Dear Friends......

Dear Friends,


I haven't written much lately, partly because I am busy doing life and partly because some of the things that require the most reflection are too raw and private for even "The Vulnerable Mom" to share.  It is a difficult season of life, and it has only been in continually seeking the truth of God that I am not drowning.  I spend a lot of time in my garden and with my "projects".  I have an air mattress in my closet and have made a "Mom Cave"/"War Room".  I print out affirming statements and Bible truths and post them on my walls. 


God is faithful.  Rachel is participating in a Worship in the Arts camp at Northland this week.  Justin attends church each week with his girlfriend, and Hannah during one of my "temper tantrums" piped up that "This sounds like the demons".  The girls join me in my "cave" and get me to laugh when I am down.  God has always provided the strength and resources that I have needed when times are rough and gives me blessed rest in between.


I wonder what my next step will be.  I want to do so many things, and sometimes God says, "Nope, you need to stop and be here instead."  I've been battling iron deficiency anemia for months now and after many, many tests, I still don't know why.  I know lots of things that I don't have and am so very thankful for that, but it is frustrating to live in the unknown. 


So, for now, I wait.  I do the next right thing, and pray that I am not failing miserably.  Sometimes, I feel so very confident and other times, I question myself. 


I am scared.  I know I shouldn't worry, but I am on edge, awaiting the next battle.  Fortunately, the "God of Angel Armies" is always by my side.  I do not need to fear. 


Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.


In Christ,
Jenny


P.S.   Come see Rachel sing!  Mark your calendar and come out this Friday, June 24 at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary at Northland, A Church Distributed to support the young artists as they lead us in a celebration of Christ as the Bridge to God. A love offering will be taken to support the Trauma Healing Institute in Central Florida in partnership with the American Bible Society. 
Trauma Healing Institute serves communities all over the world in the aftermath of tragedies. Your donation will go towards funding trauma healing trainings for leaders and facilitators to be held in Central Florida, following the recent tragedy at the Pulse Nightclub.

Jackson Heights Middle School Cheer Competition Routine April 2016

I Will Rise by Chris Tomlin

This is one of my favorite songs.  I realize tonight how much it is talking about the peace that comes in going to heaven.  My heart is heavy remembering some of my friends who have left this earth and knowing that loss will continue......This is for you....my distributed church in heaven.....love you all!

http://www.metrolyrics.com/i-will-rise-live-chris-tomlin-ml-video-dpg.htm

Chris Tomlin

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I Will Rise by Chris Tomlin

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say, it is well

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagle's wings
Before my God, fall on my knees
And rise, I will rise

Theres a day thats drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagle's wings
Before my God, fall on my knees
And rise, I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing  

Worthy is the Lamb

And I hear the cry of every longing heart

Worthy is the Lamb

And I hear the voice of many angels sing 

Worthy is the Lamb

And I hear the cry of every longing heart

Worthy is the Lamb

(You are worthy, You are worthy)

Worthy is the Lamb

 I will rise when He calls my name

No more sorrow, no more pain

I will rise on eagle's wings

Before my God, fall on my knees

And rise, I will rise, I will rise

Read more: Chris Tomlin - I Will Rise Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Have you ever said, "I just can't do this anymore!!!" ?

At our house a common phrase uttered by my husband and I (in thought and voice) is "I just can't do this anymore!!!". 


I remember a particular annoying phase my kids went through when they were young - pouring water on the floor.  They would go over to the refrigerator dispenser (at the time, ours didn't lock), fill a cup and pour it on the floor.  About two weeks later when I was at the end of my rope, the phase just ended.  I always remind myself that most aggravating phases last no more than two weeks.

Of course, my children are older now, but I still think that the roller coaster of hormones and emotions follows a similar pattern.  About when I think, "I just can't do this anymore!!!", the course will change and our relationships and behaviors as a family improve.  God is good!

"I can do all things through Him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:13

All in a Day's Work

So, my sister just resigned from her "job" to stay home full-time with her kids.  She was so grateful for this Sunday afternoon when her littlest little had a fever, and she knew that she was free the next day to take her to the doctor.  In fact, these "emergencies" are "all in a day's work" for stay-at-home moms.

Yesterday was the day back to school after Spring Break. I've been exhausted with the cold virus for almost 3 weeks, so the "ahead of things" has moved to the "behind again" stage.  Anyway, my youngest just turned 8 on Sunday, and being that it fell on Spring Break and Easter this year, we scheduled the party for this Saturday.  This, of course, leads to sending the invites out yesterday since they would likely get lost if sent before the holiday.  I forgot to send them in the morning, so this became priority #1 for the day.  I would finish them (since I discovered that I wasn't as far along as I'd thought) and bring them at lunchtime. 
Hannah had reminded me about the "bring cupcakes for my birthday" tradition the previous day.  It had somehow slipped my mind completely, and I wasn't sure how I was going to get these ready after a full day of church and family celebrations.  BIG thanks to my sis for sending home the leftover cupcakes, because given the choice, my daughter chose them as perfectly acceptable for fulfilling the task. 
The pressure was on, though, since I had to have lunch with her at 12:15 (or was it 12:05 or 12:19 - I literally forgot) and then leave and go directly to an appointment at 1:00.


Well.....I started this post last Tuesday....Here we are eight days later.....It's a Mom's life, all right.......

Discovery Cove

Since Justin is in Ireland and this isn't his thing, we took the opportunity to take the girls to Discovery Cove.  What a fun day!  Surprisingly, the dolphin encounter wasn't as scary as I thought it would be.  We even all kissed her! 

My cough was still lingering, and I am a total chicken, so I skipped the snorkel and mask, but enjoyed the Grand Reef from the shallow water.  Even the big stingray came up close!  The girls loved the snorkels and used them in the (nice and warm!) Wind-Away River with Steve.  After one trip around, I opted for a life jacket so I could just float. 

The aviary was so cool with lots of different species of birds and plenty of food to offer them.  We saw the marmosets in the Freshwater Oasis, but the otters were in hiding.  It, too, was wonderfully warm! 

The food, the experiences, everything included....we loved it!

Orlando Sentinel - Hagerty High Band Marches in St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin

Hagerty High band marches in St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin (Orlando Sentinel - March 17, 2016

Ireland Trip Pics



Marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parade



Blarney Castle




Howth

Ready to Perform!

Just a few of the awesome pictures we have received from Ireland.....Only a couple more days!!

Letting Go

So,the band is on its way. I am so excited for them! I am confident that this is going to be a wonderful experience for Justin, but truth be told, I am having major FOMO (learned that one from my little sis=fear of missing out). Of course, the lingering cough is not helping, so I hope tomorrow feels better. I did decide during one of my frustration fits today that I am awarding myself at least 3 badges for this "letting go"....... Praying hard....join me?

Evidence

I am so frustrated.  God has taken my voice.  Well, most of it, anyway.  My husband jokingly says that it's just more evidence that God is a man.  Ha.....Ha...

All kidding aside, what evidence of God have you seen?  Do you ever think that the interruptions in your life are orchestrated to put you in the right place at the right time?  Do you ever watch something in nature and think to yourself that someone MUST have created it?  Do you stand in awe of the circle of life barely able to comprehend it?  That's God.  That's evidence of His existence. 

Pay attention.  Your testimony is the data.  The data adds up.  You just have to be willing to collect it.

^{Romans 1:20} 

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Luke 19:40

 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Check out this awesome version of Ain't No Rock!

Spring Fever!

In Central Florida, Spring is whenever it feels like not being winter but isn't ready to be a hot and humid summer.  Winter has been fairly mild this year, so we have been having really nice weather for the last several weeks.  As with all of life's transitions, there are progressions and regressions, but for the most part, it has been continuously sunny and comfortable.  Temperatures are mostly in the 70's, dipping into the 50's and 60's at night and up into the 80's at the high point of the day.  I know....that's summer in the north....Here's another way to put it.....we're not sweating yet.....


So, wanting to be outside brings on the urge to landscape and garden.  This is going well except for the pollen.  You see, we all learned in school that Autumn is also called Fall for the falling leaves.  You know....weather cools off, leaves die and fall off, spring comes, they grow new ones...simple, right?  Not in Florida.  In Florida, the trees get confused.  Is it warming up or cooling down?  The result?  Cool Weather = Drop the Leaves.....Next Week, Warm Weather = Grow New Ones.....Repeat... 

The trees aren't the only ones confused.  The plants pollinate like crazy, and as a result, even people without allergies have allergies.....or maybe they have a cold or virus....After all, it's all the same season! 


With Spring, comes new life.  I personally am looking forward to starting a new count in the Spring- Babies born and lives saved.  I'm tired of the Winter.......Are you ready?!?

Eclessiastes 3

New International Version

1There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

4a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

6a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

Off to Ireland!

The Hagerty Marching Husky Band has been chosen to participate in the St Patrick Day parade in Dublin, Ireland. This is an extraordinary opportunity for our students to showcase their talents across the globe. It is exciting to have our exceptional high school, our small town of Oviedo,FL, and Seminole County Public School System represented on the European Circuit.   http://www.hagertyhigh.scps.k12.fl.us/
 
I like to say that when a person has a new experience, especially a difficult one, that he or she earns a "badge".  For instance, surviving the 1st day of kindergarten or the first sleepover will earn you a "badge".  It's a silly way to recognize and be positive about things that stretch us emotionally and/or physically. 


My brother-in-law earned a badge when he called the Citrus Bowl to find out if my sister would be able to bring her breast pump through security.  Another sister, who has little boys, is finding that she is earning daily badges.  One of her latest posts described a beautiful day picking strawberries that progressed to her picking goggles out of the toilet that her one year old had thrown in WHILE her three year old was peeing.  Gotta love the early years!


My brother and sister-in-law are working on their "before we have kids" badges, traveling and checking things like "take a hot air balloon ride" off of my brother's bucket list.  My little sister lives in a high-rise building on like the 40th floor, with like floor-to-ceiling windows in her bedroom.  I've never seen it and probably never will.  Definitely badge-worthy living, lol!


Next week will be a badge-earning experience for my family as we send Justin overseas with his band to play in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin, Ireland.  As a Momma that likes to keep her kids close, the thought of a whole week separated by an ocean is at least a little bit terrifying.   God continues to be faithful as we find that the Sheriff's Office is sending 3 officers along as a pilot program with the school system and that a mom we know and trust is his chaperone.  He is able!

In the meantime, I will remember the prayer I used to say nightly with my kids, "Mommy loves you, Daddy loves you, and Jesus loves you, and we're all watching over you!"  When Mom and Dad aren't there, God always is! 

Click below to see the band featured on Fox 35 Orlando.       

http://www.fox35orlando.com/good-day/104782953-video 

 

Theology, from a seven year old point of view

When Hannah got off the bus recently, she said she had been daydreaming about God putting her back before she was born.  She described the evil angel (Satan) and gave vivid details about her musings.  At school, she reports playing and drawing pictures where Satan (the evil one) controls things (usually horses) while whoever else she wants in the story watches.  Trust me when I say that while I can't always remember all the elements of her imaginings, I know that she's got the basic theology down.  Satan is bad and God is good.


Recently, our family seems to be in a season of trial.  One thing after another happens to cause us to either trust in God or abandon all hope.  We are choosing trust.  While God is gracious and gives us brief periods of rest, life is very unpredictable right now and I truly feel that we are in a period of testing. 


I told my girls the story of Job.  In the Bible, it tells us that Satan (a fallen angel) visits God in heaven and questions the loyalty of a man named Job.  By the way, the name Job has a "long o".  Anyway, Satan tells God that of course Job is faithful and loyal to Him;  he has been blessed again and again.  God agrees to allow Satan to test Job.  The only condition is that he cannot take his life. 


As the story proceeds, Job loses his livestock (financial), servants, and children, is covered in painful sores, and still praises God.  The remainder of the story is a conversation between Job and his friends lamenting and debating the "whys" of the situation.  Finally, God intervenes and calls Job from a whirlwind, asking him rhetorical questions.  Job is overwhelmed by the encounter, and God restores his health, wealth, and family. 

We've also been talking about the spiritual warfare that is happening all around us every day.  Hannah and I sometimes name the demons we think are bothering us as Frank Peretti does in his book This Present Darkness.  We claim the power of Jesus' name by saying (even very quietly) "In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to leave", and we believe that those demons are leaving.  I feel physical relief when I claim that power, so I can testify to this invisible battle.  We pray for the Holy Spirit and the angels to surround us and everywhere we go, and we feel protected. 


You see, I want my children to know where true power and protection come from.  I want them to know the difference between the truth of God and the lies of Satan.  I want them to know that even when we don't understand the "whys" and "whats", we have a God who does and who is working out HIS plan and HIS plan is always good in the end. 

Pinterest Picks: Palm Sunday to Easter

Can you put the events in order from Palm Sunday to Easter?

Thanks, SundaySchoolKids.com!

This arrangement of cups in the shape of a cross opens up a world of possible game variations for young and old alike.  Thanks for this cute idea, mamabeefromthehive.blogspot.com.au! 




Retell the Easter story!  Thanks to 1plus1plus1equals1.net for this fun how-to using resources from mywonderstudio.com!

Simple and sweet, this handprint craft symbolizes the hope we have from the cross.  Thanks to sassydealz.com for this cute idea presented in detail by craftymorning.com!

He is Risen!  One of my personal favorites, this tasty object lesson is easy to make and powerful in its message.  Thank you sweethomeclubmom.blogspot.com for instructions!



Available at EggloEntertainment.com

Thanks to MeaningfulMama.com for this cute idea !

For a free printable of this Easter story wreath, visit WeeLittleMiracles.com.

Here's another color poem relating jelly bean colors to the story of Easter.  Attach to a bag of jelly beans for a sweet treat for neighbors and friends.
Thanks, RachelWojo.com!



A Mom's Review: Imagine Dragons

 

Explanation of post:  As my sixteen year old son is a dedicated percussionist, it has been interesting to observe the dedication young people have to their music and how they use it to ponder life, deal with stress, bond with each other, and express their deepest feelings.  For that reason, as well as my own tendencies toward depression, I am intrigued by this band.  I have barely scratched the surface of information available, so this is only a tidbit and certainly deserves continued introspection and research.  Each individual's experiences and perspectives will affect their personal opinions and interpretations. 


The sermon at church last Sunday was entitled, "Understanding Our Natural Inclinations". As an illustration of this, the song "Demons" by Imagine Dragons was performed. This, of course, led me to think that I would like to look more into this band - who they are and what they stand for. So, I did a little research.....


        

1. Imagine Dragons came about when Dan Reynolds (vocalist) and Andrew Tolman (drummer) met at Brigham Young University in 2008.  At this time, the group was comprised of Dan, Andrew, Dave Lemke – bass guitar, backing vocals (2008–2009), Aurora Florence – piano, backing vocals, violin (2008), and Andrew Beck – guitar, backing vocals (2008).  They are an alternative rock band.
2. By 2009, Dan, Andrew, Daniel Wayne Sermon (guitar), Ben McKee (bass), Brittany Tolman (keys and backing vocals and Andrew's wife) had formed the band and become known regionally.
3.  After relocating to Las Vegas (Dan's hometown), the band recorded three EPs before the Tolmans left the group for other pursuits.  The band was joined by Daniel Platzman just before signing a record label deal.  Theresa Flaminio served in the role of piano and backing vocals from 2011-2012. 
4.  With the physical and emotional intensity of life on the road, the band members chose to spend a lot of their down time writing new music as a release for all of the ups and downs that come with such an experience. The music they created during this time period is an open window into the thought processes these young people went through. They are "baring their souls", so to speak.
5.  Dan Reynolds and Wayne Sermon are both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 
6.  Dan has openly spoken of his struggles with depression. 
7.  Sermon has chronic insomnia and often records songs during the middle of the 
8. The song "Demons" seems to reflect an awareness of one's weaknesses, or "demons".  The general consensus seems to be that the song represents a person who is in love with another.  The first feels overwhelmed by his own unworthiness and desperately wants to protect his love from the "demons" inside him.  In this sense, "demons" are a metaphor for any number of sinful or evil behaviors or tendencies.  The struggle, of course, is that love both wants to stay with the other and keep her from being destroyed.  Other interpretations exist for the lyrics, but most are variations on this theme.  See the link below for the lyrics to this and other Imagine Dragons songs.  What do you think they are trying to say? 

  

Is it appropriate for a church to play a secular song? I believe it is the epitome of what we are to do as Christians. When we are in tune with God, we see Him everywhere. Just as when you are focused on ANYTHING, it will all of a sudden seem to be everywhere, so it is with things of a spiritual nature. 

Are the members of this band Christians? I don't know. They don't proclaim themselves as such, although Dan and Wayne both have roots in spirituality.  I do see that they are actively reflecting and learning. They are teachable. They are young, and they are passionate. They are devoted to their music and to making that music say what they want it to say before they share it. That, to me, is a very definite sign that they are heading in the right direction. What will the future hold for these musicians? Great things, I hope. 

For more information:



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Reynolds_(musician)         


Dan Reynolds openly discusses his depression.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Wayne_Sermon
Imagine Dragons lyrics