being molded.

mr and mrs ryan reedy.

2010-03-28T22:08:00.000-07:00

four friendship years. twelve dating months. eight engaged months.

...and on the sweet eve of march 27th, these two become one.

our sweet little barwick street group celebrates this season that has been full of pursuit, growth, laughter, and joys. ryan stepped into the scene spring/summer of 2008 and life as mary knew it was never the same. he pursued her as any Godly man would, and patiently walked alongside mary as they watched the Lord reveal His plan.

"he is before all things and in him all things hold together"

colossians 1:17

dreams come true.

2010-03-09T22:36:00.000-08:00

it's time that i share the news with you...in more detail!

after a couple days to process and absorb this insanely wonderful news, i feel it's time to write an update so that everyone i know and love can be fully informed of the details of my engagement to the wonderful mr. ryan roberts. he is the man of my dreams. the most wonderful blessing the Lord could have given me. he makes me better, just like it says in Ephesians 5:25-27. he sacrifices for me in such a way that it makes me feel loved and cherished, which in turn makes me thrive in this life. his sacrifices are sincere and God has made him to love me. he challenges me to know the Lord more...in word and in deed. what a joy to know this is the man God created for me!

so, the master plan took effect about three weeks ago when ryan reese called and invited me and ryan to charleston to have dinner with him and anna. this phone call actually took place at the request of ryan roberts...in effort to get me to charleston...without my being "suspicious". this i did not know until much later when all the truth was revealed!! so we enjoyed a wonderful evening with the reeses. that night we went to bed with plans to wake up slowly and enjoy a day in charleston. and then about 5:30 saturday morning i received my wake up call: "come on jenn, let's go have some quiet time". so we get ourselves together and head towards the beach. with time to spare we listened to worship songs in the car and waited on the perfect time to step out and see the sun rise. we stood in front of God's creation and were in awe of what was before us. while we watched, we listened to a favorite worship song of ours that reminds us of God's greatness, yet how intimately he loves each of us. with that, we took a seat in the sand and continued to marvel at the goodness and greatness of the Lord. some time later, ryan pulled out a bible with my new name on it and handed it to me, asking me, "what is your favorite verse of all time". without hesitation i said lamentations 3:22-23, "the steadfast love of the Lord endures forever; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness". ryan then said, ok well open it...let's read it. and the bible quickly fell to that very passage (a very intentional move on ryan's part...knowing what verse i would choose...and wanting to use that in this story is so sweet to my heart!). it was bookmarked and as i absorbed this part, ryan was moving towards one knee to tell me of his love for me, his desire to serve me and love me forever, and his wishes to have me be his wife. saying will you marry me, of course i said yes, and then he said "well let's try it on". having NO clue that the ring he picked for me was tied on the bookmark of the bible, sitting right there on top of my favorite verse of all time. such a sweet surprise. so he put it on my finger and we read the passage together. it was such a sweet time together.

after enjoying the moment for several minutes, ryan looks over his shoulder and makes a motion. i look back and see my roommate nicole and other dear friend elizabeth ann HIDING in the sand dunes. they had been there the whole time taking pictures and waiting to come out and congratulate us! so they ran out with camera in one hand and gifts in the other. we celebrated together, took pictures, and laughed at all the scheming that had taken place behind my back or the last several weeks. i was totally clueless to it all...which makes it such a fun surprise that i will always cherish.

after a fun breakfast, rehashing all the details together, we made plans to "break" to shower and then come back together for lunch. we went back to the reeses, celebrated with them, made phone calls to some people and planned to head out towards lunch about 11ish. when we got in the car and headed towards what i thought was "east bay deli"...and then we pulled into the parking lot of california dreaming i was asking all sorts of questions. typical jenn not having a clue of what's going on. but we pull up, get out, walk inside...and as i'm walking towards the table i see my parents...AND ryan's parents...sitting at a big table waiting for our arrival! it was the biggest surprise ever and super sweet knowing that ryan wanted all the families to be involved and included. we enjoyed lunch together a sweet time to meet families and share our morning with everyone. it was a morning to remember for sure!!

that's the sum of it. but i was surprised around every corner. and it was the greatest day of feeling such in the center of God's will, knowing with every fiber of my being that the Lord prepared this special someone just for me...and as He saw fit...he allowed us to meet...and then share in such a sweet day together on march 6, 2010. we have been praying about a summer wedding and will know very soon about that plan. when details are finalized you will know everything, but for now pray with us. pray that the Lord's day for us will be revealed. that He will continue to remain in the center. and that we will continue to know one another more...love one another better...and seek to glorify the Lord in all aspects of our relationship. first in dating. now in engagement. eventually in marriage. we are praying and asking and expecting big things. God made beauty from ashes. He restored broken things. He renewed hearts and minds. we are humbled at His faithfulness. and we know...because we have trusted AND tasted...that "His steadfast love endures forever; His mercies never cease; they are new every morning; He is so faithful".

(lamentations 3:22-23)

thanks for sharing in our joy. we are humbled and grateful.

dreams come true. a preview.

2010-03-06T21:28:00.001-08:00

mr. ryan roberts asked me to be his wife. today. march 6, 2010. during a charleston sunrise. with a bible.

a question. a ring. and many fun surprises!

see pictures for a preview. stay tuned for a story and details!

snapshots.

2010-03-01T21:22:00.000-08:00

snapshots from the two month sabbatical

(see previous post for explanation)...

this is me and frank at the tattoo parlor. can you see how proud he is...sitting there thinking that he had the power to lead me to do such a crazy thing!? :) in fact, it was my idea. after thinking about it, the Lord really laid the word "hope" on my heart...and in the meantime i began exploring options for getting a "jersusalem cross" on my body. as crazy as it sounds, it is one of the coolest things i have done...because i know what it means. and i look at it every day and i just smile..because when i see it, i think of hope. i think of the hope i have in Christ and the promises that He has given me to restore, renew, and redeem. He showed me that during a dark season and i reflect on it with hope because of the redemption found in Him.

7.5 years ago when i began my career as a special education teacher, i never imagined my passion for these children and their families would lead me to this. currently i am directly involved in establishing a special needs ministry at my church. teaching sunday school with these children over the past several years as drawn out this aspect of my heart. prayerfully the Lord will have a place for me in a church one day...and until then i will trust that He will use my passion for His glory.
so, the boyfriend surprised me with favorite flowers on my birthday. beautiful tulips and a sweet message from the sweetest man i know.
and on the whirlwind tour of the upstate, ryan and i had time to enjoy the SNOW!!
our basketball team. we actually won the 5th/6th grade girls championship. they are a precious group of girls and i really enjoyed working with them (and coach ann!!) all season!

two month sabbatical.

2010-03-01T20:55:00.000-08:00

i shamefully return to my sad and neglected blog. but i joyfully report that the two month sabbatical has been full of fun, joy, and excitement. nothing i EVER anticipated when writing my last post in December! so, since my last visit to beingmolded much has happened.

where to even begin...

-i acquired a small blemish on the inside of my right ankle

(some would call it a tattoo!)

-i had a blind date

-i celebrated the end of 2009 and opened the beginning of 2010. best new years ever at the pond with wonderful columbia friends. camping in the freezing cold. fireworks. cartwheels. games. music and dancing. a night to remember!

-i had a first date...with the blind date

-i had a second date...with the blind date

-i took the blind date to church...at this point we've stopped counting the number of dates

-in the first week of 2010 i hung out with my blind date...better known as ryan roberts...6/7 nights. and in that time, i knew that i had found something special

-started back to work...a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!

-continued (assistant) coaching 5th and 6th grade girls basketball

-ran a half marathon in charleston with favorite friend, ashley gray

-fell in love with the blind date

-took the blind date home to meet mom and dad

-babysat for the first time since middle school...and relearned the art of super mario brothers

-committed to speaking at conference for the SC Respite Coalition (what?!!?!)

-went to florida to meet the blind date's family...chaperoned by hank

-spoke at conference for the SC Respite Coalition on behalf of starting a special needs ministry at first presbyterian church; confirming my passion for such a thing to happen as soon as possible; Lord not my will but yours be done

-celebrated another year...birthday 29 was extra special with friends AND family

-was culturally enriched at the peace center with my first viewing of Wicked

-introduced the blind date to many best friends in greenville

-loved a REAL snow for the first time in years

-enjoyed a FOUR day weekend, thanks to the u.s. presidents

-continued to fall in love with the blind date

-celebrated a roommate's batchelorette weekend and prepared heart and mind for her to leave roommate-ville for a husband (yah for future mr and mrs ryan reedy!)

-watched the west wing of barwick street turn another page...along with the rest of us...

that about sums up the past 2 months. a little this, a little that. but i am so grateful to have had 2 months FULL of grace and joy and abundance from the Lord...from friends, family, and a new found love. i am beyond humbled at the abundance the Lord has provided thus far in 2010 and anticipate much more in the days and months to come. i see His provision. i see His making beauty from ashes. i see His grace upon grace upon grace. and i love it. words cannot describe the fullness of my heart on this first day of march 2010.

stay tuned for many more exciting events in the days to come...

and i promise to be more committed to updating to the faithful

world-o-blogging.

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations, forever and ever. amen" ephesians 3:20.21

hope.

2009-12-25T09:03:00.000-08:00

"on Him we have set our hope..." 2 corinthians 1:10

biblical hope is described as the consequence and expression of faith; it is not wishful thinking but an absolute confidence in God's promises for the future, based on his faithfulness in the past.

(taken from esv study bible)

i have seen and tasted hope in a new form during 2009. during a season of darkness the Lord has shown me that His love and grace and mercy never fail. that He is the rock, my redeemer. that He gives in abundance and His ways are always higher than mine. the hope found in Christ is better than anything i could put my hope in on earth. so, i am thankful. i am thankful for a Savior. one who gives and loves and promises life everlasting. i am thankful for new beginnings.

for redemption. for Him who gives us hope.

"the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

His mercies never come to an end.

they are new every morning. great is your faithfulness."

lamentations 3:22.23

behold, the lamb of God.

2009-12-25T08:14:00.001-08:00

"she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call His name Jesus;

for He shall save His people from their sins" Matthew 1:21

after you read your bible today, take the time to listen to this album.

it will change the way you experience Christmas and will encourage

your heart to rejoice in Christ on the day of His birth.

Gather round, ye children, come;

listen to the old, old story

of the power of death undone

by an infant born of glory:

Son of God, Son of man.

So, sing out with joy, for the brave little boy,

who was God but he made himself nothing.

He gave up his pride, and came here to die like a man.

So rejoice, ye children, sing. And remember, now, His mercy.

And, sing out with joy, for the brave little boy, is our Savior:

Son of God, Son of man,

adventures of december.

2009-12-06T19:11:00.000-08:00

at the strike of december 1, the tree at barwick street is trimmed, the lights are in the windows, and the wreath is on the door. a favorite part of this month is the coziness of having the lights on the tree while enjoying christmas movies on the couch with pjs and hot chocolate!

but december also brings with it many adventures. i will name three. perhaps the top three. but these events made me smile

and brought joy to my heart.

first, our annual caroling trip to laurel crest.

each year, our bible study (and many others!) gathers together for a sweet night of fellowship, including caroling, followed by chili and potatoes at the foster's home. the residents at laurel crest are precious, and always beyond grateful for our visiting them. we are blessed by this time, as we sing songs of promise and hope given to us at the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. we are reminded of this hope and

the blessings He gives us in this life.

the group singing together.

our monday night bible study, minus jess.

a favorite: marshall and her father. the highlight of the night!

second, our annual christmas cheer and a beer.

sounds strange. but this is no new thing to barwick street. in fact, 2009 was our 5th annual "CCB", as we so endearingly call it. each year the roommates gather together to deliver "christmas cheer" to some of our friends in columbia. at it's origin, a six pack of beer was purchased, meaning a delivery of cheer to six homes.

our stops for this year are as follows:

dibiase.

foster.

henderson.

adam and trey.

shannon springs.

duncan street.

the highlight of CCB 2009 is the addition of santa claus, aka ryan. however, he will not appear next year, as he must take our mary elf to be his wedded bride. but we were grateful to have ryan join in on the fun this year and are eager to reveal our plan for CCB 2010.

stay tuned...only 365 days!

third, the marriage of jill spork and ben harling.

since january 2009, we have been anxiously awaiting this precious day. jill is a longtime friend of mine, but our friendship is unique because we've shared a childhood in greenville, some college years at pc, and life as working adults, both teaching children with special needs.

that was God's doings. obviously.

but so fun to see the beginning of it all and to know that He knew all along that we would be deeply connected this many years later.

thank you, Lord, for your grace. your love. your blessing. you give in abundance and we only recognize glimpses of it. we are thankful for the month of december, and what it means to us as your children.

we are thankful for the promise and hope that comes with the birth of your one and only son. thank you for salvation. the gift of redemption. and you give out of your abundance.

we know you give ONLY good gifts. and we praise you. Amen.

birthday in december.

2009-12-06T18:29:00.001-08:00

have a birthday!? why NOT celebrate with grilled pizzas and a trip to see the lights at the zoo!? sounded like a perfect idea for our dear friend, ashley, so we all joined together and celebrated another year in the life of ashley gray. what a joy and blessing she is to us all. we love her magnetic personality. her love for the Lord. her love for laughter and life. her love for people. we are encouraged by her friendship

and the ways she so sacrificially gives to others--always.

thank you, Lord, for our sweet friend and the life you've given her.

house divided.?!

2009-12-06T18:20:00.001-08:00

barwick street was divided for this football game. clemson. carolina. officially, you may say two against one, but unofficially (based on these pictures!), you may say three against one. it was a pretty civil occasion between the group, and everyone walked away full and happy--having enjoyed each other, tailgating, football, wonderful weather, good friends, and a great ending to the 2009 thanksgiving weekend.

so thankful for friends to live with that make my house a home.

i love my little life at barwick street!

wedding bells begin.

2009-11-26T16:19:00.000-08:00

on november 20th we officially celebrated the engagement of

ryan and mary. aunt macky and pa hosted a beautiful party at the palmetto club and everyone joined to celebrate the happy couple.

we are thrilled for the upcoming marriage and thankful for God's blessings in the midst of their dating and engagement to this point. march 27th will be a very special day for us all!

the happy couple with mary's precious pa.

the barwick girls.

mandy and mary.

the sassy mary is ready to go!

lord we are thankful for your grace and goodness to ryan and mary.

for your provision. for your sovereign hand to bring them to this point. we pray your blessings on their marriage and that they would always bring honor and glory to your name. amen.

hank's new do.

2009-11-19T16:50:00.000-08:00

so, hank got groomed yesterday.

ask me what i think about the final product:

there is really nothing left to say.

dear shandonwood, next time you decide to take all of the doodle out of my labradoodle, please call me. his tail is supposed to be long and curly. sincerely, hank's keeper

thanksgiving checklist.

2009-11-17T15:24:00.001-08:00

i am eagerly awaiting thanksgiving break, and it will be a busy one. fun, but busy. this is what i have planned so far...

wrap up at school with a thanksgiving feast,

my favorite thing to do with my class!

participate in the sleigh bell trot with rachel and ashley.

who doesn't want to stroll along the river at saluda shoals

in the evening with Christmas lights all around!?

have lunch with a dear friend, katie thompson.

and see her bump for baby thompson #1, expected spring 2010!

enjoy a "different" thanksgiving with the jordan clan.

doug, sally, jay, and ginny will come to anderson and we'll all do something as a family--but thanksgiving with twist this year,

as it will be our first without papa jordan.

run in the electric city turkey trot with dad and frank.

running sounds like a good idea on thanksgiving. one year we did a trail run. we've done the turkey trot in anderson before. last year we did a half marathon in atlanta. and this year we're back to the simple 5k along clemson boulevard.

gobble up yummy thanksgiving goodness with the murray clan.

we'll head to peggy and david's for turkey and all the sides--along with the craziness of having LOTS of adults...and LOTS of babies.

it's quite the adventure!

and wrap it up with my first ever clemson/carolina football game.

in columbia. with my roommate, nicole.

she'll be cheering for the tigers, i'll be cheering for the cocks. so fun!

and with a list of "to do's", why not have a list of "not to do's":

-no wondering "why!?"!

-no 5 am mornings!

-no school work!

-no gaining 100 pounds after 1 meal!

thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year.

i love it. i love thinking about all that i have to be thankful for.

thinking about the blessings given to me from the Lord

in family and friends and health and life.

this thanksgiving i will rejoice in what i have been given,

knowing that "every good and perfect gift is from Above" (James 1:17)

a favorite.

2009-11-10T19:59:00.000-08:00

i have a new favorite christian artist. andrew peterson.

i've loved his music since college...but the past couple of years i have really grown to value the quality of his music, the lyrics, and special meanings many of the songs have to my heart. the songs make me think of (1) dear friends from pc, (2) a sweet season of life, and (3) healing and renewal from the truths proclaimed in the songs.

last christmas i was in crossway. my favorite store to browse when i'm in greenville. i was in there with a mission to purchase a book. so i find my book and innocently go to the checkout counter. come to find out they have andrew peterson, resurrection letters volume II on display. the sign reads "SALE: $5". and that was enough for me to grab it in haste and throw it in my pile for purchase. what a sweet $5 that cd became to me. i actually didn't even listen to it right away. i was preoccupied with another new cd. but at the right time, God brought the cd to my attention. and He used it for healing and renewal. i love it. loooove it.

my favorite song is All Things New. here are some of the lyrics:

Come broken and weary. Come battered and bruised. My Jesus makes all things new, all things new. Come lost and abandoned. Come blown by the wind. He’ll bring you back home again, home again. Rise up, oh you sleeper, awake, the light of the dawn is upon you. Rise up, oh you sleeper, awake, he makes all things new.

i cling to that promise. Jesus makes all things new. he restores. he redeems. he makes beauty from ashes. what a God we serve.

loebs 3 becomes 5.

2009-11-02T19:51:00.000-08:00

14 years is a long time. 14 years ago i met eric loebs at my first job--chickfila, greenville mall. he was accompanied by his best friend and partner in crime, kevin sink, and the three of us were instantly friends. have been ever since. in those 14 years, we endured many hours at the "chicken house", graduated high school and college, moved to new cities and started new jobs. i was thrilled when courtney met eric and they were married. she is such a wonderful partner for him. so, all that to say--a lot has transpired since eric and i first met--and it is such a blessing of the Lord that we are still friends and can connect on so many levels. the four of us are known to get together every several months--and it is always a sweet time to reconnect and learn about the Lord's work in each of our lives. i savor those times with sweet friends!

so the first addition to the loebs family was sweet brantley. he's 2 now and (i think) the perfect age for play and fun! and just recently, brantley became big brother to two baby boys--parker and austin. i had the privilege of FINALLY meeting the boys this week...

one of our hang out times before the twins were born.

i love how precious they are, all swaddled up.

i have not been known to be super great with infants, but i am learning. here's proof that i am growing up--not just holding one infant...but TWO!

brantley is showing off his new giraffe (straight from uganda!)

and sharing it with baby brother.

like father like son. i love their playful banter--

it's so fun to watch them interact!

i love watching my friends take on the role of parent. it is a neat place to be. eric and courtney are a precious couple, seeking to honor the Lord in their lives. i am so thankful to stand back and watch their family grow.

little kids in big bodies.

2009-11-01T17:57:00.000-08:00

october 31st struck again.

and we little kids in big bodies suited up

for a night of costumes and fun.

who's the classic ghost under the white sheet?

none other...than christian...

jonathan and lee.

ali, jenn, and jeanne.

somewhat partial to the infomercial costume idea.

as seen on tv...ashley, jenn, and sarah with their beloved snuggies.

SHAM-wow and SNUGGies. how did we ever live without them!?

and why not end the night with a little game of electricity.!?

costochondritis.

2009-10-28T16:54:00.000-07:00

costochondritis. a fancy word for "feel like someone punched me in the stomach". and a damper on the half marathon training...

for the past several weeks i have been coughing upon return from every run or tuesday night basketball. as i predicted, the exercise induced asthma that loved me as a kid...has returned. so my coughing extensively has led to this wonderful feeling in my left rib cage called "costochondritis". the good news is...the torn muscles will heal...as long as i don't cough. which in turn means, i don't exercise. i'm not sure how "good" of a patient i will be...because the thought of no exercise seems daunting.

so the jury is out. if i obey the doctor's orders over the next few days, and i can run 4 miles on saturday, then i am on the right track to run in north charleston with my ashley and nicole. time will tell.

i grin and bear it while i wait. :)

loving how God works.

2009-10-25T19:25:00.000-07:00

He speaks to us so tenderly, in the most unique ways, at the most crucial times.

tonight i was talking to a lifelong friend and we were sharing what the Lord was teaching us. and i learned, yet again, that God binds hearts through joys and trials. and He allows one to build the other up. what a blessing to serve a God who provides sweet fellowship with other believers. so this song was shared with me and i just love the words: (please listen to the actual song if you can find it on itunes!)

i will not take my love away, by matt wertz

i will not take my love away 

when praises cease and seasons change .

while the whole world turns the other way-

 i will not take my love away .

i will not leave you all alone

 when striving leads you far from home.

 and there's no yield for what you've sown,

 i will not leave you all alone.

 i will give you what you need.

 in plenty or in poverty .

forever, always, look to me.

 and I will give you what you need.

and, so perfectly, God spoke straight to my heart today with His word and through His people. the sermon today was from luke 10:38-42 on the story of mary and martha. Jesus so very tenderly told martha that her sister, mary, had chosen the good portion, and that it would not be taken away from her. my prayer for my heart right now is that i would seek to find the ONE thing necessary (in Jesus!), living in undistracted devotion to Him, keeping a "sanctuary in my heart where nothing else is permitted". there is so much to learn from the joys and pains of life. so thankful for a God who is committed to us when we are so uncommitted to Him.

...but he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed...

isaiah 53:5

october brings fun.

2009-10-19T18:08:00.001-07:00

with october comes fun. it's fall. so far, this october i celebrated a birthday, basked in the beauty of changing leaves,

and visited a friend miles away.

the first weekend of october was nicole's birthday...and, coincidentally the one year anniversary of when she and i became roommates. so there was much to celebrate. we settled on a fun dinner at our favorite, Moe's, and bowling with friends. what better way to celebrate a 26th birthday!? (besides we had free coupons which made it even sweeter!).

so we rounded up the troops for bowling...

...ashleigh and the birthday girl...

...the girls, acting tough, but we all know the truth...

...the fellas with the birthday girl...

...we celebrate another year of life and are so thankful for nicole

and her friendship to us all!

And when given the opportunity to go camping, TAKE it. a group from columbia gathered up our camping gear and headed to Pisgah. we enjoyed fellowship and a day with the changing leaves in the mountains. the mountains are my favorite place to be--especially in the fall when the leaves are turning red, yellow, and orange.

we hit them at the perfect time...

...i am pumped about a tent...and camping...and the mountains...

you can see it all over my face...

...early morning picture...after the night-o-laughter...

before the day-o-hiking...

...fearless...jeanne, jenn, ashley, and ali...what a combo...

...some of the girls...

...and some of the guys...

...i want to be camping in that blue tent...

...and i love the cloud-mountain combo in this picture...

...victory. we survived the hike and are heading to CRACKER BARREL!

one year and 3 months ago i watched emily make her big move to CHICAGO. we had been dreaming about this for years--so to see the reality of it, was very sweet. after giving her time to learn her way around the city, i wanted to come visit...but not when it's too cold...so i thought october would be the perfect time. my visit with em in the windy city was awesome. we walked around the streets of her neighborhood, enjoyed starbucks, too much shopping, local chicago restaurants, where the wild things are, church at park community, lazy sunday afternoon, and a visit with jen dave and wrigley.

it was the perfect little visit...

...our one picture in the city (whoops!)...but compliments to the willing passer-by who played photographer...

...and sweet wrigley. hank would be so jealous if he only understood...

the season of fall makes me happy.

october is always full of fun--and so thankful for the unique ways

fall 2009 has been sweet and memorable.

thankful to God and His grace that

renews and restores when we least expect it...

mouse revenge.

2009-10-01T14:55:00.001-07:00

so barwick street has officially "welcomed" it's second mouse in 4 1/2 years. i thought the chippings on hank's food bin were somewhat peculiar but i just ignored them for a few days...

and then one beautiful weekday morning, while i was innocently feeding my dog, i discovered the mouse--scaling the wall of our shed. i let a few days go by while i pondered the best solution for my problem. in the mean time, the chippings on hank's food bin became giant holes...

my first thought was to call terminix. then i reasoned with myself and decided the girls of barwick street could elimiate the problem. so in just 3 weeks, in 3 easy steps we mastered the art of mouse trapping...

step one: sticky trap. result: failure.

step two: snap trap. result: failure.

step three: poison. result: success.

worth remembering.

2009-09-17T17:39:00.000-07:00

i have been blessed to have papa jordan in my life for 28 years.

he held me as a baby. and a little girl.

and watched me accomplish many things.

he brought joy to my life in so many ways.

i can still hear him saying, "hey jenbaby".

september 13, 2009 God called papa jordan home. he lived a full life on earth for 86 years. i rejoice because he is now with the Lord, and i mourn because he is no longer with me. it still doesn't seem real. he's been a part of me since the beginning of my life. he watched me grow up. he shared sundays at overbrook with me. he showed me how to love people. he taught me to laugh in life. he demonstrated a faith that was admirable. he supported my trips in country and across the ocean. he shared his love of photography with me. he celebrated graduations and homeownership. he adored hank as much as i do. more than anything, i know that papa loved me for me. he showed me in his words and actions. and i hold our last earthly encounter very close to my heart, as he used all his strength to mouth "i love you" with tear-filled eyes.

psalm 116:15 is truth for this time. "precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his godly one". papa jordan knew and loved the Lord. he was a vessel of the Lord's goodness to so many. i know that he is now with his Maker, and that is a precious thing. i have peace in my heart--the peace of God which surpasses all understanding (philippians 4:7).

...like clay in the potter's hand, so you are in Mine...

why blog?

2009-09-17T16:55:00.000-07:00

i have long avoided the blogging scene--not quite sure of all the reasons--but as 2009 has brought much reflection to my life, i am compelled to begin the process of sharing more of my heart with others. i love writing--always have--so what better place to process, write, and share. maybe this is the beginning of making the step to "write that book", like many have suggested.

the first task is thinking of a blog title. "being molded." was the final result of a couple other options related to the potter and the clay. i have learned that my clay-like self needs a potter as wonderful and sovereign as my God. so my writings will be stories of my life--stories that demonstrate the loving hand of a faithful God who gently molds me into the person i was intended to be. God is the potter, I am the clay. i would't have it any other way.

just because i can, here's a picture of me and hank taken with the new macpro!

...like clay in the potter's hand, so you are in Mine...