Hey y'all (as "Missy" as I can say it)
This week has been good. The Lord has given me the go-ahead on the task Mark asked of me. I will be speaking about how to honor God as a single person in 2 sundays as a part of a 4 part sermon series on relationships. I was hesitant because I fight with the idea of someone with out a gift or a calling standing up in front of people they don't know and speaking into thier lives. I have spoken with several people who I consider wise and was reminded that not only a gift and a calling give a person authority to speak into peoples lives in that capacity but experience as well (my brother's point). I suppose I do have experience as a single person trying to honor God. I am sure I don't have it nearly figured out or perfected but I am trying. Additionally, I am sure I have no idea what it feels like to be completely content in singleness. With a desire to marry, is that even possible? Content some of the time...sure! But completely content? What does that even mean?
I am siked about speaking now only because I feel like there are some myths I would like to "debunk". Like how some of the natural feelings that come with being single along with having the desire to marry are not "o.k.". Somehow feeling lonely sometimes, wanting to be desired or desire someone else became something that I have felt shame over. Why is that? It's o.k. to have those feelings sometimes. It's what you do with them. How am I honoring God with these feelings? Are these feelings overwhelming or distracting? Do they lead me to make unwise choices?
Anyway, just some thoughts as I prep.

Well, last night I painted. My living room is now Cajun Red...thanks to Clay and Allison Carver. (They recommended it) I have so much more to do.
Life is good. I am praying for guidance in regard to something my bro asked my pal Aaron and I to do one Sunday. Having feelings of inadequacy related to it....Is that vague enough! Hee Hee!! Buy me coffee if you are really curious.;-)
Link group is phenominal. It is growing and the people are blowing me away. There is so much I love about them all. I praise God for community.

Yay

OHHHHHH MY GOODNESS!! Christina is going to be staying with me during the summer for 3 whole weeks. YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited. Her and Ben will be bunkin in my house and hangin' out. I am soooooo excited to have them and I can't wait. I will be painting and decorating for thier arrival. Gizmo and George are excited too! Hee Hee.
I have been busy with life lately. I have been working alot of overtime to get my finances back to normal (after buying the house) and I am doin' alot of hanging out. Aaron, Scott, Rebecca and I have committed to getting together almost once a week to watch movies. Really, it's not the movies that are the appeal but the company and the really good conversation. I enjoy our hang out time alot. Well, more later...peace!

Moving the kitties and me!

My bro's helping me upload all my stuff! Aren't they cute?












This is George and Gizmo on the car ride over to my new place. They were so scared.












Some of the peeps who helped me move!














My living room!












Gizmo looking out the window!

O.k. So Christina has inspired me to blog again. We shall see how long I keep this up. Let's see...I bought a house. I moved in this last Saturday. Had lots of help and accomplished the move in 2 hours. It was sweet. So I have been in the process of unpacking. I went to turn in my keys at the old apartment complex yesterday and cried when I drove away. I have so many memories in that place. It really is an end of an era. Chris and I lived there for 4 years and Missy and I lived there for about a year...for a grand total of 5 years. Alot happens in 5 years. We got our kitties in that apartment, Chris got engaged on that porch, we've had 2 linkgroups multiply out of that apartment. I remember all the people that have come to visit us in that place, the Christmas parties and ladies nights. Oh the memories. It is a bitter sweet. Now to make new memories.

The house is awesome. It's old and a "fixer-upper" but so much fun. I tore up all the carpet to reveal great hardwood floors. My next project is my windows. Home owning is fun so far.
Well that is all for now...
Later
Jenn