, my adopted lil bro, and me at Passion 2010 and R: "Skyguy", my partner in crime student ministry and fellow StarWars nerd.)

E is for experiencing the body of Christ outside of a church service.  Outside of a denomination.  Outside of a belief system.  Experiencing the love and fellowship of Christ, the joy of the Word and very little else: on the phone, in a coffeeshop, Facebook, blog, or workplace.

F is for funny pictures I find on my $800 camera that I, myself, didn't take.  Suspects under the age of 12 have taken these (can you say self-portait-queen?  There was about 100 of these on my Canon when I got back from Kenya)...

G is for [the] God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.  Recently I read a comment from an athiest on a Christian article, saying something along the lines of never being able to worship a god like the One in the Old Testament because He was about nothing but wrath.  Journeying with the Bible Retreat, and going through the OT at about 3 books a week...I wish this person took the chance to know this God for themselves.

H is for happinessssss....there's Grace enough for us and the whole human race...ohhhh happinessss....Thankfully, Lady Gaga has nothin' on this catchy David Crowder Band song that has been stuck. in. my. head!

I is for imagination.  Or lack thereof for this Interesting letter. [skuh-Ip]

J is for Jen moments.  My friends have them.  They usually consist of forgetting items in their hand, taking 6.7 seconds to receive information that has been spoken, lack of sarcasm sending and receiving, and things of that nature.  Do YOU have Jen moments?

K is for Kenya. Its crazy how you can continue to learn from a place/experience you're no longer in the middle of. I can't wait to relive a little as I share pieces of Kenya with you soon.

L is for lengthy posts and church meetings...the reason there will be a PART 2 to Jen's ABC thingamabob.

Love, Jen :)

Women of Faith blog series...

Melinda at Abounding in Hope invited me to join her Women of Faith blog series that begins this week.  The series will be featuring rich and famous real, everyday women who have it all together love Christ, who have trials, imperfections, and long to live out their faith genuinely.  I was incredibly blessed by her questions, and I really look forward to what the other ladies will be sharing.  I have a feeling there will be rich blessings from this series, please check it out and comment when you stop by. :)

I heart Coffee Drips Art (that rhymed)

Guess what came in the mail?
[oh my...see the fake blonde growing out. See? See?!  Now I have no excuse for my shenanigans]

Beka at hold on, love... was taking requests before I left for Africa, and I couldn't pass it up.  I chose earth colors, and a Scripture that is very dear to me:

John 13:35

"By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

And she painted them in the beautiful language of Kiswahili.

I'm truly loving it on my wall.

People

I've been so amazed by people lately.  The way God made us, and how we act and react to one another is so incredible (and can be heartbreaking).  I wanted to share some things I've observed and experienced with people lately...

• How we wake up everyday, and take for granted the fact that our loved ones are breathing.  We go about our day with people God has given us to share a roof with, maybe not thinking about how awesome it is to have them with us.  I don't know if your home is a peaceful one...but even if your relationships are hard, don't take for granted that you have people with you.  People that have potential to be cherished daily (and ministered to--our family is our 1st mission field).
• The body of Christ.  Even though I know that "church" is not a building or a program, and that it's the people, I still find myself in a routine of going to church, not being the church.  But the BODY is so amazing!  I've had "church" on the phone with a brother in Christ, with my small-group Bible study, during LeAnna's visit, and with my Mom and Daddy late at night.  And by whatever means--congregating at our buildings, Facebook, Blog, phone, in-person--they have been quick and SINCERE to respond to cries for prayer.  I even know of dear people I don't fellowship with regularly, but I know they love me and pray for me.  That is overwhelming.
• It's wonderful to know that people aren't limited to just my circle, just my scope.  They are every nation, tribe and tongue.  People--colors, cultures, languages--are beautiful.  And we need each other...we all hurt the same, seek the same, and NEED the same.

We hurt each other too, and our reactions aren't always so gracious.  Our families and Christian brethren can also be the most hurtful of circles.  But that's another amazing thing about the human being that God has created.  We aren't perfect...and we have to learn to love the imperfect by the same grace we want to be loved.
Something I think is soooo neat to think about...
Church isn't about the program.  Missions aren't about tourism.  Homes aren't about material things.  And Blogging isn't about words. :)  It's about people...and I think people are so cool.

P.S. 1 day til we leave for Kenya...:)
Sorry I haven't been able to share about this at all, but there's a tenative scheduled post. <3