90 Days!

So yesterday I got the brilliant idea to challenge myself for the next 90 days. I'mparticularly focusing on three areas: spiritual, physical, and my professional life.

I had a couple of people ask me specifically what this meant, and what I would do, so here goes!

Spiritual: I'm focusing on reading a chapter of Proverbs a night, as well as doing a bible study. I have two books that I'm doing over the next 12 weeks; 'Me, Myself, and Lies,' by Jennifer Rothschild, and 'Lady in Waiting,' by Jackie Kendall. I've read the entire book of Proverbs numerous times, but it's so thick with wisdom, that I have to do it again. Lady...is a book that I first read from my WOW days at Baylor.





I wish I had my original copy with all of my notes, but I've since purchased a new copy that I'm filling with my thoughts.

Lately I've been feeling like I need to go beyond....if you know what I mean at all. I'm hoping these next 90 days will allow me to do just that.

Physical: I'm hitting the gym again, cutting down all carb intake to one day a week. It's going to be really hard not drinking sweet tea...help me Lord!

Professional: Bottom line, I've got to get my business in order!

I realize that this post may not give you the depth that you were looking for, but I intend to blog quite frequently about this experience, and guess what...you get to read!!! Lucky you!

Hope you have a great night!

A Good Place...

WOW! What a busy, busy 4 days of school this has been! Adjusting to the new schedule has kicked by butt, however, I'm getting used to it. School starts at 7:15, and I have to be there by 6:45, so that is an adjustment.

I'm in a really good place right now. I'm serving in a ministry that I love in church, I am totally smitten with my kids...they really are SO sweet, life is good. I was talking to some teacher buddies today, and we were commenting on the fact that we hoped our kids weren't plotting to return next week as little devils.

The one area that I could work on is my business goals, and the non-teacher side of Jarvis. I've scheduled some time with myself this weekend to get things in order...with the unexpected extra trip to Mississippi, I had to change some appointments around.

You know how things can be going so well, that you can't help but look over your shoulder and hope it stays this way? That's me. I know that isn't the way I should look at life, but I sure do hope this stays this way....I like it!

I'll take a couple of pics of my classroom to post. It's so cute if I do say so myself!

Hope you guys have a great Friday! So glad it's almost here!

~J

My First Day!

Ok! So today was the first day of school. Millions of students and teachers around the state of Texas eagerly entered the school building excited about a new year. I was no different. School for me starts at 7:15 a.m., so I arrived about 6:20 to get last minute things together. I was so cute this morning, not a hair out of place, make-up laid...you know me, but at the end of it all...it didn't matter a bit! When

I stepped into my classroom, I immediately realized that I HAD NO AIR!!! No big deal, I thought...they'll get it fixed before school starts. Could I be any more wrong? Guys....please close your eyes and feel me on this...a 97 degree classroom for the entire day! My kids were irritable to say the least. I mean, they really tried to make the best of a horrible situation, but bless their hearts, they were miserable.

I was miserable, but I'm the teacher, so I had to put on a happy face! I'm telling you, by 2nd period, my hair was in a ponytail, and I seriously thought I was going to pass out...HORRIBLE!!! I predicted in 2nd period that the air would kick back on at 2:00, and sure enough, at 2:05, we had air...school gets out at 2:30...HA! Overall, the day was good, but I can't wait to see my kids tomorrow, so that I can meet the 'real' them. Here's some funny for you: I have a child named Shampaigne (pronounced Champagne), a white boy named James Earl Jones Jr., and the cherry on top is my little class entertainer named MISTER! YES! I wrote that correctly! Mister is his first name!

What ever will we do when we complete the assignment on the origin of our names...? I'll keep you posted! Goodnight bloggers...I AM BEYOND TIRED!! I can't even think straight...for real guys! Oh, but before I go, here are some pics of my place...



And finally, the reason why I love this baby!...

Unredeemed!

I've sat down for a solid week to begin this post, but I've never gotten past the first sentence.

As most of you know, I went to Mississippi week before last to visit my mother's side of the family. While I was there, my aunt passed away. Even writing those words seems so surreal to me. My aunt? The one who gave me my first sip of wine..shhh, the one who could make me laugh no matter how I was feeling...the one who loved Jesus so deeply, that I just remember wanting to be around her to get a piece of Him....that aunt.

I remember hearing the news that she had suffered an aneurysm, and was unconscious...I remember believing with everything in me that the Lord would pull her through for the sake of my cousins, her daughters, ages 26 and 23. The faith I had in her healing was unshakeable....I knew that with a word, God could save her life...but instead, He called her home.

The pain and sorrow that my family feels is deep, but I know that my aunt Sheila truly loved the Lord, and is in a better place. My aunt was completely wrapped up in Jesus, He was her Saviour!

I covet your prayers for my cousins, Norma and Amber. I can't imagine the questions, grief, and emotions they must be going through...My aunt and uncle raised them to be strong, Christian, independent women, but pain is pain, and this is pain.

Selah is one of my favorite groups, and their new album will be released August 25th! One of their new songs is called Unredeemed, and it has gotten me through many tough nights. They did a live recording for K Love, that I've attached below. I hope you enjoy it, and if you have iTunes, you can pre-order the CD!



Here's the last picture Sheila and I took together. I love her dearly, and I will never forget the lessons she left me...



And this is who I want you to pray for...her two girls, Norma and Amber...the baby is Karmen...you all know who she is!



Thanks for listening, and my next post will be more pictures of my Mississippi trip. Goodnight!