Friday, November 28, 2014

Living an answered prayer




I am sitting here at the gate ready to board my flight home
My heart is overflowing with joy 
As much as I found a home in Arizona, my heart longs to be home for the holidays
And as I sit here in Arizona, I realize this very experience is an answered prayer

The past couple years I felt a change in my heart
A small sense of longing to "go home" for the holidays
And not just an hour drive from Seattle 
Something deep inside me wanted to have that moment of "going home" 
I see now that God has been preparing me for THIS very holiday season
Finally, the season of "going home"

I sit here watching the sunrise over Phoenix at 7:30am
In just 3 hours I will be in the cold Seattle rain 
I will be home
My sister is picking me up with nephew Jace
My dad already has planned for us to tag our Christmas tree 
But not without stopping at Starbucks on our way

I will be home for a month
Come january I will be heading toward Arizona again
Down to my new home
Another transition for me
I already know that next holiday season will not be like this one
I will probably have to chose between coming home for Thanksgiving or Christmas
Christmas will always win

It is apparent The Lord is in the business of change
Not for the better or for the worse
Just changing my life for His adventure  
Someday I will have my own house to decorate
My own tree to tag and cut down 
My own traditions to start 
Things I so desire




 My heart is longing for the unordinary, the radical, the uncomfortable life
My sense of adventure is high
I don't want a normal life compared to the society
I also desire to get married one day
I want to encourage and support my husband in his radical, 
unordinary, uncomfortable and adventurous life & big dreams 
I know the risks for these dreams are being away from family, even during the holidays
But living the unordinary journey of faith and having an adventurous Godly marriage is a risk I am willing to take

But right now my heart will fully enjoy being home for the holidays and all its nostalgic and joyful memories

All roads lead home for the holidays






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Tuesday, November 18, 2014

It feels like home to me




I have lived in Arizona for exactly four months
I miss my family
I miss my friends
I miss the cold weather in Washington
I miss my scarves, boots and sweaters
I miss the golden leaves
I miss my nephews more each day

Next week I will head to Enumclaw, WA for the holidays
Nothing brings more joy than being home for the holidays

But if I am honest, I will miss Arizona
I will miss my new friends
I will miss my church family
I will miss my Crossfit buddies 
I will miss holiday church activities
I will miss the crisp 70 degree weather 
I will miss Arizona because my heart has found a home

In the past four months my heart has found comfort in Arizona
The past four months I have cultivated a community that brings me joy
The past four months I have been on one big adventure that excites my soul
Arizona is home to me now 

I look back at my life and the old me would never leave Washington
The old me would never want to leave the comfort of her family to live in another state
The only explanation I can give is that when you surrender your life to The One who gave it to you, He gives you new confidence, places you in a new direction, a new adventure and gives you new dreams

You don't always see the end but He guides you in the right direction
He starts opening your eyes to the brokenness of this world and your soul will break
You start longing for others to see themselves as Christ sees them
You start longing for purpose in your community, nation and world
Your eyes are open to the sinfulness of human kind (especially your own) 
and you question why people do what they do

But then you realize your own need for more of Jesus
More of His love, faithfulness, compassion and kindness towards others
People do not need more condemnation or judgement but more love and acceptance
You realize you have a lot of growing to do but are up for the challenge

This is what happened to me as the Lord sent me to Arizona
I still dont know why but I am thankful He did
I am learning everyday that life is a wonderful journey full of ups and downs,
lots of brokenness but also lots of joy
He has placed big dreams, desires and visions on my heart that I long to pursue
Not ones I ever dreamed of as a little girl
but better then I imagined




As I sit here in a Starbucks, listening to Christmas carols, excited about next week,
 I am thankful
I am thankful the Lord took me out of a life of just "existing" and into "living"
I am thankful He took me out of my comfort zone and into the unknown
I might not have a stable job, place to live in Arizona
The world might think I am crazy
But more than ever I know I am finally living
Living a life for Christ is the only way I know how to live
The only way I want to live

So, truly, there is nothing like being home for the holidays
I know I am blessed with this opportunity
I wont always have this time to be home for Thanksgiving til New Year 
I am going to soak up every ounce I can with my family in Washington
Enjoy time with my friends and our family traditions

But there is something exciting and hopeful knowing I will return to Arizona
My heart swings back and forth between the need for routine and the urge to GO
Arizona is just the beginning


"Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations, 
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
Matthew 28:19




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Thursday, November 6, 2014

Liebster Award!




Happy Thursday!

I was nominated by Sarah at Life With The Casterlines for the Liebster Award. In true Jessie fashion, I had no idea what that meant but after reading Sarah's blog it sounded like a fun idea to get to know more bloggers and share a little about myself. Thank you Sarah! 
The Liebster Award is for smaller blogs only (less than 200 followers) and is just a way for readers to discover up-and-coming blogs. Here are the rules:
  1. Post 11 random facts about yourself
  2. Answer 11 questions asked by the person who nominated you
  3. Nominate bloggers (with less than 200 followers) to do the same
  4. Let the bloggers you have nominated know they have been nominated
Part One:
  1. I love Superman
  2. I am starting to love the Arizona desert
  3. I could eat breakfast food all day, everyday 
  4. #TeamEdward
  5. I love singing in the car and LOUD!
  6. I would rather be given roses than a new pair of shoes (unless they were Nikes) 
  7. I choose workout clothes over a dress any day
  8. I have ran three half marathons
  9. I secretly would love to be a country singer and live in Nashville 
  10. I am a hopeless romantic
  11. #11 is my all time favorite number because of Edgar Martinez (Seattle Mariner) 
Part Two:
  1. What is your favorite book? Circle Maker
  2. What inspired you to start blogging? The Lord was placing big dreams and passion on my heart I knew I needed to start documenting my new adventure! 
  3. If you could do anything right now, what would it be? I would love to travel around the nation and share my story, inspire & encourage women, volunteer at a non-profit/faith based organization. 
  4. What is your favorite song? Jesus Loves Me- Chris Tomlin 
  5. What are you reading right now? Only Believe by Danny & Diane McDaniel , the Bible 
  6. What career are you in, and do you like it? I am currently working from home with AdvoCare (health and wellness company) Loving the time freedom I have to volunteer and help others with their health and financial goals! 
  7. What is your favorite TV show? Greys Anatomy and The Bachelorette/Bachelor 
  8. What is one goal you hope to accomplish within the next year? I want to be a part of a non-profit, whether volunteering or working, helping children. 
  9. What is the best movie you’ve seen lately? Any Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel!
  10. What is one item on your Christmas wish-list? New shoes to workout in! 
  11. What do you love most about fall? If I was in Seattle I would say I love the cold weather clothes, the falling leaves, the changing leaves, and cuddling up to a hot drink from Starbucks. Now in Arizona the weather is a little a lot different but I am learning to appreciate the differences. But no matter where I am during the fall I always LOVE the comfort and beginning of football. Go Seahawks! 
Part three- For the bloggers I am nominating, here are your questions:
  1. What is one thing God is teaching you during this season? 
  2. If you could travel any where tomorrow, where would you go and why?
  3. What is your favorite Christmas movie?
  4. Team Edward or Team Jacob?
  5. What are you currently reading?
  6. What is your favorite time of year?
  7. What is one goal you hope to accomplish this next year?
  8. Where and who will you be spending Thanksgiving and Christmas with?
  9. What inspired you to start blogging?
  10. Who inspires you the most in life right now?
  11. Who is your favorite author? 
I now nominate the following bloggers for the Liebster Award:
Amanda at Sweet Surrender
Sarah at Sarah's Roman Holiday 

If you choose to accept the award,  please come back and comment with your post link so we can all
get to know you better!


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Monday, November 3, 2014

November Wishes


Happy November! 

I have been listening to Christmas music since beginning of October 
But now it is TRULY the start of the holiday season- at least for me!
(cue Mariah Carey "I'll I Want For Christmas") 

This past weekend, I got to spend Halloween with my Arizona family
It was sure different to spend it in 80 degree weather than pouring down rain
But I am getting used to the fact everything is just hotter down here
I really do love Halloween but I love Thanksgiving & Christmas more 

My adorable nephews, sister and brother in law- Missed them this year!
I couldn't spend this holiday with my own nephews but thankfully I got to spend it with these cuties! 
I got super creative and was a Notre Dame football player - or something like that

 Before I share my November goals lets review my October wishes: 

OCTOBER WISHES!

1) Find a pumpkin patch!  FAIL- But I saw a bunch of cute pictures of them but never went to one. I think this was the first year I can think of I didnt go to one! Tradition will start up next year!


2) Day trip to Flagstaff, Arizona - Adding this to November wishes!

4) Help one person jumpstart their health 
and/or finance dreams through the vehicle of AdvoCare - I have THREE new people on their way to a healthier lifestyle, more energy and more control before the holiday season, starting with the AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge! 

3)  Attend a high school football game- Didn't go to a game but I found some high schools around me and drive by during a game- not the same I know!

4) Workout 4x a week- Thank you Crossfit ARMS! 

5) Update my blog 2 or more times a week-
YES! Getting better every month- I think! 

6) Write five personal hand written letters - Wrote 3 though!

NOVEMBER WISHES! 

1) Focus on my eating more and fueling my body AFTER a workout
2) Find a NEW hiking trail 
3) Explore Sedona or Flagstaff
4) Research 3 non-profits and schedule a informational interview
5) Find a new holiday album  
6)  BE THANKFUL 

Happy Holidays! 

Linking up with Melyssa at Nectar Collective



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