Kitty Love

Although these are some old pictures, they are adorable, in my opinion, as well as some of my favorites.. We originally had three cats, one boy, two girls, but the two girls had kittens last year, and two of the four who survived were given to friends of ours, and the remaining two kept.

There's just something about a kitty, all cuddly and warm, that can lift a person's spirits. Their purr brings smiles to all, their coziness and ability to lounge around on our laps brings comfort, their soft fur and mischievous eyes bring joy and happiness. Of our five cats, my favorite was the black male, Licorice. Before he ran off as a tomcat, I could sling him over my shoulder, bury my face in his neck, and he would be purring louder than a freight train, perfectly content. To all our kitty lovers out there-enjoy your pets today!

~Simply Jen

Compassion International

Compassion: Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it.

International: Extending across or transcending national boundaries

    What would the world be like, if we had international compassion, for everyone?
Think on this for a second.

One way to help give the world international compassion is to start with the children in foreign countries, and here's one way how.
  
 Compassion International is a program that helps the needy children in foreign countries. For several years, my family sponsored a boy in Ecuador. His family situation was desperate, he was privileged to be able to go to school, hardly ever smiled. Through the years we sponsored him, we were able to "watch" him grow into a young teenager through his correspondence of letters...were able to see him through the pictures he sent, some with the items he purchased from our birthday and Christmas gifts of money...were able to learn about his home life, his family, his favorite things, and what meant the most to him. And in our last few photos, we received pictures of a smiling, happy preteen, and that was so meaningful to us, to know we were able to help put that smile on his face. We were able to help him grow in Christ as well.
  
      Since he has left the Compassion program, we are now sponsoring another young boy also from Ecuador. Since he is just learning to read and write, his older sisterhelps him by reading and writing his letters, that are translating into English for us by a Compassion translator. We received his first letter yesterday, and on the back he drew us some sweet pictures that we really enjoyed.

So many out there are needy...so many children are registered on Compassion International-waiting for a sponsor to accept them and to help pay for their educational, meals, and etc. It breaks my heart to see all those children listed on line; some have been waiting for over six months; some about to age out of the system, and have yet to receive help; some have AIDS and other diseases, badly in need of financial support for the medical needs.

Here's the link to Compassion International, and I pray if God touches your heart, if you feel the need to sponsor a needy child, that you will respond with earnestness. May God bless you.

http://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/default.htm

~Simply Jen

Guitar Help

To all the guitar players out there, hello! I've been teaching myself (with the help of my guitar-pro brother), but i can't seem to figure out the strumming pattern for Teardrops on My Guitar by Taylor Swift. If y'all know the patt, or a place to find it, your help would be appreciated!
~Simply Jen

Sunsets

There ain't a single thing in this world that touches my soul quite the way a sunset does. All of the golden, pink, purple, and blue hues just soul my heart, and set my soul on fire for God! Last night after chores, I climbed up to the awning roof, where I simply stood in awe of all the beauty around me-the golden clouds, the majestic blue of the sky, the glorious colors! I suddenly felt the urge to sing-to praise God. And praise I did! From the Star Spangled Banner, to Come Thou Fount, to How Great Thou Art, I praised my God with all of my heart, soul, and voice, breaking the silence around me, enjoying the peace of the farmyard and of my heart. What sets your soul on fire for God? For you it may be sunrises and sunsets, like me; or your family, friends, animals, helping others, baking, or handcrafts. Whatever it may be, I encourage you to find what sets your soul on fire for God, and I pray you will find it and embrace it with all of your being. May God bless you, and be near you always.
~Simply Jen

Keeping Cool

It's not exactly rocket science, but isn't as easy as it sounds. For our goats, we blow fans on them, make sure their water troughs are clean (especially since SimplyChele's chickens love to stand in the goat's water), and keeping their bedding clean. As for people, I don't know bout y'all, but it's been so hard to get motivated in this heat! The barn needs cleaned...house could use a de-clutter...bread needs made...and etc. We try and swim each day, but the pool is usually as hot as the air, so it's almost suffocating in all honesty. We're big on Pop-sicles and sweet tea, but nonetheless it gets HOT. What are some way's y'all keep cool?
~Simply Jen

Back to the Barn

What with all the rain, I haven't been at the barn for a few weeks-and I've missed it! Today is my first day back since all the rain and wet, and I can't wait!
Well, got to go!
Simply Jen

Rummage Sale!

Whew, last thursday through to yesterday I was in Dolen working our Church Rummage Sale to help fund our mission trip. We're having it again this Friday and Saturday at Unity Baptist Church in Dolen, Texas, and feel free to drop by and browse our goodies!

Next week, SimplyChele, Farmboy, and PapaScaife are headed to preteen camp with an armful of youngsters, with plenty to keep themselves busy with-one way or another. Then two weeks after, SimplyChele, Simply Jen, SimplyNrae, and a few teens from our church are headed off on our Mission Trip with TeamEffort in Arkansas!
Sooo, I've got some chores left to do, some lists to write, ANNNNDD a goat to milk, so I'll write more later.
God Bless,
Simply Jen

Birthday!!!

It's my birthday!

Birthdays always get me thinking, especially about how many years I've lived on this earth, although it doesn't seem possible at times. Have you ever thought about how life flies by so fast? It's hard to think that it's actually July-when it seems as if January was only yesterday. That's why it's so important to live life to the fullest-to make impulsive choices, like dying your hair purple...having delirious, chocolate-covered, Dr. Pepper-drenched Saturday nights with your best friends...crying over a sweet, sad movie...laughing till your sides are KILLING YOU when you watch "I Love Lucy" reruns-and never forgeting what it means to be an Christian. Life is too short not to be yourself-so BE YOURSELF!!! You're awesome just the way you are-no matter what other people tell you.

Live live to the fullest: I want you to live like you were dying, as if there was no tomorrow-and dream as if today would never end. This, is my blessing and prayer for you.

God Bless!
~Simply Jen

P.S. Check out the new link above in my Link Space called "More Beautiful You".

Learning the Guitar

Hey y'all!
  This past week I've been working on learning the guitar-and I'm doing awesome! There's just something ever so comforting and peaceful about strumming a chord on the guitar, no matter what tempo or strum pattern-and it soothes my soul. I've played piano since I was a little girl, and I definitely am better at guitar than I ever was at piano, even though I've only played guitar for about a week. Amazing, when someone finds one of their true talents, an area they can really shine it, every sees it. Everyone can tell they've found a true joy, a true happiness, because it's written all over their face, for the world to see. That's how it is when I strum my Daddy's guitar, a big black Yamaha. Have you found your true talent? The thing that makes you shine and be truely vibrant? If not, I encourage you to do so, for you will be ever so glad when you do. =)
~Simply Jen

I Can Only Imagine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XaYXEPfGFs


This is one of my favorite songs.Whenever I'm doubting...having a rough day...needing comfort...or just for a reminder of God's promises, I listen to this song. I pray it will speak to you and bless you heart.
~Simply Jen

Leadership Lab

Leadership Lab; that was such a fun time last week! Dances for two of the thee nights, challenge games, a banquet, D-9 Officer Elections, fun with friends, and a lifetime of memories. On the Sharp Thinkers dance night, people who wanted to dressed up like nerds. =P We had a contest for it, and I was the First Place Best Dressed Nerd. The day we had a banquet where awards were handed out, and I was awarded the "Most Likely To Be On The Runway!" I was so excited, I didn't stop smiling that whole night! At the Talent Show that evening, me and my best friend danced Triple Swing to "I'm In" by Keith Urban, swiveling and doing the tuck-in-turns and twirling and doing the walks-an-kicks, we had a blast! We were so excited when the judges said we placed first! I learned several new challenge games and ice breakers, and gained many new and wonderful friends. I'm planning to attend the one-day Leader College in August, hopefully see all my new friends again, and have a blast. My favorite part of Leader Lab was the dances, and staying up half the night eating chocolate and Chex Mix while acting delirious and being completely girley, I had soooo much fun! To all my D-9 friends out there, THANK YOU!
~Simply Jen