30

Well, the Summer of Jenn has officially come to it's conclusion. My 30th birthday bash was a blast. I had over 55 people in my house and I was surrounded by so many people that I love. My friend from work, Eryn, came and got to meet all of my friends. My long ago friends Heidi and Jaclyn came with there husbands as did my bestest friend in the world, Christina! She came all the way up from Florida. She brought her crew so there were about 7 people that I didn't know there. My linkgroup came to represent and a ton of other Horizonites. My whole immediate family was there including my mom and dad! I am such a blessed girl to have such a community of people surrounding me. I know I am the woman I am because of there influence.
So many people have been asking me what it's like to be 30 years old. I don't really know how to answer them. I don't really feel any different. I am still passionate about the same things and still spend my time doing the same things. I have accomplished more than I could have ever dreamed by the grace of God. I am so curious to see how the next 30 years will play out.
Later
Jenn

check it out!

Ok sooooo...I have decided to journal about my Summer of Jenn on this new blog. Check it out...I'll be posting my activities in red by the list item and then journalling about the experience on summerofjenn.blogspot.com
Later people!

The Summer of Jenn

So, I have decided to deem this summer "The Summer of Jenn". "Kind of selfish" you say. Well really it is a title thought up by my linky co-leader, Ryan while talking about all the things I want to do this summer. I have decided, in "The Summer of Jenn" to do all the things I have always talked about wanting to do in a summer but just seem to continually put on the back burner. I want to try and experience/accomplish certain things this summer and want to include people to come join me as I work toward my goal.
I plan to kick the summer off with a planned event and end the summer with a big 30th birthday bash. Below is a list of the things I want to accomplish this summer:

Dinner Party at my house
Vacation by myself--I leave for the DR, Punta Cana on April 21st and will be staying there in an all inclusive resort for 6 days. I'm going by myself and am going to have a blast.
Road trip--woo hoo, I have the oppurtunity to go to NewYork with Shannon and Beth Ann for Beth Ann's Birthday on May the 18th and stay tll May 20th. Yeah! Roadtrip!
Camping
Day of Hiking --went Hiking on June 14th with Casey. Sweet time!
Party in my back yard --So Friday night June the 22nd I threw a huge party in my back yard. I invited everyone I had a number for and left the rest up to word of mouth. It was awesome!
Friday Night at the Italian Film Festival in Downtown Little Italy with Gelato from Vaccaro's --A bunch of us are going to the first showing on July the 6th...you best be believin' I'm gettin' me some Gelato, Hun!
Day trip to Annapolis
Day trip to DC to see museums??? etc. Yay!!! Jackie and I went to DC museums on Monday April 9th. My first Summer of Jenn activity! What a fun way to kick it off.
DC ZOO--On September 20th abunch of friends and I went to the DC ZOO! Yay!
Night at the Harbor including Federal Hill--Dan, Ryan, Jay and I went to the Harbor Saturday, August 4...we totally just goofed around! It was awesome!
Night at Bengies Drive-in- Fun!!, Saturday (June 2nd) they are playing Shrek the Third and Pirates of the Caribean, At World's End...back-to-back for $8. Bunch of people are going...I'm gonna have a corndog. Yay!
Red's, White's and Bluegrass Sunday's at Boordy's Vinyard 1-5pm, $10/person--so I have decided that I'm not going to drink anymore except maybe only with my husband (one of which, by-the-way, I don't have right now). So this one has to be cancelled from the list.

Learn to play the guitar
Eat Crabs
Weekend in Deep Creek
Roller Skating- looks like my neice is having a party at the roller rink in Severna Park on Saturday, May 5th. Fun with family!
Dining out at the Cheesecake Factory- My grandparents and Aunt Donna are in town and they want to go to the Cheesecake Factory. We are going to go this tuesday, April the 17th. Happy time!, my second Summer of Jenn activity.
Dining out at the Melting Pot-- Saturday, July the 28th a bunch of us went to the Melting Pot in Towson. Total Blast!
Ladies Sangria Night --can't do this one cause as of June 27th I'm not drinking anymore ...wanna know why...just ask me! I did have a regular ladies night on June the 10th. That was fun but I didn't take any pics.
Go shooting at a gun range
Picnic at Loch Raven Resevour
Read all of the Harry Potter Books-2 down/5 to go...
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
" and the Chamber of Secrets
" and the Prisoner of Askaban
" and the Goblet of Fire
" and the Order of the Phoenix
" and the Half-Blood Prince
" and the Deathly Hallows
Day at the Renessaince Festival and ride an Elephant
Trip to the Aquarium--Cassey and I went to the Aquarium during the day on the 19th of July. We had lots of fun and i got to see the new Australian exhibit. :o)
Coffee and Veggie Bagel at the Daily Grind
Grilled Cheese with Tomato and french fries at the Paper Moon
Rock Climbing-This is not an original Summer of Jenn activity but it was Melissa Hartley's idea and I have never done it before. Aaron, Melissa and I went on a whim this Sunday, June the 3rd...had a blast.
30th Birthday Bash!!!

Well, I am up open to any recommendations. I'll be callin' alot of you guys to "come-with" on some of these and I will check them off as I do them. Let me know if you have any ideas...help me fill out my summer. Later

Ignorant!

Ok...so I am involved in a learning cluster where I am learning more indepth about the New Testament... History, Politics, Geography...you know context and stuff.
In short, I believe that I am reminded, not just as I study but on a daily basis just how much I don't know.

Fike and Dana Band's "You Are There"

Speak to me; I am listening for your heart, Lord.

As the psalmist spoke, so I speak to you.

Teach me your soliloquy of your mercy.

I have held my own.

Now, I yield to you.

I know who you are.

I know who I am.

You’re the Son of God

You’re the Son of man.

All I want is just one finger to touch your robe.

All my life I’ve heard all these empty words.

In your eyes I see something more to me.

All I want is to get close enough to know you are there.

You are there.

Oh they laugh at me, but it has to be that your presence is the only thing that’s worth living for.

Oh they scoff at me.

It’s got to be that you’re better than just about anything I have sold you for.

I know who you are.

I know who I am.

You’re the Son of God

You’re the Son of man.

All I want is just one finger to touch your robe.

All my life I’ve heard all these empty words.

In your eyes I see something more to me.

All I want is to get close enough to know you are there.

You are there.

Speak to me I am listening. I’m your child.

Break the chains of all I see.

Speak to me come deliver me from exile.

Take the pain away, oh and set me free.

I know who you are.

I know who I am.

You’re the Son of God

You’re the Son of man.

All I want is just one finger to touch your robe.

All my life I’ve heard all these empty words.

In your eyes I see something more to me.

All I want is to get close enough to know you are there.

You are there.

Sorry this was a picture of me that I couldn't figure out how to post on my profile without deleting. I think I figured out how to delete it. Cause...well...it's gone. So....o.k. then!
Thanks for the comment though DCCowan...nice touch!:-)

Sin Vs. Sins

O.k. So thanks to the recommendation of my fabulous brother (Mark), the encouragment of my fantastic accountability partner (Rebecca) and the generosity of my wonderful linkgroup co-leader(Scott) I am now reading The Journey by Billy Graham. Yeah I guess it took that many people, a whole sermon series inspired by it and a span of 2-3 months for me to actually pick it up but regardless...It's on my night stand.
Anyway, mostly it is a book about a Christian's general journey of faith. Bill Graham brings the reader from a point of understanding that there is actually a God to ...well, I haven't finished it yet but I suppose to a life walking in faith and following Christ. It is very simple and an easy read. All stuff I have heard before and has served as a great reminder. However, I got to a place in the book where Billy Graham said something I had never heard before. Not that I have heard everything about Christinanity before but this book I had set in my mind to be about things I should know. And when I got to this point I was surprised and it got me thinking. Ok so this is what he said:

"When we use the word "sin," we usually think of our misdeeds-actions or habits we know are wrong. But those are specific sins, and they are the result of sin, the deeper spiritual disease that infects our souls.
Sin is the cause; sins are the effect. Sin is the tree; sins are the fruit. Sin is the disease; sins are the symptoms. Something is radically wrong with us-and that "something" is sin. Through self-discipline we might get rid of some of our sins, but our basic problem of sin remains untouched and untouchable, lurking just beneath the surface and ready to strike at any moment."

When I read this I was taken back by it. I guess I had never thought of the difference before. It is funny that I read this when I did, too, cause just this sunday Horizon Towson did communion. I always feel unworthy to take the cup and bread. I am reminded of Christ's death on the cross and just how sinful I am. The closer I am to God the more my sin is revealed to me...the more aware I am of my sinfulness.
I am in process in thinking about this...I welcome anyones feedback. Thanks