Sunday

It is Sunday, and a lovely day at that. I woke up to a sky with beautiful, rain-filled clouds against a backdrop of heavenly blue; to a gentle breeze, scattering my curls across my face, and making me smile; to my animals letting me know, it is definitely time for breakfast. And now, as I munch on buttery bagels and begin to get ready for church, I can't help but feel  peace.

   
Where I live, we are stuck in the midst of a drought--and nothing could make me happier than a welcoming rain. A few areas in town received a steady downpour, and I cannot wait until it is my turn to receive such a blessing! A healing rain, that is what our world needs. A rain that will nourish the earth from its dry, cracked state, and bring us joy and hope of things to come.

   -Simply,
         Jen

Winter

 

I don't know about y'all, but I sure am ready for weather like this again!! 

I'm ready to wake up to frosty lawns, chilly bedrooms, and hot cocoa. 

I'm ready to see my breath when I walk outside to do chores.

I'm ready to anticipate Christmas, and maybe even a few inches of unlikely snow!

 I'm ready for all that Winter reminds us of, ready for those old memories to sink in and be relished,

but even more so, I'm definitely ready to create some of my own :)

Are you ready for Winter?

-Simply,

 Jen

Gracie Barra

Latest results from training at Gracie Barra Magnolia. (excuse the phone sticking out of my suit).

Feel free to make it to the mats for some great training, team building, and most awesome work out you've ever experienced :) let me know if you're interested!

-Simply Jen

A Glimpse Inside of You

I've lately been discovering my gift of writing. Here is one of the poems I recently wrote, I hope y'all like it!!

A Glimpse Inside of You

A Glimpse inside of you is a gift,

a Treasure not forgotten.

  This Gift grows and transforms into

Thoughts, Wonder, Dreams.

                   

                    With each Thought my mind forms a question,

    burning with desire to be

voiced.

   

With each Wonder, a gentle stirring

begins inside, with hints of 

      feelings and curiosity, shy to be

expressed.

And with each Dream, my heart

        grows fonder, gently luring me to fall

more in love,

 with you.

And all of this began with just a

Glimpse, inside of you.

I wrote this keeping in mind what it's like to meet new people, to make new friends, and to learn more and more about people you know. Hope y'all liked it :)

-Simply Jen

The Beginning of Something Special

 

Throughout August, I will try to post one picture a day, perhaps with a short story or explanation to the picture. It will be the beginning of Something Special, that's what I'll call the new series. 

Above is a picture of my BJJ belt, with my last promotion a few months ago. I thought the basket and tomatoes complimented it nicely :)

Have a great day!

-Simply Jen

Time to Live

      Oh my goodness, how time flies! How we get soo caught up in life, we forget to live-and blog. Life has been very busy lately, what with Lifeguard training, Jiu-Jitsu, farm chores, and the over-all stress of Life. Lately, it has been easy to get caught up in the world, caught up in the things we strive to complete each day, caught up with goals to fulfill, caught up in making the next successful move. It gets crazy! Then we find time, and actually stop and think. Wait, isn't there supposed to be more to life? More than running around stressful?
            Yes; life is so much more. I have to stop every now and again, and remind myself of this very thing, that I am here on earth to LIVE. Not to survive the stress of life (although that may help :P), but to LIVE! To rejoice, to get in a good day's work, to be proud of what I have accomplished, but also, to know I have made my Father in Heaven proud of who I am. Proud of His servant, sharing love to neighbors and friends, helping a person in need, and taking time to tell Him what an Awesome God He is! To enjoy digging in a small patch of earth, pulling weeds and smelling flowers. To enjoy the brawny work of cleaning a barn, to feel the sweat down my back as I live in the sunshine. To enjoy a dance or two in the kitchen, baking biscuits or cookies, with my mom. To simply Live out Loud!
      There is so much more to life than we can imagine. I've decided, it's time to focus on living. Not on accomplishing a to-do list, not on worrying about what happens next or where I need to be in an hour, but on Living a Life for Christ. On showing others His love, and developing a relationship with Him. On growing in my faith, on giving Him my utmost, my trust, my entire being.
     It's time to Live. Are you ready?
Love y'all,
   Simply Jen

Leadership Lab

One of the beautiful views of SHSU, I had such a wonderful time  at Leadership Lab! I made tons of new friends, memories, and learned so much. I also learned that Meterology fascinates me :) Well, i have to go, but will blog more later!
-Simply Jen