As quoted by my mother, "Okay guys remember, The family that works together, plays together."
This is just one family motto I heard growing up in a household of four crazy and ornery children. My mom was a single mom for a good deal of my life, she was passionate about instilling in her children independence and self sufficiency. We learned to rely on each other and work hard so we could play hard. Hence the family motto. I can still remember living in our ranch house in Texas and as the hustle and bustle of getting up and ready for school lead to us running out the door where my grandpa was waiting to drive us to school my mother would yell from the kitchen I love you and "Make good decisions!". Believe me when I tell you that it really and truly takes a village to raise kids. Between my mothers wisdom and love and my grandparents love and compassion, the four of us have had the opportunity to have almost everyone of our family speak into our lives at some point. I am the person I am today because God put me in the family I was meant to learn from. My grandfathers and dad have showed me the meaning of hard work and endless amounts of faith, my grandmothers have taught me the meaning of loving unconditionally and standing your ground as a woman of faith. My mother has shown me true wisdom and the integrity and character a woman of God should posses. I say that to say, all of that...hard work, has lead to this... time to play.
I am married and living in another state away from my family, my support system. My conditioning from my family, church family, and friends has given Ryan and I the opportunity to actually enjoy this season of our life and not stress out about it. we are working with great organizations and companies in our careers and school and can sit back and actually smile and relish in the newness of this place. Every day here reminds me of a saying or an inside joke or a life lesson I have had in my past and I am truly grateful for those moments. The past two weeks Ryan has started his classes and Marching band camp gave us a run for our money, I am starting another guard position in Jefferson City and we are pretty swamped, lets just say we are a family that is definitely working together. I am loving every minute of it.
Take stock of the hard work stuff. Remind yourself of what you've been taught by your peers and let yourself learn from them, because the pay off is that you will get to play and be joyous!
Remember, "Make good decisions!" you will be rewarded.
Jade
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Singing is believing...
It has been six weeks since I posted last.
Columbia is full of surprises and new people. When Ryan and I decided to move here we immediately started praying for "our" people; the people we would meet and form relationships with here. We specifically prayed for people in each area of our lives; job, school, church, etc... I have been patiently and expectantly waiting for these friends to show there faces, and little by little we have met them. A confident, always smiling manager at work, a calm and respected director at the university, and a room full of young couples praising God at a small group on a Sunday night.
Recently I was in my prayer time and was asking God for provision; clients at work, a part time job for Ryan, and I began to pray about our purpose here. You see, I believe that Ryan is going to get his Masters here in columbia for a reason, not just for school or work related reasons but we are here in this time of our lives for a purpose, I began praying that I would not miss even a moment of this journey. Most people on a journey only think of the great things that are going to come from it, all the great highlights and awesome experiences they will have. I already know God has planned those experiences out for us and I am totally ready to live those out, but I realized I wasn't just praying for those situations, I was actually praying for the hard stuff, the stuff that requires patience and wait in the in-between times of the good stuff. I realized that I need to soak up, absorb every second of this journey...not just the good ones.
I say this to say that each person that God has placed in our lives up to this point has been at the exact time I needed a reminder that my prayer was being answered. On a day at work when I was frustrated at weird clients, and new systems I received a smile and a sweet comment from said manager. In a moment of uncertainty and some self doubt said director calmed my nerves by being confident in my answers as the new guard instructor. Sunday night, I was missing my family desperately and as a prayer time and worship time came together at small group a new friend came and sat next to me to pray with me about my new life here.
Tonight is Thursday, a day when Ryan and I would anxiously await 7:00 to go to the church and meet with our family, our praise team, "our people". We would confidently take the stage and worship with these people, bearing our hearts and souls to God and each other in a way that I don't know if I'll truly ever experience with other people. We are in a new world here, amongst new people and where I was once comfortable on a stage and in front of people have experienced somewhat of a shyness. Funny thing is the song we are learning in the new praise band is Oceans by Hillsong, the very song our old band learned after we left, and yet we are learning with our new people. As uncomfortable as I felt this evening on a new stage the words were again an answered prayer, and I remembered my prayer about taking in every situation not just the good ones...
These words are my prayer,
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever you would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith would be made stronger
In the presence of my savior
So I will call upon your name
And keep my head above the waters
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in your embrace
For I am yours and you are mine
Singing... Is truly believing, my heart tonight is that you can know that even in the small moments, the waiting moments, the difficult or uncomfortable moments, that God is with you. He's guiding you in a way you can never imagine and every second of every day he has a purpose for you, even when oceans rise. So sing.
Columbia is full of surprises and new people. When Ryan and I decided to move here we immediately started praying for "our" people; the people we would meet and form relationships with here. We specifically prayed for people in each area of our lives; job, school, church, etc... I have been patiently and expectantly waiting for these friends to show there faces, and little by little we have met them. A confident, always smiling manager at work, a calm and respected director at the university, and a room full of young couples praising God at a small group on a Sunday night.
Recently I was in my prayer time and was asking God for provision; clients at work, a part time job for Ryan, and I began to pray about our purpose here. You see, I believe that Ryan is going to get his Masters here in columbia for a reason, not just for school or work related reasons but we are here in this time of our lives for a purpose, I began praying that I would not miss even a moment of this journey. Most people on a journey only think of the great things that are going to come from it, all the great highlights and awesome experiences they will have. I already know God has planned those experiences out for us and I am totally ready to live those out, but I realized I wasn't just praying for those situations, I was actually praying for the hard stuff, the stuff that requires patience and wait in the in-between times of the good stuff. I realized that I need to soak up, absorb every second of this journey...not just the good ones.
I say this to say that each person that God has placed in our lives up to this point has been at the exact time I needed a reminder that my prayer was being answered. On a day at work when I was frustrated at weird clients, and new systems I received a smile and a sweet comment from said manager. In a moment of uncertainty and some self doubt said director calmed my nerves by being confident in my answers as the new guard instructor. Sunday night, I was missing my family desperately and as a prayer time and worship time came together at small group a new friend came and sat next to me to pray with me about my new life here.
Tonight is Thursday, a day when Ryan and I would anxiously await 7:00 to go to the church and meet with our family, our praise team, "our people". We would confidently take the stage and worship with these people, bearing our hearts and souls to God and each other in a way that I don't know if I'll truly ever experience with other people. We are in a new world here, amongst new people and where I was once comfortable on a stage and in front of people have experienced somewhat of a shyness. Funny thing is the song we are learning in the new praise band is Oceans by Hillsong, the very song our old band learned after we left, and yet we are learning with our new people. As uncomfortable as I felt this evening on a new stage the words were again an answered prayer, and I remembered my prayer about taking in every situation not just the good ones...
These words are my prayer,
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever you would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith would be made stronger
In the presence of my savior
So I will call upon your name
And keep my head above the waters
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in your embrace
For I am yours and you are mine
Singing... Is truly believing, my heart tonight is that you can know that even in the small moments, the waiting moments, the difficult or uncomfortable moments, that God is with you. He's guiding you in a way you can never imagine and every second of every day he has a purpose for you, even when oceans rise. So sing.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
First of all...
This week has been my first official week as a resident of Missouri. I can hardly say I am surprised at the things that have happened thus far.
As I said in a previous post that my ministry is speaking Truth and beginning relationships with people in order to show the love of God by being an example, I just so happen to style hair and make people feel beautiful in the process. In the 7 months I have been a hairstylist I have had the privilege of meeting the most amazing and diverse group of people. From the people I have had the opportunity to work with and the people I have had the opportunity to work for I can honestly say it is an honor to be in the exact will and purpose that God has for my life.
The breakdown...
I have been on the hunt for a salon to work at since we decided to move here. The salon I was really looking forward to is a corporate salon and from what I've heard is fairly hard to get hired if you don't have much experience. I just so happened to walk in and talk to a lady while we were here looking at houses about the job. She gave me the number of the manager who contacted me within 15 minutes. I spent 5 weeks talking to a woman who had never met me or seen any of my work only to be hired on Wednesday at my interview. In fact, the General manager had already been told that I would be hired and I feel as though they have been looking forward to hiring me since the beginning. My first day at work and my first haircut the lady sitting in my chair asked if I went to church. I said yes. She proceeded to tell me she had recently been baptized and had started serving in her church here in columbia. She invited me to her church and also told me some good radio stations I should listen to. I knew that I was meant to meet her and then I had this overwhelming peace. I knew I was in the right place at the right time.
The right place...
Today we visited the first church on our list of churches to attend. Ironically the pastor spoke from Acts about the new church in its infancy and how passionate the disciples were back then. Even more ironic the book I'm reading "Sun Stand Still" by Steven Furtick and the devotional I am doing from my YouVersion app are both mentioning the same book. As I listened to the pastor and thought of the other lessons I had previously read this week I came to what I call an " ah-ha" moment. Think back to the book of Acts. The disciples repeatedly spoke of Jesus' second coming. They set themselves headlong into the midst of all the most controversial places to speak the gospel, they had a passion, intensity, and urgency that most people only wish to have these days. They spent three years with Jesus as his best friend, like family. And when he promised to come back they believed him, like family, which gave them the drive they had. I spent four years in a church that truly showed me who Jesus is, these people were influential in my growth as an heiress in Christ. Now that I am on my own, as God has lead us to be, I have that same intensity, that same urgency. I know he is coming back, I know what he has done for me and it is my responsibility to say something...
Somehow I know with a certainty I have never had that we will grow and thrive here like we have never done before because I am seeking Christ like never before. The passion and urgency I have has a unique peace and calm behind it. I know that I don't have all the answers but I know that I shouldn't have all the answers. So stay tuned...
As I said in a previous post that my ministry is speaking Truth and beginning relationships with people in order to show the love of God by being an example, I just so happen to style hair and make people feel beautiful in the process. In the 7 months I have been a hairstylist I have had the privilege of meeting the most amazing and diverse group of people. From the people I have had the opportunity to work with and the people I have had the opportunity to work for I can honestly say it is an honor to be in the exact will and purpose that God has for my life.
The breakdown...
I have been on the hunt for a salon to work at since we decided to move here. The salon I was really looking forward to is a corporate salon and from what I've heard is fairly hard to get hired if you don't have much experience. I just so happened to walk in and talk to a lady while we were here looking at houses about the job. She gave me the number of the manager who contacted me within 15 minutes. I spent 5 weeks talking to a woman who had never met me or seen any of my work only to be hired on Wednesday at my interview. In fact, the General manager had already been told that I would be hired and I feel as though they have been looking forward to hiring me since the beginning. My first day at work and my first haircut the lady sitting in my chair asked if I went to church. I said yes. She proceeded to tell me she had recently been baptized and had started serving in her church here in columbia. She invited me to her church and also told me some good radio stations I should listen to. I knew that I was meant to meet her and then I had this overwhelming peace. I knew I was in the right place at the right time.
The right place...
Today we visited the first church on our list of churches to attend. Ironically the pastor spoke from Acts about the new church in its infancy and how passionate the disciples were back then. Even more ironic the book I'm reading "Sun Stand Still" by Steven Furtick and the devotional I am doing from my YouVersion app are both mentioning the same book. As I listened to the pastor and thought of the other lessons I had previously read this week I came to what I call an " ah-ha" moment. Think back to the book of Acts. The disciples repeatedly spoke of Jesus' second coming. They set themselves headlong into the midst of all the most controversial places to speak the gospel, they had a passion, intensity, and urgency that most people only wish to have these days. They spent three years with Jesus as his best friend, like family. And when he promised to come back they believed him, like family, which gave them the drive they had. I spent four years in a church that truly showed me who Jesus is, these people were influential in my growth as an heiress in Christ. Now that I am on my own, as God has lead us to be, I have that same intensity, that same urgency. I know he is coming back, I know what he has done for me and it is my responsibility to say something...
Somehow I know with a certainty I have never had that we will grow and thrive here like we have never done before because I am seeking Christ like never before. The passion and urgency I have has a unique peace and calm behind it. I know that I don't have all the answers but I know that I shouldn't have all the answers. So stay tuned...
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Here's What I Know...
So many emotions ran through my head as I listened to the message at Your Place Church this morning. I knew I had to write about it. This blog is a spontaneous one in which I feel the need to share the same message my pastor spoke today. I know I have to, because I am living proof of this message.
History...
Four years ago as the church was getting started Ryan and I attended our first life group at YPC (Your Place Church). The life group was lead by Stephanie and Jerry Webster, it was called legacy. We learned about what it meant to lead a spirit filled life in which your relationship with God is not a one way relationship, it is in fact, a give and take. I will never forget the moment I realized that God really is for us, he's not a God who just watches from the sidelines and doles out lessons when we make mistakes. I sat back as we read Deuteronomy and listened to what it meant to be blessed or cursed. God wants to rain down blessing on our lives! The curse unfortunately came about because man took ourselves out from under Gods protection and sin was the consequence. I sat quietly pondering, " so if I stay under Gods law, walk in his plan for my life, I can just HAVE all of these amazing things!?" And so it began...
The journey...
Four years of learning how to live with God at the forefront of my marriage, finances, career, relationships, and servant hood has lead to the knowledge, the wisdom, that I am truly and unabashedly blessed. I don't say this to put others down or make others feel less, it has really taken hard work and many hours of prayer on my knees to come this far. One of the first changes I made was to end my career at North Eastern State University as a science major and begin my eleven month trek into a career as a hairstylist. I was not in Gods plan or purpose for my life Asa a science student. He wanted me to be with women and some men every day ministering and speaking, and most importantly listening, to their lives. In the last two years in school and as a stylist I have had the opportunity to speak God given life into more people than I have at any other time in my life. It's because I have CHOSEN to life the blessed life. I have not earned or deserved any of the blessings in my life up to this point, but I did make a decision. The decision to live by Gods Living Word has made this life a reality. My husband and I do not live off of credit cards, both of our vehicles will be paid for in less than two months, have a house we can afford, our bodies do not get sick or injured anymore, we continually receive life giving advice and love and support from our families and friends. We have been redeemed from poverty, sickness, and living a life of unfortunate events that leads to no eternal salvation.
Here's what I know...
Four years ago this message resonated with me in every way imaginable, today as I listened to it from my pastors mouth, two weeks before we move to Missouri to start a new life, God has brought Ryan and I full circle. We know the truth and it has set us free, how can I not share a message that has been so vital in how I see and live my life today?! My career is ministering to people, I just so happen to fix their hair in the process. My friendships and relationships is ministering to people, I just so happen to love and respect these people with all that I have within me. My marriage is my ministry, I just get to live life with my best friend. Serving in my community and teaching teenagers is my ministry, I just so happen to enjoy being young at heart and goofing off with the next generation of leaders.
All of this to say, here's a podcast... Go listen to it. God has a plan and purpose for your life, listen to what he has to say...
http://yourplacechurch.com/media.php?pageID=28&
History...
Four years ago as the church was getting started Ryan and I attended our first life group at YPC (Your Place Church). The life group was lead by Stephanie and Jerry Webster, it was called legacy. We learned about what it meant to lead a spirit filled life in which your relationship with God is not a one way relationship, it is in fact, a give and take. I will never forget the moment I realized that God really is for us, he's not a God who just watches from the sidelines and doles out lessons when we make mistakes. I sat back as we read Deuteronomy and listened to what it meant to be blessed or cursed. God wants to rain down blessing on our lives! The curse unfortunately came about because man took ourselves out from under Gods protection and sin was the consequence. I sat quietly pondering, " so if I stay under Gods law, walk in his plan for my life, I can just HAVE all of these amazing things!?" And so it began...
The journey...
Four years of learning how to live with God at the forefront of my marriage, finances, career, relationships, and servant hood has lead to the knowledge, the wisdom, that I am truly and unabashedly blessed. I don't say this to put others down or make others feel less, it has really taken hard work and many hours of prayer on my knees to come this far. One of the first changes I made was to end my career at North Eastern State University as a science major and begin my eleven month trek into a career as a hairstylist. I was not in Gods plan or purpose for my life Asa a science student. He wanted me to be with women and some men every day ministering and speaking, and most importantly listening, to their lives. In the last two years in school and as a stylist I have had the opportunity to speak God given life into more people than I have at any other time in my life. It's because I have CHOSEN to life the blessed life. I have not earned or deserved any of the blessings in my life up to this point, but I did make a decision. The decision to live by Gods Living Word has made this life a reality. My husband and I do not live off of credit cards, both of our vehicles will be paid for in less than two months, have a house we can afford, our bodies do not get sick or injured anymore, we continually receive life giving advice and love and support from our families and friends. We have been redeemed from poverty, sickness, and living a life of unfortunate events that leads to no eternal salvation.
Here's what I know...
Four years ago this message resonated with me in every way imaginable, today as I listened to it from my pastors mouth, two weeks before we move to Missouri to start a new life, God has brought Ryan and I full circle. We know the truth and it has set us free, how can I not share a message that has been so vital in how I see and live my life today?! My career is ministering to people, I just so happen to fix their hair in the process. My friendships and relationships is ministering to people, I just so happen to love and respect these people with all that I have within me. My marriage is my ministry, I just get to live life with my best friend. Serving in my community and teaching teenagers is my ministry, I just so happen to enjoy being young at heart and goofing off with the next generation of leaders.
All of this to say, here's a podcast... Go listen to it. God has a plan and purpose for your life, listen to what he has to say...
http://yourplacechurch.com/media.php?pageID=28&
Sunday, May 12, 2013
New beginnings
Today is Mother's Day. I find it funny that at 28 years old this is the first year I had people hug me and say to me, "happy pre Mother's Day!" ( it's like they want me to have kids or something, haha). Talk about a new step in life! Although kids are in the plans it will be a bit, however, Ryan and I are taking the first big step in our marriage.
For the last 4 1/2 years I have embarked on a path that I was all too ready to take. Yes, I met Ryan on Eharmony, but I am convinced that God would have connected us in some way at some point because we are meant for each other. I have chosen to follow the path that as a child I knew I would take and as a young woman strayed from often. God, in his infinite love and patience for me, kept leading me back to the truth.
My third date with Ryan he took me to band practice with him. I sat in what is now a four year old thriving church in Mayes County in a metal chair and watched my future husband and my future friends and basically family praise God. The sound booth was a tiny box fit for one, about forty metal chairs, and about ten people who walked and talked with a passion and intensity I hadn't experienced in a very long time. I knew I was starting on a new path that very moment. The Holy Spirit, a very still small voice in my heart at the time started to speak at a volume I hadn't experienced since I was a child. I was being pulled by every limb of my body, every thought in my mind, and every song in my heart by my God. It was so refreshing. Prodigal daughter meeting daddy for the first time, In a long time. These people would watch me literally grow into a young woman. These people, these laborers, have breathed life back into this woman.
Darian and Tyra Rains have been an unwavering example of true to the core husband and wife in love with each other and in love with God. They continually show what a marriage and parenting and leadership can fully be when you choose to include God in your life. Stephanie and Jerry Webster have been a quiet and constant pillar for Ryan and I to look to and depend on. Becky and Mike Orange have been in the trenches learning and caring for each of us young families growing in the church. Annie Ledoux is the closest thing to an idol I could have, her voice, her passion, her mothering is a true statement of how God can change a person from the inside out and catapult them to serving and loving people the way they need to be loved. Zac and April Orange and Shaw and Laura Montgomery I have felt have been in our shoes every step of the way and I can't tell you how proud I am to be experiencing life with these couples. I feel as though Hunter and Katie Dillard need a whole blog just of their own because of the mark they have left on our life. Hunter has truly been the best friend a person can have in every way imaginable, he is a perfect example of a Godly man. To one of the most wonderful friends a girl could have, Katie Dillard showed me what a woman of God who doesn't settle or waver in any way can be. Lastly, Rachel and Drew Strange, I can't begin to describe what this woman has meant to me. My best friend, my rock, my sounding board.... She has more wisdom and passion than I could wish for and I hope to be half the woman she is. There are so many people in this life, I can't even count. God has been very good to us.
As we take this next step in our lives, I know we will find the next set of " family" to lean into and grow with. My life is exponentially better having these people and God working in it. My prayer for these amazing people is that they continue to bless other young couples and be blessed for their hearts and minds. If I can display even a portion of this love and generosity that they have shown Ryan and I, we will be truly grateful and blessed because of it.
We plan to pray hard and pray through with and for the people currently in our lives and the people God has planned for us to meet. New beginnings are to be had.... It is a bittersweet excitement, one that I plan on enjoying and learning from. There's no looking back now!
For the last 4 1/2 years I have embarked on a path that I was all too ready to take. Yes, I met Ryan on Eharmony, but I am convinced that God would have connected us in some way at some point because we are meant for each other. I have chosen to follow the path that as a child I knew I would take and as a young woman strayed from often. God, in his infinite love and patience for me, kept leading me back to the truth.
My third date with Ryan he took me to band practice with him. I sat in what is now a four year old thriving church in Mayes County in a metal chair and watched my future husband and my future friends and basically family praise God. The sound booth was a tiny box fit for one, about forty metal chairs, and about ten people who walked and talked with a passion and intensity I hadn't experienced in a very long time. I knew I was starting on a new path that very moment. The Holy Spirit, a very still small voice in my heart at the time started to speak at a volume I hadn't experienced since I was a child. I was being pulled by every limb of my body, every thought in my mind, and every song in my heart by my God. It was so refreshing. Prodigal daughter meeting daddy for the first time, In a long time. These people would watch me literally grow into a young woman. These people, these laborers, have breathed life back into this woman.
Darian and Tyra Rains have been an unwavering example of true to the core husband and wife in love with each other and in love with God. They continually show what a marriage and parenting and leadership can fully be when you choose to include God in your life. Stephanie and Jerry Webster have been a quiet and constant pillar for Ryan and I to look to and depend on. Becky and Mike Orange have been in the trenches learning and caring for each of us young families growing in the church. Annie Ledoux is the closest thing to an idol I could have, her voice, her passion, her mothering is a true statement of how God can change a person from the inside out and catapult them to serving and loving people the way they need to be loved. Zac and April Orange and Shaw and Laura Montgomery I have felt have been in our shoes every step of the way and I can't tell you how proud I am to be experiencing life with these couples. I feel as though Hunter and Katie Dillard need a whole blog just of their own because of the mark they have left on our life. Hunter has truly been the best friend a person can have in every way imaginable, he is a perfect example of a Godly man. To one of the most wonderful friends a girl could have, Katie Dillard showed me what a woman of God who doesn't settle or waver in any way can be. Lastly, Rachel and Drew Strange, I can't begin to describe what this woman has meant to me. My best friend, my rock, my sounding board.... She has more wisdom and passion than I could wish for and I hope to be half the woman she is. There are so many people in this life, I can't even count. God has been very good to us.
As we take this next step in our lives, I know we will find the next set of " family" to lean into and grow with. My life is exponentially better having these people and God working in it. My prayer for these amazing people is that they continue to bless other young couples and be blessed for their hearts and minds. If I can display even a portion of this love and generosity that they have shown Ryan and I, we will be truly grateful and blessed because of it.
We plan to pray hard and pray through with and for the people currently in our lives and the people God has planned for us to meet. New beginnings are to be had.... It is a bittersweet excitement, one that I plan on enjoying and learning from. There's no looking back now!
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