A not-so-surprising revelation brought to you by Panera

Ok so I have the day off today in honor of President's day. (yay for presidents I guess!) I am enjoying my 4-day weekend, though I wasn't too enthusiastic about having to leave the house for several hours while the cleaning lady was there. (Thankfully no more hair tangles!)

I decided to make a trip to one of my favorite hang-outs; Panera Bread. Good food, nice atmosphere, and free internet! As I neared the entrance, an older man got there just ahead of me and opened the door for me. I politely said thank you, while trying to hide my sense of surprise. Let's face it, it seems chivalry is all but dead. I guess that might be just the younger generation.

The same man ended up right behind me in line and I couldn't help noticing how much he reminded me of my grandfather who just passed away. He was jovial, kind, and wore a big tan Gilligan-type had I had seen my grandpa wear. As I finished up my order and took my change he pulled out an old black and white photo of when he was a young man. He said he looked like a lady killer, though he didn't remember being such in his younger years.

Seeing this complete stranger made me realize how much I miss my grandpa. It seems like I just saw him yesterday, though the last time I visited him was a probably a good 4 months ago. I feel like I should be able to call him up and say hello.

I have struggled lately with not only missing him but also the realization that I took him and others for granted. I never realized how much I loved him until he was gone. Of course I knew I loved him, don't get me wrong. I guess it's just so easy to go weeks or even months without talking to someone but once they are no longer in your life every day seems like a life time. I guess I'm still adjusting to the though of not having him around any more and it only takes little things like a stranger in a restaurant to remind me of how much it still hurts.

Remembering...

It's been a while since I posted here. Some of you who know me may know that my family has been going through a somewhat difficult time as of late. My Grandpa (my mom's dad) passed away suddenly, leaving my Grandma who is ailing from dementia, all alone.

It appeared he died in his sleep, although we later found out that he was also suffering from colon cancer that had metastasized in his stomach. We are unsure if he was aware of this or not, but was due to get tests done the morning he died.

This has been a trying time for everyone in the family, especially my mom. The service went well... Full military honors and a wonderful memorial service filled with laughs, tears, memories, and a clear presentation of the Gospel.

I'm so thankful for everyone's thoughts and prayers for my family. I have really seen how people you might not expect, come around in my time of need and show their love. I was equally surprised at the ones I thought would be there that weren't...

It will be a long journey before things get back to "normal" but God has been good in granting us peace. My Grandma is in an assisted living facility that will take care of her needs as she continues to become more reliant on others. We will always miss Leslie Janzen. He was a great Grandpa, loving father, and a good man.

Spiritual Batter Eaters...

Tonight, in the middle of what would seem like an ordinary task, I found myself turning to Spiritual thought. I suppose this is a good thing, since we are to "pray without ceasing" and "continually fix our eyes on Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our Faith". But since I'm no theologian, excuse me if this seems a little corny...
First, a little background. A friend of mine challenged me about a week ago to a "biggest loser" competition. The goal: to lose 10 lbs. in a month. Of course there was a prize for the winner(s). So, like all women on a diet, it starts out easy, but eventually (sometimes sooner rather than later) turn into an uphill battle. Every dessert becomes first a temptation, then a taste, and before you know it you've GAINED weight on your diet. That's not supposed to happen! Now this in and of itself could lend to several Spiritual analogies, but this is not where my insight came.
Today I found myself rushing home from work to get to the grocery store. Today marks 2 years that the love of my life and I have been together. I decided I would attempt to make his favorite cake, chocolate cake with cherries in the middle, topped with chocolate- coffee frosting. Remembering that I was on a diet, I told myself that on this special occasion I would have just a small piece of the dessert to celebrate.
As I was making the cake, I reminisced about baking with my mom when I was younger. One of my favorite things was when my mom would give my brother and me each a "batter beater" to lick when she was done mixing the ingredients together. As I thought about this I found myself still cleaning out the mixing bowl and taking tastes here and there. Then I remembered that evil "d" word... DIET.
We all have those big things we are waiting for: a new job, a promotion, marriage, kids, whatever. Those are the "cakes" in life. We know that when they come, it's going to be great. God promises that he will work all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. And God does bless us with so much. but just as I was too impatient to wait for that slice of cake, too often we are impatient with God when it comes to waiting for His blessings. Instead we would rather take the lesser tastes of goodness. In the end, those "batter beaters" never satisfy us.

Thankful...

I couldn't sleep so I thought I would get a jump start on thinking about what I am thankful for this year- I find it's helpful to write out the things I'm thankful for so that Thanksgiving doesn't just go by as another holiday to get lots of calories and enjoy time off of work. I want the day to actually be used the way it was meant to be used; spending time giving thanks. So in no particular order and without further ado:

Things to be thankful for:

• Family- always supportive and there when I need them

• Health- so many people in the world are sick and don't have the medicine they need. I feel I take my health and the ability to get medicine and/or see the doctor whenever I need to for granted

• Food- Unlike billions of people around the world, I have the luxury of opening up a full pantry and refrigerator and choosing something to eat.
• One out of every eight children under the age of twelve in the U.S. goes to bed hungry every night.

• The World Health Organization estimates that one-third of the world is well-fed, one-third is under-fed one-third is starving- Since you've started reading this blog, at least 200 people have died of starvation. Over 4 million will die this year.

• In the Asian, African and Latin American countries, well over 500 million people are living in what the World Bank has called "absolute poverty" (http://library.thinkquest.org/C002291/high/present/stats.ht

• 
  

• Clothes- I may not have the latest fashions and trends, but I have clean clothes to wear every day and for that I am thankful!

• True friends- Not the ones that are just around when it's convenient, but ones that help you through the bad times and love you in spite of your faults.

• Shelter- I have a warm bed to sleep in and a roof over my head.
  

• A Job- Although it's tough at times, and people can be exhausting, it's a job. It may not be perfect, but God provided exactly what I needed at exactly the right time.

• Christ- Without Him, I am nothing. His saving grace has made me who I am and I am so thankful that He chose me before the foundations of the Earth.

• Freedom- America is a land of freedoms. I can go to church and worship without fear, go to work without being oppressed or punished. I have freedom of speech, freedom to write my thoughts and feelings...

• Heroes- Men and women who think enough of our freedoms and country to risk their lives so that we can continue to live this way.
  

I'm sure there is so much more, but as it is already after 2 a.m. my mind is a little blurry. Don't forget to think of all the things you have to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Even if it hasn't been the best year, there is always something. And don't forget to tell the people in your life you are thankful for them. Not in a hokey or forced way, but a sincere thanks.


"We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers"
~1st Thessalonians 1:2~

"We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater"
~2nd Thessalonians 1:3~

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service." ~1st Timothy 1:12~

New Abode

I find myself looking for a new place to live yet again. While the prospect of moving out is exciting, it poses a few problems. These problems are:

1) I need a room mate but don't know where to find a good one (I've had my trouble with roomies in the past so finding one that will work well isn't an easy task)

2) apartments are expensive! I'm not making much at where I work now so finding an apartment at an affordable price is difficult. It seems everything is either too expensive, or in a shady part of town. I'd like to be able to sleep at night without worrying about being shot. (which leads me back up to # 1)

sigh, I know God will take care of me, I'd just rather it NOT be under the bridge on Main street!

Tribute to a hero on his birthday

Today is the birthday of a very important person in my life... my dad. He has been there for me for the last 24 years. Although I will not be able to celebrate with him on this day, I want to send out a tribute to him. Thanks Dad, for everything you've done for me and continue to do. :)

Makes great crepes
Yearns to make Corona a better place because he's there


Sneaks cheetos when mom's not looking (not knowing she does it too)
Uber excited to be one of 150 invited to the war college!
Preaches the Gospel to himself and others daily through his life
Everyone knows I'm his favorite
Rides an awesome scooter


Dedicated to his family
Always there to offer help when I need him
Daily starbucks addict

"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance"

I have been thinking lately about my level of contentment. I find myself saying "If only I had that job" or "if I could just have a boyfriend" or "a little more money please"... then I would be truly happy and content. THEN I would be okay with where I was in life and what God was doing. I mean... I know God has everything figured out for my life and knows what is best, but couldn't he just give me a FEW more good things?
Then I started to think about Paul's writtings in the New Testament book of Phillippians chapeter 4 verses 11-13. Let me inturrupt myself for a moment. This is probably one of the MOST misused verse in the Bible. People take this verse out of context to make it mean that when they are going through a difficult time such as the passing of a family member or sickness or losing a job, they say "yeah well it'll be okay because I have learned to be content in any situation. I can do ANYTHING through Christ. I will get my dream job because I believe in God." This is NOT what that verse means. Paul was saying that even though he had been imprisioned for his faith, lacked the very substance he needed to live, he knew that God was in control. Please do not be the kind of person that takes Scripture and bends it to fit what YOU want it to mean. The Word of God is not here to make you feel better about yourself or your sin. It is not a self-help book or a way to make you love yourself more. It is a way for God to speak to your heart, show you (and me) the sin in our lives, and bring us to repentence. We do not bring meaning to the Bible; rather IT brings meaning to US.
ok... that was my soap box for the evening. So, having said all of that, why do I bring this verse up? I am not being persecuted for my faith in any way. And that is just my point. This verse has helped me put into perspective my so-called "trials" or hardships in life. So often (especially in the area of contentment) I find myself thinking that just having that one thing would make me content. Yet I look at people like Paul in the Bible, like Jonathan Edwards and Jim Elliot, like the people in India and around the world being persecuted for their faith-- all of these people did great things for the Lord with what they had. They did not sit around and wait for that one thing that would make life so much easier or better. They realized that God had blessed them already, and they were responsible to use that for His glory.
I want to be the kind of Christian that, instead of waiting around for the Lord to give me that dream job or enough money or whatever else before I start to work for His glory, to use what he HAS given me right now. I may not be at the job I want to be at for the rest of my life, but I am still in a position where I come into contact with unbelievers and I can have an impact on them for the Kingdom.
What are you doing right now, where you are, with what you have? Are you sitting around waiting for that perfect opportunity to come along before you make an impact for Christ? The world is dying and so many Christians are sitting around with the cure to this awful disease called sin in their pockets. We ought to be living every minute of every day with the mindset of being surrounded by walking dead. Without a relationship with Christ, your family, friends, co-workers, bosses, and neighbors are bound for eternal seperation from God. Be content with what God has given you right now, today and use it share the Good News with the walking dead you come into contact with every day.