My JOYS in life...

Serving the Lord. I was saved when I was 26. I attended church off and on for most of my life. While in Japan as an exchange student, my eyes were opened to God. Years later I learned more what it meant to make Jesus the Lord and Savior of my life. I know that I fall short each and every day, but I’m thankful for His grace that covers me.

Serving my husband. Newman and I met way too long ago – I’m not writing any other details so it can’t be held against me later. We had no clue when we got married what exactly we were getting ourselves into. This December we will celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. The first couple of years of our marriage were very tough. Then God became part of our marriage. We have grown together and learn more and more everyday. I’m truly thankful for his love for the Lord and for me!

Serving my children. What joy – when life is fun and even when life is hard. Who would have ever thought I’d be a mom – I sure didn’t. (When Newman and I went through our pre-marital counseling, we told the pastor we didn’t want children.) Wow, God has a way of changing us, doesn’t he? Bryce is 7 and in 2nd grade. He’s our laid back kid who loves to talk. Someone once told me that I needed to pray (and we do) that God will use his talking to glorify Himself. Aubree is 5 and she’s doing preschool work. She’s my mini Karen (my sister) according to my mother. Aubree is very strong willed and can make my blood boil in one second and make me laugh the next second. We’re praying God will use her stubbornness to serve Him.

I have started this blog to keep family and friends updated on the kids and our life. Sometimes they do and say the funniest things. The children bring so much joy to so many people and I thought this would be a great way to share this gift God has trusted to Newman and me. I’ve learned so much! I also want to share my heart. Words are not easy for me, but this is my attempt to ‘face that giant’. PLEASE comment because that will encourage me to trudge on!

I Fell In A Rice Field

What an introduction...At the prompt of a friend, I thought this would be a place to jump into the blogging world.

Yes, I fell off my bike down into a rice field . I was a 16 year old exchange student in Japan. I rode my bike home from the train station after school. As another bike and I were coming down the street we met a car and a lady walking her dogs. Down Jennifer went!!! (Thankfully the fields were not full of water.) The other bike went on. The lady with the dogs asked if I was OK and could she help me up. I answered her in Japanese and up I came. Then the look of shock was on her face as she realized I was a gaijin (foreigner.) I thanked her and headed home feeling pretty embarassed by the whole ordeal. Since I was OK, I felt no need to tell my host family. Being the only gaijin in our small town, the lady knew exactly where I lived and who to call!!! My host mother met me at the door.

It's amazing how vivid embarassing moments are no matter how long ago they happened.