This is where I will be on Saturday.

The Embassy in Oshawa puts this amazing carnival on for their community.

Imagine a local Fair, multiply the fun, add in hair cuts, blood pressure clinics, grocery give aways, clothes lining the corridors, toys...ALL FOR FREE!!!!

These guys are on to something, it is sooo amazing!

On top of everything, there will be tents set up for "Destiny Words", Prayer...and the one I am in charge of...Dream interpretations.

I am refusing to get overwhelmed with the task of not only interpreting the dreams ...but training my team in the process....AND my good buddy Scott, has Hockey Tournaments....so I am on my own, (in the physical sense...only!)

So, I am once again asking for prayer support from my blogging friends....I SO can not do this without God, BUT WITH HIM....Piece of Cake!!!!

I have to keep telling myself that!

"...I will choose to listen and believe, the voice of truth!!!!"

By the way, any of you local ON folks...(or any others that want to fly in for this event : ), are more than welcome to join me! I make an early start to arrive in Oshawa for prayer at 8:30...but I would love some company!!!!

Everyone else...I so covet your prayers. Divine appointments, wisdom and revelation are at the top of my request list.

Thank you all, and I will give incredible testimony when I get back...last year was amazing!!!

I love Life

Just wanted to send out some "Cyber hugs" before I go to bed tonight.

I spent some time on a new blog, the blog of a grieving mom

who lost her little angel on July 19...she was 5 yrs. old.

At first I was overcome with grief for this hurting family, but as I read, I was amazed at the progress this family is making, and the faithfulness of my God in what we all feel would be the most heart shattering pain a parent could feel.

It's caused me to hug my own kids a little tighter, and to resolve to spend as much time as possible enjoying them and all of the simple things in life just a little bit more.

Tonight, I can't express how thankful I am for LIFE...all of the wonderful living people and things that God has created to make my life so enjoyable.

For the noise and mess and busyness that is life.

For the beauty and simplicity that is life.

I am thankful that my Jesus came that I might have life and have it to the full.

May I honor Him by living it to the full.

Hugs to Each of you and may you Truly be Blessed,

Jen

Look at Me!

"Look at Me! Watch me! Look at what I can do!"

We have all heard those statements from a child...we have all probably cried out those statements as a child.

A little later in life, that same child cries out..."I can't do it, don't watch"...(I usually pretend that I am not looking, because inevitably, the child CAN do it, and I don't want to miss it).

In either case, the focus is ME. I have become that child tonight.

It is almost 2:00 AM!!

As I went to prayer tonight, in preparation for sleep....I took my worries and concerns with me.

No, not to leave at the feet of Jesus...that's what I SHOULD have done....maybe I'd be snoozing away peacefully by now!

No, I took my worries to Jesus in an effort to some how convince Him ....or at least try (once again), that He really needed to rethink His plan for me.

I asked him (for about the 50'th time), if He was sure there wasn't someone better suited to the task....

He reminded me of a dream He gave me (not long ago), in answer to that same question.

I reminded Him of my inadequacies, I reminded Him of those who were so much more experienced....more anointed...more respected...more known....MORE EVERYTHING!

Panic began to set in as I tried so hard to talk God out of this....panic because I was doing a poor job of convincing God, but a perfectly adequate job of convincing myself.

So, now I was really awake because I KNOW I haven't convinced Him of anything, and if that is true, He would still be asking me to walk the path, and He and I both know I will never say "NO" to Him....but now I am REALLY SURE I can't do it!

By this point, I can't even hear what He's trying to say....I was probably still doing all the talking.

He spoke to me of another dream I had a while back. One in which He'd said, "Go down to the prophet's house and the Lord will talk to you there".

So I went to the prophet's web site that was indicated in this dream....and the Lord began to speak....(or I began to hear). He spoke His word to me, "be strong and courageous....be strong and do not be afraid"

He spoke to me of appointed times, of His being glorified in the victories.

Then, as my spirit began to overcome my flesh/mind...He reminded me of another prophet's CD that had been lent to me and that I had never listened to. She began to speak of God using the "whosoever will", not necessarily the highly anointed, highly trained, etc. Simply the willing.

I had one last whimpering argument...."Lord, I really don't want to be responsible for messing people up if I get it wrong...."

As my vain argument trailed off, I heard Him say, " LOOK AT ME! Stop looking at the circumstance, stop looking at your inabilities and simply LOOK AT ME!"

He began to tell me that He has it all set up, that if I would simply look at him, as I walk my path; if I refuse to be distracted by the circumstances, if I would refuse to look at my abilities or lack there of....if I would simply walk obediently with my eyes fixed on Him, I will look back and realize that I /WE did do it!

Truthfully, I have already proven Him forever faithful.....deep down, I know he will come through....I just need to refocus...AGAIN!

Rhonda Posted a video link to our theme song from VBS last week, "the Voice of Truth" I had to fight tears almost every time we sang it....I am posting the lyrics, because I think I need the reminder....and may again...I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth.

The Voice of Truth:

Oh, what I would do

To have the kind of faith it takes

To climb out of this boat I'm in

Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone

Into the realm of the unknown

Where Jesus is, And he's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me

Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed

The waves they keep on telling me time and time again

"Boy, you'll never win, you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story

the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"

and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh, what I would do to have the kind of strength it takes

To stand before a giant with just a sling and a stone

Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors shaking in their armor

Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me

Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed

The giant keeps on telling me time and time again

"Boy you'll never win, you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story

the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"

and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

but the stone was just the right size to put the giant on the ground

and the waves they don't seem so high from on top of them looking down

I will soar with the wings of eagles

when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus singing over me

But the voice of truth tells me a different story

The voice of truth says do not be afraid

And the voice of truth says this is for my glory

Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)

I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

I will listen and believe I will listen and believe the voice of truth

I will listen and believe 'Causes Jesus you are the voice of truth

And I will listen to you.. oh you........

Birthday Boy!!!!

Jonathan is 15 today!!!!

He had to work this morning, so dad took him for a birthday breakfast at 5:30, so Jonathan could get to work for 6:30....I slept!
Don't worry Jon, I will make lots of food for you and your friends to party with tonight!

We are very proud of this "Gentle Giant". Jonathan was 9 lbs 1 oz at birth. By Christmas, (5 mo. old) we were buying 18 mo. size clothes....and he has kept up the pace ever since!
Today, he stands 6' 5", and has never "spurted" like the other teenage boys....If he does decide to take a growth leap....this mom's shopping expeditions will become very challenging.

I had the privilege of watching Jonathan in action this past week at VBS...we were both leading groups of kids, and 'Chippy' was quite a hit. So much so, that I think working at the golf course this weekend was a break for Jonathan. He did a great job, and kept a smile even when he'd had enough of the little folks.

Today, we celebrate all that God has created in Jonathan. His love for life, laughter and Jesus. His sense of humor, his maturity and respect for others. His leadership gifts, his ability to honor us as parents as well as the others that God has placed as leaders, bosses and teachers in his life.
The example he is to his younger siblings and his peers.
His confidence in who God has made him to be....not really sure where he gets all that confidence, I wish I'd had half of what he has at his age!
Even his love for the 'Leafs', basketball, football, Mega Man, Indianna Jones and Transformers!

Thanks for being all that you are to Glorify God and bring honor to us as your parents. We love you LOADS!



Some of Jonathan's favorite things:

Our Trip....

A Taste of West Palm Beach....

Just For Fun

So, I am back from my second HONEYMOON....flew in last eve. I'll post pictures later as I have so much to get accomplished before I go to do a teaching tomorrow eve. So, this is a little update, that was requested via "Deborah's Encouragement"....Feel free to copy, paste and join in the fun on your own blogs.
I'll catch up more on Friday....I hope!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Kind of my sister...my mother thought she looked so much like a "Janice"(my given name), that if she had another daughter that looked like her at birth, she would call her Janice....only problem is our looks changed dramatically after infancy....though some say we look alike again now!
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Actually, watching some make over show on my flight home yesterday...I know, SAPPY
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I think it looks like a child's...though I bought a special momento of our time in West Palm Beach, a blown glass fountain pen that was made in Italy...it is to inspire me to write, Maybe my handwriting will be beautiful when I use this pen!
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Smoked Turkey
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes, 4...2 boys then 2 girls
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I hope so!!!
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? More than I should, I think.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No way!!!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Captain Crunch....though I only ever eat ALL Bran....too grown up!
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Usually wear ballet flats or heels
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Quite strong physically....very strong inside.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Really don't care much for ice cream
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their face...try to read who they are.
15. RED OR PINK? FOREVER PRETTY PINK!!!!
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Sometimes I think I am not as kind as I ought to be
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My Mommy...
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Sure
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Bare foot in a denim dress
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Turkey, then green tea
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? air conditioner and dishwasher
22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE? Pink
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? The ocean, cinnamon, aftershave...babies
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My daughters as we traveled home yesterday.
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I never met the "Dolla" who requested I do this....but I really like her! (see Deborah's Encouragement in my blogger friends)26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Baseball...one of the few I get. Haven't watched in years, but we are being blessed with box seats for all six of us at a Blue Jays game on Sat....I am learning to like football, thanks to my teenaged son's participation....really don't get that game
27. HAIR COLOR? Dark Blond
28. EYE COLOR? Green
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Chocolate...and Cheesecake...put the two together, and I am in heaven!!!!
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Always Happy Endings!
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Some western with Hubby in Florida
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? White tank under denim dress
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer!!!
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Depends on whose delivering them!
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? HMMMM....
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? HMMM...
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Jane Austin, never read her novels growing up and I found a book that included all of her works, I have one left to read.
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Hubby's company mouse pad....with the addition of a daughter's practicing printing all the family names
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? No TV access
42. FAVORITE SOUND? "I love you" from one of my sweeties
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Never really listened to either
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Figi
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Tea Appreciation....; )
46.WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Nova Scotia, Canada
47. WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU LIKE? Today? Speed....so much to get done, after vacation
48. FAVORITE HOBBY? Reading
49. A FRIEND THAT YOU WISH YOU COULD HANG OUT MORE WITH? Jen from Minnesota
50. IF YOU COULD BE ANYWHERE RIGHT NOW, WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE? Back on West Palm Beach Island....so beautiful and peaceful....especially on the beach at dusk....AHHHHH...