I'm The Kind Of Girl Who...

I'm the kind of girl who(se)...

Needs my cup cups of AdvoCare Spark every day

Can be found singing loudly in the car

Used to be fearful of driving, now it is a sacred time for me

Memorized the lines of The Goonies, 3 Ninjas and Christmas Vacation

Has BIG dreams in my heart and believe they were placed there for a purpose

Would rather have a bouquet of flowers than a new pair of shoes

Cant imagine loving any children more than my nephews Jace and Hudson

Could decorate my whole house in inpsirational quotes and bible verses

Signs up for half marathons but doesnt like running

Always wears athletic gear to the airpot (or anywhere actually)

Had a huge fear of flying and public speaking but starting to love both

Loves superheros- especially Superman

Could watch football all day everyday - Go Seahawks!

Would rather read a good book than watch a movie

Prefers a ponytail than my hair down

Can never pass up a trip to Trader Joes, Target, Chiptole or Starbucks

Loves a good game night with friends and family

Thinks Seattle is the most beautiful city in the world

I'm also the kind of girl who(se)...

Acknowledges our God SO loved the world, that He gave His only son, and whoever

believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life

Believes we have the most loving, creative, and faithful Creator

Wakes up needing to be filled with The Word

Uses the bible as my guide to living my life

Believes that Jesus lived the perfect life, died for our sins and conquered death

Is a sinner saved by Grace

Thinks the most beautiful thing on earth is LOVE

Thankful that He knows the desires of our hearts

Understands that Gods timing is perfect (thank goodness!)

Believes that living a surrendered life for Jesus is the greatest adventure

Thankful the Lord knows me better than I know myself

Believes the best is yet to come!

Lastly, I am the kinda girl who believes the Great Commission was not just for those called 2,000 years ago but a calling for every believer, in every country, in every generation to accept the mission.

Christ is sending us all somewhere for a purpose,

whether in your backyard or halfway around the globe.

Are you ready?



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Ten Years of Comfort

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil for You are with me, 

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me"

Psalm 23:4

Gas Works Park, Seattle WA

Ten years 

This park has been a place of peace and comfort for me since I was a freshman at SPU

Ten years ago

Whether it was basketball spring training

A friendly walk with a friend

Or a run after work 

This has been the spot, my place of refuge

I know it is exactly 3 miles to and from SPU

I know there is a small hill to climb to get to the top

 

I knew once I made it up I would see the view

My comfort

When I was at the top every worry faded away

Every battle going on inside me faded away 

I knew I just had to get to the top to see the view

You see, the view never changes

The beauty of the Seattle skyline

The beauty of the sun along lake Union

 Boats on the water, cars cruising along 1-5 

And the famous Space Needle in the background

Never changes, and thats comfortable to me

Ten years 

My comfort I could always count on

Gas Works Park

I remember coming here with a friend my freshman year

A quick run after class

I remember sitting down and looking at the view 

Talking about our future

Where we saw ourselves in one year, five years and beyond

I remember thinking back then..

"This view is amazing. This is comfortable. 

This will be my place of refuge when the world is weighing me down"

 

I sat there today, ten years later

And I still had that same feeling- This is my comfort place

 This place, this view has never let me down

 

One thing in life we can always count on is change 

Thankfully, I am not who I was ten years ago

We grow, we change, we transform

Sometimes change makes us uncomfortable

 

"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory,

are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory,

which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

2 Cor. 3:18

 

I know that I may not always be in Seattle to run to my place

I know that I cant just head there when I need comfort

Where can I find comfort?

 

"God is our refuge and strength"

Psalm 46:1

 

No matter what life brings me

No matter where I may end up in my life

My constant source of comfort is in Jesus Christ 

He is my place of refuge and peace

The best part?

I don't have to run 3 miles to find Him

I don't just get Him for 5 minutes while I rest at the top

He is my daily source of comfort 

He is in me, moving within me

Changing me for His glory

And giving me a comfort, no view or place, can provide 

"...Your staff and Your rod, they comfort me"

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About Time

Oh, I just love the spring time

So, many beautiful flowers outside and the sun if finally coming out in Seattle

Easter coming up!

It doesn't get much prettier Seattle in springtime

(ok, maybe the fall)  

Before I share what I have been up too I want to put on record that I have been actually sitting down and watching The Masters

I never thought I would say that or do that but since Bubba Watson won back in 2012, I have grown into one of his biggest fans. How can you not like a humble, family, Christian man! 

 I always admire athletes using their platform to share Jesus 

As I write this Bubba is in the lead with a good chance to win

Lets go Bubba! 

Anyway, back to my weekend

A little back story, I love country music

I will go to any country concert 

I went to go see Chuck Wicks back in 2009 and loved him

My aunt and uncle are on the board of directors for the Washington State Fair

For the past 4 years I have been begging telling them they need to get Chuck Wicks to come!

Finally, four years later Chuck finally comes to Puyallup!

My friend Lacy and I one our way to see Chuck

Of course we got to Spark up- make sure we have energy and mental focus

Just taking some selfies on our way :)

Of course, we had to sit front and center
He writes all his songs and did not disappoint!

Thankful for my aunt and our time together during these concerts!

If you ever come visit Washington you have to visit The Washington State Fair!

 

I ended up staying the night down south on Friday night and drove up to Seattle Saturday afternoon

I usually stay home during the weekend, especially since my sister is about to give birth!

But I had to run some errands up in Seattle so I came home

It has been awhile since I have actually stayed in Seattle for the weekend 

The sun was out, light breeze, perfect opportunity to walk to the Greenlake Starbucks

Vanilla steamer, a good book, Chris Tomlin Pandora station

Do you need anything more?

It brings me to this morning

I had to get a long run in for my half training 

Three times around Greenlake is 9 miles

The first mile is always the hardest but eventually found my way around 3 times

Of course, not without stopping to take a picture of this beautiful area

We are sure blessed 

There is so much going on right now in my life

I am seeing God work in my life and my family and friends

I am seeing Gods favor upon me and dreams starting to come into fruition

I am holding onto His promise for my life and letting Him guide me day by day

I cant wait to post some exciting things coming up in the near future

Starting with my new baby nephew coming any day!

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A Night in Paris (or Italy)

Ok, ok, not really in actual Paris, France

Bu with the smell, music and lighting it seemed like we were!

 

Through my job at Seattle Pacific, I meet a lot of students

(one of the best things about my job by far!)

 

Christa, has been a student-worker, turned great friend over the past couple years

She was with me from the beginning when my passion started with childrens charities

She was there with me to visit Memphis for a St. Jude event

She was there when we pulled off the 2nd highest fundrasier in the region for St. Jude

She was there for me when I needed someone to fill in for an athletic event

She has been there for me almost all of my time at SPU

And this past summer I was able to be there for her when she married the man of her dreams

She is just one of many examples of student-workers turning into great relationships

 

On top of being a student and a wife, Christa is an excellent cook!

From someone who can barley boil an egg without complications

I jumped on this opportunity when she asked me to comeover and cook!
Yes, please share with me some of your cooking wisdom

 

So one night last week we opened a bottle of Pellegrino and made gnocchi

(Dont worry, I didnt know what it was either)

 

 

A Night in Paris (or Italy)

 

Cooking by Christa

Photos and taste tester by Jessie

 

Love the white lights she added!

Pandora station "Cafe Paris"

 

 

Christa and her husband Jeffrey

 

 

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The Dream I Am Working On

 

 Remember when I wrote the dream of going to Africa someday?
I wrote about it HERE in January 2013
And again HERE April 2013

I didnt know who I was going with
Where I was going
Or how I would pay for it

It hasnt been without ups and downs
Plans not going the way I thought
My sister ended up pregnant and cant come
but now my mom is coming and I get another nephew!
Costs were more than we expected
But God found a way to help pay for Africa and more!

And I will tell you....
It has turned out just the way it is supposed to
And better than I imagined
Ephesians 3:20

There will be five women their five daughters going
My mom had everyone over for a dinner to dream more, pray more and attempt to plan
How do you prepare your heart you know will be completely wrecked?
How do you prepare when you know your worldviews will be turned upside down?
How do you prepare for something that is nothing you ever experienced?
You dont
You let God guide you, protect you and transform you
The way He wants

More details to come!
---------------------
 

"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,

and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19

 

 

 

 

 

"I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow.

It’s not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process

but God, who makes things grow."

1 Cor. 3:6

 

 

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight

Proverbs 3:5-6

 

 

 

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Hopeful Anticipation

I am so glad I started blogging

There is something so special about journaling

How God is working in, around and through me and my life

This July would be 2 years since I wrote my first blog

I started because I knew God was up to something in my life

I didnt want to forget those moments I felt God leading me

 

I decided to look back and see what I wrote one year ago today

The funny thing is, what I wrote one year ago is exactly what I needed to hear TODAY



You see, I was right

He is up to something

I may not know exactly what He is up too

but I know its different and better than I would have planned

I look back and see how God used me one year ago to empower me TODAY

one year later

 

I am still learning to trust Him daily

One day at a time

Still holding onto hopeful anticipation

But I feel Him moving more than ever

And I just need to continue to surrender and let Him lead me

 

--------------------------- 

Hopeful Anticipation
March 25th, 2013
 

To say I have a lot going on is an understatement

The major theme these past two weeks has been TRUST

Trust God

Trust His path

Trust His planned purpose for my life

 

But He wants us to do more than just trust Him

We are called to trust with hopeful anticipation

 

"Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.”

Psalm 37:7

 

Surrendering your life means:
 

- Following God’s lead without knowing where he’s sending you

 

- Waiting for God’s timing without knowing when it will come

 

- Expecting a miracle without knowing how God will provide
 

- Trusting God’s purpose without understanding the circumstances

 

Waiting on Me means directing your attention to Me in hopeful anticipation of what I will do next. It entails trusting Me with every fiber of your being, instead of trying to figure things out yourself. Waiting on Me is the way I designed you to live all day, every day. I created you to stay conscious of Me as you go about your daily duties. I have promised many blessings to those who wait on Me; renewed strength, living above one's circumstances, resurgence of hope, awareness of My continual Presence. Waiting on Me enables you to glorify Me by living in deep dependence on Me ready to do My will. It also helps you to enjoy Me, in My presence is fullness of Joy.

- Jesus Calling

Notice that it says what HE will do

Not Jessie's next move, but His

I am need to hand over every part of my life

Not just my social life, or my work life but ALL areas

Big or small, God wants MY every detail to be entrusted to Him

I am learning daily what it really means to be "continually conscious of Him"

Continually conscious that He is doing His work in every detail of my life

I know that life wont always be easy

Life can get ugly, hard and uncomfortable

But if our God can create something as beautiful and peaceful as the sunset

Then I know He has something even more beautiful planned for His children

Let Go and Let God

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Abundant Life

I believe my life should be directed, inspired and lived by the Words and instructions by the Bible 

However, there are some key verses that really inspire me and my life 

This is one of them

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

John 10:10 

Contrary to popular belief, after we dedicate our lives to Christ He doesn't want us just sitting around, twiddling our thumbs, and waiting for heaven

He wants us to LIVE

We are not created to just exist, but truly live

 Live an abundant life

Full life

What does that entail?

Well, it is different for all of us 

But I think following your dreams and passions is a good place to start

Speaking of passions, I think I am starting to like love photography 

I LOVE pictures, words and quotes-anything that gets me inspired

I mean I really love pictures

A picture really is worth a thousand words

I also want to start sharing and documenting more with pictures

My good ol' iPhone is not going to cut it anymore

I am in the search for a good camera 

In meantime I am going to borrow my sister and brother in laws

Here are some pictures from my weekend starting with the obviously the cutest one

Welcome to my parents backyard

My quiet time today

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Phil. 1:3 

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Spring of Hope

 

 

It is officially spring time!

 

I dont know about you but something about spring makes me incredibly giddy

After a long winter in Seattle, trust me when I say we are ready for spring

 

It is the little bit of sun that peeks through my window

The tulips that start to appear around greenlake

 The fresh smell of flowers and fresh cut grass

The flower blossoms on the end of branches

 

There is a mind shift that happens to me when spring comes

After a long season of winter, I start to see light

There is beauty

There is something to look forward too

 

 

Spring is my symbol of hope

 

"See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

Isaiah 43:19

 

Just like the small changes of spring

I feel a change in my life too

I don't know exactly what that will entail but God keeps showing me,

in nature and in life
that new things are coming for me

 

 

 

Do not be afraid

He has been preparing me

He will provide

I am trusting

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to Him,
and He will make your paths straight."

proverbs 3:5-6

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Five on Friday- My week through Instagram

Happy Friday!

It is one of those weeks where I am yelling from the roof tops my window

Thank Goodness Its Friday!

It is not a surprise that I love Instagram

I also love my morning time devotions

However, I have a little horrible habit of going straight to social media instead of the Word first

I dont know if I am the only one who has this problem

It is so easy to turn off my alarm on my phone and then touch the Instagram app or Facebook app

I mean really Jessie? What could possibly go on in the last 7 hours that you need to know?

Answer- NOTHING is more important 

With that, I have decide during this season of Lent I have given up social media  and to turn straight to the Word first. Some mornings easier to abstain than others but I have found I creating this habit and going to the Word I am filled with more peace for my day

Anyway, that was a side note for this Five on Friday

Here is my week through Instagram 

Monday 

My worst nightmare is happening at work right now

Monday started off with an empty canister of Spark

I cant go a couple hours without one, so yes 8 hours was horrible

#gotenergy #gotspark 

Tuesday 

"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. 
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us " Hebrews 12:1
He hasnt marked the path the way I planned, but finally finding my stride
#surrender #betterthanimagined #lifeisnotasprint

Still training for my half May 4th down in California

My friend Jamil and Lisa will be running with me

I still cant believe this will be my 4th half

I never thought I would be a runner

Never say never I guess!

Wednesday 

The time is now! 
My brother and his roommates are about to start on a journey to healthier and sustainable lifestyle starting with the AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge to give them a kick start! I am looking forward to coaching them to reach their goals but more importantly create a healthy lifestyle
#thetimeisnow #gotenergy #lookfeelandperformbetter

Are you ready for a change?

Do you need more energy?

Want to feel better?

Advocare is not a diet but a lifestyle change

Ask me about the 24 Day Challenge

I would love to coach you too! 

Thursday (but really Friday)

#TBT 2006 on Friday 

My partner in crime for life

Nothing is better than going through life with a sister 

Friday 

Advocare Oasis and HGTV with the roommate
#mykindafridaynight

Ending my night and week with what I love best

A low key night with AdvoCare Oasis tea and HGTV

Actually, I think my roommate is going to start Space Jam

Yes, Space Jam #nojudgement

With that I say goodnight, God Bless and Happy Friday!

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