Nutshell

Hello, everybody! It's Jenna Lyn, remember me? It's been so long! I must begin this post with a most sincere apology- to all of you who so faithfully read my blog- for neglecting you all for such a long time! I have so much to tell you! Sit back and relax as I recap the last two weeks of my busy, busy, busy, life!

As for the GOP Convention.....
I hope you ALL watched it! It was simply AMAZING! Both sides of this election are going for gold, and they sure are doing a great job! It's such an intense race! But I must say, Giuliani’s speech then followed by Sarah Palin's speech was the highlight of the whole Republican convention. What a wonderful choice of VP by McCain! Oh, my goodness, I WISH I COULD VOTE!

As for the Youth Group Canoe trip....
The canoe trip was pretty good, but I don't think it was necessarily the best day for my family and the mission kids that rode with us in the van. But when we were out on the water, my soul could not help but be in a peaceful rest. Witnessing God's beauty first hand like that is simply breathtaking. But all in all, it was a pretty crazy stressful day. It seemed like everything that could have gone wrong- did go wrong. But one little BLESSING (or love note!) from God was on the ride home from the canoe trip. Karis was driving all of the mission kids straight home to the HQ building instead of staying with the other youth group vehicles and going all the way back to the church. Our van was full of seven, tired, stressed-out, teenagers. What happens next? Yup, you guessed it. We had a tire blow out. Ugh! But don't worry, because that was also the blessing part of our day as well, remember? The reason why it was a blessing was because I had seen my daddy change a tire once before, so I knew how to do everything! It was very dangerous though; there was no place in sight to get our van on level ground, and if that's not scary enough the ground was also kind of sloshy from the excessive rain fall. But, through it all, the Lord protected us, and we were able to successfully change the tire all by ourselves! Right as we took the jack out from under the van a road ranger dude stopped by with his truck and gave us some strange soapy stuff to wash off our hands and arms, perfect timing! So I'm pretty sure we were all proud of ourselves- and it had made a lovely memory.

As for the following day- the Labor Day Picnic!
The picnic was nice, but the highlight of the day was in the morning when I bought a new guitar! Yay! It's lovely and sounds beautiful! Now Tyler and I each have a guitar to play on, so that we can play together.

As for all the CHANGE this year...
Ugh. There is too much of it! The Caley's left us, and now Cha-Chi is moving as well! There is a LOT of changes this year. Being home, instead of going to school- that's a big change in itself. Teaching- believe it or not, that's a huge change! The kids and I are all still trying to get the hang of things. But I'm also still trying to get the hang of doing my own school work. Not to mention being slightly stressed about my future. There are a lot of questions that have yet to be answered. I would like to go to NTBI where Shane is going. If I finish my eleven credits this year, I only need eight more to graduate. Should I finish up those last eight credits my junior year and then work through my senior year saving money, then go to Waukesha? After those two years should I come back to Florida to get my teaching degree? Should I split my remaining credits and dual-enroll my last two years of high school, then go to Bible school, then come back for my last three years of college? Should I just go ahead and graduate early, do two years of SCC, two years of UCF and then go on to Wisconsin? Ugh. Too many questions, too many pressures. Also, I'm kind of the only kid in the B family that has the opportunity to actually go to a good college, so that is a little pressure on me as well. Anyway, none of this pressure or stresses is coming from any one else, it's just kind of all in my head. But hey, you could pray for me anyway! =)

As for ministries this year...
That's a problem. I feel completely disconnected from church this year. I've been working in Children's church since I was in fifth grade- and after doing it for such a long time it's just become like a part of me. I love it- playing crazy games, leading the songs with fun motions, leading small groups... I've been doing all of this since fifth grade! And I was ready and excited for it to start back up again this school year. But, I felt like that wasn't where God wanted me this year, so I backed out. Same thing with Awana- been helping out since I myself got out of the club- but this year, I didn't feel like that was where I was supposed to be. Now I am left with no ministries at church. Hmmm... But now that everything has started this year I am already feeling overwhelmed- with teaching, my own school work, and all the CHANGES- and very grateful that I didn't sign up for some of my usual church ministries. God's doing something BIG in my life this year- I just haven't figured out where it is all headed. =)

So, there you go, Jenna’s life in a nutshell! Thanks for taking the time to read such a lengthy post; have a lovely evening!

Spelling!

Ok everybody, raise your hand every time you hear me say a word that begins with the letter Nn!

face?
leg?
nose? (all hands go up!)
paper?
Nathan? (you're doing great!)
snack?
tissue?
cat?
note? (great job!)
..............................................
"Ok, now who wants to come up and underline one word on the board that begins with a capital N?"
..............................................
Oh man, I am having so much fun in my spelling class!
My most favoritest class is art. We get to made cotton ball bunnies!
..............................................
Anyway, school is quite the load this year. Not only am I teaching six classes a week, but I also have eleven of my own credits! But don't worry guys, I'm having a blast =)

You just wish you were in my first and second grade classes too!

Tears

I must say, I did cry a few tears today. It was wonderful.

A lot of different things had been building up, and then finding out about the death of sweet baby James, I just had to cry. I never met little James, but the enthusiasm in Jessie's voice when she would talk about him intrigued me, so I had began reading his blog. http://www.sweetbabyjames.info/wordpress/

Yesterday wasn't exactly a good day for me, so the grief and the pain of this morning didn't make for me the best of mixtures. I feel like the whole day just slipped between my fingers and was completely wasted. I think the only good thing that I accomplished this lovely day was that I drank a pot of peach tea. The yummy tea was a special treat to brighten my gloomy day =)

I never cry, though. It seems strange not to cry—I mean come on—I’m a girl, right? But I rarely do get to cry, and when I do, it is more just like a couple glistening tears down my cheek, no emotional release. Tears are a gift straight from God; I just haven't achieved a real knack for it yet.

The Storm

Are we blessed or what? Sarah calls it overwhelming, and I can find no other word to describe the feeling when we look back on our day and think of all the good. Considering that "every good and perfect gift is from the Father," it's just like WOW. No one has ever given me so many gifts in my life! He must like us very much!

This lovely storm is just one more example of how wonderfully beautiful the Lord is. Whoa, back-up a little, what storm? Tropical Storm Fay, of course! It has brought us so much joy! Last night was our storm party. It was so delightful! The most fun was actually before the party, while we were making all the food. Brownies, rice crispy treats, cookies, cup cakes... Yup, we make sure to embrace EVERY opportunity for a party! After the movie on the big screen in the chapel we made our way up the third floor. Then the rest of the evening was spent cleaning a single mans' apartment. Saying that it was a devastating mess would be a major understatement. But, by 1:30am it was sparkling clean! =)

Back to the storm... I started school on Monday, and it has just been splendid! But today was especially sensational! Fay has created the most perfect atmosphere, and very conducive to learning I must add. Today I did all my ugly work before lunch (geometry, grammar, biology...), so that I could spend the rest of the afternoon doing the fun stuff - reading! With the wind and the rain beating on my window, it sounded like God was playing music just for ME! I sat down with my popcorn and hot chocolate for the most perfect afternoon!

Back to the storm... this evening I was aroused from playing guitar by hearing my name shouted repeatedly through all the noise of the storm. I looked out my window to find a couple of drenched people from the building standing below my window beckoning me to come out. So, as duty called, I rounded up a couple more people to go outside and play in the rain with us. Singing, dancing, swinging, running, frolicking, sliding, skipping- thus the like of an MK. After awhile our faces and necks really started feeling the pain of the needle-like rain drops; so we went swimming. We were already wet anyway.

It’s all just so beautiful. Ahh. I just can't seem to get enough of the wind and the rain slapping my window. It's just little kisses from Daddy reminding us of His abundant love for each and every one of us.

A lovely storm indeed...

Raspberry Tea

I really want it. I just can't do it. I made some raspberry tea. I made a lot and only drank a little; meaning that the rest is still in the kitchen. Well, now, I want more. The problem is that mother is sleeping in her room, leaving me no way to get to the kitchen, except to go out the house by way of the boys' room, through the stairwell, down the hall, and around the corner. This is a very excruciating trek to be made in the middle of the afternoon, thus I forfeit, and am left here dreaming of instead of drink up my delicious raspberry tea.

I am still trying to catch up on sleep after the girl’s night at Jessie's house. Pride and Prejudice is one of my all time favorites, and I was so excited to see it again! Thank God for Jessie's family opening up their house to us! It was a lovely evening. Complete with Swedish Fish and Sour Patch Kids. So I'm running slightly low on sleep, and I can't seem to make it up. The late night Olympics isn't helping much either. Also, this morning I had to wake up early to say good bye to Leah (Cha-Chi's older sister) as she begins her new life at Jackson.

I really do hate goodbyes. Two of my bestest friends left for NTBI last week, and now Leah has gone as well. Ugh. Everybody's growing up.

I'm so very tired. I hope there is still tea left by the time I am able to gather my strength. But how can I gather enough strength to get me to the kitchen, if I have nothing to replenish my fluids and rejuvenate me?

I'm a working woman now, you know. I need my strength. Just a short while ago I got back from first and second grade "Math Games" at the small New Tribes school. I'll be teaching six classes every week this year, and I am very excited!

I know Tyler is in the kitchen right now because he just called me. He was trying to get a hold of Karis, but accidentally dialed the wrong number. I hope he doesn't drink the rest of my tea. I can just see it now... He tilts the little white tea pot and into his daisy cup pours my raspberry flavored, slightly bitter, rose colored, lovable liquid. This must not happen! I must get in there. In vain I have struggled, it will not do, my feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to….

Ay, mother is awake now! I shall go drink my tea this very minute, goodbye!

Emo-Goth-Punk Day!

Oh yes, another MK holiday. Not quite sure who came up with this one, but everybody is required to participate. Emo-Goth-Punk Day means that we all dress up scary, then go to various locations to take picutures. I was the least dressed up out of anybody there, but I think we could all agree that Tyler was the best looking punk. I'll post some pictures whenever I get the pictures. Also, for the latest Mission Gossip: A new girl moved in on the 2nd floor. She seems pretty cool- she sings, drinks tea, and said she'd love to join me on my sunrise adventures. Yea!

Stay off the road!

"Wake up, Jenna! Salem needs more pictures of the family, dress nice!" Ugh. You've gotta be kidding! Turned out to be a lot of fun taking the pictures though, so I'm not complaining!
Anyway, yesterday I went and looked at the apartment Karis is interested in; and it was so adorable! And I got my drivers permit! Yea! I skipped the whole "parking lot practice" step, and just drove home in the stick shift. Oh, yeah! Ok, so I didn't drive ALL the way home, I just took over the wheel when we got to 2nd street. Yea!
Also, you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love my Tyler. (No, not YOUR Tyler, MY Tyler!) He's such a sweet kid! He was talking on the phone when Karis and I arrived home last night, and immediately he told his friend that he had to go because his sisters were home. Then he just sat down and wanted to hear everything that had happened, everything about Karis's job, apartment, my permit, Dunkin Donuts, everything! I just thought it was so cute how estatic he was about everything in K's and my day. When he prayed over our food at dinner he just happened to thank the Lord for all of the blessings showered upon each one of his siblings, but was perfectly content with not mentioning anything about himself. It's so evident how selfless he is and how much he genuinely cares for everybody else. Four Brownie Points to Tyler!

Alright, I must stop my bragging on this stunning young Gent, that just so happens to be related to me, because I have a lot of reading to do before bedtime. G'night!