The Day of LOVE

I pray that the Lord protects my heart and that He does a wonderful work in me until I meet my future husband

I pray that my future husband's heart will also be covered in protection and that he is saving himself for me at this very moment.

I pray for discernment and guidance and that the Lord's grace covers us both during this moment of singleness

So, even on the sappiest holiday of the year

The day I am surrounded by couples in love

I still have faith

I still hope

I still have love

"Faith, Hope and Love remain. But the greatest of these is LOVE."

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What I Am Loving

It is Ash Wednesday after all!

I decided to go with Sarah to Catholic mass

Definitely different then I am used too 

But I loved participating in Ash Wednesday with my best friend!

I am one to be hesitant when it comes to wellness products

I am only on month two of taking these products but I LOVE them!

Even as an athlete I never really knew what vitamins to take or what fuels my body 

But after lots of research and reviews, these products live up to the hype!

I finally feel like I have more energy

I finally feel I am taking care of my body!

I contribute my lack of being sick to these products!

LOVE LOVE LOVE

Enumclaw Hornets ranked #10 in State!

#proudalum

#evenmoreproudsister

I am loving my relationship with my fellow student workers

Amanda was an amazing worker who grew to be my friend

She lives in Arizona and about to start the police academy!

Thankful the many young lives that enrich my life so much!

Speaking of young lives! 

How about this cutie!?

I LOVE watching my dad and Jace have some bonding time

I look forward to the day when my children get to hangout with their grandpa

Loving that I spend this past Saturday morning with my cousin!

He killed it in the 5k with 6:45/mile

Lastly, I am LOVING my quiet times

I long for these times in the morning

These are what get me up in the morning

I fall more and more in love with our Savior each morning

I strive to know more about our Savior

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Ash Wednesday

                                                                   The start of Lent 

I can't help but be so excited because what's at the end of it?

 Easter! Which is slowly becoming my favorite season.

When I was little I never fully understood what Ash Wednesday was all about

Actually, I didnt understand a lot of what was going on as a child

Lets be honest, I was more excited about the coloring book then listening to our pastor talk

So, what is Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday is an ancient church tradition dating from at least the eighth century AD. It marks the beginning of the season of Lent, a period of 40 days  (not counting Sundays) leading up to Easter when God calls us to repent and reconcile ourselves to Him...to turn our hearts back to Him. 

In the season of Lent, we follow Jesus "into the desert," just as he spent 40 days alone in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry.

During this season of prayer, repentance and contemplation, we are humbled and reminded that our life and our hope depend entirely on the power of God to raise the dead.

In this season we remember that the Christian life is a life of profound waiting, keeping watch for the kingdom of God that is coming.

By focusing honestly on our own mortality and brokenness, we prepare ourselves to receive the incredible good news of Easter:

That Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead, and the promises of God are true.

I was thinking today, even at 27 years old, that it's never easy for me to realize the sins in my life, confess them to God, and literally turn away from them, but that's exactly what it's about. 

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Secret Rescue Plan

To My children,

You are all wondering away from me, like sheep in an open field. You have always been running away from me. And now you are lost. You can’t find your way back.

But I can’t stop loving you. I will come to find you. So I am sending you a Shepherd to look after you and love you. To carry you home to me.

You have been stumbling around, like people in a dark room. But into the darkness, a bright Light will shine! It will chase away all the shadows, like sunrise.

A little baby will be born. A Royal Son-His mommy will be a young girl who doesn’t have a husband, His name will be Emmanuel, which means “God has come to live with us.” 

He is one of Kings David’s children’s children’s children. The Prince of Peace.

Yes, Someone is going to come and rescue you! But he wont be who anyone expects.

He will be a King! But he wont live in a palace. And he wont have lots of money. 

He will be poor. And he will be a Servant. But this King will heal the whole world.

He will be a Hero! He will fight for His people, and rescue them from their enemies. 

But he won’t have big armies, and he wont fight with swords.

He will make blind see, he will make lame leap like deer! He will make everything the way it was always meant to be. 

But people will hate him, and they wont listen to him. 

He will be like a Lamb-He will suffer and die.

It is the Secret Rescue Plan we made- from before the beginning of the world!

It is the only to get you back.

But he wont stay dead- I will make him alive again! 

And, one day, when he comes back to rule forever, the mountains and trees will dance and sing for joy!

The earth will shout out loud! His fame will fill the whole earth- as the waters cover the sea! Everything sad will come untrue. Even death is going to die! And he will wipe away every tear from every eye.

Yes, the Rescuer will come. Look for him. Watch for Him. Wait for him. He will come.

I promise.

Love, God

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Does it sound too good to be true? 

A story that ends happily ever after? 

Well, it does sound like a fairy tale, doesn’t it? 

And, as the world may be quick to tell me fairy takes aren’t true…

...and I may not  have found my prince charming (yet!) 

but I know fairy tales do come true

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Who Says...

...shoes cant change your life!?

Well, I have never been one to be obsessed with shoes

In fact, I have had the same pair of running shoes for the past 3 years

I think it was time to move on

I headed down the road to Super Jock n Jill

I tried on a couple shoes, ran around the block a couple times, and ta da!

They are not Nike or Adidas

Nope, to me these are true running shoes

My first pair New Balances

I am actually excited to run for once:)

My last couple post have been about worrying, not trusting enough, feelings in certainty and feeling vulnerable to this new task in front of me

This new life perspective

I was humbly asked WHY by a coworker of mine

Why do I feel this way when God has so CLEARLY showed me the way?

God has CLEARLY prepared me for this

God has so CLEARLY placed this passion in front of me

He has given me the motivation to pursue so many dreams of mine

That I am sure of

Why am I worrying I wont be able to accomplish this one?

God never promises it will be easy

In fact, He guarantees we will have problems in this life
I will have days when I mentally and physically will feel like I cant run another step

But our problems should never be our focus

Call to Him for help

He knows my weaknesses

He promises to always meet me in that very place

My sister sent me these Pinterest quotes last night

Oh, Pinterest, what did we ever do without you?

Back to Basics

My nephew has this Bible and I was reading it the other day at their house

Though I am familiar with most of the stories in the bible, this book does a great job of simplifying those stories in a way that is easier for children and adults like me to understand

And sometimes it is good to go back to basics

"No, this Bible isn't a book of rules, or a book of heroes

The Bible is most of all a story

It is an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back His lost treasure

It is a love story about a brave Prince who leaves His palace-His throne-everything

- to rescue the one He loves

It is like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life!

The best thing about this Story is- it is true

There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one Big Story

The Story of how God loves His Children and comes to rescue them

It takes the whole Bible to tell this Story

And at the center of the Story, there is a baby

Every Story in the Bible whispers His name

He is like the missing piece in a puzzle- the piece that makes all the other missing pieces fit together, and suddenly you see a beautiful picture

And this is no ordinary baby..."

Simple and beautiful

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Training Day 2

Today was another 3 miles on the treadmill I just can't get myself to run outside yet! 

I don't know why but I have this block in my mind that outside means I am really training 

which is totally silly because news flash Jessie, you are!

Today was a little easier than yesterday 

However I really need to buy some shoes! 

I can tell when the my feet start to hurt that I need more support 

I will buy some this weekend!

Speaking of this weekend, I am running the Valentines Day 5k with my cousin Brian!

I am excited to spend sometime with him this weekend

Since I need to run 4 miles this Saturday and a 5k is only 3.1 I will be running my 4 miles on Sunday with my sister

Always better with a running partner!

It has only been 2 days of actual "training" but I am already having a hard time with running

I have never been a runner and I am scared I wont be able to keep this up!

But I need to remember that if I need to take a walking break then I can

I also know better shoes will help a ton!

Plus, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" right?! :)
Phil. 4:13

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On a different note, I am continually amazed at the doors God is opening in my life

This past Monday I found out I will be going to Montana this summer

 Myself, Donte and Jason Durocher will be the taking two athletes from each team for a leadership, character building, spiritual week long retreat

Count me in

Not only do I get to travel to one of the most beautiful areas in the nation

Not only do I get to know some SPU athletes better

But I GET the opportunity to minister

I get the opportunity to be set an example

I get the opportunity to share my faith

I get the opportunity to share the gospel 

I have seen a couple pictures of the ranch- mountains, river, amazing sunsets- breathtaking

I get to worship and praise the Lord in the midst of one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen

Count me in

I am continually amazed at how God has not only presented me these opportunities 

but has prepared me for these opportunities

If you would have asked me even a couple months ago I don't know if I would be ready

The more I grow in my faith

The more I get to know God

The deeper my relationship grows

The more I get involved with children's charities

The more I get to know the student-athletes each day

The more I serve and open my heart...

The more I see how God has prepared me for everything He has put in my path

God doesn't call the equipped

He equips the called

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Do You Need Rest?

Come to Me all who are weary and I will give you rest

I am not the one to take naps

I just cant justify the down time when I have so much I was to accomplish throughout the day

This doesn't mean that I am never tired or weary because I am more then I like to admit some days

 No matter who you are

No matter what is going on in your life

No matter if you are the biggest morning person or the busiest of busy bodies

Everyone needs REST

Everyone needs to be restored

When the world seems to spinning a million miles per minute

When the burdens of this world come weighing on my shoulders

When my dreams seem out of reach and my mind wonders

Of course, these are not really happening

This is just my human emotions getting the best of me

Simply exhausting

This verse has been one that I have relied on A LOT lately

Thankfully, God promises rest with Him

He promises He can restore us

So, how do I find my rest?

I start and end the day in His presence

Morning devotional

It is the most important time of the day

My relationship with Jesus is the #1 relationship in my life

I need to make time to be with Him

Get to know Him

Read the Word

Reflect on what He needs to show Me

Like any relationship, it becomes stronger the more you spend time together

Without a doubt, this has been THEE most important thing I have incorporated into my life 

Nightly prayers

This is also been something that has changed my life

I kneel before my bed and give up everything to the Lord

I thank Him for the day

I talk over my worries 

I praise Him for His blessings

Sometimes, all I can do is cry and listen to music

He knows what my heart is saying

Just God and me

To say that these changes have been easy for me would be lying

They have taken much discipline, sleepless nights and tired mornings to create these habits

It has taken a while to figure out how I can become more intimate in my quiet times

It has taken a lot prayer to ask for help, more self control, and even ask for guidance on what devotional to use

Sometimes all I do is listen to music and read the Word with no devotional

It doesn't matter if our time is 5 minutes or an hour

It doesn't matter if we use a devotional or just simply listen

The Lord knows that we live in a distracted world

He knows

That is why He wants time with us

He wants us to come to Him

To help us

To restore us

To bless us

To guide us 

To allow us to know HIM better

Starting my day and ending my day before the Lord allows me to humble myself in praise

Allows me to find the rest in the ultimate Restorer!

The Lord is the ONLY thing that gives me peace and rest in this life

Psalm 55:22

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Day 1 of Training!

And so it begins!

Day 1 of training for my half marathon April 27

I thought since I have been running today would be easier

I thought it would be easier since I have motivation

I thought it would be easier

Oh man, I am in for a long 12 weeks....

......Bring it on

It was raining so I decided to run the 3 miles on a treadmill

I really need to invest in some good running shoes

Here I go again

Another opportunity

Another adventure

Another dream being fulfilled I never knew I had

Speaking of DREAMS..

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His Good Purpose

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence

—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 

for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

Philippians 2:12-13

All gifts are from God, right down to "the desire and the effort" we put forth for Him. We live for Christ in communion with the Trinity via the seal and power of the holy Spirit, as well as in community with other believers.

Paul urges the philippian church (and us as well) to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. The church is to follow the leading of Jesus, not the other way around.

God has designs for you in mind that

will glorify and honor Him.



I created this collage as I was obviously dreaming working hard this morning
All the things I dream about
Truth, Love, Hope, Faith, Inspiration,
Striving to make a difference with the passion God has given me

Lord, help me to follow Christ wherever He leads

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