YBP retreat fun...

I LOVE Big Purple band kids!!!
So, the annual YBP retreat was this weekend, and I must say, it was beautiful. I definitely worked some muscles that I hadn't worked in quite a while and got my share of bumps and bruises, but it was all worth it.

My random thoughts from this weekend:

I wonder if my class will ever learn that cheaters never prosper... * If you want to miss out on a day or two, just take some benadryl * I can enjoy pick-on-Jesiree time as much as the rest of you * Balloons in the freezer don't freeze, but they do get icky spit crystals * Being attacked and tied up in your own sweatshirt is not cool...who am I kidding? It's actually kinda fun * "If you think male percussionists are hot..." are you kidding me? Who do you think I am...of course! * Just because I'm little doesn't mean I'll shrink * Juniors kick butt at basketball * Teresa didn't fall for Ben, therefore Ben should shave his legs * There should never be a piano in any room at retreat...it's just wrong * ...

Thanksgiving followed by Black Friday this week...oh the joys of retail. Then, next weekend, Christmas Social...yay for Oplin and cowboy hats!!! I'll probably think of something else to say later, but this is it for now.

Be blessed in the Lord in all you do!
With much love,
Jezz

To live for Him...

So Monday night I had an on-call shift (which basically means I have to call before the shift to see if they need me in) at ae. I was hoping and praying that I wouldn't be called in because I had a Comm Law test on Tuesday. I called and, of course, had to go in at 6. Needless to say, I was a little overwhelmed and stressed...almost had a breakdown by the GATA fountain. I got to work that night and worked on shipment for most of the night. I became really upset around 6:30 when there were three of us there, and I felt as though I was the only one really doing work. So, I took my boxes of shipment to the back stockroom and turned the radio on to KGNZ. As I was ripping open plastic bags and sizing women's underwear, I was reminded of Colossians 3:23

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,"

Ouch...blow to the ego. For the rest of the night, I could not longer dwell upon the fact that I was there, working when I didn't want to be anymore. I couldn't half-heartedly go about work doing only the things my manager would see just to make it look like I was actually accomplishing something. Instead, I had to work for the Lord.

But isn't that how it is in every part of life. We (or at least I do) try to please everyone else, to do things that they'll notice for our own gain. But what does that profit us? What does that bring us in the end? Only a sensitive ego that has to be fed every six minutes or so...and who needs that?

So I'm challenging myself to live every day...every moment...as though I'm living it for the King. After all, He's the only one we should be trying to please. Colossians 3:24 goes on to say:

"since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

That sums it all up, I guess. To Him be the glory forever and ever!

Be blessed today and always,
Jezz

Rainy days and Mondays...

So, this rain...it's killing me. I'm just not a fan of the dreariness, the wetness and the dirtiness that results from the rain. Not to mention, the uncontrollable weather-related mood shifts. I hate them...I want to be in a good mood, but the stinkin' sun doesn't shine for a few days, and it's like I don't know what pure joy is. But, the things is, I do know what pure joy is. The emotional/spiritual undulation that results from the gray skies is nothing more than the clouding of my view - the forgetting of what is true and real. You see, when I get like this, I usually am forgetting the fact that the Lord should be the source of my joy. I'm forgetting that He is my strength and my song and that He rejoices over me in singing...that's awesome! Granted, it's still rather difficult for me to get through the dreary days. But to be reminded that there's something (someone) greater than the clouds above me and higher than the heights that seem to close me in...that's when I can be thankful - be joyful.

To not get lost in my puddles of self-pity, self-doubt and yuckiness...

Be blessed today in all you do!
Jezz

And the award goes to...

We get the award for best crowd response...they laughed, alot!

So, it may not have been artsy, or about getting engaged, or had lots of jump cuts (which for those of you that aren't jmc nerds like myself...those are bad), or it didn't have really bad lighting...at least it made people laugh (because it was supposed to).

I'm gonna go contemplate fire now. Maybe I'll get in touch with my artsy fartsy side...probably not :)

Jezz

Candid...

Coming to grips with the reality that: I can't see the plans of forever or know each moment called now. Instead, the story of my life is read in time...I can't know before it's time to know. Only the Lord can see the plans of forever. He sees passed all I see. He knows much more than I will ever know. Yet, He still cares for me. And, in that I can find His insurmountable love that transcends all other love. It's the love of a Father, Creator, Friend and Lover...one that penetrates even the hardest of hearts and the weariest of souls. To the tired, the lonely, the broken down; the scared, the anxious, the fearful; the one who is me: the arms of the Father, the Creator, the Friend, the ultimate Lover are beckoning. Find comfort in the Almighty, the Peace-speaker. Let Him be your strength when you are weak.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." ~ Matthew 11:28-30

Sometimes I need to preach to myself...to remind myself that He is good.

Be blessed today,
Jezz

It's okay...

"And you said I know that this will hurt/But if I don't break your heart then things will just get worse/If the burden seems too much to bear/Remember: The end will justify the pain it took to get us there" ~ "Let it all out" by Matthew Thiessen from the album MMHMM by Relient K (go buy it!!!)
Seems to be the theme for the weekend for me...or at least in relation to me and the world around me. I've had to let go of some things, and let the Lord take over. Let Him break my heart and tear out those things that shouldn't be, because He has a cause for something greater - beyond what I can see and comprehend right now. Oh, it hurts. It's that pain that really and truly breaks your heart; when you feel it physically...But to trust in God in this: He makes all things beautiful in His time. This is a part of His process of creating a masterpiece, a work of art, called me (and you). He's refining the silver...you are the silver. He "puts the heat on;" let's us go through the struggles and sometimes, even rips a few things out. But only to make it more beautiful than before. And, even better, in the end, we find His reflection in ourselves. So, it's okay to hurt. And it's okay to let go. Sometimes you just need to take those things that plague you, pull them out, and release them for your hands...open your hand and watch it fly away. It's good for the soul. I'm excited to see what the Lord will do now...

""I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." ~ John 16:33
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. " ~ Romans 8:37

So with that said...I probably just witnessed one of the most *ahhh* moment...the posting of this year's wind ensemble. I never knew that it would be so competitive and so heartbreaking this year, but it was for many people. I just wish it didn't have to be this way...

Anyway...Christmas social is around the bend...I'm gonna need a date...gah FilmFest premiere/awards night is Friday. I hope we did well. And, if not, at least I had tons of fun in the process!

Be blessed in the Lord today and in all you do!!!
Jezz

Glue stick continued...

So, here's the continuation of the glue stick thing. That half inch at the bottom is the central part, the core...it's what holds the whole glue stick together. If there's not a substantial base to the glue stick, then when you twist the bottom and try to use it, it would break. Then, how much of the glue stick would you waste.

*Note: The same concept also applies to chapstick, erasers on mechanical pencils or pencils in general, deodorant and things of that nature

But since that stability is there, you can use it. You can spread it out across paper (or whichever medium of your choice,) and it wouldthout stick. It would serve its purpose. The same can be applied to your (and my life). With that substantial base - the core foundation, that part of you that is the essence - you can't really, effectively fulfill your calling. You need to know who you are...moste of who you are accompanied by that which you are rooted in importantly, who you are in Christ, before you can truly step into that place where He has set aside aside for you. Not saying that He wont' use you until then, because He will. But there has to be a firm foundation in truth. Think of the plastic encasement at the bottom of the glue stick as Christ...your mold:

"So God created man in His own image,
in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them. " Genesis 1:27

He encompasses you and shapes you into the person He desires you to be (of course, if you let Him...) From that center core is the extension of you...the glue stick that you can use! You're able to go whichever way you please. But if that core is secure and firmly grounded, encased in the Lord, then you're most likely going to stay within His ways. Sure, there's a possibility that you could break off or become a bit misshapen, but we all make mistakes. He keeps us grounded, locked in place with Him. There is blessed assurance in that...

Be blessed today,
Jezz

Glue sticks...

Have you ever noticed that when you think you've used up all the glue stick, there's still about half an inch left embedded in the plastic part that pushes the glue stick upwards when you twist the bottom? Now, if you will, imagine with me all the glue sticks at your local Wal*mart...with that little excess of embedded glue, how many more glue sticks could be made? There has to be a better way!!! Let's conserve the glue...okay, maybe not. But, then, one day I thought: what if they made flavored glue sticks? Non-toxic of course. Because, we all know that little kids eat glue...some big kids do to. I guess it wouldn't be a hot idea, since it would probably encourage the consumption of an otherwise inedible product. But, I still think it would be fun...

So, insert something deep and profound about life relating to glue sticks...I'll elaborate later, maybe...

The Incredibles...woo hoo!

Be blessed,
Jezz

What is this???

This is my update for all of you who say I don't update...

Ahh...sadies week, yes...tomorrow is the beginning of "it all." Thursday through Tuesday-Sadies madness...I don't know my thoughts and feelings about it this year yet. I do know that last year I tried to go all out, but it didn't quite work. Life goes on... Frankly, it brings me back to the whole casual dating thing at ACU, but I really don't want to go into that right now. It's too long and drawn out and ugly...ask me about it; I may start ranting. Honestly, I'm really tempted to go into the whole dating situation thing right now and devulge lots of stuff :) (most of which many people already know by now, but, hey, what's the harm in the rest of the world knowing? whatever) But I will graciously decline and save for a later date, when I have more time to think things through a little more clearly.

ANYWAY...moving right along...singing my song...I'm gonna go study for my test that's tomorrow...you should send an e-mail or real mail (yay!), call my cell (I love phone calls and messages)...find me, talk to me...'cause you're cool.

Be blessed,
Jezz