YAY!
Well, first of all the yay is due to a great MonDAY! Hallelujah, it was long, but really fun! First off, you all know my love for Starbucks (Coffee in general) right? But today. Starbucks. FO FREE? I LOVE YOU EVEN MORE! (Actually it wasn't free, but the awesome small spunky boy, my new amigo ringing me up, only charged me $.50) Thats right. FIT-Y CENTS. Ultimate Success.
The second thing I got for free today was.........
PADRE TICKETS TO OPENING NIGHT! PTL! We got them through work (Its really paying off to be a social worker) and took a couple kids with us. It was a total blast. We won like 15 to something! (I don't really know baseball and we bounced slighty early to miss traffic) Mind you, we did NOT succeed in the parking arena before the game, touring around downtown for literally an HOUR before we finally parked at the convention center for only $10. Praise the Lord. You know I was prayin'.
What a day of free things. Gosh, what could be better?! I'm so blessed. : D
This week is turning out to be quite busy, but after a somewhat "crisis call" tonight from one of my girls, I was realizing I need to keep my eyes open. God always brings opportunities when I either feel most tired or most attacked. I must be prepared to give an answer for the hope that I have! If anyone has any suggestion on books/articles on how to reach this youth's generation with the Gospel I'm all ears. I got to give her the salvation message tonight (Or at least a botched version of it) and told her to read Romans. [Lord, reveal Yourself to her tonight through Your Word, Amen]
Well I love you all. Yep, all of you. Some that I talk with everyday and some I haven't seen in like 5 years. May God bless your individual lives whereever you are and for whatever you do. God has placed each of us specifically where we are at, so dwell in the midst of us, Lord! Man, What a God we serve. :)
"But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings." Malachi 4:2
Peace Out.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Friday Nights Can Be Boring
Its perfectly ok to not do something fun on a Friday night.
Why?
Because you just worked 40 hours and you're tired? Yeah. Its okay. Lots of cool people don't do incredibly amazing, exciting and fun things on Friday nights too. Phew! Now that we got that settled...
This weekend is going to be busy! Bridal showers, baby receptions, and Bed Bath and Beyond... I mean. ;) But seriously, I have like 62 parties scheduled for these next two months (ok...mayyybe not) but somewhere around that. However I love reasons to celebrate so I'm not complaining! Tomorrow night is a cocktail bridal party... CHEERS! In a couple weekends, its my roommate's bridal shower and I'm really getting stoked for that. We have a killer theme.
Sunday will include church and coffee with my little sis. That will be just delightful. I'm excited to spend some time with the Lord too this weekend between all the showers and receptions.
Exciting News though: My work got free tickets to the Padres Opening Night on Monday and we get to go with some of our kids! Today we found out and I was like giddy! I couldn't stop saying "YAY!" Obviously, I'm looking forward to Monday. :)
Made another Target run today. So unnecessary, but had some time to "kill" or some money burning a hole in my pocket. Either way.
On to the weekend! Lets make it memorable! Readyyyyy. GO!
Why?
Because you just worked 40 hours and you're tired? Yeah. Its okay. Lots of cool people don't do incredibly amazing, exciting and fun things on Friday nights too. Phew! Now that we got that settled...
This weekend is going to be busy! Bridal showers, baby receptions, and Bed Bath and Beyond... I mean. ;) But seriously, I have like 62 parties scheduled for these next two months (ok...mayyybe not) but somewhere around that. However I love reasons to celebrate so I'm not complaining! Tomorrow night is a cocktail bridal party... CHEERS! In a couple weekends, its my roommate's bridal shower and I'm really getting stoked for that. We have a killer theme.
Sunday will include church and coffee with my little sis. That will be just delightful. I'm excited to spend some time with the Lord too this weekend between all the showers and receptions.
Exciting News though: My work got free tickets to the Padres Opening Night on Monday and we get to go with some of our kids! Today we found out and I was like giddy! I couldn't stop saying "YAY!" Obviously, I'm looking forward to Monday. :)
Made another Target run today. So unnecessary, but had some time to "kill" or some money burning a hole in my pocket. Either way.
On to the weekend! Lets make it memorable! Readyyyyy. GO!
Monday, April 5, 2010
oVeRsTiMuLaTeD
What A Day. Phew!
It was long, sort of uneventful in the middle of it and ended with WAY too much chaos. Community Meetings. Lots of kids. Lots of kids' kids. One word: Overstimulated.
I am now sitting here in COMPLETE silence, with the TV on mute, debating what to do. I'm starving. Want to read my bible. Want to read Harry Potter. but don't. want. to. move. Oh. And should go to the gym. Ughh.
One thing I love about sitting here, in the silence, is that God brings peace in the s i l e n c e. A good, necessary dose of it. With the chaos of work, kids (not my own but they feel like it...and after tonight, I can WAIT to have my own), bills, errands and just LiFe, God's peace washes over me as I sit here.
Wave...after...wave.
Thank You, Oh Lord, for letting me rest in the Shadow of the Most High.
Psalm 91:1-4
My Refuge and My Fortress
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler."
It was long, sort of uneventful in the middle of it and ended with WAY too much chaos. Community Meetings. Lots of kids. Lots of kids' kids. One word: Overstimulated.
I am now sitting here in COMPLETE silence, with the TV on mute, debating what to do. I'm starving. Want to read my bible. Want to read Harry Potter. but don't. want. to. move. Oh. And should go to the gym. Ughh.
One thing I love about sitting here, in the silence, is that God brings peace in the s i l e n c e. A good, necessary dose of it. With the chaos of work, kids (not my own but they feel like it...and after tonight, I can WAIT to have my own), bills, errands and just LiFe, God's peace washes over me as I sit here.
Wave...after...wave.
Thank You, Oh Lord, for letting me rest in the Shadow of the Most High.
Psalm 91:1-4
My Refuge and My Fortress
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler."
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Thankful
What an Easter! Church, some light reading, shopping and a 7.2 EARTHQUAKE? [Thankfully our house is still standing] Could it get any crazier? Not really. ;)
But ya know, I'm very thankful for a few things today. I was realizing that what I really enjoy about Easter (and holidays in general) is the time with my family. Considering I don't have a family of my own yet, it can get lonely with my family spread out and about 500 miles away. Right now...my parents are in Hawaii on vacation and most of my brothers are in school in Northern California. I miss them all.
Even though I am reallly looking forward to having a family someday and making mad target runs, buying lots of chocolate, doing easter egg hunts and reading my children cheesy/awesome stories with props about The Resurrection, I am thankful first and foremost to my Savior and Redeemer. Without the meaning of today, I really don't know what I would put my Hope in. Because of what was done for me on the cross, I put my Hope in Him. From what I've learned in this life...people are pretty messed up. It must take a pretty Perfect God to put us back together and thankfully, we have one.
Oh Praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead!
I am thankful.
But ya know, I'm very thankful for a few things today. I was realizing that what I really enjoy about Easter (and holidays in general) is the time with my family. Considering I don't have a family of my own yet, it can get lonely with my family spread out and about 500 miles away. Right now...my parents are in Hawaii on vacation and most of my brothers are in school in Northern California. I miss them all.
Even though I am reallly looking forward to having a family someday and making mad target runs, buying lots of chocolate, doing easter egg hunts and reading my children cheesy/awesome stories with props about The Resurrection, I am thankful first and foremost to my Savior and Redeemer. Without the meaning of today, I really don't know what I would put my Hope in. Because of what was done for me on the cross, I put my Hope in Him. From what I've learned in this life...people are pretty messed up. It must take a pretty Perfect God to put us back together and thankfully, we have one.
Oh Praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead!
I am thankful.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Apparently...
Stress is bad.
Who knew? It leads to sleepless nights, headaches, crazy dreams, colds, and cold sores. The antibiotics can take away the cold sores, but not the stress. Unfortunately.
Reasons I could be stressed?
Work.
I don't really have a crazy personal life of drama at this point in my life (which is a HUGE blessing) and I have a wonderful family (of whom are really far away) but my job, isn't exactly a stress-free environment (as I know most jobs aren't). Social Work though, I think is in the same category of Doctors. MD's help heal the body. Social Workers try to heal the soul. Key word being, try, but as most Christians would know...People need Jesus, not other people. I get caught in the trap sometimes (ok often) that I can help heal people by giving them lots of Jackie. Actually all of me. Jackie can bring a smile, laughter and maybe some relief for a time, but Jesus can bring Healing, Life and Redemption for all Eternity. Hmmm.
Yes, Self Care is important... I know this from working a day in this field, but apparently my body is telling me to "TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!" and PRAY. HARD.
I will De-Stress by:
*Spending Time With My Maker
*Praying For My Kids, NOT Worrying
*Hitting The Gym
All of these, I hope to accomplish tonight. Ok...I better get going on my list! :) If you think to, pray for me and that I would be committed to giving the people around me Jesus, not just jackie.
Goodbye Stress!
Love, Jackie
Who knew? It leads to sleepless nights, headaches, crazy dreams, colds, and cold sores. The antibiotics can take away the cold sores, but not the stress. Unfortunately.
Reasons I could be stressed?
Work.
I don't really have a crazy personal life of drama at this point in my life (which is a HUGE blessing) and I have a wonderful family (of whom are really far away) but my job, isn't exactly a stress-free environment (as I know most jobs aren't). Social Work though, I think is in the same category of Doctors. MD's help heal the body. Social Workers try to heal the soul. Key word being, try, but as most Christians would know...People need Jesus, not other people. I get caught in the trap sometimes (ok often) that I can help heal people by giving them lots of Jackie. Actually all of me. Jackie can bring a smile, laughter and maybe some relief for a time, but Jesus can bring Healing, Life and Redemption for all Eternity. Hmmm.
Yes, Self Care is important... I know this from working a day in this field, but apparently my body is telling me to "TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!" and PRAY. HARD.
I will De-Stress by:
*Spending Time With My Maker
*Praying For My Kids, NOT Worrying
*Hitting The Gym
All of these, I hope to accomplish tonight. Ok...I better get going on my list! :) If you think to, pray for me and that I would be committed to giving the people around me Jesus, not just jackie.
Goodbye Stress!
Love, Jackie
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Well, Hello There
What a great way to end the weekend.
The doctors office.
Who would have thought? I made an appt tonight and after a "quick" walk back from Ken Cafe with my iced vanilla chai latte and a stop to my bestie's house for the second Harry Potter book, I made my way over to Kaiser. Not usually something I'm pretty stoked about, ya know, the doctors isn't like the place to be on a Saturday night or a relaxing Sunday evening event...but let me tell you! I've never had a better experience.
The doctor's name was Muhammad Ashori. Now don't tell me that kind of makes you nervous. Nothing against the Middle East (shout-out Venish!) but there's something comforting about having a name that sounds familiar. Well, all of this was out the window the second this incredibly gorgeous Arabic/White man walked in the room. It was one of those times you think... so glad I'm not in here for something like: HIV status results or anything more awkward than the common cold... but needless to say... What a guy! He was beautiful!
AND ridiculously sarcarstic and hilarious. I proceeded to tell him about northern california kaisers and why they don't share records, he responded with "bastards." Then I was telling him about my job and he responded with "Yeah, so you totally have like the easiest job ever. No stress at all." We ended the visit with him telling me to email my primary female doctor with this exact email: "Dude, Get me some refill meds or I will shank you." "We respond well to threats. Us doctors, we're actually total wimps." Muhammad Ashori, I love you. You're Totally Wicked.
Ah, well I am feeling better (after M Dawg Ashori ;) and am getting myself pumped for Monday. You just have to be ready. Its like, if you walk into the office at 9am not 100% prepared, you're setting yourself up to fail. I like to be prepared.
Hope I get sick again really soon,
<3
The doctors office.
Who would have thought? I made an appt tonight and after a "quick" walk back from Ken Cafe with my iced vanilla chai latte and a stop to my bestie's house for the second Harry Potter book, I made my way over to Kaiser. Not usually something I'm pretty stoked about, ya know, the doctors isn't like the place to be on a Saturday night or a relaxing Sunday evening event...but let me tell you! I've never had a better experience.
The doctor's name was Muhammad Ashori. Now don't tell me that kind of makes you nervous. Nothing against the Middle East (shout-out Venish!) but there's something comforting about having a name that sounds familiar. Well, all of this was out the window the second this incredibly gorgeous Arabic/White man walked in the room. It was one of those times you think... so glad I'm not in here for something like: HIV status results or anything more awkward than the common cold... but needless to say... What a guy! He was beautiful!
AND ridiculously sarcarstic and hilarious. I proceeded to tell him about northern california kaisers and why they don't share records, he responded with "bastards." Then I was telling him about my job and he responded with "Yeah, so you totally have like the easiest job ever. No stress at all." We ended the visit with him telling me to email my primary female doctor with this exact email: "Dude, Get me some refill meds or I will shank you." "We respond well to threats. Us doctors, we're actually total wimps." Muhammad Ashori, I love you. You're Totally Wicked.
Ah, well I am feeling better (after M Dawg Ashori ;) and am getting myself pumped for Monday. You just have to be ready. Its like, if you walk into the office at 9am not 100% prepared, you're setting yourself up to fail. I like to be prepared.
Hope I get sick again really soon,
<3
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Working overtime and loving it.
Gosh, its a weird feeling to come home to an empty house. Who likes that in general? (If you live with roommates) But you would think after a long, tiring, weekend I would be stoked! Well...its nice and quiet
...but I miss my kids!
What a crazy realization that I am 100% fully and completely in the perfect job. For how long? Who knows! But I absolutely L O V E these transition age youth. I love everything about them: their stories, their jokes, their ghetto-ness, their smiles, their tears, and their hearts. I spent all weekend with 'em. I miss 'em already.
To sum up a very FUN. AMAZING. and EXCITING week/weekend, I went up to Sacramento for a youth conference about advocacy! The organization is California Coalition for Youth and I'm thinking about applying to sit on their board of directors. I took 2 of my kids from my program and both were stoked to go. We laughed, we sat in conferences, we saw some KiNgs play, we sat in jacuzzis, swam in the pool, walked to the Capitol, talked with Marty Block and other legislative staff, ate lots of food, and spents lots of quality time. I usually meet with my kids (on average) once a week with maybe a phone call in between because they are college kids and for the most part, pretty self-sufficient. Therefore, I was kind of nervous (is that the right word?) about having so much time together. Its like...you either gonna love 'em or you're gonna hate 'em by the time the conference is over....and I. just. freaking. love. them.
My girl I brought was pretty clingy to me and at first, I have to admit, I was kind of annoyed. Then... it dawned on me. She really wanted to hang out, she wanted to talk and tell me all about her, she wanted love, she wanted attention, she wanted guidance. She wanted more of me. It was really interesting to watch this all play out but let me tell you, after a 4 hour conversation last night following the many others... I think all the beans got spilled. :) Tears. Laughs. and God made all that over-time worth it. Its like adrenaline starts pumping through my veins when people start letting walls down. I get this surge of LIFE and energy and PASSION and it feeds me. I. love. people. I love loving broken kids! I will never stop loving them! They need love. Real. Love.
After notes back and forth during seminars about God. Questions. Concerns and Long Conversations of me explaining that God is the only thing that can filling our longing souls for love, relationships, intimacy, our weekend ended with her telling me on the plane today that she stayed up last night "reading the same thing you probably were. The bible" (I showed her mine and told her to start in John)
...I don't think I can describe the eternal reward for this moment but the tears are filling my eyes now as I pray for her delicate, torn heart to be pieced back together by The One and Only Healer of all.
...but I miss my kids!
What a crazy realization that I am 100% fully and completely in the perfect job. For how long? Who knows! But I absolutely L O V E these transition age youth. I love everything about them: their stories, their jokes, their ghetto-ness, their smiles, their tears, and their hearts. I spent all weekend with 'em. I miss 'em already.
To sum up a very FUN. AMAZING. and EXCITING week/weekend, I went up to Sacramento for a youth conference about advocacy! The organization is California Coalition for Youth and I'm thinking about applying to sit on their board of directors. I took 2 of my kids from my program and both were stoked to go. We laughed, we sat in conferences, we saw some KiNgs play, we sat in jacuzzis, swam in the pool, walked to the Capitol, talked with Marty Block and other legislative staff, ate lots of food, and spents lots of quality time. I usually meet with my kids (on average) once a week with maybe a phone call in between because they are college kids and for the most part, pretty self-sufficient. Therefore, I was kind of nervous (is that the right word?) about having so much time together. Its like...you either gonna love 'em or you're gonna hate 'em by the time the conference is over....and I. just. freaking. love. them.
My girl I brought was pretty clingy to me and at first, I have to admit, I was kind of annoyed. Then... it dawned on me. She really wanted to hang out, she wanted to talk and tell me all about her, she wanted love, she wanted attention, she wanted guidance. She wanted more of me. It was really interesting to watch this all play out but let me tell you, after a 4 hour conversation last night following the many others... I think all the beans got spilled. :) Tears. Laughs. and God made all that over-time worth it. Its like adrenaline starts pumping through my veins when people start letting walls down. I get this surge of LIFE and energy and PASSION and it feeds me. I. love. people. I love loving broken kids! I will never stop loving them! They need love. Real. Love.
After notes back and forth during seminars about God. Questions. Concerns and Long Conversations of me explaining that God is the only thing that can filling our longing souls for love, relationships, intimacy, our weekend ended with her telling me on the plane today that she stayed up last night "reading the same thing you probably were. The bible" (I showed her mine and told her to start in John)
...I don't think I can describe the eternal reward for this moment but the tears are filling my eyes now as I pray for her delicate, torn heart to be pieced back together by The One and Only Healer of all.
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