Pondering Christmas...

Sometimes I think I secretly despise the Christmas season...
At least that's the thought that came to my head this afternoon as I raced around the mall, dodging people, and most importantly, dodging those awkward conversations with those long lost, perhaps, friends. Every year I think it gets worse for me. Bumping into so-and-so from such-and-such place and frantically searching my mind to come up with an inkling of a memory with which to reminisce...

Of course, I don't really hate the Christmas season...
I love the decorations, the lights...so sparkly. I love the songs, even if at any other time of the year I abhor them. I like the excuse to eat baked goods and candy. I like any excuse to eat those.

But then again, none of that is really what Christmas is all about.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Wednesday...

Mondays...
Why do we have the preconceived notion that Mondays are ugly? And, why when something ugly does happen on a Monday we simply blame it ono the day? I used to like Mondays, somewhat like them anyway...but then I started work. Mondays aren't pretty to me now. But, I don't understand why they can't be pretty.

Why I can't take the ugliness of what is perceived as the Monday blues and see it in a different light?

Of course, it's not going to be roses and caramel and chocolate and happy smiling puppies. But it can be, intentionally being nicer to others and not letting the Mondayness of the day get to me...I guess I'll have to wait until next Monday to see what could happen...

It's Tuesday...tomorrow's Wednesday...and LOST...I'm so excited.

And because it is Tuesday, I must get ready to head off into the real world where I will try to smile and catch up on lots and lots of work because my boss is gone.

Be blessed today,
Jezz

I don't just change my socks...

Every morning I:
wake up
crawl into the shower
become clean again
sit at the computer
check my acu mail
check my google mail
then check facebook...
There's always something new on facebook every morning. I'm not just talking about an updated profile or new pictures on my mini-feed, but the basic structure of facebook seems to be ever-changing.

That's kind of like my life right now...The basic structure is ever-changing. I don't know when it all really started, or where to flag the starting point. All I know is change has become a huge domino effect in my life for nearly a year now...one event right after another. It's really hard, really stressful, emotionally straining and heart-wrenching. But at the same time, it's not so hard. It's almost natural...at least most of it. Some of it I can't control, and if I could change things, I would have probably left them the way they were. But other things, the big things, the decisions that I had to consciously make that I agonized over...those...onced the decision was made, they fit. They made sense...and most of all, they don't hurt...they give me peace.

It's hard jumping over these hurdles right now...especially when you're afraid of what may come next. How big will that one be? Can I get over it? Or will fall flat on my face? I hope I can jump higher and run faster now...

Be blessed today...time to get ready for work.
Jezz

Goodbye money...

Last night, I bought a drumset...I like to spend my money, apparently.

That's all I really have to say...or at least time to say...

It's off to work I go.
Be blessed,
Jezz

I've become a real West Texas man...

I went the ACU football game last night. It was odd...maybe just for me. I got free season tickets to all the home games, yay...I just wish I liked football more. I mean, I like it, but it's not the sporting event of my choosing. My seats are right on the 50 yard line and in the midst of alot of old-er people...I'm just a little out of place, but I guess I should get used to sitting with the old folks... :( I don't think I've talked as much in a whole week since I've graduated than I did at the game. It was good for me to get out and see...people. I don't get enough of that. The barren halls of the sixth floor and the silence of my office aren't ideal environments for socializing...

Today is the beginning of the two-day Legends Dove Hunt fundraiser/event for the Children's Miracle Network. In preparation for this rustic event, I've never seen so much camo in my life...but I have learned much about shotguns, because I really needed to know about them. I'm just helping out with the preparation and registration this morning, so I won't have to sacrifice the weekend, which is nice, because I really need a weekend...short weeks are nice, but they really mess up your work schedule...too much to do, not enought time...the story of life.

It's about that time...
Be blessed,
Jezz

Blisters, burrows and blessings...

Today I walked around campus with Nathan. I exercised. That's quite a feat for me, if I do say so myself. In the process, I managed to get a blister on the back of my right heel because my socks were too low. ick. Oh well, at least I got out and conquered the unconquerable...or something like that.

So, work is going well. Lots of work to do...not enough time in the day...the usual corporate mumbo jumbo. I've become a bigger nerd though, that's for sure. But it's okay now, because it's expected and accepted. It's good that I scrutinize kerning and look at the source of websites. I even thought about making my own template for my blog...sad. I've always been a nerd. I guess I'm just taking my nerdiness to an all new high!

Speaking of nerd, I've had to push myself to not be so antisocial lately. (Bad segue, sorry.) It's not that I don't really want to be around people...it's just that I'm lazy and don't want to try...but I do all at the same time. The introvert in me is taking over...or at least trying to. Not that that's a bad thing. I know I just need to get out more...so if it seems like I've blown you off...I'm sorry. I really don't mean to. Unless I do. But you would probably know it if I was.

I've been digging myself into my own little burrow lately. Circumstances, trials and changes are most likely the catalyst. But, it's not the best thing for me to do. I want so badly to break out and be free again. I know I will eventually. But I will walk through the valley, to get to the next mountain top. I am truly blessed to be able to know that.

Be blessed today in all you do,
Jezz

Get this stuff off of me...

Some weeks just hit you hard, like nothing you've ever expected...everything piled up in a nice, neat heap...and messes up virtually everything in your world.

So now I'm buried. Underneath a pile of worries, fears and doubts, you will find me...trying to smile, but it's most likely not working.

So what do I do? I have to realize it's not my world; it's not my call. I can't control the trials that rain on my hapiness parade. Why? It's not my world. So I take it all in, process it...and then I have to decide what to do with it. (This is where God steps in and makes it better.) The processing isn't quite done yet, but on the other side, I know there's beauty within these ashes.

Blessings abound today...stop and see them.
Jezz

Welcome back...

I think I've forgotten that I had a blog...or maybe it was just laziness. I must admit, I miss bloggity blog blogging. And so this morning I make a vow to you, my one and only reader...probably. I will write on...
Starting later today.
Be blessed,
Jezz

Mornings aren't always my best friend...

I don't do mornings well-especially the span of time walking from my car in the far-away parking lot to my sixth-floor office. I start thinking, then it gets sad...lonely. Every morning I go through the shock of growing up all over again. What would I do different if I could go back to high school...or at least college? Could I do it differently? Why am I thinking about this? Looking back neever gets us anywhere...but short of what we could reach ahead.

Time to work...
Be blessed today,
Jezz

I am grown up...

It's been so long since I've posted that I forgot my username and password. I need to fix that.

I finally came to the realization that I am really and truly out of college. It was rough. I guess it never really hit me that I would never have the same experience of going to class, seeing my friends every day and just being "young." Oh well. Makes me sad, but it's okay...life does go on.

Work is doing great! I'd add details, but they'll probably just sound boring and mundane...and I don't want to bore you.

Abilene's starting to look lonely again...let's hope it doesn't get that way.

Be blessed tonight,
Jezz

Finally...an update...

Graduating on Saturday...whoop...
Have my last finals tomorrow...eek...
New LOST tonight...yay...
Time for a group meeting...no comment...

Be blessed,
Jezz

4 8 15 16 23 42...

So I was trying to figure out my multiples of four today because I needed to give myself a timeline for finishing 36 one-page bios by next Friday. I started at four in my head...and it went like this...
4 8 15 16 23 42
??? wait, I thought 36 was in there somewhere. So again:
4 8 15 16 23 42
hmm...curious. Once more:
4 8 15 16 23 42
Man, what's going on. So this time I slowed down and thought about what I was saying. That's when it hit me...

I need help.
btw... 4 x 9 = 36 fyi

Be blessed today,
Jezz

Work...

YAY! I have a big-girl JOB!

oh hermie...

I can never look at Hermie the same again.

Waiting on word from a big-girl job. I want it like I want cake and cookies, which is alot right now. I have some sweet tea that's not really sweet, and it's not hitting the spot.

waiting for 11 a.m.

be blessed,
jezz

Dust...

The onslaught of gusty West Texas winds blowing on the dry and thirsty land has brought the heinous red dirt sky to Abilene. It's sickening. Grits of dust and dirth find a niche between your teeth; breathing clean air is not an option. Where's my oxygen tank?

Hermie is cute...

Left the house early to buy the Passion: Everything Glorious cd at Wal-mart.
Found out that iTunes calls the album Everyone Glorious.
Was taken back to Nashville with the songs...but without the sickness.
The sickness reminds me of LOST.
Everything reminds me of LOST.
Hermie the Caterpillar has found a home on my desk :)
Really wanna go to Six Flags on June 24 to see Switchfoot and Mutemath.
Watched baseball yesterday.
The Braves won :) barely.
Found out about a job opening at Hendrick.
Need to finish cover letter for the job.
History test today...haven't been in a class for a week.
Lots of homework on my head.
Trying not to get stressed out.
Ordered my graduation invitations yesterday.
Picking up my graduation invitations today.
Oh my gosh, I'm graduating.
Listening to Jay and Jack...again.
Playing at a D-Now this weekend at UBC.
Finishing my Chai tea latte.
Back to the cover letter writing.



Be blessed,
Jezz

Stuff...

Back from band tour.
Ate lots of food.
Watched LOST as soon as I got home.
Applied for two jobs before I left.
Catching up on Jay and Jack...loving it!
Still need to apply for at least two more jobs.
Nathan got a job...yay!
Finally having a band officer meeting today...omg.
Made some prototype invites for band banquet.
Had to cover my eyes while skipping through the LOST spoilers.
Stashing a banana in the office.
Changed my mind: eating banana.
Going to class now....
good day!
Jezz

You guys got any milk...

Hi. My name is Jesiree, and I'm a LOST-aholic.

Thank you.

Your shirt, my shirt...

Something to chew on:
"Though all the winds of doctrine were let loose to play upon the earth, so Truth be in the field, we do injuriously by licensing and prohibiting to misdoubt her strength. Let her and Falsehood grapple..."
- John Milton's Areopagitica (ya, I learned this in Comm Law)
The word(s) of God is truth; and all other noise around me is just noise. God's truth, God's word, always wins out in the end - over the noise, over the falsehood, over the doubt, over my own misgivings, opinions, thoughts and ramblings. His word remains true and forever.

I had a dream the other night that someone liked my blog and used it as an example as a "good blog." Ya, it was just a dream. Yesterday Tark and I wore the same shirt, on accident...not on purpose. But it was fun. We always have the fear that the other will wear one of the many shirts that we have in common, but it never happens. One of us usually puts it on in the morning only to take it off before stepping out of the door. But not yesterday.

Time to do some work. Be blessed today,
Jezz

I don't like paper cuts...

Yesterday I stuffed lots of envelopes and got two paper cuts. Ouch. I'm thinking of turkey legs and roasted corn. And now, I'm hungry.

That is all there is today for I have not had my caffeine.

Be blessed,
Jezz

Crowder and careers...

Last night I saw Crowder and Third Day in concert. I am a happy kid. Crowder played a key-tar. It was red. He's my favorite and so is the rock opera. I was a little disappointed that he didn't play any of their amazing slower songs, but I can understand since they're not as widely known and popular as his super-cool fast ones, which, btw, have inspired me to buy a turn table. Ya, I'm that cool.

This week's goal: apply for jobs and put together a portfolio with writing and graphics samples. Next Monday is exactly two months from my graduation date. As long as I don't do anything really stupid and fail one of my classes this semester, I'm all set to get out of here and quit racking up thousands in debt. Thank you, ACU. And so, my real job search has begun. I've posted my resume on ACU's CareerLink site and have a few leads, so we'll see. I still have to bring a resume by the folks at Hendrick to see if something may turn up there. Basically it now boils down to me getting the initiative to go out and see these people and give them my beautiful resume and an outstanding portfolio. hehe. It'll be an adventure if anything else.

Now I must finish tending to my blueberry muffin and chai tea latte. Have a wonderfully blessed day,
Jezz

Everything Glorious...

News from the 268 blog: the Passion 06 cd is done...and the playlist is amazing! I'm so excited! Passion 07 is already off to an incredible start, and it's 10 months away. But, that's how great it's gonna be. The first 1,000 registrations (the ones that got the discounted price) went in 8.5 minutes. That's right 8.5. The first 500 went in 2 minutes and the next in 6.5. My registration will be in shortly, as soon as I find a flight/lodging. You should come too. I promise you won't regret it, and nothing in this world is quite like it. I imagine heaven will kind of be like this but with shorter lines and Jesus speaking instead of Louie. Now that's gonna be cool.

btw...the cd will be out on April 4th, and it's titled "Everything Glorious."

Be blessed today,
Jezz

Lost fun...

For all you Lostees:

It's like two of my favorite things!



















Every kid needs one of these:





















If you haven't seen the last episode, don't even bother.


Thanks to Ralph who gave these pics to Jay and Jack who then posted them on jayandjack.com

That's all for now!
Jezz

Here comes the sun...

The sun is back, and I am filled with joy.
Good week.
Jezz

Take me home...

::Headache::

It's Thursday morning, and I'm at work only because I feel obligated to be here. I wish I could just crawl under my desk, curl up and fall fast asleep. Alas, I cannot. Work is frustrating, probably the last place I'd want to be. I'd rather be on my couch, nursing a cup of tea and studying the back of my eyelids to the sound of the television. Bliss...almost.

Honestly, that's all I can think of right now...well, that and my boy. That's all I can think of. The brain doesn't function properly when on medications and hurting.

Be blessed,
Jezz

Sun...

Fog. Dreary. Clouds. I miss the sun.

It's amazing what dreary days can do to your spirit. Smile. It's gonna be okay. The sun will shine again...eventually.

I haven't played golf in over a week. I have the urge to drive a ball...not that I'm good at it, just 'cause I find it fun.

I have resolve to go and do. I'll stop sitting around making excuses. I'll go and do what I know to do. Wish me luck!

Allow the Lord to bless you today,
Jezz

Fog. Dreary. Clouds. I miss the sun.

I haven't played golf in over a week. I have the urge to drive a ball...not that I'm good at it, just 'cause I find it fun.

Go...do...

Last night I read the devotional for Feb. 20 in Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest since it was Feb. 20. It's amazing what God has to say to you...you just have to be willing to hear it.

"Arise, let us go from here." John 14:31

When our purpose is to seek God and to discover His will for us, daydreaming is right and acceptable. But when our inclination is to spend time daydreaming over what we have already been told to do, it is unacceptable and God's blessing is never on it. God will take the initiative against this kind of daydreaming by prodding us to action. His instructions to us will be along the lines of this: "Don't sit or stand there, just go!"

Daydreaming after God has spoken is an indication that we do not trust Him.

Oswald Chambers

I need to just go and do...and trust.

Be blessed today,
Jezz

I like pictures...

Today is Thursday. The week is almost done. Yay!

For the music of the day:



Way cute...a must-buy!

Facebook keeps me from doing my work. It's very bad, but I have to stay updated on the goings-on of everyone's lives. But,really, without it, I wouldn't have found another lover of ube ice cream.
As seen here:

That's enough randomness for now. I'll come back later with something that really matters.

Be blessed,
Jezz

Monday...

Muffin was sub-par today...that means it wasn't very good. It's really cold in my office. It's a Monday. I don't like my attitude. I'd like to get out of this funk. My chai tea latte isn't warming me up. I want this week to be worlds better than last week. I don't think I can handle another last week. I don't want to have to.

Heavy weight on shoulders? Feels like it. Why? I don't know. Just tiredness? Maybe. More than that? Probably.

I need to turn my mind off.

"People with their minds set on You,
You keep completely whole,
Steady on their feet,
because they keep at it and don't quit.
Depend on GOD and keep at it
because in the LORD GOD you have a sure thing."

Isaiah 26:3-4, The Message translation

Have a blessed day,
Jezz

Boy! band...

I miss Plus One. Yes, that's right, Plus One: the boy band, the not-so-boy band. I wish they were back. The five-member boy band always brings back fond memories of high school. The not-so-boy band of their third album rocked my world. Exodus (their third album) is a lot better than you think. The three former boy banders that make up the Exodus group actually play instruments this time instead of headset mics and crazy-cool dance moves. The album was produced by Peter Furler, who does a fantastic job capitalizing on the group's strength and creating an album that's unique and fresh to their audience. The three in the Exodus group made a nice transition from boy-bander to rocker without the drama or reality tv show of Ashley Parker Angel. (That guy really needs to get a name change.) Buy Exodus today.

Launchcast radio brings my Chicago's "You're the Inspiration" at 8:24 a.m. It's gonna be a good day.
Band this evening and for the rest of the weekend. Wish me luck...and patience.

Today, I will recommend a book to you all
Praise Habit: Finding God in Sunsets and Sushi

You'll laugh, you may cry and you'll think.

Be blessed today,
Jezz

Disney...

Two references to Disney Land/World in one day. I think it's a sign.

Jezz

Bored...

Currenty listening to: my launchcast radio station at music.yahoo.com. Playing right now is 4 no blondes, "What's Up," cerca 1992. This morning I got my year's dose of Bennie and the Jets (yay for Elton John) and some Tears for Fears. Hotel California...so bad, yet so good.

Anyway, It's been a long week, but a pretty good week. I'm most definitely tired and am looking forward to getting some rest at some point in time. I would absolutely love to just go home and take a nap right now, but, alas, I must attend to my obligations.

Ahh, Chris Tomlin: always a breath of fresh air.

Anyway...it's about time for me to be out-ie and finish up some homework before my night class. Probably another update then.

Be blessed,
Jezz

Flash class...

I'm sitting here Interactive Media...as I like to call it, Flash Class...I'm hungry. We're making a ball bounce and a rectangle go up and down the screen right now. I'm way excited...not really. I would comment on something right now...but I can't...since I'm sitting here in flash class. I just made my rectangle rotate clockwise...then counter clockwise...I am so cool.

I worked on my paper for Pub Design this afternoon...and I'm almost done! Yay. I still have all tomorrow to finish it, which hopefully I'll finish it in the earlier parts of the day rather than waiting until after I get off work tomorrow night. btw...this is my promised second post, just for Nathan...to make up for the non-posting of yesterday.

Legend has it that we get out of this class early each time, but I don't think that's happening tonight. Not that it would really matter if I got out early...after this, Sing Song beckons. Oh, how I wish I could just sleep.

My ball has a smiley face, and his mouth is moving...
that's my cue to go...I'm sleepy...

Be blessed,
Jezz

I just want sleep...

I'm soooo tired! It's yucky. I don't like this feeling. This morning I had a medium chai tea latte with a blueberry muffin, and shortly thereafter, I had a small caramel macchiato (all java city brewed). Lots of liquids and caffeine for this little body. That resulted in lots of leg-shaking and sporadic movements during band...embarrassing, I know. The caffeine-chugging was to no avail...I nearly fell asleep in my 1:30 p.m. American History class. It's not a boring class, lots of interaction with teams, etc, but it was really warm in the room = naptime. Which brings me to work. So I sit here, blow pop in mouth. (I have to get my sugar fix somehow.)

Now I will write my function essay about my magazine for Pub Design. Yay.

Be blessed, (more after the essay is done.)
Jezz

What's in a name...

Through the powers of Google search, I found out that there are about 2 or 3 other girls with my name. Funny, they're all from Guam (well one of them is a model and has California listed as her location...very possible that she's from Guam. Her model profile thing says her ethnicity is islander)...and younger than me. hmmm...curious. Whatever...

"I'm going to google you."
"You most certainly are not!"

Good day.
Jezz

Tuesday...

This morning a guy I work with had the same AE hipster jeans on as I did. (btw...I didn't work at AE this morning, either.) Frankly, I wanted to erupt in a chorus of laughter, but I couldn't. But I did snicker under my breath, just not too loudly because he was right in front of me. I'm amused.

Yesterday was my first day at the driving range. Golf. I hit the ball...several times actually. Some of them got pretty far too. LPGA, here I come! maybe not. I have a blister under my left pinky and a sore spot on my left thumb.

And, this is farewell for now...more later...as per usual.

Be blessed,
Jezz

More Passion-like things...

I pulled out my Passion 06 t-shirt from my drawer this morning (very nice: a soft grey and well-designed) and decided that I wanted to wear it every day for the rest of my life. But knowing that that would be virtually impossible and, not to mention, gross, I decided to pass on that. Since then, however, all I can think about is Passion. I know, you're thinking, "will you get off of this already? That's all you've been talking about. Sure, you were there, but I wasn't. It's nice that you went and all, but..." In defense, "You won't really understand, unless you see for yourself. My want to burst out and tell the whole world (you just happen to be the audience for right now) is a direct result of it...of God's glory and renown. Experience it for yourself. You won't be disappointed."

And, on that note...the first bundle of Passion 06 music and an amazing talk by Louie will be available on iTunes tomorrow! I'm so excited. You should download it.

Today's major props go to the new coffee shop in Barrett Hall. I had a yummy chai tea latte and a cream cheese muffin this morning for breakfast.

"Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws,
we wait for you;
your name and renown
are the desire of our hearts."
Isaiah 26:8, the basis of the 268 generation, Passion

Be blessed today,
Jezz

Aquarius...

This one's for Aaron Wilder...

This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
age of Aquariu-us
A-quar-i-us...

Thank you...and good night...or morning in this case.
Jezz

Make sure you read the post before this...it's much more relevant and...well it's better than this one.

A nugget of joy...

From the 268 generation blog, posted by Louie Giglio on Jan. 6, 2006, here is a nugget of joy (in my eyes)...
a bit about (kind of) Passion 06:

I'm Sorry I Didn't Tell You Before You Came

For all you people new to Passion, I'm so, so sorry we didn't inform you before arriving about the post Passion dilemma of trying to tell people who were not there about what happened. I mean, honestly, have you ever felt more frustrated trying to search for mere words? So you say a lot of things that are sort of discombobulated and exasperating, hoping that the exploding radiance in your somewhat droopy eyes translates more effectively the surging truth and emotion that are about to blow your heart wide open.

If you're still searching for an answer to the "How was Passion" question, I like what one blogger wrote: "when asked by a friend, "how was it" all i could do is hug them with everything i had and tell them, that's just the first 30 seconds of the conference. imagine 4 days of that, but with God's intensity."

Oh, and I also forgot to tell you that your brain would hurt for a few days.
And that songs would thunder in your head.
And that you would find yourself drifting back into that massive crowd.
And that you would feel like you had known your Family Group forever.
And that you would wake up wanting to head to your Community Group.

And to that...I quote Louie in saying..."right on."
There really aren't many words to describe the Passion experience. I can tell you, as I have with many, that I went to a college-aged worship-ish conference, name the speakers and highlight the bands, but my description could never embody the joy that overwhelms my spirit when I think about the experience at Passion. To be reminded of the glory of God and to be called to live for His renown...His fame...that's amazing.

If you don't believe me, or just don't get it...see for yourself: January 1-4, 2007, Atlanta, Ga. Registration begins March 1.

Tired already...

I'm bored. Granted, there's a sufficient amount of work I could be doing here, but I'm really not in the mood. It's the third day of school, and I'm tired. I wanted to skip my noon class; today was the first class meeting. It's not worth the trouble of skipping, mainly, because we only meet five times in the semester in the span of seven weeks. I think I can handle that even if half of the information is probably not relevant for me. Oh well, that's what I get for waiting so long to take the class in the first place.

I'm really ready for today to be over, or at least to have a substatial break. But, alas, after I leave here at 4:30, I'm running some errands, grabbing dinner and heading off to class at 6 p.m. Class is scheduled to last until 9 p.m., but I've heard that rarely happens, whether it does or not, however, doesn't really matter. At 8 p.m., Sing Song rehearsal begins...and ends at 11 p.m. Man, I hope there's not any homework that I'm missing that I haven't already done...that may be an issue, hopefully not. All that to say, I really just want to go to bed right now. That would be amazing. Oh well, I cold beverage (non-alcoholic...I'm thinking iced coffee, smoothie, cherry limeade...something like that) should suffice.

But still...I press on...
"This too shall pass." And when it does, I will be disheartened...sad that it's gone. I enjoy it all for now, every moment...even the dull, the frustrating and the seemingly unbearable ones...

Be blessed today and always,
Jezz

G'morning...day two...

SING SONG

has begun.

Alpha Kai's first rehearsal is tonight. I'm excited. The music is really cute this year, and there's tons that can be done with the show. We had a section leader meeting Monday afternoon where we learned the first page of music. I'm telling you, it's gonna be good...I hope you're pumped...

Yesterday was the first day of classes, but since I only had one class, it didn't really seem like anything had begun. So today my day is packed full...classes from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. without a break. I hate that. It's just not fun...not to mention, there's no time for nourishment. I like food. I don't like missing meals, or being hungry. My mom packed me snacks this morning: a chocolate chip granola bar, famous amos cookies and some beef jerky. Healthy snacks aren't really a strong point in my house. I also bought a Snickers. I think the advertising has finally gotten to me. "Hungry? Why wait? Grab a Snickers." I did.

Time to go to Pub Design. Senior year, last semester, and I'm finally taking this class. It's all newspaper design this year, I think. At least, that's the impression I'm getting from the book I bought. Not too stoked about that. I was actually really looking forward to laying out a magazine about David Crowder, using as many photos as humanly possibly...especially close-up face shots...some with his mouth wide open.

So, have a great day today. I will be attending classes and learning valuable things for life and what not...
Jezz

New beginnings...

new year. new semester. new classes. new boss. new co-worker. new pencil bag. Ya, it's that time for the new stuff to appear...I guess. More new than usual right now though. New is good. It's fresh, challenging, different. And soon, new will become old. That's good too...it will be routine, but it will also be comfortable and familiar.

Currently working on a press release about Jerry Mitchell, an investigative reporter for The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Miss. He's coming to speak to classes and at a luncheon for the JMC department at ACU. I must say, his work is really interesting. He was portrayed in the movie Ghosts of Mississippi, which follows his investigation and reporting of the 1963 assassination of NAACP leader Medgar Evers. I think I've seen that movie, but I'm not sure. I'll have to watch it again along with Mississippi Burning, which was the film that inspired his work and investigation into the civil rights era. He's a very driven Christian reporter...admirable.

Listening to the Passion 05 cd and hoping it will hold me off until the Passion 06 cd comes out or until the cds of the talks arrive at my doorstep. Memories for a lifetime, but hopefully not a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I want to be there in Atlanta, Ga., for Passion 07.

Better get back to work. It's almost chapel time, and so semester eight begins and will soon (sooner than anyone will expect) come to an end. Graduation is 14 credit hours away...

Be blessed today,
Jezz

Passion 06 continued...

I'm sitting here in our extended-stay hotel room watching Seinfeld, waiting for my pre-dinner snack to warm up and drinking some mandarin orange tea. We're in between sessions right now...sessions that we didn't and won't be attending. Because Passion 06 has been a struggle for Jarryd and I. Designed to challenge your mind, your beliefs, your faith and your diligence and committment to the cause of Christ, this Passion conference has challenged us a more basic area of life and faith. Theology aside, we have been challenged to trust the Lord with our health, our physical well-being.

We had extravagant plans and expectations for this trip. Plans for places, sessions, speakers, foods, guitars and people to go, see, hear, try, buy and meet have long been forgotten after our second night here. Our first day here was tremendous. We started the day off early after a long drive overnight; ate breakfast, shopped a bit and registered for what we expected and knew would be an amazing conference. But something came over me before the first session was through, something that bit me in the stomach and made me feel faint, weak and absolutely miserable. I sucked it up and toughed through the rest of the night which included separate small group sessions and a Shane and Shane concert, that I happened to have fallen asleep in. (I know, yes, I did feel that bad.) But God's grace, mercy, love and provision was already beginning to shine through then. At my weakest point on the verge of tears, I ran into a friend who I didn't know was here in the midst of 18,000 college students and broke down into tears because I didn't think I could make it through the rest of the night. I made it through the rest of the night, including sleeping on her shoulder to the musings of Shane and Shane. But back at the hotel was another story. The worst came...and it was beyond miserable. Through it all, I cried out to the Lord for healing and strength, continuously reminding myself, "this too will pass." But it was so hard to remember that.

After the arduous night, the morning seemed much better. But still weak. We traveled to downtown Nashville, got the parking lot and sat for about 20 minutes until we realized we weren't well enough to make it through the day and went back to the hotel to rest. We were able to make it the evening sessions of Passions but couldn't endure another late night session. So it was off to the grocery store for the third time during our stay to get medicine (we already made two previous trips when we bought some medicine for at least one of us each time). Soup and medicine. The morning was bearable until lunch time when Jarryd wasn't well enough to stick around. More medicine and food; back to the hotel. One more trip to the grocery store to buy more medicine for Jarryd, and now we're praying that he gets well and over this fever.

Definitely the last thing I expected for Passion 06, especially for two people who rarely get sick. I expected great things from God, intriguing lessons and poweful worship. I still got those.

To God be the glory...always...

more later...
Be blessed,
Jezz

Passion 06...

On our way to Nashvegas...